http://www.smogon.com/dex/xy/pokemon/gourgeist-super
Overview
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- 85 / 122 physical bulk is solid
- base 100 Attack lets it hit decently hard for a defensive mon
- Passable 75 SpDef
- Ghost typing allows it to spinblock effectively
- Synthesis from ORAS. Huge for recovery
- Unique movepool including Rock Slide, and of all things, Fire Blast
- Multitude of weaknesses
- Pretty slow
- No Special Attack to use Fire Blast with
- Weak to Knock Off. Not good with Panda running around everywhere
- Easily 2HKOed by most special attackers
- Needs support, but one of the best defensive spinblockers in the tier
Physically Defensive
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name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Will-O-Wisp
move 2: Synthesis / Leech Seed
move 3: Seed Bomb
move 4: Rock Slide / Protect
ability: Frisk
item: Leftovers
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
nature: Impish
Moves
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- Makes full use of Gourgeist-XL's physical bulk to take on physical attackers and spinblock for defensive teams
- Wisp cripples physical attackers, making it nearly impossible for them to break pumpkin
- Synthesis is reliable recovery and best used on balance teams.
- Leech Seed is an option for recovery over time and more passive damage on opponents. Best used on stall teams
- Seed Bomb provides reliable STAB and smacks most of what Geist will come in against
- Rock Slide is best used with Synthesis to catch Flying and Fire-types on the switch.
- Protect is best used with Leech Seed to stall for more passive damage
- Phantom Force works kind of like Protect, but it's easy to switch out of. Also doesn't have prio against faster attackers capable of beating Gourgeist-XL
Set Details
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- EVs simply maximize Gourgeist's physical bulk
- Leftovers is obvious for a defensive Pokemon
- Frisk is easily the most useful ability. Scouting for items can tip you off to strategies and even lures
Usage Tips
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- Use XL Pumpkin to wall physical attackers and to spinblock for bulkier teams
- Avoid Knock Off like the plague. Weakness to Dark + item removal sucks ass
- Throw out Will-O-Wisp early to wear down the opposing team
- Use Synthesis as necessary, ideally when Gourgeist falls to around the 50-65% range, to keep it healthy
- When using Leech Seed, use it whenever possible to keep Gourgeist healthy
- Use Rock Slide if you anticipate the likes of Mega Pidgeot, Moltres, or Houndoom to switch in
- If running Protect, use it if Frisk reveals a Choice item or makes you second guess a Pokemon's moveset (such as Expert Belt or Life Orb on common choice mons) Also use it to gain more Leech Seed recovery, burn damage, and / or Lefties recovery
Team Options
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- Gourgeist-XL is a bulky spinblocker, so supply it with entry hazards to protect
- Cobalion, Druddigon, and Rhyperior are solid Rocks users for balance teams
- Regirock, SpDef Druddigon, and Gligar can set up Rocks for more stall based teams
- Qwilfish can set Spikes rather easily
- Toxic Spikes from stuff like Dragalge and Drapion. Be wary of it conflicting with stuff you'd rather burn though
- Pangoro switch-in. Bulky Flying-types, such as Golbat and Gligar, can work.
- Dragalge trashes XL Pumpkin and can come in with few worries. Bronzong is the best choice here
- Wish support from Alomomola, Aromatisse, and Audino, especially if Gourgeist lacks Synthesis
- Cleric support from Aromatisse, Audino, or Granbull to cure status ailments
- Offensive mons that appreciate Gourgeist's set of resistances. Dragalge, Houndoom, Moltres, and Pangoro are solid examples
Other Options
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- Toxic to screw with special attackers
- Destiny Bond, but it's kinda slow
- Fire Blast and Focus Blast, but no Special Attack
- Trick Room, but there's Cofagrigus
- SubDisable. Generally too slow for this though
- Explosion. Bang Bang
- Foul Play, but you already have Wisp to punish physical attackers
- Gyro Ball, but being fast enough for base 50s, Doublade, and Rhyperior is cool
- Enough moves for Choice Band, but no really strong STAB move
- Shadow Sneak for priority, but it's kinda weak without investment
Checks and Counters
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**Flying-types**: Most Flying-types can absolutely destroy Gourgeist-XL. Moltres and Flethcinder are immune to Will-O-Wisp too! Be careful of Rock Slide though.
**Special Attackers**: Most powerful special attackers can 2HKO Gourgeist-XL at worst. Dragalge, Meloetta, and Magneton are examples that can't hit super effectively, but can easily 2HKO (or OHKO in Dragalge's case)
**Knock Off users**: Despite the high physical bulk, Gourgeist-XL is still weak to Knock Off and has Leftovers removed. Pangoro and Drapion are most notable thanks to the STAB boost they get. Be careful of possible retaliation in the form of Will-O-Wisp though.
**Status**: Toxic is especially a big letdown for Gourgeist-XL since it can't stay in to wall as effectively. Alomomola, Gligar, Rhyperior, and Bronzong can all hit Gourgeist-XL with Toxic
**Super effective attacks**: Like with all defensive Pokemon, Gourgeist can be beaten by super effecitve moves. With 5 weaknesses, many of which being common, this shouldn't be a problem. Dark, Fire, and Flying are the easiest weaknesses to exploit, but don't forget about Ghost and Ice!
