GP:- P Squared / Haund
[OVERVIEW]
**Fighting**:
Cobalion acts as an excellent support, lead, and anti-lead Pokemon on Fighting teams, as it has access to moves such as Stealth Rock, Thunder Wave, and Taunt. It hits a great Speed tier with a base Speed of 108, letting it tie with opposing lead Pokemon like Infernape and Galvantula. Its part Steel typing allows it to check Fairy-types, such as Diancie, Gardevoir, and Sylveon, and gives it an immunity to Poison-type moves, which makes it an excellent switch-in to predicted moves such as Toxic. Cobalion also has impressive physical bulk, allowing it to take multiple unresisted hits. Unfortunately, it lacks reasonable offensive stats, being less reliable in dealing a lot of damage. Cobalion's Special Defense isn't that great either, and it can't afford to switch into strong special attackers. It also lacks reliable recovery, shortening its longevity on the field.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Thunder Wave
move 4: Taunt / Volt Switch
item: Leftovers
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 180 HP / 76 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock lets Cobalion pressure the other side of the field by breaking potential Focus Sashes on Pokemon such as Gengar and Breloom and getting chip damage. This offensive pressure is appreciated by an offensive type like Fighting. Iron Head is a STAB move and gives Cobalion coverage against Fairy-types such as Mega Gardevoir and Mega Diancie, which Fighting teams struggle against. Thunder Wave allows it to cripple faster threats such as Choice Scarf Latios, Kyurem-B, and Hoopa-U. Taunt lets it stop setup sweepers such as Gyarados and Belly Drum Azumarill from setting up, prevents defensive walls such as Porygon2 and Skarmory from recovering, and prevents entry hazards from being set up on your side. Cobalion notably is able to outspeed and Taunt leads like Mew, Skarmory, and Swampert as well as Speed tie with Galvantula to prevent entry hazards from being set up. The move also prevents status from Pokemon like Chansey, Rotom-W, and Mew. Volt Switch can be used to pick up momentum, which is useful on offensive types like Fighting.
Set Details
========
76 Attack EVs are given to OHKO Mega Gardevoir with Iron Head after Stealth Rock. Maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature is used to maintain Cobalion's fantastic Speed tier, letting it tie with leads such as Galvantula and Infernape while outspeeding Pokemon like Mega Gardevoir and Mew. The rest of the EVs are put into HP, giving Cobalion decent bulk and letting it survive hits such as Hyper Voice from Mega Gardevoir and Earth Power from Mega Diancie. Leftovers is the item of choice, as it increases Cobalion's longevity because it has no access to reliable recovery.
Usage Tips
========
Cobalion can be used as a dedicated lead against other leads such as Galvantula, Skarmory, Mew, Forretress, and Tyranitar, which tend to set up entry hazards. Cobalion can keep these Pokemon from using their utility moves, as it's able to outspeed and Taunt them. It can also use that to take advantage of defensive Pokemon with Taunt and Thunder Wave. Cobalion should try to set up Stealth Rock as soon as possible if there is no Pokemon trying to set up entry hazards. It should also try to spread status with Thunder Wave early-game to support its team. Depending on the matchup, this can also be very crucial in paralyzing a threat that tends to switch in to Cobalion to check it. Cobalion should use Volt Switch as a way to gain momentum on predicted switches or any Pokemon that it can't beat such as Zapdos, Mega Charizard Y, and Keldeo. Cobalion can be very useful as a pivot because it can switch in and out of attacks, which will be helpful in bringing out its teammates safely. Thunder Wave should be used to cripple faster threats like Choice Scarf Latios, Kyurem-B, and Hoopa-U. Cobalion should stay as healthy as possible in a match in order to check certain threats such as Mega Diancie and Latios; however, it needs to be at full health to do so, so you also should try to keep Cobalion from taking too much damage.
Team Options
========
Keldeo is a great wallbreaker and pairs with Cobalion really well. It checks Fire- and Ground-types that threaten Cobalion with its STAB moves in Scald and Hydro Pump, and it is able to 2HKO Zapdos with Hydro Pump and Icy Wind after Stealth Rock damage. In return, Keldeo appreciates Cobalion's Stealth Rock and Thunder Wave support, especially on faster threats such as Choice Scarf Victini. Terrakion checks the Fire- and Flying-types that threaten Cobalion with its STAB Stone Edge and acts as a great late-game cleaner in general. Breloom pairs well with Cobalion, since it can check bulky Water- and Ground-types like Hippowdon, Gastrodon, Swampert, and Lanturn, as well as spreading status with Spore. It can be considered a dedicated anti-lead in some matchups where leading with Cobalion is unsafe, such as against Flying-type teams with Mega Charizard Y or Landorus-T, Fire-type teams, and Ground-type teams. Heracross has the ability to sweep through Psychic-type teams that Cobalion struggles against with its STAB Megahorn. It also acts as a status absorber for Cobalion with its ability Guts.
Hawlucha deals with opposing Fighting-types with its STAB Acrobatics, as well as being able to switch into predicted Ground-type attacks. It appreciates Cobalion's support in Thunder Wave and Stealth Rock letting it set up and sweep easier. Both Mega Medicham and Mega Gallade also pair well with Cobalion; with their powerful Psychic-type STAB attacks, they can check threats like Mega Venusaur as well as opposing Fighting-types. Mega Medicham deserves a special mention due to having priority in Fake Out and Bullet Punch, which lets it pick off weakened Pokemon or check threats such as Mega Diancie and Mega Gardevoir after Fake Out damage. Mega Gallade can sweep unprepared teams with its access to Swords Dance. It can also hit Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon with Knock Off or Shadow Sneak. Infernape is a good partner to Cobalion as well because it has a vast movepool with access to moves like Gunk Shot, Fire Blast, Close Combat, and Grass Knot. Fire Blast and Close Combat give it coverage to beat Steel-types, all of which wall Cobalion, while Grass Knot surprises Pokemon such as Gastrodon and Slowbro and 2HKOes them.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
**Fighting**:
A mixed Life Orb set with Hidden Power Ice, Stone Edge, and Focus Blast can be used to lure in Pokemon like Gliscor, defensive Landorus-T, Garchomp, Mega Charizard Y, Mega Pinsir, Volcarona, and Quagsire and KO them. An offensive Swords Dance Cobalion variant can also be run, although Fighting has Pokemon that can do the job better, like Swords Dance Mega Gallade and Swords Dance Terrakion. Cobalion can be used as a Calm Mind setup sweeper; however, Keldeo outclasses it with its higher base Special Attack and wider special movepool.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting**:
**Ground-types**: Ground-types are immune to Cobalion's Thunder Wave and Volt Switch, limiting its options. Landorus, Gastrodon, Seismitoad, Mamoswine, Excadrill, Hippowdon, and Mega Garchomp can apply pressure on Cobalion with their attacks and KO it with their Ground-type STAB moves.
**Electric-types**: Fast Electric-types such as Thundurus, Galvantula, and Choice Scarf Magnezone aren't threatened by Cobalion's moves and can either set up or KO it safely.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types are not threatened by Cobalion's STAB Iron Head, and Choice Scarf Pokemon like Victini, Darmanitan, and Chandelure can KO it before it sets Stealth Rock.
**Water-types**: Water-types resist Cobalion's Iron Head and can threaten it with Scald burns. Pokemon like Swampert and Lanturn completely wall Cobalion and can absorb Thunder Wave and Volt Switch too.
**Taunt Users**: Taunt users such as Thundurus and Sableye have access to Prankster and can stop Cobalion from using its support moves. Thundurus can use that to its advantage to set up Nasty Plot. Sableye can go for Will-O-Wisp and burn Cobalion or any of its teammates if it switches out. Faster leads like Azelf and Aerodactyl can Taunt Cobalion and set up Stealth Rock.
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