Monotype Alolan Golem (Rock) [QC 3/3] [GP 2/2]

[smub]

[OVERVIEW]

Rock
========

Alolan Golem fills an important role on Rock teams due to its ability Magnet Pull allowing it to trap and remove Steel-types. Additionally, its Electric typing grants it a neutrality to Steel-type attacks, which combines with its solid Defense stat to allow it to take attacks like Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch and Excadrill's Iron Head. With coverage options such as Fire Punch and Earthquake, Alolan Golem is able to beat Steel-types like Mega Scizor and Stakataka. However, Alolan Golem's poor Speed stat forces it to rely on Shuckle's Sticky Web to outspeed most offensive Steel-types and leaves it extremely vulnerable to revenge killers. Its awful Special Defense is also incredibly exploitable for common special attackers like Mega Diancie and Latios. These traits leave it with limited use outside of trapping Steel-types. It faces competition as a Mega Scizor check from Rhyperior, which has Solid Rock and the impeccable defensive stats and coverage necessary to check various physical threats like Landorus-T and Mega Lopunny. However, while Rhyperior can force Mega Scizor out as a check, only Alolan Golem can assuredly trap and KO it.

[SET]
name: Trapper (Rock)
move 1: Fire Punch
move 2: Wild Charge
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Choice Band
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Jolly
evs: 20 HP / 252 Atk / 236 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Fire Punch is important coverage for Steel-types, allowing Alolan Golem to beat Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor. Wild Charge is its strongest Electric-type STAB move, which lets it beat Steel-types that are weak to Electric like Skarmory, Celesteela, and Empoleon. Earthquake is another important coverage option, letting it beat Steel-types like Stakataka and Excadrill. Stone Edge is its most powerful STAB move, allowing it to do significant damage to defensive Pokemon like Mega Sableye and Chansey.

Set Details
========

Maximum investment in Attack is used to make Alolan Golem as strong as possible. 236 EVs in Speed with a Jolly nature are used to always outspeed non-Choice Scarf Excadrill after Sticky Web, as well as bulky Mega Scizor outside of Sticky Web. The remaining EVs are placed into HP to increase its bulk. A Choice Band allows Alolan Golem to always OHKO Celesteela with Wild Charge and bulky Mega Scizor after Stealth Rock damage with Fire Punch. Magnet Pull is essential to Alolan Golem's role as a Steel check, letting it prevent Steel-types from switching out.

Usage Tips
========

Against weaker Steel-types like defensive Celesteela and Skarmory, Alolan Golem's decent physical bulk can be used to let it directly switch into these Pokemon. However, against offensive Steel-types like Mega Scizor and Excadrill, it's best to bring it in after another Pokemon has fainted, since these Pokemon carry super effective attacks like Superpower and Earthquake. It's also only capable of beating Choice Scarf Excadrill if it isn't locked into Earthquake. Be careful what move Alolan Golem locks itself into, since it could risk giving momentum to Steel-types like Heatran and Excadrill, which are immune to Fire Punch and Wild Charge, respectively. Be wary of Steel-types that can outspeed and pivot out of Alolan Golem in spite of Magnet Pull when Sticky Web isn't set, such as Jirachi and Magnezone. With its great Attack stat, solid coverage, and Sticky Web support, Alolan Golem can sometimes serve as an effective wallbreaker against Poison and Normal teams. In matchups where Alolan Golem has to take a Steel-type attack such as Celesteela's Heavy Slam or +2 Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch, it's a good idea to preserve its health throughout the match.

Team Options
========

Shuckle can set up Sticky Web for Alolan Golem, allowing it to outspeed offensive Mega Scizor and non-Choice Scarf Excadrill outside of sand, andStealth Rock to guarantee an OHKO against defensive Mega Scizor. Mega Diancie can check Fighting-types like Terrakion and Keldeo that threaten to OHKO Alolan Golem and appreciates Alolan Golem's ability to trap Cobalion so that it has an easier time against Fighting teams. Terrakion has a safer opportunity to beat Steel teams with Alolan Golem's ability to trap bulky Steel-types like Mega Scizor, Skarmory, and Celesteela, all of which are able to check Terrakion. Tyranitar can use Pursuit to trap and remove special attackers that threaten Alolan Golem such as Latios and Gengar. In return, Alolan Golem is able to beat offensive Steel-types like Mega Scizor and Excadrill not locked into Earthquake. Cradily can switch into Water- and Ground-type attacks for Alolan Golem and check defensive Pokemon such as Hippowdon, Gastrodon, and Swampert. Nihilego can beat Electric-immune Water-types like Mega Swampert and Gastrodon with Grass Knot and appreciates Alolan Golem's ability to trap Ferrothorn, enabling Nihilego to easily burn through Grass teams with Sludge Wave. Omastar appreciates Alolan Golem's ability to trap and remove Choice Band Excadrill before it's able to remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin. This allows Omastar to beat Dugtrio, which prevents it from outright sweeping Ground teams.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Rock
--------

Brick Break can be used as a means of preventing Klefki from setting up Light Screen and Reflect. However, Brick Break is best utilized on non-Choice Band sets, which are unable to OHKO Celesteela and defensive Mega Scizor after Stealth Rock. These sets typically run Expert Belt or Firium Z.

Checks and Counters
===================

Rock
--------
**Ground-types**: Hippowdon, Garchomp, and Landorus can very easily switch into Alolan Golem and OHKO it with their STAB moves.

**Grass-types**: Offensive Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Breloom are able to OHKO Alolan Golem with their STAB moves despite not being able to come in on a Fire Punch. Defensive Grass-types like Mega Venusaur are capable of taking any hit from Alolan Golem and can slowly wear it down.

**Fighting-types**: Terrakion, Mega Gallade, and Keldeo are all able to outspeed Alolan Golem and OHKO it with their STAB moves.

**Offensive Water-types**: Alolan Golem is unable to take a Hydro Pump from Greninja or Keldeo, but those Pokemon can't directly come in on Alolan Golem's Wild Charge.

**Special Attackers**: Latios, Gengar, and Mega Diancie are able to OHKO Alolan Golem with either a STAB attack or a coverage option such as Focus Blast or Earth Power.

 

[smub]

Ready for QC

 

[Moosical]

[OVERVIEW]

Rock
========

* Alolan Golem fills an important role on Rock teams due to its ability to trap and remove Steel-types with Magnet Pull.
* Additionally, its Electric typing granted it a neutrality to Steel-type attacks, allowing it to take attacks like Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch and Excadrill's Iron Head.
* With coverage options such as Wild Charge, Fire Punch, and Earthquake, Alolan Golem is able to beat Steel-types like Celesteela, Mega Scizor, and Stakataka.
* However, Alolan Golem's poor Speed stat forces it to rely on Shuckle's Sticky Web to outspeed most offensive Steel-types. This also leaves it extremely vulnerable to revenge killers.
* It's awful Special Defense is also incredibly exploitable for common special attackers like Mega Diancie and Latios.
* It faces competition from Rhyperior as a Mega Scizor check, who has the impeccable defensive stats and coverage necessary to check various physical threats like Landorus-T and Mega Lopunny. Talk more specifically about how Rhyperior is a blanket check while Alolan Golem is a guaranteed check - the comparison between these two Pokemon is extremely important.
* Mention its defense, which is still pretty good.
* Expand more on its defensive typing. It gains a resistance to Electric as well.

[SET]
name: Trapper (Rock)
move 1: Fire Punch
move 2: Wild Charge
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Brick Break / Stone Edge
item: Choice Band
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Jolly
evs: 20 HP / 252 Atk / 236 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Fire Punch is important coverage, allowing it to beat Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor.
* Wild Charge is its strongest Electric STAB move, which lets it beat Steel-types that are weak to Electric like Skarmory, Celesteela, and Empoleon.
* Earthquake is another important coverage option, letting it beat Steel-types like Stakataka and Excadrill not locked into Earthquake.
* Brick Break allows it to break past Klefki's dualscreens, which is especially important for the Fairy matchup.
* Stone Edge is another option as its most powerful STAB move, allowing it to beat Rotom-H and Torkoal. Can you think of other examples? Neither of these Pokemon threaten Rock.

Set Details
========

* Maximum investment in Attack is used to make Alolan Golem as strong as possible.
* 236 EVs in Speed with a Jolly nature are used to always outspeed non-Choice Scarf Excadrill after Sticky Web. Anything else it outspeed that might be important?
* The remaining EVs are placed into HP to increase its bulk.
* A Choice Band allows Alolan Golem to always OHKO Celesteela with Wild Charge. And to guarantee OHKO bulky Mega Scizor after SR
* Magnet Pull is essential to Alolan Golem's role as a Steel-killer, letting it prevent Steel-types from switching out.

Usage Tips
========

* Against Steel-types like defensive Celesteela, Skarmory, and Ferrothorn without Power Whip, Alolan Golem's decent physical bulk can be used to let it directly switch into these Pokemon.
* However, against offensive Steel-types like Mega Scizor and Excadrill, it's best to bring it in after another Pokemon has fainted, since these Pokemon carry super effective coverage. Specifically mention the super-effective coverage that they use. Also talk more specifically about beating Choice locked Excadrill.
* In matchups such as Dragon and Normal, where there are no Steel-types for Alolan Golem to trap, it's best to use it as a sack to bring in an offensive threat like Mega Diancie or Terrakion safely. I don't really like this bullet since it essentially says "Alolan Golem is useless if there aren't any steel types to trap," is there any way to turn this into an actual tip? Plus I don't think Choice Band Alolan Golem is completely useless against Normal.
* Be careful what move Alolan Golem locks itself into, since it could risk giving momentum to Steel-types like Heatran or Excadrill, who are immune to Fire Punch and Wild Charge respectively.
* Be wary of Steel-types that can outspeed and pivot out of Alolan Golem to negate Magnet Pull, such as Jirachi and Magnezone, and make sure Sticky Web is active to prevent them from outspeeding it.
* If Brick Break is used, it's best to constantly spam it against screens setters like Klefki and Deoxys-S to make sure screens don't go up. I think you can talk a little more specifically about why you want to use Brick Break when you trap Klefki - expand on this.
* Alolan Golem is still a pretty good wallbreaker with sticky web support (120 attack with great coverage and Choice Band) - talk about this. The entire usage tips is only about Steel, I think you need to talk more about its use in general, if it becomes too many bullets, you can probably condense some of the Steel ones.

Team Options
========

* Shuckle can set up Sticky Web for Alolan Golem, allowing it to outspeed non-Choice Scarf Excadrill and offensive Mega Scizor. It can also set up Stealth Rock to guarantee an OHKO against defensive Mega Scizor.
* Mega Diancie can check Fighting-types like Terrakion and Keldeo that threaten to OHKO Alolan Golem, and appreciates its Alolan Golem'sability to trap Cobalion so that it has an easier time against Fighting teams.
* Terrakion has a safer opportunity to beat Steel teams with Alolan Golem's ability to trap bulky Steel-types like Mega Scizor, Skarmory, and Celesteela. Mention how the combo of the two effectively makes a Steel-killing core. Alolan Golem traps the Steel-types that threaten Terrakion (Mega Scizor, Celesteela, Skarmory) while Terrakion cleans the remainder of the team.
* Tyranitar can use Pursuit to trap and remove special attackers that threaten Alolan Golem such as Latios and Gengar. In return, Alolan Golem is able to beat offensive Steel-types like Mega Scizor and Excadrill not locked into Earthquake.
* Cradily ..?
* Nihilego can beat Electric-immune Water-types like Mega Swampert and Gastrodon with Grass Knot, and appreciates Alolan Golem's ability to trap Ferrothorn so that it has an easier time against Grass teams. enabling Nihilego to easily burn through Grass with Sludge Wave.
* Omastar is capable of sweeping Ground teams once Excadrill is removed by Alolan Golem.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Rock
--------

* Expert Belt can be used to allow Alolan Golem to switch up between its moves. However, this leaves it unable to OHKO Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Celesteela. I dunno if this is really worth including because you do miss the important KOs. If you are going to keep it, you need to mention bluffing Choice Band to get past immunities.

Checks and Counters
===================

Rock
--------
**Ground-types**: Hippowdon, Garchomp, and Landorus can very easily switch into Alolan Golem and OHKO it with their STAB moves.

**Grass-types**: Offensive Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Breloom are able to OHKO Alolan Golem with their STAB moves, despite not being able to come in on a Fire Punch. Defensive Grass-types like Mega Venusaur are capable of taking any hit from Alolan Golem and can slowly wear it down.

**Fighting-types**: Terrakion, Mega Gallade, and Keldeo are all able to outspeed and OHKO Alolan Golem with their STAB moves.

**Offensive Water-types**: Alolan Golem is unable to take a Hydro Pump from Greninja or Keldeo, but Greninja and Keldeo can't directly come in on Alolan Golem's Wild Charge.

**Special Attackers**: Latios, Gengar, and Mega Diancie are able to OHKO Alolan Golem with either a STAB Draco Meteor or a coverage option such as Focus Blast or Earth Power.

QC 1/3

 

[smub]

Implemented ready for 2nd check

 

[Tyke]

[OVERVIEW]

Rock
========

* Alolan Golem fills an important role on Rock teams due to its ability to trap and remove Steel-types with Magnet Pull.
* Additionally, its Electric typing granted it a neutrality to Steel-type attacks, allowing it to take attacks like Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch and Excadrill's Iron Head.
* With coverage options such as Wild Charge, Fire Punch, and Earthquake, Alolan Golem is able to beat Steel-types like Celesteela, Mega Scizor, and Stakataka.
* Its solid Defense stat and its Electric typing allow it to take Steel-type attacks like +2 Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch and Excadrill's Iron Head.
* However, Alolan Golem's poor Speed stat forces it to rely on Shuckle's Sticky Web to outspeed most offensive Steel-types. This also leaves it extremely vulnerable to revenge killers.
* It's awful Special Defense is also incredibly exploitable for common special attackers like Mega Diancie and Latios.
* It faces competition from Rhyperior as a Mega Scizor check, who has the impeccable defensive stats and coverage necessary to check various physical threats like Landorus-T and Mega Lopunny. However, against Mega Scizor, Rhyperior isn't a guaranteed check, but rather a blanket check, since Mega Scizor is able to switch out of it.

*Add a bullet about Golem-A's limited utility outside of trapping Steel-types

[SET]
name: Trapper (Rock)
move 1: Fire Punch
move 2: Wild Charge
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Brick Break / Stone Edge
item: Choice Band
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Jolly
evs: 20 HP / 252 Atk / 236 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Fire Punch is important coverage, allowing it to beat Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor.
* Wild Charge is its strongest Electric STAB move, which lets it beat Steel-types that are weak to Electric like Skarmory, Celesteela, and Empoleon.
* Earthquake is another important coverage option, letting it beat Steel-types like Stakataka and Excadrill not locked into Earthquake.
* Brick Break allows it to break past Klefki's dual screens, which is especially important for the Fairy matchup. Move brick break to other options. There are a dozen things that need to go perfectly right for Rock vs Fairy to be remotely possible and it'd take a paragraph to explain why letting azumarill in for free with band brick break is helping rock in the long run.
* Stone Edge is another option as its most powerful STAB move, allowing it to do significant damage to defensive Pokemon like Mega Sableye and Chansey.

Set Details
========

* Maximum investment in Attack is used to make Alolan Golem as strong as possible.
* 236 EVs in Speed with a Jolly nature are used to always outspeed non-Choice Scarf Excadrill after Sticky Web, as well as bulky Mega Scizor outside of Sticky Web.
* The remaining EVs are placed into HP to increase its bulk.
* A Choice Band allows Alolan Golem to always OHKO Celesteela with Wild Charge, and OHKO bulky Mega Scizor after Stealth Rock with Fire Punch.
* Magnet Pull is essential to Alolan Golem's role as a Steel-killer, letting it prevent Steel-types from switching out.

Usage Tips
========

* Against Steel-types like defensive Celesteela, Skarmory, and Ferrothorn without Power Whip, Alolan Golem's decent physical bulk can be used to let it directly switch into these Pokemon. There's no Ferrothorn set Alola Golem should be switching into. Gyro Ball does significant damage and Knock Off removes Choice Band, both keeping it from checking Mega Scizor
* However, against offensive Steel-types like Mega Scizor and Excadrill, it's best to bring it in after another Pokemon has fainted, since these Pokemon carry super effective coverage like Superpower and Earthquake respectively. It's also only capable of beating Choice Scarf Excadrill if it isn't locked into Earthquake.
* In matchups where there aren't any Steel-types that Alolan Golem can trap, it's oftentimes useless. Because of this, it can be used as a sack to safely bring in an offensive threat like Mega Diancie or Terrakion. Alola Golem can still have use outside trapping Steel-types spamming Choice Band Stone Edge against slow walls
* Be careful what move Alolan Golem locks itself into, since it could risk giving momentum to Steel-types like Heatran or Excadrill, who are immune to Fire Punch and Wild Charge respectively.
* Be wary of Steel-types that can outspeed and pivot out of Alolan Golem to negate Magnet Pull, such as Jirachi and Magnezone, and make sure Sticky Web is active to prevent them from outspeeding it.
* If Brick Break is used, it's best to constantly spam it against screens setters like Klefki and Deoxys-S to make sure screens don't go up, since this can make it much harder for offensive Pokemon like Nihilego and Tyranitar to break past Fairy and Psychic teams respectively. Remove
* With its great Attack stat, solid coverage, and Sticky Web support, Alolan Golem can sometimes serve as an effective wallbreaker against Poison and Normal teams.

Team Options
========

* Shuckle can set up Sticky Web for Alolan Golem, allowing it to outspeed non-Choice Scarf Excadrill and offensive Mega Scizor. It can also set up Stealth Rock to guarantee an OHKO against defensive Mega Scizor. Specify non-Choice Scarf Excadrill outside of Sand.
* Mega Diancie can check Fighting-types like Terrakion and Keldeo that threaten to OHKO Alolan Golem, and appreciates Alolan Golem's ability to trap Cobalion so that it has an easier time against Fighting teams.
* Terrakion has a safer opportunity to beat Steel teams with Alolan Golem's ability to trap bulky Steel-types like Mega Scizor, Skarmory, and Celesteela. Specify that these Pokemon are checks to Terrakion
* Tyranitar can use Pursuit to trap and remove special attackers that threaten Alolan Golem such as Latios and Gengar. In return, Alolan Golem is able to beat offensive Steel-types like Mega Scizor and Excadrill not locked into Earthquake.
* Cradily can switch into Water- and Ground-type attacks for Alolan Golem, and check defensive Pokemon such as Hippowdon, Gastrodon, and Swampert.
* Nihilego can beat Electric-immune Water-types like Mega Swampert and Gastrodon with Grass Knot, and appreciates Alolan Golem's ability to trap Ferrothorn, enabling Nihilego to easily burn through Grass with Sludge Wave.
* Omastar is capable of sweeping Ground teams once Excadrill is removed by Alolan Golem. Excadrill isn't the threat to Omastar, Dugtrio is. And Alola Golem only traps Choice Band Excadrill

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Rock
--------

Alolan Golem doesn't have any other viable options. Move Brick Break here. You'd only use it on a non-band set, which you could talk about here.

Checks and Counters
===================

Rock
--------
**Ground-types**: Hippowdon, Garchomp, and Landorus can very easily switch into Alolan Golem and OHKO it with their STAB moves.

**Grass-types**: Offensive Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Breloom are able to OHKO Alolan Golem with their STAB moves, despite not being able to come in on a Fire Punch. Defensive Grass-types like Mega Venusaur are capable of taking any hit from Alolan Golem and can slowly wear it down.

**Fighting-types**: Terrakion, Mega Gallade, and Keldeo are all able to outspeed and OHKO Alolan Golem with their STAB moves.

**Offensive Water-types**: Alolan Golem is unable to take a Hydro Pump from Greninja or Keldeo, but Greninja and Keldeo can't directly come in on Alolan Golem's Wild Charge.

**Special Attackers**: Latios, Gengar, and Mega Diancie are able to OHKO Alolan Golem with either a STAB Draco Meteor or a coverage option such as Focus Blast or Earth Power.

QC 2/3

 

[smub]

Implemented and written, ready for final check

 

[Kev]

Usage Tips:
- Talk about limiting residual damage to prevent getting into boosted Bullet Punch zone.

good job, QC 3/3

 

[smub]

Implemented ready for final check

 

[Eien]

add
remove
(comments)
AC = add comma
RC = remove comma

Hide

[OVERVIEW]

Rock
========

Alolan Golem fills an important role on Rock teams due to its ability Magnet Pull allowing it to trap and remove Steel-types with Magnet Pull. Additionally, its Electric typing granted grants it a neutrality to Steel-type attacks, which combines with its solid Defense stat to allow allowing it to take attacks like Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch and Excadrill's Iron Head. With coverage options such as Wild Charge (Isn't this a STAB move. Not strictly wrong but I don't normally think of STAB moves as coverage moves. Would prefer to not call it like that), Fire Punch, and Earthquake, Alolan Golem is able to beat Steel-types like Celesteela, Mega Scizor, and Stakataka. Its solid Defense stat and its Electric typing allow it to take Steel-type attacks like +2 Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch and Excadrill's Iron Head. However, Alolan Golem's poor Speed stat forces it to rely on Shuckle's Sticky Web to outspeed most offensive Steel-types. This and also leaves it extremely vulnerable to revenge killers. It's Its awful Special Defense is also incredibly exploitable for common special attackers like Mega Diancie and Latios. These traits leave it with limited use outside of trapping Steel-types. It faces competition as a Mega Scizor check from Rhyperior as a Mega Scizor check, who has the impeccable defensive stats and coverage (content: it's mostly the Solid Rock ability is it not?) necessary to check various physical threats like Landorus-T and Mega Lopunny. However, while Rhyperior can force Mega Scizor out as a check, only Alolan Golem can assuredly trap and KO it against Mega Scizor, Rhyperior isn't a guaranteed check, but rather a blanket check, since Mega Scizor is able to switch out of it.

[SET]
name: Trapper (Rock)
move 1: Fire Punch
move 2: Wild Charge
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Choice Band
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Jolly
evs: 20 HP / 252 Atk / 236 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Fire Punch is important coverage for Steel-types, allowing it Alolan Golem to beat Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor. Wild Charge is its strongest Electric-type STAB move, which lets it beat Steel-types that are weak to Electric like Skarmory, Celesteela, and Empoleon. Earthquake is another important coverage option, letting it beat Steel-types like Stakataka and Excadrill not locked into Earthquake. Stone Edge is its most powerful STAB move, allowing it to do significant damage to defensive Pokemon like Mega Sableye and Chansey.

Set Details
========

Maximum investment in Attack is used to make Alolan Golem as strong as possible. 236 EVs in Speed with a Jolly nature are used to always outspeed non-Choice Scarf Excadrill after Sticky Web, as well as bulky Mega Scizor outside of Sticky Web. The remaining EVs are placed into HP to increase its bulk. A Choice Band allows Alolan Golem to always OHKO Celesteela with Wild Charge, (RC) and OHKO bulky Mega Scizor after Stealth Rock damage with Fire Punch. Magnet Pull is essential to Alolan Golem's role as a Steel check Steel-killer, letting it prevent Steel-types from switching out.

Usage Tips
========

Against weaker Steel-types like defensive Celesteela and Skarmory, Alolan Golem's decent physical bulk can be used to let it directly switch into these Pokemon. However, against offensive Steel-types like Mega Scizor and Excadrill, it's best to bring it in after another Pokemon has fainted, since these Pokemon carry super effective coverage attacks like Superpower and Earthquake respectively. It's also only capable of beating Choice Scarf Excadrill if it isn't locked into Earthquake. Be careful what move Alolan Golem locks itself into, since it could risk giving momentum to Steel-types like Heatran or and Excadrill, who are immune to Fire Punch and Wild Charge respectively. Be wary of Steel-types that can outspeed and pivot out of Alolan Golem to negate in spite of Magnet Pull when Sticky Web isn't set, such as Jirachi and Magnezone, and make sure Sticky Web is active to prevent them from outspeeding it. With its great Attack stat, solid coverage, and Sticky Web support, Alolan Golem can sometimes serve as an effective wallbreaker against Poison and Normal teams. In instances matchups where you have Alolan Golem has to take a Steel-type attack such as Celesteela's Heavy Slam or +2 Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch, it's a good idea to preserve Alolan Golem's health throughout a the match.

Team Options
========

Shuckle can set up Sticky Web for Alolan Golem, allowing it to outspeed non-Choice Scarf Excadrill outside of sand and offensive Mega Scizor, (AC) . It can also set up Stealth Rock to guarantee an OHKO against defensive Mega Scizor. Mega Diancie can check Fighting-types like Terrakion and Keldeo that threaten to OHKO Alolan Golem, (RC) and appreciates Alolan Golem's ability to trap Cobalion so that it has an easier time against Fighting teams. Terrakion has a safer opportunity to beat Steel teams with Alolan Golem's ability to trap bulky Steel-types like Mega Scizor, Skarmory, and Celesteela, all of which are able to check Terrakion. Tyranitar can use Pursuit to trap and remove special attackers that threaten Alolan Golem such as Latios and Gengar. In return, Alolan Golem is able to beat offensive Steel-types like Mega Scizor and Excadrill not locked into Earthquake. Cradily can switch into Water- and Ground-type attacks for Alolan Golem, (RC) and check defensive Pokemon such as Hippowdon, Gastrodon, and Swampert. Nihilego can beat Electric-immune Water-types like Mega Swampert and Gastrodon with Grass Knot, (RC) and appreciates Alolan Golem's ability to trap Ferrothorn, enabling Nihilego to easily burn through Grass teams with Sludge Wave. Omastar appreciates Alolan Golem's ability to trap and remove Choice Band Excadrill before it's able to remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin. This allows Omastar to beat Dugtrio, which prevents it from outright sweeping Ground teams.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Rock
--------

Brick Break can be used as a means of preventing Klefki from setting up Light Screen and Reflect. However, Brick Break is best utilized on non-Choice Band sets, which are unable to OHKO Celesteela and defensive Mega Scizor after Stealth Rock. (Like Firium Z?)

Checks and Counters
===================

Rock
--------
**Ground-types**: Hippowdon, Garchomp, and Landorus can very easily switch into Alolan Golem and OHKO it with their STAB moves.

**Grass-types**: Offensive Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Breloom are able to OHKO Alolan Golem with their STAB moves, (RC) despite not being able to come in on a Fire Punch. Defensive Grass-types like Mega Venusaur are capable of taking any hit from Alolan Golem and can slowly wear it down.

**Fighting-types**: Terrakion, Mega Gallade, and Keldeo are all able to outspeed and OHKO Alolan Golem with their STAB moves.

**Offensive Water-types**: Alolan Golem is unable to take a Hydro Pump from Greninja or Keldeo, but Greninja and Keldeo can't directly come in on Alolan Golem's Wild Charge.

**Special Attackers**: Latios, Gengar, and Mega Diancie are able to OHKO Alolan Golem with either a STAB Draco Meteor attack or a coverage option such as Focus Blast or Earth Power.

GP 1/2

 

[smub]

Implemented ready for 2nd check

 

[Lumari]

remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 2/2

check

[OVERVIEW]

Rock
========

Alolan Golem fills an important role on Rock teams due to its ability Magnet Pull allowing it to trap and remove Steel-types. Additionally, its Electric typing grants it a neutrality to Steel-type attacks, which combines with its solid Defense stat to allow it to take attacks like Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch and Excadrill's Iron Head. With coverage options such as Fire Punch and Earthquake, Alolan Golem is able to beat Steel-types like Mega Scizor and Stakataka. However, Alolan Golem's poor Speed stat forces it to rely on Shuckle's Sticky Web to outspeed most offensive Steel-types and also leaves it extremely vulnerable to revenge killers. Its awful Special Defense is also incredibly exploitable for common special attackers like Mega Diancie and Latios. These traits leave it with limited use outside of trapping Steel-types. It faces competition as a Mega Scizor check from Rhyperior, who which has Solid Rock and the impeccable defensive stats and coverage necessary to check various physical threats like Landorus-T and Mega Lopunny. However, while Rhyperior can force Mega Scizor out as a check, only Alolan Golem can assuredly trap and KO it.

[SET]
name: Trapper (Rock)
move 1: Fire Punch
move 2: Wild Charge
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Choice Band
ability: Magnet Pull
nature: Jolly
evs: 20 HP / 252 Atk / 236 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Fire Punch is important coverage for Steel-types, allowing Alolan Golem to beat Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor. Wild Charge is its strongest Electric-type STAB move, which lets it beat Steel-types that are weak to Electric like Skarmory, Celesteela, and Empoleon. Earthquake is another important coverage option, letting it beat Steel-types like Stakataka and Excadrill. Stone Edge is its most powerful STAB move, allowing it to do significant damage to defensive Pokemon like Mega Sableye and Chansey.

Set Details
========

Maximum investment in Attack is used to make Alolan Golem as strong as possible. 236 EVs in Speed with a Jolly nature are used to always outspeed non-Choice Scarf Excadrill after Sticky Web, as well as bulky Mega Scizor outside of Sticky Web. The remaining EVs are placed into HP to increase its bulk. A Choice Band allows Alolan Golem to always OHKO Celesteela with Wild Charge and bulky Mega Scizor after Stealth Rock damage with Fire Punch. Magnet Pull is essential to Alolan Golem's role as a Steel check, letting it prevent Steel-types from switching out.

Usage Tips
========

Against weaker Steel-types like defensive Celesteela and Skarmory, Alolan Golem's decent physical bulk can be used to let it directly switch into these Pokemon. However, against offensive Steel-types like Mega Scizor and Excadrill, it's best to bring it in after another Pokemon has fainted, since these Pokemon carry super effective attacks like Superpower and Earthquake respectively. It's also only capable of beating Choice Scarf Excadrill if it isn't locked into Earthquake. Be careful what move Alolan Golem locks itself into, since it could risk giving momentum to Steel-types like Heatran and Excadrill, who which are immune to Fire Punch and Wild Charge, (AC) respectively. Be wary of Steel-types that can outspeed and pivot out of Alolan Golem in spite of Magnet Pull when Sticky Web isn't set, such as Jirachi and Magnezone. With its great Attack stat, solid coverage, and Sticky Web support, Alolan Golem can sometimes serve as an effective wallbreaker against Poison and Normal teams. In matchups where Alolan Golem has to take a Steel-type attack such as Celesteela's Heavy Slam or +2 Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch, it's a good idea to preserve Alolan Golem's its health throughout the match.

Team Options
========

Shuckle can set up Sticky Web for Alolan Golem, allowing it to outspeed offensive Mega Scizor and (reads better) non-Choice Scarf Excadrill outside of sand and offensive Mega Scizor, and Stealth Rock to guarantee an OHKO against defensive Mega Scizor. Mega Diancie can check Fighting-types like Terrakion and Keldeo that threaten to OHKO Alolan Golem and appreciates Alolan Golem's ability to trap Cobalion so that it has an easier time against Fighting teams. Terrakion has a safer opportunity to beat Steel teams with Alolan Golem's ability to trap bulky Steel-types like Mega Scizor, Skarmory, and Celesteela, all of which are able to check Terrakion. Tyranitar can use Pursuit to trap and remove special attackers that threaten Alolan Golem such as Latios and Gengar. In return, Alolan Golem is able to beat offensive Steel-types like Mega Scizor and Excadrill not locked into Earthquake. Cradily can switch into Water- and Ground-type attacks for Alolan Golem and check defensive Pokemon such as Hippowdon, Gastrodon, and Swampert. Nihilego can beat Electric-immune Water-types like Mega Swampert and Gastrodon with Grass Knot and appreciates Alolan Golem's ability to trap Ferrothorn, enabling Nihilego to easily burn through Grass teams with Sludge Wave. Omastar appreciates Alolan Golem's ability to trap and remove Choice Band Excadrill before it's able to remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin. This allows Omastar to beat Dugtrio, which prevents it from outright sweeping Ground teams.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Rock
--------

Brick Break can be used as a means of preventing Klefki from setting up Light Screen and Reflect. However, Brick Break is best utilized on non-Choice Band sets, which are unable to OHKO Celesteela and defensive Mega Scizor after Stealth Rock. These sets typically run Expert Belt or Firium Z.

Checks and Counters
===================

Rock
--------
**Ground-types**: Hippowdon, Garchomp, and Landorus can very easily switch into Alolan Golem and OHKO it with their STAB moves.

**Grass-types**: Offensive Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Breloom are able to OHKO Alolan Golem with their STAB moves despite not being able to come in on a Fire Punch. Defensive Grass-types like Mega Venusaur are capable of taking any hit from Alolan Golem and can slowly wear it down.

**Fighting-types**: Terrakion, Mega Gallade, and Keldeo are all able to outspeed and OHKO Alolan Golem and OHKO it with their STAB moves.

**Offensive Water-types**: Alolan Golem is unable to take a Hydro Pump from Greninja or Keldeo, but Greninja and Keldeo those Pokemon can't directly come in on Alolan Golem's Wild Charge.

**Special Attackers**: Latios, Gengar, and Mega Diancie are able to OHKO Alolan Golem with either a STAB attack or a coverage option such as Focus Blast or Earth Power.

 

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