Seeing as Combee is one of the few fully evolved Pokemon that gets shafted for an analysis, I think its about time it got one in an environment I feel it would be most successful.
[OVERVIEW]
* At first glance, Combee may seem outclassed by its Bug-type Rival, Scizor
* Speed ties with many pokemon that could outspeed Scizor, such as Bisharp and Decidueye
* Combee's unique typing allows it to check many pokemon that Scizor cannot, such as Choice Scarf Mienshao and Heracross locked into a fighting move assuming Stealth Rocks are not present
* Is also able to check a few other pokemon, such as Tsareena and Celebi, giving it additional utility
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Air Cutter
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Ominous Wind
move 4: Sleep Talk / Mud Slap
item: Choice Specs
ability: Honey Gather
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Putting a Choice Specs on Combee allows it to deal respectable damage to the opponent
* Air Cutter is Combee's main STAB move, hitting key pokemon such as Heracross and Mienshao for super effective Damage
* Bug Buzz is Combee's secondary STAB move, dealing higher damage to Pokemon such as Celebi, Hydreigon, Latias, and Tsareena
* Ominous Wind deals super effective damage to most ghost type pokemon such as Chandelure and Doublade.
* Sleep Talk makes combee an effective sleep absorber
* Mud Slap hits steel- and Rock-types for super effective damage and can provide setup opportunities for other Pokemon
Set Details
========
* Rapid Spin Support is practically mandatory given Combee's 4x weakness to Stealth Rocks
* With good prediction, Combee can reliably pivot into Grass or Fighting type moves from the opponent
* Mud Slap provides really nice utility for setup sweepers such as Bisharp and Cobalion, so feel free to use it extensively
Usage Tips
========
* It is recommended that entry hazards are removed from the field before Combee enters it, as it will lose a quarter of its HP when it enters the battlefield
* Try to eliminate all Steel-types before bringing Combee into the battlefield, as it will have trouble breaking through them, though Mud Slap does deal respectable damage
* Watch out for super effective coverage from Pokemon such as Keldeo and Heracross before sending Combee in. Try to lure these Pokemon into using a specific move
Team Options
========
* Lots of Pokemon benefit from Combee's ability to take advantage of Choice locked pokemon
* Claydol is a great partner, being able to lure in grass and fighting type moves for Combee to absorb, spinning away Stealth Rocks, and dealing with problematic Steel-types
* Assault Vest Ambipom is great at dealing free damage with Fake out and U-turn, giving Combee the ability to achieve OHKOes and 2HKOes it would not be able to otherwise. Additionally, Ambipom lures many Choice Scarf Fighting-type Pokemon such as Keldeo for Combee to switch into
* Expert Belt Electivire is an excellent lure for Ground-types, which combee also conveniently checks, and benefits from Combee's ability to lure Electric-type moves.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Finding other options for Combee to use is tough due to its small movepool
* A choice band set with Hustle and Bug Bite can be used, though its mostly outclassed by the special set
* Flyium Z can be Used to give Combee a one-time powerful Flying attack to use against Fighting types, but the consistent power of the Choice Specs set outshines it
Checks and Counters
===================
**Offensive Wallbreakers**: Strong Wallbreakers like Electivire and Cincinno can easily OHKO Combee, though both must be wary of Mud Slap.
**Other Flying-types**: Most Flying-type pokemon like Butterfree and Jumpluff can usually OHKO Combee, though they must watch out for Air Cutter.
**Lycanroc**: Lycanroc-Night can easily One-shot Combee with a Stone Edge.
**Stealth Rocks**: Stealth Rocks are virtually the only reliable counter to Combee, as they strip it of 50% of its health everytime it comes in the battlefield.
[OVERVIEW]
* At first glance, Combee may seem outclassed by its Bug-type Rival, Scizor
* Speed ties with many pokemon that could outspeed Scizor, such as Bisharp and Decidueye
* Combee's unique typing allows it to check many pokemon that Scizor cannot, such as Choice Scarf Mienshao and Heracross locked into a fighting move assuming Stealth Rocks are not present
* Is also able to check a few other pokemon, such as Tsareena and Celebi, giving it additional utility
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Air Cutter
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Ominous Wind
move 4: Sleep Talk / Mud Slap
item: Choice Specs
ability: Honey Gather
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Putting a Choice Specs on Combee allows it to deal respectable damage to the opponent
* Air Cutter is Combee's main STAB move, hitting key pokemon such as Heracross and Mienshao for super effective Damage
* Bug Buzz is Combee's secondary STAB move, dealing higher damage to Pokemon such as Celebi, Hydreigon, Latias, and Tsareena
* Ominous Wind deals super effective damage to most ghost type pokemon such as Chandelure and Doublade.
* Sleep Talk makes combee an effective sleep absorber
* Mud Slap hits steel- and Rock-types for super effective damage and can provide setup opportunities for other Pokemon
Set Details
========
* Rapid Spin Support is practically mandatory given Combee's 4x weakness to Stealth Rocks
* With good prediction, Combee can reliably pivot into Grass or Fighting type moves from the opponent
* Mud Slap provides really nice utility for setup sweepers such as Bisharp and Cobalion, so feel free to use it extensively
Usage Tips
========
* It is recommended that entry hazards are removed from the field before Combee enters it, as it will lose a quarter of its HP when it enters the battlefield
* Try to eliminate all Steel-types before bringing Combee into the battlefield, as it will have trouble breaking through them, though Mud Slap does deal respectable damage
* Watch out for super effective coverage from Pokemon such as Keldeo and Heracross before sending Combee in. Try to lure these Pokemon into using a specific move
Team Options
========
* Lots of Pokemon benefit from Combee's ability to take advantage of Choice locked pokemon
* Claydol is a great partner, being able to lure in grass and fighting type moves for Combee to absorb, spinning away Stealth Rocks, and dealing with problematic Steel-types
* Assault Vest Ambipom is great at dealing free damage with Fake out and U-turn, giving Combee the ability to achieve OHKOes and 2HKOes it would not be able to otherwise. Additionally, Ambipom lures many Choice Scarf Fighting-type Pokemon such as Keldeo for Combee to switch into
* Expert Belt Electivire is an excellent lure for Ground-types, which combee also conveniently checks, and benefits from Combee's ability to lure Electric-type moves.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Finding other options for Combee to use is tough due to its small movepool
* A choice band set with Hustle and Bug Bite can be used, though its mostly outclassed by the special set
* Flyium Z can be Used to give Combee a one-time powerful Flying attack to use against Fighting types, but the consistent power of the Choice Specs set outshines it
Checks and Counters
===================
**Offensive Wallbreakers**: Strong Wallbreakers like Electivire and Cincinno can easily OHKO Combee, though both must be wary of Mud Slap.
**Other Flying-types**: Most Flying-type pokemon like Butterfree and Jumpluff can usually OHKO Combee, though they must watch out for Air Cutter.
**Lycanroc**: Lycanroc-Night can easily One-shot Combee with a Stone Edge.
**Stealth Rocks**: Stealth Rocks are virtually the only reliable counter to Combee, as they strip it of 50% of its health everytime it comes in the battlefield.