[OVERVIEW]
Volcarona is the only Bug / Fire type Pokemon in 1v1, which helps it deal with the abundance of Psychic-, Fairy-, and Steel-types in the metagame like Mew, Mega Slowbro, Tapu Lele, Mega Gardevoir, and Mega Metagross. Its good Special Attack and Speed along with Quiver Dance give it the potential to outspeed most other Pokemon after one boost, such as non-Hidden Power Rock Naganadel. With Substitute, Volcarona can bring its HP under one third and unleash a devastating Swarm-boosted Savage Spin-Out. This move can overwhelm the majority of Pokemon that do not resist it, letting Volcarona deal with most Pokemon that are slower than it. Unfortunately, Volcarona's Bug / Fire typing is poorly equipped to fight extremely prevalent Flying- and Water-types like Dragonite, Greninja, Tapu Fini, and especially Rock-types and Rock-type move users like Crustle and Donphan. Despite excellent offensive stats, Volcarona has subpar defensive stats, and heavy investment is required to take even some neutral hits, such as Fake Out followed by Giga Impact from Mega Lopunny and Hyper Beam from Choice Scarf Porygon-Z.
[SET]
name: Fast Buginium Z
move 1: Bug Buzz
move 2: Overheat
move 3: Quiver Dance
move 4: Substitute
item: Buginium Z
ability: Swarm
nature: Timid
evs: 192 HP / 52 Def / 12 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Bug Buzz is Volcarona's primary attacking move, which, when boosted by Buginium Z and Swarm, deals with Pokemon like Mew and Mega Tyranitar. It also goes through Substitute, which allows Volcarona to take on Pokemon like Whimsicott and Jumpluff. Overheat lets Volcarona blast away Steel-types like Aegislash, Mega Mawile, Mega Metagross, and Magearna. Quiver Dance boosts Volcarona's offensive stats and lets it outspeed and OHKO Pokemon like Mega Metagross and Haxorus after just one boost. It also means that Volcarona is able to set up alongside Pokemon like Magearna. Substitute gives Volcarona more opportunities to set up by giving it a safety net against status and powerful Z-Moves from Pokemon like Tapu Lele. It also helps bring Volcarona's HP low enough for it to utilize Swarm-boosted moves.
Set Details
========
252 Speed investment with a Timid nature lets Volcarona Speed tie with opposing base 100 Speed Pokemon like Mega Medicham and offensive Mega Charizard X, as well as outspeed Tapu Lele, Meloetta, and non-Choice Scarf Porygon-Z. The 192 HP EVs combined with 52 EVs allow Volcarona to tank Zen Headbutt followed by Bullet Punch from Mega Metagross, as well as tank Draco Meteor from non-Hidden Power Rock Choice Specs Naganadel and Shattered Psyche from Tapu Lele after a Quiver Dance. 12 Special Attack EVs guarantee an OHKO with Savage Spin-Out against Normalium Z Porygon-Z. Swarm alongside Buginium Z and Substitute to use an incredibly powerful nuke in Savage Spin-Out at low health, along with any accumulated Quiver Dance boosts.
Usage Tips
========
Against special attackers like Aegislash, Mega Altaria, and Tapu Lele, use Quiver Dance so that Volcarona can survive their Z-Moves if they use them. If Tapu Lele uses Calm Mind, continue using Substitute until either Volcarona is in Swarm range or they do not attack. As long as Volcarona has the same number of boosts as Tapu Lele, it should OHKO it with a Swarm-boosted Savage Spin-Out. Naturally, some Pokemon, such as Normalium Z Porygon-Z, should immediately be attacked with Savage Spin-Out, as Volcarona can simply OHKO them without risk. Against stall Pokemon like Porygon2, it is better to use Substitute first to ensure that Volcarona is unaffected by a potential Toxic or other status conditions. Against Type: Null, Volcarona's best play is to wait for them to use Confide at least twice before using Z-Quiver Dance to reset its stats and outboost them with more PP. The chance of a Special Defense drop from Bug Buzz can almost help immensely in these situations, but it should not be relied upon. Against Pokemon Volcarona outspeeds but cannot OHKO, like Mega Tyranitar and Mega Venusaur, use Substitute until it has less than 33% HP. If at any point before this they do not attack or break Volcarona's Substitute, use Quiver Dance to further boost Volcarona's Special Attack and keep up the pressure; when Volcarona is under 33%, use Savage Spin-Out. Against non-Extreme Speed Zygarde, use Quiver Dance first to boost Volcarona's offenses. Volcarona will be able to OHKO it with a Swarm-boosted Savage Spin-Out at +1, so use Substitute if needed to get into Swarm range. Otherwise, if they are running Extreme Speed, Volcarona has to Substitute on Tectonic Rage and then use Quiver Dance followed by Savage Spin-Out. If the foe uses Taunt, gauge whether using Z-Quiver Dance or if just attacking is the optimal option. If Volcarona already outspeeds the foe, it is generally more worth it to just attack. For example, against Deoxys-S, it would be better to Z-Quiver Dance, but against Mega Tyranitar, you would rather just attack. Magnezone is a tricky matchup, as it is a coinflip as to whether or not they will use Metal Sound or Electroweb. With this information, attacking and using Quiver Dance are your best options, as Electroweb will break Volcarona's Substitute anyway.
Team Options
========
As Volcarona is weak to Rock-type moves and threatened by other Fire- and Rock-types, Steel- and Ground-types are a perfect match. Mega Aggron and Donphan serve as good partners, dealing with Pokemon like Mega Charizard X and Y, Archeops, and Greninja, while Volcarona does away with Pokemon like Meloetta, Mega Slowbro, and Mega Venusaur that they typically struggle against. Volcarona's glaring Water-type weakness is easily covered by Kartana and Ferrothorn, which handle Primarina, Tapu Fini, and Mega Gyarados with ease. In return, Volcarona takes care of Pokemon like Genesect and Deoxys-S. Being weak to Fire-types also means that Water-types are a good partner for Volcarona, as they will cover different threats. Primarina in particular helps by beating pesky physical attackers like Golem and Crustle as well as Fire-types like Mega Charizard X and Darmanitan. It also checks Choice Scarf Porygon-Z. Meanwhile, Volcarona crushes any Grass-types that may threaten Primarina, such as Tapu Bulu and Mega Venusaur.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Roost
move 2: Quiver Dance
move 3: Bug Buzz
move 4: Substitute / Overheat
item: Buginium Z
ability: Swarm
nature: Calm
evs: 240 HP / 32 Def / 216 SpD / 20 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Roost lets Volcarona recover HP so that it can take multiple hits from foes like Primarina. Quiver Dance boosts Volcarona's offense and defense simultaneously, helping tremendously against foes like Mega Charizard Y and Porygon-Z. Bug Buzz is capable of dealing with many foes when boosted by Swarm and Buginium Z. Substitute allows Volcarona avoid taking fatal damage from potential Z-Moves like Oceanic Operetta from Primarina and brings Volcarona closer to Swarm range. Alternatively, Overheat hits Steel-types that resist Bug Buzz, like Aegislash and Mega Mawile. Will-O-Wisp is another option to lower the foe's Attack and deal chip damage, which is potentially helpful against physical attackers like Donphan. This is best run with Substitute to force a mind game.
Set Details
========
The 240 HP and 32 Defense EV investment lets Volcarona survive a Zen Headbutt followed by Bullet Punch from Mega Metagross. The 20 Speed EVs allow Volcarona to outspeed Timid Magnezone. The rest of the EVs are put into Special Defense to almost always ensure Volcarona's matchup against Modest Magnezone and grant it enough bulk to tank hits like Hyper Beam from Choice Scarf Porygon-Z and Sparkling Aria from Primarina.
Usage Tips
========
Send Volcarona in on specially offensive threats like Mega Charizard Y, Mew, Meloetta, and Porygon-Z. Against Mega Charizard Y, it may be necessary to set up Quiver Dance multiple times while using Roost when necessary to avoid taking fatal damage. If Porygon-Z does not immediately use Z-Conversion, use Savage Spin-Out after a single Quiver Dance. Otherwise, Quiver Dance twice before using Savage Spin-Out. With Substitute, Volcarona has a chance at beating Primarina. Usually it is safe to use Substitute to absorb the damage from Oceanic Operetta, and then Volcarona can Quiver Dance and Roost off any damage taken. Substitute can also be continuously used to safely bring Volcarona to Swarm range; this is useful against Zygarde, Mega Tyranitar, and Mega Venusaur. Immediately use Bug Buzz against opposing Magnezone to break their Sturdy and get them in range of Overheat. With Overheat, Volcarona can take on Steel-types like Aegislash, Celesteela, and Mega Mawile; against Mega Mawile, immediately OHKO it, but set up Quiver Dance first against the others. Against Donphan and Aggron, use Substitute to scout for Head Smash. If they don't use it, Will-O-Wisp is the next best play if you're running it. If they do use Head Smash, their Sturdy will be broken from taking recoil, and Volcarona will be able to OHKO them with a Swarm-boosted Savage Spin-Out.
Team Options
========
As Volcarona is capable of taking on most specially offensive threats, partners that can take on physical threats, namely Mega Gyarados, Mega Charizard X, and Dragonite, are appreciated. Flyinium Z Landorus-T and Mega Altaria are able to handle these aptly and are weak to specially oriented wallbreakers like Aegislash, Celesteela, Mega Charizard Y, and Porygon-Z, all of which are Pokemon that Volcarona can beat. Volcarona works well with Pokemon that can beat Rock- and Water-types like Archeops and Greninja, so Grass-types like Mega Venusaur and Ferrothorn are cordial companions. In return, Volcarona is adept at beating Pokemon like Mew, Mega Charizard Y, Kommo-o, and Zygarde.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Volcarona has a number of viable EV spread options. One is to completely forgo any HP investment and instead opt for a full-on offensive spread with maximum Special Attack and Speed to hit harder against Pokemon like Registeel and specially defensive Mega Heracross. A more physically defensive set with Will-O-Wisp over Substitute can be utilized to take on physical attackers like Donphan and Mega Medicham more reliably. Choice Specs is a possible item choice for Volcarona to boost coverage moves like Giga Drain and Hidden Power Ice, as well as its other STAB move Overheat, nabbing easier KOs on Pokemon like Mega Swampert, Landorus-T, and Mega Heracross. Hidden Power Electric can be used to allow Volcarona to lure in and take out Gyarados before it Mega Evolves.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Super Effective STAB Moves**: There are a plethora of Water-, Rock,- and Flying-types roaming the tier, such as Mega Gyarados, Archeops, Aggron, Golem, Dragonite, Mega Pinsir, and Landorus-T. Many Pokemon like Sawk and Choice Scarf Darmanitan also commonly carry Rock-type coverage, which is a huge threat to Volcarona.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Pokemon like Donphan and Mega Charizard X can take anything Volcarona throws at them while hitting it very hard with their STAB moves.
**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Pokemon like Choice Scarf Porygon-Z, Mega Lopunny, Greninja, Zeraora, and Mega Gengar all aptly deal with Volcarona due to their ability to outspeed and take it out.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Chickenpie2, 305552], [Alakazam, 276708]]
- Quality checked by: [[Alakazam, 276708], [Osra, 239997], [pqs, 425798]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Estronic, 240732]]
Volcarona is the only Bug / Fire type Pokemon in 1v1, which helps it deal with the abundance of Psychic-, Fairy-, and Steel-types in the metagame like Mew, Mega Slowbro, Tapu Lele, Mega Gardevoir, and Mega Metagross. Its good Special Attack and Speed along with Quiver Dance give it the potential to outspeed most other Pokemon after one boost, such as non-Hidden Power Rock Naganadel. With Substitute, Volcarona can bring its HP under one third and unleash a devastating Swarm-boosted Savage Spin-Out. This move can overwhelm the majority of Pokemon that do not resist it, letting Volcarona deal with most Pokemon that are slower than it. Unfortunately, Volcarona's Bug / Fire typing is poorly equipped to fight extremely prevalent Flying- and Water-types like Dragonite, Greninja, Tapu Fini, and especially Rock-types and Rock-type move users like Crustle and Donphan. Despite excellent offensive stats, Volcarona has subpar defensive stats, and heavy investment is required to take even some neutral hits, such as Fake Out followed by Giga Impact from Mega Lopunny and Hyper Beam from Choice Scarf Porygon-Z.
[SET]
name: Fast Buginium Z
move 1: Bug Buzz
move 2: Overheat
move 3: Quiver Dance
move 4: Substitute
item: Buginium Z
ability: Swarm
nature: Timid
evs: 192 HP / 52 Def / 12 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Bug Buzz is Volcarona's primary attacking move, which, when boosted by Buginium Z and Swarm, deals with Pokemon like Mew and Mega Tyranitar. It also goes through Substitute, which allows Volcarona to take on Pokemon like Whimsicott and Jumpluff. Overheat lets Volcarona blast away Steel-types like Aegislash, Mega Mawile, Mega Metagross, and Magearna. Quiver Dance boosts Volcarona's offensive stats and lets it outspeed and OHKO Pokemon like Mega Metagross and Haxorus after just one boost. It also means that Volcarona is able to set up alongside Pokemon like Magearna. Substitute gives Volcarona more opportunities to set up by giving it a safety net against status and powerful Z-Moves from Pokemon like Tapu Lele. It also helps bring Volcarona's HP low enough for it to utilize Swarm-boosted moves.
Set Details
========
252 Speed investment with a Timid nature lets Volcarona Speed tie with opposing base 100 Speed Pokemon like Mega Medicham and offensive Mega Charizard X, as well as outspeed Tapu Lele, Meloetta, and non-Choice Scarf Porygon-Z. The 192 HP EVs combined with 52 EVs allow Volcarona to tank Zen Headbutt followed by Bullet Punch from Mega Metagross, as well as tank Draco Meteor from non-Hidden Power Rock Choice Specs Naganadel and Shattered Psyche from Tapu Lele after a Quiver Dance. 12 Special Attack EVs guarantee an OHKO with Savage Spin-Out against Normalium Z Porygon-Z. Swarm alongside Buginium Z and Substitute to use an incredibly powerful nuke in Savage Spin-Out at low health, along with any accumulated Quiver Dance boosts.
Usage Tips
========
Against special attackers like Aegislash, Mega Altaria, and Tapu Lele, use Quiver Dance so that Volcarona can survive their Z-Moves if they use them. If Tapu Lele uses Calm Mind, continue using Substitute until either Volcarona is in Swarm range or they do not attack. As long as Volcarona has the same number of boosts as Tapu Lele, it should OHKO it with a Swarm-boosted Savage Spin-Out. Naturally, some Pokemon, such as Normalium Z Porygon-Z, should immediately be attacked with Savage Spin-Out, as Volcarona can simply OHKO them without risk. Against stall Pokemon like Porygon2, it is better to use Substitute first to ensure that Volcarona is unaffected by a potential Toxic or other status conditions. Against Type: Null, Volcarona's best play is to wait for them to use Confide at least twice before using Z-Quiver Dance to reset its stats and outboost them with more PP. The chance of a Special Defense drop from Bug Buzz can almost help immensely in these situations, but it should not be relied upon. Against Pokemon Volcarona outspeeds but cannot OHKO, like Mega Tyranitar and Mega Venusaur, use Substitute until it has less than 33% HP. If at any point before this they do not attack or break Volcarona's Substitute, use Quiver Dance to further boost Volcarona's Special Attack and keep up the pressure; when Volcarona is under 33%, use Savage Spin-Out. Against non-Extreme Speed Zygarde, use Quiver Dance first to boost Volcarona's offenses. Volcarona will be able to OHKO it with a Swarm-boosted Savage Spin-Out at +1, so use Substitute if needed to get into Swarm range. Otherwise, if they are running Extreme Speed, Volcarona has to Substitute on Tectonic Rage and then use Quiver Dance followed by Savage Spin-Out. If the foe uses Taunt, gauge whether using Z-Quiver Dance or if just attacking is the optimal option. If Volcarona already outspeeds the foe, it is generally more worth it to just attack. For example, against Deoxys-S, it would be better to Z-Quiver Dance, but against Mega Tyranitar, you would rather just attack. Magnezone is a tricky matchup, as it is a coinflip as to whether or not they will use Metal Sound or Electroweb. With this information, attacking and using Quiver Dance are your best options, as Electroweb will break Volcarona's Substitute anyway.
Team Options
========
As Volcarona is weak to Rock-type moves and threatened by other Fire- and Rock-types, Steel- and Ground-types are a perfect match. Mega Aggron and Donphan serve as good partners, dealing with Pokemon like Mega Charizard X and Y, Archeops, and Greninja, while Volcarona does away with Pokemon like Meloetta, Mega Slowbro, and Mega Venusaur that they typically struggle against. Volcarona's glaring Water-type weakness is easily covered by Kartana and Ferrothorn, which handle Primarina, Tapu Fini, and Mega Gyarados with ease. In return, Volcarona takes care of Pokemon like Genesect and Deoxys-S. Being weak to Fire-types also means that Water-types are a good partner for Volcarona, as they will cover different threats. Primarina in particular helps by beating pesky physical attackers like Golem and Crustle as well as Fire-types like Mega Charizard X and Darmanitan. It also checks Choice Scarf Porygon-Z. Meanwhile, Volcarona crushes any Grass-types that may threaten Primarina, such as Tapu Bulu and Mega Venusaur.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Roost
move 2: Quiver Dance
move 3: Bug Buzz
move 4: Substitute / Overheat
item: Buginium Z
ability: Swarm
nature: Calm
evs: 240 HP / 32 Def / 216 SpD / 20 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Roost lets Volcarona recover HP so that it can take multiple hits from foes like Primarina. Quiver Dance boosts Volcarona's offense and defense simultaneously, helping tremendously against foes like Mega Charizard Y and Porygon-Z. Bug Buzz is capable of dealing with many foes when boosted by Swarm and Buginium Z. Substitute allows Volcarona avoid taking fatal damage from potential Z-Moves like Oceanic Operetta from Primarina and brings Volcarona closer to Swarm range. Alternatively, Overheat hits Steel-types that resist Bug Buzz, like Aegislash and Mega Mawile. Will-O-Wisp is another option to lower the foe's Attack and deal chip damage, which is potentially helpful against physical attackers like Donphan. This is best run with Substitute to force a mind game.
Set Details
========
The 240 HP and 32 Defense EV investment lets Volcarona survive a Zen Headbutt followed by Bullet Punch from Mega Metagross. The 20 Speed EVs allow Volcarona to outspeed Timid Magnezone. The rest of the EVs are put into Special Defense to almost always ensure Volcarona's matchup against Modest Magnezone and grant it enough bulk to tank hits like Hyper Beam from Choice Scarf Porygon-Z and Sparkling Aria from Primarina.
Usage Tips
========
Send Volcarona in on specially offensive threats like Mega Charizard Y, Mew, Meloetta, and Porygon-Z. Against Mega Charizard Y, it may be necessary to set up Quiver Dance multiple times while using Roost when necessary to avoid taking fatal damage. If Porygon-Z does not immediately use Z-Conversion, use Savage Spin-Out after a single Quiver Dance. Otherwise, Quiver Dance twice before using Savage Spin-Out. With Substitute, Volcarona has a chance at beating Primarina. Usually it is safe to use Substitute to absorb the damage from Oceanic Operetta, and then Volcarona can Quiver Dance and Roost off any damage taken. Substitute can also be continuously used to safely bring Volcarona to Swarm range; this is useful against Zygarde, Mega Tyranitar, and Mega Venusaur. Immediately use Bug Buzz against opposing Magnezone to break their Sturdy and get them in range of Overheat. With Overheat, Volcarona can take on Steel-types like Aegislash, Celesteela, and Mega Mawile; against Mega Mawile, immediately OHKO it, but set up Quiver Dance first against the others. Against Donphan and Aggron, use Substitute to scout for Head Smash. If they don't use it, Will-O-Wisp is the next best play if you're running it. If they do use Head Smash, their Sturdy will be broken from taking recoil, and Volcarona will be able to OHKO them with a Swarm-boosted Savage Spin-Out.
Team Options
========
As Volcarona is capable of taking on most specially offensive threats, partners that can take on physical threats, namely Mega Gyarados, Mega Charizard X, and Dragonite, are appreciated. Flyinium Z Landorus-T and Mega Altaria are able to handle these aptly and are weak to specially oriented wallbreakers like Aegislash, Celesteela, Mega Charizard Y, and Porygon-Z, all of which are Pokemon that Volcarona can beat. Volcarona works well with Pokemon that can beat Rock- and Water-types like Archeops and Greninja, so Grass-types like Mega Venusaur and Ferrothorn are cordial companions. In return, Volcarona is adept at beating Pokemon like Mew, Mega Charizard Y, Kommo-o, and Zygarde.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Volcarona has a number of viable EV spread options. One is to completely forgo any HP investment and instead opt for a full-on offensive spread with maximum Special Attack and Speed to hit harder against Pokemon like Registeel and specially defensive Mega Heracross. A more physically defensive set with Will-O-Wisp over Substitute can be utilized to take on physical attackers like Donphan and Mega Medicham more reliably. Choice Specs is a possible item choice for Volcarona to boost coverage moves like Giga Drain and Hidden Power Ice, as well as its other STAB move Overheat, nabbing easier KOs on Pokemon like Mega Swampert, Landorus-T, and Mega Heracross. Hidden Power Electric can be used to allow Volcarona to lure in and take out Gyarados before it Mega Evolves.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Super Effective STAB Moves**: There are a plethora of Water-, Rock,- and Flying-types roaming the tier, such as Mega Gyarados, Archeops, Aggron, Golem, Dragonite, Mega Pinsir, and Landorus-T. Many Pokemon like Sawk and Choice Scarf Darmanitan also commonly carry Rock-type coverage, which is a huge threat to Volcarona.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Pokemon like Donphan and Mega Charizard X can take anything Volcarona throws at them while hitting it very hard with their STAB moves.
**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Pokemon like Choice Scarf Porygon-Z, Mega Lopunny, Greninja, Zeraora, and Mega Gengar all aptly deal with Volcarona due to their ability to outspeed and take it out.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Chickenpie2, 305552], [Alakazam, 276708]]
- Quality checked by: [[Alakazam, 276708], [Osra, 239997], [pqs, 425798]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Estronic, 240732]]
Last edited by a moderator:
