I haven't exactly tested Carbink yet, but I think the thing could probably be the best Talonflame counter around. If they're not carrying Steel Wing that is.
Clear Body
Bold @ Rocky Helmet
252 HP / 252 Def / 6 SpD
- Power Gem
- Stealth Rock
- Skill Swap
- Light Screen / Reflect
Bold + Power Gem because 100% accuracy and it doesn't care about Bulk Up. Stealth Rock is an obvious one. Skill Swap is tricky and requires a bit of prediction, but done right Carbink becomes impossible to trap by Dugtrio and Mega Gengar. It can also yank other good abilities from Pokemon that rely on them like Scizor's Technician, which would make its Bullet Punch much more mellow. It's also why it has Clear Body, since handing Sturdy to something like Scizor would not be a good thing. Screens are of course valued by many teams.
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Carbink: 63-75 (20.72 - 24.67%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Carbink: 63-75 (20.72 - 24.67%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
Carbink easily withstands the bird's main STAB choices, with the recoil and Rocky Helmet putting it closer to fainting every time. U-turn also becomes riskier, since it does pathetic damage and shaves off another 1/6 max HP. Steel Wing eats Carbink right up of course, but it's not terribly common.
0 SpA Carbink Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Talonflame: 268-324 (90.23 - 109.09%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
Even with no investment Carbink can take Talonflame down with just about any prior damage. A small bit of investment lets Carbink keep up with Roost. Any kind of investment lets Carbink nail Talonflame if it decides to boost.
While it would be rather risky to base a whole team slot to dealing with one opponent, making it almost dead weight against teams without it, given the trouble Talonflame seems to be able to cause having a good option against it could be nice.
Clear Body
Bold @ Rocky Helmet
252 HP / 252 Def / 6 SpD
- Power Gem
- Stealth Rock
- Skill Swap
- Light Screen / Reflect
Bold + Power Gem because 100% accuracy and it doesn't care about Bulk Up. Stealth Rock is an obvious one. Skill Swap is tricky and requires a bit of prediction, but done right Carbink becomes impossible to trap by Dugtrio and Mega Gengar. It can also yank other good abilities from Pokemon that rely on them like Scizor's Technician, which would make its Bullet Punch much more mellow. It's also why it has Clear Body, since handing Sturdy to something like Scizor would not be a good thing. Screens are of course valued by many teams.
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Carbink: 63-75 (20.72 - 24.67%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Carbink: 63-75 (20.72 - 24.67%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
Carbink easily withstands the bird's main STAB choices, with the recoil and Rocky Helmet putting it closer to fainting every time. U-turn also becomes riskier, since it does pathetic damage and shaves off another 1/6 max HP. Steel Wing eats Carbink right up of course, but it's not terribly common.
0 SpA Carbink Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Talonflame: 268-324 (90.23 - 109.09%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
Even with no investment Carbink can take Talonflame down with just about any prior damage. A small bit of investment lets Carbink keep up with Roost. Any kind of investment lets Carbink nail Talonflame if it decides to boost.
While it would be rather risky to base a whole team slot to dealing with one opponent, making it almost dead weight against teams without it, given the trouble Talonflame seems to be able to cause having a good option against it could be nice.