Not sure if this deserves its own thread, but I figure I'd give it a try. If y'all decide that a thread is not necessary, I'm fine with a lock.
Name: Sableye
Pokedex Number: #302
Type: Ghost/Dark
Ability: Stall/Keen Eye
Hidden Ability: Prankster
Base Stats: 50 / 75 / 75 / 65 / 65 / 50 (BST 380)
General Analysis:
While its "counterpart" Mawile was blessed with a Mega Evolution, Huge Power, and general badassery, the little gem gremlin didn't really change all that much. However, the metagame around it certainly did, with the introduction of the Fairy type, in which Sableye, one of the few Pokemon who could boast to have no weaknesses, finally got one to the new Fairy attacks. In terms of attacking, however, Sableye got a few new benefits, in the form of Dark no longer being resisted by Steel types, an improved BP on Knock Off, making it an arguably viable alternative to Foul Play, and a higher accuracy WoW. While Prankster was what made anybody even consider Sableye, the new generation introduced yet another two Prankster rivals: Klefki and Mega Banette. The angry key-jingling menace and the super curse doll are on everyone's minds now, and while they do overshadow Sableye, the Jacob's Ladder fan still has enough of a niche to differentiate itself and be a good Pokemon to consider if a team needs a priority statuser.
Potential Movesets
Specially Defensive
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
Nature: Calm/Careful
252 HP/4 Def/252 SpD
-Taunt
-Will-o-Wisp
-Recover
-Foul Play/Knock Off/Night Shade
The standard OU build from last gen, coming into a changed metagame. The EV spread gives it maximum special bulk, and with the general nerfing of Special Attacks, Sableye can most likely be able to tank a few special hits while spreading status before going down. Taunt and Will-o-Wisp are what differentiates Sableye from Klefki who hates Taunt and wishes it could have it as well, and a STAB Foul Play does what it does best: denting physical attackers. Knock Off is also a viable alternative to Foul Play, having a nice 97 BP if hitting an item, and Sableye most likely isn't going to stay in to do more than one attack, with an added bonus of depriving an enemy from its item; Careful should be run instead of Calm in this instance. Night Shade is also another alternative if you desire a more consistent form of damage. Prankster Recover is also nice, allowing Sableye to get some much needed healing in before annoying your opponent some more and differentiating itself from Mega Banette, who would kill to have reliable recovery. Sableye's Ghost type allows it to switch into Fighting moves like ones from (Mega) Lucario and allows it to spinblock.
Other Options:
Keen Eye is now a viable alternative to Prankster if you fear Minimize Blissey... just kidding. There's not really much else Sableye can do reliably. Snarl is an option if you want to tank Special hits better, and Shadow Sneak is there for priority hits and to take out weakened enemies. Sableye gets Nasty Plot and Hone Claws, but a setup build is largely inferior due to Sableye's low stats.
Checks and Counters:
Strong Special Attackers and non WoW'd Physical Attackers put huge dents into Sableye, and now it must also watch out for the new Fairy attacks like Play Rough/Moonblast/Dazzling Gleam. Faster Prankster users with access to Taunt also shut down Sableye (though not Klefki, take that!). Unfortunately, while Sableye can Taunt Klefki, Klefki's naturally higher Base Speed means it will always be able to go first and do something before Sableye can shut it down. Sableye would have to put at least 200 Speed EVs to speed tie a neutral natured Klefki, which generally isn't worth it.
Personal Opinion:
Generally, I believe that the metagame was not very kind to Sableye. Prankster, its claim to fame, is now found on arguably better users: Klefki and Mega Banette. However, Sableye can Taunt and WoW unlike Klefki, and while Mega Banette can do both, it takes up a Mega slot. Sableye can be run with other Mega Pokemon that appreciate its burn and Taunt support. Funnily enough, Sableye and Klefki could definitely become nice partners, with each playing opposite roles in annoying/shutting down the enemy team. While it may not be definite OU material, the grinning gremlin will still find a home in any team that wants priority burns/taunts and the ability to spinblock.
Name: Sableye
Pokedex Number: #302
Type: Ghost/Dark
Ability: Stall/Keen Eye
Hidden Ability: Prankster
Base Stats: 50 / 75 / 75 / 65 / 65 / 50 (BST 380)
General Analysis:
While its "counterpart" Mawile was blessed with a Mega Evolution, Huge Power, and general badassery, the little gem gremlin didn't really change all that much. However, the metagame around it certainly did, with the introduction of the Fairy type, in which Sableye, one of the few Pokemon who could boast to have no weaknesses, finally got one to the new Fairy attacks. In terms of attacking, however, Sableye got a few new benefits, in the form of Dark no longer being resisted by Steel types, an improved BP on Knock Off, making it an arguably viable alternative to Foul Play, and a higher accuracy WoW. While Prankster was what made anybody even consider Sableye, the new generation introduced yet another two Prankster rivals: Klefki and Mega Banette. The angry key-jingling menace and the super curse doll are on everyone's minds now, and while they do overshadow Sableye, the Jacob's Ladder fan still has enough of a niche to differentiate itself and be a good Pokemon to consider if a team needs a priority statuser.
Potential Movesets
Specially Defensive
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
Nature: Calm/Careful
252 HP/4 Def/252 SpD
-Taunt
-Will-o-Wisp
-Recover
-Foul Play/Knock Off/Night Shade
The standard OU build from last gen, coming into a changed metagame. The EV spread gives it maximum special bulk, and with the general nerfing of Special Attacks, Sableye can most likely be able to tank a few special hits while spreading status before going down. Taunt and Will-o-Wisp are what differentiates Sableye from Klefki who hates Taunt and wishes it could have it as well, and a STAB Foul Play does what it does best: denting physical attackers. Knock Off is also a viable alternative to Foul Play, having a nice 97 BP if hitting an item, and Sableye most likely isn't going to stay in to do more than one attack, with an added bonus of depriving an enemy from its item; Careful should be run instead of Calm in this instance. Night Shade is also another alternative if you desire a more consistent form of damage. Prankster Recover is also nice, allowing Sableye to get some much needed healing in before annoying your opponent some more and differentiating itself from Mega Banette, who would kill to have reliable recovery. Sableye's Ghost type allows it to switch into Fighting moves like ones from (Mega) Lucario and allows it to spinblock.
Other Options:
Keen Eye is now a viable alternative to Prankster if you fear Minimize Blissey... just kidding. There's not really much else Sableye can do reliably. Snarl is an option if you want to tank Special hits better, and Shadow Sneak is there for priority hits and to take out weakened enemies. Sableye gets Nasty Plot and Hone Claws, but a setup build is largely inferior due to Sableye's low stats.
Checks and Counters:
Strong Special Attackers and non WoW'd Physical Attackers put huge dents into Sableye, and now it must also watch out for the new Fairy attacks like Play Rough/Moonblast/Dazzling Gleam. Faster Prankster users with access to Taunt also shut down Sableye (though not Klefki, take that!). Unfortunately, while Sableye can Taunt Klefki, Klefki's naturally higher Base Speed means it will always be able to go first and do something before Sableye can shut it down. Sableye would have to put at least 200 Speed EVs to speed tie a neutral natured Klefki, which generally isn't worth it.
Personal Opinion:
Generally, I believe that the metagame was not very kind to Sableye. Prankster, its claim to fame, is now found on arguably better users: Klefki and Mega Banette. However, Sableye can Taunt and WoW unlike Klefki, and while Mega Banette can do both, it takes up a Mega slot. Sableye can be run with other Mega Pokemon that appreciate its burn and Taunt support. Funnily enough, Sableye and Klefki could definitely become nice partners, with each playing opposite roles in annoying/shutting down the enemy team. While it may not be definite OU material, the grinning gremlin will still find a home in any team that wants priority burns/taunts and the ability to spinblock.
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