Roserade (Full Revamp + Update)

Colloquy · Apr 13, 2009

http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/roserade

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Changes:

- Re-wrote comments to reflect UU status.
- Added Spikes set.
- Added Growth set.
- Merged Choice sets.
- Added Team Options section.
- Made "Support Lead" set into "Toxic Spikes Support" set.

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[SET]
name: Choice
move 1: Leaf Storm / Energy Ball
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Sleep Powder
item: Choice Specs / Choice Scarf
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
With Roserade’s nice Special Attack stat, a Choice Specs set is a great option for handling many of the walls in UU. Leaf Storm provides a powerful STAB attack that OHKOes almost anything without a Grass-type resistance, but Energy Ball can be used over Leaf Storm if you want a good STAB sweeping move. Sludge Bomb provides a solid secondary STAB that hits most Pokemon neutral, making it a good move to use when you don't know what's switching in. Hidden Power Fire hits the Steel-types that resist your STAB attacks, like Registeel, but Hidden Power Ice can be useful for revenge-killing Altaria and Torterra, who you outpace even after a Rock Polish. Sleep Powder lets you immobilize a counter, and it is a valuable asset on the Choice Scarf set for a fast sleep. Spikes can be used over Sleep Powder, as it lets you do something while Registeel and Chansey are taking the hits, instead of just switching. Note that using Spikes with Leaf Storm or Sleep Powder is not allowed, as it's an illegal combination.

The Choice Specs set packs a lot more power, but is also rather slow. Using a Choice Scarf can remedy this, and provide an incredibly fast revenge-killer that gets to 459 Speed, outpacing most of the UU metagame. Maximum Special Attack is obvious to inflict as much damage as possible.

Registeel and other special walls completely make this set useless, so it's recommended you have teammates that can remove these Pokemon from the battle. Pokemon such as physical Fighting-types and Fire-types are prime choices, as they can hit the walls super effective, OHKOing or 2HKOing. Blaziken is a good choice, as it can come in on a resisted Iron Head and OHKO Registeel with Fire Blast, and Clefable and Chansey are OHKOed by Superpower or 2HKOed by Focus Blast.

[SET]
name: Toxic Spikes Support
move 1: Sleep Powder
move 2: Toxic Spikes
move 3: Energy Ball / Leaf Storm
move 4: Hidden Power Fire
item: Leftovers / Focus Sash
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
With Sleep Powder, setting up two layers of Toxic Spikes becomes a simple task; just switch in, sleep something, and go. Due to the fact that Toxic Spikes are easily absorbed by Poison-types, though, it’s wise to get those out of the way before attempting this. Energy Ball provides a solid Grass-type STAB, and Hidden Power Fire hurts Steel and Ice-types thinking they will get a free switch-in.

This set can also work as a lead in OU. It counters bulky leads like Swampert and Hippowdon, as well as outpacing Tyranitar, Metagross, and Gyarados. These all get slept, and then Roserade can freely set up Toxic Spikes, and attack if needed. Be wary of the fact that Poison-types can easily switch in, ruining your efforts, since you don't know the opponent's team. Focus Sash is also helpful to survive some hits that would normally OHKO before you can set up two layers or sleep the opponent.

Teammates for this set should be able to abuse Toxic Spikes to their fullest potential, letting the entry hazards weaken a wall enough so that they can set up and KO it. A few Pokemon come to mind, namely Empoleon and Latias in OU, and Typhlosion in UU. These Pokemon all take advantage of Blissey/Chansey being poisoned, as they can then KO them after setting up (or in the case of Typhlosion, with Focus Punch).

[SET]
name: SubSeed
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Hidden Power Ground / Spikes
item: Leftovers
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Roserade can use a SubSeed set fairly effectively in the OU or UU metagame. The general strategy is to come in on an attack that can't do too much damage to Roserade, then set up a Substitute. Then, Leech Seed whatever comes in. It has enough Speed to outrun a lot of threats, like neutral base 100 Speed Pokemon and positive base 95 Speed Pokemon. Another bonus for Roserade is that it has a high power STAB Sludge Bomb to fend off opposing Grass-types that may come in on your Leech Seed attempt. Hidden Power Ground can be used for dealing with Steel and Poison-types, while Spikes lets you set up entry hazards whilst sapping your opponent’s health, making it a good choice on stall teams.

Even though this set is more of an independent operator, it can still use help from its teammates, especially in entry hazard support. Stealth Rock is much appreciated on this set, as Pokemon will switch out from Leech Seed often. A good candidate for setting up this Stealth Rock is Regirock, as it can do this, spread paralysis (which will help with you outspeeding Pokemon), and hurt Clefable with Hammer Arm. Other Pokemon can also set up entry hazards and Explode on Clefable, making the opponent's one good SubSeed counter gone.

[SET]
name: Spikes Support
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Grass Knot / Energy Ball
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Sludge Bomb
move 4: Rest / Synthesis
item: Leftovers
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Most people overlook Roserade’s fantastic support option of setting up Spikes, along with its good base 105 Special Defense stat. This set takes advantage of these to make a pseudo-tank that can set up entry hazards while handling common Rapid Spinners.

Grass Knot and Hidden Power Fire take on most Rapid Spinners. Donphan, Claydol, Blastoise, and Starmie all get a stinging Grass Knot (Donphan and Blastoise are OHKOed), and Forretress without Special Defense EVs are OHKOed by a quick Hidden Power Fire. Rest lets you heal yourself up after an attack, and with Natural Cure, your sleep will be cured when you switch in, healing you back up, allowing Roserade to set up Spikes or attack again. You may be wondering how Roserade deals with Starmie, who can Rapid Spin away the Spikes or deal damage to Roserade with Ice Beam. Starmie is OHKOed by Grass Knot after Spikes damage, while Starmie only musters a 3HKO with Ice Beam.

Even though this set is more geared towards OU play, Roserade can be an effective Spiker in UU, as well. It scares off nearly all of the common Rapid Spinners, and can take on quite a few other threats as well. Sludge Bomb should be used over Hidden Power Fire, as there aren't Steel-type Rapid Spinners coming in, and Energy Ball should be used over Grass Knot, as most UU Pokemon are more light than in OU. Synthesis is normally more useful than Rest, as it will let you stay alive against Pokemon that can 3HKO you, like Venusaur. Leech Seed can be used, too, to gain health as you go, and saps away the health of common counters, like Chansey.

The EVs are certainly not the standard Roserade EVs, but they have a relatively simple purpose. The HP and SpD EVs provide great special bulk, letting Roserade take most special hits with ease and Rest off the damage. The Speed EVs outpace the common 36 Speed EVs base 100s like Zapdos and Celebi, as well as outpacing Jolly Tyranitar. Another option is to use 56 Defense EVs, in a spread of 252 HP / 56 Def / 168 SpD / 32 Spe, as it will survive an Adamant Scizor's Choice Band Bullet Punch always, even through Stealth Rock and sandstorm. In UU, using 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe is recommended, as there is nothing to outpace, and you need the bulk to take on threats like Shaymin..

This Roserade works well on a stall team, as the residual damage will build up, because the opponent may switch from various threats. Pokemon like Blissey, Skarmory, Hippowdon, Suicune, and other bulky Pokemon are great at causing switches, as they can wall many Pokemon, thus causing them to switch out. Make sure you have a Water-type to take the probable Fire- and Ice-type attacks aimed at Roserade, especially physical ones.

[SET]
name: Growth
move 1: Growth
move 2: Energy Ball
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Sludge Bomb / Sleep Powder
item: Life Orb
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
With Growth, Roserade becomes a powerful sweeper that can even take out its counters. Energy Ball is the STAB move of choice, as it can do serious damage to anything not resisting it, and Sludge Bomb is good for secondary STAB that hits most neutral. Hidden Power Fire hits the Steel-types that Grass and Poison do little to, as well as 2HKOing 252 HP / 200 SpD Registeel after a Growth boost. Sleep Powder can be used over Sludge Bomb if you want to set up more easily. Thanks to Roserade’s good bulk, switching in on something and setting up is relatively easy, so you should get plenty of opportunities to set up.

The recommended teammates for this set are similar to the ones for the other sweeping sets, as it's incredibly helpful to get rid of Steel-types and Normal-types before setting up. But, on this set, it's more important to get rid of Drapion, as it walls all of this moveset, and can stop your sweep. Bulky Pokemon that resist Poison and have Earthquake or another Ground-type move are one of the best counters, as they can take it down easily. Registeel is a good option for this, as it's immune to Poison and doesn't take much from Drapion's other moves.

[Other Options]
Setting up Sunny Day or Rain Dance is an option for support, and that can work nicely with Weather Ball. Synthesis also works well with Sunny Day, and can be used on a Life Orb set. Aromatherapy is also helpful for healing your team, and GrassWhistle is an option for sleep on the Spikes set, as Sleep Powder and Spikes are illegal together. Shadow Ball is usable on the Choice Specs set in OU for hitting Ghost-types as a filler move.

[EVs]
On most sets, focus on Speed and Special Attack with a Timid nature and 252 EVs to each. With the given Speed, Roserade outspeeds neutral base 100 Speed Pokemon like Arcanine, as well as positive base 85 Speed Pokemon like Pinsir. On the Spikes set, a more Special Defensive spread is needed.

[Team Options]
Roserade's main problem as a sweeper is the fact it simply can't get past common UU special walls, like Regice, Chansey, and Registeel. Therefore, it is helpful that you add Pokemon that have strong super effective attacks to get rid of them, like Fire-types and Fighting-types. Blaziken is incredibly helpful, as it can OHKO Regice and Registeel with its Fire Blast, and OHKO Chansey with Superpower. Roserade also helps Blaziken by removing Slowbro and Milotic, who stop it with ease. Hitmonlee can remove those Pokemon (Chansey, Regice, Clefable) by using its STAB Close Combat, and doesn't mind paralysis from Registeel or Chansey, making it a good switch when they come in to counter you.

Defensively, Pokemon that resist Fire and Ice-type special attacks are useful teammates. Water-types like Milotic are useful, as it can spread status and forces switches, which can rack up damage from Roserade's Spikes. Azumarill is also helpful, as it resists those types and has offense to handle threats like Typhlosion, who can easily switch in. Clefable doesn't resist anything commonly thrown at Roserade, but can switch in on special attackers using those moves and Encore or paralyze the Pokemon, giving Roserade and your team free switch-ins.

Now, you can't expect to have your Pokemon just switch in and take out Roserade's counter, as there's the opposing Pokemon's team to take into consideration. These Roserade counters have their own team mates designed to beat their counters, so keep these in mind. The things that counter Roserade, namely Registeel, Regice, and Chansey, commonly have teammates like Shaymin, Blaziken, Slowbro, Spiritomb, and other Roserade. Slowbro can be handled by Roserade itself, but the rest will need other teammates to take on. Moltres can stop opposing Roserade, Shaymin, and Blaziken, and damage Spiritomb. Hariyama works in the same way, but can't really handle Shaymin.

[Opinion]
Roserade is one of the most threatening Pokemon in UU. It can come in easily on weaker special attacks and sleep an opponent, then, it can set up entry hazards or just sweep. With the lack of good Spikes support in UU, Roserade is a great option on many teams, stall or offensive-based. Roserade also has quite few counters that can handle being slept, as most are 2-3HKOed. Its only real drawback is the fact it can't get past most of UU's premier special walls, like Registeel and Clefable, but you can use your team for handling those.

[Counters]
Registeel is one of the best counters available, as it resists Roserade's STABs and isn't 2HKOed by Hidden Power Fire except after +1 with Life Orb. It can then paralyze or 2HKO with Earthquake. Regice and Chansey work in the same way, except they isn't immune to Poison-type moves and take less from Hidden Power Fire. Moltres and Arcanine are good counters to the sweeping sets, too, as they resists Grass and Fire and can OHKO with Flamethrower, and Moltres can Roost off the damage. Drapion resists Grass and Poison, and can hurt Roserade badly with Cross Poison or Earthquake, or just set up. Hariyama is a good switch to Roserade, if it has Special Defense envestment, as it takes little from all of Roserade's attacks. Honchkrow counters the Choice sets, in particular Choice Scarf Roserade, quite well. Insomnia makes it immune to Sleep Powder, and if Roserade is locked into it, Honchkrow has a free KO with Pursuit. Watch out for Sludge Bomb and Leaf Storm, as they will do massive damage to Honchkrow's poor Special Defense. It resists Leaf Storm and can take an unboosted Sludge Bomb, and has both Drill Peck and Sucker Punch to finish Roserade off. In OU, Blissey is an excellent counter, as it takes next to nothing from the attacking sets, but must be wary of SubSeeding and Toxic Spikes. Heatran works well, too, as it resists Grass and is immune to Fire and Poison-type move.

Clefable makes a good counter for the Leech Seeding set, as it is immune to residual damage and doesn't mind sleep with a Toxic Orb. It can also KO with Ice Beam. In UU, the Spiking set is nearly impossible to counter with Roserade still alive, but in OU, Tentacruel makes an excellent counter, as it resists Sludge Bomb and doesn't take much from Grass Knot and can Rapid Spin away the Spikes. For countering the Toxic Spikes set, opposing Roserade can easily come in and absorb the Toxic Spikes, and Muk does an even better job, as he can KO with Ice Punch or Gunk Shot.

Note that whenever you switch a Pokemon into Roserade, it has the ability to sleep that Pokemon with Sleep Powder, so be wary.

twash · Apr 13, 2009

Hidden Power Ice can be useful for revenge-killing Dragon-types.

There's only one Dragon-type in UU: Altaria. So, in all honestly, I'd either mention its use in OU (considering the rest of the set concentrates on UU, it seems odd), say it's specifically for Altaria, or get rid of it entirely.

With Sleep Powder, setting up two layers of Toxic Spikes becomes a simple task, just switch in, sleep something, and go. Due to the fact that Toxic Spikes are easily absorbed by Poison-types, though, it’s wise to get those out of the way before attempting this. Energy Ball provides a solid Grass-type STAB that will hurt most things, and Hidden Power Fire hurts Steel and Ice-types thinking they will get a free switch-in.

This set can also work as a lead in OU, as well. It counters bulky leads like Swampert and Hippowdon, as well as outpacing Tyranitar, Metagross, and Gyarados. These all get slept, and then Roserade can freely set up Toxic Spikes, and attack if needed.

Seems incredibly counter-productive. Mention the risk of using it as a lead (setting up Toxic Spikes and if your killed, Roserade is fucked). You have know knowledge of the opponent's other 5 Pokémon at this point so it can often be useless, if you set them up and take damage, only for them to bring in their Poison-type.

It has enough Speed to outrun a lot of threats, like neutal base 90 Speed Pokemon and positive base 85 Speed Pokemon, like Pinsir.

Except, your running max Speed with Timid. So your really trying to outspeed base 100s, that's what the extra Speed is for (your hitting 306 Speed, not 296). The main point should be outspeeding base 100s, while also being able to outspeed positive natured base 95 Pokémon. Spelling mistake, too.

Oh, and you never finished off the Set Comments for that set (SubSeed).

Toxic Spikes should be slashed into the Spikes support set. It may seem redundant slightly but it's still useful, and Roserade is one of the most proficient Toxic Spikers in UU.

I think the Spikes Support set should also be geared more towards OU, with that EV spread listed in Set Comments. Swap it around; put the OU EV spread in Set Comments instead. It's quite confusing as half the time you seem to be talking about UU, half the time about OU.

GrassWhistle is an option for sleep on the Spikes set

Just mention "because the Sleep Powder and Spikes combination is illegal."

No mention of Drapion in counters? Resists both STAB moes, can take sleep with a Rest Talk set. Absorbs Toxic Spikes.

Then there's just general grammar / awkwardness. Seriously Katherine, please proofread -- it's evident you haven't.

This Roserade works well on a stall team, as the residual damage will build up after switching away from various threats.

Sounds awkward. I *think* your trying to say "as the residual damage will build up, as the opponent may switch from various threats.", but that's incredibly confusing.

Setting up Sunny Day or Rain Dance, and then using Weather Ball is an option for support.

Makes it sound like your using Weather Ball as support. "Setting up Sunny Day or Rain Dance for support, and then using Weather Ball in conjunction is a viable strategy."

healing you back up to set up Spikes or attack again.

To "healing you back up, allowing Roserade to set up Spikes or attack again." Using "up" twice in close proximity sounds awkward for the reader.

Even this:

Roserade also helps Blaziken by removing Slowbro and Milotic, who stop it with ease. Hitmonlee can remove those Pokemon by using its STAB Close Combat, and doesn't mind paralysis from Registeel or Chansey, making it a good switch when they come in.

Hitmonlee isn't getting through Slowbro with Close Combat any time soon.

Again, the half-missing paragraph needs to be fixed.

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Honestly Katherine, I think you can do better than this, it seems really rushed. Please, just go through and proofread this, because I know for a fact that it isn't your best work.

Heysup · Apr 13, 2009

I beleive some people (Imran did at least) ran a Choice Scarf set like:

[SET]
name: Choice
move 1: Energy Ball
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Spikes
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

Because Scarf Roserade is so obviously walled by Registeel and Chansey, that setting up spikes helped when Registeel was still up.

So I suggest the set be:
[SET]
name: Choice
move 1: Leaf Storm / Energy Ball
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Sleep Powder / Spikes
item: Choice Specs / Choice Scarf
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

(something about how Spikes can be used with Choice Scarf, but it loses Leaf Storm)

Also, mention that Roserade is an amazing Torterra revenge killer if it uses HP ice, because it outspeeds it after a Rock Polish.

Also, some people ran a LO set, like this:

[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Leaf Storm / Energy Ball
move 2: Sludge Bomb / Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Rest / Synthesis
move 4: Sleep Powder
item: Life Orb
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

Or something like that....

Lots of these sets have slashitis, but unless you want to seperate the Choice Sets again..

Legacy Raider · Apr 13, 2009

I'm really glad I didn't do this myself - I had half a mind to do a Roserade revamp a couple of days ago. Anyway, I think Honchkrow should be added to the counters section. I added it to the current analysis on site, but you've rewritten that section. Something along the lines of

"Honchkrow counters the Choice sets, in particular Scarf Roserade, quite well. Insomnia makes it immune to Sleep Powder, and if Roserade is locked into it, Honchkrow has a free KO with Pursuit. It resists Leaf Storm and can take an unboosted Sludge Bomb, and has both Drill Peck and Sucker Punch to finish Roserade off."

Scofield · Apr 13, 2009

[SET]
name: Spikes Support
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Grass Knot
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Rest
item: Leftovers
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 224 SpD / 32 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Most people overlook Roserade’s fantastic support option of setting up Spikes, along with its good base 105 Special Defense stat. This set takes advantage of these to make a pseudo-tank that can set up entry hazards while handling common Rapid Spinners.

Grass Knot and Hidden Power Fire take on most Rapid Spinners. Donphan, Claydol, Blastoise, and Starmie all get a stinging Grass Knot (Donphan and Blastoise are OHKOed), and Forretress without Special Defense EVs are OHKOed by a quick Hidden Power Fire. Rest lets you heal yourself up after an attack, and with Natural Cure, your sleep will be cured when you switch in, healing you back up to set up Spikes or attack again. You may be wondering how Roserade deals with Starmie, who can Rapid Spin away the Spikes or deal damage to Roserade with Ice Beam. Starmie is OHKOed by Grass Knot after Spikes damage, while Starmie only musters a 3HKO with Ice Beam.

The EVs are certainly not the standard Roserade EVs, but they have a relatively simple purpose. The HP and SpD EVs provide great special bulk, letting Roserade take most special hits with ease and Rest off the damage. The Speed EVs outpace the common 36 Speed EVs base 100s like Zapdos and Celebi, as well as outpacing Jolly Tyranitar. In UU, using 84 Speed EVs is recommended, as it outpaces neutral base 80 Speed Pokemon. It is also important to note that Spikes is illegal with most of Roserade’s egg moves, most notably Sleep Powder.

This Roserade works well on a stall team, as the residual damage will build up after switching away from various threats. Pokemon like Blissey, Skarmory, Hippowdon, Suicune, and other bulky Pokemon are great at causing switches, as they can wall many Pokemon, thus causing them to switch out. Make sure you have a Water-type to take the probable Fire- and Ice-type attacks aimed at Roserade, especially physical ones.

Once again, great job Katherine. This is the only set I wanted to address, and I don't really see a problem with the other ones. This has got to be my favorite spiker atm, the sheer amount of people that go straight to blissey is astounding. Anyways, after extensive testing, I found a couple of different options that are possible. 56 defense ev's guarantee that scizor will never ohko you with an adamant max cb bullet punch under all entry conditions (worse case being stealth rocks and sandstorm). I've found this to be kind of important and just took it out of special defense, unless your spc def ev's were all there were for a specific reason, although I didn't think that it was. Lastly, the last slot can also be: leech seed for team support or stun spore to prevent something like latias from setting up on you (what I ended up considering the best option actually). I don't know if you tested those options and found rest superior, but I just thought I'd weigh in.

Eo Ut Mortus · Apr 13, 2009

Katherine said:
Hidden Power Ice can be useful for revenge-killing Dragon-types.

As mentioned above, there is only Altaria, but this sort of helps against Torterra.

[SET]
name: Spikes Support
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Grass Knot
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Rest
item: Leftovers
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 224 SpD / 32 Spe

There's only one mention of UU in this set's comments, yet, Roserade is one of the most effective Spikers in UU. I don't have any experience with this set in Standard, so my statements on it pertain only to UU; I wouldn't know whether or not they would apply in OU.

Energy Ball > Grass Knot.

Sludge Bomb deserves some mention for hitting Shaymin, Fire-types, etc.

Having tried out Rest, I don't really like it. I'm not sure what everyone else's views are on it, but I think Synthesis and Leech Seed should be main options over, or at least slashed, with it. Synthesis is much more helpful when setting up on stuff like Chansey and Venusaur, or anything that can 3HKO you. I haven't used Leech Seed, but I've faced it, and it's rather annoying to stop, especially if you rely on something like Chansey to stop Roserade.

[Counters]
Registeel is one of the best counters available, as it resists Roserade's STABs and isn't 2HKOed by Hidden Power Fire except after +1 with Life Orb. It can then paralyze or 2HKO with Earthquake.

What about Iron Head?

Moltres and Arcanine are good counters to the sweeping sets, too, as they resists Grass and Fire and can OHKO with Flamethrower, and Moltres can Roost off the damage.

If Stealth Rock is down, any Moltres with no SDef investment is 2HKOed.

Clefable makes a good counter for the Leech Seeding set, as it is immune to residual damage and doesn't mind sleep with a Toxic Orb. It can also KO with Ice Beam.

I don't think it's a KO.

Since you mentioned Blissey, you might also want to mention Chansey is a good counter to any set without Leech Seed or recovery.

That aside, nice work.

cookie · Apr 13, 2009

(on HP Fire)

while also hitting special walls like Regice hard

this is unnecessary since HP Fire's damage is 140 compared to Sludge Bomb's is 135 AND can poison. Leaf Storm hits harder even over two turns anyway (210+105 against 2 x 140)

Colloquy · Apr 13, 2009

Twash said:
Seems incredibly counter-productive. Mention the risk of using it as a lead (setting up Toxic Spikes and if your killed, Roserade is fucked). You have know knowledge of the opponent's other 5 Pokémon at this point so it can often be useless, if you set them up and take damage, only for them to bring in their Poison-type.

Okay, done.

Except, your running max Speed with Timid. So your really trying to outspeed base 100s, that's what the extra Speed is for (your hitting 306 Speed, not 296). The main point should be outspeeding base 100s, while also being able to outspeed positive natured base 95 Pokémon. Spelling mistake, too.

Okay, fixing to make it like you said.

Oh, and you never finished off the Set Comments for that set (SubSeed).

I had to run to the dentist.

Toxic Spikes should be slashed into the Spikes support set. It may seem redundant slightly but it's still useful, and Roserade is one of the most proficient Toxic Spikers in UU.

There's already a Toxic Spikes set, and why use it without Sleep Powder? Unless you meant to slash it alongside Spikes...

I think the Spikes Support set should also be geared more towards OU, with that EV spread listed in Set Comments. Swap it around; put the OU EV spread in Set Comments instead. It's quite confusing as half the time you seem to be talking about UU, half the time about OU.

Okay...

Just mention "because the Sleep Powder and Spikes combination is illegal."

Okay.

No mention of Drapion in counters? Resists both STAB moes, can take sleep with a Rest Talk set. Absorbs Toxic Spikes.

Okay.

Hitmonlee isn't getting through Slowbro with Close Combat any time soon.

That meant to be that Hitmonlee is KOing Regice and Chansey.

Eo Ut Mortus said:
As mentioned above, there is only Altaria, but this sort of helps against Torterra.

Mmk, adding Altaria and Torterra instead of Dragon-types.

There's only one mention of UU in this set's comments, yet, Roserade is one of the most effective Spikers in UU. I don't have any experience with this set in Standard, so my statements on it pertain only to UU; I wouldn't know whether or not they would apply in OU.

I'll do a paragraph towards UU use, with Sludge Bomb and Synthesis.

If Stealth Rock is down, any Moltres with no SDef investment is 2HKOed.

...So, would it be a 4HKO without Stealth Rock? Even so, if it's a 2HKO with Stealth Rock, Moltres can Roost.

I don't think it's a KO.

KO doesn't relate to OHKO or 2HKO, just "knock out", meaning it can take it out in a few hits or so.

Since you mentioned Blissey, you might also want to mention Chansey is a good counter to any set without Leech Seed or recovery.

Oh, that's really wierd that I didn't, I thought I did.

scofield said:
Once again, great job Katherine. This is the only set I wanted to address, and I don't really see a problem with the other ones. This has got to be my favorite spiker atm, the sheer amount of people that go straight to blissey is astounding. Anyways, after extensive testing, I found a couple of different options that are possible. 56 defense ev's guarantee that scizor will never ohko you with an adamant max cb bullet punch under all entry conditions (worse case being stealth rocks and sandstorm). I've found this to be kind of important and just took it out of special defense, unless your spc def ev's were all there were for a specific reason, although I didn't think that it was. Lastly, the last slot can also be: leech seed for team support or stun spore to prevent something like latias from setting up on you (what I ended up considering the best option actually). I don't know if you tested those options and found rest superior, but I just thought I'd weigh in.

Adding the 56 Def EVs and mentioning Leech Seed and Stun Spore in the set comments.

cookie said:
(on HP Fire)

this is unnecessary since HP Fire's damage is 140 compared to Sludge Bomb's is 135 AND can poison. Leaf Storm hits harder even over two turns anyway (210+105 against 2 x 140)

Fixing.

@Eo Ut Mortus below: I'll add that Moltres is 2HKOed after Stealth Rock. Thanks.

Eo Ut Mortus · Apr 13, 2009

Katherine said:
...So, would it be a 4HKO without Stealth Rock? Even so, if it's a 2HKO with Stealth Rock, Moltres can Roost.

Moltres and Roserade have the same base speed, so you're relying on a speed tie. Most Moltres don't run max speed alongside sdef / hp investment, either.

cim · Apr 13, 2009

The Spikes set needs Calm to beat Air Slashing Shaymin and to better absorb 4x resistant Seed Flares. I don't know how the extra Speed of Timid helps at all in New UU.

Peachfuzz · Apr 13, 2009

Katherine said:
[EVs]
On most sets, focus on Speed and Special Attack with a Timid nature and 252 EVs to each. With the given Speed, Roserade outspeeds neutral base 100 Speed Pokemon like Arcanine, as well as positive base 85 Speed Pokemon like Pinsir. On the Spikes set, a more Special Defensive spread is needed.

Arcanine has only 95 base speed.

Also maybe you can make a quick note about Sleep Powder and Spikes being illegal? A lot of people try to use those two moves in conjunction with each other.

Legacy Raider · Apr 16, 2009

Just something I noticed about the 'Spikes Support' set. A spread of 252 HP / 224 SpD / 32 Spe gives you the following stats:

324 HP / 302 SpD / 246 Spe

A spread of Calm with 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe will give you the following stats:

324 HP / 308 SpD / 246 Spe

You get 6 extra special defense points at no extra cost by boosting Roserade's higher special defense over its speed.

Syberia · Apr 17, 2009

Legacy Raider said:
I'm really glad I didn't do this myself - I had half a mind to do a Roserade revamp a couple of days ago. Anyway, I think Honchkrow should be added to the counters section. I added it to the current analysis on site, but you've rewritten that section. Something along the lines of

"Honchkrow counters the Choice sets, in particular Scarf Roserade, quite well. Insomnia makes it immune to Sleep Powder, and if Roserade is locked into it, Honchkrow has a free KO with Pursuit. It resists Leaf Storm and can take an unboosted Sludge Bomb, and has both Drill Peck and Sucker Punch to finish Roserade off."

Just be sure to mention that with 140 special defense, Honchkrow will be taking massive damage from either attack. The best thing to do with Krow is get it in on a choiced Sleep Powder. You wouldn't be switching Infernape or Lucario into too many Leaf Storms unless you absolutely had to; Honchkrow is weaker than both defensively, not to mention takes 25% from Stealth Rock. It's a risky counter at best, and certainly not an ideal one.

MapleSandwich · Apr 18, 2009

I personally used a Focus Sash lead on both of my pre-Yanmega teams:
[SET]
name: Sash Lead
move 1: Sleep Powder
move 2: Leaf Storm
move 3: HP Fire
move 4: Toxic Spikes
item: Focus Sash
nature: Timid
EVs: 6HP/252SpAtk/252Spd

Set Comments: This lead always manages to do at least one devastating thing to the opponent, assuming it connects. Sleep Powder will incapacitate one foe and allow for the setting up of Toxic Spikes. Leaf Storm will deal MASSIVE damage to almost anything, dealing well over 50% to Honchkrow switch-ins and KOing almost any lead on the spot except for Nidoqueen. Toxic Spikes in themselves make stalling or sweeping much easier to handle with damage stacking up over time. HP Fire is for later-game situations where a Grass or Steel-type is facing Roserade. This set is particularly useful for stopping sweeps assuming the user can keep SR away; any sweeper relying on attack boosts with the exception of CM Mismagius can be shut down by a guaranteed Sleep Powder or Leaf Storm.

Random Pizzaman · Apr 18, 2009

Roserade also has quite few counters that can handle being slept, as most are 2-3HKOed.

That doesn't quite sound right, did you mean to say can't handle being slept?

Caelum · Apr 18, 2009

MapleSandwich said:
I personally used a Focus Sash lead on both of my pre-Yanmega teams:
[SET]
name: Sash Lead
move 1: Sleep Powder
move 2: Leaf Storm
move 3: HP Fire
move 4: Toxic Spikes
item: Focus Sash
nature: Timid
EVs: 6HP/252SpAtk/252Spd

Set Comments: This lead always manages to do at least one devastating thing to the opponent, assuming it connects. Sleep Powder will incapacitate one foe and allow for the setting up of Toxic Spikes. Leaf Storm will deal MASSIVE damage to almost anything, dealing well over 50% to Honchkrow switch-ins and KOing almost any lead on the spot except for Nidoqueen. Toxic Spikes in themselves make stalling or sweeping much easier to handle with damage stacking up over time. HP Fire is for later-game situations where a Grass or Steel-type is facing Roserade. This set is particularly useful for stopping sweeps assuming the user can keep SR away; any sweeper relying on attack boosts with the exception of CM Mismagius can be shut down by a guaranteed Sleep Powder or Leaf Storm.

An entirely new set isn't required for an item change; simply a slash given to Focus Sash on the Toxic Spikes set would suffice.

BRShooter · Apr 25, 2009

Should Muk be mentioned as a counter? He absorbs the Toxic Spikes Roserade tries to set up and takes pitiful damage from all of her attacks. He can hit back hard with Ice Punch or STAB Gunk Shot.
Here are some calcs:
The Standard Curse Muk with no Curses:
+0 Careful 0 Atk Muk's Ice Punch on Calm 252 HP/0 Def Roserade: 246 Atk vs 146 Def & 324 HP (75 Base Power): 182 - 216 (56.17% - 66.67%)
+0 Careful 0 Atk Muk's Poison Jab on Calm 252 HP/0 Def Roserade: 246 Atk vs 146 Def & 324 HP (80 Base Power): 145 - 172 (44.75% - 53.09%)
Now, on to CB Muk:
Choice Band 252 Atk Muk's Poison Jab on Calm 252 HP/0 Def Roserade: 508 Atk vs 146 Def & 324 HP (80 Base Power): 298 - 352 (91.98% - 108.64%). Deals 100% on average. Roserade obviously doesn't stand a chance against Gunk Shot and Ice Punch.

And Roserade's attacks on Muk:
+0 Timid 252 SpA Roserade's HP Ground on 212 HP/0SpD Muk: 349 Atk vs 236 Def & 404 HP (70 Base Power): 148 - 176 (36.63% - 43.56%). Doesn't even 2HKO, even with Stealth Rock.
Choice Specs Roserade's Leaf Storm on 212 HP/0 SpD Muk: 523 Atk vs 236 Def & 404 HP (140 Base Power): 166 - 196 (41.09% - 48.51%). With the Special Attack drop, it can't 2HKO even the least Specially Defensive Muk:
-2 Choice Specs Roserade's Leaf Storm on 212 HP/0 SpD Muk: 261 Atk vs 236 Def & 404 HP (140 Base Power): 84 - 99 (20.79% - 24.50%)

RaikouLover · Apr 25, 2009

Okay, here to make suggestions on this set:

[SET]
name: Spikes Support
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Energy Ball
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Rest
item: Leftovers
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 40 SpD / 216 Spe

Okay, for this set I think this is the most efficient build and let me explain why. I would probably just leave it like this for neatness since this is a UU revamp for a UU pokemon. However, I would give a paragraph mention of switching Energy Ball for Grass Knot and including Hidden Power Fire over Sludge Bomb if you do decide to use it in OU. But I wouldn't really slash them because Grass Knot and HP Fire are both inferior options in Roserade's primary tier. Also, I recommend Rest and I really wouldn't bother with Synthesis because usually when Chansey or Registeel commonly switch into Ros, they will go for the T-Wave first, which means Rest will completely replenish your life bar on the switch out. Synthesis I guess can be used, however if you are paralyzed you can't out-recover the Ice Beams very well.

Finally, I recommend additional speed for this set for one reason alone. Outspeeding Life Orb Milotic in UU and Life Orb Suicune in OU is a serious deal because it makes Roserade a true counter. Using the current spread, Roserade is outsped and 2HKOed by Ice Beam. However, this spread can accidently switch into Ice Beam, survive it, and still outspeed for the KO. Many teams have serious difficulty countering these pokemon, and since Roserade is normally your Bulky Water pokemon switch in, being able to actually counter them will go along way towards the sets effectiveness.

Scoopapa · Apr 26, 2009

In the choice set, you mention out-speeding Torterra with a Rock Polish, without mentioning which choice item you are referring to. Although it's obvious to most people that only the scarf outspeeds Torterra after a Rock Polish, for sake of professionalism, you should be very clear which item you are referring to.

twash · May 24, 2009

Katherine, can you please finish this up. Thanks.

Legacy Raider · Jun 21, 2009

Big bump, this looks almost done. I wanted to suggest Noctowl to go into the counters section - 100 base HP, 96 base SpD, Insomnia, resistance to Grass and super effective Air Slash. I saw it work very well today, and in particular it can beat the LO set 1 on 1 quite easily. It's worth noting that a LO Timid Sludge Bomb does 34.2% minimum though, and is likely to 2HKO with SR and Leftovers, and so Noctowl should take care to come in on Sleep Powder, Leaf Storm, or Synthesis. I know that Heysup is doing the LO Roserade analysis, but since it will be coming into here its counters should be mentioned here too.

Also, I'd like to argue for a more specially defensive slower EV spread as the standard for the Spiker set. Since Roserade will be seeing much more play in UU than OU, its standard spread should be designed for that tier. Hitting 246 Speed is useless in UU since nothing lies within that bracket between 239 and 249, and so I'd recommend a spread of 252 HP / 160 SpD / 96 Spe, hitting 240 and outspeeding neutral max speed base 70s, and if Honchkrow is voted UU, then 252 HP / 152 SpD / 104 Spe to outrun Adamant max.

Eo Ut Mortus · Aug 15, 2009

http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/roserade

Changes: (from original post)

-Removed OU references from Spikes set. Nobody uses it in OU as evidenced by usage stats. Froslass is faster than Roserade, while Skarmory and Forretress are sturdier.
-Changed the EV spread with the advent of Dugtrio - thanks to august for the spread.
-Incorporated Heysup's LO Roserade analysis into the analysis. Touched it up a little, but nothing major was changed. Credits to him for the original write-up.
-Moved Growth set to other options - Roserade is vulnerable to stuff like Yanmega switching in on it, without Synthesis, it doesn't have the longevity to beat stuff like Chansey, susceptible to revenge kill by Dugtrio if it doesn't have Substitute, etc.
-Merged Toxic Spikes and Spikes. The current Toxic Spikes set now has more of an emphasis on OU.

[SET]
name: Spikes (UU)
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Synthesis / Rest
move 3: Energy Ball / Sludge Bomb
move 4: Aromatherapy / Toxic Spikes / Hidden Power Ground
item: Leftovers
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Thanks to access to somewhat reliable recovery and decent Speed and Special Defense stats, Roserade is arguably UU's best Spiker. It can easily switch in on many things, such as Lanturn, Milotic, and Rotom, and start laying down layers upon layers of Spikes. Roserade should be able to replenish health lost from attacks such as Venusaur's Sludge Bomb and Spiritomb's Dark Pulse, and it has three ways of doing so. Synthesis is the most reliable option, recovering 50% of Roserade's health at once. The drawbacks to Synthesis are that it has low PP, and it will only restore 25% of Roserade's HP in rain, hail, or sandstorm. Using Rest, made viable mostly thanks to Natural Cure, will force Roserade to switch out, a trait that makes it inferior to Synthesis when setting up on Pokemon who fail to achieve anything near a 2HKO, such as Chansey. However, Rest does have its advantages, which are apparent in specific scenarios. For instance, Roserade does not have to repeatedly use its recovery move to bring itself back to full health. Rather, Roserade can just Rest once and switch out, a significant advantage when facing Pokemon such as Uxie, who can strip away around 40% of Roserade's health at once with Psychic. Rest also helps in "PP stalling wars" thanks to its higher PP and the fact that Roserade does not have to use up precious PP during Rest's self-induced sleep. A third method of recovery is Leech Seed. While it recovers less HP at one instant, Leech Seed enables Roserade to wear down Pokemon like Registeel while simultaneously setting up Spikes.

The last two moves can be almost anything that suits your needs. Generally, you'll want to have at least one STAB move. Energy Ball is the preferred option, mostly because it hits common Rapid Spinners such as Donphan and Claydol. Sludge Bomb is still a reasonable move, though, because it will prevent Fire-types from having a completely free switch-in. For the last slot, you may use your other STAB move, the aforementioned Leech Seed, or one of a number of other options. Foresight / Close Combat / Rapid Spin / Rest Hitmontop is a good addition to a stall team in need of a Rapid Spinner, and running Aromatherapy on Roserade will greatly support it and other team members who do not have enough room in their available moveslots to run both Rest and Sleep Talk without losing efficiency. For those who desire additional entry hazards, Roserade also has access to Toxic Spikes. If you wish to gain coverage on the types that Roserade's STAB moves fail to address, Hidden Power Ground will damage Steel- and Poison-types, such as Registeel and Drapion. If you chose Energy Ball for your third moveslot, Hidden Power Fire is an option to deal with both Grass- and Steel-types.

You may choose to use Toxic Spikes over Spikes; however, Spikes are preferred due to the high number of Poison-types in UU. If you do choose to use Toxic Spikes, Sleep Powder is recommended in the last moveslot. Note that Sleep Powder, while legal with Toxic Spikes, is an illegal move combination with Spikes.

The Defense and HP EVs given allow Roserade to survive a Choice Band boosted Earthquake from Jolly Dugtrio 100% of the time, even if Stealth Rock is up. If the Dugtrio is Adamant, Roserade will survive if Stealth Rock is not present. Even if it is, Earthquake will have only a minuscule chance to KO, provided that a turn passes and Leftovers activates. The remaining EVs are poured into Special Defense, as Roserade will be more prone to switching into special attacks. If you are not overly concerned with Dugtrio, and wish have some Speed to outrun certain things, try a spread of 252 HP / 152 SpD / 104 Spe, which outruns maximum Speed Adamant Honchkrow. A spread of 252 HP / 72 SpD / 184 Spe is also an option; it allows you to outpace maximum Speed Milotic and ensures that Roserade is a true counter to any Milotic, even when switching into a Life Orb Ice Beam.

Roserade's main asset as a Spiker is its ability to set up on a variety of Pokemon, mainly weak special attackers. You should be able to bait them into battle with the other Pokemon on your team. Ground-types such as Donphan will entice various Grass- and Water-types, such as Venusaur and Milotic, respectively, into play. The aforementioned Milotic and other similar bulky Water-types will draw in Grass-types, as well, along with Electric-types, like Rotom. Most of these Pokemon can barely dent Roserade and therefore can do hardly anything to stop Roserade from setting up three full layers of Spikes on the field.

You should have some way to deal with Rapid Spinners aiming to clear the field of Roserade's Spikes. Therefore, Ghost-types make great partners to Roserade. Aside from blocking Rapid Spin, Rotom happens to lure in a number of Pokemon whom Roserade can easily set up on, including Lanturn and Chansey. It can also tackle the Swellow and Scyther that can switch in on Energy Ball and threaten Roserade with powerful physical attacks. Spiritomb's secondary Dark-type enables it to take Psychic-type attacks directed at Roserade, such as Zen Headbutt from Uxie or Psychic from Espeon. Mismagius, while frailer than the former two, has access to a fast Taunt to prevent Hitmontop from using the combination of Foresight and Rapid Spin.

Not many Pokemon can stop Roserade from setting up Spikes, but there are a select few that can. Drapion outspeeds Roserade, resists both its STAB moves, and can Taunt Roserade to prevent it from sowing its Spikes. Registeel can check it relatively well, while also covering a variety of other threats to Roserade, such as Swellow, Yanmega, and Espeon. Like Drapion, Mismagius can also outrun and Taunt Roserade. It doesn't help that most common defensive Pokemon cannot touch Mismagius at all. A Drapion of your own, as long as it avoids Will-O-Wisp, can easily handle it, also serving as a counter to the Uxie and Mesprit who try to foil Roserade's efforts via Zen Headbutt flinches. Drapion is also an efficient Honchkrow counter, who threatens Roserade with Drill Peck and Pursuit and cannot be put to sleep thanks to Insomnia.

[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Sludge Bomb
move 2: Leaf Storm
move 3: Synthesis
move 4: Sleep Powder / Hidden Power Ground
item: Life Orb
nature: Modest
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Roserade's stellar base 125 Special Attack makes it a force to be feared in UU, especially when amplified to even higher levels by a Life Orb. Even though this set utilizes two moves notorious for their lack of super effective type coverage, the vast majority of UU, if hit with the correct move, will be, at the very least, 2HKOed.

Generally, opening with Sludge Bomb is the safest option. Most of the Pokemon that Roserade hits harder with Leaf Storm are one or a combination of the following: slower than Roserade, 2HKOed by Sludge Bomb, or beaten one-on-one regardless of which attack they switch into. Use Leaf Storm if you know that walls like Registeel and Chansey are on your opponent's team and you need to maximize damage output against them, or if you are facing something that Sludge Bomb does not OHKO, such as Milotic, and cannot afford to risk Roserade on the foe staying in.

This set excels at wall breaking in its own way by preventing recovery from slower Pokemon, such as Chansey, with Sleep Powder, limiting the amount of times they can switch into a STAB Leaf Storm. For example, if Chansey switches into Leaf Storm, it will be put to sleep before it can use Softboiled, giving you a free turn to switch in something that can scare it away. Now, all you need to do is rinse and repeat until Chansey is in KO range, and depending on your damage rolls, it could possibly even be Chansey's second switch-in. This tactic can be executed on other Pokemon as long as they have Natural Cure; other ideal targets include Altaria and slower Roserade.

On top of having enough firepower to beat Chansey, Roserade also possesses some nice special bulk and a recovery move. Synthesis is recommended so that you aren't forced out immediately after you recover, therefore lessening the chances that you will be set up on. Rest is a viable option because of Natural Cure, allowing you to fully recover regardless of weather conditions as long as you are willing to switch out. As an alternative to Sleep Powder, Hidden Power Ground can be used to hit Registeel and Drapion for super effective damage, and with Synthesis, Roserade can actually beat some Registeel.

The recommended EVs for this set are simple, maximum Special Attack and Speed. These help Roserade outspeed most Life Orb Moltres, and neutral nature base 85 Pokemon, while retaining the firepower needed. Alternatively, you can use an EV set like 144 HP / 252 SpA / 112 Spe. These EVs for this set are made to give Roserade a decent amount of bulk, with just enough Speed to be effective. 112 Speed EVs allows Roserade to outpace Pokemon such as Blaziken and Honchkrow. Special Attack needs to be maximized for maximum damage, and the rest of the EVs should be put into HP to give Roserade some much needed survivability, making Synthesis more effective. With 144 HP, Roserade will avoid a 2HKO from Milotic's Ice Beam most of the time, making it a near flawless switch-in.

This Roserade is definitely capable of being effective on its own but naturally performs at its peak with adequate team support. Registeel, Chansey, Muk, and Drapion can be tough for Roserade to barrel through. Chansey, if one of its teammates was already put to sleep, is a huge obstacle thanks to its sky high HP and Special Defense stats, while the others are primarily resilient to Roserade's assaults due to their resistances to Roserade's STAB moves. This Roserade especially requires a Pokemon who can OHKO Chansey without any set up, so that after it is slept by Sleep Powder, you can force Chansey out before it recovers HP. Pokemon like Blaziken, Hitmonlee, and basically any strong Fighting-type can do this job. Dugtrio can trap and Earthquake Chansey along with Registeel and the Poison-types - just be sure to try to avoid switching in on an actual attack, lest you risk being 2HKOed. While they lack Arena Trap, other Ground-types, like Donphan and Torterra, make relatively decent answers as well.

Roserade's 90 base Speed is decent, but slightly on the slow side when compared with the rest of the UU tier. Thus, Roserade has the potential to be easily revenge killed. Faster Fire-types such as Houndoom and Moltres should be intercepted by Pokemon like Milotic or Regirock. Milotic can also decimate Dugtrio, who can easily revenge Life Orb Roserade after a kill, as well as stop Yanmega and Honchkrow. Regirock fares well at protecting Roserade from Flying-type attacks from the likes of Swellow and Scyther as well as stopping Ambipom in its tracks.

Offensively, Pokemon like Espeon, Moltres, Rotom, and other specially oriented Pokemon enjoy having Chansey out of the picture, which can be made possible through constant offensive pressure combined with Roserade's destructive hits and ability to prevent Chansey from recovering.

[SET]
name: SubSeed
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Spikes
item: Leftovers
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Roserade can use a SubSeed set fairly effectively; its two main selling points are a STAB Sludge Bomb to fend off opposing Grass-types, who are unaffected by Leech Seed, and the ability to set up Spikes. The general strategy is to come in on an attack that can't do too much damage to Roserade, and then set up a Substitute. Following that, Sludge Bomb if you can deal heavy damage to the switch-in; Leech Seed if you cannot. If a Pokemon immune to Leech Seed and relatively unharmed by Sludge Bomb, such as Clefable or Venusaur, is the switch-in, set up Spikes. Assuming you do manage to pull off a successful Leech Seed, you should be able to wear down your opponent's health through repeated Substitutes. Through this, you will either KO your foe, force it to switch out, or force it to recover. If your enemy switches out, you should have a Substitute up, so rinse and repeat the whole process. If your opponent recovers, you have essentially gained a free turn in which you are free to set up a layer of Spikes, possibly more if your opponent used Rest.

The EVs are pretty straightforward. Maximize your Speed first so that you will be able to outspeed a wider range of opponent and therefore be able to initiate your SubSeeding combination without getting hit first. Then maximize Special Attack, as Roserade's defenses are more of a second thought when using this set; you shouldn't be taking many hits when using this strategy.

Even though this set is more of an independent operator, it can still use help from its teammates, especially in entry hazard support. Stealth Rock is much appreciated on this set, as Pokemon will switch out from Leech Seed often. Regirock can set up Stealth Rock, spread paralysis to help in outspeeding faster opponents, and hurt Clefable, who is immune to the effects of Leech Seed thanks to Magic Guard, with Hammer Arm. Blaziken can eliminate Clefable as well as Grass-types who are unhindered by Leech Seed. Carrying a Pokemon that can lure Clefable into battle and Explode, such as Drifblim or Claydol, is a good way to ensure the death of one of the best answers to SubSeeding.

[SET]
name: Choice
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Hidden Power Ground / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Sleep Powder / Energy Ball
item: Choice Specs / Choice Scarf
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
With Roserade’s nice Special Attack stat, a Choice Specs set is a great option for handling many of the walls in UU. Leaf Storm provides a powerful STAB attack that OHKOes almost anything without a Grass-type resistance. Sludge Bomb provides a solid secondary STAB with excellent neutral coverage, making it a good move to use in the early stages of the game, when you do not know much about your opponent's team. Hidden Power Ground hits the Steel- and Poison- types that resist your STAB attacks, like Registeel and Drapion. For the final slot, Sleep Powder lets you immobilize a counter, while Energy Ball is an option as it can be superior to Leaf Storm for a sustained sweep.

The Choice Specs set packs a lot more power, but is also rather slow. Using a Choice Scarf can remedy this, and provide an incredibly fast revenge killer that gets to 459 Speed, outpacing most of the UU metagame. Hidden Power Ice can be used over Hidden Power Ground in order to revenge-kill Altaria and Torterra, whom you outpace even after a Dragon Dance and Rock Polish, respectively. Because a fast sleep is a valuable asset, and due to the loss of power as compared to Choice Specs, Sleep Powder becomes a much worthier option in your final slot.

On either set, Spikes can be used over Sleep Powder, as it lets you do something while Registeel and Chansey are taking the hits, instead of just switching. You must forgo Leaf Storm for Energy Ball, however, as using Spikes with Leaf Storm (or Sleep Powder) is an illegal move combination.

Registeel and other special walls completely make this set useless, so it's recommended you have teammates that can remove these Pokemon from the battle. Pokemon such as physical Fighting-types and Fire-types are prime choices, as they can hit the walls for super effective damage, OHKOing or 2HKOing. Blaziken is a good choice, as it can come in on a resisted Iron Head and OHKO Registeel with Fire Blast, and Clefable and Chansey with Superpower. Dugtrio remains a great option to trap and kill weakened Registeel and Chansey.

[SET]
name: OU Lead
move 1: Sleep Powder
move 2: Toxic Spikes
move 3: Leaf Storm / Grass Knot
move 4: Hidden Power Fire
item: Focus Sash
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Roserade makes a great lead in OU thanks to its sound Speed stat and Sleep Powder. Most of its success will come when facing slower leads, such as Swampert, Hippowdon, and Bronzong. Even when facing faster leads such as Azelf, Roserade can make its opponent think twice about what move to use thanks to its Focus Sash along with the dual threat of Leaf Storm and Sleep Powder. If possible, Roserade should open with Sleep Powder. After successfully putting something to sleep, Roserade should be guaranteed at least one layer of Toxic Spikes. Hidden Power Fire is for the Scizor and Forretress looking to KO you with Bullet Punch and Rapid Spin your Toxic Spikes away, respectively. Hidden Power Ground is also an option for Heatran and other Fire-types. It is not uncommon for a player to elicit a Leaf Storm from Roserade by baiting it with their Tyranitar or Gyarados only to switch to a Pokemon that is more suited to taking the blow, such as Scizor or Skarmory. This is usually followed by a switch back to the original Pokemon, who can then set up on Roserade much more easily. To avoid such scenarios, Grass Knot can be used over Leaf Storm.

Teammates for this set should be able to abuse Toxic Spikes to their fullest potential, letting the entry hazards weaken a wall enough so that they can set up and KO it. Empoleon, Rotom-A, and Latias all come to mind, as Blissey will be unable to wall them very successfully while coping with accumulating Toxic damage. Make sure you keep in mind how many layers of Toxic Spikes you should aim to lay down. One layer should suffice if facing a more offensive team, as normal poison will outdamage "Toxic" poison over two turns. If facing a stall team, two layers are needed so that your opponent's walls will have no chance to just recover off the fixed poison damage that results from only one layer of Toxic Spikes.

[SET]
name: Spikes (OU)
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Grass Knot
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Stun Spore / Synthesis
item: Leftovers
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Most people overlook Roserade’s fantastic support option of setting up Spikes, along with its good base 105 Special Defense stat. This set takes advantage of these two qualities to make a pseudo-tank that can set up entry hazards while handling common Rapid Spinners.

Grass Knot and Hidden Power Fire take on most Rapid Spinners. Donphan, Claydol, Blastoise, and Starmie all fall to a stinging Grass Knot (Donphan and Blastoise are OHKOed), and Forretress without Special Defense EVs are OHKOed by a quick Hidden Power Fire. You may be wondering how Roserade deals with Starmie, who can Rapid Spin away the Spikes or deal damage to Roserade with Ice Beam. Starmie is OHKOed by Grass Knot after Spikes damage, while its Ice Beam only musters a 3HKO. Stun Spore enables you to prevent Pokemon like Heatran, Infernape, and Salamence from setting up on you with no strings attached. However, Roserade appreciates recovery as well, so Synthesis and Rest are options as well. Synthesis is the ideal move, as with it, Roserade can set up on the likes of Rotom-A, Celebi, and Vaporeon while effortlessly recovering off the damage sustained from their weaker special attacks. Unfortunately, sandstorm will ruin Synthesis, so Rest can be used as well, as it is a more consistent option. Other options on this set include Hidden Power Ice to handle Salamence, Energy Ball for breaking the Substitutes of Rotom-A, and Hidden Power Ground for taking on Heatran, Infernape, and Jolteon.

The EVs are certainly not the standard Roserade EVs, but they have a relatively simple purpose. The HP and SpD EVs provide great special bulk, letting Roserade take most special hits with ease and Rest off the damage. The Speed EVs outpace the common 36 Speed EVs base 100s like Zapdos and Celebi, as well as outpacing Jolly Tyranitar. Another option is to use 56 Defense EVs, in a spread of 252 HP / 56 Def /80 SpD /120 Spe, as it will survive an Adamant Scizor's Choice Band Bullet Punch always, even through Stealth Rock and sandstorm.

To maximize Roserade's potential, center your team around causing switches. Both offensive and defensive approaches are viable. Using Pokemon like Hippowdon and Blissey will force your opponent to constantly switch out his sweepers from Pokemon that wall them, and using Pokemon like Salamence and Infernape will rack up Spikes damage from repeated switches to a counter. Make sure you have a Pokemon to take the probable Fire- and Ice-type attacks aimed at Roserade, especially physical ones. Heatran can easily withstand those attacks, and it can switch into a Scizor trying to Bullet Punch a weakened Roserade. Bulky Water-types like Vaporeon, Gyarados, Suicune, and Swampert deal with Fire-types such as Heatran and Infernape, along with the ever-threatening Salamence and to an extent, Latias. They also happen to lure in a number of Pokemon Roserade can freely set up on. Vaporeon and Suicune attract Blissey, and Gyarados and Swampert can lure in Vaporeon and Rotom-A. Celebi is prone to switching in on all four as well. Of note is that these Water-types each have access to Roar, which takes advantage of the residual damage of Roserade's Spikes.

[Team Options]
With the number of switches Roserade causes, Stealth Rock is quite important. It also helps deter Fire-, Flying-, and Ice-types from entering battle, all of whom threaten Roserade with super-effective STAB moves. Yanmega and Moltres, especially, come to mind when thinking of such threats.

Roserade's main problem as a sweeper is the fact it simply can't get past common UU special walls, like Drapion, Chansey, and Registeel. Therefore, it is helpful that you add Pokemon that have the ability to get rid of them. Dugtrio is quite adept at this task, eliminating all three with an appropriate amount of residual damage. Blaziken can eliminate both Chansey and Registeel with Superpower, while Roserade also helps Blaziken by removing two of its counters in Slowbro and Milotic. Moltres appreciates the removal of bulky Water-types, as well, and can dispose of Registeel, and to an extent, Drapion. Pure Fighting-types like Hitmontop and Hitmonlee are apt choices for dealing with Drapion, Chansey, and Registeel as well. Hitmonlee has Limber to avoid Thunder Wave from Chansey and Registeel, while Hitmontop's sturdiness makes it a better choice in handling Drapion.

Defensively, Pokemon that resist Fire and Ice-type special attacks are useful teammates. Water-types like Milotic can spread status and forces switches, which can rack up damage from Roserade's Spikes. Milotic can easily take the Moltres, Arcanine, and Houndoom that are prone to switching in on Roserade; it is also a decent answer to Psychic-types like Uxie and Espeon as well as Flying-types like Scyther and Yanmega, although you generally should have much more dedicated counters for these Pokemon. Chansey is a great counter to Espeon, Uxie, and Yanmega, as well as Moltres. Registeel can handle most Psychic-types, as well as Yanmega and Scyther. Clefable doesn't resist anything commonly thrown at Roserade, but can switch in on special attackers using those moves and Encore or paralyze the Pokemon, giving Roserade and your team free switch-ins. A Ghost-type such a Rotom, Mismagius, or Spiritomb is a good partner to Roserade so that its Spikes cannot be spun away as easily.

Now, you can't expect to have your Pokemon just switch in and take out Roserade's counter, as there's the opposing Pokemon's team to take into consideration. Roserade's counters have their own team mates designed to beat their counters, so keep these in mind. The things that counter Roserade, namely Registeel, Drapion, and Chansey, are commonly allied with bulky Water-types, such as Milotic, Slowbro, and Azumarill, Ghost-types such as Rotom, Mismagius, and Spiritomb, Blaziken, and their own Roserade. The Water-types are generally easy prey for Roserade, but you must make sure you have the other Pokemon covered. Moltres can stop opposing Roserade and Blaziken with relative ease and can heavily damage Spiritomb. Drapion outspeeds Blaziken and threatens with Earthquake, is an excellent counter to Roserade thanks to its resistance to both STAB moves, and can eliminate Ghost-types with Taunt and Crunch.

One of the most important things to take advantage of when using Roserade is knowing your opponent's team. Make sure that the Clefable you are trying to set up Spikes on has Seismic Toss and not Facade or Fire Blast. Make sure that you don't send out your Life Orb Roserade just to kill a weakened Slowbro if you suspect that a Dugtrio is waiting in the wings to revenge kill you. You don't want to lose your Roserade to a rash assumption or misplay. This calls for a certain amount of conservative play; however, make sure you don't play too cautiously. There are times when it is appropriate to Sludge Bomb your opponent's Milotic to nail the Altaria switching in. In such cases, one must weigh the risk of an action with the possible reward while also measuring the how the opponent plays and then judge accordingly.

Most of the principles that apply to using Roserade effectively in UU should be exercised in OU. Heatran is an excellent partner to Roserade, possessing a resistance or immunity to all of Roserade's weaknesses. Bulky Water-types also work well alongside Roserade. Roserade is versatile can fit on practically any team, as there is no team that will not appreciate a decent amount of entry hazards support. Roserade cannot sponge attacks in OU as efficiently as it does in UU, so make sure you switch your Roserade into the correct moves. Even though it is quite sturdy in terms of special defense, small-to-moderate sized chunks of residual damage can take their toll on your Roserade. For example, you may be able to switch directly from Salamence to Roserade in face of a Vaporeon, knowing that Ice Beam will not 2HKO. However, it might also be possible to have your Infernape take the Ice Beam and then switch to Roserade on the incoming Surf. Little "transition switches" like that can go a long way to preserving your Roserade's health; just make sure that you don't become too predictable by overusing them.

[Other Options]
Setting up Sunny Day or Rain Dance is an option for support, and that can work nicely with Synthesis (only Sunny Day) and Weather Ball. Aromatherapy is also helpful for healing your team, and GrassWhistle is an option for sleep on the Spikes set, as Sleep Powder and Spikes are illegal together. Shadow Ball is usable on the Choice Specs set in OU for hitting Ghost-types as a filler move. Growth can boost Roserade's Special Attack to phenomenal levels, but Roserade does not really have enough available moveslots to accommodate Growth and both type coverage and staying power.

[EVs]
On most sets, focus on Speed and Special Attack with a Timid nature and 252 EVs to each. With the given Speed, Roserade outspeeds neutral base 100 Speed Pokemon like Arcanine, as well as positive base 85 Speed Pokemon like Pinsir. On the Spikes set, a more defensive spread is called for, enabling Roserade to take both special hits and Dugtrio's Earthquake most of the time. On the Life Orb set, Modest is recommended to exemplify Roserade's Special Attack stat.

[Opinion]
Roserade is one of the most threatening Pokemon in UU. It can easily come in on many weak special attacks and start launching vicious assaults off of an excellent 125 base special attack or begin turning the opponent's terrain into a veritable minefield. With the lack of good Spikes support in UU, Roserade is a great option on many teams, stall or offensive-based. Offensively, Roserade is extremely powerful. Barely anything can be considered a true counter, and even still, Roserade has Sleep Powder to disable anything that dares to try and shut it down. Roserade is an excellent, versatile Pokemon that can fit on almost any team.

[Counters]
Drapion is one of the best initial switch-ins to Roserade. It resists both of Roserade's STAB moves and has access to Taunt to prevent any kind of set up. After that, the counters are mostly set based. For the Spikes and Leech Seed sets, faster Pokemon that can take an Energy Ball or Sludge Bomb, such as Yanmega, most Moltres, Scyther, and Swellow, are the best choice of counters and can easily force Roserade out with the threat of a KO.

For the Life Orb set, Registeel is one of the best counters available, bearing an immunity to Sludge Bomb and a resistance to Leaf Storm. It can then paralyze Roserade and 2HKO with Iron Head or Ice Punch. Regice and Chansey work in the same way, except they have no notable resistances and are therefore reliant on their high Special Defense stats. Certain Pokemon can switch in on the right attack and force Roserade out. Moltres and Yanmega will not enjoy a Sludge Bomb but can take a Leaf Storm and threaten Roserade with Fire Blast or Air Slash. Dugtrio can switch in on Sludge Bomb, trapping Roserade, and KO with Earthquake.

Some NU Pokemon have niches in countering the Life Orb set as well. Wormadam-S cannot be touched by the Life Orb set unless Roserade has Hidden Power Fire. Muk has excellent Special Defense to sponge Roserade's hits and can 2HKO with Ice Punch. Noctowl has Insomnia, granting it an immunity to Sleep Powder, and can switch into any of Roserade's attacks barring Sludge Bomb (if Stealth Rock is up).

Roserade is somewhat vulnerable to Pursuit. Honchkrow counters the Choice sets, in particular Choice Scarf Roserade, quite well. Insomnia makes it immune to Sleep Powder, and if Roserade is locked into it, Honchkrow has a free KO with Pursuit. Honchkrow also resists Leaf Storm and can take an unboosted Sludge Bomb, and has both Drill Peck and Sucker Punch to finish Roserade off. Other good Pursuiters include Drapion and Houndoom.

Clefable makes a good counter for the Leech Seeding set, as it is immune to residual damage and doesn't mind sleep with a Toxic Orb. However, it has no way to prevent Roserade from setting up Spikes. A defensive Torterra works as well, as it is immune to Leech Seed and is capable of OHKOing Roserade with Earthquake. Jumpluff and Lopunny can switch in on Substitute, outspeed Roserade, and Encore it, thereby making Roserade switch out.

In OU, Skarmory can set up Spikes on Roserade if it switches into a Leaf Storm or if Roserade does not have Hidden Power Fire. Heatran works well, too, as it resists Grass and is immune to Fire; just beware of the occasional Hidden Power Ground. Salamence resists Roserade's most common moves; just watch out for Hidden Power Ice or Stun Spore.

whistle · Aug 15, 2009

blue = insert, red = delete. some of these changes address clearly missing or misplaced words but quite a few are subjective changes that make the analysis "sound" better (so if the original seems correct feel free to ignore me).

very nice update!

Eo Ut Mortus said:
Changes: (from original post)

-Removed OU references from Spikes set. Nobody uses it in OU as evidenced by usage stats. Froslass is faster than Roserade, while Skarmory and Forretress are sturdier.
-Changed the EV spread with the advent of Dugtrio - thanks to august for the spread.
-Incorporated Heysup's LO Roserade analysis into the analysis. Touched it up a little, but nothing major was changed. Credits to him for the original write-up.
-Moved Growth set to other options - Roserade is vulnerable to stuff like Yanmega switching in on it, without Synthesis, it doesn't have the longevity to beat stuff like Chansey, susceptible to revenge kill by Dugtrio if it doesn't have Substitute, etc.
-Merged Toxic Spikes and Spikes. The current Toxic Spikes set now has more of an emphasis on OU.

[SET]
name: Entry Hazards
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Synthesis / Rest
move 3: Energy Ball / Sludge Bomb
move 4: Aromatherapy / Toxic Spikes / Hidden Power Ground
item: Leftovers
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Thanks to access to somewhat reliable recovery and decent Speed and Special Defense stats, Roserade is arguably UU's best Spiker. It can easily switch in on many things, such as Lanturn, Milotic, and Rotom, and start laying down layers upon layers of Spikes. Roserade should be able to replenish health lost from attacks such as Venusaur's Sludge Bomb and Spiritomb's Dark Pulse, and it has three ways of doing so. Synthesis is the most reliable option, recovering 50% of Roserade's health at once. The drawbacks to Synthesis are that it has low PP, and it will only restore 25% of Roserade's HP in rain, hail, or sandstorm. Using Rest, made viable mostly thanks to Natural Cure, will force Roserade to switch out, a trait that makes it inferior to Synthesis when setting up on Pokemon who fail to achieve anything near a 2HKO, such as Chansey. However, Rest does have its advantages, which are apparent in specific scenarios. For instance, Roserade does not have to repeatedly use its recovery move to bring itself back to full health. Rather, Roserade can just Rest once and switch out, a significant advantage when facing Pokemon such as Uxie, who can strip away around 40% of Roserade's health at once with Psychic. Rest also helps in "PP stalling wars" thanks to its higher PP and the fact that Roserade does not have to use up precious PP during Rest's self-induced sleep. A third method of recovery is Leech Seed. While it recovers less HP at one instant, Leech Seed enables Roserade to wear down Pokemon like Registeel while simultaneously setting up Spikes.

The last two moves can be almost anything that suits your needs. Generally, you'll want to have at least one STAB move. Energy Ball is the preferred option, mostly because it hits common Rapid Spinners such as Donphan and Claydol. Sludge Bomb is still a reasonable move, though, because it will prevent Fire-types from having a completely free switch-in. For the last slot, you may use your other STAB move, the aforementioned Leech Seed, or one of a number of other options. Foresight / Close Combat / Rapid Spin / Rest Hitmontop is a good addition to a stall team in need of a Rapid Spinner, and running Aromatherapy on Roserade will greatly support it and other team members who do not have enough room in their available moveslots to run both Rest and Sleep Talk without losing efficiency. For those who desire additional entry hazards, Roserade also has access to Toxic Spikes. If you wish to gain coverage on the types that Roserade's STAB moves fail to address, Hidden Power Ground will damage Steel- and Poison-types, such as Registeel and Drapion. If you chose Energy Ball for your third moveslot, Hidden Power Fire is an option to deal with both Grass- and Steel-types.

You may choose to use Toxic Spikes over Spikes; however, Spikes are preferred due to the high number of Poison-types in UU. If you do choose to use Toxic Spikes, Sleep Powder is recommended in the last moveslot. Note that Sleep Powder, while legal with Toxic Spikes, is an illegal move combination with Spikes.

The Defense and HP EVs given allow Roserade to survive a Choice Band boosted Earthquake from Jolly Dugtrio Earthquake 100% of the time, even if Stealth Rock is up. If the Dugtrio is Adamant, Roserade will survive if Stealth Rock is not present. Even if it is, Earthquake will have only a minuscule chance to KO, provided that a turn passes and Leftovers activates. The remaining EVs are poured into Special Defense, as Roserade will be more prone to switching into special attacks. If you are not overly concerned with Dugtrio, try a spread 252 HP / 152 SpD / 104 Spe, which outruns maximum Speed Adamant Honchkrow.

Roserade's main asset as a Spiker is its ability to set up on a variety of Pokemon, mainly weak special attackers. You should be able to bait them into battle with the other Pokemon on your team. Ground-types such as Donphan will entice various Grass- and Water-types, such as Venusaur and Milotic, respectively, into play. The aforementioned Milotic and other similar bulky Water-types will draw in Grass-types, as well, along with Electric-types, like Rotom. Most of these Pokemon can barely dent Roserade and therefore can do hardly anything to stop Roserade from setting up three full layers of Spikes on the field.

You should have some way to deal with Rapid Spinners aiming to clear the field of Roserade's Spikes. Therefore, Ghost-types make great partners to Roserade. Aside from blocking Rapid Spin, Rotom happens to lure in a number of Pokemon whom Roserade can easily set up on, including Lanturn and Chansey. It can also tackle the Swellow and Scyther that can switch in on Energy Ball and threaten Roserade with powerful physical attacks. Spiritomb's secondary Dark-type enables it to take Psychic-type attacks directed at Roserade, such as Zen Headbutt from Uxie or Psychic from Espeon. Mismagius, while frailer than the former two, has access to a fast Taunt to prevent Hitmontop from using the combination of Foresight and Rapid Spin.

Not many Pokemon can stop Roserade from setting up Spikes, but there are a select few that can. Drapion outspeeds Roserade, resists both its STAB moves, and can Taunt Roserade to prevent it from sowing its Spikes. Registeel can check it relatively well, while also covering a variety of other threats to Roserade, such as Swellow, Yanmega, and Espeon. Like Drapion, Mismagius can also outrun and Taunt Roserade. It doesn't help that most common defensive Pokemon cannot touch Mismagius at all. A Drapion of your own, as long as it avoids Will-O-Wisp, can easily handle it, also serving as a counter to the Uxie and Mesprit who try to foil Roserade's efforts via Zen Headbutt flinches. Drapion is also an efficient Honchkrow counter, who threatens Roserade with Drill Peck and Pursuit and cannot be put to sleep thanks to Insomnia.

[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Sludge Bomb
move 2: Leaf Storm
move 3: Synthesis
move 4: Sleep Powder / Hidden Power Ground
item: Life Orb
nature: Modest
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Roserade's stellar base 125 Special Attack makes it a force to be feared in UU, especially when amplified to even higher levels by a Life Orb. Even though this set utilizes two moves notorious for their lack of super effective type coverage, the vast majority of UU, if hit with the correct move, will be, at the very least, 2HKOed.

Generally, opening with Sludge Bomb is the safest option. Most of the Pokemon that Roserade hits harder with Leaf Storm are one or a combination of the following: slower than Roserade, 2HKOed by Sludge Bomb, or beaten one-on-one regardless of which attack they switch into. Use Leaf Storm if you know that walls like Registeel and Chansey are on your opponent's team and you need to maximize damage output against them, or if you are facing something that Sludge Bomb does not OHKO, such as Milotic, and cannot afford to risk Roserade on the foe staying in.

This set excels at wall breaking in its own way by preventing recovery from slower Pokemon, such as Chansey, with Sleep Powder, limiting the amount of times they can switch into a STAB Leaf Storm. For example, if Chansey switches into Leaf Storm, it will be put to sleep before it can use Softboiled, giving you a free turn to switch in something that can scare it away. Now, all you need to do is rinse and repeat until Chansey is in KO range, and depending on your damage rolls, it could possibly even be Chansey's second switch-in. This tactic can be executed on other Pokemon as long as they have Natural Cure; other ideal targets include Altaria and slower Roserade.

On top of having enough firepower to beat Chansey, Roserade also possesses some nice special bulk and a recovery move. Synthesis is recommended so that you aren't forced out immediately after you recover, therefore lessening the chances that you will be set up on. Rest is a viable option because of Natural Cure, allowing you to fully recover regardless of weather conditions as long as you are willing to switch out. As an alternative to Sleep Powder, Hidden Power Ground can be used to hit Registeel and Drapion for super effective damage, and with Synthesis, Roserade can actually beat some Registeel.

The recommended EVs for this set are simple, maximum Special Attack and Speed. These help Roserade outspeed most Life Orb Moltres, and neutral nature base 85 Pokemon, while retaining the firepower needed. Alternatively, you can use an EV set like 144 HP / 252 SpA / 112 Spe. These EVs for this set are made to give Roserade a decent amount of bulk, with just enough Speed to be effective. 112 Speed EVs allows Roserade to outpace Pokemon such as Blaziken and Honchkrow. Special Attack needs to be maximized for maximum damage, and the rest of the EVs should be put into HP to give Roserade some much needed survivability, making Synthesis more effective. With 144 HP, Roserade will avoid a 2HKO from Milotic's Ice Beam most of the time, making it a near flawless switch-in.

This Roserade is definitely capable of being effective on its own but naturally performs at its peak with adequate team support. Registeel, Chansey, Muk, and Drapion can be tough for Roserade to barrel through. Chansey, if one of its teammates was already put to sleep, is a huge obstacle thanks to its sky high HP and Special Defense stats, while the others are primarily resilient to Roserade's assaults due to their resistances to Roserade's STAB moves. This Roserade especially requires a Pokemon who can OHKO Chansey without any set up, so that after it is slept by Sleep Powder, you can force Chansey out before it recovers HP. Pokemon like Blaziken, Hitmonlee, and basically any strong Fighting-type can do this job. Dugtrio can trap and Earthquake Chansey along with Registeel and the Poison-types - just be sure to try to avoid switching in on an actual attack, lest you risk being 2HKOed. While they lack Arena Trap, other Ground-types, like Donphan and Torterra, make relatively decent answers as well.

Roserade's 90 base Speed is decent, but slightly on the slow side when compared with the rest of the UU tier. Thus, Roserade has the potential to be easily revenge killed. Faster Fire-types such as Houndoom and Moltres should be intercepted by Pokemon like Milotic or Regirock. Milotic can also decimate Dugtrio, who can easily revenge Life Orb Roserade after a kill, as well as stopping Yanmega and Honchkrow. Regirock fares well at protecting Roserade from Flying-type attacks from the likes of Swellow and Scyther as well as stopping Ambipom in its tracks.

Offensively, Pokemon like Espeon, Moltres, Rotom, and other specially oriented Pokemon enjoy having Chansey out of the picture, which can be made possible through constant offensive pressure combined with Roserade's destructive hits and ability to prevent Chansey from recovering.

[SET]
name: SubSeed
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Spikes
item: Leftovers
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Roserade can use a SubSeed set fairly effectively; its two main selling points are a STAB Sludge Bomb to fend off opposing Grass-types, who are unaffected by Leech Seed, and the ability to set up Spikes. The general strategy is to come in on an attack that can't do too much damage to Roserade, and then set up a Substitute. Following that, Sludge Bomb if you can deal heavy damage to the switch-in; Leech Seed if you cannot. If a Pokemon immune to Leech Seed and relatively unharmed by Sludge Bomb, such as Clefable or Venusaur, is the switch-in, set up Spikes. Assuming you do manage to pull off a successful Leech Seed, you should be able to wear down your opponent's health through repeated Substitutes. Through this, you will either KO your foe, force it to switch out, or force it to recover. If your enemy switches out, you should have a Substitute up, so rinse and repeat the whole process. If your opponent recovers, you have essentially gained a free turn in which you are free to set up a layer of Spikes, possibly more if your opponent used Rest.

The EVs are pretty straightforward. Maximize your Speed first so that you will be able to outspeed a wider range of opponent and therefore be able to initiate your SubSeeding combination without getting hit first. Then maximize Special Attack, as Roserade's defenses are more of a second thought when using this set; you shouldn't be taking many hits when using this strategy.

Even though this set is more of an independent operator, it can still use help from its teammates, especially in entry hazard support. Stealth Rock is much appreciated on this set, as Pokemon will switch out from Leech Seed often. Regirock can set up Stealth Rock, spread paralysis to help in outspeeding faster opponents, and hurt Clefable (who is immune to the effects of Leech Seed due to Magic Guard) with Hammer Arm. Blaziken can eliminate Clefable as well as Grass-types who are unhindered by Leech Seed. Carrying a Pokemon that can lure Clefable into battle and Explode, such as Drifblim or Claydol, is a good way to ensure the death of one of the best answers to SubSeeding.

[SET]
name: Choice
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Hidden Power Ground / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Sleep Powder / Energy Ball
item: Choice Specs / Choice Scarf
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
With Roserade’s nice Special Attack stat, a Choice Specs set is a great option for handling many of the walls in UU. Leaf Storm provides a powerful STAB attack that OHKOes almost anything without a Grass-type resistance. Sludge Bomb provides a solid secondary STAB with excellent neutral coverage, making it a good move to use in the early stages of the game, when you do not know much about your opponent's team. Hidden Power Ground hits the Steel- and Poison- types that resist your STAB attacks, like Registeel and Drapion. For the final slot, Sleep Powder lets you immobilize a counter, while Energy Ball is an option as it can be superior to Leaf Storm for a sustained sweep.

The Choice Specs set packs a lot more power, but is also rather slow. Using a Choice Scarf can remedy this, and provide an incredibly fast revenge killer that gets to 459 Speed, outpacing most of the UU metagame. Hidden Power Ice can be used over Hidden Power Ground in order to revenge-kill Altaria and Torterra, whom you outpace even after a Dragon Dance and Rock Polish, respectively. Because a fast sleep is a valuable asset, and due to the loss of power as compared to Choice Specs, Sleep Powder becomes a much worthier option in your final slot.

On either set, Spikes can be used over Sleep Powder, as it lets you do something while Registeel and Chansey are taking the hits, instead of just switching. You must forgo Leaf Storm for Energy Ball, however, as using Spikes with Leaf Storm (or Sleep Powder) is an illegal move combination.

Registeel and other special walls completely make this set useless, so it's recommended you have teammates that can remove these Pokemon from the battle. Pokemon such as physical Fighting-types and Fire-types are prime choices, as they can hit the walls for super effective damage, OHKOing or 2HKOing. Blaziken is a good choice, as it can come in on a resisted Iron Head and OHKO Registeel with Fire Blast, and Clefable and Chansey with Superpower. Dugtrio remains a great option to trap and kill weakened Registeel and Chansey.

[SET]
name: OU Lead
move 1: Sleep Powder
move 2: Toxic Spikes
move 3: Leaf Storm
move 4: Hidden Power Fire
item: Focus Sash
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Roserade makes a great lead in OU thanks to its sound Speed stat and Sleep Powder. Most of its success will come when facing slower leads, such as Swampert, Hippowdon, and Bronzong. Even when facing faster leads such as Azelf, Roserade can make its opponent think twice about what move to use thanks to its Focus Sash along with the dual threat of Leaf Storm and Sleep Powder. If possible, Roserade should open with Sleep Powder. After successfully putting something to sleep, Roserade should be guaranteed at least one layer of Toxic Spikes. Hidden Power Fire is for the Scizor and Forretress looking to KO you with Bullet Punch and Rapid Spin your Toxic Spikes away, respectively. Hidden Power Ground is also an option for Heatran.

Teammates for this set should be able to abuse Toxic Spikes to their fullest potential, letting the entry hazards weaken a wall enough so that they can set up and KO it. Empoleon, Rotom-A, and Latias all come to mind, as Blissey will be unable to wall them very successfully while coping with accumulating Toxic damage. Make sure you keep in mind how many layers of Toxic Spikes you should aim to lay down. One layer should suffice if facing an more offensive team, as normal poison will outdamage "Toxic" poison over two turns. If facing a stall team, two layers are needed so that your opponent's walls will have no chance to just recover off the constant fixed poison damage that results from only one layer of Toxic Spikes.

[Team Options]
With the number of switches Roserade causes, Stealth Rock is quite important. It also helps deter Fire-, Flying-, and Ice-types from entering battle, all of whom threaten Roserade with super-effective STAB moves. Yanmega and Moltres, especially, come to mind when thinking of such threats.

Roserade's main problem as a sweeper is the fact it simply can't get past common UU special walls, like Drapion, Chansey, and Registeel. Therefore, it is helpful that you add Pokemon that have the ability to get rid of them. Dugtrio is quite adept at this task, eliminating all three with an appropriate amount of residual damage. Blaziken can eliminate both Chansey and Registeel with Superpower, while Roserade also helps Blaziken by removing two of its counters in Slowbro and Milotic. Moltres appreciates the removal of bulky Water-types, as well, and can dispose of Registeel, and to an extent, Drapion. Pure Fighting-types like Hitmontop and Hitmonlee are apt choices for dealing with Drapion, Chansey, and Registeel as well. Hitmonlee has Limber to avoid Thunder Wave from Chansey and Registeel, while Hitmontop's sturdiness makes it a better choice in handling Drapion.

Defensively, Pokemon that resist Fire and Ice-type special attacks are useful teammates. Water-types like Milotic can spread status and forces switches, which can rack up damage from Roserade's Spikes. Milotic can easily take the Moltres, Arcanine, and Houndoom that are prone to switching in on Roserade; it is also an okay decent answer to Psychic-types like Uxie and Espeon as well as Flying-types like Scyther and Yanmega, although you generally should have much more dedicated counters for these Pokemon. Chansey is a great counter to Espeon, Uxie, and Yanmega, as well as Moltres. Registeel can handle most Psychic-types, as well as Yanmega and Scyther. Clefable doesn't resist anything commonly thrown at Roserade, but can switch in on special attackers using those moves and Encore or paralyze the Pokemon, giving Roserade and your team free switch-ins. A Ghost-type such a Rotom, Mismagius, or Spiritomb is a good partner to Roserade so that its Spikes cannot be spun away as easily.

Now, you can't expect to have your Pokemon just switch in and take out Roserade's counter, as there's the opposing Pokemon's team to take into consideration. These Roserade counters have their own team mates designed to beat their counters, so keep these in mind. The things that counter Roserade, namely Registeel, Drapion, and Chansey, are commonly are allied with bulky Water-types, such as Milotic, Slowbro, and Azumarill, Ghost-types such as Rotom, Mismagius, and Spiritomb, Blaziken, and their own Roserade. The Water-types are generally easy prey for Roserade, but you must make sure you have the other Pokemon covered. Moltres can stop opposing Roserade and Blaziken with relative ease and can heavily damage Spiritomb. Drapion outspeeds Blaziken and threatens with Earthquake, is an excellent counter to Roserade thanks to its resistance to both STAB moves, and can eliminate Ghost-types with Taunt and Crunch.

One of the most important things to take advantage of when using Roserade is knowing your opponent's team. Make sure that the Clefable you are trying to set up Spikes on has Seismic Toss and not Facade or Fire Blast. Make sure that you don't send out your Life Orb Roserade just to kill a weakened Slowbro if you suspect that a Dugtrio is waiting in the wings to revenge kill you. You don't want to lose your Roserade to a rash assumption or misplay. This calls for a certain amount of conservative play; however, make sure you don't play too cautiously. There are times when it is appropriate to Sludge Bomb your opponent's Milotic to nail the Altaria switching in. In such cases, one must weigh the risk of an action with the possible reward while also measuring the how the opponent plays and then judge accordingly.

[Other Options]
Setting up Sunny Day or Rain Dance is an option for support, and that can work nicely with Synthesis (only Sunny Day) and Weather Ball. Aromatherapy is also helpful for healing your team, and GrassWhistle is an option for sleep on the Spikes set, as Sleep Powder and Spikes are illegal together. Shadow Ball is usable on the Choice Specs set in OU for hitting Ghost-types as a filler move. Growth can boost Roserade's Special Attack to phenomenal levels, but Roserade does not really have enough available moveslots to accommodate Growth and both type coverage and staying power.

[EVs]
On most sets, focus on Speed and Special Attack with a Timid nature and 252 EVs to each. With the given Speed, Roserade outspeeds neutral base 100 Speed Pokemon like Arcanine, as well as positive base 85 Speed Pokemon like Pinsir. On the Spikes set, a more defensive spread is called for, enabling Roserade to take both special hits and Dugtrio's Earthquake most of the time. On the Life Orb set, Modest is recommended to exemplify Roserade's Special Attack stat.

[Opinion]
Roserade is one of the most threatening Pokemon in UU. It can easily come in on many weak special attacks and start launching vicious assaults off of an excellent 125 base special attack or begin turning the opponent's terrain into a veritable minefield. With the lack of good Spikes support in UU, Roserade is a great option on many teams, stall or offensive-based. Offensively, Roserade is extremely powerful. Barely anything can be considered a true counter, and even still, Roserade has Sleep Powder to disable anything that dares to try and shut it down. Roserade is an excellent, versatile Pokemon that can fit on almost any team.

[Counters]
Drapion is one of the best initial switch-ins to Roserade. It resists both of Roserade's STAB moves and has access to Taunt to prevent any kind of set up. After that, the counters are mostly set based. For the Spikes and Leech Seed sets, faster Pokemon that can take an Energy Ball or Sludge Bomb, such as Yanmega, most Moltres, Scyther, and Swellow, are the best choice of counters and can easily force Roserade out with the threat of a KO.

For the Life Orb set, Registeel is one of the best counters available, bearing an immunity to Sludge Bomb and a resistance to Leaf Storm. It can then paralyze Roserade and 2HKO with Iron Head or Ice Punch. Regice and Chansey work in the same way, except they have no notable resistances and are therefore reliant on their high Special Defense stats. Certain Pokemon can switch in on the right attack and force Roserade out. Moltres and Yanmega will not enjoy a Sludge Bomb but can take a Leaf Storm and threaten Roserade with Fire Blast or Air Slash. Dugtrio can switch in on Slu(d)ge Bomb, trapping Roserade it, and KO Roserade with Earthquake.

Some NU Pokemon have niches in countering the Life Orb set as well. Wormadam-S cannot be touched by the Life Orb set unless Roserade has Hidden Power Fire. Muk has excellent Special Defense to sponge Roserade's hits and can 2HKO with Ice Punch. Noctowl has Insomnia, granting it an immunity to Sleep Powder, and can switch into any of Roserade's attacks barring Sludge Bomb (if Stealth Rock is up).

Roserade is somewhat vulnerable to Pursuit. Honchkrow counters the Choice sets, in particular Choice Scarf Roserade, quite well. Insomnia makes it immune to Sleep Powder, and if Roserade is locked into it, Honchkrow has a free KO with Pursuit. Honchkrow also resists Leaf Storm and can take an unboosted Sludge Bomb, and has both Drill Peck and Sucker Punch to finish Roserade off. Other good Pursuiters include Drapion and Houndoom.

Clefable makes a good counter for the Leech Seeding set, as it is immune to residual damage and doesn't mind sleep with a Toxic Orb. However, it has no way to prevent Roserade to set up from setting up Spikes. A defensive Torterra works as well, as it is immune to Leech Seed and is capable of OHKOing Roserade with Earthquake. Jumpluff and Lopunny can switch in on Substitute, outspeed Roserade, and Encore it, thereby making Roserade switch out.

In OU, Skarmory can set up Spikes on Roserade if it switches into a Leaf Storm or if Roserade does not have Hidden Power Fire. Heatran works well, too, as it resists Grass and is immune to Fire; just beware of the occasional Hidden Power Ground.

Scofield · Aug 15, 2009

I completely disagree with the removal of all OU references from the spikes set analysis. I was really pushing that set when it first came out. Hell, I was just using the set on the ladder not 3 days ago (just ask panamaxis). I find it hard to say "no one uses it in OU so remove it from the analysis". Maybe the reason no one uses it is because they aren't aware such a set is viable? I mean, that edit never made it on-site after all. Not only that, but at this rate, Roserade stands a good chance to be OU the next tier list (although it can just be updated then I suppose).

Eo Ut Mortus · Aug 15, 2009

whistle: Got your changes, thanks.

scofield: First of all, I did not omit all references of Roserade from the analysis; I only removed the Spikes set, which was originally heavily weighted towards OU use. So the fact that Roserade may or may not be OU is slightly irrelevant, as its most popular set still remains in the analysis.

On the Spikes set: Practically nobody used Spikes in OU. Less than 4.7% of Roserade users to be exact. If the set were viable, I would imagine that at least a fraction more of people would be using it over moves like Energy Ball or Shadow Ball.

Usage stats aside, what does Roserade bring to the table? As a lead, Froslass is faster and has access to Taunt and Destiny Bond. Roserade doesn't even have its trump card in Sleep Powder since it is illegal with Spikes. Roserade also has some issues with a lot of common Pokemon. The given spread has hardly any chance to OHKO Scizor with HP Fire. Grass Knot can't OHKO Tyranitar while Pursuit has a chance to with SR if Roserade tries to flee (Stone Edge OHKOes). Skarmory can set up Spikes on it, Salamence, Infernape, Heatran and Gengar all get free switch-ins. It's basically limited to setting up on bulky Water-types and some Rotom (Substitute Rotom can actually set up on it).

So basically, for me, the main problem with it is how it lets a ton of common threats in for relatively free. I welcome your reasons for how it works well and / or logs. I also welcome others' opinions on this.

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