[OVERVIEW]
Gorebyss is one of the best sweepers in the tier thanks in part to having a great boosting move in Shell Smash, which also lets it become a potent wallbreaker, as well as good Pokemon for rain teams thanks to a solid ability in Swift Swim, which makes up for its low Speed. However, it faces competition from Huntail as a Shell Smash sweeper, which has access to Sucker Punch to deal with faster Pokemon, and from Pokemon such as Golduck as a rain sweeper. Gorebyss's low Speed without a Shell Smash boost makes it easily taken out by naturally faster Pokemon such as Zebstrika and Simisage. Its below average Special Defense limits setup opportunities as well. On top of this, even with a Shell Smash boost, it can be easily revenge killed by Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Sawsbuck and Rotom-F and can be picked off by priority moves if in a weakened state.
[SET]
name: Shell Smash
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Psychic
item: White Herb / Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shell Smash gives Gorebyss a significant boost to its Special Attack and Speed but lowers its defenses. Hydro Pump is Gorebyss's STAB attack, hitting most of the metagame hard including Rock- and Fire-types such as Probopass and Monferno. Ice Beam lets Gorebyss handle Grass-types, which resist Hydro Pump, such as Roselia and Jumpluff. Psychic lets Gorebyss hit other Water-types, especially Politoed, which is immune to Hydro Pump due to Water Absorb and resists Ice Beam. It also lets Gorebyss OHKO Pokemon such as Machoke and Arbok without risking Hydro Pump missing. Surf is an option over Hydro Pump to have an accurate STAB attack at the cost of power.
Set Details
========
Running 252 EVs in Special Attack along with a Modest nature maximizes Gorebyss's damage output. 252 EVs in Speed allow Gorebyss to be as fast as possible to potentially sweep after a Shell Smash. A Timid nature can be run to outspeed Modest Electrode, Adamant Ninjask, and Choice Scarf Monferno, but doing so comes at a loss in power. White Herb restores Gorebyss's defenses after using Shell Smash so it isn't easily revenge killed, whereas Life Orb increases the amount of damage Gorebyss can deal out at the expense of lowering its health after every attack and making it easier to be revenge killed. Swift Swim is the preferred ability, as it doubles Gorebyss's Speed if it happens to be raining.
Usage Tips
========
Set up Shell Smash against Pokemon that can't do much to Gorebyss such as Metang. Gorebyss is best used as a mid- to late-game sweeper once faster Pokemon and priority users are eliminated. Avoid setting up against strong attackers such as Ursaring and Dodrio, as they can do a vast amount of damage to Gorebyss and hinder its ability to act as a sweeper. Gorebyss should also avoid setting up against faster Taunt users such as Misdreavus or against Pokemon that can carry Thunder Wave such as Kadabra.
Team Options
========
Dual screen support from Meowstic as well as Memento support from Pokemon such as Jumpluff and Misdreavus makes it easier for Gorebyss to set up. If using dual screen or Memento support, other setup sweepers such as Rock Polish Regice and Dragon Dance Fraxure are good partners to have if Gorebyss doesn't have a favorable matchup. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Golem, Stunfisk, and Metang can help wear down foes for Gorebyss, making it easier for it to sweep. The latter can also Pursuit trap Kadabra and can deal with Regice, which can revenge kill Gorebyss. Pokemon that can deal with Politoed such as Roselia and Zebstrika make for good partners, and Roselia can also use Politoed as fodder to set up Spikes for Gorebyss. Pokemon that can deal with Electric- and Grass-types, such as Stunfisk and Regice make for good partners to Gorebyss. While it isn't mandatory, Gorebyss can also function on Rain teams with Pokemon such as Volbeat and Electrode setting rain to aid in providing a boost to Gorebyss's Speed thanks to Swift Swim and a boost to Gorebyss's Water-type STAB attacks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Substitute can be run to avoid taking status to allow Gorebyss to set up Shell Smash easier, but it comes at the loss of a coverage move. A Choice Specs set with Hydro Pump, Ice Beam, Psychic, and Baton Pass can let Gorebyss function as a hard-hitting wallbreaker with access to momentum, but this is generally done better by Floatzel due to the latter's higher Speed and access to Switcheroo to cripple special walls.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Even after it has used Shell Smash, Choice Scarf users such as Rotom-F, Mr. Mime, and Sawsbuck can outspeed and revenge kill Gorebyss with their respective STAB attacks.
**Priority Users**: Priority attacks such as Pawniard's and Mightyena's Sucker Punch and Purugly's Fake Out can limit Gorebyss's sweeping capabilities, but it can survive resisted hits such as Basculin's and Floatzel's Aqua Jet. Murkrow can use Prankster Thunder Wave to slow down Gorebyss for its teammates to finish off.
**Kadabra**: Kadabra can take any hit from Gorebyss thanks to Focus Sash and either KO it with Psychic if Gorebyss is weakened enough or cripple it with Thunder Wave.
**Politoed**: Politoed is immune to Hydro Pump thanks to Water Absorb and resists Ice Beam, but it does get 2HKOed by Psychic after a Shell Smash boost.
**Bulky Pokemon**: Offensive tanks such as tank Regice and Assault Vest Bouffalant can withstand any attack from Gorebyss at +2 and strike back with Thunderbolt and Return, respectively.
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