#yolobird #bravestbird
Overview
########
Talonflame's claim to fame is a fantastic ability in Gale Wings. Giving its Flying-type moves +1 priority, Gale Wings most notably lets Talonflame utilize a powerful STAB Brave Bird to strike down frail or weakened Pokemon before they can react. Examples of these include Mega Blaziken, Darkrai, and weakened Geomancy Xerneas (Talonflame does a solid 57-67% to standard 108 HP / 28 Def Geomancy Xerneas). Unfortunately, Gale Wings is the only thing that makes it viable at all. A crippling 4x weakness to Stealth Rock and poor defenses mean Talonflame cannot switch in on virtually anything bar predicted Will-O-Wisps and Grass-type attacks, which it is 4x resistant to. This frailty is further compounded by Brave Bird recoil coupled with Talonflame's low base HP. As a whole, Talonflame faces heavy competition for a team slot from Ho-Oh, so it must be underscored that what differentiates Talonflame from Ho-Oh, or indeed any other Pokemon, is priority on its Flying-type moves, albeit at the cost of compromised bulk and longevity. Nonetheless, moving first with an attack as powerful as Brave Bird goes a long way in keeping speedy offensive powerhouses under control. If your team has trouble handling such Pokemon, Talonflame is your best bird.
Choice Band
########
name: Choice Band
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Flare Blitz
move 3: U-Turn
move 4: Tailwind / Toxic
ability: Gale Wings
item: Choice Band
evs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 164 Spe
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
Brave Bird gets +1 priority from Gale Wings; boosted by STAB and a Choice Band, it packs tremendous power. Frail Pokemon like Mega Gengar are KOed outright, while Mega Mewtwo Y is OHKOed after it has taken Stealth Rock damage, and 0 HP Choice Scarf Kyogre takes a hefty 75-86% from the move. Flare Blitz incinerates Scizor, Ferrothorn, and Klefki. Note that the latter's access to Prankster ensures Talonflame will not emerge from the skirmish unscathed, although Gale Wings giving Brave Bird priority means that Talonflame is largely unhindered by paralysis (aside from the 25% immobility rate), which is nifty. Unfortunately, Flare Blitz does not see much use outside of this. U-Turn allows Talonflame to pivot out of predicted switch-ins, preserving your team's momentum. Notably, it hits Tyranitar super effectively. Lastly, as with Brave Bird, Tailwind gets elevated priority and can prove invaluable in clinching a late-game sweep by a relevant teammate. Toxic can be used over Tailwind to cripple predicted switch-ins such as Rock Arceus and Lugia. Will-O-Wisp is another option that is less useful against walls and tanks but proves much more effective in crippling physically oriented offensive checks to Talonflame such as Zekrom, which can comfortably switch in on a Brave Bird at full health.
Set Details
========
252 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature let Talonflame hit as hard as possible. 164 EVs are invested in Speed to outrun positive-natured base 100 Speed Pokemon which is useful for situations when you decide you want to U-turn on Palkia, for example. Outspeeding base 99 Speed Pokemon like Xerneas when locked into Flare Blitz is also nice. 4 EVs go in Defense to give Genesect the Download boost in Special Attack (since physically-based Genesect are relatively more common and generally more threatening). Finally, 88 EVs are invested in HP to cushion against recoil damage from Brave Bird and let Talonflame take hits marginally better. This also gives Talonflame a HP number that lets it switch into Stealth Rock twice. As far as items go, a Choice Band is by far the most viable option as it maximizes Talonflame's offensive potential. The inability to change moves is a worthwhile trade-off as Talonflame will be spamming Brave Bird most of the time anyway.
Usage Tips
========
Do not use Brave Bird indiscriminately as the recoil will quickly take its toll on Talonflame; rather, analyse your opponent's team in Team Preview and determine which Pokemon you intend to hit with the move. Try to bring Talonflame in via double switching into Pokemon it can kill or force out since it is too frail to switch into anything bar Will-O-Wisp and Grass-type moves, which it 4x resists. Use U-Turn or Toxic if you anticipate that the opponent will switch in a Pokemon that checks Talonflame, be it a physical tank such as Lugia, or an unrevealed Arceus-forme. You should endeavor to let Talonflame switch in as much as possible; keep Stealth Rock off your side of the field as far as you can as Talonflame can enter the field a paltry maximum of twice with Stealth Rock active. Lastly, do not hesitate to sacrifice Talonflame to use Tailwind late-game, if it means opening a window of opportunity for a teammate to sweep.
Team Options
========
Stealth Rock support is recommended to pressure the switches that Talonflame forces. Landorus-T, Groudon, and Ferrothorn are good setters as they can handle Zekrom, a key offensive check to Talonflame. If it is used alongside one of the mentioned Ground-type Stealth Rock setters, Ferrothorn can provide additional Spikes support which further pressures switches and aids a late-game Talonflame cleanup. Scizor is a good teammate as it can pressure Rock-types and bring Talonflame in safely with a slow U-Turn. An answer to Extreme Killer Arceus at +2 Attack is required, as it can set up on and overwhelm Talonflame with +2 priority Extreme Speed. Mega Gengar or Ghost Arceus are acceptable answers to Extreme Killer Arceus. Fast, powerful Fighting-types like Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Blaziken are much appreciated as they pressure many of Talonflame's checks, such as Dialga, Rock-types, and Heatran. Fairy-types can take on many of the physical walls that plague Talonflame, such as Yveltal and Giratina; along with a Ground-type, they can keep opposing Zekrom users guessing. Finally, it is pertinent to mention that Talonflame is comfortable on teams utilising Tyranitar and Excadrill, as the former sets Stealth Rock and checks Ho-Oh, while the latter has access to Rapid Spin and has a good typing to take on Zekrom.
Other Options
########
252 Speed EVs can be used with a Jolly Nature to outspeed Darkrai and all Arceus formes. A set comprising Swords Dance, Acrobatics, Flare Blitz, and Tailwind with no item can be used with Encore support from Wobbuffet. Encore can lock the opponent into a move such as Will-O-Wisp, which gives Talonflame a free turn to set up.
Checks & Counters
########
**Stealth Rock**: Stripping 50% of Talonflame's HP upon each switch in, Stealth Rock checks Talonflame hugely in itself, especially since it typically does not use a recovery move.
**Electric-types**: Zekrom and Electric Arceus can switch into a Brave Bird, take another one, and then KO Talonflame with Bolt Strike/Outrage and Judgment respectively. Electric Arceus is especially dangerous as it can choose to set up Calm Mind on Talonflame while healing off damage with Recover. Thundurus cannot switch into Brave Bird but is perfectly capable of revenge killing Talonflame.
**Rock-types**: Rock Arceus and Tyranitar resist both of Talonflame's STAB moves, although Tyranitar loathes taking U-Turn. In return, both can cleanly OHKO Talonflame with their STAB moves.
**Heatran**: Resists Brave Bird and is immune to Flare Blitz. That being said, it cannot do much to harm Talonflame short of using Roar to rack up Stealth Rock damage.
**Dialga**: Can switch into Brave Bird but does not like Flare Blitz. Its Draco Meteor OHKOs Talonflame neatly.
**Physical Tanks**: Lugia, Physically Defensive Yveltal, Giratina-A, and Physically Defensive Ho-Oh all take < 50% from Brave Bird and can stall it out with Roost/Rest, causing Talonflame to eventually go down to recoil damage in a one-on-one situation.
**Extreme Speed**: At +2 priority, this move hits before Talonflame's Brave Bird and can pick it off if weakened. Extreme Killer Arceus is the most notable user of the move, but Choice Band Genesect and Swords Dance Arceus Ground/Ghost/Dragon are others to look out for as well.
Overview
########
Talonflame's claim to fame is a fantastic ability in Gale Wings. Giving its Flying-type moves +1 priority, Gale Wings most notably lets Talonflame utilize a powerful STAB Brave Bird to strike down frail or weakened Pokemon before they can react. Examples of these include Mega Blaziken, Darkrai, and weakened Geomancy Xerneas (Talonflame does a solid 57-67% to standard 108 HP / 28 Def Geomancy Xerneas). Unfortunately, Gale Wings is the only thing that makes it viable at all. A crippling 4x weakness to Stealth Rock and poor defenses mean Talonflame cannot switch in on virtually anything bar predicted Will-O-Wisps and Grass-type attacks, which it is 4x resistant to. This frailty is further compounded by Brave Bird recoil coupled with Talonflame's low base HP. As a whole, Talonflame faces heavy competition for a team slot from Ho-Oh, so it must be underscored that what differentiates Talonflame from Ho-Oh, or indeed any other Pokemon, is priority on its Flying-type moves, albeit at the cost of compromised bulk and longevity. Nonetheless, moving first with an attack as powerful as Brave Bird goes a long way in keeping speedy offensive powerhouses under control. If your team has trouble handling such Pokemon, Talonflame is your best bird.
Choice Band
########
name: Choice Band
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Flare Blitz
move 3: U-Turn
move 4: Tailwind / Toxic
ability: Gale Wings
item: Choice Band
evs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 164 Spe
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
Brave Bird gets +1 priority from Gale Wings; boosted by STAB and a Choice Band, it packs tremendous power. Frail Pokemon like Mega Gengar are KOed outright, while Mega Mewtwo Y is OHKOed after it has taken Stealth Rock damage, and 0 HP Choice Scarf Kyogre takes a hefty 75-86% from the move. Flare Blitz incinerates Scizor, Ferrothorn, and Klefki. Note that the latter's access to Prankster ensures Talonflame will not emerge from the skirmish unscathed, although Gale Wings giving Brave Bird priority means that Talonflame is largely unhindered by paralysis (aside from the 25% immobility rate), which is nifty. Unfortunately, Flare Blitz does not see much use outside of this. U-Turn allows Talonflame to pivot out of predicted switch-ins, preserving your team's momentum. Notably, it hits Tyranitar super effectively. Lastly, as with Brave Bird, Tailwind gets elevated priority and can prove invaluable in clinching a late-game sweep by a relevant teammate. Toxic can be used over Tailwind to cripple predicted switch-ins such as Rock Arceus and Lugia. Will-O-Wisp is another option that is less useful against walls and tanks but proves much more effective in crippling physically oriented offensive checks to Talonflame such as Zekrom, which can comfortably switch in on a Brave Bird at full health.
Set Details
========
252 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature let Talonflame hit as hard as possible. 164 EVs are invested in Speed to outrun positive-natured base 100 Speed Pokemon which is useful for situations when you decide you want to U-turn on Palkia, for example. Outspeeding base 99 Speed Pokemon like Xerneas when locked into Flare Blitz is also nice. 4 EVs go in Defense to give Genesect the Download boost in Special Attack (since physically-based Genesect are relatively more common and generally more threatening). Finally, 88 EVs are invested in HP to cushion against recoil damage from Brave Bird and let Talonflame take hits marginally better. This also gives Talonflame a HP number that lets it switch into Stealth Rock twice. As far as items go, a Choice Band is by far the most viable option as it maximizes Talonflame's offensive potential. The inability to change moves is a worthwhile trade-off as Talonflame will be spamming Brave Bird most of the time anyway.
Usage Tips
========
Do not use Brave Bird indiscriminately as the recoil will quickly take its toll on Talonflame; rather, analyse your opponent's team in Team Preview and determine which Pokemon you intend to hit with the move. Try to bring Talonflame in via double switching into Pokemon it can kill or force out since it is too frail to switch into anything bar Will-O-Wisp and Grass-type moves, which it 4x resists. Use U-Turn or Toxic if you anticipate that the opponent will switch in a Pokemon that checks Talonflame, be it a physical tank such as Lugia, or an unrevealed Arceus-forme. You should endeavor to let Talonflame switch in as much as possible; keep Stealth Rock off your side of the field as far as you can as Talonflame can enter the field a paltry maximum of twice with Stealth Rock active. Lastly, do not hesitate to sacrifice Talonflame to use Tailwind late-game, if it means opening a window of opportunity for a teammate to sweep.
Team Options
========
Stealth Rock support is recommended to pressure the switches that Talonflame forces. Landorus-T, Groudon, and Ferrothorn are good setters as they can handle Zekrom, a key offensive check to Talonflame. If it is used alongside one of the mentioned Ground-type Stealth Rock setters, Ferrothorn can provide additional Spikes support which further pressures switches and aids a late-game Talonflame cleanup. Scizor is a good teammate as it can pressure Rock-types and bring Talonflame in safely with a slow U-Turn. An answer to Extreme Killer Arceus at +2 Attack is required, as it can set up on and overwhelm Talonflame with +2 priority Extreme Speed. Mega Gengar or Ghost Arceus are acceptable answers to Extreme Killer Arceus. Fast, powerful Fighting-types like Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Blaziken are much appreciated as they pressure many of Talonflame's checks, such as Dialga, Rock-types, and Heatran. Fairy-types can take on many of the physical walls that plague Talonflame, such as Yveltal and Giratina; along with a Ground-type, they can keep opposing Zekrom users guessing. Finally, it is pertinent to mention that Talonflame is comfortable on teams utilising Tyranitar and Excadrill, as the former sets Stealth Rock and checks Ho-Oh, while the latter has access to Rapid Spin and has a good typing to take on Zekrom.
Other Options
########
252 Speed EVs can be used with a Jolly Nature to outspeed Darkrai and all Arceus formes. A set comprising Swords Dance, Acrobatics, Flare Blitz, and Tailwind with no item can be used with Encore support from Wobbuffet. Encore can lock the opponent into a move such as Will-O-Wisp, which gives Talonflame a free turn to set up.
Checks & Counters
########
**Stealth Rock**: Stripping 50% of Talonflame's HP upon each switch in, Stealth Rock checks Talonflame hugely in itself, especially since it typically does not use a recovery move.
**Electric-types**: Zekrom and Electric Arceus can switch into a Brave Bird, take another one, and then KO Talonflame with Bolt Strike/Outrage and Judgment respectively. Electric Arceus is especially dangerous as it can choose to set up Calm Mind on Talonflame while healing off damage with Recover. Thundurus cannot switch into Brave Bird but is perfectly capable of revenge killing Talonflame.
**Rock-types**: Rock Arceus and Tyranitar resist both of Talonflame's STAB moves, although Tyranitar loathes taking U-Turn. In return, both can cleanly OHKO Talonflame with their STAB moves.
**Heatran**: Resists Brave Bird and is immune to Flare Blitz. That being said, it cannot do much to harm Talonflame short of using Roar to rack up Stealth Rock damage.
**Dialga**: Can switch into Brave Bird but does not like Flare Blitz. Its Draco Meteor OHKOs Talonflame neatly.
**Physical Tanks**: Lugia, Physically Defensive Yveltal, Giratina-A, and Physically Defensive Ho-Oh all take < 50% from Brave Bird and can stall it out with Roost/Rest, causing Talonflame to eventually go down to recoil damage in a one-on-one situation.
**Extreme Speed**: At +2 priority, this move hits before Talonflame's Brave Bird and can pick it off if weakened. Extreme Killer Arceus is the most notable user of the move, but Choice Band Genesect and Swords Dance Arceus Ground/Ghost/Dragon are others to look out for as well.
Overview
########
Choice Band
########
name: Choice Band
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Flare Blitz
move 3: U-Turn
move 4: Tailwind
ability: Gale Wings
item: Choice Band
evs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 164 Spe
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
Set Details
========
Usage Tips
========
Team Options
========
Other Options
########
A set comprising Swords Dance, Acrobatics, Flare Blitz, and Tailwind, with no item can be used with Encore support from Wobbuffet. Encore can lock the opponent into a move such as Will-O-Wisp, which gives Talonflame a free turn to set up.
Checks & Counters
########
########
- Gale Wings confers incredible utility on Talonflame, granting its powerful STAB Brave Bird +1 priority, which lets it strike down frail or weakened Pokemon before they can react. Examples of these include Mega Blaziken, Darkrai, and weakened Geomancy Xerneas (Talonflame does 57-67% to the standard 108 HP / 28 Def Geomancy Xerneas).
- Sadly, Talonflame's ability is the only thing making it viable at all.
- Crippling 4x weakness to Stealth Rock. Also, poor defenses mean it cannot switch in on virtually anything bar Grass-type attacks, which it is 4x resistant to, and predicted Will-O-Wisps. This is compounded by Brave Bird recoil + its low base HP.
- Faces heavy competition from Ho-Oh for a team slot. It must be reiterated that its main draw is Gale Wings giving it priority on quality Flying-type moves in Brave Bird and Tailwind, albeit at the cost of much reduced bulk and longevity.
Choice Band
########
name: Choice Band
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Flare Blitz
move 3: U-Turn
move 4: Tailwind
ability: Gale Wings
item: Choice Band
evs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 164 Spe
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
- Brave Bird gets +1 priority from Gale Wings; boosted by STAB and a Choice Band, it hits very hard.
-
[*]252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 108 HP / 28 Def Xerneas: 238-282 (56.6 - 67.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
[*]252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Arceus: 202-238 (45.4 - 53.6%) -- 38.7% chance to 2HKO
[*]252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Gengar: 283-334 (108 - 127.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
[*]252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mega Mewtwo Y: 315-372 (89.2 - 105.3%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
[*]252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Kyogre: 256-303 (63.3 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
[*]252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Yveltal: 246-289 (62.5 - 73.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
[*]252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Ho-Oh: 256-303 (61.5 - 72.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery - Flare Blitz incinerates Scizor, Ferrothorn, and Klefki, although the latter's access to Prankster means Talonflame will not emerge from the skirmish unscathed. Note that Gale Wings Brave Bird means that Talonflame is largely unhindered by paralysis outside of the 25% immobility rate, which is nifty. Unfortunately, Flare Blitz does not see much use outside of this.
- U-Turn allows Talonflame to pivot out of switch-ins to it. Notably, it hits Tyranitar super effectively.
- Like Brave Bird, Tailwind gets elevated priority and can prove invaluable in clinching a late-game sweep by a relevant teammate.
- Toxic can be used over Tailwind to cripple switchins such as Rock Arceus and Lugia.
Set Details
========
- 252 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature let Talonflame hit as hard as possible.
- 164 EVs are invested in Speed to outrun positive-natured base 100 Speed Pokemon; for example, if you decide you want to U-Turn on Palkia. Outspeeding base 99 Speed Pokemon like Xerneas when locked into Flare Blitz is also nice.
- The remaining 88 EVs are invested in HP to cushion against recoil damage from Brave Bird and let Talonflame take hits marginally better.
- 4 EVs in Defense to give Genesect the Download boost in Special Attack
- A Choice Band maximizes Talonflame's offensive potential; the inability to change moves is a worthwhile trade-off as Talonflame will be spamming Brave Bird most of the time anyway.
Usage Tips
========
- Try to bring Talonflame in via double switching into Pokemon it can kill or force out. It is too frail to switch into anything bar Will-O-Wisp and Grass-type moves, which it 4x resists.
- Use U-Turn on predicted switch-ins of Pokemon that check Talonflame
- Keep Stealth Rock off your side of the field as much as possible. Talonflame can switch in a maximum of twice with Stealth Rock active. If it uses Brave Bird after it switches in the first time, it cannot switch in again.
- Do not hesitate to sacrifice Talonflame to use Tailwind late-game, if it means opening a window of opportunity for a teammate to sweep.
Team Options
========
- Stealth Rock support is recommended to pressure the switches that Talonflame forces. Landorus-T, Groudon, and Ferrothorn are good setters as they can handle Zekrom, a key offensive check to Talonflame. If it is used alongside one of the mentioned Ground-type setters, Ferrothorn can provide additional Spikes support which further pressures switches and aids a late-game Talonflame cleanup.
- Talonflame is comfortable on teams utilising Tyranitar and Excadrill, as the former sets Stealth Rock and checks Ho-Oh, while the latter has access to Rapid Spin and has a good typing to take on Zekrom.
- Scizor is a good teammate as it can pressure Rock-types and bring Talonflame in safely with a slow U-Turn.
- An answer to +2 Extreme Killer Arceus is required, as it can set up on and overwhelm Talonflame with +2 priority Extreme Speed. Mega Gengar or Ghost-Arceus can do this.
- Fast, powerful Fighting-types like Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Blaziken are much appreciated as they pressure many of Talonflame's checks, such as Dialga, Rock-types, and Heatran.
- Fairy-types can take on many of the physical walls that plague Talonflame, such as Yveltal and Giratina; along with a Ground-type, they can keep opposing Zekrom users guessing.
Other Options
########
A set comprising Swords Dance, Acrobatics, Flare Blitz, and Tailwind, with no item can be used with Encore support from Wobbuffet. Encore can lock the opponent into a move such as Will-O-Wisp, which gives Talonflame a free turn to set up.
Checks & Counters
########
- Stealth Rock
- Electric-types: Zekrom, Electric Arceus, Thundurus-I
- Rock-types: Rock Arceus, Tyranitar
- Heatran
- Dialga
- Physical Tanks: Lugia, Physically Defensive Yveltal, Giratina-A, Physically Defensive Ho-Oh
- Extreme Speed
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