[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Thunder Wave / Stone Edge
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet / Shuca Berry
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
tera type: Dragon / Ghost / Flying
[SET COMMENTS]
Cobalion serves as one of the best Stealth Rock setters in the metagame due to its good matchups into the most common hazard removal options, Excadrill and Mandibuzz, while also being one of the best sponges for Lokix's First Impression. Volt Switch allows Cobalion to pivot out on would-be switch-ins such as Latios and Zapdos and bring in a teammate to threaten them out. Thunder Wave can punish Tornadus-T and the aforementioned Latios for switching in, while Stone Edge can be used to hit Flying-types like Thundurus-T and Zapdos super effectively. Leftovers gives Cobalion more longevity, allowing it to check opposing threats for an extended period of time, while Rocky Helmet allows it to punish Lokix more easily and get chip damage on other contact moves users such as Scizor and Tyranitar. Shuca Berry is another option that allows Cobalion to switch into or stay in on Earthquakes from unboosted Excadrill or Ursaluna. Tera Dragon gives Cobalion a resistance to Water-type attacks such as Surf from Greninja, which is then OHKOed back with Close Combat, while making it neutral to Ground and preserving its Grass resistance so it can still check Ogerpon. Tera Ghost allows it to preserve Stealth Rock in the event the opposing Excadrill uses its Tera to flip the matchup while also making Cobalion neutral to Ground-type attacks and immune to Fighting-type attacks such as Close Combat from Scizor and opposing Cobalion. Tera Flying gives it an immunity to Ground-type attacks, allowing it to more easily answer even a Speed-boosted Excadrill. However, Cobalion's base typing is very useful for answering threats like Lokix, Scizor, and Tyranitar, so it should usually only Terastalize if there is no other option at the time.
Cobalion fits on Volt Turn offense, bulky offense, and balance teams, utilizing its good matchups into the most common hazard removal options to keep Stealth Rock up for a solid portion of the game while using Volt Switch to bring threats onto the field. Unfortunately, Cobalion doesn't resist Flying and Psychic, so alternative checks to threats like Tornadus-T, Zapdos, and Latios are needed. Slowking can check both Latios and Tornadus-T while also providing Thunder Wave support so Cobalion is more free to use Taunt. In return, Cobalion can switch into Lokix and Scizor, which can threaten Slowking. Pivot Tornadus-T can act as a check to Latios while using Knock Off so that foes such as Zapdos and Skeledirge are susceptible to Cobalion's Stealth Rock and U-turn to continue the pivot chain. Sandy Shocks and Thundurus-T can both switch into Zapdos and block Volt Switch while also applying pressure on Ground-types like Rhyperior, as well as Cobalion checks like Hydrapple and Latios. Cobalion is also threatened by Okidogi, so ways to offensively pressure it like Excadrill, Latios, Zapdos, and the previously mentioned Tornadus-T are appreciated. The latter two, alongside Grass-types like Hydrapple and Zarude, also provide a Ground resistance to help cover Cobalion's weakness. Excadrill, on the other hand, provides a Latios check that can remove hazards while also offensively checking Skeledirge and Toxapex. Choice Specs Greninja offensively pressures everything that can threaten Cobalion, and it appreciates Cobalion's ability to draw in foes and pivot on them alongside Stealth Rock for chipping Assault Vest Tornadus-T into Ice Beam range.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/thatoneapple.620325/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/monky25.515132/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/twilight.344575/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/milak.262594/
name: Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Thunder Wave / Stone Edge
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet / Shuca Berry
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
tera type: Dragon / Ghost / Flying
[SET COMMENTS]
Cobalion serves as one of the best Stealth Rock setters in the metagame due to its good matchups into the most common hazard removal options, Excadrill and Mandibuzz, while also being one of the best sponges for Lokix's First Impression. Volt Switch allows Cobalion to pivot out on would-be switch-ins such as Latios and Zapdos and bring in a teammate to threaten them out. Thunder Wave can punish Tornadus-T and the aforementioned Latios for switching in, while Stone Edge can be used to hit Flying-types like Thundurus-T and Zapdos super effectively. Leftovers gives Cobalion more longevity, allowing it to check opposing threats for an extended period of time, while Rocky Helmet allows it to punish Lokix more easily and get chip damage on other contact moves users such as Scizor and Tyranitar. Shuca Berry is another option that allows Cobalion to switch into or stay in on Earthquakes from unboosted Excadrill or Ursaluna. Tera Dragon gives Cobalion a resistance to Water-type attacks such as Surf from Greninja, which is then OHKOed back with Close Combat, while making it neutral to Ground and preserving its Grass resistance so it can still check Ogerpon. Tera Ghost allows it to preserve Stealth Rock in the event the opposing Excadrill uses its Tera to flip the matchup while also making Cobalion neutral to Ground-type attacks and immune to Fighting-type attacks such as Close Combat from Scizor and opposing Cobalion. Tera Flying gives it an immunity to Ground-type attacks, allowing it to more easily answer even a Speed-boosted Excadrill. However, Cobalion's base typing is very useful for answering threats like Lokix, Scizor, and Tyranitar, so it should usually only Terastalize if there is no other option at the time.
Cobalion fits on Volt Turn offense, bulky offense, and balance teams, utilizing its good matchups into the most common hazard removal options to keep Stealth Rock up for a solid portion of the game while using Volt Switch to bring threats onto the field. Unfortunately, Cobalion doesn't resist Flying and Psychic, so alternative checks to threats like Tornadus-T, Zapdos, and Latios are needed. Slowking can check both Latios and Tornadus-T while also providing Thunder Wave support so Cobalion is more free to use Taunt. In return, Cobalion can switch into Lokix and Scizor, which can threaten Slowking. Pivot Tornadus-T can act as a check to Latios while using Knock Off so that foes such as Zapdos and Skeledirge are susceptible to Cobalion's Stealth Rock and U-turn to continue the pivot chain. Sandy Shocks and Thundurus-T can both switch into Zapdos and block Volt Switch while also applying pressure on Ground-types like Rhyperior, as well as Cobalion checks like Hydrapple and Latios. Cobalion is also threatened by Okidogi, so ways to offensively pressure it like Excadrill, Latios, Zapdos, and the previously mentioned Tornadus-T are appreciated. The latter two, alongside Grass-types like Hydrapple and Zarude, also provide a Ground resistance to help cover Cobalion's weakness. Excadrill, on the other hand, provides a Latios check that can remove hazards while also offensively checking Skeledirge and Toxapex. Choice Specs Greninja offensively pressures everything that can threaten Cobalion, and it appreciates Cobalion's ability to draw in foes and pivot on them alongside Stealth Rock for chipping Assault Vest Tornadus-T into Ice Beam range.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/thatoneapple.620325/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/monky25.515132/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/twilight.344575/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/milak.262594/
Last edited:
