[OVERVIEW]
Volcarona scatters its embers across the battlefield as one of the scariest sweepers in the OU tier thanks to its solid Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed, potent STAB combination, and access to the incredible Quiver Dance. Its solid coverage and item options enable it to tailor itself to its team's needs and overcome traditional answers. Its Speed stat enables it to outspeed most of the unboosted metagame and Choice Scarf Landorus-T after a Quiver Dance. Volcarona often finds setup opportunities against common Steel- and Fairy-types like Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, Magearna, and Clefable, and with Substitute + Swarm, it can potentially outplay and beat Chansey after enough Quiver Dance boosts. Additionally, Flame Body grants Volcarona a valuable role as a setup sweeper that can punish revenge killers like Mega Medicham and Mega Lopunny, and it more easily handles Mega Mawile should it invest its EVs in physical bulk. However, its typing leaves it riddled with a nasty 4x weakness to Stealth Rock and weaknesses to common attacking types, such as Water and Flying. Volcarona also can't fit all of the coverage it wants in one set, as it will lose to specific Pokemon depending on the coverage move; it loses to Mega Tyranitar without Bug Buzz, can't do much to Heatran without Hidden Power Ground, and is walled by Toxapex without Psychic. Additionally, its poor Defense stat leaves it vulnerable to revenge killing attempts from priority users, such as Mega Medicham, Mega Lopunny, and Mega Pinsir, and it is outpaced by faster Pokemon, such as Choice Scarf Greninja, Hawlucha after activating Unburden, and weather sweepers like Sand Rush Excadrill and Mega Swampert under their weather, even after a Quiver Dance boost. As a result, it requires plenty of support, especially the removal of entry hazards, to truly flourish.
[SET]
name: Offensive Quiver Dance
move 1: Quiver Dance
move 2: Flamethrower / Fire Blast
move 3: Bug Buzz / Giga Drain / Psychic
move 4: Hidden Power Ground / Psychic
item: Buginium Z / Aguav Berry / Lum Berry / Leftovers / Psychium Z / Firium Z / Life Orb
ability: Flame Body
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Quiver Dance turns Volcarona into a dangerous wallbreaker and late-game sweeper. Volcarona's choice of Fire-type STAB move depends on whether it wants consistent accuracy and PP or more power; both of these moves torch Grass- and Steel-types like Serperior, Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Celesteela, while Fire Blast allows Volcarona to cleanly OHKO Choice Scarf Landorus-T and gives the highest possible chance to OHKO Gliscor and defensive Landorus-T at +1 after Stealth Rock. Bug Buzz threatens bulky Psychic-types like Mega Latias, Slowbro, and Cresselia, and it hits neutral targets like Garchomp for major damage. Giga Drain is Volcarona's strongest coverage option against Mega Diancie and Gastrodon and extends its longevity. Psychic smashes the likes of Toxapex and Kommo-o. Finally, Hidden Power Ground lets Volcarona pressure Heatran.
Set Details
========
The given Speed investment and a Timid nature ensure that Volcarona Speed ties against Pokemon like Mega Medicham and Mega Charizard Y. Volcarona is flexible with its item of choice. Buginium Z lets Volcarona deal massive damage with +1 Savage Spin-Out against neutral targets like OHKOing Manaphy from full HP and Seismitoad after Stealth Rock. If Volcarona is knocked into low HP, it can use an Aguav Berry to regain lost HP in a pinch and ensure that Greninja doesn't pick it off with Water Shuriken when it's boosted. Lum Berry lets Volcarona shrug off status attempts like Toxic from Gliscor and Heatran and Thunder Wave from Slowbro and Ferrothorn. Leftovers is an option in a similar manner to Aguav Berry to slowly recover HP, making Volcarona harder to chip down. Psychium Z should be used if Volcarona carries Psychic so that Shattered Psyche guarantees an OHKO on Toxapex. Firium Z turns Fire Blast into a one-time nuke and allows Volcarona to muscle past Chansey after prior chip damage. Lastly, Life Orb ensures a favorable chance to OHKO Clefable with +1 Fire Blast, and it synergizes well with Giga Drain to negate the recoil damage that Volcarona takes.
Usage Tips
========
Offensive Volcarona serves as a potent wallbreaker and a late-game cleaner, and it benefits from the removal of checks like Chansey before attempting to sweep. If it is used early in the game, it can bust open holes to soften checks like Heatran for its teammates to clean up later in the game. Volcarona despises entry hazards, as this will prevent it from starting its sweep, so it is recommended to keep hazards off the field before Volcarona can get ready to sweep. Volcarona often finds setup opportunities against a multitude of Pokemon, ranging from Grass- and Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Magearna, and Mega Scizor to Choice-locked Pokemon like Kartana and Tapu Lele. Volcarona must conserve its HP as much as possible, as taking chip damage decreases its setup opportunities later in the game and leaves it more susceptible to revenge killing attempts from Pokemon like Mega Lopunny. Therefore, the best methods of bringing Volcarona in safely are aggressive switches, pivot support from Volt Switch and U-turn, and switching in after a teammate is KOed. Volcarona must also be wary of Pokemon that can afflict it with status conditions, such as Toxic from Heatran, especially if it does not run Lum Berry to shrug them off.
Team Options
========
This Volcarona variant is a natural fit on offense, bulky offense, and hyper offense teams, which value its ability to clean weakened teams late-game. Strong wallbreakers like Mega Mawile, Kyurem-B, and Tapu Lele are fantastic partners for Volcarona, busting through annoying checks like Chansey and, depending on Volcarona's choice of coverage, Toxapex and Heatran. Additionally, Tapu Lele summons Psychic Terrain, powering up Volcarona's Psychic and preventing priority users like Ash-Greninja and Mega Lopunny from attempting to pick Volcarona off. Multiple forms of entry hazard prevention are highly recommended; on hyper offense teams, Volcarona can be paired with a lead like Mega Diancie, Taunt Mew, Excadrill, or Imprison Landorus-T with a Defogger like Serperior, while bulkier offense teams use a Defogger like Tapu Fini or Rotom-W with offensive variants of Mega Diancie or a secondary Defogger like Choice Scarf Landorus-T. Serperior utilizes Taunt to shut down Chansey, making it easier to wear it down with repeated attacks and Rocky Helmet chip damage; Tapu Fini handles Ash-Greninja and provides support with Misty Terrain, protecting Volcarona from status conditions and granting it safer setup opportunities; Rotom-W checks Mega Swampert and provides Volcarona a safe entry with Volt Switch; and Choice Scarf Landorus-T handles Mega Diancie and Mega Charizard X and brings Volcarona in safely with U-turn. Greninja is also a great partner for Volcarona, as Ash-Greninja overwhelms shared checks like Toxapex and benefits from Volcarona removing Grass-types like Ferrothorn and Tapu Bulu. Protean Greninja is also notable, as Fightinium Z variants can bait in and eliminate Chansey with All-Out Pummeling, and Groundium Z variants eliminate Toxapex with Tectonic Rage. Dragon Dance sweepers like Gyarados, Dragonite, and Mega Charizard X complement Volcarona very well, as they can overwhelm shared checks like Toxapex for the other to clean up later in the game. Fighting-type partners like Mega Medicham and Kommo-o form a splendid partnership with Volcarona, as it greatly appreciates the removal of Chansey, while Kommo-o uses its typing to handle Ash-Greninja. Kommonium Z variants of Kommo-o can also pressure Tapu Fini and Haze Toxapex with Taunt and force chip damage against them, and they benefit from the removal of Fairy-types, which block Clangorous Soulblaze and prevent Kommo-o from cleaning up late-game. Magearna is also a strong teammate for Volcarona, as Volcarona threatens Steel-types like Mega Scizor, Celesteela, and opposing Magearna. Cresselia grants crucial support with Lunar Dance to restore Volcarona back to full HP and remove any status ailments it has, allowing a second chance to sweep.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fiery Dance is an alternative Fire-type option to have a random chance of raising Volcarona's Special Attack, but its lower Base Power makes it an inferior option compared to Flamethrower. Hidden Power Ice can be used over Hidden Power Ground to more consistently OHKO the likes of Gliscor, Landorus-T, Garchomp, and a chipped Dragonite. However, without Hidden Power Ground, Volcarona is left at the mercy of Heatran. A Modest nature is an option on offensive variants to maximize Volcarona's damage output to allow the highest possible chance to OHKO bulky Tornadus-T with a +1 Fire Blast without Stealth Rock. However, this leaves Volcarona outpaced and revenge killed by Choice Scarf Landorus-T.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Entry Hazards**: Volcarona despises all forms of hazards, especially Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes, as they will reduce its setup opportunities later in the game.
**Faster Revenge Killers and Priority**: Pokemon like Choice Scarf Greninja, Hawlucha after activating Unburden, and weather sweepers like Sand Rush Excadrill and Mega Swampert outpace Volcarona even after a Quiver Dance and will threaten it back with major damage. Additionally, priority users, such as Mega Medicham, Mega Lopunny, Mega Pinsir, Ash-Greninja, and Crawdaunt, can come in and revenge kill a weakened Volcarona; however, they must do so at their own risk due to the chance of being burned by Flame Body, except in the case of Ash-Greninja, which can struggle to find a KO if Volcarona stacks enough boosts.
**Special Walls**: Chansey doesn't take much from Volcarona's attacks thanks to its massive special bulk, recovers any damage taken with Soft-Boiled, wears Volcarona down with Seismic Toss, and places it on a timer with Toxic. However, Chansey can be pressured and potentially outplayed by the Substitute + Swarm set. Volcarona must also be wary of Unaware Clefable, as it ignores Volcarona's boosts, turns it into setup fodder with Calm Mind, and stalls out its attacking PP with Wish + Protect.
**Water-types**: Toxapex is a solid answer to Volcarona sets lacking Psychic, can remove its stat boosts with Haze, and will put it on a timer with Toxic. Pelipper, Gyarados, and Keldeo resist both of Volcarona's STAB options and strike back with their super effective STAB moves. However, they can be blown away by the Psychium Z variant, and Keldeo must also be wary of Giga Drain. Manaphy and Gastrodon are bulky enough to survive +1 Bug Buzz and retaliate with Hydro Vortex and Toxic, respectively.
**Rock-types and Rock-type Coverage**: Mega Diancie resists both of Volcarona's STAB options and threatens it with an OHKO with Diamond Storm; however, Giga Drain can catch Mega Diancie by surprise. Mega Tyranitar takes on Volcarona variants that lack Bug Buzz and forces them out with Stone Edge. Volcarona must also watch out for Pokemon that can threaten it with Rock-type coverage moves, such as Stone Edge from Landorus-T and Tapu Bulu.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-types like Kommo-o, Dragonite, and the rare Mega Altaria don't take much from Volcarona's STAB options and force it out in return. The former two can nab free setup opportunities against it, while Mega Altaria can cripple it with Toxic or phaze it with Roar. However, Kommo-o must be wary of variants that carry Psychic.
**Fire-types**: Both Mega Charizard formes resist both of Volcarona's STAB moves and fire back with heavy damage. Additionally, Heatran is immune to Volcarona's Fire-type STAB option thanks to Flash Fire, pressures it with Taunt, and puts it on a timer with Toxic; however, Heatran must watch out for Hidden Power Ground. Victini deserves a mention because it is bulky enough to survive +1 Bug Buzz and threaten it back with V-create.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/favmon-garchomp.653095/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/diyusi.519886/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
Volcarona scatters its embers across the battlefield as one of the scariest sweepers in the OU tier thanks to its solid Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed, potent STAB combination, and access to the incredible Quiver Dance. Its solid coverage and item options enable it to tailor itself to its team's needs and overcome traditional answers. Its Speed stat enables it to outspeed most of the unboosted metagame and Choice Scarf Landorus-T after a Quiver Dance. Volcarona often finds setup opportunities against common Steel- and Fairy-types like Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, Magearna, and Clefable, and with Substitute + Swarm, it can potentially outplay and beat Chansey after enough Quiver Dance boosts. Additionally, Flame Body grants Volcarona a valuable role as a setup sweeper that can punish revenge killers like Mega Medicham and Mega Lopunny, and it more easily handles Mega Mawile should it invest its EVs in physical bulk. However, its typing leaves it riddled with a nasty 4x weakness to Stealth Rock and weaknesses to common attacking types, such as Water and Flying. Volcarona also can't fit all of the coverage it wants in one set, as it will lose to specific Pokemon depending on the coverage move; it loses to Mega Tyranitar without Bug Buzz, can't do much to Heatran without Hidden Power Ground, and is walled by Toxapex without Psychic. Additionally, its poor Defense stat leaves it vulnerable to revenge killing attempts from priority users, such as Mega Medicham, Mega Lopunny, and Mega Pinsir, and it is outpaced by faster Pokemon, such as Choice Scarf Greninja, Hawlucha after activating Unburden, and weather sweepers like Sand Rush Excadrill and Mega Swampert under their weather, even after a Quiver Dance boost. As a result, it requires plenty of support, especially the removal of entry hazards, to truly flourish.
[SET]
name: Offensive Quiver Dance
move 1: Quiver Dance
move 2: Flamethrower / Fire Blast
move 3: Bug Buzz / Giga Drain / Psychic
move 4: Hidden Power Ground / Psychic
item: Buginium Z / Aguav Berry / Lum Berry / Leftovers / Psychium Z / Firium Z / Life Orb
ability: Flame Body
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Quiver Dance turns Volcarona into a dangerous wallbreaker and late-game sweeper. Volcarona's choice of Fire-type STAB move depends on whether it wants consistent accuracy and PP or more power; both of these moves torch Grass- and Steel-types like Serperior, Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Celesteela, while Fire Blast allows Volcarona to cleanly OHKO Choice Scarf Landorus-T and gives the highest possible chance to OHKO Gliscor and defensive Landorus-T at +1 after Stealth Rock. Bug Buzz threatens bulky Psychic-types like Mega Latias, Slowbro, and Cresselia, and it hits neutral targets like Garchomp for major damage. Giga Drain is Volcarona's strongest coverage option against Mega Diancie and Gastrodon and extends its longevity. Psychic smashes the likes of Toxapex and Kommo-o. Finally, Hidden Power Ground lets Volcarona pressure Heatran.
Set Details
========
The given Speed investment and a Timid nature ensure that Volcarona Speed ties against Pokemon like Mega Medicham and Mega Charizard Y. Volcarona is flexible with its item of choice. Buginium Z lets Volcarona deal massive damage with +1 Savage Spin-Out against neutral targets like OHKOing Manaphy from full HP and Seismitoad after Stealth Rock. If Volcarona is knocked into low HP, it can use an Aguav Berry to regain lost HP in a pinch and ensure that Greninja doesn't pick it off with Water Shuriken when it's boosted. Lum Berry lets Volcarona shrug off status attempts like Toxic from Gliscor and Heatran and Thunder Wave from Slowbro and Ferrothorn. Leftovers is an option in a similar manner to Aguav Berry to slowly recover HP, making Volcarona harder to chip down. Psychium Z should be used if Volcarona carries Psychic so that Shattered Psyche guarantees an OHKO on Toxapex. Firium Z turns Fire Blast into a one-time nuke and allows Volcarona to muscle past Chansey after prior chip damage. Lastly, Life Orb ensures a favorable chance to OHKO Clefable with +1 Fire Blast, and it synergizes well with Giga Drain to negate the recoil damage that Volcarona takes.
Usage Tips
========
Offensive Volcarona serves as a potent wallbreaker and a late-game cleaner, and it benefits from the removal of checks like Chansey before attempting to sweep. If it is used early in the game, it can bust open holes to soften checks like Heatran for its teammates to clean up later in the game. Volcarona despises entry hazards, as this will prevent it from starting its sweep, so it is recommended to keep hazards off the field before Volcarona can get ready to sweep. Volcarona often finds setup opportunities against a multitude of Pokemon, ranging from Grass- and Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Magearna, and Mega Scizor to Choice-locked Pokemon like Kartana and Tapu Lele. Volcarona must conserve its HP as much as possible, as taking chip damage decreases its setup opportunities later in the game and leaves it more susceptible to revenge killing attempts from Pokemon like Mega Lopunny. Therefore, the best methods of bringing Volcarona in safely are aggressive switches, pivot support from Volt Switch and U-turn, and switching in after a teammate is KOed. Volcarona must also be wary of Pokemon that can afflict it with status conditions, such as Toxic from Heatran, especially if it does not run Lum Berry to shrug them off.
Team Options
========
This Volcarona variant is a natural fit on offense, bulky offense, and hyper offense teams, which value its ability to clean weakened teams late-game. Strong wallbreakers like Mega Mawile, Kyurem-B, and Tapu Lele are fantastic partners for Volcarona, busting through annoying checks like Chansey and, depending on Volcarona's choice of coverage, Toxapex and Heatran. Additionally, Tapu Lele summons Psychic Terrain, powering up Volcarona's Psychic and preventing priority users like Ash-Greninja and Mega Lopunny from attempting to pick Volcarona off. Multiple forms of entry hazard prevention are highly recommended; on hyper offense teams, Volcarona can be paired with a lead like Mega Diancie, Taunt Mew, Excadrill, or Imprison Landorus-T with a Defogger like Serperior, while bulkier offense teams use a Defogger like Tapu Fini or Rotom-W with offensive variants of Mega Diancie or a secondary Defogger like Choice Scarf Landorus-T. Serperior utilizes Taunt to shut down Chansey, making it easier to wear it down with repeated attacks and Rocky Helmet chip damage; Tapu Fini handles Ash-Greninja and provides support with Misty Terrain, protecting Volcarona from status conditions and granting it safer setup opportunities; Rotom-W checks Mega Swampert and provides Volcarona a safe entry with Volt Switch; and Choice Scarf Landorus-T handles Mega Diancie and Mega Charizard X and brings Volcarona in safely with U-turn. Greninja is also a great partner for Volcarona, as Ash-Greninja overwhelms shared checks like Toxapex and benefits from Volcarona removing Grass-types like Ferrothorn and Tapu Bulu. Protean Greninja is also notable, as Fightinium Z variants can bait in and eliminate Chansey with All-Out Pummeling, and Groundium Z variants eliminate Toxapex with Tectonic Rage. Dragon Dance sweepers like Gyarados, Dragonite, and Mega Charizard X complement Volcarona very well, as they can overwhelm shared checks like Toxapex for the other to clean up later in the game. Fighting-type partners like Mega Medicham and Kommo-o form a splendid partnership with Volcarona, as it greatly appreciates the removal of Chansey, while Kommo-o uses its typing to handle Ash-Greninja. Kommonium Z variants of Kommo-o can also pressure Tapu Fini and Haze Toxapex with Taunt and force chip damage against them, and they benefit from the removal of Fairy-types, which block Clangorous Soulblaze and prevent Kommo-o from cleaning up late-game. Magearna is also a strong teammate for Volcarona, as Volcarona threatens Steel-types like Mega Scizor, Celesteela, and opposing Magearna. Cresselia grants crucial support with Lunar Dance to restore Volcarona back to full HP and remove any status ailments it has, allowing a second chance to sweep.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fiery Dance is an alternative Fire-type option to have a random chance of raising Volcarona's Special Attack, but its lower Base Power makes it an inferior option compared to Flamethrower. Hidden Power Ice can be used over Hidden Power Ground to more consistently OHKO the likes of Gliscor, Landorus-T, Garchomp, and a chipped Dragonite. However, without Hidden Power Ground, Volcarona is left at the mercy of Heatran. A Modest nature is an option on offensive variants to maximize Volcarona's damage output to allow the highest possible chance to OHKO bulky Tornadus-T with a +1 Fire Blast without Stealth Rock. However, this leaves Volcarona outpaced and revenge killed by Choice Scarf Landorus-T.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Entry Hazards**: Volcarona despises all forms of hazards, especially Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes, as they will reduce its setup opportunities later in the game.
**Faster Revenge Killers and Priority**: Pokemon like Choice Scarf Greninja, Hawlucha after activating Unburden, and weather sweepers like Sand Rush Excadrill and Mega Swampert outpace Volcarona even after a Quiver Dance and will threaten it back with major damage. Additionally, priority users, such as Mega Medicham, Mega Lopunny, Mega Pinsir, Ash-Greninja, and Crawdaunt, can come in and revenge kill a weakened Volcarona; however, they must do so at their own risk due to the chance of being burned by Flame Body, except in the case of Ash-Greninja, which can struggle to find a KO if Volcarona stacks enough boosts.
**Special Walls**: Chansey doesn't take much from Volcarona's attacks thanks to its massive special bulk, recovers any damage taken with Soft-Boiled, wears Volcarona down with Seismic Toss, and places it on a timer with Toxic. However, Chansey can be pressured and potentially outplayed by the Substitute + Swarm set. Volcarona must also be wary of Unaware Clefable, as it ignores Volcarona's boosts, turns it into setup fodder with Calm Mind, and stalls out its attacking PP with Wish + Protect.
**Water-types**: Toxapex is a solid answer to Volcarona sets lacking Psychic, can remove its stat boosts with Haze, and will put it on a timer with Toxic. Pelipper, Gyarados, and Keldeo resist both of Volcarona's STAB options and strike back with their super effective STAB moves. However, they can be blown away by the Psychium Z variant, and Keldeo must also be wary of Giga Drain. Manaphy and Gastrodon are bulky enough to survive +1 Bug Buzz and retaliate with Hydro Vortex and Toxic, respectively.
**Rock-types and Rock-type Coverage**: Mega Diancie resists both of Volcarona's STAB options and threatens it with an OHKO with Diamond Storm; however, Giga Drain can catch Mega Diancie by surprise. Mega Tyranitar takes on Volcarona variants that lack Bug Buzz and forces them out with Stone Edge. Volcarona must also watch out for Pokemon that can threaten it with Rock-type coverage moves, such as Stone Edge from Landorus-T and Tapu Bulu.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-types like Kommo-o, Dragonite, and the rare Mega Altaria don't take much from Volcarona's STAB options and force it out in return. The former two can nab free setup opportunities against it, while Mega Altaria can cripple it with Toxic or phaze it with Roar. However, Kommo-o must be wary of variants that carry Psychic.
**Fire-types**: Both Mega Charizard formes resist both of Volcarona's STAB moves and fire back with heavy damage. Additionally, Heatran is immune to Volcarona's Fire-type STAB option thanks to Flash Fire, pressures it with Taunt, and puts it on a timer with Toxic; however, Heatran must watch out for Hidden Power Ground. Victini deserves a mention because it is bulky enough to survive +1 Bug Buzz and threaten it back with V-create.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/favmon-garchomp.653095/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/diyusi.519886/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
Last edited:
