Strategy for Arcanine [Pokémon Sun and Moon]

A COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS ON THE LEGENDARY POKÉMON: ARCANINE

This article contains information for the Legendary Pokémon Arcanine in Pokémon Sun and Moon.
The analysis would involve: the distribution of effort values, choice of movesets, recommended held items, and other suggested options. This will also show information on how to deal with Crobat during free battles and rating battles on Wi-Fi.

Basic Information for Arcanine

Source: http://www.pokemon.jp/zukan/

Type 1 Type 2
Fire
Ability Hidden Ability
Intimidate Justified
Flash Fire
HP Attack Defense Sp.Atk Sp.Def Speed Base Stat Total
90 110 80 100 80 95 555
Type Compatibility
This is super effective
(×4)
This is super effective
(×2)
Water/Ground/Rock
This is not very effective
(×1/2)
Fire/Grass/Ice/Bug/Steel/Fairy
This is not very effective
(×1/4)
No effect

Using Arcanine

Arcanine is a highly versatile Pokemon due to its High Base stat total, this allows it to function in one of several possible roles such as: Physical Attacker, Special Attacker, Durable set, etc.

It performs well as either a Physical or Special Attacker. This allows it to switch-in and surprise the opponent who might not anticipate its set during the start of the match.

Its ability Intimidate is superior as it weakens a Physically oriented opponent. However its wide movepool allows it to utilize various tactics even if it was already put into play.

For the Physical set, there are several moves to choose from which provide a significant amount of damage in conjunction with additional coverage. Extreme Speed is one of the best moves owing to its high priority. Be wary of some of the moves that have recoil damage as this would hamper its longevity on the battlefield.

On the other hand, a Special set does not have to worry about recoil damage but suffers from Type disadvantages.

As a result, it is important to choose according to preference as each has its own significant function. To complement the team, Arcanine should remember moves that cover what its teammates lack.

Recommended moves for Arcanine

Physical Moves Special Moves Non-Damaging Moves
Flare Blitz Overheat Will-O-Wisp
Close Combat Fire Blast Toxic
Wild Charge Flamethrower Morning Sun
Crunch Solar Beam Roar
Extreme Speed Dragon Pulse
Flame Charge Snarl
Bulldoze Hidden Power
Outrage Fire Spin
Zen Headbutt Clear Smog
Iron Tail Hidden Power

Fitting Arcanine on your team

■ Physical Attacker set

Nature Adamant/Jolly
Effort Values 252 Attack / 252 Speed
Held Item Expert Belt/Life Orb/Lum Berry/Choice Band
Recommended Moves Flare Blitz/Extreme Speed
  • A strong Close Combat complements its STAB Flare Blitz well.
  • Extreme Speed damage is maximized due to its Attack investment.
  • Other options include Crunch and Wild Charge to provide additional type coverage.

■ Special Attacker set

Nature Modest/Timid
Effort Values 252 Sp.Atk / and the rest on Speed and durability
Held Item Lum Berry/Sitrus Berry/Life Orb/Expert Belt
Recommended Moves Fire Blast or Overheat or Flamethrower/Extreme Speed

Contrary to the Physical variant, this set does not suffer from recoil damage.

  • Flame Charge provides a way to outspeed some threats like Garchomp and Salamence later on, allowing Arcanine to finish them off with Hidden Power (Ice).

■ Mixed Attacker set

Nature Rash
Effort Values Adjust to Attack / Sp.Atk / Speed and the rest on durability
Held Item Life Orb
Recommended Moves Overheat/Close Combat/Extreme Speed
  • For reference: A minimum of 148 Attack Effort Values (EV) grants Arcanine a high chance to knock out Mega-Tyranitar with Close Combat.
  • Whereas, a minimum of 124 Sp. Attack Effort Values (EV) gurantees it to knock out Aegislash with STAB Overheat.
  • As a mixed attacker, it is able to effectively threaten both defensive and specially defensive Pokemon.

■ Physical endurance set

Nature Bold
Effort Values 252 HP / 252 Defense
Held Item Rocky Helmet
Recommended Moves Morning Sun/Will-O-Wisp
  • As a physically defensive set, it can withstand Physical moves with a combination of Intimidate and Will-O-Wisp.
  • A combination of Snarl and Substitute allows it to lower the opponent’s Sp. Attack, increasing its chance to survive even super-effective Sp. Attacks before its opponent blows its cover.

Countering Arcanine

Due to Arcanine’s wide movepool, it seems difficult to determine the its set when its hasn’t been revealed yet.

However, judging from its typing alone, Fire, Dragon resist its STAB moves. Another option is using Water-Types, but be wary of the occasional Wild Charge from the Physical set.

Intimidate and Will-O-Wisp are also troublesome, thus Sp. Attackers are recommended since majority of the time it will be using Intimidate as its ability.

Its lack of a buffing move allows Pokemon with high durability to come in on it.

Similarly, Pokemon with the abilities Competitive or Defiant can take advantage of its Intimidate to boost their stats.

The preferred Pokemon to send out are those that have high Speed, however if your Pokemon is running low on health it should be wary of Extreme Speed due to its priority.

Pokemon Sun and Moon おすすめ記事リスト

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https://samurai-gamers.com/pokemon-ultra-sun-and-moon/

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