Plague von Karma
Banned deucer.
(Insert Arbok Sprite here)
[OVERVIEW]
Arbok, from a distance, seems like a rather bad and useless Pokemon. However, when used right, Arbok can be a complete monster. It has a pretty bad movepool, which makes most people seem allergic to it. This, however, is a common misconception which makes many Pokemon that are good look terrible.
[SET]
Name: Use Coil, win.
(Arbok) @ Black Sludge/Life Orb
Ability: Shed Skin
EVs: 252 HP / 192 SpD / 64 Spe
Careful Nature
- Coil
- Rest
- Gunk Shot
- Earthquake/Dragon Tail/Rock Slide
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Coil is almost always the first move Arbok uses upon switch-in. It's +1 Accuracy, Defense and Attack make Arbok hit extremely hard, even on some OU and VGC threats. This one move can also make Arbok potentially lethal against standard NU Pokemon when combined with the few strong moves in Arbok's arsenal.
Rest, when combined with Shed Skin, makes Arbok able to easily recover with a shortened sleep span - sometimes even for free! It can also allow for a mini wall strategy against the special attackers in the metagame.
Gunk Shot is used as Arbok's main damage dealer, and with one Coil used, it becomes a very accurate, hard hitting move. It can almost always 1HKO anything weak against Poison, no questions asked. It can also hit other Pokemon the aren't weak to it for nice damage. Foolish Pokemon that stay in such as Cacturne are powerless against this.
The last move slot is based on personal preference. Earthquake is good for coverage, and is one of the strongest Ground Type Moves in the game. It can hit Pyroar for some brilliant damage, and any other fire type for that matter. However, Dragon Tail can assist with getting anything that counters it out of the way, whilst dealing damage. It can also halt any potential sweeps that are ready to occur. If you're really looking to use Coil to the maximum, Rock Slide is a fine choice. It's flinch chance coupled with Coil's Accuracy Boost makes it perfect for use against any Flying or Fire Types in the metagame. It can also be useful if Arbok happens to lose all it's Gunk Shot PP, since it has only 8 PP maximum.
Set Details
========
252 HP EV investment makes the most out of Arbok's bulk. 192 SpD EV investment makes Arbok's Special Defense go to 266 with Careful Nature as well, making Arbok into a nice Special Defense Wall. 64 SPD EV Investment allows it to outrun Max Speed Torterra and Qwilfish, making it one of the fastest Pokemon in the tier. This investment also makes Arbok capable as a multi-use Pokemon thanks to this very specific investment. This includes destruction of both defensive and offensive teams.
Black Sludge allows more HP gain whilst keeping item switchers from even daring to look at Arbok, but if you want to go for the surprise factor, Life Orb can increase the overall damage output, and Rest can keep Arbok alive whilst using it.
Usage Tips
========
Arbok can set up very easily with the EV investment provided against the more Bulky Teams, making it extremely threatening with 2 Coils used. Vileplume, Togetic and many other Pokemon are powerless to stop Arbok once this has happened. However, hyper offense and any fast offensive sweepers can really slam on the pressure on Arbok, making setup very difficult. However, if a Fighting or Fairy type gets switched in for some outlandish reason, Arbok can set up there and then, and really sting the opponent.
Team Options
========
Lanturn makes for a perfect choice to work with Arbok. It can sponge many special attacks, and is extremely valuable in switching in to any potential threat to it (eg. Mesprit). Liepard can also help to stop any Psychic-Type threats like the said Mesprit. Wish Support from Audino (Mega as well) can also keep Arbok alive ever more if one is going for more bulk. Heal Bell can also be a nice option if one wants to use Intimidate. Rotom with Volt Switch can also help Arbok get into the fray while also dealing damage, keeping the momentum up. Baton Pass Support from Emolga for extra speed can make Arbok ever the more lethal as well, allowing it to outspeed anything in the meta.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
If one wants to use Audino with Arbok, the Wish and Heal Bell support is vital. On top of that, Intimidate can also make Heal Bell a lot more appealing for the team, but a Chesto Berry may be required if Rest is to stay. Arbok can also opt for a more offensive and tricky set with Sucker Punch, but the set provided doesn't really need Sucker Punch. However, if Emolga isn't that appealing, Sucker Punch can allow for priority to make up for it. Since Arbok has access to Switcheroo, a Choice Band Set is also usable. If one wants to hit Ferroseed, Fire Fang can be used, but the potential Iron Barbs and Rocky Helmet combo could hurt Arbok pretty badly, and if the Life Orb is used, just add insult to injury. Seed Bomb also exists on Arbok's movepool, allowing for Seismitoad and Rhydon to be hit pretty nicely, but it makes poor coverage when used with Gunk Shot, forcing a switch against some other threats handled by other moves. For the icing on the cake, Glare is in Arbok's movepool, giving access to StallBok. However, if Coil is to be used to the fullest, an attacking move is much more favorable.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Psyshock Users (Or any Psychic Type that hits hard)**: Arbok's Physical Defense isn't as good as it's Special Defense, meaning that Arbok can be severely hurt without Physical Defense Investment. Xatu, Mesprit and Uxie can seriously do Arbok in.
**Anti Setup**: The much hated Encore, Trick and Taunt users can make Arbok disabled. If Encore or Taunt is used, Arbok will either spam Coil until it gets killed by a Psyshock from Mesprit (Or anything else) or be forced to do small damage to anything. Trick can force Arbok to be unable to do a thing until it's switched, but if a Choice Band is given, the Trick Threat can be averted. Clear Smog, Haze and other status reset moves can also halt Arbok's advance, making everything much more difficult for it.
**Ground Types**: This one is pretty obvious, but Pokemon like Torterra, Golurk and Rhydon can really lay the smackdown on Arbok with Earthquake and Earth Power. The only time Arbok can have a nice time against these if is it isn't an offensive one and Arbok has used Coil A LOT.
[OVERVIEW]
Arbok, from a distance, seems like a rather bad and useless Pokemon. However, when used right, Arbok can be a complete monster. It has a pretty bad movepool, which makes most people seem allergic to it. This, however, is a common misconception which makes many Pokemon that are good look terrible.
[SET]
Name: Use Coil, win.
(Arbok) @ Black Sludge/Life Orb
Ability: Shed Skin
EVs: 252 HP / 192 SpD / 64 Spe
Careful Nature
- Coil
- Rest
- Gunk Shot
- Earthquake/Dragon Tail/Rock Slide
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Coil is almost always the first move Arbok uses upon switch-in. It's +1 Accuracy, Defense and Attack make Arbok hit extremely hard, even on some OU and VGC threats. This one move can also make Arbok potentially lethal against standard NU Pokemon when combined with the few strong moves in Arbok's arsenal.
Rest, when combined with Shed Skin, makes Arbok able to easily recover with a shortened sleep span - sometimes even for free! It can also allow for a mini wall strategy against the special attackers in the metagame.
Gunk Shot is used as Arbok's main damage dealer, and with one Coil used, it becomes a very accurate, hard hitting move. It can almost always 1HKO anything weak against Poison, no questions asked. It can also hit other Pokemon the aren't weak to it for nice damage. Foolish Pokemon that stay in such as Cacturne are powerless against this.
The last move slot is based on personal preference. Earthquake is good for coverage, and is one of the strongest Ground Type Moves in the game. It can hit Pyroar for some brilliant damage, and any other fire type for that matter. However, Dragon Tail can assist with getting anything that counters it out of the way, whilst dealing damage. It can also halt any potential sweeps that are ready to occur. If you're really looking to use Coil to the maximum, Rock Slide is a fine choice. It's flinch chance coupled with Coil's Accuracy Boost makes it perfect for use against any Flying or Fire Types in the metagame. It can also be useful if Arbok happens to lose all it's Gunk Shot PP, since it has only 8 PP maximum.
Set Details
========
252 HP EV investment makes the most out of Arbok's bulk. 192 SpD EV investment makes Arbok's Special Defense go to 266 with Careful Nature as well, making Arbok into a nice Special Defense Wall. 64 SPD EV Investment allows it to outrun Max Speed Torterra and Qwilfish, making it one of the fastest Pokemon in the tier. This investment also makes Arbok capable as a multi-use Pokemon thanks to this very specific investment. This includes destruction of both defensive and offensive teams.
Black Sludge allows more HP gain whilst keeping item switchers from even daring to look at Arbok, but if you want to go for the surprise factor, Life Orb can increase the overall damage output, and Rest can keep Arbok alive whilst using it.
Usage Tips
========
Arbok can set up very easily with the EV investment provided against the more Bulky Teams, making it extremely threatening with 2 Coils used. Vileplume, Togetic and many other Pokemon are powerless to stop Arbok once this has happened. However, hyper offense and any fast offensive sweepers can really slam on the pressure on Arbok, making setup very difficult. However, if a Fighting or Fairy type gets switched in for some outlandish reason, Arbok can set up there and then, and really sting the opponent.
Team Options
========
Lanturn makes for a perfect choice to work with Arbok. It can sponge many special attacks, and is extremely valuable in switching in to any potential threat to it (eg. Mesprit). Liepard can also help to stop any Psychic-Type threats like the said Mesprit. Wish Support from Audino (Mega as well) can also keep Arbok alive ever more if one is going for more bulk. Heal Bell can also be a nice option if one wants to use Intimidate. Rotom with Volt Switch can also help Arbok get into the fray while also dealing damage, keeping the momentum up. Baton Pass Support from Emolga for extra speed can make Arbok ever the more lethal as well, allowing it to outspeed anything in the meta.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
If one wants to use Audino with Arbok, the Wish and Heal Bell support is vital. On top of that, Intimidate can also make Heal Bell a lot more appealing for the team, but a Chesto Berry may be required if Rest is to stay. Arbok can also opt for a more offensive and tricky set with Sucker Punch, but the set provided doesn't really need Sucker Punch. However, if Emolga isn't that appealing, Sucker Punch can allow for priority to make up for it. Since Arbok has access to Switcheroo, a Choice Band Set is also usable. If one wants to hit Ferroseed, Fire Fang can be used, but the potential Iron Barbs and Rocky Helmet combo could hurt Arbok pretty badly, and if the Life Orb is used, just add insult to injury. Seed Bomb also exists on Arbok's movepool, allowing for Seismitoad and Rhydon to be hit pretty nicely, but it makes poor coverage when used with Gunk Shot, forcing a switch against some other threats handled by other moves. For the icing on the cake, Glare is in Arbok's movepool, giving access to StallBok. However, if Coil is to be used to the fullest, an attacking move is much more favorable.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Psyshock Users (Or any Psychic Type that hits hard)**: Arbok's Physical Defense isn't as good as it's Special Defense, meaning that Arbok can be severely hurt without Physical Defense Investment. Xatu, Mesprit and Uxie can seriously do Arbok in.
**Anti Setup**: The much hated Encore, Trick and Taunt users can make Arbok disabled. If Encore or Taunt is used, Arbok will either spam Coil until it gets killed by a Psyshock from Mesprit (Or anything else) or be forced to do small damage to anything. Trick can force Arbok to be unable to do a thing until it's switched, but if a Choice Band is given, the Trick Threat can be averted. Clear Smog, Haze and other status reset moves can also halt Arbok's advance, making everything much more difficult for it.
**Ground Types**: This one is pretty obvious, but Pokemon like Torterra, Golurk and Rhydon can really lay the smackdown on Arbok with Earthquake and Earth Power. The only time Arbok can have a nice time against these if is it isn't an offensive one and Arbok has used Coil A LOT.
