Badal
Shit
Kabuto
TomHawk9's Skeleton
[Overview]
<p>Kabuto is the best physical rain sweeper in Little Cup, which in itself is a great reason to use it. It has access to Swift Swim and a solid base 80 Attack, along with with a good base Speed. It also has good coverage in just its two STAB moves, with the only common Pokemon who resist Kabuto's STAB moves being Croagunk and Ferroseed. Unfortunately, Kabuto is weak to priority as it bypasses the Swift Swim boost. This is worsened by the fact that Kabuto is weak to Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave, two of the most common priority moves. Kabuto can use Aqua Jet to bypass other priority, though. Kabuto can also function as a good lead with access to Stealth Rock, STAB priority in Aqua Jet, and Rapid Spin, though leading is now harderdue to Team Preview. Overall, Kabuto is a dangerous threat which can run through teams if given the slightest chance to do so.</p>
[SET]
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Rock Slide
move 3: Aqua Jet
move 4: Rain Dance / Hone Claws
item: Life Orb / Eviolite
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Adamant
evs: 36 HP / 196 Atk / 36 Def / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Kabuto can abuse rain by using Swift Swim to double its Speed, while at the same time powering up Waterfall. Waterfall is a reliable and strong STAB move, especially in rain. Rock Slide gives Kabuto a strong secondary STAB, providing good coverage, and hits Snover and Mantyke for super effective damage, who are normally annoying for rain teams to take on. Both Rock Slide and Waterfall provide a nice flinch rate which could come in handy. STAB Aqua Jet gives Kabuto a valuable priority attack, allowing it to finish off weakened threats who have priority themselves. Rain Dance is used in case it stops raining or when Kabuto is being used as a stand alone rain sweeper.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p> Despite having an Adamant nature, Kabuto hits 30 Speed in the rain, outspeeding almost everything in Little Cup. Life Orb boosts the power of Kabuto's attacks, making it harder to wall. On the other hand, Eviolite allows Kabuto to take hits from strong priority moves easily and when you're setting up. Hone Claws is an option over Rain Dance, but you'll have to ensure that you always have rain. Aerial Ace can be used to deal with Grass-type Pokémon and Croagunk. Earth Power is also an option to deal with Chinchou, Croagunk, and Tentacool. Kabuto appreciates entry hazard support, as it breaks Focus Sash and Sturdy, and helps Kabuto KO more Pokémon without having to take that extra hit. Ferroseed is a good teammate as it resists Grass- and Electric-type attacks and can set up Spikes, aiding Kabuto in its sweep.</p>
[SET]
name: Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Aqua Jet
move 3: Rock Slide / Waterfall
move 4: Rapid Spin / Protect
item: Focus Sash
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Adamant
evs: 36 HP / 196 Atk / 36 Def / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Kabuto is a good lead since it has access to both Stealth Rock and priorityin Aqua Jet, which helps Kabuto get rid of Focus Sash on opposing leads, as well as stopping the effect of Sturdy. STAB Rock Slide hits hard, and has good coverage with Aqua Jet. Rapid Spin allows Kabuto to support its team by getting rid of troublesome entry hazards that might cripple a teammate,and can also finish off badly weakened Pokemon. Protect is useful for scouting and blocking Fake Out.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Focus Sash allows Kabuto to survive strong attacks which might OHKO Kabuto otherwise. Eviolite can be used too, as leading is harder with Team Preview. Waterfall is a viable option over Rock Slide as it hits Fighting and Ground-type Pokémon, such as Onix, Gligar and Meditite . It can also be used as a replacement for Rapid Spin since it gives you more coverage. Pokémon that can set up Rain Dance, such as Bronzor and Frillish, are good partners to Kabuto. Fast Pokémon such as Aipom or Voltorb can also set up Rain Dance.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Rock Polish is an option, but Rain Dance is usually superior as it boosts the power of Kabuto's STAB Water-type moves as well. Kabuto hits 15 Speed, allowing it to run a Choice Scarf and outrun Scarf users with 14 Speed. Screech can work in a similar fashion to Swords Dance, but it wears off when the opponent Pokémon switches out. Therefore, entry hazard support is very useful to rack up damage during switches. Hidden Power Fire can be helpful in dealing with Ferroseed and Croagunk, but is weak in the rain.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Kabutohas its fair share of counters. Ferroseed resists both of Kabuto's STAB moves , and OHKOes and with Bullet Seed. Though Magnemite can trap and kill Ferroseed and use 100% accurate Thunder in the rain, it shares a weakness to Croagunk, who can OHKO both with STAB Vaccum Wave. Snover can stop Kabuto's rain and can KO with Wood Hammer or Energy Ball, but must be careful when switching in due to Kabuto carrying Rock Slide. Lickitung can stop rain and then set up on Kabuto.</p>