In the world of Pokémon, Absol has been a fan-favorite for its sleek design and mysterious backstory. Known as the Disaster Pokémon, Absol often shows up before natural disasters, and its role in battle can be just as powerful. With the introduction of new moves and mechanics in each generation of Pokémon games, many trainers wonder about Absol’s potential, particularly its ability to learn certain moves. One common question is, can Absol learn Kotow Cleave?
In this article, we’ll dive into Absol’s moveset in Pokémon Sword & Shield, explore its capabilities, and provide insights on whether it can learn Kotow Cleave. We’ll also examine Absol’s role in battle, breeding options, and how it fits into the competitive scene.
The Unique Power of Absol in Pokémon
Absol first appeared in the third generation of Pokémon games, and its role as a Dark-type made it an immediate choice for many trainers. Its high Attack stat and unique abilities make it a force to be reckoned with, especially in battles where strategy and type matchups are essential.
In Pokémon Sword & Shield, Absol’s movepool remains expansive, with a variety of physical and special attacks that cater to its offensive nature. Its Dark-type classification makes it an excellent choice against Psychic and Ghost-type Pokémon, while its access to moves like Sucker Punch and Night Slash allows it to capitalize on its physical prowess.
Can Absol Learn Kotow Cleave?
Before diving into whether can Absol learn Kotow Cleave, it’s important to understand what Kotow Cleave is. Kotow Cleave is a powerful physical move known for its high damage output and reliability in battle. Often used by Dark-type Pokémon, Kotow Cleave can be a game-changer in competitive play due to its ability to deal massive damage while being unaffected by accuracy modifiers.
However, after analyzing Absol’s learnset in Pokémon Sword & Shield, it becomes clear that Absol cannot learn Kotow Cleave. The move is not listed among its breedable moves or level-up learnset. While Kotow Cleave is a move that might seem fitting for Absol’s Dark-type nature, it is not available in its move pool in Generation 8.
This can be a disappointment for some players who were hoping to add Kotow Cleave to their Absol’s arsenal, but Absol has plenty of other powerful moves that make up for this limitation.
Absol’s Learnset in Pokémon Sword & Shield
Even though Absol cannot learn Kotow Cleave, it still boasts an impressive array of moves in Pokémon Sword & Shield. Here’s a breakdown of Absol’s key moves:
- Sucker Punch: A priority move that fits perfectly with Absol’s high Attack stat. Sucker Punch allows Absol to strike first as long as the opponent is using an attacking move, making it a great choice for competitive battles.
- Night Slash: One of Absol’s signature moves, Night Slash deals reliable Dark-type damage and has a higher chance of landing critical hits. With Absol’s already impressive Attack, this move can often turn the tide of a battle.
- Play Rough: As a Fairy-type move, Play Rough provides coverage against Fighting and Dragon-types. It’s a great addition to Absol’s movepool, giving it more versatility in battle.
- Swords Dance: For trainers who want to maximize Absol’s damage output, Swords Dance is an essential move. It sharply boosts Absol’s Attack stat, allowing it to deal devastating blows with moves like Night Slash and Sucker Punch.
- Fire Blast: While typically a special move, Fire Blast provides Absol with an unexpected form of coverage. It’s useful against Steel-types, which would otherwise resist Absol’s Dark-type moves.
Breeding Moves and Absol’s Potential
Although Kotow Cleave isn’t an option for Absol, breeding in Pokémon Sword & Shield allows trainers to give their Absol access to other strong moves. By breeding Absol with compatible parents, players can pass down certain egg moves, expanding its movepool beyond what is available through leveling up or TMs.
Some notable egg moves for Absol include:
- Megahorn: This Bug-type move is incredibly powerful and gives Absol coverage against Psychic, Dark, and Grass-type Pokémon. While not commonly seen in Absol’s standard moveset, Megahorn can be bred onto Absol for additional offensive options.
- Perish Song: While not an offensive move, Perish Song is a strategic move that forces both the user and the opponent to faint after three turns unless they switch out. It’s a risky but rewarding move for those who like to play the long game in battles.
- Hex: A Ghost-type move, Hex is especially useful if you have a status-inflicting strategy in place. It deals double damage to any opponent that’s suffering from a status condition like burn, paralysis, or poison.
Competitive Play: How Absol Fits In
Absol may not have access to Kotow Cleave, but it remains a solid choice in competitive play due to its offensive potential. Its ability Super Luck increases the critical hit ratio of its moves, making moves like Night Slash and Sucker Punch even more deadly. Additionally, Absol’s high Attack stat allows it to deal significant damage with physical moves, making it a common choice for players who want to dish out hard-hitting attacks.
However, Absol’s relative frailty means that it needs to be used strategically. It excels when played as a glass cannon, dealing high damage while being careful not to take too many hits. For this reason, priority moves like Sucker Punch and status-inducing moves like Thunder Wave are essential to keeping Absol alive in longer battles.
Absol’s role in double battles can also be significant, especially when paired with Pokémon that can support it through moves like Tailwind (to boost speed) or Intimidate (to reduce opponent’s attack power). Its high offensive power makes it a threat that can quickly turn the tide of a match.
Alternatives for Absol Kotow Cleave
Although Absol cannot learn Kotow Cleave, there are several alternatives that trainers can consider to build a powerful moveset. Some moves that work well with Absol’s stats and abilities include:
- Knock Off: This Dark-type move is a staple in competitive play because it deals damage and removes the opponent’s held item. It’s incredibly useful against foes that rely on items like Leftovers or Choice items.
- Stone Edge: A Rock-type move, Stone Edge deals heavy damage and has a high critical hit ratio. It works well with Absol’s Super Luck ability, increasing the chances of landing critical hits.
- Ice Beam: While Ice Beam is a special move, it provides great coverage against Dragon and Flying-type Pokémon, giving Absol the ability to handle threats like Salamence or Garchomp.
Absol Strengths Without Kotow Cleave
While the answer to can Absol learn Kotow Cleave is a clear no, this does not detract from Absol’s usefulness in Pokémon Sword & Shield. Its impressive movepool, high Attack stat, and Super Luck ability make it a formidable force in battle. Even without Kotow Cleave, Absol has enough versatility to handle a variety of opponents, whether you’re playing casually or competitively.
For trainers who are looking to maximize Absol’s potential, focusing on moves like Sucker Punch, Night Slash, and Knock Off can make Absol a powerhouse on any team. Its access to egg moves also provides options for players who want to give their Absol a more diverse range of attacks.
In conclusion, while Kotow Cleave might be a missed opportunity for Absol, this Pokémon still shines brightly in Pokémon Sword & Shield with the right strategy and moveset.
