http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/arcanine
The EVs may need some tweaking to outspeed things but this is the EV spread I have been using. In the end, I found that this set is set worthy and can surprisingly rack up some entry hazard damage.
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[SET]
name: Shuffler
move 1: Roar
move 2: Flare Blitz / Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Leftovers
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 6 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Arcanine can be a valuable asset to any team that requires an effective shuffler. Its real selling point is its ability Intimidate, which drops the opponents Attack by one stage and helps you to deal with physical sweepers more easily. Arcanine can reveal a Pokemon or two by utilizing Roar on Pokemon like Chansey, Registeel, Steelix and Scyther as they switch out in fear of its STAB Fire moves, and expelling the switch-in, which also reveals the opponent's best answer for Arcanine in general. This is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of entry hazards on the field which chips off the opponents health slowly, wearing them down for the sweepers on your team. Since Flare Blitz receives STAB and 120 base power, it will scare away opponents and you will find yourself juggling the opponents team the entire match if they don't pack a strong Water-, Rock- or Ground-type moves. Will-O-Wisp is an alternative option to prevent Pokemon like Azumarill or Nidoking blocking your path. Cutting down their Attack can be quite rewarding because it will help your team in the long run by cushioning the opponent's physical attacks, which on top of Intimidate can protect your team from nearly all physical assaults, however it leaves you powerless against Taunt users such as Ambipom and Drapion.</p>
<p>To demonstrate how bulky Arcanine is here is some damage calculations:</p>
<pre>
Steelix, 0 Atk Earthquake vs 252 HP / 252 Def Arcanine w/ Intimidate: 27.08% - 32.81%
Jolly Swellow (Guts activated), 252 Atk Facade vs 252 HP / 252 Def Arcanine w/ Intimidate: 36.98% - 43.75%
Adamant Hitmontop, Life Orb, 252 Atk Fake Out vs 252 HP / 252 Def Arcanine w/ Intimidate: 10.94% - 13.02%
Adamant Hitmontop, Life Orb, 252 Atk Close Combat vs 252 HP / 252 Def Arcanine w/ Intimidate: 32.29% - 38.28%
+2 Jolly Scyther, Life Orb, 252 Atk Aerial Ace vs 252 HP / 252 Def Arcanine w/ Intimidate: 54.95% - 65.10%
Adamant Choice Band Nidoking, 252 Atk Earthquake vs 252 HP / 252 Def Arcanine w/ Intimidate: 61.46% - 72.40%
</pre>
<p>Rest is essential to the set because it allows Arcanine to heal off the damage after taking previous blows from the opponent. The key move in this set is Sleep Talk, which can surprise an opponent because it is usually the last thing they will find on an Arcanine. Sleep Talk can randomly fire off Flare Blitz or Roar which can make the opponent double-think before they switch in their Arcanine counter.</p>
<p>The EVs are straightforward and their main purpose is to maximize Arcanine's ability to take physical hits. The measly 6 Speed EVs can be helpful to outspeed 0 Speed Drapion and use Flare Blitz which has a slight chance of scoring a 2HKO with entry hazards on the field.</p>
<p>Arcanine is naturally forcing plenty of switch outs due to its impressive attacks physically and specially. It is highly recommended that all three entry hazards are placed on the field to take advantage of the set. Toxic Spikes can be really important to deal with those pesky Water-types which are Arcanine's natural counter.</p>
<p>Water-types are a bane to Arcanine and the perfect partner for Arcanine is Venusaur. Venusaur can approach both physical and special based Water-type attacks and strike with a STAB Grass attack or utilize Sleep Powder. Putting them to sleep can really excite Arcanine because it can Roar without having to worry about Water-types to ruin his parade. If you want a free turn of Toxic Spikes or Spikes, Roserade can be a good service alongside Arcanine. It can come in on Slowbro (barring Psychic) and Milotic's attacks and will usually force it to switch out. While they are switching out you can find yourself using Sleep Powder and throwing in Toxic Spikes on the field, or if your lucky you can throw in two. Tangrowth can also protect Arcanine from the typical hits that are going to be thrown at it. It resists Water- and Ground-type attacks and can shrug off Rock-types attack (which is usually exploited from the physical side). Arcanine won't enjoy Flash Fire users like Houndoom and Ninetales because Arcanine's Fire attacks will only give them more power. Since Houndoom and Ninetales are specially based Pokemon, Chansey is your safest switch-in to cushion their attacks. Chansey must be aware of Hypnosis from Ninetales though.</p>
