[overview]
**Draft order**: Round 3 onwards
**Price range**: 12-13 points
**Overview**: As the strongest Terrain setter in the format, Rillaboom is coveted for the support it can provide to a team as well as its individual strengths. Thanks to a high Attack stat and strong terrain-boosted STAB attacks—including a priority move—Rillaboom can break down many walls and threaten to sweep teams as well. On top of this, it has solid utility options and can be a good pivot in the matchups where it may struggle to wallbreak. Despite these strengths, solid but unremarkable stats outside Attack, as well as the inability to threaten some common typings, means Rillaboom should not be picked too early.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Wallbreaker**: Rillaboom can use its strong Terrain-boosted STAB attacks in conjunction with damage-boosting items, such as Choice Band, to wallbreak with consistency. Grassy Glide also allows Rillaboom to break through faster offensive checks and setup sweepers with ease.
**Bulky utility pivot**: Rillaboom may take a more defensive and supportive role that focuses on its very respectable bulk and strong utility move options, such as Knock Off, U-turn, and Leech Seed, to disrupt foes.
**Setup sweeper**: Rillaboom can use its setup options—Swords Dance and Bulk Up—to break through Pokemon that would typically check or wall to Rillaboom and secure KOs. Rillaboom can also clean teams after setting up with its strong priority Grassy Glide.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves**: Wood Hammer, Grassy Glide, Drum Beating
**Setup moves**: Swords Dance, Bulk Up
**Utility moves**: Knock Off, U-turn, Leech Seed, Taunt, Substitute, Protect, Brick Break
**Coverage**: High Horsepower, Low Kick, Drain Punch, Hammer Arm
Niche Moves
========
**Acrobatics**: Acrobatics can be found on sets with the item Grassy Seed so it may be boosted to full power when Rillaboom switches in.
**Trailblaze**: Trailblaze can be used on setup variants to boost Rillaboom's mediocre Speed, creating more sweeping potential.
**Bullet Seed** Bullet seed can be a viable STAB attack for Rillaboom if it may be benefited by a multi-hit and non-contact Grass attack.
Common Items
========
**Choice Band**: Choice Band allows a wallbreaking Rillaboom to repeatedly dish out strong STAB attacks that even most resistances cannot weather.
**Miracle Seed / Life Orb**: These damage-boosting items can help wallbreaking and sweeping variants thrive, as they allow more flexibility to set up and switch attacks.
**Assault Vest**: Assault Vest lets Rillaboom take more advantage of its strong STAB attacks, useful options Knock Off and U-turn, and coverage.
**Leftovers**: Leftovers will often be found on bulkier utility oriented sets that wish to check foes and disrupt the opposing team with increased longevity.
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Against entry hazard stacking teams, Heavy-Duty Boots prevents hazards from weakening Rillaboom too severely. This is especially useful on sets that will frequently be pivoting with U-turn.
Niche Items
========
**Protective Pads**: Protective Pads can be incredibly useful in order to avoid contact against Rocky Helmet users. Rillaboom can freely use contact moves against teams featuring Pokemon with abilities such as Flame Body and Static as well.
**Choice Scarf**: Choice Scarf helps Rillaboom overcome its mediocre Speed stat, enabling it to dish out more strong attacks and serve as a fast pivot. This is preferable to damage-boosting items, as you can attack first with stronger moves compared to Grassy Glide and less Terrain-reliant.
**Terrain Extender**: Terrain Extender can provide extra turns in Grassy Terrain to further support Rillaboom’s teammates.
**Rocky Helmet**: A Rocky Helmet can find use on bulkier sets, allowing Rillaboom to punish contact moves.
**Resistance Berries**: In a pinch, Resistance Berries such as Occa Berry and Coba Berry can allow Rillaboom to unexpectedly survive an attack, gaining an extra turn to setup or damage a foe.
**Grassy Seed**: Grassy Seed can provide Rillaboom a boost to its Defense, allowing it to check a certain threat or set up with increased ease. This item also boosts Acrobatics to full power upon consumption.
Tera
========
Although not ideally your Tera Captain due to a plethora of more effective higher tier Tera Captains, Rillaboom can use Tera effectively in several ways. Rillaboom can use Tera Grass to obliterate most walls that stand in its way and further enhance Grassy Glide. Rillaboom can also use offensive Tera Types such as Tera Electric, Ground, and Fairy for coverage to hit common checks harder. Some useful defensive Tera types include Fire, Steel, and Poison, which create better defensive matchups and remove specific weaknesses.
Draft Strategy
========
While not the centerpiece of your team, Rillaboom should be drafted with the intention of supporting early-round picks and allowing for more niche and flawed teammates that it can support. Rillaboom can offer a lot to a team with its incredibly strong wallbreaking power, solid utility, pivoting capabilities, and Terrain support.
**Unburden Pokemon**: Rillaboom is a very consistent enabler of Unburden Pokemon, as they may use a Grassy Seed to easily activate their ability and sweep. Pokemon such as Sneasler and Hawlucha appreciate this option.
**Special wallbreakers**: Rillaboom does a great job supporting special wallbreakers, as it can safely pivot into them and remove items from foes with Knock Off. As Rillaboom encourages walls to run more physical defense, special wallbreakers in particular, such as Chi-Yu and Iron Moth, can be great pairs. These types of Pokemon also enable Rillaboom to clean up late-game with Grassy Glide.
**Earthquake-weak Pokemon**: Rillaboom’s Grassy Terrain can be a great aid to a number of Pokemon that are typically very weak to Earthquake if the foe does not have access to Ground coverage unaffected by Grassy Terrain. Pokemon such as Gholdengo, Galarian Slowking, and Raging Bolt all enjoy this support greatly but must be wary of moves such as High Horsepower and Stomping Tantrum.
**Entry hazards**: By forcing switches frequently and consistently removing items, Rillaboom can be a great fit on hazard stacking teams. Pokemon such as Glimmora and Hisuian Samurott can make for fantastic teammates. It is worth noting Grassy Terrain may partially mitigate the effects of said hazards.
**Pokemon lacking recovery**: Rillaboom’s Grassy Terrain can be of great help to bulkier Pokemon that lack reliable recovery in their learnsets, especially if it uses Terrain Extender. Pokemon such as Heatran and Iron Hands really appreciate the added longevity.
Checks and Counters
========
Bulky Grass resistances: Rillaboom, which often uses Choice items and is at its best using its strong STAB attacks, may struggle against bulkier Grass-type resistances. Flying is a great type that resists Rillaboom's STAB attacks and coverage, but various Fire-, Poison-, Steel-, and Bug-type Pokemon are also capable checks. Pokemon such as Gouging Fire, Zapdos, and Corviknight fit this role.
**Faster offensive checks**: Due to a mediocre Speed stat and defensive typing, Rillaboom can be checked by a number of threats so long as Grassy Glide does not KO them outright. Pokemon such as Gouging Fire, Tornadus-T, and Iron Moth all check Rillaboom offensively and force a switch.
**Rocky Helmet / contact-punishing abilities**: Rocky Helmet and abilities like Flame Body and Static can threaten Rillaboom’s success, as it primarily uses contact moves.
**Ice Spinner users**: While hitting Rillaboom super effectively, the removal of Terrain hinders its support for teammates and Grassy Glide.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/jscurf2.608304/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno6377.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/nyx.564960/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
**Draft order**: Round 3 onwards
**Price range**: 12-13 points
**Overview**: As the strongest Terrain setter in the format, Rillaboom is coveted for the support it can provide to a team as well as its individual strengths. Thanks to a high Attack stat and strong terrain-boosted STAB attacks—including a priority move—Rillaboom can break down many walls and threaten to sweep teams as well. On top of this, it has solid utility options and can be a good pivot in the matchups where it may struggle to wallbreak. Despite these strengths, solid but unremarkable stats outside Attack, as well as the inability to threaten some common typings, means Rillaboom should not be picked too early.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Wallbreaker**: Rillaboom can use its strong Terrain-boosted STAB attacks in conjunction with damage-boosting items, such as Choice Band, to wallbreak with consistency. Grassy Glide also allows Rillaboom to break through faster offensive checks and setup sweepers with ease.
**Bulky utility pivot**: Rillaboom may take a more defensive and supportive role that focuses on its very respectable bulk and strong utility move options, such as Knock Off, U-turn, and Leech Seed, to disrupt foes.
**Setup sweeper**: Rillaboom can use its setup options—Swords Dance and Bulk Up—to break through Pokemon that would typically check or wall to Rillaboom and secure KOs. Rillaboom can also clean teams after setting up with its strong priority Grassy Glide.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves**: Wood Hammer, Grassy Glide, Drum Beating
**Setup moves**: Swords Dance, Bulk Up
**Utility moves**: Knock Off, U-turn, Leech Seed, Taunt, Substitute, Protect, Brick Break
**Coverage**: High Horsepower, Low Kick, Drain Punch, Hammer Arm
Niche Moves
========
**Acrobatics**: Acrobatics can be found on sets with the item Grassy Seed so it may be boosted to full power when Rillaboom switches in.
**Trailblaze**: Trailblaze can be used on setup variants to boost Rillaboom's mediocre Speed, creating more sweeping potential.
**Bullet Seed** Bullet seed can be a viable STAB attack for Rillaboom if it may be benefited by a multi-hit and non-contact Grass attack.
Common Items
========
**Choice Band**: Choice Band allows a wallbreaking Rillaboom to repeatedly dish out strong STAB attacks that even most resistances cannot weather.
**Miracle Seed / Life Orb**: These damage-boosting items can help wallbreaking and sweeping variants thrive, as they allow more flexibility to set up and switch attacks.
**Assault Vest**: Assault Vest lets Rillaboom take more advantage of its strong STAB attacks, useful options Knock Off and U-turn, and coverage.
**Leftovers**: Leftovers will often be found on bulkier utility oriented sets that wish to check foes and disrupt the opposing team with increased longevity.
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Against entry hazard stacking teams, Heavy-Duty Boots prevents hazards from weakening Rillaboom too severely. This is especially useful on sets that will frequently be pivoting with U-turn.
Niche Items
========
**Protective Pads**: Protective Pads can be incredibly useful in order to avoid contact against Rocky Helmet users. Rillaboom can freely use contact moves against teams featuring Pokemon with abilities such as Flame Body and Static as well.
**Choice Scarf**: Choice Scarf helps Rillaboom overcome its mediocre Speed stat, enabling it to dish out more strong attacks and serve as a fast pivot. This is preferable to damage-boosting items, as you can attack first with stronger moves compared to Grassy Glide and less Terrain-reliant.
**Terrain Extender**: Terrain Extender can provide extra turns in Grassy Terrain to further support Rillaboom’s teammates.
**Rocky Helmet**: A Rocky Helmet can find use on bulkier sets, allowing Rillaboom to punish contact moves.
**Resistance Berries**: In a pinch, Resistance Berries such as Occa Berry and Coba Berry can allow Rillaboom to unexpectedly survive an attack, gaining an extra turn to setup or damage a foe.
**Grassy Seed**: Grassy Seed can provide Rillaboom a boost to its Defense, allowing it to check a certain threat or set up with increased ease. This item also boosts Acrobatics to full power upon consumption.
Tera
========
Although not ideally your Tera Captain due to a plethora of more effective higher tier Tera Captains, Rillaboom can use Tera effectively in several ways. Rillaboom can use Tera Grass to obliterate most walls that stand in its way and further enhance Grassy Glide. Rillaboom can also use offensive Tera Types such as Tera Electric, Ground, and Fairy for coverage to hit common checks harder. Some useful defensive Tera types include Fire, Steel, and Poison, which create better defensive matchups and remove specific weaknesses.
Draft Strategy
========
While not the centerpiece of your team, Rillaboom should be drafted with the intention of supporting early-round picks and allowing for more niche and flawed teammates that it can support. Rillaboom can offer a lot to a team with its incredibly strong wallbreaking power, solid utility, pivoting capabilities, and Terrain support.
**Unburden Pokemon**: Rillaboom is a very consistent enabler of Unburden Pokemon, as they may use a Grassy Seed to easily activate their ability and sweep. Pokemon such as Sneasler and Hawlucha appreciate this option.
**Special wallbreakers**: Rillaboom does a great job supporting special wallbreakers, as it can safely pivot into them and remove items from foes with Knock Off. As Rillaboom encourages walls to run more physical defense, special wallbreakers in particular, such as Chi-Yu and Iron Moth, can be great pairs. These types of Pokemon also enable Rillaboom to clean up late-game with Grassy Glide.
**Earthquake-weak Pokemon**: Rillaboom’s Grassy Terrain can be a great aid to a number of Pokemon that are typically very weak to Earthquake if the foe does not have access to Ground coverage unaffected by Grassy Terrain. Pokemon such as Gholdengo, Galarian Slowking, and Raging Bolt all enjoy this support greatly but must be wary of moves such as High Horsepower and Stomping Tantrum.
**Entry hazards**: By forcing switches frequently and consistently removing items, Rillaboom can be a great fit on hazard stacking teams. Pokemon such as Glimmora and Hisuian Samurott can make for fantastic teammates. It is worth noting Grassy Terrain may partially mitigate the effects of said hazards.
**Pokemon lacking recovery**: Rillaboom’s Grassy Terrain can be of great help to bulkier Pokemon that lack reliable recovery in their learnsets, especially if it uses Terrain Extender. Pokemon such as Heatran and Iron Hands really appreciate the added longevity.
Checks and Counters
========
Bulky Grass resistances: Rillaboom, which often uses Choice items and is at its best using its strong STAB attacks, may struggle against bulkier Grass-type resistances. Flying is a great type that resists Rillaboom's STAB attacks and coverage, but various Fire-, Poison-, Steel-, and Bug-type Pokemon are also capable checks. Pokemon such as Gouging Fire, Zapdos, and Corviknight fit this role.
**Faster offensive checks**: Due to a mediocre Speed stat and defensive typing, Rillaboom can be checked by a number of threats so long as Grassy Glide does not KO them outright. Pokemon such as Gouging Fire, Tornadus-T, and Iron Moth all check Rillaboom offensively and force a switch.
**Rocky Helmet / contact-punishing abilities**: Rocky Helmet and abilities like Flame Body and Static can threaten Rillaboom’s success, as it primarily uses contact moves.
**Ice Spinner users**: While hitting Rillaboom super effectively, the removal of Terrain hinders its support for teammates and Grassy Glide.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/jscurf2.608304/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno6377.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/nyx.564960/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
Last edited:
