[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Draco Meteor / Dragon Pulse
move 2: Heat Wave / Flamethrower
move 3: Hidden Power Flying / Tailwind
move 4: Protect / Tailwind
item: Dragon Gem / Yache Berry
ability: Intimidate
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 8 HP / 248 SpA / 252 Spe
ivs: 30 HP / 30 Atk / 30 Def / 30 SpA / 30 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>A specially inclined Salamence may seem weaker than a physically attacking Salamence, but in practice, it can be deadlier than its physical counterpart, mainly due to the way Outrage randomly picks its targets. Other specially attacking Dragon-types, such as Latios and Hydreigon, seem to overshadow Salamence. But this isn't the case: Salamence can be a superior team player with Intimidate. Moreover, it makes an excellent Hitmontop check, since it resists Mach Punch and is neutral to Sucker Punch, and can KO it with Hidden Power Flying.</p>
<p>A Dragon Gem-boosted Draco Meteor can leave massive craters in the opponent's HP bar, OHKOing anything with equal or less bulk than max HP Gastrodon, Politoed, or standard Zapdos, while leaving bulkier Pokemon such as Cresselia languishing with only half of their health. However, if the drop in Special Attack is too much to pay for such power, Dragon Pulse is a decent alternative, though it needs a Dragon Gem boost to OHKO other Dragon-types, such as Dragonite (without Multiscale) and support Latias. While a Dragon Gem nets KOs that would otherwise be tantalizingly close, one mustn't forget how common Ice-type moves are, and how deadly they can be to Salamence and its cold-blooded brethren. A Yache Berry may just be its saving grace against an unexpected Blizzard from the likes of Choice Scarf Abomasnow, or a Hidden Power Ice that you mistook for another type.</p>
<p>Heat Wave is an excellent coverage move, hitting two Pokemon at once and complementing Salamence's STAB moves. However, Heat Wave can become troublesome for your side as well, considering its lowly 75 Base Power and 90% accuracy, along with the possibility of activating your opponent's Pokemons' Flash Fire, such as Chandelure or Heatran. Flamethrower solves both of these problems, scoring 2HKOs and OHKOs on important Pokemon, such as Occa Berry Metagross and Abomasnow. While it may be tempting to use Fire Blast instead of Flamethrower, it is important to note that most targets of Fire Blast would still be OHKOed or 2HKOed by Flamethrower, making Flamethrower the more reliable and better option. Hidden Power Flying is not only useful against Hitmontop, but also takes down other Fighting-types such as Hariyama and Scrafty. Hidden Power Flying also hits Volcarona hard, and does more damage to Amoonguss than Flamethrower would. Tailwind is an incredibly useful move; not only does it allow Salamence to get the jump on faster Dragon-types and weather abusers, but it allows its teammates to do so as well. Choosing between it, the ever-useful Protect, and Hidden Power Flying is akin to choosing between paths in a fork in the road. All three options are entirely viable, and in the end, it comes down to what your team needs: faster teammates, better coverage against Fighting-types, or a healthier Salamence.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs compensate for the required IVs for Hidden Power Flying. If Salamence is not using Hidden Power Flying, it would be prudent to change the spread to 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe since the main spread would miss out on a point of HP and Special Attack with full IVs. An alternative, more bulky spread of 144 HP / 248 SpA / 116 Spe (or 140 HP / 252 SpA / 116 Spe without Hidden Power Flying) is a better option for Salamence that opts to use Tailwind and/or a Yache Berry if you feel you don't need to Speed tie with Pokemon such as Zapdos and Ninetales. Although a Modest nature enables Salamence to do more damage to most Pokemon, a Timid nature allows it to stay aloft against Pokemon such as Jolly Haxorus, Timid Hydreigon, unboosted Yanmega, and other dangerous Pokemon that sit at 90 base Speed and commonly use a positive Speed nature. Hydro Pump is perhaps the only other notable special move in Salamence's repertoire outside of various Hidden Powers. Hydro Pump can be useful against Heatran and Tyranitar, does well in the rain, and provides good neutral coverage with Draco Meteor. However, Hydro Pump's iffy accuracy and forcing Salamence to lack a Fire- or Flying-type move can leave it or its teammates open to Ice- or Fighting-types.</p>
<p>Unlike some Dragons, Salamence is a great team player, and as a result can work well with many Pokemon, such as Tyranitar, Volcarona, and Mamoswine. Although Tyranitar's sandstorm undermines Salamence's defenses, Intimidate cushions Mach Punch and similar moves while Tyranitar puts the rocks on Ice-types, all while preventing them from using perfect accuracy Blizzards by stopping the hail. Mamoswine is in a similar boat but instead targets other Dragons with Ice Shard, enjoys Tailwind, and uses Earthquake without hitting Salamence. Rage Powder Volcarona is a great partner for luring away Ice Beams and takes advantage of Intimidate and Tailwind, though the duo have little to protect themselves from stray Rock Slides. It should go without saying that Cresselia enjoys Intimidate to make her defenses nigh impenetrable, and Cresselia can support her comrade with various supportive moves, such as Icy Wind and Helping Hand. Hitmontop can shield Salamence from Blizzards or simply bring the fight to the Ice-types with Close Combat while forming a double-Intimidate combination, ensuring most physical attackers won't do any major damage to them or their teammates.</p>
