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A monoid in the category of endofunctors
[OVERVIEW]
Probopass's near-exclusive access to Magnet Pull allows it to trap and either severely weaken or eliminate Steel-types such as Steelix and non-U-turn Togedemaru for teammates. Additionally, its excellent all-around bulk combined with a rare resistance to Ice means it can check dangerous attackers like Vanilluxe on a reasonably consistent basis. Furthermore, Probopass has access to a handful of useful utility moves like Stealth Rock and Volt Switch as well as more niche options like Thunder Wave. However, its typing hurts it because of the lack of resistances and weakness to common coverage from the Pokemon it wants to check, such as Hidden Power Ground from Vanilluxe and Earth Power from Diancie. Probopass also faces heavy competition in the role of an Ice-type switch-in or Stealth Rock user from Pokemon like Miltank, Togedemaru, Silvally-Steel, and Steelix, and its lack of recovery makes it easy to wear down throughout the match.
[SET]
name: Magnet Pull
move 1: Earth Power
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Magnet Rise
move 4: Taunt / Power Gem
item: Air Balloon
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Modest
evs: 172 HP / 252 SpA / 84 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Earth Power allows Probopass to take advantage of its ability to trap Steelix and non-U-turn Togedemaru by dealing very heavy damage to both. Stealth Rock is useful for role compression, allowing Probopass to take advantage of its good bulk and resistances, the free turns it generates by trapping Steelix, and its ability to force out Pokemon like Vanilluxe to help keep dangerous Pokemon like Vanilluxe and Vikavolt under pressure throughout the match. Magnet Rise allows Probopass to trap healthy Steelix even when its Air Balloon has been popped; it's also useful when you let Probopass's Balloon pop as it is setting up Stealth Rock. Beyond this, it allows Probopass to use Rhydon and Piloswine to safely set up Stealth Rock. Taunt prevents Steelix's attempts to set up Stealth Rock or force Probopass out with Roar if its Air Balloon gets popped and Probopass is forced to use Magnet Rise. It also allows Probopass to win the matchup versus Type: Null by preventing Rest and Swords Dance attempts. Power Gem hits Ice-types like Vanilluxe and Cryogonal, helping Probopass check them consistently, while also pressuring Xatu's attempts to bounce back Stealth Rock. It additionally 2HKOes physically defensive Golbat, pressuring it when it switches in to clear Probopass's hazards, and is its strongest move versus Fire-types like Incineroar and Delphox. Flash Cannon is an alternative that still hits hits Ice-types like Vanilluxe and Cryogonal while also hitting Whimsicott super effectively, allowing Probopass to check it consistently, and Flash Cannon also helps Probopass take advantage of its Air Balloon to better check Piloswine. Volt Switch is an option that enables Probopass to function as a slow VoltTurn user, which is useful for helping Probopass pivot out of Pokemon that pose as threats; this is often a better option for pressuring Golbat than Power Gem is (especially versus specially defensive variants) when paired with Pokemon that can deal more to it than Probopass can. It's worth noting, however, that running this leaves Probopass unable to pressure Whimsicott outside of Life Orb recoil.
Set Details
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Magnet Pull is used to trap Steel-types like Steelix, which gives Probopass a niche over its competition for a team slot. 84 Speed EVs allow it to outrun uninvested base 50s, and maximum Special Attack investment alongside a Modest nature allows it to maximize the damage it deals to Steelix while also allowing Power Gem to OHKO Vanilluxe after Stealth Rock. An EV spread of 248 HP / 176 SpD / 84 Spe with a Calm nature lets Probopass outpace uninvested base 50s and hits a Special Defense jump point, with the HP reduction serving to reduce the damage from Super Fang and 3 layers of Spikes, and the added bulk allows Propopass to avoid a 3HKO from Choice Specs Vanilluxe's Blizzard when factoring in hail damage, with the exception of three consecutive maximum damage rolls, and survive Life Orb Whimsicott's Hidden Power Ground with a few hit points to spare after the damage dealt by Stealth Rock and Grass Knot. Air Balloon is used to switch in on Steelix's Earthquake without requiring a pivot to get Probopass in safely.
Usage Tips
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Use Probopass to trap and remove Steel-types like Steelix and non-U-turn Togedemaru for wallbreakers and sweepers like Sneasel, Klinklang, and Diancie. Play aggressively to get in versus Steelix without risking it popping Probopass's Air Balloon, doubling out of Pokemon like Sneasel that lure it out or capitalizing on U-turn support from Pokemon that Steelix stops cold, such as Scyther. Use Probopass to keep Pokemon whose STAB attacks it resists, such as non-Hidden Power Ground Vanilluxe, in check defensively. If you successfully get in versus Vanilluxe, it is usually best to use Stealth Rock if it is not up already and you don't expect Xatu to switch in because it allows you to take advantage of Vanilluxe's Stealth Rock weakness to put it under passive pressure each time it's forced out. Even aside from these situations, Probopass should try to set up Stealth Rock as early as possible to get as much mileage out of it as possible.
Team Options
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Probopass pairs well with attackers that struggle to dent Steelix, such as Sneasel and Klinklang, due to its ability to trap and remove it for them. Normal-type wallbreakers and sweepers, such as Type: Null, Zangoose, and Alolan Raticate, are good partners for the same reason. U-turn users that lure out Steelix, such as Togedemaru, Whimsicott, Golbat, and Scyther, are useful to help get Probopass onto the field. Pokemon that struggle versus Vanilluxe, such as Druddigon, Whimsicott, Guzzlord, Sceptile, and Venusaur, appreciate Probopass's ability to check it. Conversely, answers to Fighting- and Ground-type attacks, such as Xatu and Garbodor, provide Probopass with a way of circumventing its own weaknesses; the same applies for responses to Water-types such as Toxicroak and Heliolisk. Other Pokemon that are checked by Water-types, such as Incineroar, Delphox, and Klinklang, are helpful for their ability to either lure and remove them with powerful Z-Moves or to otherwise help overwhelm them.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Leftovers is an option that improves Probopass's consistency when checking Pokemon like Vanilluxe throughout the match, but such a set faces heavy competition from Pokemon like Miltank, which has access to reliable recovery; Piloswine, which sports better offensive presence and an Electric-type immunity; and Silvally-Steel, which has a better defensive typing and a superior pivoting move in Parting Shot. Toxic can be used alongside a bulkier EV spread to better pressure bulky Pokemon like Slowbro. Hidden Power Fire can be used to remove Ferroseed for Pokemon like Ludicolo and Whimsicott, but Ferroseed isn't common enough to warrant it most of the time, and the only other Pokemon it helps against is Magnet Rise Klinklang, which avoids the 2HKO at full health.
Checks and Counters
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**Fighting-types**: Hariyama, Passimian, Medicham, and Scrafty resist Power Gem and can OHKO Probopass in return with their Fighting-type STAB moves, with the last of those also being able to set up on Probopass safely with Dragon Dance. Toxicroak needs to be wary of switching in on Earth Power, but it can outrun Probopass and OHKO it with Fighting-type STAB moves. Virizion takes pitiful damage from Flash Cannon and can either use Probopass to set up Swords Dance safely or OHKO it with Close Combat.
**Klinklang:** Klinklang uses Probopass for setup fodder due to taking next to no damage from Flash Cannon and by negating Earth Power's usefulness with Magnet Rise.
**Water-types**: Slowbro and Vaporeon fear nothing from Probopass and either use it to set up Calm Mind or Z-Happy Hour, respectively, or deal heavy damage back with Scald. Jellicent and Slowking take very little damage from Power Gem and retaliate with Scald. Samurott can set up Swords Dance on Probopass and OHKO back with Waterfall, although it is risky to switch in versus Power Gem variants, as the move almost deals 50%.
**Ground- and Fighting-type Coverage**: Probopass commonly finds itself switching into Vanilluxe, but Hidden Power Ground variants can hit it as it switches in if it had its Air Balloon popped prior. Zangoose forces Probopass out with the threat of Close Combat and uses it to boost up to +6 with Belly Drum without fearing Flash Cannon thanks to its Sitrus Berry. Probopass can take on Braviary and Accelgor's STAB attacks consistently, but they can both OHKO it as it switches in by using Superpower or Focus Blast. Diancie and Gigalith can put pressure onto Probopass with their respective Ground-type coverage moves if its Air Balloon has been popped.
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