Strategy for Talonflame [Pokémon Sun and Moon]

The analysis would involve: the distribution of effort values, choice of movesets, recommended held items, and other suggested options. We will also be tackling on how to deal with Talonflame during free battles and rating battles on Wi-Fi.

Basic Information of Talonflame

_{Source: http://www.pokemon.jp/zukan/}

Using Talonflame

Its ability Gale Wings allows it to move first using Flying-Type Moves when its HP is full. Notable moves include Brave Bird and Roost. Since moving first is desired in battle, Talonflame is at a favorable position by using an offensive move or support move. Despite its , its typing and defenses are frail. With a dual weakness to Rock-Type moves, it must come in safely if it needs to receive damage for an ally. Therefore one of the moves prescribed is U-turn as it can safely switch-out to scout a super-effective hit. It can check many Fighting-Type Pokemon due to its STAB moves. Albeit suffering from a 4-move slot syndrome, it should fit well in a team by adjusting the Effort Value (EV) investment, and choice of moves accordingly.

A breakdown of the suggested moves for Talonflame

Fitting Talonflame on your team

■ Choice Band type

• Brave Bird is highly recommended as it deals a great amount of damage due to the Choice Band and nature boost. It’s a bonus to use it if the HP is full as it can move faster than most targets.
• Its advantage of moving first in most scenarios allow it to strike opponents that have low speed.
• Flare Blitz and U-turn are also recommended as it can scout and avoid knock outs while safely securing another type advantage.

■ Life Orb (Sky Plate) type

• This set allows Talonflame to select more moves for successive turns as opposed to the limitations of a Choice Band set.
• With Swords Dance, it can strike even more damage to opponents if it can secure an opportunity to catch it off-guard.
• Roost replenishes its HP to some extent and may provide another chance to take advantage of Gale Wings.

■ Physical receiving type

• Durability is possible in order to avoid 1-hit knock outs and cripple opponents with Will-o-Wisp, while recovering HP lost with Roost.
• Damage is modified to counter in two ways: by attacking with Brave Bird, and by punishing opponents with Rocky Helmet.
• It can prolong its stay on the field by using Will-o-Wisp to patch up its frail defense.

■ Eject Button type

• Tailwind should be used during the first turn. When it’s attacked, it can activate Eject Button to switch to a Pokemon that has type advantage over the opponent.
• Due to the priority-boost from Gale Wings when it’s at max HP, Tailwind is usually set-up safely. With the Speed-buff from Tailwind, some Effort Values in Speed are better reallocated to other stats.
• It can still function quite well even if Eject Button has been used due to its STAB Brave Bird.

Countering Talonflame

With a wide movepool, Talonflame can be difficult to counter during the first turn especially since it secures it often with Gale Wings which buff its Flying-Type Moves. Keep in mind that Stealth Rock can weaken it immensely. This makes it difficult for it to cycle with U-turn during the remainder of the battle. Similar to Stealth Rock, other Rock-Type Moves are troublesome to Talonflame as it takes quadruple damage from it.

Other recommended measures are Electric, Rock, Steel-Type Pokemon as these resist its STAB Flying-Type Attacks.

It’s possible to encounter variants that carry Will-o-Wisp, therefore Pokemon that resist its attacks and use Special Moves are preferred.

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