**artwork is my own**
[OVERVIEW]
Kadabra is one of ZeroUsed's best revenge killers thanks largely to its high Special Attack and great Speed tier, while its access to Calm Mind also gives it the ability to become a frightening wallbreaker. It also has an amazing ability in Magic Guard that not only allow it to stop most defensive Pokemon, but also hold Focus Sash without worrying about it being broken by entry hazards and hold Life Orb without being worn down by the item's recoil. Focus Sash Kadabra can also utilize Counter to survive one hit and deal massive damage to physically offensive Pokemon. However, Kadabra's poor bulk and bad defensive typing are easily exploited by Pokemon such as Pinsir, Pawniard, and Silvally-Dark, especially if Kadabra does not hold a Focus Sash. While Kadabra's base 105 Speed is good, it is still outpaced and revenge killed by common Choice Scarf users such as Swanna, Pinsir, and Shiftry, as well as priority move users such as Electivire, Shiftry, and Metang. Focus Sash variants of Kadabra also have issues breaking through specially defensive Pokemon such as Bronzong and Lickilicky and Assault Vest users such as Kecleon and Komala. Life Orb Kadabra is also extremely vulnerable to being Pursuit trapped by the likes of Silvally-Dark.
[SET]
name: Focus Sash Revenge Killer
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Dazzling Gleam
move 3: Counter
move 4: Taunt / Shadow Ball
item: Focus Sash
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dazzling Gleam hurts Dark-type Pokemon such as Shiftry, Silvally-Dark, and Pawniard that attempt to switch into Kadabra. In conjunction with Magic Guard and Focus Sash, Counter is used to check Pokemon that think they can take down Kadabra by attacking it on its pitiful Defense stat, especially Pursuit trappers such as Choice Band Bouffalant, Pawniard, and Silvally-Dark. Taunt gives Kadabra an edge against defensive Pokemon by preventing them from laying entry hazards, recovering their health, or using status moves like Thunder Wave. Shadow Ball can be used instead of Taunt to nail Psychic-type Pokemon like Bronzor, Grumpig, and Mr. Mime.
Set Details
========
Focus Sash allows Kadabra to take at least one attack before it goes down, which aids it in its revenge killing role. This is especially vital against setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Bouffalant, Curse Muk, and Raichu. Magic Guard makes Kadabra immune to residual damage, allowing it to preserve its Focus Sash.
Usage Tips
========
Kadabra is primarily used as a revenge killer, so making sure its Focus Sash is intact when it needs to be is vital. This includes scenarios where Kadabra must revenge kill setup sweepers such as Muk, Bouffalant, and Combusken. Against physical sweepers such as Curse Muk and Swords Dance Bouffalant, Kadabra can easily go for Counter to deal significant damage to them. Kadabra can also be used to check frail special attackers such as Raichu and Simisear if it does not need to use Counter during the match. Avoid bringing Kadabra in on any direct attack, as not only are its defenses very poor, but doing so will also break Kadabra's Focus Sash. Counter is a great move to go for if a physical attack is anticipated and Kadabra's Focus Sash is intact, since it is almost guaranteed to KO the opposing Pokemon thanks to Kadabra's poor Defense. Kadabra can also use Counter against Pursuit trappers such as Pawniard and Bouffalant. Thanks to Magic Guard making it immune to Toxic, Kadabra can come in against passive foes such as Bronzor, Pyukumuku, and Mareanie and stop these Pokemon from recovering HP or using other status moves with Taunt. Keep in mind that moves like Psywave and Scald from these Pokemon can still break Kadabra's Focus Sash, however.
Team Options
========
Kadabra is primarily seen on more offensive teams because it can keep setup sweepers in check. Pokemon like Silvally-Ghost, Mr. Mime, and Misdreavus appreciate Kadabra's ability to potentially lure in Pursuit trappers and KO them with Counter. Pairing Kadabra with Pokemon such as Silvally-Fighting, Rapidash, and Combusken is ideal because Kadabra cannot really dent Steel-type Pokemon. Kadabra, in return, can check Fighting- and Fire-type switch-ins such as Mareanie and Silvally-Poison for them. Pivots such as Electivire, Komala, and Silvally-Ghost can bring Kadabra in safely, allowing it to keep its Focus Sash intact. Offensive entry hazard setters such as Golem, Probopass, and Pinsir make for ideal partners, as they ensure that Kadabra has an easier time revenge killing opposing Pokemon. In addition, these Pokemon have coverage moves that allow them to hurt the Steel-type Pokemon that Kadabra cannot touch. Probopass in particular can trap Steel-type Pokemon and easily dispatch of them with Earth Power.
[SET]
name: Life Orb Attacker
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Psychic / Psyshock
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Signal Beam / Dazzling Gleam
item: Life Orb
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Calm Mind boosts Kadabra's Special Attack, allowing it to break through teams much more easily. Psychic is Kadabra's strongest STAB move and allows it to beat Pokemon like Pyukumuku, while Psyshock targets specially defensive Pokemon like Muk, Lickilicky, and Assault Vest users such as Kecleon and Komala. Shadow Ball hits Psychic-type Pokemon like Bronzor, Grumpig, and Mr. Mime. Signal Beam is the preferred coverage move because of its ability to hit Grass-types such as Tangela as well as Dark-types, which gives Kadabra an easier time breaking down defensive cores. Dazzling Gleam is an alternative option that still hits Dark-types as well as Dragon-types like Altaria and Silvally-Dragon. Hidden Power Fighting can be used instead to OHKO Pawniard; however, this option leaves Kadabra countered by Vullaby.
Set Details
========
Magic Guard and Life Orb give Kadabra a power boost without recoil. Magic Guard also allows Kadabra to bluff a Focus Sash set; this can come in handy against bulkier Pokemon, especially after Kadabra has boosted with Calm Mind. For example, +1 Shadow Ball can 2HKO Bronzor and OHKO Gourgeist-XL, while +1 Psychic can 2HKO Lickilicky after Stealth Rock damage.
Usage Tips
========
This Kadabra set can break walls easily but capitalizes on prediction. It is best to bring Kadabra in with the help of a slow pivoting move or with an aggressive double switch. Kadabra can come in on passive Pokemon such as Altaria, Bronzong, and Pyukumuku as well as weakened offensive Pokemon that it can outspeed and revenge kill, such as Pinsir and Silvally-Fighting. Once Kadabra is in play, it should try to dish out damage or attempt to boost its power with Calm Mind on a forced switch. While it is a risky play, Kadabra can try to bluff a Focus Sash set; to do this, bring Kadabra in on an enemy that would be afraid of Counter such as Bouffalant, Assault Vest Kecleon, or Swords Dance Abomasnow. The opponent might fall for the bluff and switch out their Pokemon. From there, Kadabra can attempt to boost with Calm Mind or go for an attack to net a surprise KO. Kadabra must not be brought in on any offensive move because of how frail it is.
Team Options
========
This Kadabra set is best used on offensive teams with partners that can reliably deal with setup sweepers. Choice Scarf users such as Electivire, Pinsir, and Swanna are good teammates, since they often outpace these Pokemon and can revenge kill them. Combusken can also help revenge kill setup sweepers by boosting its Speed with Speed Boost and taking them out with powerful Z-Moves. Because this Kadabra set doesn't run Focus Sash, teammates that can reliably threaten Dark-type Pokemon that run Sucker Punch or Pursuit such as Combusken, Silvally-Fighting, and Machoke are greatly appreciated. Partners that can deal with Steel-types such as Rapidash, Combusken, and Silvally-Fighting are needed. Offensive entry hazard setters such as Golem, Crustle, and Armaldo help Kadabra to take down foes. Probopass deserves a special mention because it can trap Steel-types with Magnet Pull and proceed to take them out. Slow pivots such as Komala, Silvally-Ghost, and Probopass can bring Kadabra safely into battle. Pokemon such as special Combusken, Raichu, and Simipour appreciate Kadabra's ability to soften special walls if it is running Psyshock. Likewise, physical sweepers like Swords Dance Abomasnow, Bulk Up Floatzel, and Kecleon love Kadabra's ability to threaten physical walls if it is running Psychic.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Hidden Power Fighting can be used on the Focus Sash set to OHKO Pawniard after it uses Sucker Punch. However, Counter also accomplishes this and is a better option in general. Encore can be used to hinder Pokemon that attempt to set up on Kadabra and defensive Pokemon such as Lickilicky; however, Taunt is generally more useful. Substitute on the Life Orb set allows Kadabra to take hits safely, avoid status moves like Thunder Wave, and safely set up Calm Mind boosts. However, Substitute cuts into Kadabra's HP, shortening its already poor longevity, and takes up a moveslot that Kadabra cannot afford to give up. Thunder Wave can be used over Taunt on the Focus Sash set as a method to slow down faster Pokemon that Kadabra cannot OHKO like Floatzel, making them easier for another teammate to revenge kill.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: While Kadabra does have a good Speed tier, it is still susceptible to being revenge killed by faster threats such as Floatzel, Zebstrika, and Dugtrio. Choice Scarf users such as Electivire, Pinsir, and Swanna can also outpace Kadabra and revenge kill it. However, all of these Pokemon do need to be cautious if Kadabra still has its Focus Sash intact.
**Priority Moves**: Life Orb Kadabra falls prey to priority moves such as Floatzel's Aqua Jet, Muk's Shadow Sneak, and Abomasnow's Ice Shard. Sucker Punch is Life Orb Kadabra's biggest weakness, especially from users such as Kecleon, Pawniard, and Shiftry. These Pokemon aren't as big of an issue if Kadabra is holding Focus Sash, though, as it can easily revenge kill them in return.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Focus Sash Kadabra cannot really hurt specially defensive Pokemon such as Bronzor, Lickilicky, and Assault Vest Kecleon. Lickilicky is immune to Taunt thanks to Oblivious and can proceed to pass Wishes to its teammates or potentially paralyze Kadabra with Body Slam. Assault Vest Bouffalant can also Pursuit trap Kadabra. However, Life Orb Kadabra can do hefty damage to them at +1.
**Dark-type Pokemon**: If Kadabra is not holding a Focus Sash, Dark-type Pokemon can be an issue for it. Shiftry and Pawniard can reliably KO Kadabra with Sucker Punch, and Silvally-Dark can Pursuit trap it. Vullaby completely walls Kadabra if it is not running Dazzling Gleam.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[JustoonSmitts, ]]
- Quality checked by: [[5gen, 296755], [Xayah, 167012], [BloodAce0107, 435539]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Empress, 175616]]
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