Analysis
Sharpedo serves as an effective revenge killer because of Speed Boost, as well as its coverage moves and decent offensive stat. Focus Sash allows Sharpedo to make up for it’s poor bulk while also acting as insurance against sweepers. Life Orb is another great option, allowing for Sharpedo to 2 hit Bold Hatterene with Poison Jab, and 2 hit Bold Celebi with Crunch. Life Orb is also just good in general when paired with Stealth Rocks and makes it much easier to pick Pokemon off, however keep in mind you are trading that insurance that sash grants for damage which also makes it much easier for your opponent to predict your protects knowing you will almost always have to with no Focus Sash.
Moves
Protect is mandatory to stall Speed Boost turns, Substitute is a solid alternative to punish incoming switches. Close Combat is near mandatory to hit incoming Cobalions, though you still must be careful of Chopple Berry & Iron Defense. As we have discussed, Poison Jab is another option to hit Whimscott, Hatterene, Offensive Celebi, and the uncommon Granbull. Psychic Fangs can be an ok option for hitting Fezandipiti and disrupting Screens. Lastly for STAB, Crunch is great for Celebi, Orbeetle, Typhlosion-Hisui, None Colbur Berry Houndstone, and Shedinja. Waterfall or Liquidation hit Tyrantrum, Typhlosion-Hisui again, Heatmor, and the rare Steelix. A lot of Tyrantrum like to run Chopple Berry, so Waterfall is a nice way to get around that.
Partners
Sharpedo thrives on Offensive teams trying to overload checks, partially as a wallbreaker but also as a mon to prevent Anti-Cheese. Because of this, teammates that can keep putting out Offensive Pressure love Sharpedo. Typhlosion with Specs or Scarf works really well as a partner who can fire off stupid strong Eruptions or on Sticky Web teams CM also works, Life Orb Attacker Cobalion is another great pairing because of how demanding it’s switch ins are, particularly Rotom-Wash who loves to switch into Sharpedo. Trailblaze Medicham is a good pairing for much of the same reason, Tyrantrum is a Dragon Dance bot which fires off nuclear Head Smashes and quickly runs out of control with Loaded Dice Scale Shot sets.
Checks & Counters
Chopple berry is a very common item on Cobalion, letting it eat Close Combat from Sharpedo very comfortably. Rotom-Wash takes all of Sharpedo’s moves comfortably, and can shrug off damage with Pain Split and regain momentum with Volt Switch. Celebi & Hatterene check non Life Orb Crunch and Poison Jab sets respectively, full health Type: Null threatens U-turn, Chopple Berry Tyrantrum turns Crunch Sharpedo into set up fodder, Fezindipiti walls non Psychic Fangs Sharpedo, Houndstone with a Colbur Berry gives Sharpedo trouble, Overqwil can almost always switch into Sharpedo because of Intimidate, and any set up mon can take advantage of protect.
Written by Essence
QC by Gravity Monkey & Peum