Rapidash Movesets & Competitive Sets

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.

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.

Morning Sun increases longevity by healing off recoil damage as well as other chip damage from sources like entry hazards. Wild Charge is for hitting Water-types such as Golduck and Huntail, and Drill Run is for hitting Rock-types such as Rampardos as well as Stunfisk. Will-O-Wisp can be used over Drill Run as an additional utility option for hindering threats like Dodrio and Stoutland as well as spreading chip damage, but the loss of Drill Run makes taking on certain walls like Stunfisk much harder. Leftovers is the preferred item to shore up Rapidash's constant chip damage and increase longevity, but Life Orb can also be used to secure certain 2HKOs on key threats like Frillish. Rapidash tends to collect a lot of recoil damage from Flare Blitz and Wild Charge, so additional chip damage from sources like entry hazards can make a significant difference in how long Rapidash is in play. Following that, entry hazard control such as Tentacool and Natu make for good partners. Rapidash also attracts common Water-type switch-ins like Frillish as well as certain other physical walls like Stunfisk and Machoke, so Pokemon that counter these threats like Vileplume, Torterra, and Beheeyem also work as teammates. Rapidash excels in clearing out Grass- and Steel-types like Vileplume and Bronzor, so Pokemon like Zebstrika and Gabite also appreciate having it around. Rapidash also tends to coax in common revenge killers such as Zebstrika and Jumpluff, so having walls of your own in the wings such as Stunfisk and Bronzor can also be useful.

Thanks to Pokemon XD, Rapidash can use Baton Pass to pass boosts to its teammates or to scout for counters. After an Agility boost, nobody will outspeed Rapidash, allowing it to execute its Baton Pass with incredible speed. Generally speaking, Rapidash will not be able to pass both Substitute and Agility, as it is rather frail and its Substitutes will easily be broken. Flare Blitz gives Rapidash some sort of attack so it cannot be shut down by Taunt users. There really are no other options for Rapidash. You could go with a Timid nature and Fire Blast instead of Flare Blitz, but Flare Blitz is almost always a better option because of its higher accuracy. Unfortunately, you cannot use Morning Sun or Hypnosis with Baton Pass on Rapidash because of breeding conflictions stemming from the fact that Baton Pass is only available on XD. Leftovers is an excellent item choice, but if you wish to take full advantage of Baton Pass, a pinch Berry may be equipped to pass an extra boost. To activate the Berry safely, Rapidash can first use Agility, and then Substitute down to 25% health. The pinch Berry strategy should be used late-game, however, as it only has one shot to work and is more successful when you know your opponent's team. Bulky, offensive Water-types are excellent recipients because of Rapidash's tendency to lure out Water-types. Milotic is a great choice because of its natural bulk and strong attacking moves. Azumarill is also a good option if you are looking for a physical recipient. Leafeon, Venusaur, Tangrowth, and basically any other offensive Grass-type are also good options since they can take the Water-type attacks aimed at Rapidash and proceed to outspeed and possibly OHKO said Water-type. Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes all hinder Rapidash's attempts to Baton Pass effectively, so a Rapid Spinner would be a very welcome teammate. Claydol is a decent option as it resists Stealth Rock and is immune to Spikes and Toxic Spikes, but shares a Water-type weakness with Rapidash. Blastoise is a pretty solid option as well because of its decent bulk and resistance to Water-type moves. Donphan and Hitmontop can also be used, but their poor special bulk leaves them vulnerable against bulky Water-types. Phazers and Hazers shut down this set and strategy. The most threatening of these Pokemon is Milotic, who can take Rapidash's Flare Blitz and OHKO back with Surf. Aqua Jet users, such as Kabutops and Azumarill, can OHKO Rapidash before it can pass its boosts. Bulky Taunt users such as Drapion also mess up this set by preventing Rapidash from using Baton Pass.

At first, this set may seem odd; in most people's minds, a Pokemon with a Stealth Rock weakness and a fairly limited movepool is not going to be the first candidate for a choice set. Rapidash appears to be outclassed by Arcanine, but it can scout the opponent's switch-in with Baton Pass, something Arcanine cannot do. Megahorn is also a pretty neat move; with a whopping 120 Base Power, it will deal a chunk of damage to most Water-type switch-ins and dent Houndoom as well. Iron Tail may seem like a strange option, as it lacks STAB and has poor coverage. However, it will do a good amount of damage to Kabutops, Omastar, Rhyperior, and other Rock-types. The EVs are pretty straightforward: max Attack and max Speed to hit as hard and as fast as possible. The choice between Baton Pass and Iron Tail in the last slot is dependent on how you wish to play Rapidash. If you want to play conservatively and use Rapidash to scout your opponent's team, then Baton Pass is an ideal option. However, if you wish to be more aggressive, then Iron Tail is an excellent choice. Choosing between a Jolly or an Adamant nature is also a tough decision; an Adamant nature gives Iron Tail a chance to 2HKO Rhyperior, but a Jolly nature will let Rapidash Speed tie with max Speed Mismagius and Scyther. Quick Attack is also a decent option if you wish to pick off weakened, faster threats and pinch Berry users, but doesn't have much use outside of that. Double Kick is also a somewhat viable option, but using it means that Mismagius can switch in on two of Rapidash's attacks for free and proceed to set up. As with every other Stealth Rock-weak Pokemon in the game, a Rapid Spinner makes a wonderful teammate for Rapidash. This is especially true with a Choice set since switching will be more common. Blastoise is a decent option since it can take on most Water-types who Rapidash lures in. Donphan is also a good choice, as it can switch in on the bulky Rock-types who come in on Rapidash. Kabutops is a good option if you want a more offensive approach. Leafeon is a good teammate because it can come in on Rhyperior and get a free Swords Dance on the switch. Offensive Milotic is also a good partner since it can take advantage of the Water-types who Rapidash lures in. As far as counters go, Stealth Rock will wear down Rapidash very quickly, as will sandstorm or hail damage. Spikes further bring down Rapidash's miniscule HP stat; this problem is compounded by the fact that many common Spikes users can set up on Rapidash. Milotic fears nothing on this set and easily shrugs off any damage with Recover. Feraligatr can also set up on this set and force it out. Regirock and Rhyperior can cause problems for this set, as they are able to set up if Rapidash is using an ineffective move.

Rapidash's decent base 80 Special Attack, respectable base 100 Attack, and high base 105 Speed mean that it is perfectly capable of running an efficient mixed set. Fire Blast is Rapidash's most powerful special attack, while Hidden Power Grass hits bulky Water-types for decent damage and OHKOes Omastar. Megahorn takes out would-be walls, such as Slowking and Grumpig, who can take on Fire Blast and Hidden Power Grass without breaking a sweat. Naive is the preferred nature because it allows Rapidash to run more EVs in Attack while maintaining some more physical bulk, which can pay off if you use Will-O-Wisp as the final move. Hypnosis and Will-O-Wisp can both fit in the last slot, as they allow Rapidash to cripple its counters. If you don't wish to take away from Rapidash's Special Defense, a Mild nature is useable with an EV spread of 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe. With this alternate EV spread, however, you will lose out on some important 2HKOs, such as on Slowking and Grumpig. Morning Sun is a possible option over Will-O-Wisp or Hypnosis if you wish to increase Rapidash's longevity. Those are really the only other options for this set; poor Rapidash was cursed with an extremely small movepool. Rapidash's Stealth Rock weakness limits its ability to switch in, so a Rapid Spinner such as Kabutops or Blastoise will benefit this set greatly. Strong Grass-types such as Sceptile, Venusaur, Leafeon, and company can all benefit from Rapidash's tendency to lure out bulky Water-types, essentially getting a free turn to attack or set up. Other Fire-types can also benefit from this set because of its ability to weaken opposing Water-types. The counters for the above set apply for this set as well. Specially defensive Donphan can survive a Hidden Power Grass or Fire Blast and easily OHKO back with Earthquake, but cannot switch in on either of the aforementioned attacks, as it will be 2HKOed. Milotic fears nothing from this set and can strike back with a super effective Surf or Hydro Pump. Azumarill and Feraligatr can switch in and take Rapidash out with Aqua Jet. Dugtrio can also be used to revenge kill this set, but cannot switch in on any of Rapidash's moves.

One of Rapidash's best assets is its access to Will-O-Wisp and Hypnosis, which allows it to take out its counters and support its team. These two moves pair wonderfully with Rapidash's above average Speed. Flare Blitz is Rapidash's strongest STAB move, and coming off of Rapidash's base 100 Attack stat, will hurt anyone who doesn't resist it. Megahorn differentiates Rapidash from other Fire-types. While the type coverage may seem redundant, Megahorn helps against bulky Water-type switch-ins, especially Slowbro and Slowking. Return is also an option if you are concerned about opposing Fire-types. A Jolly nature and 252 Speed EVs allow Rapidash to Speed tie with Scyther and Mismagius, while 252 Attack EVs let Rapidash deal as much damage as possible. If you aren't concerned about Mismagius and Scyther, you can opt to run a slightly bulkier spread of 84 HP / 248 Atk / 176 Spe. 84 HP EVs give Rapidash 292 HP, allowing it to switch into Stealth Rock an extra time and slightly increase its overall bulk. 176 Speed EVs allow Rapidash to outpace all positive natured base 95s. The rest of the EVs are placed into Attack. Other options include Hidden Power Grass, which allows Rapidash to take out Rhyperior, Kabutops, and Omastar. Toxic is also a decent option in the last slot, as it allows Rapidash to cripple some hard counters like Milotic and Moltres. Due to Rapidash's Stealth Rock weakness and Spikes vulnerability, a Rapid Spinner would do well as a teammate. Blastoise works well as it can switch into bulky Water-types; in return, Rapidash can take the odd Grass-type attack aimed at Blastoise. Kabutops is also an acceptable spinner if you wish to go for a more offensive approach. In general, anyone who benefits from weakened physical attackers is a great partner for this set. Sceptile and Venusaur are good teammates for Rapidash, as they can come in on the bulky Water-types who Rapidash lures out and set up with Swords Dance or Substitute. Other Grass-types, such as Leafeon and Tangrowth, can work with this set as well. Special walls such as Milotic and, to a lesser extent, Chansey benefit from burned physical attackers. The counters for this set are essentially the same as the counters for every other Fire-type Pokemon: fast Earthquake users and strong Water-types. Aqua Jet Azumarill can counter this set, provided it doesn't get burned. Fire-types can do a pretty good job of taking on this set since they are immune to Will-O-Wisp and resist Flare Blitz and Megahorn. However, they should be wary of Hypnosis. Milotic is a great counter for this set; RestTalk variants work especially well since they can Rest off the burn inflicted by Will-O-Wisp. Rock-type Pokemon can also counter this set with ease. While most of them do not enjoy being burned, Omastar can take the burn and KO from the special side.

It doesn't have the best Special Attack stat, but can catch your opponent by surprise. Hypnosis is still effective vs. Pokemon with Natural Cure like Blissey. Sunny Day as they come in, Hypnosis. If they stay in, they have to eat boosted Fire Blasts, and if they switch out, they're switching to something that isn't their main special wall, so if they try and come back in, you can just use Hypnosis again on them. Hidden Power Ice hits Salamence in OU, but the main Pokemon for which it's used in UU, is Gligar, who is OHKOed by Fire Blast, and almost always OHKOed by Flamethrower anyway, so Hypnosis is probably better. Sunny Day keeps Rapidash safe from Surf as it attacks. Once again, the IVs are only if you choose Hidden Power Ice.

Hypnosis is an option on this set if your opponent doesn't have a Pokemon that Rapidash can scare off (like Skarmory), giving you a free turn to set up a Substitute / Agility. Fire Blast will keep Skarmory and Weezing from erasing your boosts, so you can Substitute as they go to, say, Blissey, and then Baton Pass that Substitute to Gengar and Focus Punch it. Obviously, this set works in UU as well. You may not need as many Speed EVs if you are using Agility, but it might come handy to get in that crucial Hypnosis or Hidden Power. The IVs given are for Hidden Power Ice, which should generally only be used in OU, as Hidden Power Grass is more important to hit Waters like Blastoise, Walrein, and Quagsire there.

Hypnosis is to put whatever Pokemon that is giving the team trouble to Sleep. Then, just use whatever attacks it needs to take it down. You'll have to deal with the limited movepool Rapidash provides for you. Overheat any Steel-types that come your way. Iron Tail any Rocks like Solrock. Pick whichever Hidden Power your team needs. Hidden Power Rock and Fighting are useful to take on Walrein just a little better.