[OVERVIEW]
* Absol boasts a combination of a stellar attack stat, Offensive Dark-typing and coverage options in Superpower and Iron Tail that allow it to function as a balance breaker, preying on common defensive Pokemon such as Incineroar, AV Slowbro, and Diancie.
* STAB Sucker Punch puts priority into its hands and allows Absol to snipe faster Pokemon such as Rotom, Delphox and Heliolisk.
* However, Absol lacks the raw power needed to break physically defensive Pokemon such Colbur Slowbro and Steelix without some chip, often forcing it out.
* Absol's mediocre natural bulk and lacking speed leaves it vulnerable to being revenge killed by faster threats such as Passimian, Comfey etc. and is quickly worn down by Life Orb and hazard chip damage.
*It also faces competition as a wallbreaker in general by other contenders such as Incineroar, Dhelmise and Vikavolt which provide defensive utility, secondary STABs, and the ability to run several sets.
[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Iron Tail / Pursuit
item: Life Orb
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Knock Off is a spammable and powerful STAB move for Absol to rely upon and cripples certain defensive Pokemon such as Rhydon by removing their respective item.
* Sucker Punch allows Absol to snipe faster threats such as Sceptile and Rotom that would otherwise be able to revenge kill Absol.
* Superpower is Absol's coverage move of choice, OHKOing Swords Dance variants of Incineroar after the Intimidate drop and Stealth Rock chip, while also pressuring physically defensive rockers like Rhydon and Steelix.
* Iron Tail deters Fairy-types such as Diancie, Whimsicott and Comfey from hard-switching in, its only drawback being its shaky accuracy.
* Alternatively, Pursuit can be used in its place to trap slower Psychic-types such as AV Slowbro and Xatu if the aforementioned Fairy-types are less of a concern.
Set Details
========
* Maximum Attack and Speed investment are a requirement to perfectly utilize Absol's ability to break balance. Jolly allows Absol to jump the number of Pokemon sitting under the base 75 benchmark, such as Decidueye, Modest Vanilluxe and Adamant Medicham. Life Orb maximizes Absol's power and allows it to achieve feats such as OHKOing AV Slowbro, although it whittles down Absol quickly. Justified allows Absol to potentially abuse certain Pokemon such as Passimian and Sneasel locked into Knock Off and Pursuit and gain and attack boost, although due to its middling natural bulk it turns this into a gamble.
Usage Tips
========
* Absol struggles to get into play itself due its limited natural bulk preventing it from raw-switching into anything, so VoltTurn support from the likes of Passimian and Rotom ease the job of getting Absol onto the field.
* Early-game Absol finds itself in an advantageous position by wearing down its offensive and defensive checks with Knock Off to point where they can either be picked off by one of its coverage moves or sniped by Sucker Punch.
* Late game Absol could also potentially be preserved if needed to revenge kill a random threat with Sucker Punch, although doing so would likely be unfavorable.
Team Options
========
* As mentioned before Absol appreciates VoltTurn support from the likes of Passimian, Xatu, and Whimsicott, which provide it with a free switch onto the field.
* Defensive answers to Offensive Fighting and Fairy-types such as Slowbro, Xatu and Steelix make natural partners with Absol.
* Teammates that appreciate Absol's ability to wallbreak Early-game and potentially trap defensive Pokemon such as AV Slowbro and Xatu generally make good partners with Absol, such as Passimian and Klinklang.
* Absol excels at forcing switches, so hazard setters such as Rhydon and Steelix pair well in tandem with it.
* Absol however, is quickly worn down by hazard and Life Orb chip itself, so hazard removers such as Xatu and Rotom are appreciated.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Absol can attempt to pull of a Swords Dance set, although it realistically finds few set-up opportunities and struggles with getting revenge killed and would have to compete with simalir Pokemon like SD Incineroar, its only niche over it being Sucker Punch.
* Dread Plate seems like a plausible option over Life Orb, although the power difference is notable.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types such as Passimian and Jolly Medicham are capable of revenge killing Absol, although the former dislikes switching into Knock Off and the later of which must be wary of Sucker Punch.
**Fairy-types**: Various Fairy-types such as Diancie, Whimsicott, Comfey and Aromatisse are able to soak up Knock Off and force it out, however, all must be wary of switching into Iron Tail.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon** Absol requires chip to break certain Physically-defensive Pokemon such as Colbur Slowbro and Rhydon, as it is unable to doing so itself if they are healthy.
**Faster Offensive Threats** Faster threats in general such as Passimian and Whimsicott are simply able to revenge kill Absol or force it out and gain momentum.
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