[OVERVIEW]
Gastrodon's good typing and bulk, combined with its decent movepool, allow it to be a niche check to some extremely common Pokemon in the Doubles OU metagame, including Landorus-T, Heatran, and Thundurus. Its ability Storm Drain allows Gastrodon to check rain teams and help teammates that are weak to Water-type moves avoid damage. Gastrodon's access to recovery plus its coverage movepool allow it to stay on the field many turns and deal damage to a wide variety of common threats. However, Gastrodon's very low Speed stat means it will always be moving last, and with its poor Special Attack stat, it doesn't really thrive in Trick Room; additionally, Gastrodon often relies on boosts from Storm Drain to be a real offensive threat. This lack of speed and power means that Gastrodon is threatened by strong physical attackers, such as Mega Kangaskhan, when it cannot burn them with Scald. Gastrodon also faces competition from many other Water-types, such as Swampert, which has similar typing, movepool and access to Wide Guard, and Suicune, which is bulkier and can provide speed control. Similarly, Gastrodon has to compete with other common checks to rain teams, such as Kyurem-B and Ferrothorn, which are better Pokemon overall and notably not weak to Grass-type moves from Ludicolo.
[SET]
name: Recover + 3 Attacks
move 1: Scald
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Recover / Protect
item: Sitrus Berry / Expert Belt
ability: Storm Drain
nature: Quiet
evs: 232 HP / 176 Def / 48 SpA / 52 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is Gastrodon's most reliable Water-type STAB move, hitting Fire-types like Talonflame, Volcarona, and Rotom-H. Not only does Scald provide decent power in a STAB attack, its 30% chance to burn can be a big help when facing physical attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan. Earth Power is Gastrodon's second STAB move, and it hits Rock-types like Mega Diancie, Steel-types like Heatran and Aegislash, and the Water-immune Fire-type Volcanion. Ice Beam provides great coverage on Grass-types such as Amoonguss and Dragon-types such as Latios and Hydreigon, which would otherwise wall Gastrodon, as well as Flying-types like Landorus and Thundurus. Recover allows Gastrodon to restore its health and stay on the field longer than other Pokemon typically would, which can be vital in late-game situations or when taking opportunities of free turns. Alternatively, Protect allows Gastrodon to avoid damage entirely for the turn while its partner handles a threat and scout out an opposing moveset.
Set Details
========
232 HP and 176 Defense EVs let Gastrodon take two Brave Birds from Adamant Life Orb Talonflame, which means Gastrodon can switch in on and defeat it one-on-one. The 52 Special Defense EVs, paired with the given HP EVs, give Gastrodon the ability to survive a Psycho Boost from Deoxys-A. The remaining 48 EVs go into Special Attack to allow Gastrodon to OHKO Salamence and Landorus-T with Ice Beam. A Quiet nature allows Gastrodon to be slower than Aegislash and OHKO it with Earth Power while it is in its Blade forme. This will also allow Gastrodon to outspeed opposing Pokemon on Trick Room teams. Sitrus Berry provides instant recovery of 25% of Gastrodon's health, which helps against double targets and against Mega Kangaskhan due to Parental Bond. Expert Belt allows Gastrodon to do more damage against targets that are hit super effectively, which works well in conjunction with its expansive movepool, and pick up notable OHKOs against foes such as Mega Diancie with Earth Power.
Usage Tips
========
Gastrodon's ability redirects all Water-type attacks to itself, so it is a great check to rain teams and helps Water weak teammates avoid taking damage, which can put foes in tough spots. Gastrodon shines by redirecting Water-type attacks and gaining Special Attack boosts, so luring a Water-type attack from your opponent with a Pokemon weak to Water and then switching in Gastrodon is a prime way to use this Pokemon. Gastrodon's bulk and typing give it the opportunity to switch in on many common Pokemon, such as Thundurus, Heatran, and Volcanion, as it will take very little damage from their attacks, and threaten them in return. Recover is great to take advantage of turns where the opponent may double Protect, not target Gastrodon, or use a stat-dropping move, such as Draco Meteor or Superpower. Keep in mind that if Gastrodon's partner uses a non-spread Water-type move, Gastrodon will redirect it too!
Team Options
========
Gastrodon's biggest threat is any Grass-type Pokemon or move. Great Pokemon to pair with Gastrodon to threaten Grass-types like Amoonguss or Breloom are Fire-types like Heatran or Blaziken, a Flying-type like Talonflame, or an Ice-type like Kyurem-B. Putting Safety Goggles on Heatran makes it an even better Gastrodon partner, since this allows Heatran to switch into Spores from Amoonguss and Breloom. Even with all of the EVs invested into its physical bulk, Gastrodon could still use help in that area, especially due to the ever-present Mega Kangaskhan. An Intimidate Pokemon, such as Landorus-T or Scrafty, can be a big help. Gastrodon can also use Recover more often if it is taking less damage from physical attackers. Gastrodon is a great partner for Pokemon weak to Water-type attacks, such as Mega Diancie, Landorus-T, and Talonflame. This is also important on the offensive end — if Gastrodon's teammates aren't going to lure Water-type attacks, Gastrodon can't get Storm Drain boosts. Gastrodon handles Electric-types extremely well, so Pokemon that benefit from this, such as Talonflame and Gyarados, fit well with it.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Clear Smog is an optional move to run if the team Gastrodon is on seems weak to setup Pokemon, such as Power-Up Punch Mega Kangaskhan, Quiver Dance Volcarona, and Belly Drum Azumarill. Muddy Water is an optional spread attack for Gastrodon; however, this move is weak without a boost from Storm Drain, so it is usually better to stick with Scald. Counter and Mirror Coat make good use of Gastrodon's bulk by allowing it to take an attack and send it back at the user, but by using these moves Gastrodon will have to drop a move that will usually be better because three damaging attacks are far less situational. Blizzard can be used over Ice Beam if Gastrodon is paired with Mega Abomasnow, but the power drop here is definitely noticeable. Icy Wind is another alternative to Ice Beam that provides speed control for Gastrodon's partners, but it removes Gastrodon's ability to deal big damage with its Ice-type attack.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-type Pokemon**: Grass-type Pokemon, such as Amoonguss and Breloom, will cause a lot of trouble for Gastrodon, as they resist both of its STAB attacks, and Gastrodon is 4x weak to Grass-type attacks, so even defensive Pokemon like Amoonguss will be able to do significant damage to Gastrodon with their STAB moves.
**Strong Attackers**: Gastrodon is dreadfully slow, with only a base 39 Speed, and as such it will usually be taking damage before moving. When this is combined with its average Defense, Gastrodon severely struggles with strong physical attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan.
**Sun Teams**: Opposing sun teams can be a big threat to Gastrodon, as the sun weakens Gastrodon's STAB water moves and Gastrodon will easily be KOed by a Grass-type move from Mega Charizard Y or Venusaur, the two staple Pokemon on traditional sun teams.
Gastrodon's good typing and bulk, combined with its decent movepool, allow it to be a niche check to some extremely common Pokemon in the Doubles OU metagame, including Landorus-T, Heatran, and Thundurus. Its ability Storm Drain allows Gastrodon to check rain teams and help teammates that are weak to Water-type moves avoid damage. Gastrodon's access to recovery plus its coverage movepool allow it to stay on the field many turns and deal damage to a wide variety of common threats. However, Gastrodon's very low Speed stat means it will always be moving last, and with its poor Special Attack stat, it doesn't really thrive in Trick Room; additionally, Gastrodon often relies on boosts from Storm Drain to be a real offensive threat. This lack of speed and power means that Gastrodon is threatened by strong physical attackers, such as Mega Kangaskhan, when it cannot burn them with Scald. Gastrodon also faces competition from many other Water-types, such as Swampert, which has similar typing, movepool and access to Wide Guard, and Suicune, which is bulkier and can provide speed control. Similarly, Gastrodon has to compete with other common checks to rain teams, such as Kyurem-B and Ferrothorn, which are better Pokemon overall and notably not weak to Grass-type moves from Ludicolo.
[SET]
name: Recover + 3 Attacks
move 1: Scald
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Recover / Protect
item: Sitrus Berry / Expert Belt
ability: Storm Drain
nature: Quiet
evs: 232 HP / 176 Def / 48 SpA / 52 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is Gastrodon's most reliable Water-type STAB move, hitting Fire-types like Talonflame, Volcarona, and Rotom-H. Not only does Scald provide decent power in a STAB attack, its 30% chance to burn can be a big help when facing physical attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan. Earth Power is Gastrodon's second STAB move, and it hits Rock-types like Mega Diancie, Steel-types like Heatran and Aegislash, and the Water-immune Fire-type Volcanion. Ice Beam provides great coverage on Grass-types such as Amoonguss and Dragon-types such as Latios and Hydreigon, which would otherwise wall Gastrodon, as well as Flying-types like Landorus and Thundurus. Recover allows Gastrodon to restore its health and stay on the field longer than other Pokemon typically would, which can be vital in late-game situations or when taking opportunities of free turns. Alternatively, Protect allows Gastrodon to avoid damage entirely for the turn while its partner handles a threat and scout out an opposing moveset.
Set Details
========
232 HP and 176 Defense EVs let Gastrodon take two Brave Birds from Adamant Life Orb Talonflame, which means Gastrodon can switch in on and defeat it one-on-one. The 52 Special Defense EVs, paired with the given HP EVs, give Gastrodon the ability to survive a Psycho Boost from Deoxys-A. The remaining 48 EVs go into Special Attack to allow Gastrodon to OHKO Salamence and Landorus-T with Ice Beam. A Quiet nature allows Gastrodon to be slower than Aegislash and OHKO it with Earth Power while it is in its Blade forme. This will also allow Gastrodon to outspeed opposing Pokemon on Trick Room teams. Sitrus Berry provides instant recovery of 25% of Gastrodon's health, which helps against double targets and against Mega Kangaskhan due to Parental Bond. Expert Belt allows Gastrodon to do more damage against targets that are hit super effectively, which works well in conjunction with its expansive movepool, and pick up notable OHKOs against foes such as Mega Diancie with Earth Power.
Usage Tips
========
Gastrodon's ability redirects all Water-type attacks to itself, so it is a great check to rain teams and helps Water weak teammates avoid taking damage, which can put foes in tough spots. Gastrodon shines by redirecting Water-type attacks and gaining Special Attack boosts, so luring a Water-type attack from your opponent with a Pokemon weak to Water and then switching in Gastrodon is a prime way to use this Pokemon. Gastrodon's bulk and typing give it the opportunity to switch in on many common Pokemon, such as Thundurus, Heatran, and Volcanion, as it will take very little damage from their attacks, and threaten them in return. Recover is great to take advantage of turns where the opponent may double Protect, not target Gastrodon, or use a stat-dropping move, such as Draco Meteor or Superpower. Keep in mind that if Gastrodon's partner uses a non-spread Water-type move, Gastrodon will redirect it too!
Team Options
========
Gastrodon's biggest threat is any Grass-type Pokemon or move. Great Pokemon to pair with Gastrodon to threaten Grass-types like Amoonguss or Breloom are Fire-types like Heatran or Blaziken, a Flying-type like Talonflame, or an Ice-type like Kyurem-B. Putting Safety Goggles on Heatran makes it an even better Gastrodon partner, since this allows Heatran to switch into Spores from Amoonguss and Breloom. Even with all of the EVs invested into its physical bulk, Gastrodon could still use help in that area, especially due to the ever-present Mega Kangaskhan. An Intimidate Pokemon, such as Landorus-T or Scrafty, can be a big help. Gastrodon can also use Recover more often if it is taking less damage from physical attackers. Gastrodon is a great partner for Pokemon weak to Water-type attacks, such as Mega Diancie, Landorus-T, and Talonflame. This is also important on the offensive end — if Gastrodon's teammates aren't going to lure Water-type attacks, Gastrodon can't get Storm Drain boosts. Gastrodon handles Electric-types extremely well, so Pokemon that benefit from this, such as Talonflame and Gyarados, fit well with it.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Clear Smog is an optional move to run if the team Gastrodon is on seems weak to setup Pokemon, such as Power-Up Punch Mega Kangaskhan, Quiver Dance Volcarona, and Belly Drum Azumarill. Muddy Water is an optional spread attack for Gastrodon; however, this move is weak without a boost from Storm Drain, so it is usually better to stick with Scald. Counter and Mirror Coat make good use of Gastrodon's bulk by allowing it to take an attack and send it back at the user, but by using these moves Gastrodon will have to drop a move that will usually be better because three damaging attacks are far less situational. Blizzard can be used over Ice Beam if Gastrodon is paired with Mega Abomasnow, but the power drop here is definitely noticeable. Icy Wind is another alternative to Ice Beam that provides speed control for Gastrodon's partners, but it removes Gastrodon's ability to deal big damage with its Ice-type attack.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-type Pokemon**: Grass-type Pokemon, such as Amoonguss and Breloom, will cause a lot of trouble for Gastrodon, as they resist both of its STAB attacks, and Gastrodon is 4x weak to Grass-type attacks, so even defensive Pokemon like Amoonguss will be able to do significant damage to Gastrodon with their STAB moves.
**Strong Attackers**: Gastrodon is dreadfully slow, with only a base 39 Speed, and as such it will usually be taking damage before moving. When this is combined with its average Defense, Gastrodon severely struggles with strong physical attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan.
**Sun Teams**: Opposing sun teams can be a big threat to Gastrodon, as the sun weakens Gastrodon's STAB water moves and Gastrodon will easily be KOed by a Grass-type move from Mega Charizard Y or Venusaur, the two staple Pokemon on traditional sun teams.
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