[OU] Volcarona Analysis

1.Access to Butterfly Dance
This might be the greatest boosting move that exists in the game. With extraordinarily few Pokemon getting it and most of them sucking with it, that leaves Volcarona is a godsend Pokemon. It gives Volcarona +1 SpA / +1 SpD / +1 Spe and almost single-handedly enables it to sweep off the bat. That boosting move with base 135 Special Attack and base 100 Speed and you've got a ferocious sweeper on your hands. Don't give it the chance to get +2 or you're pretty much screwed. I don't know too many Pokemon who can withstand +1000 Sp. Atk, SP. Def, and Speed after 4-5 of these

2.Perhaps the best sun sweeper that exists
It may not have Chlorophyll, but this thing uses the sun like a fiend with Hurricane, STAB Fire Blast, Solar Beam, and Butterfly Dance to boost its already impressive stats. If you are running a sun team, use this Pokemon, Trust me.

3.Bulky SP.Def
Even though it's defense it's the greatest, it still has Sp. Def. With it's Defense only having a 65 Base, it's hard to find it's way around physical sweepers. Even then it can withstand alot of Sp. Atk.

4x Stealth Rock weakness
It's not all sunshine for Volcarona, though. That typing is perhaps its single greatest fault. Being 4x weak to Stealth Rock forces you to run Rapid Spin support, sacrifice Urugamosu's respectable bulk when attempting your sweep, or use him as a lead... Surprisingly this is the main reason why people don't choose him in the first place.

2. Weak Defense =/= Stone Edge
Ugh, Stone Edge what a hurtful soul mate. Lol... but seriously, with no good Defense even with max Def EVs, and no move to raise def, You pretty much screwed (plus Stealth Rock :S). Maybe a Switch-in to help, but then you lose your BD (Butterfly Dance) rises. Plus if your faster than them (which you ALWAYS are with BD) Trick Room can either be a Advantage, or a Dis-Advantage.

3. No Room in the Metagame
Time after time Volcarona is being replaced by another Pokemon. Many Pokemon like Blaziken, Darmanitan, and is sometimes by Heatran. All have taken spots off of teams that should be long to Volcarona.

Volcarona @ Leftovers/Life Orb
Trait: Flame Body
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk) / Modest Nature (+SpA,-Atk)
- Quiver Dance
- Fiery Dance/Fire Blast
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power [Ground] or [Rock]/Psychic

Set Comments-

This is a simple, and easy set to run. This set sweeps easily, and quickly, if it's done correctly. Quiver Dance is the base of how powerful Volcarona can be. It raises All Sp. Def, Speed, and Sp. Atk. Making this very deadly, and untouchable though Special moves (This is basically taking away Water weakness i.e; Surf, Hydro Pump, Scald. Which are ALL special based). Fiery Dance is for people who want to sweep, and stay in. Fire Blast is those who want to be in then out. Both gain STAB. Fiery Dance has 80 Power, but also has a 50% chance of raising Sp. Atk (one stage). This boost can make your sweep even sweeter, and destroy anything in it's path, especially if you can get in at least 2 Quiver Dances then Fiery Dance for the boost. Fire Blast, with pure 120 power does alot of damage, fast. So again if you plan on staying in, Fiery Dance. Other wise Fire Blast is the way to go, Fast & Furious. Bug Buzz is basically for STAB and can cover Psychics fairly easily. Hidden Power can save you from being stopped WAY short in line for a sweep. Hidden Power [Ground] saves you from Heatran (and other Flash Fire users) from absorbing your Fire Attacks. Of course you'll see a Heatran running Balloon which forces you to switch. Hidden Power [Rock] spreads against the Flying Dragons, such as Dragonite, and Gyrados. Psychic is also a option for this set. Psychic takes care of Fighting Types that want to Stone Edge you, and can lower Sp. Def. As for Natures, I personally go with Timid, for those people who believe Speed is a value, but Modest is always there for an extra punch.

Volcarona @ Leftovers
Trait: Flame Body
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Quiver Dance
- Bug Buzz / Solar Beam
- Fiery Dance
- Morning Sun

Set Comments-

This isn't the most popular, but Volcarona isn't very popular either. The goal here is to stop psychic sweepers in their tracks. The goal is use the bulk and Morning Sun to get +6 stats, then sweep. Now with only Fiery Dance and Bug Buzz to defend, this is only for Late game after the opponent is weakened a bit. If you use the Evs like it shows, you take alot less damage from physical moves, and priority moves. Using this in the Sun is a BIG Advantage with Morning Sun. Very rarely when in Sun people may use Solar Beam to take out rocks, and water Pokemon.

Volcarona (M) @ Heat Rock
Trait: Flame Body
EVs: 104 Def / 76 SAtk / 76 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Morning Sun
- Quiver Dance
- Fiery Dance
- Sunny Day

(COMING SOON)