Which is better?

klusps

I'm in a dilema between Thunderbolt and Discharge. Discharge has a base power of 80 and has a 30% chance of paralyzing your opponent. Thunderbolt has a base power of 90 and has a 10% chance of paralyzing your opponent.

Discharge has a nice rate to paralyze something, but it isn't nearly as strong as Thunderbolt. Which move do you suggest?
 
Thunderbolt has a base power of 95 and is almost always better unless you're trying to accomplish a pretty specific goal.
 
Most of the things that learn Discharge are sweepers and need the extra power from Thunderbolt.

It's a reasonable option on bulkier Pokemon like Magnezone, Porygon2, Ampharos, Probopass and Lanturn if want to spread paralysis without using a moveslot for Thunder Wave.
 
Too bad none of the Serene Gracers learn Discharge, Jirachi would be great with Discharge instead of having to rely on Thunder for paralysis. Otherwise, Probopass is the only one I can think of who might use it, with Magnet Pull he can probably spam it a couple of times to help with his aweful speed and it's not like Thunderbolt is much better with his 75 spatk and no stab. The 30% chance is still too infrequent unless you get lucky on everyone else.
 
On anything bulky, I definitely prefer Discharge. You'll probably paralyze your opponent eventually and it saves you a slot that you'd otherwise have to use for Thunder Wave.

I agree with Bliksem about its usefulness in 2v2 as well. A 60-power attack with a 30% paralysis chance on everybody on the field is great, especially if your ally has Motor Drive, Volt Absorb, or the Ground-type. Or, to a lesser extent, Quick Feet.
 
Footnote, it's 80 power, but even with that, I will ALWAYS use Thunderbolt except maybe on Probopass in single battles. The 30% paralysis chance isn't worth 15 less base power IMO.
 
I'm not so sure we could dismiss a move for being 15 base power less. You've got to remember in GSC and Advance many people pick Body Slam over Return and that's the same exact difference. Actually it's a little bit larger if you want to get technical in terms of base power. Either way, I'd say I'd use Discharge on anything with decent staying power and isn't attempting to clean up. Snorlax tend to have Body Slam in the earlier generations due to staying power. Tauros in Advance uses Return because it's looking to pump out a lot of damage. I'd say the best bet is to use your judgement when choosing one or the other. From the sound of it though, Discharge seems like a 2v2 move more than a 1v1. Obviously it's your call and I'm not sure anyone would fault you for using one over the other. It would be different if you were debating between Thunderbolt and Thundershock lol.
 
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