Note this is my first Full Revamp, so I am open to suggestions.
A Full Revamp and edit in general has been long overdue for Froslass ever since her fall from grace to UU. The current analysis is very OU-centric even though Froslass is primarily used in UU teams. I added the ridiculously popular Suicide Lead set, which is the Support set modified for DPPt’s fast-paced metagame. I removed Destiny Bond from the Frustrating Froslass set (named ‘Snow Cloak abuse’ to distinguish from the frustrating Suicide Lead set), because your opponent won’t likely be hitting you anyway and for its low PP. I removed the gimmicky Wake-Up Slap Choice Scarf set. I bulked up and weeded out some stuff in the TrickLass set (renamed ‘Crafty Tricks’ to distinguish from the Offensive Choice Specs set) from Servant. Choice Specs should be an option along with Choice Scarf in the Crafty Tricks set. For Katherine’s Sub Petaya set, I moved the damage calculations to the Specs set and changed the IVs and EVs. 30 HP IVs + 4 HP EVs does not allow Froslass to activate her Petaya Berry in the third Substitute; 30 HP IVs + 0 HP EV does. I added some belated UU Pokémon to the counters. The significant Platinum updates are the addition of Trick for Froslass and more Sucker Punch users to counter her.
Overview:
1. Suicide Lead
2. Snow Cloak abuse
3. Offensive Choice Specs
4. Crafty Tricks
5. Sub Petaya
Question:
- Is it okay to use female pronouns to refer to Froslass, since Froslass is only female? Official answer: yes
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/froslass
[SET]
name: Suicide Lead
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Destiny Bond
move 4: Ice Beam / Shadow Ball
item: Focus Sash
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With a blistering base 110 Speed, Taunt, Focus Sash, and immunity to Fake Out, Froslass is nearly guaranteed to set up at least one layer of Spikes while at the same time preventing the opponent from setting up. Taunt also thwarts slower status inducers from stopping Froslass. After neutering the opponent’s lead, Froslass can use Destiny Bond to kamikaze with the opponent once the Focus Sash is broken. Taunt forces your opponent to attack, while Destiny Bond makes your opponent reconsider sacrificing a Pokémon to KO Froslass, who has fulfilled her job of setting up Spikes. Froslass’s mind games easily cause switches, so Froslass can use this as an opportunity to set up more Spikes. To top this all of, Froslass is part Ghost-type, so she also acts as a spin blocker. Ice Beam is recommended as always for being an awesome offensive type in addition to receiving a STAB boost. Shadow Ball is another STAB option but gets walled easily by Clefable and other Normal-types.</p>
<p>This set operates very smoothly in UU, only losing to the occasional Taunt Electrode, but is not nearly as effective in OU. The Speed tiers are much higher in OU, so Froslass cannot utilize the Taunt + Destiny Bond strategy to cause switches. Azelf, Aerodactyl, and Weavile outspeeds and can Taunt Froslass to shut her down completely. Choice Scarf Metagross and Bullet Punch Scizor kills Froslass before she can Destiny Bond after setting up Spikes. Tyranitar and Hippowdon's Sand Stream breaks her Focus Sash, securing death for Froslass without Destiny Bonding them with her. Froslass is good for only one layer of Spikes usually. Outspeeding to use Taunt+Destiny Bond is essential to using this set to its full potential.</p>
[SET]
name: Snow Cloak abuse
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Substitute
move 3: Thunder Wave
move 4: Blizzard / Confuse Ray
item: Leftovers / Brightpowder
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Froslass’s best bet in OU is on a Hail team which utilizes her Snow Cloak ability. Froslass is useful on Hail teams, because she fulfills a unique niche of being immune to Fighting while still retaining immunity to Hail because of her part Ice-typing. This set does not function well in UU, because constant Hail is vital for avoiding hits and inflicting constant indirect damage. Against a paralyzed opponent in Hail, the probability that an originally 100% accurate move will hit Froslass plummets to 54% and 60% with and without Brightpowder, respectively. This means that, on average, Froslass only requires two Substitutes before the opponent will miss, and she can then easily set up Spikes. After continuous misses, three layers of Spikes quickly pile up with no way to Rapid Spin them away since Froslass is part Ghost-type. All the while, your opponent’s non-Ice-types get pelted by the Hail.</p>
<p>Blizzard hits with 100% accuracy in the Hail and sports a whooping STAB 120 base power, so Froslass can dish out some heavy damage while stalling. Be conservative about using Blizzard though, because it only has 8 PP, which depletes quickly on a stall set. Ice Beam is good alternative for the extra PP insurance. Blizzard or Ice Beam is preferred in the last slot over Confuse Ray, because the only Pokémon immune to Thunder Wave (besides Pokémon with the abilities Volt Absorb and Motor Drive) are Ground-types that do not like stomaching a super effective STAB Ice move. However, Confuse Ray can be used for additional annoyance. While confused and paralyzed, the opponent only has a 30% chance to hit Froslass with Leftovers, meaning Froslass can easily Substitute, Spikes, Substitute, Spikes ad nauseum. Be aware that should Froslass not run an attack, it will be completely susceptible to Taunt and be forced to either switch or Struggle.</p>
<p>Brightpowder and Leftovers both have their merits. Brightpowder lets Froslass dodge more hits. However, Leftovers is generally the better option, since it is Froslass' only form of recovery to make more Substitutes. Froslass's defenses are so frail that most neutral hits will break her Substitute even with heavy investment in her defenses, so 252 EVs are better put to use in her Special Attack than defenses. Special Attack EVs are not needed if you don't run any attack moves, so place the SpA EVs into HP. Serendipitously, no HP EVs allow Froslass to use Substitute five times consecutively with Leftovers.</p>
[SET]
name: Offensive Choice Specs
move 1: Ice Beam
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Trick / Hidden Power Ground
item: Choice Specs
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Froslass’s relatively low base 80 Special Attack and high base 110 Speed make her a natural candidate for a Choice Specs set, which yields a more than respectable 388 Special Attack. STAB Ice Beam and Shadow Ball are no-brainers for hitting sponges like Meganium, Vileplume, Grumpig, and Hypno for super effective damage. The addition of Thunderbolt makes the coveted BoltBeam combo and annihilates Mantine and other bulky waters not named Quagsire or Gastrodon. Immunities to Normal and the ever-present Fighting moves provide Froslass with great opportunities to enter the field unharmed, although the Stealth Rock weaknesses does hamper its switching abilities. When Froslass is nearing the end of its HP or gets continually walled, Trick the Specs to an unsuspecting foe and let Froslass get the last laugh. Hidden Power Ground deserves a mention alongside Trick for easy 2HKOs on Probopass and Bastiodon, who wall all of the previous moves.</p>
<h3>Damage Calculations:</h3>
<pre>
Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 200 SpD Calm Hypno: 51% - 61% (2HKO with Stealth Rock)
Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 20 SpD Timid (Calm Mind) +1 Grumpig: 46% - 56%
Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 96 SpD Calm (Sleep Talk) Grumpig: 59% - 70%
Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Calm Flareon: 28% - 34%
Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Bold Rotom: 100%
Ice Beam vs. 80 HP / 252 SpD Calm Drifblim: 75% - 89% (OHKO with Stealth Rock)
Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Bold Weezing: 67% - 79%
Ice Beam vs. 216 HP / 0 SpD Bold Meganium: 95% - 100% (OHKO with Stealth Rock)
Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Calm Clefable: 32% - 39%
Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Bold (Calm Mind) Clefable: 46% - 55%
Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 96 SpD Calm Articuno: 41% - 48% (2HKO with Stealth Rock)
Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Calm Mantine: 77% - 91% (OHKO with Stealth Rock)
</pre>
<p>The calculations show that this set is intended to hit hard and fast, not for setting up Spikes. Choiced Destiny Bond is risky, because your opponent might set up on you until Destiny Bond’s low 8 PP runs out. You can use Choice Scarf over Choice Specs; however, Froslass needs the power boost to punish Special walls.</p>
[SET]
name: Crafty Tricks
move 1: Trick
move 2: Taunt / Destiny Bond
move 3: Spikes
move 4: Ice Beam / Shadow Ball
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Specs
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set plays more like the Suicide Lead than the Offensive Choice Specs set. This Froslass can be used as a makeshift anti-lead. The main advantage of this set over the other similarly fashioned sets is the fact that with 110 base Speed, Froslass is able to outrun nearly early every Pokémon in UU, as the second fastest Trick / Switcheroo user next to Persian in UU. The enhanced Speed provided by Choice Scarf allows Froslass to net a surprise kill on an otherwise faster foe like Swellow. Choice Specs is another viable option for a more offensive set. Trick gives Froslass a more effective way of dealing with walls by shutting their versatility down. Unlike the Offensive Choice Specs set, Trick the choice item early in the game, so you can begin to alternate between moves and avoid being set up fodder.</p>
<p>Taunt is to prevent these walls from setting up entry hazards or inflicting status. Taunt works well in tandem with the immunities and resistances that Froslass's unique typing provide, thereby giving you an easier time setting up Spikes. Destiny Bond is a last move insurance with which you could potentially bring down another of your opponent's Pokémon.</p>
[SET]
name: Sub Petaya
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Petaya Berry
nature: Timid
ivs: 30 HP
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
<p>With Froslass's only modest Special Attack, a boost from a Petaya Berry gives her the power of Choice Specs without the restriction to one move, making Froslass a surprisingly potent sweeper. Substitute down to a low enough HP to activate the Petaya Berry, and attack away with +1 Special Attack. Ice Beam and Thunderbolt provide great coverage, while Shadow Ball hits the Psychic-type Special walls of UU for super effective damage.</p>
<p>The bane of Pinch-Berry sets is priority moves, like Fake Out, Mach Punch, and Ice Shard. Froslass is immune to the first two, and resists the latter, making it a good candidate for a set like this. Granted, it still must be aware of the threat of Bullet Punch. Froslass already has awesome Speed, meaning she does not require a Salac Berry to outspeed certain threats.</p>
<p>The given EVs allow for Froslass to activate the Petaya Berry in three Substitutes instead of four. This allows for a faster set-up and more HP to spare. Rapid Spin support isn’t required, because the 25% Stealth Rock damage will speed up the activation of the Petaya Berry. The only things that counter this set are Clefable, who walls every single attack very nicely, and Hitmontop whose Bullet Punch OHKOs even at max HP.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>When deciding on a Hidden Power, be aware that a 2x super effective Hidden Power does slightly less than a neutral STAB Ice Beam. Choice Specs Hidden Power Grass scores OHKOs on Water/Ground-types like Gastrodon and Quagsire although a Choice Specs Ice Beam will usually 2HKOs them with Leftovers and Stealth Rock damage. Hidden Power Fighting instead of Ground eases prediction against Clefable while still scoring 2HKOs on Rock/Steels, however it lowers your Speed by one point, so Froslass won’t tie with Jumpluff and other Froslass. For the Suicide Lead, Icy Wind 2HKOs Aerodactyl after the Speed drop, but Aerodactyl will likely had either set up Stealth Rock or left Froslass Taunted. Psychic hurts Muk and Heracross badly but gives Dark-types an easier opportunity to switch in. Ominous Wind has a 10% chance to give Froslass overall stat boost if you are feeling lucky, but the loss of power and low PP make it a poor option.</p>
<p>Light Screen and Safeguard support the team from Special attacks and status, respectively. Block in tandem with Destiny Bond and Taunt can force a kill. Block is illegal with Spikes, however. Spite is an interesting option to reduce the PP of the foe’s last used move and is particularly useful defending against Sucker Punch, since Sucker Punch fails when you Spite and only has 8 PP. Snatch can steal a Substitute or stat boost from an opponent that wants to set up to avoid triggering Destiny Bond. Torment prevents the foe from using the same move twice, which can cause switches. Swagger confuses and gives a +2 Attack boost to the foe, so the foe takes twice the normal Confusion damage. Swagger works ideally against a foe that doesn't use physical attacks, but a giving a free +2 Attack boost to a physical sweeper that snaps out of Confusion will be disastrous. Rain Dance in tandem with Taunt can work but Electrode performs that role significantly better due to higher Speed, Explosion, and STAB Thunder to abuse in the rain. Colbur Berry can be used if Pursuit becomes problematic.</p>
[EVs]
<p>Take advantage of Froslass’s most useful stat, Speed. Use 252 Spe EVs with a Timid nature.</p>
<p>For attacking sets, max out the Special Attack, since a base 80 Special Attack is already moderately low for a sweeper.</p>
<p>No HP EVs let Froslass enter the field with Stealth Rock four times with 1 HP to spare. Also, no HP EVs let Froslass create five Substitutes in a row with Leftovers.</p>
<p>A 30 HP IV with no HP EVs allow Froslass to activate Petaya Berry after three Substitutes.</p>
<p>If you are not using an attack in the Snow Cloak abuse set, reallocate the Special Attack EVs into HP for the most well-rounded defenses.</p>
<p>Max Speed + Choice Scarf gives Froslass a Speed stat of 525, enough to outspeed everything below +2 base 80s like Chlorophyll Shiftry in the sun. Reducing the Speed EVs is risky, because after Froslass Tricks the Scarf away, she becomes slower than what she is supposed to counter.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>While Froslass struggles to find a place outside of a niche role on Hail teams in OU; however, in UU, Froslass makes an excellent lead, supporter, and sweeper. The Suicide Lead nearly guarantees at least one layer of Spikes to ensure some critical OHKOs and 2HKOs for the rest of the team. Froslass has plenty of other useful support options to mess up the opponent’s strategy, namely a speedy Taunt, Thunder Wave, Destiny Bond, and Trick. Despite Froslass’s low base Special Attack, her Speed and fantastic dual STAB coverage go a long way to make her a serious threat to many Special walls. Her unique Ice/Ghost typing has severe drawbacks though. The obvious big downside is Stealth Rock taking off a nasty 25% of health every time Froslass switches in. Froslass will have a tough time switching into attacks, because Ice is a terrific offensive type but horrible defensively, resisting only itself. Regardless, with immunities to Normal and more notably, ubiquitous Fighting moves like Close Combat, Froslass has some opportunities to come in unscathed to threaten the opponent’s team. If you need to soften up your opponent's team with Spikes, thwart your opponent's strategies with a myriad of support options, or just hit hard and fast, then Froslass is your girl.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Don't underestimate Froslass for her low defenses and Special Attack. Beware that Froslass can use Taunt, Trick, Thunder Wave, and Destiny Bond to incapacitate her counters.</p>
<p>In OU, Pursuit users are a huge problem, especially since she has trouble killing most of them. Weavile, Tyranitar, Heracross, Scizor, Metagross, and Snorlax can all Pursuit Froslass back to hell with relative impunity. Tyranitar’s Sand Stream negates Hail and Ice Beam barely fazes Tyranitar at all with Sandstorm’s Special Defense boost. Hippowdon stops Hail also and is immune to Thunder Wave but fears Ice moves. Stop her stalling antics with a speedy Taunt, since even with Ice Beam, her base 80 Special Attack won’t be doing much damage to neutral foes. </p>
<p>In UU, Pursuit users that can take Froslass’s boosted hits comfortably are harder to come by. For example, Drapion takes an average 34.5% from a resisted, boosted Shadow Ball, without any defense investment. Swellow outspeeds and Pursuits for an average 50.5% on a non-fleeing Froslass, but must come in on Shadow Ball or after a kill.</p>
<p>For the support sets: A faster Taunt user will shut Froslass down cold. Most notably against the Suicide Lead, even though Electrode gets 2HKOed, it will have set up Rain Dance and left Froslass Taunted and helpless against an incoming sweeper that resists her Ice Beam. Persian and the overshadowed Purugly can come into a Shadow Ball, outrun Froslass to the Taunt, and then U-turn away safely to a counter.</p>
<p>For the Specs and Sub Petaya sets: Froslass already has superior type coverage even without the help of Hidden Power, so switching into boosted hits requires careful prediction. Lanturn counters it nicely by resisting Ice, catching Thunderbolts to heal with Volt Absorb, boasting good Special Defense and HP, and can cripple Froslass with Thunder Wave. Probopass can take Froslass’s most common attacks all day and retaliate with Thunder Wave, but Hidden Power Fighting or Ground easily 2HKOs. Bastiodon is in the same boat as Probopass with the ability to Metal Burst back loads of damage. Flareon makes a decent sponge, taking 31% on average from a boosted Shadow Ball. Hitmontop’s Bullet Punch hits first for a swift OHKO. Platinum gave Sucker Punch to plenty of Pokémon’s arsenals, but few Sucker Punch users will enjoy coming in on Froslass’s boosted hits. </p>
<p>For the Crafty Ticks set: 216 HP / 0 SpD Gastrodon usually avoids a 3HKO factoring in Leftovers even with Stealth Rock, can Recover off damage, and has Sticky Hold to nullify Trick. Muk also has Sticky Hold, better defenses, and Shadow Sneak to strike at Froslass first for Super Effective damage. Clefable is immune to Shadow Ball, can use Softboiled to heal, and has access to Trick for throwing the Choice Scarf back at your opponent’s team.</p>
<p>With all things considered, the crux of her capabilities is all tied to her Speed, so paralysis completely neutralizes Froslass as a threat. Bullet Punch, Shadow Sneak, and Sucker Punch bypass that Speed and cause loads of damage and so are good ways to remove Froslass as well. The Stealth Rock weakness greatly restricts Froslass from switching in too many times.</p>
A Full Revamp and edit in general has been long overdue for Froslass ever since her fall from grace to UU. The current analysis is very OU-centric even though Froslass is primarily used in UU teams. I added the ridiculously popular Suicide Lead set, which is the Support set modified for DPPt’s fast-paced metagame. I removed Destiny Bond from the Frustrating Froslass set (named ‘Snow Cloak abuse’ to distinguish from the frustrating Suicide Lead set), because your opponent won’t likely be hitting you anyway and for its low PP. I removed the gimmicky Wake-Up Slap Choice Scarf set. I bulked up and weeded out some stuff in the TrickLass set (renamed ‘Crafty Tricks’ to distinguish from the Offensive Choice Specs set) from Servant. Choice Specs should be an option along with Choice Scarf in the Crafty Tricks set. For Katherine’s Sub Petaya set, I moved the damage calculations to the Specs set and changed the IVs and EVs. 30 HP IVs + 4 HP EVs does not allow Froslass to activate her Petaya Berry in the third Substitute; 30 HP IVs + 0 HP EV does. I added some belated UU Pokémon to the counters. The significant Platinum updates are the addition of Trick for Froslass and more Sucker Punch users to counter her.
Overview:
1. Suicide Lead
2. Snow Cloak abuse
3. Offensive Choice Specs
4. Crafty Tricks
5. Sub Petaya
Question:
- Is it okay to use female pronouns to refer to Froslass, since Froslass is only female? Official answer: yes
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/froslass
[SET]
name: Suicide Lead
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Destiny Bond
move 4: Ice Beam / Shadow Ball
item: Focus Sash
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With a blistering base 110 Speed, Taunt, Focus Sash, and immunity to Fake Out, Froslass is nearly guaranteed to set up at least one layer of Spikes while at the same time preventing the opponent from setting up. Taunt also thwarts slower status inducers from stopping Froslass. After neutering the opponent’s lead, Froslass can use Destiny Bond to kamikaze with the opponent once the Focus Sash is broken. Taunt forces your opponent to attack, while Destiny Bond makes your opponent reconsider sacrificing a Pokémon to KO Froslass, who has fulfilled her job of setting up Spikes. Froslass’s mind games easily cause switches, so Froslass can use this as an opportunity to set up more Spikes. To top this all of, Froslass is part Ghost-type, so she also acts as a spin blocker. Ice Beam is recommended as always for being an awesome offensive type in addition to receiving a STAB boost. Shadow Ball is another STAB option but gets walled easily by Clefable and other Normal-types.</p>
<p>This set operates very smoothly in UU, only losing to the occasional Taunt Electrode, but is not nearly as effective in OU. The Speed tiers are much higher in OU, so Froslass cannot utilize the Taunt + Destiny Bond strategy to cause switches. Azelf, Aerodactyl, and Weavile outspeeds and can Taunt Froslass to shut her down completely. Choice Scarf Metagross and Bullet Punch Scizor kills Froslass before she can Destiny Bond after setting up Spikes. Tyranitar and Hippowdon's Sand Stream breaks her Focus Sash, securing death for Froslass without Destiny Bonding them with her. Froslass is good for only one layer of Spikes usually. Outspeeding to use Taunt+Destiny Bond is essential to using this set to its full potential.</p>
[SET]
name: Snow Cloak abuse
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Substitute
move 3: Thunder Wave
move 4: Blizzard / Confuse Ray
item: Leftovers / Brightpowder
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Froslass’s best bet in OU is on a Hail team which utilizes her Snow Cloak ability. Froslass is useful on Hail teams, because she fulfills a unique niche of being immune to Fighting while still retaining immunity to Hail because of her part Ice-typing. This set does not function well in UU, because constant Hail is vital for avoiding hits and inflicting constant indirect damage. Against a paralyzed opponent in Hail, the probability that an originally 100% accurate move will hit Froslass plummets to 54% and 60% with and without Brightpowder, respectively. This means that, on average, Froslass only requires two Substitutes before the opponent will miss, and she can then easily set up Spikes. After continuous misses, three layers of Spikes quickly pile up with no way to Rapid Spin them away since Froslass is part Ghost-type. All the while, your opponent’s non-Ice-types get pelted by the Hail.</p>
<p>Blizzard hits with 100% accuracy in the Hail and sports a whooping STAB 120 base power, so Froslass can dish out some heavy damage while stalling. Be conservative about using Blizzard though, because it only has 8 PP, which depletes quickly on a stall set. Ice Beam is good alternative for the extra PP insurance. Blizzard or Ice Beam is preferred in the last slot over Confuse Ray, because the only Pokémon immune to Thunder Wave (besides Pokémon with the abilities Volt Absorb and Motor Drive) are Ground-types that do not like stomaching a super effective STAB Ice move. However, Confuse Ray can be used for additional annoyance. While confused and paralyzed, the opponent only has a 30% chance to hit Froslass with Leftovers, meaning Froslass can easily Substitute, Spikes, Substitute, Spikes ad nauseum. Be aware that should Froslass not run an attack, it will be completely susceptible to Taunt and be forced to either switch or Struggle.</p>
<p>Brightpowder and Leftovers both have their merits. Brightpowder lets Froslass dodge more hits. However, Leftovers is generally the better option, since it is Froslass' only form of recovery to make more Substitutes. Froslass's defenses are so frail that most neutral hits will break her Substitute even with heavy investment in her defenses, so 252 EVs are better put to use in her Special Attack than defenses. Special Attack EVs are not needed if you don't run any attack moves, so place the SpA EVs into HP. Serendipitously, no HP EVs allow Froslass to use Substitute five times consecutively with Leftovers.</p>
[SET]
name: Offensive Choice Specs
move 1: Ice Beam
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Trick / Hidden Power Ground
item: Choice Specs
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Froslass’s relatively low base 80 Special Attack and high base 110 Speed make her a natural candidate for a Choice Specs set, which yields a more than respectable 388 Special Attack. STAB Ice Beam and Shadow Ball are no-brainers for hitting sponges like Meganium, Vileplume, Grumpig, and Hypno for super effective damage. The addition of Thunderbolt makes the coveted BoltBeam combo and annihilates Mantine and other bulky waters not named Quagsire or Gastrodon. Immunities to Normal and the ever-present Fighting moves provide Froslass with great opportunities to enter the field unharmed, although the Stealth Rock weaknesses does hamper its switching abilities. When Froslass is nearing the end of its HP or gets continually walled, Trick the Specs to an unsuspecting foe and let Froslass get the last laugh. Hidden Power Ground deserves a mention alongside Trick for easy 2HKOs on Probopass and Bastiodon, who wall all of the previous moves.</p>
<h3>Damage Calculations:</h3>
<pre>
Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 200 SpD Calm Hypno: 51% - 61% (2HKO with Stealth Rock)
Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 20 SpD Timid (Calm Mind) +1 Grumpig: 46% - 56%
Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 96 SpD Calm (Sleep Talk) Grumpig: 59% - 70%
Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Calm Flareon: 28% - 34%
Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Bold Rotom: 100%
Ice Beam vs. 80 HP / 252 SpD Calm Drifblim: 75% - 89% (OHKO with Stealth Rock)
Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Bold Weezing: 67% - 79%
Ice Beam vs. 216 HP / 0 SpD Bold Meganium: 95% - 100% (OHKO with Stealth Rock)
Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Calm Clefable: 32% - 39%
Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Bold (Calm Mind) Clefable: 46% - 55%
Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 96 SpD Calm Articuno: 41% - 48% (2HKO with Stealth Rock)
Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Calm Mantine: 77% - 91% (OHKO with Stealth Rock)
</pre>
<p>The calculations show that this set is intended to hit hard and fast, not for setting up Spikes. Choiced Destiny Bond is risky, because your opponent might set up on you until Destiny Bond’s low 8 PP runs out. You can use Choice Scarf over Choice Specs; however, Froslass needs the power boost to punish Special walls.</p>
[SET]
name: Crafty Tricks
move 1: Trick
move 2: Taunt / Destiny Bond
move 3: Spikes
move 4: Ice Beam / Shadow Ball
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Specs
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set plays more like the Suicide Lead than the Offensive Choice Specs set. This Froslass can be used as a makeshift anti-lead. The main advantage of this set over the other similarly fashioned sets is the fact that with 110 base Speed, Froslass is able to outrun nearly early every Pokémon in UU, as the second fastest Trick / Switcheroo user next to Persian in UU. The enhanced Speed provided by Choice Scarf allows Froslass to net a surprise kill on an otherwise faster foe like Swellow. Choice Specs is another viable option for a more offensive set. Trick gives Froslass a more effective way of dealing with walls by shutting their versatility down. Unlike the Offensive Choice Specs set, Trick the choice item early in the game, so you can begin to alternate between moves and avoid being set up fodder.</p>
<p>Taunt is to prevent these walls from setting up entry hazards or inflicting status. Taunt works well in tandem with the immunities and resistances that Froslass's unique typing provide, thereby giving you an easier time setting up Spikes. Destiny Bond is a last move insurance with which you could potentially bring down another of your opponent's Pokémon.</p>
[SET]
name: Sub Petaya
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Petaya Berry
nature: Timid
ivs: 30 HP
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
<p>With Froslass's only modest Special Attack, a boost from a Petaya Berry gives her the power of Choice Specs without the restriction to one move, making Froslass a surprisingly potent sweeper. Substitute down to a low enough HP to activate the Petaya Berry, and attack away with +1 Special Attack. Ice Beam and Thunderbolt provide great coverage, while Shadow Ball hits the Psychic-type Special walls of UU for super effective damage.</p>
<p>The bane of Pinch-Berry sets is priority moves, like Fake Out, Mach Punch, and Ice Shard. Froslass is immune to the first two, and resists the latter, making it a good candidate for a set like this. Granted, it still must be aware of the threat of Bullet Punch. Froslass already has awesome Speed, meaning she does not require a Salac Berry to outspeed certain threats.</p>
<p>The given EVs allow for Froslass to activate the Petaya Berry in three Substitutes instead of four. This allows for a faster set-up and more HP to spare. Rapid Spin support isn’t required, because the 25% Stealth Rock damage will speed up the activation of the Petaya Berry. The only things that counter this set are Clefable, who walls every single attack very nicely, and Hitmontop whose Bullet Punch OHKOs even at max HP.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>When deciding on a Hidden Power, be aware that a 2x super effective Hidden Power does slightly less than a neutral STAB Ice Beam. Choice Specs Hidden Power Grass scores OHKOs on Water/Ground-types like Gastrodon and Quagsire although a Choice Specs Ice Beam will usually 2HKOs them with Leftovers and Stealth Rock damage. Hidden Power Fighting instead of Ground eases prediction against Clefable while still scoring 2HKOs on Rock/Steels, however it lowers your Speed by one point, so Froslass won’t tie with Jumpluff and other Froslass. For the Suicide Lead, Icy Wind 2HKOs Aerodactyl after the Speed drop, but Aerodactyl will likely had either set up Stealth Rock or left Froslass Taunted. Psychic hurts Muk and Heracross badly but gives Dark-types an easier opportunity to switch in. Ominous Wind has a 10% chance to give Froslass overall stat boost if you are feeling lucky, but the loss of power and low PP make it a poor option.</p>
<p>Light Screen and Safeguard support the team from Special attacks and status, respectively. Block in tandem with Destiny Bond and Taunt can force a kill. Block is illegal with Spikes, however. Spite is an interesting option to reduce the PP of the foe’s last used move and is particularly useful defending against Sucker Punch, since Sucker Punch fails when you Spite and only has 8 PP. Snatch can steal a Substitute or stat boost from an opponent that wants to set up to avoid triggering Destiny Bond. Torment prevents the foe from using the same move twice, which can cause switches. Swagger confuses and gives a +2 Attack boost to the foe, so the foe takes twice the normal Confusion damage. Swagger works ideally against a foe that doesn't use physical attacks, but a giving a free +2 Attack boost to a physical sweeper that snaps out of Confusion will be disastrous. Rain Dance in tandem with Taunt can work but Electrode performs that role significantly better due to higher Speed, Explosion, and STAB Thunder to abuse in the rain. Colbur Berry can be used if Pursuit becomes problematic.</p>
[EVs]
<p>Take advantage of Froslass’s most useful stat, Speed. Use 252 Spe EVs with a Timid nature.</p>
<p>For attacking sets, max out the Special Attack, since a base 80 Special Attack is already moderately low for a sweeper.</p>
<p>No HP EVs let Froslass enter the field with Stealth Rock four times with 1 HP to spare. Also, no HP EVs let Froslass create five Substitutes in a row with Leftovers.</p>
<p>A 30 HP IV with no HP EVs allow Froslass to activate Petaya Berry after three Substitutes.</p>
<p>If you are not using an attack in the Snow Cloak abuse set, reallocate the Special Attack EVs into HP for the most well-rounded defenses.</p>
<p>Max Speed + Choice Scarf gives Froslass a Speed stat of 525, enough to outspeed everything below +2 base 80s like Chlorophyll Shiftry in the sun. Reducing the Speed EVs is risky, because after Froslass Tricks the Scarf away, she becomes slower than what she is supposed to counter.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>While Froslass struggles to find a place outside of a niche role on Hail teams in OU; however, in UU, Froslass makes an excellent lead, supporter, and sweeper. The Suicide Lead nearly guarantees at least one layer of Spikes to ensure some critical OHKOs and 2HKOs for the rest of the team. Froslass has plenty of other useful support options to mess up the opponent’s strategy, namely a speedy Taunt, Thunder Wave, Destiny Bond, and Trick. Despite Froslass’s low base Special Attack, her Speed and fantastic dual STAB coverage go a long way to make her a serious threat to many Special walls. Her unique Ice/Ghost typing has severe drawbacks though. The obvious big downside is Stealth Rock taking off a nasty 25% of health every time Froslass switches in. Froslass will have a tough time switching into attacks, because Ice is a terrific offensive type but horrible defensively, resisting only itself. Regardless, with immunities to Normal and more notably, ubiquitous Fighting moves like Close Combat, Froslass has some opportunities to come in unscathed to threaten the opponent’s team. If you need to soften up your opponent's team with Spikes, thwart your opponent's strategies with a myriad of support options, or just hit hard and fast, then Froslass is your girl.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Don't underestimate Froslass for her low defenses and Special Attack. Beware that Froslass can use Taunt, Trick, Thunder Wave, and Destiny Bond to incapacitate her counters.</p>
<p>In OU, Pursuit users are a huge problem, especially since she has trouble killing most of them. Weavile, Tyranitar, Heracross, Scizor, Metagross, and Snorlax can all Pursuit Froslass back to hell with relative impunity. Tyranitar’s Sand Stream negates Hail and Ice Beam barely fazes Tyranitar at all with Sandstorm’s Special Defense boost. Hippowdon stops Hail also and is immune to Thunder Wave but fears Ice moves. Stop her stalling antics with a speedy Taunt, since even with Ice Beam, her base 80 Special Attack won’t be doing much damage to neutral foes. </p>
<p>In UU, Pursuit users that can take Froslass’s boosted hits comfortably are harder to come by. For example, Drapion takes an average 34.5% from a resisted, boosted Shadow Ball, without any defense investment. Swellow outspeeds and Pursuits for an average 50.5% on a non-fleeing Froslass, but must come in on Shadow Ball or after a kill.</p>
<p>For the support sets: A faster Taunt user will shut Froslass down cold. Most notably against the Suicide Lead, even though Electrode gets 2HKOed, it will have set up Rain Dance and left Froslass Taunted and helpless against an incoming sweeper that resists her Ice Beam. Persian and the overshadowed Purugly can come into a Shadow Ball, outrun Froslass to the Taunt, and then U-turn away safely to a counter.</p>
<p>For the Specs and Sub Petaya sets: Froslass already has superior type coverage even without the help of Hidden Power, so switching into boosted hits requires careful prediction. Lanturn counters it nicely by resisting Ice, catching Thunderbolts to heal with Volt Absorb, boasting good Special Defense and HP, and can cripple Froslass with Thunder Wave. Probopass can take Froslass’s most common attacks all day and retaliate with Thunder Wave, but Hidden Power Fighting or Ground easily 2HKOs. Bastiodon is in the same boat as Probopass with the ability to Metal Burst back loads of damage. Flareon makes a decent sponge, taking 31% on average from a boosted Shadow Ball. Hitmontop’s Bullet Punch hits first for a swift OHKO. Platinum gave Sucker Punch to plenty of Pokémon’s arsenals, but few Sucker Punch users will enjoy coming in on Froslass’s boosted hits. </p>
<p>For the Crafty Ticks set: 216 HP / 0 SpD Gastrodon usually avoids a 3HKO factoring in Leftovers even with Stealth Rock, can Recover off damage, and has Sticky Hold to nullify Trick. Muk also has Sticky Hold, better defenses, and Shadow Sneak to strike at Froslass first for Super Effective damage. Clefable is immune to Shadow Ball, can use Softboiled to heal, and has access to Trick for throwing the Choice Scarf back at your opponent’s team.</p>
<p>With all things considered, the crux of her capabilities is all tied to her Speed, so paralysis completely neutralizes Froslass as a threat. Bullet Punch, Shadow Sneak, and Sucker Punch bypass that Speed and cause loads of damage and so are good ways to remove Froslass as well. The Stealth Rock weakness greatly restricts Froslass from switching in too many times.</p>
