[OVERVIEW]
Salamence's vast special movepool backed by a base 110 Special Attack stat makes it one of the best offensive setters of Tailwind. High-Base Power moves with nearly unresisted coverage make it a perfect choice for offensive teams that need a way to break more defensive teams and the speed control advantage. Its access to Intimidate as well as useful resistances to Fire-, Water-, and Fighting-type moves also give it defensive utility on a team. However, its typing gives it unfortunate weaknesses to Fairy-type moves coming from threatening Pokemon such as Mega Diancie and Mega Gardevoir, as well as the more rare but just as lethal Ice-type coverage on Pokemon like Thundurus and Suicune. These weaknesses, combined with its relative frailty and average Speed, make it an unreliable Tailwind setter in many cases. Additionally, its most common moves come with an unfortunate chance to miss, lowering its consistency and reliability.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Hydro Pump
move 4: Tailwind
item: Life Orb
ability: Intimidate
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Draco Meteor is a very high-powered attack that can rip holes through the opposing team. For its power, though, it comes with the drawback of a sharp Special Attack drop, so it should be used sparingly. Fire Blast is Salamence's first coverage move and roasts Steel-types that resist Draco Meteor such as Aegislash and Ferrothorn. Flamethrower may also be used for a weaker but more accurate alternative. Hydro Pump is the second coverage move and KOes the two most common Pokemon that resist the two above moves, Mega Diancie and Heatran. It also covers Ground- and Rock-type Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Terrakion that will survive a Draco Meteor. Tailwind doubles the Speed of Salamence's team, providing crucial speed control for offensive teammates. This also allows Salamence to use its coverage to its full potential because it can outspeed and knock out Pokemon like Mega Diancie and Choice Scarf Landorus-T that would otherwise threaten it.
Set Details
========
Salamence invests its EVs into Special Attack and Speed to maximize its offensive potential. A Timid nature is used to outspeed all non-Choice Scarf variants of Landorus-T and Hydreigon as well as tying with other common base 100 Speed Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y and Mega Kangaskhan. A Modest nature is also viable to hit as hard as possible. Intimidate drops the Attack of the opposing Pokemon, which helps against physical attackers. Life Orb gives Salamence more power on all of its moves while keeping its flexibility in move choice.
Usage Tips
========
Using Fire Blast or Hydro Pump to knock out weakened enemies is generally a better idea than using Draco Meteor, as the Special Attack drop can be crippling and tends to force Salamence to switch out. Setting Tailwind the first turn Salamence is out is generally a good idea to pressure the opponent's team as much as possible, though it is not correct in every scenario. If your team is already faster than the opponent's and Tailwind doesn't improve the situation, do not waste a turn using it. Switching Salamence around as often as possible can circumvent Draco Meteor drops as well as preserve Intimidate to check physical attackers. Try to avoid bringing Salamence in on Defiant and Competitive users such as Bisharp and Milotic, as it gives them an Attack or Special Attack boost, making them a lot scarier to face down. Salamence tends to work well as a lead to get the speed advantage as soon as possible in a match, while Intimidate prevents physical attackers like Mega Kangaskhan and Landorus-T from doing too much damage early on in the game.
Team Options
========
Offensive partners that can pressure the opponent with the speed advantage that Tailwind provides are the best teammates for Salamence. Notable examples include Mega Kangaskhan, which provides Fake Out support to ease setting up Tailwind, and Keldeo, which can switch into Ice-type moves that Salamence loathes. Steel-types like Aegislash and Heatran are critical on teams with Salamence to switch into its weaknesses, most importantly its Fairy- and Ice-type ones, and to beat Salamence's most dangerous checks like Mega Diancie. Jirachi gets a special mention for resisting all of Salamence's weaknesses and redirecting away dangerous attacks so Salamence can run through the opposing team. Slower Pokemon that would rarely outspeed the other team but pack of a lot of offensive power also mesh well with Salamence's Tailwind support, with Pokemon such as Sylveon and Volcanion fitting into this category.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Salamence can run a plethora of resist Berries to cover up its weaknesses. Yache Berry covers stray Hidden Power Ices from Pokemon like Thundurus and Blaziken, while Charti Berry allows it to take a Diamond Storm from Mega Diancie or take less from a Rock Slide from Pokemon such as Terrakion and Landorus-T. Rock coverage of its own can be useful for knocking out Mega Charizard Y, Talonflame, and Volcarona. Protect can be used, but Salamence really appreciates its expansive coverage more. Choice Scarf is an option to increase Salamence's Speed immediately; however, Tailwind is generally more useful, and Choice Scarf hinders its ability to effectively utilize its stellar coverage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-type Pokemon**: Many Fairy-types such as Mega Gardevoir and Sylveon can blast through Salamence with Pixilate Hyper Voice while taking little damage due to their high Special Defense. Azumarill is one of the few Pokemon that either are immune to or resist all of Salamence's common coverage options and can use this to knock Salamence out with Play Rough or set up a relatively safe Belly Drum.
**Ice-type Pokemon**: STAB Ice-type moves coming from Weavile and Choice Scarf Kyurem-B are among the most efficient ways to deal with Salamence. Ice Shard from Pokemon like Abomasnow and Mamoswine can be threatening; however, Intimidate lowers its damage output significantly, forcing them to come in after Salamence to ensure the KO. Many Electric-types like Thundurus and Zapdos also run Hidden Power Ice, which can catch Salamence for a huge hit.
**Rock-type Pokemon**: Fast Rock-type Pokemon such as Mega Diancie and Terrakion can hit Salamence for massive damage with their STAB attacks. Rock-type moves used as coverage on Pokemon like Landorus-T can dent it as well.
**Paralysis, Trick Room, and Tailwind**: Speed control on the opposing team negates the speed advantage that Salamence provides with Tailwind and makes it a lot more vulnerable to strong attackers. Paralysis from common users like Thundurus and Gyarados allows normally slower Pokemon like Rhyperior and Kyurem-B, even under Tailwind, to knock out Salamence without taking a hit. Trick Room is similarly catastrophic, allowing threats like Sylveon and Hoopa-U to hit Salamence before it attacks. Common Trick Room setters include Hoopa-U and Cresselia, which Salamence can't break due to their amazing special bulk. Though Tailwind does not necessarily allow the opposing team to outspeed Salamence, it evens the playing field and allows the normally faster Pokemon to threaten Salamence before it can fire off another hit. Many common, bulkier Tailwind setters like Suicune and Zapdos can take any hit from Salamence and set it up.
**Fake Out**: Fake Out threatens Salamence due to it usually not carrying Protect, which disrupts its plan and allows the other Pokemon to easily take advantage of the free turn.
Salamence's vast special movepool backed by a base 110 Special Attack stat makes it one of the best offensive setters of Tailwind. High-Base Power moves with nearly unresisted coverage make it a perfect choice for offensive teams that need a way to break more defensive teams and the speed control advantage. Its access to Intimidate as well as useful resistances to Fire-, Water-, and Fighting-type moves also give it defensive utility on a team. However, its typing gives it unfortunate weaknesses to Fairy-type moves coming from threatening Pokemon such as Mega Diancie and Mega Gardevoir, as well as the more rare but just as lethal Ice-type coverage on Pokemon like Thundurus and Suicune. These weaknesses, combined with its relative frailty and average Speed, make it an unreliable Tailwind setter in many cases. Additionally, its most common moves come with an unfortunate chance to miss, lowering its consistency and reliability.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Hydro Pump
move 4: Tailwind
item: Life Orb
ability: Intimidate
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Draco Meteor is a very high-powered attack that can rip holes through the opposing team. For its power, though, it comes with the drawback of a sharp Special Attack drop, so it should be used sparingly. Fire Blast is Salamence's first coverage move and roasts Steel-types that resist Draco Meteor such as Aegislash and Ferrothorn. Flamethrower may also be used for a weaker but more accurate alternative. Hydro Pump is the second coverage move and KOes the two most common Pokemon that resist the two above moves, Mega Diancie and Heatran. It also covers Ground- and Rock-type Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Terrakion that will survive a Draco Meteor. Tailwind doubles the Speed of Salamence's team, providing crucial speed control for offensive teammates. This also allows Salamence to use its coverage to its full potential because it can outspeed and knock out Pokemon like Mega Diancie and Choice Scarf Landorus-T that would otherwise threaten it.
Set Details
========
Salamence invests its EVs into Special Attack and Speed to maximize its offensive potential. A Timid nature is used to outspeed all non-Choice Scarf variants of Landorus-T and Hydreigon as well as tying with other common base 100 Speed Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y and Mega Kangaskhan. A Modest nature is also viable to hit as hard as possible. Intimidate drops the Attack of the opposing Pokemon, which helps against physical attackers. Life Orb gives Salamence more power on all of its moves while keeping its flexibility in move choice.
Usage Tips
========
Using Fire Blast or Hydro Pump to knock out weakened enemies is generally a better idea than using Draco Meteor, as the Special Attack drop can be crippling and tends to force Salamence to switch out. Setting Tailwind the first turn Salamence is out is generally a good idea to pressure the opponent's team as much as possible, though it is not correct in every scenario. If your team is already faster than the opponent's and Tailwind doesn't improve the situation, do not waste a turn using it. Switching Salamence around as often as possible can circumvent Draco Meteor drops as well as preserve Intimidate to check physical attackers. Try to avoid bringing Salamence in on Defiant and Competitive users such as Bisharp and Milotic, as it gives them an Attack or Special Attack boost, making them a lot scarier to face down. Salamence tends to work well as a lead to get the speed advantage as soon as possible in a match, while Intimidate prevents physical attackers like Mega Kangaskhan and Landorus-T from doing too much damage early on in the game.
Team Options
========
Offensive partners that can pressure the opponent with the speed advantage that Tailwind provides are the best teammates for Salamence. Notable examples include Mega Kangaskhan, which provides Fake Out support to ease setting up Tailwind, and Keldeo, which can switch into Ice-type moves that Salamence loathes. Steel-types like Aegislash and Heatran are critical on teams with Salamence to switch into its weaknesses, most importantly its Fairy- and Ice-type ones, and to beat Salamence's most dangerous checks like Mega Diancie. Jirachi gets a special mention for resisting all of Salamence's weaknesses and redirecting away dangerous attacks so Salamence can run through the opposing team. Slower Pokemon that would rarely outspeed the other team but pack of a lot of offensive power also mesh well with Salamence's Tailwind support, with Pokemon such as Sylveon and Volcanion fitting into this category.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Salamence can run a plethora of resist Berries to cover up its weaknesses. Yache Berry covers stray Hidden Power Ices from Pokemon like Thundurus and Blaziken, while Charti Berry allows it to take a Diamond Storm from Mega Diancie or take less from a Rock Slide from Pokemon such as Terrakion and Landorus-T. Rock coverage of its own can be useful for knocking out Mega Charizard Y, Talonflame, and Volcarona. Protect can be used, but Salamence really appreciates its expansive coverage more. Choice Scarf is an option to increase Salamence's Speed immediately; however, Tailwind is generally more useful, and Choice Scarf hinders its ability to effectively utilize its stellar coverage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-type Pokemon**: Many Fairy-types such as Mega Gardevoir and Sylveon can blast through Salamence with Pixilate Hyper Voice while taking little damage due to their high Special Defense. Azumarill is one of the few Pokemon that either are immune to or resist all of Salamence's common coverage options and can use this to knock Salamence out with Play Rough or set up a relatively safe Belly Drum.
**Ice-type Pokemon**: STAB Ice-type moves coming from Weavile and Choice Scarf Kyurem-B are among the most efficient ways to deal with Salamence. Ice Shard from Pokemon like Abomasnow and Mamoswine can be threatening; however, Intimidate lowers its damage output significantly, forcing them to come in after Salamence to ensure the KO. Many Electric-types like Thundurus and Zapdos also run Hidden Power Ice, which can catch Salamence for a huge hit.
**Rock-type Pokemon**: Fast Rock-type Pokemon such as Mega Diancie and Terrakion can hit Salamence for massive damage with their STAB attacks. Rock-type moves used as coverage on Pokemon like Landorus-T can dent it as well.
**Paralysis, Trick Room, and Tailwind**: Speed control on the opposing team negates the speed advantage that Salamence provides with Tailwind and makes it a lot more vulnerable to strong attackers. Paralysis from common users like Thundurus and Gyarados allows normally slower Pokemon like Rhyperior and Kyurem-B, even under Tailwind, to knock out Salamence without taking a hit. Trick Room is similarly catastrophic, allowing threats like Sylveon and Hoopa-U to hit Salamence before it attacks. Common Trick Room setters include Hoopa-U and Cresselia, which Salamence can't break due to their amazing special bulk. Though Tailwind does not necessarily allow the opposing team to outspeed Salamence, it evens the playing field and allows the normally faster Pokemon to threaten Salamence before it can fire off another hit. Many common, bulkier Tailwind setters like Suicune and Zapdos can take any hit from Salamence and set it up.
**Fake Out**: Fake Out threatens Salamence due to it usually not carrying Protect, which disrupts its plan and allows the other Pokemon to easily take advantage of the free turn.
Last edited by a moderator:
