Welcome, trainers! If you’ve spent any time in the world of competitive Pokémon VGC, you’ve seen the fiery, intimidating presence of one Pokémon more than any other: Incineroar. Since its debut, this feline wrestler has dominated the meta with its incredible utility and surprising bulk.
With its return in the Indigo Disk DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Incineroar is back to reclaim its throne. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly why Incineroar is a top-tier threat and how you can build one to anchor your own team.
Pokédex Deep Dive: The Heel Pokémon
- Pokédex No: #727
- Type: Fire / Dark
- Category: Heel Pokémon
Incineroar is the final evolution of the Alolan starter, Litten. Its design is inspired by a professional wrestler, specifically a “heel”—the villainous character fans love to boo. Its “belt” of fire is produced from its navel and waist. Despite its rough and selfish demeanor in battle, Pokédex entries reveal a softer side; it loves praise and can be incredibly kind to children and young Pokémon.
Competitive Corner: The VGC King
Incineroar’s dominance isn’t about raw power; it’s about control. It is the premier support pivot in the game, a Pokémon that enters the battlefield, disrupts the opponent’s strategy, and safely brings in a teammate.
Base Stats & Ability
Incineroar’s stats are perfectly distributed for its role:
- HP: 95
- Attack: 115
- Defense: 90
- Sp. Atk: 80
- Sp. Def: 90
- Speed: 60
Its impressive bulk (95/90/90) allows it to take hits from both physical and special attackers. The high Attack stat ensures it’s not passive, while its low Speed is a huge advantage for a slow pivot using moves like Parting Shot.
The true source of its power is its ability: Intimidate. When Incineroar enters the battle, it lowers the Attack stat of both opposing Pokémon by one stage. This immediately weakens physical threats and provides defensive support for your entire team, just by switching in.
The Ultimate VGC Build
This build focuses on maximizing Incineroar’s supportive capabilities and longevity.
- Ability: Intimidate
- Item: Sitrus Berry
- Nature: Careful (+Sp. Def, -Sp. Atk)
- Tera Type: Grass or Water
- EV Spread: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 100 Def / 148 SpD / 4 Spe
Moveset Analysis
- Fake Out: A priority move that can only be used on the first turn a Pokémon is on the field. It causes the target to flinch, giving your partner a free turn to set up Tailwind, Trick Room, or land a crucial attack.
- Parting Shot: Incineroar’s signature move. It lowers the target’s Attack and Special Attack by one stage, and then Incineroar switches out. This debuffs an opponent while giving you momentum and a safe switch-in for a teammate.
- Flare Blitz: A powerful Fire-type STAB move that keeps Incineroar from being passive. The recoil damage can be risky, but it’s often worth it to secure a key knockout. It also pairs well with Sitrus Berry.
- Knock Off: An incredible Dark-type STAB move that doubles in power if the target is holding an item—and then removes that item. Disarming opponents by removing their Leftovers, Assault Vest, or Sitrus Berry can be game-winning.
Strategy and Tera Type
Your goal with Incineroar is to cycle it in and out of battle. Use Intimidate to weaken foes, Fake Out to disrupt leads, and Parting Shot to debuff threats and pivot to a better matchup.
- Tera Grass: This is arguably the best defensive Tera for Incineroar. It turns its weaknesses to Water and Ground into resistances and grants it a valuable immunity to powder moves like Spore and Rage Powder from Amoonguss.
- Tera Water: Another excellent defensive option that resists its Water weakness and turns its Fire weakness into a resistance.
- Tera Ghost: A fantastic niche choice. Tera Ghost makes Incineroar immune to Fake Out and Fighting-type attacks, allowing it to use Parting Shot or attack when it otherwise couldn’t.
In-Game Strategy: The Indigo Disk Adventure
If you’re looking to use Incineroar on your journey through the Terarium, here’s how:
- Location: Litten can be found in the Savanna Biome of the Blueberry Academy’s Terarium after you’ve upgraded the biome’s biodiversity using the League Club Room computer.
- Evolution: Litten evolves into Torracat at Level 17 and into Incineroar at Level 34.
- Playthrough Moveset: For a story playthrough, focus on offense. A good moveset would be Flare Blitz, Darkest Lariat (which ignores defensive boosts), Leech Life for recovery, and a coverage move like Brick Break.
Lore & Origins
Incineroar’s “heel” persona is its defining characteristic. It fights dirty and acts selfishly to draw heat from the crowd, but this is often a performance. When the battle is over, or when no one is looking, it lets its guard down.
In the Pokémon Sun & Moon anime, Ash’s Litten evolves all the way into a powerful Incineroar. It maintains a fierce rivalry with Professor Kukui’s own Incineroar, culminating in a spectacular battle during the Alola League exhibition match. This rivalry perfectly captures the competitive, wrestler-like spirit of the Pokémon.
Trainer’s Final Thoughts
Incineroar is not just a strong Pokémon; it’s a pillar of the VGC format.
- Strengths: Unmatched role compression with Intimidate, Fake Out, and Parting Shot. Great defensive typing and bulk. Provides momentum and control unlike any other Pokémon.
- Weaknesses: Vulnerable to common Water, Ground, and Fighting-type attacks. Can be shut down by the move Taunt or opponents with the aility Competitive/Defiant.
Few Pokémon have defined a competitive format as long and as thoroughly as Incineroar. Its ability to disrupt, support, and pivot makes it an invaluable asset to almost any team. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to VGC, learning how to use—and play against—this fiery champion is essential for success.