[OVERVIEW]
Pignite is a powerful wallbreaker in the NFE metagame, using its powerful Fire- and Fighting-type STAB attacks to break through teams while having exceptional coverage in Knock Off and High Horsepower. Pignite is no slouch defensively either, with great natural bulk that makes it capable of trading blows with powerful foes like Monferno, Raboot, and Vigoroth as needed. On top of this, it has access to Bulk Up which can make it even more imposing. While Pignite is a robust option for teams, it isn't without flaws; though it can usually sponge an attack or two from opposing wallbreakers, it can struggle to hit at times because of how slow it is. Monferno is a similar wallbreaker to Pignite that trades a little bit of power for more utility in U-turn, Slack Off, and Stealth Rock, which makes it slightly more favorable for some team compositions. Faster wallbreakers like Frogadier, Gabite, and Wartortle can all give Pignite problems, with the latter two capable of using it as setup fodder. To circumvent this, Pignite can use Sucker Punch to inflict damage before being KOed or even take down an unsuspecting revenge killer like Frogadier or Misdreavus.
[SET]
(All-Out Attacker) Pignite @ Eviolite
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Flare Blitz
- Knock Off
- High Horsepower / Sucker Punch
[SET COMMENTS]
Pignite is an effective wallbreaker, as its excellent Fire / Fighting typing can hit much of the metagame for large damage. Knock Off removes Eviolites to make wallbreaking easier for itself and teammates while also hitting Ghost- and Psychic-types like Drakloak, Misdreavus, and Girafarig hard. High Horsepower can be used to nail Fire- and Poison-types like Monferno, Koffing, Mareanie, and opposing Pignite; Sucker Punch is an alternative that helps circumvent its lower Speed to hit faster wallbreakers like Frogadier and Girafarig first. An Adamant nature allows Pignite to maximize its damage output while still outpacing foes like Piloswine and bulky Tinkatuff. Blaze can boost the power of Flare Blitz to the point of achieving notable damage rolls, including a 2HKO on Clefairy and a chance to OHKO Misdreavus after Stealth Rock chip damage.
Pignite is a natural fit on balance and bulky offense teams that need a powerful wallbreaker and additional Knock Off support. Faster wallbreakers like Frogadier and Girafarig can benefit from having Pignite remove Eviolites and wear teams down mid-game, allowing them to more effectively clean late-game. Entry hazard support from teammates like Gabite, Tinkatuff, and the aforementioned Frogadier can go a long way in chipping down the opposition, making would-be checks to Pignite like Mareanie and Quaxwell less capable of walling it over the course of a game. Drakloak and Misdreavus can help spinblock against Quaxwell to ensure the hazards on the foes' side stay active, along with spreading status via Thunder Wave and Will-O-Wisp to help Pignite in its efforts to wallbreak. Frogadier and Wartortle are especially threatening foes for Pignite, so teammates that can keep them in check, such as Dunsparce, Misdreavus, and Tinkatuff, are vital. Specially defensive Clefairy can also wall these threats while providing Stealth Rock and Knock Off support. Quaxwell pairs well with Pignite, tanking Ground- and Water-type attacks thrown its way from the likes of Piloswine and Frogadier while providing hazard removal to keep it healthy. Thwackey checks the Water-types that threaten Pignite, such as Frogadier and Quaxwell, while using U-turn to provide safe entry points against foes like Ivysaur and Koffing that may try to check Thwackey. The Grassy Terrain provided by Thwackey also lowers the damage of Piloswine's Earthquake, allowing Pignite to more comfortably take it on if needed.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bulk Up furthers Pignite's offensive and defensive capabilities and works well in conjunction with Sucker Punch to secure potential KOs against faster foes like Frogadier and Girafarig. Drain Punch is a weaker STAB attack than Close Combat but offers healing and doesn't lower its defenses. Choice Band sets rely more on prediction but can offer tremendous power, making Pignite much harder to wall.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Quaxwell is capable of sponging Pignite's attacks with ease while recovering any damage with Roost. Frogadier and Wartortle are faster wallbreakers that can threaten to revenge kill Pignite. Mareanie tanks most attacks thrown its way as well, easily recovering the damage with Regenerator.
**Faster Wallbreakers**: Given how slow Pignite is, nearly every wallbreaker in the tier can revenge kill it with ease once it has been chipped a bit. Notable examples include Gabite and Girafarig, though Girafarig has to look out for Sucker Punch. Fraxure can sponge an attack and use Pignite as setup fodder, as can Monferno though to a lesser extent.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/flampoke.654091/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/5dots.543866/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/mirbro.451786/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/queez.229690/
Pignite is a powerful wallbreaker in the NFE metagame, using its powerful Fire- and Fighting-type STAB attacks to break through teams while having exceptional coverage in Knock Off and High Horsepower. Pignite is no slouch defensively either, with great natural bulk that makes it capable of trading blows with powerful foes like Monferno, Raboot, and Vigoroth as needed. On top of this, it has access to Bulk Up which can make it even more imposing. While Pignite is a robust option for teams, it isn't without flaws; though it can usually sponge an attack or two from opposing wallbreakers, it can struggle to hit at times because of how slow it is. Monferno is a similar wallbreaker to Pignite that trades a little bit of power for more utility in U-turn, Slack Off, and Stealth Rock, which makes it slightly more favorable for some team compositions. Faster wallbreakers like Frogadier, Gabite, and Wartortle can all give Pignite problems, with the latter two capable of using it as setup fodder. To circumvent this, Pignite can use Sucker Punch to inflict damage before being KOed or even take down an unsuspecting revenge killer like Frogadier or Misdreavus.
[SET]
(All-Out Attacker) Pignite @ Eviolite
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Flare Blitz
- Knock Off
- High Horsepower / Sucker Punch
[SET COMMENTS]
Pignite is an effective wallbreaker, as its excellent Fire / Fighting typing can hit much of the metagame for large damage. Knock Off removes Eviolites to make wallbreaking easier for itself and teammates while also hitting Ghost- and Psychic-types like Drakloak, Misdreavus, and Girafarig hard. High Horsepower can be used to nail Fire- and Poison-types like Monferno, Koffing, Mareanie, and opposing Pignite; Sucker Punch is an alternative that helps circumvent its lower Speed to hit faster wallbreakers like Frogadier and Girafarig first. An Adamant nature allows Pignite to maximize its damage output while still outpacing foes like Piloswine and bulky Tinkatuff. Blaze can boost the power of Flare Blitz to the point of achieving notable damage rolls, including a 2HKO on Clefairy and a chance to OHKO Misdreavus after Stealth Rock chip damage.
Pignite is a natural fit on balance and bulky offense teams that need a powerful wallbreaker and additional Knock Off support. Faster wallbreakers like Frogadier and Girafarig can benefit from having Pignite remove Eviolites and wear teams down mid-game, allowing them to more effectively clean late-game. Entry hazard support from teammates like Gabite, Tinkatuff, and the aforementioned Frogadier can go a long way in chipping down the opposition, making would-be checks to Pignite like Mareanie and Quaxwell less capable of walling it over the course of a game. Drakloak and Misdreavus can help spinblock against Quaxwell to ensure the hazards on the foes' side stay active, along with spreading status via Thunder Wave and Will-O-Wisp to help Pignite in its efforts to wallbreak. Frogadier and Wartortle are especially threatening foes for Pignite, so teammates that can keep them in check, such as Dunsparce, Misdreavus, and Tinkatuff, are vital. Specially defensive Clefairy can also wall these threats while providing Stealth Rock and Knock Off support. Quaxwell pairs well with Pignite, tanking Ground- and Water-type attacks thrown its way from the likes of Piloswine and Frogadier while providing hazard removal to keep it healthy. Thwackey checks the Water-types that threaten Pignite, such as Frogadier and Quaxwell, while using U-turn to provide safe entry points against foes like Ivysaur and Koffing that may try to check Thwackey. The Grassy Terrain provided by Thwackey also lowers the damage of Piloswine's Earthquake, allowing Pignite to more comfortably take it on if needed.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bulk Up furthers Pignite's offensive and defensive capabilities and works well in conjunction with Sucker Punch to secure potential KOs against faster foes like Frogadier and Girafarig. Drain Punch is a weaker STAB attack than Close Combat but offers healing and doesn't lower its defenses. Choice Band sets rely more on prediction but can offer tremendous power, making Pignite much harder to wall.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Quaxwell is capable of sponging Pignite's attacks with ease while recovering any damage with Roost. Frogadier and Wartortle are faster wallbreakers that can threaten to revenge kill Pignite. Mareanie tanks most attacks thrown its way as well, easily recovering the damage with Regenerator.
**Faster Wallbreakers**: Given how slow Pignite is, nearly every wallbreaker in the tier can revenge kill it with ease once it has been chipped a bit. Notable examples include Gabite and Girafarig, though Girafarig has to look out for Sucker Punch. Fraxure can sponge an attack and use Pignite as setup fodder, as can Monferno though to a lesser extent.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/flampoke.654091/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/5dots.543866/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/mirbro.451786/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/queez.229690/
Last edited:
