Golem

[Kiyo]

Overview
########

• Sub par defensive typing, leaving it weak to common attacking types such as Water and Grass.
• Despite it's low speed stat it sits in a nice speed tier that allows it to outpace common defensive pokemon, Sucker Punch also helps mitigate this flaw.
• Faces heavy competition from Rhydon as a defensive presence.
  
• Access to Sturdy allows reliable Stealth Rock setting.

Stealth Rock
########
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Blast / Stone Edge
move 4: Sucker Punch / Explosion
ability: Sturdy
item: Weakness Policy / Salac Berry
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Adamant


Moves
========

• Stealth Rock in combination with Sturdy reliably gets up hazards versus most leads.
• Earthquake is powerful STAB that packs a punch coming off Golem's solid attack.
• Rock Blast has great synergy with Earthquake and is also useful for breaking focus sashes and sturdy on pokemon like Crustle.
• Stone Edge can also be used for a less accurate, more powerful option that doesn't multi-hit.
• Explosion is great for gaining momentum after setting up Stealth Rock, it also dents anything that isn't Ghost-type.
• Sucker Punch can be used to get off hits on faster pokemon before they can KO you.

Set Details
========

• Maximizing Attack and Speed is optimal for hitting hard and going fast!
• Weakness Policy is great for taking advantage of pokemon that rely on super effective moves to hit Golem, and also pairs well with Sucker Punch
• Salac Berry is a cool option that allows Golem to get off one more hit after it's brought down to Sturdy, and pairs well with Explosion.
• Golem doesn't outspeed anything relevant with a Jolly nature so Adamant is preferred for the additional damage output.

Usage Tips
========

• While Golem can perform a lead role effectively given it has access to both Sturdy and Stealth Rock, it doesn't always have to function as a lead.
• Watch out for pokemon that commonly carry Taunt such as Mismagius, Archeops, and Qwilfish when attempting to set up Stealth Rock.

Team Options
========

Other Options
########

Checks & Counters
########

 

[Ares]

Kiyo reminder to finish this

 

[Méndez]

I think golem don't need the EVs in speed because golem is a slow pokemon, max 207speed. In this set it has 189 speed. What pokémons does it outspeed?

 

[Kiyo]

Méndez it outspeeds a lot of relevant things actually, low base speed isn't always a bad thing especially when you're aiming to outpace common defensive pokemon.

here's a list of things i can think of off the top of my head (keeping in mind common sets they run): Hariyama, Muk, Regirock, Lickilicky, Vileplume, Audino, Piloswine, Rhydon, Togetic, Gurdurr, Camerupt, Probopass, Kecleon, Steelix, Weezing, Seismitoad, Lanturn, Flareon, Pelipper, Roselia, Sandslash.

and as an added bonus running jolly can actually let you tie with or outrun other important mons like qwilfish and crustle

if you want to suggest another ev spread that optimizes golem's speed stat without speed creeping a specific pokemon, i'd be happy to discuss or include it in the analysis. but tbh i just don't see a reason to be running a more defensively invested golem as its just outclassed by rhydon in that regard.

 

[Méndez]

Méndez it outspeeds a lot of relevant things actually, low base speed isn't always a bad thing especially when you're aiming to outpace common defensive pokemon.

here's a list of things i can think of off the top of my head (keeping in mind common sets they run): Hariyama, Muk, Regirock, Lickilicky, Vileplume, Audino, Piloswine, Rhydon, Togetic, Gurdurr, Camerupt, Probopass, Kecleon, Steelix, Weezing, Seismitoad, Lanturn, Flareon, Pelipper, Roselia, Sandslash.

and as an added bonus running jolly can actually let you tie with or outrun other important mons like qwilfish and crustle

if you want to suggest another ev spread that optimizes golem's speed stat without speed creeping a specific pokemon, i'd be happy to discuss or include it in the analysis. but tbh i just don't see a reason to be running a more defensively invested golem as its just outclassed by rhydon in that regard.

OK I understand it now. It's very useful.

 

[Ares]

Kiyo is a john and says he doesn't wanna finish this, if at some point no one else has taken it or he wants to finish it I can move this back.