Taking this over for CBManBearPig.
Volcarona
[Overview]
<p>With a superb base 135 Special Attack stat, an excellent Speed stat, and potent coverage with its dual STABs, it's hard to see why Volcarona isn't a top-tier threat. However, when thinking of Volcarona's drawbacks, look no further than its typing. While great offensively, Fire- and Bug-types make a poor defensive combination, cursing Volcarona with weaknesses to common spread moves, such as Rock Slide and Surf. It also needs a little team support to get going, since it can be a sitting duck against sand and rain teams. However, Volcarona's ability to dent and KO common Pokemon, such as Cresselia and Metagross, along with miscellaneous Trick Room users, is valuable in a fast-paced metagame.</p>
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Heat Wave
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Ground / Rage Powder
move 4: Protect
item: Focus Sash
ability: Flame Body
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set aims to use Volarona's great coverage and awesome offensive stats to their maximum potential. Heat Wave and Bug Buzz are two potent STAB moves, allowing Volcarona to hit multiple Pokemon at once and leave large dents in Psychic-types, respectively. The move used in the third slot depends largely on what you want Volcarona to be able to defeat. Hidden Power Ice is the most useful move, as it can destroy the common Dragon-types that normally wall Volcarona, such as Salamence and Dragonite. Hidden Power Ground decimates Heatran, who otherwise walls Volcarona, and powers through opposing Fire-types, such as Chandelure and Arcanine. Rage Powder may seem like an odd move to use on such a frail Pokemon, but can redirect priority moves, such as Bullet Punch and Mach Punch, possibly burning the offender thanks to Flame Body. Focus Sash and Protect act as safety nets, ensuring Volcarona isn't taken out too early by a surprise Rock Slide.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs and Nature are invested in Volcarona's offensive stats, as little benefit comes from investing in Volcarona's low defenses. Max Speed allows Volcarona to tie with Salamence, Zapdos, and opposing Volcarona, while 252 Special Attack EVs let Volcarona hit as hard as possible. A modest nature can also be used for more power, though the loss in Speed means being outpaced by positive natured Salamence and Zapdos. When using Hidden Power Ground, you are forced to use 30 Special Attack and Special Defense IVs. Due to this, an EV spread of 4 HP / 4 Def / 248 SpA / 252 Spe is recommended, as 252 EVs in Special Attack would waste 4 EVs at Level 50. Since Heatran, Terrakion, and Rock Slide users in general are big problems for Volcarona, so Fighting-types, such as Conkeldurr and Hitmontop, make perfect teammates. The aforementioned Pokemon can take down most of Volcarona's counters while providing Wide Guard support to protect Volcarona from Rock Slide and Surf. In return, Volcarona can KO the bulky Psychic-types, such as Cresselia, Musharna, and Reuniclus, that threaten Fighting-types. Ninetales provides support from Drought, which will make Volcarona's Heat Wave even more fearsome. Sun support also helps Volcarona defensively, as it nullifies Volcarona's weakness to common Water-type moves, such as Surf. However, it should be noted that when pairing Volcarona with Ninetales, the Rock weaknesses add up, increasing the need for Wide Guard support.</p>
[Other options]
<p>Volcarona's movepool includes many other Fire-type STAB moves, namely Fire Blast, Flamethrower, and Fiery Dance. While these moves cannot hit two opponents at once, they can be used for the boost in power they provide compared to Heat Wave. Solarbeam is an interesting option in sun teams, but most of the opponents Solarbeam is used to hit are used in sand and rain teams, which means that Volcarona will be forced into a charge-up turn and a weaker Solarbeam. Hurricane is an interesting option; it allows Volcarona to perform in or against rain teams, and also has an added chance of confusing the opponent. However, Hurricane's accuracy recieves a huge drop in sunlight, making it inadvisable to use Hurricane alongside Ninetales. Rain also reduces the damage done by Volcarona's Fire-type STAB moves, meaning it would have to use a different move, damaging Volcarona's coverage. Psychic can reliably defeat Fighting-types, which usually carry Rock-type moves. Volcarona is one of the select few Pokemon that can viably use stat-boosting moves in VGC, making Quiver Dance an attractive option. While using Quiver Dance requires more team support than usual, it can prove extremely potent if used correctly. Volcarona also receives solid support options besides the listed Rage Powder, such as Safeguard and Sunny Day. Though these could probably be used to better effect on bulkier Pokemon, they allow Volcarona to become a little more independent, protecting itself from negative effects, such as rain and paralysis. Fire and Bug Gems help Volcarona score OHKO's on certain Pokemon, such as Zapdos and Tyranitar, through the use of the respective STAB move. However, Focus Sash is too good of an item for Volcarona to pass up, so Gems should be used only if you are in desperate need of them. Hidden Power Rock simultaneously hits Fire- and Dragon-types that give Volcarona heartache, though it lacks the power to reliably defeat Dragon-types, and also limits your EV usage. If you're not concerned about Water-type moves and have another Pokemon in need of a Focus Sash, Charti Berry will protect Volcarona from at least one Rock Slide, provided Volcarona is in good condition.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>In general, Pokemon that can use Rock Slide and can either take a hit from or outspeed Volcarona is instantly a threat. Tyranitar can effectively strip Volcarona of its Focus Sash, though it's better off not going up against Volcarona directly due to Bug Buzz. Terrakion can outspeed and OHKO most Volcarona, or at least knock it down to its Focus Sash with Rock Slide. Heatran, though relatively uncommon, walls all Volcarona that lack Hidden Power Ground. Gyarados will also wall Volcarona, and can easily KO it with Waterfall or Rock Slide, or paralyze Volcarona to make it dead weight. Additionally, Salamence and Dragonite wall Volcarona's STAB moves and can prey on its low Defense by nailing it with Rock-type moves. Trick Room is a large thorn in any fast and frail attacker's side, and Volcarona is no exception. However, common Trick Room leads will not enjoy taking Volcarona's STAB moves, and Fake Out users run the risk of getting burned by Flame Body. Rain teams can douse Volcarona before it can move, as they usually carry Swift Swim Pokemon, such as Kabutops and Kingdra.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Volcarona receives Swarm from the Dream World. Since Volcarona usually holds a Focus Sash, it can take advantage of this ability with Bug Buzz. However, some crucial Pokemon that Bug Buzz needs to KO, such as max Special Defense Cresselia, cannot be KOed even after a Swarm boost. So unless you are feeling lucky, stick with Flame Body.</p>
Volcarona
[Overview]
<p>With a superb base 135 Special Attack stat, an excellent Speed stat, and potent coverage with its dual STABs, it's hard to see why Volcarona isn't a top-tier threat. However, when thinking of Volcarona's drawbacks, look no further than its typing. While great offensively, Fire- and Bug-types make a poor defensive combination, cursing Volcarona with weaknesses to common spread moves, such as Rock Slide and Surf. It also needs a little team support to get going, since it can be a sitting duck against sand and rain teams. However, Volcarona's ability to dent and KO common Pokemon, such as Cresselia and Metagross, along with miscellaneous Trick Room users, is valuable in a fast-paced metagame.</p>
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Heat Wave
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Ground / Rage Powder
move 4: Protect
item: Focus Sash
ability: Flame Body
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set aims to use Volarona's great coverage and awesome offensive stats to their maximum potential. Heat Wave and Bug Buzz are two potent STAB moves, allowing Volcarona to hit multiple Pokemon at once and leave large dents in Psychic-types, respectively. The move used in the third slot depends largely on what you want Volcarona to be able to defeat. Hidden Power Ice is the most useful move, as it can destroy the common Dragon-types that normally wall Volcarona, such as Salamence and Dragonite. Hidden Power Ground decimates Heatran, who otherwise walls Volcarona, and powers through opposing Fire-types, such as Chandelure and Arcanine. Rage Powder may seem like an odd move to use on such a frail Pokemon, but can redirect priority moves, such as Bullet Punch and Mach Punch, possibly burning the offender thanks to Flame Body. Focus Sash and Protect act as safety nets, ensuring Volcarona isn't taken out too early by a surprise Rock Slide.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs and Nature are invested in Volcarona's offensive stats, as little benefit comes from investing in Volcarona's low defenses. Max Speed allows Volcarona to tie with Salamence, Zapdos, and opposing Volcarona, while 252 Special Attack EVs let Volcarona hit as hard as possible. A modest nature can also be used for more power, though the loss in Speed means being outpaced by positive natured Salamence and Zapdos. When using Hidden Power Ground, you are forced to use 30 Special Attack and Special Defense IVs. Due to this, an EV spread of 4 HP / 4 Def / 248 SpA / 252 Spe is recommended, as 252 EVs in Special Attack would waste 4 EVs at Level 50. Since Heatran, Terrakion, and Rock Slide users in general are big problems for Volcarona, so Fighting-types, such as Conkeldurr and Hitmontop, make perfect teammates. The aforementioned Pokemon can take down most of Volcarona's counters while providing Wide Guard support to protect Volcarona from Rock Slide and Surf. In return, Volcarona can KO the bulky Psychic-types, such as Cresselia, Musharna, and Reuniclus, that threaten Fighting-types. Ninetales provides support from Drought, which will make Volcarona's Heat Wave even more fearsome. Sun support also helps Volcarona defensively, as it nullifies Volcarona's weakness to common Water-type moves, such as Surf. However, it should be noted that when pairing Volcarona with Ninetales, the Rock weaknesses add up, increasing the need for Wide Guard support.</p>
[Other options]
<p>Volcarona's movepool includes many other Fire-type STAB moves, namely Fire Blast, Flamethrower, and Fiery Dance. While these moves cannot hit two opponents at once, they can be used for the boost in power they provide compared to Heat Wave. Solarbeam is an interesting option in sun teams, but most of the opponents Solarbeam is used to hit are used in sand and rain teams, which means that Volcarona will be forced into a charge-up turn and a weaker Solarbeam. Hurricane is an interesting option; it allows Volcarona to perform in or against rain teams, and also has an added chance of confusing the opponent. However, Hurricane's accuracy recieves a huge drop in sunlight, making it inadvisable to use Hurricane alongside Ninetales. Rain also reduces the damage done by Volcarona's Fire-type STAB moves, meaning it would have to use a different move, damaging Volcarona's coverage. Psychic can reliably defeat Fighting-types, which usually carry Rock-type moves. Volcarona is one of the select few Pokemon that can viably use stat-boosting moves in VGC, making Quiver Dance an attractive option. While using Quiver Dance requires more team support than usual, it can prove extremely potent if used correctly. Volcarona also receives solid support options besides the listed Rage Powder, such as Safeguard and Sunny Day. Though these could probably be used to better effect on bulkier Pokemon, they allow Volcarona to become a little more independent, protecting itself from negative effects, such as rain and paralysis. Fire and Bug Gems help Volcarona score OHKO's on certain Pokemon, such as Zapdos and Tyranitar, through the use of the respective STAB move. However, Focus Sash is too good of an item for Volcarona to pass up, so Gems should be used only if you are in desperate need of them. Hidden Power Rock simultaneously hits Fire- and Dragon-types that give Volcarona heartache, though it lacks the power to reliably defeat Dragon-types, and also limits your EV usage. If you're not concerned about Water-type moves and have another Pokemon in need of a Focus Sash, Charti Berry will protect Volcarona from at least one Rock Slide, provided Volcarona is in good condition.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>In general, Pokemon that can use Rock Slide and can either take a hit from or outspeed Volcarona is instantly a threat. Tyranitar can effectively strip Volcarona of its Focus Sash, though it's better off not going up against Volcarona directly due to Bug Buzz. Terrakion can outspeed and OHKO most Volcarona, or at least knock it down to its Focus Sash with Rock Slide. Heatran, though relatively uncommon, walls all Volcarona that lack Hidden Power Ground. Gyarados will also wall Volcarona, and can easily KO it with Waterfall or Rock Slide, or paralyze Volcarona to make it dead weight. Additionally, Salamence and Dragonite wall Volcarona's STAB moves and can prey on its low Defense by nailing it with Rock-type moves. Trick Room is a large thorn in any fast and frail attacker's side, and Volcarona is no exception. However, common Trick Room leads will not enjoy taking Volcarona's STAB moves, and Fake Out users run the risk of getting burned by Flame Body. Rain teams can douse Volcarona before it can move, as they usually carry Swift Swim Pokemon, such as Kabutops and Kingdra.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Volcarona receives Swarm from the Dream World. Since Volcarona usually holds a Focus Sash, it can take advantage of this ability with Bug Buzz. However, some crucial Pokemon that Bug Buzz needs to KO, such as max Special Defense Cresselia, cannot be KOed even after a Swarm boost. So unless you are feeling lucky, stick with Flame Body.</p>
