BadAssKoala
Outback King
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BBL PoTW #3 Infernape
After doing a Pokemon that isn't as commonly used. I decided to jump to the top of the tiers (well almost the top) OU! And this pokemon is......Infernape I would make a Fire/Fighting joke but it's no laughing matter. Pokemon with this type have great criteria and backgrounds. With this in mind lets jump into one of OUs nicest sweepers.
In Depth Look
Infernape
Type: Fire/Fighting
Abilities: Blaze, Iron Fist
Stats: 76,104,71,104,71,108
Sets
Infernape's stats almost set him up for glory. His 76,71,71 bulk might not seem great because it isn't. But Infernape makes up for it with great attacking power both special and physical and a impressive speed. Let's look at some sets that compliment his stats.
Physical Sweeper
Infernape@ Choice Band/Expert Belt
Iron Fist
Adamant/Jolly
252 Attk,252 Spe,4 Hp
-Flare Blitz
-Close Combat
-Mach Punch/Thunder Punch
-U turn
A Choice Band/Expert Belt turns Infernape into a powerful offensive threat from turn one and an absolute terror on sun teams. Though it faces competition from Darmanitan and Victini, Infernape has several notable advantages over both sun attackers. The first is Infernape's neutrality to Stealth Rock, which allows it to switch into battle more frequently, a rather significant trait for a Choice Band user. The second is Infernape's Fighting STAB; unlike Darmanitan and Victini, Infernape does not have to resort to its coverage moves to deal with the opposing weather starters Politoed and Tyranitar. Instead, it can deter them from switching in with just its STAB alone. Despite its lower firepower (pun intended), Infernape is capable of demolishing most switch-ins, notably bulky Water-types such as Tentacruel, Jellicent, and Rotom-W, with its sun-boosted Flare Blitz. Close Combat is a powerful STAB move capable of dealing heavy damage to the right targets, and is a useful move to fall back on when Flare Blitz isn't ideal. U-turn is primarily used to keep momentum on your side in situations where attacking would prove detrimental (i.e. when Infernape is not operating under sun), though you should focus on attacking when Infernape is in play. ThunderPunch takes care of bulky Water-types that are tricky to deal with, such as Gyarados, which is capable of taking sun-boosted Flare Blitz due to Intimidate, and other Water-types in general when the sun isn't shining. If you're confident in your ability to deal with Water-types, Mach Punch gives Infernape access to semi-powerful priority.
Mixed Attacker
Infernape@ Life Orb/ Expert Belt
Iron Fist
Hasty/Naive
180 Attk/76 SpA/252 Spe
-Overheat
-Close Combat
-Thunder Punch
-HP Ice/U-Turn/Mach Punch
The original mix-master ace from DPP returns largely unchanged to the XY metagame. This set focuses on Infernape's great coverage and offensive stats to wreck switch-ins and break through defensive cores. Overheat deals a ton of damage in a burst, but should only be used when you're sure it will land on Pokemon that are weak to Fire-type moves, since the Special Attack drop it incurs will leave Infernape vulnerable to certain Pokemon, such as Dragonite. Close Combat is a powerful offensive option that compliments Overheat nicely by targeting some of the Fire-type resists in OU. Close Combat shouldn't be used in the early game on forced switches however, as most of Infernape's checks resist it. Instead, it should be used mid-game to late-game when everything on your opponent’s team is around 50% or lower. ThunderPunch is used for Pokemon that resist Infernape's STAB combination, and is arguably Infernape's most important primary coverage move, as it allows Infernape to heavily damage its checks—Starmie, Jellicent, and Tentacruel—and obliterate Gyarados. Hidden Power Ice extends Infernape's coverage by targeting Pokemon with a quadruple weakness to Ice, such as Landorus-T, Gliscor, Garchomp, and Dragonite. U-turn grants Infernape the ability to scout and offer switch advantage as well as damage Latios and Latias (two fairly good Infernape checks), while Mach Punch can pick off weakened threats such as Terrakion and Tyranitar. However, neither option should be used over Hidden Power Ice without justification, as the extra coverage is too important to pass up.
Anti Lead
Infernape@ Focus Sash
Blaze
Naive
252 Attk/4 SpA/252 Spe
-Fake Out
-Stealth Rock
-Overheat
-Close Combat
Lead Infernape has the distinction of having an advantage against almost every single common lead in OU, with the exception of Rotom-Wash it is almost guaranteed to set up Stealth Rock, while simultaneously preventing the opponent from setting up their own hazards. Its effectiveness as a lead is largely attributed to Fake Out, since it completely nullifies lead strategies revolving around Focus Sash and Sturdy. Dedicated leads such as lead Terrakion only have a 50% chance of setting up Stealth Rock, and are OHKOed if they stay in. Custap Berry users such as Skarmory and Forretress are placed in a checkmate position, as they're unable to rely on Sturdy to protect them from Overheat or use their Custap Berry. Crustle is the exception to the rule, as Infernape is unable to OHKO it. That said, Infernape is capable of 2HKOing it without activating Custap Berry, limiting Crustle to just Stealth Rock or one layer of Spikes. Overheat and Close Combat round off the set as two powerful STAB moves with decent coverage, and give Infernape utility beyond the lead phase. With Focus Sash, Infernape is near-guaranteed to activate Blaze, supercharging Overheat in the process.
Special Attacker
Infernape@ Expert Belt/Life Orb
Blaze
Timid
252 SpA/252 Spe/4 HP
-Nasty Plot/Calm Mind
-Flamethrower/Fire Blast/Overheat
-Focus Blast
-Grass Knot/Solar Beam
Want to run a special attacker but also use Infernape? Well he can be that special someone. With his 104 SpA and decent move pool you have yourself a good addition to a team. Depending on how you want to play Infernape you can either go safe with Expert Belt/Calm Mind boosting your SpA and SpD or you can play on the wild side with Life Orb/Nasty Plot. If you can manage to get at least one Nasty Plot up your opponent has cause to worry as your Infernape will hit for huge damage. Not to mention your Infernape's fire moves will get better after Blaze kicks in. The next move is really up to you flamethrower is accurate but a little on the weak side. Fire Blast is strong but inaccurate and Overheat is powerful but lowers your stats. It's all how you feel like playing it. The next move Focus Blast is Infernape's best special fighting move. It hits hard on most things after a nasty plot. But it's shoddy accuracy might make you want to consider more reliable moves in other slots. Grass Knot is it's final move and hits water types hard it can help overcome some walls Infernape might face. If your using a sun team than go for the stronger option Solar Beam as most Water types can't take a sun boosted Solar beam from this thing.
Infernape As A Team Player
Infernape is a fast glass cannon. Which means while he can dish damage out he has problems taking it. I'd recommend if your running this thing without sun support going for a bulky water type to back him up like Jellicent or Gastrodon. Also Lilgant would work as a sun setter so Infernape can get to sweeping. Infernape also can be stopped by a well placed Earthquake making a Flying type a good choice as team mate. All in all while Infernape might work best as a sun sweeper never hesitate to put one on a team with proper support
_______________________________________________________________________________________
I'd like to thank you for reading my second analysis! I apologize to the people who enjoyed these. We didn't mean to get it out late that's for sure. If you haven't checked it out already head over to our season 0.5 of BBL to battle gym leaders using these sweet strategies and strategies of your own creation!
Happy Battles!-BAK
After doing a Pokemon that isn't as commonly used. I decided to jump to the top of the tiers (well almost the top) OU! And this pokemon is......Infernape I would make a Fire/Fighting joke but it's no laughing matter. Pokemon with this type have great criteria and backgrounds. With this in mind lets jump into one of OUs nicest sweepers.
In Depth Look
Infernape
Type: Fire/Fighting
Abilities: Blaze, Iron Fist
Stats: 76,104,71,104,71,108
Sets
Infernape's stats almost set him up for glory. His 76,71,71 bulk might not seem great because it isn't. But Infernape makes up for it with great attacking power both special and physical and a impressive speed. Let's look at some sets that compliment his stats.
Physical Sweeper
Infernape@ Choice Band/Expert Belt
Iron Fist
Adamant/Jolly
252 Attk,252 Spe,4 Hp
-Flare Blitz
-Close Combat
-Mach Punch/Thunder Punch
-U turn
A Choice Band/Expert Belt turns Infernape into a powerful offensive threat from turn one and an absolute terror on sun teams. Though it faces competition from Darmanitan and Victini, Infernape has several notable advantages over both sun attackers. The first is Infernape's neutrality to Stealth Rock, which allows it to switch into battle more frequently, a rather significant trait for a Choice Band user. The second is Infernape's Fighting STAB; unlike Darmanitan and Victini, Infernape does not have to resort to its coverage moves to deal with the opposing weather starters Politoed and Tyranitar. Instead, it can deter them from switching in with just its STAB alone. Despite its lower firepower (pun intended), Infernape is capable of demolishing most switch-ins, notably bulky Water-types such as Tentacruel, Jellicent, and Rotom-W, with its sun-boosted Flare Blitz. Close Combat is a powerful STAB move capable of dealing heavy damage to the right targets, and is a useful move to fall back on when Flare Blitz isn't ideal. U-turn is primarily used to keep momentum on your side in situations where attacking would prove detrimental (i.e. when Infernape is not operating under sun), though you should focus on attacking when Infernape is in play. ThunderPunch takes care of bulky Water-types that are tricky to deal with, such as Gyarados, which is capable of taking sun-boosted Flare Blitz due to Intimidate, and other Water-types in general when the sun isn't shining. If you're confident in your ability to deal with Water-types, Mach Punch gives Infernape access to semi-powerful priority.
Mixed Attacker
Infernape@ Life Orb/ Expert Belt
Iron Fist
Hasty/Naive
180 Attk/76 SpA/252 Spe
-Overheat
-Close Combat
-Thunder Punch
-HP Ice/U-Turn/Mach Punch
The original mix-master ace from DPP returns largely unchanged to the XY metagame. This set focuses on Infernape's great coverage and offensive stats to wreck switch-ins and break through defensive cores. Overheat deals a ton of damage in a burst, but should only be used when you're sure it will land on Pokemon that are weak to Fire-type moves, since the Special Attack drop it incurs will leave Infernape vulnerable to certain Pokemon, such as Dragonite. Close Combat is a powerful offensive option that compliments Overheat nicely by targeting some of the Fire-type resists in OU. Close Combat shouldn't be used in the early game on forced switches however, as most of Infernape's checks resist it. Instead, it should be used mid-game to late-game when everything on your opponent’s team is around 50% or lower. ThunderPunch is used for Pokemon that resist Infernape's STAB combination, and is arguably Infernape's most important primary coverage move, as it allows Infernape to heavily damage its checks—Starmie, Jellicent, and Tentacruel—and obliterate Gyarados. Hidden Power Ice extends Infernape's coverage by targeting Pokemon with a quadruple weakness to Ice, such as Landorus-T, Gliscor, Garchomp, and Dragonite. U-turn grants Infernape the ability to scout and offer switch advantage as well as damage Latios and Latias (two fairly good Infernape checks), while Mach Punch can pick off weakened threats such as Terrakion and Tyranitar. However, neither option should be used over Hidden Power Ice without justification, as the extra coverage is too important to pass up.
Anti Lead
Infernape@ Focus Sash
Blaze
Naive
252 Attk/4 SpA/252 Spe
-Fake Out
-Stealth Rock
-Overheat
-Close Combat
Lead Infernape has the distinction of having an advantage against almost every single common lead in OU, with the exception of Rotom-Wash it is almost guaranteed to set up Stealth Rock, while simultaneously preventing the opponent from setting up their own hazards. Its effectiveness as a lead is largely attributed to Fake Out, since it completely nullifies lead strategies revolving around Focus Sash and Sturdy. Dedicated leads such as lead Terrakion only have a 50% chance of setting up Stealth Rock, and are OHKOed if they stay in. Custap Berry users such as Skarmory and Forretress are placed in a checkmate position, as they're unable to rely on Sturdy to protect them from Overheat or use their Custap Berry. Crustle is the exception to the rule, as Infernape is unable to OHKO it. That said, Infernape is capable of 2HKOing it without activating Custap Berry, limiting Crustle to just Stealth Rock or one layer of Spikes. Overheat and Close Combat round off the set as two powerful STAB moves with decent coverage, and give Infernape utility beyond the lead phase. With Focus Sash, Infernape is near-guaranteed to activate Blaze, supercharging Overheat in the process.
Special Attacker
Infernape@ Expert Belt/Life Orb
Blaze
Timid
252 SpA/252 Spe/4 HP
-Nasty Plot/Calm Mind
-Flamethrower/Fire Blast/Overheat
-Focus Blast
-Grass Knot/Solar Beam
Want to run a special attacker but also use Infernape? Well he can be that special someone. With his 104 SpA and decent move pool you have yourself a good addition to a team. Depending on how you want to play Infernape you can either go safe with Expert Belt/Calm Mind boosting your SpA and SpD or you can play on the wild side with Life Orb/Nasty Plot. If you can manage to get at least one Nasty Plot up your opponent has cause to worry as your Infernape will hit for huge damage. Not to mention your Infernape's fire moves will get better after Blaze kicks in. The next move is really up to you flamethrower is accurate but a little on the weak side. Fire Blast is strong but inaccurate and Overheat is powerful but lowers your stats. It's all how you feel like playing it. The next move Focus Blast is Infernape's best special fighting move. It hits hard on most things after a nasty plot. But it's shoddy accuracy might make you want to consider more reliable moves in other slots. Grass Knot is it's final move and hits water types hard it can help overcome some walls Infernape might face. If your using a sun team than go for the stronger option Solar Beam as most Water types can't take a sun boosted Solar beam from this thing.
Infernape As A Team Player
Infernape is a fast glass cannon. Which means while he can dish damage out he has problems taking it. I'd recommend if your running this thing without sun support going for a bulky water type to back him up like Jellicent or Gastrodon. Also Lilgant would work as a sun setter so Infernape can get to sweeping. Infernape also can be stopped by a well placed Earthquake making a Flying type a good choice as team mate. All in all while Infernape might work best as a sun sweeper never hesitate to put one on a team with proper support
_______________________________________________________________________________________
I'd like to thank you for reading my second analysis! I apologize to the people who enjoyed these. We didn't mean to get it out late that's for sure. If you haven't checked it out already head over to our season 0.5 of BBL to battle gym leaders using these sweet strategies and strategies of your own creation!
Happy Battles!-BAK
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