How to Best Rock Stealth Rock in RU

By CryoGyro. Released: 2019/09/17.
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Art

Art by Volmise.

Introduction

Stealth Rock: the most infamous move in Smogon metagames. It's considered one of the few absolutely mandatory inclusions on any competitive team, and that perception is no different in RU. Removing a quarter of maximum HP from top threats such as Salazzle, Noivern, and Golisopod keeps them manageable, and the universal chip damage is crucial for breaking through walls like Slowbro, Mandibuzz, and Cresselia. Stealth Rock is doubtlessly effective; the question is, what Pokémon should your team use to set it? This article aims to make answering that much easier. We'll take a look at offensive and defensive Stealth Rock setters alike, explaining their viability, how they contribute to a team, and what makes them effective at getting that precious entry hazard onto the field. Let's get going; that Salazzle + Swellow core isn't going to chip at itself!

Offensive Setters

Offensive Stealth Rock setters use their attacking prowess or utility options to force switches, creating chances to set their entry hazard. Their high power frequently makes it difficult for spinners and Defoggers to directly switch into them. Though they might use good bulk or resistances to switch in more easily, they aren't built to last; they bank on powerful teammates defeating the opponent swiftly to make longevity irrelevant.

Metagross

Metagross

Metagross rules offensive teambuilding with an iron fist... actually, make that four. Its decent natural bulk and great set of resistances (few teams don't want a Steel-type's defensive utility) make it an offensive setter that's unusually good at switching into foes, especially pesky Fairy-types like Gardevoir, Florges, and Diancie. Once on the battlefield, it can use the threatening combination of Meteor Mash and Earthquake to force foes out and get Stealth Rock up. No entry hazard remover can confidently switch into this behemoth; Defoggers fear Meteor Mash or Toxic, Donphan must get past Shuca Berry, and Mega Blastoise hates Toxic or potential Thunder Punch. If you want to go all in with Metagross's offensive pressure, you can use Custap Berry with Explosion to surely send the opposition reeling, possibly taking their Stealth Rock remover down in the process. Insane versatility and invaluable typing render Metagross a no-brainer on your typical bulky offense team; its only clear flaws are mediocre Speed and lower bulk compared to other Steel-types, which mean it can be put in a tough spot if it takes a hard hit on the switch. Having more checks to Flying-, Ice-, and Fairy-types is highly recommended.

Necrozma

Necrozma

If you want to ensure that Stealth Rock stays up, look no further than Necrozma. It outspeeds and 2HKOes every spinner, which alone is an amazing property, and it can demolish or cripple Defoggers by adjusting its set. Psychium Z makes short work of Florges and Mantine, while Toxic over Calm Mind puts the would-be counter Mandibuzz in a pickle. Necrozma's outstanding two-move coverage and power make forcing switches early-game and getting Stealth Rock up effortless. However, it lacks many useful resistances or solid recovery, meaning it's the worst offensive setter at switching in and can only do significant work while at high HP. It tends to wreak havoc once per game, then is relegated to KO fodder after taking a hard hit or Toxic. Regardless, if your other team members just need Stealth Rock damage to secure KOs and become monstrous threats, Necrozma can be the Pokémon for you.

Nidoqueen

Nidoqueen

With Sheer Force, excellent STAB moves, and all the coverage in the world, Nidoqueen is the Stealth Rock setter of choice for breaking defensive cores down. Its Toxic immunity and Fairy resistance are perfect for harassing teams reliant on Registeel or Florges, and between Ice Beam and Thunderbolt, it can put serious hurt on any Defogger. Its Donphan matchup is solid too, though it needs a bit of prior damage to surely OHKO with Ice Beam. Against Mega Blastoise is where it somewhat falters, being slower, 2HKOed by Ice Beam, and OHKOed by Water-type attacks. Mega Blastoise hates taking Nidoqueen's attacks back, though, so smart play makes the matchup plenty winnable. Nidoqueen is shakiest against offense in general, since its Speed is unremarkable and it is easy to 2HKO with common attackers, but its fearsome coverage means no archetype should underestimate it.

Rhyperior

Rhyperior

Rhyperior takes the bulkiest approach of offensive Stealth Rock setters, boasting useful immunities and resistances in Electric, Flying, and Fire that let it handle Pokémon like Raikou, Noivern, and Salazzle. It specifically threatens Registeel and can smack all entry hazard removers with one of its STAB attacks, making its Stealth Rock difficult to immediately eliminate. Low Speed and painful weaknesses in Grass, Water, and Ground create just as many holes as Rhyperior fixes, however, so it can often be difficult to include over other Rock- and Ground-types.

Defensive Setters

Defensive Stealth Rock setters can come into battle time and time again, getting Stealth Rock up on the free turns generated by walling foes. They often fail to threaten big, immediate damage to entry hazard removers but may still prevail through chip damage from Toxic or team support.

Registeel

Registeel

Registeel is easily the most consistent Stealth Rock wall, with its immense defenses, lack of crippling type weaknesses, and outstanding move combination in Seismic Toss + Toxic + Protect making it a low-risk addition to any bulkier team. No spinner or Defogger is happy about taking Toxic on the switch and being stalled with Protect, and only Donphan and Mega Blastoise can threaten significant damage back. Though the metagame does its best to exploit it, with Donphan's increased popularity being a particular thorn in its side, it lacks any debilitating flaws that are simply unavoidable, such as vulnerability to Pursuit or inability to hit certain types. A proper team and player will show why Registeel is on top all the same.

Diancie

Diancie

Diancie's unconventional typing makes it a solid switch-in to pesky Dragon- and Flying-types such as Goodra, Noivern, and Mandibuzz, and it can smack most Stealth Rock removers with its solid STAB combination. It even beats Mega Blastoise that lack a STAB move, which is more common than you might think in high-level play. It needs to attack spinners fairly proactively or have a solid defensive core to fall back on, though, as Donphan and Tsareena take it out effortlessly. Plenty of Mega Blastoise are starting to use Water-type attacks again just so Diancie can't beat them, and RU ladder teams pack Water Pulse all the time.

Gigalith

Gigalith

Gigalith's claim to fame is being as close to a true Salazzle and Ninetales counter as you can get. Those two Fire-types are among RU's best wallbreakers, so Gigalith will have no shortage of opportunities to switch in between answering them and threatening the likes of Noivern and Raikou. Toxic is all Gigalith needs to have an acceptable-at-worst matchup against all forms of entry hazard control, but the huge popularity of Donphan, the best spinner against Gigalith, hurts quite a bit. A slow Rock-type's numerous weaknesses and Sand Stream's annoying chip damage make Gigalith particularly tricky to build around, but its unique defensive presence can make for some astounding cores.

Bronzong

Bronzong

Bronzong has a couple of interesting perks over Registeel in a Ground immunity and greater offensive presence with Gyro Ball, which are better for handling threats such as Noivern and Rhyperior. The tried-and-true Toxic pressures spinners and Defoggers alike. However, Bronzong has one massive issue keeping it from surpassing the competition: its Psychic typing. The resulting Dark weakness means that teams can easily just use a Pursuit trapper if Bronzong might be problematic for them, and Knock Off users become nasty threats. While Metagross can overcome its Dark weakness with offensive presence that demands respect, Bronzong's low Speed and fairly passive moveset make it much easier to play around. Bronzong's a Pokémon you should only use once in a while, when your team is able to handle Pursuit trapping and really loves its Levitate.

Get out there!

There you have it: eight of RU's greatest in Stealth Rock setting analyzed. Plenty of other Pokémon can use the move too, of course; some you can look into are Seismitoad, Choice Scarf Tyrantrum, and Alolan Marowak. Any of the above Pokémon caught your eye? Make a team with them and try it out on the RU ladder! If you need any help building, come join us in the RarelyUsed room on PS!

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