Psywaves
Procrastinating Pedantic Perfectionist™
QC: Montsegur, Punchshroom, Hollywood
GP: fleurdyleurse, Legitimate Username
Overview
########
Kadabra makes for a solid revenge killer thanks to its great Speed and ability; Magic Guard grants it the niche of coming in with a Focus Sash intact even in the face of entry hazards or weather damage. Furthermore, Kadabra's movepool includes some rather good coverage and support options. However, with its niches come its downsides - horrendous defenses mean that Kadabra is hard-pressed to take even resisted hits well, and it is incredibly susceptible to priority attacks. In addition, the existence of Mesprit is an issue for the Psi Pokemon - it faces serious competition for a teamslot from the former, which boasts far superior bulk, a considerably better movepool, and greater power as it can afford to run Life Orb, which Kadabra cannot.
Special Attacker
########
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Psychic / Psyshock
move 2: Hidden Power Fighting / Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Dazzling Gleam
move 4: Encore
ability: Magic Guard
item: Focus Sash
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
========
Psychic is Kadabra's most powerful STAB move. Psyshock is an alternative STAB option, should you wish to hit the specially defensive Pokemon, which Kadabra hates, on their weaker Defense stat. Hidden Power Fighting and Hidden Power Fire are both for hitting the Steel-types that resist Kadabra's other coverage moves. With Hidden Power Fighting, you can deal with the likes of Pawniard, Probopass, and Bastiodon with greater ease, whereas Hidden Power Fire is for hitting Ferroseed. Dazzling Gleam preys on the Dark-types that are immune to Kadabra's STAB moves and hits Dragon-types for super effective damage too. In the last slot, Encore can be used to lock an opponent into a boosting/status move, or even Sucker Punch, allowing Kadabra to escape the field unscathed and an ally to potentially have a setup opportunity.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs let Kadabra hit as hard as it possibly can, and make the most of its great Speed stat. A Timid nature serves to enhance Kadabra's Speed stat even further. A Focus Sash will let Kadabra survive an otherwise fatal hit (and with defenses like Kadabra's, most hits are fatal) and retaliate. Thanks to Magic Guard, Kadabra doesn't risk having its Focus Sash broken by weather damage or entry hazards.
Usage Tips
========
Use Encore if the foe uses a boosting move, status move, or Sucker Punch, and proceed to switch out to an ally that can use this as a setup opportunity. Bring Kadabra in to revenge kill after an ally has fainted, or bring it in if you predict a move that you can Encore to turn the foe into setup bait.
Team Options
========
Kadabra appreciates having Fighting-types such as Sawk, Gurdurr, and Hariyama on the team; they resist the Dark-type attacks that will spell Kadabra's demise; in addition, they can muscle their way past NU's premier special walls, such as Regice, who Kadabra could never even hope to dent. Slurpuff can prove to be a handy teammate for its ability to use Spiritomb as setup fodder.
Other Options
########
Shadow Ball deals super effective damage to Ghost-type and Psychic-type adversaries. A Life Orb cranks up Kadabra's damage output, and Magic Guard means that it doesn't have to worry about recoil, however, Kadabra really wants its Focus Sash so it can take a hit, and Mesprit is generally seen as a superior Life Orb user thanks to its better bulk. Kadabra can force a switch and proceed to set up a Substitute to shield itself from any attacks that would otherwise trouble it, such as Sucker Punch, easing prediction. It also provides insurance against faster or Choice Scarfed foes. Bear in mind that Substitute is counteractive with a Focus Sash, so Substitute should only see use on a Life Orb set. Calm Mind is a possibility for bolstering Kadabra's offenses to insane levels in order to try to sweep, however, Kadabra's pitiful bulk means that it will find setting up rather difficult. Energy Ball's coverage is handy for disposing of foes such as Seismitoad. Signal Beam nabs Grass-types and opposing Psychic-types. Trick can be used with an item such as a Flame Orb or a Choice Scarf in order to cripple an opposing attacker or wall respectively, but this deprives Kadabra of the more consistently useful Focus Sash. Whilst unorthodox, Foul Play can hit a +2 Feraligatr for more damage than any of Kadabra's other attacks. Finally, Thunder Wave can be used to potentially stop an opposing sweeper from running rampant.
Checks and Counters
########
**Special Walls**: Kadabra struggles against special walls. Regice can take any hit from Kadabra and easily 2HKO it with Ice Beam, and Lickilicky is comfortable to take a couple of hits and prey on Kadabra's horrendous defenses.
**Priority Users**: Priority users, in general, pose a threat to Kadabra; this is due to its combination of poor defenses and reliance on Focus Sash to survive. Examples of these include Piloswine, Spiritomb, and Pawniard. Thanks to Eviolite, Piloswine's bulk is bolstered to levels where it can take multiple hits from Kadabra. In addition, Piloswine packs a priority attack in Ice Shard, which means that it can strike first and KO a weakened Kadabra before it gets the chance to attack. Pawniard's Sucker Punch is problematic for Kadabra, and it sports an immunity to Kadabra's STAB moves. As for Spiritomb, most variants run STAB Sucker Punch and/or Shadow Sneak, which Kadabra loathes. However, Spiritomb must be wary about potentially switching in on a Dazzling Gleam.
GP: fleurdyleurse, Legitimate Username
Overview
########
########
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Psychic / Psyshock
move 2: Hidden Power Fighting / Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Dazzling Gleam
move 4: Encore
ability: Magic Guard
item: Focus Sash
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
========
========
========
========
########
########
########
- Solid revenge killer thanks to great Speed and Ability
- Ability grants it the niche of coming in with a Sash intact even in the face of entry hazards or weather damage
- Movepool includes good coverage and support options
- Horrendous defenses mean that Kadabra is hard-pressed to even take resisted hits well, and it is incredibly susceptible to priority attacks
- Has serious competition for a teamslot from Mesprit, which boasts far superior bulk, a considerably better movepool, and greater power since it can afford to run Life Orb, while Kadabra can't
########
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Psychic / Psyshock
move 2: Hidden Power Fighting / Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Dazzling Gleam
move 4: Encore
ability: Magic Guard
item: Focus Sash
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
========
- Psychic is Kadabra's most powerful STAB choice
- Psyshock is an alternate STAB option should you wish to hit the specially defensive Pokemon that Kadabra hates on their weaker Defense stat
- Hidden Power Fighting and Hidden Power Fire are both for hitting the Steel-types that resist Kadabra's other coverage moves. With Hidden Power Fighting you can deal with the likes of Pawniard, Probopass and Bastiodon with greater ease, whereas Hidden Power Fire is for Ferroseed
- Dazzling Gleam preys on the Dark-types who are immune to Kadabra's STAB, and hits Dragons for super effective damage too
- Encore can be used to lock an opponent into a boosting/status move, or even Sucker Punch, allowing Kadabra to escape the field unscathed and an ally to potentially have a setup opportunity
========
- Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs will let Kadabra hit as hard as it possibly can, and make the most of its great Speed stat
- A Timid nature serves to enhance Kadabra's Speed stat even further
- A Focus Sash will let Kadabra survive an otherwise fatal hit (and with defenses like Kadabra's, most hits are fatal) and retaliate. Thanks to Magic Guard, Kadabra doesn't risk having its Sash broken by weather damage or entry hazards
========
- Use Encore if the foe uses a boosting move, status move or Sucker Punch, and proceed to switch out to an ally who can use this as a setup opportunity
- Bring Kadabra in to revenge kill after an ally has fainted, or bring it in if you predict a move which you can Encore to turn the foe into setup bait
========
- Kadabra appreciates having Fighting-types such as Sawk, Gurdurr and Hariyama on the team; for they resist the Dark-type attacks that will spell Kadabra's demise; in addition, they can muscle (pun intended) their way past NU's premier special walls (such as Regice) who Kadabra could never even hope to dent
- Slurpuff can prove a handy team mate for its ability to render Spiritomb (Kadabra's biggest nemesis) setup fodder
########
- Shadow Ball deals super effective damage to Ghost-type and Psychic-type adversaries
- A Life Orb cranks up Kadabra's damage output, and Magic Guard means that it doesn't have to worry about recoil, however, Kadabra really wants its Sash so it can take a hit, and Mesprit is generally seen as a superior Life Orb user thanks to better bulk
- Kadabra can force a switch and proceed to set up a Substitute to shield itself from any attacks that would otherwise trouble it (Such as Sucker Punch); easing prediction. It also provides insurance against faster or scarfed foes. Bear in mind that Substitute is counteractive with a Focus Sash, so so Substitute should only see use on a Life Orb set
- Calm Mind is a possibility for bolstering Kadabra's offenses to insane levels in order to try and sweep, however, Kadabra's pitiful bulk means that it will find setting up rather difficult
- Energy Ball's coverage is handy for disposing of foes such as Seismitoad
- Signal Beam nabs Grass-types and opposing Psychic-types
- Trick can be used with an item such as a Flame Orb or Choice Scarf to cripple an opposing attacker or wall respectively, but this deprives Kadabra of the more consistently useful Focus Sash
- Whilst unorthodox, Foul Play can hit +2 Feraligatr for more damage than any of Kadabra's other attacks
- Thunder Wave can be used in order to potentially stop an opposing sweeper from running rampant
########
- **Special Walls**: Kadabra struggles against special walls. Regice can take any hits from Kadabra and will easily 2HKO it with Ice Beam, and Lickilicky is comfortable to take a couple of hits and prey on Kadabra's horrendous defenses
- **Priority attackers**: Priority attackers in general pose a threat to Kadabra; this is due to a combination of poor defenses and a reliance on Focus Sash to survive. Examples of these include Piloswine, Spiritomb and Pawniard. Thanks to Eviolite, Piloswine's bulk is bolstered to levels where it can take multiple hits from Kadabra. In addition, Piloswine packs a priority attack in Ice Shard, which means it can strike first and KO a weakened Kadabra before it gets the chance to attack. Pawniard's Sucker Punch is problematic for Kadabra, and it sports an immunity to Kadabra's STAB and is not weak to any of Kadabra's common coverage moves. As for Spiritomb, most variants run STAB Sucker Punch and/or Shadow Sneak, which Kadabra loathes. However, Spiritomb must be wary about potentially switching into a Dazzling Gleam
Overview
########
Kadabra makes for a solid revenge killer thanks to its great Speed and ability; Magic Guard grants it the niche of coming in with a Focus Sash intact even in the face of entry hazards or weather damage. Furthermore, Kadabra's movepool includes some rather good coverage and support options. However, with its niches come its downsides - horrendous defenses mean that Kadabra is hard-pressed to take even resisted hits well, and it is incredibly susceptible to priority attacks. In addition, the existence of Mesprit is an issue for the Psi Pokemon - it faces serious competition for a teamslot from the former, which boasts far superior bulk, a considerably better movepool, and greater power as it can afford to run Life Orb, which Kadabra cannot.
Special Attacker
########
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Psychic / Psyshock
move 2: Hidden Power Fighting / Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Dazzling Gleam
move 4: Encore
ability: Magic Guard
item: Focus Sash
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
========
Psychic is Kadabra's most powerful STAB move. Psyshock is an alternative STAB option, should you wish to hit the specially defensive Pokemon, which Kadabra hates, on their weaker Defense stat. Hidden Power Fighting and Hidden Power Fire are both for hitting the Steel-types that resist Kadabra's other coverage moves. With Hidden Power Fighting, you can deal with the likes of Pawniard, Probopass, and Bastiodon with greater ease, whereas Hidden Power Fire is for hitting Ferroseed. Dazzling Gleam preys on the Dark-types that are immune to Kadabra's STAB moves and hits Dragon-types for super effective damage too. In the last slot, Encore can be used to lock an opponent into a boosting/status move, or even Sucker Punch, allowing Kadabra to escape the field unscathed and an ally to potentially have a setup opportunity.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed EVs let Kadabra hit as hard as it possibly can, and make the most of its great Speed stat. A Timid nature serves to enhance Kadabra's Speed stat even further. A Focus Sash will let Kadabra survive an otherwise fatal hit (and with defenses like Kadabra's, most hits are fatal) and retaliate. Thanks to Magic Guard, Kadabra doesn't risk having its Focus Sash broken by weather damage or entry hazards.
Usage Tips
========
Use Encore if the foe uses a boosting move, status move, or Sucker Punch, and proceed to switch out to an ally that can use this as a setup opportunity. Bring Kadabra in to revenge kill after an ally has fainted, or bring it in if you predict a move that you can Encore to turn the foe into setup bait.
Team Options
========
Kadabra appreciates having Fighting-types such as Sawk, Gurdurr, and Hariyama on the team; they resist the Dark-type attacks that will spell Kadabra's demise; in addition, they can muscle their way past NU's premier special walls, such as Regice, who Kadabra could never even hope to dent. Slurpuff can prove to be a handy teammate for its ability to use Spiritomb as setup fodder.
Other Options
########
Shadow Ball deals super effective damage to Ghost-type and Psychic-type adversaries. A Life Orb cranks up Kadabra's damage output, and Magic Guard means that it doesn't have to worry about recoil, however, Kadabra really wants its Focus Sash so it can take a hit, and Mesprit is generally seen as a superior Life Orb user thanks to its better bulk. Kadabra can force a switch and proceed to set up a Substitute to shield itself from any attacks that would otherwise trouble it, such as Sucker Punch, easing prediction. It also provides insurance against faster or Choice Scarfed foes. Bear in mind that Substitute is counteractive with a Focus Sash, so Substitute should only see use on a Life Orb set. Calm Mind is a possibility for bolstering Kadabra's offenses to insane levels in order to try to sweep, however, Kadabra's pitiful bulk means that it will find setting up rather difficult. Energy Ball's coverage is handy for disposing of foes such as Seismitoad. Signal Beam nabs Grass-types and opposing Psychic-types. Trick can be used with an item such as a Flame Orb or a Choice Scarf in order to cripple an opposing attacker or wall respectively, but this deprives Kadabra of the more consistently useful Focus Sash. Whilst unorthodox, Foul Play can hit a +2 Feraligatr for more damage than any of Kadabra's other attacks. Finally, Thunder Wave can be used to potentially stop an opposing sweeper from running rampant.
Checks and Counters
########
**Special Walls**: Kadabra struggles against special walls. Regice can take any hit from Kadabra and easily 2HKO it with Ice Beam, and Lickilicky is comfortable to take a couple of hits and prey on Kadabra's horrendous defenses.
**Priority Users**: Priority users, in general, pose a threat to Kadabra; this is due to its combination of poor defenses and reliance on Focus Sash to survive. Examples of these include Piloswine, Spiritomb, and Pawniard. Thanks to Eviolite, Piloswine's bulk is bolstered to levels where it can take multiple hits from Kadabra. In addition, Piloswine packs a priority attack in Ice Shard, which means that it can strike first and KO a weakened Kadabra before it gets the chance to attack. Pawniard's Sucker Punch is problematic for Kadabra, and it sports an immunity to Kadabra's STAB moves. As for Spiritomb, most variants run STAB Sucker Punch and/or Shadow Sneak, which Kadabra loathes. However, Spiritomb must be wary about potentially switching in on a Dazzling Gleam.
Last edited: