Electrode in OU: Overlooked?

UltimoVenusaur

The metagame right now is dominated by speed. At least you can argue that point. There's no other place where it's most evident than in leads. Two of the most popular leads out there are Azelf and Aerodactyl. They're fast, have access to Taunt, can set up Rocks and hit hard with either regular attacks (both) or Explosion (Azelf only) after they're done setting up. Of all the potential suicide leads out there, neither of those two are the fastest...

electrode.png

Credit to Arkeis.com for the picture

...Electrode is. With a base Speed of 140, it can outrun both Aerodactyl and Azelf with EVs left to spare to put in other stats. It is the fastest user of Taunt in OU. It has access to Explosion. It is able to hit Aerodactyl SE with (STABed!) Electric moves so it can use a Hidden Power that hits Azelf SE. Yes, 'Trode has a lot going for it. Take a look at this set:

Electrode @ Focus Sash
Hasty Nature, 252 Atk/80 SpAtk/176 Spd
- Taunt
- Thunderbolt
- Explosion
- Hidden Power [Grass]/Light Screen/Thunder Wave

The EVs are made such to outspeed the fastest non-Scarfed Aerodactyl and all other base-130s (because no Aero lead will be scarfed if it's a suicide lead). Attack is maxed out to give the most powerful Explosion you can get. Thunderbolt is a no-brainer here because 'Trode can't really afford to miss. The last move is really your choice. You can choose to go with Hidden Power. Grass is the HP choice here. Why that and not something that does hit Azelf SE as advertised? Because T-bolt hits it harder than HP does. Grounds, especially Muds like Swampert will be a problem, so Grass will hit them the hardest more or less (Steelix and the Nidos, those that Grass is neutral on, are in UU and this is an OU discussion). Light Screen is an option for team support after you go boom. Thunder Wave is for additional team support by spreading paralysis around on non-Ground/Electivire switch-ins.

Of course, the set has its drawbacks. If it didn't, then it'd have been OU by now to combat the Aeros and Azelfs floating around. I think it's a great set though (it's one I use on my Wi-Fi battles, which is different than using it on Shoddy, but I still have experience using it and it's worked for me so far).

Pros

- Fastest Taunt in OU
- Of unboosted Pokémon, only Ninjask outspeeds it
- Can hit both Aero and Azelf SE in same set
- Access to Explosion
- Fair support movepool

Cons

- Doesn't get access to Reflect, which doesn't help since most metagame threats are physical
- Earthquake SE on it. Most Aeros pack EQ, and it makes Trode vs. Aero very reliant on prediction
- Middling base SpAtk and poor base Atk, meaning you can't have an effective Explosion and have a major investment in SpAtk at the same time
- No access to ANY entry hazard, making its use solely preventative

So, that's the case for Electrode. I think it's a good one for skilled players to use, since it's very prediction based. It can be lethal in the hands of a great player, and with speed being very important in today's metagame, Electrode having it in spades is a great asset.
 
Yeah, but then think again how poor Electrode's Attack is and Explosion.

Even with the most powerful move in existence, it's only coming off of, what, 218 Attack?

Azelf has it because it can actually kill something, but with that puny 218 attack against someone like Swampert, for example, you do only about 70%, while instantly under threat from EQ, which everyone has.

At the end of the day, Electrode is fun in UU, but is outclassed simply by Aero and Azelf who also run sashes and in spite of their poorer speed, have the actual offensive ability to screw him over.
 
Besides its blistering speed, it has nothing else to bring to the table. Also, Thunderbolt does more to Azelf than HP Dark, so please switch that to HP Grass or HP Ice.

I think the most useful niche for Electrode is a fast Rain Dancer that dosesn't need Rain to be fast. Other than that... I really don't see much use. Oh yeah, it walls Yanmega too, if that means anything...
 
You forgot to mention that Electrode can also set up Rain. Rain, boom, bring in Kingdra/Ludicolo/w/e.

Oh, and you should probably mention that even with absolutely maximum speed, max speed Scarftran outspeeds 'Trode by 1 point (which is why there's no point in running any more speed than to beat 130ers).
 
I really don't like Electrode. As others have said, it's stats simply don't cut it for anything but rapid set-up. The Explosion isn't nearly as painful as those from others leads that are seen often, and outside of it's speed it's not doing anything. It can be an effective lead for Rain Dance teams or whatever, but besides that it doesn't contribute anything to the match, and I feel that it is a hinderance to the team when you can likely substitute something in that can lead and still be useful the rest of the match.
 
It it had access to SR, or both screens, it might be more used as a lead. As it is, it can Taunt, Rain Dance, and Explode, but that's about it.
 
I really am not too fond of suicide leads because if you're up against a good player chances are you're just going to lose a poké with just doing minimal damage back.

Electrode's Sash is wasted against Ttar and the Hippo, which are very common leads too, so really I don't see it as a very viable poké in OU.
 
Electrode is the best Rain dance Setup Pokemon currently in OU. Also I would like to mention that Charge + Charge Beam can lead to an effective sweeping Electrode.
 
The problem with him as a Suicide lead is that he does not perform any positive function besides potentially countering other suicide leads.
Yes, he can taunt 'Dactyl where nothing else can, but they'll just EQ you, laugh as your moves do negligible damage, and probably survive taunt duration and set up rocks anyways.
Azelf he's a little better against, as Azelf isn't quite as good at ruining Electrode, but TrickScarf Azelfs (which are increasingly common) will get you stuck on taunt, which again isn't a great situation for you.

Additionally, he does not counter any other leads in a meaningful way.

If you want an Anti Azelf/Aeodactyl, run something like Weavile.
 
if it had a calm mind or two passed from celebi maybe it could be useful

Hasty nature @ Leichi berry
252 spe / 200 spA / 56 atk
Explosion
hp ice
thunderbolt
taunt / substitute

the attack ev's are sure to take a dent out of blissey, boltbeam combo after a calm mind or two will be great, sub can be useful for leichi boost, raise explosion power on low hp then boom!!.

electrode is underrated
 
Pass two CMs with Celebi to a Pokemon who doesn't has trouble surpassing 500 SpA even with those boosts, has his item and one moveslot dedicated to dying and no defenses to speak off? I'll pass. Heh.

I agree with others - Electrode, whenever I see it, is all about Taunting, Rain Dancing, and probably dying when it isn't even necessary. It's useful in some situations, a momentum gainer so to speak, but I don't think it's underrated or anything. The fact that everyone knows what a lead Electrode does is a testament to that.
 
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