Community POTW #017

[Serebii]

This coming week we have the final episode of the anime featuring Ash & Pikachu, as well as next week being the 26th anniversary of the anime.

As such, there was no way we couldn't not do this week

It's Pikachu

Pikachu #025 - Serebii.net Pokédex

Pikachu Pokémon Serebii.net Pokédex providing all details on moves, stats, abilities, evolution data and locations for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

www.serebii.net

 

[KyogreThunder]

Pikachu
@Light Ball
Timid nature
EVs: 252 Speed/252 SpAtk/4 SpDef
Ability: Lightning Rod
-Thunderbolt
-Grass Knot
-Surf
-Tera Blast

 

[ThatDarnCabbage]

Doing Pikachu doesn't mean Raichu isn't also possible as a POTW later, does it?

 

[BillyBobJoe]

Doing Pikachu doesn't mean Raichu isn't also possible as a POTW later, does it?

Raichu is possible later. For one thing, Alolan Raichu exists (and will be legal once HOME support is added).

 

[Divine Retribution]

Despite being the face of the entire series and the recipient of many unique gimmicks, Pikachu simply is not a viable Pokemon to use in battle. It has stats consistent with what you'd expect from an early-game first stage Pokemon, which it originally was. The closest thing to a good stat it has is a mere 90 base Speed; its offenses are terrible and its bulk is virtually non-existent. Its exclusive held item, the Light Ball, does slightly patch up the former problem, but make no mistake, it's not even close to enough to let Pikachu pull its weight on any serious team. Even with the doubled offensives, there are plenty of offensive Pokemon that hit just as hard when holding a damage-boosting item like a Life Orb or Choice Specs and don't have Pikachu's appalling bulk and mediocre Speed. It does have a pretty good movepool, but it's entirely wasted by Pikachu's terrible stats.

Pikachu @ Light Ball
Timid - Lightning Rod
Tera Type: Electric / Ice / Fire / Normal
252 Sp. Atk, 252 Speed, 4 Defense
-Thunderbolt
-Grass Knot
-Nasty Plot
-Substitute / Tera Blast / Extremespeed

So let's face it; if you're using Pikachu competitively, you're doing it as a meme. There's no serious reason to use this Pokemon. A Nasty Plot set is pretty much your best bet of ever being able to sweep with this thing, as it amps up Pikachu's power to very respectable levels in a single turn. Thunderbolt is your STAB move, Grass Knot covers Grounds like Great Tusk, Gastrodon, and Ting-Lu, and your last move is mostly filler. Substitute blocks status and can protect you against priority moves and faster attackers if you somehow manage to set one up, Tera Blast combined with Ice or Fire Tera can allow you to hit certain checks such as Garchomp or Ferrothorn, and Extremespeed with Normal Tera is an option if provided with Baton Pass support.

Speaking of support, this set needs all the support it can get. Sticky Webs from Spidops or Masquerain patches up Pikachu's underwhelming base 90 Speed tier. Screens from the likes of Grimmsnarl give Pikachu an actual chance at surviving a hit. Like any other sweeper, it appreciates entry hazards to wear down bulkier opponents and put them in KO range. Finally, if playing in a format that allows it, Baton Pass support is one way to turn Pikachu into an actual threat (granted, you can turn almost anything into an actual threat if you pass it enough boosts).

The ever-present problem is that there are a metric ton of other Pokemon who could make better use of all that dedicated support. Pikachu just isn't consistent enough to be worth the investment it requires to make it work.​

 

[Mestorn]

Pikachu is a shining example of why Power isn't everything. Doesn't matter if you hit comparably to Groudon when you have the defenses of wet rice paper. Seriously, Dugtrio compares favorably to Pikachu defensively and Dugtrio's defensive utility is non existent. Base 90 speed is not bad, but on something as frail as Pikachu, it is far from sufficient.

Mascot Fight
Pikachu
-Volt Tackle
-Fake Out
-Play Rough
-Volt Switch
Ability: Lightning Rod
Item: Light Ball
EVs and Nature:
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature

Physical Pikachu is an even worse idea than Special Pikachu. Volt Tackle is the main reason why. Yes it is Electric Double Edge... And Pikachu has base 35 HP, one of the lowest in the game. Unless you are Volt Tackling Wugtrio, the resultant Recoil Damage is going to maim if not outright OHKO Pikachu. But hey it hits hard. Fake Out is Priority and easy chip damage, helping Pikachu reach KOs. Play Rough is coverage against Dragon types, a noticeable weakness on Special sets. Volt Switch enables Pikachu to pivot out to an actually effective teammate and is also STAB that wouldn't kill it.

Lightning Rod is recommended for ability. As without it, Pikachu is worse than Wugtrio for defenses (yes an immunity means so much). Light Ball is mandatory for Pikachu to be worth considering, so if Pikachu is Knocked Off (and is miraculously not KO'd), or Tricked, it is out of the fight.

Also some fun damage calcs:
252+ Atk Light Ball Pikachu Volt Tackle vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Bundle: 446-528 (176.2 - 208.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Light Ball Pikachu Volt Tackle vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Dondozo: 326-386 (64.6 - 76.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Light Ball Pikachu Volt Tackle vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Corviknight: 350-414 (87.7 - 103.7%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Light Ball Pikachu Volt Tackle vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Pelipper: 720-852 (222.9 - 263.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Light Ball Pikachu Volt Tackle vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Wugtrio: 866-1022 (408.4 - 482%) -- guaranteed OHKO