[OVERVIEW]
Ambipom in S/V NU can be thought of as an interesting sidegrade to Cinccino. They both have similar stats, typing, and abilities. However, Ambipom has quite a different playstyle with its access to the move Fake Out and lack of Tidy Up. Fake Out makes it a great option into Grassy Terrain, Sun, and generally offensive teams with its priority damage against frail sweepers. Ambipom's speed tier allows it to finish off common threats such as Paldean Tauros-W, Flygon, and Munkidori. It also has a pretty versatile moveset, with Triple Axel for Gligar and Scyther, Knock Off for Chandelure and Uxie, U-Turn for pivoting on bad matchups, and Low Kick for Copperajah. Despite all these benefits, Ambipom still suffers from various shortcomings. Its lack of bulk makes it get 2HKO'd by almost any attack, it is very susceptible to hazards, and many physically defensive Pokemon can sit in front of it with little repercussion.
[SET]
name: Pivot
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Double Edge / Triple Axel / Low Kick
Item: Heavy Duty Boots / Silk Scarf / Protective Pads
Ability: Technician
Nature: Jolly
Evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Tera Type: Normal / Ice / Ghost
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Ambipom serves to threaten Pokemon who have low defensive bulk like Espeon, Tornadus, and Flamigo with its Fake Out and pivot out of unfavorable situations against Copperajah, Houndstone, and Rhyperior. Knock Off is used to cover Ghost types switching into Fake Out like Bramblegast, Chandelure, and Basculegion and remove items from any physically bulky Pokemon that want to switch in such as Duraludon or Gligar. U-turn is used for momentum and helps with positioning against foes like Copperajah, Houndstone, and Klefki. Low Kick can also be used against heavy Rock- and Steel types like Rhyperior and Copperajah. Triple axel hits Gligar, Flygon, Tsareena, and Altaria. Technician is its preferred ability to maximize Fake out and Triple Axel damage. Heavy Duty Boots allows Ambipom to enter the field multiple times without taking too much chip damage. Silk Scarf boosts Fake Out to help with KOing frail foes such as Espeon, Grafaiai, Flamigo, and Tornadus. Protective Pads helps avoid Static and Rocky Helmet from Bellibolt, Houndstone, and Klefki. Ambipom’s usual tera types are Normal and Ice. Normal boosts Fake Out, helping with KOing foes from higher health percentages. Tera Normal Ambipom can OHKO many Pokemon with Double Edge after a Fake Out, like Munkidori and Flamigo. Plus, if paired with Silk Scarf, Tera Normal Ambipom OHKOs Eviolite Scyther and Uxie with Double Edge after Fake Out and can even threaten to 2HKO sweepers like Cinccino or Flygon with just Fake Out. This makes it excellent for dealing with endgame sweepers assuming you have a switch left. Tera Ice provides a massive damage boost to Ambipom's Triple Axel with Technician, allowing it to KO Dudunsparce after a Fake Out, OHKO Munkidori, and even 2HKO Swampert. Tera Ghost helps avoid Close Combat from foes like Heracross and Paldean-Tauros-W.
Ambipom is generally found on Balance or Offense structures. It works best with Pokemon that can take a hit and create openings for it to come in. A bulky pivot such as Swampert, Gligar, or Bellibolt can allow for such opportunities, drawing in foes like Paldean Tauros-W and Raikou. This set also works well with Pokemon that have hazard control since it benefits a lot from chip damage with Knock Off and doesn’t want to be chipped itself. Such partners may include Klefki and Gligar for spikes, Duraludon and Copperajah for Stealth Rock, and spinners like Tsareena and Bramblegast. Bramblegast is a decent partner for dealing with Tauros-Paldea-Aqua. Since Ambipom deals poorly with strong physical walls, special wallbreakers like Munkidori, Tornadus, and Chandelure can come in after Ambipom U-turns out on defensive foes like Amoonguss, Gligar, and Houndstone. Ambipom also pairs well with Fire and Fighting-types like Flamigo, Infernape, and Paldean Tauros-W, as it tends to draw in and U-Turn out on Steel-types like Duraludon and Klefki.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Taunt is an option for stopping potential set up moves like Nasty Plot from Munkidori, entry hazards like Spikes from Gligar, or recovery like Wish from Vaporeon. Double Hit gets boosted by Technician and allows for more longevity at the cost of damage.
Checks and Counters
====
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Ambipom has a hard time with physically bulky pokemon like Rhyperior, Bellibolt, Duraludon, Bronzong, and Slowbro-Galar, who can usually switch in rather freely and hit back hard. The Steel-Types of the tier will generally give it trouble. Houndstone can also win long term against Ambipom due to it not doing much damage after a Ghost type is already knocked off. Intimidate users such as Incineroar, Overqwil, and Tauros-Paldea-Aqua can also serve as a check to Ambipom.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon often force Ambipom out as it is not the best at taking hits. Examples include Salazzle and Cinccino. Choice scarfed Pokemon such as Munkidori, Flygon, Flamigo, and Paldean Tauros-W will also pose a problem to this set when it can’t use Fake Out.
**Priority**: Aqua Jet Basculegion, First Impression Flygon, and Sucker Punch from a Brute Bonnet can catch Ambipom off guard when Fake Out isn't an option.
**Status**: Ambipom will be entirely shut down by paralysis or a burn. Will-O-Wisp, Glare, and Thunder Wave users like Houndstone, Dudunsparce, and Klefki can completely ruin Ambipom's chances of making an impact in a game.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/latias999999999.645687/
Quality checked by:
Grammar checked by:
Ambipom in S/V NU can be thought of as an interesting sidegrade to Cinccino. They both have similar stats, typing, and abilities. However, Ambipom has quite a different playstyle with its access to the move Fake Out and lack of Tidy Up. Fake Out makes it a great option into Grassy Terrain, Sun, and generally offensive teams with its priority damage against frail sweepers. Ambipom's speed tier allows it to finish off common threats such as Paldean Tauros-W, Flygon, and Munkidori. It also has a pretty versatile moveset, with Triple Axel for Gligar and Scyther, Knock Off for Chandelure and Uxie, U-Turn for pivoting on bad matchups, and Low Kick for Copperajah. Despite all these benefits, Ambipom still suffers from various shortcomings. Its lack of bulk makes it get 2HKO'd by almost any attack, it is very susceptible to hazards, and many physically defensive Pokemon can sit in front of it with little repercussion.
[SET]
name: Pivot
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Double Edge / Triple Axel / Low Kick
Item: Heavy Duty Boots / Silk Scarf / Protective Pads
Ability: Technician
Nature: Jolly
Evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Tera Type: Normal / Ice / Ghost
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Ambipom serves to threaten Pokemon who have low defensive bulk like Espeon, Tornadus, and Flamigo with its Fake Out and pivot out of unfavorable situations against Copperajah, Houndstone, and Rhyperior. Knock Off is used to cover Ghost types switching into Fake Out like Bramblegast, Chandelure, and Basculegion and remove items from any physically bulky Pokemon that want to switch in such as Duraludon or Gligar. U-turn is used for momentum and helps with positioning against foes like Copperajah, Houndstone, and Klefki. Low Kick can also be used against heavy Rock- and Steel types like Rhyperior and Copperajah. Triple axel hits Gligar, Flygon, Tsareena, and Altaria. Technician is its preferred ability to maximize Fake out and Triple Axel damage. Heavy Duty Boots allows Ambipom to enter the field multiple times without taking too much chip damage. Silk Scarf boosts Fake Out to help with KOing frail foes such as Espeon, Grafaiai, Flamigo, and Tornadus. Protective Pads helps avoid Static and Rocky Helmet from Bellibolt, Houndstone, and Klefki. Ambipom’s usual tera types are Normal and Ice. Normal boosts Fake Out, helping with KOing foes from higher health percentages. Tera Normal Ambipom can OHKO many Pokemon with Double Edge after a Fake Out, like Munkidori and Flamigo. Plus, if paired with Silk Scarf, Tera Normal Ambipom OHKOs Eviolite Scyther and Uxie with Double Edge after Fake Out and can even threaten to 2HKO sweepers like Cinccino or Flygon with just Fake Out. This makes it excellent for dealing with endgame sweepers assuming you have a switch left. Tera Ice provides a massive damage boost to Ambipom's Triple Axel with Technician, allowing it to KO Dudunsparce after a Fake Out, OHKO Munkidori, and even 2HKO Swampert. Tera Ghost helps avoid Close Combat from foes like Heracross and Paldean-Tauros-W.
Ambipom is generally found on Balance or Offense structures. It works best with Pokemon that can take a hit and create openings for it to come in. A bulky pivot such as Swampert, Gligar, or Bellibolt can allow for such opportunities, drawing in foes like Paldean Tauros-W and Raikou. This set also works well with Pokemon that have hazard control since it benefits a lot from chip damage with Knock Off and doesn’t want to be chipped itself. Such partners may include Klefki and Gligar for spikes, Duraludon and Copperajah for Stealth Rock, and spinners like Tsareena and Bramblegast. Bramblegast is a decent partner for dealing with Tauros-Paldea-Aqua. Since Ambipom deals poorly with strong physical walls, special wallbreakers like Munkidori, Tornadus, and Chandelure can come in after Ambipom U-turns out on defensive foes like Amoonguss, Gligar, and Houndstone. Ambipom also pairs well with Fire and Fighting-types like Flamigo, Infernape, and Paldean Tauros-W, as it tends to draw in and U-Turn out on Steel-types like Duraludon and Klefki.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Taunt is an option for stopping potential set up moves like Nasty Plot from Munkidori, entry hazards like Spikes from Gligar, or recovery like Wish from Vaporeon. Double Hit gets boosted by Technician and allows for more longevity at the cost of damage.
Checks and Counters
====
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Ambipom has a hard time with physically bulky pokemon like Rhyperior, Bellibolt, Duraludon, Bronzong, and Slowbro-Galar, who can usually switch in rather freely and hit back hard. The Steel-Types of the tier will generally give it trouble. Houndstone can also win long term against Ambipom due to it not doing much damage after a Ghost type is already knocked off. Intimidate users such as Incineroar, Overqwil, and Tauros-Paldea-Aqua can also serve as a check to Ambipom.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon often force Ambipom out as it is not the best at taking hits. Examples include Salazzle and Cinccino. Choice scarfed Pokemon such as Munkidori, Flygon, Flamigo, and Paldean Tauros-W will also pose a problem to this set when it can’t use Fake Out.
**Priority**: Aqua Jet Basculegion, First Impression Flygon, and Sucker Punch from a Brute Bonnet can catch Ambipom off guard when Fake Out isn't an option.
**Status**: Ambipom will be entirely shut down by paralysis or a burn. Will-O-Wisp, Glare, and Thunder Wave users like Houndstone, Dudunsparce, and Klefki can completely ruin Ambipom's chances of making an impact in a game.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/latias999999999.645687/
Quality checked by:
Grammar checked by:
Last edited:
