[OVERVIEW]
Crobat’s attributes give it a worthwhile spot on a team as a solid lead, but also as a great Pokemon for dealing with passive, bulkier threats in the late game. Its 130 base speed outclasses the great majority of relevant Pokemon, being outsped exclusively by the uncommon Ninjask and unviable Electrode along with speed tying with Jolteon and Aerodactyl. This speed lets Crobat play around most common leads (besides the aforementioned Aerodactyl) such as Azelf by using Taunt to prevent hazards, or using U-turn to get out against attacking leads such as Machamp and switching into a more favorable matchup. Crobat’s bulk is also not to scoff at, and along with its access to an instant recovery move in Roost allows Crobat to have the longevity that is necessary to deal with stall teams. While not its most significant asset, Crobat’s ability Inner Focus allows it to stomach hits from Choice Scarfed Serene Grace Pokemon such as Jirachi and Togekiss. This overall adds up to a Pokemon that fills its specific niche as a tool to break down more bulky styles of teams.
However, Crobat has some issues that holds it back from being a top threat in the OU metagame. Outside of the previously mentioned speed, its stats are largely mediocre, including its 90 attack/70 special attack which prevents it from serving a role as a notable damage dealer. In addition, despite Crobat’s major selling point being its ability to deal with stall, it struggles with one of the most common Pokemon on teams of this style, Rotom-A. Also, many teams would make more use of Gliscor’s as their stallbreaker due to its greater versatility.
[SET]
name: Stallbreaker
move 1: U-turn / Super Fang
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Brave Bird
move 4: Roost
item: Black Sludge
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Jolly
evs: 248 HP / 116 Def / 144 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
U-turn is what enables Crobat’s to be used as a pivot, letting teammates come in on Crobat’s checks, while also allowing you to deal chip damage to Pokemon such as Tyranitar and Jirachi. Taunt is an essential for stopping passive threats such as Blissey, Clefable and Skarmory while also stopping leads such as Azelf and Metagross from setting up Stealth Rock. Brave Bird is Crobat’s primary tool for dealing damage as its most reliable STAB move. Roost finishes the set by making Crobat more dependable in games with longer turn counts with an instant recovery option. Super Fang can also be used as an alternative to U-turn, as it allows Crobat to deal more reliable damage on bulky mons. However, this comes at the expense of Crobat’s pivoting capabilities.
Set Details
========
Running 144 speed EVs puts Crobat at 365 speed, enough to outspeed a +1 Tyranitar and a max speed Azelf. Crobat does not gain much out of speed tying with Aerodactyl and Jolteon, so the rest of the EVs are generally better placed elsewhere: maximizing HP allows Crobat to be able to be relatively bulky, along with the 116 defense that lets Crobat take fighting type attacks from the likes of Infernape, Breloom and Lucario well.
Usage Tips
========
When you’re running Crobat on a team, your teammates probably want bulky Pokemon such as Clefable, Blissey and Milotic dealt with, who usually live for many turns. This means it becomes important for Crobat to live towards the later turns of a match. Also, be weary of Pursuit users when using U-turn: The damage can add up overtime.
Team Options
========
Teams with Crobat should be built with the 25% damage Crobat takes from Stealth Rock in mind, and try to prevent that from happening as much as possible. As such, rapid spinners such as Starmie, Forretress and Tentacruel make good partners. Choice Band Tyranitar also makes a great partner, as it can guarantee a kill on Choice Scarf Rotom-A with Pursuit and do significant damage to many of Crobat’s other checks, such as Zapdos and Heatran. Crobat also appreciates Pokemon that set Spikes, such as Skarmory, due to its ability to do passive damage while Crobat forces switches.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Crobat can run 252 speed EVs, which allows it to outrun Dragon Dance sweepers, such as +1 Gyarados, Kingdra, and Dragonite. However, most of the threats you want to deal with are already covered with 144 speed, so the EVs are usually better placed in Crobat’s bulk. Crobat also can run Sleep Talk to further its ability to counter Breloom, as it would cover all of its options, whether it puts you to sleep or attacks. However, the move doesn’t have much utility outside of that. In addition, some people opt to run Leftovers instead of Black Sludge due to it being possible in a game that opposing Pokemon will trick black sludge twice if it were to receive it from Crobat, giving your Black Sludge to another one of your Pokemon, crippling both Crobat and that other Pokemon with items they were not intended to use. However, you should be able to play around it by switching in Crobat if you predict a potential trick from said Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rotom-A**: Rotom-A is the biggest annoyance to a Crobat, no matter what set it runs. It resists both Brave Bird and U-turn, is immune to Super Fang, and can potentially OHKO you with a Thunderbolt if it's invested in special attack.
**Electric-types**: Electric types in general are a huge issue for Crobat. Besides the aforementioned Rotom-A, Zapdos and Magnezone can both take a hit and deal significant damage back with STAB Thunderbolts while Jolteon can outspeed and OHKO you.
**Steel-types**: Steel types resist all of Crobat’s attacking moves whilst generally being able to damage back, such as a Lava Plume from Heatran or a Thunderbolt from special variants of Jirachi.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[16bit, 223029]]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
Crobat’s attributes give it a worthwhile spot on a team as a solid lead, but also as a great Pokemon for dealing with passive, bulkier threats in the late game. Its 130 base speed outclasses the great majority of relevant Pokemon, being outsped exclusively by the uncommon Ninjask and unviable Electrode along with speed tying with Jolteon and Aerodactyl. This speed lets Crobat play around most common leads (besides the aforementioned Aerodactyl) such as Azelf by using Taunt to prevent hazards, or using U-turn to get out against attacking leads such as Machamp and switching into a more favorable matchup. Crobat’s bulk is also not to scoff at, and along with its access to an instant recovery move in Roost allows Crobat to have the longevity that is necessary to deal with stall teams. While not its most significant asset, Crobat’s ability Inner Focus allows it to stomach hits from Choice Scarfed Serene Grace Pokemon such as Jirachi and Togekiss. This overall adds up to a Pokemon that fills its specific niche as a tool to break down more bulky styles of teams.
However, Crobat has some issues that holds it back from being a top threat in the OU metagame. Outside of the previously mentioned speed, its stats are largely mediocre, including its 90 attack/70 special attack which prevents it from serving a role as a notable damage dealer. In addition, despite Crobat’s major selling point being its ability to deal with stall, it struggles with one of the most common Pokemon on teams of this style, Rotom-A. Also, many teams would make more use of Gliscor’s as their stallbreaker due to its greater versatility.
[SET]
name: Stallbreaker
move 1: U-turn / Super Fang
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Brave Bird
move 4: Roost
item: Black Sludge
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Jolly
evs: 248 HP / 116 Def / 144 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
U-turn is what enables Crobat’s to be used as a pivot, letting teammates come in on Crobat’s checks, while also allowing you to deal chip damage to Pokemon such as Tyranitar and Jirachi. Taunt is an essential for stopping passive threats such as Blissey, Clefable and Skarmory while also stopping leads such as Azelf and Metagross from setting up Stealth Rock. Brave Bird is Crobat’s primary tool for dealing damage as its most reliable STAB move. Roost finishes the set by making Crobat more dependable in games with longer turn counts with an instant recovery option. Super Fang can also be used as an alternative to U-turn, as it allows Crobat to deal more reliable damage on bulky mons. However, this comes at the expense of Crobat’s pivoting capabilities.
Set Details
========
Running 144 speed EVs puts Crobat at 365 speed, enough to outspeed a +1 Tyranitar and a max speed Azelf. Crobat does not gain much out of speed tying with Aerodactyl and Jolteon, so the rest of the EVs are generally better placed elsewhere: maximizing HP allows Crobat to be able to be relatively bulky, along with the 116 defense that lets Crobat take fighting type attacks from the likes of Infernape, Breloom and Lucario well.
Usage Tips
========
When you’re running Crobat on a team, your teammates probably want bulky Pokemon such as Clefable, Blissey and Milotic dealt with, who usually live for many turns. This means it becomes important for Crobat to live towards the later turns of a match. Also, be weary of Pursuit users when using U-turn: The damage can add up overtime.
Team Options
========
Teams with Crobat should be built with the 25% damage Crobat takes from Stealth Rock in mind, and try to prevent that from happening as much as possible. As such, rapid spinners such as Starmie, Forretress and Tentacruel make good partners. Choice Band Tyranitar also makes a great partner, as it can guarantee a kill on Choice Scarf Rotom-A with Pursuit and do significant damage to many of Crobat’s other checks, such as Zapdos and Heatran. Crobat also appreciates Pokemon that set Spikes, such as Skarmory, due to its ability to do passive damage while Crobat forces switches.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Crobat can run 252 speed EVs, which allows it to outrun Dragon Dance sweepers, such as +1 Gyarados, Kingdra, and Dragonite. However, most of the threats you want to deal with are already covered with 144 speed, so the EVs are usually better placed in Crobat’s bulk. Crobat also can run Sleep Talk to further its ability to counter Breloom, as it would cover all of its options, whether it puts you to sleep or attacks. However, the move doesn’t have much utility outside of that. In addition, some people opt to run Leftovers instead of Black Sludge due to it being possible in a game that opposing Pokemon will trick black sludge twice if it were to receive it from Crobat, giving your Black Sludge to another one of your Pokemon, crippling both Crobat and that other Pokemon with items they were not intended to use. However, you should be able to play around it by switching in Crobat if you predict a potential trick from said Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rotom-A**: Rotom-A is the biggest annoyance to a Crobat, no matter what set it runs. It resists both Brave Bird and U-turn, is immune to Super Fang, and can potentially OHKO you with a Thunderbolt if it's invested in special attack.
**Electric-types**: Electric types in general are a huge issue for Crobat. Besides the aforementioned Rotom-A, Zapdos and Magnezone can both take a hit and deal significant damage back with STAB Thunderbolts while Jolteon can outspeed and OHKO you.
**Steel-types**: Steel types resist all of Crobat’s attacking moves whilst generally being able to damage back, such as a Lava Plume from Heatran or a Thunderbolt from special variants of Jirachi.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[16bit, 223029]]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
Last edited: