QC: Threw
GP: P Squared Snobalt
I'm back baby
[OVERVIEW]
Gastrodon's excellent defensive typing allows it to check prominent threats in the tier such as Steelix, Aggron, and Swords Dance Charizard. Furthermore, Storm Drain gives it a Water immunity, allowing it to check Pokemon such as Lanturn, Kabutops, and Floatzel a lot more easily. It makes for a nice Scald and Volt Switch absorber thanks to its ability and its secondary Ground typing, while having access to Recover also means that Gastrodon can continually pivot throughout the match. Sadly, it is very slow, meaning it has to take a hit before firing back. It is also very susceptible to status, making it prone to being worn down and potentially forcing it to use Recover more often than it would like. It also isn't the best Fire-type check, since Fire-types such as Magmortar and Pyroar tend to carry Grass-type coverage for it and other targets such as Rhydon. Grass-types in general such as Gourgeist-XL, Vileplume, and Lilligant are a pain for Gastrodon, as they resist its STAB moves and can OHKO with their own.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Earth Power / Earthquake
move 3: Recover
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: Bold / Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 244 Def / 12 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
===================
Scald allows Gastrodon to hit many of the Pokemon it checks super effectively, such as Archeops and Rhydon, and can cripple potential switch-ins with a burn. Earth Power complements Scald, as it hits most offensive Water-types, such as Omastar and Kabutops, super effectively, as well as Pokemon like Skuntank. Earthquake can be used instead to hit physically frail Pokemon such as Lanturn, Jynx, and Magmortar harder than Earth Power. Recover allows Gastrodon to keep itself healthy throughout the match. Toxic racks up damage against many of Gastrodon's common switch-ins, such as Abomasnow, Lilligant, and Mantine, as well as generally bulky Pokemon, such as Scyther and Mega Audino. Clear Smog can be used over Toxic to dissuade physical sweepers such as Malamar and Swords Dance Samurott from trying to set up.
Set Details
===================
Maximum HP and Defense EVs allow Gastrodon to better tank physical hits. Storm Drain allows Gastrodon to act as a Scald blocker and helps it check Water-types. 12 Speed EVs are used to outspeed uninvested Rhydon and cripple it with Scald. Leftovers provides a form of passive recovery. If using Earthquake, use a Relaxed nature and move the 12 Speed EVs into Special Defense.
Usage Tips
===================
Gastrodon is best suited for more balanced or defensively oriented teams, since it can check threatening attackers such as Shell Smash Barbaracle and Life Orb Samurott. Be wary of Grass-types such as Shiftry and Ludicolo when using Gastrodon, as they can pivot in on both of its STAB moves and proceed to OHKO it. You should also try to scout for Grass-type coverage on Pokemon Gastrodon would otherwise check such as Samurott and Pyroar. It should try to avoid status, particularly burn and poison, as Gastrodon gets worn down more quickly if afflicted by one of these. It can pivot into Water-type attacks to gain a Special Attack boost thanks to Storm Drain. Gastrodon should use Recover whenever necessary, as it needs to keep itself healthy to avoid being overwhelmed. It works well as a physical sponge that can cripple or burn physical attackers with Scald.
Team Options
===================
Gastrodon appreciates cleric support from Pokemon such as Vileplume, Mega Audino, and Miltank in order to repeatedly check threats without being worn down by troublesome status conditions. Grass-types such as Lilligant, Ferroseed, and Abomasnow are able to check other Grass-types and appreciate Gastrodon's ability to pivot into strong Fire-type attackers. Fire-types such as Pyroar and Combusken share great synergy with Gastrodon, as it can check Rock-types while they can take care of Grass-types for it. Specially bulky Pokemon such as Hariyama and Grumpig can make up for Gastrodon's weaker Special Defense stat by taking on powerful special attackers such as Choice Specs Swellow and Aurorus. Garbodor is an excellent partner for Gastrodon, as it can absorb Toxic Spikes and handle Grass-types, while it appreciates Gastrodon being able to handle Steel-types. Flying-types such as Charizard, Archeops, and Vivillon enjoy Gastrodon being able to take on the Rock- and Steel-types that resist their STAB moves. Entry hazard removers such as Hitmonchan and Pelipper allow Gastrodon to pivot more easily, as it gets quickly worn down by Spikes and Toxic Spikes.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
===================
An offensive set utilizing either Life Orb, Choice Specs, or Leftovers can be used, but it struggles with breaking down bulky cores due to Gastrodon's weak STAB moves and coverage options. Ice Beam gives Gastrodon a way to do damage to Grass-types such as Vileplume and Lilligant, but it has to forgo Toxic, leaving Gastrodon susceptible to bulkier teams and becoming setup bait. Yawn is an option to force out Pokemon that would otherwise switch into Gastrodon such as Vileplume, but it can prove unnecessary should Gastrodon happen to start spreading burns. Counter is an option over Toxic to punish attackers such as Swords Dance Rhydon and Malamar that attempt to set up on Gastrodon; however, Clear Smog can do this a lot better without potentially forcing Gastrodon to sacrifice itself to whatever comes in next. A Curse set with a spread of 252 HP / 140 Def / 116 SpD, a Sassy nature, and the moves Curse, Recover, Earthquake, and Scald is an option to allow Gastrodon to tank physical and special hits better and possibly sweep late-game once Grass-types are removed. Mirror Coat can be used in tandem with a Rindo Berry to surprise Grass-types like Lilligant and Shiftry as well as lure Pokemon like Hidden Power Grass Pyroar and Energy Ball Vivillon. Memento is a neat option to give Gastrodon's teammates opportunities to set up and sweep; however, it is too slow to effectively use the move.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-type Pokemon**: Lilligant and Vileplume can easily take anything Gastrodon has and OHKO it with a STAB move, although they both dislike Scald burns and Lilligant must be wary of getting hit with Toxic on the switch in.
**Status**: Toxic poison from the likes of Pelipper and Mantine, which Gastrodon would otherwise have no issue checking, as well as Toxic Spikes, wears down Gastrodon, meaning it can't consistently check threats like Swords Dance Charizard later in the game. Will-O-Wisp from Pokemon like Rotom and Weezing can be extremely debilitating as well.
**Super Effective Coverage**: Many dangerous attackers including Aurorus, Magmortar, and Pyroar all normally carry coverage that can OHKO Gastrodon with ease, and due to Gastrodon's low Speed they force it to either take the attack and die or switch to a teammate that could potentially take heavy damage from a STAB attack.
**Special Walls**: Mega Audino, Sliggoo, and Roselia can generally switch into Gastrodon with ease and force it out via Toxic or STAB moves; however, the former two must be wary of switching in and risking getting burned by Scald or getting nailed with Toxic.
GP: P Squared Snobalt
I'm back baby
[OVERVIEW]
Gastrodon's excellent defensive typing allows it to check prominent threats in the tier such as Steelix, Aggron, and Swords Dance Charizard. Furthermore, Storm Drain gives it a Water immunity, allowing it to check Pokemon such as Lanturn, Kabutops, and Floatzel a lot more easily. It makes for a nice Scald and Volt Switch absorber thanks to its ability and its secondary Ground typing, while having access to Recover also means that Gastrodon can continually pivot throughout the match. Sadly, it is very slow, meaning it has to take a hit before firing back. It is also very susceptible to status, making it prone to being worn down and potentially forcing it to use Recover more often than it would like. It also isn't the best Fire-type check, since Fire-types such as Magmortar and Pyroar tend to carry Grass-type coverage for it and other targets such as Rhydon. Grass-types in general such as Gourgeist-XL, Vileplume, and Lilligant are a pain for Gastrodon, as they resist its STAB moves and can OHKO with their own.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Earth Power / Earthquake
move 3: Recover
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: Bold / Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 244 Def / 12 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
===================
Scald allows Gastrodon to hit many of the Pokemon it checks super effectively, such as Archeops and Rhydon, and can cripple potential switch-ins with a burn. Earth Power complements Scald, as it hits most offensive Water-types, such as Omastar and Kabutops, super effectively, as well as Pokemon like Skuntank. Earthquake can be used instead to hit physically frail Pokemon such as Lanturn, Jynx, and Magmortar harder than Earth Power. Recover allows Gastrodon to keep itself healthy throughout the match. Toxic racks up damage against many of Gastrodon's common switch-ins, such as Abomasnow, Lilligant, and Mantine, as well as generally bulky Pokemon, such as Scyther and Mega Audino. Clear Smog can be used over Toxic to dissuade physical sweepers such as Malamar and Swords Dance Samurott from trying to set up.
Set Details
===================
Maximum HP and Defense EVs allow Gastrodon to better tank physical hits. Storm Drain allows Gastrodon to act as a Scald blocker and helps it check Water-types. 12 Speed EVs are used to outspeed uninvested Rhydon and cripple it with Scald. Leftovers provides a form of passive recovery. If using Earthquake, use a Relaxed nature and move the 12 Speed EVs into Special Defense.
Usage Tips
===================
Gastrodon is best suited for more balanced or defensively oriented teams, since it can check threatening attackers such as Shell Smash Barbaracle and Life Orb Samurott. Be wary of Grass-types such as Shiftry and Ludicolo when using Gastrodon, as they can pivot in on both of its STAB moves and proceed to OHKO it. You should also try to scout for Grass-type coverage on Pokemon Gastrodon would otherwise check such as Samurott and Pyroar. It should try to avoid status, particularly burn and poison, as Gastrodon gets worn down more quickly if afflicted by one of these. It can pivot into Water-type attacks to gain a Special Attack boost thanks to Storm Drain. Gastrodon should use Recover whenever necessary, as it needs to keep itself healthy to avoid being overwhelmed. It works well as a physical sponge that can cripple or burn physical attackers with Scald.
Team Options
===================
Gastrodon appreciates cleric support from Pokemon such as Vileplume, Mega Audino, and Miltank in order to repeatedly check threats without being worn down by troublesome status conditions. Grass-types such as Lilligant, Ferroseed, and Abomasnow are able to check other Grass-types and appreciate Gastrodon's ability to pivot into strong Fire-type attackers. Fire-types such as Pyroar and Combusken share great synergy with Gastrodon, as it can check Rock-types while they can take care of Grass-types for it. Specially bulky Pokemon such as Hariyama and Grumpig can make up for Gastrodon's weaker Special Defense stat by taking on powerful special attackers such as Choice Specs Swellow and Aurorus. Garbodor is an excellent partner for Gastrodon, as it can absorb Toxic Spikes and handle Grass-types, while it appreciates Gastrodon being able to handle Steel-types. Flying-types such as Charizard, Archeops, and Vivillon enjoy Gastrodon being able to take on the Rock- and Steel-types that resist their STAB moves. Entry hazard removers such as Hitmonchan and Pelipper allow Gastrodon to pivot more easily, as it gets quickly worn down by Spikes and Toxic Spikes.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
===================
An offensive set utilizing either Life Orb, Choice Specs, or Leftovers can be used, but it struggles with breaking down bulky cores due to Gastrodon's weak STAB moves and coverage options. Ice Beam gives Gastrodon a way to do damage to Grass-types such as Vileplume and Lilligant, but it has to forgo Toxic, leaving Gastrodon susceptible to bulkier teams and becoming setup bait. Yawn is an option to force out Pokemon that would otherwise switch into Gastrodon such as Vileplume, but it can prove unnecessary should Gastrodon happen to start spreading burns. Counter is an option over Toxic to punish attackers such as Swords Dance Rhydon and Malamar that attempt to set up on Gastrodon; however, Clear Smog can do this a lot better without potentially forcing Gastrodon to sacrifice itself to whatever comes in next. A Curse set with a spread of 252 HP / 140 Def / 116 SpD, a Sassy nature, and the moves Curse, Recover, Earthquake, and Scald is an option to allow Gastrodon to tank physical and special hits better and possibly sweep late-game once Grass-types are removed. Mirror Coat can be used in tandem with a Rindo Berry to surprise Grass-types like Lilligant and Shiftry as well as lure Pokemon like Hidden Power Grass Pyroar and Energy Ball Vivillon. Memento is a neat option to give Gastrodon's teammates opportunities to set up and sweep; however, it is too slow to effectively use the move.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-type Pokemon**: Lilligant and Vileplume can easily take anything Gastrodon has and OHKO it with a STAB move, although they both dislike Scald burns and Lilligant must be wary of getting hit with Toxic on the switch in.
**Status**: Toxic poison from the likes of Pelipper and Mantine, which Gastrodon would otherwise have no issue checking, as well as Toxic Spikes, wears down Gastrodon, meaning it can't consistently check threats like Swords Dance Charizard later in the game. Will-O-Wisp from Pokemon like Rotom and Weezing can be extremely debilitating as well.
**Super Effective Coverage**: Many dangerous attackers including Aurorus, Magmortar, and Pyroar all normally carry coverage that can OHKO Gastrodon with ease, and due to Gastrodon's low Speed they force it to either take the attack and die or switch to a teammate that could potentially take heavy damage from a STAB attack.
**Special Walls**: Mega Audino, Sliggoo, and Roselia can generally switch into Gastrodon with ease and force it out via Toxic or STAB moves; however, the former two must be wary of switching in and risking getting burned by Scald or getting nailed with Toxic.
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