A Look inside Ferrocent
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On my current team, my defensive core clearly consists of Ferrothorn and Jellicent A.K.A "Ferrocent". As THE defensive core of this generation, (and after using the ever popular "SkarmBliss" duo) I had decided on using on what some believe to be, a more solid core than SkarmBliss. With Ferrothorn resisting all of Jellicent's weaknesses (Grass, Electric, Dark, and Ghost), and Jellicent being immune to one of Ferrothorn's weaknesses (Fighting) and resistant to the other (Fire), both complement each other very well. However, with any core, found on any team, there always exists a list of threats, namely:
Breloom
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Out of all the Pokemon currently in OU, this has to be one of, if not my least favorite. Breloom's typing is one of the many problems that my core struggles against. Normally Jellicent could switch in onto an incoming Fighting move, and take it for Ferrothorn, but due to a little prediction, and Breloom's stab Bullet Seed, taking it down is virtually impossible for these two, along with the reverse for Ferrothorn, hoping to take a Grass type move, but instead, being smacked in the face by a STAB Mach Punch and/or Focus Punch. Jellicent may at rare times, inflict a burn, but even then, STAB Technician boosted Bullet Seed, is quite the powerful move. My team possesses an Infernape who takes Bullet Seed very well, even for its frailty, but once Breloom has boosted, or prepared a Focus Punch, Infernape is instantly KO'ED.
Gengar
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I absolutely hate this thing. As if it wasn't annoying enough to begin with, Disable was unfortunately bumped up to perfect accuracy, and the dreaded Sub-Disable set made its way into OU. Aside from Gengars great Speed stat and powerful Special Attack, and an excellent movepool to take on several of its checks, Gengar always finds a way to tear down my defensive core. A STAB Shadow Ball is nothing to laugh at (Unless you're a Steel type), especially for my Jellicent, who attempts to protect Ferrothorn from an incoming Focus Blast, but is always outsped and 2HKO'ED, or at the least, hit by a Thunderbolt. Ferrothorn suffers from of course the obvious Focus Blast, and occasionally HP Fire, and switching into Jellicent of course isn't always easy with all of these attacks being thrown around. My team contains a Jolteon, who can easily switch in on an incoming Thunderbolt, and Volt Absorb the damage away, but with some prediction, the opponent can come in with a Shadow Ball and occasionally KO Jolteon. I also have a Starmie, who naturally outspeeds Gengar, and can usually OHKO with Psyshock, but due to Starmie serving as a bulkier defensive set, this isn't as common as it used to be. The only arguable Pokemon I have that can take down Gengar easily, is my Garchomp. It doesn't fear Gengar's moves if at full health, and can easily OHKO with Outrage, or 2HKO with Dual Chop, to break Subs or Focus Sashes.
Alakazam
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As if Alakazams exceptional Special Attack and Speed weren't powerful enough, its movepool just adds to the mix of why is provides a huge problem for my core. To make it short and simple, Alakazam actually possesses literally the same information that Gengar does as to why they are both threats. To make this entirely easier for you, just refer to Gengar again, but add the fact Alakazam is faster and stronger Special Attack wise, but at the same time even frailer than Gengar is, which says a lot about the two of them.
Hydreigon
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Enter Hydreigon. Out of all of the threats that my core has ever faced THIS has to be the deadliest. Its stats may look questionable, especially for a Pseudo-Legendary, but Hydreigons great Special Attack, and enormous movepool, have proven that it possesses absolute destructive power. Switching between Ferrothorn is entirely impossible, considering Jeliicents main STAB moves are resisted by Hydreigon, with Ferrothorn having the same problem, and Hydreigon being able to easily outspeed and KO them, the former with Dark Pulse, and the latter with Fire Blast and/or Superpower. As if that wasn't annoying enough, switching into one of my offensive team members is never an easy task. Starmie is taken down by Dark Pulse along with Jellicent, while Infernape and Jolteon are taken down by a possible Earthquake. Garchomp can be taken down but Draco Meteor, but only if Hydreigon hasn't used it before. In other words, I have to sacrifice one member of my team just to get switch advantage. However, with proper prediction, I can switch into Infernape, Jolteon, or Garchomp, and OHKO with a super effective move. All in all, Hydreigon is the largest threat for my defensive core, and is never easy to eliminate, unless I can obtain switch advantage.
I've mentioned other Pokemon that are in my team earlier in the thread. It would definitely be easier to assist my problem if I listed them off right here.
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Garchomp @Focus Sash
252 ATK/ 252 SPE/ 4 HP
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Rough Skin
252 ATK/ 252 SPE/ 4 HP
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Rough Skin
-Dual Chop
-Outrage
-Earthquake
-Stone Edge
-Outrage
-Earthquake
-Stone Edge
Garchomps role as a revenge killer, has proven to be incredibly effective when taking down the listed threats. With proper prediction, it can easily dispose of my cores threats and end the battle in my favor. Steel types are of course the largest problem when it comes to clearing the way for other Pokemon in my team, but luckily I have the proper support for this (Infernape). Another problem, as stated before is improperly prediciting what a Hydreigon is going to do, and losing my Garchomp to a super effective STAB Draco Meteor. Ferrothorn would sponge these, but it has to fear the ever powerful Fire Blast and Superpower.
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Infernape @Life Orb
252 ATK/ 252 SPE/ 4 SP ATK
Nature: Naive
Ability: Iron Fist
Nature: Naive
Ability: Iron Fist
-Overheat
-Close Combat
-Grass Knot
-Mach Punch
-Close Combat
-Grass Knot
-Mach Punch
Infernape is usually a Pokemon I go to when I need a fast and reliable KO. Deciding between Mach Punch and Stone Edge wasn't easy, especially with Gyarados looming around nowadays, but having Stone Edge on two Pokemon was extremely inconsistent. Grass Knot has also provided great coverage against Water and Ground types, who decide to foolishly switch in onto Infernape. Its largest drawback is its frailty, which any Infernape user is aware of. Most super effective moves KO it which is huge problem if I haven't eliminated a threat to my core that Infernape has to take down.
Jolteon @Choice Specs
252 SP ATK/ 252 SPE/ 4 DEF
Nature: Timid
Ability: Volt Absorb
252 SP ATK/ 252 SPE/ 4 DEF
Nature: Timid
Ability: Volt Absorb
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-Volt Switch
-Thunderbolt
-Signal Beam
-Hidden Power Ice
-Thunderbolt
-Signal Beam
-Hidden Power Ice
Jolteon's blazing fast Speed, and respectable Special Attack, provide an effective way to outspeed and hopefully KO the listed threats. With Jolteon's frailty, facing a head on attack is never easy, especially if it's a super effective one. Luckily almost all of the listed threats are just as frail as Jolteon is, along with Jolteon possessing a super effective coverage move for nearly all of them. However, Hydreigon is the only problem, considering it is the only Pokemon on the list above that has a decent amount of bulk, and is usually 2HKO'ED by Signal Beam or HP Ice unless it has been weakend by Stealth Rock or a previous move. Earthquake is something Jolteon has to watch out for, and sacrificing Choice Specs for an Air Balloon isn't going to help Jolteon much at this point. Volt Switch does provide instant switch advantage, which is always great.
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Starmie @Leftovers
248 HP/ 252 SPE/ 8 SP ATK
Nature: Timid
Ability: Natural Cure
248 HP/ 252 SPE/ 8 SP ATK
Nature: Timid
Ability: Natural Cure
-Psyshock
-Scald
-Recover
-Rapid Spin
-Scald
-Recover
-Rapid Spin
Starmie's role as a bulky and offensive Spinner, has left a lasting impression on my team. Although it isn't able to easily combat the listed threats above, with the exception of Breloom and Gengar, Starmie still finds a way to absorb status ailments, and heal off passive damage. Its main problem is being hit by a super effective move from Alakzam or Hydreigon, and even Gengar or Breloom if prediction is off. Even with Recover at its disposal, staying around isn't always easy with these pesky threats running rampant.
Jellicent and Ferrothorn I believe need no explanation. Both of their weaknessess and resistances are covered earlier on in this thread along with their roles (One as a mixed wall, primarily physical, and the other a special.) However, I will list off their basic information just for reference. But just in case anyone would like to know:
Jellicent's role in my team is clearly a Specially Defensive wall. With the ability to effectively spinblock AND check most Pokemon on rain teams, it has found a unique placement on my team. Pairing with Ferrothorn is an incredibly effective duo as the two help each other quite well. Along with Jellicent's versatility, Ferrothorn also provides a unique niche in my team. Its great and unique typing and plethora of resistances, effectively assist Jellicent's weaknesses and function well with Jellicent's equally unique typing. The two bring a great amount of annoyances and protection for other members of my team, and provide an effective pair, that some cannot seem to break, with the exception of users of the above threats. Here are their movesets, EVS, etc. for reference:
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Jellicent @Leftovers
-Scald
-Toxic
-Shadow Ball
-Recover
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Ferrothorn @Leftovers
EVS: 252 HP/ 88 DEF/ 168 SP DEF
Nature: Relaxed
-Spikes
-Stealth Rock
-Power Whip
-Thunder Wave
If any of you could be so kind as to help me out with the threats that I listed above, and to also give my team a little bit of a review, that'd be pretty great.
Thanks for the help!
Stay Epic~
