Right, I've talked with some QC members and Jabba, one of the pioneers of this set. I've seen it used to much success so might as well be the one to post it.
[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Fiery Dance / Fire Blast
move 3: Bug Buzz
move 4: Quiver Dance
item: Leftovers
ability: Flame Body
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>When played correctly, Volcarona tends to cause a lot of switches. This set aims to take advantage of that with Substitute, which allows Volcarona to stay in on threats that would otherwise force it out, while also possibly gaining an essential boost or two against key opponents as they try to break its Substitute. Substitute also allows Volcarona to scout for any switch-ins or status moves, also taking advantage of Flame Body's potential to activate through it. As an added bonus, very few opponents can break Volcarona's Substitute with special attacks after a few Quiver Dance boosts. Volcarona's two attacking moveslots are best filled by its dual STAB attacks. Fiery Dance and Fire Blast are both excellent options for its Fire-type STAB, though the former is preferred for the possible Special Attack boost, which often compensates for the lack of power as opposed to Fire Blast. However, if you feel you need the initial power Fire Blast brings to the table, nothing is stopping you. Bug Buzz is the only other relevant STAB option that Volcarona should run, sporting solid power and a chance to lower the opponent's Special Defense.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>With maximum investment in Special Attack and Speed, Volcarona hits as hard and as fast as possible. As an added plus, it outspeeds and OHKOes Excadrill in the sand as well as every common Chlorophyll abuser in the sun after just two boosts. Leftovers is the preferred item on this set, giving Volcarona passive recovery and allowing it to stay at constant health when sandstorm or hail is up. Life Orb is an option, but you're shooting yourself in the foot when you're not only using an item that takes 10% of your health when you attack but a move that wastes a quarter of your health with every use.</p>
<p>Volcarona is very weak to entry hazards, making teammates with Rapid Spin or Magic Bounce excellent partners,. This will also allow Volcarona to use Substitute repeatedly without being limited by entry hazard damage. This set works best in conjunction with permanent sun; not only does sun increase the power of Volcarona's Fire-type moves, but it also allows Volcarona to tank quite a few Water-type attacks. As such, Ninetales is a must for providing Drought support. While many other variants of Volcarona can take care of Heatran thanks to a neutral or super effective Hidden Power, this set forgoes Hidden Power in favor of Substitute, making specially defensive Heatran a major threat to this set. Therefore, teammates who can take care of Heatran are greatly appreciated. Volcarona's Defense also leaves something to be desired; physically defensive teammates thus pair excellently with Volcarona. Alternatively, one can run a physically defensive spread with maximum investment in HP and Defense and a Bold nature. However, this set functions better with an offensive spread, as it benefits from outspeeding key threats as soon as possible. At the very least, if using a defensive spread, it may be worth it to invest in Speed slightly. Good benchmarks are 12 EVs to outspeed Starmie at +1 Speed, while 52 Speed EVs outspeeds Choice Scarf Landorus with two boosts.</p>
[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Fiery Dance / Fire Blast
move 3: Bug Buzz
move 4: Quiver Dance
item: Leftovers
ability: Flame Body
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>When played correctly, Volcarona tends to cause a lot of switches. This set aims to take advantage of that with Substitute, which allows Volcarona to stay in on threats that would otherwise force it out, while also possibly gaining an essential boost or two against key opponents as they try to break its Substitute. Substitute also allows Volcarona to scout for any switch-ins or status moves, also taking advantage of Flame Body's potential to activate through it. As an added bonus, very few opponents can break Volcarona's Substitute with special attacks after a few Quiver Dance boosts. Volcarona's two attacking moveslots are best filled by its dual STAB attacks. Fiery Dance and Fire Blast are both excellent options for its Fire-type STAB, though the former is preferred for the possible Special Attack boost, which often compensates for the lack of power as opposed to Fire Blast. However, if you feel you need the initial power Fire Blast brings to the table, nothing is stopping you. Bug Buzz is the only other relevant STAB option that Volcarona should run, sporting solid power and a chance to lower the opponent's Special Defense.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>With maximum investment in Special Attack and Speed, Volcarona hits as hard and as fast as possible. As an added plus, it outspeeds and OHKOes Excadrill in the sand as well as every common Chlorophyll abuser in the sun after just two boosts. Leftovers is the preferred item on this set, giving Volcarona passive recovery and allowing it to stay at constant health when sandstorm or hail is up. Life Orb is an option, but you're shooting yourself in the foot when you're not only using an item that takes 10% of your health when you attack but a move that wastes a quarter of your health with every use.</p>
<p>Volcarona is very weak to entry hazards, making teammates with Rapid Spin or Magic Bounce excellent partners,. This will also allow Volcarona to use Substitute repeatedly without being limited by entry hazard damage. This set works best in conjunction with permanent sun; not only does sun increase the power of Volcarona's Fire-type moves, but it also allows Volcarona to tank quite a few Water-type attacks. As such, Ninetales is a must for providing Drought support. While many other variants of Volcarona can take care of Heatran thanks to a neutral or super effective Hidden Power, this set forgoes Hidden Power in favor of Substitute, making specially defensive Heatran a major threat to this set. Therefore, teammates who can take care of Heatran are greatly appreciated. Volcarona's Defense also leaves something to be desired; physically defensive teammates thus pair excellently with Volcarona. Alternatively, one can run a physically defensive spread with maximum investment in HP and Defense and a Bold nature. However, this set functions better with an offensive spread, as it benefits from outspeeding key threats as soon as possible. At the very least, if using a defensive spread, it may be worth it to invest in Speed slightly. Good benchmarks are 12 EVs to outspeed Starmie at +1 Speed, while 52 Speed EVs outspeeds Choice Scarf Landorus with two boosts.</p>
[SET COMMENTS]
- This set easily takes advantage of all the switches Volcorona can usually cause
- Substitute is the key to this set - it gives Volcarona some sort of buffer against SE attacks, and it essentially gives it a free QD as well as the opponent tries to break the sub
- after some QDs a lot of things are going to have a hard time breaking its sub using special attacks even if they are SE
- STAB attacks are obvious, while Volcarona easily takes of Sub to set up QDs
- Leftovers gives it a nice form of recovery and life orb is detrimental on a set involving HP-wasting moves
- EVs make it as fast and hardhitting as possible
- NEEDS Rapid Spin support to work, so Donphan, Forretress, and all that jazz are amazing teammates.
- Works really well in sun so Ninetales makes an excellent partner.
- Anything that can take physical attacks for Volcorona is nice.
- Specially Defensive Heatran is a problem for this set if it has Roar so things to take care of that work nicely.
- You can use a defensive spread but it doesn't do much. Some speed EVs can be invested on a set like that to get the jump on some key things (i.e. starmie at +1)
