[Overview]
Rillaboom's unique access to Grassy Surge and Grassy Glide makes it a deadly revenge killer in OU. Moreover, its strong coverage moves, setup in Swords Dance, and pivoting in U-turn make it a great choice for offensive teams; it can effectively wallbreak, sweep late-game, and create momentum via pivoting out on its telegraphed switch-ins, and it also provides residual healing through Grassy Terrain. Despite all of these qualities, Rillaboom is held back by the ubiquity of Grass-resistant Pokemon such as Skarmory, Zapdos, Corviknight, and especially Buzzwole, with this exacerbated by its susceptibility to adverse contact effects such as Rocky Helmet and Static. Additionally, Rillaboom faces competition from other offensive Grass-types in the tier. Tapu Bulu’s higher Defense and Fairy typing make it a more reliable check to Landorus-T, Urshifu-R, and Zeraora, while its access to Stone Edge lets it more reliably break through Flying-type switch-ins. Alternatively, Kartana’s higher Attack stat lets it more freely wallbreak early-game, and Beast Boost lets it snowball and break past would-be counters like Corviknight in the endgame. Finally, the prominence of Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, and Tapu Fini, which override Grassy Terrain, threatens both Rillaboom’s damage output and access to priority, significantly decreasing its ease in simply sweeping with Grassy Glide.
[Set]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Grassy Glide
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Superpower
item: Life Orb
ability: Grassy Surge
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
The immediate power of Grassy Glide means that, if it is safely brought in, Rillaboom can force plenty of switches and set up, such as against Tapu Fini or Urshifu-R. At +2, boosted by a Life Orb and Grassy Terrain, Grassy Glide is immensely powerful, capable of KOing virtually all neutral threats and even doing high damage to resistant Pokemon. Knock Off complements Grassy Glide well, punishing switch-ins by removing items such as the Heavy-Duty Boots of Flying-types. Wood Hammer can be opted for here instead; it is extremely powerful, often eliminating the need for prediction, and OHKOes the likes of Unaware Clefable, which otherwise frustrates both this set and hyper offense generally. Wood Hammer also inflicts high damage to Flying-type switch-ins, helping a common teammate in Kartana clean later in the game with Knock Off, therefore making Knock Off redundant on Rillaboom itself. Superpower OHKOes Steel-types like Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Melmetal and 2HKOes Corviknight and Skarmory even when factoring in the Attack drop. A Jolly nature allows Rillaboom to outspeed and KO Modest Kyurem, Modest Tapu Lele, and offensive Heatran while also getting the jump on Zapdos to pressure it with boosted Knock Offs or Wood Hammers.
This set is best run on hyper offense builds that appreciate Rillaboom’s powerful priority and ability to break past defensive checks. Superpower helps soften Skarmory and Corviknight to let physical attackers like Urshifu-R and Weavile sweep later. Kartana is a notable partner; though the pair fulfill greatly redundant offensive roles, one can wallbreak for the other to sweep later, with Grassy Terrain making Kartana’s Leaf Blade spammable against even resisted switch-ins. Magnezone stands out as the single best partner for Rillaboom, punishing and discouraging predictable switches into Skarmory and Corviknight so it can more freely attack. Grassy Seed Hawlucha is a great partner for Rillaboom, giving hyper offense builds an unparalleled Speed tier and terrifying wallbreaker in one teamslot while also aiding Rillaboom’s weakness to Buzzwole. Moreover, Rillaboom is able to bust past the likes of Clefable, Slowbro, and Toxapex, setting up Hawlucha to sweep in the endgame.
[Set]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Grassy Glide
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Wood Hammer
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Band
ability: Grassy Surge
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Grassy Glide is the strongest priority move in the game under Grassy Terrain, capable of OHKOing common offensive threats, cementing Rillaboom as one of the tier's premier revenge killers. Knock Off hits Grass-resistant foes on the switch for high damage and crucially gets rid of items like Tornadus-T’s Heavy-Duty Boots and Corviknight’s Rocky Helmet, setting up easier wallbreaking opportunities as the game progresses. If Rillaboom is paired with Kartana, omitting Knock Off for Superpower is optimal, since Kartana is better poised to wallbreak with its own Knock Off if the opposing Flying-types' items are intact. Superpower is useful for targeting Steel-types like Melmetal, Ferrothorn, and Heatran that otherwise switch into Grassy Glide. For the final slot, U-turn is a hard-hitting pivoting tool that can bring in partners such as Magnezone, Blacephalon, and Heatran to punish the common Steel-type switch-ins Rillaboom forces. It generates momentum throughout the game, something competitors in Tapu Bulu and Kartana are unable to do. Rillaboom is also reasonably bulky and healed by Grassy Terrain, giving it opportunities to switch in and pivot out against weaker, resisted attacks like Landorus-T’s Earthquake without sacrificing its longevity too much.
This set is most appropriate in bulky offense builds. As always, Magnezone is a standout partner as an incredible recipient of U-turn’s pivoting, heavily limiting the opponent’s ability to effectively utilize Corviknight and Skarmory. Heatran appreciates Grassy Terrain to heal and weaken Earthquakes from the likes of Galarian Slowking. It can open up Rillaboom by trapping and removing non-Shed Shell Toxapex, preventing it from scouting Rillaboom's Choice-locked move. Heatran also easily sets Stealth Rock versus nearly all of the Flying-types in the tier, which is especially useful in conjunction with Rillaboom’s Knock Off. Swords Dance Kartana greatly benefits from Grassy Terrain boosting the power of its Leaf Blade and can break through physical walls like Corviknight, setting up Rillaboom to clean with Grassy Glide in the endgame. Entry hazard support such as Stealth Rock from Landorus and Spikes from Skarmory helps slowly wear down the opponent's team for Grassy Glide to sweep later. Finally, Urshifu-R can capitalize on Rillaboom’s U-turns out of incoming Heatran and Melmetal. Moreover, Rillaboom has favorable matchups with all of the bulky Water-types in the tier, paving the way for it to sweep opposing teams with Surging Strikes.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Drain Punch can be run on the Swords Dance set to provide a more sustainable offensive option versus Steel-types, though the difference in power relative to Superpower is significant. For example, at +2, Superpower is a guaranteed 2HKO on Corviknight after Stealth Rock, whereas Drain Punch has just a 33.6% chance to 2HKO. Acrobatics with no item is another option on the set to lure in and break past Buzzwole, Tangrowth, and Amoonguss, making way for teammates like Kartana and Urshifu-R; running no item is preferred over Grassy Seed, since Grassy Seed makes the presence of Acrobatics obvious. There is a noticeable loss in power from dropping Life Orb, however. A Choice Scarf set can be used on teams in need of revenge killing that isn't as reliant on Grassy Glide, and it can also snag surprise KOs on the likes of Dragapult early-game. This generally relies on surprise factor, though, and is hard to justify over Choice Scarf Kartana, which boasts Beast Boost to clean more effectively late-game.
Checks and Counters
====
**Buzzwole**: Buzzwole resists and tanks all of Rillaboom’s moves, even after a Swords Dance boost, while punishing attacking attempts with Rocky Helmet. This greatly limits Rillaboom’s ability to make progress in a game. Knock Off removing Buzzwole’s Rocky Helmet or Heavy-Duty Boots, however, can either make it easier to use physical attacks or increase the cost of Buzzwole switching in on Rillaboom, respectively.
**Flying-types**: Tornadus-T, Corviknight, Zapdos, Skarmory, and Mandibuzz all comfortably switch into Grassy Glide and threaten out Rillaboom with Flying-type STAB moves, Static, Rocky Helmet, Foul Play, or a mixture of the above. Crucially, they can all also punish Rillaboom switching out with Defog, which can greatly lower a team’s momentum. These Pokemon must exert caution when switching into Rillaboom at +2, though, for they all risk being 2HKOed. Moreover, Corviknight and Skarmory must be cautious of Rillaboom using U-turn to bring in Magnezone, which traps and KOes them, whereas the others severely dislike losing their Heavy-Duty Boots to Knock Off.
**Steel-types**: The likes of Corviknight, Skarmory, Heatran, Ferrothorn, Scizor, and Melmetal can discourage Grassy Glide spam and punish with options like entry hazards, U-turn, and Thunder Wave, especially against the Choice Band set. They must be wary of Superpower, however.
**Contact Effects**: Zapdos’s Static, Volcarona's Flame Body, and the ubiquity of Rocky Helmet all limit Rillaboom’s ability to spam attacks and threaten to wear it down over time, especially in conjunction with entry hazards and Life Orb chip damage.
**Opposing Terrain**: All opposing Terrain severely hinders Rillaboom by removing the 1.3x damage boost to its Grass-type moves and negating the priority effect of Grassy Glide. Tapu Lele can always come in after a KO and threaten to OHKO with any of its STAB moves, while Tapu Koko can either use U-turn to pivot out of an incoming switch-in or just KO outright with Dazzling Gleam with trivial amounts of chip damage. Both are unable to switch into Rillaboom, however.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Midnight Fredrick, 209953]]
- Quality checked by: [[Abhi, 526987], [Clone, 218318], [airfare, 513717]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [Estronic, 240732]]
Rillaboom's unique access to Grassy Surge and Grassy Glide makes it a deadly revenge killer in OU. Moreover, its strong coverage moves, setup in Swords Dance, and pivoting in U-turn make it a great choice for offensive teams; it can effectively wallbreak, sweep late-game, and create momentum via pivoting out on its telegraphed switch-ins, and it also provides residual healing through Grassy Terrain. Despite all of these qualities, Rillaboom is held back by the ubiquity of Grass-resistant Pokemon such as Skarmory, Zapdos, Corviknight, and especially Buzzwole, with this exacerbated by its susceptibility to adverse contact effects such as Rocky Helmet and Static. Additionally, Rillaboom faces competition from other offensive Grass-types in the tier. Tapu Bulu’s higher Defense and Fairy typing make it a more reliable check to Landorus-T, Urshifu-R, and Zeraora, while its access to Stone Edge lets it more reliably break through Flying-type switch-ins. Alternatively, Kartana’s higher Attack stat lets it more freely wallbreak early-game, and Beast Boost lets it snowball and break past would-be counters like Corviknight in the endgame. Finally, the prominence of Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, and Tapu Fini, which override Grassy Terrain, threatens both Rillaboom’s damage output and access to priority, significantly decreasing its ease in simply sweeping with Grassy Glide.
[Set]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Grassy Glide
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Superpower
item: Life Orb
ability: Grassy Surge
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
The immediate power of Grassy Glide means that, if it is safely brought in, Rillaboom can force plenty of switches and set up, such as against Tapu Fini or Urshifu-R. At +2, boosted by a Life Orb and Grassy Terrain, Grassy Glide is immensely powerful, capable of KOing virtually all neutral threats and even doing high damage to resistant Pokemon. Knock Off complements Grassy Glide well, punishing switch-ins by removing items such as the Heavy-Duty Boots of Flying-types. Wood Hammer can be opted for here instead; it is extremely powerful, often eliminating the need for prediction, and OHKOes the likes of Unaware Clefable, which otherwise frustrates both this set and hyper offense generally. Wood Hammer also inflicts high damage to Flying-type switch-ins, helping a common teammate in Kartana clean later in the game with Knock Off, therefore making Knock Off redundant on Rillaboom itself. Superpower OHKOes Steel-types like Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Melmetal and 2HKOes Corviknight and Skarmory even when factoring in the Attack drop. A Jolly nature allows Rillaboom to outspeed and KO Modest Kyurem, Modest Tapu Lele, and offensive Heatran while also getting the jump on Zapdos to pressure it with boosted Knock Offs or Wood Hammers.
This set is best run on hyper offense builds that appreciate Rillaboom’s powerful priority and ability to break past defensive checks. Superpower helps soften Skarmory and Corviknight to let physical attackers like Urshifu-R and Weavile sweep later. Kartana is a notable partner; though the pair fulfill greatly redundant offensive roles, one can wallbreak for the other to sweep later, with Grassy Terrain making Kartana’s Leaf Blade spammable against even resisted switch-ins. Magnezone stands out as the single best partner for Rillaboom, punishing and discouraging predictable switches into Skarmory and Corviknight so it can more freely attack. Grassy Seed Hawlucha is a great partner for Rillaboom, giving hyper offense builds an unparalleled Speed tier and terrifying wallbreaker in one teamslot while also aiding Rillaboom’s weakness to Buzzwole. Moreover, Rillaboom is able to bust past the likes of Clefable, Slowbro, and Toxapex, setting up Hawlucha to sweep in the endgame.
[Set]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Grassy Glide
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Wood Hammer
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Band
ability: Grassy Surge
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Grassy Glide is the strongest priority move in the game under Grassy Terrain, capable of OHKOing common offensive threats, cementing Rillaboom as one of the tier's premier revenge killers. Knock Off hits Grass-resistant foes on the switch for high damage and crucially gets rid of items like Tornadus-T’s Heavy-Duty Boots and Corviknight’s Rocky Helmet, setting up easier wallbreaking opportunities as the game progresses. If Rillaboom is paired with Kartana, omitting Knock Off for Superpower is optimal, since Kartana is better poised to wallbreak with its own Knock Off if the opposing Flying-types' items are intact. Superpower is useful for targeting Steel-types like Melmetal, Ferrothorn, and Heatran that otherwise switch into Grassy Glide. For the final slot, U-turn is a hard-hitting pivoting tool that can bring in partners such as Magnezone, Blacephalon, and Heatran to punish the common Steel-type switch-ins Rillaboom forces. It generates momentum throughout the game, something competitors in Tapu Bulu and Kartana are unable to do. Rillaboom is also reasonably bulky and healed by Grassy Terrain, giving it opportunities to switch in and pivot out against weaker, resisted attacks like Landorus-T’s Earthquake without sacrificing its longevity too much.
This set is most appropriate in bulky offense builds. As always, Magnezone is a standout partner as an incredible recipient of U-turn’s pivoting, heavily limiting the opponent’s ability to effectively utilize Corviknight and Skarmory. Heatran appreciates Grassy Terrain to heal and weaken Earthquakes from the likes of Galarian Slowking. It can open up Rillaboom by trapping and removing non-Shed Shell Toxapex, preventing it from scouting Rillaboom's Choice-locked move. Heatran also easily sets Stealth Rock versus nearly all of the Flying-types in the tier, which is especially useful in conjunction with Rillaboom’s Knock Off. Swords Dance Kartana greatly benefits from Grassy Terrain boosting the power of its Leaf Blade and can break through physical walls like Corviknight, setting up Rillaboom to clean with Grassy Glide in the endgame. Entry hazard support such as Stealth Rock from Landorus and Spikes from Skarmory helps slowly wear down the opponent's team for Grassy Glide to sweep later. Finally, Urshifu-R can capitalize on Rillaboom’s U-turns out of incoming Heatran and Melmetal. Moreover, Rillaboom has favorable matchups with all of the bulky Water-types in the tier, paving the way for it to sweep opposing teams with Surging Strikes.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Drain Punch can be run on the Swords Dance set to provide a more sustainable offensive option versus Steel-types, though the difference in power relative to Superpower is significant. For example, at +2, Superpower is a guaranteed 2HKO on Corviknight after Stealth Rock, whereas Drain Punch has just a 33.6% chance to 2HKO. Acrobatics with no item is another option on the set to lure in and break past Buzzwole, Tangrowth, and Amoonguss, making way for teammates like Kartana and Urshifu-R; running no item is preferred over Grassy Seed, since Grassy Seed makes the presence of Acrobatics obvious. There is a noticeable loss in power from dropping Life Orb, however. A Choice Scarf set can be used on teams in need of revenge killing that isn't as reliant on Grassy Glide, and it can also snag surprise KOs on the likes of Dragapult early-game. This generally relies on surprise factor, though, and is hard to justify over Choice Scarf Kartana, which boasts Beast Boost to clean more effectively late-game.
Checks and Counters
====
**Buzzwole**: Buzzwole resists and tanks all of Rillaboom’s moves, even after a Swords Dance boost, while punishing attacking attempts with Rocky Helmet. This greatly limits Rillaboom’s ability to make progress in a game. Knock Off removing Buzzwole’s Rocky Helmet or Heavy-Duty Boots, however, can either make it easier to use physical attacks or increase the cost of Buzzwole switching in on Rillaboom, respectively.
**Flying-types**: Tornadus-T, Corviknight, Zapdos, Skarmory, and Mandibuzz all comfortably switch into Grassy Glide and threaten out Rillaboom with Flying-type STAB moves, Static, Rocky Helmet, Foul Play, or a mixture of the above. Crucially, they can all also punish Rillaboom switching out with Defog, which can greatly lower a team’s momentum. These Pokemon must exert caution when switching into Rillaboom at +2, though, for they all risk being 2HKOed. Moreover, Corviknight and Skarmory must be cautious of Rillaboom using U-turn to bring in Magnezone, which traps and KOes them, whereas the others severely dislike losing their Heavy-Duty Boots to Knock Off.
**Steel-types**: The likes of Corviknight, Skarmory, Heatran, Ferrothorn, Scizor, and Melmetal can discourage Grassy Glide spam and punish with options like entry hazards, U-turn, and Thunder Wave, especially against the Choice Band set. They must be wary of Superpower, however.
**Contact Effects**: Zapdos’s Static, Volcarona's Flame Body, and the ubiquity of Rocky Helmet all limit Rillaboom’s ability to spam attacks and threaten to wear it down over time, especially in conjunction with entry hazards and Life Orb chip damage.
**Opposing Terrain**: All opposing Terrain severely hinders Rillaboom by removing the 1.3x damage boost to its Grass-type moves and negating the priority effect of Grassy Glide. Tapu Lele can always come in after a KO and threaten to OHKO with any of its STAB moves, while Tapu Koko can either use U-turn to pivot out of an incoming switch-in or just KO outright with Dazzling Gleam with trivial amounts of chip damage. Both are unable to switch into Rillaboom, however.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Midnight Fredrick, 209953]]
- Quality checked by: [[Abhi, 526987], [Clone, 218318], [airfare, 513717]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [Estronic, 240732]]
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