[OVERVIEW]
Ponyta is an extremely potent and versatile threat in the LC metagame thanks to its blazing Speed tier, impressive defensive stats, and workable offenses. Its decent number of viable sets, ranging from utility to offensively oriented, allows it to edge out its competition in the tier's other Fire-types and always leave its opponent guessing, while its fantastic ability in Flame Body allows Ponyta to spread burns and check most physical attackers. Unfortunately, Ponyta's Stealth Rock weakness and vulnerability to Diglett serve as detriments to it given the prevalence of these factors. Furthermore, Ponyta is usually unable to outlast its counters due to the fairly low PP of its only reliable recovery option in Morning Sun.
[SET]
name: Physical Utility
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Wild Charge / Flame Charge / Toxic
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Morning Sun
item: Eviolite
ability: Flame Body
nature: Jolly
evs: 76 Atk / 156 Def / 76 SpD / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Flare Blitz is Ponyta's most powerful STAB option and hits everything that isn't resistant to it for sufficient damage. Wild Charge is useful for hitting Pokemon resistant to Flare Blitz, such as Staryu and Mareanie, and is capable of 2HKOing both. Flame Charge is an option over Wild Charge that provides Ponyta with an important boost in Speed, which allows it to outpace and KO Life Orb Diglett. Toxic is another option for punishing Ponyta's common switch-ins in opposing Ponyta and Chinchou. Will-O-Wisp is useful for halving the Attack of physical attackers such as Mienfoo and Mudbray, and Morning Sun is reliable recovery that allows Ponyta to sustain itself throughout a match.
Set Details
========
196 Speed EVs and a Jolly nature allow Ponyta to hit 19 Speed and outpace most of the unboosted metagame. 156 Defense EVs, 76 Special Defense EVs, and an Eviolite allow Ponyta to hit 21 / 21 defenses and avoid notable 2HKOs from powerful attacks in Alolan Grimer's Poison Jab, Pawniard's Knock Off, and unboosted Vullaby's Air Slash. The remaining EVs are invested in Attack to provide Pontya with better damage output. Flame Body is the preferred ability, as it allows Ponyta to discourage foes from making contact by spreading burns.
Usage Tips
========
Ponyta's Flame Body gives it the ability to check a number of physical attackers, which means one should feel free to liberally switch Ponyta into non-Rock- or Ground-type physical attacks. If Ponyta doesn't happen to burn its foe upon switching in, it should always make use of its good Speed to burn the foe with Will-O-Wisp and recover immediately afterward. Snivy and Spritzee are Pokemon that Ponyta should feel free to switch into, though it should be wary of glare. After burning its switch-ins, Ponyta can easily use Flare Blitz and Wild Charge because most of its switch-ins are rather unappreciative of burns and these high-Base Power moves together. However, due to the recoil damage of these moves, Ponyta must make sure to use Morning Sun after attacking too much.
It is worth noting that if Diglett is on the opponent's team, Ponyta must be played more conservatively. Ponyta shouldn't be switching in on foes that use pivoting attacks, such as Mienfoo and Vullaby, as they can easily bring Diglett onto the field to KO Ponyta. Ponyta should also only focus on spreading status rather than KOing foes, as it will be extremely weakened from Flare Blitz's and Wild Charge's recoil and even more susceptible to being revenge killed. Boosting its Speed with Flame Charge is also something Ponyta should often look to do, as it will then be able to outpace and KO Diglett unless its Focus Sash is intact. Ponyta should also avoid switching into Stealth Rock, as it will have 25% of its HP taken away and thus won't be able to tank hits as reliably.
Team Options
========
While Ponyta doesn't take kindly to any forms of entry hazards, it especially hates Stealth Rock, which makes Pokemon capable of removing it, such as Staryu and Alolan Sandshrew, ideal partners. Grass-types such as Foongus and Snivy are also good partners for Ponyta, as Ponyta's ability to lure in Water-types gives it great synergy with these Pokemon. Chinchou in particular is a good teammate for Ponyta, as it is capable of reliably tanking hits from the likes of Staryu, a Pokemon that is very threatening to Ponyta, and opposing Chinchou. Ponyta's inability to deal sufficient damage to RestTalk Mudbray means that reliable checks to Mudbray in Pumpkaboo-XL and Slowpoke are essential teammates. Because Ponyta shouldn't be completely relied on to check Fighting-types, other Fighting-type checks such as Abra and Snubbull are very appreciated. Lastly, Shell Smash sweepers or other setup Pokemon like Scraggy appreciate Ponyta's ability to burn Pawniard and Fighting-type foes.
[SET]
name: Sunny Day
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Solar Beam
move 3: Sunny Day
move 4: Morning Sun
item: Eviolite / Firium Z
ability: Flame Body
nature: Timid
evs: 156 Def / 156 SpA / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fire Blast is Ponyta's strongest special STAB attack and is capable of hitting bulkier offensive threats in Mienfoo and Vullaby for 2HKOs outside of sun. Solar Beam is useful for hitting Water- and Rock-types such as Chinchou and Omanyte for OHKOs, while Will-O-Wisp is another option that allows Ponyta to burn physical attackers without relying on Flame Body. Sunny Day is mandatory for giving Solar Beam one turn activation, as well as boosting the power of Fire Blast, weakening Water-type attacks, and increasing Morning Sun's recovery. Morning Sun recovers two thirds of Ponyta's maximum HP under the sun and allows it to sustain itself throughout the match.
Set Details
========
156 EVs invested in Defense with an Eviolite allow Ponyta to hit 21 Defense and tank powerful hits in Pawniard's Knock Off and Vullaby's Brave Bird, while a Firium Z can be used over Eviolite to allow Ponyta to use Z-Sunny Day, which increases its Speed stat by one stage in addition to summoning sun. However, Ponyta must be more careful with powerful attackers and priority moves if using Firium Z. 196 Speed EVs and a Timid nature allow Ponyta to hit 19 Speed and outpace a good portion of the unboosted metagame, while 156 Special Attack EVs give Ponyta an impressive amount of special wallbreaking prowess. An alternative spread with 76 Special Attack investment and 76 Special Defense investment can be used on Will-O-Wisp sets, but on Solar Beam sets, the extra power is generally more useful than hitting a good Special Defense number.
Usage Tips
========
After setting up with Sunny Day, it is best that Ponyta uses Fire Blast, as the boost from sun will make it extremely powerful. Ponyta must be wary of opposing Water- and Rock-types, however, and should use Solar Beam when predicting a switch into Pokemon of these types. Ponyta should switch out against foes that don't take notable damage from either of its moves, such as Archen and Mareanie, to avoid being inflicted with status or hit by a super effective attack. Morning Sun can be used when Ponyta is low on HP and is best used against foes that can't do sufficient damage to Ponyta, such as Larvesta and Magnemite. Ponyta must ensure that it can reliably set up Sunny Day if holding a Firium Z, as it will severely lack in bulk compared to when it's holding an Eviolite. Pokemon that can't do much damage to Ponyta, such as Spritzee, Ferroseed, and Snivy, generally make for good setup opportunities.
Team Options
========
Ponyta's vulnerability to entry hazards means that teammates capable of removing them, such as Staryu and Vullaby, are very appreciated. Because this set struggles to break past Mareanie, Pokemon that can take care of it, such as Mudbray and particularly Diglett, take some pressure off of Ponyta and allow it to sweep more easily. If Ponyta is running Z-Sunny Day, Pokemon that are capable of providing it with Memento support, such as Diglett and Cottonee, are quite helpful in terms of providing Ponyta with an easy setup opportunity due to its frailty when holding a Firium Z.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An alternative EV spread of 236 Def / 76 SpD / 196 Spe and a Bold nature can be run on Flame Charge sets to further bolster Ponyta's defenses, but only having 18 Speed means that Ponyta has to risk a Speed tie to beat Gastly and Doduo without getting severely weakened; having 19 Speed is generally superior to tanking physical attacks slightly better anyway. Hypnosis can be used on the utility set over Wild Charge, but it is fairly unreliable due to its poor accuracy. Ponyta can opt to run a Life Orb set, but Ponyta is frail, and it is worn down fairly quickly by both Life Orb and Flare Blitz recoil. Morning Sun + 3 Attacks with Eviolite can be used to maintain some of Ponyta's defensive utility while also increasing its offensive capabilities, though the lack of Will-O-Wisp means that Ponyta will rely on taking hits to burn physical attackers.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Diglett**: Although Diglett cannot directly switch into Ponyta, it can come onto the field after an ally faints or via pivot support and trap and OHKO Ponyta.
**Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Slowpoke, Mareanie, and Chinchou can all tank at least one Wild Charge (or use it to restore HP in Chinchou's case) and deal heavy damage to Ponyta in return with STAB Scald. More offensively oriented Water-types in Clamperl and Omanyte are usually able to take a hit and set up on Ponyta, though both must be wary of Solar Beam sets.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types such as Archen, Omanyte, and Onix are all capable of tanking Ponyta's STAB attacks and OHKOing it with super effective STAB moves in return. However, the latter two must be wary of Solar Beam, while Archen needs to watch out for Wild Charge.
**Mudbray**: RestTalk Mudbray can use Rest to recover from Will-O-Wisp burns, increase its Defense when it gets hit by Flare Blitz thanks to Stamina, and threaten to OHKO Ponyta with STAB Earthquake. However, Solar Beam Ponyta is usually able to get around Mudbray as long as sun has been set up.
**Sandstorm and Hail**: Both hail from Alolan Vulpix and Snover and sandstorm from Hippopotas keep Ponyta from sufficiently restoring its HP due to Morning Sun's poor recovery outside of sun, thus leaving it extremely vulnerable to chip damage and attacks. However, hail setters aren't able to switch into Ponyta.
Ponyta is an extremely potent and versatile threat in the LC metagame thanks to its blazing Speed tier, impressive defensive stats, and workable offenses. Its decent number of viable sets, ranging from utility to offensively oriented, allows it to edge out its competition in the tier's other Fire-types and always leave its opponent guessing, while its fantastic ability in Flame Body allows Ponyta to spread burns and check most physical attackers. Unfortunately, Ponyta's Stealth Rock weakness and vulnerability to Diglett serve as detriments to it given the prevalence of these factors. Furthermore, Ponyta is usually unable to outlast its counters due to the fairly low PP of its only reliable recovery option in Morning Sun.
[SET]
name: Physical Utility
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Wild Charge / Flame Charge / Toxic
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Morning Sun
item: Eviolite
ability: Flame Body
nature: Jolly
evs: 76 Atk / 156 Def / 76 SpD / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Flare Blitz is Ponyta's most powerful STAB option and hits everything that isn't resistant to it for sufficient damage. Wild Charge is useful for hitting Pokemon resistant to Flare Blitz, such as Staryu and Mareanie, and is capable of 2HKOing both. Flame Charge is an option over Wild Charge that provides Ponyta with an important boost in Speed, which allows it to outpace and KO Life Orb Diglett. Toxic is another option for punishing Ponyta's common switch-ins in opposing Ponyta and Chinchou. Will-O-Wisp is useful for halving the Attack of physical attackers such as Mienfoo and Mudbray, and Morning Sun is reliable recovery that allows Ponyta to sustain itself throughout a match.
Set Details
========
196 Speed EVs and a Jolly nature allow Ponyta to hit 19 Speed and outpace most of the unboosted metagame. 156 Defense EVs, 76 Special Defense EVs, and an Eviolite allow Ponyta to hit 21 / 21 defenses and avoid notable 2HKOs from powerful attacks in Alolan Grimer's Poison Jab, Pawniard's Knock Off, and unboosted Vullaby's Air Slash. The remaining EVs are invested in Attack to provide Pontya with better damage output. Flame Body is the preferred ability, as it allows Ponyta to discourage foes from making contact by spreading burns.
Usage Tips
========
Ponyta's Flame Body gives it the ability to check a number of physical attackers, which means one should feel free to liberally switch Ponyta into non-Rock- or Ground-type physical attacks. If Ponyta doesn't happen to burn its foe upon switching in, it should always make use of its good Speed to burn the foe with Will-O-Wisp and recover immediately afterward. Snivy and Spritzee are Pokemon that Ponyta should feel free to switch into, though it should be wary of glare. After burning its switch-ins, Ponyta can easily use Flare Blitz and Wild Charge because most of its switch-ins are rather unappreciative of burns and these high-Base Power moves together. However, due to the recoil damage of these moves, Ponyta must make sure to use Morning Sun after attacking too much.
It is worth noting that if Diglett is on the opponent's team, Ponyta must be played more conservatively. Ponyta shouldn't be switching in on foes that use pivoting attacks, such as Mienfoo and Vullaby, as they can easily bring Diglett onto the field to KO Ponyta. Ponyta should also only focus on spreading status rather than KOing foes, as it will be extremely weakened from Flare Blitz's and Wild Charge's recoil and even more susceptible to being revenge killed. Boosting its Speed with Flame Charge is also something Ponyta should often look to do, as it will then be able to outpace and KO Diglett unless its Focus Sash is intact. Ponyta should also avoid switching into Stealth Rock, as it will have 25% of its HP taken away and thus won't be able to tank hits as reliably.
Team Options
========
While Ponyta doesn't take kindly to any forms of entry hazards, it especially hates Stealth Rock, which makes Pokemon capable of removing it, such as Staryu and Alolan Sandshrew, ideal partners. Grass-types such as Foongus and Snivy are also good partners for Ponyta, as Ponyta's ability to lure in Water-types gives it great synergy with these Pokemon. Chinchou in particular is a good teammate for Ponyta, as it is capable of reliably tanking hits from the likes of Staryu, a Pokemon that is very threatening to Ponyta, and opposing Chinchou. Ponyta's inability to deal sufficient damage to RestTalk Mudbray means that reliable checks to Mudbray in Pumpkaboo-XL and Slowpoke are essential teammates. Because Ponyta shouldn't be completely relied on to check Fighting-types, other Fighting-type checks such as Abra and Snubbull are very appreciated. Lastly, Shell Smash sweepers or other setup Pokemon like Scraggy appreciate Ponyta's ability to burn Pawniard and Fighting-type foes.
[SET]
name: Sunny Day
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Solar Beam
move 3: Sunny Day
move 4: Morning Sun
item: Eviolite / Firium Z
ability: Flame Body
nature: Timid
evs: 156 Def / 156 SpA / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fire Blast is Ponyta's strongest special STAB attack and is capable of hitting bulkier offensive threats in Mienfoo and Vullaby for 2HKOs outside of sun. Solar Beam is useful for hitting Water- and Rock-types such as Chinchou and Omanyte for OHKOs, while Will-O-Wisp is another option that allows Ponyta to burn physical attackers without relying on Flame Body. Sunny Day is mandatory for giving Solar Beam one turn activation, as well as boosting the power of Fire Blast, weakening Water-type attacks, and increasing Morning Sun's recovery. Morning Sun recovers two thirds of Ponyta's maximum HP under the sun and allows it to sustain itself throughout the match.
Set Details
========
156 EVs invested in Defense with an Eviolite allow Ponyta to hit 21 Defense and tank powerful hits in Pawniard's Knock Off and Vullaby's Brave Bird, while a Firium Z can be used over Eviolite to allow Ponyta to use Z-Sunny Day, which increases its Speed stat by one stage in addition to summoning sun. However, Ponyta must be more careful with powerful attackers and priority moves if using Firium Z. 196 Speed EVs and a Timid nature allow Ponyta to hit 19 Speed and outpace a good portion of the unboosted metagame, while 156 Special Attack EVs give Ponyta an impressive amount of special wallbreaking prowess. An alternative spread with 76 Special Attack investment and 76 Special Defense investment can be used on Will-O-Wisp sets, but on Solar Beam sets, the extra power is generally more useful than hitting a good Special Defense number.
Usage Tips
========
After setting up with Sunny Day, it is best that Ponyta uses Fire Blast, as the boost from sun will make it extremely powerful. Ponyta must be wary of opposing Water- and Rock-types, however, and should use Solar Beam when predicting a switch into Pokemon of these types. Ponyta should switch out against foes that don't take notable damage from either of its moves, such as Archen and Mareanie, to avoid being inflicted with status or hit by a super effective attack. Morning Sun can be used when Ponyta is low on HP and is best used against foes that can't do sufficient damage to Ponyta, such as Larvesta and Magnemite. Ponyta must ensure that it can reliably set up Sunny Day if holding a Firium Z, as it will severely lack in bulk compared to when it's holding an Eviolite. Pokemon that can't do much damage to Ponyta, such as Spritzee, Ferroseed, and Snivy, generally make for good setup opportunities.
Team Options
========
Ponyta's vulnerability to entry hazards means that teammates capable of removing them, such as Staryu and Vullaby, are very appreciated. Because this set struggles to break past Mareanie, Pokemon that can take care of it, such as Mudbray and particularly Diglett, take some pressure off of Ponyta and allow it to sweep more easily. If Ponyta is running Z-Sunny Day, Pokemon that are capable of providing it with Memento support, such as Diglett and Cottonee, are quite helpful in terms of providing Ponyta with an easy setup opportunity due to its frailty when holding a Firium Z.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An alternative EV spread of 236 Def / 76 SpD / 196 Spe and a Bold nature can be run on Flame Charge sets to further bolster Ponyta's defenses, but only having 18 Speed means that Ponyta has to risk a Speed tie to beat Gastly and Doduo without getting severely weakened; having 19 Speed is generally superior to tanking physical attacks slightly better anyway. Hypnosis can be used on the utility set over Wild Charge, but it is fairly unreliable due to its poor accuracy. Ponyta can opt to run a Life Orb set, but Ponyta is frail, and it is worn down fairly quickly by both Life Orb and Flare Blitz recoil. Morning Sun + 3 Attacks with Eviolite can be used to maintain some of Ponyta's defensive utility while also increasing its offensive capabilities, though the lack of Will-O-Wisp means that Ponyta will rely on taking hits to burn physical attackers.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Diglett**: Although Diglett cannot directly switch into Ponyta, it can come onto the field after an ally faints or via pivot support and trap and OHKO Ponyta.
**Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Slowpoke, Mareanie, and Chinchou can all tank at least one Wild Charge (or use it to restore HP in Chinchou's case) and deal heavy damage to Ponyta in return with STAB Scald. More offensively oriented Water-types in Clamperl and Omanyte are usually able to take a hit and set up on Ponyta, though both must be wary of Solar Beam sets.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types such as Archen, Omanyte, and Onix are all capable of tanking Ponyta's STAB attacks and OHKOing it with super effective STAB moves in return. However, the latter two must be wary of Solar Beam, while Archen needs to watch out for Wild Charge.
**Mudbray**: RestTalk Mudbray can use Rest to recover from Will-O-Wisp burns, increase its Defense when it gets hit by Flare Blitz thanks to Stamina, and threaten to OHKO Ponyta with STAB Earthquake. However, Solar Beam Ponyta is usually able to get around Mudbray as long as sun has been set up.
**Sandstorm and Hail**: Both hail from Alolan Vulpix and Snover and sandstorm from Hippopotas keep Ponyta from sufficiently restoring its HP due to Morning Sun's poor recovery outside of sun, thus leaving it extremely vulnerable to chip damage and attacks. However, hail setters aren't able to switch into Ponyta.
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