Incineroar: Difference between revisions

{{for|fighter info|Incineroar (SSBU)}}

|caption      = [[File:PokemonSymbol.svg|50px]]

|lastappearance= [[bulbapedia:Pokémon Sword and Shield|''Pokémon Sword'' and ''Shield'']] (2020, via [[bulbapedia:Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass|''Pokémon Sword'' and ''Shield Expansion Pass]]'')

REMEMBER: Nintendo's affiliates' official stance is that Incineroar, like all Pokémon, go by gender-neutral pronouns. Be sure to use "it".

'''Incineroar''' ({{ja|ガオガエン|Gaogaen}}, ''Gaogaen'') is a fictional creature from the ''{{uv|Pokémon}}'' series. It debuted in the series' [[bulbapedia:Generation VII|seventh generation]] as {{s|bulbapedia|Alola}}'s final stage [[bulbapedia:Fire (type)|Fire-type]] {{iw|bulbapedia|starter Pokémon}}, and represents that generation as a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''.

Incineroar's default {{s|bulbapedia|Ability}} is {{iw|bulbapedia|Blaze|Ability}}, which increases its Attack and Special Attack statistics by 50% when using a Fire-type move so long as it has a third or less of its Hit Points remaining. Its Hidden Ability is {{s|bulbapedia|Intimidate}}, which decreases the opponent's Attack by one stage whenever Incineroar enters a battle. Like {{pkmn|Decidueye}} and {{pkmn|Primarina}}, Incineroar has both a {{s|bulbapedia|signature move}} and signature {{s|bulbapedia|Z-Move}} in {{s|bulbapedia|Generation VII}}. In Incineroar's case, it can learn {{iw|bulbapedia|Darkest Lariat|move}}, which can be converted into {{iw|bulbapedia|Malicious Moonsault|move}} as long as it holds {{s|bulbapedia|Incinium Z}}. As of {{s|bulbapedia|Generation VIII}}, however, Darkest Lariat can now be learned by a few other Pokémon via [[bulbapedia:TR|Technical Record]]. While Incineroar's Z-Move is used in its source as a one-time usable move that required it to hold its signature {{s|bulbapedia|Z-Crystal}}, it is changed in ''Smash'' to work similarly to any Final Smash. Similarly to its depiction in ''Smash'', Incineroar has high Attack and good overall defenses (which can be further augmented by Intimidate), but in contrast has low Special Attack and Speed.

In the ''Pokémon'' anime, an Incineroar appears as the main Pokémon of {{iw|bulbapedia|Professor Kukui|anime}} while under his Masked Royal persona. In addition to being shown as an incredibly powerful Pokémon, it developed a rivalry with {{s|bulbapedia|Ash Ketchum}}'s own [[bulbapedia:Ash's Incineroar|Incineroar]] ever since Ash's was a Litten. This rivalry ultimately helped Ash's Litten to reach its full potential, as it evolved into a Torracat during a rematch with Kukui's Incineroar in order to properly learn {{iw|bulbapedia|Flame Charge|move}}, and then climatically evolved into an Incineroar itself after finally defeating Kukui's Incineroar in the [[bulbapedia:Manalo Conference#Exhibition Match|Manalo Conference's exhibition match]]. In ''[[bulbapedia:M20|I Choose You!]]'', an Incineroar appears under the ownership of {{s|bulbapedia|Cross}}, the movie's main antagonist.

Incineroar appears as a [[newcomer]] in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', and was formally announced alongside {{SSBU|Ken}} and {{SSBU|Piranha Plant}} during the ''Super Smash Bros.'' [[Nintendo Direct|Direct]] on November 1st, 2018.<ref name=Debut>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fccgHnBQ0YM Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Direct 11.1.2018]</ref> According to [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]] creator [[Masahiro Sakurai]], Incineroar was not initially chosen as the newest ''Pokémon'' fighter following the release of [[bulbapedia:Pokémon Sun and Moon|''Pokémon Sun'' and ''Moon'']].<ref name=Ultimate>[https://www.sourcegaming.info/2018/12/12/sakurai-tells-more-details-about-smash-ultimates-development/ Sakurai Tells More Details About Smash Ultimate's Development]</ref> Rather, Sakurai almost chose {{pkmn|Decidueye}} to represent {{s|bulbapedia|Generation VII}},<ref>[https://twitter.com/PushDustIn/status/1087124581867958273 PushDustIn on Twitter: "Sakurai confirms in an interview: Decidueye was almost chosen for the new Pokémon spot"]</ref> but after reconsideration, he instead chose Incineroar because of his desire for a professional wrestling-based character.<ref>[https://twitter.com/AllSourceGaming/status/1062726902341746691 Source Gaming on Twitter: "Sakurai wanted to pick a newcomer to represent content from a newer game. With Ultra Sun and Moon, a Pokémon 'slot' was left opened. Eventually after some consideration, they went with Incineroar. Sakurai says he wanted to try making a pro wrestler...."]</ref>

Fitting its wrestler concept, Incineroar is a super heavyweight that possesses several heavily damaging moves, powerful throws and even the ability to strike interruptible poses upon successfully using a move.<ref name=Debut/> These traits are supplemented by its overall frame data being average, which is atypical of a super heavyweight and even some heavyweights. However, Incineroar is burdened with very slow overall mobility and, by extension, a lack of any strong approach options.

Incineroar's neutral special, [[Darkest Lariat]], has minimal start-up lag in spite of its early hitbox's respectable power and lingers for a long time.<ref name=Debut/> [[Alolan Whip]], its side special, is a versatile [[Grab#Special moves that can grab|command grab]]: it can be used to KO horizontally or vertically depending on the player's input and can even assist Incineroar's recovery, thanks to it propelling Incineroar forward and not rendering it [[helpless]].<ref name=Debut/> However, it can also fail to inflict any significant damage if the player fails to input properly.<ref name=Debut/> Incineroar's up special, [[Cross Chop]], can be deadly when it connects on-stage, but is risky when used off-stage because of its linear travel distance.<ref name=Debut/> Its down special move, [[Revenge]], is a unique [[counterattack]] that stores the power of the inflicted attack and applies it as a multiplier to Incineroar's next move.<ref name=Debut/> Finally, Incineroar's [[Final Smash]], [[Max Malicious Moonsault]], is based on its signature {{s|bulbapedia|Z-Move}}, {{iw|bulbapedia|Malicious Moonsault|move}} and boasts enough power to KO at very low percentages.<ref name=Debut/>

{{clear}}

*Similar to [[Lucario]] and [[Mewtwo]], Incineroar used a special move that is super effective against itself in the ''Pokémon'' series. In this case, Incineroar uses both [[Cross Chop]] and [[Revenge]], Fighting-type moves which are super effective against the Dark type Incineroar.