[OVERVIEW]
Cobalion is one of the premier threats in the tier, with a versatile set of options including the ability to boost with both Swords Dance and Calm Mind, access to Stealth Rock, excellent Speed, and a great defensive typing that lets it check top-tier threats like Scizor, Hydreigon, and Bisharp. Its immunity to Toxic lets it come in on threats like Blissey and means it doesn't have to worry about losing to poison damage. Swords Dance is its flagship set, being very customizable and fulfilling a lot of roles besides that of a sweeper. Cobalion can run a variety of items to better fit the need of the team it is used on, with Z-Moves to wallbreak more easily, Rocky Helmet to punish physical attackers, and Shuca Berry to lure and remove Ground-types like Krookodile all being viable options. It is one of the best Pokemon at punishing Dark-types and Pursuit trappers thanks to its ability Justified, and its presence alone will make some of Cobalion's Dark-weak teammates able to be played more freely. There are some drawbacks to using Cobalion; notably, its Steel / Fighting dual typing leaves it without resistances to Psychic and Flying, which means that threats like Latias and Togekiss can be harder for Cobalion's team to deal with if it is the only Steel-type. It also faces competition from other offensive Stealth Rock users like Kommo-o, Nihilego, and Terrakion, all of which have more unboosted power and different defensive typings to take advantage of. It also is severely lacking in initial power before boosting, having a mediocre base 90 in both Attack and Special Attack. This leaves the Swords Dance set walled by Pokemon like Slowbro even after a boost, while the Calm Mind set can struggle to get KOs on even offensive Pokemon. The Calm Mind set's main competition in Nasty Plot Lucario can wallbreak much more easily, as well.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Close Combat
move 4: Stealth Rock / Rock Polish
item: Fightinium Z / Rocky Helmet / Shuca Berry
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Cobalion can run Stealth Rock viably, using its ability to force switches via the threat of Swords Dance to find time to set Stealth Rock. It can also set up on potential entry hazard removers that would come in to remove the Stealth Rock like Empoleon. If the team already has Stealth Rock support, Rock Polish is a great option to help Cobalion clean offensive teams. At +2 Speed, Cobalion will be faster than Choice Scarf users such as Krookodile and Hydreigon that normally revenge kill it, allowing it to hit them with Close Combat. Stone Edge is a viable coverage option to lure and remove Pokemon that normally wall Cobalion like Moltres, Chandelure, and Mantine. It has to give up either its ability to boost Speed or set Stealth Rock for this, so make sure Stealth Rock is present somewhere else on Cobalion's team.
Set Details
========
All-Out Pummeling is the strongest Z-Move available to Cobalion, allowing it to break through sturdy walls like Mega Aggron, Suicune, and Hippowdon when boosted as well as gaining KOs on threats like Krookodile unboosted. Steelium Z is an option to break through bulky Fighting-resistant foes like Gligar, Amoonguss, and Celebi more easily, but Fightinium Z's general power is usually the superior choice. Rocky Helmet allows Cobalion to punish pivots like Scizor and Mega Beedrill with chip damage, helping it generate momentum even by switching in. Shuca Berry gives Cobalion insurance when facing opposing Ground-types, allowing it to lure and remove faster ones like Choice Scarf Krookodile and switch into or set up on slower ones like Mamoswine more safely once. Justified is often activated when Cobalion attempts to check Dark-types like Bisharp and Hydreigon. It can take advantage of the +1 Attack boost by hitting hard immediately instead of having to use Swords Dance.
Usage Tips
========
Cobalion is not great at breaking through teams early-game, since its Attack leaves much to be desired. If run, Cobalion should be focused on setting Stealth Rock early and waiting for teammates or entry hazards to weaken foes before it attempts to sweep. Cobalion's HP should be kept high so it can survive revenge killing attempts when it is attempting to clean. Rock Polish aids it here by being able to outspeed and avoid attacks from Choice Scarf users when boosted, only fearing priority from Fighting-types like Infernape and Lucario. Be careful when using Cobalion's Z-Moves, be it Fightinium Z or Steelium Z. They should be used in order to get through walls Cobalion normally can't break. After it uses Swords Dance, Hippowdon, Alomomola, and Swampert all have to be wary of taking an All-Out Pummeling, while Gligar and Amoonguss should fear Corkscrew Crash. Aggressive play is rewarded with Rocky Helmet, so try to switch Cobalion into U-turn users like Scizor, Mega Beedrill, and even Choice Scarf Hydreigon; the chip damage will quickly add up for Cobalion's team and allow a cleaner to sweep more easily. Shuca Berry allows Cobalion to be more aggressive when facing Ground-types like Mamoswine and Gligar. In neutral situations, it can safely boost thanks to the reduced damage, while if the Ground-type is already on low HP, it can come in with impunity to revenge kill. Cobalion, despite being a Steel-type, has issues dealing with Fairy- and Psychic-types due to its neutrality to their attacks and its mediocre Special Defense. It is generally not advised to switch in and try and directly force them out, as Cobalion loses chunks of its HP quickly. Once it has acquired a Swords Dance boost, however, Cobalion will cleanly KO most Fairy-types like Florges and Togekiss.
Team Options
========
Special tanks that can absorb some of the punishment Cobalion doesn't like from attackers such as Starmie, Latias, Moltres, and Mega Manectric make good partners. Mega Altaria, Blissey, Empoleon and Nihilego all can cover varying special attackers for Cobalion, while it can check Scizor in return. Toxic Spikes can help Cobalion clean defensive teams more easily by putting the walls that beat it like Hippowdon, Slowbro, and Mega Slowbro on a timer. Tentacruel and Nihilego both can set the entry hazard well while also taking special attacks aimed at Cobalion. Spikes help Cobalion as well; although Klefki and Chesnaught both share parts of its typing, they are both able to cover weaknesses of Cobalion's dual typing with Klefki checking Fairy- and Psychic-types much better and Chesnaught handling bulky Water- and Ground-types. Klefki can also be used for Thunder Wave support, which lets Cobalion outspeed targets like Latias and Starmie it would normally fail to reach. Froslass can be used on as a Spikes setter on hyper offense teams with Cobalion. Cobalion can often appreciate a secondary Steel-type to supplement its role, as Cobalion itself is neutral to Psychic-, Flying-, and Fairy-type moves. Scizor is a great partner for Pursuit trapping threats like Latias and coming in on the defensive Fairy-types like Florges and Sylveon more easily, but this leaves the Flying-type weakness open. Bisharp also excels at helping remove Psychic-types but trades the Flying-type resistance for a Fairy-type neutrality. When using Rocky Helmet especially, cleaners like Mega Sharpedo, Swords Dance Scizor, and Mega Aerodactyl all appreciate the chip damage Cobalion sends early-game while also benefiting from Stealth Rock staying on the field. Pursuit users such as Krookodile, Mega Aerodactyl, and Alolan Muk can remove Psychic-types like Latias and Starmie that would check Cobalion and weaken the bulkier ones like Slowbro and Celebi into range for Cobalion to break through them. Dark-weak Pokemon like Latias, Gengar, and Starmie can all bait in Dark-types and Pursuit trappers that Cobalion loves to get setup opportunities on.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Flash Cannon
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Volt Switch
item: Fightinium Z / Electrium Z
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Calm Mind allows Cobalion to patch its weak Special Defense and break through traditional physical walls, with Focus Blast and especially All-Out Pummeling surprising physical walls like Hippowdon and Swampert expecting to take a Close Combat. Flash Cannon is useful for hitting Fairy-types, and Calm Mind boosts help Cobalion tank Fairy-type STAB attacks more easily from Florges and Sylveon. Hidden Power Grass lets Cobalion break through Water-types like Jellicent and Slowbro and allows it to run Fightinium Z. This is especially notable for hitting Quagsire, which is used to check setup sweepers on stall teams. Volt Switch with Electrium Z is crucial for hitting a number of threats that normally wall Calm Mind Cobalion like Tentacruel and Moltres.
Set Details
========
Fightinium Z allows Cobalion to break through neutral targets like Hippowdon more easily, as well as giving it the necessary power to take down Blissey without having to boost a ton and lose HP in the process. Electrium Z is important for giving Cobalion access to a one-time nuke that also doesn't force it to switch out like using Volt Switch without the Z-Move does. Its targets include Tentacruel, Moltres, and Jellicent. Shuca Berry can be used on this set as well, giving Cobalion more setup opportunities when facing Ground-types.
Usage Tips
========
Cobalion should not be used much at all early-game, instead letting its teammates punch holes in the enemy team first. The Calm Mind set is better at finishing games than opening them. Be careful about revealing its moveset early, as the surprise factor is often a big part in Calm Mind sets picking up KOs on unsuspecting physical walls like Slowbro. Cobalion is especially valuable versus stall teams, which often will play around it as if its physical. Use Gigavolt Havoc wisely when running Volt Switch, as it is otherwise forced out when using Electric-type coverage, removing any boosts it has accumulated. It is often wise to use Volt Switch before boosting to try and soften targets into the Z-Move's range. This way, Cobalion won't have to use Volt Switch again and can keep its boosts to sweep. Cobalion can come in on special walls like Blissey and Nihilego to bluff the physical set and then proceed to set up Calm Minds at little cost. Choice item users like Hydreigon and Krookodile locked into Dark-type moves are also used as chances to get free setup. Alomomola and Tentacruel both are weak enough that Cobalion can safely set up on them too. While Cobalion does have the natural bulk to come in directly when it must, it appreciates having close to full HP when attempting to sweep, as it must usually tank a hit or two when setting up. Try and bring it in off pivoting moves or double switches when possible.
Team Options
========
Since this Cobalion set requires Stealth Rock support, a Ground-type like Hippowdon, Nidoqueen, or Gligar can both set the entry hazard and check Electric-types that could revenge kill Cobalion such as Mega Manectric and Zeraora. Toxic Spikes are a valuable tool, especially for breaking defensive teams, and Poison-types like Tentacruel, Nidoqueen, and Nihilego can provide them. Spikes from the likes of Chesnaught and Klefki can both chip enemy teams and force in hazard removers like Moltres and Tentacruel that Cobalion appreciates chip damage on. Pursuit trapping is valuable to prevent Latias from engaging in a Calm Mind war with Cobalion, along with removing potential revenge killers like Starmie and Gengar. Krookodile, Scizor, and Alolan Muk all can provide this utility. Calm Mind Cobalion starts off pretty weak and needs significant help from Pokemon that have good offense matchups in order to perform against those teams. Mega Aerodactyl, Starmie, and Mega Manectric are good examples of high-Speed threats that can soften offensive teams for Cobalion to eventually get through. Pivots to bring it in safely such as Gligar, Rotom-H, Rotom-C, and Zeraora help preserve Cobalion's HP and grant it more setup opportunities. Gligar and the Rotom formes also act as great pivots into the Ground-types that Cobalion is forced out by. Wallbreakers like Mamoswine, Gengar, and Primarina are all viable options to help soften teams early-game before Cobalion comes in to finish a game. Cobalion usually appreciates a secondary Steel-type like Empoleon or Scizor, especially because Calm Mind sets like to preserve their HP.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A utility set with maximum HP and Speed investment and Stealth Rock, Close Combat, Thunder Wave, and Volt Switch is usable to focus on Cobalion's supportive aspects, but it is much more passive than the typical offensive sets and relies on teammates taking advantage of the status and entry hazards it provides. Life Orb is an option on Swords Dance sets to have a little bit more immediate power when unboosted, but the recoil takes away from a lot of the defensive utility Cobalion provides and worsens its matchup versus tanks with recovery like Hippowdon. X-Scissor can be used as coverage to hit Psychic-types like Slowbro, Celebi, and Latias super effectively, but its coverage otherwise is lacking and Cobalion has to drop a utility move for it. Taunt can be used to anti-lead other hazard users, but Pokemon with more offensive pressure like Terrakion, Azelf, and Froslass generally outclass Cobalion in this role.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types:** Bulky Ground-types have a relatively easy time handling Cobalion due to its lacking offensive stats. Hippowdon, Gligar, Nidoqueen, and Seismitoad all can come in on Cobalion multiple times during a game and force it out. Cobalion can break through them with proper Z-Move usage, though, so they must be careful.
**Water-types:** Water-types also have the ability to wall Cobalion, especially those with secondary typings that grant Fighting-type resistance like Slowbro, Jellicent, and Tentacruel. Scald burns will prevent physical Cobalion from accomplishing anything. Water-types should be careful around Calm Mind sets, as they do not appreciate taking a +1 Gigavolt Havoc.
**Residual Damage:** Cobalion, while 4x resistant to Stealth Rock, is often used as a team's tank to U-turn users like Scizor and Mega Beedrill. This will result in it switching in and immediately out often in the course of a game. If Spikes are up, (AC) the passive damage can add up more quickly than expected.
**Fighting-resistant Pokemon:** With its strongest STAB options being Close Combat and Focus Blast, a number of other Fighting-type checks are able to force out Cobalion despite its Steel-type STAB options. For defensive switch-ins, Amoonguss, Nidoqueen, and RestTalk Primarina all can take a Close Combat or Focus Blast well and usually force out Cobalion with either the threat of status or a STAB Earth Power in Nidoqueen's case. Offensively, there are Fire-types like Moltres and Chandelure that handle Cobalion's STAB combination well.
**Faster Offensive Threats:** Cobalion has a great Speed tier, but there are a myriad of offensive threats that can revenge kill it still. Psychic-types like Starmie and Latias don't have a ton to fear by switching in directly, while other Pokemon like Mega Manectric, Earthquake Mega Aerodactyl, and Choice Scarf users like Hydreigon and Krookodile can all revenge kill it with a little bit of chip damage.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [Sage, 192277]
- Quality checked by: [vivalospride, 151509], [Hilomilo, 313384], [Nuked, 382658]
- Grammar checked by: [martha, 384270], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157]
Cobalion is one of the premier threats in the tier, with a versatile set of options including the ability to boost with both Swords Dance and Calm Mind, access to Stealth Rock, excellent Speed, and a great defensive typing that lets it check top-tier threats like Scizor, Hydreigon, and Bisharp. Its immunity to Toxic lets it come in on threats like Blissey and means it doesn't have to worry about losing to poison damage. Swords Dance is its flagship set, being very customizable and fulfilling a lot of roles besides that of a sweeper. Cobalion can run a variety of items to better fit the need of the team it is used on, with Z-Moves to wallbreak more easily, Rocky Helmet to punish physical attackers, and Shuca Berry to lure and remove Ground-types like Krookodile all being viable options. It is one of the best Pokemon at punishing Dark-types and Pursuit trappers thanks to its ability Justified, and its presence alone will make some of Cobalion's Dark-weak teammates able to be played more freely. There are some drawbacks to using Cobalion; notably, its Steel / Fighting dual typing leaves it without resistances to Psychic and Flying, which means that threats like Latias and Togekiss can be harder for Cobalion's team to deal with if it is the only Steel-type. It also faces competition from other offensive Stealth Rock users like Kommo-o, Nihilego, and Terrakion, all of which have more unboosted power and different defensive typings to take advantage of. It also is severely lacking in initial power before boosting, having a mediocre base 90 in both Attack and Special Attack. This leaves the Swords Dance set walled by Pokemon like Slowbro even after a boost, while the Calm Mind set can struggle to get KOs on even offensive Pokemon. The Calm Mind set's main competition in Nasty Plot Lucario can wallbreak much more easily, as well.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Close Combat
move 4: Stealth Rock / Rock Polish
item: Fightinium Z / Rocky Helmet / Shuca Berry
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Cobalion can run Stealth Rock viably, using its ability to force switches via the threat of Swords Dance to find time to set Stealth Rock. It can also set up on potential entry hazard removers that would come in to remove the Stealth Rock like Empoleon. If the team already has Stealth Rock support, Rock Polish is a great option to help Cobalion clean offensive teams. At +2 Speed, Cobalion will be faster than Choice Scarf users such as Krookodile and Hydreigon that normally revenge kill it, allowing it to hit them with Close Combat. Stone Edge is a viable coverage option to lure and remove Pokemon that normally wall Cobalion like Moltres, Chandelure, and Mantine. It has to give up either its ability to boost Speed or set Stealth Rock for this, so make sure Stealth Rock is present somewhere else on Cobalion's team.
Set Details
========
All-Out Pummeling is the strongest Z-Move available to Cobalion, allowing it to break through sturdy walls like Mega Aggron, Suicune, and Hippowdon when boosted as well as gaining KOs on threats like Krookodile unboosted. Steelium Z is an option to break through bulky Fighting-resistant foes like Gligar, Amoonguss, and Celebi more easily, but Fightinium Z's general power is usually the superior choice. Rocky Helmet allows Cobalion to punish pivots like Scizor and Mega Beedrill with chip damage, helping it generate momentum even by switching in. Shuca Berry gives Cobalion insurance when facing opposing Ground-types, allowing it to lure and remove faster ones like Choice Scarf Krookodile and switch into or set up on slower ones like Mamoswine more safely once. Justified is often activated when Cobalion attempts to check Dark-types like Bisharp and Hydreigon. It can take advantage of the +1 Attack boost by hitting hard immediately instead of having to use Swords Dance.
Usage Tips
========
Cobalion is not great at breaking through teams early-game, since its Attack leaves much to be desired. If run, Cobalion should be focused on setting Stealth Rock early and waiting for teammates or entry hazards to weaken foes before it attempts to sweep. Cobalion's HP should be kept high so it can survive revenge killing attempts when it is attempting to clean. Rock Polish aids it here by being able to outspeed and avoid attacks from Choice Scarf users when boosted, only fearing priority from Fighting-types like Infernape and Lucario. Be careful when using Cobalion's Z-Moves, be it Fightinium Z or Steelium Z. They should be used in order to get through walls Cobalion normally can't break. After it uses Swords Dance, Hippowdon, Alomomola, and Swampert all have to be wary of taking an All-Out Pummeling, while Gligar and Amoonguss should fear Corkscrew Crash. Aggressive play is rewarded with Rocky Helmet, so try to switch Cobalion into U-turn users like Scizor, Mega Beedrill, and even Choice Scarf Hydreigon; the chip damage will quickly add up for Cobalion's team and allow a cleaner to sweep more easily. Shuca Berry allows Cobalion to be more aggressive when facing Ground-types like Mamoswine and Gligar. In neutral situations, it can safely boost thanks to the reduced damage, while if the Ground-type is already on low HP, it can come in with impunity to revenge kill. Cobalion, despite being a Steel-type, has issues dealing with Fairy- and Psychic-types due to its neutrality to their attacks and its mediocre Special Defense. It is generally not advised to switch in and try and directly force them out, as Cobalion loses chunks of its HP quickly. Once it has acquired a Swords Dance boost, however, Cobalion will cleanly KO most Fairy-types like Florges and Togekiss.
Team Options
========
Special tanks that can absorb some of the punishment Cobalion doesn't like from attackers such as Starmie, Latias, Moltres, and Mega Manectric make good partners. Mega Altaria, Blissey, Empoleon and Nihilego all can cover varying special attackers for Cobalion, while it can check Scizor in return. Toxic Spikes can help Cobalion clean defensive teams more easily by putting the walls that beat it like Hippowdon, Slowbro, and Mega Slowbro on a timer. Tentacruel and Nihilego both can set the entry hazard well while also taking special attacks aimed at Cobalion. Spikes help Cobalion as well; although Klefki and Chesnaught both share parts of its typing, they are both able to cover weaknesses of Cobalion's dual typing with Klefki checking Fairy- and Psychic-types much better and Chesnaught handling bulky Water- and Ground-types. Klefki can also be used for Thunder Wave support, which lets Cobalion outspeed targets like Latias and Starmie it would normally fail to reach. Froslass can be used on as a Spikes setter on hyper offense teams with Cobalion. Cobalion can often appreciate a secondary Steel-type to supplement its role, as Cobalion itself is neutral to Psychic-, Flying-, and Fairy-type moves. Scizor is a great partner for Pursuit trapping threats like Latias and coming in on the defensive Fairy-types like Florges and Sylveon more easily, but this leaves the Flying-type weakness open. Bisharp also excels at helping remove Psychic-types but trades the Flying-type resistance for a Fairy-type neutrality. When using Rocky Helmet especially, cleaners like Mega Sharpedo, Swords Dance Scizor, and Mega Aerodactyl all appreciate the chip damage Cobalion sends early-game while also benefiting from Stealth Rock staying on the field. Pursuit users such as Krookodile, Mega Aerodactyl, and Alolan Muk can remove Psychic-types like Latias and Starmie that would check Cobalion and weaken the bulkier ones like Slowbro and Celebi into range for Cobalion to break through them. Dark-weak Pokemon like Latias, Gengar, and Starmie can all bait in Dark-types and Pursuit trappers that Cobalion loves to get setup opportunities on.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Flash Cannon
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Volt Switch
item: Fightinium Z / Electrium Z
ability: Justified
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Calm Mind allows Cobalion to patch its weak Special Defense and break through traditional physical walls, with Focus Blast and especially All-Out Pummeling surprising physical walls like Hippowdon and Swampert expecting to take a Close Combat. Flash Cannon is useful for hitting Fairy-types, and Calm Mind boosts help Cobalion tank Fairy-type STAB attacks more easily from Florges and Sylveon. Hidden Power Grass lets Cobalion break through Water-types like Jellicent and Slowbro and allows it to run Fightinium Z. This is especially notable for hitting Quagsire, which is used to check setup sweepers on stall teams. Volt Switch with Electrium Z is crucial for hitting a number of threats that normally wall Calm Mind Cobalion like Tentacruel and Moltres.
Set Details
========
Fightinium Z allows Cobalion to break through neutral targets like Hippowdon more easily, as well as giving it the necessary power to take down Blissey without having to boost a ton and lose HP in the process. Electrium Z is important for giving Cobalion access to a one-time nuke that also doesn't force it to switch out like using Volt Switch without the Z-Move does. Its targets include Tentacruel, Moltres, and Jellicent. Shuca Berry can be used on this set as well, giving Cobalion more setup opportunities when facing Ground-types.
Usage Tips
========
Cobalion should not be used much at all early-game, instead letting its teammates punch holes in the enemy team first. The Calm Mind set is better at finishing games than opening them. Be careful about revealing its moveset early, as the surprise factor is often a big part in Calm Mind sets picking up KOs on unsuspecting physical walls like Slowbro. Cobalion is especially valuable versus stall teams, which often will play around it as if its physical. Use Gigavolt Havoc wisely when running Volt Switch, as it is otherwise forced out when using Electric-type coverage, removing any boosts it has accumulated. It is often wise to use Volt Switch before boosting to try and soften targets into the Z-Move's range. This way, Cobalion won't have to use Volt Switch again and can keep its boosts to sweep. Cobalion can come in on special walls like Blissey and Nihilego to bluff the physical set and then proceed to set up Calm Minds at little cost. Choice item users like Hydreigon and Krookodile locked into Dark-type moves are also used as chances to get free setup. Alomomola and Tentacruel both are weak enough that Cobalion can safely set up on them too. While Cobalion does have the natural bulk to come in directly when it must, it appreciates having close to full HP when attempting to sweep, as it must usually tank a hit or two when setting up. Try and bring it in off pivoting moves or double switches when possible.
Team Options
========
Since this Cobalion set requires Stealth Rock support, a Ground-type like Hippowdon, Nidoqueen, or Gligar can both set the entry hazard and check Electric-types that could revenge kill Cobalion such as Mega Manectric and Zeraora. Toxic Spikes are a valuable tool, especially for breaking defensive teams, and Poison-types like Tentacruel, Nidoqueen, and Nihilego can provide them. Spikes from the likes of Chesnaught and Klefki can both chip enemy teams and force in hazard removers like Moltres and Tentacruel that Cobalion appreciates chip damage on. Pursuit trapping is valuable to prevent Latias from engaging in a Calm Mind war with Cobalion, along with removing potential revenge killers like Starmie and Gengar. Krookodile, Scizor, and Alolan Muk all can provide this utility. Calm Mind Cobalion starts off pretty weak and needs significant help from Pokemon that have good offense matchups in order to perform against those teams. Mega Aerodactyl, Starmie, and Mega Manectric are good examples of high-Speed threats that can soften offensive teams for Cobalion to eventually get through. Pivots to bring it in safely such as Gligar, Rotom-H, Rotom-C, and Zeraora help preserve Cobalion's HP and grant it more setup opportunities. Gligar and the Rotom formes also act as great pivots into the Ground-types that Cobalion is forced out by. Wallbreakers like Mamoswine, Gengar, and Primarina are all viable options to help soften teams early-game before Cobalion comes in to finish a game. Cobalion usually appreciates a secondary Steel-type like Empoleon or Scizor, especially because Calm Mind sets like to preserve their HP.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A utility set with maximum HP and Speed investment and Stealth Rock, Close Combat, Thunder Wave, and Volt Switch is usable to focus on Cobalion's supportive aspects, but it is much more passive than the typical offensive sets and relies on teammates taking advantage of the status and entry hazards it provides. Life Orb is an option on Swords Dance sets to have a little bit more immediate power when unboosted, but the recoil takes away from a lot of the defensive utility Cobalion provides and worsens its matchup versus tanks with recovery like Hippowdon. X-Scissor can be used as coverage to hit Psychic-types like Slowbro, Celebi, and Latias super effectively, but its coverage otherwise is lacking and Cobalion has to drop a utility move for it. Taunt can be used to anti-lead other hazard users, but Pokemon with more offensive pressure like Terrakion, Azelf, and Froslass generally outclass Cobalion in this role.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types:** Bulky Ground-types have a relatively easy time handling Cobalion due to its lacking offensive stats. Hippowdon, Gligar, Nidoqueen, and Seismitoad all can come in on Cobalion multiple times during a game and force it out. Cobalion can break through them with proper Z-Move usage, though, so they must be careful.
**Water-types:** Water-types also have the ability to wall Cobalion, especially those with secondary typings that grant Fighting-type resistance like Slowbro, Jellicent, and Tentacruel. Scald burns will prevent physical Cobalion from accomplishing anything. Water-types should be careful around Calm Mind sets, as they do not appreciate taking a +1 Gigavolt Havoc.
**Residual Damage:** Cobalion, while 4x resistant to Stealth Rock, is often used as a team's tank to U-turn users like Scizor and Mega Beedrill. This will result in it switching in and immediately out often in the course of a game. If Spikes are up, (AC) the passive damage can add up more quickly than expected.
**Fighting-resistant Pokemon:** With its strongest STAB options being Close Combat and Focus Blast, a number of other Fighting-type checks are able to force out Cobalion despite its Steel-type STAB options. For defensive switch-ins, Amoonguss, Nidoqueen, and RestTalk Primarina all can take a Close Combat or Focus Blast well and usually force out Cobalion with either the threat of status or a STAB Earth Power in Nidoqueen's case. Offensively, there are Fire-types like Moltres and Chandelure that handle Cobalion's STAB combination well.
**Faster Offensive Threats:** Cobalion has a great Speed tier, but there are a myriad of offensive threats that can revenge kill it still. Psychic-types like Starmie and Latias don't have a ton to fear by switching in directly, while other Pokemon like Mega Manectric, Earthquake Mega Aerodactyl, and Choice Scarf users like Hydreigon and Krookodile can all revenge kill it with a little bit of chip damage.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [Sage, 192277]
- Quality checked by: [vivalospride, 151509], [Hilomilo, 313384], [Nuked, 382658]
- Grammar checked by: [martha, 384270], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157]
Last edited:
