[Overview]
Arcanine's typing and ability in Intimidate allow it to effectively check Copperajah as well as other foes like Escavalier, Tauros, and Dhelmise. It then functions as a defensive pivot with Teleport, allowing it to gain momentum against its switch-ins like Salazzle and Starmie. Arcanine's Teleport is also vital for teams with frail wallbreakers like Tyrantrum and Exploud, as it allows them to safely get in against Mantine and Gastrodon without the risk of status and chip damage. However, Arcanine risks compromising its longevity when using Teleport on walls and is easily worn down by Toxic and Knock Off. Additionally, it fails in the face of common physical attackers like Flygon, Golisopod, Golurk, and Diancie. Arcanine relies heavily on Teleport and supportive teammates to punish its checks, and if it loses this support late-game, its passivity becomes a glaring issue against foes like Dragalge and Blastoise.
[SET]
name: Defensive Pivot
move 1: Flamethrower
move 2: Morning Sun
move 3: Teleport
move 4: Toxic
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Intimidate
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 196 Def / 64 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Teleport is essential for Arcanine to slowly pivot, as it can stomach attacks from Copperajah and bring in revenge killers unscathed. Toxic hurts walls like Sylveon, Gastrodon, and Mantine that take next to nothing from Flamethrower. Will-O-Wisp is an alternative to Toxic so that Arcanine punishes Sirfetch'd, Diancie, and Tyrantrum more effectively. With 64 Speed EVs, Arcanine is faster than Adamant Tyrantrum.
As a check to physically offensive Steel-types, Arcanine finds itself being invaluable to Sylveon and Diancie, and they in return offer Heal Bell to cure Toxic poison. Arcanine also helps special attackers like Goodra, Rotom-C, and Dragalge for the same reason, and the latter two are additional pivots that chain momentum with Arcanine. Wallbreakers like Golurk, Tyrantrum, and Exploud all find safe opportunities to switch into walls via Teleport support, and when they find themselves threatened by revenge killers such as Tauros and Decidueye, Arcanine again is a good defensive answer. Vileplume and Mudsdale cover Knock Off users that Arcanine is vulnerable to like Sirfetch'd and Guzzlord. For specially offensive threats, Mantine and Gastrodon will help, and so will Golisopod and Choice Scarf Heliolisk to offensively pressure Blastoise and Starmie. Ground-type checks like Bronzong and Flygon are valuable so Arcanine won't have to take an Earthquake; these two are also checks for Dragalge.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Arcanine has a vast offensive movepool and mixed offensive stats to make it less passive, so attacks like Extreme Speed, Wild Charge, and Scorching Sands work as alternatives to Flamethrower or Toxic. Offensive sets enjoy this coverage as well but are inefficient due to being easy to wall and wear down.
Checks and Counters
====
**Dragon-types**: By resisting Flamethrower and being immune to Toxic, Dragalge can safely switch in against Arcanine and punish it with all of its usual coverage. Arcanine should also be wary of Flygon, Tyrantrum, and Goodra, but Teleport at least allows it to bring in faster wallbreakers if it still has valid support.
**Water-types**: Offensive Water-types like Starmie and Blastoise are the hardest for Arcanine to deal with, and while defensive examples like Mantine and Gastrodon are checks as well, they are more manageable with Toxic and Teleport.
**Ground-types**: Arcanine fails to switch into and wall Flygon, Golurk, and Mudsdale, although it may have a better chance if it opts for Will-O-Wisp.
**Residual Damage**: Switching into attacks and following up with Teleport will wear Arcanine down, and it will lose momentum anytime it is forced to recover. Moreover, Arcanine's effectiveness is limited by Knock Off, Corrosive Gas, and Toxic from walls like Escavalier, Vileplume, and Bronzong.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[S1nn0hC0nfirm3d, 231074]]
- Quality checked by: [[Rabia, 336073], [Abejas, 241380]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Rabia, 336073], [Estronic, 240732]]
Arcanine's typing and ability in Intimidate allow it to effectively check Copperajah as well as other foes like Escavalier, Tauros, and Dhelmise. It then functions as a defensive pivot with Teleport, allowing it to gain momentum against its switch-ins like Salazzle and Starmie. Arcanine's Teleport is also vital for teams with frail wallbreakers like Tyrantrum and Exploud, as it allows them to safely get in against Mantine and Gastrodon without the risk of status and chip damage. However, Arcanine risks compromising its longevity when using Teleport on walls and is easily worn down by Toxic and Knock Off. Additionally, it fails in the face of common physical attackers like Flygon, Golisopod, Golurk, and Diancie. Arcanine relies heavily on Teleport and supportive teammates to punish its checks, and if it loses this support late-game, its passivity becomes a glaring issue against foes like Dragalge and Blastoise.
[SET]
name: Defensive Pivot
move 1: Flamethrower
move 2: Morning Sun
move 3: Teleport
move 4: Toxic
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Intimidate
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 196 Def / 64 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Teleport is essential for Arcanine to slowly pivot, as it can stomach attacks from Copperajah and bring in revenge killers unscathed. Toxic hurts walls like Sylveon, Gastrodon, and Mantine that take next to nothing from Flamethrower. Will-O-Wisp is an alternative to Toxic so that Arcanine punishes Sirfetch'd, Diancie, and Tyrantrum more effectively. With 64 Speed EVs, Arcanine is faster than Adamant Tyrantrum.
As a check to physically offensive Steel-types, Arcanine finds itself being invaluable to Sylveon and Diancie, and they in return offer Heal Bell to cure Toxic poison. Arcanine also helps special attackers like Goodra, Rotom-C, and Dragalge for the same reason, and the latter two are additional pivots that chain momentum with Arcanine. Wallbreakers like Golurk, Tyrantrum, and Exploud all find safe opportunities to switch into walls via Teleport support, and when they find themselves threatened by revenge killers such as Tauros and Decidueye, Arcanine again is a good defensive answer. Vileplume and Mudsdale cover Knock Off users that Arcanine is vulnerable to like Sirfetch'd and Guzzlord. For specially offensive threats, Mantine and Gastrodon will help, and so will Golisopod and Choice Scarf Heliolisk to offensively pressure Blastoise and Starmie. Ground-type checks like Bronzong and Flygon are valuable so Arcanine won't have to take an Earthquake; these two are also checks for Dragalge.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Arcanine has a vast offensive movepool and mixed offensive stats to make it less passive, so attacks like Extreme Speed, Wild Charge, and Scorching Sands work as alternatives to Flamethrower or Toxic. Offensive sets enjoy this coverage as well but are inefficient due to being easy to wall and wear down.
Checks and Counters
====
**Dragon-types**: By resisting Flamethrower and being immune to Toxic, Dragalge can safely switch in against Arcanine and punish it with all of its usual coverage. Arcanine should also be wary of Flygon, Tyrantrum, and Goodra, but Teleport at least allows it to bring in faster wallbreakers if it still has valid support.
**Water-types**: Offensive Water-types like Starmie and Blastoise are the hardest for Arcanine to deal with, and while defensive examples like Mantine and Gastrodon are checks as well, they are more manageable with Toxic and Teleport.
**Ground-types**: Arcanine fails to switch into and wall Flygon, Golurk, and Mudsdale, although it may have a better chance if it opts for Will-O-Wisp.
**Residual Damage**: Switching into attacks and following up with Teleport will wear Arcanine down, and it will lose momentum anytime it is forced to recover. Moreover, Arcanine's effectiveness is limited by Knock Off, Corrosive Gas, and Toxic from walls like Escavalier, Vileplume, and Bronzong.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[S1nn0hC0nfirm3d, 231074]]
- Quality checked by: [[Rabia, 336073], [Abejas, 241380]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Rabia, 336073], [Estronic, 240732]]
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