Taken over from RotomPoison
Overview
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While Goodra is often outclassed by other Dragon-types such as Latios and Garchomp, it finds its niche in OU as an exceptional special tank, being able to take hits from the likes of Mega Charizard Y, Gengar, Thundurus, and Landorus. Goodra is a good user of Assault Vest thanks to its expansive movepool, respectable bulk, and Dragon typing, which gives it resistances to Fire-, Water-, and Electric-type attacks. Goodra has a variety of coverage moves to hit common switch-ins to Dragon-types, such as Fire Blast, Earthquake, and Sludge Bomb. Sap Sipper is a great ability in OU, allowing Goodra to absorb Grass-type attacks from Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Breloom. Unfortunately, Goodra is very slow, which is problematic in a very fast-paced metagame. Goodra is also susceptible to entry hazards and residual damage, and has no form of reliable recovery. Lastly, due to Goodra's lack of power, it is easily walled.
Assault Vest
########
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Draco Meteor / Dragon Pulse
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Sludge Bomb / Thunderbolt
move 4: Earthquake / Muddy Water
ability: Sap Sipper
item: Assault Vest
evs: 240 HP / 252 SpA / 16 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
========
Draco Meteor is Goodra's most powerful STAB move, hitting anything that doesn't resist it very hard. Dragon Pulse can be used as a more reliable STAB move, though it is less powerful than Draco Meteor. Fire Blast provides great coverage, hitting Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Bisharp super effectively. Sludge Bomb is helpful to smack Fairy-types, such as Clefable, Mega Gardevoir, and Azumarill, and also has a helpful chance to poison the opponent. Alternately, Thunderbolt can be used to hit Skarmory, Gyarados, and Talonflame more reliably. Thunderbolt also hits Water-types such as Azumarill, Starmie, Keldeo, Omastar, and Politoed hard. Earthquake is Goodra's best way of hitting Heatran, 2HKOing it all the time, even with a Modest nature. Muddy Water can be used to hit Tyranitar and Landorus hard while still retaining coverage on Heatran.
Set Details
========
Sap Sipper gives Goodra an immunity to Grass-type moves, particularly Leech Seed and Spore from the likes of Ferrothorn and Breloom. Assault Vest increases Goodra's already high Special Defense to exceptional levels. 16 Speed EVs are used to outpace Adamant Azumarill if Goodra needs to get off an attack in a pinch. Maximum Special Attack is used to hit as hard as possible. The rest of the EVs are put in HP to capitalize on Goodra's good bulk while decreasing the damage taken from entry hazards. A Modest nature is used over a Rash or Mild nature because even with an Attack-decreasing nature, Earthquake will still 2HKO Heatran. Alternatively, 44 Attack EVs can be used to guarantee an OHKO on Heatran with Earthquake after a Sap Sipper boost.
Usage Tips
========
Assault Vest Goodra is best used as a pivot into special attackers such as Thundurus and Mega Charizard Y, as well as Grass-type attacks, as Goodra can easily take the hits and hit hard back with a powerful Draco Meteor or the proper coverage move. Due to the lack of a power-boosting item, prediction is important to hit incoming Steel-types with Fire Blast and Fairy-types with Sludge Bomb. Draco Meteor should be used sparingly, as the Special Attack drops can turn Goodra into setup fodder for the opponent. It is important to remember that Goodra is not a special wall, and more of a tank due to its lack of recovery. Many Pokemon that Goodra typically wall have ways of handling Goodra, such as Trick on Rotom-W, so it is important to be wary of such things.
Team Options
========
Wish passers and clerics such as Sylveon and Clefable help with Goodra's lack of reliable recovery. Steel-types such as Skarmory and Heatran have good synergy with it; the former can also remove entry hazards, which are troublesome for Goodra. Alomomola is a notable Wish passer that pairs very well with Goodra, as Goodra easily switches into the Grass- and Electric-type attacks that threaten Alomomola, while in return, Alomomola can take some Ice-type attacks and handle some physical attackers. Volt Switch and U-turn users such as Magnezone and Scizor are helpful to bring in Goodra safely. Assault Vest Goodra should be used with other teammates to provide offensive pressure, otherwise Goodra will get worn down quickly.
Other Options
########
Goodra can use Dragon Tail to phaze out opponents, but Goodra generally needs as many coverage moves as possible. Goodra can also utilize a Rain Dance set with Hydration and Rest to circumvent its lack of reliable recovery. A physical or mixed set with moves such as Power Whip and Outrage may seem appealing but is outclassed by Garchomp. Ice Beam can be used to OHKO both Landorus formes and Gliscor, but doesn't hit much else relevant. Curse can be used to potentially sweep, but the lack of coverage moves will have Goodra walled by many Pokemon. Lastly, Counter can be used to get a surprise KO on a physical attacker.
Checks & Counters
########
**Fairy-types**: Clefable and Sylveon can easily wall and set up on Goodra if it does not predict the switch and 2HKO them with Sludge Bomb, due to Calm Mind. Azumarill can OHKO Goodra and switch easily into anything but Sludge Bomb, and avoids the 2HKO if it has an Assault Vest. Mega Gardevoir can also threaten Goodra with Hyper Voice.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Chansey walls Goodra no matter what moves it runs. Heatran also beats Earthquake-lacking Goodra with Toxic. Mega Venusaur is not weak to any of Goodra's coverage moves, and can survive a Draco Meteor then recover off the damage with Synthesis. Specially defensive Hippowdon, Mew, Jirachi, Tyranitar, Mega Tyranitar, and Gliscor are also good counters to Goodra. Alomomola also counters Goodra if it doesn't carry Thunderbolt. Hippowdon can stomach most of Goodra's attacks and whittle it down with Sandstorm damage and deal decent damage in return with Earthquake. Jirachi resists Goodra's Dragon-type STAB moves, avoids the 2HKO from Fire Blast, and it stalls it out with the combination of Wish and Iron Head flinches. Gliscor can also stall out Goodra with Toxic and Roost.
Overview
########
While Goodra is often outclassed by other Dragon-types such as Latios and Garchomp, it finds its niche in OU as an exceptional special tank, being able to take hits from the likes of Mega Charizard Y, Gengar, Thundurus, and Landorus. Goodra is a good user of Assault Vest thanks to its expansive movepool, respectable bulk, and Dragon typing, which gives it resistances to Fire-, Water-, and Electric-type attacks. Goodra has a variety of coverage moves to hit common switch-ins to Dragon-types, such as Fire Blast, Earthquake, and Sludge Bomb. Sap Sipper is a great ability in OU, allowing Goodra to absorb Grass-type attacks from Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Breloom. Unfortunately, Goodra is very slow, which is problematic in a very fast-paced metagame. Goodra is also susceptible to entry hazards and residual damage, and has no form of reliable recovery. Lastly, due to Goodra's lack of power, it is easily walled.
Assault Vest
########
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Draco Meteor / Dragon Pulse
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Sludge Bomb / Thunderbolt
move 4: Earthquake / Muddy Water
ability: Sap Sipper
item: Assault Vest
evs: 240 HP / 252 SpA / 16 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
========
Draco Meteor is Goodra's most powerful STAB move, hitting anything that doesn't resist it very hard. Dragon Pulse can be used as a more reliable STAB move, though it is less powerful than Draco Meteor. Fire Blast provides great coverage, hitting Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Bisharp super effectively. Sludge Bomb is helpful to smack Fairy-types, such as Clefable, Mega Gardevoir, and Azumarill, and also has a helpful chance to poison the opponent. Alternately, Thunderbolt can be used to hit Skarmory, Gyarados, and Talonflame more reliably. Thunderbolt also hits Water-types such as Azumarill, Starmie, Keldeo, Omastar, and Politoed hard. Earthquake is Goodra's best way of hitting Heatran, 2HKOing it all the time, even with a Modest nature. Muddy Water can be used to hit Tyranitar and Landorus hard while still retaining coverage on Heatran.
Set Details
========
Sap Sipper gives Goodra an immunity to Grass-type moves, particularly Leech Seed and Spore from the likes of Ferrothorn and Breloom. Assault Vest increases Goodra's already high Special Defense to exceptional levels. 16 Speed EVs are used to outpace Adamant Azumarill if Goodra needs to get off an attack in a pinch. Maximum Special Attack is used to hit as hard as possible. The rest of the EVs are put in HP to capitalize on Goodra's good bulk while decreasing the damage taken from entry hazards. A Modest nature is used over a Rash or Mild nature because even with an Attack-decreasing nature, Earthquake will still 2HKO Heatran. Alternatively, 44 Attack EVs can be used to guarantee an OHKO on Heatran with Earthquake after a Sap Sipper boost.
Usage Tips
========
Assault Vest Goodra is best used as a pivot into special attackers such as Thundurus and Mega Charizard Y, as well as Grass-type attacks, as Goodra can easily take the hits and hit hard back with a powerful Draco Meteor or the proper coverage move. Due to the lack of a power-boosting item, prediction is important to hit incoming Steel-types with Fire Blast and Fairy-types with Sludge Bomb. Draco Meteor should be used sparingly, as the Special Attack drops can turn Goodra into setup fodder for the opponent. It is important to remember that Goodra is not a special wall, and more of a tank due to its lack of recovery. Many Pokemon that Goodra typically wall have ways of handling Goodra, such as Trick on Rotom-W, so it is important to be wary of such things.
Team Options
========
Wish passers and clerics such as Sylveon and Clefable help with Goodra's lack of reliable recovery. Steel-types such as Skarmory and Heatran have good synergy with it; the former can also remove entry hazards, which are troublesome for Goodra. Alomomola is a notable Wish passer that pairs very well with Goodra, as Goodra easily switches into the Grass- and Electric-type attacks that threaten Alomomola, while in return, Alomomola can take some Ice-type attacks and handle some physical attackers. Volt Switch and U-turn users such as Magnezone and Scizor are helpful to bring in Goodra safely. Assault Vest Goodra should be used with other teammates to provide offensive pressure, otherwise Goodra will get worn down quickly.
Other Options
########
Goodra can use Dragon Tail to phaze out opponents, but Goodra generally needs as many coverage moves as possible. Goodra can also utilize a Rain Dance set with Hydration and Rest to circumvent its lack of reliable recovery. A physical or mixed set with moves such as Power Whip and Outrage may seem appealing but is outclassed by Garchomp. Ice Beam can be used to OHKO both Landorus formes and Gliscor, but doesn't hit much else relevant. Curse can be used to potentially sweep, but the lack of coverage moves will have Goodra walled by many Pokemon. Lastly, Counter can be used to get a surprise KO on a physical attacker.
Checks & Counters
########
**Fairy-types**: Clefable and Sylveon can easily wall and set up on Goodra if it does not predict the switch and 2HKO them with Sludge Bomb, due to Calm Mind. Azumarill can OHKO Goodra and switch easily into anything but Sludge Bomb, and avoids the 2HKO if it has an Assault Vest. Mega Gardevoir can also threaten Goodra with Hyper Voice.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Chansey walls Goodra no matter what moves it runs. Heatran also beats Earthquake-lacking Goodra with Toxic. Mega Venusaur is not weak to any of Goodra's coverage moves, and can survive a Draco Meteor then recover off the damage with Synthesis. Specially defensive Hippowdon, Mew, Jirachi, Tyranitar, Mega Tyranitar, and Gliscor are also good counters to Goodra. Alomomola also counters Goodra if it doesn't carry Thunderbolt. Hippowdon can stomach most of Goodra's attacks and whittle it down with Sandstorm damage and deal decent damage in return with Earthquake. Jirachi resists Goodra's Dragon-type STAB moves, avoids the 2HKO from Fire Blast, and it stalls it out with the combination of Wish and Iron Head flinches. Gliscor can also stall out Goodra with Toxic and Roost.
Overview
########
- Is mostly outclassed by other Dragon-types
- Useful as a special tank with an Assault Vest due to its movepool, bulk, and typing
- Access to Sap Sipper, which comes with a useful sleep immunity
- Slow, and not as strong as Pokemon like Latios, only useful traits over them being Fire Blast
- Hates residual damage from status and hazards and has no form of recovery outside Rest
- Along with the Grass immunity, has resistances to common types such as Fire, Electric, Water
- Not that strong
Assault Vest
########
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Sludge Bomb / Thunderbolt
move 4: Earthquake / Dragon Tail
ability: Sap Sipper
item: Assault Vest
evs: 240 HP / 252 SpA / 16 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
========
- Draco Meteor is the strongest STAB Goodra has, and is necessary for Goodra to do any major damage
- Fire Blast is for Steel-types like Excadrill, Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Bisharp, and Scizor, as well as a chance to OHKO Mega Pinsir
- Sludge Bomb is so Clefable can't switch into you and set up on you, while also hitting Mega Gardevoir, Azumarill. and Togekiss
- Thunderbolt hits Talonflane and Gyarados harder while getting a reliable hit on Skarmory
- Earthquake is Goodras only option to 2HKO Heatran, who otherwise walls you completely
- Dragon Tail can allow you to phaze Pokemon that try to set up on you
Set Details
========
- Sap Sipper gives Goodra an immunity to Grass-type moves, as well as an immunity to Spore and Sleep Powder, while boosting Earthquake enough to KO Heatran
- Assault Vest turns Goodra into an extremelly bulky tank, but increases its lack of recovery by not allowing it to use Rest or hold Leftovers
- EVs provide maximum power and bulk and residual damage number while outspeeding Adamant Azumarill
- Modest is ok because you still 2HKO Heatran with EQ
- Alternate EVs of 208 HP / 44 Atk / 252 SpA / 4 Spe and Modest if you hate losing ties against other base 80s, the Attack investment getting an OHKO on Heatran after a Sap Sipper boost even with the nature drop
Usage Tips
========
- AV lets you switch into special attacks from Pokemon like Thundurus or Landorus or Grass-type attacks, as Goodra can easily take those hits and hit hard back
- Due to the lack of power, you needs to predict switches well, such as if the opponent is about to go into Clefable then go for Sludge Bomb, as Goodra would still hate taking a Moonblast, and it is more often safer, as most Steel-types are slower and fear Fire Blast. In other words, don't Draco too often when resists or immunities are alive because either Goodra will have to take a heavy hit or go for a really weak Fire Blast, should it choose to stay in.
- Goodra is not a special wall and shouldn't be played as one
- Many Pokemon have ways of working around Goodra, so be careful switching it into Pokemon like Rotom-W, as they may carry Trick
- When being used with a Wishpasser, Goodra needs to be able to come in safely to recieve it. If using Sylveon as your Wishpasser, Baton Pass is a good way, especially if it passes CM boosts as well.
Team Options
========
- Wish, and really any Fairy-type can take opposing Dragon moves well. Wish Sylveon/Clefable and a Steel-type can form a strong Fairy/Dragon/Steel core. (such as Goodra/Sylveon/Skarm even as this includes Defog to remkve the hazards which wear down Goodra who has no recovery as is)
- Defog/Spin to get rid of hazards
- Skarmory/Mega Aggron wall many physical attackers that threaten Goodra
- Again, Dragon/Fairy/Steel, Goodra/Skarm or Mega Aggron/Clefable or Sylveon is amazing
- As Goodra is simply a really bulky tank, it's more of a glue mon than anything
Other Options
########
- SpDef set
- Rain set with Damp Rock and Hydration and Rest
- Muddy Water (why doesn't it get Surf it evolves in rain...)
- Physical or mixed set with Outrage or Power Whip is a bad idea. Outrage may seem ok but it has its own problems and Power Whip is dumb unless you're randomly Gastrodon weak (don't be)
- Flamethrower (I don't know about this even being here you lose so many KOs)
- Ice Beam OHKOs Landorus but it's really redundant otherwise
- Counter
- Iron Tail (I might as well remove this too)
- Curse/mono attacker
Checks & Counters
########
As Goodra isn't exactly physically bulky it's checked by nearly every physical attacker in OU, so I'll just list prominent ones.
**Fairy-types**: Clefable walks all over it thanks to Magic Guard and sets up on it. Azumarill OHKOs and can switch in easily especially if it's AV. Mega Gardevoir does a ton with Hyper Voice.
**Special Walls**: Chansey just hopelessly walls you. Sylveon, Clefable, Heatran if you lack EQ, and Mega Venusaur
**Physical Attackers**: Garchomp, Excadrill, Mega Medicham, Dragonite, Mamoswine Mega Pinsir, Mega Tyranitar, Mega Heracross can all check Goodra but some have a hard time switching in due to its great coverage
########
- Is mostly outclassed by other Dragon-types
- Useful as a special tank with an Assault Vest due to its movepool, bulk, and typing
- Access to Sap Sipper, which comes with a useful sleep immunity
- Slow, and not as strong as Pokemon like Latios, only useful traits over them being Fire Blast
- Hates residual damage from status and hazards and has no form of recovery outside Rest
- Along with the Grass immunity, has resistances to common types such as Fire, Electric, Water
- Not that strong
Assault Vest
########
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Sludge Bomb / Thunderbolt
move 4: Earthquake / Dragon Tail
ability: Sap Sipper
item: Assault Vest
evs: 240 HP / 252 SpA / 16 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
========
- Draco Meteor is the strongest STAB Goodra has, and is necessary for Goodra to do any major damage
- Fire Blast is for Steel-types like Excadrill, Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Bisharp, and Scizor, as well as a chance to OHKO Mega Pinsir
- Sludge Bomb is so Clefable can't switch into you and set up on you, while also hitting Mega Gardevoir, Azumarill. and Togekiss
- Thunderbolt hits Talonflane and Gyarados harder while getting a reliable hit on Skarmory
- Earthquake is Goodras only option to 2HKO Heatran, who otherwise walls you completely
- Dragon Tail can allow you to phaze Pokemon that try to set up on you
Set Details
========
- Sap Sipper gives Goodra an immunity to Grass-type moves, as well as an immunity to Spore and Sleep Powder, while boosting Earthquake enough to KO Heatran
- Assault Vest turns Goodra into an extremelly bulky tank, but increases its lack of recovery by not allowing it to use Rest or hold Leftovers
- EVs provide maximum power and bulk and residual damage number while outspeeding Adamant Azumarill
- Modest is ok because you still 2HKO Heatran with EQ
- Alternate EVs of 208 HP / 44 Atk / 252 SpA / 4 Spe and Modest if you hate losing ties against other base 80s, the Attack investment getting an OHKO on Heatran after a Sap Sipper boost even with the nature drop
Usage Tips
========
- AV lets you switch into special attacks from Pokemon like Thundurus or Landorus or Grass-type attacks, as Goodra can easily take those hits and hit hard back
- Due to the lack of power, you needs to predict switches well, such as if the opponent is about to go into Clefable then go for Sludge Bomb, as Goodra would still hate taking a Moonblast, and it is more often safer, as most Steel-types are slower and fear Fire Blast. In other words, don't Draco too often when resists or immunities are alive because either Goodra will have to take a heavy hit or go for a really weak Fire Blast, should it choose to stay in.
- Goodra is not a special wall and shouldn't be played as one
- Many Pokemon have ways of working around Goodra, so be careful switching it into Pokemon like Rotom-W, as they may carry Trick
- When being used with a Wishpasser, Goodra needs to be able to come in safely to recieve it. If using Sylveon as your Wishpasser, Baton Pass is a good way, especially if it passes CM boosts as well.
Team Options
========
- Wish, and really any Fairy-type can take opposing Dragon moves well. Wish Sylveon/Clefable and a Steel-type can form a strong Fairy/Dragon/Steel core. (such as Goodra/Sylveon/Skarm even as this includes Defog to remkve the hazards which wear down Goodra who has no recovery as is)
- Defog/Spin to get rid of hazards
- Skarmory/Mega Aggron wall many physical attackers that threaten Goodra
- Again, Dragon/Fairy/Steel, Goodra/Skarm or Mega Aggron/Clefable or Sylveon is amazing
- As Goodra is simply a really bulky tank, it's more of a glue mon than anything
Other Options
########
- SpDef set
- Rain set with Damp Rock and Hydration and Rest
- Muddy Water (why doesn't it get Surf it evolves in rain...)
- Physical or mixed set with Outrage or Power Whip is a bad idea. Outrage may seem ok but it has its own problems and Power Whip is dumb unless you're randomly Gastrodon weak (don't be)
- Flamethrower (I don't know about this even being here you lose so many KOs)
- Ice Beam OHKOs Landorus but it's really redundant otherwise
- Counter
- Iron Tail (I might as well remove this too)
- Curse/mono attacker
Checks & Counters
########
As Goodra isn't exactly physically bulky it's checked by nearly every physical attacker in OU, so I'll just list prominent ones.
**Fairy-types**: Clefable walks all over it thanks to Magic Guard and sets up on it. Azumarill OHKOs and can switch in easily especially if it's AV. Mega Gardevoir does a ton with Hyper Voice.
**Special Walls**: Chansey just hopelessly walls you. Sylveon, Clefable, Heatran if you lack EQ, and Mega Venusaur
**Physical Attackers**: Garchomp, Excadrill, Mega Medicham, Dragonite, Mamoswine Mega Pinsir, Mega Tyranitar, Mega Heracross can all check Goodra but some have a hard time switching in due to its great coverage
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