Mabosstiff Movesets and Best Builds

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.

Mabosstiff Base Stats, Type, Ability and Weakness

Paldea #197		Type
Mabosstiff
		Abilities
		Intimidate Guard Dog Stakeout (Hidden)
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)
Immune to:	(0x)

What is Type Effectiveness?

Base Stats

Best Nature for Mabosstiff

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Mabosstiff

Hone Claws Attacker Moveset & Best Build

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

Summary

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.

Ability and Held Item

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.

Moves Breakdown

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.

Best Tera Type

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.

EV Spread and Nature

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.

Other Viable Moves

Key Damage Calculations

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
194 HP｜161 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 252 (Bold) Item: Choice Scarf	Jaw Lock 158-188 (81.4 - 96.9%) Guaranteed 2HKO
262 HP｜146 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 0 (Careful) Item: Leftovers	Play Rough 132-156 (50.3 - 59.5%) 80.9% Chance to 2HKO
215 HP｜187 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 252 (Impish) Item:	Ice Fang 76-90 (35.3 - 41.8%) Guaranteed 3HKO

Choice Band + Stakeout Moveset & Best Build

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

Summary

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.

Ability and Held Item

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.

Moves Breakdown

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.

Best Tera Type

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.

EV Spread and Nature

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.

Other Viable Moves

Key Damage Calculations

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
197 HP｜189 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 252 (Impish) Item: Heavy-Duty Boots	Tera Blast 248-294 (125.8 - 149.2%) Guaranteed OHKO
157 HP｜174 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 252 (Bold) Item: Leftovers	Crunch 135-159 (85.9 - 101.2%) 6.3% Chance to OHKO
157 HP｜215 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 192 (Bold) Item: Black Sludge	Psychic Fangs 154-182 (98 - 115.9%) 87.5% Chance to OHKO

Doubles Movesets for Mabosstiff

Doubles Guard Dog Moveset & Best Build

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

Summary

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.

Ability and Held Item

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.

Moves Breakdown

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.

Best Tera Type

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.

EV Spread and Nature

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.

Other Viable Moves

Key Damage Calculations

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
205 HP｜172 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 252 (Impish) Item: Leftovers	Jaw Lock 130-153 (63.4 - 74.6%) Guaranteed 2HKO
202 HP｜120 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 160 (Bold) Item: Heavy-Duty Boots	Play Rough 278-328 (137.6 - 162.3%) Guaranteed OHKO
221 HP｜123 Def Defensive EV Investment: HP 252 | Def 172 (Bold) Item: Black Sludge	Psychic Fangs 255-302 (115.3 - 136.6%) Guaranteed OHKO

Bulky Intimidate Moveset & Best Build

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

Summary

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.

Ability and Held Item

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.

Moves Breakdown

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.

Best Tera Type

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.

EV Spread and Nature

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.

Other Viable Moves

Key Damage Calculations

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
182 Atk -1 Offensive EV Investment: Atk 252 (Jolly) Item: Choice Band	Earthquake 67-79 (35.8 - 42.2%) 93.2% Chance to 3HKO
182 Atk -1 Offensive EV Investment: Atk 252 (Jolly) Item: Choice Band	Close Combat Mabosstiff Tera Type: 79-94 (42.2 - 50.2%) Guaranteed 3HKO
210 Atk -1 Offensive EV Investment: Atk 252 (Adamant) Item: Choice Band	Outrage 93-109 (49.7 - 58.2%) 67.2% Chance to 2HKO

How to Use Mabosstiff Effectively

Take Advantage of its Unpredictability

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.

Guard Dog is Useful in Doubles

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.

How to Build a Team with Mabosstiff

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.

Sample Singles Team

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.

Sample Doubles Team

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.

Counters for Mabosstiff

Take Advantage of its Low Special Defense

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.

Best Pokemon to Use

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

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