[OVERVIEW]
Water
========
Gastrodon is the only Electric-immune Pokemon Water has access to that also has reliable recovery, making it a very solid option on any balanced Water team. Gastrodon finds its niche on Water-type teams by being able to switch into Trick users such as Latios because of Sticky Hold while also being able to wall Pokemon such as Mega Diancie. Since Gastrodon is only weak to Grass, it is often hard for teams that lack Grass-type coverage to find ways to revenge kill it. It does, however, stack Water teams' natural weakness to Grass-type coverage. Gastrodon's low Speed and passive nature also leave it vulnerable to Taunt from stallbreakers like Mew and Gliscor preventing it from recovering off damage and acting as a wall. Gastrodon does not appreciate being badly poisoned, as it severely limits Gastrodon's ability to effectively wall Pokemon like Mega Diancie. Furthermore, Gastrodon faces competition from Mega Swampert as a team's Electric switch-in; Swampert has the ability to set Stealth Rock, but Gastrodon is a reliable wall and can more easily switch into Electric-type Pokemon lacking Grass-type coverage due to Recover.
[SET]
name: Mixed Wall (Water)
move 1: Scald
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Recover
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Sticky Hold / Storm Drain
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 20 Def / 236 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is Gastrodon's main Water-type STAB move and also has a chance to burn the foe, allowing it to take on physical attackers like Bisharp. Earth Power also hits Pokemon that are immune or resistant to Water-type attacks such as Seismitoad and Toxapex. Recover allows Gastrodon to stay healthy through the entire match, allowing it to consistently take on foes throughout a battle. Toxic cripples opposing walls such as Porygon2 and setup sweepers such as Kommo-o by putting them on a timer.
Set Details
========
The HP and Special Defense investment alongside a Calm nature allows Gastrodon to act as a mixed wall, avoiding the 2HKO from Mega Diancie's Moonblast and Life Orb Kyurem-B's Ice Beam, both after Stealth Rock damage. The remaining EVs are dumped into Defense, allowing it to avoid a 2HKO from Pokemon like Bisharp. Leftovers gives Gastrodon residual recovery at the end of each turn, allowing it to switch into hazards more easily. Sticky Hold prevents it from being Tricked by Choice-locked Pokemon like Latios and Victini and prevents Knock Off users such as Mega Sableye from removing Gastrodon's Leftovers. Gastrodon can use Storm Drain to help against threats such as Perish trap Azumarill, which threatens balanced Water-type teams. However, running Storm Drain means that Gastrodon will not be able to run Sticky Hold, leaving the team very weak to Trick users such as Latios.
Usage Tips
========
Since Gastrodon is used on bulkier Water teams that usually lack switch-ins to Trick users like Latios, it should fill this role thanks to Sticky Hold, which prevents it from losing its Leftovers. Gastrodon should be kept as healthy as possible throughout the match so it can easily be switched into strong attacks like Mega Diancie's Moonblast. Gastrodon should especially be kept healthy in matchups like Electric so it can repeatedly switch in on and threaten Pokemon like Alolan Raichu with Earth Power. Gastrodon should avoid being statused with Toxic, as it severely reduces Gastrodon's ability to stay healthy through the match, making it easier to revenge kill. Use Toxic on walls such as Mantine or on Pokemon it cannot threaten with its other attacks such as Zapdos to make it easier for teammates such as Mega Sharpedo to clean late-game. Recover can be used alongside Toxic to put opposing Pokemon on a timer and easily recover off damage. Gastrodon should try to cripple physical attackers such as Bisharp with Scald burns, allowing teammates like Toxapex to more easily take them on. Gastrodon should always scout for Grass-type coverage by switching out on Pokemon like Volcanion. If Gastrodon is using Storm Drain, it should always be used as a switch-in to Perish trap Azumarill, as Storm Drain prevents Azumarill from trapping it with Whirlpool and putting it on a three-turn timer with Perish Song.
Team Options
========
Toxapex can check setup sweepers such as Kommo-o and Mega Altaria with Haze, set Toxic Spikes to cripple foes, and scout attacks with Baneful Bunker, all while switching into Grass-type attacks such as Ferrothorn's Power Whip. Toxapex can also switch into Toxic and remove Toxic Spikes for Gastrodon. Azumarill provides a Grass-type immunity with access to Sap Sipper and can Perish trap foes like Breloom for Gastrodon, and Gastrodon can switch into Electric-type attacks for Azumarill. Together, they form an immunity core that covers both of Water-types' weaknesses. Mantine appreciates Gastrodon's immunity to Electric-type attacks and can use Haze against setup sweepers like Azumarill and Kommo-o for Gastrodon. Mantine also provides a Ground-type immunity, allowing it to take on Pokemon like Landorus and Excadrill, which Gastrodon and its teammates struggle with, and can clear annoying entry hazards such as Toxic Spikes for Gastrodon to prevent it from being poisoned. Empoleon can support Gastrodon as a bulky teammate neutral to Grass and provide effective hazard control, setting Stealth Rock and clearing hazards with Defog. Suicune also appreciates Gastrodon's ability to switch into Trick. Suicune in turn can stall out Grass-types like Mega Venusaur and Ferrothorn with Substitute + Protect. Greninja appreciates that Gastrodon can switch into powerful threats such as Tapu Koko and Mega Diancie for it and can in turn revenge kill Grass-types like Tapu Bulu with Gunk Shot and Ice Beam. Greninja also appreciates Gastrodon's ability to Toxic stall many of its checks down like Porygon2 so it can sweep more easily late-game. Powerful wallbreakers such as Keldeo and Mega Sharpedo similarly appreciate Gastrodon's ability to wear down their checks with Toxic. The former then can break through some of Gastrodon's checks such as Ferrothorn, while the latter can easily sweep late-game and check Taunt users such as Mew and Gliscor for Gastrodon. Gyarados appreciates Gastrodon's ability to Toxic poison Pokemon that might give Gyarados trouble such as Rotom-Wash and in return can take on Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Mega Venusaur for Gastrodon with Dragon Dance and Supersonic Skystrike. Mega Slowbro and Gastrodon form an amazing defensive core able to handle most wallbreaking cores, including the fearsome Ground-type core of Landorus and Excadrill.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Water
--------
* Ice Beam allows Gastrodon to hit Tapu Bulu on the switch, preventing it from freely switching in. However, if Gastrodon runs Ice Beam it has to forgo Scald, which would otherwise allow Gastrodon to cripple physical attackers such as Bisharp.
Checks and Counters
===================
Water
--------
**Grass-types**: Grass-type Pokemon can threaten Gastrodon with their STAB attacks, which are 4x effective against it, and resist both of its STAB types.
**Stallbreakers**: Due to Gastrodon's low Speed, any Pokemon with a decent amount of bulk and access to Taunt can make Gastrodon near useless, as it relies on Toxic and Recover to be effective in battle.
**Wallbreakers**: Wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Hydreigon and Mega Gallade can easily cripple Gastrodon with their powerful STAB attacks and threaten to OHKO it with the smallest amount of chip.
**Toxic**: Gastrodon does not appreciate being poisoned by Toxic, as it severely limits its longevity in battle. However, common walls that spread Toxic such as Zapdos also do not appreciate being poisoned in return.
**Setup Sweepers**: Due to Gastrodon's passive nature, setup sweepers can use Gastrodon to set up, such as Double Dance Mew and Volcarona. However, they should be wary of Toxic, as it can severely limit their time in battle.
Water
========
Gastrodon is the only Electric-immune Pokemon Water has access to that also has reliable recovery, making it a very solid option on any balanced Water team. Gastrodon finds its niche on Water-type teams by being able to switch into Trick users such as Latios because of Sticky Hold while also being able to wall Pokemon such as Mega Diancie. Since Gastrodon is only weak to Grass, it is often hard for teams that lack Grass-type coverage to find ways to revenge kill it. It does, however, stack Water teams' natural weakness to Grass-type coverage. Gastrodon's low Speed and passive nature also leave it vulnerable to Taunt from stallbreakers like Mew and Gliscor preventing it from recovering off damage and acting as a wall. Gastrodon does not appreciate being badly poisoned, as it severely limits Gastrodon's ability to effectively wall Pokemon like Mega Diancie. Furthermore, Gastrodon faces competition from Mega Swampert as a team's Electric switch-in; Swampert has the ability to set Stealth Rock, but Gastrodon is a reliable wall and can more easily switch into Electric-type Pokemon lacking Grass-type coverage due to Recover.
[SET]
name: Mixed Wall (Water)
move 1: Scald
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Recover
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Sticky Hold / Storm Drain
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 20 Def / 236 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is Gastrodon's main Water-type STAB move and also has a chance to burn the foe, allowing it to take on physical attackers like Bisharp. Earth Power also hits Pokemon that are immune or resistant to Water-type attacks such as Seismitoad and Toxapex. Recover allows Gastrodon to stay healthy through the entire match, allowing it to consistently take on foes throughout a battle. Toxic cripples opposing walls such as Porygon2 and setup sweepers such as Kommo-o by putting them on a timer.
Set Details
========
The HP and Special Defense investment alongside a Calm nature allows Gastrodon to act as a mixed wall, avoiding the 2HKO from Mega Diancie's Moonblast and Life Orb Kyurem-B's Ice Beam, both after Stealth Rock damage. The remaining EVs are dumped into Defense, allowing it to avoid a 2HKO from Pokemon like Bisharp. Leftovers gives Gastrodon residual recovery at the end of each turn, allowing it to switch into hazards more easily. Sticky Hold prevents it from being Tricked by Choice-locked Pokemon like Latios and Victini and prevents Knock Off users such as Mega Sableye from removing Gastrodon's Leftovers. Gastrodon can use Storm Drain to help against threats such as Perish trap Azumarill, which threatens balanced Water-type teams. However, running Storm Drain means that Gastrodon will not be able to run Sticky Hold, leaving the team very weak to Trick users such as Latios.
Usage Tips
========
Since Gastrodon is used on bulkier Water teams that usually lack switch-ins to Trick users like Latios, it should fill this role thanks to Sticky Hold, which prevents it from losing its Leftovers. Gastrodon should be kept as healthy as possible throughout the match so it can easily be switched into strong attacks like Mega Diancie's Moonblast. Gastrodon should especially be kept healthy in matchups like Electric so it can repeatedly switch in on and threaten Pokemon like Alolan Raichu with Earth Power. Gastrodon should avoid being statused with Toxic, as it severely reduces Gastrodon's ability to stay healthy through the match, making it easier to revenge kill. Use Toxic on walls such as Mantine or on Pokemon it cannot threaten with its other attacks such as Zapdos to make it easier for teammates such as Mega Sharpedo to clean late-game. Recover can be used alongside Toxic to put opposing Pokemon on a timer and easily recover off damage. Gastrodon should try to cripple physical attackers such as Bisharp with Scald burns, allowing teammates like Toxapex to more easily take them on. Gastrodon should always scout for Grass-type coverage by switching out on Pokemon like Volcanion. If Gastrodon is using Storm Drain, it should always be used as a switch-in to Perish trap Azumarill, as Storm Drain prevents Azumarill from trapping it with Whirlpool and putting it on a three-turn timer with Perish Song.
Team Options
========
Toxapex can check setup sweepers such as Kommo-o and Mega Altaria with Haze, set Toxic Spikes to cripple foes, and scout attacks with Baneful Bunker, all while switching into Grass-type attacks such as Ferrothorn's Power Whip. Toxapex can also switch into Toxic and remove Toxic Spikes for Gastrodon. Azumarill provides a Grass-type immunity with access to Sap Sipper and can Perish trap foes like Breloom for Gastrodon, and Gastrodon can switch into Electric-type attacks for Azumarill. Together, they form an immunity core that covers both of Water-types' weaknesses. Mantine appreciates Gastrodon's immunity to Electric-type attacks and can use Haze against setup sweepers like Azumarill and Kommo-o for Gastrodon. Mantine also provides a Ground-type immunity, allowing it to take on Pokemon like Landorus and Excadrill, which Gastrodon and its teammates struggle with, and can clear annoying entry hazards such as Toxic Spikes for Gastrodon to prevent it from being poisoned. Empoleon can support Gastrodon as a bulky teammate neutral to Grass and provide effective hazard control, setting Stealth Rock and clearing hazards with Defog. Suicune also appreciates Gastrodon's ability to switch into Trick. Suicune in turn can stall out Grass-types like Mega Venusaur and Ferrothorn with Substitute + Protect. Greninja appreciates that Gastrodon can switch into powerful threats such as Tapu Koko and Mega Diancie for it and can in turn revenge kill Grass-types like Tapu Bulu with Gunk Shot and Ice Beam. Greninja also appreciates Gastrodon's ability to Toxic stall many of its checks down like Porygon2 so it can sweep more easily late-game. Powerful wallbreakers such as Keldeo and Mega Sharpedo similarly appreciate Gastrodon's ability to wear down their checks with Toxic. The former then can break through some of Gastrodon's checks such as Ferrothorn, while the latter can easily sweep late-game and check Taunt users such as Mew and Gliscor for Gastrodon. Gyarados appreciates Gastrodon's ability to Toxic poison Pokemon that might give Gyarados trouble such as Rotom-Wash and in return can take on Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Mega Venusaur for Gastrodon with Dragon Dance and Supersonic Skystrike. Mega Slowbro and Gastrodon form an amazing defensive core able to handle most wallbreaking cores, including the fearsome Ground-type core of Landorus and Excadrill.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Water
--------
* Ice Beam allows Gastrodon to hit Tapu Bulu on the switch, preventing it from freely switching in. However, if Gastrodon runs Ice Beam it has to forgo Scald, which would otherwise allow Gastrodon to cripple physical attackers such as Bisharp.
Checks and Counters
===================
Water
--------
**Grass-types**: Grass-type Pokemon can threaten Gastrodon with their STAB attacks, which are 4x effective against it, and resist both of its STAB types.
**Stallbreakers**: Due to Gastrodon's low Speed, any Pokemon with a decent amount of bulk and access to Taunt can make Gastrodon near useless, as it relies on Toxic and Recover to be effective in battle.
**Wallbreakers**: Wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Hydreigon and Mega Gallade can easily cripple Gastrodon with their powerful STAB attacks and threaten to OHKO it with the smallest amount of chip.
**Toxic**: Gastrodon does not appreciate being poisoned by Toxic, as it severely limits its longevity in battle. However, common walls that spread Toxic such as Zapdos also do not appreciate being poisoned in return.
**Setup Sweepers**: Due to Gastrodon's passive nature, setup sweepers can use Gastrodon to set up, such as Double Dance Mew and Volcarona. However, they should be wary of Toxic, as it can severely limit their time in battle.
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