[SET]
name: RestTalk
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Double-Edge
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Leftovers
[SET COMMENTS]
Rapidash's unique blend of Speed, bulk, typing, and mixed breaking power make it highly valued on aggressive Xatu Spikes teams as an integral defensive piece that still effectively dishes out hits with Spikes up. Rapidash is one of the fastest Pokemon in the tier, importantly outspeeding Xatu, Fearow, and Primeape, and it hits them and other targets like Stantler and Weezing hard with STAB Fire Blast. Double-Edge allows Rapidash to smack both Octillery and other Fire-types for solid damage, especially with Spikes up. With RestTalk, Rapidash is a good check to Xatu and Weezing, can check Primeape well when used in conjunction with Pineco and Xatu, and shuts down Ninetales and Magmar. It is also a good switch-in to Magnemite, Pineco, and Gloom, with its Gloom-checking capabilities being extra important if Rapidash's teammate Xatu forgoes RestTalk.
Rapidash primarily struggles with a lack of power without Spikes in comparison to its fellow Fire-types. Rapidash does not have the same raw power as Flareon and Magmar or the bulk that Ninetales has, and it heavily struggles to break through Octillery, Dewgong, Pupitar, and Graveler without Spikes support, making the aid of Pineco or Delibird practically mandatory. Xatu is one of Rapidash's best partners, pairing to put pressure on essential targets like Octillery, Dewgong, Porygon, and Wigglytuff. Xatu can further exemplify its capability to spread damage by slotting Thief and Confuse Ray over Rest and Sleep Talk, which can potentially nail Dewgong or Porygon and enables both it and Rapidash to break better. Xatu also checks Kingler fairly well, which otherwise gets free setup on Rapidash and poses a serious threat. Hidden Power Electric Octillery is another strong teammate for Rapidash, working as a decent switch-in to opposing Octillery and Rock- and Ground-types like Sudowoodo and Graveler while stacking on another strong offensive threat. RestTalk Stantler, Primeape, and Wigglytuff are all solid switch-ins to Chinchou and especially Dewgong, which might otherwise be difficult for Rapidash to handle. Primeape is an especially effective choice alongside Rapidash because it can heavily pressure opposing Normal- and Rock-types like Stantler, Wigglytuff, and Graveler, and it appreciates Rapidash's ability to check Weezing and Xatu. Dewgong is an alternative to Octillery that, although it loses out on a significant amount of power, makes for a more robust defensive core against Fearow, Flareon, Graveler, Pupitar, and Dugtrio. Dewgong also enjoys Rapidash checking Primeape and Sunny Day Ninetales, which Dewgong is usually a liability against.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/beeorsomething.583728/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/dawnbuster.508601/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
name: RestTalk
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Double-Edge
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Leftovers
[SET COMMENTS]
Rapidash's unique blend of Speed, bulk, typing, and mixed breaking power make it highly valued on aggressive Xatu Spikes teams as an integral defensive piece that still effectively dishes out hits with Spikes up. Rapidash is one of the fastest Pokemon in the tier, importantly outspeeding Xatu, Fearow, and Primeape, and it hits them and other targets like Stantler and Weezing hard with STAB Fire Blast. Double-Edge allows Rapidash to smack both Octillery and other Fire-types for solid damage, especially with Spikes up. With RestTalk, Rapidash is a good check to Xatu and Weezing, can check Primeape well when used in conjunction with Pineco and Xatu, and shuts down Ninetales and Magmar. It is also a good switch-in to Magnemite, Pineco, and Gloom, with its Gloom-checking capabilities being extra important if Rapidash's teammate Xatu forgoes RestTalk.
Rapidash primarily struggles with a lack of power without Spikes in comparison to its fellow Fire-types. Rapidash does not have the same raw power as Flareon and Magmar or the bulk that Ninetales has, and it heavily struggles to break through Octillery, Dewgong, Pupitar, and Graveler without Spikes support, making the aid of Pineco or Delibird practically mandatory. Xatu is one of Rapidash's best partners, pairing to put pressure on essential targets like Octillery, Dewgong, Porygon, and Wigglytuff. Xatu can further exemplify its capability to spread damage by slotting Thief and Confuse Ray over Rest and Sleep Talk, which can potentially nail Dewgong or Porygon and enables both it and Rapidash to break better. Xatu also checks Kingler fairly well, which otherwise gets free setup on Rapidash and poses a serious threat. Hidden Power Electric Octillery is another strong teammate for Rapidash, working as a decent switch-in to opposing Octillery and Rock- and Ground-types like Sudowoodo and Graveler while stacking on another strong offensive threat. RestTalk Stantler, Primeape, and Wigglytuff are all solid switch-ins to Chinchou and especially Dewgong, which might otherwise be difficult for Rapidash to handle. Primeape is an especially effective choice alongside Rapidash because it can heavily pressure opposing Normal- and Rock-types like Stantler, Wigglytuff, and Graveler, and it appreciates Rapidash's ability to check Weezing and Xatu. Dewgong is an alternative to Octillery that, although it loses out on a significant amount of power, makes for a more robust defensive core against Fearow, Flareon, Graveler, Pupitar, and Dugtrio. Dewgong also enjoys Rapidash checking Primeape and Sunny Day Ninetales, which Dewgong is usually a liability against.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/beeorsomething.583728/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/dawnbuster.508601/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Last edited:
