Pokemon #26-Manectirc

Manectric is a Pokemon that was intoduced in Generation 3(Ruby,Sapphire,Emerald).It is number 79 in the Hoenn Pokedex and number 310 in the National Pokedex.It is said that it discharges electricity from its mane.Also it creates a thundercloud overhead to drop lightning bolts.
Manectric wasn't a good Pokemon in Generation3.In Generation 4 though,with the additon of Flamethrower and Overheat,Manectric became a little bit better.In Generation 5,it didn't get any useful ability but it got a useful move,Volt Switch.Its stats are not the best but are not the worst either.70/60/60 on the defensive side(HP/Def/Sp.Def) and 75/105/105 on the offensive side(Att/Sp.Att/Spe).It can get three abilities.Static,which has 30% chance of paralyzing the opponent whenever its Pokemon is using a physical move.Lightningrod,which draws all the Electric-type moves and raises the user's Special Attack stat.From the Dream World,Manectric can get Minus(honestly a horrible ability),which raises the user's Special Attack by 50% everytime you have on your side a Pokemon with the ability Plus.Now,let's take a look at some possible sets.

Choice Scarf
-Volt Switch
-Flamethrower
-Hidden Power Grass/Ice
-ThunderBolt
Item:Choice Scarf
Ability:Static/Lightningrod
EVs,Nature:
252 Special Attack,252 Speed,4 HP
Modest(+Sp.Att,-Att)

The most common set of Manectic in Generation 5.Max Special Attack Manectric hits 339 Special Attack which is something not to laugh at.Volt Switch is a great move for scouting,getting some nice damage with STAB and switching to a proper counter to your opponent's Pokemon.Flamethrower is a must in the current metagame,with all these Steel-types that are around,and especially Ferrothorn.Hidden Power Grass is a great move on this set hitting most of the Bulky Waters that ThunderBolt and Volt Switch doesn't hit.Hidden Power Ice is also decent,for some Dragons,but I find HP Grass more useful in certain situations.ThunderBolt is your standard attack,it's STAB and it's stronger than Volt Switch.Please note that this set works very good as a lead set with the decent Speed of Manectric in combination with the Choice Scarf,as well as Volt Switch and its decent Special Attack.

Sub+3Attacks
-Substitute
-ThunderBolt
-Hidden Power Grass
-Flamethrower
Item:Life Orb
Ability:Static/Lightningrod
EVs,Nature:
252 Special Attack,252 Speed,4 HP
Modest(+Sp.Att,-Att)

This set works surprising well.Behind the Substitute Manectric is safe,and able to hit hard with one of its move.Pretty simple,huh?With Max Special Attack and the Life Orb,trust me you will definetely do some decent damage.ThunderBolt is your main option here,with STAB and all that.Hidden Power Grass is good for some common Ground/Water types that will try to wall Manectric.Flamethrower,as I mentioned earlier,is a must for all the Steel-types.

Counters
Chansey and Clefable can stall it out all day long,thanks to their decent Special Defense and access to a recovery move.Special Defensive Pokemon like Venusaur and Registeel are also good,able to take at least 2 Flamethrowers and either KO with one of their moves or force it out.Lanturn is another great Pokemon to counter Manectric,thanks to Volt Absorb and its decent HP and Special Defense.

Cool Info:Manectric wasn't able to learn any Fire-type move in Generation 3,though in Generation 4 it was able to learn three Fire-type moves,Flamethrower,Fire Fang and Overheat.