Overview
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- Premier trapper in the metagame, being capable of tearing down many prominent threats
- Great STAB that can trap ever-present Fighting types
- Wide movepool, allowing Gothita to specialize in killing certain Pokemon
- Weak stats means it needs Knock Off/Voltturn support to be effective
- Frail as balls
- Pursuit weakness makes it death fodder
Choice Scarf
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name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Thunderbolt / Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Energy Ball
move 4: Trick
ability: Shadow Tag
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 240 SpA / 240 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
========
- Psychic is Gothita's STAB move and its coverage for 2HKOing Timburr, Mienfoo, Croagunk, Foongus, ect. These may be turned into OHKOs with proper Knock Off support or previous damage.
- Thunderbolt knocks Archen and Fletchling out of the sky, and may take down weakened Vullaby. However, Stealth Rock damage is needed to OHKO the latter two.
- Energy Ball smacks Tirtouga, Drilbur, and Chinchou around.
- Hidden Power Fire breaks down Ferroseed, but needs Knock Off support.
- Trick may be a better option, as Hidden Power will only do 50% to Ferro. It shuts down certain walls that are recovering, and enables PP stalling. Furthermore, Trick may snag an Eviolite from a wall that tries to avoid Knock Off.
Set Details
========
- EVs maximize Gothita's attacking capabilities
- Modest allows Gothita to grab kills on Mienfoo, Timburr, Archen, Chinchou, ect, provided it has Knock Off support. Timid serves no purpose as no important threats are outpaced.
- Choice Scarf makes Gothita faster than every unboosted Pokemon in the metagame.
-Slight chance of being able to PP stall walls locked on non-damaging moves.
Usage Tips
========
- Gothita is very weak, meaning Knock Off and/or Voltturn support may be needed.
- Flexible and well rounded when it comes to what it may trap and kill.
- Gothita isn't really capable of taking a moderately powerful hit. Slow U-Turn users pair well for this reason.
Team Options
========
- As Gothita is very weak offensively, Knock Off support is heavily recommended.
- Volt Switch/ U-turn users are immensely helpful, as chip damage also aids Gothita by putting certain threats into KO range.
- While hazards aren't really necessary, they may be used as a form of chip damage. However, Gothita struggles to abuse hazards to its full extent.
- Many set up sweepers appreciate the assured removal of their checks. Omanyte, Pawniard, Fletchling, and much more become devastating win conditions after Pokemon such as Timburr and Archen are cleared.
- Toxic Spikes loves Scarf Goth, as it reliably traps weakened spinners and defog users, as well as poison types not named Stunky.
Stallbreaker
########
name: Stallbreaker
move 1: Psyshock
move 2: Rest
move 3: Sleep Talk
move 4: Calm Mind
ability: Shadow Tag
item: Eviolite
evs: 236 HP / 196 Def / 76 SpD
nature: Modest
Moves
========
- Psyshock is the sole attack on the set, having a full STAB boost AND being capable of navigating through Calm Mind war
- Calm Mind boosts Gothita's offensive and defensive capabilities, and makes Gothita a special sponge, a wallbreaker, and potentially a win condition.
- Rest and Sleep Talk together give Gothita some longevity so it may set up.
Set Details
========
- EVs make Gothita somewhat bulky when facing weak walls.
- Modest kicks up damage output. Defensive natures do not significantly change calculations.
- Rest is Gothita's only way to heal. It also prevents Gothita from being crippled by status.
Usage Tips
========
- Gothita isn't too bulky, so it may be best to avoid taking Knock Offs from Timburr and Mienfoo, as well as other strong attacks.
- While not nearly as flexible at trapping, Gothita may trap and faint walls easily.
- Eliminating Dark types prior to use is recommended, as they are a massive barrier to sweeps. However, this set doesn't need to sweep, nor should sweeping be its primary focus.
- Makes set up fodder out of Spritzee, Porygon, Foongus, and other common Pokemon found on stall teams.
- Has the potential to be a +6 win condition mid to late game.
- Still struggles against certain walls, including Ferroseed.
Team Options
========
- This Gothita set pairs very well with Pokemon that cannot handle a great deal of walls. Scraggy, Timburr, Corphish, and even niche sweepers such as Vullaby love Gothita.
- Volt Switch/ U-turn users still help out Gothita, scouting any switch to walls Gothita may set up on.
- Toxic Spikes damage will substantially benefit Gothita, allowing it to break down walls at a greater pace. Normally Toxic Spikes struggles in LC due to the prevalence of Poison types. However, Gothita will trap and defeat the most popular Poison types, save Stunky.
Other Options
########
- Gothita's other options, while plentiful, aren't typically effective when it comes to eliminating a broad range of threats. That being said, sets may be tailored to take on particular threats, such as using Taunt to shut down problematic defensive Pokemon.
- Shadow Ball may be used to take down Abra.
- Hidden Power types may be chosen to take down very specific threats, though usually it's only effective as a double weakness.
- A straight attacking Eviolite set is moderately viable, but is almost always outclassed by the Choice Scarf set.
- Bulky Colbur Berry sets may be used as a lure for Pawniard. However, Gothita loses general utility.
- Gothita has utility options such as Heal Bell and Thunder Wave. However, Thunder Wave's passivity (due to Shadow Tag preventing spreading) and the fact that Heal Bell detracts from any pressure Gothita places on your opponent steer most users away from support sets. Gothita does not have the bulk to take advantage of its supportive movepool AND Shadow Tag simultaneously.
Checks & Counters
########
** Revenge Killers**: Counters for Gothita don't really exist as Shadow Tag prevents switches. Instead, it usually falls prey to hard hitting sweepers on the revenge kill. Additionally, Gothita should not come in on Ghost types or other Pokemon with Shadow Tag, as they cannot be trapped.
**Pursuit**: Pursuit users such as Stunky, Houndour, and Pawniard vastly deter the use of Gothita, which cannot gain momentum over said Pokemon with double switches.
**Voltturn**: Certain bulky Volt Switch or U-Turn users may take advantage of the scarf set to gain some momentum back after losing a teammate to Gothita.
**Dark types**: Dark types fully wall Calm Mind Rest sets, being virtually untouchable.
**Set up sweepers**: Many set up sweepers can take advantage of Gothita's weak attacks and set up. Omanyte, Pawniard, and resisting sweepers make easy prey of Gothita.
########
- Premier trapper in the metagame, being capable of tearing down many prominent threats
- Great STAB that can trap ever-present Fighting types
- Wide movepool, allowing Gothita to specialize in killing certain Pokemon
- Weak stats means it needs Knock Off/Voltturn support to be effective
- Frail as balls
- Pursuit weakness makes it death fodder
Choice Scarf
########
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Thunderbolt / Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Energy Ball
move 4: Trick
ability: Shadow Tag
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 240 SpA / 240 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
========
- Psychic is Gothita's STAB move and its coverage for 2HKOing Timburr, Mienfoo, Croagunk, Foongus, ect. These may be turned into OHKOs with proper Knock Off support or previous damage.
- Thunderbolt knocks Archen and Fletchling out of the sky, and may take down weakened Vullaby. However, Stealth Rock damage is needed to OHKO the latter two.
- Energy Ball smacks Tirtouga, Drilbur, and Chinchou around.
- Hidden Power Fire breaks down Ferroseed, but needs Knock Off support.
- Trick may be a better option, as Hidden Power will only do 50% to Ferro. It shuts down certain walls that are recovering, and enables PP stalling. Furthermore, Trick may snag an Eviolite from a wall that tries to avoid Knock Off.
Set Details
========
- EVs maximize Gothita's attacking capabilities
- Modest allows Gothita to grab kills on Mienfoo, Timburr, Archen, Chinchou, ect, provided it has Knock Off support. Timid serves no purpose as no important threats are outpaced.
- Choice Scarf makes Gothita faster than every unboosted Pokemon in the metagame.
-Slight chance of being able to PP stall walls locked on non-damaging moves.
Usage Tips
========
- Gothita is very weak, meaning Knock Off and/or Voltturn support may be needed.
- Flexible and well rounded when it comes to what it may trap and kill.
- Gothita isn't really capable of taking a moderately powerful hit. Slow U-Turn users pair well for this reason.
Team Options
========
- As Gothita is very weak offensively, Knock Off support is heavily recommended.
- Volt Switch/ U-turn users are immensely helpful, as chip damage also aids Gothita by putting certain threats into KO range.
- While hazards aren't really necessary, they may be used as a form of chip damage. However, Gothita struggles to abuse hazards to its full extent.
- Many set up sweepers appreciate the assured removal of their checks. Omanyte, Pawniard, Fletchling, and much more become devastating win conditions after Pokemon such as Timburr and Archen are cleared.
- Toxic Spikes loves Scarf Goth, as it reliably traps weakened spinners and defog users, as well as poison types not named Stunky.
Stallbreaker
########
name: Stallbreaker
move 1: Psyshock
move 2: Rest
move 3: Sleep Talk
move 4: Calm Mind
ability: Shadow Tag
item: Eviolite
evs: 236 HP / 196 Def / 76 SpD
nature: Modest
Moves
========
- Psyshock is the sole attack on the set, having a full STAB boost AND being capable of navigating through Calm Mind war
- Calm Mind boosts Gothita's offensive and defensive capabilities, and makes Gothita a special sponge, a wallbreaker, and potentially a win condition.
- Rest and Sleep Talk together give Gothita some longevity so it may set up.
Set Details
========
- EVs make Gothita somewhat bulky when facing weak walls.
- Modest kicks up damage output. Defensive natures do not significantly change calculations.
- Rest is Gothita's only way to heal. It also prevents Gothita from being crippled by status.
Usage Tips
========
- Gothita isn't too bulky, so it may be best to avoid taking Knock Offs from Timburr and Mienfoo, as well as other strong attacks.
- While not nearly as flexible at trapping, Gothita may trap and faint walls easily.
- Eliminating Dark types prior to use is recommended, as they are a massive barrier to sweeps. However, this set doesn't need to sweep, nor should sweeping be its primary focus.
- Makes set up fodder out of Spritzee, Porygon, Foongus, and other common Pokemon found on stall teams.
- Has the potential to be a +6 win condition mid to late game.
- Still struggles against certain walls, including Ferroseed.
Team Options
========
- This Gothita set pairs very well with Pokemon that cannot handle a great deal of walls. Scraggy, Timburr, Corphish, and even niche sweepers such as Vullaby love Gothita.
- Volt Switch/ U-turn users still help out Gothita, scouting any switch to walls Gothita may set up on.
- Toxic Spikes damage will substantially benefit Gothita, allowing it to break down walls at a greater pace. Normally Toxic Spikes struggles in LC due to the prevalence of Poison types. However, Gothita will trap and defeat the most popular Poison types, save Stunky.
Other Options
########
- Gothita's other options, while plentiful, aren't typically effective when it comes to eliminating a broad range of threats. That being said, sets may be tailored to take on particular threats, such as using Taunt to shut down problematic defensive Pokemon.
- Shadow Ball may be used to take down Abra.
- Hidden Power types may be chosen to take down very specific threats, though usually it's only effective as a double weakness.
- A straight attacking Eviolite set is moderately viable, but is almost always outclassed by the Choice Scarf set.
- Bulky Colbur Berry sets may be used as a lure for Pawniard. However, Gothita loses general utility.
- Gothita has utility options such as Heal Bell and Thunder Wave. However, Thunder Wave's passivity (due to Shadow Tag preventing spreading) and the fact that Heal Bell detracts from any pressure Gothita places on your opponent steer most users away from support sets. Gothita does not have the bulk to take advantage of its supportive movepool AND Shadow Tag simultaneously.
Checks & Counters
########
** Revenge Killers**: Counters for Gothita don't really exist as Shadow Tag prevents switches. Instead, it usually falls prey to hard hitting sweepers on the revenge kill. Additionally, Gothita should not come in on Ghost types or other Pokemon with Shadow Tag, as they cannot be trapped.
**Pursuit**: Pursuit users such as Stunky, Houndour, and Pawniard vastly deter the use of Gothita, which cannot gain momentum over said Pokemon with double switches.
**Voltturn**: Certain bulky Volt Switch or U-Turn users may take advantage of the scarf set to gain some momentum back after losing a teammate to Gothita.
**Dark types**: Dark types fully wall Calm Mind Rest sets, being virtually untouchable.
**Set up sweepers**: Many set up sweepers can take advantage of Gothita's weak attacks and set up. Omanyte, Pawniard, and resisting sweepers make easy prey of Gothita.
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