What it does
Bitter Blade is a Fire-type physical move that heals the user for 50% of the damage dealt. Every attack doubles as a partial heal, so it does two jobs at once — pressure and staying power. In doubles, where you're taking constant chip from two opponents plus field effects, that built-in sustain makes Ceruledge's effective durability much higher than its raw stats suggest.
Fire coverage is also broadly useful: no immunity headaches like Ghost has, and it hits neutral into most of the field. Combine reach with drain and you have a move that punishes passive play while keeping the attacker healthy.
Who runs it
Ceruledge (100% usage) — it always runs Bitter Blade, no exceptions. Fire/Ghost type with high Attack and solid Speed. The combination of its signature drain move and dual-type coverage is the core reason it's one of the highest-presence attackers in the format.
How to use it
Bitter Blade is the primary damage tool — use it most turns. Target the bulkiest opposing Pokemon to maximize the HP restored. When Ceruledge has taken chip damage, a high-damage Bitter Blade against a healthy target can bring it straight back to a safe HP range.
It also pairs with Shadow Claw, which under Champions rules is Ghost/contact/cutting-type — relevant for certain ability interactions. The two moves cover different situations and complement each other cleanly.
The sustain means opponents can't easily chip down Ceruledge with spread moves — each time it attacks a bulky target, it's recovering that damage and then some.
Tips & strategy
Prioritize lower-defense targets when you want raw damage output, higher-HP targets when you need the healing most. These aren't always the same slot, so decide based on what the match needs that turn.
Opponents aware of the drain will sometimes focus your partner to avoid trading with Ceruledge directly. Anticipate this and protect the teammate as needed.
Life Orb amplifies Bitter Blade damage significantly, but the recoil partially offsets the drain. Sometimes securing a KO is worth more than the sustain — but in a long game, the chip accumulation on Ceruledge from Life Orb adds up. Weigh it against the matchup.
Don't burn Protect turns preemptively when Bitter Blade's drain can just handle the HP deficit naturally. Let the drain do the work.