Analysis
Centiskorch is a great wallbreaker and sweeper with a unique fire/bug typing that allows it to hit 15 (16 if you count both Gourgeists) mons super effectively, Frosmoth being the most noteworthy victim. It has 115 base attack which allows it to hit hard, and although it isn’t very fast with base 65 speed, it still outspeeds most mons this month.
Its most popular item is choice scarf, allowing it to outrun everything not named scarf Pinsir. With knock off and power whip as coverage, it can hit everything neutrally and often 2HKO or even OHKO anything that isn’t bulky. Fire lash offers great stab and reduces the opposing mon’s defense, ensuring that anything that doesn’t resist it will fall in 2 hits. Centiskorch also shares the same base speed stat as Frosmoth which allows it to outspeed it when it’s at +0 speed and even speed tie at +1. While Pinsir would be the better option here since it will always outspeed +1 Frosmoth, its scarf advantage is negated by webs if hazard removal isn’t sufficient enough. On the other hand, Centiskorch has white smoke which stops the speed drop from webs which helps in a meta where hazard removal is a bit limited. White smoke also stops intimidators like Qwilfish and Granbull from dropping its attack. But if webs aren’t a worry cause you have good hazard control (which you should cause this thing takes half its health from rocks), then flash fire is an alternative. It gives Centiskorch fire immunity and powers up its fire moves, allowing it to switch into fire type moves from mons like opposing Centiskorch or will-o-wisp.
Heavy duty boots is another good option since it allows Centiskorch to ignore entry hazards and attack without getting choice locked, but it doesn’t get the extra speed from choice scarf. Boots is good for when you can’t dedicate as many resources to hazard removal or want to use coil to set up. While very niche, choice specs can be used with Centiskorch’s serviceable base 90 sp atk. While it doesn’t get the very useful speed from scarf and can’t ignore hazards with boots, it gets better coverage in the form of scald and scorching sands which allows it to actually fight Qwilfish, Turtonator, and opposing Centiskorches. Both moves also have a chance to burn for some extra utility. However, running specs will require more speed and hazard control.
As mentioned before, Centiskorch has a base 65 speed, which isn’t the slowest, but it gets outsped by more common mons like Galvantula, Gabite, Qwiflish, and Pinsir. Its fire/bug typing, while great offensively, makes it stealth rock weak which is a problem if it wants to switch in a lot. Qwilfish with intimidate can often wall non-specs Centiskorch and often runs rocky helmet to punish it for attacking. Similarly, Turtonator can wall Centiskorch and use it as an opportunity to set up shell smash. It also always gets outsped by scarf Pinsir and OHKOed by rock slide. To help overcome these shortcomings, Centiskorch appreciates webs from Galvantula and Araquanid to outspeed even scarf Pinsir as well as rapid spin support from Tsareena. Mons that can break down its checks like Glaceon for Gabite and Qwilfish or Reuniclus for Qwilfish and Turtonator are also good mons to pair with Centiskorch. Finally, slow pivots like Wishiwashi are good to help Centiskorch hit the field safely.
Sets: https://pokepast.es/045f40f308a08f6b
Written by AlfrexFrostStaff
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