[OVERVIEW]
* Alolan Raichu's high Speed and access to Fake Out make it a natural supporter to generate free turns for its teammates.
* Its unique ability, Surge Surfer, lets Alolan Raichu outspeed almost every single other Pokemon in the metagame under Electric Terrain, ensuring it will always go first with Fake Out. Surge Surfer also enables Alolan Raichu to be an effective late-game cleaner, picking off weakened targets with its high speed.
* Its Electric / Psychic typing pairs excellently with Tapu Koko and Tapu Lele, letting Alolan Raichu take advantage of both of the Terrains that they set.
* Alolan Raichu also has access to moves such as Nuzzle, Encore, and Feint to disrupt your opponent further.
* Its Special Attack is good but not outstanding, and it relies on the correct Terrain being active to deal significant damage to Pokemon that it's not hitting super effectively.
* Alolan Raichu possesses very little in the way of bulk, letting it be OHKOed by almost any strong attack.
[SET]
name: Offensive Support
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Protect / Encore
item: Psychium Z / Focus Sash
ability: Surge Surfer
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Fake Out is mandatory on any Alolan Raichu, as it prevents a foe from doing anything for a turn, letting Alolan Raichu's partner more effectively deal with a threat.
* Thunderbolt and Psychic are Alolan Raichu's STAB moves, which possess good neutral coverage on a significant portion of the metagame. They are also boosted by Electric and Psychic Terrain, respectively.
* Protect is useful to give Alolan Raichu extra turns to stick around, as it will be KOed by most strong or super effective hits, and it lets Alolan Raichu's partner deal with a threat.
* Encore can punish opposing moves like Protect and Fake Out, locking their user into either doing nothing next turn or switching out.
Set Details
========
* Psychium Z is the preferred item, as paired with Psychic Terrain it lets Alolan Raichu hit incredibly hard, OHKOing most targets that don't resist or are immune to it. Even outside of Psychic Terrain it lets Alolan Raichu deal heavy damage.
* If you want Alolan Raichu to focus more on support and less on offense, a Focus Sash can be used instead, letting Alolan Raichu potentially use another move in place of Protect, such as Encore or Feint.
* Surge Surfer is Alolan Raichu's only ability and lets it reach an incredibly high Speed stat.
* A Timid nature is used to increase Alolan Raichu's Speed even further. Maximum Speed is important so Alolan Raichu use its moves outside of Electric Terrain before other Pokemon that are only slightly slower than it, such as Alolan Ninetales or Kartana.
* For the same reason, a spread of maximum Special Attack and Speed is simple and effective.
* An EV spread of 60 HP / 12 Def / 252 SpA / 36 SpD / 148 Spe avoids the 2HKO from Alolan Ninetales's Blizzard, including damage from hail, but makes Alolan Raichu more vulnerable to threats that are only slightly slower than it outside of Electric Terrain.
Usage Tips
========
* Alolan Raichu is best used as a lead, letting it immediately use Fake Out to prevent a foe from doing anything for a turn. This leaves Alolan Raichu's partner free to either deal with an opposing Pokemon or use a setup move.
* When faced with a threat it cannot KO, Alolan Raichu must be careful of being knocked out itself, as its frailty means it cannot take attacks very well. It can be good to switch Alolan Raichu out after its job of using Fake Out is done, letting it be sent out later on in the battle to use it again.
* When paired with another fast and offensive teammate, Alolan Raichu can help score early game KOs to swing momentum in your favor.
* Its other support moves like Feint and Encore allow Alolan Raichu to effectively support a more offensive teammate.
Team Options
========
* Alolan Raichu pairs excellently with Tapu Koko, making it extremely fast thanks to Surge Surfer. The Electric Terrain makes Alolan Raichu's Thunderbolts deal significantly more damage. These two together form an effective lead against opposing fast and offensive teams.
* Tapu Lele is another excellent partner, as its Psychic Terrain powers up Alolan Raichu's Shattered Psyche into an incredibly powerful attack that will OHKO most Pokemon that don't resist it. This pairing is great against slower and bulkier teams.
* Fake Out and Encore help teammates use setup moves, so partners such as Calm Mind Tapu Fini and Curse Alolan Muk will appreciate the free turns.
* Teammates that can deal with opposing Ground-types are appreciated, so Pokemon like Kartana and Gyarados make good partners.
* Alolan Raichu can't handle opposing Electric- or Steel-types very well, so a Ground-type partner like Garchomp or Krookodile is appreciated. Alolan Raichu should have Protect when used with a Ground-type partner so it can use Earthquake more freely. Arcanine is also a useful teammate, as its Intimidate lowers the power of incoming physical attacks and can help deal with Pokemon like Vikavolt and Magnezone.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Volt Switch is less powerful than Thunderbolt but lets Alolan Raichu stick around longer and have more opportunities to use Fake Out.
* Feint can be useful on teams with many hard hitters, as it allows Alolan Raichu's teammate to effectively attack whatever it wants without having to worry about opposing Protect.
* Nuzzle can spread paralysis to slow down the opposing team and deal some small amounts of damage to break opposing Focus Sashes.
* Charm can be used to lower the Attack of opposing Pokemon, but Alolan Raichu struggles to fit it on its moveset.
* Electro Ball can reach absurd levels of power due to Electric Terrain combined with Surge Surfer, but its power is very heavily dependent on the terrain staying active. Without the Electric Terrain, it is weaker than Thunderbolt on most targets.
* Hidden Power Ice can be used to deal more damage to Ground-types, but it won't be OHKOing anything without something like a boosting item or Helping Hand.
* Aloraichium Z upgrades Thunderbolt to Stoked Sparksurfer, which both deals massive amounts of damage to a target and paralyses them. Be wary of using this over Psychium Z, as many teams carry more Pokemon resistant to Electric-type moves than ones that resist Psychic-type moves.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Krookodile is immune to both of Alolan Raichu's STAB attacks and can switch in for free on almost anything it can do. Other Ground-types such as Garchomp and Mudsdale are immune to Alolan Raichu's Electric-type moves but have to watch out for a stray Psychic or Shattered Psyche.
**Steel-types**: Most Steel-types in the metagame either resist both of Alolan Raichu's STAB attacks, such as Magnezone and Kartana, or possess the special bulk to be able to shrug them off. They can also hit the Tapu Koko or Tapu Lele that Alolan Raichu is usually partnered with for heavy damage.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types aren't as common as Ground-types are, but they can switch in for free on any of Alolan Raichu's Psychic-type moves and can completely waste its Shattered Psyche. Krookodile deserves a mention again, as it is immune to both of Alolan Raichu's STAB attacks. Alolan Muk has good special bulk and can hit Alolan Raichu back hard with a Knock Off or Shadow Sneak. Weavile can outspeed Alolan Raichu outside of Electric Terrain and also has Fake Out and Knock Off to KO it through a potential Focus Sash.
**Lightning Rod**: Lightning Rod users can redirect and nullify any Electric-type moves Alolan Raichu tries to use, hampering its effectiveness. Alolan Marowak is immune to Fake Out and can hit back with a super effective Bonemerang or Shadow Bone. Togedemaru resists both of Alolan Raichu's STAB moves and can also use Fake Out.
**Speed Control**: Alolan Raichu relies on its speed to get off attacks before it can be hit back. Speed control like Trick Room turns Alolan Raichu's high Speed into a liability, as under Electric Terrain, almost everything will move before it, making it easy for Alolan Raichu to be KOed. Other forms of speed control such as Icy Wind and Tailwind are also effective against Alolan Raichu, but they must also be used with a way to get rid of Electric Terrain.
* Alolan Raichu's high Speed and access to Fake Out make it a natural supporter to generate free turns for its teammates.
* Its unique ability, Surge Surfer, lets Alolan Raichu outspeed almost every single other Pokemon in the metagame under Electric Terrain, ensuring it will always go first with Fake Out. Surge Surfer also enables Alolan Raichu to be an effective late-game cleaner, picking off weakened targets with its high speed.
* Its Electric / Psychic typing pairs excellently with Tapu Koko and Tapu Lele, letting Alolan Raichu take advantage of both of the Terrains that they set.
* Alolan Raichu also has access to moves such as Nuzzle, Encore, and Feint to disrupt your opponent further.
* Its Special Attack is good but not outstanding, and it relies on the correct Terrain being active to deal significant damage to Pokemon that it's not hitting super effectively.
* Alolan Raichu possesses very little in the way of bulk, letting it be OHKOed by almost any strong attack.
[SET]
name: Offensive Support
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Protect / Encore
item: Psychium Z / Focus Sash
ability: Surge Surfer
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Fake Out is mandatory on any Alolan Raichu, as it prevents a foe from doing anything for a turn, letting Alolan Raichu's partner more effectively deal with a threat.
* Thunderbolt and Psychic are Alolan Raichu's STAB moves, which possess good neutral coverage on a significant portion of the metagame. They are also boosted by Electric and Psychic Terrain, respectively.
* Protect is useful to give Alolan Raichu extra turns to stick around, as it will be KOed by most strong or super effective hits, and it lets Alolan Raichu's partner deal with a threat.
* Encore can punish opposing moves like Protect and Fake Out, locking their user into either doing nothing next turn or switching out.
Set Details
========
* Psychium Z is the preferred item, as paired with Psychic Terrain it lets Alolan Raichu hit incredibly hard, OHKOing most targets that don't resist or are immune to it. Even outside of Psychic Terrain it lets Alolan Raichu deal heavy damage.
* If you want Alolan Raichu to focus more on support and less on offense, a Focus Sash can be used instead, letting Alolan Raichu potentially use another move in place of Protect, such as Encore or Feint.
* Surge Surfer is Alolan Raichu's only ability and lets it reach an incredibly high Speed stat.
* A Timid nature is used to increase Alolan Raichu's Speed even further. Maximum Speed is important so Alolan Raichu use its moves outside of Electric Terrain before other Pokemon that are only slightly slower than it, such as Alolan Ninetales or Kartana.
* For the same reason, a spread of maximum Special Attack and Speed is simple and effective.
* An EV spread of 60 HP / 12 Def / 252 SpA / 36 SpD / 148 Spe avoids the 2HKO from Alolan Ninetales's Blizzard, including damage from hail, but makes Alolan Raichu more vulnerable to threats that are only slightly slower than it outside of Electric Terrain.
Usage Tips
========
* Alolan Raichu is best used as a lead, letting it immediately use Fake Out to prevent a foe from doing anything for a turn. This leaves Alolan Raichu's partner free to either deal with an opposing Pokemon or use a setup move.
* When faced with a threat it cannot KO, Alolan Raichu must be careful of being knocked out itself, as its frailty means it cannot take attacks very well. It can be good to switch Alolan Raichu out after its job of using Fake Out is done, letting it be sent out later on in the battle to use it again.
* When paired with another fast and offensive teammate, Alolan Raichu can help score early game KOs to swing momentum in your favor.
* Its other support moves like Feint and Encore allow Alolan Raichu to effectively support a more offensive teammate.
Team Options
========
* Alolan Raichu pairs excellently with Tapu Koko, making it extremely fast thanks to Surge Surfer. The Electric Terrain makes Alolan Raichu's Thunderbolts deal significantly more damage. These two together form an effective lead against opposing fast and offensive teams.
* Tapu Lele is another excellent partner, as its Psychic Terrain powers up Alolan Raichu's Shattered Psyche into an incredibly powerful attack that will OHKO most Pokemon that don't resist it. This pairing is great against slower and bulkier teams.
* Fake Out and Encore help teammates use setup moves, so partners such as Calm Mind Tapu Fini and Curse Alolan Muk will appreciate the free turns.
* Teammates that can deal with opposing Ground-types are appreciated, so Pokemon like Kartana and Gyarados make good partners.
* Alolan Raichu can't handle opposing Electric- or Steel-types very well, so a Ground-type partner like Garchomp or Krookodile is appreciated. Alolan Raichu should have Protect when used with a Ground-type partner so it can use Earthquake more freely. Arcanine is also a useful teammate, as its Intimidate lowers the power of incoming physical attacks and can help deal with Pokemon like Vikavolt and Magnezone.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Volt Switch is less powerful than Thunderbolt but lets Alolan Raichu stick around longer and have more opportunities to use Fake Out.
* Feint can be useful on teams with many hard hitters, as it allows Alolan Raichu's teammate to effectively attack whatever it wants without having to worry about opposing Protect.
* Nuzzle can spread paralysis to slow down the opposing team and deal some small amounts of damage to break opposing Focus Sashes.
* Charm can be used to lower the Attack of opposing Pokemon, but Alolan Raichu struggles to fit it on its moveset.
* Electro Ball can reach absurd levels of power due to Electric Terrain combined with Surge Surfer, but its power is very heavily dependent on the terrain staying active. Without the Electric Terrain, it is weaker than Thunderbolt on most targets.
* Hidden Power Ice can be used to deal more damage to Ground-types, but it won't be OHKOing anything without something like a boosting item or Helping Hand.
* Aloraichium Z upgrades Thunderbolt to Stoked Sparksurfer, which both deals massive amounts of damage to a target and paralyses them. Be wary of using this over Psychium Z, as many teams carry more Pokemon resistant to Electric-type moves than ones that resist Psychic-type moves.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Krookodile is immune to both of Alolan Raichu's STAB attacks and can switch in for free on almost anything it can do. Other Ground-types such as Garchomp and Mudsdale are immune to Alolan Raichu's Electric-type moves but have to watch out for a stray Psychic or Shattered Psyche.
**Steel-types**: Most Steel-types in the metagame either resist both of Alolan Raichu's STAB attacks, such as Magnezone and Kartana, or possess the special bulk to be able to shrug them off. They can also hit the Tapu Koko or Tapu Lele that Alolan Raichu is usually partnered with for heavy damage.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types aren't as common as Ground-types are, but they can switch in for free on any of Alolan Raichu's Psychic-type moves and can completely waste its Shattered Psyche. Krookodile deserves a mention again, as it is immune to both of Alolan Raichu's STAB attacks. Alolan Muk has good special bulk and can hit Alolan Raichu back hard with a Knock Off or Shadow Sneak. Weavile can outspeed Alolan Raichu outside of Electric Terrain and also has Fake Out and Knock Off to KO it through a potential Focus Sash.
**Lightning Rod**: Lightning Rod users can redirect and nullify any Electric-type moves Alolan Raichu tries to use, hampering its effectiveness. Alolan Marowak is immune to Fake Out and can hit back with a super effective Bonemerang or Shadow Bone. Togedemaru resists both of Alolan Raichu's STAB moves and can also use Fake Out.
**Speed Control**: Alolan Raichu relies on its speed to get off attacks before it can be hit back. Speed control like Trick Room turns Alolan Raichu's high Speed into a liability, as under Electric Terrain, almost everything will move before it, making it easy for Alolan Raichu to be KOed. Other forms of speed control such as Icy Wind and Tailwind are also effective against Alolan Raichu, but they must also be used with a way to get rid of Electric Terrain.
Last edited:
