[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Rapid Spin
move 4: Superpower
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Waterfall is the most reliable Water-type STAB move Kabutops gets, hitting most targets that dont resist it hard, as well as having a decent flinch chance. Stone Edge is Kabutops's most powerful STAB move, hitting most Pokemon that resist Waterfall extremely hard, such as Lilligant, Samurott, Jynx, Lanturn, Mantine, Pelipper, and Ludicolo. Rapid Spin allows Kabutops to get off an emergency spin at the cost of potentially sacrificing itself. Superpower rounds out Kabutops's coverage, hitting Pokemon that take little from its STAB moves such as Ferroseed and Cradily super effectively while also hitting Poliwrath neutrally. Alternatively, Knock Off is an option to hit Gourgeist-XL as well as remove items from walls that commonly switch into it, such as Quagsire and Ferroseed.
Set Details
========
A Choice Scarf allows Kabutops to outspeed Pokemon it would normally get forced out by, such as Lilligant, Jynx, Rotom, and Zangoose. An Adamant nature gives Kabutops more power while still enabling it to outspeed the entire unboosted tier. A Jolly nature lets Kabutops outspeed +2 Jolly Rhydon, Modest Omastar, and Adamant Golurk, as well as +1 Modest Lilligant; however, it generally isn't worth the noticeable drop in power. Lastly, with Swift Swim Kabutops outspeeds all rain sweepers, including Ludicolo, Floatzel, and opposing Jolly Kabutops, and is able to OHKO them with the appropriate coverage move.
Usage Tips
========
Due to its high Speed with a Choice Scarf, great coverage, and STAB combination that allows it to hit a majority of the tier for at least neutral damage, Kabutops's main role is that of a revenge killer. Kabutops's solid defensive typing allows it to pivot into predicted Fire-, Rock-, and Normal-type attacks when necessary. Sometimes getting off an emergency Rapid Spin can be crucial and can relieve the pressure of entry hazards from Kabutops's teammates. Unfortunately, being locked into Rapid Spin comes with the risk of becoming setup fodder once the opponent realizes Kabutops is holding a Choice Scarf, so it should be used with caution.
Team Options
========
Strong special attackers such as Magmortar, Charizard, and Pyroar can pressure physical walls such as Ferroseed, Mega Audino, Gourgeist-XL, and Quagsire, clearing the way for Kabutops to clean up late-game. In return, they appreciate Kabutops's ability to spin away hazards and take out Rock-, Fire-, and Ground-types for them. Slower wallbreakers such as Pinsir, Haunter, and Magmortar particularly appreciate Choice Scarf Kabutops's Speed and utility in beating faster Pokemon such as Swellow, Archeops, and Tauros. Setup sweepers such as Cacturne, Vivillon, Lilligant, and Rhydon value Choice Scarf Kabutops's ability to clean up late-game after they go down. In particular, Cacturne makes for a decent partner, setting up Spikes to further weaken Kabutops's checks. Toxic Spikes support from Garbodor or Weezing is amazing as well because most of Kabutops's best checks, such as Quagsire and Poliwrath, are crippled by the entry hazard. Bulky Psychic-types such as Mesprit, Musharna, and Xatu are great partners, combatting any Fighting- and Poison-types for Kabutops. Xatu especially makes for a great partner, forming a consistent anti-hazard core.
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Rapid Spin
move 4: Superpower
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Waterfall is the most reliable Water-type STAB move Kabutops gets, hitting most targets that dont resist it hard, as well as having a decent flinch chance. Stone Edge is Kabutops's most powerful STAB move, hitting most Pokemon that resist Waterfall extremely hard, such as Lilligant, Samurott, Jynx, Lanturn, Mantine, Pelipper, and Ludicolo. Rapid Spin allows Kabutops to get off an emergency spin at the cost of potentially sacrificing itself. Superpower rounds out Kabutops's coverage, hitting Pokemon that take little from its STAB moves such as Ferroseed and Cradily super effectively while also hitting Poliwrath neutrally. Alternatively, Knock Off is an option to hit Gourgeist-XL as well as remove items from walls that commonly switch into it, such as Quagsire and Ferroseed.
Set Details
========
A Choice Scarf allows Kabutops to outspeed Pokemon it would normally get forced out by, such as Lilligant, Jynx, Rotom, and Zangoose. An Adamant nature gives Kabutops more power while still enabling it to outspeed the entire unboosted tier. A Jolly nature lets Kabutops outspeed +2 Jolly Rhydon, Modest Omastar, and Adamant Golurk, as well as +1 Modest Lilligant; however, it generally isn't worth the noticeable drop in power. Lastly, with Swift Swim Kabutops outspeeds all rain sweepers, including Ludicolo, Floatzel, and opposing Jolly Kabutops, and is able to OHKO them with the appropriate coverage move.
Usage Tips
========
Due to its high Speed with a Choice Scarf, great coverage, and STAB combination that allows it to hit a majority of the tier for at least neutral damage, Kabutops's main role is that of a revenge killer. Kabutops's solid defensive typing allows it to pivot into predicted Fire-, Rock-, and Normal-type attacks when necessary. Sometimes getting off an emergency Rapid Spin can be crucial and can relieve the pressure of entry hazards from Kabutops's teammates. Unfortunately, being locked into Rapid Spin comes with the risk of becoming setup fodder once the opponent realizes Kabutops is holding a Choice Scarf, so it should be used with caution.
Team Options
========
Strong special attackers such as Magmortar, Charizard, and Pyroar can pressure physical walls such as Ferroseed, Mega Audino, Gourgeist-XL, and Quagsire, clearing the way for Kabutops to clean up late-game. In return, they appreciate Kabutops's ability to spin away hazards and take out Rock-, Fire-, and Ground-types for them. Slower wallbreakers such as Pinsir, Haunter, and Magmortar particularly appreciate Choice Scarf Kabutops's Speed and utility in beating faster Pokemon such as Swellow, Archeops, and Tauros. Setup sweepers such as Cacturne, Vivillon, Lilligant, and Rhydon value Choice Scarf Kabutops's ability to clean up late-game after they go down. In particular, Cacturne makes for a decent partner, setting up Spikes to further weaken Kabutops's checks. Toxic Spikes support from Garbodor or Weezing is amazing as well because most of Kabutops's best checks, such as Quagsire and Poliwrath, are crippled by the entry hazard. Bulky Psychic-types such as Mesprit, Musharna, and Xatu are great partners, combatting any Fighting- and Poison-types for Kabutops. Xatu especially makes for a great partner, forming a consistent anti-hazard core.
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