11-03-2009, 12:21 AM
![[Image: 157.png]](http://veekun.com/dex-images/platinum/157.png)
Ability
Blaze : When user’s HP drops below 1/3rd, Fire-type moves increases by 1.5 times.
Base Stats
HP: 78
Atk: 84
Def: 78
SpA: 109
SpD: 85
Spe: 100
Erupt-Typhlosion
Typhlosion @Choice Scarf
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 6 HP
Ability: Blaze
Moveset:
- Eruption
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice]/Hidden Power [Grass]
Typhlosion isn’t as bad as you would think. With decent stats in Speed and Special Attack, Typhlosion is capable to conducting a few sweeps before going down. Unfortunately, there isn’t much to choose from in its movepool to make full use of its Special Attack. On the brighter side though, Typhlosion does gain access to one of the most powerful Fire-type move – Eruption. The higher the HP of the user, the higher the damage done.
And that is why Choice Scarf is slapped onto this erupting beast. With Typhlosion acting first most of the time due to Timid Nature, max Speed EVs and Choice Scarf, Eruption is able to do optmum damage before taking a hit. However, as Typhlosion’s HP slowly wither down, Fire Blast becomes a better option, also getting STAB.
Fortunately, Typhlosion does learn Focus Blast, which is therefore, in his arsenal of moves. Focus Blast takes care of Regirock, Houndoom, and Clefable slightly harder than max Eruption. Don’t be fooled though, a Focus Blast coming from a 109 base Special Attack stat isn’t something to be laughing at, still causing plenty of damage even when Eruption becomes weak.
The last slot is very situational, and is up to preference. Hidden Power [Ice] allows Typhlosion to do plenty on Altaria and the like. Hidden Power [Grass] is mainly for things like Quagsire, Kabutops and Claydol, whom all easily wall or counter Typhlosion.
Max Speed is necessary to allow Eruption to do its up-most damage, but not fully necessary. One whom would prefer power over speed can easily swap Timid nature for a Modest nature to really floor the accelerator. If one were to be confident with Typhlosion’s Speed, then Choice Specs can replace Choice Scarf to deal plenty of damage, although putting max Eruption damage on the line.
Considering there are two Pokemon with the Flash Fire ability – Houndoom and Arcanine, a choice-locked Eruption or Fire Blast should be used very wisely. Acitvating their abilities might cause plenty of havoc considering Houndoom and Arcanine can easily sweep with two 50% boosts – one from Flash Fire and another from STAB.
In this case, it is necessary to have teammates that can help against Pokemon like these. An example would be Altaria, whom is pretty bulky and resists Fire-type moves. A bulky Water-type, such as Blastoise acts as a wonderful wall towards these Pokemon as well.
Howler-Typhlosion
Typhlosion @Salac Berry/Leftovers
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 6 HP
Ability: Blaze
Moveset:
- Howl
- Substitute/Rock Slide
- Focus Punch/Earthquake /Reversal
- Flare Blitz/Fire Punch
And this is where Typhlosion’s movepool really shines. With plenty of Physical moves to choose from, Typhlosion can easily get a Howl or two in, and sweep. Howl increases the user’s Attack stat by one stage, allowing Typhlosion to increase its petty 84 base Attack stat.
The second move decides the rest. If Substitute is used, then Focus Punch or Reversal becomes a viable option for the third move and Fire Punch takes the last slot. Substitute allows Typhlosion to safely increase its Attack and sweep behind a protection. Reversal does more damage when the user’s HP is low, while Focus Punch can easily take place behind a Substitute. Fire Punch then becomes a choice to avoid suicide from the recoil from Flare Blitz.
If Substitute is not used, however, Rock Slide can take its place, which gives type coverage. Rock Slide hits other fellow Fire-types as well which is definitely a plus, not forgetting Flying-types like Swellow. The third move, then opens up to Earthquake. Earthquake hits Drapion pretty well and disallows Nidoqueen to set up in front of Typhlosion.
And therefore, Flare Blitz becomes an instant pick. Not many can take a +2, or maybe even a +1 STAB Flare Blitz from Typhlosion. Imagine when Blaze gets activated.
Again, max Speed and Attack increase sweeping capabilities. Salac Berry is used preferably with Substitute, taking advantage of the slow, but steady increase of Attack stat. Leftovers, on the other hand, allows Typhlosion to stay in play longer and negate Stealth Rock damage in the long run.
Other Options
Typhlosion does gain a lot of Physical moves in its movepool, such as Low Kick which is exceptionally useful in the OU tier, being able to hit things like Heatproof Bronzong or Heatran if Typhlosion lacks Earthquake. It wouldn’t mind holding a Focus Sash to act as a lead Pokemon, while carrying Counter to deal atrocious damage to the likes of Metagross leads, Aerodactyl leads and the rare, Feraligatr lead.
Shadow Claw can also be used to gain more type coverage. ThunderPunch can take care of Water-types, especially in OU hitting Gyarados much harder than Flare Blitz or Eruption can.
The SunnyBeam combo is also part of Typhlosion’s arsenal, getting access to Solarbeam and Sunny Day. If a team lacks the inducing of status ailments, Typhlosion can always pack Lava Plume to (hopefully) burn a Pokemon or two, where Will-o-Wisp can do the same. Extrasensory also becomes an option, where Psychic-type moves gain quite a lot of coverage in the UU tier, hitting the likes of Nidoqueen, Hitmontop and a few more.
Opinion
100 base Speed is wonderful when compared to Arcanine’s and Houndoom’s 95 Speed, and only losing out to a few Pokemon, but its Special movepool isn’t very astounding to make full use of its 109 base Special Attack stat. When compared to other Special sweepers like Alakazam, Mismagius, or even Venusaur, Typhlosion doesn’t really stand out.
Blaze is very, very situational and is not as effective when compared to the abilities that other Special Sweeper has – Inner Focus (Alakazam), Levitate (Mismagius) or Synchronize (Espeon).
But as they say, every cloud has a silver lining.
With only 5 Fire-type Pokemon in the UU tier, Typhlosion does lose out to the likes of Houndoom and Arcanine whom have better abilities and better offensive stats. However, Typhlosion does gain an upper hand via Eruption, which is arguably the best Fire-type move depending on the situation.
Scarf-Typhlosion leads have little problem getting a kill or two, barring those packing Focus Sash, before having the need to switch out. Eruption does plenty of damage to practically anything not resisting to it in the UU tier. But again, Pokemon with Flash Fire can come into an Eruption/Fire Blast and sweep. However, this can be dealt with by having the right teammates around Typhlosion.
The Howler-Typhlosion does gain many, many moves to pick from as well, but without Howl, Typhlosion cannot really make the absolute maximum use of its movepool due to its very mediocre Attack stat.
Counters
Slowbro becomes a good example of a Typhlosion counter which doesn’t carry Hidden Power [Grass], as it can easily switch into Typhlosion, take a hit from Eruption or Focus Blast, recover the damage with Slack Off and set up in front of it. Altaria is superior towards Typhlosion that doesn’t carry Hidden Power [Ice], resisting Eruption/Fire Blast and Focus Blast, and then start to use Dragon Dance.
Milotic walls both the Howler-Typhlosion and Eruption-Typhlosion, easily taking a few hits, Recover or Rest-Sleep Talk it off, and get the kill with STAB Surf. Dugtrio cannot switch into a Choice Specs Eruption or a +1 Flare Blitz, but it can certainly revenge kill Typhlosion with ease, while Choice Scarf variations of Typhlosion can still take Dugtrio one-on-one. Thick Fat Miltank can cause lots of trouble as well.
May have a typo or two I guess. Was kinda rushing in finishing this. Please leave comments, suggestions, and do corrections, if you may.