Project RU Best Next Thing - Reloaded『Cycle 15: Diancie - Submissions』

[Sickist]

reserving sub z

Stakataka @ Groundium Z / Fightinium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 99
EVs: 244 HP / 252 Atk / 12 SpD
Lonely Nature
IVs: 14 Def / 0 Spe
- Substitute
- Earthquake / Superpower
- Stone Edge
- Gyro Ball

First going to clarify that this is not bandwagoning off of Scizorphobic's set, as they have raw specifically Fight Z, where this is sub z (any z whether it be rockium, steelium, groundium, fightium, etc).

Basically you sub on an expect switch and reak havoc, weaken things, make people hate you right before this thing probably gets banned. Level 99 lets you underspeed normal lonely stakataka cuz why not.

Scizorphobic if you do want me to remove the Z fight thing just tell me, I don't wanna stomp on your grounds.

 

[avarice]

Stakataka @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Lonely Nature
IVs: 15 Def / 0 Spe
- Trick Room
- Gyro Ball
- Stone Edge
- Superpower

Running Superpower over Earthquake is something I found useful in UU, and it’s put in a fair amount of work RU as well. Superpower in tandem with Fightinium lets Stakataka screw over the frequent Bronzong + Registeel core as Bronzong won’t be able to safely switch in. Have to be careful about burning Z-Move on a Protect, though.

252+ Atk Stakataka All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Registeel: 322-380 (88.4 - 104.3%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ Atk Stakataka All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Bronzong: 201-237 (59.4 - 70.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ Atk Stakataka All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Metagross: 182-215 (60.4 - 71.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Zach Parrott]

Stakataka @ Figy Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Infestation
- Toxic
- Rest / Protect
- Stone Edge / Gyro Ball / Earthquake / Protect / Stealth Rock

The idea behind this set is that Stakataka can function as a pivot with its fairly unique Rock/Steel-typing, while also being able to trap and chip switchins, or cripple opposing walls. The evs on it are to maximize its physical bulk, while ensuring that it can live two Scald from Mantine from full and two Life Orb Leaf Storms from Roserade thanks to Figy Berry. This thing is very good at forcing switches and pivoting in on certain mons.

 

[nameless90]

Focus Sash Stakataka

Stakataka @ Focus Sash
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
IVs: 15 Def / 0 Spe
Lonely Nature
- Trick Room
- Gyro Ball
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake

I think that Stakataka is a good holder of Focus Sash because this item, even when not combined with a TR, it allows to get rid of a traditional revenge killer with relative ease revenge killing it with the Sash active.
You can even avoid using Trick Room, so you are less dependant on this set-up move. Now this Ultra Beast is able to perform even two attacks under Trick Room in a 1vs1 situation; check this calcs:

252+ Atk Stakataka Gyro Ball (150 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mamoswine: 654-770 (181.1 - 213.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Stakataka Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 324-382 (115.3 - 135.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Stakataka Gyro Ball (150 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Nidoking: 337-397 (111.2 - 131%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Stakataka Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Infernape: 318-376 (108.5 - 128.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Stakataka Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Chandelure: 264-312 (101.1 - 119.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
-1 252+ Atk Stakataka Gyro Ball (150 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Krookodile: 216-255 (65.2 - 77%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Stakataka Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Cobalion: 194-230 (60 - 71.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

N.B. Hazards control is mandatory to make use of Focus Sash.

 

[JustoonSmitts]

**artwork is my own**

Stakataka @ Choice Band
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Lonely Nature
IVs: 15 Def / 0 Spe
- Gyro Ball
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Toxic / Superpower

Sorry this took so long, but here is Choice Band Stakataka. This is designed to punch holes in the opponent's team with Trick Room support. Toxic is mainly there to catch defensive Pokemon like Mantine or Mandibuzz off guard in case you don't want to risk the Stone Edge miss.

 

[zizalith]

ok so staka got banned but were still doing this lol

vote for your favourite staka set!

Sickist’s Sub + Z Move

Stakataka @ Groundium Z / Fightinium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 99
EVs: 244 HP / 252 Atk / 12 SpD
Lonely Nature
IVs: 14 Def / 0 Spe
- Substitute
- Earthquake / Superpower
- Stone Edge
- Gyro Ball
Basically you sub on an expect switch and reak havoc, weaken things, make people hate you right before this thing probably gets banned. Level 99 lets you underspeed normal lonely stakataka cuz why not.

Scizorphobic’s Fightinium Z

View attachment 157704 View attachment 157705
Stakataka @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Lonely Nature
IVs: 15 Def / 0 Spe
- Trick Room
- Gyro Ball
- Stone Edge
- Superpower

Running Superpower over Earthquake is something I found useful in UU, and it’s put in a fair amount of work RU as well. Superpower in tandem with Fightinium lets Stakataka screw over the frequent Bronzong + Registeel core as Bronzong won’t be able to safely switch in. Have to be careful about burning Z-Move on a Protect, though.

calcs

252+ Atk Stakataka All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Registeel: 322-380 (88.4 - 104.3%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ Atk Stakataka All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Bronzong: 201-237 (59.4 - 70.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ Atk Stakataka All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Metagross: 182-215 (60.4 - 71.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Xenophile’s trapper

Stakataka @ Figy Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Infestation
- Toxic
- Rest / Protect
- Stone Edge / Gyro Ball / Earthquake / Protect / Stealth Rock

The idea behind this set is that Stakataka can function as a pivot with its fairly unique Rock/Steel-typing, while also being able to trap and chip switchins, or cripple opposing walls. The evs on it are to maximize its physical bulk, while ensuring that it can live two Scald from Mantine from full and two Life Orb Leaf Storms from Roserade thanks to Figy Berry. This thing is very good at forcing switches and pivoting in on certain mons.

nameless90’s Focus Sash

Focus Sash Stakataka

Stakataka @ Focus Sash
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
IVs: 15 Def / 0 Spe
Lonely Nature
- Trick Room
- Gyro Ball
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake

I think that Stakataka is a good holder of Focus Sash because this item, even when not combined with a TR, it allows to get rid of a traditional revenge killer with relative ease revenge killing it with the Sash active.
You can even avoid using Trick Room, so you are less dependant on this set-up move. Now this Ultra Beast is able to perform even two attacks under Trick Room in a 1vs1 situation; check this calcs:

252+ Atk Stakataka Gyro Ball (150 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mamoswine: 654-770 (181.1 - 213.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Stakataka Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 324-382 (115.3 - 135.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Stakataka Gyro Ball (150 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Nidoking: 337-397 (111.2 - 131%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Stakataka Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Infernape: 318-376 (108.5 - 128.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Stakataka Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Chandelure: 264-312 (101.1 - 119.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
-1 252+ Atk Stakataka Gyro Ball (150 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Krookodile: 216-255 (65.2 - 77%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Stakataka Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Cobalion: 194-230 (60 - 71.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

N.B. Hazards control is mandatory to make use of Focus Sash.

none of the calcs here are very relevant to ru though lol

JustoonSmitts’ Choice Band

View attachment 158348
**artwork is my own**

Stakataka @ Choice Band
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Lonely Nature
IVs: 15 Def / 0 Spe
- Gyro Ball
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Toxic / Superpower

Sorry this took so long, but here is Choice Band Stakataka. This is designed to punch holes in the opponent's team with Trick Room support. Toxic is mainly there to catch defensive Pokemon like Mantine or Mandibuzz off guard in case you don't want to risk the Stone Edge miss.

i feel like cbs the most plausible set cause you get to chip stuff that usually checks staka really easily, so for example cb stak + zydog or ttrum seems like a good wallbreaking core that can overwhelm shared checks like tort/donphan/tang/bro ect. sub is pretty neat though

 

[Katy]

CB Stakataka

 

[avarice]

trapper

 

[Sickist]

cb

 

[Zach Parrott]

Fight Z

 

[nameless90]

Xenophile's trapper

 

[Yay]

Congratulations to JustoonSmitts for winning this cycle! Now, lets stick to the drops the actually stay on the tier

Cycle 10: Raikou!

Finally RU has the Electric-type it dreamed about! With great special bulk and access to Calm Mind, Raikou has been making waves due to great coverage in Aura Sphere (despite having to drop speed), Shadow Ball, Signal Beam, among other options, which allow Raikou to circumvent it's checks and wallbreak efficiently or give momentum due to access to Volt Switch. Once a pivot and defensive Pokémon many generations ago, Raikou poses as a top tier threat in RarelyUsed's roster, and there are many tricks up it's sleeve just waiting to be discovered!

deadline: 08/02
banned sets: https://pokepast.es/fc2f188e135bd557​

 

[JustoonSmitts]

Reserving Sub + Calm Mind.

 

[Katy]

Raikou @ Ghostium Z
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Shadow Ball

Ghostium Z Raikou works pretty well currently in the metagame because it weakens psychic types such as specially defensive Bronzong, physically defensive Cresselia for a good amount of damage.
It also straight up OHKOs the likes of Gardevoir and Espeon and is able to get rid of Metagross with a guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rocks.
Thunderbolt and Volt Switch are Raikous STAB attacks, Volt Switch gives Raikous teammate a fast momentum, meanwhile Thunderbolt is there as a good hitting STAB.
Hidden Power [Ice] is for Flygon, Zygarde 10%, which has a chance to OHKO them in the process. It also hits Noivern because HP Ice does more to it than Tbolt.


Calcs:

Hide

252 SpA Raikou Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Bronzong: 104-124 (30.7 - 36.6%) -- 4.2% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Raikou Never-Ending Nightmare (160 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Bronzong: 208-246 (61.5 - 72.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Raikou Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Cresselia: 128-152 (28.8 - 34.2%) -- 2.5% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Raikou Never-Ending Nightmare (160 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Cresselia: 256-302 (57.6 - 68%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Raikou Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Espeon: 168-198 (61.9 - 73%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Raikou Never-Ending Nightmare (160 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Espeon: 334-394 (123.2 - 145.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Raikou Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gardevoir: 144-170 (51.9 - 61.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Raikou Never-Ending Nightmare (160 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gardevoir: 284-336 (102.5 - 121.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Raikou Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Blastoise-Mega: 240-284 (80.2 - 94.9%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Raikou Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Mandibuzz: 284-336 (67.1 - 79.4%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Raikou Never-Ending Nightmare (160 BP) vs. 236 HP / 0 SpD Metagross: 350-412 (97.2 - 114.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

 

[zizalith]

Reserving Choice Specs

specs is a blacklisted set. reserving vinkou

Raikou @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 244 HP / 64 Def / 200 Spe
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Protect
- Calm Mind
- Thunderbolt

Speed creeps viriz and bulk ensures its sub is never getting broken by cress or uxies psyshock. Basically this set attempts to pp stall any move that could prevent it from setting up, like earthquake and earth power from the likes of rhyp and queen. works great with tspikes support, which is able to wear down these mons a lot easier, so rose/queen/drag make good teammates. Other mons that appreciate ground types being weakened like zydog or ttrum also pair up well with this set.

 

[avarice]

Raikou @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Toxic
- Protect / Hidden Power Ice
- Thunderbolt

Basic Toxic-Stalling Raikou. Cripple switch-ins like Rhyperior and Florges for your Metagross or w/e to clean up later. Pressure can seriously mess with Pokemon like Machamp spamming CC or Dynamic Punch too.

 

[Sickist]

Raikou @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Toxic
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Scarf Raikou? But its already fast!

Yes, but Scarf Raikou is actually very useful in some matchups. Being able to revenge every mon in the tier, unless we out here running scarf Swellow, and Modest is even runable because it still outspeeds the fastest common scarfer in Flygon by 1 point. Volt Switch to Scout, TBolt for a spammable STAB, HP Ice for coverage, and Toxic snipes Rhyperior and Flygon, as well as grasses such as Shaymin, and puts them all on a timer.

 

[nameless90]

Fast Screener Raikou

Raikou @ Light Clay
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Toxic
- Reflect
- Light Screen


General idea
Here we have an odd Raikou with both Reflect and Light Screen, which are very useful alongside a good bulk and a high Spe stat. Unfortunately, we have to forget that good base 115 SpA, but there isn't room for a second coverage move and Volt Switch isn't that strong to justify further EVs investment.
The Screen support is used well by Raikou thanks to its access to Volt Switch, a move that allow you to keep the momentum. If you fear the switch-in of a pokemon immune to Electric moves, you still have Toxic on your side to punish most checks/counters + Pressure to PP stall if necessary.
Max Spe EVs + Timid nature in order to outspeed as many threat as possible and max HP EVs in order to have a high bulk after the screens.

Team(mates) support
This Raikou is not self-sufficient by any means because its STAB is not that strong and the SpA stat doesn't have almost any EV.
Wish support is appreciated due to the lack of Leftovers.

The EVs spread and nature is standard.

 

[JuanchoTacorta]

Normalium Weather Ball

Raikou @ Normalium Z
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Rash Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Calm Mind
- Weather Ball

Set weather and enjoy 100 BP move with Rock, Fire and Ice type. Yes the Z-move turns into a Subzero Slammer, Inferno Overdrive, or Continental Crush. (It also works on rain but I believe rain sucks in RU)

Pointless calcs:

252+ SpA Raikou Weather Ball (100 BP Fire) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Registeel in Sun: 180-212 (49.4 - 58.2%) -- 64.5% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Raikou Inferno Overdrive (175 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Registeel in Sun: 312-368 (85.7 - 101%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Raikou Weather Ball (100 BP Ice) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roserade in Hail: 210-248 (80.4 - 95%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and hail damage
252+ SpA Raikou Weather Ball (100 BP Rock) vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Marowak-Alola in Sand: 262-310 (81.1 - 95.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

Edit: you must be Rash to learn Weather Ball

 

[Yay]

After some nice ideas brought to the table, lets vote!

Katy's Ghostium Z Raikou

View attachment 158731
Raikou @ Ghostium Z
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Shadow Ball

Ghostium Z Raikou works pretty well currently in the metagame because it weakens psychic types such as specially defensive Bronzong, physically defensive Cresselia for a good amount of damage.
It also straight up OHKOs the likes of Gardevoir and Espeon and is able to get rid of Metagross with a guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rocks.
Thunderbolt and Volt Switch are Raikous STAB attacks, Volt Switch gives Raikous teammate a fast momentum, meanwhile Thunderbolt is there as a good hitting STAB.
Hidden Power [Ice] is for Flygon, Zygarde 10%, which has a chance to OHKO them in the process. It also hits Noivern because HP Ice does more to it than Tbolt.


Calcs:

Hide

252 SpA Raikou Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Bronzong: 104-124 (30.7 - 36.6%) -- 4.2% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Raikou Never-Ending Nightmare (160 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Bronzong: 208-246 (61.5 - 72.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Raikou Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Cresselia: 128-152 (28.8 - 34.2%) -- 2.5% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Raikou Never-Ending Nightmare (160 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Cresselia: 256-302 (57.6 - 68%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Raikou Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Espeon: 168-198 (61.9 - 73%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Raikou Never-Ending Nightmare (160 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Espeon: 334-394 (123.2 - 145.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Raikou Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gardevoir: 144-170 (51.9 - 61.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Raikou Never-Ending Nightmare (160 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gardevoir: 284-336 (102.5 - 121.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Raikou Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Blastoise-Mega: 240-284 (80.2 - 94.9%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Raikou Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Mandibuzz: 284-336 (67.1 - 79.4%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Raikou Never-Ending Nightmare (160 BP) vs. 236 HP / 0 SpD Metagross: 350-412 (97.2 - 114.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

zizalith's Vinkou

specs is a blacklisted set. reserving vinkou

Raikou @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 244 HP / 64 Def / 200 Spe
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Protect
- Calm Mind
- Thunderbolt

Speed creeps viriz and bulk ensures its sub is never getting broken by cress or uxies psyshock. Basically this set attempts to pp stall any move that could prevent it from setting up, like earthquake and earth power from the likes of rhyp and queen. works great with tspikes support, which is able to wear down these mons a lot easier, so rose/queen/drag make good teammates. Other mons that appreciate ground types being weakened like zydog or ttrum also pair up well with this set.

Scizorphobic's Subtoxic Raikou

View attachment 158615
Raikou @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Toxic
- Protect / Hidden Power Ice
- Thunderbolt

Basic Toxic-Stalling Raikou. Cripple switch-ins like Rhyperior and Florges for your Metagross or w/e to clean up later. Pressure can seriously mess with Pokemon like Machamp spamming CC or Dynamic Punch too.

Sickist's Choice Scarf Raikou

Raikou @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Toxic
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Scarf Raikou? But its already fast!

Yes, but Scarf Raikou is actually very useful in some matchups. Being able to revenge every mon in the tier, unless we out here running scarf Swellow, and Modest is even runable because it still outspeeds the fastest common scarfer in Flygon by 1 point. Volt Switch to Scout, TBolt for a spammable STAB, HP Ice for coverage, and Toxic snipes Rhyperior and Flygon, as well as grasses such as Shaymin, and puts them all on a timer.

nameless90's Screens Raikou

Fast Screener Raikou

Raikou @ Light Clay
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Toxic
- Reflect
- Light Screen


General idea
Here we have an odd Raikou with both Reflect and Light Screen, which are very useful alongside a good bulk and a high Spe stat. Unfortunately, we have to forget that good base 115 SpA, but there isn't room for a second coverage move and Volt Switch isn't that strong to justify further EVs investment.
The Screen support is used well by Raikou thanks to its access to Volt Switch, a move that allow you to keep the momentum. If you fear the switch-in of a pokemon immune to Electric moves, you still have Toxic on your side to punish most checks/counters + Pressure to PP stall if necessary.
Max Spe EVs + Timid nature in order to outspeed as many threat as possible and max HP EVs in order to have a high bulk after the screens.

Team(mates) support
This Raikou is not self-sufficient by any means because its STAB is not that strong and the SpA stat doesn't have almost any EV.
Wish support is appreciated due to the lack of Leftovers.

The EVs spread and nature is standard.

JuanchoTacorta's Normalium Z Raikou

Normalium Weather Ball

Raikou @ Normalium Z
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Rash Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Calm Mind
- Weather Ball

Set weather and enjoy 100 BP move with Rock, Fire and Ice type. Yes the Z-move turns into a Subzero Slammer, Inferno Overdrive, or Continental Crush. (It also works on rain but I believe rain sucks in RU)

Pointless calcs:

252+ SpA Raikou Weather Ball (100 BP Fire) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Registeel in Sun: 180-212 (49.4 - 58.2%) -- 64.5% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Raikou Inferno Overdrive (175 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Registeel in Sun: 312-368 (85.7 - 101%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Raikou Weather Ball (100 BP Ice) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roserade in Hail: 210-248 (80.4 - 95%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and hail damage
252+ SpA Raikou Weather Ball (100 BP Rock) vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Marowak-Alola in Sand: 262-310 (81.1 - 95.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

Edit: you must be Rash to learn Weather Ball

I liked a lot the submissions, there was some really cool sets and concepts that show how versatile Raikou can be. My vote goes for Normalium Z because i like a lot the idea of being able to adapt this set into different teams and wallbreaking needs.

Remember to vote by tuesday!

 

[avarice]

vinkou

 

[Katy]

Choice Scarf Raikou

 

[nameless90]

zizalith's Vinkou

 

[JuanchoTacorta]

Sub-Toxic Raikou

 

[Sickist]

screens