|
-
Intimidate
- Lowers the foe's Attack one stage. Decreases wild encounter rate.
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Quick Feet
- Speed is increased by 50% when afflicted with status.
-
Rattled
- Raises Speed one stage when hit by a Bug-, Dark-, or Ghost-type move.
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Level 50 Statistics (see level 5, 50, 100)
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
90
|
- |
165 |
197 |
- |
| Atk |
120
|
126 |
140 |
172 |
189 |
| Def |
75
|
85 |
95 |
127 |
139 |
| SpA |
60
|
72 |
80 |
112 |
123 |
| SpD |
60
|
72 |
80 |
112 |
123 |
| Spe |
45
|
58 |
65 |
97 |
106 |
Overview
In NU, there are many Normal-type Pokemon, and, while some are lost by the wayside, others have unique niches. Granbull is in this category; she has a massive base 120 Attack and decent bulk with 90 / 75 / 60 defenses, which is further augmented by Intimidate. Unfortunately, Granbull is vulnerable on the special side, as Intimidate doesn't buffer her Special Defense. However, Granbull has many handy options that differentiate her from her Normal-type brethren: notably, Heal Bell, Thunder Wave, and Intimidate. She also has Quick Feet and Rattled as abilities, but Quick Feet is utilized better by Ursaring (who has Swords Dance and a much higher Attack), and Rattled is too unreliable. From the numerous Normal-types in NU, Granbull faces competition from Zangoose, Miltank, Ursaring and Tauros. For instance, Tauros is faster, and also bulkier thanks to its own Intimidate. As such, Granbull must mix offensive power with support to truly stand out.
Granbull is great on a team that wants a cleric with an offensive presence. Return is a great Normal-type STAB option because of its solid Base Power. Body Slam is another option as its paralysis chance helps to mitigate Granbull's low Speed; however, Body Slam is illegal with Close Combat. Close Combat hits the Rock- and Steel-types that resist her STAB, but Crunch is an option to hit Ghost-types immune to her main STAB. Heal Bell is what gives Granbull her niche and helps to rid the team of status. The last slot is a choice between Thunder Wave and Toxic; Thunder Wave is useful because it makes up for Granbull's poor Speed, but Toxic is an option to hit Ground-type switch-ins such as Golurk and Torterra.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
The EV spread allows Granbull to hit hard and be bulky on the physical side, which differentiates her from other Normal-types such as Miltank. However, even with this bulk Granbull can't take Fighting-type attacks, so Ghost- or Psychic-type Pokemon make excellent teammates. Misdreavus is immune to Granbull's Fighting-type weakness and can use Will-O-Wisp to cripple physical attackers. Golurk is an exceptional offensive partner because it can easily switch into Fighting-type attacks and retaliate with its powerful STABs. Granbull is susceptible to all forms of entry hazards, so a Rapid Spin user would be beneficial. Armaldo is a smart choice as it can use Rapid Spin and be offensive if needed. Torkoal is another option that is also bulky on the physical side and can burn the opposing team to help Granbull take a few more hits. Pokemon that are vulnerable to status appreciate having Granbull on the team, as she keeps them healthy with Heal Bell. Golurk and Braviary are excellent partners because they are often crippled by burn or sleep. Granbull lacks reliable recovery, so Alomomola is a good teammate because it can take many physical attacks with no problem, and can use Wish to bring itself and Granbull back some health.
Other Options
The Fairy Pokemon has many viable options, but most have only circumstantial use. Granbull has Double-Edge to nuke the opposition, but the recoil is undesirable. Super Fang is an option to irritate walls, but most of the time Granbull is too slow to properly use it, and the absence of reliable recovery means that Granbull can't annoy for long. A Choice Band set is viable with Granbull's excellent base Attack, but it is largely outclassed by Ursaring and Tauros, which have a higher Attack or Speed, respectively. Ice Punch is an option to hit Altaria and Torterra super effectively, but doesn't have much utility otherwise. If the Defense drop from Close Combat is unappealing, Earthquake can be used instead, but it misses out on hitting Normal-type Pokemon super effectively. Superpower is an alternative to Close Combat, but Close Combat is the better option in most regards as it doesn't lower Granbull's Attack. Granbull's low Speed can be utilized in Trick Room, and her support options as well as power are appreciated on a Trick Room team. Granbull does have some boosting options, such as Work Up and Bulk Up. A Work Up set is viable, but Granbull lacks the Special Attack and Speed to fully take advantage of the boost. As for Bulk Up, it doesn't raise Granbull's lackluster Special Defense, which is what it really needs. Granbull has a plethora of special attacks, but with a base 60 Special Attack they won't be dealing too much damage.
Checks and Counters
The biggest thorn in Granbull's side is her lack of recovery, which means that she will be worn down quickly over a match. If Granbull isn't using Close Combat, then Rock- and Steel-types wall her. Specifically, Probopass and Bastiodon take virtually no damage from Granbull and can freely set up Stealth Rock. If Granbull is using Close Combat, then Ghost-types will have a fun time with her, although they have to watch out for Thunder Wave or Toxic. Misdreavus can easily switch in on Granbull and cripple her with Will-O-Wisp, not caring about Thunder Wave or Toxic because of its own Heal Bell. Similarly, Golurk can come in on anything except Toxic, and wreak havoc with its STAB Ground- or Fighting-type attacks. Tangela and Alomomola can wear Granbull down and are only annoyed by Thunder Wave, but they do have to avoid Toxic. Tangela is threatening with Sleep Power and can recover any lost health with Leech Seed or Giga Drain. Alomomola can wear Granbull down with Toxic and Waterfall while maintaining its health with Wish and Protect. Physically defensive Vileplume is a good counter to Granbull because it doesn't care about either status affliction, and can threaten with Spore or target Granbull's lower Special Defense. Fighting-type Pokemon are a pain for Granbull because of their power and super effective STABs. Gurdurr is an exceptional counter to Granbull as it appreciates any status option because of Guts and can hit hard with its STAB Fighting-type attacks.
In general, targeting Granbull's lackluster Special Defense is the easiest way to beat her, as Intimidate only helps her Defense. For example, Choice Specs Exeggutor and Altaria easily KO Granbull due to their high-power STABs.
