Welcome to TM-a-Day, a daily series where we analyze & discuss the various TMs in the game. Today's TM is TM76: [Stealth Rock](https://m.bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Stealth_Rock_(move)). As always in-game is my preferred avenue of discussion so that's what I'll be focusing on but feel free to discuss these moves and aTMs in the context of competitive, battle frontier, Dex/Trainer Card completion, super contests, challenge runs, etc as well! 

Stealth Rock is a Rock-type nondamaging move with 20 PP and no accuracy check. It sets Stealth Rocks up on the target's side of the field, dealing chip damage to any Pokémon that switches in based on the target's resistance/weakness to Rock. This does 1/8th of the target's max health for neutral matchups and is modified from there, maxing out at 1/2 for 4x weaknesses and 1/32nd for 4x resistances. Its effects can be removed with Rapid Spin - or rather, they could be, if Rapid Spin existed in Platinum's campaign. The TM is given to you by Roark upon completion of the Oreburgh Gym. 

Stealth Rock is fine. It's a decent filler move if you have a free slot, at best. While it's probably the best move or close to it in Competitive and Casual Multiplayer Singles where everyone is switching all the time, it's not quite as impactful in most single-player fights where the enemy switching out is uncommon (but not nonexistent) in major battles - usually it's hitting everything once. This chip can still be valuable though, particularly vs Candice and Flint who mostly take 25% chip rather than 1/8th, and it also can be helpful with sweeps since that chip can help you make ohko thresholds, its functionally a damage modifier. Plus, taking away 1/4 of bitch-ass Togekiss's health will always be valuable to me; it's good for Cynthia in general since she will switch sometimes, and she has 6 whole pokemon. 

Stealth Rock can be learned by the Clefairy, Geodude, Onix, Rhyhorn, Chansey, Sudowoodo, Gligar, Swinub, Nosepass, Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup, Bidoof, Cranidos, Shieldon, Wormadam-Trash, Bronzor, Gible, Hippopotas, Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf families. 

Stealth Rock is one of those moves that does the same thing with the same effectiveness no matter who uses it, so assessing the best user comes down to stats and the amount/lack of other options. It lends itself best to pokemon with good bulk or good speed who can execute it more reliably, and since it's only decent utility at best usually you'd have a free slot or a lack of other options for Stealth Rock to be a consideration. Bastiodon and Probopass may have bad typings but they have great mixed bulk and pretty bad offenses, so indirect damage from stealth rock is a decent way to get them to contribute. Worm-T is kind of a goofy pokemon but a fun one to use and it has a great typing, but has some issues with its middling stats and subpar support movepool. Stealth Rock is thus a pretty free inclusion on its moveset. On Bronzong it competes with a lot of other utility but he has no problem executing it, and utility is what it does best. 

My favorite in-game stealth Rock user is Hippowdon. You'd have to be a freak like me who enjoys using Stall in-game to want to do this, but Hippowdon is a fantastic Stealth Rock user on these teams because of its ability. Sand Stream does 1/16th chip per turn and you want to lead Hippowdon to activate this immediately in most situations Giving it Stealth Rock to use turn 1 is a great opener for these types of teams, and you can give it Roar to keep stacking both Stealth Rock and Sandstorm chip, and if you pair this with a Tentacruel with Toxic Spikes? Oh man. This isn't an efficient way to play at all, but it sure is a fun one, if you have the patience to find it fun. 

Overall, Stealth Rock is a somewhat hit or miss move that isn't amazing in-game, but its utility can be solid, especially against teams weak to Rock. It's a good pick on Pokemon with a lack of other options but generally outclassed on others. Making KO thresholds easier is always appreciated, but in the story, it's not the major win condition it is in PvP. 

Sample Sets: 

Hippowdon @ Soft Sand • Earthquake, Rock Slide/Ice Fang, Stealth Rock, Roar

Wormadam-Trash @ Iron Plate • Iron Head/Flash Cannon, Toxic, Stealth Rock, Psychic/Shadow Ball/Rest

Blissey @ Spell Tag/Sitrus Berry/Shell Bell • Ability: Natural Cure • Flamethrower/Shadow Ball, Toxic, Stealth Rock, Softboiled

What do you think of Stealth Rock? Have you used it in a playthrough? What about in another context? Who did you give it to? Who do you think uses it best? Any other thoughts you have on TM76, Stealth Rock? 

TM-a-Day: TM76 Stealth Rock