[OVERVIEW]
Gourgeist-S stands out in NU because of its respectable Speed stat for a support Pokemon, as well as its impressive physical bulk that allows it to outpace and cripple physical attackers such as Kangaskhan, Pinsir, and Shiftry. Gourgeist-S's defensive typing is helpful, allowing it to check Fighting-, Water-, and Ground-types, such Kabutops, Primeape, Torterra, and Rhydon. Moreover, Gourgeist-S has a wide range of support moves such as Will-O-Wisp, Leech Seed, Skill Swap, and Disable at its disposal. It is also a reliable spinblocker that outspeeds every relevant spinner in the tier. Unfortunately, Gourgeist-S's typing leaves it vulnerable to Dark-, Fire-, and Flying-type attacks, all of which are commonly seen. Additionally, Gourgeist-S is hindered by its huge weakness to Knock Off, as it hates losing its item and takes a large amount of damage in the process. It is also extremely dependent on using passive moves such as Will-O-Wisp and Leech Seed to wear down its foes, thus leaving it shut down by Magic Bounce and Taunt users, such as Xatu and Archeops, respectively. Finally, Gourgeist-S also faces competition from its counterpart Gourgeist-XL, which is significantly more physically bulky albeit much slower.
[SET]
name: SubSeed
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Foul Play
item: Leftovers
ability: Frisk
nature: Jolly
evs: 152 HP / 132 Def / 224 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Substitute is used to protect Gourgeist-S against weaker attacks such as Primeape's Earthquake, Gastrodon's Scald, and Lanturn's Volt Switch. It also helps Gourgeist-S avoid being crippled by status afflictions. Substitute works particularly well with Leech Seed and Will-O-Wisp in wearing down the Pokemon Gourgeist-S walls, as well as annoying switch-ins. Leech Seed provides passive recovery, allowing Gourgeist-S to set up many Substitutes while chipping away at its foes. Will-O-Wisp punishes physical attackers that attempt to switch into Gourgeist-S while further wearing down foes alongside Leech Seed. Foul Play prevents setup sweepers such as Samurott, Klinklang, Pinsir, and Barbaracle from setting up on Gourgeist-S. Seed Bomb is another alternative to hit Water-, Ground-, and Rock-types such as Poliwrath, Rhydon, and Kabutops
Set Details
========
Leftovers provides Gourgeist-S with passive recovery, allowing it to set up more Substitutes, and works well in tandem with Leech Seed. Alternatively, Colbur Berry can be used so that Gourgeist-S can tank a Knock Off from Haryiama, Shiftry, and Zangoose, but it generally isn't worth the loss of passive recovery. Frisk enables Gourgeist-S to scout a foe's item, being particularly helpful in finding out which Pokemon are holding a Choice item. The Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows Gourgeist-S to outpace Pokemon with base 95 Speed and below, such as Primeape, Electivire, and Kangaskhan, and burn them before they can attack. 152 HP EVs provide a compromise between bulk and Leech Seed recovery, allowing Gourgeist-S to create four Substitutes from full HP. The remaining EVs are invested in Defense to maximize physical bulk.
Usage Tips
========
Gourgeist-S should be brought in against predicted Water-, Fighting-, and Ground-type attacks such as Samurott's Waterfall, Primeape's Close Combat, and Steelix's Earthquake, as it takes minimal damage and can attempt to burn them with Will-O-Wisp. Set up a Substitute on Pokemon that cannot do much to Gourgeist-S, namely Gastrodon, Torterra, and Miltank. If the opponent has a Fire-type such as Pyroar or Magmortar, then it is better to throw out a Leech Seed or Foul Play rather than lose momentum by clicking Will-O-Wisp. In addition, Gourgeist-S should avoid Knock Off, as it deals a lot of damage and it hates losing the passive recovery Leftovers provides it. Lastly, avoid switching Gourgeist-S into status-inflicting moves such as Scald, Toxic, and Will-O-Wisp, as they will cripple it for the remainder of the match.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can handle Dark-types and absorb Knock Off such as Mega Audino and Garbodor are solid partners, as the former can also pass Wishes and provide Heal Bell support, while the latter can set up entry hazards. Rock-types such as Regirock and Rhydon have great defensive synergy with Gourgeist-S, as they can pivot into Fire-type attacks, set up Stealth Rock, and take on Flying-types such as Archeops, Rotom-S, and Scyther. In return, Gourgeist-S can deal with Water- and Ground-types that give them trouble. Entry hazard removers are important, as Gourgeist-S is worn down very quickly by Toxic Spikes due to its lack of recovery. Therefore, Defoggers such as Mantine, Skuntank, and Prinplup are good partners, as are spinners such as Hitmonchan and Kabutops. Fire-types are decent partners, as they can take on Ice-types and, in Magmortar's case, other Fire-types. Pyroar is notable because it provides a handy Ghost immunity for Gourgeist-S while Gourgeist-S can tackle Water-types such as Samurott in return.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rock Slide is a viable option that lets Gourgeist-S OHKO Vivillon and Jynx, as well as 2HKO Magmortar, Rotom-S, Scyther, and Abomasnow after Stealth Rock is factored in. Disable can be used to prevent foes from using their last move and works especially well against Choice-locked Pokemon. Synthesis gives Gourgeist-S reliable recovery, but it generally does not have the room for it, and Gourgeist-XL utilizes it more effectively. Worry Seed prevents Malamar and Mega Audino from using Rest; however, Skill Swap can be used with Insomnia to achieve the same outcome while also removing Magic Bounce from Xatu.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Xatu**: Xatu is unaffected by Leech Seed and Will-O-Wisp due to its Magic Bounce ability and takes minimal damage from Foul Play. Furthermore, Xatu can set up Calm Mind on Gourgeist-S or just 2HKO it with Heat Wave.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Magmortar, Pyroar, and Charizard can all switch into Will-O-Wisp unharmed and proceed to OHKO Gourgeist-S with their STAB Fire Blast. However, they must be wary of switching into the rare Rock Slide, as well as getting worn down by a combination of Stealth Rock damage and Leech Seed.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Vivillon, Rotom-S, and Archeops can hit Gourgeist-S with their Flying-type STAB attacks; however, the latter hates being burned by Will-O-Wisp, and they all must be careful of getting hit by Rock Slide on the switch. Guts Swellow is able to absorb Will-O-Wisp, while the special set is able to hit through Gourgeist-S's Substitutes with Scrappy Boomburst.
**Ice-types**: Ice-types such as Jynx, Aurorus, and Abomasnow can OHKO Gourgeist-S with their STAB Ice-type moves. Aurorus is also able to hit through Gourgeist's Substitute with Hyper Voice or wear it down with hail damage if it is the Snow Warning set. However, Abomasnow dislikes being crippled by status, and both Jynx and Aurorus must be careful of switching into Seed Bomb.
Gourgeist-S stands out in NU because of its respectable Speed stat for a support Pokemon, as well as its impressive physical bulk that allows it to outpace and cripple physical attackers such as Kangaskhan, Pinsir, and Shiftry. Gourgeist-S's defensive typing is helpful, allowing it to check Fighting-, Water-, and Ground-types, such Kabutops, Primeape, Torterra, and Rhydon. Moreover, Gourgeist-S has a wide range of support moves such as Will-O-Wisp, Leech Seed, Skill Swap, and Disable at its disposal. It is also a reliable spinblocker that outspeeds every relevant spinner in the tier. Unfortunately, Gourgeist-S's typing leaves it vulnerable to Dark-, Fire-, and Flying-type attacks, all of which are commonly seen. Additionally, Gourgeist-S is hindered by its huge weakness to Knock Off, as it hates losing its item and takes a large amount of damage in the process. It is also extremely dependent on using passive moves such as Will-O-Wisp and Leech Seed to wear down its foes, thus leaving it shut down by Magic Bounce and Taunt users, such as Xatu and Archeops, respectively. Finally, Gourgeist-S also faces competition from its counterpart Gourgeist-XL, which is significantly more physically bulky albeit much slower.
[SET]
name: SubSeed
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Foul Play
item: Leftovers
ability: Frisk
nature: Jolly
evs: 152 HP / 132 Def / 224 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Substitute is used to protect Gourgeist-S against weaker attacks such as Primeape's Earthquake, Gastrodon's Scald, and Lanturn's Volt Switch. It also helps Gourgeist-S avoid being crippled by status afflictions. Substitute works particularly well with Leech Seed and Will-O-Wisp in wearing down the Pokemon Gourgeist-S walls, as well as annoying switch-ins. Leech Seed provides passive recovery, allowing Gourgeist-S to set up many Substitutes while chipping away at its foes. Will-O-Wisp punishes physical attackers that attempt to switch into Gourgeist-S while further wearing down foes alongside Leech Seed. Foul Play prevents setup sweepers such as Samurott, Klinklang, Pinsir, and Barbaracle from setting up on Gourgeist-S. Seed Bomb is another alternative to hit Water-, Ground-, and Rock-types such as Poliwrath, Rhydon, and Kabutops
Set Details
========
Leftovers provides Gourgeist-S with passive recovery, allowing it to set up more Substitutes, and works well in tandem with Leech Seed. Alternatively, Colbur Berry can be used so that Gourgeist-S can tank a Knock Off from Haryiama, Shiftry, and Zangoose, but it generally isn't worth the loss of passive recovery. Frisk enables Gourgeist-S to scout a foe's item, being particularly helpful in finding out which Pokemon are holding a Choice item. The Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows Gourgeist-S to outpace Pokemon with base 95 Speed and below, such as Primeape, Electivire, and Kangaskhan, and burn them before they can attack. 152 HP EVs provide a compromise between bulk and Leech Seed recovery, allowing Gourgeist-S to create four Substitutes from full HP. The remaining EVs are invested in Defense to maximize physical bulk.
Usage Tips
========
Gourgeist-S should be brought in against predicted Water-, Fighting-, and Ground-type attacks such as Samurott's Waterfall, Primeape's Close Combat, and Steelix's Earthquake, as it takes minimal damage and can attempt to burn them with Will-O-Wisp. Set up a Substitute on Pokemon that cannot do much to Gourgeist-S, namely Gastrodon, Torterra, and Miltank. If the opponent has a Fire-type such as Pyroar or Magmortar, then it is better to throw out a Leech Seed or Foul Play rather than lose momentum by clicking Will-O-Wisp. In addition, Gourgeist-S should avoid Knock Off, as it deals a lot of damage and it hates losing the passive recovery Leftovers provides it. Lastly, avoid switching Gourgeist-S into status-inflicting moves such as Scald, Toxic, and Will-O-Wisp, as they will cripple it for the remainder of the match.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can handle Dark-types and absorb Knock Off such as Mega Audino and Garbodor are solid partners, as the former can also pass Wishes and provide Heal Bell support, while the latter can set up entry hazards. Rock-types such as Regirock and Rhydon have great defensive synergy with Gourgeist-S, as they can pivot into Fire-type attacks, set up Stealth Rock, and take on Flying-types such as Archeops, Rotom-S, and Scyther. In return, Gourgeist-S can deal with Water- and Ground-types that give them trouble. Entry hazard removers are important, as Gourgeist-S is worn down very quickly by Toxic Spikes due to its lack of recovery. Therefore, Defoggers such as Mantine, Skuntank, and Prinplup are good partners, as are spinners such as Hitmonchan and Kabutops. Fire-types are decent partners, as they can take on Ice-types and, in Magmortar's case, other Fire-types. Pyroar is notable because it provides a handy Ghost immunity for Gourgeist-S while Gourgeist-S can tackle Water-types such as Samurott in return.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rock Slide is a viable option that lets Gourgeist-S OHKO Vivillon and Jynx, as well as 2HKO Magmortar, Rotom-S, Scyther, and Abomasnow after Stealth Rock is factored in. Disable can be used to prevent foes from using their last move and works especially well against Choice-locked Pokemon. Synthesis gives Gourgeist-S reliable recovery, but it generally does not have the room for it, and Gourgeist-XL utilizes it more effectively. Worry Seed prevents Malamar and Mega Audino from using Rest; however, Skill Swap can be used with Insomnia to achieve the same outcome while also removing Magic Bounce from Xatu.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Xatu**: Xatu is unaffected by Leech Seed and Will-O-Wisp due to its Magic Bounce ability and takes minimal damage from Foul Play. Furthermore, Xatu can set up Calm Mind on Gourgeist-S or just 2HKO it with Heat Wave.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Magmortar, Pyroar, and Charizard can all switch into Will-O-Wisp unharmed and proceed to OHKO Gourgeist-S with their STAB Fire Blast. However, they must be wary of switching into the rare Rock Slide, as well as getting worn down by a combination of Stealth Rock damage and Leech Seed.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Vivillon, Rotom-S, and Archeops can hit Gourgeist-S with their Flying-type STAB attacks; however, the latter hates being burned by Will-O-Wisp, and they all must be careful of getting hit by Rock Slide on the switch. Guts Swellow is able to absorb Will-O-Wisp, while the special set is able to hit through Gourgeist-S's Substitutes with Scrappy Boomburst.
**Ice-types**: Ice-types such as Jynx, Aurorus, and Abomasnow can OHKO Gourgeist-S with their STAB Ice-type moves. Aurorus is also able to hit through Gourgeist's Substitute with Hyper Voice or wear it down with hail damage if it is the Snow Warning set. However, Abomasnow dislikes being crippled by status, and both Jynx and Aurorus must be careful of switching into Seed Bomb.
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