Blaziken
01-20-2008, 06:01 PM
This week's POTW, Absol. Please discuss below what you think of the new layout.
Absol
3rd Generation
Absol in the 3rd Generation wasn’t a huge force mainly because of its poor movepool, another one of those pokemon whose stats didn’t suit its type. However, Absol had some potential with a wide movepool and the ever-useful Swords Dance. But its stats and type forced it into the UU section. There it could’ve played quote a powerful force but it certainly doesn’t stand up to OU pokemon. Absol is decent but besides its immensely high attack power, nothing else stands out too much.
Physical Sweeper
Item: Leftovers/ Lum Berry
Nature: Jolly
Attacks:
Swords Dance
Shadow Ball
Thunder Wave/ Quick Attack
Aerial Ace/ Rock Slide/ Return
As you can see, Absol has potential but it quite limited. With a very average speed and below average defenses, don’t expect Absol to stay in battle for long. But if you do get the chance to get in a few powerful attacks, make them count. Anyways, Swords Dance pretty much doubles its attack power. However you might find your Absol fainted before it can effectively use the power. That’s why Thunder Wave might be a suitable move here but it will only work on one pokemon so once or if you knock that pokemon out, you’ll be exposed to another with possibly more speed than Absol. So here’s where Quick Attack might come in handy, to take care of sneaky pokemon like Dugtrio. The rest of the moves are either for pure damage or coverage. Go for whichever one you want but just remember not to expect too much from Absol.
Rating: 5.5/10
Special Sweeper
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Modest
Attacks:
Calm Mind
Ice Beam
Faint Attack
Flamethrower/ Thunderbolt/ Quick Attack
If you think that Absol as a special sweeper is going to increase your chances of winning by a lot, you’re sorely mistaken. Absol is basically the same as its physical sweeper, not too good. Calm Mind will increase its average special attack power, increasing the strength of the other moves. Ice Beam I figured might be useful for taking on popular pokemon like Salamence. Faint Attack gains the stab and can never miss besides from the effect of Protect and Detect, or if your opponent is in the air, ect. The last moves are just for coverage. Quick Attack is there not to cause serious damage but to cover those sneaky Endure/ Reversal pokemon with Salac Berry.
Rating: 5.5/10
3rd Generation Contests:
Contest Type: Tough
Moves:
Swords Dance
Thief
Rock Smash
Secret Power
A very good pokemon in a contest, Absol boasts both strength and potential. Swords Dance gives you 1 star extra every appeal. This comes in handy when using moves like Rock Smash and Secret Power, since it gives them about a 3 star increase meaning from this move set you could have 2 seven stared appeals in a row. When using Swords Dance first, it will almost guarantee you to go last meaning you’ll have a perfect opportunity to use Thief, since the second turn is also when the pokemon start to show off their best moves. Swords Dance the third turn and then finish with Rock Smash and Secret Power. A decent moveset but if you think you’ll get a bigger increase with Thief, use it. This set though should get you around about 25 points if nothing like jamming or being nervous affects you. Do remember that if you perform at least 2 Swords Dance attacks before the 5th and last turn, you’ve pretty much lost.
Rating of Pokemon in 3rd Generation: 6/10
4th Generation
Absol here is much more powerful especially with the battle changes, making some special attacks into physical ones. Absol now can easily take on various OU pokemon and possibly might become one of its own. Definitely a force to be reckoned with is Absol, especially with the upgrades it’s received.
Physical Sweeper
Item: Life Orb/ Leftovers/ Salac Berry
Nature: Adamant
Ability: Super Luck
Attacks:
Swords Dance
Sucker Punch/ Night Slash
Psycho Cut
Stone Edge/ Rock Slide
Still the same with Swords Dance, raising its attack power by two stages but that’s all that’s the same. The key move here is Sucker Punch, a dark version of Quick Attack. The only difference other than it’s a dark attack is that its has 80 power meaning that when Absol uses it, it has a power of 120 with the STAB. A scary thought is that the can even take down the fastest of pokemon like Ninjask, eliminating strategies just like that. However beware of its low PP meaning that you might want to add in some PP Ups. Also the flip side of Sucker Punch could be fatal to Absol. Sucker Punch will only work if the target is going to attack you. If they’re going to use Calm Mind, Sucker Punch won’t work but because of Absol’ low defenses, if played right you can lure your opponent into making that fatal error esspecially since some pokemon fear its high attack power like Dugtrio. However Night Slash is also another option if you don't want to take the risk. Psycho Cut covers its weakness of fighting and it also makes good use of its special ability. The final move also covers its weakness of bug pokemon while taking out other popular ones like Salamence and Gyarados. A powerful Absol indeed but it does lack speed still which is its weakness combined with such a low defence.
Rating: 7.5/10
Baton Passer
Item: Salac Berry
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Super Luck
Attacks:
Baton Pass
Calm Mind/ Swords Dance
Substitute/ Endure
Sucker Punch/ Me First
Absol really isn’t much of a Baton Passer so this will have to do. It’ll be so much better if it knew Agility but surprisingly it doesn’t. Anyways, obviously Baton Pass is necessary here. The choice of either Calm Mind or Swords Dance will depend on what kind of pokemon you’re going to Baton Pass to. Substitute here might help Absol Baton Pass easier but Endure is to activate a much needed speed boost from Salac Berry. Finally Sucker Punch gives Absol an attack move if you’re stuck with it as your last pokemon. However Me First can pay off well, if used at the right time. Not a great Absol, probably one that should be saved for when you’re having fun.
Rating: 5/10
4th Generation Contests
Contest Type: Beauty
Moves:
Swords Dance
Psycho Cut
Protect
Blizzard
The contests in the 4th generation have moved away from the moves, and therefore, this part isn’t a important. It is also immensely easier and basically a beginner can do well in this event. It all comes down to luck in the end. Swords Dance here will double your score for the next round, meaning that with this set, you can have a maximum of 8 points for an appeal not including any of the other little things such as voltage, ect. Psycho Cut becomes at least 4 points if you go first and Blizzard does as well. Protect is there if you can’t go first, but it might be risky depending of the voltage points of the judge you select.
Rating of Pokemon in 4th Generation: 8/10
Type:
Being a dark type pokemon, Absol has quite a few advantages. For starters, psychic attacks won’t affect it meaning that it can switch into them and quickly strike back with Sucker Punch. Another advantage is that it only has two weaknesses. This though won’t make much of a difference with Absol’s low defenses. This might make every attack that does considerable damage seem like a super-effective attack. Basically, Absol is a pure dark meaning there won’t be any hidden surprises in that department. The best way to beat it is too take advantage of its poor defenses and strike with powerful attacks with fast sweepers that aren’t ghost or psychic type pokemon.
Abilities:
Pressure- Every time a pokemon launches an attack against Absol whether its Screech or Fire Blast, that attack with lose 2 PP even though the pokemon only attacked once. This ability is helpful only when a pokemon is able to stay in battle for quite a while but in this situation, Absol is not one of those pokemon, making Pressure one of those abilities that don’t suit the pokemon. Unfortunately this is the only ability possible in the 3rd generation.
Super Luck- An ability that raises the possibilities of getting a critical hit. A critical hit is quite rare and consider yourself lucky if you get one. It does double damage to the opponent. In saying this, you might think that this special ability is great but not really. Even with Super Luck, you’re not going to be “super lucky.” This special ability won’t give you something of like a 50-50 shot of getting a critical hit. Its basically the same a using Focus Energy so its not much of a increase. This simply means the chances of getting a critical hit are just a bit higher but nothing too special or dramatic.
Overall Rating for Absol: 7/10
Stats
Gender: 50% ♀ / 50% ♂
Type: Dark
Species: Disaster Pokemon
Height: 3’11”
Weight: 103.6lbs
Weaknesses: Fighting (x2) Bug (x2)
Resistances: Dark (0.5) Ghost (0.5)
Immunities: Psychic
Pokedex Entries:
Diamond/Pearl – It senses coming disasters and appears before people only to warn them of impending danger.
Evolution: Does not evolve
Location: Swarm Route 213
Abilities: Pressure- When Absol is hit by a move, the PP of the opponent’s move lowers by 2
Shed Skin- Raises the possibility of getting critical hits
National Dex No.: 359
Popularity: Low
Generation Introduced: 3rd
Anime Appearances: 6
Absol
3rd Generation
Absol in the 3rd Generation wasn’t a huge force mainly because of its poor movepool, another one of those pokemon whose stats didn’t suit its type. However, Absol had some potential with a wide movepool and the ever-useful Swords Dance. But its stats and type forced it into the UU section. There it could’ve played quote a powerful force but it certainly doesn’t stand up to OU pokemon. Absol is decent but besides its immensely high attack power, nothing else stands out too much.
Physical Sweeper
Item: Leftovers/ Lum Berry
Nature: Jolly
Attacks:
Swords Dance
Shadow Ball
Thunder Wave/ Quick Attack
Aerial Ace/ Rock Slide/ Return
As you can see, Absol has potential but it quite limited. With a very average speed and below average defenses, don’t expect Absol to stay in battle for long. But if you do get the chance to get in a few powerful attacks, make them count. Anyways, Swords Dance pretty much doubles its attack power. However you might find your Absol fainted before it can effectively use the power. That’s why Thunder Wave might be a suitable move here but it will only work on one pokemon so once or if you knock that pokemon out, you’ll be exposed to another with possibly more speed than Absol. So here’s where Quick Attack might come in handy, to take care of sneaky pokemon like Dugtrio. The rest of the moves are either for pure damage or coverage. Go for whichever one you want but just remember not to expect too much from Absol.
Rating: 5.5/10
Special Sweeper
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Modest
Attacks:
Calm Mind
Ice Beam
Faint Attack
Flamethrower/ Thunderbolt/ Quick Attack
If you think that Absol as a special sweeper is going to increase your chances of winning by a lot, you’re sorely mistaken. Absol is basically the same as its physical sweeper, not too good. Calm Mind will increase its average special attack power, increasing the strength of the other moves. Ice Beam I figured might be useful for taking on popular pokemon like Salamence. Faint Attack gains the stab and can never miss besides from the effect of Protect and Detect, or if your opponent is in the air, ect. The last moves are just for coverage. Quick Attack is there not to cause serious damage but to cover those sneaky Endure/ Reversal pokemon with Salac Berry.
Rating: 5.5/10
3rd Generation Contests:
Contest Type: Tough
Moves:
Swords Dance
Thief
Rock Smash
Secret Power
A very good pokemon in a contest, Absol boasts both strength and potential. Swords Dance gives you 1 star extra every appeal. This comes in handy when using moves like Rock Smash and Secret Power, since it gives them about a 3 star increase meaning from this move set you could have 2 seven stared appeals in a row. When using Swords Dance first, it will almost guarantee you to go last meaning you’ll have a perfect opportunity to use Thief, since the second turn is also when the pokemon start to show off their best moves. Swords Dance the third turn and then finish with Rock Smash and Secret Power. A decent moveset but if you think you’ll get a bigger increase with Thief, use it. This set though should get you around about 25 points if nothing like jamming or being nervous affects you. Do remember that if you perform at least 2 Swords Dance attacks before the 5th and last turn, you’ve pretty much lost.
Rating of Pokemon in 3rd Generation: 6/10
4th Generation
Absol here is much more powerful especially with the battle changes, making some special attacks into physical ones. Absol now can easily take on various OU pokemon and possibly might become one of its own. Definitely a force to be reckoned with is Absol, especially with the upgrades it’s received.
Physical Sweeper
Item: Life Orb/ Leftovers/ Salac Berry
Nature: Adamant
Ability: Super Luck
Attacks:
Swords Dance
Sucker Punch/ Night Slash
Psycho Cut
Stone Edge/ Rock Slide
Still the same with Swords Dance, raising its attack power by two stages but that’s all that’s the same. The key move here is Sucker Punch, a dark version of Quick Attack. The only difference other than it’s a dark attack is that its has 80 power meaning that when Absol uses it, it has a power of 120 with the STAB. A scary thought is that the can even take down the fastest of pokemon like Ninjask, eliminating strategies just like that. However beware of its low PP meaning that you might want to add in some PP Ups. Also the flip side of Sucker Punch could be fatal to Absol. Sucker Punch will only work if the target is going to attack you. If they’re going to use Calm Mind, Sucker Punch won’t work but because of Absol’ low defenses, if played right you can lure your opponent into making that fatal error esspecially since some pokemon fear its high attack power like Dugtrio. However Night Slash is also another option if you don't want to take the risk. Psycho Cut covers its weakness of fighting and it also makes good use of its special ability. The final move also covers its weakness of bug pokemon while taking out other popular ones like Salamence and Gyarados. A powerful Absol indeed but it does lack speed still which is its weakness combined with such a low defence.
Rating: 7.5/10
Baton Passer
Item: Salac Berry
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Super Luck
Attacks:
Baton Pass
Calm Mind/ Swords Dance
Substitute/ Endure
Sucker Punch/ Me First
Absol really isn’t much of a Baton Passer so this will have to do. It’ll be so much better if it knew Agility but surprisingly it doesn’t. Anyways, obviously Baton Pass is necessary here. The choice of either Calm Mind or Swords Dance will depend on what kind of pokemon you’re going to Baton Pass to. Substitute here might help Absol Baton Pass easier but Endure is to activate a much needed speed boost from Salac Berry. Finally Sucker Punch gives Absol an attack move if you’re stuck with it as your last pokemon. However Me First can pay off well, if used at the right time. Not a great Absol, probably one that should be saved for when you’re having fun.
Rating: 5/10
4th Generation Contests
Contest Type: Beauty
Moves:
Swords Dance
Psycho Cut
Protect
Blizzard
The contests in the 4th generation have moved away from the moves, and therefore, this part isn’t a important. It is also immensely easier and basically a beginner can do well in this event. It all comes down to luck in the end. Swords Dance here will double your score for the next round, meaning that with this set, you can have a maximum of 8 points for an appeal not including any of the other little things such as voltage, ect. Psycho Cut becomes at least 4 points if you go first and Blizzard does as well. Protect is there if you can’t go first, but it might be risky depending of the voltage points of the judge you select.
Rating of Pokemon in 4th Generation: 8/10
Type:
Being a dark type pokemon, Absol has quite a few advantages. For starters, psychic attacks won’t affect it meaning that it can switch into them and quickly strike back with Sucker Punch. Another advantage is that it only has two weaknesses. This though won’t make much of a difference with Absol’s low defenses. This might make every attack that does considerable damage seem like a super-effective attack. Basically, Absol is a pure dark meaning there won’t be any hidden surprises in that department. The best way to beat it is too take advantage of its poor defenses and strike with powerful attacks with fast sweepers that aren’t ghost or psychic type pokemon.
Abilities:
Pressure- Every time a pokemon launches an attack against Absol whether its Screech or Fire Blast, that attack with lose 2 PP even though the pokemon only attacked once. This ability is helpful only when a pokemon is able to stay in battle for quite a while but in this situation, Absol is not one of those pokemon, making Pressure one of those abilities that don’t suit the pokemon. Unfortunately this is the only ability possible in the 3rd generation.
Super Luck- An ability that raises the possibilities of getting a critical hit. A critical hit is quite rare and consider yourself lucky if you get one. It does double damage to the opponent. In saying this, you might think that this special ability is great but not really. Even with Super Luck, you’re not going to be “super lucky.” This special ability won’t give you something of like a 50-50 shot of getting a critical hit. Its basically the same a using Focus Energy so its not much of a increase. This simply means the chances of getting a critical hit are just a bit higher but nothing too special or dramatic.
Overall Rating for Absol: 7/10
Stats
Gender: 50% ♀ / 50% ♂
Type: Dark
Species: Disaster Pokemon
Height: 3’11”
Weight: 103.6lbs
Weaknesses: Fighting (x2) Bug (x2)
Resistances: Dark (0.5) Ghost (0.5)
Immunities: Psychic
Pokedex Entries:
Diamond/Pearl – It senses coming disasters and appears before people only to warn them of impending danger.
Evolution: Does not evolve
Location: Swarm Route 213
Abilities: Pressure- When Absol is hit by a move, the PP of the opponent’s move lowers by 2
Shed Skin- Raises the possibility of getting critical hits
National Dex No.: 359
Popularity: Low
Generation Introduced: 3rd
Anime Appearances: 6