Gen 3 [ZU] Castform [DONE]

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Gangsta Spongebob

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[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Protect
move 2: Double-Edge
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Thunderbolt / Flamethrower
item: Leftovers
ability: Forecast
nature: Brave
evs: 248 HP / 112 Atk / 120 SpD / 28 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Castform cements itself as a meta-defining threat thanks to its exceptional stats—for the tier—and plethora of coverage moves. It excels as a specially defensive tank that can threaten a wide variety of Pokemon. Furthermore, Forecast makes Castform the most reliable answer to teams that use weather, letting it automatically resist a majority of their primary moves. Protect allows Castform to scout would-be revenge killers that use Choice Band, such as Aipom and Pidgeotto, while also netting recovery from Leftovers. Castform's STAB Double-Edge removes Pokemon that resist its coverage, such as Chinchou and Elekid, while threatening special walls such as Dustox, Delcatty, and Sunflora. Thunderbolt allows Castform to nail Water- and Flying-types such as Horsea, Seaking, and Pidgeotto. Ice Beam enables Castform to threaten Ground- and Grass-types such as Rhyhorn and physically defensive Lileep. Flamethrower is an option to threaten Magnemite, but it requires Castform to forgo Thunderbolt, which limits its effectiveness against rain teams. Castform's EVs allow it to outpace maximum Speed Rhyhorn while still maintaining enough Attack to threaten special attackers such as Growlithe, Elekid, and Seaking. Castform's Special Defense investment allows it to avoid 2HKOs by Seaking, Horsea, and Cyndaquil, and possibly Growlithe with favorable Fire Blast damage.

Castform excels on balance and offensive teams that appreciate an answer to weather or a special sponge. Physical wallbreakers such as Aipom, Pidgeotto, and Tailow appreciate Castform's effectiveness against Elekid. Special attackers such as Growlithe, Elekid, and Staryu enjoy the pressure that Castform puts on special walls like Dustox and Delcatty with Double-Edge. Elekid pairs particularly well with Castform, as it is able to threaten physical wallbreakers such as Aipom and Pidgeotto. Due to its lack of reliable recovery, Castform preforms best with secondary defensive support from Pokemon such as Dustox, Delcatty, and Sunflora. Delcatty provides Castform with recovery in Wish while also keeping it safe from status thanks to Heal Bell. Physically defensive Pokemon such as Lileep, Koffing, and Magnemite prevent Castform from being revenge killed by Aipom, Pidgeotto, or Taillow. Koffing and Castform form a great core, as Koffing can cripple physical attackers with Will-O-Wisp, while Castform can tank special attacks for Koffing.

[SET]
name: Weather Boy
move 1: Rain Dance / Sunny Day
move 2: Weather Ball / Fire Blast
move 3: Ice Beam / Solar Beam
move 4: Thunderbolt / Thunder / Hidden Power Grass
item: Mystic Water / Charcoal / Lum Berry
ability: Forecast
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Castform's exceptional bulk and special attack, fantastic special movepool, and ability in Forecast allow it to function as an excellent weather setter and wallbreaker. Under rain or sun its boosted STAB move 2HKOes nearly every viable special wall and OHKOes virtually every other neutral target. If it's using Rain Dance, Castform's only viable STAB move is Weather Ball, but if it's using Sunny Day, Castform may use Fire Blast instead, which is strong even outside of sun and still does more damage than Weather Ball in sun at the cost of imperfect accuracy. If it's using Rain Dance, Ice Beam is crucial for targeting Grass-types while also threatening Flying- and Ground-types outside of rain. When using Sunny Day, Solar Beam is used instead, as it OHKOes most Rock- and Water-types, which can usually tank a boosted Fire Blast and try to threaten Castform with their STAB moves and status. Castform's moveset is rounded off by Thunderbolt, which threatens opposing Water-types regardless of the weather and is Sunny Day Castform's strongest attack against Flash Fire Growlithe. Rain Dance has the option to instead use Thunder, which is even stronger at the cost of having shaky accuracy outside of rain, or Hidden Power Grass, which threatens Chinchou, a Pokemon that otherwise resists or is immune to all of Castform's attacks. Mystic Water or Charcoal can be used to augment the power of Castform's STAB move, notably hitting special walls, such as Delcatty and Dustox, harder and 2HKOing the rare specially defensive Lileep. A Lum Berry can be used instead to prevent Castform from being crippled by status.

Castform fits best on offensive teams looking for a powerful wallbreaker. Specifically, it is a fantastic option on dedicated weather teams, as it's among their best setters and one of their only answers to the other weather due to Forecast. On dedicated rain teams, Swift Swim users, such as Seaking and Horsea, and Rain setters, such as Voltorb, make great partners. On dedicated sun teams, Chlorophyll users, such as Exeggcute and Sunflora, and sun setters, such as Onix, pair well with Castform. On all types of offensive teams, fast physical threats such as Aipom and Taillow appreciate Castform's ability to break physical walls, while they in return can break through the remainder of the opposing team. Fast physical attackers are also Castform's biggest threat, as they can revenge kill it, so physical tanks and walls, such as Rhyhorn and Nosepass, also make great partners.

[SET]
name: Substitute Special Attacker
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Fire Blast
item: Leftovers
ability: Forecast
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Substitute special attacker Castform is a dangerous wallbreaker that takes advantage of Castform's ability to force switches to set up a Substitute and further its already immense wallbreaking power. Ice Beam threatens ZU's plethora of Grass-types, notably including Lileep. Thunderbolt, meanwhile, threatens the majority of Water-types while providing solid damage against the Steel- and Fire-types that resist Ice Beam. Both moves handle Flying-types such as Taillow and Pidgeotto. Hidden Power Grass rounds off Castform's coverage by threatening Chinchou while also preventing specially defensive Rhyhorn from attempting to tank a hit and retaliate. Alternatively, Fire Blast can be used to threaten Dustox and Magnemite, which otherwise wall this set.

This set fits best on offensive and balance teams looking for a powerful and bulky special wallbreaker. Special walls that don't fear its coverage, such as Delcatty, wall it completely, so strong physical wallbreakers such as Aipom and Taillow make great partners, and Castform handles the physical walls they dislike in return. If it's running Fire Blast, Grass-types are important partners for their ability to break through Chinchou. Even if Castform is running Hidden Power Grass, it still appreciates their support. Psychic-types are notable partners for their ability to threaten specially defensive Poison-types like Dustox and Grimer, which Castform struggles to break through. Exeggcute is noteworthy for having both Grass- and Psychic-type STAB while also spreading sleep, which makes it easier for Castform to set up a Substitute. Fire-types like Cyndaquil and Growlithe pair well with Castform's coverage and break through Dustox and Magnemite for it, which is essential if it's running Hidden Power Grass. Physical walls and tanks, like Nosepass, Rhyhorn and Lileep, are also greatly appreciated, as faster physical wallbreakers, such as Choice Band Aipom, Pidgeotto, and Taillow, can easily revenge kill Castform, and the former can even survive all of this set's moves when at full HP. Finally, Forecast and Castform's good bulk makes it the best weather answer, and this set's coverage often lets it handle weather sweepers for teams that would otherwise struggle with them.

[SET]
name: Substitute Mixed Attacker
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Return / Double-Edge
move 3: Flamethrower
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
item: Leftovers
ability: Forecast
nature: Naughty / Lonely
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Substitute mixed attacker Castform is a potent wallbreaker that is capable of threatening both physical and special walls alike. Substitute uses Castform's ability to force switches to set up a Substitute and further its wallbreaking prowess. Return threatens common special walls such as Dustox and Delcatty with a 2HKO. Alternatively, Double-Edge can be used to increase Castform's damage at the cost of hurting its longevity. Flamethrower threatens Steel-types, such as Magnemite, and physically bulky Grass-types, such as Exeggcute and Bayleef. Hidden Power Grass threatens Rock-types, notably annihilating the exceptionally dangerous Rhyhorn. A Naughty nature allows Castform to increase the power of its STAB moves without compromising its Special Attack or Speed but worsens its matchups against special attackers like Elekid and Staryu. A Lonely nature can be used to check those threats, preserving those matchups at the cost of worsening Castform's matchups against physical attackers like Aipom and Taillow.

Castform best fits on offensive and balance teams that appreciate it checking a wide range of Pokemon. Lileep is the one wall this set cannot threaten at all, and thus Toxic support from the likes of Dustox and Koffing is greatly appreciated. Fast physical attackers, such as Choice Band Aipom, Pidgeotto, and Taillow, can easily outspeed and revenge kill Castform if it's not behind a Substitute, and thus physically defensive Pokemon such as Lileep and Rhyhorn can help Castform fight off these threats. Special walls such as Dustox and Delcatty are also good partners if this Castform is using a Naughty nature, as it's easily put into range of faster special attackers such as Elekid and Staryu. Given this Castform's ability to break through special walls, additional special attackers such as Chinchou and Growlithe form potent offensive cores alongside it. Finally, Forecast lets this Castform check weather sweepers for its team, but it cannot be a team's sole weather check due to its lack of strong coverage, especially if it's running a Naughty nature.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A physical wallbreaker set utilizing Choice Band is an option, though this is largely outclassed by Choice Band Aipom. Toxic can be used to catch potential switch-ins off guard, such as Lileep; however, this means Castform has to forego Protect or one of its coverage options. Castform also has some set-specific options. Castform's Tank set may use Hidden Power Grass to OHKO Rhyhorn, but the coverage of Ice Beam is important to target Lileep. On Substitute mixed attacker Castform, Ice Beam can be used over Hidden Power Grass, as it still 2HKOes Rhyhorn while threatening Lileep with a 3HKO, though Hidden Power Grass OHKOing Rhyhorn is generally more useful.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Status Users**: Pokemon that run status such as Butterfree, Lileep, and Koffing can all severely limit Castform's effectiveness. Toxic discourages Castform from using Double-Edge or Protect and greatly reduces its opportunities to switch in. Will-O-Wisp does the same while also halving Castform's Attack, effectively voiding its capabilities as a tank since it can no longer threaten special attackers.

**Magnemite**: If Castform lacks Fire-type coverage it cannot threaten Magnemite, which can cripple Castform with a status move or 3HKO it with Thunderbolt.

**Water-types**: If Castform lacks Thunderbolt, it has a harder time dealing with Water-types, such as Seaking, Horsea, and Staryu. Staryu deserves a special mention, as it slowly wears down Castform through its own recoil, healing off Double-Edge damage with Recover. Notably, the lack of Thunderbolt means Horsea can withstand at least one attack from Castform at full HP, which lets it fire off Hydro Pump multiple times.

**Physical Wallbreakers**: Pokemon such as Aipom, Taillow, and Pidgeotto outpace Castform and 2HKO it with their STAB moves. If it lacks Ice Beam or Hidden Power Grass, Castform is unable to threaten Rhyhorn. Cubone can KO Castform after the slightest amount of chip, while Castform can only 2HKO with Ice Beam and Double-Edge if Cubone is healthy.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bp.272450/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/beatsblack.479897/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bp.272450/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/medeia.312146/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adeleine.517429/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/deezcastforms.423085/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
 
Last edited:

BP

Beers and Steers
is a Contributor to Smogon
[SET]
name: Special Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
item: Leftovers
ability: Forecast
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Special Substitute Castform is a dangerous special wallbreaker that takes advantage of Castform's ability to force switches to set up a Substitute and further its already immense wallbreaking power. BoltBeam off Castform's high Special Attack threatens the tier's plethora of Flying- and Grass-types, Mention what grass-types these are while its fantastic neutral coverage combined with Castform's excellent bulk lets it threaten still 1v1 common offensive and defensive threats such as Growlithe and Koffing. Hidden Power Grass rounds off Castform's coverage by threatening Chinchou while also preventing specially defensive Rhyhorn variants from attempting to tank a hit and retaliating.

Give Thunderbolt its own Sentece along with Ice beam. Don't combine them. This way you can talk about them more indepth while still indicating how great bolt beam coverage is.


Special Substitute Castform best fits on offensive and balance teams looking for a powerful and bulky special wallbreaker. Special walls that don't fear its coverage, such as Delcatty and Dustox, are the bane of this Pokemon's existence, so strong physical wallbreakers such as Aipom and Taillow make great partners, while it handles the Pokemon that wall them in return. Physical walls and tanks such as Nosepass, Rhyhorn, and Lileep are also greatly appreciated as faster physical wallbreakers such as Choice Band Aipom, Pidgeotto, Taillow can easily revenge kill Special Substitute Castform, and the former can even tank all of this set's moves when at full HP. Finally, Forecast and Castform's good bulk makes it the best weather answer in the tier, and this set's coverage often lets it handle weather sweepers for teams that would otherwise struggle with them.

Move this last sentence to the first paragraph and mention how it acts as an offensive answer to weather rather then "The best weather answer"
Mention Status users as they increase the opportunitites Castform has to use Subsittue and wallbreak
Mention other special attackers that can compliment Castform's coverage such as Grass-types like Exeggcute and Sunflora and Fire-types like Cyndaquil and Growlithe. Give Eggy a special mention thanks to its access to Sleep Powder and stab Psychic.


[SET]
name: Mixed Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Return / Double-Edge
move 3: Flamethrower
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
item: Leftovers
ability: Forecast
nature: Naughty / Lonely
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Mixed Substitute Castform is a potent mixed wallbreaker that is capable of threatening both physical and special walls alike. Substitute uses Castform's ability to force switches to set up a Substitute and further its wallbreaking prowess. Return is a powerful wallbreaking tool that threatens common Special Walls such as Dustox and Delcatty with a 2HKO. Alternatively, Double Edge can be used instead to increase Castorm's damage ranges, though at the cost of hurting Castorm's longevity. Flamethrower threatens Steel-types such as Magnemite and physically bulky Grass-types such as Exeggcute and Bayleef. Hidden Power Grass threatens Rock-types, notably annihilating the exceptionally dangerous Rhyhorn. A Naughty nature allows this Castform to increase the power of its STAB while not compromising its Special Attack or Speed, though at the cost of worsening its matchups against special attackers such as Elekid and Staryu. If one wants to use Mixed Substitute Castform to check those threats, a Lonely nature can be used instead, preserving those matchups at the cost of worsening Castorm's matchups against physical attackers such as Aipom and Taillow.

Mixed Substitute Castform best fits on offensive and balance teams that appreciate the wide range of pokemon it can check. looking for a powerful wallbreaker that handles special walls while still being able to threaten many physical walls. Lileep is the one wall this set cannot threaten at all, and thus Toxic support from the likes of Dustox and Koffing is greatly appreciated. Strong Fast physical attackers such as Choice Band Aipom, Pidgeotto, and Taillow can easily outspeed and revenge kill Castform if it's not behind a Substitute, and thus physcially defensive pokemon strong physical walls and tanks such as Lileep and Rhyhorn can help Castform fight off these threats. Special walls such as Dustox and Delcatty are also good partners if this Castform is using a Naughty Nature, as it's easily put into the range of faster special attackers such as Elekid and Staryu. Given this Castform's ability to break through special walls, special wallbreakers such as Chinchou and Growlithe enjoy its support. Finally, Forecast lets this Castform check weather sweepers for its team, but it cannot be a team's sole weather check due to its lack of strong coverage, especially if it's running a Naughty nature.

[SET]
name: Weather Boy
move 1: Rain Dance / Sunny Day
move 2: Weather Ball / Fire Blast
move 3: Ice Beam / Solar Beam
move 4: Thunderbolt / Thunder / Hidden Power Grass
item: Mystic Water / Charcoal / Lum Berry
ability: Forecast
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Castform's high exeptional bulk and special attack, fantastic special movepool, and ability in Forecast allow to function as an excellent weather setter and wallbreaker. Under Rain or Sun, its boosted STAB 2HKOs nearly every viable special wall and OHKOs virtually every other neutral target. If using Rain Dance, Castform's only viable STAB is Weather Ball, but if using Sunny Day Castform may use Fire Blast instead, which is usable outside of Sun and hits higher damage ranges, though at the cost of having an imperfect Accuracy. If using Rain Dance, Ice Beam is crucial for targeting Grass-types while also threatening Flying- and Ground-types outside of Rain. On Sunny Day Solar Beam is instead used as it OHKOs most Rock- and Water-types, who can usually tank a boosted Fire Blast and try to threaten Castform with their STABs or status. Castform's moveset is rounded off by Thunderbolt, which threatens opposing Water-types regardless of the weather, and is Sunny Day Castform's strongest Attack against Flash Fire Growlithe. Rain Dance has the option to instead opt for Thunder, which is even stronger at the cost of having terrible Accuracy outside of Rain, and Hidden Power Grass, which threatens Chinchou, a Pokemon that will otherwise reliably beat it. A Mystic Water for Rain Dance, or Charcoal for Sunny Day, can be used to augment the power of Castform's STAB, which notably turns specially defensive Lileep into a 2HKO when using Weather Ball. A Lum Berry can be used instead to prevent Castform from being crippled by status.

Weather-based wallbreaker Castform best fits on offensive teams looking for a powerful wallbreaker. Specifically, it is a fantastic option on dedicated weather teams, as it's among their best setters, wallbreakers, and one of their only answers to the other weather due to Forecast letting it easily tank boosted hits and replace the weather. On dedicated Rain teams, Swift Swim users, such as Seaking and Horsea, and Rain setters, such as Voltorb, make great partners. On dedicated Sun teams, Chlorophyll users, such as Exeggcute and Sunflora, and Sun setters, such as Onix, make great partners. On all types of offensive teams, fast physical threats such as Aipom and Taillow appreciate Castform's ability to break physical walls, while they in return can break through the remainder of the opposing team. Faster physical threats are also Castform's biggest threat, as they can revenge kill it, so physical tanks and walls such as Rhyhorn and Nosepass also make great partners.



This looks good. A little more detail for the first set is beneficial. I'd also appreciate if you made its weather set the top set or 2nd set on this analysis though we can discuss this later. QC 1/2
 
I think there could be a bulkier mixed protect set that checks special & weather attackers in a pinch be mentioned at least in Other Options. That set was used a bit and it's done good enough when i used it in tours games etc. I think the set looked like this:

Castform @ Leftovers
Ability: Forecast
EVs: 248 HP / 72 Atk / 88 SpA / 72 SpD / 28 Spe
Quiet Nature
- Double-Edge
- Thunderbolt/Flamethrower/Hidden Power [Grass]
- Ice Beam/Toxic
- Protect


Other sets look good tho you could slash ice beam into last slot with hp grass on the mixed substitute set. It still dents even sdef Rhyhorn and pressures Lileep into using recover. As for special substitute, you could slash hidden power [grass] in last slot with fire blast which trades OHKOing sdef Rhyhorns and Chinchou matchup with 2HKOing Lileeps partner in crime Dustox with a little chip like 1 layer of spikes while roasting Magnemite. Descriptions of the sets and mons mentioned look fine, so i'll give second QC approval for this analysis.

QC 2/2

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[SET]
name: Weather Boy
move 1: Rain Dance / Sunny Day
move 2: Weather Ball / Fire Blast
move 3: Ice Beam / Solar Beam
move 4: Thunderbolt / Thunder / Hidden Power Grass
item: Mystic Water / Charcoal / Lum Berry
ability: Forecast
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Castform's exceptional bulk and special attack, fantastic special movepool, and ability in Forecast allow it to function as an excellent weather setter and wallbreaker. Under Rain or Sun, its boosted STAB 2HKOes nearly every viable special wall and OHKOes virtually every other neutral target. OHKOes as a verb, OHKOs as a plural noun If it's using Rain Dance, Castform's only viable STAB is Weather Ball, but if it's using Sunny Day, (AC) Castform may use Fire Blast instead, which is usable strong even outside of Sun and hits higher damage ranges still does more damage than Weather Ball in Sun at the cost of having an imperfect Accuracy. Weather does not need to be active to use Weather Ball, your wording implies that does. Also, "damage ranges" isn't a term as far as I'm aware. I'd say "damage rolls" if anything, but unless you're actually getting into numbers, I'd just say it's stronger, or something similar If it's using Rain Dance, Ice Beam is crucial for targeting Grass-types while also threatening Flying- and Ground-types outside of Rain. When using Sunny Day, Solar Beam is instead used as it OHKOs most Rock- and Water-types, which can usually tank a boosted Fire Blast and try to threaten Castform with their STABs or status. Castform's moveset is rounded off by Thunderbolt, which threatens opposing Water-types regardless of the weather, (AC) and is Sunny Day Castform's strongest Attack against Flash Fire Growlithe. Rain Dance has the option to instead opt for use Thunder, which is even stronger at the cost of having terrible shaky Accuracy outside of Rain, and or Hidden Power Grass, which threatens Chinchou, a Pokemon that will otherwise resists or is immune to all of Castform's attacks. Switching opt for to use is up to you, but I think using option and opt so close together reads weirdly. Terrible for shaky is also subjective, but I don't think Thunder's 70% accuracy is bad enough to call "terrible." As I understand it, Rain Castform doesn't have room for both Thunder and HP Grass, so that needs to be or. A Mystic Water for Rain Dance, or Charcoal for Sunny Day, (RC) can be used to augment the power of Castform's STAB, notably hitting to hit special walls such as Delcatty and Dustox harder. (RP) It also , and 2HKOes rare specially defensive Lileep spreads. To be honest, I spent like 10-15 minutes on this one section about items because I knew that something was wrong with it, but I just couldn't figure out what it was or how to fix it. But I think what I ended up with was an improvement. A Lum Berry can be used instead to prevent Castform from being crippled by status.

Castform best fits on offensive teams looking for a powerful wallbreaker. Specifically, it is a fantastic option on dedicated weather teams, as it's among their best setters, wallbreakers, and one of their only answers to the other weather due to Forecast. On dedicated Rain teams, Swift Swim users, (RC) such as Seaking and Horsea, and Rain setters, (RC) such as Voltorb, make great partners. On dedicated Sun teams, Chlorophyll users, (RC) such as Exeggcute and Sunflora, and Sun setters, (RC) such as Onix, make great partners pair well with Castform. Avoiding repetition On all types of offensive teams, fast physical threats such as Aipom and Taillow appreciate Castform's ability to break physical walls, while they in return can break through the remainder of the opposing team. However, (AC) Faster physical threats attackers are also Castform's biggest threat, as they can revenge kill it, (RC) . (AP) sSo physical tanks and walls such as Rhyhorn and Nosepass also make great partners. Subjective changes to avoid repetition and generally improve readability

[SET]
name: Special Substitute Special Attacker I think you should mention that it's an attacker, and I also think it reads better with this structure
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Fire Blast
item: Leftovers
ability: Forecast
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Substitute Sspecial attacker Substitute Castform is a dangerous special wallbreaker that takes advantage of Castform's ability to force switches to set up a Substitute and further its already immense wallbreaking power. Ice Beam threatens the ZU's plethora of Grass-types, notably Lileep. Thunderbolt, meanwhile, threatens the majority of the ZU's of Water-types while providing solid damage against the Steel- and Fire-types that resist Ice Beam. Both moves handle Flying-types such as Taillow and Pidegotto. I don't think "both" on its own counts as a subject noun/pronoun Hidden Power Grass rounds off Castform's coverage by threatening Chinchou while also preventing specially defensive Rhyhorn variants from attempting to tank a hit and retaliatinge. Alternatively, Fire Blast can be used to threaten Dustox and Magnemite, which otherwise wall this set.

Special attacking Substitute Castform best fits on offensive and balance teams looking for a powerful and bulky special wallbreaker. Special walls that don't fear its coverage, such as Delcatty, wall it completely, so strong physical wallbreakers such as Aipom and Taillow make great partners, while Castform handles the physical walls they dislike in return. If it's running Fire Blast, Grass-types are important partners for their ability to break through Chinchou. E (RP) , (AC) even if Castform is running Hidden Power Grass, it still appreciates their support. Psychic-types are notable as possible partners for their ability to threaten specially defensive Poison-types like Dustox and Grimer, which Castform struggles to break through. Exeggcute is a notable partner especially noteworthy for having both Grass- and Psychic-type STAB while also spreading sleep, which makes it easier for Castform to set up a Substitute. Avoiding repetition of "notable" Fire-types like Cyndaquil and Growlithe pair well with Castform's coverage and notably break through Dustox and Magnemite for it, which is essential if it's running Hidden Power Grass. Physical walls and tanks like Nosepass, Rhyhorn and Lileep are also greatly appreciated as faster physical wallbreakers such as Choice Band Aipom, Pidgeotto, Taillow can easily revenge kill Special Substitute Castform, and the former can even tank all of this set's moves when at full HP. Finally, Forecast and Castform's good bulk makes it the best weather answer in ZU, and this set's coverage often lets it handle weather sweepers for teams that would otherwise struggle with them.

[SET]
name: Mixed Substitute Mixed Attacker
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Return / Double-Edge
move 3: Flamethrower
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
item: Leftovers
ability: Forecast
nature: Naughty / Lonely
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Mixed Substitute mixed attacker Castform is a potent wallbreaker that is capable of threatening both physical and special walls alike. Substitute uses Castform's ability to force switches to set up a Substitute and further its wallbreaking prowess. Return threatens common Sspecial Wwalls such as Dustox and Delcatty with a 2HKO. Alternatively, Double-Edge can be used to increase Castorm's damage ranges, (RC) though at the cost of hurting Castorm's its longevity. Avoiding repeating "Castform's" within a short span Flamethrower threatens Steel-types such as Magnemite and physically bulky Grass-types such as Exeggcute and Bayleef. Hidden Power Grass threatens Rock-types, notably annihilating the exceptionally dangerous Rhyhorn. A Naughty nature allows this Castform to increase the power of its STAB while not compromising its Special Attack or Speed, though at the cost of worsening its matchups against special attackers such as Elekid and Staryu. If one wants to be able use Mixed Substitute Castform to check those threats, a Lonely nature can be used instead, preserving those matchups at the cost of worsening Castorm's matchups against physical attackers like Aipom and Taillow.

Castform best fits on offensive and balance teams that appreciate the wide range of pPokemon it can check. Lileep is the one wall this set cannot threaten at all, and thus Toxic support from the likes of Dustox and Koffing is greatly appreciated. Fast physical attackers such as Choice Band Aipom, Pidgeotto, and Taillow can easily outspeed and revenge kill Castform if it's not behind a Substitute, and thus physcially physically defensive pPokemon such as Lileep and Rhyhorn can help Castform fight off these threats. Special walls such as Dustox and Delcatty are also good partners if this Castform is using a Naughty Nature, as it's easily put into the range of faster special attackers such as Elekid and Staryu. Given this Castform's ability to break through special physical walls, special wallbreakers such as Chinchou and Growlithe enjoy its support. Honestly I'm just guessing that was a typo. That, or wallbreakers was supposed to be sweepers. I really don't know, and if I'm wrong and you meant to endorse stacking special wallbreakers, just leave it as you had it Finally, Forecast lets this Castform check weather sweepers for its team, but it cannot be a team's sole weather check due to its lack of strong coverage, especially if it's running a Naughty nature.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A physical wallbreaker set utilizing Choice Band is an option, though this is largely outclassed by Choice Band Aipom. Toxic can be used to catch potential switch-ins off guard, such as Lileep; (RSC) h . (AP) However, this means Castform has to forgo Protect or one of its coverage options. Protect wasn't mentioned on a single set, and while your use of a semicolon was grammatically correct, it still reads like something that will trip people up Castform also has some set-specific other options. Castform's Tank set may use Hidden Power Grass to OHKO Rhyhorn, but the coverage of Ice Beam is important to target Lileep. What Tank set? On Mixed Substitute Mixed Attacker Castform, Ice Beam can be used over Hidden Power Grass, as it still threatens Rhyhorn while threatening Lileep with a 3HKO. Explain why this isn't a slash, because that sounds like high upside

Checks and Counters
===================

Status Users: Pokemon that run status such as Butterfree, Lileep, and Koffing can all severely limit Castform's effectiveness. Toxic discourages Castform from using Double-Edge or Protect while greatly reducing its opportunities to switch in. Will-O-Wisp does the same while also halving Castform's Attack, effectively voiding its capabilities as a tank, since it can no longer threaten special attackers.

Magnemite: If Castform lacks Fire-type coverage it cannot threaten Magnemite, which can cripple Castform with a status move or 3HKO it with Thunderbolt.

Water-types: If Castform lacks Thunderbolt, it has a harder time dealing with Water-types such as Seaking, Horsea, and Staryu. Staryu deserves a special mention as it slowly wears down Castform through its own recoil, healing off Double-Edge damage with Recover. Notably, the lack of Thunderbolt means Horsea can withstand at least one attack from Castform at full HP, which lets it fire off multiple Hydro Pumps.

Physical Wallbreakers: Pokemon such as Aipom, Taillow, and Pidgeotto outpace Castform and 2HKO it with their STAB moves. If it lacks Ice Beam or Hidden Power Grass, Castform is unable to threaten Rhyhorn. Cubone can OHKO Castform after the slighest amount of chip, while Castform can only 2HKO with Ice Beam and Double-Edge if Cubone is healthy.

Add the Tank set like we've discussed on Discord. I'm assuming that set runs Protect, so you can ignore my removals of its mention once you do.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bp.272450/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/medeia.312146/
Grammar checked by:
Tutor ping Sabelette
Even beyond RBY, you have to GP this dude.
 

Gangsta Spongebob

"Mama I'm a Criminal" - Badass Smoking Caterpillar
is a Site Content Manageris a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributoris a Tiering Contributoris a Top Contributor
Implemented, and while I'm not GP, I'll say this analysis looks way better now!

In case this is relevant to GP, both me and BP worked on Castform at the same time; he did the Tank set, oos, and c&c specifically. His portion got uploaded first, though I edited his oos and c&c here. Since we're both QC, we both got a writer and QC credit, and his previous upload is why there is a preexisting GP credit.
 
Last edited:

Sabelette

from the river to the sea
is a Site Content Manageris a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Forum Moderator Alumnus
Working off deezcastforms's amcheck for simplicity's sake

GP 1/1 GP Team done, ping me when implemented so i can scan it over one last time; re-add the tank set to this and i'll check that too

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[SET]
name: Weather Boy
move 1: Rain Dance / Sunny Day
move 2: Weather Ball / Fire Blast
move 3: Ice Beam / Solar Beam
move 4: Thunderbolt / Thunder / Hidden Power Grass
item: Mystic Water / Charcoal / Lum Berry
ability: Forecast
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Castform's exceptional bulk and special attack, fantastic special movepool, and ability in Forecast allow it to function as an excellent weather setter and wallbreaker. Under Rain rain or Sun sun, (we don't capitalize weather) its boosted STAB move (STAB is the bonus, so "move" or "attack" when referring to STAB moves) 2HKOes nearly every viable special wall and OHKOes virtually every other neutral target. OHKOes as a verb, OHKOs as a plural noun If it's using Rain Dance, Castform's only viable STAB move is Weather Ball, but if it's using Sunny Day, (AC) Castform may use Fire Blast instead, which is usable strong even outside of Sun sun and hits higher damage ranges still does more damage than Weather Ball in sun at the cost of having an imperfect Accuracy accuracy (no caps). Weather does not need to be active to use Weather Ball, your wording implies that does. Also, "damage ranges" isn't a term as far as I'm aware. I'd say "damage rolls" if anything, but unless you're actually getting into numbers, I'd just say it's stronger, or something similar If it's using Rain Dance, Ice Beam is crucial for targeting Grass-types while also threatening Flying- and Ground-types outside of Rain rain. When using Sunny Day, Solar Beam is instead used instead, (AC) as it OHKOes most Rock- and Water-types, which can usually tank a boosted Fire Blast and try to threaten Castform with their STABs moves or status. Castform's moveset is rounded off by Thunderbolt, which threatens opposing Water-types regardless of the weather, (AC) (no comma) and is Sunny Day Castform's strongest attack Attack against Flash Fire Growlithe. Rain Dance has the option to instead opt for use Thunder, which is even stronger at the cost of having terrible shaky Accuracy outside of Rain rain, and or Hidden Power Grass, which threatens Chinchou, a Pokemon that will otherwise resists or is immune to all of Castform's attacks. Switching opt for to use is up to you, but I think using option and opt so close together reads weirdly. Terrible for shaky is also subjective, but I don't think Thunder's 70% accuracy is bad enough to call "terrible." As I understand it, Rain Castform doesn't have room for both Thunder and HP Grass, so that needs to be or. A Mystic Water for Rain Dance, or Charcoal for Sunny Day, (RC) Mystic Water or Charcoal (we don't need to clarify what dex info can clarify) can be used to augment the power of Castform's STAB move, notably hitting to hit special walls, (AC) such as Delcatty and Dustox, (AC) harder. (RP) It also and 2HKOes the rare specially defensive Lileep spreads. To be honest, I spent like 10-15 minutes on this one section about items because I knew that something was wrong with it, but I just couldn't figure out what it was or how to fix it. But I think what I ended up with was an improvement. A Lum Berry can be used instead to prevent Castform from being crippled by status.

Castform best fits best (this flows better imo) on offensive teams looking for a powerful wallbreaker. Specifically, it is a fantastic option on dedicated weather teams, as it's among their best setters, wallbreakers, (you already named this and it flows awkwardly) and one of their only answers to the other weather due to Forecast. On dedicated Rain rain teams, Swift Swim users, such as Seaking and Horsea, and Rain setters, such as Voltorb, make great partners. On dedicated Sun sun teams, Chlorophyll users, such as Exeggcute and Sunflora, and Sun sun setters, such as Onix, make great partners pair well with Castform. Avoiding repetition On all types of offensive teams, fast physical threats such as Aipom and Taillow appreciate Castform's ability to break physical walls, while they in return can break through the remainder of the opposing team. However, (AC) Faster physical threats attackers are also Castform's biggest threat, as they can revenge kill it, so physical tanks and walls, (AC) such as Rhyhorn and Nosepass, (AC) also make great partners. Subjective changes to avoid repetition and generally improve readability

[SET]
name: Special Substitute Special Attacker I think you should mention that it's an attacker, and I also think it reads better with this structure
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Fire Blast
item: Leftovers
ability: Forecast
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Substitute Sspecial attacker Substitute Castform is a dangerous special wallbreaker that takes advantage of Castform's ability to force switches to set up a Substitute and further its already immense wallbreaking power. Ice Beam threatens the ZU's plethora of Grass-types, notably including Lileep. Thunderbolt, meanwhile, threatens the majority of the ZU's of Water-types while providing solid damage against the Steel- and Fire-types that resist Ice Beam. Both moves handle Flying-types such as Taillow and Pidegotto Pidgeotto. (sp) I don't think "both" on its own counts as a subject noun/pronoun Hidden Power Grass rounds off Castform's coverage by threatening Chinchou while also preventing specially defensive Rhyhorn variants from attempting to tank a hit and retaliatinge. Alternatively, Fire Blast can be used to threaten Dustox and Magnemite, which otherwise wall this set.

Special attacking Substitute Castform (consider "this set" instead for brevity) best fits best on offensive and balance teams looking for a powerful and bulky special wallbreaker. Special walls that don't fear its coverage, such as Delcatty, wall it completely, so strong physical wallbreakers such as Aipom and Taillow make great partners, while and Castform handles the physical walls they dislike in return. If it's running Fire Blast, Grass-types are important partners for their ability to break through Chinchou. . E (RP) , (AC) e (don't do this change, it creates a run-on sentence; you could do a semicolon, but optional) Even if Castform is running Hidden Power Grass, it still appreciates their support. Psychic-types are notable as possible (skip these, keep "partners") partners for their ability to threaten specially defensive Poison-types like Dustox and Grimer, which Castform struggles to break through. Exeggcute is a notable partner especially (this word's optional) noteworthy for having both Grass- and Psychic-type STAB while also spreading sleep, which makes it easier for Castform to set up a Substitute. Avoiding repetition of "notable" Fire-types like Cyndaquil and Growlithe pair well with Castform's coverage and notably break through Dustox and Magnemite for it, which is essential if it's running Hidden Power Grass. Physical walls and tanks, (AC) like Nosepass, Rhyhorn and Lileep, (AC) are also greatly appreciated, (AC) as faster physical wallbreakers, (AC) such as Choice Band Aipom, Pidgeotto, and Taillow, (AC) can easily revenge kill Special Substitute Castform, and the former can even tank survive all of this set's moves when at full HP. Finally, Forecast and Castform's good bulk makes it the best weather answer in ZU, and this set's coverage often lets it handle weather sweepers for teams that would otherwise struggle with them. (this feels like it belongs at the end of the last paragraph)

[SET]
name: Mixed Substitute Mixed Attacker
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Return / Double-Edge
move 3: Flamethrower
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
item: Leftovers
ability: Forecast
nature: Naughty / Lonely
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Mixed Substitute mixed attacker Castform is a potent wallbreaker that is capable of threatening both physical and special walls alike. Substitute uses Castform's ability to force switches to set up a Substitute and further its wallbreaking prowess. Return threatens common Sspecial Wwalls such as Dustox and Delcatty with a 2HKO. Alternatively, Double-Edge can be used to increase Castorm's damage ranges, (RC) though at the cost of hurting Castorm's its longevity. (nice change) Avoiding repeating "Castform's" within a short span Flamethrower threatens Steel-types, (AC) such as Magnemite, (AC) and physically bulky Grass-types, (AC) such as Exeggcute and Bayleef. Hidden Power Grass threatens Rock-types, notably annihilating the exceptionally dangerous Rhyhorn. A Naughty nature allows this Castform to increase the power of its STAB moves while not wthout compromising its Special Attack or Speed, though at the cost of worsening its matchups against special attackers such as like Elekid and Staryu. If one wants to be able use Mixed Substitute Castform to check those threats, a Lonely nature can be used instead to check those threats, preserving those matchups at the cost of worsening Castform's (sp) matchups against physical attackers like Aipom and Taillow.

Castform best fits on offensive and balance teams that appreciate the wide range of pPokemon it can check. Lileep is the one wall this set cannot threaten at all, and thus Toxic support from the likes of Dustox and Koffing is greatly appreciated. Fast physical attackers, (AC) such as Choice Band Aipom, Pidgeotto, and Taillow, (AC) can easily outspeed and revenge kill Castform if it's not behind a Substitute, and thus physcially physically defensive pPokemon such as Lileep and Rhyhorn can help Castform fight off these threats. Special walls such as Dustox and Delcatty are also good partners if this Castform is using a Naughty Nature nature (this is also not capitalized), as it's easily put into the range of faster special attackers such as Elekid and Staryu. Given this Castform's ability to break through special physical walls, special wallbreakers such as Chinchou and Growlithe enjoy its support. Honestly I'm just guessing that was a typo. That, or wallbreakers was supposed to be sweepers. I really don't know, and if I'm wrong and you meant to endorse stacking special wallbreakers, just leave it as you had it Finally, Forecast lets this Castform check weather sweepers for its team, but it cannot be a team's sole weather check due to its lack of strong coverage, especially if it's running a Naughty nature. (again feels like this idea belongs in the prior paragraph)

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A physical wallbreaker set utilizing Choice Band is an option, though this is largely outclassed by Choice Band Aipom. Toxic can be used to catch potential switch-ins off guard, such as Lileep; (RSC) h . (AP) However, (I liked this how it was before, your call) this means Castform has to forego (sp) Protect or (reminder to un-cut this) one of its coverage options. Protect wasn't mentioned on a single set, and while your use of a semicolon was grammatically correct, it still reads like something that will trip people up (I'm guessing its on the tank set, if so leave it.) Castform also has some set-specific other options. Castform's Tank (un-cut this word) set may use Hidden Power Grass to OHKO Rhyhorn, but the coverage of Ice Beam is important to target Lileep. What Tank set? On Mixed Substitute Mixed Attacker mixed attacker Castform, Ice Beam can be used over Hidden Power Grass, as it still threatens Rhyhorn while also threatening Lileep with a 3HKO. Explain why this isn't a slash, because that sounds like high upside

Checks and Counters
===================

**Status Users**: Pokemon that run status such as Butterfree, Lileep, and Koffing can all severely limit Castform's effectiveness. Toxic discourages Castform from using Double-Edge or Protect (another) while and greatly reducing reduces its opportunities to switch in. Will-O-Wisp does the same while also halving Castform's Attack, effectively voiding its capabilities as a tank, since it can no longer threaten special attackers.

**Magnemite**: If Castform lacks Fire-type coverage it cannot threaten Magnemite, which can cripple Castform with a status move or 3HKO it with Thunderbolt.

**Water-types**: If Castform lacks Thunderbolt, it has a harder time dealing with Water-types, (AC) such as Seaking, Horsea, and Staryu. Staryu deserves a special mention, (AC) as it slowly wears down Castform through its own recoil, healing off Double-Edge damage with Recover. Notably, the lack of Thunderbolt means Horsea can withstand at least one attack from Castform at full HP, which lets it fire off multiple Hydro Pumps Hydro Pump multiple times (try to aavoid pluralizing attacks if possible).

**Physical Wallbreakers**: Pokemon such as Aipom, Taillow, and Pidgeotto outpace Castform and 2HKO it with their STAB moves. If it lacks Ice Beam or Hidden Power Grass, Castform is unable to threaten Rhyhorn. Cubone can OHKO Castform after the slightest (sp) amount of chip, while Castform can only 2HKO with Ice Beam and Double-Edge if Cubone is healthy.

Add the Tank set like we've discussed on Discord. I'm assuming that set runs Protect, so you can ignore my removals of its mention once you do.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bp.272450/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/medeia.312146/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/deezcastforms.423085/
 

Sabelette

from the river to the sea
is a Site Content Manageris a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Forum Moderator Alumnus
Last skim, GP 1/1

[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Protect
move 2: Double-Edge
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Thunderbolt / Flamethrower
item: Leftovers
ability: Forecast
nature: Brave
evs: 248 HP / 112 Atk / 120 SpD / 28 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Castform cements itself as a meta-defining threat thanks to its exceptional stats—for the tier—and (remove spaces around emdashes and change format to —) plethora of coverage moves. It excels as a specially defensive tank that can threaten a wide variety of Pokemon. Furthermore, Forecast makes Castform the most reliable answer to teams that use weather, letting it automatically resist a majority of their primary moves. Protect allows Castform to scout would-be revenge killers that use Choice Band, (AC) such as Aipom and Pidgeotto, while also netting recovery from Leftovers. Castform's STAB Double-Edge removes Pokemon that resist its coverage, such as Chinchou and Elekid, while threatening special walls such as Dustox, Delcatty, and Sunflora. Thunderbolt allows Castform to nail Water- and Flying-types such as Horsea, Seaking, and Pidgeotto. Ice Beam enables Castform to threaten Ground- and Grass-types such as Rhyhorn and physically defensive Lileep. Flamethrower is an option to threaten Magnemite, but it requires Castform to forgo Thunderbolt, which limits its effectiveness against rain teams. Castform's EVs allow it to outpace maximum Speed Rhyhorn while still maintaining enough Attack to threaten special attackers such as Growlithe, Elekid, and Seaking. Castform's Special Defense investment allows it to avoid 2HKOs by Seaking, Horsea, and Cyndaquil, and possibly Growlithe with favorable Fire Blast damage.

Castform excels on balance and offensive teams that appreciate an answer to weather or a special sponge. Physical wallbreakers such as Aipom, Pidgeotto, and Tailow appreciate Castform's effectiveness against Elekid. Special attackers such as Growlithe, Elekid, and Staryu enjoy the pressure that Castform puts on special walls like Dustox and Delcatty with Double-Edge. Elekid pairs particularly well with Castform, as it is able to threaten physical wallbreakers such as Aipom and Pidgeotto. Due to its lack of reliable recovery, Castform preforms best with secondary defensive support from Pokemon such as Dustox, Delcatty, and Sunflora. Delcatty provides Castform with recovery in Wish while also keeping it safe from status thanks to Heal Bell. Physically defensive Pokemon such as Lileep, Koffing, and Magnemite prevent Castform from being revenge killed by Aipom, Pidgeotto, or Taillow. Koffing and Castform form a great core, as Koffing can cripple physical attackers with Will-O-Wisp, while Castform can tank special attacks for Koffing.

[SET]
name: Weather Boy
move 1: Rain Dance / Sunny Day
move 2: Weather Ball / Fire Blast
move 3: Ice Beam / Solar Beam
move 4: Thunderbolt / Thunder / Hidden Power Grass
item: Mystic Water / Charcoal / Lum Berry
ability: Forecast
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Castform's exceptional bulk and special attack, fantastic special movepool, and ability in Forecast allow it to function as an excellent weather setter and wallbreaker. Under rain or sun, (RC) its boosted STAB move 2HKOes nearly every viable special wall and OHKOes virtually every other neutral target. If it's using Rain Dance, Castform's only viable STAB move is Weather Ball, but if it's using Sunny Day, Castform may use Fire Blast instead, which is strong even outside of sun and still does more damage than Weather Ball in sun at the cost of having an imperfect accuracy. If it's using Rain Dance, Ice Beam is crucial for targeting Grass-types while also threatening Flying- and Ground-types outside of rain. When using Sunny Day, Solar Beam is used instead, as it OHKOes most Rock- and Water-types, which can usually tank a boosted Fire Blast and try to threaten Castform with their STAB moves or and status. Castform's moveset is rounded off by Thunderbolt, which threatens opposing Water-types regardless of the weather and is Sunny Day Castform's strongest attack against Flash Fire Growlithe. Rain Dance has the option to instead use Thunder, which is even stronger at the cost of having shaky Accuracy accuracy outside of rain, or Hidden Power Grass, which threatens Chinchou, a Pokemon that otherwise resists or is immune to all of Castform's attacks. Mystic Water or Charcoal can be used to augment the power of Castform's STAB move, notably hitting special walls, such as Delcatty and Dustox, harder and 2HKOing the rare specially defensive Lileep. A Lum Berry can be used instead to prevent Castform from being crippled by status.

Castform fits best on offensive teams looking for a powerful wallbreaker. Specifically, it is a fantastic option on dedicated weather teams, as it's among their best setters and one of their only answers to the other weather due to Forecast. On dedicated rain teams, Swift Swim users, such as Seaking and Horsea, and Rain setters, such as Voltorb, make great partners. On dedicated sun teams, Chlorophyll users, such as Exeggcute and Sunflora, and sun setters, such as Onix, pair well with Castform. On all types of offensive teams, fast physical threats such as Aipom and Taillow appreciate Castform's ability to break physical walls, while they in return can break through the remainder of the opposing team. Fast physical attackers are also Castform's biggest threat, as they can revenge kill it, so physical tanks and walls, such as Rhyhorn and Nosepass, also make great partners.

[SET]
name: Substitute Special Attacker
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Fire Blast
item: Leftovers
ability: Forecast
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Substitute special attacker Castform is a dangerous special wallbreaker that takes advantage of Castform's ability to force switches to set up a Substitute and further its already immense wallbreaking power. Ice Beam threatens ZU's plethora of Grass-types, notably including Lileep. Thunderbolt, meanwhile, threatens the majority of Water-types while providing solid damage against the Steel- and Fire-types that resist Ice Beam. Both moves handle Flying-types such as Taillow and Pidgeotto. Hidden Power Grass rounds off Castform's coverage by threatening Chinchou while also preventing specially defensive Rhyhorn from attempting to tank a hit and retaliate. Alternatively, Fire Blast can be used to threaten Dustox and Magnemite, which otherwise wall this set.

This set fits best on offensive and balance teams looking for a powerful and bulky special wallbreaker. Special walls that don't fear its coverage, such as Delcatty, wall it completely, so strong physical wallbreakers such as Aipom and Taillow make great partners, and Castform handles the physical walls they dislike in return. If it's running Fire Blast, Grass-types are important partners for their ability to break through Chinchou. Even if Castform is running Hidden Power Grass, it still appreciates their support. Psychic-types are notable partners for their ability to threaten specially defensive Poison-types like Dustox and Grimer, which Castform struggles to break through. Exeggcute is noteworthy for having both Grass- and Psychic-type STAB while also spreading sleep, which makes it easier for Castform to set up a Substitute. Fire-types like Cyndaquil and Growlithe pair well with Castform's coverage and break through Dustox and Magnemite for it, which is essential if it's running Hidden Power Grass. Physical walls and tanks, like Nosepass, Rhyhorn and Lileep, are also greatly appreciated, as faster physical wallbreakers, such as Choice Band Aipom, Pidgeotto, and Taillow, can easily revenge kill Castform, and the former can even survive all of this set's moves when at full HP. Finally, Forecast and Castform's good bulk makes it the best weather answer, and this set's coverage often lets it handle weather sweepers for teams that would otherwise struggle with them.

[SET]
name: Substitute Mixed Attacker
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Return / Double-Edge
move 3: Flamethrower
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
item: Leftovers
ability: Forecast
nature: Naughty / Lonely
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Substitute mixed attacker Castform is a potent wallbreaker that is capable of threatening both physical and special walls alike. Substitute uses Castform's ability to force switches to set up a Substitute and further its wallbreaking prowess. Return threatens common special walls such as Dustox and Delcatty with a 2HKO. Alternatively, Double-Edge can be used to increase Castform's (typo here) damage at the cost of hurting its longevity. Flamethrower threatens Steel-types, such as Magnemite, and physically bulky Grass-types, such as Exeggcute and Bayleef. Hidden Power Grass threatens Rock-types, notably annihilating the exceptionally dangerous Rhyhorn. A Naughty nature allows Castform to increase the power of its STAB moves without compromising its Special Attack or Speed, (RC) though but worsens at the cost of worsening its matchups against special attackers like Elekid and Staryu. A Lonely nature can be used to check those threats, preserving those matchups at the cost of worsening Castform's matchups against physical attackers like Aipom and Taillow.

Castform best fits on offensive and balance teams that appreciate it checking a the wide range of Pokemon it can check. Lileep is the one wall this set cannot threaten at all, and thus Toxic support from the likes of Dustox and Koffing is greatly appreciated. Fast physical attackers, such as Choice Band Aipom, Pidgeotto, and Taillow, can easily outspeed and revenge kill Castform if it's not behind a Substitute, and thus physically defensive Pokemon such as Lileep and Rhyhorn can help Castform fight off these threats. Special walls such as Dustox and Delcatty are also good partners if this Castform is using a Naughty nature, as it's easily put into range of faster special attackers such as Elekid and Staryu. Given this Castform's ability to break through special walls, additional special attackers such as Chinchou and Growlithe form potent offensive cores alongside it. Finally, Forecast lets this Castform check weather sweepers for its team, but it cannot be a team's sole weather check due to its lack of strong coverage, especially if it's running a Naughty nature.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A physical wallbreaker set utilizing Choice Band is an option, though this is largely outclassed by Choice Band Aipom. Toxic can be used to catch potential switch-ins off guard, such as Lileep; however, this means Castform has to forego Protect or one of its coverage options. Castform also has some set-specific options. Castform's Tank set may use Hidden Power Grass to OHKO Rhyhorn, but the coverage of Ice Beam is important to target Lileep. On Substitute mixed attacker Castform, Ice Beam can be used over Hidden Power Grass, as it still 2HKOes Rhyhorn while threatening Lileep with a 3HKO, though Hidden Power Grass OHKOing Rhyhorn is generally more useful.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Status Users**: Pokemon that run status such as Butterfree, Lileep, and Koffing can all severely limit Castform's effectiveness. Toxic discourages Castform from using Double-Edge or Protect and greatly reduces its opportunities to switch in. Will-O-Wisp does the same while also halving Castform's Attack, effectively voiding its capabilities as a tank, (RC) since it can no longer threaten special attackers.

**Magnemite**: If Castform lacks Fire-type coverage it cannot threaten Magnemite, which can cripple Castform with a status move or 3HKO it with Thunderbolt.

**Water-types**: If Castform lacks Thunderbolt, it has a harder time dealing with Water-types, such as Seaking, Horsea, and Staryu. Staryu deserves a special mention, as it slowly wears down Castform through its own recoil, healing off Double-Edge damage with Recover. Notably, the lack of Thunderbolt means Horsea can withstand at least one attack from Castform at full HP, which lets it fire off Hydro Pump multiple times.

**Physical Wallbreakers**: Pokemon such as Aipom, Taillow, and Pidgeotto outpace Castform and 2HKO it with their STAB moves. If it lacks Ice Beam or Hidden Power Grass, Castform is unable to threaten Rhyhorn. Cubone can KO Castform after the slightest amount of chip, while Castform can only 2HKO with Ice Beam and Double-Edge if Cubone is healthy.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bp.272450/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/medeia.312146/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/deezcastforms.423085/
 
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