[OVERVIEW]
Although Pikachu doesn't stand out much, he is one of NU's most powerful sweepers, thanks to the move Volt Tackle and his signature item the Light Ball. Pikachu's speed allows it to out speed many pokemon in the NU tier, such as Luxray, and his surprisingly high attack and sp.atk help him eliminate most bulky pokemon. Pikachu's movepool and access to fake out and volt tackle make him a perfect electric choice for NU teams. Plus, Pikachu's resistance to paralysis helps him be a more preferred sweeper in the NU tier. However, if pikachu was to be outsped, his poor defensive abilities would leave him vulnerable to a OHKO attack in an instant. Furthermore, Pikachu's low hp limits his Volt Tackle to about 3 times. And the need to hold a Light Ball to become a powerful ally causes him to suffer without an efficient item, unlike how pokémon who naturally have such high stats have the option to. The move trick and switcheroo are to be watched out for as well if one uses a pikachu.
[SET]
Name: Volt Tackler
Move 1: Volt Tackle
Move 2: Dig
Move 3: Iron Tail / Brick Break / Thunder Punch
Move 4: Fake Out / Magnet Rise / Nuzzle
Item: Light Ball
Ability: Static
Nature: Adamant / Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Spd, 6 HP.
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Tackle is one of Pikachu's most powerful moves, and can be used to OHKO most pokémon, but it must be used with caution due to the massive hp drop. It's recommended not to use it against a pokemon with high hp, such as Wobbufet, as he will take a third of it in recoil. Dig is to OHKO or 2HKO electric types, such as another pikachu or a raichu, since his moves won't do so well at sweeping if it's not very effective, and his low defense stat cannot afford that. Iron Tail is used to take out pokémon such as Regice and Cradily. Brick Break is an alternative since it helps take care of probopass and is more reliable than iron tail. Thunderpunch is also an option if you are positive you can defeat the opposing pokémon without too much force and need to save hp, such as facing a swanna. Fake out is used if you need to lower the opponent's hp a little more before using Volt Tackle. Magnet Rise can be used instead if you need to protect yourself from a ground type move, although most pokémon will attack you on the next turn. Nuzzle is another option if you believe Volt Tackle won't do the trick, so you can paralyze them giving them time for the next pokemon.
[SET DETAILS]
========
252 Atk EVs is used to maximize damage to break through certain walls. 252 Spd EVs is to out speed pokémon and prevent being OHKO'd. The remains 6 HP EVs is used to slightly lengthen volt tackle's use with Pikachu. Adamant nature is used if you want to deal Maximum damage. Jolly nature is used if you feel his Atk is high enough and wish to out speed certain foes. The Light Ball is used to double Pikachu's Atk and Sp.Atk, though in this case just Atk is necessary. The ability Static is used just incase you get OHKO'd, the opponent has a large possibility of being paralyzed, allowing your following pokemon to do a revenge kill. The reason no natures that lower Def and Sp.Def are used is so you can survive a not-very-effective attack.
Usage Tips
========
Try to avoid using him first. One pokémon he can't OHKO and he's a goner. Try using him after an opponent has been weakened or you are positive that the opponent can be OHKO'd. But, also avoid saving him for last. Having him in a tough situation at the end will lead you to your loss. Try using him between these times.
Team Options
========
Grass Pokémon with good speed such as scyther and simisage pair well with Pikachu, as they can revenge kill a ground type pokemon for pikachu when he fails to OHKO one. Pokemon that need time to set up, like Gigalith, can make use of his static ability and set up stealth rock and such. Pikachu also checks out a lot of flying and water pokemon that pose a threat to Rhydon and mothim. It's naturally a good idea to pair him with "special" pokemon such as Aurorus when they fall to special Def pokemon so he can easily revenge kill them with a type advantage.
[SET]
Name: Special Sweeper
Move 1: Thunder / Thunderbolt
Move 2: Grass Knot / Hidden Power Ice
Move 3: Signal Beam / Hidden Power Ice
Move 4: Volt Switch
Item: Light Ball
Ability: Lightning Rod / Static
Nature: Modest / Timid
EVs: 252 Sp.Atk, 252 Spd, 6 hp
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Thunder is a powerful STAB move and is an ideal choice for a special pikachu because it can almost ensure an OHKO. Thunderbolt can be used instead if you are afraid of the low accuracy Thunder has. Grass Knot is used to take care of heavy ground types, such as Rhydon, when Volt Switch won't do the trick. Signal Beam is used for grass types that Thunder and grass knot can't OHKO, such as Shiftry. Volt Switch is used if you can't OHKO a target. Of course, if the opponent is ground type, you can use grass knot instead. Hidden power ice can be used in the 2nd or 3rd move slot to deal significant damage to dragons, though it won't deal the necessary OHKO.
[SET DETAILS]
========
252 Sp.Atk EVs are used to maximize the damage of his moves. 252 Spd EVs are used to out speed most pokémon in the tier and prevent an OHKO. The remaining EVs can be placed anywhere, but HP is more preferable. Modest nature is used to deal Maximum damage, because sometimes the moves won't deal the necessary OHKO. Timid Nature can be used instead if you are more worried about out speeding the foe to prevent an OHKO. The Light Ball is naturally used to double Pikachu's Atk and Sp.Atk stats, although we focus here on Sp.Atk. The ability Lightning Rod is used to hopefully absorb electric attacks and get more powerful attacks. Static can be used if you wish to paralyze an opponent who defeated you to give time to your next pokémon.
Usage Tips
========
It's a good idea to use him as a lead, as he can paralyze any incoming pokemon to give time to pokemon who need setting up. You can also use him after any pokémon to revenge kill the opponent, though this method is more preferable if you used timid nature. Also, avoid using him last. In a tight spot with type disadvantages, you are not likely to win. Also, you should avoid sucker punch users, such as kangaskhan.
Team Options
========
Try pairing pikachu with pokemon like kangaskhan to revenge kill with sucker punch or fake out. Namely pokemon that specialize in physical attack incase the opponent specialized in Sp.Def. Also try pairing him with pokemon that can use his paralysis-inflicting to set up, such as drifblim with stockpile. If not being used first, pair him with physical attackers to even out the type of damage done in the team and also so he can revenge kill them if the opponent only specializes in physical defense.
Checks and Counters
========
**Faster Pokémon**: pokémon such as Slaking and and simis ear serve as a problem as they can out speed and revenge kill/OHKO pikachu.
**Bulky Pokémon**: pokémon that can survive an attack from pikachu are a big problem. Pokemon such as Regigigas can knock out a pikachu after hitting hit by Thunder or Volt Tackle.
**Sucker Punch Users**: pokémon with powerful priority moves like sucker punch serve a huge problem. They can easily OHKO pikachu, such as kangaskhan.
**Dragons**: Dragons serve a huge problem as they can't easily be OHKO'd. You could try using hidden power ice with the special sweeper pikachu, but it won't deal the necessary OHKO most of the time
**Not-very-effective type matchups**: if pikachu faces a pokémon with defense, it's easy to 2HKO it, but with a bad matchup, it can be difficult to win. Pokémon like Golurk can survive any hit and OHKO a pikachu. Without his primary move Thunder/Volt Tackle, taking down pokemon can be difficult.
