Now that Pokémon Sun and Moon has been out long enough for trainers to complete the main story, questions regarding how to use certain Pokémon in battle have started to arise.
With so many new and Alola Form Pokémon, there are plenty of discussions to have and we want to join in on the topic with our own thoughts on how to best utilize each Pokémon in Sun and Moon to their fullest potential.
This weekly series will dissect a different Pokémon’s battle prowess along with some of the sets that we feel will make the most out of each Pokémon in Sun and Moon. We will mainly be discussing Single Battles, but there will be talk of some strategies that can help in Double Battles as well.
This week we will talk about Incineroar, the final evolution of the Fire Starter Litten.
Of course, there are a ton of other options and we want to hear yours in the comments section below.
OVERVIEW
Incineroar has a very impressive base Attack stat with a solid overall base Defense and Special Defense that lets it tank attacks. Trainers should use this bulk to setup or tank attacks.
Incineroar’s Hidden Ability Intimidate (unfortunately, not available yet) will help Incineroar tank most physical hits, allowing it to set up even more. It can also provide a window for an extra Flare Blitz to take out Pokémon that need more than one hit to KO. When it becomes available, every Incineroar should have this ability.
Fake Out is the best Egg Move Incineroar can learn and can be very useful to get some quick damage without fear of retaliation. Fake Out works especially well in Double Battles to help your partner set up.
Incineroar lacks great status/setup moves so you can just go all-out attack to make the most out of its very good Attack stat.
MALICIOUS MOONSAULT
Hold Item: Incinium Z
Ability: Blaze/Intimidate
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 HP 252 Attack 4 Speed
Moveset: Flare Blitz
Darkest Lariat
Flame Charge/U-Turn
Leech Life/Earthquake/Cross Chop
This set is simple enough and uses Incineroar’s special Z-Move to the fullest. Incineroar’s overall base Defense and Special Defense helps it take attacks so it can get off some Flame Charges to boost its Speed. Incineroar should outspeed most Pokémon after a couple of attacks.
The added speed from Flame Charge lets Incineroar move first, so it can use Malicious Moonsault to take out threats from Water and Rock-type Pokémon before they can give you any problems.
However, you can swap Flame Charge with U-Turn to get out of a tricky situation, especially after you use Malicious Moonsault, leaving your Incineroar with no hold item.
Maxing out Incineroar’s HP stat gives this Pokémon added bulk while also letting it take more recoil damage from Flare Blitz, which is Incineroar’s most power STAB attack. Maxing out its Attack stat with an Adamant nature lets this Pokémon hit the hardest.
Giving Incineroar Leech Life helps gain back HP after taking Flare Blitz recoil and the attacks you take from setting up with Flame Charge. It can also help you take down other Dark types.
Incineroar has access to Cross Chop and Earthquake so you can use either instead of Leech Life to give your Pokémon more coverage against other types.
ASSAULT VEST SWEEPER
Hold Item: Assault Vest
Ability: Blaze/Intimidate
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 HP 252 Attack 4 Speed
Moveset: Flare Blitz
Darkest Lariat
Flame Charge
Leech Life/Earthquake/Cross Chop
This set is very similar to the other one, but equipping Incineroar with the Assault Vest lets it tank Special Attacks much better, allowing trainers to set up Incineroar for a sweep with Flame Charges.
Both sets can be risky. I recommend bringing Incineroar on a Pokémon you resist attacks from, like Grass and other Fire types, so you can predict a switch and get a free Flame Charge off. You can also use it to finish off a weakened Pokémon to face off against the next Pokémon with a plus one in Speed.
Leech Life, again, helps regain HP from Flare Blitz recoil and the hits you’ll be taking while you set up, and its newly improved 80 base power can hit hard in the hands of Incineroar.
