Moves
Fake Out is Ambipom's only priority move, scoring free damage and a flinch on the foe. It also is relatively strong thanks to STAB and a Technician boost, making it an effective tool to check weakened threats. Fake Out forces a lot of switches, so it pairs well with Pursuit. Return is the second STAB option for high and consistent damage output. Low Kick inflicts important chip damage on Pokemon like Steelix, Rhydon, and Klinklang. Pursuit punishes the opposing Pokemon should they switch out on Ambipom and also gets a Technician boost should they stay in. U-turn allows Ambipom to switch out of situations it can't handle, allowing a teammate to come in and deal with it in its place.
Set Details
Maximum Speed and Attack EVs with a Jolly Nature and Life Orb ensure that Ambipom will be hitting as hard and as fast as possible. Technician is the best ability for this set because it boosts the power of Ambipom's Fake Out, turning it into an effective tool for revenge killing weakened foes.
Usage Tips
Ambipom is a full-on offensive Pokemon that checks frail threats with Fake Out. Fake Out is generally a safe play to make on the first turn and can be used mid- or late-game to check and revenge kill weakened threats. Keep in mind that a predicted Fake Out can lead to a switch to a Pokemon that can resist the move such as Steelix, Rhydon, or Rotom. Return should be used to get good, consistent damage on the opponent's team once Ambipom's normal checks and counters are gone. Low Kick should be used to get sizable damage on Pokemon like Steelix, Silvally-Steel, and Rhydon, which Ambipom can outspeed and has a chance to revenge kill with entry hazards up. Since Ambipom forces so many switches because of Fake Out, you could also take advantage of Pursuit to pressure the opponent even more. This is especially effective on Dark-weak Pokemon like Slowking and Delphox, and frail Pokemon like Heliolisk. Do not switch in Ambipom on any attack because it needs to be as healthy as possible to revenge kill weakened foes, and do not let it take any status condition. Burn halves its Attack, paralysis cripples its speed, sleep makes it a sitting duck, and Toxic depletes its HP, putting Ambipom on a timer. If you must switch in Ambipom, then a partner with a slow U-turn or Volt Switch is highly recommended. Ambipom can also safely come in on a predicted double switch, but try to make sure that all entry hazards are cleared, since they cut into Ambipom's longevity.
Team Options
Ambipom forces switches often, so Pokemon that can lay entry hazards on the field like Steelix, Piloswine, and Garbodor are generally appreciated. Garbodor is notable, since it resists Fighting-type moves and can proceed to lay down Spikes or Toxic Spikes. It also can remove Toxic Spikes for Ambipom. Ambipom often baits in Fighting-type Pokemon, so partners that can deal super effective damage to them such as Comfey, Delphox, and Braviary are generally appreciated. On the same note, Ghost-type partners like Rotom, Palossand, and Decidueye can safely come in on Fighting-type moves. Ambipom struggles to damage physically defensive Pokemon, so wallbreakers like Mega Glalie, Sceptile, and Heliolisk are much appreciated. Pokemon such as Blastoise, Sceptile, and Passimian, which can handle the Rock-types in NU, also make good teammates for Ambipom, and Fire-types such as Incineroar, Houndoom, and Delphox make decent partners not only for absorbing burns from Will-O-Wisp but also to beat the Steel-type Pokemon Ambipom cannot dent. Pokemon like Blastoise, Cryogonal, Xatu, and Silvally-Steel are also notable for removing entry hazards on Ambipom's side of the field, improving Ambipom's longevity. In Xatu's case, it can bounce back entry hazards with its Magic Bounce ability. A slow user of U-turn, Parting Shot, or Volt Switch like Incineroar, Silvally-Steel, or Vikavolt can safely bring Ambipom in on a threat it can pressure.