Choosing Chimchar as your starter in Brilliant Diamond guarantees access to one of the most versatile offensive threats in the Sinnoh region. Upon evolving into Infernape, this Fire and Fighting-type Pokemon gains incredible offensive stats along with a blistering speed tier. Its ability to pressure half of the regional gym leaders makes it an invaluable asset for any trainer throughout their campaign.
The Ultimate Story Build for Casual Playthroughs
For a standard adventure through the Sinnoh region, a mixed attacking set maximizes Infernape's diverse movepool. Combining Flamethrower for reliable Fire-type damage with Close Combat provides perfect same-type attack bonuses to tear through major boss fights. This combination ensures you can break down defensive walls without worrying too much about stat reductions in short battles.
To round out its coverage during the main story, adding a move like Thunder Punch helps counter its native weakness to Water and Flying types. This layout allows Infernape to safely handle difficult encounters like Aaron and Byron with minimal team support. Trainers can rely on this offensive coverage to keep momentum high from the mid-game straight into the Elite Four.
Competitive Sweeper Builds for the Battle Tower
Transitioning into competitive environments or the post-game Battle Tower requires a dedicated physical or special investment. A physical sweeper variant utilizing Swords Dance allows Infernape to boost its attack stat to terrifying levels. Paired with Flare Blitz and Close Combat, it becomes capable of knocking out neutral opponents in a single hit.
Alternatively, a special attacking set utilizing Nasty Plot can catch defensive opponents off guard. Moving away from standard physical attacks allows players to run Fire Blast and Focus Blast for massive damage output. This unpredictable nature remains one of the primary reasons why this starter continues to find success in high-level strategies.
Strategic Utility and Team Synergy
In competitive team formats, Infernape excels when supported by teammates that can cover its natural vulnerabilities. Bulky Water types like Gyarados or Gastrodon offer excellent defensive switching options when ground or psychic attacks threaten your starter. These partners help maintain field control while Infernape waits for the perfect opportunity to sweep.
Using entry hazards like Stealth Rock can also maximize your offensive pressure by chipping away at opposing health pools. Because Infernape forces many defensive switches, dynamic entry damage can quickly turn close matches in your favor. Strategic positioning ensures your fiery fighter can clean up remaining threats late in the game.
