Overview:
While Gothorita may not look like the best Pokemon to use, it's decent defenses paired with eviolite as well and its great ability in shadow tag, definitely make it a worthy Pokemon to consider on a team. Gothorita can also use a frisk and trick set to stop bulky walls in PU such as Clefairy, Roselia, Carbink, and especially Bastiodon and Floette. The main problem with Gothorita is that it has little offensive presence, despite its pretty diverse move pool. With its offensive stats only being 45/75/55, just be prepared to not use this Pokemon for offensive purposes. However, when using Gothorita, you also have to be careful as it does not have reliable recovery other than rest. Even so, this Pokemon is great to have if you want to have a more diverse Wobbuffet.
Mini Satan:
Move 1: Psyshock
Move 2: Calm Mind
Move 3: Rest
Move 4: Sleep Talk/ Hidden Power Fire
Move 2: Calm Mind
Move 3: Rest
Move 4: Sleep Talk/ Hidden Power Fire
Item: Eviolite
Ability: Shadow Tag
Nature: Bold/Calm
EV Spread: 252 HP/230 Def/16 Spe
Moves:
Calm Mind is the main move here as it allows Gothorita to become even bulkier while the opponent is trapped in the field. An added bonus to Calm Mind is that it may increase Gothorita's special attack in order to provide it more offensive presence in the PU tier. Psyshock is also the main stab move, as it allows you to use your increased special attack to your advantage. It also can hurt special walls such as Floette, Cryogonal, Ludicolo, and surprisingly threatening Ledian. Rest is Gothorita's only form of recovery, and allows it to continue to stay on the battlefield. Sleep Talk allows you to continuous be Mini Satan while sleeping because of Rest. Hidden Power Fire allows you to hit many faster threats including Leafeon, Leavanny, Lilligant, Vivillon without Focus Sash, and allows you to take on Murkrow after a few Calm Minds.
Set Details:
The Shadow Tag ability lets you trap in your opponent unless they are ghost type, or have shadow tag themselves. 252 in HP provides you with bulk in order to take either kinds of super effective hits, such as Sucker Punch or Shadow Ball. The 230 in defense allows you to take physical hits better, as they are what will most likely be the moves that try to take you down, most noticeably, Sucker Punch. The 16 in speed lets you out speed uninvested base 50 and 55 Pokemon such as Exeggutor, Regirock, Regice, and Relicanth. Eviolite boosts your defenses even further, and provides you with that extra bulk that is super helpful.
Usage Tips:
Make sure to switch Gothorita into an opponent that it can handle fairly well. Once its in, begin to use Calm Mind. Just be careful to not get one shot by physical attacks. Next, use your other moves as they see fit. In all honestly, that's pretty much it. Just be extra careful to switch it out only at the right times. Also, don't go too crazy with the offense. Gothorita is not a particular offensive Pokemon, so don't be upset when it may not be one shotting foes after a few Calm Minds.
Team Options:
Even with the Eviolite, Gothorita still does not appreciate Dark, and Ghost pokemon. For this reason, a Dark type like Shiftry and Skuntank can be good options, noticeably Shiftry, as it provides offensive coverage. Also, entry hazards are extremely helpful, so pokemon like Gigalith, Garbodor, and Golem can come in handy. As well, U-Turn and Volt Switch users such as Ninetales and Rotom so that Gothorita can trap its opponents on the initiative. Either way, just use Gothorita on a team that you see it fits.
Other Options:
Gothorita can also utilize a Frisk and Trick set with more offensive presence and a choice scarf, however this set is often outclassed by just about every other special attacking psychic type in the tier. Energy Ball and Thunderbolt are good coverage moves to consider, but Hidden Power Fire is just better, as it covers both Steel, and Bug type pokemon. Gothorita can also run dual screens, as well as replace the defense EVs with special defense ones. And finally, a luck based stall set with moves such as Charm and Flatter can be used, but it's just way to risky to use on a pokemon like Gothorita.
Checks and Counters:
Haunter: Haunter is Gothorita's main threat as it is a Ghost type, which makes it immune to the effects of Shadow Tag, as well as out speeding and being able to hit hard with Shadow Ball, even with special defense investments.
Liepard: Liepard is Gothorita's second biggest threat. With access to Sucker Punch and Prankster status moves such as Thunder Wave and especially Taunt, Liepard can completely shut Gothorita down.
Pivots: Pokemon with pivot moves such as Scyther and Purugly's U-Turn or Raichu's Volt Switch can escape Shadow Tag and make Gothorita less useful on a team.
Faster Pokemon: Faster Pokemon such as Archeops, Floatzel, Mismagius, and Ninjask can outspeed and hit back with strong attacks that will most likely one shot.
Pursuit: Pursuit users such as Scyther and Zebstrika can shut down Gothorita when you are trying to get the favorable match up against the opponent.
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