Furai
we will become who we are meant to be
Code:
[B][U]QC checks:[/U][/B] trickroom, shrang, syrim [B][3/3][/B]
[B][U]GP checks:[/U][/B] Governess, NatGeo, melvni [B][2/2][/B]
name: Custap Lead
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Spikes / Toxic Spikes
move 4: Gyro Ball / Explosion
item: Custap Berry
ability: Sturdy
nature: Brave
evs: 252 Atk
ivs: 0 HP / 0 Def / 0 SpD / 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Say hello to one of Ubers's finest anti-leads and entry hazard users. The release of Custap Berry is a blessing to any Pokemon with Sturdy thanks to its BW mechanics. Even Deoxys-S, a common suicide lead that seems to outclass Forretress is beaten by this set, getting smacked by Gyro Ball and losing the entry hazards it has worked for thanks to Rapid Spin. Sturdy allows Forretress to tank even a Fire Punch or Hidden Power Fire from Deoxys-S, allowing it to go for the Gyro Ball or lay down some entry hazards if it isn't hit by Taunt. Do note that with the combination of Taunt and a Fire-type move, Deoxys-S will manage to limit this set's usefulness. The combination of Custap Berry and Sturdy is deadly on Forretress because it helps it act like an anti-lead and an entry hazard setter at the same time. This combination allows Forretress to almost always get a minimum of two entry hazards up; once when it's attacked and brought down to Custap Berry activation range, and once when Custap Berry gets activated.</p>
<p>The set itself is pretty straightforward. Entry hazards are a blessing for offensive teams, and these are the teams this Forretress fits best on. While slower teams do often enjoy entry hazards, the fast pace of this set makes it a great addition to hyper offensive teams that wish to keep great pressure on their opponent. Rapid Spin is the key to Forretress's anti-hazard role, spinning away the entry hazards the foe worked to get on the field. Gyro Ball hits fairly hard with a Brave nature, 0 Speed IVs, and 252 Attack EVs and is a good emergency tool to take out the likes of weakened Rayquaza, Salamence, Groudon, and more if Custap Berry is in its activation range. You don't need to use Custap Berry immediately; feel free to keep it for emergency uses. Explosion lets Forretress go out with a bang and is capable of OHKOing Ho-Oh after Stealth Rock damage, along with leaving a huge dent in opponents such as Kyogre, Rayquaza, and Palkia. Explosion can also be used to block a Rapid Spin; in fact, it has a 93.75% chance to OHKO 252/32 Tentacruel after Stealth Rock. Toxic Spikes can be used over Spikes to pressure bulky offensive teams, as those teams do not appreciate the additional damage. However, many teams will find Spikes to be more useful than Toxic Spikes overall.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread and nature guarantee that Forretress's Gyro Ball will hit as hard as possible. 0 IVs in HP, Defense, and Special Defense, allows Forretress to get into Custap Berry activation range very quickly: +1 LO Earthquake from Rayquaza and Earth Plate Groudon cannot achieve a KO and activate Forretress's Custap Berry the following turn. Yet, there are many other options for IV and EV spreads. 0 HP IVs paired with 31 Special Defense IVs ensures that Forretress can take two Modest Ice Beams from Kyogre, Lustrous Orb Palkia will only have 6.25% chance to OHKO with STAB Spacial Rend after Stealth Rock, and two Dark Pulses from Leftovers Darkrai will bring Forretress to Custap Berry activation range without Stealth Rock. 13 HP IVs with 31 Defense IVs ensures that Forretress is only 3HKOed by 4 Attack Groudon's Earthquake. A bulky spread is a viable option if your team needs something to take either physical or special attacks; go for Special Defense investment if you need to tank special hits like Draco Meteor and Ice Beam, and vice versa.</p>
<p>This set doesn't have many other options bar Volt Switch, which is a brilliant move option if you wish to scout and catch the opponent's spinblocker or Xatu by surprise. Toxic Spikes should only be used over Spikes; if you use it over Stealth Rock, you get a suicide Pokemon that takes five turns to set up, which is, while somewhat viable, far too many, and if you use it over Gyro Ball or Explosion, Forretress becomes a huge setup fodder and lose versus opposing Deoxys-S.</p>
<p>Any Pokemon that can force switches can take great advantage from this set's qualities. Double Dance Groudon is a great partner; with Stealth Rock and Spikes up, it can sweep easily. Toxic Spikes also puts huge pressure on Arceus formes, making it easier for Groudon to sweep. Rayquaza, thanks to its brute force and insane coverage, can also force switches while smacking the incoming switch with a brutal Dragon-type STAB move. Ghost Arceus and Giratina-O are advised, as they are capable of spinblocking, so Forretress's work won't go to waste. They can also beat Giratina and Xatu, which trouble Forretress in doing its job. Choice Scarf Kyogre can drown Ghost Arceus when health and can force many switches, which will become troublesome for the opponent with Forretress's entry hazards. Deoxys-S running Taunt and a Fire-type move and Darkrai are troublesome for this set. Giratina-O can handle Deoxys-S very easily, limiting it to a single entry hazard with its priority STAB Shadow Sneak, and while Darkrai is harder to deal with on offensive teams, a revenge killer, such as Genesect, Kyogre, or Arceus, should do the trick. Genesect is especially good, as it can force switches and scout the opponent's moves, rack up entry hazard damage, and help escape from the leads Forretress cannot beat.</p>