Nuked
a moon full of stars and astral cars
[OVERVIEW]
Volcanion is a strong wallbreaker in UU thanks to its fantastic Fire / Water typing, great offensive stats, and solid movepool, which consists of coverage options such as Earth Power, Sludge Wave, and Solar Beam. Volcanion also has decent bulk that allows it to tank neutral hits from common Pokemon such as Cobalion, Infernape, and Starmie fairly well. In addition, Volcanion's Water Absorb ability and useful resistances allow Volcanion to check big threats such as Primarina, Scizor, and Mega Blastoise. Despite all of this, Volcanion's middling Speed tier and weaknesses to common Rock-, Ground-, and Electric-type moves from Pokemon such as Krookodile, Terrakion, Mega Aerodactyl, and Raikou make it fare poorly against offensive teams. While most defensive Water-types can't do much to Volcanion, Volcanion can't do much back with the exception of a possible Bloom Doom. Common Dragon-types such as Latias and Hydreigon also give Volcanion trouble, as their decent bulk and recovery options make it hard for Volcanion to break through them. Volcanion is also vulnerable to every entry hazard and weak to Stealth Rock, which makes it easily worn down over the course of a match.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Steam Eruption
move 2: Fire Blast / Flamethrower
move 3: Hidden Power Electric / Earth Power
move 4: Sludge Wave / Sludge Bomb
item: Choice Specs
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Steam Eruption is Volcanion's main STAB attack, boasting high power, reliable accuracy, and a 30% chance to burn. Steam Eruption is extremely powerful, 2HKOing Hydreigon and Primarina after Stealth Rock damage and OHKOing Raikou after Stealth Rock. Fire Blast is another strong STAB attack and OHKOes Grass-types such as Celebi and Amoonguss that might try to switch into Steam Eruption; an alternative option is Flamethrower, which is weaker but has greater accuracy and more PP. Hidden Power Electric hits Water-types such as Suicune and Mantine for high amounts of damage, but it can be troublesome to be locked into. Earth Power is another option in this slot to hit Tentacruel, Empoleon, and opposing Volcanion hard. The last move is Sludge Wave, which OHKOes Primarina and nets neutral damage on Latias and Hydreigon. Sludge Bomb is also an option for the additional 20% chance to poison, which can help wear down Water-types that can wall Volcanion such as Slowking and Suicune.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Special Attack EVs allow Volcanion to hit as hard and as fast as possible, and a Modest nature is used because Volcanion needs all the wallbreaking power it can get. A Timid nature can be used to Speed tie with opposing Timid Volcanion and outspeed Timid Primarina, and, at worst, Speed tie with Mega Swampert, but Timid Volcanion does miss out on guaranteed OHKOes on Pokemon such as Primarina. Volcanion's only ability is Water Absorb, which is useful for recovering health when switching in on a potential Water-type move. Choice Specs is used on this set to give Volcanion as much wallbreaking power as possible and allow Volcanion to 2HKO a majority of the metagame.
Usage Tips
========
Volcanion is best used as a wallbreaker to punch holes in the opponent's team for your team to take advantage of. Switching Volcanion directly into attacks can get it worn down from repeated Stealth Rock damage, but its bulk and typing do give it some opportunities to switch in. Don't let Volcanion lose its Choice Specs because of Knock Off or Trick, as Volcanion needs its power to break through teams. Steam Eruption is the attack you want Volcanion to use most of the time, as its consistent power and burn chance allow it to wear down its defensive answers, but use coverage options such as Earth Power when predicting a switch into a Water-type such as Tentacruel or Empoleon. Double switching is often a good strategy when predicting Dragon- or Water-types to be sent in to tank a Steam Eruption.
Team Options
========
Volcanion appreciates U-turn and Volt Switch support from Pokemon such as Scizor, Hydreigon, Raikou, and Mega Beedrill, as they can bring Volcanion in safely to prevent it from getting worn down too quickly. Ground-types make for good teammates to Volcanion thanks to their solid type synergy with Volcanion and their ability to set up Stealth Rock to turn potential 3HKOs into 2HKOs. Examples include Hippowdon, Krookodile, and Swampert; Hippowdon and Swampert can check Mega Aerodactyl and Terrakion, while Krookodile can Pursuit trap Latias. Pokemon that appreciate Volcanion's ability to weaken walls, such as Terrakion, Mega Sharpedo, and Mega Swampert, also make for good teammates, since they appreciate Volcanion's ability to break past their counters and weaken shared checks. Grass-types also make for great teammates, resisting Ground- and Electric-type moves while being able to check bulky Water-types; in particular, Celebi is a good teammate, as it can set up Stealth Rock for Volcanion as well as check Terrakion and Raikou. Amoonguss is also a solid partner since it can put something to sleep for Volcanion. Pursuit trappers make for good teammates because they can eliminate Latias, one of Volcanion's best checks. Scizor, Krookodile, and Mega Aerodactyl can at least weaken Latias so that it can't switch into Volcanion later in the match. Another thing Volcanion really appreciates is entry hazard removal, which keeps it from being easily worn down. Latias and Togekiss are two good examples; Latias resists Electric and has a Ground immunity, thus having solid defensive synergy with Volcanion, while Togekiss can check Latias and Hydreigon and paralyze them so they can't check Volcanion later in the match.
[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Steam Eruption
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Sludge Wave / Sludge Bomb
move 4: Solar Beam / Superpower
item: Grassium Z / Fightinium Z
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest / Rash
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Steam Eruption is a strong STAB attack that boasts great neutral coverage and power. Fire Blast is the secondary STAB attack and is used over Flamethrower because Volcanion really appreciates the extra power due to the lack of Choice Specs. Sludge Wave is the preferred coverage option in the third slot to hit Water-types as well as Latias neutrally, but Sludge Bomb is also a good option to potentially poison switch-ins such as Suicune, Latias, and Slowking. Solar Beam is the primary option in the last move slot to hit a bulky Water-type for massive damage with Bloom Doom; for example, it always OHKOes maximum HP Suicune, Mega Blastoise, Slowbro, and Primarina. The second option in this slot is Superpower, which in conjunction with Fightinium Z can lure in and do massive damage to Blissey while also OHKOing Hydreigon.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment is used to hit as hard as possible, and maximum Speed EVs allow Volcanion to at least Speed tie with opposing neutral-natured Mega Swampert and Volcanion. If Volcanion is running Superpower, a Rash nature should be used to avoid lowering the damage output of All-Out Pummeling, but if it isn't, a Modest nature should be used. Water Absorb is Volcanion's only ability and is useful for switching into Water-type moves from Pokemon such as Primarina and Mega Blastoise. The item comes down to the move selection; Fightinium Z is used with Superpower, while Grassium Z with Solar Beam.
Usage Tips
========
This set has the freedom of switching up moves to lure in common defensive answers to Volcanion, so try not to reveal this set's lack of Choice Specs by double switching on predicted switch-ins. Try not to let Volcanion get worn down from repeated Stealth Rock damage. Additionally, make use of Volcanion's Water Absorb to try to restore any lost health when against Pokemon such as Primarina and Empoleon.
Team Options
========
Grass-types make for excellent teammates, as they can absorb Electric- and Ground-type attacks that might be troubling for Volcanion to take and work especially well with Volcanion that have Fightinium Z. Celebi, in particular, is a great teammate because it can break past Water-types with Nasty Plot. Bulky Ground-types also make for solid teammates because they have good type synergy with Volcanion, being immune to Electric and resisting Rock. They can also set up Stealth Rock, which helps Volcanion wear down its defensive answers that try to switch around its strong moves. Examples include Hippowdon, Krookodile, and Swampert. Pokemon that lure out Water-type moves make for good teammates, as Volcanion needs the HP gained from Water Absorb. Examples include Hippowdon, Krookodile, and Scizor. Entry hazard control is much appreciated because Volcanion wants all the longevity it can get. Latias, Scizor, and Togekiss make for solid teammates in this regard. Latias and Togekiss are particularly effective teammates; Togekiss can check Hydreigon and Latias and paralyze them so that they can't outspeed Volcanion later in the match, while Latias resists Electric and is immune to Ground, thus having good defensive synergy with Volcanion. Since Volcanion typically baits in Water-types, Pokemon that like Water-types being lured and eliminated such as Gliscor, Terrakion, and Krookodile make for good teammates in conjunction with Bloom Doom Volcanion. Pokemon that like Blissey being lured and eliminated, such as Raikou, Mega Blastoise, and Hydreigon, also make for good teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Running 28 Defense EVs is an option to always take Choice Scarf Krookodile's Earthquake. A Choice Scarf set can be used, but it's slow and can't outspeed other Choice Scarf users, nor can it outspeed Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Beedrill. A defensive set with Leftovers and Toxic is an option, but it's weak and Volcanion's lack of recovery makes it a mediocre option. Haze and Z-Haze are options to remove boosts from foes such as Calm Mind Reuniclus and Suicune; Z-Haze also gives Volcanion a much-appreciated recovery option, but this set is really weak compared to others. Expert Belt is an option if your team already has a Z-Move user, but it lacks the power needed to break past typical checks such as Blissey and Latias. Wacan Berry, Charti Berry, and Shuca Berry are options to lure in common offensive checks, tank what would be a super effective move, and deal heavy damage back, but it faces competition from the Choice Specs and Z-Move sets due to its lack of raw wallbreaking power.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Volcanion usually can't do much to bulky Water-types such as Suicune, Gastrodon, and Slowking; Suicune can easily PP stall Steam Eruption as well. All three Pokemon take a massive amount of damage from Bloom Doom, however.
**Dragon-types**: Latias and Hydreigon are able to consistently switch into Volcanion thanks to their access to reliable recovery and decent bulk, and both are able to hit Volcanion very hard with Draco Meteor. Hydreigon, however, is almost always OHKOed by All-Out Pummeling.
**Fast Ground-types**: Krookodile, Zygarde-10%, Nidoking, and Mamoswine can outspeed Volcanion and do heavy damage to if not OHKO it, but they can't switch into it.
**Electric-types:** Raikou, Xurkitree, and Magneton can outspeed and OHKO Volcanion, but Magneton risks a Speed tie if Volcanion is running a Timid nature. Additionally, none of these Pokemon can switch into Volcanion.
**Fast Rock-types** Terrakion and Mega Aerodactyl are capable of outspeeding Volcanion and doing a lot of damage to it with super effective Rock-type moves. Life Orb Terrakion OHKOes Volcanion with Stone Edge, and Mega Aerodactyl has a high chance to do the same.
**Blissey** Blissey doesn't care about anything Volcanion usually goes for. It can freely set up entry hazards on Volcanion or just attack with Seismic Toss, but it has to be very wary of All-Out Pummeling.
**Entry Hazards** Volcanion is easily worn down by entry hazards due to its lack of recovery, Stealth Rock weakness, and tendency to switch into U-turn and therefore be forced out. Over the course of a match, the Pokemon that Volcanion checks will eventually be able to KO it because of Stealth Rock damage.
Volcanion is a strong wallbreaker in UU thanks to its fantastic Fire / Water typing, great offensive stats, and solid movepool, which consists of coverage options such as Earth Power, Sludge Wave, and Solar Beam. Volcanion also has decent bulk that allows it to tank neutral hits from common Pokemon such as Cobalion, Infernape, and Starmie fairly well. In addition, Volcanion's Water Absorb ability and useful resistances allow Volcanion to check big threats such as Primarina, Scizor, and Mega Blastoise. Despite all of this, Volcanion's middling Speed tier and weaknesses to common Rock-, Ground-, and Electric-type moves from Pokemon such as Krookodile, Terrakion, Mega Aerodactyl, and Raikou make it fare poorly against offensive teams. While most defensive Water-types can't do much to Volcanion, Volcanion can't do much back with the exception of a possible Bloom Doom. Common Dragon-types such as Latias and Hydreigon also give Volcanion trouble, as their decent bulk and recovery options make it hard for Volcanion to break through them. Volcanion is also vulnerable to every entry hazard and weak to Stealth Rock, which makes it easily worn down over the course of a match.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Steam Eruption
move 2: Fire Blast / Flamethrower
move 3: Hidden Power Electric / Earth Power
move 4: Sludge Wave / Sludge Bomb
item: Choice Specs
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Steam Eruption is Volcanion's main STAB attack, boasting high power, reliable accuracy, and a 30% chance to burn. Steam Eruption is extremely powerful, 2HKOing Hydreigon and Primarina after Stealth Rock damage and OHKOing Raikou after Stealth Rock. Fire Blast is another strong STAB attack and OHKOes Grass-types such as Celebi and Amoonguss that might try to switch into Steam Eruption; an alternative option is Flamethrower, which is weaker but has greater accuracy and more PP. Hidden Power Electric hits Water-types such as Suicune and Mantine for high amounts of damage, but it can be troublesome to be locked into. Earth Power is another option in this slot to hit Tentacruel, Empoleon, and opposing Volcanion hard. The last move is Sludge Wave, which OHKOes Primarina and nets neutral damage on Latias and Hydreigon. Sludge Bomb is also an option for the additional 20% chance to poison, which can help wear down Water-types that can wall Volcanion such as Slowking and Suicune.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Special Attack EVs allow Volcanion to hit as hard and as fast as possible, and a Modest nature is used because Volcanion needs all the wallbreaking power it can get. A Timid nature can be used to Speed tie with opposing Timid Volcanion and outspeed Timid Primarina, and, at worst, Speed tie with Mega Swampert, but Timid Volcanion does miss out on guaranteed OHKOes on Pokemon such as Primarina. Volcanion's only ability is Water Absorb, which is useful for recovering health when switching in on a potential Water-type move. Choice Specs is used on this set to give Volcanion as much wallbreaking power as possible and allow Volcanion to 2HKO a majority of the metagame.
Usage Tips
========
Volcanion is best used as a wallbreaker to punch holes in the opponent's team for your team to take advantage of. Switching Volcanion directly into attacks can get it worn down from repeated Stealth Rock damage, but its bulk and typing do give it some opportunities to switch in. Don't let Volcanion lose its Choice Specs because of Knock Off or Trick, as Volcanion needs its power to break through teams. Steam Eruption is the attack you want Volcanion to use most of the time, as its consistent power and burn chance allow it to wear down its defensive answers, but use coverage options such as Earth Power when predicting a switch into a Water-type such as Tentacruel or Empoleon. Double switching is often a good strategy when predicting Dragon- or Water-types to be sent in to tank a Steam Eruption.
Team Options
========
Volcanion appreciates U-turn and Volt Switch support from Pokemon such as Scizor, Hydreigon, Raikou, and Mega Beedrill, as they can bring Volcanion in safely to prevent it from getting worn down too quickly. Ground-types make for good teammates to Volcanion thanks to their solid type synergy with Volcanion and their ability to set up Stealth Rock to turn potential 3HKOs into 2HKOs. Examples include Hippowdon, Krookodile, and Swampert; Hippowdon and Swampert can check Mega Aerodactyl and Terrakion, while Krookodile can Pursuit trap Latias. Pokemon that appreciate Volcanion's ability to weaken walls, such as Terrakion, Mega Sharpedo, and Mega Swampert, also make for good teammates, since they appreciate Volcanion's ability to break past their counters and weaken shared checks. Grass-types also make for great teammates, resisting Ground- and Electric-type moves while being able to check bulky Water-types; in particular, Celebi is a good teammate, as it can set up Stealth Rock for Volcanion as well as check Terrakion and Raikou. Amoonguss is also a solid partner since it can put something to sleep for Volcanion. Pursuit trappers make for good teammates because they can eliminate Latias, one of Volcanion's best checks. Scizor, Krookodile, and Mega Aerodactyl can at least weaken Latias so that it can't switch into Volcanion later in the match. Another thing Volcanion really appreciates is entry hazard removal, which keeps it from being easily worn down. Latias and Togekiss are two good examples; Latias resists Electric and has a Ground immunity, thus having solid defensive synergy with Volcanion, while Togekiss can check Latias and Hydreigon and paralyze them so they can't check Volcanion later in the match.
[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Steam Eruption
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Sludge Wave / Sludge Bomb
move 4: Solar Beam / Superpower
item: Grassium Z / Fightinium Z
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest / Rash
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Steam Eruption is a strong STAB attack that boasts great neutral coverage and power. Fire Blast is the secondary STAB attack and is used over Flamethrower because Volcanion really appreciates the extra power due to the lack of Choice Specs. Sludge Wave is the preferred coverage option in the third slot to hit Water-types as well as Latias neutrally, but Sludge Bomb is also a good option to potentially poison switch-ins such as Suicune, Latias, and Slowking. Solar Beam is the primary option in the last move slot to hit a bulky Water-type for massive damage with Bloom Doom; for example, it always OHKOes maximum HP Suicune, Mega Blastoise, Slowbro, and Primarina. The second option in this slot is Superpower, which in conjunction with Fightinium Z can lure in and do massive damage to Blissey while also OHKOing Hydreigon.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment is used to hit as hard as possible, and maximum Speed EVs allow Volcanion to at least Speed tie with opposing neutral-natured Mega Swampert and Volcanion. If Volcanion is running Superpower, a Rash nature should be used to avoid lowering the damage output of All-Out Pummeling, but if it isn't, a Modest nature should be used. Water Absorb is Volcanion's only ability and is useful for switching into Water-type moves from Pokemon such as Primarina and Mega Blastoise. The item comes down to the move selection; Fightinium Z is used with Superpower, while Grassium Z with Solar Beam.
Usage Tips
========
This set has the freedom of switching up moves to lure in common defensive answers to Volcanion, so try not to reveal this set's lack of Choice Specs by double switching on predicted switch-ins. Try not to let Volcanion get worn down from repeated Stealth Rock damage. Additionally, make use of Volcanion's Water Absorb to try to restore any lost health when against Pokemon such as Primarina and Empoleon.
Team Options
========
Grass-types make for excellent teammates, as they can absorb Electric- and Ground-type attacks that might be troubling for Volcanion to take and work especially well with Volcanion that have Fightinium Z. Celebi, in particular, is a great teammate because it can break past Water-types with Nasty Plot. Bulky Ground-types also make for solid teammates because they have good type synergy with Volcanion, being immune to Electric and resisting Rock. They can also set up Stealth Rock, which helps Volcanion wear down its defensive answers that try to switch around its strong moves. Examples include Hippowdon, Krookodile, and Swampert. Pokemon that lure out Water-type moves make for good teammates, as Volcanion needs the HP gained from Water Absorb. Examples include Hippowdon, Krookodile, and Scizor. Entry hazard control is much appreciated because Volcanion wants all the longevity it can get. Latias, Scizor, and Togekiss make for solid teammates in this regard. Latias and Togekiss are particularly effective teammates; Togekiss can check Hydreigon and Latias and paralyze them so that they can't outspeed Volcanion later in the match, while Latias resists Electric and is immune to Ground, thus having good defensive synergy with Volcanion. Since Volcanion typically baits in Water-types, Pokemon that like Water-types being lured and eliminated such as Gliscor, Terrakion, and Krookodile make for good teammates in conjunction with Bloom Doom Volcanion. Pokemon that like Blissey being lured and eliminated, such as Raikou, Mega Blastoise, and Hydreigon, also make for good teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Running 28 Defense EVs is an option to always take Choice Scarf Krookodile's Earthquake. A Choice Scarf set can be used, but it's slow and can't outspeed other Choice Scarf users, nor can it outspeed Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Beedrill. A defensive set with Leftovers and Toxic is an option, but it's weak and Volcanion's lack of recovery makes it a mediocre option. Haze and Z-Haze are options to remove boosts from foes such as Calm Mind Reuniclus and Suicune; Z-Haze also gives Volcanion a much-appreciated recovery option, but this set is really weak compared to others. Expert Belt is an option if your team already has a Z-Move user, but it lacks the power needed to break past typical checks such as Blissey and Latias. Wacan Berry, Charti Berry, and Shuca Berry are options to lure in common offensive checks, tank what would be a super effective move, and deal heavy damage back, but it faces competition from the Choice Specs and Z-Move sets due to its lack of raw wallbreaking power.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Volcanion usually can't do much to bulky Water-types such as Suicune, Gastrodon, and Slowking; Suicune can easily PP stall Steam Eruption as well. All three Pokemon take a massive amount of damage from Bloom Doom, however.
**Dragon-types**: Latias and Hydreigon are able to consistently switch into Volcanion thanks to their access to reliable recovery and decent bulk, and both are able to hit Volcanion very hard with Draco Meteor. Hydreigon, however, is almost always OHKOed by All-Out Pummeling.
**Fast Ground-types**: Krookodile, Zygarde-10%, Nidoking, and Mamoswine can outspeed Volcanion and do heavy damage to if not OHKO it, but they can't switch into it.
**Electric-types:** Raikou, Xurkitree, and Magneton can outspeed and OHKO Volcanion, but Magneton risks a Speed tie if Volcanion is running a Timid nature. Additionally, none of these Pokemon can switch into Volcanion.
**Fast Rock-types** Terrakion and Mega Aerodactyl are capable of outspeeding Volcanion and doing a lot of damage to it with super effective Rock-type moves. Life Orb Terrakion OHKOes Volcanion with Stone Edge, and Mega Aerodactyl has a high chance to do the same.
**Blissey** Blissey doesn't care about anything Volcanion usually goes for. It can freely set up entry hazards on Volcanion or just attack with Seismic Toss, but it has to be very wary of All-Out Pummeling.
**Entry Hazards** Volcanion is easily worn down by entry hazards due to its lack of recovery, Stealth Rock weakness, and tendency to switch into U-turn and therefore be forced out. Over the course of a match, the Pokemon that Volcanion checks will eventually be able to KO it because of Stealth Rock damage.
Last edited: