Birmingham Champion
Sword of Ruin is doing work before you click a button — every physical hit from your side hurts more, which makes Chien-Pao and Ogerpon-Wellspring scarier without needing a turn of setup. Raging Bolt on the Assault Vest is your special backbone: it soaks hits, throws Thunderclap when you need priority, and Snarls special attackers that would otherwise run over the snow cat. Between Incineroar, Rillaboom, and Amoonguss you are playing a slow pivot game with two Fake Outs and a redirector, so you pick your burst windows instead of racing every turn.
Gameplan
Opening
Lead Chien-Pao plus Raging Bolt when you want immediate pressure — Icy Wind from Pao steals speed if they are faster, and Bolt answers Flutter Mane-style threats with Thunderclap while Sword of Ruin makes follow-up damage sting. If they open with double physical, consider Incineroar first to Intimidate before you commit the sash.
Mid-game
Cycle Incineroar and Rillaboom for Intimidate, Knock Off, and Grassy Terrain healing; Parting Shot and U-turn keep you ahead on momentum while Rocky Helmet Amoonguss punishes contact if they get greedy. Against Trick Room, Amoonguss is often your best second slot — Spore and Rage Powder buy time for Bolt or Ogerpon to position.
End-game
Bring Ogerpon-Wellspring in when Water moves are aimed at Raging Bolt or when you want to blank a Surging Strikes lane — Water Absorb turns a would-be weakness into a free switch and Horn Leech keeps you healthy under Grassy. Close with Chien-Pao's Sucker Punch when you know their speed control is gone and they are trying to pick off your last mon with a faster attack.
Team Roster
Chien-Pao
- Item:
- Focus Sash
- Ability:
- Sword of Ruin
- Nature:
- Jolly
- EVs:
- 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
- Moves:
- Sacred Sword, Ice Spinner, Sucker Punch, Icy Wind
Raging Bolt
- Item:
- Assault Vest
- Ability:
- Protosynthesis
- Nature:
- Modest
- EVs:
- 244 HP / 4 Def / 76 SpA / 4 SpD / 180 Spe
- Moves:
- Thunderclap, Thunderbolt, Dragon Pulse, Snarl
Incineroar
- Item:
- Safety Goggles
- Ability:
- Intimidate
- Nature:
- Careful
- EVs:
- 252 HP / 4 Atk / 60 Def / 140 SpD / 52 Spe
- Moves:
- Fake Out, Knock Off, Flare Blitz, Parting Shot
Rillaboom
- Item:
- Miracle Seed
- Ability:
- Grassy Surge
- Nature:
- Adamant
- EVs:
- 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
- Moves:
- Fake Out, Wood Hammer, Grassy Glide, U-turn
Ogerpon-Wellspring
- Item:
- Wellspring Mask
- Ability:
- Water Absorb
- Nature:
- Jolly
- EVs:
- 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
- Moves:
- Ivy Cudgel, Horn Leech, Swords Dance, Spiky Shield
Amoonguss
- Item:
- Rocky Helmet
- Ability:
- Regenerator
- Nature:
- Relaxed
- EVs:
- 252 HP / 156 Def / 100 SpD
- Moves:
- Spore, Rage Powder, Pollen Puff, Protect