ZU Rapidash [Done]

[S1nn0hC0nfirm3d]

[OVERVIEW]

Rapidash has a niche as one of the few purely physical Fire-types in ZU, and it is one of the best thanks to strong Fire- and Electric-type coverage in Flare Blitz and Wild Charge, high Speed, and access to instant recovery in Morning Sun, providing great offensive utility and making a great revenge killer against attackers like Exeggutor, Swanna, and Leafeon. When equipped with a Choice Scarf, Rapidash is able to revenge kill slower Choice Scarf users like Swanna and Electivire thanks to its superior Speed and coverage. However, its weakness to entry hazards, lackluster bulk, and reliance on recoil-heavy attacks all cause Rapidash to be worn down quickly, preventing it from revenge killing multiple foes in a game. Furthermore, physical walls like Golem and Altaria can shrug off most of Rapidash's attacks and capitalize on its vulnerability to residual damage by using Stealth Rock or Toxic while facing it.

[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Wild Charge
move 3: High Horsepower / Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Morning Sun
item: Firium Z / Life Orb
ability: Flash Fire / Flame Body
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Wild Charge is an extremely important coverage move to hit Water-types like Swanna and Silvally-Water. High Horsepower allows Rapidash to hit Golem hard, as well as other Fire-types like Combusken and opposing Rapidash. Morning Sun allows Rapidash to offset the recoil it gets from Flare Blitz, Wild Charge, and Life Orb. Will-O-Wisp can be used over High Horsepower to punish physically attacking walls that switch into Rapidash like Granbull and Golem.

Set Details
========

Firium Z gives Rapidash a one-time nuke with Flare Blitz, removing recoil but most importantly scoring guaranteed KOs on the likes of Komala and Kecleon. Life Orb, instead, gives a consistent damage boost to all of Rapidash's attacking moves at the cost of more residual damage. Flash Fire gives Rapidash opportunity to switch into Fire-type attacks for free while receiving a buff to its own STAB attack. Alternatively, Flame Body in conjunction with Firium Z provides an incentive for switching into weaker contact attacks like Knock Off for the burn chance.

Usage Tips
========

This Rapidash set is best suited as a wallbreaker for offensive teams and can be a decent cleaner once its checks like Poliwrath and Golem are gone or significantly weakened. Utilize Flash Fire when applicable, as while Rapidash is frail, it can come in on a predicted Fire-type attack from Pokemon like Simisear and Monferno so it can boost its Flare Blitz. If Flame Body is chosen instead, try to switch in on weaker STAB moves from physical attackers like Pinsir, Leafeon, and Pawniard. Rapidash should avoid recklessly taking residual damage from entry hazards and recoil and should keep track of how much damage it is racking up on itself. Morning Sun can be used to restore the accumulated damage when forcing switches or on burned physical attackers. Be picky when using Rapidash's Z-Move, as it provides the power to dent Pokemon like Silvally-Fighting and Bouffalant while simultaneously forgoing the usual recoil from Flare Blitz.

Team Options
========

Rapidash is best selected for offensive teams and pairs well with other offensive Pokemon like Crustle and Marowak, which enjoy Rapidash's Fire-type coverage and struggle with Grass-types like Gourgeist-XL and Leafeon without it. Rapidash works especially well with entry hazard removal from Silvally-Water and Sandslash because it is very vulnerable to entry hazards on its own. In return, Rapidash also helps these two by targeting attackers that threaten them like Simisage and Swanna. Grass-types like Gourgeist-XL and Exeggutor make for good checks to Water- and Ground-types and can threaten some hazard users and physical walls like Sandslash, Mareanie, and Golem that Rapidash struggles with. Water-types like Swanna and Simipour handle Rock- and Ground-types for Rapidash. In turn, they appreciate how Rapidash wears down shared checks like Mareanie and Poliwrath, making them easier to KO with a Z-Move. Slow users of U-turn like defensive Silvally-Fighting and Komala are notable, as they can bring in Rapidash safely. On top of being slow pivots, Silvally-Fighting and Komala are also examples of Defog and Rapid Spin users to keep the field safe for Rapidash. On the other hand, entry hazard setters like Bronzor and Golem are helpful to let Rapidash get easy KOs on the opposing team.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Wild Charge
move 3: High Horsepower
move 4: Toxic
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Wild Charge is great coverage that hits Swanna and Floatzel extremely hard. High Horsepower hits other Fire-types like opposing Rapidash and Simisear, as well as Rock-types like Golem. Toxic punishes checks like Pyukumuku and defensive Golem by wearing them down. Megahorn can be considered over Toxic, as it can revenge kill Psychic- and Grass-types like Kadabra and Exeggutor without the heavy recoil from Flare Blitz.

Set Details
========

Choice Scarf cements Rapidash's role as a formidable revenge killer, enabling it to outspeed the majority of the metagame. Flash Fire is chosen over Flame Body, as without recovery, Rapidash would rather have the immunity to Fire-type attacks than being able to fish for burns.

Usage Tips
========

With Choice Scarf, Rapidash can serve as a fast attacker; it is especially effective against hyper offensive teams, as they often struggle with its Speed and coverage. Rapidash is a great revenge killer against the likes of Swanna and Sawsbuck. It can also be an effective cleaner when it can lock into Flare Blitz, as long as Pokemon that resist it like Silvally-Water and Combusken are weakened or already KOed. Bring in Rapidash safely on a free switch or with a slow pivot, especially when your side of the field lacks entry hazards, to effectively threaten the opponent. Once Rapidash is locked into a move, setup sweepers like Swords Dance Combusken and Z-Mirror Move Swanna can take advantage of it. In these cases, revenge kill with caution. Rapidash is much easier to wear down compared to sets running Morning Sun, so it should be wary of recoil and chip damage. If Rapidash is the team's main revenge killer, try not to jeopardize its health early on if the opponent still has their main setup sweeper left, like Z-Rain Dance Swanna or Rock Polish Torterra.

Team Options
========

Pokemon like Komala and Silvally-Dragon work really well with Rapidash, as they help remove entry hazards that it is vulnerable to and, in the case of Silvally-Dragon, alleviate offensive pressure on it. Grass-types like Leafeon let Rapidash ease prediction and provide perfect synergy with it, as they deal with the Rock- and Water-types that Rapidash has a bad time with, and Rapidash can deal with opposing Grass- and Ice-types for them. Entry hazard setters like Crustle and Mareanie let Rapidash exert greater offensive pressure, making for easier wallbreaking. Water-types like Silvally-Water and Swanna help shield Rapidash from Water- and Ground-type attacks from Poliwrath and Sandslash. Silvally-Water can also remove entry hazards and let Rapidash come in safely with Parting Shot, weakening the foe's attacks and letting Rapidash force switches.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Charcoal boosts Rapidash's main STAB attack Flare Blitz without the recoil of Life Orb, albeit at the cost of not boosting any of its coverage attacks. Toxic instead of Will-O-Wisp on the offensive set helps wear down its checks like Poliwrath and Golem but means Rapidash has a much harder time threatening physical attackers; priority users like Pawniard and offensive Mawile can especially be harder to deal with. Sunny Day can be used in conjunction with Firium Z to boost Rapidash's Speed and let it play the roles of both a revenge killer and sweeper, but it is only useful on sun teams and comes at the cost of its utility move in Will-O-Wisp. Groundium Z can be used to lure Mareanie and Golem and break Fire-types, but Firium Z is much better for a STAB nuke, and Rapidash still cannot break defensive Golem on its own. A set with Substitute + Toxic lets Rapidash ease Sucker Punch predictions and protect itself from Toxic. This set also allows Rapidash to cripple its normal checks like Pyukumuku and Golem, but this removes two valuable coverage moves. Hidden Power Ice can do heavy damage to Altaria and Gabite, which normally wall Rapidash, but Rapidash has too much trouble fitting this move over its more relevant coverage options.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Physically defensive Pokemon such Golem, Sandslash, and Altaria can take hits from Rapidash and cripple it with status or their super effective STAB attacks. The former two have to be careful of switching into a Will-O-Wisp or Toxic, though.

**Water-types**: Physically defensive Water-types like Pyukumuku, Poliwrath, and Mareanie can stomach Rapidash's Wild Charge and either recover the HP lost or use a super effective STAB move against it. Offensive Water-types like Floatzel and Swanna cannot safely switch into Rapidash but are either naturally faster or can use priority in Aqua Jet to take Rapidash out once it is weakened from residual damage.

**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Electivire and Floatzel can outspeed Rapidash and can take care of it with their STAB moves. However, they must be wary of the Choice Scarf set.

**Priority Moves**: Strong or super effective priority moves such as Sucker Punch from Kecleon and Aqua Jet from Swanna can take care of Rapidash with just a little prior damage, provided that Rapidash does not avoid Sucker Punch with Will-O-Wisp.

**Residual Damage**: Due to a weakness to all entry hazards and the use of recoil moves, Rapidash tends to faint very fast if it does not get an opportunity to use Morning Sun.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[WMAR, 273646], [Ho3nConfirm3d, 231074]]
- Quality checked by: [[5gen, 296755], [Ho3nConfirm3d, 231074], [uhuhuhu7, 407249]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [estronic, 240732]]

 

[bigtalk]

AMGP check, implement what you want

Unfortunately, I didn't realize this was only qc 2/3 until I was just about to send this post... oh well

general comments

• "x-types" is hyphenated
• "x-types and y-types" can be shortened to "x- and y-types"
• "entry hazards", not just "hazards"
• "STAB moves", not "STABs"

add remove (comment)
(AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; AH=add hyphen; RH=remove hyphen)

check

[OVERVIEW]

• Rapidash has a niche as one of the few purely (say "physical pure Fire-types" if you meant it's a pure fire-type) physical Fire-types in ZU, and is it's one of the best (RC) as it has thanks to strong Fire / Electric coverage in Flare Blitz and Wild Charge, higher Speed, and access to instant recovery in Morning Sun.
• Rapidash provides great offensive utility and being is a great revenge killer against attackers like Exeggutor, Swanna, and Leafeon.
• When equipped with its own Choice Scarf, Rapidash is capable to of revenge killing slower Choice Scarf users like Swanna and Electivire with thanks to ("revenge killing ... with its speed" doesn't make sense) its solid speed and coverage.
• Its hazard weakness to entry hazards, lackluster bulk, and reliance on recoil-(AH)heavy attacks all wear down Rapidash cause Rapidash to be worn down and can prevent it from revenge killing multiple times in the game.
• Physical walls like Golem and Altaria can shrug off most of Rapidash's attacks and capitalize on its vulnerability to residual damage by using Stealth Rock or Toxic while facing it.

[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Wild Charge
move 3: High Horsepower / Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Morning Sun
item: Firium Z / Life Orb
ability: Flash Fire / Flame Body
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

• Flare Blitz is Rapidash's main STAB move hitting that hits for massive damage, allowing it to OHKO threats like Leafeon.
• Wild Charge is an extremely important coverage move to hit its Water Type Water-types like Swanna and Silvally-Water.
• High Horsepower allows Rapidash to hit Golem and Mareanie hard, while also hitting other Fire-(AH)types like Combusken.
• Morning Sun gives Rapidash some recovery from recovery to offset the recoil it gets from Life Orb and Flare Blitz (and wild charge?).
• Will-O-Wisp can be used to punish physically-(AH)attacking walls that switch into Rapidash like Granbull and Golem.

Set Details
========

• Firium Z gives Rapidash a one-(AH)time nuke on with Flare Blitz, removing recoil but most importantly scoring guaranteed KOs on the likes of Komala and Kecleon.
• Life Orb, (AC) instead, (AC) gives consistent boosted damage on all its a consistent damage boost to all of Rapidash's attacking moves at the cost of more residual damage.
• Flash Fire gives the opportunity for Rapidash to switch into Fire type attacks for both the immunity and the buff to its own Fire attacks makes Rapidash immune to Fire-type attacks and buffs its own when it switches into them (kind of a long change but i couldn't think of a terser way to rephrase this). Alternatively, Flame Body in conjunction with Firium Z provides an incentive for switching into weaker physical contact attacks for the burn chance.

Usage Tips
========

• This Rapidash set is best suited as a wallbreaker for offensive teams and can be a decent cleaner (RC) allowing to clean teams when once (repetition) its checks like Poliwrath and Golem are gone or significantly weakened.
• Utilize Flash Fire when applicable, as while Rapidash is frail, it can come in on a predicted Fire- Type Fire-type attack from Pokemon like Simisear and Monferno so you it can boost its Flare Blitz and hit even harder.
• If Flame Body is chosen, try securing switchins to switch in on weaker STABs STAB moves or Knock Offs from physical attackers like Pinsir, Leafeon, and Pawniard.
• Rapidash should avoid relentless recklessly taking residual damage from entry hazards and recoil (RC) and should keep track of how much damage it is racking up on itself. Morning Sun can be used to combat the racking racked up damage when forcing switches or on burned physical attackers.
• Be picky when using its Rapidash's Z-(AH)Move, as it provides the power to dent Pokemon like Silvally-Fighting and Bouffalant, while simultaneously forgoing the usual recoil from Flare Blitz.

Team Options
========

• Rapidash is best settled selected for offensive teams that need the Fire its Fire-type coverage and struggle with Grass-(AH)types like Gourgeist-XL and Leafeon without it.
• Rapidash works especially well with entry hazard removal from Silvally-Water and Sandslash because Rapidash is very vulnerable to entry hazards on its own.
• Grass-(AH)types like the aforementioned (you didn't mention it as a partner) Gourgeist-XL make for good checks to Water-(AH) types and Ground-(AH)types, (AC) and Gourgeist-XL in particular can threaten some entry hazard users and physical walls like Sandlsash and Golem that Rapidash struggles with.
• Water-(AH)types like Swanna and Simipour handle Rock-(AH) types and Ground-(AH)types by hitting them for super effective damage.
• Slow users of U-turn and Volt Switch like Probopass and Komala can bring in Rapidash safely; (semicolon) regards to Komala who Komala can also remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin and help heal (Rapidash / teammates) with Wish into a slow U-turn into Wish.
• Entry hazard setters like Bronzor and Golem are helpful to let Rapidash get easy KOes on the opposing team.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Wild Charge
move 3: High Horsepower
move 4: Toxic
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

• Wild Charge is great coverage that hits Swanna and Floatzel extremely hard while also taking letting Rapidash take on Mareanie (you should mention mareanie under high horsepower instead. has higher bp + that's what you did for the previous set).
• High Horsepower hits other Fire-(AH)types like opposing Rapidash and Simisear, as well as Rock-(AH)types like Golem.
• Toxic can punishes checks like Pyukumuku and defensive Golem by wearing them down (optional).
• Megahorn can be considered as a 4th coverage attack (in the fourth moveslot / over Toxic), (AC) as it can be used to revenge kill Psychic-(AH) and Grass-(AH)types like Kadabra and Exeggutor without the heavy recoil from Flare Blitz.

Set Details
========

• A Choice Scarf cements Rapidash's role as a formidable revenge killer, enabling it to outspeed the majority of the metagame.
• (you should talk about why flash fire is chosen over flame body for this set)

Usage Tips
========

• With a Choice Scarf, Rapidash can serve as a decently fast attacker; it is especially effective against hyper offensive teams, as they often struggle with its speed (moved) and don't to have a reliable switch-in for Rapidash's to its coverage and speed.
• Rapidash is also a really decent great (optional; "decent" doesn't have that positive of a connotation) revenge killer (RC) revenging against the likes of Swanna and Sawsbuck. Rapidash It can also be a really decent an effective (word repetition) cleaner when it can lock into its Flare Blitz STAB, so long as resistances like Silvally-Water and Combusken are weakened or already KOed.
• Bring in Rapidash safely on a teammate getting sacked free switch or with a (fix spacing)slow pivot, especially when your side of the field lacks entry hazards, to effectively threaten the opponent. (period)
• Once Choice-locked, set up setup sweepers like Swords Dance Combusken or and Z-Mirror Move Swanna can take advantage of the attack Rapidash is locked into. In these cases, revenge kill with caution.
• Rapidash is much easier to wear down ("Rapidash is very easy to wear down" / "This Rapidash set is much easier to wear down", depending on if you wanted to compare this to the previous set) and should be weary wary of recoil and chip damage. If Rapidash is the team's main form of speed control, try not to jeopardize its health early on if the opponent still has their main set up setup sweeper left like Z-Rain Dance Swanna or Rock Polish Torterra left.

Team Options
========

• Entry Hazard removal Pokemon (repetition w/ later) like Komala and Silvally-Dragon (fix spacing)works really well with Rapidash, (AC) as they help remove entry hazards that Rapidash it is prone too to, and in the case of Silvally-Dragon, alleviate great offensive pressure on it.
• Grass-(AH)types like Leafeon let Rapidash ease some prediction and provide perfect synergy with it, as the Grass types they deal with the Rock-(AH) and Water-(AH)types that Rapidash has a bad time with and Rapidash can deal with opposing Grass-(AH) types and Ice-(AH)types. (period)
• Entry hazard setters like Crustle and Mareanie let Rapidash put exert greater offensive pressure with the Hazards, allowing for easy wall breaking wallbreaking.
• Water-(AH)types like Silvally-Water and Swanna helps shield the moves Rapidash doesn't want to take like Water type moves and Ground Types Rapidash from Water- and Ground-type moves. In the case of Silvally-Water, it can Silvally-Water can also remove entry hazards and let Rapidash come in safely with Parting Shot, weakening some the foe's attacks and letting Rapidash force a switches. (period)
• Set up Setup sweepers like Crustle and Pinsir appreciates the fact that Rapidash can revenge kill faster Pokemon, allowing these sweepers to not have to rely on priority or tanking hits.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

• Sunny Day can be used in conjunction with Firium Z to boost Rapidash's Speed and plays play the roles of both a revenge killer and sweeper, but it is only useful on sun teams and removes its utility move in Will-O-Wisp.
• Groundium Z can be used to lure Mareanie and Golem and breaks Fire-(AH)types, (AC) but Firium Z is much better for a STAB nuke. (period)
• A set with Substitute + Toxic lets Rapidash ease Sucker Punch predictions and protect itself from Toxic. This set also allows Rapidash to cripple its normal checks like Pyukumuku and Golem. (period) but However, this removes two valuable coverage move, removes the threat of Will-o-Wisp and removes some longevity Rapidash has to give up two valuable coverage moves or Will-O-Wisp and Morning Sun (was this what you were trying to say?). This set also allows Rapidash to cripple its normal checks like Pyukumuku and Golem. (repetition)
• Hidden Power Ice can do heavy damage to Altaria and Gabite, (AC) which normally wall Rapidash, but this move competes too much with its Rapidash's more relevant coverage options.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Physically defensive Pokemon such Golem, Sandslash, and Altaria can take hits from Rapidash and cripple it with status or their super effective STABs STAB moves.

**Water-(AH)type Pokemon**: Physically defensive Water-(AH)types like Pyukumyku, Poliwrath, and Mareanie can stomach Rapidash's Wild Charge and either recover or have use a super effective STAB move against it. Offensive Water-(AH)types like Floatzel and Swanna are either naturally faster naturally or can have use priority in Aqua Jet to take Rapidash out once it's low weakened from residual damage.

**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Electivire and Floatzel can outspeed Rapidash and can take care of it with their STAB moves. However, they must be wary of the Choice Scarf set.

**Priority Moves**: Strong or super effective priority moves such as Sucker Punch and Aqua Jet from Kecleon and Aqua Jet from Floatzel can take care of Choice Scarf Rapidash with just a little prior damage, which is very easy to get, as Rapidash gets worn down really easily.

**Residual Damage**: Due to a weakness to all entry hazards and the use of recoil moves, Rapidash tends to faint very fast if it does not get an opportunity to use Morning Sun.

edit I'm official GP now, but I don't want to stamp this since it was made before you finished qcing, sorry

 

[S1nn0hC0nfirm3d]

AMGP check, implement what you want

Unfortunately, I didn't realize this was only qc 2/3 until I was just about to send this post... oh well

general comments

• "x-types" is hyphenated
• "x-types and y-types" can be shortened to "x- and y-types"
• "entry hazards", not just "hazards"
• "STAB moves", not "STABs"

add remove (comment)
(AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; AH=add hyphen; RH=remove hyphen)

Implemented, thanks a ton!

 

[Greybaum]

Hide

[OVERVIEW]

• Rapidash has a niche as one of the few purely physical Fire-types in ZU, and it is one of the best thanks to strong Fire / Electric coverage in Flare Blitz and Wild Charge, higher Speed, and access to instant recovery in Morning Sun.
• Rapidash provides great offensive utility and is a great revenge killer against attackers like Exeggutor, Swanna, and Leafeon.
• When equipped with its own Choice Scarf, Rapidash is capable to revenge kill slower Choice Scarf users like Swanna and Electavire thanks to its solid speed and coverage.
• Its weakness to entry hazards, lackluster bulk, and reliance on recoil-heavy attacks all cause Rapidash to be worn down and can prevent it from revenge killing multiple times in the game.
• Physical walls like Golem and Altaria can shrug off most of Rapidash's attacks and capitalize on its vulnerability to residual damage by using Stealth Rock or Toxic while facing it.

[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Wild Charge
move 3: High Horsepower / Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Morning Sun
item: Firium Z / Life Orb
ability: Flash Fire / Flame Body
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

• Flare Blitz is Rapidash's main STAB move that hits for massive damage, allowing it to OHKO threats like Leafeon.
• Wild Charge is an extremely important coverage move to hit Water-types like Swanna and Silvally-Water.
• High Horsepower allows Rapidash to hit Golem and Mareanie Monferno / Opposing Rapidash. Mareanie is hit by Wild Charge aleady. hard, while also hitting other Fire types like Combusken.
• Morning Sun gives Rapidash recovery to offset the recoil it gets from Flare Blitz, Wild Charge, and Life Orb.
• Will-O-Wisp can be used to punish physically attacking walls that switch into Rapidash like Granbull and Golem.

Set Details
========

• Firium Z gives Rapidash a one-time nuke with Flare Blitz, removing recoil but most importantly scoring guaranteed KOs on the likes of Komala and Kecleon.
• Life Orb, instead, gives a consistent damage boost to all of Rapidash's attacking moves at the cost of more residual damage.
• Flash Fire gives the opportunity for Rapidash to switch into Fire type attacks for both the immunity and the buff to its own Fire attacks. Alternatively, Flame Body in conjunction with Firium Z provides an incentive for switching into weaker contact attacks like Knock Off for the burn chance.

Usage Tips
========

• This Rapidash set is best suited as a wallbreaker for offensive teams and can be a decent cleaner once its checks like Poliwrath and Golem are gone or significantly weakened.
• Utilize Flash Fire when applicable, as while Rapidash is frail, it can come in on a predicted Fire-type attack from Pokemon like Simisear and Monferno so it can boost its Flare Blitz.
• If Flame Body is chosen, try to switch in on weaker STAB moves or Knock Off Not applicable if Life Orb. from physical attackers like Pinsir, Leafeon, and Pawniard.
• Rapidash should avoid recklessly taking residual damage from entry hazards and recoil, and should keep track of how much damage it is racking up on itself. Morning Sun can be used to combat the racked up damage when forcing switches or on burned physical attackers.
• Be picky when using Rapidash's Z-Move, as it provides the power to dent Pokemon like Silvally-Fighting and Bouffalant, while simultaneously forgoing the usual recoil from Flare Blitz.

Team Options
========

• Rapidash is best selected for offensive teams and pair well with similarly offensive Pokemon that need its Fire-type coverage and struggle with Grass-types like Gourgeist-XL and Leafeon without it. I'd focus on specific Pokemon that struggle w/ Gourg and Leaf here instead of overall teams, e.g. Crustle or Torterra respectively.
• Rapidash works especially well with entry hazard removal from Silvally-Water and Sandslash because Rapidash is very vulnerable to entry hazards on its own. Elaborate on what Rapidash can offer in return, e.g. checking Grass-types offensively.
• Grass-types like Gourgeist-XL and Exeggutor make for good checks to Water- and Ground-types, and can threaten some hazard users and physical walls like Sandslash, Mareanie, and Golem that Rapidash struggles with.
• Water-types like Swanna and Simipour handle Rock- and Ground-types. They also appreciate Rapidash's ability to wear down shared checks like Mareanie and Poliwrath into range of Z-Moves and boosted attacks.
• Slow users of U-turn like defensive Silvally-Fighting and Komala can bring in Rapidash safely; regards to these two as they can also remove hazards with Defog or Rapid Spin. I'd merge this into the hazard removal point.
• Entry hazard setters like Bronzor and Golem are helpful to let Rapidash get easy KOs on the opposing team. Give examples of what kills you can secure with hazards up.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Wild Charge
move 3: High Horsepower
move 4: Toxic
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

• Wild Charge is great coverage that hits Swanna and Floatzel extremely hard.
• High Horsepower hits other Fire-types like opposing Rapidash and Simisear, as well as Rock-types like Golem.
• Toxic punishes checks like Pyukumuyku and defensive Golem by wearing them down.
• Megahorn can be considered over Toxic, as it can revenge kill Psychic- and Grass-types like Kadabra and Exeggutor without the heavy recoil from Flare Blitz.

Set Details
========

• Choice Scarf cements Rapidash's role as a formidable revenge killer, enabling it to outspeed the majority of the metagame.
• Flash Fire is chosen over Flame Body as Rapidash would rather have the immunity to Fire-type attacks than fishing for burns when it cannot recover.

Usage Tips
========

• With Choice Scarf, Rapidash can serve as a decently fast attacker; it is especially effective against hyper offensive teams, as they often struggle with its speed and coverage.
• Rapidash is also a great revenge killer against the likes of Swanna and Sawsbuck. It can also be an effective cleaner when it can lock into Flare Blitz, so long as resistances like Silvally-Water and Combusken are weakened or already KOed.
• Bring in Rapidash safely on a free switch or with a slow pivot, especially when your side of the field lacks entry hazards, to effectively threaten the opponent.
• Once Choice-locked, setup sweepers like Swords Dance Combusken and Z-Mirror Move Swanna can take advantage of the attack Rapidash is locked into. In these cases, revenge kill with caution.
• Rapidash is much easier to wear down compared to the previous set, and should be weary of recoil and chip damage. If Rapidash is the team's main form of speed control, try not to jeopardize its health early on if the opponent still has their main setup sweeper like Z-Rain Dance Swanna or Rock Polish Torterra left.

Team Options
========

• Pokemon like Komala and Silvally-Dragon work really well with Rapidash, as they help remove entry hazards that it is prone to, and in the case of Silvally-Dragon, alleviate offensive pressure on it.
• Grass-types like Leafeon let Rapidash ease prediction and provide perfect synergy with it, as they deal with the Rock- and Water-types that Rapidash has a bad time with and Rapidash can deal with opposing Grass-types and Ice-types for them.
• Entry hazard setters like Crustle and Mareanie let Rapidash exert greater offensive pressure, allowing for easy wallbreaking.
• Water-types like Silvally-Water and Swanna help shield Rapidash from Water- and Ground-type attacks Examples of attackers? Mareanie/Sandslash maybe. Silvally-Water can also remove entry hazards and let Rapidash come in safely with Parting Shot, weakening the foe's attacks and letting Rapidash force switches.
• Setup sweepers like Crustle and Pinsir appreciate the fact that Rapidash can revenge kill faster Pokemon, allowing these sweepers to not have to rely on tanking hits or priority. These specific mons are late game cleaners; I don't think Rapidash offers much in the way of revenge killing for them.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

• Give a nod to Charcoal for boosting Flare Blitz damage without causing recoil.
• Toxic can be used over Will-O-Wisp on the Offensive set to pressure traditional checks like Poliwrath harder, but means Rapidash has a much harder time threatening physical attackers, particularly priority users like Swords Dance Pawniard and Offensive Mawile.
• Sunny Day can be used in conjunction with Firium Z to boost Rapidash's Speed and plays the roles of both a revenge killer and sweeper, but it is only useful on sun teams and removes its utility move in Will-O-Wisp.
• Groundium Z can be used to lure Mareanie and Golem and break Fire-types, but Firium Z is much better for a STAB nuke It also needs a lot of chip to actually take down Golem
• A set with Substitute + Toxic lets Rapidash ease Sucker Punch predictions and protect itself from Toxic. This set also allows Rapidash to cripple its normal checks like Pyukumuku and Golem, but this removes two valuable coverage moves.
• Hidden Power Ice can do heavy damage to Altaria and Gabite, which normally wall Rapidash, but this move competes too much with Rapidash's more relevant coverage options.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Physically defensive Pokemon such Golem, Sandslash, and Altaria can take hits from Rapidash and cripple it with status or their super effective STAB attacks. Note that Rapidash can cripple the former two with WoW or Toxic.

**Water-type Pokemon**: Physically defensive Water-types like Pyukumyku, Poliwrath, and Mareanie can stomach Rapidash's Wild Charge and either recover or us a super effective STAB move against it. Offensive Water-types like Floatzel and Swanna are either naturally faster or can use priority in Aqua Jet to take Rapidash out once it is weakened from residual damage but cannot reliably switch in.

**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Electivire and Floatzel can outspeed Rapidash and can take care of it with their STAB moves. However, they must be wary of the Choice Scarf set and are unable to switch directly into Rapidash.

**Priority Moves**: Strong or super effective priority moves such as Sucker Punch from Kecleon and Aqua Jet from Swanna can take care of Choice Scarf Both sets, really. Rapidash with just a little prior damage, which is very easy to get, as Rapidash gets worn down easily. Kecleon has to play around Will-o-Wisp from the Offensive set, however.

**Residual Damage**: Due to a weakness to all entry hazards and the use of recoil moves, Rapidash tends to faint very fast if it does not get an opportunity to use Morning Sun.


[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[WMAR, 273646], [@Ho3nConfirm3d]]
- Quality checked by: [[5gen, 296755], [@Ho3nConfirm3d, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]

3/3 when written up, nice stuff!

 

[S1nn0hC0nfirm3d]

Implemented, ready for GP 1!

 

[Aaronboyer]

This is an amateur GP check; implement only what you want...

ADD REMOVE (COMMENTS)

AM GP Check

[OVERVIEW]
Rapidash has a niche as one of the few purely physical Fire-types in ZU, and it is one of the best thanks to strong Fire- and Electric-type coverage in Flare Blitz and Wild Charge, high Speed, and access to instant recovery in Morning Sun. Rapidash provides great offensive utility and is a great revenge killer against attackers like Exeggutor, Swanna, and Leafeon. When equipped with Choice Scarf, Rapidash is able to can revenge kill slower Choice Scarf users like Swanna and Electivire thanks to its superior Speed and coverage. However, its weakness to entry hazards, lackluster bulk, and reliance on recoil-heavy attacks all cause Rapidash to be worn down quickly; preventing it from revenge killing multiple times in the game. Physical walls like Golem and Altaria can shrug off most of Rapidash's attacks and capitalize on its vulnerability to residual damage by using Stealth Rock or Toxic while facing it.

[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Wild Charge
move 3: High Horsepower / Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Morning Sun
item: Firium Z / Life Orb
ability: Flash Fire / Flame Body
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Flare Blitz is Rapidash's main STAB move that hits for massive damage, allowing it to OHKO threats like Leafeon. Wild Charge is an extremely important coverage move to hit Water-types like Swanna and Silvally-Water. High Horsepower allows Rapidash to hit Golem hard, while also hitting other Fire-types(AH) like Combusken and opposing Rapidash. Morning Sun gives Rapidash recovery to offset the recoil it gets from Flare Blitz, Wild Charge, and Life Orb. Will-O-Wisp can be used to punish physically attacking walls that switch into Rapidash like Granbull and Golem.

Set Details
========
Firium Z gives Rapidash a one-time nuke with Flare Blitz, removing recoil but most importantly scoring guaranteed KOs on the likes of Komala and Kecleon. Life Orb, instead, gives a consistent damage boost to all of Rapidash's attacking moves at the cost of more residual damage. Flash Fire gives the opportunity for allows Rapidash to switch into Fire-type(AH) attacks for both the immunity and the buff to its own STAB attack. Alternatively, Flame Body in conjunction with Firium Z provides an incentive for switching into weaker contact attacks like Knock Off for the burn chance.

Usage Tips
========
This Rapidash set is best suited as a wallbreaker for offensive teams and can be a decent cleaner once its checks like Poliwrath and Golem are gone or significantly weakened. Utilize Flash Fire when applicable, as while Rapidash is frail, it can come in on a predicted Fire-type attack from Pokemon like Simisear and Monferno so it can boost its Flare Blitz. If Flame Body is chosen isntead instead, try to switch in on weaker STAB moves from physical attackers like Pinsir, Leafeon, and Pawniard. Rapidash should avoid recklessly taking residual damage from entry hazards and recoil, and should keep track of how much damage it is racking up on upon itself. Morning Sun can be used to combat the racked up damage when forcing switches or on burned physical attackers. Be picky when using Rapidash's Z-Move, as it provides the power to dent Pokemon like Silvally-Fighting and Bouffalant, while simultaneously forgoing the usual recoil from Flare Blitz.

Team Options
========
Rapidash is best selected for offensive teams and pair well with other offensive Pokemon like Crustle and Marowak. They enjoy Rapidash's Fire-type coverage,(RC) and struggle with Grass-types like Gourgeist-XL and Leafeon without it. Rapidash works especially well with entry hazard removal from Silvally-Water and Sandslash because Rapidash is very vulnerable to entry hazards on its own. Rapidash also helps these two by targeting attackers that threaten them like Simisage and Swanna. Grass-types like Gourgeist-XL and Exeggutor make for good checks to Water- and Ground-types, and can threaten some hazard users and physical walls like Sandslash, Mareanie, and Golem that Rapidash struggles with. Water-types like Swanna and Simipour handle Rock- and Ground-types for Rapidash. In turn, they appreciate how Rapidash wears down shared checks like Mareanie and Poliwrath, making them more vulnerable to a Z-move KO. Slow users of U-turn like defensive Silvally-Fighting and Komala are notable as they can bring in Rapidash safely. On top of being slow pivots, Silvally-Fighting and Komala are also examples of Defog and Rapid Spin users to keep the field safe for Rapidash. Entry hazard setters on the other hand, like Bronzor and Golem, are helpful to let Rapidash get easy KOs on the opposing team.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Wild Charge
move 3: High Horsepower
move 4: Toxic
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Wild Charge is great coverage that hits Swanna and Floatzel extremely hard. High Horsepower hits other Fire-types like opposing Rapidash and Simisear, as well as Rock-types like Golem. Toxic punishes checks like Pyukumuyku Pyukumuku and defensive Golem by wearing them down. Megahorn can be considered over Toxic, as it can revenge kill Psychic- and Grass-types like Kadabra and Exeggutor without the heavy recoil from Flare Blitz.

Set Details
========
Choice Scarf cements Rapidash's role as a formidable revenge killer, enabling it to outspeed the majority of the metagame. Flash Fire is chosen over Flame Body as Rapidash would rather have the immunity to Fire-type attacks than fishing for burns when it cannot recover.

Usage Tips
========
With Choice Scarf, Rapidash can serve as a fast attacker; it is especially effective against hyper offensive teams, as they often struggle with its speed and coverage. Rapidash is a great revenge killer against the likes of Swanna and Sawsbuck. It can also be an effective cleaner when it can lock into Flare Blitz, so long as resistances like Silvally-Water and Combusken are weakened or already KOed. Bring in Rapidash safely on a free switch or with a slow pivot, especially when your side of the field lacks entry hazards, to effectively threaten the opponent. Once Choice-locked locked into a move, setup sweepers like Swords Dance Combusken and Z-Mirror Move Swanna can take advantage of the attack Rapidash is locked into. In these cases, revenge kill with caution. Rapidash is much easier to wear down compared to the previous set,(RC) and should be weary wary of recoil and chip damage. If Rapidash is the team's main form of speed control, try not to jeopardize its health early on if the opponent still has their main setup sweeper left, like Z-Rain Dance Swanna or Rock Polish Torterra.(AH)

Team Options
========
Pokemon like Komala and Silvally-Dragon work really well with Rapidash, as they help remove entry hazards that it is prone to, and in the case of Silvally-Dragon, alleviate offensive pressure on it. Grass-types like Leafeon let Rapidash ease prediction and provide perfect synergy with it, as they deal with the Rock- and Water-types that Rapidash has a bad time with, and Rapidash can deal with opposing Grass-types and Ice-types for them. Entry hazard setters like Crustle and Mareanie let Rapidash exert greater offensive pressure, allowing for easy wallbreaking. Water-types like Silvally-Water and Swanna help shield Rapidash from Water- and Ground-type attacks from Sandslash and Poliwrath. Silvally-Water can also remove entry hazards and let Rapidash come in safely with Parting Shot, weakening the foe's attacks and letting Rapidash force switches.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Charcoal boosts Rapidash's main STAB attack,(AC) Flare Blitz,(AC) without the recoil of Life Orb, albeit at the cost of not boosting any of its coverage attacks. Toxic instead of Will-O-Wisp on the offensive set helps wear down its checks like Poliwrath and Golem, but means Rapidash has a much harder time threatening physical attackers; priority users like Pawniard and offensive Mawile can be harder to deal with. Sunny Day can be used in conjunction with Firium Z to boost Rapidash's Speed and plays the roles of both a revenge killer and sweeper, but it is only useful on sun teams and removes its utility move in Will-O-Wisp. Groundium Z can be used to lure Mareanie and Golem and break Fire-types, but Firium Z is much better for a STAB nuke, and still cannot break defensive Golem on its own. A set with Substitute + Toxic lets Rapidash ease Sucker Punch predictions and protect itself from Toxic. This set also allows Rapidash to cripple its normal checks like Pyukumuku and Golem, but this removes two valuable coverage moves. Hidden Power Ice can do heavy damage to Altaria and Gabite, which normally wall Rapidash, but this move competes too much with Rapidash's more relevant coverage options.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Physically defensive Pokemon such Golem, Sandslash, and Altaria can take hits from Rapidash and cripple it with status or their super effective STAB attacks. The former two have to be careful switching into a Will-O-Wisp or Toxic, though.

**Water-type Pokemon**: Physically defensive Water-types like Pyukumyku, Poliwrath, and Mareanie can stomach Rapidash's Wild Charge and either recover or us a super effective STAB move against it. Offensive Water-types like Floatzel and Swanna cannot safely switch into Rapidash, but are either naturally faster or can use priority in Aqua Jet to take Rapidash out once it is weakened from residual damage.

**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Electivire and Floatzel can outspeed Rapidash and can take care of it with their STAB moves. However, they must be wary of the Choice Scarf set.

**Priority Moves**: Strong or super effective priority moves such as Sucker Punch from Kecleon and Aqua Jet from Swanna can take care of Rapidash with just a little prior damage, granted that Rapidash does not deter Sucker Punch with Will-O-Wisp.

**Residual Damage**: Due to a weakness to all entry hazards and the use of recoil moves, Rapidash tends to faint very fast if it does not get an opportunity to use Morning Sun.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[WMAR, 273646], [Ho3nConfirm3d, 231074]]
- Quality checked by: [[5gen, 296755], [Ho3nConfirm3d, 231074], [uhuhuhu7, 407249]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]

 

[Lumari]

remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 1/2

check

[OVERVIEW]

Rapidash has a niche as one of the few purely physical Fire-types in ZU, and it is one of the best thanks to strong Fire- and Electric-type coverage in Flare Blitz and Wild Charge, high Speed, and access to instant recovery in Morning Sun, (comma) Rapidash provides providing great offensive utility and is making a great revenge killer against attackers like Exeggutor, Swanna, and Leafeon. When equipped with Choice Scarf, Rapidash is able to revenge kill slower Choice Scarf users like Swanna and Electivire thanks to its superior Speed and coverage. However, its weakness to entry hazards, lackluster bulk, and reliance on recoil-heavy attacks all cause Rapidash to be worn down quickly, (comma) preventing it from revenge killing multiple times foes in the a game. Furthemore, physical walls like Golem and Altaria can shrug off most of Rapidash's attacks and capitalize on its vulnerability to residual damage by using Stealth Rock or Toxic while facing it.

[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Wild Charge
move 3: High Horsepower / Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Morning Sun
item: Firium Z / Life Orb
ability: Flash Fire / Flame Body
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Flare Blitz is Rapidash's main STAB move that hits for massive damage, allowing it to OHKO threats like Leafeon. Wild Charge is an extremely important coverage move to hit Water-types like Swanna and Silvally-Water. High Horsepower allows Rapidash to hit Golem hard, while also hitting as well as other Fire-types (AH) like Combusken and opposing Rapidash. Morning Sun gives allows Rapidash recovery to offset the recoil it gets from Flare Blitz, Wild Charge, and Life Orb. Will-O-Wisp can be used over High Horsepower to punish physically attacking walls that switch into Rapidash like Granbull and Golem.

Set Details
========

Firium Z gives Rapidash a one-time nuke with Flare Blitz, removing recoil but most importantly scoring guaranteed KOs on the likes of Komala and Kecleon. Life Orb, instead, gives a consistent damage boost to all of Rapidash's attacking moves at the cost of more residual damage. Flash Fire gives the Rapidash opportunity for Rapidash to switch into Fire-type (AH) attacks for both the immunity and the free while receiving a buff to its own STAB attack. Alternatively, Flame Body in conjunction with Firium Z provides an incentive for switching into weaker contact attacks like Knock Off for the burn chance.

Usage Tips
========

This Rapidash set is best suited as a wallbreaker for offensive teams and can be a decent cleaner once its checks like Poliwrath and Golem are gone or significantly weakened. Utilize Flash Fire when applicable, as while Rapidash is frail, it can come in on a predicted Fire-type attack from Pokemon like Simisear and Monferno so it can boost its Flare Blitz. If Flame Body is chosen isntead instead, try to switch in on weaker STAB moves from physical attackers like Pinsir, Leafeon, and Pawniard. Rapidash should avoid recklessly taking residual damage from entry hazards and recoil (RC) and should keep track of how much damage it is racking up on itself. Morning Sun can be used to combat restore the racked up accumulated damage when forcing switches or on burned physical attackers. Be picky when using Rapidash's Z-Move, as it provides the power to dent Pokemon like Silvally-Fighting and Bouffalant (RC) while simultaneously forgoing the usual recoil from Flare Blitz.

Team Options
========

Rapidash is best selected for offensive teams and pair pairs well with other offensive Pokemon like Crustle and Marowak, (comma) They which enjoy Rapidash's Fire-type coverage (RC) and struggle with Grass-types like Gourgeist-XL and Leafeon without it. Rapidash works especially well with entry hazard removal from Silvally-Water and Sandslash because Rapidash it is very vulnerable to entry hazards on its own. In return, Rapidash also helps these two by targeting attackers that threaten them like Simisage and Swanna. Grass-types like Gourgeist-XL and Exeggutor make for good checks to Water- and Ground-types (RC) and can threaten some hazard users and physical walls like Sandslash, Mareanie, and Golem that Rapidash struggles with. Water-types like Swanna and Simipour handle Rock- and Ground-types for Rapidash. In turn, they appreciate how Rapidash wears down shared checks like Mareanie and Poliwrath, making them more vulnerable to a Z-move easier to KO with a Z-Move. Slow users of U-turn like defensive Silvally-Fighting and Komala are notable, (AC) as they can bring in Rapidash safely. On top of being slow pivots, Silvally-Fighting and Komala are also examples of Defog and Rapid Spin users to keep the field safe for Rapidash. Entry hazard setters, (AC) on the other hand, like Bronzor and Golem, are helpful to let Rapidash get easy KOs on the opposing team.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Wild Charge
move 3: High Horsepower
move 4: Toxic
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Wild Charge is great coverage that hits Swanna and Floatzel extremely hard. High Horsepower hits other Fire-types like opposing Rapidash and Simisear, as well as Rock-types like Golem. Toxic punishes checks like Pyukumuyku Pyukumuku and defensive Golem by wearing them down. Megahorn can be considered over Toxic, as it can revenge kill Psychic- and Grass-types like Kadabra and Exeggutor without the heavy recoil from Flare Blitz.

Set Details
========

Choice Scarf cements Rapidash's role as a formidable revenge killer, enabling it to outspeed the majority of the metagame. Flash Fire is chosen over Flame Body, (AC) as without recovery, Rapidash would rather have the immunity to Fire-type attacks than fishing for burns when it cannot recover.

Usage Tips
========

With Choice Scarf, Rapidash can serve as a fast attacker; it is especially effective against hyper offensive teams, as they often struggle with its speed and coverage. Rapidash is a great revenge killer against the likes of Swanna and Sawsbuck. It can also be an effective cleaner when it can lock into Flare Blitz, so as long as resistances Pokemon that resist it like Silvally-Water and Combusken are weakened or already KOed. Bring in Rapidash safely on a free switch or with a slow pivot, especially when your side of the field lacks entry hazards, to effectively threaten the opponent. Once Choice-locked Rapidash is locked into a move, setup sweepers like Swords Dance Combusken and Z-Mirror Move Swanna can take advantage of the attack Rapidash is locked into it. In these cases, revenge kill with caution. Rapidash is much easier to wear down compared to the previous sets running Morning Sun, and so it should be weary wary of recoil and chip damage. If Rapidash is the team's main form of speed control revenge killer, try not to jeopardize its health early on if the opponent still has their main setup sweeper left, like Z-Rain Dance Swanna or Rock Polish Torterra. (AP)

Team Options
========

Pokemon like Komala and Silvally-Dragon work really well with Rapidash, as they help remove entry hazards that it is prone vulnerable to (RC) and, (AC) in the case of Silvally-Dragon, alleviate offensive pressure on it. Grass-types like Leafeon let Rapidash ease prediction and provide perfect synergy with it, as they deal with the Rock- and Water-types that Rapidash has a bad time with, and Rapidash can deal with opposing Grass-types and Ice-types for them. Entry hazard setters like Crustle and Mareanie let Rapidash exert greater offensive pressure, allowing making for easy easier wallbreaking. Water-types like Silvally-Water and Swanna help shield Rapidash from Water- and Ground-type attacks from Sandslash and Poliwrath. Silvally-Water can also remove entry hazards and let Rapidash come in safely with Parting Shot, weakening the foe's attacks and letting Rapidash force switches.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Charcoal boosts Rapidash's main STAB attack Flare Blitz without the recoil of Life Orb, albeit at the cost of not boosting any of its coverage attacks. Toxic instead of Will-O-Wisp on the offensive set helps wear down its checks like Poliwrath and Golem (RC) but means Rapidash has a much harder time threatening physical attackers; especially (?) priority users like Pawniard and offensive Mawile can be harder to deal with. Sunny Day can be used in conjunction with Firium Z to boost Rapidash's Speed and plays let it play the roles of both a revenge killer and sweeper, but it is only useful on sun teams and removes comes at the cost of its utility move in Will-O-Wisp. Groundium Z can be used to lure Mareanie and Golem and break Fire-types, but Firium Z is much better for a STAB nuke, and Rapidash still cannot break defensive Golem on its own. A set with Substitute + Toxic lets Rapidash ease Sucker Punch predictions and protect itself from Toxic. This set also allows Rapidash to cripple its normal checks like Pyukumuku and Golem, but this removes two valuable coverage moves. Hidden Power Ice can do heavy damage to Altaria and Gabite, which normally wall Rapidash, but Rapidash has too much trouble fitting this move competes too much with Rapidash's over its more relevant coverage options.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Physically defensive Pokemon such Golem, Sandslash, and Altaria can take hits from Rapidash and cripple it with status or their super effective STAB attacks. The former two have to be careful of switching into a Will-O-Wisp or Toxic, though.

**Water-type Pokemon**: Physically defensive Water-types like Pyukumyku Pyukumuku, Poliwrath, and Mareanie can stomach Rapidash's Wild Charge and either recover or us use a super effective STAB move against it. Offensive Water-types like Floatzel and Swanna cannot safely switch into Rapidash (RC) but are either naturally faster or can use priority in Aqua Jet to take Rapidash out once it is weakened from residual damage.

**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Electivire and Floatzel can outspeed Rapidash and can take care of it with their STAB moves. However, they must be wary of the Choice Scarf set.

**Priority Moves**: Strong or super effective priority moves such as Sucker Punch from Kecleon and Aqua Jet from Swanna can take care of Rapidash with just a little prior damage, granted provided that Rapidash does not deter avoid Sucker Punch with Will-O-Wisp.

**Residual Damage**: Due to a weakness to all entry hazards and the use of recoil moves, Rapidash tends to faint very fast if it does not get an opportunity to use Morning Sun.


[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[WMAR, 273646], [@Ho3nConfirm3d, 231074]]
- Quality checked by: [[5gen, 296755], [@Ho3nConfirm3d, 231074], [@uhuhuhu7, 407249]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]

 

[Ginger Princess]

Ho3nConfirm3d and this

 

[S1nn0hC0nfirm3d]

ready for gp2

 

[Astra]

careful when you implement these; you didn't unbold the additions from the previous check, which i've done myself in this check
add remove (comments)

poop!

[OVERVIEW]

Rapidash has a niche as one of the few purely physical Fire-types in ZU, and it is one of the best thanks to strong Fire- and Electric-type coverage in Flare Blitz and Wild Charge, high Speed, and access to instant recovery in Morning Sun, providing great offensive utility and making a great revenge killer against attackers like Exeggutor, Swanna, and Leafeon. When equipped with a Choice Scarf, Rapidash is able to revenge kill slower Choice Scarf users like Swanna and Electivire thanks to its superior Speed and coverage. However, its weakness to entry hazards, lackluster bulk, and reliance on recoil-heavy attacks all cause Rapidash to be worn down quickly, preventing it from revenge killing multiple foes in a game. Furthermore, physical walls like Golem and Altaria can shrug off most of Rapidash's attacks and capitalize on its vulnerability to residual damage by using Stealth Rock or Toxic while facing it.

[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Wild Charge
move 3: High Horsepower / Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Morning Sun
item: Firium Z / Life Orb
ability: Flash Fire / Flame Body
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Flare Blitz is Rapidash's main STAB move that hits for massive damage, allowing it to OHKO threats like Leafeon. Wild Charge is an extremely important coverage move to hit Water-types like Swanna and Silvally-Water. High Horsepower allows Rapidash to hit Golem hard, as well as other Fire-types like Combusken and opposing Rapidash. Morning Sun allows Rapidash to offset the recoil it gets from Flare Blitz, Wild Charge, and Life Orb. Will-O-Wisp can be used over High Horsepower to punish physically attacking walls that switch into Rapidash like Granbull and Golem.

Set Details
========

Firium Z gives Rapidash a one-time nuke with Flare Blitz, removing recoil but most importantly scoring guaranteed KOs on the likes of Komala and Kecleon. Life Orb, instead, gives a consistent damage boost to all of Rapidash's attacking moves at the cost of more residual damage. Flash Fire gives Rapidash opportunity to switch into Fire-type attacks for free while receiving a buff to its own STAB attack. Alternatively, Flame Body in conjunction with Firium Z provides an incentive for switching into weaker contact attacks like Knock Off for the burn chance.

Usage Tips
========

This Rapidash set is best suited as a wallbreaker for offensive teams and can be a decent cleaner once its checks like Poliwrath and Golem are gone or significantly weakened. Utilize Flash Fire when applicable, as while Rapidash is frail, it can come in on a predicted Fire-type attack from Pokemon like Simisear and Monferno so it can boost its Flare Blitz. If Flame Body is chosen instead, try to switch in on weaker STAB moves from physical attackers like Pinsir, Leafeon, and Pawniard. Rapidash should avoid recklessly taking residual damage from entry hazards and recoil and should keep track of how much damage it is racking up on itself. Morning Sun can be used to restore the accumulated damage when forcing switches or on burned physical attackers. Be picky when using Rapidash's Z-Move, as it provides the power to dent Pokemon like Silvally-Fighting and Bouffalant while simultaneously forgoing the usual recoil from Flare Blitz.

Team Options
========

Rapidash is best selected for offensive teams and pairs well with other offensive Pokemon like Crustle and Marowak, which enjoy Rapidash's Fire-type coverage and struggle with Grass-types like Gourgeist-XL and Leafeon without it. Rapidash works especially well with entry hazard removal from Silvally-Water and Sandslash because it is very vulnerable to entry hazards on its own. In return, Rapidash also helps these two by targeting attackers that threaten them like Simisage and Swanna. Grass-types like Gourgeist-XL and Exeggutor make for good checks to Water- and Ground-types and can threaten some hazard users and physical walls like Sandslash, Mareanie, and Golem that Rapidash struggles with. Water-types like Swanna and Simipour handle Rock- and Ground-types for Rapidash. In turn, they appreciate how Rapidash wears down shared checks like Mareanie and Poliwrath, making them easier to KO with a Z-Move. Slow users of U-turn like defensive Silvally-Fighting and Komala are notable, as they can bring in Rapidash safely. On top of being slow pivots, Silvally-Fighting and Komala are also examples of Defog and Rapid Spin users to keep the field safe for Rapidash. Entry On the other hand, (AC) entry hazard setters, (RC) on the other hand, (RC) like Bronzor and Golem, (RC) are helpful to let Rapidash get easy KOs on the opposing team.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Wild Charge
move 3: High Horsepower
move 4: Toxic
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Wild Charge is great coverage that hits Swanna and Floatzel extremely hard. High Horsepower hits other Fire-types like opposing Rapidash and Simisear, as well as Rock-types like Golem. Toxic punishes checks like Pyukumuku and defensive Golem by wearing them down. Megahorn can be considered over Toxic, as it can revenge kill Psychic- and Grass-types like Kadabra and Exeggutor without the heavy recoil from Flare Blitz.

Set Details
========

Choice Scarf cements Rapidash's role as a formidable revenge killer, enabling it to outspeed the majority of the metagame. Flash Fire is chosen over Flame Body, as without recovery, Rapidash would rather have the immunity to Fire-type attacks than fishing being able to fish for burns.

Usage Tips
========

With Choice Scarf, Rapidash can serve as a fast attacker; it is especially effective against hyper offensive teams, as they often struggle with its speed and coverage. Rapidash is a great revenge killer against the likes of Swanna and Sawsbuck. It can also be an effective cleaner when it can lock into Flare Blitz, as long as Pokemon that resist it like Silvally-Water and Combusken are weakened or already KOed. Bring in Rapidash safely on a free switch or with a slow pivot, especially when your side of the field lacks entry hazards, to effectively threaten the opponent. Once Rapidash is locked into a move, setup sweepers like Swords Dance Combusken and Z-Mirror Move Swanna can take advantage of it. In these cases, revenge kill with caution. Rapidash is much easier to wear down compared to sets running Morning Sun, so it should be wary of recoil and chip damage. If Rapidash is the team's main revenge killer, try not to jeopardize its health early on if the opponent still has their main setup sweeper left, like Z-Rain Dance Swanna or Rock Polish Torterra.

Team Options
========

Pokemon like Komala and Silvally-Dragon work really well with Rapidash, as they help remove entry hazards that it is vulnerable to and, in the case of Silvally-Dragon, alleviate offensive pressure on it. Grass-types like Leafeon let Rapidash ease prediction and provide perfect synergy with it, as they deal with the Rock- and Water-types that Rapidash has a bad time with, and Rapidash can deal with opposing Grass-types and Ice-types for them. Entry hazard setters like Crustle and Mareanie let Rapidash exert greater offensive pressure, making for easier wallbreaking. Water-types like Silvally-Water and Swanna help shield Rapidash from Water- and Ground-type attacks from Sandslash and Poliwrath. Silvally-Water can also remove entry hazards and let Rapidash come in safely with Parting Shot, weakening the foe's attacks and letting Rapidash force switches.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Charcoal boosts Rapidash's main STAB attack Flare Blitz without the recoil of Life Orb, albeit at the cost of not boosting any of its coverage attacks. Toxic instead of Will-O-Wisp on the offensive set helps wear down its checks like Poliwrath and Golem but means Rapidash has a much harder time threatening physical attackers; especially priority users like Pawniard and offensive Mawile can especially be harder to deal with. Sunny Day can be used in conjunction with Firium Z to boost Rapidash's Speed and let it play the roles of both a revenge killer and sweeper, but it is only useful on sun teams and comes at the cost of its utility move in Will-O-Wisp. Groundium Z can be used to lure Mareanie and Golem and break Fire-types, but Firium Z is much better for a STAB nuke, and Rapidash still cannot break defensive Golem on its own. A set with Substitute + Toxic lets Rapidash ease Sucker Punch predictions and protect itself from Toxic. This set also allows Rapidash to cripple its normal checks like Pyukumuku and Golem, but this removes two valuable coverage moves. Hidden Power Ice can do heavy damage to Altaria and Gabite, which normally wall Rapidash, but Rapidash has too much trouble fitting this move over its more relevant coverage options.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Physically defensive Pokemon such Golem, Sandslash, and Altaria can take hits from Rapidash and cripple it with status or their super effective STAB attacks. The former two have to be careful of switching into a Will-O-Wisp or Toxic, though.

**Water-types Pokemon (consistency)**: Physically defensive Water-types like Pyukumuku, Poliwrath, and Mareanie can stomach Rapidash's Wild Charge and either recover the HP lost or use a super effective STAB move against it. Offensive Water-types like Floatzel and Swanna cannot safely switch into Rapidash but are either naturally faster or can use priority in Aqua Jet to take Rapidash out once it is weakened from residual damage.

**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Electivire and Floatzel can outspeed Rapidash and can take care of it with their STAB moves. However, they must be wary of the Choice Scarf set.

**Priority Moves**: Strong or super effective priority moves such as Sucker Punch from Kecleon and Aqua Jet from Swanna can take care of Rapidash with just a little prior damage, provided that Rapidash does not avoid Sucker Punch with Will-O-Wisp.

**Residual Damage**: Due to a weakness to all entry hazards and the use of recoil moves, Rapidash tends to faint very fast if it does not get an opportunity to use Morning Sun.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[WMAR, 273646], [Ho3nConfirm3d, 231074]]
- Quality checked by: [[5gen, 296755], [Ho3nConfirm3d, 231074], [uhuhuhu7, 407249]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [, ]]

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[S1nn0hC0nfirm3d]

https://www.smogon.com/dex/sm/pokemon/rapidash/zu/
implemented and uploaded!