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Pokémon Galvantula

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Jojobobo said:
Is there anyway to outspeed and KO a Focus Sash Galvantula turn one (bearing in mind most users use them recklessly)? I'm trying to play a Baton Pass team, and the logistics of passing to a defogger with Sticky Web in play is awkward to say the least as every time you Baton Pass to a new pokemon they get -1 speed (yes you can Magic Bounce/Coat the Sticky Web onto their side, but that's why most Galvantula teams have a rapid spinner - even then they aren't getting those cumulative -1 boosts like you).

The only things I could think of were scarf Haxorus who doesn't quite get there with Dual Chop:

252+ Atk Mold Breaker Haxorus Dual Chop (2 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Galvantula: 240-284 (85.4 - 101%) -- approx. 6.3% chance to OHKO

Or something like scarf Heracross Rock Blast, but even then that's pretty shaky (if 3 hits land you get 87.5% chance of an OHKO, however 37.5% of the time you only get 2 hits - overall the odds of the OHKO with the moves 90% accuracy in the first place are 52.0%, which as gambles go is pretty crap).

A scarf Cloyster could also do the trick, but that would be a pretty ridiculous thing to use. Is Ambipom really the only viable alternative, either CB Double Hit or LO Fake Out (min 57%) then U-Turn (min 44%)? Seems like an non-ideal solution.
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Cinccinos a fast skill link user who can use rock blast who will clean up galvantula in one turn without any damage boosting items
252 Atk Cinccino Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Galvantula: 340-400 (120.9 - 142.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
Touchy said:
Cinccinos a fast skill link user who can use rock blast who will clean up galvantula in one turn without any damage boosting items
252 Atk Cinccino Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Galvantula: 340-400 (120.9 - 142.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
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The problem is that Cinccino doesn't do much outside of that. It isn't very strong or bulky, which means its only able to pick off really frail attackers without any form of priority. It might be able to take out Galvantula, but it won't be good for much else, not to mention that every Cinccino runs Tail Slap / Rock Blast / Bullet Seed / U-Turn, so anyone half decent and knows what Cinccino is will just switch to something that can handle it and punish you for using it.

TL,DR; Cinccino is bad, don't use it.
 
Flinchhax with scarf Togekiss/Jirachi is another way to break Focus Sashes without them getting to move but of course it's not as reliable and Togekiss in particular doesn't have a good matchup against Galvantula. Scarf Jirachi is a workable lead with U-Turn though so it could be an option.
 
TKGriffiths said:
Flinchhax with scarf Togekiss/Jirachi is another way to break Focus Sashes without them getting to move but of course it's not as reliable and Togekiss in particular doesn't have a good matchup against Galvantula. Scarf Jirachi is a workable lead with U-Turn though so it could be an option.
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Plus neither of them unboosted are faster, so it still gets web up no prob.
 
Jojobobo said:
Is there anyway to outspeed and KO a Focus Sash Galvantula turn one (bearing in mind most users use them recklessly)? I'm trying to play a Baton Pass team, and the logistics of passing to a defogger with Sticky Web in play is awkward to say the least as every time you Baton Pass to a new pokemon they get -1 speed (yes you can Magic Bounce/Coat the Sticky Web onto their side, but that's why most Galvantula teams have a rapid spinner - even then they aren't getting those cumulative -1 boosts like you).

The only things I could think of were scarf Haxorus who doesn't quite get there with Dual Chop:

252+ Atk Mold Breaker Haxorus Dual Chop (2 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Galvantula: 240-284 (85.4 - 101%) -- approx. 6.3% chance to OHKO

Or something like scarf Heracross Rock Blast, but even then that's pretty shaky (if 3 hits land you get 87.5% chance of an OHKO, however 37.5% of the time you only get 2 hits - overall the odds of the OHKO with the moves 90% accuracy in the first place are 52.0%, which as gambles go is pretty crap).

A scarf Cloyster could also do the trick, but that would be a pretty ridiculous thing to use. Is Ambipom really the only viable alternative, either CB Double Hit or LO Fake Out (min 57%) then U-Turn (min 44%)? Seems like an non-ideal solution.
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The main pokemon I can think of that haven't already been mentioned:

Whimsicott and Thundurus-I have prankster Taunts, though they take heavy damage from Galvantula while being unable to OHKO it. So basically, you'll have to Taunt, then use U-turn or Volt Switch to break its sash and switch to something that can finish the Galvantula off.

Weavile imo is the best option, getting Fake Out to break Galvantula's sash. It then can outspeed and OHKO with Knock Off (sadly, Knock Off's effect goes after the sash activates, so you can't just go straight for that), and even if the opponent switches out, they take a big Knock Off hit and lose their item or you can just use Pursuit if you are a prediction god. Beat Up is also a gimmicky option that can KO Galvantula through the sash but you need to have a lot of pokemon with high base attack stats on your team, as Beat up needs to hit 90 combined base power, and your team probably doesn't have the stats to do that.
 
I just tested on PS. Assault vest galvantula can't set up sticky web. For this reason, I believe that focus sash is the only reasonable item. Sash leaves you at 1 HP with a web, then switch. I believe galvantula's only use is sticky web. I think he will play well in the lower tiers. However, in OU, galvantula's viability stretches to just sticky web. Yes, it can sweep late game, but lets face it, lots of pokemon can do that. So, galvantula is a one trick pony. That doesn't mean don't use it. I just think that another pokemon could benefit your team more.
 
Just use a prankster/fast taunter. seriously is it that hard?

My favourite is Mega Aerodactyl (even regular does the trick) it can taunt its ass, set up it's own rocks and/or threaten back with Rock Slide.
 
Soul Fly said:
Just use a prankster/fast taunter. seriously is it that hard?

My favourite is Mega Aerodactyl (even regular does the trick) it can taunt its ass, set up it's own rocks and/or threaten back with Rock Slide.
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But Mega Aero won't appreciate it if Galvantula fires off Thunder while you use Taunt. Plus even if you taunt them chances are they are sashed and so, will survive the next hit and OHKO with Thunder (unless flinch hax happens with Rock Slide).
 
I think the main niche that galvantula has over other sticky web users is that its the only one that actually has some offense to it. I have actually seen people on showdown end up losing two pokes to this thing because they muck around and just don't attack it straight away. With Compound eyes thunder and the coverage moves that Galvantula has, you are definitely just better off attacking it and not give it a chance to do some serious damage to your team.
 
I've never used Galvantula until this gen and I'm loving him.
I feel like he's a good enough pick for OU, particular since he faces a lot of threat from Skill Link and Fake Out in UU. I've run him as my opening Pokémon on Showdown at OU and I've lost 4 of around 20 or so battles, with Galvantula having a significant impact to disrupting the opponents.

Galvantula @ Focus Sash
Nature: Modest
Ability: Compound Eyes
4HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

- Sticky Web
- Volt Switch
- Bug Buzz
- Thunder

Sticky Web will be a priority to slow down the opponent's Pokémon and if I force a switch, Galvantula suddenly becomes a little monster, able to OHKO/2HKO a ton of the most common spinners, including Tentacruel, Starmie, Donphan and even Forretress, however Donphan will pose a large problem with Earthquake/Stone Edge.
If they switch in for the spin, Galvantula will outspeed them thanks to Sticky Web and they'll either have to lose their spinner to remove my web or remove my Galvantula before spinning (which is only doable by Donphan and Starmie, the latter after Stealth Rock and only with sash/assault vest, which is HIGHLY unlikely)

Galvantula vs other openers and spinners:

Tentacruel:
252+ SpA Galvantula Thunder vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Tentacruel: 276-326 (75.8 - 89.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
vs
0 SpA Tentacruel Scald vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Galvantula: 109-129 (38.6 - 45.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Thanks to Galvantula's superior speed, you'll only have to take one hit of Scald to remove Tentacruel from the equation - meaning the opponent has the choice of either spinner away Sticky Web or dealing some damage to Galvantula, but not both.

Forretress:
252+ SpA Galvantula Thunder vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Forretress: 244-288 (68.9 - 81.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
vs
4 SpA Forretress Volt Switch vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Galvantula: 25-30 (8.8 - 10.6%) -- possibly the worst move ever

Don't switch Forretress onto Galvantula.
Ever.

Ferrothorn:
252+ SpA Galvantula Bug Buzz vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Ferrothorn: 117-138 (33.2 - 39.2%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO
vs
4 Atk Ferrothorn Gyro Ball (103 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Galvantula: 80-94 (28.3 - 33.3%) -- 0% chance to 3HKO

Even the mighty Ferrothorn cannot take too many hits from Galvantula before being forced to switch.

Starmie:
252+ SpA Galvantula Thunder vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Starmie: 368-434 (140.9 - 166.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
vs
252 SpA Life Orb Starmie Surf vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Galvantula: 242-285 (85.8 - 101%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO

Unfortunately for Galvantula, Starmie WILL outspeed him in a straight battle.
Fortunately for Galvantula, if Starmie switches into Sticky Web, then Galvantula can shatter her with a 91% accuracy Thunder.

Donphan:
252+ SpA Galvantula Bug Buzz vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Donphan: 199-235 (51.8 - 61.1%) -- 95.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
vs
252+ Atk Donphan Earthquake vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Galvantula: 256-303 (90.7 - 107.4%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

Donphan is one of few common spinners who stands a big chance against Galvantula, but if Galvantula is sashed, Donphan has to make the choice between spinning away the Sticky Web or dealing a chunk of damage to Galvantula (possibly activating the sash) before going down, in a similar scenario to Tentacruel.

Main checks/counters:
Anything that can resist both electric and/or bug, particularly ground types - Pokémon such as Hippowdon, Nidoqueen and Tyranitar - disrupt Galvantula a lot. Assault Vest Tyranitar in particular will annihilate Galvantula without taking much damage back. Carbink will survive long enough to take four thunders - assuming they all hit, meaning the little fairy pebble has more than enough time to set up safely on Galvantula.
Heatran is a large opening threat to Galvantula - easily landing a 2HKO without taking much in reply, whilst a surprise Toxic Spikes Roserade will melt Galvantula with her Sludge Bombs, however Galvantula can switch out on a number of these threats with Volt Switch without taking any damage.

Fake Out and Skill Link are large chinks in Galvantula's seemingly solid opening display, with Pokémon such as Ambipom, Cloyster, Cinccino and Mega Heracross causing big problems with their powerful Rock Blasts and others such as Mienshao and Hitmontop with their Fake Outs - all mostly UU Pokémon, however.
If Galvantula does find himself in UU, he'll find it hard to make a large impact with Steelix, Cinccino, Ambipom, Mienshao and Hitmontop all lurking around, whilst OU holds a less early problems in comparison.
 
Mumukai said:
I've never used Galvantula until this gen and I'm loving him.
I feel like he's a good enough pick for OU, particular since he faces a lot of threat from Skill Link and Fake Out in UU. I've run him as my opening Pokémon on Showdown at OU and I've lost 4 of around 20 or so battles, with Galvantula having a significant impact to disrupting the opponents.

Galvantula @ Focus Sash
Nature: Modest
Ability: Compound Eyes
4HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

- Sticky Web
- Volt Switch
- Bug Buzz
- Thunder

Sticky Web will be a priority to slow down the opponent's Pokémon and if I force a switch, Galvantula suddenly becomes a little monster, able to OHKO/2HKO a ton of the most common spinners, including Tentacruel, Starmie, Donphan and even Forretress, however Donphan will pose a large problem with Earthquake/Stone Edge.
If they switch in for the spin, Galvantula will outspeed them thanks to Sticky Web and they'll either have to lose their spinner to remove my web or remove my Galvantula before spinning (which is only doable by Donphan and Starmie, the latter after Stealth Rock and only with sash/assault vest, which is HIGHLY unlikely)

Galvantula vs other openers and spinners:

Tentacruel:
252+ SpA Galvantula Thunder vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Tentacruel: 276-326 (75.8 - 89.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
vs
0 SpA Tentacruel Scald vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Galvantula: 109-129 (38.6 - 45.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Thanks to Galvantula's superior speed, you'll only have to take one hit of Scald to remove Tentacruel from the equation - meaning the opponent has the choice of either spinner away Sticky Web or dealing some damage to Galvantula, but not both.

Forretress:
252+ SpA Galvantula Thunder vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Forretress: 244-288 (68.9 - 81.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
vs
4 SpA Forretress Volt Switch vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Galvantula: 25-30 (8.8 - 10.6%) -- possibly the worst move ever

Don't switch Forretress onto Galvantula.
Ever.

Ferrothorn:
252+ SpA Galvantula Bug Buzz vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Ferrothorn: 117-138 (33.2 - 39.2%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO
vs
4 Atk Ferrothorn Gyro Ball (103 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Galvantula: 80-94 (28.3 - 33.3%) -- 0% chance to 3HKO

Even the mighty Ferrothorn cannot take too many hits from Galvantula before being forced to switch.

Starmie:
252+ SpA Galvantula Thunder vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Starmie: 368-434 (140.9 - 166.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
vs
252 SpA Life Orb Starmie Surf vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Galvantula: 242-285 (85.8 - 101%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO

Unfortunately for Galvantula, Starmie WILL outspeed him in a straight battle.
Fortunately for Galvantula, if Starmie switches into Sticky Web, then Galvantula can shatter her with a 91% accuracy Thunder.

Donphan:
252+ SpA Galvantula Bug Buzz vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Donphan: 199-235 (51.8 - 61.1%) -- 95.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
vs
252+ Atk Donphan Earthquake vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Galvantula: 256-303 (90.7 - 107.4%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

Donphan is one of few common spinners who stands a big chance against Galvantula, but if Galvantula is sashed, Donphan has to make the choice between spinning away the Sticky Web or dealing a chunk of damage to Galvantula (possibly activating the sash) before going down, in a similar scenario to Tentacruel.

Main checks/counters:
Anything that can resist both electric and/or bug, particularly ground types - Pokémon such as Hippowdon, Nidoqueen and Tyranitar - disrupt Galvantula a lot. Assault Vest Tyranitar in particular will annihilate Galvantula without taking much damage back. Carbink will survive long enough to take four thunders - assuming they all hit, meaning the little fairy pebble has more than enough time to set up safely on Galvantula.
Heatran is a large opening threat to Galvantula - easily landing a 2HKO without taking much in reply, whilst a surprise Toxic Spikes Roserade will melt Galvantula with her Sludge Bombs, however Galvantula can switch out on a number of these threats with Volt Switch without taking any damage.

Fake Out and Skill Link are large chinks in Galvantula's seemingly solid opening display, with Pokémon such as Ambipom, Cloyster, Cinccino and Mega Heracross causing big problems with their powerful Rock Blasts and others such as Mienshao and Hitmontop with their Fake Outs - all mostly UU Pokémon, however.
If Galvantula does find himself in UU, he'll find it hard to make a large impact with Steelix, Cinccino, Ambipom, Mienshao and Hitmontop all lurking around, whilst OU holds a less early problems in comparison.
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really, its energy ball or volt switch are the big choices for fourth move. taunt would make this thing a excellent anti lead.
 
Torty73 said:
really, its energy ball or volt switch are the big choices for fourth move. taunt would make this thing a excellent anti lead.
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Energy Ball deals less damage than Bug Buzz against most Pokémon - the Pokémon it hits harder are realistically only Pokémon such as Donphan, Dugtrio and maybe Excadrill and Steelix if they pop up in OU, but they are all rare occurences (except Excadrill if he drops down).

I would love Taunt on this little spider. :P
 
Mumukai said:
Energy Ball deals less damage than Bug Buzz against most Pokémon - the Pokémon it hits harder are realistically only Pokémon such as Donphan, Dugtrio and maybe Excadrill and Steelix if they pop up in OU, but they are all rare occurences (except Excadrill if he drops down).

I would love Taunt on this little spider. :P
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But Excadrill isn't banned, anyway, I think. On one hand, I might try using volt switch.
 
Excadrill is 100% legal in OU. Hell, he's a more relevant spinner than practically everything listed. I don't think I've seen a Forretress in OU yet.
 
Lord of Bays said:
Excadrill is 100% legal in OU. Hell, he's a more relevant spinner than practically everything listed. I don't think I've seen a Forretress in OU yet.
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So it's confirmed that Excadrill is back in OU, then? :\

Guess he did lose two resistances, which does make a difference, plus Aegislash is fairly common in OU and can OHKO with Sacred Sword whilst sponging an Earthquake in Shield Forme.

Excadrill would force a Galvantula switch anyway, regardless of Energy Ball.
 
Double battles make galvantula an interesting case, mainly because of the gastro acid set. The gastro acid set is intriguing because it means galvantula and slaking can pair well together. Galvantula outspeeds a lot of stuff, so a focus sash will almost guarantee it gets to lay down sticky web and gastro acid slaking's truant away, leaving slaking free to rampage on just about anything(with a BST of 670, slaking is one of the strongest pokemon in the game). This seems like it would be predictable, especially if you saw slaking in the team preview, but it's worth considering. The biggest hole in the gastro acid set is that galvantula must be kept alive for 2 turns, which given its weakness to stealth rock and poor defenses, seems like a difficult task. I could see galvantula as being viable in double battles. Plus, slaking is physically strong, and galvantula is specially strong, so they could take down lots of stuff together. Just a thought...
 
Start Galvantula and Slaking, make sure Galvantula is Timid with 4HP + 252 SpA + 252 Spe.
Use Gastro Acid as your first attack, you need to boost Slaking immediately, no matter what.

If they go for Slaking first, Galvantula can Sticky Web to set up the rest of your team.
If they go for Galvantula first, they'll have the gigantic form of a rampaging Gorilla-Sloth-thing to contend with.
 
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