[OVERVIEW]
Probopass has a unique niche as the only viable Pokemon with access to Magnet Pull in the NU metagame. Rock / Steel typing and impressive defenses allow Probopass to check a myriad of relevant threats such as Vivillon, Swellow, Mega Audino, and Mesprit, but its typing also leaves Probopass weak to common attacking types such as Fighting, Water, and Ground and gives it heavy competition from Rhydon, Regirock, and Steelix as a Stealth Rock setter and Normal- and Flying-type check. Being weak to such common attacking types means that despite Probopass's impressive defenses, any kind of defensive set is outclassed, and Probopass should only be running an offensive Steel-type trapping set. Also, a lack of recovery makes Probopass very easy to wear down throughout a battle. Due to its lackluster offensive stats and movepool, Probopass is often very passive and easy to take advantage of when not trapping Steel-types. Unless a team has a sweeper such as Linoone that absolutely requires the removal of Steel-types, it is not strictly necessary to use Probopass to trap them. Oftentimes running a lure set such as Hidden Power Fire Mesprit is better. Lastly, due to a lack of solid Dragon- and Fairy-type Pokemon, Steel-types have a less prominent role in the NU metagame than in most other tiers. This diminished role lessens Probopass's niche as a Steel-type trapper and often makes it dead weight against teams without a Steel-type.
[SET]
name: Steel Trapper
move 1: Stealth Rock / Flash Cannon
move 2: Earth Power / Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Magnet Rise
move 4: Taunt
item: Air Balloon
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Modest
evs: 172 HP / 252 SpA / 84 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock chips away at the foe's HP every time they switch in and provides fantastic support for teammates. Probopass is a decent user of the move, as it can set it up with ease on almost any trapped Steel-type without worry of the opponent switching to Xatu or a Rapid Spin user or Defogger, but it will struggle in other circumstances due to its passivity. If the team already has a Stealth Rock user, another coverage move can utilized such as Flash Cannon to provide better neutral coverage and hit Fairy-types such as Mega Audino and Clefairy for super effective damage. Volt Switch is another coverage option if the team already has a Stealth Rock user, providing offensive momentum for teammates and hitting Defog users such as Mantine and Pelipper for 4x super effective damage. Toxic can also be used here to cripple Pokemon such as Gastrodon, Claydol, and Hariyama that would otherwise have no problems switching into Probopass. Earth Power hits Pokemon Probopass likes to trap such as Steelix and Aggron for maximum damage while also having the added benefit of hitting Fire-types such as Pyroar and Magmortar and Rock-types like Rhydon, Regirock, and Aurorus. Hidden Power Fire is also a viable coverage move for Probopass, hitting Pokemon such as Ferroseed, Vivillon, and Scyther harder than Earth Power without anything being immune to it. Although this might seem appealing, Hidden Power Fire is usually inferior to Earth Power, as it is far weaker, and Probopass can Taunt Steel-types such as Ferroseed and chip them with Earth Power regardless. Magnet Rise is crucial, as it allows Probopass to effectively trap Steel-types without having to fear 4x super effective Earthquakes. It is also useful for making Probopass harder to revenge kill for the likes of Archeops, Tauros, and Kangaskhan after it has trapped a foe. Similarly, Taunt is valuable because it prevents trapped Steel-types from setting up entry hazards before they faint and can prevent a setup sweeper from boosting any further in a pinch.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment with a Modest nature allows Probopass to hit as hard as possible, while 84 Speed EVs allow Probopass to outpace uninvested base 50 speed Pokemon and below, such as Regirock and tank Rhydon. The rest of the EVs are poured into Probopass's HP stat to allow it to be as bulky as possible. If your team is particularly weak to Piloswine, an alternate EV spread of 252 SpA / 120 Spe / 136 HP can be used to outspeed it and easily win the matchup with Flash Cannon. Magnet Pull is the entire reason one uses Probopass and allows it to fulfill its job of trapping Steel-types. Air Balloon is the item of choice, as it prevents Steel-types such as Steelix from simply using Earthquake against Probopass as it switches in to trap them.
Usage Tips
========
Aside from Steelix, beware of switching Probopass directly into Steel-types such as Aggron and Ferroseed, as Probopass is KOed by Aggron's Superpower and cannot beat Ferroseed if it is affected by Leech Seed and lacks Hidden Power Fire. Since Probopass is also very one-dimensional, your opponent will often predict you to switch in Probopass on their Steel-type and switch out first, so finding opportune times to trap said Steel-types is essential. In order to trap a Steel-type, it is often useful to sack another Pokemon on your team to said Steel-type and then trap it as the opponent does not have a chance to switch out predicting Probopass to come in. Once Probopass has trapped the opposing Steel-type and set up Stealth Rock, it is often dead weight and potential setup fodder, so beware of just throwing it out recklessly in the midst of battle, as it is very easy to take advantage of.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that struggle to break through Steel-types such as Scyther, Kangaskhan, and Swellow make for excellent teammates. Other Pokemon such as Archeops, Tauros, and Jynx that appreciate Stealth Rock also work well with Probopass. Furthermore, Pokemon that resist Fighting, Ground, and Water such as Garbodor, Torterra, and Mesprit respectively make for good partners with Probopass, as they have good defensive synergy. Mesprit, in particular, works well with Probopass, as not only do they have fantastic offensive and defensive synergy, but Mesprit can also provide Stealth Rock, freeing up a slot for Flash Cannon on Probopass. Versus teams without a Steel-type, Probopass often finds it difficult to set up Stealth Rock due to its low Speed and multitude of weaknesses, so Mesprit can fulfill that role. Pokemon that make excellent use of U-turn and Volt Switch such as Scyther and Rotom are solid partners for Probopass, as they provide free switches into Steel-types Probopass yearns to trap.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An all-out attacking set consisting of Flash Cannon / Volt Switch / Earth Power and Stealth Rock might seem plausible due to Probopass's decent coverage, but it is outclassed by other stronger and faster special attackers such as Samurott, Magmortar, and Aurorus. In theory, a defensive or specially defensive set would work well due to Probopass's immense defenses and useful set of resistances, but in practice this is not the case. Probopass's typing does not allow it to properly check Normal-types such as Kangaskhan and Tauros due to their access to Earthquake. Similarly, Probopass is too passive to actually stop special attacking Normal- and Flying-types such as Vivillon and Mega Audino, as they can usually set up on Probopass and power right through it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types such as Hariyama, Primeape, and Hitmonchan have 4x super effective STAB moves to use against Probopass, and they can switch in almost for free, only fearing the potential status condition.
**Ground-types**: Rhydon, Golurk, and Torterra are all examples of Ground-types that immensely threaten Probopass due to their 4x super effective STAB moves, and they are able to set up Rock Polishes or Stealth Rock without fear after switching in.
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Lanturn, Gastrodon, and Quagsire can all easily switch in on Probopass, only fearing Toxic. These Water-types threaten Probopass with super effective STAB moves and put the Probopass user in a difficult situation, likely having to risk a Scald burn on a Pokemon that resists Water-type attacks or losing momentum on a double switch.
**Opposing Teams Lacking A Steel-type**: A lack of a Steel-type for Probopass to trap essentially means Probopass has very little purpose during the battle outside of setting up Stealth Rock and checking Normal- and Flying-types in a pinch. Even with these decent niches, Probopass is severely outclassed in these roles by other Pokemon in the metagame such as Rhydon, Regirock, and Steelix.
Probopass has a unique niche as the only viable Pokemon with access to Magnet Pull in the NU metagame. Rock / Steel typing and impressive defenses allow Probopass to check a myriad of relevant threats such as Vivillon, Swellow, Mega Audino, and Mesprit, but its typing also leaves Probopass weak to common attacking types such as Fighting, Water, and Ground and gives it heavy competition from Rhydon, Regirock, and Steelix as a Stealth Rock setter and Normal- and Flying-type check. Being weak to such common attacking types means that despite Probopass's impressive defenses, any kind of defensive set is outclassed, and Probopass should only be running an offensive Steel-type trapping set. Also, a lack of recovery makes Probopass very easy to wear down throughout a battle. Due to its lackluster offensive stats and movepool, Probopass is often very passive and easy to take advantage of when not trapping Steel-types. Unless a team has a sweeper such as Linoone that absolutely requires the removal of Steel-types, it is not strictly necessary to use Probopass to trap them. Oftentimes running a lure set such as Hidden Power Fire Mesprit is better. Lastly, due to a lack of solid Dragon- and Fairy-type Pokemon, Steel-types have a less prominent role in the NU metagame than in most other tiers. This diminished role lessens Probopass's niche as a Steel-type trapper and often makes it dead weight against teams without a Steel-type.
[SET]
name: Steel Trapper
move 1: Stealth Rock / Flash Cannon
move 2: Earth Power / Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Magnet Rise
move 4: Taunt
item: Air Balloon
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Modest
evs: 172 HP / 252 SpA / 84 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock chips away at the foe's HP every time they switch in and provides fantastic support for teammates. Probopass is a decent user of the move, as it can set it up with ease on almost any trapped Steel-type without worry of the opponent switching to Xatu or a Rapid Spin user or Defogger, but it will struggle in other circumstances due to its passivity. If the team already has a Stealth Rock user, another coverage move can utilized such as Flash Cannon to provide better neutral coverage and hit Fairy-types such as Mega Audino and Clefairy for super effective damage. Volt Switch is another coverage option if the team already has a Stealth Rock user, providing offensive momentum for teammates and hitting Defog users such as Mantine and Pelipper for 4x super effective damage. Toxic can also be used here to cripple Pokemon such as Gastrodon, Claydol, and Hariyama that would otherwise have no problems switching into Probopass. Earth Power hits Pokemon Probopass likes to trap such as Steelix and Aggron for maximum damage while also having the added benefit of hitting Fire-types such as Pyroar and Magmortar and Rock-types like Rhydon, Regirock, and Aurorus. Hidden Power Fire is also a viable coverage move for Probopass, hitting Pokemon such as Ferroseed, Vivillon, and Scyther harder than Earth Power without anything being immune to it. Although this might seem appealing, Hidden Power Fire is usually inferior to Earth Power, as it is far weaker, and Probopass can Taunt Steel-types such as Ferroseed and chip them with Earth Power regardless. Magnet Rise is crucial, as it allows Probopass to effectively trap Steel-types without having to fear 4x super effective Earthquakes. It is also useful for making Probopass harder to revenge kill for the likes of Archeops, Tauros, and Kangaskhan after it has trapped a foe. Similarly, Taunt is valuable because it prevents trapped Steel-types from setting up entry hazards before they faint and can prevent a setup sweeper from boosting any further in a pinch.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment with a Modest nature allows Probopass to hit as hard as possible, while 84 Speed EVs allow Probopass to outpace uninvested base 50 speed Pokemon and below, such as Regirock and tank Rhydon. The rest of the EVs are poured into Probopass's HP stat to allow it to be as bulky as possible. If your team is particularly weak to Piloswine, an alternate EV spread of 252 SpA / 120 Spe / 136 HP can be used to outspeed it and easily win the matchup with Flash Cannon. Magnet Pull is the entire reason one uses Probopass and allows it to fulfill its job of trapping Steel-types. Air Balloon is the item of choice, as it prevents Steel-types such as Steelix from simply using Earthquake against Probopass as it switches in to trap them.
Usage Tips
========
Aside from Steelix, beware of switching Probopass directly into Steel-types such as Aggron and Ferroseed, as Probopass is KOed by Aggron's Superpower and cannot beat Ferroseed if it is affected by Leech Seed and lacks Hidden Power Fire. Since Probopass is also very one-dimensional, your opponent will often predict you to switch in Probopass on their Steel-type and switch out first, so finding opportune times to trap said Steel-types is essential. In order to trap a Steel-type, it is often useful to sack another Pokemon on your team to said Steel-type and then trap it as the opponent does not have a chance to switch out predicting Probopass to come in. Once Probopass has trapped the opposing Steel-type and set up Stealth Rock, it is often dead weight and potential setup fodder, so beware of just throwing it out recklessly in the midst of battle, as it is very easy to take advantage of.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that struggle to break through Steel-types such as Scyther, Kangaskhan, and Swellow make for excellent teammates. Other Pokemon such as Archeops, Tauros, and Jynx that appreciate Stealth Rock also work well with Probopass. Furthermore, Pokemon that resist Fighting, Ground, and Water such as Garbodor, Torterra, and Mesprit respectively make for good partners with Probopass, as they have good defensive synergy. Mesprit, in particular, works well with Probopass, as not only do they have fantastic offensive and defensive synergy, but Mesprit can also provide Stealth Rock, freeing up a slot for Flash Cannon on Probopass. Versus teams without a Steel-type, Probopass often finds it difficult to set up Stealth Rock due to its low Speed and multitude of weaknesses, so Mesprit can fulfill that role. Pokemon that make excellent use of U-turn and Volt Switch such as Scyther and Rotom are solid partners for Probopass, as they provide free switches into Steel-types Probopass yearns to trap.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An all-out attacking set consisting of Flash Cannon / Volt Switch / Earth Power and Stealth Rock might seem plausible due to Probopass's decent coverage, but it is outclassed by other stronger and faster special attackers such as Samurott, Magmortar, and Aurorus. In theory, a defensive or specially defensive set would work well due to Probopass's immense defenses and useful set of resistances, but in practice this is not the case. Probopass's typing does not allow it to properly check Normal-types such as Kangaskhan and Tauros due to their access to Earthquake. Similarly, Probopass is too passive to actually stop special attacking Normal- and Flying-types such as Vivillon and Mega Audino, as they can usually set up on Probopass and power right through it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types such as Hariyama, Primeape, and Hitmonchan have 4x super effective STAB moves to use against Probopass, and they can switch in almost for free, only fearing the potential status condition.
**Ground-types**: Rhydon, Golurk, and Torterra are all examples of Ground-types that immensely threaten Probopass due to their 4x super effective STAB moves, and they are able to set up Rock Polishes or Stealth Rock without fear after switching in.
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Lanturn, Gastrodon, and Quagsire can all easily switch in on Probopass, only fearing Toxic. These Water-types threaten Probopass with super effective STAB moves and put the Probopass user in a difficult situation, likely having to risk a Scald burn on a Pokemon that resists Water-type attacks or losing momentum on a double switch.
**Opposing Teams Lacking A Steel-type**: A lack of a Steel-type for Probopass to trap essentially means Probopass has very little purpose during the battle outside of setting up Stealth Rock and checking Normal- and Flying-types in a pinch. Even with these decent niches, Probopass is severely outclassed in these roles by other Pokemon in the metagame such as Rhydon, Regirock, and Steelix.
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