[Overview]
<p>Soaring out of the molten earth's core, Volcarona returns to BW2 with the power of the sun enriching its wings. New move tutors in Giga Drain and Roost give Volcarona some much needed resiliency. With a lethal base 135 SpA and two phenomenal duel Fire-type and Bug-type stabs, Volcarona remains one of the most threatening Pokemon in the entire OU metagame. Sporting an acceptable base 100 speed stat, Volcarona is capable of outrunning the vast majority of the tier. The rein of terror does not end there, with an incredible boosting move in Quiver Dance, Volcarona proves itself to be one of the most threatening Pokemon after a boost. The empress of the sun does have flaws present. BW2 Wasn't all sunshine for the sun queen. First off, her nasty Stealth Rock weakness, stripping away 50% of her health, became more common with a brand new pool of Pokemon having access to it. To make matters worse, new powerful threats in Keldeo, Thunderus-T, and Tornadus-T do not make life any easier. While support is required for her to perform at her prime, don't let that discourage you from using one of the most calamitous Pokemon available.</p>
[SET]
name: Offensive Quiver Dance
move 1: Quiver Dance
move 2: Fire Blast / Fiery Dance
move 3: Bug Buzz
move 4: Hidden Power Ground / Giga Drain
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Volcarona's most powerful set. With the appropriate coverage move, Volcarona is capable of decimating everything in its path. Quiver Dance is the most important move of the set. With a single boost Volcarona receives +1 SpA. +1 SpD, and +1 Spe, out-speeding every Pokemon without a scarf. Fire blast is the preferred fire move of choice, backed up by Drought support, and A Life Orb it is capable of nailing through common counters such as Dragonite and Salamence. Fiery Dance is Volcarona's signature move. Fiery Dance id simultaneously capable of giving Volcarona a special attack boost 50% of time, while also doing damage to the the opponent. Bug buzz is Volcarona's secondary STAB and the most reliable in terms of accuracy and power. Hidden Power Ground rounds out Volcarona's coverage and lets it get past through Tentacruel and Heatran, who would otherwise wall this set with impunity. Giga Drain is the second coverage move, albeit a reliable one. With a Life Orb and hazard damage Volcarona will often be strapped for health, as such, Giga Drain lets Volcarona restore health and damage bulky water types such as Quagsire and Gastrodon a lot more powerful than bug buzz normally would. Life Orb is best works in conjunction with Giga Drain, allowing health restoration and a power boost. Were as Leftovers and Hidden Power Ground function the best together. Leftovers lets Volcarona add up boost and not be worn down too quickly.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p> Dugtrio goes well with Volcarona. Dugtrio disposes of common counters such as Heatran, Tyranitar, and Tentacruel with Arena Trap. Dugtrio can then proceed to set up Stealth Rock and use Memento to open the path for Volcarona to sweep. Donphan also works nicely with Volcarona, being able to spin away those irritating Hazards, check annoying Pokemon such as Terrakion and Garchomp, and set up its own, is greatly appreciated. Ninetails is really one of the prime supporters here. Ninetails can set up Drought, which takes Volcarona's Fire-type attacks to absurd levels. Gothitelle gets rid of Hippowdon, Abomasnow, and Politoad, all troublesome weather starters who can disrupt Volcarona's sweep. Deoxys-D sets up entry Hazards, such as Spikes and Stealth Rock, which can make Volcarona more threatening after a boost. Finally, Breloom makes the perfect offensive partner, as they can both get rid of each other's counters quite effectively.</p>
<p>An alternative Item available is Charcol. With Sun support, back up by Life Orb, Stealth Rock, and a single special attack boost, Volcarona can OHKO Gyarados, Dragonite, Salamence, and even Terrakion. The general utility that Life Orb provides, more often, makes it the superior item. With Status conditions such as paralysis and poison being so common, A Lum berry is great alternative as well, alleviating status condition and making sure Volcarona's sweep in not disrupted</p>
<p> Hidden Power Rock is an alternate option for the Fourth move slot. With it, Dragonite, Gyarados, and Salamence can all be hit for super effective damage, while Heatran can be hit for neutral damage. Hidden Power Rock is best used on a weather-less team were Volcarona does not have the luxury of double STAB fire attacks. While Psychic may seem strange, It's a surprisingly decent option that can hit Pokemon Like Keldeo, Tentacruel, and Terrakion incredibly hard with super effective damage. </p>
[SET]
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Quiver Dance
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Hurricane
move 4: Fire Blast
item: Leftovers
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Have you ever tried a Fire-type in the rain? It seems counter-intuitive, but it's surprisingly effective. While this set comes across as unorthodox, it's one of Volcarona's best sets. Under the rain, Volcarona can use a 100% accurate Hurricane successfully. With Hurricane, Volcarona can tear through its usual counters. At a +1 boost Volcarona it is capable of 2HKOing Dragonite and Gyarados after Stealth Rock. It's general utility lies in aiding Rain teams defeat, otherwise troublesome threats. Particularly Jirachi, Ferrothorn, Celebi, and Lati@s. After a boost, Quiver Dance makes Volcarona capable of ripping through everything. Bug Buzz is the STAB move of choice. Reliable due to not being dependent on weather conditions, it's a powerful tool capable of destroying everything that doesn't resist it. Fire Blast, while is neutered due to rain, still packs a punch and makes sure Volcarona can get past steel types more reliably. While this set may be dependent on rain, if an apposing sun team comes in, they will not enjoy taking Volcarona's boosted fire attacks.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The best partner here is Politoad. While the toad is normally a nemesis, the accuracy he brings to Hurricane is too valuable. Assisting their partnership is the infamous dugtrio, who can trap opposing weather starters such as Ninetails and Tyranitar while also being able to do away with Heatran, making it easier to sweep. Gothitelle gets rid of weather inducers Dugtrio can't, such as Abomasnow and Hippowdon. Due to the rain present, Volcarona has a whole new array of teammates it wouldn't normally have. Keldeo makes an excellent offensive partner, being able to plow away at Heatran and friends with a specs Hydro Pump. Starmie is a great rapid spin user on Drizzle teams, and also a wonderful offensive partner capable of getting rid of Hazard setters and spin blockers. Tentacruel is the more defensive rapid spin partner that pairs well with our moth friend and can check and counter troublesome threats like Keldeo and Tornadus-T. Toxicroak is wonderful offensive partner, doubles as a Terrakion counter and a Keldeo counter.</p>
<p>Modest nature is preferred due to giving Volcarona the much needed fire power to plow through enemies of opposing teams. With a modest nature and a +1 SpA boost, no steel type(except for heatran) is safe from Volcarona's Fire Blast. While modest does in fact provide more power, a Timid nature can be used if the extra speed is more desirable. Leftovers are the prime option, insuring Volcarona to take a hit while boosting.</p>
[SET]
name: Bulky booster
move 1: Quiver Dance
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Fiery Dance
move 4: Roost / Rest
item: Leftovers / Chesto Berry
nature: Bold
evs: 144 HP / 252 Def / 112 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
- Different yet effective approach
- This set aims to gain as much boosts as possible
- 112 speed allows it outspeed all non scarfer users in the tier at +1 and at +2 it outspeeds scarf latios and terrakion
- Rest of evs dumped into defense to allow it to set up longer
- Roost allows it to stay healthy as it's boosting
- Chesto-Rest combo accomplishes the same thing but alleviates status
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
- Rapid spin is crucial for success, volcarona needs to be healthy
- dugtrio disposes of tentacruel, tranitar, and heatran
- Sleep talk can take the place of fiery dance
- Mono-attacking rest-talk set is possible after counters are cleared
- Ninetails strengthens volcarona further
[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Quiver Dance
move 3: Fiery Dance
move 4: Bug Buzz
item: Leftovers
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 spA / 252 spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is a slightly different approach to using Volcarona. While its STAB attacks are heavily resisted, a substitute allows plenty of set up opportunity. Due to Volcarona's incredible offensive presence, it will often force switches which will allow it to set up a substitute. Substitute is the crux of this set, with it, Volcarona can dodge status conditions, avoid being revenge killed by Ditto, and dent a counter before it is forced out. After a few boosts, Volcarona's substitute will be near impossible to break by most most special attacks after a Quiver Dance boost. From then, it can proceed to sweep weakened teams with its mighty dual STAB combination. Bug Buzz and Fiery Dance make a deadly STAB combination, while even resisted, they can both damage an incoming counter quite well.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Magic bounce users such as Espeon and Xatu pair well with Volcarona, keeping Stealth Rock off the field. Espeon is particularly notable due to providing Dual screen support, which makes Volcarona's substitute nearly impossible to break after a Quiver Dance boost. Dugtrio is a much needed partner, because without it, Heatran walk all over this set. Dugtrio also opens the path for Volcarona to sweep by using Memento and setting up Stealth Rock. Ditto, one of Volcarona's prime checks, is no longer an issue thanks to substitute blocking the effects of Impostor. Bronzong also harmonizes well with Volcarona, both covering each other's weaknesses efficiently. Fiery Dance is the move of choice on this set, which allows Volcarona to accumulate boosts while under a sub. However, if power is what you're looking for, Fire Blast is a good option as well.</p>
<p>Maximizing Speed is the most optimal solution on the set. 252 EVs guarantees a speed tie with scarf Salamence and Jirachi. Due to Volcarona's Substitute, max speed isn't always necessary so a Modest nature is optimal if you'd like to maximize on power. Leftovers allow Volcarona to be able to set up multiple subs and gradually heal itself throughout the match. The lack of HP EVs keeps it at an odd number which will allow Volcarona to switch into Stealth rock 3 times if needed.<p>
[Other Options]
<p>Volcarona's movepool is rather barren, and as such, it lacks too many viable options. U-turn is a peculiar choice, it allows Volcarona to escape from Terrakion and Heatran so that Dugtrio can dispose of them, aiding Volcarona in sweeping. Hidden Power Ice can make quick work of Dragonite and Salamance, but there is generally no room on any of Volcarona's sets to make it work. Hidden Power Electric, is also a decent option which lets Volcarona dispose of Gyarados in one shot while also being able to hit Heatran and Dragonite neutrally. Flamethrower is the median between Fire Blast and Fiery Dance; consistent accuracy and acceptable power.</p>
<p>Volcarona is capable of two alternate sets not listed above. Of the two, a mono attacking Sunny day set consisting of Fiery Dance / Quiver Dance / Morning sun | Roost / Sunny day is possible but is generally too situational to justify its use. The other set is a specs set in the rain consisting of Overheat / Hurricane / Bug Buzz / U-turn which can be a decent aid to rain teams. When the weather conditions are right, Solar Beam and Morning Sun are both viable options, but due to the difficulty of keeping the weather in your favor, these moves are often more trouble than they're worth. On the Bulky sets, Toxic, Will-o-Wisp, and Whirlwind are all acceptable options, but Volcarona isn't the type of Pokemon suited to spread status. </p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>While Volcarona's STABS are resisted by a large pool of Pokemon, with the right set, and under the right circumstances, Volcarona can defeat every Pokemon in the tier. The best way to get rid of Volcarona is Stealth Rock. Snatching 50% of its HP on the switch is not a pretty sight, and makes Volcarona much easier to take out. Tyranitar, Garchmop, and Terrakion can all threaten Volcarona and set up Stealth Rock. Tyranitar in particular sends in sandstorm, one of the least favorable weather conditions for Volcarona, and can stomach a Bug Buzz and KO back with Stone Edge.</p>
<p>Scarf users such as Terrakion and Keldeo who can hit Volcarona for super effective damage and resist its dual STABS, make great counters. Infernape is also another acceptable scarf user that can revenge Volcarona with Flare Blitz or Stone Edge. However, all three lose if Volcarona carries Giga Drain or Psychic. If Volcarona lacks a substitute, Ditto can come in and copy off the boosts with Impostor and prepare to sweep your team. When lacking Hidden Power Ground, both Tentacruel and Heatran are solid counters to Volcarona, provided that Volcarona hasn't gained a sufficient amount of boosts or carries an alternate Hidden Power.</p>
<p>With their titanic special defense stats, Blissey and Chansey can wall Volcarona all day long and wear it out with seismic toss, however, both will take some serious damage from a boosted Fire Blast under the sun. While uncommon as they are, both Snorlax and Milotic make exceptional counters to Volcarona, thanks to their gigantic special defense stats, they can both either phase out Volcarona or repeatedly attack it. Jellicent and Dragonite resist both of Volcarona's STABs and can pressure Volcarona with either repeated Scald attacks or simply phase it out with Dragon Tail. Defensive Gyarados is also an excellent counter that can either phase Volcarona out with Dragon Tail or hit it with a powerful Waterfall. </p>
[Unreleased]
<p>Volcarona receives Swarm as its hidden ability. In most situations, Flame Body is invaluable, giving a 30% chance for volcarona to cripple physical attackers on contact. In turn, this allows Volcarona to set up more easily. However, on the offensive set, swarm can be used in substitution for Flame Body giving Volcarona double STAB on bug buzz once it's at 1/3 of its max HP, making it incredibly threatening and simultaneously vulnerable to priority. Swarm is a rather situational ability, that more often than not, will be inferior to Flame Body.</p>
