Goddess Briyella
Banned deucer.
We went over this on IRC. This is a solid check; please implement it. :)amateur check
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Overview
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As a guaranteed means of removing hazards, Defog is one of the most important moves in the RU metagame and as a fairly bulky Pokemon with a good defensive typing and a reliable recovery move, Golbat is one of its best users. It also has serious utility with Infiltrator + Toxic, which allows it to cripple threatening boosters such as SubCM Cresselia right through their Substitutes.(AP) It also gets as well as Super Fang and Taunt, which let allow it to wear down Steel-types like few others and take on defensive Pokemon and hazards users, respectively. Although Golbat walls Grass-types like no other Pokemon in RU (seems silly to say like no other imo) and takes on Fighting-types pretty well, while having with a STAB Brave Bird to take them down, its typing unfortunately leaves it open to being hit super effectively by a whole heap of many strong offensive types,(AC) with dangerous offensive moves, specifically Electric, Ice, Rock, and Psychic. And While Golbat is capable of tanking hits and Defogging away hazards, it often lets hazard users, especially the top 2 Stealth Rock users in Mega Steelix and Rhyperior, switch back in and reset their hazards.(AP) It is also hard for Golbat never mind switching in to switch in on them to Defog, while also letting most Steel-types do whatever they will, though Taunt and Super Fang generally help in this regard. Between a weakness to Stealth Rock, which as a Defogger can only be removed by Golbat switching in, and a weakness to having its bulk hampered by having its Eviolite removed by Knock Off, which the Fighting-types it walls often carries carry, Golbat can be hard-pressed to stay alive and keep doing its job, but if used correctly it can definitely fill the needs of your team.
Physically Defensive
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name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Defog
move 2: Roost
move 3: Brave Bird
move 4: Toxic / Super Fang / Taunt
ability: Infiltrator
item: Eviolite
evs: 248 HP / 176 Def / 84 Spe
nature: Impish
Moves
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Defog gets rid of entry hazards, while Roost gets rid of incurred damage; without the twain, there is little reason to use Golbat at all. Brave Bird prevents Golbat from being entirely Taunt bait helpless against Taunt users, and is a STAB move that hits Fighting-, Bug- and Grass-types super effectively, which is convenient since because Golbat also has a 4X 4x resistance to those types. Toxic provides general wearing-down utility and specifically gives you Golbat a tool to status foes behind a Substitute,(AC) and ending any chance of them sweeping.(AP) while Super Fang does a lot of damage overall and gives you a way to threaten Steel-types,(AC) while and Taunt messes with defensive Pokemon and lets you Golbat defeat entry hazard users.
Set Details
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248 HP EVs and an Eviolite confer general bulk and a hazards number, while 84 Speed EVs allow Golbat to outspeed Jolly Pangoro.(AP) and The rest of the EVs, along with an Impish nature, crucially buff up Golbat's physical bulk. Infiltrator allows Golbat to penetrate Substitutes for the team's benefit. A spread of 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD spread is an option to maximize Golbat's physical bulk, notably allowing you it to take 2 Choice Band Knock Offs from Pangoro if Stealth Rock has been banished from the field without Stealth Rock.
Usage Tips
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Try to Defog whenever you can, though if your opponent is likely to switch in a Stealth Rock user which beats you, it may be best to just Roost and keep your health high, especially if your opponent also has a dangerous threat Golbat needs to stay alive for you need Golbat to beat. Golbat can take advantage of a fair few defensive Pokemon to Defog, including Amoonguss, Aromatisse, and even other Golbat, as well as Alomomola and Tangrowth, though you might want a cleric for the former and both can easily Knock Off your Eviolite. In general, hitting a foe you wall with Toxic and stalling it out with Roost is better than taking it out with Brave Bird, as the latter option can leave you fairly low on HP; if you feel you'd prefer said threat to perish immediately, however, feel free to finish it right away. If your foe has a Hitmonlee or to a lesser extent a Pangoro, you will be hit by Knock Off.(AP) Make peace with this, although Despite this, trying to switch into Fighting-type moves is still a good idea. Watch out for coverage moves such as Ice Punch or Stone Edge from Pangoro and Hitmonlee, respectively, and when faced with bulky Substitute boosters, simply hit them with Toxic and switch out to a teammate that can handle it. walls them, which you should have considering the overall weakness of most Substitute boosters.
Team Options
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This Golbat appreciates special walls as partners, especially if they resist one of its weaknesses. Assault Vest or defensive Slowking can fill the role nicely, taking Ice- and Psychic-type attacks well and defeating Moltres quite soundly, while Golbat takes on Grass-type Pokemon Slowking would rather avoid, though note the twain do share a weakness to Electric (how many times can you say twain). Almost any Steel-type makes a good partner for Golbat in some fashion or another, as does any Knock Off absorber. Cobalion and Mega Steelix are both, and are also bulky Stealth Rock setters that can come in multiple times to reset Stealth Rock while taking Rock-type attacks and warding off Steel-types.(AP) Cobalion can also take Ice-type attacks, and Mega Steelix can take general physical attacks, as well as Psychic- and Electric-type attacks, while thwarting Substitute boosters with Roar so Golbat can preserve its health and Toxic them at the end of the game or forgoing Stealth Rock entirely for a Curse set that defeats bulky boosters Golbat cannot. Some other Knock Off absorbers are Alomomola, Aromatisse, and Mega Audino.(AP) Alomomola can take on various special walls or physical Knock Off users such as Hitmonlee depending on its specialization and take on Clawitzer while healing Golbat with Wish.(AP) Aromatisse can take on many Fighting-types and special attacks while healing Golbat with Aromatherapy or Wish, and Mega Audino can do much of the same or act as a bulky win condition that works well with Super Fang Golbat.(AP) in both cases, Mega Audino doesn’t mind minds Knock Off not at all, and non-Mega Audino can pass Wish and not mind thanks to Regenerator. Finally, Rhyperior can take on Rock- and Electric-types like Tyrantrum, use Stealth Rock, phaze and take on Doublade.(AP) Electric-types, and Knock Off, essentially acting as a discount Mega Steelix in this role, though it is a very viable Pokemon and it does take on Aromatisse well. (this was the best I could come up with)
Specially Defensive
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name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Defog
move 2: Roost
move 3: Brave Bird
move 4: Toxic / Super Fang / Taunt
ability: Infiltrator
item: Eviolite
evs: 248 HP / 176 SpD / 84 Spe
nature: Careful
Moves
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Defog is a stellar way of getting rid of entry hazards and Roost keeps Golbat alive so it can keep Defogging. Brave Bird smacks around Grass- and Fighting-types and ensures Golbat is not made useless by Taunt, and while Toxic lets Golbat cripple a multitude of Pokemon, notably dangerous threats like SubCM Cresselia behind a Substitute thanks to Infiltrator, and dangerous special attackers such as Clawitzer and Moltres. Super Fang and Taunt let Golbat heavily wear down Steel-types that normally wall it and defeat and Defog on many defensive Pokemon and hazards setters that usually defeat it.(AP) respectively.
Set Details
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248 HP EVs maximize overall bulk while hitting a Stealth Rock number, while 176 SpD EVs and a Careful nature enhance Golbat's special bulk quite emphatically.(AP) ; although Only 80 Speed EVs are required to outspeed and thus flimsily check Modest Exploud, but 84 Speed EVs let you get the drop on and thus flimsily check Pangoro as well, so 84 Speed EVs are opted for on this set. Eviolite boosts Golbat's bulk by a ridiculous 50%, and Infiltrator allows it to Toxic or attack foes behind a Substitute.(AP) to your gain and your foe's detriment. If Slurpuff is a threat to your team, 40 Defense EVs can be placed on Golbat, allowing it to take a +6 Return from Slurpuff and strike back, thougg though any chip damage or Stealth Rock will make this a no-go and Slurpuff can tank a Brave Bird fairly easily.
Usage Tips
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Golbat should switch in on Fighting-types, especially if you predict that they will use Fighting-type attacks, though taking a Knock Off is unfortunate for Golbat and it has trouble with Pangoro, as well as on Clawitzer, Choice Scarf Moltres, and weaker special attackers that cannot hit it super effectively. (something is wrong here but I have no idea what to change) Try to come in on defensive Pokemon such as Aromatisse and Amoonguss, though for sleep-inducers you may want another Pokemon to take the sleep first. Switch in on Substitute boosters such as SubCM Cresselia and SubCM Meloetta, hit them with a Toxic, then either switch out to a teammate that walls them or stay in and Roost stall if Golbat does.
Team Options
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Physical walls like Alomomola and Aromatisse complement Golbat nicely, taking the hits it cannot and providing it with Wish support.(AP) Alomomola can more easily pass Wishes due to Regenerator, while Aromatisse can take over Fighting-type wall duty and keep Golbat status-free with Aromatherapy. Mega Steelix and Cobalion can consistently and continually set up Stealth Rock while taking Knock Off, as well as many other attacks Golbat is weak to, and checking Exploud and Steel-types.(AP) Cobalion can Taunt opposing hazards users, while Mega Steelix can Roar or Curse to take care of Substitute boosters to preserve Golbat's life, and Golbat in return takes on Fighting-types and Moltres. Audino can form a specially defensive core with Golbat, passing Wishes to it and curing its status while sponging Volt Switch and Knocking Off pesky Steel-types.(AP) Golbat returns these favors by stopping Fighting-types in their tracks. Reuniclus is an interesting partner, able to take on opposing Psychic-types, absorb status, and be a Fighting-type check, while appreciating a solid Pangoro check on its team.
Other Options
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Golbat can use Haze or Whirlwind to confound stop setup Pokemon, or Curse to become one set up itself. U-turn is an interesting option, but the thought of potentially taking Stealth Rock damage multiple times just to keep momentum is a bracing one. Golbat can break stall with a moveset of Taunt / Super Fang / Roost / Brave Bird, with the option to use Toxic over either attacking move, but this set ultimately either fails to stallbreak consistently or lacks a STAB and thus is ineffective in most other situations. Hypnosis is an interesting option to inflict the prized sleep status, but its inaccuracy makes it an unappealing choice.(AP) It is worth noting that though Doublade's No Guard means you will always hit it, and Defog's evasion drops can ease accuracy concerns.
Checks & Counters
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**Steel-types**: Most Steel-types pose large problems for Golbat, being immune to Toxic, usually resistant to Brave Bird, and able to set up on it in some fashion, although they loathe Super Fang. Doublade in particular is immune to Super Fang and can set up on Golbat with Swords Dance, but if Golbat has Taunt, it will be unable to do so and will give up momentum with its fairly weak unboosted attacks. Registeel, Cobalion, Bronzong, Probopass, and Mega Steelix can all simply set up Stealth Rock again after Golbat Defogs it away, ensuring it stays on your side of the field, and Golbat can do little to truly damage them beyond Super Fang.(AP) , though Super Fang turns the tables in juicy fashion. Registeel can paralyze Golbat and wait to get lucky with Seismic Toss, or use Iron Head to either flinch or paralyse paralyze Golbat to death, while Mega Steelix can Heavy Slam Golbat until it needs to Roost and then catch it with an Earthquake.(AP) Cobalion can just Taunt Golbat and Volt Switch away or even set up with Swords Dance,(AC) or Calm Mind,(AC) or Substitute while forgoing Stealth Rock entirely, but it is neutral to Brave Bird. Ferroseed is rare, but it can set up Stealth Rock and Spikes while using Leech Seed on Golbat, and Iron Barbs make Brave Bird a bad option despite its neutrality, though Super Fang is still a fairly large problem for Ferroseed since it has no Leftovers recovery. Durant and Pawniard, though rare, can set up on Golbat or just batter away at it, and Pawniard can even score a boost from Defog with Defiant or Knock Off Golbat's Eviolite.
**Rock-types**: Many Rock-types can set up on Golbat, and even more can just KO it. Although Rhyperior appreciates neither Toxic nor Super Fang, it can trash Golbat with super effective Stone Edge, or Earthquake if Golbat tries to Roost, while setting up Stealth Rock on Golbat. Tyrantrum can set up Rock Polish or just send Golbat back to the caves it came from with a super effective Stone Edge. Archeops can easily set up Stealth Rock on Golbat, Taunt it, and Head Smash it into oblivion as well, though its suicidal nature means it won't often be around for more than the first few turns. Regirock, although rare, can also set up Stealth Rock on Golbat, Thunder Wave it, and STAB Stone Edge or Earthquake it to hit it super effectively depending on Roost usage. Aurorus can set up Stealth Rock or Rock Polish on Golbat or take it down with Refrigerate Hyper Voice.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types resist Brave Bird and can hit Golbat hard with Electric-type attacks, or hit it quite hard while threatening to gain or gaining momentum via Volt Switch. Magneton in particular is immune to Toxic, doubly 4x resists Brave Bird, and is quite bulky, though he won't appreciate Super Fang. Rotom-C, Jolteon, and Heliolisk can all nuke Golbat or just gain momentum on it via Volt Switch, though Specially Defensive Golbat might surprise them by tanking the Volt Switch and Roosting off most of the damage.(AP) , and it can Toxic all of these Pokemon or chip off at least 42% of Rotom-C's health with Brave Bird (do we really need this). Eelektross's lack of Speed enables Roost shenanigans and it dislikes Toxic and Super Fang, but it has Knock Off to take away Golbat's Eviolite and it can set up with Coil or force out Golbat with Acid Spray. Lanturn may not pose a problem often due to its lack of usage, but it can take Brave Bird easily and Heal Bell away Toxic while nailing Golbat with Thunder Wave or Scald, while retaining the ability to Volt Switch away at any time.(AP) However, its lack of recovery leaves it fairly vulnerable to Super Fang.
**Ice-types**: Ice-types may not take any of Golbat's attacks easily, but he certainly won't take any of theirs easily,(AC) either. Mega Glalie can dish out the damage to Golbat with Refrigerate Return or Double-Edge and even set up Spikes as it flees in terror, though it will get worn down by Brave Bird, especially in conjunction with Toxic or Super Fang. Piloswine can set up Stealth Rock and hit Golbat super effectively with its STAB moves whether or not it's Roosted, while eventually picking it off with Ice Shard, though Brave Bird takes off a quarter of its health and Toxic or Super Fang will ruin its day. Finally, as mentioned above, Aurorus takes advantage of Golbat in numerous ways or just OHKOes it.
**Psychic-types**: Psychic-types can make Golbat rue the day it was born, and although they have trouble with its attacks, their ability to capably run Psychic or Psyshock means Golbat can't comfortably assume it will take the attack on its stronger defense stat they can take advantage of Golbat’s weaker defensive stat. Mesprit can set up Stealth Rock while scaring Golbat out, and although it won't like Super Fang, Toxic, or Brave Bird, it can use Healing Wish when it gets too worn down to function. Meloetta and Delphox can nail Golbat in said fashion, though they won't like switching in one bit. Defensive Psychic-types like Cresselia and Slowking can threaten to status Golbat and hit it fairly hard, but they won't like Toxic. Reuniclus gives not a single damn about Toxic, tanks Brave Bird easily, and can heal off a Super Fang if it's carrying Recover, all while setting up either Trick Room or endless Calm Minds.(AP) Although Golbat can Taunt it, this is quite the risky proposition, especially given its proficiency with both Psychic and Psyshock.
**Strong Special Attackers**: Strong special attackers such as Clawitzer, Moltres, and Exploud can batter away at Physically Defensive Golbat and take it down fairly easily, especially if they carry a super effective move like Clawitzer's Ice Beam(not sure how necessary this phrase is), but Specially Defensive Golbat might simply Toxic them and continue about its business.(AP) It does have to watch out for status from the likes of Scald or Hurricane, however.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Strong physical attackers such as Druddigon, Emboar, and Cinccino can punch right through Specially Defensive Golbat, doubly so with a super effective move such as Cinccino's Rock Blast. With that said, Physically Defensive Golbat may just look at them quizzically and Toxic them while caring not a whit, though some physical attackers are strong enough to trouble Physically Defensive Golbat as well, even without a super effective attack.
**Defiant**: Defiant Pokemon such as Braviary and the aforementioned Pawniard can switch in on Defog and gain a +2 boost to Attack, letting them plow through Golbat and quite possibly your entire team! Pawniard is especially threatening, as it resists Brave Bird, is immune to Toxic, and doesn't hate Super Fang.(AP) It can also while potentially set setting up Swords Dance or just Knocking Off Golbat's Eviolite. On the other hand, Braviary is far more common, and Physically Defensive Golbat can simply Toxic it as it comes in, Roost away as it attacks with futility, and possibly even Defog as it switches out.(AP) a risky maneuver that can nonetheless transfer the advantage to your side, both game-wise and mentally.
**Hazards Setters**: Any hazards setter that Golbat cannot defeat annoys it.(AP) As mentioned earlier, many Steel- and Rock-types, as well as Mega Glalie, fall under this aegis. Pokemon such as Qwilfish, Accelgor, and Kricketune can set up dangerous entry hazards while discouraging Golbat from coming in or stopping it from Defogging with Thunder Wave + Taunt, Final Gambit, and Knock Off + Taunt + Endeavor, respectively.(AP) though However,(AC) it has ways to come out on top as well, since it can Taunt Qwilfish first, Roost off much of the Final Gambit damage, and Brave Bird Kricketune to death while forcing it to choose between keeping up Sticky Web or actually damaging you Golbat.
Goddess Briyella
GP 1/2
