Absol

The Disaster Pokemon has one of the highest Atk stats of Gen 3, but otherwise doesn’t have the best bulk. Absol doesn’t quite reach the power of many of the better Dark Types, but access to Brutal Swing in March 2025 helped it tremendously and made it at least an okay attacker, for a change.

Best PvE Offensive Moveset

• Snarl is superior to Psycho Cut due to having STAB and more relevant coverage.
• Dark Pulse is superior to both Megahorn and Thunder for similar reasons, but it's still inferior to Brutal Swing*.
• Payback is a step down. 

Best PvE Defensive Moveset

• Snarl is superior to Psycho Cut due to its significantly higher base damage.
• Brutal Swing* takes the cake due to how frequently it comes out.
• Dark Pulse is superior to Megahorn due to having STAB, an earlier dodge window, slightly better coverage, and a lower energy cost.
• Payback is a downgrade due to it being a 1-bar move. 
• Thunder also has an early dodge window, but is underwhelming in every aspect.

Snarl falls behind Psycho Cut slightly in energy gains, but offers significantly more damage output thanks to STAB. The latter can be chosen if that slightly extra energy generation is needed. 

Brutal Swing* costs the least amount of energy and benefits from STAB to provide Dark-type coverage. Payback is less desirable due to its greater energy cost. Megahorn provides Bug-type coverage and costs slightly less energy than Thunder, while the latter offers Electric-type coverage. Either can be chosen depending on what coverage would be more preferable.