Moveset & Best Build For Ranked Battle | Pokemon Sword And Shield
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| Cinderace Movesets in Other Games | |
|---|---|
 SV |  SWSH |
This is a strategy guide for using Cinderace in competitive play for the games Pokemon Sword and Shield. Read on for tips on the best Nature, EV spreads, Movesets, and Held Items to use with Cinderace, as well as its strengths and weak points.
| Cinderace - Related Guides | ||
|---|---|---|
 Evolution and Learnset |  Build for Ranked Battle |  Gigantamax Cinderace |
List of Contents
- Basic Information for Cinderace
- Singles Movesets for Cinderace
- Doubles Movesets for Cinderace
- How to Use Cinderace Effectively
- Best Teammates for Cinderace
- How to Build a Team with Cinderace
- Counters for Cinderace
- Related Guides
Basic Information for Cinderace
Types and Abilities
| Pokemon | Type 1 | Type 2 |
|---|---|---|
 Cinderace |  | |
| Abilities | ||
| Blaze | Powers up Fire-type moves in a pinch | |
| Libero (Hidden) | Changes the Pokémon's type to the type of the move it's about to use. | |
Cinderace Weaknesses and Resistances
| Type | |
|---|---|
| Takes 4x damage | - |
| Takes 2x damage |    |
| Takes 0.5x damage |      |
| Takes 1/4x damage | - |
| Takes 0x damage | - |
What is Type Effectiveness?
Base Stats
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Atk | Sp. Def | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 116 | 75 | 65 | 75 | 119 |
Best Nature for Cinderace
| Best Natures | |
|---|---|
| Jolly (+Spd, -SpAtk) | Adamant (+Atk, -SpAtk) |
What are Natures?
How to Learn Cinderace's Egg Moves
| Jump Kick | Inherit from Scraggy (learns at Lv. 44) or Hawlucha (learns at Lv. 44) |
|---|---|
| Sucker Punch | Inherit from Diglett (learns at Lv. 20) or Impidimp (learns at Lv. 22) |
Singles Movesets for Cinderace
Libero + Life Orb Moveset & Best Build
| Nature | Jolly (+Spd, -SpAtk) |
|---|---|
| EV Spread | Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4 / Spd 252 |
| Final Stat Values | HP 155 / Atk 168 / Def 95 / Sp.Def 96 / Spd 188 |
| Ability | Libero |
| Held Item | Life Orb |
| Moveset | ・Pyro Ball ・High Jump Kick ・Sucker Punch ・Bounce |
These values are from base stats and ideal EVs, excluding external factors.
One of Cinderace's many strengths is the increased power of its moves since it always receives STAB thanks to Libero. When used in tandem with a Life Orb, its attacks essentially receive a 1.95x damage multiplier. Partnered with its versatile moveset and great offensive base stats, Cinderace is a threat to be reckoned with.
About Cinderace's Moves
Pyro Ball is a strong 120 BP move that may also leave the target with a burn. When Dynamaxed, it can be used as Max Flare where it becomes a 140 BP move while also setting up the sun, further strengthening the power of this Fire-type move. Alternatively, if Gigantamaxing Cinderace, Pyro Ball will become G-Max Fireball, a 160 BP move that ignores its enemy's ability like Mimikyu's Disguise.
After Dynamaxing, Cinderace can use moves like Max Knuckle (from High Jump Kick) and Max Airstream (from Bounce) as STAB moves, while using their effects to raise its Attack and Speed and further enhance its sweeping potential.
Sucker Punch is a good priority move for dealing damage to faster sweepers who may try to outspeed and take Cinderace out. This is especially useful if you haven't raised your speed from Max Airstream yet.
About Cinderace's EV Spread
This build utilizes as a standard physically offensive spread with the rest of the EVs invested into Sp.Def.
Advantages of Jolly vs. Adamant
| Nature | Advantages |
|---|---|
| Jolly | ・Can outspeed other Cinderaces・Can outspeed Durant with maximized Speed |
| Adamant | ・Can 1HKO a Snorlax with EVs in HP and Defense with High Jump Kick |
This moveset anticipates going up against other Cinderaces, so we've used a Jolly Nature here. That said, an Adamant Nature has the potential to take down a HP/Def-focused Snorlax in one hit with High Jump Kick, so it's worth considering as well.
Still, as Snorlax builds frequently run Protect, play carefully to make sure your High Jump Kick doesn't backfire on you.
About Cinderace's Ability
Libero gives Cinderace the power to use all of its attacks as STAB moves, and thanks to its wide movepool, this allows it to handle itself against a wide range of opponents. This also allows Cinderace to be very flexible defensively since it can change types at will.
How to Get Libero Cinderace
A free Scorbunny with the Libero Ability is available via Pokemon HOME. Learn how to get all three Galar Starters with Hidden Abilities and transfer them to Pokemon Sword and Shield with our guide below:How to Get & Transfer Hidden Ability Starters from Pokemon HOME
About Cinderace's Held Item
Together with its new Hidden Ability, Libero, it can use a Life Orb to further boost its attacking power.
Other Viable Moves
| U-turn | When at a disadvantage, wear down the opponent and then switch out. Useful for breaking Focus Sash and Disguise. |
|---|---|
| Iron Head | For use against Fairy-types. When Dynamaxed, becomes Max Steelspike to boost its Defense. |
| Gunk Shot | For use against Fairy-types. Unlike Iron Head, can hit Primarina super effectively. |
| Zen Headbutt | For use against Poison-types. When Dynamaxed, Max Mindstorm is great for handling Toxapex. |
| Giga Impact | A high base power move that can be used to reduce the opponent's speed when used as Max Strike. |
| Electro Ball | A Special move, but great for taking out Gyarados and Toxapex. Max Lightning will nullify the effects of Yawn. |
Blaze + Focus Sash Moveset & Best Build
| Nature | Jolly (+Spd, -SpAtk) |
|---|---|
| EV Spread | Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4 / Spd 252 |
| Final Stat Values | HP 155 / Atk 168 / Def 95 / Sp.Def 96 / Spd 188 |
| Ability | Blaze |
| Held Item | Focus Sash |
| Moveset | ・Pyro Ball ・High Jump Kick ・Sucker Punch ・Bounce |
These values are from base stats and ideal EVs, excluding external factors.
As an alternative to the Libero moveset, this build takes advantage of the boost from Blaze. It may not give STAB on the moves anymore, but Cinderace's versatile moveset can still help in this regard.
About Cinderace's Moves
Pyro Ball is a strong 120 BP move that may also leave the target with a burn. When Dynamaxed, it can be used as Max Flare where it becomes a 140 BP move while also setting up the sun, further strengthening the power of this fire-type move.
After Dynamaxing, Cinderace can use moves like Max Knuckle (from High Jump Kick) and Max Airstream (from Bounce) as STAB moves, while using their effects to raise its Attack and Speed and further enhance its sweeping potential.
Sucker Punch is a good priority move to deal damage to faster sweepers who may try to outspeed and take Cinderace out. This is especially useful if you haven't raised your speed from Max Airstream yet.
About Cinderace's EV Spread
This build utilizes as a standard physically offensive spread with the rest of the EVs invested into Sp.Def.
About Cinderace's Ability
After Blaze has taken effect, it can take advantage of its high base Attack to deal reliably heavy damage from then on, making this set a viable alternative standing in contrast to the Libero moveset.
About Cinderace's Held Item
This set uses Blaze together with a Focus Sash to survive a hit from max HP and hit back hard with Blaze's damage boost.
Other Viable Moves
| U-turn | When up against an opponent Cinderace can't handle, use U-turn to escape while simultaneously dealing damage. It has the bonus effect of nullifying your opponent's Focus Sash or Disguise. |
|---|---|
| Iron Head | Super effective against Fairy-types. When Dynamaxed, Max Steelspike can be used to increase Defense. |
| Court Change | This will allow you to steal the effects of moves like Reflect and Light Screen, and push negative effects like Stealth Rock to your opponent's side. |
| Counter | Works hand-in-hand with the Focus Sash to survive an attack with 1 HP, and take down the opponent from max HP to 0. |
Doubles Movesets for Cinderace
Doubles Dynamax Sweeper Moveset & Best Build
| Nature | Jolly (+Spd, -Sp. Atk) |
|---|---|
| EV Spread | Atk 252 / Sp. Def 4 / Spe 252 |
| Final Stat Values | HP 155 / Atk 168 / Def 95 / Sp.Def 96 / Spd 188 |
| Ability | Libero |
| Held Item | Life Orb |
| Moveset | ・Pyro Ball・Bounce・U-turn・High Jump Kick |
About Cinderace's Moves
Similar to the Singles build, Pyro Ball, Bounce, and High Jump Kick are intended to be used when Cinderace is Dynamaxed, with Max Flare setting up sunlight and thus further powering up Pyro Ball and Max Airstream and Max Knuckle boosting Cinderace's Speed and Attack respectively.
U-turn can be used in cases where your opponent will switch in with a Pokemon that will counter Cinderace, allowing to safely go back to your party while dealing damage.
About Cinderace's Held Item
Life Orb is still held to synergize with Libero's effects that allows Cinderace to have STAB on all of its attacks.
Other Viable Moves
| Sucker Punch | Priority move effective for faster attackers trying to outspeed Cinderace. |
|---|---|
| Iron Head | For use against Fairy-types. When Dynamaxed, becomes Max Steelspike to boost its Defense. |
| Gunk Shot | For use against Fairy-types. Unlike Iron Head, can hit Primarina super effectively. |
| Zen Headbutt | For use against Poison-types. When Dynamaxed, Max Mindstorm is great for handling Toxapex. |
| Giga Impact | A high base power move that can be used to reduce the opponent's speed when used as Max Strike. |
| Electro Ball | A Special move, but great for taking out Gyarados and Toxapex. Max Lightning will nullify the effects of Yawn. |
Utility Moveset & Best Build
| Nature | Jolly (+Spd, -Sp. Atk) |
|---|---|
| EV Spread | Atk 252 / Sp. Def 4 / Spe 252 |
| Final Stat Values | HP 155 / Atk 168 / Def 95 / Sp.Def 96 / Spd 188 |
| Ability | Libero |
| Held Item | Heavy-Duty Boots |
| Moveset | ・Pyro Ball・Court Change・U-turn・Bounce |
This build aims to turn the tables on teams stacking up hazards against your Pokemon.
About Cinderace's Moves
Court Change reverses any hazard setups done by your opponent to your side of the field, thereby transferring Stealth Rock or Toxic Spikes from your side to the opposing team.
Additionally, you can also use Court Change if your opponent has set up Reflect and Light Screen or Tailwind, wasting their turns and allowing you to utilize their setup.
U-turn can be used to safely switch out Cinderace, while Bounce can be used as Max Airstream to boost Cinderace's Speed if it is Dynamaxed.
About Cinderace's Held Item
With Cinderace being initially a Fire-type before any Libero changes happen, your opponents will try to deal with it by setting up Stealth Rock.
Let it hold Heavy-Duty Boots to ignore any hazard effects and damage, which also allows it to safely switch in and out anytime while Stealth Rock is still present on your side of the field.
Other Viable Moves
| Iron Head | Super-effective move against Rock-type Pokemon Cinderace is weak against. |
|---|---|
| Electro Ball | A Special move, but great for taking out Gyarados and Toxapex. Max Lightning will nullify the effects of Yawn. |
How to Use Cinderace Effectively
Use any attack with 1.5x damage
With its Hidden Ability Libero, Cinderace is able to change its type to match any move directly before using it. This has the effect of giving all moves the same-type attack bonus (STAB), which increases the moves damage to 1.5x its standard amount.
With a wide movepool to choose from, Cinderace can change its build to match its party, and can even cut out Fire-type moves without losing STAB. This makes it all the more malleable and harder for opponents to predict its moveset.
A high-speed Attacker with powerful exclusive moves
Cinderace's quickness and variety of attacks make it easy to attack first and deal damage to a wide range of opponent types.
Cinderace's special attack, Pyro Ball, deals the same high damage and has the same Burn effect as Flare Blitz, without the downside of recoil.
Can take on the previously banned Zacian
Cinderace takes half damage from both of Zacian's Fairy and Steel-typings as well as having the ability to OHKO it with Pyro Ball. It can also change its typing to Dark or Pyshic with Sucker Punch or Zen Headbutt to decrease or eliminate damage from Shadow Rider Calyrex or Eternatus.
Best Teammates for Cinderace
Compensate for Cinderace's Weaknesses
Cinderace is quick and powerful, but its HP and Defense are relatively low. To survive against opponents with type and attack advantages, team up with these Pokemon to switch out with using U-Turn.
| Pokemon | Description |
|---|---|
 Celesteela | ・Immune to Ground-type moves・Has incredibly high HP, Defense, and Sp. DefenseCelesteela - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
 Ferrothorn | ・Takes reduced damage from Water & Rock attacks, two of Cinderace's weaknesses・Can take a beating with high Defense and high Special DefenseFerrothorn Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
 Zapdos | ・Immune to Ground-type moves・Can recover its HP with RoostZapdos - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
 Wash Rotom | ・Its ability, Levitate, makes it immune to Ground-type moves・Can switch in against a Ground and Rock-type opponents and hit back with powerful Special attacksWash Rotom Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
Use High-Tier Pokemon
These teammates, including Cinderace, are all within the top 3 tiers for Ranked Battle. By using these Pokemon which can generally handle most opponents, you can eliminate most of the potential threats to Cinderace, leaving only those which it can handle and limiting your opponent's options for switching.
| Pokemon | Description |
|---|---|
 Mimikyu | ・Use Swords Dance to increase Attack and Disguise to cancel an attack.Mimikyu Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
 Dragapult | ・Easy to attack first with one of the highest Speed stats in the game・Has a wide variety of move types and movesets.Dragapult Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
 Zacian | ・Raises its attack as soon as it enters the battle with Intrepid Sword・Has naturally high speed to get the first hit in before many PokemonZacian - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
 Tyranitar | ・Starts up a Sandstorm with its ability to raise its Sp. Defense・Hits Yveltal and Shadow Rider Calyrex hardTyranitar - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
 Rillaboom | ・Can outspeed Choice Scarf Kyogre with Grassy Glide・Great counter for Gastrodon and QuagsireRillaboom - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
How to Build a Team with Cinderace
Dynamax Attacker in an Offensive Team
Example Offensive Team
| Dynamax Attacker | Special Attacker | Utility Pivot |
|---|---|---|
| Cinderace | Zapdos | Rillaboom |
Zapdos makes a great partner to Cinderace being able to take Ground and Water-type attacks that may be aimed at Cinderace. With its Static ability, it also serves the function of a paralysis-spreader that can cripple the offensive momentum of enemy teams. Access to Volt Switch helps Zapdos keep the momentum going into favorable matchups when used properly.
Cinderace's access to Fighting-type moves covers Zapdos' weakness easily. As the main powerhouse of the team, Cinderace should take advantage of boosts from Max Airstream and Max Knuckle to be set up for success.
Rillaboom offers some utility for the team, in the form of Knock Off and Grassy Terrain. The health regeneration from Grassy Terrain can help Cinderace's survivability thanks to the provided recovery. Rillaboom's type advantages versus Cinderace's weaknesses helps a lot.
How to Build an Offensive Team
Counters for Cinderace
| Weakness | |
|---|
Use Pokemon Whose Weaknesses Are Hard to Strike
Every time Libero Cinderace uses a move, it will become the same type as the move, making it even stronger. To counter this, try to use Pokemon that have the same type as moves Cinderace can't learn. If Cinderace switches to a type that isn't Fire it will also become susceptible to Will-o-Wisp to take down its attack.
| Pokemon | Description |
|---|---|
 Landorus | Ranking: ★★★★★・Decreases the enemy Pokemon's attack with Intimidate・Cinderace can't target any of its weaknesses・Can easily fit into many partiesLandorus - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
 Salamence | Ranking: ★★★★★・Decreases the enemy Pokemon's attack with Intimidate・Cinderace can't target any of its weaknessesSalamence - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
| Zapdos | Ranking: ★★★★★・Can handle Cinderace's Max Jetstreams・Cinderace can't target any of its weaknessesZapdos - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
 Ho-oh | Ranking: ★★★★・Using Recover with its ability, Regenerator, keeps it fighting fit・Can hit Cinderace's weakness with Earthquake・If Cinderace changes types, can strike with Sacred Fire or Will-O-Wisp to burn it・Needs to be careful of Max Lightning but can handle a weaker hit from Electro Ball |
 Kyogre | Ranking: ★★★★・Water Spout with a Choice Scarf can one-shot a Fire-type Cinderace・Has to watch out for Electro BallKyogre - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
 Dragonite | Ranking: ★★★★・Can take a log of damage with Multiscale and Recover・Cinderace can't target any of its weaknessesDragonite - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
 Dracovish | Ranking: ★★★★・Can one-shot a Fire-type Cinderace with Fishious Rend・Cinderace can't target any of its weaknessesDracovish - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
 Gyarados | Ranking: ★★★★☆・A typing which can handle Cinderace both offensively and defensively・Its Ability Moxie allows it to knock out Cinderace to set up against further opponentsGyarados Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
Protect Yourself With High Defense
Cinderace is incredibly fast, making it difficult to outspeed, so it's better to use Pokemon that can take hits and aim for its weak point rather than trying to act before it.
Best Pokemon to Use
| Pokemon | Description |
|---|---|
 Toxapex | Ranking: ★★★★★・Can take most of Cinderace's attacks with reduced damage・Can tank while attacking with STAB Water movesToxapex Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
 Tapu Fini | Ranking: ★★★★☆・Can take hits with its high Defense stat・Watch out for the Poison-type Gunk Shot・Can easily fit into many partiesTapu Fini - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
 Gastrodon | Ranking: ★★★★☆・Can take most of Cinderace's attacks with reduced or neutral damage.・Can tank while attacking with STAB Water moves.Gastrodon Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
 Hippowdon | Ranking: ★★★★☆・High Defense allows it to weather hits.・Can cause trouble for Cinderace with Status moves like Stealth Rock and YawnHippowdon Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |  Milotic | Ranking：★★★★☆・Milotic's defense increases by 1.5x when mixing Marvel Scale with a Flame Orb・Be careful of Electro BallMilotic - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
 Heat Rotom | Ranking: ★★★☆☆・Can take most of Cinderace's attacks with reduced damage・Can manipulate the flow of battle with Volt SwitchHeat Rotom Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
Use Counter With a Focus Sash
Since Cinderace is primarily a physical attacker, using a Focus Sash to survive a hit and striking back with Counter is a good way to deal with it. This can work even when Cinderace is Dynamaxed.
Best Pokemon to Use
| Pokemon | Description |
|---|---|
 Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style | Ranking: ★★★★★・Can strike back with Counter・If Counter doesn't do it in, can follow up with Aqua JetUrshifu Rapid-Strike Style - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
| Cinderace | Ranking：★★★★★・Can strike back with Counter・If Counter doesn't do it in, can follow up with Sucker Punch |
 Lucario | Ranking：★★★★★・Can strike back with Counter・If Counter doesn't do it in, can follow up with Extreme SpeedLucario - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle |
Related Guides
All Competitive Builds for Ranked Battle
Competitive Guides for Pokemon Sword and Shield
| Competitive Pokemon Battle Guides | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tier List |  Best Builds |  Series 10 List of Contenders | |||
 Doubles Tier List |  Team Building |  Rental Teams | |||
Dragapult
Galarian Corsola
Toxtricity
Galarian Darmanitan
Corviknight
Dracovish
Grimmsnarl
Rillaboom
Duraludon
Cinderace
Alcremie
Dracozolt
Hatterene
Eiscue
Inteleon
Pincurchin
Frosmoth
Zacian