kizux said:
What would be the best EV spread for an Adamant Talonflame? How much should I invest in speed to outspeed potential threats and preys? Also, I don't know if to go with roost + leftovers or acrobatics + sitrus berry.
EV Spread depends on what build you intend to use and what specific threats you care to use as benchmarks. Most sets will want full Attack investment (with an Adamant Nature, even though Jolly is more popular according to the stats for some reason), because Talonflame really needs the extra power to back its priority punch. You really don't need full investment in Speed because TFlame is so blazingly fast, and the remaining EVs can buffer your health to protect against recoil and make you slightly less squishy. You'll find a lot of recommendations for 164 Speed EVs, which allows you to outpace Jolly Base-100s, and this was especially important when Mega Kang was around. To beat Jolly Mega Pinsir you need 208 Speed, so that depends on how much you fear its Quick Attack. I've been using 60 Speed and 192 HP to outrun Jolly Excadrill and nail it with Flare Blitz. Just have to pick which threats you're most concerned with based on the rest of your team. The Bulk Up set is a whole different beastie, with a focus on Sp.Def and HP investment.
Item is also a matter of personal preference. Choice Band gives you immediate power but locks you in. Sure, Brave Bird spam is the most common gameplan for Talonflame anyway, but having your utility moves at your disposal can be handy when the opportunity arises. U-turn, Will-O-Wisp, stat boosters, Flare Blitz, Roost, and even Tailwind can be valuable options. If you're trying the Bulk Up set or some form of SubRoost you'll want Leftovers, and I've seen some people run it with Swords Dance as well. The Swords Dance cleaner set can use Life Orb, but that recoil stacks up VERY quickly, so you can even opt for Sharp Beak or Sky Plate to give your BBs a little extra power without completely burning yourself out. For a Pokemon with a niche that's so straightforward at first glance, Talonflame has a lot of viable options for customization.