How to use moves like Outrage and minimize counters

Outrage is a complicated move, and should not be be used nonchalantly without proper training. Since there are so many bad side-effects of this move, the only way for one to succeed with this move is to use it is a very specific manner. Petal Dance, Thrash, etc are the same exact kind of move with different typing so apply these rules to those moves also.

 So let's first list all the side-effects of Outrage:

1. Hits random foe
2. Confuses itself after 2-3 turns locked in
3. Outrage locks itself in (cannot switch) if Outrage hits pokemon that do not Protect
   themselves
4. Outrage forces you to keep using the same move if locked in
5. Outrage is often overkill

Let's list how to counter each one of these side-effects (numerically symmetrical to above):

1. Outrage may hit a foe who protects themself. At least you don't get locked into Outrage. If Outrage hits a pokemon who doesnt protect and it was a pokemon you didnt intend to hit, then you get a disadvantage. You counter that by ensuring you out-speed the opponent (with an ally) and can guarantee an OHKO on the pokemon you dont want to hit with Outrage. Since you out-speed and ohko the opponent with your ally, Outrage can only hit one target after that, and the hitting random foe problem is solved. Use either a priority attack before your ally uses Outrage or just use a faster ally with an attack that finishes off the foe and out-speeds (doesnt need to outspeed the foe, just needs to kill it before your Outrager uses Outrage). Probably avoid using Outrage if it has a chance at hitting a dude that can protect, with their ally having the possibility of Trick Rooming that turn, unless the other move(s) that you could have used wouldnt kill their Trick Roomer anyways.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD8k69A_vI4   That is a URL with my comment posted on how to use Outrage. - Private Now, and don't remember who uploaded it. See Jhud's video on Outrage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD8k69A_vI4

2. Outrage naturally resets the locking-in effect if it hits a protect, so that helps against the confusion problem. Also the fact that your pokemon using Outrage normally dies before it can Outrage a 3rd or 4th time counters this side-effect. But one way to counter this from happening is to use different moves besides Outrage perhaps for the first turn or 2 if you really think your Outrager (usually a pokemon like Haxorus) is going to be alive for at least 3 Attacking turns.

3. Outrage making you not able to switch may be annoying at times, but usually you know when to Outrage if you remember which 6 pokemon they have on their team, and if you remember which pokemon they already used and have died already. For example if the opponent has Hydreigon on their team and it already died, then you know it is safe to get locked into Outrage since you dont risk it revenge killing you after you kill something with Outrage. If you know Hydreigon is on their team but they havent used it yet, then Outrage becomes risky. You should probably only use it in that scenario if it is about to die and you want to get off a hard hit before you die.

4. Outrage forcing you to use the same move in a row makes Choice'd Outrage not so bad. Since it will be locked into the same move with a choice item anyways, this side-effect of Outrage is negligible. Without a choice item it becomes more complicated on how to use it. If later you feel like you might need to Rock Slide instead of Outrage, you probably shouldnt bother using Outrage and getting locked in now, when you could use a good Rock Slide later to attack both foes, possibly flinching or finishing one or 2 pokemon off.

5. Outrage often being overkill sounds wrong because you can never have too much power in this game. However it is true. Many times it is better to use a spread move such as Rock Slide that guarantees at least one hit on the opponent, or kills one foe then damages their ally than to use Outrage and hope it happens to hit the pokemon that didnt protect, and use a single attack when a spread move at that moment in time would be so much better. Sometimes it is better to use a weaker attack that hits both opponents than to use one strong single attack, especially considering all the many side-effects of Outrage. Only Outrage if you need to, treat it as a last resort. Outrage gets better and better when you have lower HP (about to die), or when you need a hit that wont be resisted by the opponent. It also works when you want to OHKO something or know something is going to Rage Powder, and Outrage will hit that pokemon harder than a move such as Dragon Claw. However the main way to use Outrage is to only use it when at least one opponent gets ohko'd by Outrage, and no other move that your pokemon has can OHKO. Be careful of Focus Sashes and Substitute.

Minimize counters:

Roar whirlwind to the tr setting up mon, haze, clear smog, perish song, taunt if they lack mental herb, priority encore, unaware, aura sphere, aerial ace, smart strike, blizzard, thunder, swift, feint attack, shadow punch, magical leaf, shock wave, magnet bomb, sacred sword, disarming voice, psych up, lock-on, no guard, toxic (never misses if used by a poison type) topsy turvy, telekinesis, snatch, curse, foresight, trick and switcheroo before they minimize, all beat minimize spam.