[SET]
Name: Choice Specs
Move 1: Thunderbolt
Move 2: Hidden Power Ice
Move 3: Focus Blast
Move 4: Volt Switch
Item: Choice Specs
Ability: Lightning Rod
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 Def
Choice Specs Raichu is a blistering fast and threatening special wallbreaker with the ability to pivot. The boost from Choice Specs makes its STAB Thunderbolt very threatening to any Pokemon that does not resist Electric or is immune to it. Hidden Power Ice helps with the Grass-, Ground-, and Dragon-types it struggles with. Raichu is able to 2HKO most of its Grass-type counters with Hidden Power Ice like Ivysaur and Gloom, and even opposing Raichu after taking Stealth Rock damage. The same goes for its Ground- and Dragon-type counters, as well as Electric-immune Emolga. Focus Blast is a great coverage move to blast through Pokemon such as special defensive Clefairy and Whiscash, which aren't threatened by Thunderbolt. It also helps pick up the OHKO on bulkier Pokemon like Slaking, Lairon, and Glaceon. Volt Switch is a great move to keep up the momentum in battle; it can be used on the Grass or Dragon resistances to bring in a teammate that can deal with it and force progress. Lightning Rod is useful for switching into other Electric-type moves and getting a free +1 boost from the likes of Emolga and opposing Raichu. A Timid nature allows Raichu to naturally outspeed Leafeon and Mr. Mime, but if these matchups are not a concern, a Modest nature can be used instead.
Raichu works well on balance or offensive teams looking for a strong special attacker and/or a Volt Switch pivot. Simisear, Arbok, and Muk pair well with Raichu to help with the Grass-types like Meganium, Gloom, and Ivysaur that want to switch in on it, while Ivysaur, Leafeon, Meganium, and Walrein help with the Ground-immune Pokemon that want to stop it such as Hippopotas, Whiscash, and Wormadam-G. There are also Pokemon with abilities to absorb its Electric-type moves like Pikachu, Emolga, and opposing Raichu. Bringing counters for Raichu and Pikachu like Whiscash, Clefairy, and Meganium work well, whereas Solrock, Hippopotas, and Lairon work better for Emolga. Raichu helps teams looking to break physical walls like Solrock, Lairon, and Wormadam-S. It also deals with the Water-types that Simisear might struggle with like Staryu, Walrein, and Pelipper. Usually, it is paired with a pivot like Persian, Mienfoo, or Raticate that draw in some of the previously mentioned physical walls for Raichu to blast through. The Water-types also can use Raichu as a teammate to block Electric-type moves and deal massive damage back to anything that comes in to its +1 boost. Raichu also appreciates entry hazard support in order to turn some previously non-guaranteed OHKOs into surefire knockouts.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Raichu can choose to run Hidden Power Grass to specifically do more damage to Whiscash and Graveler, but Hidden Power Ice covers a lot more for it. Raichu can also run physical sets with moves like Fake Out, Extreme Speed, and Volt Tackle, but it is outclassed by Pikachu in this way. Static can be chosen over Lightning Rod in order to get the paralysis chance on something using U-turn or another weaker move that Raichu can take, but Lightning Rod's Electric immunity is much more useful, especially for switching into Thunder Wave.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Resistances**: Grass-types like Meganium, Gloom, and Ivysaur resist a Choice Specs Thunderbolt. They do have to watch out for being pivoted out of with Volt Switch or taking a Hidden Power Ice when they are low. Shelgon is another Pokemon that can resist its Electric-type attacks, but it can threaten to set up in front of Raichu with Dragon Dance.
**Immune to Electric**: Ground-types such as Hippopotas, Whiscash, Graveler, and Wormadam-G completely stop Raichu when it is locked into an Electric-type move and can hit it back with super effective moves. There are also Pokemon with Electric-absorbing abilities like Pikachu, Emolga, and Raichu that can gain a boost from an Electric-type attack as well. All of these Pokemon have to fear Raichu's coverage, especially Hidden Power Ice.
**Faster Attackers**: Faster attackers give Raichu a lot of trouble due to its frail bulk. Simisear and Persian naturally outspeed it, making revenge killing it very easy. Choice Scarf users like Grumpig, Mr. Mime, Arbok, and Mienfoo also can come in to revenge kill. Pawniard and Pikachu are also worth noting because they carry strong priority with Sucker Punch and Extreme Speed, respectively, that can greatly damage and possibly elminate Raichu.
**Special Walls**: Raichu has trouble breaking past some of the premier special walls in the tier such as Grumpig, Muk, and specially defensive Clefairy. These can be overcome depending on which set Raichu chooses.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/getsleidsun.601970/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/monai.482455/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
Name: Choice Specs
Move 1: Thunderbolt
Move 2: Hidden Power Ice
Move 3: Focus Blast
Move 4: Volt Switch
Item: Choice Specs
Ability: Lightning Rod
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 Def
Choice Specs Raichu is a blistering fast and threatening special wallbreaker with the ability to pivot. The boost from Choice Specs makes its STAB Thunderbolt very threatening to any Pokemon that does not resist Electric or is immune to it. Hidden Power Ice helps with the Grass-, Ground-, and Dragon-types it struggles with. Raichu is able to 2HKO most of its Grass-type counters with Hidden Power Ice like Ivysaur and Gloom, and even opposing Raichu after taking Stealth Rock damage. The same goes for its Ground- and Dragon-type counters, as well as Electric-immune Emolga. Focus Blast is a great coverage move to blast through Pokemon such as special defensive Clefairy and Whiscash, which aren't threatened by Thunderbolt. It also helps pick up the OHKO on bulkier Pokemon like Slaking, Lairon, and Glaceon. Volt Switch is a great move to keep up the momentum in battle; it can be used on the Grass or Dragon resistances to bring in a teammate that can deal with it and force progress. Lightning Rod is useful for switching into other Electric-type moves and getting a free +1 boost from the likes of Emolga and opposing Raichu. A Timid nature allows Raichu to naturally outspeed Leafeon and Mr. Mime, but if these matchups are not a concern, a Modest nature can be used instead.
Raichu works well on balance or offensive teams looking for a strong special attacker and/or a Volt Switch pivot. Simisear, Arbok, and Muk pair well with Raichu to help with the Grass-types like Meganium, Gloom, and Ivysaur that want to switch in on it, while Ivysaur, Leafeon, Meganium, and Walrein help with the Ground-immune Pokemon that want to stop it such as Hippopotas, Whiscash, and Wormadam-G. There are also Pokemon with abilities to absorb its Electric-type moves like Pikachu, Emolga, and opposing Raichu. Bringing counters for Raichu and Pikachu like Whiscash, Clefairy, and Meganium work well, whereas Solrock, Hippopotas, and Lairon work better for Emolga. Raichu helps teams looking to break physical walls like Solrock, Lairon, and Wormadam-S. It also deals with the Water-types that Simisear might struggle with like Staryu, Walrein, and Pelipper. Usually, it is paired with a pivot like Persian, Mienfoo, or Raticate that draw in some of the previously mentioned physical walls for Raichu to blast through. The Water-types also can use Raichu as a teammate to block Electric-type moves and deal massive damage back to anything that comes in to its +1 boost. Raichu also appreciates entry hazard support in order to turn some previously non-guaranteed OHKOs into surefire knockouts.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Raichu can choose to run Hidden Power Grass to specifically do more damage to Whiscash and Graveler, but Hidden Power Ice covers a lot more for it. Raichu can also run physical sets with moves like Fake Out, Extreme Speed, and Volt Tackle, but it is outclassed by Pikachu in this way. Static can be chosen over Lightning Rod in order to get the paralysis chance on something using U-turn or another weaker move that Raichu can take, but Lightning Rod's Electric immunity is much more useful, especially for switching into Thunder Wave.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Resistances**: Grass-types like Meganium, Gloom, and Ivysaur resist a Choice Specs Thunderbolt. They do have to watch out for being pivoted out of with Volt Switch or taking a Hidden Power Ice when they are low. Shelgon is another Pokemon that can resist its Electric-type attacks, but it can threaten to set up in front of Raichu with Dragon Dance.
**Immune to Electric**: Ground-types such as Hippopotas, Whiscash, Graveler, and Wormadam-G completely stop Raichu when it is locked into an Electric-type move and can hit it back with super effective moves. There are also Pokemon with Electric-absorbing abilities like Pikachu, Emolga, and Raichu that can gain a boost from an Electric-type attack as well. All of these Pokemon have to fear Raichu's coverage, especially Hidden Power Ice.
**Faster Attackers**: Faster attackers give Raichu a lot of trouble due to its frail bulk. Simisear and Persian naturally outspeed it, making revenge killing it very easy. Choice Scarf users like Grumpig, Mr. Mime, Arbok, and Mienfoo also can come in to revenge kill. Pawniard and Pikachu are also worth noting because they carry strong priority with Sucker Punch and Extreme Speed, respectively, that can greatly damage and possibly elminate Raichu.
**Special Walls**: Raichu has trouble breaking past some of the premier special walls in the tier such as Grumpig, Muk, and specially defensive Clefairy. These can be overcome depending on which set Raichu chooses.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/getsleidsun.601970/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/monai.482455/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
Last edited:
