!LONG POST!
- What are the most popular Pokemon of this type seen in OU?
Hmm, the most popular Grass-type I've seen so far is Mega Venusaur, and for a very good reason. I've used Mega Venusaur quite a bit, with a ton of variations of movesets, it's very versatile. My favorite set has been Giga Drain / Sludge Bomb / Knock Off / Earthquake with a specialized EV spread that I will go into more in-depth later on. Mega Venusaur is very versatile, with the greatest moves in its arsenal including Knock Off, Synthesis, Sludge Bomb, Giga Drain, Earthquake, Leech Seed, Sleep Powder, and the lesser seen Roar. A very fun, yet somewhat outclassed set, is Swords Dance Mega Venusaur, which many dismiss as a nooby set, but with Power Whip, Earthquake, Knock Off, and Petal Blizzard (if you're worried about accuracy), it's far from it. It is somewhat outclassed by Bisharp, Garchomp, and DD Char-X, it certainly has its uses such as its unique typing, bulk, and consistent recovery, along with a surprise factor.
Breloom is also very popular, rising in usage everyday! It's a very great Pokemon with access to the coveted move Spore. It makes a great lead, with its Focus Sash set being amongst the most popular. It has powerful moves like Bullet Seed, Mach Punch, and Rock Tomb. In case you don't know, these moves are powerful because they're boosted by Technician, Breloom's ability. Breloom can also pull off a Poison Heal set, giving it constant recovery to set up Swords Dance or Bulk Up. My favorite set that isn't quite that popular is the Spore / Substitute / Focus Punch / Bullet Seed set, as this gives it a super powerful STAB move and the safety net of Substitute. Breloom is quite versatile and is an excellent choice for a team.
Ferrothorn was one of the most popular Pokemon last generation, as it was very good against Rain teams thanks to its unique resistances, and although Rain has died down a bit, Ferrothorn remains one of the greatest Pokemon in OU! It has a very useful typing, with resistances to Rock-, Water-, Grass-, Electric-, Psychic-, Normal-, Steel-, Dragon-, and Fairy-type resistances, that's eight resistances total! It also only has two weaknesses, Fire- and Fighting-type weaknesses, which are common, although Ferrothorn shouldn't attempt to stay in on these Pokemon. Ferrothorn brings very much support to its team in the form of Stealth Rock and Spikes, and can spread Leech Seed and Thunder Wave, which can also benefit your team. Ferrothorn packs a ton of synergy with it, and also has a great ability to ward away Physical attackers.
- What other Pokemon of this type also claim some sort of viability in OU?
Amoonguss is a Pokemon who also has access to the rare move Spore. Amoonguss can utilize this move to great effect, and is the bulkiest user of this move as well! Amoonguss also has access to an amazing ability in Regenerator, allowing it to be a great defensive pivot. Amoonguss has the same typing as Mega Venusaur, but don't let this fool you, Amoonguss is viable as well. Although I've never been particularly impressed by Amoonguss, it certainly has many positive traits, from Spore, to Regenerator, to its great bulk.
Chesnaught is a very great Pokemon, thanks to its high Defenses, and access to Spiky Shield, a move that can chip away at physical attackers in the same fashion as Iron Barbs. Chesnaught also has access to Spikes, which it can utilize to a great effect. Chesnaught is good on Stall teams, as Fighting-types on Stall are almost unheard of! But, Chesnaught has many great tools in its moveset such as Spikes, Leech Seed, Spiky Shield, and Synthesis. Chesnaught's ability also allows it to counter Aegislash, as it makes Chesnaught immune to Shadow Ball, only Flash Cannon can inflict serious damage. It also allows it to completely wall any Gengar lacking Sludge Wave, which can come in handy!
Tangrowth is a very versatile and useful Pokemon, with high Physical bulk and a wide array of moves like Knock Off, Power Whip, Giga Drain, Earthquake, and Focus Blast, which it can utilize very well. It also has Regenerator, like Amoonguss. Tangrowth can also use Rock Slide to catch incoming Talonflame's, something that not many other Grass-types can boast. Tangrowth has a lacking Special Defense, although this can be fixed by Assault Vest, a very common Tangrowth set. Tangrowth is also a pure Grass-type Pokemon, which is actually somewhat unique as far as viable Grass-types go! Tangrowth is very versatile and bulky!
Rotom-C is often outclassed by its appliance brothers, but Rotom-C does have a very powerful signature move in Leaf Storm, and a unique set of resistances. It has a very useful resistance in Water- and Electric-type attacks, which no other Rotom forme can boast. Rotom-C has a very usable Scarf set, which it can use to effectively cripple walls with Trick. Rotom-C is also the only Grass-type Pokemon to also have an Electric-typing. Although Rotom-C lacks the wide array of moves and support as other Grass-types, it is still a very unique and usable Grass-type in the OU Metagame!
Celebi has really fallen out of grace, finding its new home in UU this generation. Celebi is still of use in OU, as it can counter the ever popular Choice Specs Keldeo, which not many other Pokemon can say. Mega Venusaur does give it a lot of competition in this role, but Specially Defensive Celebi can claim to only be 3HKOed by Specs HP Flying, which Mega Venusaur can not. Celebi is still very versatile, with a ton of different sets and roles, such roles include Choice Scarf, Stealth Rock, Nasty Plot, Baton Pass, and Specially Defensive, amongst other sets I haven't listed! It has unique resistances in Fighting-, Grass-, Water-, Ground-, Electric-, and Psychic-type resistances, allowing it to have many opportune switch-ins. Although Celebi is not what it once was, it is still very usable.
Gourgeist has five forms (or four?), but it only has two usable forms, -XL and -Small, with -Small being the most popular form. The Small form has a high Speed stat, and thus a speedy Will-O-Wisp, which it is notorious for. It is also a fantastic Spinblocker, and is one of the two Grass / Ghost type Pokemon, and thus, gives it another great niche. It has immense physical bulk in -XL form, meaning it can handle most Physical attackers thanks to its great typing. It has a high Attack stat as well, with moves such as Shadow Sneak and Seed Bomb. It also can successfully utilize Destiny Bond, and not many Pokemon can really pull this off. Gourgeist is one of the best Leech Seed users as well.
- What Pokemon of this type fill a niche in OU which is sometimes worth considering in a team?
Whimsicott is a very unique Pokemon, and many often consider it a shitty gimmick. It is far from this, however, it has the ability Prankster, which is very great and uncommon. Whimsicott is very annoying with Leech Seed, which it can stall even the best of the best at times. It also gained a Fairy-typing this gen, and can use Moonblast to an extent to get off chip damage. It also is very fast, so it is not outspeed by other priority users, and it has access to many moves to abuse this with. This includes, but is not limited to, Memento, Leech Seed, Stun Spore, and Sunny Day. Whimsicott can also keep up momentum with U-turn, a particularly good move on Whimsicott. Despite its poor reputation and downfall, it is still a very usable Pokemon.
Shaymin is a Pokemon that is not seen often in the OU metagame, and it isn't hard to see why. It isn't particularly bulky, nor powerful, nor fast. It is put near the bottom of this list because it simply isn't amazing. However, it does have a niche in Seed Flare, which can inflict massive damage thanks to its high power and high chance to lower the opponent's Special Defense. It's access to moves such as Leech Seed, Air Slash, and Earth Power, also give it a usable niche to exploit, as it can muscle through Heatran, which threatens a lot of Grass-type Pokemon. Shaymin also has a niche in Rest + Natural Cure, which can provide it constant recovery and an immunity to status, if it switches. Shaymin may not be particularly great, but it definitely has reasons to be used.
Abomasnow-Mega is listed because it is used somewhat in OU, thanks to its extremely powerful Blizzard. Abomasnow has access to many moves, including Leech Seed, Focus Blast, Earthquake, Blizzard, Ice Shard, Giga Drain, and Rock Slide, which it can take advantage of. Abomasnow is just not very great, as it has a weakness to Stealth Rock and a super low Speed, meaning it will always be taking some hits before moving. It also takes a mega slot for offensively inclined Megas, which could be used instead for Mega Charizard or Mega Gyarados, just to name a few. Its bulk, while ///ok///, isn't great by any means. Although Abomasnow-Mega has flaws, it can be used with support in the OU metagame.
Roserade is very outclassed offensively by Tangrowth, Mega Venusaur, and Breloom, while it is outclassed defensively by Mega Venusaur, Ferrothorn, and Amoonguss. Despite this, Roserade has uses in Technician Hidden Power, allowing it to choose from any type and make it 90 power, such as 90 base power Hidden Power Fire, Ground, and Ice, which can all be of use. It also has a unique combination of Spikes, Toxic Spikes, and Sleep Powder, which it can use. Roserade has a high base Speed as well, as far as Defensive Grass-types go, so this can be taken advantage of. It also has a high Special Defense, which can be of use. Roserade is often outclassed, however, but still has reasons to be used.
Trevenant had a brief stint in OU during the beginning of this generation, as many people thought it was very good, which I did as well. However, Trevenant fell out of grace. As the metagame adapted, Trevenant was left in the dust. It still has many positive traits, such as Leech Seed, Trick Room, and Harvest. Trick Room in particular is cool, as it has a decent niche in this role. Trevenant is also one of two Grass / Ghost type Pokemon (bar Phantump and Pumkaboo), while also having a high Attack stat and Horn Leech to take advantage of. Trevenant has Will-O-Wisp as well, and not many Grass-types do. It has many niches, but it is exactly that, a niche.
Ludicolo is put at the bottom of this list because it isn't spectacular by any means. It requires Rain support to be of use, as its abilities (Rain Dish and Swift Swim) are only activated under Rain. It is outclassed often in the Swift Swim by Kabutops and Kingdra, but it does have a Grass-typing, and access to a variety of coverage options such as Focus Blast and Ice Beam. Its Grass-type STAB is also a reason of use. Rain Dish variants can play a Defensive role, but one has to wonder why you would use it over Mega Venusaur. It has reasons to be used, but just isn't the best of all to use in OU, and thus, it is put at the bottom of this list.
- What sorts of Pokemon does this type collectively threaten?
Grass-type Pokemon threaten Water- and Ground-types mainly, as they resist these types and can threaten in return with their STAB moves. Rock-types can also be threatened, but they do not resist Rock-types in return, so they have to be wary. Many Grass-type Pokemon have a unique set of resistances thanks to their secondary typings (or primary typings, if Grass-type is their secondary), so they also can be based off of this. Many Pokemon of the Grass-type also carry the Poison-typing, or also have Poison-type moves, thus, Fairy-types are collectively threatened as well. A lot of Pokemon also have to be wary of Leech Seed, as killing Pokemon with Leech Seed can be a hassle at times! Many Fire-types can be stalled if played correctly, but this is very risky and is not recommended.
- What sorts of Pokemon threaten many of the members of this type?
Flying-type Pokemon are Grass-types #1 enemy, as the Pokemon of this type resist Grass-type and have STAB moves to dispose of them in return quickly, such Pokemon include Talonflame, Pinsir-Mega, Staraptor, and Aerodactyl-Mega, amongst many other Flying-types. Fire-types, such as Charziard, Talonflame, and Heatran are also nightmares for Grass-types, as they often lack moves to effectively threaten these in return. Bug-types can be handled, but powerful ones such as Volcarona, Scizor, and Pinsir-Mega must be avoided, as they often carry moves that can effectively beat Grass-types. Scizor's U-turn in particular is extremely harsh, and can bring in even more counters. Finally, Ice-types must be avoided, such Ice-types include Kyurem-B, Mamoswine, and Greninja (Ice Beam + Protean) can all threaten with their STAB moves and must be played around carefully.
- What sorts of metagame trends have occurred to the many Pokemon in this type?
I'm actually a tad unsure by what this is meaning, is it saying against or with these Pokemon? Either way, I'll discuss them. BirdSpam teams absolutely spell doom in huge letters and bold for Grass-types, as they cannot handle these sorts of teams well whatsoever. Another trend against them is the rise of Charizard and the prevalence of Ice-type coverage rising, with Charizard absolutely mauling Grass-types and Ice-type coverage users like Deoxys-S, Greninja, and Landorus all giving Grass-types a hard time. In return, though, Mega Venusaur has risen and fallen, but is currently rising. It has gone from S, to A+, to A, and finally back to A+ where it rightfully deserves. Amoonguss has also been becoming more popular, from what I've seen. Finally, Breloom saw a surge in usage and became much more popular and viable as the metagame adapted.
- What Pokemon of this type are very potent offensive threats?
Mega Venusaur is a very potent offensive threat because it has a high SpA and workable Atk, while having a lot of bulk to allow it to pull on onslaughts. It has seen a very large rise since the beginning of the generation, which is always great! It has many coverage options such as Knock Off, Earthquake, and Hidden Power, which it can use to handle certain threats. It is great on balanced teams to be a sort of surprise. I've been running a spread of 40 Atk / 252 SAtk / 176 Spd / 40 HP with a Rash nature and the moves Knock Off / Giga Drain / Sludge Bomb / Earthquake to a great effect. Now, the EVs. 40 Atk allows Mega Venusaur to KO Latias after Stealth Rock with Knock Off (Knock Off with Item ----> Knock Off without Item for the KO after SR.), while the Speed EVs allow Mega Venusaur to outspeed Adamant 252 Bisharp. The SpA EVs are to maximize Giga Drain recovery and power. The rest of the EVs are allocated to HP for a tad of bulk, and luckily, they give it an odd number so it takes minimal Stealth Rock damage.
Breloom is very potent offensively, as I've already covered. However, I'll cover it once more! It has access to Spore, Technician, and many options. It can pull off a lure set with Hidden Power Ice, that is really only used by me haha, but it has taken out many of Gliscors when all else failed. Its Mach Punch is very powerful as well, and Breloom has the same Speed as Bisharp, allowing it to Speed tie with it if Bisharp does not run Jolly. Breloom is very powerful with Life Orb and Bullet Seed, with Technician boosting Bullet Seed's power to 37, meaning at all five hits, it hits for an astounding 185 damage, before STAB. And at the average, three, it hits for 111 damage. This also breaks sashes and substitutes. Breloom is very potent offensively and is one of the best offensive Grass-types!
- What Pokemon of this type are very sturdy defensive threats?
Ferrothorn has exceptional bulk in 74 / 131 / 116, allowing it to take on a plethora of moves. It has a ton of excellent resistances as well, and a great ability to bring on some passive damage to physical attackers. It's a great user of Leech Seed and Thunder Wave. It also has very powerful STAB moves in Gyro Ball and Power Whip, so it isn't a total slouch, and backed by 94 Atk, they hit reasonably hard. Ferrothorn also has access to Stealth Rock and Spikes, allowing it to immensely support its teammates. Ferrothorn should be one of the first thoughts in your head if you want to use an extremely sturdy defensive Grass-type on your OU team!
Mega Venusaur is one of the greatest Defensive Grass-types as well, and was considered an unbreakable wall at the beginning of the generation. It has access to a powerful Giga Drain and Synthesis and Leech Seed to help it regain health, as it lacks Leftovers. Its greatest virtue is its ability, Thick Fat, which negates its weaknesses to Fire- and Ice-type moves, which is invaluable. Mega Venusaur is really the standard for Grass-types and is quite possible one of the best of all Grass-types, and thus makes an exceptional Grass-type to use on any team, really!
- How do these Pokemon compare to each other in their respective roles?
All these Pokemon fulfill different roles, but they all have one common thing: Grass-type. And yes, its the title for hell's sake, but it is the thing that connects them all. All the offensive threats have access to one rare move, be it Spore, or Power Whip, or even Synthesis, they all have a unique niche. The better defensive Grass-types bring with them a lot of support, from hazards, to Leech Seed, to status, you name it! The lesser threats all share one thing, the outclassment, but small niches, which they all share. The ones at the top of my list are the ones that perform exceptionally better to the ones lower down in the list of their roles. Honestly, though, the Grass-type is so versatile and exceptional at a plethora of things!
- How strong do you feel this type is as a whole?
I feel like Grass-types in general are actually extremely good, however, their STABs are resisted by many common types, and they are weak to many common types. However, they also have a set of very useful resistances, and actually have much more good Pokemon than they are often given credit for. I feel like they'd be so much better if they lacked a weakness to Fire-type moves, but this won't happen, so we'll have to make do. But, I still feel Grass-types are very good, but they have to be given credit for what they are, as many have more pros then cons.
Thus, this concludes my Grass-type analysis.
