03/28/24, 11:16
Sableye Analysis
#301 Delcatty Pokédex Strategy Moves Database Mawile #303

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This article gives you ideas of how to use Sableye 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: Overview

Sableye is almost always welcome on a Never Used team because of its lack of weaknesses and its ability to support the team. Sableye's immunities to Normal, Psychic, and Fighting mean that Stall teams are where Sableye will usually be found. Having three immunities as well as a load of resistances mean that switches will be almost inevitable when faced against Sableye. Entry hazards become ideal to be used abreast Sableye for this reason alone. It can defeat opposing Stall teams by using Knock Off to get rid of their Leftovers recovery as well as being able to Poison and Burn the opposing Pokémon.


 
Ability Nature Item HP Atk. Def. SpAtk. SpDef. Speed
Keen Eye Careful leftovers 252 none 120 none 136 none
There are no current set statistics analysed






This set makes Sableye a very helpful team member. Bearing immunities to three very common types makes switching in Sableye a walk in the park.

Sableye's selling point is that it can combine its great typing to cause switches and remove any Pokémon's Item (unless it has the Ability Sticky Hold). Will-o-wisp and Toxic both make fine choices for the first slot. Will-o-wisp will cripple any Physical attacker foolish enough to switch-in on Sableye and leaves that Pokémon with 12% less HP each turn. Toxic doesn't have any additional side effects, but the damage from Poison will be much greater than that of a Burn. Recover offers Sableye instant recovery which will help it Stall out any Poison damage as well as being a great healing move. Taunt can be used over Recover to prevent Pokémon that are switching in from setting up. Sableye's abysmal Speed stat means that it won't usually be able to prevent set up with Taunt otherwise. Seismic Toss gives Sableye consistent damage provided the opponent isn't a Ghost-type, but Shadow Claw offers STAB and a reliable way to kill other Ghosts.

The EVs allow Sableye to switch into Special attacks much easier while providing some needed Physical bulk.

 
Ability Nature Item HP Atk. Def. SpAtk. SpDef. Speed
Keen Eye Modest leftovers 252 none none 252 none 4
There are no current set statistics analysed






This set aims to take advantage of two stat upping moves that Sableye was graced with. Although Sableye isn't the greatest of Special attackers, it can still pose a threat after a Nasty Plot / Calm Mind boost nonetheless.

Nasty Plot will boost Sableye's moderate Special Attack to make it a formidable sweeper. Since most opponents expect the standard support Sableye, this set can make for a "nasty" surprise. Dark Pulse will hit opposing Ghost and Psychic-type Pokémon, as well as having that nice flinch rate. Shadow Ball is also an option but leaves Sableye more easily walled by Normal-types. Psychic grants superb type coverage along Dark Pulse / Shadow Ball, but leaves Sableye walled by Steel-types. Hidden Power Fighting can remedy this, however, and can also rid Sableye of opposing Dark-types. Hidden Power Fire will hit those same Steels as well as Grass, Ice, and Bug-type Pokémon.

Calm Mind doesn't grant the same immediate boost of power that Nasty Plot offers, but it can make Sableye a lot tougher to take down. While the Nasty Plot version of this set is more offensively minded, this version of the set utilizes a more defensive approach by taking advantage of Sableye's typing and immunities. Dark Pulse and Shadow Ball are once again usable options, and the choice of Hidden Power is up to you. Recover is used over Psychic on this set to help Sableye become a Special wall of sorts, and provides reliable healing.

Most Used Set

Sableye is usually seen running a support set, thanks to its three immunities and good support movepool. Sableye has access to Knock Off, Toxic, Will-o-wisp, Taunt, and Recover. Since Sableye has no weaknesses, most players will attempt to send out strong choiced attackers against Sableye. Knock Off is one of Sableye's selling points; being able to rid Pokémon like Rampardos of their Choice Scarf or tanks like Shuckle of their Leftovers will almost always prove beneficiary.

Other Options

A set that uses Counter is fully viable, but the lifespan of Sableye is usually extremely low. Sableye gets Fake Out and Trick, but they are usually better suited for other Pokémon.

Usual Counters

Any Pokémon with strong STABed attacks can eliminate Sableye, but Physical attackers must be wary of Will-o-wisp. Pokémon with the Scrappy Ability such as Miltank or Kangaskhan can get right past Sableye's Ghost typing and hit it with a super effective Fighting-type attack.

If Sableye is using Toxic instead of Will-o-wisp, Poison-types such as Muk make ideal counters, taking little from Sableye's Shadow Claw and being able to attack Sableye's weaker Special Defense. Gastrodon's Sticky Hold Ability makes it immune to Knock Off and can either phaze out Sableye with Yawn or cripple it with Toxic right away.

Pokémon faster than Sableye with the move Taunt can shut down any version of the support set. Purugly and Persian get special mention as not only can they stop Sableye from using any support moves; but they are also immune to Shadow Claw.

Opinion

Sableye was blessed with extremely good typing as well a great support movepool. Unfortunately, Spiritomb was invented. Sableye does, however, have Recover as well as Knock Off, two moves that separate it distinctly from Spiritomb. Sadly, the positives don't outweigh the negatives in Sableye's case.











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