Talonflame @ Custap Berry
Ability: Gale Wings
Level: 50
EVs: 220 HP / 108 Atk / 180 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Will-O-Wisp
- Tailwind
- Endure
Talonflame has one goal: set up Tailwind at any cost. Speed control is king in VGC, and Gale Wings provides Talonflame with priority Tailwind, in many cases getting it up before the opponent can respond. One of the few ways to prevent Talonflame from setting Tailwind is with a Fake Out + Max Airstream double target, but not here; Endure has higher priority than Fake Out, allowing Talonflame to survive a turn one barrage, drop into Custap range, and get Tailwind up next turn. The EV spread outspeeds Whimsicott and survives an Electroweb from Regieleki, giving Talonflame a favorable matchup against two common speed control options. Will-O-Wisp neuters physical attackers, most significantly Zacian-C, and Flare Blitz allows Talonflame to both do respectable damage and KO itself with recoil to provide a safe switch in for a teammate. Talonflame exclusively finds its home on hyper offense teams, where high-powered teammates such as Kyurem-W and Calyrex-S can make the most of their new-found Speed tier and blow the doors off the other team. Ditto is also a recommended teammate, as it provides crucial revenge killing services and answers an early opposing Dynamax with ease. If you gotta go fast, Talonflame is the bird for you.
Want to try Talonflame yourself? Check out this team from Indianapolis Regionals!
Last edited: