
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive Pivot
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Parting Shot / U-turn
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Intimidate
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Incineroar acts as a defensive pivot for Fire teams thanks to its respectable natural bulk backed by a good defensive typing for Fire teams and a great ability in Intimidate that allows it to take on threats such as Choice Scarf Dragapult, Kyurem-B, Indeedee, and Gardevoir. Knock Off allows Incineroar to remove items from offensive and defensive Pokemon alike such as Galarian Corsola's Eviolite, Alolan Ninetales's Light Clay, and Black Sludge. Toxic allows Incineroar to cripple walls such as Hippowdon and Mandibuzz, allowing its teammates to quickly wear them down. Taunt prevents entry hazards from slower setters such as Stealth Rock from Ferrothorn and Toxic Spikes from Pincurchin and stops walls such as Toxapex from recovering off damage and spreading status. Parting Shot allows Incineroar to safely pivot in a wallbreaker such as Choice Band Arcanine or Choice Scarf Charizard for the team. Alternatively, U-turn still allows Incineroar to act as a slow pivot and cannot be blocked by Taunt. Heavy-Duty Boots allows Incineroar to pivot in even when hazards are up, allowing it to tank more attacks such as Dragapult's Draco Meteor and Kyurem-B's Fusion Bolt. Intimidate further allows Incineroar to act as a pivot by enabling it to switch into physical attackers such as Tyranitar, Corviknight, and Mimikyu. The given EVs with a Careful nature allow it to tank a plethora of special attacks such as being able to dodge the 2HKO from Choice Specs Dragapult's Draco Meteor, Aegislash's Shadow Ball, and Alolan Raichu's Thunderbolt.
All Fire-type Pokemon appreciate Incineroar's ability to pivot into Ghost attacks such as Mimikyu's Shadow Claw and Dragapult's Shadow Ball and provide a Psychic immunity. Wallbreakers like Charizard, Arcanine, and Darmanitan appreciate Incineroar's ability to safely bring them in with Parting Shot and can just break through any Pokemon that troubles Incineroar such as Mandibuzz with their sheer power. Torkoal's sun can allow Incineroar to more readily switch into Water attacks such as Toxapex's Scald and Gyarados's Waterfall. Incineroar again can take on special attackers for Torkoal such as Choice Specs Aegislash, Indeedee, and Hatterene, which all threaten easily Torkoal due to its pitiful Special Defense. Charizard provides a Ground immunity for Incineroar, while Incineroar can proactively cripple walls with Toxic and Taunt, such as Toxapex and Galarian Corsola, which can otherwise wall Charizard. Incineroar can also switch into Choice Scarf Dragapult for Charizard, which is the only faster Pokemon than Charizard in the Dragon matchup. Cinderace and Rotom-H also form a pivoting core with Incineroar, as each of them can generate momentum with their pivoting moves. Additionally, Rotom-H can take on Water-type Pokemon such as Gyarados for Incineroar with Thunderbolt. Cinderace can also take on Dark-type Pokemon for Incineroar with High Jump Kick, such as Hydreigon and Tyranitar. Arcanine additionally can revenge kill Pokemon that get out of hand for Incineroar, such as Cloyster, thanks to Choice Band-boosted Extreme Speed.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[maroon, 305839]]
- Fire analysis by: [[maroon, 305839]]
- Quality checked by: [[Decem, 362454], [Izaya, 311872]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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