[OVERVIEW]
Kadabra is an excellent revenge killer in the PU tier. In contrast to other Psychic-types such as Mespirit and Musharna that offer good defensive utility, Kadabra's main niche comes with its unique ability to check many offensive threats with Magic Guard and Counter. Kadabra's Focus Sash cannot be broken by residual damage due to its ability, which makes it very reliable at revenge killing. Its base 105 Speed tier is decent in PU, as it lets Kadabra outspeed Pokemon like Jynx, Swanna, and the Silvally formes, but it isn't amazing either, as Kadabra can also be outsped by important threats such as Liepard and Pyroar. Kadabra's main drawback comes from its terrible defensive stats, meaning it cannot switch into any type of attack; this makes Kadabra hard to fit on any archetype other than hyper offense.
[SET]
name: Focus Sash Revenge Killer
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Counter
move 3: Taunt / Shadow Ball / Thunder Wave
move 4: Dazzling Gleam / Hidden Power Fighting
item: Focus Sash
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Psychic is Kadabra's main STAB move, which can hit pretty hard coming from its high base Special Attack even when unboosted. Counter with Magic Guard allows Kadabra to check physical attackers that try to take advantage of its pitiful Defense a lot more easily, including Pursuit trappers such as Skuntank and Liepard. Taunt is good in conjunction with Counter, as it forces the foe to attack. It is also good for preventing bulky walls from healing and stopping the use of entry hazards or Defog. Shadow Ball can be used as coverage against other Psychic-types such as Mesprit and Musharna. Thunder Wave cripples Pokemon and slows them down, which is good against opposing sweepers that aren't knocked out by Kadabra's other moves. Dazzling Gleam is used in the last slot, as it is good coverage against Dark-types such as Alolan Persian, Absol, and Shiftry. Hidden Power Fighting can be used to hit Steel-types like Probopass super effectively too.
Set Details
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252 Special Attack and 252 Speed EVs with a Timid nature allow Kadabra to hit as hard and as fast as possible. Focus Sash is used so that Kadabra can always take at least one hit before it goes down, which is good for revenge killing. Magic Guard prevents Kadabra's Focus Sash from being broken by entry hazards or other residual damage sources like sandstorm and hail.
Usage Tips
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Kadabra should be used as a means to stop the opposing Pokemon from sweeping, so keeping its Focus Sash intact is vital. Kadabra's terrible defensive stats mean you do not want it to take any kind of hit if the Focus Sash is broken. Be careful in choosing which Pokemon you want to save Kadabra's Focus Sash for, as using it up on the wrong Pokemon can mean your opponent is able to sweep with something else. Counter is a great move to use if you think the foe is going to use a physical attack, as it basically guarantees the OHKO back due to Kadabra's terrible Defense. Kadabra can also use Counter against Pursuit trappers such as Skuntank, which is great for teammates to capitalize on with Toxic Spikes and other entry hazards. While Kadabra should be reserved for revenge killing boosted threats in match-ups against offensive teams, it can sometimes find opportunities to come onto the field by switching into more passive Pokemon like Weezing when they are predicted to use status moves such as Leech Seed and Will-O-Wisp that will not harm Kadabra.
Team Options
========
Hyper offense teams in general appreciate Kadabra's ability to check setup sweepers, as they often don't use any sturdy counters to threats. Pokemon like Haunter, Qwilfish, and Shiftry can take advantage of Kadabra's ability to lure in Pursuit Skuntank and KO it with Counter. Kadabra generally can't really touch Steel-types with its coverage, so pairing it with Fighting-types like Primeape and Passimian can often work well. Additionally, Fighting-type checks such as Weezing and Qwilfish are threatened by Kadabra. Pivots such as Eelektross, Komala, and Lanturn all excel in providing Kadabra opportunities to come onto the field without being hit first, which is ideal for preserving Kadabra's Focus Sash while simultaneously allowing Kadabra enough breathing room to place offensive pressure on the opposing team. The residual damage that Stealth Rock provides increases the likelihood that Kadabra will successfully score a revenge kill; therefore, offensive Stealth Rock users like Piloswine and Golurk are useful partners. Additionally, a healthy Golurk with a Colbur Berry can check Steel-types as well as Skuntank for Kadabra, while Piloswine can be used to check weakened sweepers like Lilligant and Victreebel with Ice Shard so that Kadabra doesn't have to use up its Focus Sash. In return, Kadabra is able to remove troublesome defensive threats like Weezing for Golurk and Piloswine while also being able to switch into a predicted Will-O-Wisp on their behalves.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Encore can be used on Kadabra's revenge killer set, allowing it to lock offensive Pokemon into setup moves or lock more defensive Pokemon into status moves, but Encore and Counter form an illegal move combination together. Using Encore can also be disadvantageous if your opponent switches, as it gives them free momentum. Signal Beam grants Kadabra coverage against opposing both Psychic-types like Musharna and Mesprit as well as Dark-types like Shiftry and Absol in one moveslot, but this comes at the cost of power and is more situational in general. Calm Mind boosts the power of Kadabra's special attacks and turns it into more of a breaker. This is generally used in conjunction with Encore, as Kadabra's terrible bulk doesn't allow the foe to set up well without it being locked into a non-damaging move. A Life Orb set with three attacks and Taunt changes Kadabra's role into that of a wallbreaker. This can be used to break down defensive cores more easily. Counter should not be used with this set, as without a Focus Sash Kadabra won't be able to take any type of physical attack. Other Psychic-type wallbreakers such as Alolan Raichu and Nasty Plot Mr. Mime are generally better at accomplishing this role. Psyshock lets Kadabra strike specially defensive walls such as Komala and Audino harder than Psychic can and is especially effective when used in tandem with Life Orb. Although there a few targets that Psyshock actually hits, it can also be detrimental for hitting some more physical defensively inclined foes like Carracosta and Miltank. Hidden Power Fire can be used to inflict more damage to Ferroseed specifically. Knock Off can cripple Pokemon that may attempt to switch into Kadabra, like Ferroseed and Clefairy, by removing their Eviolite. Additionally, Knock Off can let Kadabra scout for Z-Crystals. However, Knock Off should only be used on the switch, especially if Kadabra's Focus Sash needs to be preserved, as using it can be disadvantageous when foes like Absol, which can capitalize on it thanks to Justified, are visible at Team Preview. Hidden Power Ground can be used against Skuntank that may attempt to switch into Kadabra in order to trap it with Pursuit, as well as other Steel-types switching into a predicted Psychic, but it can be difficult to fit on Kadabra's moveset. Kadabra can instead just use Counter for variants trying to Pursuit trap it. Substitute can be used on Life Orb sets to avoid Thunder Wave from defensively oriented Pokemon such as Clefairy and Ferroseed while also letting Kadabra avoid being revenge killed by Sucker Punch, although Kadabra struggles to fit this onto its limited moveslots and it reveals to the opponent that Kadabra doesn't hold a Focus Sash. Energy Ball can be used to revenge kill Water-types more effectively, especially Shell Smash Carracosta and Swift Swim Kabutops. However, the coverage that it offers is generally inferior to Dazzling Gleam.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Steel-types**: Kadabra lacking Hidden Power Fighting struggles to break past Pokemon such as Probopass, which resists both of Kadabra's other moves and uses special attacks to avoid Counter.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types like Skuntank and Absol are immune to Kadabra's Psychic and can either Pursuit trap and break its Focus Sash or threaten to break it with Sucker Punch. However, as previously mentioned, physical Dark-types are threatened by Kadabra's Counter, but specially attacking Dark-types like Alolan Persian and Shiftry can beat Kadabra that lack Dazzling Gleam one-on-one.
**Faster Pokemon**: Naturally faster Pokemon like Liepard, Archeops, and Lycanroc or Pokemon with a Choice Scarf like Oricorio-G and Primeape are able to outspeed Kadabra and break its Focus Sash as well as check it after its Focus Sash has been used up. However, faster physical attackers have to be wary of getting hit by Counter.
**Priority Users**: Pokemon such as Kangaskhan and Togedemaru can run Fake Out, which breaks Kadabra's Focus Sash and doesn't allow Kadabra to attack. In turn, they avoid Counter and knock out Kadabra with their next attack. Other priority users are able to pick off Kadabra if the Focus Sash is broken.
**Multi-hit moves**: Piloswine and Golem are good examples of multi-hit move users, as Piloswine can use Icicle Spear and Golem can use Rock Blast, both of which can knock out Kadabra, avoiding Counter.
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