Blaziken in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC Regulation H: Best build, strategies, and more
Blaziken in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC has a lot of potential and can deal damage to a large chunk of viable critters. Regulation H has taken Legendary and Paradox Pokemon out of competitive play, bringing down the overall power level and allowing more diverse Pocket Monsters to find their place in the metagame.
Blaziken, in particular, has tools that are useful for setting up stats and dealing large bursts of damage. With the current meta arguably having the biggest cast of support options, it is easier than ever for this critter to make an impact in PvP matches.
Here is everything to know about using Blaziken in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC.
Why use Blaziken in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC?
Blaziken in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC has the Speed Boost hidden ability, which grants a free boost to its speed stat at the end of every turn. This means the critter can use a protecting move to keep it safe from damage, getting an activation of the ability with complete safety. This one buff is all the Pocket Monster needs to beat most of the competition.
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Blaziken has access to moves with triple-digit base power and 100% accuracy. Flare Blitz and Close Combat are its highest-damaging attacks.
Blaziken also has access to Acrobatics, which has 110 base power if the user is not holding a held item. By giving the Pocket Monster a consumable held item and having it activate, Acrobatics can still receive the boosted base power on the attack.
Strategies using Blaziken in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC
Blaziken makes excellent use of Eject Packs. This item switches out Blaziken if its stats are lowered by any means and is consumed upon being used. This means the Pocket Monster can enter battle, use a protection move, get a free speed buff, and then use Close Combat before switching out immediately after.
When Blaziken enters a fight after the first phase of this strategy, it can fire off strong Acrobatics attacks that can be boosted in power even further with the Flying Tera Type.
Of course, Blaziken will also have Close Combat and Flare Blitz to deal more than adequate Fire- and Fighting-type damage boosted by the Same-Type Attack Bonus.
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Blaziken pairs well with supporting allies that can slow down or weaken opponents, as well as those with redirection capabilities. With this in mind, picks like Electabuzz, Amoonguss, Sableye, and Meowstic can be invaluable when using Blaziken in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC.
Best build for Blaziken in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC
Here is the blueprint for a great build that players can use for Blaziken:
- Nature: Adamant (+ Attack, - Special Attack)
- Held item: Eject Pack
- Tera Type: Flying
- Effort Values: 252 Attack, 60 HP, 196 Speed
- Moves: Detect, Close Combat, Acrobatics, Flare Blitz
This moveset provides great offense and phasing capabilities, which allows Blaziken to keep itself safe under dangerous conditions. Detect allows it to buy time, keeping it safe to activate Speed Boost, while also wasting a turn of Rain or Trick Room.
The Flying Tera Typing can also be used defensively, as activating it makes Blaziken immune to popular Ground-type attacks like Headlong Rush and Earthquake. This can allow the critter to easily take down foes that would otherwise counter it like Ursaluna or Excadrill.
Counters for Blaziken in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC
Since Blaziken is a glass cannon built solely around dealing damage and keeping itself out of trouble, the counters to use against it depend heavily on the support has in the field.
Taking down Blaziken's partner as quickly as possible can leave it vulnerable to spread moves and priority. Being a speed pick, Trick Room is the biggest counter for strategies built around using Blaziken's damage. Speed Boost's activation after every turn practically guarantees that the Pocket Monster will always move last under Trick Room, proving to be quite the issue if it sits in for too long.