[Overview]
<p>Gabite is one of the few viable offensive NFE Pokemon in the RU tier thanks to an excellent typing, well-distributed stats, and near-perfect coverage with its STABs alone. The transition into Generation V brought Gabite a few new toys to bolster its already notable offensive potential. As well as the friend of all NFE Pokemon, Eviolite, Gabite gained Dual Chop and a boosting move in Hone Claws. However, there are a few factors that prevent Gabite from being a top-tier threat. Gabite has no way to boost its less-than-stellar speed, and even though Gabite's offensive typing is well suited for the tier, a base 90 Attack stat has severe difficulties breaking through the walls of RU. Gabite also faces stiff competition as an offensive Dragon-type from Altaria and fellow NFE Pokemon such as Fraxure, Dragonair and Shelgon. Despite all of this, Gabite can still pose a huge offensive threat with the right support.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Dual Chop / Dragon Claw
item: Choice Band
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Although Gabite's base 90 Attack is nothing to write home about, it's sufficient for an effective Choice Band set, due to Gabite's high-powered attacks and resistance to Stealth Rock. Outrage and Earthquake are the primary attacks on this set; with STAB and Choice Band factored in, they pack quite the punch. Gabite's STAB Earthquake is what differentiates it from the other Dragon-types in the tier. With it, Gabite can OHKO Aggron, the most common Steel-type in RU. Though Stone Edge is mostly filler, it hits any Flying-types trying to get a free switch-in on one of Gabite's Earthquakes. However, you are usually better off using Outrage to hit Flying-types rather than risking Stone Edge's unappetizing 80% accuracy. The final move is best utilized for reliable Dragon-type STAB for when you don't want to be locked into Outrage. Dual Chop gives Gabite the ability to break Substitutes, Focus Sashes, and Sturdy, whereas Dragon Claw offers more consistent accuracy. A Jolly nature is advised to capitalize on Gabite's base 82 Speed stat. It allows Gabite to outspeed positive nature base 80 Speed Pokemon such as Altaria, Gallade, and Medicham.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>If one desires more power, an Adamant nature with the same EV spread can be used at the cost of outspeeding positive nature base 80 Speed Pokemon. When considering teammates for Choice Band Gabite, one must take type synergy into account due to Gabite's paper-thin defenses, which aren't kind to a Pokemon that has to repeatedly switch in. Water- or Flying-type Pokemon make excellent partners, as they draw in Electric-type attacks to safely bring Gabite in. Gabite has trouble getting past sturdy physical walls; therefore, a wallbreaker such as Honchkrow makes a great teammate, as it can effectively run a mixed attacking set and eliminate Claydol, Uxie, or Tangrowth for Gabite. Lilligant also beats a large portion of the physical walls in RU, and her ability to put something to sleep may grant Gabite an opportunity to switch in. Slowking not only tanks Ice-type attacks aimed at Gabite, but it can also take care of a lot of Gabite's checks when using an offensive set, or spread paralysis around the opposing team Although Steel-types are dispatched by Gabite's Earthquake, Magneton can be used as a partner to trap and eliminate Steel-types so that Gabite can recklessly fire off STAB Outrages.</p>
<p>Choice Band Gabite loves Spikes support. With enough entry hazards on the opponent's side of the field, Gabite can get past grounded physical walls, such as Tangrowth and Sandslash, with Outrage. Omastar and Ferroseed are ideal partners to set up Spikes for Gabite, as they resist Gabite's Dragon- and Ice-type weaknesses, respectively. Pokemon that can set up dual screens will be very useful, helping Gabite shore up its paper-thin defenses. Uxie and Claydol are excellent teammates to set up screens for Gabite thanks to their great bulk and utility.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Gabite can use a Hone Claws set, but it takes several boosts to become truly threatening; furthermore, even with Eviolite, Gabite is easily revenge killed. Gabite can also utilize a Choice Scarf, but the damage output is rather underwhelming. Fire Blast can be used to hit Steel-types with Air Balloon, but the move will be hard pressed to do much else. Gabite can capitalize on its decent special movepool, which includes Draco Meteor, Earth Power, and Fire Blast, by running a special set. However, coming off a base 50 Special Attack, this kind of set would barely scratch dedicated special walls, even with full investment and Choice Specs. A bulky Eviolite set can be used, bolstered by Gabite's access to several useful moves, such as Stealth Rock, Roar, and Toxic, but this kind of set is generally outclassed by bulkier Pokemon with access to recovery such as Steelix.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Claydol and Uxie stop Gabite in its tracks; Choice Banded Outrage fails to 2HKO physically defensive sets, and the pair are immune to Earthquake to boot. Their Levitate ability grants them an immunity to Spikes, which gives them even more opportunities to switch. Claydol can also OHKO Gabite with Ice Beam, and Uxie's STAB Psychic will deal a large amount of damage to sets that lack Eviolite. Tangrowth takes minuscule damage from Earthquake and can OHKO Gabite with Hidden Power Ice. Physically defensive Quagsire and Gligar can recover off Choice Banded Outrages while Toxic chips away at Gabite's HP. Quagsire is, dare I say it, <em>Unaware</em> of Gabite's Hone Claws boost, and Gligar is immune to Earthquake. Without Eviolite, Gabite is prone to being revenge killed, as it does not have access to priority or a speed boosting move.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Gabite gets Rough Skin as its Dream World ability. Gabite's standard ability, Sand Veil, has little use, as there are no permanent sand inducers in the RU tier. However, due to Gabite's frailty, the damage from Rough Skin won't be of much use anyway, so neither ability is of particular use.</p>
