Combusken Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Sky Uppercut is Combusken's strongest Fighting-type STAB option versus lighter Pokemon such as Lanturn and Carbink. Low Kick is an alternative that can do more damage versus heavier Pokemon such as Regirock while still retaining the ability to break through Lanturn and Carbink alongside Fightinium Z. Set Details Firium Z allows Combusken to OHKO Mudsdale and Choice Specs Jellicent with +2 Inferno Overdrive after Stealth Rock damage, deal heavy damage to Gurdurr, and avoid recoil once against high-HP targets such as Musharna to stay out of range of priority attacks. Alternatively, Fightinium Z allows Combusken to OHKO Fire-type checks such as Lanturn and Carbink, the latter after Stealth Rock, with +2 All-Out Pummeling; however, it does less damage versus targets such as Gurdurr and Mudsdale than Inferno Overdrive. Eviolite is an alternative option if another Pokemon is using a Z-Crystal, allowing Combusken to more easily take priority moves such as Gurdurr or Hitmonchan's Mach Punch, take an Earthquake from offensive Alolan Sandslash to risk setting up against it more freely without being KOed on a misprediction, and set up against Victreebel more easily. The lower damage output is very noticeable, however, allowing bulky Pokemon such as Mudsdale to force it out much more easily. Usage Tips Due to Combusken's low bulk and tendency to get worn down by entry hazards and Flare Blitz recoil, it should prioritize being brought in safely so it has enough HP to set up when necessary and stay out of range of priority moves from Pokemon such as Gurdurr. Because of this, Combusken should also wait to set up until answers such as defensive Jellicent have been crippled or removed, as it will be unlikely to get multiple setup opportunities; however, if Combusken is unlikely to be able to reliably set up or revenge killers such as Choice Scarf Dodrio are present, it can be used to immediately pressure the opposing team when forcing switches. Combusken should prioritize attempting to set up against Pokemon that cannot threaten it if possible, such as Cryogonal, Audino, and Choice Band Absol locked into Pursuit. However, it can also attempt to set up on Pokemon it can force to switch out, such as Victreebel and Alolan Sandslash, though they are faster and can cripple or KO Combusken if they end up staying in. Combusken can also make use of the fact that its two sets have different checks and counters, allowing it to potentially set up a Swords Dance on a switch-in to its special set, such as Carbink or Lanturn. Team Options Pivots such as Eelektross, Rotom-F, Lanturn, and Primeape are able to provide Combusken with safe switches into Pokemon such as Audino, Cryogonal, and Victreebel to get free setup opportunities. In particular, Eelektross can help pressure Jellicent and Mudsdale, while Rotom-F can also offer Defog support and help pressure Jellicent, Carracosta, and Qwilfish. Silvally-Fairy is another option that can run a Swords Dance set to pressure physically defensive Pokemon such as Gurdurr and Mudsdale or provide Defog support. Regirock and Torterra are good choices for Stealth Rock setters to pair with Combusken, as the former provides a good switch-in to Choice Scarf Dodrio, which can outspeed and revenge kill Combusken easily, while the latter can help pressure Mudsdale and Jellicent. In return, Torterra greatly appreciates Combusken switching into and pressuring Cryogonal. Victreebel is a particularly good partner for Swords Dance Combusken, as it is able to switch into and pressure several Combusken checks such as Mudsdale, Jellicent, Lanturn, and Gurdurr. In return, Combusken can help pressure Cryogonal. Musharna can provide wallbreaking support with Future Sight to pressure switch-ins to Combusken such as Gurdurr and Jellicent. It can also allow Combusken a second opportunity to sweep and provide it with a free switch in to set up with Swords Dance thanks to Healing Wish. In return, Combusken can help pressure Dark-types such as Skuntank and Alolan Persian. Pursuit trappers such as Choice Band Absol, Skuntank, and Stoutland can remove one of Combusken's best answers in Jellicent. Absol and Stoutland can also wear down opposing teams for Combusken to clean more easily late-game, especially their shared switch-ins with Combusken such as Gurdurr and Mudsdale.

Moves Hidden Power Electric allows Combusken to OHKO Swanna and 2HKO Qwilfish, which both resist its STAB moves. Substitute can be run instead to allow Combusken to punish switches and protect itself from Pokemon such as Dodrio and Carracosta that would otherwise revenge kill it, gain extra Speed boosts, and stall poisoned Pokemon. Protect allows Combusken to get a free Speed boost and scout Choice item Pokemon such as Primeape, Dodrio, and Aurorus. Set Details Firium Z lets Combusken OHKO Oricorio-E with Inferno Overdrive after Stealth Rock damage; furthermore, Inferno Overdrive has a high chance to OHKO Skuntank and Alolan Raichu and hits targets such as Mudsdale and Musharna that would otherwise force Combusken out for as much damage as possible, KOing both after Fire Blast and Stealth Rock. Fightinium Z is an alternative that allows Combusken to OHKO Regirock and Drampa with All-Out Pummeling, do greater damage to Pokemon such as Lanturn, and bypass Focus Blast's poor accuracy once. Leftovers is an option that allows Combusken to set up more Substitutes while staying out of range of priority users such as Gurdurr and Lycanroc more easily; however, this should only be run on sets featuring Substitute, as three attacks sets benefit more from the extra damage Z-Crystals offer. Life Orb is an option on teams not using Toxic Spikes if another Pokemon is holding a Z-Crystal, helping to make up for Combusken's average damage output, such as offering it a high chance to OHKO Regirock with Focus Blast. The chip damage makes Combusken have a harder time staying out of range of priority attacks such as Lycanroc's Accelerock, however. Usage Tips Combusken should avoid taking too much chip damage from entry hazards and status where possible and should mainly be brought in via safe switches and aggressive double switches so it can stay out of range of priority attacks such as Gurdurr's Mach Punch and Lycanroc's Accelerock to reliably clean late-game. Combusken can also be used early- to mid-game to immediately pressure teams and take advantage of switches to counters such as Jellicent with appropriate double switches. If running Substitute, Combusken can use it to punish switches it forces against Pokemon such as Ferroseed, Cryogonal, Tangela, Alolan Sandslash, and Victreebel, although it must be careful when doing this against the latter two, as they can outspeed and either cripple or KO Combusken if they predict it to use Substitute. Against more offensive teams, Substitute can help ease prediction and make Combusken harder to revenge kill while helping it outspeed Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Dodrio and Primeape that it needs multiple Speed boosts for. Combusken should, however, be wary of setting up too many Substitutes when counters such as Carbink and Altaria are present, especially when running a Z-Crystal instead of Leftovers, so it has enough HP to take priority attacks or keep setting up Substitutes later in the match. If a teammate is running Toxic Spikes, Combusken can very effectively poison stall with Substitute + Protect, as Speed Boost allows it to nearly always set up Substitutes first. In particular, this allows Combusken to pressure Jellicent a lot more, forcing it to take poison damage while attempting to force Combusken out with Taunt. Team Options Combusken fits on bulky offense and balance teams that desire a late-game cleaner and on Toxic Spikes teams where it can also function as a poison staller. Pivots such as Lanturn, Eelektross, and Silvally-Fairy can help bring Combusken in on Pokemon that it can force out such as Victreebel, Cryogonal, and Regirock, offering it free opportunities to gain Speed boosts, set Substitutes, or break the enemy team. Lanturn and Eelektross in particular can help pressure Jellicent, and Lanturn can also help to spread poison onto Pokemon that annoy Combusken such as Jellicent, Eelektross, and opposing Lanturn and clear Combusken of status with Heal Bell. Pokemon that can help deal with Jellicent in particular are incredibly useful, especially when you're not running it alongside Toxic Spikes. Victreebel can consistently switch into and pressure defensive Jellicent while switching into and helping break other Pokemon such as Gurdurr and Mudsdale that can force Combusken out when at high HP, as well as help break through Carbink and Clefairy, which can otherwise wall Combusken. Pokemon such as Choice Band Stoutland and Absol are capable of Pursuit trapping Jellicent and can help pressure the special walls that Combusken dislikes, such as Lanturn, Eelektross, and Musharna. Wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Aurorus, Taunt Oricorio-E, Golurk, and Swords Dance Silvally-Fairy can also help to break through specially defensive Pokemon such as Altaria, Carbink, and Clefairy that can consistently wall Combusken, as well as break holes in the enemy team for Combusken to reliably clean late-game. Toxic Spikes support from Pokemon such as Qwilfish and Roselia can help Combusken break through opposing teams via stalling through the combination of Substitute + Protect, allowing it to more easily beat Pokemon such as Assault Vest Lanturn that would otherwise give it a lot of trouble. Roselia is able to consistently pressure Jellicent alongside setting Toxic Spikes, which is helpful in matchups against grounded Poison-types such as Victreebel or against entry hazard removers that Roselia loses to such as Cryogonal, while Qwilfish is able to provide a switch-in to priority users such as Hitmonchan and Gurdurr that could revenge kill Combusken, as well as to Choice Scarf Dodrio, which can outspeed Combusken after multiple Speed boosts. Spinblockers such as Jellicent and Sableye are excellent partners, especially on Toxic Spikes teams, to help deal with Rapid Spin users such as Alolan Sandslash, although they have to be wary of Toxic. Sableye can also offer Knock Off support to aid Combusken in poison stalling foes, while both Pokemon can help check Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan and Primeape and offer Taunt support to pressure entry hazard setters and removers.

Moves Fire Blast has good neutral coverage, targeting Pokemon such as Shiftry, Lilligant, Steelix, and Scyther. Focus Blast nails Rock-types that resist Fire Blast such as Rhydon, Barbaracle, and Regirock and lands solid damage against the likes of Lanturn, Poliwrath, Samurott, and Hariyama. Protect is primarily used to stall a turn out so that Combusken can gain a free Speed boost, but it also is useful for scouting for the foe's next move. Hidden Power Electric targets Mantine, Pelipper, and Charizard, all of which can otherwise switch into Combusken's STAB combination. Will-O-Wisp lets Combusken cripple physical attackers such as Hariyama and Samurott on the switch and lets it punish the use of Sucker Punch. Set Details Maximum Speed EVs and a Timid nature are crucial for Combusken to outspeed Liepard and Pyroar after +1, while maximum Special Attack EVs ensure it hits as hard as possible. Speed Boost is absolutely necessary, as it enables Combusken to gradually gain boosts to its Speed at the end of each turn, making it the threat it is to many offensive teams. Life Orb is used to boost Combusken's power further and lets it switch its moves. Eviolite is also an option to give Combusken additional bulk to let it better pivot into certain Pokemon such as Shiftry and Vileplume at the cost of some power. Running Eviolite generally works better on teams where another Pokemon, such as Musharna, can pass Special Attack boosts. Usage Tips Due to Combusken's bad defenses, it's generally advised not to bring it directly into attacks; rather, it should be brought in with U-turn or Volt Switch or after a Pokemon has fainted. Once it's brought in, use Protect to gain a Speed boost, letting Combusken outspeed faster offensive Pokemon on the following turn. Protect also has use in scouting for the foe's next move; this is especially helpful for Choice item users such as Primeape and Aurorus or Fake Out users such as Hariyama and Kangaskhan. Be wary when using Protect against a Pokemon that can set up, as the free turn can give the foe an opening to sweep. Just be aware that the foe can react to a switch to another teammate by double switching themselves or using a coverage move that deals significant damage. When pinned up against Samurott or Kabutops, do not stay in or use Protect as both revenge kill Combusken no matter how fast it is with Aqua Jet and can set up a Swords Dance should they force Combusken out. Team Options Grass-types such as Lilligant are great offensive checks to the likes of Samurott, Lanturn, and Kabutops. Both are also capable of repeatedly wearing down Hariyama, while the former can threaten Magmortar with a Life Orb-boosted Earthquake. Malamar can use bulky Pokemon that switch into Combusken as setup fodder. Slower offensive Pokemon such as Samurott and Kabutops are capable of breaking through specially bulky Pokemon that give Combusken trouble, while Combusken destroys Grass-types in return. Samurott in particular pairs very well with Combusken as it greatly appreciates Mantine and Pelipper lured in with Hidden Power Electric. Moreover, Combusken is able to take down the likes of Vileplume and Ferroseed for the former two.

Moves Swords Dance increases Combusken's Attack significantly, letting it easily sweep through weakened teams. Flare Blitz is Combusken's strongest, and most reliable, physical Fire-type STAB move, heavily denting any Pokemon that does not resist it, though it comes with the cost of recoil damage. Low Kick lets Combusken nail Rhydon, Barbaracle, and Hariyama, all of which switch into Flare Blitz with ease. Protect lets Combusken gain a free Speed boost, letting it revenge kill some offensive Pokemon before a boost. Brick Break can be used over Low Kick to hit Lanturn, but this is generally not advised because it misses out on a lot of power versus Rhydon and Hariyama. Thunder Punch can be used over Protect to hit Pelipper, Mantine, and Charizard, all of which wall this set otherwise. Just note that giving up Protect makes Combusken significantly easier to revenge kill. Set Details Maximum Speed EVs with a Jolly nature let Combusken outspeed Pyroar and Liepard after +1, while maximum Attack EVs are used to ensure it hits as hard as possible. An Adamant nature is also an option for additional power if Combusken doesn't mind missing out on outspeeding a few select Pokemon. Speed Boost is necessary to let Combusken outspeed more and more Pokemon after each turn, making it difficult to revenge kill with several boosts outside of priority. Eviolite is used to increase Combusken's bulk significantly, giving it more opportunities to set up and sweep the opposing team. Usage Tips Thanks to its typing and decent Eviolite-boosted bulk, Combusken can find setup opportunities against Pokemon such as Shiftry, Skuntank, Vileplume, and Lilligant. Passive Pokemon such as Audino and Ferroseed can also make for good setup bait; just watch out for Thunder Wave from the latter. Generally, Combusken should not be brought in until the mid- or late-game, as it needs all the HP it can preserve in order to set up easily later. Use Protect in order to gain a free Speed boost, allowing Combusken to outspeed its foe and potentially KO it. Protect is also useful to scout for any stray status or coverage moves the foe may have, as well as evade being hit by Fake Out from the likes of Hariyama and Kangaskhan. Team Options Grass-types such as Lilligant and Shiftry are all able to threaten Water-types such as Lanturn, Quagsire, Pelipper, and Mantine. Shiftry is also notable for its ability to threaten bulky Psychic-types such as Musharna and Mesprit with Knock Off. Rotom threatens both Mantine and Pelipper with its STAB moves and pressures Lanturn with the combination of Will-O-Wisp and Hex. It also performs well against Psychic-types, most notably Xatu, which can otherwise take a hit from Combusken and OHKO it back with Psychic. Entry hazard support from the likes of Mesprit and Ferroseed helps soften up checks to Combusken, with Stealth Rock putting a lot pressure on Pelipper and Mantine. In addition, Mesprit can give Combusken a second shot at sweeping with Healing Wish and threaten Garbodor, which can significantly wear down Combusken with Rocky Helmet and Aftermath. Ferroseed can also can switch into other bulky Water-types and cripple Musharna with Toxic. Lanturn can pivot into Mantine, Pelipper, and other Water-types and also tends to invite Grass-types in, which Combusken can use as set up bait.

With this set, Combusken can come in on something it forces out and set up a Swords Dance, giving it a huge boost in Attack and making it difficult to stop in combination with Speed Boost. With Eviolite giving it usable bulk, Combusken can set up more easily in a pinch against Pokemon it can't force out. Protect is extremely useful to gather additional Speed boosts, and it also protects it from Fake Out from Pokemon such as Kangaskhan. Flare Blitz is the preferred Fire-type STAB move, as it packs the most power despite the recoil damage. Sky Uppercut is used as a secondary STAB move, hitting Pokemon that resist Fire, such as Rock- and Water-types. A Jolly nature on this set is required to outspeed base 95 Speed Pokemon at +1, including Primeape and Sawsbuck. This allows Combusken to revenge kill these threats with Protect and its STAB moves. Eviolite is the item of choice for this set because it gives Combusken some bulk to allow it to set up and is useful to take weak or resisted priority moves such as Sucker Punch. Life Orb is another option for additional power, but the recoil when combined with Flare Blitz can be cut a sweep short. Fire Punch can be used over Flare Blitz if the recoil doesn't appeal to you, but this is not recommended due to its low Base Power. Brick Break can be used over Sky Uppercut for slightly greater accuracy, but it is also weak in comparison. Substitute is an option over Protect, allowing Combusken to avoid status moves, but the recoil with Flare Blitz adds up quickly and it does not reliably shield Combusken from Fake Out. Combusken appreciates entry hazards to nab a few additional KOs; for example, Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes is needed to OHKO Tangela with +2 Flare Blitz. Teammates that can provide these entry hazards include Garbodor and Golurk. Combusken also appreciates having teammates that grant it setup opportunities. Liepard and Muk can use Encore and Memento, respectively, to allow Combusken to have an easier time setting up a Swords Dance. Gothorita is an excellent teammate, as it can trap and remove walls such as Weezing and Alomomola to clear the path for Combusken. Pokemon that can set up dual screens are also good teammates to shield Combusken from priority and give it time to set up; even with an Eviolite equipped, Combusken is still frail. Examples of dual screens users include Gardevoir, Serperior, Ampharos, and Solrock. Finally, Combusken has trouble with bulky Ghost-types such as Misdreavus and Frillish. Teammates that can eliminate them, such as Skuntank, are good partners.

Rather than setting up with Swords Dance, this set's powerful moves allow Combusken to hit hard right off the bat. Protect is crucial to run on Combusken, as it allows Combusken to boost its Speed for free and scout for the opponent's moves while shielding from Fake Out. Fire Blast is Combusken's main STAB move, and its power makes up for its only decent offensive stats. Focus Blast is the secondary STAB and hits Rock- and Water-types, along with Miltank and Munchlax, which both resist Fire Blast thanks to Thick Fat. Substitute is the preferred move in the fourth moveslot, and Combusken can find setup opportunities against the likes of Tangela and Roselia. Substitute allows Combusken to avoid status moves and protect it from revenge killers before it has gathered enough boosts. It also acts as a safety net in case Combusken misses with its inaccurate STAB moves. A Life Orb and Modest nature are used on Combusken because it is moderately weak otherwise. To give an example, without the Life Orb, Combusken cannot even secure the OHKO on Choice Scarf Primeape after Stealth Rock damage. However, it should be noted that Combusken is even frailer without an Eviolite and takes huge damage even from resisted priority moves such as Sucker Punch, and its powerful moves have moderately low accuracy. Flamethrower and Hidden Power Fighting can be used over Fire Blast and Focus Blast for additional accuracy, but they are pretty weak and therefore should seldom ever be considered. A Timid nature can also be considered to allow Combusken to outspeed base 95 Speed Pokemon after a Speed boost. Hidden Power Grass can be used over Substitute to defeat Alomomola and Seismitoad without having to resort to the inaccurate Focus Blast. Skuntank is a good partner, as it gets rid of Lampent, Frillish, and other Ghost-types that trouble Combusken. It can also defeat Psychic-types, such as Grumpig and Musharna, that threaten Combusken. Entry hazard support is very helpful in order to help Combusken nab a few extra KOs. For example, Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes enables Combusken to OHKO Audino with Focus Blast. Golurk deserves a special mention for beating opposing Psychic-types and laying the entry hazards that Combusken needs.