Froslass
QC:[3/3]
GP:[1/1]
* Access to support moves such as Spikes and Taunt, along with a very good Base 110 Speed stat, make Froslass an effective lead for hyper offensive teams.
* Froslass's Ghost typing and access to Taunt allow it to prevent most Rapid Spin and Defog users from clearing entry hazards.
* Froslass's underwhelming 80 Special Attack leave it outclassed in an offensive role.
* Froslass is very frail, and therefore won’t be able to take any strong hits without its Focus Sash.
* Froslass has trouble when taunted by faster Taunt users, or against Pokemon with Magic Bounce, as it can then only retaliate with an attacking move.
[SET]
name: Spikes Lead
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Icy Wind
move 4: Will-O-Wisp / Destiny Bond
item: Focus Sash
ability: Cursed Body
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Spikes are mandatory as they damage the opponent’s grounded Pokemon and make it easier to break through the opponent's team.
* Taunt is a great move to prevent the foe from using status moves. It is particularly useful to prevent Defog users such as Empoleon from clearing hazards, or to stop attempts at setting up.
* Icy Wind is a relatively weak STAB move that acts as a nice speed control tool to hinder fast threats such as Mega Aerodactyl or Azelf. It is also a necessary attacking move to ensure that Froslass isn’t rendered completely useless by Taunt or Magic Bounce users. Additionally, lead Aerodactyl is 2HKOed by Icy Wind, meaning that if Aerodactyl decides to Taunt to prevent Spikes, it will not be getting hazards of its own.
* Will-O-Wisp is a fantastic status move, as it allows Froslass to cripple Pokemon such as Bisharp by halving their Attack stat and inflicting residual damage every turn.
* Destiny Bond is an alternative to score a surprise KO on the opposing Pokemon as it KOes Froslass. Note that Destiny Bond isn’t reliable if used consecutively, as its success rate will fall with each consecutive use.
Set Details
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* Maximum Special Attack investment ensures that Froslass deals relevant damage with Icy Wind, while maximum Speed investment allows Froslass to be as fast as possible, which is crucial to its role as a lead.
* However, an alternative spread of 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe is possible to let Froslass take weak hits from Pokemon like Tentacruel better and proceed to Taunt them or set more Spikes at the cost of dealing very low damage.
* Focus Sash is mandatory on Froslass, as it allows it to take at least one hit and set a layer of Spikes.
* Cursed Body is the preferred ability as Snow Cloak has no use if you send Froslass out first in battle since it won’t be able to take advantage of Hail. The disable chance of Cursed Body can also be handy at times, as it can potentially disable a priority move or force a Choiced user to Struggle.
Usage Tips
========
* As a Focus Sash Lead, Froslass fits best on hyper offensive teams.
* Prioritize setting Spikes and keeping them on the field by blocking Rapid Spin and Defog with Froslass's Ghost typing and by using Taunt. Use other moves only if it is absolutely necessary.
*Always try to send Froslass out first in a battle, unless the opponent has a Pokemon which Froslass has a particularly bad matchup against, like Mega Absol.
Team Options
========
* Froslass appreciates having teammates that prevent entry hazard removal. As such, spinblockers such as Doublade and Decidueye are good partners for Froslass.
* Fast Taunt users such as Mega Aerodactyl and Crobat are also useful to neutralize Defog users and keep hazards up. Gengar gets a special mention for being both a fast Taunt user and a spinblocker.
* Defiant users such as Bisharp and Tornadus deter Defoggers from clearing Spikes, which makes them good partners for Froslass.
* Any setup sweeper and cleaner that need entry hazard support to break through the opposing team will team up nicely with Froslass. Alakazam, Lucario and Mega Sharpedo are examples of such Pokemon.
* Since Spikes only damage grounded Pokemon, Froslass pairs well with Stealth Rock setters such as Swampert and Krookodile.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Thunder Wave can be considered on Froslass to cripple foes more reliably, but Icy Wind is usually better, as it is an attacking move and more accurate.
* Ice Beam and Shadow Ball are STAB moves that can be used on Froslass if you need a more powerful attacking move than Icy Wind, but this comes at the cost of having less utility.
* Thunderbolt is a possible coverage option to hit Water-types such as Empoleon and Tentacruel, but is especially weak coming off of Froslass's low Base Special Attack.
* A defensive Froslass set with Spikes and Pain Split is also possible, but it is not recommended, as it usually is inferior to the standard Spikes lead set.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Magic Bounce Users**: Magic Bounce users block any of Froslass’ status moves, forcing it to use an attacking move. Mega Absol is particularly threatening, as it has Magic Bounce, is faster than Froslass, and is only 3HKOed by Icy Wind.
**Faster Taunt Users**: Fast Taunt users such as Mega Aerodactyl and Azelf can shut Froslass down, stopping it from doing its job as a Spiker. Those Pokemon must be wary of Icy Wind, however.
**Multi-Hit Moves**: Pokemon such as Cloyster are able to KO Froslass through Focus Sash thanks to their multi-hit moves.
**Sandstorm**: Sand setters such as Hippowdon can be problematic, as they can potentially bring Froslass down to 1 HP and KO it with the residual Sand damage. Gigalith is even more dangerous, as it also has access to a STAB multi-hit move in Rock Blast, which means it doesn't even need the residual damage from Sandstorm to break through Froslass in a single turn.
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