Ferrothorn - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle | Pokemon Sword and Shield

This is a strategy guide for using Ferrothorn in competitive play for the games Pokemon Sword and Shield. Read on for tips on the best Nature, EV spreads, Movesets, and Held Items to use with Ferrothorn, as well as its strengths and weak points.

Ferrothorn - Related Guides
Evolution and Learnset	Build for Ranked Battle

Basic Information for Ferrothorn

Types and Abilities

Pokemon	Type 1	Type 2
Ferrothorn
Abilities
Iron Barbs	Inflicts damage to the Pokemon on cotact.
Anticipation (Hidden)	Senses a foe's dangerous moves.

Type Defenses

	Type
Takes 4x damage
Takes 2x damage
Takes 0.5x damage
Takes 1/4x damage
Takes 0x damage

What is Type Effectiveness?

Base Stats

HP	Attack	Defense	Sp. Atk	Sp. Def	Speed
74	94	131	54	116	20

Best Nature for Ferrothorn

Best Natures
Relaxed (+Def, -Spd)	Impish (+Def, -Sp.Atk)	Sassy (+Sp.Def, -Spd)
Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)	Brave (+Atk, -Spd)	---

How to Learn Ferrothorn's Egg Moves

Leech Seed	Inherit from Roselia (learns at Lv. 10) or Phantump (learns at Lv. 8)
Knock Off	Inherit from Lombre (learns at Lv. 1) or Grookey (learns at Lv. 20) When playing Pokemon Sword and using a starter other than Grookey, this move can be inherited via Dwebble, who learns it as an Egg Move, which it can inherit from Scorupi (learns at Lv. 24)

Recommended Breeding Sequence

Have a male Lotad or Grookey inherit Leech Seed from Roselia or Phantump. Level these Pokemon up until they learn Knock Off. Breed the Lotad or Grookey with a female Ferrothorn, whose child will inherit both moves.

Singles Movesets for Ferrothorn

Physically Defensive Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Relaxed (+Def, -Spd)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Def 252 / Sp.Def 4
Final Stat Values	HP 181 / Atk. 114 / Def. 201 / Sp.Def. 137 / Spd. 36
Ability	Iron Barbs
Held Item	Leftovers Rocky Helmet Occa Berry
Moveset	・Gyro Ball ・Bullet Seed ・Leech Seed ・Protect

Ferrothorn works well as a defensive Pokemon thanks to its few weaknesses and multiple resistances. Although Ferrothorn doesn't get any recovery moves, it can rely on Leftovers + Leech Seed to recover indirectly.

That said, make sure to switch out when you're up against a special Fire-type attacker as Ferrothorn will go down in an instant.

About Ferrothorn's Moves

While using Leech Seed to sap the opponent's HP, Ferrothorn can use Protect to stay on the battlefield as long as possible, cutting down the opponent's HP in the process.

On healthier turns, Ferrothorn can use STAB-moves in the form of Gyro Ball
and Bullet Seed.

About Ferrothorn's EV Spread

This is a standard physically defensive spread maximizing EVs in HP and Defense. You can place the remaining 4 EVs in its Sp.Def stat.

About Ferrothorn's Ability

Iron Barbs serves as another form of damage for Ferrothorn where it can hurt attackers who use contact moves. This helps make up for its movepool.

About Ferrothorn's Held Item

Leftovers helps for survivability and to keep Ferrothorn healthier for longer. Rocky Helmet works well with Iron Barbs to deal more chip damage against Pokemon with contact moves.

Occa Berry is also a valid option to help Ferrothorn survive a Fire-type attack.

Other Viable Moves

Iron Defense	A great move to help buff Ferrothorn's physical defense more. This move raises Defense by 2 stages.
Body Press	Works as a great alternative damaging move for Ferrothorn. Has great synergy with Iron Defense.
Power Whip	Really Strong Grass-type STAB with less accuracy than Bullet Seed but can consistently deal strong damage.
Knock Off	Disarms the opponent's held item. Really helpful move against Eviolite-users.
Stealth Rock	A good move to prepare against Fire-types that might switch into Ferrothorn.
Toxic	Badly Poisons the enemy. Works well for bulky Ferrothorn that intend to stall out their opponent.
Thunder Wave	Paralyzes the enemy. Good for crippling enemy sweepers.

Specially Defensive Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Sassy (+Sp.Def, -Spd)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Def 4 / Sp.Def 252
Final Stat Values	HP 181 / Att 114 / Def 152 / Sp.Def 184 / Spd 36
Ability	Iron Barbs
Held Item	Leftovers
Moveset	・Gyro Ball ・Power Whip ・Leech Seed ・Protect

This is a Specially Defensive variant of the previous build which is meant to tank special hits, especially from Kyogre's Water Spout. It's slightly different but just as effective.

About Ferrothorn's Moves

While using Leech Seed to sap the opponent's HP, Ferrothorn can use Protect to stay on the battlefield as long as possible, cutting down the opponent's HP in the process.

On healthier turns, Ferrothorn can use STAB-moves in the form of Gyro Ball
and Power Whip.

About Ferrothorn's EV Spread

This is a standard specially defensive spread maximizing EVs in HP and Special Defense. You can place the remaining 4 EVs in its Def stat.

About Ferrothorn's Ability

Iron Barbs serves as another form of damage for Ferrothorn where it can hurt attackers who use contact moves. This helps make up for its movepool.

About Ferrothorn's Held Item

Leftovers helps for survivability and to keep Ferrothorn healthier for longer.

Other Viable Moves

Bullet Seed	A decent multi-hit STAB move that can be a more accurate alternative to Power Whip.
Knock Off	Disarms this opponent's held item. Really helpful move against Eviolite-users.
Stealth Rock	A good move to prepare against Fire-types that might switch into Ferrothorn.
Toxic	Badly Poisons the enemy. Works well for bulky Ferrothorn that intend to stall out the opponent.
Thunder Wave	Paralyzes the enemy. Good for crippling enemy sweepers.

Choice Band Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Brave (+Atk, -Spd)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4 (0 IVs in Speed)
Final Stat Values	HP 181 / Atk. 160 / Def. 151 / Sp.Def. 137 / Spd. 22 Speed is calculated at 0 IVs.
Ability	Iron Barbs
Held Item	Choice Band
Moveset	・Gyro Ball ・Power Whip ・Knock Off ・Bullet Seed

Ferrothorn has a 4x weakness against Fire-types so boosting its Attack with a Choice Band is an effective way to overwhelm your opponent with Gyro Ball and Power Whip at the start of the battle, especially if your opponent chooses to switch out to a different Pokemon.

About Ferrothorn's Moves

Gyro Ball gets stronger the slower the user is to its target, and as such Brave Ferrothorn with 0IVs in Speed greatly benefits from this STAB move. Power Whip is another high-powered STAB move that can deal significant damage.

Knock Off disarms the opponent's held item, which is a very helpful move against Eviolite-user,. while Bullet Seed is a decent multi-hit STAB move that can be a more accurate alternative to Power Whip.

About Ferrothorn's EV Spread

This is a bulky physically offensive spread maximizing EVs in HP and Attack. You can place the remaining 4 EVs in its Sp. Def stat. We aren't putting any EVs in Speed to maximize the damage from Gyro Ball.

About Ferrothorn's Ability

Iron Barbs serves as another form of damage for Ferrothorn where it can hurt attackers who use contact moves. This helps make up for its movepool.

About Ferrothorn's Held Item

Choice Band lets Ferrothorn deal the most damage it can, at the cost of locking its move choice.

Other Viable Moves

Body Press	Works as a fighting-type coverage move for Ferrothorn to combat other Steel-types. Damage is calculated from its Defense instead of Attack.
Explosion	Good last resort to deal damage witn Ferrothorn is expected to faint soon anyway.

How to Use Ferrothorn Effectively

An Ideal Tank for Physical Attacks

Ferrothorn's strongest suit lies in its ability to absorb physical hits. Combined with Leech Seed, it can stack up massive total damage, so in a switch-heavy battle, Ferrothorn proves to be an invaluable asset.

Has a Good Combo in Iron Defense + Body Press

Iron Defense allows Ferrothorn to further capitalize on its already high defenses and transition it into an offensive advantage. Thanks to Body Press calculating damage from the user's defense stat. Ferrothorn can be prepared even against other Steel-types.

Can Stall Out Opponent's Dynamax turns.

Ferrothorn's natural bulk can be extremely useful to stall out the opponent's Dynamax turns. When timed correctly with Protect, it can shrug off opponents who will try to take it out.

Can also be a Specially Defensive Tank

Ferrothorn works well as a countermeasure to Scarfed Kyogre because of its high bulk and natural resistances to Water-type moves. Even in Rain, Specially Defensive Ferrothorn is bulky enough to withstand STAB Water Spout from Kyogre.

Assault Vest can even be an option if up against Choice Specs Kyogre, but you will lose access to status moves such as Leech Seed and Protect.

Effective Wall for Fairy-types

Ferrothorn is a proud member of the Steel-type, and an important Pokemon as an overall counter to Fairy-types. As Hidden Power is no more in Sword and Shield, the days where any Pokemon could have Hidden Power Fire and counter it with 4x damage are over, and Ferrothorn stands strong in their wake.

A Great Attacker Under Trick Room

With its incredibly low Speed of 20, the normally last-to-move Ferrothorn becomes a silver bullet under the effects of Trick Room. Together with Gyro Ball, which becomes stronger the slower the user is, Ferrothorn comes into its own as a physical sweeper.

How to Build a Team with Ferrothorn

Physical Wall in a Rain Team

Example Rain Team

Rain Setter / Special Offense	Physical Wall	Physical Offense
Kyogre	Ferrothorn	Seismitoad

Ferrothorn works wonderfully in the rain as it helps mitigate its weakness to Fire-type attacks. As such, it makes a great fit for rain teams. It pairs up well with Kyogre in particular as it can resist Grass-type moves that might be aimed at Kyogre.

Kyogre will be the team's rain setter and can deal high amounts of Special Damage thanks to Water Spout, Origin Pulse, and 100% accurate Thunder.

Seismitoad rounds out this rain team well with its immunity to Electric-type attacks. Its Ground-type coverage can also help against opposing Steel-types. Seismitoad benefits offensively from rain thanks to Swift Swim, allowing it to hit faster in the rain.

How to Build a Weather Team

Counters for Ferrothorn

Weakness

Kill it with Fire

With a 4x weakness to Fire, Ferrothorn can be quickly handled with Fire attacks. Any of the Fire-types listed below are easy to use in Ranked Battle and even besides being great Ferrothorn counters, will be a welcome addition to your team.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Cinderace	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Pyro Ball is a 4x effective move that doesn't do contact ・Can be used as a starting point to set up Max Knuckle and increase its Attack Moveset & Best Build for Cinderace
Celesteela	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Resists most of Ferrothorn's attacks ・Has access to the super effective move Flamethrower Moveset & Best Build for Celesteela
Zapdos	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Has access to the super effective move Heat Wave ・Has to be careful of Stealth Rocks Moveset & Best Build for Zapdos
Heat Rotom	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Has access to the super effective move Overitat ・Can pivot into a favorable matchup with Volt Switch. ・Can render defensive variants helpless after tricking a Choice Item on to them. Moveset & Best Build for Heat Rotom

Attack with Strong Fighting-type moves.

Other than Fire, Ferrothorn is also weak to Fighting-type attacks. By attacking with strong physical moves, some Pokemon can be strong enough to blow dents into Ferrothorn.

Although, be mindful of Ferrothorn who may use Iron Defense as they will be harder to take down after stacking their defenses.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Urshifu Single-Strike Style	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Choice Band Close Combat can deal significant damage to Ferrothorn Moveset & Best Build for Urshifu (Single-Strike Style)
Zacian	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Has access to the super effective move Close Combat. ・After a few Swords Dances, Zacian should be able to take out Ferrothorn Moveset & Best Build for Zacian
Galarian Zapdos	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Has access to the super effective move Thunderous Kick which also lowers Ferrothorn's defense ・Has access to the super effective move Blaze Kick. Moveset & Best Build for Galarian Zapdos
Glastrier	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Has access to the super effective move Close Combat. ・Can also be the starting point to set up Max Knucle and increase its Attack Moveset & Best Build for Glastrier

Related Links

All Competitive Builds for Ranked Battle

Competitive Guides for Pokemon Sword and Shield

Competitive Pokemon Battle Guides
Tier List		Best Builds		Series 8 Tier List Contenders
Doubles Tier List		Team Building		Rental Teams

Best Builds for Returning Pokemon

Movesets & Best Builds for Returning Pokemon
Mimikyu	Wash Rotom	Gyarados
Ferrothorn	Aegislash	Excadrill
Tyranitar	Hydreigon	Heat Rotom
Arcanine	Mamoswine	Toxapex
Togekiss	Cloyster	Durant
Snorlax	Charizard	Sylveon
Lucario	Hippowdon	Umbreon
Conkeldurr	Quagsire	Gastrodon
Lapras	Whimsicott	Rhyperior
Goodra	Haxorus	Glaceon
Mow Rotom	Type: Null	Gengar
Milotic	Gardevoir	Flygon
Chandelure	Lanturn	Torkoal
Bisharp	Seismitoad	Silvally
Butterfree	Primarina	Incineroar
Blastoise	Decidueye	Venusaur
Darmanitan	Alolan Ninetales	Gothitelle
Crawdaunt	Clefable	Reuniclus
Kommo-o	Terrakion	Cobalion
Virizion	Noivern	Fan Rotom
Toxicroak	Pelipper	Jellicent
Celebi	Clefairy	Hitmontop
Diggersby	Ditto	Raichu

All Competitive Builds for Ranked Battle ## Competitive Guides for Pokemon Sword and Shield

Competitive Pokemon Battle Guides
Tier List		Best Builds		Series 8 Tier List Contenders
Doubles Tier List		Team Building		Rental Teams

Best Builds for Returning Pokemon

Movesets & Best Builds for Returning Pokemon
Mimikyu	Wash Rotom	Gyarados
Ferrothorn	Aegislash	Excadrill
Tyranitar	Hydreigon	Heat Rotom
Arcanine	Mamoswine	Toxapex
Togekiss	Cloyster	Durant
Snorlax	Charizard	Sylveon
Lucario	Hippowdon	Umbreon
Conkeldurr	Quagsire	Gastrodon
Lapras	Whimsicott	Rhyperior
Goodra	Haxorus	Glaceon
Mow Rotom	Type: Null	Gengar
Milotic	Gardevoir	Flygon
Chandelure	Lanturn	Torkoal
Bisharp	Seismitoad	Silvally
Butterfree	Primarina	Incineroar
Blastoise	Decidueye	Venusaur
Darmanitan	Alolan Ninetales	Gothitelle
Crawdaunt	Clefable	Reuniclus
Kommo-o	Terrakion	Cobalion
Virizion	Noivern	Fan Rotom
Toxicroak	Pelipper	Jellicent
Celebi	Clefairy	Hitmontop
Diggersby	Ditto	Raichu