QC [3/3]: Spirit / -kal- / 49
GP [2/2]: frenzyplant / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Gourgeist-XL is an excellent bulky spinblocker with great utility thanks to Will-O-Wisp, which cripples common offensive threats such as Medicham and Mega Steelix. Unlike other defensive Ghost-types such as Cofagrigus and Spiritomb, Gourgeist-XL has access to reliable recovery via Synthesis, which greatly improves its longevity and makes it far less reliant on Leftovers recovery. Its immunity to Fighting-type moves and resistances to common Ground-, Water-, Grass-, and Electric-type moves, in combination with its incredible Defense, give it ample opportunities to switch in. While a base 54 Speed is far from stellar, it does allow Gourgeist-XL to outspeed many common defensive threats, such as Mega Steelix, most Rhyperior sets, and Registeel.
Unfortunately, Gourgeist-XL has a total of five weaknesses, and while Ghost- and Flying-type attacks aren't very common, Ice-, Fire-, and Dark-type attacks are extremely prevalent. Fire-types such as Delphox and Houndoom can often get a free switch in because of their immunity to Will-O-Wisp and resistance to Seed Bomb. Knock Off and Pursuit are especially dangerous for Gourgeist-XL, though at full health it can often survive these attacks and burn the foe. While Gourgeist-XL has excellent physical bulk, its special bulk is only passable, as even with investment, Gourgeist-XL is OHKOed by mixed Mega Abomasnow's Blizzard and 2HKOed by Sharpedo's Dark Pulse and Samurott's Ice Beam.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Will-O-Wisp
move 2: Seed Bomb
move 3: Synthesis
move 4: Rock Slide / Fire Blast
item: Leftovers
ability: Frisk
nature: Impish / Relaxed
evs: 248 HP / 60 Def / 200 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Will-O-Wisp cripples common physical attackers, such as Durant, Swords Dance Virizion, and Mega Steelix. Seed Bomb is a decently powerful STAB move that is particularly useful against foes with a 4x weakness and allows Gourgeist-XL to OHKO Kabutops, Omastar, and offensive Seismitoad, as well as 2HKO defensive Seismitoad, Gastrodon, and Quagsire. Synthesis restores Gourgeist-XL's health. Rock Slide hits common Fire-type switch-ins attempting to absorb burns; it OHKOes Fletchinder, has a chance to OHKO Houndoom after Stealth Rock damage, and 2HKOes Delphox. Rock Slide also hits Ice-, Flying-, and Bug-types, such as Mega Abomasnow, Sigilyph, and Vivillon, though Will-O-Wisp is generally better against physically offensive Pokemon of these types, such as Sneasel, Escavalier, and Choice Scarf Braviary. Alternatively, Fire Blast can be used with a Relaxed nature to OHKO Durant, 2HKO Choice Band Escavalier and Mega Abomasnow, and often 2HKO Assault Vest Escavalier after Stealth Rock damage, as well as chip away at other Grass- and Steel-types, such as Mega Steelix, Bronzong, and Virizion.
Set Details
========
248 EVs in HP improve Gourgeist-XL's overall bulk. 200 EVs in Special Defense allow Gourgeist-XL to avoid the 2HKO from Life Orb Tangrowth's Hidden Power Fire, the 2HKO after Stealth Rock damage from Choice Specs Tangrowth's Sludge Bomb, and the OHKO after Stealth Rock damage from Samurott's Ice Beam. The remaining 60 EVs go into Defense with an Impish nature to round out Gourgeist-XL's bulk and help it survive Knock Off from threats such as Sneasel, Hitmonlee, and Choice Band Escavalier. When running Fire Blast, a Relaxed nature should be used for a far better chance to 2HKO Assault Vest Escavalier after Stealth Rock damage and for a guaranteed 2HKO against Swords Dance Mega Abomasnow. Leftovers provides passive recovery and helps prevent Gourgeist-XL from being worn down. Frisk is particularly useful for scouting items on common Choice item users, such as Durant and Tyrantrum. While a Relaxed nature should still allow Gourgeist-XL to outspeed base 30 Speed threats, such as Mega Abomasnow and Mega Steelix, be aware of Speed creep, especially from Mega Abomasnow.
Usage Tips
========
When facing opponents that lack a Fire-type or status absorber, try to burn as many foes as possible. This strategy is somewhat hindered if the opponent is running a cleric, though you can use this opportunity to lure the cleric out and switch into a check or try to stall the foe out of PP for Heal Bell or Aromatherapy. Gourgeist-XL can easily take a Stone Edge from Swords Dance Virizion at +2 Attack, so try to waste the Virizion's Lum Berry with either a teammate or Gourgeist-XL so that you can eventually get a burn through with Will-O-Wisp. This strategy can also be used against other Lum Berry holders, such as Rock Polish Tyrantrum, Hone Claws Durant, and non-Shed Skin Scrafty, though it's far less effective against Tyrantrum and Durant because Tyrantrum deals significant damage to Gourgeist-XL with Head Smash and a +1 Durant almost always 2HKOes Gourgeist-XL with X-Scissor after Stealth Rock damage. Gourgeist-XL causes many switches, so good prediction is extremely helpful.
Frail Fire-types, such as Fletchinder, Houndoom, and Delphox, and status absorbers, such as Sigilyph, are common switch-ins that are hit hard by Rock Slide. Seed Bomb hits Fighting-types for neutral damage, which is particularly helpful against Gurdurr because it gets a boost from switching into Will-O-Wisp thanks to Guts.
Team Options
========
Status conditions such as burn and poison wear down Gourgeist-XL, so Heal Bell support from Granbull, Aromatisse, Togetic, MegaAudino, Audino, or Lanturn is appreciated. In turn, these clerics greatly appreciate Gourgeist-XL's ability burn physical threats, particularly Mega Steelix. Fairy-type clerics are particularly appreciated for their ability to check Fighting-types running Knock Off and Dark-types in general. Entry hazard support somewhat mitigates Gourgeist-XL's passivity, while hazard setters appreciate its spinblocking and the switches that Will-O-Wisp causes. Mega Steelix and Mega Camerupt make for good Stealth Rock-setting partners because they can tank a Knock Off, and the former can often check Exploud while the latter can check opposing Fire-types. Qwilfish and Garbodor provide both Spikes and Toxic Spikes support and can absorb Toxic Spikes set by your opponent. Drapion can also spread and absorb Toxic Spikes and checks Sigilyph, while Gourgeist-XL resists Drapion's sole weakness.
Gourgeist-XL greatly appreciates partners that can check common Fire-types. Defensive Flygon is a good check for these foes andcan clear away entry hazards though it does need to be careful of Delphox's Dazzling Gleam, Choice Band Emboar's Superpower, and Mega Camerupt's Hidden Power Ice. Despite the difficulty of switching Samurott and Sharpedo into Fire-types, they can outspeed and OHKO Mega Camerupt and non-Choice Scarf Emboar. Aqua Jet allows Samurott to usually OHKO Houndoom after Stealth Rock damage and KO a weakened Delphox or Choice Scarf Emboar, while after a single Speed boost, Sharpedo can outspeed and OHKO any Fire-type other than Choice Scarf Delphox. Poliwrath does particularly well against Houndoom, and the offensive variant OHKOes Emboar and Mega Camerupt. Houndoom is an excellent answer to Delphox and greatly appreciates Gourgeist-XL's ability to handle Fighting-types. Seismitoad, Quagsire, and Gastrodon all do well against Fire-types, though Delphox's Grass Knot and Nasty Plot Houndoom's Hidden Power Grass easily OHKO them. Alomomola can survive hits from Fire-types and either cripple them with Toxic or chip away at their health with either Scald or Waterfall, and it is also a good check for Mega Glalie. Dugtrio outspeeds, traps, and OHKOes non-Choice Scarf Delphox, Houndoom, and Emboar as well as Mega Camerupt after Stealth Rock damage. Slowking can check Delphox, Mega Camerupt, and Emboar, though try to avoid switching it into Delphox's Grass Knot, Mega Camerupt's Earth Power, and Emboar's Wild Charge.
Fletchinder and Substitute + Bulk Up Braviary are potent threats that can destroy Gourgeist-XL after a boost, so partners such as Mega Steelix, Rhyperior, Magneton, and Tyrantrum are helpful, all of which appreciate Gourgeist-XL's immunity to Fighting-type attacks. Calm Mind Slowking can survive +2 Fletchinder's Acrobatics and often OHKO it back with Acrobatics. Quagsire can also check Fletchinder with Scald or Braviary with Ice Punch + Curse. Steel- and Fire-types also make for good partners to check dangerous Ice-types. Mega Steelix and Assault Vest Escavalier can survive any attack from Mega Abomasnow or Mega Glalie and OHKO them after Stealth Rock damage with Heavy Slam and Iron Head, respectively. Bronzong's Gyro Ball can OHKO Mega Glalie but deals little damage to Mega Abomasnow, while its Iron Head 2HKOes both after Stealth Rock damage, though it should watch out for Pursuit users such as Houndoom and Sneasel. While Fire-types can have trouble switching into Ice-type foes out of fear of an Earthquake, they can OHKO those foes with their STAB moves and appreciate Gourgeist-XL's ability to check Water-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Leech Seed provides additional damage each turn and is especially helpful against Fire-type switch-ins and RestTalk users such as Malamar, Curse Registeel, and Swords Dance Escavalier. A SubSeed strategy can be used, though Gourgeist-S does better in this role due to its much higher base Speed and its lower base HP, which gives it a greater benefit from Leech Seed recovery. Protect can be used over Synthesis to maximize the damage that Will-O-Wisp and Leech Seed deal, but Leech Seed recovery is far less reliable than Synthesis. Colbur Berry could be used to let Gourgeist-XL more effectively take Knock Off, though it appreciates Leftovers more in most situations. Worry Seed is an extremely niche option that should only be considered on full stall teams to prevent foes from using Rest and to disrupt status absorbers that rely on their abilities, such as Sigilyph and Gurdurr. Foul Play hits frail physical attackers and Attack-boosting sweepers, but most of these threats have high Defense or resist Dark. Stone Edge can be used instead of Rock Slide for a good chance to OHKO Houndoom and a small chance to OHKO Delphox after Stealth Rock damage, at the cost of accuracy and PP. Flamethrower is a more accurate but less powerful alternative to Fire Blast.
Destiny Bond's effectiveness is severely limited by Gourgeist-XL's low Speed, but it can be used to get surprise KOs against slower foes, such as Mega Camerupt, or force switches against Choice-locked foes, such as Exploud. Disable, while also hampered by Gourgeist-XL's low Speed, can disrupt foes that are locked into a move, have only a single attack for Gourgeist-XL, or are spamming healing moves. Flame Charge can be used to improve Gourgeist-XL's Speed, though most Grass- and Steel-types take more damage from Fire Blast and Flamethrower. Magic Coat can be used to help avoid status, Taunt, and entry hazards, but Gourgeist-XL generally can't afford to drop one of its moves. Toxic can be used to more effectively wear down bulky foes, particularly Alomomola, though Will-O-Wisp is better for crippling physical attackers as well as Steel- and Poison-types. Phantom Force can be used as a decently powerful Ghost-type STAB move on a SubSeed set because it helps accumulate Leech Seed and burn damage, but the setup turn allows the opponent a free switch into a Normal-type or a relatively safe switch into a Dark-type.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Mega Camerupt, Houndoom, Delphox, and Emboar, in addition to being immune to Will-O-Wisp, are extremely potent threats because they can often OHKO Gourgeist-XL with either Fire Blast or Flare Blitz.
**Flying-type Physical Attackers**: Fletchinder is immune to Will-O-Wisp, takes very little damage from Seed Bomb, and can OHKO Gourgeist-XL after a Swords Dance boost, though Rock Slide OHKOes it. Substitute + Bulk Up Braviary can block Will-O-Wisp with a Substitute and use Bulk Up to prevent Rock Slide from breaking through Substitute. Choice Band Braviary's Brave Bird also OHKOes Gourgeist-XL.
**Ice-types**: Mega Glalie's Double Edge OHKOes Gourgeist-XL, as does Return after Stealth Rock damage. While Swords Dance Mega Abomasnow is not too difficult for Gourgeist-XL to check because of the lower power of Ice Shard, mixed Mega Abomasnow's Blizzard OHKOes Gourgeist-XL after Stealth Rock damage. Sneasel can also 2HKO Gourgeist-XL with Icicle Crash, though it's extremely crippled by burns.
**Status Absorbers**: Gurdurr gets a major power boost from a burn and easily sets up on Gourgeist-XL with Bulk Up. Sigilyph takes no damage from Will-O-Wisp, 2HKOes Gourgeist-XL with Air Slash or Heat Wave, and can recover any damage taken from Rock Slide with Roost. Xatu can bounce back Will-O-Wisp thanks to Magic Bounce, though it's not particularly threatening offensively. Roselia and Trevenant are cured of status afflictions upon switching out thanks to Natural Cure; Roselia can set up entry hazards and use Sludge Bomb repeatedly until Gourgeist-XL is poisoned, while Choice Band Trevenant can 2HKO it with Shadow Claw. Shed Skin Scrafty can set up with Dragon Dance, wait until Shed Skin cures it of a burn, and hit Gourgeist-XL hard.
**Special Attackers**: Exploud and Clawitzer outspeed and have a chance to OHKO Gourgeist-XL with Boomburst and Dark Pulse, respectively. Meloetta's Psychic, Life Orb Flygon's Fire Blast or Draco Meteor, and offensive Cofagrigus's Shadow Ball each 2HKO Gourgeist-XL, while Calm Mind Virizion has the opportunity to set up on it.
**Taunt**: Gourgeist-XL's utility comes from its status moves, so Taunt users such as Mega Banette, Jellicent, Drapion, Spiritomb, and Qwilfish are problematic for it, especially because they all commonly run Dark- or Ghost-type attacks, with the exception of Qwilfish and Jellicent variants running Scald.
**Offensive Dark-types**: Offensive Drapion OHKOes Gourgeist-XL after a Swords Dance boost and is protected from Will-O-Wisp by a Lum Berry. Non-Shed Skin Scrafty often carries Lum Berry and has a chance to OHKO Gourgeist-XL with Knock Off after a Dragon Dance boost and Stealth Rock damage. Absol and Sharpedo, though frail, deal massive damage to Gourgeist-XL with their Dark-type STAB moves.
GP [2/2]: frenzyplant / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Gourgeist-XL is an excellent bulky spinblocker with great utility thanks to Will-O-Wisp, which cripples common offensive threats such as Medicham and Mega Steelix. Unlike other defensive Ghost-types such as Cofagrigus and Spiritomb, Gourgeist-XL has access to reliable recovery via Synthesis, which greatly improves its longevity and makes it far less reliant on Leftovers recovery. Its immunity to Fighting-type moves and resistances to common Ground-, Water-, Grass-, and Electric-type moves, in combination with its incredible Defense, give it ample opportunities to switch in. While a base 54 Speed is far from stellar, it does allow Gourgeist-XL to outspeed many common defensive threats, such as Mega Steelix, most Rhyperior sets, and Registeel.
Unfortunately, Gourgeist-XL has a total of five weaknesses, and while Ghost- and Flying-type attacks aren't very common, Ice-, Fire-, and Dark-type attacks are extremely prevalent. Fire-types such as Delphox and Houndoom can often get a free switch in because of their immunity to Will-O-Wisp and resistance to Seed Bomb. Knock Off and Pursuit are especially dangerous for Gourgeist-XL, though at full health it can often survive these attacks and burn the foe. While Gourgeist-XL has excellent physical bulk, its special bulk is only passable, as even with investment, Gourgeist-XL is OHKOed by mixed Mega Abomasnow's Blizzard and 2HKOed by Sharpedo's Dark Pulse and Samurott's Ice Beam.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Will-O-Wisp
move 2: Seed Bomb
move 3: Synthesis
move 4: Rock Slide / Fire Blast
item: Leftovers
ability: Frisk
nature: Impish / Relaxed
evs: 248 HP / 60 Def / 200 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Will-O-Wisp cripples common physical attackers, such as Durant, Swords Dance Virizion, and Mega Steelix. Seed Bomb is a decently powerful STAB move that is particularly useful against foes with a 4x weakness and allows Gourgeist-XL to OHKO Kabutops, Omastar, and offensive Seismitoad, as well as 2HKO defensive Seismitoad, Gastrodon, and Quagsire. Synthesis restores Gourgeist-XL's health. Rock Slide hits common Fire-type switch-ins attempting to absorb burns; it OHKOes Fletchinder, has a chance to OHKO Houndoom after Stealth Rock damage, and 2HKOes Delphox. Rock Slide also hits Ice-, Flying-, and Bug-types, such as Mega Abomasnow, Sigilyph, and Vivillon, though Will-O-Wisp is generally better against physically offensive Pokemon of these types, such as Sneasel, Escavalier, and Choice Scarf Braviary. Alternatively, Fire Blast can be used with a Relaxed nature to OHKO Durant, 2HKO Choice Band Escavalier and Mega Abomasnow, and often 2HKO Assault Vest Escavalier after Stealth Rock damage, as well as chip away at other Grass- and Steel-types, such as Mega Steelix, Bronzong, and Virizion.
Set Details
========
248 EVs in HP improve Gourgeist-XL's overall bulk. 200 EVs in Special Defense allow Gourgeist-XL to avoid the 2HKO from Life Orb Tangrowth's Hidden Power Fire, the 2HKO after Stealth Rock damage from Choice Specs Tangrowth's Sludge Bomb, and the OHKO after Stealth Rock damage from Samurott's Ice Beam. The remaining 60 EVs go into Defense with an Impish nature to round out Gourgeist-XL's bulk and help it survive Knock Off from threats such as Sneasel, Hitmonlee, and Choice Band Escavalier. When running Fire Blast, a Relaxed nature should be used for a far better chance to 2HKO Assault Vest Escavalier after Stealth Rock damage and for a guaranteed 2HKO against Swords Dance Mega Abomasnow. Leftovers provides passive recovery and helps prevent Gourgeist-XL from being worn down. Frisk is particularly useful for scouting items on common Choice item users, such as Durant and Tyrantrum. While a Relaxed nature should still allow Gourgeist-XL to outspeed base 30 Speed threats, such as Mega Abomasnow and Mega Steelix, be aware of Speed creep, especially from Mega Abomasnow.
Usage Tips
========
When facing opponents that lack a Fire-type or status absorber, try to burn as many foes as possible. This strategy is somewhat hindered if the opponent is running a cleric, though you can use this opportunity to lure the cleric out and switch into a check or try to stall the foe out of PP for Heal Bell or Aromatherapy. Gourgeist-XL can easily take a Stone Edge from Swords Dance Virizion at +2 Attack, so try to waste the Virizion's Lum Berry with either a teammate or Gourgeist-XL so that you can eventually get a burn through with Will-O-Wisp. This strategy can also be used against other Lum Berry holders, such as Rock Polish Tyrantrum, Hone Claws Durant, and non-Shed Skin Scrafty, though it's far less effective against Tyrantrum and Durant because Tyrantrum deals significant damage to Gourgeist-XL with Head Smash and a +1 Durant almost always 2HKOes Gourgeist-XL with X-Scissor after Stealth Rock damage. Gourgeist-XL causes many switches, so good prediction is extremely helpful.
Frail Fire-types, such as Fletchinder, Houndoom, and Delphox, and status absorbers, such as Sigilyph, are common switch-ins that are hit hard by Rock Slide. Seed Bomb hits Fighting-types for neutral damage, which is particularly helpful against Gurdurr because it gets a boost from switching into Will-O-Wisp thanks to Guts.
Team Options
========
Status conditions such as burn and poison wear down Gourgeist-XL, so Heal Bell support from Granbull, Aromatisse, Togetic, MegaAudino, Audino, or Lanturn is appreciated. In turn, these clerics greatly appreciate Gourgeist-XL's ability burn physical threats, particularly Mega Steelix. Fairy-type clerics are particularly appreciated for their ability to check Fighting-types running Knock Off and Dark-types in general. Entry hazard support somewhat mitigates Gourgeist-XL's passivity, while hazard setters appreciate its spinblocking and the switches that Will-O-Wisp causes. Mega Steelix and Mega Camerupt make for good Stealth Rock-setting partners because they can tank a Knock Off, and the former can often check Exploud while the latter can check opposing Fire-types. Qwilfish and Garbodor provide both Spikes and Toxic Spikes support and can absorb Toxic Spikes set by your opponent. Drapion can also spread and absorb Toxic Spikes and checks Sigilyph, while Gourgeist-XL resists Drapion's sole weakness.
Gourgeist-XL greatly appreciates partners that can check common Fire-types. Defensive Flygon is a good check for these foes andcan clear away entry hazards though it does need to be careful of Delphox's Dazzling Gleam, Choice Band Emboar's Superpower, and Mega Camerupt's Hidden Power Ice. Despite the difficulty of switching Samurott and Sharpedo into Fire-types, they can outspeed and OHKO Mega Camerupt and non-Choice Scarf Emboar. Aqua Jet allows Samurott to usually OHKO Houndoom after Stealth Rock damage and KO a weakened Delphox or Choice Scarf Emboar, while after a single Speed boost, Sharpedo can outspeed and OHKO any Fire-type other than Choice Scarf Delphox. Poliwrath does particularly well against Houndoom, and the offensive variant OHKOes Emboar and Mega Camerupt. Houndoom is an excellent answer to Delphox and greatly appreciates Gourgeist-XL's ability to handle Fighting-types. Seismitoad, Quagsire, and Gastrodon all do well against Fire-types, though Delphox's Grass Knot and Nasty Plot Houndoom's Hidden Power Grass easily OHKO them. Alomomola can survive hits from Fire-types and either cripple them with Toxic or chip away at their health with either Scald or Waterfall, and it is also a good check for Mega Glalie. Dugtrio outspeeds, traps, and OHKOes non-Choice Scarf Delphox, Houndoom, and Emboar as well as Mega Camerupt after Stealth Rock damage. Slowking can check Delphox, Mega Camerupt, and Emboar, though try to avoid switching it into Delphox's Grass Knot, Mega Camerupt's Earth Power, and Emboar's Wild Charge.
Fletchinder and Substitute + Bulk Up Braviary are potent threats that can destroy Gourgeist-XL after a boost, so partners such as Mega Steelix, Rhyperior, Magneton, and Tyrantrum are helpful, all of which appreciate Gourgeist-XL's immunity to Fighting-type attacks. Calm Mind Slowking can survive +2 Fletchinder's Acrobatics and often OHKO it back with Acrobatics. Quagsire can also check Fletchinder with Scald or Braviary with Ice Punch + Curse. Steel- and Fire-types also make for good partners to check dangerous Ice-types. Mega Steelix and Assault Vest Escavalier can survive any attack from Mega Abomasnow or Mega Glalie and OHKO them after Stealth Rock damage with Heavy Slam and Iron Head, respectively. Bronzong's Gyro Ball can OHKO Mega Glalie but deals little damage to Mega Abomasnow, while its Iron Head 2HKOes both after Stealth Rock damage, though it should watch out for Pursuit users such as Houndoom and Sneasel. While Fire-types can have trouble switching into Ice-type foes out of fear of an Earthquake, they can OHKO those foes with their STAB moves and appreciate Gourgeist-XL's ability to check Water-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Leech Seed provides additional damage each turn and is especially helpful against Fire-type switch-ins and RestTalk users such as Malamar, Curse Registeel, and Swords Dance Escavalier. A SubSeed strategy can be used, though Gourgeist-S does better in this role due to its much higher base Speed and its lower base HP, which gives it a greater benefit from Leech Seed recovery. Protect can be used over Synthesis to maximize the damage that Will-O-Wisp and Leech Seed deal, but Leech Seed recovery is far less reliable than Synthesis. Colbur Berry could be used to let Gourgeist-XL more effectively take Knock Off, though it appreciates Leftovers more in most situations. Worry Seed is an extremely niche option that should only be considered on full stall teams to prevent foes from using Rest and to disrupt status absorbers that rely on their abilities, such as Sigilyph and Gurdurr. Foul Play hits frail physical attackers and Attack-boosting sweepers, but most of these threats have high Defense or resist Dark. Stone Edge can be used instead of Rock Slide for a good chance to OHKO Houndoom and a small chance to OHKO Delphox after Stealth Rock damage, at the cost of accuracy and PP. Flamethrower is a more accurate but less powerful alternative to Fire Blast.
Destiny Bond's effectiveness is severely limited by Gourgeist-XL's low Speed, but it can be used to get surprise KOs against slower foes, such as Mega Camerupt, or force switches against Choice-locked foes, such as Exploud. Disable, while also hampered by Gourgeist-XL's low Speed, can disrupt foes that are locked into a move, have only a single attack for Gourgeist-XL, or are spamming healing moves. Flame Charge can be used to improve Gourgeist-XL's Speed, though most Grass- and Steel-types take more damage from Fire Blast and Flamethrower. Magic Coat can be used to help avoid status, Taunt, and entry hazards, but Gourgeist-XL generally can't afford to drop one of its moves. Toxic can be used to more effectively wear down bulky foes, particularly Alomomola, though Will-O-Wisp is better for crippling physical attackers as well as Steel- and Poison-types. Phantom Force can be used as a decently powerful Ghost-type STAB move on a SubSeed set because it helps accumulate Leech Seed and burn damage, but the setup turn allows the opponent a free switch into a Normal-type or a relatively safe switch into a Dark-type.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Mega Camerupt, Houndoom, Delphox, and Emboar, in addition to being immune to Will-O-Wisp, are extremely potent threats because they can often OHKO Gourgeist-XL with either Fire Blast or Flare Blitz.
**Flying-type Physical Attackers**: Fletchinder is immune to Will-O-Wisp, takes very little damage from Seed Bomb, and can OHKO Gourgeist-XL after a Swords Dance boost, though Rock Slide OHKOes it. Substitute + Bulk Up Braviary can block Will-O-Wisp with a Substitute and use Bulk Up to prevent Rock Slide from breaking through Substitute. Choice Band Braviary's Brave Bird also OHKOes Gourgeist-XL.
**Ice-types**: Mega Glalie's Double Edge OHKOes Gourgeist-XL, as does Return after Stealth Rock damage. While Swords Dance Mega Abomasnow is not too difficult for Gourgeist-XL to check because of the lower power of Ice Shard, mixed Mega Abomasnow's Blizzard OHKOes Gourgeist-XL after Stealth Rock damage. Sneasel can also 2HKO Gourgeist-XL with Icicle Crash, though it's extremely crippled by burns.
**Status Absorbers**: Gurdurr gets a major power boost from a burn and easily sets up on Gourgeist-XL with Bulk Up. Sigilyph takes no damage from Will-O-Wisp, 2HKOes Gourgeist-XL with Air Slash or Heat Wave, and can recover any damage taken from Rock Slide with Roost. Xatu can bounce back Will-O-Wisp thanks to Magic Bounce, though it's not particularly threatening offensively. Roselia and Trevenant are cured of status afflictions upon switching out thanks to Natural Cure; Roselia can set up entry hazards and use Sludge Bomb repeatedly until Gourgeist-XL is poisoned, while Choice Band Trevenant can 2HKO it with Shadow Claw. Shed Skin Scrafty can set up with Dragon Dance, wait until Shed Skin cures it of a burn, and hit Gourgeist-XL hard.
**Special Attackers**: Exploud and Clawitzer outspeed and have a chance to OHKO Gourgeist-XL with Boomburst and Dark Pulse, respectively. Meloetta's Psychic, Life Orb Flygon's Fire Blast or Draco Meteor, and offensive Cofagrigus's Shadow Ball each 2HKO Gourgeist-XL, while Calm Mind Virizion has the opportunity to set up on it.
**Taunt**: Gourgeist-XL's utility comes from its status moves, so Taunt users such as Mega Banette, Jellicent, Drapion, Spiritomb, and Qwilfish are problematic for it, especially because they all commonly run Dark- or Ghost-type attacks, with the exception of Qwilfish and Jellicent variants running Scald.
**Offensive Dark-types**: Offensive Drapion OHKOes Gourgeist-XL after a Swords Dance boost and is protected from Will-O-Wisp by a Lum Berry. Non-Shed Skin Scrafty often carries Lum Berry and has a chance to OHKO Gourgeist-XL with Knock Off after a Dragon Dance boost and Stealth Rock damage. Absol and Sharpedo, though frail, deal massive damage to Gourgeist-XL with their Dark-type STAB moves.
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