alexwolf let me take this over; credit to him for the skeleton. Original thread
Writing this up right now, just wanted to get the thread up.
Gengar
[Overview]
<p>Gengar is one of only two Pokemon to have been OU since RBY, and there are good reasons for that: It has great Special Attack and Speed stats, flawless two-move coverage, and three immunities to Ground, Normal, and Fighting, which are all qualities that make Gengar the best offensive spinblocker in OU. Thanks to its immunities to Ground and Fighting, Gengar can find many switch-in opportunities despite its frailty. In addition, Its unique Ghost / Poison typing in conjunction with Levitate give it all the tools it needs to check Fighting- and Ground-type Pokemon, such as Terrakion, Breloom, and Gliscor.</p>
<p>Although Arceus bestowed these wonderful traits upon Gengar, He also cursed Gengar with several major downsides. Gengar's defenses are akin to those of a wet paper towel, so if you bring it in on the wrong move, it's toast. Shadow Ball has a measly 80 Base Power, so Gengar often doesn't do enough damage despite its 130 base Special Attack and flawless coverage. As the final nail in the coffin, Gengar's typing is a double-edged sword; while it allows it to check common Fighting- and Ground-type Pokemon with ease, it also leaves it extremely susceptible to Pursuit, prone to being trapped by Pokemon such as Scizor and Tyranitar. However, be rest assured that Gengar's strengths mean it will not be leaving the OU tier any time soon.</p>
[SET]
name: Substitute Attacker
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Will-O-Wisp / Pain Split / Disable
item: Black Sludge / Life Orb
nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>As Shadow Ball and Focus Blast grant Gengar perfect neutral coverage, Gengar can use Substitute to its advantage in many ways. By using Substitute, Gengar gains protection from Pokemon such as Jirachi, Scizor, and Choice Scarf Tyranitar, some of its most common switch-ins. Meanwhile, behind the Substitute, Gengar can cripple these common switch-ins, as well as others, such as specially defensive Hippowdon, which is otherwise a great defensive answer to Gengar.</p>
<p>Gengar also makes for a fantastic user of the combination of Substitute, Pain Split, and Life Orb. Once Gengar gets low on HP due to Substitute and Life Orb, it can simply use Pain Split to simultaneously recover its health while damaging the opponent. In addition, Pain Split allows Gengar to easily stall out Chansey and Blissey, which can otherwise stall Gengar out in return with little trouble.</p>
<p>One other trick that Gengar can pull off with Substitute is with Disable. Some dangerous Pokemon such as Terrakion, Conkeldurr, and specially defensive Jirachi have just one move on their movesets to threaten Gengar with. Against such Pokemon, Gengar can simply go for Substitute as they use their only attacking move, which Gengar can promptly Disable, granting Gengar an opportunity for a free Substitute as these Pokemon switch out.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>This should go without saying, but Black Sludge should be used with Will-O-Wisp and Disable, while Life Orb should be used with Pain Split. As Gengar is the best offensive spinblocker, it is an excellent choice for heavy offense teams that want a spinblocker. Gengar can also use a third attack; Hidden Power Ice, Hidden Power Fire, Thunderbolt, and Thunder are all options to cover important threats such as Dragonite, Scizor, and Gyarados. Should Gengar be running Disable, Toxic Spikes can be considered, as they can wear the foe down while Gengar uses Substitute and Disable. You should also have your own entry hazards in order to take advantage of Gengar's spinblocking; Ferrothorn and Heatran do this well, as they lure Fighting- and Ground-type attacks, which Gengar can switch into. Because Gengar cannot prevent Starmie from spinning entry hazards, Weavile, Choice Scarf Scizor, and Choice Scarf Tyranitar make for good teammates, as they can trap it.</p>
</p>Gengar's teammates are largely dependent on what it runs in the last slot. If Gengar chooses to use Will-O-Wisp, then Pokemon such as Terrakion, Latios, and Latias make for good partners, as they appreciate having Scizor, specially defensive Jirachi, and specially defensive Hippowdon crippled. If Gengar runs Pain Split, it will likely be weakening special walls such as Blissey and Chansey that enjoy switching in on it. Special sweepers such as Thundurus-T and Volcarona will enjoy having these Pokemon eliminated or severely weakened, as this makes it easier for them to sweep. Finally, Gengar using Disable is more of a glue Pokemon; as such, it does not need any specific teammates.</p>
[SET]
name: Destiny Bond
move 1: Destiny Bond
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ice / Taunt
item: Life Orb / Focus Sash / Expert Belt
nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Gengar can also take a completely different approach; by running Destiny Bond, Gengar can apply the most offensive presence it can offensive pressure before it goes down, punching holes in the opposing team and using Destiny Bond to take down one last Pokemon before it goes down itself. Shadow Ball and Focus Blast make their way onto this set, already granting Gengar perfect coverage. For the last, Hidden Power Fire can be used to OHKO Scizor, which often scares Gengar out, and OHKOes Forretress, should Sturdy have been broken. In addition, Hidden Power Fire gets a hit on Ferrothorn without having to rely on Focus Blast's shaky accuracy. In conjunction with Focus Sash, Gengar can also check Venusaur, which otherwise threatens offensive teams considerably. Hidden Power Ice is another option, handling Garchomp, Dragonite, and Landorus-T, which could otherwise take a hit and either set up on Gengar or simply OHKO it back. Finally, Taunt allows Gengar to prevent setup moves and also ease prediction with Destiny Bond.</p>
<p>Destiny Bond is the key to this set's success. It allows Gengar to deal with Pokemon that wall it, such as Jirachi and Tentacruel. As such, it doubles as both a wallbreaking and a spinblocking tool. In addition, when Gengar is weakened and about to go down, it can take down slower offensive Pokemon such as Garchomp and Tyranitar, allowing it to punch further holes in the opponent's team.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Thunder is an option on this set, as it gives Gengar an option to beat Tentacruel without having to go for Destiny Bond. However, outside of rain, the extent of Thunder's usefulness plummets. Icy Wind can be used to slow down switch-ins, which eases prediction on your end. Will-O-Wisp can cripple the likes of Scizor and Tyranitar, but it is nowhere near as effective as this set does not run Substitute.</p>
<p>Hazard leads such as Custap Berry Skarmory are good partners, as they will appreciate having Gengar to spinblock. Should Gengar be running Focus Sash, you will need Rapid Spin or Magic Bounce support in order to ensure hazards are not up on your side. Weavile, Choice Scarf Tyranitar, and Choice Scarf Scizor are good teammates to deal with Starmie, a spinner that Gengar cannot spinblock effectively. As this set is able to keep hazards on the field, sweepers such as Lucario and Terrakion that can take advantage of this are great teammates.</p>
Writing this up right now, just wanted to get the thread up.
[Overview]
<p>Gengar is one of only two Pokemon to have been OU since RBY, and there are good reasons for that: It has great Special Attack and Speed stats, flawless two-move coverage, and three immunities to Ground, Normal, and Fighting, which are all qualities that make Gengar the best offensive spinblocker in OU. Thanks to its immunities to Ground and Fighting, Gengar can find many switch-in opportunities despite its frailty. In addition, Its unique Ghost / Poison typing in conjunction with Levitate give it all the tools it needs to check Fighting- and Ground-type Pokemon, such as Terrakion, Breloom, and Gliscor.</p>
<p>Although Arceus bestowed these wonderful traits upon Gengar, He also cursed Gengar with several major downsides. Gengar's defenses are akin to those of a wet paper towel, so if you bring it in on the wrong move, it's toast. Shadow Ball has a measly 80 Base Power, so Gengar often doesn't do enough damage despite its 130 base Special Attack and flawless coverage. As the final nail in the coffin, Gengar's typing is a double-edged sword; while it allows it to check common Fighting- and Ground-type Pokemon with ease, it also leaves it extremely susceptible to Pursuit, prone to being trapped by Pokemon such as Scizor and Tyranitar. However, be rest assured that Gengar's strengths mean it will not be leaving the OU tier any time soon.</p>
[SET]
name: Substitute Attacker
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Will-O-Wisp / Pain Split / Disable
item: Black Sludge / Life Orb
nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>As Shadow Ball and Focus Blast grant Gengar perfect neutral coverage, Gengar can use Substitute to its advantage in many ways. By using Substitute, Gengar gains protection from Pokemon such as Jirachi, Scizor, and Choice Scarf Tyranitar, some of its most common switch-ins. Meanwhile, behind the Substitute, Gengar can cripple these common switch-ins, as well as others, such as specially defensive Hippowdon, which is otherwise a great defensive answer to Gengar.</p>
<p>Gengar also makes for a fantastic user of the combination of Substitute, Pain Split, and Life Orb. Once Gengar gets low on HP due to Substitute and Life Orb, it can simply use Pain Split to simultaneously recover its health while damaging the opponent. In addition, Pain Split allows Gengar to easily stall out Chansey and Blissey, which can otherwise stall Gengar out in return with little trouble.</p>
<p>One other trick that Gengar can pull off with Substitute is with Disable. Some dangerous Pokemon such as Terrakion, Conkeldurr, and specially defensive Jirachi have just one move on their movesets to threaten Gengar with. Against such Pokemon, Gengar can simply go for Substitute as they use their only attacking move, which Gengar can promptly Disable, granting Gengar an opportunity for a free Substitute as these Pokemon switch out.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>This should go without saying, but Black Sludge should be used with Will-O-Wisp and Disable, while Life Orb should be used with Pain Split. As Gengar is the best offensive spinblocker, it is an excellent choice for heavy offense teams that want a spinblocker. Gengar can also use a third attack; Hidden Power Ice, Hidden Power Fire, Thunderbolt, and Thunder are all options to cover important threats such as Dragonite, Scizor, and Gyarados. Should Gengar be running Disable, Toxic Spikes can be considered, as they can wear the foe down while Gengar uses Substitute and Disable. You should also have your own entry hazards in order to take advantage of Gengar's spinblocking; Ferrothorn and Heatran do this well, as they lure Fighting- and Ground-type attacks, which Gengar can switch into. Because Gengar cannot prevent Starmie from spinning entry hazards, Weavile, Choice Scarf Scizor, and Choice Scarf Tyranitar make for good teammates, as they can trap it.</p>
</p>Gengar's teammates are largely dependent on what it runs in the last slot. If Gengar chooses to use Will-O-Wisp, then Pokemon such as Terrakion, Latios, and Latias make for good partners, as they appreciate having Scizor, specially defensive Jirachi, and specially defensive Hippowdon crippled. If Gengar runs Pain Split, it will likely be weakening special walls such as Blissey and Chansey that enjoy switching in on it. Special sweepers such as Thundurus-T and Volcarona will enjoy having these Pokemon eliminated or severely weakened, as this makes it easier for them to sweep. Finally, Gengar using Disable is more of a glue Pokemon; as such, it does not need any specific teammates.</p>
[SET]
name: Destiny Bond
move 1: Destiny Bond
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ice / Taunt
item: Life Orb / Focus Sash / Expert Belt
nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Gengar can also take a completely different approach; by running Destiny Bond, Gengar can apply the most offensive presence it can offensive pressure before it goes down, punching holes in the opposing team and using Destiny Bond to take down one last Pokemon before it goes down itself. Shadow Ball and Focus Blast make their way onto this set, already granting Gengar perfect coverage. For the last, Hidden Power Fire can be used to OHKO Scizor, which often scares Gengar out, and OHKOes Forretress, should Sturdy have been broken. In addition, Hidden Power Fire gets a hit on Ferrothorn without having to rely on Focus Blast's shaky accuracy. In conjunction with Focus Sash, Gengar can also check Venusaur, which otherwise threatens offensive teams considerably. Hidden Power Ice is another option, handling Garchomp, Dragonite, and Landorus-T, which could otherwise take a hit and either set up on Gengar or simply OHKO it back. Finally, Taunt allows Gengar to prevent setup moves and also ease prediction with Destiny Bond.</p>
<p>Destiny Bond is the key to this set's success. It allows Gengar to deal with Pokemon that wall it, such as Jirachi and Tentacruel. As such, it doubles as both a wallbreaking and a spinblocking tool. In addition, when Gengar is weakened and about to go down, it can take down slower offensive Pokemon such as Garchomp and Tyranitar, allowing it to punch further holes in the opponent's team.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Thunder is an option on this set, as it gives Gengar an option to beat Tentacruel without having to go for Destiny Bond. However, outside of rain, the extent of Thunder's usefulness plummets. Icy Wind can be used to slow down switch-ins, which eases prediction on your end. Will-O-Wisp can cripple the likes of Scizor and Tyranitar, but it is nowhere near as effective as this set does not run Substitute.</p>
<p>Hazard leads such as Custap Berry Skarmory are good partners, as they will appreciate having Gengar to spinblock. Should Gengar be running Focus Sash, you will need Rapid Spin or Magic Bounce support in order to ensure hazards are not up on your side. Weavile, Choice Scarf Tyranitar, and Choice Scarf Scizor are good teammates to deal with Starmie, a spinner that Gengar cannot spinblock effectively. As this set is able to keep hazards on the field, sweepers such as Lucario and Terrakion that can take advantage of this are great teammates.</p>
[Overview]
- Great Special Attack, Speed, and perfect neutral coverage with just two moves
- Best offensive spinblocker in OU
- Two very useful immunities in Ground and Figthing moves provide a decent number of switch-in chances
- Thanks to its typing it can also check many Fighting and Ground Pokemon such as Terrakion, Breloom, and Gliscor
- Very frail and will usually be KOed if brought in against the wrong move
- Although it has an excellent SpA stat and excellent neutral coverage with just two moves, it struggles to do significant damage to Pokemon neutral to Shadow Ball and Focus Blast, due to the low BP of Shadow Ball
- Susceptible to Pursuit
[SET]
name: Substitute Attacker
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Will-O-Wisp / Pain Split / Disable
item: Black Sludge / Life Orb
nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
- Thanks to the perfect neutral coverage granted by Shadow Ball + Focus Blast Gengar can take advantage of Substitute in many unique ways
- Substitute protects Gengar from its common switch-ins such as Jirachi, Scizor, and Scarf Tyranitar
- WoW cripples the above common switch-ins as well as SpD Hippowdon, one of the best defensive answers to Gengar
- Pain Split + Sub + LO make for a great combo. After Gengar gets on low life and behind the safety of Sub, it can heal a great deal of damage back with Pain Split while damaging the opponent. By spamming Pain Split Gengar can also defeats Chansey and Bliseey, Pokemon that could otherwise stall it out
- Sub + Disable takes advantage of Gengar's immunities to the half of common attacking combos such as Ground + Rock and Fighting + Rock to allow Gengar to check dangerous Pokemon such as Terrakion, Conkeludrr, SpD Jirachi, and SubSD Garchomp. Once Gengar gets in against those therats safely it can setup a sub as the opponent hits with the only move in their moveset that can threaten Gengar and the next turn Gengar can Disable this move and setup a Sub as the opponent switches out helpless
- Black Sludge should be used with WoW and Disable while Life Orb with Pain Split
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
- If you want you can use Sub +3 attacks as HP Ice, HP Fire, Thudnerbolt, and Thunder are all choices that cover certain important threats.
- T-Spikes help a lot if Gengar is running Disable as they can wear down the foe pretty quick while Gengar stalls for turns with Sub + Disable
- Your own hazards to take advantage of Gengar's spinblocking abilities and help it get more KOes. Ferrothorn and Heatran are great partners for this job as they have good defensive synergy with Gengar, luring Ground and Fighting attacks for Gengar to switch into
- SubWisp lures and cripples Scizor, Jirachi, and SpD Hippowdon, so sweepers that can take advantage of this are good teammates.
- SubSplit weakens many walls that like to switch into Gengar to the point that a teammate can get past them easily so once again use teammates to exploit this.
- SubDisable is more of a supporter and a glue Pokemon than anything else so it doesn't really need any specific teammate
- Good on HO teams
- ScarfZor, ScarfTar, and Weavile because FUCK STARMIE
[SET]
name: Destiny Bond
move 1: Destiny Bond
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ice / Taunt
item: Life Orb / Focus Sash / Expert Belt
nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
- Designed to apply as much offensive presence as possible before going down, punching holes in the opposing team and surprising the opponent with Destiny Bond
- Shadow Ball + FB are standard
- Hidden Power Fire KOes Scizor, which usually scares Scizor out and also KOes Forretress if Sturdy has been broken. It also deals with Ferrothorn without the need to rely on 70% accuracy. HP Fire is also useful with Focus Sash to act as a check to Venusaur, usually a big threat to HO teams. Even without Focus Sash it still prevents Venusaur from setting up on it
- Hidden Power Ice deals with Garchomp, Dragonite, Thundurus-T, and Landorus-T, Pokemon that could otherwise take a hit from Gengar and either setup or OHKO back
- Taunt is an option to not let anything slower than Gengar setup on it and also works very nice in conjunction with Destiny Bond
- Destiny Bond helps Gengar deal with any Pokemon that walls it, such as Jirachi and Tentacruel in rain, doubling as both a wallbreaking and spinblocking tool.
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
- Thunder
- Icy Wind
- WoW
- Hazard leads
- Anti-hazard support if Focus Sash is used
- Weavile, Scarf Tyranitar, or Scarf Scizor to deal with Starmie
- Sweepers to take advantage of the hazards
- Great Special Attack, Speed, and perfect neutral coverage with just two moves
- Best offensive spinblocker in OU
- Two very useful immunities in Ground and Figthing moves provide a decent number of switch-in chances
- Thanks to its typing it can also check many Fighting and Ground Pokemon such as Terrakion, Breloom, and Gliscor
- Very frail and will usually be KOed if brought in against the wrong move
- Although it has an excellent SpA stat and excellent neutral coverage with just two moves, it struggles to do significant damage to Pokemon neutral to Shadow Ball and Focus Blast, due to the low BP of Shadow Ball
- Susceptible to Pursuit
[SET]
name: Substitute Attacker
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Will-O-Wisp / Pain Split / Disable
item: Black Sludge / Life Orb
nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
- Thanks to the perfect neutral coverage granted by Shadow Ball + Focus Blast Gengar can take advantage of Substitute in many unique ways
- Substitute protects Gengar from its common switch-ins such as Jirachi, Scizor, and Scarf Tyranitar
- WoW cripples the above common switch-ins as well as SpD Hippowdon, one of the best defensive answers to Gengar
- Pain Split + Sub + LO make for a great combo. After Gengar gets on low life and behind the safety of Sub, it can heal a great deal of damage back with Pain Split while damaging the opponent. By spamming Pain Split Gengar can also defeats Chansey and Bliseey, Pokemon that could otherwise stall it out
- Sub + Disable takes advantage of Gengar's immunities to the half of common attacking combos such as Ground + Rock and Fighting + Rock to allow Gengar to check dangerous Pokemon such as Terrakion, Conkeludrr, SpD Jirachi, and SubSD Garchomp. Once Gengar gets in against those therats safely it can setup a sub as the opponent hits with the only move in their moveset that can threaten Gengar and the next turn Gengar can Disable this move and setup a Sub as the opponent switches out helpless
- Black Sludge should be used with WoW and Disable while Life Orb with Pain Split
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
- If you want you can use Sub +3 attacks as HP Ice, HP Fire, Thudnerbolt, and Thunder are all choices that cover certain important threats.
- T-Spikes help a lot if Gengar is running Disable as they can wear down the foe pretty quick while Gengar stalls for turns with Sub + Disable
- Your own hazards to take advantage of Gengar's spinblocking abilities and help it get more KOes. Ferrothorn and Heatran are great partners for this job as they have good defensive synergy with Gengar, luring Ground and Fighting attacks for Gengar to switch into
- SubWisp lures and cripples Scizor, Jirachi, and SpD Hippowdon, so sweepers that can take advantage of this are good teammates.
- SubSplit weakens many walls that like to switch into Gengar to the point that a teammate can get past them easily so once again use teammates to exploit this.
- SubDisable is more of a supporter and a glue Pokemon than anything else so it doesn't really need any specific teammate
- Good on HO teams
- ScarfZor, ScarfTar, and Weavile because FUCK STARMIE
[SET]
name: Destiny Bond
move 1: Destiny Bond
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ice / Taunt
item: Life Orb / Focus Sash / Expert Belt
nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
- Designed to apply as much offensive presence as possible before going down, punching holes in the opposing team and surprising the opponent with Destiny Bond
- Shadow Ball + FB are standard
- Hidden Power Fire KOes Scizor, which usually scares Scizor out and also KOes Forretress if Sturdy has been broken. It also deals with Ferrothorn without the need to rely on 70% accuracy. HP Fire is also useful with Focus Sash to act as a check to Venusaur, usually a big threat to HO teams. Even without Focus Sash it still prevents Venusaur from setting up on it
- Hidden Power Ice deals with Garchomp, Dragonite, Thundurus-T, and Landorus-T, Pokemon that could otherwise take a hit from Gengar and either setup or OHKO back
- Taunt is an option to not let anything slower than Gengar setup on it and also works very nice in conjunction with Destiny Bond
- Destiny Bond helps Gengar deal with any Pokemon that walls it, such as Jirachi and Tentacruel in rain, doubling as both a wallbreaking and spinblocking tool.
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
- Thunder
- Icy Wind
- WoW
- Hazard leads
- Anti-hazard support if Focus Sash is used
- Weavile, Scarf Tyranitar, or Scarf Scizor to deal with Starmie
- Sweepers to take advantage of the hazards
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