What is a good moveset for Raichu?

Question

This thread is for Kantonian Raichu. For Alolan Raichu, please go here.

If you have a good competitive moveset for Raichu, post an answer below and upvote the best ones. Movesets for any of its pre-evolutions can also be shared on this thread.

Be sure to include full set details in your post, e.g. items, abilities, natures and EVs. Some detail, including the intended game mode for your set, is also appreciated. Access the full list of guidelines here.

Raichu Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Comments

Encore is bad if the opponent uses a good move

Answer 1

Gen V

Raichu (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature

• Discharge
• Grass Knot
• Focus Blast
• Hidden Power [Ice]

Switch in on an Electric type attack and start sweeping. Everything besides Discharge is there for type coverage, and Discharge is obviously there for STAB (and a chance at paralyzing the foe.) EVs are your standard sweeper, and Life Orb helps it sweep better, especially without a Lightning Rod boost.

Comments

With a Timid nature, wouldn't Electro Ball make more sense?

Answer 2

Role: Mixed Sweeper

Raichu (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Static
EVs: 92 HP / 128 Atk / 128 SpA / 160 Spe
Lax Nature
- Thunder Punch
- Brick Break
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Quick Attack

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Well, Mixed isn't a popular choice on this guy.

Thunder Punch with Static gets a decent 20% chance to paralyze, Brick Break is deadly to Rock types and Ice Types as well as Normal types.

Quick Attack is priority, which is always nice to have.

Hidden Power [Ice] gives Ground coverage, and can hit Dragons pretty hard unexpectedly.

Life Orb boosts both attacking stats.

Comments

Why thunderpunch does it activate with static or use thunderbolt.

Answer 3

Here is a support Raichu I use a lot in VGC:

Raichu @ Assault Vest
Ability: Lightning Rod
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 168 HP / 152 SpD / 188 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nuzzle
- Fake Out
- Volt Switch
- Electroweb

Remember, this is a VGC set, so it will most likely not be very effective in singles.

Now, here is a singles set:

Raichu @ Choice Specs
Ability: Lightning Rod
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Grass Knot
- Volt Switch
- Surf

Thunderbolt is for STAB. Grass Knot and Surf are both there to cover ground types, depending on what you're facing. Volt Switch is for a pivot.

Answer 4

Electro Ball abuser
Role: Special sweeper

Raichu (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Static
Timid Nature
EVs: 252 Spe / 252 SpA / 4 HP
- Electro Ball (STAB and with all that Speed)
- Aglity (power up)
- Grass Knot (coverage)
- Signal Beam (more coverage)

Raichu probably cant take a hit so Foucus Sash is there to back it up on that first turn where he takes a hit. Set up with Agility to make Electro Ball unstoppable, and you know what to do from there.

Comments

Great Moveset i bet no one else thought of that one *two thumbs up*

Answer 5

Raichu (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 204 SpA / 52 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
- Magnet Rise
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice] / Grass Knot

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This set will give Raichu an immunity to Ground Types. Nasty Plot will increase its Special Attack. Thunderbolt will be powered up by Nasty Plot and its STAB. Hidden Power [Ice] / Grass Knot will cover its weaknesses if you get taunted and are unable to use Magnet Rise.

Answer 6

Gen 8 BDSP NU

Raichu @ Light Clay
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Encore
- Volt Switch

At the time of writing this, BDSP NU is played via challenging someone else or the BDSP NU tours. (There should be a ladder after this month)

Raichu is used as a screen setter for screens HO due to its speed, which pretty much guarantees you being able to set up both screens. Light Screen and Reflect reduce damage taken, which helps your teammates to setup. Encore is used to screw up passive Pokemon. Volt Switch is used to bring in a teammate. The ability Static is used to punish Pokemon who use Fake Out or other contact moves.

Answer 7

Gen 9 NU Nasty Plot

Raichu @ Life Orb
Ability: Lightning Rod
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Draining Kiss
- Surf / Substitute

Raichu has a niche in NU of being a Nasty Plot user who can setup on Chansey and 1v1 it. Nasty Plot gives Raichu a Special Attack boost, allowing it to break past defensive Pokemon easier. Draining Kiss might sound weird on this set, but it's the move that lets Raichu setup on Chansey. Since Raichu is an Electric-type, Chansey can't paralyze it, meaning it can only use Seismic Toss to try to wear it down. With Nasty Plot boosts, Draining Kiss can recover enough HP to heal off the Seismic Tosses that Chansey uses, which can allow Raichu to have a +6 Special Attack boost. Surf is a nice coverage move that hits Pokemon such as Pokemon such as Sandaconda and Tera Ground Pokemon such as Bombirdier and Magneton super effectively. Substitute can be an option to dodge being poisoned and can take advantage of passive Pokemon. Life Orb is used to boost the power of Raichu's attacks. Tera Fairy is used as the Tera Type to make Draining Kiss become a STAB to make it stronger. Lightning Rod is the Ability to let Raichu have an Electric immunity. Here are some calcs on Draining Kiss's recovery at +6 vs a Seismic Toss:

Chansey Seismic Toss vs. 0 HP Raichu: 100-100 (38.3 - 38.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

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+6 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Draining Kiss vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Eviolite Chansey: 140-166 (19.8 - 23.5%) (40.2 - 47.8% recovered)-- possible 5HKO

These calcs show that a +6 Draining Kiss from Raichu can heal off the damage from Seismic Toss. Do note the the 5HKO from Draining Kiss doesn't matter since a +6 Raichu can 2HKO Chansey with a Thunderbolt:

+6 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Eviolite Chansey: 380-448 (53.9 - 63.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Soo, yeah. Enjoy using this set!

Answer 8

Gen III

Raichu (M) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Static
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature (+Spe, -SpA)

• Body Slam - Physical
• Volt Tackle - Physical
• Reversal - Physical
• Endure

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Body Slam allows for super Parahax with Static as an ability.
Volt Tackle is this thing's signature style of "Emo Battling" killing itself and others!
Reversal and Endure is a popular choice here, with the Lum Berry to ensure Burn's don't take him down.

Comments

Volt Tackle is Special in Gen 3.

Answer 9

Double/Triple Battle

Raichu (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
- Light Screen
- Discharge
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Lightning Rod is a great ability in a multi-battle, as it draws in Electric type attacks to protect your team while gaining a Special Attack boost from it as well. Light Screen offers team support. Discharge is a great attack, as it damages both opponents and can be used with a Lightningrod or Motor Drive teammate to really do some damage. Focus Blast and HP Ice are coverage.

Comments

im talking about focus blast being a wicked strong SPECIAL move and few ground types normaly have strong special defence

Answer 10

My number one favorite and favorite Electric type Pokemon....RAICHU!!! Most people say it sucks in competitive and say Pikachu is a better sweeper, but Raichu has gained a bit more Speed. Of course it may not outrun a Jolteon, but it can probably take out a Jolteon and other Ground types, too so that means this set can lead Raichu to be a champion, but use it wisely :D sorry if this is long

Raichu @ Leftovers
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 Spe / 252 SpA / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Nasty Plot
- Substitute

Thunderbolt is for STAB and 10% of causing paralysis, Hidden Power [Ice] is great for countering its weakness and can kill those resistant Dragon and Grass types, may kill Garchomp. Nasty Plot Raises Special Attack by 2 and Substitute will set up a little wall while you have a bit of time using Nasty Plot.

To use this set you should keep Raichu out of play until the opponent sends out a Pokemon that you think has an Electric type move, so quickly switch to Raichu and it will get an immunity and a boost of Special Attack by 1 stage, then use Substitute for a little wall that is a bit weak but will do for Nasty Plot. If the opponent uses a stat boosting move (as long as it doesn't raise Speed, Attack or Special Defense) or if the opponent's move misses then Raichu may be able to stay in a little longer, but if it does get hit and its substitute does break at least you have your Special Attack up to do some serious damage. If you want Hidden Power [Ice] you may have to do some IV breeding, look it up on here :3 http://3dspedia.com/iv-spreads-hidden-power-types-pokemon-xy/ I suggest breeding it in HP, Special Attack, Special Defense, and HP.

Answer 11

Raichu @ Focus Sash
Ability: Lightning Rod / Static
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Reversal
- Thunder Punch / Volt Tackle
- Fake Out
- Volt Switch

1. The strategy behind this is as a lead, Raichu uses Fake Out against the opponent, they flinch.
2. Raichu uses either Volt Switch if a victory cannot be obtained with Raichu, or Thunder Punch.
3. Opponent faints or reduces Raichu to 1 HP
4. Raichu uses Reversal (With 200 BP, an instant KO is almost Guaranteed!).
5. Raichu continues using Reversal and Thunder Punch until it is either outsped and KOed or is Volt Switched out for more Fake Out trolling.

Volt Tackle is there for a little bit more damage if needed, but I would not recommend it.

Comments

Jolly with Volt Switch is not a good idea :/
Maybe try a naive, naughty or even mild?
Another option is Hasty   
:)

Answer 12

I think Raichu is a good sweeper and you could use a special attacker or a physical attacker.

Raichu (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 HP / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Volt Tackle
- Iron Iail
- Knock Off
- Brick Break

You're mostly going to use Volt Tackle because the Choice Band boost will be 170 damage.
Other moves are Iron Tail and others for coverage.

Raichu @ Magnet / Wise Glasses / Life Orb / Focus Sash
Ability: Lightning Rod (for doubles)
EVs: 252 Spe / 4 HP / 252 SpA
Modest / Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Grass Knot
- Volt Switch
- Nasty Plot

• Thunderbolt: This is the main STAB move
• Grass Knot: To hit your weakness, almost all Ground types are heavy
• Volt Switch: To keep momentum
• Nasty Plot: To boost Special Attack. If you want a Nasty Plot, you'll need a Focus Sash.

Answer 13

Can't believe that no one posted this yet.

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Role: Annoyer
Raichu @ Leftovers
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 HP / 129 Def / 129 SpD
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Sweet Kiss
- Attract

This set is amazing in lower tiers, like RU and NU. First, use Thunder Wave to cripple the opponent. Then you can use Sweet Kiss to confuse the opponent. Attract is extremely situational as you might see a Pokemon with the same gender. Generally this combo is bound to annoy the opponent and you can deal massive damage with confusion damage and Thunderbolt damage. Don't replace Thunderbolt with Volt Tackle because it'll deal recoil damage (which you don't want).

Note: The spreads are there for extra bulk and the Nature gives Raichu a good Speed.

Comments

Why u steal my favorite sprites? ;~;


jk :)

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Lol Conquest sprites are the best

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Bisharp's probably my favorite.

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I like Dragonite and Garchomp sprites :)

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this ev spread is wasting ev's and splitting defensive ev's is rarely good. Also, this set is completely rng based.

Answer 14

Raichu @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP or 4 Atk
Timid Nature / Hasty Nature
- Volt Switch
- Knock Off
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice] / Grass Knot / Volt Tackle

Volt Switch is the main move, using for scouting and momentum. Hits Water and Flying types.

Knock Off removes the foe items.

Focus Blast is used to hit Rock, Steel, Dark, Ice and Normal types.

Hidden Power [Ice] is useful for hitting Grass, Ground and Dragon types. Grass Knot can be used for hitting Water types immune to Electric as well as Ground and Rock types. Volt Tackle is another STAB option that hits hard but has major recoil damage.

Answer 15

This is my Raichu on Pokemon Showdown:

Sparky (Raichu) (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Static
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 250 Atk / 250 SpA / 8 Spe
Naive Nature
- Iron Tail
- Thunder
- Fake Out
- Focus Blast

• Iron Tail (For dual ground/rock types with low defense)
• Thunder (STAB)
• Fake Out (Annoyance)
• Focus Blast (For dual ground/rock types with low special defense)

I have a weird battle style so it's okay if you think it is horrible.

Answer 16

Raichu @ Life Orb
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast

Answer 17

I saw nobody said this moveset yet so I'm making it :)

SPECIAL ATTACKER RAICHU INCOMING!!

Raichu @ Focus Sash
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 6 SpD
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Nuzzle / Toxic
- Grass Knot
- Brick Break / Nasty Plot

Thunderbolt: STAB, great power, gets rid of Water types and Flying types, AND has a 10% chance of paralyzing the target.

Nuzzle / Toxic: Nuzzle to paralyze the opponent quicker and STAB, and do a bit of damage. Toxic.. Well.. to poison the opponent, Plus it does more damage each turn and it's great.

Grass Knot: Because SCREW YOU GROUND TYPES, ROCK AND WATER TYPES! ESPECIALLY GROUND! It does good power for a Raichu.

Brick Break / Nasty Plot: Gets rid of Light Screens and Reflects, or you can go with Nasty Plot to get a Special Attack boost.

~Good Luck......

EVEN THOUGH ITS OUTDATED-

Comments

owo XD

Answer 18

Fast special sweeper

Raichu @ Life Orb
Ability: Lightning Rod
Modest Nature
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP
- Thunderbolt
- Signal Beam
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Volt Switch

Thunderbolt - 135 Base Power with Stab, 10% chance of paralyzing the target
Signal Beam - 75 Base Power, 10% chance of confusing the target,
Hidden Power [Ice] - 60 Base Power, coverage against Grass, Ground, Flying, and Dragon Types
Volt Switch - 105 Base Power with STAB, if this move deals damage, the user will switch out with another party member of the trainer’s choice

Answer 19

Gen 8 PU
Raichu @ Focus Sash
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
- Focus Blast

Nasty Plot doubles your Special Attack stat. Thunderbolt is STAB. Surf is for Ground Types. Focus Blast is for additional type coverage. Switch in Raichu on a predicted Electric type move so you can get a special attack boost from Lightning Rod.

Answer 20

Raichu, the underrated older brother of the series mascot. Despite lacking the overpowered light ball, don't underestimate it: it still has electric charges that can reach even 100,000 volts!

GEN VIII PU/ ZU
Rain Sweeper
Raichu @ Life Orb
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 HP / 252 Spe
Timid Nature / Modest Nature
- Thunder
- Surf
- Nasty Plot
- Focus Blast/ Grass Knot

This Raichu set is to be used in Rain Teams, which normally are uncommon in lower tiers thanks to the lack of Drizzle. Raichu offers ultility for these teams thanks to is high speed and Lightning Rod to stop opposing electric types from hitting its Water-type teamantes, like Carracosta, Ludicolo and Qwilfish, while being quite threatining in its own right thanks to high speed combined with Nasty Plot to raise its otherwise mediocre SpA and great special movepool.

Thunder is a powerful STAB move that ignores its pathectic 70% accuracy during Rain.
Surf is for coverage (especially against Ground types) and it has the added bonus of being boosted by Rain.
The last move is coverage of choice. Focus Blast can hit Grass Types for neutral damage and it is a powerful move overall (aside when it misses :P), while Grass Knot hits certain other Electric-immune Pokémon like Quagsire and Lanturn harder at the cost of a less consitent BP

Comments

You should have a Pokemon with weather abilities, like Pelipper, to set rain, since Raichu is too frail and it wastes a turn

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already fixed that ;)