[Overview]
<p>Flareon has always had the reputation of being the worst of the Eeveelutions, and the fifth generation didn't do much to change its status on the competitive scene. Despite an excellent base Attack, Flareon is held back by its lack of a powerful physical STAB move, and is therefore forced to concentrate on its next best stat, its Special Defense, in order to pull its weight in battle. However, Flareon does make an effective special sponge, since it can literally absorb hits from powerful Fire-types in RU such as Moltres and Typhlosion, and at the same time support its team with Wish support. Although Flareon will almost never be your first choice for a Fire-type on your team, one would do well to keep its impressive special walling capabilities in mind.</p>
[SET]
name: Special Tank
move 1: Wish
move 2: Protect
move 3: Flamethrower / Lava Plume
move 4: Toxic / Roar
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Flareon's most impressive attribute is that it is an extremely solid counter to some very threatening specially based Fire- and Grass-types
- counters power mons like Moltres, Typhlosion, Grass-types, etc
- does really well against sun teams
- can throw Wishes around to Pokemon that resist Ground-, Water- and Rock-type moves or have high Defense (Ferroseed, Grass-types in general, Steelix, Claydol, etc.) who don't have recovery of their own
- Protect is to heal Flareon, scout for attacks, Toxic stalling; it's the real deal
- Flamethrower is a strong STAB, but Lava Plume can be used for a higher burn rate (note that Toxic is generally preferred to outlast specially based bulky waters without toxic, but the attack drop really helps flareon, who has low defense)
- Toxic is to stall, Roar is to pHaze. The first is better with Flamethrower, the latter is better with Lava Plume
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
- EVs make the most of Flareon's Special Defense.
- Other good moves are Heal Bell and WoW. The first provides excellent Team support, turning Flareon into the ultimate cleric instead of special sponge, and WoW patches up its low Defense, but means it cant beat bulky waters
- HP Grass for utility against stuff like Quagsire, but it's weak and losing out on the status move hurts
- teammates tat can spin away and/or lay hazards or great teammates
- Sandslash and Claydol cover physical moves, and can spin and set up SR
- Ferroseed and Qwilfish can lay Spikes, Steelix can lay SR, all love Wish support, and can come in on one or more of Flareons weaknesses (although most also share weaknesses, keep this in mind)
[Other Options]
- Guts physical set with Facade and Flame Charge
- Sunny Day
- Choice sets (they really, really suck)
- Substitute, Curse, Baton Pass and Yawn. It has the perfect stat spread for Curse, but the wrong movepool
[Checks and Counters]
- basically any user of Stone Edge, Waterfall or Earthquake can one shot Flareon. Specially based variant of these moves, like HP Rock, Scald and Earth Power are much less effective, and Flareon can tank them, Toxic and heal itself
- strong physical attackers like Aggron, Feraligatr and Aerodactyl can crush Flareon, but must beware of switching into Toxic or especially WoW
