Camp Metapod

Back in the early days of Black and White, in the multitude of Bug and Fire types that were introduced, there was one that stood (flew?) above the rest. Volcarona immediately laid waste to teams across the Unova region. Fast forward a few years to Alola and little has changed; Volcarona's typing, stats, movepool, and ability gives it everything it needs to destroy opposing teams. There is very few that can effectively counter the Sun Pokemon. You think rain will cripple Volcarona? You'd be wrong, it can learn Hurricane, which is perfectly accurate in rain. Trying your luck with Rock types? Wrong again, Volcarona can learn Giga Drain. Perhaps Chansey? Yep, wrong again. Quiver Dance allows Volcarona to raise it's already high Special Attack to ridiculously high levels, while also making it harder to take down on the Special side and making it even faster, so that won't be a great idea. Now, you're probably thinking that there's little that can stop Volcarona, as after one or two Quiver Dance boosts, you can kiss your team goodbye, however Volcarona has several glaring weaknesses.

Entry hazards are its worst nightmare, effectively making entry hazard support necessary. Weak to Spikes, Toxic Spikes, hurt by Sticky Web, and absolutely crippled by Stealth Rock; all of these will put Volcarona on a timer. Though Volcarona is deadly on the special side, it has absolutely pitiful Defense, meaning it'll struggle against most priority attacks like Accelerock or Aqua Jet, and though it has numerous resistances to common types like Fighting and Bug, it has major weaknesses to common types like Flying, Rock, and Water makes it difficult for Volcarona to switch in. Lastly, Volcarona has a severe case of four moveslot syndrome, you can't fit in everything you want in a single set. Setting aside these shortcomings, if you fail to prepare for Volcarona, it'll tear through your team like a hot knife through butter.


Volcarona @ Buginium Z
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
- Quiver Dance
- Fire Blast/Fiery Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Giga Drain/Hidden Power Ground

This set capitalizes on what Volcarona does best. Quiver Dance gives Volcarona the ability to raise its already high Special Attack, make it harder to take down on the Special side, and make it increasingly harder to revenge kill. Fire Blast is an incredibly strong move, with or without a Quiver Dance boost, but if the accuracy is a concern for you, it can be swapped for Fiery Dance which will occasionally net Volcarona a Special Attack boost, though the power difference is noticeable and without a prior boost, it'll miss out on many important KOs. Bug Buzz is another powerful STAB move that nails Psychic and Dark types. Giga Drain is often used to counter Rock, Ground, and Water types while also replenishing the Pokemon's HP, but without a boost, it's fairly weak. Hidden Power Ground plays a similar role, but it can also be used to hurt Pokemon like Nihilego or Tentacruel which would otherwise feast on Volcarona by virtue of their typings, but without a boost, it's fairly weak. The Z-Crystal is used to turn Bug Buzz into a one-time, ultra powerful attack, and even without a boost, it'll take a large chunk from Pokemon like Chansey and with boosts, it'll outright KO a large number of Pokemon, though this could be swapped out with a Life Orb for extra power at the cost of some HP. Flame Body is the ideal ability as it wards off physical attackers with the threat of a burn.

Though this set takes advantage of Volcarona's biggest asset; its Special Attack, Volcarona needs plenty of team support. Entry hazard removal is almost necessary as the Pokemon is weak to all forms of entry hazard, Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes are especially troublesome as the former strips Volcarona of half its health upon switch in while the latter puts it on a timer. Pokemon that can deal with strong special walls like Chansey, Snorlax, or Porygon2 will make ideal partners for Volcarona; Garchomp, Tyranitar, and Metagross or similar Pokemon can fit this role well. Lastly, Pokemon that can get rid of strong Flying or Rock types are greatly appreciated.


Bulky Special Walls: Pokemon like Chansey and Porygon2 can be troublesome for Volcarona, as even a 1+ Volcarona will only be able to 3HKO them at best, while these Pokemon can effectively set up and cripple on Volcarona, bringing an end to its sweep early.

Faster Pokemon: Though Volcarona has respectable bulk, faster Pokemon can prey upon its weaker Defense. Garchomp, Nihilego, and similar Pokemon can outspeed and KO it with one of their STAB moves, though they need to be wary as it accumulates Speed boosts as Hidden Power Ground or Giga Drain can be their downfall.

Entry Hazards: Like stated above, the Sun Pokemon hates all forms of entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes will put this Pokemon on a timer.

Priority Moves: Due to Volcarona's pitiful physical bulk, it struggles to take many forms of priority moves, Aqua Jet is particularly troublesome. However, Flame Body can often ward priority uses off.


Personally, Volcarona is one of my all time favorite Pokemon and has been a mainstay on my team since I obtained my special one back in my early days of Pokemon Y. A fantastic design, an incredible choice for battle, and just an all round cool Pokemon. I love Volcarona, perhaps my second all time favorite Pokemon.

How do you feel about Volcarona? Have you ever used on in battle? What kind of success has it brought you?