[OVERVIEW]
* Raging Bolt, with a higher Special Attack than Flutter Mane, massive HP, and good defenses, serves its role as a bulky damage dealer exceptionally well.
* Don't let Raging Bolt's middling Speed fool you; it's signature move, Thunderclap, makes sure that isn't an issue in a lot of situations, making the Tornadus + Urshifu-R matchup virtually trivial.
* Raging Bolt pairs insanely well with Rillaboom and Incineroar, providing Fake Out pressure for Raging Bolt to either setup with the Calm Mind set or deal massive damage with the 3 Attacks set. Rillaboom also provides more longevity in Grassy Terrain for Raging Bolt, which can make it immensely difficult to KO. Chien-Pao and Choice Scarf Urshifu-R are also excellent partners at dealing with Raging Bolt's worst matchup, Landorus.
* That said, Raging Bolt does still have bad matchups despite its strengths, one of which is the aforementioned Landorus, due to it being able to threaten OHKOs against Raging Bolt with Earth Power. Chien-Pao can also be a tricky matchup, as it can deal massive damage with Ice Spinner or Icicle Crash and cause mindgames with Sucker Punch and Thunderclap. Flutter Mane is able to deal huge damage to Raging Bolt even when it Terastallizes, and can very comfortably take unboosted Thunderclaps.
[SET]
3 Attacks (Raging Bolt) @ Magnet / Booster Energy / Safety Goggles
Ability: Protosynthesis
Level: 50
Tera Type: Electric / Grass / Fairy
EVs: 228 HP / 4 Def / 180 SpA / 4 SpD / 92 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 20 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Thunderclap
- Draco Meteor
- Protect
[SET COMMENTS]
* Thunderbolt is there for good consistent damage, especially with Tera Electric with Magnet, while Thunderclap helps make up for Raging Bolt's middling Speed. Draco Meteor is a more powerful option, being able to OHKO Pokémon like Landorus when used with Booster Energy. However, it can be forced to switch out and lose the boost when using Booster Energy.
* Magnet is the most consistent item option, especially when paired with Tera Electric, drastically increasing Raging Bolt's damage. Booster Energy is another option, as it not only boosts its Electric-type moves, but it also boosts Draco Meteor. Safety Goggles prevents Amoonguss from redirecting Thunderclaps away from Urshifu-R, and Life Orb gives similar benefits as Booster Energy while letting Raging Bolt freely switch in and out to reset Draco Meteor stat drops, but Raging Bolt has to be careful when using it due to the downside of being chipped down if not taken into account.
* The Speed investment allows Raging Bolt to outspeed Dragapult, Flutter Mane, and Chien-Pao while under Tailwind, allowing it to hit them with its stronger options like Thunderbolt and Draco Meteor. The HP is optimized for Life Orb chip if used.
* Tera Electric will often be the strongest and most consistent option. Tera Grass is a good option to not only resist Ground-type moves from Landorus, but also if you want to ignore Amoonguss' Spore and redirection with Rage Powder without running Safety Goggles. Finally, Tera Fairy is just a strong neutral Tera type to pair with such amazing bulk.
[SET]
Calm Mind (Raging Bolt) @ Leftovers / Booster Energy
Ability: Protosynthesis
Level: 50
Tera Type: Grass
EVs: 188 HP / 140 Def / 100 SpA / 68 SpD / 12 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 20 Atk
- Thunderclap
- Dragon Pulse
- Calm Mind
- Protect / Thunderbolt
[SET COMMENTS]
* Thunderclap is a good main STAB move, as it allows Raging Bolt to focus less on Speed and go all out on bulk investment, as it will be able to boost up then hit most foes before they can retaliate.
* While Dragon Pulse is usually an underwhelming move, it serves as a strong neutral STAB move into Pokemon that resist Electric-type attacks when paired with Calm Mind.
* In some situations, Thunderbolt can be used over Protect, due to Raging Bolt being bulky enough to where Protect isn't mandatory on Calm Mind sets, and for consistency against support Pokémon such as Follow Me Ogerpon-W where Thunderclap would fail.
* Leftovers is preferred over Booster Energy on the Calm Mind set, providing immense longevity with Grassy Terrain from Rillaboom. However, Booster Energy can be used if you need that extra damage, as the Special Attack boost changes many calculations, for example, being able to OHKO bulky Flutter Mane at +1 with Helping Hand and Protosynthesis where you'd be unable to without Booster Energy.
* The Defense EVs with the HP EVs allow Raging Bolt to live Icicle Crash from Adamant Chien-Pao. The HP EVs make the HP optimized for Leftovers and Grassy Terrain recovery. The bulk investment ensures that Raging Bolt is able to tank 2 unboosted Moonblasts from Timid Flutter Mane at +1 Special Defense after Leftovers and Grassy Terrain recovery combined with Protect. The Special Defense EVs hit an even number to be optimal for the Calm Mind boost.
* Tera Grass lets Raging Bolt resist Ground-type moves and provides an immunity to Spore and Rage Powder, so Thunderclap can't be redirected away from Urshifu-R.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/cbuttyvgc.615665/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/yuichi.435812/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/yoko.617542/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
* Raging Bolt, with a higher Special Attack than Flutter Mane, massive HP, and good defenses, serves its role as a bulky damage dealer exceptionally well.
* Don't let Raging Bolt's middling Speed fool you; it's signature move, Thunderclap, makes sure that isn't an issue in a lot of situations, making the Tornadus + Urshifu-R matchup virtually trivial.
* Raging Bolt pairs insanely well with Rillaboom and Incineroar, providing Fake Out pressure for Raging Bolt to either setup with the Calm Mind set or deal massive damage with the 3 Attacks set. Rillaboom also provides more longevity in Grassy Terrain for Raging Bolt, which can make it immensely difficult to KO. Chien-Pao and Choice Scarf Urshifu-R are also excellent partners at dealing with Raging Bolt's worst matchup, Landorus.
* That said, Raging Bolt does still have bad matchups despite its strengths, one of which is the aforementioned Landorus, due to it being able to threaten OHKOs against Raging Bolt with Earth Power. Chien-Pao can also be a tricky matchup, as it can deal massive damage with Ice Spinner or Icicle Crash and cause mindgames with Sucker Punch and Thunderclap. Flutter Mane is able to deal huge damage to Raging Bolt even when it Terastallizes, and can very comfortably take unboosted Thunderclaps.
[SET]
3 Attacks (Raging Bolt) @ Magnet / Booster Energy / Safety Goggles
Ability: Protosynthesis
Level: 50
Tera Type: Electric / Grass / Fairy
EVs: 228 HP / 4 Def / 180 SpA / 4 SpD / 92 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 20 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Thunderclap
- Draco Meteor
- Protect
[SET COMMENTS]
* Thunderbolt is there for good consistent damage, especially with Tera Electric with Magnet, while Thunderclap helps make up for Raging Bolt's middling Speed. Draco Meteor is a more powerful option, being able to OHKO Pokémon like Landorus when used with Booster Energy. However, it can be forced to switch out and lose the boost when using Booster Energy.
* Magnet is the most consistent item option, especially when paired with Tera Electric, drastically increasing Raging Bolt's damage. Booster Energy is another option, as it not only boosts its Electric-type moves, but it also boosts Draco Meteor. Safety Goggles prevents Amoonguss from redirecting Thunderclaps away from Urshifu-R, and Life Orb gives similar benefits as Booster Energy while letting Raging Bolt freely switch in and out to reset Draco Meteor stat drops, but Raging Bolt has to be careful when using it due to the downside of being chipped down if not taken into account.
* The Speed investment allows Raging Bolt to outspeed Dragapult, Flutter Mane, and Chien-Pao while under Tailwind, allowing it to hit them with its stronger options like Thunderbolt and Draco Meteor. The HP is optimized for Life Orb chip if used.
* Tera Electric will often be the strongest and most consistent option. Tera Grass is a good option to not only resist Ground-type moves from Landorus, but also if you want to ignore Amoonguss' Spore and redirection with Rage Powder without running Safety Goggles. Finally, Tera Fairy is just a strong neutral Tera type to pair with such amazing bulk.
[SET]
Calm Mind (Raging Bolt) @ Leftovers / Booster Energy
Ability: Protosynthesis
Level: 50
Tera Type: Grass
EVs: 188 HP / 140 Def / 100 SpA / 68 SpD / 12 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 20 Atk
- Thunderclap
- Dragon Pulse
- Calm Mind
- Protect / Thunderbolt
[SET COMMENTS]
* Thunderclap is a good main STAB move, as it allows Raging Bolt to focus less on Speed and go all out on bulk investment, as it will be able to boost up then hit most foes before they can retaliate.
* While Dragon Pulse is usually an underwhelming move, it serves as a strong neutral STAB move into Pokemon that resist Electric-type attacks when paired with Calm Mind.
* In some situations, Thunderbolt can be used over Protect, due to Raging Bolt being bulky enough to where Protect isn't mandatory on Calm Mind sets, and for consistency against support Pokémon such as Follow Me Ogerpon-W where Thunderclap would fail.
* Leftovers is preferred over Booster Energy on the Calm Mind set, providing immense longevity with Grassy Terrain from Rillaboom. However, Booster Energy can be used if you need that extra damage, as the Special Attack boost changes many calculations, for example, being able to OHKO bulky Flutter Mane at +1 with Helping Hand and Protosynthesis where you'd be unable to without Booster Energy.
* The Defense EVs with the HP EVs allow Raging Bolt to live Icicle Crash from Adamant Chien-Pao. The HP EVs make the HP optimized for Leftovers and Grassy Terrain recovery. The bulk investment ensures that Raging Bolt is able to tank 2 unboosted Moonblasts from Timid Flutter Mane at +1 Special Defense after Leftovers and Grassy Terrain recovery combined with Protect. The Special Defense EVs hit an even number to be optimal for the Calm Mind boost.
* Tera Grass lets Raging Bolt resist Ground-type moves and provides an immunity to Spore and Rage Powder, so Thunderclap can't be redirected away from Urshifu-R.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/cbuttyvgc.615665/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/yuichi.435812/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/yoko.617542/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
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