[OVERVIEW]
Thanks to a phenomenal Speed stat and access to both Reflect and Light Screen, Electrode is able to set itself apart from PU's other Electric-types as the best dual screens user in the tier, functioning as a potent lead for hyper offense teams. Electrode also is the fastest user of Taunt in PU and can deny opposing Taunt from the likes of Froslass and Lycanroc, prevent the use of Defog to clear Reflect and Light Screen from the field, and obstruct setup from sweepers such as Oricorio-E and Lilligant to compensate for its lack of offensive presence. Electrode's access to Explosion and Volt Switch allows it to instantly generate momentum for its team and maximizes the number of turns Electrode's teammates can utilize before screens wear off, though Explosion will sacrifice Electrode in the process. Unfortunately, Electrode is only viable on screens-based hyper offense teams and is outclassed offensively by other Electric-types such as Oricorio-E and Alolan Raichu due to their greater offensive stats, more expansive movepools, secondary typing, and access to setup moves in the form of Calm Mind and Nasty Plot, respectively. Screens-based hyper offense teams are heavily reliant on offensive pressure to function and, as a result, are inconsistent against teams that have enough defensive checks to common breakers and setup sweepers. Electrode is also vulnerable to Prankster users such as Liepard and Sableye, as they can use Taunt on Electrode before it can get up Reflect and Light Screen. Choice Scarf Primeape is also able to outspeed Electrode and restrict it to only setting up one screen by threatening it with Close Combat, while Ground-type Stealth Rock setters such as Mudsdale and Golurk can punish Electrode with Earthquake if it opts to use Taunt.
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Light Screen
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Explosion / Volt Switch
item: Light Clay
ability: Aftermath
nature: Jolly / Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Taunt is primarily used to block Defog, which could otherwise clear dual screens from the field, but it also has a multitude of other uses in preventing opposing leads from setting entry hazards, denying status moves such as Toxic and Thunder Wave, which could otherwise hamper Electrode's partners from setting up, and impeding opposing setup sweepers such as Lilligant from taking advantage of Electrode's passive nature. Explosion is used to keep up momentum after setting screens, providing a one-time pivot option that brings teammates in as safely as possible and preserves the maximum number of Light Screen and Reflect turns. Volt Switch is an alternative option that keeps Electrode alive after pivoting but has the downside of being blocked by many prevalent Pokemon with Electric immunities such as Lanturn and Mudsdale, making Explosion the better choice most of the time. Volt Switch will also typically force one of Electrode's partners to take a hit upon switching in, though this is mitigated to some extent by the defense buff provided by dual screens.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment into Speed with a Jolly nature allows Electrode to outpace the entire unboosted metagame. The rest of the EVs are put into HP to bolster Electrode's defensive capabilities and ensure that both screens are successfully set up, as investing in the power of Electrode's Explosion is unnecessary. While a Jolly nature is used to slightly bolster the power of Electrode's Explosion, a Timid nature with minimal attack IVs should be used when running Volt Switch.
Usage Tips
========
Electrode is best used as a lead in the majority of games, preventing entry hazards from the opponent's Pokemon with Taunt and setting Reflect and Light Screen to provide early momentum. When faced against specific hazard setters such as Mudsdale, however, alternative leads should be sent out to take advantage of them and conserve Electrode's screens for a later period in the match. It is also preferable to lead with hazard setters when against bulkier teams to provide additional chip damage that can help secure KOs later in the match. After dual screens have been set up, Taunt is likely to have worn off. Using Taunt again instead of immediately pivoting can sometimes be beneficial to deny hazards and supply teammates with a temporary immunity to status moves such as Toxic and Thunder Wave from the likes of Metang and Mesprit. After dual screens have been set up, Electrode should look to pivot into a teammate such as Lilligant or Stoutland that can take advantage of dual screens as soon as possible to maximize the number of turns in which the defense buff provided by dual screens can be utilized.
Team Options
========
Setup sweepers such as Lilligant, Carracosta, and Turtonator enjoy the defensive protection Electrode's screens provide, with Lilligant in particular taking advantage of Ground-type entry hazard setters like Mudsdale and Claydol that Electrode struggles against. Similarly, bulky wallbreakers such as Stoutland and Aggron also appreciate the defensive utility of dual screens, as it allows them to switch into attacks without suffering heavy damage. Primeape is an especially notable partner, as it can punish the use of Defog thanks to its ability Defiant. Electrode also pairs well with Memento users such as Alolan Dugtrio and Skuntank, as they can grant additional setup opportunities to Electrode's teammates throughout the match. Entry hazards from fast offensive Pokemon like Froslass and Lycanroc can help secure KOs without giving up too much momentum. Alternatively, Stealth Rock users such as Golurk and Alolan Sandslash can be used, with Golurk functioning as a spinblocker and Alolan Sandslash removing hazards with Rapid Spin while also using its typing to check Psychic- and Flying-types for Primeape. Thanks to its typing and bulk, Electrode is able to act as a soft check to Flying-types such as Swanna and Oricorio-E and weaken or KO them, opening the door for wallbreakers such as Victreebel and Oricorio-G to sweep. In return, Victreebel and Oricorio-G check top threats that dual screens teams may otherwise struggle with, such as Lilligant, Primeape, and Gurdurr, thanks to the defensive boost provided by Electrode's dual screens.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Electrode can use an offensive Choice Specs or Life Orb set with Thunderbolt, Volt Switch, Hidden Power Grass, and either Signal Beam or Explosion, but Electrode is outclassed offensively by other Electric-types such as Manectric and Alolan Raichu due to the former's access to Overheat and Switcheroo and the latter's access to Nasty Plot. A Rain Dance set could also be used to support Swift Swim users such as Ludicolo and Kabutops; however, Electrode faces heavy competition in this role from Liepard and Volbeat due to their access to the Prankster ability, U-turn, and additional utility in the form of Encore. Volbeat in particular can use its slow U-turn to provide teammates with a safe switch in without having to sacrifice itself in the process, which is something Electrode cannot replicate even with Volt Switch or Explosion. Magic Coat can be used instead of Taunt to reflect Spikes, Taunt, and Toxic instead of denying them outright and allows Electrode to beat Prankster Taunt users such as Sableye. However, Taunt's ability to prevent the use of status moves and Defog across multiple turns is more beneficial, as it eases prediction. Similarly, Toxic can be used to wear down bulkier walls such as Quagsire and Assault Vest Lanturn, allowing offensive teammates like Primeape and Oricorio-E to sweep more easily. However, Electrode is unable to prevent Defog, Toxic, and setup moves without Taunt, so this is generally an inferior option.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-immune Pokemon**: Ground-types like Mudsdale and Golurk can 2HKO Electrode through Reflect, preventing it from denying Stealth Rock without risking the KO in the process. Additionally, Pokemon with access to Lightning Rod or Volt Absorb like Manectric and Lanturn can prevent Electrode from pivoting out to one of its teammates via Volt Switch.
**Faster Pokemon**: Primeape is able to outspeed Electrode with the use of a Choice Scarf and threaten a 2HKO, forcing Electrode to choose between either Reflect or Light Screen. Prankster users like Liepard and Sableye can consistently outspeed Electrode and shut it down with a fast Taunt. Sableye in particular is also immune to Electrode's Explosion and can cripple switch-ins with Will-O-Wisp.
**Knock Off**: While Knock Off doesn't prevent Electrode from setting up screens, it does reduce the duration of Reflect and Light screen to only five turns. This makes it harder for Electrode and its teammates to capitalize on the defensive utility provided.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[uhuhuhu7, 407249]]
- Quality checked by: [[2xTheTap, 11407], [TJ, 331538], [tondas,442732]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack,232216], [Fireflame479,231476]]
Last edited by a moderator:
please no and allow Electrode to support its team by halving the damage from all physical and special attacks respectively.
