Manectric

Take Azelfie

Take Azelfie

More flags more fun
QC: erisia / ~eternally / *
GP: * / *
stole from Shade

[OVERVIEW]

Manectric has a solid Speed tier that lets it outspeed tons of offensive threats such as Jynx, Rotom, and Charizard. Its access to Overheat and Flamethrower combined with its high Special Attack stat allows it to bypass a few Ground-types and Steel-types such as Torterra, Ferroseed, and Steelix, which would check it otherwise. It is also a great offensive Pokemon with access to Volt Switch, which lets it whittle down Pokemon at a fast pace. Manectric's Electric immunity via Lightning Rod further lets it switch in for free occasionally and pressure the opponent's team late-game if it can grab a boost. Unfortunately, Manectric faces competition from other Electric-types such as Rotom, which is a much better pivot, and Electivire, which boasts more offensive versatility. It also struggles to get OHKOs on Pokemon like Camerupt, Gastrodon, and Piloswine, which are immune to its STAB move, without quite a bit of chip damage. Lastly, Manectric is very susceptible to priority users and faster Pokemon such as Sucker Punch Shiftry, Tauros, and Swellow due to its frailness.

[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Overheat / Flamethrower
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
item: Life Orb
ability: Lightning Rod
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
==============
Thunderbolt makes good use of Manectric's high Special Attack, and Volt Switch is able to grab momentum. Overheat is a great coverage move to hit common switch-ins to Electric-types such as Vileplume, Steelix, and Ferroseed. The former two cannot survive an Overheat (unless Steelix still has Sturdy intact), which means Manectric has a big niche over Electivire, which fails to OHKO either of them with Flamethrower. Flamethrower can be used over Overheat to avoid becoming setup fodder for Lilligant or Rhydon, as Manectric can't do much to either of them when at -2 Special Attack, but two Overheats are still stronger than two Flamethrowers, which makes it a better pick in most situations. Flamethrower also fails to OHKO Steelix and Vileplume after Stealth Rock damage. Hidden Power Grass is used to hit Rhydon, Gastrodon, and Lanturn, which can otherwise wall Manectric.

Set Details
==============

Lightning Rod gives Manectric an Electric immunity while also boosting its Special Attack, making it the superior ability over Static. Maximum Speed and a Timid nature make Manectric hit a very important Speed tier, outspeeding Charizard, Jynx, and Primeape, as well as allowing it to Speed tie with Mismagius and Scyther, which is something it couldn't achieve with a Modest nature. Life Orb is usually chosen over Choice Specs because Manectric heavily prefers being able to switch up moves, as it may otherwise lose you momentum, such as if your opponent switches in their Lanturn on a Volt Switch. Life Orb also overshadows Expert Belt, since Manectric needs the extra damage on neutral targets like Primeape and Kangaskhan.

Usage Tips
========

Use Volt Switch a lot early-game to whittle down and cripple the opponent's team quickly. Thunderbolt should be used when the opponent is likely to sacrifice a Pokemon to an incoming Volt Switch to get the advantage on the next Pokemon coming out; this lets you keep up the offensive pressure. Try to predict the opponent switching in Electric-immune Pokemon such as Lanturn and Rhydon and hit them with Hidden Power Grass, or with Fire coverage in Steelix's case; this is very important because once they have been weakened or removed Manectric can use its STAB moves without any drawback. Manectric should attempt to come in on predicted Electric-type moves such as Rotom's and Lanturn's Volt Switch to acquire a Lightning Rod boost. However, you should only do this if Manectric can OHKO the foe at +1, as it is extremely frail and struggles to stomach neutral hits. Manectric should be played aggressively and utilize its coverage to break apart balance cores and maintain offensive pressure.

Team Options
==============

Pokemon that are able to switch in on Electric-immune foes and pressure them such as Rotom and Vileplume are good partners for Manectric because they help wear down one another's checks and counters. Spikes and Toxic Spikes setters like Garbodor help wear down Manectric's checks such as Lanturn, and the residual damage allows it to KO Pokemon that could otherwise take a hit from it, such as Rhydon and specially defensive Vileplume. Stealth Rock setters also help to chip the opponent's team and break Steelix's Sturdy and any random Focus Sashes; these Pokemon are typically Flying-type checks as well, like Archeops and Rhydon, which help versus Swellow and opposing Archeops, Pokemon that Manectric struggles to beat one-on-one. Other VoltTurn users to accompany Manectric like Primeape and Scyther help to wear down the opposing team really quickly. Choice Band Primeape also helps to pressure a lot of Manectric's switch-ins like Rhydon and Gastrodon. Fire-types such as Charizard and Pyroar like having Water-types like Kabutops and Samurott dealt with, and they both work together to break down Gastrodon and Rhydon with Hidden Power Grass.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
==============

A Choice Specs set with Switcheroo over either Overheat or Hidden Power Grass can be used to cripple switch-ins like Lanturn and Camerupt. Choice Scarf can turn Manectric into a revenge killer capable of beating Flying-types that normally outspeed it, but without the power of Life Orb Manectric's attacks are less than optimal. Hidden Power Water can be used to damage Camerupt while still retaining coverage on Rhydon, but it loses out on many important targets such as Gastrodon and Lanturn. Camerupt also isn't extremely common, making Hidden Power Water useless in most situations.

Checks and Counters
==============

**Lanturn**: Lanturn takes little to nothing from Manectric's Overheat and(pretty much implied I think? otherwise add "to" after immune) recovers HP from Manectric's STAB moves. Hidden Power Grass, while super effective, doesn't do much damage to Assault Vest variants and often requires prediction to hit Lanturn on the switch. Lanturn can also reliably 2HKO Manectric with Scald.

**Camerupt**: Camerupt's unique typing lets it act as a surefire counter to Manectric, as the best Manectric can do to it is hit it with Hidden Power Grass. Camerupt can then use Earth Power to deal damage and KO a Manectric staying in or set up Stealth Rock for free.

**Faster Offensive Pokemon and Priority**: Due to Manectric's fragility it will often get OHKOed by powerful STAB attacks from Pokemon like Pyroar, Tauros, and Archeops as well as some Choice Scarf Pokemon. It also dislikes having to take strong priority moves like Sucker Punch and Aqua Jet, which can be found on a plethora of Pokemon like Shiftry, Kangaskhan, and Samurott.

**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Piloswine, Golurk, and Claydol can block Manectric's STAB moves, take minimal damage from Overheat in most situations, and are capable of OHKOing Manectric with ease. Rhydon can even use Manectric as setup bait with Rock Polish or Swords Dance. However, they do have to be wary of taking a Hidden Power Grass or in Steelix's case an Overheat or Flamethrower.

**Bulky Pokemon**: Specially bulky Pokemon like Mega Audino, Assault Vest Hariyama, and Sliggoo that don't take super effective damage from Manectric's attacks can check Manectric, since it doesn't have the power to break through them. They can also OHKO Manectric in Hariyama's case or use it as setup fodder in the case of the other two. Unlike against Ground-types and Lanturn, though, Manectric can get chip damage on them with repeated Volt Switches.
 
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Sorry this took awhile. OO could prob be bulkier but everything else is pretty bad except for maybe Snarl (works well against AV users and combos well w/ Volt Switch) and Magnet
 
Mention in the overview that Lightningrod makes Manectric very threatening once faster threats are removed, and that it does a good job of dissuading opposing Volt Switch users. Also mention that its non-existent Attack stat makes it easier to wall in general than Electivire despite its higher Special Attack and Speed, giving Manectric a worse time against defensive teams and particularly Lanturn, which is one of the most common mons in the tier. I wouldn't even mention its Flying-type resistance as Manectric shouldn't attempt to take any attacks, period (this would be somewhat relevant if Fletchinder was around). I think you should include somewhere that Manectric's huge frailty usually makes it only worthwhile on offense and hyper-offense teams.

In moves, mention some specific KOs that Thunderbolt and Volt Switch can secure, giving the reader a rough idea of Manectric's power. Also mention that Overheat straight up OHKOes Steelix (after Sturdy is broken) and Vileplume, which Electivire fails to do with Flamethrower. Gastrodon should definitely also be mentioned as a HP Grass target.

In set details, you could discuss why Life Orb is better than Expert Belt if you want (because Thunderbolt needs the power against neutral targets like Primeape). Also Life Orb's recoil isn't a huge problem because Manectric should never be taking hits in the first place.

In usage tips, I'd elaborate on Volt Switch and how to use it. So you'd use it when the opponent's likely response is something bulky that you can exploit like Mega Audino or Hariyama, and you'd use Thunderbolt when you want Manectric to stay in after a KO (if the opponent is likely to sacrifice their mon to tank a Volt Switch and capitalize on your switch in, for example) to keep applying offensive pressure (or if you just need the extra power).

In team options, I wouldn't mention needing a dedicated Flying-resist so much as just making sure you have an offensive mon that can deal with faster threats. Scarf Jynx / Rotom could be good options for this role. I would also mention an offensive Stealth Rock user somewhere as this really helps to pressure the aforementioned Archeops / Scyther / Swellow. An Archeops of your own is a good choice, but provide one-or-two more.

Other options looks mostly fine because Manectric is a very simple Pokémon, don't mention Snarl lol. Maybe bring up Magnet and why it's generally inferior (because the opportunity cost of Life Orb is so low and Hidden Power Grass needs the extra power).

Let me know when you've implemented this, good job so far.
 
Okay cool. I'd probably swap Hidden Power Grass and Overheat / Flamethrower as the Fire-type moves are generally Manectric's selling point over things like the Rotom formes. You could maybe mention a Modest nature in set details and explain that it doesn't really help Manectric against its counters and losing the speed-tier is huge, probably just name-drop it in the sentence talking about a Timid nature.

In other options, talk more about Switcheroo on the Specs set and what it does, such as playing around Sucker Punch users and crippling mons like Hariyama that like to switch into it.

In checks and counters, Lanturn should be first as it's super-common and forces Manectric to use HP Grass to beat it, giving a teammate an easy switch-in. You should expand the section on faster offensive Pokémon and include priority attackers here; Manectric rarely runs Switcheroo and is thus completely helpless to Sucker Punch users, not to mention Hitmonchan's Mach Punch and Kangaskhan's / Hariyama's Fake Out doing tons of damage. I would just include Camerupt in your section on Ground-types and rephrase it. There should also be a section on bulky mons in general as things like Hariyama, Mega Audino, and Sliggoo really don't care about any of Manectric's attacks, although Volt Switch lets you pivot round them to an extent.

QC 1/3
 
Mention Choice Scarf somewhere. I'd probably put it as the first bullet point in OO, as i think it's more viable than the other sets mentioned there. Set would have Switcheroo over Electric-stab (remove Thunderbolt imo), explain a bit what its niches are.
 
Overview:

Manectric has access to Overheat and Flamethrower with a high special attack giving allowing it to bypass a few Ground-types that want to come in on Manectric's STABs.
Click to expand...
  • Change this to some Ground- and Steel-types such as Steelix, Ferroseed, and Torterra.
One dimensional special attacker that doesn't have much to versatility unlike Electivire who can utilize both of its offensive stats and coverage to bypass certain checks.
Click to expand...
  • Reword this to something like: "Manectric faces competition from other Electric-types such as Electivire who boasts more offensive versatility, as well as Lanturn and Rotom who provide more defensive utility"
Struggles to deal with Pokemon that block, or resist its Electric-type STAB without significant chip damage.
Click to expand...
  • Give me examples, e.g Lanturn, Piloswine, Camerupt, etc.
  • Mention that Manectric is very frail, and therefore can be revenge killed by strong priority such as Shiftry's Sucker Punch and Kangaskhan's Fake Out + Sucker Punch, as well as faster Pokemon such as Tauros, Floatzel, Archeops, Liepard, and Swellow.
Set Comments:
  • What OHKO's does Flamethrower miss out on if any? Give Examples
Usage Tips:

Manectric should try to come in on Electric-type moves in order to get a boost through Lightning Rod, but only do this if Manectric can secure the OHKO at +1 as without prior chip damage it can fail to KO Assault Vest Magmortor for example.
Click to expand...
  • Reword this sentence to something like: "Manectric should attempt to come in on predicted Electric-type moves such as Magmortar's Thunderbolt and Lanturn's Volt Switch to acquire a Lightning Rod boost. However, you should only do this if Manectric can OHKO the foe at +1, as it is extremely frail and struggles to stomach neutral hits.
  • Remove the last sentence as it's already implied in the previous one.
  • Play Manectric aggresively and utilize it's coverage to break apart balance cores and maintain offensive pressure.
Team Options:
  • Combine the line on Spikes/Toxic Spikes and Stealth Rock into one that talks about entry hazards in general.
  • Mention Fire-types in general rather than just Pyroar and Charizard.
Other Options:
  • Add in a Choice Scarf Set below Specs, talk about what it outspeeds, revenge kills, etc.
  • Hidden Power Water can get a mention here to specifically lure in Camerupt, while retaining coverage on Rhydon. Discuss why it generally is inferior to Hidden Power Grass (e.g loses coverage on Lanturn, Camerupt is somewhat rare, and so on)
Checks & Counters:
  • Note that Lanturn can reliably 2HKO Manectric with Scald
  • Swap Kecleon with Kangaskhan, it's much more relevant and can actually take Manectric out with Fake Out + Sucker
  • Reword the section on Ground-types, it's just one long sentence atm, and awkward to read.
Once you've implemented all of this, and polished up some of the sentences, QC 2/3
 
~Eternally said:
  • Remove the last sentence as it's already implied in the previous one.
Click to expand...
I was just implementing your check and I got everything besides this, it is unclear (at least to me) which sentence you are implying. The last sentence is the one you told me to revise so I thought it meant to second one but the 1'st sentence isn't the anywhere near the same as the second. If you could clarify this I'll implement then start to right up.
 
Take Azelfie said:
I was just implementing your check and I got everything besides this, it is unclear (at least to me) which sentence you are implying. The last sentence is the one you told me to revise so I thought it meant to second one but the 1'st sentence isn't the anywhere near the same as the second. If you could clarify this I'll implement then start to right up.
Click to expand...

I meant the bit about not being able to OHKO AV Magmortar, but you've already fixed that up so its all good. :]
 
I'm not sure how helpful Substitute is for Manectric; it barely sets it up safely against anything, and it'd much rather chip away at foes with Volt Switch than drain its own health away to waste a turn (Manectric's poor bulk and minimal resists don't even help its Sub survive against the opponent's mispredicts). Sub also clashes heavily with Life Orb, as Mane has no way to recover its health.

Looks pretty good otherwise.
 
Overview

Saying it's speed tier is amazing is definitely an overstatement, I'd call it like "solid" or "respectable". I don't agree with calling it a great offensive pivot since it doesn't really switch into that much given its low amount of resistances and bulk. When you compare it to other electrics please list Rotom first as it is definitely the main 'mon that gives Manectric competition. Change Archeops to Swellow just because it is guaranteed to OHKO Manectric while Archeops' standard moveset does not.

Moves

"The former two can not live an Overheat (unless Steelix still has Sturdy)"

Specify that Steelix needs to have sturdy intact, this current wording implies that Steelix might be using a different ability.

Usage Tips

"Predicting Electric switchins like Lanturn and Rhydon and hitting them with Hidden Power Grass, or Fire coverage in Steelix's case, is very important"

The beginning is worded kinda awkwardly, I'd like it to be a bit more explicit in that these Pokemon are immune to electric, so something like "predicting electric immune pokemon such as" might work better.

"Manectric should attempt to come in on predicted Electric-type moves such as Magmortar's Thunderbolt"

I don't think this is a great example since Magmortar tends to click Fire Blast most of the time, Rotom's Volt Switch works better here because it doesn't die to Hex / Shadow Ball unlike Fire Blast which just rips through Manectric.

OO

Remove Magnet, making its coverage moves even weaker does not seem worth the slight benefits from Magnet.

C&C

Change the 3rd section to "Revenge Killers"

Give some more examples of Ground-types (Piloswine comes to mind since it needs a lot of prior damage for HP Grass to 2HKO, Golurk also works but is much softer of a check)

In the last section mention what the bulky Pokemon can do in return (yama OHKOes with CC or EQ, Musharna / Mega Audino / Sliggoo can use it as setup fodder)

QC 3/3
 
"let's" means "let us"
GP 1/2
[OVERVIEW]

Manectric has a solid Speed tier that which lets it outspeed tons of offensive threats such as Jynx, Rotom, (AC) and Charizard. Its Manectric also has access to Overheat and Flamethrower. This combined with a its high Special Attack stat allows it Manectric to bypass a few Ground-types and Steel-types such as Torterra, Ferroseed, and Steelix, (AC) which would check it Electric-types otherwise. It is also a great offensive Pokemon with access to Volt Switch, (AC) which lets it whittle down Pokemon at a fast pace. Manectric's Electric immunity via Lightning Rod further lets it switch in for free occasionally and pressure the opponent's team late-game if it can grab a boost. Unfortunately, Manectric faces competition from other Electric-types such as Rotom, which who is a much better pivot, (AC) and Electivire, which who boasts more offensive versatility. It also struggles to get OHKOs on Pokemon like Camerupt, Gastrodon, and Piloswine, which are immune to its STAB move, that stop its STABs without quite a bit of chip damage. Lastly, Manectric is very susceptible to priority users and faster Pokemon such as Sucker Punch Shiftry, Tauros, and Swellow due to its frailness.

[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Overheat / Flamethrower
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
item: Life Orb
ability: Lightning Rod
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
==============

Thunderbolt and Volt Switch are Manectrics main STAB-moves, Thunderbolt makes making good use of Manectric's high Special Attack, and Volt Switch being is able to grab momentum. Overheat is a great coverage move to hit common switch-ins to Electric-types such as Vileplume, Steelix, and Ferroseed. The former two cannot survive live an Overheat (unless Steelix still has Sturdy intact), (AC) which means Manectric has is a big niche over Electivire, which who fails to OHKO either of them with Flamethrower. Flamethrower can be used over Overheat to avoid becoming setup fodder for Lilligant or Rhydon, as it Manectric can't do much to either of them when at -2 Special Attack, but two Overheats however are still stronger than two Flamethrowers, (AC) which makes it a better pick in most situations. Flamethrower also fails to OHKO Steelix and Vileplume after Stealth Rock damage. Hidden Power Grass is used to hit Rhydon, Gastrodon, and Lanturn, (AC) which can otherwise wall Manectric.

Set Details
==============

Lightning Rod gives Manectric an Electric immunity while also boosting its Special Attack, making it the superior ability over Static. Maximum Speed and a Timid nature makes Manectric hit a very important Speed tier, outspeeding Charizard, Jynx, (AC) and Primeape, as well as allowing it to Speed tie with Mismagius and Scyther, (AC) which is something a Modest couldn't achieve. Life Orb is usually chosen over Choice Specs because as Manectric heavilty prefers from being able to switch up moves, as it may otherwise lose you momentum, such as if by for example your opponent switchinges in their Lanturn on a Volt Switch. Life Orb also overshadows Expert Belt, (AC) since Manectric needs the extra damage on neutral targets like Primeape and Kangaskhan.

Usage Tips
========

Use Volt Switch a lot early-game to whittle down and cripple down the opponent's team quickly. Thunderbolt should be used when the opponent is likely to sacrifice a Pokemon to an incoming Volt Switch to get the advantage on the next Pokemon coming out; (ASC) this lets you keep up the offensive pressure. Try to predict the opponent switching in Electric-immune Pokemon such as Lanturn and Rhydon and hit them with Hidden Power Grass, or Fire coverage in Steelix's case; (ASC) this is very important because once they have been weakened or removed as it let's Manectric can use its STAB moves without any drawback after they are removed or weakened to the point Manectric can stay in and pick up the OHKO. Manectric should attempt to come in on predicted Electric-type moves such as Rotom's and Lanturn's Volt Switch to acquire a Lightning Rod boost. However, you should only do this if Manectric can OHKO the foe at +1, as it is extremely frail and struggles to stomach neutral hits. Manectric should be played aggressively and utilize it's its coverage to break apart balance cores and maintain offensive pressure.

Team Options
==============

Pokemon that are able to switch in on Electric-immune foes immunities and pressure them such as Rotom or and Vileplume are good partners to for Manectric, (RC) because they help wear down one another's each others checks and counters. Spikes and Toxic Spikes setters like Garbodor help wear down Manectric's checks in such as Lanturn, and the residual damage allows it to KO Pokemon that could otherwise take a hit from it, such as Rhydon and specially defensive Vileplume. Stealth Rock setters also help to chip the opponent's team and break Steelix's Sturdy and any random Focus Sashes; (ASC) these Pokemon are typically Flying-type checks as well, (AC) like Archeops and Rhydon, (AC) which help versus Swellow and opposing Archeops, Pokemon that Manectric struggles to beat one-on-one 1 on 1. Other VoltTurn users to accompany Manectric like Primeape and Scyther help to wear down the opposing team really quickly. Choice Banded Primeape also helps to pressure a lot of Manectric's switch-ins like Rhydon and Gastrodon. Fire-types such as Charizard and Pyroar like having having Water-types dealt with like Kabutops and Samurott dealt with, and they both work together to break down Gastrodon and Rhydon with Hidden Power Grass.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
==============

A Choice Specs set with Switcheroo over either Overheat or Hidden Power Grass can be used to cripple switch-ins like Lanturn or and Camerupt. Choice Scarf can turn Manectric into a revenge killer capable of actually being able to beating Flying-types that normally outspeed previously outsped it, (AC) but without the power of Life Orb Manectric's attacks are less than optimal. Hidden Power Water can be used to damage Camerupt while still retaining coverage on Rhydon, but it loses out on many important targets such as Gastrodon and Lanturn. Camerupt also isn't extremely common, (AC) making Hidden Power Water useless in most situations.

Checks and Counters
==============

**Lanturn**: Lanturn takes little to nothing none from Manectric's Overheat and is immune and recovers HP from Manectric's STAB moves. Hidden Power Grass, (AC) while super effective, (AC) doesn't do much damage to Assault Vest variants and often requires prediction to hit Lanturn on the switch. Lanturn can also reliably 2HKO Manectric (with? if important).

**Camerupt**: Camerupt's unique typing lets it act as a surefire counter to Manectric, as the best it Manectric can do to it is hit it with Hidden Power Grass. Camerupt can then use Earth Power to deal damage and KO a Manectric staying in or set up Stealth Rock for free.

**Faster Offensive Pokemon and Priority**: Due to Manectric's fragility it will often get OHKOed by powerful STAB attacks. (RP) from Pokemon like Pyroar, Tauros, and Archeops as well as some Choice Scarf Pokemon. It also dislikes having to take strong priority like Sucker Punch and Aqua Jet, (AC) which can be found on a plethora of Pokemon like Shiftry, Kangaskhan, and Samurott.

**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Piloswine, Golurk, and Claydol are capable of OHKOing Manectric with ease by using there STABs and can block Manectric's STAB moves, (AC) and take minimal damage from Overheat in most situations, and are capable of OHKOing Manectric with ease. Pokemon like Piloswine, Golurk, and Claydol. Rhydon is can even use Manectric as setup bait to boost using with Rock Polish or Swords Dance. The worst that can happen is that they end up having to take a Hidden Power Grass or in Steelix's case an Overheat / or Flamethrower.

**Bulky Pokemon**: Pokemon like Mega Audino, Assault Vest Hariyama, and Sliggoo who are specially bulky (does this mean Sliggoo that are specially bulky, or do you mean Mega Audino, AV Hariyama, and Sliggoo are all specially bulky? if the first, say "and specially bulky Sliggoo"; if the second, say "Specially Pokemon Pokemon like Mega Audino, Assault Vest Hariyama, and Sliggoo don't take super effective damage from Manectric's attacks and can check ...") but and don't take super effective damage from Manectric's attacks can check Manectric, (AC) since it doesn't have the power to break through them. They can also OHKO Manectric like in Hariyama's case or use it as setup fodder in the case of the other two. Unlike against the other Ground-types and Lanturn, (AC) though, (AC) Manectric can get chip damage on them with repeated Volt Switches.
 
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d6EBu3D.gif


remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 2/2
[OVERVIEW]

Manectric has a solid Speed tier that lets it outspeed tons of offensive threats such as Jynx, Rotom, and Charizard. Its access to Overheat and Flamethrower combined with its high Special Attack stat allows it to bypass a few Ground-types and Steel-types such as Torterra, Ferroseed, and Steelix, which would check it otherwise. It is also a great offensive Pokemon with access to Volt Switch, which lets it whittle down Pokemon at a fast pace. Manectric's Electric immunity via Lightning Rod further lets it switch in for free occasionally and pressure the opponent's team late-game if it can grab a boost. Unfortunately, Manectric faces competition from other Electric-types such as Rotom, which is a much better pivot, and Electivire, which boasts more offensive versatility. It also struggles to get OHKOs on Pokemon like Camerupt, Gastrodon, and Piloswine, which are immune to its STAB move, without quite a bit of chip damage. Lastly, Manectric is very susceptible to priority users and faster Pokemon such as Sucker Punch Shiftry, Tauros, and Swellow due to its frailness.

[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Overheat / Flamethrower
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
item: Life Orb
ability: Lightning Rod
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
==============
Thunderbolt makes good use of Manectric's high Special Attack, and Volt Switch is able to grab momentum. Overheat is a great coverage move to hit common switch-ins to Electric-types such as Vileplume, Steelix, and Ferroseed. The former two cannot survive an Overheat (unless Steelix still has Sturdy intact), which means Manectric has a big niche over Electivire, which fails to OHKO either of them with Flamethrower. Flamethrower can be used over Overheat to avoid becoming setup fodder for Lilligant or Rhydon, as Manectric can't do much to either of them when at -2 Special Attack, but two Overheats are still stronger than two Flamethrowers, which makes it a better pick in most situations. Flamethrower also fails to OHKO Steelix and Vileplume after Stealth Rock damage. Hidden Power Grass is used to hit Rhydon, Gastrodon, and Lanturn, which can otherwise wall Manectric.

Set Details
==============

Lightning Rod gives Manectric an Electric immunity while also boosting its Special Attack, making it the superior ability over Static. Maximum Speed and a Timid nature make Manectric hit a very important Speed tier, outspeeding Charizard, Jynx, and Primeape, as well as allowing it to Speed tie with Mismagius and Scyther, which is something a Modest it couldn't achieve with a Modest nature. Life Orb is usually chosen over Choice Specs because Manectric heavily prefers being able to switch up moves, as it may otherwise lose you momentum, such as if your opponent switches in their Lanturn on a Volt Switch. Life Orb also overshadows Expert Belt, since Manectric needs the extra damage on neutral targets like Primeape and Kangaskhan.

Usage Tips
========

Use Volt Switch a lot early-game to whittle down and cripple the opponent's team quickly. Thunderbolt should be used when the opponent is likely to sacrifice a Pokemon to an incoming Volt Switch to get the advantage on the next Pokemon coming out; this lets you keep up the offensive pressure. Try to predict the opponent switching in Electric-immune Pokemon such as Lanturn and Rhydon and hit them with Hidden Power Grass, or with Fire coverage in Steelix's case; this is very important because once they have been weakened or removed Manectric can use its STAB moves without any drawback. Manectric should attempt to come in on predicted Electric-type moves such as Rotom's and Lanturn's Volt Switch to acquire a Lightning Rod boost. However, you should only do this if Manectric can OHKO the foe at +1, as it is extremely frail and struggles to stomach neutral hits. Manectric should be played aggressively and utilize its coverage to break apart balance cores and maintain offensive pressure.

Team Options
==============

Pokemon that are able to switch in on Electric-immune foes and pressure them such as Rotom and Vileplume are good partners for Manectric because they help wear down one another's checks and counters. Spikes and Toxic Spikes setters like Garbodor help wear down Manectric's checks such as Lanturn, and the residual damage allows it to KO Pokemon that could otherwise take a hit from it, such as Rhydon and specially defensive Vileplume. Stealth Rock setters also help to chip the opponent's team and break Steelix's Sturdy and any random Focus Sashes; these Pokemon are typically Flying-type checks as well, like Archeops and Rhydon, which help versus Swellow and opposing Archeops, Pokemon that Manectric struggles to beat one-on-one. Other VoltTurn users to accompany Manectric like Primeape and Scyther help to wear down the opposing team really quickly. Choice Band Primeape also helps to pressure a lot of Manectric's switch-ins like Rhydon and Gastrodon. Fire-types such as Charizard and Pyroar like having having Water-types like Kabutops and Samurott dealt with, and they both work together to break down Gastrodon and Rhydon with Hidden Power Grass.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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A Choice Specs set with Switcheroo over either Overheat or Hidden Power Grass can be used to cripple switch-ins like Lanturn and Camerupt. Choice Scarf can turn Manectric into a revenge killer capable of beating Flying-types that normally outspeed it, but without the power of Life Orb Manectric's attacks are less than optimal. Hidden Power Water can be used to damage Camerupt while still retaining coverage on Rhydon, but it loses out on many important targets such as Gastrodon and Lanturn. Camerupt also isn't extremely common, making Hidden Power Water useless in most situations.

Checks and Counters
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**Lanturn**: Lanturn takes little to nothing from Manectric's Overheat and is immune and (pretty much implied I think? otherwise add "to" after immune) recovers HP from Manectric's STAB moves. Hidden Power Grass, while super effective, doesn't do much damage to Assault Vest variants and often requires prediction to hit Lanturn on the switch. Lanturn can also reliably 2HKO Manectric with Scald.

**Camerupt**: Camerupt's unique typing lets it act as a surefire counter to Manectric, as the best Manectric can do to it is hit it with Hidden Power Grass. Camerupt can then use Earth Power to deal damage and KO a Manectric staying in or set up Stealth Rock for free.

**Faster Offensive Pokemon and Priority**: Due to Manectric's fragility it will often get OHKOed by powerful STAB attacks from Pokemon like Pyroar, Tauros, and Archeops as well as some Choice Scarf Pokemon. It also dislikes having to take strong priority moves like Sucker Punch and Aqua Jet, which can be found on a plethora of Pokemon like Shiftry, Kangaskhan, and Samurott.

**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Piloswine, Golurk, and Claydol can block Manectric's STAB moves, take minimal damage from Overheat in most situations, and are capable of OHKOing Manectric with ease. Rhydon can even use Manectric as setup bait with Rock Polish or Swords Dance. The worst that can happen is that they end up having to take ("However, they do have to be wary of taking" or something like that? this wording seems legit weird when those attacks (nearly) OHKO from what it looks like) a Hidden Power Grass or in Steelix's case an Overheat or Flamethrower.

**Bulky Pokemon**: Specially bulky Pokemon like Mega Audino, Assault Vest Hariyama, and Sliggoo who that don't take super effective damage from Manectric's attacks can check Manectric, since it doesn't have the power to break through them. They can also OHKO Manectric in Hariyama's case or use it as setup fodder in the case of the other two. Unlike against Ground-types and Lanturn, though, Manectric can get chip damage on them with repeated Volt Switches.
 
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