So I've been playtesting this set for a couple of days now, credits to ShakeItUp for finding this gem. This thing is actually really good!
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Protect
move 4: Substitute
item: Life Orb
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Combusken may seem fairly weak when its stats aren't boosted, it has some very powerful special attacks in its arsenal. These attacks allow it to 2HKO the majority of the NU metagame, where there are more physically bulky Pokemon than specially defensive. Fire Blast is your first STAB move, which not only roasts anything that is weak to it but also 2HKOes a lot of Pokemon that are hit neutrally by it. Focus Blast smashes most of the Pokemon that can take Fire Blast. As a testament to the power of STAB Focus Blast, Regirock has a 69% chance of being OHKOed after Stealth Rock damage. As an added bonus, Fire / Fighting also has excellent neutral coverage on most of the tier. Protect takes the third moveslot, allowing you to snag a Speed boost for free. In the final slot, Substitute provides an small buffer for attacks as well as status moves. While it may seem detrimental in conjunction with Life Orb, Combusken won't be lasting for very long anyways.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>To prove exactly how powerful Combusken is, below are some damage calculations versus some of the most prominent walls in the tier.</p>
<ul class="damage_calculations">
<li>Focus Blast vs 36/220 Alomomola 57.08% - 67.08%</li>
<li>Fire Blast vs 252/0 Weezing 83.83% - 99.1%</li>
<li>Fire Blast vs 252/80 Mesprit 51.1% - 60.16%</li>
<li>Fire Blast vs 252/0 Misdreavus 74.38% - 87.35%</li>
<li>Focus Blast vs 252/0 Torkoal 81.4% - 96.22%</li>
<li>Fire Blast vs 252/252+ Cryogonal 71.51% - 84.59%</li>
<li>Hidden Power Ice vs 252/252+ Altaria 65.54% - 76.84%</li>
</ul>
<p>The above calculations are only possible with Life Orb, making it the preferred item. However, both Leftovers and Eviolite are options, the former for restoring lost HP from Substitute, and the latter for giving you more overall bulk. However, you will be missing out on most of the KOs you would be achieving otherwise. On that note, you can forgo Substitute for another coverage move, preferably a Hidden Power of your choice. Hidden Power Ice is usually the best option, as it is the only way you will ever get past specially defensive Altaria. Teammates who can set up hazards are incredibly useful for this set, as they are needed for several of the above KOs. Lastly, make sure you come in only on Pokemon who can't do anything to you, or right after a kill; Combusken is incredibly frail and will sustain heavy damage if switching in directly on even a neutral attack. Likewise, it doesn't outspeed everything after a single boost, so when faced with a faster threat, don't be afraid to switch out.</p>
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Protect
move 4: Substitute
item: Life Orb
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Combusken may seem fairly weak when its stats aren't boosted, it has some very powerful special attacks in its arsenal. These attacks allow it to 2HKO the majority of the NU metagame, where there are more physically bulky Pokemon than specially defensive. Fire Blast is your first STAB move, which not only roasts anything that is weak to it but also 2HKOes a lot of Pokemon that are hit neutrally by it. Focus Blast smashes most of the Pokemon that can take Fire Blast. As a testament to the power of STAB Focus Blast, Regirock has a 69% chance of being OHKOed after Stealth Rock damage. As an added bonus, Fire / Fighting also has excellent neutral coverage on most of the tier. Protect takes the third moveslot, allowing you to snag a Speed boost for free. In the final slot, Substitute provides an small buffer for attacks as well as status moves. While it may seem detrimental in conjunction with Life Orb, Combusken won't be lasting for very long anyways.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>To prove exactly how powerful Combusken is, below are some damage calculations versus some of the most prominent walls in the tier.</p>
<ul class="damage_calculations">
<li>Focus Blast vs 36/220 Alomomola 57.08% - 67.08%</li>
<li>Fire Blast vs 252/0 Weezing 83.83% - 99.1%</li>
<li>Fire Blast vs 252/80 Mesprit 51.1% - 60.16%</li>
<li>Fire Blast vs 252/0 Misdreavus 74.38% - 87.35%</li>
<li>Focus Blast vs 252/0 Torkoal 81.4% - 96.22%</li>
<li>Fire Blast vs 252/252+ Cryogonal 71.51% - 84.59%</li>
<li>Hidden Power Ice vs 252/252+ Altaria 65.54% - 76.84%</li>
</ul>
<p>The above calculations are only possible with Life Orb, making it the preferred item. However, both Leftovers and Eviolite are options, the former for restoring lost HP from Substitute, and the latter for giving you more overall bulk. However, you will be missing out on most of the KOs you would be achieving otherwise. On that note, you can forgo Substitute for another coverage move, preferably a Hidden Power of your choice. Hidden Power Ice is usually the best option, as it is the only way you will ever get past specially defensive Altaria. Teammates who can set up hazards are incredibly useful for this set, as they are needed for several of the above KOs. Lastly, make sure you come in only on Pokemon who can't do anything to you, or right after a kill; Combusken is incredibly frail and will sustain heavy damage if switching in directly on even a neutral attack. Likewise, it doesn't outspeed everything after a single boost, so when faced with a faster threat, don't be afraid to switch out.</p>
