QC: Megazard / Anty / Raiza
GP: P Squared / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Electrode is the second fastest unboosted Pokemon in PU, after Ninjask, meaning it can revenge kill most of the tier while still holding a power-boosting item. While Zebstrika is more often the superior choice, the two have different movepools and niches, with Zebstrika being immune to Grass- or Electric-type moves, depending on its choice of ability, and Electrode being immune to sound-based moves, which makes it a check to Chatot. Zebstrika can hit Grass-types back with Overheat, while Electrode is stronger because it is able to run a Modest nature over Timid most of the time. Electrode is also able to safely revenge kill opposing weakened Zebstrika, whereas Zebstrika has to risk a Speed tie in mirror matchups. Electrode also makes for a fast rain lead with a perfectly accurate Thunder. Its access to Taunt further allows it to perform as an anti-lead by stopping Sticky Web and Spikes, but it must watch out for other common leads that carry Earthquake. Aside from that, Electrode has a shallow movepool that doesn't allow it to beat common Pokemon that can OHKO it or set up on it. It, like Zebstrika, is hindered by the fact that it is walled by Stunfisk, one of the most common Pokemon in PU. Finally, Electrode's lackluster bulk means it is OHKOed by a plethora of setup sweepers, priority users, and pretty much every foe with a strong Ground-type move like Earthquake or Earth Power.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Signal Beam / Taunt
item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
ability: Soundproof
nature: Modest
evs: 60 HP / 252 SpA / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Thunderbolt doesn't force Electrode to switch out and is a bit stronger than Volt Switch, which is used to gain momentum while still doing a lot of damage. Hidden Power Ice provides coverage against Grass-types like Roselia and Tangela; it also 2HKOes Vibrava, Fraxure, and Gabite and OHKOes Jumpluff. Signal Beam provides coverage against Psychic-types like Grumpig. If running Life Orb, Taunt can be used to stop bulkier Pokemon like Roselia, Regice, Duosion and Clefairy from setting up hazards or boosting moves on Electrode.
Set Details
========
Life Orb boosts Electrode's damage output and allows it to change moves. Alternatively, Choice Specs allows Electrode to hit a lot harder and without recoil in exchange for the ability to switch moves. Soundproof allows Electrode to not get revenge killed by Choice Scarf Chatot's Boomburst, as well as acting as a reliable check to it. However, if your team has answers to Chatot, Aftermath can be used instead The given EV spread allows Electrode to outspeed Timid Zebstrika by one point. An EV spread of 120 HP / 252 SpA / 136 Spe with a Timid nature can be used to outspeed Fraxure after one Dragon Dance. Another alternative is 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe with a Timid nature to outspeed Modest Gorebyss after it uses Shell Smash.
Usage Tips
========
Electrode's main purpose is to act as a revenge killer, as it can outspeed almost everything and has pretty good coverage. However, it must be wary of other revenge killers with Choice Scarf and priority users. Due to Electrode's low bulk, it should never come in on strong attacks like Stoutland's Return. Electrode only has one truly safe switch in, and that is Chatot Choice-locked into Boomburst. However, it can still come in on weak attacks like Tangela's Giga Drain if necessary. Try not to let the opponent take advantage of Electrode if using Choice Specs. Make double switches if you think your opponent will go into a Lightningrod Pokemon or a Ground-type. Volt Switch should be used most of the time, unless Thunderbolt is needed to KO the Pokemon in front of Electrode. If Electrode is cleaning late-game, it should use Thunderbolt, as it has the highest damage output.
Team Options
========
Pokemon like Floatzel and Basculin, which can remove Ground-types so Electrode can use its STAB moves safely, are good teammates. Pokemon that can take advantage of Stunfisk specifically are also good partners. Examples include Roselia, Resttalk Machoke, and Life Orb Altaria with Toxic and Roost. Electrode struggles to KO Grass-types even though it has Hidden Power Ice, so Pokemon that can remove them or use them as setup fodder like Bouffalant, Dodrio, and Simisear are good teammates. Slow U-turn users like Vibrava and Probopass can take a hit for Electrode and bring it in safely, while faster U-turn and Volt Switch users, particularly Ninjask, can form an offensive VoltTurn core with it. Entry hazard setters like Roselia and Metang can help to get extra chip damage combined with Electrode's Volt Switches. Wallbreakers that can get rid of specially defensive walls or tanks like Choice Specs Mr. Mime can help pave the way for Electrode to clean up. Offensive Fire-types like Monferno and Rapidash appreciate having Water-types gone. Monferno also benefits from Electrode dealing with Flying-types.
[SET]
name: Rain Lead
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Thunder
move 4: Explosion / Volt Switch
item: Damp Rock
ability: Soundproof
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 192 SpA / 64 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rain Dance allows Electrode to support its teammates by activating Swift Swim, making Water-type moves stronger, and making Hurricane and Thunder hit 100% of the time. Taunt can stop Pokemon like Quilladin and Gabite from setting entry hazards or inflicting status. Thunder is used because Rain Dance makes it 100% accurate, and it gives Electrode a stronger attack than Thunderbolt. Explosion is used to bring in another Pokemon as fast as possible while almost always doing a lot of damage. Volt Switch can be used if Electrode hasn't already fainted to switch to a teammate, and thanks to Electrode's Speed, it should almost always go first.
Set Details
========
Damp Rock enhances the number of rain turns, making it easier to take advantage of. Soundproof gives Electrode a safe switch in against Choice-locked Chatot. The Speed EVs allow Electrode to outspeed Zebstrika by one point. 252 HP EVs go into helping Electrode take a hit, as it doesn't have the best bulk. The rest goes into Special Attack to help it deal a bit more damage. The EV spread 252 HP / 120 SpA / 136 Spe can be used to outspeed Jolly Fraxure after it uses Dragon Dance.
Usage Tips
========
Electrode plays the role of a dedicated rain lead thanks to its speed and ability to pivot out as quickly as possible, allowing teammates to get the maximum number of rain turns available. Electrode's priority is to set up rain as soon as possible; the only time it shouldn't use Rain Dance is when against another lead such as Venipede, Leavanny, or Quilladin. Electrode should not Taunt Pokemon such as Golem and Metang, as they will OHKO Electrode, preventing it from setting rain ; it should only Taunt leads that cannot OHKO it. Electrode should not stay in after setting up Rain Dance unless it is against a Water-type that doesn't have Swift Swim; this is to preserve as many turns as possible for stronger teammates to take advantage of the rain. Electrode is an expendable member as long as it can get rain up in most situations.
Team Options
========
Electrode should only be used on rain teams with Pokemon that gain from its support. Rain abusers such as Golduck, Floatzel, Armaldo, and Beartic get the extra Speed boost from Swift Swim as well as a buff to their Water-type moves. Pokemon such as Swanna and Articuno get to spam perfectly accurate Hurricane under rain and can remove Ground-types for Electrode and Grass-types for the Water-type sweepers. Electric-types like Rotom-F and Raichu gain perfectly accurate Thunder while in rain; they can also remove opposing Water-types that may try to take advantage of the rain. Electrode cannot single-handedly support a rain team, so another rain setter, ideally Volbeat, is needed for a proper rain team.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Electrode has a very shallow movepool that doesn't give it many other options. Toxic might be a cool option for crippling foes right before Electrode faints and is particularly useful against Stunfisk, which is Electrode's biggest counter; however, Electrode doesn't have the room for this on any of its sets. Thunder Wave can be used mostly to cripple Pokemon that might be threatening to your team, especially Rapidash and Regice. Magic Coat can help to bounce back entry hazards and status that may be coming Electrode's way, but once again, Electrode doesn't have a moveslot to give up for this.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Ground-types are immune to Volt Switch, which means their mere presence hinders Electrode quite a bit. Stunfisk and Camerupt are easily the biggest counters, taking very little from Hidden Power Ice. Other Ground types such as Golem also check Electrode, but they take a decent amount from Hidden Power Ice. Finally, while it is rare in the PU metagame, Trapinch can completely shut down Electrode by trapping and removing it.
**Special Walls**: Due to their good special bulk, Pokemon like Clefairy and Audino can shrug off any of Electrode's attacks and take advantage of it. However, they lack an immunity to Volt Switch, which means Electrode can simply pivot out of them.
**Other Electric-immune Pokemon**: Seaking works as a good specialized counter to Electrode thanks to Lightningrod. Raichu and Zebstrika can also carry Lightningrod. Though they cannot switch into Electrode as they are 2HKOed by Signal Beam with a bit of prior damage, they can usually beat it one-on-one.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types like Gogoat, Roselia, and the Gourgeist formes can take Electrode's STAB attacks and spread Leech Seed or hit it with Giga Drain. However, they have to beware of Hidden Power Ice or Signal Beam in Gogoat's case.
**Priority and Choice Scarf Pokemon**: Although Electrode is very fast, it gets outsped by almost every Choice Scarf user. They can threaten Electrode with a hard-hitting move, exploiting its low bulk. Priority also threatens Electrode, examples being Monferno's Mach Punch and Pawniard's Sucker Punch.
GP: P Squared / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Electrode is the second fastest unboosted Pokemon in PU, after Ninjask, meaning it can revenge kill most of the tier while still holding a power-boosting item. While Zebstrika is more often the superior choice, the two have different movepools and niches, with Zebstrika being immune to Grass- or Electric-type moves, depending on its choice of ability, and Electrode being immune to sound-based moves, which makes it a check to Chatot. Zebstrika can hit Grass-types back with Overheat, while Electrode is stronger because it is able to run a Modest nature over Timid most of the time. Electrode is also able to safely revenge kill opposing weakened Zebstrika, whereas Zebstrika has to risk a Speed tie in mirror matchups. Electrode also makes for a fast rain lead with a perfectly accurate Thunder. Its access to Taunt further allows it to perform as an anti-lead by stopping Sticky Web and Spikes, but it must watch out for other common leads that carry Earthquake. Aside from that, Electrode has a shallow movepool that doesn't allow it to beat common Pokemon that can OHKO it or set up on it. It, like Zebstrika, is hindered by the fact that it is walled by Stunfisk, one of the most common Pokemon in PU. Finally, Electrode's lackluster bulk means it is OHKOed by a plethora of setup sweepers, priority users, and pretty much every foe with a strong Ground-type move like Earthquake or Earth Power.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Signal Beam / Taunt
item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
ability: Soundproof
nature: Modest
evs: 60 HP / 252 SpA / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Thunderbolt doesn't force Electrode to switch out and is a bit stronger than Volt Switch, which is used to gain momentum while still doing a lot of damage. Hidden Power Ice provides coverage against Grass-types like Roselia and Tangela; it also 2HKOes Vibrava, Fraxure, and Gabite and OHKOes Jumpluff. Signal Beam provides coverage against Psychic-types like Grumpig. If running Life Orb, Taunt can be used to stop bulkier Pokemon like Roselia, Regice, Duosion and Clefairy from setting up hazards or boosting moves on Electrode.
Set Details
========
Life Orb boosts Electrode's damage output and allows it to change moves. Alternatively, Choice Specs allows Electrode to hit a lot harder and without recoil in exchange for the ability to switch moves. Soundproof allows Electrode to not get revenge killed by Choice Scarf Chatot's Boomburst, as well as acting as a reliable check to it. However, if your team has answers to Chatot, Aftermath can be used instead The given EV spread allows Electrode to outspeed Timid Zebstrika by one point. An EV spread of 120 HP / 252 SpA / 136 Spe with a Timid nature can be used to outspeed Fraxure after one Dragon Dance. Another alternative is 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe with a Timid nature to outspeed Modest Gorebyss after it uses Shell Smash.
Usage Tips
========
Electrode's main purpose is to act as a revenge killer, as it can outspeed almost everything and has pretty good coverage. However, it must be wary of other revenge killers with Choice Scarf and priority users. Due to Electrode's low bulk, it should never come in on strong attacks like Stoutland's Return. Electrode only has one truly safe switch in, and that is Chatot Choice-locked into Boomburst. However, it can still come in on weak attacks like Tangela's Giga Drain if necessary. Try not to let the opponent take advantage of Electrode if using Choice Specs. Make double switches if you think your opponent will go into a Lightningrod Pokemon or a Ground-type. Volt Switch should be used most of the time, unless Thunderbolt is needed to KO the Pokemon in front of Electrode. If Electrode is cleaning late-game, it should use Thunderbolt, as it has the highest damage output.
Team Options
========
Pokemon like Floatzel and Basculin, which can remove Ground-types so Electrode can use its STAB moves safely, are good teammates. Pokemon that can take advantage of Stunfisk specifically are also good partners. Examples include Roselia, Resttalk Machoke, and Life Orb Altaria with Toxic and Roost. Electrode struggles to KO Grass-types even though it has Hidden Power Ice, so Pokemon that can remove them or use them as setup fodder like Bouffalant, Dodrio, and Simisear are good teammates. Slow U-turn users like Vibrava and Probopass can take a hit for Electrode and bring it in safely, while faster U-turn and Volt Switch users, particularly Ninjask, can form an offensive VoltTurn core with it. Entry hazard setters like Roselia and Metang can help to get extra chip damage combined with Electrode's Volt Switches. Wallbreakers that can get rid of specially defensive walls or tanks like Choice Specs Mr. Mime can help pave the way for Electrode to clean up. Offensive Fire-types like Monferno and Rapidash appreciate having Water-types gone. Monferno also benefits from Electrode dealing with Flying-types.
[SET]
name: Rain Lead
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Thunder
move 4: Explosion / Volt Switch
item: Damp Rock
ability: Soundproof
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 192 SpA / 64 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rain Dance allows Electrode to support its teammates by activating Swift Swim, making Water-type moves stronger, and making Hurricane and Thunder hit 100% of the time. Taunt can stop Pokemon like Quilladin and Gabite from setting entry hazards or inflicting status. Thunder is used because Rain Dance makes it 100% accurate, and it gives Electrode a stronger attack than Thunderbolt. Explosion is used to bring in another Pokemon as fast as possible while almost always doing a lot of damage. Volt Switch can be used if Electrode hasn't already fainted to switch to a teammate, and thanks to Electrode's Speed, it should almost always go first.
Set Details
========
Damp Rock enhances the number of rain turns, making it easier to take advantage of. Soundproof gives Electrode a safe switch in against Choice-locked Chatot. The Speed EVs allow Electrode to outspeed Zebstrika by one point. 252 HP EVs go into helping Electrode take a hit, as it doesn't have the best bulk. The rest goes into Special Attack to help it deal a bit more damage. The EV spread 252 HP / 120 SpA / 136 Spe can be used to outspeed Jolly Fraxure after it uses Dragon Dance.
Usage Tips
========
Electrode plays the role of a dedicated rain lead thanks to its speed and ability to pivot out as quickly as possible, allowing teammates to get the maximum number of rain turns available. Electrode's priority is to set up rain as soon as possible; the only time it shouldn't use Rain Dance is when against another lead such as Venipede, Leavanny, or Quilladin. Electrode should not Taunt Pokemon such as Golem and Metang, as they will OHKO Electrode, preventing it from setting rain ; it should only Taunt leads that cannot OHKO it. Electrode should not stay in after setting up Rain Dance unless it is against a Water-type that doesn't have Swift Swim; this is to preserve as many turns as possible for stronger teammates to take advantage of the rain. Electrode is an expendable member as long as it can get rain up in most situations.
Team Options
========
Electrode should only be used on rain teams with Pokemon that gain from its support. Rain abusers such as Golduck, Floatzel, Armaldo, and Beartic get the extra Speed boost from Swift Swim as well as a buff to their Water-type moves. Pokemon such as Swanna and Articuno get to spam perfectly accurate Hurricane under rain and can remove Ground-types for Electrode and Grass-types for the Water-type sweepers. Electric-types like Rotom-F and Raichu gain perfectly accurate Thunder while in rain; they can also remove opposing Water-types that may try to take advantage of the rain. Electrode cannot single-handedly support a rain team, so another rain setter, ideally Volbeat, is needed for a proper rain team.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Electrode has a very shallow movepool that doesn't give it many other options. Toxic might be a cool option for crippling foes right before Electrode faints and is particularly useful against Stunfisk, which is Electrode's biggest counter; however, Electrode doesn't have the room for this on any of its sets. Thunder Wave can be used mostly to cripple Pokemon that might be threatening to your team, especially Rapidash and Regice. Magic Coat can help to bounce back entry hazards and status that may be coming Electrode's way, but once again, Electrode doesn't have a moveslot to give up for this.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Ground-types are immune to Volt Switch, which means their mere presence hinders Electrode quite a bit. Stunfisk and Camerupt are easily the biggest counters, taking very little from Hidden Power Ice. Other Ground types such as Golem also check Electrode, but they take a decent amount from Hidden Power Ice. Finally, while it is rare in the PU metagame, Trapinch can completely shut down Electrode by trapping and removing it.
**Special Walls**: Due to their good special bulk, Pokemon like Clefairy and Audino can shrug off any of Electrode's attacks and take advantage of it. However, they lack an immunity to Volt Switch, which means Electrode can simply pivot out of them.
**Other Electric-immune Pokemon**: Seaking works as a good specialized counter to Electrode thanks to Lightningrod. Raichu and Zebstrika can also carry Lightningrod. Though they cannot switch into Electrode as they are 2HKOed by Signal Beam with a bit of prior damage, they can usually beat it one-on-one.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types like Gogoat, Roselia, and the Gourgeist formes can take Electrode's STAB attacks and spread Leech Seed or hit it with Giga Drain. However, they have to beware of Hidden Power Ice or Signal Beam in Gogoat's case.
**Priority and Choice Scarf Pokemon**: Although Electrode is very fast, it gets outsped by almost every Choice Scarf user. They can threaten Electrode with a hard-hitting move, exploiting its low bulk. Priority also threatens Electrode, examples being Monferno's Mach Punch and Pawniard's Sucker Punch.
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