Alolan Raichu

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!

Comparison of Kanto Raichu and Alolan Raichu

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!

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

Alolan Stat

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!

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/

Alolan Exeggutor

On August 1st, the Pokémon company revealed a trailer showing new species from the Alola region, a new attack method, the Z-Move, and, more importantly, Kanto species getting some makeover... the Alola form. 

Comparison of Kanto Exeggutor and Alolan Exeggutor

Exeggutor, the Coconut Pokémon and the #103 in the National Pokédex, was part of this freshly restoration. This Alolan form has two major changes from the Kanto counterpart. First, it is now a Grass and a Dragon type Pokémon. Why is it part Dragon? Alolan Exeggutor might be based from the Madagascar Dragon Tree. Second, it has two physical adaptation from this tropical climate : a fourth head has grown up on its tail (and it might have grown a tail too) and has a HUGE neck (if you haven't noticed yet).

Its height passed from 6'07'' to freaking 35'09'' and its weight, from 120 kg to 415.6 kg!

Here's the explanation from the Official website : ''The environment of the Alola region, where strong sunlight pours down all year round, brought about this change in Exeggutor’s form. The people of Alola boast that the Alolan Exeggutor is the true form of Exeggutor''.

A Pokédex entry has come to my eyes the same day, from the Bulbapedia page of Exeggutor: ''Exeggutor originally came from the tropics. Its heads steadily grow larger from exposure to strong sunlight (Ruby and Sapphire entries)''. Even if this entry was long before this day, did the Pokémon company plan this Alola form long ago while we were too innocent to believe and notice that kind of information? Even if the answer is yes, or no, they might have studied every entry for the insane, but awesome, comeback.

Game data

Exeggutor's evolution method might also change. Exeggcute haven't still been revealed as an Alolan Pokémon. I'm predicting that Exeggcute will evolve with either the radiation from the Sun Stone or when leveled up (above 40) during sun in the overworld (like Sliggoo with Rain). Why doesn't Alola Exeggcute evolve with a normal Leaf Stone? Well, in the trailer of August 11th, we can see Kanto species, Pikachu and Cubone, evolving in a green aura. Since Exeggcute haven't been announce to have a Alolan form, yet, I'm presuming that it will have the same feature - A new way to evolve -, but I will talk about that on an other post, coming later on.

Exeggutor's ability passed from Chlorophyll to Frisk. Its new ability will be discussed below, in the VGC strategy section.

The Alolan Exeggutor has a different typing which brings new resistances (not exactly) and new weaknesses (I'm using M-Sceptile's type effectiveness chart because they share the dual typing). It has now not seven weaknesses but six (a new 4x weakness to Ice too) and lost 2 resistances (Psychic and Fighting) but gained a 1/4x resistance to Electric.

Type effectiveness of Mega Sceptile

Considering that any Exeggutor has the same total base stat, Alolan Exeggutor's stats will have some changes from its cousin. It is heavier and taller which means that it might be slower when moving. With its fourth head on its new tail, Exeggutor might have a boost in physical attack while dropping some stats in physical defense, its long neck is its weakness. ''Unlike other Exeggutor, the Alolan Exeggutor has a fourth head—on its tail! This fourth head controls the tail independently and can take on opponents to the rear that can’t be reached by the main heads’ attacks. This Pokémon excels at whipping its long neck like a lash to attack with its hard heads. But that neck can sometimes become a weakness...(the Pokémon Company International, 2016)''. Here's what I'm predicting :

Base stats from Kanto Exeggutor

Alolan Stat

HP : 90

ATK : 120

DEF : 60

SP.ATK : 120

SP.DEF : 85

SPEED : 45

TOTAL : 520

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, every Psychic moves might switch to Dragon moves, such as Outrage, Dragon Rush and Dragon Tail. By breeding, I'm hoping some new stuff from the Grass Egg group.

VGC Strategy

Alolan Exeggutor will have many weaknesses to consider while battling, but it will come handy in some battle scenarios. It is pretty offensive, but still has some good status moves. The best way to use any Exeggutor is either under the sun or... in a Trick Room dimension. Since it lost its part-Psychic type, it will need a partner for setting down this low-priority move. Also, its new ability, Frisk, will come handy to anticipate your opponent - it helps the trainer of the Pokémon with that ability to know every battle held item on your opponent's monsters.

Exeggutor @Rawst Berry
Ability : Frisk
Nature : Brave
IV : 31/31/31/31/31/0 (or any spread with HP Ice)
EV : [Need the official base stat to have a precise calculation]
- Power Whip
- Hidden Power Ice
- Sleep Powder or Any physical Dragon move
- Protect

Alolan Exeggutor is now damaged normally by Fire-type moves thanks to it's newly acquired part-Dragon, but gaining some more physically offensive presence means it is also a target of the burning status condition, and a burned Exeggutor will deal only 50% of its true power. It is the reason why I'm putting a Rawst Berry to cover that weakness. The Brave nature is a great nature to have in a Trick Room team - it lowers the speed to add more physical power. The Individual values (IV) on Exeggutor are important because you need less speed and also, it gives any Pokémon the [Ice] Hidden Power. The Ice Hidden Power is a great move to counter other Dragon (which are also all 4x weak to Ice and any Flying Pokémon - Exeggutor hates birds). Power Whip has the same type attack boost (STAB) and any physical Dragon type too. Finally, Protect is needed in that case because you want to wait for the Trick Room to be set up before unleashing moves. 

It is all for Alolan Exeggutor. If you agree with this strategy or want to highlight a flaw in it, don't be shy and leave a comment down below!

Sources 

The Bulbapedia page for Exeggutor : http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Exeggutor_(Pok%C3%A9mon)

The Official Pokémon Website :
http://www.pokemon-sunmoon.com/en-us/pokemon/alolan-exeggutor/