In a trailer, released August 11th, we learned the existence of three new Alolan forms. As you already know which one I'll talk about in this article, let me explain to you why I love this region variant. Raichu was in almost every of my competitive teams and having a new form will bring new strategies to my team. Also, I love its new concept! It FREAKING FLOATS on its TAIL!
Raichu, the Mouse Pokémon and the #26 in the National Pokédex, was part of this fresh restoration. This Alolan form has two major changes from the Kanto counterpart. First, it is now an Electric and a Psychic type Pokémon. Why is it part Psychic? Because Alolan Raichu has eaten ''too many sweet and fluffy round pancakes''. I didn't know diabetes give psychic powers! Second, it has two physical adaptation : its tail is now bigger which it can control with its psychic power to float on it all day, every day and has blue eyes (which can be referred has the Blue Eyed Pikachu owned by Victor, a surfer in the Seafoam Island episode). So, maybe the Pikachu was from Alola and evolved to this magnificent creature!
 |
Comparison of Kanto Raichu and Alolan Raichu |
Its height passed from 2'07'' to 2'04'' and its weight, from 30 kg to 21 kg! It is new a little shorter and lighter, which doesn't make any sense 'cause it eats all the time!
A Pokédex entry has come to my eyes from the Bulbapedia page of Raichu: ''This Pokémon exudes a weak electrical charge from all over its body that makes it take on a slight glow in darkness. Raichu plants its tail in the ground to discharge electricity (Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire entries)''. Plants its tail in the ground... Since Alolan Raichu hasn't its tail spiky and since it now floats on it, maybe the Immunity to Electric-type moves will become an Immunity to Ground-type moves. Let's cross our fingers!
Game data
Raichu's evolution method might not change. Pichu and Pikachu haven't still been revealed as Alolan Pokémon. I'm predicting that Pikachu will evolve with either the radiation from a pancake, when Electric Terrain is activated or when leveled up (above 36) on a beach terrain.
Raichu's ability passed from Lightning Rod or Static to Surge Surfer. This new ability ''which no other Pokémon has previously had [boosts] the Pokémon’s Speed by double on Electric Terrain''. It will be useful for Raichu because its trainer can focus on a sole stat while training it, Special Attack.
The Alolan Raichu has a different typing which brings new resistances and new weaknesses (I'm the chart of a Pokéstar prop from generation V because they share the dual typing). It has now not one weakness but four and gains two resistances (Psychic and Fighting). Here the immune to Ground isn't applied to Raichu unless its new ability makes it Levitate!
Considering that any Raichu has the same total base stat, Alolan Raichu's stats will have some changes from its cousin. Here's what I'm predicting :
 |
| The base stat of Kanto Raichu |
HP : 60
ATK : 70
DEF : 55
SP.ATK : 110
SP.DEF : 90
SPEED : 100
TOTAL : 485
Finally, its learnset might have some major changes. Considering that I cannot predict generation VII moves and considering that I don't know all TMs available in Sun and Moon, I will talk only about generations I to VI. By leveling up, some Psychic moves might be added on, such as Psychic, Confusion and Synchronoise. By breeding, I'm hoping some new stuff from the Field and Fairy Egg group, like Ally Switch.
VGC Strategy
Alolan Raichu has a unique dual typing giving him great offensively. Only Ground, Electric, Dark, Psychic, Grass, and Dragon resist that kind of duo. Its new ability helps Raichu by doubling its speed when Electric Terrain is on the field. That terrain can be set up by an ability or a move. Since the only Pokémon with the ability is an Electric type, it leaves to a support monster to help our homeboy Raichu, as a Special attacker!
Raichu @Choice Specs
Ability : Surge Surfer
Nature : Modest
IV : 31/x/x/31/31/31
EV : [Need the official base stat to have a precise calculation but 252SP.A for sure]
- Thunderbolt
- Discharge
- Psychic
- Hidden Power Ice
This strategy is pretty simple. You deal heavy damage to the opposing team with either a single target move or a multi-target move. With Discharge, you need to switch for or to be partnered with a Ground-type monster. Since Electric Terrain might be activated, Raichu will deal 50% more damage with an Electric move. INSANE! Hidden Power Ice is to cover Ground-type monsters. That is it!
- A Thunderbolt from a Modest Kanto Raichu with Choice Specs and 252 SP.A on a P-Kyogre with 252 HP is a 75% OHKO;
- A HP Ice from a Modest Kanto Raichu with Choice Specs and 252 SP.A on a Jolly Garchomp with 252 HP is a 68,8% OHKO;
- A Psychic from a Modest Kanto Raichu with Choice Specs and 252 SP.A on a Bold M-Venusaur with 252 HP and 52 SP.D is 75% OHKO.
So imagine if the Raichu has a boost in SP.A, it will be a beast! Have fun with the Alolan Raichu and if you have other strategies, let me know in the comment section!
- A Thunderbolt from a Modest Kanto Raichu with Choice Specs and 252 SP.A on a P-Kyogre with 252 HP is a 75% OHKO;
- A HP Ice from a Modest Kanto Raichu with Choice Specs and 252 SP.A on a Jolly Garchomp with 252 HP is a 68,8% OHKO;
- A Psychic from a Modest Kanto Raichu with Choice Specs and 252 SP.A on a Bold M-Venusaur with 252 HP and 52 SP.D is 75% OHKO.
So imagine if the Raichu has a boost in SP.A, it will be a beast! Have fun with the Alolan Raichu and if you have other strategies, let me know in the comment section!
Sources
The Bulbapedia page for Raichu : http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Exeggutor_(Pok%C3%A9mon)
The Official Pokémon Website :
http://www.pokemon-sunmoon.com/en-us/pokemon/alolan-raichu/
No comments:
Post a Comment