[OVERVIEW]
With excellent Special Attack and Steam Eruption, it is no doubt that Volcanion poses a threat, but it has never truly broken into the top tier due to its unfortunate weakness to Stealth Rock and relatively low Speed leaving it with multiple relevant shortcomings. However, Volcanion has a fine movepool, giving it various attacking options to fill out movesets and help it pose more of a consistent threat to opponents, especially with its already superb STAB combination. Water Absorb is very nice to help deal with opposing Water-type attacks, especially given Volcanion's Fire typing. In terms of bulk, it is underwhelming specially but surprisingly very solid physically, letting Volcanion take a few hits if need be. However, it is not often used as a defensive Pokemon, so this does not always come into play. Volcanion does have a clear niche, but it faces strong competition as a wallbreaker and offensive presence in general, with lots of other strong and potentially more convenient Pokemon residing in the tier.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Steam Eruption
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Sludge Wave
move 4: Earth Power
item: Choice Specs
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Steam Eruption is the best move Volcanion learns and also one of the most spammable moves in the game. Fire Blast is a secondary STAB move, mainly used to hit Grass-types like Ferrothorn, Tangrowth, and Amoonguss. It is far less spammable than Steam Eruption but still sees good use and hits hard. Sludge Wave is a coverage move predominantly for Tapu Fini, which resists both of Volcanion's STAB moves and has Misty Terrain to negate the burn chance that comes alongside Steam Eruption. Earth Power is mainly there for Toxapex, seeing as it also resists both STAB moves but takes super effective damage from Earth Power. Hidden Power Grass can be used in order to hit Gastrodon, which is immune to Steam Eruption and resists Fire Blast. Additionally, this move hits Rotom-W and Slowbro, which also resist Volcanion's STAB combination.
Set Details
========
Choice Specs ensures Volcanion hits as hard as possible. The EV spread also helps accomplish this goal, as well as letting Volcanion do this in as fast a fashion as possible, outrunning many bulkier opposing Pokemon. Modest is used to increase damage output further, but Timid is a viable alternative if you wish to outrun standard Mew, Adamant Tapu Bulu, and a few other threats.
Usage Tips
========
Volcanion generally is spamming one move when using the Choice Specs set, and that move happens to be Steam Eruption. Given its Base Power and ability to burn the opposing Pokemon, Steam Eruption is easily the go-to attack. If the opponent has a Pokemon with a Water immunity or resistance that can sponge a hit, the other moves come very handy as you predict the switch. You should try to keep entry hazards off of the field as much as possible to preserve Volcanion's health. Finally, you can use Volcanion throughout the game in order to break through opposing teams, especially early on, so do not hesitate too much to bring Volcanion into the battle.
Team Options
========
Pursuit users such as Weavile and Tyranitar can remove Latios for Volcanion. Entry hazard control is definitely suggested in order to rid Stealth Rock from the field, seeing as Volcanion is weak to it. Volt Switch and U-turn users are good teammates, as Volcanion does not always get the most opportunities to come in throughout the game. Strong physical attackers are appreciated to break through premier special walls such as Chansey and Toxapex, which can otherwise be problematic for Volcanion. Pokemon with high Speed or priority are generally appreciated due to Volcanion's Speed tier and the fact that running slow teams in this metagame is not a particularly good idea. Specially bulky Grass-types such as Ferrothorn and Assault Vest Tangrowth provide especially good defensive synergy with Volcanion, as they defeat Electric-types and Latios and are able to deal with most opposing Ground-types.
[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Steam Eruption
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Sludge Wave
move 4: Earth Power
item: Groundium Z / Shuca Berry
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Steam Eruption is a very spammable STAB move that can burn the foe and does lots of damage. Fire Blast is the secondary STAB move that is less spammable but complements Steam Eruption's coverage quite well. Sludge Wave specifically targets Tapu Fini, but it also hits Fairy-types in general for reliable, super effective damage. Earth Power with Groundium Z is mainly for targeting Toxapex and doing high amounts of damage to Pokemon that resist both of Volcanion's STAB moves, such as Keldeo. It is a surprising move, seeing as Volcanion is normally running Choice Specs or simply checked by Toxapex, meaning that you can lure and severely hurt it. Solar Beam with Grassium Z is an alternative to hit Water-types that resist both of Volcanion's STAB moves and are weak to Grass, essentially acting as a nuke for Rotom-W, Slowbro, Keldeo, and various other Pokemon that otherwise can check Volcanion.
Set Details
========
The EVs maximize the damage output and Speed of Volcanion. The item choice depends on what you want to lure or damage based on your team. Groundium Z is used if you wish to lure Toxapex and deliver high amounts of damage in a surprising fashion while still maintaining good overall coverage. A Shuca Berry can also be utilized in order to survive Earthquakes from Landorus-T, Garchomp, and other prominent Ground-type threats that are quicker than Volcanion and threatened by it offensively. On the other hand, if you want to specifically lure other Water-types, Grassium Z + Solar Beam is a good option that is able to destroy opposing Water-types that are weak to Grass. A Modest nature is preferred to increase damage output, especially in conjunction with the chosen Z-Move, but Timid is a viable alternative if you wish to outrun standard Mew and Adamant Tapu Bulu.
Usage Tips
========
Volcanion tends to use Steam Eruption more often than not, but with this set, it can take advantage of the Z-Move's coverage in order to hit Pokemon that handle the STAB attacks and are lured in to attempt to check or counter Volcanion, such as Toxapex. Generally, you should pull this set out in order to eliminate Pokemon you need to threaten earlier on in the game as opposed to letting them linger for longer than necessary. Keep in mind that, if running Shuca Berry, you can exploit the surprise factor when facing Ground-types to get off a big hit or even KO.
Team Options
========
Volcanion appreciates Pursuit support, as it happens to be walled by Latios and getting rid of faster, threatening Pokemon can always be beneficial. Hazard control is also quite important with Volcanion due to it being weak to Stealth Rock and vulnerable to other forms of entry hazards, meaning Defog and Rapid Spin users make good teammates. Volt Switch and U-turn users can help get Volcanion in as many times as possible to let it make progress offensively. Strong physical attackers can take advantage of Volcanion luring in special walls to switch in more easily, making them good partners, too. Finally, faster Pokemon that can compensate for the lack of Speed that Volcanion has can also balance out teams that Volcanion finds itself on.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Volcanion can make use of Flame Charge on a set aimed to sweep. A bulkier RestTalk variant can take advantage of Steam Eruption and Volcanion's physical bulk, but it is underwhelming due to Volcanion's typing and place in the metagame as a more offensive presence. Status moves like Toxic and Will-O-Wisp can find their way onto sets if need be. Hidden Power Electric can be used to hit Mantine, Pelipper, and Gyarados. Superpower can be used to catch Chansey and threaten it to an extent.
Checks and Counters
=============
**Chansey**: Chansey hard walls Volcanion due to its special bulk, and there is not much Volcanion can do to get around it.
**Latios and Latias**: Latios and Latias both deal with Volcanion's STAB combination, can potentially Roost off damage taken, and threaten Volcanion offensively.
**Water-types**: Water-types usually resist both of Volcanion's STAB types and can also either cripple or hurt Volcanion, leaving it a favorable matchup for them. Some examples are Rotom-W, Toxapex, and Keldeo.
**Entry Hazards**: Stealth Rock and other entry hazards all punish Volcanion quite a bit and make it think twice before switching in.
**Faster Pokemon With Super Effective Moves**: Faster Electric-, Ground-, and Rock-types all pose a major threat to Volcanion and can KO it or force it out. Zapdos, Garchomp, and Landorus-T are particularly threatening.
With excellent Special Attack and Steam Eruption, it is no doubt that Volcanion poses a threat, but it has never truly broken into the top tier due to its unfortunate weakness to Stealth Rock and relatively low Speed leaving it with multiple relevant shortcomings. However, Volcanion has a fine movepool, giving it various attacking options to fill out movesets and help it pose more of a consistent threat to opponents, especially with its already superb STAB combination. Water Absorb is very nice to help deal with opposing Water-type attacks, especially given Volcanion's Fire typing. In terms of bulk, it is underwhelming specially but surprisingly very solid physically, letting Volcanion take a few hits if need be. However, it is not often used as a defensive Pokemon, so this does not always come into play. Volcanion does have a clear niche, but it faces strong competition as a wallbreaker and offensive presence in general, with lots of other strong and potentially more convenient Pokemon residing in the tier.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Steam Eruption
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Sludge Wave
move 4: Earth Power
item: Choice Specs
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Steam Eruption is the best move Volcanion learns and also one of the most spammable moves in the game. Fire Blast is a secondary STAB move, mainly used to hit Grass-types like Ferrothorn, Tangrowth, and Amoonguss. It is far less spammable than Steam Eruption but still sees good use and hits hard. Sludge Wave is a coverage move predominantly for Tapu Fini, which resists both of Volcanion's STAB moves and has Misty Terrain to negate the burn chance that comes alongside Steam Eruption. Earth Power is mainly there for Toxapex, seeing as it also resists both STAB moves but takes super effective damage from Earth Power. Hidden Power Grass can be used in order to hit Gastrodon, which is immune to Steam Eruption and resists Fire Blast. Additionally, this move hits Rotom-W and Slowbro, which also resist Volcanion's STAB combination.
Set Details
========
Choice Specs ensures Volcanion hits as hard as possible. The EV spread also helps accomplish this goal, as well as letting Volcanion do this in as fast a fashion as possible, outrunning many bulkier opposing Pokemon. Modest is used to increase damage output further, but Timid is a viable alternative if you wish to outrun standard Mew, Adamant Tapu Bulu, and a few other threats.
Usage Tips
========
Volcanion generally is spamming one move when using the Choice Specs set, and that move happens to be Steam Eruption. Given its Base Power and ability to burn the opposing Pokemon, Steam Eruption is easily the go-to attack. If the opponent has a Pokemon with a Water immunity or resistance that can sponge a hit, the other moves come very handy as you predict the switch. You should try to keep entry hazards off of the field as much as possible to preserve Volcanion's health. Finally, you can use Volcanion throughout the game in order to break through opposing teams, especially early on, so do not hesitate too much to bring Volcanion into the battle.
Team Options
========
Pursuit users such as Weavile and Tyranitar can remove Latios for Volcanion. Entry hazard control is definitely suggested in order to rid Stealth Rock from the field, seeing as Volcanion is weak to it. Volt Switch and U-turn users are good teammates, as Volcanion does not always get the most opportunities to come in throughout the game. Strong physical attackers are appreciated to break through premier special walls such as Chansey and Toxapex, which can otherwise be problematic for Volcanion. Pokemon with high Speed or priority are generally appreciated due to Volcanion's Speed tier and the fact that running slow teams in this metagame is not a particularly good idea. Specially bulky Grass-types such as Ferrothorn and Assault Vest Tangrowth provide especially good defensive synergy with Volcanion, as they defeat Electric-types and Latios and are able to deal with most opposing Ground-types.
[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Steam Eruption
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Sludge Wave
move 4: Earth Power
item: Groundium Z / Shuca Berry
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Steam Eruption is a very spammable STAB move that can burn the foe and does lots of damage. Fire Blast is the secondary STAB move that is less spammable but complements Steam Eruption's coverage quite well. Sludge Wave specifically targets Tapu Fini, but it also hits Fairy-types in general for reliable, super effective damage. Earth Power with Groundium Z is mainly for targeting Toxapex and doing high amounts of damage to Pokemon that resist both of Volcanion's STAB moves, such as Keldeo. It is a surprising move, seeing as Volcanion is normally running Choice Specs or simply checked by Toxapex, meaning that you can lure and severely hurt it. Solar Beam with Grassium Z is an alternative to hit Water-types that resist both of Volcanion's STAB moves and are weak to Grass, essentially acting as a nuke for Rotom-W, Slowbro, Keldeo, and various other Pokemon that otherwise can check Volcanion.
Set Details
========
The EVs maximize the damage output and Speed of Volcanion. The item choice depends on what you want to lure or damage based on your team. Groundium Z is used if you wish to lure Toxapex and deliver high amounts of damage in a surprising fashion while still maintaining good overall coverage. A Shuca Berry can also be utilized in order to survive Earthquakes from Landorus-T, Garchomp, and other prominent Ground-type threats that are quicker than Volcanion and threatened by it offensively. On the other hand, if you want to specifically lure other Water-types, Grassium Z + Solar Beam is a good option that is able to destroy opposing Water-types that are weak to Grass. A Modest nature is preferred to increase damage output, especially in conjunction with the chosen Z-Move, but Timid is a viable alternative if you wish to outrun standard Mew and Adamant Tapu Bulu.
Usage Tips
========
Volcanion tends to use Steam Eruption more often than not, but with this set, it can take advantage of the Z-Move's coverage in order to hit Pokemon that handle the STAB attacks and are lured in to attempt to check or counter Volcanion, such as Toxapex. Generally, you should pull this set out in order to eliminate Pokemon you need to threaten earlier on in the game as opposed to letting them linger for longer than necessary. Keep in mind that, if running Shuca Berry, you can exploit the surprise factor when facing Ground-types to get off a big hit or even KO.
Team Options
========
Volcanion appreciates Pursuit support, as it happens to be walled by Latios and getting rid of faster, threatening Pokemon can always be beneficial. Hazard control is also quite important with Volcanion due to it being weak to Stealth Rock and vulnerable to other forms of entry hazards, meaning Defog and Rapid Spin users make good teammates. Volt Switch and U-turn users can help get Volcanion in as many times as possible to let it make progress offensively. Strong physical attackers can take advantage of Volcanion luring in special walls to switch in more easily, making them good partners, too. Finally, faster Pokemon that can compensate for the lack of Speed that Volcanion has can also balance out teams that Volcanion finds itself on.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Volcanion can make use of Flame Charge on a set aimed to sweep. A bulkier RestTalk variant can take advantage of Steam Eruption and Volcanion's physical bulk, but it is underwhelming due to Volcanion's typing and place in the metagame as a more offensive presence. Status moves like Toxic and Will-O-Wisp can find their way onto sets if need be. Hidden Power Electric can be used to hit Mantine, Pelipper, and Gyarados. Superpower can be used to catch Chansey and threaten it to an extent.
Checks and Counters
=============
**Chansey**: Chansey hard walls Volcanion due to its special bulk, and there is not much Volcanion can do to get around it.
**Latios and Latias**: Latios and Latias both deal with Volcanion's STAB combination, can potentially Roost off damage taken, and threaten Volcanion offensively.
**Water-types**: Water-types usually resist both of Volcanion's STAB types and can also either cripple or hurt Volcanion, leaving it a favorable matchup for them. Some examples are Rotom-W, Toxapex, and Keldeo.
**Entry Hazards**: Stealth Rock and other entry hazards all punish Volcanion quite a bit and make it think twice before switching in.
**Faster Pokemon With Super Effective Moves**: Faster Electric-, Ground-, and Rock-types all pose a major threat to Volcanion and can KO it or force it out. Zapdos, Garchomp, and Landorus-T are particularly threatening.
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