Here we go!
[Overview]
<p>Not a lot has changed for Abra. It's still the strongest special attacker in the tier, but unfortunately, did not receive much this generation. That's not to say that Abra can't do its job. With a neutral nature, Abra still reaches 20 Special Attack, a stat that only Solosis can reach without any boosts. It also has Magic Coat, which can reflect any status-inducing move and entry hazards, and makes Abra all the more worthwhile to use. In addition, Abra hits 19 Speed, which allows it to at least speed tie with many other Pokemon in the tier. Despite all of the additions to Little Cup, Abra still remains one of the metagame's biggest threats.</p>
[SET]
name: Special Choice
move 1: Psyshock / Psychic
move 2: Signal Beam
move 3: Hidden Power Fighting / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Specs
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 240 SpA / 200 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Abra is one of the most efficient Choice users in Little Cup because of the great coverage its attacks provide, and its great Special Attack and Speed stats. Psyshock is a great addition for Abra, since with a Modest nature, Abra has a 75% chance of 2HKOing Munchlax factoring in Oran Berry, something not many special attackers can boast about. However, Psychic grants Abra more raw power against Defense-oriented Pokemon, like Hippopotas. Signal Beam is for coverage purposes, hitting most Psychic- and Dark-type Pokemon for super effective damage. Hidden Power Fighting is primarily for Pawniard and Scraggy. Hidden Power Fire, on the other hand, does a lot of damage to Steel-types, including Bronzor and Ferroseed. Trick allows Abra to cripple opposing walls, as well as set-up sweepers like Scraggy; a Pokemon who will think that it can get a free boosting move off of a predicted Psychic-type attack.</p>
<p>Choice Specs is an interesting option on Abra since it can already outrun most Pokemon, and can potentially OHKO Oran Berry Munchlax with Psyshock. OHKOing Munchlax with a special attack is a feat accomplished by very few Pokemon. A Timid nature should be used on Choice Specs Abra, as 19 Speed is absolutely vital for this set's success.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>It should be noted that using this set demands an incredibly high degree of prediction because, if it picks the wrong move, Abra will die. For example, if it picks a move other than Psyshock, Munchlax will come in and Pursuit it. However, if the opponent brings a Dark-type in on a Psychic-type attack, it will be able to either KO Abra with Pursuit, or begin to set up. For this reason, Choice Scarf Fighting-types are vital, as they can easily remove Munchlax and Dark-types. Mienfoo is a good example of this, as its Hi Jump Kick will do a lot of damage to anything that doesn't resist it or is immune to it, and will also easily OHKO Munchlax and any Dark-type Pokemon. In addition, Regeneration will allow Mienfoo to be able to switch in numerous times at high, if not full, health. Swords Dance Gligar, who has a lot of trouble with faster Pokemon, will benefit from Choice Scarf Abra removing many of its faster checks.</p>
[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Psyshock / Psychic
move 3: Signal Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ground
item: Life Orb
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Timid
evs: 240 SpA / 200 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With Abra's incredible Special Attack and Speed, it will be able to force switches easily, and therefore is a great candidate for Substitute. With a Substitute up, Abra will have an easier time sweeping, as many Pokemon, like Carvanha and Pawniard, attempt to KO Abra via priority attacks. Now, Abra will only have to lose approximately a third of its health (Substitute + Life Orb recoil) instead of its life when a priority attacker attempts to kill Abra. Psyshock is the primary attacking option as it is a swift 2HKO on Oran Berry Munchlax, but Psychic hits Defense-oriented Pokemon harder, and Signal Beam is for coverage purposes. Hidden Power Fire is primarily for Bronzor, Ferroseed, and non-Poison Grass-types, but Hidden Power Ground OHKOs both Aron and Magnemite. It should be noted that Magnemite will already take a huge amount of damage from Hidden Power Fire. Life Orb will pump up the power of all of Abra's attacks, but residual damage will play a big role in this set's success. Life Orb recoil will make it lose HP every turn, and residual damage from sandstorm or hail will certainly not help. The EVs maximize Special Attack and Speed, and take the IV drops into account.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Choice Scarf Gligar and Mienfoo work incredibly well with this set. Both of them have access to U-turn to scout for potential Abra counters, as well as being able to remove Munchlax from the game. Prediction is key when using this set. The user must know when to Substitute and when to attack, because even one misprediction could end up being fatal for Abra. The best time to Substitute is when the opponent is using a weak special attack, but the opportunity may never present itself. Due to Abra's frailty, many Pokemon will stay in and simply attack it. For that reason, Abra is better in the early game, as the opponent will be more inclined to switch if he or she has more Pokemon to switch to. Rapid Spinners are also great partners, as Abra appreciates switching in without losing health each time.</p>
[SET]
name: Anti-lead
move 1: Encore
move 2: Magic Coat
move 3: Psyshock / Psychic
move 4: Reflect / Light Screen
item: Focus Sash
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Timid
evs: 236 SpA / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Abra's blistering 19 Speed allows it to be a decent anti-lead. Inner Focus prevents Fake Out users like Meowth and Aipom from flinching Abra, which is part of the reason for Abra's success. Psyshock is Abra's primary attacking option, but Psychic is an option to hit Pokemon with a higher Defense stat. The last move depends on Abra's teammates. For example, Pokemon with low Special Defense such as Shellder and Krabby will prefer Light Screen, while Pokemon who have trouble taking physical attacks would benefit from Reflect. A Timid nature allows Abra to reach 19 Speed, which is an absolutely necessary speed stat for Abra to hit. The EVs max out Special Attack and Speed, since Abra already carries a Focus Sash. Encore eases prediction, and can lock in Fake Out users, which can be very important in the early game as it will already force a switch on the second turn. Unfortunately, there is no way to stop Fake Out from breaking the Focus Sash, so switching to a Ghost-type teammate is also an option.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Pokemon that can abuse switches work well with this set, as entry hazards set up by the opposing Pokemon will be rebounded back via Magic Coat. Again, Mienfoo and other U-turn users will be able to abuse switches. Carvanha, with its huge attacking stats, will also be able to do this with relative ease. This set also appreciates help from Spike stackers like Ferroseed, in case the opponent is using an anti-lead like Meowth. Pokemon who benefit from having entry hazards up will appreciate having Abra as a partner, as it can reflect entry hazards back via Magic Coat.</p>
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Light Screen
move 3: Psychic / Psyshock
move 4: Encore
item: Light Clay
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Timid
evs: 236 HP / 76 Def / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Despite all of the additions this generation, Abra is still the fastest user of dual screens. It is also one of the quickest users of Encore, speed tying with Poliwag and losing only to Cottonee's priority. At first glance, Abra's thin defenses may make it seem outclassed by bulkier users of dual screens, like Bronzor. However, its incredible Speed more than makes up for this. A quick Encore is very effective against Stealth Rock and Fake Out users, and due to Inner Focus, Abra won't flinch. Locking the opponent into Stealth Rock or Fake Out is very important, as getting a free turn for Reflect or Light Screen is imperative. This set can be used as either a lead or a mid-game supporter. Psychic is preferred over Psyshock, as Psychic has a higher base power, but Psyshock can be used to deal more damage to Pokemon with higher Special Defense, like Tentacool.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Light Clay is vital to this set's success, as the dual screens will last for an extra three turns—something very important to many boosting sweepers. Pawniard, whose common weaknesses are usually its downfall, makes a great partner to this set. With both Reflect and Light Screen in effect, it can attempt a sweep. Since this set acts as a supporter, it does not require any team support in order to function properly. Other bulky boosting sweepers, such as Shellder, Gligar, and Misdreavus will appreciate dual screens greatly.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Abra doesn't have many viable moves outside of the sets it can run. Energy Ball hits Chinchou hard, but it provides inferior coverage compared to Signal Beam. It also gets Calm Mind, but is even harder to set up than Substitute, and without Substitute, Abra will be very vulnerable to revenge killing.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Since Abra is very unpredictable, it's hard to counter until the player knows what set Abra is running. If a Dark-type expecting Psyshock or Psychic switches in and Abra instead uses Substitute, it will take a lot of damage and possibly be KOed. If Munchlax switches in on a Psyshock, it loses, due to Psyshock being a 2HKO. Thankfully, Abra is very frail, and said frailty should be used against it. Its terrible Base 15 Defense means that Abra will take a lot of damage from all physical attacks, and if a Pokemon can outspeed Abra, it will most likely be able to KO it. Carvanha can revenge kill Abra with Aqua Jet, or can set up a Substitute if it's holding a Choice item while locked into Psychic.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Abra receives the ability Magic Guard, which is useful as Abra does not have to lose health from switching in with entry hazards on the field. This also allows Abra to utilize Life Orb to its fullest potential since it will be gaining the boost without losing health each turn. Overall, Magic Guard is a great ability on Abra, and can be used instead of Inner Focus on most sets. </p>
