Easily top 5 favorite Unova Pokémon
[Pros]
<ul>
<li>Galvantula is the most viable user of Sticky Web.</li>
<li>It possesses great Speed.</li>
<li>It has a passable Special Attack.</li>
<li>Compound Eyes means it can run Thunder.</li>
<li>It has a great unique offensive typing.</li>
</ul>
[Cons]
<ul>
<li>Galvantula is weak to all entry hazards, making switching hard.</li>
<li>Its horrible bulk means it won't last long.</li>
<li>It has a bit of four moveslot syndrome.</li>
<li>It relies on Life Orb to do real damage, and Focus Sash to stay alive.</li>
<li>Defog was buffed.</li>
</ul>
[Set Recommendations]
<p>Galvantula @ Focus Sash / Life Orb<br />
Ability: Compound Eyes<br />
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe<br />
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)<br />
- Sticky Web<br />
- Thunder<br />
- Bug Buzz<br />
- Volt Switch / Hidden Power Ice</p>
<p>Sticky Web is the name of the game for Galvantula. Gen VI brought with it an entry hazard that lowers the grounded opponent's Speed by one stage upon switching in, and Galvantula was one of the lucky few to receive it. Galvantula will usually be in the lead position to set up Sticky Web as soon as possible, so Focus Sash is useful for guaranteeing that it gets set up on turn one. However, Galvantula's Special Attack is only passable, so Life Orb can also be used to hit foes harder after setting up Sticky Web but before inevitably being taken down. Thanks to Compound Eyes, Galvantula gets a 91% accurate Thunder, making it the best STAB move available and somewhat mitigating it's middling Special Attack. Bug Buzz is the secondary STAB move, and is the best move Galvantula has to hit Tyranitar, Hippowdon, and Mega Venusaur. It also got a new buff that allows it to hit through Substitutes, which, though uncommon, is a nice bonus. The last slot is important, and can be used in a few different ways. Volt Switch is the main option, as it lets Galvantula set up Sticky Web and hopefully escape unharmed the next turn and grab momentum for the rest of the team. Hidden Power Ice gives Galvantula pseudo Bolt-Beam coverage and hits Pokemon such as Gliscor for super effective damage. Hidden Power Fire can be used to 2HKO Excadrill on the switch, but that's really the only coverage it gets. It's important to note that if Hidden Power Fire is used in the last slot, then Life Orb is the recommended item. Without it, Galvantula cannot get the KOs mentioned above. Substitute can be used over Bug Buzz and alongside Hidden Power Fire to force Excadrill to either Rapid Spin and get KOed or Earthquake and not remove hazards.</p>
<p>Just about every team can benefit from Sticky Web, but bulky offensive and hyper offensive teams gain the most from its use. Pokemon such as Conkeldurr and Dragonite benefit from it simply because they are slower offensive Pokemon and appreciate being able to outspeed their opponents without having to resort to priority. Mega Pokemon such as Lucario and Absol appreciate it because it lets them outspeed the opponent without having to wait a turn to Mega Evolve. Other good teammates include spin blockers. Excadrill is a pain for Galvantula to face if it doesn't have Hidden Power Fire, so Trevenant or Gourgeist can be used, as they are the only spin blockers that can beat it. Coincidentally, Rapid Spinners such as Excadrill also make good partners. Galvantula is weak to all forms of hazards, and Excadrill can spin them all away. Additionally, teams using Sticky Web hate opposing Sticky Web users such as Smeargle and Shuckle, so Excadrill can really help against them too.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>The new buff to Defog makes it an unblockable Rapid Spin, meaning that Galvantula cannot do much to stop it from getting rid of its Sticky Web. That being said, Mandibuzz is really the only viable user of it at the moment, and it loses to Galvantula. Excadrill beats all forms of Galvantula that lack Life Orb Hidden Power Fire, and can Rapid Spin to remove Sticky Web. Setup Pokemon can take advantage of the turn that Galvantula uses to set Sticky Web, but most have to watch out for the Focus Sash set. Dragonite is a prime example of this, as it can beat Life Orb Galvantula, but loses if Galvantula has Focus Sash and Hidden Power Ice. Mega Charizard X can come in as its normal forme and avoid Sticky Web, then Mega Evolve to resist Galvantula's STAB moves and set up. Talonflame can avoid Sticky Web, outspeed and OHKO with Flare Blitz, but must watch out for Focus Sash. Tyranitar and Hippowdon can both live one of Galvantula's attacks and bring it down to its Focus Sash before it dies to sandstorm damage. This mostly forces Galvantula to Sticky Web without letting it do any actual damage.</p>
Last edited:
