03/29/24, 06:01
#140 | Kabuto | Pokédex Strategy Moves Database | Aerodactyl | #142 |
This article gives you ideas of how to use Kabutops in battle in the Pokémon Black, Pokémon White and Pokemon B2W2 Games. It lists popular movesets used by competitive battlers, as well as a description on how to use each set to help you understand why the moves were chosen. These popular sets are usually the best to use in battle and so reading this guide will help you in your team building.
Gen 4: OverviewKabutops, for obvious reasons that have been / will be listed, is going to be found on offensive Rain Dance teams.
Ability | Nature | Item | HP | Atk. | Def. | SpAtk. | SpDef. | Speed | |
Swift Swim | Adamant | life orb | 80 | 252 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 176 | |
There are no current set statistics analysed |
Adding a Swords Dance boost to Kabutops´ already impressive Attack stat will make him a very threatening sweeper. With the abundancy of Rain Dance teams in both the Over Used and Under Used environment, Kabutops will receive the Speed boost that he desperately needs to sweep.
Waterfall and Stone Edge are your basic bread-and-butter moves for Kabutops, giving him STAB and a variety of Pokémon to hit super effectively. Aqua Jet can be replaced by Brick Break if you have Rain Dance support on your team. Return deals up to 70% damage on Quagsire after a Swords Dance, while Brick Break can mop the floor with Heatran.
The issue between Aqua Tail and Waterfall is an issue of power vs. accuracy. However, Aqua Tail is recommended because it grants you crucial OHKOs.
Ability | Nature | Item | HP | Atk. | Def. | SpAtk. | SpDef. | Speed | |
Swift Swim | Jolly | choice band | 40 | 252 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 216 | |
There are no current set statistics analysed |
Waterfall and Stone Edge are your main forms of STAB and make up the core of this set. Aqua Jet is used to kill off some weakened Pokémon and makes up for lack of Rain. For the last slot, it really comes down to what you need to kill in different tiers. X-Scissor destroys Over Used Pokémon like Celebi and Starmie, but can also largely dent Pokémon in Under Used like Meganium and Bellossom.
Brick Break is for Steel-types in OU, most notably Empoleon, who resists all of Kabutops´ other attacks, as well as Heatran and Magnezone. Aerial Ace to destroy those Fighting-types that flood the Under Used metagame--such as Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, and Toxicroak. Return is mainly for Quagsire, but it also hits everything barring Ghosts for neutral damage.
Ability | Nature | Item | HP | Atk. | Def. | SpAtk. | SpDef. | Speed | |
Battle Armor | Adamant | life orb | 24 | 252 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 232 | |
There are no current set statistics analysed |
This set is better used in the Over Used atmosphere, generally because permanent Sandstorm is not prevalent in the Under Used metagame.
Waterfall and Stone Edge are once again your main attacks, while the option of either X-Scissor or Brick Break is generally up to you. Brick Break will take care of pesky Steels, such as Heatran and Empoleon; while X-Scissor can be used to damage Pokémon such as Celebi, Starmie, Tyranitar, and Cresselia.
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Ability | Nature | Item | HP | Atk. | Def. | SpAtk. | SpDef. | Speed | |
Swift Swim | Adamant | life orb / damp rock | 200 | 252 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 56 | |
There are no current set statistics analysed |
Kabutops´ Speed has always been his biggest concern, and this set is here to remedy that. Kabutops with Swift Swim under the Rain makes him a very fast Pokémon while giving him an offensive boost to Aqua Tail. Life Orb gives Kabutops more power and allows him to sweep more effectively, but if this is being used on a Rain Dance team, then Damp Rock is the ideal Item choice.
Ability | Nature | Item | HP | Atk. | Def. | SpAtk. | SpDef. | Speed | |
Battle Armor | Adamant | leftovers | 44 | 168 | 0 | 0 | 192 | 104 | |
There are no current set statistics analysed |
Even though Kabutops gets excellent support moves (Stealth Rock, Rapid Spin, and Knock Off), the weakness to Fighting and Ground-type moves that are everywhere in OU limit Kabutops´ good Defensive capabilities. Although, Kabutops still boasts a 4x resistance to Fire, meaning it could come in on Heatran´s Fire Blast and attempt to Knock Off its Choice Scarf, making Heatran easier for your team to handle. Also, Rapid Spin is a viable option, seeing as it will not be expected from Kabutops.
Ability | Nature | Item | HP | Atk. | Def. | SpAtk. | SpDef. | Speed | |
Swift Swim | Adamant | life orb | 31 | 172 | 0 | 252 | 0 | 84 | |
There are no current set statistics analysed |
Kabutops doesn´t have the greatest Special Attack stat, but along with Rain Dance support, Kabutops can be very dangerous. Surf is used to destroy many of UU´s top Physical walls that would switch into Kabutops. Rain Dance support is vital, as it will allow Kabutops to OHKO walls such as Steelix and Aggron.
Waterfall is for some Physical STAB. Rain Dance is the crux of this set, but if you have Rain Dance support from other members of your team, you can replace it with either Stone Edge or X-Scissor. Stone Edge will be needed for Mantine and Altaria, who would otherwise wall this set, while Celebi and Meganium wall this set without X-Scissor. Stealth Rock support would be greatly appreciated, as Stealth Rock turns many of Kabutops´ 2HKOs into OHKOs.
Kabutops makes great use of a Swords Dance set. With its high Attack stat and the ability to boost it even further, Kabutops will make a deadly sweeper; especially when Rain is in effect, boosting its already powerful Waterfall.
Other OptionsHidden Power Grass or Natural Gift + Liechy Berry is possibly one of the riskiest combinations ever created. It is, however, viable! Flail may work decently, considering that it has near flawless coverage in UU with Aqua Tail. Superpower may be used instead of Brick Break, but the Attack and Defense drops may prove to be risky.
Usual CountersUU: Quagsire is your best bet, as the only moves that can harm it are Return and Hidden Power Grass. Poliwrath can absorb Kabutops´ boosted Water attacks and threaten to KO with STAB Fighting attacks. Toxicroak can do the same, but does not sport the same immunities as Poliwrath.
OU: Empoleon makes a nice counter, resisting most of Kabutops´ moves unless it has Brick Break. Celebi and Cresselia are also nice counters, but Celebi is mauled by X-Scissor, and so is Cresselia to an extent. Swampert is just an OU version of Quagsire, and can take most of Kabutops´ hits just as well. Scizor can easily set up in Kabutops´ face, ignore his Speed, and KO with STAB Bullet Punch. Although, Scizor should be wary of Waterfall if Rain Dance is set up.
OpinionKabutops is a Pokémon that can be a welcome addition to most teams, and especially Rain Dance teams. STAB on Rock and Water, types that can damage many Pokémon in both the Over Used and Under Used environment, a useful resistance to Fire, along with immunity to Sandstorm, make Kabutops viable in both OU and UU. Unfortunately, Kabutops’ usage in OU has been limited since almost every team out there carries a Scizor with Bullet Punch ready to destroy Kabutops.