So as a follow up to my Entei analysis, I thought it would be really fun to do one on a similar Pokemon in concept. Raikoo is a really interesting Pokemon, and it doesn't seem to fill the role you would expect of a very fast Electric type. Besides that Ian is also enjoys being best vgc, and oo'ing is his best attack.
Base Stats
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Now Raikou may seem like it has pretty good offensive stats, with a blistering base 115 speed and a respectable 115 special attack stat. This, however, is not the conventional way that people have used Raikou in the past. It usually plays with a supportive role due to it having the tools it needs to pull it off.
Raikou's speed stat is also very nice due to the fact that it naturally out speeds Thundurus. This allows you to run a bit more bulk than you normally would on a Pokemon like Raikou, due to the fact that it has a higher than normal speed stat. This also allows Raikou to pair well with other fast damaging Pokemon such as Salamence, due to them covering each others weaknesses with their STAB's and coverage moves.
Usable Moves
-Thunderbolt: Just a standard STAB move. It does respectable damage and it it's most consistent STAB move that is available.
-Volt Switch: Another STAB option, but relatively weaker in my opinion due to the fact that you are forced to switch every single time you want to use a STAB move. This can be helpful though when you are trying to see what your opponent will do, and can give you more momentum than you previously had in the game.
-Hidden Power [Ice]: Another move that most people like to carry on Raikou. This helps with your Landorus match up, and considering the best item for Raikou is the Shuca Berry, being able to 2HKO landorus before it can 2HKO is pretty nice.
-Snarl: This helps get into the more supportive role of most Raikou. It's very nice and allows general support for your team by being able to weaken strong special attackers such as Charizard, Sylveon and Gardevoir.
-Light Screen: Functions the same as Snarl, except it doesn't do damage to pick up KO's on weakened Pokemon, but it does last longer if your opponent decides to switch, It's really up to personal preference.
-Reflect: This is essentially a must have on Raikou, as the combination of Reflect and Shuca Berry makes it so Landorus doesn't do much to any damage to you with Earthquake.
-Protect: What do I really need to say about this anymore? A Pokemon like Raikou needs this move most of the time to function properly.
-Toxic: This move can help you wear down annoyingly bulky Pokemon like Cresselia and Maranga Berry Milotic.
-Rain Dance: Just a supportive move that should only be used on very specific teams. Helps that Charizard-Y and Tyranitar matchup.
Usable Items
-Shuca Berry: This allows it to beat Landorus and Garchomp if you carry HP Ice, which can be very useful.
-Sitrus Berry: This allows Raikou to take a wider varity of hits from anything not named Scarfed Landorus. This helps the Kangaskhan match up, as well as taking general attacks and allows more switching.
Weaknesses
Thundurus is a threat in a different sort of sense. Thundurus is the standard choice for a fast bulky Electric type in this format, and its not too hard to see why. With access to a useful ability in Prankster, as well as Swagger and Taunt, it simply out classes Raikou in most ways. This is why Raikou has more of an offensive buffer support role, and the reason why Thunder Wave was left off the usable moves list. Thundurus' being a more common, and often seen better supporter is what keeps Raikou from hitting the spot light it could very well have.
Sample Sets
Raikou @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 HP / 92 Def / 180 SpA / 4 SpD / 228 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Snarl
- Reflect
This set has some nice general bulk, with the Shuca Berry it allows you to take a Choice Banded Landorus-T's Eearthquake, and if they are Life Orb it does around 60% and then you KO with your own HP Ice. 228 Speed allows you to outspeed Timid max speed Thundurus so you can get off a Snarl before it attacks.
Raikou @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Pressure
Level: 50
EVs: 204 HP / 52 Def / 20 SpA / 4 SpD / 228 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Reflect
- Snarl
- Protect
This is Angel Miranda's (CTMikotoMisaka) spread. I'm not entirely sure what it's meant to do, but as you can see it meets the same speed stat that the first one has, as well as a large chunk of bulk. Obviously this one is for when you want Raikou to take more general hits, and not to deal much damage, which can be very helpful through the course of a battle.
I hope you guys enjoyed this little write up. Once again Raikou is severaly underused, and thus there has not been one way that is definitive the best. Let me know what you think about Raikou over at my Twitter @_LightCore
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