Merry Christmas everybody!
Abomasnow (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SDef / 252 Atk
Adamant Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Ice Shard
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
What does this set do? Abomasnow is a niche pokemon. The idea behind this set is to abuse its niche typing to set up a Substitue so that it can safely fire off one of its powerful attacks. Wood Hammer is the main STAB option and its mighty 120 base power makes up for the lackluster 92 base attack. STAB Ice Shard is always a nice utility to have as it hits a lot of offensive threats for X2 and X4 damage allowing it stop pull an emergency stop to sweeps. Focus Punch is a very powerful coverage move that makes use of Substitute to put massive dents in the OP. It's strong enough to 2HKO Bulky Scizor while dealing a whopping 70% to max HP Heatran.
How can this set help the team? Normally Abomasnow's niche is its ability. Strangely enough, its typing is what makes it attractive. It resists everything Rotom-W can throw at it while already being so slow that T-Wave isn't a problem. It also resists Lando's STAB Earth Power and takes neutral damage from HP Ice. Even Psychic often fails to 2HKO if SR is up. In response, Abomasnow has a strong chance OHKO Lando with Ice Shard which can also be used to cut off a +2 sweep. Rotom-W crumbles under the mighty power of SE Wood Hameer. Even Kyurem-B isn't happy about switching into Abomasnow as Focus Punch 2HKOs and, thanks to the higher priority, Kyurem-B can't do anything to prevent Focus Punch from connecting.
What can the other team do in response to this set? Abomasnow's high powered attacks actually make it surprisingly hard to counter without resorting to defensive counters. Scizor and Heatran both go out the window thanks to Focus Punch. Roost Scizor would have a chance but with Keldeo and Heatran already on Team 2 this would be a very ineffective set. Offensive TR Bronzong can take whatever the Christmas tree wants to throw at it while putting some pressure back. Metagross is in the same boat while boasting a much higher attack stat and some cool coverage options. Just having SR on the field is going to bother Abomasnow so a reliable SR setter is going to help (althought that won't stop him from countering what he is supposed to).
What potential additions can be made to deal with these responses? Bronzong is already checked by Keldeo who can take 3 Gyro Balls while 2HKOing back with Hydro Pump (It probably won't even need that as Bronzong will have eaten a Focus Punch before hand). Metagross is the best answer to Abomasnow as it takes very little from from any of its attacks while threatening back with its Meteor Mash and Bullet Punch. At the same it can KO both Heatran and Keldeo with coverage moves such as EQ/Hammer Arm and Thunder Punch/Zen Headbutt. Heatran can already revenge kill it though. Gliscor can take anything except Ice Punch while hitting back hard with STAB SE EQ. It can also beat Rotom-W by spamming Substitute with Poison Heal to fish for a miss and PP stall Hydro Pump. With enough defensive investment it can even wall +0 Dtails with a Substitute.
Keep in mind that the advantage of this set is that it counters Team 1 while putting offensive pressure. It counters while being, surprisingly, hard to counter.