Gastrodon [QC 2/3]

[BloodAce]

[OVERVIEW]

Gastrodon sets itself apart from the likes of Seismitoad and Swampert with access to reliable recovery. Thanks to its a great defensive typing, decent defenses, and access to reliable recovery Gastrodon holds a small niche as a special wall capable of consistently checking a variety of treats such as Mega Manectric, Rotom-H, Gengar, and Nidoking. Gastrodon can also deal with the meta's defensive Water-types such as Slowbro, Empoleon, and Tentacruel with its access to Storm Drain, though Gastrodon must beware of Toxic from Empoleon and Slowbro. Gastrodon strongly competes with other Ground- and Water-types such as Swampert, Gligar, and Empoleon, who provide additional utility with Stealth Rock or Defog. Gastrodon is relatively passive, becoming a momentum drain when not spreading status or hitting the opponent super-effectively as well as being susceptible to Taunt users such as Hydregion. While its defensive typing is solid, it leaves it extremely susceptible to Grass-types and Grass-type coverage moves, preventing it from checking Pokemon such as Nihilego who carry Grass Knot. Average physical bulk leaves Gastrodon broken through by powerful physical attackers such as Mega Altaria, Cobalion, Terrakion, and Mamoswine, whereas other Ground- and Water- types with superior Physical defense can check these Pokemon, giving Gastrodon further competition. Toxic can hinder its defensive capabilities and longevity despite its access to recovery. Some Pokemon Gastrodon would otherwise check, such as Rotom-H and Empoleon, can carry Toxic in order to shut it down.

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Earthquake
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD

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

Toxic allows Gastrodon to cripple potential switch-ins such as Latias, and Rotom-C. Earthquake allows Gastrodon to hit Specially Defensive Pokemon such Empoleon, Nihilego, and Tentacruel for super effective damage. Alternatively, Earth Power allows Gastrodon to hit certain Steel-types such as Cobalion and Bisharp harder than Earthquake.

Set Details
========

Storm Drain gives Gastrodon an immunity to Water-type moves and gives it a solid match-up against the majority of Water-types.

Usage Tips
========

Gastrodon should switch into Pokemon such as Mega Manectric and Rotom-H in order block attempts to obtain momentum with Volt Switch. Gastrodon can act as a pivot against Water-types thanks to Storm Drain though it should be wary of Pokemon like Empoleon who may be carrying Toxic. Gastrodon can use its bulk to switch into special attackers such as Gengar and Nidoking and easily heal off the damage from thier attacks. with Recover. Gastrodon should use opportunities such as forcing out opponents and free switch-ins to use Recover. Utilize Toxic on turns where Recover isn't needed in order to wear down bulky Pokemon and cripple would be switch-ins such as Latias and Hydregion.

Team Options
========

Gastrodon works best on balance teams and supports its teammates with its ability to check special attacking threats for its teammates. Pokemon such as Hydregion, Scizor, Infernape, and Rotom-H make for solid teammates since they can deal with Grass-types that counter Gastrodon. Scizor appreciates Gastrodon's ability to switch into Rotom-H while Infernape appreciates Gastrodon's ability to deal with Nidoking. Physical wallbreakers suck as Terrakion and Cobalion can break through special walls that wall Gastrodon such as Blissey, Togekiss, and Florges. Clerics such as Togekiss, Blissey, and Sylveon can alleviate Gastrodon of status conditions with Heal Bell. In return, Gastrodon can check Poison-types such as Gengar and Nidoking that threaten Togekiss and Sylveon as well as check special attacking threats for its teammates over the course of a match. Mega Aggron synergizes well defensively with Gastrodon as it can switch into Toxic and Grass-types as well as provide Stealth Rock support while Gastrodon is able to check Pokemon such as Rotom-H and Nidoking that threaten it. Entry hazard removers such as Hydregion, Mega-Altaria, and Togekiss can remove Spikes and Toxic Spikes, increasing Gastrodon's longevity. Poison-types such as Amoongus can absorb Toxic Spikes for Gastrodon. They can also switch into Toxic users freely. Gastrodon is also able to check Rotom-H for Amoongus. Stealth Rock setters such as Kommo-o and Celebi are useful to wear down Gastrodon's checks and punish the switches it forces.

Other Options
=============

A physically defensive set can be used to better check physical attackers such as Bisharp and Mega Aerodactyl better though a Specially Defensive set is typically more useful.

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

**Grass-types**: The likes of Amoongus, Celebi, and Rotom-C wall Gastrodon's STAB moves and force it out. Amoongus is especially notable since it doesnt fear Toxic on the switch thanks to its secondary Poison-typing.

**Toxic**: Toxic users such as Empoleon and Rotom-H can severely limit its longevity and ability to function as a check to Special Attackers

**Dragon-types** Dragon-types such as Hydregion, Mega Altaria, Mega Latias, and Kommo-o take insignificant damage from Gastrodon's attacks and are able to force it out. Mega Altaria is also able to alleviate itself of Toxic with Refresh or Heal Bell.

**Strong Wallbreakers**: Gastrodon has average physical bulk so powerful wallbreakers such as Choice Band Terrakion, Mamoswine, and Choice Band Scizor are able to deal significant damage to Gastrodon and break through it.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[BloodAce0107, 435539]]
- Quality checked by: [[martha, 384270], [Nuked, 382658], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]

 

[BloodAce]

Ready for QC.

 

[autumn]

[OVERVIEW]

• make sure the first point illustrates its place in the meta as well as showing now niche it is
• Thanks to its a great defensive typing, decent defenses, and access to reliable recovery Gastrodon holds a niche as a special wall capable of consistently checking a variety of treats such as Mega Manectric, Rotom-H, Gengar, and Nidoking.
• Gastrodon sets itself apart from Seismitoad and Swampert with access to reliable recovery.
• Gastrodon can also deal with the meta's bevy (not super clear) of defensive Water-types such as Slowbro, Empoleon, and Tentacruel with its access to Storm Drain. (empoleon/some slowbro run toxic that really cripples gastro)
• However, Gastrodon strongly competes with other Water-types such as Swampert, Seismitoad, and Empoleon who provide additional utility with Stealth Rock and in Empoleon's case, Defog. Swampert and Seismitoad also have a higher offensive presence. (would delete that last sentence and make gastro's passivity its own point because it can be a momentum drain if it's not toxicing/burning/hitting something super effective)
• talk about how it competes with other grounds as well - defensively grounds like gligar/hippo/steelix are really good glue for teams and can provide utility options like rocks that gastro can't and they can have better secondary typings too
• Middling bulk, especially physically leaves Gastrodon broken through by powerful physical attackers such as Mega Altaria, Cobalion, and Mamoswine.
• Toxic can hinder its defensive capabilities and longevity despite its access to recovery. (mention some toxic users particularly rotom-h because gastro should naturally check that otherwise)
• Additionally, Gastrodon is also susceptible to Taunt users such as Hydregion. (can remove this and combine it with the point on passivity)
• add how while its typing is really good it's really susceptible to grass types / grass type coverage from stuff it could check like nihilego

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Earth Power (earthquake is better for hitting nihi/empo/tenta harder as well as being a stronger attack vs neutral stuff like prima too. keep it in moves but not slashed for bisharp/cobalion)
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: Calm (sassy so you don't lower earthquake's power)
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD (make it 252 - 248 hp doesn't affect rocks damage and you're just lowering your hp for the sake of it)

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

• Scald has a decent chance to cripple physical attackers such as Scizor and Mega-Altaria with a burn.
• Recover enables Gastrodon to stay healthy and reliably check threats during a match. (this isn't super necessary and is just fluff so you can cut this)
• Toxic allows Gastrodon to cripple potential switch-ins such as Latias, and Rotom-C.
• add earthquake and explain why you'd prefer it to earth power then you can use below and just make it seem like the lesser choice
• Earth Power allows Gastrodon to threaten Steel-types and Poison-types such as Cobalion, Bisharp, and Nihilego. (don't mention nihi here with updates it's hit way harder by eq)

Set Details
========

• Maximum investment in HP and Special Defense and a Calm (sassy + explain it's to not lower either scald or eq while maintaining defenses) nature allows Gastrodon to function as a special wall as effectively as possible.
• Leftovers grants Gastrodon passive recovery and increases its longevity. It also allows Gastrodon to offset burn damage from Will-O-Wisp. (wisp isn't super relevant for gastro + there's not really a reason to explain what lefties does outside of this so you can cut for fluff)
• Storm Drain gives Gastrodon an immunity to Water-type moves and gives it a solid match-up against the majority of Water-types. (give some examples)

Usage Tips
========

• Utilize Toxic on turns where Recover isn't needed in order to wear down bulky Pokemon and cripple would be switch-ins. (give some examples of its switch-ins like latias / hydreigon)
• add a point for when recover is actually needed preferably above that one saying "when recover isn't needed" and when gastro finds opportunities to use it (vs foes it forces out / on free switches etc
• Gastrodon should switch into Pokemon such as Mega Manectric and Rotom-H in order block attempts to obtain momentum with Volt Switch.
• Gastrodon can use its bulk to switch into special attackers such as Gengar and Nidoking and easily heal off the damage from thier attacks. with Recover. Gastrodon does need to be wary of Trick from Gengar however. (only good gengar set is sub fight z so scouting trick isn't necessary in the current meta)
• make a point about scouting for grass coverage on pokemon it can switch into like nihi / scouting for toxic from styff like rotom too
• Gastrodon can act as a pivot against Water-types thanks to Storm Drain though it should be wary of Pokemon like Empoleon who may be carrying Toxic.

restructure this section to start with when to bring gastro in (second point and last point) then talk about when to use its moves (recover and toxic)

Team Options
========

• talk about what teams gastro fits on and how it can act as a check to a lot of special attackers for those teams
• Pokemon such as Hydregion, Scizor, Infernape, and Rotom-H make for solid teammates since they can deal with Grass-types that counter Gastrodon.
• Fairy-types such as Mega-Altaria, Togekiss, and Sylveon can check Dragon-types that threaten Gastrodon. (dragons aren't naturally a threat to it by typing; they're only really annoying because the main 2 are immune to eq and resist scald so specifically running checks as a team option doesn't really reflect what support it needs)
• Fighting-types such as Terrakion and Cobalion can break through special walls that wall Gastrodon, most notably Blissey (make this about physical wallbreakers in general - gastro doesn't require team support from fightings)
• Clerics such as Togekiss, Blissey, and Sylveon can alleviate Gastrodon of status conditions with Heal Bell. (elaborate more on how this allows gastrodon to check some threats to some of them / its team in general long term)
• Entry hazard removers such as Hydregion, Mega-Altaria, and Togekiss can remove Spikes, increasing Gastrodon's longevity.
• Poison-types such as Amoongus can absorb Toxic Spikes for Gastrodon. They can also switch into Toxic users freely.
• stealth rock users are useful to weaken some of its checks and punish the switches of pokemon it forces out - teams relying on gastro as the ground type don't get sr utility from it either

some of these sections are just type charting team options like "x type pokemon make good partners because y" which is more one dimensional than building is. talking about the roles of teammates gastro needs over the pokemon type makes this apply to teams more. i would also make sure to focus more on what gastro actually does in return for some of these pokemon and even more specifically some teammates that gastro provides support for because teams aren't structured and build around gastro, it's added to teams later for the utility and role it provides. adding how gastro helps teammates to some of your points helps to express this

Other Options
=============

• Earthquake could be used instead of Earth Power to hit Specially Defensive Pokemon harder but it is usually inferior since Gastrodon may be inflicted by a burn from the likes of Rotom-H. (main slash now. remove)
• Ice Beam hits Grass-types and Dragon-types (give some examples) that Gastrodon struggles with but it doesnt hit very hard coming off of Gastrodon's uninvested Special Attack and is generally less useful than Toxic.
• A physically defensive set can be used to better check physical attackers such as Bisharp and Mega Aerodactyl better though a Specially Defensive set is typically more useful.

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

**Grass-types**: The likes of Amoongus, Celebi, and Rotom-C wall Gastrodon's STAB moves and force it out. Amoongus is especially notable since it doesnt fear Toxic on the switch thanks to its secondary Poison-typing.

**Toxic**: Toxic users such as Bronzong (bronzong is barely relevant so mention something like rotom-h) and Empoleon can severely limit its longevity and ability to function as a check to Special Attackers

**Dragon-types** Dragon-types such as Mega Sceptile (mega sceptile isn't super relevant so if you want to keep it put it after other dragons and talk about its grass typing. you can add hydreigon or kommo-o as others), Mega Altaria, and Latias take insignificant damage from Gastrodon's attacks a nd are able to force it out. Mega Altaria is also able to alleviate itself of Toxic with Refresh or Heal Bell.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[BloodAce, 435539]] (you need your full user with the 0107 for this to work)
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]

QC 1/3

 

[BloodAce]

Implemented, ty

 

[Nuked]

[OVERVIEW]

• Thanks to its a great defensive typing, decent defenses, and access to reliable recovery Gastrodon holds a small niche as a special wall capable of consistently checking a variety of treats such as Mega Manectric, Rotom-H, Gengar, and Nidoking.
• Gastrodon sets itself apart from the likes of Seismitoad and Swampert with access to reliable recovery. (this point and the one above it should be swapped places)
• Gastrodon can also deal with the meta's defensive Water-types such as Slowbro, Empoleon, and Tentacruel with its access to Storm Drain, though Gastrodon must beware of Toxic from Empoleon and Slowbro.
• Gastrodon strongly competes with other Water-types such as Swampert, Seismitoad, and Empoleon who provide additional utility with Stealth Rock and in Empoleon's case, Defog.
• Gastrodon also competes with other defensive Ground-types such as Gligar, Hippowdon, and Mega Steelix who can provide additional utility in Stealth Rock. Gligar and Steelix also have access to a useful secondary Flying- and Steel-typing respectively. (combine this with the water-type sentence because they basically say the same thing with different typings)
• Gastrodon is relatively passive, becoming a momentum drain when not spreading status or hitting the opponent super-effectively as well as being susceptible to Taunt users such as Hydregion. This passivity leaves Gastrodon competing further with other Water- Ground- types such as Swampert and Seismitoad who have a higher offensive pressence. (remove the second sentence in this point, as you've already mentioned that it faces competition from swampert and seismitoad twice)
• While its defensive typing is solid, it leaves it extremely susceptible to Grass-types and Grass-type coverage moves, preventing it from checking Pokemon such as Nihilego who carry Grass Knot.
• Middling bulk, especially physically leaves Gastrodon broken through by powerful physical attackers such as Mega Altaria, Cobalion, and Mamoswine. (this is contradictory to the first point where you say it has decent defenses, so just say something along the lines of "average physical bulk leaves gastrodon...". also, this is where I would mention competition again, because other defensive grounds and waters have actual physical bulk, which allows them to check stuff like cobalion and terrakion, whereas gastrodon can't and you need your ground to be doing that a lot of the time)
• Toxic can hinder its defensive capabilities and longevity despite its access to recovery. Some Pokemon Gastrodon would otherwise check, such as Rotom-H, can carry Toxic in order to shut it down. (Empoleon too)

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Earthquake
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD

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

• Scald has a decent chance to cripple physical attackers such as Scizor and Mega-Altaria with a burn. (cut this, it's pretty self explanatory)
• Toxic allows Gastrodon to cripple potential switch-ins such as Latias, and Rotom-C.
• Earthquake allows Gastrodon to hit Specially Defensive Pokemon such Empoleon, Nihilego, and Tentacruel for super effective damage.
• Alternatively, Earth Power allows Gastrodon to hit certain Steel-types such as Cobalion and Bisharp harder than Earthquake.

Set Details
========

• Maximum investment in HP and Special Defense and a Sassy nature allows Gastrodon to function as a special wall as effectively as possible. (cut this)
• A Sassy Nature also enables Gastrodon to not weaken either Scald or Earthquake while maintaining its defenses. (and this)
• Storm Drain gives Gastrodon an immunity to Water-type moves and gives it a solid match-up against the majority of Water-types.

Usage Tips
========

• Gastrodon should switch into Pokemon such as Mega Manectric and Rotom-H in order block attempts to obtain momentum with Volt Switch.
• Gastrodon can act as a pivot against Water-types thanks to Storm Drain though it should be wary of Pokemon like Empoleon who may be carrying Toxic.
• Gastrodon can use its bulk to switch into special attackers such as Gengar and Nidoking and easily heal off the damage from thier attacks. with Recover.
• Gastrodon should use opportunities such as forcing out opponents and free switch-ins to use Recover.
• Utilize Toxic on turns where Recover isn't needed in order to wear down bulky Pokemon and cripple would be switch-ins such as Latias and Hydregion.

Team Options
========

• Gastrodon works best on balance teams and supports its teammates with its ability to check special attacking threats for its teammates.
• Pokemon such as Hydregion, Scizor, Infernape, and Rotom-H make for solid teammates since they can deal with Grass-types that counter Gastrodon. Scizor appreciates Gastrodon's ability to switch into Rotom-H while Infernape appreciates Gastrodon's ability to deal with Nidoking.
• Physical wallbreakers suck as Terrakion and Cobalion can break through special walls that wall Gastrodon, most notably Blissey. (I'd reword this to say not just blissey at the end, because Togekiss and Florges also wall it since they can just Heal Bell Toxic away and wear it down, which makes them just as relevant as Blissey as checks)
• Clerics such as Togekiss, Blissey, and Sylveon can alleviate Gastrodon of status conditions with Heal Bell. In return, Gastrodon can check Poison-types such as Gengar and Nidoking that threaten Togekiss and Sylveon as well as check special attacking threats for its teammates over the course of a match.
• Mega Aggron synergizes well defensively with Gastrodon as it can switch into Toxic and Grass-types as well as provide Stealth Rock support while Gastrodon is able to check Pokemon such as Rotom-H and Nidoking that threaten it.
• Entry hazard removers such as Hydregion, Mega-Altaria, and Togekiss can remove Spikes, increasing Gastrodon's longevity. (Toxic Spikes too)
• Poison-types such as Amoongus can absorb Toxic Spikes for Gastrodon. They can also switch into Toxic users freely. Gastrodon is also able to check Rotom-H for Amoongus.
• Stealth Rock setters such as Kommo-o and Celebi are useful to wear down Gastrodon's checks and punish the switches it forces.

Other Options
=============

• Ice Beam hits Grass-types and Dragon-types such as Rotom-C and Hydregion that Gastrodon struggles with but it doesnt hit very hard coming off of Gastrodon's uninvested Special Attack and is generally less useful than Toxic. (cut this, you're using toxic like 99% of the time because doing 35% to latias and 45% to hydreigon one time isn't as useful as poisoning them for the rest of the game)
• A physically defensive set can be used to better check physical attackers such as Bisharp and Mega Aerodactyl better though a Specially Defensive set is typically more useful.

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

**Grass-types**: The likes of Amoongus, Celebi, and Rotom-C wall Gastrodon's STAB moves and force it out. Amoongus is especially notable since it doesnt fear Toxic on the switch thanks to its secondary Poison-typing.

**Toxic**: Toxic users such as Empoleon and Rotom-H can severely limit its longevity and ability to function as a check to Special Attackers

**Dragon-types** Dragon-types such as Hydregion, Mega Altaria, Mega Latias, and Kommo-o take insignificant damage from Gastrodon's attacksa nd are able to force it out. Mega Altaria is also able to alleviate itself of Toxic with Refresh or Heal Bell.

(give a section here for powerful wallbreakers like CB terrakion, mamoswine, and cb scizor, which can deal a shitload of damage to it, put it last)

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[BloodAce0107, 435539]]
- Quality checked by: [[martha, 384270], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]

QC 2/3

 

[BloodAce]

Thank you, implemented and written up.