[OVERVIEW]
When equipping the Light Ball, Pikachu becomes one of NU's most ferocious Special Attackers, capable of OHKOing or 2HKOing the vast majority of the tier when paired with Spike support. This sheer power is further augmented by Pikachu's high Speed stat of 278, putting it above threats like Dewgong, Stantler, and Hitmonchan, and letting it tie with Mr. Mime and Poliwhirl. Pikachu also boasts an adequate movepool with just the right amount of coverage to handle most of its checks; Surf is able to dispatch Ground-types that are immune to Thunderbolt like Graveler and Dugtrio, whereas Hidden Power Ice nails Tangela, which otherwise resists all of its moves. Pikachu can also utilize Substitute to ease prediction, as well as Sing to put foes to sleep and generate free turns to wreak havoc. While all of this makes Pikachu seemingly impossible to beat, its biggest weakness lies in whatever it can't take out -- Pikachu can't take a hit to save its own life. With abysmal HP and defenses, Pikachu is easily 2HKOed itself by attackers like Hitmonchan, Rapidash, and Mr. Mime. The likes of Dugtrio and Haunter possess a superior Speed tier and are capable of OHKOing Pikachu with Earthquake and Explosion, respectively. Despite these downsides, however, Pikachu is capable of running over teams with ease if given the proper support.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Surf
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Substitute / Sing
item: Light Ball
[SET COMMENTS]
Thunderbolt is Pikachu's Electric STAB move of choice, with its general reliability and ability to 2HKO large portions of the tier. Surf targets those who are immune to Thunderbolt, such as Dugtrio and Graveler, and OHKOes both of them. Hidden Power Ice rounds off Pikachu's coverage with its ability to hit Grass-types like Tangela super effectively.
[Other Options]
Thunder, Encore, Thunder Wave
[Checks and Counters]
When equipping the Light Ball, Pikachu becomes one of NU's most ferocious Special Attackers, capable of OHKOing or 2HKOing the vast majority of the tier when paired with Spike support. This sheer power is further augmented by Pikachu's high Speed stat of 278, putting it above threats like Dewgong, Stantler, and Hitmonchan, and letting it tie with Mr. Mime and Poliwhirl. Pikachu also boasts an adequate movepool with just the right amount of coverage to handle most of its checks; Surf is able to dispatch Ground-types that are immune to Thunderbolt like Graveler and Dugtrio, whereas Hidden Power Ice nails Tangela, which otherwise resists all of its moves. Pikachu can also utilize Substitute to ease prediction, as well as Sing to put foes to sleep and generate free turns to wreak havoc. While all of this makes Pikachu seemingly impossible to beat, its biggest weakness lies in whatever it can't take out -- Pikachu can't take a hit to save its own life. With abysmal HP and defenses, Pikachu is easily 2HKOed itself by attackers like Hitmonchan, Rapidash, and Mr. Mime. The likes of Dugtrio and Haunter possess a superior Speed tier and are capable of OHKOing Pikachu with Earthquake and Explosion, respectively. Despite these downsides, however, Pikachu is capable of running over teams with ease if given the proper support.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Surf
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Substitute / Sing
item: Light Ball
[SET COMMENTS]
Thunderbolt is Pikachu's Electric STAB move of choice, with its general reliability and ability to 2HKO large portions of the tier. Surf targets those who are immune to Thunderbolt, such as Dugtrio and Graveler, and OHKOes both of them. Hidden Power Ice rounds off Pikachu's coverage with its ability to hit Grass-types like Tangela super effectively.
[Other Options]
Thunder, Encore, Thunder Wave
[Checks and Counters]
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