What is a good moveset for Talonflame?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Talonflame, post an answer below and upvote the best ones. Movesets for any of its pre-evolutions can also be shared on this thread.

Be sure to include full set details in your post, e.g. items, abilities, natures and EVs. Some detail, including the intended game mode for your set, is also appreciated. Access the full list of guidelines here.

Talonflame Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Answer 1

Talonflame @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVS: 8 HP / 252 Atk / 248 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Roost

Roost for reliable healing, Flare Blitz as secondary STAB to hit Steel Types and stuff, Swords Dance to setup. 248 Spe with a Jolly Nature lets Talonflame outrun positive base 125s, dump the rest onto attack and put 8 onto HP. Done there. Or use Adamant Nature, max out Speed to get the jump on positive base 110s.

Comments

Wait. Wouldn't acrobatics be stronger without the gem, knowing that it does "massive" damage and all while not holding an item?
Pretty sure it would

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The gem is used up right before Acrobatics is used

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air gems are available you can remove the top

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What do you mean? Flying gems were only available for gen 5

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We decided to remove the Flying Gem set because it appears the gem items will not be released.

Answer 2

Talonflame (F) @ Choice Band
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 6 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Brave Bird
- U-turn
- Steel Wing

Flare Blitz and Brave Bird are STAB, Brave Bird getting +1 Priority thanks to Gale Wings. U-turn lets you scout and Steel Wing is coverage.

Comments

6 is not a multiple of 4. Scarf > Band.

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Dude, Scarf isn't as good as Band since the SR weakness.

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I like the moveset and everything else except the item.  I would use the life orb instead. Its good to have the extra power because if you don't get the KO then your garunteed to lose your talonflame.

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@Hophipster Choice Band provides more power than Life Orb.

Answer 3

Talonflame @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Roost
- Will-O-Wisp

I see there are plenty of Talonflame sets that are either boosting sweepers or support sets but not a median. This is the set I use and it is very effective in the fact that it not only can deal significant damage with its STAB moves alone but it is also able to Burn anything that loves switching into its dual STAB's (Tyranitar, Tyrantrum, pretty much any other Rock type, and even Rotom-W won't like being status'd and taking extra damage every turn) crippling any physical threats for the remainder of the battle.

Dual STAB's are pretty obvious choices and since this set doesn't pack a boosting move then Adamant is the preferred nature. Roost is for obvious recovery and WoW is to cripple the Pokemon I mentioned above or just anything really that tries to come in on or tries to set up on Talonflame.

Comments

Why have Whill-O-Whisp?

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Wisp is one of the best options for Talonflame on a support set; it can burn foes, slowly chipping damage from them, and Physically- oriented attackers just won't like to be burned.
Also, Will-O-Wisp plus extra bulk makes it easier for Talonflame to set up Swords Dance compared to the offensive Swords Dance set, if you opt to run both.

Answer 4

Talonflame @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Roost

This thing is pretty awesome because of Gale Wings. Swords Dance can boost its Attack to pretty big levels and then it can sweep with priority STAB (except Roost) Brave Bird. Flare Blitz is a strong secondary STAB and who needs priority with that ridiculous speed stat. Roost and Leftovers help recover from massive recoil damage, use Roost on a predictable switch out, and watch out for Stealth Rock. I think he'll be seing some use in OU bacause of that sweeping power.

Comments

not bad, but it would be better if instead of jolly nature were adamant, because with gale wings we have priority in flying attacks, so the speed isnt very useful.

Answer 5

Talonflame @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 252 HP / 208 SpD / 44 Spe
Careful Nature
- U-turn
- Tailwind / Flare Blitz
- Roost
- Will-O-Wisp

Support Talonflame. Although the 4x SR weakness and fairly mediocre bulk hurts, it can still function well with Spin support and a good defensive backbone, and has the movepool and speed to pull it off. U-turn is basically to pivot and gain momentum for the team, as well as escaping from Pokemon like Heatran.

Tailwind supports the team by doubling speed, helping sweep (pairs well with U-turn), while Flare Blitz can be used for a nice STAB. Roost is priority recovery and is a must for any bulky set, helping restore HP from SR, Flare Blitz recoil, ect. Will-O-Wisp shuts down physical attackers, and patches up its physical bulk.

Comments

Where is the STAB flying move? That's what Gale Wings is used for...

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This moveset is quite bad, first, you have a totally useless ability, second, you have no rock type coverage, and, this is probably all the flaws in this moveset.

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This is *not* a bad moveset. Support Talonflame is extremely relevant in Gen 6 OU (which, at the time this was posted, was the most popular format involving Talonflame).
* The ability is not useless. It gives priority to Roost, which is extremely valuable against offensive Pokemon.
* It is not Talonflame's job to fight Rock-type Pokemon. The best play for Talonflame against Rock-type Pokemon is to switch out. It is an irritating misconception that you should cover all defensive weaknesses with an attack.

Answer 6

I forgot about this set.

EWWW ROTOM-W

Talonflame @ Liechi Berry
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 48 HP / 252 Atk / 208 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Swords Dance
- Natural Gift

Oh hai Rotom-W. :>. I see you want to wall me.
Here have a Natural Gift to the face which is now a Grass Type attack <3!
Works on T-Tar too :I
Yeah it's one-time off really, but it does let you potentially take out Rotom-W, which is the answer most teams carry for Talonflame imo. Take down Rotom-W = BB spam time :D!

Alternatively, run Salac Berry to get a fighting attack and wreck Heatran. :D!

Comments

Or Apicot if you want a useless boost and the equivalent of a single earthquake :D?

Answer 7

Gen 6-7 Talonflame

Talonflame (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Brave Bird
- Defog / Roost
- Swords Dance / Bulk Up

- Flare Blitz Strong STAB move and used to forcefully take out and / or take a huge chunk out of the opposing Pokemon while not having to worry about recoil because it can be healed off with leftovers or Roost.
- Brave Bird Priority and Strong STAB (when at full health) that you can spam while also being used to quickly snipe off a threat while again not having to worry about recoil.
- Defog / Roost Defog to get rid of hazards for your team and if it's stealth rock then you can roost when you get the chance after the hazards are gone. Roost is a Great and reliable recovery move to stay healthy while still damaging the other team.
- Swords Dance / Bulk Up Swords Dance and Bulk Up are two set up options to get more out of Talonflame's mediocre attack stat. Swords Dance gives you more power in attack and Bulk Up gives you some power an attack and defense tho you might have to use it twice for it to make more of in impact.
This set also works as a perfect revenge killer that also has sweeping potential if played really well so feel free to try this set on Pokemon Showdown.

Comments

Your EVs are in a reversed order.

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The EVs are fixed now

Answer 8

I am disappointed in the EV spread for the talonflames I'm seeing. It only needs a bit of speed, because gale wings gives it the priority to flying, and it outspeeds most steel/bug types to use flare blitz with. Here is my set:

Talonflame @ Life Orb
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 124 HP / 252 Atk / 104 Def / 28 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Roost / Steel Wing / Tailwind
- Brave Bird / Acrobatics
- Flare Blitz

You might be thinking "what in the world?" This speed stat is just enough to outspeed an adamant mega lucario, and literally every steel, rock, and bug types to use your steel wing and flare blitz against, and you don't need any more speed investment for other faster Pokemon because of gale wings. HP for the extra bulk and defense because I find that most of the super effective hits that it will receive would be physical, and volt switch and hydro pump would KO it even with the special defense investments. Swords dance is to boost Talonflame's mediocre attack stat. Roost is to heal up if you predict the opponent to switch. Steel wing for coverage against Tyranitar and other rock types, or you could choose tailwind to greatly boost your speed and outspeed even more Pokemon with flare blitz. Brave Bird is its best move, it's always going to go first because of Gale Wings, and deals massive damage. Acrobatics is a slightly weaker alternative but it doesn't have the recoil so it can last longer, which in my opinion doesn't matter because it's supposed to be a late game sweeper. And Flare Blitz is also a must, since it counters scizor, mawile, aggron, fortress, and much more that would take a brave bird any day.

Talonflame could run max speed, so it can outspeed things like latios, but lots of those Pokemon can't take a brave bird either, so it isn't recommended. Hope you enjoy it!

Comments

I agree with you! Talonflame becomes a monster if you give it bulk and invest little to nothing in speed it doesn't need.

Answer 9

Talonflame @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 132 HP / 208 Atk / 168 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bulk Up
- Brave Bird / Acrobatics
- Flare Blitz
- U-turn

Being such an offensive threat, many people will switch out, giving you a free chance to power up your other moves and raise your defense with bulk up. If you ever find yourself in a tough situation, you can U-turn out and still usually take no damage because of his awesome speed. Flare blitz and brave bird both give stab. Also, brave bird has priority thanks to gale wings. Leftovers helps so you don't knock yourself out with the recoil of the moves. You can also replace brave bird with acrobatics and take his item off to power it up. I've used this move set on the website Pokemon showdown, which is a battle simulator, and he is one of my best teams yet thanks to him.

Answer 10

Talonflame @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 130 HP / 252 Atk / 124 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Brave Bird
- Bulk Up
- Roost

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This is kinda a weird one if you want a little surprise for your opponent. Flare Blitz and Brave Bird are STAB. Now, I pick Bulk Up over Swords Dance so Talonflame can stay in for a while. Extreme Speed Mega Lucario could come in and possibly kill this thing otherwise. Flare Blitz and Brave Bird will wear down your health plenty, so Roost is a nice way to keep going. Just be sure to use this thing with a Rapid Spinner.

Answer 11

Talonflame @ Choice Band
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature / Adamant Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Brave Bird
- U-turn
- Steel Wing

Flare Blitz for STAB.
Brave Bird because Priority and STAB.
U-turn for getting away from enemies you can't handle like Rotom-W and Tyranitar.
Steel wing for coverage against Ice , Rock , and Fairy.
Extra: Jolly or Adamant is a preferred nature.

Answer 12

A most unorthodox set - TauntSD mono-attacking TF

Taunt + Swords Dance

Talonflame @ Liechi Berry
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 164 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Acrobatics
- Substitute
- Swords Dance
- Taunt

Phazers are damn obvious when people see sub-SD talonflame. Taunt any phazer that comes in after setting up a sub, then SD until you reach Liechi level. If the opponent insists on breaking the sub, you should already be at +2 and just sub away until you get to +3. Then sweep away with priority itemless-boosted Acrobatics. EVs outspeed 252+ base 100s, give you an odd HP number for 4 subs and switching into stealth rock.

Stuff to remove beforehand:
-Possible sash users like Greninja, Breloom
-Rock types like Tyranitar, Tyrantrum
-Steel types like Heatran, Jirachi, Aggron, Mawile
-ESpeed abusers like Dragonite, Entei
-Sturdy pokes like Avalugg, Aggron

Then again, the above must be removed for all Talonflame to sweep

Answer 13

This is an uncommon suicide set.

Talonflame @ Focus Sash
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 6 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Brave Bird / Aerial Ace / Acrobatics
- Flare Blitz
- Aerial Ace / Acrobatics / Roost

This set could probably be played around with. Especially its EV's but that last slot is for a move without recoil. Roost could be used as well as more bulk and less speed. The Focus Sash lets you get in a free +2 with that Swords Dance and the last slot is if you know you OHKO. Then, you can stay in and use Brave Bird against a revenge killer. This set is also very unpredictable.

Answer 14

Talonflame @ Flying Gem
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Acrobatics
- Swords Dance / Roost
- Steel Wing / U-Turn

Talonflame is one of my favorite Pokémon. It is pretty useless without Gale Wings though. You could also run Tailwind, Agility, or Bulk Up. And if you don't like recoil, use Flame Charge.

Comments

Flying Gem doesn't exist in the Generations Talonflame is in.

Answer 15

Talonflame (F) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 6 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Taunt
- U-Turn
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz

Just a Lead, nothing more.

Answer 16

Talonflame @ Power Herb
Trait: Gale Wings
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fly
- Acrobatics
- Flare Blitz
- Swords Dance

• Fly: gets used straight away with Power Herb
• Acrobatics: doubles attack once Power Herb's been used
• Flare Blitz: cover against steel, grass and bugs
• Swords Dance: when predicted opponent switches out

Tried and tested - works well.

Comments

I don't like this Talonflame, it made me lose a lot :(

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I'm just suggesting, maybe you used it wrongly. It works wonders on my team, but thanks for positive comment when there are dozens that don't work properly like above… flying gem; lol….. doesn't even exist on x/y

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holy flippin moly people are still answering this question

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Pretty neat set

Answer 17

I bet you guys haven't heard of special Talonflame!!!
Here it is:

Talonflame @ Heat Rock
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Fire Blast
- Solar Beam
- Hidden Power [Ground]
- Sunny Day

Comments

I can quite happily explain why we haven't heard of special talonflame ^_^

Because it is bad.

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l remember the days when l played Pokemon X. For the in-game, l used a Special Attacker Solar Beam/Flamethrower set, then I realized, "Wait, Talonflame's Attack is, oh l don't know, good!!!" And this was funnier because it was an Adamant Talonflame. With at least 150 EV's in Attack.

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First of all u said flame body because most of its moves a physical then u show us a moveset where both of its attacking moves r special?!?!? JUST Y YYYYY DO U DO THIS TO POOR TALONFLAME WUT DID IT EVER DO TO U not including burning u scratching u killing u and sweeping ur team YYYYYYY

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What move is HP Ground?

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Hidden Power Ground

Answer 18

Ok........this is a weird one, but at least try it before you insult it

Talonflame @ Focus Sash
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Flame Charge
- Acrobatics
- Steel Wing / Roost

Swords Dance - Doubles attack

Flame Charge - STAB, Increases speed

Acrobatics - STAB, Priority, Amazing power when Sash breaks + Swords Dance

There're two options for the final move. You could go with Steel Wing if you want to deal with Rock types , or Roost if you feel uncomfortable fighting at 1 hp.

Answer 19

Talonflame @ Sharp Beak
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- U-turn
- Roost

Gale Wings gives Brave Bird priority, and it has awesome STAB. Flare Blitz gives Talonflame secondary STAB, dealing with other typings. U-turn is a good way to exit the match-up safely, and Roost provides good healing.

Comments

I don't see how you lose with this(unless you get one shotted)

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Hazards, priority moves.

Answer 20

Alright, recently got a Gale Wings Fletchling and Evolved it after ST-ing it to maxed Attack... So here goes!

Talonflame @ Roseli Berry
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Swords Dance
- Natural Gift

Brave Bird, every Talonflame should have it, awesome STAB
Roost, Brave Bird recovery+priority recovery
Swords Dance, to boost that Attack to hyper levels
Natural Gift, to pair with Roseli Berry for a Fairy move

You can sub Roseli Berry for a Passho Berry to counter Rock types, but for that I'd use Rindo or Chople Berry. Roseli is good because no one will see it coming. If Talon could learn Recycle, you could sub S-Dance for Recycle, and the trolliest set ever. Sadly, he can't. But that would shove him to Uber in half a second.
Hope this helps!

Comments

Interesting strategy! Could be quite useful, although if you pay a visit to the pokemondb natural gift page, you will see that there isn't a berry that results in a fairy type natural gift. https://pokemondb.net/move/natural-gift . However, I may be wrong. Also, I'd recommend Adamant for your set, as your set doesn't use any special attacks, making spatk the least used stat on this talon. Spdef would always be nice to have in case you need to tank some specially offensive hits.