[SET]
Choice Scarf (Rayquaza) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Air Lock
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Outrage
- Draco Meteor / Dragon Claw
- Earthquake / Extreme Speed
- Fire Blast
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Outrage is Rayquaza's most powerful physical STAB move, pushing massive damage into the likes of Kyogre and Ho-Oh. Draco Meteor is the same on the special side and breaks down foes like Groudon and Lugia that think that they can absorb the physical onslaught. Alternatively, Dragon Claw is a secondary physical STAB move that does not leave Rayquaza prone to revenge killers or confusion. Earthquake blasts apart Tyranitar and many Steel-types like Jirachi and Heatran. Extreme Speed seems strange on a Pokemon that already boosts its Speed with a Choice Scarf, but it is used to get the jump on other fast Pokemon that can use priority attacks like Deoxys-A. Fire Blast will melt Steel-types that care not for Earthquake like Skarmory and Bronzong; these Pokemon cannot seek refuge in Kyogre's rain because Rayquaza's Air Lock neutralizes it, though it also gives them recourse under Groudon's blazing sun.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EVs and a Naive nature let Choice Scarf Rayquaza outspeed common base 90 Speed Choice Scarf Pokemon like Kyogre and Dialga. Prioritizing Attack investment ensures Outrage can clean up endgames more efficiently. However, shifting some of those Attack EVs into Special Attack can be done if using Draco Meteor for the extra pressure into Groudon.
Usage Tips
========
Rayquaza is a solid revenge killer and damage dealer with its strong STAB moves and coverage. As Rayquaza lacks good Pokemon to switch in against, it is best when brought in after a teammate has been KOed, on aggressive double switches, or with teammates that use U-turn to bring it in safely. Take care when locking into Outrage. as Rayquaza can be picked off by faster Choice Scarf Pokemon like Palkia or concede free turns to Steel-types like Bronzong and Jirachi, which hinder Rayquaza by setting up Stealth Rock and paralyzing it, respectively.
Team Options
========
The main draw of Rayquaza as a Choice Scarf user over other threats is its ability to beat Pokemon that boost their Speed using weather abilities, most notably Kingdra and Kabutops. Thus, it can anchor offensive teams that would be torn apart by them late-game. It's also stronger than the alternative physical Choice Scarf Dragon-type, Garchomp; this lets it have a good chance to 2HKO standard defensive Lugia with Outrage after Stealth Rock. Even with this comparison, Choice Scarf Rayquaza is not much of a wallbreaker, so it wants teammates that can help weaken defensive cores for it to feast on late-game. Mixed attackers like Giratina-O and boosting threats like Swords Dance Groudon and Nasty Plot Darkrai can do as such. Rayquaza also likes entry hazards thrown down by lead Deoxys-S and Forretress, especially the Spikes that wear down Groudon. They can also prevent Stealth Rock from going up early-game, Deoxys-S with Taunt and Forretress with Rapid Spin, and without Stealth Rock on its own side, Rayquaza gets to enter the field more often. If Rayquaza locks into Outrage or Draco Meteor in the early- or mid-game, it gives opportunities for the likes of Lucario to set up Swords Dance and Groudon to set up Rock Polish and Swords Dance. Therefore, a teammate that can revenge kill them well like Mewtwo or Giratina-O does well against them.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/seldanna.471586/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/susciety.457308/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
Choice Scarf (Rayquaza) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Air Lock
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Outrage
- Draco Meteor / Dragon Claw
- Earthquake / Extreme Speed
- Fire Blast
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Outrage is Rayquaza's most powerful physical STAB move, pushing massive damage into the likes of Kyogre and Ho-Oh. Draco Meteor is the same on the special side and breaks down foes like Groudon and Lugia that think that they can absorb the physical onslaught. Alternatively, Dragon Claw is a secondary physical STAB move that does not leave Rayquaza prone to revenge killers or confusion. Earthquake blasts apart Tyranitar and many Steel-types like Jirachi and Heatran. Extreme Speed seems strange on a Pokemon that already boosts its Speed with a Choice Scarf, but it is used to get the jump on other fast Pokemon that can use priority attacks like Deoxys-A. Fire Blast will melt Steel-types that care not for Earthquake like Skarmory and Bronzong; these Pokemon cannot seek refuge in Kyogre's rain because Rayquaza's Air Lock neutralizes it, though it also gives them recourse under Groudon's blazing sun.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EVs and a Naive nature let Choice Scarf Rayquaza outspeed common base 90 Speed Choice Scarf Pokemon like Kyogre and Dialga. Prioritizing Attack investment ensures Outrage can clean up endgames more efficiently. However, shifting some of those Attack EVs into Special Attack can be done if using Draco Meteor for the extra pressure into Groudon.
Usage Tips
========
Rayquaza is a solid revenge killer and damage dealer with its strong STAB moves and coverage. As Rayquaza lacks good Pokemon to switch in against, it is best when brought in after a teammate has been KOed, on aggressive double switches, or with teammates that use U-turn to bring it in safely. Take care when locking into Outrage. as Rayquaza can be picked off by faster Choice Scarf Pokemon like Palkia or concede free turns to Steel-types like Bronzong and Jirachi, which hinder Rayquaza by setting up Stealth Rock and paralyzing it, respectively.
Team Options
========
The main draw of Rayquaza as a Choice Scarf user over other threats is its ability to beat Pokemon that boost their Speed using weather abilities, most notably Kingdra and Kabutops. Thus, it can anchor offensive teams that would be torn apart by them late-game. It's also stronger than the alternative physical Choice Scarf Dragon-type, Garchomp; this lets it have a good chance to 2HKO standard defensive Lugia with Outrage after Stealth Rock. Even with this comparison, Choice Scarf Rayquaza is not much of a wallbreaker, so it wants teammates that can help weaken defensive cores for it to feast on late-game. Mixed attackers like Giratina-O and boosting threats like Swords Dance Groudon and Nasty Plot Darkrai can do as such. Rayquaza also likes entry hazards thrown down by lead Deoxys-S and Forretress, especially the Spikes that wear down Groudon. They can also prevent Stealth Rock from going up early-game, Deoxys-S with Taunt and Forretress with Rapid Spin, and without Stealth Rock on its own side, Rayquaza gets to enter the field more often. If Rayquaza locks into Outrage or Draco Meteor in the early- or mid-game, it gives opportunities for the likes of Lucario to set up Swords Dance and Groudon to set up Rock Polish and Swords Dance. Therefore, a teammate that can revenge kill them well like Mewtwo or Giratina-O does well against them.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/seldanna.471586/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/susciety.457308/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
Last edited: