Rampardos (QC 0/3)

cartercr

[Overview]

[p]With amazing base 165 Attack and an outstanding movepool, one wonders why the beast that is Rampardos fails to even be considered for UU. This, of course, is due to its horrid speed and its terrible defenses. Nevertheless, Rampardos can be threatening with a Choice Scarf attached or in Trick Room.[/p]

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Stone Edge
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Zen Headbutt
move 4: ThunderPunch
item: Chocie Scarf
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

[p]This set is great for revenge killing. Stone Edge hits anything that doesn't resist it hard, and its high critical hit ratio is very welcome for a revenge killer. What isn't welcome is the accuracy issues, though, and you can opt for Rock Slide if you want, but the difference is noticeable.[/p]

[p]Earthquake is used mainly for coverage, providing excellent coverage as the combination (due to Mold Breaker) is resisted only by Torterra. Zen Headbutt is used for Fighting-types and Grass-types, and ThunderPunch is for Electric-types. While these are probably the best options Surf can be used to KO Rhyperior, though you would need one layer of Spikes as well as Stealth Rock up to achieve more than a 50% chance to KO it. This would leave you completely open to Water-types such as Suicune.[/p]

[SET]
name: Trick Room Sweeper
move 1: Head Smash
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Hammer Arm
move 4: Zen Headbut
item: Choice Band
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Brave
ev's: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
iv's: 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

[p]With Trick Room up, horrible speed stats turn into valuable tools. This stands true for Rampardos as well. With TR up, Choice Band Head Smash absolutely destroys everything. Earthquake as mentioned before is very nice as it is only resisted by Torterra. Hammer Arm hits Chansey, because you do not want to Head Smash Chansey. Please repeat after me. "I will not Head Smash Chansey." After that, Zen Headbutt is just for the Fighting-types that like to try to kill Rampardos.[/p]

[Other Options]

[p]While Rampardos has a plethora of options, most of its best options are Special moves. While it would be possible to run a Special set or even a mixed set, it lacks serious power, and is very gimmiky. Brick Break is a move that can be used, as is Head Smash on the Scarf set. Rock Slide is Rampardos's next best STAB move, due to the accuracy of it. Payback and Crunch can be used to take out Psychic-types, but most are frail enough to fear a Stone Edge or Head Smash. It also gets Hammer Arm and Iron Head, but neither of them are very useful. Curse stands as one of its only set up moves that are possible. Boosting both its Attack and Defense, but its atrocious Speed and Defense can end up getting it KO'd before it can set up a Curse. That said, Curse is somewhat viable in TR, though it would cost you the ability to stop certain threats.

[Checks and Counters]

Fighting types, bulky Water-types, bulky Grass-types. Essentially, if it can survive a hit from Rampardos it can probably revenge kill it. Hippowdon also stands well to take any of its hits and KO with Earthquake. Suicune is another example of a great counter. Mach Punch from Hitmontop is a very powerful threat, and Intimidate can stop Rampardos from hitting hard even with Zen Headbutt.

[Dream World]

Rampardos gets the amazing ability Sheer Force in the Dream World. Sheer Force would be very nice with the Choice Scarf set, as the power bonus is very much appreciated.
 
Definitely mention a CB / LO TR Rampardos Sweeper. There are plenty of mons in UU to set up TRoom, most notably Slowbro, Porygon2, and Mew.

CB Rampardos
252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Brave Nature | 0 Spe IVs
~ Stone Edge / Rock Slide
~ Head Smash
~ Hammer Arm
~ Zen Headbutt

Although maximizing HP is not the best way to optimize its defensive capabilities, you want lots of HP to cushion the nasty 50% recoil from the awesome Head Smash. Hammer Arm provides great coverage, and is mainly for Chansey, which you DON'T want to Head Smash. Zen Headbutt takes care of Intimidate Hitmontop. Otherwise, Head Smash provides the raw power to break through most resistances.

LO Rampardos
16 HP | 252 Atk | 240 SAtk
~ Stone Edge
~ Hammer Arm
~ Zen Headbutt
~ Ice Beam

This warrants its own set, because LO Ice Beam provides a much more reliable way of getting past physically defensive Hippowdon than CB Head Smash. Even without its DW Ability, the LO provides sufficient boost to 2HKO most Hippowdons and Tangrowth and OHKO Gligar.

I added 16 HP EVs, which I assume provides a LO HP number (__9). If my assumption is wrong, simply maximize its SAtk EVs instead.
 
Yeah its on the PUFUUA list and its pretty mediocre in UU. I wouldn't run it over Pokemon like Rhyperior and Aggron. CB Aqua Tail form both Aggron and Rhyperior outdamage do slightly less damage than LO Ice Beam vs Hippowdon, but since they can invest in speed they're more useful at taking out Hippowdon.

QC REJECTED (1/3)
 
In a metagame where incredibly sturdy rock resists are some of the most seen pokemon (Hippowdon, Rhyperior, Hitmontop), I can't see this working. Defensively, Rampardos' horrible bulk means that it can't counter the pokemon that a rock type is expected to; CB Stoutland just outright 2hkos it with Frustration. Offensively, it can't break through common walls, defensively it can't switch in on resisted hits, Rampardos really just has nothing going for it.

QC REJECTED 2/3
 
Okay, I would just like to point out two things.

#1 The analysis was approved.


Oglemi said:
You can post a thread on Rampardos, but it may end up rejected, just a heads up!

Shuckle gets a big ol' no from me
Click to expand...


#2 This analysis isn't done. Before everyone starts turning this down, why not wait to see if maybe there is some viability in using Rampardos. An outstanding base 165 Atk and Mold Breaker (which increases its effectiveness with a choice set) are a pretty good reason to use it.
 
So then why did you post a thread if you weren't ready yet? You had better include some pretty convincing logs to try and change the QCers minds, but for now it looks like Rampardos will end up getting rejected.
 
Oglemi said:
So then why did you post a thread if you weren't ready yet? You had better include some pretty convincing logs to try and change the QCers minds, but for now it looks like Rampardos will end up getting rejected.
Click to expand...

Well I knew from past experience that the Scarf set works. If you guys need logs, I'll post them.
 
I think the real question isn't "can this thing work or not;" it's "what can this do in a tier where it's basically completely outclassed." That's what QC is getting at, and that's what you need to provide proof of.
 
Ahhhhhh......Clefable. said:
I think the real question isn't "can this thing work or not;" it's "what can this do in a tier where it's basically completely outclassed." That's what QC is getting at, and that's what you need to provide proof of.
Click to expand...

Well the scarf set revenge kills with a higher attack stat than anything else that does the same job. It's coverage is great (and once again I point out that Mold Breaker makes Earthquake easier to predict with) and with the scarf attached it will tie positive natured base 95 speed Pokemon. Rampardos does have some things going for it.
 
Arguing for it here isn't going to help you much. I suggest providing logs to show that Rampardos can be effective in UU. And I don't mean just one log of how you beat some idiot new to battling, I mean at least 5 logs that show that Rampardos can actually do something in the UU metagame.
 
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