Let's firstly have a look at Chandelure...
Terrible HP and Attack with somewhat medicore Defenses and Speed.
Chandelure hits hard with its fantastic Base 145 SpA and a neat movepool with a wide variety of Special STAB Moves.
An example Moveset would be :
Chandelure @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast/Heat Wave/ Flamethrower
- Shadow Ball
- Energy Ball
- Memento/ Will- O-Wisp
So which Pokemon would Counter Chandelure better ?
Tyranitar
Tyranitar @ Choice Scarf/Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Pursuit
- Crunch
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
With its Dual Typing both of Chandelure's STAB can easily be resisted. Although unlikely there could be Chandelure running HP Fighting.
Energy Ball could put off Tyranitar but Crunch would deal with Chandelure before any serious damage is taken.
252 Atk Tyranitar Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Chandelure: 366-432 (140.2 - 165.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Tyranitar Crunch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Chandelure: 290-344 (111.1 - 131.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Chandelure, however :
252+ SpA Chandelure Energy Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 158-186 (46.3 - 54.5%) -- 53.9% chance to 2HKO
Houndoom
Houndoom @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Destiny Bond
Like Tyraniatar both Chandelure's STAB can be resisted thanks to its Dual Typing and Ability.
Dark Pulse can catch Chandelure off guard and there is also the Destiny Bond to back you up.
Chandelure can pretty much be unable to touch Houndoom- unless it runs HP Fighting which is a factor to keep in mind.
252 SpA Houndoom Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Chandelure: 254-302 (97.3 - 115.7%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
Chandelure :
252+ SpA Chandelure Hidden Power Fighting vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Houndoom: 188-222 (64.6 - 76.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Tyranitar
Chandelure will clearly have difficulty in handing both Mons, however Tyanitar has a clear-cut advantage compared to Houndoom. Its Bulk and Base Stats are much more superior than Houndoom's . Tyranitar can undoubtedly OHKO Chandelure with Crunch or Stone Edge, Houndoom on the other side can OHKO Chandelure but there's not a 100% Certain Chance.
