OverviewGarbodor is the Trash Bag Pokemon, and at first glance most people assume that it IS trash. It has a small support movepool, and most of its viable offensive movepool is based around its horrible Special Attack stat. Additionally, Poison is often not a good typing to have with all the Psychic-types roaming around NU, especially Musharna. For those who look closer, however, Garbodor turns from one person's trash into another's treasure. For example, its Poison typing, while leaving it weak to Psychic, works well with its good bulk by allowing it to check common Fighting-types, such as Sawk. Furthermore, its support movepool includes Spikes and Toxic Spikes, and its access to Clear Smog allows it to counter stat-boosters. Finally, it isn't a sitting duck, as it possesses a nice base 95 Attack stat, allowing it to hit hard with its STAB Gunk Shot. If you use it right, Garbodor can turn out to be a nice addition to your team.
With access to Spikes, a decent defensive typing, and good bulk, Garbodor makes a great supporter for its teammates. Spikes is essential, as it allows Garbodor's teammates to sweep weakened opponents. Drain Punch is a useful move in general to provide semi-reliable recovery while also threatening opponents such as Probopass, who would otherwise set up all over Garbodor. Gunk Shot allows Garbodor to hit hard off of its good base 95 Attack stat, preventing the likes of Exeggutor from switching in at will. Finally, Clear Smog counters stat-boosting foes, such as Bulk Up Gurdurr, who would otherwise be able to threaten Garbodor and its teammates after several boosts. There are a couple of other options for Garbodor. Toxic Spikes can be used over Drain Punch to provide another entry hazard, but with all the Poison-types running around NU, this is usually an inferior option. Likewise, Rock Blast can be used to deal with Substitute users, such as Haunter, but is otherwise less useful than STAB Gunk Shot. Finally, Giga Drain can threaten Golem and Seismitoad, who would otherwise beat Garbodor, but the loss of Clear Smog can be painful when dealing with stat-boosters. Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
While the previous set concentrates on Garbodor's utility value and bulk, this set focuses more on Garbodor's offensive potential and base 95 Attack stat. Spikes is once again the entry hazard of choice, allowing Garbodor's teammates to take advantage of weakened opponents. Toxic Spikes is also used on this set as it can cripple Pokemon like Alomomola, while also luring in Poison-types for a teammate, such as Musharna, to switch in on. However, Drain Punch can be used if Pokemon like Probopass are problematic. Gunk Shot is Garbodor's STAB move and hits Grass-types, such as Exeggutor, hard, while also having a slight chance to cause poison. Finally, Seed Bomb dents Ground-types, such as Seismitoad and Golem, who would otherwise cause problems for Garbodor. Team Options & Additional Comments >>>Other OptionsWith Rain Dance or Sunny Day, Garbodor can set up both weather and entry hazards, and fit onto weather teams effectively. Pain Split is another option, as it provides a semi-stable recovery option that also weakens the opponent. Haze is also a possibility, as it is a better version of Clear Smog that hits Steel-types and bypasses Substitutes. However, it is illegal with Spikes, which is Garbodor's main niche in NU, and is hence an inferior choice. Curse is an option for boosting Garbodor's Attack and Defense, but Garbodor's weakness to Psychic-types, who can threaten its unboosted Special Defense, hinders such a set's effectiveness. Stockpile is another way to boost Garbodor's defenses, but Stockpile is an inferior option as it can only boost to three levels. A specially attacking set is theoretically possible, but Garbodor's horrible Special Attack stat discourages this idea. A special mention goes to a Life Orb attacking set with Gunk Shot, Seed Bomb, Drain Punch, and Rock Polish. Rock Polish allows Garbodor to outspeed many major threats, such as Choice Scarf Zebstrika and Sawk, and threaten some of its usual counters. Additionally, Garbodor's surprisingly good coverage, along with a Life Orb boost and its solid Attack stat, allows it to hit a number of threats, such as Probopass, while its bulk allows it to survive hits. However, note that Garbodor's Attack stat, while good, is usually not enough to sweep an opponent. In addition, Garbodor is usually more useful as a supporter than as an attacking threat. Use the offensive set at your own risk. Checks and CountersDespite Garbodor's good power and bulk, there are a number of Pokemon that can deal with it easily. Bulky Psychic- and Ground-types threaten Garbodor, as they can threaten to take it out before it has fully set up Spikes. Additionally, powerful special attackers can blast Garbodor hard, as it is almost always uninvested in Special Defense. Musharna is very bulky and has Heal Bell to get rid of poison, while Duosion is immune to poison; both can set up in Garbodor's face with Calm Mind. Exeggutor also threatens Garbodor, although it must beware of taking a STAB Gunk Shot to the face. Probopass can easily switch into any Garbodor lacking Drain Punch, set up entry hazards, and either cripple Garbodor with Thunder Wave or KO it with Earth Power. Rotom-S is immune to Spikes and Toxic Spikes and can cripple Garbodor with Trick, while Rampardos can hit Garbodor hard with STAB Head Smash or Earthquake while not worrying too much about entry hazards. |
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