[OVERVIEW]
* An amazing setup move, Quiver Dance, allows Volcarona to serve as a potent sweeper.
* Base 100 speed allows Volcarona to outspeed most Choice Scarf users after boosting.
* It has very high Special Attack backed by a powerful STAB move in Fire Blast.
* It has poor physical bulk and only a handful of useful resistances.
* It's 4x weak to Stealth Rock and is also affected by Spikes and Toxic Spikes.
* It's checked by many Fire-resistant Pokemon due to its poor coverage options.
* It fares poorly against rain teams.
[SET]
name: Quiver Dance Sweeper
move 1: Quiver Dance
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Giga Drain
move 4: HP Ground
item: Firium-Z
ability: Flame Body
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Quiver Dance is the primary reason to use Volcarona, boosting Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed.
* Fire Blast is its strongest Fire-type STAB move.
* Giga Drain hits the many Water-types that resist Fire Blast and allows Volcarona to recover its HP.
* Hidden Power Ground hits Heatran, Mega Charizard X, Alolan Marowak, and Nihilego.
* Bug Buzz is a STAB attack that hits many Fire-resistant Pokemon neutrally and hits Tyranitar, Latios, and Latias super effectively.
* Inferno Overdrive is a 185-Base Power nuke that can net surprise OHKOs on many targets when Volcarona is unboosted, such as Landorus-T and Hoopa-U after Stealth Rock damage, and allows Volcarona to blow past many Fire-resistant Pokemon that could otherwise check it such as Zygarde, Gyarados, and Garchomp after they have taken some chip damage. It is also unable to miss, which can be helpful even when the extra power isn't needed.
Set Details
========
* Maximum Special Attack is used for the most damage possible.
* Maximum Speed with a Timid nature to outspeed Choice Scarf Landorus-T and Tapu Lele at +1. It also allows Volcarona to outspeed Jolly Exacadrill and other fully invested Pokemon above base 87 Speed as well as Speed tie with other base 100 Speed Pokemon.
* Flame Body is Volcarona's best ability, potentially crippling physical attackers even when Volcarona is KOed.
* Firium Z allows the use of Inferno Overdrive. Additionally, it reduces damage from Knock Off and prevents Volcarona from being given a Choice item by Trick users.
* Passho Berry allows Volcarona to set up on Water types like Rotom-W and take an Aqua Jet. It also helps Volcarona take Greninja's Water Shuriken a bit better, but only the first hit will have reduced damage.
* Lum Berry prevents it from being crippled by paralysis or put on a timer by poison.
Usage Tips
========
* Controlling entry hazards is a priority due to Volcarona's weakness to them.
* Volcarona should not boost or attempt to sweep while its checks are still healthy.
* Even unboosted, Volcarona can pose a threat and check slower Fire-weak Pokemon like Mega Scizor, Ferrothorn, Celesteela, and Tapu Bulu.
* Volcarona can set up on Pokemon that don't threaten it such as Mega Scizor.
* Volcarona should be wary of setting up on Pokemon that often carry Thunder Wave, such as Ferrothorn and Clefable. Toxic is also a problem, so Toxic users like Mantine should not be set up on.
* Volcarona enjoys the protection of Psychic Terrain and Misty Terrain, which protect it from two commons ways of dealing with it in priority and status, respectively. You can set up in your own Terrain or use the opponent's.
Team Options
========
* Entry Hazard removal is mandatory when using Volcarona. Tapu Fini is an excellent teammate that can not only use Defog and check some Water-types and Dragon-types but also provide Misty Terrain, which blocks the status ailments that can cripple Volcarona. Latios and Latias can also use Defog, and check Water-types. Mega Sableye provides excellent entry hazard control with its ability, Magic Bounce.
* Tapu Lele provides Psychic Terrain, which protects Volcarona from priority moves, meaning Pokemon like Mega Pinsir and Azumarill have a harder time checking Volcarona. Tapu Lele can check Dragon-types for Volcarona, and Volcarona can check Steel-types for Tapu Lele.
* Volt Switch and U-turn can get Volcarona in safely.
* Stealth Rock allows Volcarona to secure OHKOs on Pokemon such as Keldeo and Assault Vest Tornadus. Many Ground-types such as Excadrill and Garchomp, can provide Stealth Rock and switch Rock-type attacks aimed at Volcarona.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Fiery Dance is 100% accurate, has more PP, and can boost Volcarona's Special Attack, but is significantly less powerful.
* Life Orb provides a significant power increase, but induces recoil.
* A bulkier set with Roost and Leftovers can be run, but it's much easier to check.
* Hidden Power Electric allows Volcarona to 2HKO Mantine.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Chansey**: Chansey has immense special bulk, meaning Volcarona is unable to break through it.
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types like Mantine and Toxapex resist both of Volcarona's STAB moves, and can remove its boosts with Haze; Mantine must be cautious of Hidden Power Electric, however.
**Rock-types**: Tyaranitar can potentially take one +1 Bug Buzz and easily lakes one +1 Giga Drain, and OHKOs in return with Stone Edge. Choice Scarf Nihilego can switch in on any of Volcarona's moves, even taking an unboosted Hidden Power Ground, and reliably OHKO Volcarona.
**Fast Choice Scarf Users**: Choice Scarf users above base 100 Speed, such as Garchomp, Terrakion, and Latios, can check Volcarona if it has only accumulated one boost.
**Priority**: Mega Pinsir can revenge kill with Aerilate Quick Attack. Aqua Jet from Azumarill can also stop Volcarona's sweep. Extreme Speed users like Zygarde-10% and Dragonite as well as Sucker Punch users like Bisharp can also severely damage Volcarona before it can move. None of these attacks will work against Volcarona if it is protected by Psychic Terrain, however.
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