[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Megahorn
item: Leftovers
ability: Rock Head
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Offensive Rhyhorn is the premier physical tank of ADV ZU, forgoing the sheer walling prowess of competition such as Lileep and Nosepass to become an exceptionally dangerous wallbreaker once it sets up a Substitute, something it can easily do due to the tier's plethora of Normal- and Flying-types. Rhyhorn's high Attack allows its STAB Earthquake to threaten Pokemon that do not resist Ground or have huge physical bulk, which is complemented by its STAB Rock Slide targeting Bug- and Flying-types. Rhyhorn's coverage is further augmented by Megahorn, which threatens Grass-types, such as Lileep, Bayleef, and Exeggcute. Maximum Attack investment coupled with an Adamant nature maximizes Rhyhorn's offensive presence, crucially 2HKOing the otherwise unbreakable Lileep. Maximum Speed investment lets Rhyhorn outpace certain walls, such as Nosepass and Exeggcute, while also maximizing its odds against opposing Rhyhorn.
Offensive Rhyhorn best fits on offensive and balance teams looking for both a wallbreaker and a check to certain physical wallbreakers, such as Aipom, Taillow, and Pidgeotto. Due to Rhyhorn's lack of reliable recovery and the risk of heavy damage from the coverage of the aforementioned wallbreakers, another Rock- or Steel-type, such as Nosepass or Magnemite, can pick up Rhyhorn's slack if it gets KOed prematurely. Given Rhyhorn's low Special Defense and weaknesses to Water, Grass, and Ice, special walls such as Dustox, Sunflora, Grimer, and Delcatty are essential. The latter also provides Heal Bell support in case Rhyhorn gets statused. Castform is another notable partner, as its high special bulk and strong offensive presence provides great synergy with Rhyhorn's own offensive presence and physical bulk. Paralysis support from Pokemon such as Butterfree and Chinchou greatly aids Rhyhorn by helping to mitigate its low speed as an issue. Finally, special wallbreakers such as Cyndaquil, Chinchou, and Growlithe appreciate Rhyhorn breaking through many of their switch-ins, such as Grimer, while in return they can break past its one true counter, Koffing.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Due to Rhyhorn's abysmal Speed, offensive Rhyhorn sets can run an EV spread with more HP than Speed investment in order to better tank hits from threats such as Aipom and Taillow, though this comes at the risk of being outsped by opposing Rhyhorn. Toxic can be used to cripple switch-ins, though Megahorn is generally superior due to it immediately threatening Grass-types. Swords Dance can allow Rhyhorn to act as a sweeper, but its terrible Speed leaves it threatened by way too many foes, and it remains countered by Koffing. Choice Band may be used with Double-Edge to maximize Rhyhorn's immediate power, though without Substitute Rhyhorn is much more reliant on prediction, and without Leftovers Rhyhorn is worn down very quickly.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types and Grass-type Moves**: Grass-types such as Bayleef and Exeggcute easily OHKO Rhyhorn, though they must be wary of switching into Megahorn. Other threats such as Butterfree and Delcatty can easily do their same with the Grass-type coverage unless Rhyhorn invests heavily in Special Defense.
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Staryu and Seaking easily outspeed and OHKO Rhyhorn. Staryu is notable due to its access to Recover, allowing it to switch in and recover off any sustained damage repeatedly.
**Koffing**: Koffing's combination of high physical bulk, immunity to Earthquake, neutrality to Rock Slide, resistance to Megahorn, and immunity to the rare Toxic make it the perfect Rhyhorn switch-in. Once on the field, it instantly threatens Rhyhorn with Hidden Power Water or Grass, Will-O-Wisp, or Toxic. However, Koffing must use Hidden Power with caution, as Rhyhorn can threaten heavy damage in return with Counter.
**Cubone**: Cubone outspeeds Rhyhorn, easily tanks an Earthquake, and can OHKO Rhyhorn with Bonemerang, which even threatens Rhyhorn behind a Substitute due to it hitting twice.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bp.272450/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/beatsblack.479897/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/deezcastforms.423085/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
name: Offensive
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Megahorn
item: Leftovers
ability: Rock Head
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Offensive Rhyhorn is the premier physical tank of ADV ZU, forgoing the sheer walling prowess of competition such as Lileep and Nosepass to become an exceptionally dangerous wallbreaker once it sets up a Substitute, something it can easily do due to the tier's plethora of Normal- and Flying-types. Rhyhorn's high Attack allows its STAB Earthquake to threaten Pokemon that do not resist Ground or have huge physical bulk, which is complemented by its STAB Rock Slide targeting Bug- and Flying-types. Rhyhorn's coverage is further augmented by Megahorn, which threatens Grass-types, such as Lileep, Bayleef, and Exeggcute. Maximum Attack investment coupled with an Adamant nature maximizes Rhyhorn's offensive presence, crucially 2HKOing the otherwise unbreakable Lileep. Maximum Speed investment lets Rhyhorn outpace certain walls, such as Nosepass and Exeggcute, while also maximizing its odds against opposing Rhyhorn.
Offensive Rhyhorn best fits on offensive and balance teams looking for both a wallbreaker and a check to certain physical wallbreakers, such as Aipom, Taillow, and Pidgeotto. Due to Rhyhorn's lack of reliable recovery and the risk of heavy damage from the coverage of the aforementioned wallbreakers, another Rock- or Steel-type, such as Nosepass or Magnemite, can pick up Rhyhorn's slack if it gets KOed prematurely. Given Rhyhorn's low Special Defense and weaknesses to Water, Grass, and Ice, special walls such as Dustox, Sunflora, Grimer, and Delcatty are essential. The latter also provides Heal Bell support in case Rhyhorn gets statused. Castform is another notable partner, as its high special bulk and strong offensive presence provides great synergy with Rhyhorn's own offensive presence and physical bulk. Paralysis support from Pokemon such as Butterfree and Chinchou greatly aids Rhyhorn by helping to mitigate its low speed as an issue. Finally, special wallbreakers such as Cyndaquil, Chinchou, and Growlithe appreciate Rhyhorn breaking through many of their switch-ins, such as Grimer, while in return they can break past its one true counter, Koffing.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Due to Rhyhorn's abysmal Speed, offensive Rhyhorn sets can run an EV spread with more HP than Speed investment in order to better tank hits from threats such as Aipom and Taillow, though this comes at the risk of being outsped by opposing Rhyhorn. Toxic can be used to cripple switch-ins, though Megahorn is generally superior due to it immediately threatening Grass-types. Swords Dance can allow Rhyhorn to act as a sweeper, but its terrible Speed leaves it threatened by way too many foes, and it remains countered by Koffing. Choice Band may be used with Double-Edge to maximize Rhyhorn's immediate power, though without Substitute Rhyhorn is much more reliant on prediction, and without Leftovers Rhyhorn is worn down very quickly.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types and Grass-type Moves**: Grass-types such as Bayleef and Exeggcute easily OHKO Rhyhorn, though they must be wary of switching into Megahorn. Other threats such as Butterfree and Delcatty can easily do their same with the Grass-type coverage unless Rhyhorn invests heavily in Special Defense.
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Staryu and Seaking easily outspeed and OHKO Rhyhorn. Staryu is notable due to its access to Recover, allowing it to switch in and recover off any sustained damage repeatedly.
**Koffing**: Koffing's combination of high physical bulk, immunity to Earthquake, neutrality to Rock Slide, resistance to Megahorn, and immunity to the rare Toxic make it the perfect Rhyhorn switch-in. Once on the field, it instantly threatens Rhyhorn with Hidden Power Water or Grass, Will-O-Wisp, or Toxic. However, Koffing must use Hidden Power with caution, as Rhyhorn can threaten heavy damage in return with Counter.
**Cubone**: Cubone outspeeds Rhyhorn, easily tanks an Earthquake, and can OHKO Rhyhorn with Bonemerang, which even threatens Rhyhorn behind a Substitute due to it hitting twice.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bp.272450/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/beatsblack.479897/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/deezcastforms.423085/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
Last edited:
