Raichu [QC 2/2]

[kaori]

[OVERVIEW]

• 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.

 

[Take Azelfie]

Everything should in Bullet Point form until the after second check

 

[kaori]

Fixed that, thanks.

 

[Take Azelfie]

Okay I guess I go through this a little bit.

Overveiw
"Lightningrod helps to support teammates" go into more depth like how it can support Primal Kyogre by blocking Thundurus electric attacks. Also mention how it supports teammates that dislike Thunder Wave.
You need to talk about cons, this isn't an advertisement but a source to people trying to figure out how the Pokemon works. With only stating pros you make the Pokemon seem like a god or something. Talk about its frailness and its inability to touch PDon.

Moves
I would probably just deslash Feint since you won't be doing that much damage anyway. I would move it to OO
Remove the Feint mention in the bullet points. Make a bullet point for Encore and a different one for Protect, you aren't limited to only 4 bullet points each section.

Set Details
Remove the saftey goggles thing, its jut unnecessary information
Volt Tackle + Focus Sash thing can be removed.
In set details you have to talk about: The items and how they help, the EVs and Nature, and the Ability and uses. Your missing information on using Lightning Rod, Air Balloon, and Focus Sash (You mentioned a reason not to use it despite being slashed.

Usage Tips
I wouldn't say it is aggressive as usually it plays a supportive role. Even then using the "aggresive format" thing is redundant and should be removed.
The Nuzzle bullet point is more sorted for the moves section
Same for Lightningrod except for Set Details.
You Usage Tips is really bland. You should mention why you would want to use this Pokemon. Mainly to support Primal Kyogre and Thunder Wave weak Pokemon while also being a decently effective lead. Talk about how not using Volt Tackle can help to preserve your Focus Sash and how you might want to not use it unless you need to hit something (Talonflame, POgre, Crobat) This REALLY needs to be worked on I would look at this well written analysis to show what your should look like

Other Options
I would remove Teeter Dance as it is an event Pokemon and you lose Lightningrod

Check and Counters
Your formatting is really off, it should look something like this

**Xerneas**: Xerneas does not take Dragon Ascent very well and risks a possible OHKO if it doesn't run any bulk, but it can outspeed Rayquaza before it Mega Evolves and threatens it with Moonblast or Dazzling Gleam without setting up. After a Geomancy, Rayquaza struggles to win unless Xerneas has been put in range of Extreme Speed. However, Timid Xerneas fails to OHKO with spread Dazzling Gleam after a round of Life Orb recoil.

No bullet points and it should have those littler stars.

1 bullet point call strong attacks
2 bullet point call Dialga
3 bullet point call Ground-types
4 bullet point isn't neccesary, maybe call it priority if you decide to keep it.

I am not an official QC or anything so you don't have to add this but I feel strongly about all this information I am giving to you as your analysis is really lacking at the moment and needs serious touch up

 

[Jio]

Need to fix all the spaces in the OP, but it looks good. QC 1/2!

 

[Carbonific]

SamVGC If you fix the spacing in the OP I'll give you your second check.

 

[Pyritie]

Raichu is also a staple of yveltal + kyogre teams, helping to relieve them of the electric weakness they both have.

 

[kaori]

Fixed the spacing (I think? let me know)

 

[Carbonific]

Fixed the spacing (I think? let me know)

It's still not quite right. Just copy and paste this into the OP:

Fixed

[OVERVIEW]

• Fast Fake Out user
• Effective check to Primal Kyogre
• Lightningrod helps support teammates
• Fast Encore helps to lock down opponents

[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Volt Tackle
move 3: Nuzzle
move 4: Encore
item: Magnet / Focus Sash / Air Balloon
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.

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.

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, allowing to to set up with Fake Out support and protecting it 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.

[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.

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.

**Raichu**: Raichu generally checks itself with its lack of bulk, being OHKO’d by a vast amount of the tier.

**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.

 

[kaori]

Alright copy and pasted into the OP, thanks for the help n_n

 

[Carbonific]

Click "Thread Tools" at the top and change the title to include 1/2 QC.

Overview

• Revise "Fast Fake Out user" to saying that it's the fastest Fake Out in the metagame with the exception of Weavile.
• State that, as an Electric-type, it faces competition from Thundurus as a support (Prankster Thunder Wave > Nuzzle) and from Manectric as a Lightningrod user.

Set

• Slash Feint alongside Nuzzle.
• Remove Air Balloon and add it to Other Options.

Set Details

• You need to talk about why Lightningrod is the chosen ability here.

Usage Tips

• Mention that part of the reason it's commonly a lead is because its lack of bulk means it otherwise struggles to get onto the field safely, and without having its Focus Sash broken.

Team Options

• Expand your point about Geomancy Xerneas out into setup sweepers in general. For example, Swords Dance Rayquaza and Power-Up Punch Mega Kangaskhan appreciate Raichu for the same reasons.
  • Also reference the fact that Tailwind setters such as Mega Salamence and Talonflame likewise appreciate Fake Out support to help provide speed control for their team.

Checks and Counters

• Add a tag for **Mega Kangaskhan** and state that its Parental Bond is able OHKO Raichu through its Focus Sash and its access to Inner Focus before mega evolving makes it a risky Fake Out target.
• Add a tag for **Grass-type Pokemon** and talk about how Amoonguss can redirect Electric-type attacks, and that Ferrothorn can break Raichu's Focus Sash with Iron Barbs and its Gyro Ball is powered up by Nuzzle.
  
• Remove the **Raichu** tag. I originally misinterpreted what you were going for here; it's not needed though.

I'll give this one last look after you've implemented the above and then give you your last stamp.

 

[kaori]

Done

 

[Carbonific]

Done

Nice job!

2/2 QC

 

[Laurel]

SamVGC write this lazy boy :(

 

[kaori]

oh what do i have to do something further? im new to this lol

 

[Carbonific]

oh what do i have to do something further? im new to this lol

Yeah, once you reach 2/2 QC you must write out the bullet points in paragraph form (for example...). When that's done, post Here to put your analysis in the GP queue to have its grammar checked.

 

[Pyritie]

SamVGC are you going to finish this?

 

[Darkmalice]

Should mention Assualt Vest somewhere given that it was on Wolfe's team