QC: Bouff / Sam / dodmen
GP: TDP / Calm Pokemaster
[OVERVIEW]
Cobalion is very diverse, being able to attack or support with equal efficiency given its well-rounded stats. Its dual base 90 offenses and great Speed combined with its access to Swords Dance and Calm Mind means it is perfectly equipped to sweep both physically and specially. Its Steel / Fighting typing gives it a STAB attack to deal with Fairy-types, which few other Fighting-types can boast. It also gives Cobalion a resistance to Dark-type moves, which combined with its fantastic Defense stat and ability Justified makes Cobalion an excellent Knock Off absorber. Furthermore, Cobalion is 4x resistant to Stealth Rock and immune to Toxic Spikes, which makes it easy for it to switch in multiple times throughout the match.
On the downside, base 90 / 90 offenses are average at best, so although Cobalion is capable of boosting both, it lacks significant immediate power. It is also hampered by a poor base 72 Special Defense and weaknesses to common attacking types such as Fire, Fighting, and Ground.
[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Iron Head / Taunt
item: Leftovers
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Cobalion is one of the fastest users of Stealth Rock, making it an excellent choice to set it up for offensive teams. Close Combat is a high-powered STAB move. Volt Switch helps gain momentum for your team while allowing Cobalion to rack up some damage on Pokemon weak to Electric-type attacks, such as Mega Blastoise and Crobat. Iron Head is an alternative STAB move that does not lower Cobalion's defenses and provides useful coverage against Fairies, while hitting the likes of Mega Aerodactyl and Heracross harder. Taunt can be used instead of Iron Head to shut down setup sweepers, such as like Cresselia and Reuniclus, and to prevent entry hazards from being set up on your side.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and a Jolly nature allow Cobalion to maintain its crucial Speed tier, outspeeding the likes of Mienshao and Shaymin while Speed tying with Infernape and Virizion. Maximum Attack EVs are used to back up Cobalion's average Attack. Leftovers increases Cobalion's longevity, but Shuca Berry can be used instead to better check non-Fire Blast Salamence and Earthquake Mega Aerodactyl. Shuca Berry also allows Cobalion to safely stay in on common switch-ins, such as Gligar, Swampert, and Nidoqueen, and use Taunt to prevent them from setting up their own entry hazards. An alternative spread of 248 HP / 28 Atk / 232 Spe with a Jolly nature is enough to outspeed Mienshao and builds on Cobalion's decent natural bulk, allowing it to take hits such as Hydreigon's Draco Meteor and Shaymin's Seed Flare better. It still OHKOes or 2HKOes frail offensive Pokemon such as Lucario, but Cobalion will be considerably weaker against defensive teams. For example, Cobalion now fails to 2HKO standard Florges with Iron Head when using this spread.
Usage Tips
========
This Cobalion plays as a fast support Pokemon. Aim to use it early-game in order to get entry hazards up and gain momentum for your team. With its great physical bulk and resistances, Cobalion should find plenty of opportunities to come in throughout the match. It checks a lot of common offensive Pokemon, such as Mega Aerodactyl, Lucario, Mega Beedrill, Kyurem, Mega Abomasnow, and Mega Sharpedo. Justified provides Cobalion with a free Attack boost when hit by a Dark-type move, so it is an excellent Knock Off absorber. Avoid using Close Combat unless it is absolutely necessary, as the resulting stat drops compromise Cobalion's good bulk and make it more susceptible to being revenge killed.
Team Options
========
Special sweepers, such as Hydreigon and Mega Pidgeot, appreciate Cobalion's ability to deal with special walls, such as Blissey and Umbreon, while setting Stealth Rock to wear down their checks and counters. In general, sweepers that benefit from entry hazard support are great partners. Salamence in particular makes a great teammate, as it has excellent type synergy with Cobalion. Because Cobalion has poor Special Defense and weaknesses to common attacking types, bulky Pokemon that cover these weaknesses, such as Suicune, Mega Blastoise, and Cresselia, work well with it.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Swords Dance
move 4: Stone Edge / Substitute
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Close Combat and Iron Head are powerful STAB moves that offer good neutral coverage. Swords Dance makes Cobalion significantly more threatening; for example, with Life Orb and a +2 boost Cobalion can OHKO Mega Swampert with Close Combat after Stealth Rock damage. Stone Edge rounds out Cobalion's coverage perfectly, smashing Flying- and Fire-types such as Salamence, Entei, and Crobat. It also offers a neutral hit on Pokemon that resist Cobalion's STAB moves, such as Tentacruel. Substitute is an alternative over Stone Edge that allows Cobalion to avoid status and take advantage of its excellent natural bulk and physical resistances. X-Scissor is another option to hit bulky Psychic-types such as Cresselia and Slowking super effectively. Magnet Rise turns Ground-type counters such as Gligar and Nidoqueen into setup bait, and as a result any team that relies on such Pokemon to counter Cobalion will find themselves very hard-pressed to prevent a sweep if Cobalion carries the move. Stealth Rock can be run in the fourth slot if your team can't find room anywhere else and the coverage provided from Stone Edge isn't needed.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment allows Cobalion to deal as much damage and be as fast as possible. Life Orb is recommended if running three attacks, as Cobalion really appreciates the additional power boost. However, it does compromise Cobalion's decent bulk, so Lum Berry can be used instead to allow Cobalion to shrug off Scald burns and other status. Leftovers is recommended if you run Substitute to increase Cobalion's longevity. Additionally, Substitute can allow Cobalion to accumulate multiple boosts, so the lack of Life Orb should not matter in the long run.
Usage Tips
========
This set can either use its strong attacks early-game to punch holes in teams to open up a sweep for a team member or attempt a sweep itself late-game with its high Speed and good bulk. It's recommended to weaken Cobalion's checks and counters, such as Gligar and Swampert, as well as eliminate any possible revenge killers before attempting to sweep. Cobalion finds plenty of opportunities to come in and set up with its excellent bulk and resistances, particularly against Choice-locked Dark-type moves, which Cobalion can attempt to take advantage of with Justified to gain a useful Attack boost. While Cobalion may be outclassed by Lucario in terms of raw power, its higher bulk allows it to accumulate more boosts, and its much better Speed gives it more sweeping potential.
Team Options
========
Entry hazards greatly aid Cobalion in its sweep, so Stealth Rock users such as Swampert and Spikes users such as Froslass and Roserade make great partners. Cobalion is vulnerable to Fire-type moves and Scald, so bulky Pokemon that resist such moves, such as Suicune and Mega Blastoise, are solid teammates. Powerful special attackers such as Hydreigon and Mega Pidgeot lure in the likes of Blissey and Umbreon, which Cobalion can easily set up on. As previously mentioned, it's a good idea to weaken Cobalion's counters before attempting a sweep, so powerful Choice Band users such as Heracross and Entei can be used to weaken bulky Ground-types such as Gligar, Swampert and Nidoqueen. Dark-types and Bug-types help take care of bulky Psychic-types such as Slowking and Cresselia, which are almost impossible for Cobalion to break through. Krookodile and Escavalier in particular can heavily weaken them with Pursuit to allow Cobalion to muscle past them later.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Flash Cannon
move 4: Hidden Power Ghost / Substitute
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
ability: Justified
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Calm Mind boosts Cobalion's Special Attack to high levels, enabling it to attempt a sweep after a few boosts, while simultaneously patching up Cobalion's low Special Defense to make it harder to defeat. This makes it a great tank both physically and specially, considering its excellent Defense stat. Focus Blast is a high-powered, albeit inaccurate, STAB move that deals a lot of damage after a boost. Flash Cannon is a more reliable secondary STAB move that enables Cobalion to break through Fairies and provides decent neutral coverage alongside Focus Blast. Hidden Power Ghost is the preferred option in the last slot, allowing Cobalion to beat Ghost-types that resist both of its STAB types, such as Chandelure and Jellicent. Substitute can be used instead, as it allows Cobalion to avoid status and take advantage of its excellent natural bulk and physical resistances. With a few boosts Cobalion can also set up unbreakable Substitutes against weak special attackers such as Tentacruel. Magnet Rise turns Ground-type checks such as specially defensive Gligar into setup bait, and as a result any team that relies on such Pokemon to counter Cobalion will find themselves very hard-pressed to prevent a sweep if Cobalion carries this move.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed are used so that Cobalion can deal as much damage and be as fast as possible. Life Orb is recommended if running three attacks, as Cobalion really appreciates the additional power boost. However, it does compromise Cobalion's decent bulk, so Lum Berry can be used to allow Cobalion to shrug off status. This set is not badly affected by burns, so Leftovers is generally a better option than Lum Berry. Leftovers is a given if you run Substitute, though, in order to create more Substitutes. Additionally, Substitute allows Cobalion to accumulate multiple boosts, so the lack of Life Orb should not matter in the long run.
Usage Tips
========
The surprise factor of this set plays a huge role, as teams will usually expect a physical set from Cobalion and react accordingly. This Cobalion's specially based nature allows it to break through Pokemon that would wall a physical set quite handily; for example, a +1 LO Life Orb Focus Blast OHKOes physically defensive Swampert after Stealth Rock and Spikes. As such, it can be used to eliminate certain physical walls to open up a sweep for one of its teammates. With its high Speed, it can also attempt a sweep on its own late-game. Due to Calm Mind boosting Cobalion's Special Defense, it can set up on specially attacking walls such as Alomomola, Cresselia, and Tentacruel. At +1, it can even set up unbreakable Substitutes against them. Be wary about Scald burns from bulky Water-types, though, as even though they don't affect Cobalion's damage output, they still hinder its longevity.
Team Options
========
Entry hazards greatly aid Cobalion in its sweep, so Stealth Rock users such as Swampert and Spikes users such as Froslass and Roserade make great partners. Cobalion has common weaknesses, so Pokemon that synergize well with it defensively, such as Suicune, Salamence, and Swampert, are solid teammates. Special attackers such as Hydreigon and Mega Pidgeot lure in the likes of Florges and Umbreon, which Cobalion can easily set up on. Powerful physical attackers such as Heracross, Mega Aerodactyl, and Tyrantrum, which appreciate Cobalion's ability to lure in and eliminate or weaken their counters, are also excellent partners. Dark-types and Bug-types help take care of bulky Psychic-types such as Slowking and Cresselia, which are almost impossible for Cobalion to break through if they pack Calm Mind themselves. Krookodile and Escavalier in particular can heavily weaken them with Pursuit to enable Cobalion to muscle through them later.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Cobalion has a very diverse movepool with a wide range of options, but not all are viable. A mixed Work Up set can be used to enable Cobalion to lure in and break through specific checks, but it would usually be too weak to actually attempt a sweep. Rock Polish can be used to boost Cobalion's Speed to sky-high levels, but again its average offenses are a stumbling block in any sweeping attempt. With its access to Volt Switch, Cobalion can run a decent enough Choice Scarf set to scout and revenge kill, while also offering surprise factor. Sacred Sword is an option on the physical sets, compromising the power of Close Combat in exchange for not lowering Cobalion's defenses. It also has the added benefit of 2HKOing Curselax no matter how many Curses the latter has set up, but it's generally not recommended, as Cobalion really needs all the power it can get.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Ground-types**: Physically bulky Ground-types such as Nidoqueen and Gligar are usually hard counters to the Swords Dance set, but they will lose if Cobalion runs Magnet Rise. Also, with a Life Orb and a Calm Mind boost, Cobalion can OHKO offensive Nidoqueen and 2HKO non-specially defensive Gligar.
**Bulky Psychic-types**: The likes of Slowking, Reuniclus, and Cresselia are almost impossible to break through for Cobalion unless it runs X-Scissor on the Swords Dance set. Even then, a +2 X-Scissor only 3HKOes Cresselia. The Calm Mind set fares better, as Cobalion can break through them with Hidden Power Ghost after a few boosts, but Cobalion will always lose if they run Calm Mind themselves.
**Bulky Water-types**: Swampert, Tentacruel, Alomomola, and Suicune are all decent checks for the Swords Dance set, as they can comfortably survive any hit and threaten back with a Scald burn or a super effective Earthquake in Swampert's case. However, Alomomola is complete setup bait if Cobalion packs Substitute, as is Tentacruel for the Calm Mind set unless it packs Haze. Suicune will always win against the Calm Mind set if it runs Calm Mind itself, though.
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon that naturally outspeed Cobalion, such as Mega Pidgeot and Noivern, along with common Choice Scarf users such as Mienshao, Krookodile, and Darmanitan, can easily revenge kill it.
**Ghost-types**: Certain Ghost-types such as Chandelure, Jellicent, and Doublade resist both of Cobalion's STAB types and so are hard counters to all its sets unless Cobalion runs Hidden Power Ghost on its Calm Mind set. Chandelure also loses if Cobalion carries Stone Edge. Cofagrigus can burn Cobalion, but it faces trouble against the Substitute set and outright loses to the Calm Mind set unless it packs Nasty Plot.
GP: TDP / Calm Pokemaster
[OVERVIEW]
Cobalion is very diverse, being able to attack or support with equal efficiency given its well-rounded stats. Its dual base 90 offenses and great Speed combined with its access to Swords Dance and Calm Mind means it is perfectly equipped to sweep both physically and specially. Its Steel / Fighting typing gives it a STAB attack to deal with Fairy-types, which few other Fighting-types can boast. It also gives Cobalion a resistance to Dark-type moves, which combined with its fantastic Defense stat and ability Justified makes Cobalion an excellent Knock Off absorber. Furthermore, Cobalion is 4x resistant to Stealth Rock and immune to Toxic Spikes, which makes it easy for it to switch in multiple times throughout the match.
On the downside, base 90 / 90 offenses are average at best, so although Cobalion is capable of boosting both, it lacks significant immediate power. It is also hampered by a poor base 72 Special Defense and weaknesses to common attacking types such as Fire, Fighting, and Ground.
[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Iron Head / Taunt
item: Leftovers
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Cobalion is one of the fastest users of Stealth Rock, making it an excellent choice to set it up for offensive teams. Close Combat is a high-powered STAB move. Volt Switch helps gain momentum for your team while allowing Cobalion to rack up some damage on Pokemon weak to Electric-type attacks, such as Mega Blastoise and Crobat. Iron Head is an alternative STAB move that does not lower Cobalion's defenses and provides useful coverage against Fairies, while hitting the likes of Mega Aerodactyl and Heracross harder. Taunt can be used instead of Iron Head to shut down setup sweepers, such as like Cresselia and Reuniclus, and to prevent entry hazards from being set up on your side.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and a Jolly nature allow Cobalion to maintain its crucial Speed tier, outspeeding the likes of Mienshao and Shaymin while Speed tying with Infernape and Virizion. Maximum Attack EVs are used to back up Cobalion's average Attack. Leftovers increases Cobalion's longevity, but Shuca Berry can be used instead to better check non-Fire Blast Salamence and Earthquake Mega Aerodactyl. Shuca Berry also allows Cobalion to safely stay in on common switch-ins, such as Gligar, Swampert, and Nidoqueen, and use Taunt to prevent them from setting up their own entry hazards. An alternative spread of 248 HP / 28 Atk / 232 Spe with a Jolly nature is enough to outspeed Mienshao and builds on Cobalion's decent natural bulk, allowing it to take hits such as Hydreigon's Draco Meteor and Shaymin's Seed Flare better. It still OHKOes or 2HKOes frail offensive Pokemon such as Lucario, but Cobalion will be considerably weaker against defensive teams. For example, Cobalion now fails to 2HKO standard Florges with Iron Head when using this spread.
Usage Tips
========
This Cobalion plays as a fast support Pokemon. Aim to use it early-game in order to get entry hazards up and gain momentum for your team. With its great physical bulk and resistances, Cobalion should find plenty of opportunities to come in throughout the match. It checks a lot of common offensive Pokemon, such as Mega Aerodactyl, Lucario, Mega Beedrill, Kyurem, Mega Abomasnow, and Mega Sharpedo. Justified provides Cobalion with a free Attack boost when hit by a Dark-type move, so it is an excellent Knock Off absorber. Avoid using Close Combat unless it is absolutely necessary, as the resulting stat drops compromise Cobalion's good bulk and make it more susceptible to being revenge killed.
Team Options
========
Special sweepers, such as Hydreigon and Mega Pidgeot, appreciate Cobalion's ability to deal with special walls, such as Blissey and Umbreon, while setting Stealth Rock to wear down their checks and counters. In general, sweepers that benefit from entry hazard support are great partners. Salamence in particular makes a great teammate, as it has excellent type synergy with Cobalion. Because Cobalion has poor Special Defense and weaknesses to common attacking types, bulky Pokemon that cover these weaknesses, such as Suicune, Mega Blastoise, and Cresselia, work well with it.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Swords Dance
move 4: Stone Edge / Substitute
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Close Combat and Iron Head are powerful STAB moves that offer good neutral coverage. Swords Dance makes Cobalion significantly more threatening; for example, with Life Orb and a +2 boost Cobalion can OHKO Mega Swampert with Close Combat after Stealth Rock damage. Stone Edge rounds out Cobalion's coverage perfectly, smashing Flying- and Fire-types such as Salamence, Entei, and Crobat. It also offers a neutral hit on Pokemon that resist Cobalion's STAB moves, such as Tentacruel. Substitute is an alternative over Stone Edge that allows Cobalion to avoid status and take advantage of its excellent natural bulk and physical resistances. X-Scissor is another option to hit bulky Psychic-types such as Cresselia and Slowking super effectively. Magnet Rise turns Ground-type counters such as Gligar and Nidoqueen into setup bait, and as a result any team that relies on such Pokemon to counter Cobalion will find themselves very hard-pressed to prevent a sweep if Cobalion carries the move. Stealth Rock can be run in the fourth slot if your team can't find room anywhere else and the coverage provided from Stone Edge isn't needed.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment allows Cobalion to deal as much damage and be as fast as possible. Life Orb is recommended if running three attacks, as Cobalion really appreciates the additional power boost. However, it does compromise Cobalion's decent bulk, so Lum Berry can be used instead to allow Cobalion to shrug off Scald burns and other status. Leftovers is recommended if you run Substitute to increase Cobalion's longevity. Additionally, Substitute can allow Cobalion to accumulate multiple boosts, so the lack of Life Orb should not matter in the long run.
Usage Tips
========
This set can either use its strong attacks early-game to punch holes in teams to open up a sweep for a team member or attempt a sweep itself late-game with its high Speed and good bulk. It's recommended to weaken Cobalion's checks and counters, such as Gligar and Swampert, as well as eliminate any possible revenge killers before attempting to sweep. Cobalion finds plenty of opportunities to come in and set up with its excellent bulk and resistances, particularly against Choice-locked Dark-type moves, which Cobalion can attempt to take advantage of with Justified to gain a useful Attack boost. While Cobalion may be outclassed by Lucario in terms of raw power, its higher bulk allows it to accumulate more boosts, and its much better Speed gives it more sweeping potential.
Team Options
========
Entry hazards greatly aid Cobalion in its sweep, so Stealth Rock users such as Swampert and Spikes users such as Froslass and Roserade make great partners. Cobalion is vulnerable to Fire-type moves and Scald, so bulky Pokemon that resist such moves, such as Suicune and Mega Blastoise, are solid teammates. Powerful special attackers such as Hydreigon and Mega Pidgeot lure in the likes of Blissey and Umbreon, which Cobalion can easily set up on. As previously mentioned, it's a good idea to weaken Cobalion's counters before attempting a sweep, so powerful Choice Band users such as Heracross and Entei can be used to weaken bulky Ground-types such as Gligar, Swampert and Nidoqueen. Dark-types and Bug-types help take care of bulky Psychic-types such as Slowking and Cresselia, which are almost impossible for Cobalion to break through. Krookodile and Escavalier in particular can heavily weaken them with Pursuit to allow Cobalion to muscle past them later.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Flash Cannon
move 4: Hidden Power Ghost / Substitute
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
ability: Justified
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Calm Mind boosts Cobalion's Special Attack to high levels, enabling it to attempt a sweep after a few boosts, while simultaneously patching up Cobalion's low Special Defense to make it harder to defeat. This makes it a great tank both physically and specially, considering its excellent Defense stat. Focus Blast is a high-powered, albeit inaccurate, STAB move that deals a lot of damage after a boost. Flash Cannon is a more reliable secondary STAB move that enables Cobalion to break through Fairies and provides decent neutral coverage alongside Focus Blast. Hidden Power Ghost is the preferred option in the last slot, allowing Cobalion to beat Ghost-types that resist both of its STAB types, such as Chandelure and Jellicent. Substitute can be used instead, as it allows Cobalion to avoid status and take advantage of its excellent natural bulk and physical resistances. With a few boosts Cobalion can also set up unbreakable Substitutes against weak special attackers such as Tentacruel. Magnet Rise turns Ground-type checks such as specially defensive Gligar into setup bait, and as a result any team that relies on such Pokemon to counter Cobalion will find themselves very hard-pressed to prevent a sweep if Cobalion carries this move.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed are used so that Cobalion can deal as much damage and be as fast as possible. Life Orb is recommended if running three attacks, as Cobalion really appreciates the additional power boost. However, it does compromise Cobalion's decent bulk, so Lum Berry can be used to allow Cobalion to shrug off status. This set is not badly affected by burns, so Leftovers is generally a better option than Lum Berry. Leftovers is a given if you run Substitute, though, in order to create more Substitutes. Additionally, Substitute allows Cobalion to accumulate multiple boosts, so the lack of Life Orb should not matter in the long run.
Usage Tips
========
The surprise factor of this set plays a huge role, as teams will usually expect a physical set from Cobalion and react accordingly. This Cobalion's specially based nature allows it to break through Pokemon that would wall a physical set quite handily; for example, a +1 LO Life Orb Focus Blast OHKOes physically defensive Swampert after Stealth Rock and Spikes. As such, it can be used to eliminate certain physical walls to open up a sweep for one of its teammates. With its high Speed, it can also attempt a sweep on its own late-game. Due to Calm Mind boosting Cobalion's Special Defense, it can set up on specially attacking walls such as Alomomola, Cresselia, and Tentacruel. At +1, it can even set up unbreakable Substitutes against them. Be wary about Scald burns from bulky Water-types, though, as even though they don't affect Cobalion's damage output, they still hinder its longevity.
Team Options
========
Entry hazards greatly aid Cobalion in its sweep, so Stealth Rock users such as Swampert and Spikes users such as Froslass and Roserade make great partners. Cobalion has common weaknesses, so Pokemon that synergize well with it defensively, such as Suicune, Salamence, and Swampert, are solid teammates. Special attackers such as Hydreigon and Mega Pidgeot lure in the likes of Florges and Umbreon, which Cobalion can easily set up on. Powerful physical attackers such as Heracross, Mega Aerodactyl, and Tyrantrum, which appreciate Cobalion's ability to lure in and eliminate or weaken their counters, are also excellent partners. Dark-types and Bug-types help take care of bulky Psychic-types such as Slowking and Cresselia, which are almost impossible for Cobalion to break through if they pack Calm Mind themselves. Krookodile and Escavalier in particular can heavily weaken them with Pursuit to enable Cobalion to muscle through them later.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Cobalion has a very diverse movepool with a wide range of options, but not all are viable. A mixed Work Up set can be used to enable Cobalion to lure in and break through specific checks, but it would usually be too weak to actually attempt a sweep. Rock Polish can be used to boost Cobalion's Speed to sky-high levels, but again its average offenses are a stumbling block in any sweeping attempt. With its access to Volt Switch, Cobalion can run a decent enough Choice Scarf set to scout and revenge kill, while also offering surprise factor. Sacred Sword is an option on the physical sets, compromising the power of Close Combat in exchange for not lowering Cobalion's defenses. It also has the added benefit of 2HKOing Curselax no matter how many Curses the latter has set up, but it's generally not recommended, as Cobalion really needs all the power it can get.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Ground-types**: Physically bulky Ground-types such as Nidoqueen and Gligar are usually hard counters to the Swords Dance set, but they will lose if Cobalion runs Magnet Rise. Also, with a Life Orb and a Calm Mind boost, Cobalion can OHKO offensive Nidoqueen and 2HKO non-specially defensive Gligar.
**Bulky Psychic-types**: The likes of Slowking, Reuniclus, and Cresselia are almost impossible to break through for Cobalion unless it runs X-Scissor on the Swords Dance set. Even then, a +2 X-Scissor only 3HKOes Cresselia. The Calm Mind set fares better, as Cobalion can break through them with Hidden Power Ghost after a few boosts, but Cobalion will always lose if they run Calm Mind themselves.
**Bulky Water-types**: Swampert, Tentacruel, Alomomola, and Suicune are all decent checks for the Swords Dance set, as they can comfortably survive any hit and threaten back with a Scald burn or a super effective Earthquake in Swampert's case. However, Alomomola is complete setup bait if Cobalion packs Substitute, as is Tentacruel for the Calm Mind set unless it packs Haze. Suicune will always win against the Calm Mind set if it runs Calm Mind itself, though.
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon that naturally outspeed Cobalion, such as Mega Pidgeot and Noivern, along with common Choice Scarf users such as Mienshao, Krookodile, and Darmanitan, can easily revenge kill it.
**Ghost-types**: Certain Ghost-types such as Chandelure, Jellicent, and Doublade resist both of Cobalion's STAB types and so are hard counters to all its sets unless Cobalion runs Hidden Power Ghost on its Calm Mind set. Chandelure also loses if Cobalion carries Stone Edge. Cofagrigus can burn Cobalion, but it faces trouble against the Substitute set and outright loses to the Calm Mind set unless it packs Nasty Plot.
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