Overview
########
Abra returns to the metagame with it's staggering base 105 special attack, the highest in the tier only tying with Solosis. For a pokemon that spends most of its time sleeping, Abra is extremely fast, reaching the invaluable 19 speed, allowing it to outspeed the majority of the metagame. While the generation shift brought on a lot of new Dark -types, it also granted Abra the new Fairy -type attack, Dazzling Gleam. Now, Abra doesn't have to run the lackluster Hidden Power for coverage, allowing it to maim the Dark -types who would otherwise give it nightmares. Abra's ability, Magic Guard, allows it to effectively utilize a Focus Sash to become an effective revenge killer, hitting a good amount of threats super- effectively.
However, Abra's psychic typing and downright terrible defenses really limit what it can do, as it has to constantly be on look out for Sucker Punch users and scarfed pokemon, who can easily put it to rest, even with neutral attacks.
Focus Sash
==============
name: Focus Sash
Move 1: Psychic
move 2: Dazzling Gleam
move 3: Hidden Power Fighting
move 4: Knock Off / Protect
ability: Magic Guard
item: Focus Sash
EVs: 240 Spa / 200 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
=====
Psychic is Abra's trusty STAB move, as it is both powerful and reliable. It allows Abra to revenge kill Fighting- or Poison -type threats. Its newest move, Dazzling Gleam, allows it to hit the Dark -types who are immune to it's STAB, while Hidden Power Fighting is great for hitting Pawniard and Houndour super effectively, as they are only neutral to Fairy -type attacks. Finally, Knock Off allows Abra to hinder its counters, namely Porygon and Munchlax, by severely lowering their bulk as well as removing any Berry Juice from Pokemon like Magnemite. Protect, however, can be used to stop nasty Fake Out users who threaten to null Abra's precious Focus Sash
Set Details
========
Thanks to Magic Guard and Focus Sash, it is impossible to OHKO Abra. Therefore, this set works best as a "fail-safe" against set-up sweepers. It is also still incredibly powerful and fast, so it can be useful late-game to put heavy offensive pressure. The EVs are used to get Abra the most speed and power, as its defenses are pretty much unsalvageable. Timid nature is the best, as it allows Abra to hit 19 speed, giving it the ability to outspeed all large majority of the metagame.
Usage Tips
========
This set should never be switching in, lest it take a hit and lose its focus sash. Most attacks, even neutrally effective ones, will take out a good chunk of its health. Abra is great at revenge killing set-up sweepers, such as Scraggy, so keeping its sash in tact should be a massive priority. Once Abra has lost its sash, it has to be wary of scarfed pokemon, who can outspeed Abra and take it down before it has a chance to attack. Priority is another concern, especially Sucker Punch.
Team Options
==========
This set finds its best use on Hyper-Offensive teams that may have a hard time dealing with set-up sweepers. Slow Volt Switch or U-turners, such as Nosepass or Chinchou, help Abra get on the field without having to take any damage. Pokemon who can clear away dark-types, especially Pursuit or Sucker Puncher users, will be helpful to Abra as well: Fairy-types, like Spritzee and Cottonee, or Fighting-types, like Minefoo or Timburr, work well in this situation. The latter are also able to take down bulky normal types, such as Porgon and Munchlax, whose high Special Defense stats make them good checks to Abra.
Life Orb
==============
name: Life Orb
Move 1: Psychic
move 2: Dazzling Gleam
move 3: Hidden Power Fighting
move 4: Substitute
ability: Magic Guard
item: Life Orb
EVs: 240 Spa / 200 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
=====
Psychic and Dazzling Gleam get good coverage that is rounded off by Hidden Power Fighting. Unlike the Sash set, Abra won't be able to survive hits from most boosted sweepers, so it needs its coverage in order to maximize its power. Since Abra naturally forces a lot of switches, Substitute is its best option for a fourth move, putting pressure on the foe to attack and often times allowing it to safely get a 2HKO. Additionally, it protects it from the nasty Sucker Punches that would otherwise KO it.
Set Details
========
This set is designed to hit as fast and hard as possible. Abra reaches a mighty 20 special attack and hits the desired 19 speed, letting it outspeed most unboosted Pokemon, like Gastly. Life Orb makes Abra's moves much more powerful and the negative health draining effect is nulled thanks to Magic Guard. Due to its extreme power, not a lot of Pokemon will be able to stand up to an attack, therefore it makes a good wallbreaker.
Usage Tips
========
Like the Focus Sash set, Abra is too frail to be switching in, so coming in to revenge kill or after a slow Volt Switch or U-turn is most desirable. If you predict the enemy will switch, Substitute is the best option, putting the opponent in a bad situation. It can also help protect Abra from dark-types who try to trap it with Pursuit or strike it down with Sucker Punch. Basically, predication is the key to victory with Abra, as it has the moves to 2HKO a lot of Pokemon in the metagame.
Team Options
==========
This set is good for Hyper-Offensive teams that need to be able to break through bulky walls, since Abra is so powerful it's hard for any Pokemon to switch in. Abra usually has trouble dealing with Ghost-types, so pokemon like Porygon and Munchlax are helpful, and in return, Abra can scare away Fighting-types who threaten them. Fighting- and Fairy-types make good partners as well, being able to counter the Dark-type pokemon who are immune to Abra's STAB. Additionally, Slow U-turners and Volt Switchers can help Abra get into battle without taking too much damage.
Other Options
==========
Abra also gets Charge Beam to deal a little damage and boost its Special Attack, but Abra is so frail that it's generally not worth it. This is also the case with Calm Mind. Abra can set up Dual Screens, and has a fast Encore to help it set up. Abra also has access to Psyshock to catch Munchlax off guard, but Little Cup is a very physically defensive metagame, and it misses a guaranteed OHKO on some important pokemon, such as Timburr, if Abra is not running Life Orb. A scarf set with Trick could be interesting, and is useful for revenge killing faster threats like Dragon Dance Scraggy and other scarfers. Finally, for the Focus Sash set, Thunder Wave can be useful for crippingling boosted threats that Abra wouldn't otherwise be able to OHKO, such as Tirtouga or Dwebble.
Checks & Counters
==============
**Dark Types**: Dark types like Pawniard, Stunky, and Houndour are capable of giving Abra a headache with their immunity to Psychic-type attacks and neutrality to Fairy -type attacks. They put a lot of pressure on Abra with their super effective attacks, especially the nasty Sucker Punch. Carvanha, while also frail, can stall out Speed boosts with Protect until it is able to outspeed Abra and Crunch for the KO.
**Munchlax**: Munchlax has enough special bulk to eat virtually everything Abra can launch at it, including Hidden Power Fighting. It is also capable of trapping Abra with Pursuit or slowing it down with Body Slam.
**Scarfed Pokemon** As long as Abra has lost its Sash, scarfed pokemon will outspeed Abra and take advantage of its low defenses to get an easy KO.
**Paralysis**: Due to Abra's reliance on speed, being paralyzed greatly hinders its ability to perform. Slowpoke and Porygon can survive any of Abra's attacks and spread Thunder Wave, while ultimately healing any lost health back with Regenerator or Recover respectively.
**Sticky Web**: Magic Guard does not protect against the speed boost drop and the Bug-types who can set up the Sticky Webs are capable of picking off Abra with their STAB.
########
Abra returns to the metagame with it's staggering base 105 special attack, the highest in the tier only tying with Solosis. For a pokemon that spends most of its time sleeping, Abra is extremely fast, reaching the invaluable 19 speed, allowing it to outspeed the majority of the metagame. While the generation shift brought on a lot of new Dark -types, it also granted Abra the new Fairy -type attack, Dazzling Gleam. Now, Abra doesn't have to run the lackluster Hidden Power for coverage, allowing it to maim the Dark -types who would otherwise give it nightmares. Abra's ability, Magic Guard, allows it to effectively utilize a Focus Sash to become an effective revenge killer, hitting a good amount of threats super- effectively.
However, Abra's psychic typing and downright terrible defenses really limit what it can do, as it has to constantly be on look out for Sucker Punch users and scarfed pokemon, who can easily put it to rest, even with neutral attacks.
Focus Sash
==============
name: Focus Sash
Move 1: Psychic
move 2: Dazzling Gleam
move 3: Hidden Power Fighting
move 4: Knock Off / Protect
ability: Magic Guard
item: Focus Sash
EVs: 240 Spa / 200 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
=====
Psychic is Abra's trusty STAB move, as it is both powerful and reliable. It allows Abra to revenge kill Fighting- or Poison -type threats. Its newest move, Dazzling Gleam, allows it to hit the Dark -types who are immune to it's STAB, while Hidden Power Fighting is great for hitting Pawniard and Houndour super effectively, as they are only neutral to Fairy -type attacks. Finally, Knock Off allows Abra to hinder its counters, namely Porygon and Munchlax, by severely lowering their bulk as well as removing any Berry Juice from Pokemon like Magnemite. Protect, however, can be used to stop nasty Fake Out users who threaten to null Abra's precious Focus Sash
Set Details
========
Thanks to Magic Guard and Focus Sash, it is impossible to OHKO Abra. Therefore, this set works best as a "fail-safe" against set-up sweepers. It is also still incredibly powerful and fast, so it can be useful late-game to put heavy offensive pressure. The EVs are used to get Abra the most speed and power, as its defenses are pretty much unsalvageable. Timid nature is the best, as it allows Abra to hit 19 speed, giving it the ability to outspeed all large majority of the metagame.
Usage Tips
========
This set should never be switching in, lest it take a hit and lose its focus sash. Most attacks, even neutrally effective ones, will take out a good chunk of its health. Abra is great at revenge killing set-up sweepers, such as Scraggy, so keeping its sash in tact should be a massive priority. Once Abra has lost its sash, it has to be wary of scarfed pokemon, who can outspeed Abra and take it down before it has a chance to attack. Priority is another concern, especially Sucker Punch.
Team Options
==========
This set finds its best use on Hyper-Offensive teams that may have a hard time dealing with set-up sweepers. Slow Volt Switch or U-turners, such as Nosepass or Chinchou, help Abra get on the field without having to take any damage. Pokemon who can clear away dark-types, especially Pursuit or Sucker Puncher users, will be helpful to Abra as well: Fairy-types, like Spritzee and Cottonee, or Fighting-types, like Minefoo or Timburr, work well in this situation. The latter are also able to take down bulky normal types, such as Porgon and Munchlax, whose high Special Defense stats make them good checks to Abra.
Life Orb
==============
name: Life Orb
Move 1: Psychic
move 2: Dazzling Gleam
move 3: Hidden Power Fighting
move 4: Substitute
ability: Magic Guard
item: Life Orb
EVs: 240 Spa / 200 Spe
nature: Timid
Moves
=====
Psychic and Dazzling Gleam get good coverage that is rounded off by Hidden Power Fighting. Unlike the Sash set, Abra won't be able to survive hits from most boosted sweepers, so it needs its coverage in order to maximize its power. Since Abra naturally forces a lot of switches, Substitute is its best option for a fourth move, putting pressure on the foe to attack and often times allowing it to safely get a 2HKO. Additionally, it protects it from the nasty Sucker Punches that would otherwise KO it.
Set Details
========
This set is designed to hit as fast and hard as possible. Abra reaches a mighty 20 special attack and hits the desired 19 speed, letting it outspeed most unboosted Pokemon, like Gastly. Life Orb makes Abra's moves much more powerful and the negative health draining effect is nulled thanks to Magic Guard. Due to its extreme power, not a lot of Pokemon will be able to stand up to an attack, therefore it makes a good wallbreaker.
Usage Tips
========
Like the Focus Sash set, Abra is too frail to be switching in, so coming in to revenge kill or after a slow Volt Switch or U-turn is most desirable. If you predict the enemy will switch, Substitute is the best option, putting the opponent in a bad situation. It can also help protect Abra from dark-types who try to trap it with Pursuit or strike it down with Sucker Punch. Basically, predication is the key to victory with Abra, as it has the moves to 2HKO a lot of Pokemon in the metagame.
Team Options
==========
This set is good for Hyper-Offensive teams that need to be able to break through bulky walls, since Abra is so powerful it's hard for any Pokemon to switch in. Abra usually has trouble dealing with Ghost-types, so pokemon like Porygon and Munchlax are helpful, and in return, Abra can scare away Fighting-types who threaten them. Fighting- and Fairy-types make good partners as well, being able to counter the Dark-type pokemon who are immune to Abra's STAB. Additionally, Slow U-turners and Volt Switchers can help Abra get into battle without taking too much damage.
Other Options
==========
Abra also gets Charge Beam to deal a little damage and boost its Special Attack, but Abra is so frail that it's generally not worth it. This is also the case with Calm Mind. Abra can set up Dual Screens, and has a fast Encore to help it set up. Abra also has access to Psyshock to catch Munchlax off guard, but Little Cup is a very physically defensive metagame, and it misses a guaranteed OHKO on some important pokemon, such as Timburr, if Abra is not running Life Orb. A scarf set with Trick could be interesting, and is useful for revenge killing faster threats like Dragon Dance Scraggy and other scarfers. Finally, for the Focus Sash set, Thunder Wave can be useful for crippingling boosted threats that Abra wouldn't otherwise be able to OHKO, such as Tirtouga or Dwebble.
Checks & Counters
==============
**Dark Types**: Dark types like Pawniard, Stunky, and Houndour are capable of giving Abra a headache with their immunity to Psychic-type attacks and neutrality to Fairy -type attacks. They put a lot of pressure on Abra with their super effective attacks, especially the nasty Sucker Punch. Carvanha, while also frail, can stall out Speed boosts with Protect until it is able to outspeed Abra and Crunch for the KO.
**Munchlax**: Munchlax has enough special bulk to eat virtually everything Abra can launch at it, including Hidden Power Fighting. It is also capable of trapping Abra with Pursuit or slowing it down with Body Slam.
**Scarfed Pokemon** As long as Abra has lost its Sash, scarfed pokemon will outspeed Abra and take advantage of its low defenses to get an easy KO.
**Paralysis**: Due to Abra's reliance on speed, being paralyzed greatly hinders its ability to perform. Slowpoke and Porygon can survive any of Abra's attacks and spread Thunder Wave, while ultimately healing any lost health back with Regenerator or Recover respectively.
**Sticky Web**: Magic Guard does not protect against the speed boost drop and the Bug-types who can set up the Sticky Webs are capable of picking off Abra with their STAB.
Last edited:
