- Last one I'm taking over for franky, whom wrote this. I'm not too sure if this fully passed through QC, but for the most part I think it did. Stamps appreciated!
His thread can be locked here.
www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/gabite
__________________________________________________ _______________________
[OVERVIEW]
<p>It is often said that NFE Pokemon are not viable in the UU tier. Gabite, however, is an exception to this statement, due to its excellent typing and well-distributed stats. Its offensive nature makes it a safe pick for any offensive team. Gabite sports the second highest Attack stat among all Dragon-types in the UU tier, right behind Shelgon. Furthermore, Gabite has an immunity to Electric-type attacks, which is a useful quality to have on offensive teams. Although you might find Gabite's power a bit mediocre at times, it can still pack a punch with the right support.</p>
[SET]
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Dragon Claw
item: Choice Band / Life Orb
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Boasting high-powered and unresisted (in UU) dual STABs, coupled with a unique base Speed that allows Gabite to outpace the omnipresent base 80 group, Gabite can be a potent offensive force when used correctly. Since most offensive Dragon-types currently reside in the higher tiers, Gabite's only competition as an offensive Dragon-type in UU is Altaria. Gabite's resistance to Stealth Rock, higher Attack stat, and STAB Earthquake are what differentiates it from Altaria. Sadly, Gabite does not get Swords Dance or Dragon Dance, so wielding a Choice Band or Life Orb is its best option for increasing damage output. The need to go mixed with Fire Blast is unnecessary since all Steel-type Pokemon in UU are grounded, and thus weak to Earthquake.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Outrage is the primary STAB move of this set since it is nearly unresisted, and can pack quite a punch with Spikes support. It is best to remove Steel-types beforehand by using Earthquake, which deals 45.8% - 54.2% to 252/0 Steelix and 57.7% - 68.1% to 252/0 Registeel with a Choice Band. The final two slots of this moveset are filler. Stone Edge deals with Flying-types like Moltres, while Dragon Claw is a weaker alternative if you're afraid of locking Gabite into Outrage.</p>
<p>The choice of item ultimately comes down to personal preference. Choice Band packs more of a punch than Life Orb, pushing many near-2HKOs into actual 2HKOs with the aid of Stealth Rock (such as Choice Band Outrage against Milotic). However, Life Orb prevents Gabite from being locked into one attack, making it the better item to use against offensive teams. Although Gabite is in a unique Speed tier, maximizing Speed ensures that you win the rare Speed tie with opposing Gabite.</p>
<p>Gabite shines best when the sturdiest physical walls are removed, as most semi-frail Pokemon are OHKOed by Outrage or Earthquake. Since most physical walls are weak to Grass-type attacks, Venusaur makes an ideal partner for Gabite. The two common walls not weak to Grass-type attacks, Tangrowth and Leafeon, are maimed by Venusaur's Sludge Bomb. Furthermore, Venusaur can incapacitate the opponent with Sleep Powder, allowing Gabite to smack them while they are incapacitated. Thanks to Gabite’s Ground-typing, Pokemon like Registeel and Slowbro will have to think twice about using Thunder Wave, allowing Venusaur to switch in with impunity. Dugtrio also works well as an offensive partner as it can trap and kill most Steel-types easily, which in turn lets Gabite use its primary Dragon STAB recklessly.</p>
<p>If you plan to combat physical walls with a more brute-force approach, Spikes and Stealth Rock support is needed to actually 2HKO the sturdiest ones. Omastar makes an ideal partner as it can deploy both Spikes and Stealth Rock at the start of the match. Qwilfish is another alternative for Spikes support, thanks to its high Speed stat and access to Taunt which shuts down opposing entry hazard leads. Outside of Spikes, dual screen support is another option to consider in order to patch up Gabite's pathetic defensive stats. Uxie is an excellent choice because it can set up Stealth Rock in addition to screens.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>As mentioned previously, if you want to take on physical walls directly, Spikes and Stealth Rock support are necessary to score the possible 2HKOs. Omastar fares well against opposing leads, allowing it to set up both Stealth Rock and Spikes most of the time. Outside of Spikes support, dual screens support can also be employed in order to effectively aid a Gabite sweep. Uxie can set up Reflect and Light Screen quite easily when you consider its high Speed and defensive stats. As an added bonus, Uxie can set up Stealth Rock as well.</p>
<p>Venusaur makes a magnificent partner alongside Gabite if you’re not planning to combat physical walls head on. With access to Sleep Powder, Swords Dance, Power Whip, Earthquake, Leaf Storm, and Sludge Bomb, Venusaur can keep most physical walls at bay with super effective hits. Dugtrio can also remove bothersome Steel-types that would Gabite.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>Gabite has a pretty good special movepool which includes: Fire Blast, Earth Power, Dragon Pulse, and Draco Meteor. However, Altaria generally outclasses it as a special attacker, so it's probably best to focus on utilizing physically-based moves. Gabite also has access to Dragon Rush, but the lower power and accuracy makes it inferior to Outrage. Support-wise, Gabite has access to Stealth Rock, but it is generally more useful to utilize its offensive prowess.</p>
<p>A Choice Scarf set was left out of the main analysis due to Gabite having weak defensive stats overall, as well as a just above-average Attack stat. Unfortunately, Gabite cannot play the same role as its bigger brother and is ultimately better off dishing out damage with a Choice Band or Life Orb. A Substitute set could be used in conjunction with sandstorm to take advantage of Gabite's ability, Sand Veil. You can use an Adamant nature with the same EVs to deal more damage to physical walls, but then Gabite won't be able to outpace positive natured base 80 Pokemon like Venusaur and Blaziken.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Like most Choiced users, you need a fair amount of prediction to get around Gabite. Steelix and Registeel are usually the best switch-ins to Gabite because they resist its strongest attack. If Gabite decides to use Earthquake to hit your Steel-type, Levitators and Flying Pokemon get a free switch. Physically defensive Claydol is immune to Earthquake and Spikes, is not 2HKOed by Outrage, and can OHKO Gabite with Ice Beam or Explosion.</p>
<p>If Gabite has Life Orb, then most physical walls fare well against it. Milotic and Slowbro can 2HKO with Surf while healing with Recover and Slack Off, respectively. Donphan has a chance to OHKO Gabite with Ice Shard, or can simply pound away at it with Earthquake. Tangrowth can 2HKO Gabite with Power Whip, and takes little from most of Gabite's attacks.</p>
His thread can be locked here.
www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/gabite
__________________________________________________ _______________________
[OVERVIEW]
<p>It is often said that NFE Pokemon are not viable in the UU tier. Gabite, however, is an exception to this statement, due to its excellent typing and well-distributed stats. Its offensive nature makes it a safe pick for any offensive team. Gabite sports the second highest Attack stat among all Dragon-types in the UU tier, right behind Shelgon. Furthermore, Gabite has an immunity to Electric-type attacks, which is a useful quality to have on offensive teams. Although you might find Gabite's power a bit mediocre at times, it can still pack a punch with the right support.</p>
[SET]
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Dragon Claw
item: Choice Band / Life Orb
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Boasting high-powered and unresisted (in UU) dual STABs, coupled with a unique base Speed that allows Gabite to outpace the omnipresent base 80 group, Gabite can be a potent offensive force when used correctly. Since most offensive Dragon-types currently reside in the higher tiers, Gabite's only competition as an offensive Dragon-type in UU is Altaria. Gabite's resistance to Stealth Rock, higher Attack stat, and STAB Earthquake are what differentiates it from Altaria. Sadly, Gabite does not get Swords Dance or Dragon Dance, so wielding a Choice Band or Life Orb is its best option for increasing damage output. The need to go mixed with Fire Blast is unnecessary since all Steel-type Pokemon in UU are grounded, and thus weak to Earthquake.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Outrage is the primary STAB move of this set since it is nearly unresisted, and can pack quite a punch with Spikes support. It is best to remove Steel-types beforehand by using Earthquake, which deals 45.8% - 54.2% to 252/0 Steelix and 57.7% - 68.1% to 252/0 Registeel with a Choice Band. The final two slots of this moveset are filler. Stone Edge deals with Flying-types like Moltres, while Dragon Claw is a weaker alternative if you're afraid of locking Gabite into Outrage.</p>
<p>The choice of item ultimately comes down to personal preference. Choice Band packs more of a punch than Life Orb, pushing many near-2HKOs into actual 2HKOs with the aid of Stealth Rock (such as Choice Band Outrage against Milotic). However, Life Orb prevents Gabite from being locked into one attack, making it the better item to use against offensive teams. Although Gabite is in a unique Speed tier, maximizing Speed ensures that you win the rare Speed tie with opposing Gabite.</p>
<p>Gabite shines best when the sturdiest physical walls are removed, as most semi-frail Pokemon are OHKOed by Outrage or Earthquake. Since most physical walls are weak to Grass-type attacks, Venusaur makes an ideal partner for Gabite. The two common walls not weak to Grass-type attacks, Tangrowth and Leafeon, are maimed by Venusaur's Sludge Bomb. Furthermore, Venusaur can incapacitate the opponent with Sleep Powder, allowing Gabite to smack them while they are incapacitated. Thanks to Gabite’s Ground-typing, Pokemon like Registeel and Slowbro will have to think twice about using Thunder Wave, allowing Venusaur to switch in with impunity. Dugtrio also works well as an offensive partner as it can trap and kill most Steel-types easily, which in turn lets Gabite use its primary Dragon STAB recklessly.</p>
<p>If you plan to combat physical walls with a more brute-force approach, Spikes and Stealth Rock support is needed to actually 2HKO the sturdiest ones. Omastar makes an ideal partner as it can deploy both Spikes and Stealth Rock at the start of the match. Qwilfish is another alternative for Spikes support, thanks to its high Speed stat and access to Taunt which shuts down opposing entry hazard leads. Outside of Spikes, dual screen support is another option to consider in order to patch up Gabite's pathetic defensive stats. Uxie is an excellent choice because it can set up Stealth Rock in addition to screens.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>As mentioned previously, if you want to take on physical walls directly, Spikes and Stealth Rock support are necessary to score the possible 2HKOs. Omastar fares well against opposing leads, allowing it to set up both Stealth Rock and Spikes most of the time. Outside of Spikes support, dual screens support can also be employed in order to effectively aid a Gabite sweep. Uxie can set up Reflect and Light Screen quite easily when you consider its high Speed and defensive stats. As an added bonus, Uxie can set up Stealth Rock as well.</p>
<p>Venusaur makes a magnificent partner alongside Gabite if you’re not planning to combat physical walls head on. With access to Sleep Powder, Swords Dance, Power Whip, Earthquake, Leaf Storm, and Sludge Bomb, Venusaur can keep most physical walls at bay with super effective hits. Dugtrio can also remove bothersome Steel-types that would Gabite.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>Gabite has a pretty good special movepool which includes: Fire Blast, Earth Power, Dragon Pulse, and Draco Meteor. However, Altaria generally outclasses it as a special attacker, so it's probably best to focus on utilizing physically-based moves. Gabite also has access to Dragon Rush, but the lower power and accuracy makes it inferior to Outrage. Support-wise, Gabite has access to Stealth Rock, but it is generally more useful to utilize its offensive prowess.</p>
<p>A Choice Scarf set was left out of the main analysis due to Gabite having weak defensive stats overall, as well as a just above-average Attack stat. Unfortunately, Gabite cannot play the same role as its bigger brother and is ultimately better off dishing out damage with a Choice Band or Life Orb. A Substitute set could be used in conjunction with sandstorm to take advantage of Gabite's ability, Sand Veil. You can use an Adamant nature with the same EVs to deal more damage to physical walls, but then Gabite won't be able to outpace positive natured base 80 Pokemon like Venusaur and Blaziken.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Like most Choiced users, you need a fair amount of prediction to get around Gabite. Steelix and Registeel are usually the best switch-ins to Gabite because they resist its strongest attack. If Gabite decides to use Earthquake to hit your Steel-type, Levitators and Flying Pokemon get a free switch. Physically defensive Claydol is immune to Earthquake and Spikes, is not 2HKOed by Outrage, and can OHKO Gabite with Ice Beam or Explosion.</p>
<p>If Gabite has Life Orb, then most physical walls fare well against it. Milotic and Slowbro can 2HKO with Surf while healing with Recover and Slack Off, respectively. Donphan has a chance to OHKO Gabite with Ice Shard, or can simply pound away at it with Earthquake. Tangrowth can 2HKO Gabite with Power Whip, and takes little from most of Gabite's attacks.</p>
