[OVERVIEW]
Jolteon stands out as one of the few Pokemon able to stop Zapdos's rampage, resisting its STAB moves while having the capacity to beat it one-on-one. Tradebacks gifts it Growth, making it a threatening setup sweeper as well. Otherwise, Jolteon remains largely the same: having the highest Speed just behind Electrode also gives it one of the highest critical hit rates in the game, standing at 25.39%, which distinguishes it as a strong special attacker. Crucially, this means it outruns tier king Tauros while threatening it with Thunder Wave, a trait shared with only Alakazam, Starmie, and the unviable Electrode. Thus, Jolteon will frequently get off uncontested paralysis that forces predictable plays out of the opponent, taking back momentum very quickly. Finally, Jolteon possesses useful physical coverage in Double Kick and Pin Missile, which gives it the potential to specialize in the matchup against Chansey or Exeggutor.
However, much like Zapdos, Jolteon is also countered by Rhydon, which means teams featuring Jolteon will often come across similar weaknesses. Being weak to Ground also doesn't bode well for it, as it means Pokemon like Tauros can exploit it if it gets paralyzed, which frequently happens in the matchups Jolteon comes across. Jolteon is frail in general, taking significant damage from Body Slam. Its damage output outside of Thunderbolt is also quite meager and reliant on its critical hit rate, which makes Jolteon quite inconsistent. While Growth is a useful tool that can patch up Jolteon's power issues, it gives Jolteon four-moveslot syndrome, as it's forced to drop Rest and forfeit its ability to be a Zapdos answer as well as making it deathly afraid of Thunder Wave.
[SET]
name: Standard
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Double Kick
move 3: Thunder Wave
move 4: Rest / Growth
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Thunderbolt is Jolteon's bread-and-butter, 2HKOing Pokemon like Cloyster, Starmie, Slowbro, and Lapras. Double Kick primarily targets Chansey, 4HKOing it; Jolteon is favored to break through with critical hits and it will eventually PP stall Soft-Boiled. Double Kick also targets Rhydon, chipping it moderately on entry and essentially preventing it from switching in when below 50% HP due to the risk of a critical hit. Thunder Wave lets Jolteon threaten Pokemon like Tauros and Persian, forcing them out and setting up a sweep for its teammates. Rest lets it consistently counter Zapdos and gives it a long-term advantage against Chansey. Chansey struggles to beat Jolteon even with Seismic Toss because two critical hits or repeated full paralysis are all Jolteon needs to beat it with Double Kick. However, Jolteon tends to let Tauros and other heavy hitters in once it uses Rest, so Jolteon requires careful play and use of double switches to prevent free entry for these threats. An alternative over Rest is Growth, which lets Jolteon assume the role of a setup sweeper. At +1, Jolteon 2HKOes foes like Persian and Tauros and OHKOes Water-types. However, this means losing out on Rest, which forfeits Jolteon's ability to switch into Zapdos and Chansey.
If running Rest, Jolteon can remain hidden until either Zapdos reveals itself or a need to break through Chansey emerges. Jolteon finds entry routes on Zapdos and Chansey quite easily, particularly when they are disincentivized to click Thunder Wave, and it otherwise doesn't mind coming in via double switches. Alternatively, Jolteon can be used as a lead, aiming to paralyze whatever is in front of it and force the opponent to make a difficult decision out of the gate. This is especially effective support to physically attacking sleepers like Lovely Kiss Snorlax, as they greatly appreciate paralysis on Psychic-types and Chansey. However, Jolteon dislikes getting paralyzed early itself, and sleep leads can potentially disable it for the rest of the game. Rest Jolteon is best used on teams that are weak to Zapdos, namely those that stack Water-types. Thus, Cloyster, Starmie, and Slowbro all make valid partners. In return, they help stifle Rhydon's attempts to stop Jolteon. If running Growth, Jolteon shouldn't be used as a switch-in to Zapdos and Chansey and should reveal itself when a sweeping route has been established. Given that Chansey, Exeggutor, and Alakazam all pose issues for Jolteon, it enjoys support from sleepers like Lovely Kiss Snorlax, especially if it's running Growth. Exeggutor is also an excellent partner to Jolteon, being one of the most consistent Rhydon switch-ins in the game while also helping to break through the opposing team with Sleep Powder and Explosion.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rest or Growth is usually Jolteon's most expendable move, though this forfeits either a consistent Chansey matchup or sweeping potential. Pin Missile is an inconsistent option to cover Exeggutor, but a lack of STAB, bad accuracy, and high damage variance mean that it can often fail and lead to a paralyzed or KOed Jolteon. If leading Jolteon, Pin Missile is recommended to ensure it doesn't let Exeggutor in early. Agility can be used to ignore the Speed drop from paralysis, but using Rest and switching out usually does the job fine in conventional game states. Body Slam helps Jolteon more consistently contest Exeggutor while spreading paralysis and damage at once, but its damage is pitiful. Thunder is a niche option to use alongside Thunderbolt, and it can OHKO Cloyster and 2HKO Alakazam and Snorlax at +1, but its unreliable accuracy makes it dubious.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Exeggutor**: Exeggutor dislikes facing Pin Missile, but without it, Jolteon can't fight Exeggutor at all, as it resists Thunderbolt and Double Kick. In return, Exeggutor can threaten Jolteon with STAB Psychic, Sleep Powder, and Stun Spore.
**Rhydon**: A Rhydon at full HP is the bane of Jolteon's existence, threatening an OHKO with Earthquake. However, Rhydon can't switch in repeatedly, as Double Kick deals 15.4% minimum and up to 33.8% on a critical hit. Once Rhydon is below half HP it is very uncomfortable having to switch in again.
**Snorlax**: Snorlax is a strong check to Jolteon if its running Earthquake, which 2HKOes, and even Body Slam threatens Jolteon with a 3HKO and paralysis. In return, unboosted Jolteon can only 4HKO Snorlax without critical hits. At +1 Jolteon falls just short of 2HKOing Snorlax from full, but it has decent odds of breaking through when factoring critical hits, and it can consistently beat Snorlax if it's under 90% HP.
**Paralysis**: Jolteon is a fragile, fast Pokemon, which makes it one of the Pokemon most debilitated by paralysis. Rest can remove the status, but Jolteon still needs to switch out to remove the Speed drop. Pokemon like Alakazam, Chansey, Zapdos, and Stun Spore Exeggutor all force non-Rest Jolteon out and majorly inconvenience Rest Jolteon. Starmie and Slowbro can also threaten paralysis if they're healthy and Jolteon hasn't set up Growth yet. However, Growth Jolteon can stay faster than its foes by reapplying the paralysis Speed drop.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/plague-von-karma.236353/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/torchic.43049/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/shellnuts.491544/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
Jolteon stands out as one of the few Pokemon able to stop Zapdos's rampage, resisting its STAB moves while having the capacity to beat it one-on-one. Tradebacks gifts it Growth, making it a threatening setup sweeper as well. Otherwise, Jolteon remains largely the same: having the highest Speed just behind Electrode also gives it one of the highest critical hit rates in the game, standing at 25.39%, which distinguishes it as a strong special attacker. Crucially, this means it outruns tier king Tauros while threatening it with Thunder Wave, a trait shared with only Alakazam, Starmie, and the unviable Electrode. Thus, Jolteon will frequently get off uncontested paralysis that forces predictable plays out of the opponent, taking back momentum very quickly. Finally, Jolteon possesses useful physical coverage in Double Kick and Pin Missile, which gives it the potential to specialize in the matchup against Chansey or Exeggutor.
However, much like Zapdos, Jolteon is also countered by Rhydon, which means teams featuring Jolteon will often come across similar weaknesses. Being weak to Ground also doesn't bode well for it, as it means Pokemon like Tauros can exploit it if it gets paralyzed, which frequently happens in the matchups Jolteon comes across. Jolteon is frail in general, taking significant damage from Body Slam. Its damage output outside of Thunderbolt is also quite meager and reliant on its critical hit rate, which makes Jolteon quite inconsistent. While Growth is a useful tool that can patch up Jolteon's power issues, it gives Jolteon four-moveslot syndrome, as it's forced to drop Rest and forfeit its ability to be a Zapdos answer as well as making it deathly afraid of Thunder Wave.
[SET]
name: Standard
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Double Kick
move 3: Thunder Wave
move 4: Rest / Growth
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Thunderbolt is Jolteon's bread-and-butter, 2HKOing Pokemon like Cloyster, Starmie, Slowbro, and Lapras. Double Kick primarily targets Chansey, 4HKOing it; Jolteon is favored to break through with critical hits and it will eventually PP stall Soft-Boiled. Double Kick also targets Rhydon, chipping it moderately on entry and essentially preventing it from switching in when below 50% HP due to the risk of a critical hit. Thunder Wave lets Jolteon threaten Pokemon like Tauros and Persian, forcing them out and setting up a sweep for its teammates. Rest lets it consistently counter Zapdos and gives it a long-term advantage against Chansey. Chansey struggles to beat Jolteon even with Seismic Toss because two critical hits or repeated full paralysis are all Jolteon needs to beat it with Double Kick. However, Jolteon tends to let Tauros and other heavy hitters in once it uses Rest, so Jolteon requires careful play and use of double switches to prevent free entry for these threats. An alternative over Rest is Growth, which lets Jolteon assume the role of a setup sweeper. At +1, Jolteon 2HKOes foes like Persian and Tauros and OHKOes Water-types. However, this means losing out on Rest, which forfeits Jolteon's ability to switch into Zapdos and Chansey.
If running Rest, Jolteon can remain hidden until either Zapdos reveals itself or a need to break through Chansey emerges. Jolteon finds entry routes on Zapdos and Chansey quite easily, particularly when they are disincentivized to click Thunder Wave, and it otherwise doesn't mind coming in via double switches. Alternatively, Jolteon can be used as a lead, aiming to paralyze whatever is in front of it and force the opponent to make a difficult decision out of the gate. This is especially effective support to physically attacking sleepers like Lovely Kiss Snorlax, as they greatly appreciate paralysis on Psychic-types and Chansey. However, Jolteon dislikes getting paralyzed early itself, and sleep leads can potentially disable it for the rest of the game. Rest Jolteon is best used on teams that are weak to Zapdos, namely those that stack Water-types. Thus, Cloyster, Starmie, and Slowbro all make valid partners. In return, they help stifle Rhydon's attempts to stop Jolteon. If running Growth, Jolteon shouldn't be used as a switch-in to Zapdos and Chansey and should reveal itself when a sweeping route has been established. Given that Chansey, Exeggutor, and Alakazam all pose issues for Jolteon, it enjoys support from sleepers like Lovely Kiss Snorlax, especially if it's running Growth. Exeggutor is also an excellent partner to Jolteon, being one of the most consistent Rhydon switch-ins in the game while also helping to break through the opposing team with Sleep Powder and Explosion.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rest or Growth is usually Jolteon's most expendable move, though this forfeits either a consistent Chansey matchup or sweeping potential. Pin Missile is an inconsistent option to cover Exeggutor, but a lack of STAB, bad accuracy, and high damage variance mean that it can often fail and lead to a paralyzed or KOed Jolteon. If leading Jolteon, Pin Missile is recommended to ensure it doesn't let Exeggutor in early. Agility can be used to ignore the Speed drop from paralysis, but using Rest and switching out usually does the job fine in conventional game states. Body Slam helps Jolteon more consistently contest Exeggutor while spreading paralysis and damage at once, but its damage is pitiful. Thunder is a niche option to use alongside Thunderbolt, and it can OHKO Cloyster and 2HKO Alakazam and Snorlax at +1, but its unreliable accuracy makes it dubious.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Exeggutor**: Exeggutor dislikes facing Pin Missile, but without it, Jolteon can't fight Exeggutor at all, as it resists Thunderbolt and Double Kick. In return, Exeggutor can threaten Jolteon with STAB Psychic, Sleep Powder, and Stun Spore.
**Rhydon**: A Rhydon at full HP is the bane of Jolteon's existence, threatening an OHKO with Earthquake. However, Rhydon can't switch in repeatedly, as Double Kick deals 15.4% minimum and up to 33.8% on a critical hit. Once Rhydon is below half HP it is very uncomfortable having to switch in again.
**Snorlax**: Snorlax is a strong check to Jolteon if its running Earthquake, which 2HKOes, and even Body Slam threatens Jolteon with a 3HKO and paralysis. In return, unboosted Jolteon can only 4HKO Snorlax without critical hits. At +1 Jolteon falls just short of 2HKOing Snorlax from full, but it has decent odds of breaking through when factoring critical hits, and it can consistently beat Snorlax if it's under 90% HP.
**Paralysis**: Jolteon is a fragile, fast Pokemon, which makes it one of the Pokemon most debilitated by paralysis. Rest can remove the status, but Jolteon still needs to switch out to remove the Speed drop. Pokemon like Alakazam, Chansey, Zapdos, and Stun Spore Exeggutor all force non-Rest Jolteon out and majorly inconvenience Rest Jolteon. Starmie and Slowbro can also threaten paralysis if they're healthy and Jolteon hasn't set up Growth yet. However, Growth Jolteon can stay faster than its foes by reapplying the paralysis Speed drop.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/plague-von-karma.236353/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/torchic.43049/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/shellnuts.491544/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
Last edited: