approved by dodmen
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: Flare Blitz
move 3: Mach Punch / Earthquake
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Band
ability: Iron Fist / Blaze
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Close Combat serves as Infernape's main STAB move. In tandem with Choice Band, it allows Infernape to threaten a majority of the tier and punish bulky Water-types such as Milotic or a slightly weakened Suicune trying to switch in. Flare Blitz is an excellent secondary STAB move that hits Poison-, Flying- and Fairy-types such as Crobat and Sylveon, which resist Fighting, hard. Mach Punch gives Infernape the ability to pick off weakened threats such as Mega Sceptile and Mega Aerodactyl. Only a little bit of prior chip damage is necessary for Mach Punch to KO Hydreigon, and it is likely to OHKO Mega Sharpedo. U-turn allows Infernape to bait in and chip down answers such as Chandelure, Gyarados, and Tentacruel. Earthquake can be used over Mach Punch to lure in and remove Tentacruel, Chandelure, and Arcanine.
Set Details
========
Iron Fist is the ability of choice because it boosts Mach Punch's power. Blaze is used with Earthquake, as Iron Fist would do nothing and a Blaze-boosted Flare Blitz can be helpful. Maximum Attack EVs enable Infernape to hit as hard as possible. Maximum Speed investment helps it outrun much of the unboosted metagame, including threats such as non-Choice Scarf Hydreigon and Celebi, whilst Speed tying with Cobalion and opposing Infernape. Choice Band maximizes the power of Infernape's moves, letting it threaten a large part of the tier without any boosts and deal as much damage as possible with Mach Punch and U-turn.
Usage Tips
========
U-turn is the best move to use early on, as it chips down Infernape's checks and provides momentum. Try not to lock Infernape into a move that lets dangerous Pokémon such as Gyarados set up. If you are using Earthquake, utilize it to lure in and remove Pokemon such as Chandelure, Tentacruel, and Arcanine as they try to switch in. Once the Pokemon that resist both of Infernape's STAB moves have been sufficiently worn down, start using Close Combat and Flare Blitz liberally to break down opposing teams. Mach Punch can revenge kill a lot of fast threats and potentially clean up in the end-game.
Team Options
========
Infernape appreciates Pursuit support from Pokémon such as Mega Aerodactyl and Choice Band Krookodile, as they can trap Chandelure. Electric-types such as Rotom-C and Heliolisk form a good VoltTurn core with Infernape, as they threaten a lot of its checks. Furthermore, other strong U-turn users such as Mega Beedrill work well, as they can pressure and wear down opposing teams quickly. Levitate users and Flying-types, such as Hydreigon and Crobat, mitigate Infernape's weakness to Ground-type attacks. Flying-types are not just great partners for Infernape, but they also threaten it, so Pokemon capable of switching into the likes of Mega Aerodactyl and Tornadus are heavily recommended. Bulky Water-types, such as Empoleon and Swampert, fulfill that role. Swampert and Suicune do not just help with that, but they also take care of opposing Fire-types looking to take advantage of an Infernape locked into Flare Blitz. While Forretress carries some similar checks to Infernape, its ability to lay down Spikes is useful and it can provide opportunities for Infernape to enter the field thanks to its slow Volt Switch. Finally, Fairy-types such as Sylveon appreciate Infernape's ability to break through bulky Steel-types.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: Flare Blitz
move 3: Mach Punch / Earthquake
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Band
ability: Iron Fist / Blaze
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Close Combat serves as Infernape's main STAB move. In tandem with Choice Band, it allows Infernape to threaten a majority of the tier and punish bulky Water-types such as Milotic or a slightly weakened Suicune trying to switch in. Flare Blitz is an excellent secondary STAB move that hits Poison-, Flying- and Fairy-types such as Crobat and Sylveon, which resist Fighting, hard. Mach Punch gives Infernape the ability to pick off weakened threats such as Mega Sceptile and Mega Aerodactyl. Only a little bit of prior chip damage is necessary for Mach Punch to KO Hydreigon, and it is likely to OHKO Mega Sharpedo. U-turn allows Infernape to bait in and chip down answers such as Chandelure, Gyarados, and Tentacruel. Earthquake can be used over Mach Punch to lure in and remove Tentacruel, Chandelure, and Arcanine.
Set Details
========
Iron Fist is the ability of choice because it boosts Mach Punch's power. Blaze is used with Earthquake, as Iron Fist would do nothing and a Blaze-boosted Flare Blitz can be helpful. Maximum Attack EVs enable Infernape to hit as hard as possible. Maximum Speed investment helps it outrun much of the unboosted metagame, including threats such as non-Choice Scarf Hydreigon and Celebi, whilst Speed tying with Cobalion and opposing Infernape. Choice Band maximizes the power of Infernape's moves, letting it threaten a large part of the tier without any boosts and deal as much damage as possible with Mach Punch and U-turn.
Usage Tips
========
U-turn is the best move to use early on, as it chips down Infernape's checks and provides momentum. Try not to lock Infernape into a move that lets dangerous Pokémon such as Gyarados set up. If you are using Earthquake, utilize it to lure in and remove Pokemon such as Chandelure, Tentacruel, and Arcanine as they try to switch in. Once the Pokemon that resist both of Infernape's STAB moves have been sufficiently worn down, start using Close Combat and Flare Blitz liberally to break down opposing teams. Mach Punch can revenge kill a lot of fast threats and potentially clean up in the end-game.
Team Options
========
Infernape appreciates Pursuit support from Pokémon such as Mega Aerodactyl and Choice Band Krookodile, as they can trap Chandelure. Electric-types such as Rotom-C and Heliolisk form a good VoltTurn core with Infernape, as they threaten a lot of its checks. Furthermore, other strong U-turn users such as Mega Beedrill work well, as they can pressure and wear down opposing teams quickly. Levitate users and Flying-types, such as Hydreigon and Crobat, mitigate Infernape's weakness to Ground-type attacks. Flying-types are not just great partners for Infernape, but they also threaten it, so Pokemon capable of switching into the likes of Mega Aerodactyl and Tornadus are heavily recommended. Bulky Water-types, such as Empoleon and Swampert, fulfill that role. Swampert and Suicune do not just help with that, but they also take care of opposing Fire-types looking to take advantage of an Infernape locked into Flare Blitz. While Forretress carries some similar checks to Infernape, its ability to lay down Spikes is useful and it can provide opportunities for Infernape to enter the field thanks to its slow Volt Switch. Finally, Fairy-types such as Sylveon appreciate Infernape's ability to break through bulky Steel-types.
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