This set is probably Golduck’s best option. It is a basic Calm Mind set, using Surf as the means of attack, with Hypnosis to send potential counters to sleep. This is one of the few times when unSTAB Psychic is actually a good option. It helps to cover Tentacruel, Qwilfish and Toxicroak and also gives Golduck a decently powered neutral attack to hit most of his fellow Water-types, such as Quagsire, Lanturn and Mantine. Ice Beam gives you better coverage against Grass-types (although many in UU are part Poison, so Psychic hits them too), particularly Shiftry and Cacturne who both wall the Surf/Psychic combination.
With Choice Specs, Golduck has a respectable Special Attack stat to play around with. Hidden Power covers other Water-types, with Grass more useful against Quagsire and Lanturn and Electric as the better option for Mantine. The last slot helps with type coverage. Psychic hurts Tentacruel and easily KOs Toxicroak. Mud Bomb is rather weak, but it does cover Tentacruel, Toxicroak, and Lanturn in one move. You could use Focus Blast, but the coverage it offers does not really help more than the other options. Still, it has a high enough base power to be considered and will dent the likes of Quagsire and Lanturn if you lack the correct Hidden Power.
Nothing exceptional here, but this is Golduck's best option to operate effectively in OU. Golduck is punching above his weight in OU, but with some accurate prediction, this can be effective against a wide range of opponents. Surf and Hydro Pump hammer Ground-types like Hippowdon and Donphan and also hurts Skarmory, Forretress and Weezing badly. Blissey, Snorlax and Empoleon will hate switching into a Cross Chop, while Ice Beam covers those ever present Dragons. In the last slot you can choose between Hypnosis for sleep support or Hidden Power Electric to take down Gyarados in two hits. Psychic is an option to OHKO Gengar (with Life Orb) and 2HKO Heracross. Leftovers is the safer choice, but Golduck really needs the extra power Life Orb provides, and as such is the recommended item choice. Other OptionsConfuse Ray and Yawn can be used to help force switches, though Yawn is usually wasted on a Pokémon that can utilize Hypnosis. His other physical options (Waterfall, Ice Punch, Zen Headbutt) can be ignored as he has more powerful special equivalents. Damp should only be considered for 2 v 2 battles. EVsUse some Speed, heavy amounts of Special Attack, with the rest in HP or Attack. OpinionGolduck doesn’t do anything exceptionally well, and has average stats all around. Cloud Nine is very useful in UU to help shut down Swift Swim and Chlorophyll Pokemon, while in OU it stops Golduck taking damage from Sandstorm and Hail. It also means he can whack Rock-types with full powered Surfs, as their Special Defense boost will be negated. Unfortunately, none of Golduck’s other perks help justify his usefulness in OU where the Sand Streamers and Abomasnow reside, so it will rarely get a chance to demonstrate that. Obviously, Rayquaza has the weather nullification covered in ubers. Golduck will stay securely in UU, where it has always been a consistent, albeit unspectacular, member of any team. CountersGolduck struggles against other Water types most of the time. Lack of a solid Ground move means its not about to tangle with Electrics anytime soon, although Ice attacks give it a chance against Grassers. In UU, Hypno poses a problem as it cannot be put to sleep and has good Special Defense. Manectric will scare you away in a second, although Golduck can easily out speed any Luxray or Ampharos. Lanturn, Quagsire and Gastrodon also pose a problem if Golduck isn’t touting Hidden Power Grass. Again, when fighting against another Water-type, Golduck is likely to struggle. Toxicroak is a problem if Golduck doesn't carry Psychic. |
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