
Galvantula
[Overview]
<p>Even before its release, Galvantula caused a lot of controversy. Its unique STAB in Bug and Electric is a powerful combination with great coverage. In addition, Galvantula also has Compoundeyes, allowing it to forgo Thunderbolt and use the more powerful Thunder. Although Bug / Electric is a great offensive typing, it is fairly poor defensively, with weaknesses to two common attacking types, as well as Stealth Rock. This, combined with Galvantula's natural frailty, makes it die rather quickly. Despite its flaws, Galvantula has a good offensive presence and can be useful on many teams.</p>
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Thunder
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Hidden Power Water
move 4: Volt Switch / Energy Ball
item: Choice Specs / Life Orb
ability: Compoundeyes
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With high Speed and acceptable Special Attack, Galvantula is a natural candidate for Choice Specs. With Compoundeyes, Galvantula can abuse a 91% accurate STAB Thunder, allowing it to hit many of the bulky Water-types in UU super effectively. Bug Buzz is a great complimentary STAB, hitting the many Grass-type Pokemon that resist your Electric STAB super effectively, while also hitting many Dragon- and Ground-types neutrally. Hidden Power Water gives the best coverage along with Galvantula's STAB moves, hitting Rhyperior, Rotom-H, and other Pokemon who can wall its STAB moves super effectively. In the fourth slot, Volt Switch is the main option, allowing Galvantula to scout incoming switches and go to the correct counter, although Energy Ball can be used to hit Gastrodon and Quagsire super effectively, as they can wall Galvantula quite easily.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Although the power drop is quite noticeable, a Life Orb can be used over Choice Specs to allow switching attacks. Galvantula really appreciates entry hazards to ensure many kills, such as ensuring the 2HKO on Specially Defensive Quagsire with Bug Buzz with Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes. Chansey and Snorlax completely wall this set, comfortably avoiding a 2HKO even after Stealth Rock; the former can pass huge Wishes, while the latter can outright destroy Galvantula with Body Slam. Good teammates to solve this issue are powerful Fighting-types such as Heracross or Hitmontop, who can use their powerful Close Combat to OHKO Chansey and Snorlax.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Galvantula can effectively run a Choice Scarf set, although it lacks enough power to be viable. With Compoundeyes, a 100% accurate Charge Beam can be used to pick off a weakened Pokemon and gain a boost; however, Galvantula does not hit hard enough with just a +1 boost to sweep. Disable is a viable move when combined with Protect, but Galvantula's frailty, combined with its lack of immunities, does not let it pull off such a set efficiently. Thunder Wave is a generic move that many Electric-types receive, but Galvantula is quite fast already, making it redundant. Lastly, Sucker Punch can be used with a Naive nature to pick off faster foes, but with Galvantula's lackluster Attack stat, it is fairly weak.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>The biggest counter to Galvantula is Chansey, who easily walls all of Galvantula's attacks, avoiding a 4HKO from a Choice Specs Thunder. It can then either pass a humongous Wish, hit Galvantula or the switch-in with status such as Thunder Wave, or set up Stealth Rock. Snorlax is also a great counter, avoiding a 2HKO from Choice Specs Thunder, and hitting hard back with a Choice Banded Body Slam. Although Dusclops cannot damage Galvantula greatly, Dusclops can wall Galvantula with a RestTalk set, and slowly wear it down. Choice Scarf Heracross and Flygon can come in on Galvantula's STAB Bug and Electric attacks, respectively, and hit it hard with either Stone Edge or Earthquake. Lastly, if Galvantula is not running Energy Ball, Gastrodon can easily Toxic stall Galvantula with its great Special Defense.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Galvantula gets Swarm as its Dream World Ability. This could potentially be a good ability for Galvantula, but Galvantula's main draw is its accurate Thunder thanks to Compoundeyes, making Swarm a lesser option.</p>