Kabuto Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Rapid Spin allows Kabuto to remove entry hazards, and unlike Defog, it will not remove the Stealth Rock that Kabuto sets up on the opponent's side of the field. Rapid Spin also breaks Sturdy on opposing Pokemon, particularly lead Onix and Dwebble, and enables Kabuto to KO them next turn with Waterfall. Stealth Rock causes the opponent's Pokemon to take chip damage throughout the match. Having Rapid Spin and Stealth Rock on the same Pokemon provides good role compression. Knock Off provides great utility by allowing Kabuto to remove Eviolites and cripple defensive Pokemon, remove Berry Juice from Sturdy leads such as Onix and Dwebble, remove Choice Scarfs from Pokemon like Doduo and Chinchou, and severely damage spinblockers such as Pumpkaboo-XL and Frillish. Rock Slide hits Flying-types super effectively, making Kabuto a good Flying-type check. Aqua Jet allows Kabuto to beat Onix, Dwebble, and Focus Sash Diglett more easily, as well as picking off weakened, faster threats to your team. Waterfall lets Kabuto hit Ground-types hard, OHKOing Mudbray and 2HKOing its RestTalk set. Set Details Weak Armor is the preferred ability, as it doubles Kabuto's Speed after Kabuto takes a physical hit. This puts its physical bulk to good use and allows it to KO a variety of revenge killers like Abra and Choice Scarf Chinchou. 156 EVs in Speed allow Kabuto to outspeed 19 Speed and slower Choice Scarf users after a Weak Armor boost, such as Mienfoo, Pawniard, Doduo, and Gastly. A Careful nature along with the HP, Defense, and Special Defense EVs give Kabuto more defensive power, particularly specially, to survive a hit and get a Weak Armor boost. Eviolite is the chosen item because it gives Kabuto enough bulk to take most physical hits, including a Superpower from Rufflet after Stealth Rock damage and nearly always a Knock Off followed by Iron Head from Pawniard. Usage Tips Kabuto can be used as a lead, but should not be used as such if the opponent has a Taunt user. If the opponent has Onix or Dwebble, however, Kabuto is a great lead because it can easily defeat these common leads with Knock Off and Waterfall. If your opponent has a spinblocker such as Pumpkaboo-XL or Frillish, you can predict the switch-in and cripple it with Knock Off, dealing massive damage and removing their item. You should make use of Kabuto's bulk and resistances by using it as a Flying-type check or switching it in on resisted physical hits. Switching in on Rapid Spin allows Kabuto to double its Speed thanks to Weak Armor while taking minimal damage. However, Kabuto has limited longevity, since it takes large amounts of damage from special attacks, and Weak Armor makes each consecutive physical hit stronger by reducing Kabuto's Defense. Because of this, Kabuto should be used as a pivot and switched in and out until its job of hazard control is complete. Team Options Teams that need role compression appreciate Kabuto, as it functions as a Flying-type check, an entry hazard setter, and a hazard remover. Fire-types such as Ponyta, Larvesta, and Houndour appreciate Rapid Spin support and can switch in on Grass-type moves. Flame Body users such as Larvesta and Ponyta also discourage Fighting-types such as Mienfoo from throwing around too many Fighting-type moves. Flying-types such as Vullaby and Rufflet appreciate Rapid Spin support and can switch in on Ground- and Grass-type moves, and Grass-types can also switch in on Ground- and Grass-type moves. Foongus and Cottonee are especially useful, as they resist Fighting-type moves as well. Foongus can also beat most Grass-types with Sludge Bomb. In return, Kabuto can switch in on Poison-, Fire-, and Flying-type moves aimed at Grass-types. Spinblockers and Defog deterrents such as Pumpkaboo-XL and Pawniard, respectively, can help prevent foes from removing Stealth Rock. Pumpkaboo-XL can also switch in on Ground-type moves for Kabuto, and Kabuto which in return switches in on the Flying-, Fire-, and Poison-type moves aimed at Pumpkaboo. Fast pivots such as Mienfoo, Elekid, and Choice Scarf Chinchou can help to bring Weak Armor Kabuto in against weak or resisted physical attacks, giving it a Weak Armor Speed boost. Pokemon like Carvanha appreciate the extra damage that Stealth Rock provides.

Moves Rapid Spin allows Kabuto to get rid of entry hazards without relying on Defog, so you can always remove entry hazards without clearing away your own. As Kabuto doesn't have access to Stone Edge, Rock Slide is its main Rock-type STAB attack, being both decently powerful and accurate. Aqua Jet is a must-have priority attack that helps to beat Drilbur and Archen. Aqua Jet also helps to finish with anything that switches into Kabuto's Rock Slide while having no risk of an incoming attack, unless the opposing Pokemon is faster and has priority. Waterfall is an option for a secondary STAB move, hitting Rock- and Ground-types such as Archen and Drilbur quite hard. Thanks to Kabuto's good physical bulk, it can also be a viable Stealth Rock setter. Knock Off can also be used in the last slot to cripple defensive threats and hit Ghost-types a bit harder, making Pumpkaboo struggle when trying to spinblock Kabuto. Set Details The Attack EVs and nature maximize Kabuto's Attack so that it can hit as hard as possible. The rest of the EVs are placed in HP and Defense to give Kabuto enough bulk to survive hits such as Drilbur's Earthquake and then 2HKO back with Aqua Jet. While Kabuto with maximum Speed EVs reaches 16 Speed, it is outclassed by Drilbur as a fast spinner. Eviolite boosts Kabuto's physical bulk and helps to increase Kabuto's low Special Defense a bit, making it the preferred item. Battle Armor is the only ability that Kabuto can make any use of. However, if Kabuto is being used on a rain team, it can use Swift Swim instead with either 76 Speed EVs or a Jolly nature to outspeed Choice Scarf Pawniard in the rain. Usage Tips Kabuto can be used as a lead, but remember to check the opposing team and see if it has a potential Taunt user before you lead with Kabuto. Common Taunt users include Mienfoo, Onix, and Cottonee. When running Knock Off, if the opponent has a Ghost-type and there are entry hazards on your side of the field, try to use Knock Off so the opposing Ghost-type gets seriously hurt on the switch-in. Try to switch into many of Kabuto's resistances, such as those to Fire-, Flying-, and Normal-type attacks. Team Options Flying-types such as Fletchling have good defensive synergy with Kabuto and can remove Grass- and Fighting-types for it. Kabuto also pairs extremely well with other Grass-types such as Cottonee, which resist everything Kabuto is weak to; in return, Kabuto resists Fire- and Poison-type moves for Cottonee. If Kabuto is using Stealth Rock, spinblockers are extremely useful for keeping Stealth Rock during the whole game, while Pawniard can punish Defog. Pokemon weak to entry hazards such as Larvesta and Ponyta appreciate Kabuto's ability to remove hazards.

Kabuto is a good lead because it has access to both Stealth Rock and priority in Aqua Jet, which helps Kabuto get rid of Focus Sash on opposing leads, as well as stopping the effect of Sturdy. STAB Rock Slide hits hard and has good coverage with Aqua Jet. Rapid Spin allows Kabuto to support its team by getting rid of troublesome entry hazards that might cripple a teammate, and can also finish off badly weakened Pokemon. Protect is useful for scouting and blocking Fake Out. Focus Sash allows Kabuto to survive strong attacks which might OHKO Kabuto otherwise. Eviolite can also be used, as leading is harder with Team Preview. Waterfall is a viable option over Rock Slide as it hits Fighting- and Ground-type Pokemon harder, such as Hippopotas, Timburr, and Drilbur. It can also be used as a replacement for Rapid Spin as it gives Kabuto more coverage. Pokemon that can set up Rain Dance, such as Bronzor and Frillish, are good partners for Kabuto. Fast Pokemon such as Aipom or Voltorb can also set up Rain Dance.

Kabuto can utilize rain by using Swift Swim to double its Speed, while at the same time powering up Waterfall. Waterfall is a reliable and strong STAB move, especially in the rain. Rock Slide gives Kabuto a strong secondary STAB, providing good coverage, and hits Snover and Mantyke for super effective damage, which are normally annoying for rain teams to take on. Both Rock Slide and Waterfall provide a nice flinch rate which could come in handy. STAB Aqua Jet gives Kabuto a valuable priority attack, allowing it to finish off weakened threats that have priority themselves. Rain Dance is used in case it stops raining or when Kabuto is being used as a standalone rain sweeper. Even with an Adamant nature, Kabuto hits 30 Speed in the rain, outspeeding almost everything in Little Cup. Life Orb boosts the power of Kabuto's attacks, making it harder to wall. On the other hand, Eviolite allows Kabuto to take hits from strong priority moves easily and when it's setting up. If using Eviolite, invest 36 EVs into HP to marginally increase bulk; otherwise, having 19 HP reduces Life Orb recoil to 1 HP per turn. Hone Claws is an option over Rain Dance, but you'll have to ensure that teammates can reliably set up rain. Aerial Ace can be used to deal with Grass-type Pokemon and Croagunk. Earth Power is also an option to deal with Chinchou, Croagunk, and Tentacool. Kabuto appreciates entry hazard support, as it breaks Focus Sash and Sturdy, and helps Kabuto KO more Pokemon without having to take that extra hit. Ferroseed is a good teammate as it resists Grass- and Electric-type attacks and can set up Spikes, aiding Kabuto in its sweep.