Draft Infernape

theuncultured

theuncultured

is a Contributor to Smogon
[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 2 onwards

**Price Range**: 15-16 points

**Overview**: Infernape stands out as a premier offensive threat that possesses many valuable traits, including a great STAB combination, a good Speed tier, and the option to tailor its moveset to check almost any number of threats thanks to its good mixed offenses and deep coverage movepool. It's versatility can easily overwhelm opponents, as it can disrupt specific checks with its utility movepool or pick off threats with a damage-boosting item, Choice Scarf, or Z-Crystal. Despite its good qualities, Infernape is very frail, and it rarely runs any defensive investment, so it gets picked off easily by revenge killers and rarely finds opportunities to switch in without momentum support. In addition, it struggles to fit in all the moves it wants to run, since it often needs specific coverage.


[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Setup Sweeper**: With access to both Swords Dance and Nasty Plot, Infernape can easily pick off weakened foes after a boost, and a boosted Z-Move can break through even the sturdiest of walls. It also has strong priority options in Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave to pick off faster, weakened foes and strong coverage options to potentially hit entire teams for super effective damage.

**Revenge Killer**: Infernape can act as a revenge killer with a Choice Scarf, picking off faster threats with its strong STAB combination and keeping up momentum with U-turn to continuously chip foes down to pick off later.

**Wallbreaker**: Strong STAB attack options such as Flare Blitz and Close Combat allow Infernape to act as a potent wallbreaker when equipped with a Choice Band, or if it's using a Z-move, it can punch holes against defensive walls and Pokemon that resist its attacks.

**Dedicated Lead**: On rare occasions, Infernape can be used early in a match to set up Stealth Rock reliably when equipped with a Focus Sash. The lead set also capitalizes on its good Speed stat, which allows it to stop opposing entry hazard setters with Taunt and cripple foes with either Will-O-Wisp or Toxic.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Flare Blitz, Fire Blast, Flamethrower, Overheat, Close Combat, Focus Blast, Mach Punch, Vacuum Wave, Low Kick

**Setup Moves**: Swords Dance, Nasty Plot, Bulk Up, Calm Mind, Flame Charge, Work Up

**Utility Moves**: Will-O-Wisp, Stealth Rock, Taunt, Encore, Fake Out, Toxic, U-turn, Slack Off, Brick Break

**Coverage**: Grass Knot, Earthquake, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Gunk Shot, Poison Jab, Shadow Claw, Thunder Punch, Hidden Power

Niche Moves
========
**Endeavor**: Infernape can drop foes to one HP with Endeavor after its Focus Sash is broken, allowing a teammate to revenge kill the weakened foe once it goes down.

**Endure**: Endure can be used to survive an otherwise fatal attack, allowing Salac Berry to give a boost to Infernape's Speed.

**Solar Beam**: Infernape can use Solar Beam in conjunction with Power Herb to deal heavy damage in matchups where Grass Knot may not be enough to handle certain foes.

Common Items
========
**Damage-boosting Items**: Life Orb gives Infernape the power it needs to break past opposing threats and sweep through weakened foes. Expert Belt can also be used if it's running multiple super effective coverage options to give it more longevity over Life Orb. Finally, Choice Band and Choice Specs allow Infernape to function as an early-game wallbreaker, which can work especially well against slower opposing teams.

**Choice Scarf**: Choice Scarf allows Infernape to act as a potent revenge killer and deal chip damage, allowing its teammates to setup and sweep more easily.

**Z-Crystal**: Infernape is an excellent user of Z-Crystals. Firium Z and Fightinium Z upgrade its strong STAB attacks further to OHKO a multitude of threats. Electrium Z can also be used to deal heavy damage to opposing Water-types that may come in to try and check it.

Niche Items
========
**Focus Sash**: Given how frail it is, Infernape can don a Focus Sash to reliably support its team either through setting up entry hazards or crippling a foe through status.

**Resistance Berries**: Infernape can benefit from using resistance Berries to tank a super effective hit and use that opportunity to either set up or pick off a foe.

**Salac Berry**: Using a Salac Berry, Infernape can gain a boost to its Speed in situations where it cannot fit in a priority move. Blaze also activates when it consumes the Berry, giving it a boost to its damage output.

Draft Strategy
========
Infernape is usually drafted primarily to take on an offensive role and play as a potential wincon, but this should not be relied on given how frail it is. It requires a lot of support from its teammates to successfully pick off foes one-by-one, and it should be able to support its other offensive partners with its utility and momentum movepool.

**Defensive Partners**: Infernape appreciates being able to pivot to partners that can take strong hits aimed at it so that it can stay healthy over the course of a match. Pokemon such as Rotom-W, Uxie, and Tapu Fini are good options to consider.

**Strong Offensive Partners**: Infernape likes to have support from offensive heavyweights such as Nidoking, Landorus-T, and Kyurem-B to aid in keeping offensive pressure.

**Entry Hazard Support**: While Infernape can set up Stealth Rock on its own, it prefers other teammates to set up entry hazards to free up a moveslot for additional coverage or utility. Pokemon such as Krookodile, Garchomp, and Nidoqueen can fulfil this role.

Checks and Counters
========
**Faster Pokemon**: While Infernape is relatively fast, Pokemon such as Tornadus-T, Greninja, and Latios are faster than it, and they can easily KO it with their strong super effective attacks.

**Priority Attacks**: Infernape is weak to Aqua Jet, making it suffer major damage by foes such as Azumarill due to its poor defenses. It can also take huge damage from neutral priority attacks such as Extreme Speed from Dragonite and Zygarde.

**Recoil Damage**: Infernape's reliability on Flare Blitz and Life Orb means that it is very susceptible to recoil, preventing it from sticking around very long during a match, and with each attack, it opens the opportunity for foes to revenge kill it more easily. A foe can also don a Rocky Helmet, punishing most Infernape sets.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/theuncultured.629845/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/odinrm.613514/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/princess-autumn.564960/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
 
Last edited:
[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 2 onwards

**Price Range**: 15-16 points

**Overview**: Infernape stands out as a premier offensive threat possessing many valuable traits, including a great STAB combination in Fire/Fighting, a good Speed tier and the option to tailor its moveset to check almost any number of threats, thanks to its good mixed offenses and deep coverage movepool. Infernape can do whatever it wants to support its team, whether its to disrupt specific checks with its utility movepool or pick off threats with a damage-boosting item, Choice Scarf or Z-Crystal, which can allow it to easily overwhelm the opponent as most of the time, the opponent won't know which set it will run. Despite its good qualities, Infernape is very frail and it can very rarely run any defensive investment, so it can be picked off easily by revenge killers, and it rarely finds an opportunity to switch in without momentum support. In addition, Infernape can struggle to fit in all the moves it wants to run, which could slow down its offensive pressure by specific checks without the right tools to handle it.


[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Setup Sweeper**: With access to both Swords Dance and Nasty Plot, Infernape can easily pick off weakened foes after a boost. It also has strong priority options in Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave to pick off faster, weakened foes and strong coverage options to potentially hit entire teams for super-effective damage.

**Revenge Killer**: Infernape can act as a revenge killer with a Choice Scarf, picking off faster threats with its strong STAB combination, and keeping up momentum with U-turn to continuously chip foes down to pick off later.

**Wallbreaker**: Strong STAB attack options such as Flare Blitz and Close Combat allow Infernape to act as a potent wallbreaker when equipped with a Choice Band or if it's using a Z-move, allowing it to punch holes against defensive walls and Pokemon that resist its attacks.

**Dedicated Lead**: On rare occasions, Infernape can be used early in a match to set up Stealth Rock reliably when equipped with a Focus Sash. The lead set also capitalises on Infernape's good Speed stat, in which it can stop opposing entry hazard setters with Taunt and cripple foes with either a burn or Toxic.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Flare Blitz, Fire Blast, Flamethrower, Overheat, Close Combat, Focus Blast, Mach Punch, Vacuum Wave, Low Kick

**Setup Moves**: Swords Dance, Nasty Plot, Bulk Up, Calm Mind add flame charge

**Utility Moves**: Will-O-Wisp, Stealth Rock, Taunt, Encore, Fake Out, Toxic, U-turn, Slack Off, Brick Break

**Coverage**: Grass Knot, Earthquake, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Gunk Shot, Poison Jab, Shadow Claw, Thunder Punch, Hidden Power

Niche Moves
========
**Flame Charge**: Flame Charge allows Infernape to boost its Speed without the need to utilise a Choice Scarf, allowing it to become a much more threatening sweeper if it can gain the boost against weakened foes, but it often struggles to fit this onto its moveslot. Move this to set up moves, its more common than It is niche

**Endeavour**: Infernape can drop foes to 1HP after its Focus Sash is broken, allowing a teammate to revenge kill the weakened foe once it goes down.

**Counter**: Similar to above, Infernape can use a well-timed Counter to immediately remove a problematic foe against unprepared teams. A bit too niche since its often outclassed by endeavor

**Work Up**: Infernape can use Work Up as an alternative boosting option on mixed sets to aid in its sweep.

**Endure**: Endure can be used to survive an otherwise fatal attack, in which Infernape can then use a Salac Berry to give a boost to its Speed.

Common Items
========
**Damage-boosting Items**: Infernape can use a variety of damage-boosting items in order to elevate its offensive prowess. Life Orb gives Infernape the power it needs to break past opposing threats and sweep through weakened foes. Expert Belt can also be used if its running multiple coverage options to give it more longevity.

**Choice Scarf**: Choice Scarf allows Infernape to act as a potent revenge killer and deal chip damage to allow its teammates a much easier time to find opportunities to setup and sweep.

**Z-Crystal**: Infernape is an excellent user of Z-Crystals. Firium Z and Fightinium Z upgrade its strong STAB attacks further to OHKO a multitude of threats. Electrium Z can also be used to deal heavy damage to opposing Water-types that may come in to try and check it.

**Focus Sash**: Given how frail it is, Infernape can don a Focus Sash to accomplish whatever it needs reliably to support its team, either through setting up hazards or crippling a foe through status. Move this to the top of niche

Niche Items
========
**Choice Band**: Choice Band allows Infernape to function as an early game wallbreaker, which can work especially well against slower opposing teams. Add specs to this and move It to common

**Resistance Berries**: Infernape can benefit from using resistance berries to tank a super-effective hit, and either use that opportunity to set up or pick off a foe.

**Power Herb**: Infernape can use Power Herb to skip Solar Beam's charge time, which may be preferred over Grass Knot to deal heavy damage.

**Salac Berry**: Using a Salac Berry, Infernape can gain a boost to its Speed in situations where it cannot fit in a priority move. Blaze also activates when it is dropped down to consume the berry, giving it a boost to its damage output.

Draft Strategy
========
Infernape is usually drafted primarily to take on an offensive role and as a potential wincon, but this should not be relied on, given how frail it is. It requires a lot of support from its teammates to prepare itself to pick off foes one by one, and it should be able to support its other offensive partners with its utility and momentum movepool.

**Defensive Partners**: Infernape appreciates having partners that it can pivot to take strong hits aimed at it and keep itself healthy over the course of a match. Pokemon such as Rotom-W, Latias and Clefable are good options to consider. Replace Latias and Clefable with more common picks like Uxie and Tapu Fini

**Strong Offensive Partners**: Infernape likes to have support from offensive heavyweights such as Nidoking, Dragonite and Kyurem-B to aid in keeping offensive pressure. Replace dragonite with Landorus-T since dragonite is very uncommon in this meta

**Entry Hazard Support**: While Infernape can set up Stealth Rock on its own, it prefers other teammates to set up entry hazards to free up a moveslot for additional coverage or utility. Pokemon such as Krookodile, Garchomp and Landorus-T can fulfil this role.

**Fairy-resistant Pokemon**: Infernape does not fully resist Fairy, so it appreciates Pokemon such as Nidoqueen, Scizor and Jirachi that can take such hits aimed at Infernape.

Checks and Counters
========
**Faster Pokemon**: While Infernape is relatively fast, Pokemon such as Tornadus-T, Greninja and Latios are faster than it, and they can easily KO Infernape with their strong super-effective damage attacks.

**Priority Attacks**: Infernape is weak to the common priority attack Aqua Jet, in which it can suffer major damage by foes such as Azumaril, due to its poor defenses. It can also take huge damage from neutral priority such as Extreme Speed from Dragonite and Vacuum Wave from Keldeo. Keldeo does not get vacuum wave this gen, just leave Extreme Speed but replacing dragonite with Zygarde.

**Recoil Damage**: Infernape's reliabilty on Flare Blitz and Life Orb means that it is very susceptible to recoil, preventing it from sticking around very long during a match, and with each attack, it opens the opportunity for foes to revenge kill it more easily. Mention that rocky helmet also punishes most infernape sets

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/theuncultured.629845/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.200000
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.300000
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.400000
QC 1/2
 
OdinRM said:
[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 2 onwards

**Price Range**: 15-16 points

**Overview**: Infernape stands out as a premier offensive threat possessing many valuable traits, including a great STAB combination in Fire/Fighting, a good Speed tier and the option to tailor its moveset to check almost any number of threats, thanks to its good mixed offenses and deep coverage movepool. Infernape can do whatever it wants to support its team, whether its to disrupt specific checks with its utility movepool or pick off threats with a damage-boosting item, Choice Scarf or Z-Crystal, which can allow it to easily overwhelm the opponent as most of the time, the opponent won't know which set it will run. Despite its good qualities, Infernape is very frail and it can very rarely run any defensive investment, so it can be picked off easily by revenge killers, and it rarely finds an opportunity to switch in without momentum support. In addition, Infernape can struggle to fit in all the moves it wants to run, which could slow down its offensive pressure by specific checks without the right tools to handle it.


[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Setup Sweeper**: With access to both Swords Dance and Nasty Plot, Infernape can easily pick off weakened foes after a boost. It also has strong priority options in Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave to pick off faster, weakened foes and strong coverage options to potentially hit entire teams for super-effective damage.

**Revenge Killer**: Infernape can act as a revenge killer with a Choice Scarf, picking off faster threats with its strong STAB combination, and keeping up momentum with U-turn to continuously chip foes down to pick off later.

**Wallbreaker**: Strong STAB attack options such as Flare Blitz and Close Combat allow Infernape to act as a potent wallbreaker when equipped with a Choice Band or if it's using a Z-move, allowing it to punch holes against defensive walls and Pokemon that resist its attacks.

**Dedicated Lead**: On rare occasions, Infernape can be used early in a match to set up Stealth Rock reliably when equipped with a Focus Sash. The lead set also capitalises on Infernape's good Speed stat, in which it can stop opposing entry hazard setters with Taunt and cripple foes with either a burn or Toxic.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Flare Blitz, Fire Blast, Flamethrower, Overheat, Close Combat, Focus Blast, Mach Punch, Vacuum Wave, Low Kick

**Setup Moves**: Swords Dance, Nasty Plot, Bulk Up, Calm Mind add flame charge

**Utility Moves**: Will-O-Wisp, Stealth Rock, Taunt, Encore, Fake Out, Toxic, U-turn, Slack Off, Brick Break

**Coverage**: Grass Knot, Earthquake, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Gunk Shot, Poison Jab, Shadow Claw, Thunder Punch, Hidden Power

Niche Moves
========
**Flame Charge**: Flame Charge allows Infernape to boost its Speed without the need to utilise a Choice Scarf, allowing it to become a much more threatening sweeper if it can gain the boost against weakened foes, but it often struggles to fit this onto its moveslot. Move this to set up moves, its more common than It is niche

**Endeavour**: Infernape can drop foes to 1HP after its Focus Sash is broken, allowing a teammate to revenge kill the weakened foe once it goes down.

**Counter**: Similar to above, Infernape can use a well-timed Counter to immediately remove a problematic foe against unprepared teams. A bit too niche since its often outclassed by endeavor

**Work Up**: Infernape can use Work Up as an alternative boosting option on mixed sets to aid in its sweep.

**Endure**: Endure can be used to survive an otherwise fatal attack, in which Infernape can then use a Salac Berry to give a boost to its Speed.

Common Items
========
**Damage-boosting Items**: Infernape can use a variety of damage-boosting items in order to elevate its offensive prowess. Life Orb gives Infernape the power it needs to break past opposing threats and sweep through weakened foes. Expert Belt can also be used if its running multiple coverage options to give it more longevity.

**Choice Scarf**: Choice Scarf allows Infernape to act as a potent revenge killer and deal chip damage to allow its teammates a much easier time to find opportunities to setup and sweep.

**Z-Crystal**: Infernape is an excellent user of Z-Crystals. Firium Z and Fightinium Z upgrade its strong STAB attacks further to OHKO a multitude of threats. Electrium Z can also be used to deal heavy damage to opposing Water-types that may come in to try and check it.

**Focus Sash**: Given how frail it is, Infernape can don a Focus Sash to accomplish whatever it needs reliably to support its team, either through setting up hazards or crippling a foe through status. Move this to the top of niche

Niche Items
========
**Choice Band**: Choice Band allows Infernape to function as an early game wallbreaker, which can work especially well against slower opposing teams. Add specs to this and move It to common

**Resistance Berries**: Infernape can benefit from using resistance berries to tank a super-effective hit, and either use that opportunity to set up or pick off a foe.

**Power Herb**: Infernape can use Power Herb to skip Solar Beam's charge time, which may be preferred over Grass Knot to deal heavy damage.

**Salac Berry**: Using a Salac Berry, Infernape can gain a boost to its Speed in situations where it cannot fit in a priority move. Blaze also activates when it is dropped down to consume the berry, giving it a boost to its damage output.

Draft Strategy
========
Infernape is usually drafted primarily to take on an offensive role and as a potential wincon, but this should not be relied on, given how frail it is. It requires a lot of support from its teammates to prepare itself to pick off foes one by one, and it should be able to support its other offensive partners with its utility and momentum movepool.

**Defensive Partners**: Infernape appreciates having partners that it can pivot to take strong hits aimed at it and keep itself healthy over the course of a match. Pokemon such as Rotom-W, Latias and Clefable are good options to consider. Replace Latias and Clefable with more common picks like Uxie and Tapu Fini

**Strong Offensive Partners**: Infernape likes to have support from offensive heavyweights such as Nidoking, Dragonite and Kyurem-B to aid in keeping offensive pressure. Replace dragonite with Landorus-T since dragonite is very uncommon in this meta

**Entry Hazard Support**: While Infernape can set up Stealth Rock on its own, it prefers other teammates to set up entry hazards to free up a moveslot for additional coverage or utility. Pokemon such as Krookodile, Garchomp and Landorus-T can fulfil this role.

**Fairy-resistant Pokemon**: Infernape does not fully resist Fairy, so it appreciates Pokemon such as Nidoqueen, Scizor and Jirachi that can take such hits aimed at Infernape.

Checks and Counters
========
**Faster Pokemon**: While Infernape is relatively fast, Pokemon such as Tornadus-T, Greninja and Latios are faster than it, and they can easily KO Infernape with their strong super-effective damage attacks.

**Priority Attacks**: Infernape is weak to the common priority attack Aqua Jet, in which it can suffer major damage by foes such as Azumaril, due to its poor defenses. It can also take huge damage from neutral priority such as Extreme Speed from Dragonite and Vacuum Wave from Keldeo. Keldeo does not get vacuum wave this gen, just leave Extreme Speed but replacing dragonite with Zygarde.

**Recoil Damage**: Infernape's reliabilty on Flare Blitz and Life Orb means that it is very susceptible to recoil, preventing it from sticking around very long during a match, and with each attack, it opens the opportunity for foes to revenge kill it more easily. Mention that rocky helmet also punishes most infernape sets

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/theuncultured.629845/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.200000
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.300000
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.400000
QC 1/2
Click to expand...

implemented, ty.
 
[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 2 onwards

**Price Range**: 15-16 points

**Overview**: Infernape stands out as a premier offensive threat possessing many valuable traits, including a great STAB combination in Fire/Fighting, a good Speed tier and the option to tailor its moveset to check almost any number of threats, thanks to its good mixed offenses and deep coverage movepool. Infernape can do whatever it wants to support its team, whether its to disrupt specific checks with its utility movepool or pick off threats with a damage-boosting item, Choice Scarf or Z-Crystal, which can allow it to easily overwhelm the opponent as most of the time, the opponent won't know which set it will run. Despite its good qualities, Infernape is very frail and it can very rarely run any defensive investment, so it can be picked off easily by revenge killers, and it rarely finds an opportunity to switch in without momentum support. In addition, Infernape can struggle to fit in all the moves it wants to run, which could slow down its offensive pressure by specific checks without the right tools to handle it.


[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Setup Sweeper**: With access to both Swords Dance and Nasty Plot, Infernape can easily pick off weakened foes after a boost. It also has strong priority options in Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave to pick off faster, weakened foes and strong coverage options to potentially hit entire teams for super-effective damage. would add a point abt how it can use z moves to blast through even the bulkiest of walls

**Revenge Killer**: Infernape can act as a revenge killer with a Choice Scarf, picking off faster threats with its strong STAB combination, and keeping up momentum with U-turn to continuously chip foes down to pick off later.

**Wallbreaker**: Strong STAB attack options such as Flare Blitz and Close Combat allow Infernape to act as a potent wallbreaker when equipped with a Choice Band or if it's using a Z-move, allowing it to punch holes against defensive walls and Pokemon that resist its attacks.

**Dedicated Lead**: On rare occasions, Infernape can be used early in a match to set up Stealth Rock reliably when equipped with a Focus Sash. The lead set also capitalises on Infernape's good Speed stat, in which it can stop opposing entry hazard setters with Taunt and cripple foes with either a burn Will-O-Wisp or Toxic.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Flare Blitz, Fire Blast, Flamethrower, Overheat, Close Combat, Focus Blast, Mach Punch, Vacuum Wave, Low Kick

**Setup Moves**: Swords Dance, Nasty Plot, Bulk Up, Calm Mind, Flame Charge, Work Up

**Utility Moves**: Will-O-Wisp, Stealth Rock, Taunt, Encore, Fake Out, Toxic, U-turn, Slack Off, Brick Break

**Coverage**: Grass Knot, Earthquake, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Gunk Shot, Poison Jab, Shadow Claw, Thunder Punch, Hidden Power

Niche Moves
========
**Endeavour**: Infernape can drop foes to 1HP after its Focus Sash is broken, allowing a teammate to revenge kill the weakened foe once it goes down.

**Work Up**: Infernape can use Work Up as an alternative boosting option on mixed sets to aid in its sweep. move to setup

**Endure**: Endure can be used to survive an otherwise fatal attack, in which Infernape can then use a Salac Berry to give a boost to its Speed.

add solar beam here, can mention p herb too

Common Items
========
**Damage-boosting Items**: Infernape can use a variety of damage-boosting items in order to elevate its offensive prowess. Life Orb gives Infernape the power it needs to break past opposing threats and sweep through weakened foes. Expert Belt can also be used if its running multiple coverage options to give it more longevity.

**Choice Scarf**: Choice Scarf allows Infernape to act as a potent revenge killer and deal chip damage to allow its teammates a much easier time to find opportunities to setup and sweep.

**Z-Crystal**: Infernape is an excellent user of Z-Crystals. Firium Z and Fightinium Z upgrade its strong STAB attacks further to OHKO a multitude of threats. Electrium Z can also be used to deal heavy damage to opposing Water-types that may come in to try and check it.

**Choice Band / Choice Specs**: Choice Band or Choice Specs allows Infernape to function as an early game wallbreaker, which can work especially well against slower opposing teams. merge with dmg boosting

Niche Items
========
**Focus Sash**: Given how frail it is, Infernape can don a Focus Sash to accomplish whatever it needs reliably to support its team, either through setting up hazards or crippling a foe through status.

**Resistance Berries**: Infernape can benefit from using resistance berries to tank a super-effective hit, and either use that opportunity to set up or pick off a foe.

**Power Herb**: Infernape can use Power Herb to skip Solar Beam's charge time, which may be preferred over Grass Knot to deal heavy damage. would double up on what it says so is redundant here

**Salac Berry**: Using a Salac Berry, Infernape can gain a boost to its Speed in situations where it cannot fit in a priority move. Blaze also activates when it is dropped down to consume the berry, giving it a boost to its damage output.

Draft Strategy
========
Infernape is usually drafted primarily to take on an offensive role and as a potential wincon, but this should not be relied on, given how frail it is. It requires a lot of support from its teammates to prepare itself to pick off foes one by one, and it should be able to support its other offensive partners with its utility and momentum movepool.

**Defensive Partners**: Infernape appreciates having partners that it can pivot to take strong hits aimed at it and keep itself healthy over the course of a match. Pokemon such as Rotom-W, Uxie and Tapu Fini are good options to consider.

**Strong Offensive Partners**: Infernape likes to have support from offensive heavyweights such as Nidoking, Landorus-T and Kyurem-B to aid in keeping offensive pressure.

**Entry Hazard Support**: While Infernape can set up Stealth Rock on its own, it prefers other teammates to set up entry hazards to free up a moveslot for additional coverage or utility. Pokemon such as Krookodile, Garchomp and Landorus-T would mention smth else since u alrdy mentioned lando above, maybe queen or phan? can fulfil this role.

**Fairy-resistant Pokemon**: Infernape does not fully resist Fairy, so it appreciates Pokemon such as Nidoqueen, Scizor and Jirachi that can take such hits aimed at Infernape. seems unnecessary, youve alreayd mentioned how frail it is

Checks and Counters
========
**Faster Pokemon**: While Infernape is relatively fast, Pokemon such as Tornadus-T, Greninja and Latios are faster than it, and they can easily KO Infernape with their strong super-effective damage attacks.

**Priority Attacks**: Infernape is weak to the common priority attack Aqua Jet, in which it can suffer major damage by foes such as Azumaril, due to its poor defenses. It can also take huge damage from neutral priority such as Extreme Speed from Dragonite and Zygarde.

**Recoil Damage**: Infernape's reliabilty on Flare Blitz and Life Orb means that it is very susceptible to recoil, preventing it from sticking around very long during a match, and with each attack, it opens the opportunity for foes to revenge kill it more easily. A foe can also don a Rocky Helmet, punishing most Infernape sets.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/theuncultured.629845/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/odinrm.613514/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.300000
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.400000
2/2
 
1/1 GP Team done
add remove comment
[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 2 onwards

**Price Range**: 15-16 points

**Overview**: Infernape stands out as a premier offensive threat possessing that possesses many valuable traits, including a great STAB combination in Fire/Fighting, a good Speed tier, (AC) and the option to tailor its moveset to check almost any number of threats (RC) thanks to its good mixed offenses and deep coverage movepool. Infernape Its versatility can do whatever it wants to support its team easily overwhelm opponents, whether its to as it can disrupt specific checks with its utility movepool or pick off threats with a damage-boosting item, Choice Scarf, (AC) or Z-Crystal (RC) which can allow it to easily overwhelm the opponent as most of the time, the opponent won't know which set it will run. Despite its good qualities, Infernape is very frail, (AC) and it can very rarely run runs any defensive investment, so it can be gets picked off easily by revenge killers (RC) and it rarely finds an opportunity opportunities to switch in without momentum support. In addition, Infernape can struggle it struggles to fit in all the moves it wants to run, which could slow down its offensive pressure by since it often needs specific checks without the right tools to handle it coverage.


[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Setup Sweeper**: With access to both Swords Dance and Nasty Plot, Infernape can easily pick off weakened foes after a boost, and a boosted Z-Move can break through even the sturdiest of walls. It also has strong priority options in Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave to pick off faster, weakened foes and strong coverage options to potentially hit entire teams for super-effective super effective damage.

**Revenge Killer**: Infernape can act as a revenge killer with a Choice Scarf, picking off faster threats with its strong STAB combination (RC) and keeping up momentum with U-turn to continuously chip foes down to pick off later.

**Wallbreaker**: Strong STAB attack options such as Flare Blitz and Close Combat allow Infernape to act as a potent wallbreaker when equipped with a Choice Band, (AC) or if it's using a Z-move, allowing it to can punch holes against defensive walls and Pokemon that resist its attacks.

**Dedicated Lead**: On rare occasions, Infernape can be used early in a match to set up Stealth Rock reliably when equipped with a Focus Sash. The lead set also capitalises capitalizes on Infernape's its good Speed stat, in which allows it can to stop opposing entry hazard setters with Taunt and cripple foes with either a Will-O-Wisp or Toxic.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Flare Blitz, Fire Blast, Flamethrower, Overheat, Close Combat, Focus Blast, Mach Punch, Vacuum Wave, Low Kick

**Setup Moves**: Swords Dance, Nasty Plot, Bulk Up, Calm Mind, Flame Charge, Work Up

**Utility Moves**: Will-O-Wisp, Stealth Rock, Taunt, Encore, Fake Out, Toxic, U-turn, Slack Off, Brick Break

**Coverage**: Grass Knot, Earthquake, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Gunk Shot, Poison Jab, Shadow Claw, Thunder Punch, Hidden Power

Niche Moves
========
**EndeavourEndeavor**: Infernape can drop foes to 1HP one HP with Endeavor after its Focus Sash is broken, allowing a teammate to revenge kill the weakened foe once it goes down.

**Endure**: Endure can be used to survive an otherwise fatal attack, in which Infernape can then use a allowing Salac Berry to give a boost to its Infernape's Speed.

**Solar Beam**: Infernape can use Solar Beam in conjunction with Power Herb to deal heavy damage in matchups where Grass Knot may not be enough to handle certain foes.

Common Items
========
**Damage-boosting Items**: Infernape can use a variety of damage-boosting items in order to elevate its offensive prowess (RP) Life Orb gives Infernape the power it needs to break past opposing threats and sweep through weakened foes. Expert Belt can also be used if its it's running multiple super effective coverage options to give it more longevity over Life Orb. Finally, Choice Band or and Choice Specs allows allow Infernape to function as an early game early-game wallbreaker, which can work especially well against slower opposing teams.

**Choice Scarf**: Choice Scarf allows Infernape to act as a potent revenge killer and deal chip damage, (AC) allowing to allow its teammates a much easier time to find opportunities to setup and sweep set up and sweep more easily.

**Z-Crystal**: Infernape is an excellent user of Z-Crystals. Firium Z and Fightinium Z upgrade its strong STAB attacks further to OHKO a multitude of threats. Electrium Z can also be used to deal heavy damage to opposing Water-types that may come in to try and check it.

Niche Items
========
**Focus Sash**: Given how frail it is, Infernape can don a Focus Sash to accomplish whatever it needs reliably to support its team (RC) either through setting up entry hazards or crippling a foe through status.

**Resistance Berries**: Infernape can benefit from using resistance Berries to tank a super-effective super effective hit (RC) and either use that opportunity to either set up or pick off a foe.

**Salac Berry**: Using a Salac Berry, Infernape can gain a boost to its Speed in situations where it cannot fit in a priority move. Blaze also activates when it is dropped down to consume consumes the Berry, giving it a boost to its damage output.

Draft Strategy
========
Infernape is usually drafted primarily to take on an offensive role and play as a potential wincon, but this should not be relied on (RC) given how frail it is. It requires a lot of support from its teammates to prepare itself to successfully pick off foes one by one one-by-one, and it should be able to support its other offensive partners with its utility and momentum movepool.

**Defensive Partners**: Infernape appreciates having being able to pivot to partners that it can pivot to take strong hits aimed at it and keep itself so that it can stay healthy over the course of a match. Pokemon such as Rotom-W, Uxie, (AC) and Tapu Fini are good options to consider.

**Strong Offensive Partners**: Infernape likes to have support from offensive heavyweights such as Nidoking, Landorus-T, (AC) and Kyurem-B to aid in keeping offensive pressure.

**Entry Hazard Support**: While Infernape can set up Stealth Rock on its own, it prefers other teammates to set up entry hazards to free up a moveslot for additional coverage or utility. Pokemon such as Krookodile, Garchomp, (AC) and Nidoqueen can fulfil this role.

Checks and Counters
========
**Faster Pokemon**: While Infernape is relatively fast, Pokemon such as Tornadus-T, Greninja, (AC) and Latios are faster than it, and they can easily KO Infernape it with their strong super-effective damage super effective attacks.

**Priority Attacks**: Infernape is weak to the common priority attack Aqua Jet, in which making it can suffer major damage by foes such as Azumaril (RC) Azumarill due to its poor defenses. It can also take huge damage from neutral priority attacks such as Extreme Speed from Dragonite and Zygarde.

**Recoil Damage**: Infernape's reliabilty reliability on Flare Blitz and Life Orb means that it is very susceptible to recoil, preventing it from sticking around very long during a match, and with each attack, it opens the opportunity for foes to revenge kill it more easily. A foe can also don a Rocky Helmet, punishing most Infernape sets.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/theuncultured.629845/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/odinrm.613514/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/princess-autumn.564960/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top