I'll update this when I'm back from my honeymoon. :)
-
Welcome to Smogon! Take a moment to read the Introduction to Smogon for a run-down on everything Smogon, and make sure you take some time to read the global rules.
-
Congrats to the winners of the 2024 Smog Awards!
NU Ambipom
- Thread starter JustoonSmitts
- Start date
This is now implemented. Ready for the final check.
Sorry it took so long.
Last edited:
OVERVIEW]
Ambipom's niche is in its access to STAB- and Technician-boosted Fake Out, boosted by the ability Technician, (RC) which allows it to pressure most offensive teams with a relatively strong STAB (already mentioned that it's STAB) priority move. Furthermore, U-turn coupled with decent offensive stats allows Ambipom to act as an offensive pivot. However, STAB priority is much better on Pokemon such as Sneasel, Comfey, and Decidueye, (RC) because not only do their priority moves provide stronger offensive coverage, they can also be used more than once after they enter battle. While Ambipom may be fast and decently strong, it cannot take a hit thanks to its poor bulk, and it has mediocre firepower due to being reliant on its Normal STAB moves for damage, rather than super effective coverage, which makes it difficult for Ambipom to even dent the top defensive cores in NeverUsed, which is why it is outclassed as an all-out offensive pivot by Pokemon such as Passimian, Heliolisk, Rotom, and Whimsicott. Ambipom is also very easy to wear down because it is vulnerable to all entry hazards, status conditions, and the recoil from Life Orb. All of these flaws make Ambipom a very poor choice to put on a team in the current NeverUsed environment.
[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Return
move 3: Low Kick / Pursuit
move 4: U-turn
item: Life Orb
ability: Technician
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fake Out is Ambipom's only priority move, scoring free damage and a flinch on the foe. It also is relatively strong thanks to STAB and a Technician boost, making it an effective tool to check weakened threats. Fake Out forces a lot of switches, so it pairs well with Pursuit. Return is the second STAB option for high and consistent damage output. Low Kick inflicts important chip damage on Pokemon like Steelix, Rhydon, and Klinklang. Pursuit punishes the opposing Pokemon should they switch out on Ambipom and also gets a Technician boost. U-turn allows Ambipom to switch out of situations it can't handle, allowing a teammate to come in and deal with it in its place.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Attack EVs with a Jolly Nature and a Life Orb ensure that Ambibom Ambipom will be hitting as hard and as fast as possible. Technician is the best ability for this set because it boosts the power of Ambipom's Fake Out, turning it into an effective tool for revenge killing weakened foes.
Usage Tips
========
Ambipom is a full-on offensive Pokemon that checks frail threats with Fake Out. Fake Out is generally a safe play to make on the first turn and can be used mid- or late-game to check and revenge kill weakened threats. Keep in mind that a predicted Fake Out can lead to a switch to a Pokemon that can resist the move such as Steelix, Diancie, and Rotom. Return should be used to get good, consistent damage on the opponent's team once Ambipom's normal checks and counters are gone. Low Kick should be used to get sizable damage on Pokemon like Steelix, Silvally-Steel, and Rhydon, which Ambipom can outspeed and has a chance to revenge kill with entry hazards up. Since Ambipom forces so many switches because of Fake Out, you could also take advantage of Pursuit to pressure the opponent even more. This is especially effective on Pokemon like pivot Slowbro, Delphox, and Vanilluxe. Pursuit is also effective if the opponent is a Choice-locked Ghost-type Pokemon such as Rotom or Dhelmise. Do not switch in Ambipom on any attack because it needs to be as healthy as possible to revenge kill weakened foes, and do not let it take any status condition. Burn halves its Attack, paralysis cripples its speed, sleep makes it a sitting duck, and Toxic depletes its HP, putting Ambipom on a timer. If you must switch in Ambipom, then a partner with a slow U-turn or Volt Switch is highly recommended. Ambipom can also safely come in on a predicted double switch, but try to make sure that all entry hazards are cleared, since they cut into Ambipom's longevity.
Team Options
========
Ambipom forces switches often, so Pokemon that can lay entry hazards on the field like Steelix, Diancie, and Garbodor are generally appreciated. Garbodor is notable, since it resists Fighting-type moves and can proceed to lay down Spikes or Toxic Spikes. It also can remove Toxic Spikes for Ambipom. Ambipom often baits in Fighting-type Pokemon, so partners that can deal super effective damage to them such as Slowbro, Comfey, Delphox, and Braviary are generally appreciated. On the same note, Ghost-type partners like Rotom, Palossand, and Decidueye can safely come in on Fighting-type moves. Ambipom struggles to damage physically defensive Pokemon, so wallbreakers like Vanilluxe, Sceptile, Diancie, and Choice Specs Comfey are much appreciated. Pokemon such as Blastoise, Sceptile, and Passimian, which can handle the Rock-types in NU, also make good teammates for Ambipom, and Fire-types such as Incineroar, Houndoom, and Delphox make decent partners not only for absorbing burns from Will-O-Wisp but also to beat the Steel-type Pokemon Ambipom cannot dent. Pokemon like Blastoise, Cryogonal, Xatu, and Silvally-Steel are also notable for removing entry hazards on Ambipom's side of the field, improving Ambipom's longevity. In Xatu's case, it can bounce back entry hazards with its Magic Bounce ability. A slow user of U-turn, Parting Shot, or Volt Switch like Incineroar, Silvally-Steel, or Vikavolt can safely bring Ambipom in on a threat it can pressure.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ambipom has a large movepool, but choosing any of these moves over the standard set is generally situational. For example, Seed Bomb can hit Rhydon, Slowbro, and Diancie, but replacing any move from the standard set allows more Pokemon to wall Ambipom. Silk Scarf can be used instead of Life Orb to boost Fake Out and Return's power with the nice effect of no recoil. However, the lack of immediate power on its other moves is noticeable. For example, Silk Scarf Ambipom's Return misses out on a 2HKO on Assault Vest Slowbro, and Low Kick only has a slight chance to 3HKO Steelix where Life Orb guarantees it. Knock Off can be used to remove the opposing Pokemon's item and avoid being walled by Ghost-types. Using Skill Link in conjunction with Tail Slap seems appealing, due to the fact that the move can break Substitutes. However, this takes away from Ambipom's niche in NU because Cinccino is a far better Skill Link user thanks to its ability to threaten Rhydon and Diancie with Bullet Seed. Using a set with only Fake Out and Last Resort seems like a good option on paper, but in practice it is hard walled by all of the Rock-, Steel-, and Ghost-type Pokemon in NU and requires too much support to function properly.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rock-type and Steel-type Pokemon**: Even with Low Kick, Ambipom has difficulty beating Rock- and Steel-type Pokemon. All of them including Rhydon, Diancie, and Steelix can take a hit from Low Kick and retaliate by setting up Stealth Rock, setting up, or hit Ambipom hard with powerful moves. Ferroseed can also wear Ambipom down with the combination of Iron Barbs and Leech Seed.
**Fighting-type Pokemon**: Every Fighting-type in NU can KO Ambipom with their STAB moves due to Ambipom's weakness to them. Some Pokemon like Medicham and Hariyama carry priority like Bullet Punch or Fake Out to revenge kill it. Choice Scarf Passimian is also notable because it outspeeds Ambipom and proceeds to KO it. However, none of them want to take a Fake Out if they are weak.
**Ghost-type Pokemon**: Ghost-types such as Palossand, Rotom, Decidueye, Dhelmise, and Mismagius can come in safely on Ambipom because they are immune to its STAB and resist U-turn. This is especially an issue should Ambipom run Low Kick. Keep in mind they are vulnerable to Pursuit, especially if they are Choice-locked.
**Faster Pokemon**: Very few Pokemon in NU outspeed Ambipom naturally, but they do need to be wary about switching into Fake Out or Return. Sceptile, Whimsicott, and most Choice Scarf users outspeed Ambipom and can threaten it with their powerful STAB attacks or super effective Fighting-type moves such as a Close Combat from Passimian. Furthermore, Ambipom is susceptible to being revenge killed by common priority moves such as Sneasel's Ice Shard, Triage Comfey's Draining Kiss, and Medicham's Bullet Punch.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**. Despite its decent Attack stat, Ambipom has trouble with physically defensive Pokemon because they all can stomach a hit and retaliate with crippling status or do hefty damage to it. Garbodor's Rocky Helmet and Vileplume's Effect Spore punish contact moves, and both can dish out sizable damage to Ambipom in return. Slowbro and Vaporeon can take a hit from Ambipom and can burn it with Scald. Druddigon can hurt Ambipom with Rocky Helmet damage and can cripple it with Glare. Pokemon like Torterra and Quagsire can also shrug off a hit from Ambipom and recover their HP. Bulky setup sweepers such as Scrafty and Klinklang can stomach any attack from Ambipom and proceed to set up with Bulk Up, Dragon Dance, or Shift Gear.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[JustoonSmitts, 239732]]
- Quality checked by: [[Punchshroom, 169054], [<Earth, 231788>], [<Rabia, 336073>]]
- Grammar checked by: [[<The Dutch Plumberjack>, <232216>], [<username2>, <username2>]]
(you dont need the <> around names and IDs)
Ambipom's niche is in its access to STAB- and Technician-boosted Fake Out, boosted by the ability Technician, (RC) which allows it to pressure most offensive teams with a relatively strong STAB (already mentioned that it's STAB) priority move. Furthermore, U-turn coupled with decent offensive stats allows Ambipom to act as an offensive pivot. However, STAB priority is much better on Pokemon such as Sneasel, Comfey, and Decidueye, (RC) because not only do their priority moves provide stronger offensive coverage, they can also be used more than once after they enter battle. While Ambipom may be fast and decently strong, it cannot take a hit thanks to its poor bulk, and it has mediocre firepower due to being reliant on its Normal STAB moves for damage, rather than super effective coverage, which makes it difficult for Ambipom to even dent the top defensive cores in NeverUsed, which is why it is outclassed as an all-out offensive pivot by Pokemon such as Passimian, Heliolisk, Rotom, and Whimsicott. Ambipom is also very easy to wear down because it is vulnerable to all entry hazards, status conditions, and the recoil from Life Orb. All of these flaws make Ambipom a very poor choice to put on a team in the current NeverUsed environment.
[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Return
move 3: Low Kick / Pursuit
move 4: U-turn
item: Life Orb
ability: Technician
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fake Out is Ambipom's only priority move, scoring free damage and a flinch on the foe. It also is relatively strong thanks to STAB and a Technician boost, making it an effective tool to check weakened threats. Fake Out forces a lot of switches, so it pairs well with Pursuit. Return is the second STAB option for high and consistent damage output. Low Kick inflicts important chip damage on Pokemon like Steelix, Rhydon, and Klinklang. Pursuit punishes the opposing Pokemon should they switch out on Ambipom and also gets a Technician boost. U-turn allows Ambipom to switch out of situations it can't handle, allowing a teammate to come in and deal with it in its place.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Attack EVs with a Jolly Nature and a Life Orb ensure that Ambibom Ambipom will be hitting as hard and as fast as possible. Technician is the best ability for this set because it boosts the power of Ambipom's Fake Out, turning it into an effective tool for revenge killing weakened foes.
Usage Tips
========
Ambipom is a full-on offensive Pokemon that checks frail threats with Fake Out. Fake Out is generally a safe play to make on the first turn and can be used mid- or late-game to check and revenge kill weakened threats. Keep in mind that a predicted Fake Out can lead to a switch to a Pokemon that can resist the move such as Steelix, Diancie, and Rotom. Return should be used to get good, consistent damage on the opponent's team once Ambipom's normal checks and counters are gone. Low Kick should be used to get sizable damage on Pokemon like Steelix, Silvally-Steel, and Rhydon, which Ambipom can outspeed and has a chance to revenge kill with entry hazards up. Since Ambipom forces so many switches because of Fake Out, you could also take advantage of Pursuit to pressure the opponent even more. This is especially effective on Pokemon like pivot Slowbro, Delphox, and Vanilluxe. Pursuit is also effective if the opponent is a Choice-locked Ghost-type Pokemon such as Rotom or Dhelmise. Do not switch in Ambipom on any attack because it needs to be as healthy as possible to revenge kill weakened foes, and do not let it take any status condition. Burn halves its Attack, paralysis cripples its speed, sleep makes it a sitting duck, and Toxic depletes its HP, putting Ambipom on a timer. If you must switch in Ambipom, then a partner with a slow U-turn or Volt Switch is highly recommended. Ambipom can also safely come in on a predicted double switch, but try to make sure that all entry hazards are cleared, since they cut into Ambipom's longevity.
Team Options
========
Ambipom forces switches often, so Pokemon that can lay entry hazards on the field like Steelix, Diancie, and Garbodor are generally appreciated. Garbodor is notable, since it resists Fighting-type moves and can proceed to lay down Spikes or Toxic Spikes. It also can remove Toxic Spikes for Ambipom. Ambipom often baits in Fighting-type Pokemon, so partners that can deal super effective damage to them such as Slowbro, Comfey, Delphox, and Braviary are generally appreciated. On the same note, Ghost-type partners like Rotom, Palossand, and Decidueye can safely come in on Fighting-type moves. Ambipom struggles to damage physically defensive Pokemon, so wallbreakers like Vanilluxe, Sceptile, Diancie, and Choice Specs Comfey are much appreciated. Pokemon such as Blastoise, Sceptile, and Passimian, which can handle the Rock-types in NU, also make good teammates for Ambipom, and Fire-types such as Incineroar, Houndoom, and Delphox make decent partners not only for absorbing burns from Will-O-Wisp but also to beat the Steel-type Pokemon Ambipom cannot dent. Pokemon like Blastoise, Cryogonal, Xatu, and Silvally-Steel are also notable for removing entry hazards on Ambipom's side of the field, improving Ambipom's longevity. In Xatu's case, it can bounce back entry hazards with its Magic Bounce ability. A slow user of U-turn, Parting Shot, or Volt Switch like Incineroar, Silvally-Steel, or Vikavolt can safely bring Ambipom in on a threat it can pressure.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ambipom has a large movepool, but choosing any of these moves over the standard set is generally situational. For example, Seed Bomb can hit Rhydon, Slowbro, and Diancie, but replacing any move from the standard set allows more Pokemon to wall Ambipom. Silk Scarf can be used instead of Life Orb to boost Fake Out and Return's power with the nice effect of no recoil. However, the lack of immediate power on its other moves is noticeable. For example, Silk Scarf Ambipom's Return misses out on a 2HKO on Assault Vest Slowbro, and Low Kick only has a slight chance to 3HKO Steelix where Life Orb guarantees it. Knock Off can be used to remove the opposing Pokemon's item and avoid being walled by Ghost-types. Using Skill Link in conjunction with Tail Slap seems appealing, due to the fact that the move can break Substitutes. However, this takes away from Ambipom's niche in NU because Cinccino is a far better Skill Link user thanks to its ability to threaten Rhydon and Diancie with Bullet Seed. Using a set with only Fake Out and Last Resort seems like a good option on paper, but in practice it is hard walled by all of the Rock-, Steel-, and Ghost-type Pokemon in NU and requires too much support to function properly.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rock-type and Steel-type Pokemon**: Even with Low Kick, Ambipom has difficulty beating Rock- and Steel-type Pokemon. All of them including Rhydon, Diancie, and Steelix can take a hit from Low Kick and retaliate by setting up Stealth Rock, setting up, or hit Ambipom hard with powerful moves. Ferroseed can also wear Ambipom down with the combination of Iron Barbs and Leech Seed.
**Fighting-type Pokemon**: Every Fighting-type in NU can KO Ambipom with their STAB moves due to Ambipom's weakness to them. Some Pokemon like Medicham and Hariyama carry priority like Bullet Punch or Fake Out to revenge kill it. Choice Scarf Passimian is also notable because it outspeeds Ambipom and proceeds to KO it. However, none of them want to take a Fake Out if they are weak.
**Ghost-type Pokemon**: Ghost-types such as Palossand, Rotom, Decidueye, Dhelmise, and Mismagius can come in safely on Ambipom because they are immune to its STAB and resist U-turn. This is especially an issue should Ambipom run Low Kick. Keep in mind they are vulnerable to Pursuit, especially if they are Choice-locked.
**Faster Pokemon**: Very few Pokemon in NU outspeed Ambipom naturally, but they do need to be wary about switching into Fake Out or Return. Sceptile, Whimsicott, and most Choice Scarf users outspeed Ambipom and can threaten it with their powerful STAB attacks or super effective Fighting-type moves such as a Close Combat from Passimian. Furthermore, Ambipom is susceptible to being revenge killed by common priority moves such as Sneasel's Ice Shard, Triage Comfey's Draining Kiss, and Medicham's Bullet Punch.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**. Despite its decent Attack stat, Ambipom has trouble with physically defensive Pokemon because they all can stomach a hit and retaliate with crippling status or do hefty damage to it. Garbodor's Rocky Helmet and Vileplume's Effect Spore punish contact moves, and both can dish out sizable damage to Ambipom in return. Slowbro and Vaporeon can take a hit from Ambipom and can burn it with Scald. Druddigon can hurt Ambipom with Rocky Helmet damage and can cripple it with Glare. Pokemon like Torterra and Quagsire can also shrug off a hit from Ambipom and recover their HP. Bulky setup sweepers such as Scrafty and Klinklang can stomach any attack from Ambipom and proceed to set up with Bulk Up, Dragon Dance, or Shift Gear.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[JustoonSmitts, 239732]]
- Quality checked by: [[Punchshroom, 169054], [<Earth, 231788>], [<Rabia, 336073>]]
- Grammar checked by: [[<The Dutch Plumberjack>, <232216>], [<username2>, <username2>]]
(you dont need the <> around names and IDs)
Thank you, Kris. Your check is implimented.
And ladies and gentlemen, we are DONE!! Thank you everyone who helped make this possible. I really couldn't have done it without your help.
