[OVERVIEW]
Rampardos is a destructive wallbreaker in ZU. With a monstrous Attack stat, a great ability in Sheer Force, and access to coverage moves like Zen Headbutt and Ice Beam, Rampardos has virtually no defensive counterplay, a feat that other wallbreakers like Marowak fail to achieve. Unfortunately, poor bulk and mediocre Speed mean that Rampardos can be easily revenge killed by common offensive threats like Swanna and Electivire. This is further compounded by Rampardos's Rock typing, which, while solid offensively, leaves it with nasty weaknesses to common Grass-, Water-, Fighting-, and Ground-type moves. These factors can make Rampardos hard to fit onto a team, especially in comparison to other wallbreakers like Marowak and Choice Band Komala, which, while lacking the raw power of Rampardos, have moderately better bulk and access to pivoting in Komala's case.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Rock Slide
move 2: Fire Punch
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Zen Headbutt / Substitute
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fire Punch hits Grass- and Steel-types hard, notably 2HKOing Gourgeist-XL, Shiinotic, and Bronzor. Ice Beam dents bulky Ground-types like Torterra and Golem, which resist Rock Slide. For the fourth slot, Zen Headbutt covers Fighting-types like Poliwrath and Silvally-Fighting, which take minimal damage from Rampardos's other moves, making it the preferred choice. However, in exchange for losing coverage on the aforementioned Pokemon, Substitute can be used to capitalize on the switches Rampardos forces and give it a safety net against faster attackers and status. Rampardos has no recovery, though, so it must be used carefully.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment with a Naive nature ensures that Rampardos will outrun slower offensive threats like Exeggutor and Torterra, in addition to most of the tier's walls. Silvally formes like Silvally-Water and Silvally-Fighting are an exception to this, however. Life Orb boosts Rampardos's damage output while simultaneously having its recoil negated by Sheer Force.
Usage Tips
========
Wallbreaking is Rampardos's primary objective, so it should ideally be used early- or mid-game to punch holes in the opposing team for its teammates to take advantage of. To that end, Rampardos functions best when entry hazards are on the field, as they aid it in breaking down potential answers like Torterra and Silvally-Fighting. Try to bring Rampardos in through pivoting moves like U-turn and Volt Switch, as it doesn't have the bulk to take even weak attacks well. Prediction is key when using Rampardos; a proper prediction can mean the difference between getting a 2HKO and being forced out. For example, if the opponent anticipates a Fire Punch and switches Bronzor out for Poliwrath, it could be a good opportunity to heavily damage it with Zen Headbutt.
Team Options
========
Sticky Web support is great for Rampardos, as it can patch up Rampardos's mediocre Speed and give it a fighting chance against offensive teams. Shuckle and Smeargle are prime setters for Sticky Web and can additionally set Stealth Rock or put the opposing Pokemon to sleep with Spore. Setup sweepers like Combusken and Z-Mirror Move Swanna appreciate targets like Mareanie being removed or weakened by Rampardos. On a similar note, strong attackers like Kadabra and Bouffalant enjoy Gourgeist and Bronzor being taken out of the equation, as they can use their STAB moves more liberally. Pivoting is greatly appreciated to get Rampardos onto the field safely: Electivire and Rotom-F can provide Volt Switch support, while Komala, Chatot, and Silvally formes can provide U-turn support. Though all of these pivots can take advantage of the holes Rampardos punches in the opposing team, Electivire and Rotom-F in particular can capitalize on Electric-immune walls like Torterra being removed. On more balanced teams, defensive pivots like Silvally-Water and Altaria can ward off revenge killers like Swanna and Sawsbuck.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Minimum Speed investment can be used with Trick Room to bypass Rampardos's mediocre Speed stat. The combination of Swords Dance and Mold Breaker can be used to further augment Rampardos's wallbreaking capabilities, as Mold Breaker allows it to ignore Pyukumuku's Unaware and Avalugg's Sturdy. Surf can also be used over Ice Beam on such a set to OHKO Golem. The extra power from Sheer Force is usually better, though, as Rampardos already has an advantageous matchup with bulkier teams. Rock Polish can fix Rampardos's mediocre Speed and take advantage of the opponent's attempts to pivot around it, creating a powerful late-game cleaner. However, this set still fails to outspeed fast Choice Scarf users like Electivire, which can OHKO it back. Head Smash hits much harder than Rock Slide, but the high recoil and lower accuracy make it an unreliable and volatile option. Choice Scarf can be used to surprise offensive teams, but Rampardos is still outsped by most other Choice Scarf users and is still easy to revenge kill.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: In general, most faster offensive Pokemon can easily dispose of Rampardos. Swanna, Leafeon, Simisage, and other fast Pokemon that hit Rampardos for super effective damage are especially notable.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types like Marowak, Golem, and Silvally-Ground can take a hit from Rampardos and OHKO it with their STAB attacks. Silvally-Ground is especially notable, as it can outspeed and KO Rampardos without it having a chance to retaliate.
**Fighting-types**: Though they cannot switch in safely with the fear of Zen Headbutt, Poliwrath and Silvally-Fighting can take Rock Slides and have enough HP left to threaten Rampardos out with their super effective STAB attacks.
**Status**: A burn from Will-O-Wisp halves Rampardos's Attack, stopping it from doing its job of wallbreaking, while poison and paralysis make it even easier to revenge kill than it already is.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[MonkeySniper]]
- Quality checked by: [[Ho3nConfirm3d, 231074], [5gen, 296755], [Aaronboyer, 239454]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Rabia, 336073]]
Rampardos is a destructive wallbreaker in ZU. With a monstrous Attack stat, a great ability in Sheer Force, and access to coverage moves like Zen Headbutt and Ice Beam, Rampardos has virtually no defensive counterplay, a feat that other wallbreakers like Marowak fail to achieve. Unfortunately, poor bulk and mediocre Speed mean that Rampardos can be easily revenge killed by common offensive threats like Swanna and Electivire. This is further compounded by Rampardos's Rock typing, which, while solid offensively, leaves it with nasty weaknesses to common Grass-, Water-, Fighting-, and Ground-type moves. These factors can make Rampardos hard to fit onto a team, especially in comparison to other wallbreakers like Marowak and Choice Band Komala, which, while lacking the raw power of Rampardos, have moderately better bulk and access to pivoting in Komala's case.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Rock Slide
move 2: Fire Punch
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Zen Headbutt / Substitute
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Fire Punch hits Grass- and Steel-types hard, notably 2HKOing Gourgeist-XL, Shiinotic, and Bronzor. Ice Beam dents bulky Ground-types like Torterra and Golem, which resist Rock Slide. For the fourth slot, Zen Headbutt covers Fighting-types like Poliwrath and Silvally-Fighting, which take minimal damage from Rampardos's other moves, making it the preferred choice. However, in exchange for losing coverage on the aforementioned Pokemon, Substitute can be used to capitalize on the switches Rampardos forces and give it a safety net against faster attackers and status. Rampardos has no recovery, though, so it must be used carefully.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment with a Naive nature ensures that Rampardos will outrun slower offensive threats like Exeggutor and Torterra, in addition to most of the tier's walls. Silvally formes like Silvally-Water and Silvally-Fighting are an exception to this, however. Life Orb boosts Rampardos's damage output while simultaneously having its recoil negated by Sheer Force.
Usage Tips
========
Wallbreaking is Rampardos's primary objective, so it should ideally be used early- or mid-game to punch holes in the opposing team for its teammates to take advantage of. To that end, Rampardos functions best when entry hazards are on the field, as they aid it in breaking down potential answers like Torterra and Silvally-Fighting. Try to bring Rampardos in through pivoting moves like U-turn and Volt Switch, as it doesn't have the bulk to take even weak attacks well. Prediction is key when using Rampardos; a proper prediction can mean the difference between getting a 2HKO and being forced out. For example, if the opponent anticipates a Fire Punch and switches Bronzor out for Poliwrath, it could be a good opportunity to heavily damage it with Zen Headbutt.
Team Options
========
Sticky Web support is great for Rampardos, as it can patch up Rampardos's mediocre Speed and give it a fighting chance against offensive teams. Shuckle and Smeargle are prime setters for Sticky Web and can additionally set Stealth Rock or put the opposing Pokemon to sleep with Spore. Setup sweepers like Combusken and Z-Mirror Move Swanna appreciate targets like Mareanie being removed or weakened by Rampardos. On a similar note, strong attackers like Kadabra and Bouffalant enjoy Gourgeist and Bronzor being taken out of the equation, as they can use their STAB moves more liberally. Pivoting is greatly appreciated to get Rampardos onto the field safely: Electivire and Rotom-F can provide Volt Switch support, while Komala, Chatot, and Silvally formes can provide U-turn support. Though all of these pivots can take advantage of the holes Rampardos punches in the opposing team, Electivire and Rotom-F in particular can capitalize on Electric-immune walls like Torterra being removed. On more balanced teams, defensive pivots like Silvally-Water and Altaria can ward off revenge killers like Swanna and Sawsbuck.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Minimum Speed investment can be used with Trick Room to bypass Rampardos's mediocre Speed stat. The combination of Swords Dance and Mold Breaker can be used to further augment Rampardos's wallbreaking capabilities, as Mold Breaker allows it to ignore Pyukumuku's Unaware and Avalugg's Sturdy. Surf can also be used over Ice Beam on such a set to OHKO Golem. The extra power from Sheer Force is usually better, though, as Rampardos already has an advantageous matchup with bulkier teams. Rock Polish can fix Rampardos's mediocre Speed and take advantage of the opponent's attempts to pivot around it, creating a powerful late-game cleaner. However, this set still fails to outspeed fast Choice Scarf users like Electivire, which can OHKO it back. Head Smash hits much harder than Rock Slide, but the high recoil and lower accuracy make it an unreliable and volatile option. Choice Scarf can be used to surprise offensive teams, but Rampardos is still outsped by most other Choice Scarf users and is still easy to revenge kill.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: In general, most faster offensive Pokemon can easily dispose of Rampardos. Swanna, Leafeon, Simisage, and other fast Pokemon that hit Rampardos for super effective damage are especially notable.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types like Marowak, Golem, and Silvally-Ground can take a hit from Rampardos and OHKO it with their STAB attacks. Silvally-Ground is especially notable, as it can outspeed and KO Rampardos without it having a chance to retaliate.
**Fighting-types**: Though they cannot switch in safely with the fear of Zen Headbutt, Poliwrath and Silvally-Fighting can take Rock Slides and have enough HP left to threaten Rampardos out with their super effective STAB attacks.
**Status**: A burn from Will-O-Wisp halves Rampardos's Attack, stopping it from doing its job of wallbreaking, while poison and paralysis make it even easier to revenge kill than it already is.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[MonkeySniper]]
- Quality checked by: [[Ho3nConfirm3d, 231074], [5gen, 296755], [Aaronboyer, 239454]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Rabia, 336073]]
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