Bug
========
Galvantula is a great Pokemon on Bug-type teams due to its ability to reliably set up Sticky Web and its great natural Speed tier, letting it outspeed or tie with other lead Pokemon such as Cobalion and Garchomp and easily get up Sticky Web early-game. Galvantula's access to Compound Eyes allows it to spam Thunder, an otherwise low-accuracy move. Furthermore, Galvantula's secondary Electric typing allows it to improve some of Bug's tougher matchups such as Flying and Water while also allowing it to threaten a good majority of Defoggers such as Mandibuzz, Skarmory, and Mantine. Its access to Energy Ball allows it to hit Ground-types such as Hippowdon, Seismitoad and Swampert, which would otherwise wall it, and Hidden Power Ice allows Galvantula to hit Pokemon such as Garchomp, Landorus, and Gliscor for major damage, which can otherwise threaten Bug-type teams. However, while Galvantula is used as an offensive suicide lead, its low Special Attack prevents it from doing too much damage to the opposing Pokemon. Galvantula also directly faces competition from Araquanid due to it being a great Sticky Web suicide lead that is able to check Fire-types with Water Bubble and Liquidation; however, Galvantula can check Pokemon such as Mantine, which directly walls Araquanid. Galvantula's poor bulk also allows it to be easily revenge killed by fast wallbreakers such as Life Orb Latios and Choice Scarf Victini or strong Pokemon with priority moves such as Dragonite.
[SET]
name: Sticky Web Suicide Lead (Bug)
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Thunder
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Energy Ball
item: Focus Sash
ability: Compound Eyes
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Sticky Web is Galvantula's main niche, allowing it to support the team by slowing down all grounded Pokemon and allowing Pokemon such as Mega Pinsir and Volcarona to sweep with more ease. Thunder is Galvantula's spammable Electric-type STAB move that allows it to hit annoying Flying-types such as Mega Charizard Y and Celesteela for super effective damage. Hidden Power Ice allows Galvantula to dent major threats to Bug-type teams such as Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Garchomp. Energy Ball allows Galvantula to hit bulkier Ground-type Pokemon, which are immune to Thunder, such as Mega Swampert, Hippowdon, and Gastrodon. Bug Buzz can be used instead of Energy Ball to allow Galvantula to hit Psychic- and Dark-type Pokemon such as Hydreigon and Latios that are barely fazed by Thunder.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment along with a Timid nature allows Galvantula to outspeed threats like Landorus and act as a fast Sticky Web setter while being able to do some damage with Thunder and its coverage moves. 4 EVs in Special Defense give Download users such as Porygon-Z a boost to their Attack rather than their Special Attack. Focus Sash allows Galvantula to survive any single attack and either set up Sticky Web or attack a threat such as Mega Pidgeot with Thunder if it is intact. Compound Eyes increases the accuracy of Galvantula's moves, allowing it to use Thunder rather than having to rely on a weaker Thunderbolt for its Electric-type STAB move.
Usage Tips
========
Galvantula should be used as a suicide lead on Bug-type teams, either to get Sticky Web up to support the rest of the team or to spam Thunder in certain matchups, especially against Flying- and Water-type teams. Thunder can also be readily spammed to fish for paralysis on fast threats that the team might struggle with like Volcarona before it sets up a Quiver Dance. Against Taunt users such as Cobalion and Tapu Koko, Galvantula should set up Sticky Web later in the match after all entry hazards have been removed from its side of the field. Be careful with setting Sticky Web against teams that have Bisharp, as the Attack boost from Defiant will make it a very potent sweeper even after the drop in Speed. When Galvantula isn't used as a lead, it likes to switch in safely against slower foes that barely touch it like Mantine so that it can safely get up Sticky Web. Galvantula also can help break down more annoying Pokemon to Bug teams such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, Mantine, and Toxapex with its coverage and STAB moves. Galvantula should preserve its Focus Sash to help Bug-type teams check certain threats by either OHKOing them or trying to cripple them with paralysis using Thunder such as Choice Scarf Nihilego, Choice Scarf Victini, and Mega Pidgeot.
Team Options
========
Armaldo can clear entry hazards from the field for Galvantula, allowing it to keep its Focus Sash intact to set up Sticky Web more easily. It can also cripple Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Victini for Galvantula with Knock Off. Galvantula can then take care of Defoggers such as Mandibuzz and Mantine, which try to clear away the Stealth Rock that Armaldo sets. Heracross and Buzzwole both appreciate Galvantula's ability to set up Sticky Web allowing them to more easily clean weakened teams. Heracross is primarily used over Buzzwole due to its better Speed tier and its ability to Pursuit trap threats like Victini for Bug-type teams. Buzzwole, on the other hand, improves matchups against Flying- and Dragon-types due to its access to Ice Punch and Thunder Punch allowing it to easily pick off threats such as Gliscor and Tornadus-T. Mega Pinsir greatly appreciates Sticky Web support, as it is able to outspeed threatening revenge killers such as Victini or threats that naturally outspeed it such as Greninja, which can otherwise be painful for Bug teams to try and handle. Scizor can find good opportunities to safely bring in Galvantula with U-turn while also being able to pick off annoying Rock-types. Scizor can run a Choice Band or Swords Dance to better clean through opposing teams late-game, which is only further aided by the speed support Galvantula provides in Sticky Web. Mega Scizor is also an option with a set of Swords Dance / Bullet Punch / Superpower / Knock Off, allowing it to hit Steel-types like Celesteela that would wall regular Scizor and remove items such as Toxapex's Black Sludge. Mega Heracross, similarly to Buzzwole, makes the Flying-type matchup much easier due to its incredible wallbreaking power, allowing it to muscle past Skarmory, Celesteela, and Zapdos with a combination of Swords Dance, Rock Blast, and Close Combat. Yanmega appreciates Sticky Web, as it allows it to run a Modest nature to make its attacks more powerful, while also providing a way to significantly damage bulky Pokemon such as Mega Venusaur. Volcarona outspeeds most grounded Pokemon including Choice Scarf Excadrill after the drop from Sticky Web while also being able to pick off Steel-, Ground-, and Water-types for the team. Galvantula also picks off Pokemon that Volcarona has a harder time dealing with such as Toxapex and Mantine. Forretress can be used over Armaldo on teams that prefer Spikes support; however, Armaldo can provide Rapid Spin support while easing the Fire-type matchup due to its typing.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bug
--------
Volt Switch is an option to bring in walls such as Armaldo and Forretress; however, due to Galvantula's great Speed tier, Volt Switch doesn't allow it to bring a sweeper in safely. Giga Drain allows Galvantula to recover off a bit of damage against bulkier Water- or Ground-types such as Swampert and Hippowdon. However, its lackluster bulk prevents it from taking advantage of the recovery. Giga Drain also misses some of the power that Energy Ball provides. Life Orb makes Galvantula's attacks much stronger; however, the loss of Focus Sash makes setting up Sticky Web much more difficult for Galvantula, which is its main niche.
Checks and Counters
===================
Bug
--------
**Zapdos**: Zapdos can Roost off any damage taken from Galvantula, clear Sticky Web with Defog, spread status, or threaten it with Heat Wave. Galvantula's most powerful attack in Thunder does not even 3HKO Zapdos after Leftovers recovery.
**Fast Taunt Users**: Tapu Koko can prevent Galvantula from setting up Sticky Web by virtue of being faster and using Taunt. Other leads such as Infernape and Cobalion can also use Taunt on Galvantula if they win the Speed tie.
**Entry Hazard Removal**: Since setting Sticky Web is Galvantula's main use on a Bug-type team, it doesn't appreciate Pokemon that can easily remove the hazard such as Excadrill and Latios. However, Latios is threatened by Bug Buzz if Galvantula is running it.
**Entry Hazards**: Galvantula doesn't appreciate coming in on hazards, as they break its Focus Sash, making it harder to keep up Sticky Web. Entry hazards also eliminate Galvantula's chance to cripple threats such as Victini and Mega Pidgeot if its Focus Sash is broken.
**Special Walls**: Specially defensive Pokemon that can clear hazards, spread status, set their own hazards, or easily shrug off Galvantula's attacks are problematic. Ferrothorn and Cradily can set hazards up, making it harder for Galvantula to keep up Sticky Web. Lanturn is immune to Thunder and can poison Galvantula with Toxic or break its Focus Sash with Volt Switch. Chansey walls Galvantula thanks to its bulk and can easily break it down with a combination of Seismic Toss and Toxic. Mega Venusaur simply just 2HKOes Galvantula with Sludge Bomb and can recover off damage with Synthesis.
**Revenge Killers**: If Galvantula's Focus Sash is broken, it easily goes down to an attack from strong revenge killers such as Latios, Choice Scarf Victini, and Choice Scarf Terrakion due to its pitiful defenses.
**Ground-types**: Bulky Ground-types such as Hippowdon, Gastrodon, and Swampert can easily check Galvantula if lacking Energy Ball and threaten to cripple it with Toxic or set up Stealth Rock, crippling its ability to set up Sticky Web again later in the match.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types can consistently set up Stealth Rock against Galvantula and threaten to OHKO it with their STAB moves. Shuckle can reliably continue setting Stealth Rock and take little to no damage from Galvantula. Faster Rock-types such as Choice Scarf Nihilego and Terrakion can easily threaten Galvantula with their powerful STAB attacks.
**Bisharp**: Bisharp's ability allows it to take advantage of Sticky Web by raising its Attack stat by two stages after its Speed has dropped and letting it potentially sweep the rest of the team with Sucker Punch.
========
Galvantula is a great Pokemon on Bug-type teams due to its ability to reliably set up Sticky Web and its great natural Speed tier, letting it outspeed or tie with other lead Pokemon such as Cobalion and Garchomp and easily get up Sticky Web early-game. Galvantula's access to Compound Eyes allows it to spam Thunder, an otherwise low-accuracy move. Furthermore, Galvantula's secondary Electric typing allows it to improve some of Bug's tougher matchups such as Flying and Water while also allowing it to threaten a good majority of Defoggers such as Mandibuzz, Skarmory, and Mantine. Its access to Energy Ball allows it to hit Ground-types such as Hippowdon, Seismitoad and Swampert, which would otherwise wall it, and Hidden Power Ice allows Galvantula to hit Pokemon such as Garchomp, Landorus, and Gliscor for major damage, which can otherwise threaten Bug-type teams. However, while Galvantula is used as an offensive suicide lead, its low Special Attack prevents it from doing too much damage to the opposing Pokemon. Galvantula also directly faces competition from Araquanid due to it being a great Sticky Web suicide lead that is able to check Fire-types with Water Bubble and Liquidation; however, Galvantula can check Pokemon such as Mantine, which directly walls Araquanid. Galvantula's poor bulk also allows it to be easily revenge killed by fast wallbreakers such as Life Orb Latios and Choice Scarf Victini or strong Pokemon with priority moves such as Dragonite.
[SET]
name: Sticky Web Suicide Lead (Bug)
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Thunder
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Energy Ball
item: Focus Sash
ability: Compound Eyes
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Sticky Web is Galvantula's main niche, allowing it to support the team by slowing down all grounded Pokemon and allowing Pokemon such as Mega Pinsir and Volcarona to sweep with more ease. Thunder is Galvantula's spammable Electric-type STAB move that allows it to hit annoying Flying-types such as Mega Charizard Y and Celesteela for super effective damage. Hidden Power Ice allows Galvantula to dent major threats to Bug-type teams such as Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Garchomp. Energy Ball allows Galvantula to hit bulkier Ground-type Pokemon, which are immune to Thunder, such as Mega Swampert, Hippowdon, and Gastrodon. Bug Buzz can be used instead of Energy Ball to allow Galvantula to hit Psychic- and Dark-type Pokemon such as Hydreigon and Latios that are barely fazed by Thunder.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment along with a Timid nature allows Galvantula to outspeed threats like Landorus and act as a fast Sticky Web setter while being able to do some damage with Thunder and its coverage moves. 4 EVs in Special Defense give Download users such as Porygon-Z a boost to their Attack rather than their Special Attack. Focus Sash allows Galvantula to survive any single attack and either set up Sticky Web or attack a threat such as Mega Pidgeot with Thunder if it is intact. Compound Eyes increases the accuracy of Galvantula's moves, allowing it to use Thunder rather than having to rely on a weaker Thunderbolt for its Electric-type STAB move.
Usage Tips
========
Galvantula should be used as a suicide lead on Bug-type teams, either to get Sticky Web up to support the rest of the team or to spam Thunder in certain matchups, especially against Flying- and Water-type teams. Thunder can also be readily spammed to fish for paralysis on fast threats that the team might struggle with like Volcarona before it sets up a Quiver Dance. Against Taunt users such as Cobalion and Tapu Koko, Galvantula should set up Sticky Web later in the match after all entry hazards have been removed from its side of the field. Be careful with setting Sticky Web against teams that have Bisharp, as the Attack boost from Defiant will make it a very potent sweeper even after the drop in Speed. When Galvantula isn't used as a lead, it likes to switch in safely against slower foes that barely touch it like Mantine so that it can safely get up Sticky Web. Galvantula also can help break down more annoying Pokemon to Bug teams such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, Mantine, and Toxapex with its coverage and STAB moves. Galvantula should preserve its Focus Sash to help Bug-type teams check certain threats by either OHKOing them or trying to cripple them with paralysis using Thunder such as Choice Scarf Nihilego, Choice Scarf Victini, and Mega Pidgeot.
Team Options
========
Armaldo can clear entry hazards from the field for Galvantula, allowing it to keep its Focus Sash intact to set up Sticky Web more easily. It can also cripple Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Victini for Galvantula with Knock Off. Galvantula can then take care of Defoggers such as Mandibuzz and Mantine, which try to clear away the Stealth Rock that Armaldo sets. Heracross and Buzzwole both appreciate Galvantula's ability to set up Sticky Web allowing them to more easily clean weakened teams. Heracross is primarily used over Buzzwole due to its better Speed tier and its ability to Pursuit trap threats like Victini for Bug-type teams. Buzzwole, on the other hand, improves matchups against Flying- and Dragon-types due to its access to Ice Punch and Thunder Punch allowing it to easily pick off threats such as Gliscor and Tornadus-T. Mega Pinsir greatly appreciates Sticky Web support, as it is able to outspeed threatening revenge killers such as Victini or threats that naturally outspeed it such as Greninja, which can otherwise be painful for Bug teams to try and handle. Scizor can find good opportunities to safely bring in Galvantula with U-turn while also being able to pick off annoying Rock-types. Scizor can run a Choice Band or Swords Dance to better clean through opposing teams late-game, which is only further aided by the speed support Galvantula provides in Sticky Web. Mega Scizor is also an option with a set of Swords Dance / Bullet Punch / Superpower / Knock Off, allowing it to hit Steel-types like Celesteela that would wall regular Scizor and remove items such as Toxapex's Black Sludge. Mega Heracross, similarly to Buzzwole, makes the Flying-type matchup much easier due to its incredible wallbreaking power, allowing it to muscle past Skarmory, Celesteela, and Zapdos with a combination of Swords Dance, Rock Blast, and Close Combat. Yanmega appreciates Sticky Web, as it allows it to run a Modest nature to make its attacks more powerful, while also providing a way to significantly damage bulky Pokemon such as Mega Venusaur. Volcarona outspeeds most grounded Pokemon including Choice Scarf Excadrill after the drop from Sticky Web while also being able to pick off Steel-, Ground-, and Water-types for the team. Galvantula also picks off Pokemon that Volcarona has a harder time dealing with such as Toxapex and Mantine. Forretress can be used over Armaldo on teams that prefer Spikes support; however, Armaldo can provide Rapid Spin support while easing the Fire-type matchup due to its typing.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bug
--------
Volt Switch is an option to bring in walls such as Armaldo and Forretress; however, due to Galvantula's great Speed tier, Volt Switch doesn't allow it to bring a sweeper in safely. Giga Drain allows Galvantula to recover off a bit of damage against bulkier Water- or Ground-types such as Swampert and Hippowdon. However, its lackluster bulk prevents it from taking advantage of the recovery. Giga Drain also misses some of the power that Energy Ball provides. Life Orb makes Galvantula's attacks much stronger; however, the loss of Focus Sash makes setting up Sticky Web much more difficult for Galvantula, which is its main niche.
Checks and Counters
===================
Bug
--------
**Zapdos**: Zapdos can Roost off any damage taken from Galvantula, clear Sticky Web with Defog, spread status, or threaten it with Heat Wave. Galvantula's most powerful attack in Thunder does not even 3HKO Zapdos after Leftovers recovery.
**Fast Taunt Users**: Tapu Koko can prevent Galvantula from setting up Sticky Web by virtue of being faster and using Taunt. Other leads such as Infernape and Cobalion can also use Taunt on Galvantula if they win the Speed tie.
**Entry Hazard Removal**: Since setting Sticky Web is Galvantula's main use on a Bug-type team, it doesn't appreciate Pokemon that can easily remove the hazard such as Excadrill and Latios. However, Latios is threatened by Bug Buzz if Galvantula is running it.
**Entry Hazards**: Galvantula doesn't appreciate coming in on hazards, as they break its Focus Sash, making it harder to keep up Sticky Web. Entry hazards also eliminate Galvantula's chance to cripple threats such as Victini and Mega Pidgeot if its Focus Sash is broken.
**Special Walls**: Specially defensive Pokemon that can clear hazards, spread status, set their own hazards, or easily shrug off Galvantula's attacks are problematic. Ferrothorn and Cradily can set hazards up, making it harder for Galvantula to keep up Sticky Web. Lanturn is immune to Thunder and can poison Galvantula with Toxic or break its Focus Sash with Volt Switch. Chansey walls Galvantula thanks to its bulk and can easily break it down with a combination of Seismic Toss and Toxic. Mega Venusaur simply just 2HKOes Galvantula with Sludge Bomb and can recover off damage with Synthesis.
**Revenge Killers**: If Galvantula's Focus Sash is broken, it easily goes down to an attack from strong revenge killers such as Latios, Choice Scarf Victini, and Choice Scarf Terrakion due to its pitiful defenses.
**Ground-types**: Bulky Ground-types such as Hippowdon, Gastrodon, and Swampert can easily check Galvantula if lacking Energy Ball and threaten to cripple it with Toxic or set up Stealth Rock, crippling its ability to set up Sticky Web again later in the match.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types can consistently set up Stealth Rock against Galvantula and threaten to OHKO it with their STAB moves. Shuckle can reliably continue setting Stealth Rock and take little to no damage from Galvantula. Faster Rock-types such as Choice Scarf Nihilego and Terrakion can easily threaten Galvantula with their powerful STAB attacks.
**Bisharp**: Bisharp's ability allows it to take advantage of Sticky Web by raising its Attack stat by two stages after its Speed has dropped and letting it potentially sweep the rest of the team with Sucker Punch.
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