Can a glass canon be made of rock?
QC approved: tennisace, Omicron, Zebraiken
GP approved: NixHex, Eraddd (for Steamroll)
[Overview]
<p>With the second highest Attack stat in the game, and the highest outside of Ubers, Rampardos is an instant threat to anything he faces off with. Unlike his hard hitting buddies Slaking and Regigigas, his ability does not hamper his sweeping potential; in fact, Mold Breaker is a godsend. He is undoubtedly the most fearsome abuser of EdgeQuake, as he gets STAB on Stone Edge and his Earthquake can bypass Pokemon with Levitate. This doesn't mean Rampardos is without his flaws; there's a reason this guy is in NU. Sans HP, his other stats are depressingly low. Rock Polish, Choice Scarf, or Trick Room can help make up for his Speed issues, but each require proper support to function well. If given that support, however, his base 165 Attack will rarely let you down.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Head Smash
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Fire Punch
move 4: Zen Headbutt
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 20 Def / 16 SpD / 220 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While equipped with a Choice Scarf, Rampardos's lackluster Speed becomes less of an issue. He can function as a revenge killer or clean-up sweeper, outspeeding most unboosted threats and crushing them with his mighty Attack. Head Smash is his STAB attack of choice, as nothing can take the assault unscathed. Earthquake provides pseudo-EdgeQuake coverage and, thanks to Mold Breaker, can hit Pokemon with the Levitate ability. Fire Punch is mainly for Grass-types, especially Torterra, which resists the two former moves. Zen Headbutt can crush the many Fighting-types that resist Head Smash.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>A Jolly nature and 220 Speed makes Rampardos fast enough to outpace base 105's. 252 Attack EVs get the most out of that incredible Attack stat and the remainder are dropped into his defenses. Stone Edge is an option over Head Smash, if you're leery of recoil, but is a much weaker option overall. A Naive nature, with the spare 36 EVs placed into Special Attack, can be used alongside Ice Beam. While this gives him a better shot at breaking through Torterra and Tangela, his horrendous base 65 Special Attack should not be relied upon for much else.</p>
<p>Just the sight of Rampardos is enough to cause switches, so it's wise to capitalize on that with entry hazards; the added damage they cause can help Rampardos score some extra OHKOs. Cacturne can scare off Water- and Ground-types that threaten Rampardos, set up Spikes, and lure in Bug-, Fire-, Flying-, and Ice-types for Rampardos to come back in on. Glalie also has Spikes, and easily beats the Ground- and Grass-types that resist Rampardos's STAB and threaten back with super effective attacks. Whirlipede and Garbodor easily stop Grass- and Fighting-types, and can set up either Spikes or Toxic Spikes. As Rampardos will likely be switching a lot, a spinner is highly recommended. Torkoal and Cryogonal are both solid spinners; the former also can set up Stealth Rock, while the latter threatens Rampardos's counters, including Tangela and Torterra.</p>
[SET]
name: Trick Room Sweeper
move 1: Head Smash / Stone Edge
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Fire Punch / Ice Beam
move 4: Substitute / Zen Headbutt
item: Life Orb
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Brave
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>After Trick Room is put into play, Rampardos becomes "fast" enough to outspeed almost anything in the tier. Because Trick Room only lasts for 5 turns, including the turn it is set up, it is imperative for Rampardos to deal as much damage as he can, as quickly as possible. Head Smash boasts an insane 150 Base Power, allowing him to blast his way through almost anything. Earthquake provides wonderful coverage, as only Torterra resists the combination. Fire Punch offers a more reliable way to check Grass-types. Finally, Substitute is great for scouting priority, fending off status, and allowing Rampardos to be a threat after Trick Room runs out.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>EVs, IVs, and nature provide maximum Attack while keeping Rampardos's Speed as low as possible. 252 HP and 4 Def give Rampardos some much needed bulk. An alternate spread with 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SpA can be used alongside Ice Beam to hit Tangela and Torterra much harder, but sacrifices his defenses in the process. Stone Edge is useable over Head Smash, if recoil is too much of an issue, but has much lower Base Power overall. Finally, Zen Headbutt can be used over Substitute if Fighting-types prove too problematic.</p>
<p>Trick Room users and other slow sweepers are obviously the best teammates for this set. Mesprit can come in on any Earthquakes aimed at Rampardos, set up Stealth Rock and Trick Room, and use Healing Wish to give Rampardos a second shot at sweeping. Audino also boasts access to Trick Room and Healing Wish, and it can pass large Wishes as well. Lampent threatens any Grass- and Fighting-type counters and sets up Trick Room with ease. Beheeyem and Duosion can also set up Trick Room and fire off strong special attacks at the physical walls that stop Rampardos cold. Marowak is another slow sweeper with similar counters to Rampardos, meaning that if one can weaken a counter, the other can usually plow through an entire team.</p>
[SET]
name: Rock Polish
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Fire Punch / Substitute
item: Life Orb
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 52 Def / 44 SpD / 160 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Rock Polish is Rampardos's best shot at sweeping on his own. After switching into something that he threatens (read: almost anything), Rampardos can set up a Rock Polish as the opponent switches out in fear. Stone Edge is the preferred STAB attack, as the recoil from Head Smash can cut a sweep short. Earthquake provides near-perfect coverage, and Mold Breaker allows it to hit Pokemon with Levitate, such as Mesprit and Bronzor. Fire Punch rounds out the set, and is Rampardos's best way of dealing with Torterra.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>160 Speed EVs is enough to outpace Swellow after a Rock Polish, while maximum Attack EVs with an Adamant nature allows Rampardos to hit as hard as possible. The remaining EVs go into his defenses to help him shrug off weaker priority attacks. Substitute is an option over Fire Punch, as it gives Rampardos added protection from priority and status. Life Orb provides a reliable boost in power at the cost of 10% of Rampardos's health after each attack.</p>
<p>Entry hazards greatly assist Rampardos in scoring some extra OHKOs. Cacturne offers Spikes support and has good type synergy with Rampardos. Garbodor and Whirlipede can set up Spikes or Toxic Spikes, the latter move helping Rampardos to break through walls such as Quagsire. Dual screen support augments Rampardos's poor defenses. Mesprit can set up screens, and has Stealth Rock access as well. Audino also makes a great dual screener, and its ability to pass bulky wishes allows Rampardos to come back for more throughout the battle. Lampent offers the ability to burn common priority users that threaten to end Rampardos's sweep, and can handle any Fighting-, Grass-, or Steel-types that give Rampardos trouble.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>A Choice Band set looks appealing for punching holes in the opponent's team, but Rampardos's Speed is a major drawback for this sort of set. A Swords Dance set, with Head Smash, Earthquake, and Substitute, can be threatening, but once again, Speed is an issue. Rock Slide and Iron Head have a chance to flinch the opponent, allowing Rampardos to continue pummeling foes, but Head Smash and Stone Edge are almost always preferred. Crunch is an option to deal with Ghost- and Psychic-types, and is worth considering on the Trick Room set, as many Trick Room users have problems with these types. Curse can boost Rampardos's Attack and Defense, but even after a boost, his Defense is unimpressive. Finally, Rampardos has an impressive support movepool that includes the weather inducing moves, Toxic, and Whirlwind, but he lacks the Speed or defenses to make these options truly viable.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Even with a Choice Scarf equipped, Floatzel and Serperior outspeed Rampardos and threaten with super effective STAB attacks. Physically defensive Quagsire can wall any Rampardos set, Toxic him or attempt to burn with Scald, and simply Recover off his assaults as he slowly dies. Torterra resists Rampardos's beloved EdgeQuake combination, and threatens with STAB Grass- and Ground-type attacks. Strong priority, such as Carracosta's Aqua Jet and Gurdurr's Mach Punch, can bypass Trick Room or Choice Scarf and easily OHKO Rampardos.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Rampardos gets Sheer Force as a Dream World ability. Besides the notable boost in power to Fire Punch and Ice Beam, it turns Rock Slide into a 90% accurate STAB attack with 97.5 Base Power. The benefits provided by Mold Breaker, however, are generally more useful.</p>