So for our first article, I decided to cover Talonflame. Talonflame is a very used Pokemon in pretty much all formats. I'll be covering two different sets; one that I created myself and one that is a pretty well known set. To start off with:
Talonflame @ Choice Band / Life Orb
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- U-Turn
- Steel Wing / Me First / Will-o-Wisp
Talonflame does not possess a lot of power, but it does possess a lot of speed. This set attempts to correct that lack of power with either Choice Band or Life Orb. You're item choice is completely personal, however, if you were to use a support move in your 4th slot, Choice Band isn't the way to go. Speaking of the 4th slot, Talonflame doesn't get much to pick from. The only useful physical move that Talonflame had left was Steel Wing. Talonflame may get access to a few Normal typed moves, but I believe the Steel type had a bit more utility, considering Talonflame's weakness to Rock. Me First is an interesting choice that when used correctly, can grant you some suprise KOs, especially against Pokemon using a move they themselves are weak to.
Here are a few calculations to show you Talonflame's power:
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-Shield: 176-210 (105.3 - 125.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-Shield: 151-182 (90.4 - 108.9%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Venusaur: 288-342 (154 - 182.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Venusaur: 288-342 (154 - 182.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Venusaur: 206-246 (110.1 - 131.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Thick Fat Mega Venusaur: 104-126 (55.6 - 67.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Ferrothorn: 300-352 (165.7 - 194.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mawile-Mega: 204-242 (129.9 - 154.1%
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Avalugg: 146-174 (72.2 - 86.1%)
As you can see, it does pack a punch. The fact that really strikes me, is that OHKO against the bulkiest possible Ferrothorn. Although, with all the recoil, I can't say you would survive! Also, be wary of attacks. This Talonflame can't take much and a super effective hit will spell your end.
Talonflame @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 184 SpD / 76 Spe
Careful Nature
- Roost / Protect
- Will-O-Wisp / Tailwind
- Brave Bird
- Overheat
This set attempts to alleviate Talonflame's poor defenses while acting as a sort of wall breaker/support option. As I'll demonstrate below, the EV spread does add some surprising bulk that lets you survive hits people wouldn't dream of. The moveset is also pretty straight forward, but also quite odd. This Talonflame does three jobs: support, priority, and surprise power. Roost allows it to survive and take hits much better. Protect is plausible for scouting, but Roost is really helpful. The choice between Will-o-Wisp and Tailwind depends on your team. I run this on a Trick Room team, so Tailwind wasn't the best idea. Brave Bird is simply priority STAB while Overheat is basically a "nuke" option.
Here are a few calculations to demonstrate this monster:
0- SpA Talonflame Overheat vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Ferrothorn: 184-220 (101.6 - 121.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
4 SpA Rotom-W Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 184+ SpD Talonflame: 128-152 (69.5 - 82.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Rotom-H Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 184+ SpD Talonflame: 132-156 (71.7 - 84.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Rotom-H Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 184+ SpD Talonflame: 66-78 (35.8 - 42.3%) -- 89.1% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery (After a Roost)
252 Atk burned Tyranitar Rock Slide vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Talonflame: 132-156 (71.7 - 84.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after sandstorm damage and Leftovers recovery
252 Atk burned Tyranitar Rock Slide vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Talonflame: 66-78 (35.8 - 42.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after sandstorm damage and Leftovers recovery (After a Roost)
252 SpA Mega Manectric Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 184+ SpD Talonflame: 156-186 (84.7 - 101%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Mega Manectric Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 184+ SpD Talonflame: 78-93 (42.3 - 50.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 184+ SpD Talonflame: 120-144 (65.2 - 78.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Mold Breaker Mega Ampharos Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 184+ SpD Talonflame: 99-117 (53.8 - 63.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery (After a Roost)
0 SpA Stone Plate Arceus-Rock Judgment vs. 248 HP / 184+ SpD Talonflame: 156-186 (84.7 - 101%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO (After a Roost)
252 Atk Mega Tyranitar Rock Slide vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Talonflame: 152-180 (82.6 - 97.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after sandstorm damage and Leftovers recovery (After a Roost)
252+ SpA Mega Launcher Mega Blastoise Water Pulse vs. 248 HP / 184+ SpD Talonflame: 170-204 (92.3 - 110.8%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Garchomp Rock Slide vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Talonflame: 172-204 (93.4 - 110.8%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO
As you can see, this Talonflame can take hits very well. The only downside is that it can't really do damage. That's why it's primary role is to provide support. This set functions in this role very well. Most people won't double target a Talonflame, because one move is normally enough. This will leave you alive allowing you to get a move off. It's attacks do enough damage to turn your other Pokemon's attacks from 2HKOs to OHKOs. In addition, its speed allows it to get Will-o-Wisp off before their physical attacker can attack. Be warned though: YOU DO NOT OUTSPEED GARCHOMP! So be wary of those Rock Slides. You can survive them, but there is a flinch chance.
So that's the first installment of "Spotlight". I hope you like these sets and find use for them!
~Ryan
Here are a few calculations to demonstrate this monster:
0- SpA Talonflame Overheat vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Ferrothorn: 184-220 (101.6 - 121.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
4 SpA Rotom-W Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 184+ SpD Talonflame: 128-152 (69.5 - 82.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Rotom-H Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 184+ SpD Talonflame: 132-156 (71.7 - 84.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Rotom-H Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 184+ SpD Talonflame: 66-78 (35.8 - 42.3%) -- 89.1% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery (After a Roost)
252 Atk burned Tyranitar Rock Slide vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Talonflame: 132-156 (71.7 - 84.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after sandstorm damage and Leftovers recovery
252 Atk burned Tyranitar Rock Slide vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Talonflame: 66-78 (35.8 - 42.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after sandstorm damage and Leftovers recovery (After a Roost)
252 SpA Mega Manectric Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 184+ SpD Talonflame: 156-186 (84.7 - 101%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Mega Manectric Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 184+ SpD Talonflame: 78-93 (42.3 - 50.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 184+ SpD Talonflame: 120-144 (65.2 - 78.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Mold Breaker Mega Ampharos Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 184+ SpD Talonflame: 99-117 (53.8 - 63.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery (After a Roost)
0 SpA Stone Plate Arceus-Rock Judgment vs. 248 HP / 184+ SpD Talonflame: 156-186 (84.7 - 101%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO (After a Roost)
252 Atk Mega Tyranitar Rock Slide vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Talonflame: 152-180 (82.6 - 97.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after sandstorm damage and Leftovers recovery (After a Roost)
252+ SpA Mega Launcher Mega Blastoise Water Pulse vs. 248 HP / 184+ SpD Talonflame: 170-204 (92.3 - 110.8%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Garchomp Rock Slide vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Talonflame: 172-204 (93.4 - 110.8%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO
As you can see, this Talonflame can take hits very well. The only downside is that it can't really do damage. That's why it's primary role is to provide support. This set functions in this role very well. Most people won't double target a Talonflame, because one move is normally enough. This will leave you alive allowing you to get a move off. It's attacks do enough damage to turn your other Pokemon's attacks from 2HKOs to OHKOs. In addition, its speed allows it to get Will-o-Wisp off before their physical attacker can attack. Be warned though: YOU DO NOT OUTSPEED GARCHOMP! So be wary of those Rock Slides. You can survive them, but there is a flinch chance.
So that's the first installment of "Spotlight". I hope you like these sets and find use for them!
~Ryan
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