Brambleghast, the Tumbleweed Pokémon. It will open the branches of its head to envelop its prey. Once it absorbs all the life energy it needs, it expels the prey and discards it. Brambleghast wanders around arid regions. On rare occasions, mass outbreaks of these Pokémon will bury an entire town.

Overview

One of the new Pokémon that fittingly evolves with the Let’s Go mechanic, Brambleghast is as evocative as the tumbleweed it is based on. Grass and Ghost typing is rather inspired to begin with, giving Brambleghast an impressive list of resistances and immunities, and with incidental immunities from Wind Rider like Hurricane and the genie’s signature attacks, Brambleghast can switch into a wide range of attacks with ease. Once on the field, Brambleghast can start wielding its good attack to wicked effect. Between the extremely spammable Ghost STAB and the invaluable coverage of its Grass STAB, Brambleghast is hard to resist. Add in valuable utility moves like Strength Sap for longevity, Rapid Spin for Hazard removal or Spikes as a rare Rapid Spin immune Spikes setter and Brambleghast is packing quite a bit under the hood.

However, Brambleghast falters in every other matter. Base 55 HP is rather paltry and 70 defenses leaves Brambleghast a withered husk. This gets further worsened by the many weaknesses the Grass Ghost typing boasts, making Brambleghast rather easy to remove. This would be more tolerable if Brambleghast boasted an impressive Speed stat, but base 90 Speed, while not completely horrid, falls short of many offensive threats and making Brambleghast easy to remove. Even Brambleghast’s good offense is marred by flaws, having next to no coverage outside of its STABs. Add in that Brambleghast’s best Ghost STAB is conditional and Brambleghast becomes rather inconsistent on offense. While Brambleghast is evocative in many respects, a closer inspection reveals it to be a withered husk rolling on a dusky plain..
Positives
Base 115 Attack is a great start and with boosts from Choice Band or Wind Rider, Brambleghast can hit very hard.
Grass Ghost typing provides several incredible immunities and a potent STAB combination that is difficult to resist.
Good support moves in Strength Sap and Spikes adds utility to Brambleghast’s power.

Negatives
Grass Ghost typing is also rife with weaknesses that can make it hard to get the most out of Brambleghast’s good resistances.
55/70/70 defenses are rather poor, limiting Brambleghast’s defensive utility.
Coverage outside of STABs is non-existent, leaving Brambleghast predictable and easier to wall out.

Movesets

Rumble Weed

-Poltergeist
-Power Whip
-Rapid Spin
-Strength Sap
Ability: Wind Rider
Item: Life Orb
EVs and Nature:
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature

While Brambleghast’s abysmal coverage is a pain point, it also lends itself well to offensive support sets since it often has the space for such moves. Not to say one should scoff at Brambleghast’s offense. Poltergeist is an incredible STAB move with wide neutral coverage, meaning few Pokémon can switch into safely and with how everything holds an item in competitive, Poltergeist regularly online. Power Whip is primarily for the Dark and Normal types that absorb Poltergeist, though the ability to directly threaten the Ground and Water types that often act as a team’s physical wall such as Swampert, Rhyperior, and Tauros-Aqua should not be discounted. Rapid Spin is simultaneously support and setup, allowing Brambleghast to clear hazards for its teammates while patching up its unimpressive Speed, allowing Brambleghast to threaten a wider range of foes. Strength Sap brings the set together for some badly needed longevity, recovering chip damage incurred by hazards and Life Orb recoil, while weakening the opponent’s physical attacks, making it easier for Brambleghast to stick around for longer. This longevity is necessary as a Rapid Spin user as Brambleghast will be called upon to clear hazards multiple times.

Tera Types:
Brambleghast is one of those Pokémon that gets a lot of mileage out of its base typing but also abhors the many weaknesses said typing provides, making it a balancing act of knowing when to Terastalize and when to pivot. When it is time to Terastalize, defensive Tera types tend to be preferred, if just to keep Brambleghast around to continue Rapid Spinning. Tera Dark is popular for this, given the resistance to the ever popular Knock Off while greatly improving Brambleghast’s matchup against opposing Ghost and Psychic types. Tera Fairy is another popular defensive option for its resistance to Dark while maintaining Brambleghast’s good matchup into Fighting types and being hard to exploit in general. Even Tera Ghost and Tera Grass have defensive value, removing extra weaknesses, in addition to their obvious offensive merits. With Tera Ghost and Life Orb, Poltergeist can grab a OHKO on a targets as bulky as Alolan Sandslash, Rotom-Heat, and Cramorant. Conversely, Tera Grass pushes Power Whip to similar levels of power against neutral targets, albeit without requiring the target to hold an item. Tera Fighting is more offensive option, while providing the same valued resistance to Dark, it is meant to be used in conjunction with Tera Blast to give Brambleghast an answer against the Pokémon that normally wall it.

EVs and Items:
As with most attackers, max Attack and Speed EV investment are recommended. Brambleghast’s Attack and Speed are usable, but often need all the extra help they can get. Not going for Jolly Nature Max Speed leaves Brambleghast outran by Flamigo, Meloetta and Basculgeion as well as Adamant Flygon. Alternatively, one could go full HP and Defense investment for bulk, but at that point one is better dropping Power Whip and Poltergeist for Night Shade and more utility. Life Orb is recommended as the item for both damage and move flexibility, the latter necessary thanks to this set’s supportive slant. Alternatively, one could go for Heavy-Duty Boots so Brambleghast isn’t torn apart by the very hazards it is meant to remove. Kolbur Berry is a more niche pick, but great for surprising would be Knock Off users.

Partners:
: Answers to Dark types, especially Incineroar, Alolan Muk, Wo-Chien and Brute Bonnet are necessary given how all these targets wall out Brambleghast’s STABs and prevent it from freely spamming Poltergeist. Flamigo is a key example, its Fighting STAB and immunity to Intimidate via Scrappy make it ideal for all of these foes. In return, Flamigo appreciates the safer switch ins from Strength Sap and Brambleghast’s removal of Stealth Rocks and ability to remove Stealth Rocks. Diancie is also notable, threatening these targets with boosted Body Presses or Moonblasts and appreciating Brambleghast’s removal of hazards so that it isn’t eaten alive. Water types also make for great partners for Brambleghast, forming a Water-Grass core with all the synergistic benefits that implies. Vaporeon is notable for keeping Brambleghast healthy with Wish, though that may be better suited for more defensive sets, while Swampert is all around excellent, setting Stealth Rocks and its Flip Turns being a fantastic way to get Brambleghast in safely, while valuing Brambleghast’s rapid spin even more so. Aqua Tauros is a combination of both worlds scenario, answer both Dark types and fulfilling the Water-Grass core, while providing easier pivoting for Brambleghast with Intimidate though it has a poorer matchup into Wo-Chien and Brute Bonnet.

Other Options:
Spikes is a powerful option if Brambleghast has an opening, chipping away at opponents while they try to pivot into a better position, aided by Brambleghast’s Ghost typing denying opposing Rapid Spins. Shadow Sneak is a great tool for picking off weakened targets irrespective of their speed, especially Chandelure and Hisuian-Typhlosion who both commonly run Choice Scarf. .

Doubles and VGC Options

Brambleghast is a curiosity in VGC largely thanks to its signature ability Wind Rider. While the moves that proc Wind Rider in singles are rare, the same cannot be said of Doubles. Indeed, many moves that Wind Rider blocks are Doubles staples, giving Brambleghast a whole host of immunities on top of its already great Fake Out, Rage Powder and Spore denying typing. Add in the fact that two of the most popular Speed control methods in Tailwind and Icy Wind both trigger Wind Rider and suddenly Brambleghast gets scary very fast. However, much like Singles, Brambleghast doesn’t have much going for it outside of its offenses and immunities. The utility moves it boasts in Singles are far less useful in Doubles with the sole exception of Strength Sap, so Brambleghast is regulated largely to damage. Something it will struggle with given its horrid matchup into Doubles superstar Incineroar who walls anything Brambleghast can throw at it and sink its one good trait with Intimidate. Wind Rider’s protection is great, but most of the moves it blocks are spread moves like Heat Wave and Blizzard with many users naturally packing back up STAB in the case of Wide Guard. Backup STAB that Wind Rider doesn’t block. Further adding to the awkwardness is that while Brambleghast is far too weak for restricted formats, it does better in regulations where legendaries are allowed given its dominating matchups into common staples like Tornadus and Urshifu-Rapid in such formats.

Tumbleweed Desperado

-Poltergeist
-Power Whip
-Shadow Sneak
-Protect
Ability: Wind Rider
Item: Life Orb
Tera Type: Ghost / Stellar
EVs and Nature:
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant/Jolly Nature

Brambleghast has a small niche on agressive Tailwind teams, using its teammate's Tailwind as a twofold setup, getting an Attack boost in addition to the doubled speed, while being immune to popular opposing Speed control in Icy Wind and punishing opposing Tailwinds with another Attack Boost. Poltergeist is the primary STAB for its wide and valuable coverage against opposing Ghost types like Gholdengo, Flutter Mane, Annihilape, Sinistcha, Dragapult and the many, many Tera Ghost users is reason enough to use it, even with the downsides of requiring the opponent to hold an item and imperfect accuracy. Power Whip is secondary STAB, and a valuable one at that. Despite Grass' many resistances, being able to threaten Dondozo, the Ghost immune Ursalunas, Tyranitar and the many Tera Water users has Power Whip more than earn its keep. Shadow Sneak is a great clean up option, with even targets as bulky as Max HP Rillaboom taking over a third from it after Wind Rider and Life Orb. Protect rounds out the set as the best move in doubles, stalling for Tailwind and allied setup, stalling out opposing field conditions, scouting for attacks and Terastalizations, punishing focus firing, the list goes on and on.

Adamant Nature is preferred here with the expectation that Brambleghast will be in Tailwind and can't be outsped, allowing for crucial OHKOs on the likes of Flutter Mane, Dragonite, Garchomp and more, especially in tandem with Life Orb. However, by dropping to Adamant, Brambleghast is vulnerable to an increased range of threats in Tailwind, like Max Speed Gholdengo, Annihilape, max Speed Basculegion, and Hisuian-Arcanine. Tera Ghost is the recommended STAB, helping Brambleghast reach knock outs otherwise out of reach and turning Shadow Sneak into an incredibly scary attack. Tera Stellar is a worthwhile consideration for the extra boost helping reach a OHKO on Defensive Dondozo and the many targets for Brambleghast's Ghost STAB.

Preferred Partners:
Brambleghast excels under Tailwind, so a partner that can reliably set it up is paramount. Talonflame excels at this and forms a frail but formidable Fire-Grass core with Brambleghast. Tornadus and Roaring Moon are other popular setters that can work well with Brambleghast. Allies that can answer or at least both Incineroar who wholly walls Brambleghast are greatly appreaciated. Attackers like Clear Amulet Garchomp, Inner Focus Dragonite, and Ursaluna Bloodmoon standout due to their ability to excel in Tailwind. Focus Sash is a strong alternative for Brambleghast's abject frailty, making misplays much less punishing, but with a noticeable drop in power as consequence. Tera Blast is an option, not only for extra coverage, but on Tera Ghost sets as a reliable Ghost STAB that isn't beholden to a target holding an item.

Countering Brambleghast

With Brambleghast’s abject frailty and numerous weaknesses the only thing that is difficult navigating it is its offense.

Given Brambleghast’s coverage outside of Terastalization is just STAB attacks, Pokémon that can resist both are generally useful. Incineroar is notable for being prevalent in both the singles and doubles formats Brambleghast is found in, sinking its attack with Intimidate and ruining it quickly with either of its two STABs. Intimidate Overqwil performs similarly and its Poison STAB means that even Tera Fairy variants can’t avoid being obliterated. Other stable walls like Alolan-Muk, Wo-Chien all but counter Brambleghast bar niche status moves like Infestation or Curse. Bombirdier, Staraptor and Braviary are more offensive picks. While Life Orb Power Whip can 2HKO the former two, their Flying STABs make quick work of Brambleghast regardless.

Physical walls in general are difficult opponents for Brambleghast given its inability to boost on its own, though its good Attack and powerful STABs usually carry the day. Avalugg is notable given its sheer bulk and Ice STAB give Brambleghast little recourse, with even Tera Ghost Choice Band Poltergeist struggling to 2HKO. While Weezing struggles against Tera Ghost Poltergeist, its Will-O-Wisps are utterly ruinous and prevent further threat from Brambleghast. Do note none of these answers like the more esoteric parts of Brambleghast’s move set like Curse or Leech Seed.

If all else fails, exploiting Brambleghast’s poor defenses and lacking speed can quickly end its threat. Scarf Chandelure, Delphox and Hisuian-Typhlosion all quickly incinerate Brambleghast but must worry about the possibility of Shadow Sneak. Tauros-Blaze, Infernape, Scyther, Inteleon, Arcanine, and Zoroark all easily OHKO Brambleghast with their STABs while naturally outspeeding.

Anime Appearences

Brambleghast has made an appearance where a Bramblin evolved to protect Pokémon from poachers. # -English Episode Name- -Jp. Episode Name- Pics 35 The Wild Pair, Friede and Cap! A Duo in the Wilderness: Friede and Cap Pics