Chandelure [QC 0/3]

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Esteemed User @49 gave me a vague answer when I asked if I could take over this, something like "search your heart". I'm just gonna take that as a yes because I'm tryna get this done Hella Fast (sorry for cutting down on some of ur original op... i like ur style its just too elaborate)

[OVERVIEW]

* Outstanding Special Attack in tandem with nearly unresisted offensive STAB coverage make Chandelure one of the most threatening wallbreakers in the tier
* Unique typing in tandem with theoretically decent defenses offer Chandelure distinct malleability switching into and posing problems for assorted threatening Pokemon, ranging from Infernape and Cobalion to Clefable and Scizor.
* However, this added utility is undercut by a distinct hazard weakness, which has the capacity to greatly undermine its performance against playstyles such as stall.
* Furthermore, the growing ubiquity of Pursuit support in bulkier teams, almost all of which stems from Pokemon that are naturally faster than Chandelure, greatly impact the long-term presence it has in a match.

[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Energy Ball
move 4: Trick / Overheat
item: Choice Specs
ability: Flame Body / Flash Fire
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Fire Blast is Chandelure's most consistent attacking option, punching holes in most of the tier, and is also able to 2HKO Clefable after a Calm Mind boost.
* While weaker, Shadow Ball preys upon the lack of Ghost resists generally willing to switch into Chandelure for fear of its Fire-type STAB, as well as offering Chandelure distinction as a Fire-type in threatening Latias outright. Aside from being a generally useful option for middle-ground predictions, Shadow Ball boasts a very favorable rating of OHKOing Mega Aerodactyl after Stealth Rock, keeping it from switching in directly and mounting something of prediction between utilizing Pursuit or Stone Edge.
* Energy Ball is used primarily for bulky Water-types, being able to OHKO Keldeo and Swampert, as well as having a favorable chance to OHKO Alomomola after taking Stealth Rock damage. It is also used for Rhyperior, which can tank Chandelure's attacks relatively well otherwise.
* While in theory the idea a Choice Specs boosted Chandelure seems sufficient for dismantling stall alone, in application staples combinations of this style such as bulky Water-type plus Blissey more-or-less hard wall it, and to that end Trick is utilized to optimize its performance. Trick offers further utility in neutralizing boosting threats that are getting out of hand, demonstrably in the cases of Pokemon like Calm Mind + Thunder Wave Clefable and Swords Dance Bisharp, the latter of which unfortunately prompts potentially letting Chandelure go in order to suppress it.
* However, Overheat's ability to undercut the necessity of prediction and punch through neutral targets offers similarly high value for teams. Not only does this offer Chandelure a favorable rate of OHKOing standard Hippowdon and Specially Defensive Gliscor after Stealth Rock, but the increased damage output over Fire Blast allows it to bear down much harder on switch-ins such as Hydreigon.

Set Details
========

*Special Attack and Speed are maximized so that Chandelure can wallbreak effectively and be as fast as possible.
* A Timid nature is used so that Chandelure can outrun all variants of Volcanion and Bisharp. Modest can be used to amplify Chandelure's power, but being slower than the aforementioned Pokemon is not recommended.
* In regards to ability, Flame Body offers much more in the average game-to-game situations, allowing Chandelure not only to put added strain on the Pursuit users it so often finds itself staring down, but also punishes indiscriminate U-Turn use from Pokemon such as Scizor. Flash Fire's main application on a fast-and-loose set like Choice Specs is to better switch into and punish Infernape and Entei, the most notable Fire-types Chandelure is capable of switching into.

Usage Tips
========

* Chandelure should be used as an early- to mid-game walbreaker, punching holes in the opponent's team for other Pokemon to take advantage of later on.
* Since Chandelure's weakness to Stealth Rock and middling defensive typing make it hard to bring in safely, getting rid of hazards and having a pivot to switch it in is recommended.
* In a similar vein, Chandelure should be brought in on Pokemon like Forretress and Tsareena, as it can prevent them from clearing hazards on their end.


Team Options
========

* Pokemon that can take on Dark-types, and to a similar extent, deal with Pursuit trappers, are good partners for Chandelure. Fairy-types like Clefable and Primarina are good partners for this reason; Clefable also appreciates Chandelure's ability to get rid of Steel-types, and Primarina also doubles as a solid check to most bulky Water-types.
* Fighting-type Pokemon like Cobalion, Conkeldurr, and Keldeo can also check Dark-types, and work well in tandem with Chandelure being able to check Fairy-types.
* Pokemon that can deal with bulky Water-types like Tentacruel, Mantine, and Suicune are good partners for Chandelure, such as Celebi, Raikou, and Latias.
* Given Chandelure's susceptibility to Stealth Rock and hazards as a whole, Pokemon that can clear hazards such as Latias, Tentacruel, Forretress, and Empoleon work well with Chandelure.
* Similarly, Chandelure can prevent hazard cleaners like Forretress and Tsareena from removing hazards on their field, and can deter others like Latias and Starmie from switching in thanks to its offensive STAB typing, making Pokemon like Froslass and Forretress good partners.

[SET]
name: Stallbreaker
move 1: Will-o-Wisp
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Hex
move 4: Flamethrower
item: Leftovers
ability: Flame Body / Flash Fire
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 84 SpA / 176 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Will-o-Wisp is used to cripple Chandelure's switchins and other physical attackers, and in conjunction with Taunt, allows it to break through bulkier teams.
* Taunt also prevents opposing Pokemon from setting hazards, or setting up boosts on Chandelure.
* Hex is Chandelure's Ghost-type STAB attack that becomes more powerful after the opponent is statused, making it a good choice when combined with Will-o-Wisp.
* Flamethrower is the other STAB move of choice, as it is a reliable attack that lets it hit Steel- and Grass-types like Scizor, Forretress, Cobalion, and Amoonguss.

Set Details
========

* The given EV spread is used so that Chandelure can outspeed Jolly Bisharp and Timid Volcanion, while HP is maximized to increase its bulk and ability to take hits from Pokemon that it usually switches into, like Cobalion and defensive variants of Scizor. The rest of the EVs are invested into Special Attack so that Chandelure can do more damage with Hex after inflicting an opponent with status.
* Leftovers is used to gain residual recovery after each turn, increasing Chandelure's overall longevity.
* Flame Body is used so that Chandelure can punish physical attackers that it switches into, such as Cobalion and Scizor, while also applying pressure onto Pokemon that will attempt to trap it through Pursuit. Flash Fire, on the other hand, can be used to safely switch into Fire-type moves, making it a decent switchin to Pokemon like Infernape and Entei.

Usage Tips
========

* Chandelure should be brought in on Pokemon whose attacks it can tank comfortably, like Clefable, Cobalion, Infernape, and defensive variants of Scizor.
* However, before doing so, hazards should be removed from your side of the field as they cut into Chandelure's longevity.
* Chandelure can work as an effective way of spinblocking Forretress and Tsareena, and also deters Scizor from using Defog.
* Burning Pokemon with Will-o-Wisp is an effective strategy early game, as a boosted Hex is difficult for most teams to switch into.

Team Options
========

* Chandelure faces trouble with Dark-types like Krookodile, Hydreigon, and Mega Absol, so Pokemon that can check them reliably like Choice Scarf Keldeo, Clefable, and Choice Scarf Terrakion are good partners. These Pokemon are also appreciated as they can check all of the tier's Pursuit trappers.
* Chandelure appreciates hazard control like Defog Scizor, Latias, and Tsareena, as hazards wear it down and makes it more difficult for it to perform its role effectively.
* On the other hand, hazards on the opposing side are appreciated by Chandelure as they make it harder for its common switch-ins to come in safely, so Pokemon like Klefki, Tentacruel, and Nidoqueen are all effective in conjunction with it. The latter two can set up Toxic Spikes, making Hex a powerful move that most balance teams struggle to find a switch-in to.
* Pokemon that appreciate Chandelure's ability to reliably take on Steel-types like Scizor and Cobalion, like Mega Aerodactyl and Venomoth are good partners for it.
* Water-types like Suicune, Keldeo, and Mega Blastoise are some of Chandelure's best checks, making Pokemon like Amoonguss, Latias, and Toxicroak good partners.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

* A set of Darkinium Z combined with Memento is an option in order for Pokemon like Crawdaunt, Venomoth, and Scizor to set up and attempt a sweep, but there are Pokemon that can fulfill this roll more reliably.
* Choice Scarf can be used as a revenge killer, but it is generally not worth it due to the omnipresence of Mega Aerodactyl, and is also outran by nearly every common Choice Scarf user.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Dark-types**: Although most of them cannot switch into Chandelure reliably, Hydreigon, Krookodile, Choice Scarf Bisharp and Mega Absol are good checks to it, with the latter three being able to threaten it with Pursuit.

**Mega Aerodactyl**: While it cannot switch into a Choice Specs Shadow Ball, Mega Aerodactyl can switch into its Fire-type attacks and threaten it with Pursuit, Stone Edge, or one of its coverage moves like Aqua Tail and Earthquake.

**Water-types**: Pokemon like Tentacruel, Keldeo, Suicune, Mega Blastoise, and Swampert can all sponge Chandelure's Fire-type attacks and can KO them reliably.

**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Pokemon that can outrun Chandelure naturally like Nidoking, Terrakion, Gengar, and Zygarde-10% are all threatening Pokemon for it to face, although they cannot switch into Chandelure risk-free.
 
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after two months of 49-level procrastination, i have finally gotten this out of wip. now rdy for qc checks
 
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