[OVERVIEW]
- Two useful abilities in Guts and Hustle
- Impressive speed tier
- Outclassed by other Normal-type attackers like Stoutland
- Quite weak without a boost from Guts or Hustle
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Double-Edge
move 2: Crunch
move 3: Wild Charge/Zen Headbutt
move 4: U-Turn
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Hustle
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Double-Edge is Raticate's best STAB move, doing high damage at the cost of recoil
- Crunch provides perfect neutral coverage, hitting Pokemon like Gourgiest-S that are immune to Double-Edge
- Sucker Punch can be used for priority, but this leaves Raticate as setup fodder for bulky Pokemon and requires a lot of prediction
- Wild Charge hits Water-types like Floatzel super effectively, while Zen Headbutt hits Fighting-types such as Machoke harder
- U-Turn allows Raticate to keep momentum for its team and escape from a dangerous situation
Set Details
========
- With maximum Speed and a Choice Scarf equipped, Raticate can outspeed Electrode and +1 Chatot. A Jolly nature boosts its Speed further, letting it outspeed +1 Monferno and unboosted Ninjask.
- Max Attack lets it hit very hard, which is further boosted by Hustle. An Adamant nature can be used to hit even harder, but this takes away from Raticate's high Speed.
Usage Tips
========
- Switch Raticate in late-game once its counters are gone
- If you think your opponent is going to switch into a Steel- or Rock-type, U-Turn out and bring in a teammate
- Otherwise, hit your foe with the appropriate move. This will lock Raticate into that move, so prepare to switch once your opponent brings in something to wall it
- DO NOT attempt to sweep with Double-Edge or Wild Charge, the recoil damage can quickly wear Raticate down if it isn't switched out. If this happens, promptly switch to a teammate that knows Wish or Healing Wish.
- Being locked into Zen Headbutt is also a terrible idea, as the move is still quite weak and has poor accuracy.
Team Options
========
- Raticate works best on a VoltTurn team, so Pokémon like Raichu or Jumpluff are great partners for it.
- Wallbreakers like Machoke are recommended to check the Rock- and Steel-types that wall Raticate, as well as other bulky Pokemon like Audino
- Raticate appreciates entry hazard support from the likes of Stunfisk and Roselia to wear down its counters
- Raticate needs clerical support from Audino and friends to regain the health lost from spamming Double-Edge and Wild Charge
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- A Guts set with Toxic Orb or Flame Orb can be used for more accuracy without a major loss in power. However, these sets are outclassed by Ursaring, who is faster thanks to Quick Feet and has Swords Dance to make up for the loss in power.
- Pursuit can be used to trap troublesome Pokemon like Grumpig, but it's generally weaker than Crunch.
- Hyper Fang can be used as a STAB that doesn't cause recoil damage, but it's much weaker and less accurate.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Insert Threat Here**: Describe why the Pokemon is a threat.
- Two useful abilities in Guts and Hustle
- Impressive speed tier
- Outclassed by other Normal-type attackers like Stoutland
- Quite weak without a boost from Guts or Hustle
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Double-Edge
move 2: Crunch
move 3: Wild Charge/Zen Headbutt
move 4: U-Turn
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Hustle
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Double-Edge is Raticate's best STAB move, doing high damage at the cost of recoil
- Crunch provides perfect neutral coverage, hitting Pokemon like Gourgiest-S that are immune to Double-Edge
- Sucker Punch can be used for priority, but this leaves Raticate as setup fodder for bulky Pokemon and requires a lot of prediction
- Wild Charge hits Water-types like Floatzel super effectively, while Zen Headbutt hits Fighting-types such as Machoke harder
- U-Turn allows Raticate to keep momentum for its team and escape from a dangerous situation
Set Details
========
- With maximum Speed and a Choice Scarf equipped, Raticate can outspeed Electrode and +1 Chatot. A Jolly nature boosts its Speed further, letting it outspeed +1 Monferno and unboosted Ninjask.
- Max Attack lets it hit very hard, which is further boosted by Hustle. An Adamant nature can be used to hit even harder, but this takes away from Raticate's high Speed.
Usage Tips
========
- Switch Raticate in late-game once its counters are gone
- If you think your opponent is going to switch into a Steel- or Rock-type, U-Turn out and bring in a teammate
- Otherwise, hit your foe with the appropriate move. This will lock Raticate into that move, so prepare to switch once your opponent brings in something to wall it
- DO NOT attempt to sweep with Double-Edge or Wild Charge, the recoil damage can quickly wear Raticate down if it isn't switched out. If this happens, promptly switch to a teammate that knows Wish or Healing Wish.
- Being locked into Zen Headbutt is also a terrible idea, as the move is still quite weak and has poor accuracy.
Team Options
========
- Raticate works best on a VoltTurn team, so Pokémon like Raichu or Jumpluff are great partners for it.
- Wallbreakers like Machoke are recommended to check the Rock- and Steel-types that wall Raticate, as well as other bulky Pokemon like Audino
- Raticate appreciates entry hazard support from the likes of Stunfisk and Roselia to wear down its counters
- Raticate needs clerical support from Audino and friends to regain the health lost from spamming Double-Edge and Wild Charge
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- A Guts set with Toxic Orb or Flame Orb can be used for more accuracy without a major loss in power. However, these sets are outclassed by Ursaring, who is faster thanks to Quick Feet and has Swords Dance to make up for the loss in power.
- Pursuit can be used to trap troublesome Pokemon like Grumpig, but it's generally weaker than Crunch.
- Hyper Fang can be used as a STAB that doesn't cause recoil damage, but it's much weaker and less accurate.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Insert Threat Here**: Describe why the Pokemon is a threat.
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