[OVERVIEW]
- High Special Attack, good Speed, great coverage, and access to two great setup moves make Thundurus-T a dangerous sweeper and allows it to separate itself from the other Electris-types in the tier
- Very solid base 101 Speed allows Thundurus-T to outpace the very crowded base 100 Speed Tier, moving before the likes of Charizard, Mega Medicham, and Volcarona
- Volt Absorb allows to switch into other Electric types like Magnezone and Tapu Koko
- Poor bulk and Stealth Rock weakness means that Thundurus-T offers little defensive synergy, as even resisted hits can do quite a bit of damage
- Faces a lot of competition from other Electric types, including Tapu Koko and Thundurus, both of which make it hard at times to justify using Thundurus-T
- Base 101 unfortunately falls short of many common threats, including Garchomp, Gengar, and Mega Metagross, meaning that it often needs a boost to actually sweep
[SET]
name: Double Dance
move 1: Agility
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Nasty Plot / Focus Blast
item: Electrium Z / Leftovers
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Agility allows Thundurus-T to boost its speed to dangerous levels, allowing it to outpace the entire metagame
- Thunderbolt is the main STAB for this set, and hits extremely hard after a boost
- Hidden Power Ice provides great cover alongside Thunderbolt, and deals with Ground Types such as Landorus-T, Zygarde, and Garchomp that could otherwise switch into Thunderbolt
- Nasty Plot boosts Thundurus-T's Special Attack to absurd levels, allowing it to deliver crippling blows with its moves, and even break past special walls
- Focus Blast can hit Steel Types like Heatran and Ferrothorn, which can otherwise shrug off an attack from Thundurus-T's other moves
Set Details
========
- Max Speed and a Timid nature allow Thundurus to still get the jump on the many base 100s in the tier without setup
- Modest hits harder, but it makes Thundurus-T easier to revenge kill unboosted, and in general would rather have the extra speed from Timid
- Max Special Attack allow Thundurus-T to hit as hard as possible
- Electrium Z allows the use of a one time nuke that can even power through many resists, making it easier to sweep
- Leftovers allows for passive recovery
- Life Orb powers up all of Thundurus-T's attacks, but it makes it much more susceptible to being worn down
- Fightnium Z can be used with Focus Blast to get a one time perfect accuracy Fighting Type move, allowing Thundurus-T to dispose of Ferrothorn and Heatran.
Usage Tips
========
- It is recommended that Thundurus-T holds off on attempting to sweep until its checks are weakened or removed. It should also set up on Pokémon that give it an opportunity to set up, including Celesteela, Tapu Koko, Magnezone, and Skarmory.
- If using Nasty Plot, Thundurus-T can be used early to mid game to open holes in the enemy to help another sweeper.
- Double Dance can choose which setup move to use depending on what is appropriate. Faster teams are vulnerable to Agility, and slower
- Becuase of its frailty, it is recommended to either bring in Thundurus-T through Volt Turn, double switches, or predicted Electic Type moves
- Thundurus-T can still be used for non sweeping purposes, including forcing Electric-types out, or even revenge killing Pokémon that are slower than it. However, its Stealth Rock weakness makes it difficult to consistently do this.
Team Options
========
- Entry hazard support makes it much easier for Thundurus-T to sweep, so setters including Greninja, Heatran, and Ferrothorn can make for good partners
- Hazard control helps with Thundurus-T's weakness to Stealth Rock. Defog from the likes of Tapu Fini, Mega Scizor, and Latios, or Rapid Spin from Starmie and Excadrill are very helpful to keep Thundurus-T from getting worn down.
- Wallbreakers make it a lot easier for Thundurus-T to sweep, so pairing it with Pokemon like Mega Medicham, Mega Mawile, Hoopa-Unbound, and Tapu Lele is a good idea
- Thundurus-T struggles with breaking through bulky Grass Types, so Pokemon that can break through them like Mega Pinsir and Gyarados are essential. Steel Types like Celesteela, Mega Mawile, and Mega Scizor can also help with these Grass types
- Thundurus-T needs to set up in order to break through bulky ground types, so pairing it with Pokémon who can break through them, like Greninja and Keldeo.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- Thundurus-T can run an all out attacking set, using Volt Switch, Focus Blast, Hidden Power Ice, and either Sludge Wave or Grass Knot, but this set is outclassed by other Electric Types such as Tapu Koko and Thundurus
- Choiced sets are possible options, but they rely on good prediction, and are completely outclassed in this role by other Electric Types.
- Expert Belt allows Thundurus to attack without taking recoil damage, but it lacks the power of Life Orb, the one time nuke of a Z Crystal, and passive recovery of Leftovers
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Grass Types**: Thundurus-T struggles to break through Grass types such as Assault Vest Tangrowth, Mega Venusaur, and Ferrothorn if it doesn't pack the appropriate coverage for them
**Faster Threats**: While Thundurus-T is virtually impossible to out pace if boosted, many threatening Pokemon can revenge kill it after little prior damage if it is not boosted, including Garchomp, Gengar, and Keldeo.
**Priority Attacks**: While it does resist some priority attacks like Bullet Punch, dangerous users of priority including Zygarde, Mamoswine, and Mega Mawile can often take out Thundurus-T after little chip damage
**Chansey**: Outside of boosted Focus Blast, Thundurus-T is unable to break Chansey, which will be able to defeat Thundurus-T
- High Special Attack, good Speed, great coverage, and access to two great setup moves make Thundurus-T a dangerous sweeper and allows it to separate itself from the other Electris-types in the tier
- Very solid base 101 Speed allows Thundurus-T to outpace the very crowded base 100 Speed Tier, moving before the likes of Charizard, Mega Medicham, and Volcarona
- Volt Absorb allows to switch into other Electric types like Magnezone and Tapu Koko
- Poor bulk and Stealth Rock weakness means that Thundurus-T offers little defensive synergy, as even resisted hits can do quite a bit of damage
- Faces a lot of competition from other Electric types, including Tapu Koko and Thundurus, both of which make it hard at times to justify using Thundurus-T
- Base 101 unfortunately falls short of many common threats, including Garchomp, Gengar, and Mega Metagross, meaning that it often needs a boost to actually sweep
[SET]
name: Double Dance
move 1: Agility
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Nasty Plot / Focus Blast
item: Electrium Z / Leftovers
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Agility allows Thundurus-T to boost its speed to dangerous levels, allowing it to outpace the entire metagame
- Thunderbolt is the main STAB for this set, and hits extremely hard after a boost
- Hidden Power Ice provides great cover alongside Thunderbolt, and deals with Ground Types such as Landorus-T, Zygarde, and Garchomp that could otherwise switch into Thunderbolt
- Nasty Plot boosts Thundurus-T's Special Attack to absurd levels, allowing it to deliver crippling blows with its moves, and even break past special walls
- Focus Blast can hit Steel Types like Heatran and Ferrothorn, which can otherwise shrug off an attack from Thundurus-T's other moves
Set Details
========
- Max Speed and a Timid nature allow Thundurus to still get the jump on the many base 100s in the tier without setup
- Modest hits harder, but it makes Thundurus-T easier to revenge kill unboosted, and in general would rather have the extra speed from Timid
- Max Special Attack allow Thundurus-T to hit as hard as possible
- Electrium Z allows the use of a one time nuke that can even power through many resists, making it easier to sweep
- Leftovers allows for passive recovery
- Life Orb powers up all of Thundurus-T's attacks, but it makes it much more susceptible to being worn down
- Fightnium Z can be used with Focus Blast to get a one time perfect accuracy Fighting Type move, allowing Thundurus-T to dispose of Ferrothorn and Heatran.
Usage Tips
========
- It is recommended that Thundurus-T holds off on attempting to sweep until its checks are weakened or removed. It should also set up on Pokémon that give it an opportunity to set up, including Celesteela, Tapu Koko, Magnezone, and Skarmory.
- If using Nasty Plot, Thundurus-T can be used early to mid game to open holes in the enemy to help another sweeper.
- Double Dance can choose which setup move to use depending on what is appropriate. Faster teams are vulnerable to Agility, and slower
- Becuase of its frailty, it is recommended to either bring in Thundurus-T through Volt Turn, double switches, or predicted Electic Type moves
- Thundurus-T can still be used for non sweeping purposes, including forcing Electric-types out, or even revenge killing Pokémon that are slower than it. However, its Stealth Rock weakness makes it difficult to consistently do this.
Team Options
========
- Entry hazard support makes it much easier for Thundurus-T to sweep, so setters including Greninja, Heatran, and Ferrothorn can make for good partners
- Hazard control helps with Thundurus-T's weakness to Stealth Rock. Defog from the likes of Tapu Fini, Mega Scizor, and Latios, or Rapid Spin from Starmie and Excadrill are very helpful to keep Thundurus-T from getting worn down.
- Wallbreakers make it a lot easier for Thundurus-T to sweep, so pairing it with Pokemon like Mega Medicham, Mega Mawile, Hoopa-Unbound, and Tapu Lele is a good idea
- Thundurus-T struggles with breaking through bulky Grass Types, so Pokemon that can break through them like Mega Pinsir and Gyarados are essential. Steel Types like Celesteela, Mega Mawile, and Mega Scizor can also help with these Grass types
- Thundurus-T needs to set up in order to break through bulky ground types, so pairing it with Pokémon who can break through them, like Greninja and Keldeo.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- Thundurus-T can run an all out attacking set, using Volt Switch, Focus Blast, Hidden Power Ice, and either Sludge Wave or Grass Knot, but this set is outclassed by other Electric Types such as Tapu Koko and Thundurus
- Choiced sets are possible options, but they rely on good prediction, and are completely outclassed in this role by other Electric Types.
- Expert Belt allows Thundurus to attack without taking recoil damage, but it lacks the power of Life Orb, the one time nuke of a Z Crystal, and passive recovery of Leftovers
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Grass Types**: Thundurus-T struggles to break through Grass types such as Assault Vest Tangrowth, Mega Venusaur, and Ferrothorn if it doesn't pack the appropriate coverage for them
**Faster Threats**: While Thundurus-T is virtually impossible to out pace if boosted, many threatening Pokemon can revenge kill it after little prior damage if it is not boosted, including Garchomp, Gengar, and Keldeo.
**Priority Attacks**: While it does resist some priority attacks like Bullet Punch, dangerous users of priority including Zygarde, Mamoswine, and Mega Mawile can often take out Thundurus-T after little chip damage
**Chansey**: Outside of boosted Focus Blast, Thundurus-T is unable to break Chansey, which will be able to defeat Thundurus-T
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