Series 10 has developed rapidly in the weeks that have elapsed since the Pokemon 25th Anniversary Players’ Cup Invitationals. Most players would still structure their teams around fast Restricted Legendary Pokemon like Choice Scarf Kyogre, Geomancy Xerneas, Crowned Zacian, and Shadow Rider Calyrex. However, the maturing metagame has afforded more flexibility as different Pokemon get their time in the spotlight, as slower, methodical play starts its slow journey to the top.
Speed Control has always been an important aspect of VGC, especially so in the era of Dynamic Speed. As one of the only three legal priority Tailwind setters, it is somewhat interesting that Talonflame isn’t utilized as much as the likes of Whimsicott and Tornadus Incarnate. After all, the Scorching Pokemon was still an honorary member of the Big 6 core from VGC 2016. Considering the less than favorable development since Generation VI, is Talonflame still worth a shot in Series 10?
- Gale Wings
- Gale Wings, for all the nerfs to it in Generation VII, remains an Ability that is somewhat comparable to Prankster. For the sake of setting up Tailwind, you still get that priority as long as Talonflame has full HP.
- When it comes to status moves, it is not a straightforward verdict. Yes, Talonflame does lose that guaranteed outspeed. However, the Scorching Pokemon isn’t affected by Psychic Terrain and Queenly Majesty, when utilizing a fast Taunt.
- Gale Wings grants a +1 priority to all Flying Type moves (when the user is at full HP). What this means is that its Flying Type STAB gains equivalent priority, so players could definitely sneak in the KO on Whimsicott with either Dual Wingbeat or Hurricane before the latter can set up Tailwind!
- Gale Wings, for all the nerfs to it in Generation VII, remains an Ability that is somewhat comparable to Prankster. For the sake of setting up Tailwind, you still get that priority as long as Talonflame has full HP.
- Good Base Speed
- At a Base Speed of 126, Talonflame comfortably outspeeds its priority Tailwind setting brethren. This, combined with a boosting Hold Item like Expert Belt or Sharp Beak, allows Talonflame to get that crucial aforementioned KO on Whimsicott.
Talonflame definitely has its appealing strengths, as listed above. However, for it not to be utilized more by the general community, it usually hints at major drawbacks that would deter would-be users. Understanding the limitations of the Scorching Pokemon will be key to having it perform to its maximum capacity.
- Poor Base Offense
- 81 and 74 just aren’t good Base Offense numbers no matter which way you cut it, least of all in a metagame that sees a strong saturation of Legendary Pokemon. Considering that it isn’t particularly bulky either, Talonflame will struggle to pull off a haul outside of setting up Tailwind.
- Common Type Weaknesses
- Another notable drawback to Talonflame is that its Type Weaknesses are pretty common in VGC.
- Rock Type (Tyranitar, Entei, Landorus)
- Talonflame’s Type combination sees it take 4x damage from Rock Type moves. Considering the traditional powerhouse in Rock Slide, this is not a good weakness to have. Tyranitar’s Sand Stream breaks Gale Wings, while it naturally resists Talonflame’s STAB moves. Entei is known to carry Stone Edge while being immune to Will O Wisp. Meanwhile, the efficiency of Landorus and its accompanying threat of Rock Slide makes it a notable adversary.
- Electric Type (Regieleki)
- Two layers of Electroweb effectively negate the benefits offered by Tailwind, if it doesn’t KO Talonflame outright. This is concerning, as Regieleki is still comfortably faster against Tailwind after netting that -1.
- Water Type (Kyogre)
- Kyogre is the top billing of this section with its powerful Rain boosted STAB. Rain also nerfs the damage on Talonflame’s Fire Type STAB, if it chooses to carry one.
- Rock Type (Tyranitar, Entei, Landorus)
- Another notable drawback to Talonflame is that its Type Weaknesses are pretty common in VGC.
When under the right care, Talonflame is an asset that can pay massive dividends to players who are willing to make that investment. A sample construction template for use in Series 10 is provided below:
Talonflame @ Wide Lens / Focus Sash / Expert Belt
Ability: Gale Wings
Level: 50
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
– Heat Wave / Overheat
– Hurricane
– Tailwind
– Will-O-Wisp / Taunt / Protect
- Hold Item
- Wide Lens gives Talonflame the accuracy boost it needs to land its move with more confidence, even if it is still not guaranteed. If that has been taken up by an ally like Tsareena, the counter narrative in Bright Powder may be considered to give the Scorching Sands Pokemon a better chance to evade Regieleki’s Electroweb.
- Focus Sash helps to keep Talonflame alive from one powerful hit, which is usually much appreciated considering its below-average bulk.
- Players looking for more damage would do well with the Expert Belt.
- Moves
- Going Special instead of Physical allows players to ignore Intimidate, and it is actually a reasonable strategy seeing as the Base Stats are just 7 points apart.
- Despite both only having 90% accuracy, Heat Wave and Overheat are the two best options for Talonflame’s Fire Type STAB. The former allows players to ignore redirection, while the latter has much higher Base Power to make up for Talonflame’s mediocre Base Special Attack. Players do need to note that Overheat does have that unfortunate -2 drawback, so that nuke should be conserved well.
- Hurricane is what allows Special Talonflame to be even worth contemplating. Its low Base accuracy is problematic, though that becomes unmissable when under Rain. That said, Rain does nerf Talonflame’s own Fire Type damage, so set it with care.
- The last slot, if not reserved for Protect, should be given to a move that can help improve the team’s performance against unfavorable matchups.
- Will O Wisp is a nice way to penalize Physical strikers like Crowned Zacian and Ice Rider Calyrex and keep their damage in check.
- Taunt helps to deny unwanted play like Trick Room, Spore, Parting Shot, or even opposing non-priority Tailwind.
- Going Special instead of Physical allows players to ignore Intimidate, and it is actually a reasonable strategy seeing as the Base Stats are just 7 points apart.
Damage Calculation
252 SpA Talonflame Hurricane vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Whimsicott: 168-198 (123.5 – 145.5%) — guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Talonflame Hurricane vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Urshifu-Rapid-Strike: 198-234 (112.5 – 132.9%) — guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Talonflame Overheat vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Rillaboom: 204-242 (98.5 – 116.9%) — 87.5% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Talonflame Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Rillaboom: 174-206 (84 – 99.5%) — guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252 SpA Talonflame Hurricane vs. 196 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 126-150 (68.1 – 81%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Talonflame Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Rillaboom: 116-138 (56 – 66.6%) — guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
#
252 SpA Expert Belt Talonflame Overheat vs. 252 HP / 12 SpD Tsareena: 187-223 (104.4 – 124.5%) — guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Expert Belt Talonflame Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Rillaboom: 209-247 (100.9 – 119.3%) — guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Expert Belt Talonflame Overheat vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zacian-Crowned: 161-194 (96.4 – 116.1%) — 81.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Expert Belt Talonflame Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 12 SpD Tsareena: 158-187 (88.2 – 104.4%) — 25% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Expert Belt Talonflame Overheat vs. 244 HP / 76+ SpD Amoonguss: 182-218 (82.7 – 99%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Expert Belt Talonflame Hurricane vs. 196 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 151-180 (81.6 – 97.2%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Expert Belt Talonflame Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 12 SpD Assault Vest Tsareena: 103-125 (57.5 – 69.8%) — guaranteed 2HKO
While its heyday has since passed, Talonflame is still capable of pulling off an upset. The skills that it provides to the team are still highly valuable. What it needs is a team where it can flit in and out to snipe at the opposition and provide support. Good teammates to consider are listed below:
- Kyogre / Crowned Zacian
- Kyogre and Crowned Zacian represent two of the Restricted Legendary Pokemon that really appreciates Tailwind support. While other candidates may do the same job, the other benefits that Talonflame provides are arguably more useful.
- The Rain teams that Kyogre often appears on usually detest the matchup against Ferrothorn (and to a lesser extent, Amoonguss). Now enter Talonflame, a Pokemon that compresses Tailwind setting and Fire Type coverage into one. If Gale Wings is still active, its priority Flying Type STAB becomes exceptionally effective at dealing with other Grass Type adversaries, like Rillaboom. This is especially so with Talonflame now getting Hurricane, which cannot miss while under Rain.
- Crowned Zacian appreciates additional support against mirror matchups. Players could even use Quick Guard on Talonflame to help the Warrior Pokemon set up a Substitute against the threat of Fake Out.
- Kyogre and Crowned Zacian represent two of the Restricted Legendary Pokemon that really appreciates Tailwind support. While other candidates may do the same job, the other benefits that Talonflame provides are arguably more useful.
- Landorus Incarnate
- Talonflame’s vulnerability to Regieleki is aptly handled by Landorus Incarnate, who can use the Tailwind boost from the Scorching Pokemon to outspeed and KO with STAB Earth Power. Meanwhile, Talonflame’s Fire Type STAB comes in handy against the rare Ice Type Pokemon that strike the Abundance Pokemon for 4x super effective damage.
- Tsareena
- A useful way to negate the need for Talonflame to run Quick Guard is to run Tsareena, whose Grass Type STAB is greatly appreciated for dealing with the Rock Type and/or Water Type threats to the Scorching Pokemon. Need to quickly eliminate Landorus Incarnate? Just Tailwind and snipe with Triple Axel. Players can also run Taunt on Tsareena to save another move slot on Talonflame, or vice versa.
MYSVGC 