[Guide] Analysis: Empirilla

[poweroftibarn]

Good guide, especially I found it very interesting that Infuriate even works behind substitute. But I just can't understand how to actually use Focus Punch in the SubPunch set. As you fully invested in Speed EVs, I'm sure you are aiming to overspeed the foe. When that happens, you make substitute, foe attacks, Infuriate works, and substitute breaks, so you won't have chance to activate Focus Punch. If you want to run a speedy set, then just use Close Combat.

SubPunch only works when you are slower than your foe, and it works like this: Foe attacks, you make substitute, next turn you use Focus Punch, foe attacks again, substitute breaks but you get to hit Focus Punch. But as Empirilla is quick and frail Pokemon, SubPunch is not a good choice for it I think. Focus Punch itself can be used to hit foe when you succeeded in predicting it's switch, but surely a risky move to use with frail Pokemon like this, so not suggested anyways.

To utilize substitute, I'm not sure you can get it now, but Salac Berry can work well. Empirilla with speed boosted can overspeed every Pokemon without Choice Scarf or priority moves, and you can hit with your boosted attack with Infuriate. You can use substitute to decrease your HP to activate Salac Berry, and also to safely take a hit to activate Infuriate. There's still risk of taking something before Salac activates so you might need to invest some EVs to endurance though.

You will be setting up Substitute when your opponent switches or uses a non-damaging move most of the time, which is why EVs are invested into Speed.  If substitute is used against a physical attacker, they will be forced to switch in order to avoid proccing Infuriate, giving Empirilla the opportunity to use Focus Punch twice on what the opponent switches in.