[OVERVIEW]
Infernape's niche in the OU tier comes from its revenge killing capabilities with a Choice Scarf, as its good offensive typing and movepool allow it to revenge kill extremely dangerous setup sweepers such as Magearna, Volcarona, Tapu Bulu, Mega Tyranitar, and Mega Mawile. Infernape is also pretty strong for a Choice Scarf user, as its high-Base Power moves and decent Attack stat allow it to deal large amounts of damage to Pokemon that it doesn't hit super effectively, such as Tapu Lele and Tapu Koko, while its access to U-turn allows it to generate momentum on common defensive answers to Infernape such as Toxapex, Alomomola, and Suicune. However, the main thing that separates Infernape from other, usually better Choice Scarf users, such as Keldeo and Greninja, is its ability to OHKO Shift Gear Magearna, which Keldeo and Greninja cannot do with any of their moves. Despite this, it's still mostly outclassed by Keldeo and Greninja in a revenge killing role, as Keldeo has better bulk and a better defensive and offensive typing, while Greninja has more variety in its moves, is faster, and also has U-turn to generate momentum. Infernape's lackluster bulk and susceptibility to Rocky Helmet, Rough Skin, Iron Barbs, sand and hail, and Flare Blitz recoil mean that it's really easy to wear down, and the difference in its STAB coverage means it can be taken advantage of by Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Zygarde.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Blaze
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Flare Blitz hits decently hard and OHKOes Pokemon that Infernape is meant to revenge kill such as Magearna, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Mawile. Close Combat is another strong STAB move that nets neutral coverage on Pokemon such as Keldeo and Zygarde while hitting Pokemon such as Heatran and Tyranitar super effectively. U-turn lets Infernape escape its defensive counters, such as Toxapex and Tapu Fini, on the switch in to give Infernape's teammates momentum, and it's also a good move to go for against Pokemon that Infernape threatens out such as Tapu Bulu. Stone Edge is mainly used for Mega Charizard Y, Mantine, and Volcarona, although it doesn't OHKO Charti Berry Volcarona without a little bit of prior damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed EVs make Infernape as strong and as fast as possible, and a Jolly nature is used to outspeed +1 Volcarona and Speed tie with Choice Scarf Keldeo. A Choice Scarf is what gives Infernape its niche, allowing it to become a good revenge killer because it outspeeds most of the metagame. Blaze is Infernape's only useful ability because of the lack of punching moves on this set and can let Flare Blitz hit really hard once in range of Blaze.
Usage Tips
========
Infernape can't be directly switched into Pokemon that it revenge kills, such as Tapu Bulu and Mega Mawile, because they can hit it extremely hard or even OHKO it with any of their moves due to Infernape's frailty and weakness to common coverage types. As such, it should only be brought into these Pokemon on a safe switch either through U-turn or once a Pokemon has already fainted. While clicking Flare Blitz is usually the safest option, U-turn is a very spammable move to gain momentum on Infernape's defensive counters, such as Toxapex and Tapu Fini, or to bring in a wallbreaker such as Mega Pinsir, Mega Mawile, or Z-Wild Charge Tapu Koko. Once Infernape is in against a Pokemon such as Shift Gear Magearna, just use Flare Blitz, as the consequences for going for any other move can be severe.
Team Options
========
Electric-types pair well with Infernape, as Infernape is able to get them in via U-turn on its defensive counters, mainly Toxapex, Suicune, and Tapu Fini, to start firing off strong hits. Tapu Koko fits this role well because it forms a VoltTurn core to bring Infernape in on Pokemon such as Tangrowth to start firing off hits. Zapdos also fits this role well, as it's able to handle Pokemon that give Infernape a hard time, such as Mega Pinsir with its Flying-type priority attacks, while also checking Landorus-T. Groundium Z Dugtrio is another great partner for Infernape, as Infernape can U-turn on the Toxapex switch in, and Dugtrio can then OHKO Toxapex with Tectonic Rage. Infernape appreciates defensive backbones to make up for its lack of defensive utility and common weaknesses. Grass-types such as Assault Vest Tangrowth and Tapu Bulu can check Ash-Greninja, Tapu Fini, Zygarde, Suicune, and Keldeo, while Steel-types such as Celesteela can check Tapu Lele. Wallbreakers that appreciate U-turn momentum, such as Ash-Greninja, Choice Specs Latios, Choice Band Tyranitar, and Choice Specs Keldeo, also make for good teammates. In particular, Ash-Greninja is able to finish off Charti Berry Volcarona with Water Shuriken if Stone Edge doesn't quite do the job.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Infernape should not be running anything outside the four moves listed on the Choice Scarf set, with the only exception being Rock Slide. Rock Slide can be used over Stone Edge for a more accurate hit on Mega Charizard Y, but it comes nowhere near close to OHKOing Charti Berry Volcarona, whereas Stone Edge does. Infernape does have a massive physical and special movepool with setup moves in Nasty Plot and Swords Dance to allow it to threaten defensive cores, but the Swords Dance set is outclassed by other setup sweepers such as Garchomp and Landorus-T, which have better offensive and defensive typings, have better abilities, are stronger, and have far better bulk. A Nasty Plot set is also outclassed by other Pokemon such as Calm Mind Magearna and even Cofagrigus due to their better bulk and speed control options, with Shift Gear in the case of Magearna and Trick Room in the case of Cofagrigus.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Toxapex, Mega Slowbro, Alomomola, Suicune, Tapu Fini, Ash-Greninja, and Keldeo are good checks to Infernape. Toxapex takes practically nothing from any move Infernape could go for and uses it as Toxic Spikes fodder, but it must be extremely wary of a possible U-turn into Dugtrio. Mega Slowbro takes very little from any move Infernape can go for, can fire off a strong Scald, and even has Slack Off to wall it throughout a match. Alomomola uses Infernape as Wish fodder to heal a weakened teammate, as it takes minimal damage from any of Infernape's common moves and sets. Suicune takes advantage of an Infernape locked into Flare Blitz to set up Substitute and start sweeping with Calm Mind, although it doesn't like U-turn on the switch into a common Infernape teammate like Zapdos. Tapu Fini also takes hits from Infernape pretty well and can then clear very entry hazards with Defog or just heavily damage Infernape with Scald. Ash-Greninja is able to use Infernape as fodder for its forme change, as after a little prior damage, Water Shuriken can take it out, but it can't directly switch into Infernape by any means. Keldeo can switch into Infernape a bit more easily than Ash-Greninja but dislikes Close Combat or getting U-turned on into a counter.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Landorus-T, Zygarde, and Mega Swampert can check Infernape pretty well. Landorus-T softens Infernape's Flare Blitz with Intimidate, resists Close Combat, and easily OHKOes Infernape with Earthquake or sets up Stealth Rock. Zygarde takes advantage of an Infernape locked into Flare Blitz to fire off a Thousand Arrows or set up with Coil or Dragon Dance, but it doesn't switch into Close Combat and dislikes U-turn into one of its counters, such as Tangrowth. Mega Swampert takes Flare Blitz pretty well and can set up Rain Dance or Stealth Rock on Infernape but dislikes switching into Close Combat.
**Revenge Killers**: Revenge killers such as Choice Scarf Tapu Lele, Choice Scarf Greninja, and Choice Scarf Garchomp can revenge kill Infernape pretty easily. Choice Scarf Tapu Lele takes a massive amount of damage from Flare Blitz but tanks Close Combat thanks to its 4x resistance to Fighting and easily OHKOes Infernape with Psychic, while Choice Scarf Greninja naturally outspeeds it and OHKOes it with a possible Hydro Pump. Choice Scarf Garchomp resists Fire, punishes Infernape's U-turn with Rough Skin, and can tank a Close Combat to OHKO it in return with Earthquake.
Infernape's niche in the OU tier comes from its revenge killing capabilities with a Choice Scarf, as its good offensive typing and movepool allow it to revenge kill extremely dangerous setup sweepers such as Magearna, Volcarona, Tapu Bulu, Mega Tyranitar, and Mega Mawile. Infernape is also pretty strong for a Choice Scarf user, as its high-Base Power moves and decent Attack stat allow it to deal large amounts of damage to Pokemon that it doesn't hit super effectively, such as Tapu Lele and Tapu Koko, while its access to U-turn allows it to generate momentum on common defensive answers to Infernape such as Toxapex, Alomomola, and Suicune. However, the main thing that separates Infernape from other, usually better Choice Scarf users, such as Keldeo and Greninja, is its ability to OHKO Shift Gear Magearna, which Keldeo and Greninja cannot do with any of their moves. Despite this, it's still mostly outclassed by Keldeo and Greninja in a revenge killing role, as Keldeo has better bulk and a better defensive and offensive typing, while Greninja has more variety in its moves, is faster, and also has U-turn to generate momentum. Infernape's lackluster bulk and susceptibility to Rocky Helmet, Rough Skin, Iron Barbs, sand and hail, and Flare Blitz recoil mean that it's really easy to wear down, and the difference in its STAB coverage means it can be taken advantage of by Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Zygarde.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Flare Blitz
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Blaze
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Flare Blitz hits decently hard and OHKOes Pokemon that Infernape is meant to revenge kill such as Magearna, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Mawile. Close Combat is another strong STAB move that nets neutral coverage on Pokemon such as Keldeo and Zygarde while hitting Pokemon such as Heatran and Tyranitar super effectively. U-turn lets Infernape escape its defensive counters, such as Toxapex and Tapu Fini, on the switch in to give Infernape's teammates momentum, and it's also a good move to go for against Pokemon that Infernape threatens out such as Tapu Bulu. Stone Edge is mainly used for Mega Charizard Y, Mantine, and Volcarona, although it doesn't OHKO Charti Berry Volcarona without a little bit of prior damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed EVs make Infernape as strong and as fast as possible, and a Jolly nature is used to outspeed +1 Volcarona and Speed tie with Choice Scarf Keldeo. A Choice Scarf is what gives Infernape its niche, allowing it to become a good revenge killer because it outspeeds most of the metagame. Blaze is Infernape's only useful ability because of the lack of punching moves on this set and can let Flare Blitz hit really hard once in range of Blaze.
Usage Tips
========
Infernape can't be directly switched into Pokemon that it revenge kills, such as Tapu Bulu and Mega Mawile, because they can hit it extremely hard or even OHKO it with any of their moves due to Infernape's frailty and weakness to common coverage types. As such, it should only be brought into these Pokemon on a safe switch either through U-turn or once a Pokemon has already fainted. While clicking Flare Blitz is usually the safest option, U-turn is a very spammable move to gain momentum on Infernape's defensive counters, such as Toxapex and Tapu Fini, or to bring in a wallbreaker such as Mega Pinsir, Mega Mawile, or Z-Wild Charge Tapu Koko. Once Infernape is in against a Pokemon such as Shift Gear Magearna, just use Flare Blitz, as the consequences for going for any other move can be severe.
Team Options
========
Electric-types pair well with Infernape, as Infernape is able to get them in via U-turn on its defensive counters, mainly Toxapex, Suicune, and Tapu Fini, to start firing off strong hits. Tapu Koko fits this role well because it forms a VoltTurn core to bring Infernape in on Pokemon such as Tangrowth to start firing off hits. Zapdos also fits this role well, as it's able to handle Pokemon that give Infernape a hard time, such as Mega Pinsir with its Flying-type priority attacks, while also checking Landorus-T. Groundium Z Dugtrio is another great partner for Infernape, as Infernape can U-turn on the Toxapex switch in, and Dugtrio can then OHKO Toxapex with Tectonic Rage. Infernape appreciates defensive backbones to make up for its lack of defensive utility and common weaknesses. Grass-types such as Assault Vest Tangrowth and Tapu Bulu can check Ash-Greninja, Tapu Fini, Zygarde, Suicune, and Keldeo, while Steel-types such as Celesteela can check Tapu Lele. Wallbreakers that appreciate U-turn momentum, such as Ash-Greninja, Choice Specs Latios, Choice Band Tyranitar, and Choice Specs Keldeo, also make for good teammates. In particular, Ash-Greninja is able to finish off Charti Berry Volcarona with Water Shuriken if Stone Edge doesn't quite do the job.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Infernape should not be running anything outside the four moves listed on the Choice Scarf set, with the only exception being Rock Slide. Rock Slide can be used over Stone Edge for a more accurate hit on Mega Charizard Y, but it comes nowhere near close to OHKOing Charti Berry Volcarona, whereas Stone Edge does. Infernape does have a massive physical and special movepool with setup moves in Nasty Plot and Swords Dance to allow it to threaten defensive cores, but the Swords Dance set is outclassed by other setup sweepers such as Garchomp and Landorus-T, which have better offensive and defensive typings, have better abilities, are stronger, and have far better bulk. A Nasty Plot set is also outclassed by other Pokemon such as Calm Mind Magearna and even Cofagrigus due to their better bulk and speed control options, with Shift Gear in the case of Magearna and Trick Room in the case of Cofagrigus.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Toxapex, Mega Slowbro, Alomomola, Suicune, Tapu Fini, Ash-Greninja, and Keldeo are good checks to Infernape. Toxapex takes practically nothing from any move Infernape could go for and uses it as Toxic Spikes fodder, but it must be extremely wary of a possible U-turn into Dugtrio. Mega Slowbro takes very little from any move Infernape can go for, can fire off a strong Scald, and even has Slack Off to wall it throughout a match. Alomomola uses Infernape as Wish fodder to heal a weakened teammate, as it takes minimal damage from any of Infernape's common moves and sets. Suicune takes advantage of an Infernape locked into Flare Blitz to set up Substitute and start sweeping with Calm Mind, although it doesn't like U-turn on the switch into a common Infernape teammate like Zapdos. Tapu Fini also takes hits from Infernape pretty well and can then clear very entry hazards with Defog or just heavily damage Infernape with Scald. Ash-Greninja is able to use Infernape as fodder for its forme change, as after a little prior damage, Water Shuriken can take it out, but it can't directly switch into Infernape by any means. Keldeo can switch into Infernape a bit more easily than Ash-Greninja but dislikes Close Combat or getting U-turned on into a counter.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Landorus-T, Zygarde, and Mega Swampert can check Infernape pretty well. Landorus-T softens Infernape's Flare Blitz with Intimidate, resists Close Combat, and easily OHKOes Infernape with Earthquake or sets up Stealth Rock. Zygarde takes advantage of an Infernape locked into Flare Blitz to fire off a Thousand Arrows or set up with Coil or Dragon Dance, but it doesn't switch into Close Combat and dislikes U-turn into one of its counters, such as Tangrowth. Mega Swampert takes Flare Blitz pretty well and can set up Rain Dance or Stealth Rock on Infernape but dislikes switching into Close Combat.
**Revenge Killers**: Revenge killers such as Choice Scarf Tapu Lele, Choice Scarf Greninja, and Choice Scarf Garchomp can revenge kill Infernape pretty easily. Choice Scarf Tapu Lele takes a massive amount of damage from Flare Blitz but tanks Close Combat thanks to its 4x resistance to Fighting and easily OHKOes Infernape with Psychic, while Choice Scarf Greninja naturally outspeeds it and OHKOes it with a possible Hydro Pump. Choice Scarf Garchomp resists Fire, punishes Infernape's U-turn with Rough Skin, and can tank a Close Combat to OHKO it in return with Earthquake.
Last edited: