Kabu-san, what are you gonna do with those sword hands?
Overview
########
Pros:
-Very fast with Swift Swim
-Great Coverage from STABs alone
-Decent physical bulk for an offensive Pokemon
-Rain-boosted Waterfalls hit very hard
-STAB Priority
Cons:
-Slow without rain
-Poor special bulk, and a physical attacker, making it very vulnerable to Scalds that get boosted from Rain
-4x weak to Grass
Rain Sweeper
########
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Knock Off / Aqua Jet
move 4: Swords Dance / Aqua Jet
ability: Swift Swim
item: Life Orb
evs: 20 HP / 252 Att / 236 Spe
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
-Watefall is a reliable STAB move that hits very hard under rain, and even has a flinch chance
-Stone Edge is a secondary STAB, that can hit bulky water and grass types hard
-Knock Off removes items, can be used on weakened water-resistant opponents when Stone Edge's miss chance isn't necessary, and especially nails Slowbro
-Swords Dance to attempt a sweep, as extremely few pokemon can stomach a +2 rain boosted waterfall/Stone Edge, or outspeed Swift Swim Kabutops
-Aqua Jet to pick off weakened but faster opponents when it's not raining, and to avoid Sucker Punch
Set Details
========
-Life Orb for additional power
-Speed EVs allow it to outspeed Scarfed Mienshao, maximum attack, and the rest goes into HP
Usage Tips
========
-Don't send Kabutops out without rain, unless you absolutely have to
-Don't attempt a Swift Swim sweep unless bulky water resists are weakened. However, Kabutops hits most things for lots of damage, so it can break walls for a fellow Swift Swimmer and open up a sweep.
-Kabutops is not particularly bulky, and it doesn't need a boost to rip through most offensive teams. Swords Dance should only be used when it's safe, and when up against a bulkier team.
Team Options
========
-Rain setter is an absolute must. Tornadus is one of UU's best, as are some other Pranksters. Uxie is also good, as Rain Dance+Memento gives a very good set-up opportunity for Kabutops, and it can also set-up screens and Stealth Rock.
-Additional Swift Swimmers, such as Kingdra, Ludicolo, and Omastar, as they can make use of extra turns of Rain left over if Kabutops faints or has to switch. They can also wear down bulky waters/grasses for Kabutops, and vice versa
-Hazard setters like Forretress are great for any sweeper
-Grass and Electric types are good partners as they can threaten many bulky waters. Mega Ampharos has a wickedly powerful Thunder, which never misses in Rain, and a slow Volt-Switch to get Kabutops in safely. Celebi is also a good teammate, threatening water types and also absorbing status thanks to Natural Cure.
Other Options
########
-Aerial Ace for Chesnaught, Virizion and Poliwrath, but it only hits these three
-Low Kick for Empoleon, but Empoleon takes a lot from +2 Knock Off (68% chance to OHKO after one layer of spikes)
-Rapid Spin
-Weakness Policy+Endure+Weak Armor
Checks & Counters
########
-Bulky Water types, Scald, Poliwrath and Empoleon especially, Water Absorb/Storm Drain
-Bulky Grass types, esp. Chesnaught, Virizion
-Changing the weather
-Priority can pick off a weakened Kabutops. STAB Sucker Punch hits hard, but Kabutops can make it fail with Aqua Jet.
-Paralysis, esp. Pranskters.
-Sableye can threaten with a Priority Will-O-Wisp
-Sticky Web
Last edited:
