https://m.imgur.com/gallery/ZHICKxE

So today, im going to be taking a look at Blaziken, and the numerous ways he can be deployed in pokemon duel.

Yes, im aware blaziken isnt shinny and new anymore; but I wanted to take on a mon that is often misunderstood. Plus i havent pulled any of the new guys yet, so im kinda mad at them. Lol

One more thing before i start. As i was searching google images for a cool blaziken pic, something became disturbingly clear. There are a lot of people with a weird blaziken fetish. There is a lot of fan art with.... Well parts that blaziken isnt typically drawn with. Its very odd. I dont suggest googling it. Lol

Most of the conversation on blaziken, typically comes to the same conclusion: "glass cannon." but i strongly think this is an inacurate, and somewhat demeaning description of a figure that i view as one of the top two or three mons in the game.
A glass cannon, for those who dont know, is a unit with high offensive potential, but low defensive statistics. Something that can deal a lot of damage, but is defeated by a less than average amount. I.e. the cannon is made of glass, and breaks upon firing.

Blaziken, with its three terrifically diverse, and powerful attacks, is hands down the most versatile offensive weapon in the game. Because he has an attack to beat whatever your opponent spins (excluding rayquazas 140 yellow) he is an excellent target for your double chance plates. If your opponent spins blue, you dont die anyway, and any other attack, you can spin again to beat if you need.

I view Blaziken as the swiss army knife of duel.

His gold attack is so spectacularly underated. You wont be spending any points to increase it, but its a size 24 gold that moves your blaziken 2 spaces if you win.  You wont be out damaging anything with it, but that isnt what its for anyway. Think of it as the cork screw on your swiss army knife. You wont need it often, but when you do; its a lifesaver.

Particularly in its abilityto save you from a situation no other figure can. Once your goalie is surrounded and taken, blaziken is the only figure (without the risk of earthquake/landswrath) that can keep you alive. I cant count how many matches where Jet Kick has straight up saved me. Because the other mons that can counter the goal surround are 1mp (exclude ghastly, as he is sure to die the next turn anyway,) blaze is the only one who can come from your bench to your goal while saving your game.

Now jet kick alone wouldnt keep you safe long, but fortunately, blaze also carrys two of the absolute best money attacks in the game.

Cyclone Kick is the best purple in the game. It utterly decimates most meta mons attacks. It straight beats any white, and will only lose to Lugias purple (not a big deal,) or evolved purple users (rare.)

As it negates effect that trigger upon knock out (magikarps evolution, serene light, etc) its actually better at killing then any attack in the game.

130 is great and all, but cyclone kick is where you should be investing all your level points.

As for that 130, well, youre gonna need a clvl or two. At that point, blazikens potential is fully unlocked, and all but the highest whale-level deoxy-a's will be terrified of blaziken. Without clevels, its still going to beat most mons, but every team needs at least 1 deoxy counter. As blaziken can reliably deal with all 4 forms, he is one of the more viable counters available.

I have had him since day-1 (mat exchange.) he has absolutely been my MVP in every deck i run him in. He is permanently on my league team, and the 1 ex i use for 1-2-3 rooms. rooms

Blaze is also one of the better uses for all that carmonite that most of us dont quit have our head around yet. While you wont be taking him to lvl10 (because, what attack would you want to shrink?) you can feel safe that you wont regret spending 400 carmonite to push him to level 9. Having only 2, 4 size miss segments takes a lot of the "glass" out of this cannon.

Strangers Bottom Line

Blaziken actually gets my vote for best mon in the game. While that is always going to come down to opinion, and guys like mew, sceptile, and terrakion, all have an equally strong claim; i find blaziken, once fully unlocked, to be stronger and more versitile than any other figure. Having one on your team presents moves that no other mon can give you. To have that kind of unique versatility, on a mon that is so strong; gives the people who think he is OP a legit case to make. The only thing you could knock blaziken for, is its lack of synergy. As fire doesnt really have a build in and of itself, and flame energy is niche at best, you wont find many figures made better by, or that benifit, Blaziken.

Another thing to keep in mind: Mega Blaziken. As one of the most popular megas, you can bet he is very high on the priority list for tpc.


Final Score
9.5/10

The only reason i wont go 10, is because mega gengar exist now. I have a feeling that will grow to be the best, and only 10 in the game.

Recomendation for crafting.

I would hold off for the time being honestly. As crafting can be so important to your ladder climb, i would recomend most people wait until the meta stabalizes and absorbs the new mons. I cant imagine any of them will truly make you regret crafting blaziken, but this section opporates on the assumtion that you have only 5000 mats and are picking one mon to most improve your team.

Once the meta has calmed down, i have a feeling blaze will still be one of the 2 or 3 best crafting options.

Actually, i changed my mind. Go ahead and craft him. Lol

Blaziken is extremly good.