Hisuian Arcanine Movesets & Competitive Sets

Extreme Speed gets the jump on everything in the tier and backs up Hisuian Arcanine's potent STAB moves by letting it revenge kill frailer offensive Pokemon from high HP like Greninja, Ogerpon, and Latios. Notably, it can even prevent Adamant Lokix from revenge killing Hisuian Arcanine with First Impression. The perfect coverage afforded by these moves lets it fit a utility option into its last moveslot. Hisuian Arcanine is a great Stealth Rock setter thanks to its great matchup against Excadrill and Mandibuzz, the most common entry hazard removers, but it can also use Morning Sun to let its user more recklessly switch it in against foes like Tinkaton and Skarmory. Howl can be used over either choice to boost Hisuian Arcanine's Attack, letting it more easily cleave through offense with a boosted Extreme Speed. A Jolly nature with Tera Normal is chosen to let Hisuian Arcanine get the jump on Excadrill and to give Extreme Speed a much-needed power boost against offensive teams. Hisuian Arcanine best fits on offense teams and is best supported by offensive teammates that can break through the few things that can take on its STAB attacks. Latios can break through Toxapex, Hippowdon, and Gastrodon, and it can help with some offensive foes that Hisuian Arcanine struggles to revenge kill like Sand Rush Excadrill while also switching into Keldeo for it. Stealth Rock setters like Tinkaton let Hisuian Arcanine more freely run Morning Sun, and in return it relieves some pressure on them to switch into Flying-types like Thundurus-T and Tornadus-T. Tinkaton can also check some foes Hisuian Arcanine struggles with, such as the Normal-resistant faster offensive threat Ogerpon-C. Pivot support from allies like Lokix and Tornadus-T can bring Hisuian Arcanine in on prey like Tinkaton and Heatran. Strong Water-types like Azumarill and Greninja can help Hisuian Arcanine with bulky Ground-types like Hippowdon and Rhyperior that cause it problems.

Head Smash deals with foes such as non-Choice Scarf Volcanion and Skeledirge while also dealing great damage against neutral foes such as Hoopa-U and Sylveon. Flare Blitz is Hisuian Arcanine's best move against Steel-types like non-Choice Scarf Metagross, Corviknight, and Scizor. Outrage secures the matchup against frailer Dragon-types such as non-defensive Haxorus and non-Haban Berry Raging Bolt while also giving Hisuian Arcanine a better matchup against Roaring Moon. Close Combat beats non-Chople Berry and non-Custap Berry Hisuian Goodra. A Jolly nature gives Hisuian Arcanine a better matchup against Hoopa-U and non-maximum Speed Kyurem. Alternatively, an Adamant nature may be used for a better matchup against Raging Bolt. Hisuian Arcanine struggles against Fighting-type foes such as Urshifu and Great Tusk as well as Water- and Ground-types such as Primarina, Landorus-T, and Ursaluna. It is recommended to use it alongside partners such as Primarina, Zapdos, and Ogerpon-W that can deal with these threats.

Choice Scarf Hisuian Arcanine looks to outspeed its biggest threats, such as Choice Scarf Volcanion, Spectrier, and Meowscarada, in order to OHKO them on the first turn. Head Smash hits Volcanion, opposing Hisuian Arcanine, and Volcarona, with the Choice Scarf helping against the last one in case of Substitute variants. Raging Fury is preferred over Flare Blitz due to its non-recoil-related drawback, which helps it nicely against Choice Band Hoopa-U. It can also KO fast Weakness Policy Iron Crown, which Choice Band sets cannot do, as Iron Crown's higher Speed allows it to set up Iron Defense. Close Combat is able to OHKO Chien-Pao and Darkrai. Outrage hits Dragon-types such as Dragapult and Haxorus. An Adamant nature allows Hisuian Arcanine to pick up more KOs, such as on fast Weakness Policy Iron Crown; however, a Jolly nature allows it to outspeed more threats, such as Dragapult and Choice Scarf Hoopa-U. Hisuian Arcanine may struggle against Water- and Ground-types like Manaphy, Great Tusk, and Donphan, so teammates like Rillaboom and Ogerpon-W make for good partners.

Tera Blast Fairy can hit foes like Urshifu-R, Urshifu, and Raging Bolt, the former of which walls Hisuian Arcanine's STABs. Head Smash can be used to threaten Pokemon like Incineroar and Ogerpon-W with an OHKO at the cost of being chipped down by recoil. Choice Band boosts Hisuian Arcanine's damage, allowing for OHKOs on top threats like Urshifu-R, Kingambit, and Ogerpon-H. The given EV spread lets Hisuian Arcanine take two unboosted Flutter Mane Shadow Balls and almost always survive a Stomping Tantrum from Ogerpon-H. The Speed EVs let it outspeed Regieleki in Tailwind. Tera Fairy lets Hisuian Arcanine remove its weakness to Fighting-type attacks, which can be useful in a pinch against Chien-Pao; this can also let it survive Surging Strikes from Mystic Water Urshifu-R. Tera Normal boosts Extreme Speed's damage, which can be helpful against neutral targets like Urshifu-R.

Mirror Herb lets Hisuian Arcanine take advantage of Attack boosts from Swords Dance Kingambit, Swords Dance Sneasler, and Bulk Up Annihilape and remove them with boosted Flare Blitz. It can gain Speed boosts from other setup sweepers like Quiver Dance Volcarona and Scale Shot Dragonite. Close Combat threatens the likes of Kingambit and Incineroar much more effectively and can also deal solid chunks of damage against the Ursaluna formes and Archaludon. Tera Fairy Let Hisuian Arcanine resist Dark- and Fighting-type moves, which can be helpful against Kingambit's Sucker Punch and Sneasler's Close Combat. Tera Fairy also grants an immunity to Dragon-type moves, mainly Dragonite's Scale Shot, and a neutrality to Ground-type moves from the Ursaluna formes. Tera Fairy Hisuian Arcanine needs to be wary of Sneasler's Dire Claw and Gholdengo's Make It Rain. The EV spread has enough investment to let Hisuian Arcanine survive +1 Sucker Punch from Black Glasses Kingambit while still having enough Speed to outspeed maximum Speed Archaludon, Gholdengo, and Basculegion-M. The rest of the EVs are put into Attack. Mirror Herb Hisuian Arcanine can be more flexible and act more recklessly with less worry of Defiant or setup moves while also having a way to damage both Ursaluna formes and Archaludon, which would otherwise more heavily trouble it. This set has a worse matchup against Incineroar with the loss of Clear Amulet, making it more vulnerable to Intimidate and Parting Shot cycling as well as other stat drops. The loss of priority also hurts Hisuian Arcanine's presence on the field, losing the ability to finish off weakened foes.

With great Attack and decent Speed, good utility in Intimidate, and a good offensive typing in Fire/Rock, Hisuian Arcanine can be a solid offensive pick for teams, threatening metagame staples such as Rillaboom, Gholdengo, Incineroar, and Dragonite. Flare Blitz is Hisuian Arcanine's best STAB attack, threatening massive damage on Grass- and Steel-types like Amoonguss, Whimsicott, and Kingambit, while Rock Slide provides spread damage, avoids redirection, and hits Incineroar, Volcarona, and Dragonite. Extreme Speed lets Hisuian Arcanine pickoff weakened foes and goes before most forms of priority like Grassy Glide and Sucker Punch, allowing it to finish off Rillaboom and Kingambit. Extreme Speed can also outprioritize and evade redirection from Amoonguss's Rage Powder. Clear Amulet prevents Attack drops from Intimidate and Parting Shot from Incineroar and opposing Hisuian Arcanine, though Incineroar can remove Hisuian Arcanine's Clear Amulet via Knock Off. Clear Amulet also blocks other stat drops such as Speed drops from Alolan Ninetales's Icy Wind. Tera Water grants Hisuian Arcanine Water and Steel resistances against Pelipper, Basculegion-M, and Gholdengoas well as a neutrality to Fighting- and Ground- type attacks like Close Combat, Drain Punch, Earth Power, and Headlong Rush from Sneasler, Annihilape, and both Ursaluna formes. Tera Water does make Hisuian Arcanine weak to Grass-type attacks from Rillaboom and Electro Shot from Archaludon. Tera Ghost grants an immunity to Fighting-type attacks from Sneasler and Annilhilape as well as an immunity to Fake Out from the likes of Incineroar, Rillaboom, and Sneasler. Tera Ghost does make Hisuian Arcanine weak to Gholdengo's Shadow Ball and Annihilape's Rage Fist as well as Dark-type attacks like Knock Off or Kowtow Cleave from Incineroar and Kingambit. Some Sneasler sets also utilize Tera Dark with Throat Chop, hitting Tera Ghost Hisuian Arcanine super effectively. Hisuian Arcanine has advantages over Incineroar, another option for a Fire-type with Intimidate, in its much larger offensive presence, being able to actually threaten an OHKO on Pokemon like Volcarona, and access to strong priority in Extreme Speed. Hisuian Arcanine's exploitable typing and subpar bulk against common checks like Sneasler, Archaludon, and Basculegion means it isn't able to switch around often to take advantage of Intimidate. It also can't damage most of the Water-, Ground-, and Fighting-types that roam the metagame while also Speed tying against Annihilape and being outsped by Sneasler, Garchomp, and boosted Dondozo.

Hisuian Arcanine makes a name for itself even among the intense firepower of Fire teams with its Rock Head ability and high base-power STAB moves in Flare Blitz and Head Smash, the former of which can break through even targets that resist it like Garchomp and Rotom-W when sun-boosted. Head Smash aids Hisuian Arcanine in matchups against types that resist Fire such as Water and Dragon, 2HKOing some of their bulkiest walls like Dondozo, Toxapex, and Garchomp. Hisuian Arcanine also nets OHKOs on Dragon threats such as Dragonite, aiding in the type matchup greatly. Extreme Speed allows Hisuian Arcanine to pick off weakened, faster foes like Iron Valiant and Greninja. Close Combat can hit bulky Rock-types such as Garganacl and Tyranitar, as well as Flash Fire Heatran. Wild Charge is used for consistent damage against bulky Water-types, often providing equal or greater damage to Head Smash while also not risking the shaky accuracy. Sporting a Choice Band leaves Hisuian Arcanine vulnerable to Stealth Rock and Sticky Web so hazard control from the likes of Cinderace and Torkoal is greatly appreciated. Torkoal also sets up sun with its Drought ability, strengthening Hisuian Arcanine and its allies' Fire-type attacks and reducing the threat of incoming Water-type moves. Ninetales is an alternative Drought user with a much higher Speed tier and a pool of utility options like Healing Wish to further support Hisuian Arcanine. Ogerpon-H, Ninetales, and Cinderace can all work in tandem to overwhelm shared checks in bulky Water-types like Toxapex and Rotom-W and other Fire-resistant foes such as Garchomp, Heatran, and Raging Bolt. Ogerpon-H specifically makes use of its Grass-type STAB moves to threaten Water- and Rock-types and Mold Breaker to target Flash Fire Heatran. Volcanion provides a crucial immunity to Water, greatly improving the matchup against Water-types faster than Hisuian Arcanine such as Urshifu-R, Greninja, and Aqua Jet Azumarill. Rotom-H and Talonflame can pivot into Ground-type attacks, the latter of the two also serving as entry hazard control for Hisuian Arcanine and tackling threats like Iron Valiant and Ogerpon-W. Heatran is a crucial answer to Choice Specs Flutter Mane, which otherwise spells doom for any team with Drought granting it a Protosynthesis boost; specially defensive Heatran easily tanks hits from Flutter Mane and OHKO it with Heavy Slam while also setting up Stealth Rock and trapping passive nuisances like Toxapex with its combination of Magma Storm and Earth Power. Ceruledge can pivot into predicted Fighting-type moves for Hisuian Arcanine while also taking advantage of Hisuian Arcanine taking out opposing sweepers like Dragonite and weakened Greninja. Choice Scarf Iron Moth's Speed allows it to take on threats that are faster than and threaten to OHKO Hisuian Arcanine like Hydreigon and Iron Valiant.

Hisuian Arcanine is a terrifying wallbreaker for Rock teams, capable of threatening Steel- and Grass-types due to its strong STAB moves, supporting ability, great coverage, and Fire typing. Head Smash is an immensely powerful move, enabling Hisuian Arcanine to OHKO Primarina after minor chip damage and Pelipper as well as 2HKO Toxapex, physically defensive Gliscor, and Alomomola. Flare Blitz threatens Amoonguss, Corviknight, and Skarmory while breaking through Steel teams in general with ease in conjunction with Close Combat. Notably, it survives all of Meowscarada's attacks and retaliates via Flare Blitz. Rock Head allows Hisuian Arcanine to freely use Head Smash and Flare Blitz without their recoil damage. Close Combat provides coverage for Archaludon, Hisuian Goodra, and non-Choice Scarf Heatran while also fighting off Dark-types such as Ting-Lu and Hisuian Samurott. Extreme Speed allows Hisuian Arcanine to revenge kill faster foes like Greninja, Azumarill, and Sneasler. Hisuian Arcanine removes troublesome Steel- and Grass-types like Corviknight, Skarmory, and Amoonguss for its teammates. Garganacl is one of Hisuian Arcanine's best teammates due to its ability to force progress against Water and Steel, notably wearing down Archaludon, Swampert, and non-Choice Band Urshifu-R with Salt Cure. Ogerpon-C heavily aids Hisuian Arcanine in the Water and Ground matchups, threatening foes such as Quagsire, Great Tusk, and Swampert. Iron Boulder is a great teammate in the Fighting matchup, outpacing and removing Iron Valiant, Sneasler, and Okidogi. Iron Boulder appreciates Hisuian Arcanine creating dents in the defensive core of teams, allowing it to clean up late-game. Glimmora forms a potent wallbreaking core with Hisuian Arcanine, taking on Grass and Fairy teams effectively. Furthermore, it provides entry hazard control with Mortal Spin and sets its own array of hazards to wear down Hisuian Arcanine's switch-ins such as Archaludon, Great Tusk, and Garchomp. In return, Glimmora appreciates Hisuian Arcanine removing Steel-types for it so it can freely use Mortal Spin. Tyranitar provides sand to help chip down foes and improve Hisuian Arcanine's special bulk, notably allowing it to survive Power Gem and Shadow Ball from Choice Specs Flutter Mane and Spectrier, respectively. Additionally, Tyranitar sets Stealth Rock; spreads paralysis with Thunder Wave to help Hisuian Arcanine outpace and OHKO faster offensive Pokemon such as Greninja, Spectrier, and Choice Scarf Heatran; and provides Knock Off utility.

This is a sample set as we work on new analyses. This will be updated as the metagame continues to develop. Stay tuned!

This is the sample set before we work on new analyses. This will be updated as the metagame continues to develop. Stay tuned!

Hisuian Arcanine makes for a strong offensive threat on Rock teams by virtue of its extremely strong STAB options in Flare Blitz and Head Smash, now freely spammable thanks to its Rock Head ability, which allows it to threaten various Pokemon that Rock teams can struggle with, like Corviknight, Skarmory, and Sinistcha. With Substitute, it takes advantage of passive Pokemon like Amoonguss and Articuno, which can give Hisuian Arcanine the potential to snowball through slower teams. Close Combat is useful coverage that threatens Steel- and Rock-types such as Hisuian Goodra, Heatran, and Tyranitar. Choice Scarf Kleavor makes for a great teammate, being able to set up entry hazards with Stone Axe, threaten the likes of Ogerpon-H and Dragapult with its STAB and coverage, and pivot Hisuian Arcanine in on walls it struggles with, like Corviknight and Amoonguss, with U-turn. Glimmora can set up a wide array of entry hazards in Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes while also spreading status and removing hazards with Mortal Spin in case Hisuian Arcanine loses its Heavy-Duty Boots. Ogerpon-C forms a great offensive pairing with Hisuian Arcanine, threatening Water-types such as Swampert and Primarina while appreciating Skarmory, Sinistcha, and Gholdengo being taken out in return. Choice Scarf Iron Boulder provides great speed control, and with its part-Psychic typing it threatens Fighting-types such as Iron Valiant, Sneasler, and Keldeo. Terrakion and Rhyperior make for great partners for Hisuian Arcanine, with Terrakion handling Toxapex and Archaludon while Rhyperior's colorful coverage threatens the likes of Scizor, Dragonite, and Landorus-T. Lastly, Hisuian Arcanine's wallbreaking opens up opportunities for Iron Boulder and Shell Smash Minior to clean late-game.

Hisuian Arcanine is one of the tier's strongest Stealth Rock setters and revenge killers, thanks to its access to Pixilate-boosted Extreme Speed, along with Morning Sun for extra longevity. Its typing is equally impressive, allowing Hisuian Arcanine to deal tremendous damage to common Extreme Speed switch-ins like Magearna, Corviknight, and Necrozma-DM with STAB Flare Blitz and check opposing Pixilate Extreme Speed users, such as Regieleki and Dragonite, which lets Hisuian Arcanine further threaten a KO. Pre-Mega Evolution, Hisuian Arcanine has the ability Intimidate, which enables it to weaken physical attackers like Dragonite; however, be wary of Kingambit due to its access to Defiant. Hisuian Arcanine commonly fulfills the role of a Stealth Rock setter, especially because it can threaten common Sablenite users such as Magearna, Mandibuzz, and Corviknight. It can utilize Stone Edge to deal with Ho-Oh and Iron Moth, which would otherwise completely wall it. Double-Edge is an alternative that lets Hisuian Arcanine threaten Garganacl, while in niche cases, Howl can be used instead to transform it into a decent setup sweeper. The Speed EVs allow it to outspeed Adamant Aerodactylite Kingambit. Hisuian Arcanine typically fits on bulky offense teams, serving as a powerful revenge killer and also as a hard counter to opposing Extreme Speed users. Due to its weakness to Stealth Rock, entry hazard removers like Great Tusk and Corviknight make excellent partners. It is also recommended to have a Sablenite user, such as Corviknight, Magearna, or Mandibuzz, as any of them can prevent foes from setting up hazards while facilitating Hisuian Arcanine to safely switch into threats like Urshifu-R, Hisuian Samurott, and Lopunnite Iron Boulder. Corviknight and Mandibuzz are also capable of switching into Ground-types such as Great Tusk, Arceus-Ground, and Hippowdon, which Hisuian Arcanine struggles against. Other Ground-type answers or counters, such as Pinsirite Great Tusk, Ho-Oh, Milotic, and Latiasite users like Magearna and Pecharunt, also exhibit great synergy with Hisuian Arcanine. Raging Bolt is an outstanding partner, as it effortlessly deals with walls like Pecharunt, Milotic, and Arceus-Water, while in return, Hisuian Arcanine switches into and KOes Pixilate Extreme Speed users such as Dragonite and Regieleki. Eternatus serves as one of Hisuian Arcanine's best checks; thus, dedicated checks like Arceus-Ground, Arceus-Poison, Corviknight, and Magearna, especially the Blue Orb versions of the latter two, can be used to counter it. Hisuian Arcanine has notable synergy with Future Sight users such as Iron Crown, Lunala, and Galarian Slowking, as it deals with common Psychic-resistant foes like Magearna, Corviknight, and Mandibuzz, while Future Sight, in return, helps Hisuian Arcanine against walls such as Eternatus and Arceus-Poison.

Hisuian Arcanine is a fearsome wallbreaker, using Magic Guard to eliminate the recoil from Life Orb and its incredibly high-Base Power STAB moves and prevent chip damage from entry hazards. Morning Sun allows Hisuian Arcanine to have defensive utility, being a useful check to Pokemon like Scream Tail and Iron Moth. Extreme Speed offsets Hisuian Arcanine's middling Speed and allows it to pick off chipped foes. Stealth Rock lets it leverage its good offensive typing against common Defog users like Corviknight and Mandibuzz to function as an offensive entry hazard setter, while Will-O-Wisp debilitates switch-ins like Great Tusk, Swampert, and Zamazenta, greatly dampening their damage output. Hisuian Arcanine greatly struggles with being revenge killed by faster threats like Roaring Moon, Chien-Pao, and Zamazenta, so it appreciates defensive teammates like Corviknight and Manaphy. Slow pivots like the aforementioned Corviknight and Manaphy can help give Hisuian Arcanine more opportunities to wallbreak. Hisuian Arcanine can struggle with Well-Baked Body Steel-types like Gholdengo, Kingambit, and Skarmory, so teammates like Sandy Shocks and Zamazenta can help by breaking through them.

Compressing obscene wallbreaking capabilities, cleaning potential, and a partial Fire typing that eases the matchup for its team against Grass- and Steel-types, Hisuian Arcanine is a valuable asset for Rock teams. Flare Blitz OHKOes multiple Steel-types that Rock teams can struggle with, such as Ferrothorn, Gholdengo, and, after Stealth Rock, Corviknight and Skarmory. Head Smash hits even harder and is the main option against neutral targets, notably 2HKOing Gliscor, Celesteela, and Skarmory. Extreme Speed mitigates the lacking Speed tier Hisuian Arcanine has, allowing it to revenge kill foes such as Greninja and Barraskewda. Close Combat OHKOes Heatran after Stealth Rock, Ursaluna after minimal chip, and 2HKOes Archaludon, minimizing would-be checks. Choice Scarf can be an alternative option to outspeed and KO foes such as Mega Lopunny, Mega Aerodactyl, and Zeraora, but the lack of damage output and minimal benefit to Extreme Speed makes it more situational. Ogerpon-C can handle the Ground- and Water-types that can easily pressure Hisuian Arcanine such as Hippowdon, Gastrodon, and Swampert. Entry hazards from Shuckle and Mega Diancie can considerably increase Hisuian Arcanine's offensive pressure, with Shuckle's Sticky Web minimizing the reliance on Extreme Speed to outspeed foes, and Stealth Rock from Shuckle or Spikes from Mega Diancie easing KOs on foes. Mega Diancie and Iron Boulder offensively check Fighting-types that check Hisuian Arcanine such as Great Tusk, Iron Hands, and Kommo-o.

With Heavy-Duty Boots, Hisuian Arcanine can repeatedly switch in and out to force out threats like Mega Scizor, Celesteela, and Gholdengo for Rock teams. Flare Blitz and Head Smash take full advantage of Hisuian Arcanine's solid Attack and Rock Head, allowing it to hit almost everything relentlessly. Morning Sun gives Hisuian Arcanine even more staying power. Substitute capitalizes on its ability to force out Steel- and Flying-types like Ferrothorn and Corviknight. Extreme Speed picks off weakened threats like Mega Lopunny and Sneasler. 28 Defense EVs let Hisuian Arcanine survive a +2 Bullet Punch from Mega Scizor, allowing Hisuian Arcanine to OHKO it back with Flare Blitz. As Hisuian Arcanine is not strong enough to break through dedicated physical walls like Porygon2, Toxapex, and Archaludon, setup sweepers like Swords Dance Iron Boulder and Ogerpon-C that deal with these are greatly appreciated. Ogerpon-C also additionally deals with Water- and Ground-type walls like Hippowdon and Quagsire, which scoff at Hisuian Arcanine's attempts to wallbreak. Mega Diancie and Mega Aerodactyl deal with Fighting-types like Great Tusk and Kommo-o that check Hisuian Arcanine, and in return, they benefit from Hisuian Arcanine weakening or removing Steel-types like Mega Scizor and Skarmory, allowing Mega Diancie and Mega Aerodactyl to heavily pressure teams like Bug, Flying, and Steel late-game. Entry hazard support in Shuckle, particularly Sticky Web, lets Hisuian Arcanine deal with Choice Scarf threats like Excadrill and Gholdengo, and faster Pokemon like Choice Specs Greninja. Special attackers like Shell Smash Omastar and Nihilego deal with annoying walls like Archaludon and Toxapex, respectively, and both benefit from Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor getting obliterated by Hisuian Arcanine.