Cinderace - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle | Pokemon Sword and Shield

This is a strategy guide for using Cinderace in competitive play for the games Pokemon Sword and Shield. Read on for tips on the best Nature, EV spreads, Movesets, and Held Items to use with Cinderace, as well as its strengths and weak points.

Cinderace - Related Guides
Evolution and Learnset	Build for Ranked Battle	Gigantamax Cinderace

Basic Information for Cinderace

Types and Abilities

Pokemon	Type 1	Type 2
Cinderace
Abilities
Blaze	Powers up Fire-type moves in a pinch
Libero (Hidden)	Changes the Pokémon's type to the type of the move it's about to use.

Cinderace Weaknesses and Resistances

	Type
Takes 4x damage	-
Takes 2x damage
Takes 0.5x damage
Takes 1/4x damage	-
Takes 0x damage	-

What is Type Effectiveness?

Base Stats

HP	Attack	Defense	Sp. Atk	Sp. Def	Speed
80	116	75	65	75	119

Best Nature for Cinderace

Best Natures
Jolly (+Spd, -SpAtk)	Adamant (+Atk, -SpAtk)

What are Natures?

How to Learn Cinderace's Egg Moves

Jump Kick	Inherit from Scraggy (learns at Lv. 44) or Hawlucha (learns at Lv. 44)
Sucker Punch	Inherit from Diglett (learns at Lv. 20) or Impidimp (learns at Lv. 22)

Singles Movesets for Cinderace

Libero + Life Orb Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Jolly (+Spd, -SpAtk)
EV Spread	Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values	HP 155 / Atk 168 / Def 95 / Sp.Def 96 / Spd 188
Ability	Libero
Held Item	Life Orb
Moveset	・Pyro Ball ・High Jump Kick ・Sucker Punch ・Bounce

These values are from base stats and ideal EVs, excluding external factors.

One of Cinderace's many strengths is the increased power of its moves since it always receives STAB thanks to Libero. When used in tandem with a Life Orb, its attacks essentially receive a 1.95x damage multiplier. Partnered with its versatile moveset and great offensive base stats, Cinderace is a threat to be reckoned with.

About Cinderace's Moves

Pyro Ball is a strong 120 BP move that may also leave the target with a burn. When Dynamaxed, it can be used as Max Flare where it becomes a 140 BP move while also setting up the sun, further strengthening the power of this Fire-type move. Alternatively, if Gigantamaxing Cinderace, Pyro Ball will become G-Max Fireball, a 160 BP move that ignores its enemy's ability like Mimikyu's Disguise.

After Dynamaxing, Cinderace can use moves like Max Knuckle (from High Jump Kick) and Max Airstream (from Bounce) as STAB moves, while using their effects to raise its Attack and Speed and further enhance its sweeping potential.

Sucker Punch is a good priority move for dealing damage to faster sweepers who may try to outspeed and take Cinderace out. This is especially useful if you haven't raised your speed from Max Airstream yet.

About Cinderace's EV Spread

This build utilizes as a standard physically offensive spread with the rest of the EVs invested into Sp.Def.

Advantages of Jolly vs. Adamant

Nature	Advantages
Jolly	・Can outspeed other Cinderaces ・Can outspeed Durant with maximized Speed
Adamant	・Can 1HKO a Snorlax with EVs in HP and Defense with High Jump Kick

This moveset anticipates going up against other Cinderaces, so we've used a Jolly Nature here. That said, an Adamant Nature has the potential to take down a HP/Def-focused Snorlax in one hit with High Jump Kick, so it's worth considering as well.

Still, as Snorlax builds frequently run Protect, play carefully to make sure your High Jump Kick doesn't backfire on you.

About Cinderace's Ability

Libero gives Cinderace the power to use all of its attacks as STAB moves, and thanks to its wide movepool, this allows it to handle itself against a wide range of opponents. This also allows Cinderace to be very flexible defensively since it can change types at will.

How to Get Libero Cinderace

A free Scorbunny with the Libero Ability is available via Pokemon HOME. Learn how to get all three Galar Starters with Hidden Abilities and transfer them to Pokemon Sword and Shield with our guide below:
How to Get & Transfer Hidden Ability Starters from Pokemon HOME

About Cinderace's Held Item

Together with its new Hidden Ability, Libero, it can use a Life Orb to further boost its attacking power.

Other Viable Moves

U-turn	When at a disadvantage, wear down the opponent and then switch out. Useful for breaking Focus Sash and Disguise.
Iron Head	For use against Fairy-types. When Dynamaxed, becomes Max Steelspike to boost its Defense.
Gunk Shot	For use against Fairy-types. Unlike Iron Head, can hit Primarina super effectively.
Zen Headbutt	For use against Poison-types. When Dynamaxed, Max Mindstorm is great for handling Toxapex.
Giga Impact	A high base power move that can be used to reduce the opponent's speed when used as Max Strike.
Electro Ball	A Special move, but great for taking out Gyarados and Toxapex. Max Lightning will nullify the effects of Yawn.

Blaze + Focus Sash Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Jolly (+Spd, -SpAtk)
EV Spread	Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values	HP 155 / Atk 168 / Def 95 / Sp.Def 96 / Spd 188
Ability	Blaze
Held Item	Focus Sash
Moveset	・Pyro Ball ・High Jump Kick ・Sucker Punch ・Bounce

These values are from base stats and ideal EVs, excluding external factors.

As an alternative to the Libero moveset, this build takes advantage of the boost from Blaze. It may not give STAB on the moves anymore, but Cinderace's versatile moveset can still help in this regard.

About Cinderace's Moves

Pyro Ball is a strong 120 BP move that may also leave the target with a burn. When Dynamaxed, it can be used as Max Flare where it becomes a 140 BP move while also setting up the sun, further strengthening the power of this fire-type move.

After Dynamaxing, Cinderace can use moves like Max Knuckle (from High Jump Kick) and Max Airstream (from Bounce) as STAB moves, while using their effects to raise its Attack and Speed and further enhance its sweeping potential.

Sucker Punch is a good priority move to deal damage to faster sweepers who may try to outspeed and take Cinderace out. This is especially useful if you haven't raised your speed from Max Airstream yet.

About Cinderace's EV Spread

This build utilizes as a standard physically offensive spread with the rest of the EVs invested into Sp.Def.

About Cinderace's Ability

After Blaze has taken effect, it can take advantage of its high base Attack to deal reliably heavy damage from then on, making this set a viable alternative standing in contrast to the Libero moveset.

About Cinderace's Held Item

This set uses Blaze together with a Focus Sash to survive a hit from max HP and hit back hard with Blaze's damage boost.

Other Viable Moves

U-turn	When up against an opponent Cinderace can't handle, use U-turn to escape while simultaneously dealing damage. It has the bonus effect of nullifying your opponent's Focus Sash or Disguise.
Iron Head	Super effective against Fairy-types. When Dynamaxed, Max Steelspike can be used to increase Defense.
Court Change	This will allow you to steal the effects of moves like Reflect and Light Screen, and push negative effects like Stealth Rock to your opponent's side.
Counter	Works hand-in-hand with the Focus Sash to survive an attack with 1 HP, and take down the opponent from max HP to 0.

Doubles Movesets for Cinderace

Doubles Dynamax Sweeper Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Jolly (+Spd, -Sp. Atk)
EV Spread	Atk 252 / Sp. Def 4 / Spe 252
Final Stat Values	HP 155 / Atk 168 / Def 95 / Sp.Def 96 / Spd 188
Ability	Libero
Held Item	Life Orb
Moveset	・Pyro Ball ・Bounce ・U-turn ・High Jump Kick

About Cinderace's Moves

Similar to the Singles build, Pyro Ball, Bounce, and High Jump Kick are intended to be used when Cinderace is Dynamaxed, with Max Flare setting up sunlight and thus further powering up Pyro Ball and Max Airstream and Max Knuckle boosting Cinderace's Speed and Attack respectively.

U-turn can be used in cases where your opponent will switch in with a Pokemon that will counter Cinderace, allowing to safely go back to your party while dealing damage.

About Cinderace's Held Item

Life Orb is still held to synergize with Libero's effects that allows Cinderace to have STAB on all of its attacks.

Other Viable Moves

Sucker Punch	Priority move effective for faster attackers trying to outspeed Cinderace.
Iron Head	For use against Fairy-types. When Dynamaxed, becomes Max Steelspike to boost its Defense.
Gunk Shot	For use against Fairy-types. Unlike Iron Head, can hit Primarina super effectively.
Zen Headbutt	For use against Poison-types. When Dynamaxed, Max Mindstorm is great for handling Toxapex.
Giga Impact	A high base power move that can be used to reduce the opponent's speed when used as Max Strike.
Electro Ball	A Special move, but great for taking out Gyarados and Toxapex. Max Lightning will nullify the effects of Yawn.

Utility Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Jolly (+Spd, -Sp. Atk)
EV Spread	Atk 252 / Sp. Def 4 / Spe 252
Final Stat Values	HP 155 / Atk 168 / Def 95 / Sp.Def 96 / Spd 188
Ability	Libero
Held Item	Heavy-Duty Boots
Moveset	・Pyro Ball ・Court Change ・U-turn ・Bounce

This build aims to turn the tables on teams stacking up hazards against your Pokemon.

About Cinderace's Moves

Court Change reverses any hazard setups done by your opponent to your side of the field, thereby transferring Stealth Rock or Toxic Spikes from your side to the opposing team.

Additionally, you can also use Court Change if your opponent has set up Reflect and Light Screen or Tailwind, wasting their turns and allowing you to utilize their setup.

U-turn can be used to safely switch out Cinderace, while Bounce can be used as Max Airstream to boost Cinderace's Speed if it is Dynamaxed.

About Cinderace's Held Item

With Cinderace being initially a Fire-type before any Libero changes happen, your opponents will try to deal with it by setting up Stealth Rock.

Let it hold Heavy-Duty Boots to ignore any hazard effects and damage, which also allows it to safely switch in and out anytime while Stealth Rock is still present on your side of the field.

Other Viable Moves

Iron Head	Super-effective move against Rock-type Pokemon Cinderace is weak against.
Electro Ball	A Special move, but great for taking out Gyarados and Toxapex. Max Lightning will nullify the effects of Yawn.

How to Use Cinderace Effectively

Use any attack with 1.5x damage

With its Hidden Ability Libero, Cinderace is able to change its type to match any move directly before using it. This has the effect of giving all moves the same-type attack bonus (STAB), which increases the moves damage to 1.5x its standard amount.

With a wide movepool to choose from, Cinderace can change its build to match its party, and can even cut out Fire-type moves without losing STAB. This makes it all the more malleable and harder for opponents to predict its moveset.

A high-speed Attacker with powerful exclusive moves

Cinderace's quickness and variety of attacks make it easy to attack first and deal damage to a wide range of opponent types.

Cinderace's special attack, Pyro Ball, deals the same high damage and has the same Burn effect as Flare Blitz, without the downside of recoil.

Can take on the previously banned Zacian

Cinderace takes half damage from both of Zacian's Fairy and Steel-typings as well as having the ability to OHKO it with Pyro Ball. It can also change its typing to Dark or Pyshic with Sucker Punch or Zen Headbutt to decrease or eliminate damage from Shadow Rider Calyrex or Eternatus.

Best Teammates for Cinderace

Compensate for Cinderace's Weaknesses

Cinderace is quick and powerful, but its HP and Defense are relatively low. To survive against opponents with type and attack advantages, team up with these Pokemon to switch out with using U-Turn.

Pokemon	Description
Celesteela	・Immune to Ground-type moves ・Has incredibly high HP, Defense, and Sp. Defense Celesteela - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Ferrothorn	・Takes reduced damage from Water & Rock attacks, two of Cinderace's weaknesses ・Can take a beating with high Defense and high Special Defense Ferrothorn Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Zapdos	・Immune to Ground-type moves ・Can recover its HP with Roost Zapdos - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Wash Rotom	・Its ability, Levitate, makes it immune to Ground-type moves ・Can switch in against a Ground and Rock-type opponents and hit back with powerful Special attacks Wash Rotom Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

Use High-Tier Pokemon

These teammates, including Cinderace, are all within the top 3 tiers for Ranked Battle. By using these Pokemon which can generally handle most opponents, you can eliminate most of the potential threats to Cinderace, leaving only those which it can handle and limiting your opponent's options for switching.

Pokemon	Description
Mimikyu	・Use Swords Dance to increase Attack and Disguise to cancel an attack. Mimikyu Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Dragapult	・Easy to attack first with one of the highest Speed stats in the game ・Has a wide variety of move types and movesets. Dragapult Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Zacian	・Raises its attack as soon as it enters the battle with Intrepid Sword ・Has naturally high speed to get the first hit in before many Pokemon Zacian - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Tyranitar	・Starts up a Sandstorm with its ability to raise its Sp. Defense ・Hits Yveltal and Shadow Rider Calyrex hard Tyranitar - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Rillaboom	・Can outspeed Choice Scarf Kyogre with Grassy Glide ・Great counter for Gastrodon and Quagsire Rillaboom - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

How to Build a Team with Cinderace

Dynamax Attacker in an Offensive Team

Example Offensive Team

Dynamax Attacker	Special Attacker	Utility Pivot
Cinderace	Zapdos	Rillaboom

Zapdos makes a great partner to Cinderace being able to take Ground and Water-type attacks that may be aimed at Cinderace. With its Static ability, it also serves the function of a paralysis-spreader that can cripple the offensive momentum of enemy teams. Access to Volt Switch helps Zapdos keep the momentum going into favorable matchups when used properly.

Cinderace's access to Fighting-type moves covers Zapdos' weakness easily. As the main powerhouse of the team, Cinderace should take advantage of boosts from Max Airstream and Max Knuckle to be set up for success.

Rillaboom offers some utility for the team, in the form of Knock Off and Grassy Terrain. The health regeneration from Grassy Terrain can help Cinderace's survivability thanks to the provided recovery. Rillaboom's type advantages versus Cinderace's weaknesses helps a lot.

How to Build an Offensive Team

Counters for Cinderace

Weakness

Use Pokemon Whose Weaknesses Are Hard to Strike

Every time Libero Cinderace uses a move, it will become the same type as the move, making it even stronger. To counter this, try to use Pokemon that have the same type as moves Cinderace can't learn. If Cinderace switches to a type that isn't Fire it will also become susceptible to Will-o-Wisp to take down its attack.

Pokemon	Description
Landorus	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Decreases the enemy Pokemon's attack with Intimidate ・Cinderace can't target any of its weaknesses ・Can easily fit into many parties Landorus - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Salamence	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Decreases the enemy Pokemon's attack with Intimidate ・Cinderace can't target any of its weaknesses Salamence - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Zapdos	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can handle Cinderace's Max Jetstreams ・Cinderace can't target any of its weaknesses Zapdos - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Ho-oh	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Using Recover with its ability, Regenerator, keeps it fighting fit ・Can hit Cinderace's weakness with Earthquake ・If Cinderace changes types, can strike with Sacred Fire or Will-O-Wisp to burn it ・Needs to be careful of Max Lightning but can handle a weaker hit from Electro Ball
Kyogre	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Water Spout with a Choice Scarf can one-shot a Fire-type Cinderace ・Has to watch out for Electro Ball Kyogre - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Dragonite	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can take a log of damage with Multiscale and Recover ・Cinderace can't target any of its weaknesses Dragonite - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Dracovish	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can one-shot a Fire-type Cinderace with Fishious Rend ・Cinderace can't target any of its weaknesses Dracovish - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Gyarados	Ranking: ★★★★☆ ・A typing which can handle Cinderace both offensively and defensively ・Its Ability Moxie allows it to knock out Cinderace to set up against further opponents Gyarados Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

Protect Yourself With High Defense

Cinderace is incredibly fast, making it difficult to outspeed, so it's better to use Pokemon that can take hits and aim for its weak point rather than trying to act before it.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Toxapex	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can take most of Cinderace's attacks with reduced damage ・Can tank while attacking with STAB Water moves Toxapex Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Tapu Fini	Ranking: ★★★★☆ ・Can take hits with its high Defense stat ・Watch out for the Poison-type Gunk Shot ・Can easily fit into many parties Tapu Fini - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Gastrodon	Ranking: ★★★★☆ ・Can take most of Cinderace's attacks with reduced or neutral damage. ・Can tank while attacking with STAB Water moves. Gastrodon Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Hippowdon	Ranking: ★★★★☆ ・High Defense allows it to weather hits. ・Can cause trouble for Cinderace with Status moves like Stealth Rock and Yawn Hippowdon Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Milotic	Ranking：★★★★☆ ・Milotic's defense increases by 1.5x when mixing Marvel Scale with a Flame Orb ・Be careful of Electro Ball Milotic - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Heat Rotom	Ranking: ★★★☆☆ ・Can take most of Cinderace's attacks with reduced damage ・Can manipulate the flow of battle with Volt Switch Heat Rotom Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

Use Counter With a Focus Sash

Since Cinderace is primarily a physical attacker, using a Focus Sash to survive a hit and striking back with Counter is a good way to deal with it. This can work even when Cinderace is Dynamaxed.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can strike back with Counter ・If Counter doesn't do it in, can follow up with Aqua Jet Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Cinderace	Ranking：★★★★★ ・Can strike back with Counter ・If Counter doesn't do it in, can follow up with Sucker Punch
Lucario	Ranking：★★★★★ ・Can strike back with Counter ・If Counter doesn't do it in, can follow up with Extreme Speed Lucario - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

Related Guides

All Competitive Builds for Ranked Battle

Competitive Guides for Pokemon Sword and Shield

Competitive Pokemon Battle Guides
Tier List		Best Builds		Series 10 List of Contenders
Doubles Tier List		Team Building		Rental Teams

Best Builds for New Pokemon

Movesets & Best Builds for New Pokemon
Dragapult	Galarian Corsola	Toxtricity
Galarian Darmanitan	Corviknight	Dracovish
Grimmsnarl	Rillaboom	Duraludon
Cinderace	Alcremie	Dracozolt
Hatterene	Eiscue	Inteleon
Pincurchin	Frosmoth	Zacian
Sirfetch'd	Flapple	Coalossal
Centiskorch	Arctozolt	Zarude
Galarian Weezing	Eternatus	Indeedee (Female)
Sandaconda