Komala, the Drowsing Pokémon. Komala spends its entire life sleeping. It feeds on leaves that contain a potent poison only Komala can break down. A potent anesthetic can be made by diluting Komala's drool. This anesthetic was used for surgeries in the past.
Overview
Komala’s introduction in Generation 7 was that of a mild curiosity. Always being asleep granted it immunity to every other status and enabled interactions with Sleep Talk unfeasible on other Pokémon. Its Base 115 Attack is viable, and with a huge array of coverage options enables Komala as a potent force if it can get going.
However, Komala’s gimmick was always just that. Normal typing has been one of the worst types in the game for its lack of resistances, super effective targets, and viable physical STABs which Komala has neither the bulk or power to compensate for the shortcomings of its typing. Poor speed leaves Komala at the mercy of many faster attackers, forcing it to take its with its middling to lackluster bulk. Even Komala’s gimmick giving status immunity is outdone by Garganacl. Komala is not without merit, but other Pokémon have overtaken it while Komala sleeps the day away.
Positives
Base 115 Attack is complimented by the wealth of coverage Normal types are known for and access to Swords Dance for a potent attacker
Comatose is a great ability, providing invaluable status immunity while its downsides are near non-existent.
Good support options in Yawn, Rapid Spin and Wish
Negatives
Normal typing is poor defensively and further hampered by Komala’s own lacking HP and Defense
Middling Speed further hampers any offensive or defensive efforts Komala can muster.
Loss of Return and Last Resort is a massive drop in power, leaving Komala wanting for power.
Outclassed in about every niche.
Movesets
Sleep Dancing
-Swords Dance
-Body Slam
-Earthquake
-Sucker Punch
Ability: Comatose
Item: Life Orb
EVs and Nature:
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
Komala can function as a Swords Dance Sweeper that can be difficult stop thanks to its Burn and Toxic immunity. Come in on a compromised opponent, setup Swords Dance and go for the sweep. Body Slam is a good STAB, having decent power and the good chance of Paralysis punishes even resistant targets. Earthquake is fantastic coverage, hitting the Steel and Rock types that resist Body Slam. Sucker Punch rounds out the set, providing both valuable coverage against Ghost types in addition to priority to remedy Komala’s own speed.
Tera Types:
Tera Normal is great for ratcheting up Komala’s power as high as possible. Tera Fairy is worth consideration for providing a Fighting Resistance, a boost to Play Rough while not worsening Komala’s Ghost matchup.
EVs and Items:
Standard Sweeper array of max Attack and Speed for as much power as possible. Moving Speed investment to HP is worth consideration, often giving Komala a larger buffer to setup Swords Dance, but leaves it more vulnerable to normally slower opponents like Beartic, and Perrserker. Life Orb is for Extra Damage, while Silk Scarf gives Komala slightly less power in return for not tearing itself apart with Life Orb.
Partners:
Mismagius makes for a decent partner for Rotom, able to pivot into Fighting attacks, threatens most Ghost types and can easily enable Swords Dance between Will-o-Wisp, Mystical Fire and/or Thunder Wave. Most other Ghost types can suffice in this role.
Direct answers to ghost types like Umbreon, and Houndoom make for great partners, as Komala often struggles with Ghost types and the former two having Yawn and Will-o-Wisp to help facilitate Komala’s own sweep.
Slowbro provides an excellent answer to Fighting types and other physical attackers, has Future sight to help Komala push through would be checks and has Thunder Wave and Yawn to help enable safe setup.
Other Options:
Play Rough -directly punishes Fighting types and synchronizes well with Fairy Tera
Wood Hammer -hits Rock, Ground and Water types hard, but Earthquake and Sucker Punch cover more of Komala’s weaknesses.
Choice Band + Sleep Talk -Pure Gimmick, but having a Pokémon that can change its moves while receiving the Choice Band boost does have their niche, but more often than note you get more mileage playing around Choice Band instead of having no control what attack you are doing.
Rapid Spin -Entry Hazard removal is always at a premium and helps address Komala’s poor speed in a poor Double Dance sort of way.
U-Turn -great for scouting and getting an ally in safely.
Wish -Pairs well with U-Turn to heal a teammate.
Countering Komala
Many Fighting types make great check for Komala, their naturally higher speed and STABs easily roast Komala and its lackluster bulk, with Heracross, Passimian, and the Paldean Tauros breeds being excellent examples.
Ghost types are also a consistent thorn in Komala’s side, as its best coverage option is Sucker Punch, which most ghosts with their subversive movesets can easily play around. Mismagius, Rotom, and Drifblim are particularly troublesome, their typings/abilities granting immunity to Earthquake in addition to Normal STAB. Bronzong also falls into this category for similar reasons.
Locations in Games
Red/Blue/Yellow:
Not in game
Gold/Silver/Crystal:
Not in game
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Not in game
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Not in game
Colosseum/XD:
Not in game
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Not in game
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Not in game
Black/White:
Not in game
Black 2/White 2:
Not in game
X/Y:
Not in game
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Not in game
Sun/Moon:
Route 11
Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon:
Route 11
Let's Go, Pikachu!/Let's Go, Eevee!:
Not in game
Sword/Shield:
Not in game
Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl:
Not in game
Legends: Arceus:
Not in game
Scarlet/Violet:
East Province Area One, East Province Area Two, South Province Area One, Tagtree Thicket, West Province Area Three
Tera Raid Battles: 4 Star Raid Battles
Anime Appearences
