[SET]
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: Flare Blitz / Blaze Kick
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Taunt / Slack Off
move 4: U-turn / Slack Off
item: Leftovers
ability: Blaze
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Infernape can focus fully on physical moves and maximize its utility options. With Flare Blitz, Infernape has a perfectly accurate option to take on Grass- and Steel-types such as Breloom, Shaymin, and Bronzong. Blaze Kick is another option to not suffer from recoil, but beware of the huge power loss and imperfect accuracy. With full Attack investment, Close Combat hits neutral targets hard, negating the need for coverage moves. It also avoids Flare Blitz's recoil, and the two of them cover every Steel-type in the tier besides Heatproof Bronzong. The key to this set is having both Taunt and U-turn, as when defensive Latias switches in on Infernape, it can use Taunt to prevent Latias from healing or statusing Infernape, and then pivot out with U-turn, keeping Latias at low health. It also helps against setup threats such as Gyarados, Dragonite, and Suicune, stopping them from taking advantage of Infernape. Alternatively, Slack Off gives Infernape additional recovery and helps it survive longer, especially giveFlare Blitz recoil.
Set Details
========
The increased power from 252 Attack EVs lets Infernape more reliably run Leftovers, which lets Infernape offset residual damage effectively. With maximum Speed it crucially outruns almost all defensive Latias, and dropping Speed by investing more in bulk or using an Adamant nature is generally not recommended.
Usage Tips
========
This set is meant to be used aggressively to keep offensive momentum, often early in the game. Against defensive Latias, Infernape should use Taunt and then use U-turn to force damage on Latias. Infernape also can lure in and do the same thing to other checks, like Gyarados and Dragonite, as they will typically try to set up on Infernape as it switches. A common option after U-turn is to switch in Dragon Dance Tyranitar, as it can set up on Latias that, thanks to Taunt, are unable to status or phaze it. Taunt can often be quite unexpected on Infernape; try to leverage this to further weaken the foe with U-turn or strong attacks. Even with Leftovers and potentially Slack Off, Infernape cannot directly switch in on much due to its poor bulk and longevity, so should be brought through revenge kills or predicted switches. However, because it doesn’t need to lower its defenses, it generally survives one strong neutral hit, allowing it to trade KOes effectively.
Team Options
========
This Infernape set fits best on hyper offense teams due to the aggressive nature of it, though it also can fit on more generic offenses. Infernape appreciates coming in after pivoting without entry hazards set up, meaning fast Taunt leads such as Azelf and Aerodactyl are appreciated. Other offensive leads such as Choice Scarf or Focus Sash Breloom, Froslass, Gallade, and Choice Scarf Roserade can also accomplish this and provide utility. Setup sweepers such as Dragon Dance Tyranitar, Dragonite, and Gyarados all pair well with Infernape. Tyranitar and Gyarados particularly appreciate defensive Latias being unable to paralyze them or heal with Recover, and Dragonite enjoys Infernape softening defensive walls such as Milotic and Hippowdon. Metagross also makes for a great partner to Infernape, as it can switch into Infernape's most common check, Latias, and either set up on it with Agility or destroy it with Explosion. It also can switch into Gengar once and KO it with Meteor Mash. All of these partners also appreciate Infernape's ability to seriously weaken or KO Steel-types.
Bronzong can pair nicely with this Infernape as well, since it can switch in on Dragon-type attacks from Latias and Dragonite and force them out. It also generally survives even boosted physical attacks from attackers such as Gyarados, and it KOes them in return with Explosion. Scizor is another excellent partner, as both its Choice item sets and Swords Dance + Pursuit sets can take great advantage of Latias suffering from Taunt and low health, as they can continually use Pursuit to remove it. Pursuit Tyranitar performs similarly.
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: Flare Blitz / Blaze Kick
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Taunt / Slack Off
move 4: U-turn / Slack Off
item: Leftovers
ability: Blaze
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Infernape can focus fully on physical moves and maximize its utility options. With Flare Blitz, Infernape has a perfectly accurate option to take on Grass- and Steel-types such as Breloom, Shaymin, and Bronzong. Blaze Kick is another option to not suffer from recoil, but beware of the huge power loss and imperfect accuracy. With full Attack investment, Close Combat hits neutral targets hard, negating the need for coverage moves. It also avoids Flare Blitz's recoil, and the two of them cover every Steel-type in the tier besides Heatproof Bronzong. The key to this set is having both Taunt and U-turn, as when defensive Latias switches in on Infernape, it can use Taunt to prevent Latias from healing or statusing Infernape, and then pivot out with U-turn, keeping Latias at low health. It also helps against setup threats such as Gyarados, Dragonite, and Suicune, stopping them from taking advantage of Infernape. Alternatively, Slack Off gives Infernape additional recovery and helps it survive longer, especially giveFlare Blitz recoil.
Set Details
========
The increased power from 252 Attack EVs lets Infernape more reliably run Leftovers, which lets Infernape offset residual damage effectively. With maximum Speed it crucially outruns almost all defensive Latias, and dropping Speed by investing more in bulk or using an Adamant nature is generally not recommended.
Usage Tips
========
This set is meant to be used aggressively to keep offensive momentum, often early in the game. Against defensive Latias, Infernape should use Taunt and then use U-turn to force damage on Latias. Infernape also can lure in and do the same thing to other checks, like Gyarados and Dragonite, as they will typically try to set up on Infernape as it switches. A common option after U-turn is to switch in Dragon Dance Tyranitar, as it can set up on Latias that, thanks to Taunt, are unable to status or phaze it. Taunt can often be quite unexpected on Infernape; try to leverage this to further weaken the foe with U-turn or strong attacks. Even with Leftovers and potentially Slack Off, Infernape cannot directly switch in on much due to its poor bulk and longevity, so should be brought through revenge kills or predicted switches. However, because it doesn’t need to lower its defenses, it generally survives one strong neutral hit, allowing it to trade KOes effectively.
Team Options
========
This Infernape set fits best on hyper offense teams due to the aggressive nature of it, though it also can fit on more generic offenses. Infernape appreciates coming in after pivoting without entry hazards set up, meaning fast Taunt leads such as Azelf and Aerodactyl are appreciated. Other offensive leads such as Choice Scarf or Focus Sash Breloom, Froslass, Gallade, and Choice Scarf Roserade can also accomplish this and provide utility. Setup sweepers such as Dragon Dance Tyranitar, Dragonite, and Gyarados all pair well with Infernape. Tyranitar and Gyarados particularly appreciate defensive Latias being unable to paralyze them or heal with Recover, and Dragonite enjoys Infernape softening defensive walls such as Milotic and Hippowdon. Metagross also makes for a great partner to Infernape, as it can switch into Infernape's most common check, Latias, and either set up on it with Agility or destroy it with Explosion. It also can switch into Gengar once and KO it with Meteor Mash. All of these partners also appreciate Infernape's ability to seriously weaken or KO Steel-types.
Bronzong can pair nicely with this Infernape as well, since it can switch in on Dragon-type attacks from Latias and Dragonite and force them out. It also generally survives even boosted physical attacks from attackers such as Gyarados, and it KOes them in return with Explosion. Scizor is another excellent partner, as both its Choice item sets and Swords Dance + Pursuit sets can take great advantage of Latias suffering from Taunt and low health, as they can continually use Pursuit to remove it. Pursuit Tyranitar performs similarly.
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