Abomasnow
[Overview]
<p>Abomasnow is one of two Pokemon with the unique ability Snow Warning, the other being its pre-evolution, Snover. Snow Warning summons a permanent hailstorm upon entry, which makes Abomasnow a perfect team player for Ice-types, especially those with abilities that benefit from hail, such as Ice Body and Snow Cloak. Permanent hail also gives Abomasnow a 100% accurate Blizzard, and with the boost from STAB, it becomes very powerful. In addition to Blizzard, Abomasnow has a very wide offensive movepool, which consists of moves such as Wood Hammer, Earthquake, Focus Blast, Hidden Power, and Shadow Ball. That's not all, however, Abomasnow also possesses a few useful support options which include, but are not limited to: Leech Seed, Toxic, Light Screen, and GrassWhistle. Abomasnow's defenses are also above average, and it carries resistances to common Water-, Grass-, Electric-, and Ground-type moves, making it easier to switch in, and consequently activate Snow Warning. Unfortunately, Abomasnow's fun ends here; its typing leaves it weak to common Fire-, Rock-, and Fighting-type moves, with seven weaknesses in total, and gives it a nasty weakness to Stealth Rock, causing Abomasnow to lose 25% of its health upon switching in. Abomasnow's Speed isn't anything crowd-pleasing either, and it's often left in the dust by faster Pokemon in the tier. If you can use Abomasnow for its advantages, namely Snow Warning, and support it correctly, it can be a great asset on your team.</p>
[SET]
name: SubSeed
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Blizzard / Wood Hammer
move 4: Protect / Ice Shard
item: Leftovers
ability: Snow Warning
nature: Calm / Careful
evs: 252 HP / 172 Def / 84 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is undoubtedly one of the most effective sets Abomasnow can run. Leech Seed, combined with an ability which summons permanent hail and Abomasnow's decent defensive prowess, means it can take on a defensive role. Resistances to common Water-, Electric-, Grass-, and Ground-type moves give it plenty of opportunities to switch in, activate Snow Warning, and start wearing the opponent down with Leech Seed and passive hail damage. Blizzard is an excellent choice as it benefits from the hail, giving it 100% accuracy, and with STAB, it has 180 Base Power. Protect makes it easier to predict the opponent's next move, and it also gives Abomasnow an extra turn of Leftovers and Leech Seed recovery. Wood Hammer and Ice Shard can be used on a physically oriented set, though Wood Hammer's recoil and Ice Shard's low Base Power make them inferior choices.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>This set is designed to let Abomasnow stick around as long as possible and annoy the opponent until they start ripping their hair out. The defensive EVs attempt to balance Abomasnow's defenses, and maximum HP investment gives it plenty of bulk. If you require more EVs in a particular defensive stat, feel free to change them to suit your needs. A Calm nature should be used alongside Blizzard and Protect, while a Careful nature should be used with Wood Hammer and Ice Shard. Alternatively, a Sassy nature can be used with a combination of Blizzard, Wood Hammer, and Ice Shard, which takes advantage of permanent hail, as well as a powerful physical move, or a priority move in Ice Shard. Giga Drain or Toxic can easily fill the last slot for different reasons. With the recovery from Leftovers, Leech Seed, and Giga Drain, Abomasnow will be almost impossible to efficiently KO. And with Blizzard already scaring away any Grass-types from switching in on Abomasnow to absorb Leech Seed, Abomasnow is free to start spreading Toxic on the opponent's team if your team lacks Toxic Spikes support. Finally, Focus Blast or Hidden Power Fighting can be considered in the last slot as well to take on other Ice-types and Registeel, though added protection from attacks or a priority move in Ice Shard is preferable.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Abomasnow was cursed with a weakness to Stealth Rock, which chips away 25% of its health upon switching in. To prevent this, a Rapid Spin user, such as Cryogonal, is recommeneded. Cryogonal also benefits from the hail as it can spam 100% accurate Blizzards. Claydol is another decent choice as it can switch into the Fighting- and Rock-type moves at Abomasnow, and can set up Stealth Rock for your team.</p>
<p>Teammates that benefit from the hail are ideal partners, making Glaceon, Walrein, Cryogonal, and Rotom-F excellent partners for this set. Abomasnow also appreciates support in the form of Toxic Spikes, which help it wear down Pokemon who are immune to Leech Seed or hail. Roserade and Nidoqueen are both good options, as are Drapion and Scolipede. Pokemon who can switch into Abomasnow's weaknesses are helpful, making Lanturn an ideal teammate. Lanturn can switch into Steel-, Flying-, and Fire-type moves aimed at Abomasnow, and it can support its teammates with Heal Bell. Chandelure is another great choice as it can switch into Fire- and Fighting-type moves aimed at Abomasnow, and use its STAB moves to get past opposing Ice-types that get in Abomasnow's way.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Blizzard
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Rock
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Snow Warning
nature: Timid
evs: 16 HP / 12 Def / 252 SpA / 228 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>When utilizing a Choice Scarf, Abomasnow's lackluster Speed is raised to usable levels, turning it into a decent revenge killer. With hail on the battlefield, Abomasnow has the ability to KO many Pokemon, without the worry of Focus Sash spoiling its fun. Be careful when using this set, however, because one wrong move could be game-changing. Blizzard is given a nifty accuracy boost in the hail, making it very powerful as well as reliable. Giga Drain provides a secondary STAB move, and also helps Abomasnow recover any damage sustained from entry hazards. Focus Blast is used to hit Steel-types who resist Abomasnow's STAB moves, while Hidden Power Rock hits Fire- and Flying-types.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>228 Speed EVs and a Choice Scarf allow Abomasnow to reach 351 Speed, which is enough to outrun positive natured Archeops. Maximum Special Attack investment lets Abomasnow deal as much damage as possible, while the remaining EVs are placed into HP and Defense for additional bulk. 16 HP EVs allow Abomasnow to reach 325 HP, which means it won't faint upon a fourth switch in to Stealth Rock. The remaining 12 EVs are placed into Defense to help Abomasnow absorb priority moves. Alternatively, you could place the remaining EVs into Attack and use either Earthquake or Focus Punch; the former hits Fire-types super effectively, while the latter deals a lot of damage to Chansey and Clefable. Unfortunately, Abomasnow is still too slow to outrun Pokemon with a Speed stat of 361, such as Raikou, Ambipom, and Azelf.</p>
<p>Stealth Rock is always a thorn in Abomasnow's side, so a Rapid Spinner should always be present on your team especially since this set will be switching more than usual. Although it shares the same weaknesses as Abomasnow, Cryogonal makes an excellent Rapid Spin user thanks to its access to Recover and immunity to both types of Spikes and hail damage. Hitmontop is another great choice as it can switch into the Rock-type moves aimed at Abomasnow, not to mention it poses a large threat to many Pokemon in the tier. Finally, Blastoise can be used as it resists Fire-type moves, and can take on common threats to hail teams, such as Hippopotas and Chandelure.</p>
<p>Due to this set's offensive nature, entry hazard support is very helpful. Donphan makes an excellent partner, as it can set up Stealth Rock, remove hazards with Rapid Spin, and resists the Rock-type moves aimed at Abomasnow. Froslass is another good option as it has high Speed, access to Spikes, and an immunity to Fighting-type attacks. Defensive Pokemon who can switch into Abomasnow's weaknesses are helpful as well, making Quagsire, Rotom-H, and Golurk ideal teammates.</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Ice Shard
move 3: Wood Hammer
move 4: Earthquake / Ice Punch
item: Life Orb / Leftovers / Expert Belt
ability: Snow Warning
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Although it is uncommon, this set carries the surprise factor, as most opponents will expect Abomasnow to be firing off its STAB Blizzard. This set turns Abomasnow into a formidable physical sweeper, utilizing Ice Shard to overcome its poor Speed, and physical attacks to hit hard after a Swords Dance boost. Wood Hammer is used for seconday STAB, and can break through bulky Water-types such as suicine; however, Wood Hammer causes a lot of recoil damage, so don't expect Abomasnow to last long after using it a few times. Earthquake can take out opposing Steel-types that lack priority attempting to wall Abomasnow.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs on this set are fairly simple: maximize Abomasnow's Attack and Speed. This allows Abomasnow to deal as much damage as possible after a Swords Dance, and tie with base 60 Speed Pokemon such as Empoleon and Porygon2. A Naive nature may be used with Hidden Power Fire or Blizzard, though it's generally pointless as it forces Abomasnow to split its attacking stats, which makes it significantly weaker.</p>
<p>Pokemon who can switch into Abomasnow's weaknesses make great partners. Chandelure can switch into Fighting- and Fire-type attacks aimed at Abomasnow, and can defeat the Steel-types that wall Abomasnow. Empoleon can switch into Rock- and Fire-type moves, and can break through opponents such as Aggron and Arcanine. Of course, Rapid Spin support is recommended due to Abomasnow's typing, and this can be provided by Donphan, Cryogonal, or Hitmontop.</p>
<p>Entry hazards are also helpful as they help Abomasnow break through a weakened team. Roserade can set up Toxic Spikes, Froslass can set up Spikes, and Donphan can set up Stealth Rock. A Pokemon who can switch into Will-O-Wisp is helpful, just in case Abomasnow encounters Dusknoir, Rotom-H, Chandelure, or other Pokemon with the ability to burn it. Altaria is a good teammate as it can switch into Fire- and Fighting-type moves, and its ability, Natural Cure, means it doesn't mind being inflicted with status. Magic Guard Clefable is in the same boat, not to mention it can wall most of the specially-based Fire-types that threaten Abomasnow.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Abomasnow's movepool is surprisingly large, and there are a variety of options which haven't been discussed in the above sets. Abomasnow's offensive options include Shadow Ball, Avalanche, Outrage, Water Pulse, and Brick Break; while these moves have their uses, they don't provide Abomasnow with any extra coverage, and they're all highly situational. Abomasnow may abuse Toxic in order to wear down Pokemon such as Snorlax and Cresselia, and Rest can be used in tandem with Sleep Talk, which provides Abomasnow with a reliable recovery method and turns it into a great status absorber. Abomasnow may utilize a Choice Band set, though without Blizzard, Abomasnow becomes inferior to a lot of other physical sweepers in the tier. Finally, Abomasnow can use a Life Orb with its decent mixed offensive stats, though it fails to cover up gaping holes in whichever stat it has to lower.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Chansey is one of the best counters to Abomasnow as it takes a pittance from Blizzard, has reliable recovery in Softboiled and Wish, and it can wear down Abomasnow with Toxic or Seismic Toss. Just watch out for Leech Seed, as Chansey's high HP means that Abomasnow will be recovering a lot more HP every turn. Fire-types such as Arcanine and Houndoom also fare well; they resist both of Abomasnow's STAB moves, have massive attacking stats, and can burn it to a crisp with their super effective STAB moves. Registeel and Escavalier take little damage from any of Abomasnow's moves, have decent defensive stats, and can hit it super effectively with Iron Head and Megahorn, respectively. Umbreon, Snorlax, and Spiritomb are all good choices thanks to their high Special Defense stats, and they all have good moves which with to set up on Abomasnow. Cobalion is an excellent counter as its defensive stats are above average; it has an excellent defensive typing, and STAB moves which will eliminate Abomasnow before it has chance to attack. Hippopotas will remove Abomasnow's hail and replaces it with sandstorm, defeating the purpose of using Abomasnow. Stealth Rock is a major thorn in Abomasnow's side, so do everything you can to ensure it's on the field. Abomasnow isn't difficult to beat; just target one of its weaknesses and hit it as hard and as fast as you can. Abomasnow isn't going to be outrunning much, as it has a measly 60 base Speed.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Abomasnow receives Soundproof from the Dream World, though it's completely pointless as Abomasnow's sole purpose is to provide its teammates with hail support.</p>
