SPACE FORCE meeps
LAW & ORDER!
[OVERVIEW]
Alolan Raticate is a dangerous wallbreaker with a Hustle-boosted Attack stat of 397 along with nearly unresisted STAB coverage allowing it to OHKO most of the tier after a Swords Dance boost bar bulky Rock- and Steel-types such as Rhydon, Regirock, and Steelix. Sucker Punch makes Alolan Raticate more difficult to revenge kill, which allows it to function as a sweeper if opposing Fighting-types and bulky Rock- and Steel-types are weakened or KOed. However, Alolan Raticate's middling Speed tier still makes it vulnerable to being revenge killed by faster Fighting-types such as Virizion, Hitmonlee, and Choice Scarf Emboar. It also has mediocre bulk and poor defensive typing, which limits its opportunities to set up and switch in safely. Lastly, despite Hustle improving Alolan Raticate's Attack, the drop in accuracy does make it inconsistent.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Double-Edge / Return
move 3: Crunch
move 4: Sucker Punch
item: Normalium Z / Darkinium Z
ability: Hustle
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Moves
========
Swords Dance allows Alolan Raticate to boost its already substantial Hustle-boosted Attack stat to even higher levels. Double-Edge is the preferred Normal-type STAB attack due to its higher damage output and stronger Breakneck Blitz, despite the drawback from recoil. Return should only be used when Normalium Z is not Alolan Raticate's item. Crunch is Alolan Raticate's primary Dark-type STAB attack, which allows it to hit Ghost-types super effectively and Steel- and Rock-types neutrally. With Darkinium Z, Black Hole Eclipse allows Alolan Raticate to break down typical defensive checks, primarily Steelix and Rhydon. Sucker Punch allows Alolan Raticate to do damage to faster threats. After a Swords Dance, most faster Pokemon that do not resist Sucker Punch are KOed, and some frailer Pokemon that do resist it, such as Sneasel and Houndoom, are KOed after Stealth Rock damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment allows Alolan Raticate to hit as hard as possible while also outspeeding most bulky Pokemon. An Adamant nature is preferred to increase Alolan Raticate's Attack, and Jolly does not allow it to outspeed anything notable. Normalium Z is the preferred item, since Breakneck Blitz has higher Base Power than Black Hole Eclipse, doing more damage to Pokemon that take neutral damage from both of Alolan Raticate's STAB attacks such as Golbat, Vileplume, and Garbodor. Breakneck Blitz is also useful for OHKOing some Pokemon that resist Dark such as Scrafty, Hariyama, and Guzzlord while also doing significant damage to Aromatisse, putting it in KO range of Double-Edge. Darkinium Z is still an option for teams less capable of handling Alolan Raticate's main checks in Rhydon and Steelix. Hustle allows Alolan Raticate to be an offensive threat, increasing its Attack by 50%, despite the 20% reduction in accuracy.
Usage Tips
========
Alolan Raticate can be used early-game if the opponent does not have a Stealth Rock setter that resists Normal, such as Druddigon, Seismitoad, or Uxie. This gives it a relatively safe setup opportunity, allowing it to function effectively as an early-game wallbreaker. Against teams using bulky Pokemon that resist Normal, such as Steelix, Rhydon, and Regirock, Alolan Raticate should not come in until these Pokemon are weakened or KOed, unless it has Darkinium Z, which lets it dent these Pokemon. Sometimes Alolan Raticate may not get a proper opportunity to set up, but it can launch off an unboosted Breakneck Blitz if Steel- and Rock-types are removed, KOing or heavily denting opposing Pokemon. Since Alolan Raticate's bulk is rather poor, it may struggle to find opportunities to set up, but it can find opportunities against some frail Psychic- and Ghost-types like Mismagius, Sigilyph, and Delphox by pressuring them out with a potential Sucker Punch. Alolan Raticate may also find opportunities to set up against some Choice-locked Pokemon, mainly Sneasel locked into Pursuit or Knock Off.
Team Options
========
Grass-types are excellent at damaging Alolan Raticate's primary defensive checks in Steelix, Rhydon, and Regirock. Sceptile and Rotom-C in particular can fire off powerful Leaf Storms to dent Steelix and OHKO Rhydon and Regirock. Rotom-C also has Volt Switch, which helps Alolan Raticate come in more safely to attack or set up. Alolan Raticate greatly appreciates partners that can check Fighting-types. Golbat is a solid option, as it can check Virizion, Choice Scarf Emboar, and Hitmonlee while also providing Defog support and checking Whimsicott, another Pokemon that can revenge kill Alolan Raticate. Golbat also has access to U-turn, which can bring in Alolan Raticate safely. Slowbro and Garbodor are also solid options, as they can more effectively check Emboar and Virizion, respectively. Fighting-types also appreciate Alolan Raticate's ability to break down bulky Fighting-resistant Pokemon such as Slowbro, Golbat, Garbodor, and Vileplume, making Pokemon such as Virizion, Emboar, and Hitmonlee good partners to Alolan Raticate. Probopass can trap Steelix, the most common Normal-type check in the tier, which opens up opportunities for Alolan Raticate to more freely use its Normal-type attacks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
Alolan Raticate can use Life Orb to increase the damage output of all of its attacks, but it can then be worn down more quickly. Alolan Raticate is also an interesting choice for a Pursuit trapper, as it has access to Sucker Punch, which allows it to pressure common Pursuit targets such as Sigilyph, Delphox, and Mismagius, along with access to U-turn to pivot out on checks. Pursuit also ignores Hustle's accuracy drop when opposing Pokemon attempt to switch out. However, in general, Alolan Raticate is outperformed by Sneasel as a Pursuit trapper, which is faster and also provides Knock Off support. Alolan Raticate can also use Choice Band for immediate power, but it has potential to miss, which may be especially crippling when trying to pivot with U-turn. Its inability to switch moves also makes it less reliable as a wallbreaker.
Checks and Counters
========
**Fighting-types**: Alolan Raticate's 4x weakness to Fighting along with Fighting-types resisting Sucker Punch allows them to reliably revenge kill Alolan Raticate. Pokemon such as Virizion, Choice Scarf Hitmonlee, and Choice Scarf Emboar are capable of outspeeding and easily KOing Alolan Raticate in return. Hitmonlee in particular can KO Alolan Raticate with Mach Punch to avoid taking damage from Sucker Punch. Slower Fighting-types like Scrafty, Hariyama, and non-Choice Scarf Emboar need to be wary, since they risk being OHKOed by unboosted Breakneck Blitz or +2 Double-Edge.
**Rock-types**: Defensive Rock-type Pokemon, notably Rhydon and Regirock, are capable of comfortably taking hits from Alolan Raticate even at +2. They may also carry super effective coverage to KO Alolan Raticate in return, with Megahorn from Rhydon and Drain Punch from Regirock. Both do need to be wary of Black Hole Eclipse, which can heavily dent both Pokemon, limiting their defensive capabilities for the rest of the battle.
**Steelix**: Steelix's substantial physical bulk and Steel typing allow it to take on Alolan Raticate effectively. Steelix should be wary of being 2HKOed by a combination of +2 Breakneck Blitz and Crunch after switching in as Alolan Raticate uses Swords Dance, though, and +2 Black Hole Eclipse will comfortably put it in range of being KOed by Crunch of another Pokemon.
Last edited: