Incineroar, the Heel Pokémon. When its fighting spirit is set alight, the flames around its waist become especially intense. After hurling ferocious punches and flinging furious kicks, it finishes opponents off by spewing fire from around its navel.
Overview
Incineroar’s great fame in Doubles does not translate well to Singles. While Intimidate is potent in Singles, it is not as game defining as it is in Doubles. Fire Dark is also rather detrimental as a typing in Singles, having four common weaknesses including exposure to all entry hazards belies the good number of resistances Fire normally boasts. Lack of recovery outside of the non-STAB Drain Punch and Leech Life also hurts, as Incineroar is very much reliant on its bulk to function due to its poor Speed otherwise forcing it to tank attacks before acting. Flare Blitz as Incineroar’s main STAB further exasperates this issue, requiring it to ruin its defense to apply offense. The number of excellent defensive Fire types gives further competition for Incineroar’s role, with Moltres, Arcanine, Skeledirge, and Rotom Heat all offering superior resistances, recovery and or both.
If there is one thing Incineroar doesn’t lack though, it’s utility. Knock Off, Parting Shot, Will-O-Wisp, Taunt give Incineroar plenty of tools to harass and harry the opponent. Incineroar’s slow speed and Intimidate pair well with U-Turn and Parting Shot, making Incineroar an incredibly reliable pivot. Incineroar isn’t exactly passive either, with a good base 115 Attack, great STABs, Swords Dance, and decent coverage to back it up. Decent HP and defenses along with the wide array of resistances Incineroar possesses enable Incineroar to endure attacks and use its toolkit. Intimidate enables Incineroar to act as an aggressive pivot, ruining physical attackers’ offense as it comes in and help maintain momentum. Incineroar fails to reach the highs it does in Doubles due to the difference in formats, though its bulk and brawn makes it an interesting choice nonetheless.
Positives
95/90/90 Defenses coupled with Intimidate is fairly bulky, enabling Incineroar to soak up multiple strikes.
Base 115 Attack coupled with Swords Dance and fantastic STABs in Knock Off and Flare Blitz is fairly impressive on what is otherwise a defensive Pokémon.
Fantastic movepool with plenty of eclectic pivoting and disruptive options found on few other Pokémon.
Negatives
Fire Dark offers several extremely common weaknesses and vulnerability to Stealth Rocks cuts deeply into Incineroar’s bulk.
A paltry 60 Speed means Incineroar will outrun few targets.
No recovery outside of non-STAB Draining attacks leaves Incineroar prone to being worn down.
Movesets
Kneel to the Heel
-Swords Dance
-Trailblaze
-Knock Off
-Flare Blitz
Ability: Intimidate
Item: Heavy Duty Boots
EVs and Nature:
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
A Double Dance Incineroar set, Incineroar takes advantage of its great bulk and Intimidate to easily setup both Swords Dance and Trailblaze and attempt to sweep, while still possessing defensive utility for its team. Trailblaze is preferred for speed boosting given its extremely synergistic Grass coverage and synergy with Terastalization. Knock Off is the preferred STAB, being extremely spammable thanks to its item disruption effect. Deprive walls like Hippowdon and Gargnacl of their Leftovers, attackers like Crawdaunt of their Choice Band and they become that much less threatening. Flare Blitz is the main muscle of the set, its Fire STAB fantastic for obliterating targets like Kingambit, Venusaur, Scizor, and doing considerable damage in general. Knock Off and Intimidate give this set flexibility, enabling it to bluff a defensive Incineroar set and ensure Incineroar isn’t dead weight in games where pulling off a sweep looks unlikely.
Tera Types:
Due to reliance of Trailblaze, this Incineroar likes Terastalizing to Grass to get both the STAB and power bump to turn it into viable coverage and get the jump on opponents looking to exploit Incineroar’s common Water, Ground and Rock weaknesses. If running Flame Charge over Trailblaze, Tera Fire becomes recommended, boosting both Flame Charge and Flare Blitz to utterly absurd levels, at +2 able to OHKO Latios outright as well as Keldeo after Stealth Rock. Tera Dark is another offensive option, turning Knock Off into a weapon of mass destruction on top of how spammable it is and removing some of Incineroar’s weaknesses. If using Fighting coverage, Tera Fighting becomes viable, especially if running Drain Punch for extra healing, though Incineroar is not reliant on Terastalizing as it would be for Grass Trailblaze or Fire Flame Charge.
EVs and Items:
Standard Sweeper array of Max Speed and Attack to get the most out of both Trailblaze and Swords Dance. Max Speed is heavily recommended given Incineroar’s low speed needing all the help it can get. At +1 Max Speed Jolly Incineroar can outspeed Pokémon at base 110 Speed like Latios, Latias, Cornerstone Ogerpon, and Keldeo. Dropping down to a neutral nature has Incineroar speed tie with max Base 100 Pokémon like Salamence, Entei, and Tentacruel while missing out on the above listed threats. Heavy Duty Boots is highly recommended as the item for keeping Incineroar healthy enough to setup safely. Thanks to it being a common item on defensive sets, it also serves the dual purpose of bluffing a defensive Incineroar until it is too late. Other options include the Sitrus berry for burst healing to guarantee setup as well as Leftovers for persistent healing while setting up and attacking.
Partners:
Hazard setters in general love Incineroar for its Knock Offs removing Heavy Duty Boots, exposing Hazard removers and all sorts of other Pokémon that equip them. Chestnaught is an incredible example, its Grass Fighting typing being incredibly synergistic with Incineroar’s Fire Dark, threatening opposing Water, Dark, Ground and Rock types that may give Incineroar trouble, while Incineroar can use Chestnaught’s Psychic and Fire weaknesses as an easy way to pivot in. Cobalion also makes for a decent partner, dealing with opposing Dark types, crippling with Thunder Wave and making for a good pivot with Volt Switch. Other good hazard setting partners include Greninja, and Gastrodon for a decent Water-Fire core.
Pivots that can lure walls in that Incineroar can setup on are also greatly appreciated. Swampert is a great example, drawing in Grass attackers and pivoting out with Flip Turn while also providing Stealth Rock support. Basculegion is possibly even more synergistic, given it draws in Dark and Ghost attackers as well. Jirachi is another excellent pivot, drawing in Steel types and even possessing Healing Wish to enable Incineroar to come in for a second go round at a sweep. Pivoting partners are especially recommended if Incineroar is running U-Turn, enabling it to act as the cornerstone of a VoltTurn core.
Other Options:
U-Turn offers a powerful pivoting option, and while it may seem counter-intuitive to wipe away your boosts, Incineroar’s Intimidate is worth recycling and a Swords Dance boosted U-Turn still stings.
Bulk Up, while far less explosive than Swords Dance, offers a Defense boost, which can make Incineroar impossibly bulky against an Intimidated opponent.
Drain Punch offers great coverage against opposing Dark and Rock types that can give Incineroar trouble with its STABs along with offering some sorely needed recovery.
Darkest Lariet lacks the supreme utility of Knock Off and is weaker on the initial hit, but keeps its power on itemless opponents, and can bypass foes that use Iron Defense like Garganacl.
Earthquake offers coverage against opposing Fire and Rock types like Entei, Rhyperior, and Volcanion that can otherwise cause issues for Incineroar.
Road Block
-Knock Off
-Parting Shot
-Will-O-Wisp
-Taunt
Ability: Intimidate
Item: Heavy Duty Boots
EVs and Nature:
252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Careful Nature
Defensive Incineroar takes advantage of its disruptive tools to ruin an opposing team’s offense and leave them vulnerable for Incineroar’s teammates to capitalize on. Knock Off is this Incineroar’s sole offensive move, and while more for disruption, it is an excellent move nonetheless, able to deal significant damage while depriving the opponent of their item. Parting Shot is a superlative defyingly good switch move, sinking any targets offenses, making it safer for whatever switches in and often provoking a switch from the opponent in turn, swinging momentum in your favor. Will-O-Wisp permanently cripples most physical attackers such as Scrafty, Torterra, and Crawdaunt , while Taunt gives Incineroar more utility against defensive Pokémon, like Slowbro, Quagsire, and Bellibolt that might otherwise using Incineroar to setup. This Incineroar fits better on bulky offense, and defensive teams that can better take advantage of the openings Incineroar creates to setup, whether it be hazards or for a sweep.
Tera Types:
Incineroar doesn’t need to Terastalize all that often for this set. Its job is to soak hits and blunt the opponents fangs so that a more offensive ally can capitalize. When it must Terastalize this Incineroar prizes defensive typings like Water, for being able to better endure opposing Water types. Water is preferred over Grass here for the better overall defensive profile and Water types often struggling to carry coverage for opposing Water types, as opposed to Grass types. Bug is another stellar option, offering valuable Fighting and Ground resistances, two types Incineroar has trouble with.
EVs and Items:
EVs are to maximize Special bulk via HP and Special Defense. Incineroar has several options to patch up its physical defense, through both Intimidate and Will-O-Wisp, so investing in its Special Defense that it can’t so easily patch is prudent. One could also EV Incineroar entirely for Defense and have another teammate answer Special Attackers. Heavy Duty Boots is heavily recommended as the item, for this Incineroar will be pivoting constantly, and entry hazards will eat Incineroar alive. If confident on your hazard control, Rocky Helmet is another good alternative. Incineroar often draws physical Fighting attacks which trigger Rocky Helmet, enabling Incineroar to play offense while on defense.
Partners:
Hazard setters love Incineroar for Knock Off, and even more so for this set given the number of switches Incineroar forces with Parting Shot. Forretress loves Incineroar for being able to eat Fire attacks, while having access to nearly every hazard and a slow pivot in Volt Switch to maintain positioning on the opponent. Chestnaught also makes a great partner for its synergistic typing and threatening opposing Dark and Water types while Incineroar makes a great pivot into Psychic types.
Setup sweepers synergize incredibly well with this Incineroar set appreciating Parting Shot getting them in safely and easing setup. Enamrous Therian is a key example, easily able to grab a free boost from a weakened opponent and snowball from there, while being a direct threat to Fighting and Dark types as well as a safe option against Ground types. Calm Mind Raikou is another example, appreciating the Intimidate, Will-O-Wisp and Parting Shot making it easy to grab Calm Minds, while threatening Incineroar’s checks with Electric STAB, and Scald.
Other Options:
U-Turn is Incineroar’s other pivoting option and sometimes you just need to do chip damage to break Focus Sash or Sturdy.
Doubles and VGC Options
Regarded as one of the best VGC Pokémon of all time, eclipsing even legendaries in usage, Incineroar is unmatched in the utility it provides. Everything comes together for Incineroar in Doubles. Intimidate is amazing in doubles, passively reducing the physical damage your team takes. Fire Dark is amazing in doubles, with Dark blocking the numerous Prankster users running about while Fire offers key resistances and offense, such to obliterate Steel types that many Pokémon struggle with while possessing a Fairy neutrality unlike most other Dark types. Even in moves Incineroar is blessed, having many unique options to harry an opponent or safely reposition without losing momentum, even gaining a powerful support tool in Helping Hand that further incentivizes defensive sets. All of this often makes Incineroar the glue to any team it is on, helping a team switch modes, blunt offense, stop setup or chip the opponent. While it is uncommon that it will be taking KOs, good use of Incineroar will dictate the pace of the battle and must be planned for.
VGC Champ
-Fake Out
-Parting Shot
-Knock Off
-Helping Hand
Ability: Intimidate
Item: Sitrus Berry
Tera Type: Grass/Poison
EVs and Nature:
252 HP / 8 Atk / 124 Def / 124 SDef
Careful Nature
A variation on Incineroar’s most common Doubles set, it provides all the utility expected of Incineroar. Fake Out pairs wonderfully with Intimidate as an opening gambit, stopping key turn one setup such as Trick Room or Tailwind, or flinching a threat that could otherwise pick up a quick knock out or just snowball out of control. Parting Shot pairs wonderfully with Incineroar’s mission of reducing damage by not only further sinking an opponent’s offenses, but switching Incineroar out, resetting Intimidate and Fake Out to be used again. Incineroar’s low speed making it a great slow pivot to get an ally in safely further increases the insane value Parting Shot provides. Knock Off again provides invaluable disruption. Removing an Iron Hands or Archuladon’s Assault Vest makes them that much easier to break through, and Choice Specs Flutter Mane isn’t as near as overwhelming without said item. One can even remove Covert Cloaks and Clear Amulets so Incineroar can Fake Out and Intimidate targets later in the match. Helping Hand enables Incineroar to provide offensive support, even when playing on defense, enabling allies to reach KOs otherwise not possible. Incineroar works well with just about any Pokémon and really should only not be considered if you already have plenty of damage mitigation, or if using Incineroar would open an especially common weakness on your team.
Part of Incineroar’s insane flexibility comes from the sheer freedom one has in being able to assign EVs. The distribution here is focused on giving a balanced defensive spread, enabling Incineroar to reliably tank attacks from both ends of the spectrum, with a Careful Nature to better shore up the matchup against Specs Flutter Mane, enabling Incineroar to not be 2HKOd by Specs Moonblast thanks to the Sitrus Berry as well as avoid the OHKO from Iron Bundle Hydro Pump. If one wants to make Incineroar more offensive, one can assign EVs to attack. Already have a physical or special bulwark? Invest EVs in the area not covered by the other tank. Even Speed investment is worth consideration, namely to outspeed other Incineroar to get your Incineroar’s Fake Out off first. Tera Grass is recommended for the provided resistances to Water and Ground while maintaining a resistance to Grass, though Poison is worth considering for the Fairy and Fighting resistances.
Other Options & Partners:
Flare Blitz is incredibly popular on Incineroar for good reason; it leaves Incineroar far from passive, able to provide good damage with Incineroar’s good Attack and great Fire type coverage.
Snarl further chips the opponent and provides a spread Special Attack drop to compliment Intimidate’s physical.
Will-O-Wisp is niche, but great when you really need to cripple a physical attacker for the rest of the match.
Assault Vest is valued for greatly increasing Incineroar's special bulk, making it especially hard to take down, and having enough attacking moves to offer a similar level of utility, swapping out Parting Shot for U-Turn.
While Incineroar works well with many Pokémon, Rillaboom stands head and shoulders above the rest. Not only providing a sold Fire-Grass defensive core, but also setting up Grassy Terrain providing sorely needed passive recovery so Incineroar can keep doing Incineroar things, but also blunt Earthquake damage.
Countering Incineroar
Knock Off always complicates providing checks and counters, as regardless of the matchup, losing your hold item is so detrimental that it can prevent the Pokémon from performing its role later in the battle.
Physical walls can take advantage of Incineroar’s Attack to find opportunities to switch in and threaten it out. Rhyperior is a key example, able to tank even Swords Dance boosted STABs and threaten back a OHKO with its own, though Trailblaze does become problematic after a Swords Dance as does Tera Dark boosted STABs. Quagsire lacks the immediate power of Rhyperior, but otherwise handle’s Incineroar well aside from Trailblaze. Kommo-o is one of the best switch ins to offensive Incineroar, resisting both STABs and most coverage, while being able to threaten back with Fighting STAB or start setting up on Incineroar. Other bulky Water and Fighting types like Tauros Aqua Breed, and Vaporeon can do well, but Incineroar can get out of hand after a Swords Dance, especially if it Terastalizes.
Defensive sets are maddening to deal with as well. Despite not being as potent offensively, Incineroar likes using Parting Shot to pivot for a teammate, using your would-be counter as setup fodder. As such offensive Pokémon that can OHKO Incineroar through its shenanigans are greatly appreciated. Crawdaunt and Azumarill while slower, can do horrific damage with Aqua Jet, even through Intimidate. STAB attackers Mienshao, Mamoswine, Slither Wing, and Lycanroc-Dusk can’t switch in safely, but all threaten OHKOs. Mamoswine is especially annoying, being able to ignore Intimidate with Oblivious.
Competitive and Defiant Pokémon like Milotic, Empoleon, and Galarian Zapdos also cause trouble for sets with Parting Shot, as their very presence ensures that Incineroar can’t freely Parting Shot without giving them a huge boost.
Regardless of set, Incineroar is reliant on its bulk to survive and will often be pivoting to take advantage of Intimidate, so laying down Stealth Rocks does wonders in cutting down Incineroar. Incineroar’s lack of reliable recovery is also a pain point, preventing it from taking multiple big hits and leaving it to be quickly worn down.
Locations in Games
Red/Blue/Yellow:
Not in game
Gold/Silver/Crystal:
Not in game
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Not in game
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Not in game
Colosseum/XD:
Not in game
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Not in game
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Not in game
Black/White:
Not in game
Black 2/White 2:
Not in game
X/Y:
Not in game
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Not in game
Sun/Moon:
Evolve Torracat
Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon:
Evolve Torracat
Let's Go, Pikachu!/Let's Go, Eevee!:
Not in game
Sword/Shield:
Evolve Torracat
Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl:
Not in game
Legends: Arceus:
Not in game
Scarlet/Violet:
Evolve Torracat
Anime Appearences
