false
maybe this is heaven
[OVERVIEW]
One of only two viable Fighting-type Pokemon in the PU tier, Combusken sets itself apart from its running mate Monferno and finds two different niches through its ability Speed Boost. Combusken's access to high-powered STAB moves and its decent offensive stats allow it to run a dangerous offensive set, while its decent defensive typing allows it to run an effective Baton Pass set. Despite having an effective and defined niche, Combusken still suffers some competition from Monferno, which boasts a higher base Speed stat as well as access to Close Combat and Mach Punch. Additionally, Combusken's access to Speed Boost isn't always enough to remedy its low Speed stat, as Combusken is still outsped by a number of offensive Pokemon at +1 and even some Choice Scarf users at +2.
[SET]
name: Life Orb Attacker
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Electric / Baton Pass
move 4: Protect
item: Life Orb
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Protect allows Combusken to stall out a turn and gain a Speed boost while also scouting for potential Choice items. Fire Blast and Focus Blast are Combusken's powerful STAB moves; their high Base Power and decent coverage somewhat make up for Combusken's average Special Attack stat, with Focus Blast being strong enough to OHKO most offensive Pokemon, such as Rapidash and Floatzel, after Stealth Rock. Hidden Power Ice hits Altaria and OHKOes Vibrava and Gabite, while Hidden Power Electric is an option to OHKO Pokemon such as Pelipper and Swanna. Baton Pass can be run over Hidden Power to maintain offensive pressure by passing Speed boosts to wallbreakers that can threaten Combusken's checks.
Set Details
========
Speed Boost enables Combusken to act as an effective late-game cleaner. Maximum Speed and Special Attack investment is required to ensure that Combusken is as fast and as strong as possible. A Timid nature is necessary to outspeed the likes of Leafeon, Dodrio, and Rapidash at +1. Life Orb is a requirement on offensive Combusken, as it somewhat remedies its otherwise mediocre base 85 Special Attack stat.
Usage Tips
========
Baton Pass + 2 attacks is generally better used in the early-game to break and pass Speed boosts into other wallbreakers, while 3 attacks is better used as a dedicated cleaner in the late-game. It is best not to switch Combusken directly into attacks, even resisted ones, as it is very frail and quickly worn down by hazards. This is especially true for 3 attacks Combusken, which should avoid switching in as much as possible in the hopes of keeping itself out of range of being revenge killed by priority attacks. If it can do this then it will be much more threatening as a late-game cleaner. Bringing Combusken in on double switches or after a teammate has fainted is the preferred way to go. Use Protect wisely, as it is somewhat obvious that Combusken is going to use the move when facing a faster Pokemon, which can be taken advantage of.
Team Options
========
Powerful wallbreakers such as Stoutland and Chatot provide good support for Combusken, as they are able to bust through some of the sturdier walls that it may be unable to break through, paving the way for Combusken to clean up in the late-game. Baton Pass variants of Combusken are also occasionally able to pass wallbreakers Speed boosts that can allow them to wallbreak more effectively. Leafeon is a good partner due to its ability to check a multitude of Water- and Ground-types that may threaten Combusken and access to Knock Off to remove Eviolites of defensive Pokemon such as Vullaby and Clefairy. Pursuit support from the likes of Stoutland and Krokorok is appreciated to weaken defensive Pokemon such as Grumpig and Muk. Since many Combusken checks are Flying-types, Stealth Rock support from the likes of Golem and Metang can be useful to weaken them. Lastly, Electric-types such as Zebstrika and Rotom-F can be used to pressure the Water-types that threaten Combusken while also weakening Pokemon such as Grumpig.
[SET]
name: Speed Pass
move 1: Will-O-Wisp
move 2: Substitute
move 3: Baton Pass
move 4: Protect
item: Eviolite
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Protect enables Combusken to stall out turns to gain Speed boosts. Substitute enables Combusken to set up on weaker or resisted attacks or simply just bide a turn to gain an additional Speed boost. Will-O-Wisp is used to wear down common switch-ins such as Pelipper and Grumpig, while also burning physical attackers such as Metang so that their attacks cannot break its Substitute. Baton Pass allows Combusken to pass any Speed boosts or Substitutes that it has attained to a teammate. Attacking moves such as Focus Blast and Fire Blast can be run over Will-O-Wisp to allow Combusken to deal damage to Pokemon such as Ninetales, which may otherwise use Combusken as setup fodder; however, without investment or a boosting item, these attacks are relatively weak and the utility of Will-O-Wisp is preferred.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment alongside a Timid nature is necessary to enable Combusken to outspeed Pokemon such as Simipour at +1 so that it can use Substitute before being hit by Hydro Pump, biding another turn and gaining another Speed boost. Maximum HP investment in combination with Eviolite allows Combusken to create a Substitute that isn't broken by common attacks such as Clefairy's Moonblast or Leafeon's Leaf Blade. Attack investment isn't needed, since Combusken often doesn't run an attacking move.
Usage Tips
========
Combusken is best used in the early-game to pass Speed to powerful wallbreakers that will then attempt to break down the opposing team. Use Protect and Substitute to stall turns and gain Speed boosts; it is usually best to try to attain enough Speed boosts that the recipient will be able to outspeed every Pokemon that would be able to threaten it in return. Combusken's investment in HP combined with Eviolite usually gives it the bulk to pass multiple times throughout a game, so use this to your advantage and don't be afraid to be aggressive with your wallbreakers.
Team Options
========
Teams based on Speed Boost + Baton Pass are usually formulaic and don't necessarily follow normal team structures. Such a team will usually be comprised of Combusken, three recipients, and two support Pokemon. Powerful, slower wallbreakers such as Cacturne, Marowak, and Beheeyem are some of the best recipients, as the Speed boost makes up for their mediocre Speed stat and enables them to more effectively wallbreak. Setup sweepers such as Bouffalant and Servine are also good recipients for a similar reason. Dual screens or Memento support can also be useful to ease Combusken's time setting up Substitute; however, there aren't a great deal of viable Pokemon that can provide this support. Healing Wish support from Mr. Mime can be useful to heal Combusken so that it can Baton Pass more Speed boosts or a threatening wallbreaker that has been weakened or statused.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Focus Energy is a gimmicky option that can be used over Will-O-Wisp on the dedicated Baton Pass set to grant the recipient a heightened chance to land a critical hit. Pokemon such as Sniper + Scope Lens Octillery or multi-hit move users such as Bonemerang Marowak are some of the best users for this strategy. A Swords Dance or all-out-attacking physical set can be run, but these are generally outclassed by Monferno due to the fact that Combusken lacks a powerful Fighting STAB move or a priority move.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Muk, Grumpig, and specially defensive Clefairy are just a few examples of Pokemon that boast enough special bulk to reliably switch in on and deal with Combusken. Muk and Clefairy boast reliable recovery, while Grumpig threatens Combusken with its Psychic STAB move, and it can also negate the potential for Speed pass with Whirlwind, if it so chooses. Also, since Combusken can only run one Hidden Power, sets lacking Hidden Power Ice will be walled by Altaria, while sets lacking Hidden Power Electric will be walled by Pelipper.
**Faster Pokemon**: Combusken's unimpressive base 55 Speed means that even after a boost it is still outsped by naturally fast Pokemon such as Floatzel, Jumpluff, and Dodrio as well as all Choice Scarf users. Faster Choice Scarf users such as Chatot and Mr. Mime can even outspeed Combusken at +2. Jumpluff and Chatot can also hit Combusken through its Substitute thanks to Infiltrator and Boomburst, respectively.
**Ground-types**: Vibrava, Gabite, Marowak, and Golem can usually take a hit and retaliate with a super effective Ground-type STAB move. Marowak is particularly threatening to the Speed Pass set due to the fact that Bonemerang hits multiple times, which breaks Substitutes.
**Water-types**: Pokemon such as Politoed and Lumineon are able to take any hit from Combusken and threaten it in return with their Water-type STAB attacks. Defensive Politoed can also run Perish Song to neutralize Baton Pass sets.
One of only two viable Fighting-type Pokemon in the PU tier, Combusken sets itself apart from its running mate Monferno and finds two different niches through its ability Speed Boost. Combusken's access to high-powered STAB moves and its decent offensive stats allow it to run a dangerous offensive set, while its decent defensive typing allows it to run an effective Baton Pass set. Despite having an effective and defined niche, Combusken still suffers some competition from Monferno, which boasts a higher base Speed stat as well as access to Close Combat and Mach Punch. Additionally, Combusken's access to Speed Boost isn't always enough to remedy its low Speed stat, as Combusken is still outsped by a number of offensive Pokemon at +1 and even some Choice Scarf users at +2.
[SET]
name: Life Orb Attacker
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Electric / Baton Pass
move 4: Protect
item: Life Orb
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Protect allows Combusken to stall out a turn and gain a Speed boost while also scouting for potential Choice items. Fire Blast and Focus Blast are Combusken's powerful STAB moves; their high Base Power and decent coverage somewhat make up for Combusken's average Special Attack stat, with Focus Blast being strong enough to OHKO most offensive Pokemon, such as Rapidash and Floatzel, after Stealth Rock. Hidden Power Ice hits Altaria and OHKOes Vibrava and Gabite, while Hidden Power Electric is an option to OHKO Pokemon such as Pelipper and Swanna. Baton Pass can be run over Hidden Power to maintain offensive pressure by passing Speed boosts to wallbreakers that can threaten Combusken's checks.
Set Details
========
Speed Boost enables Combusken to act as an effective late-game cleaner. Maximum Speed and Special Attack investment is required to ensure that Combusken is as fast and as strong as possible. A Timid nature is necessary to outspeed the likes of Leafeon, Dodrio, and Rapidash at +1. Life Orb is a requirement on offensive Combusken, as it somewhat remedies its otherwise mediocre base 85 Special Attack stat.
Usage Tips
========
Baton Pass + 2 attacks is generally better used in the early-game to break and pass Speed boosts into other wallbreakers, while 3 attacks is better used as a dedicated cleaner in the late-game. It is best not to switch Combusken directly into attacks, even resisted ones, as it is very frail and quickly worn down by hazards. This is especially true for 3 attacks Combusken, which should avoid switching in as much as possible in the hopes of keeping itself out of range of being revenge killed by priority attacks. If it can do this then it will be much more threatening as a late-game cleaner. Bringing Combusken in on double switches or after a teammate has fainted is the preferred way to go. Use Protect wisely, as it is somewhat obvious that Combusken is going to use the move when facing a faster Pokemon, which can be taken advantage of.
Team Options
========
Powerful wallbreakers such as Stoutland and Chatot provide good support for Combusken, as they are able to bust through some of the sturdier walls that it may be unable to break through, paving the way for Combusken to clean up in the late-game. Baton Pass variants of Combusken are also occasionally able to pass wallbreakers Speed boosts that can allow them to wallbreak more effectively. Leafeon is a good partner due to its ability to check a multitude of Water- and Ground-types that may threaten Combusken and access to Knock Off to remove Eviolites of defensive Pokemon such as Vullaby and Clefairy. Pursuit support from the likes of Stoutland and Krokorok is appreciated to weaken defensive Pokemon such as Grumpig and Muk. Since many Combusken checks are Flying-types, Stealth Rock support from the likes of Golem and Metang can be useful to weaken them. Lastly, Electric-types such as Zebstrika and Rotom-F can be used to pressure the Water-types that threaten Combusken while also weakening Pokemon such as Grumpig.
[SET]
name: Speed Pass
move 1: Will-O-Wisp
move 2: Substitute
move 3: Baton Pass
move 4: Protect
item: Eviolite
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Protect enables Combusken to stall out turns to gain Speed boosts. Substitute enables Combusken to set up on weaker or resisted attacks or simply just bide a turn to gain an additional Speed boost. Will-O-Wisp is used to wear down common switch-ins such as Pelipper and Grumpig, while also burning physical attackers such as Metang so that their attacks cannot break its Substitute. Baton Pass allows Combusken to pass any Speed boosts or Substitutes that it has attained to a teammate. Attacking moves such as Focus Blast and Fire Blast can be run over Will-O-Wisp to allow Combusken to deal damage to Pokemon such as Ninetales, which may otherwise use Combusken as setup fodder; however, without investment or a boosting item, these attacks are relatively weak and the utility of Will-O-Wisp is preferred.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment alongside a Timid nature is necessary to enable Combusken to outspeed Pokemon such as Simipour at +1 so that it can use Substitute before being hit by Hydro Pump, biding another turn and gaining another Speed boost. Maximum HP investment in combination with Eviolite allows Combusken to create a Substitute that isn't broken by common attacks such as Clefairy's Moonblast or Leafeon's Leaf Blade. Attack investment isn't needed, since Combusken often doesn't run an attacking move.
Usage Tips
========
Combusken is best used in the early-game to pass Speed to powerful wallbreakers that will then attempt to break down the opposing team. Use Protect and Substitute to stall turns and gain Speed boosts; it is usually best to try to attain enough Speed boosts that the recipient will be able to outspeed every Pokemon that would be able to threaten it in return. Combusken's investment in HP combined with Eviolite usually gives it the bulk to pass multiple times throughout a game, so use this to your advantage and don't be afraid to be aggressive with your wallbreakers.
Team Options
========
Teams based on Speed Boost + Baton Pass are usually formulaic and don't necessarily follow normal team structures. Such a team will usually be comprised of Combusken, three recipients, and two support Pokemon. Powerful, slower wallbreakers such as Cacturne, Marowak, and Beheeyem are some of the best recipients, as the Speed boost makes up for their mediocre Speed stat and enables them to more effectively wallbreak. Setup sweepers such as Bouffalant and Servine are also good recipients for a similar reason. Dual screens or Memento support can also be useful to ease Combusken's time setting up Substitute; however, there aren't a great deal of viable Pokemon that can provide this support. Healing Wish support from Mr. Mime can be useful to heal Combusken so that it can Baton Pass more Speed boosts or a threatening wallbreaker that has been weakened or statused.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Focus Energy is a gimmicky option that can be used over Will-O-Wisp on the dedicated Baton Pass set to grant the recipient a heightened chance to land a critical hit. Pokemon such as Sniper + Scope Lens Octillery or multi-hit move users such as Bonemerang Marowak are some of the best users for this strategy. A Swords Dance or all-out-attacking physical set can be run, but these are generally outclassed by Monferno due to the fact that Combusken lacks a powerful Fighting STAB move or a priority move.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Muk, Grumpig, and specially defensive Clefairy are just a few examples of Pokemon that boast enough special bulk to reliably switch in on and deal with Combusken. Muk and Clefairy boast reliable recovery, while Grumpig threatens Combusken with its Psychic STAB move, and it can also negate the potential for Speed pass with Whirlwind, if it so chooses. Also, since Combusken can only run one Hidden Power, sets lacking Hidden Power Ice will be walled by Altaria, while sets lacking Hidden Power Electric will be walled by Pelipper.
**Faster Pokemon**: Combusken's unimpressive base 55 Speed means that even after a boost it is still outsped by naturally fast Pokemon such as Floatzel, Jumpluff, and Dodrio as well as all Choice Scarf users. Faster Choice Scarf users such as Chatot and Mr. Mime can even outspeed Combusken at +2. Jumpluff and Chatot can also hit Combusken through its Substitute thanks to Infiltrator and Boomburst, respectively.
**Ground-types**: Vibrava, Gabite, Marowak, and Golem can usually take a hit and retaliate with a super effective Ground-type STAB move. Marowak is particularly threatening to the Speed Pass set due to the fact that Bonemerang hits multiple times, which breaks Substitutes.
**Water-types**: Pokemon such as Politoed and Lumineon are able to take any hit from Combusken and threaten it in return with their Water-type STAB attacks. Defensive Politoed can also run Perish Song to neutralize Baton Pass sets.
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