Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Cinderace raids: Full sets and counters

THE first round of Cinderace raids have finished in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, but there is still a chance to catch one when it returns.

Cinderace will next appear January 13, until January 15, giving you another chance to battle the Generation 8 starter.

Even if you’ve already caught one, battling it again can drop ability patches and capsules, candy, and fighting tera shards.

Here’s Cinderace’s set, and the best Pokémon to counter it in Scarlet and Violet.

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Cinderace move set and ability

Cinderace’s move set is slightly different to what was predicted. Iron Head means that Fairy-type Pokémon are not recommended.

It uses Bulk Up, making special attackers the Pokémon of choice.

While it comes with the ability Libero, which changes its type, the tera-type overwrites this ability making it not relevant here.

Here’s Cinderace’s full set:

The Mightiest Cinderace – Level 100

• Nature – Adamant
• Ability – Libero
• Item – None
• Tera-type – Fighting
• Moves – Bulk Up, Pyro Ball, High Jump Kick, Acrobatics, Iron Head

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Best Cinderace counters

Prior to trying the raids, we thought that Fairy-types might be good, but due to Iron Head this isn’t the case.

Pokémon that are physically bulky are important, and special attackers are preferred.

There are a number of good ‘mons for this. Here are the ones we recommend.

Espathra

Not only is Espathra a special attacker, but it comes with the ability Opportunist which copies the enemies stat boosts.

Cinderace will use Bulk Up a lot, raising both its attack and defence, which Espathra then copies, nullifying damage increases.

It also has the moves Lumina Crash which harshly lowers Cinderace’s special defence with every hit.

Feather Dance harshly lowers attack, giving an extra level of protection.

Here’s the set we recommend.

Espathra – Level 100

• Nature – Bold, HP and Defence invested 
• Ability – Opportunist
• Item – Shell Bell
• Tera-type – Psychic
• Moves – Feather Dance, Lumina Crash, Rain Dance, Reflect

Rotom Fan

This is one we predicted would be strong, and it has proven itself on the battlefield. 

It comes with a number of strong support moves, decent bulk, and a high special attack stat to help take Cinderace out.

Just be careful of your health on the first few turns before Rotom can set up its protection.

Rotom Fan – Level 100

• Nature – Modest, HP and Defence invested 
• Ability – Levitate
• Item – Damp Rock
• Tera-type – Ghost (for High Jump Kick miss)
• Moves – Nasty Plot, Air Slash / Stored Power , Rain Dance, Reflect

Slowbro

Slowbro’s typing is perfect for taking on Cinderace, and it has the perfect set up moves allowing it to sweep.

Cinderace won’t remove your stat boosts until you hit it, so you can set up comfortably before taking the one hit KO.

Unfortunately, its abilities don’t help too much, but with this move set it’s not that important.

Slowbro – Level 100

• Nature – Bold, HP and Defence invested 
• Ability – Own Tempo
• Item – Leftovers
• Tera-type – Psychic
• Moves – Iron Defense, Nasty Plot, Stored Power, Rain Dance

Pelipper

Pelipper is another Pokémon we predicted would be strong, but it’s a little more difficult to position well, and is best used in a team.

Drizzle sets up the rain immediately, allowing for some strong Hurricanes to always hit.

Stockpile also helps it to stay healthy against Cinderace’s strong stat boosts.

Pelipper – Level 100

• Nature – Bold, HP and Defence invested 
• Ability – Drizzle
• Item – Damp Rock
• Tera-type – Flying
• Moves – Stockpile, Rain Dance, Hurricane, Roost

Gyarados

This is a strong support ‘mon, but will be difficult to use in solo raids as it is a physical attacker.

However, it has a number of moves that will keep your team healthy, and it resists most of Cinderace’s most powerful attacks.

Gyarados are appearing more commonly in raids right now, meaning it is easy to find and build a strong set.

Intimidate also helps lower Cinderace’s attack as it comes in at plus one.

Gyarados – Level 100

• Nature – Impish, HP and Defence invested 
• Ability – Intimidate
• Item – Damp Rock
• Tera-type – Flying
• Moves – Chilling Water, Rain Dance, Thunder Wave, Helping Hand

Written by Georgina Young on behalf of GLHF.