Raikou

[Rakan]

In BW OU, Raikou has been shunned to UU, not being able to pull its weight in OU despite its amazing stats, including its great base 115 Speed and Special Attack. In the Dream World however, Raikou can now abuse its new ability, Volt Absorb. With Volt Absorb, Raikou is no longer crippled by Thunder Wave, and can switch into Electric-type attacks even easier. A simple Calm Mind set can easily wreak havoc on the opponent, especially with a bit of entry hazard support. Without further ado, here is Raikou!

Base Stats:

HP: 90
Atk: 85
Def: 75
SpA: 115
SpD: 100
Spe: 115​

Here are the most effective sets!

Set Name: SubCM

Raikou @ Leftovers
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Nature: Timid
- Calm Mind
- Substitute
- Thunderbolt / Thunder
- Hidden Power Ice

This is arguably Raikou's best set. It is my personal favorite and has won me many battles. Calm Mind allows Raikou to set up on weaker special attacks, and it can even start to wall more powerful special attacks after a few Calm Mind boosts. Substitute protects Raikou from annoying status, and are near unbreakable after a few Calm Minds. Thunderbolt + Hidden Power Ice provides the famous BoltBeam combination, and gives Raikou amazing coverage. Thunder is also viable for its much greater power and 100% accuracy in the rain. If Raikou is provided with a bit of Spikes support, it can OHKO nearly anything after a boost, as long as it isn't named Chansey / Blissey.

Set Name: Offensive Calm Mind

Raikou @ Life Orb
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Nature: Timid
- Calm Mind
- Thunderbolt / Thunder
- Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fighting
- Shadow Ball

This set is a more offensively oriented variant of the SubCM set, as it focuses on attacking power right off the bat. Equipped with a Life Orb, Raikou's power output is considerably greater at the start. In addition, Raikou can run a third coverage move, whether it be Shadow Ball or something else. However, it must be noted that a neutral STAB Thunder does more damage than a super effective Shadow Ball. Hidden Power Fighting can provide useful coverage on Tyranitar, but does lower your Speed IV, making you lose the Speed tie with other base 115 Speed Pokemon.

Other sets:

Choice sets are viable, but are generally inferior to the aforementioned sets, as Raikou doesn't really need the extra Speed provided by Choice Scarf, nor does it need the extra power provided by Choice Specs, as it can usually find opportunities to set up at least one Calm Mind.

Raikou is an amazing Pokemon for rain teams, as it provides them with an all-important Electric-type immunity, as well as spamming a powerful STAB Thunder. Give it a little support, and it can easily be the star of your team.

Discuss!!!!!!!

 

[shrang]

I love using Raikou, next to Manaphy, it's probably the other star of my rain team. Switching into Thundurus with impunity just absolutely amazing. Raikou, unlike Thundurus, has excellent bulk, so you can easily come into a bulky Water as long as Scald doesn't burn, set up a Sub and go to town.

Anyway, I know we've been discussing possible EV spreads for the SubCM set, and I think I've got a reasonably usable one for now: 128 HP / 128 SpA / 252 Spe Timid. With 128 HP EVs, Zapdos' neutral Hidden Power will never break your Sub, and I can't see any reason to run defense EVs since most U-turns in OU break your Sub anyway.