
"Get out of my way, Thorny."
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Spikes / Stealth Rock
move 2: Body Press / Iron Head
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Leech Seed
item: Leftovers
ability: Iron Barbs
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Ferrothorn's typing and bulk allow it to check threatening attackers such as Zeraora and Excadrill as well as take advantage of passive Pokemon such as specially defensive Clefable and Toxapex to set up entry hazards. Notably, Ferrothorn is the only viable user of Spikes in the tier, though it can also set Stealth Rock if its team doesn't already have a setter. Body Press KOes Pokemon such as Bisharp while also pressuring the likes of Hydreigon and hazard removers such as Corviknight, Mandibuzz, and Excadrill. Alternatively, Iron Head is a less useful choice that severely pressures Fairy-types such as Clefable and Hatterene, preventing the former from stalling out Ferrothorn and the latter from shutting it down with Magic Bounce. Knock Off seriously limits the usefulness of some Pokemon over the course of a match, Heavy-Duty Boots users such as Mandibuzz and Rotom-H, Flame Orb users such as Conkeldurr, and Leftovers-reliant Pokemon such as Corviknight. Power Whip is another option to KO Water-types such as Seismitoad and Primarina, but Ferrothorn usually appreciates the utility Knock Off provides. Leech Seed chips away at potential switch-ins and serves as a means of recovery for Ferrothorn. Alternatively, Toxic can be used instead to quickly rack up chip damage on Pokemon such as Dracovish, while Thunder Wave is another option to neuter offensive switch-ins such as Togekiss and Cinderace. Rocky Helmet complements well with Iron Barbs and can be used instead of Leftovers to punish Pokemon such as Choice Band Dracovish with extra chip damage. The given EV spread maximizes Ferrothorn's physical bulk, letting it check attackers such as Zeraora, Excadrill, and Dracovish throughout the game.
Ferrothorn supports its team as a pivot and entry hazard setter, so offensive Pokemon that can take advantage of the chip damage wearing down their counters make for good partners; Kyurem, Terrakion, and Excadrill all appreciate having their checks take hazard damage to put them in OHKO or 2HKO range. Common Stealth Rock setters such as Hippowdon and Seismitoad also pair well with Ferrothorn, as they can cover its Fire weakness and check Pokemon such as Cinderace and Rotom-H; they also free up Ferrothorn's entry hazard moveslot for Spikes. In return, Ferrothorn can take advantage of Pokemon that threaten them such as Clefable and Rotom-W. Rotom-H resists Fire-type moves and can gain momentum with Volt Switch, which takes advantage of the entry hazards Ferrothorn can set down. Fighting-types such as Terrakion and Conkeldurr can KO Ferrothorn easily, so Pokemon that can tank their attacks such as Hippowdon pair nicely with Ferrothorn. Wish passers such as Clefable and Sylveon are also good partners to prevent Ferrothorn from being worn down throughout the game.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Always!, 200898]]
- Quality checked by: [[Jordy, 395754], [rabia, 336073], [curiosity, 443485]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Estronic, 240732]]
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