Incineroar in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC Regulation H: Best build, strategies, and more

Incineroar in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC has proven to be one of the most oppressive supports in the metagame. In previous generations, the Pocket Monster performed just as well, being one of the most notorious creatures in the most modern era of competitive play.

With Regulation H being one of the most accessible competitive seasons in recent history, many new trainers are testing their skills on the ranked ladder and may want to use this popular pick on their own team.

Here is everything to know about Incineroar in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC.

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Why use Incineroar in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC?

Incineroar is a perfect supporting Pokemon with access to helpful utility moves (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Incineroar in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC is a great supporting pick that excels in debuffing the opponent. With its Intimidate hidden ability, the creature lowers the attack of both opponents on the field whenever it enters combat. In addition, it has access to Fake Out. This move can only be used on the first turn the user is in combat and flinches the target, skipping their turn.

Incineroar also has access to Parting Shot, a move that lowers both of the target's attacking stats before switching the user out for one of their allies in reserve. This keeps the Pocket Monster safe, allowing it to get some use on the field before switching.

Since Incineroar is somewhat slow, it will typically go after the opponent's heavy damage-dealer, keeping the reserved ally safe from damage before they can act.

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Best strategies for Incineroar in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC

Being a supporting pick capable of locking down an opponent, Incineroar fits well into most team compositions, with its greatest allies being Rillaboom and Gholdengo.

Rillaboom is a potent damage-dealer with passive health regeneration, thanks to its Grassy Surge ability. With Incineroar being able to lower an opponent's attacking power, Rillaboom can easily stay healthy while firing off priority Grassy Glides.

Gholdengo is a popular choice to pair with Incineroar in Regulation H. The flinch from Fake Out can make it easier for Gholdengo to set itself up with Nasty Plot. Gholdengo can then follow this with its signature Make it Rain attack, dealing potent Steel-type damage to both targets on the field.

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Best build for Incineroar in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC

Incineroar works best with a set that keeps it healthy and away from threats (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Here is the most popular build competitive veterans use with their Incineroars in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC:

• Nature: Impish (+ Defense, - Special Attack)
• Held Item: Safety Goggles, Sitrus Berry
• Tera Type: Water, Grass
• Effort Values: 252 HP, 156 Defense, 100 Special Defense
• Moves: Fake Out, Parting Shot, Knock Off, Flare Blitz

If players intend on using the Safety Goggles item with Incineroar, they should give it the Water Tera Typing as this item will protect it from status powders and Spore. It will also decrease Incineroar's weaknesses, and the critter will only be vulnerable to Grass- and Electric-type attacks.

Taking the Grass Tera Typing provides inherit immunity to these status powders and Spore but grants it more common weaknesses. This is why the Sitrus Berry works better for this Tera Type.

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Counters for Incineroar in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC

Canceling priority moves is the best way to shut Incineroar down. Fake Out is a large part of Incineroar's strategy, so moves like Protect and Quick Guard can put the opponent in an advantageous position. Psychic Terrain through Indeedee's Psychic Surge also cancels priority, as well as Farigiraf's Armor Tail.

Additionally, the Covert Cloak item prevents Fake Out from flinching the opponent. While Incineroar can get rid of this item with Knock Off, it would still need to waste a turn using the move instead of its other utility options, like Parting Shot or Fake Out.