[OVERVIEW]
Omastar's toolkit has great variety both offensively and defensively, letting it perform the role of a threatening setup sweeper with Shell Smash or of a utility entry hazard setter with access to Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes. Omastar's phenomenal Special Attack stat, coverage options with moves like Ice Beam and Earth Power, and great use of Z-Moves give it both immediate offensive presence and ways of dealing with checks such as Lanturn, Jynx, and Poliwrath. Its flexibility also lies in its abilities, as offensive sets appreciate Weak Armor and Swift Swim creating advantageous positions, while Shell Armor is great for securing its durability defensively. With a large Defense stat and a solid Rock / Water typing, Omastar can find opportunities to set up Shell Smash or hazards on many offensive and defensive Pokemon alike. That same typing and Defense also allow it to act as an effective physical wall capable of checking a variety of threats including Skuntank, Scyther, and Stoutland. However, despite its great offensive presence, Omastar's low Speed inhibits its ability to threaten faster Pokemon like Mesprit and Pyroar before setting up. This flaw also means that even after a boost, it is susceptible to popular Choice Scarf users such as Togedemaru and Primeape. For all its advantages with its typing, it suffers from weaknesses to several common types, notably a severe weakness to Grass, which leaves it pressured by STAB or coverage moves from Pokemon like Lilligant and Floatzel. Its Fighting weakness leaves it susceptible to common priority users such as Hitmonchan, Gurdurr, and Poliwrath, while its Electric weakness leaves it vulnerable to Pokemon like Lanturn and Manectric. Its low Special Defense not only worsens this issue against these Grass- and Electric-type Pokemon but also limits Omastar's setup opportunities to situational circumstances like against Choice Specs Froslass locked into Ice Beam.
[SET]
name: Shell Smash
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Earth Power / Hyper Beam
item: Waterium Z / Normalium Z / White Herb
ability: Weak Armor / Swift Swim
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shell Smash makes Omastar a potent offensive threat and sweeper. Hydro Pump is Omastar's primary STAB move, as even unboosted, the sheer power it possesses threatens Water-weak or specially frail Pokemon like Aurorus, Regirock, Mudsdale, and Sableye. Waterium Z turns it into an extremely powerful nuke that breaks through specially bulky Pokemon like Clefairy and Articuno after a Shell Smash boost while also OHKOing Gurdurr and Spiritomb after Stealth Rock damage unboosted. Ice Beam blasts through Grass- and Dragon-type Pokemon such as Lilligant, Gourgeist-XL, Altaria, and Silvally-Dragon harder than Omastar's Water STAB attacks and can break past Swanna after a Shell Smash boost despite its neutrality. Earth Power hits Lanturn hard and, after a Shell Smash boost and Stealth Rock damage, OHKOes Jynx when Omastar is running a Modest nature. Alternatively, Hyper Beam with Normalium Z allows Omastar to break through bulky Water-type Pokemon such as Poliwrath and Silvally-Water that can otherwise tank a boosted hit from the rest of its attacks. Meanwhile, Breakneck Blitz's power remains adequate in breaking through certain bulky Pokemon like Eelektross after a boost. Given the fact that Omastar's primary role is cleaning through teams, Surf is an efficient alternative to Hydro Pump, as it's also reasonably powerful and does not miss. The loss of power can be notable, however, with the additional setback of also having a weaker Hydro Vortex.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment with a Modest nature gives Omastar the greatest amount of power, maximizing its offensive prowess before and after a Shell Smash. Timid is an alternate option to outspeed positive-natured Choice Scarf Mesprit and Kabutops after a Shell Smash and Jolly Aggron before a boost, but the loss in power does lose out on certain KOs such as on Gurdurr with a Hydro Vortex or on Eelektross with a boosted Breakneck Blitz. Waterium Z with Hydro Pump allows Omastar to use Hydro Vortex, a very strong nuke option that allows it to break through many relevant specially defensive Pokemon such Clefairy, Assault Vest Crabominable, and specially defensive Articuno after a Shell Smash boost and also has great initial power, OHKOing Gurdurr after Stealth Rock damage. Hydro Vortex also gets a drastic boost under rain, giving Omastar utility for those team archetypes. Normalium Z turns Hyper Beam into Breakneck Blitz, allowing Omastar to break through Water-types such as Ludicolo or and Poliwrath that can otherwise take a boosted hit. It can also OHKO Jynx unboosted after Stealth Rock damage. White Herb doesn't add a power boost but negates Shell Smash's defense drops to let Omastar better take hits from priority and Choice Scarf users like Absol and Swanna. Life Orb provides a consistent power boost to Omastar's attacks that lets it more viably run Surf to clean without missing out on relevant power as much. This comes with being more easily worn down into range of priority attacks, however. Weak Armor is the preferred ability option for non-rain archetypes, as, after a Shell Smash boost, taking a physical hit would allow Omastar to outspeed every Choice Scarf user in the tier. Swift Swim is a predominant option for rain teams, as the doubled Speed it offers under the weather increases Omastar's offensive presence twofold; not only can it clean much more reliably without requiring a Shell Smash boost, but with a boost it also outruns every Choice Scarf user.
Usage Tips
========
Omastar's game plan varies depending on the opponent's team composition and its item, particularly its Z-Crystal. Waterium Z gives Omastar more leeway in breaking down bulky targets early- to mid-game, as it offers the highest damage output in any situation and can let Omastar break past bulky Pokemon like Clefairy or and Throh without the need of prior damage after a Shell Smash boost. Omastar should aim to set up Shell Smash on forced switches, Choice-locked foes, and Pokemon that can't really threaten it like Scyther, Weezing, and Type: Null. Omastar doesn’t doesn't need to set up to threaten Pokemon due to its raw power, good STAB move, and coverage, so against offensive teams, it may be better to simply fire off a powerful unboosted Hydro Pumps Pump or Z-Moves Z-Move and nab KOs on slower foes that stay in due to the threat of setting up. Normalium Z variants often need bulky targets whittled down a fair amount before attempting to threaten the opposing team and should otherwise be preserved for when certain bulky Water-types or healthy bulky offensive threats such as Eelektross are present for Omastar to break past them. Otherwise, it is often best to avoid attempting a sweep until later in the game where checks are likely weakened and/or (pick one) priority users looking to pick Omastar off are removed. Weak Armor can be effective for boosting Omastar's Speed on a timely hit, and thanks to Omastar's high Defense stat, it can capitalize on it Weak Armor by pivoting into moves such as Fake Out from Kangaskhan and Aerial Ace from Scyther. That said, Omastar should avoid switching in too many times, especially when entry hazards on its side of the field are present, as it's important to stay out of range of super effective or powerful priority attacks such as Hitmonchan's Mach Punch, Poliwrath's Vacuum Wave, and Absol's Sucker Punch. Omastar's niche on rain teams stems from its doubled Speed and boosts to its main STAB attack, which let it more liberally threaten opposing teams without setting up. Omastar can also find opportunities to pivot in through momentum from staple teammates such as Mesprit and Liepard and apply pressure whenever possible.
Team Options
========
Omastar appreciates members that supplement its offensive presence. Mesprit provides Stealth Rock support, has a great resistance in Fighting and an immunity to Ground, can set up rain, and can use a slow U-turn to bring Omastar in safely or use Healing Wish to give it a second chance at sweeping later in the match. Entry hazard support from Froslass and Weezing is useful for racking up damage on sturdy specially defensive Pokemon or Water-type checks like Poliwrath and Throh. Both Pokemon can also switch into Fighting-type moves, and Weezing can switch into Ground- and Grass-type moves as well. They threaten both Hitmonchan and Assault Vest Crabominable with Will-O-Wisp and deter recovery from checks like Clefairy and Cradily with Taunt if they're worn down. Checks to Water-type Pokemon like Silvally-Water and Poliwrath include Eelektross and Lurantis, teammates that can also either generate momentum or ease pressure on their own side of the field by removing hazards. Physical wallbreakers like Stoutland and Choice Band Skuntank wear down Clefairy, Hitmonchan, and Articuno, and in return they appreciate Omastar threatening Pokemon like Regirock and Weezing. Accounting for stall archetypes is recommended, as Omastar has issues breaking through Pyukumuku. Wallbreakers such as Aggron are adept in breaking holes against many cores with their sheer power alone, while bulky sweepers such as Calm Mind Clefairy can actively pressure those teams throughout the course of the matchup. Qwilfish is also a notable option for its ability to pressure staples of stall through its use of Spikes, Destiny Bond, and Taunt. Omastar also appreciates Qwilfish checking Hitmonchan, as the added hazard damage and Rocky Helmet recoil aid it in pushing Hitmonchan to KO range. Volbeat and Liepard are other weather setters that can help secure setup opportunities for Omastar, with Volbeat offering a resistance to Ground- and Fighting-type moves, Liepard threatening Pokemon like Jynx and crippling bulky Pokemon with Knock Off, and both opening opportunities with U-turn and Encore to bring Omastar in safely and set up. Thunder Wave support can help Omastar outspeed Choice Scarf users like Primeape under the rain without setting up. Offensive rain partners such as Poliwrath, Kabutops, and Ludicolo are definitely appreciated in adding pressure to opposing bulkier Water-resistant Pokemon and special walls. Sticky Web can allow Omastar to outpace fast Pokemon and fast revenge killers after a Shell Smash boost. Shuckle and Smeargle can both provide this while also offering Stealth Rock support, and they additionally provide miscellaneous support through Encore, Final Gambit, Spore, or Nuzzle. Omastar also appreciates being paired with the likes of Zangoose, Oricorio-G, and Jynx on these archetypes, as they help break through specially bulky Pokemon and can check Fighting-types well in Oricorio-G's case.
[SET]
name: Defensive Hazard Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Scald
move 4: Ice Beam / Hidden Power Electric
item: Leftovers
ability: Shell Armor
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 236 Def / 24 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock helps Omastar's team rack up chip damage and is potent in punishing Pokemon like Scyther and Froslass. It also pressures certain entry hazard removers weak to Rock such as Swanna and Altaria. Spikes is a great secondary hazard option for adding damage to any grounded Pokemon and is a prime option for paving the way for offensive partners like Kangaskhan and Eelektross to pressure the opposing team. Scald is Omastar's main form of damage output, also pressuring Rock-, Ground-, and Fire-type Pokemon like Regirock, Mudsdale, and Combusken. Omastar can also use this move to spread potential burns, which can be especially helpful for crippling switch-ins like Hitmonchan and Assault Vest Crabominable. Ice Beam dents Grass-type switch-ins like Lilligant while also deterring potential Defog setters such as Altaria, Silvally-Dragon, and Lurantis, 2HKOing each target after Stealth Rock damage. Hidden Power Electric gives Omastar the option of taking out Swanna outright, which helps maintain hazards in matchups against it. Hidden Power Electric can also 2HKO Qwilfish and deal a fair chunk to Silvally-Water and Poliwrath. Toxic Spikes is a less consistent but strong alternative for crippling many defensive and offensive threats by putting them on a timer and negating Leftovers recovery. Protect can scout against foes that may use super effective moves like Floatzel and Choice-locked Primeape, can cushion against Z-Moves from the likes of Kangashan, racks up another turn of Leftovers recovery, and racks up residual damage from potential Scald burns.
Set Details
========
248 HP EVs maximize Omastar's HP stat to supplement its bulk while giving it a number that reduces the entry hazard damage Omastar takes. The remaining EVs go into Defense with a Bold nature to fully augment its physical bulk to allow it to reliably tank repeated hits from physical attackers like Skuntank and Kangaskhan. Shell Armor is Omastar's most useful ability for this set, as it prevents its efforts in checking physical attackers from being impeded by an untimely critical hit. 24 Special Attack EVs serve the purpose of guaranteeing the OHKO on Swanna and the 2HKO on Lurantis with the right coverage move. Leftovers provide Omastar passive recovery for each turn.
Usage Tips
========
Omastar's key role is to pressure the opposing team by racking up entry hazards, and it should use its defensive attributes and attacking options to pivot into Pokemon that it can wall and threaten out, such as Regirock, Skuntank, and Gourgeist-XL without a Grass-type move. If the opponent has a Defog user, particularly one susceptible to its coverage options, Omastar should use them sparingly to surprise them on the switch or after putting them in a position where they are pressured to remove the hazards. Omastar should set the proper hazard depending on the opposing team's composition before other hazards. Against teams where pressuring Pokemon like Oricorio-G, Aurorus, and Scyther is important, it should opt to get up Stealth Rock first, while more grounded teams would face more consistent pressure from Spikes or Toxic Spikes. After hazards are set up, Omastar can afford to pressure switch-ins such as Hitmonchan and Lurantis with a potential Scald burn or 2HKO Lurantis with Ice Beam, and it is great at providing consistent damage with its attacks due to its solid Special Attack, even with little investment. This set is vulnerable to strong special attackers such as Alolan Exeggutor and Eelektross throughout the match, so Omastar should pivot out into checks on either a double switch or after it has set up a layer of hazards on their switch.
Team Options
========
Omastar's great hazard stacking utility with this set gives it a strong niche for teams that appreciate a slot for hazard stacking freed up, giving it a solid role on bulky offense or momentum-based teams. Ghost-types that check troubling Fighting-types like Hitmonchan, Primeape, and Poliwrath are prime considerations for partners, with a myriad of options including Sableye, Oricorio-G, and Spiritomb. Not only do they fulfill the vital role of spinblocking, but these Pokemon also force lots of switches with their status-spreading utility and late-game sweeping options. Oricorio-G is also great for taking on threats like Lurantis. Good catch-all revenge killers such as Kangaskhan and Togedemaru are commonplace on teams that strive towards keeping hazards up constantly, as they can more reliably pick off threats with their main options as well as punish their typical switch-ins like Regirock and Mudsdale with indirect damage. Primeape can also punish Defoggers thanks to Defiant. Specially bulky Pokemon such as Hitmonchan or and Eelektross offer great utility by pivoting into many special attackers that have the means to break through Omastar, with Hitmonchan acting as a good general specially bulky Pokemon that can remove hazards while preserving Omastar's. Eelektross has a good match up against Poliwrath, Silvally-Water, and Lanturn and can gain more mileage out of the constant switches it forces through the added hazard damage. Throh can take advantage of hazards with its Circle Throw, can absorb status, and sponges special attacks from the likes of Eelektross and Lilligant. Cleaners and setup sweepers such as Lilligant, Lycanroc, and Combusken all appreciate the multiple layers of hazards to wear down foes into KO range. Lilligant and Combusken specifically also share good defensive and offensive synergy with Omastar, as Lilligant resists Ground and can threaten the Water-types that could be bothersome. Combusken, on the other hand, threatens Grass-types.
[SET]
name: Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Scald
move 4: Ice Beam / Hidden Power Electric
item: Focus Sash
ability: Weak Armor
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock damages any Pokemon that switches in and punishes entry hazard removers that can't safely switch in, such as Rotom-F. Spikes combined with Stealth Rock is great for setting the opposing team up for offensive pressure. Scald is useful for consistent damage and its utility in spreading potential burns, which can be great for pressuring Hitmonchan that try to come in and remove Omastar's hazards. Ice Beam punishes Grass-type switch-ins while deterring Altaria and Silvally-Dragon from trying to Defog away Omastar's hazards. Alternatively, Hidden Power Electric KOes Swanna, 2HKOes Qwilfish, and deals respectable chip damage to Poliwrath and Silvally-Water, preventing it from being Defog, Spikes, or Substitute fodder to these Pokemon. Toxic Spikes is an option that can punish certain team compositions heavily by putting bulky and offensive Pokemon on a timer but tends to function rather poorly on a lead set, as it is the hazard most susceptible to being removed.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment with a Timid nature is ideal in ensuring that Omastar is able to get up its entry hazards as quickly as possible against the opposing team while also outspeeding opposing lead Pokemon such as Aggron. Weak Armor is useful in securing situations in which Omastar can stack up a subsequent layer of hazards before being KOed itself. Focus Sash is the best item choice, as it usually guarantees that Omastar can set an additional layer of hazards if it leads and can allow Omastar to stay in and win the one-on-one matchup against a Lurantis attempting to threaten it out with its STAB attacks.
Usage Tips
========
Given that Omastar's Focus Sash is pivotal in granting it opportunities to set up both Stealth Rock and Spikes, it should typically come in early-game, when it is most likely to be preserved. Against a reliable Defog user that Omastar struggles to take down such as Silvally-Water or Articuno, it should either fish for Scald burns, chip it down with the right coverage option, or simply double out into a check that can appropriately pressure them depending on the situation. Using Weak Armor to Omastar's advantage can be very rewarding in the right circumstances, as it allows Omastar to either set up more entry hazards against an opponent trying to pick it off or threaten normally faster threats with its attacks, letting it force switches and add chip damage against the opposing team. Omastar can afford to stay in on powerful attackers and Grass-types liberally, as it has the option of either setting up hazards or weakening them for the rest of the team due to its Focus Sash. If needed, Omastar can stick around to check Pokemon like Kangaskhan, Scyther, and Zangoose in an emergency, being able to pivot into an attack at least once and outspeed them afterward thanks to Weak Armor.
Team Options
========
This hazard-based variant of Omastar demands offensive teams that can keep up active pressure against the opposing team to overwhelm the opponent's entry hazard removers. Spinblockers such as Oricorio-G, Haunter, and Froslass naturally do this individually while also having the means of keeping up offensive pressure with their immediate presence and access to moves like Taunt to preserve hazards and punish recovery. Primeape's ability to deter Defog with its ability in Defiant can exert great pressure and makes it quite adept at forcing switches to bring in offensive teammates safely with U-turn. Setup sweepers such as Jynx, Lycanroc, and Lilligant all appreciate their switch-ins weakened by multiple entry hazards. Pokemon like Kangaskhan, Togedemaru, and Eelektross are good for taking advantage of Spikes through the switches they can force, the momentum they can generate, and their ability to dish out damage more easily.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Choice Specs set takes advantage of Omastar's immediate offensive presence and lets it secure surprise KOs due to how Omastar is often responded to, but it loses the ability to set up and makes Omastar more vulnerable to Water-immune and -resistant Pokemon. Hidden Power Rock can be situationally useful in threatening specially defensive Articuno but doesn't offer coverage that would be preferred over the main options otherwise. Similarly, Stone Edge can be used with merely 20 Attack EVs on defensive entry hazard sets to lure and OHKO standard defensive Articuno, giving it utility against stall-oriented matchups. It's limited in utility otherwise, however, and Omastar tends to prefer its special movepool for both its utility and for dealing with more relevant metagame threats. Knock Off can be used on the defensive set to cripple some defensive checks like Clefairy and Lanturn, but Omastar prefers the coverage that can provide it a better matchup against mainstream checks and Defoggers. Toxic is also a decent option for the defensive set, crippling bulky foes and setup sweepers, but it doesn't really capitalize on Omastar's great Special Attack stat and leaves Omastar with fewer options for punishing Defog users directly. Icy Wind is a less powerful alternative to Ice Beam on hazard sets to slow down certain faster Pokemon after a hit, allowing Omastar to either stack up another hazard or deliver another attack and letting it provide reasonable team support by allowing slower wallbreakers to punish the threat. Ice Beam's power is vastly preferred, however.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Pokemon such as Lanturn, Poliwrath, Ludicolo, and Silvally-Water force Omastar to commit to a boosted Hyper Beam-based Breakneck Blitz to be able to break past them, although Assault Vest variants of Lanturn can always survive this and Earth Power after Stealth Rock damage and OHKO with Discharge afterward. Poliwrath and Ludicolo can also retaliate with their secondary STAB attacks and, in Poliwrath's case, priority Vacuum Wave, while Silvally-Water can threaten Omastar with Thunderbolt. Pyukumuku shrugs off any offensive variant of Omastar with ease thanks to Unaware ignoring its boosts and can stall it out with Toxic.
**Priority**: Given the potential Defense drops that come with it setting up and potentially activating Weak Armor, Omastar is susceptible to being revenge killed by strong priority users. This is especially clear in the case of super effective hits from the likes of Gurdurr and Hitmonchan and strong Sucker Punch users such as Absol.
**Faster Pokemon**: If Weak Armor isn't activated after it has set up, fast Choice Scarf users such as Primeape, Togedemaru, and Manectric are solid options for picking off Omastar. If Omastar is not running a Timid nature, it also is left open to be revenge killed by base 80 Choice Scarf Pokemon like Mesprit and Shiftry.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: If Omastar is not running Waterium Z, many bulky Pokemon such as Clefairy, Assault Vest Crabominable, specially defensive Articuno, and Throh are able to shrug off any boosted hit and either threaten it with their STAB options or cripple it with Toxic or Thunder Wave in Clefairy's case. Cradily can also avoid being KOed by a boosted Ice Beam if Omastar is not running Life Orb and OHKO in retaliation with Giga Drain and is immune to Hydro Pump thanks to Storm Drain.
**Strong Special Attackers**: If Omastar is unboosted, it will lack the speed or power to threaten Pokemon such as Eelektross, Floatzel, Silvally-Dragon, and Lilligant, as they either are faster or will have the bulk necessary to take a hit and KO in return with their strong STAB or Grass-type coverage moves. Defensive sets are also vulnerable to wallbreakers such as Drampa and Aurorus outspeeding them and KOing them with their powerful attacks.
**Jynx**: Jynx can address Omastar thanks to its Dry Skin ability granting it an immunity to its Water-type STAB attacks, allowing it to shrug off any unboosted and boosted hit apart from a Breakneck Blitz or a Modest Earth Power after Stealth Rock damage and a Shell Smash boost. It can retaliate by threatening it with Lovely Kiss, outspeeding it if it boosts its Speed with Z-Lovely Kiss and potentially turning it into setup bait for Nasty Plot. If Omastar's defenses are at -1 due to Shell Smash, Jynx can also pick it off with its STAB attacks after significant chip damage. Choice Scarf sets can outspeed a boosted Omastar and revenge kill it.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[jklioe, 424692]]
- Quality checked by: [[allstarapology, 400292], [Darkinium, 448296], [Megazard, 202117]]
- Grammar checked by: [[TheDutchPlumberjack, 232216], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157]]
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