Grass-types in RU

By snow. Released: 2019/10/22.
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Grass-types in RU art

Art by JustoonSmitts.

Introduction

Grass-types have rarely been as viable as they are now, especially with Mega Sceptile being unbanned, which has added another offensive Pokémon to the already great Grass-types in RU. With Roserade and Virizion leading the pack for Grass-types at A+ and S on the Viability Ranking and Shaymin and Mega Sceptile following shortly behind, it is no surprise that they are so viable, with either a huge offensive presence or reliable recovery to check Pokémon throughout a match consistently. However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows for the Grass-types in RU, as Steel-, Dragon-, and Flying-type Pokémon are prevalent in the tier, meaning that their Grass-type moves are less effective and they are usually forced to use their secondary STAB attacks or coverage moves. Furthermore, these foes not even come close to the threat that is Golisopod, with a hugely threatening +2 priority attack that at worst is neutral versus Grass-type Pokémon and must be on every user's mind when teambuilding with Grass-types.

Roserade

Roserade

Roserade is one of the two top Grass-type Pokémon in the tier, as it offers a great dual typing both offensively and defensively, powerful STAB attacks, and a desirable movepool allowing it to run multiple different moves in its final slot. On top of that, Roserade can make use of multiple held items including Z-Crystals, Life Orb, Focus Sash, Black Sludge, and even Choice Scarf. As you can see from the analysis set, Roserade is able to make use of both Technician and Natural Cure, with the former taking advantage of Hidden Power Fire and the latter having good synergy with Synthesis. Alternatively, from the given set Roserade can make use of moves like Toxic Spikes, Sleep Powder, Hidden Power Ice, and Extrasensory.

Good Teammates

Offense

Roserade + Zygarde-10% / Barbaracle

Roserade works very well as a Spikes setter for offensive setup sweepers like Dragon Dance Zygarde-10% and Shell Smash Barbaracle. Spikes and entry hazards in general are crucial for these Pokémon to get OHKOs versus defensive Pokémon, and Roserade has the ability to beat every viable spinner in the tier to keep them up. Roserade also offers offensive pressure to try removing bulky Water-type Pokémon that may be able to check these setup Pokémon.

Roserade + Raikou / Tyrantrum

Roserade only struggles to beat a couple of Defog users such as Mantine and Mandibuzz, so Pokémon that threaten these Flying-type Pokémon such as Raikou and Tyrantrum can work really well with Roserade, eliminating them and giving Roserade the ability to keep Spikes up.

Bulky Offense

Roserade + Mega Blastoise / Donphan / Xatu

Rapid Spin users and Magic Bounce Pokémon work well with Roserade, as you will want to keep hazards on the opposing side of the field, meaning Defog is counterproductive with Roserade. Mega Blastoise has good synergy with Roserade, as they can take on each other's weaknesses well.

Virizion

Virizion

Virizion is the other premium Grass-type in the tier, being S rank in the Viability Rankings at the time of writing. A great dual typing in Grass / Fighting allows it to take on Steel-type Pokémon such as Registeel. Due to its ability to use Swords Dance and Synthesis, it can be threatening both offensively and defensively. The analysis set allows it to work at its best consistently; however, Virizion has a plethora of other options including multiple Z-Crystal options such as Grassium Z and Rockium Z. Virizion can also utilize a special set with Calm Mind in order to make use of Focus Blast and Giga Drain to lure and remove physically defensive Pokémon such as Tangela.

Good Teammates

Bulky Offense

Virizion + Metagross / Registeel

Virizion appreciates both Metagross and Registeel as teammates, as they are able to check Poison-, Psychic-, Flying-, and Fairy-type Pokémon that force Virizion out. Metagross and Registeel also very much appreciate having Virizion to check Ground-type attacks. Metagross and Registeel can also come in on Toxic for Virizion.

Virizion + Diancie / Tyrantrum

Diancie and Tyrantrum also work well with Virizion, as they can check Flying- and Fire-type Pokémon that force Virizion out. Diancie can also offer Heal Bell support if Virizion has been affected by status. On the other hand, Tyrantrum offers wallbreaking support to remove bulky Pokémon that Virizion would otherwise struggle to beat.

Balance

Virizion + Snorlax / Slowbro / Porygon2

Snorlax, Slowbro, and Porygon2 really appreciate Virizion's ability to not only take Knock Off well but even gain a boost from it. Virizion can also come in on Trick to stop them from being crippled even more, as these Pokémon rely on their held items to be useful.

Shaymin

Shaymin

Shaymin, despite not being as viable as Roserade and Virizion, is great in RU at the moment thanks to its base 100 stats across the board, allowing it to be hugely threatening both offensively and defensively. The Shaymin shown is not the only viable set, as it is able to run Choice Scarf and Z-Celebrate offensively as well as running Substitute + Leech Seed defensively. Shaymin's single Grass typing allows it take on Ground-type Pokémon very well, and its natural bulk plus recovery lets it take on neutral hits very well. It also has access to a diverse movepool such as Air Slash, Psychic, Dazzling Gleam, and even Healing Wish for team support. Seed Flare is its best STAB move, boasting very high power and solid chance to lower the foe's Special Defense. However, it is hindered by its low PP this move and accuracy, making it harder to beat bulky Pokémon if the move misses or doesn't get the Special Defense drop.

Good Teammates

Offense

Shaymin + Machamp / Bewear

Shaymin struggles versus special walls such as Umbreon, Porygon2, and Snorlax if Seed Flare is unable to get Special Defense drops; wallbreakers such as Machamp and Bewear are able to remove these threats, allowing Shaymin to reserve Seed Flare's PP until they are gone.

Shaymin + Salazzle / Ninetales / Alolan Golem

Fire-types such as Salazzle and Ninetales are able to pressure Steel-types such as Metagross, Registeel, and Bronzong, all Pokémon that can check Shaymin. Alolan Golem, although rather niche, has the ability to trap Steel-type Pokémon and completely remove them, allowing Shaymin to never have to worry about them.

Shaymin + Tyrantrum / Barbaracle

Shaymin has good synergy with both Tyrantrum and Barbaracle, as it can remove Water-type Pokémon, allowing both of them to set up with less pressure. Alternatively, Shaymin can check Ground-type Pokémon that wish to threaten Shaymin such as Flygon and Zygarde-10%.

Mega Sceptile

Mega Sceptile

The newest Grass-type to join RU, Mega Sceptile has seen quite a drop from RUBL to only A- on the Viability Rankings at the time of writing. This does not mean that you should take Mega Sceptile lightly, however. It boasts the highest non-boosted Speed stat in the tier, allowing it to outspeed multiple Choice Scarf users, and a massive Special Attack stat allows Mega Sceptile to clean weakened teams without the right checks easily. Mega Sceptile's Grass / Dragon typing + Lightning Rod allows it to offensively check Ground-, Water-, and Electric-type attacks from Pokémon such as Zygarde-10%, Slowbro, and Raikou. However, Mega Sceptile is held back by its very poor defenses, making it easily pressured by priority and often unable to come in on Pokémon it should check multiple times. Mega Sceptile opts to use Protect and Leech Seed, as it can gain passive recovery and get necessary chip on its checks. Protect is also really valuable in a Golisopod metagame, as it allows it to avoid being forced out or revenge killed by First Impression. However, multiple sets can be used on Mega Sceptile, including Swords Dance to beat Florges and Snorlax as well as sweep late-game if given the opportunity. Leaf Blade also does not have the negative of a stat drop like Leaf Storm does, so it allows Mega Sceptile to stay in longer. Earthquake can also be used on the special set in order to lure in and take out Salazzle.

Good Teammates

Bulky Offense

Mega Sceptile + Slowbro

Slowbro has good synergy with Mega Sceptile, as it appreciates Mega Sceptile's ability to take on Electric- and Water-type Pokémon that can check it. Slowbro also can check Donphan and Toxicroak that have the ability to revenge kill Mega Sceptile.

Mega Sceptile + Diancie / Florges / Raikou

With Mega Sceptile's dual typing of Grass / Dragon, it is unable to check Water-type Pokémon that may opt to run Ice-type coverage. This makes it fear switching in on Pokémon such as Mega Blastoise, Slowbro, and Milotic. It also has problems with Pokémon like Raikou that threaten it with Hidden Power Ice. Pivots such as Diancie, Florges, and Raikou are able to check for these coverage options and scout before allowing Mega Sceptile to check them. They also help to beat these Pokémon 1v1.

Offense

Mega Sceptile + Salazzle / Gardevoir

As Mega Sceptile is frail, it is susceptible to priority users like Donphan, and Choice Scarf users such as Salazzle and Gardevoir are very good partners in case Mega Sceptile is threatened too much by one of them. Salazzle works well with Mega Sceptile, as it can remove Steel- and Fairy-type Pokémon as well as come in on Ice Shard, Ice-types in general, and Golisopod's First Impression. Gardevoir helps Mega Sceptile, as it can remove Poison- and Dragon-type Pokémon; Gardevoir can also help by using Trick versus bulkier Pokémon that can take on Mega Sceptile 1v1.

Mega Abomasnow

Mega Abomasnow

Now we are getting to the lesser-used Grass-type Pokémon of the tier. Mega Abomasnow may be NU by usage, but thanks to its bulk and high attacking stats it has a niche in RU. Due to its bulk, it is able to take advantage of Swords Dance when forcing out Water- and Ground-type Pokémon. Mega Abomasnow can also threaten out many Pokémon thanks to its +1 priority STAB attack Ice Shard, which stops other Grass-types such as Roserade, Virizion, and Mega Sceptile in its tracks as well as other Pokémon weak to Ice Shard such as Noivern and Zygarde-10%. Unfortunately, its great offensive typing is very poor defensively, often leaving it open to offensive pressure. Although its Speed is poor and it is unable to outspeed many offensive Pokémon, it is able to utilize maximum Speed investment in order to outspeed a lot of defensive Pokémon. Outside of the set above, Mega Abomasnow can utilize a special set including Giga Drain, Blizzard, and Focus Blast.

Good Teammates

Bulky Offense

Mega Abomasnow + Diancie / Dragalge

Due to its 4x weakness to Fire-type attacks, Mega Abomasnow needs teammates that can check them consistently. Diancie and Dragalge can comfortably check Pokémon such as Ninetales and Houndoom while also being able to set up entry hazards like Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes to help aid Mega Abomasnow's setup.

Mega Abomasnow + Donphan / Xatu / Mandibuzz

Hazard control is massively important when using Mega Abomasnow, as it is easily chipped away. As Mega Abomasnow is unable to rely on Mega Blastoise to remove hazards, teams must look at other options such as Donphan, Xatu, and Mandibuzz.

Offense

Mega Abomasnow + Zygarde-10% / Swellow

Late-game cleaners such as Zygarde-10% and Swellow are very appreciative of Mega Abomasnow's ability to leave holes in teams in order to let them sweep. Revenge killers such as Donphan, Mega Sceptile, and Noivern can all be taken away by Mega Abomasnow's Ice Shard, allowing Zygarde-10% and Swellow to be less pressured. Alternatively, Zygarde-10% and Swellow are able to leave holes in teams, allowing Mega Abomasnow to clean with Ice Shard with Zygarde-10% being able to remove Steel-type Pokémon and Swellow's ability to remove physically defensive Pokémon.

Tsareena

Tsareena

Tsareena has quite a unique niche in RU, as its ability Queenly Majesty allows it to be immune to priority moves. This allows it to check Pokémon like Golisopod, and Zygarde-10% to some extent. When Tsareena uses High Jump Kick it is able to check Mega Abomasnow and Honchkrow, as it can avoid priority moves and KO them. Rapid Spin is the main reason to use Tsareena, though, as it can beat hazard setters such as Rhyperior, Diancie, and Bronzong. Power Whip is needed as its STAB move, and Knock Off is very important to hit incoming Ghost-type Pokémon that wish to spinblock it. As it has access to Synthesis, it can consistently check Water-, Ground-, and Electric-type Pokémon in the tier such as Mega Blastoise, Zygarde-10%, and Raikou. Tsareena is also able to utilize U-turn to pivot on its incoming checks as well as Life Orb or Choice Band to help break walls better.

Good Teammates

Offense

Tsareena + Golisopod / Noivern Salazzle

Pokémon that are weak to hazards more than anything else appreciate Tsareena for being able to remove Stealth Rock, allowing Pokémon such as Golisopod, Noivern, and Salazzle to come in safely without taking damage. All of these Pokémon are also able to revenge kill faster Pokémon that threaten Tsareena. Golisopod also appreciates Tsareena's ability to use Rapid Spin, as it keeps its Spikes on the field, whereas a Defog user would not. Noivern is helped by Tsareena versus Electric-type Pokémon that could threaten it out, and Salazzle enjoys Tsareena's ability to check Ground-type Pokémon.

Tsareena + Ribombee / Araquanid

Sticky Web users such as Ribombee and Araquanid appreciate Rapid Spin users in general. However, Tsareena's ability to avoid priority and high Attack stat allow it to thrive more on a Sticky Web team. This way it can outspeed some offensive Pokémon and can utilize a Choice Band set as well.

Tangela

Tangela

Tangela works wonders as a defensive pivot versus a lot of offensive Pokémon in the tier such as Metagross, Virizion, Zygarde-10%, and many others. It doesn't have to rely on passive recovery or even recovery moves, as Regenerator allows it to keep healthy just by switching out. Obviously this is helped by it getting to run Eviolite as its held item, but even if it has to take a Knock Off, it can find itself checking physical Pokémon to some extent. Tangela forces switches just by having the ability to take pitiful damage from these Pokémon and can cripple incoming checks with Knock Off, removing Choice items and Leftovers. It is heavily rivaled offensively by other Grass-type Pokémon, but defensively it has a niche that not many other Grass-types can fill. Even though it is not necessary, Synthesis can be used on Tangela, as it can help it stay in for longer and also allows it better check physical attackers after losing its Eviolite. Moves such as Giga Drain and Hidden Power Fire can be used in the first and last slot, respectively.

Good Teammates

Balance

Tangela + Milotic / Mantine

As Tangela works well in a Fire / Water / Grass core, it is able to work well with Milotic and Mantine defensively on balance. Mantine is able to use utility like Defog to remove Toxic Spikes and other hazards off the field, keeping Tangela healthy. Golisopod and Mega Blastoise are able to help Tangela offensively; Rapid Spin allows Mega Blastoise to do the same job as Mantine, and Golisopod can get up hazards of your own.

Bulky Offense

Tangela + Salazzle / Ninetales / Houndoom

To finish off the Fire / Water / Grass core you need Fire-type Pokémon, duh. Salazzle is able to soak up Toxic Spikes for Tangela, and Tangela can support them by checking Ground-, Rock-, and Water-type checks and revenge killers. These Fire-type Pokémon also benefit from Tangela removing opposing Choice items and Leftovers so that they can either set up on or clean up Pokémon later in the match.

Torterra

Torterra

Torterra has a very small niche in RU as a Stealth Rock user that is able to check a lot of physical attackers in the tier. It can check Pokémon like Zygarde-10%, Metagross, Tyrantrum, and Barbaracle very well. Its dual STAB moves are very good in a metagame filled with bulky Water- and Steel-type Pokémon. However, it is very much lacking in coverage, as it needs Synthesis to remain healthy. This means that Flying-type Pokémon such as Mandibuzz and Noivern can easily come in on and threaten out Torterra. Swords Dance is an option on Torterra instead of Stealth Rock, as it allows Torterra to act more as a wallbreaker for the team, but many other Pokémon can do this better, as Torterra's poor Speed allows most offensive Pokémon to revenge kill it.

Good Teammates

Balance

Torterra + Milotic / Mantine + Slowbro

Torterra is massively weak to Ice-type attacks and is also threatened by Fire-type Pokémon, so bulky Water-type Pokémon such as Milotic, Mantine, and Slowbro can check threats to it. Alternatively, Mega Blastoise offers a more offensive presence, and while it can check Ice- and Fire-types less well, it offers the ability to use Rapid Spin, keeping entry hazards off the field but not at the cost of your own like Mantine.

Bulky Offense

Torterra + Registeel / Bronzong

Both Bronzong and Registeel are helped massively by Torterra's ability to check Pokémon like Zygarde-10% and in turn help Torterra by checking Flying-, Ice-, Fairy-, and Poison-type Pokémon that threaten it. Registeel and Bronzong can free up one of Torterra's moveslots by using Stealth Rock as well as cripple bulky Pokémon with Toxic.

Venusaur

Venusaur

Venusaur is the best sun attacker in RU if you do not include Ninetales, having the ability to sweep teams with a combination of Sludge Bomb, Giga Drain, and Hidden Power Fire. If it is able to get a Growth off, there is very little that can wall it. It has a pretty decent Speed tier as well as Chlorophyll to help it in the sun. As it is a niche Pokémon, it is very much unusable outside of sun teams, as it is outclassed by a majority of Pokémon offensively, more specifically Roserade, which shares the same typing. Venusaur could opt to use Swords Dance with a physical set including Earthquake and Power Whip, as this much better deals with Pokémon like Registeel, but it lacks the stats to hit hard without setting up physically.

Good Teammates

Offense

Venusaur + Torkoal / Ninetales

As Venusaur is a sun sweeper, it only makes sense it is paired with both sun setters in Torkoal and Ninetales, as them getting up the sun is imperative to Venusaur's success in the tier. Torkoal is more efficient at running a suicide lead set, allowing Venusaur to come straight out and cause havoc, whereas Ninetales can help break Pokémon that Venusaur might struggle with its Z-Move and set up.

Venusaur + Zygarde-10% / Tyrantrum

Both Tyrantrum and Zygarde-10% are able to offensively check Fire-type Pokémon, and it is best to do this, as they can take advantage of the sun and counter Venusaur. Tyrantrum and Zygarde-10% can also deal with Pokémon that check Venusaur such as Goodra.

Rotom-C

Rotom-Mow

Rotom-C has a small niche in RU with the ability to work as an offensive pivot and Defog user. It is easy for Rotom-C to use Volt Switch, as Ground-type Pokémon are pressured by Leaf Storm and will probably not try to check it. It makes good use of Grassium Z, as it no longer has to worry about dealing with the Special Attack drop that clicking Leaf Storm has. Unfortunately, Rotom-C never really benefits from Levitate, as most Ground-type Pokémon have a way of hitting it for super effective damage, although Levitate does grant it immunity to Toxic Spikes. Rotom-C can also run Psychium Z alongside Dream Eater to lure in Pokémon such as Salazzle and Roserade. Iapapa Berry is also a viable option to allow Rotom-C to get more opportunities to Defog, as it has no passive or reliable recovery and is pressured by status and entry hazards itself. Toxic can be used over Will-O-Wisp, as it cripples Pokémon that like to come in on Rotom-C like Cresselia and Porygon2.

Good Teammates

Offense

Rotom-Mow + Tyrantrum / Machamp

Tyrantrum and Machamp are able to take advantage of Rotom-C's pivoting ability and can come out when Rotom-C Volt Switches on an incoming check such as Umbreon, Registeel, and Dragalge. This gives both Machamp and Tyrantrum a free switch in, keeping them healthy and will also safely trigger Machamp's Guts.

Rotom-Mow + Ninetales / Salazzle

Ninetales and Salazzle appreciate Rotom-C's use of Defog, as they are weak to entry hazards. Both Ninetales and Salazzle are also good for dealing with threats to Rotom-C such as Steel-, Grass-, and Bug-type Pokémon that can check and threaten Rotom-C.

Try Them Out!

Grass-type Pokémon are extremely viable in RU and should be considered heavily when teambuilding. Try them out for yourself and see which Grass-type you root for!

HTML by Ryota Mitarai.
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