Is Talonflame good in Pokémon Go?

Talonflame is not a Pokémon many players would consider immediately using in Pokémon Go. It was one of the first wave of Pokémon to appear from the Kalos region. When it was initially released in November 2020, it was a lukewarm Pokémon. Its stats were fine and similarly matched other starter bird Pokémon in the series. However, with it being a Fire and Flying-type, it has the potential for greatness. But the Pokémon standard moveset held it back even further, making it a subpar Pokémon option. That is until its March 2021 Community Day, where it can learn incinerate for its fast move. With this Community Day, Talonflame becomes a far more useful Pokémon and something more trainers should consider using if they want to battle in the Great and Ultra Leagues. Talonflame isn’t going to make it to the top of the meta, but it’s not a respectable Pokémon.

Taloflame is Fire and Flying-type Pokémon. It’s weak against Electric, Rock, and Water-type attacks, and it’s resistant against Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Fire, Grass, Ground, and Steel-type moves. For PvP, Talonflame has a maximum CP of 2,205, an attack of 150, a defense of 134, and a stamina of 158. For PvE, it has an attack of 176, a defense of 155, and a stamina of 186.

Because it has a medium maximum CP ceiling, you want to keep your expectations using Talonflame in the Great or Ultra Leagues. We wouldn’t recommend using it in any of the Master League competitions. It wouldn’t hold up against any of the Pokémon there. In the Great and Ultra Leagues, though, it’s capable of standing a better fight, especially given it can learn the Fire-type fast move, incinerate.

It’s a powerful move capable of generating quite a bit of energy in a few short attacks, boosting Talonflame’s effectiveness in battle. Without this move, it doesn’t hold up too well and won’t be as effective. The incinerate fast move allows Talonflame to use its charged moves far more often. Of the two Leagues, Talonflame is going to do better in the Great League. However, if you give Talonflame XL candy, it tops the charts in the Ultra League. If you want to use one of the best Pokémon in the Ultra League, give Talonflame XL candy, and make sure it knows incinerate.

Talonflame will be a decent choice in some of the lower-ranking PvE raids in Pokémon Go. It won’t exceed at taking down a five-star legendary Pokémon, but if you want to battle against something in the one or three-star rankings, Talonflame is a solid choice.

Overall, Talonflame is a decent Pokémon. It rides hard on knowing incinerate for its fast move, so without it, you’re better off not using it. We recommend you acquire at least two Talonflames, using one in the Great League and then another that you give XL candy to for the Ultra League.