[OVERVIEW]
Raikou is a premier offensive pivot thanks to its high Speed forcing out other offensive staples like Cobalion, which gives it a clear advantage over fellow Electric-types Xurkitree and Toxtricity. Heavy-Duty Boots makes it difficult to wear down passively, letting it use Volt Switch with great freedom, and its useful coverage across Shadow Ball, Extrasensory, and Scald keeps many Pokemon from confidently switching into it. It can put that coverage to even greater use with its Calm Mind wallbreaking set. Its biggest problem is its glaring inability to hit Gastrodon, Seismitoad, and Flygon very hard; the best it can do is use Toxic or try to burn Flygon with Scald, so they hold it off well early-game. Its attacks are generally a bit weak, so it often relies on teammates to actually break through bulky Pokemon like Registeel and Assault Vest Reuniclus, and its defensive typing isn't good for much beyond switching into Togekiss and Xurkitree; this means it's hesitant to take strong attacks. The Calm Mind set sacrifices Volt Switch, making it a worse team player and harder to fit, and Xurkitree and Toxtricity are much better than pivot Raikou at breaking through cores by themselves.
[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Scald
move 4: Toxic
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Volt Switch and Thunderbolt are staples for Electric-type pivots. Scald covers most Ground-types, threatening to burn Flygon and being super effective on Nidoqueen, Golurk, and Steelix. Toxic is the only way for Raikou to significantly impact Gastrodon and Seismitoad switch-ins; if teammates can hit Gastrodon and Seismitoad with Toxic or Knock Off, the last moveslot can be Extrasensory or Shadow Ball for specific Grass-type checks like Roserade and Celebi.
Raikou is a self-sufficient pivot that covers Togekiss and creates openings for all sorts of wallbreaker teammates. Grass-types like Roserade and Celebi cover Gastrodon and Seismitoad, Raikou's biggest problems. A switch-in to Choice Scarf Flygon like Togekiss, Bronzong, or Vileplume will often help, though any Ground-immune Pokemon goes a long way in limiting it. Psychic-types like Reuniclus and Necrozma can take advantage of non-Extrasensory Raikou's Poison-type switch-ins, Roserade and Toxtricity.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Scald
move 4: Shadow Ball / Aura Sphere
item: Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Calm Mind Raikou can surprise those expecting the pivot set and break through weakened cores. Scald covers most Ground-types, threatening to burn Flygon and being super effective on Nidoqueen, Golurk, and Steelix. Shadow Ball covers Celebi, which is near impossible to break through otherwise, while Aura Sphere pressures Registeel and Umbreon, resilient special walls. Leftovers creates more chances to boost, but Heavy-Duty Boots can save Raikou more HP short term if your team lacks entry hazard control and fears Stealth Rock + Spikes.
Calm Mind Raikou needs more support than its pivot set given its lack of Volt Switch and preference to avoid early damage. Physical wallbreakers like Heracross and Swords Dance Incineroar pressure special walls, and Grass-types cover Gastrodon. Steel-types like Metagross and Stakataka work as extra answers to Flying-types and can use Toxic on Gastrodon switching in. Entry hazard removers like Crobat, Starmie, and Dhelmise help Leftovers sets accrue enough HP to be worthwhile.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Substitute + Calm Mind punishes passive defensive cores but lacks room for coverage. Aura Sphere on pivot Raikou puts the most pressure on Steel-types like Stakataka and Registeel; their low Speed and Volt Switch vulnerability make this less important on average. Weather Ball makes Raikou a much bigger threat on weather teams; hail gives it the excellent combination of Electric and Ice, rain gives it stronger Water-type coverage, and sun lets it hit Steel- and Grass-types with a single move.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Certain Ground-types**: Ground-types that aren't weak to Scald are the safest early-game switch-ins to Raikou. Gastrodon has Recover and Storm Drain, making it near insurmountable for Raikou even when badly poisoned. Seismitoad lacks recovery but is also immune to Water, while Choice Scarf Flygon can immediately force Raikou out but fears Scald burns.
**Special Walls**: Pokemon with a lot of special bulk, including Assault Vest Reuniclus, Registeel, Snorlax, and Umbreon, can take Raikou's attacks for a long time and immediately hinder it in return with Toxic or a strong attack. Pivot Raikou can just use Volt Switch the turn after they switch in, though.
**Grass-types**: If Raikou lacks Extrasensory, Roserade, Vileplume, and Virizion are good switch-ins to it, and if it lacks Shadow Ball, Celebi and Dhelmise handle its attacks well. Virizion and Dhelmise want to avoid Scald burns, however.
**Revenge Killers**: Raikou's average bulk and lack of resistances make it easy for most faster Pokemon to take out once weakened. Physical Choice Scarf users such as Flygon and Heracross deal massive damage. Noivern and Salazzle are faster but struggle against Calm Mind boosts. Golisopod's First Impression also does the trick.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[CryoGyro, 331519]]
- Quality checked by: [[zizalith, 410251], [phantom, 180300]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
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