Ponyta Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Fire Blast is Ponyta's strongest special STAB attack and is capable of hitting bulkier offensive threats in Mienfoo and Vullaby for 2HKOs outside of sun. Solar Beam is useful for hitting Water- and Rock-types such as Chinchou and Omanyte for OHKOs, while Will-O-Wisp is another option that allows Ponyta to burn physical attackers without relying on Flame Body. Sunny Day is mandatory for giving Solar Beam one turn activation, as well as boosting the power of Fire Blast, weakening Water-type attacks, and increasing Morning Sun's recovery. Morning Sun recovers two thirds of Ponyta's maximum HP under the sun and allows it to sustain itself throughout the match. Set Details 156 EVs invested in Defense with an Eviolite allow Ponyta to hit 21 Defense and tank powerful hits in Pawniard's Knock Off and Vullaby's Brave Bird, while a Firium Z can be used over Eviolite to allow Ponyta to use Z-Sunny Day, which increases its Speed stat by one stage in addition to summoning sun. However, Ponyta must be more careful with powerful attackers and priority moves if using Firium Z. 196 Speed EVs and a Timid nature allow Ponyta to hit 19 Speed and outpace a good portion of the unboosted metagame, while 156 Special Attack EVs give Ponyta an impressive amount of special wallbreaking prowess. An alternative spread with 76 Special Attack investment and 76 Special Defense investment can be used on Will-O-Wisp sets, but on Solar Beam sets, the extra power is generally more useful than hitting a good Special Defense number. Usage Tips After setting up with Sunny Day, it is best that Ponyta uses Fire Blast, as the boost from sun will make it extremely powerful. Ponyta must be wary of opposing Water- and Rock-types, however, and should use Solar Beam when predicting a switch into Pokemon of these types. Ponyta should switch out against foes that don't take notable damage from either of its moves, such as Archen and Mareanie, to avoid being inflicted with status or hit by a super effective attack. Morning Sun can be used when Ponyta is low on HP and is best used against foes that can't do sufficient damage to Ponyta, such as Larvesta and Magnemite. Ponyta must ensure that it can reliably set up Sunny Day if holding a Firium Z, as it will severely lack in bulk compared to when it's holding an Eviolite. Pokemon that can't do much damage to Ponyta, such as Spritzee, Ferroseed, and Snivy, generally make for good setup opportunities. Team Options Ponyta's vulnerability to entry hazards means that teammates capable of removing them, such as Staryu and Vullaby, are very appreciated. Because this set struggles to break past Mareanie, Pokemon that can take care of it, such as Mudbray and particularly Diglett, take some pressure off of Ponyta and allow it to sweep more easily. If Ponyta is running Z-Sunny Day, Pokemon that are capable of providing it with Memento support, such as Diglett and Cottonee, are quite helpful in terms of providing Ponyta with an easy setup opportunity due to its frailty when holding a Firium Z.

Moves Solar Beam gives Ponyta access to a 190-Base Power Bloom Doom, allowing it to function as a lure for Water-types like Staryu, Rock-types like Onix, and Ground-types like Mudbray, which can take on Ponyta's other sets. Flamethrower is Ponyta's most reliable STAB move, dealing consistent damage to most Pokemon that don't resist it and having excellent neutral coverage with Bloom Doom. Its consistency allows Ponyta to clean late-game after the opponent's team is weakened enough. Fire Blast can be used instead for its significantly higher damage and fits better if Ponyta wants to focus more on wallbreaking, as its higher damage is necessary to do so. It notably 2HKOes all Vullaby and Alolan Grimer variants after Stealth Rock. A mixed set with Flare Blitz as the STAB move can also be used, as it is even more powerful than Fire Blast thanks to Ponyta's higher Attack, but the necessary investment into Attack means that Bloom Doom will be significantly weaker, and Ponyta will usually be unable to stay healthy throughout the match due to Flare Blitz's recoil. Flame Charge raises Ponyta's Speed while doing a bit of damage, allowing it to break Sturdy of Pokemon like Onix on the switch before KOing it with Bloom Doom. This also allows it to clean late-game, as the boosted Speed enables it to outpace even very fast Choice Scarf users like Doduo and Gastly. Hypnosis puts a foe to sleep, allowing Ponyta to avoid being revenge killed by foes it cannot OHKO like Rufflet and Focus Sash Abra, as well as avoiding Sucker Punch from Pokemon like Pawniard. It also prevents Spritzee from setting up Calm Mind on Ponyta, which it can otherwise do freely. However, it is important to note Hypnosis's unreliable 60% accuracy. Set Details Grassium Z is necessary in order to get access to Bloom Doom and allows Ponyta to function as a lure for Water-, Rock-, and Ground-types. Maximum Speed investment and a Timid nature are used to hit 19 Speed, outspeeding Pokemon like Gastly and Doduo and Speed tying with Pokemon like Abra. It also allows it to outspeed Choice Scarf Doduo and Gastly after a Flame Charge. Maximum Special Attack investment allows Ponyta to hit as hard as possible with Flamethrower, Fire Blast, and Bloom Doom so it can wallbreak and clean as well as possible. If Flare Blitz is ran, an alternative spread of 236 Atk / 76 SpA / 196 Spe with a Naive nature should be used, as this allows Ponyta to do as much damage as possible with Flare Blitz while securing the OHKO on defensive Staryu with Bloom Doom. Flash Fire is the ability of choice, as it allows Ponyta to set up a Flame Charge on many Fire-types, such as opposing Ponyta, which would otherwise be able to significantly dent Ponyta due to this set's lack of Eviolite. Ponyta can then use Hypnosis to win the one-on-one against these Fire-types. In addition, Ponyta can become very threatening by getting a Flash Fire boost from Will-O-Wisp from Pokemon like Pumpkaboo-XL. Flame Body is also an option to have a chance of burning physical attackers like Pawniard and Mienfoo, but it relies on Ponyta taking hits, which this set does not like to do due to the lack of Eviolite. Usage Tips This set can use its access to Bloom Doom to either wallbreak early- or mid-game by breaking through a bulky Water-, Rock-, or Ground-type, as this can allow a teammate to sweep late-game or go for a sweep itself late-game thanks to a Flame Charge boost and the ability to break through one of its checks. The first move Ponyta should usually go for is Flame Charge, as this will give it the Speed boost it needs to outspeed Choice Scarf users and Diglett, making it much harder to revenge kill, while also breaking Sturdy on switch-ins like Onix and bringing very bulky Ground-types like Hippopotas and RestTalk Mudbray in range of being KOed by Bloom Doom. If the opponent has a Weak Armor user like Onix or Kabuto, be wary when using Flame Charge, as they will be able to outspeed or Speed tie Ponyta after both get boosted. However, early- or mid-game, it can be smart to go for a Fire Blast or Flamethrower in order to wear down Ponyta's switch-ins so that it can potentially sweep. Since Bloom Doom can only be used once, you should be very wary when using it, as your opponent might try to play around it by switching out, and wasting it will mean this set fails to do its job. If your opponent does not carry bulky Water- and Rock-types or they have all been KOed, Bloom Doom can instead be used to significantly hurt a different bulky Pokemon like Mienfoo or Timburr, as it is more powerful than even STAB Fire Blast. Once Ponyta's checks and counters have been significantly weakened, it can utilize the Speed boost from Flame Charge to sweep. Ponyta does not need all bulky Water- and Rock-types removed if it still has access to Bloom Doom, but it will be unable to sweep if there is still more than one Fire-resistant Pokemon on the opponent's team. Hypnosis can be used to cripple a foe significantly and is especially useful when Focus Sash Abra wants to revenge kill Ponyta, as Ponyta can put it to sleep with the boosted Speed from Flame Charge and proceed to knock it out in two turns. However, relying too much on Hypnosis is generally a bad idea, since it has a low accuracy, and sleep turns are unpredictable. Ponyta can also use Hypnosis on other Pokemon that can take a hit from Ponyta and KO it back, such as Mienfoo, Vullaby, and Alolan Grimer, Pokemon that it can't significantly threaten, such as Mareanie and Munchlax, and Pokemon that might attempt to set up, such as Timburr, Scraggy, and Spritzee. Due to the lack of Eviolite on this set, Ponyta is quite frail, meaning it should not be brought in directly. Instead, bring it in via a slow U-turn or Volt Switch or after a teammate has gone down. In addition, this Ponyta set should avoid taking strong hits as much as possible, as it will often go down very easily. Team Options Entry hazard control is very important to the success of this Ponyta set; not only can Stealth Rock significantly reduce the number of times Ponyta can switch in due to its weakness to the entry hazard, it also needs Stealth Rock or Spikes up on the opponent's side in order to secure certain crucial KOs, such as the 2HKO onto Eviolite Vullaby with Fire Blast and a chance to OHKO Hippopotas with Bloom Doom. As such, Rapid Spin users like Staryu and Kabuto and entry hazard setters like Ferroseed and Pawniard are good partners. Teammates that appreciate Ponyta luring and KOing bulky Water-, Rock-, and Ground-types work very well with this set. Other Fire-types like Houndour appreciate all of these being removed, Water-types such as Corphish and Carvanha like bulky Water-types being gone, Flying-types like Doduo and Rufflet enjoy Rock-types getting removed, and Electric-types like Magnemite and Elekid have an easier time if Ground-types are taken out. Even though this Ponyta set can beat opposing Fire-types one-on-one thanks to Flash Fire, it has to rely on Hypnosis to not get worn down too much. As such, it appreciates teammates like Diglett and Onix to beat Pokemon like opposing Ponyta. Since Ponyta can only use Bloom Doom once, it should not be its team's main answer to Water-, Rock-, and Ground-types. As such, another check to these types is appreciated. Grass-types like Snivy and Pumpkaboo-XL and Water-types like Staryu and Chinchou work well.

Moves Flare Blitz is Ponyta's most powerful STAB option and hits everything that doesn't resist it for good damage, notably hitting Pokemon like Foongus very hard. High Horsepower is helpful for hitting Pokemon resistant to Flare Blitz, such as Onix and Mareanie. Will-O-Wisp is useful for halving the Attack of physical attackers such as Mienfoo and Mudbray, and Morning Sun is reliable recovery that allows Ponyta to sustain itself throughout a match as well as fish for Flame Body burns if it is not running Will-O-Wisp. Flame Charge is an option that provides Ponyta with an important boost in Speed, which allows it to outpace and KO non-Choice Scarf Diglett. Wild Charge is an option if Ponyta needs to be able to hit Vullaby and Staryu for more damage, but Ponyta struggles to find space for the move. Set Details 196 Speed EVs and a Jolly nature allow Ponyta to hit 19 Speed and outpace most of the unboosted metagame. 156 Defense EVs, 76 Special Defense EVs, and an Eviolite allow Ponyta to hit 21 / 21 defenses and usually avoid notable 2HKOs from powerful attacks like Alolan Grimer's Poison Jab, Pawniard's Knock Off, and defensive Vullaby's Brave Bird. An even bulkier spread of 236 Def / 76 SpD / 196 Spe with an Impish nature and Eviolite can be run to survive the metagame's strongest attacks, such as Reckless Mienfoo's High Jump Kick and Adamant Pawniard's Knock Off, but in return Ponyta no longer outspeeds Gastly and Doduo and cannot Speed tie with Abra and opposing Ponyta. Berry Juice is an alternative item that gives automatic recovery when Ponyta drops below 50% of its HP so that it can run a move other than Morning Sun, but this comes at the cost of a significant amount of bulk. The remaining EVs are invested in Attack to provide Ponyta with notably better damage output, allowing it to 2HKO defensive Mienfoo and have a good chance to OHKO Foongus after Stealth Rock damage. Flame Body is the preferred ability, as it allows Ponyta to discourage foes like Mienfoo from freely using moves like U-turn and Fake Out by threatening to burn them on contact. Usage Tips Ponyta's Flame Body gives it the ability to check a number of physical attackers, which means one should feel free to liberally switch Ponyta into non-Rock- or Ground-type physical attacks. If Ponyta doesn't burn its foe upon switching in, it can make use of its good Speed to burn the foe with Will-O-Wisp and recover its health immediately afterward. Both Snivy and Spritzee are Pokemon that Ponyta is unthreatened by, though it should be wary of Snivy's Glare. Ponyta can threaten most teams with the combination of Will-O-Wisp, Flare Blitz, and High Horsepower, as most Pokemon that can switch into Ponyta's attacking moves are crippled by a burn. If Diglett is on the opponent's team, Ponyta must be played more conservatively and shouldn't be switching in on foes that use pivoting attacks, such as Mienfoo and Vullaby, since they can easily bring Diglett onto the field to KO Ponyta. Ponyta should also only focus on spreading status rather than KOing foes, as it is likely to be weakened from Flare Blitz's recoil and even more susceptible to being revenge killed. Boosting its Speed with Flame Charge is also something Ponyta should attempt to do whenever possible when fighting against teams with Diglett, such as on forced switches, as it will then be able to outpace and KO non-Choice Scarf Diglett. Ponyta should also avoid switching into Stealth Rock, as it will be unable to tank hits as reliably. Team Options While Ponyta is vulnerable to all forms of entry hazards, it especially hates Stealth Rock, which makes Pokemon capable of removing it such as Vullaby and Staryu ideal partners. Grass-types such as Foongus and Snivy are also good partners for Ponyta, as Ponyta's ability to lure in Water- and Rock-types gives it great synergy with these Pokemon. Snivy in particular is a fantastic teammate for Ponyta, since it can take on Pokemon like Onix, which can both force out Ponyta and set up Stealth Rock, and prevent entry hazards from staying on the field. Because Ponyta shouldn't be completely relied on to check Fighting-types, other Fighting-type checks such as Abra and Spritzee are very appreciated. Lastly, Shell Smash sweepers or other setup Pokemon like Scraggy appreciate Ponyta's ability to burn Pawniard and Fighting-type foes.

Moves Flame Charge is essential for Ponyta, allowing it to outpace the entire unboosted metagame and avoid being trapped and KOed by most variants of Diglett after a boost. Flare Blitz is a strong STAB move that also offers a very powerful Inferno Overdrive to let Ponyta wallbreak or sweep late-game. High Horsepower provides good coverage for Ponyta, letting it hit Pokemon like Onix, Mareanie, and Chinchou for super effective damage. Morning Sun recovery helps to mitigate Flare Blitz recoil and Stealth Rock damage and also pairs well with Flame Body, allowing Ponyta to continuously fish for a burn. Wild Charge is an alternate option that provides additional coverage for Ponyta to hit Pokemon like Staryu and Shellder harder than Ponyta's other moves. Set Details 196 Speed EVs and a Jolly nature let Ponyta hit 19 Speed, outpacing Gastly and Speed tying with Staryu and Abra before using Flame Charge. 236 Attack EVs give Ponyta's attacks as much power as possible and let Ponyta net important KOs on Pokemon like Eviolite Foongus and Choice Scarf Mienfoo. The remaining EVs are put into Defense to reduce damage from physical attacks. Firium Z allows Ponyta to fire off a one-time 190-Base Power Inferno Overdrive, scoring KOs Ponyta would otherwise miss on Pokemon such as offensive Vullaby and 17 Speed Mienfoo after Stealth Rock damage. Electrium Z is an alternative option to break through Mareanie and Staryu, while Groundium Z can be used to hit Onix and Mareanie. Usage Tips Even without Eviolite, Ponyta is still moderately bulky and can come in on most neutral or resisted attacks and threaten the foe, though it is best for Ponyta to come in on a free switch to reduce its vulnerability to priority after chip damage. Be careful of doing so if you want to bluff a non-Z-Move set, since the lack of Eviolite may give it away to the opponent. Ponyta's typing and decent natural bulk allow it to come in on Pokemon like Spritzee and Foongus and begin threatening them. Flame Body can be used to pivot in on Mienfoo and threaten to burn it, as Ponyta takes little damage from Fake Out, Knock Off, and U-turn, although Ponyta should try to avoid switching in on High Jump Kick. Setting up with Flame Charge is important, as it allows Ponyta to outspeed Diglett and almost every Choice Scarf Pokemon. Flame Charge can be used on Pokemon Ponyta isn't particularly threatened by or Pokemon that it forces out like Foongus and Snivy. Inferno Overdrive is best used only after Onix faints, as Onix is extremely difficult for Ponyta to take on without a large amount of prior damage. Inferno Overdrive can also be used to KO a Pokemon Ponyta could not defeat with just Flare Blitz, like high HP Timburr or Mienfoo, if the opponent lacks a solid counter to Ponyta. Team Options Ponyta really appreciates entry hazard removal support from Pokemon like Staryu due to its vulnerability to every entry hazard, particularly Stealth Rock. Ponyta also appreciates entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Mudbray to weaken its targets and break Sturdy from Onix and Magnemite. A good switch-in to Rock- and Ground-types such as Snivy is greatly appreciated, since Ponyta can struggle to take them out without chip damage. Snivy in particular also provides Defog support for Ponyta. If not running Wild Charge, a Grass-type like Ferroseed or Foongus provides a useful switch-in to Staryu and other Water-types. Diglett works very well with Ponyta, since it can trap and KO the otherwise problematic Mareanie and Onix. Mienfoo is an excellent partner, as it can take on the Rock-types Ponyta needs chip damage for, lure in Spritzee, which Ponyta counters if running Morning Sun, and use U-turn to let Ponyta get in safely. Magnemite and Chinchou are also good partners for Ponyta, since their Volt Switch provides a relatively safe way to get Ponyta in, and they also threaten Water-types that stop Ponyta from sweeping.