I'm doing a complete revamp... The current analysis is too outdated.
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/raichu
[Overview]
<p>Raichu's respectable Speed, decent offensive stats, and good movepool make him a dangerous sweeper. Access to both Encore and Nasty Plot differentiates Raichu from other specially-oriented sweepers Nasty Plot Mismagius and Nasty Plot Toxicroak. Unfortunately, his frailty and lack of useful resistances mean that it is relatively hard to switch Raichu into battle. With that said, if a quick Encore user who also poses as a powerful offensive threat is needed, then Raichu is a great choice.</p>
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Encore / Focus Blast
item: Life Orb
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Nasty Plot boosts Raichu's modest Special Attack to incredible levels, giving him an opportunity to sweep. Thunderbolt is Raichu's STAB move of choice and OHKOes Milotic and Slowking after a Nasty Plot boost. Hidden Power Ice provides pseudo-BoltBeam coverage and allows Raichu to hit Ground- and Grass-types for super effective damage. Encore gives Raichu a much better chance to set up a Nasty Plot, but Focus Blast may be used to get past certain defensive Pokemon, including Registeel, Clefable, and Steelix.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>While Thunderbolt and Hidden Power Ice provide nearly perfect neutral coverage (only resisted by Lanturn and Shedinja in UU), sometimes that isn’t enough for a sweep. Focus Blast can help Raichu break through teams since it scores super effective hits on a number of key targets, as shown in the following damage calculations:</p>
<ul class=+2 LO Focus Blast Damage Calculations >
<li>vs 252/156+ Registeel: 83.5% - 98.4%</li>
<li>vs 252/252+ Clefable: 103.6% - 121.8%</li>
<li>vs 0/252+ Chansey: 57.4% - 67.7%</li>
<li>vs 252/252+ Steelix: 140.7% - 165.5%</li>
</ul>
<p>Although Nasty Plot Raichu is incredibly powerful, he still has trouble with some Pokemon depending on which moves he carries. Chansey is a good counter to Raichu, as she can cripple Raichu with Thunder Wave or Toxic; however, if Raichu carries Focus Blast, he can 2HKO Chansey. Raichu also has difficulty getting past Registeel without Focus Blast. Dugtrio is capable of trapping and removing the aforementioned threats with ease, giving non-Focus Blast Raichu an easier time sweeping. Dugtrio is also an excellent check to Raichu, as he can switch into 3 out of 4 of Raichu's moves with ease and OHKO with Earthquake. Houndoom with Sucker Punch can lure and KO Dugtrio, as can Ground-weak Pokemon who utilize Substitute. Good Dugtrio users might not fall into these traps, however, so any player using Raichu should be wary of signs that the opponent might have Dugtrio, such as the presence of Scyther or Swellow.</p>
<p>Raichu will be hard-pressed to switch into any attack with his subpar defenses. For example, bulky Water-types will 2HKO Raichu with Surf. Instead, switching into predicted non-damaging moves and using Encore is more reliable. For example, Donphan using Stealth Rock, Toxicroak using Swords Dance or Sucker Punch, and even Chansey using Wish are all opportunities Raichu can use to set up a Nasty Plot. After Raichu has Encored his foe into uselessly repeating a move, he can set up a Nasty Plot on the switch or simply attack with Thunderbolt or Hidden Power Ice to scout.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Raichu appreciates Stealth Rock and Spikes support to turn some 2HKOs, such as those against Registeel and Specially Defensive Venusaur, into OHKOs. Claydol can use Stealth Rock and is also immune to Ground-type moves. Omastar is effective at laying down both Stealth Rock and Spikes. He can also set up Toxic Spikes, which give Raichu an easier time beating Chansey.</p>
<p>Dugtrio is effective at removing both Chansey and Registeel. While Rhyperior and Torterra cannot trap Registeel and Chansey, they can use the two as setup fodder. Strong Fighting-types like Hariyama and Hitmonlee are capable of switching into Chansey and threatening her with their powerful STAB moves. Venusaur can be used to counter Lanturn and Quagsire, who completely wall Raichu.</p>
<p>Dugtrio is a great check to Raichu, but it is impossible to outright counter Dugtrio due to his ability, Arena Trap. Mixed Houndoom is an effective partner because he can lure out and OHKO Dugtrio with Sucker Punch. However, some Dugtrio carry Substitute, which renders Sucker Punch ineffective. Rock Polish Torterra is a good partner because he can set up on Dugtrio if Dugtrio manages to revenge kill Raichu.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>Raichu can use a moveset consisting of Substitute, Encore, Focus Punch, and Volt Tackle with Leftovers to get around his usual counters, such as Clefable and Chansey. Unfortunately, that set is easily walled by bulky Grass- and Ground-types. A specialized support set with Encore and Wish can be used, but Clefable is usually a better choice with her superior defenses and her ability, Magic Guard.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Chansey is as an excellent counter to Raichu due to her phenomenal HP and high Special Defense. Chansey can cripple Raichu with Thunder Wave or Toxic, or simply wear him down with Seismic Toss. She needs to be wary of a Nasty Plot-boosted Focus Blast, however, which will 2HKO. Lanturn and Quagsire are both immune to Thunderbolt and can easily survive most of Raichu's coverage moves and cripple him with Thunder Wave and Earthquake, respectively. Quagsire without Special Defense investment should be wary of a Nasty Plot-boosted Focus Blast, however, as it can OHKO him. Registeel and Steelix are excellent counters to Raichu without Focus Blast. Priority moves from Pokemon like Hitmontop and Arcanine take out Raichu easily due to his frailty. Finally, Dugtrio is a top-notch check to Raichu, since he is able to trap Raichu and OHKO with Earthquake.</p>
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/raichu
[Overview]
<p>Raichu's respectable Speed, decent offensive stats, and good movepool make him a dangerous sweeper. Access to both Encore and Nasty Plot differentiates Raichu from other specially-oriented sweepers Nasty Plot Mismagius and Nasty Plot Toxicroak. Unfortunately, his frailty and lack of useful resistances mean that it is relatively hard to switch Raichu into battle. With that said, if a quick Encore user who also poses as a powerful offensive threat is needed, then Raichu is a great choice.</p>
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Encore / Focus Blast
item: Life Orb
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Nasty Plot boosts Raichu's modest Special Attack to incredible levels, giving him an opportunity to sweep. Thunderbolt is Raichu's STAB move of choice and OHKOes Milotic and Slowking after a Nasty Plot boost. Hidden Power Ice provides pseudo-BoltBeam coverage and allows Raichu to hit Ground- and Grass-types for super effective damage. Encore gives Raichu a much better chance to set up a Nasty Plot, but Focus Blast may be used to get past certain defensive Pokemon, including Registeel, Clefable, and Steelix.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>While Thunderbolt and Hidden Power Ice provide nearly perfect neutral coverage (only resisted by Lanturn and Shedinja in UU), sometimes that isn’t enough for a sweep. Focus Blast can help Raichu break through teams since it scores super effective hits on a number of key targets, as shown in the following damage calculations:</p>
<ul class=+2 LO Focus Blast Damage Calculations >
<li>vs 252/156+ Registeel: 83.5% - 98.4%</li>
<li>vs 252/252+ Clefable: 103.6% - 121.8%</li>
<li>vs 0/252+ Chansey: 57.4% - 67.7%</li>
<li>vs 252/252+ Steelix: 140.7% - 165.5%</li>
</ul>
<p>Although Nasty Plot Raichu is incredibly powerful, he still has trouble with some Pokemon depending on which moves he carries. Chansey is a good counter to Raichu, as she can cripple Raichu with Thunder Wave or Toxic; however, if Raichu carries Focus Blast, he can 2HKO Chansey. Raichu also has difficulty getting past Registeel without Focus Blast. Dugtrio is capable of trapping and removing the aforementioned threats with ease, giving non-Focus Blast Raichu an easier time sweeping. Dugtrio is also an excellent check to Raichu, as he can switch into 3 out of 4 of Raichu's moves with ease and OHKO with Earthquake. Houndoom with Sucker Punch can lure and KO Dugtrio, as can Ground-weak Pokemon who utilize Substitute. Good Dugtrio users might not fall into these traps, however, so any player using Raichu should be wary of signs that the opponent might have Dugtrio, such as the presence of Scyther or Swellow.</p>
<p>Raichu will be hard-pressed to switch into any attack with his subpar defenses. For example, bulky Water-types will 2HKO Raichu with Surf. Instead, switching into predicted non-damaging moves and using Encore is more reliable. For example, Donphan using Stealth Rock, Toxicroak using Swords Dance or Sucker Punch, and even Chansey using Wish are all opportunities Raichu can use to set up a Nasty Plot. After Raichu has Encored his foe into uselessly repeating a move, he can set up a Nasty Plot on the switch or simply attack with Thunderbolt or Hidden Power Ice to scout.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Raichu appreciates Stealth Rock and Spikes support to turn some 2HKOs, such as those against Registeel and Specially Defensive Venusaur, into OHKOs. Claydol can use Stealth Rock and is also immune to Ground-type moves. Omastar is effective at laying down both Stealth Rock and Spikes. He can also set up Toxic Spikes, which give Raichu an easier time beating Chansey.</p>
<p>Dugtrio is effective at removing both Chansey and Registeel. While Rhyperior and Torterra cannot trap Registeel and Chansey, they can use the two as setup fodder. Strong Fighting-types like Hariyama and Hitmonlee are capable of switching into Chansey and threatening her with their powerful STAB moves. Venusaur can be used to counter Lanturn and Quagsire, who completely wall Raichu.</p>
<p>Dugtrio is a great check to Raichu, but it is impossible to outright counter Dugtrio due to his ability, Arena Trap. Mixed Houndoom is an effective partner because he can lure out and OHKO Dugtrio with Sucker Punch. However, some Dugtrio carry Substitute, which renders Sucker Punch ineffective. Rock Polish Torterra is a good partner because he can set up on Dugtrio if Dugtrio manages to revenge kill Raichu.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>Raichu can use a moveset consisting of Substitute, Encore, Focus Punch, and Volt Tackle with Leftovers to get around his usual counters, such as Clefable and Chansey. Unfortunately, that set is easily walled by bulky Grass- and Ground-types. A specialized support set with Encore and Wish can be used, but Clefable is usually a better choice with her superior defenses and her ability, Magic Guard.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Chansey is as an excellent counter to Raichu due to her phenomenal HP and high Special Defense. Chansey can cripple Raichu with Thunder Wave or Toxic, or simply wear him down with Seismic Toss. She needs to be wary of a Nasty Plot-boosted Focus Blast, however, which will 2HKO. Lanturn and Quagsire are both immune to Thunderbolt and can easily survive most of Raichu's coverage moves and cripple him with Thunder Wave and Earthquake, respectively. Quagsire without Special Defense investment should be wary of a Nasty Plot-boosted Focus Blast, however, as it can OHKO him. Registeel and Steelix are excellent counters to Raichu without Focus Blast. Priority moves from Pokemon like Hitmontop and Arcanine take out Raichu easily due to his frailty. Finally, Dugtrio is a top-notch check to Raichu, since he is able to trap Raichu and OHKO with Earthquake.</p>
