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Sticky Hold
- This Pokémon's item cannot be removed. Increases chance of encountering Pokémon while fishing.
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Storm Drain
- All Water attacks hit this Pokémon.
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Statistics
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
111
|
- |
363 |
426 |
- |
| Atk |
83
|
181 |
202 |
265 |
291 |
| Def |
68
|
154 |
172 |
235 |
258 |
| SpA |
92
|
198 |
220 |
283 |
311 |
| SpD |
82
|
180 |
200 |
263 |
289 |
| Spe |
39
|
102 |
114 |
177 |
194 |
Look familiar? Yep, this is essentially a Swampert with Recover. Gastrodon gets good type coverage with this set, and with instant recovery, you can expect him to hang around a turn or two. Toxic is great on Gastrodon as he scares off most Steels and Poisons with Earthquake, so it can really help him wear down opponents.
Look familiar? Yep, this is essentially a Swam...oh, I did that already. Boost Gastrodon's physical stats with Curse, and Recover off the damage. Then, attack with a pumped up Earthquake. Both Ice Beam and Stone Edge are good for type coverage, although the former won't benefit from Curse—it does help to wear down Grass-types though.
Thankfully, I can't use the same opening line here. This is something Swampert can't do. Stockpile boosts both of Gastrodon's defensive stats, which can make him tough to take down, especially when he can Recover at will. Earthquake and Ice Beam again provide him good type coverage. Toxic is a great alternative for a more stall based set. Water Pulse gives him some way to do direct damage, and the confusion rate can help wear down poisoned opponents and give you more time to boost and heal. Surf is an option if you prefer more power to possible confusion. Earthquake is also a good choice in the last slot, even if you go with Toxic. This is mainly to stop the likes of Tentacruel and Qwilfish from walling you. Both Earthquake and Water Pulse hit most of the Steel-types Gastrodon is likely to face, as most are weak to Water, and 4x weak to Ground.
The idea of this set is to lure in physical attackers and reflect their moves right back at them. Amnesia should lure in physical attacks, which can then be Countered.
Other Options
Yawn is a good option to phaze opponents or induce Sleep. Rest and Sleep Talk if you need something to absorb status. Memento can help a team member set up if you're willing to sacrifice Gastrodon. Mirror Coat can catch some special attackers off guard, particularly some weaker Hidden Power Grass users. Hidden Power Electric hurts Gyarados and Mantine, while Hidden Power Grass hits Quagsire and other Gastrodon.
EVs
For the first set, max out Defense and put 212 EVs in HP for Leftovers recovery. The remaining EVs can go in Special Attack. Use a Relaxed nature.
The Curse set should have plenty of HP and Special Defense, with the rest in Defense.
For Counter, you'll want lots of HP first, then add some Special Defense and Special Attack.
The Stockpile set should focus on HP and Special Attack if you're using Ice Beam or Water Pulse. Quiet nature if you're using Earthquake/Ice Beam, Modest if you're using Water Pulse or Adamant if Earthquake is your only attack.
Opinion
Gastrodon has great typing, a good movepool and fairly decent stats. Access to Recover is a huge plus, and is something big brother Swampert would kill for. Unfortunately, he is lacking in a very important stat for his role: Defense. Despite his high HP, this makes it difficult for him to take hits in the same way Swampert does. Recover and a much better Special Attack is what makes him stiff competition for Quagsire in the lower tiers, although he does have that handy Water Absorb. Overall, Gastrodon is a good defensive Pokémon—he is just a little lacking in Defense to make him the preferred choice to Swampert for most competitive teams.
Counters
Meganium does well, but can't afford to take too many hits from Ice Beam. Grumpig and Hypno both do a good job of sponging his special attacks, and his rather weak Earthquake is not much of a threat to either of them. Water-types like Mantine and Blastoise can take him on if they carry Toxic.