Electrode's one of the best suicide Rain Dance users in the game, and so I believe it deserves its own OU analysis. I've used Electrode before, and it does work.
Status: COMPLETE (ready for uploading)
Electrode
[Overview]
<p>Electrode is used in the OU metagame for one reason: setting up Rain Dance. It is the fastest Rain Dance user in OU, and one of the best suicide leads due to Explosion. Electrode is basically built to set up Rain Dance and use Explosion, and that's exactly what it does best.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the fact that Electrode is used for a specific reason is a problem; Electrode is incredibly predictable. Upon switching it in, your opponent will know that you are using a Rain Dance team. That must be taken into account should you opt to select Electrode over another Rain Dance lead, such as Azelf or Bronzong.</p>
[SET]
name: Suicide Rain Dancer
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Thunder
item: Damp Rock / Focus Sash
ability: Static
nature: Hasty
evs: 252 Atk / 80 SpA / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Boasting extraordinary Speed, a lightning-fast Taunt, and a decently powered Explosion, Electrode is considered one of the best suicide Rain Dance leads in the game. However, Electrode does not necessarily need to be used as a lead. It can be used mid-game, or even late-game, to instantly regain the offensive momentum of your team.</p>
<p>With Taunt, Electrode can prevent Aerodactyl, the fastest Stealth Rock lead in OU, from setting up due to Electrode's higher Speed. Explosion works well in tandem with Rain Dance, allowing you to send in one of your rain sweepers without taking any damage from your opponent's attacks. In case you need Electrode to attack, Thunder is used for a strong STAB move that has perfect accuracy in the rain, along with a 30% chance to induce paralysis.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>It's a difficult decision when deciding on the item for Electrode; both Damp Rock and Focus Sash have their merits. The former provides three extra turns of Rain Dance, which can be crucial for your Swift Swim sweepers. However, the latter allows Electrode to use Taunt against the opponent without worrying about being OHKOed, should your opponent attack instead of set up, and still set up Rain Dance. Basically, it comes down to this: use Damp Rock and potentially allow the opponent to set up entry hazards, or use Focus Sash and lose three additional turns of Rain Dance.</p>
<p>The suggested EV spread for Electrode gives it maximum power for Explosion and enough Speed to outpace Aerodactyl and Jolteon, the second fastest non-Choice Scarf leads you will encounter (Ninjask takes the number one spot, although Taunt renders it from Baton Passing). The remaining 80 EVs are put into Special Attack to give Thunder more of a punch. As for the ability, Static is recommended over Soundproof. The chance to potentially paralyze the opponent is more helpful than being able to block phazing moves, which Taunt can already do.</p>
<p>Since Electrode is dedicated to setting up rain, your team should consist of Rain Dance sweepers to take advantage of that. Kingdra, Ludicolo, and Kabutops are all great sweepers to look into. Kingdra boasts excellent coverage with its STAB attacks and has Dragon Dance to power up its Attack and Speed; it is also one of the best mixed rain sweepers in the game. Ludicolo makes a wonderful special attacker under the rain, capable of OHKOing a vast majority of Pokemon with its Life Orb Hydro Pump. Lastly, Kabutops is an excellent physical rain sweeper, utilizing Swords Dance to attempt to rip unprepared teams to shreds.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Rain Dance teams require a lot of support from teammates, as they need to keep the rain going at all times. For that reason, other Rain Dance supporters should be considered along with Electrode. Since Electrode is commonly used to set up Rain Dance in the lead position, it's probably a smart idea to utilize Rain Dance supporters for mid and late-game. Bronzong is a great Pokemon to look into to set up Rain Dance mid-game, due to its excellent transitioning skills and access to Explosion. As for late-game rain supporters, Azelf can work very well due to its high Speed and offensive stats, as well as boasting the Rain Dance + Taunt + Explosion combination. Azelf can easily bring back any lost offensive momentum.</p>
<p>It's strongly suggested to read through the <a href="/dp/articles/rain_offense">Rain Dance</a> article for added commentary on how Rain Dance teams are built and performed. In addition, you can find out tips and tricks and how to deal with Pokemon that threaten Rain Dance, such as Tyranitar and Abomasnow.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>There isn't much in Electrode's rather limited movepool. Mirror Coat might be useful against special attacking leads, like Azelf, but it would require you to run Focus Sash so Electrode isn't OHKOed by a powerful special attack. Thunder Wave can be used for fast paralysis, but there are better paralysis inducers, and Rain Dance sweepers are fast enough already. Unfortunately, that's about it.</p>
[Counters]
<p>You can't really "counter" Electrode, because Electrode is meant to set up Rain Dance and die. However, you can use Pokemon that can absorb the Explosion that Electrode may use, as well as Pokemon that can hinder Rain Dance teams. Rotom-A is a great choice in the former case, as it is immune to Explosion and resists Thunder. Rotom-W in particular will be awarded with a more powerful Hydro Pump in the rain. As for Pokemon that can keep Rain Dance from threatening your team, Tyranitar or Abomasnow are excellent choices. Tyranitar removes the rain and the sand it summons gives it a Special Defense boost, allowing it to take on the likes of Ludicolo slightly better. Abomasnow resists the common Water attacks fired from Rain Dance teams and can put a dent in them with its STAB Grass moves. A good thing to note is that Abomasnow and Rotom-F make a great combo, since Abomasnow removes the rain for hail, and Rotom-F can safely switch in on Electrode and gain a perfectly accurate Blizzard.</p>
Status: COMPLETE (ready for uploading)
Electrode
[Overview]
<p>Electrode is used in the OU metagame for one reason: setting up Rain Dance. It is the fastest Rain Dance user in OU, and one of the best suicide leads due to Explosion. Electrode is basically built to set up Rain Dance and use Explosion, and that's exactly what it does best.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the fact that Electrode is used for a specific reason is a problem; Electrode is incredibly predictable. Upon switching it in, your opponent will know that you are using a Rain Dance team. That must be taken into account should you opt to select Electrode over another Rain Dance lead, such as Azelf or Bronzong.</p>
[SET]
name: Suicide Rain Dancer
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Thunder
item: Damp Rock / Focus Sash
ability: Static
nature: Hasty
evs: 252 Atk / 80 SpA / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Boasting extraordinary Speed, a lightning-fast Taunt, and a decently powered Explosion, Electrode is considered one of the best suicide Rain Dance leads in the game. However, Electrode does not necessarily need to be used as a lead. It can be used mid-game, or even late-game, to instantly regain the offensive momentum of your team.</p>
<p>With Taunt, Electrode can prevent Aerodactyl, the fastest Stealth Rock lead in OU, from setting up due to Electrode's higher Speed. Explosion works well in tandem with Rain Dance, allowing you to send in one of your rain sweepers without taking any damage from your opponent's attacks. In case you need Electrode to attack, Thunder is used for a strong STAB move that has perfect accuracy in the rain, along with a 30% chance to induce paralysis.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>It's a difficult decision when deciding on the item for Electrode; both Damp Rock and Focus Sash have their merits. The former provides three extra turns of Rain Dance, which can be crucial for your Swift Swim sweepers. However, the latter allows Electrode to use Taunt against the opponent without worrying about being OHKOed, should your opponent attack instead of set up, and still set up Rain Dance. Basically, it comes down to this: use Damp Rock and potentially allow the opponent to set up entry hazards, or use Focus Sash and lose three additional turns of Rain Dance.</p>
<p>The suggested EV spread for Electrode gives it maximum power for Explosion and enough Speed to outpace Aerodactyl and Jolteon, the second fastest non-Choice Scarf leads you will encounter (Ninjask takes the number one spot, although Taunt renders it from Baton Passing). The remaining 80 EVs are put into Special Attack to give Thunder more of a punch. As for the ability, Static is recommended over Soundproof. The chance to potentially paralyze the opponent is more helpful than being able to block phazing moves, which Taunt can already do.</p>
<p>Since Electrode is dedicated to setting up rain, your team should consist of Rain Dance sweepers to take advantage of that. Kingdra, Ludicolo, and Kabutops are all great sweepers to look into. Kingdra boasts excellent coverage with its STAB attacks and has Dragon Dance to power up its Attack and Speed; it is also one of the best mixed rain sweepers in the game. Ludicolo makes a wonderful special attacker under the rain, capable of OHKOing a vast majority of Pokemon with its Life Orb Hydro Pump. Lastly, Kabutops is an excellent physical rain sweeper, utilizing Swords Dance to attempt to rip unprepared teams to shreds.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Rain Dance teams require a lot of support from teammates, as they need to keep the rain going at all times. For that reason, other Rain Dance supporters should be considered along with Electrode. Since Electrode is commonly used to set up Rain Dance in the lead position, it's probably a smart idea to utilize Rain Dance supporters for mid and late-game. Bronzong is a great Pokemon to look into to set up Rain Dance mid-game, due to its excellent transitioning skills and access to Explosion. As for late-game rain supporters, Azelf can work very well due to its high Speed and offensive stats, as well as boasting the Rain Dance + Taunt + Explosion combination. Azelf can easily bring back any lost offensive momentum.</p>
<p>It's strongly suggested to read through the <a href="/dp/articles/rain_offense">Rain Dance</a> article for added commentary on how Rain Dance teams are built and performed. In addition, you can find out tips and tricks and how to deal with Pokemon that threaten Rain Dance, such as Tyranitar and Abomasnow.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>There isn't much in Electrode's rather limited movepool. Mirror Coat might be useful against special attacking leads, like Azelf, but it would require you to run Focus Sash so Electrode isn't OHKOed by a powerful special attack. Thunder Wave can be used for fast paralysis, but there are better paralysis inducers, and Rain Dance sweepers are fast enough already. Unfortunately, that's about it.</p>
[Counters]
<p>You can't really "counter" Electrode, because Electrode is meant to set up Rain Dance and die. However, you can use Pokemon that can absorb the Explosion that Electrode may use, as well as Pokemon that can hinder Rain Dance teams. Rotom-A is a great choice in the former case, as it is immune to Explosion and resists Thunder. Rotom-W in particular will be awarded with a more powerful Hydro Pump in the rain. As for Pokemon that can keep Rain Dance from threatening your team, Tyranitar or Abomasnow are excellent choices. Tyranitar removes the rain and the sand it summons gives it a Special Defense boost, allowing it to take on the likes of Ludicolo slightly better. Abomasnow resists the common Water attacks fired from Rain Dance teams and can put a dent in them with its STAB Grass moves. A good thing to note is that Abomasnow and Rotom-F make a great combo, since Abomasnow removes the rain for hail, and Rotom-F can safely switch in on Electrode and gain a perfectly accurate Blizzard.</p>
