[OVERVIEW]
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Volt Tackle
move 3: Nuzzle/Feint
move 4: Encore
item: Magnet / Focus Sash
ability: Lightningrod
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Set Details
========
Usage Tips
========
Team Options
========
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-type Pokemon**: Primal Groudon completely walls Raichu outside of Fake Out/Feint. Landorus-Therian likewise isn’t threatened much at all by Raichu.
**Mega Kangaskhan**: Parental Bond allows Kangaskhan to KO Raichu through its Focus Sash
**Grass Type Pokemon**: Amoonguss can redirect Encores and Electric-type attacks, while Ferrothorn breaks Raichu's sash with Iron Barbs and gets a boost to Gyro Ball if it's hit with Nuzzle.
**Dialga**: Pokemon like Dialga don’t take much damage at all even from Magnet boosted Volt Tackle and OHKO it back with STAB moves.
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon faster than 110 Base Speed can usually just take it out in one hit before Raichu gets a chance to do much of anything.
- Fast Fake Out user - Fastest in the Meta outside of Weaville
- Effective check to Primal Kyogre
- Lightningrod helps support teammates
- Fast Encore helps to lock down opponents
- As an electric-type, it faces competition from Thundurus and its Prankster Thunder Wave (as opposed to Nuzzle) and Manectric for Lightningrod.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Volt Tackle
move 3: Nuzzle/Feint
move 4: Encore
item: Magnet / Focus Sash
ability: Lightningrod
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Fake Out is a staple of VGC play, allowing free turns on your end to set up and gain momentum.
- Volt Tackle is used over something like Thunderbolt due to Primal Kyogre’s lower physical defense.
- Nuzzle or Feint can be used interchangeably depending on the team composition. Nuzzle is used as a form of Speed Control, while Feint allows you to fearlessly double target a Pokemon, break Focus Sashes, and pick off Pokemon at extremely low HP.
- Protect is another VGC staple, but in such a momentum-based format as VGC 2016, sometimes having Raichu faint is a positive outcome of the turn as you can get one of your restricted Pokemon in for free. Fast Encore users are always useful as well, restricting the opponent’s options every turn.
Set Details
========
- Raichu in past VGC seasons has almost always carried either Focus Sash or Safety Goggles. With Amoonguss no longer being a dominant force, Safety Goggles has almost become obsolete.
- Focus Sash and Volt Tackle is kind of redundant, but can still be seen on some sets.
- Magnet is probably the most common item as it allows Raichu to pick up a OHKO on 252 HP Primal Kyogre.
- Max Speed on Raichu is a must to outspeed things like Kangaskhan and other base 100’s.
- Lightningrod is chosen over Static due to its usefulness in shutting down Thundurus and other Thunder Wave users. Static is usable but not recommended.
Usage Tips
========
- Raichu is an extremely aggressive Pokemon in an extremely aggressive format.
- Fake Out/Encore/Feint provide an incredible amount of Turn One pressure so it is commonly used as a lead.
- Nuzzle spreads paralysis effectively and can’t be Taunted like Thunder Wave and allows your team to have a Speed advantage late game.
- Lightningrod can be used to Protect partners like Rayquaza and Kyogre from Electric moves.
- Commonly lead as its lack of bulk makes it difficult to switch and its lack of late game pressure.
Team Options
========
- Raichu is most typically seen on Rayquaza/Kyogre teams, protecting the duo from Thundurus and threatening opposing Kyogre.
- Can also be seen next to Xerneas and other sweepers like Swords Dance Rayquaza or Power-Up Punch Kangaskhan, allowing them to set up with Fake Out support and protecting them from being paralyzed.
- It has seen some success in the form of Jamie Boyt’s regional winning team of Rayquaza/Kyogre/Raichu/Scizor/Gengar/Togetic.
- The Fake Out and Lightningrod support Raichi provide benefit Tailwind setters such as Talonflame or Mega Salamence, preventing paralysis and buying free turns.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- Raichu is a generally straightforward Pokemon without a ton of variance on its sets.
- Endeavor is sometimes seen with Focus Sash as a means of bringing Pokemon down to 1 HP, but with the increased priority in VGC 2016 this isn’t as viable.
- Fling with King’s Rock is a possibility for being able to flinch an opponent two turns in a row, but is generally outclassed by Weaville in doing this.
- Helping Hand is a useful move, but can also be learned by a multitude of Pokemon with less full movesets.
- There is a Teeter Dance Pikachu event from Japan in 2015, but it has Static so it kind of defeats the purpose of using Raichu.
- Air Balloon is another item choice that lets it be immune to Groudon in rain.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-type Pokemon**: Primal Groudon completely walls Raichu outside of Fake Out/Feint. Landorus-Therian likewise isn’t threatened much at all by Raichu.
**Mega Kangaskhan**: Parental Bond allows Kangaskhan to KO Raichu through its Focus Sash
**Grass Type Pokemon**: Amoonguss can redirect Encores and Electric-type attacks, while Ferrothorn breaks Raichu's sash with Iron Barbs and gets a boost to Gyro Ball if it's hit with Nuzzle.
**Dialga**: Pokemon like Dialga don’t take much damage at all even from Magnet boosted Volt Tackle and OHKO it back with STAB moves.
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon faster than 110 Base Speed can usually just take it out in one hit before Raichu gets a chance to do much of anything.
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