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[/LIST]Kabutops
[Overview]
[SET]
name: Offensive Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Aqua Jet
move 4: Swords Dance / Superpower
item: Life Orb / Lum Berry
ability: Swift Swim / Weak Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Low Kick / Aqua Jet
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim / Weak Armor
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
[Other Options]
[Checks and Counters]
- Great STAB combination; hits almost every type for nutruel / super effective damage.
- Turns info a powerful sweeper with the aid of Swift Swim, doubling its Speed.
- Decent coverage moves, Swords Dance to boost power to amazing heights.
- With Drizzle being the rage of OU teams these days, Kabutops finds it easy to take advantage of the opposing team providing rain to not only boost its Water-type STAB moves, but to activate Swift Swim. It can be used on a variety of weather teams, such as sun, to check the popular rain team.
- Weak Armor is also a viable ability, allowing Kabutops to make full use of its power and priority via Aqua Jet.
- Even with Starmie and Tentacruel coming as prominent Rapin Spin users, Kabutops still finds a place as a decent Rapid Spinner.
- Very small movepool, however.
- Heavy team support is a must for Kabutops to keep Rain Dance activated for its Swords Dance set.
- Priority moves cut Kabutops short as well, Choice Band Scizor in specific can easily get rid of Kabutops, and Kabutops fails to OHKO it in return.
- If used correctly, Kabutops can still be an aid to the team.
[SET]
name: Offensive Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Aqua Jet
move 4: Swords Dance / Superpower
item: Life Orb / Lum Berry
ability: Swift Swim / Weak Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
- With its great coverage, ok defenses, and priority, Kabutops is a great offensive Rapid Spin user.
- With a Swords Dance boost and Life Orb, it can OHKO Jellicent, making Kabutops hard to spinblock.
- Kabutops also has the power to OHKO min Gengar with Aqua Jet after a Swords Dance boost.
- Doesn't have to be used in rain: Can be used in any condition, such as sun, to check rain teams.
- Rapin Spin - mian move of the set, removing entry hazards from play.
- Stone Edge is the primary STAB move; boasting power and coverage.
- Aqua Jet is the secondary STAB move, pairing well with Stone Edge. It also allows Kabutops to check the likes of Terrakion, Volcarona, and Mamoswine.
- The final moveslot is based on preference. Swords Dance helps Kabutops fare against bulky Pokemon, such as Hippowdon and Jellicent. However, with Superpower, Kabutops isn't setup bait against Ferrothorn, and has a much easier time against the likes of Tyranitar and Hydreigon.
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
- Swift Swim can be used regardless of whether Kabutops is in the rain or not to check rain teams, as they are so common in OU. It also works well with Superpower in checking rain teams, especially with Ferrothorn in the majority of them. Weak Armor works well with Aqua Jet and Swords Dance, however, having that priority Speed, and that boosted power in Attack.
- Adamant is used to maximize Kabutops Attack stat, allowing Kabutops to OHKO and 2HKO many more Pokemon, and allowing it to wallbreak certain walls, such as Ferrothorn, Jellicent, and Gastrodon. For example, thanks to Adamant, Superpower can now 2HKO the standard 252 HP / 88+ Def Ferrothorn, accounting the -1 Atk drop recoil.
- However, if Speed is more important, Jolly can be used. Kabutops misses out on many 2HKOes / OHKOes, however. Jolly should be used as a nature when Kabutops is a stand-alone Swords Dance sweeper, aka not accompanied by rain.
- Life Orb allows Kabutops to break through more threats much quickly thanks to the power boost it provides. It's a mandatory item for Kabutops if it chooses Superpower over Swords Dance. Lum Berry, however, heals Kabutops from any status inflictions it may get, specifically from Breloom / Amoonguss, and status inflictions cripple Kabutops's potential.
- Classic attacking set; 252 in both Attack and Speed to make the most of Kabutops's power and Speed. 4 HP for that small jump in bulk.
- Not many options Kabutops can have for this set pertaining to movepool; X-Scissor is an option in the final moveslot to check Celebi.
- Waterfall > Aqua Jet if Kabutops is used on a sun team to check rain teams with its ability, Swift Swim
- Thanks to Swords Dance, Kabutops can usually hold its own against spinblockers, and its STAB combo hits almost every Pokemon for nutruel damage, so not many partners are needed with it.
- Pokemon that benefit from no entry hazards (Volcarona, Kyurem-B, Mamoswine) are good partners to Kabutops, since it can keep entry hazards off the field for them to sweep.
- If Kabutops were to be used on a rain team, Damp Rock users are potent partners for it as well (Tornadus & Kingdra). Tornadus also deals with Grass-types, Kabutops enemy. Politoed is a good partner if Weak Armor is used, along with Thundurus-T, as it makes use of the permanent rain. Kingdra also pairs well with Adamant Kabutops in rain; while Kabutops wallbreaks and weakens the opposing team, Kingdra can clean up what's left, thanks to it being faster than most potent threats, such as Choice Scarf Keldeo and Choice Scarf Latios.
- Tentacruel can switch-in on Kabutops while taking very little from its attacks. Pokemon such as Alakazam or Lati@s twins can easily handle Tentacruel.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Low Kick / Aqua Jet
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim / Weak Armor
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
- Turns Kabutops into a potent sweeper via Swords Dance + Speed Boost from Swift Swim
- STAB moves cover a variety of types, hitting almost all of them for at least damage.
- Major offensive presense - allows Kabutops to dent a majority of the OU metagame.
- Late-game sweeper.
- Swords Dance - center of the set, raising Kabutops's Attack to amazing heights.
- Waterfall - Primary STAB move, will get a boost in rain conditions.
- Stone Edge - Secondary STAB move, offers great power and coverage alongside Waterfall, especially against sun teams / Fire-types.
- Low Kick - provides coverage to Steel-types, specifically to check Ferrothorn, who is 2HKOed by Low Kick.
- When using Weak Armor as an ability, having Aqua Jet is a must, as the priority plays a big part in its success (Weak Armor boosts are really rare). It also acts a quick STAB move.
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
- Jolly nature to outspeed Choice Scarf Keldeo, Terrakion, and Latios (with Swift Swim)
- Swift Swim is the ability of choice, allowing Kabutops to outspeed almost every Pokemon in OU.
- Life Orb - increases offensive prowness.
- Classic sweeping set- 252 EVs in both Attack and Speed for maximum sweeping potential. 4 HP for additional bulk.
- Weak Armor can be used as an ability if Kabutops is used on a Drizzle team instead of a Rain Dance (damp rock) team, allowing Kabutops to get a Speed boost whenever hit with a physical attack.
- X-Scissor can be used to check Celebi and other Grass-types.
- An All-out attacking set is viable, but the power loss from the lack of Swords Dance makes Kabtuops into less of a sweeper and more into a lackluster wallbreaker.
- Aqua Jet - Can be used over Waterfall as a STAB move, priority and additional power in rain. Power loss is easily noticed, however.
- If Swift Swim is used, Damp Rock users with Rain Dance are the best partners to Kabutops. Tornadus and Kingdra are arguably the best partner choices for Kabutops; the former has priority in Rain Dance and can take advantage of rain present with Hurricane, while the latter is also a Swift Swim user, benefitting from rain as well.
- If Weak Armor is used, Politoed is a great option as a partner, still boosting Kabutops's STAB Waterfall. However, Kabutops can be in any environment with Weak Armor, not just rain.
- Entry hazards - Kabutops's job as a sweeper is much easier when excess damage wears the opponent down beforehand. Ferrothorn and Forretress - good entry hazard layers with Kabutop. When rain is present alongside Kabutops, their weakness to Fire-types are weakened as well.
- Celebi and Breloom can easily counter Kabutops in rain; Scizor and Torndaus can get rid of them before they get to Kabutops.
- Weather changers annoy Kabutops, especially when Swift Swim is being used; Scizor can easily handle Tyranitar and the rare Abomosnow. Choice Specs Keldeo can handle Hippowdon.
[Other Options]
- Kabutops can provide its own rain via Rain Dance + Damp Rock; loses power, a valuable moveslot, and time setting it up, however.
- Has potential with a Support (Stealth Rock) set due to its decent bulk, doesn't wish to give up that moveslot for SR, and there are better Pokemon out there who can achieve it much more efficiently.
- Rock Polish is an option when you want that additional Speed (usually outside of rain). Kabutops rather prefers the Swords Dance boost, however.
- Kabutops also can run a Choice set (Scarf, Band). However, Kabutops loses too much momentum to have this set as effective, and it also wastes Rain Dance turns from the constant switching out/in.
- Rock Slide can be used as a more reliable STAB Rock-type move for Kabutops, but it would rather have that additional power in Stone Edge.
- Likewise, Hone Claws can help with accuracy issues (Stone Edge). Swords Dance provides more power, however.
- Foresight + Rapid Spin: can be useful against Spinblockers, but considering Kabutops can defeat every SpinBlocker in OU with its Offensive Rapid Spin set, Foresight is redundant.
[Checks and Counters]
- Ferrothorn (Can take 1 Low Kick / Superpower (2HKOed by both moves) and hit hard with Gyro Ball / Power Whip; can setup entry hazards against it as well) Same with Forretress. (50% to 3HKO)
- Basically, any strong Grass-type (Virizion, Venusaur, Shaymin)
- Breloom in particular can easily KO it with Bullet Seed / Fighting-type move.
- Celebi- Excellent check to Kabutops; will be destroyed if Kabutops happens to have X-Scissor, though.
- Conkeldurr can use Mach Punch to defeat Kabutops before it has a chance to strike back.
- Gastrodon can absorb Kabutops's Water-type STAB moves, and resists its Rock-type STAB attack while aiming for the burn chance in Scald. Likewise, a Dry Skin Toxicroak (in rain ofc) can absorb Waterfall and resist Superpower / Stone Edge, while KOing Kabutops with Drain Punch.
- Lucario can check Kabutops with its STAB priority moves; takes a lot of damage from a rain-boosted Waterfall, however.
- Bulky Pokemon (Rotom-W, Scizor, Vaporeon, Tentacruel) can wall all of Kabutops's attacks due to their high bulk / resistance to Kabutop's STABs.
- Skarmory- dead counter to Kabutops.
- Ninetale can change the weather to sun to weaken Waterfall, but bear in mind that Kabutops can oftentimes manage well against sun teams via Stone Edge.
- Lati@s twins take Kabutops's attacks pretty well; they don't enjoy an X-Scissor, however.
- Kabutops in Swift Swim mode makes it difficult to outspeed it via Choice Scarf.
- STAB combination is hard to avoid unless you outright resist it.
[Overview]
<p>Kabutops has a few great qualities that catch the eye. Kabutops displays great success as a physical sweeper on teams that have difficulty against rain teams and a physical offensive Rapid Spin user that can beat Ferrothorn on rain teams—a trait that separates Kabutops from other spinners such as Starmie—and has access to the combination of Swords Dance and Weak Armor, giving Kabutops the chance to potentially sweep under rain. Kabutops can also be used on manual Rain Dance teams to make use of Swift Swim, allowing Kabutops to act as a fearsome sweeper against opposing rain teams while outspeeding the majority of them. Boasting a base 115 Attack stat, Kabutops also comes with a great offensive STAB combination, hitting almost every type for neutral or super effective damage.</p>
<p>One of Kabutops's biggest flaws is its disappointing Speed when Swift Swim is not activated, as well as its bad defensive typing, which leaves it easily revenge killed by anything faster than it. Kingdra gives Kabutops stiff competition, as it can be useful outside of rain. Other Rapid Spin users, such as Starmie and Tentacruel, are often better choices than Kabutops. Many physical sweepers, such as Gyarados and Terrakion, outclass almost all of Kabutops's sweeping sets with the ability Weak Armor. Kabutops also suffers from four-moveslot syndrome, meaning that it usually has to choose between getting walled by Ferrothorn or Celebi. Heavy team support is also needed to keep Kabutops alive and to keep Rain Dance active. If you strategically use Kabutops while taking advantage of what it has to offer, then Kabutops will not fail in any role it is used to play.</p>
[SET]
name: Offensive Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Aqua Jet
move 4: Swords Dance / Superpower
item: Life Orb / Lum Berry
ability: Swift Swim / Weak Armor
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This variant of Kabutops doesn't have to be limited to rain conditions; it can be used on sun teams as well to check rain teams. Kabutops also goes well with sand teams, as the Special Defense boost from sandstorm aids Kabutops defensively. Rapid Spin is the main move of this set, removing entry hazards from your side of the field. Stone Edge is Kabutops's primary STAB move, boasting both power and coverage, along with checking Dragonite, whom Kabutops OHKOes with Stone Edge if Multiscale is broken. Aqua Jet is its secondary STAB move, making up for the lack of Speed while allowing Kabutops to check the likes of Terrakion, Volcarona, and Mamoswine. The final moveslot is based on preference. Swords Dance is the ideal move for Kabutops, and for good reason. With the Swords Dance boost, Kabutops can OHKO Jellicent with Stone Edge, making Kabutops increasingly difficult to spinblock. It can also OHKO Gengar with Aqua Jet, along with faring quite well against Hippowdon, a bulky Pokemon Kabutops usually cannot scar. However, with Superpower, Kabutops isn't setup fodder against Ferrothorn, a common Pokemon on rain teams.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>One of Kabutops's abilities, Swift Swim, should be used exclusively on non-Drizzle teams. It also works well with Superpower in checking rain teams, especially with Ferrothorn being on many of them. However, Weak Armor allows Kabutops to be used on Drizzle teams, and it can make up for the loss in Speed with Aqua Jet. Kabutops equipped with the Life Orb allows Kabutops to break through walls much quicker. It's a mandatory item for Kabutops if Superpower is chosen over Swords Dance. Lum Berry is a viable option, as it heals Kabutops of any statuses it may catch, specifically from a Will-O-Wisp from Jellicent, a Body Slam from Jirachi, or an untimely Scald burn.</p>
<p>An Adamant nature is used to maximize Kabutops's Attack stat, allowing it to OHKO and 2HKO a vast variety of Pokemon while wallbreaking bulky Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Jellicent, and Gastrodon. For example, thanks to Adamant, Superpower can 2HKO the standard 252 HP / 88+ Def Ferrothorn, accounting for the -1 Attack drop. However, if Speed is more important, Jolly can be used to outspeed Pokemon such as Adamant Landorus-T and offensive Heatran. An Adamant Swords Dance Kabutops can OHKO Jellicent with Stone Edge, making Adamant a great nature to have. There aren't many alternative options pertaining to Kabutops's moveset, though X-Scissor is an option in the final moveslot to lure and defeat Celebi. Waterfall can also be used over Aqua Jet for the additional power.</p>
<p>Thanks to Swords Dance, Kabutops can usually hold its own against spinblockers thanks to its offensive presence, and its STAB combo hits almost every Pokemon for neutral damage, so not many partners are needed with it. Pokemon that benefit from having no entry hazards from the opponent, such as Volcarona and Kyurem-B, are good partners to pair with Kabutops, as it can keep entry hazards off the field for them to sweep. If using Kabutops on a Rain Dance team, Damp Rock users are potent partners for it as well, specifically Tornadus, who also deals with Grass-types. Politoed is a good partner if Weak Armor is used, along with Thundurus-T, as Kabutops can make good use of the permanent rain. Kingdra also pairs well with Adamant Kabutops in rain; while Kabutops wallbreaks and weakens the opposing team, Kingdra can clean up what's left due to it being faster than most offensive threats, particularly Choice Scarf Keldeo and Latios.</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Low Kick / Aqua Jet
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim / Weak Armor
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With Kabutops's access to Swords Dance and the ability Swift Swim, it can function as a decently powerful and fast late-game sweeper. This is the set where Kabutops's formidable coverage really shows; it provides a major offensive presence and allows Kabutops to dent many Pokemon in the OU metagame along with checking rain teams quite well. With rain present, Swift Swim turns one of Kabutops's biggest flaws into a dangerous weapon. Waterfall is the primary STAB move, getting a power boost in rain conditions. Stone Edge is Kabutops's secondary STAB move, checking Thundurus-T. Low Kick provides great coverage against Steel-types, specifically Ferrothorn, as Low Kick 2HKOes it. Aqua Jet should only be used if Weak Armor is Kabutops's ability, as its priority plays a big part in its success. Aqua Jet is also useful for allowing Kabutops to defeat Breloom under rain. Aqua Jet also lets it avoid a Bullet Punch from Scizor while being able to KO it in return. Outside of rain, Aqua Jet allows Kabutops to dish out harsh damage to Pokemon that can outspeed it, such as Landorus, Thundurus-T, Garchomp, and Terrakion, especially when it has a Swords Dance boost.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>A Jolly nature is used to outspeed Choice Scarf Keldeo, Terrakion, and Latios when Swift Swim is activated. However, Adamant can be used with Aqua Jet for an extra boost in power, but considering the fact that a Choice Scarf Keldeo would then be able to outspeed Kabutops, it might not be worth it in the long run. Life Orb increases Kabutops's overall power. Superpower is an option to use on this set as well, as it can OHKO Keldeo after a Swords Dance. Swift Swim is the ability of choice, allowing Kabutops to check rain teams. However, Weak Armor can be used as an ability if Kabutops is used on a Drizzle-based team, sometimes providing a boost in Speed from physical contact and making Kabutops a great sweeper outside of rain. X-Scissor is an option to lure out and defeat Celebi along with other Grass-types. An all-out attacking set is viable, but the power loss from the lack of Swords Dance makes Kabutops into less of a sweeper and more of a lackluster wallbreaker. Aqua Jet can be used over Waterfall as a STAB move, being heavily recommended when Weak Armor is used, but the power loss is easily noticed.</p>
<p>If Swift Swim is used, Damp Rock users with Rain Dance are the best partners for Kabutops. Tornadus is arguably the best partner; it has priority Rain Dance and can take advantage of rain with Hurricane. Swift Swim should also be used to take advantage of Kabutops's niche of checking opposing rain teams, as they are so common in OU. If Weak Armor is used, Politoed is a great option as a partner. However, Kabutops can be in any weather environment with Weak Armor. Pokemon that can lay entry hazards are also great teammates as well. Ferrothorn and Forretress are both good entry hazard users to pair with Kabutops. When rain is present, their weakness to Fire-types are weakened as well. Celebi can easily counter Kabutops in rain, so having partners that can get rid of it, such as Scizor and Tornadus, are very useful to Kabutops. Weather changers, with the exception of Politoed, annoy Kabutops, especially when Swift Swim is being used. Scizor can easily handle Tyranitar and the rare Abomasnow. Choice Specs Keldeo can handle Hippowdon. While Kabutops has the ability to check Ninetales with Stone Edge, it can still be a nuisance to Kabutops due to the sun weakening its Water-type moves. In such a scenario, Dragon-type Pokemon, such as Salamence and Latios, are good partners to deal with Ninetales.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>In spite of Kabutops's small movepool, it has a variety of other options to choose from. Kabutops can provide its own rain with the move Rain Dance; however, it loses power from the loss of a Life Orb and a valuable moveslot by sacrificing a move for Rain Dance. Kabutops also has potential with a support set, but it doesn't want to give up moveslots for support moves, and there are many other Pokemon better suited for that particular role. Rock Polish is an option when you want that additional Speed if Swift Swim is not used, turning Kabutops into a potent sweeper. Kabutops can also run a Choice Scarf or Choice Band set for an increase in overall Speed or power, respectively. However, Kabutops loses too much momentum to unlock this set's full potential, and it also wastes Rain Dance turns from the constant switches. Rock Slide can replace Stone Edge as a more reliable Rock-type STAB move for Kabutops, but it would rather have the additional power from Stone Edge. Likewise, Hone Claws can help with accuracy issues, specifically with Stone Edge. Foresight paired with Rapid Spin can be useful against spinblockers, but becauseKabutops can defeat nearly every spinblocker in OU with its current Rapid Spin set, Foresight is deemed redundant. In short, Kabutops should stick with its niche of checking rain teams, specifically Ferrothorn, to be successful.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Despite Kabutops's offensive presence, one will find that it's surprisingly easy to counter it. The physically defensive variant of Celebi is one of the best counters to Kabutops, as it can take almost all of Kabutops's attacks while KOing it in retaliation. Gastrodon can absorb Kabutops's Water-type STAB moves and resists its Rock-type STAB attack while aiming for the burn chance in Scald.</p>
<p>Latias is a decent check to the Rapid Spin set, as she can take a Stone Edge and go for the KO against Kabutops. Rotom-W is also a great check to this specific set. Physically defensive Jellicent can also prevent Kabutops from fulfilling its role as a spinner while crippling it with Will-O-Wisp or Toxic.</p>
<p>Weather inducers, bar Politoed, are great counters to the Swords Dance set; without rain, Kabutops can be easily revenge killed by the likes of Keldeo and Terrakion. Rotom-W is a great check to this set as well, as it can absorb an attack thanks to its great Defense and proceed to KO it with Volt Switch. Will-O-Wisp is also a great choice against Kabutops as well, but Rotom-W is better off defeating Kabutops with Volt Switch. Being inflicted with the burn status also reduces the effectiveness of this set, as Kabutops relies on Swords Dance's Attack boost. Sableye is a great Pokemon to spread burn status to Kabutops; it cannot switch into Kabutops, however.</p>
<p>While there are not many hard counters to Kabutops, there are many checks that are effective against it in general. In a nutshell, almost every strong Grass-type Pokemon, such as Breloom, Venusaur, Virizion, and Shaymin, are great checks to Kabutops. Breloom in particular can easily defeat Kabutops with its powerful Mach Punch. Keldeo, Rotom-W, and the physically defensive variant of Jellicent are also great checks to Kabutops. Kabutops with Swift Swim activated makes it difficult to outspeed, even with the Choice Scarf. Even outside of rain, it's not easy to outspeed Kabutops, and even Pokemon that can outspeed it, such as Terrakion and Landorus, dislike taking an Aqua Jet from Kabutops. One of the easier ways to handle Kabutops is to get rid of it before it attempts to set up Swords Dance, as it is much easier to defeat without the Attack boost.</p>
