When it comes to Cobblemon battles, most trainers focus on high-powered moves like Earthquake or Flamethrower. But sometimes, it’s the less flashy, underrated moves that can completely change the outcome of a fight. These hidden gems can disrupt opponents, set up sweeping strategies, or provide crucial utility that is often overlooked. In this article, we’ll cover five underrated Cobblemon moves that can turn the tide in battle, giving you the upper hand when it matters most.
1. Encore
- Type: Normal
- Effect: Forces the target to repeat its last move for the next three turns.
- Why It’s Underrated: Encore can lock opponents into using less-than-ideal moves, giving you an opportunity to switch in a counter or set up your own strategy. This move is especially useful against Cobblemon that rely on setup moves like Swords Dance or Calm Mind. By forcing them to keep using those moves, you can shut down their offensive momentum.
Best Uses:
- Lock an opponent into a non-damaging move like Stealth Rock or Substitute.
- Force an opponent to repeat a status move, then switch to a Cobblemon that can safely set up or sweep.
Cobblemon that Learn Encore:
- Togekiss, Wigglytuff, Mr. Mime, and Whimsicott.
2. Haze
- Type: Ice
- Effect: Eliminates all stat changes in battle.
- Why It’s Underrated: Many players focus on boosting their Cobblemon's stats with moves like Dragon Dance, Calm Mind, or Swords Dance. Haze is the perfect counter, as it removes all stat boosts and debuffs instantly, resetting the playing field. This can completely ruin an opponent’s setup strategy and force them to rethink their approach.
Best Uses:
- Shut down opponents who rely on boosting their stats to sweep.
- Prevent Cobblemon from overwhelming you with buffs or stat-lowering moves like Intimidate.
Cobblemon that Learn Haze:
- Toxapex, Weezing, Cloyster, and Vaporeon.
3. Parting Shot
- Type: Dark
- Effect: Lowers the target's Attack and Special Attack before the user switches out.
- Why It’s Underrated: Parting Shot serves as both a pivoting move and a way to weaken the opponent’s offensive pressure. After lowering the opponent's offensive stats, you can switch to a Cobblemon that can either set up or wall the weakened opponent. It’s a great way to maintain momentum while giving your Cobblemon an advantage.
Best Uses:
- Use to pivot into a bulky Cobblemon that can tank hits after reducing the opponent’s attack power.
- Set up a sweeper by switching into a defensive Cobblemon after the opponent’s offensive stats are lowered.
Cobblemon that Learn Parting Shot:
- Pangoro, Incineroar, Silvally, and Thievul.
4. Aromatherapy
- Type: Grass
- Effect: Heals all status conditions of the user’s team.
- Why It’s Underrated: Status conditions like Paralysis, Burn, and Toxic can devastate your team, especially in long battles. Aromatherapy allows you to heal your entire team of these debilitating effects in one go, making it an invaluable support move. In drawn-out battles or competitive environments where status effects are common, Aromatherapy can turn the tide by keeping your team healthy.
Best Uses:
- Heal your entire team of status conditions during long battles.
- Use with a bulky support Cobblemon to ensure your sweepers and tanks stay in top shape.
Cobblemon that Learn Aromatherapy:
- Clefable, Roserade, Vileplume, and Lilligant.
5. Knock Off
- Type: Dark
- Effect: Removes the opponent’s held item and deals extra damage if an item is knocked off.
- Why It’s Underrated: Knock Off is one of the most disruptive moves in the game. Many Cobblemon rely heavily on their held items, such as Leftovers, Choice Scarf, or Life Orb, to enhance their strategies. By knocking off these items, you can cripple their game plan and gain an upper hand. Knock Off is particularly useful in competitive play, where items play a crucial role in maximizing a Cobblemon’s performance.
Best Uses:
- Remove key items like Focus Sash, Eviolite, or Assault Vest from tanky or setup Cobblemon.
- Disrupt an opponent's strategy by removing healing items like Leftovers or Black Sludge.
Cobblemon that Learn Knock Off:
- Weavile, Scrafty, Gliscor, and Mandibuzz.
Bonus Move: Taunt
- Type: Dark
- Effect: Prevents the target from using non-damaging moves for three turns.
- Why It’s Underrated: Taunt is a fantastic way to shut down Cobblemon that rely on status moves, setup moves like Stealth Rock, or healing. By using Taunt, you can force the opponent to only use damaging moves, which can be incredibly disruptive if their Cobblemon relies on healing, boosting, or status-inflicting strategies.
Best Uses:
- Use to stop setup strategies like Calm Mind, Swords Dance, or Baton Pass.
- Shut down defensive Cobblemon that rely on healing or status moves like Toxic.
Cobblemon that Learn Taunt:
- Gengar, Sableye, Mimikyu, and Crobat.
Conclusion
While powerful offensive moves often steal the spotlight, these underrated moves can turn the tide of battle and give you a tactical advantage over your opponents. Whether you're preventing your enemy from setting up, shutting down their strategy, or healing your team from crippling status effects, these moves offer strategic depth that can help you outplay even the toughest opponents.
Do you have a favorite underrated move that you use in battle? Let us know in our Discord!