G-Luke
Sugar, Spice and One For All
[OVERVIEW]
Caribolt holds a unique niche within the metagame as a physically inclined Electric-type sweeper thanks to Galvanize turning its Normal-type moves into STAB Electric attacks. It fits well on hyper offensive dual screens builds, providing the playstyle with a strong physical sweeper that is not easily revenge killed thanks to its access to STAB priority. Because of a powerful Grass-type STAB move in Power Whip, Caribolt can easily break past most Ground-types, including Garchomp and Colossoil, that would threaten to absorb its Electric attacks. However, due to its neutrality to both Ground and Flying in combination with its frail nature, Caribolt has much less defensive utility in comparison to other Grass- and Electric-types, with Grass-types like Necturna being able to switch in on an Earthquake (RC) while Electric-types like Krilowatt can easily pivot into Tornadus-T's Hurricane, limiting it to hyper offensive builds. It also has trouble dealing with Grass- and Dragon-type Pokemon like Jumbao, Tangrowth, and Mega Latias, as they wall its STAB combination and can usually retaliate hard with their own strong attacks. Finally, Caribolt faces steep competition from other sweepers on hyper offense such as Aurumoth and Necturna, both of which have greater bulk to set up more easily and are more powerful attackers.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Return
move 3: Quick Attack
move 4: Power Whip
item: Magnet
ability: Galvanize
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
==============
Quick Attack allows Caribolt to pick off weakened foes and hit Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Volkraken and Kitsunoh as well as naturally faster Pokemon like Tornadus-T, which would otherwise revenge kill it, hard. Double-Edge can also be slotted over Return for even greater damage output, but it comes with a steep recoil penalty, which is often not worth the slight increase in damage. Knock Off can also be run instead of Power Whip to hit Dragon-types like Pajantom and Mega Latios that would otherwise wall Caribolt for super effective damage. This also improves its matchup against Necturna, with +2 Knock Off having a high chance to OHKO it, and tips the matchup against Ferrothorn every so slightly in Caribolt's favor. This does, however, leave Caribolt at a great disadvantage against Ground-type foes and does nothing to alleviate its matchup against Cyclohm.
Set Details
==============
A Jolly nature ensures that Caribolt outpaces threats such as Garchomp, Tapu Lele, and Krilowatt and deals with them accordingly. Magnet is the preferred item, as it strengthens Caribolt's main STAB moves without having any innate drawbacks.
Usage Tips
==============
Caribolt should generally be saved for late-game once its checks have been severely weakened or eliminated. However, in certain circumstances, a healthy Caribolt can be used to weaken a Jumbao or Ferrothorn early-game for a teammate. If the opponent has a Tangrowth or Cyclohm on the field, it is generally best to reign in Caribolt and play very conservatively, as it will only give free switches for these Pokemon and generate momentum for the opposing team, meaning it is within the best interest to aggressively double switch into an appropriate answer if it they are present. Once these Pokemon have been dealt with, let Caribolt set up on Pokemon that it easily forces out, such as Arghonaut and Celesteela, as these Pokemon cannot risk being OHKOed by a Galvanize-boosted Return.
Team Options
==============
Caribolt fits best on hyper offensive teams, where its offensive capabilities are often more highly favored than its rather lacking defensive assets. It greatly appreciates Tapu Koko, as it provides Electric Terrain to power up Caribolt's Electric attacks, provides screens to help Caribolt set up Swords Dance more easily, and can utilize U-turn to bring in Caribolt while saving momentum. Double Dance Magearna is also an excellent partner, as it punishes Choiced-locked Ice-types like Weavile by using them as setup bait, while Caribolt is a sweeper that handles traditional Magearna checks like Celesteela and Toxapex, allowing Magearna to keep the Z-Move slot on the team. Caribolt benefits from Stealth Rock, as it helps with key matchups, like OHKOing bulky Magearna and Mega Alakazam at +2 with Return and Quick Attack respectively. Solid Stealth Rock setters that pair well with Caribolt include lead Landorus-T and suicide lead Excadrill. Caribolt also likes having Spikes on the field to ensure 2HKOs on the likes of bulky Magearna, so Greninja partners well with it. Caribolt in addition helps get rid of Arghonaut and Toxapex, which would otherwise be an annoyance for Greninja. Pokemon that can handle Grass-types for Caribolt are generally a must for it, as they can easily soak up its boosted STAB attacks, so Pokemon such as Aurumoth and Hawlucha are excellent partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
==============
Utilizing Double-Edge and Normalium Z, Caribolt can attempt to lure in and blow away counters with a +2 Breakneck Blitz, which sounds great on paper (RC) but generally fails in practice thanks to most of Caribolt's checks being able to stomach the hit and heal off the damage. Pajantom is also notably immune to Breakneck Blitz. Horn Leech paired with Life Orb can be slotted over Power Whip as a means of regaining health while simultaneously doing damage through a sweep, but the drastic drop in power is generally not worth it, as it notably fails to OHKO Swords Dance Garchomp or offensive Landorus-T after Stealth Rock damage, thus defeating the point of running Grass STAB in the first place. Boomburst may seem appealing, but Caribolt's low Special Attack stat, weak coverage options, and lack of a suitable means to boost its Special Attack or access to special priority mean that more often than not special attacking sets are just very disappointing. While Caribolt does have access to Galvanize Rapid Spin in order to spin on Ghost-types, it struggles not only to fit this on its moveset but also to fit on hyper offense with that strategy.
Checks and Counters
==============
**Cyclohm**: With outstanding physical bulk, access to reliable recovery, a 4x resistance to its Electric STAB, and a resistance to its Grass STAB, Cyclohm is undeniably Caribolt's best counter in the metagame. Cyclohm can take minimal damage from Caribolt's attacks, can easily 2HKO it with its commonplace coverage moves in Flamethrower and Ice Beam, and can punish switch-ins with Discharge paralysis or a potential Toxic.
**Grass-types**: Thanks to their resistance to both of Caribolt's STAB types and their excellent bulk, most of the metagame's resident Grass-types have little to fear from Caribolt. Tangrowth and Jumbao can both easily take a hit and hit back hard with Sludge Bomb and Moonblast, respectively. Unfortunately, Ferrothorn, due to its lack of meaningful ways to punish Caribolt, can be set up on and overwhelmed. Necturna is also able to use Caribolt as setup bait thanks to having decent bulk and taking little damage from its STAB attacks but drops to a +2 Return if Electric Terrain is present.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-types like Mega Latios, Mega Latias, and Pajantom can switch in on an unboosted Caribolt and threaten it out. However, once boosted, Pajantom cannot switch into Caribolt's attacks, being swiftly OHKOed by +2 Magnet-boosted Return after Stealth Rock damage.
**Faster Pokemon and Priority*: Due to Caribolt only having meager bulk, any strong attacks can deal heavy damage to it, so faster Pokemon like Mega Alakazam and Mega Crucibelle as well as Choice Scarf users like Kitsunoh, Tapu Lele, and Jumbao can revenge kill it. These Pokemon should, however, be mindful of Caribolt's priority, as most of them take heavy damage from +2 Quick Attack. Landorus-T, Tapu Lele, and Jumbao get a special mention thanks to their resistance to Quick Attack or outright immunity to priority and ability to OHKO Caribolt in kind. In addition, Pokemon like Choice Band Syclant and Choice Band Weavile can outpace Caribolt, bypass Quick Attack with their own Ice Shard, and eliminate it.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[G-Luke, 264912]]
- Quality checked by: [[Jordy, 395754], [xavgb, 231402], [Mx, 298148]]
- Grammar checked by: [[GMars, 273636], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
Caribolt holds a unique niche within the metagame as a physically inclined Electric-type sweeper thanks to Galvanize turning its Normal-type moves into STAB Electric attacks. It fits well on hyper offensive dual screens builds, providing the playstyle with a strong physical sweeper that is not easily revenge killed thanks to its access to STAB priority. Because of a powerful Grass-type STAB move in Power Whip, Caribolt can easily break past most Ground-types, including Garchomp and Colossoil, that would threaten to absorb its Electric attacks. However, due to its neutrality to both Ground and Flying in combination with its frail nature, Caribolt has much less defensive utility in comparison to other Grass- and Electric-types, with Grass-types like Necturna being able to switch in on an Earthquake (RC) while Electric-types like Krilowatt can easily pivot into Tornadus-T's Hurricane, limiting it to hyper offensive builds. It also has trouble dealing with Grass- and Dragon-type Pokemon like Jumbao, Tangrowth, and Mega Latias, as they wall its STAB combination and can usually retaliate hard with their own strong attacks. Finally, Caribolt faces steep competition from other sweepers on hyper offense such as Aurumoth and Necturna, both of which have greater bulk to set up more easily and are more powerful attackers.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Return
move 3: Quick Attack
move 4: Power Whip
item: Magnet
ability: Galvanize
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
==============
Quick Attack allows Caribolt to pick off weakened foes and hit Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Volkraken and Kitsunoh as well as naturally faster Pokemon like Tornadus-T, which would otherwise revenge kill it, hard. Double-Edge can also be slotted over Return for even greater damage output, but it comes with a steep recoil penalty, which is often not worth the slight increase in damage. Knock Off can also be run instead of Power Whip to hit Dragon-types like Pajantom and Mega Latios that would otherwise wall Caribolt for super effective damage. This also improves its matchup against Necturna, with +2 Knock Off having a high chance to OHKO it, and tips the matchup against Ferrothorn every so slightly in Caribolt's favor. This does, however, leave Caribolt at a great disadvantage against Ground-type foes and does nothing to alleviate its matchup against Cyclohm.
Set Details
==============
A Jolly nature ensures that Caribolt outpaces threats such as Garchomp, Tapu Lele, and Krilowatt and deals with them accordingly. Magnet is the preferred item, as it strengthens Caribolt's main STAB moves without having any innate drawbacks.
Usage Tips
==============
Caribolt should generally be saved for late-game once its checks have been severely weakened or eliminated. However, in certain circumstances, a healthy Caribolt can be used to weaken a Jumbao or Ferrothorn early-game for a teammate. If the opponent has a Tangrowth or Cyclohm on the field, it is generally best to reign in Caribolt and play very conservatively, as it will only give free switches for these Pokemon and generate momentum for the opposing team, meaning it is within the best interest to aggressively double switch into an appropriate answer if it they are present. Once these Pokemon have been dealt with, let Caribolt set up on Pokemon that it easily forces out, such as Arghonaut and Celesteela, as these Pokemon cannot risk being OHKOed by a Galvanize-boosted Return.
Team Options
==============
Caribolt fits best on hyper offensive teams, where its offensive capabilities are often more highly favored than its rather lacking defensive assets. It greatly appreciates Tapu Koko, as it provides Electric Terrain to power up Caribolt's Electric attacks, provides screens to help Caribolt set up Swords Dance more easily, and can utilize U-turn to bring in Caribolt while saving momentum. Double Dance Magearna is also an excellent partner, as it punishes Choiced-locked Ice-types like Weavile by using them as setup bait, while Caribolt is a sweeper that handles traditional Magearna checks like Celesteela and Toxapex, allowing Magearna to keep the Z-Move slot on the team. Caribolt benefits from Stealth Rock, as it helps with key matchups, like OHKOing bulky Magearna and Mega Alakazam at +2 with Return and Quick Attack respectively. Solid Stealth Rock setters that pair well with Caribolt include lead Landorus-T and suicide lead Excadrill. Caribolt also likes having Spikes on the field to ensure 2HKOs on the likes of bulky Magearna, so Greninja partners well with it. Caribolt in addition helps get rid of Arghonaut and Toxapex, which would otherwise be an annoyance for Greninja. Pokemon that can handle Grass-types for Caribolt are generally a must for it, as they can easily soak up its boosted STAB attacks, so Pokemon such as Aurumoth and Hawlucha are excellent partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
==============
Utilizing Double-Edge and Normalium Z, Caribolt can attempt to lure in and blow away counters with a +2 Breakneck Blitz, which sounds great on paper (RC) but generally fails in practice thanks to most of Caribolt's checks being able to stomach the hit and heal off the damage. Pajantom is also notably immune to Breakneck Blitz. Horn Leech paired with Life Orb can be slotted over Power Whip as a means of regaining health while simultaneously doing damage through a sweep, but the drastic drop in power is generally not worth it, as it notably fails to OHKO Swords Dance Garchomp or offensive Landorus-T after Stealth Rock damage, thus defeating the point of running Grass STAB in the first place. Boomburst may seem appealing, but Caribolt's low Special Attack stat, weak coverage options, and lack of a suitable means to boost its Special Attack or access to special priority mean that more often than not special attacking sets are just very disappointing. While Caribolt does have access to Galvanize Rapid Spin in order to spin on Ghost-types, it struggles not only to fit this on its moveset but also to fit on hyper offense with that strategy.
Checks and Counters
==============
**Cyclohm**: With outstanding physical bulk, access to reliable recovery, a 4x resistance to its Electric STAB, and a resistance to its Grass STAB, Cyclohm is undeniably Caribolt's best counter in the metagame. Cyclohm can take minimal damage from Caribolt's attacks, can easily 2HKO it with its commonplace coverage moves in Flamethrower and Ice Beam, and can punish switch-ins with Discharge paralysis or a potential Toxic.
**Grass-types**: Thanks to their resistance to both of Caribolt's STAB types and their excellent bulk, most of the metagame's resident Grass-types have little to fear from Caribolt. Tangrowth and Jumbao can both easily take a hit and hit back hard with Sludge Bomb and Moonblast, respectively. Unfortunately, Ferrothorn, due to its lack of meaningful ways to punish Caribolt, can be set up on and overwhelmed. Necturna is also able to use Caribolt as setup bait thanks to having decent bulk and taking little damage from its STAB attacks but drops to a +2 Return if Electric Terrain is present.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-types like Mega Latios, Mega Latias, and Pajantom can switch in on an unboosted Caribolt and threaten it out. However, once boosted, Pajantom cannot switch into Caribolt's attacks, being swiftly OHKOed by +2 Magnet-boosted Return after Stealth Rock damage.
**Faster Pokemon and Priority*: Due to Caribolt only having meager bulk, any strong attacks can deal heavy damage to it, so faster Pokemon like Mega Alakazam and Mega Crucibelle as well as Choice Scarf users like Kitsunoh, Tapu Lele, and Jumbao can revenge kill it. These Pokemon should, however, be mindful of Caribolt's priority, as most of them take heavy damage from +2 Quick Attack. Landorus-T, Tapu Lele, and Jumbao get a special mention thanks to their resistance to Quick Attack or outright immunity to priority and ability to OHKO Caribolt in kind. In addition, Pokemon like Choice Band Syclant and Choice Band Weavile can outpace Caribolt, bypass Quick Attack with their own Ice Shard, and eliminate it.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[G-Luke, 264912]]
- Quality checked by: [[Jordy, 395754], [xavgb, 231402], [Mx, 298148]]
- Grammar checked by: [[GMars, 273636], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
Last edited by a moderator: