Gligar (Update)

danmantincan said:

[Overview]

<p>(remove space)With a great 85 base Speed, in a tier where 80 is the benchmark, superb 105 base Defense to compliment its Ground / Flying typing, and a respectable base Attack of 75, Gligar should not be looked down upon in the UU tier, despite its NFE status. Perhaps the most impressive thing about Gligar is its versatility; it can set up a Swords Dance or an Agility and Baton Pass the boosts to a teammate, it can Toxic stall your opponent, break stall with Taunt, or it can be a deadly set up sweeper.</p>

[SET]
name: SubRoost
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Roost
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Toxic/Earthquake
item: Leftovers
nature: Jolly
evs: 200 HP / 84 Def / 224 Spe
ability: Sand Veil

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>With great Defense and defensive, decent (sounds repetetive) typing, and access to Taunt, and instant recovery, it's no surprise that Gligar can run a SubRoost set effectively. The premise of this set is simple, bring Gligar in on something that can't do much to it, like Choiced Fighting-, Ground-, or Electric-type attacks, and Substitute on the switch. Then you proceed to whittle away at your opponent's health, while preventing them from healing via Taunt and keeping yourself healthy with Roost. This set makes a great addition to teams that are have trouble breaking through key pieces of a stall team, like Chansey, Spiritomb, or Clefable.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>The given EV spread allows Gligar to outspeed max Speed Milotic and gives a Leftovers number +1, which allowing it to use Substitute 5 times, while the rest are thrown into Defense. You can run 232 Speed to outrun any neutral natured base 95 Pokemon, or you can move the Defense EVs into Special Defense if you want Gligar to be able to take special attacks slightly better. Substitute prevents Gligar from being hit by status, and, when used in a sandstorm, greatly increases its survivability.</p>

<p>The final moveslot depends on what you would rather have wall Gligar. If you chose to use Toxic, Poison- and Steel-types like Venusaur and Registeel will wall you to no end, as well as Clefable and any Pokemon that can get behind a Sub before you poison them. Earthquake allows you to hit the aforementioned Pokemon, but leaves you vulnerable to Flyers and Levitators, such as Rotom and Moltres. You can choose to run either Aerial Ace or Rock Slide in the last slot so you can guarantee some damage against all opponents, particularly Weezing.</p>

<p>Hippopotas is a good teammate for this set, because it sets up sandstorm, which activates with Sand Veil, and negates possible Leftovers recovery on your opponent. A bulky Water-type like Milotic can switch into any Water and Ice attacks aimed at Gligar, while luring Electric-type attacks for Gligar to switch in on. Drapion can set up Toxic Spikes, which frees up space in Gligar's final moveslot, trap Rotom and Mismagius with Pursuit, and it lures Ground-type attacks, for Gligar to switch into. Cloyster can set up both Spikes and Toxic Spikes, but neither it nor Gligar like being targeted by special attacks.</p>

[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Taunt
move 2: Roost
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Aerial Ace/Toxic
item: Leftovers
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
ability: Sand Veil

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>While this set may look similar to the SubRoost set, and uses Gligar's same attributes, this set serves a different function. This set is designed to be a reliable check to a number of physical threats in the tier. Gligar is able check threats like Rhyperior, Aggron, Hitmonlee, and Heracross without much trouble, thanks to its typing and 105 Defense. Roost is a given on a defensive set, since it allows Gligar to recover half of its health, as well as play mind games with the opponent by removing its Flying-type. Taunt is to prevent your opponent from setting up on Gligar, because it generally won't be doing enough damage, without any EV investment, to scare off a lot of set up sweepers. Earthquake is Gligar's STAB move of choice, and allows it to hit Rock-/(space)Steel-types for super effective damage.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>The EV spread is to give Gligar as much physical bulk as possible, so it can take as many attacks as possible. An alternative spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe and a Jolly nature can be used. While it will lose a significant portion of its bulk, this spread will allow Gligar to outrun max Speed Venusaur, and Taunt the incoming Sleep Powder, neutral natured base 95s, and tie with Jolly Heracross and possibly OHKO it with Aerial Ace before it gets a chance to attack. The choice between Aerial Ace and Toxic in the last slot depends if you want to have an easier time breaking stall, are getting rid of your opponent's Fighting- and Grass-Types(I don't know what you're trying to say here). If you don't have any other Pokemon to set it up, Gligar can use Stealth Rock instead of Taunt or Aerial Ace. Rock Slide and Knock Off are both viable options for Gligar's final move slot; if Gligar is able to remove an opponent's Life Orb, many possible 2HKOs will become 3HKOs, allowing it to Roost away any damage.</p>

<p>Rotom and Mismagius are both troublesome to this set, partially due to Levitate, so Pokemon that can remove them, or set up on them, like Spiritomb, Drapion, or Registeel, make great partners to this set. Gligar also lures bulky Waters, so you'll want something that can deal with them, like Chansey, who can also wall Rotom and Mismagius, while luring Fighting attacks for Gligar to switch in to. Slowbro also deserves a mention as a teammate, as it can take physical Ice and Water attacks that neither Gligar or Chansey can take very well, while Gliscor can switch into any Electric and Bug attacks that are aimed at Slowbro.</p>

[SET]
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Swords Dance / Earthquake
move 2: Agility / Earthquake
move 3: Baton Pass
move 4: Taunt
item: Yache Berry / Passho Berry
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
ability: Hyper Cutter

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Being only one of three Pokemon in UU that has access to Swords Dance, Agility, and Baton Pass, Gligar takes after Gliscor as being one of the best Baton Passers in their respective tiers. Although there are two other Pokemon, Blaziken and Scyther, that have access to all three of those moves, Gligar has significant advantages over them. It has far superior typing compared to both of them, with weaknesses only to Ice- and Water-type attacks while having immunities to Electric- and Ground-type attacks. With a base 105 Defense and access to Taunt, Gligar can often gain multiple boosts, while simultaneously preventing your boosts from from being phazed away.</p>

<p>The moves are fairly simple, Taunt is to prevent your opponent from phazing your boosts, or Taunting your own Pokemon, while you have the option to run both Swords Dance and Agility, or you can opt to use Earthquake instead of a second boosting move because it can be difficult to gain a +2 boost in both Attack and Speed without screen support or Defense boosts. The EVs are meant to give Gligar a good amount of bulk while maxing out its Speed. This allows it to outspeed every Pokemon after an Agility, so you can Taunt any attempts to ruin your Baton Pass, or so you can Baton Pass to another teammate that can take the incoming attack. The choice between Yache or Passho Berry depends on whether or not you think your opponent will suspect a Yache Berry and go for a Water-type attack.</p>(are you sure? I think you should mention your team's resistances, for example, if you have a Water resist, you should use they Yache berry)

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Providing dual screen support is an absolute must if you want to this set to be as effective as possible. There are a slew of Pokemon that can set up screens for Gligar. Both Uxie and Gardevoir can set up screens and have access to Memento, giving Gligar a free switch in. Mr. Mime has a great support movepool that includes: Encore, Taunt, Calm Mind, Tickle, and Baton Pass, and has Soundproof, which prevents sound based moves, like Perish Song and Roar, from working. Clefable can also set up screens with its great mixed bulk, while luring Fighting-type attacks, which Gligar switches into easily can switch into.

<p>As for selecting a receiver, there are several Pokemon to choose from. Physical Water-types are able to switch in easily on incoming Ice and Water attacks, and can make great use of any Swords Dance and Agility boosts. Azumarill has a max Attack stat of 436 (which is only 2 less then max Groudon), thanks to Huge Power, and with a +2 boost and respectable bulk it can tear through opposing teams. Feraligator may not pack as much of a punch as Azumarill, but it is significantly faster, so it will be able to outspeed certain threats that Azumarill wouldn't be able to. Perhaps the best recipient for Gligar's boosts is the often mocked Bibarel. With Simple, Swords Dance and Agility each give a +4 boost, which allows Bibarel to hit harder than Azumarill after a boost and outrun Feraligator. Add in an unresisted (excluding Shedinja) STAB combination with Waterfall and Return, and Quick Attack for priority, Bibarel can tear through teams if it can get the required boosts.</p>

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: X-Scissor / Roost
item: Life Orb
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
ability: Hyper Cutter

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>While Gligar's other sets tend to play a more supportive or defensive role, this set is meant to remedy a rather mediocre Attack stat with Swords Dance, and use Gligar's respectable base 85 Speed to sweep. After a boost, Gligar reaches 498 Attack which allows it to OHKO or/2HKO all but the sturdiest of walls with its great coverage. As for the moves, Earthquake is Gligar's main way of dealing damage, thanks to its STAB, and Stone Edge completes the infamous QuakeEdge combo, that is only resisted by Claydol and Torterra in UU. X-Scissor allows Gligar to hit the previously mentioned Pokemon for super effective damage, as well as being Gligar's best attack against the bulky Psychic-types, like Uxie, Mesprit, and Slowbro.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>There are a few options for Gligar to use in its last moveslot. Roost allows Gligar to heal any Life Orb recoil and turn walls like Registeel, Chansey, and Clefable into set-up bait, but you must be cautious of being hit with status. Taunt can stop your opponent from inflicting Gligar with status, and can be used to help it beat Weezing, who is a great counter to this set. Aerial Ace can be used to ensure certain KOs against certain Fighting- and Grass-types, if you are unable to get a layer of Spikes on the field as well. Baton Pass can let Gligar escape from its counters, while passing its boosts to a teammate that can handle your opponent's switch in. Rock Polish can be used instead of Swords Dance, and Gligar would reach 538 Speed with an Adamant nature. However, Gligar will not be doing very much if it isn't hitting its opponent for super effective damage.</p>

<p>In order for this set to live up to its potential, it requires Stealth Rock and at least one layer of Spikes on your opponents side of the field to get the necessary OHKOs. Registeel is a great candidate for Stealth Rock because it can lure Fighting and Ground attacks, which Gligar can easily switch into. Qwilfish and Cloyster can both lay Spikes, and explode, which gives Gligar a free switch in, likely taking your opponent's Pokemon with it. Dusknoir and Weezing are able to take a boosted attack from Gligar, and can cripple it with Will-O-Wisp, so a Houndoom or Ninetales of your own can switch into any Will-O-Wisp and can lure and severely weaken or even kill your opponents bulky Water, clearing the way for Gligar to sweep. Venusaur and Sceptile also make good teammates, since they can remove any bulky Waters with their STAB attacks, while luring Registeel for Gligar to set up on.</p>

[Team Options]

<p>It doesn't matter what set Gligar is running, it loves to be used with entry hazards. The Boosting Sweeper set needs entry hazards, at least Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes, to get certain OHKOes or/2HKOes. The more defensive sets can force a lot of switches and the entry hazards will chip away at your opponent's health. Registeel is a good choice to set up Stealth Rock, resisting Ice attacks that are aimed at Gligar, and luring Ground- and Fighting-type attacks for Gligar to switch into. Uxie, despite having little defensive synergy with Gligar, can take set up Stealth Rock without much trouble and force switches with Yawn and Toxic. Qwilfish is an excellent Pokemon to set up Spikes for Gligar; Qwilfish is able to set up Spikes on two of Gligar's biggest counters, Milotic and Slowbro (but you must be careful of Psychic), and is also able to remove other counters with Destiny Bond and Explosion.<p>

<p>If Gligar is running the Baton Passer or Boosting Sweeper set, dual screen support is strongly recommended. With the support, Gligar will have a much easier time getting the necessary boosts, while keeping fairly healthy, allowing it to sweep or pass its boosts to a sweeper on your team. Many Psychic-types are great choices to set up screens, luring physical attacks for Gligar to switch into, and often having many other support options.</p>

<p>When attempting to sweep, Gligar will have a lot of trouble with physically bulky threats that can KO it before it can them. Weezing, Dusclops, Torterra, Claydol, Slowbro, and Donphan all threaten Gligar. Houndoom makes a great offensive partner for Gligar, being able to hit 4 of the previously mentioned Pokemon for super effective damage with its STAB attacks. Houndoom is also able to switch into any Will-O-Wisp from Weezing and Dusclops, gaining a Flash Fire boost, allowing it to OHKO Donphan and Weezing with Fire Blast. Sceptile is also able to deal with many of these Pokemon with its STAB Leaf Storm, while luring Registeel, giving Gligar and easy switch in.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>With its unique typing and good physical movepool, Gligar would be an ideal Choice user if it wasn't for its rather mediocre Attack. But With Earthquake, Stone Edge, U-turn, and multiple choices for the fourth move slot, Gligar can make a decent scout and revenge killer for your team, with either a Choice Band or Choice Scarf. Gligar can also use Screech to force switches, and U-turn to the appropriate counter. Gligar has a few other attacking options to use other than the ones listed. Night Slash allows Gligar to hit Ghost-types, most notably Rotom, for super effective damage. Aqua Tail can be used to hit bulky Ground-types, like Claydol, Rhyperior, and other Gligar. Since most physical attackers will have trouble 2HKOing Gligar without any super effective attacks, Counter can be used to strike back at them, while keeping yourself healthy with Roost.</p>

<p>If it's trying to be an offensive threat, Gligar should always run 252 EVs in Attack and Speed so it can hit as hard and fast as possible. But when playing a defensive role, Gligar should have a heavy investment in its HP and Defense so it can survive as many physical attacks as possible. EVs from Defense can be moved into Speed, so Gligar can outpace certain threats like Venusaur and Modest Moltres. Speed EVs from the Baton Passer set can also be moved to either of Gligar's defenses so it can take more hits, but it is not recommended, since Gligar should be fast enough to Taunt any attempts to stop it from setting up.</p>

[Counters]

<p>Most physically bulky Pokemon that can take a boosted attack from Gligar make good counters for it. Weezing and Dusclops are both able to take any +2 attack and burn Gligar, crippling it for the remainder of the battle. Milotic and Slowbro can OHKO Gligar with Surf, and Donphan can use its excellent bulk to switch in to Gligar and hit it with Ice Shard. Both Claydol and Torterra resist the infamous QuakeEdge combo, but neither will enjoy taking a boosted X-Scissor. Pokemon with access to priority that hits for super effective damage are able to stop Gligar in its tracks. Cloyster, Lapras, and the previously mentioned Donphan can all hit Gligar with Ice Shard, while Azumarill, Feraligator, and Kabutops can end Gligar's sweep with an Aqua Jet.</p>

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