Even in an environment where Rain is the dominant weather, Heatran is still able to hit the Top 5 Most Used List.
I don't think the fact that Rain is dominant is the whole reason as to why Infernape is so underused. Rain dominance definitely hurts Infernape a lot; however, people should not take that as their sole argument against Infernape. Heatran is a good example.
We should ask ourselves, Why is Heatran able to maintain a high usage stat, even when the current metagame is unfavorable for it? The reason is because Heatran has ways to still hold a position and be useful even if Rain is dominant. Heatran is a superb Special Wall thanks to it unique Fire-Steel Typing. It is also able to act as a wonderful Sun/Hail Counter thanks to its Ability, Flash Fire, and its typing (once again). Basically Heatran has various roles it can take on ranging from Wall to Specs to Scarf to Weather Trapper.
Now let's look at Infernape. Infernape has two great STABs that can be abused. Infernape holds a wonderful 108 Base Speed along with a respectable movepool.
Infernape is also able to take on many Variants from Scarf to Mix to Band to Sweeper.
However, this is pretty much where it ends. Infernape's Offensive stats are pretty average, if not a little above average. Infernape lacks a solid Defensive Typing and lacks useful Resistances that he can take advantage of. Lucario who is frailer than Infernape has a plethora of Resistances to take advantage of. Then one must look at the actual viability of his sets. CB? Why not leave that to Terrakion who has better STABs, more Bulk, and more Power? Swords Dance? Lucario has an easier time setting up thanks to all those resistances; plus, Lucario has more Power and can actually afford to run Adamant Nature. Scarf? While it does have its perks as a premium Scout, one must keep in mind that it takes some heavy competition from the likes of Terrakion and Keldeo.
And finally, to add insult to injury, Infernape suffers from the dominant Rain playstyle, making even his viable sets such as MixApe or ScarfApe, a little underwhelming at times.
I don't think the fact that Rain is dominant is the whole reason as to why Infernape is so underused. Rain dominance definitely hurts Infernape a lot; however, people should not take that as their sole argument against Infernape. Heatran is a good example.
We should ask ourselves, Why is Heatran able to maintain a high usage stat, even when the current metagame is unfavorable for it? The reason is because Heatran has ways to still hold a position and be useful even if Rain is dominant. Heatran is a superb Special Wall thanks to it unique Fire-Steel Typing. It is also able to act as a wonderful Sun/Hail Counter thanks to its Ability, Flash Fire, and its typing (once again). Basically Heatran has various roles it can take on ranging from Wall to Specs to Scarf to Weather Trapper.
Now let's look at Infernape. Infernape has two great STABs that can be abused. Infernape holds a wonderful 108 Base Speed along with a respectable movepool.
Infernape is also able to take on many Variants from Scarf to Mix to Band to Sweeper.
However, this is pretty much where it ends. Infernape's Offensive stats are pretty average, if not a little above average. Infernape lacks a solid Defensive Typing and lacks useful Resistances that he can take advantage of. Lucario who is frailer than Infernape has a plethora of Resistances to take advantage of. Then one must look at the actual viability of his sets. CB? Why not leave that to Terrakion who has better STABs, more Bulk, and more Power? Swords Dance? Lucario has an easier time setting up thanks to all those resistances; plus, Lucario has more Power and can actually afford to run Adamant Nature. Scarf? While it does have its perks as a premium Scout, one must keep in mind that it takes some heavy competition from the likes of Terrakion and Keldeo.
And finally, to add insult to injury, Infernape suffers from the dominant Rain playstyle, making even his viable sets such as MixApe or ScarfApe, a little underwhelming at times.