Hisuian Arcanine Dominates the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet VGC Meta

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s VGC meta experiences constant shifts with each new regulation, and one Pokémon has emerged as the star of the current Regulation E ruleset—Hisuian Arcanine. The Fire/Rock-type variant of the beloved Gen I fire dog has made a name for itself in competitive play, thanks to its powerful abilities and moveset.

Introducing Hisuian Arcanine

First introduced in Legends: Arceus, Hisuian Arcanine boasts a unique Fire/Rock typing that sets it apart from its Kantonian counterpart. This new form has proven to be a force to be reckoned with in VGC, particularly due to its access to two valuable assets—Intimidate and Rock Slide.

Since Regulation E began on Oct. 1, H-Arcanine has claimed first place at six of the seven major VGC tournaments around the world, including the Latin America International Championships (LAIC) held on Nov. 17 to 19. Despite not being the most popular choice among trainers, H-Arcanine has emerged as the top-performing Pokémon in the format.

Chuppa Cross IV, a regional champion and Pokémon expert, spoke to Dot Esports about the rise and success of H-Arcanine. Cross explains that H-Arcanine’s synergy with Tornadus, a primary Tailwind user in Regulation E, contributes to its dominance in the meta. The combination of H-Arcanine’s Intimidate and Rock Slide, paired with Tornadus’ support abilities, creates a formidable duo that is difficult to counter.

The H-Arcanine Advantage

Unlike its Kantonian counterpart, Hisuian Arcanine boasts access to STAB Rock Slide, making it a more formidable offensive threat. When paired with Tornadus’ Tailwind, H-Arcanine’s Rock Slide can deal significant damage and potentially flinch opponents before they have a chance to attack. However, without the speed boost from Tailwind, H-Arcanine’s impact on the field diminishes.

Despite its impressive track record, H-Arcanine’s popularity lags behind the two best Gen IX Pokémon, Flutter Mane and Iron Hands. At the LAIC tournament, Flutter Mane and Iron Hands were used by over half of the competitors, while H-Arcanine only saw a 23.8 percent usage rate.

According to Cross, H-Arcanine’s reliance on speed control sets it apart from the more versatile Flutter Mane and Iron Hands. Balance-oriented strategies often favor other Intimidate Pokémon like Landorus, making it more challenging for H-Arcanine to find a spot on teams.

H-Arcanine vs. Incineroar

H-Arcanine’s biggest competitor is expected to be Incineroar, another Fire-type Intimidate user slated to make its return to VGC in the near future. Incineroar is renowned as one of the best Pokémon in VGC history, thanks to its ability to cycle Intimidate and Fake Out with ease. However, Cross believes that Incineroar’s reintroduction will impact H-Arcanine’s role in the meta, particularly in terms of support sets.

While H-Arcanine has been predominantly used for support purposes, it is gradually leaning towards more offensive sets, such as Choice Band and Life Orb. Its Rock typing, combined with the power of STAB Rock Slide and Head Smash, make H-Arcanine a formidable offensive threat. In the fast-paced Regulation E metagame, where Prankster Tailwind users like Tornadus thrive, there is limited time for H-Arcanine to utilize support moves like Will-O-Wisp or Snarl.

Tornadus’ impact cannot be understated, as it has played a pivotal role in shaping H-Arcanine’s dominance. The only major Regulation E tournament that H-Arcanine did not win, the Brisbane Regionals in Australia, lacked a single Tornadus within the top eight teams. Nevertheless, H-Arcanine has shown its ability to secure victories without relying solely on Tornadus, as demonstrated by Michael Zhang’s unique Kommo-o team at the Sacramento Regionals.

The Future of H-Arcanine

H-Arcanine’s success in the current Regulation E ruleset has cemented its status as the top Pokémon in the meta. With two upcoming major events, the Stuttgart Regionals and San Antonio Regionals, H-Arcanine has the opportunity to further solidify its position. However, Regulation E is set to end on Jan. 2, and the next regulation is expected to introduce a new wave of Pokémon from The Indigo Disk DLC. This update will likely include Incineroar, potentially signaling the end of H-Arcanine’s dominance.