[OVERVIEW]
Iron Valiant stands out as a top tier offensive Pokemon in the tier, able to utilise its wide movepool to devestate any Pokemon that might attempt to check it. Options such as Swords Dance, Calm Mind, Mixed, or Choice Specs have very different counterplay, and thus a well played Iron Valiant can take out Pokemon such as Great Tusk or Galarian Slowking that might want to check it. Iron Valiant is also an incredible revenge killer with Booster Energy, able to OHKO Pokemon such as Zamazenta, Dragon Dance Dragonite, and Swords Dance Ogerpon-Wellspring while also outspeeding them. Iron Valiant can furthermore dip into its utility movepool, with options such as Encore and Destiny Bond either giving it more setup turns or allowing it to surprise typical counterplay even further. However, Iron Valiant does have its flaws. While it has a variety of options to choose from, it cannot fit them all into its set, meaning that Pokemon such as Galarian Slowking and Zamazenta can check it once they have scouted out the set. Furthermore, while it can typically take most strong neutral hits in a pinch, its low bulk does impede its sweeping potential, as priority users such as Dragonite, Weavile, and especially Scizor can revenge kill it once it has been weakened.
Other Options
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Either a Modest nature or Adamant nature alongside either Vacuum Wave or Shadow Sneak can be used to give Iron Valiant a lot more power while still retainin some of its revenge killing capabilities, though typically this is best used on Sticky Web teams. Choice Band sets can be used to break through traditional physical walls such as Great Tusk and Zamazenta due to its access to Spirit Break, while also being able to use Trick against walls such as Moltres and Dondozo it may not threaten as easily. Life Orb is an option to increase the power of Iron Valiants Mixed sets, which can pair especially well on Electric Terrain teams to still give it a Speed Boost, though the recoil damage can hurt its ability to stay out of revenge killing range from Pokemon such as Dragonite. Tera Stellar is an option that gives Iron Valiant a small boost to all its moves, allowing it to break through Pokemon such as Galarian Slowking and Zamazenta it might otherwise not OHKO. However, Iron Valiant typically prefers the defensive benefits that option such as Tera Steel or Tera Ghost provide, or the raw power like Tera Fairy provide over multiple uses. Thunder Wave can be used to slow down Pokemon such as Darkrai and Deoxys-S, while also punishing walls such as Pecharunt. Substitute is an option to allow Iron Valiant to scout opposing Pokemon to give it a free turn of setup while also protecting it against revenge killers such as Extreme Speed Dragonite or Choice Scarf Darkrai. Drain Punch gives Iron Valiant some sustain, allowing it to brawl with Pokemon such as Great Tusk a lot easier while keeping it out of priority range.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/heatranator.647728/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.102/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user6.105/
Iron Valiant stands out as a top tier offensive Pokemon in the tier, able to utilise its wide movepool to devestate any Pokemon that might attempt to check it. Options such as Swords Dance, Calm Mind, Mixed, or Choice Specs have very different counterplay, and thus a well played Iron Valiant can take out Pokemon such as Great Tusk or Galarian Slowking that might want to check it. Iron Valiant is also an incredible revenge killer with Booster Energy, able to OHKO Pokemon such as Zamazenta, Dragon Dance Dragonite, and Swords Dance Ogerpon-Wellspring while also outspeeding them. Iron Valiant can furthermore dip into its utility movepool, with options such as Encore and Destiny Bond either giving it more setup turns or allowing it to surprise typical counterplay even further. However, Iron Valiant does have its flaws. While it has a variety of options to choose from, it cannot fit them all into its set, meaning that Pokemon such as Galarian Slowking and Zamazenta can check it once they have scouted out the set. Furthermore, while it can typically take most strong neutral hits in a pinch, its low bulk does impede its sweeping potential, as priority users such as Dragonite, Weavile, and especially Scizor can revenge kill it once it has been weakened.
Other Options
=============
Either a Modest nature or Adamant nature alongside either Vacuum Wave or Shadow Sneak can be used to give Iron Valiant a lot more power while still retainin some of its revenge killing capabilities, though typically this is best used on Sticky Web teams. Choice Band sets can be used to break through traditional physical walls such as Great Tusk and Zamazenta due to its access to Spirit Break, while also being able to use Trick against walls such as Moltres and Dondozo it may not threaten as easily. Life Orb is an option to increase the power of Iron Valiants Mixed sets, which can pair especially well on Electric Terrain teams to still give it a Speed Boost, though the recoil damage can hurt its ability to stay out of revenge killing range from Pokemon such as Dragonite. Tera Stellar is an option that gives Iron Valiant a small boost to all its moves, allowing it to break through Pokemon such as Galarian Slowking and Zamazenta it might otherwise not OHKO. However, Iron Valiant typically prefers the defensive benefits that option such as Tera Steel or Tera Ghost provide, or the raw power like Tera Fairy provide over multiple uses. Thunder Wave can be used to slow down Pokemon such as Darkrai and Deoxys-S, while also punishing walls such as Pecharunt. Substitute is an option to allow Iron Valiant to scout opposing Pokemon to give it a free turn of setup while also protecting it against revenge killers such as Extreme Speed Dragonite or Choice Scarf Darkrai. Drain Punch gives Iron Valiant some sustain, allowing it to brawl with Pokemon such as Great Tusk a lot easier while keeping it out of priority range.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/heatranator.647728/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.102/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user6.105/
Last edited: