Credit to Plus for the original thread I decided to work off of.
Overview
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With colorful flowers for hands, a heroic cape, and some really weird hair, Roserade plays a unique role in the OU tier as an offensive Spiker. Access to Spikes and Toxic Spikes along with a solid base 125 Special Attack stat allows Roserade to play this role effectively. Its ability, Technician, effectively gives it access to a Hidden Power of any type with a solid 90 Base Power. Thanks to new breeding mechanics, the previously illegal combination of Sleep Powder and Spikes is now legal, letting Roserade shut down a Pokemon while stacking Spikes. Roserade can sponge a special hit or two as well thanks to its decent base 105 Special Defense and Grass / Poison typing, which offers handy resistances to Water-, Fighting-, Electric-, Grass-, and Fairy-type moves.
However, there are several flaws that prevent Roserade from becoming OU's premier entry hazard setter. Base 90 Speed is lackluster for an offensive Pokemon, and it prevents Roserade from beating several threats such as Landorus-T and Manaphy. Roserade is also weak to some very common attacking types in the current OU metagame, such as Ice, Fire, and Flying. This issue is further worsened by its pitiful base 60 HP and base 65 Defense, which leaves it unable to stomach almost any physical STAB move. Roserade also faces plenty of competition for the role of laying hazards from Pokemon such as Deoxys-D, Deoxys-S, and Klefki. Despite these flaws, Roserade's offensive presence, access to Sleep Powder, and ability to stack Spikes make it a great pick for offensive teams.
Offensive Spikes
########
name: Offensive Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Sleep Powder
move 3: Leaf Storm
move 4: Hidden Power Fire
ability: Technician
item: Life Orb
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
ivs: 29 HP
nature: Timid
Moves
========
Spikes is one of the main reasons Roserade is used, racking up residual damage and punishing any switch-ins. Sleep Powder is used to incapacitate a Pokemon for a majority of the match and can be very useful in shutting down Pokemon that are difficult for your team to break or handle. Leaf Storm is the strongest move in Roserade's arsenal, doing big damage to any Pokemon that doesn't resist it. Hidden Power Fire nails Pokemon looking to absorb the Sleep Powder or try and take Leaf Storm. Sludge Bomb is an option over Hidden Power Fire, as it can 2HKO Mandibuzz and Mega Venusaur, both of which are common switch-ins to absorb Sleep Powder. However, the loss in coverage generally isn't worth it. Giga Drain is a more consistent option over Leaf Storm, but the loss in power is very noticeable and Roserade is too frail to stick around long.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Speed and Special Attack with a Life Orb helps get down Spikes as fast as possible while giving Roserade the power needed to hit switch-ins hard. Technician's boost to Hidden Power Fire is invaluable, and should always be used over Natural Cure. Without it, Roserade doesn't OHKO Mega Scizor, Skarmory, Mega Mawile, Lucario, Bisharp, Excadrill, Ferrothorn, and Mega Pinsir or 2HKO Aegislash after Stealth Rock. 29 HP IVs are used to minimize Life Orb recoil. Note that the number of HP IVs does not affect the type of Hidden Power.
Usage Tips
========
The first objective when using Roserade is to cripple a Pokemon by putting it to sleep. If there is a Pokemon on the opponent's team that can absorb Sleep Powder, Roserade is better off setting Spikes or trying to nail the switch-in with powerful attacks. Roserade is a powerful but rather frail Pokemon that shouldn't be sacrificed early on, so only set Spikes on predicted switches. It should be switched in only on resisted special hits, as it is frail. Leaf Storm should always be Roserade's main attacking option, and Hidden Power Fire should handle most Pokemon attempting to cushion the Leaf Storm, such as Ferrothorn and Aegislash.
Team Options
========
Roserade's best teammates will generally be offensive threats that offer good synergy and appreciate the residual damage from Spikes. Talonflame is one of these, and Roserade can beat Rotom-W for it. Keldeo applies much more pressure on its checks with the extra entry hazards. Rotom-W checks the Fire-type Pokemon that switch in on Roserade and grabs momentum with Volt Switch. A Defiant or Competitive user, such as Bisharp, Thundurus, or Milotic, can switch in on a Defog attempt to remove Spikes and punish the opposing team with powerful boosted attacks. Heatran is a more defensive teammate that can set Stealth Rock on Talonflame and damage Grass-types with Lava Plume, while Roserade can set up Spikes on bulky Water-type Pokemon. Skarmory can take on several Pokemon that threaten Roserade, such as Mega Pinsir and Mamoswine, but be sure not to Defog away your own hazards.
Other Options
########
A defensive Spikes-stacking set is an option, but this is mostly outclassed by Chesnaught, as Roserade does not have great bulk and loses to several users of Defog. Shadow Ball can offer powerful neutral coverage and hit Aegislash, but Aegislash is already hit harder by Hidden Power Fire and Shadow Ball leaves Roserade helpless against some Steel-type Pokemon, most notably Bisharp. Roserade can use Aromatherapy or even run a SubSeed set, but it is largely outclassed in these roles by Chansey and Gourgeist-S. A double Powder set can be used to catch switch-ins off-guard, but the loss of offensive coverage isn't worth it. A Choice Scarf set can revenge kill Pokemon such as Greninja, Manaphy, and Mega Gyarados, but it is outclassed by Garchomp and Excadrill. Roserade also has access to Rain Dance and Sunny Day, but due to its general frailty, it isn't the best choice for a weather setter. Hidden Power Rock can be used to catch the usual Fire-type and some Dragon-type switch-ins off guard, but the loss in coverage generally isn't worth it.
Checks & Counters
########
**Fire-types**: Strong Fire-type Pokemon, like Heatran, Talonflame, and the Mega Charizard formes have little trouble switching in and roasting Roserade with powerful attacks, although the latter two must be wary of Sludge Bomb or Hidden Power Rock.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Roserade's Defense is very low, so physical attackers such as Dragonite, Excadrill, and Garchomp can easily 2HKO Roserade with almost any move.
**Special Walls and Assault Vest users**: Roserade cannot hope to dent special walls such as Chansey or Heatran, and Assault Vest users like Goodra and Conkeldurr can handle Roserade's attacks as well. Assault Vest Excadrill can also remove Spikes that Roserade sets with Rapid Spin.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-types that resist Grass-, such as Latias, Latios, Dragonite, Kyurem-B, Goodra, and Mega Charizard X, can generally do a good job against Roserade, although they must be wary of a powerful Sludge Bomb.
**Powder-Immune Pokemon**: Mega Venusaur and Mandibuzz can absorb a Sleep Powder and sponge any other attacks Roserade can use, but both must watch out for Sludge Bomb, which can 2HKO them.
Overview
########
With colorful flowers for hands, a heroic cape, and some really weird hair, Roserade plays a unique role in the OU tier as an offensive Spiker. Access to Spikes and Toxic Spikes along with a solid base 125 Special Attack stat allows Roserade to play this role effectively. Its ability, Technician, effectively gives it access to a Hidden Power of any type with a solid 90 Base Power. Thanks to new breeding mechanics, the previously illegal combination of Sleep Powder and Spikes is now legal, letting Roserade shut down a Pokemon while stacking Spikes. Roserade can sponge a special hit or two as well thanks to its decent base 105 Special Defense and Grass / Poison typing, which offers handy resistances to Water-, Fighting-, Electric-, Grass-, and Fairy-type moves.
However, there are several flaws that prevent Roserade from becoming OU's premier entry hazard setter. Base 90 Speed is lackluster for an offensive Pokemon, and it prevents Roserade from beating several threats such as Landorus-T and Manaphy. Roserade is also weak to some very common attacking types in the current OU metagame, such as Ice, Fire, and Flying. This issue is further worsened by its pitiful base 60 HP and base 65 Defense, which leaves it unable to stomach almost any physical STAB move. Roserade also faces plenty of competition for the role of laying hazards from Pokemon such as Deoxys-D, Deoxys-S, and Klefki. Despite these flaws, Roserade's offensive presence, access to Sleep Powder, and ability to stack Spikes make it a great pick for offensive teams.
Offensive Spikes
########
name: Offensive Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Sleep Powder
move 3: Leaf Storm
move 4: Hidden Power Fire
ability: Technician
item: Life Orb
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
ivs: 29 HP
nature: Timid
Moves
========
Spikes is one of the main reasons Roserade is used, racking up residual damage and punishing any switch-ins. Sleep Powder is used to incapacitate a Pokemon for a majority of the match and can be very useful in shutting down Pokemon that are difficult for your team to break or handle. Leaf Storm is the strongest move in Roserade's arsenal, doing big damage to any Pokemon that doesn't resist it. Hidden Power Fire nails Pokemon looking to absorb the Sleep Powder or try and take Leaf Storm. Sludge Bomb is an option over Hidden Power Fire, as it can 2HKO Mandibuzz and Mega Venusaur, both of which are common switch-ins to absorb Sleep Powder. However, the loss in coverage generally isn't worth it. Giga Drain is a more consistent option over Leaf Storm, but the loss in power is very noticeable and Roserade is too frail to stick around long.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Speed and Special Attack with a Life Orb helps get down Spikes as fast as possible while giving Roserade the power needed to hit switch-ins hard. Technician's boost to Hidden Power Fire is invaluable, and should always be used over Natural Cure. Without it, Roserade doesn't OHKO Mega Scizor, Skarmory, Mega Mawile, Lucario, Bisharp, Excadrill, Ferrothorn, and Mega Pinsir or 2HKO Aegislash after Stealth Rock. 29 HP IVs are used to minimize Life Orb recoil. Note that the number of HP IVs does not affect the type of Hidden Power.
Usage Tips
========
The first objective when using Roserade is to cripple a Pokemon by putting it to sleep. If there is a Pokemon on the opponent's team that can absorb Sleep Powder, Roserade is better off setting Spikes or trying to nail the switch-in with powerful attacks. Roserade is a powerful but rather frail Pokemon that shouldn't be sacrificed early on, so only set Spikes on predicted switches. It should be switched in only on resisted special hits, as it is frail. Leaf Storm should always be Roserade's main attacking option, and Hidden Power Fire should handle most Pokemon attempting to cushion the Leaf Storm, such as Ferrothorn and Aegislash.
Team Options
========
Roserade's best teammates will generally be offensive threats that offer good synergy and appreciate the residual damage from Spikes. Talonflame is one of these, and Roserade can beat Rotom-W for it. Keldeo applies much more pressure on its checks with the extra entry hazards. Rotom-W checks the Fire-type Pokemon that switch in on Roserade and grabs momentum with Volt Switch. A Defiant or Competitive user, such as Bisharp, Thundurus, or Milotic, can switch in on a Defog attempt to remove Spikes and punish the opposing team with powerful boosted attacks. Heatran is a more defensive teammate that can set Stealth Rock on Talonflame and damage Grass-types with Lava Plume, while Roserade can set up Spikes on bulky Water-type Pokemon. Skarmory can take on several Pokemon that threaten Roserade, such as Mega Pinsir and Mamoswine, but be sure not to Defog away your own hazards.
Other Options
########
A defensive Spikes-stacking set is an option, but this is mostly outclassed by Chesnaught, as Roserade does not have great bulk and loses to several users of Defog. Shadow Ball can offer powerful neutral coverage and hit Aegislash, but Aegislash is already hit harder by Hidden Power Fire and Shadow Ball leaves Roserade helpless against some Steel-type Pokemon, most notably Bisharp. Roserade can use Aromatherapy or even run a SubSeed set, but it is largely outclassed in these roles by Chansey and Gourgeist-S. A double Powder set can be used to catch switch-ins off-guard, but the loss of offensive coverage isn't worth it. A Choice Scarf set can revenge kill Pokemon such as Greninja, Manaphy, and Mega Gyarados, but it is outclassed by Garchomp and Excadrill. Roserade also has access to Rain Dance and Sunny Day, but due to its general frailty, it isn't the best choice for a weather setter. Hidden Power Rock can be used to catch the usual Fire-type and some Dragon-type switch-ins off guard, but the loss in coverage generally isn't worth it.
Checks & Counters
########
**Fire-types**: Strong Fire-type Pokemon, like Heatran, Talonflame, and the Mega Charizard formes have little trouble switching in and roasting Roserade with powerful attacks, although the latter two must be wary of Sludge Bomb or Hidden Power Rock.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Roserade's Defense is very low, so physical attackers such as Dragonite, Excadrill, and Garchomp can easily 2HKO Roserade with almost any move.
**Special Walls and Assault Vest users**: Roserade cannot hope to dent special walls such as Chansey or Heatran, and Assault Vest users like Goodra and Conkeldurr can handle Roserade's attacks as well. Assault Vest Excadrill can also remove Spikes that Roserade sets with Rapid Spin.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-types that resist Grass-, such as Latias, Latios, Dragonite, Kyurem-B, Goodra, and Mega Charizard X, can generally do a good job against Roserade, although they must be wary of a powerful Sludge Bomb.
**Powder-Immune Pokemon**: Mega Venusaur and Mandibuzz can absorb a Sleep Powder and sponge any other attacks Roserade can use, but both must watch out for Sludge Bomb, which can 2HKO them.
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