[OVERVIEW]
Forretress's huge Defense stat lets it act as one of the best physical sponges in the tier, being able to switch into threats like Linoone, Flygon, and Bewear. Its access to all entry hazards and Rapid Spin makes it an appealing choice on teams that desire its ability to compress several roles in one, and its access to slow Volt Switch allows it to bring teammates in safely and avoid as much passivity as possible. Forretress's amazing typing only leaves it with a single weakness, although its neutrality to Rock and Flying as a Steel-type can put a strain on teambuilding. However, Forretress's extremely lacking base 60 Special Defense makes special attackers a huge threat to watch out for. Due to Forretress's lacking offensive presence beyond Volt Switch and Toxic, it is easily spinblocked by common Ghost-types like Mismagius, Jellicent, and Doublade, while hazard removers such as Mega Blastoise, Gligar, and Mandibuzz are able to switch into it with impunity and remove whatever hazards Forretress had set up; this is somewhat mitigated by Forretress's ability to pivot out of them or put them on a timer with Toxic, however. Furthermore, a lack of reliable recovery means it is prone to being whittled down by Stealth Rock and other residual damage. Although Forretress's very low Speed stat will increase Gyro Ball's power, it will otherwise often be moving last against most Pokemon in the tier, which hinders its ability as a spinner and hazard setter; Pokemon like Rhyperior are able to KO it before it gets the opportunity to use Rapid Spin or Spikes. Lastly, Forretress possesses a crippling weakness to Fire, the best offensive typing in the meta, which severely undermines its defensive utility.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Gyro Ball
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Rapid Spin / Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Overcoat
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Gyro Ball is Forretress's most consistent attacking move, and when coupled with its very low Speed, it will often have a high Base Power. Spikes is a useful support move that is able to punish switches. Volt Switch allows Forretress to pivot into another teammate and helps Forretress avoid being too passive and letting Pokemon set up on it. Rapid Spin lets Forretress act as entry hazard removal to support Pokemon like Yanmega and Moltres. However, it usually isn't a very successful spinner due to the number of Ghost-types that are able to spinblock it, such as Mismagius, Jellicent, and Doublade. Toxic lets it pressure more defensive hazard removers and spinblockers, such as Mandibuzz and Jellicent.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread lets Forretress maximize its physical bulk, allowing it to easily switch into threats such as Flygon and set Spikes or spin on them. Leftovers is the preferred item due to the passive recovery it grants. Overcoat allows Forretress to not be whittled down by hail from Mega Abomasnow and Vanilluxe and lets Forretress counter non-Hidden Power Fire Roserade and Venusaur, although both variants are rare. Forretress can alternatively invest in Special Defense to check some specific special attackers better, such as Mega Abomasnow and Choice Specs Gardevoir, although this means it would be less effective as a physical blanket check, and its Special Defensive is still mediocre when invested in.
Usage Tips
========
Use Forretress as a sponge against physical attackers like Zygarde-10% and Escavalier, and use Spikes or Rapid Spin when given free turns by them. Do not attempt to utilize it as a wall over extended periods of time, as Forretress is prone to being whittled down and won't be able to effectively pivot into the threats it's supposed to check. Instead, it performs excellently as a defensive pivot, switching into attacks and pivoting out to safety, bringing another teammate in with Volt Switch. Use Volt Switch against sweepers that can use Forretress as setup fodder to prevent them from cleaning your team. When an opposing Ghost-type is on the field, try and predict if it will attempt to switch into Forretress to spinblock it, and switch into an appropriate countermeasure or use Toxic on them. While it cannot switch into powerful special attacks, Forretress's wonderful defensive typing does allow it to come into certain resisted attacks such as Blizzard from Mega Abomasnow and Moonblast from Gardevoir. Try and spread Toxic poison as much as possible to cripple walls such as Cresselia and Mandibuzz.
Team Options
========
Forretress appreciates support from clerics like Umbreon, which grant it far more longevity with Wish. Similarly, Healing Wish users such as Gardevoir and Shaymin pair well with Forretress. Due to its crippling Fire weakness, a solid Fire-resistant Pokemon such as Milotic, Rhyperior, Snorlax, or Noivern is necessary so your team is not as vulnerable to powerful Fire-types like Entei, Ninetales, and Salazzle. Forretress pairs well with wallbreakers and sweepers like Pangoro, Roserade, and Zygarde-10% that appreciate a slow and safe Volt Switch. A Pokemon with Pursuit like Drapion, Sneasel, or Aerodactyl is able to eliminate Ghost-types that may try to spinblock Forretress, allowing you to control entry hazards far more reliably. Pokemon like Ghost-types, Taunt users, and Competitive Milotic are able to deter the hazards Forretress sets up from being removed.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Counter is a serviceable option that lets Forretress be less passive and beat slower and bulkier Pokemon such as Rhyperior and Curse Mega Steelix. Pin Missile is an option that nails common entry hazard removers like Espeon, Rotom-C, and Tsareena, as well as other Psychic-types like Meloetta that can otherwise freely set up on Forretress, but it is very hard to fit on a moveset. Forretress has access to Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes; however, these entry hazards are usually less useful than Spikes because of the former being more common than Spikes and the latter being easily removed by the plethora of relevant Poison-types in the tier.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Fire-types like Ninetales, Salazzle, and Entei are able to switch into Forretress with impunity and OHKO it due to its 4x weakness to Fire.
**Special Attackers**: Forretress's very lacking Special Defense stat makes special attackers a huge threat to it. However, it is able to take a few resisted hits from some weaker special threats like Mega Abomasnow's Blizzard.
**Setup Sweepers**: Forretress's lack of offenses makes it setup bait versus Pokemon like Salazzle, Snorlax, and Barbaracle. Although Volt Switch allows it to escape these matchups, it still gives them a free turn.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types are able to switch into Forretress and spinblock it easily, preventing Forretress from accomplishing one of its roles.
**Water-types**: Pokemon like Milotic and Jellicent are able to switch into Forretress with ease and threaten it with Scald. Additionally, Jellicent can spinblock Forretress, while Milotic doesn't care about Toxic due to Refresh.
**Taunt and Trick Users**: Taunt users such as Mandibuzz, Jellicent, and Mismagius can prevent Forretress from setting Spikes, while Trick users such as Gardevoir and Espeon can cripple it by Tricking a Choice item.
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