DTC had this idea of posting thread for major types in the meta at specific intervals, and I jumped at electric since it's a cool type and I've used it a lot! (note: I have intentionally forgone including rotom-f at his explicit request)
Rotom... needs no introduction. With his unique speed stat of 86, he makes an excellent scarfer, getting the jump on both +1 Sawk and +2 Gorebyss and OHKOing them both (well, excluding Sturdy). Volt Switch is as handy as ever, and he can trick away this predictable item at a moment's notice. He can even run an annoying paraflinch set, or just a good old substitute set with options like pain split and will-o-wisp, but don't be THAT GUY.
No weaknesses OMG. While that's hardly the case, Eelektross is certainly an opponent to be feared. Thanks to his passable defenses and again, lack of weaknesses, he can be rather difficult to OHKO, which gives him all the time he needs to blast you apart with powerful Life Orb attacks. His diversity should be noted, for he can run good moves from both sides of the spectrum, such as Volt Switch, Thunderbolt, Wild Charge, Flamethrower, U-turn, Grass Knot, Acid Spray, and even dragon tail. He will on occasion even use Coil in conjunction with Dragon Tail to REALLY frustrate you. Certainly not a mon to underestimate.
The franchise classic... Don't be fooled by his endearing appearance, for with Light Ball he has higher attacking stats than rayquaza. With Electric, Grass, Ice and Fighting coverage all at his disposable, he can be frustrating to wall if you don't pack the appropriate resists. With Lightningrod, he can come in on all those choiced electric attacks flying around and make you regret it, immediately. His 90 base speed is quite solid, and overall is a very dangerous Pokemon.
Hard to blame Ash for not wanting to evolve his Pikachu right? In many ways, Raichu is outclassed by its baby form, but he has some important niches that can make him better. First is his staggering 100 base spe, getting the jump on all those 95's running around. He can even use an item BESIDES light ball, so you can run a scarf on him, and you can use Encore unlike his prevo. By and large, however, unless you're playing to these strengths, Pikachu is a better option.
Perhaps the most underrated electric type of all, Electabuzz brings to the table a unique combination of speed, attack and bulk that we seldom find on a Pokemon. First to note is his 105 base speed stat, which is simply incredible by any standards. He can use either an Eviolite, to allow him to stick around and act as more of a tank, or Life Orb or Specs to really abuse his massive movepool. Vital Spirit is as good an ability as ever for those god damn Amoonguss. Definitely worth consideration.
Despite not being even 10% as cute as its prevo,Zebraiken Zebstrika will not disappoint. Lightningrod makes him a very good switch in for the other electric in the tier, which he tends to outspeed with his awkward 116 speed stat. He can also abuse a wide movepool, with access to fire attacking moves outside of hidden power. One of the better specs mons in the tier, imo.
This is it, the only electric type cute enough to steal jumpluff's heart away from her shaymins for even a quarter of a second. And she has good taste- for a nice 115 spatk stat, good defenses, solid abilities and wonderful support movepool make Ampharos a lovely and rewarding Pokemon. It can run a marvelous specs set to abuse its high special attack, but it's equally good at just chilling like a villain, equipped with screens and heal bell. You can even take the supreme offensive option and delve right into attacking with Agility or a tank set. A very strong mon on the right team, in the right hands.
Electrode is kinda weak and REALLY frail, but at least he's fast! Electrode perhaps excels in the highest capacity as a rain inducer, thanks to a quick rain dance and explosion or volt switch to get him the fuck out of there. Alternatively, you can run a pretty good Specs set, capitalizing off his through-the-roof speed. Other than that, though, he's mostly a lesser option.
Luxray is a pretty interesting fella, who can do some interesting stuff. Probably his most notable niche is with Intimidate, which lets him scare off some birds and give him some nice physical bulk. He can also run a Guts set, which boosts his already high attack to simply obscene levels, but his lagging speed doesn't do him any favors there. His best niche is perhaps simply as a wallbreaker, since he can use his good special attacks + Superpower to beat down pink blobs. Unfortunately guts + superpower is illegal ;(
Overall, these are all some fine 'mons until you face THAT GUY with a big meanie ground type that just sits there laughing at you, firmly affixed to the earth and NOT willing to take your shit. Are Golem and his dick friends too strong, or are there other options to explore to defeat them?????????? (pick the second one)
Rotom... needs no introduction. With his unique speed stat of 86, he makes an excellent scarfer, getting the jump on both +1 Sawk and +2 Gorebyss and OHKOing them both (well, excluding Sturdy). Volt Switch is as handy as ever, and he can trick away this predictable item at a moment's notice. He can even run an annoying paraflinch set, or just a good old substitute set with options like pain split and will-o-wisp, but don't be THAT GUY.
No weaknesses OMG. While that's hardly the case, Eelektross is certainly an opponent to be feared. Thanks to his passable defenses and again, lack of weaknesses, he can be rather difficult to OHKO, which gives him all the time he needs to blast you apart with powerful Life Orb attacks. His diversity should be noted, for he can run good moves from both sides of the spectrum, such as Volt Switch, Thunderbolt, Wild Charge, Flamethrower, U-turn, Grass Knot, Acid Spray, and even dragon tail. He will on occasion even use Coil in conjunction with Dragon Tail to REALLY frustrate you. Certainly not a mon to underestimate.
The franchise classic... Don't be fooled by his endearing appearance, for with Light Ball he has higher attacking stats than rayquaza. With Electric, Grass, Ice and Fighting coverage all at his disposable, he can be frustrating to wall if you don't pack the appropriate resists. With Lightningrod, he can come in on all those choiced electric attacks flying around and make you regret it, immediately. His 90 base speed is quite solid, and overall is a very dangerous Pokemon.
Hard to blame Ash for not wanting to evolve his Pikachu right? In many ways, Raichu is outclassed by its baby form, but he has some important niches that can make him better. First is his staggering 100 base spe, getting the jump on all those 95's running around. He can even use an item BESIDES light ball, so you can run a scarf on him, and you can use Encore unlike his prevo. By and large, however, unless you're playing to these strengths, Pikachu is a better option.
Perhaps the most underrated electric type of all, Electabuzz brings to the table a unique combination of speed, attack and bulk that we seldom find on a Pokemon. First to note is his 105 base speed stat, which is simply incredible by any standards. He can use either an Eviolite, to allow him to stick around and act as more of a tank, or Life Orb or Specs to really abuse his massive movepool. Vital Spirit is as good an ability as ever for those god damn Amoonguss. Definitely worth consideration.
Despite not being even 10% as cute as its prevo,
This is it, the only electric type cute enough to steal jumpluff's heart away from her shaymins for even a quarter of a second. And she has good taste- for a nice 115 spatk stat, good defenses, solid abilities and wonderful support movepool make Ampharos a lovely and rewarding Pokemon. It can run a marvelous specs set to abuse its high special attack, but it's equally good at just chilling like a villain, equipped with screens and heal bell. You can even take the supreme offensive option and delve right into attacking with Agility or a tank set. A very strong mon on the right team, in the right hands.
Electrode is kinda weak and REALLY frail, but at least he's fast! Electrode perhaps excels in the highest capacity as a rain inducer, thanks to a quick rain dance and explosion or volt switch to get him the fuck out of there. Alternatively, you can run a pretty good Specs set, capitalizing off his through-the-roof speed. Other than that, though, he's mostly a lesser option.
Luxray is a pretty interesting fella, who can do some interesting stuff. Probably his most notable niche is with Intimidate, which lets him scare off some birds and give him some nice physical bulk. He can also run a Guts set, which boosts his already high attack to simply obscene levels, but his lagging speed doesn't do him any favors there. His best niche is perhaps simply as a wallbreaker, since he can use his good special attacks + Superpower to beat down pink blobs. Unfortunately guts + superpower is illegal ;(
Overall, these are all some fine 'mons until you face THAT GUY with a big meanie ground type that just sits there laughing at you, firmly affixed to the earth and NOT willing to take your shit. Are Golem and his dick friends too strong, or are there other options to explore to defeat them?????????? (pick the second one)
