[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Volt Switch
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Ice Beam is capable of 2HKOing Grass-types like Victreebel and Torterra, preventing them from switching in freely. Thunderbolt complements Hydro Pump as a more reliable STAB move that notably lets Lanturn pressure defensive Jellicent without switching out. Heal Bell can be used over Thunderbolt to provide status healing in a pinch, although locking into it can provide the foe with free setup opportunities. Hidden Power Fire is another option that can be used to patch up a particular weakness to Ferroseed, but it is extremely prediction reliant and likewise may facilitate easy setup for opposing Pokemon.
Set Details
========
A Choice Scarf and maximum Speed investment allow Lanturn to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame, slower Choice Scarf users like Aurorus and Alolan Sandslash, and key threats like Carracosta after a Shell Smash boost.
Usage Tips
========
Early-game, Lanturn should prioritize generating momentum by pivoting out on Pokemon that it forces out, like Jellicent and Regirock, and facilitating opportunities for wallbreakers to enter the field safely. Choice Scarf Lanturn's surprise factor may come in handy when checking threats like Carracosta and Grassium Z Simisear, which might be tempted to stay in on other Lanturn sets and attempt to take it out; it is therefore advisable to avoid using Hydro Pump early-game unless strictly necessary and perform double switches if a Volt Switch-immune Pokemon is expected to switch in. Despite its lack of defensive investment, Lanturn is still highly capable of switching into threats like Rotom-F, Swanna, and unboosted Simisear. However, such switches should be done sparingly if Lanturn is expected to be useful later in the game, as it tends to get worn down by entry hazards. Due to its middling power output, Lanturn should only attempt to wallbreak or perform cleaning duties late-game when defensive Pokemon like Mudsdale and Regirock are thoroughly weakened and in Hydro Pump's KO range.
Team Options
========
Despite not being as optimal at providing speed control compared to faster Choice Scarf users like Rotom-F, Lanturn's unique defensive properties, as well as the difficulty of switching into it, make it an excellent glue Pokemon that can be used to patch up weaknesses to threats like Simisear and Carracosta. Defensive Pokemon like Jellicent, Mudsdale, and Regirock highly benefit from Lanturn's ability to deal with the aforementioned threats, as well as others like Oricorio-E and Swanna; In return, they help to mitigate Lanturn's poor matchup against faster Choice Scarf users like Primeape and Dodrio and setup sweepers like Swords Dance Silvally-Fairy. Grass-types like Victreebel, Leafeon, and Lurantis appreciate Lanturn dealing with threats like Oricorio-G and Rotom-F, and in return they ease the matchup against Mudsdale and opposing Lanturn. Strong wallbreakers like Absol, Stoutland, Drampa, and Simisear highly benefit from Lanturn's ease of generating switch-in opportunities; the former two are adept at pressuring specially defensive switch-ins like Eelektross and Cryogonal, and the latter two can threaten Grass-types like Victreebel and Ferroseed. Grass-type checks like Oricorio-G and Silvally-Poison ease Lanturn's need to predict correctly against threats like Victreebel, and they can both form a VoltTurn core alongside it. Lanturn also fits reasonably well on entry hazard stacking teams alongside hazard setters like Ferroseed and Qwilfish, spinblockers like Silvally-Ghost, and wallbreakers like Kangaskhan, where it can utilize its ability to force switches to wear down opposing Pokemon and make its task of late-game cleaning easier. Priority attackers like Skuntank, as well as the aforementioned Kangaskhan and Absol, can provide additional speed control to make up for Lanturn's middling Speed. Finally, Choice Scarf Lanturn's relative unpredictability from a team composition perspective can create opportunities for teammates that commonly run Choice Scarf sets, like Primeape and Dodrio, to enhance their own surprise factor with sets like Choice Band or Swords Dance. The former also forms an effective VoltTurn core with Lanturn, and both of them appreciate Lanturn pressuring threats like Jellicent and Carracosta.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rien.474994/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/estarossa.461329/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gum.434150/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/autumn.384270/
Last edited:
