Right, I'm taking over Froslass too, thanks to Rising_Dusk and Bloo. (That rhymes!!!)
Feel free to suggest sets!
QC Approvals: 1/3 Bloo, 2/3 PK Gaming, 3/3 Iconic
GP Checks: 1/2 Calm Pokemaster, 2/2 zdrup15
Other: Proofreads by NixHex and Telamonian Ajax
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[Overview]
<p>Froslass is a Pokemon with a few key traits keeping it from being a viable contender for a consistent spot in the OU metagame. Its unique Ghost and Ice typing gives it a niche in that no other Pokemon shares its great dual STABs. However, Froslass's typing will often prove to be its downfall ultimately, as it gives Froslass weaknesses to common Fire-, Rock-, and Ghost-type attacks, allowing many Pokemon to bring it down with ease. Froslass's main boon, though, is its ability to set up Spikes and block Rapid Spin simultaneously. With Taunt, it can also block opposing setup, forcing the opponent to attack Froslass, and this can be easily remedied with Destiny Bond, giving it a free KO. All in all, Froslass can work well as an offensive Spikes user, and fits exceptionally well on hail teams, thanks to its ability, Snow Cloak, and a 100% accurate Blizzard. Sub-par stats and a mediocre movepool on the whole prevent Froslass from performing effectively, but if used with the right team support, it can be an effective Pokemon.</p>
[SET]
name: Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Ice Beam / Blizzard
move 4: Destiny Bond
item: Leftovers
ability: Snow Cloak
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Froslass's lone niche in the OU metagame is its combination of high Speed, access to Spikes, and Ghost typing. This simple Spikes set allows Froslass to abuse its access to the fairly exclusive move, and in conjunction with its Ghost typing, Froslass can set up Spikes without worrying about them being spun away. Taunt is another great move in Froslass's arsenal, allowing it to prevent other Pokemon from setting up most of the time, thanks to its high base 110 Speed. The final support move Froslass is able to offer is Destiny Bond. In conjunction with Taunt, Froslass can easily score itself a KO, as the opponent is forced to attack, meaning Froslass brings it down as well. There are two options for an offensive move. Ice Beam is Froslass's most reliable STAB move, and has a decent Base Power. However, considering that Froslass is mostly used on hail teams to abuse Snow Cloak, Blizzard can be used for its higher Base Power.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread maximizes Froslass's Speed and HP, allowing it to set up entry hazards with ease most of the time. Froslass can run some other attacking options instead of Ice Beam or Blizzard. Shadow Ball deals significant damage to Psychic-types such as Reuniclus. However, Froslass then passes up the opportunity to act as a check to Landorous and Gliscor, three of the premier threats in the metagame. Finally, Froslass can choose to use Icy Wind in the last slot to slow down an opposing Pokemon, allowing it to get off Destiny Bond first most of the time.</p>
<p>Regarding EVs, Froslass can tweak its spread in a few different ways. Shifting the HP EVs to Special Attack is viable; Froslass's attacking move gains a lot more power, allowing it to do significant damage to bulkier Pokemon. For example, an unboosted Reuniclus is now 2HKOed by Shadow Ball, meaning that it cannot reliably switch in. Other changes include buffing up Froslass's defenses, which allows it to set up Spikes more reliably. However, the EV spread listed is more reliable, as it gives Froslass perhaps the best possible combination of bulk and Speed.</p>
<p>When looking for teammates to pair with Froslass, Abomasnow immediately comes to mind. The hail it brings allows Froslass to dodge attacks occasionally and possibly set up another layer of Spikes, as well as giving Blizzard perfect accuracy. Since Froslass will be setting up Spikes, a Pokemon that can force switches is a great teammate. Specs Rotom-W is a great example, as it can Volt Switch out of Pokemon that it threatens, forcing the switch-in to take damage from Spikes. Phazers such as Latias also work well.</p>
<p>Steel-types are perhaps the best counters to Froslass. Scizor is the best overall, as it can KO Froslass with Bullet Punch before it uses Destiny Bond, while taking it out with Pursuit if it decides to switch. Tyranitar is in a similar position, as both of its STAB attacks are super effective, although it must watch out for Destiny Bond. The main thing to remember when countering Froslass is that the threat of Destiny Bond is always present. For this reason, it is better to counter it with a faster Pokemon that doesn't particularly mind Ice-type attacks. One such example is Choice Scarf Tyranitar.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>To be honest, Froslass can run a multitude of different sets, but none of them are very effective in OU. Substitute and Snow Cloak can make an effective set, but Froslass's mediocre base 80 Special Attack and poor bulk usually invalidate this strategy. Toxic can be used on all sets, and it gives Froslass a way to damage common switch-ins such as Tyranitar. However, it won't do anything to the omnipresent Steel-types that often switch into Froslass. Finally, a Choice Specs set with Blizzard can do good damage, but on the whole, it is outclassed by other Pokemon such as Kyurem.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Scizor is perhaps the best counter to Froslass, as Bullet Punch and Pursuit allow it to take down Froslass easily. Tyranitar also makes a fine check, as it can KO a fleeing Froslass with Pursuit while threatening with Crunch or Stone Edge, should Froslass stay in. Ironically, entry hazards are a major issue for Froslass, as it takes 25% from Stealth Rock and is vulnerable to Spikes. Finally, any Steel-type will almost completely wall Froslass, and can safely take it down with a STAB attack, provided Froslass is not using Destiny Bond.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Cursed Body might appear to be a decent ability on paper, but Froslass is so frail that it will often get KOed by the hit that activates Cursed Body, making Snow Cloak the superior option the majority of the time.</p>
<p>Froslass is a Pokemon with a few key traits keeping it from being a viable contender for a consistent spot in the OU metagame. Its unique Ghost and Ice typing gives it a niche in that no other Pokemon shares its great dual STABs. However, Froslass's typing will often prove to be its downfall ultimately, as it gives Froslass weaknesses to common Fire-, Rock-, and Ghost-type attacks, allowing many Pokemon to bring it down with ease. Froslass's main boon, though, is its ability to set up Spikes and block Rapid Spin simultaneously. With Taunt, it can also block opposing setup, forcing the opponent to attack Froslass, and this can be easily remedied with Destiny Bond, giving it a free KO. All in all, Froslass can work well as an offensive Spikes user, and fits exceptionally well on hail teams, thanks to its ability, Snow Cloak, and a 100% accurate Blizzard. Sub-par stats and a mediocre movepool on the whole prevent Froslass from performing effectively, but if used with the right team support, it can be an effective Pokemon.</p>
[SET]
name: Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Ice Beam / Blizzard
move 4: Destiny Bond
item: Leftovers
ability: Snow Cloak
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Froslass's lone niche in the OU metagame is its combination of high Speed, access to Spikes, and Ghost typing. This simple Spikes set allows Froslass to abuse its access to the fairly exclusive move, and in conjunction with its Ghost typing, Froslass can set up Spikes without worrying about them being spun away. Taunt is another great move in Froslass's arsenal, allowing it to prevent other Pokemon from setting up most of the time, thanks to its high base 110 Speed. The final support move Froslass is able to offer is Destiny Bond. In conjunction with Taunt, Froslass can easily score itself a KO, as the opponent is forced to attack, meaning Froslass brings it down as well. There are two options for an offensive move. Ice Beam is Froslass's most reliable STAB move, and has a decent Base Power. However, considering that Froslass is mostly used on hail teams to abuse Snow Cloak, Blizzard can be used for its higher Base Power.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread maximizes Froslass's Speed and HP, allowing it to set up entry hazards with ease most of the time. Froslass can run some other attacking options instead of Ice Beam or Blizzard. Shadow Ball deals significant damage to Psychic-types such as Reuniclus. However, Froslass then passes up the opportunity to act as a check to Landorous and Gliscor, three of the premier threats in the metagame. Finally, Froslass can choose to use Icy Wind in the last slot to slow down an opposing Pokemon, allowing it to get off Destiny Bond first most of the time.</p>
<p>Regarding EVs, Froslass can tweak its spread in a few different ways. Shifting the HP EVs to Special Attack is viable; Froslass's attacking move gains a lot more power, allowing it to do significant damage to bulkier Pokemon. For example, an unboosted Reuniclus is now 2HKOed by Shadow Ball, meaning that it cannot reliably switch in. Other changes include buffing up Froslass's defenses, which allows it to set up Spikes more reliably. However, the EV spread listed is more reliable, as it gives Froslass perhaps the best possible combination of bulk and Speed.</p>
<p>When looking for teammates to pair with Froslass, Abomasnow immediately comes to mind. The hail it brings allows Froslass to dodge attacks occasionally and possibly set up another layer of Spikes, as well as giving Blizzard perfect accuracy. Since Froslass will be setting up Spikes, a Pokemon that can force switches is a great teammate. Specs Rotom-W is a great example, as it can Volt Switch out of Pokemon that it threatens, forcing the switch-in to take damage from Spikes. Phazers such as Latias also work well.</p>
<p>Steel-types are perhaps the best counters to Froslass. Scizor is the best overall, as it can KO Froslass with Bullet Punch before it uses Destiny Bond, while taking it out with Pursuit if it decides to switch. Tyranitar is in a similar position, as both of its STAB attacks are super effective, although it must watch out for Destiny Bond. The main thing to remember when countering Froslass is that the threat of Destiny Bond is always present. For this reason, it is better to counter it with a faster Pokemon that doesn't particularly mind Ice-type attacks. One such example is Choice Scarf Tyranitar.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>To be honest, Froslass can run a multitude of different sets, but none of them are very effective in OU. Substitute and Snow Cloak can make an effective set, but Froslass's mediocre base 80 Special Attack and poor bulk usually invalidate this strategy. Toxic can be used on all sets, and it gives Froslass a way to damage common switch-ins such as Tyranitar. However, it won't do anything to the omnipresent Steel-types that often switch into Froslass. Finally, a Choice Specs set with Blizzard can do good damage, but on the whole, it is outclassed by other Pokemon such as Kyurem.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Scizor is perhaps the best counter to Froslass, as Bullet Punch and Pursuit allow it to take down Froslass easily. Tyranitar also makes a fine check, as it can KO a fleeing Froslass with Pursuit while threatening with Crunch or Stone Edge, should Froslass stay in. Ironically, entry hazards are a major issue for Froslass, as it takes 25% from Stealth Rock and is vulnerable to Spikes. Finally, any Steel-type will almost completely wall Froslass, and can safely take it down with a STAB attack, provided Froslass is not using Destiny Bond.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Cursed Body might appear to be a decent ability on paper, but Froslass is so frail that it will often get KOed by the hit that activates Cursed Body, making Snow Cloak the superior option the majority of the time.</p>
