[OVERVIEW]
* Ribombee's high Speed stat coupled with a Fairy typing makes it a viable choice on very specific teams as a Sticky Web setter, as it's much less passive than its main competition in Smeargle. It can offensively force out Pokemon that are otherwise dangerous to Sticky Web teams, such as Zygarde-C, Yveltal, and Mega Salamence, especially since the latter two avoid Sticky Web's Speed drop and can effectively use Defog to remove it for teammates.
* Additionally, unlike Smeargle, Magic Bounce users such as Mega Sableye and Mega Diancie are unable to beat Ribombee one-on-one, as a decent Special Attack stat with maximum investment allows it to 2HKO both targets, meaning they fail to anti-lead Ribombee successfully and thus cannot prevent the Sticky Web.
* However, there are many other Pokemon, such as Mega Gengar and Cloyster, that are able to shutdown Ribombee's Sticky Web attempts through the use of Taunt or Rapid Spin, while offensive threats such as Primal Groudon and Necrozma-DM can use it as setup fodder very easily, even being able to increase their Speed through boosting moves to limit the effects of Stun Spore.
* Ribombee's inability to prevent entry hazards from the opposing team means it allows its teammates to be continually chipped and get their possible Focus Sash broken. This is one of the reasons why Smeargle is opted for much more often, as it can at least prevent opposing hazards with Taunt or even run Rapid Spin.
[SET]
name: Offensive Sticky Web
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Stun Spore
move 4: Quiver Dance
item: Focus Sash
ability: Shield Dust
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Once set on the opposing side of the field, Sticky Web will lower the Speed of opposing grounded Pokemon like Mega Gengar, Ultra Necrozma, and support Arceus formes. This lets teammates like Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre outspeed them and helps prevent them from getting revenge killed themselves.
* Moonblast is a strong Fairy-type STAB attack that prevents Ribombee from being passive, letting it threaten Defoggers hit super effectively by it such as Yveltal and Giratina-O, as well as preventing free setup from the likes of Mega Salamence and Zygarde-C.
* Stun Spore lets Ribombee cripple Steel- and Fire-types as well as faster Pokemon such as Necrozma-DM, Ho-Oh, and Choice Scarf Xerneas. Stun Spore works exceptionally well if the opponent leads with a support Arceus forme or Choice Scarf user, as it allows teammates to more easily pressure them with strong attacks and attempt to prevent their Defog attempts after Ribombee is knocked out.
* Quiver Dance, when used in tandem with Stun Spore, gives Ribombee a way of pressuring support Arceus formes, as they commonly run Defog. It also lets Ribombee outrun Choice Scarf Xerneas and Yveltal after a boost, 2HKOing the former and having a high chance to OHKO the latter.
Set Details
========
* Maximum Special Attack investment allows Ribombee to have a high chance to 2HKO Mega Diancie from full, forcing it out and letting it set up Sticky Web, while maximum Speed investment allows it to outpace support Arceus formes and Naganadel.
* Shield Dust prevents the secondary effects of moves such as Rock Tomb, Sacred Fire, and Fake Out and,(AC) in tandem with Focus Sash, helps Ribombee guarantee that Sticky Web goes up at least once.
Usage Tips
========
* Although it is technically a dedicated entry hazard lead, it's not always advisable to lead off with Ribombee, as opposing leads such as Mega Gengar, Deoxys-S, Excadrill, and Cloyster can annoy it through the use of Taunt or Rapid Spin. Thus, avoid leading with Ribombee if these threats are on the opposing team.
* If the aforementioned threats are not present, it's a good idea to lead with Ribombee more often than not, as getting up Sticky Web early on in the match lets you heavily pressure your opponent. After setting up Sticky Web, try to identify the opponent's possible forms of hazard removal and then bring out the respective wallbreaker with a good matchup versus them, such as bringing in Primal Kyogre to prevent Arceus-Ground from Defogging successfully.
* Stun Spore should be utilized if Ribombee cannot offensively force out the threat in front it, as this allows the target to be taken advantage of by teammates more easily. Additionally, attempt to use Stun Spore first on targets that have the potential to outspeed Ribombee, such as a possible Choice Scarf Xerneas, Yveltal, Ho-Oh, or Necrozma-DM that could attempt to undergo Ultra Burst. This allows you to get the most utility out of Ribombee, as simply going for Sticky Web against them means they will outspeed and KO Ribombee the next turn, although Stun Spore's finicky accuracy can be a problem in these situations.
* Predict forced switches against the likes of Zygarde-C and Mega Salamence to attempt to utilize Quiver Dance, as it can be a neat tool for pressuring support Arceus formes, especially in conjunction with Stun Spore's paralysis chance, weakening them for teammates in the back. Quiver Dance can also be used on the turn you predict your opponent to sacrifice a Pokemon, as this allows you to outspeed opposing Choice Scarf users and possibly force damage on a slower target.
Team Options
========
* Mixed Primal Groundon with Eruption enjoys Sticky Web support, as it can then outspeed and heavily weaken a large amount of Defoggers such as Arceus-Ground, Ho-Oh, and Giratina-O that will attempt to remove your entry hazards. This lets Ribombee set up its Sticky Web again later in the match, when the Defoggers have been either KOed or weakened after being smacked around by Primal Groudon. Mixed Primal Groudon may also forgo Swords Dance and instead run Stealth Rock to further cripple the opposing team.
* Life Orb Yveltal's generally limited defensive counterplay and ability to use Taunt on Defog users makes it ideal on Sticky Web teams, forcing Sticky Web to stay up and preventing opposing hazards from the opponent.
* Calm Mind + Water Spout Primal Kyogre is in the same boat as Eruption Primal Groudon, taking advantage of the Speed-lowering effect of Sticky Web to drop powerful attacks on Defoggers. Life Orb Palkia with Focus Punch also accomplishes a similar role, 2HKOing support Arceus formes with the right STAB move and threatening out Ho-Oh and Giratina-O. Both Pokemon also adequately ease up the matchup versus stall and semi-stall teams.
* Ultra Necrozma is a staple on Sticky Web builds, as although it is already very fast, Sticky Web lets it outpace even more offensive threats such as Mega Gengar, Mega Mewtwo Y, Deoxys-A, and Choice Scarf Xerneas, preventing it from being revenge killed. It also enjoys Ribombee's ability to offensively force out Yveltal. Special Ultra Necrozma can also fit Stealth Rock on its moveset, as it can punish hazard removal attempts from Mega Salamence, Giratina-O, and Ho-Oh with super effective coverage.
* Other common Pokemon that benefit from Sticky Web include Rayquaza, Extreme Killer Arceus, and Swords Dance Arceus-Ground, all of which can break down the opposing team and pressure support Arceus formes with high powered attacks, especially with Ribombee's additional Stun Spore support. Rayquaza and Extreme Killer Arceus both utilize Extreme Speed to help in an offense versus offense matchup. Arceus-Ground can occasionally fit Extreme Speed in its moveset, but more importantly, it also provides another option for a Stealth Rock user.
* Mega Diancie, although possibly redundant in combination with Ribombee, can set up Stealth Rock to further pressure the opponent while bouncing back opposing hazards with Magic Bounce. It also handles Ho-Oh, Yveltal, and Mega Salamence decently well, forcing them out with the threat of Diamond Storm and preventing their possible Defog attempts. Its access to Explosion also helps versus Defog and Rapid Spin users it can't beat, as Explosion blocks the use of both moves successfully.
* Mega Gengar, Marshadow, and Lunala provide spinblocking support for Ribombee, ensuring its hazards stay up versus Excadrill, Cloyster, and Rapid Spin Smeargle leads. Mega Gengar especially enjoys Ribombee using Stun Spore on Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Necrozma-DM, Ho-Oh, and Arceus-Ground, boosting the power of Hex and letting it trap and KO or heavily weaken these targets. Ultra Necrozma can also use Necrozma-DW as its base form before Ultra Burst, providing another option for a spinblocker on the team.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Toxic is a decent option over Quiver Dance, as it lets Ribombee put Ho-Oh on a timer while still beating support Arceus formes, although offensive variants of Ho-Oh will still get crippled by Stun Spore.
* Aromatherapy is another viable option, as it lets Ribombee cure its teammates of status ailments, although without Quiver Dance its matchup versus support Arceus formes is much worse.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Rapid Spin Users**: Cloyster can OHKO Ribombee through its Focus Sash and utilize Rapid Spin, and it can set up Spikes or Toxic Spikes to cripple Ribombee's team. Excadrill resists Moonblast, sets Stealth Rock, and repeatedly uses Rapid Spin to remove Sticky Web as it goes up, eventually KOing Ribombee. However, Cloyster and Excadrill are annoyed by Stun Spore, and a full paralysis on the wrong turn can let Sticky Web stay up.
**Mega Gengar**: Mega Gengar takes little damage from Moonblast and OHKOes Ribombee even at +1 Special Defense, easily being able to trap and dispose of it. The possibility of Taunt also lets it shut down Sticky Web or Stun Spore attempts, successfully anti-leading Ribombee.
**Steel-types**: Common Steel-types such as Necrozma-DM, Magearna, Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Klefki have little to fear from Ribombee and will proceed to KO it will their respective STAB attacks or use it as setup or entry hazard fodder. However, offensive variants of Necrozma-DM and Mega Scizor dislike taking Stun Spore.
**Fire-types**: Ho-Oh is a nuisance for Ribombee, as it's able to sponge boosted attacks and Defog away the Sticky Web. Primal Groudon is able to liberally switch into Ribombee and either trade hazards or throw off a strong attack. However, offensive variants of either Fire-type dislike taking a Stun Spore, as it hinders their wallbreaking capabilities.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Felixx, 401973]]
- Quality checked by: [[DMDW, 434601], [Cynara, 224455], [Nayrz, 212134]]
- Grammar checked by: [[NixHex, 40064], [Fireflame479, 231476]]
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