Rapidash
Dec 23, 2011 18:31:35 GMT -8
Post by GGFan on Dec 23, 2011 18:31:35 GMT -8
Type/s: Fire
HP: 333
Attack: 298
Defense: 238
Speed: 308
Special: 258
OU strategy
Overview
On paper, Rapidash looks like he should be used more than he has since the inception of competitive RBY. Not only is he the fastest Fire-Type, but he has a pretty good attack stat to go along with his speed. But Rapidash's potential is wasted by a dearth of available attacks. Because he has access only to Fire and Normal-Type attacks, he is more easily walled than the likes of Charizard and even Arcanine. Moreover, his mediocre special stat doesn't help him, either, because his most powerful attack depends on it. However, instead of acquiescing to the rigors of the metagame, Rapidash's high speed does allow him to somewhat compete, mostly because of the high critical hit rate that comes with it.
Sweeper
~Fire Blast
~Body Slam
~Hyper Beam
~Mimic/Agility
Thanks to a critical hit rate of over 20%, you have a Pokemon that can wreak some havoc if luck is on your side. And that's what you'll need if using Rapidash, because his Fire Blast just isn't powerful enough in OU. For example, Snorlax, despite his low special stat, will survive three of them--even if you hit for max damage every time. But with a timely crit or two, Rapidash can score a kill. The most notable victim is definitely Chansey: after coming in to absorb Fire Blast, she dies to a a crit Hyper Beam more often than not. A similar result can be achieved against Starmie, though it has to have taken a hit prior to taking the incoming Fire Blast. Therefore, it would be prudent to try and predict the switch-in and use Body Slam instead. Although it sounds lame that Rapidash can only do something significant via luck, that's just the way it is and we both need to accept that.
Agility is probably the best fourth move. In case you didn't know, the speed reduction from paralysis is superseded by a Pokemon under the effects of Agility. Mimic is incredibly gimmicky--especially on a frail Pokemon such as Rapidash--but it's quirky enough to coincide with the fact that you're using Rapidash in OU.
Other options
Maybe Reflect.
Favorable match-ups
Rapidash does alright against Exeggutor and Jynx.
Counter
Most of the OU metagame has too much defense (Starmie, Chansey, Lapras, Snorlax, Golem/Rhydon), too much speed (Tauros, Gengar, Alakazam), Counter (Chansey), or Thunder Wave (Starmie, Chansey, Zapdos, Jolteon). Agility isn't going to prevent Rapidash from losing turns that he can't afford to spare. Obviously, Rapidash is better suited for UU, where only Aerodactyl and Electrode outspeed him. This allows him to play the role of revenge killer--somewhat effectively, at least. Kabutops and Omastar wall him with ease, but you can at least burn the former with Fire Blast.