What is a good moveset for Forretress?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Forretress, post an answer below and upvote the best ones. Movesets for any of its pre-evolutions can also be shared on this thread.

Be sure to include full set details in your post, e.g. items, abilities, natures and EVs. Some explanation, including the intended game mode for your set, is also appreciated. Access the full list of guidelines here.

Forretress Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Answer 1

Forretress @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
- Counter
- Gyro Ball
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock / Spikes / Toxic Spikes

Counter Forretress might surprise physical sweepers/breakers that think they can set up on Forretress as long as they can tank Gyro Ball. Sturdy ensures you'll have a chance to use the attack. The set sacrifices Volt Switch, so your team will need other ways to control momentum.

Apart from Counter, this is a fairly typical utility Forretress with Rapid Spin, Stealth Rock, and Gyro Ball (which rounds out Forretress's offensive presence). Wish users are especially good teammates, as are Pokemon that tend to invite slow physical wallbreakers into play, so you can use the Forretress lure. This Counter set is also a decent lead, though you'll probably want the Custap Berry + Explosion set if you're running Forretress on HO.

Answer 2

Forretress @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic Spikes
- Spikes / Stealth Rock
- Pain Split

A wicked set that I like using in Ubers especially to help take down Kyogre. Spikes (Or Rocks if preferred) setter and Spinner with a twist. Pain Split + Sturdy allows me to stay in on any strong special attack, live, and suck them dry before switching out. I once got a rage quit on the first turn doing it (xD).

Answer 3

Forretress @ Iron Ball
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 130 HP / 126 Atk / 252 Def
Brave Nature
- Gyro Ball
- Bug Bite
- Spikes
- Pain Split

I'm trying to make him a sweeper but also defend at the same time. Gyro Ball is STAB and has high power because of Iron Ball. Bug Bite is also STAB, and it can potentially eat an HP-restoring berry, which is greatly appreciated. Spikes are an entry hazard to help your team, and Pain Split provides healing.

Comments

i like this idea but im not much for spikes i would give him earthquake instead. Also i would give him 252 att/252h hp to make his att ass high as i could and the maxed out hp would support that awesome 140 def really well

Answer 4

Forretress @ Chesto Berry
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Rest

Need a Spinner/Rock Setter that is exceptionally bulky and can live for a great deal of long, drawn out battles? ChestoRest Forretress is your man. One of the most reliable Rock Setters and Spinner in OU, Gyro Ball provides STAB and hits faster Pokemon, such as Dragonite, Landorus, and even OHKO'ing most Terrakion. Rest is the crux, using his Chesto Berry to effectively shrug off status, completely replenish his HP, and refresh Sturdy. Also, Forretress's abysal Speed allows him to move last every time, allowing Rest to heal the most HP, and guarantee that Sturdy is not broken by the opponent moving last.

Comments

like a boss der master Ben. sweet set xD

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And even with th elack of Lefties, people tend to assume you're running Custap Forry, so it still manages to deceive a  bit.

Answer 5

Forretress @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Toxic
- Rapid Spin

This is an entry hazard setter! Set up Stealth Rock and Spikes. Toxic is to wear down your opponent's health. Use Rapid Spin to deal a little damage and get rid of any Entry Hazards on your side.

Answer 6

Pineco @ Berry Juice
Ability: Sturdy
Level: 1
Serious Nature
• Toxic
• Stealth Rock
• Toxic Spikes
• Pain Split

First turn, use Toxic on them. If they attack, your Berry Juice will bring you back up. If they don’t attack, set up Hazards. Every time Sturdy is activated, Pain Split your health back.

Answer 7

Most people expect Forretress to be a defensive hazard and spinner, so I'm doing something different.

Gen 5 OU / Gen 6 UU / Gen 7 RU

Forretress @ Choice Band
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Gyro Ball
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Explosion / Volt Switch

This set is supposed to be a Trick Room sweeper, which no one expects from a Forretress. Gyro Ball is STAB and compliments Forretress' low speed. Earthquake can deal with fire types. Rock Slide is for coverage and makes the EdgeQuake combo. Explosion is for a last resort effort to weaken an opposing Pokemon. Volt Switch can be used instead for pivoting without having to knock yourself out by using Explosion.

Answer 8

Forretress (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 128 Def / 128 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Spikes
- Toxic Spikes
- Stealth Rock
- Explosion

Set up your entry hazards, then explode. He can also be used a rapid spinner.

Answer 9

I just noticed that I have been using a set that nobody else has posted. It's my go-to Forretress set:

Forretress @ Leftovers / Custap Berry
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Volt Switch

I have used this set countless times. He is able to lay down hazards, spin them away, and get sweepers in for free. The item depends on what your team needs, but I find that Leftovers works best in OU and Custap Berry works best in Ubers.

Answer 10

My Forretress is there to set up on traps:

Forretress (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic Spikes
- Spikes
- Rapid Spin / Explosion

The point of this moveset is to make sure that opponents switching in take a decent amount of damage. Stealth Rock should be placed first to ensure good damage to Flying-types, Toxic Spikes should be placed second so the opponent is sure to be intoxicated, and Spikes go last, to add additional damage. Rapid Spin is there to clear out any traps laid by the opponent, but you could give Forretress Explosion if you think there would be no further point in having him in battle.

Answer 11

Role: Suicide Lead

Forretress @ Iron Ball
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Toxic Spikes
- Earthquake
- Gyro Ball
- Explosion

Iron Ball helps Gyro Ball be as powerful as possible. Use Sturdy as the ability for what is essentially a free Focus Sash. An Impish Nature helps tank as a much as possible.

As for the moves, Toxic Spikes is a great entry hazard. I try to get a few of these down. Earthquake can help take care of Forretress' only weakness- a 4x weakness to Fire. Gyro Ball is STAB and takes full advantage of Forretress' low Speed stat. Use Explosion when you're low on health.

Hope this helps, any comments would be welcomed.

Answer 12

Complete troll set!

Problem? (Forretress) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 101 HP / 252 Def / 151 SpD
Bold Nature
- Protect
- Thunder Wave
- Stealth Rock
- Explosion

Protect for scouting, Thunder Wave for being annoying, Stealth Rock for entry hazards and Explosion for trolling. Trollolololololololol. But seriously, I find this to be a very effective suicide lead.

Answer 13

This strategy will throw an opponent off guard who expects entry hazards.

Forretress (M) @Assault Vest
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 100 Def / 152 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Gyro Ball
- Bug Bite / Payback
- Explosion

Opponents will take a single look at a leading Forretress and know what's up, and most likely switch to a Fire-type (Eg. Typhlosion) on the first turn before you can set off a Stealth Rock or Spikes. Imagine their surprise if you launch a super effective Earthquake instead, with enough Attack power for an OHKO without STAB. Assault Vest will protect it from special attacks whilst its Attack and Defence will already be high. The other moves are quite self-explanatory, with Explosion being a last resort.

Answer 14

If you want a setup Pokemon, this is the way to go:

Forretress @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Toxic Spikes
- Spikes / Stealth Rock
- Rock Tomb
- Rapid Spin

Toxic Spikes: Good for when Pokémon switch in.
Spikes / Stealth Rock: Again, good for when they switch a Pokémon in.
Rock Tomb: To deal with Fire-types (Maybe Charizards?)
Rapid Spin: Not really a damaging move, I use it personally to get rid of hazards such as Stealth Rock, Sticky Web, ect.

I hope this helped :)

Answer 15

Mixed 'Wall' with Entry Hazards

Forretress (M/F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature

• Stealth Rock
• Toxic Spikes
• Spikes
• Rapid Spin

Simple yet effective Hazard Setup, go in, clear any Hazard Entries with Rapid Spin, throw a Stealth Rock and a Toxic Spikes (Order doesn't matter) then start laying down Spikes, after three turns you can use him to Stall a little, if the enemy Defogs/RS you, you kill it (with a Wallbreaker, Forretress won't kill anything with his moves directly lol) and set up hazards again. Leftovers is there to sustain you, Sturdy to be able to put down at least one Entry Hazard if they somehow manage to deal that much damage to you.

Answer 16

I figured since this set isn't here... Why not?

Forretress (M) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Spikes
- Toxic
- Counter
- Light Screen

Pretty self-explanatory. You got a few options: Light Screen increases your likelihood to survive against a Fire-type move. Counter (sure, it requires prediction, but I 2HKO'ed a Metagross with it)
Plus, Toxic and Spikes for support.
I prefer a Lum Berry to Leftovers, but both work fine.

Answer 17

Role: Staller/Hazard Setter

Forretress @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Gyro Ball
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Volt Switch

Gyro Ball is STAB and your main attacking move. Rapid Spin and Stealth Rock support your teammates. Volt Switch almost always lets you safely bring in another Pokémon, because of its low Speed. This is the best moveset I know for Forretress.

I hope this helps!

Answer 18

Ok, here we go, my little Forretress.

Forretress @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Impish/Bold Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Counter
- Protect
- Swagger

No explanations for this moveset, It's speaks for itself.

Answer 19

Role: Physical Wall

Forretress @ Leftovers / Iron Ball
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Toxic
- Gyro Ball
- Sandstorm
- Protect
__

Strategy:

So, you start off by using Sandstorm. This deals damage to everything other than Rock-, Steel-, and Ground-type Pokémon. Then use Toxic, so they start to to loss a lot of HP over time. Then use Gyro Ball and Protect, setting a Sandstorm again whenever it runs out, and destroy them!!

Answer 20

Forretress @ Custap Berry / Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Toxic Spikes
- Rapid Spin / Pain Split / Volt Switch