Name: A whole lot 'a Roserade!
Finally done!
[QC approved: 3/3] [Snunch, Chou Toshio, Oglemi]
[GP approved: 3/2] [TelamonianAjax, Calm Pokemaster, cosmicexplorer]
Roserade
[OVERVIEW]
<p>Roserade is a solid choice for any team in the current UU metagame, as it can effectively perform a plethora of effective roles. It is one of the few Pokemon with access to both Spikes and Toxic Spikes (although not at the same time), and can also absorb Toxic Spikes on the field. Further, it also has access to status-inducing moves such as Sleep Powder, Stun Spore and Toxic. With its ability Natural Cure, it can absorb status effects and get rid of them simply by switching. These traits, in conjunction with its high special bulk and decent Speed, make Roserade a great support Pokemon.</p>
<p>Roserade can also be a potent offensive threat, with its good Speed and high Special Attack. Sleep Powder is also great for offensive sets, and with strong STAB attacks such as Leaf Storm and Sludge Bomb, Roserade can easily sweep. Roserade's biggest let-down is its typing, which gives it weaknesses to common Fire-, Ice-, Psychic-, and Flying-type attacks, forcing it to switch often. With proper team synergy, however, these weaknesses can be worked around, making Roserade a potent threat in UU.</p>
[SET]
name: Toxic Spikes
move 1: Toxic Spikes
move 2: Sleep Powder
move 3: Leaf Storm
move 4: Sludge Bomb
item: Focus Sash / Leftovers
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Roserade is very effective at laying down Toxic Spikes. Thanks to a good Speed stat and access to a Sleep-inducing move in Sleep Powder, it will have enough opportunities to lay down two layers of Toxic Spikes. Further, its offensive stats mean Roserade is not limited to laying down entry hazards. With strong STAB attacks, it will severely dent any non-Poison- or Steel-type Pokemon.</p>
<p>Leaf Storm is Roserade's main STAB attack and a very powerful move.However, because it sharply lowers Special Attack, it usually forces Roserade out. This is usually not a problem, as Roserade will normally be switching in and out often anyway. Sludge Bomb is Roserade's secondary STAB attack, and is the best option for the last slot that grants the widest coverage possible without using a weak Hidden Power. Focus Sash is the best item choice, as it gives Roserade an extra turn to set up Toxic Spikes, barring residual damage. Leftovers is also an option if you can provide the support necessary to keep Roserade around.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>252 Speed EVs with a Timid nature let Roserade outspeed as many threats as possible. Giga Drain can be used over Leaf Storm for consistency, although Roserade is usually too physically frail to effectively utilize the recovery. Hidden Power Ice can be used for better neutral coverage, but Sludge Bomb will do more damage to most threats. Hidden Power Fire hits Steel-type Pokemon for super effective damage, but again, has less overall value. Synthesis can be used to have reliable recovery without drawbacks, though with hail being fairly common, it's not recommended — Roserade only heals back 1/3 of its maximum HP rather than 1/2 in hail. Roserade can also hold a Life Orb, but that's better suited to the offensively-oriented sets.</p>
[SET]
name: Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Rest
item: Leftovers
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Instead of Toxic Spikes, Roserade can also lay down Spikes to great effect. To lay down three layers, you need a Pokemon with either bulk or Speed, and Roserade thus fits the bill perfectly. This set concentrates on bulk and durability while laying down Spikes to support the team. Giga Drain is the main STAB option, because it heals back some of the damage Roserade has dealt to an opponent, helping it survive longer. Sludge Bomb is the secondary STAB attack, and provides acceptable coverage. Rest in the last slot works well with Natural Cure, as it allows Roserade to fully heal itself, then heal the sleep by switching out.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>252 HP EVs maximize overall bulk, and the rest are put into Roserade's defenses. 136 Special Defense EVs give a stat of 280, granting an extra stat point when boosted by the Calm nature, while the rest is thrown into Defense to help Roserade take physical hits. Because Sleep Powder is illegal with Spikes, Stun Spore is an option over any attacking move. Leech Seed is also an option, as this set focuses on durability. Sludge Bomb can be sacrificed for Hidden Power Fire to hit Steel-types super effectively, but without investment in Special Attack, they won't take a lot of damage from it. Therefore, it is usually better to have a status-inducing move to cripple those pesky Steel-type Pokemon. Hidden Power Ice can be used to hit opposing Poison-type Pokemon for at least neutral damage, though Hidden Power in general is just too weak to be worth using over Sludge Bomb. Again, it is a better choice to just induce status. Synthesis can be used over Rest, so you won't be forced to either switch out or wait out two turns to wake up.</p>
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Sleep Powder
move 4: Rest / Synthesis / Hidden Power Fire
item: Life Orb
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Roserade can also run an offensive set to put pressure on your opponents. as with a Life Orb attached, it can dish out huge amounts of damage. Leaf Storm is very powerful, netting a KO on common attackers such as Hitmontop and Nidoqueen that don't invest in Special Defense. Even Pokemon that can take it will not appreciate a STAB, 140 Base Power attack boosted by Life Orb. Sludge Bomb is Roserade's secondary STAB attack, providing additional coverage against opposing Grass-types and also having a small chance to poison the foe. Sleep Powder gives Roserade a chance against Snorlax and Chansey, which otherwise will wall or threaten Roserade.</p>
<p>The last slot is up to preference. Rest can be used to heal back to full health with the intention of switching out to restore status. Synthesis is a more direct healing move, though you run the risk that weather will render it much less effective. With Drought banned in UU, any other weather causes Synthesis to restore only 1/3 of Roserade's maximum health, rather than 1/2. Hidden Power Fire is an option for more coverage, as it can hit the Steel-types that would otherwise wall Roserade for super effective damage.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs and nature are obvious for an all-out attacker. Maximum EVs are invested in Special Attack and Speed, enabling Roserade to hit as hard as possible while outspeeding a good portion of the UU metagame. Giga Drain can be used over Leaf Storm, but Roserade sorely needs the additional power; it is physically too frail, and the Life Orb recoil and residual damage will stack up.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Sleep Powder / Rest
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Roserade can also run a Choice Scarf set to great success. Leaf Storm is a powerful STAB attack that will net a lot of KOs. Sludge Bomb is your secondary STAB move, with a chance to poison the foe while doing heavy damage. It also hits Grass-types that resist Leaf Storm hard. The choice of Hidden Power type depends on what you want to hit. Hidden Power Fire is for the Steel-types in UU, and is by far the most useful. Thanks to Choice Scarf, Roserade will be able to outspeed most threats and put them to sleep first, making Sleep Powder an excellent option for the last moveslot. Rest is also viable, as it works very well with Natural Cure and Roserade's high Speed, extending its longevity by leaps and bounds.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>A Timid nature is recommended on this set, as the Speed is needed to outspeed a larger portion of the metagame. Modest is viable, though, as it provides Roserade greater power. The EVs are very simple: maximum Speed and Special Attack investment allow Roserade to outspeed and hit as hard as possible. Though they might seem to be strange options for a Choice Scarf set, Spikes and Toxic Spikes can be used in the last moveslot; with Roserade's higher Speed, it is harder to Taunt it, giving it more opportunities to lay multiple layers of the entry hazards. Hidden Power Ice can be used instead of Hidden Power Fire to hit unsuspecting Ground-, Dragon-, and Flying-type threats hard; however, without Hidden Power Fire, Roserade is walled cold by Steel-types such as Registeel and Cobalion.</p>
[OTHER OPTIONS]
<p>Offensively, Roserade can use a SubSeed set with Substitute, Leech Seed, Protect or Sleep Powder, and Giga Drain, with Leftovers and an EV spread similar to the Spikes set. Sadly, Roserade is rather outclassed at this strategy—Celebi and Serperior have higher Speed and more bulk, Abomasnow has more bulk and causes more residual damage, and Tangrowth is physically bulkier. A Choice Specs set seems viable, but Roserade just lacks the Speed for such a set to be effective. Extrasensory is an option on the offensive sets, though the moves listed provide better neutral coverage already. Still, Roserade will appreciate having a way to deal with the Poison-types who otherwise wall it to no end. When considering the fact that Roserade often lures in Poison-types who expect to absorb the Toxic Spikes which it sets up, Extrasensory can be a potent surprise weapon.</p>
<p>For more support, Roserade can run a cleric set with Aromatherapy, but such set is greatly outclassed by Chansey,who is much bulkier,and Celebi,who has higher Speed, better typing, and a wider movepool. Roserade can also run a weather support set with Weather Ball, but is just too physically frail. It could work in sandstorm though, as Weather Ball effectively provides Roserade with a Rock-type attack.</p>
[CHECKS AND COUNTERS]
<p>Most strong physical attackers can OHKO Roserade with even a neutral attack. Priority users such as Houndoom, Weavile and Mamoswine can OHKO with priority STAB attacks. Threats like these are the reason why Focus Sash is a very effective item on Roserade, usually allowing it to lay down an extra set of Spikes or Toxic Spikes.</p>
<p>Poison-type Pokemon resist Roserade's STAB attacks and can comfortly take its coverage moves, forcing it out. Most also take little damage from Hidden Power. Steel-types resist Roserade's Grass-type attacks, and are immune to its Poison-type attacks. Unless Roserade packs Hidden Power Fire, they will force it out. In some cases, even Hidden Power Fire fails to do significant damage to Steel-types.</p>
<p>Chansey can take any attack Roserade can fire at it with its monstrous special bulk. Sleep Powder, though, gives Roserade free turns to lay down entry hazards. Chansey also has to be wary of rare Leech Seed variants, as its huge HP heals Roserade much more effectively.</p>
[DREAM WORLD]
<p>Roserade gets Technician from the Dream World. Although it might look interesting, as it does on Scyther and Scizor, very few of Roserade's moves has get a boost. Most notable of these is Magical Leaf, which, after the Technician boost, has more PP and power than Energy Ball. Magical Leaf also can't miss, but this is only notable against Pokemon with Snow Cloak or Sand Veil. With certain lowered IVs, Hidden Power's power can be lowered to get a boost as well. Round and Swift get boosts too, but they don't have any competitive value. Overall, Natural Cure is much more useful.</p>
Finally done!
[QC approved: 3/3] [Snunch, Chou Toshio, Oglemi]
[GP approved: 3/2] [TelamonianAjax, Calm Pokemaster, cosmicexplorer]
Roserade
[OVERVIEW]
<p>Roserade is a solid choice for any team in the current UU metagame, as it can effectively perform a plethora of effective roles. It is one of the few Pokemon with access to both Spikes and Toxic Spikes (although not at the same time), and can also absorb Toxic Spikes on the field. Further, it also has access to status-inducing moves such as Sleep Powder, Stun Spore and Toxic. With its ability Natural Cure, it can absorb status effects and get rid of them simply by switching. These traits, in conjunction with its high special bulk and decent Speed, make Roserade a great support Pokemon.</p>
<p>Roserade can also be a potent offensive threat, with its good Speed and high Special Attack. Sleep Powder is also great for offensive sets, and with strong STAB attacks such as Leaf Storm and Sludge Bomb, Roserade can easily sweep. Roserade's biggest let-down is its typing, which gives it weaknesses to common Fire-, Ice-, Psychic-, and Flying-type attacks, forcing it to switch often. With proper team synergy, however, these weaknesses can be worked around, making Roserade a potent threat in UU.</p>
[SET]
name: Toxic Spikes
move 1: Toxic Spikes
move 2: Sleep Powder
move 3: Leaf Storm
move 4: Sludge Bomb
item: Focus Sash / Leftovers
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Roserade is very effective at laying down Toxic Spikes. Thanks to a good Speed stat and access to a Sleep-inducing move in Sleep Powder, it will have enough opportunities to lay down two layers of Toxic Spikes. Further, its offensive stats mean Roserade is not limited to laying down entry hazards. With strong STAB attacks, it will severely dent any non-Poison- or Steel-type Pokemon.</p>
<p>Leaf Storm is Roserade's main STAB attack and a very powerful move.However, because it sharply lowers Special Attack, it usually forces Roserade out. This is usually not a problem, as Roserade will normally be switching in and out often anyway. Sludge Bomb is Roserade's secondary STAB attack, and is the best option for the last slot that grants the widest coverage possible without using a weak Hidden Power. Focus Sash is the best item choice, as it gives Roserade an extra turn to set up Toxic Spikes, barring residual damage. Leftovers is also an option if you can provide the support necessary to keep Roserade around.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>252 Speed EVs with a Timid nature let Roserade outspeed as many threats as possible. Giga Drain can be used over Leaf Storm for consistency, although Roserade is usually too physically frail to effectively utilize the recovery. Hidden Power Ice can be used for better neutral coverage, but Sludge Bomb will do more damage to most threats. Hidden Power Fire hits Steel-type Pokemon for super effective damage, but again, has less overall value. Synthesis can be used to have reliable recovery without drawbacks, though with hail being fairly common, it's not recommended — Roserade only heals back 1/3 of its maximum HP rather than 1/2 in hail. Roserade can also hold a Life Orb, but that's better suited to the offensively-oriented sets.</p>
[SET]
name: Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Rest
item: Leftovers
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Instead of Toxic Spikes, Roserade can also lay down Spikes to great effect. To lay down three layers, you need a Pokemon with either bulk or Speed, and Roserade thus fits the bill perfectly. This set concentrates on bulk and durability while laying down Spikes to support the team. Giga Drain is the main STAB option, because it heals back some of the damage Roserade has dealt to an opponent, helping it survive longer. Sludge Bomb is the secondary STAB attack, and provides acceptable coverage. Rest in the last slot works well with Natural Cure, as it allows Roserade to fully heal itself, then heal the sleep by switching out.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>252 HP EVs maximize overall bulk, and the rest are put into Roserade's defenses. 136 Special Defense EVs give a stat of 280, granting an extra stat point when boosted by the Calm nature, while the rest is thrown into Defense to help Roserade take physical hits. Because Sleep Powder is illegal with Spikes, Stun Spore is an option over any attacking move. Leech Seed is also an option, as this set focuses on durability. Sludge Bomb can be sacrificed for Hidden Power Fire to hit Steel-types super effectively, but without investment in Special Attack, they won't take a lot of damage from it. Therefore, it is usually better to have a status-inducing move to cripple those pesky Steel-type Pokemon. Hidden Power Ice can be used to hit opposing Poison-type Pokemon for at least neutral damage, though Hidden Power in general is just too weak to be worth using over Sludge Bomb. Again, it is a better choice to just induce status. Synthesis can be used over Rest, so you won't be forced to either switch out or wait out two turns to wake up.</p>
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Sleep Powder
move 4: Rest / Synthesis / Hidden Power Fire
item: Life Orb
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Roserade can also run an offensive set to put pressure on your opponents. as with a Life Orb attached, it can dish out huge amounts of damage. Leaf Storm is very powerful, netting a KO on common attackers such as Hitmontop and Nidoqueen that don't invest in Special Defense. Even Pokemon that can take it will not appreciate a STAB, 140 Base Power attack boosted by Life Orb. Sludge Bomb is Roserade's secondary STAB attack, providing additional coverage against opposing Grass-types and also having a small chance to poison the foe. Sleep Powder gives Roserade a chance against Snorlax and Chansey, which otherwise will wall or threaten Roserade.</p>
<p>The last slot is up to preference. Rest can be used to heal back to full health with the intention of switching out to restore status. Synthesis is a more direct healing move, though you run the risk that weather will render it much less effective. With Drought banned in UU, any other weather causes Synthesis to restore only 1/3 of Roserade's maximum health, rather than 1/2. Hidden Power Fire is an option for more coverage, as it can hit the Steel-types that would otherwise wall Roserade for super effective damage.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs and nature are obvious for an all-out attacker. Maximum EVs are invested in Special Attack and Speed, enabling Roserade to hit as hard as possible while outspeeding a good portion of the UU metagame. Giga Drain can be used over Leaf Storm, but Roserade sorely needs the additional power; it is physically too frail, and the Life Orb recoil and residual damage will stack up.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Sleep Powder / Rest
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Roserade can also run a Choice Scarf set to great success. Leaf Storm is a powerful STAB attack that will net a lot of KOs. Sludge Bomb is your secondary STAB move, with a chance to poison the foe while doing heavy damage. It also hits Grass-types that resist Leaf Storm hard. The choice of Hidden Power type depends on what you want to hit. Hidden Power Fire is for the Steel-types in UU, and is by far the most useful. Thanks to Choice Scarf, Roserade will be able to outspeed most threats and put them to sleep first, making Sleep Powder an excellent option for the last moveslot. Rest is also viable, as it works very well with Natural Cure and Roserade's high Speed, extending its longevity by leaps and bounds.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>A Timid nature is recommended on this set, as the Speed is needed to outspeed a larger portion of the metagame. Modest is viable, though, as it provides Roserade greater power. The EVs are very simple: maximum Speed and Special Attack investment allow Roserade to outspeed and hit as hard as possible. Though they might seem to be strange options for a Choice Scarf set, Spikes and Toxic Spikes can be used in the last moveslot; with Roserade's higher Speed, it is harder to Taunt it, giving it more opportunities to lay multiple layers of the entry hazards. Hidden Power Ice can be used instead of Hidden Power Fire to hit unsuspecting Ground-, Dragon-, and Flying-type threats hard; however, without Hidden Power Fire, Roserade is walled cold by Steel-types such as Registeel and Cobalion.</p>
[OTHER OPTIONS]
<p>Offensively, Roserade can use a SubSeed set with Substitute, Leech Seed, Protect or Sleep Powder, and Giga Drain, with Leftovers and an EV spread similar to the Spikes set. Sadly, Roserade is rather outclassed at this strategy—Celebi and Serperior have higher Speed and more bulk, Abomasnow has more bulk and causes more residual damage, and Tangrowth is physically bulkier. A Choice Specs set seems viable, but Roserade just lacks the Speed for such a set to be effective. Extrasensory is an option on the offensive sets, though the moves listed provide better neutral coverage already. Still, Roserade will appreciate having a way to deal with the Poison-types who otherwise wall it to no end. When considering the fact that Roserade often lures in Poison-types who expect to absorb the Toxic Spikes which it sets up, Extrasensory can be a potent surprise weapon.</p>
<p>For more support, Roserade can run a cleric set with Aromatherapy, but such set is greatly outclassed by Chansey,who is much bulkier,and Celebi,who has higher Speed, better typing, and a wider movepool. Roserade can also run a weather support set with Weather Ball, but is just too physically frail. It could work in sandstorm though, as Weather Ball effectively provides Roserade with a Rock-type attack.</p>
[CHECKS AND COUNTERS]
<p>Most strong physical attackers can OHKO Roserade with even a neutral attack. Priority users such as Houndoom, Weavile and Mamoswine can OHKO with priority STAB attacks. Threats like these are the reason why Focus Sash is a very effective item on Roserade, usually allowing it to lay down an extra set of Spikes or Toxic Spikes.</p>
<p>Poison-type Pokemon resist Roserade's STAB attacks and can comfortly take its coverage moves, forcing it out. Most also take little damage from Hidden Power. Steel-types resist Roserade's Grass-type attacks, and are immune to its Poison-type attacks. Unless Roserade packs Hidden Power Fire, they will force it out. In some cases, even Hidden Power Fire fails to do significant damage to Steel-types.</p>
<p>Chansey can take any attack Roserade can fire at it with its monstrous special bulk. Sleep Powder, though, gives Roserade free turns to lay down entry hazards. Chansey also has to be wary of rare Leech Seed variants, as its huge HP heals Roserade much more effectively.</p>
[DREAM WORLD]
<p>Roserade gets Technician from the Dream World. Although it might look interesting, as it does on Scyther and Scizor, very few of Roserade's moves has get a boost. Most notable of these is Magical Leaf, which, after the Technician boost, has more PP and power than Energy Ball. Magical Leaf also can't miss, but this is only notable against Pokemon with Snow Cloak or Sand Veil. With certain lowered IVs, Hidden Power's power can be lowered to get a boost as well. Round and Swift get boosts too, but they don't have any competitive value. Overall, Natural Cure is much more useful.</p>
