Brambleghast Movesets & Competitive Sets

Brambleghast's unique attributes allow it to act not only as an entry hazard setter but as a hazard remover as well. Spikes helps offensive teams deal extra chip damage to Pokemon that would otherwise stifle progress, such as Ting-Lu and Alolan Muk. Rapid Spin removes opposing hazards, helping preserve offensive teammates as well as keeping Ceruledge's Focus Sash intact. Rapid Spin also allows teammates to forgo Heavy-Duty Boots in favor of different items. Power Whip is a great way of making sure Brambleghast is not completely passive, allowing it to hit foes like Swampert, Glimmora, and Primarina for solid damage. Strength Sap not only allows Brambleghast to recover HP, but it also weakens physically oriented foes that fail to OHKO it, such as Great Tusk, Barraskewda, and Hisuian Samurott. Additionally, Brambleghast outspeeds Adamant Azumarill and OHKOes with Power Whip. An offensive EV spread with an Adamant nature can be used to surprise opponents expecting defensive Brambleghast. In this case, Shadow Sneak is an option to OHKO Flutter Mane after Spikes damage. Infiltrator is preferred on offensive sets because it allows Brambleghast to ignore Reflect. Offensive teammates greatly appreciate Brambleghast's Spikes damage helping them muscle through opposing teams. Choice Specs Flutter Mane thrives when its would-be switch-ins, notably Hisuian Goodra and Alolan Muk, are weakened by Spikes, turning 3HKOs into 2HKOs. Additionally, Flutter Mane is able to take out Dark- and Fire-type Pokemon, such as Mandibuzz, Greninja, and Ogerpon-H, via Moonblast and Power Gem. Spectrier is another Pokemon that thrives with entry hazard support, as it becomes increasingly difficult for opposing teams to switch into Shadow Ball as the Grim Neigh boosts begin to stack. Ceruledge pairs nicely with Brambleghast, as Rapid Spin ensures that Ceruledge's Focus Sash will be kept intact, and it can be used to the best of its ability. Ceruledge is also able to take out Steel-type Pokemon that Brambleghast is unable to deal with. Sinistcha is a great setup sweeper that can utilize Spikes support to steamroll through teams once it gets some Calm Mind boosts. Gholdengo also pairs nicely with Brambleghast, as not only is Gholdengo immune to Rapid Spin, but it also blocks Defog with Good as Gold, ensuring Spikes stays up. Choice Scarf Dragapult is able to deal with faster threats that would otherwise take care of Brambleghast, such as Meowscarada and Hoopa-U. Dragapult's set variety keeps the opponent guessing, which makes switches very punishing. Hisuian Zoroark is a great teammate, as it can freely disguise itself as Gholdengo and not have Stealth Rock damage give the illusion away. Skeledirge is a nice defensive teammate for Brambleghast, as it is able to deal with Steel-type Pokemon and setup sweepers that Brambleghast struggles with.

Brambleghast finds a position on Grass teams thanks to its unique set of properties in access to Rapid Spin and Spikes, which, along with its part Ghost typing, allows it to set entry hazards reliably while spinblocking Pokemon such as Iron Treads and Great Tusk. Wind Rider allows Brambleghast to check Zapdos and Tornadus-T. Poltergeist lets Brambleghast threaten Ghost- and Psychic-types like Gholdengo, Sinistcha, and Hatterene. Shadow Sneak provides Brambleghast with a much needed from of priority, allowing it to pick off weakened targets such as Dragapult, Iron Boulder, and Latios. Strength Sap can be used over Spikes, as it allows Brambleghast to weaken physical threats like Iron Hands while providing a form of recovery. Adamant is preferred thanks to allowing Brambleghast to OKHO Flutter Mane after minimal chip damage and 2HKO Skarmory after an Attack boost from Hurricane and Stealth Rock damage. Jolly can be used, as it allows Brambleghast to outspeed and check Gholdengo with Poltergeist. Choice Scarf Meowscarada is a crucial ally for Brambleghast due to it being able to threaten opposing Ghost- and Dark-types like Flutter Mane, Spectrier, and Greninja with Knock Off and Play Rough. Hisuian Lilligant and Breloom can take care of Dark- and Steel-types such as Alolan Muk, Bisharp, and Heatran. Both Ogerpon-H and Ogerpon-C can be used to threaten Bug- and Ice-types such as Galvantula, Frosmoth, and Articuno; on top of that, Ogerpon-H also handles Steel-types such as Corviknight, Gholdengo, and Scizor, while Ogerpon-C deals with Flying- and Fire-type threats such as Enamorus and Volcarona. Amoonguss can support Brambleghast by threatening Fairy-types out such as Iron Valiant, Enamorus, and Primarina with its Sludge Bomb along with being able to use Spore to give Brambleghast safe entry. Hydrapple provides a Fire neutrality and can use Earth Power to deal with Fire-types like Heatran and Volcanion. Sinistcha appreciates Brambleghast setting up Spikes, and in return, it can act as a second spinblocker that reliably checks threats such as Iron Hands and Skarmory.

The combination of Choice Band and its powerful offensive typing makes Brambleghast a dangerous wallbreaker. Poltergeist threatens common defensive Pokemon such as Pecharunt, Corviknight, and Scream Tail, while Power Whip OHKOes non-Fluffy Great Tusk, Ting-Lu, and common Water-types such as Manaphy and Primarina. Skitter Smack is used to OHKO Roaring Moon variants , that can otherwise switch in, live one hit, and then force Brambleghast out. Rapid Spin allows Brambleghast to take advantage of the switches it forces to clear entry hazards. Rapid Spin is especially useful, as Ghost-types that could otherwise block Rapid Spin do not want to switch into Brambleghast. Shadow Sneak is used to revenge kill weakened, faster Pokemon such as Deoxys-S, Latios, Iron Crown, and Iron Moth. Sword of Ruin is the preferred ability because it allows Brambleghast to hit hard with both its STAB moves and coverage, while Adaptability can be used instead if a teammate is running Sword of Ruin. An Adamant nature is used to maximize its wallbreaking ability. Due to Brambleghast's frailty, it often struggles to switch into even defensive Pokemon, making slow pivot move users such as U-turn Corviknight and RegenVest Primarina valuable teammates. Many special attackers such as Latios, Gholdengo, and Iron Crown pair well with Brambleghast, as it threatens most of the common specially defensive Pokemon in the tier. Physical attackers that rely on contact moves such as Slither Wing and Zamazenta also make good partners because Brambleghast's Poltergeist does not make contact, allowing it to beat walls such as Fluffy Corviknight and Great Tusk. Fast Pokemon such as Deoxys-S and Chien-Pao or priority users such as Kingambit can clean up teams after Brambleghast has weakened opposing walls.

This is the sample set before we work on new analyses. This will be updated as the metagame continues to develop. Stay tuned!