Roobushin
What, did you NOT expect this?
[Overview]
<p>Roobushin shows what it takes to be an offensive powerhouse when Speed isn't its strongest suit. Roobushin's 140 base Attack shows that every hit from Roobushin is going to hurt. With Guts as an ability, burning Roobushin will only lead to destruction. Those stone slabs Roobushin holds aren't for show either as it is as durable as the slabs are. While 65 Special Defense may not seem like much, it's backed by 105 base HP and 95 Defense. Roobushin lacks Close Combat, but holds two attacks that many bulky Fighting-types would beg to have; Mach Punch and Drain Punch. Roobushin is just one of the main reasons you should have a Fighting-type resist on your team. The opponent that dares not to pack a Fighting-type resist should give up at the sight of Roobushin.</p>
[SET]
name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Drain Punch
move 3: Mach Punch
move 4: Payback / Stone Edge
item: Leftovers
ability: Guts
nature: Brave / Adamant
evs: 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>624 Attack and 339 Defense after a Bulk Up is nothing to screw around with, and Roobushin shows the reasons why. Drain Punch allows Roobushin to tank through the opposition by hitting the opponent hard while recovering lost health. Mach Punch gives Roobushin utility for revenge killing threats such as Lucario and Doryuuzu while being able to bypass its Speed issue. The combination of these two attacks and Bulk Up makes Roobushin an annoying threat if the opposition doesn't hold a Fighting-type resist. Guts is icing on the cake since status effects such as burn and paralysis only make Roobushin stronger. Just to show how much of a monster Roobushin becomes with Guts activated, +1 Drain Punch OHKOes min HP / min Def Garchomp and is inches away from 2HKOing max HP / max Def Hippowdon. The final move is preference between shutting down Ghost-types or preventing Flying-types from wrecking your sweep. Payback is the preferred move as Roobushin can set up on Ghost-types such as Dusknoir and receive a free Attack boost thanks to many Ghost-types carrying Will-O-Wisp.</p>
<p>There are a lot of ways to EV Roobushin. When using Payback, a Brave nature with 0 Speed IV is recommended. This allows Roobushin to use Payback at maximum power against most of Roobushin's opposition. Adamant can be used with Stone Edge since the Speed drop is unnecessary. The current EV spread mimics Machamp's durability to an extent; trading slightly inferior Special Defense for superior Defense. If you want more specific EVs, 68 HP / 224 Atk / 216 SpD Adamant allows Roobushin to take a Timid Shandera Overheat. While slightly inefficient, 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SpD Adamant can also work as it retains Roobushin's maximum power while buffing Roobushin's weaker defensive side. Crocune will fail to 4HKO Roobushin, without using Drain Punch, so long as Sandstorm isn't in play. This allows Roobushin to comfortably obtain two Bulk Ups and follow up with Drain Punch to recover the health lost from Boiling Water. If Crocune decides to Calm Mind, it would need to Calm Mind 6 times to even KO Roobushin. Max HP is never a bad option as it still makes Roobushin sturdy on the special defensive end of the spectrum while improving its physical bulk further. After a Bulk Up, Skarmory's Brave Bird will fail to 2HKO Roobushin. This allows Roobushin to Bulk Up while Skarmory switches in, Bulk Up twice, survive the second Brave Bird assault, and follow up with Drain Punch, which will 2HKO Skarmory. This means when facing Roobushin, Skarmory must either spam Brave Bird, Whirlwind it out (thus risking a chance of Roobushin recovering health after the first Bulk Up and following up with Drain Punch), or Roost and thus Skarmory dies. One can choose to be more defensive, though keep in mind that Roobushin will not be an immediate threat until it uses Bulk Up a few times. 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD Careful allows Roobushin to set up on Pokemon such as Vaporeon easily. Boiling Water won't even 4HKO Roobushin while +1 Drain Punch can fully recover Roobushin's health lost.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>Roobushin's main issues are Pokemon that resist or are immune to Fighting-type attacks. While Payback or Stone Edge can alleviate some of the problem, it is not the end all solution. If Roobushin is using Payback, make sure to pack Pokemon that can take down Flying-types. If Roobushin is prompted to use Stone Edge, Roobushin’s teammates need to be able to handle Ghost-types. Stealth Rock is highly recommended to deter Flying-types such as Boroturosu and Zapdos from wrecking Roobushin. Spikes and / or Toxic Spikes are never a bad idea as it alleviates being stalled out by Hippowdon. Scarf Tyranitar is a great Pokemon to pair alongside Roobushin. While the sandstorm nullifies Leftovers recovery, Tyranitar eliminates many of Roobushin’s threats thanks to Tyranitar’s powerful STABs. Roobushin can take some special attacks, but it doesn't like facing a special sweeper while trying to set up. Chansey or Blissey can help absorb powerful special attacks, though beware of Psycho Shock. Roobushin’s team should have some way of weakening the opponent’s physical walls. Infernape is never a bad Pokemon to use for this purpose. Gengar can help a lot since it hits many Psychic-types hard thanks to STAB Shadow Ball while Roobushin keeps Tyranitar away from Gengar.</p>
[SET]
name: Substitute + Focus Punch
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Focus Punch
move 3: Mach Punch
move 4: Payback / Stone Edge
item: Leftovers
ability: Guts
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Roobushin brags the most powerful Focus Punch in the game. Given its good defenses and slow Speed allows Roobushin to set up Substitute safely. After Substitute is set up, the opponent is not going to enjoy what could possibly come next. STAB Focus Punch has so much power it 2HKOes Skarmory after Stealth Rock; even with Leftovers taken into account. Mach Punch is a great move to compliment Focus Punch as it can KO severely wounded Pokemon in the process. Payback and Stone Edge finish the set off to compliment Roobushin’s Fighting-type STAB. Payback makes sure that no Ghost-types will be willing to switch into Roobushin; even +0 Payback can 2HKO Dusknoir while Dusknoir won’t even break Roobushin’s Substitute with Shadow Punch. Sadly, 0 SpA Burungeru does 26% minimum with Boil Over on max HP Roobushin. If you opt to use 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 SpD with an Adamant Nature, Burungeru’s Boil Over won’t break Roobushin’s Substitute most of the time (22% - 26.2%). Stone Edge helps prevent switch-ins such as Zapdos and Salamence out of the picture.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>
[Overview]
name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Mach Punch
move 3: Drain Punch
move 4: Payback / Stone Edge
item: Leftovers
ability: Guts
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Set Comments
name: Choice Band
move 1: Hammer Arm / Superpower
move 2: Mach Punch
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Payback
item: Choice Band
ability: Guts
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Set Comments
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Hammer Arm / Focus Punch
move 3: Mach Punch
move 4: Payback / Stone Edge
item: Leftovers / Expert Belt
ability: Guts
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Set Comments
[Dream World]
- Note on Mach Punch, +10 Atk, slightly more physical Defense (without major investment) than Machamp, can invest in a decent amount of SpD if you EV it correctly, and has access to Taunt in comparison to Machamp, Hariyama, and Nageki.
- Guts being a great ability on a Pokemon that already hits pretty hard as is.
- Strongest Substitute + Focus Punch user in the game.
- Note on its disadvantages: Lack of Close Combat (let's face it: Superpower is meh), elemental punches, Iron Fist... which technically exists I guess, mediocre Special Defense.
name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Mach Punch
move 3: Drain Punch
move 4: Payback / Stone Edge
item: Leftovers
ability: Guts
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Set Comments
- Bulk Up not only improves physical offense, but physical defense. Suddenly, Skarmory does 39.6% - 46.9%, which fails to 2HKO if Roobushin holds Leftovers and Skarmory switches into Bulk Up. Hippowdon is in a worse situation: Earthquake does 20.3% - 23.9%.
- Bulk Up + Mach Punch is an awesome combo due to Roobushin being a slow, but powerful, Pokemon. Priority is a big step for it.
- Payback vs. Stone Edge for the same old same old.
- Guts is a useful tool in general on this set since it emphasizes on obtaining as much attack as possible.
- Drain Punch is great on this set since Roobushin wants more health anyway.
- With Flame Orb, Roobushin is assured to OHKO Doryuuzu with Mach Punch so long as Doryuuzu has minimum investment.
- Emphasis on how Special Defense-oriented EV set works well since Roobushin is boosting its Attack and can bypass part of its Speed issue with Mach Punch.
- Taunt could be used, but it involves a lot of issues with moveslots.
- Needs attention with the weather.
- Tentative: Lugia, Giratina, Groudon, and Wobbuffet do well against this set.
- Gliscor can Taunt Bulk Ups, but if it steps into Bulk Up, Roobushin will take Earthquakes with relative ease. 17.6% - 21% from 0 Attack Gliscor. Sandstorm means that Roobushin is forced to switch out of course, but Gliscor doesn't really do much back either. It's more of a stalemate, with Gliscor as the winner.
- Skarmory can phase it out or use Brave Bird.
name: Choice Band
move 1: Hammer Arm / Superpower
move 2: Mach Punch
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Payback
item: Choice Band
ability: Guts
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Set Comments
- 624 Attack after a Choice Band; 936 with Guts activated.
- Mach Punch will OHKO 0/0 Doryuuzu: 95.3% - 113%. Stealth Rock inflicts 3% damage, so you might need Doryuuzu "slightly" weakened or a layer of Spikes.
- After Guts is activated, Superpower will OHKO even 252 HP / 252 Def Vaporeon. Hammer Arm does 75.4% - 88.9% to the current standard Skarmory, and Superpower will OHKO with Stealth Rock on the field. Brave Bird does 58.5% - 69.6%, which will put it into KO range for sure. Hammer Arm will at least 2HKO Hippowdon, but you'll need Speed EVs to get faster than him (unless you're paralyzed; then you're screwed). Superpower does 84.3% - 99.3% to the "current" Hippowdon spread and does 78.1% - 92.1% to max HP / max Def Hippo.
- Stone Edge and Payback are for coverage options. Stone Edge does 42.8% - 50.3% to Max HP / Max Def Positive Spiritomb. Guts puts it at 63.8% - 75.3%. Payback does 76.9% - 90.5% to the current Dusknoir (252 HP / 228 Def Positive nature).
- This is more for "appeal" purposes. +1 Mach Punch vs.
0/0 Lucario: 108.9% - 128.1%
0/0 Terrakion: 78% - 91.6%
0/0 Mamoswine: 75.3% - 89.8%
0/0 Infernape: 51.5% - 60.8%
0/0 Flygon: 45.2% - 53.8%
0/0 Ononokusu: 43% - 50.5% - After Guts is activated vs.
0/0 Mamoswine: OHKO
0/0 Infernape: 77.1% - 91.1%
0/0 Garchomp: 49.7% - 58.9%
- Payback or Stone Edge can be replaced with Drain Punch if you feel Roobushin needs a recovery move of his own. +1 Drain Punch isn't ground-breaking, but the move can help with the damage taken from Burn / Poison. Hitting 252 HP / 152 Def Impish Hippowdon will allow Roobushin to recover ~100 HP with +2 Drain Punch.
- Probably requests Wish support to help him out. Status and Stealth Rock will wear him down.
- Weather changer isn't bad to have; preferably Ninetales or Groudon to help lower the threat of bulky waters.
- Gliscor kind of stops it, but it needs to be careful on how it situates with Roosting. If Gliscor Roosts, +1 Hammer Arm does 53.4% - 63%. +2 does 71.2% - 83.9%. Gliscor can obviously Roost on everything else.
- Skarmory still outspeeds it, and while it has to be careful stepping into Hammer Arms, Skarmory will slam it hard with Brave Bird. 58.5% - 69.6%, to be exact.
- Roobushin is still slow as a Choice Bander, so take advantage of it while it's at low health. Status and Sandstorm / Hail can speed up the process. Definitely take advantage of its low Special Defense.
- With Guts activated, Roobushin will wear itself down with Burn or Toxic damage + Sandstorm going against it.
- Fighting-type attacks bring vulnerability to a Ghost-type switch-in, but of course they all have to watch out for Payback / Stone Edge.
- Tentative: Wobbuffet. Must I really, really say more on this one? Again: watch out for Payback. It does 81.1% - 95.5%, and Stone Edge does 40.5% - 47.7% (both before Guts is activated), which means Wobbuffet is vulnerable to a 2HKO or a OHKO if it's weakened enough.
- Tentative: Lugia walls its physical Fighting-type moves, but beware of taking Stone Edge or Payback. If Roobushin is boosted by Guts, proceed with extreme caution even if Stealth Rock is off the field.
- Tentative: Giratina stops everything barring Payback. Be careful, though, as Guts boosted Payback is pretty painful - 72% - 84.7%.
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Hammer Arm / Focus Punch
move 3: Mach Punch
move 4: Payback / Stone Edge
item: Leftovers / Expert Belt
ability: Guts
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Set Comments
- Roobushin creates 107 HP Substitutes, which means they can't be broken by Seismic Toss / Night Shade.
- Strongest Focus Punch in the game.
- Mach Punch is to help keep it differentiated from Hariyama and Machamp, as without Focus Punch or Mach Punch it's close to being "inferior" to them.
- Stone Edge vs. Payback: Hit Flying-types or Ghost-types.
- Sturdy enough to take a physical hit and set up a Substitute most of the time.
- Guts does hurt when Roobushin suffers a burn or Toxic affliction, but it makes the set deadly if the opponent screws up.
- 252 HP / 252 SpD Careful is not as ridiculous as you think. Vaporeon does 21.3% - 25.4% with Boiling Water now, which means it can fail to break your Substitute.
- Taunt can be used to cripple a wall's recovery. Not a good idea with Focus Punch of course.
- Probable Wish support.
- 0 Atk Gliscor does 26.3% - 31.2% with Earthquake, which means the Substitute will break without Defense investment. Non-boosted Focus Punch does 33.1% - 39% to 252 HP / 0 Def Gliscor and 66.1% - 78% while Gliscor uses Roost. Meanwhile, Guts boosted Focus Punch does 49.2% - 58.2% and 98.6% - 116.4% while Gliscor uses Roost.
- Focus Punch does 50.6% - 59.6% to 252 HP / 192 Def Impish Skarmory. After a Guts boost, though, Skarmory takes 75.4% - 88.9%. Skarmory can't Roost in either circumstance, and when Roobushin is under a status condition it is in danger of using Brave Bird if Roobushin is behind a Substitute. Skarmory is a decent check to it though thanks to Brave Bird 2HKOing Roobushin.
- Tentative: Lugia, Giratina, Groudon, and Wobbuffet do well against this set. Groudon needs to beware of Guts Focus Punches.
- Wish supporters that draw in weak Pokemon that target Roobushin's Def is appreciated. Since Roobushin lacks an immunity, it's a bit harder to get him in. Jirachi would be targeted by Crunch from Tyranitar if it has Aqua Tail or Superpower and lacks Earthquake and Fire Blast. Jirachi also handles the Physical walls that trouble Skarmory well with Grass Knot, Ice Punch, and Thunderbolt.
- Ghost-types will commonly drop in and chat with Roobushin, so a Pursuit user is never a bad idea to have. Tyranitar has the benefit that it has a fair amount of Special Defense behind it thanks to Sandstream, but it is fairly counterproductive with Roobushin's recovery. Scarf Warubiaru, with an Adamant nature, has the same amount of power as Jolly Tyranitar does but boasts extra Speed to threaten Crobat, Alakazam, Jolteon, Darkrai, Shaymin-S, and Scarf Heatran away. Granted that it cannot Pursuit Shaymin-S and Darkrai safely, but it can hit Darkrai with STAB Earthquake and Shaymin-S with Stone Edge.
- Wobbuffet can help deal with Special Attackers.
- Paralysis support can go a long way for Roobushin. Nattorei and Lugia both have access to Thunder Wave, though Nattorei's Gyro Ball drops in power.
- As listed many times, Drain Punch is an option to keep Roobushin's health up-to-par.
- Low Kick doesn't work as well on light Pokemon, but it can hit harder than Hammer Arm on Pokemon such as Snorlax.
- Force Palm has a 30% chance of paralysis, but is illegal with Mach Punch.
- Encourage set with Rock Slide, Poison Jab, and Force Palm can work, but it's not that great. Force Palm's base power only becomes 78, before STAB.
- Gliscor can switch into any Roobushin set and take it down steadily with Earthquake. It needs to beware using Roost under some circumstances, such as when the Choice Band set is Poisoned.
- Skarmory does well thanks to STAB Brave Bird. Of course, watch out for Guts + Choice Band Hammer Arm as it can OHKO Skarmory if it steps into Stealth Rock.
- Hippowdon can work to a lesser extent, but the prime thing Hippowdon is useful for is "stalling it out" on weaker-healthed Roobushins.
- Ghost-types, such as Gengar and Giratina, can switch into Roobushin's Fighting-type attacks and hit on its weaker defensive side with STAB Shadow Ball (or STAB Draco Meteor in Giratina-O's case).
- Tentative: Giratina, Lugia, Groudon, and Wobbuffet do well against Roobushin. Some of these Pokemon need to beware of Guts and Choice Band though, as switching into the wrong move can even mean death to these powerful badasses.
[Dream World]
- Iron Fist is an excellent option to use on an Expert Belt set. It OHKOes Doryuuzu with Mach Punch.
- Drain Punch's base power also gets a buff.
- Iron Fist would work well with the Substitute set and using Focus Punch. Even resists that are weak enough, such as Heracross, can't switch into Focus Punch well. 0/0 Heracross takes 71.5% - 84.4% from Focus Punch, followed by 19.2% - 22.8% from Mach Punch. Combine 12.5% with Stealth Rock, and you have a dead Heracross.
