[OVERVIEW]
With the combination of Aurora Veil, Snow Warning, and a strong offensive profile, Abomasnow is ZU's sole viable snow setter and a threatening offensive tank. The Defense boost from snow even helps Abomasnow tank attacks like Glastrier's Close Combat and Lycanroc's Stone Edge. Abomasnow's snow pairs well with Beartic, enabling the latter's Slush Rush for formidable late-game sweeps. Aurora Veil is also invaluable support for teammates like Jolteon, Charizard, and Floatzel, allowing them to more easily wreak havoc against the opposition. Abomasnow itself can dish out powerful STAB attacks courtesy of its threatening offensive stats and coverage. Abomasnow, however, is hindered by its low Speed and awful defensive typing, leaving it vulnerable to special attackers like Charizard and Magneton without the help of Terastallization. Without Heavy-Duty Boots, Abomasnow is very vulnerable to getting worn down by entry hazards. Abomasnow faces competition from other offensive Grass-types like Brute Bonnet and Virizion for their faster Speed and better defensive profiles, though Abomasnow stands out for its unique ability and offensive typing.
[SET]
Aurora Veil (Abomasnow) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
IVs: 0 Atk
Tera Type: Water
Modest Nature
- Aurora Veil
- Blizzard
- Giga Drain / Leaf Storm
- Earth Power
[SET COMMENTS]
Abomasnow is a chilling offensive tank courtesy of its offensive typing and the combination of Snow Warning and Blizzard. Giga Drain provides consistent recovery for Abomasnow and hits Water-types like Lanturn and Poliwrath, though Leaf Storm can be used for immediate burst damage at the cost of lowering its offensive stats and forgoing healing. Earth Power is Abomasnow's strongest option against Steel-types like Magneton as well as Typhlosion. Heavy-Duty Boots covers Abomasnow's Stealth Rock vulnerability so it can effectively tank attacks and set up Aurora Veil. While other Pokemon are preferred for Terastallization, Tera Water can help in a pinch to shield Abomasnow from Fire-types like Charizard and Typhlosion.
Abomasnow tends to fit on offensive and balanced builds thanks to its offensive typing and the support provided by Aurora Veil. Offensive pivots like Floatzel and Jolteon appreciate it to better take damage from potential Choice Scarf users like opposing Floatzel and Hisuian Sneasel; Jolteon also benefits from having a more threatening coverage move under snow with Ice-type Weather Ball. Beartic particularly stands out as a partner, benefiting from the Defense boost under snow and having its sweeping capabilities enabled with Slush Rush. Other setup sweepers like Minor, Oricorio, and Nasty Plot Mesprit benefit from the extra bulk under Aurora Veil giving them more opportunities to break or sweep. Abomasnow's plethora of weaknesses leaves it vulnerable to U-turn users and Fire-types; defensive backbones like Lanturn, Mesprit, and Hisuian Qwilfish can provide support with their bulk and utility moves. Additionally, Lanturn can provide paralysis support with Thunder Wave, (comma) and the latter two can rack up residual damage with entry hazards. Abomasnow can, in return, switch into weaker walls like Dipplin, Lanturn, and Sandslash to threaten them away with powerful STAB moves. Frailer attackers like Sneasel formes, Grafaiai, and Lycanroc appreciate Abomasnow leveraging its typing and decent bulk to pivot in on Floatzel, an otherwise difficult matchup. Hazard deterrents like Hattrem and Sandslash stand out as notable teammates, with the former providing Magic Bounce, paralysis, and Healing Wish support, while the latter can remove hazards and provide Knock Off utility.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Focus Blast nails Orthworm and deals more damage to special walls and tanks like Snorlax and Glastrier, though its shaky accuracy makes it an inconsistent option. On more offensive teams, Eject Pack can make Abomasnow a one-time pivot with Leaf Storm, while Icy Rock can be run to give Beartic more turns of snow for sweeping. However, not running Heavy-Duty Boots exacerbates Abomasnow's vulnerability to residual damage. Physical sets can surprise special walls like Snorlax and Cryogonal, though they struggle by lacking a strong physical Ice-type STAB move and being less effective overall. Leech Seed can be used to discourage special walls like Snorlax and Muk from staying in on Abomasnow, though it can't afford dropping Aurora Veil or coverage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Even when Abomasnow has the Defense boost under snow, Fire-types like Charizard, Oricorio, and Typhlosion can melt it with their powerful STAB moves and switch into its Grass-type attacks.
**Special Walls**: Despite Abomasnow's powerful STAB moves, special tanks like Snorlax, Articuno, and Cryogonal can stomach its attacks and reliably recover the damage off before chipping it away with their own STAB attacks; Snorlax is particularly dangerous with its Heat Crash.
**Steel-types**: Orthworm stands out as one of Abomasnow's most difficult matchups, resisting both of its STAB moves, being immune to Earth Power, and being able to retaliate by setting up entry hazards or Iron Defense. Other Steel-types like Magneton and Perrserker are similarly threatening but hate Earth Power.
**Faster Pokemon**: Abomasnow's awful defensive typing and merely fine bulk leave it vulnerable to numerous attackers faster than it. Revenge killers and wallbreakers like Passimian, Virizion, and Grafaiai are just a few examples that can pick it off with some chip damage, even if they dislike switching into it.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/5dots.543866/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sinnabyss.626095/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/missangelic.452572
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rose.511181/
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