Elegance is an integral part of this Pokemon, and in addition to detect natural disasters, it can be a very powerful contender to begin with. Additionally, the Mega Evolution of this Pokemon can really wreck the Stealth Rock metagame, allowing you to get back against those pesky trappers! :)
WELCOME TO POKEMON BOOTCAMP!
Subject No. 20
Name: Absol
Name: Absol
Species: The Disaster Pokemon
Height: 3'11"
Weight: 103.6 lbs. (108 lbs. in Mega form)
Height: 3'11"
Weight: 103.6 lbs. (108 lbs. in Mega form)
Type: Dark
Possible Abilities: Pressure, Super Luck, Justified
Mega Ability: Magic Bounce
Possible Abilities: Pressure, Super Luck, Justified
Mega Ability: Magic Bounce
Smogon Tier: UnderUsed
Insights: Absol possesses two different roles; an assassin and a trap artist. It's assassin-like capabilities comes from learning Sucker Punch and the critical hits it gain from Super Luck, while the trapping aspect comes in when it Mega Evolves; granting the ability to repel those Thunder Waves and Stealth Rocks lickety-split! However, Absol's natural frailness can also be the major source of its downfall, as well as other priority moves that can outright destroy it if already weakened beforehand.
Recommended Ability: Super Luck
Absol has an outstanding Attack power of 130, allowing the Disaster Pokemon to become a powerful glass-cannon of sorts. Fortunately, Super Luck can make Absol's not-so-meager attacks into oh-so-deadly blows; landing critical hits more than usual! Also, with the ability to learn Sucker Punch naturally, this Pokemon is one of the most dangerous Sucker Punchers out there. Slap in a Scope Lens, as well as some critical-hit modifiers (Focus Energy, to be specific), and let the sparks fly!
Recommended moves:
1. Sucker Punch - you're pretty much quite careless if you don't even consider this to be a part of your strategy. This is by-far the most reliable move that Absol can ever use. Additional priority plus STAB damage is equal to a recipe for disaster.
2. Night Slash - another STAB move and can benefit from Super Luck! This move has an increased critical hit-rate, and with Super Luck and Scope Lens, there would be like 70% chance to land a critical hit at certain situations.
3. Psycho Cut - not really that powerful due to its Psychic typing, but can greatly benefit from Super Luck's boost. The strength of this attack does not lie on its pseudo-Night Slash attack power, but the fact that it can serve as a coverage move against its weakness, Fighting.
4. Megahorn - high base power. That sums it up.
5. Swords Dance - not really mandatory to use it, but it can increase your chance on taking down high-priority threats.
6. Play Rough - not really powerful, but it reduces your foe's Attack. Simple as that.
Other recommended moves:
1. Special sets - I really do not recommend this particular set 100% due to its 75 Special Attack stat, but if you think that Ferrothorns and Skarmories annoy you to death, then this can be an effective substitute on the usual physical glass-cannon set. Moves like Flamethrower and Dark Pulse are specially viable for Absol, surprisingly.
2. Magic Coat - a perfect substitute for a Mega Absol set. The primary purpose of this move is to bounce back entry hazards and status ailments back to your foes. Also, with added priority. Magic Coat will have this very low chance to get taunted. Just watch out for Prankster, though... (or should I?) O.o
3. Counter - pump your defenses if you want to use this. However, even if you EV-trained your defenses, Absol still won't last as much as you expect. It's a good move, regardless.
4. Shadow Claw - an alternative for Psycho Cut. Nothing else to say, really.
5. Punishment - snowballs against status-boosting boneheads, but it sacrifices a move slot that is otherwise placed by a more powerful offensive move.
6. Superpower - a devastating attack. The recoil is a major setback, however.
Recommended items:
1. Choice Scarf - this will alleviate Absol's Speed problem, but it will also force you to switch out every now and then. Also, Sucker Punch makes this item pretty pointless.
2. Life Orb - adds more spice to your attacks, but also drains your HP steadily which contributes to its easier downfall.
3. Absolite - if you think that you are too awesome enough to use mentioned items, then you might as well grab this baby up! Mega-Evolve. Deflect those nasty ailments and rocks. Boost stats. Stomp everyone. PROFIT!
4. Choice Band - this is extremely useful when using Sucker Punch. That's it.
Recommended natures: Adamant or Jolly
Absol picks off foes using hard-pounding attacks to sweep off the opposition, but without the Speed to outrun more dangerous foes like Arcanine or Mienshao, the Disaster Pokemon may have a hard time for dealing trade-offs! That being said, if you want to prioritize movement over power, then Jolly might be a good nature for your Absol. Otherwise, if you think that pummeling enemies like no tomorrow is your thing, then choose Adamant. A Naive nature is only recommended if a mixed set suits you better or if you want to explore more viable possibilities with your Absol.
Overall: Absol is an average Pokemon in terms of its competitive capabilities, and it is outclassed by more powerful and sturdier contenders like Bisharp and basic Metagross. However, the magic that lies within Absol is its ability to shrug off status ailments and entry hazard, thanks to Mega Absol (Magic Coat if you think that Mega Absol won't be able to help you out in certain situations), so there really isn't much to argue about it, right? ;)
--END TRANSMISSION--
Recommended Ability: Super Luck
Absol has an outstanding Attack power of 130, allowing the Disaster Pokemon to become a powerful glass-cannon of sorts. Fortunately, Super Luck can make Absol's not-so-meager attacks into oh-so-deadly blows; landing critical hits more than usual! Also, with the ability to learn Sucker Punch naturally, this Pokemon is one of the most dangerous Sucker Punchers out there. Slap in a Scope Lens, as well as some critical-hit modifiers (Focus Energy, to be specific), and let the sparks fly!
Recommended moves:
1. Sucker Punch - you're pretty much quite careless if you don't even consider this to be a part of your strategy. This is by-far the most reliable move that Absol can ever use. Additional priority plus STAB damage is equal to a recipe for disaster.
2. Night Slash - another STAB move and can benefit from Super Luck! This move has an increased critical hit-rate, and with Super Luck and Scope Lens, there would be like 70% chance to land a critical hit at certain situations.
3. Psycho Cut - not really that powerful due to its Psychic typing, but can greatly benefit from Super Luck's boost. The strength of this attack does not lie on its pseudo-Night Slash attack power, but the fact that it can serve as a coverage move against its weakness, Fighting.
4. Megahorn - high base power. That sums it up.
5. Swords Dance - not really mandatory to use it, but it can increase your chance on taking down high-priority threats.
6. Play Rough - not really powerful, but it reduces your foe's Attack. Simple as that.
Other recommended moves:
1. Special sets - I really do not recommend this particular set 100% due to its 75 Special Attack stat, but if you think that Ferrothorns and Skarmories annoy you to death, then this can be an effective substitute on the usual physical glass-cannon set. Moves like Flamethrower and Dark Pulse are specially viable for Absol, surprisingly.
2. Magic Coat - a perfect substitute for a Mega Absol set. The primary purpose of this move is to bounce back entry hazards and status ailments back to your foes. Also, with added priority. Magic Coat will have this very low chance to get taunted. Just watch out for Prankster, though... (or should I?) O.o
3. Counter - pump your defenses if you want to use this. However, even if you EV-trained your defenses, Absol still won't last as much as you expect. It's a good move, regardless.
4. Shadow Claw - an alternative for Psycho Cut. Nothing else to say, really.
5. Punishment - snowballs against status-boosting boneheads, but it sacrifices a move slot that is otherwise placed by a more powerful offensive move.
6. Superpower - a devastating attack. The recoil is a major setback, however.
Recommended items:
1. Choice Scarf - this will alleviate Absol's Speed problem, but it will also force you to switch out every now and then. Also, Sucker Punch makes this item pretty pointless.
2. Life Orb - adds more spice to your attacks, but also drains your HP steadily which contributes to its easier downfall.
3. Absolite - if you think that you are too awesome enough to use mentioned items, then you might as well grab this baby up! Mega-Evolve. Deflect those nasty ailments and rocks. Boost stats. Stomp everyone. PROFIT!
4. Choice Band - this is extremely useful when using Sucker Punch. That's it.
Recommended natures: Adamant or Jolly
Absol picks off foes using hard-pounding attacks to sweep off the opposition, but without the Speed to outrun more dangerous foes like Arcanine or Mienshao, the Disaster Pokemon may have a hard time for dealing trade-offs! That being said, if you want to prioritize movement over power, then Jolly might be a good nature for your Absol. Otherwise, if you think that pummeling enemies like no tomorrow is your thing, then choose Adamant. A Naive nature is only recommended if a mixed set suits you better or if you want to explore more viable possibilities with your Absol.
Overall: Absol is an average Pokemon in terms of its competitive capabilities, and it is outclassed by more powerful and sturdier contenders like Bisharp and basic Metagross. However, the magic that lies within Absol is its ability to shrug off status ailments and entry hazard, thanks to Mega Absol (Magic Coat if you think that Mega Absol won't be able to help you out in certain situations), so there really isn't much to argue about it, right? ;)
--END TRANSMISSION--
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