Froslass
QC:[3/3]
GP:[2/2]
[OVERVIEW]
Froslass shines as a suicide lead in the UU tier despite facing competition from other leads such as Aerodactyl and Azelf, thanks to its unique traits: its access to the rare Spikes, along with a very good base 110 Speed stat, makes Froslass an effective lead for hyper offensive teams. Froslass further carves its niche by virtue of its Ghost typing and access to Taunt, which allow it to prevent most Rapid Spin and Defog users from clearing entry hazards. However, Froslass is a pretty one-dimensional suicide lead, and as such, it is rather predictable. Moreover, its underwhelming base 80 Special Attack leaves it outclassed in an offensive role, which means it can only viably run its suicide lead set. Froslass is also very frail, so it won't be able to take any strong hits without its Focus Sash. Besides, Froslass has trouble when facing 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 and 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 entry hazards of its own. Will-O-Wisp allows Froslass to cripple Pokemon such as Scizor 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. However, note that Destiny Bond isn't reliable if used consecutively.
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 higher damage output. 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. The chance to disable an opposing Pokemon's move can also be handy at times, as it can potentially disable a priority move or force a Choice item user to Struggle.
Usage Tips
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As a Focus Sash Lead, Froslass fits best on hyper offensive teams. You should prioritize setting Spikes and keeping them on the field by blocking Rapid Spin and Defog with Froslass's Ghost typing and 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 that Froslass has a particularly bad matchup against like Mega Absol. In that case, you might want to send a countermeasure to said Pokemon first and save Froslass for later so that you don't already lose momentum on your first turn.
Team Options
========
Froslass appreciates having teammates that prevent entry hazard removal. As such, spinblockers such as Doublade 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. Defiant users such as 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; Talonflame, Terrakion, and Mega Sharpedo are examples of such Pokemon. Since Spikes only damage grounded Pokemon, Froslass pairs well with Stealth Rock setters such as Mega Aerodactyl, Cobalion, and Terrakion.
[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 lower utility. Thunderbolt is a possible coverage option to hit Water-types such as Empoleon and Tentacruel, but it 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
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**Magic Bounce Users**: Magic Bounce users block any of Froslass's status moves, forcing it to use an attacking move. Mega Absol is particularly threatening, as it also 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.
**Priority Moves**: While they don't stop Froslass outright, priority moves users such as Scizor and Doublade can hit and KO Froslass before it can set a last layer of Spikes, cripple them with Will-O-Wisp, or KO them with Destiny Bond.
**Gigalith**: Gigalith is one of Froslass's best counters, as it takes pitiful damage from Froslass's attacks and can OHKO it through its Focus Sash with Rock Blast or bring it down to 1 HP with Stone Edge and finish it off with the residual sand damage.
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