QC Approvals: Valentine, Jukain, aim
GP Checks: frenzyplant, The Dutch Plumberjack
Overview
########
Although Wobbuffet is a very specialized Pokemon, it is very good at what it does: revenge killing and trapping. While Wobbuffet appears to have competition from a fellow Shadow Tag user, Gothitelle, Wobbuffet has some notable advantages over it. Wobbuffet is able to fit onto offensive teams more easily than Gothitelle, has a better matchup against offense, and has Encore to handle Pokemon that try to set up on it. While Knock Off's high usage is a problem for Wobbuffet, it can beat some common Knock Off users, such as Azumarill and Landorus-T, one-on-one. However, Wobbuffet is mostly one-dimensional, as it is limited to revenge killing and trapping, has no recovery outside of whatever item it is holding, and is hurt by its low Speed against defensive Pokemon that it would lock into a move with Encore.
Oh no, it's Wobbuffet!
########
name: Oh no, it's Wobbuffet!
move 1: Encore
move 2: Counter
move 3: Mirror Coat
move 4: Safeguard
ability: Shadow Tag
item: Sitrus Berry / Leftovers
evs: 52 HP / 232 Def / 224 SDef
nature: Bold
Moves
========
Encore can lock the foe into a move that a teammate can take advantage of and can prevent Wobbuffet from being set up on by sweepers such as Belly Drum Azumarill and Dragon Dance Mega Charizard X. Counter and Mirror Coat allow Wobbuffet to return damage back to a foe that hits it with a physical or special attack, respectively. Safeguard protects Wobbuffet and its teammates from status for a few turns, allowing teammates to come in safely on an Encored status move.
Set Details
========
The investment in HP and Defense allows Wobbuffet to survive a Knock Off from Life Orb Bisharp while holding an item, which can be handy in a pinch. The rest of the EVs are put into Special Defense to allow Wobbuffet to take special attacks much easier. Sitrus Berry is preferred over Leftovers because Wobbuffet wants to have an instant form of recovery and because it gets worn down a lot. Also, using up an item allows Wobbuffet to take Knock Offs better. However, Leftovers can be used instead for gradual recovery.
Usage Tips
========
Wobbuffet is a team supporter primarily for offensive teams by trapping or KOing Pokemon that are causing problems for Wobbuffet's teammates. Wobbuffet is best brought in when a teammate has been KOed, or from a U-turn or Volt Switch. Wobbuffet should not be played too recklessly, as it gets worn down rather easily, but one must not be afraid to use it in fear of it getting worn down. Be smart with Encore due to its low PP, but again, do not be afraid to use it. Encore in general is meant to take advantage of the opponent; for example, Wobbuffet can be used as an anti-lead by locking the opponent into Stealth Rock for a teammate to take advantage of. Wobbuffet dislikes Knock Off users, but it can beat some of them one-on-one, such as Azumarill and Landorus-T.
Team Options
========
Wobbuffet provides valuable support for offensive teams and prefers these over balanced teams. For teammates, Wobbuffet greatly appreciates Healing Wish support because it gets worn down very easily, so Latias and Jirachi are good teammates. Wobbuffet's combination of Shadow Tag + Encore can benefit setup sweepers by giving them free turns to set up. Lucario and Mega Charizard X appreciate Wobbuffet's support and its ability to trap and KO Excadrill, which the two usually struggle with. Other setup sweepers, such as Dragonite and Diggersby, can make good teammates as well. Wobbuffet is troubled a lot by Bisharp, which can threaten to KO it after some prior damage with Knock Off or Pursuit; as such, a Fighting-type, such as Terrakion or Keldeo, makes for a good teammate to handle Bisharp. Landorus pairs well with Destiny Bond Wobbuffet, which handles Latias and Chansey for Landorus.
Other Options
########
Tickle can be used with a Pursuit trapper to remove the opponent's walls from the match, but this is gimmicky at best, and Wobbuffet has better things to do. Destiny Bond looks good on paper to score a free KO once Wobbuffet is at low health, but it really misses Safeguard, often lacks the Speed to pull it off, and does not have room for it.
Checks & Counters
########
**Bisharp**: Bisharp is a huge pain in the neck for Wobbuffet, as it can KO Wobbuffet with Knock Off or trap a weakened Wobbuffet with Pursuit. However, Bisharp should not be too reckless, as trying to set up on Wobbuffet or failing to KO it can backfire and be exploited.
**Taunt + Status**: Taunt and status debilitate Wobbuffet and can keep it from doing its job as efficiently. Wobbuffet can function when Taunted, but it needs more prediction in this case. Poison and burn wear down Wobbuffet, and other forms of status hinder it as well.
**VoltTurn + Counter / Mirror Coat immunities**: The easiest way to handle Wobbuffet is to U-turn or Volt Switch into a Ghost- or Dark-type, the former type being immune to Counter and the latter type being immune to Mirror Coat. This prevents Wobbuffet from doing its job and minimizes the damage it inflicts upon the opponent's team.
*Shadow Tag user
*Not outclassed by Gothitelle; Wobbuffet fares better against more offensive teams, whereas Gothitelle is better at handling more defensive ones. Wobbuffet also has access to Encore, which prevents it from being setup bait.
*Good revenge killer and trapper, but can only do that
*No recovery outside of Leftovers and Sitrus Berry
*Really slow
*Knock Off spam is annoying for Wobb, though it can actually beat some common Knock Off users, such as Azumarill and Landorus-T
*Encore can lock your opponent into a move, which can prevent Wobbuffet from being set up on by things like Belly Drum Azumarill or Dragon Dance Charizard X, allowing Wobbuffet to switch into a teammate to deal with these Pokemon while they are locked into a move. Encore can also lock your opponent into a move that a teammate can take advantage of.
*Counter and Mirror Coat allow Wobbuffet to return damage back to almost any attacker that cannot OHKO it
*Safeguard protects Wobbuffet and its teammates from status for a few turns, which can allow teammates to come in safely without any fear of being crippled by status
*Physical investment allow Wobbuffet to survive a Knock Off from Life Orb Bisharp while holding Sitrus Berry and at maximum HP.
*Sitrus Berry is preferred over Leftovers because Wobbuffet wants to have an instant form of recovery, especially if it gets hit too hard. Also, using up an item allows Wobbuffet to take Knock Offs better once its Sitrus Berry is used. Leftovers can be used for gradual recovery, but Sitrus Berry is better for the reasons provided.
*A Calm Nature can be used to take special hits better, but most Choice Scarf users are physically based, and beating Choiced Pokemon is one of Wobbuffet's biggest assets.
*Wobbuffet is a team supporter that is meant to be used to trap and weaken or KO Pokemon that are causing problems for Wobbuffet's teammates
*Be smart with using Encore due to its low PP, but do not be afraid to use it
*Try to bring Wobbuffet in after a teammate has died, or from a U-turn / Volt Switch if possible.
*Do not play Wobbuffet too recklessly, as it can get worn down easily
*Be careful around Knock Off users, but Wobbuffet can beat some of them once it has used up its Sitrus Berry, such as Azumarill and Landorus-T
*Can be played as an anti-lead by locking the opponent into Stealth Rock for your team to take advantage of
*A common misconception is that Wobbuffet does not fit onto offensive teams very well because it lacks immediate power; this notion is false, as the support Wobbuffet provides can be very useful for offensive teams
*Wobbuffet greatly appreciates Healing Wish support from the likes of Latias or Jirachi, as it completely restores Wobbuffet should it get worn down too much
*Wobbuffet's combination of Shadow Tag + Encore can benefit setup sweepers by giving them free turns to set up. Lucario and Mega Charizard X appreciate Wobbuffet's support, and also appreciates its ability to trap and KO Excadrill, whom the two usually struggle with. Other setup sweepers, such as Dragonite and Diggersby, can fit as well.
*Tickle can be used with a fast spread and paired with a Pursuit trapper to take down walls
*Destiny Bond looks good to take down another Pokemon once Wobbuffet is about to be KOd, but it really misses losing either Encore or Safeguard
*Charm, Splash
*Nothing else
*Bisharp: Bisharp is a huge pain in the neck for Wobbuffet and can KO it with Knock Off, or can trap a weakened Wobbuffet with Pursuit.
*Taunt + Status: Taunt and Status can debilitate Wobbuffet and can keep it from doing its job as efficiently. Wobbuffet can function without Taunt, but needs more prediction.
*VoltTurn + Counter / Mirror Coat immunities
*Not outclassed by Gothitelle; Wobbuffet fares better against more offensive teams, whereas Gothitelle is better at handling more defensive ones. Wobbuffet also has access to Encore, which prevents it from being setup bait.
*Good revenge killer and trapper, but can only do that
*No recovery outside of Leftovers and Sitrus Berry
*Really slow
*Knock Off spam is annoying for Wobb, though it can actually beat some common Knock Off users, such as Azumarill and Landorus-T
*Encore can lock your opponent into a move, which can prevent Wobbuffet from being set up on by things like Belly Drum Azumarill or Dragon Dance Charizard X, allowing Wobbuffet to switch into a teammate to deal with these Pokemon while they are locked into a move. Encore can also lock your opponent into a move that a teammate can take advantage of.
*Counter and Mirror Coat allow Wobbuffet to return damage back to almost any attacker that cannot OHKO it
*Safeguard protects Wobbuffet and its teammates from status for a few turns, which can allow teammates to come in safely without any fear of being crippled by status
*Physical investment allow Wobbuffet to survive a Knock Off from Life Orb Bisharp while holding Sitrus Berry and at maximum HP.
*Sitrus Berry is preferred over Leftovers because Wobbuffet wants to have an instant form of recovery, especially if it gets hit too hard. Also, using up an item allows Wobbuffet to take Knock Offs better once its Sitrus Berry is used. Leftovers can be used for gradual recovery, but Sitrus Berry is better for the reasons provided.
*A Calm Nature can be used to take special hits better, but most Choice Scarf users are physically based, and beating Choiced Pokemon is one of Wobbuffet's biggest assets.
*Wobbuffet is a team supporter that is meant to be used to trap and weaken or KO Pokemon that are causing problems for Wobbuffet's teammates
*Be smart with using Encore due to its low PP, but do not be afraid to use it
*Try to bring Wobbuffet in after a teammate has died, or from a U-turn / Volt Switch if possible.
*Do not play Wobbuffet too recklessly, as it can get worn down easily
*Be careful around Knock Off users, but Wobbuffet can beat some of them once it has used up its Sitrus Berry, such as Azumarill and Landorus-T
*Can be played as an anti-lead by locking the opponent into Stealth Rock for your team to take advantage of
*A common misconception is that Wobbuffet does not fit onto offensive teams very well because it lacks immediate power; this notion is false, as the support Wobbuffet provides can be very useful for offensive teams
*Wobbuffet greatly appreciates Healing Wish support from the likes of Latias or Jirachi, as it completely restores Wobbuffet should it get worn down too much
*Wobbuffet's combination of Shadow Tag + Encore can benefit setup sweepers by giving them free turns to set up. Lucario and Mega Charizard X appreciate Wobbuffet's support, and also appreciates its ability to trap and KO Excadrill, whom the two usually struggle with. Other setup sweepers, such as Dragonite and Diggersby, can fit as well.
*Tickle can be used with a fast spread and paired with a Pursuit trapper to take down walls
*Destiny Bond looks good to take down another Pokemon once Wobbuffet is about to be KOd, but it really misses losing either Encore or Safeguard
*Charm, Splash
*Nothing else
*Bisharp: Bisharp is a huge pain in the neck for Wobbuffet and can KO it with Knock Off, or can trap a weakened Wobbuffet with Pursuit.
*Taunt + Status: Taunt and Status can debilitate Wobbuffet and can keep it from doing its job as efficiently. Wobbuffet can function without Taunt, but needs more prediction.
*VoltTurn + Counter / Mirror Coat immunities
Last edited:
