[overview]
**Draft order**: Late round 3 onwards
**Price range**: 13-14 points
**Overview**: Ogerpon-C brings good offensive presence and utility to the table thanks to its Rock and Grass typing. This enables it to hit a generous portion of Pokemon well, also in part thanks to its decent Attack and Speed and its excellent signature move, Ivy Cudgel. With Swords Dance and Trailblaze to set up, as well as great coverage moves, Ogerpon-C can become a potent sweeper and wallbreaker. Access to utility moves also enables Ogerpon-C to contribute to the team even in its difficult matchups. However, it is locked to the Cornerstone Mask item and misses the ability to run items like Choice Scarf and Heavy-Duty Boots, so speed control and good entry hazard control from teammates are appreciated.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Wallbreaker**: With the use of Swords Dance, few Pokemon can stand up to Ogerpon-C's boosted Ivy Cudgel and Grass-type STAB moves. Pokemon that can stomach a hit from Ogerpon-C are potentially weak to its coverage, such as Superpower, Low Kick, and Stomping Tantrum to hit Steel-types and Play Rough to hit Fighting-types.
**Setup Sweeper**: With Trailblaze to boost its Speed, Ogerpon-C becomes a monstrous setup sweeper that is potentially very difficult to stop. However, this variant typically wants Swords Dance as well, and combined with the fact Trailblaze is quite weak, Ogerpon-C can sometimes struggle to fit all the moves it wants.
**Offensive Utility**: Ogerpon-C has a plethora of utility options that can support its teammates in a match, even when its wallbreaking capabilities are limited. These include Spikes, Knock Off, Taunt, Encore, and U-turn.
**Entry Hazard Lead**: Thanks to Sturdy, Ogerpon-C almost always gets to set at least one layer of Spikes, making it an ideal entry hazard lead.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves**: Ivy Cudgel, Horn Leech, Power Whip, Wood Hammer
**Setup moves**: Swords Dance, Trailblaze
**Utility moves**: Encore, Leech Seed, Spikes, Substitute, Synthesis, Taunt, U-turn, Brick Break, Spiky Shield
**Coverage**: Stomping Tantrum, Knock Off, Low Kick, Play Rough, Superpower, Throat Chop, Zen Headbutt
Niche Moves
========
**Reversal / Counter**: Both of these moves have nice synergy with Sturdy, allowing Ogerpon-C to take one strong hit and deal big damage in return.
**Quick Attack**: This priority attack can be nice for Ogerpon-C to revenge kill faster weakened foes, letting it act as an emergency check to some setup or wallbreaking threats.
**Focus Energy**: Focus Energy allows Ogerpon-C's Ivy Cudgel to get a critical hit 100% of the time, amplifying its damage output and ignoring any opposing Pokemon trying to boost their Defense or lower Ogerpon-C's Attack via Intimidate.
Common Items
========
**Cornerstone Mask**: Ogerpon-C must hold this item.
Tera
========
Ogerpon-C appreciates being a Tera Captain, as the raw power boost it provides to Ivy Cudgel contributes to Ogerpon-C's offensive capabilities. The Defense boost that comes with Embody Aspect also enables bulky setup sets to boost more easily and makes Ogerpon-C more resilient to priority moves in general. However, Ogerpon-C is locked into the pure Rock typing when it Terastallizes, and most drafts can usually find a better Tera Captain.
Draft Strategy
========
Ogerpon-C should not be the centerpiece of a draft, but it can be used as a secondary wallbreaker or sweeper to complement stronger partners. Good entry hazard and speed control are also vital to Ogerpon-C's performance, as it is locked into the Cornerstone Mask and cannot alleviate these weaknesses using items by itself.
**Good Entry Hazard Control**: Ogerpon-C cannot run Heavy-Duty Boots and is therefore liable to getting worn down over the course of a game by hazards. Good hazard control ensures the damage it takes from entry hazards is mitigated and allows it to stay around for longer. It also means it is easier for Ogerpon-C to keep Sturdy active for use in the game. Rapid Spin is preferred so your own hazards stay up: Pokemon like Great Tusk and Iron Treads therefore make premier partners, while picks like Cyclizar and Forretress can also provide Rapid Spin and other utility.
**Speed Control**: Ogerpon-C cannot run Choice Scarf and therefore cannot act as reliable speed control outside of niche priority attacks. As such, it is important to draft Pokemon that can act as speed control, like Iron Valiant, Greninja, and Cinderace, to keep strong threats from sweeping your team.
**Special Wallbreakers**: Special wallbreakers can greatly complement the offensive pressure Ogerpon-C exerts. Partners like Enamorus, Volcarona, and Latios scare away the Pokemon that can act as stops to Ogerpon-C, and in return it can pivot them into the game.
**Pivots**: Pokemon with access to pivoting moves are greatly appreciated, both on the defensive and offensive side of the spectrum. Pokemon like Galarian Slowking, Corviknight, and Rotom-W can slow pivot Ogerpon-C into the game, allowing it to hit the field without worrying about tanking a hit with its average defenses and weakness to entry hazards. Offensive pivots are also great picks: Ogerpon-C having access to U-turn is great, but other pivot move users ensure it is not pressured into this role every game.
**Status / Burn Absorbers**: Given Ogerpon-C cannot hold Lum Berry, Pokemon that can easily switch into incoming Will-O-Wisps are greatly appreciated.
Checks and Counters
========
**Entry Hazards**: Entry hazards will always cut into Ogerpon-C's longevity and break its Sturdy, as it cannot run Heavy-Duty Boots, thus reducing the number of times it can hit the field and therefore the work it puts in.
**Faster Threats**: Ogerpon-C is fast but outpaced by a decent cast of Pokemon. Due to its inability to run Choice Scarf, Ogerpon-C variants not running Trailblaze will always be forced out by faster threats, like Sneasler and Tornadus-T. Even if Ogerpon-C chooses to run Trailblaze, it can still be outsped by faster Choice Scarf Pokemon, and finding an opportunity to use Trailblaze can be difficult against most teams.
**Priority Attacks**: Ogerpon-C has average bulk, and given that it really wants to invest in Attack and Speed, most variants of Ogerpon-C will be weak to priority attacks. Pokemon like Scizor and Metagross, which can OHKO Ogerpon-C with a super effective Bullet Punch, and Palafin-H, which has a strong neutral Jet Punch to pick off a weakened Ogerpon-C, can generally force it out.
**Physical Walls**: Physically defensive Pokemon, like Skarmory, Forretress, and Landorus-T, can switch into an unboosted Ogerpon-C and force it out. Ogerpon-C suffers from four-moveslot syndrome and cannot always fit all the coverage it wants, so Steel- and Fighting- types can sometimes be good stops to it.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/boingk.586482/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scionicle.599989/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scribble.356084/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/olivia.620359/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
**Draft order**: Late round 3 onwards
**Price range**: 13-14 points
**Overview**: Ogerpon-C brings good offensive presence and utility to the table thanks to its Rock and Grass typing. This enables it to hit a generous portion of Pokemon well, also in part thanks to its decent Attack and Speed and its excellent signature move, Ivy Cudgel. With Swords Dance and Trailblaze to set up, as well as great coverage moves, Ogerpon-C can become a potent sweeper and wallbreaker. Access to utility moves also enables Ogerpon-C to contribute to the team even in its difficult matchups. However, it is locked to the Cornerstone Mask item and misses the ability to run items like Choice Scarf and Heavy-Duty Boots, so speed control and good entry hazard control from teammates are appreciated.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Wallbreaker**: With the use of Swords Dance, few Pokemon can stand up to Ogerpon-C's boosted Ivy Cudgel and Grass-type STAB moves. Pokemon that can stomach a hit from Ogerpon-C are potentially weak to its coverage, such as Superpower, Low Kick, and Stomping Tantrum to hit Steel-types and Play Rough to hit Fighting-types.
**Setup Sweeper**: With Trailblaze to boost its Speed, Ogerpon-C becomes a monstrous setup sweeper that is potentially very difficult to stop. However, this variant typically wants Swords Dance as well, and combined with the fact Trailblaze is quite weak, Ogerpon-C can sometimes struggle to fit all the moves it wants.
**Offensive Utility**: Ogerpon-C has a plethora of utility options that can support its teammates in a match, even when its wallbreaking capabilities are limited. These include Spikes, Knock Off, Taunt, Encore, and U-turn.
**Entry Hazard Lead**: Thanks to Sturdy, Ogerpon-C almost always gets to set at least one layer of Spikes, making it an ideal entry hazard lead.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves**: Ivy Cudgel, Horn Leech, Power Whip, Wood Hammer
**Setup moves**: Swords Dance, Trailblaze
**Utility moves**: Encore, Leech Seed, Spikes, Substitute, Synthesis, Taunt, U-turn, Brick Break, Spiky Shield
**Coverage**: Stomping Tantrum, Knock Off, Low Kick, Play Rough, Superpower, Throat Chop, Zen Headbutt
Niche Moves
========
**Reversal / Counter**: Both of these moves have nice synergy with Sturdy, allowing Ogerpon-C to take one strong hit and deal big damage in return.
**Quick Attack**: This priority attack can be nice for Ogerpon-C to revenge kill faster weakened foes, letting it act as an emergency check to some setup or wallbreaking threats.
**Focus Energy**: Focus Energy allows Ogerpon-C's Ivy Cudgel to get a critical hit 100% of the time, amplifying its damage output and ignoring any opposing Pokemon trying to boost their Defense or lower Ogerpon-C's Attack via Intimidate.
Common Items
========
**Cornerstone Mask**: Ogerpon-C must hold this item.
Tera
========
Ogerpon-C appreciates being a Tera Captain, as the raw power boost it provides to Ivy Cudgel contributes to Ogerpon-C's offensive capabilities. The Defense boost that comes with Embody Aspect also enables bulky setup sets to boost more easily and makes Ogerpon-C more resilient to priority moves in general. However, Ogerpon-C is locked into the pure Rock typing when it Terastallizes, and most drafts can usually find a better Tera Captain.
Draft Strategy
========
Ogerpon-C should not be the centerpiece of a draft, but it can be used as a secondary wallbreaker or sweeper to complement stronger partners. Good entry hazard and speed control are also vital to Ogerpon-C's performance, as it is locked into the Cornerstone Mask and cannot alleviate these weaknesses using items by itself.
**Good Entry Hazard Control**: Ogerpon-C cannot run Heavy-Duty Boots and is therefore liable to getting worn down over the course of a game by hazards. Good hazard control ensures the damage it takes from entry hazards is mitigated and allows it to stay around for longer. It also means it is easier for Ogerpon-C to keep Sturdy active for use in the game. Rapid Spin is preferred so your own hazards stay up: Pokemon like Great Tusk and Iron Treads therefore make premier partners, while picks like Cyclizar and Forretress can also provide Rapid Spin and other utility.
**Speed Control**: Ogerpon-C cannot run Choice Scarf and therefore cannot act as reliable speed control outside of niche priority attacks. As such, it is important to draft Pokemon that can act as speed control, like Iron Valiant, Greninja, and Cinderace, to keep strong threats from sweeping your team.
**Special Wallbreakers**: Special wallbreakers can greatly complement the offensive pressure Ogerpon-C exerts. Partners like Enamorus, Volcarona, and Latios scare away the Pokemon that can act as stops to Ogerpon-C, and in return it can pivot them into the game.
**Pivots**: Pokemon with access to pivoting moves are greatly appreciated, both on the defensive and offensive side of the spectrum. Pokemon like Galarian Slowking, Corviknight, and Rotom-W can slow pivot Ogerpon-C into the game, allowing it to hit the field without worrying about tanking a hit with its average defenses and weakness to entry hazards. Offensive pivots are also great picks: Ogerpon-C having access to U-turn is great, but other pivot move users ensure it is not pressured into this role every game.
**Status / Burn Absorbers**: Given Ogerpon-C cannot hold Lum Berry, Pokemon that can easily switch into incoming Will-O-Wisps are greatly appreciated.
Checks and Counters
========
**Entry Hazards**: Entry hazards will always cut into Ogerpon-C's longevity and break its Sturdy, as it cannot run Heavy-Duty Boots, thus reducing the number of times it can hit the field and therefore the work it puts in.
**Faster Threats**: Ogerpon-C is fast but outpaced by a decent cast of Pokemon. Due to its inability to run Choice Scarf, Ogerpon-C variants not running Trailblaze will always be forced out by faster threats, like Sneasler and Tornadus-T. Even if Ogerpon-C chooses to run Trailblaze, it can still be outsped by faster Choice Scarf Pokemon, and finding an opportunity to use Trailblaze can be difficult against most teams.
**Priority Attacks**: Ogerpon-C has average bulk, and given that it really wants to invest in Attack and Speed, most variants of Ogerpon-C will be weak to priority attacks. Pokemon like Scizor and Metagross, which can OHKO Ogerpon-C with a super effective Bullet Punch, and Palafin-H, which has a strong neutral Jet Punch to pick off a weakened Ogerpon-C, can generally force it out.
**Physical Walls**: Physically defensive Pokemon, like Skarmory, Forretress, and Landorus-T, can switch into an unboosted Ogerpon-C and force it out. Ogerpon-C suffers from four-moveslot syndrome and cannot always fit all the coverage it wants, so Steel- and Fighting- types can sometimes be good stops to it.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/boingk.586482/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scionicle.599989/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scribble.356084/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/olivia.620359/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
Last edited:
