As the best physical rain attacker, Kabutops has a solid niche on rain teams as a strong wallbreaker and sweeper. Continental Crush is a major selling point, as it is incredibly hard to switch into, and coupled with a rain-boosted Waterfall, Kabutops can break through many defensive cores. Swift Swim doubles Kabutops's Speed stat in rain, allowing it to outspeed and KO many fast threats such as Choice Scarf Garchomp and Tapu Koko. However, without rain, Kabutops struggles to function because its Speed outside of it is mediocre. Kabutops's bad defensive typing and relative frailty can make it difficult to set up Swords Dance. Even in rain, some Choice Scarf users such as Gengar can outspeed Kabutops and knock it out before it can even move.
[SET]
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Swords Dance
move 4: Superpower / Aqua Jet
item: Rockium Z / Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Waterfall is boosted by both rain and STAB and hits most neutral targets hard, especially after a Swords Dance. Stone Edge is a solid secondary STAB move that allows Kabutops to hit Pokemon that resist Waterfall such as Rotom-W and Amoonguss. Swords Dance boosts Kabutops's attack to sky-high levels, allowing it to become a fearsome sweeper. Superpower OHKOes Ferrothorn and Kartana after a Swords Dance, both of which are massive threats to rain. However, be sure to scout for a potential Choice Scarf on Kartana. Aqua Jet picks off faster threats such as Choice Scarf Pheromosa and Volcarona after a Quiver Dance. It can also knock out a weakened Mega Charizard Y, a dangerous threat to rain thanks to Drought. Finally, Low Kick is an option over Superpower on Life Orb sets and has the advantage of not lowering stats upon use. However, it does very little damage to Kartana.
Set Details
========
Rockium Z is the preferred item because it gives Kabutops a one-time nuke in Continental Crush, allowing it to weaken or knock out key threats to rain such as Mega Venusaur, Alomomola, Tapu Bulu, and Rotom-W after a Swords Dance. However, Life Orb can also be used for a solid boost in power overall, and it frees the Z-Move slot for another teammate. Maximum Attack and Speed investment allows Kabutops to hit as hard and be as fast as possible. An Adamant nature is preferred because Kabutops is already blazing fast under rain. However, a Jolly nature can be used so Kabutops can outspeed Choice Scarf Gengar and Adamant Landorus-T after a Rock Polish.
Usage Tips
========
Don't switch Kabutops directly into attacks, as it is relatively frail. Instead, bring it in with either a slow U-turn or on a predicted double switch. Try to set up Swords Dance against Pokemon Kabutops pressure offensively, such as Heatran and Tapu Lele, or on resisted hits, but keep Kabutops's frail nature in mind because it struggles to take special hits. Use Continental Crush to weaken defensive threats to rain such as Tapu Fini, Mega Scizor, and Tangrowth, but be careful not to waste your Z-Move.
Team Options
========
Pelipper is a mandatory teammate, as without rain, Kabutops loses its niche. Slow U-turn and Volt Switch users such as Mega Scizor and Rotom-W also make good partners because they allow Kabutops to enter the battlefield without taking damage. Ferrothorn sets up entry hazards for Kabutops and provides great defensive synergy with Kabutops and rain in general. Other Pokemon that take advantage of rain such as Kingdra and Ash-Greninja appreciate Kabutops's ability to weaken or remove threats such as Tapu Fini and Mega Venusaur. Tapu Koko is a great addition to any rain team and a good partner for Kabutops, as it can clean up late-game once Pokemon such as Mega Venusaur, Tangrowth, and Alolan Marowak are gone, all Pokemon Kabutops can weaken or remove with Continental Crush. Finally, Tornadus-T can switch into Grass-, Ground-, and Fighting- type attacks aimed at Kabutops and threaten the users with a strong Hurricane.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rapid Spin provides good utility if your team needs entry hazard removal, but this forces Kabutops to give up its coverage. Knock Off is another utility option but provides no useful coverage. Lum Berry can be used to dodge paralysis or burns, but giving up wallbreaking power hinders Kabutops. Other Z-Moves such as Hydro Vortex and All-Out Pummeling can be used, but Continental Crush has better coverage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Certain Choice Scarf users such as Terrakion, Pheromosa, and Latios can revenge kill Kabutops if it's not running Aqua Jet. Choice Scarf Keldeo is also a great answer to Kabutops, as it can pivot into anything Kabutops can throw at it.
**Bulky Water-types**: Gastrodon is a fantastic counter to Kabutops, as it resists Stone Edge and is immune to Waterfall. If Kabutops has already used its Z-Move, Pokemon such as Alomomola, Suicune, and Rotom-W can tank a hit and threaten Kabutops with a potential burn. Toxapex can also remove any boosts Kabutops has with Haze.
**Grass-types**: Ferrothorn can wall any Kabutops without Superpower or Low Kick and can OHKO back with Power Whip or cripple it with Thunder Wave. It is also never 2HKOed by an unboosted Superpower. Physically defensive Tangrowth can take most of Kabutops's moves, but a +2 Continental Crush has a good chance of knocking it out. Finally, Mega Venusaur can tank any hit if Kabutops has already used its Z-Move.
**Opposing Weather Setters**: While none of them can switch in, opposing weather removes Kabutops's ability to hit hard and fast in the rain. Mega Charizard Y gets rid of Kabutops's rain thanks to Drought and easily outspeeds and OHKOes Kabutops with Solar Beam.
**Ash-Greninja**: While Greninja can't switch in, it can revenge kill Kabutops with a rain-boosted Water Shuriken with only a little chip damage if it hasn't transformed, and after transformation, Ash-Greninja will always knock out Kabutops with Water Shuriken with rain up.
[SET]
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Swords Dance
move 4: Superpower / Aqua Jet
item: Rockium Z / Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Waterfall is boosted by both rain and STAB and hits most neutral targets hard, especially after a Swords Dance. Stone Edge is a solid secondary STAB move that allows Kabutops to hit Pokemon that resist Waterfall such as Rotom-W and Amoonguss. Swords Dance boosts Kabutops's attack to sky-high levels, allowing it to become a fearsome sweeper. Superpower OHKOes Ferrothorn and Kartana after a Swords Dance, both of which are massive threats to rain. However, be sure to scout for a potential Choice Scarf on Kartana. Aqua Jet picks off faster threats such as Choice Scarf Pheromosa and Volcarona after a Quiver Dance. It can also knock out a weakened Mega Charizard Y, a dangerous threat to rain thanks to Drought. Finally, Low Kick is an option over Superpower on Life Orb sets and has the advantage of not lowering stats upon use. However, it does very little damage to Kartana.
Set Details
========
Rockium Z is the preferred item because it gives Kabutops a one-time nuke in Continental Crush, allowing it to weaken or knock out key threats to rain such as Mega Venusaur, Alomomola, Tapu Bulu, and Rotom-W after a Swords Dance. However, Life Orb can also be used for a solid boost in power overall, and it frees the Z-Move slot for another teammate. Maximum Attack and Speed investment allows Kabutops to hit as hard and be as fast as possible. An Adamant nature is preferred because Kabutops is already blazing fast under rain. However, a Jolly nature can be used so Kabutops can outspeed Choice Scarf Gengar and Adamant Landorus-T after a Rock Polish.
Usage Tips
========
Don't switch Kabutops directly into attacks, as it is relatively frail. Instead, bring it in with either a slow U-turn or on a predicted double switch. Try to set up Swords Dance against Pokemon Kabutops pressure offensively, such as Heatran and Tapu Lele, or on resisted hits, but keep Kabutops's frail nature in mind because it struggles to take special hits. Use Continental Crush to weaken defensive threats to rain such as Tapu Fini, Mega Scizor, and Tangrowth, but be careful not to waste your Z-Move.
Team Options
========
Pelipper is a mandatory teammate, as without rain, Kabutops loses its niche. Slow U-turn and Volt Switch users such as Mega Scizor and Rotom-W also make good partners because they allow Kabutops to enter the battlefield without taking damage. Ferrothorn sets up entry hazards for Kabutops and provides great defensive synergy with Kabutops and rain in general. Other Pokemon that take advantage of rain such as Kingdra and Ash-Greninja appreciate Kabutops's ability to weaken or remove threats such as Tapu Fini and Mega Venusaur. Tapu Koko is a great addition to any rain team and a good partner for Kabutops, as it can clean up late-game once Pokemon such as Mega Venusaur, Tangrowth, and Alolan Marowak are gone, all Pokemon Kabutops can weaken or remove with Continental Crush. Finally, Tornadus-T can switch into Grass-, Ground-, and Fighting- type attacks aimed at Kabutops and threaten the users with a strong Hurricane.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rapid Spin provides good utility if your team needs entry hazard removal, but this forces Kabutops to give up its coverage. Knock Off is another utility option but provides no useful coverage. Lum Berry can be used to dodge paralysis or burns, but giving up wallbreaking power hinders Kabutops. Other Z-Moves such as Hydro Vortex and All-Out Pummeling can be used, but Continental Crush has better coverage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Certain Choice Scarf users such as Terrakion, Pheromosa, and Latios can revenge kill Kabutops if it's not running Aqua Jet. Choice Scarf Keldeo is also a great answer to Kabutops, as it can pivot into anything Kabutops can throw at it.
**Bulky Water-types**: Gastrodon is a fantastic counter to Kabutops, as it resists Stone Edge and is immune to Waterfall. If Kabutops has already used its Z-Move, Pokemon such as Alomomola, Suicune, and Rotom-W can tank a hit and threaten Kabutops with a potential burn. Toxapex can also remove any boosts Kabutops has with Haze.
**Grass-types**: Ferrothorn can wall any Kabutops without Superpower or Low Kick and can OHKO back with Power Whip or cripple it with Thunder Wave. It is also never 2HKOed by an unboosted Superpower. Physically defensive Tangrowth can take most of Kabutops's moves, but a +2 Continental Crush has a good chance of knocking it out. Finally, Mega Venusaur can tank any hit if Kabutops has already used its Z-Move.
**Opposing Weather Setters**: While none of them can switch in, opposing weather removes Kabutops's ability to hit hard and fast in the rain. Mega Charizard Y gets rid of Kabutops's rain thanks to Drought and easily outspeeds and OHKOes Kabutops with Solar Beam.
**Ash-Greninja**: While Greninja can't switch in, it can revenge kill Kabutops with a rain-boosted Water Shuriken with only a little chip damage if it hasn't transformed, and after transformation, Ash-Greninja will always knock out Kabutops with Water Shuriken with rain up.
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