Underrated Status Moves That Can Change the Game

In the heat of a competitive Cobblemon battle, flashy offensive moves often steal the spotlight. However, status moves—those that don’t deal direct damage—can be game-changing when used effectively. While well-known moves like Toxic and Will-O-Wisp are staples in many strategies, there are several underrated status moves that deserve attention for their ability to disrupt opponents and turn the tide of battle. This guide explores these hidden gems and how to incorporate them into your strategy.

What Makes a Status Move Underrated?

1. Niche Applications: These moves excel in specific scenarios or against certain opponents.
2. Low Usage: They’re often overlooked in favor of more popular alternatives.
3. High Impact: When used correctly, they can single-handedly shift momentum in your favor.

Top Underrated Status Moves

1. Encore

• What It Does: Forces the opponent to repeat their last move for 3 turns.
• Why It’s Underrated: Encore can completely disrupt setup sweepers, stall tactics, or poorly chosen moves.
• Best Users:
  • Whimsicott: Priority Encore with Prankster shuts down opponents.
  • Clefable: Bulky enough to lock opponents into non-damaging moves.
• How to Use:
  • Time Encore after an opponent uses a boosting move like Swords Dance or Protect to trap them in an ineffective loop.

2. Haze

• What It Does: Resets all stat changes for both sides of the field.
• Why It’s Underrated: It counters setup-heavy strategies without needing to force a switch.
• Best Users:
  • Toxapex: Can tank hits while resetting opponents’ boosts.
  • Crobat: Combines Speed and Haze to quickly neutralize threats.
• How to Use:
  • Use Haze against Cobblemon like Dragonite or Garchomp after they’ve boosted stats with Dragon Dance or Swords Dance.

3. Yawn

• What It Does: Forces the target to fall asleep on the next turn unless they switch out.
• Why It’s Underrated: Yawn applies pressure by either forcing a switch or putting a key opponent out of commission.
• Best Users:
  • Sylveon: Uses Yawn to create opportunities for setup or switches.
  • Hippowdon: Combines Yawn with bulk to disrupt opponents.
• How to Use:
  • Use Yawn to create momentum by predicting switches or disabling sweepers.

4. Taunt

• What It Does: Prevents the target from using non-damaging moves for 3 turns.
• Why It’s Underrated: Although common in higher tiers, it’s often overlooked in mid-level play despite its versatility.
• Best Users:
  • Grimmsnarl: Priority Taunt with Prankster cripples setup sweepers.
  • Crobat: Fast enough to outspeed and shut down slower Cobblemon.
• How to Use:
  • Use Taunt to stop opponents from setting up hazards, healing, or spreading status conditions.

5. Parting Shot

• What It Does: Lowers the target’s Attack and Special Attack before switching out.
• Why It’s Underrated: It combines utility and momentum, weakening threats while bringing in a counter.
• Best Users:
  • Incineroar: Combines Parting Shot with Intimidate to cripple physical attackers.
  • Silvally: Offers versatility with different typings.
• How to Use:
  • Use Parting Shot to pivot into a bulky teammate or setup sweeper after lowering the opponent’s stats.

Honorable Mentions

Healing Wish

• What It Does: Faints the user to fully heal a teammate when they switch in.
• Best Users: Latias, Gardevoir
• Why It’s Useful: Provides a second life for key Cobblemon.

Reflect Type

• What It Does: Copies the opponent’s type.
• Best Users: Starmie, Latias
• Why It’s Useful: Negates type disadvantages and opens up unique strategies.

Leech Seed

• What It Does: Drains HP from the opponent every turn.
• Best Users: Ferrothorn, Whimsicott
• Why It’s Useful: Excellent for chip damage and recovery.

When to Use Underrated Status Moves

1. Against Predictable Opponents: Use moves like Taunt or Encore to punish setup-heavy Cobblemon.
2. To Create Momentum: Moves like Yawn or Parting Shot force opponents to switch or take a disadvantage.
3. To Counter Specific Strategies: Haze and Reflect Type are excellent for dealing with hyper-offensive threats or type matchups.

Building a Team with Underrated Status Moves

To maximize the effectiveness of these moves, incorporate them into a team with clear roles and synergy:

• Core Example:
  • Toxapex: Haze for stat resets.
  • Whimsicott: Encore for disruption.
  • Incineroar: Parting Shot for pivoting and weakening threats.
  • Sylveon: Yawn to force switches or disable sweepers.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Overloading on Status Moves:
   • Ensure your team has a balance of offensive and defensive options.
2. Poor Timing:
   • Moves like Encore and Yawn require good prediction to be effective.
3. Lack of Support:
   • Combine status moves with hazards or strong teammates to capitalize on the disruption.

Conclusion

Underrated status moves are powerful tools that can turn the tide of battle when used strategically. By incorporating these moves into your team, you can disrupt opponents, create opportunities, and outplay even the toughest foes. Experiment with these options and discover how they can elevate your competitive Cobblemon game.