Is there a way to run Chandelure defensively?

Question

I'm running a primarily defense oriented doubles team (except Garchomp) and I need a defensive Fire type or a Ghost type for spin blocking/ Fake Out blocking, so can Chandelure be run defensively or should I look elsewhere?
(without Assault Vest preferably, but if it needs to I'll bite the bullet punch)

Comments

You can skip over the spin blocking bit since hazards are non-existent in doubles. It's also unnecessary to worry about Fake Out since a simple first turn switch / timed Protect can easily block it.

To clear things up though, it IS possible to run a defensive Chandelure, but I would recommend against it. If you want a defensive Fire type with a fire immunity (and Fake Out resistance) try Heatran. It's much better for such roles ;)

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Heatran if you want a defence orientated fire Pokemon with fire immunity. With Chandelure's high special attack you would be wasting all of it when going on the defencive with it. If you decide to run heatran I reccomend giving it the air balloon to give it a chance on avoiding EQ (Earthquake). I think scarfing Chandelure would be great as it would boost its speed, but will lock you into a move.It has base 60 hp and if Irc then it has 80 in each defense stat so it has potential however I'm not a super competitive player so I would just use Chandelure as a scarfer.

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This doesn't answer the question man... it's good as a suggestion but the question specifically demands Chandelure as a defensive 'mon.

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Chandelure @ Choice Scarf
•248 Sp.Atk/252 Spd/4 Sp.Def/ 4 Def
•Shadowball (STAB)
•Flamethrower (STAB)
•Energy Ball (Coverage)
•Hidden Power Fighting/Phsycic(Depending on your IVS but Phsycic does the job)

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If you would run a tank set willow wisp+ Hex combo is good and then put all EVS and IVS into both defence stats and Hp

Answer 1

To be frank, defensive Chandelure is a rough idea in doubles due to the common use of Rock Slide spam. But, if you were to build a team that heavily supported around an Assault Vest Chandelure (You mentioned that as the preferred item, so I assume you just want a set with it)

Chandelure @ Assault Vest
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
- Heat Wave
- Energy Ball
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Ground]

This is probably the best thing to start building with. High special attack, surprising bulk against special attackers, and Heat Wave can knock a few things out.
In doubles, adding Inferno to Chandelure's moveset and running it with a No Guard (Mega-Pidgeot, Machamp) user is a viable strategy to inflict burns easily while still doing massive damage. Though, if you decided to go that route, I would probably recommend just scarfing it and invest your EV's in speed instead.

Also,
Chandelure @ Air Balloon
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 Spe
Modest Nature
- Heat Wave
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split
- Shadow Ball / Hex

Another slightly more defensive variant that can come in on EQ users. But once again, Rock Slide is a bit more popular in doubles than Earthquake and still pretty much screws you.

Choice Scarf + Inferno with a team mate like Machamp (Who I'd stack with protect to further avoid fake out spam) for speedy painful burns is probably the best way to go. I would definitely run double stab and keep Heat Wave in the set as well if you go that route.

Comments

Assault Vest Chandelure. Oh lord no. If there's one thing doubles Chandy needs it's Protect. After that it's TR or WoW. You get essentially the same thing with Focus Sash, but you can Protect as well. Air Balloon is also subpar because of how often Chandy will get hit by a spread move like Rock Slide or a switch-in move like Thunderbolt. Hex / WoW isn't nearly as reliable as Shadow Ball / WoW because it's completely reliant on setup.

Another important note: if your Pokémon is partnered with a No Guard Pokémon, it does not reap the benefits. Inferno will still be a dismal 50% accuracy UNLESS you target Machamp/Pidgeot, and you don't want that.