Speed
williamgu February 26, 2013Speed,
Cavorting in a field. Playing with its friends – a smokeless flame dancing from its head and tail. A train catches its eye and off it goes faster than you can believe and a lengthening trail of flame lagging behind it. No cowboy can saddle this horse.
Do you honestly believe that you would ever stumble across such a creature in tall grass? Rapidash stands proud and runs like fire hastened by the Santa Ana winds across the dry brush of southern California. There are only three places (in the English games) where you could stumble across a wild Rapidash – Route 28 (Gold/Silver), Kindle Road (Fire Red/Leaf Green), and Route 12 (Black/White). While they are common in Fire Red/Leaf Green, it still seems a bit unrealistic. Trying throwing a ball at that dude, best of luck to you.
If you want a Rapidash, catch a Ponyta and evolve it. Catch a shiny Ponyta, if you must.
Sadly, for all the hype and despite what PokéPark Wii would have you believe, Rapidash is not the fastest Pokémon nor even a particularly fast Pokémon. Honestly, Darkrai is faster. I will not let this sad fact detract from its glory. Let’s imagine that the Speed stat comes from speed in battle. Rapidash’s real speed, the glory of 150 miles per hour, comes when it is free to run wild, unencumbered by the petty cares of a Pokémon trainer.
Speed is Rapidash’s best stat at 105, Attack is 100, Special Attack and Special Defense are tied at 80. Rapidash’s lowest stats are Defense (70) and HP (65). These aren’t the worst base stats, though, Rapidash is tied with some popular fellows like Ampharos, Drapion, Gengar, Golduck, Heracross, Muk, Politoed, and Wailord. It is tough deciding how to train a Rapidash – you want to make the most of that physical attack but most of it’s Fire-type moves are special. I would still say train it up for Speed (IVs there if you can) and Attack, throw some EVs at Defense and let’s see what we can do. A hasty or naive nature will boost your Speed while whittling away at the worthless Defense or Special Defense stats.
Having mentioned that Rapidash’s Fire-type moves are mostly special, let’s see how we can outfit the dude. Flare Blitz is legit and powerful and may just be worth that 33% recoil damage. Flame Charge is another physical Fire-type attack and has the bonus of giving you a speed boost with every use, it just isn’t very powerful (50 base power). There is no counter move for Rapidash’s weaknesses – Ground, Rock, and Water-types – so just go for a powerful Normal-type move like Thrash or Double-Edge. Let your Rapidash learn Agility as a status move (boosts the Speed stat by two stages). Rapidash may not start as the fastest Pokémon but there are ways to get it there!
I would say the only ability to select for Rapidash is Flame Body. It’s dual-powered – potentially leaves an opponent with a burn and halves the time to hatch eggs. Love that Flame Body!
Since I have recommended two moves that cause recoil damage, I can only recommend Leftovers as a hold item for Rapidash. Where it will be held, though, is anyone’s guess.
There has not been a Rapidash card released in the TCG since 2010, so, nothing to say there.
Written by William
Proofed by Jared
@jaredtheunseen
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