OVERVIEW]
Electrode has one thing that gives it a spot in the RBY Ubers metagame, its Speed. Outspeeding common offensive threats like Jolteon, Alakazam, and Mewtwo. Base 140 Speed arms Electrode with a 27.45 critical hit rate. In addition, Electrode’s speed allows guaranteed paralysis if the opponent isn’t carrying Rhydon or Golem. Other than that, Electrode has a mediocre Special stat, bulk, and an even worse movepool. There are other Electric-types that can perform far better than Electrode in any RBY Ubers match like Jolteon, which still holds a very high speed stat tying with Mewtwo, and can dish out quite the beating when used correctly, or Zapdos, that can hold its own versus the tier behemoths. Except, they don't have Explosion, the one move that keeps Electrode somewhat viable. With Explosion, Electrode gains the ability to heavily damage or take out valuable targets on the opposing team, like Mewtwo, Chansey, or Mew. Electrode can weave in and out of battle, fishing for critical hits, Paralyzing opponents, and exploding when the time is right.
[SET]
name: Standard
move 1: Thunder Wave
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Screech
move 4: Explosion
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Electrode’s Speed might be its one trick, but it’s able to allow some offensive utility. Its Speed gives Electrode near guaranteed paralysis on any of the opponent’s Pokemon, provided they aren’t a Ground-type. Paralysis completely cripples opposing frail Pokemon like Alakazam, Gengar, and Tauros which rely on their speed to be an offensive threat. Thunderbolt will be your main STAB attack that can dish out some decent damage with can become nasty with Electrode's critical hit rate. That being said, a critical hit Thunderbolt, can be used to force out Light Screen Starmie and Amnesia boosting Slowbro.
Explosion is Electrode’s selling point, so don’t waste it. Your primary explosion target is going to be Mewtwo. Mewtwo should only be blown up on if it’s heavily weakened - 45% or below. In the event that Mewtwo isn’t below that mark, you’re better off weakening it with a different Pokemon if possible, or paralyzing it to allow your team to play around it. Do keep in mind that Electrode is still very frail, and shouldn’t stay in on an Amnesia boosted Mewtwo. It is worth noting that from max HP, Electrode does have a 30.8% to survive a +2 Psychic from Mewtwo. This means you could technically survive long enough to get off a Screech, and then explode to almost KO Mewtwo. Although you’re much better off simply having a teammate do all the damage, and have Electrode finish Mewtwo off. You can also go for a critical hit Explosion versus Mewtwo if you're in a pinch but remember that this is a desperate move.
Mewtwo is far from Electrode’s only Explosion target. Under the assumption that you feel that you can handle Mewtwo without Electrode, you can be much more loose when exploding. More offensive forms of Mew that don’t carry Reflect can have a decent chunk taken out of them with Explosion. If the Mew is also not carrying Earthquake, you’ve hit the Jackpot. You can Screech while they’re setting up, and then explode in their face. Chansey is also a fantastic Explosion target. It doesn’t take explosions well at all, and when knocked out can offer your team’s Mewtwo to go absolutely crazy. Of course, when clicking Explosion, always be wary of Pokemon that could switch in like Gengar or Rhydon, or Explosion fodder like Jynx. Explosion is Electrode’s main selling point so I cannot stress this enough, DO NOT WASTE IT.
Screech’s utility shouldn’t be overlooked, as Electrode’s Explosions become powerful after screech is used. After a screech, Electrode becomes very powerful, dealing massive damage to Pokemon like Mewtwo, Zapdos, and Slowbro. Electrode also notably OHKOs Chansey, Tauros, and Starmie after using Screech. This can lead to a 50:50 where the opposing Pokemon will either risk staying in or switch out to bait the Explosion.
Electrode does have a considerable niche as a lead. It’s guaranteed paralysis is very nice for supporting your team. There are plenty of opposing offensive leads that will be scared off at the risk of taking a paralysis. Paralysis can allow some of your own slower offensive teammates such as Rhydon, Snorlax, or Slowbro to come in safely. Electrode can reliably bait in Rhydon or Golem, allowing a Water-type such as Starmie or Slowbro to get the favorable matchup against Rhydon or Golem.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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As stated prior, Electrode’s movepool is very bare, It does have a few options that it can use despite this. While the extra damage given with Thunder is nice, Electrode doesn’t want to run the risk of a miss. Especially in ubers where a miss could very likely mean Electrode’s KO. Light Screen and Reflect allow Electrode to live a few more hits than it could prior, but Electrode’s offensive moves come in far more handy and it will be exploding anyway. Electrode already lacks a good Defense stat, so Reflect and Light Screen aren’t great for Electrode.
Checks and Counters
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Exeggutor: Exeggutor’s Grass-type completely shuts down any of Electrode’s attempts to use Thunderbolt. Thunder Wave could lead to the risk of Electrode becoming paralyzed itself by Exeggutor’s Stun Spore. Exploding is also not a great option, as there are always higher priority targets when it comes to Explosion.
Rhydon and Golem: While they’re far less common in RBY Ubers, they still shut Electrode down instantly. Even if you’re lucky enough to catch a Screech on one while they’re swapping in, Explosion still doesn’t do much.
Gengar: Gengar can effectively play around Electrode when used with a teammate that doesn’t mind paralysis, such as Chansey, Golem, or Rhydon. Gengar can easily come in on a thunderbolt from Electrode because of Gengar’s high Special stat, and can ignore one of Electrode’s Explosion attempts.
Paralysis: Paralysis removing Electrode’s Speed can turn Electrode from an offensive threat, to death fodder in one turn. Screech does allow Electrode to re-apply the stat changes, so Electrode in theory could gain its Speed back. If Electrode is paralyzed and you can’t safely get off a screech, your best bet is simply to explode and deal some damage to an opponent.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[RexTheNoName,524359]]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
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