GMars
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[OVERVIEW]
Ferroseed has an excellent typing with a wide array of resistances along with good bulk thanks to Eviolite, and its access to Spikes lets it support sweepers and wallbreakers as well as defensive archetypes. Ferroseed can take advantage of the large number of passive Pokemon in the RU metagame, such as Bronzong, Cresselia, Florges, Snorlax, and Comfey, as an opportunity to set up Spikes. In addition, Ferroseed has a good matchup against most entry hazard removal options through the combination of Leech Seed and Iron Barbs; Iron Barbs punishes Rapid Spin, while Leech Seed punishes repeated Defog attempts, allowing Ferroseed to pressure hazard removers. Unfortunately, Ferroseed is troubled by its low offensive stats, leaving it passive and potentially exploitable by setup sweepers. Threatening Pokemon such as Reuniclus and Heracross can easily take advantage of its passive nature to place pressure on its team. Outside of Leech Seed, Ferroseed lacks reliable recovery options; its reliance on Eviolite additionally means it cannot viably use Leftovers for passive healing. This can leave Ferroseed less consistent than other Spikes setters—in particular, Ferroseed faces heavy competition from Chesnaught as a defensive Spikes user due to Chesnaught's better recovery and offensive presence.
[SET]
name: Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Protect
move 4: Gyro Ball / Knock Off
item: Eviolite
ability: Iron Barbs
nature: Relaxed
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Spikes is Ferroseed's primary niche, quickly wearing down grounded foes to support Ferroseed's teammates. Leech Seed is Ferroseed's only form of recovery, but it can provide decent health due to Ferroseed's low base HP stat. Protect allows for more Leech Seed recovery and enables Ferroseed to scout for Choice-locked moves. Gyro Ball allows Ferroseed to deal solid damage to Fairy-types and prevents Minior from using Ferroseed as setup fodder. Because Ferroseed has extremely low Speed, Gyro Ball's likely high Base Power can offset Ferroseed's otherwise low offensive stats. Knock Off can be used to punish switch-ins such as Gligar and Dhelmise as well as remove Life Orb from Pokemon like Feraligatr, improving Ferroseed's walling ability. Seed Bomb is another option, as it allows Ferroseed to handle Substitute variants of Feraligatr and otherwise deal decent damage to the Water-types Ferroseed checks.
Set Details
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Eviolite boosts Ferroseed's Defense and Special Defense by 50%, giving it the bulk it needs to function in the RU metagame. 248 HP EVs are used to maximize Ferroseed's mixed bulk while minimizing residual damage against opposing Spikes. 252 Defense EVs with a Relaxed nature allow Ferroseed to more effectively check physically offensive threats like Feraligatr and Flygon and boost Gyro Ball's power. Iron Barbs is Ferroseed's only ability, but it is useful in providing chip damage against attackers that typically use contact moves, such as Feraligatr and Sharpedo. Iron Barbs also has the benefit of punishing Rapid Spin.
Usage Tips
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Bring Ferroseed in on the Pokemon it is able to check, such as physically offensive Water-types like Feraligatr. Early on, especially if the opponent lacks entry hazard removal, stack Spikes. If the opponent does have a hazard remover that can easily switch into Ferroseed, such as Flygon or Mantine, either double switch or use Leech Seed for recovery. As Ferroseed lacks reliable recovery, make sure Ferroseed maintains enough health to check threatening Pokemon like Feraligatr and Sharpedo. Avoid letting Ferroseed get burned by Pokemon such as Milotic, Mantine, and Jellicent, as this will cut into Ferroseed's longevity and remove its offensive presence.
Team Options
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Wallbreakers such as Heracross and Ninetales appreciate Ferroseed's Spikes weakening their checks and turning would-be 2HKOs into OHKOs. Ferroseed's Spikes and ability to spread chip damage through Iron Barbs and Leech Seed additionally help sweepers such as Feraligatr and Snorlax clean up late-game. Florges can pass Wishes to Ferroseed to keep it healthy, heal it of any potential burns, and check Heracross. Answers to common setup sweepers are appreciated to offset Ferroseed's passive nature, allowing it to more freely set up Spikes. Pangoro can handle Calm Mind Reuniclus, while Choice Scarf Shaymin can answer Dragon Dance Feraligatr. Sableye can spinblock while handling Substitute + Calm Mind variants of Meloetta. Rock-types like Rhyperior and Gigalith can switch into Fire-type attacks and can form a hazard stacking core with Ferroseed, though they compound a weakness to Fighting-types. Water-types such as Kingdra and Feraligatr can make for good partners, as they are able to take on Fire-types for Ferroseed. Bulkier Water-types such as Milotic and Slowbro also make for good partners, though they must be wary of Fire-types like Moltres and Salazzle using Ferroseed as an opportunity to set up Substitute or Nasty Plot, respectively. Jellicent is a solid partner in this regard, since it supports Ferroseed as a Water-type and can additionally spinblock. Hoopa is a possible partner, as its Ghost typing allows it to spinblock for Ferroseed in a pinch, while Ferroseed's Spikes help Hoopa to wallbreak.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Thunder Wave is an option over Protect to slow down opposing Pokemon, finding use on offensive or balanced teams in easing revenge kills and potentially creating setup opportunities. Alternatively, Toxic can be used on more defensive team structures to further wear down foes and put setup sweepers on a shorter timer. Toxic is also useful to pressure entry hazard removers like Mantine and Gligar. Stealth Rock can be used, but Ferroseed is typically outclassed as a Stealth Rock setter by Pokemon like Gigalith, and Rhyperior, as these Pokemon are far less passive. A mixed defensive spread can be used, but at least 104 Defense EVs with a boosting nature should be kept to enable Ferroseed to handle Dragon Dance Feraligatr.
Checks and Counters
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**Fire-types and Coverage**: Ferroseed has a 4x weakness to Fire, leaving it extremely vulnerable to Fire-types such as Salazzle, Torkoal, and Moltres, as well as Pokemon that typically carry Fire-type coverage, such as Shaymin.
**Fighting-types**: Most Fighting-types in RU have the power to break through Ferroseed. Heracross in particular is difficult to safely switch into and can pressure Ferroseed's team, though it does take a sizable chunk of damage from Gyro Ball upon switch in.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types are immune to Leech Seed, denying Ferroseed recovery. Those that typically carry Fire- or Fighting-type coverage, such as Shaymin, Roserade, Virizion, and Chesnaught, can be particularly threatening. Chesnaught is of special note in that it is immune to Gyro Ball, resists Ferroseed's other potential attacks, and can use Taunt to prevent Ferroseed's Spikes while layering Spikes of its own.
**Taunt**: Taunt users such as Sableye, Alolan Persian, and Chesnaught prevent Ferroseed from setting up Spikes or recovering with Leech Seed.
**Magic Bounce**: Espeon and Xatu can reflect Ferroseed's Spikes and block Leech Seed with their ability Magic Bounce. However, Espeon takes a good deal of damage from Gyro Ball, and neither Pokemon appreciates Knock Off.
**Knock Off**: Knock Off strips Ferroseed's Eviolite, letting it be broken through by Pokemon it would normally check.
**Burn**: Burn takes a toll on Ferroseed's longevity and removes its offensive presence. Scald users like Milotic and Mantine as well as Will-O-Wisp users like Jellicent can pressure Ferroseed in this way, though they do allow it to get one layer of Spikes up in the process.
**Reuniclus**: While Reuniclus cannot prevent Spikes, it does deny Ferroseed recovery through Magic Guard and uses it as setup fodder.
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