[OVERVIEW]
Volcarona proves itself to be a solid Pokemon in Regulation M-C thanks to its versatility, strong base stats, and deep movepool. It can take an offensive approach, using Quiver Dance alongside strong spread damage in Heat Wave to take down some of the format's top foes like Kingambit, Sylveon, and Mega Golisopod. On the contrary, Volcarona can also go fully supportive, redirecting attacks from the likes of Mega Metagross while offering up other supportive options. Volcarona, however, has a very exploitable defensive typing; many top Pokemon, like Sneasler and Garchomp, carry Rock Slide, while the plethora of Rock-type Pokemon in the format can use their Rock-type STAB choices to remove Volcarona. Water-types, like Basculegion-M, prove to be a similar issue, this time with their Water-type STAB.
[SET]
Setup Sweeper (Volcarona) @ Grassy Seed
Ability: Flame Body
Level: 50
SPs: 16 HP / 8 Def / 25 SpA / 17 Spe
Modest Nature
- Heat Wave
- Giga Drain
- Quiver Dance
- Protect
[SET COMMENTS]
* Volcarona has access to one of the best boosting moves in the game, Quiver Dance. This, in combination with a good offensive typing to target foes like Gholdengo and Rillaboom, and good base stats, allows Volcarona to be a devastating sweeper, easily dealing with huge threats like Mega Floette.
* Heat Wave is the Fire-type STAB move of choice, allowing Volcarona to spread damage to both foes and thus letting it take full advantage of its boosts. Giga Drain is run to not only provide an option to get around Wide Guard from foes such as Toxapex, but also to heal Volcarona, making it harder to remove after boosts. The main reason, however, is to hit Water- and Rock-type foes like Basculegion-M and Tyranitar harder.
* Flame Body forces foes like Sneasler and Rillaboom to be cautious when attempting to click Fake Out into Volcarona, as they can suffer a burn; this same concept applies to most physical attackers.
* Grassy Seed is run to patch up Volcarona's low Defense stat, though it means Volcarona should always be brought alongside Rillaboom. With Grassy Seed active, Volcarona is able to avoid OHKOs from Sneasler and Garchomp's Rock Slide.
* The given SP spread allows Volcarona to outspeed Mega Delphox after one Quiver Dance boost. The defensive investment allows Volcarona to survive Rock Slide from Sneasler and Garchomp and almost always survive Rock Slide from Life Orb Garchomp, +2 Sucker Punch from Life Orb Kingambit, and always avoid a 2HKO from Jolly Adaptability Basculegion-M's Aqua Jet when in Grassy Seed is active. The rest of the SPs are dropped into Special Attack for maximum power.
Usage Tips
========
* Rock-types like Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Tyranitar can easily remove Volcarona with Rock Slide, even if Grassy Seed is active. Mega Tyranitar can even easily tank Giga Drain thanks to the sand it sets up, which enables partners like Excadrill to outspeed even boosted Volcarona, dealing lots of damage with a Rock Slide of its own. Mega Aerodactyl, on the other hand, has Wide Guard to prevent Heat Wave from taking down allies like Farigiraf, letting it set up Trick Room or even use Roar to rid of any boosts Volcarona may have had. Glimmora and Mega Glimmora are other Rock-type threats, using Power Gem to easily dispose of Volcarona.
* Rock Slide from foes like Sneasler and Garchomp, although not OHKOing thanks to Grassy Seed, can deal major damage, while Power Gem from Mega Garchomp Z OHKOs Volcarona pre-boosts. Even if Volcarona gets boosted before Garchomp or its Mega-Z variant come in, it cannot threaten much damage into them.
* Water-types, namely Basculegion-M and Mega Swampert, are big issues for Volcarona, easily swapping in on Heat Wave and OHKOing through Grassy Seed with Wave Crash. With Choice Scarf and Swift Swim, respectively, they outrun boosted Volcarona. Pelipper is another potential issue, since Weather Ball and Hurricane do lots of damage. Basculegion-F can outspeed Volcarona in the rain thanks to Swift Swim, eliminating it with Muddy Water. Toxapex is bulky enough to stall out Volcarona with Toxic and Infestation, while also having Wide Guard to protect allies such as Venusaur.
* Encore from Whimsicott and Mega Raichu Y could trap Volcarona into using Quiver Dance, making it a rather vulnerable target. The same goes for Trick and choice item users, namely Indeedee-M. Incineroar stops Volcarona's momentum with Fake Out, easily swaps in on Heat Wave and Giga Drain, weakens Volcarona with Parting Shot, and hits it on its weaker physical defense with powerful options such as Flare Blitz and Throat Chop.
* Mega Pokemon such as Mega Salamence and Mega Staraptor threaten huge Flying-type damage with Hyper Voice and Brave Bird, respectively. Mega Salamence and other Mega Pokemon, namely Mega Dragonite, have the added bonus of resisting both Heat Wave and Giga Drain. Mega Charizard Y does similarly on resistances, threatening massive Fire-type damage with Weather Ball or even super effective damage into Volcarona in the form of Ancient Power or Hurricane.
* Rillaboom is a near mandatory partner, activating Grassy Seed and easily removing the Water- and Rock-type Pokemon that threaten Volcarona with Wood Hammer, all while giving it opportunities to set up with Fake Out. Volcarona, in return, helps out against Steel-type Pokemon like Gholdengo and Mega Golisopod, who Rillaboom cannot deal much damage to.
* Incineroar is often paired with Rillaboom to form a strong supportive core for Volcarona, also having Fake Out while using Parting Shot and Intimidate to weaken foes and come back in to reset Intimidate and Fake Out. Incineroar's Throat Chop also prevents foes from using Roar to force Volcarona out or stop foes from using Parting Shot to weaken Volcarona. Basculegion-M is similarly a pivoting partner, also dealing heavy damage into Rock-type foes, walling out Sneasler, and dealing massive damage to Incineroar and Mega Charizard Y. Volcarona helps out against Grass-types like Rillaboom for Basculegion-M, as well as Kingambit.
* Mega Raichu Y is a very popular Mega partner due to its ability to deal with Water-type foes like the aforementioned Basculegion-M as well as Mega Charizard Y, Mega Staraptor, and Mega Aerodactyl, even having Focus Blast to hit Mega Tyranitar. Mega Garchomp Z is often run with Volcarona as well for its positive matchup into Mega Salamence, Garchomp, Glimmora and its Mega variant, as well as also handling Water-type Pokemon by swapping in on their attacks, even threatening decent damage into them with its Dragon-type STAB options. Volcarona provides help into Rillaboom and the Fairy-types of the format, namely Sylveon and Mega Floette, in return.
[SET]
Redirection Support (Volcarona) @ Rocky Helmet / Sitrus Berry / Charti Berry
Ability: Ability
Level: 50
SPs: 32 HP / 12 Def / 1 SpD / 21 Spe OR 32 HP / 25 Def / 6 SpD / 3 Spe
Timid / Bold Nature
- Rage Powder
- Overheat
- Struggle Bug
- Protect / Tailwind
[SET COMMENTS]
* Volcarona, using its great defensive ability and supportive movepool, becomes a solid support Pokemon, redirecting attacks from the likes of Mega Golisopod and Mega Floette with ease while still threatening foes like Mega Metagross with solid damage.
* Overheat gives Volcarona burst damage potential, capable of OHKOing Kingambit. Struggle Bug not only breaks stray Focus Sash on foes like Sneasler, but also weakens the format's most common Special Attackers like Mega Delphox, Sylveon, and Mega Raichu Y. Protect allows Volcarona to position better and scout for stray Rock-type moves like Rock Slide on Sneasler. On the other hand, Tailwind provides Volcarona with access to speed control, letting partners such as Gholdengo outspeed and OHKO Mega Gengar and Mega Froslass.
* Rocky Helmet works well in conjunction with Flame Body, making contact attacks an inherent risk when Volcarona is on the field. Sitrus Berry lets Volcarona stay on the field longer, while Charti Berry is helpful as insurance against the many Rock Slide users or Rock-types of the format, like Garchomp and Glimmora.
* The first spread uses a Timid Nature, outspeeding Adamant Garchomp and Modest Mega Floette. The bulk lets it survive Hurricane from Pelipper, with the rest being put into Defense to attempt to patch up Volcarona's mediocre defense. The second SP spread, using a Bold Nature, survives +2 Sucker Punch from Black Glasses Kingambit, while avoiding a 2HKO from Mega Raichu Y's Zap Cannon when holding a Sitrus Berry and almost always avoiding an OHKO from Mega Charizard Y's Ancient Power. The speed investment allows Volcarona to outrun Adamant Mega Swampert.
Usage Tips
========
* Similar to the Quiver Dance set, Rock- and Water-type Pokemon like Mega Tyranitar and Basculegion-M threaten to OHKO Volcarona with ease. This time, however, Volcarona does not have access to Giga Drain to deal significant damage to them, leaving Volcarona even more vulnerable. Incineroar is similarly an issue, though now Volcarona can punish it with Rocky Helmet and it doesn't care as much about the Parting Shot drops as before.
* Flying-type Mega Pokemon like Mega Salamence, as mentioned above, still provide issues for Volcarona. Mega Staraptor is now punished harder if running Dual Wingbeat thanks to Rocky Helmet, although it still deals significant damage.
* Now without Quiver Dance, Archaludon becomes an issue for Volcarona. It deals solid damage and nullifies the Struggle Bug drops with Electro Shot while also not taking much from Overheat if the rain is active. Mega Floette also becomes a larger issue long-term, as, if running Calm Mind, it can set up a couple of times to overwhelm Volcarona, especially if Volcarona doesn't have Sitrus Berry.
* Rillaboom is again a common partner to deal with Rock- and Water-type Pokemon, this time appreciating Volcarona's redirection of moves such as Sludge Bomb from Venusaur and Ice Beam from Basculegion-F, still providing help into Steel-types thanks to Overheat. Incineroar is similarly still a common partner thanks to Intimidate allowing Volcarona to stay on the field for longer.
* Kingambit provides help into Mega Salamence as well as Rock-types and Basculegion-M. It greatly appreciates Volcarona's redirecting capabilities and Fighting resistance, allowing it to set up with Swords Dance. Volcarona also covers against Corviknight and opposing Kingambit, which could threaten Kingambit with Body Press and Low Kick, respectively.
* Mega Salamence provides assistance against Mega Charizard Y and Mega Staraptor, resisting their attacks and retaliating with Aerilate-boosted Hyper Voice. It also matches up nicely into lots of Water-type foes and Incineroar. Volcarona allows it to attack safely with Rage Power, redirecting Hyper Beam from Sylveon and Moonblast from Mega Floette, while also using Overheat to remove lots of the Steel-types that annoy Mega Salamence like Gholdengo. Mega Raichu Y also continues to be a common Mega partner choice, as the redirection provided by Volcarona allows Mega Raichu Y, a frailer Pokemon, to spread paralysis for longer, enabling partners like Garchomp to clean up.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pengu.650323/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/carrotman.668837/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Volcarona proves itself to be a solid Pokemon in Regulation M-C thanks to its versatility, strong base stats, and deep movepool. It can take an offensive approach, using Quiver Dance alongside strong spread damage in Heat Wave to take down some of the format's top foes like Kingambit, Sylveon, and Mega Golisopod. On the contrary, Volcarona can also go fully supportive, redirecting attacks from the likes of Mega Metagross while offering up other supportive options. Volcarona, however, has a very exploitable defensive typing; many top Pokemon, like Sneasler and Garchomp, carry Rock Slide, while the plethora of Rock-type Pokemon in the format can use their Rock-type STAB choices to remove Volcarona. Water-types, like Basculegion-M, prove to be a similar issue, this time with their Water-type STAB.
[SET]
Setup Sweeper (Volcarona) @ Grassy Seed
Ability: Flame Body
Level: 50
SPs: 16 HP / 8 Def / 25 SpA / 17 Spe
Modest Nature
- Heat Wave
- Giga Drain
- Quiver Dance
- Protect
[SET COMMENTS]
* Volcarona has access to one of the best boosting moves in the game, Quiver Dance. This, in combination with a good offensive typing to target foes like Gholdengo and Rillaboom, and good base stats, allows Volcarona to be a devastating sweeper, easily dealing with huge threats like Mega Floette.
* Heat Wave is the Fire-type STAB move of choice, allowing Volcarona to spread damage to both foes and thus letting it take full advantage of its boosts. Giga Drain is run to not only provide an option to get around Wide Guard from foes such as Toxapex, but also to heal Volcarona, making it harder to remove after boosts. The main reason, however, is to hit Water- and Rock-type foes like Basculegion-M and Tyranitar harder.
* Flame Body forces foes like Sneasler and Rillaboom to be cautious when attempting to click Fake Out into Volcarona, as they can suffer a burn; this same concept applies to most physical attackers.
* Grassy Seed is run to patch up Volcarona's low Defense stat, though it means Volcarona should always be brought alongside Rillaboom. With Grassy Seed active, Volcarona is able to avoid OHKOs from Sneasler and Garchomp's Rock Slide.
* The given SP spread allows Volcarona to outspeed Mega Delphox after one Quiver Dance boost. The defensive investment allows Volcarona to survive Rock Slide from Sneasler and Garchomp and almost always survive Rock Slide from Life Orb Garchomp, +2 Sucker Punch from Life Orb Kingambit, and always avoid a 2HKO from Jolly Adaptability Basculegion-M's Aqua Jet when in Grassy Seed is active. The rest of the SPs are dropped into Special Attack for maximum power.
Usage Tips
========
* Rock-types like Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Tyranitar can easily remove Volcarona with Rock Slide, even if Grassy Seed is active. Mega Tyranitar can even easily tank Giga Drain thanks to the sand it sets up, which enables partners like Excadrill to outspeed even boosted Volcarona, dealing lots of damage with a Rock Slide of its own. Mega Aerodactyl, on the other hand, has Wide Guard to prevent Heat Wave from taking down allies like Farigiraf, letting it set up Trick Room or even use Roar to rid of any boosts Volcarona may have had. Glimmora and Mega Glimmora are other Rock-type threats, using Power Gem to easily dispose of Volcarona.
* Rock Slide from foes like Sneasler and Garchomp, although not OHKOing thanks to Grassy Seed, can deal major damage, while Power Gem from Mega Garchomp Z OHKOs Volcarona pre-boosts. Even if Volcarona gets boosted before Garchomp or its Mega-Z variant come in, it cannot threaten much damage into them.
* Water-types, namely Basculegion-M and Mega Swampert, are big issues for Volcarona, easily swapping in on Heat Wave and OHKOing through Grassy Seed with Wave Crash. With Choice Scarf and Swift Swim, respectively, they outrun boosted Volcarona. Pelipper is another potential issue, since Weather Ball and Hurricane do lots of damage. Basculegion-F can outspeed Volcarona in the rain thanks to Swift Swim, eliminating it with Muddy Water. Toxapex is bulky enough to stall out Volcarona with Toxic and Infestation, while also having Wide Guard to protect allies such as Venusaur.
* Encore from Whimsicott and Mega Raichu Y could trap Volcarona into using Quiver Dance, making it a rather vulnerable target. The same goes for Trick and choice item users, namely Indeedee-M. Incineroar stops Volcarona's momentum with Fake Out, easily swaps in on Heat Wave and Giga Drain, weakens Volcarona with Parting Shot, and hits it on its weaker physical defense with powerful options such as Flare Blitz and Throat Chop.
* Mega Pokemon such as Mega Salamence and Mega Staraptor threaten huge Flying-type damage with Hyper Voice and Brave Bird, respectively. Mega Salamence and other Mega Pokemon, namely Mega Dragonite, have the added bonus of resisting both Heat Wave and Giga Drain. Mega Charizard Y does similarly on resistances, threatening massive Fire-type damage with Weather Ball or even super effective damage into Volcarona in the form of Ancient Power or Hurricane.
* Rillaboom is a near mandatory partner, activating Grassy Seed and easily removing the Water- and Rock-type Pokemon that threaten Volcarona with Wood Hammer, all while giving it opportunities to set up with Fake Out. Volcarona, in return, helps out against Steel-type Pokemon like Gholdengo and Mega Golisopod, who Rillaboom cannot deal much damage to.
* Incineroar is often paired with Rillaboom to form a strong supportive core for Volcarona, also having Fake Out while using Parting Shot and Intimidate to weaken foes and come back in to reset Intimidate and Fake Out. Incineroar's Throat Chop also prevents foes from using Roar to force Volcarona out or stop foes from using Parting Shot to weaken Volcarona. Basculegion-M is similarly a pivoting partner, also dealing heavy damage into Rock-type foes, walling out Sneasler, and dealing massive damage to Incineroar and Mega Charizard Y. Volcarona helps out against Grass-types like Rillaboom for Basculegion-M, as well as Kingambit.
* Mega Raichu Y is a very popular Mega partner due to its ability to deal with Water-type foes like the aforementioned Basculegion-M as well as Mega Charizard Y, Mega Staraptor, and Mega Aerodactyl, even having Focus Blast to hit Mega Tyranitar. Mega Garchomp Z is often run with Volcarona as well for its positive matchup into Mega Salamence, Garchomp, Glimmora and its Mega variant, as well as also handling Water-type Pokemon by swapping in on their attacks, even threatening decent damage into them with its Dragon-type STAB options. Volcarona provides help into Rillaboom and the Fairy-types of the format, namely Sylveon and Mega Floette, in return.
[SET]
Redirection Support (Volcarona) @ Rocky Helmet / Sitrus Berry / Charti Berry
Ability: Ability
Level: 50
SPs: 32 HP / 12 Def / 1 SpD / 21 Spe OR 32 HP / 25 Def / 6 SpD / 3 Spe
Timid / Bold Nature
- Rage Powder
- Overheat
- Struggle Bug
- Protect / Tailwind
[SET COMMENTS]
* Volcarona, using its great defensive ability and supportive movepool, becomes a solid support Pokemon, redirecting attacks from the likes of Mega Golisopod and Mega Floette with ease while still threatening foes like Mega Metagross with solid damage.
* Overheat gives Volcarona burst damage potential, capable of OHKOing Kingambit. Struggle Bug not only breaks stray Focus Sash on foes like Sneasler, but also weakens the format's most common Special Attackers like Mega Delphox, Sylveon, and Mega Raichu Y. Protect allows Volcarona to position better and scout for stray Rock-type moves like Rock Slide on Sneasler. On the other hand, Tailwind provides Volcarona with access to speed control, letting partners such as Gholdengo outspeed and OHKO Mega Gengar and Mega Froslass.
* Rocky Helmet works well in conjunction with Flame Body, making contact attacks an inherent risk when Volcarona is on the field. Sitrus Berry lets Volcarona stay on the field longer, while Charti Berry is helpful as insurance against the many Rock Slide users or Rock-types of the format, like Garchomp and Glimmora.
* The first spread uses a Timid Nature, outspeeding Adamant Garchomp and Modest Mega Floette. The bulk lets it survive Hurricane from Pelipper, with the rest being put into Defense to attempt to patch up Volcarona's mediocre defense. The second SP spread, using a Bold Nature, survives +2 Sucker Punch from Black Glasses Kingambit, while avoiding a 2HKO from Mega Raichu Y's Zap Cannon when holding a Sitrus Berry and almost always avoiding an OHKO from Mega Charizard Y's Ancient Power. The speed investment allows Volcarona to outrun Adamant Mega Swampert.
Usage Tips
========
* Similar to the Quiver Dance set, Rock- and Water-type Pokemon like Mega Tyranitar and Basculegion-M threaten to OHKO Volcarona with ease. This time, however, Volcarona does not have access to Giga Drain to deal significant damage to them, leaving Volcarona even more vulnerable. Incineroar is similarly an issue, though now Volcarona can punish it with Rocky Helmet and it doesn't care as much about the Parting Shot drops as before.
* Flying-type Mega Pokemon like Mega Salamence, as mentioned above, still provide issues for Volcarona. Mega Staraptor is now punished harder if running Dual Wingbeat thanks to Rocky Helmet, although it still deals significant damage.
* Now without Quiver Dance, Archaludon becomes an issue for Volcarona. It deals solid damage and nullifies the Struggle Bug drops with Electro Shot while also not taking much from Overheat if the rain is active. Mega Floette also becomes a larger issue long-term, as, if running Calm Mind, it can set up a couple of times to overwhelm Volcarona, especially if Volcarona doesn't have Sitrus Berry.
* Rillaboom is again a common partner to deal with Rock- and Water-type Pokemon, this time appreciating Volcarona's redirection of moves such as Sludge Bomb from Venusaur and Ice Beam from Basculegion-F, still providing help into Steel-types thanks to Overheat. Incineroar is similarly still a common partner thanks to Intimidate allowing Volcarona to stay on the field for longer.
* Kingambit provides help into Mega Salamence as well as Rock-types and Basculegion-M. It greatly appreciates Volcarona's redirecting capabilities and Fighting resistance, allowing it to set up with Swords Dance. Volcarona also covers against Corviknight and opposing Kingambit, which could threaten Kingambit with Body Press and Low Kick, respectively.
* Mega Salamence provides assistance against Mega Charizard Y and Mega Staraptor, resisting their attacks and retaliating with Aerilate-boosted Hyper Voice. It also matches up nicely into lots of Water-type foes and Incineroar. Volcarona allows it to attack safely with Rage Power, redirecting Hyper Beam from Sylveon and Moonblast from Mega Floette, while also using Overheat to remove lots of the Steel-types that annoy Mega Salamence like Gholdengo. Mega Raichu Y also continues to be a common Mega partner choice, as the redirection provided by Volcarona allows Mega Raichu Y, a frailer Pokemon, to spread paralysis for longer, enabling partners like Garchomp to clean up.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pengu.650323/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/carrotman.668837/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Last edited:
