QC: ksh13 / Jio
GP: P Squared+piikachuu / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Crobat stands out as one of the most reliable leads of the metagame. Its outstanding base 130 Speed, which allows it to outspeed every relevant Pokemon bar Mewtwo and Mega Gengar, is complemented by a wide utility movepool that includes moves such as Taunt, Tailwind, and Quick Guard. Taunt, in particular, is especially useful, as it allows Crobat to function as a reliable check to other leads such as Smeargle, which has lower Speed and often runs status moves only. In addition to these unique traits, Crobat's decent defensive typing makes it a good check to Xerneas, as it resists Fairy-type attacks while also being able to stop Geomancy thanks to Taunt. However, Crobat's utility diminishes throughout the game, as its mediocre 85 / 80 / 80 bulk doesn't allow it to repeatedly switch into moves that it doesn't resist. It is also heavily reliant on its teammates, as it doesn't have any offensive presence besides Super Fang, which deals less damage each turn and cannot KO foes at all. Lastly, Crobat faces competition as a fast utility-based Pokemon from Talonflame: the latter has an optimal base Speed, also has access to Quick Guard and Taunt, and can set up Tailwind before getting Taunted by a Prankster user thanks to Gale Wings. However, Crobat's Inner Focus makes it immune to Fake Out, and its access to Haze gives it a better matchup against setup sweepers.
[SET]
name: Utility Support
move 1: Super Fang
move 2: Tailwind
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Quick Guard
item: Lum Berry / Mental Herb
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Super Fang removes 50% of the foe's health without taking into consideration its typing and resistances, allowing Crobat to easily deal with bulky foes such as Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon. Tailwind doubles the Speed of Crobat and its allies for four turns, turning slower offensive teammates into fast threats. Taunt prevents Pokemon such as Cresselia and Smeargle from using their own status moves, and it works extremely well in conjunction with Crobat's great Speed. Quick Guard protects Crobat's partner from common priority moves such as Mega Kangaskhan's Fake Out, Mega Mawile's Sucker Punch, and Rayquaza's Extreme Speed.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP investment allows Crobat to survive some weak or unresisted attacks, while 252 Speed EVs and a Timid nature are necessary to ensure it moves before its foes. A Lum Berry helps against status conditions, in particular sleep and paralysis, and allows Crobat to reliably check Smeargle by absorbing one Dark Void and Taunting it the following turn. Mental Herb can be used as an alternative item, as it nullifies a Taunt coming from Prankster users, such as Sableye, or faster Pokemon. An EV spread of 44 HP / 236 Def / 228 Spe is a viable option to always avoid being OHKOed by Mega Kangaskhan's Double-Edge.
Usage Tips
========
Crobat should be used as a lead to disrupt the opposing team as soon as possible. Use Taunt if Crobat is against defensive Pokemon or setup sweepers; otherwise, either start spamming Super Fang to damage the foes as much as possible or set up Tailwind to better deal with the opponent's team the following turns. If Crobat and its partner are against common users of priority moves, such as Mega Kangaskhan, consider using Quick Guard as well. Crobat can also be used to secure a sweep for a teammate mid- or late-game; however, keep in mind that it should be brought in only after a teammate has fainted or on a predicted resisted move, as its subpar bulk doesn't allow it to survive particularly powerful hits.
Team Options
========
Powerful wallbreakers benefit the most from Tailwind's Speed boost and the consistent damage dealt by Super Fang. Mega Kangaskhan, in particular, makes for an exceptionally good partner, as it can help Crobat use its moves more safely thanks to Fake Out and can KO most foes after Super Fang damage with a Parental Bond-boosted Double-Edge. A leading duo consisting of Crobat and Smeargle can provide an early advantage for its teammates, as the former can set up Tailwind while the latter uses a protecting move the first turn, and then they can proceed to spam Super Fang and Dark Void the following turn. On a similar note, Crobat and Mega Gengar fare well against most Pokemon combinations, including the common Smeargle and Xerneas. Bulky offensive Pokemon such as Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre are also good options, as they can take advantage of Tailwind while also maintaining some defensive presence.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Haze or Whirlwind can be run over Quick Guard as an emergency move against setup sweepers and Moody Smeargle, although these are better dealt with in other ways. Haze, in particular, is also effective against the Follow Me + Geomancy combination. Brave Bird can be used as an alternative and more reliable source of damage, but Crobat's uninvested Attack stat is too low to weaken foes significantly. If running Brave Bird, a Jolly nature and 31 Attack IVs should be used as well. Hypnosis can work well in conjunction with Crobat's great Speed, but its unreliability makes the move not worth using; however, it can be run as a niche strategy with specific teammates, such as Gravity Sableye.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Powerful Attackers**: Crobat's bulk is only mediocre, and it cannot take repeated hits from powerful attackers such as Mega Rayquaza, Primal Groudon, and Mega Kangaskhan.
**Mewtwo and Mega Gengar**: Mewtwo and Mega Gengar, although not very common, can Speed tie with Crobat and OHKO it with ease; the latter is also immune to Super Fang.
**Ghost-types**: If not running Brave Bird, Crobat has no way of damaging Ghost-types such as Mega Gengar, Giratina, Sableye, and Giratina-O. Sableye, in particular, has access to Prankster and can bypass Crobat's Speed and Taunt. Moreover, a leading duo of Sableye and Mega Gengar can make Crobat useless while the two Ghost-types deal with its partner.
**Mental Herb**: Pokemon running Mental Herb can avoid Taunt and proceed to cripple Crobat or its partner. In particular, most Trick Room setters can can also nullify Crobat's great Speed and the Speed boost from Tailwind.
GP: P Squared+piikachuu / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Crobat stands out as one of the most reliable leads of the metagame. Its outstanding base 130 Speed, which allows it to outspeed every relevant Pokemon bar Mewtwo and Mega Gengar, is complemented by a wide utility movepool that includes moves such as Taunt, Tailwind, and Quick Guard. Taunt, in particular, is especially useful, as it allows Crobat to function as a reliable check to other leads such as Smeargle, which has lower Speed and often runs status moves only. In addition to these unique traits, Crobat's decent defensive typing makes it a good check to Xerneas, as it resists Fairy-type attacks while also being able to stop Geomancy thanks to Taunt. However, Crobat's utility diminishes throughout the game, as its mediocre 85 / 80 / 80 bulk doesn't allow it to repeatedly switch into moves that it doesn't resist. It is also heavily reliant on its teammates, as it doesn't have any offensive presence besides Super Fang, which deals less damage each turn and cannot KO foes at all. Lastly, Crobat faces competition as a fast utility-based Pokemon from Talonflame: the latter has an optimal base Speed, also has access to Quick Guard and Taunt, and can set up Tailwind before getting Taunted by a Prankster user thanks to Gale Wings. However, Crobat's Inner Focus makes it immune to Fake Out, and its access to Haze gives it a better matchup against setup sweepers.
[SET]
name: Utility Support
move 1: Super Fang
move 2: Tailwind
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Quick Guard
item: Lum Berry / Mental Herb
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Super Fang removes 50% of the foe's health without taking into consideration its typing and resistances, allowing Crobat to easily deal with bulky foes such as Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon. Tailwind doubles the Speed of Crobat and its allies for four turns, turning slower offensive teammates into fast threats. Taunt prevents Pokemon such as Cresselia and Smeargle from using their own status moves, and it works extremely well in conjunction with Crobat's great Speed. Quick Guard protects Crobat's partner from common priority moves such as Mega Kangaskhan's Fake Out, Mega Mawile's Sucker Punch, and Rayquaza's Extreme Speed.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP investment allows Crobat to survive some weak or unresisted attacks, while 252 Speed EVs and a Timid nature are necessary to ensure it moves before its foes. A Lum Berry helps against status conditions, in particular sleep and paralysis, and allows Crobat to reliably check Smeargle by absorbing one Dark Void and Taunting it the following turn. Mental Herb can be used as an alternative item, as it nullifies a Taunt coming from Prankster users, such as Sableye, or faster Pokemon. An EV spread of 44 HP / 236 Def / 228 Spe is a viable option to always avoid being OHKOed by Mega Kangaskhan's Double-Edge.
Usage Tips
========
Crobat should be used as a lead to disrupt the opposing team as soon as possible. Use Taunt if Crobat is against defensive Pokemon or setup sweepers; otherwise, either start spamming Super Fang to damage the foes as much as possible or set up Tailwind to better deal with the opponent's team the following turns. If Crobat and its partner are against common users of priority moves, such as Mega Kangaskhan, consider using Quick Guard as well. Crobat can also be used to secure a sweep for a teammate mid- or late-game; however, keep in mind that it should be brought in only after a teammate has fainted or on a predicted resisted move, as its subpar bulk doesn't allow it to survive particularly powerful hits.
Team Options
========
Powerful wallbreakers benefit the most from Tailwind's Speed boost and the consistent damage dealt by Super Fang. Mega Kangaskhan, in particular, makes for an exceptionally good partner, as it can help Crobat use its moves more safely thanks to Fake Out and can KO most foes after Super Fang damage with a Parental Bond-boosted Double-Edge. A leading duo consisting of Crobat and Smeargle can provide an early advantage for its teammates, as the former can set up Tailwind while the latter uses a protecting move the first turn, and then they can proceed to spam Super Fang and Dark Void the following turn. On a similar note, Crobat and Mega Gengar fare well against most Pokemon combinations, including the common Smeargle and Xerneas. Bulky offensive Pokemon such as Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre are also good options, as they can take advantage of Tailwind while also maintaining some defensive presence.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Haze or Whirlwind can be run over Quick Guard as an emergency move against setup sweepers and Moody Smeargle, although these are better dealt with in other ways. Haze, in particular, is also effective against the Follow Me + Geomancy combination. Brave Bird can be used as an alternative and more reliable source of damage, but Crobat's uninvested Attack stat is too low to weaken foes significantly. If running Brave Bird, a Jolly nature and 31 Attack IVs should be used as well. Hypnosis can work well in conjunction with Crobat's great Speed, but its unreliability makes the move not worth using; however, it can be run as a niche strategy with specific teammates, such as Gravity Sableye.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Powerful Attackers**: Crobat's bulk is only mediocre, and it cannot take repeated hits from powerful attackers such as Mega Rayquaza, Primal Groudon, and Mega Kangaskhan.
**Mewtwo and Mega Gengar**: Mewtwo and Mega Gengar, although not very common, can Speed tie with Crobat and OHKO it with ease; the latter is also immune to Super Fang.
**Ghost-types**: If not running Brave Bird, Crobat has no way of damaging Ghost-types such as Mega Gengar, Giratina, Sableye, and Giratina-O. Sableye, in particular, has access to Prankster and can bypass Crobat's Speed and Taunt. Moreover, a leading duo of Sableye and Mega Gengar can make Crobat useless while the two Ghost-types deal with its partner.
**Mental Herb**: Pokemon running Mental Herb can avoid Taunt and proceed to cripple Crobat or its partner. In particular, most Trick Room setters can can also nullify Crobat's great Speed and the Speed boost from Tailwind.
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