[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 4 onwards
**Price Range**: 12-13 points
**Overview**: Thundurus is a strong offensive presence with good offensive stats, good Speed, and substantial coverage options. With its two viable abilities in Prankster and Defiant, Thundurus can limit setup sweepers with priority Thunder Wave and Taunt or deter foes from removing entry hazards with Defog. Although its poor bulk and weakness to Stealth Rock prevents Thundurus from making the most out of its setup potential, it is a reliable fast pivot with great potential to support rosters and be a strong offensive threat through Terastallization.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Offensive Pivot**: With access to both U-turn and STAB Volt Switch, Thundurus can provide momentum as a fast pivot against most foes. it can pair this with priority status moves to pivot around effectively after weakening foes with Thunder Wave and Taunt.
**Setup Sweeper**: Prankster pairs well with Bulk Up on Thundurus, as the combination can let it move faster than foes to boost its defensive capability before sweeping in return. Alternatively, Thundurus can utilize its Special Attack in conjunction with Nasty Plot and Agility, making it an effective setup sweeper.
**Fast Support**: Despite its lack of bulk, Thundurus can be a decent temporary stallbreaker with priority Taunt and Thunder Wave, restricting setup sweepers and bulkier Pokemon that might otherwise recover any previously taken damage when it attempts to pivot. Knock Off is another notable supportive utility move, as it lets Thundurus greatly weaken foes.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Acrobatics, Discharge, Supercell Slam, Thunderbolt, Thunder Punch, Wild Charge
**Setup Moves**: Agility, Bulk Up, Nasty Plot
**Utility Moves**: Brick Break, Knock Off, Substitute, Taunt, Thunder Wave, U-turn, Volt Switch
**Coverage**: Dark Pulse, Flash Cannon, Focus Blast, Grass Knot, Hammer Arm, Psychic, Sludge Bomb, Sludge Wave, Smart Strike, Weather Ball, Zen Headbutt
Niche Moves
========
**Sunny Day / Rain Dance**: Prankster enables Thundurus to manually set weather with priority, which provides support for Pokemon that can utilize weather as well as additional coverage when used with Weather Ball. This can also be used to counter foes that are reliant on weather-setting, as Thundurus can stop their weather with its own priority weather-setting moves. Thunderbolt can be swapped for Thunder to deal greater damage and increases the chance for paralysis on Rain Dance variants.
**Foul Play**: With some defensive bulk investment or through Choice Scarf, Thundurus can threaten physical setup sweepers with Foul Play.
**Scary Face / Eerie Impulse**: Thanks to Prankster, Thundurus can take advantage of status moves that lower the foe's stats such as Scary Face and Eerie Impulse, ultimately increasing its longevity in battle. Scary Face is particularly worth noting as an alternative to Thunder Wave in some cases, as it can reduce the Speed of Pokemon with an Electric-type immunity.
Common Items
========
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Thundurus's weakness to Stealth Rock can be mitigated with Heavy-Duty Boots, emphasizing its usage as a fast pivot.
**Damage-boosting Items**: Life Orb, Magnet, and Expert Belt are damage-boosting items that can be useful for increasing Thundurus' offensive output, both specially and physically.
Niche Items
========
**Resistance Berries**: Both Yache and Charti Berry enable Thundurus to withstand super effective moves and threaten to KO in return despite its low bulk. This can be paired with Bulk Up + Acrobatics, as Thundurus will consume its berry while doubling the power of Acrobatics. However, this does open up Thundurus to entry hazard chip damage, which may reduce the Berries' potential.
**Sitrus Berry**: Thundurus appreciates the immediate recovery when setting up, and it also doubles the Base Power of Acrobatics.
**Choice Specs**: Choice Specs can be beneficial on Thundurus sets that optimize its strong special coverage while maintaining the ability to pivot using Volt Switch. However, Thundurus must be cautious of locking into moves against special walls, which may bring its team's momentum to an abrupt halt.
**Choice Scarf**: Given its high Speed tier, Choice Scarf can be beneficial for outspeeding certain threats with Rock- or Ice-type coverage, such as Iron Boulder, Iron Bundle, and Meowscarada.
**Leftovers**: Leftovers provides Thundurus with greater longevity as it pivots around teams while playing its role as fast support.
**Heat Rock / Damp Rock**: With Prankster, Thundurus can be a solid candidate for setting weather in battle. Heat Rock and Damp Rock can enhance this further by maximizing the amount of turns available for their respective weather.
Tera
========
Thundurus is a strong candidate for Terastallization, with Tera Blast rounding out any special or physical coverage that it may lack. Thus, it should be utilized as an offensive Tera Captain, with Tera Ice as its ideal Tera to complement its high offensive stats while providing necessary coverage. Tera Fairy and Ground can also be effective offensive Tera types, but they are dependent on the opposing team's weaknesses. Conversely, Thundurus can benefit from defensive Tera types to secure setup opportunities, such as Tera Poison, Steel, and Water. Additionally, it boasts an even stronger offensive presence with Tera Electric and Flying, with the former heightening Thundurus's high Base Power attacks and the latter providing a potential Flying-type special attack.
Draft Strategy
========
Although Thundurus can assume the roles of setup sweeper and wallbreaker, it primarily excels as a fast special pivot. It is an ideal Tera Captain given its price range, as Tera provides offensive coverage against foes that Thundurus would otherwise struggle against while maintaining some defensive benefit as well. Despite this, it should play a supporting role on a draft, as it lacks the immediate power to take on most high-tier threats.
**Bulky Steel-types**: Thundurus is often forced out by most Pokemon with Ice- and Rock-type attacks and greatly benefits from having a bulky Steel-type like Registeel, Jirachi, or Empoleon to switch into to sponge these attacks. It can pivot around Ground- and Fighting-type Pokemon that may threaten its partners in return.
**Entry Hazard Removal**: To maximize Thundurus' usage as an offensive option, it must avoid heavily relying on Heavy-Duty Boots. Thus, it greatly appreciates hazard removal from the likes of Excadrill, Great Tusk, and Iron Treads. This will enable Thundurus to utilize damage-boosting and Choice items more easily.
**VoltTurn**: Thundurus greatly appreciates having an offensive core of Pokemon with Volt Switch and U-turn to maintain momentum against the opponent. Pokemon like Roaring Moon, Slither Wing, or Urshifu-S that can apply offensive pressure as physical wallbreakers are optimal partners. Additionally, slower pivots like Empoleon and Scizor are especially helpful for Thundurus, as they guarantee a free switch for further pivoting or setting up.
Checks and Counters
========
**Electric-Immune Pokemon**: Pokemon with an immunity to Electric can be quite troublesome for Thundurus, as it lacks the necessary coverage outside of Terastallization to hit these Pokemon super effectively. As a result, foes such as Thundurus-T and Jolteon can comfortably check and pivot around non-Tera Thundurus without being KOed. Additionally, Thundurus variants without Grass Knot may also struggle doing damage against Ground-type Pokemon like Gliscor, Clodsire, and Garchomp.
**Bulky Electric-Types**: Electric-type Pokemon can handle Thundurus's Electric- and Flying-type STAB attacks while forcing it out with their own coverage moves. Raging Bolt, Bellibolt, and Iron Hands do this exceptionally well, taking these attacks with little to no fear while threatening Thundurus in return.
**Priority**: Thundurus is weak to Ice Shard and Accelerock and is frail enough to be threatened by other priority attacks like Sucker Punch and Thunderclap. This can be compounded with entry hazard chip damage to put Thundurus within KO range fairly quickly, as it must pivot frequently. As a result, it should be wary of priority moves from the likes of Mamoswine, Baxcalibur, Lycanroc, and Kingambit, as they can easily threaten a KO after hazard chip damage without stat boosts.
**Revenge Killers**: With below-average Defense and Special Defense and limited access to setup moves, Thundurus is easily revenge killed by faster foes such as Weavile, Meowscarada, Roaring Moon, and Iron Boulder.
**Stealth Rock**: Without entry hazard removal, Thundurus is solely reliant on Heavy-Duty Boots to pivot around an opponent's team safely. This greatly restricts its offensive options and hinders attempts to reclaim momentum in most matchups.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/phantomsnorlax.572939/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/olivia.620359/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sablolol.466715/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
**Draft Order**: Round 4 onwards
**Price Range**: 12-13 points
**Overview**: Thundurus is a strong offensive presence with good offensive stats, good Speed, and substantial coverage options. With its two viable abilities in Prankster and Defiant, Thundurus can limit setup sweepers with priority Thunder Wave and Taunt or deter foes from removing entry hazards with Defog. Although its poor bulk and weakness to Stealth Rock prevents Thundurus from making the most out of its setup potential, it is a reliable fast pivot with great potential to support rosters and be a strong offensive threat through Terastallization.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Offensive Pivot**: With access to both U-turn and STAB Volt Switch, Thundurus can provide momentum as a fast pivot against most foes. it can pair this with priority status moves to pivot around effectively after weakening foes with Thunder Wave and Taunt.
**Setup Sweeper**: Prankster pairs well with Bulk Up on Thundurus, as the combination can let it move faster than foes to boost its defensive capability before sweeping in return. Alternatively, Thundurus can utilize its Special Attack in conjunction with Nasty Plot and Agility, making it an effective setup sweeper.
**Fast Support**: Despite its lack of bulk, Thundurus can be a decent temporary stallbreaker with priority Taunt and Thunder Wave, restricting setup sweepers and bulkier Pokemon that might otherwise recover any previously taken damage when it attempts to pivot. Knock Off is another notable supportive utility move, as it lets Thundurus greatly weaken foes.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Acrobatics, Discharge, Supercell Slam, Thunderbolt, Thunder Punch, Wild Charge
**Setup Moves**: Agility, Bulk Up, Nasty Plot
**Utility Moves**: Brick Break, Knock Off, Substitute, Taunt, Thunder Wave, U-turn, Volt Switch
**Coverage**: Dark Pulse, Flash Cannon, Focus Blast, Grass Knot, Hammer Arm, Psychic, Sludge Bomb, Sludge Wave, Smart Strike, Weather Ball, Zen Headbutt
Niche Moves
========
**Sunny Day / Rain Dance**: Prankster enables Thundurus to manually set weather with priority, which provides support for Pokemon that can utilize weather as well as additional coverage when used with Weather Ball. This can also be used to counter foes that are reliant on weather-setting, as Thundurus can stop their weather with its own priority weather-setting moves. Thunderbolt can be swapped for Thunder to deal greater damage and increases the chance for paralysis on Rain Dance variants.
**Foul Play**: With some defensive bulk investment or through Choice Scarf, Thundurus can threaten physical setup sweepers with Foul Play.
**Scary Face / Eerie Impulse**: Thanks to Prankster, Thundurus can take advantage of status moves that lower the foe's stats such as Scary Face and Eerie Impulse, ultimately increasing its longevity in battle. Scary Face is particularly worth noting as an alternative to Thunder Wave in some cases, as it can reduce the Speed of Pokemon with an Electric-type immunity.
Common Items
========
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Thundurus's weakness to Stealth Rock can be mitigated with Heavy-Duty Boots, emphasizing its usage as a fast pivot.
**Damage-boosting Items**: Life Orb, Magnet, and Expert Belt are damage-boosting items that can be useful for increasing Thundurus' offensive output, both specially and physically.
Niche Items
========
**Resistance Berries**: Both Yache and Charti Berry enable Thundurus to withstand super effective moves and threaten to KO in return despite its low bulk. This can be paired with Bulk Up + Acrobatics, as Thundurus will consume its berry while doubling the power of Acrobatics. However, this does open up Thundurus to entry hazard chip damage, which may reduce the Berries' potential.
**Sitrus Berry**: Thundurus appreciates the immediate recovery when setting up, and it also doubles the Base Power of Acrobatics.
**Choice Specs**: Choice Specs can be beneficial on Thundurus sets that optimize its strong special coverage while maintaining the ability to pivot using Volt Switch. However, Thundurus must be cautious of locking into moves against special walls, which may bring its team's momentum to an abrupt halt.
**Choice Scarf**: Given its high Speed tier, Choice Scarf can be beneficial for outspeeding certain threats with Rock- or Ice-type coverage, such as Iron Boulder, Iron Bundle, and Meowscarada.
**Leftovers**: Leftovers provides Thundurus with greater longevity as it pivots around teams while playing its role as fast support.
**Heat Rock / Damp Rock**: With Prankster, Thundurus can be a solid candidate for setting weather in battle. Heat Rock and Damp Rock can enhance this further by maximizing the amount of turns available for their respective weather.
Tera
========
Thundurus is a strong candidate for Terastallization, with Tera Blast rounding out any special or physical coverage that it may lack. Thus, it should be utilized as an offensive Tera Captain, with Tera Ice as its ideal Tera to complement its high offensive stats while providing necessary coverage. Tera Fairy and Ground can also be effective offensive Tera types, but they are dependent on the opposing team's weaknesses. Conversely, Thundurus can benefit from defensive Tera types to secure setup opportunities, such as Tera Poison, Steel, and Water. Additionally, it boasts an even stronger offensive presence with Tera Electric and Flying, with the former heightening Thundurus's high Base Power attacks and the latter providing a potential Flying-type special attack.
Draft Strategy
========
Although Thundurus can assume the roles of setup sweeper and wallbreaker, it primarily excels as a fast special pivot. It is an ideal Tera Captain given its price range, as Tera provides offensive coverage against foes that Thundurus would otherwise struggle against while maintaining some defensive benefit as well. Despite this, it should play a supporting role on a draft, as it lacks the immediate power to take on most high-tier threats.
**Bulky Steel-types**: Thundurus is often forced out by most Pokemon with Ice- and Rock-type attacks and greatly benefits from having a bulky Steel-type like Registeel, Jirachi, or Empoleon to switch into to sponge these attacks. It can pivot around Ground- and Fighting-type Pokemon that may threaten its partners in return.
**Entry Hazard Removal**: To maximize Thundurus' usage as an offensive option, it must avoid heavily relying on Heavy-Duty Boots. Thus, it greatly appreciates hazard removal from the likes of Excadrill, Great Tusk, and Iron Treads. This will enable Thundurus to utilize damage-boosting and Choice items more easily.
**VoltTurn**: Thundurus greatly appreciates having an offensive core of Pokemon with Volt Switch and U-turn to maintain momentum against the opponent. Pokemon like Roaring Moon, Slither Wing, or Urshifu-S that can apply offensive pressure as physical wallbreakers are optimal partners. Additionally, slower pivots like Empoleon and Scizor are especially helpful for Thundurus, as they guarantee a free switch for further pivoting or setting up.
Checks and Counters
========
**Electric-Immune Pokemon**: Pokemon with an immunity to Electric can be quite troublesome for Thundurus, as it lacks the necessary coverage outside of Terastallization to hit these Pokemon super effectively. As a result, foes such as Thundurus-T and Jolteon can comfortably check and pivot around non-Tera Thundurus without being KOed. Additionally, Thundurus variants without Grass Knot may also struggle doing damage against Ground-type Pokemon like Gliscor, Clodsire, and Garchomp.
**Bulky Electric-Types**: Electric-type Pokemon can handle Thundurus's Electric- and Flying-type STAB attacks while forcing it out with their own coverage moves. Raging Bolt, Bellibolt, and Iron Hands do this exceptionally well, taking these attacks with little to no fear while threatening Thundurus in return.
**Priority**: Thundurus is weak to Ice Shard and Accelerock and is frail enough to be threatened by other priority attacks like Sucker Punch and Thunderclap. This can be compounded with entry hazard chip damage to put Thundurus within KO range fairly quickly, as it must pivot frequently. As a result, it should be wary of priority moves from the likes of Mamoswine, Baxcalibur, Lycanroc, and Kingambit, as they can easily threaten a KO after hazard chip damage without stat boosts.
**Revenge Killers**: With below-average Defense and Special Defense and limited access to setup moves, Thundurus is easily revenge killed by faster foes such as Weavile, Meowscarada, Roaring Moon, and Iron Boulder.
**Stealth Rock**: Without entry hazard removal, Thundurus is solely reliant on Heavy-Duty Boots to pivot around an opponent's team safely. This greatly restricts its offensive options and hinders attempts to reclaim momentum in most matchups.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/phantomsnorlax.572939/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/olivia.620359/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sablolol.466715/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
Last edited:
