[Overview]
<p>When looking at Omastar, the first things that stick out are its excellent Defense and Special Attack stats, followed by its abysmal Speed. At first glance, these stats make Omastar look like a slow, bulky attacker. However, this changes when it uses Shell Smash, which makes it one of the most threatening sweepers in the tier by remedying its Speed issues and capitalizing on its already great offensive potential. Omastar is also capable of running an effective defensive set that supports its team with entry hazards. However, a number of problems hold Omastar back. Firstly, its Speed is so low that fast Choice Scarf Pokemon will outspeed it even after a Shell Smash boost; secondly, due to its common weaknesses and terrible Special Defense, it won't find many opportunities to set up. Despite this, Omastar is one of the metagame's premier sweepers, and is a threat that every team should be prepared for.</p>
[SET]
name: Shell Smash
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
item: White Herb / Lum Berry
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is what makes Omastar the feared presence it is. After a Shell Smash, Omastar becomes almost impossible to wall and outspeeds all Pokemon in the tier bar Choice Scarf users. Hydro Pump is Omastar's main STAB move and KOes practically everything that doesn't resist it, while Surf is a weaker but more accurate alternative. Ice Beam covers Grass-types such as Lilligant and Rotom-C, as well as Druddigon and the rare Altaria. Hidden Power Grass rounds out the coverage with its ability to hit Water-types, specifically Slowking and Lanturn, super effectively. While it will not OHKO them without prior damage, it is still mandatory so that Omastar can beat them after they've taken some damage beforehand.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The given EV spread aims to maximize Omastar's Special Attack and Speed in order to sweep successfully after it sets up. A Timid nature is recommended over a Modest one, as it allows Omastar to outspeed slower Choice Scarf users, such as Medicham and Rotom-C, without missing out on important KOs. However, Modest is still an option to deal more damage to Omastar's checks if those Choice Scarf Pokemon aren't problems for your team. Surf is an option over Hydro Pump, but it misses out on some KOs, namely on Bouffalant and Gallade. White Herb removes the Defense and Special Defense drops from Shell Smash, which helps Omastar against priority attacks, as well as attacks it takes while setting up. On the other hand, Lum Berry cures the paralysis induced by Clefable and Slowking, making it another excellent item choice. Life Orb is yet another option, but it usually doesn't give Omastar enough important KOs to make up for the loss of bulk or the ability to take status moves.</p>
<p>Rain Dance teams offer great support for Omastar, as rain not only further boosts Hydro Pump, but also doubles its Speed, letting it outrun even the fastest Choice Scarf users. This makes Rotom-C and Ludicolo excellent partners. Omastar also enjoys Spikes support from the likes of Ferroseed and Qwilfish to weaken its checks and ease its sweep, especially when not using Life Orb. Good defensive partners include Pokemon that can switch into Grass- and Electric-type attacks aimed at Omastar, such as Roselia.</p>
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Spikes / Toxic Spikes
move 3: Scald
move 4: Ice Beam
item: Leftovers
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Omastar can fill a defensive role and support its teammates with various entry hazards. This set capitalizes on Omastar's great Defense, making it a good switch-in to physical attackers such as Kabutops. Stealth Rock support is essential for pretty much every team, while Spikes are very useful to stack up damage on the opposing team with every switch or to bring an opponent into KO range for a sweeper. Toxic Spikes is also an option to cripple most walls and other Pokemon intending to stay in for an extended amount of time. Scald is Omastar's obligatory STAB move and still does decent damage off of its base 115 Special Attack, even when uninvested; it also offers a nice 30% burn chance. Ice Beam is the preferred option in the fourth slot as it allows Omastar to hit Grass-type switch-ins super effectively.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>A possible variation on the EV spread involves investment in Special Defense, which lets Omastar more easily set up on weaker special hits, such as Slowking's Scald and Uxie's Psychic. This also helps Omastar take strong resisted special hits, such as a Choice-locked attack from Moltres or Typhlosion. Knock Off is a viable option over Ice Beam to remove Leftovers or other important items from the opponent's team, but it leaves Omastar unable to KO RU's common Grass-types, so it is generally not recommended.</p>
<p>This Omastar is best paired with a teammate that can easily switch in on Electric- and Grass-type attacks, which hit Omastar super effectively, so Grass-types, including Rotom-C and Tangrowth, make great partners. Furthermore, a Ghost-type to block Rapid Spin is essential to keep Omastar's entry hazards on the field. Rotom is a great choice as it also resists Electric-type moves, and is immune to Ground-type attacks thanks to Levitate.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Omastar's impressive Special Attack and good coverage make it a good user of Choice Specs, but when running offensive Omastar, Shell Smash is generally a better way to capitalize on free turns. Other than that, there aren't many options for Omastar. Hidden Power Fire is a possibility to OHKO Ferroseed and Jynx, but the coverage added by Hidden Power Grass is generally too important to give up.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Generally, the best way of dealing with Omastar is to pack a fast Choice Scarf user that can outspeed it after a Shell Smash and OHKO it, such as Rotom or Manectric. Lanturn can survive most hits from Omastar and OHKO back with a STAB Electric-type attack, but it can be OHKOed by a Life Orb-boosted Hidden Power Grass and can't afford to take any prior damage. Slowking can take even a Modest +2 Life Orb Hidden Power Grass and cripple Omastar with Thunder Wave, but Lum Berry variants will get past it. Clefable can also cripple Omastar with paralysis, but it will only be able to do so against White Herb variants, as it can be KOed by Life Orb Hydro Pump. Jynx is immune to Water-type moves and survives Omastar's other attacks, which gives it an opportunity to use Lovely Kiss, but it can too be KOed by Life Orb variants. Priority attacks generally won't do much damage to Omastar thanks to its stellar Defense, but they can finish off weakened ones. Defensive Omastar is easily KOed by Grass- and Electric-type attacks and cannot really damage Water-types. In fact, its main form of offense comes from the entry hazards it lays, which can be removed by a Rapid Spin user. Cryogonal is a good candidate for this, as it can take Omastar's attacks with ease, Recover off the damage, and beat most spinblockers.</p>
<p>When looking at Omastar, the first things that stick out are its excellent Defense and Special Attack stats, followed by its abysmal Speed. At first glance, these stats make Omastar look like a slow, bulky attacker. However, this changes when it uses Shell Smash, which makes it one of the most threatening sweepers in the tier by remedying its Speed issues and capitalizing on its already great offensive potential. Omastar is also capable of running an effective defensive set that supports its team with entry hazards. However, a number of problems hold Omastar back. Firstly, its Speed is so low that fast Choice Scarf Pokemon will outspeed it even after a Shell Smash boost; secondly, due to its common weaknesses and terrible Special Defense, it won't find many opportunities to set up. Despite this, Omastar is one of the metagame's premier sweepers, and is a threat that every team should be prepared for.</p>
[SET]
name: Shell Smash
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
item: White Herb / Lum Berry
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is what makes Omastar the feared presence it is. After a Shell Smash, Omastar becomes almost impossible to wall and outspeeds all Pokemon in the tier bar Choice Scarf users. Hydro Pump is Omastar's main STAB move and KOes practically everything that doesn't resist it, while Surf is a weaker but more accurate alternative. Ice Beam covers Grass-types such as Lilligant and Rotom-C, as well as Druddigon and the rare Altaria. Hidden Power Grass rounds out the coverage with its ability to hit Water-types, specifically Slowking and Lanturn, super effectively. While it will not OHKO them without prior damage, it is still mandatory so that Omastar can beat them after they've taken some damage beforehand.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The given EV spread aims to maximize Omastar's Special Attack and Speed in order to sweep successfully after it sets up. A Timid nature is recommended over a Modest one, as it allows Omastar to outspeed slower Choice Scarf users, such as Medicham and Rotom-C, without missing out on important KOs. However, Modest is still an option to deal more damage to Omastar's checks if those Choice Scarf Pokemon aren't problems for your team. Surf is an option over Hydro Pump, but it misses out on some KOs, namely on Bouffalant and Gallade. White Herb removes the Defense and Special Defense drops from Shell Smash, which helps Omastar against priority attacks, as well as attacks it takes while setting up. On the other hand, Lum Berry cures the paralysis induced by Clefable and Slowking, making it another excellent item choice. Life Orb is yet another option, but it usually doesn't give Omastar enough important KOs to make up for the loss of bulk or the ability to take status moves.</p>
<p>Rain Dance teams offer great support for Omastar, as rain not only further boosts Hydro Pump, but also doubles its Speed, letting it outrun even the fastest Choice Scarf users. This makes Rotom-C and Ludicolo excellent partners. Omastar also enjoys Spikes support from the likes of Ferroseed and Qwilfish to weaken its checks and ease its sweep, especially when not using Life Orb. Good defensive partners include Pokemon that can switch into Grass- and Electric-type attacks aimed at Omastar, such as Roselia.</p>
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Spikes / Toxic Spikes
move 3: Scald
move 4: Ice Beam
item: Leftovers
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Omastar can fill a defensive role and support its teammates with various entry hazards. This set capitalizes on Omastar's great Defense, making it a good switch-in to physical attackers such as Kabutops. Stealth Rock support is essential for pretty much every team, while Spikes are very useful to stack up damage on the opposing team with every switch or to bring an opponent into KO range for a sweeper. Toxic Spikes is also an option to cripple most walls and other Pokemon intending to stay in for an extended amount of time. Scald is Omastar's obligatory STAB move and still does decent damage off of its base 115 Special Attack, even when uninvested; it also offers a nice 30% burn chance. Ice Beam is the preferred option in the fourth slot as it allows Omastar to hit Grass-type switch-ins super effectively.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>A possible variation on the EV spread involves investment in Special Defense, which lets Omastar more easily set up on weaker special hits, such as Slowking's Scald and Uxie's Psychic. This also helps Omastar take strong resisted special hits, such as a Choice-locked attack from Moltres or Typhlosion. Knock Off is a viable option over Ice Beam to remove Leftovers or other important items from the opponent's team, but it leaves Omastar unable to KO RU's common Grass-types, so it is generally not recommended.</p>
<p>This Omastar is best paired with a teammate that can easily switch in on Electric- and Grass-type attacks, which hit Omastar super effectively, so Grass-types, including Rotom-C and Tangrowth, make great partners. Furthermore, a Ghost-type to block Rapid Spin is essential to keep Omastar's entry hazards on the field. Rotom is a great choice as it also resists Electric-type moves, and is immune to Ground-type attacks thanks to Levitate.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Omastar's impressive Special Attack and good coverage make it a good user of Choice Specs, but when running offensive Omastar, Shell Smash is generally a better way to capitalize on free turns. Other than that, there aren't many options for Omastar. Hidden Power Fire is a possibility to OHKO Ferroseed and Jynx, but the coverage added by Hidden Power Grass is generally too important to give up.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Generally, the best way of dealing with Omastar is to pack a fast Choice Scarf user that can outspeed it after a Shell Smash and OHKO it, such as Rotom or Manectric. Lanturn can survive most hits from Omastar and OHKO back with a STAB Electric-type attack, but it can be OHKOed by a Life Orb-boosted Hidden Power Grass and can't afford to take any prior damage. Slowking can take even a Modest +2 Life Orb Hidden Power Grass and cripple Omastar with Thunder Wave, but Lum Berry variants will get past it. Clefable can also cripple Omastar with paralysis, but it will only be able to do so against White Herb variants, as it can be KOed by Life Orb Hydro Pump. Jynx is immune to Water-type moves and survives Omastar's other attacks, which gives it an opportunity to use Lovely Kiss, but it can too be KOed by Life Orb variants. Priority attacks generally won't do much damage to Omastar thanks to its stellar Defense, but they can finish off weakened ones. Defensive Omastar is easily KOed by Grass- and Electric-type attacks and cannot really damage Water-types. In fact, its main form of offense comes from the entry hazards it lays, which can be removed by a Rapid Spin user. Cryogonal is a good candidate for this, as it can take Omastar's attacks with ease, Recover off the damage, and beat most spinblockers.</p>
