[Overview]
Gastrodon is a premiere counter to one of the strongest Ubers threats in Kyogre being by immune to both its STAB moves, thanks to Storm Drain, and Thunder. Unlike the common Kyogre switch-in of Eternatus, Gastrodon is less prone to losing against Kyogre through status. Gastrodon also is useful as a hard counter to Regieleki frequenting strong Electric moves bar lead sets that run Explosion. It also serves a pivot into Dracovish that commonly spams Fishious Rend, and a counter to non-offensive Necrozma-DM, and Palkia and Dialga that are not Choice Specs. With that being said, Gastrodon is a more passive switch-in to Kyogre compared to other options, meaning special walls often switch in and shut Gastrodon down to heal, inflict status, or set up hazards in front of it.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive (Big Slugga)
move 1: Scald
move 2: Clear Smog
move 3: Ice Beam / Earthquake / Icy Wind
move 4: Recover
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Scald is preferred over Surf on Gastrodon to chance for burns on common switch-ins like Eternatus and Yveltal looking to heal or Defog on it, deter offensive breakers like Zekrom or Zygarde from freely switching in, and better handle Kyogre in case of Ice Beam freezes. Ice-move coverage is valuable to prevent Zygarde in both forms from using Substitute and trying to setup on Gastrodon with Coil or Dragon Dance. Ice Beam allows greater damage on Eternatus and Yveltal, while Icy Wind conveniently lowers the speed of switch-ins to allow for Gastrodon's partners to switch-in safer. Earthquake instead improves the matchup against Eternatus and Toxapex trying to heal or set up Toxic Spikes in front of it, and catches Dialga and Zekrom for respectable damage. Clear Smog is necessary to prevent Calm Mind Kyogre from boosting significantly and powering through Gastrodon.
Gastrodon, being a Kyogre counter and general switch-in to Electric moves, is a great partner for what loses a lot of momentum against Kyogre. Ho-Oh is a great example, often taking a turn to Defog entry hazards or Sacred Fire for minimal damage as Kyogre switches in, and enjoys having a switch-in to Water and Electric moves. In turn, Ho-Oh is a switch-in for threatening Grass types like Zarude, Tangrowth, and Ferrothorn, and often absorbs status like Toxic for Gastrodon. Other strong team partners include Ferrothorn and Skarmory that use Spikes to defensively pressure what Gastrodon is threatened by, and Yveltal, which similarly to Ho-Oh commonly loses momentum when using Defog.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Yawn is another option to deter setup sweepers and special tanks from switching in and sitting on Gastrodon. A set of Scald/Earthquake/Yawn/Recover can be used if a team has sufficient Zygarde counterplay. Alternatively, a set of Scald/Icy Wind/Yawn/Recover instead is workable if a team has sufficient counterplay for the rare Substitute + Calm Mind Kyogre or Suicine.
Checks and Counters
====
**Grass-Types**: Even with Ice move coverage, Gastrodon is not reliably removing Zarude, Tangrowth, and Ferrothorn with it. Ferrothorn switching-in is especially an issue for Gastrodon, comfortably taking on all three of its attacks and receiving the chance to either Knock Off an item or take it out with Power Whip (depending on coverage), recover any small damage with Leech Seed, or set up Spikes in front of Gastrodon.
**Special Walls**: The likes of Blissey, Ho-Oh, and Eternatus repeatedly sponge any of Gastrodon's attacks and threaten to Toxic Gastrodon. Blissey and Eternatus can use Gastrodon's presence on the field to set up Stealth Rock or Toxic Spikes, respectively, as well.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[BasedWhat?, 528667]]
- Quality checked by: [[Manaphy, 50695], [SiTuM, 274590]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [username2, userid2]]
Gastrodon is a premiere counter to one of the strongest Ubers threats in Kyogre being by immune to both its STAB moves, thanks to Storm Drain, and Thunder. Unlike the common Kyogre switch-in of Eternatus, Gastrodon is less prone to losing against Kyogre through status. Gastrodon also is useful as a hard counter to Regieleki frequenting strong Electric moves bar lead sets that run Explosion. It also serves a pivot into Dracovish that commonly spams Fishious Rend, and a counter to non-offensive Necrozma-DM, and Palkia and Dialga that are not Choice Specs. With that being said, Gastrodon is a more passive switch-in to Kyogre compared to other options, meaning special walls often switch in and shut Gastrodon down to heal, inflict status, or set up hazards in front of it.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive (Big Slugga)
move 1: Scald
move 2: Clear Smog
move 3: Ice Beam / Earthquake / Icy Wind
move 4: Recover
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Scald is preferred over Surf on Gastrodon to chance for burns on common switch-ins like Eternatus and Yveltal looking to heal or Defog on it, deter offensive breakers like Zekrom or Zygarde from freely switching in, and better handle Kyogre in case of Ice Beam freezes. Ice-move coverage is valuable to prevent Zygarde in both forms from using Substitute and trying to setup on Gastrodon with Coil or Dragon Dance. Ice Beam allows greater damage on Eternatus and Yveltal, while Icy Wind conveniently lowers the speed of switch-ins to allow for Gastrodon's partners to switch-in safer. Earthquake instead improves the matchup against Eternatus and Toxapex trying to heal or set up Toxic Spikes in front of it, and catches Dialga and Zekrom for respectable damage. Clear Smog is necessary to prevent Calm Mind Kyogre from boosting significantly and powering through Gastrodon.
Gastrodon, being a Kyogre counter and general switch-in to Electric moves, is a great partner for what loses a lot of momentum against Kyogre. Ho-Oh is a great example, often taking a turn to Defog entry hazards or Sacred Fire for minimal damage as Kyogre switches in, and enjoys having a switch-in to Water and Electric moves. In turn, Ho-Oh is a switch-in for threatening Grass types like Zarude, Tangrowth, and Ferrothorn, and often absorbs status like Toxic for Gastrodon. Other strong team partners include Ferrothorn and Skarmory that use Spikes to defensively pressure what Gastrodon is threatened by, and Yveltal, which similarly to Ho-Oh commonly loses momentum when using Defog.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Yawn is another option to deter setup sweepers and special tanks from switching in and sitting on Gastrodon. A set of Scald/Earthquake/Yawn/Recover can be used if a team has sufficient Zygarde counterplay. Alternatively, a set of Scald/Icy Wind/Yawn/Recover instead is workable if a team has sufficient counterplay for the rare Substitute + Calm Mind Kyogre or Suicine.
Checks and Counters
====
**Grass-Types**: Even with Ice move coverage, Gastrodon is not reliably removing Zarude, Tangrowth, and Ferrothorn with it. Ferrothorn switching-in is especially an issue for Gastrodon, comfortably taking on all three of its attacks and receiving the chance to either Knock Off an item or take it out with Power Whip (depending on coverage), recover any small damage with Leech Seed, or set up Spikes in front of Gastrodon.
**Special Walls**: The likes of Blissey, Ho-Oh, and Eternatus repeatedly sponge any of Gastrodon's attacks and threaten to Toxic Gastrodon. Blissey and Eternatus can use Gastrodon's presence on the field to set up Stealth Rock or Toxic Spikes, respectively, as well.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[BasedWhat?, 528667]]
- Quality checked by: [[Manaphy, 50695], [SiTuM, 274590]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [username2, userid2]]
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