TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. Introduction
2. Proof of Peak
3. Team + Description
4. Team Building Process
5. Team usage tips
6. Threatlist
7. Replays
8. Shoutouts
9. Importable
10. Outro
1. INTRODUCTION
Hello everyone! It’s Pinkacross, and I’ve got another team. When Cinderace’s Libero came out, I realized something big: We finally had the first U-Turner that could do good damage with a U-turn. Additionally, the presence of Rillaboom and Cinderace’s new abilities would cause the meta to become more offensive, and even more vulnerable to the Volt-Turn playstyle. This is an extremely fun team, one of the most fun I’ve ever used. Unfortunate things are going on in the world right now, and it’s important to take a break. I hope this team allows you to enjoy PS, take a break from your troubles, and have fun spamming Volt Switch, U-Turn, and Parting Shot. Without further ado, here is my Libero Cinderace Volt-Turn.
2. PROOF OF PEAK
My main account has had GXE ruined by testing stuff like Graploct. Still, Tenebricite is working to provide a peak with a better GXE.
3. TEAM + DESCRIPTION
I will now break down each pokemon individually, explaining EVs, movesets, and purpose on the team.
Cinderace @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Libero
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Pyro Ball
- Sucker Punch
- Court Change/Gunk Shot
Cinderace is the star of the team, and the reason I thought to make a Volt-Turn. I initially ran Choice Band, but I realized that speed would be much more valuable than power due to the initially poor matchup against offense. Choice Scarf is fantastic against this fast and frail meta that is rising right now. U-turn is the move I click most. It works very well with Toxtricity, and it allows me to outspeed everything in the tier (other than Scarf Dragapult) and safely U-turn out. Due to this level of safety, Cinderace is the most common lead for the team. A particularly useful setup is U-turning turn 1, switching into Eject Button Toxapex, and then swapping into a check for whichever pokemon attacked that turn. Pyro Ball works extremely well in combination with Reuniclus’ Future Sight. Sucker Punch can be used against sweepers, especially once they are poisoned from Toxapex or Silvally (So they can’t spam setup moves on your Sucker Punch). Court Change is rarely used, since we have Corviknight, one of the best defogers in the tier. However, in a pinch, or when the opponent has 3 layers of spikes and rocks up against you, this can be used to flip hazards. Note that Court Change also flips screens. This can be good to use against HO teams. However, Gunk Shot over Court Change makes Togekiss and Hatterene, two threats to the team, much less difficult to deal with. The choice is up to personal preference.
NOTABLE CALCS:
252 Atk Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Corviknight: 254-300 (63.5 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Zeraora: 255-301 (80.4 - 94.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Libero Cinderace Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Dragapult: 300-354 (94.6 - 111.6%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
Toxtricity @ Choice Specs
Ability: Punk Rock
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Overdrive
- Boomburst
- Sludge Wave
Toxtricity is the Volt Switch user on this Volt-Turn. It is also the member on the team with the most raw power. Toxtricity is the most vital member for breaking down bulky teams, and if the opponent has no ground types or electric immunities, this thing can go wild. Toxtricity is important for killing lots of pokemon that people typically switch in to take a U-turn from Cinderace, most notably Toxapex and Hippowdon. Overdrive should be used as a powerful breaking option when the opponent has a Ghost type that is still alive (Heh). Overdrive also passes through substitutes, allowing this pokemon to OHKO Togekiss and Primarina from behind a substitute. Boomburst is Toxtricity’s most powerful move, despite the stab effect of Overdrive. With Punk Rock, this move gets a whopping 182 base power. This is important for fainting pokemon such as Zeraora, Hippowdon, and spamming when the opponent lacks a Ghost type. Sludge Wave is a move I rarely use, but it is important because it allows it to break Clefable. In summary, Toxtricity is the breaker of the team, and has the most powerful momentum move of Volt Switch.
NOTABLE CALCS:
252 SpA Choice Specs Punk Rock Toxtricity Boomburst vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hippowdon: 355-419 (84.5 - 99.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Punk Rock Toxtricity Overdrive vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Toxapex: 343-406 (112.8 - 133.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Punk Rock Toxtricity Boomburst vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Toxapex: 199-235 (65.4 - 77.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Punk Rock Toxtricity Boomburst vs. 252 HP / 160+ SpD Mandibuzz: 220-259 (51.8 - 61%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Toxtricity Sludge Wave vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Clefable: 326-386 (82.7 - 97.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Reuniclus @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Quiet Nature
- Future Sight
- Psyshock
- Knock Off
- Energy Ball
Reuniclus helps this team against bulkier builds with Future Sight support. Future Sight + Cinderace’s Pyro Ball or Toxtricity’s Boomburst can make a stall or bulky team shatter. Usually Reuniclus will simply come in, Future Sight, and switch out. However, it has a few other roles. Knock Off is helpful for removing Leftovers from pokemon such as Toxapex, Clefable, and Corviknight. Psyshock allows Reuniclus to use its own Future Sight to break pokemon such as Clefable, and it gives it an instantly hitting stab move. Energy ball is helpful on Reuniclus for OHKOing Seismitoad, doing loads of damage to Hippowdon, having a small chance to OHKO Rhyperior, and even breaking apart rain teams. To safely allow a sweeper to enter after clicking Future Sight, Reuniclus can switch into Eject Button Toxapex, then into Cinderace, Toxtricity, or, on rare occasions, Silvally. While Cinderace is a common lead against offensive teams, Reuniclus is a good lead against bulkier builds. Reuniclus can also tank a hit from the likes of Specs Aegislash, Specs Chandelure, Specs Dragapult, and Specs Gengar. It can then punish these pokemon with a Knock Off, considerably weakening them, or in the case of Gengar, OHKOing with a psyshock. Overall, Reuniclus acts as Future Sight support, a light Kyurem check, and a Ghost bait.
NOTABLE CALCS:
252+ SpA Choice Specs Chandelure Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Reuniclus: 354-416 (83.6 - 98.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Aegislash-Blade Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Reuniclus: 344-408 (81.3 - 96.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Reuniclus Energy Ball vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Seismitoad: 528-624 (127.5 - 150.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Reuniclus Energy Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hippowdon: 274-324 (65.2 - 77.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Reuniclus Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hippowdon: 274-324 (65.2 - 77.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Toxapex @ Eject Button
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic
- Recover
- Haze
- Scald
Toxapex was put on this team as a wall, and a “1 free momentum pass.” The eject button is helpful against offense in particular. Toxapex’s Eject button gives you one free ghost hit without having to sack anything. Toxapex is less helpful against stall and bulky teams, though in a pinch, you can always beat (or tie) stall by swapping between Toxapex and Reuniclus until turn 1000. The only time at which Toxapex’s Eject Button is harmful is against HO. Toxapex cannot take on Cloyster if it’s Eject Button is still intact. Try to burn it early on by luring an attack from Grimmsnarl, or taking an Infestation from a Shuckle. The one other situation in which the Eject Button is bad is when dealing with an opposing Bulk Up Cinderace. Toxapex can tank a +1 Zen Headbutt and then Toxic, unless it still has it’s Eject Button. 8 speed allows Toxapex to outspeed and Haze CM Reuniclus. A great setup is using Future Sight with Reuniclus, which often brings in the opponent’s Cinderace for a U-turn. You can then swap in Toxapex, which will cause their U-turn to not switch them out, but instead only swap out Toxapex. Cinderace will then take the full force of a Future Sight, which has a 25% chance to OHKO. Toxapex’s Eject Button allows it to get a great advantage against other HO teams; but be careful: You can only use it once.
NOTABLE CALCS:
+1 252 Atk Libero Cinderace Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex: 194-230 (63.8 - 75.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Corviknight @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Body Press
- U-turn
- Defog
- Roost
Corviknight is easily the best defog user in the tier. It has Pressure, meaning that the PP of Defog outnumbers the opponent’s Stealth Rocks. Body Press is for stopping Bisharp, and to give Corviknight a strong attack. U-turn is helpful, especially since the meta is becoming faster. This allows Corviknight to get a slow turn frequently after Defoging or coming in to wall something. Roost is good for reliable recovery. In some games, the opponent will attempt to use hazards and offensive pressure to keep Corviknight from using Defog. Hazards are extremely bad for this team, mainly due to the amount of switching around we do. If the opponent attempts such pressure, a good thing to do is Parting Shot with Silvally into Corviknight. At -1, there is almost nothing in the tier that can do 88% to Corviknight, and you can get off a Defog. Corviknight is overall a good wall that works alongside Toxapex and Silvally, as well as providing removal and momentum.
NOTABLE CALCS:
252+ Def Corviknight Body Press vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Bisharp: 332-392 (122.5 - 144.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Corviknight: 254-300 (63.5 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Silvally-Ground @ Ground Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Multi-Attack
- Toxic
- Flamethrower
- Parting Shot
Silvally is one of the best pokemon on this team. That may surprise many of you. Despite being in PUBL, Silvally performs very well on this team. I needed a Zeraora check, and Silvally fit well. It is essentially a stronger Hippowdon that doesn’t drain momentum. Silvally can live 2 grass knots from Zeraora. Silvally outspeeds and OHKOs Blade Form Aegislash, which is very helpful considering the team’s weakness to Specs Aegislash. Silvally is also a decent abuser of Future Sight. It can use Toxic on switchins such as Mandibuzz and Hydreigon, and surprise Ferrothorn with a Flamethrower. It can also kill Hippowdon with Future Sight + 2 Multi Attacks. Silvally is a defensive wall that provides great utility and momentum for the team. However, note that it does not have recovery. While Silvally can check things such as Aegislash and Cinderace at least once, try to use Toxapex and other pokemon with recovery to wall things first, especially if Silvally seems crucial late-game. Even while uninvested, Silvally outspeeds Mandibuzz, Aegislash, and Primarina. Use Silvally when it is needed, but swap it in with caution, especially when the opponent has a Zeraora.
NOTABLE CALCS:
0 Atk Silvally-Ground Multi-Attack vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Zeraora: 350-414 (110.4 - 130.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
4 SpA Zeraora Grass Knot (100 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Silvally-Ground: 154-182 (39 - 46.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Silvally-Ground Multi-Attack vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Aegislash-Blade: 426-504 (163.2 - 193.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0- SpA Silvally-Ground Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Ferrothorn: 200-236 (56.8 - 67%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
4. TEAM BUILDING PROCESS
This is the process of how my idea became a team.
When libero cinderace came out, I knew I finally had a good U-turner for a Volt-Turn team.
Toxtricity was easily the most powerful and viable Volt Switcher to work alongside Cinderace, so I added it as a breaker.
I needed hazards, and a way to start the volt-turn spam. I added a stealth rock Eject Pack Duraludon to set rocks and initiate the momentum cycle.
I added on Eject Button Toxapex to have some bulk, and also for extra momentum. Toxapex walled so much, and it seemed to work well at bringing in my Volt Turners.
I needed a Defoger, so I chose the best. I also figured Corviknight would be good for getting in Cinderace and Toxtricity with its low speed and u-turn.
I needed a Zeraora check, and Hippowdown seemed very good in the meta, especially with all the Cinderace running around. I didn’t run rocks, but rather a Curse set to beat Bulk Up Cinderace.
I was suffering against bulky teams, and I realized that rocks were no longer a necessity. Most pokemon weak to rocks ran heavy duty boots anyway, and I realized that since my team switched around so often, I ended up typically removing my own rocks. To better my matchup against bulky teams, I added an AV Future Sight Reuniclus to break those teams apart.
Hippowdon seemed to be doing very little, and every time I brought it in it completely drained momentum and gave the opponent an advantage. Therefore, I found myself a Zeraora check that fit the team better, and provided momentum instead of draining it. Testing proved that Silvally worked very well.
5. TEAM USAGE TIPS
Here are a few tips to make the most out of this team:
- When playing against offensive teams, Cinderace is usually the best lead. Try not to reveal the scarf if you don’t have to, it can catch people off guard.
- When playing against bulky teams, Reuniclus is usually the best lead. Try to dismantle the team as early as possible with Future Sights.
- Try to bait Specs ghost types such as Gengar, Dragapult, Aegislash, and Chandelure with Reuniclus. AV Reuniclus can live one hit from any of these, and severely weaken them with a Knock Off.
- Use Future Sight → Cinderace, Toxtricity, or Silvally. Based on how the opponent’s team works, one of these is likely devastating with support from Future Sight.
- Play aggressively, unless the opponent is using a very bulky team or stall. The defensive core of Reuniclus, Toxapex, and Corviknight may sometimes make a more laid back playstyle seem good. It is almost always not. If you try to wall out your opponent instead of getting in Cinderace and Toxtricity, it is likely the team will just get worn down and slowly lose.
- DO NOT underestimate Silvally. That thing is really good, for real.
- Practice. This is the type of team most of you will not be used to, especially since the meta has been bulky for almost the entirety of gen 8. It may feel strange to play offense at first, but you’ll get it in no time, I’m sure.
6. THREAT LIST
Dragapult alone is not a threat. Substitute Dragon Dance sets just 6-0. This is very uncommon, however. We can deal with Specs, standard Dragon Dance, Scarf, and Band quite well. Sub Hex is a bit difficult to deal with. Try to Knock with Reuniclus, and if that is not possible, chip it down to the point where Toxtricity can KO through the substitute with an Overdrive. It does a minimum of 46.3%.
Togekiss is extremely threatening. It can be killed through Substitute with a Toxtricity Overdrive, but that is not consistent and can be flinched. Try to catch the Togekiss on the switchin with a Toxic from Silvally or Toxapex. You can also wear down Togekiss with Psyshocks from Reuniclus, and finish it off with a Pyro Ball from Cinderace. If Togekiss becomes a persisting problem, you can run Gunk Shot over Court Change on Cinderace.
Ghost types in general can be problematic if not dealt with properly. Try to bait a Shadow Ball into Reuniclus and then Knock Off. Remember that Toxapex can Eject Button to get you out of one free Specs Shadow Ball. One of the best ghost remedies is to play aggressively. It is harder to abuse the lack of resistances if you are constantly bombarding their team with powerful attacks.
Hatterene can sweep if it is CM. I tend to deal with it by switching in Reuniclus, using Knock Off, and then wearing down with Psyshock. When it begins to use Draining Kiss, swap into Toxapex, Eject out (try to preserve Eject Button if you see Hatterene) and go into either Cinderace or Toxtricity, depending on which can kill. If neither can kill, do as much damage with one as possible and finish off with the other (choose order based on which is most useful). Similarly to Togekiss, adding Gunk Shot to Cinderace over Court Change would make this weakness much less impactful.
7. REPLAYS
Here are some replays to show off the team:
Game that got me to 1922: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1127667561
Silvally being the MVP in high ladder: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1127637265
vs OPJellicent on ladder: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1126384433
Vs Finchinator: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1128235630-ds0t3fvse6d8wa3wwhdclbfpzxkzrojpw
MORE COMING LATER
8. SHOUTOUTS
First of all, huge thanks to Tenebricite for helping me test the team and being a proponent of Silvally. He’s a fantastic battler and a great guy.
Secondly, thanks to Zaza, RaikouLover and Bpewn for supporting me by helping with testing and always being very encouraging.
9. IMPORTABLE
https://pokepast.es/2b8406227ac473f5
10. OUTRO
Thanks to anyone who read this far, and good luck using the team. I hope this fun Volt-Turn will help you enjoy some battling on PS. The DLC will come out soon, which will be great for the meta. I hope to continue using unconventional teams with great success, and posting them here on forums for all of you. Have a great day!
Last edited: