Annihilape
VGC Guide
Annihilape’s Rage Fist is one of the most dangerous escalating moves in VGC: every time Annihilape is hit, Rage Fist’s base power increases by 50 (maximum 350 BP). Combined with Defiant — which raises Attack by +2 whenever stats are lowered, including Intimidate — hitting Annihilape only makes it stronger.
Rage Fist: The Move That Gets Stronger When Hit
Rage Fist has 50 base BP, gaining +50 per hit received, maximum 350 BP (6 stacks total). The hit count is preserved even if Annihilape switches out — it retains accumulated stacks upon return. Ghost-type STAB brings max effective power to 525, capable of OHKOing almost any target without Ghost resistance.
Defiant: The Perfect Intimidate Counter
Defiant raises Attack by +2 whenever any of Annihilape’s stats are lowered. Incineroar’s Intimidate — instead of lowering Attack — triggers Defiant for a free +2 Attack boost. Parting Shot also triggers Defiant. Every Intimidate pivot the opponent makes gifts Annihilape more power.
EV Spreads
Team Partners
Calyrex-Shadow and Annihilape share Ghost and Fighting coverage, forming a dual core that is nearly impossible to simultaneously resist. Astral Barrage + Rage Fist stacks create pressure on every Pokémon on the field.
Porygon2 sets Trick Room, letting Annihilape’s 90 Speed become an advantage with slowness. AV Annihilape under TR accumulates Rage Fist stacks over time — when TR ends, the accumulated power is overwhelming.
Placing Incineroar alongside Annihilape forces a dilemma: if the opponent uses Intimidate, they gift Annihilape +2 Attack. Not switching means facing higher immediate damage. Either choice favors Annihilape.
Iron Hands sets Electric Terrain and acts as the primary physical attacker under Trick Room, while Annihilape covers Ghost/Fighting targets that Iron Hands cannot reach. Both excel under Trick Room conditions.
How to Counter Annihilape
Close Combat is Fighting-type — Ghost-types are immune. However, Rage Fist is Ghost-type, so Normal-types are immune to it. The opponent needs a Pokémon that resists both Ghost and Fighting simultaneously.
Flying-types are immune to Close Combat and take neutral damage from Rage Fist. Tornadus, Miraidon (Levitate), or Landorus-Therian can freely switch into Close Combat and threaten Annihilape with coverage moves.
The most direct counter is eliminating Annihilape before it builds Rage Fist stacks. Fast special attackers — Chi-Yu, Flutter Mane — can OHKO Annihilape on Turn 1 before it acts, preventing any accumulation.
Haze resets all stat changes including Defiant-gained Attack boosts. After Haze, Annihilape loses its accumulated Attack advantage. Combine with sustained pressure to prevent Annihilape from re-gaining boosts.