Gen 3 Sableye OU Writeup [QC 2/2] [GP 1/1]

Johnald

Johnald

is a Pre-Contributor
RoAPL Champion
[OVERVIEW]
Thanks to its unique Dark / Ghost typing, Sableye is only Pokemon in the tier to have no type weaknesses. It is primarily used for its ability to spinblock Claydol and wall Snorlax. While Dusclops can fill the same roles, Sableye's Dark typing and access to Recover make it much harder to trap. Dusclops often has to rely on Rest, which leaves it exposed to Dugtrio, and it also takes super effective damage from Pursuit. Sableye avoids these issues, and its neutrality to Ghost makes it a decent check to most Fighting-types, excluding Heracross and the rare Blaziken. Furthermore, it also has access to Knock Off, allowing it to make long-term progress by removing Leftovers. Despite these advantages, Sableye's poor stats make it vulnerable to critical hits and limit its ability to consistently wall its intended targets. Against offensive teams, it can easily become dead weight due to its narrow defensive profile.


[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Recover
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Seismic Toss
move 4: Psych Up
item: Leftovers
ability: Keen Eye
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Sableye does its job by keeping itself healthy with Recover, which it should prioritize using unless it is at or near full HP; attempting to use Knock Off too aggressively can allow Claydol to switch out and return with multiple chances to score a critical hit Earthquake. Seismic Toss provides consistent damage once Leftovers is removed. Psych Up is included specifically to handle Curse Snorlax. It should only be used after the second Curse to avoid wasting turns. Once Snorlax uses Rest, switching into a phazer is required to prevent losing to a critical hit.

Sableye's poor overall stats require full physical EV investment to function as a reliable Claydol and Snorlax check. With maximum physical bulk, Sableye can survive two Earthquakes from Dugtrio after removing its Choice Band with Knock Off, preventing the trap.

Team Options
========

A Spiker is mandatory for Sableye to function as an effective spinblocker, making Skarmory and Forretress natural partners. A Rapid Spin user is also required, as Sableye can struggle to maintain spinblock pressure if it becomes too worn down by Spikes; Claydol and Starmie are primary candidates. Dugtrio provides important support by removing Pursuit Tyranitar, which can otherwise repeatedly weaken Sableye. Dugtrio can also remove a damaged Starmie, which Sableye is unable to spinblock safely against. Cleric support from Blissey can help Sableye stay healthy and enables it to safely use Knock Off against Toxic Skarmory, although this reduces Sableye's advantages over Dusclops if Aromatherapy or Heal Bell are already available.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Sableye does not have room on its set for much else. Psych Up is the most replaceable move, but dropping it means Sableye can no longer reliably check Snorlax, one of its best features. Toxic can be considered to give it a useful move against the likes of Tyranitar, Salamence, and various special threats. Counter can be used to deal more damage against physical attackers. Fake Out is an option to KO Salac Berry users and chip frail offensive Pokemon such as Endeavor Swampert and Reversal Heracross.

Checks and Counters
===================
**Critical Hits**: Snorlax can ignore Sableye's Defense boosts and OHKO it after Curse boosts with a critical hit. Claydol can also find multiple opportunities to land a critical hit Earthquake if Sableye is forced to switch in to prevent Rapid Spin. On a similar note, Fighting-types such as Machamp, Medicham, and Hariyama can repeatedly use Rock Slide in an attempt to beat Sableye with flinches.

**Spikes**: Unlike Gengar and Misdreavus, Sableye is vulnerable to Spikes damage. Well-timed double switches can allow Claydol to 2HKO Sableye with Earthquake. Sand from Tyrantitar further exacerbates this issue.

**Pursuit**: Even though Sableye does not take super effective damage, its low special bulk means it will lose over half its HP from Tyranitar's and Houndoom's boosted Pursuit.

**Starmie**: Unlike Claydol and Forretress, Starmie can outdamage Sableye's Recover, allowing it opportunies to use Rapid Spin after Sableye switches out.

**Strong Attacks**: Sableye only walls a handful of Pokemon in the tier; most others are able to heavily damage it.

[CREDITS]
Written by
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/johnald.496154/
Quality checked by:
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Grammar checked by:
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Last edited:
This looks good, think the important points are well covered. Only thing is I'd add a bit somewhere talking about how while Sableye is excellent at spinblocking vs Claydol, it needs a bit of help vs Starmie. That's a big reason whenever we've seen Sableye, it is always paired with one of Dugtrio or Forretress (maybe special mention for Toxic Skarm too?).
 
looks good id elaborate a bit on why sableye is great into claydol as opposed to a ghost like gengar. it being immune to psychic and taking only neutral damage from its other move options like sball eq etc. maybe a mention of fake out in other options as its the only ghost type with priority in gen 3 and lets it scout a bit. Also id mention that although sable is decent into most fighters heracross can give it issues because of megahorn
 
Last edited:
[OVERVIEW]

Sableye is primarily used for its ability to spinblock Claydol and wall Snorlax. While Dusclops can fill the same roles, Sableye’s Dark typing and access to Recover make it much harder to trap. Dusclops often has to rely on Rest, which leaves it exposed to Dugtrio, and it also takes super-effective damage from Pursuit. Sableye avoids these issues and its neutrality to ghost type attacks makes it a decent check to most fighting type pokemon (excluding heracross and the rare blaziken). Furthermore, it also has access to knock off, allowing it to make long term progress by removing leftovers.
Despite these advantages, Sableye’s poor stats make it vulnerable to critical hits and limit its ability to consistently wall its intended targets. Against offensive teams, it can easily become dead weight due to its narrow defensive profile.


[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Recover
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Seismic Toss
move 4: Psych up
item: Leftovers
ability: Keen Eye
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========

Sableye’s poor overall stats require full physical investment to function as a reliable claydol and Snorlax check. With maximum physical bulk, Sableye can survive two Earthquakes from Dugtrio after removing its Choice Band with Knock Off, preventing the trap. Sableye should prioritize using Recover unless it is at or near full HP; attempting to Knock Off too aggressively can allow Claydol to switch out and return with multiple chances to score a critical hit Earthquake. Sableye does its job just by keeping itself healthy with Recover. Seismic Toss provides consistent damage once Leftovers are removed.
Psych Up is included specifically to handle Curse Snorlax. It should only be used after the second Curse to avoid wasting turns. Once snorlax uses rest going into a phaser is required to prevent losing to a critical hit.

Team Options
========

A Spiker is mandatory for Sableye to function as an effective spinblocker, making Skarmory and Forretress natural partners. A Rapid Spinner is also required, as Sableye can struggle to maintain spinblock pressure if it becomes too worn down by Spikes; Claydol and Starmie are primary candidates. Dugtrio provides important support by removing Pursuit Tyranitar, which can otherwise repeatedly weaken Sableye with pursuit. Dugtrio can also remove a damaged starmie which Sableye is unable to spinblock safely against. (AP) Cleric support from Blissey can help Sableye stay healthy and enables it to safely use knock off against Toxic Skarmory, although this reduces Sableye’s advantages over Dusclops if Aromatherapy or Heal Bell are already available.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Sableye does not have room on its set for much else. Psych up is the most replaceable move, but this means sableye can no longer reliably check snorlax, one of its best features. (AP) Toxic can be considered over Psych up to give it a useful move against the likes of Tyranitar, Salamence, and various special threats. But this means sableye Counter can no longer reliably check snorlax, one of its best features. Counter can also be used over psych up for similar reasons also be used for similar reasons. Fake out is an option to KO salac berry users, and chip frail offensive pokemon.

Checks and Counters
===================
Critical Hits: Snorlax can ignore the defense boosts and OHKO sableye after curse boosts with a critical hit, claydol can also find multiple opportunities to crit earthquake if sableye is forced to switch in to prevent rapid spin. On a similar note fighters such as machamp, medicham, and hariyama can repeatedly use rockslide in an attempt to flinch sableye down.
Spikes: Unlike Gengar or Misdreavus, Sableye is vulnerable to spikes damage. Well timed double switches can allow claydol to 2hko sableye with earthquake. Sand from tyrantitar further exacerbates this issue.
Pursuit: Even though Sableye does not take super effective damage, its low special bulk means it will take over half from Tyranitar's or Houndoom’s boosted pursuit. Be mindful of dugtrio as it is often paired with Sableye.
Starmie: Unlike Claydol or Forretress, Starmie can outdamage recover. Allowing opportunies to rapid spin after Sableye switches out.¶
Strong Attacks: Sableye only walls a handful of pokemon in the tier; most others pokemon are able to heavily damage it.
[CREDITS]
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Quality checked by:

Grammar checked by:
 
Looks good to me we talked about it in discord but add that in general 3 ou its ghost/dark typing means it has no type weaknesses
 
Thanks to its unique Dark/Ghost typing, (AC) Sableye is the first Pokémon in the series to have no type weaknesses. In OU, it is primarily used for its ability to spinblock Claydol and wall Snorlax. While Dusclops can fill the same roles, Sableye’s Dark typing and access to Recover make it much harder to trap. Dusclops often has to rely on Rest, which leaves it exposed to Dugtrio, and it also takes super-effective damage from Pursuit. Sableye avoids these issues and its neutrality to ghost type attacks makes it a decent check to most fighting type pokemon (excluding Heracross and the rare Blaziken). Furthermore, it also has access to knock off, allowing it to make long term progress by removing leftovers.
Despite these advantages, Sableye’s poor stats make it vulnerable to critical hits and limit its ability to consistently wall its intended targets. Against offensive teams, it can easily become dead weight due to its narrow defensive profile.


[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Recover
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Seismic Toss
move 4: Psych up
item: Leftovers
ability: Keen Eye
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========

Sableye’s poor overall stats require full physical investment to function as a reliable claydol and Snorlax check. With maximum physical bulk, Sableye can survive two Earthquakes from Dugtrio after removing its Choice Band with Knock Off, preventing the trap. Sableye should prioritize using Recover unless it is at or near full HP; attempting to Knock Off too aggressively can allow Claydol to switch out and return with multiple chances to score a critical hit Earthquake. Sableye does its job just by keeping itself healthy with Recover. Seismic Toss provides consistent damage once Leftovers are removed.
Psych Up is included specifically to handle Curse Snorlax. It should only be used after the second Curse to avoid wasting turns. Once snorlax uses rest going into a phaser is required to prevent losing to a critical hit.

Team Options
========

A Spiker is mandatory for Sableye to function as an effective spinblocker, making Skarmory and Forretress natural partners. A Rapid Spinner is also required, as Sableye can struggle to maintain spinblock pressure if it becomes too worn down by Spikes; Claydol and Starmie are primary candidates. Dugtrio provides important support by removing Pursuit Tyranitar, which can otherwise repeatedly weaken Sableye with pursuit. Dugtrio can also remove a damaged starmie which Sableye is unable to spinblock safely against. Cleric support from Blissey can help Sableye stay healthy and enables it to safely use knock off against Toxic Skarmory, although this reduces Sableye’s advantages over Dusclops if Aromatherapy or Heal Bell are already available.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Sableye does not have room on its set for much else. Psych up is the most replaceable move, but this means sableye can no longer reliably check snorlax, one of its best features. Toxic can be considered to give it a useful move against the likes of Tyranitar, Salamence, and various special threats. Counter can also be used for similar reasons. Fake out is an option to KO salac berry users, and chip frail offensive pokemon.

Checks and Counters
===================
Critical Hits: Snorlax can ignore the defense boosts and OHKO sableye after curse boosts with a critical hit, claydol can also find multiple opportunities to crit earthquake if sableye is forced to switch in to prevent rapid spin. On a similar note fighters such as machamp, medicham, and hariyama can repeatedly use rockslide in an attempt to flinch sableye down.
Spikes: Unlike Gengar or Misdreavus, Sableye is vulnerable to spikes damage. Well timed double switches can allow claydol to 2hko sableye with earthquake. Sand from tyrantitar further exacerbates this issue.
Pursuit: Even though Sableye does not take super effective damage, its low special bulk means it will take over half from Tyranitar's or Houndoom’s boosted pursuit. Be mindful of dugtrio as it is often paired with Sableye.
Starmie: Unlike Claydol or Forretress, Starmie can outdamage recover. Allowing opportunies to rapid spin after Sableye switches out.
Strong Attacks: Sableye only walls a handful of pokemon in the tier; most others pokemon are able to heavily damage it.
[CREDITS]
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/johnald.496154/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/kollin7.545027/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zpanther.590983/
Grammar checked by:
 
Last edited:
1/1 GP Team done - please keep in mind that all Pokemon names, move names, item names etc need to be capitalised like they are on PS
Take a look at the method in point 3 here on how to implement a GP check. This method will catch all the capitalisation changes

[OVERVIEW]
Thanks to its unique Dark / Ghost typing, Sableye is the first Pokémon only Pokemon in the series tier (analyses are writing about one tier, so this doesn't really matter in this context) to have no type weaknesses. In OU, it It is primarily used for its ability to spinblock Claydol and wall Snorlax. While Dusclops can fill the same roles, Sableye’s Sableye's Dark typing and access to Recover make it much harder to trap. Dusclops often has to rely on Rest, which leaves it exposed to Dugtrio, and it also takes super-effective super effective damage from Pursuit. Sableye avoids these issues, (AC) and its neutrality to Ghost type attacks makes it a decent check to most fighting type pokemon ( Fighting-types, (AC)excluding Heracross and the rare Blaziken) Blaziken. Furthermore, it also has access to Knock Off, allowing it to make long term long-term progress by removing Leftovers. Despite these advantages, Sableye’s Sableye's poor stats make it vulnerable to critical hits and limit its ability to consistently wall its intended targets. Against offensive teams, it can easily become dead weight due to its narrow defensive profile.


[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Recover
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Seismic Toss
move 4: Psych Up
item: Leftovers
ability: Keen Eye
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
(reordered this paragraph so the moves go first in set order and all the other explanations come after)
Sableye's#s poor overall stats require full physical investment to function as a reliable claydol and Snorlax check. With maximum physical bulk, Sableye can survive two Earthquakes from Dugtrio after removing its Choice Band Sableye does its job by keeping itself healthy with Knock Off Recover, preventing the trap. Sableye which it should prioritize using Recover unless it is at or near full HP; attempting to use Knock Off too aggressively can allow Claydol to switch out and return with multiple chances to score a critical hit Earthquake. Sableye does its job just by keeping itself healthy with Recover Seismic Toss provides consistent damage once Leftovers are is removed. Psych Up is included specifically to handle Curse Snorlax. It should only be used after the second Curse to avoid wasting turns. Once snorlax uses Rest, (AC) switching going into a phaser phazer is required to prevent losing to a critical hit.

Sableye's poor overall stats require full physical EV investment to function as a reliable Claydol and Snorlax check. With maximum physical bulk, Sableye can survive two Earthquakes from Dugtrio after removing its Choice Band with Knock Off, preventing the trap.

Team Options
========

A Spiker is mandatory for Sableye to function as an effective spinblocker, making Skarmory and Forretress natural partners. A Rapid Spinner Spin user is also required, as Sableye can struggle to maintain spinblock pressure if it becomes too worn down by Spikes; Claydol and Starmie are primary candidates. Dugtrio provides important support by removing Pursuit Tyranitar, which can otherwise repeatedly weaken Sableye with pursuit. Dugtrio can also remove a damaged Starmie, (AC) which Sableye is unable to spinblock safely against. Cleric support from Blissey can help Sableye stay healthy and enables it to safely use Knock Off against Toxic Skarmory, although this reduces Sableye’s Sableye's advantages over Dusclops if Aromatherapy or Heal Bell are already available.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Sableye does not have room on its set for much else. Psych Up is the most replaceable move, but this dropping it means Sableye can no longer reliably check Snorlax, one of its best features. Toxic can be considered to give it a useful move against the likes of Tyranitar, Salamence, and various special threats. Counter can also be used for similar reasons. ('similar reasons' doesn't really work here because counter doesn't beat various special threats, so would clarify its use here) Fake Out is an option to KO Salac Berry users (RC) and chip frail offensive Pokemon. (any examples of salac users / frail pokemon that it would run this move to chip? helps give more context for a new reader)

Checks and Counters
===================
(these asterisks are part of the format, and they make the header bold on the dex)
**Critical Hits**: Snorlax can ignore the Sableye's Defense boosts and OHKO sableye it after Curse boosts with a critical hit (RC). (AP) Claydol can also find multiple opportunities to crit earthquake land a critical hit Earthquake if Sableye is forced to switch in to prevent Rapid Spin. On a similar note, (AC) Fighting-types fighters such as Machamp, Medicham, and Hariyama can repeatedly use rockslide Rock Slide in an attempt to flinch beat Sableye down with flinches.

**Spikes**: Unlike Gengar or and Misdreavus, Sableye is vulnerable to Spikes damage. Well timed Well-timed double switches can allow Claydol to 2HKO Sableye with Earthquake. Sand from Tyrantitar further exacerbates this issue.

**Pursuit**: Even though Sableye does not take super effective damage, its low special bulk means it will take lose over half its HP from Tyranitar's or Houndoom’s and Houndoom's boosted Pursuit. Be mindful of dugtrio as it is often paired with Sableye (analyses are writing for someone using sableye, so this doesn't make sense because the opponent (person not using sableye) is the one who needs to watch out)

**Starmie**: Unlike Claydol or and Forretress, Starmie can outdamage recover. Allowing Sableye's Recover, allowing it opportunies to rapid spin use Rapid Spin after Sableye switches out.

**Strong Attacks**: Sableye only walls a handful of Pokemon in the tier; most others pokemon are able to heavily damage it.

[CREDITS]
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/johnald.496154/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/kollin7.545027/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zpanther.590983/
Grammar checked by:
stamp.gif
 
[OVERVIEW]
Thanks to its unique Dark / Ghost typing, Sableye is only Pokemon in the tier to have no type weaknesses. It is primarily used for its ability to spinblock Claydol and wall Snorlax. While Dusclops can fill the same roles, Sableye's Dark typing and access to Recover make it much harder to trap. Dusclops often has to rely on Rest, which leaves it exposed to Dugtrio, and it also takes super effective damage from Pursuit. Sableye avoids these issues, and its neutrality to Ghost makes it a decent check to most Fighting-types, excluding Heracross and the rare Blaziken. Furthermore, it also has access to Knock Off, allowing it to make long-term progress by removing Leftovers. Despite these advantages, Sableye's poor stats make it vulnerable to critical hits and limit its ability to consistently wall its intended targets. Against offensive teams, it can easily become dead weight due to its narrow defensive profile.


[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Recover
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Seismic Toss
move 4: Psych Up
item: Leftovers
ability: Keen Eye
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Sableye does its job by keeping itself healthy with Recover, which it should prioritize using unless it is at or near full HP; attempting to use Knock Off too aggressively can allow Claydol to switch out and return with multiple chances to score a critical hit Earthquake. Seismic Toss provides consistent damage once Leftovers is removed. Psych Up is included specifically to handle Curse Snorlax. It should only be used after the second Curse to avoid wasting turns. Once Snorlax uses Rest, switching into a phazer is required to prevent losing to a critical hit.

Sableye's poor overall stats require full physical EV investment to function as a reliable Claydol and Snorlax check. With maximum physical bulk, Sableye can survive two Earthquakes from Dugtrio after removing its Choice Band with Knock Off, preventing the trap.

Team Options
========

A Spiker is mandatory for Sableye to function as an effective spinblocker, making Skarmory and Forretress natural partners. A Spin user is also required, as Sableye can struggle to maintain spinblock pressure if it becomes too worn down by Spikes; Claydol and Starmie are primary candidates. Dugtrio provides important support by removing Pursuit Tyranitar, which can otherwise repeatedly weaken Sableye. Dugtrio can also remove a damaged Starmie, which Sableye is unable to spinblock safely against. Cleric support from Blissey can help Sableye stay healthy and enables it to safely use Knock Off against Toxic Skarmory, although this reduces Sableye's advantages over Dusclops if Aromatherapy or Heal Bell are already available.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Sableye does not have room on its set for much else. Psych Up is the most replaceable move, but dropping it means Sableye can no longer reliably check Snorlax, one of its best features. Toxic can be considered to give it a useful move against the likes of Tyranitar, Salamence, and various special threats. Counter can be used to deal more damage against physical attackers. Fake Out is an option to KO Salac Berry users and chip frail offensive Pokemon such as Endeavor Swampert and Reversal Heracross.

Checks and Counters
===================
**Critical Hits**: Snorlax can ignore Sableye's Defense boosts and OHKO it after Curse boosts with a critical hit. Claydol can also find multiple opportunities to land a critical hit Earthquake if Sableye is forced to switch in to prevent Rapid Spin. On a similar note, Fighting-types such as Machamp, Medicham, and Hariyama can repeatedly use Rock Slide in an attempt to beat Sableye with flinches.

**Spikes**: Unlike Gengar and Misdreavus, Sableye is vulnerable to Spikes damage. Well-timed double switches can allow Claydol to 2HKO Sableye with Earthquake. Sand from Tyrantitar further exacerbates this issue.

**Pursuit**: Even though Sableye does not take super effective damage, its low special bulk means it will lose over half its HP from Tyranitar's and Houndoom's boosted Pursuit.

**Starmie**: Unlike Claydol and Forretress, Starmie can outdamage Sableye's Recover, allowing it opportunies to use Rapid Spin after Sableye switches out.

**Strong Attacks**: Sableye only walls a handful of Pokemon in the tier; most others are able to heavily damage it.

[CREDITS]
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/johnald.496154/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/kollin7.545027/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zpanther.590983/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/autumn.384270/
 
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