What is a good moveset for Absol?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Absol, post an answer below and upvote the best ones. Movesets for any of its pre-evolutions can also be shared on this thread.

Be sure to include full set details in your post, e.g. items, abilities, natures and EVs. Some detail, including the intended game mode for your set, is also appreciated. Access the full list of guidelines here.

Absol Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Answer 1

Absol @ Absolite
Ability: Justified
EVs: 236 Atk / 20 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Play Rough
- Knock Off
- Fire Blast

Alright lemme explain. This set has Absol's needs and gets Ferro at the same time which might pose as a potential threat to your team, so Absol takes care of that. Absol also kills Mega Alakazam with Sucker Punch as long as the opponent can't use status and might not have no safe switch-ins. Absol is also quite powerful but it comes with a price. It's bloody frail, so you need to counter/check most of its threats, major ones being priority fighting types and anything faster than it resisting Sucker Punch. Justified also works with good predicts but Swords Dance can be used over Fire Blast for immense power but it would miss out on Ferro kills. Mega Absol's Magic Bounce also bounces back all status so good prediction means free hazards, but use a spinner regardless just to be safe.

Hope this set brings victory to many! :D

Answer 2

Format: Gen 7 OU / Gen 6 OU
Possible Role: Wallbreaking & Late-Game sweeping

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Absol-Mega @ Absolite
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Fire Blast
- Ice Beam

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Moves:

• Knock Off: Knock Off is a mandatory STAB on Absol, which, along with it's fearsome base 150 Attack, can rip apart unprepared teams. It also has the side effect of removing the item from the opposing Pokémon (when applicable) and even foes that resist Dark, like Clefable and Greninja-Ash can't come on a Knock Off, as they fear having their item removed. It also cleans up quite well late-game with Sucker Punch.

• Sucker Punch Sucker Punch functions as a useful priority move to revenge kill Choice Scarf this and that, as well as weakened foes that are faster than the Absol. This also does not let things like Mega Metagross (Gen 6) come in on a free switch and try for the KO, as weakened ones are KO'd in return. Sucker Punch also helps in revenge killing boosted foes that may potentially sweep your whole team.

• Fire Blast: Fire Blast is notable in hitting the likes of Ferrothorn, Tangrowth, Serperior, Kartana, and a lot more, and the former two of which could tank Knock Off and procede to cripple the Absol in return. This also helps in taking out would-be checks for your teammates, like Mega Scizor, etc.

• Ice Beam: Ice Beam is another option that let's the Absol hit foes such as Landorus-T and Gliscor, which otherwise check it. It also hits things like Zapdos and Tornadus-T, whcih then succumb to a Sucker Punch. Things like Hydreigon also fall prey to it.

Others:

• Iron Tail: Iron Tail has the nice factor of hitting Clefable super effectively. Outside that, it won't really do much good, and so swapping this with some other move is only advised when you are having tight problems with Clef.

• Pursuit: If Lati@s threaten you, you can run this, but me, well, I preffer some other coverage move than Pursuit on this set. Still, Pursuit is a move that maybe useful for you, just make sure to check it according to your team and it's needs.

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Defensive Calcs:

4 SpA Absol-Mega Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 352-416 (92.1 - 108.9%) -- 50% chance to OHKO

Grr.. stupid Lando-T there in the opposing team that won't let your Lucha sweep? Well, worry not, 'coz you have the great Absol!
With only 4 SpA investment, Absol has a very high chance to OHKO defensive versions of Landorus-T. After Rocks chip damage, it can OHKO it. Other stupid things, like Zapdos, Gliscor, etc also fall prey to it.

4 SpA Absol-Mega Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 232+ SpD Ferrothorn: 236-280 (67 - 79.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Ahh ye. Ferro succumbs to a Fire Blast! Really, to me, this would be a nice load of the head, as I find these so irritating...

252 Atk Absol-Mega Iron Tail vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable: 214-252 (54.3 - 63.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Clef also gone, another load off the peaceful mind of a young trainer like me!

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Offensive Calcs:

4 SpA Absol-Mega Fire Blast vs. 56 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 188-222 (61.6 - 72.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Leaves you free to KO next turn with Sucker Punch.

252 Atk Absol-Mega Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Alakazam-Mega: 360-426 (143.4 - 169.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Kazam bai cya later. Still, be aware of the mind games, as the opponent could Substitute and then OHKO you with Focus Blast, if you've revealed Sucker Punch.

4 SpA Absol-Mega Fire Blast vs. 92 HP / 0 SpD Mawile-Mega: 188-222 (71.2 - 84%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

OHKO's a weakened Mawile, ez sweep.

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Teammates:

Because of Absol's pitiful bulk, it appreciates teammates that can bring it through a slow VoltTurn. Therefore, Rotom-Wash and Zapdos become great teammates for Absol, both of which can also provide Defog support, as hazards can wear down an Absol slowly.
Because of Absol not being able to take on things like Lopunny-Mega, Clefable makes for a great partner. It can also set up Stealth Rock, which would help the Absol in wallbreaking.
Heatran also makes for a very great partner, as it can stop Clefable right on their tracks, and a Taunt + Magma Storm set also stops Toxapex's.

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Ok so, that's all, hope it helped, and have fun using this set!
Feedback is thoroughly appriciated!

Comments

Also, forgot to mention, try removing idiots like Clef, Pex etc before going for a sweep or something, as it can’t break past these bulky walls.

Answer 3

I've been using this set in Gen 5 NU and loving it.

Absol (M) @ Fighting Gem
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Substitute
- Swords Dance
- Superpower

Set up a Substitute. Now you have protection if the foe switch to something else or if you're being assaulted by status. While you are behind a Sub, you can set up Swords Dance fairly safely. A Sub also means your opponent is forced to go on the offensive against you, meaning a Sucker Punch is going to end up being assured. They can try stalling out their status moves, but the high PP of Swords Dance combined with Pressure means that is unlikely to last long enough. Superpower provides almost perfect neutral coverage along with Sucker Punch. In fact, only the never seen Croagunk resists it in NU. The item is the point I took a long time in deciding upon. I first used Life Orb but found the recoil to end up KOing it too soon combined with Substitute. And Expert Belt, the usual replacement for Life Orb, just didn't feel right with only two types. So I went with Fight Gem for Superpower, for a hit against Fighting types stronger than a Psycho Cut.

Comments

I like it!

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How do you get superpower in pokemon x? Seriously I CANNOT FIND IT BEEN SEARCHING FOR 3 WEEKS!!!! Youtube doesnt have any answers for me. However I do like this moveset! :D

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Why pressure ability? Both of his others are better

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That’s a lot of alliteration. Why don’t you name it Sabsol?

Answer 4

Absol @ Absolite
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly / Naive Nature
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Superpower
- Pursuit / Fire Blast / Thunderbolt

If you want Pursuit, choose Jolly. If you want Fire Blast or Thunderbolt, choose Naive. The occasional Thunderbolt really surprises opponents so I really suggest trying it out!

Answer 5

A set I found:

Absol (M) @ Scope Lens / Life Orb
Ability: Super Luck
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Night Slash
- Psycho Cut
- Hone Claws

Life Orb makes this doggie hit even harder. Super Luck is great with the Scope Lens and this set. EVs and nature give this guy some speed. Stone Edge is coverage against Bugs. Night Slash is STAB. Psycho Cut is coverage against Fighting types. The aforementioned moves also have high crit rates, making this guy get a crit about every 2/3 turns. Hone Claws is to increase Attack even more, and raise the accuracy of Stone Edge. Life Orb is for competitive, because, sadly, Scope Lens is banned :(

Answer 6

Gen V

Absol (F) @ Scope lens
Ability: Super Luck
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Night Slash
- Aerial Ace
- Megahorn
- Swords Dance

This build handles Absol's strengths and weaknesses.

Comments

Why give Absol Night Slash, when he can get Sucker Punch? It's a better move with priority, and more power

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Sucker Punch does nothing when the opponent doesn't attack, or if you get hit with a faster priority attack, which is a pretty big downside.

Answer 7

Absol @ Absolite
Ability: Super Luck
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Fire Blast
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Dark Pulse

Catches people off guard when they send in their physical wall against you.

Comments

These are all Special moves, and Absol has really bad Special attack. But it gets around that with its 130 Physical Attack stat which is awesome.

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Actually, this may act as an effective lure, but I'll still opt for a mixed set with Ice Beam and Fire Blast for Lando-T's and Ferro's, and the rest two some nice STAB's like Knock and Sucker.

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Belathepoketuber that's the point, to catch the opponent off guard, this user is aware that this isn't normal

Answer 8

Gen 8 National Dex

Absol @ Focus Sash
Ability: Super Luck
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Sucker Punch
- Psycho Cut
- Stone Edge

Explanation: With Super Luck, Psycho Cut and Stone Edge are not only coverage for Fighting and Bug types, they have higher Critical hit rates. Absol isn't the best Pokemon defensively, so the Focus Sash can let you set up at least one Swords Dance, then you can use a STAB boosted Sucker Punch. If your opponent doesn't OHKO you, set up Swords Dance and attack.

Answer 9

Absol @ Life Orb
Ability: Super Luck
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Sucker Punch
- Superpower
- Night Slash / Substitute / Psycho Cut / Zen Headbutt

Okay, you know the drill with Swords Dance, it boosts Absol's already great Attack.
Sucker Punch lets Absol outspeed faster threats, and is STAB.
Superpower compliments Sucker Punch nicely by hitting Steel types and a cup of other types super effectively.
Night Slash allows Absol to get through opponents who try to stall out its Sucker Punches, and such cases can actually be pretty off-pissing so it's an option worth considering.
Substitute lets Absol block status and it's an excellent protection for attacks.
Psycho Cut can be used to give coverage for Poison types who roam in the tier, and coverage on Fighting types as well.
Zen Headbutt can be used if a specific KO is important, or if it is just preferred because of the extra power and flinching chance.

Answer 10

So this is a gen 6 non-mega set...

Emo (Absol) (M) @ Razor Claw
Ability: Super Luck
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Night Slash
- Stone Edge
- Psycho Cut
- Superpower / Swords Dance / Sucker Punch

With the new gen 6 mechanics, Absol's Night Slash, Stone Edge and Psycho Cut will always score a critical hit (Visit Serebii if you don't believe me). In the last slot you can run Sucker Punch, but I like to use it more as a wallbreaker. (Mostly for negating the Def boosts on Sigilyph and striking it with SE Night Slash or Stone Edge) You can also run Swords Dance, but Absol is generally too frail to use it IMO, so Superpower is my preferred move, blessing Absol with perfect coverage. (Most notably hitting MMawile for neutral damage, you don't wanna give that beast a free Swords Dance)

Alternatively, you could run this:

Emo (Absol) (M) @ Razor Claw / Life Orb
Ability: Super Luck
EVs: 252 Spe / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Jolly Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Shadow Claw
- Superpower
- Swords Dance

Sucker Punch overcomes Absol's speed. Shadow Claw f***s with stat boosters, and provides perfect coverage alongside Superpower. Swords Dance to make him even deadlier.

Comments

Whoa...I guess Mega Absol IS the worst mega evolution.

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he def'ny aint, magic bounce+sucker punch wrecks shop, along with good speed and attack, AND his swords dances can't be phazed. i've used him myself a lot. abomasnow, houndoom and bannette are all a lot worse i think. I just wanted to post this set.

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Houndoom is OK and Bannette is OP cause' priority Destiny Bond. Mega Absol is just... boring. It's an all-out sweeper but not as good as Garchomp. Absol's 100% crit chance is much more appealing and interseting. Maybe Absol doesn't do it as good as Kingdra but the 100% crits are still good. I know now none of the Megas are bad(except maybe Ampharos and Abomasnow.). People call Mega Scizor bad because Life Orb Scizor outdamages it, but Mega Scizor is a bulky Scizor. It has a better chance of getting a Sword's Dance off than regular Scizor. Mega Houndoom is just better than regular Houndoom because of its better stats. To see what I mean by "boring", check out my movesets. Mainly Camerupt, Delibird, Probopass, and Accelgor(which I just posted.).

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ChewyDonuts The worst mega is Garchomp's
Actually Absol can be really OP it's just Hard to build up.
But you have some options like Critical hit Absol  (is really OP) or mega Absol with the awesome magic Bounce and Good Speed boost
Also it's base attack in mega is enormous so it's not that bad

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I think having a STAB night slash would be better than shadow claw. That's just my experience though.

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Abomasnow has had decent usage in VGC...

Answer 11

Gen VI

Role: Fast Physical Sweeper

Absol-Mega @ Absolite
Ability: Super Luck / Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Swords Dance
- Night Slash
- Superpower

Set up SD for more damage. Sucker Punch for Priority. Night Slash for STAB, Superpower for priority.

Comments

Superpower doesn't have priority, although it does add good coverage.

Answer 12

Looks like no one's done one for gen VI yet so here it is, Mega Absol!

Absol @ Absolite
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
- Play Rough
- Sucker Punch

So this is the Swords Dance set for Mega Absol...yeah. Justified is the best Ability because you can get an Attack boost by taking a resisted Dark attack before Mega Evolving. Max Attack and Speed to hit hard and fast after Swords Dance, Jolly Nature to outspeed things that would one-hit you otherwise. Swords dance is to set up (obviously), but since Mega Absol is really frail with 65/60/60 defenses, you probably need to take advantage of Magic Bounce to set up on a support mon like Whimsicott. Knock Off is Absol's most damaging move, but something like Night Slash can be used if Megas are an issue. Play Rough gives great coverage, and Sucker Punch is for things that outspeed it.

Answer 13

Absol-Mega @ Absolite
Ability: Super Luck
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Hasty / Jolly Nature
- Psycho Cut
- Night Slash
- Play Rough / Substitute / Aerial Ace / Stone Edge
- Megahorn / Superpower / Swords Dance

Okay. I added the Hasty nature on here because Mega Absol is already unbearably fragile. Psycho Cut allows Absol to counter one of it's weaknesses, fighting. Night Slash gives STAB, plus an additional critical hit ratio like Psycho Cut provides. For the third slot, I'm providing a variety of moves. Play Rough has a good base power and a decent coverage, with a chance to lower attack alongside it. Substitute works well if you decide to put in sword's dance as it's last move. Aerial Ace provides coverage and it deals with bug types as well. Stone Edge also deals with bugs, and it has a high critical hit chance and a base power of 100. Sadly, it has a lower accuracy, with a chance to miss, which could end up fatally for Absol.

For the last slot, I'm providing Megahorn, Superpower, and Swords Dance. Megahorn gives an amazing 120 base power, providing an okay coverage. The downside to this is it's low accuracy, with 85, the same as Stone Edge. Superpower deals with psychic types, but really isn't needed as much because, for one, Absol's weaknesses don't have Fighting as theirs, and two, it lowers attack and defense stats, which could turn out as a huge problem for Absol. Swords Dance works great with Absol, raising it's already amazing attack and working well with substitute.

Answer 14

I love this set, it crits all the time.

Absol @ Scope Lens
Ability: Super Luck
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Night Slash
- Psycho Cut
- Stone Edge
- Sucker Punch

I'm fashionably late but this is such a fun set and crits like SoFlo plagiarised

Answer 15

Many sets here have Super Luck and Scope Lens sets, but Absol has another gimmick: Perish Song and STAB Pursuit.

Absol @ Focus Sash
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Perish Song
- Pursuit
- Taunt / coverage move
- Sucker Punch / coverage move

Answer 16

Absol @ Scope Lens
Ability: Super Luck
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Psycho Cut
- Night Slash
- Swords Dance / Hone Claws
- Perish Song / Sucker Punch

Psycho Cut: Powerful move that has a high chance of a critical hit. It also covers Fighting and Bug weakness.
Night Slash: STAB. Also has a high chance of critical hit.
Swords Dance or Hone Claws: Swords Dance increases the Attack stat and is learned at a low level. Hone Claws can be taught by TM, and it increases both the Attack and Accuracy stats.
Perish Song or Sucker Punch: Perish Song is really good in a double or triple battle, but not very good in a single battle. Sucker Punch gets STAB, and is a powerful move in the first place. It only works if the opponent is preparing an attack though...

Answer 17

Absol @ Absolite
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Play Rough
- Stone Edge
- Iron Tail
- Night Slash

Explanation: This set has Mega Absol have coverage for its 3 weaknesses. Play Rough is to check Fighting-types. Stone Edge is for Bug-type coverage. Iron Tail is to throw Fairy-types off gaurd. Night Slash is STAB.

Comments

Stone edge isn't better then fire blast, which covers various steels and bug types.

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Yes, but Absol's Special Attack is low, so Stone Edge is better on Absol.

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That's correct. Keep in mind that this Absol's nature is Jolly, which boosts the Speed stat while lowering the Special Attack stat.

Answer 18

I like using this set:

Absol @ Absolite
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Play Rough
- Sucker Punch
- Knock Off
- Fire Blast

You could also use Swords dance instead of Knock off but you can get a boost from Justified already plus you have really high attack as it is so I rather use Knock off.

Comments

Knock Off is illegal with Play Rough.

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yeah i checked /learn, they are illegal.

Answer 19

Absol @ Scope Lens
Ability: Super Luck
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Shadow Claw
- Psycho Cut
- Night Slash
- Slash

Shadow Claw- High crit. ratio plus super luck and scope lens
Psycho Cut- High crit. ratio plus super luck and scope lens
Night Slash- High crit. ratio plus super luck and scope lens + STAB
Slash- High crit. ratio plus super luck and scope lens

Answer 20

Absol @ Life Orb / Absolite
Ability Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Rock Slide
- Psycho Cut
- Night Slash
- Swords Dance

• Rock Slide (Type Coverage)
• Psycho Cut (Covers Fighting weakness)
• Night Slash (STAB)
• Swords Dance (Damage Boost)

Okay...
What you want to do in this build is pair absol up with someone that knows the move Beat up and make that Pokemon use Beat up on Absol for a great damage boost.