CoolStoryBrobat
The hero Smogon needs, but not the one it deserves
QC: dodmen, Hikari
GP:
Raigeki doe
Overview
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SubCM
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name: SubCM
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Calm Mind
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
ability: Pressure
item: Leftovers
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
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Set Details
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Usage Tips
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Team Options
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All-Out Attacker
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name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Hidden Power Grass / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Extrasensory
ability: Pressure
item: Choice Specs / Life Orb
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
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Set Details
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========
Team Options
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Offensive Calm Mind
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name: Offensive Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Extrasensory / Aura Sphere
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Hidden Power Ice
ability: Pressure
item: Life Orb
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid / Rash
Moves
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Set Details
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Usage Tips
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Team Options
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Choice Scarf
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name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Extrasensory
ability: Pressure
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
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Set Details
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Usage Tips
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Team Options
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Other Options
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Checks & Counters
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GP:
Raigeki doe
Overview
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- Fast Electric-type with great base 115 Speed
- Usable base 115 Special Attack stat, can be further boosted by Calm Mind
- Access to Aura Sphere, Extrasensory, and Hidden Power let Raikou beat specific targets more easily
- Fairly bulky, 90/75/100 defenses
- Lackluster offensive movepool makes it somewhat one-dimensional
- Thunderbolt and Hidden Power nerf hurt it, as it already lacks any high-power moves to work with
- Sadly has to run a Rash nature to use Aura Sphere (and Weather Ball/Extreme Speed if you're into that stuff)
SubCM
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name: SubCM
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Calm Mind
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
ability: Pressure
item: Leftovers
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
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- Substitute lets Raikou dodge status moves, as well as set up safely against weak special attacks, such as Scald from defensive Water-types, on top of making it much more troublesome to revenge kill
- Calm Mind boosts Raikou's special attack, allowing it to sweep
- Thunderbolt is for STAB
- Hidden Power Ice forms the famous
TundraboltBoltBeam combo, resisted in UU only by Rotom-H (which still loses to you anyway!) - Hidden Power Grass can be used to still beat Swampert, Gastrodon, Quagsire, and Rhyperior however
Set Details
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- The given nature and EVs maximize Raikou's Speed and Special Attack, giving it as much power as possible to sweep with
- Leftovers offers Raikou some passive recovery, which is vital as it relies on using Substitute to sweep
Usage Tips
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- Weaker special attackers that are forced out or eventually fail to break Raikou's Substitute after a boost, such as Florges, Vaporeon, Suicune, Empoleon, Porygon2, and defensive Celebi are all examples of Pokemon Raikou can safely set up on. Pokemon that rely on moves such as Draco Meteor, Overheat, or Leaf Storm can also give a free turn to bring in Raikou and set up after having used their respective moves
- Set up after special walls have been weakened enough or entirely removed from play, as Raikou will need significant boosts to break through them otherwise
- Raikou can take advantage of its great Speed and coverage to deal some damage to susceptible targets early-game, setting up mid- or late-game once checks and counters are softened up
- Toxic Spikes ruin any chance this set has of sweeping, so ensure they are removed beforehand; inversely, Toxic Spikes help wear down some of this set's checks
Team Options
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- Ground-types, particularly Swampert, are public enemy #1 for this set since most can survive even a +1 HP Ice and KO back with their Ground STAB, so lures carrying Grass moves such as mixed Infernape, Expert Belt Jirachi, and Life Orb Tornadus pair well; Pokemon that outright beat Ground-types, such as Suicune, Roserade, Shaymin, Kyurem, and Mega Blastoise are also welcome
- Specially defensive Pokemon such as Umbreon, Blissey, Goodra, and Snorlax are roadblocks to this set, so offensive Pokemon such as mixed Life Orb Hydreigon, mixed Tornadus, Mienshao, and Entei are able to muscle through them
- Pokemon such as Mega Sceptile, Crobat, Rotom-H, and Hydreigon can switch into Ground-type moves directed at Raikou
- Poison-types such as Roserade, Nidoqueen, and Tentacruel are capable of absorbing Toxic Spikes for Raikou to keep the hazards from wearing it down. They also can set Toxic Spikes themselves to help Raikou sweep
All-Out Attacker
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name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Hidden Power Grass / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Extrasensory
ability: Pressure
item: Choice Specs / Life Orb
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
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- Thunderbolt is Raikou's strongest STAB move, hits pretty hard with Specs
- Volt Switch allows Raikou to get momentum off a forced switch, hits decently hard due to STAB
- Hidden Power Grass allows Raikou to KO Swampert, Gastrodon, and Quagsire while still dealing damage to Ground-types such as Krookodile, Hippowdon, and Donphan. It also gives Raikou a decent neutral move to abuse when faced against teams using Water- and Ground-type Pokemon
- Hidden Power Ice allows Raikou to hit Ground-types, even ones neutral to Hidden Power Grass, such as Gligar, Nidoqueen, and Flygon, while also hitting Dragon- and Grass-types such as Hydreigon, Haxorus, Mega Ampharos, Shaymin, Celebi, and Mega Sceptile
- Extrasensory allows Raikou to cover Nidoking, Nidoqueen, and Roserade, which is essential if it opts to run Hidden Power Grass, as they can switch in safely on its STAB moves and immediately threaten it; it also is Raikou's strongest option against opposing Electric-types
Set Details
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- Nature and EVs maximize Special Attack and Speed, allowing Raikou to hit as hard and fast as possible
- Choice Specs gives Raikou a strong boost in power, allowing it to deal respectable damage to Pokemon with the appropriate move
- Life Orb allows Raikou to hit as hard as possible while being able to switch moves, but it will be worn down between Life Orb recoil and possible entry hazards
- Expert Belt or Zap Plate can be used to let Raikou bluff a Choice item, allowing it to lure and KO Pokemon such as Swampert with less reliance on prediction, though the drop in power is very noticeable
- Assault Vest can be used to make Raikou more specially bulky, allowing it to check threats such as Hydreigon, Mega Ampharos, Suicune, and Rotom-H more easily
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- Predict. Every play has to count with Raikou, as its strongest move, Thunderbolt, can give a free turn to any Ground-type or Electric resist, while its coverage moves will do relatively poor damage against any Pokemon not weak to them
- Get momentum early-game with Volt Switch, using Thunderbolt to clean up once Electric resists are weakened or removed
- Be cautious when using Hidden Power, as it is Raikou's weakest move and can be played around; use it only when facing Pokemon that are susceptible to being KOed by it. It is best to use the move when predicting something to switch in to take Thunderbolt or Volt Switch
Team Options
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- Pokemon such as Darmanitan, Hydreigon, Crobat, Mega Pidgeot, Mienshao, and Mega Beedrill can form a VoltTurn core with Raikou; Raikou can threaten bulky Water-types for these Pokemon as well
- Pokemon such as Azelf, Hydreigon, Mega Sceptile, Shaymin, and Tornadus are capable of switching into Ground-type moves for Raikou and dealing with the Ground-types that keep it in check
- Setup sweepers such as Nasty Plot Azelf, Swords Dance Mega Sceptile, Swords Dance Infernape, and Dragon Dance Haxorus all have great offensive synergy with this set, as they threaten one another's checks and counters
Offensive Calm Mind
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name: Offensive Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Extrasensory / Aura Sphere
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Hidden Power Ice
ability: Pressure
item: Life Orb
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid / Rash
Moves
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- Calm Mind allows Raikou to function as a sweeper and a wallbreaker to a degree, dealing serious damage after a boost while muscling through some of its defensive checks at the same time
- Thunderbolt is Raikou's strongest STAB move and its primary source of damage
- Extrasensory is Raikou's strongest move to dispatch Roserade, Nidoqueen, and Nidoking, while dealing damage to opposing Electric-types
- Aura Sphere, though it forces Raikou to use a Rash nature, allows it to function more as a boosting wallbreaker, netting a 2HKO on Umbreon at +1, while 2HKOing Blissey at +2 after a bit of prior damage
- Hidden Power Grass lets Raikou immediately dispatch Swampert as well as Quagsire and Gastrodon while still covering Ground-types such as Hippowdon and Krookodile
- Hidden Power Ice still covers Ground-types while hitting Gligar, Nidoking, and Nidoqueen harder; also covers Grass- and Dragon-types, and should be the preferred choice if running Aura Sphere, in order to keep Celebi, Gligar, Nidoking, and Nidoqueen from walling Raikou
Set Details
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- Given EVs make Raikou as fast and strong as possible
- Use a Timid nature to make the most of its crucial base 115 Speed stat; use Rash only if running Aura Sphere (as it kinda forces you to anyway)
- While using a Rash nature makes Raikou slower, it still has enough Speed to outpace positive-natured base 100s, such as Mega Glalie, Jirachi, and Shaymin
- Life Orb maximizes Raikou's damage output, and is fully necessary to get the most out of this set, as it needs as much power as it can get
Usage Tips
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- Raikou can be used early-game to threaten Pokemon it checks, but this set is best executed mid- or late-game once entry hazards have weakened opposing Pokemon enough that Raikou can plow through easily
- Refrain from letting Raikou take too much damage before it's in position to set up, as entry hazards and Life Orb recoil will take their toll
- If Aura Sphere is being used, set up with Calm Mind as the opponent brings in Umbreon or Blissey, ensuring that Stealth Rock is in play so that Raikou can break through either more easily
- Set up Calm Mind when Raikou can easily force a Pokemon out or on a resisted hit, such as choice-locked Thunderbolt
- If Aura Sphere is used, treat Raikou as more of a hole-puncher and a lure if Blissey and Umbreon are present on the opposing team, eliminating them for another Pokemon to clean up, as the lessened Speed and Special Defense from using a Rash nature make it come up short to a larger number of offensive Pokemon
Team Options
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- Pokemon such as Entei, Mienshao, Crobat, Darmanitan, Krookodile, and Mega Swampert appreciate this set's ability to threaten and remove bulky Water-types for them
- Entry hazard setters such as Nidoqueen, Hippowdon, Forretress, Swampert, Chesnaught, Roserade, and Froslass can all set hazards to help Raikou break through teams and sweep
- If Aura Sphere is chosen, Pokemon that appreciate the removal of Umbreon and Blissey, such as Hydreigon, Roserade, Mega Sceptile, Mega Blastoise, Suicune, and Kyurem all appreciate Raikou's ability to lure in and KO them
- Pokemon immune to Ground-type moves, such as Crobat, Cresselia, Hydreigon, Mega Pidgeot, and Azelf can all switch in on Ground-type moves for it
- Pokemon such as Vaporeon, Alomomola, Mega Blastoise, Shaymin, Celebi, and Chesnaught can also deal with the Ground-types that threaten Raikou
Choice Scarf
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name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Extrasensory
ability: Pressure
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
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- Thunderbolt is Raikou's strongest STAB move
- Volt Switch is also STAB, but allows it to get momentum
- Hidden Power Ice maximizes Raikou's coverage, allowing it to hit as many Pokemon as possible. It is the only Hidden Power choice listed as it is Raikou's only option for beating opposing Choice Scarf users such as Hydreigon, Krookodile, and Flygon, while covering Pokemon that would outspeed Raikou otherwise, such as +1 Haxorus, Mega Sceptile, Noivern, Dugtrio, and Whimsicott
- Extrasensory gives Raikou a move to hit opposing Nidoking, Nidoqueen, and Roserade a bit harder with, while still holding neutral coverage against other Electric-types
Set Details
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- Given nature + EVs maximize Raikou's Speed, while Choice Scarf makes it the fastest revenge killer in the tier, as no other base 115s can use the item quite as effectively
Usage Tips
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- Proper prediction is extremely vital, as either of Raikou's STAB moves can give free turns to Ground-types, while its coverage moves lack raw power to break down most targets not weak to them
- Choice Scarf is often the least-expected item on Raikou, so capitalize on this by reserving Raikou until it can get a surprise kill on an offensive Pokemon that might have otherwise outsped it
- This set only succeeds against offensive teams as it can outpace and badly damage fast, frail Pokemon; leave bulkier targets to Raikou's partners, as it is far too weak to break through them by itself
- Use Volt Switch during the early stages of a match to get momentum going in your favor, using Thunderbolt and Hidden Power to dispatch their appropriate targets once they've been brought into KO range
Team Options
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- Pokemon that are more commonly seen holding a Choice Scarf, such as Hydreigon, Mienshao, Darmanitan, and Jirachi can be paired with this set to bluff as the team's Choice Scarf user; they all can form a VoltTurn core with Raikou as well as threaten eachother's checks
- Pokemon such as Crobat, Mega Beedrill, and Mega Pidgeot can also work with Raikou to form a VoltTurn core
- Since this set absolutely forgoes Hidden Power Grass, Grass-types such as Celebi, Chesnaught, Mega Sceptile, and Shaymin partner well with it, as they can threaten and remove Ground-types, the foremost of them being Swampert, Gastrodon, and Quagsire
- Offensive Pokemon such as Azelf, Infernape, Lucario, Haxorus, Mega Absol, Entei, and Krookodile can both soften up defensive Pokemon and check offensive Pokemon to help Raikou clean up later in the match; these Pokemon all benefit from Raikou's ability to check bulky Water-types
Other Options
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- Shadow Ball
- Signal Beam
- Dual Screens
- Roar
- Weather Ball (Thunder too if used on Rain)
- Magnet Rise
- CM + Volt Switch
Checks & Counters
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- Special Walls
- Ground-types
- Revenge killers
- Grass-types
- Dragon-types
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