The Rise of Support Cobblemon

Support Cobblemon play a critical role in competitive battles, enabling their teammates to perform at their best while disrupting opponents. As the Cobblemon meta evolves, the value of support roles—such as hazard setting, status spreading, and pivoting—continues to grow. This guide explores the rise of support Cobblemon, their essential roles, and strategies for maximizing their impact in battles.

What Are Support Cobblemon?

Support Cobblemon are Cobblemon designed to provide utility to the team rather than deal raw damage. Their primary functions include:

1. Setting Hazards: Stealth Rock, Spikes, or Toxic Spikes to chip opponents.
2. Removing Hazards: Defog or Rapid Spin to clear the field for safer switching.
3. Spreading Status: Paralysis, burn, or poison to hinder opponents.
4. Pivoting: Using U-turn, Volt Switch, or Flip Turn to maintain momentum.
5. Healing: Using moves like Wish or Aromatherapy to keep teammates healthy.

Why Are Support Cobblemon Becoming Essential?

1. Increasing Meta Complexity: As the Cobblemon meta diversifies, teams require versatile options to counter threats and maintain stability.
2. Utility Over Power: Many battles are decided by control and disruption, where support Cobblemon excel.
3. Synergy with Offensive Teams: Support Cobblemon create opportunities for offensive Cobblemon to shine by setting hazards or weakening opponents.

Key Roles of Support Cobblemon

1. Hazard Setters

Setting hazards chips away at opponents during switches and pressures them to play defensively.

• Top Hazard Setters:
  • Ferrothorn: Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Leech Seed.
  • Skarmory: Stealth Rock and Spikes with great bulk.
  • Garchomp: Offensive pressure paired with Stealth Rock.

2. Hazard Removers

Hazard removal is crucial for protecting Cobblemon weak to entry hazards like Stealth Rock.

• Top Hazard Removers:
  • Excadrill: Rapid Spin and offensive presence.
  • Mandibuzz: Defog and strong defensive utility.
  • Rotom-Wash: Defog and status spreading.

3. Status Spreaders

Spreading status conditions disrupts offensive threats and aids in breaking down defensive cores.

• Key Status Moves:
  • Thunder Wave: Paralysis slows down fast sweepers.
  • Will-O-Wisp: Burn halves Attack and deals residual damage.
  • Toxic: Poison deals increasing damage, ideal against bulky opponents.
• Top Status Spreaders:
  • Togekiss: Thunder Wave and flinch support with Air Slash.
  • Toxapex: Toxic and Scald for status and burn.
  • Rotom-Wash: Will-O-Wisp for crippling physical attackers.

4. Momentum Maintainers

Pivot moves keep the battle in your favor by allowing safe switches and scouting.

• Best Pivot Users:
  • Scizor: U-turn and strong priority moves.
  • Rotom-Wash: Volt Switch and dual utility.
  • Cinderace: U-turn and offensive pressure.

5. Healers

Healing support keeps teams healthy during prolonged battles.

• Top Healing Support:
  • Blissey: Wish and Aromatherapy for team-wide healing.
  • Umbreon: Wish and Foul Play for stalling threats.
  • Sylveon: Wish and Protect to sustain itself and teammates.

Top Support Cobblemon

1. Ferrothorn

• Roles: Hazard setter, physical wall.
• Moves: Stealth Rock, Spikes, Leech Seed, Gyro Ball.
• Why It’s Great: Ferrothorn combines hazard setting with sustainability through Leech Seed, making it a cornerstone of defensive cores.

2. Mandibuzz

• Roles: Hazard remover, special wall.
• Moves: Defog, Foul Play, Roost, Taunt.
• Why It’s Great: Mandibuzz’s bulk and utility make it an excellent counter to setup sweepers.

3. Rotom-Wash

• Roles: Status spreader, pivot.
• Moves: Volt Switch, Will-O-Wisp, Hydro Pump, Pain Split.
• Why It’s Great: Its ability to spread burns and maintain momentum makes it versatile in both offense and defense.

4. Toxapex

• Roles: Status spreader, stall.
• Moves: Toxic, Scald, Recover, Haze.
• Why It’s Great: Toxapex can neutralize setup sweepers while providing status and recovery support.

5. Togekiss

• Roles: Status spreader, disruption.
• Moves: Thunder Wave, Air Slash, Flamethrower, Roost.
• Why It’s Great: Togekiss combines paralysis with flinch-locking, making it a frustrating opponent to face.

Strategies for Using Support Cobblemon

1. Prioritize Synergy

Support Cobblemon should complement the strengths and weaknesses of your team.

• Example: Pair Ferrothorn with Toxapex to cover both physical and special threats.

2. Time Hazard Placement

Set hazards early to pressure your opponent or mid-game to force predictable plays.

3. Use Status Proactively

Spread status early to weaken offensive threats before they can set up or sweep.

4. Preserve Your Support

Avoid unnecessary risks with support Cobblemon, as they are critical for maintaining your team’s strategy.

Adapting Support Cobblemon to the Meta

1. Adjust to Common Threats:
   • Use Defog more frequently if hazards are prevalent in the meta.
   • Include Toxic to counter defensive cores.
2. Experiment with Niche Picks:
   • Cobblemon like Whimsicott (Prankster support) or Klefki (dual screens) can be excellent surprises.
3. Monitor Opponent Tendencies:
   • If your opponent relies heavily on sweepers, prioritize status moves.
   • Against stall teams, focus on hazard stacking and disruption.

Sample Team Featuring Support Cobblemon

1. Ferrothorn (Hazard Setter)

• Moves: Stealth Rock, Leech Seed, Gyro Ball, Protect
• Role: Sets hazards and stalls opponents with Leech Seed.

2. Rotom-Wash (Pivot)

• Moves: Volt Switch, Will-O-Wisp, Hydro Pump, Pain Split
• Role: Spreads burns and pivots into attackers.

3. Mandibuzz (Hazard Remover)

• Moves: Defog, Foul Play, Roost, Taunt
• Role: Clears hazards and disrupts setup sweepers.

4. Toxapex (Status Spreader)

• Moves: Toxic, Scald, Recover, Haze
• Role: Stops setup sweepers and spreads status.

5. Togekiss (Disruption)

• Moves: Thunder Wave, Air Slash, Roost, Flamethrower
• Role: Paralyzes threats and flinch-locks opponents.

6. Garchomp (Sweeper)

• Moves: Earthquake, Dragon Claw, Fire Fang, Swords Dance
• Role: Takes advantage of the openings created by support Cobblemon.

Conclusion

Support Cobblemon are the backbone of many competitive teams, enabling effective strategies and countering a variety of threats. As the Cobblemon meta evolves, their versatility and importance continue to grow. By understanding their roles and integrating them into your team, you can control the battlefield and set up your Cobblemon for success.