Pokémon X and Y Walkthrough, Pokémon Move Sets: Manectric

(Please note that the recommendations below are largely made for in-game play. A Manectric in a competitive environment will likely make use of different moves to accommodate for smarter, more adaptive opponents. Got a different set for a Manectric? Let the world know in the comments.)

Another of the doggy fraternity in the Pokémon series, Manectric is a solid, if sometimes forgettable, pokémon. It fills the role of electric-type with reasonable success, and can cover a few other areas of attack as well. It's just a shame that its Mega Evolution looks so... so... so.

Type: Electric

Evolution

Pretty simple, here. Get yourself an Electrike and level it to 26. Voila! Instant Manectric. You can further evolve Manectric into Mega Manectric by equipping it with Manectite.

Resistances

Electric, Flying, Steel.

Weaknesses

Ground.

Stats

Manectric toes the line as far as electric-types go. Most of the statistical emphasis here is on Special Attack and Speed, both of which are nice and high at 105 apiece. Everything else in Manectric's repertoire is average or below, which, in the case of Defense and Special Defense, can be rather costly to its overall survivability. Sweeper or go home.

Mega Manectric, on the other hand... well, okay, it's pretty much the same. Special Attack and Speed get big boosts while everything else remains roughly on par. Defense and Special Defense get a bit better, but not enough to make an appreciable different in the majority of encounters. Oh well.

Ability

Static: If the pokémon is hit by a move that makes contact, the attacker may be hit with paralysis. This is the reason that I hate fighting electric-type pokémon in the wild, and it continues to be useful in a world where pure electric-types are only truly weak to ground-type moves. A little redundant if you use Thunder Wave, but otherwise? Great ability.

Lightning Rod: The pokémon attracts and immediately disperses and electric-type moves sent its way. Lightning Rod is fantastic in double and triple battles... aaaaand largely useless anywhere else. At least it won't be hurt by electric-type moves? Shrug?

Minus: If paired with another pokémon that has Plus, both pokémon receive bonuses to Special Attack. Again, only useful for double and triple battles, and not even as good as Lightning Rod overall, because it generally forces you to use two electric-type pokémon. Meh. Minus is a hidden ability.

Intimidate: Opponent pokémon receive a small debuff to their Attack stat. This is kinda handy if you expect trouble from purely physical pokémon, but I prefer Static. Intimidate is only available to Mega Manectric.

Moves

The average Manectric is going to be at least a semi sweeper. If you want reliability every time, Thunderbolt will be your primary weapon. if you want to risk getting knocked out in exchange for more power, swap out an extra move for Rain Dance, then toss in Thunder instead of Thunderbolt. (If you want more power with less risk you can also use Charge / Electric Terrain over Rain Dance, though I don't find either quite as effective.) Beyond this Manectric goes well with non-STAB Special Attack moves such as Flamethrower and Hyper Beam. If you want Mega Manectric, you can also include Thunder Wave to make up for the loss of Static.

The alternative to a straight-out sweeper, which can be risky, is that of a scout. Give Manectric Thunder Wave to cause trouble and ensure that it usually goes first, then swap out Thunderbolt / Thunder for Volt Switch. It's not quite as strong as Thunderbolt, but it will allow you to play the field by tricking your opponent into using a move (probably ground) that won't do much, if anything, to the next pokémon in line.

EV / Super Training

Regardless of build, the only direction you should be taking your Manectric is down the standard sweeping road of Special Attack and Speed. Earthquake is just too common an attack to let opponents go first, and unless you really sacrifice on other categories your Manectric's health probably won't suffice to keep it alive. The only exception here is if you go for the Thunder Wave and Volt Switch combo, which relies less on doing damage and more on switching without harming Manectric. Speed is always a priority regardless.

Catching a Manectric

They aren't to be found in the wild, unfortunately, but Manectric's predecessor Electrike is abundant in the grasslands of Route 10 in Pokémon Y. You can further evolve Manectric to Mega Manectric via Manectite, found on the eastern edge of Route 16. Check the clump of rock patrolled by two skaters, between 8 and 9 PM, to find the Mega Stone. Note that it will only appear here in Pokémon X; in Pokémon Y it is Houndoomite instead.