[OVERVIEW]
Ferrothorn is an incredibly effective defensive presence in the tier, thanks to its incredible dual typing, great bulk, and intensive arsenal of utility moves, including Stealth Rock, Leech Seed, and the rare Spikes. Finding easy setup opportunities against the many Pokemon it checks, such as Tapu Koko, Choice Specs Greninja, and Tapu Fini, Ferrothorn is perhaps the best entry hazard setter in the tier and is welcomed by any hazard-stacking balance team alongside other hazard setters like Clefable and Toxapex. Though its bread and butter is on bulkier team styles, Ferrothorn is even a great fit on bulky offense teams, forming a support core with Tapu Fini and enabling big threats like Mega Diancie and Mega Mawile with its presence. Ferrothorn's moveslots can be mixed and matched to harass typical checks, with options like Leech Seed, Thunder Wave, and Knock Off weakening all sorts of switch-ins. As great as Ferrothorn is in its own lane, there is very little it can do about its abysmal Speed, which in conjunction with its weaknesses to relevant types to Fighting and Fire, the latter of which is an even more crushing 4x weakness, can leave Ferrothorn a sitting duck against premier threats like Mega Charizard X, Mega Medicham, and Heatran. Additionally, its reliance on indirect damage forms can be cancelled out by Magic Guard users like Clefable, and its lack of reliable healing becomes incredibly apparent when it loses its Leftovers.
[SET]
name: Hazard Setter
move 1: Power Whip
move 2: Spikes / Stealth Rock
move 3: Gyro Ball / Protect / Thunder Wave / Knock Off
move 4: Leech Seed / Stealth Rock / Thunder Wave / Toxic
item: Leftovers / Wiki Berry
ability: Iron Barbs
nature: Sassy / Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 16 Def / 240 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Power Whip is virtually undroppable, since it's required to hit back at offensive Water-types like Mega Swampert, Greninja, and Manaphy. Spikes are a lot of what sets Ferrothorn apart as a defensive staple and are crucial for punishing opposing switches, especially for limiting Tapu Lele when facing Psychic spam teams, a tricky matchup on paper for Ferrothorn teams. Despite this, it's possible and not even a bad choice to run Ferrothorn as a pure Stealth Rock setter with no Spikes, typically on either offense teams or teams with entry hazard-weak wincons like Roost Mega Charizard X that you wouldn't be comfortable playing with hazards on both sides with. Gyro Ball is a great complement to Power Whip that allows Ferrothorn to pressure Tornadus-T and Serperior and more favorably trade damage with Kyurem-B, Tapu Lele, and Mega Alakazam. Protect is a nice option for Leftovers + Leech Seed variants to increase its longevity and consistency in getting chip, with the additional benefit of scouting out High Jump Kick from Mega Medicham, Mega Lopunny, and Hawlucha, as well as Choiced attackers like Tapu Lele and Kartana. Thunder Wave decreases Ferrothorn's passivity against typical threats, such as Tornadus-T Fire-types like Mega Charizard X and Volcarona. This could be through predicting a switch, but this isn't completely necessary as Ferrothorn can just use Thunder Wave sacrificially to prevent setup. Knock Off is a similar alternative progress making option, slowly and steadily improving the team’s position against the likes of Toxapex, Clefable, and opposing Ferrothorn, which otherwise just wall Ferrothorn. Leech Seed is great at boosting Ferrothorn's staying power and accruing chip on natural checks. Toxic is a more direct version of Thunder Wave that, although floundering against Steel-types, Magic Guard users, and Toxapex, can take opposing setup users like Mega Latias out of commission and pressure opposing defensive pieces like Landorus-T long-term.
Set Details
========
252 HP EVs alongside 16 Defense EVs allow Ferrothorn to always avoid the OHKO from +1 Supersonic Skystrike from Gyarados, with the rest crammed into Special Defense for its main role of checking the likes of Choice Specs Greninja, Magearna, and Tapu Koko. Alternatively, a spread of 252 HP / 76 Def / 180 SpD with a Relaxed nature can be used to always survive Subzero Slammer from a Kyurem-B with a boosting nature. Leftovers are the overall best item for giving Ferrothorn longevity; their absence is extremely noticeable in the face of entry hazards and pivoting moves like Volt Switch. However, for more offensive builds featuring Ferrothorn, a Wiki Berry can be used for incredibly efficient trades vs the likes of Tapu Lele, Mega Alakazam, and Greninja. If you drop Gyro Ball, you don't need to run a minus Speed nature, so if you're interested in Ferrothorn Speed-ties and outspeeding Pyukumuku, then a Careful or Impish nature is for you!
Usage Tips
========
Ferrothorn's gameplan and level of aggression primarily depends on the opposing team; against very offensive builds that drop Defog, it can be favorable to lead off with it to trade entry hazards with Landorus-T or threaten the likes of Tapu Lele and Kyurem-B. It's okay to sacrifice health on Ferrothorn to set the team up long-term with a hard to remove Spike. However, against bulkier teams with more consistent removal, it's better to choose your moments more carefully, aiming to use opposing defensive pieces like Toxapex, Tapu Fini, and Chansey as a free opportunity. Its important to pair Ferrothorn with a strong Ground-type, as its presence will induce a higher amount of Volt Switches from opposing pivots, as they're walled and don't want to give up free hazard setting opportunities, so it's not always a great idea to throw it into the likes of Tapu Koko if its paired with a threatening teammate. Knock Off is imperative to avoid, meaning that its unsafe to switch Ferrothorn into an unscouted Tornadus-T or Gliscor, and to beware of otherwise easy targets like Clefable, Tapu Fini, and opposing Ferrothorn teching it on. Always watch out for Hidden Power Fire on Substitute Serperior and Protean Greninja after its ability has been revealed.
Team Options
========
Ferrothorn's hazard setting proficiency is appreciated by every archetype from bulky offense to semi-stall. Starting with good teammates on balanced teams, Clefable is an excellent teammate, able to set Stealth Rock, check Fighting-types like Mega Lopunny and Hawlucha, disrupt opposing defensive pieces with Knock Off or Thunder Wave, and thanks to Magic Guard, its extremely comfortable playing with maximum entry hazards on both sides. Heatran is another Stealth Rock setting option that works in tandem with Ferrothorn to handle Psychic- and Fairy-types, pressure Defoggers with status and attacks, and even capitalise on its Spikes with Roar. Mega Latias is another great partner, using its Speed and bulk to check attackers like Kartana and Garchomp, ignoring opposing Spikes with Levitate, and acting as either a wincon with Calm Mind or a support with Roar. Swords Dance Gliscor is a great wincon that benefits from Spikes, additionally supporting the team by checking Heatran, absorbing status, and blocking Volt Switch. Choice Scarf Landorus-T is another option for a Ground-type that solidifies the matchup against Mega Alakazam by acting as a solid revenge killer, also helping against various physical threats like Mega Charizard X, Excadrill, and Mega Medicham. Toxapex is a great check to Fire-types, absorbs opposing Toxic Spikes and sets its own, and can prevent opposing setup with Toxic and Haze. Protean Greninja is another very flexible option that you can tech to your preference or the team's needs, though as a baseline, it supports the team as a revenge killer and can aggressively set Toxic Spikes. On more offensively inclined teams, Ferrothorn fits like a glove alongside Tapu Fini, which can pressure opposing defensive pieces with Taunt and Nature's Madness, pressure Heatran with Surf, and check Water-types and Fighting-types. Mega Diancie is a great offensive Stealth Rock user that improves the matchup against stall, can spread heavy damage, and even check Volcarona in a pinch.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Chople Berry can be used on physically defensive Gyro Ball variants on more offensive teams, giving Ferrothorn the option to surprise Mega Alakazam, Calm Mind Tapu Lele, Mega Lopunny, and while at full, even Mega Medicham. However, this leaves Ferrothorn with no longevity outside of a potential inconsistent Leech Seed. Rocky Helmet is an option with similar downsides that locks in against contact users like Landorus-T, Mega Medicham, and Kartana, compounding with entry hazards to whittle them down. Explosion is a drastic anti-setup option that doesn't chance opposing Substitute and keeps the opposing sweeper at just one boost, which can be helpful if Ferrothorn is paired with a suitable Choice Scarf user.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types and Fire-type Coverage**: Heatran is probably the most distressing, as its neutrality to Stealth Rock let it come in the most consistently against Ferrothorn and threaten it out. Various others like Victini, Mega Charizard formes, and Volcarona are similarly as threatening, though they are limited by Ferrothorn's hazard stacking playstyle if done right. Zapdos is typically unthreatened by Ferrothorn and rarely ever drops Heat Wave to threaten Ferrothorn with huge damage. Other offensive threats like Protean Greninja, Mega Diancie, and Tapu Koko can tech on Hidden Power Fire to finish off a chipped Ferrothorn, with Protean Greninja even giving itself a resistance to Ferrothorn's STAB moves. Lastly, Clefable can run Flamethrower or Fire Blast, depending on its build, which deals significant damage if not KOing outright.
**Fighting-types and Fighting-type coverage**: Mega Medicham, Mega Lopunny, and Kommo-o heavily threaten Ferrothorn, with the last even being able to switch into Gyro Ball thanks to Bulletproof. Mega Alakazam and offensive Magearna commonly run Focus Blast, which can take a huge chunk out of Ferrothorn. Fightinium Z users like Tapu Lele, Tornadus-T, and Protean Greninja are also notably dangerous and sometimes unexpected.
**Magnezone**: Magnezone's Magnet Pull ability allows it to force a one-on-one interaction with Ferrothorn and remove it from the game with Hidden Power Fire, potentially even using Substitute to block Leech Seed and milk extra damage on a teammate after trapping.
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye has very little to worry about from Ferrothorn and can cleanly block it from making progress with entry hazards or Leech Seed.
**Knock Off**: Once Ferrothorn loses its Leftovers or Wiki Berry, it can get beaten down by attacks and passive damage much faster, so its important to watch out for users like Tornadus-T, Gliscor, and Clefable.
**Magic Guard users**: Reuniclus is completely unphased by Ferrothorn's entry hazards and Leech Seed and can use it for free setup. Clefable sits on non Gyro Ball variants and can disrupt Ferrothorn with status or Knock Off, and even if it does have Gyro Ball, Clefable can waste its low PP with Soft-Boiled.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.102/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user6.105/
Ferrothorn is an incredibly effective defensive presence in the tier, thanks to its incredible dual typing, great bulk, and intensive arsenal of utility moves, including Stealth Rock, Leech Seed, and the rare Spikes. Finding easy setup opportunities against the many Pokemon it checks, such as Tapu Koko, Choice Specs Greninja, and Tapu Fini, Ferrothorn is perhaps the best entry hazard setter in the tier and is welcomed by any hazard-stacking balance team alongside other hazard setters like Clefable and Toxapex. Though its bread and butter is on bulkier team styles, Ferrothorn is even a great fit on bulky offense teams, forming a support core with Tapu Fini and enabling big threats like Mega Diancie and Mega Mawile with its presence. Ferrothorn's moveslots can be mixed and matched to harass typical checks, with options like Leech Seed, Thunder Wave, and Knock Off weakening all sorts of switch-ins. As great as Ferrothorn is in its own lane, there is very little it can do about its abysmal Speed, which in conjunction with its weaknesses to relevant types to Fighting and Fire, the latter of which is an even more crushing 4x weakness, can leave Ferrothorn a sitting duck against premier threats like Mega Charizard X, Mega Medicham, and Heatran. Additionally, its reliance on indirect damage forms can be cancelled out by Magic Guard users like Clefable, and its lack of reliable healing becomes incredibly apparent when it loses its Leftovers.
[SET]
name: Hazard Setter
move 1: Power Whip
move 2: Spikes / Stealth Rock
move 3: Gyro Ball / Protect / Thunder Wave / Knock Off
move 4: Leech Seed / Stealth Rock / Thunder Wave / Toxic
item: Leftovers / Wiki Berry
ability: Iron Barbs
nature: Sassy / Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 16 Def / 240 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Power Whip is virtually undroppable, since it's required to hit back at offensive Water-types like Mega Swampert, Greninja, and Manaphy. Spikes are a lot of what sets Ferrothorn apart as a defensive staple and are crucial for punishing opposing switches, especially for limiting Tapu Lele when facing Psychic spam teams, a tricky matchup on paper for Ferrothorn teams. Despite this, it's possible and not even a bad choice to run Ferrothorn as a pure Stealth Rock setter with no Spikes, typically on either offense teams or teams with entry hazard-weak wincons like Roost Mega Charizard X that you wouldn't be comfortable playing with hazards on both sides with. Gyro Ball is a great complement to Power Whip that allows Ferrothorn to pressure Tornadus-T and Serperior and more favorably trade damage with Kyurem-B, Tapu Lele, and Mega Alakazam. Protect is a nice option for Leftovers + Leech Seed variants to increase its longevity and consistency in getting chip, with the additional benefit of scouting out High Jump Kick from Mega Medicham, Mega Lopunny, and Hawlucha, as well as Choiced attackers like Tapu Lele and Kartana. Thunder Wave decreases Ferrothorn's passivity against typical threats, such as Tornadus-T Fire-types like Mega Charizard X and Volcarona. This could be through predicting a switch, but this isn't completely necessary as Ferrothorn can just use Thunder Wave sacrificially to prevent setup. Knock Off is a similar alternative progress making option, slowly and steadily improving the team’s position against the likes of Toxapex, Clefable, and opposing Ferrothorn, which otherwise just wall Ferrothorn. Leech Seed is great at boosting Ferrothorn's staying power and accruing chip on natural checks. Toxic is a more direct version of Thunder Wave that, although floundering against Steel-types, Magic Guard users, and Toxapex, can take opposing setup users like Mega Latias out of commission and pressure opposing defensive pieces like Landorus-T long-term.
Set Details
========
252 HP EVs alongside 16 Defense EVs allow Ferrothorn to always avoid the OHKO from +1 Supersonic Skystrike from Gyarados, with the rest crammed into Special Defense for its main role of checking the likes of Choice Specs Greninja, Magearna, and Tapu Koko. Alternatively, a spread of 252 HP / 76 Def / 180 SpD with a Relaxed nature can be used to always survive Subzero Slammer from a Kyurem-B with a boosting nature. Leftovers are the overall best item for giving Ferrothorn longevity; their absence is extremely noticeable in the face of entry hazards and pivoting moves like Volt Switch. However, for more offensive builds featuring Ferrothorn, a Wiki Berry can be used for incredibly efficient trades vs the likes of Tapu Lele, Mega Alakazam, and Greninja. If you drop Gyro Ball, you don't need to run a minus Speed nature, so if you're interested in Ferrothorn Speed-ties and outspeeding Pyukumuku, then a Careful or Impish nature is for you!
Usage Tips
========
Ferrothorn's gameplan and level of aggression primarily depends on the opposing team; against very offensive builds that drop Defog, it can be favorable to lead off with it to trade entry hazards with Landorus-T or threaten the likes of Tapu Lele and Kyurem-B. It's okay to sacrifice health on Ferrothorn to set the team up long-term with a hard to remove Spike. However, against bulkier teams with more consistent removal, it's better to choose your moments more carefully, aiming to use opposing defensive pieces like Toxapex, Tapu Fini, and Chansey as a free opportunity. Its important to pair Ferrothorn with a strong Ground-type, as its presence will induce a higher amount of Volt Switches from opposing pivots, as they're walled and don't want to give up free hazard setting opportunities, so it's not always a great idea to throw it into the likes of Tapu Koko if its paired with a threatening teammate. Knock Off is imperative to avoid, meaning that its unsafe to switch Ferrothorn into an unscouted Tornadus-T or Gliscor, and to beware of otherwise easy targets like Clefable, Tapu Fini, and opposing Ferrothorn teching it on. Always watch out for Hidden Power Fire on Substitute Serperior and Protean Greninja after its ability has been revealed.
Team Options
========
Ferrothorn's hazard setting proficiency is appreciated by every archetype from bulky offense to semi-stall. Starting with good teammates on balanced teams, Clefable is an excellent teammate, able to set Stealth Rock, check Fighting-types like Mega Lopunny and Hawlucha, disrupt opposing defensive pieces with Knock Off or Thunder Wave, and thanks to Magic Guard, its extremely comfortable playing with maximum entry hazards on both sides. Heatran is another Stealth Rock setting option that works in tandem with Ferrothorn to handle Psychic- and Fairy-types, pressure Defoggers with status and attacks, and even capitalise on its Spikes with Roar. Mega Latias is another great partner, using its Speed and bulk to check attackers like Kartana and Garchomp, ignoring opposing Spikes with Levitate, and acting as either a wincon with Calm Mind or a support with Roar. Swords Dance Gliscor is a great wincon that benefits from Spikes, additionally supporting the team by checking Heatran, absorbing status, and blocking Volt Switch. Choice Scarf Landorus-T is another option for a Ground-type that solidifies the matchup against Mega Alakazam by acting as a solid revenge killer, also helping against various physical threats like Mega Charizard X, Excadrill, and Mega Medicham. Toxapex is a great check to Fire-types, absorbs opposing Toxic Spikes and sets its own, and can prevent opposing setup with Toxic and Haze. Protean Greninja is another very flexible option that you can tech to your preference or the team's needs, though as a baseline, it supports the team as a revenge killer and can aggressively set Toxic Spikes. On more offensively inclined teams, Ferrothorn fits like a glove alongside Tapu Fini, which can pressure opposing defensive pieces with Taunt and Nature's Madness, pressure Heatran with Surf, and check Water-types and Fighting-types. Mega Diancie is a great offensive Stealth Rock user that improves the matchup against stall, can spread heavy damage, and even check Volcarona in a pinch.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Chople Berry can be used on physically defensive Gyro Ball variants on more offensive teams, giving Ferrothorn the option to surprise Mega Alakazam, Calm Mind Tapu Lele, Mega Lopunny, and while at full, even Mega Medicham. However, this leaves Ferrothorn with no longevity outside of a potential inconsistent Leech Seed. Rocky Helmet is an option with similar downsides that locks in against contact users like Landorus-T, Mega Medicham, and Kartana, compounding with entry hazards to whittle them down. Explosion is a drastic anti-setup option that doesn't chance opposing Substitute and keeps the opposing sweeper at just one boost, which can be helpful if Ferrothorn is paired with a suitable Choice Scarf user.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types and Fire-type Coverage**: Heatran is probably the most distressing, as its neutrality to Stealth Rock let it come in the most consistently against Ferrothorn and threaten it out. Various others like Victini, Mega Charizard formes, and Volcarona are similarly as threatening, though they are limited by Ferrothorn's hazard stacking playstyle if done right. Zapdos is typically unthreatened by Ferrothorn and rarely ever drops Heat Wave to threaten Ferrothorn with huge damage. Other offensive threats like Protean Greninja, Mega Diancie, and Tapu Koko can tech on Hidden Power Fire to finish off a chipped Ferrothorn, with Protean Greninja even giving itself a resistance to Ferrothorn's STAB moves. Lastly, Clefable can run Flamethrower or Fire Blast, depending on its build, which deals significant damage if not KOing outright.
**Fighting-types and Fighting-type coverage**: Mega Medicham, Mega Lopunny, and Kommo-o heavily threaten Ferrothorn, with the last even being able to switch into Gyro Ball thanks to Bulletproof. Mega Alakazam and offensive Magearna commonly run Focus Blast, which can take a huge chunk out of Ferrothorn. Fightinium Z users like Tapu Lele, Tornadus-T, and Protean Greninja are also notably dangerous and sometimes unexpected.
**Magnezone**: Magnezone's Magnet Pull ability allows it to force a one-on-one interaction with Ferrothorn and remove it from the game with Hidden Power Fire, potentially even using Substitute to block Leech Seed and milk extra damage on a teammate after trapping.
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye has very little to worry about from Ferrothorn and can cleanly block it from making progress with entry hazards or Leech Seed.
**Knock Off**: Once Ferrothorn loses its Leftovers or Wiki Berry, it can get beaten down by attacks and passive damage much faster, so its important to watch out for users like Tornadus-T, Gliscor, and Clefable.
**Magic Guard users**: Reuniclus is completely unphased by Ferrothorn's entry hazards and Leech Seed and can use it for free setup. Clefable sits on non Gyro Ball variants and can disrupt Ferrothorn with status or Knock Off, and even if it does have Gyro Ball, Clefable can waste its low PP with Soft-Boiled.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.102/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user6.105/