[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Superpower
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Toxic
item: Eviolite
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Adamant
evs: 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 Spe
As a bulky offensive threat, Pignite ends up being the offensive glue that holds a lot of teams together, with its good all-around bulk and solid offensive coverage always coming in handy. Many Grass-types have a hard time trading hits and preventing Pignite from coming in against them, and many other walls and sweepers such as Dustox, Bronzor, Klang, and Scraggy all struggle versus it. Sucker Punch means that even when Pignite is at low HP, it can still pose a threat to revenge killers, especially frailer examples like Swoobat and Pikachu. For bulkier targets it fails to break through, like Regenerator Duosion, Marshtomp, and Hippopotas, Pignite can still threaten them with Toxic on the switch in. Thick Fat is an asset for discouraging STAB attacks from wallbreakers like Choice Specs Magmar and Vanilluxe. The given EV spread outspeeds Adamant Lairon, although a faster spread to outspeed Adamant Klang is also viable.
Grass- and Water-types are some of the best teammates for Pignite, as they complete the Fire / Water / Grass core. Servine and Politoed work on bulky offense, being able to spread status and pivot Pignite in on Grass-types like Ivysaur and Gogoat. Alternatively, the likes of Simisage and Frogadier support Pignite with their revenge killing capabilities, and in return it forces heavy hits on important walls. Duosion's Future Sight support is a great way to make sure Pignite will net hefty damage, as walls like Swalot and Trubbish stop being safe switch-ins to Superpower. Pivots like Volt Switch Electabuzz and Klang can force out Water-types and bring Pignite in on susceptible special walls. Klang, Krokorok, and Lairon appreciate Pignite's ability to break down defensive walls with its powerful STAB moves, giving them an easier time to sweep in the endgame. Entry hazard removers like Vibrava and Dustox are appreciated to reduce the amount of chip damage Pignite takes, since it already deals with Flare Blitz recoil.
[SET]
name: Curse
move 1: Curse
move 2: Fire Punch
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Eviolite
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 8 Atk / 252 SpD
Pignite poses as a threatening defensive setup sweeper thanks to Curse, while Thick Fat gives it free entry against powerful attackers. Early-game, Pignite has the special bulk to tank hits from a slew of special attackers like Servine, Magmar, and Vanilluxe and can even absorb status like Servine's Glare. It can then recover with Rest late-game and start to set up with Sleep Talk + Curse. Given the lack of viable Flash Fire users, Fire Punch suffices as Pignite's only attack. Brick Break can also work either over Sleep Talk or, seldomly, by itself over Fire Punch, but being unable to force out Gourgiest-L and being completely walled by Ghost-types is usually too much of a liability.
Water-types like Politoed and Whiscash make for great teammates, as they can eliminate the Rock-types like Gigalith and Carbink that Pignite struggles to set up against. Sticky Hold Swalot is a solid teammate, as both Trick and Knock Off can stop Curse sweeps. Electabuzz also is great as a way to punish Encore users such as Jumpluff and Politoed. Ivysaur and Servine can remove items with Knock Off, spread status, and force out Water-types like Huntail and Politoed, making it easier for Pignite to sweep, and in return they rely on Pignite to tank the strong Fire- and Ice-type attacks that force them out. Clerics like Meganium and Wigglytuff make Pignite less reliant on Rest for recovery and relieve its role as a status absorber.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A faster set with Taunt + Toxic can shut down some walls and switch-ins, but it comes at the cost of Pignite's coverage and defensive capabilities, which are generally more valuable. Power-Up Punch is an alternative option on the tank set to potentially pick off a weakened target and then use the extra power to sweep with a stronger Sucker Punch. Flame Charge with extra Speed investment allows Pignite to potentially clean late-game, although Curse + Sucker Punch offers a more reliable vehicle to success. Wild Charge nails Water-types attempting to switch in, although all notable examples will be just as vulnerable to Superpower, which also comes with the perk of lacking recoil. Roar works as some bulky setup sweepers like Scraggy and Iron Defense Klang can become too hard for Pignite to break itself. Bulldoze is helpful for the mirror and works like Flame Charge to a lesser extent, getting the jump on faster attackers like Magmar and Electabuzz. Sometimes, the offensive potential of Blaze can be worth forfeiting Pignite's ability to easily switch into Vanilluxe with Thick Fat, especially given its good synergy with Flare Blitz recoil. RestTalk over Toxic and Sucker Punch on an offensive set is great for helping Pignite stick around while making it arguably the best long-term answer to Bronzor. Although RestTalk makes Pignite much bulkier, it leaves it vulnerable to being revenge KOed more easily. Heavy Slam is a good option to OHKO a common counter in Carbink.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Bulky Ground-types such as Vibrava, Hippopotas, and Marshtomp are hard for Pignite to trade hits against, even if they lose their Eviolite or get poisoned by Toxic.
**Water-types**: Most Water-types do not want to switch in against Pignite's strong coverage, but the likes of Simipour and Whiscash can come in against its Fire-type attacks and force it out. Politoed's bulk and access to Protect and Encore makes it one of the hardest checks to deal with.
**Swalot**: Physically defensive Swalot is a pain for Pignite to get through, especially when Flare Blitz recoil is compounded with Rocky Helmet chip damage. Some variants also carry Encore to shut down Curse Pignite.
**Duosion**: Duosion's overall bulk and access to STAB Psychic and Future Sight make it a good check to Pignite, even absorbing its strong Flare Blitz thanks to Regenerator.
**Wallbreakers**: Faster, hard-hitting attackers like Life Orb Murkrow and Choice Specs Electabuzz can force out Pignite. Even some of the wallbreakers that Pignite can discourage, like Vanilluxe and Magmar, run coverage like Hidden Power Ground and Psychic, respectively, that can 2HKO Pignite.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/s1nn0hc0nfirm3d.231074/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/5dots.543866/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/jett.226429/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
name: Tank
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Superpower
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Toxic
item: Eviolite
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Adamant
evs: 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 Spe
As a bulky offensive threat, Pignite ends up being the offensive glue that holds a lot of teams together, with its good all-around bulk and solid offensive coverage always coming in handy. Many Grass-types have a hard time trading hits and preventing Pignite from coming in against them, and many other walls and sweepers such as Dustox, Bronzor, Klang, and Scraggy all struggle versus it. Sucker Punch means that even when Pignite is at low HP, it can still pose a threat to revenge killers, especially frailer examples like Swoobat and Pikachu. For bulkier targets it fails to break through, like Regenerator Duosion, Marshtomp, and Hippopotas, Pignite can still threaten them with Toxic on the switch in. Thick Fat is an asset for discouraging STAB attacks from wallbreakers like Choice Specs Magmar and Vanilluxe. The given EV spread outspeeds Adamant Lairon, although a faster spread to outspeed Adamant Klang is also viable.
Grass- and Water-types are some of the best teammates for Pignite, as they complete the Fire / Water / Grass core. Servine and Politoed work on bulky offense, being able to spread status and pivot Pignite in on Grass-types like Ivysaur and Gogoat. Alternatively, the likes of Simisage and Frogadier support Pignite with their revenge killing capabilities, and in return it forces heavy hits on important walls. Duosion's Future Sight support is a great way to make sure Pignite will net hefty damage, as walls like Swalot and Trubbish stop being safe switch-ins to Superpower. Pivots like Volt Switch Electabuzz and Klang can force out Water-types and bring Pignite in on susceptible special walls. Klang, Krokorok, and Lairon appreciate Pignite's ability to break down defensive walls with its powerful STAB moves, giving them an easier time to sweep in the endgame. Entry hazard removers like Vibrava and Dustox are appreciated to reduce the amount of chip damage Pignite takes, since it already deals with Flare Blitz recoil.
[SET]
name: Curse
move 1: Curse
move 2: Fire Punch
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Eviolite
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 8 Atk / 252 SpD
Pignite poses as a threatening defensive setup sweeper thanks to Curse, while Thick Fat gives it free entry against powerful attackers. Early-game, Pignite has the special bulk to tank hits from a slew of special attackers like Servine, Magmar, and Vanilluxe and can even absorb status like Servine's Glare. It can then recover with Rest late-game and start to set up with Sleep Talk + Curse. Given the lack of viable Flash Fire users, Fire Punch suffices as Pignite's only attack. Brick Break can also work either over Sleep Talk or, seldomly, by itself over Fire Punch, but being unable to force out Gourgiest-L and being completely walled by Ghost-types is usually too much of a liability.
Water-types like Politoed and Whiscash make for great teammates, as they can eliminate the Rock-types like Gigalith and Carbink that Pignite struggles to set up against. Sticky Hold Swalot is a solid teammate, as both Trick and Knock Off can stop Curse sweeps. Electabuzz also is great as a way to punish Encore users such as Jumpluff and Politoed. Ivysaur and Servine can remove items with Knock Off, spread status, and force out Water-types like Huntail and Politoed, making it easier for Pignite to sweep, and in return they rely on Pignite to tank the strong Fire- and Ice-type attacks that force them out. Clerics like Meganium and Wigglytuff make Pignite less reliant on Rest for recovery and relieve its role as a status absorber.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A faster set with Taunt + Toxic can shut down some walls and switch-ins, but it comes at the cost of Pignite's coverage and defensive capabilities, which are generally more valuable. Power-Up Punch is an alternative option on the tank set to potentially pick off a weakened target and then use the extra power to sweep with a stronger Sucker Punch. Flame Charge with extra Speed investment allows Pignite to potentially clean late-game, although Curse + Sucker Punch offers a more reliable vehicle to success. Wild Charge nails Water-types attempting to switch in, although all notable examples will be just as vulnerable to Superpower, which also comes with the perk of lacking recoil. Roar works as some bulky setup sweepers like Scraggy and Iron Defense Klang can become too hard for Pignite to break itself. Bulldoze is helpful for the mirror and works like Flame Charge to a lesser extent, getting the jump on faster attackers like Magmar and Electabuzz. Sometimes, the offensive potential of Blaze can be worth forfeiting Pignite's ability to easily switch into Vanilluxe with Thick Fat, especially given its good synergy with Flare Blitz recoil. RestTalk over Toxic and Sucker Punch on an offensive set is great for helping Pignite stick around while making it arguably the best long-term answer to Bronzor. Although RestTalk makes Pignite much bulkier, it leaves it vulnerable to being revenge KOed more easily. Heavy Slam is a good option to OHKO a common counter in Carbink.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Bulky Ground-types such as Vibrava, Hippopotas, and Marshtomp are hard for Pignite to trade hits against, even if they lose their Eviolite or get poisoned by Toxic.
**Water-types**: Most Water-types do not want to switch in against Pignite's strong coverage, but the likes of Simipour and Whiscash can come in against its Fire-type attacks and force it out. Politoed's bulk and access to Protect and Encore makes it one of the hardest checks to deal with.
**Swalot**: Physically defensive Swalot is a pain for Pignite to get through, especially when Flare Blitz recoil is compounded with Rocky Helmet chip damage. Some variants also carry Encore to shut down Curse Pignite.
**Duosion**: Duosion's overall bulk and access to STAB Psychic and Future Sight make it a good check to Pignite, even absorbing its strong Flare Blitz thanks to Regenerator.
**Wallbreakers**: Faster, hard-hitting attackers like Life Orb Murkrow and Choice Specs Electabuzz can force out Pignite. Even some of the wallbreakers that Pignite can discourage, like Vanilluxe and Magmar, run coverage like Hidden Power Ground and Psychic, respectively, that can 2HKO Pignite.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/s1nn0hc0nfirm3d.231074/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/5dots.543866/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/jett.226429/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
Last edited:
