QC Checks: Fiend, Rowan, Tricking
GP Checks: CryoGyro, The Dutch Plumberjack
GP AMchecks: HNBL
[OVERVIEW]
Alolan Rattata packs tremendous offensive power, 2HKOing everything in the LC metagame; this is possible thanks to Hustle and STAB Double-Edge, which can at least heavily dent any neutral or frail target. It also has access to STAB Dark-type moves such as Crunch, two priority moves in Sucker Punch and Quick Attack, and a usable U-turn thanks to its good Speed. However, Alolan Rattata struggles to find a place in a team; it is outclassed by almost every Dark-type because it lacks Knock Off. It is also overshadowed by the majority of Normal-types, which have access to more coverage options. It lacks access to a boosting move, something other Dark-types such as Pawniard, Vullaby, and Scraggy have. Its typing gives it four weaknesses, including a terrible 4x weakness to Fighting-type moves, which are extremely common in the LC metagame. Its defenses are very thin, meaning it will be OHKOed by almost any move used against it; on top of that, it is forced to run both Hustle and Life Orb to do consistent damage, which have the negative effects of lowering its accuracy and HP.
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Double-Edge / Return
move 2: Sucker Punch / Crunch
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Pursuit / Quick Attack / Crunch
item: Life Orb
ability: Hustle
nature: Jolly
evs: 228 Atk / 76 Def / 180 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Double-Edge is the main STAB move Alolan Ratta should run, as it has enough power to outright OHKO the majority of neutral targets after Stealth Rock damage and 2HKO the bulkiest Pokemon in LC such as Spritzee and Munchlax. Return is a more conservative option that does not lower Alolan Rattata's HP but hits for less damage and, consequently, misses certain OHKOs. Sucker Punch is the best option for a Dark-type move because it boasts priority and can be used to pick off weakened targets; on the other hand, Crunch avoids the mind games used to counter Sucker Punch, such as the use of Substitute or other status moves. U-turn allows Alolan Rattata to escape a bad matchup and gives momentum to its team thanks to its good Speed. For the final moveslot, Pursuit can be used to trap Abra and Ghost-types; be careful against Abra, however, as it can outspeed Alolan Rattata and KO it. Quick Attack, on the other hand, gives Alolan Rattata a tool with which to pick off weakened targets that can't be easily played around like Sucker Punch. Finally, Crunch can be used as a secondary Dark-type STAB move if you chose Sucker Punch for the second moveslot.
Set Details
========
The EVs maximize what Alolan Rattata needs, its Attack and Speed stats. The remaining EVs are put into Defense to hit an extra point and to better take neutral and resisted priority moves such as Aqua Jet and Sucker Punch. Jolly is the only nature to use because Hustle already provides a boost in Attack and hitting 17 Speed is more important than having an extra point in Attack. Hustle is the chosen ability because it boosts Alolan Rattata's Attack by 50%, significantly enhancing its damage output. Life Orb in conjunction with Hustle turns Alolan Rattata into a potent physical attacker at the cost of just 1 HP per attack.
Usage Tips
========
Alolan Rattata should never be sent directly into battle, as its pitiful defenses mean it will almost never be able to take a hit and retaliate. Alolan Rattata is a powerful but frail attacker that will spam its STAB moves most of the time. Be careful when using Sucker Punch, as even though it hits very hard, it can be easily played around with a bit of prediction, such as by using Will-O-Wisp with Gastly or Substitute with Abra; be wary of Abra in particular, as it can outspeed and KO Alolan Rattata if it doesn't use Sucker Punch or simply KO it if Abra has its Focus Sash intact. Alolan Rattata should be played as a hit-and-run attacker, since it already loses so much HP from Life Orb and Double-Edge recoil and can't afford to lose any from switching into attacks. When Alolan Rattata has a difficult matchup, don't hesitate to use U-turn to bring in a teammate that can deal with the opposing Pokemon.
Team Options
========
Alolan Rattata needs partners to deal with Pawniard, making Timburr and Croagunk good teammates; both KO it, with the former being a bulky setup sweeper that can absorb status moves like Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave and the latter being able to remove Fairy-types for Alolan Rattata. Slow U-turn and Volt Switch users like defensive Mienfoo and Chinchou help Alolan Rattata enter the field, working around its nonexistent defenses. Cottonee is a notable partner because it can absorb Knock Off and check Fighting-types while also having Prankster Z-Memento to restore Alolan Rattata's HP to allow it to stay around longer. Flying-types pair decently well with Alolan Rattata because they remove Bug- and Fighting-types. Archen in particular can also set up Stealth Rock for Alolan Rattata, which can turn most 2HKOs into OHKOs, while Choice Scarf Doduo can pick off opposing Pokemon that have been severely damaged by Alolan Rattata. Other Dark-types pair well with Alolan Rattata because it packs a lot of power that can overwhelm usual Dark-type checks; Pawniard can break through the opposing team and let Alolan Rattata clean the rest, while bulky Nasty Plot Vullaby forms a strong Dark-type core with Alolan Rattata, using the likes of Croagunk and Timburr as setup opportunities.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice item sets may work because Alolan Rattata has access to Switcheroo. A Choice Scarf can turn it into a potent cleaner, while a Choice Band set can easily pulverize any neutral target. When it faces a wall it can't break through, it can simply use Switcheroo to disrupt it. Thief can be used in the final moveslot to steal opposing Pokemon's items and works well when Alolan Rattata has lost its Life Orb. It can be used on Sturdy + Berry Juice users like Onix, bulky walls such as Spritzee and Munchlax to hamper their walling abilities, or even slower Pokemon that rely on their specific items such as Cubone and Clamperl. Thick Fat sounds appealing at first because it gives Alolan Rattata two extra resistances to Fire- and Ice-type moves. However, these moves are not very common in LC bar sun and hail teams, and the Attack boost from Hustle is the superior choice to easily score KOs. Unlike regular Rattata, Alolan Rattata lacks any coverage options; most of all, it misses Rock Smash for the OHKO on standard Eviolite Pawniard.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Alolan Rattata has an unfortunate 4x weakness to Fighting-type moves, meaning that even Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave can OHKO it. Timburr and Mienfoo completely stop Alolan Rattata, using it as a setup bait for their Bulk Up without being scared too much by Double-Edge. Croagunk can exploit Alolan Rattata's weakness and proceed to KO it with Vacuum Wave or set up a Nasty Plot while Rattata switches out. Mankey Speed ties with Alolan Rattata and takes it out with its choice of STAB move. Stufful doesn't like taking a Double-Edge, but it can withstand it and KO Alolan Rattata back with Close Combat.
**Dark-types**: Pawniard walls any combination of Alolan Rattata's moves, using it to set up Swords Dance. Vullaby can take a hit and retaliate with Brave Bird. Scraggy takes a Double-Edge and can recover its health back with Drain Punch.
**Bulky Pokemon**: Whatever can OHKO Alolan Rattata and take a Hustle Life Orb Double-Edge checks it. Defensive Chinchou can KO it with an Electric-type STAB move after Stealth Rock damage, Spritzee OHKOes it with Moonblast, Foongus can take a Double-Edge and use Giga Drain or Sludge Bomb or simply pivot out to recover health with Regenerator, and Onix KOes it with Rock Blast or sets up Stealth Rock on it thanks to high physical bulk allowing it to take Double-Edge and Crunch. Keep in mind, however, that Alolan Rattata dishes out enormous damage to neutral targets, Onix included.
**Status and Residual Damage**: Alolan Rattata is susceptible to burns and paralysis because they halve its Attack and Speed. Hail damage combined with Double-Edge and Life Orb recoil means that Alolan Rattata will not stay on the field more than two turns per battle.
**Fairy-types**: Snubbull is a roadblock for Alolan Rattata; it can lower Alolan Rattata's Attack, making Double-Edge fail to 2HKO Eviolite variants, while it can simply OHKO with Play Rough or paralyze with Thunder Wave. Spritzee, although it is 2HKOed by Hustle Life Orb Double-Edge, can regain health with Wish and OHKO it even with uninvested Moonblast.
**Hustle**: One of the things that hamper Alolan Rattata the most is its ability itself, which lowers the accuracy of all its moves by 20%. This can mean the difference between Alolan Rattata KOing and getting KOed.
GP Checks: CryoGyro, The Dutch Plumberjack
GP AMchecks: HNBL
[OVERVIEW]
Alolan Rattata packs tremendous offensive power, 2HKOing everything in the LC metagame; this is possible thanks to Hustle and STAB Double-Edge, which can at least heavily dent any neutral or frail target. It also has access to STAB Dark-type moves such as Crunch, two priority moves in Sucker Punch and Quick Attack, and a usable U-turn thanks to its good Speed. However, Alolan Rattata struggles to find a place in a team; it is outclassed by almost every Dark-type because it lacks Knock Off. It is also overshadowed by the majority of Normal-types, which have access to more coverage options. It lacks access to a boosting move, something other Dark-types such as Pawniard, Vullaby, and Scraggy have. Its typing gives it four weaknesses, including a terrible 4x weakness to Fighting-type moves, which are extremely common in the LC metagame. Its defenses are very thin, meaning it will be OHKOed by almost any move used against it; on top of that, it is forced to run both Hustle and Life Orb to do consistent damage, which have the negative effects of lowering its accuracy and HP.
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Double-Edge / Return
move 2: Sucker Punch / Crunch
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Pursuit / Quick Attack / Crunch
item: Life Orb
ability: Hustle
nature: Jolly
evs: 228 Atk / 76 Def / 180 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Double-Edge is the main STAB move Alolan Ratta should run, as it has enough power to outright OHKO the majority of neutral targets after Stealth Rock damage and 2HKO the bulkiest Pokemon in LC such as Spritzee and Munchlax. Return is a more conservative option that does not lower Alolan Rattata's HP but hits for less damage and, consequently, misses certain OHKOs. Sucker Punch is the best option for a Dark-type move because it boasts priority and can be used to pick off weakened targets; on the other hand, Crunch avoids the mind games used to counter Sucker Punch, such as the use of Substitute or other status moves. U-turn allows Alolan Rattata to escape a bad matchup and gives momentum to its team thanks to its good Speed. For the final moveslot, Pursuit can be used to trap Abra and Ghost-types; be careful against Abra, however, as it can outspeed Alolan Rattata and KO it. Quick Attack, on the other hand, gives Alolan Rattata a tool with which to pick off weakened targets that can't be easily played around like Sucker Punch. Finally, Crunch can be used as a secondary Dark-type STAB move if you chose Sucker Punch for the second moveslot.
Set Details
========
The EVs maximize what Alolan Rattata needs, its Attack and Speed stats. The remaining EVs are put into Defense to hit an extra point and to better take neutral and resisted priority moves such as Aqua Jet and Sucker Punch. Jolly is the only nature to use because Hustle already provides a boost in Attack and hitting 17 Speed is more important than having an extra point in Attack. Hustle is the chosen ability because it boosts Alolan Rattata's Attack by 50%, significantly enhancing its damage output. Life Orb in conjunction with Hustle turns Alolan Rattata into a potent physical attacker at the cost of just 1 HP per attack.
Usage Tips
========
Alolan Rattata should never be sent directly into battle, as its pitiful defenses mean it will almost never be able to take a hit and retaliate. Alolan Rattata is a powerful but frail attacker that will spam its STAB moves most of the time. Be careful when using Sucker Punch, as even though it hits very hard, it can be easily played around with a bit of prediction, such as by using Will-O-Wisp with Gastly or Substitute with Abra; be wary of Abra in particular, as it can outspeed and KO Alolan Rattata if it doesn't use Sucker Punch or simply KO it if Abra has its Focus Sash intact. Alolan Rattata should be played as a hit-and-run attacker, since it already loses so much HP from Life Orb and Double-Edge recoil and can't afford to lose any from switching into attacks. When Alolan Rattata has a difficult matchup, don't hesitate to use U-turn to bring in a teammate that can deal with the opposing Pokemon.
Team Options
========
Alolan Rattata needs partners to deal with Pawniard, making Timburr and Croagunk good teammates; both KO it, with the former being a bulky setup sweeper that can absorb status moves like Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave and the latter being able to remove Fairy-types for Alolan Rattata. Slow U-turn and Volt Switch users like defensive Mienfoo and Chinchou help Alolan Rattata enter the field, working around its nonexistent defenses. Cottonee is a notable partner because it can absorb Knock Off and check Fighting-types while also having Prankster Z-Memento to restore Alolan Rattata's HP to allow it to stay around longer. Flying-types pair decently well with Alolan Rattata because they remove Bug- and Fighting-types. Archen in particular can also set up Stealth Rock for Alolan Rattata, which can turn most 2HKOs into OHKOs, while Choice Scarf Doduo can pick off opposing Pokemon that have been severely damaged by Alolan Rattata. Other Dark-types pair well with Alolan Rattata because it packs a lot of power that can overwhelm usual Dark-type checks; Pawniard can break through the opposing team and let Alolan Rattata clean the rest, while bulky Nasty Plot Vullaby forms a strong Dark-type core with Alolan Rattata, using the likes of Croagunk and Timburr as setup opportunities.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice item sets may work because Alolan Rattata has access to Switcheroo. A Choice Scarf can turn it into a potent cleaner, while a Choice Band set can easily pulverize any neutral target. When it faces a wall it can't break through, it can simply use Switcheroo to disrupt it. Thief can be used in the final moveslot to steal opposing Pokemon's items and works well when Alolan Rattata has lost its Life Orb. It can be used on Sturdy + Berry Juice users like Onix, bulky walls such as Spritzee and Munchlax to hamper their walling abilities, or even slower Pokemon that rely on their specific items such as Cubone and Clamperl. Thick Fat sounds appealing at first because it gives Alolan Rattata two extra resistances to Fire- and Ice-type moves. However, these moves are not very common in LC bar sun and hail teams, and the Attack boost from Hustle is the superior choice to easily score KOs. Unlike regular Rattata, Alolan Rattata lacks any coverage options; most of all, it misses Rock Smash for the OHKO on standard Eviolite Pawniard.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Alolan Rattata has an unfortunate 4x weakness to Fighting-type moves, meaning that even Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave can OHKO it. Timburr and Mienfoo completely stop Alolan Rattata, using it as a setup bait for their Bulk Up without being scared too much by Double-Edge. Croagunk can exploit Alolan Rattata's weakness and proceed to KO it with Vacuum Wave or set up a Nasty Plot while Rattata switches out. Mankey Speed ties with Alolan Rattata and takes it out with its choice of STAB move. Stufful doesn't like taking a Double-Edge, but it can withstand it and KO Alolan Rattata back with Close Combat.
**Dark-types**: Pawniard walls any combination of Alolan Rattata's moves, using it to set up Swords Dance. Vullaby can take a hit and retaliate with Brave Bird. Scraggy takes a Double-Edge and can recover its health back with Drain Punch.
**Bulky Pokemon**: Whatever can OHKO Alolan Rattata and take a Hustle Life Orb Double-Edge checks it. Defensive Chinchou can KO it with an Electric-type STAB move after Stealth Rock damage, Spritzee OHKOes it with Moonblast, Foongus can take a Double-Edge and use Giga Drain or Sludge Bomb or simply pivot out to recover health with Regenerator, and Onix KOes it with Rock Blast or sets up Stealth Rock on it thanks to high physical bulk allowing it to take Double-Edge and Crunch. Keep in mind, however, that Alolan Rattata dishes out enormous damage to neutral targets, Onix included.
**Status and Residual Damage**: Alolan Rattata is susceptible to burns and paralysis because they halve its Attack and Speed. Hail damage combined with Double-Edge and Life Orb recoil means that Alolan Rattata will not stay on the field more than two turns per battle.
**Fairy-types**: Snubbull is a roadblock for Alolan Rattata; it can lower Alolan Rattata's Attack, making Double-Edge fail to 2HKO Eviolite variants, while it can simply OHKO with Play Rough or paralyze with Thunder Wave. Spritzee, although it is 2HKOed by Hustle Life Orb Double-Edge, can regain health with Wish and OHKO it even with uninvested Moonblast.
**Hustle**: One of the things that hamper Alolan Rattata the most is its ability itself, which lowers the accuracy of all its moves by 20%. This can mean the difference between Alolan Rattata KOing and getting KOed.
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