[OVERVIEW]
Electivire is one of the premier Choice Scarf users thanks to its above average Speed tier, ability to pivot, and capability to revenge kill top threats such as Floatzel and Pinsir. As a result, Electivire is arguably the best Electric-type in the tier due to its offensive capabilities, and thrives in a Water-type centric metagame. Furthermore, great coverage options
in Flamethrower, Earthquake, Ice Punch, and Cross Chop enable Electivire to run a potent mixed wallbreaker with a Life Orb set that can threaten typical switch-ins such as Golem, Gourgeist-XL, and Silvally-Dragon
dragonvally is solely an offensive mon and is easily worn down, so this shouldn't be regarded as a "typical switch-in" at all. Conversely, in a metagame where Electric-type attacks are ubiquitous, Motor Drive allows Electivire to act as an Electric-type immunity. However, Electivire faces notable issues in the current metagame. While it is a strong physical attacker, Electivire is often forced to rely on its lower Special Attack to break through physical walls such as Tangela
the only relevant Pokemon to talk about when discussing this flaw is Gourgeist-Super. Consequently, Choice Scarf Electivire fails to bust through bulkier Pokemon such as Lickilicky
and should not be used to wallbreak the nature of it being a scarfer and the contents in the set itself, combined with the fact that there is a specific wallbreaker set already should be indicative enough. also, Bronzor is an important and prevalent Pokemon to mention here. Lastly, Electivire's poor physical bulk leaves it with little defensive utility, and as a result is susceptible to faster Pokemon and priority users such as Kecleon and Pawniard alike
the threat level of priority is a bit exaggerated; both of these pokemon only do about half with their own sucker punch, for reference. as for its defensive utility, its got motor drive and decent special bulk, but the mentioning of its physical bulk is a fair reference.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Wild Charge / Flamethrower
move 3: Earthquake / Cross Chop
move 4: Ice Punch
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Motor Drive
nature: Jolly / Naive
make naive the primary nature due to Volt Switch's calc against Floatzel, making it useful whether you're using other special coverage moves or not.
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch allows Electivire to pivot out on Pokemon it cannot beat such as Tangela and defensive Sandslash, and helps to gain momentum.Next, Wild Charge is Electivire's best option to deal neutral damage; with the ability to reliably revenge kill threats such as Silvally-Water, Kadabra, and Purugly without pivoting out. However, Flamethrower and a Naive nature may be used over a Wild Charge and a Jolly nature in order to pick up the 2HKO against Gourgeist-XL, who can otherwise counter this set. Earthquake is used to 2HKO or OHKO Pokemon that Electivire's STABs cannot, such as Probopass, offensive Golem, and Alolan Dugtrio. Cross Chop may be used over Earthquake to hit Normal-types Electivire can struggle with such as Komala and Bouffalant, but lacks the same accuracy and misses out on Pokemon such as Rapidash and Camerupt. Lastly, Ice Punch is used to hit Ground-, Dragon-, and Grass-type Pokemon such as Gabite, Altaria, and defensive Roselia, who would otherwise switch into Electivire comfortably.
there are a lot of issues with the section, namely the inaccuracies of why certain moves are used (sandslash is immune to volt switch, etc.) as well as a bit of fluff here and there (you don't need to go too specific into examples, just cover the general basis of what the moves are for.) here's a proposed change that would work best for this paragraph:
Volt Switch capitalizes on forced switches that the rest of Electivire's moves causes, helping it keep up pressure against defensive teams that can otherwise switch around this set. Earthquake punishes all Electric-immune switch-ins besides Silvally-Ground and Sandslash, which Ice Punch can hit alongside Altaria, two target groups that are not easily chipped by other attacks. Flamethrower and Cross Chop aren't optimally used together but both cover Abomasnow while one or the other can threaten Gourgeist-XL or Komala.
Set Details
========
Motor Drive gives Electivire the ability to pivot into Electric-type Pokemon and attacks respectively. A spread of 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe with a Naive nature can be used alongside Flamethrower and Volt Switch to help improve Electivire's matchup against physically bulky Pokemon such as Gourgeist-XL and Pyukumuku.
not really pyukumuku, and gourgeist does not need to be mentioned bc you'd never used flamethrower without Naive. It's mainly for floatzel.
4 SpA Electivire Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Floatzel: 252-296 (81 - 95.1%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
0- SpA Electivire Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Floatzel: 224-266 (72 - 85.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
Usage Tips
========
Electivire is arguably the best Choice Scarf user largely because of its ability to revenge kill Floatzel
telling us how "good" a choice scarf user is has nothing to do with how to use it, and the overview already points that out either way.. Consequently
what is 'consequently' about this?, Electivire should be used to revenge kill faster Pokemon after being brought in safely after a KO, predicting a double switch, or from a teammate's pivot. Upon switching in, Electivire should be used to pick off weakened or more frail Pokemon such as Swanna, Combusken, and Dugtrio
there's a lot of redundancies i'm seeing between these two sentences, as "picking off weakened or more frail Pokemon" is synonymous to "revenge kill threats". Electivire should be wary of locking itself into a STAB move because that invites in Ground-, Dragon-, and Grass-type Pokemon such as Silvally-Ground, Silvally-Dragon, and Abomasnow. Hence, Electivire should utilize coverage moves on predicted switch-ins
pick one sentence or the other when describing using coverage moves, as having both is redundant. In a similar vein, an Electivire locked into a coverage move has less damage output and is subsequently easier to play around. Therefore, Electivire should only predict when necessary
this is already specified, and this is literally the point here. Lastly, while Electivire has mediocre physical bulk, its adequate special bulk enables it to switch into take hits from the like of Zebstrika, Silvally-Water, and Oricorio.
you're going to want to trim this down to removing a lot of the redundancies, mainly. further, you'll want to talk about 2 more things:
- how it should address threats that tank its moveset by avoiding giving them free turns via volt switching out (mons like licky, bronzor, and supergeist
- how it can use motor drive / flying resist to come in on other electrics/oricorios (i feel like this would be better content for the current last sentence overall
Team Options
========
Electivire can form effective VoltTurn cores alongside Pokemon such as Silvally-Water and Oricorio as they can help break down its checks and counters. Grass-types such as Shiftry, Simisage, and Abomasnow are great partners for Electivire, as they can help check Ground-types. Moreover, Motor Drive allows Electivire to pair well with Water- and Flying-types such as Chatot and Floatzel. Electivire also appreciates strong wallbreakers such as Choice Band Komala and Swords Dance Pinsir, who can help weaken teams for it to clean in the late-game
the fact that it momentums them in against defensive teams is huge too. In the same token, hazard setting support from Pokemon such as Roselia and Golem is a necessity, as Electivire is able to force many switches and whittle down the opposing team for a late-game clean up. If a specially biased set is used, Pokemon such as Bulk Up Floatzel, Choice Band Komala, and Shell Smash Crustle appreciate Electivire's ability to lure in Gourgeist-XL and Tangela, and 2HKO them with Flamethrower.
but it's not a specially offensive set. that is OO either way.
bronzor counterplay needs to be emphasized here, and it's the most prevalent check to this set and hard counters any option besides volt switch.
[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Flamethrower
move 3: Earthquake / Focus Blast
move 4: Ice Punch
item: Life Orb
ability: Motor Drive
nature: Hasty
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
change the set to this:
Electivire @ Life Orb
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Lonely / Hasty Nature
IVs: 29 HP
- Wild Charge / Thunderbolt
- Flamethrower
- Ice Punch
- Cross Chop
this set is vastly more optimal against ZU's defensive portion of the meta as wild charge+lonely 2hkoes bronzor, while cross chop hits the spdef normal types far more optimally than focus blast (you'd really only use this move to hit golem on special). it doesn't even 2hko lickilicky bc of leftovers+protect, whereas cross chop does regardless. You'll have to rewrite all of the contents of Moves and Set Details to reflect this set (and be mindful of the writing standards, it's important to focus on being concise)
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Although Electivire boasts a tremendous Attack stat, it is fairly easy to wall given the amount of physically bulky Pokemon in the tier such as Gourgeist-XL, defensive Golem, Bronzor, and Tangela. Consequently, a specially based set enables Electivire to break through would be defensive counterplay. Thunderbolt is used to hit physically bulky Pokemon such as physically defensive Granbull and Crustle. Flamethrower gives Electivire the ability to hit Grass-types such as Tangela, Gourgeist-XL, and Leafeon for super effective damage, who can otherwise pivot into its attacks. Flamethrower also hits Bronzor for good damage, who can tank any other attack. Next, Earthquake is the preferred move as it able to 2HKO Muk, Probopass, and Camerupt, as well as being able to OHKO Electric-types such as Raichu and Zebstrika. However, Focus Blast can be used over Earthquake to allow Electivire to OHKO bulky Pokemon such as Air Balloon Probopass and physically defensive Golem. However, Cross Chop is also a notable option that hits specially bulky Pokemon such as Cradily, Lickilicky, and Komala for greater damage. Finally, Ice Punch is mandatory coverage as it enables Electivire to OHKO or 2HKO switch-ins such as Altaria, Gabite, and specially defensive Roselia.
Set Details
========
A Hasty nature is used as Electivire already has poor physical bulk and should not hinder its Special Defense. Next, a Life Orb enables Electivire to OHKO Pinsir and Tangela with Flamethrower, OHKO Altaria with Ice Punch, and OHKO Muk after Steakth Rock damage. However, an Expert Belt may be used over Life Orb in order to improve Electivire's longevity. A physically based set with Wild Charge over Thunderbolt and a spread of 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe can be used to take advantage of Electivire's immense Attack stat.
Ebelt and all of its contents are more appropriately moved to OO, as it's an overall less optimal item but has its few set of quirks.
Usage Tips
========
In team preview, it is difficult for the opponent to discern Electivire's set. Electivire is able to bluff a Choice Scarf if running Expert Belt, or if it does not immediately attack, so it should be played cautiously to start
cautiously is more appropriate when describing how to play around it, rather than with it. Due to its comparably lower Special Attack, Electivire should look to hit Pokemon for super effective damage, rather than attempt to break through bulkier Pokemon with its STAB move
the content in Moves is meant to describe what each move appropriately accomplishes, which would render comments like this redundant. However, Electivire must be wary of Life Orb recoil, as the opponent will likely attempt to pivot around Electivire to whittle it down. Furthermore, Electivire should avoid taking damage.
you can't "avoid" it, so a lot of this should be cut aside from a brief mention of recoil It should only stay in against weaker special attackers or Pokemon it can threaten to knock out
that's what it's meant to do, threaten what's slower or can't really threaten it back enough to avoid being 1v1'd so that's self-explanatory. Against faster teams, Electivire should be played more aggressively through predictions, as its middling Speed tier and Life Orb recoil leave it vulnerable to revenge killers such as Floatzel and Dugtrio
what you want to say here instead is come in on a predicted electric move or through a double switch on a slower mon. Lastly, if a physically based set is used, Electivire becomes less reliant on coverage to wallbreak, and can instead fire off a more powerful STAB attack. This enables Electivire to break through Pokemon it only hits for neutral damage such as Silvally-Fighting, Assault Vest Kecleon, and Beheeyem more easily
there is no physical set of relevance here, so this bit should be removed.
Team Options
========
Pokemon such as Golem, Crustle, and Gabite provide entry hazard support which helps net certain KOs. For example, Electivire can 2HKO Lickilicky using Focus Blast, and threatens to OHKO Tangela with Flamethrower after Stealth Rock damage
the licky example is not always guaranteed things like this usually do not merit a standalone sentence either way. In the same token, Electivire appreciates hazard removers such as Silvally-Water, Servine, and Sandslash
komala > sandslash who prevent it from taking chip damage. Mixed Electivire should be paired with Pokemon that appreciate its wallbreaking capabilities. Pokemon such as Combusken and Shell Smash Crustle can sweep a weakened team late-game
why are these standalone sentences? also there's no examples of who evire can break through that they would appreciate either. Fast Pokemon such as Floatzel and Dugtrio, and Choice Scarf users such as Sawsbuck
i wouldn't call sawsbuck a relevant scarfer, Silvally, and Pinsir can help check the Pokemon that outpace and subsequently threaten Electivire
just say "faster attackers", i feel like this is going into too much on something that can easily be simplified.
there's talk about this pokemon being prone to revenge killers, but not much about its defensive teammates since they give it a backbone to fall back on against revenge killers. mons like supergeist and bronzor are prominent examples. also, i'd mention teammates that give it momentum as well.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Taunt can be used over a coverage move on the mixed set to allow Electivire to break stall more effectively. For example, it is able to prevent Gourgeist-XL from recovering HP with Synthesis or Leech Seed, and it also prevents Altaria or Silvally formes from removing hazards with Defog. Taunt also helps mitigate recoil damage from Life Orb. However, losing out on coverage makes Electivire easier to pivot around or wall outside of stall teams.
Taunt should be removed, as it doesn't actually improve its wallbreaking ability against any playstyle at all. Its mixed coverage does all of that for you. Also, the statement that it would make it easier to wall, yet would make it better against the playstyle that is designed to wall everything is contradictory. Just a future reference. Fightinium Z can be used alongside Focus Blast or Cross Chop to nuke Pokemon such as Cradily, Lickilicky, and Komala respectively.
doesn't seem like this accomplishes anything beyond what LO/Ebelt Cross Chop already does besides waste a z-slot. Vital Spirit is a niche option over Motor Drive and allows Electivire to absorb sleep on teams that are susceptible to sleep inducers such as Roselia, Tangela, Bellossom, and Smeargle.
Ebelt and Specially Based sets are OO
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Ground-types**: Bulky Ground-type Pokemon such as Silvally-Ground, Camerupt, and Sandslash can pressure Choice Scarf and Life Orb Electivire defensively, and threaten to OHKO Electivire while it typically cannot OHKO them with coverage.
**Faster Pokemon**: An unboosted Electivire is relatively easy to revenge kill due to its middling Speed tier and mediocre physical bulk. Faster Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Rapidash and Alolan Dugtrio can also threaten to OHKO Electivire.
**Priority Users**: Electivire is susceptible to priority attacks from Pokemon such as Kecleon, Abomasnow, Pawniard, and Shiftry due to its poor physical bulk and how easily it can be worn down.
**Physical Walls**: Physically bulky Pokemon such as Gourgeist-XL, Tangela, and Golem can wall Choice Scarf Electivire, and subsequently force it to pivot out or lock itself into coverage. However, these Pokemon are heavily threatened by Electivire's mixed set.
**Bulky Pokemon**: Choice Scarf Electivire lacks wallbreaking power and heavily relies on correct prediction to effectively deal damage. Consequently, it is easily walled by bulky Pokemon such as Lickilicky, Cradily, Bronzor, and Dusclops.
this needs to be organized better and priority users do not warrant a separate section. as for organizing, 1. bulky ground types, 2. bulky pokemon, 3. physical walls, and 4. faster pokemon. The first 3 emphasizes the scarf answers while the last one more accurately emphasizes the life orb answers.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[5gen, 296755]]
- Quality checked by: [[Durza, 357488], [Xayah, 167012], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
