... Explain please how Gallade wouldn't survive the first hit if set up right, without Focus Band?
Actually, Gallade will fall on the first hit with Flare Blitz, since Arcanine is faster. Find a damage calculator and see what I mean.
If the EVs and nature were set to be a Sweeper, the least amount of damage will be ~147%, an OHKO, even with 31 IVs in HP and Defense.
Since period can't understand why Arcanine isn't as great as Infernape, I guess I will do a guide for Arcanine. I'm not saying it is a bad Pokemon, but...
So today's Pokemon is...
<--That is pretty much pointless since I already have mentioned it...ARCANINE!!!
Type: FIREAbility: Intimidate - Lowers the opponent's attack by one stage when it comes into battle. Will not take effect if the opposing Pokemon switches out to another Pokemon and the Pokemon with Intimidate stays.
Flash Fire - Fire-type moves as well as Will O Wisp are boosted to 1.5x power when hit with a Fire-Type move.
Stats: | HP | 90 |
| Atck | 110 |
| Def | 80 |
| Sp. Atck | 100 |
| Sp. Def | 80 |
| Speed | 95 |
Author's Opinion: In the 3rd Generation, it suffered the lack of a STAB Fire Move as well as a variety of moves. Now, it has Flare Blitz, but still has problems having a variety of moves. It is too powerful for the UU tier, but not enough to make it into OU. It is a decent Pokemon, but go with Infernape or Blaziken if you want more of a kick to attack and/or speed as well as a Stealth Rock resistance, which is a problem for Arcanine.
Recommended Movesets:Nature: Jolly/Adamant
Item: Choice Band/Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atck/252 Speed
~ Flare Blitz
~ Thunder Fang
~ Extreme Speed
~ Iron Head/Iron Tail/Overheat/Fire Blast
Go for Intimidate, since there aren't that many Fire moves in OU as well as UU. Flare Blitz is your main STAB choice here, and Thunder Fang causes ruckus to Water types. Extreme Speed is an interesting move, which can hit Pokemon that are faster than it and are more fragile. You have several options for the last moveslot. Iron Tail for more power, but less accuracy as well as a chance for lower defense, and Iron Head for Flinch Rate, 100% accuracy, and less power.
Nature: Timid/Modest
Item: Choice Specs/Leftovers
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 4 HP/252 Sp. Attack/252 Speed
~ Flamethrower
~ Dragon Pulse
~ Hidden Power (GRASS)/Hidden Power (GROUND)
~ Overheat/Fire Blast/Toxic
The special variant of Arcanine is rather limited too. Flamethrower is the main option, while Dragon Pulse hits Dragon types that resist Fire. Hidden Power covers up its lack of moves for Special Attack, but different types have different advantages. Hidden Power Grass gives you coverage against Water, Ground, and Rock-type Pokemon, but Hidden Power Ground hits Heatran as well as coverage against Rock types. Overheat for a burst of power, Fire Blast for its ability to not lose Sp. Attack, and Toxic can mess up Bulky Waters, so it will make a decent option in your roster.
Countering Arcanine:Bulky Waters easily counter all variants of Arcanine if it doesn't have Toxic. Thunder Fang might sting though.
If it doesn't have a Steel typed move or Hidden Power Grass or Ground, then Rock types with high defenses like Tyranitar can wall it and make quick work of it.
Heatran can wall Arcanine on and on and on if it doesn't have Hidden Power Ground.
Stealth Rock can reduce its ability to last long in battle so bring in a Rapid Spinner to safely bring out Arcanine.
