People seem to quite often forget that Arbok is the only Poison type in the tier with an item switch. More than that, I don't think there are many Physical pokes with an item switch either in the tier.
So lets look at Arbok in the context of abusing Switcheroo.
What does it have?
- 85 Base Attack
- 80 Base Speed
- Very strong, albeit unreliable STAB in Gunk Shot
- Earthquake for coverage
- Crunch and Sucker Punch to hit it's counters hard
Now those stats aren't amazing, but they are workable.
So what else can it offer?
TSpikes absorbtion, Status absorbtion, Intimidate (Which is an underestimated ability on Arbok), and an established set that requires setup for presumption abuse.
Now the calcs are pretty terrible, even after an Intimidate Arbok is still taking a ton of damage, and Shed Skin is Iffy to rely on but it has it's merits, not a top tier threat by any means, but it has it's niche.
So
Arbok @ Choice Scarf
Intimidate / Shed Skin
Adamant
252 Att / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Switcheroo
Gunk Shot
Earthquake
Crunch/Sucker Punch
Ok, ok. It's not great, but it deals damage, outspeeds most of the unboosted tier and alot of the +1. Switcheroo works well with it's notoriety as setup fodder. I've been using it, it's not awesome but it does it's job. Not for every team, but sometimes it just fits. Checks Sawk and can royally screw Gurdurr, two great pokes in the tier. Can come in on Emboar predictions with Intimidate or come in and screw with utility pokes through Poison typing and shed skin.
Now, interesting point while I remember it. It goes well with Zangoose. Switcheroo messes up Arbok's counters. All of Zangoose's non-fighting checks/counters also counter Arbok's Coil set. Now add to that, that Arbok can deal with status fairly well without having to resort to Heal Bell and you have yourself a nice little nichey supporty best friends thingy going. And we all know that Zangoose would prefer Arbok to Seviper. Again, not awesome, but there.
So now, Choice Band.
Pretty much the same moves. But Choice Band has harder Sucker Punches and can make use of a nifty little move called Pursuit. Now I know what you're going to say, why put pursuit on something that is prey for Psychics and the best Ghost in the tier. Well my good sirs, revenging. Sucker Punch and Pursuit are really annoying and put the pressure on the opponent to read you. Choice Band Gunk Shot has some pretty nifty neutral coverage in the tier and CB Quake can help break down your Regirocks that are ruining your physical sweeper's day. Switcheroo royally messes with the rest of the physical walls.
Being able to have Switcheroo on a Physical threat is an amazing boon, especially with the kinds of things that are running around. A Weezing stuck in WoW is fodder for Emboar and Rapidash and even gives Gurdurr a free guts boost or switch-in. A Musharna stuck in Moonlight lets Braviary get in for free for example.
I can hear the Arbok has sheet for stats and I question you this. What else fills this niche? Seviper hits harder? It's slower. Same with Cacturne. Banette or Kecleon? Suffer the same problem. Arbok can't run choice because it's strong, it can run Choice because of the utility and little tidbits that make you smile as you snake your way to a technical path to victory.
Poison is a great attacking type in NU. There are very few steels and the grounds are dealable by your other pokes.
So opinions? Choice for Arbok?