Community POTW #84 - Special #3

[Lucario Fan]

Pachirisu

Ability: Volt Absorb
Held Item: Salac Berry
Moves: Super Fang, Seed Bomb, Thunderbolt, Endure

[Lucario Fan]

Emolga

Ability: Static
Held Item: Sitrus Berry
Moves: Discharge, Acrobatics, Iron Tail, U-turn

[Star Champion AJ]

The Evil Rodent of Doom (at least, Elesa's rodents are due to Volt Switch)
Emolga, the Sky Squirrel Pokémon
The energy made in its cheeks' electric pouches is stored inside its membrane and released while it is gliding.
They live on treetops and glide using the inside of a cape-like membrane while discharging electricity.
It glides on its outstretched membrane while shocking foes with the electricty stored in the pounches on its cheeks.

Say hello to the cutest Pokémon ever, Emolga
Abilities:
Static: The opponent has a 30% chance of being induced with PARALYZE when using an attack, that requires physical contact, against this Pokémon.
Not really useful since Emolga is as frail as a Splashing Magikarp out of water, even a not very effective move kills the cute squirrel.
Motor Drive (Stolen from Electivire): The Pokémon takes no damage from Electric-type attacks and Speed raises by one level.
An extra immunity is always nice and the Speed boost is welcome. (Recommended ability)

Pros:
Immune to Ground type moves (common type here and there)
Immune to Electric type moves (if Emolga has Motor Drive)
High Speed (103)
The cutest Pokémon in the world, surpassing even Togepi

Cons:
Lower than average offensive stats (75 each)
FRAIL as Arceus's Hell, with defenses (only 55/60/60) as bad as certain PoTW puns
Weak to Stealth Rock
Too cute to battle other Pokémon

Trollmolga@Leftovers
Ability: Lightningrod
Nature: Modest
EVs: 4 Def/252 Sp Atk/252 Spd
Electro Ball
Air Slash
Attract
Thunder Wave
Please! Never EVER try this set unless you want to make more enemies than friends here!
For starters, if you're up against a Pokémon with an opposite gender of Emolga, Attract is your main move (in Anime it works), making your opponents falling in love with Emolga (is SO ZETTA cute), Thunder Wave reduces opponents Speed while incapacitating them.
Air Slash for Flinch Hax while Electro Ball gets a super boost after a Thunder Wave.
An Attract+Thunder Wave+Air Slash gives the opponent a measly 26,25% chance of acting, which is less than Thunder missing.
I am serious, don't try this set please, unless you are in the Anime.

A much more serious set than Attract
Emolga@Leftovers
Ability: Lightningrod
Nature: Modest
EVs: 4 Def/252 Sp Atk/252 Spd
Electro Ball
Air Slash
HP Fight
Thunder Wave
The same set as Trollmolga's except, it's more serious with HP Fight instead of Attract, Thunder Wave reduces opponent's Speed and bossts Electro Ball's power, Air Slash is for the Flinch Hax (Togekiss and Jirachi do it better) and HP Fight covers Emolga's only weaknesses (Ice and Rock).

[Atratus]

I AM THE BATMAN
Emolga@Leftovers
Timid natured
Static / Motor Drive
252 HP/252 Spd/4 Def
-Roost
-Thunder Wave
-Tailwind
-Volt Switch

A basic support set. Thunder Wave to cripple sweepers, Tailwind to boost the team, Roost and Leftovers for longevity and Volt Switch to annoy the oppponent, keep momentum and deal a bit of damage on the way. It isn't the hero unova needs, but it is the one it deserves. In NU, anyway.

[Aura Flare Riolu]

Emolga should never use Static especially since Motor Drive is now available.

I also find it funny that Pikachu's Thunder has the potential to OHKO even Kyogre.

[An00bis]

Pachirisu has pretty terrible offenses and no way to make them better outside of Charge Beam. It's defenses are better then average for an electric rodent an it should have an easier time staying alive. Generation V has given Pachirisu a much more useful ability in Volt Absorb. This gives Pachirisu a chance to switch in safely.

PachiFusion

Pachirisu @ Leftovers
Ability: Volt Absorb
EV: 252 Speed / 252 HP / 4 S. Defense
Nature: Timid (+ Speed / - Attack)

Super Fang
Thunder Wave
Swagger / Flatter
Volt Switch / U-Turn

Pachirisu can run a poor man's Parafusion with the help of Swagger or Flatter. Whichever 100% confusion move you use depends on your preference. Flatter sharply raises Special Attack, which makes it safer to use on suspected Physical Sweepers. Swagger boosts the Attack of a Pokemon and makes it more likely that they'll KO themselves, which is how Pachirisu will likely be netting KOs due to its pitiful attacking stats. Volt Switch / U-Turn are for when Pachirisu needs to exit the scene quickly. U-Turn provides a switch that cannot be commonly blocked while Volt Switch provides a stronger attack.

RestTalk

Pachirisu @ Leftovers
Ability: Volt Absorb
EV: 252 HP / 252 S. Defense / 4 Defense
Nature: Calm (+ S. Defense / - Attack)

Rest
Sleep Talk
Super Fang
Discharge / Toxic

This set is designed to make Pachirisu harder to kill then your average electric rodent. An Earthquake will still ruin Pachirishu's day, but it can take a hit or two from a Special Attacker or Wall. The idea is to weaken the opposing Team with a combination of Super Fang and your status of choice. If you had Toxic Spikes support you can even get away with using a Swagger in the last slot.

Hit and Run

Pachirisu @ Leftovers / Light Clay
Ability: Volt Absorb
EV: 252 Speed / 252 HP / 4 S. Defense
Nature: Timid (+ Speed / - Attack)

Light Screen
Super Fang
Volt Switch
U-Turn

Pachirisu does two jobs here. The most important is sinking its fangs into walls and other threatening Pokemon so your team mates can pick them off. Pachirisu can only set up Light Screen to further improve its passable Special Defense, so you can take advantage of that. Leftovers keep Pachirisu alive longer when constantly tagging in and out. If you don't value that surviability you can run Light Clay instead to prolong the effects of Light Screen.

Team Mates: Pachirisu can't KO much on its own. A Pokemon that can assist with the KO is essential. Toxic Spikes support can save it a moveslot and allow it to annoy another way. A Pokemon that can bait an electric attack can help Pachirisu get in. Pachirisu itself can be used to bait attacks, mainly Earthquake, which can help a Flying / Levitating team mate come in.

Counters: On most sets Taunt will prevent Pachirisu from doing anything. Prankster Pokemon will completely rain on Pachirisu's parade since most get Encore, Taunt, or both. Ground Types can stop a Volt Switch and either get a Free Turn or an Easy KO against Pachirisu's meager defense.

[Luthor]

given that there appears to be nothing set up for saturday for this special what if we did one for pichu.I know it's fairly weak and only really works in LC but could be interesting to see what people come up with.

[MetalCrow]

I...cannot.....resist....maximum output.....

Pikachu + Light Ball
Max Special attack
-----—-------—--------
Nasty Plot
Charge
Thunder
Hidden Power Water

It's over 9000!!!!!







Yes, i went there

[wunderkind]

Plusle and Minun should be covered in one PotW, seeing as they're carbon copies of each other. The only differences are minor changes in stat distribution, and that their level-up movesets have two move differences (although, Plusle's "unique moves" are Fake Tears, which they both learn at a later level, and Last Resort, which is a move tutor in BW2, giving Plusle no unique moves at all).

Anyway, these two have traditionally been pretty bad, with their only real use being to show off the Double Battle system when it was introduced in Gen III. Their Special Attack stats can be pretty good if they're used together, with Plusle being at ~122 and Minun at ~107. They have gained one 'benefit' in Gen V, with three Pokemon now being able to get Plus/Minus (Klinklang, Ampharos, and Manectric). That could give them some more usability (although, all of these Pokemon are weak to Ground, so the Cheering Duo will still suffer).

As for movesets, they're pretty basic. They can Baton Pass Agility and Nasty Plot, and could pull off a special moveset or two. Again, these two are much better when used in Doubles and Triples with another Plus/Minus user.

EDIT: I just realized that Plusle and Minun both get Entrainment. This could be helpful in Doubles/Triples now that Plus can power Plus and Minus can power Minus. While it doesn't make them amazing, it does allow them to get the 1.5x SpA boost with any partner, as well as giving their partner a 1.5x boost. A bit gimmicky, but could lead to a powerful Special Attacker (perhaps team it up with Light Ball Pikachu?).

[Ilan]

while wikachu might seem great with 400 offenses (with the max stat) with light ball
Raichu is quicker and is a bit stronger overall with choice band/specs/nasty plot and he actually have kind of bulk (special anyway).


So much deley here are some sets:

Don't think I am gonna Raichu a title
@ choice band
Adamant/Jolly
252/252 attack/speed, 4 HP
Lightning rod
-Volt Tackle
- Brick Break
- Return/extreamespeed*
- Volt Switch/extreamespeed*

well I just looked at his physical movepool and that's the best set I could think of (yeah sad physical movepool) but oh well, volt tackle is his strongest move and also the evolutionary line ace move 120 BP move is decent and might KO some pokemons, brick break is a good coverage move I found, return is a filler.. but you got extreame speed from an event (*I think pikachu comes with his DW ability so you must use it), volt switch is great for scouting even on a physical set.

Nasty Raikage (naruto pun lol)
@ life orb
252/252 special attack/speed, 4 HP
Timid
Lightning rod/static
-Thunderbolt
-HP ice
-Focus Blast/Grass Knot
-Nasty Plot

Raichus' special movepool is a bit more.. blessed he have a great set up move on nasty plot (and is bulkier than pikachu) so let's abuse it
thunderbolt is STAB and HP ice is the best option on most electric types cause of boltbeam, focus blast is a strong ttack to hit steels specially steelix (this set is aimed to RU/NU) but it hits hard regerdless, grass knot might hit hard heavy ground types his other moves are hat his other moves hit weaker.

I don't think a mixed scarf set might work raichu is kinda weak..

Now for the MC king and a noob fan favorite pikachu

in NU it might work decently on slower teams but not against anything, middle cup is where pikachu shines he is there a premier sweeper who every team should prepare to. but in NU it is passable there are bulkier stuff or at least faster like mincinno with his amazing skill link abillity, to abuse a better frail sweeper.

I shouldn't pikachu
@light ball (obviously main sell point)
252 sp. attack, 252 speed, 4 HP
Modest/Timid
Lightning rod
-thunderbolt
-Grass Knot/Focus Blast
-HP ice
-Subtitute

Just like raichu's set but with more initial power but really much frailer.. the moves are just like raichu's previous set but pikachu aims to KO something behind a switch.. 458 special attack with the ability to switch attacks with base 80 speed is decent might take on slower
teams


Physical version have a problem with the stab so..

all out phychu
@ light ball
Adamant/Jolly
Lightning rod
252 attack, 252 speed, 4 HP
-Volt Tackle
-ExtreameSpeed
-Brick Break
-Volt Switch/Subtitute

is a weaker version of the CB raichu I posted before but with a plus of switching moves, volt tackle is his best STAB. extreamespeed take on frail things, brick break take on grond types somehow, volt switch scouts sub too but protect from status like sleep powder from vileplume or something.

[MetalCrow]

I wonder how long it'll take until people realize that pikachu gets nasty plot and cool toys like grass knot....sure you can't get a dw pikachu with nasty plot until pichu is thrown into the mix, but still...

Lulz...pikachu also gets random stuff like wish and encore and knock off... even tho it has no place using those sorts of things

[grantholomew]

EDIT: I just realized that Plusle and Minun both get Entrainment. This could be helpful in Doubles/Triples now that Plus can power Plus and Minus can power Minus. While it doesn't make them amazing, it does allow them to get the 1.5x SpA boost with any partner, as well as giving their partner a 1.5x boost. A bit gimmicky, but could lead to a powerful Special Attacker (perhaps team it up with Light Ball Pikachu?).

This strategy could work with Archeops. Archeops has a good 110 Special Attack that gains a 50% boost, and at the same time it loses Defeatist.

[2406Blackbird]

I'mma Raichu a Love Song!
Raichu
Ability: Lightningrod
Item: Life Orb
Nature: Timid
Evs: 252 Spec. Attack / 252 Speed / 4 HP
Nasty Plot
Thunderbolt
HP Ice
Grass Knot

Electric moves have good coverage. Grass Knot or HP ice for grounds, while HP Ice is mostly for Dragons. Switch out if facing a Lightningrod pokemon
Basic Special Sweeper, if you want a choiced set, then replace NP with Focus Blast, give it a scarf or specs and you can also have Modest.


Other Options:
Signal Beam is another special attacking option
Discharge for paralysis
Volt Tackle for a mixed set
Encore for opposing pokes with scarf/specs/band
SubPunch is always good, but for an Adamant / Jolly Set with Volt Tackle
Wild Charge, i believe is less powerful than Volt Tackle yet has less recoil
Volt Switch is also good if scouting for that switch.
Fake Out for that first turn flinch


Pi, Pi, Pik - ACHUUUUU!
Pikachu
Item: Light Ball, the only reason it is good
Ability: Lightningrod

Pikachu can pull off most of the moves that Raichu can. Remember that it CAN'T LEARN FOCUS BLAST, a common mistake people make.

[2406Blackbird]

We will Shock you! (Doubles set)

Me plus You = Win
Plusle
Ability: Plus
Item: Focus Sash / Life Orb
Nature: Modest / Timid
Evs: 252 Spec. Attack / 252 Speed / 4 HP
Thunderbolt
Grass Knot
HP Ice
Protect / Nasty Plot / Agility

Plusle is the attacker for the team. It has slightly higher Special Attack than Minun. Plus and Minus ability give them that boost in Special Attack. T-bolt for stab, Grass Knot for grounds while Ice for dragons. Focus Sash + Protect is for if you are up against strong grounds types. Nasty Plot is with Timid as Agility is an option for Modest. If you truly want, you can run this set for Minun, but Plusle won't be a good supporter.

Other options:
Signal Beam is another special attacking move
Baton Pass to pass the special attack boosts to other pokes

Me minus You = Failure
Minun
Ability: Minus
Item: Leftovers / Damp Rock
Nature: Bold
Evs: 252 Defense / 252 Spec. Defense / 4 HP
Thunderbolt / Thunder
Thunder Wave / Rain Dance
Wish
Encore

Minun is the supporter pokemon for the duo, and a crucial member to the team. Encore to stop Choiced pokemon. Wish for health regaining. Thunder Wave to make sure that both Plusle and Minun are the fastest on the feild. While T-bolt to stop yourself from being Taunt bait. Since Politoed can't be of help, you can also set up your own rain, paired with damp rock and 100% accurate STAB Thunder.

Other options:
Helping Hand to boost Plusle's moves
Sweet Kiss for Parafusion
Instead of Thunder Wave, you could run Toxic
Light Screen + Light Clay is an option, but Reflect cannot be learned, so no dual screens
Protect as well if predicting a ground move

[your boss]

Don't Min-us at all!

General Gist: the cheering duo are cute and maybe TRY to sweep if your opponent is nice to you.

[TurboMechaElgyem]

At the pikaf it's usability
Pikachu@light ball
-fake out
-thunderpunch/volt tackle
-brick break
-quick attack/protect/iron tail/WHATEVAH!
4 hp 252 atk 252 spd
Lightningrod/static
Jolly/adamant

With light ball equipped, pikachu is a deadly physical sweeper, with base 110 atk. Fake out is always incredibly useful, breaking sashes and flinching foes. The next two moves have decent coverage and can be quite powerful. The last move is filler or protecqt for doubles.

[Ilan]

I'mma Raichu a Love Song!
Raichu
Ability: Lightningrod
Item: Life Orb
Nature: Timid
Evs: 252 Spec. Attack / 252 Speed / 4 HP
Nasty Plot
Thunderbolt
HP Ice
Grass Knot

Electric moves have good coverage. Grass Knot or HP ice for grounds, while HP Ice is mostly for Dragons. Switch out if facing a Lightningrod pokemon
Basic Special Sweeper, if you want a choiced set, then replace NP with Focus Blast, give it a scarf or specs and you can also have Modest.


Other Options:
Signal Beam is another special attacking option
Discharge for paralysis
Volt Tackle for a mixed set
Encore for opposing pokes with scarf/specs/band
SubPunch is always good, but for an Adamant / Jolly Set with Volt Tackle
Wild Charge, i believe is less powerful than Volt Tackle yet has less recoil
Volt Switch is also good if scouting for that switch.
Fake Out for that first turn flinch


Pi, Pi, Pik - ACHUUUUU!
Pikachu
Item: Light Ball, the only reason it is good
Ability: Lightningrod

Pikachu can pull off most of the moves that Raichu can. Remember that it CAN'T LEARN FOCUS BLAST, a common mistake people make.

Wait it can't learn focus blast? great.. anyway I don't think pikachu should run nasty plot he have paper defenses and his speed isn't the greatest.

minun and plusel are terrible pachirisu have a first stage stats (like it needs 2 evolutions) it have horrible offenses but nice speed and sp.defense..
emolga looks better 75 offenses 103 speed it is and impressive speed stat could be used mainly for support like tailwind in doubles or a scouter with volt switch

an usable set in NU which is outclassed by rotom-S (but rotom-S have less speed)

pachirisu's evolution
@ choice specs
timid/modest
252/252 special sweeper, 4 defense
-Thunderbolt
-Volt Switch
-HP ice
-Air Slash

kinda like rotom-S set but emolga doesn't learn trick sadly, Thunderbolt is emolgas' strongest STAB which have good accuracy (in OU (if you are crazy enough to use him instead of jolteon or zapdos) use thunder)
volt switch scous but take a note you should pack a spinner or natu since stealth rock hurts, HP ice boltbeam you know the drill, air slash is a secoundary STAB hits fighting and grass types which is great.
still base 75 attack isn't that strong with full inversment it get a passablle 403 sp.attack, note that if you are not running timid positive natured base 90 and above outspeed you so you should consider timid with timid you have 373 sp.attack which is good it is like a positive base 120 sp.attack (and that's why you should use specs) which is great with this speed in NU.

[Airo]

Raichu

Because of the existence of the Light Ball, Raichu can't really match Pikachu in power. Both have bad defenses and HP, so Raichu's somewhat higher defenses sadly don't mean much, considering both are likely to be OHKO'ed. Speed is Raichu's only reedeeming quality, as there are plenty of Pokemon who have a Speed stat between 100 (Raichu) and 90 (Pikachu). In addition, since Pikachu needs its Light Ball, Raichu can hold some other item, like a Focus Sash.

Abilities:
Static: 30% chance to paralyze when physical attack is used against Raichu. It's alright, but Raichu doesn't last long, which hampers its effectiveness.
Lightningrod: Draws in Electric type moves for no damage and increases Special Attack by 1 stage. Mostly for Doubles to help a partner that's weak to Electric, but it's also useful to get a free switch in and stat boost in Singles.

Light Ball? Who Needs It?

- Volt Tackle/Wild Charge
- Thunder/Thunderbolt
- Grass Knot/Focus Blast/Reversal/Iron Tail
- Volt Switch
Item: Focus Sash/Life Orb
Ability: Static/Lightningrod
EVs and Nature: Naive (+Spd, -SpDef); 168 Atk/168 SpAtk/172 Spd

Mixed attacking set. Thanks to 5th Gen bringing Wild Charge, we now have a decent physical Electric attack that doesn't cause 1/3 damage recoil. It does 1/4. (I know, not much difference, just mentioning it.) Yeah...maybe stick with Volt Tackle if you don't care too much about that recoil margin. Thunder(bolt) is your powerful special Electric type move. The third move is whatever you want to take out Pokemon immune to Electric type moves. Volt Switch lets you scout.

One Hit Point Wonder

- Flail
- Reversal
- Thunderpunch
- Thunder Wave
Item: Focus Sash
Ability: Static/Lightningrod
EVs and Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpAtk) or Jolly (+Spd, -SpAtk); 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd

Step 1: Get hit, Focus Sash comes into effect, leaving you with 1 HP. Use Thunder Wave or Thunderpunch if something gets in the way. (Ex: Damaging weather, current foe isn't an attacker, entry hazards, etc.)
Step 2: Use Flail and Reversal to destroy opponents. Thunderpunch to handle Ghost types and against types in which you have supereffectiveness.
Step 3: Keep going until KO'ed.
WARNING: Priority attacks will easily kill you.

Other Options

A few, nothing amzaing.

Charm cuts a foe's attack in half.
Sweet Kiss confuses a foe with a 75% rate. Just leaving confusing to Confuse Rayers would probably be a better idea, though...
Electro Ball can do massive amounts of damage against opponents that are way slower than you. Too situational for me, although it can work.
Agility doubles Speed, although Raichu doesn't have the defenses to give it a chance to set up.
Discharge damages everything else on the field in Doubles.
Encore locks the foe onto the last move they used. Good to use if you have the chance.
Fake Out is a strange move for Raichu to have. A little bit of free damage at the start isn't too bad, though.
Wish heals whatever is in Raichu's position in the next turn. Could work out well enough, even if Raichu isn't much of a supporter.

Double and Triple Battle Options

Discharge. That's pretty much it. Raichu isn't really suited for these because of its small HP and defenses.

Partners

If you are going to use Raichu in Doubles/Triples, might as well have a Volt Absorb/Ground type partner to combo with Discharge.

Counters

Most Raichu will have a Focus Sash on, so... Entry hazards. Priority moves. If it doesn't have a Focus Sash, any attack that's not resisted by Raichu with decent power behind it will OHKO, especially physical moves.

[pika250]

Even Pichu should garner at least a little attention. Frankly, the only Pichu set I can think of is Focus Sash/Counter, a set that its evolutionary brethren can easily outclass thanks to better stats.

Come to think of it, I used a team consisting of only the electric rodents, with mixed results (mostly losses thanks to either inferior stats or not-too-great type synergy, usually the former)

[Meowmeow]

I'm going to focus on Pikachu.
Pikachu, with its signature Light Ball equipped, has attacking stats that are on par with the mighty Rayquayza, and has a decent base 90 speed to boot. It's movepool is slightly underwhelming, but it gets the job. Pikachu's biggest issue is its defenses. It's bulk resembles wet toilet paper. Held item will always be Light Ball and ability will always be Lightningrod.

Nastychu
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 sp attack and speed, 4 hp

Nasty Plot
Thunderbolt
Grass Knot
Hidden Power Ice/Signal Beam

Yeah, you know.

Physichu
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 attack and speed, 4 hp

Volt Tackle/Thunderpunch/Wild Charge
Brick Break
Quick Attack
Fake Out/Volt Tackle/Thunderpunch/Wild Charge

Yeah, you know.