gum
for the better
[OVERVIEW]
Ferroseed's typing, bulk, and ability to use Eviolite make it a solid entry hazard setter and a very reliable check to threats such as Kangaskhan, physical Skuntank, and Omastar. These attributes also give it a good matchup against common entry hazard removers like Alolan Sandslash and Cryogonal lacking Hidden Power Fire, as well as a clear niche over other entry hazard setters like Qwilfish, in addition to its ability to set both Spikes and Stealth Rock against other defensive Steel- and Grass-types like Metang and Tangela. Although Ferroseed has a low Attack stat, it can make up for it with Gyro Ball hitting frailer threats fairly hard due to its low Speed, which means that it can't be used as setup fodder by threats like Dodrio. However, while Ferroseed's typing is great, it leaves it open to threats like Gurdurr and Simisear, which can set up on it. It also finds itself unable to switch into threats like Eelektross, Victreebel, Silvally-Fairy, and Stoutland, which often run Fire and Fighting coverage to hit Steel-types, and it's also somewhat passive, which leaves it susceptible to Taunt users like Oricorio-E and Jellicent. Ferroseed faces competition from Tangela, which deals with threats like Stoutland and Kangaskhan better and has Regenerator, and other entry hazard setters like Qwilfish and Roselia, which are faster, have better utility, and, in the case of the latter, are less passive. Lastly, Ferroseed's lack of reliable recovery leaves it susceptible to repeated attacks and entry hazards, although this can be slightly alleviated by Leech Seed. It's also overly reliant on its Eviolite, which makes it extremely susceptible to Knock Off.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Spikes / Stealth Rock
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Gyro Ball
move 4: Protect
item: Eviolite
ability: Iron Barbs
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 40 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Leech Seed allows Ferroseed to weaken foes like Gurdurr and Simisear, which might attempt to take advantage of it, and provides decent healing due to Ferroseed's low HP stat. Gyro Ball takes advantage of Ferroseed's abysmal Speed to hit fast and frail threats like Dodrio, Lycanroc, and boosted Omastar decently hard. Protect allows Ferroseed to scout Choice-locked Pokemon like Primeape and Drampa, take Z-Moves from Pokemon like Alolan Persian and Alolan Raichu more comfortably, and get more Leech Seed recovery. Running both Spikes and Stealth Rock can be considered, although Ferroseed can't do its job as reliably without Protect, and this can also leave it overwhelmed, as it's forced to perform more tasks.
Set Details
========
The Special Defense and HP investment alongside Eviolite allows Ferroseed to avoid the 2HKO from Choice Scarf Aurorus's Blizzard after Stealth Rock and hail damage. The leftover EVs go into Defense to allow Ferroseed to take hits such as Kangaskhan's Double-Edge and Lycanroc's Fire Fang more comfortably. A Relaxed nature is preferred over Impish to slightly boost Gyro Ball's power.
Usage Tips
========
Ferroseed should aim to switch into threats like Kangaskhan and Aggron and proceed to set Spikes or Stealth Rock, as these threats find themselves forced out. It can also use Leech Seed to cripple the incoming Pokemon and recover some health. Against threats that commonly run Choice items, such as Drampa, Stoutland, and Primeape, Ferroseed should use Protect to scout what they're locking themselves into. This allows you to react accordingly and either switch out to a threat that deals with the Choice-locked foe, keep Ferroseed in to set Spikes or Stealth Rock up, or even use Leech Seed to recover health or Gyro Ball to weaken the foe. However, Pokemon such as Gurdurr and Oricorio-E can take advantage of that by setting up. Against frail and fast threats, such as Lycanroc, Dodrio, and Haunter, prioritize using Gyro Ball over setting entry hazards up or using Leech Seed, as they all take a good amount of damage. Ferroseed may need to be careful about preserving its health if it's needed to check a late-game sweeper such as Omastar or Alolan Sandslash. In these cases, prioritize chipping down foes and healing Ferroseed with Leech Seed over setting entry hazards.
Team Options
========
Ferroseed appreciates spinblockers, so Jellicent and Oricorio-G make for good partners. They also deal with Fighting-types such as Gurdurr and Primeape for Ferroseed and appreciate the entry hazards it sets. In exchange, Ferroseed deals with Kangaskhan and Lycanroc. Due to its weakness to Fire-types such as Simisear and Fire-type coverage from threats like Victreebel, Pokemon that resist Fire like Lanturn and Altaria make for decent teammates, although Defog Altaria can conflict with a Spikes-setting Ferroseed. They can also cure Ferroseed from status with Heal Bell. Fighting-type switch-ins such as Oricorio-E, Musharna, and Swanna are all heavily appreciated by Ferroseed, and Oricorio-E can even keep Ferroseed's entry hazards up with Taunt. In return, Ferroseed switches into troublesome Rock-types for Oricorio-E and Swanna. Ferroseed forms a solid entry hazard setting core with Regirock, which also switches into Oricorio-E and Oricorio-G for Ferroseed and lifts some pressure off Ferroseed to check Normal-types. In exchange, Ferroseed can check Ground-types like Golurk and Mudsdale and pivot into a predicted Toxic. Pokemon such as Stoutland, Eelektross, Articuno, and Dodrio appreciate the entry hazards Ferroseed sets, as they allow them to either wallbreak or sweep more easily. Finally, due to Ferroseed's lack of reliable recovery, it can easily find itself overwhelmed by opposing entry hazards. Due to this, entry hazard removers like Hitmonchan and Cryogonal make for good partners. Hitmonchan appreciates the entry hazards Ferroseed sets, potentially allowing it to clean late-game with Mach Punch, while Cryogonal switches into Victreebel and Aurorus and appreciates Ferroseed's ability to switch into Pokemon like Lycanroc.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic is a strong option for Ferroseed, as it has no other way to threaten Torterra, Oricorio-E, and other Pokemon that take very little damage from its Gyro Ball. However, Ferroseed loses out on utility from not running Protect, such as the ability to scout foes like Primeape. Ferroseed can make use of Thunder Wave to lower the foe's Speed and cripple threats that try to take advantage of it. It can also make use of Knock Off to cripple Pokemon that can take advantage of it like Gurdurr and Drampa. However, this makes Ferroseed even more passive and makes it harder for it to deal with Lycanroc. Bullet Seed is an option to deal with Carracosta and Omastar more reliably, but it also makes Ferroseed extremely passive and leaves it unable to threaten Drampa.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Simisear, Combusken, and Turtonator all greatly threaten Ferroseed with their STAB and can even use it as setup fodder. However, they can get chipped down decently fast between entry hazards and Gyro Ball if they try to switch in directly.
**Fighting-types**: Gurdurr, Hitmonchan, and Throh can all get past Ferroseed without much difficulty, and Hitmonchan can even remove the entry hazards Ferroseed sets, while Gurdurr and Throh can use it as setup fodder. They all dislike Leech Seed and, in Hitmonchan's case, Gyro Ball, although Throh can avoid Leech Seed with Substitute.
**Super Effective Coverage**: Pokemon such as Victreebel, Stoutland, Drampa,and Eelektross can all get past Ferroseed easily, and Calm Mind Drampa can even use it as setup fodder. Outside of Eelektross and Drampa, though, none of them really appreciate switching into it, and Ferroseed can also scout for what move Drampa and Stoutland lock themselves into.
**Taunt Users**: Oricorio-E, Qwilfish, and Sableye can all cripple Ferroseed with Taunt, which makes it unreliable at doing its job. Moreover, Oricorio-E can use Ferroseed as setup fodder; Qwilfish can set up entry hazards on it; and Sableye can remove its Eviolite with Knock Off.
**Residual Damage and Knock Off**: Due to its lack of reliable recovery, Ferroseed can easily find itself overwhelmed by entry hazards and repeated attacks. In a similar manner, Knock Off from the likes of Absol, Kabutops, and Dodrio leaves Ferroseed unable to perform its job effectively.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[gum, 434150]]
- Quality checked by: [[tondas, 442732], [Megazard, 202117], [yogi, 252106]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Empress, 175616], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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