[OVERVIEW]
There is no Pokemon in BW OU with the same effectiveness as a supporter as Ferrothorn. With a great defensive typing, good stats, and a fantastic support movepool that includes Spikes, Stealth Rock, and Knock Off, it is an invaluable addition to offensive and defensive teams alike. The ability to absorb powerful hits from and check Dragon-type attackers like Latios, Kyurem-B, Dragonite, and Salamence gives Ferrothorn many opportunities to switch in, as does its ability to take powerful Water-type attacks like Hydro Pump from Choice Specs Keldeo and Starmie. Once in, it can set entry hazards, remove the foe's item, or use either of its two powerful STAB moves. However, it must always watch out for a Scald burn from bulky Water-types and Will-O-Wisp from Rotom-W and Jellicent, since being burned greatly reduces its utility. Burn is so fundamental in breaking Ferrothorn that most rain teams spam Scald versus it just to fish for the 30% burn chance. Ferrothorn must also watch out for Trick Latios, since being Choice-locked basically removes it from the game. Its other drawbacks are its Fighting weakness, 4x Fire weakness, and lack of reliable recovery.
[SET]
name: Standard
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Knock Off / Leech Seed
move 3: Power Whip / Gyro Ball
move 4: Stealth Rock / Gyro Ball / Worry Seed / Leech Seed
item: Leftovers
ability: Iron Barbs
nature: Careful / Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 208 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Since Ferrothorn is the best Spikes user in the tier, Spikes is mandatory on all of its movesets, and the move also gives it something to do after switching in on a foe that can't touch it. Knock Off's main functions are crippling opposing Ferrothorn blocking it from hazard stacking while recovering HP with Leftovers and discouraging Breloom and Gliscor from switching in for fear of having their Toxic Orbs removed. Knock Off also makes Heatran and Thundurus-T, two notorious Ferrothorn checks, afraid of switching in directly, since both of them hate losing Leftovers. If your team has other ways of dealing with opposing Ferrothorn, Leech Seed is an option to deal passive damage and heal, but it can be dangerous, since there are a lot of Substitute users in the tier and it gives Grass-types and Magic Guard users a free switch-in. Power Whip and Gyro Ball are Ferrothorn's best attacking options, hitting the majority of the standard metagame for at least neutral damage. Each of these two moves has its merits; the former primarily slams Water-types, such as Rotom-W, Jellicent, Starmie, Politoed, and Keldeo, and punishes Excadrill and Tentacruel that try to use Rapid Spin. The latter is generally more effective against faster Pokemon and those that resist Power Whip such as Latios, Dragonite, Kyurem-B, and Breloom and, unlike Power Whip, it breaks a Substitute from Thundurus-T. Be aware that Gyro Ball has low PP. Because Ferrothorn's Attack stat is less than impressive without any investment, there are several alternatives to running both attacking moves. Stealth Rock is a good option, since Ferrothorn can enter several times in a match to lay entry hazards, and using it also frees up your teammates' moveslots. Worry Seed puts pressure on Gliscor and Breloom that will try to set up on Ferrothorn and wins the matchup against opposing Ferrothorn when used after Knock Off. Worry Seed also lets Ferrothorn escape Magnezone's Magnet Pull; this is most effective in rain, which forces Magnezone to either use a weakened Hidden Power Fire or give Ferrothorn a free Worry Seed turn by using Sunny Day. If those moves are not needed, Thunder Wave has merit as a method of crippling faster powerful threats that often enjoy switching into Ferrothorn, but it doesn't pair well with Gyro Ball.
Set Details
========
With a Careful nature, 208 Special Defense EVs optimize Ferrothorn's bulk and let it survive three Draco Meteors from Choice Specs Latios so it has more opportunities to lay Spikes. If using Gyro Ball, then a Sassy nature with 0 Speed IVs is optimal.
Usage Tips
========
Let Ferrothorn absorb hard-hitting special moves like Draco Meteor from Latios to have opportunities to lay entry hazards. Use Ferrothorn as an opposing Ferrothorn check if your team has difficulties with it; Knock Off is Ferrothorn's second most important move in this situation. Keeping opposing Ferrothorn from recovering HP via Leftovers is extremely helpful in all games. You can also double switch Ferrothorn into a Pokemon that doesn't like to stomach a Power Whip, like Rotom-W or Politoed, so it can use Spikes or Knock Off freely. Take advantage of Ferrothorn's defensive capabilities early-game to lay entry hazards or cripple opposing Pokemon as quickly as possible. Pay attention to whether Iron Barbs damage can prevent Rapid Spin or U-turn spam from opposing Pokemon. Try to avoid getting Ferrothorn burned, since it reduces a lot of its defensive and support potential by putting it on a timer and making its attacks very weak. Be wary of Tentacruel when the rain is up, as it can easily defeat Ferrothorn if it successfully fishes for a Scald burn, and Substitute Tentacruel can PP stall Power Whip and win the matchup with no trouble at all.
Team Options
========
Rotom-W adds another Water-type check to the team, especially for Keldeo, and helps Ferrothorn by bringing it in safely via Volt Switch or burning opposing Pokemon like Landorus-T, Garchomp, Excadrill, and opposing Ferrothorn. Other Keldeo checks and switch-ins to Fire-type moves like Jellicent, Tentacruel, Gastrodon, Slowking, and Seismitoad are also very good partners. Jellicent in particular makes an interesting combination with Ferrothorn, since they together resist every attacking type in the game outside of Flying and Ground. Jellicent is also capable of spinblocking after Ferrothorn sets entry hazards. Ferrothorn also benefits from teammates that can scare off the Steel-types that give it trouble, namely Skarmory, Heatran, and Excadrill. Landorus-T and Gliscor are awesome partners, since both can check Excadrill, check Fighting-types like Terrakion, and free up Ferrothorn's Stealth Rock moveslot, letting it to be more effective in the match. Politoed also deserves a special mention, since Ferrothorn has formidable defensive synergy with rain teams; its Fire weakness is halved, and it is an awesome Dragon sponge for rain teams. Hard-hitting Pokemon like Latios, Alakazam, Reuniclus, Thundurus-T, Keldeo, Terrakion, Garchomp, and Tyranitar love the extra damage Spikes provides, which makes most 3HKOs become 2HKOs and 2HKOs become OHKOs. Latios particularly is one of Ferrothorn's best teammates, helping keep Keldeo and Heatran in check and loving the Spikes and Knock Off support Ferrothorn provides.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Lum Berry or Rawst Berry can be used to nullify a burn from Rotom-W's Will-O-Wisp or Politoed's Scald before immediately retaliating with Power Whip. Shed Shell can be used on more defensive teams to let Ferrothorn Spikes stack with no fear of Magnezone, but the lack of Leftovers recovery cripples its ability to check Pokemon like Choice Specs Latios, and Shed Shell also forces it to play more conservatively versus Knock Off users so it doesn't lose to Magnet Pull. Rocky Helmet can be used on more offensive teams to better punish U-turn from Landorus-T and Rapid Spin from Excadrill and Tentacruel, but normally Ferrothorn gets more use from another item. Chople Berry can be used to survive a hit from Keldeo or Terrakion and KO back with Power Whip, but the lack of Leftovers recovery again makes Ferrothorn struggle in some matches. Protect can be used to stack Leftovers and Leech Seed recovery and scout opposing Choice item users, but it is difficult to fit on Ferrothorn's moveset. Endeavor has some merit on more offensive teams to keep pressuring the opposing team after a couple of entry hazards are down, but this is heavily dependent on good predictions. In the opposite direction, Rest can be used to fully restore Ferrothorn's utility and remove status, since some teams have difficulty in dealing with it outside of stalling for a burn, but in most games Ferrothorn doesn't have the free time necessary to wake up from the sleep. A Impish or Relaxed nature with 48 or 88 Defense EVs can be used to have more balanced defenses, but Ferrothorn normally prefers being able to better enter against Choice Specs Latios. With this in mind, a set with a Careful or Sassy nature and 252 Special Defense EVs to optimize the Latios matchup is possible, but this leaves Ferrothorn a bit vulnerable to Earthquake from Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Excadrill. More offensive sets with Choice Band or Swords Dance are possible but not worth using, since this function is better executed by other Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Magnezone**: Magnezone can trap Ferrothorn with Magnet Pull and defeat it in any weather with Hidden Power Fire and Sunny Day or use it as setup fodder with Substitute and Charge Beam.
**Heatran**: Heatran resists both of Ferrothorn's STAB moves and threatens it out with a Fire-type move, allowing it to set up Stealth Rock or a Substitute.
**Thundurus-T**: Thundurus-T resists both of Ferrothorn's STAB moves and can safely set up a Substitute versus Ferrothorn that lack Gyro Ball. Further, it can set up with Agility or Nasty Plot versus any Ferrothorn variant and threaten it out with Focus Blast.
**Reuniclus**: Reuniclus can set up Calm Mind with almost no risk versus Ferrothorn, since Power Whip isn't a 2HKO. It can also set up Trick Room easily and threaten to KO Ferrothorn with a Life Orb-boosted Focus Blast.
**Passive Damage**: Getting Ferrothorn burned is one of the best ways to deal with it, since burn reduces its Attack stat to mediocre levels and puts it on a timer. Will-O-Wisp users like Rotom-W and Mew threaten Ferrothorn, as do Scald burns, which are the only way for defensive Water-types like Politoed, Tentacruel, and support Starmie to deal with it. Tentacruel deserves a special mention, since Substitute Tentacruel always defeats Ferrothorn if the rain is up. Also, having Spikes on the field heavily reduces the number of times Ferrothorn can switch in, especially if it was hit by Knock Off, reducing its effectiveness as a supporter throughout the game.
**Fighting-types**: Breloom can switch into Ferrothorn, set up a Substitute, and use a boosting move or threaten it out with Drain Punch. However, it must beware of Knock Off and Thunder Wave if its Toxic Orb hasn't activated, as well as Gyro Ball and Worry Seed. Strong Fighting-types like Keldeo and Terrakion threaten an immediate KO with Secret Sword or Close Combat, respectively. Mienshao forces Ferrothorn out immediately with High Jump Kick, and Toxicroak can use Ferrothorn as Substitute fodder, since it can outstall Gyro Ball's PP with rain support.
**Fire-types and Fire-type Moves**: Outside of rain, Fire-types like Volcarona and Victini and Pokemon that can use powerful Fire-type moves like Garchomp, Tyranitar, and Hydreigon can immediately threaten Ferrothorn.
**Taunt**: Pokemon like Jellicent, Skarmory, and Mew can nullify almost all of Ferrothorn's impact by preventing Spikes, Stealth Rock, or other support moves with Taunt. They are also not bothered by Ferrothorn's attacking moves because of their typings or access to Will-O-Wisp.
**Trick**: Pokemon like Latios and Latias can cripple Ferrothorn by passing it a Choice Specs, Choice Scarf, or Flame Orb.
**Xatu**: Xatu's Magic Bounce blocks any entry hazards from Ferrothorn, and it can enter on any of Ferrothorn's moves and outstall it with the combination of Reflect, Roost, and Night Shade.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Caetano93, 394051]]
- Quality checked by: [[Finchinator, 114198], [M Dragon, 21345]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [Estronic, 240732]]
There is no Pokemon in BW OU with the same effectiveness as a supporter as Ferrothorn. With a great defensive typing, good stats, and a fantastic support movepool that includes Spikes, Stealth Rock, and Knock Off, it is an invaluable addition to offensive and defensive teams alike. The ability to absorb powerful hits from and check Dragon-type attackers like Latios, Kyurem-B, Dragonite, and Salamence gives Ferrothorn many opportunities to switch in, as does its ability to take powerful Water-type attacks like Hydro Pump from Choice Specs Keldeo and Starmie. Once in, it can set entry hazards, remove the foe's item, or use either of its two powerful STAB moves. However, it must always watch out for a Scald burn from bulky Water-types and Will-O-Wisp from Rotom-W and Jellicent, since being burned greatly reduces its utility. Burn is so fundamental in breaking Ferrothorn that most rain teams spam Scald versus it just to fish for the 30% burn chance. Ferrothorn must also watch out for Trick Latios, since being Choice-locked basically removes it from the game. Its other drawbacks are its Fighting weakness, 4x Fire weakness, and lack of reliable recovery.
[SET]
name: Standard
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Knock Off / Leech Seed
move 3: Power Whip / Gyro Ball
move 4: Stealth Rock / Gyro Ball / Worry Seed / Leech Seed
item: Leftovers
ability: Iron Barbs
nature: Careful / Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 208 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Since Ferrothorn is the best Spikes user in the tier, Spikes is mandatory on all of its movesets, and the move also gives it something to do after switching in on a foe that can't touch it. Knock Off's main functions are crippling opposing Ferrothorn blocking it from hazard stacking while recovering HP with Leftovers and discouraging Breloom and Gliscor from switching in for fear of having their Toxic Orbs removed. Knock Off also makes Heatran and Thundurus-T, two notorious Ferrothorn checks, afraid of switching in directly, since both of them hate losing Leftovers. If your team has other ways of dealing with opposing Ferrothorn, Leech Seed is an option to deal passive damage and heal, but it can be dangerous, since there are a lot of Substitute users in the tier and it gives Grass-types and Magic Guard users a free switch-in. Power Whip and Gyro Ball are Ferrothorn's best attacking options, hitting the majority of the standard metagame for at least neutral damage. Each of these two moves has its merits; the former primarily slams Water-types, such as Rotom-W, Jellicent, Starmie, Politoed, and Keldeo, and punishes Excadrill and Tentacruel that try to use Rapid Spin. The latter is generally more effective against faster Pokemon and those that resist Power Whip such as Latios, Dragonite, Kyurem-B, and Breloom and, unlike Power Whip, it breaks a Substitute from Thundurus-T. Be aware that Gyro Ball has low PP. Because Ferrothorn's Attack stat is less than impressive without any investment, there are several alternatives to running both attacking moves. Stealth Rock is a good option, since Ferrothorn can enter several times in a match to lay entry hazards, and using it also frees up your teammates' moveslots. Worry Seed puts pressure on Gliscor and Breloom that will try to set up on Ferrothorn and wins the matchup against opposing Ferrothorn when used after Knock Off. Worry Seed also lets Ferrothorn escape Magnezone's Magnet Pull; this is most effective in rain, which forces Magnezone to either use a weakened Hidden Power Fire or give Ferrothorn a free Worry Seed turn by using Sunny Day. If those moves are not needed, Thunder Wave has merit as a method of crippling faster powerful threats that often enjoy switching into Ferrothorn, but it doesn't pair well with Gyro Ball.
Set Details
========
With a Careful nature, 208 Special Defense EVs optimize Ferrothorn's bulk and let it survive three Draco Meteors from Choice Specs Latios so it has more opportunities to lay Spikes. If using Gyro Ball, then a Sassy nature with 0 Speed IVs is optimal.
Usage Tips
========
Let Ferrothorn absorb hard-hitting special moves like Draco Meteor from Latios to have opportunities to lay entry hazards. Use Ferrothorn as an opposing Ferrothorn check if your team has difficulties with it; Knock Off is Ferrothorn's second most important move in this situation. Keeping opposing Ferrothorn from recovering HP via Leftovers is extremely helpful in all games. You can also double switch Ferrothorn into a Pokemon that doesn't like to stomach a Power Whip, like Rotom-W or Politoed, so it can use Spikes or Knock Off freely. Take advantage of Ferrothorn's defensive capabilities early-game to lay entry hazards or cripple opposing Pokemon as quickly as possible. Pay attention to whether Iron Barbs damage can prevent Rapid Spin or U-turn spam from opposing Pokemon. Try to avoid getting Ferrothorn burned, since it reduces a lot of its defensive and support potential by putting it on a timer and making its attacks very weak. Be wary of Tentacruel when the rain is up, as it can easily defeat Ferrothorn if it successfully fishes for a Scald burn, and Substitute Tentacruel can PP stall Power Whip and win the matchup with no trouble at all.
Team Options
========
Rotom-W adds another Water-type check to the team, especially for Keldeo, and helps Ferrothorn by bringing it in safely via Volt Switch or burning opposing Pokemon like Landorus-T, Garchomp, Excadrill, and opposing Ferrothorn. Other Keldeo checks and switch-ins to Fire-type moves like Jellicent, Tentacruel, Gastrodon, Slowking, and Seismitoad are also very good partners. Jellicent in particular makes an interesting combination with Ferrothorn, since they together resist every attacking type in the game outside of Flying and Ground. Jellicent is also capable of spinblocking after Ferrothorn sets entry hazards. Ferrothorn also benefits from teammates that can scare off the Steel-types that give it trouble, namely Skarmory, Heatran, and Excadrill. Landorus-T and Gliscor are awesome partners, since both can check Excadrill, check Fighting-types like Terrakion, and free up Ferrothorn's Stealth Rock moveslot, letting it to be more effective in the match. Politoed also deserves a special mention, since Ferrothorn has formidable defensive synergy with rain teams; its Fire weakness is halved, and it is an awesome Dragon sponge for rain teams. Hard-hitting Pokemon like Latios, Alakazam, Reuniclus, Thundurus-T, Keldeo, Terrakion, Garchomp, and Tyranitar love the extra damage Spikes provides, which makes most 3HKOs become 2HKOs and 2HKOs become OHKOs. Latios particularly is one of Ferrothorn's best teammates, helping keep Keldeo and Heatran in check and loving the Spikes and Knock Off support Ferrothorn provides.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Lum Berry or Rawst Berry can be used to nullify a burn from Rotom-W's Will-O-Wisp or Politoed's Scald before immediately retaliating with Power Whip. Shed Shell can be used on more defensive teams to let Ferrothorn Spikes stack with no fear of Magnezone, but the lack of Leftovers recovery cripples its ability to check Pokemon like Choice Specs Latios, and Shed Shell also forces it to play more conservatively versus Knock Off users so it doesn't lose to Magnet Pull. Rocky Helmet can be used on more offensive teams to better punish U-turn from Landorus-T and Rapid Spin from Excadrill and Tentacruel, but normally Ferrothorn gets more use from another item. Chople Berry can be used to survive a hit from Keldeo or Terrakion and KO back with Power Whip, but the lack of Leftovers recovery again makes Ferrothorn struggle in some matches. Protect can be used to stack Leftovers and Leech Seed recovery and scout opposing Choice item users, but it is difficult to fit on Ferrothorn's moveset. Endeavor has some merit on more offensive teams to keep pressuring the opposing team after a couple of entry hazards are down, but this is heavily dependent on good predictions. In the opposite direction, Rest can be used to fully restore Ferrothorn's utility and remove status, since some teams have difficulty in dealing with it outside of stalling for a burn, but in most games Ferrothorn doesn't have the free time necessary to wake up from the sleep. A Impish or Relaxed nature with 48 or 88 Defense EVs can be used to have more balanced defenses, but Ferrothorn normally prefers being able to better enter against Choice Specs Latios. With this in mind, a set with a Careful or Sassy nature and 252 Special Defense EVs to optimize the Latios matchup is possible, but this leaves Ferrothorn a bit vulnerable to Earthquake from Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Excadrill. More offensive sets with Choice Band or Swords Dance are possible but not worth using, since this function is better executed by other Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Magnezone**: Magnezone can trap Ferrothorn with Magnet Pull and defeat it in any weather with Hidden Power Fire and Sunny Day or use it as setup fodder with Substitute and Charge Beam.
**Heatran**: Heatran resists both of Ferrothorn's STAB moves and threatens it out with a Fire-type move, allowing it to set up Stealth Rock or a Substitute.
**Thundurus-T**: Thundurus-T resists both of Ferrothorn's STAB moves and can safely set up a Substitute versus Ferrothorn that lack Gyro Ball. Further, it can set up with Agility or Nasty Plot versus any Ferrothorn variant and threaten it out with Focus Blast.
**Reuniclus**: Reuniclus can set up Calm Mind with almost no risk versus Ferrothorn, since Power Whip isn't a 2HKO. It can also set up Trick Room easily and threaten to KO Ferrothorn with a Life Orb-boosted Focus Blast.
**Passive Damage**: Getting Ferrothorn burned is one of the best ways to deal with it, since burn reduces its Attack stat to mediocre levels and puts it on a timer. Will-O-Wisp users like Rotom-W and Mew threaten Ferrothorn, as do Scald burns, which are the only way for defensive Water-types like Politoed, Tentacruel, and support Starmie to deal with it. Tentacruel deserves a special mention, since Substitute Tentacruel always defeats Ferrothorn if the rain is up. Also, having Spikes on the field heavily reduces the number of times Ferrothorn can switch in, especially if it was hit by Knock Off, reducing its effectiveness as a supporter throughout the game.
**Fighting-types**: Breloom can switch into Ferrothorn, set up a Substitute, and use a boosting move or threaten it out with Drain Punch. However, it must beware of Knock Off and Thunder Wave if its Toxic Orb hasn't activated, as well as Gyro Ball and Worry Seed. Strong Fighting-types like Keldeo and Terrakion threaten an immediate KO with Secret Sword or Close Combat, respectively. Mienshao forces Ferrothorn out immediately with High Jump Kick, and Toxicroak can use Ferrothorn as Substitute fodder, since it can outstall Gyro Ball's PP with rain support.
**Fire-types and Fire-type Moves**: Outside of rain, Fire-types like Volcarona and Victini and Pokemon that can use powerful Fire-type moves like Garchomp, Tyranitar, and Hydreigon can immediately threaten Ferrothorn.
**Taunt**: Pokemon like Jellicent, Skarmory, and Mew can nullify almost all of Ferrothorn's impact by preventing Spikes, Stealth Rock, or other support moves with Taunt. They are also not bothered by Ferrothorn's attacking moves because of their typings or access to Will-O-Wisp.
**Trick**: Pokemon like Latios and Latias can cripple Ferrothorn by passing it a Choice Specs, Choice Scarf, or Flame Orb.
**Xatu**: Xatu's Magic Bounce blocks any entry hazards from Ferrothorn, and it can enter on any of Ferrothorn's moves and outstall it with the combination of Reflect, Roost, and Night Shade.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Caetano93, 394051]]
- Quality checked by: [[Finchinator, 114198], [M Dragon, 21345]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [Estronic, 240732]]
Last edited:
