[SET]
name: Bulky Attacker
move 1: Steam Eruption
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Protect
move 4: Overheat / Earth Power / Sludge Bomb
item: Sitrus Berry / Wacan Berry / Life Orb
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
Volcanion has earned its niche through its dual STAB combination naturally staving off prominent threats Genesect, Rillaboom, and Victini. Steam Eruption is Volcanion's most consistent STAB move, hitting metagame staples like Incineroar and Landorus super effectively, as well as threatening other physical attackers like Dracovish and Galarian Zapdos with a burn. Heat Wave allows Volcanion to hit Pokemon that resist Steam Eruption such as Ferrothron and Kyurem-B while also KOing common threats such as Genesect and non-Assault Vest Rillaboom. Earth Power can be used to OHKO Naganadel and hit Dracovish and opposing Volcanion harder. Overheat ensures maximum damage output against Pokemon such as Kyurem-B and Wide Guard Celesteela in exchange for being a single target move. Sludge Bomb hits Tapu Fini, Tapu Lele, and Togekiss super effectively, while the poison chance helps break Dracovish. Sitrus Berry maintains Volcanion's longevity., while Wacan Berry is an option to surprise unsuspecting Regieleki and Zeraora and OHKO them. Life Orb can be used if the aforementioned checks are covered to maximize damage.
Volcanion's great typing and bulk means that it has few consistent checks outside of Regieleki and Kyurem-B. To patch up these weaknesses, Volcanion is usually paired with Tsareena, Diancie, or Naganadel to eliminate Electric- and Dragon-types. Fake Out pressure from Incineroar or Rillaboom helps cover for Volcanion's low Speed. Zygarde is also an excellent teammate, as it checks Regieleki, Zeraora, and Tyranitar for Volcanion, which in return beats bulky Grass- and Ground-types that hinder Zygarde. Metagross also checks those same Pokemon, while threatening Dragon-types Latios, Regidrago, and Kyurem-B. Tailwind support from Talonflame can beat Nihilego and Landorus which are OHKOed by Steam Eruption. Redirection from Amoonguss enables Volcanion to beat Electric-types and Thunderbolt Genesect.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An alternate EV spread of 112 HP / 252 SpA / 144 Spe with a Modest nature can be used to outrun Zeraora in Tailwind, with the rest of EVs placed into HP to maintain maximum bulk. Volcanion can also have a Quiet Nature and 0 Speed IVs to be as fast as possible in Trick Room. Shuca Berry can be used to dampen Earth Power from Landorus or Thousand Arrows from Zygarde, but is usually not as useful as Wacan Berry.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Defensive Walls**: Volcanion struggles to make progress against Porygon2 and Calm Mind Tapu Fini. Porygon2 can also Trace Water Absorb and set up Trick Room for a partner. Assault Vest Kyurem-B takes little damage from Heat Wave and can 2HKO Volcanion with either Bolt Strike or Earth Power. Cresselia can sponge Volcanion's hits and set up with Calm Mind or Trick Room and whittle it down.
**Faster Pokemon**: Volcanion's average Speed means that it is threatened by a plethora of offensive threats such as both Landorus formes, Zygarde, Nihilego, and Zeraora. However, they can still be outspeed and KOed with proper speed control.
**Dragon-types**: Naganadel, Latios, Regidrago, and Kyurem-B each resist Volcanion's STAB attacks; they each hit it hard in return with their respective STAB moves.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Reece, 540482]]
- Quality checked by: [[Morgan, 457210], [itchy, 518399]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
name: Bulky Attacker
move 1: Steam Eruption
move 2: Heat Wave
move 3: Protect
move 4: Overheat / Earth Power / Sludge Bomb
item: Sitrus Berry / Wacan Berry / Life Orb
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
Volcanion has earned its niche through its dual STAB combination naturally staving off prominent threats Genesect, Rillaboom, and Victini. Steam Eruption is Volcanion's most consistent STAB move, hitting metagame staples like Incineroar and Landorus super effectively, as well as threatening other physical attackers like Dracovish and Galarian Zapdos with a burn. Heat Wave allows Volcanion to hit Pokemon that resist Steam Eruption such as Ferrothron and Kyurem-B while also KOing common threats such as Genesect and non-Assault Vest Rillaboom. Earth Power can be used to OHKO Naganadel and hit Dracovish and opposing Volcanion harder. Overheat ensures maximum damage output against Pokemon such as Kyurem-B and Wide Guard Celesteela in exchange for being a single target move. Sludge Bomb hits Tapu Fini, Tapu Lele, and Togekiss super effectively, while the poison chance helps break Dracovish. Sitrus Berry maintains Volcanion's longevity., while Wacan Berry is an option to surprise unsuspecting Regieleki and Zeraora and OHKO them. Life Orb can be used if the aforementioned checks are covered to maximize damage.
Volcanion's great typing and bulk means that it has few consistent checks outside of Regieleki and Kyurem-B. To patch up these weaknesses, Volcanion is usually paired with Tsareena, Diancie, or Naganadel to eliminate Electric- and Dragon-types. Fake Out pressure from Incineroar or Rillaboom helps cover for Volcanion's low Speed. Zygarde is also an excellent teammate, as it checks Regieleki, Zeraora, and Tyranitar for Volcanion, which in return beats bulky Grass- and Ground-types that hinder Zygarde. Metagross also checks those same Pokemon, while threatening Dragon-types Latios, Regidrago, and Kyurem-B. Tailwind support from Talonflame can beat Nihilego and Landorus which are OHKOed by Steam Eruption. Redirection from Amoonguss enables Volcanion to beat Electric-types and Thunderbolt Genesect.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An alternate EV spread of 112 HP / 252 SpA / 144 Spe with a Modest nature can be used to outrun Zeraora in Tailwind, with the rest of EVs placed into HP to maintain maximum bulk. Volcanion can also have a Quiet Nature and 0 Speed IVs to be as fast as possible in Trick Room. Shuca Berry can be used to dampen Earth Power from Landorus or Thousand Arrows from Zygarde, but is usually not as useful as Wacan Berry.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Defensive Walls**: Volcanion struggles to make progress against Porygon2 and Calm Mind Tapu Fini. Porygon2 can also Trace Water Absorb and set up Trick Room for a partner. Assault Vest Kyurem-B takes little damage from Heat Wave and can 2HKO Volcanion with either Bolt Strike or Earth Power. Cresselia can sponge Volcanion's hits and set up with Calm Mind or Trick Room and whittle it down.
**Faster Pokemon**: Volcanion's average Speed means that it is threatened by a plethora of offensive threats such as both Landorus formes, Zygarde, Nihilego, and Zeraora. However, they can still be outspeed and KOed with proper speed control.
**Dragon-types**: Naganadel, Latios, Regidrago, and Kyurem-B each resist Volcanion's STAB attacks; they each hit it hard in return with their respective STAB moves.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Reece, 540482]]
- Quality checked by: [[Morgan, 457210], [itchy, 518399]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
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