Introduction
Grass was always an underwhelming type throughout Monotype, until early USM, when it started to gain popularity thanks to Chaitanya. Its ability to easily win matchups against strong types in the metagame such as Dark, Electric, Fairy, and Water made it an excellent anti-metagame choice in tournaments. Grass in Monotype has traditionally been built as more of a balanced team. However, this team takes a more offensive approach to balance, bringing in techs and Pokemon that allow it to beat its common weaknesses and work in the current metagame. The team still has the defensive backbone of Mega Venusaur and Ferrothorn, acting as defensive glue for the team. Cradily was dropped for more offensive options, as it did not offer any valuable utility that was not already covered by Mega Venusaur and Ferrothorn. Breloom and Celebi are traditional offensive Pokemon on Grass teams, with Breloom having a tech in Continental Crush, allowing it to take on Flying-types such as Celesteela and Mandibuzz more easily. Decidueye and Whimsicott are the twists that set apart Grass teams from its previous builds. They allow Grass teams to take on types such as Psychic and Dragon, traditionally tricky matchups for the type. Overall, this team has propelled the type from being rather lackluster and made it a strong anti-metagame pick.
Team Members
Celebi @ Expert Belt
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Recover
Since Grass teams are very weak to Steel teams because of Pokemon, such as Mega Scizor, Celesteela, and Heatran, they have had to find ways to get around that. This Celebi can pick apart Steel teams after Celesteela is slightly weakened and Heatran's Air Balloon is popped. Nasty Plot, alongside Expert Belt, allows Celebi to boost its Special Attack to more easily take on Pokemon, such as Toxapex, Alolan Muk, and Excadrill, while also allowing it to OHKO Mega Scizor after a boost with Hidden Power Fire. Recover tops off Celebi's health, allowing it to easily set up Nasty Plot and continually pivot into attacks throughout the game such as Celesteela's Heavy Slam and Gliscor's Earthquake.
Decidueye @ Spooky Plate
Ability: Long Reach
EVs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Shadow Sneak
- Sucker Punch
- Swords Dance
- Spirit Shackle
Traditionally, Grass teams have had a hard time against Psychic teams due to the fact Mega Gallade + Victini could easily break past the Grass team's defensive core. Spooky Plate allows Decidueye to increase the power of its Ghost-type attacks, allowing it to have a better matchup against Psychic teams. Swords Dance allows Decidueye to boost its power, enabling it to take on threats such as Victini with Shadow Sneak after a Swords Dance and Stealth Rock chip damage. Swords Dance alongside Spirit Shackle allows Decidueye to trap and take on bulkier Pokemon, such as Celesteela and Gliscor, for the team. Sucker Punch allows Decidueye to hit Meloetta on Psychic teams, which is otherwise immune to its Ghost-type attacks. Roost can be used over Sucker Punch, which helps Decidueye set up more easily against Pokemon such as Toxapex. However, that means that Decidueye cannot hit Normal-type Pokemon, such as Meloetta. Decidueye's Speed investment allows it to outpace Choice Band Victini after a drop from V-create, allowing it to safely click Spirit Shackle.
Whimsicott @ Pixie Plate
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 44 Def / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 208 Spe
Timid Nature
- Tailwind
- Knock Off
- Moonblast
- U-turn
Whimsicott improves the team's matchup against Fighting- and Dragon-type Pokemon such as Mega Gallade, Kyurem-B, and Kommo-o, which otherwise can be difficult for the team to deal with. Its part Fairy typing also prevents Kommo-o from easily omni-boosting with its Z-Move. Tailwind allows Whimsicott to give its teammates some extra Speed, since there is no dedicated Choice Scarf user on the team, as well as allowing Whimsicott to be faster than Greninja. Knock Off specifically will enable Whimsicott to neuter Alolan Muk by removing its pinch Berry, allowing it to be taken down by its teammates, as well as removing other defensive Pokemon's items for the team such as Chansey's Eviolite. Moonblast is Whimsicott's main attack that allows it to take on Dragon-type Pokemon for the team such as Hydreigon, Kyurem-B, and Kommo-o. U-turn allows Whimsicott to pick up momentum and pairs nicely with Tailwind, allowing its teammates to take advantage of it longer. Whimsicott's investment in its Defense allows it to take two Extreme Speeds from non-Choice Band Dragonite.
Venusaur-Mega @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 HP / 136 Def / 120 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sludge Bomb
- Giga Drain
- Synthesis
- Sleep Powder
Mega Venusaur is a defensive staple on all Grass teams. Thick Fat allows it to take Ice- and Fire-type attacks with more ease, which enables it to take on threats such as Nidoking more easily. Giga Drain and Sludge Bomb are its main STAB attacks that every set uses. Synthesis helps Mega Venusaur stay healthy throughout the match, allowing it to continually switch into attacks such as Keldeo's Hydro Pump and Celesteela's Heavy Slam. Chlorophyll alongside Sleep Powder allows Mega Venusaur to put Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y to sleep, allowing it to temporarily check it. Sleep Powder can also be used to enable its teammates, such as Celebi, Decidueye, and Breloom, to set up with more ease. Mega Venusaur's EVs allow it to more easily switch into threatening Pokemon to the type such as Nidoking with more ease once it has Mega Evolved.
Breloom @ Rockium Z
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
- Mach Punch
- Bullet Seed
Breloom is the team's Z-Move user; Continental Crush allows Breloom to take on bulky Flying-type Pokemon such as Mandibuzz and Celesteela after a Swords Dance. Mach Punch allows Breloom to take care of threats such as Greninja and Excadrill for the team as well as Heatran after a Swords Dance boost. Bullet Seed is its Grass STAB move that allows it to take on Water- and Ground-type on Pokemon, such as Toxapex, Swampert, Gastrodon, and Hippowdon. Its Jolly nature enables it to be faster than threats such as Adamant Diggersby, Pelipper, and Dragonite. Breloom opts to not use Spore because Mega Venusaur already fills that slot, allowing it to increase its coverage.
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 248 HP / 200 Def / 60 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Leech Seed
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Protect
Ferrothorn is the second part of the team's defensive core. Its EVs allow it to take physical attacks better such as one Close Combat from unboosted Mega Gallade. The rest is dumped into its Special Defense. Gyro Ball allows Ferrothorn to nail threats like Kyurem-B and Latios for damage. Ferrothorn is the team's Stealth Rock setter, which is important, as teams that can typically beat Grass do not appreciate Stealth Rock. Finally, Leech Seed + Protect allow Ferrothorn to have a form of residual recovery while also allowing it to scout attacks from Choice-locked Pokemon such as Dragonite and Keldeo.
Threatlist
Dragon Teams - Dragon teams are always a problem for Grass; between Kyurem-B claiming a KO every time it comes in with Ice Beam, Kommo-o being able to set up Clangorous Soulblaze and have Flamethrower + Drain Punch as coverage, and Dragonite being able to clean up with Extreme Speed, it is hard for Grass to overcome this matchup. However, this Grass team has Whimsicott, which can act as a wincon against Dragon teams and prevent Kommo-o from omni-boosting with its Z-Move.
Flying Teams - Flying is another very difficult matchup for Grass. With Tornadus being able to easily hit everything for good damage with Hurricane along with access to U-turn, Defog, and Regenerator, it is hard for Grass teams to really chip Flying down. Other Flying-type Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y, Dragonite, and Celesteela are also difficult for Grass teams to take on. Breloom's Swords Dance + Continental Crush and Whimsicott's Tailwind is the only slim chance that Grass has of beating Flying. Mega Venusaur can also take advantage of Chlorophyll before Mega Evolving in order to be faster than Mega Charizard Y in sun and put it to sleep.
Fire Teams - There is very little Grass can do against Fire teams, since all Fire teams are offensively oriented and fast-paced. They practically run through Grass without really giving anything ever the chance to set up.
Poison Teams - Poison teams are another tough matchup for Grass; between Grass being unable to break opposing Mega Venusaur, it also has to deal with threats such as Nidoking, Crobat, and Salazzle. All of these Pokemon have super effective coverage against Grass teams and are difficult to switch into. Salazzle can take advantage of its resistances to easily set up Substitute and dish out Toxic and Flamethrower with ease.
Mega Scizor + Heatran - Specifically on Steel teams, Mega Scizor and Heatran give Grass teams a lot of trouble. Between Mega Scizor's bulk and Swords Dance and Heatran's access to powerful Fire-type STAB attacks, Grass can be very easily dismantled. However, if Heatran's Air Balloon is popped, Celebi then has the chance to set up a Nasty Plot on a Pokemon such as Ferrothorn; its coverage can be hard for Steel teams to recover.
Landorus + Nidoking - While Ground teams are not a bad matchup for Grass, these two specifically put a lot of pressure on the team. With their ability in Sheer Force and powerful shared coverage of Earth Power and Sludge Wave as well as Nidoking's Ice Beam and Flamethrower, they can wear Grass teams down rather quickly.
Victini - Victini is the main reason the Psychic matchup is hard to play against. Every time it comes in, it claims a free KO with V-create or picks up momentum with U-turn. However, Decidueye has enough investment to be able to outspeed Choice Band Victini after one V-create and OHKO it with Spirit Shackle.
Greninja - Ordinary Greninja sets do not pose much of a threat to Grass teams; however, due to how flexible Greninja is with Protean, it can create an anti-Grass set with the combination of Ice Beam, Hidden Power Fire, and Extrasensory, which hits everything on the type for super effective damage. The best chance to beat this Greninja set is by timing the priority that Breloom and Decidueye have to come in and take it out.
Supersonic Skystrike Zeraora - Supersonic Skystrike Zeraora can set up with Bulk Up and punch holes through Grass teams with Supersonic Skystrike and Close Combat. However, Supersonic Skystrike needs to be well-timed in order to take on Mega Venusaur or this set will have a harder time breaking past the team.Replays
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7monotype-936560831 Sabella vs Cam | MPL V Week 1
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7monotype-946951803 Trichotomy vs ima | MPL V Week 6
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7monotype-969464850 Waszap vs FLCL | MPL V Finals
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7monotype-877732009 Prosaic vs Vodoom | Monotype WCOP Week 2
Celebi @ Expert Belt
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Recover
Decidueye @ Spooky Plate
Ability: Long Reach
EVs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Shadow Sneak
- Sucker Punch
- Swords Dance
- Spirit Shackle
Whimsicott @ Pixie Plate
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 44 Def / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 208 Spe
Timid Nature
- Tailwind
- Knock Off
- Moonblast
- U-turn
Venusaur-Mega @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 HP / 136 Def / 120 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sludge Bomb
- Giga Drain
- Synthesis
- Sleep Powder
Breloom (M) @ Rockium Z
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
- Mach Punch
- Bullet Seed
Ferrothorn (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 248 HP / 200 Def / 60 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Leech Seed
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Protect
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Recover
Decidueye @ Spooky Plate
Ability: Long Reach
EVs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Shadow Sneak
- Sucker Punch
- Swords Dance
- Spirit Shackle
Whimsicott @ Pixie Plate
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 44 Def / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 208 Spe
Timid Nature
- Tailwind
- Knock Off
- Moonblast
- U-turn
Venusaur-Mega @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 HP / 136 Def / 120 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sludge Bomb
- Giga Drain
- Synthesis
- Sleep Powder
Breloom (M) @ Rockium Z
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
- Mach Punch
- Bullet Seed
Ferrothorn (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 248 HP / 200 Def / 60 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Leech Seed
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Protect
Created by: Chaitanya
Written by: maroon
Quality checked by: Eien
Grammar checked by: deetah
Art by: Image by Ticken & Text by TPP