[OVERVIEW]
- Given that Rampardos has the highest Attack stat in the PU metagame at base 165, there is no doubt that it's a potent physical wallbreaker.
- It can also perform reasonably well as a Choice Scarf user or suicide lead.
- Rampardos' wide movepool further supports its offensive prowess, allowing it to run many different sets which adds to its unpredictability.
- It has two amazing abilities in Sheer Force and Mold Breaker, which allow Rampardos to punch holes through teams.
- Despite its niches, Rampardos is mediocre largely due to its terrible defensive typing that leaves it weak to the common Mach Punch, poor bulk, and middling Speed.
- Moreover, Rampardos is largely outclassed by Lycanroc-Day as well as other offensive Rock-types such as Aurorus and Omastar.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Head Smash
move 2: Rock Slide
move 3: Pursuit / Superpower
move 4: Zen Headbutt
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpDef / Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- At 150 Base Power, combined with STAB, Head Smash will do significant to anything that doesn't resist it.
- Albeit slightly weaker, Rock Slide is another STAB move that has slightly higher accuracy.
- Pursuit picks off weakened Pokemon and Ghost- and Psychic-types including Oricorio-G and Jynx.
- Superpower permits Rampardos to OHKO Rock-resistant Pokemon such as Aggron that it would otherwise be walled by.
- Zen Headbutt provides good coverage against the plethora of common Fighting-types in the tier, namely Gurdurr, Hitmonchan, Primeape, Poliwrath, and Throh.
Set Details
========
- Maximum Attack EVs augment Rampardos' exceptional Attack stat.
- 252 EVs are put into Speed to make Rampardos as fast as possible.
- Combined with Choice Scarf, a Jolly nature is strongly preferred to outspeed Pokemon including Alolan Raichu, Swanna, and Scyther that an Adamant nature Rampardos could not.
- Sheer Force gives a 30% boost to Rock Slide and Zen Headbutt, increasing the damage output of those moves by a significant amount.
Usage Tips
========
- Rampardos should be brought in on a slow U-Turn or Volt Switch from Pokemon such as defensive Mesprit or Lanturn. This preserves Rampardos' health, increasing its longevity and wallbreaking potential.
- Otherwise, it should be brought in on offensive Pokemon that are under the base 112 Speed tier, and may then score a surprise KO.
- Rampardos can be brought in to kill, maim, and destroy early game, or it can be brought in later to pick off weakened defensive cores.
Team Options
========
- Oricorio-G and defensive Mesprit checks super-effective Fighting- and Ground-types moves aimed at Rampardos. In exchange, Rampardos can terrorize their checks and counters including Skuntank and Aggron with its powerful attacks.
- Rampardos appreciates Grass- and Ice-type partners including Lilligant and Froslass that can handle defensive Ground-types like Mudsdale.
- It also enjoys Stealth Rock support from Pokemon like Clefairy, as it pressures the opponent's team when Rampardos forces switches.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- A Life Orb + Sheer Force set with Rock Slide, Earthquake, Fire Punch, and Ice Beam can turn Rampardos into an imposing walllbreaker with few reliable switch-ins. Unfortunately, in exchange for this extra firepower, it sacrifices much of its Speed and can comfortably be taken care of by the surplus of faster threats in the tier.
- Rock Polish amends these issues by doubling its Speed, but it takes a valuable turn to set up and because of Rampardos' low bulk, it isn't easy to do that.
- Rampardos could also be a good kamikaze lead considering its high Attack stat and its access to Stealth Rock and Endeavor. Regardless, it is eclipsed by Lycanroc-Day in this role; Lycanroc-Day is much faster and has Taunt to shut down opposing hazard setters like Weezing.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Mudsdale**: Mudsdale can easily tank any of Rampardos' hits, and with its ability Stamina, will even benefit from the physical attacks by getting a Defense boost. In turn, Mudsdale can OHKO Rampardos with Earthquake or safely set up Stealth Rock.
**Fighting-types**: Gurdurr, Hitmonchan, Poliwrath, and Choice Scarf Primeape, can threaten Rampardos with their supereffective STAB moves. While Choice Scarf Primeape cleanly takes it out with Close Combat, Gurdurr and Hitmonchan can 2HKO Rampardos with Mach Punch. However, they must beware of Zen Headbutt as it 2HKOes the former three and OHKOes the latter.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster threats such as Lycanroc-Day, Floatzel, Alolan Sandslash under hail, and Choice Scarf users including Togedemaru all outspeed Rampardos and can faint it with their strong attacks.
**Status*: Burn, sleep, and paralysis will inhibit Rampardos' offensive capabilities and can essentially neutralize it as a threat. Unless remedied by Heal Bell or Aromatherapy, Rampardos will no longer pose a major threat to the opposing team.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [m3p0, 432205]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
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