Volcanion QC (3/3) GP (2/2)

[kamikaze]

[OVERVIEW]
Volcanion is a powerful bulky special attacker with a great offensive and defensive typing in Water / Fire that enables it to check many top-tier threats such as Heatran, Talonflame, Jirachi, Amoonguss, and Aegislash. Its ability, Water Absorb, allows it to sit in on most Water-type attackers, and its high Defense stat allows it to tank even super effective physical hits. However, even though Volcanion walls most Water-types, it cannot do much back to most of them, so it usually relies on partners to deal with them. Its middling Speed tier causes it to be outrun by Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Mega Diancie, and Thundurus, and its offensive coverage is usually walled by most Dragon-types in the metagame. Volcanion's Special Defense stat also is average compared to its Defense stat, so it is susceptible to strong special attacks.

[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Steam Eruption
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Sludge Bomb / Earth Power
move 4: Protect
item: Safety Goggles
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Steam Eruption is Volcanion's main STAB move and is used to check threats like Landorus-T, Mega Diancie, and other Fire-types; additionally, its 30% chance to burn the target can put pressure on anything that may normally want to switch into a Water-type move. Heat Wave is the go-to spread move that helps Volcanion check Steel- and Grass-types. Sludge Bomb lets Volcanion damage opposing Fairies such as Azumarill. Earth Power is an alternate coverage move that is run mainly to damage opposing Volcanion. Protect is self explanatory as a staple move in Doubles to help stall out field conditions or get Volcanion in a position where its partner can help it threaten the opposing team.

Set Details
========
Volcanion uses Safety Goggles to fearlessly switch into Amoonguss as well as target its partner by ignoring Spore and Rage Powder. Maximum HP is run to take advantage of Volcanion's decent defensive stats. Maximum Special Attack with a Modest nature is used to maximize Volcanion's damage output. 4 Speed allows it to outspeed offensive Thundurus and anything slower if you have a partner get up Tailwind. An alternative spread using 140 Speed EVs would allow it to outrun Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-T under Tailwind. On a full Trick Room team, one can run a similar spread but with a Quiet nature and no Speed investment to help it move quicker under Trick Room. Maximum Speed Volcanion with a Timid nature is also a viable option that would also outspeed Modest Heatran.

Usage Tips
========
Since its Water / Fire coverage enables it to check many top threats, Volcanion can help its teammates sweep through the endgame. Make sure you prioritize keeping it healthy enough to remove these threats for your teammates such as getting rid of Steel-types for Fairy-type Mega Evolutions. Make use of speed control moves such as Tailwind, Trick Room, Thunder Wave, and Icy Wind so Volcanion can outspeed and check what it is meant to check. If needed, a healthy Volcanion can use its high bulk to handily take even a super effective attack from a faster foe such as Landorus-T or Mega Diancie and KO back. Make use of it as a perfect Amoonguss counter, as it can safely switch into it thanks to Safety Goggles and threaten it on the next turn with a Fire-type move or even outright ignore it and attack its partner. While Water Absorb allows Volcanion to stay in on most Water-types, it becomes an awkward stalemate because Volcanion generally cannot do much in return to opposing Water-types besides using Sludge Bomb or fishing for burns with Steam Eruption. You can sometimes take advantage of these scenarios by staying in and attacking the Water-type's partner if it's threatened by Volcanion. Volcanion's Steam Eruption has a 30% chance to burn, so feel free to fish for a burn if necessary to get out of rough situations against physical attackers like Mega Kangaskhan.

Team Options
========
Trick Room setters such as Mega Gardevoir, Hoopa-U, and Cresselia give Volcanion much-appreciated speed control. Fairy-types such as Mega Gardevoir and Mega Diancie help take down Dragon-types for Volcanion, while Volcanion helps them by dismantling Steel-types. Tailwind setters such as Latios, Salamence, and Hydreigon both offer speed control for Volcanion and remove problematic threats such as opposing Dragons. Aegislash provides Wide Guard to save Volcanion from super effective spread moves, while Volcanion helps Aegislash by beating Fire-types for it. Landorus-T helps Volcanion check fast spread attackers like Mega Diancie, Landorus-T, and Terrakion by providing the Intimidate to help it take the super effective spread moves or simply switch in for Volcanion's slot. Thundurus checks Mega Charizard Y and Water-types, which Volcanion normally has trouble dealing with, as well as providing speed control in the form of Thunder Wave. Offensive Thundurus specifically can also outspeed Mega Diancie and OHKO it with Flash Cannon.

[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Steam Eruption
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 240 HP / 248 SpA / 16 SpD / 4 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Steam Eruption is Volcanion's Water-type STAB move and helps it defeat multiple top-tier threats as well as punish any switch-ins with its 30 percent chance to burn. Its accompanying Fire-type STAB move is Heat Wave, which is a spread move that gives it the ability to break through Grass- and Steel-types for its teammates. Substitute shields Volcanion from taking strong attacks and status moves, which gives it a lot of leeway to deal out damage and get KOs on Pokemon that would normally check it. Protect not only helps stall out field conditions and make Volcanion invulnerable for a turn but also helps it rack up more Leftovers recovery throughout the game.

Set Details
========
Leftovers maximizes Volcanion's longevity and allows it to create multiple Substitutes throughout the course of the game. Volcanion runs 240 HP and 16 Special Defense EVs to both have maximum longevity and freely use Substitute on an Amoonguss, since Giga Drain will not break its Substitute. 4 Speed allows it to outspeed offensive Thundurus after a Tailwind. The remaining EVs are placed in Special Attack with a Modest nature to maximize Volcanion's damage output. A spread with 140 Speed EVs allows it to outrun Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-T under Tailwind, but this would likely come at the cost of bulk or damage output. On a full Trick Room team one can run a similar spread but with a Quiet nature and no Speed investment to help it move quicker under Trick Room. Maximum Speed with a Timid nature can also be used to outspeed Modest Heatran.

Usage Tips
========
Volcanion's main priority is to get behind a Substitute so it can fire off attacks with little punishment. Using Fake Out is a great way to help Volcanion set up Substitutes in front of Pokemon that would otherwise outspeed and threaten it. Using redirection in the form of Follow Me and Rage Powder also aids in setting up a Substitute. Even if Volcanion is not safely behind a Substitute, it can still take advantage of its high bulk to even take a super effective attack from a faster foe such as Landorus-T or Mega Diancie and respond with a KO if needed. Substitute is also something that can be used on the last turn of field effects such as your own Trick Room or Tailwind to take advantage of an opponent's attempt to stall them out with Protect. Unfortunately, with Volcanion's only offensive moves being resisted by Water, it will often be stuck in awkward stalemates against opposing Water-types, which will also have difficulty breaking Volcanion thanks to Water Absorb. You can sometimes take advantage of these scenarios by staying in and attacking the Water-type's partner if it's threatened by Volcanion. You should also never forget about Steam Eruption's nifty 30 percent chance to burn, so fishing for a burn to get out of rough situations such as against strong physical attackers like Mega Kangaskhan should not be ignored as an option.

Team Options
========
Fake Out users such as Kangaskhan and Scrafty are extremely useful partners thanks to their ability help Volcanion set up Substitutes. Redirection users such as Jirachi and Amoonguss are also commonly used to help Volcanion both set up and stay behind Substitutes so that it can continuously fire off attacks. Trick Room setters such as Mega Gardevoir, Hoopa-U, Jirachi, and Cresselia also provide good support for it. Fairy-types such as Mega Gardevoir and Mega Diancie appreciate Volcanion's ability to defeat opposing Steel-types while also handling Dragon-types, which can freely switch into and threaten Volcanion. Dragon-types such as Latios, Salamence, and Hydreigon help beat opposing Dragons and Electric-types for Volcanion as well as having the option to provide speed control in Tailwind. Aegislash benefits from Volcanion's ability to KO opposing Fire-types while providing Wide Guard support to allow Volcanion to avoid damage from common super effective spread moves such as Earthquake, Rock Slide, and Diamond Storm. Thundurus checks Mega Charizard Y and Water-types, which Volcanion normally has trouble dealing with, as well as providing speed control in the form of Thunder Wave. If an offensive Thundurus is used as a partner, it gives one the option to both outspeed opposing Mega Diancie and OHKO them with Flash Cannon. Landorus-T has the ability to check fast spread attackers like Mega Diancie, Terrakion, and Landorus-T by threatening the former two with OHKOs while also providing Intimidate support to help Volcanion take the super effective spread moves better from them. Landorus-T is also a good switch-in for a lot of super effective Rock- and Ground-type attacks aimed at Volcanion.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Stone Edge allows Volcanion to properly check Mega Charizard Y, whose Drought ability weakens Steam Eruption. Overheat, Fire Blast, and Flamethrower are single-target high-power Fire-type moves that allow Volcanion to ignore Wide Guard and do significantly more damage than Heat Wave would. Will-O-Wisp can be used to neuter opposing physical attackers for Volcanion's teammates. Sitrus Berry can be used if one wants to supplement Volcanion's natural bulk, and it works great with Will-O-Wisp. Focus Blast, with the risk of 70% accuracy, allows Volcanion to check Dragons such as Kyurem-B and Hydreigon that would normally be willing to switch in and check it. A fast Life Orb attacking set can be run if one prefers the added damage output such as OHKOing Jirachi with Fire Blast. Wacan and Shuca Berries are viable options for those wishing to help Volcanion tank Electric and Ground attacks, respectively.

Checks and Counters
===================
**Strong Special Attackers**: Volcanion's average Special Defense stat makes it the target of strong Dragon-types' Draco Meteor, Mega Gardevoir's Psychic, and numerous super effective special attacks like Earth Power and Thunderbolt.

**Electric-type Pokemon**: Rotom-W, Thundurus, and Zapdos all threaten Volcanion with Thunderbolt, which hits it on its weaker defensive stat. Rotom-W in particular is basically a full counter, as it completely walls Volcanion's STAB moves and forces it to attack with Sludge Bomb.

**Dragon-type Pokemon**: Latios and Hydreigon are counters to Volcanion that both resist its STAB moves courtesy of their Dragon typing and threaten heavy damage with special attacks in the form of Draco Meteor and, in Hydreigon's case, Earth Power. Kyurem-B lacks a Fire resistance unlike the other two but still threatens Volcanion with Earth Power.

**Rock-type Pokemon**: Mega Diancie and Terrakion are not able to OHKO Volcanion due to its massive physical bulk but are both able to threaten heavy damage with Diamond Storm and Rock Slide, respectively. Mega Diancie also has Earth Power to hit Volcanion for heavy damage even if Intimidate weakens Diamond Storm.

**Ground-type Pokemon**: Landorus-T has both Earthquake and Rock Slide to do heavy damage to Volcanion, but it's not able to OHKO Volcanion because of its massive physical bulk. Landorus on the other hand can outright OHKO Volcanion with Earth Power

**Faster Pokemon**: All of the above Pokemon that threaten Volcanion are faster than it. Though Volcanion's bulk allows it to take hits, its offensive presence is often held back by its middling Speed stat.

 

[talkingtree]

If you finish this before qsns finishes Bronzong then it will be our 100th analysis uploaded on site :o

• [Overview] Mega Diancie and Landorus-T are pretty threatening to Volcanion, as it can't switch in on either of them. It can't switch in on Talon either but that one's a little more workable considering the damage that Talon does to itself trying to take Volcanion out. Maybe mention Jirachi instead?
• [Overview] Specify that Volcanion requires speed control due to its middling speed tier, as many other Pokemon require speed control due to their frailty and that's an important distinction to make.
• [Overview] Volcanion can't really do much to the Water-types it's supposed to check (except for Azu), so although it can act as a decent switchin to them, Volcanion relies on its partner to actually beat those Water-types.
• [Moves] Switch the order of the Sludge Bomb and Earth Power points to reflect the set
• [Set Details] If you have Tailwind support, running 140 Spe EVs lets Volcanion outspeed Adamant Scarf Lando-T
• [Other Options] Sitrus works kinda well, especially if you're using Wisp
• [Checks and Counters] Both the **Electric-type Pokemon** and **Dragon-type Pokemon** read like Earth Power is the main slash, so be sure to fix those

QC 1/3

 

[kamikaze]

implemented. ready for 2nd check

 

[Idyll]

checkmate kid

OV

• You need to define its niche a bit more. "Extremely strong special attacker" is a description that can fit most top-tier special attackers. Saying something like "Powerful bulky attacker" followed by its individual traits would be good.
• You can combine 3rd and 4th Pro bullets into a single one tbhfam. Checking a lot of threats is a pretty good point so you can probs make it your second too.
• "Its ability to check many powerful threats with its coverage allow it to pave the way for its teammates to create a win condition" - the underlined part doesn't actually add anything of value for the reader because we can also use it to describe every other mon's niche--we can use Talon's powerful priority to create a wincon; we can use Hydrei's coverage to create a wincon. It's a fluff statement that talks more about play than the mon itself. The part I didn't underline is a significant one, though. You can probably put that into your lead point instead, saying something like how being a strong bulky attacker that can check a lot of shit make it a top threat, and make the high Def part a supportive point paired with the "check waters tag," showing how it can also match up well against phys attackers in general
• "Due to its middling speed tier, it almost always requires speed control in the form of Trick Room, Tailwind, or Thunder Wave, to properly function since a lot of threats it could much more consistently check like Landorus-T and Mega Diancie are normally faster than it" - OV is more about describing what a mon is and can do, not what it needs. The stuff about speed control should just be in Team Options. Just say that its middling speed tier leaves it outrun by a good number of stuff such as xyz

Set

• Put a serious name in parentheses.

Moves

• maybe add something about Steam Eruption's burn chance making it a good pressure tool
• say that Bomb lets it hit Azu in particular

SD

• "There may be times that threats that Volcanion need to check are faster than it and you can intiate a form speed control. When this happens make sure its healthy enough to take a hit such as an Earthquake from Landorus-T or Diamond Storm from Mega Diancie and respond back with OHKO." - this looks unnecessarily long to me. You can just say "If needed, a healthy Volcanion can use its high bulk to handily take an attack from a faster foe such as xyz and KO back." or something along those lines. The addition of speed control stuff made it a bit more specific than it should be.

TO

• Add that Thund can check Waters

C&C

• You should add a "Strong Special Attackers" section since its average SDef makes it fairly exploitable on that side.

2/3 once u implement i believe in u

 

[Bughouse]

I think you should make more of a point about how Steam Eruption pressures bulky switch ins or resists that don't want to take residual damage. Just like if Entei lacked 50% burn Sacred Fire, you'd never use Entei, you'd probably use Volcanion waaaaay less, if it lacked Steam Eruption.

Residual burns are nice in Doubles even against Special Attackers because it pressures them into NOT clicking protect a good amount of the time, since it's just a free -1/8 of their health. And, unlike singles, they typically don't have recovery to avoid the problems in the long run. The only mons with recovery are Roost Zap and Hydrei and Moonlight Cress, who tbh you still want to burn anyway.

 

[Pocket]

I notice that the Substitute set is under OO, but dont you guys think it is prevalent enough for its own set analysis? I think Doubles players would scratch their heads if they come across this Volcanion analysis and NOT see a Substitute set.

 

[talkingtree]

I've spoken to kamikaze about this already, but because I keep forgetting and coming to this thread to bug kami about updating, posting this basically to remind myself.

We're adding a Sub set as the secondary option. Once kami finishes that, Memoric will check over it before sending kami off to writeup.

 

[Yoda2798]

talkingtree said to just do a 3rd check so here it is for 3/3 once implemented.

Set Details (both sets)

• When talking about the 4 Speed for fast Thund under Tailwind, don't mention creeping other base 70s since we aren't supposed to encourage speed creep in analyses.
• For the Lando benchmark, it isn't really "further speed creep" since it's a set benchmark, so I would just say "investment" instead of "creep"
• Mention running max Speed with a Timid nature to outspeed stuff like Modest Heatran, since you still have good natural bulk.

Usage Tips (both sets)

• I would only mention going specifically for burns with Steam Eruption, since Heat Wave burns are quite rare. Mentioning Mega Kang as a target of fishing for burns would be good as well.

Usage Tips (Subsitute)

• Note that Subsitute can be used to take advantage of opponents using Protect to stall out speed control such as TR.

Team Options (both sets)

• When talking about TW users/Dragons I would say they deal with Elecs as well, same with Amoonguss in redirection for the Sub set.

Other Options

• I would add in Overheat with Fire Blast/Flamethrower as I've seen that as well.

 

[Idyll]

kamikaze finish the write-up please !_!

 

[Lumari]

okay i gotchu then

remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 1/2

check

[OVERVIEW]
Volcanion is a powerful bulky special attacker which possesses with a unique great offensive and defensive typing in Water / Fire (space) typing. Water/Fire is great offensively and defensively, enabling that enables it to check many top meta top-tier threats such as Heatran, Talonflame, Jirachi, Amoonguss, and Aegislash. Its ability, (AC) Water Absorb, (AC) allows it to sit in on most Water-type (AH) attackers, (AC) and it sports a its high Defense stat that allows it to tank even super effective physical hits. Volcanion has some flaws however. Even However, (AC) even though it Volcanion walls most Water-types, (AH) it cannot do much offensively back to most of them, (AC) so it usually relies on partners to deal with opposing Water-types them. It has a Its middling Speed tier causes it to be outrun by Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Mega Diancie, and Thundurus, (comma) and its offensive coverage is usually walled by most Dragon-types (AH) in the metagame. Volcanions' Volcanion's Special Defense stat also is average compared to its Defense state, (AC) so it is susceptible to strong special attacks. (AP)

[SET]
name: All-out (AH) Attacker
move 1: Steam Eruption
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Sludge Bomb / Earth Power
move 4: Protect
item: Safety Goggles
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Steam Eruption is Volcanion's main STAB move and is used to check threats like Landorus-T, Mega Diancie, and other Fire types; (SC) but also has an added additionally, its 30% chance to burn the target which can put pressure on anything that may normally want to switch into a Water-type move. Heat Wave is the go-to spread move that helps Volcanion check Steel- (AH) and Grass-types. (AH) Sludge Bomb is a coverage move that lets Volcanion damage opposing Fairies such as Azumarill. Earth Power is an alternate coverage move that is run mainly to damage opposing Volcanion. Protect is self explanatory as a staple move in Doubles to help stall out field conditions or get Volcanion in a position where its partner can help it threaten the opposing team.

Set Details
========
Volcanion uses Safety Goggles to fearlessly switch into Amoonguss as well as target its partner (RC) by ignoring Spore and Rage Powder respectively. Maximum HP is run to take advantage of Volcanion's decent defensive stats. Maximum Special Attack with a Modest nature is used to maximize Volcanion's damage output. 4 Speed allows it to outspeed offensive Thundurus and anything slower that it if you have a partner get up Tailwind. An alternative spread using 140 Speed EV's EVs would allow it to outrun Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-T under Tailwind. On a full Trick Room team, (AC) one can run a similar spread but with a Quiet nature and no Speed investment to help it move quicker under Trick Room. Maximum Speed Volcanion with a Timid nature is also a viable option that would also outspeed Modest Heatran.

Usage Tips
========
Since the its Water / Fire coverage is able enables it to check many top threats, this allows Volcanion to can help its teammates sweep through the endgame. Make sure you prioritize keeping it healthy enough to remove these threats for your teammates such as getting rid of Steel-types (AH) for Fairy-type Mega partners Evolutions. Setup Make use of speed control moves such as Tailwind, Trick Room, Thunder Wave, or and Icy Wind so Volcanion can outspeed and check what it is meant to check. If needed, a healthy Volcanion can use its high bulk to handily take even a super effective attack from a faster foe such as Landorus-T and or Mega Diancie and KO back. Make use of it as a perfect Amoonguss counter, (AC) as it can safely switch into it thanks to Safety Goggles and threaten it on the next turn with a Fire-type move or even straight up outright ignore it and attack its partner. While Water Absorb allows Volcanion to sit in (stay in? kinda weird phrasing) on most Water types, it becomes an awkward stalemate since because Volcanion generally can not do much in return to opposing Water-types (AH) besides using Sludge Bomb or fishing for burns with Steam Eruption. You can sometimes take advantage of these scenarios by sitting in (same) and attacking the Water-type's (AH) partner if it's (AH) threatened by Volcanion. Volcanion's Steam Eruption has a 30% chance to burn, so feel free to fish for a burn if necessary to get out of rough situations vs against physical attackers like Mega Kangaskhan.

Team Options
========
Trick Room setters such as Mega Gardevoir, Hoopa-U, and Cresselia give Volcanion much-appreciated (AH) speed control. Fairy-types such as Mega Gardevoir and Mega Diancie help take down Dragon-types (AH) for Volcanion, (AC) while Volcanion helps them by dismantling Steel-types. Tailwind setters such as Latios, Salamence, and Hydreigon both offer speed control for Volcanion but also and remove problematic threats to Volcanion such as opposing Dragons. Aegislash provides Wide Guard to save Volcanion from super effective spread moves, (AC) while, while Volcanion helps Aegislash by beating Fire-types (AH) for it. Landorus-T helps Volcanion check fast spread attackers like Mega Diancie, Landorus-T, and Terrakion by providing the Intimidate to help it take the super effective spread moves or simply switch in for Volcanion's slot. Thundurus checks Mega Charizard Y (RH) and Water-types, (AC) which Volcanion normally has trouble dealing with, as well as providing speed control in the form of Thunder Wave. Offensive Thundurus specifically can also outspeed Mega Diancie and OHKO Mega Diancie it with Flash Cannon.

[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Steam Eruption
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 240 HP / 248 SpA / 16 SpD / 4 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Steam Eruption is Volcanion's Water-type STAB move which and helps it defeat multiple top-tier (AH) threats as well as punishing any switch-ins with its 30 percent chance to burn. It's Its accompanied Fire stab Fire-type STAB move is Heat Wave, (AC) which is a spread move that gives it the ability to break through Grass- and Steel-types (AH) for its teammates. Substitute shields Volcanion from taking strong attacks and status moves, which gives it a lot of leeway to deal out damage and get KO's KOs on Pokemon that would normally check it. Protect (RC) not only helps stall out field conditions and make Volcanion invulnerable for a turn, but it also helps it gain rack up more Leftovers recovery which rack up throughout the game.

Set Details
========
Leftovers maximizes Volcanion's survivability longevity and allows it to create multiple Substitutes throughout the course of the game. Volcanion runs 240 HP and 16 SpD to have both maximum survivability longevity and allow it to freely use Substitute on an Amoonguss, (AC) since Giga Drain will not break its Substitute. 4 Speed allows it to outspeed offensive Thundurus after a Tailwind. The remaining EV's EVs are placed in SpA with a Modest nature to maximize Volcanion's damage output. A spread with 140 Speed EV's EVs allow allows it to outrun Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-T under Tailwind, but this would likely come at the cost of bulk or damage output. On a full Trick Room team one can run a similar spread but with a Quiet nature and no Speed investment to help it move quicker under Trick Room. A Maximum Speed with a Timid nature Volcanion can also be used to outspeed Modest Heatran.

Usage Tips
========
Volcanion's main priority is to get behind a sub Substitute so it can fire off attacks with little punishment. Using Fake Out is a great way to help Volcanion set(space)up Substitutes in front of Pokemon that would otherwise outspeed and threaten it. Using redirection in the form of Follow Me and Rage Powder also aid aids in setting up a Substitute. Even if Volcanion is not safely behind a Substitute, it can still take advantage of its high bulk to even take a super effective attack from a faster foe such as Landorus-T and or Mega Diancie and respond back with a KO if needed. Substitute is also something that can be used on the last turn of field effects such as your own Trick Room or Tailwind to take advantage of an opponent's (apo) attempt to stall them out with Protect. Unfortunately, (AC) with Volcanion's only offensive moves being resisted by Water, it will often be stuck in awkward stalemates vs against opposing Water-types, (AC) which will also have difficulty breaking Volcanion thanks to Water Absorb. You can sometimes take advantage of these scenarios by sitting in (same) and attacking the Water-type's (AH) partner if it's (apo) threatened by Volcanion. It You should also never be forgotten that Volcanion's forget about Steam Eruption's has the nifty 30 percent chance to burn, so fishing for a burn to get out of rough situations such as against strong physical attackers like Mega Kangaskhan should not be ignored as an option.

Team Options
========
Fake Out users such as Kangaskhan and Scrafty are extremely useful partners thanks to their ability help Volcanion set(space)up Substitutes. Redirection users such as Jirachi and Amoonguss are also commonly used to help Volcanion both set(space)up and stay behind Substitutes so that it can continuously fire off attacks. Substitute Volcanion pretty much also gets benefited by all the team options from the Safety Goggles set as well. (no cross-set referencing because a set might get deleted + a reader that's only interested in the sub set shouldnt have to read the goggles set as well, if this warrants elaborating a bit further on the next couple points then please do) This means Trick Room setters such as Mega Gardevoir, Hoopa-U, Jirachi, and Cresselia still also provide good support for it. Fairy-types such as Mega Gardevoir and Mega Diancie appreciate Volcanion's ability to defeat opposing Steel-types (RC) while also handling Dragon-types, (AC) which can freely switch into and threaten Volcanion. Dragon-types such as Latios, Salamence, and Hydreigon help beat opposing Dragons and Electric-types for Volcanion as well as having the option to provide speed control in Tailwind. Aegislash benefits from Volcanion's ability to KO opposing Fire-types (AH) while providing Wide Guard support to allow Volcanion to avoid damage from common super effective spread moves such as Earthquake, Rock Slide, and Diamond Storm. Thundurus checks Mega Charizard Y (RH) and Water-types, (AC) which Volcanion normally has trouble dealing with, as well as providing speed control in the form of Thunder Wave. If an offensive Thundurus is used as a partner, it gives one the option to both outspeed opposing Mega Diancie and OHKO opposing Mega Diancie them with Flash Cannon. Landorus-T has the ability to check fast spread attackers like Mega Diancie, Terrakion, and Landorus-T by threatening the former two with OHKO's OHKOs while also providing Intimidate support to help Volcanion take the super effective spread moves better from them. Landorus-T is also a good switch-in for a lot of super effective Rock and Ground-type (AH) attacks aimed at Volcanion.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Stone Edge allows Volcanion to properly check Mega Charizard Y, whose Drought ability would weaken weakens Steam Eruption. Overheat, Fire Blast, or Flamethrower are single-target (AH) high-power (AH) fire Fire-type moves that allow Volcanion to ignore Wide Guard and do significantly more damage than Heat Wave would. Will-o-Wisp Will-O-Wisp is a status move that can be used to neuter opposing physical attackers for Volcanion's teammates. Sitrus Berry can be used if one wants to supplement Volcanion's natural bulk, (AC) and it works great with Will-o-Wisp Will-O-Wisp. Focus Blast, with the risk of 70% accuracy, allows Volcanion to check Dragons such as Kyurem-B and Hydreigon that would normally be willing to switch in and check Volcanion it. A fast Life Orb attacking set can be run if one prefers the added damage output such as OHKO'ing OHKOing Jirachi with Fire Blast. Wacan and Shuca Berries are viable options for those wishing to help Volcanion tank Electric and Ground attacks, (AC) respectively.

Checks and Counters
===================
**Strong Special Attackers**: Volcanion's average Special Defense stat makes it the target of strong Dragon-types' (apo) with Draco Meteor, Mega Gardevoir's Psychic, and numerous super effective special attacks like Earth Power and Thunderbolt.

**Electric-type Pokemon**: Rotom-W, Thundurus, and Zapdos all threaten Volcanion with Thunderbolt, (AC) which hits it on its weaker defensive side. Rotom-W in particular is basically a full counter, (AC) as it completely walls Volcanion's STAB moves and forces it to attack with Sludge Bomb.

**Dragon-type Pokemon**: Latios and Hydreigon are counters to Volcanion that both resist its STAB moves courtesy of their Dragon typing, while also and threatening heavy damage with special attacks in the form of Draco Meteor for both and, in Hydreigon's case, Earth Power in Hydreigon's case. Kyurem-B lacks a fire resist Fire resistance unlike the other two (RC) but still threatens Volcanion with Earth Power.

**Rock-type Pokemon**: Mega Diancie and Terrakion are not able to OHKO Volcanion due to its massive physical bulk but are both able to threaten heavy damage with Diamond Storm and Rock Slide, (AC) respectively. Mega Diancie also has Earth Power to hit Volcanion for heavy damage even if Intimidate weakens Diamond Storm.

**Ground-type Pokemon**: Landorus-T has both Earthquake and Rock Slide to do heavy damage to Volcanion, (AC) but it's not able to OHKO it Volcanion because of its massive physical bulk. Landorus-I Landorus on the other hand can straight up outright OHKO Volcanion with Earth Power

**Faster Pokemon**: All of the above Pokemon that threaten Volcanion are faster than it. Though Volcanion's bulk allows it to take hits, its offensive presence is often held back by its middling Speed stat.

 

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[OVERVIEW]
Volcanion is a powerful bulky special attacker with a great offensive and defensive typing in Water / Fire that enables it to check many top-tier threats such as Heatran, Talonflame, Jirachi, Amoonguss, and Aegislash. Its ability, Water Absorb, allows it to sit in on most Water-type attackers, and its high Defense stat allows it to tank even super effective physical hits. However, even though Volcanion walls most Water-types, it cannot do much back to most of them, so it usually relies on partners to deal with them. Its middling Speed tier causes it to be outrun by Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Mega Diancie, and Thundurus, and its offensive coverage is usually walled by most Dragon-types in the metagame. Volcanion's Special Defense stat also is average compared to its Defense stat, so it is susceptible to strong special attacks.

[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Steam Eruption
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Sludge Bomb / Earth Power
move 4: Protect
item: Safety Goggles
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Steam Eruption is Volcanion's main STAB move and is used to check threats like Landorus-T, Mega Diancie, and other Fire-types; additionally, its 30% chance to burn the target can put pressure on anything that may normally want to switch into a Water-type move. Heat Wave is the go-to spread move that helps Volcanion check Steel- and Grass-types. Sludge Bomb lets Volcanion damage opposing Fairies such as Azumarill. Earth Power is an alternate coverage move that is run mainly to damage opposing Volcanion. Protect is self explanatory as a staple move in Doubles to help stall out field conditions or get Volcanion in a position where its partner can help it threaten the opposing team.

Set Details
========
Volcanion uses Safety Goggles to fearlessly switch into Amoonguss as well as target its partner by ignoring Spore and Rage Powder. Maximum HP is run to take advantage of Volcanion's decent defensive stats. Maximum Special Attack with a Modest nature is used to maximize Volcanion's damage output. 4 Speed allows it to outspeed offensive Thundurus and anything slower if you have a partner get up Tailwind. An alternative spread using 140 Speed EVs would allow it to outrun Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-T under Tailwind. On a full Trick Room team, one can run a similar spread but with a Quiet nature and no Speed investment to help it move quicker under Trick Room. Maximum Speed Volcanion with a Timid nature is also a viable option that would also outspeed Modest Heatran.

Usage Tips
========
Since its Water / Fire coverage enables it to check many top threats, Volcanion can help its teammates sweep through the endgame. Make sure you prioritize keeping it healthy enough to remove these threats for your teammates such as getting rid of Steel-types for Fairy-type Mega Evolutions. Make use of speed control moves such as Tailwind, Trick Room, Thunder Wave, and Icy Wind so Volcanion can outspeed and check what it is meant to check. If needed, a healthy Volcanion can use its high bulk to handily take even a super effective attack from a faster foe such as Landorus-T or Mega Diancie and KO back. Make use of it as a perfect Amoonguss counter, as it can safely switch into it thanks to Safety Goggles and threaten it on the next turn with a Fire-type move or even outright ignore it and attack its partner. While Water Absorb allows Volcanion to stay in on most Water-types, it becomes an awkward stalemate because Volcanion generally cannot do much in return to opposing Water-types besides using Sludge Bomb or fishing for burns with Steam Eruption. You can sometimes take advantage of these scenarios by staying in and attacking the Water-type's partner if it's threatened by Volcanion. Volcanion's Steam Eruption has a 30% chance to burn, so feel free to fish for a burn if necessary to get out of rough situations against physical attackers like Mega Kangaskhan.

Team Options
========
Trick Room setters such as Mega Gardevoir, Hoopa-U, and Cresselia give Volcanion much-appreciated speed control. Fairy-types such as Mega Gardevoir and Mega Diancie help take down Dragon-types for Volcanion, while Volcanion helps them by dismantling Steel-types. Tailwind setters such as Latios, Salamence, and Hydreigon both offer speed control for Volcanion and remove problematic threats such as opposing Dragons. Aegislash provides Wide Guard to save Volcanion from super effective spread moves, while Volcanion helps Aegislash by beating Fire-types for it. Landorus-T helps Volcanion check fast spread attackers like Mega Diancie, Landorus-T, and Terrakion by providing the Intimidate to help it take the super effective spread moves or simply switch in for Volcanion's slot. Thundurus checks Mega Charizard Y and Water-types, which Volcanion normally has trouble dealing with, as well as providing speed control in the form of Thunder Wave. Offensive Thundurus specifically can also outspeed Mega Diancie and OHKO it with Flash Cannon.

[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Steam Eruption
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 240 HP / 248 SpA / 16 SpD / 4 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Steam Eruption is Volcanion's Water-type STAB move and helps it defeat multiple top-tier threats as well as punish any switch-ins with its 30 percent chance to burn. Its accompanying Fire-type STAB move is Heat Wave, which is a spread move that gives it the ability to break through Grass- and Steel-types for its teammates. Substitute shields Volcanion from taking strong attacks and status moves, which gives it a lot of leeway to deal out damage and get KOs on Pokemon that would normally check it. Protect not only helps stall out field conditions and make Volcanion invulnerable for a turn, (remove comma) but it also helps it rack up more Leftovers recovery throughout the game.

Set Details
========
Leftovers maximizes Volcanion's longevity and allows it to create multiple Substitutes throughout the course of the game. Volcanion runs 240 HP and 16 Special Defense EVs to both have both maximum longevity and allow it to freely use Substitute on an Amoonguss, since Giga Drain will not break its Substitute. 4 Speed allows it to outspeed offensive Thundurus after a Tailwind. The remaining EVs are placed in Special Attack with a Modest nature to maximize Volcanion's damage output. A spread with 140 Speed EVs allows it to outrun Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-T under Tailwind, but this would likely come at the cost of bulk or damage output. On a full Trick Room team one can run a similar spread but with a Quiet nature and no Speed investment to help it move quicker under Trick Room. Maximum Speed with a Timid nature can also be used to outspeed Modest Heatran.

Usage Tips
========
Volcanion's main priority is to get behind a Substitute so it can fire off attacks with little punishment. Using Fake Out is a great way to help Volcanion set up Substitutes in front of Pokemon that would otherwise outspeed and threaten it. Using redirection in the form of Follow Me and Rage Powder also aids in setting up a Substitute. Even if Volcanion is not safely behind a Substitute, it can still take advantage of its high bulk to even take a super effective attack from a faster foe such as Landorus-T or Mega Diancie and respond with a KO if needed. Substitute is also something that can be used on the last turn of field effects such as your own Trick Room or Tailwind to take advantage of an opponent's attempt to stall them out with Protect. Unfortunately, with Volcanion's only offensive moves being resisted by Water, it will often be stuck in awkward stalemates against opposing Water-types, which will also have difficulty breaking Volcanion thanks to Water Absorb. You can sometimes take advantage of these scenarios by staying in and attacking the Water-type's partner if it's threatened by Volcanion. You should also never forget about Steam Eruption's nifty 30 percent chance to burn, so fishing for a burn to get out of rough situations such as against strong physical attackers like Mega Kangaskhan should not be ignored as an option.

Team Options
========
Fake Out users such as Kangaskhan and Scrafty are extremely useful partners thanks to their ability help Volcanion set up Substitutes. Redirection users such as Jirachi and Amoonguss are also commonly used to help Volcanion both set up and stay behind Substitutes so that it can continuously fire off attacks. Trick Room setters such as Mega Gardevoir, Hoopa-U, Jirachi, and Cresselia also provide good support for it. Fairy-types such as Mega Gardevoir and Mega Diancie appreciate Volcanion's ability to defeat opposing Steel-types while also handling Dragon-types, which can freely switch into and threaten Volcanion. Dragon-types such as Latios, Salamence, and Hydreigon help beat opposing Dragons and Electric-types for Volcanion as well as having the option to provide speed control in Tailwind. Aegislash benefits from Volcanion's ability to KO opposing Fire-types while providing Wide Guard support to allow Volcanion to avoid damage from common super effective spread moves such as Earthquake, Rock Slide, and Diamond Storm. Thundurus checks Mega Charizard Y and Water-types, which Volcanion normally has trouble dealing with, as well as providing speed control in the form of Thunder Wave. If an offensive Thundurus is used as a partner, it gives one the option to both outspeed opposing Mega Diancie and OHKO them with Flash Cannon. Landorus-T has the ability to check fast spread attackers like Mega Diancie, Terrakion, and Landorus-T by threatening the former two with OHKOs while also providing Intimidate support to help Volcanion take the super effective spread moves better from them. Landorus-T is also a good switch-in for a lot of super effective Rock- and Ground-type attacks aimed at Volcanion.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Stone Edge allows Volcanion to properly check Mega Charizard Y, whose Drought ability weakens Steam Eruption. Overheat, Fire Blast, or and Flamethrower are single-target high-power Fire-type moves that allow Volcanion to ignore Wide Guard and do significantly more damage than Heat Wave would. Will-O-Wisp can be used to neuter opposing physical attackers for Volcanion's teammates. Sitrus Berry can be used if one wants to supplement Volcanion's natural bulk, and it works great with Will-O-Wisp. Focus Blast, with the risk of 70% accuracy, allows Volcanion to check Dragons such as Kyurem-B and Hydreigon that would normally be willing to switch in and check it. A fast Life Orb attacking set can be run if one prefers the added damage output such as OHKOing Jirachi with Fire Blast. Wacan and Shuca Berries are viable options for those wishing to help Volcanion tank Electric and Ground attacks, respectively.

Checks and Counters
===================
**Strong Special Attackers**: Volcanion's average Special Defense stat makes it the target of strong Dragon-types' Draco Meteor, Mega Gardevoir's Psychic, and numerous super effective special attacks like Earth Power and Thunderbolt.

**Electric-type Pokemon**: Rotom-W, Thundurus, and Zapdos all threaten Volcanion with Thunderbolt, which hits it on its weaker defensive stat side. Rotom-W in particular is basically a full counter, as it completely walls Volcanion's STAB moves and forces it to attack with Sludge Bomb.

**Dragon-type Pokemon**: Latios and Hydreigon are counters to Volcanion that both resist its STAB moves courtesy of their Dragon typing and threatening heavy damage with special attacks in the form of Draco Meteor and, in Hydreigon's case, Earth Power. Kyurem-B lacks a Fire resistance unlike the other two but still threatens Volcanion with Earth Power.

**Rock-type Pokemon**: Mega Diancie and Terrakion are not able to OHKO Volcanion due to its massive physical bulk but are both able to threaten heavy damage with Diamond Storm and Rock Slide, respectively. Mega Diancie also has Earth Power to hit Volcanion for heavy damage even if Intimidate weakens Diamond Storm.

**Ground-type Pokemon**: Landorus-T has both Earthquake and Rock Slide to do heavy damage to Volcanion, but it's not able to OHKO Volcanion because of its massive physical bulk. Landorus on the other hand can outright OHKO Volcanion with Earth Power

**Faster Pokemon**: All of the above Pokemon that threaten Volcanion are faster than it. Though Volcanion's bulk allows it to take hits, its offensive presence is often held back by its middling Speed stat.