Editing Incineroar

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|lastappearance= [[bulbapedia:Pokémon Scarlet and Violet|''Pokémon Scarlet'' and ''Violet'']] (2023, via update)

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'''Incineroar''' ({{ja|ガオガエン|Gaogaen}}, ''Gaogaen'') is the Heel Pokémon from the {{uv|Pokémon}} series. It debuted in the series' [[bulbapedia:Generation VII|seventh generation]] as {{s|bulbapedia|Alola}}'s final stage [[bulbapedia:Fire (type)|Fire-type]] {{iw|bulbapedia|starter Pokémon}}, and is present as a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''.

Incineroar's default {{s|bulbapedia|Ability}} is {{iw|bulbapedia|Blaze|Ability}}, which increases its Attack and Special Attack statistics by 50% when using a Fire-type move so long as it has a third or less of its Hit Points remaining. Its Hidden Ability is {{s|bulbapedia|Intimidate}}, which decreases the opponent's Attack by one stage whenever Incineroar enters a battle. Like {{pkmn|Decidueye}} and {{pkmn|Primarina}}, Incineroar has both a {{s|bulbapedia|signature move}} and signature {{s|bulbapedia|Z-Move}} in {{s|bulbapedia|Generation VII}}. In Incineroar's case, it can learn {{iw|bulbapedia|Darkest Lariat|move}}, which can be converted into {{iw|bulbapedia|Malicious Moonsault|move}} as long as it holds {{s|bulbapedia|Incinium Z}}. As of {{s|bulbapedia|Generation VIII}}, however, Darkest Lariat can now be learned by a few other Pokémon via [[bulbapedia:TR|Technical Record]]. Incineroar has above-average Attack and overall defenses (which can be further augmented by Intimidate), but in contrast has slightly below-average Special Attack and below-average Speed.

In the ''Pokémon'' anime, an Incineroar appears as the main Pokémon of {{iw|bulbapedia|Professor Kukui|anime}} while under his Masked Royal persona. In addition to being shown as an incredibly powerful Pokémon, it developed a rivalry with {{s|bulbapedia|Ash Ketchum}}'s own [[bulbapedia:Ash's Incineroar|Incineroar]] ever since Ash's was a Litten. This rivalry ultimately helped Ash's Litten to reach its full potential, as it evolved into a Torracat during a rematch with Kukui's Incineroar in order to properly learn {{iw|bulbapedia|Flame Charge|move}}, and then climactically evolved into an Incineroar itself after finally defeating Kukui's Incineroar in the [[bulbapedia:Manalo Conference#Exhibition Match|Manalo Conference's exhibition match]]. In ''[[bulbapedia:M20|I Choose You!]]'', an Incineroar appears under the ownership of {{s|bulbapedia|Cross}}, the movie's main antagonist.

Incineroar appears as a [[newcomer]] in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', and was formally announced alongside {{SSBU|Ken}} and {{SSBU|Piranha Plant}} during the ''Super Smash Bros.'' [[Nintendo Direct|Direct]] on November 1st, 2018.<ref name=Debut>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fccgHnBQ0YM Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Direct 11.1.2018]</ref> According to [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]] creator [[Masahiro Sakurai]], Incineroar was not initially chosen as the newest ''Pokémon'' fighter following the release of [[bulbapedia:Pokémon Sun and Moon|''Pokémon Sun'' and ''Moon'']].<ref name=Ultimate>[https://www.sourcegaming.info/2018/12/12/sakurai-tells-more-details-about-smash-ultimates-development/ Sakurai Tells More Details About Smash Ultimate's Development]</ref> Rather, Sakurai almost chose {{pkmn|Decidueye}} as a fighter from {{s|bulbapedia|Generation VII}},<ref>[https://twitter.com/PushDustIn/status/1087124581867958273 PushDustIn on Twitter: "Sakurai confirms in an interview: Decidueye was almost chosen for the new Pokémon spot"]</ref> but after reconsideration, he instead chose Incineroar because of his desire for a professional wrestling-based character.<ref>[https://twitter.com/AllSourceGaming/status/1062726902341746691 Source Gaming on Twitter: "Sakurai wanted to pick a newcomer to represent content from a newer game. With Ultra Sun and Moon, a Pokémon 'slot' was left opened. Eventually after some consideration, they went with Incineroar. Sakurai says he wanted to try making a pro wrestler...."]</ref>

Fitting its wrestler concept, Incineroar is a super heavyweight that possesses several heavily damaging moves, powerful throws and even the ability to strike interruptible poses upon successfully using a move.<ref name=Debut/> These traits are supplemented by its overall frame data being surprisingly above average, which is atypical of a super heavyweight and even some heavyweights. However, Incineroar is burdened with very slow overall mobility and a lack of reliable approach options, which collectively give it a poor [[neutral game]].

Incineroar's neutral special, [[Darkest Lariat]], has minimal start-up lag in spite of its early hitbox's impressive power, and it grants [[invincibility]] for a long time.<ref name=Debut/> [[Alolan Whip]], its side special, is a versatile [[Grab#Special moves that can grab|command grab]]: it can be used to KO horizontally or vertically depending on the player's input and can even assist Incineroar's recovery, thanks to it propelling Incineroar forward and not rendering it [[helpless]].<ref name=Debut/> However, it can also fail to inflict any significant damage if the player fails to input properly.<ref name=Debut/> Incineroar's up special, [[Cross Chop]], can be deadly when it connects on-stage, but is risky when used off-stage because of its linear travel distance.<ref name=Debut/> Its down special move, [[Revenge]], is a unique [[counterattack]] that stores the power of the inflicted attack and applies it as a multiplier to Incineroar's next move.<ref name=Debut/> Finally, Incineroar's [[Final Smash]], [[Max Malicious Moonsault]], is based on its signature {{s|bulbapedia|Z-Move}}, {{iw|bulbapedia|Malicious Moonsault|move}} and boasts enough power to KO at very low percentages.<ref name=Debut/> Unlike Malicious Moonsault, Max Malicious Moonsault functions like any other Final Smash in that it can be used more than once per battle.

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*Similar to [[Lucario]] and [[Mewtwo]], Incineroar used a special move that is super effective against itself in the ''Pokémon'' series. In this case, Incineroar uses both [[Cross Chop]] and [[Revenge]], Fighting-type moves which are super effective against Incineroar's Dark-typing.