[OVERVIEW]
Although Rhydon sports much more better bulk, a better movepool, and the same typing, Golem has a few niches over Rhydon that make it worth using. Firstly, Golem has Sturdy, Explosion, and Sucker Punch, allowing it to utilize a Custap Berry set. Unlike Rhydon, it isn't reliant on Eviolite for bulk and can make use of its STAB EdgeQuake combination to run a Choice Band set. However, Golem cannot make use of its resistances to Normal- and Flying-type attacks and immunity to Electric-type attacks as well as Rhydon because of its significantly less worse bulk and reliance on Sturdy. Its low Speed and Rock / Ground typing also make it vulnerable to the common Water- and Grass-type attacks.
[SET]
name: Custap Berry
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Blast / Stone Edge
move 4: Explosion / Sucker Punch
item: Custap Berry
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is vital for every team as it allows Golem to breaks through Focus Sashes and Sturdy on the opponent's team. Earthquake hits Steel-, Fire-, and Electric-types such as Klinklang, Pyroar, and Lanturn, (RC) super effectively. Rock Blast completes Golem's EdgeQuake coverage and can hit through Substitute, Sturdy, and Focus Sash. hits through Substitutes, Sturdy and Focus Sash users such as Crustle, Aurorus and Archeops. Alternatively, Stone Edge could can be used over Rock Blast to deal more reliably good (A five-hit Rock Blast outdamages Stone Edge) damage. Explosion deals can deal massive damage to the opponent and to provide momentum for the team. Sucker Punch has priority and allows can allow Golem to pick off weakened Pokemon.
Set Details
========
An EV spread of 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe and a This EV spread with an Adamant Nature nature ensures that Golem hits as hard as possible. Alternatively, Golem could can also run a Jolly Nature nature to outspeed threats such as Adamant Mawile and Jolly Rhydon. Sturdy is the chosen ability as it almost always guarantees that Golem will can set up Stealth Rock. A Custap Berry allows Golem to dish out get off a strong priority attack when Sturdy has activated it is at Sturdy range.
Usage Tips
========
Bring Golem in with Volt Switch or U-turn on a free switch and proceed to set up Stealth Rock, or use it as a lead if it has a good matchup (Isn't the point of Sturdy + Custap + Explosion that it doesn't need a good matchup? It just needs the opposing lead to not have Taunt. And I don't play much NU, but this looks like primarily a lead set, so having 'use it as a lead' second seems odd if this is the case. If not, ignore this second point). Use Explosion or Sucker Punch once Sturdy has activated it is in Sturdy range. Be wary of Taunt users as they prevent Golem for from setting up Stealth Rock and predict this by using Rock Blast or Earthquake. Be careful around Rapid Spinners spinners and Defoggers, (AC) as they can remove Stealth Rock. Sturdy is important to make use of Custap Berry and to reliably set up Stealth Rock, so keep it intact as much as possible. Sturdy is important so don't switch it in unnecessarily so Sturdy can be intact. Watch out for super effective moves, as it can cause Golem to lose a chunk of its health.
Team Options
========
Custap Berry Golem This set fits well on Hyper Offense offensive teams teams because of its ability to reliably set up Stealth Rock thanks to Sturdy and then do significant damage thanks to Custap Berry. , and high Attack stat that allows it to deal massive damage with Earthquake, Rock Blast, Explosion, or Sucker Punch. Volt Switch and U-turn users such as Scyther and Rotom allow Golem to switch in easily freely and keep Sturdy intact in tact. Rapid Spinners such as Claydol and Kabutops help to keep Stealth Rock out of off Golem's side of the field in order to keep Golem's Sturdy intact in tact. Wallbreakers such as Electivire and Magmortar appreciate hazard support in order to break through opposing Sturdy and Focus Sash. Spikes from Pokemon such as Cacturne and Roselia combined with Stealth Rock support can wear down the opposing team more easily. , (AP, RC) and Golem also has have nice synergy with these Pokemon, as Golem can take Fire- (AH) and Flying-type attacks aimed at Cacturne and Roselia while Cacturne and Roselia can take Water- (AH) and Grass-type attacks aimed at Golem. Spinblockers such as Mismagius and Gourgeist-XL help keep Stealth Rock on the field. Defiant users such as Pawniard and Primeape can switch into a Defog and receive a +2 Attack boost use it to their own advantage.
[SET]
name: All-Out (AH) Attacker
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Sucker Punch
item: Choice Band
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake hits Steel-, Fire-, and Electric-types, (RC) such as Klinklang, Pyroar, and Lanturn super effectively. Stone Edge hits Flying-types hoping to switch in, such as Fletchinder and Scyther super effectively. Explosion is a powerful last-resort (AH) attack used to nuke severely damage any Pokemon that resists the STAB EdgeQuake combination, such as Torterra and Claydol. Sucker Punch allows Golem to pick off weakened foes and hit threaten Ghost-types, (RC) such as Mismagius and Rotom.
Set Details
========
An Adamant Nature nature combined with and an EV spread of 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe allows Golem to hit as hard as possible and outspeed as much as possible. Sturdy is the chosen ability, (AC) as it allows Golem to live at least one hit. A Choice Band allows Golem fire a more powerful attack to inflict more damage, (AC) but it comes at the cost of being restricted to locked into one move.
Usage Tips
========
Because Sturdy is important to keep intact, don't switch Golem in too much Try to preserve Sturdy by not switching Golem directly into attacks. Golem should come in mid- to late-game with Volt Switch or U-turn on a free switch to break through physical walls with its STAB EdgeQuake combination. Switch Golem out if the opponent is immune to or resists the move that it is locked into and switch into a favourable Pokemon. When at Sturdy range (Surely this isn't too relevant on a non-Custap Berry set? Given that most things outspeed Golem it's probably only going to be getting off one strong hit anyway) u Use Explosion on to break through Pokemon that resist Stone Edge and Earthquake, such as Claydol and Torterra. Use Sucker Punch to threaten fast and frail Pokemon, such as Jynx. predict a faster Pokemon that attacks, such as Jynx.
Team Options
========
Volt Switch and U-turn users, (AC) such as Rotom and Liepard, (AC) allow Golem to switch in while having keeping Sturdy intact. Rapid Spinners such as Cryogonal and Kabutops can remove entry hazards for Golem so it takes minimal damage. Pokemon that appreciate Golem's wallbreaking ability, such as Sneasel and Scyther, make for good partners. Ice-types such as Piloswine and Jynx can take care of Torterra and Claydol, which resist or are immune to both of Golem's STAB attacks, while they appreciate Golem's wallbreaking Golem helps with wallbreaking. Pokemon that appreciate a teammate that is immune to can take Electric-type attacks, such as Fletchinder and Pelipper, are good partners. In addition to this, Pelipper can provide Defog support for Golem.
Other Options
=============
Golem does not have many other options in its movepool that it can utilize. Fire Punch allows Golem to hit Ferroseed for more damage. Alternatively, Golem could can run a Rock Polish + Weakness Policy set to make up for its low Speed. Golem could can also be used on Sun sun teams as it can to set up Sunny Day and Stealth Rock. Golem could can also run a tank set of with 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD and an Adamant Nature, but Rhydon is a better tank, (AC) as it has much more better bulk.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types such as Misdreavus and Rotom are immune to Explosion and Earthquake and can cripple Choice Band Golem with Will-O-Wisp. The former can also Taunt Custap Berry Golem, preventing it from setting up Stealth Rock, (AC) and the latter can cripple it with Trick. However, they dislike Stone Edge and Sucker Punch.
**Grass-types**: Bulky Grass-types such as Tangela and Torterra don't mind most of Golem's attacks. The former can put Golem to sleep and the latter resists both of Golem's STAB attacks.
**Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Quagsire and Prinplup can take Golem's attacks. , (AP, RC) the The former can also remove Stealth Rock with Defog, (AC) while the latter can burn it Golem with Scald. However, they cannot switch into Choice Banded Golem, as they are 2HKOed (Can they not outspeed and OHKO it after taking one Choice-Banded hit? If they can, that makes them counters, in which case you need to add something like 'If Golem's Sturdy is intact').
(For both the Grass- and the Water-types sections you don't say anything about their STAB moves being 4x effective. Surely this is the main reason they're so effective against it)
**Taunt**: Taunt users such as lead Archeops can prevent Custap Berry Golem from setting up Stealth Rock, but they must watch out for Stone Edge and Earthquake on both sets.
**Xatu**: Xatu has Magic Bounce, which prevents Custap Berry Golem from setting up rocks. (AP) It can also and can switch into a Choice Band Golem's Earthquake. However, Xatu has to watch out for Sucker Punch and Stone Edge.
**Hazard removal**: Rapid Spinners such as Claydol and Sandslash can easily switch into Custap Berry Golem's attacks and remove Stealth Rock. Claydol is a particularly good switch-in, as it , (RC) in particular, (RC) is immune to Earthquake and resists Stone Edge.
**Mold Breaker**: Mold Breaker users such as Choice Banded Sawk and Pinsir negate Sturdy and can KO Golem with Close Combat.