http://veekun.com/dex/pokemon/gligar
Status: Written, awaiting GPs.
QC Checks: Crux, Elevator Music (Acrobatics QC Approved 2/2 [Heysup, Darkamber8828])
[Overview]
<p>Gligar, the best Little Cup Pokemon at the end of DPP, gained quite a boost this generation with the introduction of Eviolite, and its Dream World ability Immunity. Gligar's offensive sets are a bit more difficult to use now, however, as walls are now bulkier and more threats can deal with an Eviolite-less Gligar. However, Gligar is still a fantastic Pokemon and should be one of the first Pokemon considered for a team, as few others can outmatch it when it comes to supporting the team and walling physical threats.</p>
[SET]
name: Toxic Staller
move 1: Toxic
move 2: Roost
move 3: Taunt / Substitute
move 4: Aerial Ace / Earthquake
item: Eviolite
ability: Sand Veil
nature: Jolly
evs: 76 HP / 76 Def / 76 SpD / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is a potent stallbreaker, capable of dealing with many walls. Toxic is Gligar's main form of damage, often forcing the opponent out in order to avoid mounting poison damage. Roost keeps Gligar alive and stinging, as well as allowing it to outstall poisoned opponents. Taunt stops set up moves, as well as preventing status moves from being used, and also allows Gligar to stop phasers. Substitute can also block status moves, in addition to weak attacks. Aerial Ace gives Gligar a reilable way to deal with Scraggy and Timburr, both of whom do not mind being poisoned due to their respective abilities. Earthquake is Gligar's strongest offensive move and prevents it from being made entirely useless when Taunted. Earthquake is also an option, since it is Gligar's strongest move.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Eviolite bolsters Gligar's already impressive defenses and allows it to take hits more easily, allowing it to stall out more threats. A Jolly nature and maximum Speed make Gligar as quick as possible. 76 EVs are placed in both defenses to gain an extra point in each from Eviolite, and the rest are placed in HP. Sand Veil is the preferred ability, since a miss can gain Gligar an extra turn of poison damage against its opponent. Baton Pass can be used to pass Substitutes and scout the opponent's sets.</p>
<p>This set absolutely loves Toxic Spikes, since they make its job much easier. Tentacool is the best partner with access to Toxic Spikes, since the two resist most of each other's resistances. In addition, Gligar is physically bulky while Tentacool is specially bulky, allowing a broader range of attackers to be checked. Ferroseed also makes an excellent partner, since deadly poison and Spikes make a trap of sorts, since the opponent can't switch out for fear of Spikes damage, but at the same time can't stay in because of increasing poison damage. Magnemite can trap and kill Bronzor and Ferroseed, both of whom cause problems for this set. Pokemon with Immunity or Shed Skin also cause problems, such as Scraggy and other Gligar. Choice Scarf Mienfoo can kill Scraggy and Gligar with Hi Jump Kick and Hidden Power Ice, respectively, while also serving as a revenge killer and scout.</p>
[SET]
name: Acrobatics
move 1: Acrobatics
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Swords Dance
move 4: Agility / Roost / Substitute
item: Flight Gem
ability: Immunity / Sand Veil
nature: Jolly
evs: 236 Atk / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set provides a more offensive check to Fighting-types, since none of them like taking a Base 110 super effective STAB move to the face. Pokemon that would normally be able to take an Aerial Ace and deal crippling damage back with Ice Punch, such as Meditite or Scraggy, are OHKOed by Acrobatics. Earthquake is also a powerful move in its own right, and is used for coverage. Swords Dance makes Gligar quite deadly, and very few Pokemon can survive a +2 Flight Gem-boosted Acrobatics. The last move is mainly filler. Agility allows Gligar to get around Choice Scarfers trying to revenge kill it, and also can be used when Carvanha attempts to gain a Speed boost with Protect, giving Gligar the upper hand. Roost can be used to restore health, but it comes at the cost of Immunity. Lastly, Substitute blocks status and can be used to take advantage of a Chinchou or Magnemite attempting to switch in and sponge an Acrobatics.
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Flight Gem is crucial for the set, since it allows Gligar to use a full power Acrobatics at any moments, and also gives an impressive boost to the initial strike. Ground Gem is also an option for boosting Gligar's Earthquake, but it decreases the reliability of Acrobatics. Alternatively, Oran Berry can be used to increase Gligar's longevity while still giving an opportunity for a full powered Acrobatics. A Jolly nature and 236 EVs put Gligar at 19 Speed, a crucial benchmark. The rest are dumped into Attack. Taunt is an option for shutting down walls that attempt to heal off damage, and also stops most attempts at phazing. Stealth Rock is useful for any team and is an option if none of the above choices for the fourth slot are appealing. Baton Pass can give a switch-in a boost, and can also be used for early-game scouting.</p>
<p>Offensive teams that need a reliable Fighting-type check love Acrobatics Gligar. However, Gligar can't deal with a Scraggy that has already obtained a Dragon Dance boost, so it needs a teammate that can do that, such as Eviolite Mienfoo. It also has trouble breaking through bulkier walls, like Slowpoke. Houndour can place Slowpoke in a very unpleasant scenario, and if played correctly can remove it from the game. Choice Scarf Pokemon and Snover revenge kill Gligar easily, so Wynaut can be used to remove them. Gligar can also lose out to other Pokemon with 19 Speed if it loses the Speed tie, so Pokemon that can revenge kill other 19 Speed Pokemon help.</p>
[SET]
name: Bulky Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Aerial Ace / Acrobatics
move 4: Roost / Taunt
item: Eviolite / Oran Berry
ability: Hyper Cutter / Sand Veil
nature: Jolly
evs: 156 Atk / 76 Def / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is Gligar's most viable offensive set, since it can easily sweep an unprepared offensive team, while still threatening stall teams. Swords Dance raises Gligar's attack to an impressive 32, allowing it to threaten many Pokemon. Earthquake is Gligar's strongest consistent STAB move, while Aerial Ace allows it to take on Fighting-types. If Oran Berry is being used, Acrobatics becomes the preferred option as it is only slightly weaker than Aerial Ace before the Berry is consumed, and far stronger afterwards. Lastly, Roost allows Gligar to stay around for quite some time and attempt to boost more than once. If Oran Berry is being used, Taunt is an alternative for shutting down most phasers and giving more opportunities to set up. In this case Immunity is the preferred ability as it prevents Gligar from being crippled Toxic, which many walls use in order to cripple sweepers.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Eviolite is the preferred item as it significantly increases Gligar's bulk, and should almost always be used over Oran Berry, unless Gligar is using Acrobatics or foregoing Roost. Maximum Speed and a Jolly nature allow Gligar to get a jump on most of the metagame, in addition to tying with other 19 Speed Pokemon. 76 EVs are placed in Defense in order to allow Gligar to take physical hits slightly better, thanks to the free point Eviolite grants. The rest are dumped into Attack, making Gligar as threatening as possible. Aqua Tail or Night Slash can be used over Roost in order to deal with Misdreavus and Hippopotas more easily, respectively. However, it should be noted that STAB Acrobatics does more damage than a super effective Night Slash to Misdreavus. Stone Edge is also an option for dealing with Cotton Guard Swablu. Return can be used over Aerial Ace as it deals more damage, but this leaves Gligar walled by Ghost-types with Levitate, including the extremely threatening Misdreavus. An attacking move or Roost can also be exchanged for Toxic, allowing Gligar to cripple bothersome physical walls.</p>
<p>Scraggy forms a potent offensive core with Gligar thanks to its ability to lure Fighting-types, giving Gligar an easy opportunity to use Swords Dance. Likewise Scraggy can shrug off weak Ice Beams and Hidden Power Ice with little trouble and later heal off the damage with Drain Punch. Gligar also appreciates entry hazard support, which Ferroseed can provide. Additionally, Ferroseed can lure in Fighting-types for Gligar to switch into and carries a useful resistance to Water-type attacks. Snover troubles this set substantially, so it is recommended that a Pokemon that can threaten it, such as Ponyta or Pawniard, be paired with Gligar.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Roost
move 4: Taunt / U-turn / Toxic
item: Eviolite
ability: Sand Veil
nature: Impish
evs: 236 HP / 236 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set focuses on taking advantage of Gligar's typing and stats in order to set up Stealth Rock. Earthquake is Gligar's strongest move and as a result takes the second slot. Roost increases Gligar's longevity and allows it to wall physical threats that can't use Attack boosting moves. For the last slot Taunt is preferred since it prevents anything from setting up on Gligar. U-turn is a viable alternative, though, since it can be used to scout an opponent's playstyle while also racking up Stealth Rock damage by forcing switches. Toxic can also be used to cripple walls or tanks, or to put sweepers on a timer.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Eviolite is the preferred item because it raises Gligar's defensive stats to very high levels, and because this set carries Roost, Oran Berry should not be considered. A spread of 236 HP / 236 Def with an Impish nature is allows Gligar to wall physical threats such as Meditite more effecitvely. An alternative spread of 76 HP / 76 Def / 76 SpD / 236 Spe can be used with a Jolly nature to outspeed more threats. Sand Veil is the preferred ability as a 20% chance to dodge an attack while sand is up never hurts. Immunity is illegal with Roost, but if Roost is dropped in favor of another support move it is the superior choice. Aerial Ace can be used to 2HKO Meditite at worst, but does not deter Scraggy or Timburr from setting up on Gligar if Taunt is not being used. Knock Off can remove Eviolites from walls, making it much easier to break through them.</p>
<p>Any Pokemon that benefits from Stealth Rock pairs well with this set, so most sweepers make good partners. Staryu likes having Stealth Rock in play and can take Ice-type attacks aimed for Gligar, while Gligar is in turn immune to Electric-type attacks. This set also pairs well with bulky Pokemon who can play off of each other's resistances. Gligar pairs well with Frillish for the same reasons as it does with Staryu, in addition to Frillish's ability to block Rapid Spin. The two also pair well due to the fact that Gligar is physically bulky while Frillish is specially bulky.</p>
[SET]
name: Offensive Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Aerial Ace / Stone Edge
move 4: Aqua Tail
item: Life Orb
ability: Sand Veil
nature: Jolly
evs: 236 Atk / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Unlike the other Swords Dance set, this Gligar gives up its bulk and goes all-out offensively. It is perhaps Gligar's deadliest set, capable of ripping holes in teams with its high power and speed. Swords Dance allows Gligar to deal heavy damage to even the bulkiest of physical walls. The strength that Gligar wields after a Swords Dance is astonising. The below calculations give an example of how dangerous a +2 Gligar is.</p>
<ul class="damage_calculation">
<li>+2 Earthquake vs. 220/220 Impish Eviolite Hippopotas: 69.2% - 84.6%</li>
<li>+2 Earthquake vs. 196/236 Bold Eviolite Slowpoke: 64.3% - 78.6%
<li>+2 Earthquake vs. 196/76 Eviolite Lickitung: 67.9% - 85.7%</li>
<li>+2 Earthquake vs. +1 Def 196/76 Eviolite Stone Lickitung: 42.9% - 53.6%</li>
<li>+2 Earthquake vs. 36/36 Eviolite Scraggy: 100%</li>
<li>+2 Aerial Ace vs. +1 Def 236/76 Eviolite Timburr: 74.1% - 96.3%</li>
<li>+2 Aerial Ace vs. 196/36 Eviolite Misdreavus: 52% - 64%</li>
<li>+2 Stone Edge vs. +3 Def 156 HP Eviolite Swablu: 60.9% - 78.3%
<li>+2 Aqua Tail vs. 220/220 Impish Eviolite Hippopotas: 84.6% - 107.7%</li>
</ul>
<p>Earthquake is Gligar's most poweful move, and is a natural choice for this set. Aerial Ace deals with the abundant Fighting-types and can also hurt Pokemon immune to Ground-type moves. Stone Edge is a viable alternative, as it easily decimates Flying-types. Aqua Tail is the last move, as it allows a +2 Attack Gligar to kill a slightly weakened Evolite Hippopotas guaranteed, as well as other Gligar.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Life Orb is the crux of this set as it significantly increases Gligar's power. Attack and Speed are maximized in order to make Gligar as deadly as possible, as well as reaching the crucial 19 Speed tier. As Immunity is illegal with Aqua Tail, Sand Veil is the preferred ability since there are no commonly used Intimidate Pokemon in Little Cup that would make Hyper Cutter worthwile. Return is a stronger move than Aerial Ace, even when accounting for STAB, but the targets it hits over Aerial Ace are usually hit harder by Earthquake.</p>
<p>Pokemon that benefit from having physical walls crippled or weakened greatly appreciate this set. Shellder pairs very well with Gligar, as the two cover most of the other's weaknesses and can break down physical walls together. Scraggy loves having Timburr dead, and provides Gligar a free switch-in on Timburr, although caution should be exercised as Drain Punch 3HKOs Gligar without Eviolite. Gligar, like any offesive Pokemon, greatly appreciates entry hazards. Tentacool can sponge Water- and Ice-type attacks thrown at Gligar and set up Toxic Spikes, while Gligar can nullify any Electric- and Ground-type moves used on Tentacool. Ferroseed can set up Spikes and Stealth Rock while shrugging off Water-type attacks, and lures Fighting-type attacks for Gligar to take advantage of. Wynaut can trap and kill potential revenge killers such as Choice Scarfer Pokemon or Snover.</p>
[SET]
name: Agility
move 1: Agility
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Aqua Tail / Stone Edge
move 4: Roost / Aerial Ace
item: Eviolite / Life Orb
ability: Hyper Cutter
nature: Adamant
evs: 156 HP / 252 Atk / 76 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>After an Agility, Gligar outspeeds the entire metagame, making it a capable cleaner with a Life Orb equipped. However, an Eviolite also makes a fine choice, as Gligar has the bulk to capitalize on it. Earthquake is Gligar's strongest STAB move, and provides exceptional coverage. Aqua Tail allows Gligar to deal considerable damage to other Gligar and Hippopotas, preventing them from hindering its sweep. Stone Edge is also an option, as it hits Misdreavus slightly harder and also handily dispatches Choice Scarf Snover, although caution must be excercised against it, since Ice Shard is still a threat to Gligar. Roost allows Gligar to stay healthy and continue its sweep, but Aerial Ace can also be used to threaten Fighting-types and Snover.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Because this set is meant to clean a team, an Adamant nature and 236 Attack EVs are used in order for Gligar's attacks to hit as hard as possible. 76 Speed EVs allow Gligar to outpace all Choice Scarf users after a Rock Polish, making it difficult to revenge kill. The remaining EVs are placed in HP to make Gligar bulkier overall. Acrobatics can be used with a Flying Gem as a more powerful STAB move than Aerial Ace. Swords Dance can also be used for a double-boosting set, which is very difficult to stop if Gligar can pull off both moves. Night Slash can be used to hit Misdreavus and Gastly harder, but that is the extent of its utility. Return and Double-Edge are powerful, but have redundant coverage alongside Earthquake. Taunt can be used to block phazing, although it can't stop Dragon Tail or Circle Throw from robbing Gligar of its boost. Baton Pass can give something else a chance to sweep, such as Life Orb Meditite, if Gligar should find itself unable to break through a certain wall.</p>
<p>Entry hazard support is extremely important for this set, since Gligar wants as much damage on its opponents before it goes for a sweep. Ferroseed is arguably the best supplier of hazards, and also has decent type synergy with Gligar. Tentacool is also helpful for its ability to provide Toxic Spikes, crippling most walls. Tentacool also pairs well with Gligar, since they cover each other's weaknesses nicely, not only in terms of typing, but also due to their base stats, since Gligar is quite physically bulky while Tentacool is specially bulky. Because Ice Shard Snover is the biggest threat to this set due to its ability to revenge kill Gligar, regardless of its Speed, a teammate that can beat it, such as Houndour or Eviolite Meditite, is recommended.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Aerial Ace
move 3: Stone Edge / Aqua Tail
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Sand Veil / Immunity
nature: Jolly
evs: 236 Atk / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With a Choice Scarf equipped, Gligar can act as a capable revenge killer, outspeeding many Pokemon that rely on weather in order to double their speed through Chlorophyll or Swift Swim. In the latter's case, however, quite a few Swift Swimmers outspeed Gligar even with a Choice Scarf, and can easily OHKO with their rain-boosted STAB Water-type attacks. A Jolly nature is recommended because it allows Gligar to outspeed weather Pokemon that it can't with an Adamant nature. Attack and Speed are maximized in order to revenge kill as reliably as possible. Earthquake is Gligar's strongest move and is naturally used here, although caution should be exercised when using it, since many teams carry Flying-types or Pokemon with Levitate. Aerial Ace is Gligar's next best STAB move, barring Acrobatics, which is weaker while Choice Scarf is being held, and allows it to revenge kill a weakened Dragon Dance Scraggy or Choice Scarf Meditite. Stone Edge can be used to revenge kill Pokemon like Choice Scarf Doduo, while Aqua Tail can smash a weakened opposing Gligar. Keep in mind that it is illegal with Immunity. Lastly, U-turn allows early-game scouting of the opponent's playstyle, and can also be used to rack up entry hazard damage if they are being used with Gligar.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>An Adamant nature can be used if weather teams are of no concern, increasing Gligar's damage output. Night Slash is Gligar's strongest option against Misdreavus and Gastly, but has poor coverage otherwise. Stealth Rock can be used if there isn't a slot for it elsewhere on the team, although it, like Aqua Tail, is incompatible with Immunity. Roost can be used on a predicted switch in order to heal off any damage Gligar has taken. Return and Double-Edge are both stronger than Aerial Ace, but do not hit Fighting-types for super effective damage. Knock Off can be used to remove an opponent's item. Brick Break can be used to smash screens, but it is highly situational.</p>
<p>This set is best used when it is patching up weaknesses that a team has. For example, if a team can't do much to prevent Scraggy from using Dragon Dance, but can deal some decent damage during the turn Scraggy uses Dragon Dance, then Gligar can revenge kill it. Another example is a team weak to Dragon Dance Dratini, which can OHKO most Choice Scarf users with a +1 Life Orb Extremespeed. Gligar, however, has the bulk to take the hit and damage Dratini back with Earthquake. If a team is weak to Choice Scarf Pokemon slower than Gligar, such as Chinchou, then Gligar is also an option for dealing with them. Because this set doesn't have any means with which to increase its Attack, entry hazard support is recommended to help wear down threats. Ferroseed can lay down hazards and also allows Scraggy to set up with relative impunity, since it at worst fears Leech Seed or Gyro Ball. In this situation Ferroseed benefits from having a check to Scraggy once it has been worn down a little through smart switching. In this case a Ghost-type, such as Misdreavus, is appreciated for its ability to ignore Drain Punch, preventing Scraggy from healing while Leech Seed takes its toll on it. In this situation Misdreavus also lures in Crunch, allowing Ferroseed to switch in and inflict Iron Barbs damage. Once Scraggy is sufficiently weakened Gligar can switch in on a predicted Drain Punch and KO with Aerial Ace. Situations like these are where Gligar is most useful.</p>
[SET]
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Baton Pass
move 2: Swords Dance / Agility
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Taunt / Roost
item: Eviolite
ability: Hyper Cutter
nature: Jolly
evs: 76 HP / 76 Def / 76 SpD / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>One of Gligar's many niches is its ability to Baton Pass a variety of boosts. Swords Dance is generally the preferred move to pass, since some Pokemon, such as Elekid, are absolutely devastating with a +2 boost in Attack. Passing Agility is also a good option as it allows slow Pokemon, such as Porygon, to threaten their faster checks. Passing Substitute works nicely thanks to Gligar's high HP stat, and it additionally blocks status moves that may be aimed at the Baton Pass recipient. Taunt also can be used to avoid status, and in conjunction with Substitute completely shuts down any attempts at phazing. However, Roost is also useful, allowing Gligar to pass boosts throughout the match without being worn down.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>A Jolly nature and maximum Speed allow Gligar to use Baton Pass before most other Pokemon can move. The remaining EVs are evenly distributed throughtout Gligar's defenses in order to make it more bulky overall. However, an alternative spread of maxed out Defense and HP with an Impish nature is also an option to take hits more reliably. Likewise, a specially defensive spread with a Careful nature can also be used. Although Intimidate is a rare ability in Little Cup, Hyper Cutter is the preferred ability since it negates Attack drops, allowing Gligar to pass Attack boosts without fear of them being lost. One of Gligar's support moves can be dropped in order to run two boosting moves, as Gligar generally has the bulk to pull off two boosts before passing. Hone Claws is an option over Swords Dance if the recipient of Baton Pass has an inaccurate STAB move, such as Meditite, which would be relying on Hi Jump Kick or Zen Headbutt. Harden can also be passed so that the recipient has an easier time taking a hit upon being brought in.</p>
<p>Dual screen support is heavily recommended, since it helps Gligar and its recipient survive hits during set up and during the turn Baton Pass is used. Natu can provide both, and additionally can block entry hazards with its Magic Bounce ability. Baton Pass recipients should be able to make good advantage of the boosts they recieve. Eviolite Meditite is an excellent example, as it is incredibly threatening with either boost. Another choice is Carvanha, which only needs a Swords Dance boost to become a serious danger for the opponent, since it can raise its own Speed thanks to its Speed Boost ability. Generally the best kind of recipient is one that cannot normally obtain such a boost on its own, although Pokemon that can use boosting moves on their own are still worth considering, since not running said boosting moves opens up a moveslot, allowing them to run a coverage move they normally wouldn't be able to.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Knock Off allows Gligar to rob opponents of their Life Orbs or Eviolites, making it easier for Gligar to function as a wall or wallbreaker, respectively. Hone Claws can be used, but Swords Dance generally outclasses it, since both of Gligar's STABs already have perfect accuracy. Because Gligar is quite physically bulky, it can use Counter to deal heavy damage to physical attackers. Harden can be used to bolster Gligar's already impressive Defense. Payback can be used on sets that don't invest in Speed, in order to hit Misdreavus harder. Tailwind can be used to boost the team's Speed. Quick Attack can serve as a revenge killing move. Sand Tomb allows Gligar to trap opponents and set up on them. Screech forces switches. Lastly, Thief can be used to steal an Eviolite, although generally Knock Off outclasses it since an item of choice can be used with Knock Off, while Thief is dependent on the opponent, and only works once.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Snover is one of the Pokemon that Gligar fears the most, since a Choice Scarf set can easily outspeed Gligar and OHKO it with Blizzard. Mixed Carvanha can use Protect to gain the Speed boost it needs to outpace Gligar, and then promptly OHKO with Hydro Pump. Choice Scarf Chinchou can force Gligar out with the the threat of Hydro Pump, although it does run the risk of using Volt Switch while Gligar stays in, with the end result being a dead Chinchou and an unharmed Gligar. Water-types in general threaten Gligar, and bulky ones are especially. Slowpoke poses a threat with Scald, and can even heal off any damage Gligar throws at it with Slack Off and its Regenerator ability, at worst fearing Toxic or a critical hit. Wooper is another example, since it can ignore Swords Dance and simply wear Gligar down with Waterfall or Toxic. Eviolite Misdreavus takes on Gligar fairly, since it isn't threatened by most of its moves, and can either burn it with Will-O-Wisp or set up with Nasty Plot. It can also use Icy Wind for a swift OHKO on Gligar. Because Gligar is the most commonly used Pokemon in Little Cup, many Pokemon carry an Ice-type move specifically for dealing with it, such as Hidden Power Ice Mienfoo, or Scraggy with Ice Punch, so keep this in mind when searching for a method to deal with Gligar.</p>
