Berk Karagul
In Cobblemon battles, the element of surprise can be your greatest asset. Hidden moves, or moves that are not commonly seen on certain Cobblemon, can catch opponents off guard, disrupt their strategies, and turn the tide of a battle in your favor. By incorporating unexpected moves into your team’s arsenal, you can create openings for game-changing plays. Here’s a guide to the top hidden moves that can give you a strategic edge and surprise your opponents.
Why Use Hidden Moves?
Hidden moves are powerful tools for:
- Breaking through common counters: Catching opponents off guard with moves they don’t expect.
- Gaining coverage: Allowing your Cobblemon to handle threats that it would otherwise struggle against.
- Maintaining unpredictability: Making it difficult for opponents to plan effective strategies.
Top Hidden Moves and Their Uses
1. Counter (Fighting-Type Move)
Effective On: Cobblemon with high HP or sturdy defenses like Snorlax or Wobbuffet.
Why It Works: Counter reflects double the damage taken from a physical attack back to the opponent. When used on Cobblemon that are expected to tank hits, this move can KO unsuspecting attackers.
Strategy: Use Counter when predicting a strong physical move from your opponent, especially if your Cobblemon has the bulk to survive the hit.
2. Thunder Wave (Electric-Type Status Move)
Effective On: Unexpected users like Garchomp or Jirachi.
Why It Works: Thunder Wave paralyzes the opponent, halving their Speed and potentially causing them to lose turns. This move on non-Electric types can catch opponents who don’t expect status-inflicting moves from them.
Strategy: Use Thunder Wave to slow down faster Cobblemon, enabling your team’s slower but more powerful members to outspeed and strike first.
3. Fire Punch / Ice Punch / Thunder Punch (Physical Coverage Moves)
Effective On: Cobblemon not usually associated with elemental punches, like Tyranitar or Clefable.
Why It Works: These moves provide unexpected coverage, allowing your Cobblemon to counter specific threats such as Grass, Flying, or Dragon-types.
Strategy: Teach Ice Punch to a Rock-type like Tyranitar to surprise opponents who rely on Ground or Dragon-type Cobblemon. Fire Punch on a defensive Clefable can deal with Steel-types that would otherwise wall it.
4. Hidden Power (Variable-Type Special Move)
Effective On: Special attackers like Alakazam or Raichu.
Why It Works: Hidden Power can be customized to any type, allowing you to tailor your Cobblemon’s coverage based on team needs. This move is great for surprising opponents with a type they don’t expect.
Strategy: Give Alakazam Hidden Power Ice to take down Dragon and Ground-type Cobblemon that might switch in, expecting Psychic-type moves.
5. Toxic Spikes (Poison-Type Entry Hazard)
Effective On: Offensive Cobblemon like Roserade or defensive ones like Toxapex.
Why It Works: While Toxic Spikes is commonly associated with defensive Cobblemon, using it on an offensive or mixed-attacker can surprise opponents and force them to bring in non-Ground Poison-types to clear the hazards.
Strategy: Set up Toxic Spikes early to apply pressure and chip away at opponents’ health as they switch Cobblemon in and out. This strategy pairs well with a team focused on stalling or gradual damage.
Unexpected Techs to Consider
6. Knock Off (Dark-Type Utility Move)
Effective On: Cobblemon like Tangrowth or Excadrill.
Why It Works: Knock Off removes the opponent’s held item, significantly disrupting their strategy. While common on Dark-types, it’s unexpected on Cobblemon not typically associated with offensive support.
Strategy: Use Knock Off early in battles to weaken defensive walls that rely on items like Leftovers or offensive sweepers with Choice items.
7. Destiny Bond (Ghost-Type Move)
Effective On: Cobblemon like Gengar or Mimikyu.
Why It Works: Destiny Bond causes an opponent’s Cobblemon to faint if it knocks out the user on the same turn. This move can turn a losing battle into a trade, especially useful against set-up sweepers.
Strategy: Use Destiny Bond when your Cobblemon is low on HP and you predict a powerful attack. This can force your opponent to reconsider their offensive push or result in a favorable trade.
8. Encore (Normal-Type Status Move)
Effective On: Cobblemon like Whimsicott or Politoed.
Why It Works: Encore forces the target to repeat its last move for several turns, allowing you to lock them into ineffective or non-damaging moves.
Strategy: Use Encore to lock an opponent into set-up moves like Swords Dance or status moves, giving you a turn to switch to a counter or set up your own strategy.
Combining Hidden Moves for Maximum Surprise
A well-crafted Cobblemon team doesn’t rely on one trick but combines multiple hidden moves for varied coverage and control. Here are some powerful combos:
- Toxapex with Scald and Toxic Spikes can set up hazards while inflicting burns, weakening physical attackers and stalling with Recover.
- Mimikyu can use Swords Dance to boost its Attack and follow up with Destiny Bond to ensure a trade if things turn south.
- Clefable with Fire Punch and Thunder Wave adds offensive surprise and status infliction for team support.
Conclusion
Mastering hidden moves in Cobblemon battles can elevate your gameplay and give you an edge over opponents who rely on predictable strategies. By incorporating moves like Counter, Knock Off, and Encore into your team, you can create unexpected challenges for your adversaries and maintain control throughout the match. Experiment with different combinations and tailor your move sets to suit your playstyle and team composition for maximum effectiveness.
