Overview

Kalabyss is a super bulky tem with a great defensive typing and some solid (albeit slow) offensive coverage. Kalabyss's typing and defensive stats make it a very effective pivot, since once on the field it can threaten with Toxic damage or eliminate an enemy's turn via Strangle. Toxic Skin lets Kalabyss actively punish physical attackers on pivot, while Mucous improves Kalabyss's already good defensive typing. Kalabyss' ability to wall isn't all-powerful, however, as its lower special defense can leave it vulnerable to the special Winds. Likewise, while it benefits from its water typing defensively, its Water attacks are all low base power or higher hold.

(1.3 DUKE'S NOTES - KALABYSS ACTUALLY HITS PRETTY HARD WITH NO-INVEST WATER BLADE, A QUICK HIT TO TAG FIRES LIKE TULCAN SINCE IT CAN'T BE BURNED. RHOULDER IS NOT SO GOOD WITH RVIAL ANYMORE, SO KALA CAN BE A PRIMARY HOLDER.)

0.9.4 was perhaps the least kind of all to Kalabyss, who lost 15 base power from its most used technique, Toxic Ink, and then the nerf to Humiliating Slap rendered the squid no longer able to fearlessly combat toxic opponents despite a poor type matchup.

Nevertheless, Kalabyss still has monstrous physical defense, a solid attack stat, and can really consistently apply toxic ticks while following up with hard hitting water damage with Waterjet. Strangle is another great option for Kala, leveraging its low stamina to take rest turns while forcing the opponent to do likewise. Kala's fourth move isn't really nailed down yet - Humiliating Slap isn't nearly as good at hitting toxics as it was before, so Major Slash can replace it at great stamina cost. Also, a second water tech may see some use - Aqua Stone or Iced Stalactite let it use water damage a turn earlier, and Laundry can clear statuses from the ally such as Doom, or from the enemy such as vigorized or regeneration (but careful not to clear your own toxic ticks.)

Kalabyss works well with tems that can swap in to take wind hits for it, like Tulcan or Turoc, and also works well with a Perfect Jabber like Mushook or Raignet to soften opposing defenses. It also makes for a good Purgation target due to its rather low speed.