Roserade
[Overview]
<p>In a metagame dominated by entry hazards, Roserade stands out as one of the "Big Three" among Spikes users, the other two being Froslass and Deoxys-D. Even though Roserade can effectively set up Spikes, it can also utilize Toxic Spikes as well as an offensive set, making it unpredictable. The cherry on the pie, however, is its ability, Natural Cure, which heals any status ailment by simply switching out. Not only is switching out a positive situation for Roserade, but it also absorbs Toxic Spikes upon switching in. Sadly, Roserade isn't perfect, as it is very physically frail with only a base 55 Defense. Roserade's typing also gives it weaknesses to common Fire-, Ice-, Psychic-, and Flying-type attacks. Nevertheless, most players consider Roserade one of the best Spikes users in the UU metagame, making it a top-tier threat; it should be reckoned with as such.</p>
[SET]
name: Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Rest / Synthesis
item: Leftovers
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is Roserade's claim to fame, as it provides arguably the most important move in the UU metagame: Spikes. With Spikestacking being a popular playstlye, Roserade stands out as one of the best Spikes users in UU. Giga Drain is used as Roserade's STAB move, and it also has the benefit of healing Roserade a little bit after every use. Sludge Bomb is used for secondary STAB; it also has a slight chance of poisoning the foe, racking up passive damage between Spikes and poison. The last moveslot provides Roserade with a move to heal off damage; Rest provides instant healing, and Roserade wakes up upon switching out, making it more reliable than usual. If you don't like switching Roserade out, however, Synthesis works as it allows Roserade to heal off damage. However, with sand being a common weather in the UU metagame, caution must be used when running Synthesis.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The HP EVs maximize Roserade's overall bulk. From there, the EVs are split into Defense and Special Defense; the Defense EVs are used to ensure Roserade will take two Stone Edges from Jolly Heracross and two Psyshocks from Mew or Slowbro after Stealth Rock. The Special Defense EVs and a Calm Nature are used to ensure that Roserade can take two Ice Beams from Milotic. However, an EV spread of 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe with a Timid nature can be used to utilize Roserade's Speed, though this makes it play a lot like Frosslass, which plays the role of a fast Spikes setter much better.</p>
<p>Roserade can use Stun Spore over an attacking move to spread paralysis. Hidden Power Fire can be used over Sludge Bomb as it grants Roserade coverage against Steel-type Pokemon, though it is weak without investment. Hidden Power Ice is also usable, as it nails Nidoking, Nidoqueen, and Flygon for super effective damage; however, this is about all it's useful for.</p>
<p>As Roserade provides useful entry hazards for a team, any Pokemon that can use the passive damage Spikes provides becomes a good teammate. Houndoom can utilize the passive damage when attempting a sweep, and thanks to immunities to Psychic- and Fire-type moves, it has plenty of opportunities to switch in and set up. Chandelure makes another good partner for Roserade, as it can use Spikes to secure key KOs. Chandelure also blocks Rapid Spin, ensuring that the Spikes Roserade sets up will stay on the field. Speaking of spinblockers, Pokemon such as Dusclops and Cofagrigus are also great partners, blocking Rapid Spin and using Will-O-Wisp so Roserade can take physical attacks better. Since Roserade is providing Spikes to spread passive damage, phazers are appreciated to help rack up entry hazard damage; therefore, Blastoise, Suicune, and Empoleon all make great partners. Empoleon is exceptionally good as it also provides Stealth Rock, increasing the damage dealt when the foe is phazed.</p>
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Sleep Powder
move 4: Rest / Synthesis / Hidden Power Fire
item: Life Orb
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Unlike the Spikes set, this set uses Roserade's base 125 Special Attack and base 90 Speed to force offensive pressure on the opponent. Leaf Storm is the strongest STAB attack that Roserade receives, and it puts a dent in any Pokemon that doesn’t resist it. Sludge Bomb is another STAB attack that hits the Grass-, Dragon-, and Fire-type Pokemon that resist Leaf Storm. Since Roserade is using maximum Speed, Sleep Powder is used in the third moveslot to cripple one Pokemon, usually for the game, and it can be used on a predicted switch to cripple your opponent's counter to Roserade. The last moveslot is a personal preference. Rest along with Natural Cure can be used to heal off recoil damage from Life Orb as well as status, though it forces Roserade to switch. As such, Synthesis can be used to heal off damage as well, though it gets nerfed if sandstorm is up. It also doesn’t heal status effects Roserade might have acquired. However, if you aren’t in need of a defensive option, Hidden Power Fire can be used to nail Steel-type Pokemon that resist both STAB moves, such as Cobalion and Bisharp.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread is very straightforward: a Timid nature as well as maximum Speed allows Roserade to outspeed common UU threats such as Rotom-A, Suicune, and Nidoking. However, a Modest nature can be used to deal more damage, though Roserade risks being outsped by the aforementioned Pokemon. A Life Orb is used to provide Roserade more offensive pressure along with its base 125 Special Attack. To showcase the power of this set, the below calcs show Roserade against common UU threats (all calcs use a Timid nature):</p>
<ul class="damage_calculation">
<li>Leaf Storm vs 252/252+ Deoxys-D 49.3% - 58.2%</li>
<li>Leaf Storm vs 252/0 Deoxys-D 57.2% - 67.4%</li>
<li>Leaf Storm vs 252/252+ Empoleon 55.1% - 65.3%</li>
<li>Leaf Storm vs 252/0 Nidoqueen 85.9% - 101.6%</li>
<li>Sludge Bomb vs 120/0 Rotom-H 65.3% - 76.8%</li>
<li>Sludge Bomb vs 4/0 Heracross 64.6% - 75.8%</li>
<li>Sludge Bomb vs 252/136+ Roserade 44.4% - 52.2%</li>
<li>Hidden Power Fire vs 252/136+ Roserade 45.7% - 54.3%</li>
</ul>
<p>Giga Drain can be used over Leaf Storm for reliability and recovery as it can heal recoil from Life Orb. However, Leaf Storm deals more damage, and despite the Special Attack drops, Life Orb still ensures that Roserade deals massive damage. Hidden Power Ground can be used to hit Chandelure, which resists both of Roserade’s STAB attacks. It can also nail Flash Fire Pokemon, such as Houndoom and Arcanine, and it still retains coverage on Steel-type Pokemon. Spikes and Toxic Spikes can be used to bluff a defensive set, only for Roserade to nail the opponent with a powerful attack.</p>
<p>This variant of Roserade has problems with Fire- and Steel-type Pokemon, so Pokemon that can deal with these make great partners. Krookodile and Flygon both have Ground-type STAB moves that can deal with Fire- and Steel-types, and Roserade can absorb the Toxic Spikes that give Krookodile trouble. Water-type Pokemon, such as Suicune and Slowbro, can deal with Fire-types, and both have the bulk to tank the physical attacks Roserade can’t. Slowbro is especially good, as it carries Fire Blast to deal with Steel-types as well. Fighting-type Pokemon such as Heracross, Cobalion, and Machamp can dent holes in Steel-types, though Cobalion and Heracross do not like facing Fire-type Pokemon.</p>
<p>To ensure that Roserade puts more offensive pressure on the opponent, defensive partners are a necessity as well. Defensive Pokemon such as Umbreon, Togekiss, and Xatu provide Wish support for Roserade, which goes a long way in keeping it alive. Togekiss can even Baton Pass Nasty Plot boosts to Roserade, increasing its offensive capabilities, while Xatu can keep entry hazards off the field, making it easier for Roserade to switch in. However, both Pokemon will stack up an Ice-type weakness with Roserade. Pokemon that can set up entry hazards, such as Swampert, Bronzong, and Azelf can soften up the opposition, making it easier for Roserade to attack. Azelf, along with Uxie and other dual screen users, can set up Light Screen and Reflect so Roserade can take attacks better, making it easier to attack.</p>
[SET]
name: Toxic Spikes
move 1: Toxic Spikes
move 2: Sleep Powder
move 3: Leaf Storm / Giga Drain
move 4: Sludge Bomb
item: Leftovers / Focus Sash
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Roserade can utilize a Spikes set to great effect, it can also pull off a Toxic Spikes set just as efficiently. While this set has taken a fall from grace due to an increase of Poison-type Pokemon, such as Nidoking, Nidoqueen, and other Roserade, which can switch in and absorb Toxic Spikes, it can still do its job. Toxic Spikes is the focus of this set, slowly breaking down both offensive and defensive teams. While Sleep Powder may look odd on a set with Toxic Spikes, it works well in crippling Pokemon immune to Toxic Spikes, such as Zapdos, Rotom-H, and opposing Roserade. It also gives Roserade time to set up Toxic Spikes. Leaf Storm is preferred over Giga Drain, as it allows Roserade to deal as much damage as possible. However, Giga Drain can be used along with Leftovers for more recovery. Finally, Sludge Bomb gives Roserade another STAB attack.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread is fairly straightforward: maximum Speed with a Timid nature ensures that Roserade can set up at least one layer of Toxic Spikes before the opponent responds, while maximum Special Attack allows Roserad to deal as much damage with its attacks as possible. There are other EV spreads that are viable as well: the 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD spread used in the Spikes set can also work on this set. Modest can also be used for more power; however, this means that Roserade is outsped by Pokemon such as Rotom-H and Heracross. The choice of item is also another personal preference. Leftovers is preferred as it heals Roserade a little bit every turn. However, Focus Sash can be used to make Roserade function as a suicide lead, allowing it to set up at least one layer of Toxic Spikes or put a Pokemon to sleep. Black Sludge can also be used, though beware of Trick users, as they can Trick Black Sludge to another teammate, poisoning it if it doesn't have a Poison typing. Life Orb can also work, making Roserade do more damage with its attacks.</p>
<p>Roserade can use Hidden Power Fire as a way for it to dent Steel-type Pokemon such as Cobalion and Bisharp. Synthesis and Rest can both be used as recovery options for Roserade, though Synthesis is usually not worth the moveslot due to the popularity of sandstorm. Stun Spore can be used over Sleep Powder to cripple faster Pokemon, allowing Roserade's teammates to outspeed them and attack before the opponent can react.</p>
<p>Because this varient of Roserade uses Toxic Spikes to wear down the opponent, Pokemon that can hit hard to break teams down are great partners. Fire-type Pokemon such as Chandelure and Houndoom can utilize the poison damage while hitting hard with their STAB attacks. Both make exceptionally good partners as well as they are immune to Fire-type moves thanks to the ability Flash Fire. Chandelure also blocks Rapid Spin, ensuring that the Toxic Spikes Roserade sets up will stay on the field. Other good spinblockers include Pokemon such as Dusclops and Cofagrigus, as they can also use Will-O-Wisp so that Roserade can take physical attacks better. Roserade also enjoys Pokemon that can phaze out the opponent, such as Blastoise, Suicune, and Empoleon, to spread the poison around; these Water-types also have great defensive synergy with Roserade. Empoleon is an exceptionally good partner as it also provides Stealth Rock support.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>There are other options Roserade can use outside of the options already listed. Aromatherapy can be used on a cleric set, healing Roserade's allies from status. A SubSeed set can also work, allowing Roserade to stall out its opponents while gaining more health after every turn. However, other Pokemon perform this role better, namely Whimsicott, which has access to Prankster. A Choice Scarf set can be used to allow Roserade to outpace its checks and attack before they can retaliate, though Roserade usually has better things to do. Likewise, a Choice Specs set can be used so Roserade can put massive dents in its opponents. Roserade can use Sunny Day along with Weather Ball as a set to help defeat sand teams, though other than that, it is extremely situational and boosts Roserade's Fire-type weakness. A gimmicky physical set containing moves such as Swords Dance, Seed Bomb, Poison Jab, and Return can be used, but due to Roserade's base 70 Attack, it will be very weak, even after a Swords Dance boost.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Chandelure makes quick work of Roserade, especially when a Pokemon is already asleep, as it can take any attack Roserade can use and proceed to OHKO it with any Fire-type STAB attack. Chandelure even gains a boost when switching in on Hidden Power Fire, making it especially tough to beat. Snorlax can also sponge any attack Roserade can use due to high special bulk, and if it uses Immunity, it's even immune to Toxic Spikes; however, variants without Sleep Talk won't like Sleep Powder. Steel-type Pokemon, such as Bronzong, Cobalion, and Bisharp, are immune to Roserade's Poison-type STAB as well as Toxic Spikes, and can can wall or set up on Roserade; they must watch out for Hidden Power Fire, however.</p>
<p>Roserade has numerous checks that can make quick work of it when given the chance. Aside from Chandelure, other Fire-type Pokemon, such as Victini, Houndoom, Darmanitan, and Arcanine, can use their Fire-type STAB movess to roast Roserade. Houndoom even has Flash Fire to switch in on Hidden Power Fire, making it an especially good check. Togekiss can use its bulk to switch in on any attack and proceed to attack Roserade with Air Slash. It even has immunities to both Spikes and Toxic Spikes, though it must be careful switching in as Sleep Powder will be annoying. Opposing Poison-type Pokemon, such as Nidoking and Nidoqueen, can switch in and remove Toxic Spikes, while proceeding to attack Roserade with a Sheer Force-boosted Fire Blast. However, offensive Roserade can possibly OHKO both with Leaf Storm. Finally, many strong physical attackers can easily OHKO Roserade.</p>
[Unreleased]
<p>Roserade recives Technician from Dream World, and while it boosts its weaker attacks such as Magical Leaf, a 60 Base Power Hidden Power, and Swift, Natural Cure outclasses it, especially because Roserade has no means of boosting its Special Attack.</p>
