[OVERVIEW]
Absol has a fearsome Attack stat, which in conjunction with Knock Off makes it very hard to switch into. Its good coverage options in Superpower and Play Rough allow it to hit Steel-, Dark-, and Fighting-types like Ferroseed, Shiftry, Hitmonchan, and Gurdurr. It also has access to Swords Dance to further its wallbreaking potential and Sucker Punch, which makes it a very useful tool against offensive Pokemon and can often be used to sweep after a boost. However, Absol relies greatly on Sucker Punch to outspeed faster Pokemon because of its rather lacking base 75 Speed stat, which can be played around with passive moves like Will-O-Wisp and Substitute from Pokemon like Misdreavus and Oricorio-G. It's also still easily revenge killed by Pokemon like Silvally-Fairy and Passimian, which don't care about Sucker Punch. Due to its lackluster bulk, Absol can easily get KOed throughout the match in general. Finally, Absol sees heavy competition as a Dark-type for a team slot due to the presence of Alolan Raticate and Skuntank; the former has a lot more power behind its moves thanks to Hustle, while the latter provides a lot more utility and is a lot more easy to fit on a team.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Superpower / Play Rough
item: Life Orb / Darkinium Z
ability: Justified
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance allows Absol to plow through defensive walls like Weezing and boosts Sucker Punch's power, granting Absol powerful priority. Knock Off is Absol's best STAB move and removes items from foes like Gurdurr and Hitmonchan. Sucker Punch lets Absol handle faster Pokemon like Pyroar, Alolan Raichu, and Floatzel, which can threaten Absol because of how frail and slow it is. Superpower allows Absol to hit Dark-types like Shiftry, Alolan Persian, and Alolan Raticate for super effective damage. It also hits Steel- and Rock-types like Aggron, Ferroseed, and Regirock for greater damage than Knock Off or Sucker Punch. Play Rough hits the aforementioned Dark-types without having to deal with the Attack and Defense drops from Superpower while also hitting troublesome Fighting-types like Hitmonchan, Primeape, and Gurdurr for a good amount of damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment in conjunction with an Adamant nature maximizes Absol's wallbreaking potential. A Jolly nature allows Absol to Speed tie with positive-natured base 75 Speed Pokemon and outspeed neutral-natured base 85 Speed Pokemon like Pinsir. Justified gives Absol an Attack boost whenever it gets hit by a Dark-type move like Knock Off. Life Orb further enhances Absol's damage output at the cost of 1/10th of its HP every turn it attacks, while Darkinium Z gives Absol a one-time nuke with 140 Base Power and allows Absol to switch into Knock Off for a free boost more easily without the risk of losing its item.
Usage Tips
========
Use Absol to punch holes early- to mid-game if this allows a teammate of Absol to clean up later, but Sucker Punch in conjunction with Swords Dance can be useful to pull off a late-game sweep if the opposing team has been weakened. Get Absol in on weaker attacks that it resists or attacks that it's immune to like Knock Off, Psyshock, and Psychic from Pokemon like Shiftry, Alolan Raticate, and Mesprit to get a turn to set up or use Sucker Punch. VoltTurn is another way to get Absol in and prevent it from taking a hit, and switching into Knock Off is especially useful if Absol is carrying Darkinium Z, as Knock Off will not be boosted and Absol will receive an Attack boost from Justified. Absol can switch in on passive Pokemon like Sableye to threaten the opposing team with Knock Off or set up a Swords Dance to sweep or weaken the opposing team for its teammates. Try to force Pokemon like Mesprit and Alolan Raichu out to set up a Swords Dance and sweep if its checks and counters are weakened, but be aware that Mesprit can run Colbur Berry and that Alolan Raichu can play around Sucker Punch with Nasty Plot, making it very threatening if Absol runs out of Sucker Punch PP. Use Play Rough whenever you predict Fighting- or Dark-types like Gurdurr, Primeape, Hitmonchan, Alolan Persian, and Absol to switch in. However, Absol can't stay in on these Fighting-types because they can and most likely will threaten it with their respective STAB moves.
Team Options
========
Pokemon like Ferroseed and Weezing can set up entry hazards to wear down many of Absol's common switch-ins like Hitmonchan, Silvally-Fairy, and Granbull while also sponging super effective attacks for Absol. Absol can also take advantage of Psychic-types that might want to switch in on Weezing. Pokemon like Primeape and Hitmonchan appreciate Absol's ability to take advantage of the Ghost- and Psychic-types they struggle with; the former can also bring in Absol via U-turn. Pokemon that can switch into Fighting-type attacks like Musharna, Mesprit, and Oricorio-G greatly benefit Absol; in return, Absol can take advantage of Ghost-types that can threaten them. Absol likes to be brought in via slow VoltTurn so it doesn't have to take a hit; Pokemon like Lanturn, Eelektross, and Mesprit can fill this role. Clerics like Clefairy, Lanturn, and Healing Wish Mesprit can remove status ailments like burn and paralysis from Absol, which otherwise greatly cripple it. Pokemon that appreciate Absol's ability to weaken Qwilfish, Weezing, and Tangela like Primeape, Archeops, and Gurdurr are also good teammates for it.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Pursuit can be used to force mind games against Pokemon like Choice Scarf Oricorio-G, Jynx, Musharna, and Alolan Raichu, which may try to switch out fearing Sucker Punch or Knock Off; it's also useful to take a chunk out of certain Pokemon that cannot touch Absol like Sableye and Bronzor, which will want to switch out. A set utilizing a Choice Scarf can be used to naturally outspeed Pokemon like Alolan Raichu and Mesprit, but this will mean Absol has to give up its ability to pick off teams with Swords Dance and Sucker Punch. Similarly, a set utilizing a Choice Band can be used for immediate power, but Absol will lose out on freely switching up moves. Iron Tail allows Absol to lure and KO Clefairy, Togetic, and Silvally-Fairy when boosted, but its accuracy can be unreliable. Steelium Z can be run if missing with Iron Tail is a concern. Lum Berry can be used to avoid a status ailment like a burn or paralysis, which otherwise cripples Absol's sweeping potential greatly, and it also lets Absol set up a Swords Dance more easily. Substitute can ease up prediction and avoid status ailments as well, but this will mean Absol has to give up a moveslot that is vital for its coverage and overall usefulness.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan, Primeape, and Gurdurr can all threaten Absol with their respective STAB moves; Gurdurr can switch into Play Rough once and threaten it with Mach Punch, while Hitmonchan and Primeape can revenge kill it.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types like Silvally-Fairy, Granbull, and Togetic can switch in on almost any move from Absol, but they have to be wary of the rare Iron Tail. Clefairy can also be used as a check, but it tends to struggle against Absol if it's boosted. Clefairy and Togetic also have to watch out for Knock Off, since the loss of their Eviolite greatly cuts into their bulk.
**Status**: Status ailments like burn and paralysis from Pokemon like Weezing and Miltank can cut Absol's power or Speed, crippling its ability to wallbreak, but these Pokemon have to be wary of Absol's coverage moves like Superpower, in Miltank's case.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Physically defensive Pokemon like Tangela, Weezing, and Regirock can check Absol, but they don't like having their items removed by Knock Off and, once weakened enough, can be KOed by a boosted Knock Off. Regirock also has to watch out for Superpower.
**Priority Moves**: Because of Absol's lackluster bulk, it can easily get worn down and KOed by common priority moves like Aqua Jet and Fake Out from Pokemon like Floatzel and Kangaskhan, and especially Mach Punch from Hitmonchan and Gurdurr.
Absol has a fearsome Attack stat, which in conjunction with Knock Off makes it very hard to switch into. Its good coverage options in Superpower and Play Rough allow it to hit Steel-, Dark-, and Fighting-types like Ferroseed, Shiftry, Hitmonchan, and Gurdurr. It also has access to Swords Dance to further its wallbreaking potential and Sucker Punch, which makes it a very useful tool against offensive Pokemon and can often be used to sweep after a boost. However, Absol relies greatly on Sucker Punch to outspeed faster Pokemon because of its rather lacking base 75 Speed stat, which can be played around with passive moves like Will-O-Wisp and Substitute from Pokemon like Misdreavus and Oricorio-G. It's also still easily revenge killed by Pokemon like Silvally-Fairy and Passimian, which don't care about Sucker Punch. Due to its lackluster bulk, Absol can easily get KOed throughout the match in general. Finally, Absol sees heavy competition as a Dark-type for a team slot due to the presence of Alolan Raticate and Skuntank; the former has a lot more power behind its moves thanks to Hustle, while the latter provides a lot more utility and is a lot more easy to fit on a team.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Superpower / Play Rough
item: Life Orb / Darkinium Z
ability: Justified
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance allows Absol to plow through defensive walls like Weezing and boosts Sucker Punch's power, granting Absol powerful priority. Knock Off is Absol's best STAB move and removes items from foes like Gurdurr and Hitmonchan. Sucker Punch lets Absol handle faster Pokemon like Pyroar, Alolan Raichu, and Floatzel, which can threaten Absol because of how frail and slow it is. Superpower allows Absol to hit Dark-types like Shiftry, Alolan Persian, and Alolan Raticate for super effective damage. It also hits Steel- and Rock-types like Aggron, Ferroseed, and Regirock for greater damage than Knock Off or Sucker Punch. Play Rough hits the aforementioned Dark-types without having to deal with the Attack and Defense drops from Superpower while also hitting troublesome Fighting-types like Hitmonchan, Primeape, and Gurdurr for a good amount of damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment in conjunction with an Adamant nature maximizes Absol's wallbreaking potential. A Jolly nature allows Absol to Speed tie with positive-natured base 75 Speed Pokemon and outspeed neutral-natured base 85 Speed Pokemon like Pinsir. Justified gives Absol an Attack boost whenever it gets hit by a Dark-type move like Knock Off. Life Orb further enhances Absol's damage output at the cost of 1/10th of its HP every turn it attacks, while Darkinium Z gives Absol a one-time nuke with 140 Base Power and allows Absol to switch into Knock Off for a free boost more easily without the risk of losing its item.
Usage Tips
========
Use Absol to punch holes early- to mid-game if this allows a teammate of Absol to clean up later, but Sucker Punch in conjunction with Swords Dance can be useful to pull off a late-game sweep if the opposing team has been weakened. Get Absol in on weaker attacks that it resists or attacks that it's immune to like Knock Off, Psyshock, and Psychic from Pokemon like Shiftry, Alolan Raticate, and Mesprit to get a turn to set up or use Sucker Punch. VoltTurn is another way to get Absol in and prevent it from taking a hit, and switching into Knock Off is especially useful if Absol is carrying Darkinium Z, as Knock Off will not be boosted and Absol will receive an Attack boost from Justified. Absol can switch in on passive Pokemon like Sableye to threaten the opposing team with Knock Off or set up a Swords Dance to sweep or weaken the opposing team for its teammates. Try to force Pokemon like Mesprit and Alolan Raichu out to set up a Swords Dance and sweep if its checks and counters are weakened, but be aware that Mesprit can run Colbur Berry and that Alolan Raichu can play around Sucker Punch with Nasty Plot, making it very threatening if Absol runs out of Sucker Punch PP. Use Play Rough whenever you predict Fighting- or Dark-types like Gurdurr, Primeape, Hitmonchan, Alolan Persian, and Absol to switch in. However, Absol can't stay in on these Fighting-types because they can and most likely will threaten it with their respective STAB moves.
Team Options
========
Pokemon like Ferroseed and Weezing can set up entry hazards to wear down many of Absol's common switch-ins like Hitmonchan, Silvally-Fairy, and Granbull while also sponging super effective attacks for Absol. Absol can also take advantage of Psychic-types that might want to switch in on Weezing. Pokemon like Primeape and Hitmonchan appreciate Absol's ability to take advantage of the Ghost- and Psychic-types they struggle with; the former can also bring in Absol via U-turn. Pokemon that can switch into Fighting-type attacks like Musharna, Mesprit, and Oricorio-G greatly benefit Absol; in return, Absol can take advantage of Ghost-types that can threaten them. Absol likes to be brought in via slow VoltTurn so it doesn't have to take a hit; Pokemon like Lanturn, Eelektross, and Mesprit can fill this role. Clerics like Clefairy, Lanturn, and Healing Wish Mesprit can remove status ailments like burn and paralysis from Absol, which otherwise greatly cripple it. Pokemon that appreciate Absol's ability to weaken Qwilfish, Weezing, and Tangela like Primeape, Archeops, and Gurdurr are also good teammates for it.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Pursuit can be used to force mind games against Pokemon like Choice Scarf Oricorio-G, Jynx, Musharna, and Alolan Raichu, which may try to switch out fearing Sucker Punch or Knock Off; it's also useful to take a chunk out of certain Pokemon that cannot touch Absol like Sableye and Bronzor, which will want to switch out. A set utilizing a Choice Scarf can be used to naturally outspeed Pokemon like Alolan Raichu and Mesprit, but this will mean Absol has to give up its ability to pick off teams with Swords Dance and Sucker Punch. Similarly, a set utilizing a Choice Band can be used for immediate power, but Absol will lose out on freely switching up moves. Iron Tail allows Absol to lure and KO Clefairy, Togetic, and Silvally-Fairy when boosted, but its accuracy can be unreliable. Steelium Z can be run if missing with Iron Tail is a concern. Lum Berry can be used to avoid a status ailment like a burn or paralysis, which otherwise cripples Absol's sweeping potential greatly, and it also lets Absol set up a Swords Dance more easily. Substitute can ease up prediction and avoid status ailments as well, but this will mean Absol has to give up a moveslot that is vital for its coverage and overall usefulness.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan, Primeape, and Gurdurr can all threaten Absol with their respective STAB moves; Gurdurr can switch into Play Rough once and threaten it with Mach Punch, while Hitmonchan and Primeape can revenge kill it.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types like Silvally-Fairy, Granbull, and Togetic can switch in on almost any move from Absol, but they have to be wary of the rare Iron Tail. Clefairy can also be used as a check, but it tends to struggle against Absol if it's boosted. Clefairy and Togetic also have to watch out for Knock Off, since the loss of their Eviolite greatly cuts into their bulk.
**Status**: Status ailments like burn and paralysis from Pokemon like Weezing and Miltank can cut Absol's power or Speed, crippling its ability to wallbreak, but these Pokemon have to be wary of Absol's coverage moves like Superpower, in Miltank's case.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Physically defensive Pokemon like Tangela, Weezing, and Regirock can check Absol, but they don't like having their items removed by Knock Off and, once weakened enough, can be KOed by a boosted Knock Off. Regirock also has to watch out for Superpower.
**Priority Moves**: Because of Absol's lackluster bulk, it can easily get worn down and KOed by common priority moves like Aqua Jet and Fake Out from Pokemon like Floatzel and Kangaskhan, and especially Mach Punch from Hitmonchan and Gurdurr.
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