Raging Bolt's amazing bulk, high Special Attack stat, and great typing both defensively and offensively allow it to become a dangerous wallbreaker and sweeper, threatening common defensive pieces like Toxapex, Moltres, and Zapdos. Draco Meteor brings Raging Bolt exceptional power, allowing it to OHKO Ground-types like Landorus-T, Garchomp, a Great Tusk trying to switch into it, the former with a Calm Mind boost. However, Dragon Pulse is a great option if you want consistent damage, threatening the opposition for longer at a time. Weather Ball is an amazing option when paired with weather teams, as it removes Grass-types like Ferrothorn and Rillaboom in sun and threatens Ground-types like Ting-Lu and Iron Treads in rain. Dragonium Z gives Raging Bolt a one-time nuke, letting it obliterate most non-resistant foes, such as Gliscor and Galarian Slowking, with a Calm Mind boost, opening up its teammates. Do note that Dragonium Z should only be used with Draco Meteor, as the damage reduction with Dragon Pulse is quite noticeable. Booster Energy boosts Raging Bolt's Special Attack, allowing it to get OHKOs on Pokemon that it would normally run from, such as Iron Valiant with Thunderclap and Gliscor with Draco Meteor, both at +1. Leftovers lets it switch into Pokemon like Mega Charizard Y and Ogerpon-W more consistently, allowing it to set up easily.

Raging Bolt is best on more offensive teams that appreciate it wearing down other Pokemon like Toxapex, Moltres, and Ting-Lu. Its main weakness is Ground-types like Ting-Lu, Gliscor, Great Tusk, and Landorus-T, as they can come in on a Thunderbolt and threaten it out with a super effective Earthquake. Pokemon like Urshifu-R, Ogerpon-W, and Hisuian Samurott can help remove these foes for Raging Bolt, and in return, it can eliminate bulky Water-types like Toxapex, Alomomola, and Slowbro. Hisuian Samurott in particular, along with Ferrothorn and Heatran, can set up entry hazards for Raging Bolt in order to chip down Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Ting-Lu into KO range of its attacks quicker. Raging Bolt doesn't have the best Speed stat, and that can be taken advantage of by Pokemon like Weavile and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele, which can bypass its Thunderclap either through their own priority for the former or Psychic Terrain for the latter and threaten to KO it. Steel-types like Melmetal, Kingambit, and Mega Scizor help in this regard, as well as absorbing Fairy-type attacks from Pokemon like Mega Diancie and Iron Valiant; Kingambit can also threaten Galarian Slowking and Mega Latios, two Pokemon that Raging Bolt has trouble with. In return, Raging Bolt can chip down Toxapex, Moltres, and Zamazenta for Kingambit’s own sweep later in the game. Finally, Raging Bolt fits very well on weather-based teams. On sun teams, Raging Bolt's Protosynthesis is activated, allowing it to hit harder; it also synergizes well with Mega Charizard Y, as Mega Charizard Y can switch into the Ground-type moves that Raging Bolt baits out while also dealing with Ferrothorn. In return, Raging Bolt can deal with Toxapex, Moltres, and Dragonite, which would otherwise give Mega Charizard Y trouble. Rain, on the other hand, gives Raging Bolt a Weather Ball capable of demolishing the Ground-types that would otherwise give it much trouble. In return, Raging Bolt provides a check for Grass- and Electric-types like Rillaboom, Zapdos, and Ogerpon-W that would give rain teams trouble.

Raging Bolt is an excellent pivot, using its stellar offensive presence and ability to force out Pokemon such as Toxapex, Zapdos, and Moltres to gain momentum for its teammates. Not only that, Raging Bolt's solid defensive typing makes it have favorable matchups against Pokemon like Ogerpon-W and Mega Charizard Y. Thunderclap is a useful form of priority, being the main way Raging Bolt threatens out faster threats such as Urshifu-R, Iron Valiant, and Mega Medicham. Draco Meteor gives Raging Bolt the ability to hit Pokemon that would effortlessly block Volt Switch, such as Landorus-T and Gliscor. Taunt is an option over Thunderbolt, allowing Raging Bolt to stop entry hazards from being set up by the likes of Heatran and Ferrothorn and deny recovery for Pokemon like Mega Scizor, Blissey, and Garganacl. Heavy-Duty Boots lets Raging Bolt pivot safely in the face of hazards, particularly Spikes, while Dragonium Z gives Raging Bolt the ability to OHKO Gliscor and Landorus-T and muscle through weakened checks like Garganacl and Mega Tyranitar. Alternatively, Leftovers grants Raging Bolt more longevity to check Pokemon like Mega Charizard Y, Ogerpon-W, and Urshifu-R more consistently. When using Heavy-Duty Boots, an EV spread with maximum Special Attack and Speed is preferred. However, the second EV spread ensures Raging Bolt outspeeds defensive Landorus-T while also surviving a Landorus-T's Earthquake after Stealth Rock.

Raging Bolt fits best on bulky offense and balance teams, where its pivoting abilities are much appreciated to keep momentum and bring in wallbreakers such as Mega Medicham and Kingambit against Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Galarian Slowking, and Mega Tyranitar. Raging Bolt checking Ogerpon-W and Tornadus-T is appreciated by teammates such as Alomomola and Great Tusk. In return, Alomomola provides Wish support, making up for Raging Bolt's poor longevity, and Great Tusk removes Spikes, which cut into Raging Bolt lacking Heavy-Duty Boots. Due to Raging Bolt's lack of power, it loves the Spikes set by teammates like Samurott-H and Ferrothorn, chipping down its checks such as opposing Ferrothorn and Heatran. Raging Bolt is also hindered by Ground-types that easily outpace it such as Garchomp and Great Tusk, since they also block its Volt Switch, stopping it from gaining momentum. Teammates that check these foes, such as Moltres and Landorus-T, are good partners for Raging Bolt.