[Final] Pikachu

On Wiki

Spoiler

Pikachuuuu~~~ It's our favorite Pokemon from the anime!



Wiki Format (complete):

Spoiler

{{pokeheader
|gen=5
}}
{{TOC}}
==General==
Pikachuuu~~~! We all know Pikachu from the anime as Ash's companion Pokemon, but it also has a spot in the [[NU]] metagame. It is quite fast, especially for an NFE Pokemon, and with its signature item [[Light Ball]], its offensive stats soar up to [[Uber]] levels. Literally. One might wonder why Pikachu is stuck all the way down in NU, but another look at its stats, and the answer becomes apparent - its horrendous 35/30/40 defenses will ensure that it goes down in two hits max. It also has a slight case of four-moveslot syndrome; it has a lot of excellent moves but not enough moveslots to fit them all. And finally, Pikachu is only viable with the Light Ball - any other item and its offensive stats plummet to laughably horrible levels. Despite its terrible defenses, Pikachu's amazing Dream World ability [[Lightningrod]] allows Pikachu to switch into [[Electric]]-type attacks with ease, where it can then wreck. It's Speed, while decent, is also not enough to stop speedy Pokemon from revenge killing our friendly Electric Mouse. Pikachu has some glaring weaknesses in plain sight, but if you're not careful when facing it, you could be in for quite a shock.

==SubChu==
{{set
|name=SubChu
|pkmn=Pikachu
|item=Light Ball
|ability=Lightningrod
|nature=Timid
|ev=4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
|move1=Substitute
|move2=Thunderbolt
|move3=Hidden Power Ice
|move4=Encore
|move42=Grass Knot
}}
Because of Pikachu's pathetic defenses, a Substitute set is probably its best option, as being behind a Substitute will somewhat mask the fact that it can't take a lot of hits. Thankfully, Pikachu's immunity to Electric-type moves thanks to its ability Lightningrod gives it plenty of opportunities to switch in and set up. Thunderbolt is its STAB move of choice, as it hits quite hard once Light Ball, EVs, STAB, and possible Lightningrod boosts have been taken into account. Hidden Power Ice allows Pikachu to hit those Ground-types who are immune to Thunderbolt, providing it with pseudo BoltBeam coverage. Encore can be used for the final moveslot to lock in Pokemon who are using moves that do not damage Pikachu (e.g. [[Stealth Rock]], [[Volt Switch]]) to give it a surefire opportunity to set up. Grass Knot can be used instead of Encore to cover heavier Ground-types and for more supereffective coverage.

==NastyChu==
{{set
|name=NastyChu
|pkmn=Feraligatr
|item=Light Ball
|ability=Lightningrod
|nature=Timid
|ev=4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
|move1=Nasty Plot
|move2=Thunderbolt
|move3=Hidden Power Ice
|move4=Substitute
|move42=Encore
}}
If you wish to sweep with Pikachu, this set is the answer. With a single Nasty Plot boost, Pikachu's Special Attack soars to an amazing 796 after EVs and Light Ball. Pikachu can use one of two moves to help it set up - Substitute or Encore. While Encore is probably easier to use, Substitute is more rewarding if you can pull it off, as it allows Pikachu to block status and take hits from revenge killers. Like the previous set, Thunderbolt and Hidden Power Ice provide a nice pseudo BoltBeam coverage.

==Checks and Counters==
Pikachu fears any Pokemon faster than it is. Some of those Pokemon include {{5gnu|Swellow}} and Choice Scarf users such as {{5gnu|Sawk}}. Priority users such as {{5gnu|Gurdurr}} are also feared by any Pikachu not behind a Substitute because they could pick off Pikachu easily with a priority [[Mach Punch]]. {{5gnu|Probopass}} can shrug off most of Pikachu's moves with its massive Special Defense stat unless it runs the unorthodox [[Hidden Power]] Ground. {{5gnu|Camerupt}} can also shrug off most of Pikachu's moves for the same reasons as Probopass. {{5gnu|Seismitoad}} completely walls any Pikachu without Grass Knot as it is immune to Thunderbolt and can hit back with a STAB supereffective [[Earthquake]].

==Other Options==
As said in the General section, Pikachu has a vast variety of moves in its movepool, but not enough moveslots to fit them all in. [[Volt Switch]] is useful for scouting, but this is best left to Choice Scarf users such as {{5gnu|Manectric}} and {{5gnu|Raichu}}. [[Knock Off]] could also be used to get rid of important items such as [[Eviolite]], but Pikachu's four moveslot syndrome prevents this from being commonplace in the metagame. Pikachu can run an [[Agility]] set, but that makes it vulnerable to anything it can't OHKO, as well as priority. [[Sing]] can be used to put Pokemon to sleep and set up, but it is incredibly innacurate and not recommended. Pikachu does have an excellent physical movepool as well. [[Volt Tackle]] is Pikachu's strongest STAB Attack, but Pikachu's low HP combined with Volt Tackle's high recoil makes using Volt Tackle practically suicide. [[Focus Punch]] can be run to get past some common checks like Probopass, while [[ExtremeSpeed]] is a nice +2 priority move to pick off weaker foes, but these two moves can only be used with the inferior [[Static]] ability. [[Brick Break]] is a less powerful alternative to Focus Punch, and [[Fake Out]] can be used to get a free hit on the switch-in.

[/HIDE]

Skeleton:

Spoiler

==General==:
*Extremely fast for an NFE Pokemon
*Pikachu's signature Light Ball raises its offensive stats to enormous levels
*Horrendous 35/30/40 defenses will ensure it goes down in 2 hits max.
*Despite terrible defenses, immunity to Electric thanks to Lightningrod gives it the ability to switch in on Electric-types and boost its own SAtk.
*Only viable with its Light Ball - no recovery items or anything
*Slight four-moveslot syndrome

==SubChu==:
Pikachu (M) @ Light Ball
Trait: Lightningrod
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 Def
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power (Ice)
- Encore / Grass Knot

Set Comments:
*Substitute prevents Pikachu from being crippled by status, revenge killed, or priority killed, and eases prediction.
*Thunderbolt is Pikachu's powerful STAB move of choice and hits quite hard
*Hidden Power Ice allows Pikachu to hit the Ground-types who are immune to Thunderbolt supereffectively (pseudo BoltBeam coverage)
*Encore allows Pikachu to trap an opposing Pokemon into a move it takes no damage from to give it a surefire opportunity to set up (e.g. Stealth Rock, Volt Switch).
*Grass Knot can be used in place of Encore to hit heavier Ground types and for more supereffective coverage.

==NastyChu==
Pikachu (M) @ Light Ball
Trait: Lightningrod
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Nasty Plot
- Substitute / Encore
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power (Ice)

Set Comments:
*One Nasty Plot boosts Pikachu's Special Attack to 796 after EVs and Light Ball
*Substitute or Encore allows Pikachu to gain the opportunity to set up.
*Encore is easier to use, but Substitute prevents revenge kills and status
*Thunderbolt and Hidden Power Ice, like the previous set, provide pseudo BoltBeam coverage.

==Checks & Counters==

*Faster Pokemon and Choice Scarf users can check Pikachu quite easily if it's not already behind a Substitute
*Priority users such as Gurdurr are also feared by Pikachu for the same reasons
*Probopass can shrug off most of Pikachu's moves with its massive SDef unless it runs the unorthodox Hidden Power Ground
*Camerupt can check Pikachu for the same reasons as Probopass
*Seismitoad completely walls Pikachu unless it runs Grass Knot and can hit back with a supereffective Earthquake

==Other Options==

*Volt Switch can be run, but it is better used on Choice users such as Manectric
*Volt Tackle can be run, as it is Pikachu's strongest STAB move, but its low HP and high recoil ensure a quick death by suicide
*Knock Off can be run to get rid of Eviolites, but Pikachu doesn't have the room for it in its moveslots
*An Agility set can be run, but that makes Pikachu vulnerable to anything it can't OHKO.
*Focus Punch can be run on a physical set to get past some common checks such as Probopass, with Brick Break as an alternative
*Extremespeed is a nice strong +2 priority move, and Fake Out can be used for a free hit when it switches in.
*Focus Punch and ExtremeSpeed are only legal with Static, an ultimately inferior ability to Lightningrod
*Sing can be used to put Pokemon to sleep, though it is incredibly inaccurate and is not often used [/HIDE][/HIDE]

 

God, I hate Pikachu lol. Analysis looks good, not too much to add.

In OO, Pikachu has some good Physical moves in its arsenal and can utilize them to some success. Pikachu has access to Focus Punch allowing it to get past some of common checks like Probopass. It can also use Priority moves such as Fake Out and Extremespeed. Brick Break is also notable as an alternative to Focus Punch. You should note that Focus Punch and Extremespeed can only be used with the ability Static.

 

You mean "at maximum two hits" not "at least two hits" ;P

 

God, Pikachu is so goddamn overrated. :<

Nothing I can see that Incon hasn't covered already though.

 

Changes made

 

Nothing else from me.

Approved

 

good writeup, I have nothing to add!
Approved

 

Good Job!
Approved.

 

updated

Spoiler

{{Header}}
{{Tier|BW2 NU}}

{{Overview|We all know Pikachu from the anime as Ash's companion Pokemon, but it also has a spot in the NU metagame. It is quite fast, especially for an NFE Pokemon, and with its signature item Light Ball, its offensive stats soar up to Uber levels. Literally.

One might wonder why Pikachu is stuck all the way down in NU, but another look at its stats, and the answer becomes apparent - its horrendous 35/30/40 defenses will ensure that it goes down in two hits maximum, and it also has a slight case of four-moveslot syndrome; it has a lot of excellent moves but not enough moveslots to fit them all.

Finally, Pikachu is only viable with the Light Ball - any other item and its offensive stats plummet to laughable levels. Despite its terrible defenses, Pikachu's amazing Dream World ability Lightningrod allows Pikachu to switch into Electric-type attacks with ease, where it can then wreck. Its Speed, while decent, is also not enough to stop speedy Pokemon from revenge killing our friendly Electric Mouse. While Pikachu has some glaring weaknesses, if you're not careful when facing it, you could be in for quite a shock.}}

{{Set|SubChu|
Pikachu @ Light Ball
Trait: Lightningrod
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
- Encore / Grass Knot}}

{{Comments|Because of Pikachu's pathetic defenses, a Substitute set is probably its best option, as being behind a Substitute will somewhat mask the fact that it can't take any hits. Thankfully, Pikachu's immunity to Electric-type moves thanks to its ability Lightningrod gives it plenty of opportunities to switch in and set up. Thunderbolt is its STAB move of choice, as it hits quite hard once Light Ball, EVs, STAB, and possible Lightningrod boosts have been taken into account. Hidden Power Ice allows Pikachu to hit those Ground-types who are immune to Thunderbolt, providing it with pseudo BoltBeam coverage. Encore can be used for the final moveslot to lock in Pokemon who are using moves that do not damage Pikachu (e.g. Stealth Rock, Volt Switch) to give it a surefire opportunity to set up. Grass Knot can be used instead of Encore to cover heavier Ground-types and for more super effective coverage.}}

{{Set|NastyChu|
Pikachu @ Light Ball
Trait: Lightningrod
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
- Substitute / Encore}}

{{Comments|If you wish to sweep with Pikachu, this set is the answer. With a single Nasty Plot boost, Pikachu's Special Attack soars to an amazing 796 after EVs and Light Ball. Pikachu can use one of two moves to help it set up - Substitute or Encore. While Encore is probably easier to use, Substitute is more rewarding if you can pull it off, as it allows Pikachu to block status and take hits from revenge killers. Like the previous set, Thunderbolt and Hidden Power Ice provide a nice pseudo BoltBeam coverage.}}

{{Options|As said in the General section, Pikachu has a vast variety of moves in its movepool, but not enough moveslots to fit them all in. Volt Switch is useful for scouting, but this is best left to Choice Scarf users such as big brother Raichu. Knock Off could also be used to get rid of important items such as Eviolite, but Pikachu's four moveslot syndrome prevents this from being commonplace in the metagame. Pikachu can run an Agility set, but that makes it vulnerable to anything it can't OHKO, as well as priority. Sing can be used to put Pokemon to sleep and set up, but it is incredibly innacurate and not recommended. Pikachu does have an excellent physical movepool as well. Volt Tackle is Pikachu's strongest STAB Attack, but Pikachu's low HP combined with Volt Tackle's high recoil makes using Volt Tackle practically suicide. Focus Punch can be run to get past some common checks like Probopass, while ExtremeSpeed is a nice +2 priority move to pick off weaker foes, but these two moves can only be used with the inferior Static ability. Brick Break is a less powerful alternative to Focus Punch, and Fake Out can be used to get a free hit on the switch-in.}}

{{Checks|Pikachu fears any Pokemon faster than it is. Some of those Pokemon include Swellow and Choice Scarf users such as Sawk. Priority users such as Gurdurr are also feared by any Pikachu not behind a Substitute because they could pick off Pikachu easily with a priority Mach Punch. Probopass can shrug off most of Pikachu's moves with its massive Special Defense stat unless it runs the unorthodox Hidden Power Ground. Camerupt can also shrug off most of Pikachu's moves for the same reasons as Probopass. Seismitoad completely walls any Pikachu without Grass Knot as it is immune to Thunderbolt and can hit back with a STAB supereffective Earthquake.}}

{{footer}}