Ferrothorn

This analysis was written by User:Partys
With the introduction of the new dominant Fairy-type Tapu Pokemon in Gen 7, Ferrothorn's typing allows it to be an anti-meta pick that beats common threats like Mega Gyarados, Kyurem-Black, Tapu Lele, Mega Metagross and more. It has ways around traditional Steel Type checks like Tapu Koko or Ground Type, allowing it to be a solid alternative Steel-type. The good things don't stop at its typing, as with a decent 74 base HP and a base 131 and 116 Defense and Special Defense it doesn't struggle to take hits. Additionally, its decent 94 Attack combined with a base 30 speed allow it to have strong Gyro Balls. Unfortunately, that speed is often problematic, as Ferrothorn will almost never move first. Lastly, Ferrothorn's quad weakness to Fire allows it to have tough matchups against Pokemon like Mega Charizard.
=Leech Seed= 
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers / Grassium Z / Steelium Z 
Ability: Iron Barbs 
EVs: 252 HP / 180 Atk / 76 Def 
Relaxed Nature 
IVs: 0 Spe 
- Leech Seed 
- Protect 
- Power Whip 
- Gyro Ball
==Set Comments==
===Moves===
Leech Seed is Ferrothorn's best recovery, and also drains opponents health. Combined with Protect, it can significantly reduce enemy Pokemon's health. Additionally, Protect can help scout enemy moves, recover HP if Ferrothorn is carrying Leftovers and weaken Z-Move damage. Power Whip is Ferrothorn's most consistent STAB Move, and beats the Water and Ground Types other Steels might struggle with, like Donphan and Mega Swampert. Finally, Gyro Ball is Ferrothorn's Steel Type move, and has great matchup vs faster Pokemon like Mega Gengar that don't mind a Power Whip.
===Set Details===
Leftovers is a good way for Ferrothorn to passively recover HP, especially with Leech Seed. However, Grassium or Steelium Z can be used in order to have a better Matchup vs Curse Mimikyu, mostly. These Z-Moves also prevent Ferrothorn from getting Tricked, and Grassium Z gives Ferrothorn a great chance to OHKO Porygon-Z, which can be problematic with Hidden Power Fire. The EVs help Ferrothorn beat Groundium Z Donphan, as it easily lives a Tectonic Rage and after a Leech Seed can get to a comfortable health range quickly.
===Usage Tips===
Pick Ferrothorn against Fairy, Water Electric, etc types that Ferrothorn resists the moves of. If Ferrothorn is used against a Pokemon who resists Grass and Steel type moves, you should use Leech Seed. Simiarly, if you're worried about your opponent being able to barely 2HKO you, you should use Leech Seed, and maybe Protect after if you don't think they will use Setup Moves. Otherwise, if Ferrothorn is in a sure thing matchup versus a Pokemon like Mega Gyarados, it can just spam Power Whip until Gyarados dies, as the only move Mega Gyarados can really use to win would be Taunt. Unless Ferrothorn is running Steelium Z, you should Leech Seed vs Tapu Lele, because it has a very threatening Shattered Psych and can usually live Gyro Balls.
===Team Options===
Ferrothorn absolutely needs teammates that can handle Mega Charizard, as it is a very common and problematic Fire Type. Because of this, pokemon like Primarina, Mega Camerupt and Golem are good teammates because they can handle Mega Charizard pretty consistently. Additionally, Primarina resists Fighting, a type that Ferrothorn often loses to. Alternative fighting checks are Mega Metagross, Mew, and Mimikium Mimikyu, though Mimikyu should run the Curse set because without Protect it loses to Mega Loppunny.
=Strategy Comments=
==Other Options==
Curse is a neat option to power up Gyro Ball because it raises Ferrothorn's Attack and lowers its Speed, while also raising its Defense. Instead of Curse, Iron Defense can raise Ferrothorn's defense, faster but without the Speed Drop and Attack raise. Toxic is a decent option to slowly but surely whittle your opponent down, especially with Leech Seed. Chople Berry is a cool item that gives Ferrothorn a better matchup vs Fighting Types like Mega Lopunny and Sawk. You can also run Occa Berry to try to beat Pokemon like Tapu Lele that occasionally have Hidden Power Fire, but are weak to Steel. Rest is a usable option to PP Stall out other stall Pokemon like Mega Venusaur and Chansey. Magnet Rise can try to beat problematic Ground Types like Landorus-Therian.
==Checks and Counters==
*Fire Type Pokemon and coverage: Pokemon like Mega Charizard are the bane of Ferrothorn's existance, as they can OHKO Ferrothorn. Additionally, Fire type coverage like Hidden Power on Pokemon like Magearna or Fire Punch on Golem will almost always win. 
*Fighting Types: Even if it holds a Chople Berry, Ferrothorn will struggle against strong Fighting Types like Blaziken, Mega Heracross and Sawk.
*Substitute Users: Pokemon like Landorus-Therian can use Substitute on Ferrothorn's Leech Seed and use that opportunity to setup with moves like Bulk Up or Swords Dance. 
Category:Analyses