Statistics
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
80
|
- |
301 |
364 |
- |
| Atk |
110
|
230 |
256 |
319 |
350 |
| Def |
130
|
266 |
296 |
359 |
394 |
| SpA |
55
|
131 |
146 |
209 |
229 |
| SpD |
65
|
149 |
166 |
229 |
251 |
| Spe |
45
|
113 |
126 |
189 |
207 |
This set packs plenty of power, especially with Golem's excellent dual STAB attacks. Double-edge works nicely with Rock Head and does decent damage to most Flying-types and Ground-types, should you be unsure of your prediction skills. It will also be your best option for damaging Claydol, who resists Ground/Rock. Finally, go out with a bang by destroying almost anything with Explosion.
Drag Golem's slow arse up to an acceptable sweeping range with Rock Polish, and hammer your opponent with Earthquakes and Stone Edges. Rock Slide is a weaker but more accurate alternative to Stone Edge, and Golem will actually be fast enough to get some use from the 30% flinch rate. Double-edge and Fire Punch are options in the last slot, but Explosion is recommended and should guarantee Golem at least one kill.
Golem is very sturdy, so it makes a fine choice to set up Stealth Rock. Toxic helps to wear down bulky opponents who are trying to wall you. On the other hand, you can go with Roar to rack up some residual damage once Stealth Rock up, or to combat Baton Passers. With these EVs, Golem makes a great switch-in against Scyther, who cannot 2HKO with a Choice Band Brick Break, or OHKO with the same attack even with boosts from Swords Dance and Life Orb.
Even with that massive Defense stat, repeated hits can take their toll on Golem. Rest heals it back to full strength, and Sleep Talk keeps it on the offensive. Leftovers is generally the better option, but Life Orb can provide a welcome power boost.
Other Options
Counter can get a surprise kill, since Golem survives physical hits really well. Fire Punch can take down Torterra, and is also useful against Bronzong if you feel like using Golem against an OU team. Flail isn't really advisable as you'll be easily walled by Rotom if you have Earthquake as your second attack, or Steel-types if you use Stone Edge. Rock Blast is available for breaking Substitutes, but Stone Edge is usually the better option.
EVs
Max Attack and Speed for the Rock Polish set. For the Choice Bander, max Speed will outrun most Claydol and Nidoqueen, although you can drop some Speed EVs and put them in HP if you want to make Golem a bit sturdier. Focus more on HP and Defense for the more defensive sets.
Opinion
In OU, Rhyperior outclasses Golem almost entirely. In UU however, Golem can be a powerful attacker, and provides some useful resistances to Normal, Flying, and Rock. Golem is a decent enough Pokémon, but isn't quite up to the required standard in the higher tiers of the game.
Counters
Claydol is the best switch-in around, since it is immune to Earthquake and resistant to Stone Edge. Ground, Water, and Grass-types with decent Defense are also fine switch-ins. Quagsire, Sandslash, Leafeon, Meganium, and Blastoise are all good options. Rotom and Drifblim can come in on Earthquake, Double-edge, and Explosion. Both are destroyed by Stone Edge though. Solrock can come in on the same attacks as the Ghosts and threaten to cripple Golem's power with Reflect or Will-O-Wisp or deal good damage with Earthquake. Lunatone works in a similar way, but has lower Defense. However, it does have the advantage of being able to using Grass Knot or Ice Beam to destroy Golem in one hit.
