|
-
Sturdy
- If the wielder is at full HP, it will survive any attack. OHKO moves will fail.
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Overcoat
- Grants immunity to damage from weather effects.
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Level 100 Statistics (see level 5, 50, 100)
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
75
|
- |
291 |
354 |
- |
| Atk |
90
|
194 |
216 |
279 |
306 |
| Def |
140
|
284 |
316 |
379 |
416 |
| SpA |
60
|
140 |
156 |
219 |
240 |
| SpD |
60
|
140 |
156 |
219 |
240 |
| Spe |
40
|
104 |
116 |
179 |
196 |
Overview
Much has changed with the shift to BW, but Forretress is still Forretress. It remains exceptionally good at what it does, namely providing entry hazard and Rapid Spin support, but outside of that role, it is extremely limited. BW brought it a few buffs in Volt Switch and the improvement to Sturdy, which now acts as a psuedo-Focus Sash. Sadly, threats such as Reshiram and Magic Bounce Xatu have also come into play, making life a bit harder. All in all, play safe, support Forretress well, and watch as your opponent is shredded and poisoned at every turn by layer after layer of entry hazards. Be a bit careless and predict wrongly, though, and shudder as your bagworm is wiped out every match without fail.
Forretress's amazing Bug / Steel typing, great overall bulk, and access to Rapid Spin, as well as all three entry hazards, make it a great choice for a support role on nearly any team. Due to the lack of Pokemon able to reliably set them up, Spikes is a massively useful move on Forretress in Ubers. Furthermore, there are a wide range of grounded Pokemon immune to Toxic Spikes, but affected by Spikes, such as Steel Arceus, Excadrill, Ferrothorn, and Dialga; this makes Spikes a great move to use on Forretress. Toxic Spikes are the second hazard that Forretress will often use; they can be incredibly dangerous in Ubers due to very threatening Pokemon such as Darkrai, Mewtwo, Blaziken, Palkia, and the majority of Calm Mind Arceus formes (most notably Ghost) being put on a timer once poisoned; note, however, that Calm Mind Arceus inflicted with only regular poison can still pull off a sweep. All weather starters are also vulnerable to Toxic Spikes, making them an effective weapon in winning the weather war. With the prevalence of Choice items and Draco Meteor users, Forretress will find plenty of opportunities to set up its hazards. Rapid Spin is where Forretress carves out its biggest niche. Thanks to its great resistances to common Ghost-, Dark-, Ice-, and Dragon-type attacks, it is able to consistently switch in and remove entry hazards, allowing Pokemon such as Ho-Oh, Lugia, and Reshiram to come into play without losing huge chunks of their health. Bulky grounded Pokemon such as Groudon, Palkia, most Arceus formes, and Chansey also appreciate Forretress's ability to remove the Toxic Spikes that greatly reduce their staying power.
Pain Split, Toxic, and Volt Switch are mainly filler options, but they have their uses. The first allows Forretress to switch into Choice-locked resisted moves more recklessly; and, perhaps more importantly, makes Forretress one of the best Ferrothorn counters in the game. Ferrothorn can only significantly damage Forretress with Iron Barbs and Leech Seed, but with Pain Split Forretress can set up hazards and Rapid Spin on Ferrothorn to its heart's content. Toxic allows Forretress to cripple spinblockers and walls such as Lugia and Ho-Oh, which are immune to Toxic Spikes, and also punishes Arceus formes that might try to set up on Forretress. Finally, Volt Switch lets Forretress act as a scout after it has laid a few entry hazards, and can be useful for maintaining offensive momentum, or even setting up a Pursuit trap on a careless spinblocker.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
Max HP and Special Defense along with a Special Defense-boosting nature is necessary to make the most of Forretress's relatively low special bulk, as it needs all it can get to take the Draco Meteors and Ice Beams thrown around in Ubers. Leftovers is the item of choice, as the passive recovery helps Forretress to shrug off weak or resisted attacks. Keep in mind, however, that even with full investment, neutral special attacks still take a fair chunk out of Forretress's health, so ensure that you play off of its numerous resistances.
A more physically defensive spread (252 HP / 36 Def / 220 SpD with a Bold or a Relaxed nature) can be used with Toxic to check certain physical attackers. This spread ensures that Forretress is never 2HKOed by +1 Outrage from Dragon Dance Rayquaza. However, Forretress will still struggle against even non-Life Orb Extreme Killer Arceus packing Earthquake; as such, a spread of 252 HP / 136 Def / 120 SpD can be used to always avoid the 2HKO from a +2 Adamant Arceus using Earthquake. Life Orb Extreme Killer Arceus still possesses the ability to 2HKO after Stealth Rock with Earthquake almost all the time (guaranteed for Adamant, even without Stealth Rock); at this point, one should just use a fully physically defensive spread. Forretress also struggles with Lum Berry variants of Extreme Killer Arceus, which can absorb one Toxic and will beat Forretress more often than not, even if the Forretress is packing Pain Split.
A Ghost-type is a mandatory teammate to block Rapid Spin, which can otherwise waste all of Forretress's hard work; the Giratina formes are probably the best, and both have good synergy with Forretress, though Ghost Arceus makes a great choice as well. Blissey and Chansey can take most neutral or super effective special attacks directed at Forretress in stride, while supporting the team with Wish or Stealth Rock. In return, Forretress can easily set up on many of the physical attackers that threaten Chansey or Blissey, such as Garchomp and Groudon that lack a Fire-type move. Palkia can switch into many Pokemon that often come in on Forretress, such as Choice Specs Kyogre, Reshiram, Giratina-O, opposing Palkia, and Mewtwo, and threaten them with Thunder or its STAB Dragon-type attacks, and thus makes a great teammate. Sweepers such as most Calm Mind Arceus and Kyogre love having Forretress as a partner to both set up and remove Toxic Spikes. Ho-Oh and Reshiram enjoy Rapid Spin support, and can easily switch into most Fire-type attacks for Forretress; in return, it can tank Dragon-type moves for Reshiram and come in on defensive Groudon without a Fire-type move, which is a constant threat to Ho-Oh. Groudon also forms a potent physically defensive core with Forretress, and can set up Stealth Rock, phaze with Roar or Dragon Tail to rack up entry hazard damage, and scare Dialga off with STAB Earthquake. Kyogre can lessen Forretress's Fire-type weakness thanks to Drizzle and destroy Fire Punch Groudon, Ho-Oh, and select Arceus formes. Zekrom can stop defensive Kyogre and Ho-Oh with its STAB Bolt Strike. Dialga is also a great teammate, as it can come in after Forretress uses Volt Switch on the Giratina formes looking to spinblock, scaring them off and setting up Stealth Rock.
Despite the third slot being dedicated to a secondary hazard most of the time, Forretress can employ an additional utility move for fourth slot. Pain Split + Volt Switch allows Forretress to stay healthy and gain momentum. Pain Split + Toxic allows it to check Extreme Killer Arceus. Gyro Ball, Hidden Power Ice, and Payback also have their uses. Gyro Ball provides Forretress with a usably meaty STAB attack, and can hit common switch-ins such as Mewtwo, Darkrai, and Giratina-O for reasonable damage. It also gets a super effective hit on Kyurem-W, 2HKOing it even without Stealth Rock, although a Choice Specs-boosted Draco Meteor 2HKOs Forretress in return. Hidden Power Ice gives Forretress the ability to counter Gliscor, provided that Forretress is healthy, and a strong attack against Rayquaza and Shaymin-S. Payback can be used to check Latias and Latios, but Forretress can only switch into sets with Dragon Pulse and Grass Knot, as Thunder, Surf or Hidden Power Fire will maul it. However, a +1 Dragon Pulse will 3HKO Forretress from either of the twins, making Forretress a shaky check at best.
Stealth Rock can be used over Spikes or Toxic Spikes on more offensive teams lacking another entry hazard supporter. However, in most cases, it's a waste of Forretress's potential, especially considering the range of other Pokemon that can also set up Stealth Rock.
Say hello to one of Ubers's finest anti-leads and entry hazard users. The release of Custap Berry is a blessing to any Pokemon with Sturdy thanks to its BW mechanics. Even Deoxys-S, a common suicide lead that seems to outclass Forretress is beaten by this set, getting smacked by Gyro Ball and losing the entry hazards it has worked for thanks to Rapid Spin. Sturdy allows Forretress to tank even a Fire Punch or Hidden Power Fire from Deoxys-S, allowing it to go for the Gyro Ball or lay down some entry hazards if it isn't hit by Taunt. Do note that with the combination of Taunt and a Fire-type move, Deoxys-S will manage to limit this set's usefulness. The combination of Custap Berry and Sturdy is deadly on Forretress because it helps it act like an anti-lead and an entry hazard setter at the same time. This combination allows Forretress to almost always get a minimum of two entry hazards up; once when it's attacked and brought down to Custap Berry activation range, and once when Custap Berry gets activated.
The set itself is pretty straightforward. Entry hazards are a blessing for offensive teams, and these are the teams this Forretress fits best on. While slower teams do often enjoy entry hazards, the fast pace of this set makes it a great addition to hyper offensive teams that wish to keep great pressure on their opponent. Rapid Spin is the key to Forretress's anti-hazard role, spinning away the entry hazards the foe worked to get on the field. Gyro Ball hits fairly hard with a Brave nature, 0 Speed IVs, and 252 Attack EVs and is a good emergency tool to take out the likes of weakened Rayquaza, Salamence, Groudon, and more if Custap Berry is in its activation range. You don't need to use Custap Berry immediately; feel free to keep it for emergency uses. Explosion lets Forretress go out with a bang and is capable of OHKOing Ho-Oh after Stealth Rock damage, along with leaving a huge dent in opponents such as Kyogre, Rayquaza, and Palkia. Explosion can also be used to block a Rapid Spin; in fact, it has a 93.75% chance to OHKO 252/32 Tentacruel after Stealth Rock. Toxic Spikes can be used over Spikes to pressure bulky offensive teams, as those teams do not appreciate the additional damage. However, many teams will find Spikes to be more useful than Toxic Spikes overall.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
The EV spread and nature guarantee that Forretress's Gyro Ball will hit as hard as possible. 0 IVs in HP, Defense, and Special Defense, allows Forretress to get into Custap Berry activation range very quickly: +1 LO Earthquake from Rayquaza and Earth Plate Groudon cannot achieve a KO and activate Forretress's Custap Berry the following turn. Yet, there are many other options for IV and EV spreads. 0 HP IVs paired with 31 Special Defense IVs ensures that Forretress can take two Modest Ice Beams from Kyogre, Lustrous Orb Palkia will only have 6.25% chance to OHKO with STAB Spacial Rend after Stealth Rock, and two Dark Pulses from Leftovers Darkrai will bring Forretress to Custap Berry activation range without Stealth Rock. 13 HP IVs with 31 Defense IVs ensures that Forretress is only 3HKOed by 4 Attack Groudon's Earthquake. A bulky spread is a viable option if your team needs something to take either physical or special attacks; go for Special Defense investment if you need to tank special hits like Draco Meteor and Ice Beam, and vice versa.
This set doesn't have many other options bar Volt Switch, which is a brilliant move option if you wish to scout and catch the opponent's spinblocker or Xatu by surprise. Toxic Spikes should only be used over Spikes; if you use it over Stealth Rock, you get a suicide Pokemon that takes five turns to set up, which is, while somewhat viable, far too many, and if you use it over Gyro Ball or Explosion, Forretress becomes a huge setup fodder and loses versus opposing Deoxys-S.
Any Pokemon that can force switches can take great advantage from this set's qualities. Double Dance Groudon is a great partner; with Stealth Rock and Spikes up, it can sweep easily. Toxic Spikes also puts huge pressure on Arceus formes, making it easier for Groudon to sweep. Rayquaza, thanks to its brute force and insane coverage, can also force switches while smacking the incoming switch with a brutal Dragon-type STAB move. Ghost Arceus and Giratina-O are advised as partners, as they are capable of spinblocking, so Forretress's work won't go to waste. They can also beat Giratina and Xatu, which trouble Forretress in doing its job. Choice Scarf Kyogre can drown Ghost Arceus when healthy and can force many switches, which will become troublesome for the opponent with Forretress's entry hazards. Deoxys-S running Taunt and a Fire-type move and Darkrai are troublesome for this set. Giratina-O can handle Deoxys-S very easily, limiting it to a single entry hazard with its priority STAB Shadow Sneak, and while Darkrai is harder to deal with on offensive teams, a revenge killer, such as Genesect, Kyogre, or Arceus, should do the trick. Genesect is especially good, as it can force switches and scout the opponent's moves, rack up entry hazard damage, and help escape from the leads Forretress cannot beat.
Other Options
As previously mentioned, Forretress is fairly limited outside of the listed options. Shed Shell is an option to escape from Magnezone, but Forretress will greatly miss the Leftovers recovery. Forretress learns Reflect and Light Screen, and can thus make decent use of a dual screens set, but it should usually opt to Volt Switch out or simply lay more entry hazards rather than use a screen. Under Light Screen and rain, however, Forretress can be a tough nut to crack with even Fire-type attacks. Protect can be used in the last slot to scout for foes carrying a surprise Fire-type attack, such as Espeon and Groudon, and also eases prediction when dealing with Choice item users, but the listed moves are generally more useful, and Forretress already has many move options as it is. Earthquake can be used to catch Heatran, Magnezone, and Reshiram on the switch.
Checks and Counters
Magic Bounce Espeon and Xatu with Hidden Power Fire are probably Forretress's biggest counters; they reflect its attempts to set up entry hazards and can OHKO with a 4x super effective Hidden Power. Tentacruel can also be annoying, as it absorbs Toxic Spikes, has access to Rapid Spin, and can scare Forretress off with a potentially rain-boosted Scald, while Forretress can do little back bar Earthquake. Forretress has trouble with any Pokemon carrying a Fire-type move as well, as most of them will OHKO if rain is not present; Reshiram, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina-O, and Mewtwo are the most common users. Although Groudon is normally setup fodder for Forretress, it will sometimes run Fire Punch or Overheat to fry the bug. Both Ho-Oh and Reshiram can switch in at will and threaten Forretress with their STAB Fire-type attacks, only really fearing Stealth Rock damage or Toxic. Kyogre has little to fear from any of Forretress's attacks, and can drown Forretress with its Water-type STAB moves. Finally, although rare in today's metagame, Heatran can roast Forretress with Lava Plume or Fire Blast, and Poison Heal Gliscor can freely come in and either Taunt Forretress or set up a Substitute.
