I remember seeing this meta last gen, but I never really tried it out. As my first dive into theorymonning for Follow the Leader, I thought I'd take a look at a powerful new Pokemon with an arguably hindering ability:
Wishiwashi Golisopod
Golisopod has poor Speed and Sp. Attack, but good Sp. Defense, great Attack, and amazing Defense. In addition, STAB moves such as Aqua Tail, X-Scissor, and U-turn are fairly common, and U-turn in particular works really well with Golisopod's speed, bulk, and firepower to make him a hard-hitting pivot.
When making the sets, I tried to make sure the leader was good for more than just Golisopod, and I left the sets unfinished so that the basic idea was more visible. Also, remember that this is my first time exploring this meta, so take things with a grain of salt.
I've also got a few non-Golisopod related ideas.
Wishiwashi
Golisopod has poor Speed and Sp. Attack, but good Sp. Defense, great Attack, and amazing Defense. In addition, STAB moves such as Aqua Tail, X-Scissor, and U-turn are fairly common, and U-turn in particular works really well with Golisopod's speed, bulk, and firepower to make him a hard-hitting pivot.
When making the sets, I tried to make sure the leader was good for more than just Golisopod, and I left the sets unfinished so that the basic idea was more visible. Also, remember that this is my first time exploring this meta, so take things with a grain of salt.
Barbaracle @ White Herb
Ability: Tough Claws
- Shell Smash
- X-Scissor
- Razor Shell
Barbaracle has a few things going for it as a leader. Firstly, Shell Smash is sexy move. Secondly, it learns a large variety of both physical and special moves. Thirdly, all three of its abilities are useful; Tough Claws powers up contact moves (which includes Grass Knot for special attackers), Pickpocket can fill the void left by a Focus Sash or White Herb, and Sniper makes your critical hits extra-critical in case Tough Claws and Pickpocket don't sound appealing.
As for Golisopod, his huge bulk allows him plenty of room to set up a Shell Smash, and since he's rather slow, he might even be able to go for a second boost without worrying about being hit after lowering his defenses.
Ability: Tough Claws
- Shell Smash
- X-Scissor
- Razor Shell
Barbaracle has a few things going for it as a leader. Firstly, Shell Smash is sexy move. Secondly, it learns a large variety of both physical and special moves. Thirdly, all three of its abilities are useful; Tough Claws powers up contact moves (which includes Grass Knot for special attackers), Pickpocket can fill the void left by a Focus Sash or White Herb, and Sniper makes your critical hits extra-critical in case Tough Claws and Pickpocket don't sound appealing.
As for Golisopod, his huge bulk allows him plenty of room to set up a Shell Smash, and since he's rather slow, he might even be able to go for a second boost without worrying about being hit after lowering his defenses.
Scolipede @ Leftovers
Ability: Speed Boost
- Megahorn / X-Scissor
- Aqua Tail
- Swords Dance
Scolipede would probably make a decent leader. Its physical movepool is fairly deep, though its special movepool is lacking. However, its biggest strength is Speed Boost, which speaks for itself.
Thanks to his huge bulk, Golisopod can safely set up a Swords Dance or two and tank hits while it waits for Speed Boost to raise his low speed to something more threatening. Also, following Scolipede grants Golisopod access to Megahorn, though X-Scissor is an option ifyou're a wimp you're worried about missing.
Ability: Speed Boost
- Megahorn / X-Scissor
- Aqua Tail
- Swords Dance
Scolipede would probably make a decent leader. Its physical movepool is fairly deep, though its special movepool is lacking. However, its biggest strength is Speed Boost, which speaks for itself.
Thanks to his huge bulk, Golisopod can safely set up a Swords Dance or two and tank hits while it waits for Speed Boost to raise his low speed to something more threatening. Also, following Scolipede grants Golisopod access to Megahorn, though X-Scissor is an option if
Nidoking
Ability: Poison Point / Sheer Force
- Megahorn
- Aqua Tail
Nidoking has already been established as an amazing leader, so I'll skip right to Golisopod. I get that Sheer Force is one of the big reasons why Nidoking is such a great leader, but since Golisopod's STABs don't have secondary effects, Poison Point might be better, since it synergizes with Golisopod's physical bulk. I guess it would depend on what you chose to run in those last two slots. Oh yeah, and Megahorn.
Rhyperior
Ability: Lightning Rod / Solid Rock
- Megahorn
- Aqua Tail
Rhyperior's movepool is pretty similar to Nidoking's, though its abilities are more defensive in nature. Lightning Rod makes Golisopod immune to Electric instead of weak, while Solid Rock trades immunity to one weakness for reduced damage from all of them.
Ability: Poison Point / Sheer Force
- Megahorn
- Aqua Tail
Nidoking has already been established as an amazing leader, so I'll skip right to Golisopod. I get that Sheer Force is one of the big reasons why Nidoking is such a great leader, but since Golisopod's STABs don't have secondary effects, Poison Point might be better, since it synergizes with Golisopod's physical bulk. I guess it would depend on what you chose to run in those last two slots. Oh yeah, and Megahorn.
Rhyperior
Ability: Lightning Rod / Solid Rock
- Megahorn
- Aqua Tail
Rhyperior's movepool is pretty similar to Nidoking's, though its abilities are more defensive in nature. Lightning Rod makes Golisopod immune to Electric instead of weak, while Solid Rock trades immunity to one weakness for reduced damage from all of them.
Toxapex
Ability: Regenerator / Merciless
- Pin Missile
- Liquidation
Toxapex probably isn't the best choice of leader for Golisopod, but it has its perks. Pin Missile can be pretty strong if you're lucky, Regenorator makes up for Stealth Rock damage, and Merciless offers extra firepower.
Ability: Regenerator / Merciless
- Pin Missile
- Liquidation
Toxapex probably isn't the best choice of leader for Golisopod, but it has its perks. Pin Missile can be pretty strong if you're lucky, Regenorator makes up for Stealth Rock damage, and Merciless offers extra firepower.
Pelipper @ Leftovers
Ability: Rain Dish
- U-turn
- Scald
- Pursuit
I'm not sure how viable of a leader Pelipper is, but has a few things going for it. It has the nifty ability combo of Drizzle + Rain Dish, and it learns a few odd moves like Gunk Shot and Seed Bomb.
By following Pelipper, Golisopod finally gains access to U-turn. Pelipper unfortunately lacks any physical Water attacks, though STAB, rain, and burns might make Scald a worthwhile choice despite Golisopod's low Sp. Attack. Finally, Pursuit pairs well with U-turn to give Golisopod even more tools for controlling momentum.
Ability: Rain Dish
- U-turn
- Scald
- Pursuit
I'm not sure how viable of a leader Pelipper is, but has a few things going for it. It has the nifty ability combo of Drizzle + Rain Dish, and it learns a few odd moves like Gunk Shot and Seed Bomb.
By following Pelipper, Golisopod finally gains access to U-turn. Pelipper unfortunately lacks any physical Water attacks, though STAB, rain, and burns might make Scald a worthwhile choice despite Golisopod's low Sp. Attack. Finally, Pursuit pairs well with U-turn to give Golisopod even more tools for controlling momentum.
Tornadus-Therian @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
- U-turn
Tornadus has a pretty funky movepool and a great ability. Tornadus-T is probably the best leader for Golisopod to abuse U-turn, as Regenererator both makes up for his Stealth Rock weakness and allows Golisopod to use an Assault Vest to have insane defense on both sides.
Ability: Regenerator
- U-turn
Tornadus has a pretty funky movepool and a great ability. Tornadus-T is probably the best leader for Golisopod to abuse U-turn, as Regenererator both makes up for his Stealth Rock weakness and allows Golisopod to use an Assault Vest to have insane defense on both sides.
Necrozma
Ability: Prism Armor
- X-Scissor
- Swords Dance
- Trick Room
Necrozma's movepool is very varied (heh) and its ability is pretty good. By having Golisopod or a teammate set up Trick Room, Golisopod can put his slow speed to good use. Unfortunately, Necrozma lacks any Water attacks, but it still gets X-Scissor.
Mew
Ability: Synchronize
- Leech Life
- Waterfall / Aqua Tail
- U-turn
- Swords Dance
I've only just realized how insane Mew's movepool truly is. Anyway, in a Trick Room setting, Mew provides Golisopod with Water STAB, coveted Bug STAB in Leech Life, and U-turn to retreat when you're almost out of Trick Room turns.
Slowbro @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Regenerator
- Aqua Tail
- Belly Drum
- Trick Room
- Fury Cutter
As a leader, Slowbro and his brother Slowking offer a wide variety of physical and special attacks (not many Water types learn Fire Blast), reliable recovery from Slack Off, two useful abilities in Oblivious and Regenerator, and powerful setup moves like Trick Room and Belly Drum.
Speaking of Trick Room and Belly Drum, Golisopod benefits heavily from following Slowbro. Golisopod's bulk makes it much easier to set up with Belly Drum and Trick Room (though you could opt to run extra coverage and let someone else set up Trick Room) and thanks to Regenerator, it can potentially do so several times throughout the match. Unfortunately, Slowbro's only physical Bug move is Fury Cutter. Because Golisopod will be switching out frequently to heal or reset Trick Room, Fury Cutter is an even worse option than usual. Still, it's there if you're just itching for some Bug STAB, I guess.
Ability: Prism Armor
- X-Scissor
- Swords Dance
- Trick Room
Necrozma's movepool is very varied (heh) and its ability is pretty good. By having Golisopod or a teammate set up Trick Room, Golisopod can put his slow speed to good use. Unfortunately, Necrozma lacks any Water attacks, but it still gets X-Scissor.
Mew
Ability: Synchronize
- Leech Life
- Waterfall / Aqua Tail
- U-turn
- Swords Dance
I've only just realized how insane Mew's movepool truly is. Anyway, in a Trick Room setting, Mew provides Golisopod with Water STAB, coveted Bug STAB in Leech Life, and U-turn to retreat when you're almost out of Trick Room turns.
Slowbro @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Regenerator
- Aqua Tail
- Belly Drum
- Trick Room
- Fury Cutter
As a leader, Slowbro and his brother Slowking offer a wide variety of physical and special attacks (not many Water types learn Fire Blast), reliable recovery from Slack Off, two useful abilities in Oblivious and Regenerator, and powerful setup moves like Trick Room and Belly Drum.
Speaking of Trick Room and Belly Drum, Golisopod benefits heavily from following Slowbro. Golisopod's bulk makes it much easier to set up with Belly Drum and Trick Room (though you could opt to run extra coverage and let someone else set up Trick Room) and thanks to Regenerator, it can potentially do so several times throughout the match. Unfortunately, Slowbro's only physical Bug move is Fury Cutter. Because Golisopod will be switching out frequently to heal or reset Trick Room, Fury Cutter is an even worse option than usual. Still, it's there if you're just itching for some Bug STAB, I guess.
Dragonite
Ability: Multiscale
- Dragon Dance / Hone Claws
- Waterfall / Aqua Tail
- Extreme Speed / Aqua Jet
- Fury Cutter
We all know Dragonite is a great leader. Its ability is fantastic, its movepool is enormous, and it has access to valuable moves such as Roost, Heal Bell, Defog, and Extreme Speed.
Of those valuable moves, Golisopod only really directly benefits from Extreme Speed, though Aqua Jet is also an option if you value PP and super effectiveness over Extreme Speed's higher raw power. Dragonite also gets two setup moves that Golisopod can benefit from. Faster builds can use Dragon Dance to boost Golisopod's speed to more workable levels, and maybe get a few Waterfall flinches, while bulkier builds can use Hone Claws to boost the accuracy of moves like Aqua Tail. Like Slowbro, Dragonite's only physical Bug move is Fury Cutter (apparently its horn is too small to use Megahorn), but unlike with Slowbro, these Golisopod are less likely to switch out, and may even have an accuracy boost, so maybe Fury Cutter isn't such a horrible option. Maybe.
Ability: Multiscale
- Dragon Dance / Hone Claws
- Waterfall / Aqua Tail
- Extreme Speed / Aqua Jet
- Fury Cutter
We all know Dragonite is a great leader. Its ability is fantastic, its movepool is enormous, and it has access to valuable moves such as Roost, Heal Bell, Defog, and Extreme Speed.
Of those valuable moves, Golisopod only really directly benefits from Extreme Speed, though Aqua Jet is also an option if you value PP and super effectiveness over Extreme Speed's higher raw power. Dragonite also gets two setup moves that Golisopod can benefit from. Faster builds can use Dragon Dance to boost Golisopod's speed to more workable levels, and maybe get a few Waterfall flinches, while bulkier builds can use Hone Claws to boost the accuracy of moves like Aqua Tail. Like Slowbro, Dragonite's only physical Bug move is Fury Cutter (apparently its horn is too small to use Megahorn), but unlike with Slowbro, these Golisopod are less likely to switch out, and may even have an accuracy boost, so maybe Fury Cutter isn't such a horrible option. Maybe.
Masquerain
Ability: Intimidate
- Aqua Jet
- Lunge
- U-turn
- Fell Stinger
I honestly think Masquerain would make for a great leader. It has access to Quiver Dance, and a colorful special movepool to back it up (Bug, Flying, Water, Grass, Ice, Ghost, plus Psychic and Ground if you count Psybeam and Mud Shot). It has a ton of options for speed control between Sticky Web, Tail Wind, and Stun Spore. It has Roost for recovery. It has Defog for the hazards that you'll definitely want gone. Intimidate means that you lower your opponent's attack every time you switch, and it even gets Haze to deal with Contrary. Masquerain also received a significant offensive stat buff this gen, so it's not like it's only good for its moves and ability.
That said, Masquerain's physical options are quite limited, though they suit Golisopod very well. I've already gone over Aqua Jet and U-turn, but Lunge lowers the opponent's attack even more, and Fell Stinger combined with Aqua Jet could make Golisopod terrifying late-game (though maybe don't pair it with U-Turn).
Ability: Intimidate
- Aqua Jet
- Lunge
- U-turn
- Fell Stinger
I honestly think Masquerain would make for a great leader. It has access to Quiver Dance, and a colorful special movepool to back it up (Bug, Flying, Water, Grass, Ice, Ghost, plus Psychic and Ground if you count Psybeam and Mud Shot). It has a ton of options for speed control between Sticky Web, Tail Wind, and Stun Spore. It has Roost for recovery. It has Defog for the hazards that you'll definitely want gone. Intimidate means that you lower your opponent's attack every time you switch, and it even gets Haze to deal with Contrary. Masquerain also received a significant offensive stat buff this gen, so it's not like it's only good for its moves and ability.
That said, Masquerain's physical options are quite limited, though they suit Golisopod very well. I've already gone over Aqua Jet and U-turn, but Lunge lowers the opponent's attack even more, and Fell Stinger combined with Aqua Jet could make Golisopod terrifying late-game (though maybe don't pair it with U-Turn).
Murkrow
Ability: Prankster
- Perish Song
- Mean Look
- Roost
- Pursuit
Are Perish Trap teams a thing? If they're not, then maybe Murkrow could make it a thing. I mean, its got the Perish Trap combo, Prankster Roost keeps everyone healthy, and Pursuit deals with pesky Ghosts and VoltTurners.
Golisopod would work well on a theoretical Perish Trap team. It's bulky, so it will likely survive long enough for the trap to work. It's slow, so in a last-mon situation, it will likely faint last. And it's strong, so its Pursuits would hurt.
Ability: Prankster
- Perish Song
- Mean Look
- Roost
- Pursuit
Are Perish Trap teams a thing? If they're not, then maybe Murkrow could make it a thing. I mean, its got the Perish Trap combo, Prankster Roost keeps everyone healthy, and Pursuit deals with pesky Ghosts and VoltTurners.
Golisopod would work well on a theoretical Perish Trap team. It's bulky, so it will likely survive long enough for the trap to work. It's slow, so in a last-mon situation, it will likely faint last. And it's strong, so its Pursuits would hurt.
Accelgor
Ability: Hydration
- U-turn
- Water Shuriken
- Leech Life
This last one is more of a look at what could have been. Last generation, Water Shuriken was physical, so Golisopod would have been able to use it to great extent. This gen, Water Shuriken is now special, but Leech Life was buffed dramatically. If Golisopod, physical Water Shuriken, and buffed Leech Life had all existed at the same time, we could have had something wonderful. *plays Taps*
Ability: Hydration
- U-turn
- Water Shuriken
- Leech Life
This last one is more of a look at what could have been. Last generation, Water Shuriken was physical, so Golisopod would have been able to use it to great extent. This gen, Water Shuriken is now special, but Leech Life was buffed dramatically. If Golisopod, physical Water Shuriken, and buffed Leech Life had all existed at the same time, we could have had something wonderful. *plays Taps*
I've also got a few non-Golisopod related ideas.
Xurkitree
Ability: Soul-Heart
- Shift Gear
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Fire] / Focus Blast / Aura Spear
Xurkitree gains so much from following Magearna. In exchange for losing access to Tail Glow, Xurkitree is able to boost its speed past +1, has stronger coverage, and Soul-Heart is strictly better than Beast Boost for Xurk.
Ability: Soul-Heart
- Shift Gear
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Fire] / Focus Blast / Aura Spear
Xurkitree gains so much from following Magearna. In exchange for losing access to Tail Glow, Xurkitree is able to boost its speed past +1, has stronger coverage, and Soul-Heart is strictly better than Beast Boost for Xurk.
Raichu-Alola @ Terrain Extender
Ability: Surge Surfer
- Electric Terrain
Alolan Raichu could potentially make for an interesting leader. Its movepool has a lot of variety, but more importantly, it gives everyone on your team Surge Surfer and access to the move Electric Terrain. Combined with the new Terrain Extender item, you can manually set the terrain, and for next 8 turns all of your mons have their speed doubled.
Ability: Surge Surfer
- Electric Terrain
Alolan Raichu could potentially make for an interesting leader. Its movepool has a lot of variety, but more importantly, it gives everyone on your team Surge Surfer and access to the move Electric Terrain. Combined with the new Terrain Extender item, you can manually set the terrain, and for next 8 turns all of your mons have their speed doubled.
Buzzwole
Ability: Contrary
- Superpower
- Trick Room
Pretty self explanatory. I'm assuming Spinda is the go-to mon for Contrary, as its movepool is by far the deepest.
Ability: Contrary
- Superpower
- Trick Room
Pretty self explanatory. I'm assuming Spinda is the go-to mon for Contrary, as its movepool is by far the deepest.
Pidgeot-Mega @ Pidgeotite
Ability: Multiscale / Intimidate
- Hurricane
- Thunder
- Blizzard
- Fire Blast / Focus Blast
I'm positive I'm not the first person to come up with this. Anyway, Gyarados got Hurricane this gen, and Focus Blast only works with Dragonite.
Ability: Multiscale / Intimidate
- Hurricane
- Thunder
- Blizzard
- Fire Blast / Focus Blast
I'm positive I'm not the first person to come up with this. Anyway, Gyarados got Hurricane this gen, and Focus Blast only works with Dragonite.
Donphan @ Shell Bell
Ability: Sturdy
- Endeavor
- Ice Shard
This isn't really an idea. More like a plea that this doesn't actually work the way I think it does. Donphan is the only Pokemon with access to the ungodly combination of Sturdy, Endeavor, and priority, but thankfully evolves to late for the FEAR strategy to work. If Donphan is the leader, could it pass the combo onto a Level 1 Pokemon?
Ability: Sturdy
- Endeavor
- Ice Shard
This isn't really an idea. More like a plea that this doesn't actually work the way I think it does. Donphan is the only Pokemon with access to the ungodly combination of Sturdy, Endeavor, and priority, but thankfully evolves to late for the FEAR strategy to work. If Donphan is the leader, could it pass the combo onto a Level 1 Pokemon?