NationalDex
raikou
#243

Raikou

Thunder Pokémon

Electric

The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.

Base Stats

HP 90
Attack 85
Defense 75
Sp. Atk 115
Sp. Def 100
Speed 115
Total 580

Type Effectiveness

Abilities

Evolution Chain

Moves

Locations

Details

Category Thunder Pokémon
Height 1.9 m
Weight 178.0 kg
Base Exp 261
Growth Rate Slow
Capture Rate 3
Base Happiness 35
Gender Genderless
Habitat Grassland
Egg Groups No Eggs
Legendary Pokémon

Sprites

raikou Front Front
raikou Back Back
raikou Front Shiny Front Shiny
raikou Back Shiny Back Shiny
raikou Official Art Official Art
raikou Official Art (Shiny) Official Art (Shiny)

Competitive

Pivot
Moves
Thunder / Thunderbolt
Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Grass
Item
Assault Vest / Choice Specs
Ability
Primordial Sea / Regenerator
Nature
Timid
EVs
HP 4
SpA 252
Spe 252
Magnet Pull
Moves
Shadow Ball / Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Grass
Item
Choice Specs
Ability
Magnet Pull
Nature
Rash
EVs
HP 4
SpA 252
Spe 252

Strategy Overview

Raikou is a great pivot in the Almost Any Ability metagame. The combination of its typing, which gives it a single weakness to Ground, and its high Speed and decent bulk allow it to switch in on many Pokemon and pressure them with its STAB moves. Additionally, STAB Volt Switch enables it to get out of unfavorable matchups and do chip damage and is great to keep your momentum up when Raikou forces a foe out. Raikou also does well as a pivot because it's extremely customizable. It can run most abilities, depending on your team's needs, so it can usually check a wide range of Pokemon. Sadly, it can easily get worn down by entry hazards, as it switches in and out a lot. Raikou also has a decent Special Attack stat, which allows it to revenge kill Pokemon and do well versus frailer offensive teams, but it struggles against stall, as it's not strong enough to break most walls. Still, it can be useful against stall by running a Magnet Pull set. While its special bulk is quite good with an Assault Vest, its physical bulk is lacking, making it unable to pivot into physical attackers too many times. It's also fairly predictable, as while it can run many abilities, it's nearly always a pivot and can be fairly easily prepared for.

Most Used Moves

Thunder
39.7%

Most Used Items

Life Orb
13.4%
Leftovers
11.6%

Competitive data from Smogon University via data.pkmn.cc