My Thoughts on Pokkén Fighters - The Heavy Shooter, Chandelure

Chandelure. The Heavy Shooter of Pokkén Tournament and DX. Alongside Gardevoir as one of the best Range Oriented fighters, but one huge difference is Chandelure loves "lures" and trapping opponents with Hex.

In Field Phase, you have a lot of tools at your disposal, standard range being a faster move ending with a powerful laser that is stronger the further away you are from your opponent, side range that allows movement, but is essentially the same as standard, but with one big exception. Holding the button makes Lure spin rapidly, being an anti-air weapon, a defensive approach, and having the added benefit of piercing counter attacks. Forward range is the laser itself, which can be charged, and back range allows a little bit of field control, making multiple balls of ghostly flame surround Lure. There's always back A, or pokemon move (referred to from here as pmoves) which is Flame Burst. It has two options: tap for anti-air, or hold for a ground attack at a distance. Forward pmove is Smog, at the moment of use counts as a Counter, which makes it a decent quick combo breaker in this phase. X, or strong attack, is your basic homing attack.

In Duel phase, a skilled Lure shines brightest with relentless attacks and short combos that deal HUGE amounts of damage. A great combo to start with is midair X/Strong attack to a standard Y combo, or even an Up Y combo. Up Y gives you more spacing, where as standard Y can end with a pmove, and preferably smog, thus lowering their defense. In either case, tapping pmove for Will-O-Wisp sends small embers after the opponent, or if they're against the wall or like rushing you down, hold it to have them stay in one spot. Either way you choose, a quick back pmove is flame burst, meaning they MUST shield, as will-o pierces counters, and lowers attack. If they jump, another will-o is doable, and if they shield that, down pmove is a distance grab called Hex. More powerful for each negative status the opponent has. That's why you use Smog and Will-o to get both on them.

Overall grade: 9/10
Great for tricksters and those just starting who prefer powerful mons, but didn't care for Machamp. Main downside is rushers who know Lure's tricks.