Building a successful Cobblemon team requires more than just strong attackers and versatile movesets. Type resistances are a critical element of team design, allowing your Cobblemon to endure hits, counter common threats, and maintain control in battles. By strategically incorporating Cobblemon with key resistances and immunities, you can create a well-rounded team that is resilient against a variety of opponents. Here’s a guide on how to use type resistances effectively to strengthen your Cobblemon team.
Why Type Resistances Matter
- Survivability: Cobblemon with type resistances take reduced damage from certain moves, allowing them to stay on the battlefield longer.
- Counterplay: Properly utilizing resistances helps you counter specific threats, making it easier to neutralize opposing strategies.
- Switching Advantage: Cobblemon with key resistances can safely switch into attacks and provide momentum for your team.
Building a Team Around Type Resistances
1. Covering Common Offensive Types
Some types are more common in Cobblemon battles due to their powerful offensive moves. These include:
- Fire
- Dragon
- Fighting
- Ground
Include Cobblemon that resist these types to minimize damage from commonly used moves like Flamethrower, Earthquake, or Close Combat.
2. Balancing Weaknesses
Each Cobblemon brings its own strengths and vulnerabilities. Balance your team by ensuring that one Cobblemon’s weakness is covered by another’s resistance.
For example:
- A Dragonite (weak to Ice) pairs well with Ferrothorn (resists Ice).
- A Tyranitar (weak to Fighting) pairs well with Togekiss (resists Fighting).
Key Cobblemon with Strong Type Resistances
1. Ferrothorn (Grass/Steel)
- Resistances: Rock, Water, Electric, Psychic, Grass, Normal, Flying, Dragon, Steel, Fairy.
- Weaknesses: Fire, Fighting.
- Best Use: Ferrothorn is a fantastic wall, using its numerous resistances to tank hits and set up entry hazards like Stealth Rock or Spikes.
2. Tyranitar (Rock/Dark)
- Resistances: Normal, Flying, Poison, Ghost, Fire, Dark.
- Weaknesses: Fighting, Ground, Bug, Steel, Water, Fairy.
- Best Use: Tyranitar’s resistances make it a solid switch-in for Fire and Ghost moves, while its Sand Stream ability boosts its Special Defense in sandstorm conditions.
3. Rotom-Wash (Electric/Water)
- Resistances: Water, Fire, Flying, Steel.
- Weaknesses: Grass.
- Best Use: Rotom-Wash resists many common types and can serve as a pivot with Volt Switch. Its Electric typing helps counter Flying and Water threats.
4. Garchomp (Dragon/Ground)
- Resistances: Rock, Poison, Fire, Electric.
- Weaknesses: Ice, Dragon, Fairy.
- Best Use: Garchomp’s resistances let it switch into Electric and Fire moves safely, and its offensive power keeps opponents on the defensive.
5. Togekiss (Fairy/Flying)
- Resistances: Fighting, Bug, Dark, Dragon, Grass, Ground (immunity).
- Weaknesses: Electric, Ice, Rock, Poison, Steel.
- Best Use: Togekiss is a great answer to Dragon and Fighting types, using its resistances to shut down sweepers while spreading status or setting up with Nasty Plot.
6. Heatran (Fire/Steel)
- Resistances: Normal, Bug, Dragon, Fairy, Flying, Grass, Ice, Psychic, Steel.
- Immunity: Fire (via Flash Fire ability).
- Weaknesses: Fighting, Ground, Water.
- Best Use: Heatran is an excellent switch-in for Fairy and Grass moves, leveraging its Flash Fire ability to absorb Fire attacks and turn them into a power boost.
Strategies to Maximize Type Resistances
1. Create a Defensive Core
A defensive core is a group of Cobblemon that complement each other’s resistances and weaknesses, forming a resilient backbone for your team.
Example Core:
- Ferrothorn: Handles Rock, Water, and Electric types.
- Togekiss: Covers Fighting and Dragon weaknesses.
- Heatran: Absorbs Fairy, Grass, and Bug moves.
2. Utilize Immunities
Immunities provide complete protection against certain types, allowing for safe switches and tactical advantages.
Key Immunities:
- Ground Immunity: Flying types like Corviknight or Gyarados.
- Electric Immunity: Ground types like Excadrill or Garchomp.
- Fire Immunity: Heatran with Flash Fire.
3. Predict and Switch
Use type resistances strategically by predicting your opponent’s moves. Switch to Cobblemon that resist the expected move, minimizing damage and maintaining control.
Example:
- Predict an opponent’s Flamethrower and switch to Heatran to absorb the hit.
- Expect a Thunderbolt and bring in Garchomp for immunity.
Common Offensive Pairings and Defensive Counters
Fire/Dragon Offense
- Common Moves: Flamethrower, Dragon Claw
- Best Counters: Heatran, Togekiss
Fighting/Ground Offense
- Common Moves: Close Combat, Earthquake
- Best Counters: Togekiss, Rotom-Wash
Water/Ice Offense
- Common Moves: Hydro Pump, Ice Beam
- Best Counters: Rotom-Wash, Ferrothorn
Sample Team Composition with Type Resistances
- Lead: Excadrill – Immune to Electric, resists Rock and Steel. Provides hazard control with Rapid Spin.
- Physical Wall: Ferrothorn – Resists Water, Electric, and Rock.
- Special Wall: Togekiss – Immune to Dragon and Ground, resists Fighting and Grass.
- Offensive Pivot: Rotom-Wash – Resists Fire and Flying, counters Water-types.
- Sweeper: Garchomp – Resists Electric and Fire, applies offensive pressure.
- Support: Heatran – Immune to Fire, resists Fairy and Bug.
This team balances type resistances across its members, covering common threats while maintaining offensive and defensive capabilities.
Conclusion
Using type resistances effectively in Cobblemon battles can give you a significant strategic advantage. By building a team with Cobblemon that complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses, you can create a resilient lineup capable of handling a variety of opponents. Experiment with different combinations to find the perfect synergy for your playstyle, and you’ll be well on your way to mastering type resistances in Cobblemon!