DISCLAIMER: I have recently revealed in Firebot Development Lab of my illness, which is why I choose to post this RMT now. If you wish to read it, it's here.
Volcanion: In a nutshell, Volcanion is a bulky Fire-Type that is similar to fellow brethren Heatran, but with a larger offensive presence. Volcanion also has a better offensive movepool including the powerful Steam Eruption, Earth Power, and many others that makes it a formidable threat.
This team started out as a silly scribble on a post-it to something much more. Volcanion can really shine in a metagame such as this one. This is by far my best team, and it's time to show the world what I'm made of (I'm made of shit).
Volcanion + Kyurem-Black was a mega-offensive core that almost always won against Stall. Volcanion is a great wallbreaker spreading burns around, and Kyurem-Black is defeating many with Ice Beam and Fusion Bolt. Seems like a cool core to me.
I added Hippowdon, mainly because of a lack of a defensive presence. Hippowdon also gave me an opportunity to setup Stealth Rock and have a better chance at beating Sand.
I got rid of Hippowdon for Rhyperior, mainly because it handled several threats reliably that Hippowdon could not, like Mega Pinsir, Mega Charizard X, Talonflame, and most importantly of all, it didn't help the opponent's Excadrill by Sand Stream. Rhyperior is also better at taking physical hits and looks better, plus it is my favorite Pokemon. So yeah.
Thundurus was my third wallbreaker, and by far my most reliable one, too. Thunder Wave Spam was good for Volcanion, who had a rather average speed tier. Thundurus also took care of Azumarill, Mega Gyarados, and Manaphy too so that was a plus.
I added Mega Metagross because it did a great job at killing pesky fairy types, unlike former member Mega Venusaur. It also contributed to the Hyper Offensive-mindset and didn't keep me from losing momentum, as Mega Venusaur always did, no matter what.
- Kyurem-Black @ Life Orb
- Nature: Mild
- Ability: Teravolt
- EV Spread: 20 Atk / 252 Sp.Atk / 236 Spd
- Moves:
- Ice Beam
- Fusion Bolt
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Moves: The set is pretty standard. Ice Beam is Kyurem-Black's main spamming move with virtually no drawbacks. Fusion Bolt is what makes this set mixed, and it allows Kyurem-Black to break past Water-types like Azumarill, Manaphy, and Gyarados. Earth Power is for coverage, mainly for Steels and bulky Mega Charizard X. Finally, Hidden Power [Fire] is used to lure and defeat unsuspecting Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor, as it almost OHKO's both mentioned Pokemon on the switch-in. Kyurem-Black is also bulky enough to live a Bullet Punch, even with a Mild Nature.
EV Spread: Kyurem-Black has a very standard EV Spread. Max Special Attack allows it to hit as hard as possible, 20 Attack Stat is for Fusion Bolt, and the rest is dumped in speed to run Max Speed Base 80s.
- Thundurus @ Life Orb
- Nature: Timid
- IVs: 0 Attack
- Ability: Prankster
- EV Spread: 4 Def / 252 Sp.Atk / 252 Spd
- Moves:
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast
Moves: No deviation of standard set. Thunder Wave goes well with Prankster, crippling opponents so they cannot attack any more and even paving the way for a Volcanion sweep. Hidden Power Ice is for coverage, and Thunderbolt has no drawbacks and is highly spammable. Focus Blast is also for coverage, hitting Ferrothorn, Tyranitar, and Excadrill for super-effective damage.
EV Spread: Typical standard one. Special Attack and Speed are maximized, and 0 Atk IVs to minimize Foul Play and Confusion damage.
- Volcanion @ Life Orb
- Nature: Modest
- IVs: 0 Attack
- Ability: Water Absorb
- EV Spread: 180 HP / 252 Sp.Atk / 76 Spd
- Moves:
- Steam Eruption
- Fire Blast
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Grass]
Moves: Steam Eruption is one of the main reasons to even use Volcanion in the first place, as it is essentially a fusion between Scald and Hydro Pump. Fire Blast has STAB and pairs rather nicely with Volcanion's Base 130 Special Attack. Sludge Bomb is for coverage against Azumarill, but Hidden Power [Grass] works too. Earth Power is to hit other Volcanion, which will definitely see some usage for the next month or so.
EV Spread: EV Spread is made to outspeed other Volcanion, who usually have 252/252/4 investment (thanks, SmogonDex!). Other than that, the speed it the key here with that fuzzy Base 70 Speed.
- Mega Metagross
- Nature: Jolly
- Ability: Clear Body
- EV Spread: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
- Moves:
- Meteor Mash
- Hammer Arm
- Zen Headbutt
- Ice Punch
Moves: Meteor Mash is one of Mega Metagross's two spammable physical STAB moves, and it is by far the most important because it helps me rid of fairies. Hammer Arm is great coverage, particularly when the speed drop isn't an object, allowing me to hit Porygon2. Zen Headbutt helps me deal with Fighting Types. Ice Punch is good when versing ever-so-annoying Dragonite.
EV Spread: Nothing worth mentioning. Max Attack and Speed allow it to hit as absolutely hard as possible.
- Rhyperior @ Leftovers
- Nature: Impish
- Ability: Solid Rock
- EV Spread: 212 HP / 252 Def / 44 Atk
- Moves:
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Stealth Rock
Moves: Ice Punch is for coverage against Breloom, and Earthquake and Rock Slide are part of the unresisted STAB Rhyperior has. Stealth Rock is for hazards, which is completely necessary.
EV Spread: Defense and HP EVs mean that a +2 Bisharp will never OHKO Rhyperior. EVs also allow Rhyperior to check Mega Charizard X by being 3HKO'd by a +1 Earthquake, and this allows it to beat Weavile as long as there are no more than one flinch. Attack EVs allow Ice Punch to do heavy damage to Gliscor, who doesn't mind Rock Slide.
- Skarmory @ Leftovers
- Nature: Impish
- Ability: Sturdy
- EV Spread: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spd
- Moves:
- Defog
- Roost
- Whirlwind
- Brave Bird
Moves: Defog is for removing hazards, and has recently become more viable than Rapid Spin due to a wide barrage of viable users of Defog, and the spotlight on Mega Sableye. Roost is for recovery, and it allows me to check Banded Tyranitar by removing its Rock Neutrality. Whirlwind is for phazing, and Brave Bird is for last-ditch attacking.
EVs: Idk, Max Defense and Max HP to counter as many physical attackers as humanly possible. Nothing more to it.
Power Gem Starmie
Starmie was my former Rapid Spin user of choice, namely because it was able to deal with threats such as Mega Charizard Y with one of its lesser-used moves, Power Gem. However, it added many unseen weaknesses such as Kyurem-Black and Excadrill that made me want to take out Starmie.
Defog Mew
Defog Mew was a good hazard remover after Starmie because it's ability to burn opponents and neutrality to hazards made it a good contender. However, it was very emasculating looking and was dead weight 70% of the time, so I trashed it.
Mixed Wall Hippowdon
Mixed Wall Hippowdon was originally my Stealth Rock-setter, but I got rid of it after realizing that Rhyperior was usable in OU. Hippowdon was counter-productive 60% of the time because of Sand Stream, which not only racked up damage in the long run, but gave way for Excadrill to demolish my team. Rhyperior can generally beat Excadrill anyway as long as Iron Head does not cause too many flinches.
Unaware Quagsire
Unaware Quagsire was an attempt to stop setup sweepers, but I got rid of it when I shifted my team's focus to Hyper Offense. It wasn't very bulky anyway, and all it did was wall Mega Charizard X. Other than that, it was just death fodder most of the time.
Unaware Clefable
After Quagsire was a total fail, I tried using the more popular Clefable, for mostly the same reasons. It wasn't very bulky either, as 96/73/90 is decent at best, especially with the Power Creep of XY. It didn't hit very hard either. Pass.
Defensive Mega Venusaur
I tried using Mega Venusaur for a while, because I thought that it would do a good job at walling fairies. This only paved the way for me auto-losing to Mega Gardevoir. Mega Metagross did the fairy-killing job better, and hits harder and actually applied pressure on the opposign team.
Mega Charizard Y: Mega Charizard Y, or more commonly known as "Zardy", distinguishes itself as the best weather wallbreaker in the tier, with little to no reliable switch-ins. Although the attention may be primarily on its brother, Mega Charizard X, Mega Charizard Y is different from the plethora of offensive Fire-Types because of its ability, Drought, which summons Sun upon entering the battlefield, making it's Fire-Type moves virtually unwallable, and allowing it to take on Water Types. For this reason, distribution of Charizardite Y is illegal in America.
Known For Killing: Mega Charizard Y can usually defeat Kyurem-Black with a sun-boosted Fire Blast or Focus Blast. Mega Charizard Y can come in on Rhyperior and defeat it with SolarBeam. Mega Charizard Y can come in on a Mega Metagross that has Mega-Evolved on the first turn and smugly knock it out with any Fire-Type move. However, Mega Charizard Y cannot switch into any of these aformentioned Pokemon.
How To Handle:
- Sun Wallbreaker- There are some methods of defeating Zardy. The most obvious is utilizing Thundurus to come in on it and zap it with Thunderbolt in nearly any situation. However, should Thundurus have died prior, our options are very limited. Volcanion's EV Spread allows it to survive a SolarBeam.
Kyurem-Black: Known as Kube, Kyurem-Black is distinguishable for being the only Pokemon in OU with no truly reliable switch-ins. With Life Orb and Teravolt, it is capable of tearing apart entire teams and, being the bulkiest offensive Pokemon in standard competitive play, it can rape whoever it pleases. Only those with special distribution have hope of taking it on, such as Mega Slowbro and Chansey, and even then, both can be broken through with one of Kyurem-Black's coverage moves. This makes it an undeniable threat that the Anti-Stall Blizzard has to handle with strategic thinking.
Known For Killing: Kyurem-Black can use Ice Beam to dispatch Thundurus completely, and can deal massive damage to my own Kyurem-Black. With Teravolt, Kyurem-Black can swiftly uproot the mighty Rhyperior with a single Ice Beam, and it can deal massive damage with Earth Power to Mega Metagross.
How To Handle:
- Life Orb- Kyurem-Black cannot switch into anything on my team without being 2HKO'd or outright OHKO'd. Thundurus should come in immediately and attack it aggressively. Focus Blast can finish it off in one blow, but Thunder Wave can also ensure that Mega Metagross will defeat Kyurem-Black, at the cost of Thundurus's life. Mega Metagross can usually survive an Earth Power and pick it off with Meteor Mash.
- Choice Scarf- Choice Scarf Kube is in no way a threat to my team. Rhyperior alone can usually handle an Outrage or two, and lives an Ice Beam, as Scarf generally does not carry much special attack investment. Thundurus can paralyze it, rendering it useless for the rest of the match. Volcanion can survive Outrage, and use Fire Blast to deal heavy damage to it. Skarmory does not particularly like Fusion Bolt but otherwise hardwalls it.
Manaphy: At first glance, Manaphy may not seem like much. It's another pixie-esque Mew-clone destined to be a failure, just like its older sisters Shaymin and Diancie are. However, Manaphy is in reality the best special setup sweeper in the game, all because of one move: Tail Glow. Tail Glow more than triples Manaphy's special attack in one turn, turning it from a mediocre water-type into an unstoppable, Scald-blasting stallbreaker of undefeatable proportions. Stall quivers when they see it come into play, as Manaphy is one of those who can even take on the great Chansey! Tread carefully.
Known for Killing: Manaphy can use Tail Glow in Rhyperior's face, and use Scald to knock it out. After a Tail Glow, my team will struggle to take the Water + Ice Combo, as Kyurem-Black risks being burned (meaning that it can no longer defeat it with Fusion Bolt), and a +3 Ice Beam is going to deal some serious damage.
How to Handle:
- Tail Glow- As long as Thundurus is still intact, I normally should not have a problem with defeating Manaphy, as Thundurus can come in and use Thunderbolt. However, should Thundurus fall, Kyurem-Black can hope not to be burned and use Fusion Bolt. As long as Mega Metagross has mega-evolved prior, Zen Headbutt will do some substantial damage.
- Calm Mind- Calm Mind is a little less threatening, but it can deal with Thundurus if it has accumulated some Calm Mind boosts prior. The best thing to do is send in Kyurem-Black to Fusion Bolt it before it can Scald or something.
Sylveon: The latest and most successful evolution of Eevee, Sylveon is one of the most powerful fairies to have existed. Not only does it possess a stellar movepool that allows it to function as a cleric, it can also go offensive, utilizing Pixilate, a move that allows it to hit very hard, something that fellow Fairies such as Clefable fail to do. However, Sylveon suffers severe criticism in how it is outclassed in most aspects, most notably a defensive role.
Known for Killing: Sylveon can defeat Kyurem-Black with a Pixiate-boosted Hyper Voice, and doesn't particularly mind an Ice Beam or two. Sylveon doesn't like Sludge Bomb, but otherwise, it can soft-check Volcanion. Sylveon can use Thundurus as setup fodder, and even heal paralysis with Heal Bell. Sylveon can also hit Rhyperior very hard with Hyper Voice.
How to Handle:
- Choice Specs- Mega Metagross is all that is required. Mega Metagross outspeeds, survives Hidden Power [Fire], then retaliates hard with Meteor Mash, scoring a clean KO.
- Calm Mind- Again, Mega Metagross can come in at any time and pick it clean.
- Support- Mega Metagross kills this too. 'Nuff said.
Porygon2: Porygon2 is one of the lesser known defensive options for Normal, and like Chansey, it is transformed from a mediocre wall to a top-tier wall capable of surviving massive onslaughts. Despite this, it is very uncommon, which is why it is not at top priority. But when it is used, my team has to stall it out.
Known For Killing: Porygon2 does not kill any of these Pokemon, but the real terror comes when it hardwalls them. Porygon2 does not take much damage from Kyurem-Black's Ice Beam, and Porygon2 lives a Focus Blast and uses Ice Beam to deal heavy damage to Thundurus. Thanks to Trace, Porygon2 copies Water Absorb from Volcanion and is 3HKO'd by Fire Blast.
How To Handle:
- Defensive: The best thing to do against defensive Porygon2 is to use Mega Metagross to Hammer Arm it as soon as possible. Then Mega Metagross's speed drops, and is Thunder Waved. Thundurus is immune to Thunder Wave and can Focus Blast it, only to be hit by Ice Beam. Hammer Arm and Focus Blast both do considerable damage.
- Offensive: I handle Porygon2 the same way, only our attacks hit harder due to lack of investment in defenses.
This team was designed to pack as much firepower as possible into six Pokemon. Because of this, Stall is almost never a problem. Keep this in mind when using Volcanion in an offensive measure.
Mega Sableye: Everyone knows of it, nobody likes it, many use it. Mega Sableye, or more commonly known as Megasab, is undoubtedly the most cancerous Pokemon to have and ever will exist. With many tools that help it to become the best defensive Mega Evolution in the game, including quickly burning physical attackers, utility in Knock Off and Magic Bounce, and an excellent win-condition in Calm Mind, every team must be prepared to handle it.
Why it Loses: My team is almost fully composed of wallbreakers. Kyurem-Black hits Mega Sableye very hard with Ice Beam, and Thundurus does the same with Thunderbolt. Skarmory doesn't do anything useful but it can Whirlwind itself to safety if it doesn't feel safe around the ruby rapist.
Excadrill: You could just look at my team preview and already infer that Excadrill pretty much 6-0s it cleanly. All you have to do is send in Hippowdon, use Stealth Rock, and find an opportunity to switch into Excadrill and the rest is a walk in the park. However, the tier's best sand sweeper has never knocked out any of my Pokemon.
Why it Loses: First of all, it shouldn't go without mentioning that the two viable Sand setters, Tyranitar and Hippowdon, are easily handled one way or another by my wallbreaker selection. Kyurem-Black defeats Hippowdon with a single Ice Beam, and Mega Metagross combats Tyranitar. In addition, Excadrill is one of the primary reasons why I justify Rhyperior as viable. Excadrill cannot do jackshit to Rhyperior, and if it sets up a Swords Dance it immediately falls to Earthquake. Skarmory hardwalls it in every situation, and can use it as an opportunity to setup. Excadrill is one mole that will not anally rape this slut.
Mega Charizard X: Mega Charizard X is perhaps, the most hyped Pokemon to have ever existed. Unlike it's brother, Mega Charizard Y, Mega Charizard X is not as threatening to my team as Mega Charizard Y is. At best, it's most threatening set is Bulky Will'O'Wisp because it cam cripple Rhyperior, but even then, Volcanion can use Steam Eruption on that.
Why it Loses: Rhyperior hard checks most of Mega Charizard X's sets, including Swords Dance and Dragon Dance. It can stomach a +1 Earthquake and retaliate with Earthquake, while on the other hand, Hippowdon has to be wary of a +1 Flare Blitz. Bulky Will'O'Wisp is harder to handle, but Volcanion does a good job at defeating it for the most part, as Steam Eruption will do tons to Mega Charizard X's lacking Special Defense.
Talonflame: Talonflame is the epitome of a late-game sweeper, with Gale Wings, allowing it to strike fast with a priority Brave Bird. Sweeping offensively is not it's only trick, however, as it also can run defensive sets very well. Talonflame is not very effective against this team in the slightest, however.
Why it Loses: Rhyperior pretty much hardwalls any offensive variants, but fears being burned by defensive sets. Thundurus, Volcanion, and Kyurem-Black all easily defeat the defensive sets so that isn't much of a problem for the most part.
Mega Sableye: Everyone knows of it, nobody likes it, many use it. Mega Sableye, or more commonly known as Megasab, is undoubtedly the most cancerous Pokemon to have and ever will exist. With many tools that help it to become the best defensive Mega Evolution in the game, including quickly burning physical attackers, utility in Knock Off and Magic Bounce, and an excellent win-condition in Calm Mind, every team must be prepared to handle it.
Why it Loses: My team is almost fully composed of wallbreakers. Kyurem-Black hits Mega Sableye very hard with Ice Beam, and Thundurus does the same with Thunderbolt. Skarmory doesn't do anything useful but it can Whirlwind itself to safety if it doesn't feel safe around the ruby rapist.
Excadrill: You could just look at my team preview and already infer that Excadrill pretty much 6-0s it cleanly. All you have to do is send in Hippowdon, use Stealth Rock, and find an opportunity to switch into Excadrill and the rest is a walk in the park. However, the tier's best sand sweeper has never knocked out any of my Pokemon.
Why it Loses: First of all, it shouldn't go without mentioning that the two viable Sand setters, Tyranitar and Hippowdon, are easily handled one way or another by my wallbreaker selection. Kyurem-Black defeats Hippowdon with a single Ice Beam, and Mega Metagross combats Tyranitar. In addition, Excadrill is one of the primary reasons why I justify Rhyperior as viable. Excadrill cannot do jackshit to Rhyperior, and if it sets up a Swords Dance it immediately falls to Earthquake. Skarmory hardwalls it in every situation, and can use it as an opportunity to setup. Excadrill is one mole that will not anally rape this slut.
Mega Charizard X: Mega Charizard X is perhaps, the most hyped Pokemon to have ever existed. Unlike it's brother, Mega Charizard Y, Mega Charizard X is not as threatening to my team as Mega Charizard Y is. At best, it's most threatening set is Bulky Will'O'Wisp because it cam cripple Rhyperior, but even then, Volcanion can use Steam Eruption on that.
Why it Loses: Rhyperior hard checks most of Mega Charizard X's sets, including Swords Dance and Dragon Dance. It can stomach a +1 Earthquake and retaliate with Earthquake, while on the other hand, Hippowdon has to be wary of a +1 Flare Blitz. Bulky Will'O'Wisp is harder to handle, but Volcanion does a good job at defeating it for the most part, as Steam Eruption will do tons to Mega Charizard X's lacking Special Defense.
Talonflame: Talonflame is the epitome of a late-game sweeper, with Gale Wings, allowing it to strike fast with a priority Brave Bird. Sweeping offensively is not it's only trick, however, as it also can run defensive sets very well. Talonflame is not very effective against this team in the slightest, however.
Why it Loses: Rhyperior pretty much hardwalls any offensive variants, but fears being burned by defensive sets. Thundurus, Volcanion, and Kyurem-Black all easily defeat the defensive sets so that isn't much of a problem for the most part.
Shoutout to tehy for giving me some advice on the lore of Firebot when I was new there
Shoutout to Donald Trump for making Smogon great again
Shoutout to unfixable Uselesscrab and Kingslayer2779 for help on BH Analysis
Credits to cooltext.com for text that is cool
Credits to pokestadium.com for sprites
Shoutout to tickle daddy Chinese dave Beach Boy and others who died in the name of FIREBOT
Shoutout to Donald Trump for making Smogon great again
Shoutout to unfixable Uselesscrab and Kingslayer2779 for help on BH Analysis
Credits to cooltext.com for text that is cool
Credits to pokestadium.com for sprites
Shoutout to tickle daddy Chinese dave Beach Boy and others who died in the name of FIREBOT
Kyurem-Black @ Life Orb
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 20 Atk / 252 SpA / 236 Spe
Mild Nature
- Ice Beam
- Earth Power
- Fusion Bolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Volcanion @ Life Orb
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 180 HP / 252 SpA / 76 Spe
Modest Nature
- Steam Eruption
- Fire Blast
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Thundurus @ Life Orb
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast
Metagross-Mega @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Ice Punch
- Hammer Arm
- Zen Headbutt
Rhyperior @ Leftovers
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 212 HP / 44 Atk / 252 Def
Shiny: Yes
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Defog
- Roost
- Whirlwind
- Brave Bird
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 20 Atk / 252 SpA / 236 Spe
Mild Nature
- Ice Beam
- Earth Power
- Fusion Bolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Volcanion @ Life Orb
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 180 HP / 252 SpA / 76 Spe
Modest Nature
- Steam Eruption
- Fire Blast
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Thundurus @ Life Orb
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast
Metagross-Mega @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Ice Punch
- Hammer Arm
- Zen Headbutt
Rhyperior @ Leftovers
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 212 HP / 44 Atk / 252 Def
Shiny: Yes
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Defog
- Roost
- Whirlwind
- Brave Bird
Conclusion:
There you have it, folks! That's Volcanion on a Hyper Offense Team.
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