[OVERVIEW]
Kadabra is the best revenge killer that the tier has to offer thanks to the combination of Magic Guard, Focus Sash, and a fantastic movepool. It also makes a very strong Life Orb attacker. However, the Focus Sash set is slightly weak, and both sets have awful bulk. Kadabra is also outsped by a few threats despite its great Speed, and a vulnerability to Pursuit means it needs to be careful about having its Focus Sash broken or being outright KOed.
[SET]
name: Revenge Killer
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Thunder Wave
move 3: Shadow Ball / Signal Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Fighting / Encore
item: Focus Sash
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psychic is Kadabra's strong STAB move. To more reliably beat setup sweepers, Thunder Wave is necessary to cripple foes that can survive a Psychic. Shadow Ball allows Kadabra to hit Psychic- and Ghost-types, while Hidden Power Fighting is used to hit Pawniard and Probopass. Encore can be used for Kadabra to deal with bulky setup sweepers as well as being generally helpful to lock foes into non-attacking moves. Calm Mind can also be used to set up on Encored foes, although Kadabra can easily be revenge killed, and Dazzling Gleam can be used to 2HKO Vullaby and OHKO Murkrow.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Special Attack investment allows Kadabra to more effectively revenge kill foes. Focus Sash lets Kadabra take any one hit from a sweeper and cripple or KO it. Magic Guard is essential for this to prevent Kadabra's Focus Sash being broken by entry hazards.
Usage Tips
========
Kadabra should be preserved versus teams with setup sweepers such as Huntail and Raichu. Avoid sending it out if your opponent carries a Pursuit trapper such as Bouffalant to preserve its Focus Sash, and don't allow Pursuit trappers to switch into Kadabra, as most can avoid the 2HKO for a guaranteed Pursuit. Kadabra should paralyze setup sweepers that it cannot OHKO so it can get damage off on them and let a teammate finish them off. Examples include Shell Smash Gorebyss and Rock Polish Regice. Against bulkier teams Kadabra should focus on annoying foes with Thunder Wave and getting off as much damage as possible, as it won't be needed as a revenge killer.
Team Options
========
This Kadabra set is best used on offensive teams that need a catch-all revenge killer. It also goes well with weaker teammates that can be setup fodder, such as Prinplup. Additionally, teams without Choice Scarf users could use the revenge killing support. Machoke is a nice partner as well for its ability to threaten most common Pursuit trappers, such as Bouffalant and Stoutland.
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Psyshock
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Hidden Power Fighting
move 4: Taunt / Substitute
item: Life Orb
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psyshock is Kadabra's main STAB move, and it is preferred over Psychic to deal more damage to specially bulky Pokemon such as Audino, Cryogonal, and Assault Vest Bouffalant. However, Psychic can still be used to deal more damage to Stunfisk. Shadow Ball hits opposing Psychic-types, while Hidden Power Fighting hits Pawniard and Probopass. The last slot depends on the team's needs; Taunt helps Kadabra take on bulkier teams more effectively by preventing defensive foes from recovering or setting entry hazards, while Substitute can help it dodge Thunder Wave and Sucker Punch. Dazzling Gleam can also be used to hit Vullaby, which would otherwise be a counter.
Set Details
========
The EVs allow Kadabra to outspeed as many foes as possible while dealing maximum damage. Life Orb and Magic Guard work together to boost Kadabra's power and avoid recoil damage.
Usage Tips
========
Kadabra cannot switch into most foes due to its awful bulk, but it can still come in on non-damaging moves such as Stealth Rock and weak foes such as Stunfisk. Once Kadabra is safely on the field, it should aim to deal as much damage as possible with its strong attacks. While this can be risky, Kadabra can attempt to bluff a Focus Sash and attain surprise KOs after tricking opponents into switching out boosted sweepers.
Team Options
========
This Kadabra set is best used on offensive teams that can already handle setup sweepers reliably. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Venipede and Golem helps to wear down Kadabra's foes. Trapinch is a useful partner for removing Stunfisk, which can wall Kadabra, as well as Zebstrika and Electrode, which outspeed it. Vullaby lures such as Swords Dance + Return Leafeon and Swords Dance Bouffalant are also appreciated if Kadabra is not running Dazzling Gleam.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic can be used on the Focus Sash set to deal with defensive teams better, while Psych Up is a niche option that allows Kadabra to take advantage of setup sweepers. Signal Beam can be used over Shadow Ball to hit Dark-types, but most have a secondary typing that gives them a neutrality to Bug, making it mostly useless outside of hitting Mightyena and Zweilous.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Vullaby walls Kadabra that lack the rare Dazzling Gleam. Zweilous does a similar job but takes a lot of damage from Life Orb Kadabra's Hidden Power Fighting. Pawniard and Murkrow can trap Kadabra with Pursuit, breaking its Focus Sash if it carries one and OHKOing it if it does not. They can also force 50/50s with Sucker Punch, though Pawniard is OHKOed by Hidden Power Fighting.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Outside of Life Orb Psyshock, Kadabra struggles to do much to Pokemon such as Audino, Stunfisk, Bouffalant, and Camerupt. In return, these Pokemon can 2HKO Kadabra with an attack or paralyze it in the case of the former two. Bouffalant can also trap Kadabra with Pursuit.
**Priority**: Metang's Bullet Punch, Dodrio's Quick Attack, Basculin's Aqua Jet, and other priority moves can break Kadabra's Focus Sash or just do a huge amount of damage to it. Metang and Dodrio can also Pursuit trap Kadabra.
**Faster Pokemon**: Despite Kadabra's above average Speed, it can be taken out by faster Pokemon such as Floatzel and Ninjask quite easily thanks to its terrible bulk. However, if Kadabra's Focus Sash is not broken, they risk getting paralyzed or taking a decent amount of damage. For this reason, Volt Switch or U-turn users like Zebstrika and Ninjask are good choices for dealing with Kadabra.
Kadabra is the best revenge killer that the tier has to offer thanks to the combination of Magic Guard, Focus Sash, and a fantastic movepool. It also makes a very strong Life Orb attacker. However, the Focus Sash set is slightly weak, and both sets have awful bulk. Kadabra is also outsped by a few threats despite its great Speed, and a vulnerability to Pursuit means it needs to be careful about having its Focus Sash broken or being outright KOed.
[SET]
name: Revenge Killer
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Thunder Wave
move 3: Shadow Ball / Signal Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Fighting / Encore
item: Focus Sash
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psychic is Kadabra's strong STAB move. To more reliably beat setup sweepers, Thunder Wave is necessary to cripple foes that can survive a Psychic. Shadow Ball allows Kadabra to hit Psychic- and Ghost-types, while Hidden Power Fighting is used to hit Pawniard and Probopass. Encore can be used for Kadabra to deal with bulky setup sweepers as well as being generally helpful to lock foes into non-attacking moves. Calm Mind can also be used to set up on Encored foes, although Kadabra can easily be revenge killed, and Dazzling Gleam can be used to 2HKO Vullaby and OHKO Murkrow.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Special Attack investment allows Kadabra to more effectively revenge kill foes. Focus Sash lets Kadabra take any one hit from a sweeper and cripple or KO it. Magic Guard is essential for this to prevent Kadabra's Focus Sash being broken by entry hazards.
Usage Tips
========
Kadabra should be preserved versus teams with setup sweepers such as Huntail and Raichu. Avoid sending it out if your opponent carries a Pursuit trapper such as Bouffalant to preserve its Focus Sash, and don't allow Pursuit trappers to switch into Kadabra, as most can avoid the 2HKO for a guaranteed Pursuit. Kadabra should paralyze setup sweepers that it cannot OHKO so it can get damage off on them and let a teammate finish them off. Examples include Shell Smash Gorebyss and Rock Polish Regice. Against bulkier teams Kadabra should focus on annoying foes with Thunder Wave and getting off as much damage as possible, as it won't be needed as a revenge killer.
Team Options
========
This Kadabra set is best used on offensive teams that need a catch-all revenge killer. It also goes well with weaker teammates that can be setup fodder, such as Prinplup. Additionally, teams without Choice Scarf users could use the revenge killing support. Machoke is a nice partner as well for its ability to threaten most common Pursuit trappers, such as Bouffalant and Stoutland.
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Psyshock
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Hidden Power Fighting
move 4: Taunt / Substitute
item: Life Orb
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psyshock is Kadabra's main STAB move, and it is preferred over Psychic to deal more damage to specially bulky Pokemon such as Audino, Cryogonal, and Assault Vest Bouffalant. However, Psychic can still be used to deal more damage to Stunfisk. Shadow Ball hits opposing Psychic-types, while Hidden Power Fighting hits Pawniard and Probopass. The last slot depends on the team's needs; Taunt helps Kadabra take on bulkier teams more effectively by preventing defensive foes from recovering or setting entry hazards, while Substitute can help it dodge Thunder Wave and Sucker Punch. Dazzling Gleam can also be used to hit Vullaby, which would otherwise be a counter.
Set Details
========
The EVs allow Kadabra to outspeed as many foes as possible while dealing maximum damage. Life Orb and Magic Guard work together to boost Kadabra's power and avoid recoil damage.
Usage Tips
========
Kadabra cannot switch into most foes due to its awful bulk, but it can still come in on non-damaging moves such as Stealth Rock and weak foes such as Stunfisk. Once Kadabra is safely on the field, it should aim to deal as much damage as possible with its strong attacks. While this can be risky, Kadabra can attempt to bluff a Focus Sash and attain surprise KOs after tricking opponents into switching out boosted sweepers.
Team Options
========
This Kadabra set is best used on offensive teams that can already handle setup sweepers reliably. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Venipede and Golem helps to wear down Kadabra's foes. Trapinch is a useful partner for removing Stunfisk, which can wall Kadabra, as well as Zebstrika and Electrode, which outspeed it. Vullaby lures such as Swords Dance + Return Leafeon and Swords Dance Bouffalant are also appreciated if Kadabra is not running Dazzling Gleam.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic can be used on the Focus Sash set to deal with defensive teams better, while Psych Up is a niche option that allows Kadabra to take advantage of setup sweepers. Signal Beam can be used over Shadow Ball to hit Dark-types, but most have a secondary typing that gives them a neutrality to Bug, making it mostly useless outside of hitting Mightyena and Zweilous.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Vullaby walls Kadabra that lack the rare Dazzling Gleam. Zweilous does a similar job but takes a lot of damage from Life Orb Kadabra's Hidden Power Fighting. Pawniard and Murkrow can trap Kadabra with Pursuit, breaking its Focus Sash if it carries one and OHKOing it if it does not. They can also force 50/50s with Sucker Punch, though Pawniard is OHKOed by Hidden Power Fighting.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Outside of Life Orb Psyshock, Kadabra struggles to do much to Pokemon such as Audino, Stunfisk, Bouffalant, and Camerupt. In return, these Pokemon can 2HKO Kadabra with an attack or paralyze it in the case of the former two. Bouffalant can also trap Kadabra with Pursuit.
**Priority**: Metang's Bullet Punch, Dodrio's Quick Attack, Basculin's Aqua Jet, and other priority moves can break Kadabra's Focus Sash or just do a huge amount of damage to it. Metang and Dodrio can also Pursuit trap Kadabra.
**Faster Pokemon**: Despite Kadabra's above average Speed, it can be taken out by faster Pokemon such as Floatzel and Ninjask quite easily thanks to its terrible bulk. However, if Kadabra's Focus Sash is not broken, they risk getting paralyzed or taking a decent amount of damage. For this reason, Volt Switch or U-turn users like Zebstrika and Ninjask are good choices for dealing with Kadabra.
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