*insert Obama joke here*
[OVERVIEW]
Abomasnow is a unique Pokemon due to its signature ability in Snow Warning allowing it to summon hail upon entry and therefore progressively wear down the wide majority of Pokemon in the metagame, including the omnipresent Steel-types, which can be a huge asset for teams that capitalize on residual damage. Its unique Ice / Grass typing further expands its utility by making it one of the most reliable answers to bulky Water-types such as Suicune, Starmie, Swampert, Milotic, and Empoleon. Furthermore, while Abomasnow's offensive stats are nothing to write home about, it can make up for that thanks to its powerful STAB attack in Wood Hammer, a very useful priority Ice Shard, and a perfectly accurate Blizzard under hail, which can turn it into an offensive threat.
Unfortunately, Abomasnow's unimpressive defensive stats and lackluster Speed coupled with its crippling weaknesses to Steel, Fire, Fighting, Rock, and Bug leave it vulnerable to a plethora of metagame staples such as Jirachi, Tyranitar, Heatran, Infernape, and Metagross. The lack of a reliable recovery move and Stealth Rock weakness further cut into Abomasnow's survivability. While hail support can be extremely useful, it is a double-edged sword because it also wears down Abomasnow's teammates over time, since they're unlikely to have Ice typing themselves to fully take advantage of it. As a result, Abomasnow usually needs a considerable amount of support and therefore is difficult to fit onto a team.
[SET]
name: Leech Seed
move 1: Leech Seed
move 2: Protect
move 3: Wood Hammer
move 4: Ice Shard / Blizzard
item: Leftovers
ability: Snow Warning
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
This variant of Abomasnow aims to offer as much utility as it can get into a single set. Leech Seed is Abomasnow's main recovery move and provides passive damage in addition to hail, a combination that wears down the opposing Pokemon at a significant rate. The recovery granted by Leech Seed also aids Abomasnow's teammates if it is forced out by a powerful Pokemon such as Infernape. Abomasnow is also a good user of this move because its secondary Ice typing can discourage opposing Grass-types from trying to absorb Leech Seed. Protect pairs nicely with Leech Seed, as it allows Abomasnow to gain additional recovery for free while the opposing Pokemon is slowly losing its health. It also scouts which move a Choice item user will lock into, which is especially useful against strong super effective attackers like Choice Band Tyranitar and Scizor, and can also be a nice tool against Gyarados lacking Stone Edge and Taunt, as it ensures that Abomasnow can't be hit by Bounce.
Wood Hammer is the strongest Grass-type STAB attack available to hit Water-types that Abomasnow is supposed to counter. It also threatens Tyranitar with a potential OHKO and 2HKOes max HP Clefable, which could be tempted to switch in and deny Abomasnow's Leech Seed. Ice Shard OHKOes Flygon and non-Yache Berry Dragonite after Stealth Rock damage and a round of hail while dealing substantial damage to Pokemon such as Gliscor, Roserade, and Latias and threatening to revenge kill severely weakened Pokemon. Blizzard is an option to punish defensive variants of Zapdos, Skarmory, Togekiss, and Hidden Power Fire Celebi in case they're trying to fight Abomasnow while being a significantly stronger move overall.
Set Details
========
The recovery provided by Leftovers is invaluable for Abomasnow's survivability. 252 EVs in Attack and an Adamant nature are needed to get the aforementioned KOs with Wood Hammer and Ice Shard. The remaining EVs are placed into HP and Special Defense to retain sufficient bulk to handle most Water-types. Investing in Speed can be considered to get the jump on uninvested Swampert, Clefable, and Tyranitar. 16 EVs in Speed is usually the minimum if outspeeding those Pokemon is desired, but more EVs can be spent to outspeed Skarmory and Pokemon that sit around the base 70 Speed tier, mainly Tyranitar. Alternatively, if Blizzard is chosen over Ice Shard, Abomasnow can use a more bulky spread of 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD and a Sassy nature to get as much special bulk as possible, which allows Abomasnow to check Rain Dance Kingdra, Choice Scarf Latias, and offensive variants of Rotom-A more effectively.
Usage Tips
========
Bring Abomasnow in on foes it is suited to handle, mainly Water-types such as Starmie, Swampert, Suicune, Empoleon, and Milotic. Abomasnow can also take care of Raikou lacking Aura Sphere, Zapdos without Heat Wave or Hidden Power Flying, and most variants of Gliscor. From there, it can spread Leech Seed and get chip damage on the opposing Pokemon, which, in tandem with hail and Protect, can quickly wear down Steel-types, which are tempted to come in on Abomasnow. Depending on the opposing team, sending Abomasnow out as soon as possible to set up hail early can be a good idea, especially if the opponent hasn't set up Stealth Rock yet and cannot change the weather. The ability to induce hail upon entry can be critical against Pokemon such as Kingdra in an emergency situation. If Abomasnow packs Ice Shard, it can be used as a revenge killer to weakened Pokemon and make sure that Flygon and non-Yache Berry Dragonite locked into Outrage won't cause any more trouble.
Team Options
========
Abomasnow has a much easier time coming onto a field cleared of Stealth Rock and any other form of entry hazards. Therefore, Starmie makes for a great teammate due to its access to Rapid Spin and ability to keep Infernape, Heatran, and some Jirachi variants in check. Tentacruel is another notable spinner that pairs nicely with Abomasnow, as it is also able to deal with Fire-types, can set up and absorb Toxic Spikes, and can make use of Knock Off to remove the opposing Pokemon's Leftovers, which, if combined with hail and Leech Seed damage, wears down opposing Pokemon at an extremely fast rate. Nidoqueen is a good partner as well to absorb and set Toxic Spikes while serving as a check to Tyranitar and Fighting-types like Lucario and Infernape. Gliscor also does a good job at handling these threats and benefits from hail damage, as the residual damage enhances its stallbreaking capabilities. Defensive Jirachi is another noteworthy stallbreaker that appreciates hail support when trying to wear down the opposing team with Iron Head, as even opposing Steel-types such as Bronzong have trouble dealing with it if their Leftovers recovery is denied by hail. It also handles dangerous Pokemon such as Gengar and Latias and can support Abomasnow with Wish. Unlike most Pokemon, Clefable isn't bothered by hail at all due to its ability Magic Guard and can make good use of Knock Off, heal its teammates with Wish, and serve as an answer to Pokemon such as Heatran, Zapdos, and Latias that could force Abomasnow out. Skarmory brings another form of passive damage in Spikes and can check a large number of physical threats, namely Metagross, Scizor, and Gyarados. Since Abomasnow is unable to discourage opposing Skarmory from setting Spikes freely without Blizzard, Magnezone can be considered to circumvent this issue and to deal with other troublesome Steel-types such as Scizor and Jirachi.
Other good defensive teammates for Abomasnow include Latias, which serves as a competent answer to Infernape, Breloom, Heatran, and Zapdos while passing Wish. Rotom-A is also a valuable teammate due to its reliability at spinblocking and checking Steel-types such as Metagross, Scizor, physical Jirachi, and Bronzong. Zapdos also deals nicely with the aforementioned Steel-types and Fighting-types like Breloom. Finally, a dedicated hail team featuring Walrein is doable, although stacking Ice-types that share several weakness, mainly to Stealth Rock, comes with synergy issues.
[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Wood Hammer
move 2: Blizzard
move 3: Ice Shard
move 4: Earthquake / Focus Punch
item: Leftovers
ability: Snow Warning
nature: Lonely / Brave
evs: 252 Atk / 172 SpA / 84 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Abomasnow's dual STAB coverage is fit to break through common bulky Pokemon such as Swampert, Gliscor, Milotic, Hippowdon, and Celebi, allowing it to act as an efficient wallbreaker that still retains some defensive utility. Wood Hammer pressures bulky Water-types, OHKOes most Tyranitar variants, and 2HKOes maximum HP Clefable and Bold Blissey after Stealth Rock. Blizzard is perfectly accurate under hail, OHKOes Breloom, and heavily cripples the likes of Skarmory, Zapdos, Rotom-A, Gengar, and Celebi. Ice Shard is a very useful priority move, as it allows Abomasnow to finish off Flygon and Dragonite once they have been weakened a bit and does substantial damage to Gliscor, Roserade, Latias, and offensive Zapdos. Earthquake hurts Steel-types such as Heatran, Jirachi, and Metagross as well as Infernape, which resist Abomasnow's STAB moves. Focus Punch can be used if Clefable and Blissey prove to be real issues, seeing that it spares Abomasnow from taking too much recoil from Wood Hammer when they repeatedly use recovery moves, and it is especially useful against Bold Calm Mind Clefable. It also hits Tyranitar and Heatran extremely hard and does a good amount of damage to Bronzong, Scizor, and Skarmory as it heals with Roost. Its unreliable nature and reliance on prediction should be kept in mind, however. Hidden Power Fire can be considered, as it invalidates Scizor and Forretress as counters and damages Bronzong.
Set Details
========
Leftovers is recommended because Abomasnow can hardly afford to hamper its longevity with Life Orb and highly benefits from the passive recovery when switching into Ground- and Water-types. Leftovers also alleviates the recoil induced by Wood Hammer. Maximum Attack enables Abomasnow to net an important OHKO with Ice Shard on Flygon and Dragonite after Stealth Rock damage and a round of hail, a 2HKO on Clefable, and an OHKO on most Tyranitar with Wood Hammer. The EVs in Speed allow Abomasnow to outspeed Skarmory without investment. The remaining EVs are dumped into Special Attack to enhance Blizzard's damage, 2HKOing maximum HP Rotom-A after Stealth Rock and hail damage. Putting only 16 EVs in Speed is enough to get the edge over uninvested Tyranitar, Swampert, and Clefable. This can also be achieved with 76 Spe and a Brave nature if lowering Defense is deemed to be too bothersome, seeing that Abomasnow wants to take advantage of the likes of Swampert, Gliscor, and Hippowdon.
Usage Tips
========
Without investment in defensive stats and Leech Seed, Abomasnow cannot take too many hits and should mostly be switching into defensively oriented Pokemon such as bulky variants of Starmie, Swampert, Hippowdon, non-Flamethrower Nidoqueen, Hippowdon, and Milotic. Bringing Abomasnow out early-game to induce hail can be rewarding, especially if Stealth Rock isn't up. Offensive Abomasnow can be difficult to switch into for some teams due to its powerful STAB attacks and coverage. However, be wary of using Wood Hammer too many times, as the recoil can significantly wear Abomasnow down if it's used too recklessly against Pokemon such as Blissey. Since Abomasnow is slow and suffers from a plethora of exploitable weaknesses, its success can be reliant on prediction; it will likely have to catch Steel- and Fire-type switch-ins with Earthquake to get past them, for instance. Abomasnow can also prevent attempts to sweep from Pokemon such as non-Yache Berry and non-Extreme Speed Dragon Dance Dragonite and Rain Dance Kingdra thanks to Ice Shard and hail. In a similar manner, Abomasnow can also serve as an offensive check to Water-types like offensive Calm Mind Suicune, Agility Empoleon, and Starmie thanks to its typing.
Team Options
========
Abomasnow struggles to get past Steel-types such as Scizor, bulky Jirachi, Bronzong, Forretress, and, to a lesser extent, specially defensive Skarmory. Therefore, Heatran is a partner of choice, as it can keep them in check and can set up Stealth Rock to enhance Abomasnow's wallbreaking capabilities. Choice Scarf variants in particular are effective at revenge killing Lucario and appreciate Abomasnow's Ice Shard to handle Dragon Dance Dragonite. In return, Abomasnow can take on Water-types that cause Heatran trouble. Starmie is a very valuable partner as the most reliable spinner available and can help Abomasnow by getting rid of entry hazards and keeping Fire- and some Steel-type Pokemon in check. Tentacruel is another spinner to consider because it can absorb and set Toxic Spikes while keeping Fire-types in check. Skarmory is another Pokemon suited to take advantage of the aforementioned Steel-types by using them as Spikes fodder. It is also a very solid defensive teammate for Abomasnow due to its ability to check the likes of Metagross and Gyarados. On a more offensive team, Bronzong can help Abomasnow by setting up Trick Room to enhance the matchup against fast-paced teams.
Offensive Abomasnow cannot take hits from the offensive Water-types such as Starmie, Suicune, and Empoleon forever. Therefore, specially defensive Pokemon such as Clefable and Jirachi make good partners, especially since they have an easier time crippling the opposing team with hail active. They also bring Wish support that Abomasnow appreciates. Nidoqueen and Gliscor can support Abomasnow by laying down entry hazards and stallbreaking, respectively, while keeping dangerous Pokemon such as Tyranitar and most Fighting-types in check. Due to Abomasnow's Speed and huge number of exploitable weaknesses, Pokemon that have good type synergy with it such as Latias, Zapdos, and Rotom-A are ideal teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Seed Bomb is a less powerful but safer alternative to Wood Hammer, but the loss in power is so drastic against Pokemon such as Tyranitar and Clefable that it is not advised. Worry Seed can bother Pokemon that could take advantage of Abomasnow such as Jirachi, Scizor, Bronzong, and especially Clefable by changing their ability. Substitute can be used effectively alongside Leech Seed and hail damage to put the opponent in a very undesirable position, but Abomasnow's poor Speed, bulk, and typing make this strategy very challenging to pull off. Swords Dance can turn Abomasnow into a sweeper, but it is easily revenge killed and walled by a lot of Pokemon and usually requires too much support to be worth the trouble. Choice Scarf makes Abomasnow's Speed less of an issue and allows it to reliably revenge kill Pokemon like Rain Dance Kingdra, but its weakness to Stealth Rock and common priority moves and inability to revenge kill common sweepers such as Dragon Dance Gyarados, Dragonite, and Agility Metagross leave it outclassed as a Choice Scarf user. Abomasnow can use Choice Specs to get a very powerful Blizzard alongside coverage moves such as Energy Ball, Earth Power, and Focus Blast, but its poor Speed, lack of Leftovers, and competition with other special wallbreakers mean that it usually isn't worth the trouble.
Other moves such as Light Screen, Grass Whistle, Block, and Icy Wind can have some sort of application, but they usually are too situational or unreliable to justify their use.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: As they resist Abomasnow's STAB attacks and hit it super effectively, Steel-types are naturally solid answers to it. Scizor fears next to nothing from it and can freely use U-turn, inflict severe damage with a Choice Band-boosted Pursuit upon it switching out, or set up Swords Dance against it, only fearing the rare Hidden Power Fire. Forretress can also set up several layers of Spikes against it. Bronzong walls Abomasnow entirely and can set up Trick Room or Stealth Rock in front of it. Metagross and Jirachi threaten to OHKO Abomasnow with Meteor Mash or Fire Punch, but they cannot take Earthquake from offensive Abomasnow well. Skarmory can lay Spikes down against Abomasnow without much issue as long as it is not packing Blizzard, and even then specially defensive variants can heal off the damage and burn its PP. Nonetheless, it should be kept in mind that all of these Pokemon don't appreciate getting their health sapped by hail and Leech Seed, especially the ones that rely on Leftovers to recover.
**Fire-types**: As long as they avoid Earthquake on the switch in, Heatran and Infernape threaten Abomasnow with an OHKO. However, a combination of hail and Leech Seed wears them down fairly quickly, and Infernape doesn't like taking Wood Hammer or Blizzard either. While uncommon, Moltres is an interesting check to Abomasnow, as it can avoid Leech Seed with Substitute and stall out Blizzard PP thanks to Pressure or simply force Abomasnow out with Flamethrower.
**Tyranitar**: By removing hail upon entering the field, Tyranitar denies Abomasnow's recovery from Leftovers and can proceed to threaten it with Stone Edge, Fire Blast, or Superpower. Tyranitar can also hit Abomasnow very hard with Pursuit if it tries to switch out. Nonetheless, Wood Hammer can net a potential OHKO on most Tyranitar variants, and if it doesn't Tyranitar will still be in range of an Ice Shard follow up.
**Fighting-types**: Lucario can attempt to set up a Swords Dance in front of Abomasnow thanks to its part-Steel typing and proceed to OHKO it with Close Combat, but it should be wary of Earthquake, which can prevent it from doing so. Although it'd rather avoid Ice Shard and needs to stay away from Blizzard, Breloom can put Abomasnow to sleep, hit it hard with Mach Punch before it can retaliate with Ice Shard, or set Substitute. Breloom also doesn't mind hail much due to Poison Heal. Machamp, Heracross, and Gallade can OHKO Abomasnow with their respective STAB attacks, but they take a significant amount from its attacks as well.
**Clefable and Other Knock Off Users **: As Abomasnow doesn't have a reliable recovery move, Leftovers recovery is key to its longevity, and getting hit by Knock Off is therefore very detrimental. Thanks to Magic Guard, Clefable doesn't care about hail and Leech Seed and thus can switch into Abomasnow and deny its attempt to regain health. From there, Clefable can cripple Abomasnow with Encore, Knock Off, or status effects or start to set up with Calm Mind, but it should be wary of a Wood Hammer from maximum Attack Abomasnow, which 2HKOes non physically-defensive variants. Abomasnow also has to worry about Knock Off when trying to switch into Pokemon such as Gliscor, Empoleon, and Tentacruel.
**Super Effective Coverage**: While they all have to stay out of Ice Shard range and want to stay away from Blizzard, Heat Wave Zapdos, Gengar, Choice Specs Latias, Stone Edge Gyarados, Hidden Power Fire Shaymin, and Togekiss can all force Abomasnow out with their offensive moves.
**Status and Entry Hazards**: As a Pokemon that relies on passive recovery to regain health, any form of residual damage greatly bothers Abomasnow. Toxic poison prevents it from stalling anything, burn from Will-O-Wisp outdamages Leftovers recovery and hampers its offensive presence, and entry hazards, mainly Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes, make it difficult to bring Abomasnow onto the field safely.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Wenderz, .331114]]
- Quality checked by: [[Excal, 456373], [DeepBlueC, 307789]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Rabia, 336073], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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