Steel
========
* Ferrothorn is one of the best defensive Pokemon on Steel teams thanks to its excellent typing and mixed bulk making it an excellent defensive pivot.
* Its Grass typing makes it a great addition to Steel teams, as it's able to check Ground- and Water-types such as Swampert, Gastrodon, and Seismitoad while also being able to resist Electric- and Water-type attacks.
* Its access to the ability Iron Barbs lets it wear down physical attackers upon contact and potentially break their Focus Sashes and Sturdy.
* Ferrothorn has a great movepool including Spikes, Stealth Rock, Leech Seed, and Knock Off to provide support and utility for its teammates.
* Unfortunately, Ferrothorn lacks any type of recovery move outside of Leech Seed, which makes it easier to wear down.
* Its offensive presence isn't that great, and it mainly utilizes two attacking moves in Power Whip and Knock Off, making Ferrothorn vulnerable to Taunt and potentially setup bait for sweepers.
* Ferrothorn lacks Speed, being outpaced by almost the entire metagame, and the foe will likely be able to attack first before it does.
* Ferrothorn is vulnerable to Fire-type attacks, which means that it has to rely on Protect to scout the opposing Pokemon's coverage or switch into a check like Heatran.
[SET]
name: Utility Support (Steel)
move 1: Power Whip
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Protect
move 4: Spikes / Stealth Rock / Knock Off
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Iron Barbs
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 72 Def / 184 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Power Whip is a powerful STAB move for Ferrothorn to deal substantial damage to pesky Ground- and Water-types such as Swampert, Gastrodon, and Seismitoad that threaten Steel teams
* Leech Seed wears down the foe's health while providing Ferrothorn and its team a form of healing and support.
* Protect synergizes very well with Leech Seed and Leftovers to stall and recover more health, prolonging Ferrothorn presence in battle and making it more difficult to take down. It can also be used to scout for any attack that threatens Ferrothorn, especially Fire- and Fighting-type attacks alongside potential Choice-locked Pokemon so that Ferrothorn is able to switch out into a more reasonable teammate to threaten them out.
* Choose the last move depending on what your team needs. Spikes is great for setting up layers thanks to Ferrothorn's excellent mixed bulk and durability and Iron Barbs is a great way of dealing with Rapid Spin users.
* Stealth Rock can be used instead of Spikes for Ferrothorn and cripple Bug-, Fire-, and Flying-types to make it easier for its teammates to KO them. However, Skarmory is a much better Stealth Rock setter than Ferrothorn and its Sturdy ability helps against Fire teams in setting up Stealth Rock.
* Knock Off can be used over both moves to grant Ferrothorn utility in removing items from Pokemon such as Eviolite Chansey and Porygon2.
Set Details
========
* Maximum HP investment strengthens Ferrothorn's walling capabilities, as it needs the extra bulk to tank both physical and special attacks.
* 72 Defense EVs allow Ferrothorn to survive a Close Combat from Terrakion and Heracross.
* 184 Special Defense EVs with a Careful nature allow Ferrothorn to tank special attacks more efficiently; Ferrothorn can survive a Focus Blast from Life Orb Landorus after Stealth Rock damage, two Earth Powers from Landorus with Leftovers recovery, and three Ice Beams from Kyurem-B.
* Leftovers is used in synergy with Leech Seed and Protect to grant more recovery, which Ferrothorn greatly appreciates.
* Rocky Helmet is an alternative to use over Leftovers and combines with Iron Barbs to spread chip damage to punish physical attackers on contact, losing more than a fourth of their health and making it easier for Ferrothorn and its teammates to pick them off later.
* Ferrothorn can also utilize a more physically defensive set with an Impish nature to take physical attacks more effectively; however, Ferrothorn prefers to be more specially defensive to switch into Water- and Electric-type attacks such as Scald and Thunderbolt more easily.
Usage Tips
========
* Thanks to its defensive typing and bulk, Ferrothorn can function very well as a defensive pivot on balanced teams.
* Make sure to utilize its typing to switch into predicted Electric-, Ground-, and Water-type attacks.
* Before switching out, take advantage of Protect to scout the opposing Pokemon's move. For example, Ferrothorn should be scouting for any move that threatens it such as Fire Blast Clefable; however, don't use it too much because the opposing Pokemon can use that as an opportunity to set up.
* If you're expecting the foe to switch out, set up Spikes or Stealth Rock to rack up some damage to pressure and punish switch-ins; this can be really helpful for Ferrothorn to later go for Leech Seed to wear them down even more.
* Ferrothorn should utilize Leech Seed at any chance it gets, as it's safe to use and a spammable move to slowly whittle down the opposing Pokemon's health like against defensive Pokemon such as Chansey and Porygon2, or against those that Ferrothorn can take attacks from such as Tapu Koko.
* Keep Ferrothorn from being burned, as the status negates its Leftovers recovery and weakens its Power Whip.
* Ferrothorn should use Knock Off to remove the opposing Pokemon's items as soon as possible early-game, targeting Pokemon such as Eviolite Chansey and Porygon2, while Leech Seed can also be used to catch them late-game.
* If your opponent is planning on preserving their threat for late-game, don't be afraid to use Leech Seed again. It's always necessary to have Leech Seed on the opposing side to keep Ferrothorn's health high and chip away at their health.
Team Options
========
* Heatran synergizes well with Ferrothorn because of its Flash Fire ability and can check Fire- and Electric-types with Stone Edge and Earth Power, (AC) and Ferrothorn can switch into Water-type attacks for Heatran in return. Heatran can also run Stealth Rock while Ferrothorn can use Spikes for entry hazard stacking.
* Skarmory can support the team by stacking Stealth Rock along with Ferrothorn's Spikes if chosen. Skarmory can switch into Ground-type attacks to keep Ferrothorn from taking any damage and take physical attacks, while Ferrothorn is able to switch into incoming Electric-type attacks for Skarmory. Skarmory can shuffle the opposing team with Whirlwind to stack up damage from Ferrothorn's Spikes.
* Celesteela is an alternative to Skarmory but with more offensive presence. Celesteela and Ferrothorn can whittle down opposing teams by spamming Leech Seed and Protect to stall. Celesteela can check opposing Steel-types such as Heatran, Skarmory, Mega Scizor, and opposing Ferrothorn with Earthquake and Flamethrower. Celesteela is also a great special tank to switch into Landorus sometimes, which allows Ferrothorn to run a more defensive set consisting of Relaxed nature to take on physical threats.
* Doublade can protect Ferrothorn from Fighting-type attacks thanks to its Fighting immunity. Doublade is also a reliable spinblocker for Ferrothorn, keeping its entry hazards on the opponent's side of the field from being removed by Pokemon such as Armaldo and Forrtress.
* Choice Scarf Excadrill can use Earthquake to threaten Fire-types such as Rotom-H, Mega Charizard X, and Entei while being able to hit Mega Charizard Y, Talonflame, and Volcarona with Rock Slide. It also functions as a late-game cleaner to finish off weakened Pokemon, so it appreciates Ferrothorn's Spikes support making it easier to sweep.
* Magnezone can gain momentum for Ferrothorn and its team by utilizing Volt Switch. Magnezone traps annoying Steel-types that Ferrothorn can't hope to damage such as Skarmory, Klefki, and Cobalion. Magnezone can take on Water-types to relieve pressure from Ferrothorn.
* Magearna can take on Dark-types that threaten Ferrothorn such as Mega Sableye and Mandibuzz and easily threaten them. It can switch Ferrothorn in safely by utilizing Volt Switch.
* With Ferrothorn's entry hazard support and Leech Seed, Mega Scizor can have an easier time KOing and pressuring Pokemon with its offensive presence and Swords Dance. Mega Scizor also enjoys Knock Off support from the likes of Ferrothorn, removing Life Orb from Landorus allowing it to switchin and set up Swords Dance.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Steel
--------
* Gyro Ball can be used instead of Power Whip for Ferrothorn to damage Fairy-types such as Tapu Bulu, Mimikyu, and Togekiss while hitting fast Pokemon such as Greninja, Gengar, and Choice Scarf Kyurem-B hard. However, Ferrothorn prefers to rely on Power Whip more because it's more reliable in hitting Ground- and Water-types and
* Toxic is very useful in crippling more defensively orientated Pokemon that can outlast Ferrothorn due to their recovery moves such as Porygon2 and Mandibuzz. It should only be used if Skarmory has Spikes and Heatran has Stealth Rock; however, it puts a strain on team building, and Ferrothorn prefers using its support moves more than Toxic and has no room to run it.
* Thunder Wave gives both Ferrothorn and its team support in slowing down faster Pokemon and Swift Swim users such as Kingdra and possibly a free turn to attack or set up
Checks and Counters
===================
Steel
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**Fire-types and Attacks**: Fire-types resist Ferrothorn's STAB attacks and its typing leaves it completely vulnerable to them and forced to switch out, as its huge weakness makes it an easy target to remove and puts added pressure on Heatran. Fire-types such as Mega Charizard Y, Alolan Marowak, and opposing Heatran can easily deal with Ferrothorn. Ferrothorn would also need to be wary of opposing Pokemon that carry Fire-type coverage such as Heat Wave Zapdos, Flamethrower Celesteela, Fire Blast Hydreigon, and Hidden Power Fire Greninja.
**Fighting-types**: Ferrothorn is also threatened by Fighting-types, as they're able to outspeed it and stop it with their STAB attacks, forcing it to switch out or take a hit. However, Ferrothorn can help apply pressure to Fighting teams because of their lack of an entry hazard remover, which Steel teams really appreciate such as Choice Scarf Excadrill.
**Stallbreakers**: Mega Sableye easily walls Ferrothorn and can burn it with Will-O-Wisp or set up Calm Mind. It's able to sponge Knock Off and is immune to Leech Seed because of Magic Bounce. Ferrothorn would also need to be careful of setting entry hazards as well. Gliscor isn't bothered by Ferrothorn's Leech Seed because of Poison Heal and can use it as setup fodder with Swords Dance. Ferrothorn also needs to be wary of Taunt users such as Cobalion, Mandibuzz, and Mew. Clefable isn't bothered by any of Ferrothorn's attacks and is unaffected by Leech Seed and entry hazards because of Magic Guard. It can proceed to set up Calm Mind and KO Ferrothorn with Flamethrower.
**Bulky Grass-types**: Grass-types are unaffected by Ferrothorn's Leech Seed and take little damage from Power Whip and Knock Off. Mega Venusaur can easily switch into a Knock Off to prevent its teammates from losing an item. Mega Venusaur carries Hidden Power Fire, which is able to 2HKO Ferrothorn. Celebi can set up Nasty Plot on Ferrothorn and KO it with Hidden Power Fire or.
**Sweepers**: Volcarona can utilize Ferrothorn as setup fodder with Quiver Dance and KO it with Fiery Dance. Bisharp and Landorus-T can take advantage of Ferrothorn's passiveness by using Swords Dance and proceeding to sweep.
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