|
-
Soundproof
- Unaffected by sound moves.
-
Static
- 30% chance to paralyze when struck by a contact move.
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Aftermath
- Deals 25% damage when KOed by contact damage.
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Level 5 Statistics (see level 5, 50, 100)
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
60
|
- |
22 |
25 |
- |
| Atk |
50
|
9 |
11 |
14 |
15 |
| Def |
70
|
11 |
13 |
16 |
17 |
| SpA |
80
|
12 |
14 |
17 |
18 |
| SpD |
80
|
12 |
14 |
17 |
18 |
| Spe |
140
|
18 |
20 |
23 |
25 |
Overview
Electrode is known for being the second fastest Pokemon in NU, with its electrifying base 140 Speed putting it only behind Ninjask. Electrode makes great use of its high Speed stat, because its base 80 Special Attack is just enough to run a Life Orb set that can deal massive damage to most offensive Pokemon. Electrode is so fast that it can outrun prominent metagame threats such as Swoobat and Swellow, dealing massive damage to all of them. Unfortunately, not all is well for Electrode, as it fails to do significant damage to most defensive Pokemon and has an incredibly shallow movepool with very few coverage options outside of Hidden Power. Strangely enough, Electrode is a great user of Foul Play, a move which uses the opponent's Attack stat to deal damage; this is because most of Electrode's best counters have a high Attack stat. Finally, Electrode has access to the ability Static; Static has been known to make enemies rage, and only contributes to the anger your opponent will have while being swept by Electrode.
This is Electrode's best set, giving it both the power and Speed to run through the tier. Thunderbolt is the primary STAB move, giving Electrode a move to clean up late-game, as well as OHKO Pokemon such as Samurott, Gorebyss, and Swoobat. Volt Switch is the move that is used most often early in the match, as it allows Electrode to scout potential switches while dealing damage to the opposition. Because Electrode is so fast, Volt Switch can be used to get out of a tough situation, and can be used to KO an opponent without losing momentum, as Volt Switch will OHKO Swellow. Hidden Power Ice is Electrode's only way of reliably hitting Ground-types such as Golem, Torterra, and Stunfisk. The choice between Signal Beam and Foul Play comes down to preference. Signal Beam is Electrode's best choice against Psychic-types, and is able to OHKO Exeggutor, who would otherwise beat this set. It is also slightly more powerful against Grass-types than Hidden Power Ice, and as such it's the preferred move for defeating them. While Foul Play is a move rarely seen competitively, Electrode is able to use the move very well in NU, as two of the best counters to Electrode, Golurk and Eelektross, are hit very hard by Foul Play; Golurk can even be OHKOed if it is a Choice Band variant without any HP investment! Electrode's Speed is what makes it stand out, as without that blistering base 140 Speed, it would have nothing of note over other Electric-types such as Zebstrika or Raichu.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
The designated EV spread is meant to be able to outspeed Swellow as well as neutral +1 base 80 Speed Pokemon, such as Braviary. Both Static and Aftermath are viable abilities, although Static is the preferred choice since its effect is much more game-changing than Aftermath's; however, Aftermath is perfectly viable if you prefer not to rely on luck-related abilities. Electro Ball is a pretty interesting move option for the last slot. It hits threatening Pokemon such as Regirock, Musharna, and Lickilicky harder than Thunderbolt. However, Electro Ball should only be used if Electrode is either Timid or it is on a paralysis spreading team; otherwise, Lickilicky and Regirock take more damage from Thunderbolt. Two of the best teammates for Electrode are Sawk and Golurk, who are able to defeat many Electrode counters, such as Regirock, Lickilicky, and Camerupt, with ease using their high-powered STAB Fighting-type moves. Golurk is another Pokemon that makes for a great partner due to its ability to hit Psychic-types very hard, and even if Golurk fails to KO them, they end up within Thunderbolt's KO range. Because Electrode only has base 80 Special Attack, it will often fall just short of KOs; this makes Spikes users such as Cacturne and Garbodor great teammates for Electrode, as even with just a single layer of Spikes, Electrode is able to gain some KOs, such as against Torterra and Combusken. Taunt is an option in the last slot, although it is not recommended because Electrode will often be KOed after using the move. Electrode is quite frail and many of the Pokemon it would Taunt can OHKO Electrode on the predicted attack. Hidden Power Grass can also be used to hit Golem, although it offers very little utility otherwise, as other Ground-types are hit just as hard by Hidden Power Ice, which also hits Torterra and Vileplume. A Modest nature can also be used if you have a surefire way to remove Swellow, although the utility of being able to defeat it with Electrode is often worth not having to use an additional Pokemon, so Modest should only be used in rare cases.
Other Options
Like most Electric-types, Electrode's movepool is incredibly barren. Rain Dance is the most notable move Electrode can use other than the main set, as the Rain Dance set was Electrode's bread and butter set last generation. Unfortunately, the dawn of Prankster users has rendered Electrode's niche obsolete. Thunder is usable if you want to risk the chance of missing, but is otherwise outclassed by Thunderbolt. Explosion is another option that Electrode has at its disposal, although it is pitifully weak coming off of Electrode's base 50 Attack, especially with the nerf to Explosion this generation. Finally, Electrode can use Charge Beam, although it is laughably weak and Electrode will struggle to KO anything with it, and will likely be OHKOed in return.
Checks and Counters
As Electrode is quite weak, any Pokemon with decent special bulk that isn't weak to Thunderbolt will likely be able to check it. Lickilicky is able to switch in and either Wish stall Electrode out of HP due to Life Orb recoil or Body Slam it for a lot of damage. Regirock can also switch in on any move and use Rock Slide on Electrode or set up Stealth Rock. Camerupt is immune to Electrode's STAB moves and takes almost nothing from anything else, and it can take advantage of Electrode to use Rock Polish or set up Stealth Rock if it is a defensive set. Piloswine is also immune to Electric-type attacks and can retaliate with a powerful STAB Earthquake, OHKOing Electrode with ease. Ampharos as well as other bulky Electric-types take pittance from Electrode's attacks; although they cannot do massive damage to Electrode, they can paralyze it and make Electrode useless for the rest of the match. Regice can use its massive base 200 Special Defense to wall Electrode and hit it hard with Ice Beam. Seismitoad takes nothing from Electrode unless it is running the rare Hidden Power Grass, and can either hit it with Earth Power or set up Rain Dance and sweep. Golurk with HP investment can switch in on Electrode's STAB moves, survive a Foul Play, and OHKO with Earthquake. Bulky Fighting-types such as Throh and Gurdurr are able to tank a Thunderbolt and hit Electrode hard; Gurdurr even powers up if Static activates due to its ability, Guts. Eelektross is capable of hitting Electrode with a powerful Superpower if it's running a common Choice Band set, or with Flamethrower if it is a specially attacking set. Vileplume can tank a super effective Hidden Power Ice and Sleep Powder Electrode in return, switching out afterwards to regain the lost HP through Regenerator. Although most of Electrode's counters are defensive, it can be revenge killed by powerful priority moves such as Skuntank's Sucker Punch, although using these moves is risky because they might activate Static.
