Elfam's right, Focus Punch has no merit on a now VERY fast pokemon, who also has access to a move with only 20 less BP. The entire point of using Focus punch is for something slow and powerful that can scare things out. Imo, there was a single viable focus punch user in the 4th gen metagame. We all know who I'm talking about, and it ONLY worked because of spore. Not saying that it needed spore to be successful, (though you'd be an idiot not to), just saying that the threat was what was important. And yes, I know that Blaziken can force things out. But, what if you say, subbed on the first turn. Oh look a ghost. Now I can just smack it with an appropriate move... twice.
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Blaziken
- Thread starter manav95
- Start date
Elfam's right, Focus Punch has no merit on a now VERY fast pokemon, who also has access to a move with only 20 less BP. The entire point of using Focus punch is for something slow and powerful that can scare things out. Imo, there was a single viable focus punch user in the 4th gen metagame. We all know who I'm talking about, and it ONLY worked because of spore. Not saying that it needed spore to be successful, (though you'd be an idiot not to), just saying that the threat was what was important. And yes, I know that Blaziken can force things out. But, what if you say, subbed on the first turn. Oh look a ghost. Now I can just smack it with an appropriate move... twice.
I'm just defending the move.Though you did bring up a good point about a substitute.Anyways, like i've been saying for a while now, Focus Punch is not a useless move.
Not saying it's useless, it's just completely outclassed by High Jump Kick on Blaziken.
your totally not harsh enough... on blaziken it is useless
Eh, same thing, but you're right, a pokemon as fast as Blaziken (still feels weird to say that) has no business using a negative priority move... unless you want to use blaze you crazy motherfucker.
Though I feel we should congratulate ourselves on making the (I think) the longest discussion thread for an individual pokemon.
Focus Punch isn't irrelevant because of Blaziken's speed, but because it doesn't really grant any additional KOs that Blaze wasn't already getting; HJK + HP does the job almost every time on a mixed set.
If using HJK on Shandaraa is the issue, you would actually WANT HJK > Focus Punch so that it can't set up on you while you do nothing, you will kill yourself and can thus bring in a revenger.
If using HJK on Shandaraa is the issue, you would actually WANT HJK > Focus Punch so that it can't set up on you while you do nothing, you will kill yourself and can thus bring in a revenger.
There's no reason to assume that. Not when there's currently arguments going on about the merits of testing Ho-oh in OU.
Ho-oh ou? bout time the guys is completely neutered by sr anyway, but with stone edge i dont see how blaziken couldnt ohko shanderaa with sr help
Or it could just Baton Pass to Heatran
It was just an example of what Blaziken could do instead of relying on Fail Edge, and I never said that Heatran is a decent partner for Blaziken either. My point was that Ghost / Fire isn't the most difficult typing to overcome, even with Destiny Bond. On a smaller note, I did mention that Sazando would be a great offensive partner for Blaziken due to its typing and Levitate a few posts back
I think some of you people are over-looking the counters for Speed-Boost Blaziken. Sharpedo, for example, has a higher base speed AND Speed-Boost also. Plus finds solace in priority, STAB Aqua-Jet or a Life-Orb/Hydro Pump set. This may likely bring the forgotten shark to atleast BL and out of the depths of UU/NU play.
Sharpedo is still wrecked by STAB Vacuum Wave.
Blaziken has mach punch. They're like the same pokemon but different types and slightly different stats. (sharpedo more speed but blaziken more attacking stats) They both were too frail and slightly too slow but now... Speed Boost.
Sharpedo isn't living through, even a NFE attack from Blaziken. By definition: to be considered a counter for a pokemon, said pokemon must be able to switch in, with little to no risk to itself.
Blaziken can be a really dangerous threat, outspeeding in only 2 turns everything even Scarfed Revenge Killers and some +2 speed opponents, then it can sweep easily some weakened teams (with or without a SD).
And then there's always Slowbro. Now amped up with its new ability Regeneration and its Psychic typing, Slowbro can easily wall most of Blazikens attacks with relative ease, and go for a Boiling Water and hopefully inflict a burn, thus ending Blaziken's sweep. That is, if Blazikens running a Swords Dance set.
True but Focus Sash...
Fire-types can't be burned, and given that Blaziken lacks HP Grass (which is likely since the standard mixed set is going to be Protect | Fire Blast | HJK | [attack to hit candlemon] / Baton Pass) Slowbro checks it very easily. Sharpedo, erm, priority in general checks Blaziken pretty well due to its mediocre defenses, and for the record, Aqua Jet on Dragonite has the same BP as Extremespeed >_>
Many of us used to think Protect was a useful move for Blaziken, but the set with Swords Dance over Protect is so much more effective and deadlier. Why use Protect against something that would either switch out from or stay in on Blaziken when he/she can utilize SD and attempt to break down the counter or sweep the unprepared team? Bulky Pokemon that can take non-boosted attack from Blaziken without a problem will actually love a wasted turn from using Protect. Don't let Blaziken stay in against something like that! Call it back and save it for later.
When the free turn arises, let Blaziken nab a free SD and a speed boost! Even if Blaziken doesn't end up sweeping at least he/she will have already weakened or KOed something. No one will like taking a 967 physical hit after a SD with Life Orb power boost. And this will further aid the teammates that shares similar counter/nemesis as Blaziken.
SD set in the OP is pretty darn more effective. :)
Blaziken @ Life Orb
Nature: Adamant/Jolly
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
- Swords Dance
- Hi Jump Kick
- Flare Blitz / Blaze Kick
- Stone Edge