[OVERVIEW]
As a lead, Kabutops has two goals: the first is setting up Stealth Rock, and the second denying opposing entry hazards with Rapid Spin. For the most part, Kabutops does well at its job, and that’s largely thanks to its good offensive presence backing up its hazard support. This role makes Kabutops largely delegated to hyper offense, but even there it can see competition with Taunt + Stealth Rock leads like Lycanroc and Archeops. Be advised that there are a few Pokemon that can prevent Kabutops from making any progress at all, namely Bullet Seed Cinncinno and Rapid Spin Eldegoss. Even outside of these poor matchups, teams can usually afford to trade eliminating Kabutops at the cost of it setting up Stealth Rock, only for progress to be foiled later on by Defoggers with the right positioning.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Liquidation
item: Focus Sash
ability: Weak Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Knock Off is essential for Kabutops to hit spinblockers like Jellicent and Doublade. It also helps debuff walls like Quagsire and Tangela after Stealth Rock is secured. Liquidation is the preferred STAB attack so that Rapid Spin Sandslash isn’t safe when trying to finish off Kabutops. Focus Sash pairs well with Weak Armor, as the security of surviving a hit, and potentially getting a speed boost from it, will up Kabutop’s chances at netting extra turns on the field. Build with Kabutops with hyper offensive in mind. Physical sweepers like Silvally formes, Doublade, and Scrafty are good partners, as Kabutops works to wear down physical walls like Wishiwashi and Jellicent. Doublade is also a worthwhile spinblocker when Kabutops is matched up versus Eldegoss. Watch out for opposing setup sweepers that may try to take advantage of Kabutops leading first; it's not worth it to set Stealth Rock against Dragon Dance Scrafty and Swords Dance Qwilfish if they're capable of sweeping past your team with multiple boosts. Instead, try leading with sweepers like Silvally-Fairy and Nasty Plot Mesprit, respectively, to force them out.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[S1nn0hC0nfirm3d, 231074]]
- Quality checked by: [[avarice, 346653], []]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]
As a lead, Kabutops has two goals: the first is setting up Stealth Rock, and the second denying opposing entry hazards with Rapid Spin. For the most part, Kabutops does well at its job, and that’s largely thanks to its good offensive presence backing up its hazard support. This role makes Kabutops largely delegated to hyper offense, but even there it can see competition with Taunt + Stealth Rock leads like Lycanroc and Archeops. Be advised that there are a few Pokemon that can prevent Kabutops from making any progress at all, namely Bullet Seed Cinncinno and Rapid Spin Eldegoss. Even outside of these poor matchups, teams can usually afford to trade eliminating Kabutops at the cost of it setting up Stealth Rock, only for progress to be foiled later on by Defoggers with the right positioning.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Liquidation
item: Focus Sash
ability: Weak Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Knock Off is essential for Kabutops to hit spinblockers like Jellicent and Doublade. It also helps debuff walls like Quagsire and Tangela after Stealth Rock is secured. Liquidation is the preferred STAB attack so that Rapid Spin Sandslash isn’t safe when trying to finish off Kabutops. Focus Sash pairs well with Weak Armor, as the security of surviving a hit, and potentially getting a speed boost from it, will up Kabutop’s chances at netting extra turns on the field. Build with Kabutops with hyper offensive in mind. Physical sweepers like Silvally formes, Doublade, and Scrafty are good partners, as Kabutops works to wear down physical walls like Wishiwashi and Jellicent. Doublade is also a worthwhile spinblocker when Kabutops is matched up versus Eldegoss. Watch out for opposing setup sweepers that may try to take advantage of Kabutops leading first; it's not worth it to set Stealth Rock against Dragon Dance Scrafty and Swords Dance Qwilfish if they're capable of sweeping past your team with multiple boosts. Instead, try leading with sweepers like Silvally-Fairy and Nasty Plot Mesprit, respectively, to force them out.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[S1nn0hC0nfirm3d, 231074]]
- Quality checked by: [[avarice, 346653], []]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]
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