Status: Complete and ready!
Changes:
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/electivire
Credits: Croconaw Guy (set edits), MetaNite (new set), whistle (grammar/spell check), franky (grammar/spell check)
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[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Grass
move 3: Cross Chop
move 4: Flamethrower
item: Expert Belt
nature: Mild
evs: 252 SpA / 220 Spe / 36 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>When considering Electivire for a spot in your team, it is inadvisable to assess its negative qualities. Instead, one should focus on discovering the characteristics that make Electivire useful. At certain times, it may be easily walled, but Electivire's movepool is particularly broad, and the moves it has up its sleeve can provide such exceptional type coverage that you will constantly see the words "It's super effective!" on your screen. Electivire's downfall is its lack of Speed to outrun faster opponents, but remember that Electivire's ability, Motor Drive, helps it score a Speed boost if you switch in on an Electric-type move. Also, Electivire will often find itself unable to severely harm bulky Pokemon, even with a super effective hit. However, with its fine offensive stats - an enormous base 123 Attack stat, an acceptable base 95 Special Attack stat, and enough Speed to attempt a sweep after a Motor Drive boost, Electivire can be a fearsome mixed sweeper.</p>
<p>Thunderbolt is the most important move that a mixed Electivire can have in its arsenal. While it may sound discouraging to hear that Thunderbolt comes off Electivire's less powerful Special Attack, the merits of the move more than make up for the flaws. For example, while an Expert Belt boosted ThunderPunch has a slight chance to miss the OHKO on Max HP / Max Def Gyarados (factoring in Intimidate), a Thunderbolt boosted by the same item will take down any version of the leviathan and send it back to its watery grave. Thunderbolt also takes care of Skarmory very nicely, in addition to hitting Suicune (before using Calm Mind) and Vaporeon harder than ThunderPunch would.</p>
<p>Hidden Power Ice can be paired with Thunderbolt to expand Electivire's type coverage. It also completes the famous BoltBeam combo, only resisted by a few Pokemon. Hidden Power Ice is generally directed at Gliscor, Dragonite, and Salamence, sending them spiraling down from the skies. However, Hidden Power Grass (assuming it is equipped with an Expert Belt) allows Electivire to deal astounding damage to Swampert, even going so far as OHKOing it if it has switched into Stealth Rock twice. With Life Orb equipped, you raise your chances of OHKOing Swampert with Hidden Power Grass. Expert Belt has a 20.51% chance of OHKOing while Life Orb has 74.36% chance of OHKOing (100% with Stealth Rock in play). Without Hidden Power Grass, Swampert is easily able to take Electivire's moves.
<p>No matter what Hidden Power you chose, Cross Chop is another very important move to have; it allows Electivire to hit bulky beasts like Tyranitar, Snorlax, and Blissey for super effective damage. These Pokemon can take repeated Thunderbolts and Hidden Powers without breaking a sweat, but Cross Chop can deal massive damage to all of them. Lastly, Flamethrower barbecues Forretress, Bronzong, Scizor, Celebi, and Metagross. Earthquake is a less favorable option, but it deals more damage to Heatran and Magnezone than Cross Chop normally would.</p>
<p>In order to maximize Electivire's potential, one must do two things. The first (to abuse its movepool) has already been discussed. The second thing to do is ensure that Electivire gains a Motor Drive boost. To do this, you must use Pokemon that function as lures for Electric-type attacks. Flying-types work especially well since Electivire can absorb Electric-type attacks aimed at them, while the Flying-type boasts an immunity to Ground-type moves aimed at Electivire. The legendary GyaraVire (Gyarados and Electivire) is not forgotten; however, you are free to choose from a wide range of other available Flying-types in OU, such as Togekiss and Aerodactyl. Water types such as Vaporeon can also work as effective lures to a Motor Drive boost.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, this is where the bad news begins. Although Electivire's moveset provides very nice type coverage, it is easily walled by many Pokemon in the OU Metagame. Cresselia and Latias can shrug off Electivire's attacks and retaliate with Psychic and Dragon Pulse respectively. The Rotom Appliances won't mind getting hit by Thunderbolt or either Hidden Power. They are also immune to Cross Chop and Earthquake and can cripple Electivire by using Will-O-Wisp. As previously mentioned, Swampert defeats all non-Hidden Power Grass sets and can retaliate with a hard-hitting Earthquake. Gardevoir can Trace Motor Drive and put Electivire to sleep or burn it. A Choice Scarf Flygon can absorb a Thunderbolt, Flamethrower, Earthquake, or even Cross Chop, and begin playing mind games by either using Earthquake or U-Turn. Heatran can absorb Flamethrowers, take a Cross Chop, and retaliate with Earth Power. If Electivire is low on health, Mamoswine can come in on a Thunderbolt or Hidden Power and use Earthquake or Ice Shard accordingly.</p>
<p>Various teammates can help Electivire sweep by threatening its counters. Scizor can Pursuit or U-turn Latias, Gardevoir, and Cresselia, while threatening to Bullet Punch Mamoswine. Will-O-Wisps from Rotom formes can be redirected to a Heatran of your own. A Flash Fire boosted Naive Heatran's Fire Blast can take the standard 252 HP Rotom form down with a combination of Fire Blast and Stealth Rock. Gyarados can set up against Roar-less Swampert variants, and Vaporeon or Milotic can wear it down with Surfs while recovering HP with Wish and Recover respectively. They also function well as good bait for a Motor Drive boost. Flying-types like Togekiss are immune Ground-type attacks and can either attack or set up on a choiced Flygon's Earthquake or a choiced Heatran's Earth Power.</p>
[SET]
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: ThunderPunch
move 2: Ice Punch
move 3: Cross Chop
move 4: Earthquake / Fire Punch
item: Expert Belt / Life Orb
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set focuses on Electivire's more impressive Attack stat and doing what Electivire does best: hitting opponents for super effective damage, hopefully tearing a hole through an opponent's team in the process. The idea of this set is the same as the Mixed Electivire set: come in on an Electric-type attack and begin sweeping. With ThunderPunch, Ice Punch, Cross Chop, and Earthquake, Electivire hits 13 out of the 17 types in the game for super effective damage.</p>
<p>ThunderPunch and Ice Punch work similarly to Thunderbolt and Hidden Power Ice – ThunderPunch makes use of Electivire's STAB to hurt Water-types, while Ice Punch hits the Ground-types that are immune to ThunderPunch. Again, Cross Chop hits Blissey, Tyranitar, and Snorlax. Earthquake helps Electivire against opposing Electric-types, in addition to hitting steels like Metagross, Heatran, and Jirachi. However, Fire Punch is a fine substitute in order to hit Scizor, Forretress, and Bronzong harder.</p>
<p>This set is admittedly less threatening than the Mixed set, but it still cannot be underestimated, especially if your opponent lacks physically defensive Pokemon that can take at least one of Electivire's attacks and hit back hard. Still, you will be unable to do much damage to neither Swampert nor Hippowdon. Forretress can shrug off attacks aimed at it and begins setting up a range of nasty entry hazards or use Earthquake. Celebi and Tangrowth can inflict some unpleasant effects through status or Leech Seed, while taking Ice Punches with exercised ease and healing when necessary. The fact that most of these Pokemon are heavily defensively EVed doesn't help either. Weezing can handle Electivire's attacks as well and proceed to burn it.</p>
<p>To gain a Motor Drive boost, Flying-types have been repeatedly mentioned. Togekiss can take Earthquakes or even Will-O-Wisps aimed at Electivire and counter threats to Electivire with surprises of its own - Celebi and Tangrowth are handled by Air Slash and Forretress can be taken care of by Flamethrower. Azelf is also immune to Earthquake and can do pretty good damage to Weezing with Psychic, Celebi and Tangrowth with Flamethrower, and just about anything with Explosion. Azelf can also absorb Grass Knots, which can deal surprising damage to Electivire. Ninjask is another very fine option – by Swords Dancing and Baton Passing when you predict an Electric-type coming your way, Electivire can be very, very difficult to stop with its Attack and Speed boosts. Grass types also work well with Electivire - Sceptile, for instance, can take Earthquakes, set up a Substitute and use Leech Seed, or attack opposing Ground-types with Leaf Blade and Forretress with Hidden Power Fire. To trap Forretress and Skarmory, Magnezone can be used, but be cautious, since both Magnezone and Electivire are weak to Ground-type moves.</p>
[SET]
name: Substitute + Liechi Berry
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Meditate / Cross Chop
move 3: ThunderPunch
move 4: Ice Punch
item: Liechi Berry
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set urges the player to temporarily forget about type coverage, type coverage, and more type coverage - instead, it explores one of DPP's most useful moves, Substitute. With a Substitute, not only will Electivire be protected from status effects, but it will also normally be able to obtain a +2 boost that allows it to 2HKO Celebi, Donphan, Hippowdon, and most Forretress.</p>
<p>As always, have Electivire switch into an Electric-type attack, and begin Substituting down while Meditating when you have the chance. It is recommended that you use this set late-game, when you have a clear idea of what your opponent has. It is especially useful to know if an opponent has Choiced Electric-type Pokemon like Magnezone and Jolteon, since if Electivire manages to have them lock onto their Electric-type moves while it switches in, Electivire will be able to get a Substitute up. After Meditating the most number of times possible, Substitute down to Liechi Berry activation, and attempt a sweep with over 750 Attack (assuming you only get one Meditate boost). In the place of Substitute, Endure can also be used, but it is not recommended, as if weather effects are in play, Electivire is basically done for.</p>
<p>The coverage provided by ThunderPunch and Ice Punch gives Electivire a pseudo-BoltBeam. You can forgo Meditate for Cross Chop if you wish to have greater coverage; however, this is not recommended due to the power boost given by Meditate. A Jolly nature can also be used for additional Speed.</p>
<p>Since this Electivire is basically a one-trick-pony set, rarely will you find yourself switching out if you have already set up a Substitute. The most important thing, as usual, is to have a lure to Electric-type attacks. Gyarados and Togekiss have already been mentioned and continue to shine as partners to Electivire. Ninjask can help Electivire in the Attack and Speed boosting process.</p>
<p>Anything that can break Electivire's Substitutes and take a few boosted attacks can serve as a counter, such as Forretress and Cresselia. Lanturn is also an excellent counter since it resists the BoltBeam combo, as is Magnezone. However, as previously mentioned, you will rarely switch out once you have a Meditate or Substitute under your belt, so the only important synergic team member for this set is your Electric-type bait and lure.</p>
<p>As a final note, always make sure that your HP is divisible by four so that your Pinch Berry activates upon setting up three Substitutes, bringing down Electivire's health to exactly 25% (assuming it has not taken Stealth Rock damage). Another interesting fact is that if you invest 252 HP EVs into Electivire, weak attacks like a Leftovers Scizor's Bullet Punch or a WishBliss' Flamethrower will be unable to break your Substitute, allowing you to Meditate a few more times. However, in almost all cases, Electivire prefers extra power.</p>
[SET]
name: Meditate
move 1: Meditate
move 2: ThunderPunch
move 3: Ice Punch
move 4: Earthquake / Low Kick
item: Life Orb
nature: Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Meditate is Electivire's only method of boosting its great Attack stat. Although it won't be quite as powerful as Swords Dance Lucario or Heracross, Electivire has a few niches which can make it a worthwhile contender. The premise is simple: come in on an Electric attack to activate your ability Motor Drive (preferably from a Choice item user) and Meditate on the switch. Now you've got 433 Speed and 739 Attack (when factoring in Life Orb's boost)! STAB ThunderPunch maims Gyarados and most other bulky Water-types that may trouble Lucario, while Ice Punch slams Gliscor into the dust. Earthquake completes your type coverage by hitting Heatran, Metagross, and Magnezone super effective. Low Kick may seem strange when you have access to Cross Chop, but Low Kick has 100% accuracy and achieves all the necessary kills after a Meditate boost. You can effectively 2HKO Blissey, OHKO Mamoswine and Snorlax while nabbing KOs on Registeel, Regirock, and Steelix if you ever run into them. These three attacking moves allow Electivire to hit more than half of the standard metagame for super effective damage.</p>
<p>Life Orb and Stealth Rock are a must when using this Electivire. Both are required to guarantee a 2HKO on defensive Celebi, OHKO on 252 HP / 12 Def Metagross, while having a fair chance to OHKO Zapdos (dealing 96% minimum damage to 248 HP/228 Def variants with Stealth Rock , Suicune (dealing 95% minimum damage to 252 HP / 252 Def variants with Stealth Rock), and Skarmory (dealing 98% minimum damage to 252 HP / 252 Def variants with Stealth Rock) with the respective super effective moves. Some other common counters to the standard Electivire, such as Latias, will be OHKOed as well after a Meditate. Electivire runs into trouble against Pokemon he can't hit super effective, mainly Rotom-A and Swampert. Bulky Ground-types such as Hippowdon and Donphan may also prove troublesome as they can nail you in one hit with Earthquake. Bulky Gyarados is a great partner because he can Taunt the foe to prevent it from setting up, statusing him, or phazing Gyarados out, then set up until he is ready to sweep. The other rather obvious use of Gyarados is to lure in Electric attacks for Electivire to absorb. Togekiss and Suicune are great at luring in Electric attacks as well to get Electivire that Motor Drive boost. Both of them fare well against bulky Grounds like Hippowdon and Donphan too. However, defensive Rotom-A still gives you some trouble. Blissey may be your best bet at countering it. Blissey can also spread around Toxic and keep Electivire alive with Wish so he can wreak as much havoc as possible. Scizor, Heracross, Swampert, Flygon, and many others can use a variety of moves to slowly wear down the foe enough for Electivire to reach its full sweeping potential. They can also take at least one Ground attack (or in Flygon's case, any and all of them) and retaliate back with a powerful move. Forretress can lay down a couple layer of Spikes and Toxic Spikes to further aid Electivire's cause, while sponging almost any Ground attack with ease. Pokemon such as Togekiss and Suicune, are great at luring in Electric attacks to get Electivire that Motor Drive boost. Both of them fare well against the likes of Hippowdon and Donphan too.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Charge Beam can boost Electivire's Special Attack, but Electivire usually does better with more power right off the bat. Low Kick does more against foes like Rhyperior and Snorlax, but only has base 60 power against Blissey. Toxic can be used to tackle bulky Ground-types like Hippowdon and Swampert, but you will usually be unable to find enough room for it. Thunder Wave can paralyze opponents and is generally unexpected on Electivire.</p>
<p>Since Electivire is all about choices, choices, and more choices, it should be able to fully exploit its movesets without being limited by the power of Choice items. The reason that Choice items aren't recommended is because Electivire is a surprise, and upon realizing an Electivire is in your team, intelligent foes will watch out for it the next time they decide to attack. It won't help to be locked on to a move with your Choice item either; chances are, you will need to switch out, and will be unable to pull off the same trick later in the match.</p>
<p>Electivire can also set up Rain Dance and use Thunder, but is outclassed by Jolteon, Lanturn, and many others.</p>
[EVs]
<p>On the Mixed Attacker, Electivire hits 281 Speed, which outruns Positive-Speed Natured Choice Scarf Heatran after a Motor Drive boost. Special Attack is maximized and the rest of the EVs go into Attack to boost the power of Cross Chop or Earthquake.</p>
<p>On both of the other sets, Attack and Speed are maximized to make the most out of Electivire's physically offensive prowess.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Electivire's most important partner is something that lures the opponent to hit it with Electric-type attacks, which can be helpful to score a Motor Drive boost.</p>
<p>As mentioned previous in this analysis, Flying- and Water-types help aid Electivire gain a Motor Drive boost. Flying-types and Pokemon with the ability Levitate work well with Electivire, since they resist Ground-type attacks aimed at the yeti. Some common examples of these options include Gyarados, who can even set up and knock a few foes out before switching out and attract that x4 weakness to Electric, which can help Electivire score a Motor Drive boost. Ninjask can Baton Pass some very useful Attack and Speed boosts, and Vaporeon can pass Wish to the members of your team that need to recover. Starmie's ability to set up Dual Screens can help the entire team cushion hits better.</p>
<p>To make Electivire's sweeping process significantly easier, entry hazards can help reduce the opponent's HP. Electivire greatly needs Stealth Rock support because it can turn some 3HKOs into 2HKOs. Entry hazards are especially useful on the Liechi Electivire set since once you have set up you will not like to switch out, and the aforementioned entry hazards really help it net important 2HKOs. Electivire won't enjoy Will-O-Wisps; therefore, it can be redirected to Fire-types, but don't get too comfortable because these guys share the same weakness to Ground-type attacks. Azelf can eliminate some of Electivire's counters, as described in the Physical Electivire set. Grass-types like Sceptile and Tangrowth are also pretty good options, as they help take Earthquake and deal with Ground-types with a powerful Grass Knot or Power Whip of their own. In return, Electivire helps take on their Flying-type weakness well.</p>
<p>Bulky Pokemon like Cresselia are often the most problematic opponents for Electivire to deal with. Before sending Electivire into play, you should have a good idea as to what your opponent's team looks like, so that you can predict better and score important 2HKOs that you undoubtedly need. Take out bulky Ground- and Psychic-types that tend to hinder an Electivire sweep. Thankfully, Water-types can help destroy Ground-types, and Water-types like Milotic are also lures to Electric-type moves yet again! Cresselia can be taken care of with a powerful Scizor U-Turn, Pursuit, or even several Outrages and Draco Meteors coming from Salamence. You must watch out for Ice Beam though, which can OHKO 0 HP / 0 SpD Salamence if it has taken Stealth Rock damage before. It's better to to pick off Cresselia with Outrage or Draco Meteor once its health is rather reduced.</p>
<p>Electivire doesn't like getting hit by entry hazards, so rapid spinners can come in handy. Important rapid spinners that pair well with Electivire include Starmie, Tentacruel, and Blastoise, but Starmie specifically shines because it does very well in offensive teams. A combination of Stealth Rock + Spikes + Life Orb Recoil + Sandstorm damage can wear Electivire down without it being able to accomplish much, so be careful about switching in and out repeatedly.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>Electivire has been criticized for being useless without a Motor Drive boost and being easily walled by bulky Pokemon, but it can still dent unprepared teams. It is important to know what Electivire can and can't handle, so scout for the things it can't handle before having it clean up a match. Know your limits - although it has fantastic type coverage, don't abuse that fact and try to attack things it can't touch.</p>
<p>However, Electivire does have some qualities that make it unique. It isn't particularly slow with Base 95 Speed, and Motor Drive just makes it faster if it manages to predict the Electric-type attack! Teams that don't have useful and specific resistances to certain types will find that Electivire is hard to deal with. In conclusion, Electivire might not be the best sweeper in OU, but it isn't the worst either, as long as you play to its strengths.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Electivire has a whole lot of counters, actually. Let's begin with the mixed set. Without Hidden Power Grass, Swampert walls it completely. Cresselia, as always, takes little damage from any unboosted attack, and so do the Rotom forms. Bulky ghosts are also pretty good ideas, since they can proceed to burn Electivire, halving its already not-so-great Attack stat (again, on the mixed set). Shuckle can take any attack, use Encore, and switch out to an appropriate Pokemon that can begin setting up on you.</p>
<p>The physical set is dramatically easier to wall. Bronzong and Forretress don't really mind the attacks Electivire fires at them, bar the rare Fire Punch. Rhyperior also has no problem here. Previous counters (Cresselia, Swampert, Rotom-H) return to cause more trouble. Even Celebi and Tangrowth can wall this set with constant recovery and resisting Electivire's beloved STAB move. Hippowdon is also hard to budge because you have no way of hurting the hippo without a critical hit, and it it can easily use Slack Off to take previous damage.</p>
<p>The Liechi set can be taken down with priority moves - Scizor's Choice Banded Bullet Punch can easily break a Substitute, and Electivire will be unable to do too much damage to bulky versions anyway. Mamoswine can use Ice Shard or Earthquake. Previous counters also do well yet again.</p>
<p>Finally, If you manage to predict correctly, Dugtrio can come in on any set's Electric attack and remove Electivire with a powerful Earthquake, declaring it dead for the remainder of the match.</p>
Changes:
- I completely rewrote the Mixed Sweeper set
- I completely rewrote the Physical Sweeper set
- I rewrote the Liechivire set, but kept some comments there
- I added Team Options for every set
- I rewrote the EVs, Opinion, Other Options, and Counters sections
- I scratched Life Orb on sets 1 and 2 and put Expert Belt; Life Orb Recoil + Entry Hazards + Sandstorm means that Electivire dies oh-so-quickly
- "Team Options" in red
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/electivire
Credits: Croconaw Guy (set edits), MetaNite (new set), whistle (grammar/spell check), franky (grammar/spell check)
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[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Grass
move 3: Cross Chop
move 4: Flamethrower
item: Expert Belt
nature: Mild
evs: 252 SpA / 220 Spe / 36 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>When considering Electivire for a spot in your team, it is inadvisable to assess its negative qualities. Instead, one should focus on discovering the characteristics that make Electivire useful. At certain times, it may be easily walled, but Electivire's movepool is particularly broad, and the moves it has up its sleeve can provide such exceptional type coverage that you will constantly see the words "It's super effective!" on your screen. Electivire's downfall is its lack of Speed to outrun faster opponents, but remember that Electivire's ability, Motor Drive, helps it score a Speed boost if you switch in on an Electric-type move. Also, Electivire will often find itself unable to severely harm bulky Pokemon, even with a super effective hit. However, with its fine offensive stats - an enormous base 123 Attack stat, an acceptable base 95 Special Attack stat, and enough Speed to attempt a sweep after a Motor Drive boost, Electivire can be a fearsome mixed sweeper.</p>
<p>Thunderbolt is the most important move that a mixed Electivire can have in its arsenal. While it may sound discouraging to hear that Thunderbolt comes off Electivire's less powerful Special Attack, the merits of the move more than make up for the flaws. For example, while an Expert Belt boosted ThunderPunch has a slight chance to miss the OHKO on Max HP / Max Def Gyarados (factoring in Intimidate), a Thunderbolt boosted by the same item will take down any version of the leviathan and send it back to its watery grave. Thunderbolt also takes care of Skarmory very nicely, in addition to hitting Suicune (before using Calm Mind) and Vaporeon harder than ThunderPunch would.</p>
<p>Hidden Power Ice can be paired with Thunderbolt to expand Electivire's type coverage. It also completes the famous BoltBeam combo, only resisted by a few Pokemon. Hidden Power Ice is generally directed at Gliscor, Dragonite, and Salamence, sending them spiraling down from the skies. However, Hidden Power Grass (assuming it is equipped with an Expert Belt) allows Electivire to deal astounding damage to Swampert, even going so far as OHKOing it if it has switched into Stealth Rock twice. With Life Orb equipped, you raise your chances of OHKOing Swampert with Hidden Power Grass. Expert Belt has a 20.51% chance of OHKOing while Life Orb has 74.36% chance of OHKOing (100% with Stealth Rock in play). Without Hidden Power Grass, Swampert is easily able to take Electivire's moves.
<p>No matter what Hidden Power you chose, Cross Chop is another very important move to have; it allows Electivire to hit bulky beasts like Tyranitar, Snorlax, and Blissey for super effective damage. These Pokemon can take repeated Thunderbolts and Hidden Powers without breaking a sweat, but Cross Chop can deal massive damage to all of them. Lastly, Flamethrower barbecues Forretress, Bronzong, Scizor, Celebi, and Metagross. Earthquake is a less favorable option, but it deals more damage to Heatran and Magnezone than Cross Chop normally would.</p>
<p>In order to maximize Electivire's potential, one must do two things. The first (to abuse its movepool) has already been discussed. The second thing to do is ensure that Electivire gains a Motor Drive boost. To do this, you must use Pokemon that function as lures for Electric-type attacks. Flying-types work especially well since Electivire can absorb Electric-type attacks aimed at them, while the Flying-type boasts an immunity to Ground-type moves aimed at Electivire. The legendary GyaraVire (Gyarados and Electivire) is not forgotten; however, you are free to choose from a wide range of other available Flying-types in OU, such as Togekiss and Aerodactyl. Water types such as Vaporeon can also work as effective lures to a Motor Drive boost.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, this is where the bad news begins. Although Electivire's moveset provides very nice type coverage, it is easily walled by many Pokemon in the OU Metagame. Cresselia and Latias can shrug off Electivire's attacks and retaliate with Psychic and Dragon Pulse respectively. The Rotom Appliances won't mind getting hit by Thunderbolt or either Hidden Power. They are also immune to Cross Chop and Earthquake and can cripple Electivire by using Will-O-Wisp. As previously mentioned, Swampert defeats all non-Hidden Power Grass sets and can retaliate with a hard-hitting Earthquake. Gardevoir can Trace Motor Drive and put Electivire to sleep or burn it. A Choice Scarf Flygon can absorb a Thunderbolt, Flamethrower, Earthquake, or even Cross Chop, and begin playing mind games by either using Earthquake or U-Turn. Heatran can absorb Flamethrowers, take a Cross Chop, and retaliate with Earth Power. If Electivire is low on health, Mamoswine can come in on a Thunderbolt or Hidden Power and use Earthquake or Ice Shard accordingly.</p>
<p>Various teammates can help Electivire sweep by threatening its counters. Scizor can Pursuit or U-turn Latias, Gardevoir, and Cresselia, while threatening to Bullet Punch Mamoswine. Will-O-Wisps from Rotom formes can be redirected to a Heatran of your own. A Flash Fire boosted Naive Heatran's Fire Blast can take the standard 252 HP Rotom form down with a combination of Fire Blast and Stealth Rock. Gyarados can set up against Roar-less Swampert variants, and Vaporeon or Milotic can wear it down with Surfs while recovering HP with Wish and Recover respectively. They also function well as good bait for a Motor Drive boost. Flying-types like Togekiss are immune Ground-type attacks and can either attack or set up on a choiced Flygon's Earthquake or a choiced Heatran's Earth Power.</p>
[SET]
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: ThunderPunch
move 2: Ice Punch
move 3: Cross Chop
move 4: Earthquake / Fire Punch
item: Expert Belt / Life Orb
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set focuses on Electivire's more impressive Attack stat and doing what Electivire does best: hitting opponents for super effective damage, hopefully tearing a hole through an opponent's team in the process. The idea of this set is the same as the Mixed Electivire set: come in on an Electric-type attack and begin sweeping. With ThunderPunch, Ice Punch, Cross Chop, and Earthquake, Electivire hits 13 out of the 17 types in the game for super effective damage.</p>
<p>ThunderPunch and Ice Punch work similarly to Thunderbolt and Hidden Power Ice – ThunderPunch makes use of Electivire's STAB to hurt Water-types, while Ice Punch hits the Ground-types that are immune to ThunderPunch. Again, Cross Chop hits Blissey, Tyranitar, and Snorlax. Earthquake helps Electivire against opposing Electric-types, in addition to hitting steels like Metagross, Heatran, and Jirachi. However, Fire Punch is a fine substitute in order to hit Scizor, Forretress, and Bronzong harder.</p>
<p>This set is admittedly less threatening than the Mixed set, but it still cannot be underestimated, especially if your opponent lacks physically defensive Pokemon that can take at least one of Electivire's attacks and hit back hard. Still, you will be unable to do much damage to neither Swampert nor Hippowdon. Forretress can shrug off attacks aimed at it and begins setting up a range of nasty entry hazards or use Earthquake. Celebi and Tangrowth can inflict some unpleasant effects through status or Leech Seed, while taking Ice Punches with exercised ease and healing when necessary. The fact that most of these Pokemon are heavily defensively EVed doesn't help either. Weezing can handle Electivire's attacks as well and proceed to burn it.</p>
<p>To gain a Motor Drive boost, Flying-types have been repeatedly mentioned. Togekiss can take Earthquakes or even Will-O-Wisps aimed at Electivire and counter threats to Electivire with surprises of its own - Celebi and Tangrowth are handled by Air Slash and Forretress can be taken care of by Flamethrower. Azelf is also immune to Earthquake and can do pretty good damage to Weezing with Psychic, Celebi and Tangrowth with Flamethrower, and just about anything with Explosion. Azelf can also absorb Grass Knots, which can deal surprising damage to Electivire. Ninjask is another very fine option – by Swords Dancing and Baton Passing when you predict an Electric-type coming your way, Electivire can be very, very difficult to stop with its Attack and Speed boosts. Grass types also work well with Electivire - Sceptile, for instance, can take Earthquakes, set up a Substitute and use Leech Seed, or attack opposing Ground-types with Leaf Blade and Forretress with Hidden Power Fire. To trap Forretress and Skarmory, Magnezone can be used, but be cautious, since both Magnezone and Electivire are weak to Ground-type moves.</p>
[SET]
name: Substitute + Liechi Berry
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Meditate / Cross Chop
move 3: ThunderPunch
move 4: Ice Punch
item: Liechi Berry
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set urges the player to temporarily forget about type coverage, type coverage, and more type coverage - instead, it explores one of DPP's most useful moves, Substitute. With a Substitute, not only will Electivire be protected from status effects, but it will also normally be able to obtain a +2 boost that allows it to 2HKO Celebi, Donphan, Hippowdon, and most Forretress.</p>
<p>As always, have Electivire switch into an Electric-type attack, and begin Substituting down while Meditating when you have the chance. It is recommended that you use this set late-game, when you have a clear idea of what your opponent has. It is especially useful to know if an opponent has Choiced Electric-type Pokemon like Magnezone and Jolteon, since if Electivire manages to have them lock onto their Electric-type moves while it switches in, Electivire will be able to get a Substitute up. After Meditating the most number of times possible, Substitute down to Liechi Berry activation, and attempt a sweep with over 750 Attack (assuming you only get one Meditate boost). In the place of Substitute, Endure can also be used, but it is not recommended, as if weather effects are in play, Electivire is basically done for.</p>
<p>The coverage provided by ThunderPunch and Ice Punch gives Electivire a pseudo-BoltBeam. You can forgo Meditate for Cross Chop if you wish to have greater coverage; however, this is not recommended due to the power boost given by Meditate. A Jolly nature can also be used for additional Speed.</p>
<p>Since this Electivire is basically a one-trick-pony set, rarely will you find yourself switching out if you have already set up a Substitute. The most important thing, as usual, is to have a lure to Electric-type attacks. Gyarados and Togekiss have already been mentioned and continue to shine as partners to Electivire. Ninjask can help Electivire in the Attack and Speed boosting process.</p>
<p>Anything that can break Electivire's Substitutes and take a few boosted attacks can serve as a counter, such as Forretress and Cresselia. Lanturn is also an excellent counter since it resists the BoltBeam combo, as is Magnezone. However, as previously mentioned, you will rarely switch out once you have a Meditate or Substitute under your belt, so the only important synergic team member for this set is your Electric-type bait and lure.</p>
<p>As a final note, always make sure that your HP is divisible by four so that your Pinch Berry activates upon setting up three Substitutes, bringing down Electivire's health to exactly 25% (assuming it has not taken Stealth Rock damage). Another interesting fact is that if you invest 252 HP EVs into Electivire, weak attacks like a Leftovers Scizor's Bullet Punch or a WishBliss' Flamethrower will be unable to break your Substitute, allowing you to Meditate a few more times. However, in almost all cases, Electivire prefers extra power.</p>
[SET]
name: Meditate
move 1: Meditate
move 2: ThunderPunch
move 3: Ice Punch
move 4: Earthquake / Low Kick
item: Life Orb
nature: Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Meditate is Electivire's only method of boosting its great Attack stat. Although it won't be quite as powerful as Swords Dance Lucario or Heracross, Electivire has a few niches which can make it a worthwhile contender. The premise is simple: come in on an Electric attack to activate your ability Motor Drive (preferably from a Choice item user) and Meditate on the switch. Now you've got 433 Speed and 739 Attack (when factoring in Life Orb's boost)! STAB ThunderPunch maims Gyarados and most other bulky Water-types that may trouble Lucario, while Ice Punch slams Gliscor into the dust. Earthquake completes your type coverage by hitting Heatran, Metagross, and Magnezone super effective. Low Kick may seem strange when you have access to Cross Chop, but Low Kick has 100% accuracy and achieves all the necessary kills after a Meditate boost. You can effectively 2HKO Blissey, OHKO Mamoswine and Snorlax while nabbing KOs on Registeel, Regirock, and Steelix if you ever run into them. These three attacking moves allow Electivire to hit more than half of the standard metagame for super effective damage.</p>
<p>Life Orb and Stealth Rock are a must when using this Electivire. Both are required to guarantee a 2HKO on defensive Celebi, OHKO on 252 HP / 12 Def Metagross, while having a fair chance to OHKO Zapdos (dealing 96% minimum damage to 248 HP/228 Def variants with Stealth Rock , Suicune (dealing 95% minimum damage to 252 HP / 252 Def variants with Stealth Rock), and Skarmory (dealing 98% minimum damage to 252 HP / 252 Def variants with Stealth Rock) with the respective super effective moves. Some other common counters to the standard Electivire, such as Latias, will be OHKOed as well after a Meditate. Electivire runs into trouble against Pokemon he can't hit super effective, mainly Rotom-A and Swampert. Bulky Ground-types such as Hippowdon and Donphan may also prove troublesome as they can nail you in one hit with Earthquake. Bulky Gyarados is a great partner because he can Taunt the foe to prevent it from setting up, statusing him, or phazing Gyarados out, then set up until he is ready to sweep. The other rather obvious use of Gyarados is to lure in Electric attacks for Electivire to absorb. Togekiss and Suicune are great at luring in Electric attacks as well to get Electivire that Motor Drive boost. Both of them fare well against bulky Grounds like Hippowdon and Donphan too. However, defensive Rotom-A still gives you some trouble. Blissey may be your best bet at countering it. Blissey can also spread around Toxic and keep Electivire alive with Wish so he can wreak as much havoc as possible. Scizor, Heracross, Swampert, Flygon, and many others can use a variety of moves to slowly wear down the foe enough for Electivire to reach its full sweeping potential. They can also take at least one Ground attack (or in Flygon's case, any and all of them) and retaliate back with a powerful move. Forretress can lay down a couple layer of Spikes and Toxic Spikes to further aid Electivire's cause, while sponging almost any Ground attack with ease. Pokemon such as Togekiss and Suicune, are great at luring in Electric attacks to get Electivire that Motor Drive boost. Both of them fare well against the likes of Hippowdon and Donphan too.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Charge Beam can boost Electivire's Special Attack, but Electivire usually does better with more power right off the bat. Low Kick does more against foes like Rhyperior and Snorlax, but only has base 60 power against Blissey. Toxic can be used to tackle bulky Ground-types like Hippowdon and Swampert, but you will usually be unable to find enough room for it. Thunder Wave can paralyze opponents and is generally unexpected on Electivire.</p>
<p>Since Electivire is all about choices, choices, and more choices, it should be able to fully exploit its movesets without being limited by the power of Choice items. The reason that Choice items aren't recommended is because Electivire is a surprise, and upon realizing an Electivire is in your team, intelligent foes will watch out for it the next time they decide to attack. It won't help to be locked on to a move with your Choice item either; chances are, you will need to switch out, and will be unable to pull off the same trick later in the match.</p>
<p>Electivire can also set up Rain Dance and use Thunder, but is outclassed by Jolteon, Lanturn, and many others.</p>
[EVs]
<p>On the Mixed Attacker, Electivire hits 281 Speed, which outruns Positive-Speed Natured Choice Scarf Heatran after a Motor Drive boost. Special Attack is maximized and the rest of the EVs go into Attack to boost the power of Cross Chop or Earthquake.</p>
<p>On both of the other sets, Attack and Speed are maximized to make the most out of Electivire's physically offensive prowess.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Electivire's most important partner is something that lures the opponent to hit it with Electric-type attacks, which can be helpful to score a Motor Drive boost.</p>
<p>As mentioned previous in this analysis, Flying- and Water-types help aid Electivire gain a Motor Drive boost. Flying-types and Pokemon with the ability Levitate work well with Electivire, since they resist Ground-type attacks aimed at the yeti. Some common examples of these options include Gyarados, who can even set up and knock a few foes out before switching out and attract that x4 weakness to Electric, which can help Electivire score a Motor Drive boost. Ninjask can Baton Pass some very useful Attack and Speed boosts, and Vaporeon can pass Wish to the members of your team that need to recover. Starmie's ability to set up Dual Screens can help the entire team cushion hits better.</p>
<p>To make Electivire's sweeping process significantly easier, entry hazards can help reduce the opponent's HP. Electivire greatly needs Stealth Rock support because it can turn some 3HKOs into 2HKOs. Entry hazards are especially useful on the Liechi Electivire set since once you have set up you will not like to switch out, and the aforementioned entry hazards really help it net important 2HKOs. Electivire won't enjoy Will-O-Wisps; therefore, it can be redirected to Fire-types, but don't get too comfortable because these guys share the same weakness to Ground-type attacks. Azelf can eliminate some of Electivire's counters, as described in the Physical Electivire set. Grass-types like Sceptile and Tangrowth are also pretty good options, as they help take Earthquake and deal with Ground-types with a powerful Grass Knot or Power Whip of their own. In return, Electivire helps take on their Flying-type weakness well.</p>
<p>Bulky Pokemon like Cresselia are often the most problematic opponents for Electivire to deal with. Before sending Electivire into play, you should have a good idea as to what your opponent's team looks like, so that you can predict better and score important 2HKOs that you undoubtedly need. Take out bulky Ground- and Psychic-types that tend to hinder an Electivire sweep. Thankfully, Water-types can help destroy Ground-types, and Water-types like Milotic are also lures to Electric-type moves yet again! Cresselia can be taken care of with a powerful Scizor U-Turn, Pursuit, or even several Outrages and Draco Meteors coming from Salamence. You must watch out for Ice Beam though, which can OHKO 0 HP / 0 SpD Salamence if it has taken Stealth Rock damage before. It's better to to pick off Cresselia with Outrage or Draco Meteor once its health is rather reduced.</p>
<p>Electivire doesn't like getting hit by entry hazards, so rapid spinners can come in handy. Important rapid spinners that pair well with Electivire include Starmie, Tentacruel, and Blastoise, but Starmie specifically shines because it does very well in offensive teams. A combination of Stealth Rock + Spikes + Life Orb Recoil + Sandstorm damage can wear Electivire down without it being able to accomplish much, so be careful about switching in and out repeatedly.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>Electivire has been criticized for being useless without a Motor Drive boost and being easily walled by bulky Pokemon, but it can still dent unprepared teams. It is important to know what Electivire can and can't handle, so scout for the things it can't handle before having it clean up a match. Know your limits - although it has fantastic type coverage, don't abuse that fact and try to attack things it can't touch.</p>
<p>However, Electivire does have some qualities that make it unique. It isn't particularly slow with Base 95 Speed, and Motor Drive just makes it faster if it manages to predict the Electric-type attack! Teams that don't have useful and specific resistances to certain types will find that Electivire is hard to deal with. In conclusion, Electivire might not be the best sweeper in OU, but it isn't the worst either, as long as you play to its strengths.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Electivire has a whole lot of counters, actually. Let's begin with the mixed set. Without Hidden Power Grass, Swampert walls it completely. Cresselia, as always, takes little damage from any unboosted attack, and so do the Rotom forms. Bulky ghosts are also pretty good ideas, since they can proceed to burn Electivire, halving its already not-so-great Attack stat (again, on the mixed set). Shuckle can take any attack, use Encore, and switch out to an appropriate Pokemon that can begin setting up on you.</p>
<p>The physical set is dramatically easier to wall. Bronzong and Forretress don't really mind the attacks Electivire fires at them, bar the rare Fire Punch. Rhyperior also has no problem here. Previous counters (Cresselia, Swampert, Rotom-H) return to cause more trouble. Even Celebi and Tangrowth can wall this set with constant recovery and resisting Electivire's beloved STAB move. Hippowdon is also hard to budge because you have no way of hurting the hippo without a critical hit, and it it can easily use Slack Off to take previous damage.</p>
<p>The Liechi set can be taken down with priority moves - Scizor's Choice Banded Bullet Punch can easily break a Substitute, and Electivire will be unable to do too much damage to bulky versions anyway. Mamoswine can use Ice Shard or Earthquake. Previous counters also do well yet again.</p>
<p>Finally, If you manage to predict correctly, Dugtrio can come in on any set's Electric attack and remove Electivire with a powerful Earthquake, declaring it dead for the remainder of the match.</p>
