OM Spotlight #2: Same Type Stealth Rock

Introduction

Welcome to the Other Metagame Spotlight! This series covers specific OMs that have been gaining popularity in the past month but need that extra spotlight shining on them. The metagame selected will be chosen based off creativity, thread interest, and how the metagame is structured. Our second spotlight will be on Same Type Stealth Rock, which was made by The Immortal. This metagame will be receiving our second OM Spotlight due to how interesting the metagame is and the effort The Immortal has put into making it an interesting and fun metagame for the community. The basic premise of the metagame is that Stealth Rock's typing varies depending on the user's primary type. This simple, yet completely crazy, change leads to a completely revamped metagame that is incredibly fun and encourages thinking. While the metagame itself has not won OMotM nor gained a gigantic limelight, it has been chosen because we believe that the completely unique aspects of the format are enough that the community deserves to see!

Same Type Stealth Rock

Same Type Stealth Rock is, as the name implies, a metagame centered around Stealth Rock. The kicker of this metagame is that the user's primary type decides the effective type of Stealth Rock. So, for example, a Mamoswine using Stealth Rock would make the Stealth Rock effectively Ice-type. This means that the Pokémon that switch on in this entry hazard will take the damage that Ice-type moves would inflict upon them. Dragonite would lose 50% health, Zapdos would lose 25% health, and so on. Another interesting mechanic is that "absorbing" abilities, such as Volt Absorb and Water Absorb, will remove the Stealth Rock of those specific types. However, only one layer of Stealth Rock can be set at a time, meaning that you cannot stack Ice- and Fire-type Stealth Rock or any other combination of types. This leads to Pokémon that have unique Stealth Rock types, notably Clefable and Mamoswine, becoming very common. It also changes how Pokémon teambuilding is done, as most teams account for regular Stealth Rock; however, now there are a ton of different Stealth Rock possibilities. With added variety of Stealth Rock, Rapid Spin and Defog become all the more necessary to make sure a Pokémon is not crippled indefinitely. Also, with the decline of Rock-type Stealth Rock, Pokemon like Talonflame, Charizard, and Volcarona get slightly better. However, it is important to note that Defog does potentially allow a different type of Stealth Rock to be set, which could add even more variety to your match!

Stealth Rock Threats

Heatran is one of the four Pokémon able to set Fire-type Stealth Rock, with the other three not being incredibly viable. Fire-type Stealth Rock is excellent considering how many Pokémon are weak to Fire and how few types actually resist it. Besides that, Heatran only really has to fear Ground-type Stealth Rock, and it is resistant to two other common Stealth Rock types: Fairy and Ice. Heatran also has several attributes that carry over from OU, such as its great power, bulk, and relative utility that it brings to the team. Heatran is considered by the community to be one of the better Stealth Rock setters in the format.

Mamoswine is the only Pokémon with access to Ice-type Stealth Rock in the metagame, instantly carving it an interesting niche. Ice-type Stealth Rock is such a viable option offensively, and many common Pokémon, such as Flying- and Grass-types, take super effective damage from it. Mamoswine itself resists many other Stealth Rock types, notably Electric-type Stealth Rock. Besides this obvious niche, Mamoswine comes packed with a powerful Ice Shard to pick off faster, weakened offensive threats. Its powerful Earthquake is as wonderful as it is in regular play as well. Finally, Mamoswine has two wonderful abilities to select from in Oblivious and Thick Fat. Oblivious allows Mamoswine to have an easier time setting up Stealth Rock, while Thick Fat gives Mamoswine a neutrality to otherwise super effective Fire-type attacks.

Clefable is the only viable Fairy-type with access to Stealth Rock, and Fairy is a very potent typing to be setting Stealth Rock with. Due to how widespread Fairy-type coverage is, with only three types being resistant to it, choosing it as your Stealth Rock type is very low-risk/high-reward. An interesting thing about Clefable is that it's the only Stealth Rock setter that is immune to every form of the entry hazard thanks to its ability Magic Guard. These two traits are what make Clefable a very notable threat. Due to not being worn down through Stealth Rock, Clefable is able to take advantage of the freedom it receives to switch in to wall common threats, such as Mamoswine.

Community Reception

The OM community very much became infatuated with this metagame quite soon after it was created. Many users, including myself, jumped on the boat to name each different 'Stealth Rock' type, giving it a little bit more flavor. However, the community did slow down a bit after the initial hype. Nonetheless, hopefully you'll be interested in checking it out and reviving the community after reading this article!

Conclusion

Thanks for reading! Expect the next OM Spotlight to be a more well-known metagame. I hope you've enjoyed reading this and will be interested in making your very own Same Type Stealth Rock team soon!

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