Question

Why is H-Electrode in Gen 9 NU, while Electrode in Gen 9 PU?

Comments

I'm probably late, but Hisuian Electrode just dropped to NU recently since it didn't get enough usage in RU. As for why Electrode is in PU, .... it's simply not good in NU. Despite it being fast, it doesn't hit hard enough, and it's outclassed by other Electric-types such as Jolteon, Rotom, and Rotom-Mow.

Answer 1

The reason for both Electrodes are in the tiers they are is because they are outclassed by other Electric-types in the tiers above it. While both are fast, they also don't hit hard enough.

Hisuian-Electrode: Hisuian-Electrode recently dropped to NU. In RU, Hisuian-Electrode is outclassed by Killwattrel as an offensive pivot. Despite not being as fast as Hisuian-Electrode, Kilowattrel can hit harder and can switch into Electric moves thanks to Volt Absorb. Even in NU, Hisuian-Electrode has a hard time. It is outclassed by other Electric-types such as Jolteon and Rotom-Mow as offensive pivots who can use Volt Switch against Pokemon they can't beat. Hisuian-Electrode can't hit hard enough. You could attempt a SubSeed Hisuian-Electrode set, but it wouldn't put in much (if any) work since Pokemon such as Goodra, Decidueye, Arboliva, and Appletun exist in the tier, with Arboliva, Decidueye, and Appletun outclassing Hisuian-Electrode as defensive Grass-types.

Electrode: The Kanto Electrode is in PU since it isn't good in NU. While Elctrode is fast, just like its Hisuian cousin, Electrode can't hit hard enough, leaving it outclassed by other Electric-types such as Rotom/Rotom-Mow and Jolteon. However, it is good in PU, currently being A- on the PU VR.

TL;DR Both Electrodes are in the tiers they are in since they are outclassed by other Electric-types in the tiers above the tier they're in. While both Electrodes are fast without Choice Scarf, they can't really hit that hard since they have a base 80 Special Attack.

Answer 2

There are a few reasons this could be - it's important to remember Electrode and Hisuian Electrode are two different Pokemon despite having the same name and base stat total.
The most glaring difference between them is their type combos, a grass/electric type has more resistances and STAB utilization than a pure electric type, on top of the tera type potential.
Hisuian Electrode also has access to the Chloroblast signature move which is incredibly powerful - Electrode (normal) has no such move like that.

This could help explain why Hisuian Electrode is a tier above its regular counterpart, it's more useful and used, but still far from the greatest.

Answer 3

I’m not an expert in competitive battles, so this may not be the best answer, but this is because Electrode-H has use as an annoying niche staller, unlike Electrode. Electrode-H also has better utility than Electrode.

Electrode-H @ Leftovers
Ability: Soundproof
Evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Giga-Drain
- Leech Seed
- Discharge

In the right situation, this set is extremely effective and annoying, and is why I sometimes use Electrode-H in OU. Hope this helped!

Comments

Isn't Electrode better as an all-out attacker with volt switch, leaf storm, and ice tera blast? If you want a wall, you should use Eelektross or Lurantis.

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You could use Electrode-H offensively, but see where that gets regular Electrode, PU. The Special Attack of the Electrodes are underwhelming and they don’t really have boosting moves. Thanks to Leech Seed, Electrode-H has more uses, unlike Electrode.