[OVERVIEW]
Infernape has a unique niche in NU thanks to its phenomenal set diversity. Mixed sets lets Infernape to threaten both physical and special walls like Galarian Slowbro, Avalugg, Gastrodon, and Porygon2. Choice Scarf allows Infernape to revenge killed faster Pokemon like Munkidori, Inteleon, and Kilowattrel, while Choice Band lets it have the ability to 2HKO Overqwil and Sylveon. Nasty Plot sets lets Infernape to put major pressure on special walls like Diancie, Bronzong, and Alolan Muk after a boost. Infernape is also a solid lead thanks to its better access to Stealth Rock while threatening foes with utility moves like Knock Off, Taunt, and Endeavor. However, Infernape faces competition against other Choice Scarf users like Flygon and Munkidori due to them fitting on more teams easily. Additionally, lead sets can struggle to break through Pokemon like Tentacruel and Avalugg due to their bulk while removing its hazards. Infernape faces competition against other Fighting-types like Toxicroak, Flamigo, Paldean Tauros-W, and Paldean Tauros-F, since they are more stronger than Infernape and they provide useful utility for many teams.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Flamethrower / Fire Blast
move 2: Overheat / Grass Knot
move 3: Focus Blast / Aura Sphere / Scorching Sands
move 4: Vacuum Wave / Grass Knot / Switcheroo
item: Choice Specs
ability: Blaze
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
tera type: Fire
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Fire Blast is Infernape’s strongest attack allowing it to 2HKO foes like Gligar and Porygon-Z, but Overheat can put a lot of pressure on threats such as Tornadus, Munkidori, and Galarian Slowbro. U-turn allows Infernape to overwhelm its checks like Swampert, Gligar, and Diancie. Gunk Shot gives it the ability to destroy Fairy-types like Sylveon and Florges while Stone Edge allows Infernape to threaten Pokemon like Oricorio and Altaria that resist both of its STAB attacks. Knock Off can threaten Pokemon like Kilowattrel and Gligar that rely on their held item, whereas Grass Knot lets it threaten Water-types such as Milotic and Gastrodon. Alternatively, Earthquake can be used on the last moveslot letting Infernape to threaten Poison-types like Galarian Slowbro, Overqwil, and Dragalge. Tera Dark boost its Knock Off while letting Infernape better handle Ghost-types like Chandelure and Hisuian Typhlosion. Tera Fire boost Infernape’s Fire-type attacks allowing it to do major damage on threats like Munkidori and Tornadus. On the other hand, Tera Fighting boost its Close Combat letting Infernape 2HKO defensive walls like Swampert and Diancie after Stealth Rock damage.
Grass-types such as Brambleghast, Amoonguss, and Decidueye appreciate Infernape for checking Steel-types like Copperajah and Bronzong; in return, they beat Water- and Ground-types like Vaporeon, Paldean Tauros-W, and Flygon. Infernape pairs nicely with Steel-types like Copperajah, Bronzong, and Registeel, since they can handle both Poison- and Fairy-types such as Galarian Slowbro, Scream Tail, and Diancie. Psychic-types like Munkidori, Galarian Slowbro, and Scream Tail can easily KO Infernape; thus, Dark-types like Overqwil, Alolan Muk, and Scrafty can easily handle them. Infernape appreciate hazard removers like Scyther, Altaria, and Brambleghast allowing it to not be worn down by entry hazards.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Switcheroo / Knock Off / Thunder Punch
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Blaze / Iron Fist
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
tera type: Fighting / Dark
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
U-turns gives Infernape to pivot while letting it chip down defensive tanks like Galarian Slowbro, Swampert, and Porygon2. Switcheroo can let Infernape to cripple Pokemon like Avalugg and Amoonguss, but Knock Off allows it to pressure foes like Gligar and Kilowattrel that rely on their item. Iron Fist gives Thunder Punch a power boost letting it threaten Water-types like Inteleon and Basculegion-M. Tera Fighting boost the power of Close Combat allowing Infernape to threaten a 2HKO on Alolan Muk, Diancie, and Gastrodon. Tera Dark allows it to tank Ghost-type attacks from Chandelure, Decidueye, and Brambleghast.
Choice Scarf Infernape can struggle to break through common Poison-types like Galarian Slowbro, Tentacruel, and Overqwil. So it best partners with Ground- and Psychic-types like Flygon, Gastrodon, Munkidori, and Uxie to check the aforementioned Poison-types. Infernape can form a VoltTurn core with other pivots like Kilowattrel, Flygon, and Inteleon, since they can pressure defensive tanks like Diancie, Swampert, and Gastrodon while letting them bring in foes like Bronzong and Amoonguss that Infernape can take advantage of them. Bulky Water-types like Vaporeon, Gastrodon, and Milotic can easily tank its attacks and threaten Infernape back with their STAB attacks; thus, it pairs with Grass-types like Brambleghast, Amoonguss, and Tsareena to check them. Steel- and Dark-types like Registeel, Klefki, Overqwil, and Alolan Muk are great partners for Infernape, since they can beat Psychic-types like Munkidori, Uxie, and Galarian Articuno. Hazard removers like Altaria, Tentacruel, and Brambleghast allows Infernape to continuously switching in without getting worn down by hazards.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Infernape can run a Choice Band set letting it gain the upper hand against defensive tanks like Galarian Slowbro and Overqwil, but it’s very rarely seen. Infernape can opt to run a Swords Dance set making it a excellent setup sweeper; however, it struggles to run all of the moves that it needs and revenge killed by common Choice Scarf users like Munkidori, Chandelure, and Flygon. Encore can be used on lead sets allowing Infernape to cripple bulky Pokemon like Gastrodon, Amoonguss, and Galarian Slowbro. Raging Fury can be used on Choice Band sets giving it a STAB attack that doesn’t use recoil damage while letting Infernape 2HKO physical walls like Overqwil and Galarian Slowbro, but it gets easily revenge killed by Water- and Ground-types like Vaporeon, Basculegion-M and Flygon due to being locked into Raging Fury. Infernape can run a defensive set with the moves of Flamethrower / Knock Off or Drain Punch / Slack Off / Will-O-Wisp or U-turn letting Infernape better handle wallbreakers like Toxicroak and Decidueye; however, Infernape is completely outclassed by Paldean Tauros-F due to its better bulk and access to Intimidate.
Checks and Counters
====
**Faster Threats and Priority Users**: Inteleon, Kilowattrel, and Scream Tail can outspeed Infernape and destroy it with their attacks, but none of them enjoy switching into Infernape’s STAB attacks. Choice Scarf users such as Flygon, Munkidori, and Chandelure are able to outpace and destroy non-Choice Scarf variants of Infernape. Infernape can be pick off by priority users like Shadow Sneak Decidueye, Mach Punch Breloom, and Aqua Jet Basculegion-M.
**Water-types**: Bulky Water-types like Vaporeon, Milotic, and Gastrodon can fairly tank Infernape’s attacks and threaten it back with their attacks, but none of can repeatedly switch against its Fighting-type attacks and they must be wary about Grass Knot variants. Offensive Water-types like Inteleon, Basculegion-M, and Paldean Tauros-W can KO Infernape with their attacks while the latter two can pick it off with Aqua Jet.
**Ground-types**: Flygon, Swampert, and Gastrodon can destroy it with their STAB attacks and freely setting up hazards: however, none of them enjoy directly switching into Infernape’s Fighting-type attacks. Gligar is notable for tanking its physical attacks very well and destroying Infernape with Earthquake, but Gligar gets 1HKO by Nasty Plot sets after a +2 boost.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pika134.609709/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.102/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user6.105/
Infernape has a unique niche in NU thanks to its phenomenal set diversity. Mixed sets lets Infernape to threaten both physical and special walls like Galarian Slowbro, Avalugg, Gastrodon, and Porygon2. Choice Scarf allows Infernape to revenge killed faster Pokemon like Munkidori, Inteleon, and Kilowattrel, while Choice Band lets it have the ability to 2HKO Overqwil and Sylveon. Nasty Plot sets lets Infernape to put major pressure on special walls like Diancie, Bronzong, and Alolan Muk after a boost. Infernape is also a solid lead thanks to its better access to Stealth Rock while threatening foes with utility moves like Knock Off, Taunt, and Endeavor. However, Infernape faces competition against other Choice Scarf users like Flygon and Munkidori due to them fitting on more teams easily. Additionally, lead sets can struggle to break through Pokemon like Tentacruel and Avalugg due to their bulk while removing its hazards. Infernape faces competition against other Fighting-types like Toxicroak, Flamigo, Paldean Tauros-W, and Paldean Tauros-F, since they are more stronger than Infernape and they provide useful utility for many teams.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Flamethrower / Fire Blast
move 2: Overheat / Grass Knot
move 3: Focus Blast / Aura Sphere / Scorching Sands
move 4: Vacuum Wave / Grass Knot / Switcheroo
item: Choice Specs
ability: Blaze
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
tera type: Fire
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Fire Blast is Infernape’s strongest attack allowing it to 2HKO foes like Gligar and Porygon-Z, but Overheat can put a lot of pressure on threats such as Tornadus, Munkidori, and Galarian Slowbro. U-turn allows Infernape to overwhelm its checks like Swampert, Gligar, and Diancie. Gunk Shot gives it the ability to destroy Fairy-types like Sylveon and Florges while Stone Edge allows Infernape to threaten Pokemon like Oricorio and Altaria that resist both of its STAB attacks. Knock Off can threaten Pokemon like Kilowattrel and Gligar that rely on their held item, whereas Grass Knot lets it threaten Water-types such as Milotic and Gastrodon. Alternatively, Earthquake can be used on the last moveslot letting Infernape to threaten Poison-types like Galarian Slowbro, Overqwil, and Dragalge. Tera Dark boost its Knock Off while letting Infernape better handle Ghost-types like Chandelure and Hisuian Typhlosion. Tera Fire boost Infernape’s Fire-type attacks allowing it to do major damage on threats like Munkidori and Tornadus. On the other hand, Tera Fighting boost its Close Combat letting Infernape 2HKO defensive walls like Swampert and Diancie after Stealth Rock damage.
Grass-types such as Brambleghast, Amoonguss, and Decidueye appreciate Infernape for checking Steel-types like Copperajah and Bronzong; in return, they beat Water- and Ground-types like Vaporeon, Paldean Tauros-W, and Flygon. Infernape pairs nicely with Steel-types like Copperajah, Bronzong, and Registeel, since they can handle both Poison- and Fairy-types such as Galarian Slowbro, Scream Tail, and Diancie. Psychic-types like Munkidori, Galarian Slowbro, and Scream Tail can easily KO Infernape; thus, Dark-types like Overqwil, Alolan Muk, and Scrafty can easily handle them. Infernape appreciate hazard removers like Scyther, Altaria, and Brambleghast allowing it to not be worn down by entry hazards.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Switcheroo / Knock Off / Thunder Punch
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Blaze / Iron Fist
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
tera type: Fighting / Dark
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
U-turns gives Infernape to pivot while letting it chip down defensive tanks like Galarian Slowbro, Swampert, and Porygon2. Switcheroo can let Infernape to cripple Pokemon like Avalugg and Amoonguss, but Knock Off allows it to pressure foes like Gligar and Kilowattrel that rely on their item. Iron Fist gives Thunder Punch a power boost letting it threaten Water-types like Inteleon and Basculegion-M. Tera Fighting boost the power of Close Combat allowing Infernape to threaten a 2HKO on Alolan Muk, Diancie, and Gastrodon. Tera Dark allows it to tank Ghost-type attacks from Chandelure, Decidueye, and Brambleghast.
Choice Scarf Infernape can struggle to break through common Poison-types like Galarian Slowbro, Tentacruel, and Overqwil. So it best partners with Ground- and Psychic-types like Flygon, Gastrodon, Munkidori, and Uxie to check the aforementioned Poison-types. Infernape can form a VoltTurn core with other pivots like Kilowattrel, Flygon, and Inteleon, since they can pressure defensive tanks like Diancie, Swampert, and Gastrodon while letting them bring in foes like Bronzong and Amoonguss that Infernape can take advantage of them. Bulky Water-types like Vaporeon, Gastrodon, and Milotic can easily tank its attacks and threaten Infernape back with their STAB attacks; thus, it pairs with Grass-types like Brambleghast, Amoonguss, and Tsareena to check them. Steel- and Dark-types like Registeel, Klefki, Overqwil, and Alolan Muk are great partners for Infernape, since they can beat Psychic-types like Munkidori, Uxie, and Galarian Articuno. Hazard removers like Altaria, Tentacruel, and Brambleghast allows Infernape to continuously switching in without getting worn down by hazards.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Infernape can run a Choice Band set letting it gain the upper hand against defensive tanks like Galarian Slowbro and Overqwil, but it’s very rarely seen. Infernape can opt to run a Swords Dance set making it a excellent setup sweeper; however, it struggles to run all of the moves that it needs and revenge killed by common Choice Scarf users like Munkidori, Chandelure, and Flygon. Encore can be used on lead sets allowing Infernape to cripple bulky Pokemon like Gastrodon, Amoonguss, and Galarian Slowbro. Raging Fury can be used on Choice Band sets giving it a STAB attack that doesn’t use recoil damage while letting Infernape 2HKO physical walls like Overqwil and Galarian Slowbro, but it gets easily revenge killed by Water- and Ground-types like Vaporeon, Basculegion-M and Flygon due to being locked into Raging Fury. Infernape can run a defensive set with the moves of Flamethrower / Knock Off or Drain Punch / Slack Off / Will-O-Wisp or U-turn letting Infernape better handle wallbreakers like Toxicroak and Decidueye; however, Infernape is completely outclassed by Paldean Tauros-F due to its better bulk and access to Intimidate.
Checks and Counters
====
**Faster Threats and Priority Users**: Inteleon, Kilowattrel, and Scream Tail can outspeed Infernape and destroy it with their attacks, but none of them enjoy switching into Infernape’s STAB attacks. Choice Scarf users such as Flygon, Munkidori, and Chandelure are able to outpace and destroy non-Choice Scarf variants of Infernape. Infernape can be pick off by priority users like Shadow Sneak Decidueye, Mach Punch Breloom, and Aqua Jet Basculegion-M.
**Water-types**: Bulky Water-types like Vaporeon, Milotic, and Gastrodon can fairly tank Infernape’s attacks and threaten it back with their attacks, but none of can repeatedly switch against its Fighting-type attacks and they must be wary about Grass Knot variants. Offensive Water-types like Inteleon, Basculegion-M, and Paldean Tauros-W can KO Infernape with their attacks while the latter two can pick it off with Aqua Jet.
**Ground-types**: Flygon, Swampert, and Gastrodon can destroy it with their STAB attacks and freely setting up hazards: however, none of them enjoy directly switching into Infernape’s Fighting-type attacks. Gligar is notable for tanking its physical attacks very well and destroying Infernape with Earthquake, but Gligar gets 1HKO by Nasty Plot sets after a +2 boost.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pika134.609709/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.102/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user6.105/
Last edited:
