[SET]
name: Terrain Sweeper (Special Attack)
move 1: Rising Voltage
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Surf / Focus Blast / Grass Knot
move 4: Nasty Plot
item: Life Orb / Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Surge Surfer
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Alolan Raichu is one of the deadliest sweepers and revenge killers in the metagame thanks to Rising Voltage's extreme power and Surge Surfer doubling its Speed. Psyshock lets it slam Zeraora and specially defensive walls that would otherwise be a problem for Alolan Raichu, such as Gastrodon and Rotom-H. Focus Blast lets Alolan Raichu blast through two of its biggest counters in Tyranitar and Ferrothorn, while Surf lets it beat Landorus-T and more reliably damage Rotom-H. Grass Knot can be used to specifically OHKO Gastrodon, Groudon, and Seismitoad, although it does little else over Surf. Nasty Plot can be used on a forced switch to OHKO or 2HKO nearly everything in the tier, although it often prefers to just attack due to its sheer wallbreaking power. Life Orb lets Alolan Raichu boost its already amazing offensive power to the extreme at the cost of longevity, while Heavy-Duty Boots lets it ignore entry hazards and not rely on the Terrain-ending Defog.
Tapu Koko is a necessary partner, as it provides Electric Terrain and dual screens support to facilitate setup. Gods like Rayquaza, Lunala, and Mewtwo are also extremely appreciated, as they dramatically increase Alolan Raichu's Special Attack stat. Since Alolan Raichu is able to break through common Pokemon like Rotom-W and Skarmory, cleaners like Kartana and Weavile pair well. In return, they help deal with Ground-types like Gastrodon and Hippowdon and Grass-types like Tangrowth and Ferrothorn. Airborne Pokemon and Flying-types not weak to Electric-type attacks like Zapdos and Rotom-H can pressure Alolan Raichu thanks to Rising Voltage not doubling in power, while Dragon-types like Dialga and Zekrom naturally resist it. Thus, answers like Weavile, Volcanion, and the aforementioned Tapu Koko significantly help Alolan Raichu. In return, Alolan Raichu can capitalize on the damage they've dealt to either finish the game off or KO targets for said partners. Alolan Raichu's crippling weakness to the two offensive Terrain setters in Rillaboom and Tapu Lele make answers like Corviknight, Tangrowth, Slowbro, and Slowking great defensive checks. Priority attackers like Yveltal, Urshifu-R, and Weavile also heavily threaten Alolan Raichu, so answers like Slowbro, Slowking, Clefable, and Skarmory are appreciated. Entry hazard setters like Skarmory, Clefable, and Landorus-T allow Alolan Raichu to make quick progress on its forced switches, while Toxic support lets Alolan Raichu have a much easier time breaking through bulkier answers like Rotom-H and Hippowdon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Nasty Plot can be dropped for coverage, but this forces Alolan Raichu to use a Life Orb and can quickly cut into its longevity.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rillaboom and Tapu Lele**: Rillaboom and Tapu Lele can revenge kill Alolan Raichu freely thanks to their ability to reset Terrain. They can then move before and OHKO Alolan Raichu.
**Priority**: Priority users like Urshifu-R, Weavile, and Bisharp can ignore Alolan Raichu's Zpeed and OHKO after a small amount of chip. Bisharp and other Sucker Punch users can also OHKO outright.
**Bulky Electric-Resistant Foes**: Most viable Dragon-types do not fear Rising Voltage, thanks to their naturally high bulk and either resisting Electric-type attacks or being airborne, and can force it out comfortably. Grass-types like Ferrothorn and Tangrowth, meanwhile, can freely switch in and OHKO Alolan Raichu with Knock Off. Bulky Ground-types like Gastrodon and Hippowdon can switch into Alolan Raichu's STAB attacks, but do fear the correct coverage move.
**Airborne Pokemon**: Levitate and Flying-types not weak to Electric-type attacks like Rotom-H can reliably force out Alolan Raichu thanks to them not boosting Rising Voltage's power.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Clastia, 545372]]
- Quality checked by: [[UT, 523866], [Ducky, 525446]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
name: Terrain Sweeper (Special Attack)
move 1: Rising Voltage
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Surf / Focus Blast / Grass Knot
move 4: Nasty Plot
item: Life Orb / Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Surge Surfer
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Alolan Raichu is one of the deadliest sweepers and revenge killers in the metagame thanks to Rising Voltage's extreme power and Surge Surfer doubling its Speed. Psyshock lets it slam Zeraora and specially defensive walls that would otherwise be a problem for Alolan Raichu, such as Gastrodon and Rotom-H. Focus Blast lets Alolan Raichu blast through two of its biggest counters in Tyranitar and Ferrothorn, while Surf lets it beat Landorus-T and more reliably damage Rotom-H. Grass Knot can be used to specifically OHKO Gastrodon, Groudon, and Seismitoad, although it does little else over Surf. Nasty Plot can be used on a forced switch to OHKO or 2HKO nearly everything in the tier, although it often prefers to just attack due to its sheer wallbreaking power. Life Orb lets Alolan Raichu boost its already amazing offensive power to the extreme at the cost of longevity, while Heavy-Duty Boots lets it ignore entry hazards and not rely on the Terrain-ending Defog.
Tapu Koko is a necessary partner, as it provides Electric Terrain and dual screens support to facilitate setup. Gods like Rayquaza, Lunala, and Mewtwo are also extremely appreciated, as they dramatically increase Alolan Raichu's Special Attack stat. Since Alolan Raichu is able to break through common Pokemon like Rotom-W and Skarmory, cleaners like Kartana and Weavile pair well. In return, they help deal with Ground-types like Gastrodon and Hippowdon and Grass-types like Tangrowth and Ferrothorn. Airborne Pokemon and Flying-types not weak to Electric-type attacks like Zapdos and Rotom-H can pressure Alolan Raichu thanks to Rising Voltage not doubling in power, while Dragon-types like Dialga and Zekrom naturally resist it. Thus, answers like Weavile, Volcanion, and the aforementioned Tapu Koko significantly help Alolan Raichu. In return, Alolan Raichu can capitalize on the damage they've dealt to either finish the game off or KO targets for said partners. Alolan Raichu's crippling weakness to the two offensive Terrain setters in Rillaboom and Tapu Lele make answers like Corviknight, Tangrowth, Slowbro, and Slowking great defensive checks. Priority attackers like Yveltal, Urshifu-R, and Weavile also heavily threaten Alolan Raichu, so answers like Slowbro, Slowking, Clefable, and Skarmory are appreciated. Entry hazard setters like Skarmory, Clefable, and Landorus-T allow Alolan Raichu to make quick progress on its forced switches, while Toxic support lets Alolan Raichu have a much easier time breaking through bulkier answers like Rotom-H and Hippowdon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Nasty Plot can be dropped for coverage, but this forces Alolan Raichu to use a Life Orb and can quickly cut into its longevity.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rillaboom and Tapu Lele**: Rillaboom and Tapu Lele can revenge kill Alolan Raichu freely thanks to their ability to reset Terrain. They can then move before and OHKO Alolan Raichu.
**Priority**: Priority users like Urshifu-R, Weavile, and Bisharp can ignore Alolan Raichu's Zpeed and OHKO after a small amount of chip. Bisharp and other Sucker Punch users can also OHKO outright.
**Bulky Electric-Resistant Foes**: Most viable Dragon-types do not fear Rising Voltage, thanks to their naturally high bulk and either resisting Electric-type attacks or being airborne, and can force it out comfortably. Grass-types like Ferrothorn and Tangrowth, meanwhile, can freely switch in and OHKO Alolan Raichu with Knock Off. Bulky Ground-types like Gastrodon and Hippowdon can switch into Alolan Raichu's STAB attacks, but do fear the correct coverage move.
**Airborne Pokemon**: Levitate and Flying-types not weak to Electric-type attacks like Rotom-H can reliably force out Alolan Raichu thanks to them not boosting Rising Voltage's power.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Clastia, 545372]]
- Quality checked by: [[UT, 523866], [Ducky, 525446]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
Last edited:
