[Overview]
<p>While it no longer has to compete with its long-time DPP UU rival Blaziken, Monferno still finds a majority of its offensive sets outclassed by either Simisear or Emboar, the latter of which even shares Monferno's rare Fire / Fighting typing. Monferno has an incredible offensive movepool that most Pokemon would kill for, but it often has trouble effectively utilizing most of these moves due to essentially nonexistent bulk and mediocre offensive stats. However, with a good Speed stat and access to tools such as Stealth Rock, Endeavor, and priority, Monferno can still establish a niche in the NU metagame.</p>
[SET]
name: Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Endeavor
move 3: Overheat
move 4: Taunt / Vacuum Wave
item: Focus Sash
ability: Blaze
nature: Hasty
evs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 HP / 0 Def / 0 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set aims to gain early offensive momentum by setting up Stealth Rock and putting a hole in your opponent's team with Endeavor. Most neutral attacks aimed at the fragile Monferno will likely be fatal, but Focus Sash allows Monferno to survive an attack with 1 HP and bring the opponent to the same amount with Endeavor. This set is especially effective in NU, where the absence of automatic hail or sand inducers means that Monferno can keep its Focus Sash intact as a lead. Once Monferno's Focus Sash is activated, Blaze will kick in and Overheat will receive a boost in power, meaning you can hit something hard before Monferno goes down. There are two options in the last slot; Taunt prevents the opponent from setting up early Stealth Rock of their own, while Vacuum Wave can be used to quickly dispatch foes that Monferno has brought down to 1 HP with Endeavor.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The given nature, EVs, and IVs give Monferno as little bulk as possible. This may seem like a horrible idea, but Monferno already has pathetic bulk, and reducing it further will help it reach 1 HP whenever hit, making Endeavor more effective. EVs are put into Speed and Special Attack in case Monferno needs to attack with Overheat or outspeed foes to Taunt them.</p>
<p>Although Taunt and Vacuum Wave are better in most situations, Fake Out, Encore, and U-turn all have their uses on this set. Fire Blast can be used instead of Overheat if you don't like the Special Attack drops, although Monferno doesn't usually get the chance to attack more than once, so giving up power and accuracy may not be the best idea. Close Combat can also be used instead of Overheat to hit opposing Golem leads. Furthermore, Close Combat's stat drops will help Monferno reach the lowest HP possible for Endeavor. If you decide to use Close Combat, simply use an EV spread of 252 Atk / 252 Spe in addition to swapping Vacuum Wave for Mach Punch (even though the priority on this set is only meant to finish off opponents at 1 HP). However, using Close Combat means Monferno won't be able to hurt Ghost-types.</p>
<p>This set isn't meant to stick around for an entire match, so you don't need to concern yourself with team synergy. However, Monferno is generally better suited to offensive teams, as they can force switches. A Ghost-type such as Haunter makes a good teammate, as it can keep Stealth Rock on the field by blocking the opponent's Rapid Spin. Speaking of Ghost-types, they'll love to switch into Monferno's Endeavor or Vacuum Wave at no cost, so Absol could be used as a teammate for free set-up opportunities. As this set is meant to be used purely as a lead, you should try to pair Monferno up with Pokemon that can get it the best lead match-up possible. For instance, in Team Preview, if the opponent sees a Torterra in the lead position, they may be tempted to lead with a counter to it such as Tangela, which Monferno can easily set up Stealth Rock on. Monferno's general switch-ins include bulky Water-types, such as Alomomola and Quagsire, so including teammates such as Raichu and Cacturne that can take advantage of them would be a great idea.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Monferno has an amazing movepool, however it must be careful to avoid being outclassed by other Fire-types. Monferno can use a Choice Band set, but barring higher Speed, priority, and U-turn, it is outclassed by Emboar who has better Attack and bulk. Monferno can also use a Choice Scarf or Choice Specs set, but they are generally outclassed by Simisear, who has better overall stats. Monferno has access to a wide array of boosting moves, including Swords Dance, Nasty Plot, Work Up, and Flame Charge, but frailty combined with few resistances means Monferno has very few opportunities to set up.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Albeit rare, opposing lead Pokemon with Magic Coat can prevent Monferno from setting up Stealth Rock. Lampent can also shut down the lead set since it is immune to all of Monferno's standard moves. In general, Monferno has trouble getting past bulky Water-types as they resist its Fire-type attacks, and even weak Scalds from them will be fatal for Monferno due to its abysmal defenses. Quagsire and Alomomola are good choices; Quagsire will nullify any of Monferno's stat boosts thanks to its ability, Unaware, while Alomomola can even take a Choice Band boosted ThunderPunch. Weezing can wall any of Monferno's physical sets due to its impressive Defense stat and resistance to Fighting-type attacks. Finally, Mantine and Altaria can wall offensive sets without ThunderPunch or Rock Slide, as they resist Monferno's dual STABs.</p>
<p>While it no longer has to compete with its long-time DPP UU rival Blaziken, Monferno still finds a majority of its offensive sets outclassed by either Simisear or Emboar, the latter of which even shares Monferno's rare Fire / Fighting typing. Monferno has an incredible offensive movepool that most Pokemon would kill for, but it often has trouble effectively utilizing most of these moves due to essentially nonexistent bulk and mediocre offensive stats. However, with a good Speed stat and access to tools such as Stealth Rock, Endeavor, and priority, Monferno can still establish a niche in the NU metagame.</p>
[SET]
name: Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Endeavor
move 3: Overheat
move 4: Taunt / Vacuum Wave
item: Focus Sash
ability: Blaze
nature: Hasty
evs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 HP / 0 Def / 0 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set aims to gain early offensive momentum by setting up Stealth Rock and putting a hole in your opponent's team with Endeavor. Most neutral attacks aimed at the fragile Monferno will likely be fatal, but Focus Sash allows Monferno to survive an attack with 1 HP and bring the opponent to the same amount with Endeavor. This set is especially effective in NU, where the absence of automatic hail or sand inducers means that Monferno can keep its Focus Sash intact as a lead. Once Monferno's Focus Sash is activated, Blaze will kick in and Overheat will receive a boost in power, meaning you can hit something hard before Monferno goes down. There are two options in the last slot; Taunt prevents the opponent from setting up early Stealth Rock of their own, while Vacuum Wave can be used to quickly dispatch foes that Monferno has brought down to 1 HP with Endeavor.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The given nature, EVs, and IVs give Monferno as little bulk as possible. This may seem like a horrible idea, but Monferno already has pathetic bulk, and reducing it further will help it reach 1 HP whenever hit, making Endeavor more effective. EVs are put into Speed and Special Attack in case Monferno needs to attack with Overheat or outspeed foes to Taunt them.</p>
<p>Although Taunt and Vacuum Wave are better in most situations, Fake Out, Encore, and U-turn all have their uses on this set. Fire Blast can be used instead of Overheat if you don't like the Special Attack drops, although Monferno doesn't usually get the chance to attack more than once, so giving up power and accuracy may not be the best idea. Close Combat can also be used instead of Overheat to hit opposing Golem leads. Furthermore, Close Combat's stat drops will help Monferno reach the lowest HP possible for Endeavor. If you decide to use Close Combat, simply use an EV spread of 252 Atk / 252 Spe in addition to swapping Vacuum Wave for Mach Punch (even though the priority on this set is only meant to finish off opponents at 1 HP). However, using Close Combat means Monferno won't be able to hurt Ghost-types.</p>
<p>This set isn't meant to stick around for an entire match, so you don't need to concern yourself with team synergy. However, Monferno is generally better suited to offensive teams, as they can force switches. A Ghost-type such as Haunter makes a good teammate, as it can keep Stealth Rock on the field by blocking the opponent's Rapid Spin. Speaking of Ghost-types, they'll love to switch into Monferno's Endeavor or Vacuum Wave at no cost, so Absol could be used as a teammate for free set-up opportunities. As this set is meant to be used purely as a lead, you should try to pair Monferno up with Pokemon that can get it the best lead match-up possible. For instance, in Team Preview, if the opponent sees a Torterra in the lead position, they may be tempted to lead with a counter to it such as Tangela, which Monferno can easily set up Stealth Rock on. Monferno's general switch-ins include bulky Water-types, such as Alomomola and Quagsire, so including teammates such as Raichu and Cacturne that can take advantage of them would be a great idea.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Monferno has an amazing movepool, however it must be careful to avoid being outclassed by other Fire-types. Monferno can use a Choice Band set, but barring higher Speed, priority, and U-turn, it is outclassed by Emboar who has better Attack and bulk. Monferno can also use a Choice Scarf or Choice Specs set, but they are generally outclassed by Simisear, who has better overall stats. Monferno has access to a wide array of boosting moves, including Swords Dance, Nasty Plot, Work Up, and Flame Charge, but frailty combined with few resistances means Monferno has very few opportunities to set up.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Albeit rare, opposing lead Pokemon with Magic Coat can prevent Monferno from setting up Stealth Rock. Lampent can also shut down the lead set since it is immune to all of Monferno's standard moves. In general, Monferno has trouble getting past bulky Water-types as they resist its Fire-type attacks, and even weak Scalds from them will be fatal for Monferno due to its abysmal defenses. Quagsire and Alomomola are good choices; Quagsire will nullify any of Monferno's stat boosts thanks to its ability, Unaware, while Alomomola can even take a Choice Band boosted ThunderPunch. Weezing can wall any of Monferno's physical sets due to its impressive Defense stat and resistance to Fighting-type attacks. Finally, Mantine and Altaria can wall offensive sets without ThunderPunch or Rock Slide, as they resist Monferno's dual STABs.</p>
