Stratos
Banned deucer.
CAW
[Pros]
<p>Talonflame's role is very straightforward: be faster than fast. Gale Wings gives its Flying-type attacks boosted priority, which, in addition to its already blazing 126 base Speed, makes it the perfect choice for picking off any weakened threat, as it is almost guaranteed to outspeed. Its Brave Bird is the strongest +1 priority move in the game by a fairly wide margin and, when combined with Flare Blitz, has great coverage. Furthermore, it is a great choice for fast teams that struggle with Trick Room, as it has a very fast Taunt and can still use its +1 priority moves if Trick Room does happen to go up. If all else fails, it has a priority Tailwind&emdash;a very useful suicide move.</p>
[Cons]
<p>Unfortunately, Talonflame runs into a lot of trouble when it comes to base stats. Aside from Speed, its numbers are decidedly worse than mediocre, having a lower main attacking stat than Amoonguss. Furthermore, its defenses are absolutely terrible, between its low base stats, weaknesses to common Water- and Rock-type attacks, and penchant for KOing itself with its STAB moves. All this adds up to Talonflame being absolutely hopeless in a damage war against bulky Pokemon and very liable to be KOed.</p>
[Set Recommendations]
<p>Talonflame @ Life Orb<br />
Ability: Gale Wings<br />
EVs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe<br />
Adamant Nature<br />
- Brave Bird<br />
- Flare Blitz<br />
- Taunt / Protect<br />
- Protect / Tailwind<br />
<p>Talonflame's main goal is to hit things with a priority Brave Bird; the rest of his moves are for when that doesn't suffice. Flare Blitz provides additional coverage, while Taunt helps Talonflame deal with bulkier Pokemon and Tailwind lets Talonflame throw out emergency support against faster teams that it cannot handle on its own. It is advised to pick only one of these so that Talonflame has room for Protect, but both can be run.</p>
<p>Talonflame @ Choice Band<br />
Ability: Gale Wings<br />
EVs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe<br />
Adamant Nature<br />
- Brave Bird<br />
- Flare Blitz<br />
- U-turn<br />
- Steel Wing / Return<br />
<p>Life Orb Talonflame is not powerful enough to OHKO most common offensive Pokemon. That's where Choice Band Talonflame comes in. It forgoes the ability to choose its moves in exchange for extra attacking power that helps it secure KOs, such as a guaranteed OHKO against 252 HP Hitmontop and a chance at one versus Hydreigon. Brave Bird and Flare Blitz, as above, are mandatory STAB, while U-turn is incredibly weak but better than a dry switch. Return is the fourth option mostly for want of a better move, but it does deal better damage to Rotom-W than anything else.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Bulkier Pokemon that don't fear Taunt are the best answer to Talonflame, as it doesn't have enough power to win in a slugfest. Of these, three stand out above the rest: Tyranitar, who resists both of Talonflame's STAB moves and can return with super effective STAB, Rotom-W, who does the same, and Slowbro, who can easily tank a Brave Bird and return a Scald, while also being immune to Talonflame's Taunt if Oblivious or being able to heal off the damage if Regenerator. Failing one of these surefire counters, the best way to handle Talonflame is to remove its Speed through Thunder Wave or Trick Room. Though Talonflame will still have its fast Brave Bird, everything else will become garbage.</p>
[Pros]
Talonflame @ Life Orb
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Taunt / Protect
- Tailwind / Protect
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- U-turn
- Steel Wing / Return
- priority brave bird is the strongest priority in the game by a lot
- really good coverage between his dual stabs
- even when not using prio is v fast (outspeeds 110s by one point if adamant—troll hard)
- prio twind good suicide move
- fast taunt
- is good at picking off damaged fast things, makes a good poke for fast teams who want something that still works under TR
- basically everything else lol
- really frail and weak to common things like water, electric, and rock
- only 81 base attack so it really doesnt hit that hard
- if your opponent doesnt want to help then you can end up killing yourself with flare blitz and brave bird
Talonflame @ Life Orb
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Taunt / Protect
- Tailwind / Protect
- hit opponents with brave bird 99% of the time
- flare blitz for the other 1%
- pick between taunt and tailwind, or go with both and eschew protect
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- U-turn
- Steel Wing / Return
- LO talonflame (as embarrassing as this is) doesn't pack enough punch
- use choice band to trade your good non-attacking moves for more power
- for example: now have a chance to ohko hydreigon, now ohko hitmontop always
- steel wing for fairies and rocks, return for rotom-w
- TTAR
- Rotom-W
- bulkier mons dgaf except about taunt
- trick room and thunder wave TO AN EXTENT—still has its flying moves but other moves will b nerfed
Last edited: