Havens
WGI World Champion
[OVERVIEW]
Bug
========
Forretress is one of the few viable forms of entry hazard control for Bug teams. Its Steel typing and physical bulk benefit Bug teams greatly, as it is able to switch into powerful Rock-types such as Terrakion and Tyranitar. Not only is Forretress one of the best hazard removers for Bug teams, but it is also among its best hazard setters. Its access to Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes make Forretress mendable for matchups that Bug teams may struggle with, such as Dragon, Fairy, and Water. Thanks to its low Speed, Forretress can utilize Volt Switch to bring in teammates such as Mega Pinsir and Scizor with relative safety. However, Forretress's typing, while good defensively, compounds its weakness to Fire-type moves. While Forretress is great as a utility option, the lack of offensive presence can allow itself to become setup bait for sweepers such as Kommo-o and Porygon-Z and leave it shut down by Taunt users such as Gliscor and Mew. While its physical bulk is very high, Forretress's special bulk is very poor and leaves it susceptible to many special attackers such as Porygon2 and Suicune. Forretress faces competition with Armaldo as a spinner, which has better utility through Knock Off and is able to threaten Flying-types such as Mega Charizard Y and Zapdos with its Rock-type attacks. Armaldo also has the advantage of providing a Fire-type neutrality on top of a Flying-type neutrality.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Gyro Ball / Spikes
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rapid Spin allows Forretress to remove entry hazards from its side of the field, which is especially important because Bug teams don't have a reliable Defog user to utilize. Stealth Rock is used to support teammates such as Mega Scizor and Heracross, as it assists in breaking down foes. Volt Switch allows Forretress to pivot out against foes that block its hazards or wall it completely, such as Mega Sableye and Toxapex. Gyro Ball is used as a means of damaging faster foes such as Tapu Bulu and Terrakion. It's especially useful against Fairy teams, as it's able to OHKO Mega Diancie, which would otherwise block Forretress's hazards. Spikes can be used to stack damage against grounded foes upon entry, which helps teammates such as Volcarona and Mega Pinsir break down teams more reliably.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment paired with a Relaxed nature makes Forretress as physically bulky as possible. Additionally, a Relaxed nature enables Forretress to guarantee as slow of a Volt Switch as possible to safely bring in a teammate. It also amplifies Gyro Ball's damage output. Sturdy allows Forretress to take hits from full HP such as Fire-type moves, which ensures Forretress will be able to set up at least one hazard most of the time. Leftovers provide passive recovery for Forretress, as its solid physical bulk is useful for taking on foes such as Tapu Bulu and Terrakion.
Usage Tips
========
Forretress can be used as lead to scout the foe's options thanks to Sturdy. However, against major threats to Bug teams such as Mega Pinsir and Terrakion, it should be conserved as much as possible in order to reliably check them. Bring in Forretress against powerful physical attackers such as Mega Aerodactyl and Terrakion that otherwise threaten its teammates. It's ideal to remove entry hazard setters from the opponent's side of the field first, as continually removing hazards with Forretress causes Bug teams to lose momentum and creates setup opportunities for the opponent. Additionally, when the opponent's hazard setters are removed, it opens up opportunities for Forretress to set its own hazards. Utilize Volt Switch often to gain momentum and prevent getting set up on by foes such as Keldeo and Mega Latias. Forretress should also utilize its slow Volt Switch to pivot out of unfavorable matchups and into teammates that can take care of them better. It should also use Gyro Ball to catch faster targets such as Tapu Koko and Terrakion as they switch in, as foes like these heavily threaten Bug teams with their offensive prowess.
Team Options
========
Forretress's Bug-type teammates appreciate its ability to spin away entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, which many of them are weak to. Setup sweepers such as Mega Pinsir and Volcarona must be healthy in order to break down bulky foes such as Toxapex and Celesteela much more effectively. Choice Scarf Heracross checks Steel-types that Forretress can't touch, such as Heatran and Magnezone. It can also Pursuit trap Victini, an incredible threat to Forretress. Alternatively, Buzzwole can be used as a Choice Scarf user, as its great base Attack and solid movepool make it better equipped to handle bad matchups such as Dragon and Flying. Choice Band Scizor and Mega Scizor check Fairy- and Rock-types such as Mega Diancie and Tyranitar much better and can allow Forretress to forego Gyro Ball and use Spikes instead. Additionally, Choice Band Scizor can Pursuit trap Choice Band Victini, which is a terrifying threat to Forretress. Galvantula acts as a check to Flying-types such as Celesteela and Mega Charizard Y thanks to its Compound Eyes-boosted Thunder and appreciates Forretress's ability to remove hazards for it and help it preserve its Focus Sash. Araquanid acts as an amazing check to Fire-types such as Heatran, Alolan Marowak, and Volcarona by virtue of its typing and unique ability, Water Bubble.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bug
--------
Toxic Spikes can be utilized in Forretress's last moveslot to chip away at bulkier foes as they switch in, such as Chansey, Suicune, and Hippowdon. A set running a Custap Berry and Explosion can be utilized to make Forretress act as a lead, as it would be able to set hazards and heavily damage the foe. Dual screens can be utilized on Forretress in order to provide teammates such as Mega Pinsir and Volcarona with better setup opportunities.
Checks and Counters
===================
Bug
--------
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye is the best counter to Forretress, as its Magic Bounce prevents Forretress from setting hazards, while its additional Ghost typing prevents Forretress from removing them.
**Fire-type Moves**: Fire-types such as Heatran and Volcarona, as well as foes that carry Fire-type coverage such as Kommo-o and Magnezone, can capitalize on Forretress's 4x weakness to Fire.
**Taunt**: Taunt users such as Gliscor and Mew prevent Forretress from setting entry hazards and force it to switch out as a result.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types such as Jellicent and Decidueye prevent Forretress from removing hazards through Rapid Spin, shortening the longevity of Bug teams.
**Special Attackers**: Forretress's terrible special bulk leaves it susceptible to many special attackers such as Hydreigon, Suicune, and Tapu Koko.
**Setup Sweepers**: Setup sweepers such as Keldeo and Kommo-o can take advantage of Forretress's passivity.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Havens, 391540]]
- Bug analysis by: [[Havens, 391540]
- Quality checked by: [[Decem, 362454], [maroon, 305839], [Moosical, 215618]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Fireflame479, 231476]]
Bug
========
Forretress is one of the few viable forms of entry hazard control for Bug teams. Its Steel typing and physical bulk benefit Bug teams greatly, as it is able to switch into powerful Rock-types such as Terrakion and Tyranitar. Not only is Forretress one of the best hazard removers for Bug teams, but it is also among its best hazard setters. Its access to Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes make Forretress mendable for matchups that Bug teams may struggle with, such as Dragon, Fairy, and Water. Thanks to its low Speed, Forretress can utilize Volt Switch to bring in teammates such as Mega Pinsir and Scizor with relative safety. However, Forretress's typing, while good defensively, compounds its weakness to Fire-type moves. While Forretress is great as a utility option, the lack of offensive presence can allow itself to become setup bait for sweepers such as Kommo-o and Porygon-Z and leave it shut down by Taunt users such as Gliscor and Mew. While its physical bulk is very high, Forretress's special bulk is very poor and leaves it susceptible to many special attackers such as Porygon2 and Suicune. Forretress faces competition with Armaldo as a spinner, which has better utility through Knock Off and is able to threaten Flying-types such as Mega Charizard Y and Zapdos with its Rock-type attacks. Armaldo also has the advantage of providing a Fire-type neutrality on top of a Flying-type neutrality.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Gyro Ball / Spikes
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rapid Spin allows Forretress to remove entry hazards from its side of the field, which is especially important because Bug teams don't have a reliable Defog user to utilize. Stealth Rock is used to support teammates such as Mega Scizor and Heracross, as it assists in breaking down foes. Volt Switch allows Forretress to pivot out against foes that block its hazards or wall it completely, such as Mega Sableye and Toxapex. Gyro Ball is used as a means of damaging faster foes such as Tapu Bulu and Terrakion. It's especially useful against Fairy teams, as it's able to OHKO Mega Diancie, which would otherwise block Forretress's hazards. Spikes can be used to stack damage against grounded foes upon entry, which helps teammates such as Volcarona and Mega Pinsir break down teams more reliably.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment paired with a Relaxed nature makes Forretress as physically bulky as possible. Additionally, a Relaxed nature enables Forretress to guarantee as slow of a Volt Switch as possible to safely bring in a teammate. It also amplifies Gyro Ball's damage output. Sturdy allows Forretress to take hits from full HP such as Fire-type moves, which ensures Forretress will be able to set up at least one hazard most of the time. Leftovers provide passive recovery for Forretress, as its solid physical bulk is useful for taking on foes such as Tapu Bulu and Terrakion.
Usage Tips
========
Forretress can be used as lead to scout the foe's options thanks to Sturdy. However, against major threats to Bug teams such as Mega Pinsir and Terrakion, it should be conserved as much as possible in order to reliably check them. Bring in Forretress against powerful physical attackers such as Mega Aerodactyl and Terrakion that otherwise threaten its teammates. It's ideal to remove entry hazard setters from the opponent's side of the field first, as continually removing hazards with Forretress causes Bug teams to lose momentum and creates setup opportunities for the opponent. Additionally, when the opponent's hazard setters are removed, it opens up opportunities for Forretress to set its own hazards. Utilize Volt Switch often to gain momentum and prevent getting set up on by foes such as Keldeo and Mega Latias. Forretress should also utilize its slow Volt Switch to pivot out of unfavorable matchups and into teammates that can take care of them better. It should also use Gyro Ball to catch faster targets such as Tapu Koko and Terrakion as they switch in, as foes like these heavily threaten Bug teams with their offensive prowess.
Team Options
========
Forretress's Bug-type teammates appreciate its ability to spin away entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, which many of them are weak to. Setup sweepers such as Mega Pinsir and Volcarona must be healthy in order to break down bulky foes such as Toxapex and Celesteela much more effectively. Choice Scarf Heracross checks Steel-types that Forretress can't touch, such as Heatran and Magnezone. It can also Pursuit trap Victini, an incredible threat to Forretress. Alternatively, Buzzwole can be used as a Choice Scarf user, as its great base Attack and solid movepool make it better equipped to handle bad matchups such as Dragon and Flying. Choice Band Scizor and Mega Scizor check Fairy- and Rock-types such as Mega Diancie and Tyranitar much better and can allow Forretress to forego Gyro Ball and use Spikes instead. Additionally, Choice Band Scizor can Pursuit trap Choice Band Victini, which is a terrifying threat to Forretress. Galvantula acts as a check to Flying-types such as Celesteela and Mega Charizard Y thanks to its Compound Eyes-boosted Thunder and appreciates Forretress's ability to remove hazards for it and help it preserve its Focus Sash. Araquanid acts as an amazing check to Fire-types such as Heatran, Alolan Marowak, and Volcarona by virtue of its typing and unique ability, Water Bubble.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bug
--------
Toxic Spikes can be utilized in Forretress's last moveslot to chip away at bulkier foes as they switch in, such as Chansey, Suicune, and Hippowdon. A set running a Custap Berry and Explosion can be utilized to make Forretress act as a lead, as it would be able to set hazards and heavily damage the foe. Dual screens can be utilized on Forretress in order to provide teammates such as Mega Pinsir and Volcarona with better setup opportunities.
Checks and Counters
===================
Bug
--------
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye is the best counter to Forretress, as its Magic Bounce prevents Forretress from setting hazards, while its additional Ghost typing prevents Forretress from removing them.
**Fire-type Moves**: Fire-types such as Heatran and Volcarona, as well as foes that carry Fire-type coverage such as Kommo-o and Magnezone, can capitalize on Forretress's 4x weakness to Fire.
**Taunt**: Taunt users such as Gliscor and Mew prevent Forretress from setting entry hazards and force it to switch out as a result.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types such as Jellicent and Decidueye prevent Forretress from removing hazards through Rapid Spin, shortening the longevity of Bug teams.
**Special Attackers**: Forretress's terrible special bulk leaves it susceptible to many special attackers such as Hydreigon, Suicune, and Tapu Koko.
**Setup Sweepers**: Setup sweepers such as Keldeo and Kommo-o can take advantage of Forretress's passivity.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Havens, 391540]]
- Bug analysis by: [[Havens, 391540]
- Quality checked by: [[Decem, 362454], [maroon, 305839], [Moosical, 215618]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Fireflame479, 231476]]
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