Forretress
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[Overview]
- Forretress' ability to provide support via Rapid Spin and entry hazards is unmatched by any other pokemon
- Forretress can switch into many physical threats
- Has a glaring Fire weakness and can not defend itself.
- Sturdy now has a better effect in that it acts as a Focus Sash when Forretress is at full health which means if needed, it can take a Fire attack.
- Overall Forretress is relatively the same in 5th Gen as it was in 4th Gen.
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Spikes/ Toxic Spikes
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Gyro Ball/ Payback
move 4: Earthquake/ Explosion
item: Shed Shell/ Leftovers
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP/ 112 Atk/ 144 Def
ivs: 0 Speed IV
Set Comments:
- Switch in when Forretress is not threatened and start setting entry hazards or Rapid Spin away enemy hazards.
- Gyro Ball is great for hurting fast attackers like Gengar and Dragon Dance Dragonite.
- Payback hits Ghosts that try to block its spin;Payback has the benefit of almost always being a 100 BP move due to Forretress' low speed.
- Earthquake gets good coverage and KOs counters like Magnezone and Heatran after Stealth Rock.
- Explosion prevents the opponent from using Forretress as setup fodder though the nerf of Explosion means it will do considerably less.
- The choice of entry hazard depends on whether you would like to hit grounded pokemon harder or beat defensive pokemon that are completely crippled by Toxic Spikes.
- Shed Shell is often the better item in Gen V with the introduction of Shadow Tag pokemon like Shandera who can easily set up on Forretress.
- Leftovers can be used if you do not fear the previously mentioned pokemon or if you prefer the immediate recovery which makes up for Forretress' lack of reliable recovery.
- The obvious Fire types easily counter Forretress.
- Many setup sweepers like Lucario and Gyarados use Forretress as setup fodder.
- Rotom-a is a good partner as it can slap on a Choice Scarf and revenge kill troublesome pokemon that Forretress struggles with.
- Defensive Water types resist Fire moves and also can adequately handle the threats that set up on Forretress.
- Although the two share a Fire weakness, Defensive Celebi is a good partner due to its ability to stop Gyarados and Kingdra and cripples other sweepers with Thunder Wave.
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Toxic Spikes
move 3: Rapid Spin
move 4: Payback
item: Leftovers/ Shed Shell
nature: Careful/ Impish
evs: 252 HP/ 4 Def/ 252 SpD
Set Comments:
- Although its Special Defense is not its main attraction, Forretress, when running a Special Defensive spread, is able to use its resists to switch into many powerful Special Attacks.
- Forretress still retains enough bulk to set up on many physical threats.
- When paired with Forretress' slow speed, Payback is your strongest attack and is used for beating pokemon like Gengar.
- Leftovers is better on this set as it turns many 3HKOs into 4HKOs. It also has the benefit of augmenting Forretress' survivability.
- If you value Forretress too much, then Shed Shell is still a viable option as it allows Forretress to escape Magnezone and Shandera.
- This Forretress is easily weared down by multiple, powerful, physical attacks so it should be backed up with another physical wall like Groudon or Lugia. \
- Tyranitar is also a great option as it has Sand Stream to contribute to the resisdual damage and it can easily sponge Fire attacks with its boosted Special Defense.
- Forretress appreciates a good Wish user like Blissey.
- Pokemon that resist Fire type like Swampert, Blissey, and Tyranitar are good partners. They offer Roar, Wish, Sand Stream to the team respectively.
- Forretress must be paired with a spin blocker in order to be used effectively. Shandera is a threatening sweeping and also has Flash Fire to absorb Fire attacks aimed at Forretress.
- Forretress does not have much in the form of offense and is best used on a defensive core that can take advantage of the secondary damage it offers.
- Heatran can easily switch in and threaten, though it must watch out for Earthquake.
- Magnezone and Shandera can trap Forretress and procede to set up on it.
- Forretress is not very threatening offensively, but it must be addressed right away less you allow it to rack up entry hazards on your side of the field.
- Volt Change is a new move that Forretress got in 5th Gen. It can be used to escape trappers and prevent Gyarados from setting up on you as easily.
- Reflect and Light Screen are interesting support options that Forretress can utilize.
- Pain Split can be used for recovery, but it is unreliable and usually Forretress does not have enough space on its moveset to use it.
- Forretress gets Stealth Rock, but it is usually an inferior support option has Forretress has Toxic Spikes and Spikes which are not as widelyspread as Stealth Rock is.
- Forretress gets Dustproof which allows Forretress to work well on hail teams.
