[SET]
name: Pivot
move 1: Pyro Ball
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Court Change
move 4: Will-O-Wisp / Sucker Punch / Gunk Shot
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
tera type: Fire / Flying
ability: Blaze / Libero
nature: Jolly
evs: 224 HP / 32 Atk / 252 Spe OR 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
In a metagame dominated by entry hazards, Cinderace thrives as a pivot thanks to its unique utility options in Court Change and Will-O-Wisp, and Libero granting it a plethora of high-power STAB options such as Gunk Shot and Pyro Ball. Its excellent base 119 Speed allows it to outpace opposing offensive threats like Ogerpon-W, Iron Crown, and Great Tusk while Speed tying with Roaring Moon. U-turn both brings in teammates and chips down foes that come in on Cinderace, like Great Tusk, Dondozo, and Raging Bolt, while dealing super effective damage to the likes of Hisuian Samurott, Ting-Lu, and Roaring Moon. Court Change allows Cinderace to remove hazards, even against Gholdengo, as well as steal opposing Aurora Veil. Will-O-Wisp is used to weaken and burn opposing threats such as the aforementioned Great Tusk as well as Pokemon like Kingambit, Dragonite, and Zamazenta. Libero-boosted Sucker Punch can be opted to give Cinderace a useful priority option, allowing it to pick off offensive threats such as Dragapult and Choice Scarf Gholdengo after chip damage. Libero-boosted Gunk Shot gives Cinderace a powerful coverage tool, able to OHKO the likes of Enamorus and Primarina, as well as Hatterene after Spikes while also slamming other foes wanting to come in on Cinderace such as Raging Bolt. Low Kick is an additional option that might be worth considering to 2HKO Ting-Lu, Hisuian Samurott, Garganacl, and Kyurem, as well as OHKO Kingambit, which Pyro Ball does not offer. While Cinderace often doesn't have to use Terastallization thanks to its good natural typing and Libero letting it change its own typing naturally, Tera Fire is able to give Pyro Ball a massive power boost, letting it 2HKO even the likes of Zamazenta without its Dauntless Shield and specially defensive Gliscor, whereas Tera Flying lets it turn the tables on Ground- and Fighting-types, letting it get a Will-O-Wisp off on Landorus-T, Great Tusk, and Zamazenta, (AC) or safely use Court Change on them. Blaze is often used in conjunction with Cinderace sets that opt for Will-O-Wisp, being able to force itself into Blaze range and fire off a boosted Pyro Ball, while Libero is typically chosen when wanting to utilise Cinderace's strong coverage options. 224 HP with 32 Attack EVs allows Cinderace to OHKO Tinkaton, Weavile, and uninvested Gholdengo, with a chance to also OHKO Rillaboom, while giving it the ability to live +2 Shadow Ball from Iron Valiant, Ting-Lu's Earthquake, and two of Bulky Nasty Plot Gholdengo's unboosted Shadow Balls. Maximum Attack and Speed EVs can be run to maximize Cinderace's offensive potential, letting it ensure a 2HKO on uninvested Kyurem and Galarian Slowking, as well as an OHKO on Iron Crown with Pyro Ball and Kingambit after Spikes damage.
Cinderace fits excellently on bulky offense and balance teams that love the support it can offer while maintaining an offensive presence and keeping momentum. Other defensive pivots capable of generating momentum such as Galarian Slowking, Corviknight, and Landorus-T work excellently with it. Galarian Slowking is able to check Primarina and Raging Bolt, and Corviknight can handle Hisuian Samurott, Roaring Moon, and Great Tusk. Landorus-T is able to deal with a large amount of physical threats thanks to the combination of Intimidate and Rocky Helmet, as well as offensively break through the likes of Raging Bolt and Iron Moth, which would otherwise feel safe coming in on Cinderace while setting up Stealth Rock and creating a solid pivoting core. In return, Cinderace is able to threaten Gholdengo, Kingambit, and Iron Crown, and it can swap the entry hazards on each side of the field, which can help further check Zamazenta and Choice Specs Kyurem. Offensive teammates that appreciate hazard removal, the chance to set their own hazards, as well as safe entry through Cinderace's U-turn, such as Roaring Moon, Ogerpon-W, Raging Bolt, and non-Heavy-Duty Boots Kyurem, synergise well with it, being given the chance to come in on the likes of Alomomola, Primarina, Landorus-T, and Moltres and force them out. Other wallbreakers that appreciate the Water- and Dragon-types Cinderace lures in, such as Rillaboom, Iron Valiant, Enamorus, and Primarina, are great partners, with Cinderace being able to handle the Grass- and Steel-types that they may otherwise struggle with. Great Tusk works amazingly with Cinderace's Court Change, being able to trade hazards and later remove the ones remaining on its side of the field with Rapid Spin, on top of providing Knock Off support and helping check the aforementioned Garganacl, Gliscor, and Galarian Slowking. Ting-Lu is another great partner, providing even greater hazard support thanks to its access to Spikes while being able to check Raging Bolt and Iron Moth, two of Cinderace's biggest checks. Dragapult is an amazing offensive partner for Cinderace, benefitting from the status it spreads with Will-O-Wisp to maximize Hex damage while forming a powerful pivoting core.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tidal.540289/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/viivian.584916/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/dead-by-daylight.571069/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/marlyne.664887/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/lustre.567354/
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