credit to telamonianajax for "Using Magic Coat to reflect status effects is an option, but simply having a cleric to keep your team healthy will be more effective."
[Overview]
<p>Although overlooked, Nosepass is actually a really good Pokemon; its incredibly high defensive stats coupled with its great movepool and general usefulness make it superb. Its niche in the ability to lure in Ferroseed and defeat it with a combination of Magnet Pull and Fire Punch is also very much appreciated, as it allows very powerful sweepers such as Clamperl and Agility Chinchou to clean up the opponent's team. Nosepass does, however, have to be wary of the omnipresent Mienfoo and Timburr. It is obvious set-up bait and can easily be 2HKOd by STAB Fighting-type moves. All in all, while Nosepass has its issues, it is an excellent Pokemon and should be treated as such.</p>
[SET]
name: Bulky Attacker
move 1: Stone Edge / Rock Slide
move 2: Fire Punch
move 3: Thunder Wave / Stealth Rock
move 4: Pain Split / Stealth Rock
item: Eviolite
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Impish
evs: 196 HP / 76 Atk / 156 Def / 36 SpD / 36 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set takes advantage of Nosepass's power and bulk. Stone Edge is the recommended STAB move due to its high power; however, Rock Slide can be used instead if you prefer the accuracy. Because Nosepass is a Rock-type Pokemon, it will naturally lure Steel-type Pokemon, as they hit super effectively with their STAB and resist Rock-type moves. This latter fact especially invites Ferroseed to come in, and Bullet Seed will almost always 2HKO Nosepass depending on how many times it hits.</p>
<p>Thanks to a combination of Magnet Pull and Fire Punch, however, Nosepass will always beat Ferroseed by trapping it and 2HKOing it, easily surviving any attacks Ferroseed uses. The third and fourth move slots are reserved for support moves; Thunder Wave is ideal for crippling Mienfoo and Scraggy switch-ins, while Stealth Rock is useful in causing damage to the opponent's switches (though Nosepass isn't one to cause many switches). Lastly, Pain Split is a must on Nosepass if you are using Sandstorm and Toxic Spikes, as it creates a whole new version of stall; if you are using Nosepass as a supporter, however, you may use Thunder Wave in the third slot and Stealth Rock in the last slot.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Using Magic Coat to reflect status effects is an option, but simply having a cleric to keep your team healthy will be more effective. Earthquake is somewhat viable in one of the last two slots if you plan to use Nosepass offensively, but Onix utilizes the combination of Rock- and Ground-type moves more effectively due to its typing, receiving STAB Earthquake and Stone Edge. Head Smash works best with Earthquake if you decide to pursue this route, although Nosepass doesn't get Rock Head, so it will have to take nasty recoil damage. Toxic is another option to hit walls such as Lileep or Slowpoke on the switch, but switching to a proper counter usually works better than stalling it out.</p>
<p>Despite sharing many weaknesses, Hippopotas is the best teammate for Nosepass since it sets up a permanent sandstorm. Lileep is also notable, as it can come in on Water-, Grass-, and Ground-type moves and wall or defeat the user, but they are both weak to Fighting-type moves. Natu has near-perfect synergy with Nosepass and can reflect status-inflicting moves such as Toxic and Thunder Wave back at the opponent. Natu can also beat Fighting-type Pokemon not named Scraggy who try to hit Nosepass with powerful STAB moves. Toxic Spikes support is greatly appreciated if Nosepass is using Pain Split to enhance its stall capabilities; Omanyte is a good candidate as it can also set up multiple entry hazards and take advantage of the sandstorm. Skorupi takes Fighting-type moves with ease and can act as a status absorber with its popular RestTalk set.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>A pure support set is usually outclassed by Ferroseed, so it isn't recommend. Nosepass does, however, get some support moves that Ferroseed doesn't: Taunt and Gravity. Taunt prevents opponents from setting up, while Gravity is useful on a Gravity-based team. If your team has a lot of physical attackers, you may use a special set with Power Gem and Earth Power as main attacking moves. Thunderbolt is also a good move on such a set to hit Slowpoke on the switch. Alternatively, you can go out with a bang using Explosion. Just be wary that with STAB, Head Smash is only 25 base power away and doesn't have nearly as much of a consequence.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Unless you're using obscure Electric-type moves such as Discharge and Thunderbolt, Slowpoke bests Nosepass. Slowpoke has to be cautious of Magic Coat, however, if it decides to use Toxic or Thunder Wave. Fighting-type Pokemon in general beat Nosepass one-on-one; Thick Fat Makuhita, however, gets a special mention, as it completely walls Nosepass and can 2HKO with STAB moves. Water-types outside of Sandstorm and Ground-types, namely Diglett, who has Arena Trap to prevent Nosepass from switching, defeat Nosepass.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Sand Force is really good in Sandstorm with the set listed above, as it gives Nosepass' Rock-, Ground-, and Steel-type moves 30% more power and to 40 Special Defense. Hippopotas becomes a crucial teammate if Sand Force is in use.</p>
[Overview]
<p>Although overlooked, Nosepass is actually a really good Pokemon; its incredibly high defensive stats coupled with its great movepool and general usefulness make it superb. Its niche in the ability to lure in Ferroseed and defeat it with a combination of Magnet Pull and Fire Punch is also very much appreciated, as it allows very powerful sweepers such as Clamperl and Agility Chinchou to clean up the opponent's team. Nosepass does, however, have to be wary of the omnipresent Mienfoo and Timburr. It is obvious set-up bait and can easily be 2HKOd by STAB Fighting-type moves. All in all, while Nosepass has its issues, it is an excellent Pokemon and should be treated as such.</p>
[SET]
name: Bulky Attacker
move 1: Stone Edge / Rock Slide
move 2: Fire Punch
move 3: Thunder Wave / Stealth Rock
move 4: Pain Split / Stealth Rock
item: Eviolite
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Impish
evs: 196 HP / 76 Atk / 156 Def / 36 SpD / 36 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set takes advantage of Nosepass's power and bulk. Stone Edge is the recommended STAB move due to its high power; however, Rock Slide can be used instead if you prefer the accuracy. Because Nosepass is a Rock-type Pokemon, it will naturally lure Steel-type Pokemon, as they hit super effectively with their STAB and resist Rock-type moves. This latter fact especially invites Ferroseed to come in, and Bullet Seed will almost always 2HKO Nosepass depending on how many times it hits.</p>
<p>Thanks to a combination of Magnet Pull and Fire Punch, however, Nosepass will always beat Ferroseed by trapping it and 2HKOing it, easily surviving any attacks Ferroseed uses. The third and fourth move slots are reserved for support moves; Thunder Wave is ideal for crippling Mienfoo and Scraggy switch-ins, while Stealth Rock is useful in causing damage to the opponent's switches (though Nosepass isn't one to cause many switches). Lastly, Pain Split is a must on Nosepass if you are using Sandstorm and Toxic Spikes, as it creates a whole new version of stall; if you are using Nosepass as a supporter, however, you may use Thunder Wave in the third slot and Stealth Rock in the last slot.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Using Magic Coat to reflect status effects is an option, but simply having a cleric to keep your team healthy will be more effective. Earthquake is somewhat viable in one of the last two slots if you plan to use Nosepass offensively, but Onix utilizes the combination of Rock- and Ground-type moves more effectively due to its typing, receiving STAB Earthquake and Stone Edge. Head Smash works best with Earthquake if you decide to pursue this route, although Nosepass doesn't get Rock Head, so it will have to take nasty recoil damage. Toxic is another option to hit walls such as Lileep or Slowpoke on the switch, but switching to a proper counter usually works better than stalling it out.</p>
<p>Despite sharing many weaknesses, Hippopotas is the best teammate for Nosepass since it sets up a permanent sandstorm. Lileep is also notable, as it can come in on Water-, Grass-, and Ground-type moves and wall or defeat the user, but they are both weak to Fighting-type moves. Natu has near-perfect synergy with Nosepass and can reflect status-inflicting moves such as Toxic and Thunder Wave back at the opponent. Natu can also beat Fighting-type Pokemon not named Scraggy who try to hit Nosepass with powerful STAB moves. Toxic Spikes support is greatly appreciated if Nosepass is using Pain Split to enhance its stall capabilities; Omanyte is a good candidate as it can also set up multiple entry hazards and take advantage of the sandstorm. Skorupi takes Fighting-type moves with ease and can act as a status absorber with its popular RestTalk set.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>A pure support set is usually outclassed by Ferroseed, so it isn't recommend. Nosepass does, however, get some support moves that Ferroseed doesn't: Taunt and Gravity. Taunt prevents opponents from setting up, while Gravity is useful on a Gravity-based team. If your team has a lot of physical attackers, you may use a special set with Power Gem and Earth Power as main attacking moves. Thunderbolt is also a good move on such a set to hit Slowpoke on the switch. Alternatively, you can go out with a bang using Explosion. Just be wary that with STAB, Head Smash is only 25 base power away and doesn't have nearly as much of a consequence.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Unless you're using obscure Electric-type moves such as Discharge and Thunderbolt, Slowpoke bests Nosepass. Slowpoke has to be cautious of Magic Coat, however, if it decides to use Toxic or Thunder Wave. Fighting-type Pokemon in general beat Nosepass one-on-one; Thick Fat Makuhita, however, gets a special mention, as it completely walls Nosepass and can 2HKO with STAB moves. Water-types outside of Sandstorm and Ground-types, namely Diglett, who has Arena Trap to prevent Nosepass from switching, defeat Nosepass.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Sand Force is really good in Sandstorm with the set listed above, as it gives Nosepass' Rock-, Ground-, and Steel-type moves 30% more power and to 40 Special Defense. Hippopotas becomes a crucial teammate if Sand Force is in use.</p>