[OVERVIEW]
Quilava is a generally weak Pokémon. It is completely outclassed by many other PU Fire-types such as Combusken, Flareon or Camerupt. The only reason to use Quilava would be it's access to Eruption. However, it doesn't have the bulk to maintain it. It is basically impossible to use Quilava unless in the right circumstance. But if set up correctly Quilava is a powerful sweeper. Quilava can be switched into slower enemies after entry hazards have been placed and finish off most of them with 1 to 3 Eruption at full HP. Quilava also can be used to completely check Leavanny and Golem and also slow down Combusken.
[SET]
name: Bulky Eviolite Sweeper
move 1: Eruption
move 2: Hidden Power Grass
move 3: Fire Blast/Flamethrower
move 4: Toxic/Will-O-Wisp
item: Eviolite
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Eruption is a move to start off with for high damage output but when Quilava is weakened make sure to switch moves. Hidden Power Grass is just a coverage move since it can't learn Solar Beam yet. Fire Blast is really one of Quilava's only STAB option after being weakened. However, it is risky because of its accuracy. As an alternative to Fire Blast, we have Flamethrower it has lower power but higher accuracy and when you add STAB on it's not too bad. Plus Fire Blast and Flamethrower's burn chance let you avoid using Toxic or Will-O-Wisp but if you don't burn then Toxic will increase Quilava's low damage output while Will-O-Wisp helps to lower the enemy's damage output for more Eruption usage.
Set Details
========
Quilava has low HP so he needs much more bulk so he can outlast Flareon and Combusken explaining the 252 HP EV's and for even more bulk the Eviolite is necessary to allow Quilava to survive 1 super effective hit and give a burn or poisoning. The 4 SpD EV's are insignificant but on paper could save Quilava. (Possibly). The SpA EV's are self-explanatory boosting his special attacks so he doesn't have terrible damage output from his below average base SpA.
Usage Tips
========
It is dangerous to switch Quilava into Stealth Rock but sometimes it is necessary. Also, if you can switch it into foes like Leavanny who are weak to Quilava you will usually KO. However, sometimes it is possible to switch into foes like Golem who have low SpD. But against foes like Audino Quilava crumbles.
Team Options
========
Eviolite Graveler or normal Golem can really help if you set up a Stealth Rock to weaken foes first and then hit them with Eruption. Generally, you also want a Water type on your team to cover Quilava's weakness to Rock and Ground. A good one is Frogadier with Protein and Choice Specs to weaken teams then Quilava finish's the job. Most importantly try to have a defogger on your team to help prepare for the switch-in to Quilava. Otherwise, Eruption can't hit hard enough.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Quilava can learn Wild Charge to cover Water-types but it's not great bulk and low Attack makes it a weaker option but it could work with a Life Orb. Another option is to use Choice Specs and go for a Fire Blast sweep. Another one that could work is giving Quilava 252 SpA EV and 252 Spe EV with 4 Def EV then use Life Orb and start with Eruption then transition to Fire Blast after below 73% HP.
Checks and Counters
===================
Camerupt: Camerupt beats Quilava completely with an extra Ground typing to hit Quilava super effectively while it's Fire-type makes Quilava's Hidden Power Grass neutral.
Water-type: Most Water-types in the tier can tank 1 Hidden Power Grass allowing them to retaliate with STAB water moves.
Magcargo: Pretty much the same reason as for Camerupt and it 4x resists Fire.
Stealth Rock: I mentioned this earlier but Stealth Rock not only hits Quilava hard but also weakens Eruption.
Faster Pokemon: Pokemon that are faster can KO Quilava or put a dent in Eruption which you were about to use.
Quilava is a generally weak Pokémon. It is completely outclassed by many other PU Fire-types such as Combusken, Flareon or Camerupt. The only reason to use Quilava would be it's access to Eruption. However, it doesn't have the bulk to maintain it. It is basically impossible to use Quilava unless in the right circumstance. But if set up correctly Quilava is a powerful sweeper. Quilava can be switched into slower enemies after entry hazards have been placed and finish off most of them with 1 to 3 Eruption at full HP. Quilava also can be used to completely check Leavanny and Golem and also slow down Combusken.
[SET]
name: Bulky Eviolite Sweeper
move 1: Eruption
move 2: Hidden Power Grass
move 3: Fire Blast/Flamethrower
move 4: Toxic/Will-O-Wisp
item: Eviolite
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Eruption is a move to start off with for high damage output but when Quilava is weakened make sure to switch moves. Hidden Power Grass is just a coverage move since it can't learn Solar Beam yet. Fire Blast is really one of Quilava's only STAB option after being weakened. However, it is risky because of its accuracy. As an alternative to Fire Blast, we have Flamethrower it has lower power but higher accuracy and when you add STAB on it's not too bad. Plus Fire Blast and Flamethrower's burn chance let you avoid using Toxic or Will-O-Wisp but if you don't burn then Toxic will increase Quilava's low damage output while Will-O-Wisp helps to lower the enemy's damage output for more Eruption usage.
Set Details
========
Quilava has low HP so he needs much more bulk so he can outlast Flareon and Combusken explaining the 252 HP EV's and for even more bulk the Eviolite is necessary to allow Quilava to survive 1 super effective hit and give a burn or poisoning. The 4 SpD EV's are insignificant but on paper could save Quilava. (Possibly). The SpA EV's are self-explanatory boosting his special attacks so he doesn't have terrible damage output from his below average base SpA.
Usage Tips
========
It is dangerous to switch Quilava into Stealth Rock but sometimes it is necessary. Also, if you can switch it into foes like Leavanny who are weak to Quilava you will usually KO. However, sometimes it is possible to switch into foes like Golem who have low SpD. But against foes like Audino Quilava crumbles.
Team Options
========
Eviolite Graveler or normal Golem can really help if you set up a Stealth Rock to weaken foes first and then hit them with Eruption. Generally, you also want a Water type on your team to cover Quilava's weakness to Rock and Ground. A good one is Frogadier with Protein and Choice Specs to weaken teams then Quilava finish's the job. Most importantly try to have a defogger on your team to help prepare for the switch-in to Quilava. Otherwise, Eruption can't hit hard enough.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Quilava can learn Wild Charge to cover Water-types but it's not great bulk and low Attack makes it a weaker option but it could work with a Life Orb. Another option is to use Choice Specs and go for a Fire Blast sweep. Another one that could work is giving Quilava 252 SpA EV and 252 Spe EV with 4 Def EV then use Life Orb and start with Eruption then transition to Fire Blast after below 73% HP.
Checks and Counters
===================
Camerupt: Camerupt beats Quilava completely with an extra Ground typing to hit Quilava super effectively while it's Fire-type makes Quilava's Hidden Power Grass neutral.
Water-type: Most Water-types in the tier can tank 1 Hidden Power Grass allowing them to retaliate with STAB water moves.
Magcargo: Pretty much the same reason as for Camerupt and it 4x resists Fire.
Stealth Rock: I mentioned this earlier but Stealth Rock not only hits Quilava hard but also weakens Eruption.
Faster Pokemon: Pokemon that are faster can KO Quilava or put a dent in Eruption which you were about to use.
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