QC checks: alexwolf, Ash Borer, CyclicCompound
GP checks: horyzhnz, Calm Pokemaster
Credits to Hibiki for letting me take over and basically allowing me to use his as a base lmao.
Literally Goku.
Overview
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As in generations past, Infernape utilizes its mixed prowess and great coverage to break through defensive teams. Unfortunately, it faces competition from threats such as Kyurem-B and Landorus, which are both great at dismantling slower defensive teams as well, while boasting significantly higher offenses. However, Infernape's biggest competitor is Keldeo, due to its generally greater power as well as its ability to hit specially defensive walls with Secret Sword. Furthermore, many prevalent Pokemon such as Deoxys-S, Azumarill, and Talonflame give Infernape plenty of problems, and when you consider its relatively weak 104 / 104 offenses as well as its frailness, you have a Pokemon that has trouble fitting into the current metagame. However, Infernape has the advantage of being able to go either physical or special, thanks to its access to great physical and special STAB moves. Due to its great coverage, the amount of walls that can switch in are extremely limited, allowing Infernape to break defensive teams; play to its strengths, and it shall not disappoint.
MixApe
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name: MixApe
move 1: Fire Blast / Flare Blitz
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Thunder Punch
move 4: Grass Knot / Mach Punch / Hidden Power Ice
ability: Iron Fist
item: Life Orb
evs: 168 Atk / 88 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Naive
Moves
========
Close Combat is mandatory, as it is Infernape's strongest Fighting STAB move and allows it to hit neutral Pokemon for some solid damage. Fire Blast is preferred as the Fire STAB move to hit physically defensive Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Gliscor for solid damage. Flare Blitz hits harder in general, but it leaves Infernape walled by the aforementioned threats unless it is running Hidden Power Ice and also susceptible to an Attack drop from Aegislash's King's Shield, which cripples Infernape until it switches. Thunder Punch is an amazing move on Infernape and should always be used as it is boosted by Iron Fist and hits many common switch-ins such as Gyarados, Talonflame, and Azumarill. A super effective Thunder Punch is also as strong as a neutral Close Combat, making it the best move against Pokemon neutral to Fighting-type moves, such as Mandibuzz and Keldeo; allowing Infernape to avoid the defenses drop. For the last slot, Grass Knot is a solid option since it allows Infernape to hit two usually solid checks, OHKOing Quagsire and 2HKOing specially defensive Hippowdon. Mach Punch is also useful in order to revenge kill threats such as +1 Mega Gyarados, +1 Mega Tyranitar, Greninja, and Bisharp, while also letting Infernape avoid a potential speed tie with Terrakion and other base 108 Speed Pokemon. If you do decide to go with the aforementioned Flare Blitz, Hidden Power Ice can be used as the final move for hitting Landorus-T, Garchomp, Dragonite, and Gliscor.
Set Details
========
168 Attack EVs ensures Close Combat is a guaranteed OHKO on Heatran and 2HKOes Rotom-W after Stealth Rock. Hidden Power Ice guarantees a OHKO on Gliscor, Landorus, and Dragonite after Stealth Rock. Even if you decide not to go with Hidden Power Ice, 88 Special Attack EVs also allows Infernape to 2HKO Gliscor and Landorus with Fire Blast, meaning it can run Grass Knot or Mach Punch, making Infernape harder to wall and gives it more utility. Maximum Speed investment is mandatory to tie with other base 108 Speed Pokemon such as Keldeo and outspeed Pokemon like Garchomp. If you go with Flare Blitz, 252 Attack EVs is a good idea, as Hidden Power Ice and Grass Knot are meant for 4x weak targets barring Hippowdon, and even with only 4 Special Attack EVs, Infernape still OHKOes Quagsire with Grass Knot, while Gliscor and Landorus-T still get beaten by Flare Blitz + Hidden Power Ice. With this, Flare Blitz guarantees the 2HKO on Sylveon and Mega Venusaur after Stealth Rock damage, while Fire Blast doesn't. Iron Fist is the preferred ability as it boosts Thunder Punch and Mach Punch while not being as situational as Blaze.
Usage Tips
========
Infernape is a mixed wallbreaker rather than a sweeper, so you shouldn't despair when Infernape faints, as it has probably paved the road for your team's sweepers. Infernape's strong STAB moves allow it to break through many walls that are common in stall, such as Chansey, Heatran, and Skarmory. This combined with Infernape's nice coverage and Speed allow it to threaten and KO the majority of Pokemon on the switch-in. However, when using Infernape, you need to make sure that you aren't too reckless, as it is easily worn down by Life Orb recoil as well as entry hazards and occasionally sand, especially if you choose to use Flare Blitz. Having a Pokemon with U-turn or Volt Switch greatly compliments Infernape's ability to wallbreak since you can safely switch it in.
Team Options
========
Infernape has plenty of good teammates that can compliment it. Rotom-W is generally a great pick, as it resists Water and Flying, is immune to Ground, and checks Talonflame, Azumarill, and Mega Pinsir, which threaten Infernape with super effective priority moves. Rotom-W also has a slow Volt Switch to allow Infernape to switch in without taking a hit, as Infernape is frail and will be taking a lot of residual damage as it is. Substitute Kyurem-B with Fusion Bolt and Thundurus are also good options, dealing with bulky Water-types that Infernape might struggle with, like Slowbro. Bisharp is an amazing choice for a team member, as it knocks out or traps Latios and Latias with either Sucker Punch or Pursuit; it can even gain an Attack boost from Defiant if it switches in as these use Defog. As with other mixed attackers, Infernape operates best with stacked entry hazards because it forces a ton of switches, and for this reason, lead Deoxys-S and Deoxys-D work well with it. Late-game sweepers like Mega Pinsir, Mega Charizard X, Talonflame, and Dragonite appreciate Infernape wearing down their checks. If your Mega Evolution Slot has not been used, offensive Mega Venusaur is also a good option, as it can counter checks to Infernape such as Azumarill, Keldeo, and Thundurus while breaking through Clefable and Sylveon, which can otherwise set up on Infernape. Finally, Latios and Latias will like Infernape's ability to beat Chansey, Heatran, Skarmory, and Hippowdon if running Grass Knot. They also appreciate Infernape being able to check Scizor and Bisharp with Fire Blast and Mach Punch respectively.
Other Options
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Infernape can run a Choice Band set with sun support, as it hits very hard with Flare Blitz and also has a very powerful Close Combat for Pokemon that resist Fire-type moves. However, this set will take massive recoil thanks to the damage Flare Blitz dishes out. Infernape also appreciates being able to switch moves, as wallbreaking is its main niche.
A lead Infernape set with Fake Out and Focus Sash could also work thanks to its ability to check the common Deoxys-S leads with Fake Out and Fire Blast. Unfortunately, Infernape will lose a lot of power by losing Life Orb, and once its Focus Sash is gone, it won't be too useful for the rest of the match.
A Nasty Plot set with Close Combat is also an option because it cleanly 2HKOes many otherwise huge threats to special sweepers such as Chansey and Heatran while still having Fire Blast and a coverage move of choice. However, Infernape is frail and will get shut down by most revenge killers, often making setting up meaningless.
Checks & Counters
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**Revenge Killers**: Due to Infernape's sheer frailty, anything that's faster than it will probably kill it, especially if it has super effective priority. If Infernape cannot kill it with Mach Punch then you must switch or else Infernape will be likely knocked out. Pokemon such as Azumarill, Talonflame, and Deoxys-S are able to revenge kill Infernape with their priority moves or, as in Deoxys-S's case, super effective STAB moves.
**Mixed Walls**: Pokemon that resist Infernape's moves and also have good defenses will be able to take anything it throws at them. Specially defensive Hippowdon (if Infernape is lacking Grass Knot) and Slowbro in particular are massive problems for Infernape, both being able to take its STAB moves and using Slack Off to recover any lost health while Infernape is OHKOed in return by Earthquake and Scald, respectively.
**Latios and Latias**: Latios and Latias both shrug off anything Infernape throws at them while outspeeding and OHKOing with either Draco Meteor or Psyshock.
GP checks: horyzhnz, Calm Pokemaster
Credits to Hibiki for letting me take over and basically allowing me to use his as a base lmao.
Overview
########
As in generations past, Infernape utilizes its mixed prowess and great coverage to break through defensive teams. Unfortunately, it faces competition from threats such as Kyurem-B and Landorus, which are both great at dismantling slower defensive teams as well, while boasting significantly higher offenses. However, Infernape's biggest competitor is Keldeo, due to its generally greater power as well as its ability to hit specially defensive walls with Secret Sword. Furthermore, many prevalent Pokemon such as Deoxys-S, Azumarill, and Talonflame give Infernape plenty of problems, and when you consider its relatively weak 104 / 104 offenses as well as its frailness, you have a Pokemon that has trouble fitting into the current metagame. However, Infernape has the advantage of being able to go either physical or special, thanks to its access to great physical and special STAB moves. Due to its great coverage, the amount of walls that can switch in are extremely limited, allowing Infernape to break defensive teams; play to its strengths, and it shall not disappoint.
MixApe
########
name: MixApe
move 1: Fire Blast / Flare Blitz
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Thunder Punch
move 4: Grass Knot / Mach Punch / Hidden Power Ice
ability: Iron Fist
item: Life Orb
evs: 168 Atk / 88 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Naive
Moves
========
Close Combat is mandatory, as it is Infernape's strongest Fighting STAB move and allows it to hit neutral Pokemon for some solid damage. Fire Blast is preferred as the Fire STAB move to hit physically defensive Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Gliscor for solid damage. Flare Blitz hits harder in general, but it leaves Infernape walled by the aforementioned threats unless it is running Hidden Power Ice and also susceptible to an Attack drop from Aegislash's King's Shield, which cripples Infernape until it switches. Thunder Punch is an amazing move on Infernape and should always be used as it is boosted by Iron Fist and hits many common switch-ins such as Gyarados, Talonflame, and Azumarill. A super effective Thunder Punch is also as strong as a neutral Close Combat, making it the best move against Pokemon neutral to Fighting-type moves, such as Mandibuzz and Keldeo; allowing Infernape to avoid the defenses drop. For the last slot, Grass Knot is a solid option since it allows Infernape to hit two usually solid checks, OHKOing Quagsire and 2HKOing specially defensive Hippowdon. Mach Punch is also useful in order to revenge kill threats such as +1 Mega Gyarados, +1 Mega Tyranitar, Greninja, and Bisharp, while also letting Infernape avoid a potential speed tie with Terrakion and other base 108 Speed Pokemon. If you do decide to go with the aforementioned Flare Blitz, Hidden Power Ice can be used as the final move for hitting Landorus-T, Garchomp, Dragonite, and Gliscor.
Set Details
========
168 Attack EVs ensures Close Combat is a guaranteed OHKO on Heatran and 2HKOes Rotom-W after Stealth Rock. Hidden Power Ice guarantees a OHKO on Gliscor, Landorus, and Dragonite after Stealth Rock. Even if you decide not to go with Hidden Power Ice, 88 Special Attack EVs also allows Infernape to 2HKO Gliscor and Landorus with Fire Blast, meaning it can run Grass Knot or Mach Punch, making Infernape harder to wall and gives it more utility. Maximum Speed investment is mandatory to tie with other base 108 Speed Pokemon such as Keldeo and outspeed Pokemon like Garchomp. If you go with Flare Blitz, 252 Attack EVs is a good idea, as Hidden Power Ice and Grass Knot are meant for 4x weak targets barring Hippowdon, and even with only 4 Special Attack EVs, Infernape still OHKOes Quagsire with Grass Knot, while Gliscor and Landorus-T still get beaten by Flare Blitz + Hidden Power Ice. With this, Flare Blitz guarantees the 2HKO on Sylveon and Mega Venusaur after Stealth Rock damage, while Fire Blast doesn't. Iron Fist is the preferred ability as it boosts Thunder Punch and Mach Punch while not being as situational as Blaze.
Usage Tips
========
Infernape is a mixed wallbreaker rather than a sweeper, so you shouldn't despair when Infernape faints, as it has probably paved the road for your team's sweepers. Infernape's strong STAB moves allow it to break through many walls that are common in stall, such as Chansey, Heatran, and Skarmory. This combined with Infernape's nice coverage and Speed allow it to threaten and KO the majority of Pokemon on the switch-in. However, when using Infernape, you need to make sure that you aren't too reckless, as it is easily worn down by Life Orb recoil as well as entry hazards and occasionally sand, especially if you choose to use Flare Blitz. Having a Pokemon with U-turn or Volt Switch greatly compliments Infernape's ability to wallbreak since you can safely switch it in.
Team Options
========
Infernape has plenty of good teammates that can compliment it. Rotom-W is generally a great pick, as it resists Water and Flying, is immune to Ground, and checks Talonflame, Azumarill, and Mega Pinsir, which threaten Infernape with super effective priority moves. Rotom-W also has a slow Volt Switch to allow Infernape to switch in without taking a hit, as Infernape is frail and will be taking a lot of residual damage as it is. Substitute Kyurem-B with Fusion Bolt and Thundurus are also good options, dealing with bulky Water-types that Infernape might struggle with, like Slowbro. Bisharp is an amazing choice for a team member, as it knocks out or traps Latios and Latias with either Sucker Punch or Pursuit; it can even gain an Attack boost from Defiant if it switches in as these use Defog. As with other mixed attackers, Infernape operates best with stacked entry hazards because it forces a ton of switches, and for this reason, lead Deoxys-S and Deoxys-D work well with it. Late-game sweepers like Mega Pinsir, Mega Charizard X, Talonflame, and Dragonite appreciate Infernape wearing down their checks. If your Mega Evolution Slot has not been used, offensive Mega Venusaur is also a good option, as it can counter checks to Infernape such as Azumarill, Keldeo, and Thundurus while breaking through Clefable and Sylveon, which can otherwise set up on Infernape. Finally, Latios and Latias will like Infernape's ability to beat Chansey, Heatran, Skarmory, and Hippowdon if running Grass Knot. They also appreciate Infernape being able to check Scizor and Bisharp with Fire Blast and Mach Punch respectively.
Other Options
########
Infernape can run a Choice Band set with sun support, as it hits very hard with Flare Blitz and also has a very powerful Close Combat for Pokemon that resist Fire-type moves. However, this set will take massive recoil thanks to the damage Flare Blitz dishes out. Infernape also appreciates being able to switch moves, as wallbreaking is its main niche.
A lead Infernape set with Fake Out and Focus Sash could also work thanks to its ability to check the common Deoxys-S leads with Fake Out and Fire Blast. Unfortunately, Infernape will lose a lot of power by losing Life Orb, and once its Focus Sash is gone, it won't be too useful for the rest of the match.
A Nasty Plot set with Close Combat is also an option because it cleanly 2HKOes many otherwise huge threats to special sweepers such as Chansey and Heatran while still having Fire Blast and a coverage move of choice. However, Infernape is frail and will get shut down by most revenge killers, often making setting up meaningless.
Checks & Counters
########
**Revenge Killers**: Due to Infernape's sheer frailty, anything that's faster than it will probably kill it, especially if it has super effective priority. If Infernape cannot kill it with Mach Punch then you must switch or else Infernape will be likely knocked out. Pokemon such as Azumarill, Talonflame, and Deoxys-S are able to revenge kill Infernape with their priority moves or, as in Deoxys-S's case, super effective STAB moves.
**Mixed Walls**: Pokemon that resist Infernape's moves and also have good defenses will be able to take anything it throws at them. Specially defensive Hippowdon (if Infernape is lacking Grass Knot) and Slowbro in particular are massive problems for Infernape, both being able to take its STAB moves and using Slack Off to recover any lost health while Infernape is OHKOed in return by Earthquake and Scald, respectively.
**Latios and Latias**: Latios and Latias both shrug off anything Infernape throws at them while outspeeding and OHKOing with either Draco Meteor or Psyshock.
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