[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Toxic Spikes
move 2: Sleep Powder
move 3: Leaf Storm
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ground / Hidden Power Ice
item: Focus Sash / Black Sludge
ability: Poison Point / Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Roserade’s Speed, access to Sleep Powder, and power make it the prime contender to lay down Toxic Spikes for both offensive and balance teams early-game. Without Spikes, Roserade gains access to its two best offensive tools: Sleep Powder and Leaf Storm. Sleep Powder heavily pressures slower foes lacking a Lum Berry, such as some Metagross, slower Jirachi sets, Skarmory, defensive Latias, and Clefable, and gives Roserade opportunities to attack or set up Toxic Spikes. Leaf Storm is Roserade’s most powerful option and does a lot of damage to foes that don’t resist it, such as having a chance to OHKO bulky Azelf and OHKOing Suicune, Gyarados, and Tyranitar without any defensive EVs after Stealth Rock. Even frailer Grass resistances such as Breloom and Infernape can take a lot of damage, and its raw power is enough to dissuade grounded Poison-types such as Nidoqueen, Tentacruel, and Qwilfish from switching in to absorb Toxic Spikes.
Hidden Power Fire is the most common option in the final moveslot, 2HKOing Skarmory, Metagross, and Breloom while OHKOing Scizor and Forretress. However, the lower Speed IV may be disadvantageous against opposing Roserade and Lucario. On the other hand, Hidden Power Ground nails Heatran, OHKOing versions without defensive EVs after Stealth Rock while still hitting Metagross and Jirachi. Hidden Power Ice hits Dragonite, Gliscor, offensive Latias, and Flygon more effectively.
Set Details
========
Roserade needs maximum Speed and Special Attack to most effectively use its offensive prowess to put foes to sleep and set up Toxic Spikes. While the power of a Modest nature is very nice for OHKOing most Azelf leads trying to Taunt Roserade, Roserade sits in a very crowded Speed tier with neutral nature Flygon, Jirachi, and Zapdos, as well as Rotom-A and Suicune, and appreciates a Timid nature. If Roserade has Hidden Power Fire, it can invest some of the extra Speed into Defense to better survive attacks, although the effect is negligible.
Both Focus Sash and Black Sludge are effective items; however, Focus Sash should only be used if Roserade leads, as it is very frail, and Focus Sash gives it another chance to either set up Toxic Spikes, use Sleep Powder, or attack should the latter two miss or if the foe is faster. Black Sludge is the item of choice if Roserade doesn’t lead and is instead an early-game attacker.
Usage Tips
========
Roserade should come into the game early or lead and either use Sleep Powder, attack, or lay Toxic Spikes. Against faster Taunt leads such as Azelf and Aerodactyl, Roserade should just attack as they Taunt it, as Leaf Storm can OHKO them should they lack a Focus Sash. Against leads that might carry a Lum Berry such as Gyarados, Metagross, and some Machamp, just attacking or getting Toxic Spikes up is a good idea. Otherwise, it’s often best to Sleep Powder, especially if the foe is slower. Any lead can carry a Lum Berry or survive Roserade’s options, so metagame trends and what the rest of the team needs can dictate what to do, such as using Sleep Powder into leads like Machamp or just attacking into something like Skarmory.
If Roserade doesn’t lead, the fact that Sleep Powder is uncommon outside of the lead slot can be leveraged, especially with Black Sludge. This can lead to sleeping Steel-types or Dragon-types or other important Pokemon. While Roserade is not particularly bulky, it can afford to take weaker special attacks such as defensive Swampert's Ice Beam or Rotom-A's Thunderbolt, giving it a chance to exert pressure.
Roserade will usually only set one layer of Toxic Spikes, as most pokemon don't stay long enough on the field to make the second turn of setup worthwhile. However, when facing bulky Pokemon such as Hippowdon, Blissey, Milotic, and Celebi, inflicting Toxic poison can be valuable. In this situation, Roserade should aim to set the second layer of Toxic Spikes as soon as possible.
Team Options
========
Roserade is the best offensive Toxic Spikes user in the metagame, so it has many viable partners. Gengar is a fantastic teammate for Roserade, as Toxic Spikes wear down Choice Scarf Tyranitar very effectively. As Tyranitar is perhaps the only check for Taunt or Substitute Gengar on defensive teams, wearing it down or potentially KOing it is extremely helpful. Roserade’s Sleep Powder also often targets Steel-types or bulkier Pokemon, which can survive Gengar’s attacks. Other potential partners include Choice Scarf Rotom-A, offensive Latias, Zapdos, and Starmie. Substitute attackers such as Heatran and Substitute Zapdos are also great choices, as Toxic Spikes can help wear down their checks. Other offensive Heatran sets such as Choice Scarf also enjoy Toxic Spikes wearing down Fire resistances. Offensive Roserade is unique in that it’s a sacrificial lead that needs bulkier teammates to effectively use Toxic Spikes. As such, it often needs a good defensive core to backstop it should the foe set up on it. Some good choices include using Roserade alongside bulky Ground-types such as Hippowdon and Swampert to better handle Dragon Dance sweepers such as Dragonite and Tyranitar, bulky Steel-types such as Jirachi, Scizor, and Metagross for Latias and Flygon, and using it on a Fire-Water-Grass core alongside options like Heatran and Suicune.
Good Roserade partners are Pokemon that already handle Pokemon immune to Toxic Spikes like Clefable, Steel-types, and Flying-types well. Some other examples include Swords Dance Gliscor, Agility Empoleon, and Kingdra. Choice Scarf revenge killers such as Flygon and Latias are also helpful to take down worn down foes and backstop Roserade.
name: Offensive
move 1: Toxic Spikes
move 2: Sleep Powder
move 3: Leaf Storm
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ground / Hidden Power Ice
item: Focus Sash / Black Sludge
ability: Poison Point / Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Roserade’s Speed, access to Sleep Powder, and power make it the prime contender to lay down Toxic Spikes for both offensive and balance teams early-game. Without Spikes, Roserade gains access to its two best offensive tools: Sleep Powder and Leaf Storm. Sleep Powder heavily pressures slower foes lacking a Lum Berry, such as some Metagross, slower Jirachi sets, Skarmory, defensive Latias, and Clefable, and gives Roserade opportunities to attack or set up Toxic Spikes. Leaf Storm is Roserade’s most powerful option and does a lot of damage to foes that don’t resist it, such as having a chance to OHKO bulky Azelf and OHKOing Suicune, Gyarados, and Tyranitar without any defensive EVs after Stealth Rock. Even frailer Grass resistances such as Breloom and Infernape can take a lot of damage, and its raw power is enough to dissuade grounded Poison-types such as Nidoqueen, Tentacruel, and Qwilfish from switching in to absorb Toxic Spikes.
Hidden Power Fire is the most common option in the final moveslot, 2HKOing Skarmory, Metagross, and Breloom while OHKOing Scizor and Forretress. However, the lower Speed IV may be disadvantageous against opposing Roserade and Lucario. On the other hand, Hidden Power Ground nails Heatran, OHKOing versions without defensive EVs after Stealth Rock while still hitting Metagross and Jirachi. Hidden Power Ice hits Dragonite, Gliscor, offensive Latias, and Flygon more effectively.
Set Details
========
Roserade needs maximum Speed and Special Attack to most effectively use its offensive prowess to put foes to sleep and set up Toxic Spikes. While the power of a Modest nature is very nice for OHKOing most Azelf leads trying to Taunt Roserade, Roserade sits in a very crowded Speed tier with neutral nature Flygon, Jirachi, and Zapdos, as well as Rotom-A and Suicune, and appreciates a Timid nature. If Roserade has Hidden Power Fire, it can invest some of the extra Speed into Defense to better survive attacks, although the effect is negligible.
Both Focus Sash and Black Sludge are effective items; however, Focus Sash should only be used if Roserade leads, as it is very frail, and Focus Sash gives it another chance to either set up Toxic Spikes, use Sleep Powder, or attack should the latter two miss or if the foe is faster. Black Sludge is the item of choice if Roserade doesn’t lead and is instead an early-game attacker.
Usage Tips
========
Roserade should come into the game early or lead and either use Sleep Powder, attack, or lay Toxic Spikes. Against faster Taunt leads such as Azelf and Aerodactyl, Roserade should just attack as they Taunt it, as Leaf Storm can OHKO them should they lack a Focus Sash. Against leads that might carry a Lum Berry such as Gyarados, Metagross, and some Machamp, just attacking or getting Toxic Spikes up is a good idea. Otherwise, it’s often best to Sleep Powder, especially if the foe is slower. Any lead can carry a Lum Berry or survive Roserade’s options, so metagame trends and what the rest of the team needs can dictate what to do, such as using Sleep Powder into leads like Machamp or just attacking into something like Skarmory.
If Roserade doesn’t lead, the fact that Sleep Powder is uncommon outside of the lead slot can be leveraged, especially with Black Sludge. This can lead to sleeping Steel-types or Dragon-types or other important Pokemon. While Roserade is not particularly bulky, it can afford to take weaker special attacks such as defensive Swampert's Ice Beam or Rotom-A's Thunderbolt, giving it a chance to exert pressure.
Roserade will usually only set one layer of Toxic Spikes, as most pokemon don't stay long enough on the field to make the second turn of setup worthwhile. However, when facing bulky Pokemon such as Hippowdon, Blissey, Milotic, and Celebi, inflicting Toxic poison can be valuable. In this situation, Roserade should aim to set the second layer of Toxic Spikes as soon as possible.
Team Options
========
Roserade is the best offensive Toxic Spikes user in the metagame, so it has many viable partners. Gengar is a fantastic teammate for Roserade, as Toxic Spikes wear down Choice Scarf Tyranitar very effectively. As Tyranitar is perhaps the only check for Taunt or Substitute Gengar on defensive teams, wearing it down or potentially KOing it is extremely helpful. Roserade’s Sleep Powder also often targets Steel-types or bulkier Pokemon, which can survive Gengar’s attacks. Other potential partners include Choice Scarf Rotom-A, offensive Latias, Zapdos, and Starmie. Substitute attackers such as Heatran and Substitute Zapdos are also great choices, as Toxic Spikes can help wear down their checks. Other offensive Heatran sets such as Choice Scarf also enjoy Toxic Spikes wearing down Fire resistances. Offensive Roserade is unique in that it’s a sacrificial lead that needs bulkier teammates to effectively use Toxic Spikes. As such, it often needs a good defensive core to backstop it should the foe set up on it. Some good choices include using Roserade alongside bulky Ground-types such as Hippowdon and Swampert to better handle Dragon Dance sweepers such as Dragonite and Tyranitar, bulky Steel-types such as Jirachi, Scizor, and Metagross for Latias and Flygon, and using it on a Fire-Water-Grass core alongside options like Heatran and Suicune.
Good Roserade partners are Pokemon that already handle Pokemon immune to Toxic Spikes like Clefable, Steel-types, and Flying-types well. Some other examples include Swords Dance Gliscor, Agility Empoleon, and Kingdra. Choice Scarf revenge killers such as Flygon and Latias are also helpful to take down worn down foes and backstop Roserade.
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