(excuse the lack of proper caps in here)
[OVERVIEW]
Raikou sets itself apart from other Electric-types thanks to its access to Calm Mind, which, when used with a Z-Crystal allows Raikou to become a potent sweeper. This is complemented by its high base Special Attack and Speed, allowing it to outspeed a large portion of the tier. However, Raikou's coverage leaves a lot to be desired, and it faces competition from other Electric-types like Mega Manectric and Rotom-C, as they have more overall utility. Moreover, while it has a good offensive typing, Raikou has difficulty coming in safely due to its mediocre physical bulk and defensive typing.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Shadow Ball / Hyper Beam
item: Ghostium Z / Normalium Z
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Calm Mind boosts Raikou's Special Attack and Special Defense, helping it power through its checks in conjunction with a Z-Move. Thunderbolt is Raikou's strongest reliable STAB attack. Hidden Power Ice and Hidden Power Grass complement it well, as they allow Raikou to hit Ground-types such as Krookodile and Hippowdon super effectively. The former is used specifically for Gliscor and Dragon-types, while Hidden Power Grass is used for Water / Ground types like Swampert and Gastrodon. Shadow Ball is used primarily for its Z-Move, as when boosted, it lets Raikou break Pokemon such as Latias and Celebi without trouble. Hyper Beam serves a similar purpose, as a boosted Breakneck Blitz allows Raikou to beat common switch-ins like Swampert and Hippowdon with some chip damage.
Set Details
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Maximum investment in Special Attack and Speed with a Timid nature allow Raikou to hit as hard as possible and outrun Pokemon like Latias and Cobalion. Ghostium Z and Normalium Z allow Raikou to deal massive damage with Never-Ending Nightmare or Breakneck Blitz, respectively.
Usage Tips
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Raikou should primarily try to sweep late-game when most of its answers are weakened, since it isn't strong enough to OHKO most Pokemon even with a boost. It usually finds most of its setup opportunities against Pokemon it forces out, such as Suicune, Togekiss, and Alomomola. Raikou should try to only use its Z-Move when boosted, as it doesn't do enough damage otherwise. Raikou should avoid coming in on most unresisted hits, since its overall bulk makes it somewhat difficult to switch into them.
Team Options
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Raikou is most effective on bulky offensive teams that need a fast sweeper that can threaten bulky Water- and Flying-types. Reliable entry hazard setters like Gliscor, Klefki, Tentacruel, and Swampert pair well with Raikou, as its ability to force switches lets it capitalize on the chip damage that hazards provide in order to sweep more easily. Raikou appreciates having Ground-types removed, so Pokemon such as Serperior, Azumarill, and Celebi pair well with it. Raikou has difficulty being brought in safely, so U-turn users such as Scizor, Crobat, Mega Beedrill, Gliscor, and Hydreigon work well with it. Raikou gets worn down easily by hazards, so hazard removers like Empoleon, Tentacruel, and Latias make it easier for Raikou to come in. Wallbreakers that can remove specially defensive Pokemon like Snorlax, Blissey, and Amoonguss are appreciated by Raikou because it can't break through them even with a boost. Heracross, Mamoswine, and Terrakion are all effective in this role.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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A set with Substitute, Calm Mind, Thunderbolt, and Hidden Power Ice with Leftovers can be used to take advantage of passive Pokemon like Amoonguss and prevent Raikou from sustaining Toxic damage, but forgoing a coverage move makes it more difficult for Raikou to sweep in other situations. Raikou can use a Shuca Berry to KO the Ground-types like Swampert, Gliscor, and Krookodile, as well as Pokemon that use Ground-type coverage to check it such as Mega Aerodactyl. Signal Beam can be used to hit Krookodile, Hydreigon, and Latias in one slot. However, it lacks power and overall coverage compared to Raikou's other moves, making it awkward to fit on a set. Raikou can run Choice Specs so that it has more immediate power, but its awkward coverage makes it easy to punish. Volt Switch can be used to gain momentum, but Raikou is more effective with another coverage move, and it is outclassed by Pokemon such as Mega Manectric and Rotom-C as a pivot. Electrium Z is useful because a +1 Gigavolt Havoc can OHKO defensive variants of Scizor, but it doesn't have much use otherwise.
Checks and Counters
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**Ground-types**: Hippowdon is the best answer to Raikou, as it can stomach any attack from Raikou and OHKO it with Earthquake. Swampert, Gliscor, and Gastrodon take most hits from Raikou well, but they must be wary of what Hidden Power type Raikou is using. Choice Scarf Krookodile can revenge kill Raikou reliably, but it can't switch into hits repeatedly and must be wary of a boosted Breakneck Blitz if it switches in.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon like Blissey and Alolan Muk can tank Raikou's attacks comfortably and threaten it out. Amoonguss can stomach any attack Raikou uses and can remove its boosts with Clear Smog, though it can only beat Substitute + Calm Mind variants of Raikou if it carries Seed Bomb.
**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Mega Aerodactyl can revenge kill Raikou reliably thanks to its higher base Speed and access to Earthquake. While they need a bit of prior damage to KO Raikou, Mega Beedrill and Choice Scarf variants of Infernape, Terrakion, and Mienshao can also outrun and threaten it.
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