Gliscor is one of the best Heracross counters in the game. The best Heracross can muster, Stone Edge, does 36% max (barring a critical hit). Aerial Ace allows Gliscor to destroy Heracross in one hit, but even without it Gliscor will still triumph against variants of Heracross without Swords Dance or Bulk Up. Stone Edge and Ice Fang both offer good coverage when combined with Earthquake; the former is better for hitting Gyarados on the switch and for Flying-types in general, while the latter is better against Dragons, 2HKOing Garchomp, Dragonite, and Salamence. Be sure that that you're up against a physical set first, though. Stealth Rock and Knock Off are both useful support moves on defensive Pokemon, and Taunt can be useful for stopping Skarmory from using Spikes / Stealth Rock, Weezing from using Will-O-Wisp, and Gyarados from using Dragon Dance (though you have to Taunt Gyarados on the switch). Dropping your secondary attack and using two support moves is a viable option, though you're more easily walled. Fortunately, Flying-types that avoid Earthquake will be worn down by Stealth Rock or end up with no item.
Gliscor can help out its team mates plow through a team by Baton Passing them some useful stat boosts. Rock Polish is the more generic stat to pass, since it benefits special sweepers and physical sweepers. Swords Dance can open up a sweep for a physical sweeper like Dragon Dance Gyarados or Agility Metagross. Taunt prevents Skarmory and friends from phazing you in addition to preventing status. You'll be left without any form of offense though, so you can use it over Roost if you're willing to give up your recovery. Hyper Cutter is suggested to prevent Gyarados's Intimidate from screwing up a Baton Pass to a physical sweeper, although Sand Veil is still a good option as you may avoid damage altogether with Sandstorm support and a little luck. If you are passing Rock Polish, you may want to drop the Speed down to 250 (so you are faster than Jolly Choice Scarf Garchomp after a Rock Polish), switch to an Impish nature, and boost Gliscor's defenses more.
In terms of pure attacking power, Garchomp pulls this off much better. However, Gliscor is much sturdier and has access to Roost, allowing it to recover off damage while setting up. The secondary attack depends on who you fear more, Gyarados or Garchomp and Grass-types. Ice Fang is a more reliable option than Stone Edge to take out Choice Specs Salamence, who can end your sweep quickly. Leftovers is the reliable item choice, although Life Orb provides an extra power boost and you have Roost to heal back damage. Other OptionsFire Fang is about the only option to really hurt Bronzong. Screech is available to force switches with Stealth Rock up. U-turn is a good move here, particularly to set up a counter without incurring damage to said counter. Reflecting Hippowdon's Ice Fang back with Counter can be a useful surprise, but the move has little value outside of this. Night Slash can bring down an incoming Gengar or Mismagius with a little luck from a critical hit and also hits Celebi and Cresselia. EVsMax HP and Defense with an Impish nature is recommended for the Support set, although you can invest 72 EVs in Speed if you want to ensure you are faster than a Jolly Tyranitar. You'll also be faster than Timid Magnezone, so Gliscor will avoid getting hit with Hidden Power Ice before destroying it with Earthquake. Maxed out HP and Defense is also recommended for the Baton Pass set if you're using Rock Polish. You can use the same spread with Swords Dance, but you may want more Speed so you can avoid taking a hit before passing if you are facing a problematic opponent. Jolly with 188 Speed EVs hits 300, so you can get off a Baton Pass against Modest Salamence and Zapdos. For the Swords Dance sweeper set, some Speed is recommended. 300 (Jolly, 188 EVs) for Salamence and Zapdos and 290 (Jolly, 152 EVs) for neutral natured Electivire are good numbers to aim for. Maxing HP will help to survive Ice Beams from Blissey and Swampert (make sure you know it doesn't have Surf or Hydro Pump) when Roosting, so you can buy some time to set up and hope for a miss from Sand Veil. Any remaining EVs can go in Attack. OpinionGliscor is a strong physical tank with good support options, and a great Baton Passer thanks to Taunt. Gliscor can take on a multitude of physical threats and Sand Veil helps it avoid damage when paired up with a Tyranitar or Hippowdon. Earthquake immunity and Fighting resists are welcome and Gliscor can even buy itself a Rock resist with Roost, albeit only until the end of the turn. A solid choice on most OU teams. CountersGyarados is a big problem for Gliscor because it has Intimidate to hurt the Baton Passer (if it does not have Hyper Cutter), is immune to Earthquake, and is difficult to wall due to Ice Fang and STAB Waterfall. Most Water-types will counter Gliscor, but may not be much help against the Baton Passer unless they have Roar or Haze. Skarmory is a counter unless Gliscor has Taunt, although you can Knock Off its Shed Shell and send in Magnezone. Gliscor can do little to hurt Cresselia, although it can Baton Pass to a counter to avoid an Ice Beam. In general, Ice attacks (particularly Ice Beam, since Gliscor's high Defense can allow it to survive some weaker hits from Ice Punch and Ice Fang) will often be Gliscor's undoing. |
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