http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/raichu
[SET]
name: Subpunch + Encore
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Focus Punch
move 3: Encore / Grass Knot
move 4: Volt Tackle
item: Leftovers
ability: Static
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk /4 SpD /252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Unlike the Nasty Plot set, this Raichu variant attempts to break walls and act as a general annoyer to your opponent's team. The goal of this set is to set up a Substitute on a forced switch, via Encore, and wear down the opponent's team with a combination of Focus Punch and Volt Tackle. Substitute offers Raichu immediate protection and immunity to status, and is necessary to safely pull off a Focus Punch. Focus Punch allows Raichu to smash through many common walls, while also hitting all of the Pokemon that counter the previous set hard. This makes Raichu a decent lure for specially defensive Pokemon such as Chansey and Registeel expecting to easily counter Raichu’s Nasty Plot set. Encore is highly important for this set to succeed, as it allows Raichu to set up a Substitute on Pokemon who would otherwise threaten him. For example, Raichu can switch into a Registeel or a Donphan using Stealth Rock, Encore them, then set up a Substitute on the switch. Raichu can also use Encore to give his teammates an opportunity to set up. For example, if Raichu is behind a Substitute and the opposing Pokemon attacks with Earthquake, Raichu can use Encore and switch out to a Pokemon with a Ground-type immunity to get that teammate a free attack or the chance to set up.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Raichu can use Life Orb over Leftovers to gain more power. With a Life Orb boost, Raichu is guaranteed to 2HKO Registeel with the combination of Focus Punch and Volt Tackle. However, Life Orb comes with deadly recoil, which when combined with the HP lost from Substitute and recoil from Volt Tackle, will quickly wear out Raichu. Grass Knot is an option over Encore if you want to get by common counters to this set. Pokemon such as Donphan and Rhyperior, who are immune to Volt Tackle and take laughable amounts of damage from Focus Punch, are 2HKOed by Grass Knot.</p>
<p>This Raichu set has a hard time getting past Venusaur, who completely walls all of his moves. If Raichu is lacking Grass Knot, Donphan and Rhyperior stop it cold. This makes Moltres an excellent partner to Raichu. Moltres can switch into all three of the aforementioned Pokemon without trouble (assuming Donphan and Rhyperior don't use a Rock-type attack), and threaten them with his STAB and coverage moves. Additionally, Raichu and Moltres share decent synergy with each other. Moltres is capable of switching into Ground type attacks aimed at Raichu, while Raichu is capable of switching into certain bulky Water-types and weak Electric-type moves.</p>
[OPTIONAL CHANGES]
<p>Raichu's movepool is surprisingly wide for an Electric-type; despite this, Raichu ultimately falls into the "jack of all trades, master of none" category. For example, a specialized support set with Encore and Wish can be used, but Clefable is usually a better choice for this role due to her superior defensive stats and her ability, Magic Guard. Raichu can use Choice Specs with Thunderbolt / Hidden Power Ice / Grass Knot / Focus Blast for outstanding coverage and power, but this set is usually outclassed by Manectric, who boasts similar coverage, access to Switcheroo, and more power and much more Speed. An Agility + 3 Attacks set can be used, but Raichu is too weak to actually sweep after an agility Agility boost. Raichu has access to Teeter Dance, which when combined with Thunder Wave allows Raichu to abuse the ParaFusion strategy. However, Raichu is usually outperformed by Lanturn, who boasts significantly more bulk and a better defensive typing. Raichu also has access to moves such as Charm, Tickle, Surf, Magnet Rise, and Yawn, each of which have a use in certain situations but are better off left unused since they are typically unreliable.</p>
[COUNTERS]
<p>Chansey is as an excellent counter to Nasty Plot Raichu due to her phenomenal HP and high Special Defense stats. Chansey can cripple Raichu with Thunder Wave or Toxic, or simply wear him down with Seismic Toss. She needs to be wary of a Nasty Plot-boosted Focus Blast, however, which will 2HKO. Lanturn and Quagsire are both immune to Thunderbolt, and can easily survive most of Raichu's attacks and cripple him with Thunder Wave and Earthquake, respectively. Quagsire who lack Special Defense investment should be wary of a Nasty Plot-boosted Focus Blast, however, as it can potentially OHKO him. Registeel and Steelix are excellent counters to Nasty Plot Raichu without Focus Blast.</p>
<p>The Substitute + Focus Punch sets are easily countered by Venusaur, who completely walls Raichu. Steelix is an excellent counter to SubPunch sets. His ridiculously high Defense stat allows him to sponge Focus Punch. Donphan and Rhyperior are also immune to Volt Tackle, take very low damage from Focus Punch, but should be aware of Grass Knot, which can deal heavy damage. Priority moves from Pokemon such as Hitmontop and Arcanine can take out Raichu easily due to his frailty. Finally, Dugtrio is a top-notch check to Raichu, since he is able to trap and OHKO Raichu with Arena Trap and Earthquake.</p>
