#642 Thundurus
Type: Electric/Flying
Base Stats: 79 HP / 115 Atk / 70 Def / 125 SpA / 80 SpD / 111 Spe
Abilities:
Prankster: Moves that do not deal direct damage have their priority increased by one level.
Defiant (DW): Boosts Attack by two stages for every stat drop.
Notable moves: (STAB moves in bold; Prankster compatible moves in italics)
Thunderbolt
Thunder
Thunder Wave
Wild Charge
Superpower
Knock Off
Taunt
Nasty Plot
Bulk Up
Focus Blast
Hidden Power
Substitute
Volt Switch
U-turn
Rain Dance
Grass Knot
Fly
General Analysis:
The Incarnate form of the thunder genie returns to OU for generation VI, and it is certainly a force to be reckoned with. It is the best offensive user in the game of the ability Prankster, which gives it the invaluble ability to stop sweepers in their tracks with priority Thunder Wave or shut down defensive Pokemon and many hazard setters with priority Taunt. Thundurus is particularly good at shutting down Baton Pass teams because Prankster lets it use Taunt before the opponent can Baton Pass to Magic Bounce Espeon to reflect it. It also makes a fearsome sweeper with access to Nasty Plot, phenomenal base 111 Speed and base 125 Special Attack, paralysis immunity, and unresisted 3-move coverage. However, with the new generation came the loss of permanent rain, forcing Thundurus to use the less powerful Thunderbolt instead of Thunder. In addition, Thundurus is very frail and cannot take strong hits at all or switch into most Pokemon. It is also worn down fairly quickly due to its Stealth Rock weakness and Life Orb recoil. Despite this, Thundurus is a great choice for almost any team due to its ability to shut down offensive and defensive threats alike with Prankster and its nearly unrivaled special sweeping capabilities.
Potential movesets:
Prankster:
Thundurus @ Life Orb / Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Taunt / Volt Switch / Rain Dance
This set brings excellent utility to offensive teams. Priority Thunder Wave puts a full stop to almost every sweeper in OU, the only notable exceptions being Landorus, Excadrill, Garchomp, or other Thundurus. Taunt prevents hazards from the likes of Deoxys-S and Deoxys-D without Magic Coat, Klefki, Forretress, and Skarmory without the loss of momentum that Defog or Rapid Spin tend to bring. Rain Dance can be used on Drizzle teams to guarantee that rain can be set back up in nearly any situation thanks to its priority. Thundurus also still hits like a truck with Life Orb boosted STAB Thunderbolt and gets great pseudo boltbeam coverage.
Nasty Plot Sweeper:
Thundurus @ Life Orb / Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast / Substitute
This set is tremendously powerful, 2HKOing almost every relevant OU Pokemon at +2. It also boasts perfect coverage and outstanding base 111 Speed, which outspeeds most Pokemon, including base 110's like Latios and Gengar. However, it lacks priority and is easily revenged killed by popular scarfers such as Genesect. It also does not take priority very well and is very easy to wear down.
Conclusion:
Thundurus-I is without a doubt one of the best Pokemon in OU right now. Having an emergency anti-sweep button is incredibly useful in any metagame, especially one as offensive as this. Thundurus is very unique in its ability to be an offensive threat and a fantastic supporter at the same time. Additionally, despite being easily revenge killed, the Nasty Plot set is a major threat to just about every team right now, and very few are prepared for it at all. Despite its strikingly low current usage, every team must be adequately prepared to handle the wrath of the living thunderstorm known as Thundurus.
Type: Electric/Flying
Base Stats: 79 HP / 115 Atk / 70 Def / 125 SpA / 80 SpD / 111 Spe
Abilities:
Prankster: Moves that do not deal direct damage have their priority increased by one level.
Defiant (DW): Boosts Attack by two stages for every stat drop.
Notable moves: (STAB moves in bold; Prankster compatible moves in italics)
Thunderbolt
Thunder
Thunder Wave
Wild Charge
Superpower
Knock Off
Taunt
Nasty Plot
Bulk Up
Focus Blast
Hidden Power
Substitute
Volt Switch
U-turn
Rain Dance
Grass Knot
Fly
General Analysis:
The Incarnate form of the thunder genie returns to OU for generation VI, and it is certainly a force to be reckoned with. It is the best offensive user in the game of the ability Prankster, which gives it the invaluble ability to stop sweepers in their tracks with priority Thunder Wave or shut down defensive Pokemon and many hazard setters with priority Taunt. Thundurus is particularly good at shutting down Baton Pass teams because Prankster lets it use Taunt before the opponent can Baton Pass to Magic Bounce Espeon to reflect it. It also makes a fearsome sweeper with access to Nasty Plot, phenomenal base 111 Speed and base 125 Special Attack, paralysis immunity, and unresisted 3-move coverage. However, with the new generation came the loss of permanent rain, forcing Thundurus to use the less powerful Thunderbolt instead of Thunder. In addition, Thundurus is very frail and cannot take strong hits at all or switch into most Pokemon. It is also worn down fairly quickly due to its Stealth Rock weakness and Life Orb recoil. Despite this, Thundurus is a great choice for almost any team due to its ability to shut down offensive and defensive threats alike with Prankster and its nearly unrivaled special sweeping capabilities.
Potential movesets:
Prankster:
Thundurus @ Life Orb / Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Taunt / Volt Switch / Rain Dance
This set brings excellent utility to offensive teams. Priority Thunder Wave puts a full stop to almost every sweeper in OU, the only notable exceptions being Landorus, Excadrill, Garchomp, or other Thundurus. Taunt prevents hazards from the likes of Deoxys-S and Deoxys-D without Magic Coat, Klefki, Forretress, and Skarmory without the loss of momentum that Defog or Rapid Spin tend to bring. Rain Dance can be used on Drizzle teams to guarantee that rain can be set back up in nearly any situation thanks to its priority. Thundurus also still hits like a truck with Life Orb boosted STAB Thunderbolt and gets great pseudo boltbeam coverage.
Nasty Plot Sweeper:
Thundurus @ Life Orb / Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast / Substitute
This set is tremendously powerful, 2HKOing almost every relevant OU Pokemon at +2. It also boasts perfect coverage and outstanding base 111 Speed, which outspeeds most Pokemon, including base 110's like Latios and Gengar. However, it lacks priority and is easily revenged killed by popular scarfers such as Genesect. It also does not take priority very well and is very easy to wear down.
Conclusion:
Thundurus-I is without a doubt one of the best Pokemon in OU right now. Having an emergency anti-sweep button is incredibly useful in any metagame, especially one as offensive as this. Thundurus is very unique in its ability to be an offensive threat and a fantastic supporter at the same time. Additionally, despite being easily revenge killed, the Nasty Plot set is a major threat to just about every team right now, and very few are prepared for it at all. Despite its strikingly low current usage, every team must be adequately prepared to handle the wrath of the living thunderstorm known as Thundurus.
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