
[OVERVIEW]
Electrode is the second fastest relevant Pokemon in NeverUsed with a blistering Speed stat of 140 that allows it to outspeed many threats in the metagame. This, combined with a great offensive typing in Electric and a decent base Special Attack, makes Electrode a great revenge killer and late-game cleaner. Electrode's abilities, Soundproof and Aftermath, allow it to have some offensive utility in being able to switch into sound moves like Swellow's Boomburst and to chip away at physical attackers that KO it, respectively. However, Electrode is still not very strong, even if it runs a Modest nature, making it difficult to break through specially defensive Pokemon and common Electric-type checks suchy as Lanturn and Steelix. Due to its limited movepool, Electrode is forced to miss out on certain Electric-type checks, relying on Hidden Power to take on most others. It also faces competition from the other Electric-types and fast Pokemon in general, including Rotom, Swellow, and Floatzel, as they usually have more utility or better coverage than Electrode.
[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Signal Beam
item: Life Orb
ability: Soundproof
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Thunderbolt is Electrode's main STAB move. Volt Switch allows Electrode to gain momentum against the opposing team and to wear down bulkier Pokemon by repeatedly using the move and keeping up pressure against them. Hidden Power Grass is vital to hit Lanturn and Gastrodon, which otherwise wall Electrode completely, while also hitting Ground-types such as Rhydon and Golurk. Signal Beam provides coverage against Grass- and Psychic-types such as Shiftry and Mesprit. Hidden Power Ground is a decent option over Hidden Power Grass, hitting Steelix hard while still dealing with Lanturn. Hidden Power Water loses out on hitting Lanturn, but it can damage Steelix and Rhydon significantly. However, both of these moves lose out on hitting Gastrodon.
Set Details
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Maximum Special Attack investment with a Modest nature is used to boost Electrode's relatively low power, while maximum Speed investment allows Electrode to outspeed all unboosted base 115 Speed Pokemon and below. A Timid nature can still be used to outspeed Swellow, Adamant Choice Scarf Kabutops and Shiftry, and Jolly Rhydon after a Rock Polish, but it loses out on much-needed power. Soundproof is chosen to block Boomburst from Choice Specs Swellow, making Electrode an effective switch-in to it. It also makes Electrode immune to Aurorus and Pyroar's Hyper Voice, but it needs proper prediction in order to switch into them. Aftermath is a secondary ability to be used with a Timid nature that can punish physical attackers for KOing Electrode, but switching into Choice Specs Swellow and other users of sound-based moves is usually more worth it. Life Orb is chosen over Choice Specs, as Electrode prefers the ability to switch between moves over the additional power.
Usage Tips
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Electrode should be used as a revenge killer and late-game cleaner, as its base 140 Speed lets it outrun fast Pokemon such as Floatzel and hit them hard with its STAB moves or a coverage move. Electrode isn't very bulky, so try to bring it in after a teammate has fainted or on a resisted hit. Thanks to Soundproof, Electrode can switch into sound-based moves such as Boomburst, making it a great switch-in to Choice Specs Swellow and a decent switch-in to other users of these moves such as Choice Specs Aurorus. However, it can be risky to do so, as the Swellow user can use U-turn to bring out something that can prevent Electrode from gaining offensive momentum, such as Lanturn. Using Volt Switch as much as you can early-game is useful to gain momentum and chip away at specially bulky Pokemon. Try to use Electrode's coverage moves when the opponent has the appropriate target for them, such as on a predicted switch into Gastrodon.
Team Options
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Wallbreakers that can break down walls that Electrode can't beat, such as Abomasnow and Magmortar, make for good teammates, as Electrode's high Speed gives it a good matchup against the offensive teams with which these wallbreakers can struggle. Abomasnow synergizes especially nicely with Electrode, as it beats Lanturn and Gastrodon, resists Ground-type attacks, and breaks down Hariyama with Wood Hammer. Pokemon that can pivot into Electrode via U-turn or Volt Switch such as Scyther can form a nice VoltTurn core with Electrode. Scyther also beats Hariyama, one of Electrode's best counters. Teammates that can capitalize on Electrode's weaknesses, such as Mismagius to deal with bulky Ground-types or Lilligant to deal with Lanturn, make for good teammates. Lilligant is a great partner for Electrode, as it deals with Electrode's worst enemies, Lanturn, Steelix, and Gastrodon, and it can use all of them as potential setup fodder. Meanwhile, Electrode revenge kills Flying-types and can wear down Magmortar by repeatedly using Volt Switch on it. Samurott is one of the best partners for Electrode, as it benefits heavily from the revenge killing of several threats it hates fighting, such as Swellow, and can also wallbreak for Electrode with its Life Orb set.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Rain Dance lead set with Damp Rock can be used to make use of Electrode's amazing Speed stat and take advantage of Electrode's STAB Thunder, but it faces competition from other Rain setters such as Liepard, which has Prankster to set up Rain Dance with ease, and Mesprit, which can provide additional utility via Stealth Rock and a Fighting resist. Toxic is an option to cripple many of Electrode's counters on the switch, but Electrode cannot fit it onto any of its movesets. Taunt can be used over Signal Beam to prevent walls from using their recovery moves, but it doesn't provide any coverage, unlike Signal Beam, and Electrode usually doesn't have enough power to bust through walls without losing a lot of its health in the process.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Steelix and Piloswine are immune to Electrode's STAB moves and don't take much from Hidden Power Grass either. However, some of them, such as Rhydon and Gastrodon, must fear Hidden Power Grass, as they are 4x weak to it.
**Lanturn**: Lanturn is immune to Electrode's STAB moves thanks to Volt Absorb, and Hidden Power Grass is only a 4HKO against it, making it an effective switch-in to Electrode. Lanturn can also wear Electrode down with Scald or Volt Switch, which can really take a toll on Electrode on top of its Life Orb recoil.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Specially defensive walls such as Assault Vest Hariyama and Mega Audino can easily switch into Electrode, and Mega Audino can Wish off the damage or take advantage of it by setting up Calm Mind.
**Choice Scarf Pokemon**: Choice Scarf users such as Mesprit and Haunter can outspeed Electrode and revenge kill it due to Electrode's frailty.
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