los tigres
[OVERVIEW]
Raikou offers very little over other, more usable Electric-types in Doubles OU such as Rotom-W, Thundurus, and Zapdos; it doesn't have the nifty typing of Rotom-W, can't parallel both the offensive and supportive potential of Thundurus, and lacks access to Tailwind unlike Zapdos. Raikou's only real niche in the metagame is its neat combination of typing, Speed, and bulk; sporting a high base 115 Speed, enough to outrun a major chunk of the metagame, along with solid HP and Special Defense, Raikou makes for a serviceable Electric-type pick that, unlike Zapdos and Thundurus, doesn't have the Ice- and Rock-type weaknesses that their Flying typing brings and has the Speed that Rotom-W and bulky Thundurus cannot boast having. Raikou is also one of the only three relevant Electric-types in the metagame that actually resist Electric-type attacks, the other two being Rotom-H and Raichu, with Raikou having the best combination of Speed and bulk; the typing lets it function as a decent check to opposing Electric-types such as Thundurus and Zapdos. In addition, Raikou also has access to nifty support moves in Snarl and Thunder Wave, the former being useful for weakening the blows of opposing special attackers and the latter letting it provide speed control support to teammates.
Still, its Defense is paltry, which leaves it easily whittled down by common physical attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan and Mega Diancie, and its lack of an immunity to Ground, unlike other Electric-types in the metagame, leaves it prone to getting taken down by an Earthquake from the very common Landorus-T.
[SET]
name: Nice Access (Fast Support)
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Snarl
move 3: Thunder Wave
move 4: Protect
item: Sitrus Berry
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 24 SpA / 232 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Thunderbolt gives Raikou an option to deal consistent damage and hits Flying- and Water-types such as Talonflame and Politoed hard. Snarl lets Raikou support its teammates by weakening special attacks, letting them take on opposing special attackers more easily. Thunder Wave lets Raikou provide speed control by paralyzing foes, allowing teammates to outrun foes they normally wouldn't be able to. Protect shields Raikou from damage while also letting it stall out field conditions and allowing it to safely stay in on the field while a partner takes out a threat.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP provides Raikou with as much bulk as possible, and 232 Speed EVs with a Timid nature let it outrun a significant portion of the metagame, getting the jump on Thundurus and Mega Lucario. The spare EVs are invested into Special Attack in order to provide a slight raise to power. Sitrus Berry provides Raikou with burst recovery, giving it a boost to longevity.
Usage Tips
========
Raikou should only be picked for a team when its combination of high Speed, bulk, and lack of weakness to Rock and Ice is desired, as otherwise it's outclassed by other Electric-types such as Rotom-W, Thundurus, and Zapdos. Raikou has an atypical high Speed for a supporting Pokemon, letting it perform well the double duty of providing usual support and getting clean hits on faster threats in the metagame such as Keldeo and Mega Diancie. Raikou functions well as a bulky switch-in that covers for its frailer teammates; in particular, it works well against opposing Flying- and Electric-types such as Talonflame and Thundurus, as it can switch on their STAB moves moves with ease while also being able to deal significant damage back. Against opposing special attackers, it can be a good idea for Raikou to use Snarl in order to weaken their blows, making them easier to manage for its team; it has to be cautious when the opponent has a Bisharp, though, as it can punish Snarl by taking advantage of the Special Attack drop with Defiant. As needed, Raikou should use Thunder Wave against faster foes to slow them down for teammates to take advantage of and KO later in the match.
Team Options
========
Any Pokemon that appreciate Talonflame being dealt with make for good partners; specifically, Grass- and Fighting-types such as Venusaur, Keldeo, and Blaziken all work more freely once Talonflame is taken out. Teammates that can take out Grass-, Dragon-, and Ground-types, threats that wall Raikou, make for good partners as well; Fire-types such as Mega Charizard Y and Heatran can take out opposing Grass-types, Fairies such as Mega Gardevoir and Sylveon can easily dispatch Dragons, and Water-types such as Keldeo and Suicune as well as Kyurem-B can easily deal with Landorus-T. Support through Intimidate or burns from the likes of Gyarados, Landorus-T, and Gengar are is appreciated as well in order to back up Raikou's lack of physical bulk. Wide Guard support from Pokemon such as Aegislash can be useful for blocking Earthquake as well as other spread moves if needed.
[SET]
name: Fast Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Snarl / Thunder Wave / Volt Switch
move 4: Protect
item: Shuca Berry / Life Orb
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Thunderbolt gives Raikou a strong, reliable STAB move that lets it deal constant powerful damage against foes. Hidden Power Ice provides Raikou with nifty coverage against Landorus-T and Grass-types such as Venusaur and Breloom, though Amoonguss still walls it handily. Snarl lets Raikous provide useful utility by weakening opposing special attackers at a situational basis, while Thunder Wave allows Raikou to support its team by slowing foes down; picking between the two mostly boils down to team needs and preference. Another alternative is Volt Switch, which lets Raikou deal some damage while also letting it switch out, letting it help with positioning and controlling momentum. Protect is useful for defending Raikou from damage and getting field positioning.
Set Details
========
Full Speed and Special Attack investment maximizes Raikou's offensive potential, letting it deal as much damage as possible and outrun fast threats such as Thundurus, Mega Diancie, and the less relevant Mega Lucario and Serperior. Shuca Berry allows Raikou to stomach an Earthquake from Choice Scarf Landorus-T and hit back with Hidden Power Ice, though it's an unfavorable roll and thus needs chip damage to secure a KO. Alternatively, Life Orb provides a noticeable boost in damage output, letting Raikou secure crucial OHKOs, such as Hidden Power Ice on Landorus-T and Thunderbolt on Azumarill and Keldeo, and turning it into a more threatening attacker.
Usage Tips
========
Before picking Raikou for a team, one should make sure to consider if the team would do better without the Flying typing's weaknesses; else, Thundurus is just better due to its higher Special Attack stat. Using Raikou offensively is fairly straightforward; make sure to take advantage of its Speed, as Raikou outruns a significant portion of the metagame, including the key base 110 Speed tier. Raikou is best switched in on Flying- and Electric-type attacks from the likes of Thundurus and Talonflame because it can stomach their attacks and deal with them handily. Use Raikou's utility moves as needed. Against opposing special attackers, use Snarl as necessary; however, watch out for Bisharp, as it can easily take advantage of the Special Attack drop with Defiant. When the opponent has the Speed advantage, paralyzing foes with Thunder Wave can even the odds and give teammates a chance to beat threats they ordinarily wouldn't be able to.
Team Options
========
Any Pokemon that want Flying- and Electric-types dealt with like Raikou's presence; Grass-, Water-, and Flying-types like Venusaur, Keldeo, and Talonflame all appreciate having said threats gone. Teammates that can take out Amoonguss are a must, as it can easily redirect Raikou's blows and wall it; Psychic-, Flying-, and Fire-types like Latios, Talonflame, and Mega Charizard Y can KO it with ease. Teammates with Intimidate or the ability to burn foes are great as well, as they can shore up Raikou's physical frailty; Landorus-T and Gyarados can back up Raikou with their Intimidate, and Gengar can neuter opposing physical attackers with Will-O-Wisp. Wide Guard support from the likes of Aegislash is also appreciated in order to block Earthquake from Choice Scarf Landorus-T.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Assault Vest can be nifty for letting Raikou function as a fast sponge for special attacks, but the lack of Protect can prove to be unappealing. Raikou also has access to nifty coverage moves in Shadow Ball, good for Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Aegislash and Latios; Extrasensory, useful to hit Fighting- and Poison-types such as Terrakion and Amoonguss hard; Aura Sphere, which significantly damages Mega Kangaskhan and Steel-types such as Heatran and Ferrothorn; and, for sun teams, Weather Ball. However, it is forced to run Rash when running the latter two due to them being event moves, compromising its special bulk and leaving it outrun by common threats Keldeo, Mega Diancie, and Latios. Substitute can be used to soak up a hit for Raikou and let it avoid status from the likes of Amoonguss and Rotom-W. Leftovers can be a viable option over Sitrus Berry on the main set for lasting gradual recovery, and it works well with the aforementioned Substitute to heal back the damage from setting one.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Typing Advantage**: Dragon-types such as Latios and Hydreigon can easily shrug off Raikou's attacks and hit back hard with Draco Meteor or their respective secondary STAB moves, but they have to watch out for Hidden Power Ice, Thunder Wave, and Snarl. Grass-types such as Amoonguss and Ferrothorn don't care about Raikou at all and can simply take advantage of its presence, with the former also able to redirect and sponge Raikou's blows. While they have to be wary of Hidden Power Ice, Ground-types such as Choice Scarf Landorus-T and Rhyperior are immune to Raikou's STAB moves and can easily KO back with Earthquake.
**Speed Control**: Trick Room can turn the tables against Raikou's Thunder Wave shenanigans and high Speed. Cresselia can easily take anything Raikou can do against it and set Trick Room.
**Miscellaneous**: Raikou has to watch out for using Snarl if the opponent has a Bisharp or the rare Milotic waiting in the back, as they can easily take advantage of the drop from Snarl and instead turn it into a boost with Defiant or Competitive, respectively. Raikou also has to take care of using Snarl against Serperior, as it can take advantage of it with Contrary. Lightning Rod from the likes of Rhydon can redirect Raikou's Thunderbolt and Thunder Wave, limiting its effectiveness.
Last edited:
