Raikou

Raikou makes for a powerful sweeper and pivot, utilizing its great Special Attack that is further powered up by Calm Mind and Choice Specs. Its speed tier lets it outspeed many opposing threats in the metagame, including Maushold and both non-Choice Scarf Gengar and Jirachi. With Calm Mind, Raikou becomes a dangerous late-game cleaner and wincon because of its potential to break down opposing special walls like Hisuian Goodra and Empoleon. Equipped with a Choice Specs, Raikou can act as a pivot that also serves as a dangerous wallbreaker in the tier. However, it can run Heavy-Duty Boots to prevent chip damage from entry hazards, letting it get on the field more. Furthermore, Raikou's typing gives it resistances to Noivern's Hurricane and Jirachi's Iron Head. With good coverage moves in Scald and Aura Sphere, it's no wonder that Raikou can also threaten Bisharp, Cyclizar, and Rhyperior. However, Raikou's below-average defensive typing makes it vulnerable to Krookodile and Terrakion's Earthquake and in exchange doesn't give it many good resistances. Raikou struggles to break through opposing special walls such as Alolan Muk, Cyclizar without Aura Sphere, and Umbreon. Raikou is also not helped by its rather frail physical bulk, which leaves it prone to many physical priority attacks, namely Crawdaunt's Aqua Jet, Bisharp's Sucker Punch, and Breloom's Mach Punch.