Raging Bolt VGC Guide
Hadron Engine Thunderclap Core | Electric Terrain Boosted Special Attacker
Why Raging Bolt Dominates Reg I
Raging Bolt is the ancient paradox form of Raikou, boasting 137 Special Attack that gets amplified a further 30% under Electric Terrain via Hadron Engine. What truly sets it apart is Thunderclap — a +1 priority special Electric move that lets this slow powerhouse strike first, bypassing its mediocre 75 Speed entirely.
In the Regulation I format, Raging Bolt slots in as the non-Restricted partner alongside top Restricted legends, providing reliable priority Electric damage and terrain control, cementing its position as a top-tier Paradox pick.
Base Stats
BST 590 — 137 SpA and 125 HP are the key figures; 75 Speed is offset by Thunderclap priority
⚡ Ability: Hadron Engine
Terrain Effect
Sets Electric Terrain on switch-in (lasts 5 turns). Electric Terrain boosts Electric-type moves by ×1.3 for grounded Pokémon.
SpA Boost
While Electric Terrain is active, Hadron Engine boosts Raging Bolt’s own Special Attack by 30%. Combined with the terrain’s type boost, Electric moves hit extremely hard.
Important Notes
If Miraidon already set Electric Terrain, sending in Raging Bolt doesn’t reset the timer but benefits from the existing terrain. Airborne Pokémon (like Levitate users) are unaffected by Electric Terrain.
Thunderclap Deep Dive
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Power | 70 |
| Priority | +1 |
| Category | Special |
| Condition | Fails if the target is not using an attack move this turn |
| Power under Electric Terrain | 70 × 1.3 = 91 |
| With Hadron Engine boost | SpA ×1.3, effectively massive damage |
⚠️ Thunderclap Limitation
Thunderclap fails if the target uses a non-attacking move (Protect, switching, status moves). When the opponent protects, Raging Bolt wastes its turn — reading Protect correctly is the most critical skill when piloting Raging Bolt.
Build 1: Hadron Engine Priority Attacker
Most common set — Electric Terrain Thunderclap-first offense
Moves
- ▸ Thunderclap
- ▸ Thunderbolt
- ▸ Dragon Pulse
- ▸ Protect
EV Spread
Build Notes
Max HP/SpA for maximum Thunderclap damage. Electric Seed triggers automatically under Electric Terrain for +1 Def; Booster Energy is the off-terrain alternative.
Build 2: Dragon Coverage Attacker
Draco Meteor coverage for Electric-immune targets
Moves
- ▸ Thunderclap
- ▸ Draco Meteor
- ▸ Ancient Power
- ▸ Protect
EV Spread
Build Notes
Choice Specs trades Thunderclap priority for raw power. Useful when your team needs Draco Meteor for cleanup or Ancient Power to cover Kyogre matchups. 75 Speed is workable in the mid-speed bracket.
Recommended Partners
Miraidon (Dual Electric Terrain Core)
Both carry Hadron Engine for Electric Terrain relay. Miraidon handles straight Electric offense + terrain maintenance, Raging Bolt contributes Thunderclap mind games. Note: Miraidon occupies the Restricted slot.
Koraidon (Sun + Electric Hybrid Core)
Koraidon sets sun while Raging Bolt self-sustains Electric Terrain. The pair has excellent type coverage — Raging Bolt’s Electric coverage patches Koraidon’s weakness to Water types.
Indeedee-F (Trick Room Support)
Under Trick Room, Raging Bolt’s 75 Speed allows it to act first. Indeedee-F’s Psychic Surge overwrites Electric Terrain — plan your terrain priority carefully based on your team’s game plan.
Rillaboom (Grassy Terrain Counter)
Grassy Terrain overwrites Electric Terrain, but Grassy Terrain healing extends Raging Bolt’s longevity. More importantly, Rillaboom’s Fake Out provides free turns for Raging Bolt to safely use Thunderclap.
Countering Raging Bolt
Type Counters
- • Ground-type moves (if Raging Bolt is grounded)
- • Dragon-type moves (×2)
- • Ice-type moves (×2)
- • Flying-types (immune to Electric, though not x2 super-effective)
Tactical Counters
- • Protect to waste Thunderclap turns
- • Grassy Terrain / Psychic Terrain to override Electric Terrain
- • Switch in an Electric-immune Pokémon
- • Outspeed when Thunderclap conditions fail
Speed Tier Context
Raging Bolt sits at 75 Speed — solidly mid-low tier in Doubles. Key speed references:
| Pokémon | Speed | vs Raging Bolt |
|---|---|---|
| Miraidon | 135 | Much faster |
| Iron Bundle | 136 | Much faster |
| Koraidon | 85 | Slightly faster |
| Incineroar | 60 | Slower |
| Raging Bolt | 75 | — |