[OVERVIEW]
With great bulk and a decent movepool, Ferroseed acts as a solid wall in the metagame, taking on a multitude of threats such as Staryu, Tirtouga, and Magnemite. Additionally, its learnset includes both Spikes and Stealth Rock, making it one of LC's best entry hazard stackers. Ferroseed's ability, Iron Barbs, works well with its role as a wall, wearing foes down and discouraging them from making contact. However, Ferroseed has several downsides that limit its potential. While its typing grants it many resistances, its typing also gives it a weakness to the incredibly common Fighting-types like Mienfoo and Timburr, along with a 4x weakness to Fire, which leaves it vulnerable to any Pokemon with Fire-type coverage, such as Ponyta and Pumpkaboo-XL. Additionally, it has rather underwhelming offenses and a low Speed stat, so it is forced to primarily rely on its support moves to contribute to the battle, making it setup bait for Pokemon like Scraggy. The prevalence of Knock Off means that Ferroseed can easily lose its Eviolite or Berry Juice, limiting its defensive capabilities. Ferroseed also lacks a recovery move aside from Rest, so it gets gradually worn down throughout the battle.
[SET]
name: Wall
move 1: Bullet Seed / Iron Head
move 2: Knock Off / Spikes
move 3: Thunder Wave / Spikes
move 4: Stealth Rock / Spikes
item: Eviolite / Berry Juice
ability: Iron Barbs
nature: Impish
evs: 84 HP / 36 Atk / 108 Def / 228 SpD / 36 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Bullet Seed is the chosen STAB move because, due to mechanics at level 5, it tends to deal more damage than Seed Bomb. It also has the benefit of breaking through Onix and Tirtouga's Sturdy and Abra's Focus Sash. An alternative STAB attack is Iron Head, which can be utilized to allow Ferroseed to hit Fairy-types super effectively. Knock Off can remove the Eviolite from foes like Vullaby, the Berry Juice from Pokemon like Dwebble, and the Choice Scarf from Pokemon like Pawniard to make them easier to KO. Thunder Wave can cripple a faster foe's Speed stat, which can allow Ferroseed's teammates to outpace it. This is especially useful versus setup sweepers, as it can prevent them from being able to successfully sweep. Stealth Rock and Spikes both provide chip damage that wears down the opposing team and punishes the opponent for switching. They also break Sturdy and Focus Sashes.
Set Details
========
Eviolite can be used to improve Ferroseed's defenses to maximize its durability and reduce damage from all attacks. For instance, it allows Ferroseed to survive two Earthquakes from Mudbray. Berry Juice is an alternative that provides Ferroseed with recovery, although it means it will take more damage from attacks. The EV spread and nature focus on increasing Ferroseed's bulk and maximize the boosts from Eviolite. The EVs invested into Special Defense allow Eviolite Ferroseed to survive three Ice Beams from Staryu and a Heat Wave from unboosted Nasty Plot Vullaby. The remaining EVs are dumped into Attack, to boost Bullet Seed damage, and Speed. Iron Barbs works well in conjunction with Ferroseed's role as a wall, as it provides chip damage that gradually wears down Ferroseed's foes.
Usage Tips
========
It is very important for Ferroseed to avoid Fire- and Fighting-type attacks—most notably Fire, because of Ferroseed's 4x weakness. Ferroseed should switch in on Pokemon that it can wall for a safe opportunity to set up entry hazards, deal damage, paralyze a predicted switch-in, or remove a predicted switch-in's item. Examples of Pokemon Ferroseed can wall include Staryu, Spritzee, and Snivy. Thunder Wave should be used against faster foes so that Ferroseed's teammates can outspeed and KO them with ease. However, Ferroseed should be careful when using Thunder Wave if the opponent has Timburr, as it could switch in and receive an Attack boost from Guts. Bullet Seed should be used to whittle down frail Pokemon or Pokemon that are weak to Grass. If Ferroseed can wall the opponent's wincon, you should make sure Ferroseed is safe throughout the battle so that it can come in late-game to stop the sweep with Thunder Wave or Bullet Seed.
Team Options
========
Fairy-types like Spritzee and Snubbull are arguably Ferroseed's best teammate options thanks to their fantastic defensive synergy with Ferroseed. Ferroseed can take on the Poison- and Steel-types that threaten Fairy-types, while they can take on the Fighting-types that trouble Ferroseed. Spritzee is especially notable because it can use Wish to restore Ferroseed's HP. Both Ferroseed and Fairy-types struggle versus Fire-types, however. Other Pokemon that can deal with Fighting-types are good partners too, such as Foongus and Mudbray. A switch-in for Fire-types is almost essential on a team with Ferroseed. This makes Chinchou and Slowpoke good options because they can pivot in and out with ease. Diglett is a nice option thanks to its ability to trap and remove Fire-types for Ferroseed. Mareanie is a great partner, as it can deal with Fire- and Fighting-types for Ferroseed. Mareanie also has access to Toxic Spikes, so together they form an effective entry hazard stacking core. Fire-types such as Ponyta work nicely with Ferroseed because Ferroseed can deal with the Water- and Ground-types that threaten Fire-types with their super effective STAB moves. Offensive Pokemon that benefit from Knock Off and hazard support, like Abra and Carvanha, are also good teammate options. Ferroseed appreciates having a spinblocker like Frillish or Pumpkaboo-XL on the team so that its hazards can remain on the field for as long as possible. Likewise, Pawniard is a good partner thanks to its ability Defiant, which discourages the opponent from using Defog. Slower Pokemon that appreciate speed control, such as Dewpider and Mudbray, can be supported by Ferroseed via Thunder Wave.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Leech Seed is a mediocre option that provides Ferroseed and its teammates with recovery, although, most of the time, it does not restore enough HP to be worthwhile, because level 5 Pokemon have very low HP stats. Seed Bomb is more reliable than Bullet Seed and deals with Mudbray more effectively, but generally it should not be used, because it often deals less damage and can't break through Sturdy or Focus Sashes. Toxic can wear down bulkier foes, but it is usually less useful than Ferroseed's other utility options. Explosion could be used to deal a considerable amount of damage once Ferroseed has finished performing its role in the battle, but it deals little damage with Ferroseed's low Attack stat, so the other move options are usually more useful. A RestTalk set gives Ferroseed a method of recovery, which works well with its great defenses, and with Curse, it can also act as a decent wincon. However, its weakness to Fighting and 4x weakness to Fire make it difficult to set up successfully. It also lacks important moves like Thunder Wave, which leaves it as setup bait.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-type Moves**: Ferroseed's typing gives it a 4x weakness to Fire, which allows almost any Pokemon with access to a Fire-type move to easily break through its defenses. This means Pokemon like Ponyta, Pumpkaboo-XL, and Larvesta are very large threats. Additionally, special attackers that Ferroseed usually walls like Snivy sometimes carry Hidden Power Fire so they can break through Ferroseed.
**Fighting-type Pokemon**: Fighting-types like Timburr and Mienfoo can deal a lot of damage to Ferroseed with their strong super effective STAB attacks. Timburr is especially notable because it can receive an Attack boost from Thunder Wave via Guts.
**Taunt Users**: Pokemon with access to Taunt such as Cottonee can prevent Ferroseed from using the majority of its moves. This is incredibly problematic for Ferroseed because it predominantly relies on its status moves to contribute to the battle.
**Mudbray**: Mudbray's ability Stamina means that it gains multiple Defense boosts when it is hit by Ferroseed's Bullet Seed. This means it can switch in and become a problem very quickly. It is also immune to Thunder Wave and can hit Ferroseed super effectively with Close Combat.
**Pawniard**: Pawniard threatens Ferroseed with Knock Off, resists Bullet Seed, can set up on Ferroseed, and isn't greatly affected by Thunder Wave because of its access to Sucker Punch.
With great bulk and a decent movepool, Ferroseed acts as a solid wall in the metagame, taking on a multitude of threats such as Staryu, Tirtouga, and Magnemite. Additionally, its learnset includes both Spikes and Stealth Rock, making it one of LC's best entry hazard stackers. Ferroseed's ability, Iron Barbs, works well with its role as a wall, wearing foes down and discouraging them from making contact. However, Ferroseed has several downsides that limit its potential. While its typing grants it many resistances, its typing also gives it a weakness to the incredibly common Fighting-types like Mienfoo and Timburr, along with a 4x weakness to Fire, which leaves it vulnerable to any Pokemon with Fire-type coverage, such as Ponyta and Pumpkaboo-XL. Additionally, it has rather underwhelming offenses and a low Speed stat, so it is forced to primarily rely on its support moves to contribute to the battle, making it setup bait for Pokemon like Scraggy. The prevalence of Knock Off means that Ferroseed can easily lose its Eviolite or Berry Juice, limiting its defensive capabilities. Ferroseed also lacks a recovery move aside from Rest, so it gets gradually worn down throughout the battle.
[SET]
name: Wall
move 1: Bullet Seed / Iron Head
move 2: Knock Off / Spikes
move 3: Thunder Wave / Spikes
move 4: Stealth Rock / Spikes
item: Eviolite / Berry Juice
ability: Iron Barbs
nature: Impish
evs: 84 HP / 36 Atk / 108 Def / 228 SpD / 36 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Bullet Seed is the chosen STAB move because, due to mechanics at level 5, it tends to deal more damage than Seed Bomb. It also has the benefit of breaking through Onix and Tirtouga's Sturdy and Abra's Focus Sash. An alternative STAB attack is Iron Head, which can be utilized to allow Ferroseed to hit Fairy-types super effectively. Knock Off can remove the Eviolite from foes like Vullaby, the Berry Juice from Pokemon like Dwebble, and the Choice Scarf from Pokemon like Pawniard to make them easier to KO. Thunder Wave can cripple a faster foe's Speed stat, which can allow Ferroseed's teammates to outpace it. This is especially useful versus setup sweepers, as it can prevent them from being able to successfully sweep. Stealth Rock and Spikes both provide chip damage that wears down the opposing team and punishes the opponent for switching. They also break Sturdy and Focus Sashes.
Set Details
========
Eviolite can be used to improve Ferroseed's defenses to maximize its durability and reduce damage from all attacks. For instance, it allows Ferroseed to survive two Earthquakes from Mudbray. Berry Juice is an alternative that provides Ferroseed with recovery, although it means it will take more damage from attacks. The EV spread and nature focus on increasing Ferroseed's bulk and maximize the boosts from Eviolite. The EVs invested into Special Defense allow Eviolite Ferroseed to survive three Ice Beams from Staryu and a Heat Wave from unboosted Nasty Plot Vullaby. The remaining EVs are dumped into Attack, to boost Bullet Seed damage, and Speed. Iron Barbs works well in conjunction with Ferroseed's role as a wall, as it provides chip damage that gradually wears down Ferroseed's foes.
Usage Tips
========
It is very important for Ferroseed to avoid Fire- and Fighting-type attacks—most notably Fire, because of Ferroseed's 4x weakness. Ferroseed should switch in on Pokemon that it can wall for a safe opportunity to set up entry hazards, deal damage, paralyze a predicted switch-in, or remove a predicted switch-in's item. Examples of Pokemon Ferroseed can wall include Staryu, Spritzee, and Snivy. Thunder Wave should be used against faster foes so that Ferroseed's teammates can outspeed and KO them with ease. However, Ferroseed should be careful when using Thunder Wave if the opponent has Timburr, as it could switch in and receive an Attack boost from Guts. Bullet Seed should be used to whittle down frail Pokemon or Pokemon that are weak to Grass. If Ferroseed can wall the opponent's wincon, you should make sure Ferroseed is safe throughout the battle so that it can come in late-game to stop the sweep with Thunder Wave or Bullet Seed.
Team Options
========
Fairy-types like Spritzee and Snubbull are arguably Ferroseed's best teammate options thanks to their fantastic defensive synergy with Ferroseed. Ferroseed can take on the Poison- and Steel-types that threaten Fairy-types, while they can take on the Fighting-types that trouble Ferroseed. Spritzee is especially notable because it can use Wish to restore Ferroseed's HP. Both Ferroseed and Fairy-types struggle versus Fire-types, however. Other Pokemon that can deal with Fighting-types are good partners too, such as Foongus and Mudbray. A switch-in for Fire-types is almost essential on a team with Ferroseed. This makes Chinchou and Slowpoke good options because they can pivot in and out with ease. Diglett is a nice option thanks to its ability to trap and remove Fire-types for Ferroseed. Mareanie is a great partner, as it can deal with Fire- and Fighting-types for Ferroseed. Mareanie also has access to Toxic Spikes, so together they form an effective entry hazard stacking core. Fire-types such as Ponyta work nicely with Ferroseed because Ferroseed can deal with the Water- and Ground-types that threaten Fire-types with their super effective STAB moves. Offensive Pokemon that benefit from Knock Off and hazard support, like Abra and Carvanha, are also good teammate options. Ferroseed appreciates having a spinblocker like Frillish or Pumpkaboo-XL on the team so that its hazards can remain on the field for as long as possible. Likewise, Pawniard is a good partner thanks to its ability Defiant, which discourages the opponent from using Defog. Slower Pokemon that appreciate speed control, such as Dewpider and Mudbray, can be supported by Ferroseed via Thunder Wave.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Leech Seed is a mediocre option that provides Ferroseed and its teammates with recovery, although, most of the time, it does not restore enough HP to be worthwhile, because level 5 Pokemon have very low HP stats. Seed Bomb is more reliable than Bullet Seed and deals with Mudbray more effectively, but generally it should not be used, because it often deals less damage and can't break through Sturdy or Focus Sashes. Toxic can wear down bulkier foes, but it is usually less useful than Ferroseed's other utility options. Explosion could be used to deal a considerable amount of damage once Ferroseed has finished performing its role in the battle, but it deals little damage with Ferroseed's low Attack stat, so the other move options are usually more useful. A RestTalk set gives Ferroseed a method of recovery, which works well with its great defenses, and with Curse, it can also act as a decent wincon. However, its weakness to Fighting and 4x weakness to Fire make it difficult to set up successfully. It also lacks important moves like Thunder Wave, which leaves it as setup bait.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-type Moves**: Ferroseed's typing gives it a 4x weakness to Fire, which allows almost any Pokemon with access to a Fire-type move to easily break through its defenses. This means Pokemon like Ponyta, Pumpkaboo-XL, and Larvesta are very large threats. Additionally, special attackers that Ferroseed usually walls like Snivy sometimes carry Hidden Power Fire so they can break through Ferroseed.
**Fighting-type Pokemon**: Fighting-types like Timburr and Mienfoo can deal a lot of damage to Ferroseed with their strong super effective STAB attacks. Timburr is especially notable because it can receive an Attack boost from Thunder Wave via Guts.
**Taunt Users**: Pokemon with access to Taunt such as Cottonee can prevent Ferroseed from using the majority of its moves. This is incredibly problematic for Ferroseed because it predominantly relies on its status moves to contribute to the battle.
**Mudbray**: Mudbray's ability Stamina means that it gains multiple Defense boosts when it is hit by Ferroseed's Bullet Seed. This means it can switch in and become a problem very quickly. It is also immune to Thunder Wave and can hit Ferroseed super effectively with Close Combat.
**Pawniard**: Pawniard threatens Ferroseed with Knock Off, resists Bullet Seed, can set up on Ferroseed, and isn't greatly affected by Thunder Wave because of its access to Sucker Punch.
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