Furai
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[B]QC Checks:[/B] Elevator Music, commathew6, Moo
[B]GP Checks:[/B] commatthew6, ShakeItUp (iss)
<p>Abra's offensive stats (base 90 Speed and 105 Special Attack) are what makes it so threatening. With a wide array of moves, Abra can land a massive strike on any team that is caught off-guard. Abra hits 19 Speed with a positive nature which allows it to ouspeed the vast majority of the metagame, such as Gastly, Mienfoo and Chinchou. However, Abra's poor defensive typing and awful bulk hold it back and make it vulnerable to any physically based or super effective attack. However, the Dream World brought Abra a new ability in Magic Guard, which allows Abra to be one of the best revenge killers in Little Cup.</p>
[SET]
name: Special Sweeper
move 1: Psyshock
move 2: Hidden Power Fighting
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Protect / Substitute
item: Focus Sash / Life Orb
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 240 SpA / 200 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set takes advantage of Abra's great Special Attack and Speed. Because of Abra's ability to hit hard and fast with great coverage, this is its most dangerous set. Psyshock allows Abra to hit on the physical side and dent its so-called biggest threat in Munchlax, as it is 2HKOed by Psyshock with Stealth Rock and Life Orb. Shadow Ball and Hidden Power Fighting form an unresisted combination, and are also good in conjuction with Psyshock. Protect should be used with Focus Sash, as with Protect, Abra can defend itself from an incoming Fake Out, thus keeping Focus Sash for later. Substitute should be used with Life Orb, as due to Magic Guard, Abra takes no recoil from Life Orb, and Substitute grants momentum.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>A Timid nature maximizes Abra's Speed, and the listed EVs give Abra the best offensive stats it can have. Psychic is an option over Psyshock if you're not worried about Munchlax, but Shadow Ball and Hidden Power Fighting hit everything on the special side that Abra needs to hit. Hidden Power Fire is a viable option over Hidden Power Fighting if Steel-type Pokemon who are not hit harder by Hidden Power Fighting, such as Ferroseed or Bronzor, bother your team. Stealth Rock is a must for this set as it allows Abra score a 2HKO on Munchlax; Dwebble, Bronzor, and Lileep are good options for this. Clamperl and Omanyte are good partners because Abra lures in Munchlax, which counters both, and can 2HKO it with Psyshock. Mienfoo also pairs well with Abra as it can beat Munchlax, regardless if Stealth Rock is present or not, and U-turn to bring Abra in safely. Mienfoo, Croagunk, and Timburr can also beat the Dark-types that Abra is weak to. Thick Fat Makuhita is also an amazing partner as it can beat all of the Dark-types that counter Abra.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Psyshock
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Hidden Power Fighting
move 4: Energy Ball
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 240 SpA / 200 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Abra's naturally high base Speed makes it a good Choice Scarf user. Psyshock hits hard and breaks through specially defensive walls, such as Munchlax, while Shadow Ball and Hidden Power Fighting are unresisted and break through physically defensive walls, such as Lileep. Energy Ball is for Water-types who are hit for super effective damage. For example, 116 HP Eviolite Staryu takes a minimum of 95% damage from Energy Ball, whereas Chinchou takes 91.67% on average. This means that Stealth Rock will ensure their demise if they decide to stay in.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Once again, Psychic can be used if you want to hit physically defensive walls harder, and Hidden Power Fire is a solid option if you struggle against Steel-types, who are hit harder by Hidden Power Fire, such as Bronzor. Dark-type Pokemon with Pursuit that switch into Psyshock are threats, as Abra is locked into Psyshock which Dark-type Pokemon are immune to, while they can trap Abra with Pursuit and OHKO it. Diglett is a good partner for that reason as it can trap and kill all Dark-types not named Vullaby. Fighting-type Pokemon also pair well with Abra, as they deal with those pesky Dark-types very well.</p>
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Light Screen
move 3: Psychic / Psyshock
move 4: Encore
item: Light Clay
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Timid
evs: 236 HP / 76 Def / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Since Abra is very fast, it makes a good user of Reflect and Light Screen. Dual screens support Abra's teammates by halving the power of any attack used against them. The choice between Psyshock or Psychic is a choice between what would you like to hit harder; physically defensive walls, such as Shelmet, or specially defensive walls, such as Munchlax. Encore makes defensive Pokemon, such as Bronzor and Lileep, as set-up fodder; Abra Encores the Stealth Rock or Recover, sets up Reflect and Light Screen, or immediately switches out to let something else set up, and then cause a lot of damage.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Inner Focus is the preferred ability for this set, as it means Abra will never get flinched—giving Abra another turn to set up either one of the screens. Light Clay extends the turns Light Screen or Reflect last, from five turns to eight. Focus Sash is a good option if you use Abra as a lead, as it gives Abra another chance to set up either one of the screens, but said screens will last for three less turns. A Timid nature along with 196 Speed EVs allow Abra to be as fast as it can, while the HP and Defense EVs give it some bulk. Clamperl, Omanyte, Scraggy, Larvitar, Dratini, and Dwebble are all good partners, as they appreciate the effect of Reflect and Light Screen, which lets them set up more easily.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>There aren't many other options for Abra to use, as most of them cannot be used with its best ability, Magic Guard. Good examples of these are Signal Beam, Trick, and Magic Coat. Taunt is a viable option to completely shut down defensive threats, especially on the Dual Screens set. Hidden Power Ground can be used to hit both Houndour and Stunky, which counter Abra. Charge Beam can be used in order to boost Abra's Special Attack, but Abra is too frail and will not have enough time to take advantage of the boost. Energy Ball is another option if you are looking for something to hit Water-type Pokemon hard. Choice Specs can be used instead of Choice Scarf, but is usually outclassed by Life Orb.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Since Abra is very versatile, there is no safe way to counter it. However, because Abra is frail as paper, any faster Pokemon with super effective attacks will be a threat to it. Abra's base 15 Defense makes it vulnerable to any physical attack, so priority moves are good options. Any Dark-type Pokemon is a threat, especially Stunky, who is bulky enough to take repeated hits and trap Abra with Pursuit, as well as Vullaby who can also Roost its health back.</p>