Gen 1 Arbok [DONE]

[Gangsta Spongebob]

[OVERVIEW]

Access to Glare and Wrap combined with its solid base 80 Speed gives Arbok the smallest of niches in PU. It can outspeed and Wrap metagame staples like Nidoqueen and Porygon. Against faster foes, Arbok can use Glare to paralyze them and continue using Wrap. However, this is where Arbok's positive traits end. Its terrible Poison typing gives it no notable resistances, weaknesses to common Ground- and Psychic-type attacks, and no useful STAB moves. Combined with its mediocre bulk and Attack, this leaves Arbok struggling to dish out damage while taking significant damage from most threats in return. Arbok's Speed isn't that great either, as common foes like Rapidash, Arcanine, and Fearow outpace it—teams typically have no shortage of Pokemon that outspeed Arbok. If Arbok finds itself on the receiving end of paralysis, it's practically dead weight to it's team. Arbok is also very unreliable—Wrap is only as accurate as Fire Blast, while Glare is even worse at 74.6%. Even if it can get in against a slower threat, Arbok has may just miss twice and get KOed without accomplishing anything. Thus, despite its useful tools, players should generally avoid using Arbok.

[SET]
name: Wrap
move 1: Wrap
move 2: Glare
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Hyper Beam

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
The combination of Wrap and Glare is Arbok's primary draw, as the former immobilizes slower foes, letting it pivot around them or chip them down, while the latter lets it spread paralysis, making more foes vulnerable to its Wrap. While spammable, these moves have low accuracy, and Wrap may give sleeping targets free turns to wake. Earthquake hits Gastly and Rock-types for super effective damage and serves as coverage against top threats like Nidoqueen and Rapidash. Hyper Beam is Arbok's strongest attack against targets that are not weak to Earthquake, serving as a decently powerful finisher against foes like Pinsir and Machamp.

Since Arbok is useless when paralyzed, its worst matchups are against faster Thunder Wave users, namely Abra and Staryu. Abra also 2HKOes Arbok with Psychicm and is rarely OHKOed by Arbok's Hyper Beam. Drowzee is an excellent partner for its ability to check these threats and has the added benefit of spreading paralysis of its own. Arbok isn't completely helpless against faster threats, as it can try to tank a hit and retaliate with paralysis, but it still often loses due to Glare's low accuracy and the possibility of critical hits or secondary effects like burn. It's also easily overwhelmed by multiple faster opponents. Fearow, Rapidash, and Arcanine all give Arbok a good deal of trouble, so Omanyte is an essential partner for its ability to check all of them. These same fast wallbreakers help Arbok against Pinsir, which outspeeds and does huge damage to it. Other paralysis spreaders like Dragonair and the aforementioned Drowzee also work well in hamstringing these faster threats for Arbok. Using Arbok with multiple Thunder Wave users has the added benefit of making it easier for powerful wallbreakers like Nidoqueen and Fearow to break past their checks.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Mega Drain can be used as coverage against Graveler, but it only has a 40.7% chance to 2HKO. Body Slam may seem like a means to attack while inflicting paralysis, but Arbok always prefers Glare's higher paralysis odds or Hyper Beam's damage. Rock Slide may seem like good coverage against Fearow and Pinsir, but Arbok always prefers to use Glare or Wrap against them, and Hyper Beam does similar amounts of damage to them.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Paralysis**: Once paralyzed, Arbok is completely useless, as it can no longer outspeed and Wrap unparalyzed foes, and the chance of full paralysis means it can't reliably use Wrap against paralyzed targets. While Arbok outspeeds every viable Thunder Wave user besides Abra and Staryu, it still risks being paralyzed if Wrap misses or if it switches into Thunder Wave users.

**Faster Attackers**: Fearow and Pinsir outspeed Arbok; the former has high odds to KO it with Double-Edge + Hyper Beam, while the latter has a 26.3% chance to 2HKO with Slash. Rapidash and Arcanine also outspeed Arbok and have a 32.1% chance to 2HKO it with Fire Blast, which is accompanied by a 30% burn chance and a high critical hit rate. All of these threats must be wary of Glare, but Arbok's low damage output gives them the opportunity to KO it if it misses Wrap once or twice.

**Ground-types**: While Nidoqueen, Sandslash, and Graveler are outsped by Arbok, Earthquake 2HKOes it. Arbok is likely to miss Wrap before it can get them into KO range due to their physical bulk and Arbok's poor damage output.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/phoopes.96315/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/

 

[Sabelette]

QC 1/2, not much to say but left a couple comments

Hide

[OVERVIEW]

Access to Glare and Wrap combined with its solid base 80 Speed gives Arbok the smallest of niches in PU. It can outspeed and Wrap some metagame staples like Nidoqueen and Porygon, and when faced with a faster foe like Pinsir, Arbok can use its Glare to paralyze the target and make itself faster. However, this is where Arbok's positive traits end. Its terrible Poison typing gives it no notable resistances, weaknesses to common Ground- and Psychic-type attacks, and no useful STAB. When combined with its mediocre bulk and Attack, Arbok is left as a Pokemon that takes significant damage from most threats while struggling to dish damage out itself. Arbok's Speed isn't that great either, as common foes like Rapidash, Arcanine, and Fearow outpace it, leading to teams typically having no shortage of Pokemon to outspeed Arbok. And if Arbok finds itself on the receiving end of paralysis, it's practically dead weight to it's team. To make matters worse, Arbok is also very unreliable. Wrap only has about as much accuracy as Fire Blast, while Glare is even worse, being about as accurate as Stun Spore. Even if it can get in against a slower threat, Arbok has the tendency to just miss twice and get KOed without accomplishing everything. Thus, despite its combination of useful tools, players should generally avoid using Arbok.

[SET]
name:
move 1: Wrap
move 2: Glare
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Hyper Beam

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
The combination Wrap and Glare is Arbok's primary draw, as the former immobilizes slower foes, letting it pivot around or chip them down, while the latter lets it spread paralysis, increasing the scope of Pokemon that are vulnerable to its Wrap. While spammable, players must be cognizant of these attacks' low accuracy, and Glare's ability to give sleeping targets a huge number of free turns. Earthquake hits Gastly and Rock-types like Omanyte for super effective damage, letting Arbok threaten them despite their Normal-type immunity or resistance. It also serves as coverage against top threats like Nidoqueen and Rapidash. Hyper Beam is Arbok's strongest attack against targets that are not weak to Earthquake, letting it serve as a decently powerful finisher against foes like as Pinsir and Machamp.

While Arbok isn't completely helpless against faster foes, as it can try to tank a hit and then attempt to land paralysis, it still often loses due to Glare's low accuracy, the possibility of critical hits, and the presence of secondary effects like Fire Blast's burn chance. Thus, Arbok's team needs to help it handle these faster threats. The common Fearow, Rapidash, and Arcanine are checked by Omanyte. Abra and Staryu can be countered by Drowzee, who has the added benefit of spreading paralysis for Arbok. (you should mention Abra before this as a big revenge threat; even if Arbok Glares some other fast attacker, one hit and Abra can punish it) Other paralysis spreaders like Dragonair also work well. Fast wallbreakers like Fearow, Rapidash, and Arcanine appreciate Arbok spreading paralysis for them, while they handle Pinsir, who also outspeeds Arbok.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Mega Drain can be used as coverage against Graveler, and though it only has a 40.7% chance to 2HKO. (I think Bslam and Rock Slide are both at least mentionable? Not amazing by any means but Hbeam is very droppable IMO)

Checks and Counters
===================

**Paralysis**: Once paralyzed, Arbok is completely useless as it can no longer outspeed and Wrap unparalyzed foes, while the chance of a full paralysis means it can't reliably Wrap past paralyzed targets. While Arbok outspeeds every viable Thunder Wave user besides Abra and Staryu, it still risks being paralyzed if its Wrap misses, or if it switches into Thunder Wave users.

**Faster Attackers**: Fearow and Pinsir outspeed Arbok, with the former having high odds to KO it with its combination of Double-Edge plus Hyper Beam, which will be guarantee if either crits, while the latter has a 26.3% chance to 2HKO with Slash. Rapidash and Arcanine also outspeed Arbok and have a 32.1% chance to 2HKO it with their Fire Blasts, which is accompanied by a 30% burn chance and a high critical hit rate. All these threats must be wary of being paralyzed by Glare, though Arbok's low damage output means they still have the opportunity to KO it if it misses Wrap one or two times.

**Ground-types**: While Nidoqueen, Sandslash, and Graveler are outsped by Arbok, their STAB Earthquakes let them 2HKO Arbok, while its low damage output and their high physical bulk means it'll likely miss Wrap before they get in KO range.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/

Grammar checked by:

 

[Gangsta Spongebob]

Implemented and ready for Check 2!

 

[phoopes]

Arbok can use its Glare to paralyze the target and make itself faster.

Is "its" necessary?

And if Arbok finds itself on the receiving end of paralysis, it's practically dead weight to it's team.

its team

Arbok has the tendency to just miss twice and get KOed without accomplishing everything.

accomplishing anything

name:
move 1: Wrap
move 2: Glare
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Hyper Beam

Probably name the set something like "Standard" or "Wrap"

and Glare's ability to give sleeping targets a huge number of free turns.

Maybe I'm having a brain fart but what do you mean by this? How does Glare interact with sleep?

I like that you restructured the second paragraph of set comments, looks even better now.

I'm with Sabelette in that Body Slam and Rock Slide are both worth a mention in OOs. Add those for sure.

QC 2/2

 

[Gangsta Spongebob]

Implemented! Tagging GP Team

 

[Sabelette]

Hide

[OVERVIEW]

Access to Glare and Wrap combined with its solid base 80 Speed gives Arbok the smallest of niches in PU. It can outspeed and Wrap some metagame staples like Nidoqueen and Porygon. (period) , and when faced with a faster foe like Pinsir, Against faster foes, Arbok can use Glare to paralyze them and continue using Wrap target and make itself faster. However, this is where Arbok's positive traits end. Its terrible Poison typing gives it no notable resistances, weaknesses to common Ground- and Psychic-type attacks, and no useful STAB moves. When combined Combined with its mediocre bulk and Attack, this leaves Arbok is left as a Pokemon that struggling to dish out damage while taking takes significant damage from most threats in return while struggling to dish damage out itself. Arbok's Speed isn't that great either, as common foes like Rapidash, Arcanine, and Fearow outpace it, leading to —teams typically having have no shortage of Pokemon to that outspeed Arbok. And if If Arbok finds itself on the receiving end of paralysis, it's practically dead weight to it's team. To make matters worse, Arbok is also very unreliable.—Wrap only has about as much accuracy is only as accurate as Fire Blast, while Glare is even worse at 74.6%, being about as accurate as Stun Spore. Even if it can get in against a slower threat, Arbok has the tendency to may just miss twice and get KOed without accomplishing anything. Thus, despite its combination of useful tools, players should generally avoid using Arbok.

[SET]
name: Wrap
move 1: Wrap
move 2: Glare
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Hyper Beam

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
The combination of Wrap and Glare is Arbok's primary draw, as the former immobilizes slower foes, letting it pivot around them or chip them down, while the latter lets it spread paralysis, increasing the scope of Pokemon that are making more foes vulnerable to its Wrap. While spammable, players must be cognizant of these attacks' these moves have low accuracy, and Wrap's ability to give may give sleeping targets a huge number of free turns to wake. Earthquake hits Gastly and Rock-types like Omanyte for super effective damage, letting Arbok threaten them despite their Normal-type immunity or resistance. It also and serves as coverage against top threats like Nidoqueen and Rapidash. Hyper Beam is Arbok's strongest attack against targets that are not weak to Earthquake, letting it serve serving as a decently powerful finisher against foes like as Pinsir and Machamp.

Given that Since Arbok is useless when paralyzed, its worst matchups are against faster Thunder Wave users, namely Abra and Staryu. Abra deserves a notable mention for also being able to also 2HKOes Arbok with its Psychic, while rarely being and is rarely OHKOed by Arbok's Hyper Beam. As a result, Drowzee is an excellent partner for its ability to check these threats, while also having and has the added benefit of spreading paralysis of its own. While Arbok isn't completely helpless against faster threats that can only reliably damage it, (?) as it can try to tank a hit and retaliate with paralysis, but it still often loses due to Glare's low accuracy, (RC) and the possibility of critical hits, and the presence of or secondary effects like Fire Blast's burn chance. It's also easily overwhelmed by multiple faster opponents. Fearow, Rapidash, and Arcanine all give Arbok a good deal of trouble, so Omanyte is an essential partner for its ability to check all of them. These same fast wallbreakers help Arbok against Pinsir, who which also outspeeds and does huge damage to it. Other paralysis spreaders like Dragonair and the aforementioned Drowzee also work well in crippling hamstringing these faster threats for Arbok. Running Using Arbok with multiple Thunder Wave users has the added benefit of making it easier for powerful wallbreakers like Nidoqueen and Fearow to break past their checks.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Mega Drain can be used as coverage against Graveler, and though but it only has a 40.7% chance to 2HKO. Body Slam may seem like a means to attack while inflicting paralysis, but Arbok always prefers Glare's higher paralysis odds or Hyper Beam's damage. Rock Slide may seem like good coverage against Fearow and Pinsir, but Arbok always prefers to use Glare or Wrap against them, and Hyper Beam does similar amounts of damage to them anyways. Thus, Arbok should never use Body Slama and Rock Slide.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Paralysis**: Once paralyzed, Arbok is completely useless, (AC) as it can no longer outspeed and Wrap unparalyzed foes, while and the chance of a full paralysis means it can't reliably use Wrap against past paralyzed targets. While Arbok outspeeds every viable Thunder Wave user besides Abra and Staryu, it still risks being paralyzed if its Wrap misses, (RC) or if it switches into Thunder Wave users.

**Faster Attackers**: Fearow and Pinsir outspeed Arbok; (semicolon), with the former having has high odds to KO it with its combination of Double-Edge plus + Hyper Beam, which will be guarantee if either crits, while the latter has a 26.3% chance to 2HKO with Slash. Rapidash and Arcanine also outspeed Arbok and have a 32.1% chance to 2HKO it with their Fire Blasts, which is accompanied by a 30% burn chance and a high critical hit rate. All of these threats must be wary of being paralyzed by Glare, though but Arbok's low damage output means they still have the gives them the opportunity to KO it if it misses Wrap one or two times once or twice.

**Ground-types**: While Nidoqueen, Sandslash, and Graveler are outsped by Arbok, their STAB Earthquakes let them 2HKOes Arbok it. (period), while its Arbok is likely to miss Wrap before it can low damage output and their high physical bulk means it'll likely miss Wrap before they get in them into KO range due to their physical bulk and Arbok's poor damage output.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/phoopes.96315/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/

 

[Sabelette]

GP 1/1 GP Team done