uploaded -zard
[OVERVIEW]
Pyroar is one of the premier special attackers in the tier thanks to its valuable Fire typing and great offensive stats. Fantastic coverage between Fire Blast and Hyper Voice makes Pyroar difficult to switch into when it's holding Choice Specs or Life Orb, outside of Rock-types like Regirock. Because it outspeeds most of the metagame, Pyroar can also act as an efficient revenge killer, especially when holding a Choice Scarf. However, Pyroar is frail and easily revenge killed by faster Pokemon or priority, especially Mach Punch. Poor bulk and a subpar defensive typing, including a weakness to Stealth Rock, make it harder to bring in than most other Pokemon. Pyroar does face some competition as a Fire-type from the stronger and bulkier Magmortar, which also possesses Focus Blast to deal with Rock-types. However, Pyroar's superior speed stat and STAB Hyper Voice let it stand out and make it a valuable addition to most teams.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Hyper Voice
move 3: Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Flamethrower / Taunt / Will-O-Wisp
item: Choice Specs / Life Orb
ability: Unnerve
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fire Blast is Pyroar's strongest Fire-type STAB move that is consistent at dealing damage. Hyper Voice is Pyroar's secondary STAB move and allows it to deal heavy damage to Pokemon that resist Fire Blast such as Miltank and Lanturn, excluding Rock-types. Hidden Power Grass allows Pyroar to hit Rock-types like Regirock and Carracosta for decent damage. Flamethrower can be used to provide an accurate Fire-type STAB in situations where Fire Blast's power is unnecessary. If Life Orb is being used over Choice Specs, Taunt is an option to break through walls like Miltank and Clefairy by preventing them from using recovery. Will-O-Wisp can help Pyroar play around Sucker Punch and cripple some physical attackers like Shiftry and Hitmonchan.
Set Details
========
Choice Specs is used to make Pyroar very powerful at the cost of being locked into one move. Life Orb also offers significant power while allowing Pyroar to switch moves, although it isn't quite as strong and the recoil can be harmful, especially considering Stealth Rock already cuts Pyroar's health significantly. Maximum EVs in Special Attack and Speed as well as a Timid nature make Pyroar as fast and strong as possible. While none of Pyroar's abilities are great, Unnerve is chosen due to its occasional use against Lum Berry or Occa Berry users.
Usage Tips
========
Pyroar can be brought into play to revenge kill slower Pokemon or on moves it can tank due to its typing, such as Ferroseed's Gyro Ball and Oricorio-G's Revelation Dance. Pyroar can also be switch in with U-turn or Volt Switch support or when predicting the opponent to switch to something it can threaten, like Gourgeist. Pyroar should be used mid-game to punch holes in teams with its power and coverage, unless the opponent has a dedicated counter like specially defensive Clefairy. Against slower teams with bulky Fire-resistant Pokemon like Assault Vest Lanturn, Pyroar can be saved for late-game to clean weakened teams because of its high Speed. If Pyroar is holding Choice Specs, beware of locking it into non-STAB options, as they may allow Pokemon like Gurdurr and Musharna Be aware of Pyroar's health when switching it in and out, especially when Stealth Rock is on the field. If Pyroar is holding a Life Orb, accurately predicting switches is crucial to avoid chipping away health each turn.
Team Options
========
Fighting-resistant Pokemon like Weezing, Mesprit, and Sableye can switch into Mach Punch and other Fighting-type attacks aimed at Pyroar; Mesprit also offers U-turn and Healing Wish support. Pokemon that resist Water like Lanturn, Ludicolo, and Gastrodon can switch into Water-type attacks aimed at Pyroar. Pokemon that like Grass-types gone, such as Gastrodon and Lanturn, appreciate Pyroar's ability to switch in on and threaten Grass-types. Pokemon that like Steel-types gone like Mesprit and Archeops appreciate Pyroar switching in on and threatening the likes of Ferroseed and Mawile. Certain offensive Pokemon, such as Kangaskhan, Skuntank, and Alolan Raichu, benefit from Pyroar's ability to weaken shared counters like Regirock and Gastrodon. Other cleaners that benefit from Pyroar's ability to punch holes and weaken teams include Floatzel and Archeops. Entry hazard removers such as Skuntank and Hitmonchan are often useful to Pyroar because of its Stealth Rock weakness, and Skuntank also absorbs Toxic Spikes, which can quickly chip away at Pyroar's health. Hazard support in Stealth Rock and Spikes from Pokemon like Regirock, Mesprit, and Qwilfish help Pyroar score OHKOs and 2HKOs so it can KO Pokemon without having to take a hit.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Hyper Voice
move 3: Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Flamethrower / Overheat
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Unnerve
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fire Blast is Pyroar's best attack for revenge killing Pokemon, as it is the strongest reliable Fire-type move it learns. Hyper Voice deals decent damage to Pokemon that resist Fire like Magmortar and Drampa and functions as Pyroar's secondary STAB move. Hidden Power Grass allows Pyroar to 2HKO Gastrodon and Carracosta on a predicated switch, and it is Pyroar's only attack that can really dent Regirock. Flamethrower provides accuracy in situations where Pyroar needs to revenge kill a threat without missing. Alternatively, Overheat provides a powerful attack that allows Pyroar to revenge kill certain threats like Primeape from full HP but at the cost of lowering its Special Attack.
Set Details
========
Maximum EVs in Special Attack and Speed as well as a Timid nature make Pyroar as fast and strong as possible. Since Choice Scarf Pyroar is already very fast, it can also use a Modest nature, which still lets it outspeed Lilligant at +1 but prevents it from outpacing Choice Scarf Primeape and Ludicolo in rain. Despite not being very useful, Unnerve is the best of Pyroar's three abilities.
Usage Tips
========
Choice Scarf Pyroar is a revenge kille and outspeeds nearly the entire metagame, so it can be brought in to revenge kill any weakened offensive Pokemon. Pyroar can also be brought in on weak or resisted moves, from a U-turn, or when predicting the opponent to switch to Pokemon weak to Fire. If the opponent has any Speed-boosting setup sweeper, like Z-Lovely Kiss Jynx or Lilligant, be careful not to sacrifice Pyroar early. Pyroar can often be saved for late-game to function as a cleaner and finish off an entire weakened team. Choice Scarf Pyroar can be easy setup bait for sweepers like Carracosta and Musharna, so Pyroar should generally not be sent into battle if your team lacks appropriate counterplay to those Pokemon. For similar reasons, you should be very careful before locking Pyroar into Hidden Power Grass, because most of the tier can take advantage of the weak move for free turns. Because Pyroar has to switch in and out of battle to revenge kill Pokemon, keeping Stealth Rock and other entry hazards off your side of the field is recommended so it does not have to take heavy chip damage each time it comes in.
Team Options
========
Pyroar is a revenge killer, and it needs Pokemon to weaken bulky tanks and Fire-resistant Pokemon. Strong Pokemon that share checks like Choice Specs Mesprit and Archeops can help it with this, and they can also can take Ground-type attacks aimed at Pyroar. Pokemon such as Gastrodon and Gourgeist that are setup bait for Speed-boosting sweepers like Lilligant and Jynx appreciate Choice Scarf Pyroar's ability to revenge kill these foes. Pyroar appreciates Pokemon that switch into its weaknesses, so Fighting-resistant Pokemon like Mesprit and Qwilfish, Water-resistant Pokemon like Lanturn, and Rock-resistant Pokemon like Hitmonchan make good partners. Pokemon that are weak to Grass-types appreciate Pyroar being able to force them out, so Pokemon like Regirock and Floatzel are decent partners. The same goes for Pokemon like Mesprit and Kangaskhan, which struggle with Steel-types. The Stealth Rock weakness makes it hard for Pyroar to come in and out of battle, so entry hazard removers like Skuntank, Lurantis, and Hitmonchan are very useful. Hazard support is important so that Pyroar can score KOs on weakened Pokemon it wants to revenge kill. Stealth Rock setters like Regirock and Mesprit and Spikes users like Qwilfish are good options for this.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
If you can afford a Z-Crystal Normalium Z and Grassium Z are decent options. Normalium Z with Hyper Voice provides a strong 175-Base Power move in Breakneck Blitz, and Grassium Z with Solar Beam provides a 190-Base Power move to KO Pokemon like Lanturn that Pyroar lures in. However, neither offer the consistent power of Choice Specs or Life Orb. Flame Plate and Silk Scarf are options for Pyroar to bluff Choice items without taking recoil or using up a Z-Move slot, but the loss in power is very noticeable. Work Up can be used paired with the two aforementioned Z-Moves. Z-Sunny Day is a viable set to boost Pyroar's Speed and power, though it is easier to simply attack with Pyroar rather than attempt a sweep.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rock-types**: Bulky Rock-type Pokemon like Regirock, Cradily, and Carracosta can easily switch into Fire Blast and Hyper Voice. Regirock can tank any hit, although Cradily must beware of Choice Specs-boosted Fire Blast and Carracosta must be wary of Hidden Power Grass. Archeops outspeeds Pyroar and can OHKO it with Earthquake, although boosted Fire Blast will activate Defeatist, and Lycanroc can switch into any one hit and OHKO Pyroar. Golem and Kabutops are other examples of Pokemon that resist Pyroar's STAB attacks and can switch in if predicted correctly.
**Water-types**: Bulky Water-type Pokemon like Lanturn and Poliwrath can easily tank a Fire Blast and even switch in on Hyper Voice or Hidden Power Grass if necessary, though they can be worn down due to lack of recovery. Gastrodon fears Hidden Power Grass and Choice Specs-boosted Hyper Voice, but it can take other attacks from Pyroar. Floatzel is able to oustpeed non-Choice Scarf Pyroar and OHKO it with Hydro Pump.
**Other Fire-resistant Pokemon**: While uncommon, Dragon-type Pokemon such as Drampa can check Pyroar, as can bulkier Fire-types such as Assault Vest Magmortar. Thick Fat Miltank can switch into Pyroar's attacks except Choice Specs-boosted Hyper Voice, and Munchlax is a full counter.
**Special Tanks and Walls**: Audino can counter Pyroar unless it comes in after entry hazards on Choice Specs Fire Blast. Clefairy counters any Pyroar set lacking Taunt, and Type: Null is pressured to use Rest, though it can switch into Pyroar without much trouble. Assault Vest users like Hitmonchan and Kecleon can switch in on Pyroar and beat it.
**Faster Pokemon and Priority**: Pyroar is frail, and most offensive Pokemon that can outspeed it can easily revenge kill it. This includes Archeops, Floatzel, Choice Scarf Primeape, and Alolan Raichu. Pyroar is also weak to many forms of priority such as Mach Punch, Aqua Jet, and Accelerock and can be threatened by other priority users like Absol, Skuntank, and Kangaskhan.
Last edited by a moderator:
