The Strengths of Incineroar in Pokémon VGC Competitions

Since its debut in Generation 7, Incineroar has established itself as a dominant force in competitive Pokémon battles, particularly within the VGC (Video Game Championships) scene. Currently, in the ongoing VGC24 Regulation G meta, this feline fighter boasts an impressive usage rate of 76.81%. This competitive format notably accommodates a variety of powerful, restricted Pokémon, including legendaries such as Kyogre, Miraidon, and Zacian-Crowned.

To understand why Incineroar has become such a formidable player in the competitive arena, we will focus on its capabilities specifically in Doubles battles, rather than its performance in Singles.

The Strengths of Incineroar in VGC

Incineroar and Litten at the Blueberry Academy (Image via The Pokemon Company)

In the context of competitive Pokémon, four critical aspects determine a Pokémon’s effectiveness:

Base Stats
Typing
Ability
Movepool

By examining these factors in relation to the formidable Heel Pokémon, we can clearly see why Incineroar has found so much success.

Base Stats

Incineroar possesses a solid Base Stat Total of 530, typical for a fully evolved starter Pokémon. The distribution emphasizes its 115 Attack and a relatively low 60 Speed, creating a unique niche in battle. Notably, its defensive stats of 95 HP, 90 Defense, and 90 Special Defense endow it with remarkable bulk, allowing it to withstand physical and special hits effectively through EV adjustments.

Typing

The dual Fire and Dark typing of Incineroar provides a range of strategic benefits. For instance, its Fire typing neutralizes vulnerabilities to Fairy-type moves and the prevalent Bug-type move, U-Turn. Meanwhile, its Dark typing grants immunity against status moves from Pokémon like Klefki and Whimsicott, enhancing Incineroar’s durability in battle.

Ability

Incineroar’s standard ability, Blaze, may not stand out, but its hidden ability, Intimidate, is highly prized in competitive settings. Upon entering the fray, Intimidate lowers the Attack of opposing Pokémon, effectively diminishing their offensive output. This ability, especially when used strategically through switches, weakens physical attackers on the opposing side drastically.

Movepool

Incineroar’s extensive movepool features various tools that capitalize on its strengths. Key moves include:

Fake Out: Provides priority and potential flinching in the initial turn.
Will-O-Wisp: Inflicts burn status on physical attackers, reducing their effectiveness.
Knock Off: Disrupts opponents by removing their held items.
Parting Shot: Offers a tactical pivot while simultaneously diminishing an opponent’s stats.

These moves position Incineroar as an outstanding support Pokémon, capable of swaying the battle in favor of its team.

Utilizing Incineroar in VGC: Tera Strategy, Items, and Nature

In the current competitive landscape, where Terastallization allows Pokémon to temporarily change types, many players opt to transform Incineroar into a Ghost type. This strategy helps it evade being affected by other Pokémon’s Fake Out moves, including that from fellow Incineroar. Alternate Tera types, such as Grass or Water, can also be employed to reduce damage from formidable attacks like Kyogre’s Water Spout.

The optimal nature for Incineroar is typically Impish (increasing Defense while lowering Special Attack).However, certain builds may utilize Jolly (increasing Speed while lowering Special Attack) to ensure it can outspeed rival Incineroars. Among item choices, Rocky Helmet can be effective for passive damage against opponents utilizing contact moves, while Sitrus Berry provides a valuable health recovery option.

Source&Images