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Drain Punch is 100% better than close combat in this context. Also, this sub won't avoid the actual ko since it will usually trigger a bit too late. But it matters little.
Final notes:
- do your calcs
- figure out what matchups you want and what matchups you don't want. Try to force the matchups you went. But make sure the sacrifice you will need to make for that isnt bigger than the advantage you will get or the disadvantage you want to avoid. For that do the above
- do your battles and get experience. most of the things here will come to you in time naturally. Reffing RPs are very good for that.
- don't use substitute unless you rly rly rly have to. Most of the time it isn't the best option.