Statistics
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
60
|
- |
261 |
324 |
- |
| Atk |
70
|
158 |
176 |
239 |
262 |
| Def |
55
|
131 |
146 |
209 |
229 |
| SpA |
125
|
257 |
286 |
349 |
383 |
| SpD |
105
|
221 |
246 |
309 |
339 |
| Spe |
90
|
194 |
216 |
279 |
306 |
Roserade is a much welcomed improvement over Advance's Roselia. With Choice Specs attached, its Leaf Storm can outdamage Salamence's Draco Meteor (if Roserade is Modest that is, which would give it 383 SpA instead of 349 SpA to Specsmence's 350), which is certainly worth something even if Grass is an inferior attacking type compared to Dragon. Sludge Bomb is for a secondary STAB attack that doesn't lower your attacking capabilities, and also goes nicely with Roserade's ability to switch in to Grass types with its 4x resistance.
The third slot is up in the air, really. Shadow Ball is mainly for Gengar, who resists both Grass and Poison, although Energy Ball can work if you'd rather have a Grass attack that didn't force you to switch out. Weather Ball can work if you have other Pokémon on the team using weather moves. Even if the only weather is Sandstorm caused by yourself or the opponent, Roserade appreciates the 100 power Rock move to hit the Flying types that resist Grass. Hail gives an Ice typed Weather Ball, which serves the same purpose. Really, Roserade can make use of any weather effect, and has the advantage of not being Castform!
Hidden Power Fire is pretty much necessary, since Steel types will ruin Roserade's day due to their resistance to its entire movepool. Modest is an option here if you really want the boost in power, but outspeeding base 100s who don't use a +Speed nature is a very hard thing to pass up. Given Roserade's poor lasting ability, getting in and hitting hard and fast with Choice Specs seems to be its best bet.
General attacking Roserade, Sleep Powder helps prevent it from taking damage. Again, Leaf Storm is going to hurt a ton off of its 125 base Special Attack, even without Choice Specs. Life Orb gives a comparable boost, but with things such as Stealth Rock and Sandstorm looking to be popular, Wise Glasses might end up being the better choice.
Weather changing Roserade. Being the only Pokémon besides Castform to get Weather Ball is a very nice bonus. The problem is, Roserade has no defensive capability to speak of, as even though it has 105 base Special Defense, its lower 60 HP and plethora of weaknesses prevent it from taking any attacks. Rain Dance is a very nice surprise to Fire types who switch in, expecting to sponge a Leaf Storm, while Sunny Day gives Roserade an even more powerful attack to hit Steel types. Which one you choose really depends on the other members of your team, but either way, don't rely on Roserade to be your sole weather changer. With sturdier users of your preferred weather move on your team, you may be able to remove Sunny Day / Rain Dance entirely, and just use Sleep Powder in that slot.
Roserade makes a pretty good Subseeder, as its 90 base speed allows it to outspeed some major threats that don't run a +Speed nature. What sets Roserade apart in the Subseeding game is Growth, which can potentially set you up for a sweep if your opponent can't handle Leech Seed. Roserade may even be able to draw Leech Seed vulnerable Pokémon such as Blissey, as its Choice Specs Leaf Storm is a huge threat. You can try Hidden Power Ice, Fire, or Sludge Bomb here to stop Roserade from being walled by Grass types, but without Growth, this set is done much better by a faster Pokémon such as Sceptile.
Roserade has the speed to make good use of Choice Scarf. This set would make a good lead, as a first turn "guaranteed" Sleep is nice. It can also protect against things such as Garchomp, Rock Polish Rhyperior, and Dragon Dance Salamence (it can only catch it if it has one boost, however).
Other Options
Spikes/Toxic Spikes are nice, but Roserade definitely does not have the defenses to put them to much use. Still, they can be used on predicted switches to walls such as Blissey. Aromatherapy is the same idea. You might even be able to squeeze Synthesis on a Sunny Day set. Stun Spore is always nice, to help with Roserade's mediocre Speed and prevent it from taking hits. Rest can work with Natural Cure as well.
EVs
Attacking Roserade should just max out Special Attack and Speed, as something with Roserade's frailty shouldn't be bothering with defenses. Subseeding Roserade is a different story, and you will want a lot of HP to put Substitute and Leech Seed to good use. Growth should be raising your Special Attack anyway.
Opinion
Roserade is a really underrated threat, as its previous evolution was absolutely never seen in Advance. It hits just as hard as the very top OU Special threats in the game, and a 140 base move to use makes it dangerous to any team without a sturdy Special wall, and Roserade can handle the common Blissey with moves such as Leech Seed. However, Roserade is hurt a lot by its mediocre Speed and low defenses, and despite its large Special Attack, it may not even be able to get off a move before it is killed by the game's myriad fast attackers. It's also difficult to switch in, and will have to rely on predicted switches or Grass Knots/Leech Seeds to enter the field.
Counters
You'll probably want a resistance to Grass due to Leaf Storm, so Flying, Steel, and Grass types are all good choices. Salamence, Dragonite, Zapdos, Crobat, Magnezone, Heatran, Metagross are good examples of these. Steel types have the added bonus of resisting Roserade's dual Poison type as well, and neither Hidden Power Fire nor Hidden Power Ice Roserade can even touch Heatran. Besides resisting its attacks, take advantage of its mediocre speed and low defense, as you may be able to kill it before it gets off an attack.
