#NotMySRank
[OVERVIEW]
Powerful STAB moves, potent coverage, and high versatility make Roserade RU's premier Spiker. Said versatility gives Roserade the means to potentially beat almost any entry hazard remover, including the best spinner in Mega Blastoise, and its offensive prowess forces many switches that further ease setting Spikes. Sludge Bomb and Technician-boosted Hidden Power can cover almost anything that could hope to take Leaf Storm, including Flying-types, Fire-types, and Steel-types; this makes Roserade a problem for frail, offensive teams and slow, bulky teams alike. A Grass / Poison typing gives Roserade the resistances to switch into Water-types and check a fair number of foes in a pinch as well. With Hidden Power Fire, Sleep Powder, and multiple items to choose from, Roserade can be tough to predict and consistently switch into. However, relative frailty keeps Roserade from switching in on many foes that aren't passive or Water type, and even then, it needs Synthesis to consistently answer Water-types. Poor bulk also makes Roserade easy to pick off or revenge kill, and though its Speed is decent, it falls short of major threats such as Ninetales. Roserade experiences moveslot issues, as it wants both Sludge Bomb and Hidden Power to hit as many foes as possible and Synthesis to stick around longer, not to mention Sleep Powder, but can only fit two of these moves. It faces some competition from fellow Grass-types Shaymin and Virizion, which boast a Ground resistance as well as greater Speed and bulk. Unique access to Spikes and Technician Hidden Power keeps Roserade relevant, though.
[SET]
name: Offensive Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Leaf Storm
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Synthesis / Hidden Power Fire
item: Life Orb
ability: Natural Cure / Technician
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Roserade's ability to force switches gives it plenty of chances to use Spikes. Leaf Storm's power is necessary for threatening most relevant Water-types with an OHKO. It also deals hefty damage to anything that isn't both bulky and Grass resistant. Sludge Bomb is a reliable and decently strong STAB move that pressures Leaf Storm switch-ins like Mandibuzz, Noivern, and Goodra. Synthesis allows Roserade to switch into Water-types more freely and get multiple Spikes layers against passive walls like Registeel but limits it to two attacks. Technician-boosted Hidden Power Fire hits Steel-types for major damage. Sleep Powder is an option to make setting Spikes against slower foes even easier and can create setup opportunities for teammates, but it's difficult to fit and misses often.
Set Details
========
Roserade's offensive nature makes maximum Special Attack and Speed investment optimal. It needs a Timid nature to stay ahead of the common Speed tiers just below it. Life Orb gives Roserade's attacks even greater potency, an the recoil doesn't matter much thanks to Roserade's already lacking bulk. Poisonium Z can be used to nuke common switch-ins and give Roserade a bit more staying power, but teammates will often want a Z-Crystal more. Technician should always be used when running Hidden Power to strengthen it; otherwise, Natural Cure is optimal for removing Scald burns and other occasional status.
Usage Tips
========
Roserade's chances to switch in come from Water-types, walls it can threaten or set Spikes against like Florges, and predicted switches to Pokemon it checks. However, be careful when directly switching Roserade into Water-types; Mega Blastoise 2HKOes it with Dark Pulse or Ice Beam, making aggressive use of Spikes risky. Slowbro can OHKO Roserade on the switch with Psyshock, and Ice Beam Milotic likely 2HKOes. Making double switches is the best way to get Roserade into battle unharmed and is particularly important if it lacks Synthesis. Setting Spikes should be your default action when a foe is forced out, especially if that foe is a spinner or Defogger, but if the opponent is relying on shaky offensive answers to Roserade like Fire-types, smacking them with an attack to limit their switches will lower the pressure they exert. Don't use Leaf Storm recklessly, though; some Pokemon can set up on -2 Roserade, including Ninetales, Zygarde-10%, and Linoone. Roserade's main job is to set Spikes and punch holes early-game; once it's done so, you're generally free to let it get revenge killed so you don't lose momentum. Keep it around if it's running Synthesis and is a major threat to your opponent's bulky core, though.
Team Options
========
Roserade is best suited for particularly offensive teams, which benefit most from entry hazards and don't mind Roserade's lack of defensive value. Sweepers such as Barbaracle, Dragon Dance Zygarde-10%, and Linoone like having Spikes to make OHKOing foes easier. For example, Spikes damage is necessary for Zygarde-10% and Linoone to possibly OHKO Milotic with their boosted attacks. Defoggers contradict using an offensive Spikes setter, so you'll need a spinner or Magic Bounce user like Mega Blastoise, Donphan, or Espeon if you want entry hazard control. The only Defoggers that Roserade struggles against are Flying-types like Mandibuzz and Mantine, so Pokemon that can punish them like Raikou and Tyrantrum are advised. Roserade gets forced out easily; you can use the likes of Noivern and Goodra to switch into Fire-types and try bulky blanket checks like Cresselia and Porygon2 to absorb Zygarde-10%'s Thousand Arrows. Choice Scarf or priority users such as Gardevoir and Golisopod can minimize the damage dealt by foes exploiting Roserade.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Focus Sash set guarantees a use of Spikes, eliminates the need for Synthesis, and makes running Sleep Powder easier, but it reduces Roserade's offensive potential. Roserade's decent attack options and average Speed make it sound like an effective Choice Scarf user, but it suffers from extremely exploitable STAB moves. Grassium Z Roserade can throw out a powerful Grass-type attack without lowering its Special Attack, but it fails to hit as many potential checks as Poisonium Z sets. Other attack options include Grass Knot, which lets Roserade pressure Mantine and avoid Special Attack drops at the expense of consistent damage, and Hidden Power Ice, which threatens many of Acid Downpour's targets without requiring a Z-Crystal but is useless against Steel-types, unlike Hidden Power Fire.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Mantine and specially defensive Mandibuzz can remove Spikes and easily take any of Roserade's attacks outside of Acid Downpour. Cresselia and Porygon2 are also too bulky for Roserade to beat single-handedly. None of them like getting poisoned by Sludge Bomb, though, and Mantine struggles with Sleep Powder variants.
**Dragon-types**: Dragalge and Goodra take Roserade's attacks pretty comfortably, though they can get worn down quickly. Noivern can switch into the standard Life Orb set and threaten an easy KO but is OHKOed by Acid Downpour.
**Fire-types**: Salazzle can switch into any attack and force Roserade out. It's too frail to switch in more than twice and takes major damage from Acid Downpour, however. Alolan Marowak is slower but resists all of Roserade's common moves.
**Offensive Pokemon**: Most attackers with priority moves or higher Speed, including Golisopod, Zygarde-10%, and Ninetales, have no trouble OHKOing or 2HKOing Roserade.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[CryoGyro, 331519]]
- Quality checked by: [[roman, 396169], [zizalith, 410251], [Chrisloud1, 332202]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Pumberjack, 232216], [Kris, 241023]]
[OVERVIEW]
Powerful STAB moves, potent coverage, and high versatility make Roserade RU's premier Spiker. Said versatility gives Roserade the means to potentially beat almost any entry hazard remover, including the best spinner in Mega Blastoise, and its offensive prowess forces many switches that further ease setting Spikes. Sludge Bomb and Technician-boosted Hidden Power can cover almost anything that could hope to take Leaf Storm, including Flying-types, Fire-types, and Steel-types; this makes Roserade a problem for frail, offensive teams and slow, bulky teams alike. A Grass / Poison typing gives Roserade the resistances to switch into Water-types and check a fair number of foes in a pinch as well. With Hidden Power Fire, Sleep Powder, and multiple items to choose from, Roserade can be tough to predict and consistently switch into. However, relative frailty keeps Roserade from switching in on many foes that aren't passive or Water type, and even then, it needs Synthesis to consistently answer Water-types. Poor bulk also makes Roserade easy to pick off or revenge kill, and though its Speed is decent, it falls short of major threats such as Ninetales. Roserade experiences moveslot issues, as it wants both Sludge Bomb and Hidden Power to hit as many foes as possible and Synthesis to stick around longer, not to mention Sleep Powder, but can only fit two of these moves. It faces some competition from fellow Grass-types Shaymin and Virizion, which boast a Ground resistance as well as greater Speed and bulk. Unique access to Spikes and Technician Hidden Power keeps Roserade relevant, though.
[SET]
name: Offensive Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Leaf Storm
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Synthesis / Hidden Power Fire
item: Life Orb
ability: Natural Cure / Technician
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Roserade's ability to force switches gives it plenty of chances to use Spikes. Leaf Storm's power is necessary for threatening most relevant Water-types with an OHKO. It also deals hefty damage to anything that isn't both bulky and Grass resistant. Sludge Bomb is a reliable and decently strong STAB move that pressures Leaf Storm switch-ins like Mandibuzz, Noivern, and Goodra. Synthesis allows Roserade to switch into Water-types more freely and get multiple Spikes layers against passive walls like Registeel but limits it to two attacks. Technician-boosted Hidden Power Fire hits Steel-types for major damage. Sleep Powder is an option to make setting Spikes against slower foes even easier and can create setup opportunities for teammates, but it's difficult to fit and misses often.
Set Details
========
Roserade's offensive nature makes maximum Special Attack and Speed investment optimal. It needs a Timid nature to stay ahead of the common Speed tiers just below it. Life Orb gives Roserade's attacks even greater potency, an the recoil doesn't matter much thanks to Roserade's already lacking bulk. Poisonium Z can be used to nuke common switch-ins and give Roserade a bit more staying power, but teammates will often want a Z-Crystal more. Technician should always be used when running Hidden Power to strengthen it; otherwise, Natural Cure is optimal for removing Scald burns and other occasional status.
Usage Tips
========
Roserade's chances to switch in come from Water-types, walls it can threaten or set Spikes against like Florges, and predicted switches to Pokemon it checks. However, be careful when directly switching Roserade into Water-types; Mega Blastoise 2HKOes it with Dark Pulse or Ice Beam, making aggressive use of Spikes risky. Slowbro can OHKO Roserade on the switch with Psyshock, and Ice Beam Milotic likely 2HKOes. Making double switches is the best way to get Roserade into battle unharmed and is particularly important if it lacks Synthesis. Setting Spikes should be your default action when a foe is forced out, especially if that foe is a spinner or Defogger, but if the opponent is relying on shaky offensive answers to Roserade like Fire-types, smacking them with an attack to limit their switches will lower the pressure they exert. Don't use Leaf Storm recklessly, though; some Pokemon can set up on -2 Roserade, including Ninetales, Zygarde-10%, and Linoone. Roserade's main job is to set Spikes and punch holes early-game; once it's done so, you're generally free to let it get revenge killed so you don't lose momentum. Keep it around if it's running Synthesis and is a major threat to your opponent's bulky core, though.
Team Options
========
Roserade is best suited for particularly offensive teams, which benefit most from entry hazards and don't mind Roserade's lack of defensive value. Sweepers such as Barbaracle, Dragon Dance Zygarde-10%, and Linoone like having Spikes to make OHKOing foes easier. For example, Spikes damage is necessary for Zygarde-10% and Linoone to possibly OHKO Milotic with their boosted attacks. Defoggers contradict using an offensive Spikes setter, so you'll need a spinner or Magic Bounce user like Mega Blastoise, Donphan, or Espeon if you want entry hazard control. The only Defoggers that Roserade struggles against are Flying-types like Mandibuzz and Mantine, so Pokemon that can punish them like Raikou and Tyrantrum are advised. Roserade gets forced out easily; you can use the likes of Noivern and Goodra to switch into Fire-types and try bulky blanket checks like Cresselia and Porygon2 to absorb Zygarde-10%'s Thousand Arrows. Choice Scarf or priority users such as Gardevoir and Golisopod can minimize the damage dealt by foes exploiting Roserade.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Focus Sash set guarantees a use of Spikes, eliminates the need for Synthesis, and makes running Sleep Powder easier, but it reduces Roserade's offensive potential. Roserade's decent attack options and average Speed make it sound like an effective Choice Scarf user, but it suffers from extremely exploitable STAB moves. Grassium Z Roserade can throw out a powerful Grass-type attack without lowering its Special Attack, but it fails to hit as many potential checks as Poisonium Z sets. Other attack options include Grass Knot, which lets Roserade pressure Mantine and avoid Special Attack drops at the expense of consistent damage, and Hidden Power Ice, which threatens many of Acid Downpour's targets without requiring a Z-Crystal but is useless against Steel-types, unlike Hidden Power Fire.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Mantine and specially defensive Mandibuzz can remove Spikes and easily take any of Roserade's attacks outside of Acid Downpour. Cresselia and Porygon2 are also too bulky for Roserade to beat single-handedly. None of them like getting poisoned by Sludge Bomb, though, and Mantine struggles with Sleep Powder variants.
**Dragon-types**: Dragalge and Goodra take Roserade's attacks pretty comfortably, though they can get worn down quickly. Noivern can switch into the standard Life Orb set and threaten an easy KO but is OHKOed by Acid Downpour.
**Fire-types**: Salazzle can switch into any attack and force Roserade out. It's too frail to switch in more than twice and takes major damage from Acid Downpour, however. Alolan Marowak is slower but resists all of Roserade's common moves.
**Offensive Pokemon**: Most attackers with priority moves or higher Speed, including Golisopod, Zygarde-10%, and Ninetales, have no trouble OHKOing or 2HKOing Roserade.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[CryoGyro, 331519]]
- Quality checked by: [[roman, 396169], [zizalith, 410251], [Chrisloud1, 332202]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Pumberjack, 232216], [Kris, 241023]]
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