[OVERVIEW]
Electrike is primarily used as a Choice Scarf or a Choice Specs user in Little Cup, as it has access to Switcheroo, allowing Electrike to cripple walls that may try switching into it by replacing their Eviolite with a Choice item. Unlike other Electric-types in Little Cup, Electrike has access to Flamethrower, letting it heavily threaten the Grass-types that resist Electric-type moves, such as Ferroseed, Foongus, and Cottonee. Lightningrod is also quite useful, as it allows Electrike to switch in and block other Volt Switch users, hampering their momentum and giving Electrike a handy Special Attack boost. Despite these useful traits, Electrike is quite lackluster in comparison to other Electric-types. Elekid, Chinchou, and Magnemite all have generally better base stats than Electrike, as well as other advantages in terms of their movepool, ability, or typing, giving Electrike serious competition for a teamslot. Because of this, Electrike should always make use of its unique access to Switcheroo, Flamethrower, and Lightningrod, as this differentiates it from other Electric-types and gives it a usable niche in the metagame.
[SET]
name: Choice
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Flamethrower
move 3: Hidden Power Grass / Thunderbolt
move 4: Switcheroo
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Specs
ability: Lightningrod
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 240 SpA / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch is Electrike's primary STAB move, as it's great for scouting the opponent's team early-game and maintains offensive momentum for your team. Flamethrower provides helpful coverage against Grass-types, such as Ferroseed, Foongus, and Cottonee. Flamethrower also OHKOes Magnemite after Stealth Rock damage. Hidden Power Grass hits opposing Ground-types and Chinchou super effectively, which is important, as they are immune to Electrike's STAB moves. Alternatively, Thunderbolt can be used over Hidden Power Grass as a stronger STAB option, giving Electrike a better tool for cleaning up late-game. Switcheroo sets Electrike apart from other Electric-type Choice item users, allowing Electrike to cripple opposing walls by replacing their item with a Choice item.
Set Details
========
Lightningrod gives Electrike a useful immunity to Electric-type moves, as well as a boost to its Special Attack if it's hit by one, allowing it to take advantage of opposing Volt Switch users. Maximum investment in Special Attack and a Modest nature let Electrike hit as hard as possible, making it a good revenge killer with Choice Scarf. The given Speed investment lets Electrike hit 24 Speed with Choice Scarf, allowing it to outspeed the entire unboosted metgame, as well as foes such as Choice Scarf Magnemite, Choice Scarf Snover, and +2 Adamant Tirtouga. A Timid nature can be used to hit 25 Speed with Choice Scarf, which outpaces +2 Jolly Tirtouga, Jolly Choice Scarf Larvesta, and Jolly Choice Scarf Pawniard. Choice Specs, on the other hand, lets Electrike's moves hit much harder, especially if Electrike manages to grab a Special Attack boost from Lightningrod. For example, a +1 Choice Specs Hidden Power Grass can OHKO Berry Juice Chinchou without any prior damage. A Timid nature is preferred with Choice Specs to maximize Electrike's Speed. If Electrike isn't running Hidden Power Grass, a spread of 36 HP / 236 SpA / 236 Spe should be used instead.
Usage Tips
========
Electrike typically functions as a revenge killer and a momentum grabber with its access to Volt Switch and good coverage options. With Lightningrod, Electrike can be switched into predicted Electric-type moves and obtain a Special Attack boost, increasing Electrike's damage output and pressuring the opponent's team. Be cautious, however, as Electrike doesn't have the greatest bulk, so switching into a stray coverage move instead of an Electric-type attack can leave it heavily damaged or KOed. Switcheroo should be used on predicted switches to Pokemon that Electrike has trouble doing much damage to, such as Munchlax, as they won't enjoy being crippled by a Choice item. Switcheroo is also a good catch-all method of crippling Electrike's switch-ins, which is useful if your opponent still has multiple potential switch-ins to Electrike and you're having trouble deciding whether to use Volt Switch, Flamethrower, or Hidden Power Grass.
Team Options
========
Electrike works well on VoltTurn teams and pairs well with U-turn users such as Mienfoo, Fletchling, and Larvesta to keep offensive pressure on the opponent. Although Electrike can run Hidden Power Grass, it prefers having Ground-types dealt with by teammates so that it can use Volt Switch more freely. Water-types such as Staryu and Corphish can break through Ground-types easily with their STAB moves and can provide Rapid Spin and Knock Off support, respectively. Grass-types such as Ferroseed and Foongus can take on Ground-types and Chinchou for Electrike, while Electrike can defeat the Flying-types that threaten them in return. Fighting-types such as Pancham and Timburr can take on bulky Normal-types, particularly Porygon, which is important, as Electrike won't be able to break through these Pokemon on its own. Staryu, Drilbur, Archen, and Vullaby can all support Electrike by removing entry hazards, which is helpful, as Electrike doesn't appreciate being worn down by passive damage each time it comes in. Diglett is a helpful partner, as it traps and removes Chinchou from the game, letting Electrike use its STAB moves much more freely.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Electrike can run a Life Orb set, but this is done better by Elekid due to its higher Speed. Snarl is an option on the Choice Scarf set; as a sound-based move, it hits through Substitute, allowing Electrike to revenge kill dangerous foes such as Substitute + Life Orb Gastly. Snarl also has the added utility of lowering the foe's Special Attack, which can be handy late-game to provide a potential setup opportunity for a teammate.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Numel, Diglett, Drilbur, and Hippopotas are immune to Electrike's STAB moves and can easily OHKO Electrike with their own STAB moves. Numel, in particular, resists Flamethrower and is only hit neutrally by Hidden Power Grass, making it a particularly effective answer to Electrike. Diglett is also notable, as it can trap Electrike with Arena Trap, allowing it to remove Electrike from the game if it gets a safe opportunity to switch in.
**Chinchou**: Although Electrike can handle most other Electric-types quite well thanks to its coverage and Lightningrod, Chinchou poses a large threat to Electrike due to its typing and Volt Absorb, giving it an immunity to Electrike's STAB moves as well as a resistance to Flamethrower. Chinchou can heavily damage Electrike with a Water-type STAB move or Hidden Power Ground, while the best Electrike can do back is Hidden Power Grass.
**Trace Porygon**: Porygon has the bulk to take any of Electrike's attacks and recover off the damage, and it blocks Volt Switch thanks to Trace. It will also gain a Special Attack boost if it switches in on one of Electrike's Electric-type moves, making it a significant threat to Electrike and its team. Porygon doesn't particularly enjoy switching into Switcheroo, however.
**Bulky Attackers**: Generally, anything that can survive a hit from Electrike and retaliate back serves as a good check due to Electrike's less than stellar bulk.
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