RAINY VOLCARNO GOOD SET™ ~ praj.pran 2014
########
Volcarona can fill two roles in the Doubles OU metagame: it can take on a supportive role by utilizing Rage Powder alongside its niche typing, or it can go on the offense with a Quiver Dance set which makes it a powerful late-game sweeper. Volcarona is unique as a Rage Powder user because it maintains a powerful offensive presence, so offensive teams don't lose momentum with it. Both sets are held back by Volcarona's poor physical bulk and weakness to common spread moves such as Rock Slide, but on the correct team, Volcarona can be a huge asset.
Rage Powder
########
name: Rage Powder
move 1: Overheat
move 2: Bug Buzz / Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Rage Powder
move 4: Protect
ability: Flame Body
item: Sitrus Berry / Lum Berry
evs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 100 SpA / 108 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
========
Overheat is used primarily to take out Grass-type Pokemon, which are immune to the effects of Rage Powder, notably standard Amoonguss and Breloom. Bug Buzz provides more coverage and allows Volcarona to put big dents in Pokemon such as Cresselia. It can also be used to help Volcarona avoid the Special Attack drop from Overheat. Will-O-Wisp is also a useful choice in this slot to cripple physical attackers, such as Landorus-T, on a predicted switch. However, it can be redundant alongside Flame Body. Rage Powder compliments Volcarona's unique typing and allows it to support its partner by redirecting threatening attacks. Protect helps stall out field conditions and increases Volcarona's longevity.
Set Details
========
The Special Attack investment provides enough power to OHKO 252 HP / 72 SpD Sassy Amoonguss. With the given Speed investment, Volcarona can outspeed Jolly Breloom and therefore avoid being hit by Spore. The rest of Volcarona's EVs are dumped into HP and Defense. Flame Body is preferred over Swarm to work in tandem with Rage Powder. Sitrus Berry helps keep Volcarona alive to redirect more attacks and is necessary to survive Mega Kangaskhan's Return, while Lum Berry helps Volcarona avoid one Spore or Thunder Wave. If you choose to run Lum Berry, moving 28 HP EVs to Defense will ensure Volcarona always survives Mega Kangaskhan's Return.
Usage Tips
========
Volcarona should use its options to take down weakened Pokemon or anything it can hit for super effective damage. Rage Powder can be used to help a teammate survive for an extra turn or possibly set up with a boosting move or Substitute. Thanks to Flame Body, Volcarona makes for a great switch-in to a predicted Fake Out, U-turn, or Fighting-type attack.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that fear Steel- or Fighting-type Pokemon make for good partners, as Volcarona can redirect these attacks with ease. Diancie is a particularly good choice because it can take out Flying-types that threaten Volcarona. Volcarona supports Water-type Pokemon that Amoonguss can easily switch in on, such as Keldeo. Kyurem-B makes for a nice partner, as it helps beat the rain archetype, which Volcarona struggles with. Grass-type Pokemon such as Shaymin-S are good partners, as Volcarona can redirect Ice-type moves while they can handle troublesome Water-type Pokemon such as Rotom-W.
Quiver Dance
########
name: Quiver Dance
move 1: Heat Wave / Fire Blast
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Quiver Dance
move 4: Protect / Giga Drain
ability: Flame Body / Swarm
item: Sitrus Berry
evs: 160 HP / 16 Def / 148 SpA / 184 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
========
Heat Wave is Volcarona's primary STAB move. It provides spread damage, which helps Volcarona dish out as much damage as possible. Fire Blast can also be used in this slot to hit a single target for a lot more damage and is particularly helpful for Aegislash, which otherwise can spam Wide Guard. Bug Buzz provides coverage and hits through Substitute. Quiver Dance allows Volcarona to become a much bigger threat. After accumulating a Quiver Dance boost, Volcarona is often capable of cleaning up a weakened team. Protect is used to maintain boosts and help stall out field conditions such as Tailwind or Trick Room. Giga Drain extends Volcarona's coverage and allows it to beat Pokemon that it usually can't touch, such as Diancie, Keldeo, and Terrakion.
Set Details
========
The defensive investment allows Volcarona to survive Mega Kangaskhan's Return as well as Ludicolo's rain-boosted Hydro Pump after one Quiver Dance. The Speed investment means that Volcarona will beat Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-T after a Quiver Dance boost. The remaining EVs are dropped into Special Attack for good damage output. Swarm can be used to help boost Bug Buzz's power at low health, but Flame Body is typically preferred for the useful chance to burn.
Usage Tips
========
Quiver Dance is best saved for later in the game, when Volcarona's checks and counters have been softened up or knocked out. Protect should be used to help maintain any accumulated boosts while Volcarona's partner switches to a favorable matchup or takes down any threats. Only use Quiver Dance when Volcarona is not going to take too much damage during the turn, or it will become very difficult to protect the boosts.
Team Options
========
Fake Out support from Pokemon such as Kangaskhan and Hitmontop helps Volcarona Quiver Dance safely. Hitmontop also provides Wide Guard support to help protect Volcarona from threatening spread moves such as Rock Slide and Earthquake. Rotom-W can switch into the Flying-, Water-, and Rock-type attacks that threaten Volcarona and force their users out. Keldeo can provide Quick Guard support to help Volcarona deal with Azumarill and Talonflame, and beats Rock-type Pokemon. Kyurem-B is effective against the rain archetype, which is threatening to Volcarona. Follow Me or Rage Powder support from Pokemon such as Togekiss and Amoonguss can help Volcarona set up safely.
Other Options
########
Volcarona can run Hidden Power Ground to be able to hit Heatran, which otherwise walls it. Similarly, Hidden Power Rock can be used to hit Fire-type Pokemon such as Charizard. The Quiver Dance set can run Charcoal with Fire Blast to OHKO Amoonguss and Aegislash at +0, but it has a much harder time staying healthy enough without Sitrus Berry. Volcarona can make use of Hurricane on rain teams, but it is quite weak because it does not receive a STAB boost. Tailwind is an option to help support slower Pokemon on the team.
Checks & Counters
########
**Typing Advantage**: Rock-type Pokemon such as Terrakion and Diancie can easily OHKO Volcarona and do not take much damage from any of its attacks. Water-type Pokemon such as Keldeo and Azumarill can also easily switch in on and OHKO Volcarona. Politoed is particularly useful, as it also weakens the power of Volcarona's Fire-type moves. Both of these sets of Pokemon need to be wary of Giga Drain. Faster threats such as Shaymin-S, Talonflame, and Choice Scarf Landorus-T can outspeed and easily take down Volcarona due to its relative frailty, although a full-health Volcarona can actually survive Shaymin-S's Air Slash and OHKO back, as long as it doesn't flinch.
**Utility Moves**: Moves such as Fake Out can make Rage Powder a risky choice, while Taunt and Encore can stop Volcarona from doing its job effectively.
Last edited by a moderator:
