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Swift Swim
- Speed doubles in rain.
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Water Veil
- Prevents burn.
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Lightningrod
- When hit with an Electric-type move, Special Attack is boosted by one stage. All Electric-type attacks are drawn to this Pokemon.
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Level 100 Statistics (see level 5, 50, 100)
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Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
45
|
- |
231 |
294 |
- |
| Atk |
67
|
153 |
170 |
233 |
256 |
| Def |
60
|
140 |
156 |
219 |
240 |
| SpA |
35
|
95 |
106 |
169 |
185 |
| SpD |
50
|
122 |
136 |
199 |
218 |
| Spe |
63
|
145 |
162 |
225 |
247 |
Overview
Though outclassed by more potent Swift Swim sweepers, Goldeen still packs quite the punch and is not to be underestimated. It hits 30 Speed in the rain, allowing it to outspeed most threats and smack them first with a STAB rain-boosted Waterfall. Goldeen's Water typing also gives it only two weaknesses, which is a boon for any offensively oriented Pokemon. Unfortunately, Goldeen is too easily countered by walls such as Frillish and Ferroseed, and also has trouble setting up Rain Dance in the first place, as it is too easily forced out. Despite these flaws, Goldeen can fit into rain teams pretty well and should always be considered when building a team.
This set is Goldeen's best bet at pulling off a sweep. STAB Waterfall in the rain can inflict some serious damage, hitting anything that doesn't resist it very hard. Return complements Waterfall very well, dealing with opposing Water-types and granting Goldeen great neutral coverage. Megahorn hits the Grass-types that can sponge Goldeen's boosted Water-type attacks with ease. More importantly, it also hits Ferroseed, which laughs at the other moves on this set pretty hard.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
The EV spread maximizes Goldeen's Attack and Speed while adding a point to its defenses. An Adamant nature is preferred over Jolly, as Goldeen needs all the power it can get its fins on, and boosting Speed is redundant considering Goldeen already hits an unassailable 30 Speed in the rain. Life Orb is the item of choice, boosting the power of Goldeen's attacks and turning some 3HKOs into 2HKOs. The latter is all the more crucial in the fast-paced metagame of Little Cup.
Because Frillish walls this set cold, teammates which can check it aid Goldeen immensely. Ferroseed beats Frillish with Bullet Seed and can also set up Spikes, making it easier for Goldeen to sweep. Shed Skin Scraggy and Pawniard deal with Frillish effectively as well. Magnemite also makes a fine partner, as it can trap and finish off Ferroseed with ease while also benefiting from the rain, which allows it to run an accurate STAB Thunder. Finally, Bronzor and Goldeen have good synergy, with the former being able to set up Rain Dance, thus freeing up a moveslot for the latter.
Other Options
Goldeen can run a special set consisting of Hydro Pump, Hidden Power Grass, Ice Beam, and Rain Dance, but its terrible base 35 Special Attack makes this a bad idea. Bounce is an option to hit Frillish, but it is innacurate, highly predictable, and Goldeen will find it tough to spare a moveslot for the it. Aqua Tail can be used for more power, but Waterfall is accurate and also has a chance to flinch, which could be game-changing. Poison Jab can be used to hit Grass-types, but this is already achieved by Megahorn, and Poison Jab has no use otherwise. Agility is an option for a boosting move, but it is outclassed by Rain Dance, which also boosts Waterfall's Base Power. Goldeen also has access to support options such as Knock Off, Haze, Toxic, Protect, and Aqua Ring, and while it can run a support set in the rain, it is better off just attacking. Damp Rock can be used for three more turns of rain, but Goldeen will badly miss the power boost granted by Life Orb.
Checks and Counters
Eviolite Frillish walls Goldeen to the moon and back, as it resists or is immune to all of the moves on this set, packs Will-O-Wisp to cripple Goldeen, and smacks it pretty hard with STAB Shadow Ball. Ferroseed does a decent job as well, as it comfortably takes Megahorn while OHKOing with Bullet Seed. Faster Swift Swim users such as Anorith, Buizel, and Poliwag check Goldeen pretty well too, KOing it with the appropriate attack.
