What move for Absol?

Feb. 19, 2017

I’m playing Emerald, and I have an absol with strength, bite, aerial ace, and swords dance. So I just got the TM for Shadow Ball, and since it’s phys in this game, while dark is spec, I am wondering which to use: Bite, with STAB, but lower special stat, or Shadow ball with no STAB but higher power, and higher attack stat. I’m leaning toward shadow ball, but I want confirmation. (It has quiet nature) +spa. tk -speed

Pleaselog inorregisterto add a comment.

I usedthisDamage Calculator to figure this out. I calced the damage against a Vaporeon because that was the first Pokemon that came to mind that was neutral to both Ghost and Dark. I made sure to make Vaporeon’s Special Defense and Defense equal so that would not influence the damage.

0 Atk Absol Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Vaporeon: 109-129 (27.1 - 32.1%) – guaranteed 4HKO0+ SpA Absol Bite vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Vaporeon: 84-100 (20.9 - 24.9%) – guaranteed 5HKO

As you can see, even with a Quiet Nature Shadow Ball does way more damage. Use it over Bite.