Incineroar

Incineroar
Official artwork of Incineroar from Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon.
Universe	Pokémon
Debut	Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon (2016)
Smash Bros. appearances	Ultimate
Most recent non-Smash appearance	Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon (2017)
Console/platform of origin	Nintendo 3DS
Species	Incineroar
Gender	Varies
Place of origin	Alola
Designed by	Ken Sugimori
Japanese voice actor	Unshō Ishizuka
Article on Bulbapedia	Incineroar (Pokémon)

Incineroar (ガオガエン, Gaogaen) is a fictional creature from the Pokémon series. It debuted in the series' seventh generation as Alola's final stage Fire-type starter Pokémon, and represents that generation as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Character description

Incineroar is a bipedal, feline Pokémon, and is categorized within the Pokédex as the "Heel Pokémon". Incineroar is a dual Fire/Dark-type Pokémon, and is the final evolved form of Litten, after having evolved from Torracat at level 34 onward. As Litten, it is one of the Alola region's three starter Pokémon.

True to its Pokédex categorization, Incineroar behaves much like a heel in professional wrestling. It is known for being selfish, egotistical to the point of ignoring its own Trainer's commands on a whim, and brutal to the point of even attacking the opposing Pokémon's Trainer. However, Incineroar gets bored when facing weaker opponents and, like Charizard, becomes more motivated when fighting challenging ones. In addition to using a mix of punches and kicks, Incineroar can emit streams of flame from its navel. On a related note, it is typically seen with flames ringed around its waist, which fittingly resemble a championship belt.

Incineroar's default Ability is Blaze, which increases its Attack and Special Attack statistics by 50% when using a Fire-type move and while it has a third or less of its Hit Points remaining. In comparison, its Hidden Ability is Intimidate, which decreases the opponent's Attack stat by one stage whenever Incineroar enters a battle. Like Decidueye and Primarina, its fellow fully evolved Alola starter Pokémon, Incineroar has both a signature move and signature Z-Move. In Incineroar's case, it can learn Darkest Lariat, which can be converted into Malicious Moonsault as long as it holds Incinium Z.

Although Incineroar's low Speed and vulnerability to common attacking types make it generally struggle in single battles within the competitive Pokémon metagame, it is renowned as one of the most useful Pokémon within the competitive metagame's double battles format, thanks to its above-average Attack stat, respectable overall defenses, potent offensive typing, and the utility provided by both Intimidate and its moveset.

In the Pokémon anime, Incineroar appears as the main Pokémon of Professor Kukui while under his Masked Royal persona. It developed a rivalry with Ash's Torracat, and is shown to be incredibly powerful in battle. In I Choose You!, an Incineroar appears under the ownership of Cross, the movie's main antagonist.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Incineroar, as it appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Incineroar appears as a newcomer in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It was revealed during a Nintendo Direct on November 1st, 2018, alongside Ken and Piranha Plant.

Trivia

• Due to Pokémon Sun and Moon being released in 2016, Incineroar is the most recently debuted character in the Super Smash Bros. series.
• Incineroar is the third playable Pokémon that is the final evolution of a starter Pokémon. The first were Charizard and Greninja, respectively.
  • It is also the second fully evolved Fire-type starter Pokémon, following Charizard.
• Incineroar is the first playable non-Generation I Pokémon to debut in an odd-numbered generation.
  • It is also the second Pokémon after Pichu to not debut with a new type, as Charizard and Greninja debuted with the Fire and Dark types, respectively.
• Incineroar is the only dual-typed Pokemon to not use any moves derived its primary type.
• Incineroar, Roy, Lucas, Greninja, and Dark Pit are the only characters to have never appeared on a home console outside of the Super Smash Bros. series.