Akir
A true villain!
[OVERVIEW]
The stars aligned in an interesting way for Swoobat, giving it one of the most unique niches in PU. Swoobat utilizes its Unaware ability to shut down setup threats like Beheeyem and Monferno and 2HKOes most foes by ignoring any defensive stat boosts. Combined with excellent base 114 Speed and great STAB coverage, Swoobat becomes a menace to offense and balance teams alike and, as a result, is an incredible asset to offense teams. However, even with all of this, it can still come up short. Swoobat outspeeds almost all of the tier but fails to outspeed Zebstrika and Sneasel, two threats that shut it down with their STAB attacks. On top of that, Swoobat's low natural Special Attack means that it can struggle greatly against bulkier teams.
[SET]
name: Choiced Disruptor
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Signal Beam
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Air Slash / Heat Wave / Trick
item: Choice Specs
ability: Unaware
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Psychic does solid neutral damage to a large portion of the tier, making it a strong spammable option. Signal Beam is also crucial, bypassing the defensive boosts of Calm Mind Beheeyem and Duosion while also hitting Dark-types such as Shiftry. U-turn allows Swoobat to slot effectively into offensive VoltTurn teams. The last slot is versatile and depends on what threats Swoobat needs to shut down for your specific team. Air Slash stops Scraggy from safely setting up, whereas Heat Wave stops Shift Gear Klang. Trick is also an option for shutting down any wall that might try and stop Swoobat, such as Audino or Articuno.
Swoobat is an effective anti-setup option for offensive teams, beating setup sweepers such as Beheeyem thanks to Unaware. Swoobat also checks Monferno especially well, as it is one of the few checks that does not fear a boosted Mach Punch. However, despite having Choice Specs, Swoobat is a subpar dedicated wallbreaker. Pairing Swoobat with other wallbreakers such as Choice Band Monferno and Swords Dance Torterra is an excellent decision, as both of those choices threaten common Swoobat counters like Audino, while Swoobat can use U-turn to safely bring them in. Another factor to consider is that Swoobat's Speed is just barely not enough; as such, having priority, a bulky teammate, or a Choice Scarf user to outspeed possible threats like Zebstrika is necessary. Mach Punch Monferno and Stunfisk are potential options. Swoobat also must choose between beating Scraggy or Klang, so having a partner like Swanna or Stunfisk that can threaten what Swoobat can't will also be beneficial. Remember that Swoobat's primary job is to beat setup threats and threaten frail and slower offensive Pokemon, not to wallbreak.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Threats such as Audino and Articuno can consistently wall Swoobat throughout a match. Even Scraggy and Klang can wall Swoobat if it lacks the proper coverage move. All of these Pokemon do fear the rare Trick, but not enough to dissuade them from coming in whenever Swoobat is out.
**Faster Pokemon**: Swoobat is exceptionally fast, but Pokemon such as Zebstrika and Sneasel are even faster and easily revenge kill it with their STAB moves. Similarly, common Choice Scarf users such as Dodrio and Golduck can also outspeed and prey upon Swoobat. Very few of these fast threats want to switch into Swoobat directly, but when they are able to come in safely, they easily force Swoobat out.
**Dark-types**: Psychic is usually a safe move to lock into, but a Dark-type such as Shiftry or Scraggy can make use of the opportunity to set up or threaten Swoobat. Dark-types do have to fear Swoobat's coverage, however, as even a U-turn can be crippling to Shiftry.
**Priority Attacks**: Threats such as Purugly can ignore Swoobat's superior Speed and KO it with priority attacks like Fake Out and Sucker Punch. It is also noteworthy that most offensive users of Sucker Punch, such as Shiftry, can cleanly KO Swoobat with it after just one round of Stealth Rock damage.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Akir, 231726]]
- Quality checked by: [[SergioRules, 265399], [SBPC, 468904]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
The stars aligned in an interesting way for Swoobat, giving it one of the most unique niches in PU. Swoobat utilizes its Unaware ability to shut down setup threats like Beheeyem and Monferno and 2HKOes most foes by ignoring any defensive stat boosts. Combined with excellent base 114 Speed and great STAB coverage, Swoobat becomes a menace to offense and balance teams alike and, as a result, is an incredible asset to offense teams. However, even with all of this, it can still come up short. Swoobat outspeeds almost all of the tier but fails to outspeed Zebstrika and Sneasel, two threats that shut it down with their STAB attacks. On top of that, Swoobat's low natural Special Attack means that it can struggle greatly against bulkier teams.
[SET]
name: Choiced Disruptor
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Signal Beam
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Air Slash / Heat Wave / Trick
item: Choice Specs
ability: Unaware
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Psychic does solid neutral damage to a large portion of the tier, making it a strong spammable option. Signal Beam is also crucial, bypassing the defensive boosts of Calm Mind Beheeyem and Duosion while also hitting Dark-types such as Shiftry. U-turn allows Swoobat to slot effectively into offensive VoltTurn teams. The last slot is versatile and depends on what threats Swoobat needs to shut down for your specific team. Air Slash stops Scraggy from safely setting up, whereas Heat Wave stops Shift Gear Klang. Trick is also an option for shutting down any wall that might try and stop Swoobat, such as Audino or Articuno.
Swoobat is an effective anti-setup option for offensive teams, beating setup sweepers such as Beheeyem thanks to Unaware. Swoobat also checks Monferno especially well, as it is one of the few checks that does not fear a boosted Mach Punch. However, despite having Choice Specs, Swoobat is a subpar dedicated wallbreaker. Pairing Swoobat with other wallbreakers such as Choice Band Monferno and Swords Dance Torterra is an excellent decision, as both of those choices threaten common Swoobat counters like Audino, while Swoobat can use U-turn to safely bring them in. Another factor to consider is that Swoobat's Speed is just barely not enough; as such, having priority, a bulky teammate, or a Choice Scarf user to outspeed possible threats like Zebstrika is necessary. Mach Punch Monferno and Stunfisk are potential options. Swoobat also must choose between beating Scraggy or Klang, so having a partner like Swanna or Stunfisk that can threaten what Swoobat can't will also be beneficial. Remember that Swoobat's primary job is to beat setup threats and threaten frail and slower offensive Pokemon, not to wallbreak.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Threats such as Audino and Articuno can consistently wall Swoobat throughout a match. Even Scraggy and Klang can wall Swoobat if it lacks the proper coverage move. All of these Pokemon do fear the rare Trick, but not enough to dissuade them from coming in whenever Swoobat is out.
**Faster Pokemon**: Swoobat is exceptionally fast, but Pokemon such as Zebstrika and Sneasel are even faster and easily revenge kill it with their STAB moves. Similarly, common Choice Scarf users such as Dodrio and Golduck can also outspeed and prey upon Swoobat. Very few of these fast threats want to switch into Swoobat directly, but when they are able to come in safely, they easily force Swoobat out.
**Dark-types**: Psychic is usually a safe move to lock into, but a Dark-type such as Shiftry or Scraggy can make use of the opportunity to set up or threaten Swoobat. Dark-types do have to fear Swoobat's coverage, however, as even a U-turn can be crippling to Shiftry.
**Priority Attacks**: Threats such as Purugly can ignore Swoobat's superior Speed and KO it with priority attacks like Fake Out and Sucker Punch. It is also noteworthy that most offensive users of Sucker Punch, such as Shiftry, can cleanly KO Swoobat with it after just one round of Stealth Rock damage.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Akir, 231726]]
- Quality checked by: [[SergioRules, 265399], [SBPC, 468904]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
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