Tornadus
Status: QC Approved 3/3 [Bloo, PK Gaming, Delta 2777] GP Approved 2/3 [Calm Pokemaster, BMB, Wekhter]
[Overview]
<p>One of the genies introduced in BW, Tornadus is often overlooked at first because of its inferior typing and movepool. Although it is almost completely outclassed by Thundurus, Tornadus has access to STAB Hurricane, with which it can wreak havoc in the rain. Its pure Flying typing also grants it a good neutral STAB attack, though it also gives it weaknesses to common Electric-, Rock-, and Ice-type attacks. Tornadus's amazing offensive stats also allow it to run a mixed set with ease. Its ability, Prankster, is a massively useful tool to have, giving +1 priority to non-attacking moves such as Taunt. However, Tornadus is let down by its sub-par defensive stats, which means that it won't be taking any powerful priority attacks barring those it resists. It also has no boosting moves aside from Bulk Up, which is a shame when considering its wonderful offensive stats. Still, underestimate Tornadus at your own peril, as a Life Orb-boosted Hurricane can hurt even the bulkiest of Pokemon.</p>
[Set]
name: Rain Abuser
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: Hammer Arm
move 3: Rain Dance / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Taunt / U-turn
item: Life Orb
ability: Prankster
nature: Naive / Hasty
evs: 32 Atk / 224 SpA / 252 Spe
[Set Comments]
<p>This set takes advantage of the fact that Tornadus has access to a nice priority Rain Dance, and can wreak havoc with a perfectly accurate STAB Hurricane once rain has been set up. Hurricane does insane amounts of damage to things that don't resist it, and can even maim certain Steel-types. It also has that handy 30% chance to confuse, which may cost the opponent dearly. Hammer Arm provides amazing type coverage, OHKOing Tyranitar even without investment. Rain Dance is present for obvious reasons, and can completely halt sun teams or sandstorm teams in their tracks. If one already has Politoed for rain support, Hidden Power Ice may be used over Rain Dance to destroy certain 4x weak Pokemon. The preferred move in the last moveslot is Taunt, as it prevents status and set up; however, U-turn is a completely viable option to escape unwanted situations.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>Life Orb is the item of choice as it provides a nice power boost to Tornadus's attacks. Leftovers can be used to increase survivability, but there will be a significant decrease in the power of Tornadus's moves. An Expert Belt is an option over Life Orb to possibly bluff a Choice item, but Life Orb's power boost is usually more important against neutral targets. The EV spread is very straightforward, with maximum investment in Special Attack and Speed stats. A Naive or Hasty nature is used to maximize damage from Hammer Arm, but no Attack investment is needed to OHKO Tyranitar. Focus Blast can be used over Hammer Arm for its higher Base Power, but Hammer Arm is recommended for its better accuracy and the ability to 2HKO special walls such as Blissey. Hidden Power Ice is an option over Taunt or U-turn if Rain Dance is more important, but is generally inferior since it does less damage than Hurricane even to super effective targets, bar Landorus and Gliscor.</p>
<p>Politoed with Drizzle is an excellent teammate to provide a 100% accurate Hurricane without the need to use Rain Dance. However, in the absence of Politoed, Tornadus can easily set up rain with Prankster. Magnezone has good synergy with Tornadus, resisting its Electric-, Ice-, and Rock-type weaknesses while Tornadus resists Fighting-type attacks and is immune to Ground-type moves. Forretress is a good candidate for setting up Toxic Spikes and other entry hazards as well as spinning away Stealth Rock which is quite detrimental to Tornadus's health, stripping 25% of its health away each time it switches in.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>The boosting moves that Tornadus has access to are ridiculously useless since Agility is pointless with Prankster and Tornadus's already high Speed and Tornadus is much too frail and has poor typing to take advantage of Bulk Up despite its 115 base Attack stat. Choice sets are possible, but Choice Scarf is outclassed by Thundurus and Choice Specs is unreliable unless rain is up because of Hurricane's poor accuracy. An alternative Rain Dance set as a rain supporter with Rain Dance / Taunt / U-turn / Hurricane and Damp Rock could be utilized with Prankster to help Swift Swim users such as Kingdra sweep, but Tornadus is quite frail, even with defensive investment. Tailwind is also a viable option as Prankster grants it priority, allowing Tornadus to support slower teammates. However, it is usually an inferior option as Tailwind only lasts four turns.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Ironically, Thundurus, Tornadus's genie counterpart, is one of its best checks, resisting both Hurricane and Focus Blast and KOing it with STAB Thunderbolt. Even Hidden Power Ice will usually not OHKO a Thundurus at full health unless Tornadus is equipped with Choice Specs. Zapdos also resists the two moves, and is much bulkier than Thundurus. Blissey and Chansey with Eviolite counter any set lacking Hammer Arm, but must be wary of Taunt. Reuniclus takes little damage from any of Tornadus's moves bar a Life Orb-boosted Hurricane, and even then, once Reuniclus has set up a few Calm Minds, there is little Tornadus can do to destroy it. Choice Scarf users such as Landorus and Terrakion can easily revenge kill Tornadus with their powerful STAB attacks.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Tornadus receives the ability Defiant from the Dream World, which raises its Attack stat sharply whenever another stat is lowered by the opponent. Overall, this is a decent ability, but is wasted on something like Tornadus, which already has access to a much better ability in the form of Prankster.</p>
