Pokémon Ambipom

[Melons-N-Soda]

Type: Normal
Base Stats: 75 HP / 100 Atk / 66 Def / 60 SpA / 66 SpD / 115 Spe
Abilities: Technician | Pickup | Skill Link (H)

Notable Moves:
- Fake Out
- U-turn
- Knock Off
- Low Kick
- Covet (yes)
- Double Hit (really)
- Taunt
- Aerial Ace

Imagine being stuck with this guy instead of Gliscor. Couldn't be me!

Pros:
- STAB Technician Fake Out is Ambipom's claim to fame. Its a neat tool, able to combo well with U-turn and hazard support for reliable chip damage.
- Decent Speed tier allowing it to outspeed Pokemon such as Alolan Ninetales and Walking Wake.
- Decent coverage movepool with options like Knock Off and Low Kick.
- The addition of Heavy-Duty Boots makes Ambipom a more reliable pivoting option, making it less worn down by entry hazards.
Cons:
- The loss of moves like Double-Edge and Return in its movepool hit Ambipom hard, as it now has to resort to much weaker options like Double Hit or Covet for strong Normal STAB. Due to the fact that Cinccino isn't the game yet, it also even lacks Tail Slap, which would've comboed nicely with Technician and Loaded Dice.
- 100 Base Attack isn't all that impressive, especially with the lack of strong reliable STAB.
- Base 115 Speed falls short of many notable threats, such as Meowscarada, Greninja, Iron Valiant, Cinderace, and Dragapult among others.
- Technician Fake Out is easily countered by Ghost-types (Tera or otherwise) as well as Rocky Helmet.
- There are far more reliable pivots in the tier such as Dragapult, Sneasler, Meowscarada, or Landorus-T.
- Fake Out + Last Resort is a meme set don't use this I swear to god.

Terrastilization Potential:
- Tera Normal is used to boost your rather meager damage up a tiny smidge.
- Tera Ghost can be used to switch in more easily into Fighting-type moves and opposing Normal-types.

Potential Sets:
Pivot
Ambipom @ Heavy-Duty Boots / Silk Scarf
Ability: Technician
Tera Type: Normal / Ghost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- Double Hit / Covet
- Knock Off / Low Kick / Taunt
- U-turn

A rather basic set for Ambipom all things considered, but its not like there's anything else it can do. Technician + STAB Fake Out is the combo that, while not unique to it, is Ambipom's claim to fame. Double Hit and Covet are sadly Ambipom's best Normal STAB beyond this, Double Hit can break through Sashes while Covet is far more accurate. Knock Off is nice on a relatively fast Pokemon such as this, but Low Kick can be used to hit Pokemon such as pre-Tera Garganacl or Kingambit for decent damage. Taunt can also be used to counter-lead Pokemon like Alolan Ninetales. U-turn rounds out the set, and most of the time this and Fake Out are the only buttons you'll be clicking really. The addition of Heavy-Duty Boots is a minor buff for Ambipom, making it so its not as effected by entry hazards, but Silk Scarf is another option for slightly more damage on your Normal moves.

Overall:

Ambipom's had a reputation as a noob-trap Pokemon ever since Gen 5, and well, it still is, and it unfortunately losing reliable Normal STAB hurts it a lot. Its a rather suboptimal pivot all things considered, and its likely to dwell in the lower tiers once again. If it'll stay in a tier it has no right being in again remains to be seen.

 

[Magcargo]

In OU, Taunt is probably worthwhile. This mon's speed is enough to anti-lead key Pokemon like Ninetales-A and hit them with a fast taunt before it can setup screens, which is somewhat valuable.

Very unfortunate this Pokemon lost Tail Slap randomly from its egg movepool. IDK if it would have been good, but Loaded Dice Tail Slap that is Technician boosted is really strong and could have at least given it a niche in the lower tiers imo.