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Forretress (Custap Lead) (QC 3/3) (GP 2/2)
- Thread starter Harsha
- Start date
[SET]
name: Custap Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Spikes / Toxic Spikes
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Rapid Spin / Gyro Ball
item: Custap Berry
ability: Sturdy
nature: Lax
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def
ivs: 18 SpD / 30 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Forretress is generally seen rocking a defensive set meant to provide quick entry hazards or Rapid Spin support, it can also function as an ideal lead. For teams that look to gain momentum as early as possible, Forretress can lay down some early-game entry hazards to pave the way for a sweep later on. While Forretress does not seem like a very functional lead due to its low Speed, the secret to its success lies in the Custap Berry. With a Custap Berry and Sturdy, Forretress can generally stack at least two layers of entry hazards, which is very helpful for most teams when trying to dent the opponent.</p>
<p>Stealth Rock is nearly mandatory on any dedicated lead for good reason—it ensures that opposing threats,(AC) such as Volcarona, Salamence, and Dragonite,(AC) must think twice before entering the battlefield. Spikes is generally the preferred choice for the second moveslot because it helps wear down grounded Pokemon, weakening walls for end-game sweeps. However, some prefer Toxic Spikes to cut down the durability of opposing Pokemon—,(AC) though Spikes is generally the better choice in this metagame due to the plethora of Rapid Spin users, Steel-type Pokemon, and Poison-type Pokemon.</p>
<p>Explosion comes in handy for when Forretress reaches low health. With a Custap Berry, Explosion will hit the opponent before Forretress takes damage (unless attacked by a priority move). Explosion allows Forretress to spinblock and keep its entry hazards on the field; additionally, it forces the opponent into an unfavorable matchup once Forretress goes down. Rapid Spin is a good option for Forretress's final moveslot because it allows Forretress to disregard opposing Pokemon that try and stack entry hazards and gives Forretress a free Rapid Spin when Custap Berry activates. Gyro Ball also works in the final slot because it prevents opposing setups and does a bit of damage without having to actually sacrifice Forretress.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Forretress's EVs are tailored to give it as much Attack as possible to bolster the firepower of its Explosion and Gyro Ball. Maximum Defense investment plays to Forretress's strength and allows it to lay entry hazards against the Pokemon it would normally check. The IVs used might appear to be strange, but they have a special purpose—18 Special Defense IVs ensure that Forretress survives a Scald in the rain from an opposing defensive Politoed, even with a turn of burn damage; a majority of the time, Scald will put Forretress into Custap Berry activation range.</p>
<p>As far as other moves go, Forretress can use Toxic in order to poison a key Pokemon early on, but Toxic generally won't see much use. Volt Switch is also worth looking at for its utility in gaining momentum; however, it also won't see much use due to Forretress's niche as a suicide lead. It does help against teams with Taunt or Magic Bounce users, but aside from that, it won't be of much use.</p>
<p>In terms of teammates, lead Forretress thrives as a lead for offensive teams that look to lay hazards early and sweep later on. Useful teammates include Ghost-types to spinblock if need be. A prime example of a teammate for an offensive team that can spinblock is Gengar; a Choice Scarf variant can outpace and KO nearly any spinner that threatens to rid the field of hazards, and while it can't switch into many attacks, it can come in on a well-predicted Rapid Spin. Forretress needs to have a Pokemon that can quickly take down Espeon and Xatu in order to successfully lay hazards without any obstructions; for this reason, Weavile, Tyranitar, and Scizor work very well. They all pack Pursuit and can shorten the lifespan of Magic Bounce users, allowing Forretress to set up its entry hazards, whichaidinghelp a late-gammate's sweep, without leaving stray hazards on your own side of the field. Getting rid of Taunt users should be a priority as well, but they do not hamper Forretress as much as Magic Bounce users.</p>
<p>When considering offensive teammates that can take advantage of the entry hazards Forretress brings, you should note that just about any Pokemon that can clean up in the late-game will do the trick. SubSalac Terrakion, Choice Scarf Keldeo, Choice Scarf Jirachi, Swords Dance Breloom, Quiver Dance Volcarona, Dragon Dance Salamence...the list goes on and on! In fact, you'll be hard-pressed to find an offensive Pokemon that does not fit well with lead Forretress.</p>
name: Custap Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Spikes / Toxic Spikes
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Rapid Spin / Gyro Ball
item: Custap Berry
ability: Sturdy
nature: Lax
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def
ivs: 18 SpD / 30 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Forretress is generally seen rocking a defensive set meant to provide quick entry hazards or Rapid Spin support, it can also function as an ideal lead. For teams that look to gain momentum as early as possible, Forretress can lay down some early-game entry hazards to pave the way for a sweep later on. While Forretress does not seem like a very functional lead due to its low Speed, the secret to its success lies in the Custap Berry. With a Custap Berry and Sturdy, Forretress can generally stack at least two layers of entry hazards, which is very helpful for most teams when trying to dent the opponent.</p>
<p>Stealth Rock is nearly mandatory on any dedicated lead for good reason—it ensures that opposing threats,(AC) such as Volcarona, Salamence, and Dragonite,(AC) must think twice before entering the battlefield. Spikes is generally the preferred choice for the second moveslot because it helps wear down grounded Pokemon, weakening walls for end-game sweeps. However, some prefer Toxic Spikes to cut down the durability of opposing Pokemon
<p>Explosion comes in handy for when Forretress reaches low health. With a Custap Berry, Explosion will hit the opponent before Forretress takes damage (unless attacked by a priority move). Explosion allows Forretress to spinblock and keep its entry hazards on the field; additionally, it forces the opponent into an unfavorable matchup once Forretress goes down. Rapid Spin is a good option for Forretress's final moveslot because it allows Forretress to disregard opposing Pokemon that try and stack entry hazards and gives Forretress a free Rapid Spin when Custap Berry activates. Gyro Ball also works in the final slot because it prevents opposing setups and does a bit of damage without having to actually sacrifice Forretress.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Forretress's EVs are tailored to give it as much Attack as possible to bolster the firepower of its Explosion and Gyro Ball. Maximum Defense investment plays to Forretress's strength and allows it to lay entry hazards against the Pokemon it would normally check. The IVs used might appear to be strange, but they have a special purpose—18 Special Defense IVs ensure that Forretress survives a Scald in the rain from an opposing defensive Politoed, even with a turn of burn damage; a majority of the time, Scald will put Forretress into Custap Berry activation range.</p>
<p>As far as other moves go, Forretress can use Toxic in order to poison a key Pokemon early on, but Toxic generally won't see much use. Volt Switch is also worth looking at for its utility in gaining momentum; however, it also won't see much use due to Forretress's niche as a suicide lead. It does help against teams with Taunt or Magic Bounce users, but aside from that, it won't be of much use.</p>
<p>In terms of teammates, lead Forretress thrives as a lead for offensive teams that look to lay hazards early and sweep later on. Useful teammates include Ghost-types to spinblock if need be. A prime example of a teammate for an offensive team that can spinblock is Gengar; a Choice Scarf variant can outpace and KO nearly any spinner that threatens to rid the field of hazards, and while it can't switch into many attacks, it can come in on a well-predicted Rapid Spin. Forretress needs to have a Pokemon that can quickly take down Espeon and Xatu in order to successfully lay hazards without any obstructions; for this reason, Weavile, Tyranitar, and Scizor work very well. They all pack Pursuit and can shorten the lifespan of Magic Bounce users, allowing Forretress to set up its entry hazards, which
<p>When considering offensive teammates that can take advantage of the entry hazards Forretress brings,
GP 2/2
