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This is a guide to movesets and best builds for using Mabosstiff in competitive play for the games Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (SV). Read on for tips on the best Nature, EV spreads, Movesets, Tera Type, and Held Items to use with Mabosstiff, as well as its strengths and weakness.
List of Contents
Paldea #197 | Type | |
---|---|---|
Mabosstiff | ||
Abilities | ||
Intimidate Guard Dog Stakeout (Hidden) |
||
Weak to: | ||
(2x) | ||
Damaged Normally By: |
(1x) | |
Resists: | (0.5x) | |
Immune to: | (0x) |
Ability Name | Description | |
---|---|---|
Intimidate | The user lower's the opponent's Attack by one stage whenever it enters the battlefield. | |
Guard Dog | The Pokemon's Attack stat is raised by one stage if it is affected by Intimidate. The Pokemon also ignores the effects of moves or items that force it to be switched out. | |
Stakeout (Hidden) |
Doubles the damage dealt by the user to the opponent switching in to the battlefield. |
Stat | Value | Rank |
---|---|---|
HP | 80 | 247 |
Atk | 120 | 78 |
Def | 90 | 192 |
SpAtk | 60 | 471 |
SpDef | 70 | 376 |
Speed | 85 | 251 |
Total | 505 | 261 |
Stat | Max | 0Nat | 0EV | -Nat | Min |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
HP | 187 | 187 | 155 | 155 | 140 |
Atk | 189 | 172 | 140 | 126 | 112 |
Def | 156 | 142 | 110 | 99 | 85 |
SpAtk | 123 | 112 | 80 | 72 | 58 |
SpDef | 134 | 122 | 90 | 81 | 67 |
Spd | 150 | 137 | 105 | 94 | 81 |
Best Natures | ||
---|---|---|
Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk) |
Jolly (+Spe, -Sp.Atk) |
Impish (+Def, -Sp.Atk) |
Build Name | Recommendation |
---|---|
Hone Claws Attacker | ★★★★★ |
Choice Band + Stakeout | ★★★★★ |
Nature | Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk) |
---|---|
EV Spread | HP 252 / Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4 |
Final Stat Values | HP 187 / Atk 189 / Def 110 / Sp.Def 91 / Spe 105 |
Ability | Guard Dog |
Tera Type | |
Held Item | Lum Berry |
Moveset | ・
Hone Claws
・ Jaw Lock ・ Play Rough ・ Ice Fang |
Mabosstiff's Guard Dog Ability allows it to function as setup sweeper that can check Intimidate users, gaining a +1 Attack boost instead of an Attack drop. Naturally high Attack, great physical coverage, and ability to check Ghost-types makes it a great addition into balanced and offensive-oriented teams.
Guard Dog gives it immunity to Intimidate. Naturally high Attack stat and great physical movepool. Hone Claws patches up the accuracy Play Rough and Ice Fang. |
The Ability chosen for Mabosstiff for this build is Guard Dog. This gives it immunity to Intimidate while also increasing its Attack by one stage. It a;sp prevents it from getting switched out by moves such as Roar and Whirlwind, making it a great check to both Hippowdon and Ting-Lu who rely on these moves to phaze.
The item chosen for Mabosstiff for this build is Lum Berry. This berry instantly cures it from burns inflicted by Will-O-Wisp and prevents it from getting its Attack cut in half.
Hone Claws is Mabosstiff's only boosting move and raises its Attack and Accuracy by one stage. Jaw Lock is its main Dark-type STAB and also prevents the target from switching out.
Play Rough is its main coverage move and allows Mabosstiff to hit Fighting and Dragon-types, as well as opposing Dark-types for super effective damage. Ice Fang rounds off its coverage and allows it to hit Flying, Grass, and Ground-types for super effective damage.
Dark is the best Tera type for this build to further boost the power of Mabosstiff's Jaw Lock and retain its great type matchup against Ghost-types. As a physical attacker, an Adamant Nature is best to maximize its high Attack stat.
Full investment in HP and Attack gives it natural bulk and maximum Attack, with the remaining 4 EVs placed in Special Defense to help patch up its low special bulk. Adamant is the preferred nature to give it an effective 189 Attack stat at Lv. 50.
Thunder Fang | Can replace Play Rough to give Mabosstiff physical "BoltBeam" coverage. |
---|
The following calculations take into account Mabosstiff's Offensive EV spread with an Adamant Nature and the +1 Attack boost from Hone Claws.
Damage Dealt by Mabosstiff |
|
---|---|
Item: Choice Scarf | Jaw Lock 158-188 (81.4 - 96.9%) Guaranteed 2HKO |
Item: Leftovers | Play Rough 132-156 (50.3 - 59.5%) 80.9% Chance to 2HKO |
Item: | Ice Fang 76-90 (35.3 - 41.8%) Guaranteed 3HKO |
Nature | Jolly (+Spe, -Sp.Atk) |
---|---|
EV Spread | Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4 / Spe 252 |
Final Stat Values | HP 155 / Atk 172 / Def 110 / Sp.Def 91 / Spe 150 |
Ability | Stakeout |
Tera Type | |
Held Item | Choice Band |
Moveset | ・
Tera Blast
・ Crunch ・ Psychic Fangs ・ Play Rough |
Stakeout Mabosstiff fills the role of a revenge killer, with the Ability doubling the power of its moves against Pokemon that switch in during the turn.
Its ability to check and pressure Ghost-types such as Gholdengo to switch out means the next Pokemon switching in will get increased damage from its moves.
Stakeout doubles the power of its moves against Pokemon switching in. Choice Band allows it to run more coverage moves. Tera Fire gives it Fire STAB and immunity to burns. |
The Ability chosen for Mabosstiff for this build is Stakeout, which doubles the power of its moves against Pokemon that are switching in during the turn. Choice Band is the preferred item for this build and boosts Mabosstiff's Attack by 50% but restricts it to the first move it selected unless it switches out.
Fire-type Tera Blast gives Mabosstiff an additional STAB move that gives it additional coverage against Steel, Bug, Grass, and Ice-types. Crunch is its main Dark-type and unlike Jaw Lock, doesn't prevent the target from switching out.
Psychic Fangs is a great utility move that removes Reflect, Light Screen, and Aurora Veil from the field. Play Rough rounds off its coverage and allows Mabosstiff to hit Fighting, Dragon, and opposing Dark-types for super effective damage.
Fire is the best Tera Type for this build to prevent it from getting shut down by burns from Will-O-Wisp, while also giving it a Fire-type STAB Tera Blast. As a physical Attacker, a Jolly Nature is best so that it can outpace slower attackers and defensive Pokemon.
Full EV investment in Attack and Speed allows it to hit hard and outspeed slower attackers, with the remaining 4 EVs placed in Special Defense to help patch up its low special bulk. A Jolly Nature ensures that Mabosstiff gets an effective Speed stat of 150 at Lv.50.
Wild Charge | Can replace Play Rough or Psychic Fangs as a coverage move and allows Mabosstiff to hit Water and Flying-types at the cost of some recoil damage. |
---|
The following calculations take into account Mabosstiff's Offensive EV spread with a Jolly Nature, as well as the damage boost from Stakeout.
Damage Dealt by Mabosstiff |
|
---|---|
Item: Heavy-Duty Boots | 248-294 (125.8 - 149.2%) Guaranteed OHKO |
Item: Leftovers | Crunch 135-159 (85.9 - 101.2%) 6.3% Chance to OHKO |
Item: Black Sludge | Psychic Fangs 154-182 (98 - 115.9%) 87.5% Chance to OHKO |
Build Name | Recommendation |
---|---|
Doubles Guard Dog | ★★★★★ |
Bulky Indimidate | ★★★★★ |
Nature | Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk) |
---|---|
EV Spread | HP 252 / Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4 |
Final Stat Values | HP 187 / Atk 189 / Def 110 / Sp.Def 91 / Spe 105 |
Ability | Guard Dog |
Tera Type | |
Held Item | Life Orb |
Moveset | ・
Hone Claws
・ Jaw Lock ・ Play Rough ・ Psychic Fangs |
Mabosstiff has an easier time setting up with Hone Claws in Doubles when it has redirection support from its partner. Since Intimidate is more common in Doubles, it has more chances to get Attack boosts from Guard Dog.
Guard Dog gives it immunity to Intimidate. Great physical movepool with many high base power attacks. Setting up Hone Claws is easier in Doubles. |
The Ability chosen for Mabosstiff for this build is Guard Dog. This gives it immunity to Intimidate while also increasing its Attack by one stage. It a;sp prevents it from getting switched out by moves such as Roar and Whirlwind.
Life Orb is the best held item for this build to further boost the damage of Mabosstiff's moves at the cost of some recoil damage.
Hone Claws boosts Mabosstiff's Attack and Accuracy by one stage, allowing it to hit hard with STAB Jaw Lock with enough boosts. This move also prevents the target from switching out.
It's last two moves provide Mabosstiff with increased coverage and utility. Play Rough hits Dark, Dragon, and Fighting-types for super effective damage, while Psychic Fangs allows it to hit Poison-types and remove Reflect, Light Screen, and Aurora Veil from the field.
Dark is the best Tera type for this build to further boost the power of Mabosstiff's Jaw Lock and retain its great type matchup against Ghost-types. As a physical attacker, an Adamant Nature is best to maximize its high Attack stat.
Full investment in HP and Attack gives it natural bulk and maximum Attack, with the remaining 4 EVs placed in Special Defense to help patch up its low special bulk. Adamant is the preferred Nature to give it an effective 189 Attack stat at Lv. 50.
Ice Fang | An alternative to Psychic Fangs that allows Mabosstiff to hit Ground and Flying-types for super effective damage. |
---|
The following calculations take into account Mabosstiff's Offensive EV spread with an Adamant Nature and +2 Attack boost from Hone Claws and Guard Dog, as well as the boost from Life Orb.
Damage Dealt by Mabosstiff |
|
---|---|
Item: Leftovers | Jaw Lock 130-153 (63.4 - 74.6%) Guaranteed 2HKO |
Item: Heavy-Duty Boots | Play Rough 278-328 (137.6 - 162.3%) Guaranteed OHKO |
Item: Black Sludge | Psychic Fangs 255-302 (115.3 - 136.6%) Guaranteed OHKO |
Nature | Impish (+Def, -Sp.Atk) |
---|---|
EV Spread | HP 252 / Def 252 / Sp.Def 4 |
Final Stat Values | Hp 187 / Atk 140 / Def 156 / Sp.Def 91 / Spe 105 |
Ability | Intimidate |
Tera Type | |
Held Item | Leftovers |
Moveset | ・
Helping Hand
・ Jaw Lock ・ Reversal ・ Snarl |
Mabosstiff can also provide Intimidate support thanks to its respectable Defense stat though it functions more as an offensive support Pokemon rather than a full defensive member of the team. Access to Helping Hand and utility moves makes it a great bulky lead that can surprise its usual checks and counters.
Intimidate lowers the opposing team's Attack by one stage. Helping Hand boosts its ally's moves by 50% Jaw Lock lets it function as a bulky trapper. |
The Ability chosen for Mabosstiff for this build is Intimidate, which lowers both opposing Pokemon's Attack by one stage in Doubles. This buffs Mabosstiff's physical bulk while also dissuading physical attackers from staying on the field.
The item chosen for this build is Leftovers, which gives Mabosstiff passive healing at the end of every turn.
Helping Hand is its main support move that allows Mabosstiff to boost its ally's next move by 50%. Jaw Lock is a strong STAB move that hits hard even without Attack investment and also prevents the target from switching out.
Reversal rounds off its coverage and gets stronger the lower Mabosstiff's HP is, while Snarl lowers both target's Sp.Atk by one stage.
Water is the best Tera type for this build though it's only used defensively when Mabosstiff is faced against a Fighting or Fairy-type that can easily knock it out.
Impish is the preferred Nature for this build to boost its Defense stat which, coupled with the Attack drop from Intimidate, lets its shrug off unboosted neutral moves.
Full EV investment in HP and Defense gives it maximum physical bulk, with the remaining 4 EVs placed in Special Defense to help patch up its low special bulk. Impish is the preferred Nature to give it an effective 156 Defense stat at Lv. 50.
Protect | Can replace Snarl and allows Mabosstiff to scout moves and get more healing from Leftovers. |
---|
The following calculations take into account Mabosstiff's Defensive EV spread with an Impish Nature and Intimidate, as well as Leftovers' residual healing.
Damage Received by Mabosstiff |
|
---|---|
Item:
Choice Band
|
Earthquake 67-79 (35.8 - 42.2%) 93.2% Chance to 3HKO |
Item:
Choice Band
|
Close Combat Mabosstiff Tera Type: 79-94 (42.2 - 50.2%) Guaranteed 3HKO |
Item:
Choice Band
|
Outrage 93-109 (49.7 - 58.2%) 67.2% Chance to 2HKO |
All three of Mabosstiff's have a niche in the current metagame and this makes it very unpredictable as even if your opponent sees it on team preview, they don't know what build it's running until the match actually starts.
This means Mabosstiff is good at forcing switches, with its Stakeout build taking full advantage of these scenarios and giving all of its attacks a boost in damage.
Mabosstiff's Guard Dog Ability shines in Doubles where Intimidate is very common. It's even possible to get +2 Attack with the Ability since double lead Intimidate is a common defensive tactic in the battle format.
Mabosstiff's Stakeout build allows it to function as an offensive pivot in Singles and is at home in both offensive and balanced team compositions.
In Doubles, its Guard Dog set allows it to fill the role of an offensive lead. Keep in mind that its best used in more balanced teams in Doubles, specifically with teammates that can provide redirection support or healing.
Offensive Lead | Special Attacker | Physical Attacker |
---|---|---|
Mabosstiff | Espathra | Slither Wing |
Leading with Mabosstiff keeps up the surprise factor since most players will immediately switch in a check once they realize that it doesn't have Intimidate. This means that the opposing player's next switch in will always receive boosted damage from Mabosstiff's Stakeout.
Espathra is this team's special attacker and has great synergy with Mabosstiff, checking Fighting-types that threaten it and can force switches against defensive Pokemon with Lumina Crash.
Slither Wing is this team's main physical attacker, with its main role providing strong Bug and Fighting STAB with First Impression and Close Combat.
Offensive Lead | Rediirection Support |
---|---|
Mabosstiff | Toedscruel |
Special Attacker | Defensive Pivot |
Flutter Mane | Garganacl |
Leading with Mabosstiff increases its chance to get a +1 from the opposing team's Intimidate, with Toedscruel providing redirection support with Rage Powder so it can safely setup with Hone Claws. With enough boosts, it can deal heavy damage with its STAB moves and even trap a defensive Pokemon with Jaw Lock.
Flutter Mane is this team's main special attacker and has great offensive synergy with Mabosstiff, switching into Fighting-types that Mabosstiff has trouble with and retaliating with STAB Dazzling Gleam or Moonblast.
Garganacl provides additional utility with Salt Cure to dissuade defensive Pokemon from staying on the field. It can also setup on its own with Iron Defense and can hit surprisingly hard with Body Press with enough boosts.
Mabosstiff's lower Special Defense means its forced to switch out against powerful Special Attackers that can shrug off its moves.
It also lacks any recovery apart from Leftovers, which means even the defensive variants are easy to wear down by repeated attacks.
Pokemon | Description |
---|---|
Flutter Mane | Ranking: ★★★★★
・Takes neutral damage to Mabosstiff's Dark-type moves. ・Easily KOs defensive Mabosstiff with STAB Moonblast. ・Easily KOs defensive Tera Water Mabosstiff with Thunderbolt. ▶️Flutter Mane Best Movesets |
Chi-Yu | Ranking: ★★★★★
・Resists Mabosstiff's Dark-type moves and Fire-type coverage. ・Beads of Ruin lowers Mabosstiff's Special Defense. ・Easily KOs defensive Mabosstiff with STAB Overheat or Dark Pulse once it terastallizes into a Water-type. ▶️Chi-Yu Best Movesets |
Hydreigon | Ranking: ★★★★
・Resists Mabosstiff's Dark-type moves. ・Naturally outspeeds Mabosstiff and easily KOs with Life Orb-boosted Draco Meteor. ▶️Hydreigon Best Movesets |
Movesets & Best Builds for Ranked Battle
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All Gen 1~8 Meta Pokemon Builds |
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Mabosstiff Movesets and Best Builds
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