[Overview]
<p>Karrablast is an atypical physical sweeper in every regard. It has a good Attack stat backed up by the incredibly deadly Megahorn and a powerful boosting move in Swords Dance, but is slightly betrayed by its shallow movepool and only decent Speed stat. Although it technically has trouble hitting Steel-types, all of the most notable varieties (Tesshido, Bronzor, and Pawniard) are hit for neutral by Megahorn, so Rock-types are the real thing Karrablast has to be worried about. It has a rather passively helpful ability in Shed Skin, but it's better than the situational Swarm in most cases. Overall, Karrablast can be a helpful addition to your team if you note its weaknesses and build on its strengths.</p>
[Set]
name: Swords Dancer
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Megahorn
move 3: Double Edge / Return
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
item: Life Orb / Oran Berry
ability: Shed Skin
nature: Jolly / Hasty
evs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 196 Spe / 36 SpA
[Set Comments]
<p>Karrablast reaches a staggering 34 Attack after a Swords Dance, enough to wipe the floor with most Pokemon whenutilizing its powerful Megahorn. Double-edge and return-base power 120 and 90, respectively-are for Pokemon who resist Megahorn. Hidden Power Ice seems like an odd choice, but it can ruin Gligar, 2HKOing or even OHKOing it on the switch. Gligar's huge defenses and resistance to Bug-type moves makes it seem like a perfect counter to Karrablast, but an Ice-type move will make it think again. Life Orb or Oran Berry really depends on what you're using Karrablast for; a suicidal death machine or a powerful Pokemon that can take a hit. Keep in mind that at max 16 Speed, this Pokemon cannot outspeed some of the quicker LC Pokemon.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>An Adamant nature can be used over Jolly or Hasty if you want pure power instead of the extra Speed. Double Edge and Return are interchangeable; again, depending on what you're using Karrablast for.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice
move 1: Megahorn
move 2: Double Edge / Return
move 3: Aerial Ace
move 4: Toxic / Rest
item: Choice Band / Choice Scarf
ability: Shed Skin
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 76 HP / 236 Atk / 196 Spe
[Set Comments]
<p>You can use either Choice Band or Choice Scarf depending on the role you want Karrablast to follow on your team. The moves don't change much between items. However, Double Edge is preferable on the Choice Scarf Set, as you need as much power as possible, and Return is better on the Choice Band Set, so that the recoil doesn't mess you up with overkill. The last two moves are mostly filler. Aerial Ace can finish off something like a Sand Veil Cacnea in sandstorm or Snow Cloak Cubchoo in hail at low health, Toxic can be used to somewhat counteract Pururiru, and Rest can be used for a 30% chance of waking up immediately with Shed Skin and being at full health and status free. Jolly nature for the Choice Band, Adamant nature for the Choice Scarf.</p>
[SET]
name: SubSalac
move 1: Megahorn
move 2: Flail / Protect
move 3: Swords Dance
move 4: Substitute
item: Salac Berry
ability: Swarm
nature: Adamant
evs: 236 Atk / 76 Def / 196 Spe
ivs: 0 HP
[Set Comments]
<p>The way this set works is simple. Switch into a Pokemon slower than Karrablast, like Tesshido, Slowpoke, etcetera. Get up a Substitute as they status you/attack you/switch, and keep Substituting all the way down to your last hit point, where you activate Swarm and your Salac Berry. With Swarm and STAB, Megahorn becomes a ridiculous 270 base power technique coming off an 18 Attack stat. Flail hits 200 base power as well, perfect for hitting anything that resists Megahorn. Use Protect over Flail if you fear Fake Out users. Just Protect once when something that can learn Fake Out comes in, and then smash them with Megahorn.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Karrablast isn't very good against many Steel- and Rock-type Pokemon, both of which are hit super effectively by Fighting types, so any Pokemon with that typing would be a solid team-mate. A Steel-type trapper would be appreciated, too. Karrablast would love being Baton Passed an Agility, and if it's a planned recipient, run an Adamant nature to pick up more power.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>Karrablast gets Counter, which could be used for a surprise KO against an enemy physical attacker, but probably isn't too worthwhile. X-Scissor is a more accurate option over Megahorn. Pursuit can be used for hitting Ghost-types, as well as Psychic-types fleeing from your Megahorn. Finally, if you really want to, you can run a utility set with Evolution Stone, Shed Skin, and Knock Off, but Karrablast has pretty mediocre defenses.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Defensively, many Steel- and Rock-types can easily take Karrablast's moves. Gligar is a perfect counter if you're not packing Hidden Power Ice. Offensively, any fast, hard hitting Fire- or Flying-types can ruin Karrablast's day by hitting its mediocre defenses with powerful STAB moves.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>If you don't have Dream World, use Shed Skin. Swarm isn't worth your time. If you do have Dream World, No Guard is great with Megahorn, nullifying its base 85 accuracy.</p>