Controversial Raikou Counters?
Answers
Classic Glass cannon vs Good Counter choice here. But as always the question really is "What's your group's size/level/counters etc.?"
The biggest issue is Raikou has two 2-bar charge moves, so the likelihood the glass cannons are gonna fall is much higher. But I'll probably make my teams like I always do, 1-2 glass cannons (Zam, Geng), 2-3 Supreme/Good counters (Dnite, flareon), and 1-2 "Tanks" (Rhydon, Golem).
My guess is you are going to see a LOT of Rock Rhydons/Golems out there since the average player probably didn't spend their TM's trying to get EQ on their post bird Rhydons/Golems.
My guess is even a bunch of people in this thread didn't spend TM's changing SE to EQ, because in other than this type of matchup it's a direct downgrade.
I wouldn't say it's the best, but for me it's a way to hedge my bets. In large groups it gets me DPS for +3 balls, in smaller groups I die quicker and get my second group in faster while having a better chance at +3 balls.
The downfall is the mid-sized groups when you get caught in between, that's why I gave ranges, sometimes I put in tankier options so I stay in with the first group.
FWIW, I did two Raikou this morning with about 15 people.
The first I got through two max Rhydons and part of a third.
The second try I got through lvl 40 gengar (SC/SB) and alakazm (C/FS) and part of a lvl 40 Rhydon.
In both cases I only got one ball. I got one charge move off with both the first two glass cannons.
This is only an anecdotal case, but the difference is probably marginal.
You are assuming both your gengar can fire ShB before dying. That is not always the case since in raids the boss energy is charged very fast from the damage taken from all other players, so he can fire a charge move at any time, especially if it is a 2 bar move like thunderbolt or wild charge. If 1 of your gengar die before firing you fall significantly behind.
Just yesterday I had a ttar fire FB on his third attack when raiding in a group of 10, and that was a full bar charge.
What about switching? I didn't mention that at all. I also don't see what your 2nd question is referencing, as I said nothing about that above either.
All I said was basically, that if lineups full of ideal counters are over-surviving the battle then when in LARGE/POWERFUL groups adding DPS is a better option than using the counters listed as "Supreme".
Going back to the OP,
If you're raiding in powerful enough groups where a lineup full of ideal counters is surviving too long, then add those highest DPS counters (from the pic you attached) to the start of your lineup.
It's the classic, powerful group = use more dps and weaker/smaller groups = use more bulk.
