Ura
Smash Legend
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2014
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- Switch FC
- SW-2772-0149-6703
Raichu
Raichu is the evolved form of Pikachu and the final evolution of Pikachu's line. He made his first appearance in Pokemon Red & Green in 1996 (the Japanese version) and is one of the most powerful Electric type Pokemon in that game (or Gen 1 as a whole).Often overshadowed by his much more popular pre-evolution Pikachu, Raichu still has it's fans. He got an Alolan form in Pokemon Sun & Moon showing that Game Freak still cares enough about the character to do that much for Raichu.
Raichu is perhaps best known for his appearance in the Pokemon anime where Lt. Surge's Raichu fought Ash's Pikachu in the episode "Electric Shock Showdown" back in the first season.
Moveset
So what does Raichu bring to Smash? I feel that he would make for a great semi-clone of Pikachu in this game being sort of like what is to in that Raichu would be a slower, heavier version of Pikachu except more bulkier and powerful. Basically he would be the anti-Pichu in that he would have moves that are considerably more powerful than his pre-evolutuonary counterpart.
Here's some examples that can show how Raichu's Specials could differ from Pikachu's.
Neutral : Thunderbolt. Thunderjolt should be upgraded to Thunderbolt for Raichu. As in it's somewhat slower to use but is more powerful and covers more space than Pikachu's Thunderjolt would.
Side: Zap Cannon. I think Raichu needs to omit Skull Bash from his moveset completely and instead have Zap Cannon as a Side B. Basically, he could charge up Zap Cannon as a projectile and depending on how long it's charged the more deadly it's damage and knockback will be. Player can opt to use quick, weaker non-charged Zap Cannon's or more powerful charged up versions of the move.
Up : Quick Attack. I feel that Raichu's Quick Attack could have 3 moves to it instead of Pikachu's 2. Like instead of Pikachu's easy to use 2 moves for his Quick Attack, Raichu's version would have 3 extremely fast moves he could use. It would be very hard to use efficiently but if mastered could be a great mix up tool for recovery and tricking the opponent. It's start up lag would be longer than Pika's but it would go so fast and also deal electric damage to those who come in to contact. I think this would make up for Raichu's lack of Skull Bash.
Down : Thunder. Maybe Raichu's version Thunder can hit horizontally as well? Like his Thunder would go both horizontally and vertically but would have more of an emphasis on it's horizontal trajectory? That would be the opposite of Pikachu's Thunder IIRC.
Final Smash: Transform. Raichu transforms in to his Alolan version and is considerably more powerful, also being able to use Psychic moves. Just hopefully not a carbon copy of Pika's FS lol.
Counterarguments
"Gen 1 already has too much representation!" and/or "Raichu isn't relevant"
Gen representation has never bothered Sakurai that much aside from having the new most popular Pokemon character from the most recent or upcoming Gen. Sakurai added the Gen 1 Trio when they were hardly relevant aside from the Gen 1 remakes.
Raichu himself has at least gotten a new form in the most recent gen, Gen 7. It also helps our little guy that he's attached to Pikachu, the most iconic Pokemon in the franchise. I would also argue that Gen 1 Pokemon in general are the ones most easily recognized by the broadest range of people, casual and hardcore alike.
"Pichu should return instead of Raichu!"
I don't mean to sound like a detractor for this character but I honestly believe Raichu would be a better fit for Smsah then his 1st evolutionary state.
itself is probably the least requested veteran to return anyways. I also feel his niche of being a joke, underdog character has long passed since the day of Melee and Sakurai doesn't add characters like that anymore. With Raichu, you would have a more respectable clone of that adds his own unique flavor to the moveset and isn't a joke character.
That being said, in an ideal world we could have both characters on the roster.
EDIT: Pichu's back NVM lol.
Alts
Coming Soon...hopefully lol.
Supporters!
Lets get our little guy in to Smash!
Ura
SEGAGameBoy
DelphoxFan97
Curious Villager
Diddy Kong
RileyXY1
ryuu seika
Bootortle
Dixie Kong
toonito
Mastermiine
Mr.Roidley
User Kev
Some Beedrill
Mr._Smasher
Lets get our little guy in to Smash!
Ura
SEGAGameBoy
DelphoxFan97
Curious Villager
Diddy Kong
RileyXY1
ryuu seika
Bootortle
Dixie Kong
toonito
Mastermiine
Mr.Roidley
User Kev
Some Beedrill
Mr._Smasher
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