[OVERVIEW]
Thundurus is a decent pivot and wallbreaker in the UU tier thanks to its higher Speed than a lot of common threats such as Keldeo and Terrakion, its respectable offensive stats, and its wide array of coverage options. Having both U-turn and Volt Switch further bolsters Thundurus as an offensive pivot, with the former allowing it to always generate momentum against Electric-immune Pokemon such as Zeraora and Rhyperior. Knock Off allows Thundurus to run mixed sets to cripple checks like Seismitoad and Chansey, with Defiant making it even more difficult to switch into. However, Thundurus is rather frail and so struggles to find many opportunities to switch in safely. It is also prone to being picked off by common priority users such as Lycanroc-D, Mamoswine, and Bisharp. Even after a Nasty Plot boost, Thundurus struggles to muscle past specially defensive walls like Chansey, which gives it stiff competition from its stronger Therian forme. As an Electric-type pivot, Thundurus faces a lot of competition from Zeraora, whose better Speed tier makes it a more effective revenge killer and able to run an Adamant nature to match Thundurus's power; however, Thundurus has a much better matchup against the tier's Grass-types.
[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Psychic / Sludge Wave
move 4: U-turn / Volt Switch
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Defiant
nature: Naive
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Knock Off lets Thundurus cripple common switch-ins like Rotom-H and Chansey. Psychic gives coverage for Amoonguss, Kommo-o, Nidoqueen, and Nihilego while consistently hitting Terrakion super effectively. Sludge Wave is an option that OHKOes Tapu Bulu and helps Thundurus break Tangrowth more easily. However, Knock Off can cripple Tangrowth by removing its Assault Vest, making it significantly easier for Thundurus to overwhelm anyways. U-turn helps wear down switch-ins like Seismitoad and Krookodile, the latter's Intimidate giving Thundurus a Defiant boost to punish it further; however, U-turn can be punished by common Rocky Helmet users like Amoonguss and Tangrowth. Volt Switch can be used, as it chips Salamence and Terrakion better; however, potentially giving Zeraora Volt Absorb recovery or losing momentum to Ground-types generally makes it a worse option. Running Focus Blast over Knock Off lets Thundurus hit Krookodile and Terrakion harder and break through Kyurem and Rhyperior more easily; however, Knock Off has great utility and the former two can easily be worn down by U-turn or Psychic. Heavy-Duty Boots is the preferred item because Stealth Rock stops Thundurus from having as many chances to come in as possible to wallbreak and pivot.
Thundurus fits best on bulky offense teams that appreciate its fantastic Speed tier forcing many switches to bring its partners in safely through pivoting. Thundurus provides a lot of utility with Knock Off, removing items like Eviolite and Assault Vest from Chansey and Tangrowth. Other special attackers like Primarina and Nasty Plot Alakazam appreciate these foes being easier to break through. Pivots like Scizor and Victini pair well with Thundurus because its frailty prevents it from taking even resisted hits well. They can also pressure Grass-types like Tangrowth and Tapu Bulu for Thundurus if it lacks Sludge Wave. Victini in particular can bring Thundurus in against Water-types like Suicune and Slowking, giving it ample opportunities to wallbreak. Conkeldurr and Mamoswine appreciate being brought in safely against foes like Chansey, Tapu Bulu, and Rhyperior. Skarmory can provide Spikes support to wear down Ground- and Grass-types like Seismitoad and Amoonguss. The Spikes support also gives Thundurus more opportunities to gain a Defiant boost by pressuring the opponent to use Defog. Skarmory can also help check common priority users that revenge kill Thundurus such as Mamoswine, Lycanroc-D, Azumarill, and Diggersby. Thundurus is only outsped by a few Pokemon, but one of them is Zeraora, so partners like Rhyperior and Nidoqueen are useful to help check it as well as provide entry hazard support to wear down Thundurus's checks. Nidoqueen also forms a nice offensive core with Thundurus, pressuring Grass-types for it.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Defiant
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Nasty Plot Thundurus should primarily be used as a wallbreaker early- and mid-game; however, it can also be used as a late-game cleaner, with its Speed tier providing a phenomenal matchup against offensive teams. Psychic OHKOes Amoonguss, Kommo-o, and Nidoqueen after a Nasty Plot boost. Focus Blast helps Thundurus break through Chansey, Krookodile, and Kyurem while providing a powerful neutral hit against targets such as Tangrowth and Rotom-H. Sludge Wave is an option that OHKOes Tapu Bulu and helps Thundurus break past Tangrowth more easily; however, +2 Psychic does a lot to Tapu Bulu, and Tangrowth struggles to take boosted Focus Blast. Defiant lets Thundurus bluff the mixed set before it reveals Nasty Plot.
This set fits on both bulky and hyper offense; however, the latter playstyle does a better job at supporting Thundurus with opportunities to set up safely. Mew and Krookodile can provide entry hazard support to bring foes like Tapu Bulu, Tangrowth, and Chansey into KO range of Thundurus's attacks. Thundurus appreciates having other wallbreakers like Terrakion and Kommo-o to weaken foes such as Tangrowth, Chansey, and Tapu Bulu so it can clean more easily late-game. VoltTurn partners like Victini, Zarude, and Keldeo can bring Thundurus in safely, as its poor bulk limits how often it can pivot into foes. Victini can help pressure Grass-types, while Keldeo can bring Thundurus in safely against Water-types like Slowking and Tentacruel. Late-game sweepers like Belly Drum Azumarill and the aforementioned Scizor appreciate Thundurus punching holes through teams. Azumarill in particular appreciates Thundurus removing many faster Water-resistant Pokemon like Tapu Bulu and Kommo-o. Alakazam can remove items like Assault Vest from Tangrowth and Eviolite from Chansey with Knock Off, allowing Thundurus to break past them more easily.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Grass Knot is an option on both sets that lets Thundurus OHKO Quagsire, Rhyperior, and Seismitoad while retaining coverage for other Ground-types except Nidoqueen. Thunder Wave alongside Prankster can provide speed control for offensive teams, acting as an emergency stop to threats like Dragon Dance Gyarados and Salamence. Using Defog with Prankster compresses entry hazard removal and guarantees Thundurus can always get entry hazards off the field in a last-ditch effort. Life Orb and Expert Belt can be run on either of Thundurus's sets, but it really doesn't appreciate being worn down by Stealth Rock, especially the pivot set. Superpower can be used on the mixed set alongside a Life Orb to let Thundurus lure in and break through Chansey while retaining coverage for Kyurem, Terrakion, and Krookodile. Thunder + Weather Ball is an option on rain teams, allowing Thundurus to break through every Ground-type except Gastrodon and Seismitoad.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Thundurus usually struggles to fit Sludge Wave on its sets, so it can't break past Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Assault Vest Tangrowth. Thundurus's lackluster defensive stats leave it prone to being 2HKOed by Tapu Bulu's Horn Leech, which recovers any damage. However, Thundurus can consistently wear them down via U-turn or potentially break past them with a Nasty Plot boost.
**Revenge Killers and Priority Users**: Zeraora and Alakazam are faster than Thundurus and can revenge kill it after minimal chip damage. Mamoswine and Lycanroc-D have super effective priority to hit Thundurus with. Other strong priority users like Azumarill, Bisharp, and Diggersby can also pick off the frail Thundurus.
**Ground-types**: Gastrodon and Rhyperior are difficult walls for Thundurus to muscle through. Gastrodon can cripple Thundurus with Toxic, while Rhyperior just threatens to OHKO it. Mamoswine is an offensive check to Thundurus that can revenge kill it with Ice Shard.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Twilight, 344575]]
- Quality checked by: [[Hilomilo, 313384], [Estarossa, 461329], [Lilburr, 481709]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [CryoGyro, 331519]]
Thundurus is a decent pivot and wallbreaker in the UU tier thanks to its higher Speed than a lot of common threats such as Keldeo and Terrakion, its respectable offensive stats, and its wide array of coverage options. Having both U-turn and Volt Switch further bolsters Thundurus as an offensive pivot, with the former allowing it to always generate momentum against Electric-immune Pokemon such as Zeraora and Rhyperior. Knock Off allows Thundurus to run mixed sets to cripple checks like Seismitoad and Chansey, with Defiant making it even more difficult to switch into. However, Thundurus is rather frail and so struggles to find many opportunities to switch in safely. It is also prone to being picked off by common priority users such as Lycanroc-D, Mamoswine, and Bisharp. Even after a Nasty Plot boost, Thundurus struggles to muscle past specially defensive walls like Chansey, which gives it stiff competition from its stronger Therian forme. As an Electric-type pivot, Thundurus faces a lot of competition from Zeraora, whose better Speed tier makes it a more effective revenge killer and able to run an Adamant nature to match Thundurus's power; however, Thundurus has a much better matchup against the tier's Grass-types.
[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Psychic / Sludge Wave
move 4: U-turn / Volt Switch
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Defiant
nature: Naive
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Knock Off lets Thundurus cripple common switch-ins like Rotom-H and Chansey. Psychic gives coverage for Amoonguss, Kommo-o, Nidoqueen, and Nihilego while consistently hitting Terrakion super effectively. Sludge Wave is an option that OHKOes Tapu Bulu and helps Thundurus break Tangrowth more easily. However, Knock Off can cripple Tangrowth by removing its Assault Vest, making it significantly easier for Thundurus to overwhelm anyways. U-turn helps wear down switch-ins like Seismitoad and Krookodile, the latter's Intimidate giving Thundurus a Defiant boost to punish it further; however, U-turn can be punished by common Rocky Helmet users like Amoonguss and Tangrowth. Volt Switch can be used, as it chips Salamence and Terrakion better; however, potentially giving Zeraora Volt Absorb recovery or losing momentum to Ground-types generally makes it a worse option. Running Focus Blast over Knock Off lets Thundurus hit Krookodile and Terrakion harder and break through Kyurem and Rhyperior more easily; however, Knock Off has great utility and the former two can easily be worn down by U-turn or Psychic. Heavy-Duty Boots is the preferred item because Stealth Rock stops Thundurus from having as many chances to come in as possible to wallbreak and pivot.
Thundurus fits best on bulky offense teams that appreciate its fantastic Speed tier forcing many switches to bring its partners in safely through pivoting. Thundurus provides a lot of utility with Knock Off, removing items like Eviolite and Assault Vest from Chansey and Tangrowth. Other special attackers like Primarina and Nasty Plot Alakazam appreciate these foes being easier to break through. Pivots like Scizor and Victini pair well with Thundurus because its frailty prevents it from taking even resisted hits well. They can also pressure Grass-types like Tangrowth and Tapu Bulu for Thundurus if it lacks Sludge Wave. Victini in particular can bring Thundurus in against Water-types like Suicune and Slowking, giving it ample opportunities to wallbreak. Conkeldurr and Mamoswine appreciate being brought in safely against foes like Chansey, Tapu Bulu, and Rhyperior. Skarmory can provide Spikes support to wear down Ground- and Grass-types like Seismitoad and Amoonguss. The Spikes support also gives Thundurus more opportunities to gain a Defiant boost by pressuring the opponent to use Defog. Skarmory can also help check common priority users that revenge kill Thundurus such as Mamoswine, Lycanroc-D, Azumarill, and Diggersby. Thundurus is only outsped by a few Pokemon, but one of them is Zeraora, so partners like Rhyperior and Nidoqueen are useful to help check it as well as provide entry hazard support to wear down Thundurus's checks. Nidoqueen also forms a nice offensive core with Thundurus, pressuring Grass-types for it.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Defiant
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Nasty Plot Thundurus should primarily be used as a wallbreaker early- and mid-game; however, it can also be used as a late-game cleaner, with its Speed tier providing a phenomenal matchup against offensive teams. Psychic OHKOes Amoonguss, Kommo-o, and Nidoqueen after a Nasty Plot boost. Focus Blast helps Thundurus break through Chansey, Krookodile, and Kyurem while providing a powerful neutral hit against targets such as Tangrowth and Rotom-H. Sludge Wave is an option that OHKOes Tapu Bulu and helps Thundurus break past Tangrowth more easily; however, +2 Psychic does a lot to Tapu Bulu, and Tangrowth struggles to take boosted Focus Blast. Defiant lets Thundurus bluff the mixed set before it reveals Nasty Plot.
This set fits on both bulky and hyper offense; however, the latter playstyle does a better job at supporting Thundurus with opportunities to set up safely. Mew and Krookodile can provide entry hazard support to bring foes like Tapu Bulu, Tangrowth, and Chansey into KO range of Thundurus's attacks. Thundurus appreciates having other wallbreakers like Terrakion and Kommo-o to weaken foes such as Tangrowth, Chansey, and Tapu Bulu so it can clean more easily late-game. VoltTurn partners like Victini, Zarude, and Keldeo can bring Thundurus in safely, as its poor bulk limits how often it can pivot into foes. Victini can help pressure Grass-types, while Keldeo can bring Thundurus in safely against Water-types like Slowking and Tentacruel. Late-game sweepers like Belly Drum Azumarill and the aforementioned Scizor appreciate Thundurus punching holes through teams. Azumarill in particular appreciates Thundurus removing many faster Water-resistant Pokemon like Tapu Bulu and Kommo-o. Alakazam can remove items like Assault Vest from Tangrowth and Eviolite from Chansey with Knock Off, allowing Thundurus to break past them more easily.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Grass Knot is an option on both sets that lets Thundurus OHKO Quagsire, Rhyperior, and Seismitoad while retaining coverage for other Ground-types except Nidoqueen. Thunder Wave alongside Prankster can provide speed control for offensive teams, acting as an emergency stop to threats like Dragon Dance Gyarados and Salamence. Using Defog with Prankster compresses entry hazard removal and guarantees Thundurus can always get entry hazards off the field in a last-ditch effort. Life Orb and Expert Belt can be run on either of Thundurus's sets, but it really doesn't appreciate being worn down by Stealth Rock, especially the pivot set. Superpower can be used on the mixed set alongside a Life Orb to let Thundurus lure in and break through Chansey while retaining coverage for Kyurem, Terrakion, and Krookodile. Thunder + Weather Ball is an option on rain teams, allowing Thundurus to break through every Ground-type except Gastrodon and Seismitoad.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Thundurus usually struggles to fit Sludge Wave on its sets, so it can't break past Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Assault Vest Tangrowth. Thundurus's lackluster defensive stats leave it prone to being 2HKOed by Tapu Bulu's Horn Leech, which recovers any damage. However, Thundurus can consistently wear them down via U-turn or potentially break past them with a Nasty Plot boost.
**Revenge Killers and Priority Users**: Zeraora and Alakazam are faster than Thundurus and can revenge kill it after minimal chip damage. Mamoswine and Lycanroc-D have super effective priority to hit Thundurus with. Other strong priority users like Azumarill, Bisharp, and Diggersby can also pick off the frail Thundurus.
**Ground-types**: Gastrodon and Rhyperior are difficult walls for Thundurus to muscle through. Gastrodon can cripple Thundurus with Toxic, while Rhyperior just threatens to OHKO it. Mamoswine is an offensive check to Thundurus that can revenge kill it with Ice Shard.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Twilight, 344575]]
- Quality checked by: [[Hilomilo, 313384], [Estarossa, 461329], [Lilburr, 481709]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [CryoGyro, 331519]]
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