Omastar

Swift Swim
Speed doubles in rain.
Shell Armor
Prevents critical hits.
Weak Armor
Boosts Speed by 1 stage and lowers Defense by 1 stage when hit by a physical move.
Type Tier
Rock / Water RU
Level 100 Statistics (see level 5, 50, 100)
Min- Min Max Max+
HP
70
- 281 344 -
Atk
60
140 156 219 240
Def
125
257 286 349 383
SpA
115
239 266 329 361
SpD
70
158 176 239 262
Spe
55
131 146 209 229

Overview

When looking at Omastar, the first things that stick out are its excellent Defense and Special Attack stats, followed by its abysmal Speed. At first glance, these stats make Omastar look like a slow, bulky attacker. However, this changes when it uses Shell Smash, which makes it one of the most threatening sweepers in the tier by remedying its Speed issues and capitalizing on its already great offensive potential. Omastar is also capable of running an effective defensive set that supports its team with entry hazards. However, a number of problems hold Omastar back. Firstly, its Speed is so low that fast Choice Scarf Pokemon will outspeed it even after a Shell Smash boost; secondly, due to its common weaknesses and terrible Special Defense, it won't find many opportunities to set up. Despite this, Omastar is one of the metagame's premier sweepers, and is a threat that every team should be prepared for.

Name Item Ability Nature

Shell Smash

White Herb / Lum Berry Swift Swim Timid / Modest
Moveset EVs
~ Shell Smash
~ Hydro Pump / Surf
~ Ice Beam
~ Hidden Power Grass
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

This set is what makes Omastar the feared presence it is. After a Shell Smash, Omastar becomes almost impossible to wall and outspeeds all Pokemon in the tier bar Choice Scarf users. Hydro Pump is Omastar's main STAB move and KOes practically everything that doesn't resist it, while Surf is a weaker but more accurate alternative. Ice Beam covers Grass-types such as Lilligant and Rotom-C, as well as Druddigon and the rare Altaria. Hidden Power Grass rounds out the coverage with its ability to hit Water-types, specifically Slowking and Lanturn, super effectively. While it will not OHKO them without prior damage, it is still mandatory so that Omastar can beat them after they've taken some damage beforehand.

Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
Name Item Nature

Support

Leftovers Bold
Moveset EVs
~ Stealth Rock
~ Spikes
~ Scald
~ Ice Beam
252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

Omastar can fill a defensive role and support its teammates with various entry hazards. This set capitalizes on Omastar's great Defense, making it a good switch-in to physical attackers such as Kabutops. Stealth Rock support is essential for pretty much every team, while Spikes are very useful to stack up damage on the opposing team with every switch or to bring an opponent into KO range for a sweeper. Scald is Omastar's obligatory STAB move and still does decent damage off of its base 115 Special Attack, even when uninvested; it also offers a nice 30% burn chance. Ice Beam is the preferred option in the fourth slot as it allows Omastar to hit Grass-type switch-ins super effectively.

Team Options & Additional Comments >>>

Other Options

Omastar's impressive Special Attack and good coverage make it a good user of Choice Specs, but when running offensive Omastar, Shell Smash is generally a better way to capitalize on free turns. Other than that, there aren't many options for Omastar. Hidden Power Fire is a possibility to OHKO Ferroseed and Jynx, but the coverage added by Hidden Power Grass is generally too important to give up.

Checks and Counters

Generally, the best way of dealing with Omastar is to pack a fast Choice Scarf user that can outspeed it after a Shell Smash and OHKO it, such as Rotom or Manectric. Lanturn can survive most hits from Omastar and OHKO back with a STAB Electric-type attack, but it can be OHKOed by a Life Orb-boosted Hidden Power Grass and can't afford to take any prior damage. Slowking can take even a Modest +2 Life Orb Hidden Power Grass and cripple Omastar with Thunder Wave, but Lum Berry variants will get past it. Clefable can also cripple Omastar with paralysis, but it will only be able to do so against White Herb variants, as it can be KOed by Life Orb Hydro Pump. Jynx is immune to Water-type moves and survives Omastar's other attacks, which gives it an opportunity to use Lovely Kiss, but it can too be KOed by Life Orb variants. Priority attacks generally won't do much damage to Omastar thanks to its stellar Defense, but they can finish off weakened ones. Defensive Omastar is easily KOed by Grass- and Electric-type attacks and cannot really damage Water-types. In fact, its main form of offense comes from the entry hazards it lays, which can be removed by a Rapid Spin user. Cryogonal is a good candidate for this, as it can take Omastar's attacks with ease, Recover off the damage, and beat most spinblockers.