An Alolan Raichu matchup-oriented special attacker build that specializes in Sp. Atk and Speed and fights with Focus Sash as a shield. After surviving a hit, combines Endeavor with Nuzzle to Forcibly chips opponents head-on — its composition.

Alternative Move Options

Has a wide variety of secondary moves

• Surf

• Focus Blast

Recommended options are Grass Knot / Surf, which provide damage against unfavorable Ground-types, and Focus Blast, which yields the widest super-effective coverage when combined with Thunderbolt. Since Alolan Raichu's Sp. Atk isn't very high, Choose with super-effective coverage in mind do so.

Changing support moves to boost setup performance

• Light Screen

• Reflect

Besides Nuzzle, which chips the opponent's Focus Sash and inflicts paralysis, Encore (which locks the opponent's move) and Light Screen / Reflect (which reduce damage to backup Pokémon) are recommended.

Role of the Focus Sash Special Attacker build

Its main role is to come in as the lead or after a faint and spam STAB special moves from high Speed. After surviving with Focus Sash, it uses Endeavor and Nuzzle to Sets up a board favorable for backup Pokémon also performs setup-like duties.

Threats

Pokémon that can't leverage Focus Sash

This build depends heavily on Focus Sash for guaranteed turns, so Fake Out, multi-hit moves, weather damage, etc. can prevent Focus Sash from working, in which case it cannot perform well. Carefully check the opponent's team to identify the right timing.

Invests EVs in Sp. Atk and Speed, Focus SashRaichu special attacker build that grants action assurance via this item. With the Ability Lightning Rod nullifies opponents' Electric moves while raising Sp. Atk, so Reads Electric moves and switches in to go on the offensive.

Role of the Focus Sash Special Attacker build

Leverages high Speed to attack first, and Thunderbolt or Grass Knot chips a wide range of opponents as the main role. Even against unfavorable matchups, Nuzzle viaParalysis inflicts, and Alluring Voice uses, Performs backup support and opponent disruption — its role.

the ability Electric Surge with Electric Terrain is set up to boost its own Electric moves and fight — a Physical Attacker Mega Raichu X.Encore or Volt Switch is used to play flexibly by locking the opponent's actions and manipulating matchups — its composition.

Alternative Move Options

• Play Rough

• Substitute

Play Rough and Encore slot can run Fake Out or Substitute is also recommended. Fake Out, Volt Switch combined, lets it chip the opponent while avoiding incoming damage, and Substitute is handy for stalling out favorable matchups.

Fast Physical Attacker Role

From its high Speed, Electric Terrain boosted Volt Tackle is its main role of forcing them on. Against unfavorable opponents, Volt Switch switches out, and in response to the opponent's support moves, Encore locks down its moves, so that it maintains a favorable board while compensating for its low bulk — its role.

Favorable Matchups

Pokémon that don't resist Electric moves

Mega Raichu X's Volt Tackle hits extremely hard, and against opponents that take Electric moves at neutral or worse, it can deal a fatal blow all at once.Against Pokémon it can't knock out in one hit, Volt Switch chips them down before switching, then finish them off with the attack on its next entry.

Threats

Ground-type Pokémon

Ground types are troublesome because they hit a weakness, and Electric moves don't work on them.Breaking through with Mega Raichu X is difficult, so when facing a Ground-type Pokémon, don't force it — switch to a benched Pokémon.

Max Sp.Atk/Spe EVs, and the ability No Guard is leveraged to reliably land high-power, shaky-accuracy moves — a Special Attacker Mega Raichu Y. The never-miss Zap Cannon applies pressure, and reliably paralyzes the opponent to steal its Speed.

Alternative Move Options

Becomes a setup ace with Nasty Plot

Mega Raichu Y learns the powerful setup move Nasty Plot.Encore locks down the opponent's movement while raising Sp.Atk to aim for a sweep — a strong play.

Never-Miss Special Attacker Role

From its high Speed it forces never-miss, high-power special moves to finish off whatever it faces — the role of an ace. With excellent type synergy, Focus Blast reliably lands to chip a wide range of opponents, and locks down unfavorable opponents' status moves with Encore to disrupt their plans — viable playstyle.

Threats

Ground-type Pokémon

Mega Raichu Y has its main weapon, , so it struggles against Ground-type Pokémon that take Electric moves with immunity. Since it may be knocked out by a returning Ground move, switch to a Pokémon such as a Flying type to handle it.

With heavy Atk/Spe EVs, the ability Electric Surge via A physical attacker build that boosts power through terrain setup Mega Raichu X. Nature ようき raises its Speed, and エレキフィールド状態-boosted Electric moves serve as its core to heavily pressure the opponent.

EV Allocation Intent

EVs raise Atk and Speed; move first and knock out the opponent. However, Choice Scarf Pokémon like Basculegion holding it may move first and attack, so EVs are also allocated to HP.

Alternative Move Options

Encore or Feint are also recommended

Encore or Feint is also recommended. Running Encore lets it counter status moves common in Doubles such as Protect and similar status moves. Additionally, Feint breaks the opponent's Protect and lets your allies land their moves.

Moves that attack while lowering Speed are also recommended

moves that attack while lowering Speed, such as Electroweb or Nuzzle are also recommended. Electroweb can lower the Speed of both opposing Pokémon. Additionally, Nuzzle White Herb or Defiant cannot be countered by it, which is a strength.

Doubles Physical Attacker Role

Fake Out supporting allies' actions through flinching while also pushing in with its own high Attack — its role. It covers its low bulkProtect with, and controls the board from above by weaving in physical moves with great coverage — viable playstyle.

Threats

Ground-type Pokémon

Ground types are troublesome because they hit its weakness and are immune to Electric moves. When facing a Pokémon it struggles against, Protect or switch to avoid taking the hit, then counterattack with your allies' moves. Additionally, against Garchomp, Play Rough can hit its weakness.

With Sp.Atk/Spe EVs, the ability No Guard with A special attacker build that fights by making low-accuracy moves never miss Mega Raichu Y.Fake Out, disrupting the opponent while Zap Cannon's excellent secondary effects are reliably imposed to take control of the board.

EV Allocation Intent

EVs raise Sp.Atk and Speed so it can move first and Zap Cannon deal heavy damage and aim for Paralysis. However, since boosting Speed still cannot avoid taking priority moves, EVs are also allocated to HP.

Alternative Move Options

Disarming Voice and Grass Knot are also recommended

Alluring Voice or Grass Knot is recommended as a way to hit Pokémon that resist Electric moves. Running Disarming Voice lets you exploit the weaknesses of Garchomp and others. Also, Grass Knot hits Mega Swampert for 4x weakness.

Volt Switch, Electroweb, and Encore are also options

Volt Switch can switch out while dealing heavy damage.Electroweb lowers the Speed of both opposing Pokémon, making it a strong move in Double Battles. Additionally, Encore has a high usage rate in Double Battles, Protect and other status moves.

Role of the Special Attacker Build for Doubles

Fake Out supports allies by causing flinches, and takes on the role of firing high-power, never-miss special moves at opponents slower than itself. Its own low bulk is Protect, and while it lands never-miss Zap Cannon with damage, it restricts the opponent's actions, making it possible to create a favorable situation.

Threats

Ground types and Pokémon holding a Choice Scarf

Ground types are threats since they hit your weakness and resist Electric moves. Additionally, Choice Scarf Pokémon that have boosted their Speed with it may move first and knock it out. When facing a Pokémon it struggles against, Protect or switching to avoid taking the move, then counterattack with an ally's move.