Quality Control BW Ferrothorn [QC: 0/2]

[DaAwesomeDude1]

[SET]
name: Curse
move 1: Gyro Ball
move 2: Power Whip / Substitute / Leech Seed
move 3: Curse
move 4: Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Iron Barbs
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 88 Atk / 68 Def / 100 SpD
IVs: 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

• Boasting an excellent defensive typing and good natural bulk, Ferrothorn is a setup attacker that can solo unprepared teams. In addition to allowing Ferrothorn to setup on common Pokemon, such as Kingdra and Metagross, Ferrothorn's typing is only weak to Fire and Fighting, which are two uncommon types in the meta. That said, Ferrothorn relies on Curse boosts to be threatening, which limits the amount of teams it can be placed on when compared with more splashable Steel- or Grass-types, such as Genesect and Amoonguss. While its typing is a blessing, it can also be a curse, letting Heatran and Pokemon that commonly run Fire-type coverage, like Genesect and Latios, easily revenge kill it.
• Despite the low PP count, Gyro Ball is Ferrothorn's most reliable STAB attack, as it hits much of the meta for neutral damage and benefits from the Speed drop from Curse. Power Whip is a secondary STAB to hit Water-types, such as Jellicent, Kingdra, and Politoed, that would otherwise resist Gyro Ball. Substitute can block Will-o-Wisp and Intimidate, facilitate more setup opportunities, and block a lethal attack. Leech Seed can mitigate some of Ferrothorn's reliance on Curse boosts by passively damaging foes. The healing can also make Ferrothorn more difficult to take out once it has a few Curse boosts.
• The spread allows Ferrothorn to OHKO Latios with Gyro Ball and live a Life Orb-boosted Hammer Arm from Conkeldurr after one Curse boost.
• Teams should focus on removing Pokemon that can threaten setup opportunities or revenge kill Ferrothorn, such as Heatran, Conkeldurr, and Genesect. Strong special attackers like Kyurem-B should also be weakened, as they can reliably damage Ferrothorn.
• Ferrothorn synergizes well with Rain teams, as Fire-type attacks are weakened and Kingdra is able to threaten Heatran, Genesect, and Latios. Additionally, Kingdra's offensive presence and strong spread attack can facilitate setup opportunities for Ferrothorn, oftentimes either knocking both of the targets out or forcing the foe to switch. Tyranitar is another excellent teammate, as it forces out Pokemon that can deter Ferrothorn from setting up, such as Jellicent, Heatran, Thundurus, and Latios. In turn, Ferrothorn can threaten other Water-types, such as Politoed and Kingdra, for Tyranitar. Finally, Gothitelle can facilitate further setup opportunities by trapping the foe in an unfavorable position, letting Ferrothorn setup for free.
• Substitute can be used over Protect which makes Ferrothorn more difficult to take out while also allowing it to run another attack so that it isn't reliant on only Gyro Ball for damage. A bulky attacker set that drops Curse for Leech Seed or Stealth Rock with double STAB attacks is usable to take advantage of Ferrothorn's excellent typing into the meta.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/daawesomedude1.228280/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.102/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.104/

 

[Checkmater]

comments:

-Power whip coverage is also really good for Kingdra
-Sub utility is also nice for blocking intimidates
-I think Leech Seed + Curse is rather uncommon
-Atk can be lower if the team has sand