[OVERVIEW]
- Raticate's place in the ZU metagame is as a late-game sweeper and wallbreaker thanks to its ability in Guts, decent coverage moves in Crunch, Sucker Punch, and Stomping Tantrum, and access to Swords Dance.
- Raticate also has access to U-turn which enables it to pivot into a teammate and provide momentum for its team.
- While Guts does give it that much needed immediate attacking power, it is already outclassed by other Normal-type wallbreakers like Komala and Bouffalant. Komala's attacking power is there from the start and can avoid status altogether while Bouffalant has much more bulk which allows it to take more hits and fight back.
- Raticate's bulk is just bad to the point where any one hit on it will either OHKO it or cripple it severely. It will also struggle to find set up opportunities since its Guts burn will also add residual damage.
- Raticate suffers from running both Protect and Swords Dance at the same time since that means it loses out on coverage moves for tackling threats like Golem and Bronzor.
[SET]
name: Guts Attacker
move 1: Protect / Swords Dance
move 2: Facade
move 3: Stomping Tantrum / Crunch
move 4: U-turn / Sucker Punch
item: Flame Orb
ability: Guts
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Protect guarantees that Raticate gets its Guts burn from Flame Orb and double functions as a way to scout moves from choiced users like Electivire or Golem.
- Swords Dance gives Raticate that extra attacking power to take down foes that it can't without a boost like Silvally-Fighting or Bouffalant.
- Facade is the STAB move of choice here to go with Guts.
Set Details
========
Describe the other aspects of the set such as what the EVs do and nature/item.
Usage Tips
========
Describe how to use the Pokemon in question.
Team Options
========
- Swanna - offensive: fighting check, Gourgeist check
- Combusken - offensive: steel, rock, Bronzor and Gourgeist check
- Silvally-Dark - offensive: Pursuit trapping ghosts
- Mr. Mime - offensive: fighting check, healing wish
- Beheeyem - either: fighting check
- Mareanie - defensive: fighting check, toxic spikes support
- Altaria - defensive: fighting check, defog support
- Torterra - offensive: rock/steel check, Stealth Rock support
- Electivire - scarfer to bring Rat in (possibly inflict Guts burn)
- Rotom-Fan - scarfer to bring Rat in (possible inflict Guts burn)
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- Hustle?
- Choice Band? + Hustle?
Checks and Counters
===================
**Gourgeist-XL**: Describe why the Pokemon is a threat.
**Bronzor**:
**Faster Pokemon**: Describe why the Pokemon is a threat.
**Rock-types**:
**Steel-types**:
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[, ]]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
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