[OVERVIEW]
Abra has exceptionally high Speed and Special Attack stats as well as a very useful ability in Magic Guard, which gives it the potential to function as either the tier's best revenge killer with a Focus Sash or a menacing wallbreaker with Life Orb. However, for as good as Abra's offensive capabilities are, it has less bulk than wet tissue paper, not to mention it is also vulnerable to all forms of trapping in the tier.
[SET]
name: Focus Sash
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Dazzling Gleam
move 3: Hidden Power Fighting
move 4: Energy Ball / Shadow Ball / Knock Off
item: Focus Sash
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 36 Atk / 240 SpA / 200 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psychic is a strong STAB attack that lets Abra hit the large number of Fighting- and Poison-types in the tier. Dazzling Gleam hits Dark-types for super effective damage, letting Abra revenge kill Vullaby and Scraggy. Hidden Power Fighting gives Abra a way to hit annoying Steel-types like Magnemite and Pawniard. Abra's final slot is a decision between Energy Ball, Shadow Ball, and Knock Off. Energy Ball lets Abra 2HKO Slowpoke and Mudbray, and Shadow Ball gives Abra the ability to damage Slowpoke, Honedge, and Bronzor. Knock Off can be used in the final slot to provide support to Abra itself by removing the Eviolites of special walls on predicted switches.
Set Details
========
Abra's EV spread is very straightforward. 200 Speed EVs with a Timid nature let Abra hit 19 Speed, which lets it outspeed the unboosted tier except for Diglett, Elekid, and Voltorb, and 240 Special Attack EVs let Abra hit as hard as possible. Knock Off isn't doing much damage either way, but 36 Attack EVs are added anyway because they are leftover and cannot be used to increase other stats. The combination of Focus Sash and Magic Guard means Abra can act as a one-time stop to set-up sweepers lacking multi-hit moves, because Magic Guard ignores entry hazard damage that would otherwise break Abra's Focus Sash.
Usage Tips
========
Abra is an amazing revenge killer, as it possesses good coverage, blazing Speed, and a sky-high Special Attack, but it has horrendous defenses. Thus, Abra should not be switched directly into play, but rather through U-turn or Volt Switch or after a KO. Furthermore, Abra is very susceptible to trappers such as Diglett and Alolan Grimer, the latter of which can switch in on it. For this reason, if there are trappers on the opposing team paired with a sweeper, it's best to not put Abra into play until the opposing sweeper has set up. Versus teams that lack trapping, Abra does not need to be played conservatively and can freely pressure the opposing team. Lastly, Abra should not be sent out versus Pokemon with priority unless necessary, because otherwise it will lose its Focus Sash.
In most situations, Abra will be using Psychic or a super effective coverage move, but Knock Off can be used on predicted switches to walls like Munchlax and Bronzor. Keep in mind that Knock Off is a very high-risk move, though, and if Abra uses Knock Off in any other situations, it will likely be losing its Focus Sash. Note that while Psychic does more damage to Fighting-types, Dazzling Gleam is a good move to use if the Fighting-type Abra is facing is at medium-to-low HP and you're unsure whether or not the opponent will send in a Dark-type.
Team Options
========
Because Abra cannot switch into play, Pokemon like Magnemite, Chinchou, and Mienfoo pair nicely with it. These Pokemon provide VoltTurn support for Abra so it can get into play without wasting its Focus Sash. Checks to priority users such as Pawniard, Corphish, and Timburr are appreciated for the same reason. Fighting-types like Mienfoo and Timburr cover Pawniard, Foongus and Spritzee cover Timburr, and Foongus and Chinchou cover Corphish for Abra. To mitigate Abra's tendency to be Pursuit trapped by Alolan Grimer, Diglett can also be run as a partner to countertrap it.
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Dazzling Gleam
move 3: Hidden Power Ground / Hidden Power Fighting / Energy Ball
move 4: Substitute
item: Life Orb
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 240 SpA / 200 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psychic is a hard-hitting STAB move that Abra will be using most often. Dazzling Gleam lets you hit Dark-types and eases prediction versus Fighting-types. For the third slot, Hidden Power Ground can be used to let Abra avoid being trapped by Alolan Grimer if it is used on the switch or from behind a Substitute; Hidden Power Fighting can be used to let Abra OHKO Pawniard; and Energy Ball can be used to let Abra 2HKO Slowpoke, OHKO Chinchou and Drilbur, and do more damage to Mudbray. Lastly, Substitute is good for exploiting the many switches Abra forces and absorbing random statuses such as Foongus's Spore.
Set Details
========
The EV spread on this set is rather self-explanatory. 200 Speed EVs with a Timid nature let Abra reach 19 Speed, which is enough to outspeed the majority of the unboosted metagame, and 240 Special Attack EVs let Abra hit as hard as possible. Life Orb gives Abra wallbreaking potential, turning certain 3HKOs into 2HKOs and certain 2HKOs into OHKOs. For example, Life Orb Abra OHKOes Foongus, slow Mienfoo, Timburr, and bulky Berry Juice Archen from full, as well as 2HKOing Spritzee, specially defensive Mudbray, and Pumpkaboo.
Usage Tips
========
Life Orb Abra is a wallbreaker. In addition to protecting it from entry hazards, Magic Guard also lets Abra not take damage from Life Orb recoil. This is partly why Life Orb Abra is so threatening; it can feign holding Focus Sash, allowing it to nab some surprise OHKOs and 2HKOs. As a wallbreaker, Life Orb Abra is often played early on in the match and very aggressively. Abra will be using Psychic or whatever coverage move is super effective, though it can also use Substitute on predicted switches so that it does not need to predict perfectly. Substitute can also be used to avoid Sucker Punches from Pawniard.
Team Options
========
VoltTurn support is helpful for Life Orb Abra, since even without Focus Sash, Abra doesn't particularly like switching into attacks. Magnemite, Chinchou, and Mienfoo work nicely for this. Seeing as Life Orb Abra is a wallbreaker, this set pairs nicely with Pokemon that enjoy having bulky walls lured and KOed, such as Shell Smash Shellder and Nasty Plot Vullaby. Also, on sets that have Hidden Power Fighting over Hidden Power Ground, Diglett can be used to countertrap Alolan Grimer.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Psychium Z can also be used to give Abra the ability to OHKO a variety of Pokemon, like bulky Staryu, though it lacks the utility of Focus Sash and the consistent power of Life Orb. Encore can be used to get around Pawniard's Sucker Punch, but Focus Sash Abra rarely has the free moveslot to use this. Additionally, Psych Up can be used to copy the stat boosts of an Omanyte or Scraggy in an attempt to countersweep, though much like with Encore, Focus Sash Abra sets do not typically have enough space to run this move.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Anything that Abra can't outspeed is bad news. Focus Sash Abra wants to preserve its item, and Life Orb Abra doesn't have the bulk to take anything other than weak special attacks, so Pokemon that have 20 Speed or more can usually force Abra out.
**Trappers**: Diglett can come in on a revenge kill and break Abra's Focus Sash or even remove it from play entirely with Beat Up.
**Pursuit Trappers**: Alolan Grimer can safely come in on any of Abra's moves bar Hidden Power Ground from Life Orb variants and proceed to threaten it with either Pursuit or Shadow Sneak. Choice Scarf Pawniard can come in on a revenge kill or predicted Psychic or Dazzling Gleam and use Pursuit to OHKO Life Orb variants or remove the Focus Sash set's item. Munchlax can switch in on Abra due to its naturally high Special Defense and Pursuit trap it as well.
**Bulky Pokemon**: Pokemon that avoid the 2HKO from Psychic and have recovery can threaten Abra. For example, Slowpoke resists Abra's Psychic and has Regenerator, Slack Off, and Thunder Wave, so it threatens most Abra sets. Munchlax does not take much from Abra's attacks, so it can switch in and immediately threaten Abra. Spritzee is only 3HKOed by Focus Sash Abra's Psychic, so it can work as a check. However, it is 2HKOed by Life Orb sets.
**Pokemon with Priority**: Focus Sash Abra cannot stay in on Pokemon with priority, because otherwise they threaten to remove its item. This includes Pokemon such as Pawniard, Croagunk, Timburr, Doduo, and Corphish. However, Life Orb Abra doesn't mind Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave from Timburr and Croagunk, respectively.
Abra has exceptionally high Speed and Special Attack stats as well as a very useful ability in Magic Guard, which gives it the potential to function as either the tier's best revenge killer with a Focus Sash or a menacing wallbreaker with Life Orb. However, for as good as Abra's offensive capabilities are, it has less bulk than wet tissue paper, not to mention it is also vulnerable to all forms of trapping in the tier.
[SET]
name: Focus Sash
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Dazzling Gleam
move 3: Hidden Power Fighting
move 4: Energy Ball / Shadow Ball / Knock Off
item: Focus Sash
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 36 Atk / 240 SpA / 200 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psychic is a strong STAB attack that lets Abra hit the large number of Fighting- and Poison-types in the tier. Dazzling Gleam hits Dark-types for super effective damage, letting Abra revenge kill Vullaby and Scraggy. Hidden Power Fighting gives Abra a way to hit annoying Steel-types like Magnemite and Pawniard. Abra's final slot is a decision between Energy Ball, Shadow Ball, and Knock Off. Energy Ball lets Abra 2HKO Slowpoke and Mudbray, and Shadow Ball gives Abra the ability to damage Slowpoke, Honedge, and Bronzor. Knock Off can be used in the final slot to provide support to Abra itself by removing the Eviolites of special walls on predicted switches.
Set Details
========
Abra's EV spread is very straightforward. 200 Speed EVs with a Timid nature let Abra hit 19 Speed, which lets it outspeed the unboosted tier except for Diglett, Elekid, and Voltorb, and 240 Special Attack EVs let Abra hit as hard as possible. Knock Off isn't doing much damage either way, but 36 Attack EVs are added anyway because they are leftover and cannot be used to increase other stats. The combination of Focus Sash and Magic Guard means Abra can act as a one-time stop to set-up sweepers lacking multi-hit moves, because Magic Guard ignores entry hazard damage that would otherwise break Abra's Focus Sash.
Usage Tips
========
Abra is an amazing revenge killer, as it possesses good coverage, blazing Speed, and a sky-high Special Attack, but it has horrendous defenses. Thus, Abra should not be switched directly into play, but rather through U-turn or Volt Switch or after a KO. Furthermore, Abra is very susceptible to trappers such as Diglett and Alolan Grimer, the latter of which can switch in on it. For this reason, if there are trappers on the opposing team paired with a sweeper, it's best to not put Abra into play until the opposing sweeper has set up. Versus teams that lack trapping, Abra does not need to be played conservatively and can freely pressure the opposing team. Lastly, Abra should not be sent out versus Pokemon with priority unless necessary, because otherwise it will lose its Focus Sash.
In most situations, Abra will be using Psychic or a super effective coverage move, but Knock Off can be used on predicted switches to walls like Munchlax and Bronzor. Keep in mind that Knock Off is a very high-risk move, though, and if Abra uses Knock Off in any other situations, it will likely be losing its Focus Sash. Note that while Psychic does more damage to Fighting-types, Dazzling Gleam is a good move to use if the Fighting-type Abra is facing is at medium-to-low HP and you're unsure whether or not the opponent will send in a Dark-type.
Team Options
========
Because Abra cannot switch into play, Pokemon like Magnemite, Chinchou, and Mienfoo pair nicely with it. These Pokemon provide VoltTurn support for Abra so it can get into play without wasting its Focus Sash. Checks to priority users such as Pawniard, Corphish, and Timburr are appreciated for the same reason. Fighting-types like Mienfoo and Timburr cover Pawniard, Foongus and Spritzee cover Timburr, and Foongus and Chinchou cover Corphish for Abra. To mitigate Abra's tendency to be Pursuit trapped by Alolan Grimer, Diglett can also be run as a partner to countertrap it.
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Dazzling Gleam
move 3: Hidden Power Ground / Hidden Power Fighting / Energy Ball
move 4: Substitute
item: Life Orb
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 240 SpA / 200 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Psychic is a hard-hitting STAB move that Abra will be using most often. Dazzling Gleam lets you hit Dark-types and eases prediction versus Fighting-types. For the third slot, Hidden Power Ground can be used to let Abra avoid being trapped by Alolan Grimer if it is used on the switch or from behind a Substitute; Hidden Power Fighting can be used to let Abra OHKO Pawniard; and Energy Ball can be used to let Abra 2HKO Slowpoke, OHKO Chinchou and Drilbur, and do more damage to Mudbray. Lastly, Substitute is good for exploiting the many switches Abra forces and absorbing random statuses such as Foongus's Spore.
Set Details
========
The EV spread on this set is rather self-explanatory. 200 Speed EVs with a Timid nature let Abra reach 19 Speed, which is enough to outspeed the majority of the unboosted metagame, and 240 Special Attack EVs let Abra hit as hard as possible. Life Orb gives Abra wallbreaking potential, turning certain 3HKOs into 2HKOs and certain 2HKOs into OHKOs. For example, Life Orb Abra OHKOes Foongus, slow Mienfoo, Timburr, and bulky Berry Juice Archen from full, as well as 2HKOing Spritzee, specially defensive Mudbray, and Pumpkaboo.
Usage Tips
========
Life Orb Abra is a wallbreaker. In addition to protecting it from entry hazards, Magic Guard also lets Abra not take damage from Life Orb recoil. This is partly why Life Orb Abra is so threatening; it can feign holding Focus Sash, allowing it to nab some surprise OHKOs and 2HKOs. As a wallbreaker, Life Orb Abra is often played early on in the match and very aggressively. Abra will be using Psychic or whatever coverage move is super effective, though it can also use Substitute on predicted switches so that it does not need to predict perfectly. Substitute can also be used to avoid Sucker Punches from Pawniard.
Team Options
========
VoltTurn support is helpful for Life Orb Abra, since even without Focus Sash, Abra doesn't particularly like switching into attacks. Magnemite, Chinchou, and Mienfoo work nicely for this. Seeing as Life Orb Abra is a wallbreaker, this set pairs nicely with Pokemon that enjoy having bulky walls lured and KOed, such as Shell Smash Shellder and Nasty Plot Vullaby. Also, on sets that have Hidden Power Fighting over Hidden Power Ground, Diglett can be used to countertrap Alolan Grimer.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Psychium Z can also be used to give Abra the ability to OHKO a variety of Pokemon, like bulky Staryu, though it lacks the utility of Focus Sash and the consistent power of Life Orb. Encore can be used to get around Pawniard's Sucker Punch, but Focus Sash Abra rarely has the free moveslot to use this. Additionally, Psych Up can be used to copy the stat boosts of an Omanyte or Scraggy in an attempt to countersweep, though much like with Encore, Focus Sash Abra sets do not typically have enough space to run this move.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Anything that Abra can't outspeed is bad news. Focus Sash Abra wants to preserve its item, and Life Orb Abra doesn't have the bulk to take anything other than weak special attacks, so Pokemon that have 20 Speed or more can usually force Abra out.
**Trappers**: Diglett can come in on a revenge kill and break Abra's Focus Sash or even remove it from play entirely with Beat Up.
**Pursuit Trappers**: Alolan Grimer can safely come in on any of Abra's moves bar Hidden Power Ground from Life Orb variants and proceed to threaten it with either Pursuit or Shadow Sneak. Choice Scarf Pawniard can come in on a revenge kill or predicted Psychic or Dazzling Gleam and use Pursuit to OHKO Life Orb variants or remove the Focus Sash set's item. Munchlax can switch in on Abra due to its naturally high Special Defense and Pursuit trap it as well.
**Bulky Pokemon**: Pokemon that avoid the 2HKO from Psychic and have recovery can threaten Abra. For example, Slowpoke resists Abra's Psychic and has Regenerator, Slack Off, and Thunder Wave, so it threatens most Abra sets. Munchlax does not take much from Abra's attacks, so it can switch in and immediately threaten Abra. Spritzee is only 3HKOed by Focus Sash Abra's Psychic, so it can work as a check. However, it is 2HKOed by Life Orb sets.
**Pokemon with Priority**: Focus Sash Abra cannot stay in on Pokemon with priority, because otherwise they threaten to remove its item. This includes Pokemon such as Pawniard, Croagunk, Timburr, Doduo, and Corphish. However, Life Orb Abra doesn't mind Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave from Timburr and Croagunk, respectively.
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