Overview
Compared to its evolved form as well as other Rock-types, Boldore definitely falls at the bottom of the "best Rock-type" category. However, it does have a decent attack stat as well as one key strength; no one will ever see it coming. Your opponent will be so busy laughing and calling you a noob for not evolving Boldore first that they'll be totally thrown off when it puts a nice dent in the opponent.
Set
Name: Rocks and Boom!
Move 1: Stealth Rock
Move 2: Explosion
Move 3: Stone Edge
Move 4: Earthquake
Item: Custap Berry
Ability: Sturdy
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 ATK/252 DEF/4 HP
Moves
When you send out Boldore, your opponent will think that you are messed up in the head, so they'll just go ahead and attack. Luckily, you have Sturdy to survive and then set up a Stealth Rock. They won't bother switching since they're so close to finishing Boldore off, so you can use this to your advantage and get off an Explosion, getting a one-for-one trade a majority of the time since the Custap Berry allows it to go first. Should you still have max health after setting up a Stealth Rock, you can use this next free turn to get off an attack. Stone Edge is Boldore's strongest STAB and can potentially OHKO an opponent, while Earthquake can take care of troublesome Steel- and Rock-types.
Set Details
Max Attack Adamant Nature ensures you can put a huge dent in an opponent while not taking away from Boldore's bulk. Max Defense with some HP can help Boldore survive non-STAB or non-super effective hits should Sturdy be broken. Sturdy ensures you can set up Stealth Rock, while Custap Berry ensures you get the first hit on the next turn, allowing you to weaken or potentially knock out the opponent.
Usage Tips
Honestly, Boldore isn't meant to survive past turn two. Once you get up the Stealth Rock and you use up the Custap Berry, you can pretty much sacrifice it whenever you want. Boldore's main strength is its surprise factor and this can completely throw off the opponent and put a dent in their team. Send out Boldore as your first Pokemon to get up a Stealth Rock and take care of whoever your opponent opens with.
Team Options
Due to the rather straightforward job of Boldore, it can work well with pretty much any team. Spikes users such as Roselia and Quilladin complement Boldore in putting pressure on the opponent's team. Ghost-types like Misdreavus and Gourgeist can block Rapid Spin and ensure you keep up your Stealth Rock.
Other Options
Toxic can be run on Boldore to help wear down any major threat. This pairs well with any Hex user you may bring with you. Sandstorm with Smooth Rock works well with Stoutland's Sand Rush. However, the original set is probably your best bet.
Checks and Counters
Tangela: Tangela can easily survive a Stone Edge and can live an Explosion. It can also use Sleep Powder to put you to sleep or Toxic or Leech Seed to break Sturdy.
Taunt: Boldore's slow speed can make it easily susceptible to Taunt, completely shutting down Stealth Rock
Status: Burn or poison can break Sturdy, with burn also weakening the Boldore's attacks.
Ghost-types: Ghost-types are immune to Explosion and, if timed right, can switch in to an Explosion and cost you a Pokemon.
Compared to its evolved form as well as other Rock-types, Boldore definitely falls at the bottom of the "best Rock-type" category. However, it does have a decent attack stat as well as one key strength; no one will ever see it coming. Your opponent will be so busy laughing and calling you a noob for not evolving Boldore first that they'll be totally thrown off when it puts a nice dent in the opponent.
Set
Name: Rocks and Boom!
Move 1: Stealth Rock
Move 2: Explosion
Move 3: Stone Edge
Move 4: Earthquake
Item: Custap Berry
Ability: Sturdy
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 ATK/252 DEF/4 HP
Moves
When you send out Boldore, your opponent will think that you are messed up in the head, so they'll just go ahead and attack. Luckily, you have Sturdy to survive and then set up a Stealth Rock. They won't bother switching since they're so close to finishing Boldore off, so you can use this to your advantage and get off an Explosion, getting a one-for-one trade a majority of the time since the Custap Berry allows it to go first. Should you still have max health after setting up a Stealth Rock, you can use this next free turn to get off an attack. Stone Edge is Boldore's strongest STAB and can potentially OHKO an opponent, while Earthquake can take care of troublesome Steel- and Rock-types.
Set Details
Max Attack Adamant Nature ensures you can put a huge dent in an opponent while not taking away from Boldore's bulk. Max Defense with some HP can help Boldore survive non-STAB or non-super effective hits should Sturdy be broken. Sturdy ensures you can set up Stealth Rock, while Custap Berry ensures you get the first hit on the next turn, allowing you to weaken or potentially knock out the opponent.
Usage Tips
Honestly, Boldore isn't meant to survive past turn two. Once you get up the Stealth Rock and you use up the Custap Berry, you can pretty much sacrifice it whenever you want. Boldore's main strength is its surprise factor and this can completely throw off the opponent and put a dent in their team. Send out Boldore as your first Pokemon to get up a Stealth Rock and take care of whoever your opponent opens with.
Team Options
Due to the rather straightforward job of Boldore, it can work well with pretty much any team. Spikes users such as Roselia and Quilladin complement Boldore in putting pressure on the opponent's team. Ghost-types like Misdreavus and Gourgeist can block Rapid Spin and ensure you keep up your Stealth Rock.
Other Options
Toxic can be run on Boldore to help wear down any major threat. This pairs well with any Hex user you may bring with you. Sandstorm with Smooth Rock works well with Stoutland's Sand Rush. However, the original set is probably your best bet.
Checks and Counters
Tangela: Tangela can easily survive a Stone Edge and can live an Explosion. It can also use Sleep Powder to put you to sleep or Toxic or Leech Seed to break Sturdy.
Taunt: Boldore's slow speed can make it easily susceptible to Taunt, completely shutting down Stealth Rock
Status: Burn or poison can break Sturdy, with burn also weakening the Boldore's attacks.
Ghost-types: Ghost-types are immune to Explosion and, if timed right, can switch in to an Explosion and cost you a Pokemon.
