QC: Sweep / Hack /
GP: /
Overview
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Forretress is a highly mediocre Pokemon in the metagame. However, it can now use Custap Berry since its release, which gives Forretress a small niche. Outside of that, it doesn't have any other viable set. A good supportive movepool with options such as Rapid Spin also makes Forretress a good pick on certain teams. Furthermore, Forretress has a very high Defense stat which helps it taking physical attacks. A good ability in Sturdy allows Forretress to get up at least one entry hazard. It also has an okay typing with only a single weakness, but 4x weak to Fire-type attacks. However, Forretress has a very mediocre HP and Special Defense stat let down its good Defense. Forretress is also set up bait because of its mediocre offensive stats. What also holds Forretress back is that it has no access to reliable recovery. It is also Very slow, it can barely outspeed anything in the metagame. Lastly, Forretress faces heavy competition as a hazard setter from the Deoxys-formes, Greninja, and Ferrothorn, but its niche lies in access to Rapid Spin and Toxic Spikes.
Rapid Spin
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name: Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Toxic Spikes / Gyro Ball
move 3: Spikes
move 4: Explosion
ability: Sturdy
item: Custap Berry
evs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe or 252 Atk
nature: Adamant / Brave
ivs: 0 HP / 0 Def / 0 SpD
Moves
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Rapid Spin has the utility of removing hazards on your side, which is very useful for other Pokemon weak to hazards such as Ho-Oh. Toxic Spikes is an entry hazard form that slowly wears down foes after two layers have been layed down. Gyro Ball lets Forretress beat Mega Diancie trying to bounce back hazards upon switch in, and has good power too combined with Forretress's slow Speed and the STAB boost. Spikes is another entry hazard which damages foes upon switch in which helps teammates beating them with more ease. Explosion is very powerful and the best move to use if Forretress is about to go down to an opposing attack.
Set Details
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Sturdy ensures Forretress can never be OHKOed as long as it hasn't taken any entry hazard damage. Custap Berry lets Forretress move first when it is lower than 25% of its health, which lets Forretress set up a last layer of Spikes, or use Explosion when it is about to faint. The current EVs maximize Forretress damage output with Explosion and is even more powerful with a Brave nature. No IVs are used in HP, Defense, and Special Defense, in order to bring Forretress down to 1 HP quicker, letting the Custap Berry activate. No Speed EVs should be used because a lower Speed stat powers up Gyro Ball.
Usage Tips
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Set up hazards depending on opposing teams. If it is a team built around bulky offense, setting up Spikes is the best option, but when it is a defensive team, Toxic Spikes is generally better. Watch out with setting up Toxic Spikes if the opposing team has a Poison-type, as it can just come in and remove the hazards. Don't just spam hazards if the opponent has a Defog or Rapid Spin user on their team, as they can just come in and remove the hazards and waste your turns. However, it can be useful against several Arceus-formes lacking Refresh. Forretress can be used as a lead to set up hazards early game, but it fears the Taunt users, so if there is a common Taunt user on the opposing team, switch in another teammate. Be careful against Ghost-types, they can come in into a Rapid Spin, as well as on an Explosion, which will make you faint after.
Team Options
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Mega Diancie is a good teammate in particular, as it beats the Fire-types Forretress fears, bounces back Taunt and can also beat Arceus-Poison. In return, Forretress can take Grass- and Steel-type attacks that threaten Mega Diancie and provide hazard support. Spinblockers such as Mega Gengar and Giratina are good teammates too, as they'll prevent the opponent from using Rapid Spin and remove the hazards you've set up. Pokemon that put pressure on the opponent such as Mega Gengar, Mega Salamence, Genesect, and Primal Groudon are good teammates because it prevents the opponent from using Rapid Spin or Defog. Taunt users that block Defog, such as Yveltal and Heatran are good teammates too. Pokemon that can beat the Magic Bounce users that trouble Forretress, such as Primal Groudon, are good partners too. Primal Groudon also can set up Stealth Rock and appreciates Toxic Spikes support from Forretress. Pokemon that appreciate Forretress's Rapid Spin support such as Ho-Oh make solid teammates too. Ho-Oh can also switch into Fire-type attacks for Forretress. Pokemon that appreciate the hazards Forretress sets up, such as Shaymin-Sky and Kangaskhan which can flinch opponents or KO an opponent earlier, make excellent partners as well.
Other Options
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Pain Split can be used for some recovery for Forretress, but it is not gonna take much special hits anyway. Volt Switch is a way to gain momentum for the team, but it lacks good power and coverage, so Forretress is better off not using it. Stealth Rock is another option Forretress can use, but this is set up better by Pokemon such as Primal Groudon or Deoxys-A. Counter is a damaging move which lets Forretress benefit from a great Defense stat, but isn't reliable as opponents can use Special Attacks and then it will be useless, and takes up an important moveslot too. Mental Herb is a final option to set up Spikes after a Taunt, but only lasts once and Leftovers's recovery is in more cases appreciated.
Checks & Counters
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**Magic Bounce users**: Magic Bounce users such as Mega Diancie and Mega Sableye can bounce back any hazard, leaving Forretress almost useless. The latter, Mega Sableye, also blocks Rapid Spin.
**Taunt users**: Taunt users such as Yveltal, Heatran, Deoxys-A and Deoxys-S prevent Forretress from getting up any entry hazards. Darkrai is another stop as it can use Dark Void to put Forretress to sleep and hit it after.
**Darkrai**: Darkrai can put Forretress to sleep and prevent it from setting up hazards, and proceed to set up with Nasty Plot. However, it cannot take Gyro Ball and Explosion well.
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