Typhlosion, the Volcano Pokémon. It has a secret, devastating move. It rubs its blazing fur to cause huge explosions. If its rage peaks, it becomes so hot that anything that touches it will instantly go up in flames.
Overview
The second generation’s fire starter, Typhlosion had big shoes to fill with the popularity that was Charizard. So much so that Typhlosion emulated Charizard to the point of having the same Base stats, for all the good and ill that it does. Indeed, even after several generations of moveset expansions, new abilities and more, Typhlosion finds itself in a similar position as Charizard; one of overwhelming power melting everything from the word go. However, how the two get to that point is very different. While Charizard is reliant on Solar Power for searing offense, Typhlosion uses the Sun more simplistically, boosting the power of Eruption to lay waste to everything in its path. Such is the strength of a full power Eruption that even Typhlosion’s base 109 Special Attack becomes quite terrifying. Add in a solid base 100 Speed that becomes hard to outstrip with Choice Scarf and Typhlosion becomes a force capable of easily cleaning up teams.
However, getting to said conditions is easier said than done. Lacking Charizard’s Flying subtyping, Typhlosion is horribly exposed to entry hazards, and Stealth Rocks plus a layer of Spikes immediately knocks Eruption down to be weaker than Fire Blast. Heavy-Duty Boots isn’t an ironclad answer either as while base 100 Speed is solid, generations of Speed creep have made base 100 far less impressive than before and Typhlosion needs to outspeed to get the most out of Eruption. This comes to the other crux of the problem in that Eruption is really Typhlosion’s only differentiating factor. Typhlosion’s coverage is what one would expect for a Fire type, being rather poor with no direct answers for Dragon and Water types beyond the physical Play Rough and weather reliant Solar Beam. Being so reliant on Eruption makes Typhlosion’s defensive utility next to nil as well, as one does not want to be taking hits and weakening Eruption, before one even gets into Typhlosion’s mediocre defenses greatly limiting what defensive utility it can provide. In the end, Typhlosion lives up to its namesake; as devastating as an explosion and just as long lasting.
Positives
Eruption is an amazing move, being essentially a STAB Blast Burn with no drawback allowing Typhlosion to threaten a wide range of targets.
Base 100 Speed is a good baseline, outspeeding just about every defensive staple and several offensive ones as well.
Negatives
Special Attack is unimpressive when not looking at Eruption.
Mediocre defenses, exposure to entry hazards and common weaknesses leaves Typhlosion with little defensive utility.
Said defensive utility goes away if using Eruption, as Typhlosion cannot switch in safely at all.
Movesets
Lava Badger
-Eruption
-Flamethrower
-Scorching Sands
-Shadow Ball
Ability: Flash Fire
Item: Choice Specs
EVs and Nature:
4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
Choice Specs Typhlosion is a Pokémon simple in execution. Spam Eruption and profit. It is hard to emphasize just how obscene a STAB base 150 power move with no drawbacks is, and the shocking ease that Typhlosion can pick up knock outs with. Flamethrower is a reliable secondary STAB when Typhlosion inevitably gets too damaged (Eruption and Flamethrower equalize at 60% HP). Scorching Sands provides invaluable coverage, especially against opposing Fire types, as well as Rock types who also loathe the accompanying Burn. Shadow Ball rounds out the set, amazing for its wide neutral coverage, especially into Charizard that resists Fire STAB and no sells Scorching Sands. Its ability to check Mesprit once Typhlosion’s health begins dropping shouldn’t be discounted either.
Tera Types:
Like most Choice’d Pokémon, Typhlosion tends to prefer pivoting over Terastalizing to get through problems, though it is not a bad target by any means. As a Mono Fire type, Typhlosion makes for a decent Terastalization target, using Tera Grass or Tera Water to pivot away from its weaknesses and stick around longer. However, Tera Fire is the most used Tera type for good reason, turning Eruption into a weapon of mass destruction with Pokémon even as bulky as offensive Florges, Hitmontop, Mesprit and Dusknoir are OHKO’d with even resists and bulky sponges like Magmortar, Muk, Assault Vest Eelektross take a minimum of three fourths of their health. Even if running Choice Scarf over Choice Specs, the Tera Boost is still immense in picking up knock outs that are otherwise unreachable such as with Mismagius.
EVs and Items:
As a Choice user, the usual allotment of max Special Attack and Speed EVs are recommended. Base 100 tends to be a crowded Speed tier with simply dropping from Timid to Modest leaving Typhlosion outsped by Charizard, Toedscruel, Basculin, Morepeko, Oricorio, and opposing Typhlosion, where Typhlosion needs to be outsped by as few targets as possible to get the maximum efficacy out of Eruption. Modest is more arguably for Choice Scarf users as Typhlosion still outruns Electrode and opposing Base 80 Speed Scarf users like Passimian and Mesprit with ease. Really the main argument is whether to use Choice Specs or Choice Scarf with Typhlosion. Choice Specs is great at picking up OHKOs against neutral targets that Choice Scarf misses like Especially defensive Mesprit, Hitmontop and Spiritomb, while Choice Scarf handles naturally faster threats and opposing Choice Scarf users like Dodrio and Mismagius.
Partners:
Since Typhlosion struggles to justify Heavy-Duty Boots over the Choice Scarf or Choice Specs, excellent hazard control is paramount in keeping Typhlosion’s health up. Sandslash is a solid example of this and is a great partner in of itself, setting up Stealth Rocks and using Knock Off to soften bulkier targets into Typhlosion’s Eruption range. Hitmontop is another excellent example, being a good check into Thick Fat Snorlax one of the few Pokémon that can counter Typhlosion.
Sun setters are also invaluable for Typhlosion if one can spring for them. Stacking a Sun Boost with Tera Fire and Choice Specs enables searing offense that is impossible to switch into. Even normally solid sponges like Specially Defensive Regirock and Snorlax are threatened into 2HKO range after some hazard damage. Torkoal, and Ninetails are best given the passiveness of Drought but any Sunny Day user can suffice. The fact they enable Chlorophyll sweepers like Leafeon and Victreebell who can cover for opposing Rock and Water types is an added bonus.
Other Options:
Countering Typhlosion
While Typhlosion may be a one note fighter, that one note is terrifying and can be difficult to manage.
As such, entry hazards are paramount in dealing with Typhlosion, weakening its Eruption before it can even fire it off. Even if Typhlosion is running Heavy-Duty Boots, that is still a win as it would lack the sheer power or speed that make the Specs and Scarf users so troublesome.
Priority is also good for blunting Eruption’s power even if such users can’t really switch in freely. Basculin, Samurott and Lycanroc all do over half to Typhlosion with their STAB priority, turning Eruption into a pitiful move. Hitmontop struggles to manage even 40% but is notable for being able to tank a Tera Fire Specs Fire Blast if running Assault Vest.
As for tanking Typhlosion’s blows, there are a few options. Curse Thick Fat Snorlax is by far the best, as with Max HP and Special Defense investment, Eruption can only manage a 3HKO with Tera Fire and Choice Specs in the Sun while Focus Blast is little better requiring 3 hits if Snorlax still has Leftovers. After that, it is simple for Snarlax to outlast Typhlosion between Rest, Leftovers, weakening Eruption and Focus Blast misses. Specially Defensive Lanturn is also only 3HKO’d by Tera Fire Specs Eruption (and takes less from Scorching Sands) and can easily outlast Typhlosion between Rest and its own Water STAB. Specially Defensive Regirock also deserves some mention. While Tera Fire Specs Eruption can 2HKO, it is unlikely and without those boosts, comfortably tanks Typhlosion’s Fire STABs with ease. Even Focus Blast misses out on the OHKO, and while a Scorching Sands Burn is ruinous, it is still a 3HKO with Leftovers while Regirock is a much more immediate threat than Snorlax thanks to its Rock STAB. Ironically opposing Typhlosion can switch into a predicted Eruption for free thanks to Flash Fire while threatening with Scorching Sands. Clawitzer can’t switch in but can tank a Specs Tera Fire Eruption from max HP and solidly OHKOs back with Water Pulse.
Other checks are reliant on what item Typhlosion is running. If running Choice Specs, Typhlosion can be outran by other speedsters like Jolteon, Alolan Persian, Lycanroc, and Dodrio just to name a few and to say nothing of Choice Scarf users like Passimian and Basculin that can all cripple Eruption’s power. If running Choice Scarf, Typhlosion’s power becomes much more manageable, where Specially Defensive Mesprit, Assault Vest Eelektross, and Whiscash can all tank multiple max health Eruptions and strike back. If given a free switch, that list extends even more.
Hisuian-Typhlosion, the Ghost Flame Pokémon. Said to purify lost, forsaken souls with its flames and guide them to the afterlife. I believe its form has been influenced by the energy of the sacred mountain towering at Hisui’s center.
Overview
Harkening from Sinnoh’s past, Hisuian-Typhlosion is a revamp for the line who has been doing the same thing since generation 4. Not that Hisuian-Typhlosion isn’t capable of the same destruction. In fact Hisuian-Typhlosion can even eclipse its Johtoian form in pure Fire power thanks to its respectable base 119 Special Attack, granting Hisuian-Typhlosion the strongest Eruption available in the game. However, Hisuian-Typhlosion is more than just an Eruption bot. Hisuian-Typhlosion’s new Ghost STAB offers incredible neutral coverage that its Johtoian counterpart just can’t match which with the higher base Special Attack makes switching into it near impossible. If that wasn’t enough, Hisuian-Typhlosion also was given an incredible signature move. Infernal Parade is absurd being a mix of Hex and Lava Plume meaning the move sets itself up for incredible damage while having the same Burn chance that Scald is reviled for on a non-Fire typed attack.
This does not change the fact that Hisuian-Typhlosion is haunted by its past. While the new immunities and resistances from its Ghost sub-typing help a lot, Hisuian-Typhlosion suffers from the same frailty issues that plague its nominate counterpart. Perhaps even more so with a new weakness to the ever present Knock Off. This places Hisuian-Typhlosion at odds with its signature move as Infernal Parade would be best on a bulky Pokémon that can take multiple hits and thus use the move repeatedly for the Burn, something Hisuian-Typhlosion is ill equipped to do. Additionally, while Hisuian-Typhlosion’s power may be greater, that does not mean it is the better Eruption user. Speed is everything when using Eruption and Water Spout and Hisuian-Typhlosion sitting at a base 95 Speed falls short of an important benchmark that many Pokémon sit at, making it easier to reduce Hisuian-Typhlosion’s power. The biggest nail in Hisuian-Typhlosion’s coffin must be the other Fire Ghost types it must compete with. Chandelure, while slightly slower, possesses frankly absurd offense that applies to both its STABs and far better coverage, while Skeledirge is the Burn spreading physical wall Hisuian-Typhlosion wishes it was. While Hisuian-Typhlosion is a fantastic reimagining of an old starter, one often wishes it had a bit more than power to light its ghostly pyre.
Positives
Base 119 Special Attack is a good starting point and with two excellent STABs is difficult to resist.
Incredible moves in Eruption and Infernal Parade make it very difficult to switch in safely to Hisuian-Typhlosion.
Negatives
73/78/85 defenses are underwhelming, having Hisuian-Typhlosion struggle to take hits.
No defensive utility if running Eruption as Hisuian-Typhlosion cannot risk taking any damage.
Outclassed by other Fire Ghost types.
Movesets
Sage of Pyre
-Calm Mind
-Infernal Parade
-Fire Blast
-Focus Blast
Ability: Blaze/Frisk
Item: Leftovers
EVs and Nature:
4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
Due to the built in synergies of Calm Mind and Burns, Hisuian-Typhlosion can become nigh impenetrable, blunting both physical and special offense while snowballing to the point of irresistibility. This makes Hisuian-Typhlosion a rarity among setup sweepers that can also support the team in the process of attacking. Come in on something Hisuian-Typhlosion threatens out, use the free turn to setup a Calm Mind and escalate from there. Infernal Parade pulls double duty on this set, being both primary Ghost STAB and Hisuian-Typhlosion’s vehicle for burning. The fact that it becomes an impressive base 120 power against statused targets, allowing Hisuian-Typhlosion to capitalize not only on its own burns, but setup from allies. Fire Blast is the preferred Fire STAB, offering consistent immediate power that is already hard to resist after a single Calm Mind allowing for a 2HKO on anything that doesn’t resist it. Focus Blast rounds out the set as coverage, handing the Dark and Rock types that resist Hisuian-Typhlosion’s other STABs such as Incineroar, and Scrafty.
Tera Types:
Ghost-Fire is one of the typings that is in an odd spot of providing a wealth of resistances but is plagued by as many weaknesses. However, if Hisuian-Typhlosion wishes to stick around against as many Pokémon as possible, it will inevitably need to Terastalize to pivot around a resistance. Like with Skeledirge, Tera Fairy is an incredibly popular Tera Type for this task, giving Hisuian-Typhlosion a valuable Dark resistance while being a hard to exploit type, especially given that Steel types want nothing to do with Hisuian-Typhlosion’s Fire STAB. Tera Grass is another solid option, addressing Fire’s Water and Ground weaknesses, while most of Grass’ weaknesses are resisted pre Tera, making trying to predict the Terastalization rough for opponents.
EVs and Items:
Max Speed and Special Attack are recommended. Despite running a more defensive set, at the end of the day, Hisuian-Typhlosion is still an attacker and benefits most from offensive investment. Due to base 95 Speed being substandard, the extra Speed investment becomes all the more important in getting Calm Mind or Burns off before Hisuian-Typhlosion is struck. As a result, Timid Nature is preferred. While dropping for Modest does give Hisuian-Typhlosion impressive power, swinging +1 Infernal Parade’s against Galarian Articuno, and Drifblim into its favor while guaranteeing the OHKO on Golurk, Palossand, Galarian Slowbro, and Delphox, losing the ability to outspeed Bruxish, the Rotom forms and Skunktank reduces Hisuian-Typhlosion’s efficacy. Leftovers is highly recommended as Hisuian-Typhlosion has no way to recover health otherwise and needs passive recovery to get the most out of its defensive boosting. Heavy-Duty Boots is also a nice option if looking to not have Hisuian-Typhlosion ruined by entry hazards upon switch in.
Partners:
Answers to bulky opposing Fire types are greatly appreciated for Hisuian-Typhlosion, given how many are unbothered by Hisuian-Typhlosion’s Fire STAB and cannot be Burned for Infernal Parade’s bonus. Snorlax is one of the best examples, its titanic bulk stifling most Special Fire types, while no selling opposing Ghost types. In return, Snorlax loves Infernal Parade burns making it even harder to removal as well as Hisuian-Typhlosion’s ability to switch into Fighting attacks. Tatsugiri is another notable answer thanks to its quadruple resistance to Fire as well as completely shutting out opposing Water types thanks to Storm Drain, while Burns go a long way in addressing Tatsugiri’s poor Defense. Both being a solid Fire-Water core doesn’t hurt matters either.
Other Options:
Shadow Ball is generally the preferred Ghost STAB for its reliability, having more immediate power without relying on allies or a lucky Burn to be better.
Extrasensory is a strong option against Thick Fat Hariyama, who can be a troublesome foe if otherwise relying on Infernal Parade to be better.
Will-O-Wisp is a more reliable Burn option, especially when paired with Hex.
Substitute pairs wonderfully with Calm Mind, as with enough boosts Hisuian-Typhlosion can become unbreakable and start recovering the HP lost from Substitute.
It should be noted that Scarf and Specs sets running Eruption are just as effective with Hisuian-Typhlosion as they are with its Johtoian counterpart.
VGC & Doubles Options
Due to a perfect storm of traits, Hisuian-Typhlosion has made quite a name for itself in the lower powered regulations in Doubles through searing offense that few Pokémon can directly match. Yes, this is from Hisuian-Typhlosion spamming Eruption. A STAB Base 150 Spread move off a base 119 Special Attack is incredibly potent and hard to resist in the first place. Add in the myriad of ways Eruption can be boosted, from Sun, to Helping Hand and more and one could consider Hisuian-Typhlosion to be Kyogre-lite for how quickly it destroys teams. Hisuian-Typhlosion’s Ghost subtyping is invaluable in this task preventing Fake Out from stopping Eruption and blunting its power, as well as deny common forms of priority liked Dragonite’s Extreme Speed. Hisuian-Typhlosion’s unimpressive speed is more forgivable in Doubles as well, with the glut of support Pokémon Hisuian-Typhlosion safely outspeeds and burns alive with Eruption. However, Hisuian-Typhlosion’s unimpressive speed and lacking defenses hold it back from stronger formats, especially those populated by Flutter Mane that easily outspeed even Scarf users with Protosynthesis and OHKO with its own Ghost STAB. While good team support is required to get the most out of Hisuian-Typhlosion, the game breaking power it provides is very much worth it.
Pompeii Incarnate
-Eruption
-Heat Wave
-Overheat
-Shadow Ball
Tera Type: Fire
Ability: Frisk/Blaze
Item: Choice Scarf/Choice Specs
EVs and Nature:
4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
Hisuian-Typhlosion's flagship set. Come in, use Eruption, profit. The sheer power involved is more than capable of annihilating soft and Fire weak targets and compromise more defensive ones, even before one gets into the external boosts Hisuian-Typhlosion can acquire. Heat Wave is secondary spread STAB once Hisuian-Typhlosion is damaged to the point that Eruption is weaker (usually 63% or when Hisuian-Typhlosion hits 96 HP on a 4 HP EV set), allowing Hisuian-Typhlosion to continue its destruction as the battle wears on. Overheat is a break glass in case of Wide Guard scenario, enabling Hisuian-Typhlosion to immediately apply offensive pressure and melt a target. Shadow Ball is secondary STAB, for the rare cases when overwhelming Fire power won't work, being especially good into Basculegion and Flash Fire Armarouge and Chandelure. Tera Fire is recommended for when there isn't a risk of Fake Out or priority, turning Hisuian-Typhlosion's Fire STABs nuclear, especially when stacked with Sun, Helping Hand, and/or Choice Specs, allowing Hisuian-Typhlosion to maim if not knock out Fire resists. Speaking of Choice Specs, both Choice Scarf and Choice Specs are equally viable for Hisuian-Typhlosion. Choice Scarf is largely preferred, giving Hisuian-Typhlosion the jump over even the speedy Dragapult and fearsome Scarf Annihilape and is generally much more self-sufficient. Choice Specs generally requires more speed support, so Hisuian-Typhlosion isn't outran by the likes of Sneasler, Garchomp, Dragapult, etc. but the extra power is paramount is breaking through the likes of Assault Vest Archaludon, Ursaluna, and more with relatively little offensive support. Hisuian-Typhlosion's ability is also of interest, being reliant on whether you are playing with open or closed team sheet. If in a closed team sheet setting, (like the normal ladder), Frisk is invaluable in catching odd sets and off beat items, especially surprise Covert Cloaks or Safety Goggles. However, Frisk's utility is non-existent in open team sheet, and thus Blaze is preferred, giving Hisuian-Typhlosion a potent boost to its STABs if knocked to low health, which while inconsistent, can and does come up.
Other Options and Preferred Partners:
Allies that can set the sun are invaluable for Hisuian-Typhlosion, giving its Eruptions a deadly boost in power and make a lot of the obscene damage numbers possible. Torkoal is very prominent, being able to passively set the Sun with Drought, while being an answer to opposing Trick Room teams that Hisuian-Typhlosion can struggle against. Whimsicott is a more consistent partner, not only providing a Prankster Sunny Day that bypasses any switching shenanigans (but still goes before even Scarf Hisuian-Typhlosion) but also Prankster Tailwind for Speed control, ensuring that Typhlosion can outspeed everything. Access to Fake Tears to ensure a target dies to Eruption is just icing on the cake, though Torkoal can do similarly with Helping Hand. Indeede-F is another common partner in crime for Hisuian-Typhlosion, protecting it against opposing priority and making it much safer to Terastalize to Fire and launch off nuclear Eruptions. The ability to seal or reverse opposing Trick Rooms or provide a Helping Hand comes together in an amazing package that greatly enables Hisuian-Typhlosion. Flamethrower is a more reliable single target STAB option that doesn't sink Hisuian-Typhlosion's Special Attack Solarbeam is great with Sun support in annihilating opposing Water types and Tyranitar, but is more vulnerable to disruption from opposing weather. Sleep Talk is a tech against Spore from Amoonguss and Smeargle as well as Jumpluff's and Hisuian-Lilligant's Sleep Powder, allowing Hisuian-Typhlosion to wreak havoc while absorbing what is otherwise a debilitating status.
Countering Hisuian Typhlosion
Hisuian-Typhlosion incredible offense presents a challenge to navigate, though the said cannot be the same about its defenses.
Much like Johtoian Typhlosion, anti-Eruption measures work well against Hisuian-Typhlosion as well. Entry Hazards deeply cut into Eruption’s power before Hisuian-Typhlosion even has a chance to strike and Heavy-Duty Boots does preclude the generally more dangerous Choice Scarf and Choice Specs. Priority users are also fantastic at blunting Eruptions power, though there are fewer viable users due to Hisuian-Typhlosion’s Ghost typing. Lycanroc does fantastic damage while Banded Brambleghast can actually get the OHKO with Shadow Sneak if it Terastalizes into Ghost. Banded Adaptability Basculegion can also nab a OHKO with its own Aqua Jet. Tauros-Aqua’s Aqua Jet misses out on the OHKO even with Choice Band but does horrific damage in the process.
As for walling Hisuian-Typhlosion, Thick Fat Snorlax remains king stomaching anything the Scarf set can throw at it. Specs sets can get a little dicey, with Focus Blast 2HKOing and Infernal Parade capable of a 3HKO while Snorlax is Terastalized and statused (such as when using Rest). The bigger issue is that Snorlax needs to fit Earthquake or Crunch on its set to meaningfully damage Hisuian-Typhlosion or it gets walled out instead if running Body Slam + Heat Crash. Coalossal cannot withstand a Specs Focus Blast and without Special Defense investment, can get 2HKO’d by Specs Shadow Ball, but eats Eruptions easily and can threaten with Rock STAB. If running Choice Scarf, the number of walls go way up, with staple sponges like Milotic and Goodra easily stomach anything Hisuian-Typhlosion throws at them. Specially Defensive Swampert also absorbs Tera Fire Eruptions and Shadow Balls with little issue, taking four hits to be knocked out. Kingdra and Tatsugiri are also notable for quad resisting Eruption and only being 2HKO’d by Shadow Ball while threatening a OHKO back with their own Water STABs.
Offensively checking Hisuian-Typhlosion is more of a question if one can outspeed it given the litany of weaknesses and Hisuian-Typhlosion’s lacking defenses. Scarf Mismagius, and Scarf Zoroark easily outrun and OHKO Scarf Hisuian-Typhlosion, while Scarf Pawmot, Espeon just miss out on the OHKO with Knock Off and Shadow Ball respectively. If not running Choice Scarf, answers increase, including the aforementioned Pokémon sans Scarf, Inteleon, Scarf Chanedlure, Flygon, and Staraptor just to name a few.
Locations in Games
Red/Blue/Yellow:
Not in game
Gold/Silver/Crystal:
Evolve Quilava
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Evolve Quilava (Emerald)
Trade or Transfer (Ruby / Sapphire)
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Trade or Transfer
Colosseum/XD:
Evolve Quilava
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Trade or Transfer
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Evolve Quilava
Black/White:
Trade or Transfer
Black 2/White 2:
Trade or Transfer
X/Y:
Trade or Transfer
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Evolve Quilava
Sun/Moon:
Evolve Quilava
Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon:
Trade
Let's Go, Pikachu!/Let's Go, Eevee!:
Not in game
Sword/Shield:
Not in game
Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl:
Evolve Quilava
Legends: Arceus:
Space-time Distortion in Crimson Mirelands
Crimson Mirelands: Massive Mass Outbreak
Scarlet/Violet:
Evolve Quilava
Legends: Z-A:
Not in game
Anime Appearences
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Typhlosion has made a few anime appearances. Most notably it was used by Jimmy during Johto |
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