Hey there, fellow Sabeye fan! I'm your personal instructor on how to use Sableye in VGC!
I see you're going with support Sableye (is there any other kind?). Well, I'm going to show you the best moves to use on Sableye in VGC and why, then make a support set out of them.
Will-o-Wisp
Nothing hurts more than priority burns. WoW gives you the jump on Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Metagross, Landorus-T, Azumarill, Mega Mawile, and just about any physical attacker you come across.
Taunt
Stop Belly Drum and Dragon Dance sweepers, Trick Room, Perish Trap, and a plethora of other nasty things with priority Taunt (watch out for Thundurus, who will mostl likely Taunt you first).
Fake Out
Few things benefit from the good ol' fashioned flinch. Losing momentum? Flinch the opposing Pokémon so that a partner can gain the upper hand!
Swagger
1 – Swagger can be a huge problem for most Pokémon, especially strong physical attackers who can inflict massive damage on themselves at +2. Be warned, however, that using Swagger on the opponent is a double-edged sword, as they could very well hit you.
2 – Swagger + Lum Berry shenanigans. Do you have Lum Berry Terrakion on your team? Swagger him. The Lum Berry will cure confusion and he's suddenly at +2 Attack, ready to break things with Rock Slide and Close Combat. Works even better with Safeguard support.
Snarl/Foul Play
Sablaeye's only real means of attacking. Snarl is uesful spread move that lowers the opposing side's Sp. Attack, while Foul Play allows Sableye to deal massive damage to Mega Metagross.
These are the best options for VGC Sableye. Quash is kind of situational (it does have potential), and Recover isn't good on an only moderately bulky Pokémon. Here is my suggested set for Sableye.
Gremlin (Sableye)@ Mental Herb/Sitrus Berry
Sassy | Prankster
252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Def
- Taunt
- Will-o-Wisp
- Protect / Fake Out
- Foul Play / Snarl
