VGC Support Guide

Incineroar
VGC Guide

Incineroar is one of the most-used Pokémon in VGC history, reaching 72% usage in Regulation D. This guide covers movesets, EV spreads, team synergy, and format-specific strategy.

72%
Reg D Usage
60
Base Speed
530
Total BST

Why Incineroar Dominates VGC

Incineroar’s strength comes not from overwhelming base stats, but from its toolkit synergy. The Intimidate ability immediately cuts the Attack of both opposing Pokémon on switch-in, reducing incoming physical damage. Fake Out is one of the most valuable utility moves in the game, giving a partner one free turn of safety.

Parting Shot is what transforms Incineroar into a perpetual motion machine — it debuffs the opponent and brings Incineroar back to re-trigger Intimidate on the next switch-in. The Fake Out → Parting Shot loop is VGC’s most reliable tempo control pattern.

Its Fire/Dark typing leaves only 5 weaknesses while providing tools against Fairy and Psychic types. Grassy Terrain and Sitrus Berry reduce chip damage, while Yawn or Burning Jealousy can threaten KOs in certain builds.

Best Moveset

Standard Support Set (Recommended)
→
Fake Out(Normal)
Priority disruption, buys a free turn
→
Parting Shot(Dark)
Debuff + safe pivot, re-triggers Intimidate
→
Knock Off(Dark)
Item removal, utility coverage
→
Flare Blitz(Fire)
Primary STAB attack vs Steel types
ItemSitrus Berry / Lum Berry
AbilityIntimidate
NatureCareful (+Sp.Def / -Sp.Atk)
EVs252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Sp.Def
Viable Alternatives
Yawn
Forces switches, disrupts setup
Taunt
Shuts down opponent support
Darkest Lariat
Bypasses stat stages

EV Spread Breakdown

Maximum Bulk (Standard)
Recommended
252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Sp.Def · Careful

Maximizes physical and special bulk. Keeps Incineroar alive long enough to cycle Fake Out and Parting Shot multiple times.

Speed Control Spread
Advanced
252 HP / 60 Spe / 196 Sp.Def · Careful

Hits 91 Speed at Lv50, outspeeding 0-Spe-EV Calyrex variants and slow Trick Room mode Pokémon to guarantee Fake Out priority.

Offensive Bias
Situational
252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe · Adamant

Maximizes Knock Off and Flare Blitz damage output. Best when your team needs Incineroar to threaten KOs, not just stall.

Team Synergy

Incineroar fits with virtually any offensive core. After Intimidate drops opposing Attack, physical attackers deal significantly less damage — making it easier for your restricted legendary (Kyogre, Koraidon, Calyrex-Shadow) to survive hits they otherwise couldn’t.

Kyogre
Water

Iconic Rain core; Intimidate lets it survive physical hits to set up Origin Pulse

Calyrex-Shadow
Psychic/Ghost

Highest-usage restricted legend; Fake Out buys it a free Astral Barrage

Iron Hands
Electric

Ground immunity complement; devastating in Trick Room with Incineroar speed control

Rillaboom
Grass

Grassy Terrain heals Incineroar; priority Grassy Glide covers Water weakness

Counters & Checks

Threat
Water/Ground Special Attackers
Example
Kyogre, Origin Pulse
Response
Pivot to a Grass-type or Water Absorb; Intimidate only cuts physical damage
Threat
Fighting Coverage
Example
Iron Hands Close Combat
Response
Incineroar resists with Flying or Psychic partners; Intimidate softens it
Threat
Taunt Users
Example
Whimsicott, Grimmsnarl
Response
Parting Shot is a move, not a status — unaffected by Taunt. Fake Out still works.
Threat
Snarl / Lunge Spam
Example
Fast dark/bug attackers
Response
Parting Shot preemptively drops Sp.Atk; pivot before their Snarl lands

Test Your Incineroar Build

Use PokeStats damage calculator to simulate Incineroar performance across different matchup scenarios.

View Incineroar StatsBattle DatabaseAbility Finder (Intimidate Users)