Centiskorch

Centiskorch, the Radiator Pokémon. When it heats up, its body temperature reaches about 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit. It lashes its body like a whip and launches itself at enemies. While its burning body is already dangerous on its own, this excessively hostile Pokémon also has large and very sharp fangs. Gigantamax energy has evoked a rise in its body temperature, now reaching over 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Its heat waves incinerate its enemies. The heat that comes off a Gigantamax Centiskorch may destabilize air currents. Sometimes it can even cause storms.

Overview

Centiskorch made a big impression on new players in Sword and Shield as the first Gigantamax Pokémon they faced. And it certainly has the traits to stand out after the fact. Incredible STABs in Fire Lash and Leech Life, decent Attack and bulk, a boosting option in Coil, alongside the recently introduced Heavy Duty Boots to offset the Stealth Rock weakness gave some visions of a Volcarona-lite.

However, that was not to be. Coil does not offset Centiskorch’s poor speed, preventing it from rolling over teams the way Volcarona did. Additionally, noticeable gaps in its coverage and only decent attack without boosting leave Centiskorch prone to being walled. Volcarona returning in the Isle of Armor along with the huge influx of legendaries introduced in the Crown Tundra forced Centiskorch into obscurity, just outclassed by the myriad of Fire and Bug types that just do its jobs better.
Positives
Great STABs in Fire Lash and Leech Life make it hard to wall and keep it healthy and excellent coverage options in Power Whip and Knock Off.
Coil synergizes beautifully with Centiskorch, patching up its weaker Defense, its Attack and fixing Power Whip’s accuracy.
Good HP and wide array of resistances enables Centiskorch to take a hit or two.
Negatives
Gaps in its coverage leave Centiskorch with little to no options to answer Fire types and Fire-resistant Flying types.
Poor Speed means that Centiskorch will often take a hit before doing anything, comprising its bulk.
Common weaknesses and poor Defense prevents Centiskorch from making them most of its role as a bulky attacker.

Movesets

Radiator Coil

-Coil
-Fire Lash
-Leech Life
-Power Whip
Item Attached: Flame Body
Ability: Leftovers
EVs and Nature:
252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SDef
Careful Nature

Coil Centiskorch is a potent late game cleaner, able to boost up and become difficult to break as it rolls over the opposing Team. Coil is key to this set, fixing Centiskorch’s low Defense and Decent attack, enabling it to act as a bulky sweeper. Fire Lash helps Centiskorch truly stand out -the Defense drop it provides is invaluable even in the early game, where Fire Lashing an expected switch in can soften it up for an easy KO or force out by one of Centiskorch’s teammates and makes Centiskorch difficult to wall as the boosts will add up and break through eventually. Leech Life is nearly as important, keeping Centiskorch healthy as it sets up Coils. Power Whip, rounds out the set giving Centiskorch valuable coverage against Water and Rock types that would otherwise disregard Fire Lash..

DYNAMAX:
Centiskorch’s HP is fantastic, which is always a plus for any prospective Dynamax user. However, it is so reliant on the secondary effects of Fire Lash and Leech Life to function that this is not an advisable option unless Centiskorch has several Coils under its belt and is relatively healthy. G-Max Centifurgo is a nice damage over time effect, but again, Centiskorch prefers the Defense Drop of Fire Lash and healing of Leech Life.

EVs and Items:
Max HP and Special Defense as Centiskorch will be fixing up its Attack and Defense with Coil, making it incredibly bulky once setup. Leftovers is recommended so that Centiskorch is forced to select Leech Life as often when setting up as Heavy Duty Boots is best left to the team’s Defogger who will be switching in more than Centiskorch. One can invest some Speed EVs, as 20 Speed is enough to outspeed minimum Speed Corviknight who can cause problems with its Flying STAB.

Partners:
If not running Heavy Duty Boots on Centiskorch, Entry Hazard control is a must as Centiskorch is eaten alive by Entry Hazards. Kabutops stands out, being able to check opposing Rock, Fire and Flying types in addition to its ability to Rapid Spin and act as a pivot into Centiskorch with Flip Turn while appreciating the Defense Drops from Fire Lash and anti-Grass support. Blastoise, Starmie, Tentacruel and Cloyster can fullfill this to a lesser extent.
Aerodactyl and Rotom Wash also excel at this role for Defog users able to easily counter the opposing Fire, Rock and Flying types, while also acting as pivots with U-Turn and Volt Switch respectively.

Other Options:
Knock Off -Fantastic support and provides neutral coverage against opposing Fire and Fire-Resistant Flying types Will-o-Wisp -Reliable burn that patches up Centiskorch’s lackluster Defense.

Countering Centiskorch

Toxapex is easily Centiskorch’s biggest wall, able to take its attacks all day, heal up and hinder Centiskorch with Toxic. Other Pokémon that also resist Centiskorch’s STABs invariably prove to be a huge problem for it. Latias, Slowking, Primarina, Tapu Fini all can safely pivot into Centiskorch, take a hit and hinder it with status or outright OHKO it with their STABs. Faster offensive Pokémon prove problematic as well thanks to Centiskorch’s only average bulk and common weaknesses. Regieleki, Zeraora, Dragapult and Kartana all naturally outspeed and threaten to OHKO Centiskorch though their lack of bulk makes switching in difficult and can be surprised by the Scarf set. Rillaboom is immensely threatening to Centiskorch having a powerful Supper Effective priority move that easily OHKO’s Centiskorch regardless of its speed.

Locations in Games

Red/Blue/Yellow:
Not in game

Gold/Silver/Crystal:
Not in game

Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Not in game

FireRed/LeafGreen:
Not in game

Colosseum/XD:
Not in game

Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Not in game

HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Not in game

Black/White:
Event Only

Black 2/White 2:
Event Only

X/Y:
Event Only

Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Event Only

Sun/Moon:
Event Only

Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon:
Event Only

Let's Go, Pikachu!/Let's Go, Eevee!:
Not in game

Sword/Shield:
Ballimere Lake

Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl:
Not in game

Legends: Arceus:
Not in game

Anime Appearences

Centiskorch has made one anime appearance. In it, a Centiskorch got hit with Dynamax energy and started rampaging.

# -English Episode Name- -Jp. Episode Name- Pics
1131 Sword and Shield: Slumbering Weald Sword & Shield I: Slumbering Weald Pics
1132 Sword and Shield: The Darkest Day! Sword & Shield II: Darkest Day Pics
1133 Sword and Shield: From Here to Eternatus! Sword & Shield III: Eternatus Pics
20 Kabu's Battle Training Kabu's Battle Training Pics