Hey guys, TRC. with Magnemite here bringing everyone the next Pokemon of the Week!
The XY OU Pokemon of the Week is an (obviously) weekly project in the Overused forum. The idea originated from when we were reading many of the discussion threads, often the discussion is a bit lacking in the content department. Our goal here to is to highlight a threat in the metagame that isn't as well known, or isn't used as much as it should be, and provide a concise amount of information about that Pokemon; this will encourage creativity during teambuilding, and it will also provide an instant wealth of knowledge about that particular threat. This will hopefully be more helpful to the massive influx of new players in the OU subforum and promote better discussion within the individual threads. In this thread though, the main point of discussion should be about experiences with that particular Pokemon and the sets featured, and how it has helped in some way during your battling. Niche sets and gimmicks can be mentioned as well, but bear in mind that this thread is mainly an informative source of knowledge through what is written in the OP; discussion is not its main focus, though it is most certainly allowed. we need to make this point clear. Think of this like an article introducing you to a new threat that you can use; and try it out! Oh yeah, you can also VM one of us what you think the next POTW should be, bearing in mind that they will be on lesser-used threats, such as Chesnaught, Krookodile, or Cofagrigus.
Remember, in order to be Pokemon of the Week, a Pokemon must be in a tier below OU (Including BL), based on the new 1760 stats.
The XY OU Pokemon of the Week is an (obviously) weekly project in the Overused forum. The idea originated from when we were reading many of the discussion threads, often the discussion is a bit lacking in the content department. Our goal here to is to highlight a threat in the metagame that isn't as well known, or isn't used as much as it should be, and provide a concise amount of information about that Pokemon; this will encourage creativity during teambuilding, and it will also provide an instant wealth of knowledge about that particular threat. This will hopefully be more helpful to the massive influx of new players in the OU subforum and promote better discussion within the individual threads. In this thread though, the main point of discussion should be about experiences with that particular Pokemon and the sets featured, and how it has helped in some way during your battling. Niche sets and gimmicks can be mentioned as well, but bear in mind that this thread is mainly an informative source of knowledge through what is written in the OP; discussion is not its main focus, though it is most certainly allowed. we need to make this point clear. Think of this like an article introducing you to a new threat that you can use; and try it out! Oh yeah, you can also VM one of us what you think the next POTW should be, bearing in mind that they will be on lesser-used threats, such as Chesnaught, Krookodile, or Cofagrigus.
Remember, in order to be Pokemon of the Week, a Pokemon must be in a tier below OU (Including BL), based on the new 1760 stats.
This week's Pokemon of the Week is Kabutops.
Type: Rock / Water
Base Stats: 60 HP / 115 Atk / 105 Def / 65 SpA / 70 SpD / 80 Spe
Ability: Swift Swim / Battle Armor / Weak Armor
Type: Rock / Water
Base Stats: 60 HP / 115 Atk / 105 Def / 65 SpA / 70 SpD / 80 Spe
Ability: Swift Swim / Battle Armor / Weak Armor
Introduction
With the unbanning of Drizzle + Swift Swim, Kabutops becomes a major force on rain Hyper Offense teams. Boasting the aforementioned elusive Swift Swim, as well as an excellent STAB combination and a nice movepool, Kabutops has everything it needs to swiftly slice its way through OU. With its STAB moves as well as Low Kick for Ferrothorn, it covers nearly all Pokemon in the game at least neutrally, and even neutral Water-type hits seem super-effective in the rain. It can even out-priority other Pokemon with Aqua Jet, as well as boost with Swords Dance or remove hazards with Rapid Spin. Kabutops is definitely a versatile offensive Pokemon.
However, Kabutops isn't exactly the bulkiest of Pokemon, and as such it has trouble switching in, especially on special attacks. It also has trouble with Mach Punch a common form of priority, and without rain to sweep in, it isn't that fast and often quite difficult to use. While the weather nerf allowed Kabutops to be usable for its niches in OU, it also limited the amount of time Kabutops has to utilize said boost.
What to try:
Kabutops @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance / Rapid Spin
- Low Kick / Aqua Jet
As you may have gathered by now, Kabutops is a deadly physical sweeper in the rain. Waterfall and Stone Edge are its STAB moves, and they complement each other quite nicely. Waterfall is very powerful in the rain, and as such it is difficult to switch into, especially since the Pokemon coming into battle is incredibly likely to be outsped the following turn. The choice between Swords Dance and Rapid Spin is an important one. Swords Dance allows you to become incredibly powerful, with Waterfall cleaving through resists easily in rain, whereas Rapid Spin is helpful for removing hazards, more helpful than one would think as Defog users are difficult to fit on rain teams. Then we get to the final slot. Low Kick is Kabutops's only way of ever breaking through Ferrothorn, so it is definitely a popular choice, but Aqua Jet allows you to beat Pokemon attempting to KO with priority, such as Talonflame if you have taken a large amount of LO recoil. The EV spread and nature are the standard choice, and a Life Orb is used for maximum power.
What else can you try?
There really isn't any reason to stray from Kabutops's best offensive set, but there are a couple of other things to try. Stealth Rock and Rain Dance are both interesting choices if Kabutops is away from the standard rain offense core. A Weak Armor set with Endure and Weakness Policy is terribly gimmicky, but it can work to some effect. Hone Claws is often outclassed by Swords Dance, but boosting Stone Edge's accuracy is a nice boon.
Good Partners for this Pokemon:
The best core that I've used with Kabutops as I'm sure many others have, is Deoxys-S / Kabutops / Kingdra / Politoed. The goal is pretty simple, set up Stealth Rock and Rain Dance quickly with Deoxys-S, and then break through everything with special Kingdra and physical Kabutops. Politoed is simply a backup rain setter. Latios can also deal with typical rain checks, and as such, it is a good partner.
Playing against Kabutops: Checks and Counters
Mega Venusaur, Chesnaught, and Keldeo can wall it and do a ton back with their STAB moves, Ferrothorn can wall sets without Low Kick, Thundurus can paralyze it but it hates to take Stone Edge, Gourgiest-XL is a nice defensive check, as are Pokemon immune to water or Pokemon that take pittance from Water-type attacks, such as Suicune. Finally, Prankster Pokemon such as Sableye and Whimsicott can burn it, paralyze it, or in Whimsicott's case, use Giga Drain.
There we go, that's the tenth Pokemon of the Week! Let us know whether this has helped you at all, and your results of testing this Kabutops set on the ladder. Also, don't forget to let us know via VM what Pokemon you want to see next. All opinions are welcome, as well as opinions about the Pokemon of the Week format and any ideas you want to see implemented, as well as questions for us about either Kabutops or POTW itself. Go out there and try Kabutops now, and we'll see you next time!
With the unbanning of Drizzle + Swift Swim, Kabutops becomes a major force on rain Hyper Offense teams. Boasting the aforementioned elusive Swift Swim, as well as an excellent STAB combination and a nice movepool, Kabutops has everything it needs to swiftly slice its way through OU. With its STAB moves as well as Low Kick for Ferrothorn, it covers nearly all Pokemon in the game at least neutrally, and even neutral Water-type hits seem super-effective in the rain. It can even out-priority other Pokemon with Aqua Jet, as well as boost with Swords Dance or remove hazards with Rapid Spin. Kabutops is definitely a versatile offensive Pokemon.
However, Kabutops isn't exactly the bulkiest of Pokemon, and as such it has trouble switching in, especially on special attacks. It also has trouble with Mach Punch a common form of priority, and without rain to sweep in, it isn't that fast and often quite difficult to use. While the weather nerf allowed Kabutops to be usable for its niches in OU, it also limited the amount of time Kabutops has to utilize said boost.
What to try:
Kabutops @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance / Rapid Spin
- Low Kick / Aqua Jet
As you may have gathered by now, Kabutops is a deadly physical sweeper in the rain. Waterfall and Stone Edge are its STAB moves, and they complement each other quite nicely. Waterfall is very powerful in the rain, and as such it is difficult to switch into, especially since the Pokemon coming into battle is incredibly likely to be outsped the following turn. The choice between Swords Dance and Rapid Spin is an important one. Swords Dance allows you to become incredibly powerful, with Waterfall cleaving through resists easily in rain, whereas Rapid Spin is helpful for removing hazards, more helpful than one would think as Defog users are difficult to fit on rain teams. Then we get to the final slot. Low Kick is Kabutops's only way of ever breaking through Ferrothorn, so it is definitely a popular choice, but Aqua Jet allows you to beat Pokemon attempting to KO with priority, such as Talonflame if you have taken a large amount of LO recoil. The EV spread and nature are the standard choice, and a Life Orb is used for maximum power.
What else can you try?
There really isn't any reason to stray from Kabutops's best offensive set, but there are a couple of other things to try. Stealth Rock and Rain Dance are both interesting choices if Kabutops is away from the standard rain offense core. A Weak Armor set with Endure and Weakness Policy is terribly gimmicky, but it can work to some effect. Hone Claws is often outclassed by Swords Dance, but boosting Stone Edge's accuracy is a nice boon.
Good Partners for this Pokemon:
The best core that I've used with Kabutops as I'm sure many others have, is Deoxys-S / Kabutops / Kingdra / Politoed. The goal is pretty simple, set up Stealth Rock and Rain Dance quickly with Deoxys-S, and then break through everything with special Kingdra and physical Kabutops. Politoed is simply a backup rain setter. Latios can also deal with typical rain checks, and as such, it is a good partner.
Playing against Kabutops: Checks and Counters
Mega Venusaur, Chesnaught, and Keldeo can wall it and do a ton back with their STAB moves, Ferrothorn can wall sets without Low Kick, Thundurus can paralyze it but it hates to take Stone Edge, Gourgiest-XL is a nice defensive check, as are Pokemon immune to water or Pokemon that take pittance from Water-type attacks, such as Suicune. Finally, Prankster Pokemon such as Sableye and Whimsicott can burn it, paralyze it, or in Whimsicott's case, use Giga Drain.
There we go, that's the tenth Pokemon of the Week! Let us know whether this has helped you at all, and your results of testing this Kabutops set on the ladder. Also, don't forget to let us know via VM what Pokemon you want to see next. All opinions are welcome, as well as opinions about the Pokemon of the Week format and any ideas you want to see implemented, as well as questions for us about either Kabutops or POTW itself. Go out there and try Kabutops now, and we'll see you next time!
Pokemon of the Week #1: Staraptor
Pokemon of the Week #2: Krookodile
Pokemon of the Week #3: Suicune
Pokemon of the Week #4: Reuniclus
Pokemon of the Week #5: Diggersby
Pokemon of the Week #6: Kyurem-B
Pokemon of the Week #7: Manaphy
Pokemon of the Week #8: Hippowdon
Pokemon of the Week #9: Donphan (April Fools!)
Pokemon of the Week #2: Krookodile
Pokemon of the Week #3: Suicune
Pokemon of the Week #4: Reuniclus
Pokemon of the Week #5: Diggersby
Pokemon of the Week #6: Kyurem-B
Pokemon of the Week #7: Manaphy
Pokemon of the Week #8: Hippowdon
Pokemon of the Week #9: Donphan (April Fools!)
Last edited:
