Why Machamp is considered a Raikou Counter?
I know Machamp has great DPS but other mons like Espeon or Flareon also have very good DPS and like the same bulk
Answers
I have a nearly maxed out maxhamp with c/dp that gets chosen by poke battler in my #2 or #3 spot. I believe poke battler is choosing which mons will do the most damage versus last a long time. No type advantage just one of the best movesets available in Pokémon go. I realize this doesn't answer your question about being a counter but many seem to be chosen based on how much damage they put out. Unfortunately most everything with earthquake is relatively weak or just slow in damage output.
I agree with DoctorThalamus. I ran sims on Poke Battler using my exact mons to find my best Raikou team, and regardless of which attacks Raikou has, my Dynamic-Punch Machamps are always in the top 3 for highest DPS (my others are double-ground Rhydons and double-dragon Dragonites).
However, when Raikou has Thunderbolt, then Machamp dies so fast that it can't get its charge attacks in, so don't bother in that case.
But otherwise, leading off with a maxed-out Machamp or two works well to get you the max damage bonus (more balls, better chance to catch Raikou!), since assuming you follow that with double-ground level-30 Rhydons, you'll still say alive plenty long enough to beat Raikou with one team.
To share hard numbers, here's a comparison against Raid-Boss Raikou with Wild Charge:
- Level 30 100% IV Machamp with Counter/Dynamic Punch: does 14.1 dps if it leads off your team.
- Level 31 98% IV Rhydon with Mud-Slap/Earthquake does 12.1 dps if it leads off your team.
Machamp has more bulk than Flareon and Espeon, they only have 130 stamina compared to 180, that's 37 HP at level 30, pretty big difference. Sure their defences may be higher but Machamp is still more survivable, and more HP also means more energy for charge moves.
All 3 are listed against Electabuzz but only Machamp makes the cut against Raikou, the only thing that separates it from the other 3 is it's higher HP. All 3 have no type advantage and deal high DPS.
Dragonite also has no type advantage against them but is still listed as a counter on the same Pokemon for the same reason - high neutral DPS, but Dragonite is rated above all of them as a neutral attacker for it's overall higher stats.
