[OVERVIEW]
Roserade is a reliable Spiker that comfortably checks common Electric- and Water-types like Xurkitree and Milotic. Its Spikes support greatly helps wallbreakers and setup sweepers, as it wears down their conventional checks. Physically defensive Roserade checks Pokemon like Rhyperior and Seismitoad and isn't as easily scared out by other physical attackers like Flygon, Golisopod, and Sharpedo. Its Rocky Helmet also punishes the physical attackers and forces Registeel out. However, defensive Roserade's low Speed makes it vulnerable to Togekiss and Suicune. On the other hand, offensive Roserade is significantly more threatening with its higher Speed and power, outpacing and threatening common offensive Pokemon like Togekiss, Nidoqueen, Heracross, and Suicune. In turn, its low Defense is easily exploited by physical attackers such as Metagross, Flygon, and Golisopod. Pokemon like Rotom-C, Xurkitree, and Milotic can easily pivot out into teammates like Crobat, Chandelure, and Salazzle as Roserade tries to switch in. Roserade is also pressured by the common Defog Crobat, which can remove its Spikes, and common setup sweepers like Swords Dance Lucario and Cosmic Power Metagross.
[SET]
name: Defensive Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Grass Knot
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Synthesis
item: Rocky Helmet / Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Natural Cure / Poison Point
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
Grass Knot is great in a tier filled with heavy Pokemon like Metagross and Steelix, and it ensures Suicune cannot comfortably set up on Roserade. Giga Drain is an alternative that provides Roserade some recovery and more damage against Diancie, though it isn't preferred due to its generally lower damage output. Synthesis keeps Roserade healthy throughout a game and helps it check Pokemon like Xurkitree and Rotom-C. Rocky Helmet punishes contact moves like U-turn from Flygon and Heliolisk, and it importantly lets Roserade force out Registeel, since Roserade can easily heal off Registeel's attacks and accrue Rocky Helmet damage. Alternatively, Heavy-Duty Boots lets Roserade ignore opposing entry hazards, notably making it a better check to pivots like Xurkitree and Heliolisk. Natural Cure shrugs off Scald and Will-O-Wisp burns from Milotic, Suicune, and Jellicent. On the other hand, Poison Point can punish contact moves like U-turn from Flygon and Heliolisk. 16 Speed EVs get the jump on Adamant Bewear and Incineroar.
Steel-types like Swords Dance Lucario and Cosmic Power Metagross easily set up against Roserade. Flygon, Crobat, and Noivern revenge kill Lucario, Haze Milotic, Incineroar, and Pangoro check Metagross, and Chandelure and Jellicent check both Lucario and Metagross. Fire-types like Chandelure and Entei destroy Roserade, making Water-types like Milotic, Gastrodon, and Seismitoad good teammates. Knock Off users like Incineroar, Heracross, and Escavalier are good partners, as they increase the effectiveness of Spikes and cripple Defog Crobat by removing Heavy-Duty Boots. Steel-types like Steelix, Registeel, and Metagross cover Roserade's Flying weakness. Offensive Pokemon such as Mimikyu, Tyrantrum, and Goodra appreciate Roserade's Spikes softening their checks. Cosmic Power Metagross, Escavalier, and Incineroar check Reuniclus for Roserade. In return, Roserade checks Water-types like Haze Milotic.
[SET]
name: Offensive Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Grass Knot / Leaf Storm
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Synthesis / Sleep Powder
item: Heavy-Duty Boots / Black Sludge
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 Atk
[SET COMMENTS]
Grass Knot's Base Power is consistently average to high in a tier filled with heavy Pokemon like Metagross, Steelix, and Suicune. However, Leaf Storm is better at threatening offensive Pokemon like Nidoqueen and Flygon, as well as Diancie, which takes little damage from Grass Knot due to its low weight. Synthesis allows Roserade to more reliably check Xurkitree and Rotom-C. On the other hand, Sleep Powder can net free turns for wallbreakers or setup sweepers and is great for putting Crobat out of commission. Heavy-Duty Boots keeps entry hazards from pressuring Roserade into repeatedly using Synthesis. However, on teams with sufficient entry hazard control, Black Sludge can be considered for extra recovery, which can help it take attacks more comfortably. This recovery can be further bolstered by running Giga Drain as the Grass-type STAB move.
Steel-types like Cosmic Power Metagross and Lucario easily set up against Roserade. Incineroar, Pangoro, and Haze Milotic check Cosmic Power Metagross, faster revenge killers like Flygon, Noivern, and Crobat can check Lucario, and Chandelure and Jellicent check both Lucario and Metagross. Late-game sweepers such as Sharpedo, Mimikyu, and Dragon Dance Flygon appreciate Roserade's Spikes support weakening their checks. They also like Roserade's ability to check Water-types. To increase the effectiveness of Spikes and cripple the common Defog Crobat, Knock Off users such as Incineroar and Heracross are necessary to remove Heavy-Duty Boots. Rock- and Steel-types such as Rhyperior, Steelix, and Registeel check Flying-types, which force out Roserade and remove Spikes with Defog. Fire-types such as Chandelure and Entei are a huge nuisance to Roserade, so bulky Water-types such as Milotic and Gastrodon complement it nicely. Haze Milotic, Heracross, and Cosmic Power Metagross check Reuniclus for Roserade.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Extrasensory hits Poison-types such as Crobat, Toxicroak, Salazzle, and Toxtricity, while Shadow Ball hits Chandelure, Bronzong, and Metagross. However, both require Roserade to give up a utility move or its Grass-type attack. Offensive Roserade can use Life Orb with Leaf Storm for greater damage overall, the ability to OHKO threats such as Nidoqueen and Bewear, and appreciably more damage against Steel-types such as Metagross and Steelix. However, Life Orb recoil leaves it more vulnerable to Electric-types. Stun Spore cripples fast switch-ins like Crobat and Noivern, which helps wallbreakers like Lucario and Heracross; however, Roserade must give up a valuable utility move.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fast Flying-types**: Crobat is extremely common and easily switches into Roserade, threatening it with Brave Bird or setting up with Nasty Plot. Other Flying-types like Noivern and Talonflame force out Roserade, but they struggle to take Sludge Bomb and risk being poisoned.
**Steel-types**: Metagross threatens either of Roserade's sets, and Registeel can force out offensive Roserade; however, they lack recovery beyond Leftovers, so they're prone to being worn down by Spikes. Setup Pokemon like Cosmic Power Metagross, Lucario, and Escavalier easily set up on Roserade sets lacking Sleep Powder.
**Psychic-types**: Calm Mind Reuniclus easily sets up on Roserade but isn't a great direct switch-in to offensive Roserade: Sludge Bomb deals significant damage that forces Recover, and it must watch out for Sleep Powder. Assault Vest Reuniclus can switch into Roserade's attacks with impunity. However, it is susceptible to being worn down by Roserade's Spikes and poison from Sludge Bomb, and Sleep Powder takes it out of commission. Celebi and Choice Scarf Gardevoir outpace and threaten offensive Roserade with an OHKO, and they OHKO a chipped defensive Roserade.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Chandelure and Incineroar threaten Roserade massively with their Fire-type STAB moves. However, they're not good direct switch-ins, as Sludge Bomb does decent damage and can limit their effectiveness in the long run with poison.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[gorex, 244449], [Yourwelcomethanku, 541847]]
- Quality checked by: [[GoldCat, 359771], [zizalith, 410251]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Sulo, 520836], [Adeleine, 517429]]
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