What is a good moveset for Alolan Raticate?

Question

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

If you have a good competitive moveset for Alolan Raticate, 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 explanation, including the intended game mode for your set, is also appreciated. Access the full list of guidelines here.

Raticate Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Answer 1

Alolan Raticate @ Life Orb
Ability: Hustle
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Sucker Punch/Crunch
- Return/Double-Edge
- U-turn
- Swords Dance

A standard set for this rarely-seen Pokémon, with the ability to do major damage thanks to Hustle and with a few Swords Dances stacked up. Sucker Punch can be used as a great priority move but comes with flaws. A great replacement for this move would be a STAB Crunch, hitting hard with a chance to lower defense. Either Return or Double-Edge can be used, but Double-Edge may cause too much recoil paired with the Life Orb. U-turn is for switching out, also super-effective against other Dark-type Pokémon. An Adamant nature can be run on this for more power but at the cost of speed, with perhaps investment in HP to take more hits. Enjoy!

Comments

Nice moveset! +1

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Thanks Sandshrew-bot! :)

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Sandshrew bot vs moveset bot- battle of the friendly neighbourhood automations

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Crunch doesn't have a chance to flinch.

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yeah, it lowers defence. but that's still good for alolan raticate to have.

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You're right.

Answer 2

Special Alolan Raticate

Raticate-Alola @ Choice Specs
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature (+SpA, -Atk)
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Sludge Wave
- Grass Knot / Shock Wave / Super Fang / U-Turn

Choice Specs boost your dreadful Special Attack. Thick Fat allows you to live another Fire- or Ice-type attack. Dark Pulse is STAB. Ice Beam, Sludge Wave, Grass Knot, and Shock Wave are coverage. Super Fang can be used to break through walls, while U-Turn can give scouting potential.

Comments

Choice specs isn’t viable since Ratticate has higher attack. Plus the specs don’t boost the SpAtk by much. Think of it like Choice Band Blissey.

Answer 3

Raticate-Alola @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Spe/252 HP/4 Def
Jolly Nature
- Final Gambit
- U-Turn
- Super Fang
- Crunch
Description: The other moves besides Final Gambit and U-Turn don't really matter that much. The whole point of this set is to switch in, outspeed your opponent, and then use Final Gambit. Its weakness is Pokemon that outspeed it, a lot of hazards, and Ghost Types. (That's what Crunch is for but it probably won't do much because Alolan Raticate sucks offensively.)

Answer 4

Good Moveset for Alolan Raticate
Ability: Thick Fat - Gives Alolan Raticate resistances to Fire and Ice
Item: Choice Band - Multiplies attack by 1.5, but Alolan Raticate will only be able to select the first move used
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpAtk)
EVs: 252Atk, 252Spd, 4HP
IVs: Perfect
Moveset
Hyper Fang - 120 Base Power with Stab and 90% Accuracy
Crunch - 120 Base Power with Stab and a 20% chance to lower the target’s defense
Zen Headbutt - 80 Base Power and 90% Accuracy, 20% chance to flinch the target, Coverage against Fighting and Poison Types
Iron Tail - 100 Base Power and 75% accuracy, 30% Chance to lower target’s defense, Coverage against Ice, Rock, and Fairy Types
Hope this helps, I know there are a lot of moves with bad accuracy on here, but Alolan Raticate simply has so little good moves, especially for coverage

Answer 5

Nature: Adamant
EVs: Attack and speed
Ability: Gluttony
Item: Sitrus Berry
Moves:
Crunch-defence reduction
Sucker Punch-Priority
Hyper Fang-May make opponent flinch
U-turn-Momentum

Answer 6

Gen 7 PU

Raticate-Alola @ Darkinium Z / Life Orb
Ability: Hustle
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature

• Return
• Knock Off
• Sucker Punch
• Swords Dance

Return is Normal-type STAB. Knock Off is Dark-type STAB and removes items. Sucker Punch is Dark type STAB priority. Swords Dance is a set-up move. Life Orb is consistent power at the cost of longevity, but Darkinium Z turns Raticate's Swords Dance Hustle boosted Sucker Punch or Knock Off into a devastating wallbreaking tool that will OHKO just about any neutral target after Stealth Rock. Z-Moves also don't miss, letting Raticate bypass Hustle's accuracy drop for 1 turn.