Dilwar
Hi
QC Checks: Nayrz, Fireburn, Wreckdra
GP Checks: P Squared, Muk
[OVERVIEW]
Wobbuffet is a unique Pokemon. Despite having a very limited movepool and downright awful stats bar HP, it is very deadly, as these flaws are compensated for by its access to Shadow Tag. This trapping ability is a blessing for Wobbuffet, as it works fantastically with its movepool and is very deadly in general. In conjunction with Shadow Tag, Encore, Mirror Coat, and Counter all allow Wobbuffet to remove a selected Pokemon, and Wobbuffet is thus often found on offensive teams, as this niche benefits setup sweepers greatly. Sadly, Wobbuffet's Psychic typing is more a curse than a blessing, as it lacks useful resistances and only has small benefits. However, Wobbuffet does make up for it with its very good bulk. Don't be fooled by its measly base 58 defenses, as they are compensated for by Wobbuffet's huge base 190 HP and the fact that it doesn't need to invest EVs into anything but its defenses. The most notable benefit of its Psychic typing is that it makes it a great check to Mewtwo lacking Taunt, which is huge because Mewtwo is often a big threat to offensive teams due to its high Speed, power, and coverage.
[SET]
name: Utility Trapper
move 1: Encore
move 2: Mirror Coat
move 3: Counter
move 4: Destiny Bond / Safeguard
item: Custap Berry
ability: Shadow Tag
evs: 80 HP / 176 Def / 252 SpD
nature: Calm
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Encore is fundamental, allowing Wobbuffet to lock a Pokemon into a desired move, which either eases prediction with Counter and Mirror Coat, or opens up an opportunity for a setup sweeper to set up safely. Counter and Mirror Coat are the sources of Wobbuffet's damage output, the former being for physical attacks and the latter for special attacks. They work really well in tandem with Wobbuffet's massive HP stat. Destiny Bond lets Wobbuffet remove a Pokemon when it's going to faint the next turn anyway, and it can also be really clutch with Custap Berry. Alternatively, Safeguard is a good option to further ease a teammate's setup, as preventing status for five turns leaves foes like Thunder Wave Klefki and Will-O-Wisp users unable to cripple your team.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread allows Wobbuffet to survive a +2 Moonblast from Xerneas, so that Wobbuffet can hit back with Mirror Coat for the OHKO or Encore it into Geomancy if it tries to get cheeky. The rest of the EVs are dumped into Defense for better all-around bulk. Wobbuffet's HP stat is already huge, so there isn't significant need to invest in it. A Calm nature minimizes Foul Play and confusion damage. Finally, Custap Berry is generally the best item option, due to how clutch a last-ditch Encore or Destiny Bond can be.
Usage Tips
========
Wobbuffet best fits on hyper offensive teams, as that is where its niche is most useful. It is advised to play conservatively with Wobbuffet. Don't just send it in at every chance it gets to put in work, as Wobbuffet will then be quickly worn down. Instead, identify the prime target Wobbuffet can remove in order to maximize your chances to win. Generally, this comes from realizing the biggest threat to your opponent's team, so Wobbuffet's prime target will be the Pokemon stopping your biggest threat. Removing a Xerneas, for example, will allow your Yveltal to have a field day, and Encoring Primal Groudon into a Ground-type move will allow Mega Salamence to set up freely and likely go on to sweep without fear of being revenge killed by priority moves. Also, stay away from Ghost-types such as Mega Gengar and Aegislash. Not only can they escape Shadow Tag, but the former hits Wobbuffet for massive damage with super effective STAB moves, and the latter can use Toxic which Wobbuffet can't do anything about. Wobbuffet should stay away from Taunt and status users in general. Taunt and status can simply be spammed against Wobbuffet, as it can only do damage if its opponent attacks. Poison or burn will quickly wear down Wobbuffet and it has no ways around it. In these situations Wobbuffet is forced to switch out. An important thing to note is that the moves Counter and Mirror Coat are affected by type immunities; thus, Ghost-types can safely hit Wobbuffet with physical moves and Dark-types can hit it with special moves.
Team Options
========
Generally, deadly setup sweepers are optimal partners for Wobbuffet. The ability to abuse free setup is simply too good. Notable examples are Mega Salamence, Double Dance Primal Groudon, Geomancy Xerneas, Extreme Killer Arceus, Ghost Arceus, and even Swords Dance Blaziken. A Fairy-type such as Xerneas can also be good, as it takes care of Dark-types such as Yveltal, which threaten Wobbuffet. Yveltal itself can be a good partner, as it takes care of Ghost Arceus, which also threatens Wobbuffet. Note that offensive Pokemon are usually the teammates you want to go for, as Wobbuffet fits best on offense. Therefore, defensive partners such as Klefki, which can deal with Darkrai, are underwhelming, as they sap momentum.
Wobbuffet lacks reliable recovery and is forced to take a lot of strong hits, so a form of offensive support such as Healing Wish can work well with it. This gives Wobbuffet a second round at removing Pokemon or opening up win conditions. One notable Healing Wish user is Shaymin-S, which can also revenge kill Darkrai. Latias is another good Healing Wish user but is a subpar option, as it stacks weaknesses to Dark- and Ghost-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
============
Leftovers over Custap Berry is a decent option, trading clutch ability for significantly more longevity. Alternative EV spreads are also viable depending on what your team needs to check more. You can focus more on Defense to check foes like Mega Salamence and Primal Groudon better, for example.
Checks & Counters
==============
Wobbuffet isn't neccessarily countered in the traditional sense, due to Shadow Tag, which means a Pokemon cannot switch into it without external aid (e.g. the currently trapped Pokemon is a Ghost-type, has Shadow Tag itself, or is holding a Shed Shell). However, there are a good amount of checks to it.
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye is Wobbuffet's greatest check. Magic Bounce makes it immune to Encore, while its Dark / Ghost typing makes it immune to Mirror Coat and Counter as well as able to switch out at will. The only thing Wobbuffet can hope to do against it is Destiny Bond, which Mega Sableye can easily play around with Will-O-Wisp.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types can hit Wobbuffet very hard thanks to super effective STAB moves. They are also immune to Mirror Coat, so they can simply attack Wobbuffet with special moves without fearing retaliation. Dark-types in Ubers also tend to be special attackers anyway, examples being Yveltal, Darkrai, and Dark Arceus.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types can escape Shadow Tag, making Wobbuffet ineffective against them. Furthermore, they have a super effective STAB type to hit it with. Their typing also makes them immune to Counter, so they are able to just spam physical moves against Wobbuffet. Good examples are Ghost Arceus and Giratina-O.
**Taunt Users**: Taunt locks Wobbuffet into Counter or Mirror Coat. The Taunt user can then simply spam Taunt, as Wobbuffet can't damage them unless they attack. Furthermore, even if Wobbuffet Encores the foe into Taunt and switches to a teammate, the teammate won't be able to set up, as it will be hit by Taunt upon switching in.
**Status Users**: Toxic Yveltal, Toxic Lugia, Toxic Klefki, and bulky Will-O-Wisp Arceus formes can just spam their respective moves against Wobbuffet to gradually wear it down. However, note that if Wobbuffet is carrying the rare Safeguard, status can easily be turned against the opponent with Encore.
GP Checks: P Squared, Muk
[OVERVIEW]
Wobbuffet is a unique Pokemon. Despite having a very limited movepool and downright awful stats bar HP, it is very deadly, as these flaws are compensated for by its access to Shadow Tag. This trapping ability is a blessing for Wobbuffet, as it works fantastically with its movepool and is very deadly in general. In conjunction with Shadow Tag, Encore, Mirror Coat, and Counter all allow Wobbuffet to remove a selected Pokemon, and Wobbuffet is thus often found on offensive teams, as this niche benefits setup sweepers greatly. Sadly, Wobbuffet's Psychic typing is more a curse than a blessing, as it lacks useful resistances and only has small benefits. However, Wobbuffet does make up for it with its very good bulk. Don't be fooled by its measly base 58 defenses, as they are compensated for by Wobbuffet's huge base 190 HP and the fact that it doesn't need to invest EVs into anything but its defenses. The most notable benefit of its Psychic typing is that it makes it a great check to Mewtwo lacking Taunt, which is huge because Mewtwo is often a big threat to offensive teams due to its high Speed, power, and coverage.
[SET]
name: Utility Trapper
move 1: Encore
move 2: Mirror Coat
move 3: Counter
move 4: Destiny Bond / Safeguard
item: Custap Berry
ability: Shadow Tag
evs: 80 HP / 176 Def / 252 SpD
nature: Calm
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Encore is fundamental, allowing Wobbuffet to lock a Pokemon into a desired move, which either eases prediction with Counter and Mirror Coat, or opens up an opportunity for a setup sweeper to set up safely. Counter and Mirror Coat are the sources of Wobbuffet's damage output, the former being for physical attacks and the latter for special attacks. They work really well in tandem with Wobbuffet's massive HP stat. Destiny Bond lets Wobbuffet remove a Pokemon when it's going to faint the next turn anyway, and it can also be really clutch with Custap Berry. Alternatively, Safeguard is a good option to further ease a teammate's setup, as preventing status for five turns leaves foes like Thunder Wave Klefki and Will-O-Wisp users unable to cripple your team.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread allows Wobbuffet to survive a +2 Moonblast from Xerneas, so that Wobbuffet can hit back with Mirror Coat for the OHKO or Encore it into Geomancy if it tries to get cheeky. The rest of the EVs are dumped into Defense for better all-around bulk. Wobbuffet's HP stat is already huge, so there isn't significant need to invest in it. A Calm nature minimizes Foul Play and confusion damage. Finally, Custap Berry is generally the best item option, due to how clutch a last-ditch Encore or Destiny Bond can be.
Usage Tips
========
Wobbuffet best fits on hyper offensive teams, as that is where its niche is most useful. It is advised to play conservatively with Wobbuffet. Don't just send it in at every chance it gets to put in work, as Wobbuffet will then be quickly worn down. Instead, identify the prime target Wobbuffet can remove in order to maximize your chances to win. Generally, this comes from realizing the biggest threat to your opponent's team, so Wobbuffet's prime target will be the Pokemon stopping your biggest threat. Removing a Xerneas, for example, will allow your Yveltal to have a field day, and Encoring Primal Groudon into a Ground-type move will allow Mega Salamence to set up freely and likely go on to sweep without fear of being revenge killed by priority moves. Also, stay away from Ghost-types such as Mega Gengar and Aegislash. Not only can they escape Shadow Tag, but the former hits Wobbuffet for massive damage with super effective STAB moves, and the latter can use Toxic which Wobbuffet can't do anything about. Wobbuffet should stay away from Taunt and status users in general. Taunt and status can simply be spammed against Wobbuffet, as it can only do damage if its opponent attacks. Poison or burn will quickly wear down Wobbuffet and it has no ways around it. In these situations Wobbuffet is forced to switch out. An important thing to note is that the moves Counter and Mirror Coat are affected by type immunities; thus, Ghost-types can safely hit Wobbuffet with physical moves and Dark-types can hit it with special moves.
Team Options
========
Generally, deadly setup sweepers are optimal partners for Wobbuffet. The ability to abuse free setup is simply too good. Notable examples are Mega Salamence, Double Dance Primal Groudon, Geomancy Xerneas, Extreme Killer Arceus, Ghost Arceus, and even Swords Dance Blaziken. A Fairy-type such as Xerneas can also be good, as it takes care of Dark-types such as Yveltal, which threaten Wobbuffet. Yveltal itself can be a good partner, as it takes care of Ghost Arceus, which also threatens Wobbuffet. Note that offensive Pokemon are usually the teammates you want to go for, as Wobbuffet fits best on offense. Therefore, defensive partners such as Klefki, which can deal with Darkrai, are underwhelming, as they sap momentum.
Wobbuffet lacks reliable recovery and is forced to take a lot of strong hits, so a form of offensive support such as Healing Wish can work well with it. This gives Wobbuffet a second round at removing Pokemon or opening up win conditions. One notable Healing Wish user is Shaymin-S, which can also revenge kill Darkrai. Latias is another good Healing Wish user but is a subpar option, as it stacks weaknesses to Dark- and Ghost-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
============
Leftovers over Custap Berry is a decent option, trading clutch ability for significantly more longevity. Alternative EV spreads are also viable depending on what your team needs to check more. You can focus more on Defense to check foes like Mega Salamence and Primal Groudon better, for example.
Checks & Counters
==============
Wobbuffet isn't neccessarily countered in the traditional sense, due to Shadow Tag, which means a Pokemon cannot switch into it without external aid (e.g. the currently trapped Pokemon is a Ghost-type, has Shadow Tag itself, or is holding a Shed Shell). However, there are a good amount of checks to it.
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye is Wobbuffet's greatest check. Magic Bounce makes it immune to Encore, while its Dark / Ghost typing makes it immune to Mirror Coat and Counter as well as able to switch out at will. The only thing Wobbuffet can hope to do against it is Destiny Bond, which Mega Sableye can easily play around with Will-O-Wisp.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types can hit Wobbuffet very hard thanks to super effective STAB moves. They are also immune to Mirror Coat, so they can simply attack Wobbuffet with special moves without fearing retaliation. Dark-types in Ubers also tend to be special attackers anyway, examples being Yveltal, Darkrai, and Dark Arceus.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types can escape Shadow Tag, making Wobbuffet ineffective against them. Furthermore, they have a super effective STAB type to hit it with. Their typing also makes them immune to Counter, so they are able to just spam physical moves against Wobbuffet. Good examples are Ghost Arceus and Giratina-O.
**Taunt Users**: Taunt locks Wobbuffet into Counter or Mirror Coat. The Taunt user can then simply spam Taunt, as Wobbuffet can't damage them unless they attack. Furthermore, even if Wobbuffet Encores the foe into Taunt and switches to a teammate, the teammate won't be able to set up, as it will be hit by Taunt upon switching in.
**Status Users**: Toxic Yveltal, Toxic Lugia, Toxic Klefki, and bulky Will-O-Wisp Arceus formes can just spam their respective moves against Wobbuffet to gradually wear it down. However, note that if Wobbuffet is carrying the rare Safeguard, status can easily be turned against the opponent with Encore.
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