Focus Sash Speed Control Infernape
Fake Out Infernape @ Focus Sash
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[Nature] Jolly
- Fake Out
- Flare Blitz
- Close Combat
- Knock Off / Protect
[SET COMMENTS]
Infernape is a solid Fake Out support user that combines the utility of Sneasler but with a fire-type flair. Fake Out allows its teammates to get set up or control the speed of battle. 252 EVs in Speed lets Infernape outspeed a good amount of Pokemon, including Adamant nature Sneasler, to guarantee its own Fake Outs and deny other Fake Outs. Infernape also has access to powerful Flare Blitz STAB that is frequently boosted by the sun of Mega Charizard-Y and Torkoal. Close Combat gives Infernape powerful Fighting type utility that can be used against meta staples like Kingambit and Tyranitar. Knock Off gives Infernape another supportive angle, being able to do good chip and remove important items like Sitrus Berry, Leftovers, and Life Orb. Knock Off also gives Infernape important coverage against Psychic types like Mega Delphox and a way to best difficult Ghost types like Basculegion and Ceruledge. Focus Sash lets Infernape stick around for extra turns to pivot and use Fake Out again or survive at 1 HP for a Blaze-boosted Flare Blitz, devastating under the sun. Using Protect over Knock Off can be used to keep Infernape around even longer.
Teammates that appreciate Infernape's Fire and Fighting moves will like having Infernape around. Infernape is best at covering for teammates who need help against Kingambit, being able to resist its common movesets and having two options to deal super effective damage to it. Which move to use will be contingent on whether the opposing Kingambit is holding a Chopple Berry. Infernape truly shines against sand teams, being able to deal significant damage to Tyranitar, Excadrill, Gholdengo, and Kingambit.
Despite its utility, Infernape has a decent amount of weaknesses to watch for. Infernape struggles the most against water types, and especially rain teams. Careful pivoting around rain with a sun setter like Mega Charizard-Y can alleviate this, but Infernape will still struggle against most of the common rain picks like Pelipper, Mega Swampert, and Stamina-boosted Archaludon. Infernape can really appreciate having Mega Staraptor around, who dominates against rain teams and covers well against opposing Staraptor. Infernape also does not appreciate Garchomp, who can break Focus Sash with Rough Skin after using a Fake Out. Earthquake is an immediate threat to Infernape as well. Infernape appreciates Garchomp counters such as an ally Garchomp, Whimsicott, Sylveon, and Mega Frostlass. This Focus Sash moveset is particularly threatened by Dual Wingbeat users like Aerodactyl and Mega Staraptor. Infernape is slower than both, and will want a partner that can follow up quickly after a Fake Out.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/organicink.761265/
Fake Out Infernape @ Focus Sash
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[Nature] Jolly
- Fake Out
- Flare Blitz
- Close Combat
- Knock Off / Protect
[SET COMMENTS]
Infernape is a solid Fake Out support user that combines the utility of Sneasler but with a fire-type flair. Fake Out allows its teammates to get set up or control the speed of battle. 252 EVs in Speed lets Infernape outspeed a good amount of Pokemon, including Adamant nature Sneasler, to guarantee its own Fake Outs and deny other Fake Outs. Infernape also has access to powerful Flare Blitz STAB that is frequently boosted by the sun of Mega Charizard-Y and Torkoal. Close Combat gives Infernape powerful Fighting type utility that can be used against meta staples like Kingambit and Tyranitar. Knock Off gives Infernape another supportive angle, being able to do good chip and remove important items like Sitrus Berry, Leftovers, and Life Orb. Knock Off also gives Infernape important coverage against Psychic types like Mega Delphox and a way to best difficult Ghost types like Basculegion and Ceruledge. Focus Sash lets Infernape stick around for extra turns to pivot and use Fake Out again or survive at 1 HP for a Blaze-boosted Flare Blitz, devastating under the sun. Using Protect over Knock Off can be used to keep Infernape around even longer.
Teammates that appreciate Infernape's Fire and Fighting moves will like having Infernape around. Infernape is best at covering for teammates who need help against Kingambit, being able to resist its common movesets and having two options to deal super effective damage to it. Which move to use will be contingent on whether the opposing Kingambit is holding a Chopple Berry. Infernape truly shines against sand teams, being able to deal significant damage to Tyranitar, Excadrill, Gholdengo, and Kingambit.
Despite its utility, Infernape has a decent amount of weaknesses to watch for. Infernape struggles the most against water types, and especially rain teams. Careful pivoting around rain with a sun setter like Mega Charizard-Y can alleviate this, but Infernape will still struggle against most of the common rain picks like Pelipper, Mega Swampert, and Stamina-boosted Archaludon. Infernape can really appreciate having Mega Staraptor around, who dominates against rain teams and covers well against opposing Staraptor. Infernape also does not appreciate Garchomp, who can break Focus Sash with Rough Skin after using a Fake Out. Earthquake is an immediate threat to Infernape as well. Infernape appreciates Garchomp counters such as an ally Garchomp, Whimsicott, Sylveon, and Mega Frostlass. This Focus Sash moveset is particularly threatened by Dual Wingbeat users like Aerodactyl and Mega Staraptor. Infernape is slower than both, and will want a partner that can follow up quickly after a Fake Out.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/organicink.761265/
