Volcanion @ Choice Specs
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Steam Eruption
- Sludge Wave
- Earth Power
- Flamethrower
Volcanion is a
check to Barraskewda. Water Absorb blocks Flip turn and Liquidation, allowing Volcanion to heal 25% damage and force Barraskewda out. This is key, as Volcanion's presence causes mind games from turn 1. Barraskewda will often be forced to click suboptimal coverage moves, opening itself up to meaningless chip damage and poor positioning. Volcanion is not OHKOed by either of the coverage moves after rocks, so the threat of blocking Flip turn remains as long as Volcanion is alive. Furthermore, Volcanion has the raw strength to abuse Barraskewda's frailty and the boost to Steam Eruption's power under rain. (Barraskewda is so frail that the retaliatory move doesn't even matter):
252+ Atk Choice Band Barraskewda Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Volcanion: 177-209 (48.7 - 57.5%) -- 94.9% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Barraskewda Psychic Fangs vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Volcanion: 125-148 (34.4 - 40.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Volcanion Steam Eruption vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Barraskewda: 256-302 (97.3 - 114.8%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Volcanion Steam Eruption vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Barraskewda in Rain: 384-453 (146 - 172.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Volcanion Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Barraskewda: 280-330 (106.4 - 125.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Volcanion Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Barraskewda: 295-348 (112.1 - 132.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO