[OVERVIEW]
Ferrothorn is an incredibly effective defensive presence in the tier, thanks to its robust 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 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 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 at doing what it does, there is very little it can do about its abysmal Speed, which, in conjunction with its weaknesses to relevant types to Fighting and especially Fire, can leave Ferrothorn a sitting duck against premier threats like Mega Medicham, Mega Charizard X, 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: Entry Hazard Setter
move 1: Power Whip
move 2: Spikes / Stealth Rock
move 3: Gyro Ball / Stealth Rock / Protect / Thunder Wave / Knock Off
move 4: Leech Seed / Thunder Wave / Toxic
item: Leftovers / Figy 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 makes up a lot of what sets Ferrothorn apart as a defensive staple and is crucial for punishing opposing switches. Stealth Rock complements Spikes well and can save moveslots for teammates. Despite how important Spikes is, it's possible and not even a bad choice to run Ferrothorn as a pure Stealth Rock setter with no Spikes; this is typically done 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 and Tapu Lele. Protect is a nice option for Leftovers + Leech Seed variants to increase its longevity and consistency in getting chip damage, with the additional benefit of scouting out High Jump Kick from Mega Medicham, Mega Lopunny, and Hawlucha as well as Choice item attackers like Tapu Lele and Kartana. Thunder Wave decreases Ferrothorn's passivity against typical threats, such as Mega Charizard X and Kartana. 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 damage on natural checks. Rather than seeking to just reduce the long-term consistency of opposing Pokemon, Toxic is a damage-focused version of Thunder Wave that, despite 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 Zapdos 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 of the EVs and Sassy nature chosen to focus on 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 is the overall best item for giving Ferrothorn longevity; its absence is extremely noticeable in the face of entry hazards and pivoting moves like Volt Switch. However, for more offensive builds featuring Ferrothorn, a Figy Berry can be used for incredibly efficient trades versus the likes of Tapu Lele, Mega Alakazam, and Greninja. If Ferrothorn drops Gyro Ball, it doesn't need to run a negative Speed nature, opening up Speed ties with uninvested Mega Sableye and letting it outspeed Pyukumuku.
Usage Tips
========
Ferrothorn's gameplan and level of aggression primarily depend 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. Ferrothorn is key for dealing with certain attackers like Choice Specs Greninja and Choice Scarf Kartana, but in some matchups, typically against very offensive teams that drop hazard removal, it's okay to sacrifice health on Ferrothorn to set the team up long-term with a hard-to-remove layer of Spikes. However, against bulkier teams with more consistent removal, it's better to choose Ferrothorn's moments to set them up more carefully, aiming to use defensive pieces like Clefable, Tapu Fini, and Chansey as free opportunities. Knock Off is imperative to avoid, meaning that it's unsafe to switch Ferrothorn into an unscouted Tornadus-T or Gliscor, and beware of otherwise easy targets like Clefable, Tapu Fini, and opposing Ferrothorn fitting the move for this purpose. Always watch out for Hidden Power Fire on Substitute Serperior and Protean Greninja after its ability has been revealed.
Team Options
========
Ferrothorn's entry hazard-setting proficiency is appreciated by every archetype from offense to semi-stall. Starting with good teammates on balanced teams, Clefable is an excellent one, able to set Stealth Rock, check Fighting-types like Mega Lopunny and Hawlucha, and disrupt opposing defensive pieces with Knock Off or Thunder Wave, and thanks to Magic Guard, it's extremely comfortable playing with the maximum amount of 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 capitalize on its Spikes with Roar. Mega Latias is another great partner, using its Speed and bulk to check attackers like Kartana and Garchomp, ignoring Spikes with Levitate, and acting as either a sweeper with Calm Mind or a support with Roar. Swords Dance Gliscor is a great potential 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, as well as helping against various physical threats like Mega Charizard X, Excadrill, and Mega Medicham. Toxapex is a great check to Fire-types, absorbs Toxic Spikes and sets its own, and can prevent foes' setup with Toxic and Haze. Bulky Psychic-types like Slowbro and Cresselia are an excellent safety net against Fighting-types like Mega Medicham and Mega Lopunny, and they even double up with Ferrothorn to more effectively handle Mega Swampert and Tapu Lele, respectively. Chansey is an incredibly solid defensive Stealth Rock setter that can support Ferrothorn by checking Mega Alakazam, Mega Charizard Y, and Volcarona. 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, threaten Heatran with Surf, and check Water- and Fighting-types. Mega Diancie is a great offensive Stealth Rock user that improves the matchup against stall, can spread heavy damage, and even checks Volcarona in a pinch. Mega Tyranitar is an excellent progress maker that, alongside potentially setting Stealth Rock, acts as a solid check to Dark- and Fire-types like Choice-locked Greninja, Weavile, Heatran, and Victini.
[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 HP, 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 excels against contact users like Mega Medicham and Kartana, compounding with entry hazards to whittle them down. Hidden Power Fire can be used as a desperate measure to patch up a team's matchup against Kartana; with 16 Special Attack EVs, it will always KO Kartana. Additionally, in conjunction with Leech Seed, it can be used to exert pressure on Mega Scizor using Roost in a tough late-game scenario. Worry Seed can be used to put a stop to the likes of Gliscor, as well as Calm Mind Clefable and Reuniclus if Ferrothorn is supported by teammates with Toxic.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types and Fire-type Coverage**: Heatran is probably the most distressing Fire-type, as its neutrality to Stealth Rock lets it come in the most consistently against Ferrothorn and threaten it out. Various others like Victini, the Mega Charizard formes, and Volcarona are similarly as threatening, though they are limited by Ferrothorn's entry 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 fit in 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 Ferrothorn 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, Magearna, and Protean Greninja are also notably dangerous and sometimes unexpected.
**Magnezone**: Magnet Pull allows Magnezone to force a one-on-one interaction with Ferrothorn and remove it from the game with Hidden Power Fire, potentially even letting Magnezone exploit it by using Substitute to block Leech Seed and inflict 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 hazards or Leech Seed.
**Unreliable Longevity**: Once Ferrothorn loses its Leftovers or Figy Berry, it can get beaten down by attacks and passive damage much faster, so it's important to watch out for Knock Off users like Tornadus-T, Gliscor, and Clefable. Though Ferrothorn can sometimes circumvent this with Leech Seed, this can be punished by a direct attack or, in a worst-case scenario, blocked by Grass-types and Pokemon with Magic Guard or Magic Bounce.
**Passive Damage-immune Pokemon**: Reuniclus is completely unfazed by Ferrothorn's 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 Ferrothorn does have Gyro Ball, Clefable can waste its low PP with Soft-Boiled. Synthesis Kartana may be affected by Spikes, but its immunity to Leech Seed and resistances to Ferrothorn's STAB moves mean it is excellent at taking advantage of Ferrothorn.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/diyusi.519886/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/skypenguin.462413/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
Ferrothorn is an incredibly effective defensive presence in the tier, thanks to its robust 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 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 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 at doing what it does, there is very little it can do about its abysmal Speed, which, in conjunction with its weaknesses to relevant types to Fighting and especially Fire, can leave Ferrothorn a sitting duck against premier threats like Mega Medicham, Mega Charizard X, 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: Entry Hazard Setter
move 1: Power Whip
move 2: Spikes / Stealth Rock
move 3: Gyro Ball / Stealth Rock / Protect / Thunder Wave / Knock Off
move 4: Leech Seed / Thunder Wave / Toxic
item: Leftovers / Figy 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 makes up a lot of what sets Ferrothorn apart as a defensive staple and is crucial for punishing opposing switches. Stealth Rock complements Spikes well and can save moveslots for teammates. Despite how important Spikes is, it's possible and not even a bad choice to run Ferrothorn as a pure Stealth Rock setter with no Spikes; this is typically done 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 and Tapu Lele. Protect is a nice option for Leftovers + Leech Seed variants to increase its longevity and consistency in getting chip damage, with the additional benefit of scouting out High Jump Kick from Mega Medicham, Mega Lopunny, and Hawlucha as well as Choice item attackers like Tapu Lele and Kartana. Thunder Wave decreases Ferrothorn's passivity against typical threats, such as Mega Charizard X and Kartana. 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 damage on natural checks. Rather than seeking to just reduce the long-term consistency of opposing Pokemon, Toxic is a damage-focused version of Thunder Wave that, despite 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 Zapdos 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 of the EVs and Sassy nature chosen to focus on 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 is the overall best item for giving Ferrothorn longevity; its absence is extremely noticeable in the face of entry hazards and pivoting moves like Volt Switch. However, for more offensive builds featuring Ferrothorn, a Figy Berry can be used for incredibly efficient trades versus the likes of Tapu Lele, Mega Alakazam, and Greninja. If Ferrothorn drops Gyro Ball, it doesn't need to run a negative Speed nature, opening up Speed ties with uninvested Mega Sableye and letting it outspeed Pyukumuku.
Usage Tips
========
Ferrothorn's gameplan and level of aggression primarily depend 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. Ferrothorn is key for dealing with certain attackers like Choice Specs Greninja and Choice Scarf Kartana, but in some matchups, typically against very offensive teams that drop hazard removal, it's okay to sacrifice health on Ferrothorn to set the team up long-term with a hard-to-remove layer of Spikes. However, against bulkier teams with more consistent removal, it's better to choose Ferrothorn's moments to set them up more carefully, aiming to use defensive pieces like Clefable, Tapu Fini, and Chansey as free opportunities. Knock Off is imperative to avoid, meaning that it's unsafe to switch Ferrothorn into an unscouted Tornadus-T or Gliscor, and beware of otherwise easy targets like Clefable, Tapu Fini, and opposing Ferrothorn fitting the move for this purpose. Always watch out for Hidden Power Fire on Substitute Serperior and Protean Greninja after its ability has been revealed.
Team Options
========
Ferrothorn's entry hazard-setting proficiency is appreciated by every archetype from offense to semi-stall. Starting with good teammates on balanced teams, Clefable is an excellent one, able to set Stealth Rock, check Fighting-types like Mega Lopunny and Hawlucha, and disrupt opposing defensive pieces with Knock Off or Thunder Wave, and thanks to Magic Guard, it's extremely comfortable playing with the maximum amount of 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 capitalize on its Spikes with Roar. Mega Latias is another great partner, using its Speed and bulk to check attackers like Kartana and Garchomp, ignoring Spikes with Levitate, and acting as either a sweeper with Calm Mind or a support with Roar. Swords Dance Gliscor is a great potential 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, as well as helping against various physical threats like Mega Charizard X, Excadrill, and Mega Medicham. Toxapex is a great check to Fire-types, absorbs Toxic Spikes and sets its own, and can prevent foes' setup with Toxic and Haze. Bulky Psychic-types like Slowbro and Cresselia are an excellent safety net against Fighting-types like Mega Medicham and Mega Lopunny, and they even double up with Ferrothorn to more effectively handle Mega Swampert and Tapu Lele, respectively. Chansey is an incredibly solid defensive Stealth Rock setter that can support Ferrothorn by checking Mega Alakazam, Mega Charizard Y, and Volcarona. 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, threaten Heatran with Surf, and check Water- and Fighting-types. Mega Diancie is a great offensive Stealth Rock user that improves the matchup against stall, can spread heavy damage, and even checks Volcarona in a pinch. Mega Tyranitar is an excellent progress maker that, alongside potentially setting Stealth Rock, acts as a solid check to Dark- and Fire-types like Choice-locked Greninja, Weavile, Heatran, and Victini.
[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 HP, 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 excels against contact users like Mega Medicham and Kartana, compounding with entry hazards to whittle them down. Hidden Power Fire can be used as a desperate measure to patch up a team's matchup against Kartana; with 16 Special Attack EVs, it will always KO Kartana. Additionally, in conjunction with Leech Seed, it can be used to exert pressure on Mega Scizor using Roost in a tough late-game scenario. Worry Seed can be used to put a stop to the likes of Gliscor, as well as Calm Mind Clefable and Reuniclus if Ferrothorn is supported by teammates with Toxic.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types and Fire-type Coverage**: Heatran is probably the most distressing Fire-type, as its neutrality to Stealth Rock lets it come in the most consistently against Ferrothorn and threaten it out. Various others like Victini, the Mega Charizard formes, and Volcarona are similarly as threatening, though they are limited by Ferrothorn's entry 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 fit in 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 Ferrothorn 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, Magearna, and Protean Greninja are also notably dangerous and sometimes unexpected.
**Magnezone**: Magnet Pull allows Magnezone to force a one-on-one interaction with Ferrothorn and remove it from the game with Hidden Power Fire, potentially even letting Magnezone exploit it by using Substitute to block Leech Seed and inflict 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 hazards or Leech Seed.
**Unreliable Longevity**: Once Ferrothorn loses its Leftovers or Figy Berry, it can get beaten down by attacks and passive damage much faster, so it's important to watch out for Knock Off users like Tornadus-T, Gliscor, and Clefable. Though Ferrothorn can sometimes circumvent this with Leech Seed, this can be punished by a direct attack or, in a worst-case scenario, blocked by Grass-types and Pokemon with Magic Guard or Magic Bounce.
**Passive Damage-immune Pokemon**: Reuniclus is completely unfazed by Ferrothorn's 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 Ferrothorn does have Gyro Ball, Clefable can waste its low PP with Soft-Boiled. Synthesis Kartana may be affected by Spikes, but its immunity to Leech Seed and resistances to Ferrothorn's STAB moves mean it is excellent at taking advantage of Ferrothorn.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/diyusi.519886/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/skypenguin.462413/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
Last edited:
