QC: Aesf, Kl4ng, GrimoireGod
GP: P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Ferrothorn is a solid defensive Pokemon in the metagame with an excellent defensive typing, great utility, and a wide support movepool, making it a solid choice on balanced and defensive teams. It can check or counter the majority of the common offensive threats in the metagame, thanks to its excellent defensive stats and typing, while still having some offensive utility thanks to its good STAB combination and decent Attack, even when uninvested. It also has rare access to both Spikes and Stealth Rock, making it a solid option on teams in need of entry hazards. However, Ferrothorn is prone to getting worn down thanks to its lack of reliable recovery and can be trapped by common Magnet Pull users. It will almost always be moving last thanks to its poor Speed, and it is somewhat passive and thus can be used as setup fodder by some common boosting attackers such as Skarmory.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Power Whip
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Stealth Rock / Knock Off / Worry Seed
move 4: Thunder Wave / Gyro Ball / Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire / Mold Breaker / Unaware
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 32 Def / 228 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Power Whip is Ferrothorn's best STAB move and allows it to threaten bulky Water-types such as Suicune. Leech Seed can give Ferrothorn extra passive recovery and allows it to weaken bulkier foes that otherwise wall it such as Doublade. Stealth Rock can be used to wear down opposing teams, although Ferrothorn has difficulty fitting it onto its set. Spikes can also be run if one of Ferrothorn's teammates is already running Stealth Rock. Knock Off allows Ferrothorn to cripple foes by removing their items and can force Poison Heal users to play more carefully around Ferrothorn before activating their Toxic Orb, as well as hitting Victini and Doublade. Worry Seed can also be run to force Poison Heal users to switch out, as well as save Ferrothorn from being trapped when predicting Magnet Pull users to switch in. Thunder Wave allows Ferrothorn to cripple setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Lucario so that it can avoid being setup fodder, while Gyro Ball gives Ferrothorn a strong secondary STAB move to hit faster Dragon- and Flying-types such as Latios and Braviary. Iron Head can be run instead for more reliable damage versus slower foes such as Conkeldurr. Protect can also be run to get free turns for Ferrothorn to get more passive recovery from Leftovers and potentially Leech Seed.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP investment and 32 Defense EVs with an Impish nature give Ferrothorn as much physical bulk as it can afford, while the 228 EVs in Special Defense allow Ferrothorn to survive two +3 Ice Beams from Manaphy and KO it with Power Whip. Flash Fire is the preferred ability, as it helps Ferrothorn to wall many offensive Fire-types, such as Victini and Entei, which can otherwise easily switch into Ferrothorn's resisted dual STAB moves and OHKO it. Primordial Sea can also be run to better beat Fire-types with Mold Breaker, at the cost of leaving Ferrothorn vulnerable to Will-O-Wisp. Mold Breaker can be run to help Ferrothorn set up entry hazards and Leech Seed versus teams with Magic Bounce users, preventing it from being mostly dead weight against them. Unaware prevents Ferrothorn from being setup fodder for common sweepers such as Doublade and Skarmory lacking Taunt, allowing Ferrothorn to outstall them when using Leech Seed. Leftovers is by far the best item for Ferrothorn, as it provides some extra longevity and can work together with Leech Seed to keep Ferrothorn somewhat healthy. Zero Speed IVs and a Relaxed nature should be used when running Gyro Ball to make it hit as hard as possible.
Usage Tips
========
Ferrothorn should be used to set up entry hazards first and foremost to begin chipping away at the opponent's team as early as possible. Attempt to scout for opposing Magic Bounce users before going for hazards if not running Mold Breaker, as common users such as Mew and Chansey can easily switch into Ferrothorn and reflect its hazards. Use Leech Seed as much as possible, as it can keep Ferrothorn healthy while crippling foes, potentially allowing Ferrothorn to stay healthy enough to keep switching into stronger attackers throughout longer matches. If running Flash Fire, Ferrothorn can be used as a mostly reliable switch-in to Fire-types such as Entei and Heatran. However, be careful of freely switching Ferrothorn into Trick + Choice item variants of Victini and Substitute or Taunt variants of Heatran, as they can both beat Ferrothorn one-on-one. Similarly, Ferrothorn is capable of beating some setup sweepers such as Skarmory and Doublade one-on-one if running Unaware but should otherwise switch out versus them in order to avoid being setup fodder. Avoid burns if possible, as they render Ferrothorn mostly useless. If running Primordial Sea, Ferrothorn can be used to disrupt opposing weather teams by forcibly changing the weather to heavy rain upon switching in and removing all weather conditions when switching out.
Team Options
========
Specially defensive walls such as Goodra are important teammates for Ferrothorn, as it can be a somewhat free switch in for strong special attackers such as Landorus and Hydreigon. Wish passers such as Vaporeon and Chansey can keep Ferrothorn healthy throughout longer games to make up for its lack of reliable recovery, both of which are also notable specially defensive walls. Fighting-type checks such as Zapdos and Latias are useful for covering Ferrothorn's main weakness, although switch-ins to Fire-types such as Suicune and Mega Ampharos are also essential for non-Primordial Sea or Flash Fire variants of Ferrothorn. Unaware users like Suicune are very useful for non-Unaware variants of Ferrothorn, which can often find themselves setup fodder for sweepers such as Skarmory and Gyarados. Strong wallbreakers and sweepers such as Latios and Mega Gyarados appreciate Ferrothorn's entry hazard support to wear down their defensive switch-ins and more easily break or sweep the opposing team. Azumarill is a notable partner for Ferrothorn, as it can check both Fighting- and Fire-type Pokemon as well as take advantage of Ferrothorn's entry hazards to wallbreak easily if running Huge Power or act as a defensive partner if running Poison Heal. Magnet Pull users such as Heatran can be used to remove opposing Steel-types, which can easily wall Ferrothorn otherwise. Heal Bell users such as Chansey and Diancie can help keep Ferrothorn free of burns. Ghost-types such as Doublade and Gengar and Defiant or Competitive users such as Mega Metagross and Mega Ampharos, respectively, can help spinblock and discourage Defogging once Ferrothorn has set up entry hazards.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Offensive Tough Claws sets can be used to lure in frail Pokemon such as Latios and Heatran that assume that it's defensive and can be OHKOed by the correct coverage move, but such sets are used more as single-use lures and lack the utility and staying power of defensive sets. Similarly, offensive Curse sets with Flash Fire can be run as a more surprising bulky setup sweeper. Magic Bounce can be used to reflect opposing entry hazards and can sometimes catch foes off guard, but it otherwise lacks the utility provided by Ferrothorn's main abilities. Prankster allows Ferrothorn to set entry hazards with increased priority but, again, is otherwise mediocre compared to its main abilities. Regenerator can also be run to give Ferrothorn some much-needed recovery, whereas Bulletproof allows it to wall Sheer Force Gengar. Rocky Helmet can be run to get extra chip damage on foes, but Ferrothorn prefers the recovery that Leftovers provides, as it's otherwise reliant on Leech Seed and Wish passing for healing. Shed Shell can be held to prevent Magnet Pull users from trapping Ferrothorn, but the item is otherwise useless and comes at the high cost of losing Leftovers.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Magnet Pull**: Magnet Pull users such as Infernape and Heatran pose the largest threat to Ferrothorn, as they can trap and KO it, leaving previously walled teammates free to cause issues for the rest of Ferrothorn's team. However, this can be circumvented with the rare Shed Shell.
**Steel-types**: Thanks to their resistances to both Grass and Steel, opposing Steel-types have little to fear from Ferrothorn. Some, such as Lucario and Scizor, can set up on Ferrothorn for a sweep, while others such as Genesect can simply fire off powerful attacks while taking little damage.
**Fighting-types**: No matter what ability Ferrothorn runs, most Fighting-types, such as Conkeldurr, can easily switch into it and threaten it out with their super effective STAB attacks. Some, such as Breloom and Blaziken, can also use Ferrothorn as setup fodder, as it can do fairly little to them.
**Magic Bounce Users**: Magic Bounce users such as Zapdos and Cresselia are Ferrothorn's greatest threats, as they prevent it from doing anything useful aside from attacking. However, running Mold Breaker prevents Magic Bounce Pokemon from reflecting its entry hazards and removes them as a threat.
**Setup Sweepers**: Bulkier setup sweepers that aren't weak to one of Ferrothorn's STAB moves, such as Snorlax and Mega Scizor, can easily boost on Ferrothorn while only being mildly annoyed by Leech Seed and proceed to sweep the rest of Ferrothorn's team. However, Unaware variants of Ferrothorn can ignore their boosts and stall them out with Leech Seed.
**Taunt**: Taunt users such as Heatran and Mew are capable of shutting down Ferrothorn by forcing it to simply use its somewhat weak attacking moves. Taunt Skarmory can also set up on Ferrothorn and beat even Unaware variants one-on-one.
**Strong Special Attackers**: Due to Ferrothorn's lower Special Defense, strong special wallbreakers such as Tinted Lens Latios and Sheer Force Gengar can break through and KO Ferrothorn.
GP: P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Ferrothorn is a solid defensive Pokemon in the metagame with an excellent defensive typing, great utility, and a wide support movepool, making it a solid choice on balanced and defensive teams. It can check or counter the majority of the common offensive threats in the metagame, thanks to its excellent defensive stats and typing, while still having some offensive utility thanks to its good STAB combination and decent Attack, even when uninvested. It also has rare access to both Spikes and Stealth Rock, making it a solid option on teams in need of entry hazards. However, Ferrothorn is prone to getting worn down thanks to its lack of reliable recovery and can be trapped by common Magnet Pull users. It will almost always be moving last thanks to its poor Speed, and it is somewhat passive and thus can be used as setup fodder by some common boosting attackers such as Skarmory.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Power Whip
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Stealth Rock / Knock Off / Worry Seed
move 4: Thunder Wave / Gyro Ball / Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire / Mold Breaker / Unaware
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 32 Def / 228 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Power Whip is Ferrothorn's best STAB move and allows it to threaten bulky Water-types such as Suicune. Leech Seed can give Ferrothorn extra passive recovery and allows it to weaken bulkier foes that otherwise wall it such as Doublade. Stealth Rock can be used to wear down opposing teams, although Ferrothorn has difficulty fitting it onto its set. Spikes can also be run if one of Ferrothorn's teammates is already running Stealth Rock. Knock Off allows Ferrothorn to cripple foes by removing their items and can force Poison Heal users to play more carefully around Ferrothorn before activating their Toxic Orb, as well as hitting Victini and Doublade. Worry Seed can also be run to force Poison Heal users to switch out, as well as save Ferrothorn from being trapped when predicting Magnet Pull users to switch in. Thunder Wave allows Ferrothorn to cripple setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Lucario so that it can avoid being setup fodder, while Gyro Ball gives Ferrothorn a strong secondary STAB move to hit faster Dragon- and Flying-types such as Latios and Braviary. Iron Head can be run instead for more reliable damage versus slower foes such as Conkeldurr. Protect can also be run to get free turns for Ferrothorn to get more passive recovery from Leftovers and potentially Leech Seed.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP investment and 32 Defense EVs with an Impish nature give Ferrothorn as much physical bulk as it can afford, while the 228 EVs in Special Defense allow Ferrothorn to survive two +3 Ice Beams from Manaphy and KO it with Power Whip. Flash Fire is the preferred ability, as it helps Ferrothorn to wall many offensive Fire-types, such as Victini and Entei, which can otherwise easily switch into Ferrothorn's resisted dual STAB moves and OHKO it. Primordial Sea can also be run to better beat Fire-types with Mold Breaker, at the cost of leaving Ferrothorn vulnerable to Will-O-Wisp. Mold Breaker can be run to help Ferrothorn set up entry hazards and Leech Seed versus teams with Magic Bounce users, preventing it from being mostly dead weight against them. Unaware prevents Ferrothorn from being setup fodder for common sweepers such as Doublade and Skarmory lacking Taunt, allowing Ferrothorn to outstall them when using Leech Seed. Leftovers is by far the best item for Ferrothorn, as it provides some extra longevity and can work together with Leech Seed to keep Ferrothorn somewhat healthy. Zero Speed IVs and a Relaxed nature should be used when running Gyro Ball to make it hit as hard as possible.
Usage Tips
========
Ferrothorn should be used to set up entry hazards first and foremost to begin chipping away at the opponent's team as early as possible. Attempt to scout for opposing Magic Bounce users before going for hazards if not running Mold Breaker, as common users such as Mew and Chansey can easily switch into Ferrothorn and reflect its hazards. Use Leech Seed as much as possible, as it can keep Ferrothorn healthy while crippling foes, potentially allowing Ferrothorn to stay healthy enough to keep switching into stronger attackers throughout longer matches. If running Flash Fire, Ferrothorn can be used as a mostly reliable switch-in to Fire-types such as Entei and Heatran. However, be careful of freely switching Ferrothorn into Trick + Choice item variants of Victini and Substitute or Taunt variants of Heatran, as they can both beat Ferrothorn one-on-one. Similarly, Ferrothorn is capable of beating some setup sweepers such as Skarmory and Doublade one-on-one if running Unaware but should otherwise switch out versus them in order to avoid being setup fodder. Avoid burns if possible, as they render Ferrothorn mostly useless. If running Primordial Sea, Ferrothorn can be used to disrupt opposing weather teams by forcibly changing the weather to heavy rain upon switching in and removing all weather conditions when switching out.
Team Options
========
Specially defensive walls such as Goodra are important teammates for Ferrothorn, as it can be a somewhat free switch in for strong special attackers such as Landorus and Hydreigon. Wish passers such as Vaporeon and Chansey can keep Ferrothorn healthy throughout longer games to make up for its lack of reliable recovery, both of which are also notable specially defensive walls. Fighting-type checks such as Zapdos and Latias are useful for covering Ferrothorn's main weakness, although switch-ins to Fire-types such as Suicune and Mega Ampharos are also essential for non-Primordial Sea or Flash Fire variants of Ferrothorn. Unaware users like Suicune are very useful for non-Unaware variants of Ferrothorn, which can often find themselves setup fodder for sweepers such as Skarmory and Gyarados. Strong wallbreakers and sweepers such as Latios and Mega Gyarados appreciate Ferrothorn's entry hazard support to wear down their defensive switch-ins and more easily break or sweep the opposing team. Azumarill is a notable partner for Ferrothorn, as it can check both Fighting- and Fire-type Pokemon as well as take advantage of Ferrothorn's entry hazards to wallbreak easily if running Huge Power or act as a defensive partner if running Poison Heal. Magnet Pull users such as Heatran can be used to remove opposing Steel-types, which can easily wall Ferrothorn otherwise. Heal Bell users such as Chansey and Diancie can help keep Ferrothorn free of burns. Ghost-types such as Doublade and Gengar and Defiant or Competitive users such as Mega Metagross and Mega Ampharos, respectively, can help spinblock and discourage Defogging once Ferrothorn has set up entry hazards.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Offensive Tough Claws sets can be used to lure in frail Pokemon such as Latios and Heatran that assume that it's defensive and can be OHKOed by the correct coverage move, but such sets are used more as single-use lures and lack the utility and staying power of defensive sets. Similarly, offensive Curse sets with Flash Fire can be run as a more surprising bulky setup sweeper. Magic Bounce can be used to reflect opposing entry hazards and can sometimes catch foes off guard, but it otherwise lacks the utility provided by Ferrothorn's main abilities. Prankster allows Ferrothorn to set entry hazards with increased priority but, again, is otherwise mediocre compared to its main abilities. Regenerator can also be run to give Ferrothorn some much-needed recovery, whereas Bulletproof allows it to wall Sheer Force Gengar. Rocky Helmet can be run to get extra chip damage on foes, but Ferrothorn prefers the recovery that Leftovers provides, as it's otherwise reliant on Leech Seed and Wish passing for healing. Shed Shell can be held to prevent Magnet Pull users from trapping Ferrothorn, but the item is otherwise useless and comes at the high cost of losing Leftovers.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Magnet Pull**: Magnet Pull users such as Infernape and Heatran pose the largest threat to Ferrothorn, as they can trap and KO it, leaving previously walled teammates free to cause issues for the rest of Ferrothorn's team. However, this can be circumvented with the rare Shed Shell.
**Steel-types**: Thanks to their resistances to both Grass and Steel, opposing Steel-types have little to fear from Ferrothorn. Some, such as Lucario and Scizor, can set up on Ferrothorn for a sweep, while others such as Genesect can simply fire off powerful attacks while taking little damage.
**Fighting-types**: No matter what ability Ferrothorn runs, most Fighting-types, such as Conkeldurr, can easily switch into it and threaten it out with their super effective STAB attacks. Some, such as Breloom and Blaziken, can also use Ferrothorn as setup fodder, as it can do fairly little to them.
**Magic Bounce Users**: Magic Bounce users such as Zapdos and Cresselia are Ferrothorn's greatest threats, as they prevent it from doing anything useful aside from attacking. However, running Mold Breaker prevents Magic Bounce Pokemon from reflecting its entry hazards and removes them as a threat.
**Setup Sweepers**: Bulkier setup sweepers that aren't weak to one of Ferrothorn's STAB moves, such as Snorlax and Mega Scizor, can easily boost on Ferrothorn while only being mildly annoyed by Leech Seed and proceed to sweep the rest of Ferrothorn's team. However, Unaware variants of Ferrothorn can ignore their boosts and stall them out with Leech Seed.
**Taunt**: Taunt users such as Heatran and Mew are capable of shutting down Ferrothorn by forcing it to simply use its somewhat weak attacking moves. Taunt Skarmory can also set up on Ferrothorn and beat even Unaware variants one-on-one.
**Strong Special Attackers**: Due to Ferrothorn's lower Special Defense, strong special wallbreakers such as Tinted Lens Latios and Sheer Force Gengar can break through and KO Ferrothorn.
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