TJ
Banned deucer.
uploaded -zard
[OVERVIEW]
Carbink is one of the best Trick Room setters in the tier thanks to its access to Sturdy, which give it great odds at setting Trick Room successfully. It is also one of PU's premier special walls thanks to its amazing defensive typing and stats, which allow it to check threatening offensive Pokemon such as Drampa, Magmortar, Oricorio-G, and Pyroar. Furthermore, these traits almost guarantee that Carbink will set up Stealth Rock in a match. On the downside, Carbink's abysmal Speed leaves it as an open target for Taunt users like Weezing. Despite Carbink's amazing defenses, its low HP stat, along with its weakness to common attacking types like Water, Ground, and Grass means that it struggles to take hits from powerful attackers such as Kingler and Alolan Exeggutor, which both 2HKO Carbink with ease, and while Steel-type coverage moves may not be as common, Steel-types like Alolan Dugtrio and Aggron can easily exploit Carbink's 4x weakness. Unfortunately, Carbink faces competition from other bulky Stealth Rock users such as Regirock and Carracosta, which have a combination of better offensive presence, better stats, and better support movepools. Despite these weaknesses, Carbink still holds a niche as one of the best Trick Room setters, and its ability to switch into Drampa is unrivaled.
[SET]
name: Trick Room Lead
move 1: Trick Room
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Magic Coat
item: Mental Herb
ability: Sturdy
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Trick Room allows slower teammates such as Crabominable to move before faster Pokemon such as Archeops, Floatzel, and Primeape. Stealth Rock is a solid way of weakening foes upon switching in, making it easier for teammates such as Wishiwashi to break through the opposing team. Stealth Rock also breaks potential Sturdy and Focus Sash from Pokemon such as Golem and Leavanny, which greatly helps Trick Room teams, since they rely on limited turns and cannot afford to waste them dealing with a Pokemon with Focus Sash or Sturdy. Explosion allows Carbink to prevent Defog and Rapid Spin while giving teammates the opportunity to come in safely afterward. Magic Coat bounces back certain non-damaging moves such as Lovely Kiss and Taunt, which would otherwise prevent Carbink from fulfilling its job, as well as entry hazards such as Toxic Spikes.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment with a Relaxed nature allows Carbink to be as bulky as possible. Minimal Speed investment allows Carbink to move before the opposing Pokemon under Trick Room and set up Stealth Rock. Sturdy alongside Mental Herb makes it almost impossible for a foe to stop Carbink from setting up Trick Room and helps setting up both Stealth Rock and Trick Room effectively.
Usage Tips
========
Carbink functions best as a suicide lead on Trick Room teams. Since the opponent will usually lead with a check to Carbink, it should always set up Trick Room before using Stealth Rock. Carbink should then use Explosion to preserve Trick Room turns and get a teammate like Marowak in for free. However, if you play against a Pokemon with access to Encore such as Liepard, Carbink should set up Trick Room and hard switch so it doesn't waste a turn of Trick Room. Carbink should also use Magic Coat to reflect incoming entry hazards like Regirock's Stealth Rock and status moves that would prevent Carbink from setting up Trick Room or Stealth Rock successfully like Weezing's Taunt.
Team Options
========
Carbink works great on Trick Room teams, as it can almost always set up Trick Room; thus, slow wallbreakers such as Crabominable, Marowak, Wishiwashi, and Guts Ursaring are ideal because they can wallbreak comfortably without being outsped by faster Pokemon such as Primeape and Jynx. Since Carbink ends up being sacrificed after using Explosion, other Trick Room setters such as Alolan Exeggutor, Beheeyem, Musharna, and Audino are appreciated so you can get up Trick Room again later on in the match. While not mandatory, fast cleaners such as Floatzel and Choice Scarf Primeape are recommended for when Trick Room has expired because they have better chances to clean late-game once the aforementioned wallbreakers have removed their checks. Strong priority users like Kecleon that can overcome the archetype's low Speed stat during times Trick Room is no longer active are great for Trick Room teams, too.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Moonblast / Stone Edge
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Rest / Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Calm / Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock wears down opposing Pokemon with residual damage and deactivates Focus Sash and Sturdy. STAB Moonblast allows Carbink to deal super effective damage to Drampa. Moonblast also ensures that Carbink isn't Taunt bait or setup fodder for Sableye. Toxic allows Carbink to cripple switch-ins such as Lanturn, Lurantis, and the plethora of offensive Pokemon that can take advantage of it. Alternatively, Stone Edge is Carbink's strongest Rock-type move and hits Flying-, Fire-, Bug-, and Ice-types harder than Moonblast. For example, it 2HKOes the Fire-types that Carbink beats like Magmortar and Pyroar without any Attack investment. Furthermore, Stone Edge prevents Oricorio-G from setting up on Carbink with Substitute and Calm Mind and breaks Jynx's Substitute reliably, which Moonblast is unable to do. Rest is Carbink's only recovery option and allows Carbink to reliably check foes such as Drampa throughout the match. Protect can be used over Rest for an extra turn of Leftovers recovery, scouting against Choice-locked Pokemon, and reducing the damage of incoming Z-Moves. Additionally, using Protect in tandem with Toxic enables Carbink to stall out its foes.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Special Defense investment with a Calm or Sassy nature ensures that Carbink can take on special wallbreakers such as Magmortar and Drampa. A Sassy nature should be used with Stone Edge to maximize its damage in order to secure the 2HKO on Pyroar. Leftovers maximizes longevity by granting Carbink passive recovery. Sturdy ensures that Carbink will almost always get up Stealth Rock. Alternatively, Clear Body can be used over Sturdy in order to avoid Special Defense drops from moves like Drampa's Focus Blast that would enable Drampa to 2HKO Carbink. However, Sturdy finds more utility across other matchups.
Usage Tips
========
Carbink should set up Stealth Rock and blanket check powerful special attackers throughout the match, using Toxic against setup sweepers in order to cut their sweep short. If Stealth Rock has already been set, Carbink can use the switches it forces by virtue of its typing and defenses to whittle down its foes with Toxic or its STAB moves. Carbink should mostly be used to counter special attackers such as Drampa, Magmortar, and Mesprit, but Carbink can also check physical attackers such as Kangaskhan and Zangoose because of its high Defense and resistances. Carbink should be wary of Taunt users, as it's slow, and Taunt prevents it from using Toxic and Stealth Rock. Lastly, when Carbink is low on health make sure to use Rest so it can consistently check special attackers like Drampa and Magmortar. Carbink should use Protect to scout Choice-locked Pokemon like Primeape and wear down checks in tandem with Toxic.
Team Options
========
Carbink almost exclusively fits on stall teams due to its ability to check many of the tier's prominent special wallbreakers; thus, pairing Carbink with bulky Pokemon such as Bronzor, Sableye, Weezing, and Tangela is ideal, as they all appreciate a bulky special wall that can check Drampa. Additionally, clerics such as Audino and Lanturn can help remove any status conditions such as sleep on Carbink with Heal Bell. Carbink is susceptible to entry hazards, so Defoggers like Skuntank and Altaria are recommended. Skuntank, in particular, is great at absorbing Toxic Spikes, which can be a hinderance for stall teams. Lastly, Ground- and Steel-type checks such as Gastrodon make for good teammates because Carbink has no way to threaten them other than with Toxic.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A weather lead set sounds appealing because Carbink has access to Sturdy, but it's outclassed by Regirock. A physically defensive set can be used too, but there is really no reason to ever use that over Regirock. A Calm Mind RestTalk set can be run on Carbink; however, Carbink needs several boosts to become threatening due to its mediocre offensive stats, and this set is setup fodder for threatening sweepers such as Liligant and Carracosta. Rock Slide can be used over Stone Edge on its specially defensive set for its accuracy and extra PP, which can come into play against Substitute users like Articuno. Z-Psych Up can be used to heal Carbink to 100% HP as well as potentially copy stat boosts, and unlike Rest, it does not amplify how passive Carbink is by forcing it to sleep or its teammates to provide cleric support. However, Rest is still a better option given it alleviates harmful status afflictions, like Toxic, that prevent Carbink from checking what it needs to. Sleep Talk can be used together with Rest and Carbink's STAB moves on teams that are using a different Pokemon to set Stealth Rock.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Taunt and Encore**: If Carbink's specially defensive set is hit by Taunt, it will be unable to do much, and the foe can subsequently use it as setup bait. Some common Taunt users include Weezing and Skuntank. Carbink also has to be wary of Encore users such as Liepard and Volbeat that will lock it into Stealth Rock or Toxic.
**Ground-types**: Golurk and Golem can switch in relatively freely against Carbink and either force it out with the threat of Earthquake or set up Stealth Rock, though Toxic can pressure them.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Togedemaru, Aggron, and Ferroseed can all come in on a predicted Moonblast and threaten Carbink with their respective STAB moves; Togedemaru and Aggron OHKO Carbink with Iron Head and Heavy Slam. Ferroseed counters Carbink's specially defensive set and sets up entry hazards freely.
**Water-types**: Gastrodon and Lanturn take hardly any damage from Moonblast. Gastrodon can wear Carbink down with Scald, although it must be wary of switching into Toxic, and Lanturn is even more terrifying for Carbink because it can wear Carbink down with Scald and use Heal Bell to get rid of a potential Toxic.
[OVERVIEW]
Carbink is one of the best Trick Room setters in the tier thanks to its access to Sturdy, which give it great odds at setting Trick Room successfully. It is also one of PU's premier special walls thanks to its amazing defensive typing and stats, which allow it to check threatening offensive Pokemon such as Drampa, Magmortar, Oricorio-G, and Pyroar. Furthermore, these traits almost guarantee that Carbink will set up Stealth Rock in a match. On the downside, Carbink's abysmal Speed leaves it as an open target for Taunt users like Weezing. Despite Carbink's amazing defenses, its low HP stat, along with its weakness to common attacking types like Water, Ground, and Grass means that it struggles to take hits from powerful attackers such as Kingler and Alolan Exeggutor, which both 2HKO Carbink with ease, and while Steel-type coverage moves may not be as common, Steel-types like Alolan Dugtrio and Aggron can easily exploit Carbink's 4x weakness. Unfortunately, Carbink faces competition from other bulky Stealth Rock users such as Regirock and Carracosta, which have a combination of better offensive presence, better stats, and better support movepools. Despite these weaknesses, Carbink still holds a niche as one of the best Trick Room setters, and its ability to switch into Drampa is unrivaled.
[SET]
name: Trick Room Lead
move 1: Trick Room
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Magic Coat
item: Mental Herb
ability: Sturdy
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Trick Room allows slower teammates such as Crabominable to move before faster Pokemon such as Archeops, Floatzel, and Primeape. Stealth Rock is a solid way of weakening foes upon switching in, making it easier for teammates such as Wishiwashi to break through the opposing team. Stealth Rock also breaks potential Sturdy and Focus Sash from Pokemon such as Golem and Leavanny, which greatly helps Trick Room teams, since they rely on limited turns and cannot afford to waste them dealing with a Pokemon with Focus Sash or Sturdy. Explosion allows Carbink to prevent Defog and Rapid Spin while giving teammates the opportunity to come in safely afterward. Magic Coat bounces back certain non-damaging moves such as Lovely Kiss and Taunt, which would otherwise prevent Carbink from fulfilling its job, as well as entry hazards such as Toxic Spikes.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment with a Relaxed nature allows Carbink to be as bulky as possible. Minimal Speed investment allows Carbink to move before the opposing Pokemon under Trick Room and set up Stealth Rock. Sturdy alongside Mental Herb makes it almost impossible for a foe to stop Carbink from setting up Trick Room and helps setting up both Stealth Rock and Trick Room effectively.
Usage Tips
========
Carbink functions best as a suicide lead on Trick Room teams. Since the opponent will usually lead with a check to Carbink, it should always set up Trick Room before using Stealth Rock. Carbink should then use Explosion to preserve Trick Room turns and get a teammate like Marowak in for free. However, if you play against a Pokemon with access to Encore such as Liepard, Carbink should set up Trick Room and hard switch so it doesn't waste a turn of Trick Room. Carbink should also use Magic Coat to reflect incoming entry hazards like Regirock's Stealth Rock and status moves that would prevent Carbink from setting up Trick Room or Stealth Rock successfully like Weezing's Taunt.
Team Options
========
Carbink works great on Trick Room teams, as it can almost always set up Trick Room; thus, slow wallbreakers such as Crabominable, Marowak, Wishiwashi, and Guts Ursaring are ideal because they can wallbreak comfortably without being outsped by faster Pokemon such as Primeape and Jynx. Since Carbink ends up being sacrificed after using Explosion, other Trick Room setters such as Alolan Exeggutor, Beheeyem, Musharna, and Audino are appreciated so you can get up Trick Room again later on in the match. While not mandatory, fast cleaners such as Floatzel and Choice Scarf Primeape are recommended for when Trick Room has expired because they have better chances to clean late-game once the aforementioned wallbreakers have removed their checks. Strong priority users like Kecleon that can overcome the archetype's low Speed stat during times Trick Room is no longer active are great for Trick Room teams, too.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Moonblast / Stone Edge
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Rest / Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Calm / Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock wears down opposing Pokemon with residual damage and deactivates Focus Sash and Sturdy. STAB Moonblast allows Carbink to deal super effective damage to Drampa. Moonblast also ensures that Carbink isn't Taunt bait or setup fodder for Sableye. Toxic allows Carbink to cripple switch-ins such as Lanturn, Lurantis, and the plethora of offensive Pokemon that can take advantage of it. Alternatively, Stone Edge is Carbink's strongest Rock-type move and hits Flying-, Fire-, Bug-, and Ice-types harder than Moonblast. For example, it 2HKOes the Fire-types that Carbink beats like Magmortar and Pyroar without any Attack investment. Furthermore, Stone Edge prevents Oricorio-G from setting up on Carbink with Substitute and Calm Mind and breaks Jynx's Substitute reliably, which Moonblast is unable to do. Rest is Carbink's only recovery option and allows Carbink to reliably check foes such as Drampa throughout the match. Protect can be used over Rest for an extra turn of Leftovers recovery, scouting against Choice-locked Pokemon, and reducing the damage of incoming Z-Moves. Additionally, using Protect in tandem with Toxic enables Carbink to stall out its foes.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Special Defense investment with a Calm or Sassy nature ensures that Carbink can take on special wallbreakers such as Magmortar and Drampa. A Sassy nature should be used with Stone Edge to maximize its damage in order to secure the 2HKO on Pyroar. Leftovers maximizes longevity by granting Carbink passive recovery. Sturdy ensures that Carbink will almost always get up Stealth Rock. Alternatively, Clear Body can be used over Sturdy in order to avoid Special Defense drops from moves like Drampa's Focus Blast that would enable Drampa to 2HKO Carbink. However, Sturdy finds more utility across other matchups.
Usage Tips
========
Carbink should set up Stealth Rock and blanket check powerful special attackers throughout the match, using Toxic against setup sweepers in order to cut their sweep short. If Stealth Rock has already been set, Carbink can use the switches it forces by virtue of its typing and defenses to whittle down its foes with Toxic or its STAB moves. Carbink should mostly be used to counter special attackers such as Drampa, Magmortar, and Mesprit, but Carbink can also check physical attackers such as Kangaskhan and Zangoose because of its high Defense and resistances. Carbink should be wary of Taunt users, as it's slow, and Taunt prevents it from using Toxic and Stealth Rock. Lastly, when Carbink is low on health make sure to use Rest so it can consistently check special attackers like Drampa and Magmortar. Carbink should use Protect to scout Choice-locked Pokemon like Primeape and wear down checks in tandem with Toxic.
Team Options
========
Carbink almost exclusively fits on stall teams due to its ability to check many of the tier's prominent special wallbreakers; thus, pairing Carbink with bulky Pokemon such as Bronzor, Sableye, Weezing, and Tangela is ideal, as they all appreciate a bulky special wall that can check Drampa. Additionally, clerics such as Audino and Lanturn can help remove any status conditions such as sleep on Carbink with Heal Bell. Carbink is susceptible to entry hazards, so Defoggers like Skuntank and Altaria are recommended. Skuntank, in particular, is great at absorbing Toxic Spikes, which can be a hinderance for stall teams. Lastly, Ground- and Steel-type checks such as Gastrodon make for good teammates because Carbink has no way to threaten them other than with Toxic.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A weather lead set sounds appealing because Carbink has access to Sturdy, but it's outclassed by Regirock. A physically defensive set can be used too, but there is really no reason to ever use that over Regirock. A Calm Mind RestTalk set can be run on Carbink; however, Carbink needs several boosts to become threatening due to its mediocre offensive stats, and this set is setup fodder for threatening sweepers such as Liligant and Carracosta. Rock Slide can be used over Stone Edge on its specially defensive set for its accuracy and extra PP, which can come into play against Substitute users like Articuno. Z-Psych Up can be used to heal Carbink to 100% HP as well as potentially copy stat boosts, and unlike Rest, it does not amplify how passive Carbink is by forcing it to sleep or its teammates to provide cleric support. However, Rest is still a better option given it alleviates harmful status afflictions, like Toxic, that prevent Carbink from checking what it needs to. Sleep Talk can be used together with Rest and Carbink's STAB moves on teams that are using a different Pokemon to set Stealth Rock.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Taunt and Encore**: If Carbink's specially defensive set is hit by Taunt, it will be unable to do much, and the foe can subsequently use it as setup bait. Some common Taunt users include Weezing and Skuntank. Carbink also has to be wary of Encore users such as Liepard and Volbeat that will lock it into Stealth Rock or Toxic.
**Ground-types**: Golurk and Golem can switch in relatively freely against Carbink and either force it out with the threat of Earthquake or set up Stealth Rock, though Toxic can pressure them.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Togedemaru, Aggron, and Ferroseed can all come in on a predicted Moonblast and threaten Carbink with their respective STAB moves; Togedemaru and Aggron OHKO Carbink with Iron Head and Heavy Slam. Ferroseed counters Carbink's specially defensive set and sets up entry hazards freely.
**Water-types**: Gastrodon and Lanturn take hardly any damage from Moonblast. Gastrodon can wear Carbink down with Scald, although it must be wary of switching into Toxic, and Lanturn is even more terrifying for Carbink because it can wear Carbink down with Scald and use Heal Bell to get rid of a potential Toxic.
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