NU Gastrodon

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missangelic

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[OVERVIEW]

Gastrodon is a standout defensive option for its excellent bulk, reliable recovery, and plentiful resistances to complement its sole Grass weakness. An Electric immunity means Gastrodon excels at grabbing momentum back from Volt Switch users like Kilowattrel and Toxtricity, enabling it to set up entry hazards. Similarly, Gastrodon has Storm Drain to check Inteleon and deny Flip Turn users like Basculegion, Vaporeon, and Milotic, though Sticky Hold is another great choice for a defensive ability by granting Gastrodon rare utility as an absorber of Knock Off and Trick. Such a robust defensive profile makes Gastrodon an excellent hazard setter, and it boasts access to both Stealth Rock and Spikes. That said, Gastrodon's 4x Grass weakness is a major Achilles heel, leaving it wide open to being taken advantage of by Grass-types like Amoonguss, Decidueye, and Tsareena. Gastrodon's lower Defense is another shortcoming, leaving physical attackers like Toxicroak, Paldean Tauros-W, and Flygon capable of breaking through it. Not only does Gastrodon hardly deter Bronzong from taking advantage of it, but its passivity means other Calm Mind sweepers like Scream Tail and Uxie can use it as setup fodder.

[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Earth Power
move 2: Ice Beam / Sludge Bomb / Surf
move 3: Recover
move 4: Stealth Rock / Spikes
item: Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots / Covert Cloak
ability: Storm Drain / Sticky Hold
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Atk
tera type: Ghost / Fairy / Poison

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====

Ice Beam prevents Ground-immune Pokemon from taking advantage of Gastrodon and particularly threatens Ice-weak Pokemon like Flygon, Kilowattrel, and Grass-types. Sludge Bomb is another anti-Grass-type coverage move with perks such as letting Gastrodon fish for poison and doing more damage to Sylveon, Scream Tail, and Tera Fairy users like Bronzong and Incineroar. Surf hits Bronzong and Rotom-H, and its decent power with STAB still prevents Ground-immune Pokemon from totally exploiting Gastrodon. However, it weakens Gastrodon's matchups against Grass-types and freely invites them in. Heavy-Duty Boots protects Gastrodon from being worn down by entry hazards. The Water immunity granted by Storm Drain makes Gastrodon an even more effective answer to Inteleon, helps it take advantage of Choice item Paldean Tauros-W and Basculegion, and slows the momentum otherwise gained by Flip Turn users like Swampert, Milotic, and Vaporeon. Sticky Hold is an alternative to deny item disruption from Knock Off users like Incineroar, Gligar, and Alolan Muk. Covert Cloak is best run on Sticky Hold sets so that Gastrodon can effectively counter Alolan Muk. Sticky Hold Gastrodon can run an EV spread of 252 HP / 180 Def / 76 SpD to make Alolan Muk's Knock Off a 4HKO instead of a 3HKO or 2HKO. Tera Ghost lets Gastrodon act as effective spinblocker for itself and more comfortably answer Toxicroak, Toxtricity's Boomburst, and Cinccino. Tera Fairy makes Gastrodon a decent answer to Fighting-types like Flamigo and an especially good check to Paldean Tauros-W, though this worsens Gastrodon's matchup against Toxicroak. Tera Poison flips Gastrodon's 4x Grass weakness, grants it an immunity to poison, and enables it to answer Fighting- and Poison-types like Toxicroak and Amoonguss.

Bronzong is a superb partner to Gastrodon, handling Grass-types and enabling Gastrodon to run Spikes if it runs Stealth Rock. Gastrodon matches Bronzong by intercepting Fire-types like Hisuian Typhlosion, absorbing Knock Off if it has Sticky Hold, and checking special attackers like Kilowattrel and Toxtricity that could wear down Bronzong. Orthworm is similar to Bronzong, but it can check physical attackers like Flygon and Cinccino for Gastrodon. Alolan Muk and Incineroar can both check Grass-types for Gastrodon, and they both have Knock Off to remove Heavy-Duty Boots and maximize the reach of Gastrodon's entry hazards. Pokemon like Chandelure and Diancie value Storm Drain Gastrodon's ability to answer Water-types; Chandelure can return the favor by checking Grass-types, while Diancie's access to Stealth Rock lets Gastrodon create a hazard stacking hazard-stacking core with it. Avalugg's physical bulk pairs nicely with Gastrodon's role as a special wall. Other checks to Grass-types like Registeel, Galarian Slowbro, and Overqwil also stand out for covering Gastrodon's most significant weakness. Wallbreakers like Flamigo, Choice Band Flygon, and Porygon-Z thrive from the passive damage Gastrodon spreads with its entry hazards. Scyther is a significant partner thanks to its potential to check Grass-types and capitalize on Gastrodon's entry hazards, while Gastrodon checks Fire-, Steel-, and Water-types in return. Gastrodon's Sticky Hold making it an effective Knock Off absorber is appreciated by Pokemon that depend on their items, including Avalugg, Gligar, and Bronzong.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

A physically defensive EV spread can be used to make Gastrodon a better wall against physical attackers, including Incineroar, Toxicroak, Overqwil, and Paldean Tauros-W. Earthquake is more threatening to specially bulkier Pokemon like Alolan Muk, Munkidori, and Tentacruel. Tera Dragon helps Gastrodon check Grass-types like Decidueye, Electric-types like Kilowattrel, Fire-types like Chandelure, and Water-types like Inteleon and Basculegion all at once. Additionally, it improves Sticky Hold Gastrodon's matchup against Water-types that it would otherwise struggle against without Storm Drain.

Checks and Counters
====

**Grass-type Pokemon and Coverage**: Breloom, Brambleghast, and Amoonguss can come in on Gastrodon and exploit its 4x Grass weakness to beat it or scare it out. However, they should be wary of switching into its coverage moves. Chandelure threatens Gastrodon with Energy Ball, though it does not switch into Earth Power or Surf comfortably. Scyther can use Trailblaze to both set up on Gastrodon and potentially OHKO it.

**Physical Wallbreakers**: Lower Defense means Gastrodon poorly answers foes like Toxicroak, Heracross, and Choice Band Flygon. If it lacks Storm Drain, Water-types like Basculegion and Paldean Tauros-W can much more effectively run through Gastrodon.

**Status**: Gastrodon is much less effective as a defensive Pokemon when afflicted by status, often forcing it to become more passive by using Recover more often. Munkidori's Toxic Chain can passively inflict Gastrodon with this status just by using U-turn, Goodra has the bulk to stomach Ice Beam from Gastrodon and status it, and Bellibolt and Gligar can use Toxic on Gastrodon as it switches in.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/missangelic.452572/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/lucario.189361/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
 
Last edited:
add remove comments
qc 1/2, contact me for any questions
1734097470121.gif

[OVERVIEW]

Gastrodon is a standout defensive option for its excellent bulk, reliable recovery, and plentiful resistances to complement its sole Grass weakness. An Electric immunity means Gastrodon excels at grabbing momentum back from Volt Switch users like Kilowattrel and Toxtricity, enabling it to set up entry hazards. Similarly, Gastrodon has Storm Drain to deny Flip Turn users like Basculegion, Vaporeon, and Milotic, (either generalize this a bit more to include how it checks inteleon or add that mention somewhere else) though Sticky Hold is another great choice for a defensive ability by granting Gastrodon rare utility as an absorber of Knock Off and Trick. Such a robust defensive profile makes Gastrodon an excellent hazard setter, and it boasts access to both Stealth Rock and Spikes. That said, Gastrodon's 4x Grass weakness is a major Achilles heel. (mention how this leaves it wide open to being taken advantage of by decid, plume, ludicolo) Gastrodon's lower Defense is another shortcoming, leaving physical attackers like Toxicroak, Paldean Tauros-W, Mienshao, and Flygon capable of breaking through it. Not only does Gastrodon hardly deter Bronzong from taking advantage of it, but its passivity means other Calm Mind sweepers like Scream Tail and Uxie can use it as setup fodder.

[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Earth Power
move 2: Ice Beam / Sludge Bomb / Surf
move 3: Recover
move 4: Stealth Rock / Spikes
item: Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots / Covert Cloak
ability: Storm Drain / Sticky Hold
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Atk
tera type: Ghost / Fairy / Poison

rework the following paragraph as needed to convey that covert cloak is best run on sticky hold sets so that gastrodon can effectively counter alolan muk. also, include that 252 HP / 180 Def / 76 SpD can be used so that sticky hold gastro is 4hkoed be alolan muk’s koff

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====

Ice Beam prevents Ground-immune Pokemon from taking advantage of Gastrodon and particularly threatens Ice-weak Pokemon like Flygon, Kilowattrel, and Grass-types. Sludge Bomb is another anti-Grass coverage move with perks such as letting Gastrodon fish for poison status and doing more damage to Sylveon, Scream Tail, and Tera Fairy users like Bronzong and Incineroar. Surf is Gastrodon's strongest move against Bronzong and Rotom-Heat, and its decent power with STAB still prevents Ground-immune Pokemon from totally exploiting Gastrodon (add on how it weakens its matchup vs grass-types tho). Stealth Rock is Gastrodon's preferred hazard to universally chip Pokemon not running Heavy-Duty Boots. Gastrodon can alternatively use Spikes if paired with a different Stealth Rock setter, and its role as a wall provides many opportunities for it to stack multiple layers of Spikes. Clear Smog makes Gastrodon more passive by taking away from its coverage, but prevents it from being setup fodder for Calm Mind users that lack Substitute. reword as needed but point is i feel clear smog is good enough to have a mention in set details vs other options The passive recovery of Leftovers helps Gastrodon to be less reliant on becoming passive by needing to use Recover more often. Heavy-Duty Boots protects Gastrodon from being worn down by entry hazards, particularly Spikes and Toxic Spikes; this is especially helpful if Gastrodon Terastallizes and takes neutral damage from Stealth Rock. The Water immunity granted by Storm Drain makes Gastrodon an even more effective answer to Inteleon, helps it take advantage of Choice item Paldean Tauros-W and Basculegion, and slow the momentum otherwise gained by Flip Turn users like Swampert, Milotic, and Vaporeon. Sticky Hold is an alternative to deny item disruption from Knock Off users like Incineroar, Mienshao, and Alolan Muk. Choice item users that run Trick like Munkidori, Porygon-Z, and Meloetta can struggle to make progress against Gastrodon if they can't restrict it with a Choice item, on top of losing momentum when Trick fails. While Gastrodon isn't especially powerful, a Special Attack boost from Storm Drain makes it much less passive. Tera Ghost affords useful immunities to Normal and Fighting, nullifying moves like Body Press and Rapid Spin to make it a more reliable wall and effective spinblocker for itself. Gastrodon can use Tera Ghost to more comfortably answer Toxicroak, Toxtricity's Boomburst, and Cinccino; in conjunction with Storm Drain, Tera Ghost Gastrodon can totally wall Paldean Tauros-W. A Fairy Tera type continues Gastrodon's quality of having few weaknesses, making it a decent answer to Fighting-types like Mienshao and Breloom (you can add another mention but loom is clicking bullet seed anyways so this isn’t a great mention in my eyes) and an especially good check to Paldean Tauros-W when paired with Storm Drain add how it this is traded for a larger weakness to croak compared to tera ghost. Flipping Gastrodon's 4x Grass weakness into a resistance with Tera Poison is especially useful defensively, and Gastrodon especially benefits from an immunity to poison. Tera Poison also enables Gastrodon to answer Fighting-types, Poison-types like Alolan Muk, Toxicroak, and Vileplume, and Grass-types like Tsareena and Brambleghast. Tera Poison also powers up Gastrodon's Sludge Bomb, making it a bit less passive.

Bronzong is a superb partner to Gastrodon, handling Grass-types and physical attackers and enabling Gastrodon to run Spikes if it runs Stealth Rock. (this is true but zong doesn’t really handle physical attackers overall, so either specify the ones you speak of, delete that part, or change it to orthworm) Gastrodon matches Bronzong by intercepting Fire-types like Hisuian Typhlosion, absorbing Knock Off if it has Sticky Hold, and checking special attackers like Kilowattrel and Toxtricity that could wear down Bronzong. Alolan Muk and Incineroar can both check Grass-types for Gastrodon, and they both have Knock Off to remove Heavy-Duty Boots and maximize the reach of Gastrodon's entry hazards. Incineroar's vulnerability to Water-types makes it very appreciative of Storm Drain Gastrodon sets. Other Water-weak Pokemon like Chandelure and Diancie similarly value Storm Drain Gastrodon's ability to answer Water-types; Chandelure can return the favor by checking Grass-types, while Diancie's access to Stealth Rock lets Gastrodon create a hazard stacking core with it. Avalugg's physical bulk pairs nicely with Gastrodon's role as a special wall; it's capable of checking Grass-types, and its Rapid Spin keeps Gastrodon's own entry hazards on the field while removing the opponent's it removes entry hazards. (girl, so) confusing Other checks to Grass-types like Registeel, Galarian Slowbro, and Overqwil also stand out for covering Gastrodon's most significant weakness. Wallbreakers like Mienshao, Choice Band Flygon, and Porygon-Z thrive from the passive damage Gastrodon spreads with its entry hazards, making them much more difficult to answer or switch around. i feel like scyther is a significant mention due to it checking grass types, it being able to capitalize on gastro’s hazards effectively + in return, gastro checks fires, steels, and bulky waters

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

A physically defensive EV spread can be used to make Gastrodon a better wall against physical attackers, including Incineroar, Swords Dance Toxicroak, Overqwil, and Paldean Tauros-W; doing so also makes Gastrodon more capable at taking on Basculegion if it runs Sticky Hold instead of Storm Drain. the damage is actually insane w/o storm drain, especially in rain Earthquake is more threatening to specially bulkier Pokemon like Alolan Muk, Munkidori, and Tentacruel. It's also stronger against Calm Mind users like Galarian Slowbro. Clear Smog makes Gastrodon more passive by taking away from its coverage, but prevents it from being setup fodder for Calm Mind users that lack Substitute. moved Muddy Water is an alternative to Surf to fish for accuracy drops and particularly annoy Bronzong and Grass-types attempting to switch in, though its own lack of accuracy hurts Gastrodon's consistency. not good enough or used enough A Rocky Helmet increases the passive damage Gastrodon spreads beyond its entry hazard setting, notably ruining Cinccino if it lacks Bullet Seed, but it doesn't promote Gastrodon's longevity. this explanation isn’t convincing enough; if you have specific mons/examples do those instead but cincc + any phys attker is going crazy anyways with gastro’s poor phys bulk

add a tera dragon mention to check grasses: decid, elecs: kilo, fires: chandy, n waters: intel, bascu all at once (especially helps sticky hold sets vs waters its could better beat with storm drain)

also, you can mention chilling water here but either way it’s fine

Checks and Counters
====

**Grass-types and Grass Coverage**: Breloom, Brambleghast, and Vileplume can come in on Gastrodon and exploit its 4x Grass weakness to beat it or scare it out. However, they should be wary of switching into its coverage moves. Chandelure threatens Gastrodon with Energy Ball, though it does not switch into Earth Power or Surf comfortably. Scyther can use Trailblaze to both set up on Gastrodon and potentially OHKO it.

move phys wallbreakers here over status, since that’s a bigger threat overall

**Status**: Gastrodon is much less effective as a defensive Pokemon when afflicted by status, often forcing it to become more passive by using Recover more often. Munkidori's Toxic Chain can passively inflict Gastrodon with this status just by it using U-turn. Goodra has the bulk to stomach Ice Beam from Gastrodon as it statuses it. Bellibolt, Gligar, and Tentacruel can use Toxic on Gastrodon as it switches in. Toxic Spikes users like Tentacruel and Dragalge ensure Gastrodon sets lacking Heavy-Duty Boots are at risk of being worn down.

**Physical Wallbreakers**: Lower Defense means Gastrodon poorly answers foes like Swords Dance Toxicroak, Heracross, and Choice Band Flygon. If it lacks Storm Drain, Water-types like Basculegion and Paldean Tauros-W can much more effectively run through Gastrodon.

**Calm Mind Users**: Bronzong, Scream Tail, Sylveon, Uxie, and Meloetta can all exploit Gastrodon's passivity to use it as setup fodder. i dont think this is significant enough overall esp when gastro can bother them with possible spdef drops, freezes, poisons, clear smog

**Encore and Taunt**: If Cinccino and Scream Tail can use Encore to lock Gastrodon into a status move, they can use it as setup fodder as well as make it exploitable for their teammates. Tornadus can break through Gastrodon by preventing it from using Recover, though its poor bulk means it still doesn't stomach Surf or Sludge Bomb well even if Gastrodon lacks Ice Beam. Gligar can only take advantage of Gastrodon if it's running Sludge Bomb for coverage, but it walls and deeply annoys such a set by inhibiting its ability to heal and set entry hazards. this applies to all walls + less so fpr gastro, tho, since ep + ice beam is good coverage

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/missangelic.452572/
Quality checked by:


Grammar checked by:
 
There's a lot of fluff, please watch out for that in the future. Tag me once you implement this and then I'll give you the 2/2.
Add Remove Comment
[OVERVIEW]

Gastrodon is a standout defensive option for its excellent bulk, reliable recovery, and plentiful resistances to complement its sole Grass weakness. An Electric immunity means Gastrodon excels at grabbing momentum back from Volt Switch users like Kilowattrel and Toxtricity, enabling it to set up entry hazards. Similarly, Gastrodon has Storm Drain to check Inteleon and deny Flip Turn users like Basculegion, Vaporeon, and Milotic, though Sticky Hold is another great choice for a defensive ability by granting Gastrodon rare utility as an absorber of Knock Off and Trick. Such a robust defensive profile makes Gastrodon an excellent hazard setter, and it boasts access to both Stealth Rock and Spikes. That said, Gastrodon's 4x Grass weakness is a major Achilles heel, leaving it wide open to being taken advantage of by Grass-types like Vileplume Amoonguss, Decidueye, and Ludicolo Tsareena. Gastrodon's lower Defense is another shortcoming, leaving physical attackers like Toxicroak, Paldean Tauros-W, Mienshao, and Flygon capable of breaking through it. Not only does Gastrodon hardly deter Bronzong from taking advantage of it, but its passivity means other Calm Mind sweepers like Scream Tail and Uxie can use it as setup fodder.

[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Earth Power
move 2: Ice Beam / Sludge Bomb / Surf
move 3: Recover
move 4: Stealth Rock / Spikes
item: Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots / Covert Cloak
ability: Storm Drain / Sticky Hold
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Atk
tera type: Ghost / Fairy / Poison

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====

Ice Beam prevents Ground-immune Pokemon from taking advantage of Gastrodon and particularly threatens Ice-weak Pokemon like Flygon, Kilowattrel, and Grass-types. Sludge Bomb is another anti-Grass coverage move with perks such as letting Gastrodon fish for poison status and doing more damage to Sylveon, Scream Tail, and Tera Fairy users like Bronzong and Incineroar. Surf is Gastrodon's strongest move against Bronzong and Rotom-Heat, and its decent power with STAB still prevents Ground-immune Pokemon from totally exploiting Gastrodon. However, it weakens Gastrodon's matchups against Grass-types and freely invites them in. Stealth Rock is Gastrodon's preferred hazard to universally chip Pokemon not running Heavy-Duty Boots. Gastrodon can alternatively use Spikes if paired with a different Stealth Rock setter, and its role as a wall provides many opportunities for it to stack multiple layers of Spikes. Clear Smog makes Gastrodon more passive by taking away from its coverage, but prevents it from being setup fodder for Calm Mind users that lack Substitute. The passive recovery of Leftovers helps Gastrodon to be less reliant on becoming passive by needing to use Recover more often. Fluff. Heavy-Duty Boots protects Gastrodon from being worn down by entry hazards., particularly Spikes and Toxic Spikes; this is especially helpful if Gastrodon Terastallizes and takes neutral damage from Stealth Rock. The Water immunity granted by Storm Drain makes Gastrodon an even more effective answer to Inteleon, helps it take advantage of Choice item Paldean Tauros-W and Basculegion, and slow the momentum otherwise gained by Flip Turn users like Swampert, Milotic, and Vaporeon. Sticky Hold is an alternative to deny item disruption from Knock Off users like Incineroar, Mienshao Gligar, and Alolan Muk. Choice item users that run Trick like Munkidori, Porygon-Z, and Meloetta can struggle to make progress against Gastrodon if they can't restrict it with a Choice item, on top of losing momentum when Trick fails. While Gastrodon isn't especially powerful, a Special Attack boost from Storm Drain makes it much less passive. Covert Cloak is best run on Sticky Hold sets so that Gastrodon can effectively counter Alolan Muk. Sticky Hold Gastrodon can run an EV spread of 252 HP / 180 Def / 76 SpD to make Alolan Muk's Knock Off a 4HKO. (Tera Ghost affords offers useful immunities to Normal and Fighting, nullifying moves like Body Press and Rapid Spin to make it a more reliable wall and effective spinblocker for itself. Gastrodon can use Tera Ghost to more comfortably answer Toxicroak, Toxtricity's Boomburst, and Cinccino; in conjunction with Storm Drain, Tera Ghost Gastrodon can totally wall Paldean Tauros-W.) Please find a way to shorten this sentence. A Fairy Tera type continues Gastrodon's quality of having few weaknesses, making it a decent answer to Fighting-types Mienshao like Flamigo and an especially good check to Paldean Tauros-W when paired with Storm Drain, though this worsens Gastrodon's matchup against Toxicroak. (Flipping Gastrodon's 4x Grass weakness into a resistance with Tera Poison is especially useful defensively, and Gastrodon especially benefits from an immunity to poison. Tera Poison also enables Gastrodon to answer Fighting-types, Poison-types like Alolan Muk, Toxicroak, and Vileplume Amoonguss, and Grass-types like Tsareena and Brambleghast. Tera Poison also powers up Gastrodon's Sludge Bomb, making it a bit less passive.) Please find a way to shorten this section.

Bronzong is a superb partner to Gastrodon, handling Grass-types and enabling Gastrodon to run Spikes if it runs Stealth Rock. Gastrodon matches Bronzong by intercepting Fire-types like Hisuian Typhlosion, absorbing Knock Off if it has Sticky Hold, and checking special attackers like Kilowattrel and Toxtricity that could wear down Bronzong. Orthworm is similar to Bronzong, but it can check physical attackers like Flygon and Cinccino for Gastrodon. Alolan Muk and Incineroar can both check Grass-types for Gastrodon, and they both have Knock Off to remove Heavy-Duty Boots and maximize the reach of Gastrodon's entry hazards. Incineroar's vulnerability to Water-types makes it very appreciative of Storm Drain Gastrodon sets. Other Water-weak Pokemon like Chandelure and Diancie similarly value Storm Drain Gastrodon's ability to answer Water-types; Chandelure can return the favor by checking Grass-types, while Diancie's access to Stealth Rock lets Gastrodon create a hazard stacking core with it. Avalugg's physical bulk pairs nicely with Gastrodon's role as a special wall; it's capable of checking Grass-types, and its Rapid Spin keeps Gastrodon's own entry hazards on the field while removing the opponent's. Other checks to Grass-types like Registeel, Galarian Slowbro, and Overqwil also stand out for covering Gastrodon's most significant weakness. Wallbreakers like Mienshao Flamigo, Choice Band Flygon, and Porygon-Z thrive from the passive damage Gastrodon spreads with its entry hazards, making them much more difficult to answer or switch around. Scyther is a significant partner thanks to its potential to check Grass-types and capitalize on Gastrodon's entry hazards, while Gastrodon checks Fire-, Steel-, and bulky Water-types in return. A reader will read this and will only understand that Gastrodon is heavily weak to Grass-types. Please mention teammates that benefit from its other utility and typing as a whole, even those that do not check Grass-types.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

A physically defensive EV spread can be used to make Gastrodon a better wall against physical attackers, including Incineroar, Swords Dance Toxicroak, Overqwil, and Paldean Tauros-W. Earthquake is more threatening to specially bulkier Pokemon like Alolan Muk, Munkidori, and Tentacruel. It's also stronger against Calm Mind users like Galarian Slowbro. Tera Dragon helps Gastrodon check Grass-types like Decidueye, Electric-types like Kilowattrel, Fire-types like Chandelure, and Water-types like Inteleon and Basculegion all at once. Additionally, it improves the matchups of Sticky Hold sets against Water-types they would otherwise struggle against without Storm Drain.

Checks and Counters
====

**Grass-types and Grass Coverage**: Breloom, Brambleghast, and Vileplume Amoonguss can come in on Gastrodon and exploit its 4x Grass weakness to beat it or scare it out. However, they should be wary of switching into its coverage moves. Chandelure threatens Gastrodon with Energy Ball, though it does not switch into Earth Power or Surf comfortably. Scyther can use Trailblaze to both set up on Gastrodon and potentially OHKO it.

**Physical Wallbreakers**: Lower Defense means Gastrodon poorly answers foes like Swords Dance Toxicroak, Heracross, and Choice Band Flygon. If it lacks Storm Drain, Water-types like Basculegion and Paldean Tauros-W can much more effectively run through Gastrodon.

**Status**: Gastrodon is much less effective as a defensive Pokemon when afflicted by status, often forcing it to become more passive by using Recover more often. (Munkidori's Toxic Chain can passively inflict Gastrodon with this status just by it using U-turn. Goodra has the bulk to stomach Ice Beam from Gastrodon as it statuses it. Bellibolt, Gligar, and Tentacruel can use Toxic on Gastrodon as it switches in.) Combine this all into one sentence. Toxic Spikes users like Tentacruel and Dragalge ensure Gastrodon sets lacking Heavy-Duty Boots are at risk of being worn down.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/missangelic.452572/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/

Grammar checked by:
 
2/2
[OVERVIEW]

Gastrodon is a standout defensive option for its excellent bulk, reliable recovery, and plentiful resistances to complement its sole Grass weakness. An Electric immunity means Gastrodon excels at grabbing momentum back from Volt Switch users like Kilowattrel and Toxtricity, enabling it to set up entry hazards. Similarly, Gastrodon has Storm Drain to check Inteleon and deny Flip Turn users like Basculegion, Vaporeon, and Milotic, though Sticky Hold is another great choice for a defensive ability by granting Gastrodon rare utility as an absorber of Knock Off and Trick. Such a robust defensive profile makes Gastrodon an excellent hazard setter, and it boasts access to both Stealth Rock and Spikes. That said, Gastrodon's 4x Grass weakness is a major Achilles heel, leaving it wide open to being taken advantage of by Grass-types like Amoonguss, Decidueye, and Tsareena. Gastrodon's lower Defense is another shortcoming, leaving physical attackers like Toxicroak, Paldean Tauros-W, and Flygon capable of breaking through it. Not only does Gastrodon hardly deter Bronzong from taking advantage of it, but its passivity means other Calm Mind sweepers like Scream Tail and Uxie can use it as setup fodder.

[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Earth Power
move 2: Ice Beam / Sludge Bomb / Surf
move 3: Recover
move 4: Stealth Rock / Spikes
item: Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots / Covert Cloak
ability: Storm Drain / Sticky Hold
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Atk
tera type: Ghost / Fairy / Poison

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====

Ice Beam prevents Ground-immune Pokemon from taking advantage of Gastrodon and particularly threatens Ice-weak Pokemon like Flygon, Kilowattrel, and Grass-types. Sludge Bomb is another anti-Grass coverage move with perks such as letting Gastrodon fish for poison status and doing more damage to Sylveon, Scream Tail, and Tera Fairy users like Bronzong and Incineroar. Surf is Gastrodon's strongest move against Bronzong and Rotom-Heat, and its decent power with STAB still prevents Ground-immune Pokemon from totally exploiting Gastrodon. However, it weakens Gastrodon's matchups against Grass-types and freely invites them in. Heavy-Duty Boots protects Gastrodon from being worn down by entry hazards. The Water immunity granted by Storm Drain makes Gastrodon an even more effective answer to Inteleon, helps it take advantage of Choice item Paldean Tauros-W and Basculegion, and slow the momentum otherwise gained by Flip Turn users like Swampert, Milotic, and Vaporeon. Sticky Hold is an alternative to deny item disruption from Knock Off users like Incineroar, Gligar, and Alolan Muk. Covert Cloak is best run on Sticky Hold sets so that Gastrodon can effectively counter Alolan Muk. Sticky Hold Gastrodon can run an EV spread of 252 HP / 180 Def / 76 SpD to make Alolan Muk's Knock Off a 4HKO. Tera Ghost lets Gastrodon act as effective spinblocker for itself and more comfortably answer Toxicroak, Toxtricity's Boomburst, and Cinccino. Gastrodon can totally wall Paldean Tauros-W with Tera Ghost in conjunction with Storm Drain. A Fairy Tera type continues Gastrodon's quality of having few weaknesses, making makes it a decent answer to Fighting-types like Flamigo and an especially good check to Paldean Tauros-W, though this worsens Gastrodon's matchup against Toxicroak. Tera Poison flips Gastrodon's 4x Grass weakness, grants it an immunity to poison, and enables it to answer Fighting- and Poison-types like Toxicroak and Amoonguss.

Bronzong is a superb partner to Gastrodon, handling Grass-types and enabling Gastrodon to run Spikes if it runs Stealth Rock. Gastrodon matches Bronzong by intercepting Fire-types like Hisuian Typhlosion, absorbing Knock Off if it has Sticky Hold, and checking special attackers like Kilowattrel and Toxtricity that could wear down Bronzong. Orthworm is similar to Bronzong, but it can check physical attackers like Flygon and Cinccino for Gastrodon. Alolan Muk and Incineroar can both check Grass-types for Gastrodon, and they both have Knock Off to remove Heavy-Duty Boots and maximize the reach of Gastrodon's entry hazards. Pokemon like Chandelure and Diancie value Storm Drain Gastrodon's ability to answer Water-types; Chandelure can return the favor by checking Grass-types, while Diancie's access to Stealth Rock lets Gastrodon create a hazard stacking core with it. Avalugg's physical bulk pairs nicely with Gastrodon's role as a special wall. Other checks to Grass-types like Registeel, Galarian Slowbro, and Overqwil also stand out for covering Gastrodon's most significant weakness. Wallbreakers like Flamigo, Choice Band Flygon, and Porygon-Z thrive from the passive damage Gastrodon spreads with its entry hazards. Scyther is a significant partner thanks to its potential to check Grass-types and capitalize on Gastrodon's entry hazards, while Gastrodon checks Fire-, Steel-, and Water-types in return. Gastrodon's Sticky Hold making it an effective Knock Off absorber is appreciated by Pokemon that depend on their items, including Avalugg, Gligar, and Bronzong.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

A physically defensive EV spread can be used to make Gastrodon a better wall against physical attackers, including Incineroar, Toxicroak, Overqwil, and Paldean Tauros-W. Earthquake is more threatening to specially bulkier Pokemon like Alolan Muk, Munkidori, and Tentacruel. Tera Dragon helps Gastrodon check Grass-types like Decidueye, Electric-types like Kilowattrel, Fire-types like Chandelure, and Water-types like Inteleon and Basculegion all at once. Additionally, it improves the matchups of Sticky Hold sets against Water-types they would otherwise struggle against without Storm Drain.

Checks and Counters
====

**Grass-types and Grass Coverage**: Breloom, Brambleghast, and Amoonguss can come in on Gastrodon and exploit its 4x Grass weakness to beat it or scare it out. However, they should be wary of switching into its coverage moves. Chandelure threatens Gastrodon with Energy Ball, though it does not switch into Earth Power or Surf comfortably. Scyther can use Trailblaze to both set up on Gastrodon and potentially OHKO it.

**Physical Wallbreakers**: Lower Defense means Gastrodon poorly answers foes like Toxicroak, Heracross, and Choice Band Flygon. If it lacks Storm Drain, Water-types like Basculegion and Paldean Tauros-W can much more effectively run through Gastrodon.

**Status**: Gastrodon is much less effective as a defensive Pokemon when afflicted by status, often forcing it to become more passive by using Recover more often. Munkidori's Toxic Chain can passively inflict Gastrodon with this status just by using U-turn, Goodra has the bulk to stomach Ice Beam from Gastrodon and status it, and Bellibolt and Gligar can use Toxic on Gastrodon as it switches in.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/missangelic.452572/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/

Grammar checked by:
 
[OVERVIEW]

Gastrodon is a standout defensive option for its excellent bulk, reliable recovery, and plentiful resistances to complement its sole Grass weakness. An Electric immunity means Gastrodon excels at grabbing momentum back from Volt Switch users like Kilowattrel and Toxtricity, enabling it to set up entry hazards. Similarly, Gastrodon has Storm Drain to check Inteleon and deny Flip Turn users like Basculegion, Vaporeon, and Milotic, though Sticky Hold is another great choice for a defensive ability by granting Gastrodon rare utility as an absorber of Knock Off and Trick. Such a robust defensive profile makes Gastrodon an excellent hazard setter, and it boasts access to both Stealth Rock and Spikes. That said, Gastrodon's 4x Grass weakness is a major Achilles heel, leaving it wide open to being taken advantage of by Grass-types like Amoonguss, Decidueye, and Tsareena. Gastrodon's lower Defense is another shortcoming, leaving physical attackers like Toxicroak, Paldean Tauros-W, and Flygon capable of breaking through it. Not only does Gastrodon hardly deter Bronzong from taking advantage of it, but its passivity means other Calm Mind sweepers like Scream Tail and Uxie can use it as setup fodder.

[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Earth Power
move 2: Ice Beam / Sludge Bomb / Surf
move 3: Recover
move 4: Stealth Rock / Spikes
item: Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots / Covert Cloak
ability: Storm Drain / Sticky Hold
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Atk
tera type: Ghost / Fairy / Poison

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====

Ice Beam prevents Ground-immune Pokemon from taking advantage of Gastrodon and particularly threatens Ice-weak Pokemon like Flygon, Kilowattrel, and Grass-types. Sludge Bomb is another anti-Grass anti-Grass-type coverage move with perks such as letting Gastrodon fish for poison status and doing more damage to Sylveon, Scream Tail, and Tera Fairy users like Bronzong and Incineroar. Surf is Gastrodon's strongest move against Bronzong and Rotom-Heat hits Bronzong and Rotom-H, and its decent power with STAB still prevents Ground-immune Pokemon from totally exploiting Gastrodon. However, it weakens Gastrodon's matchups against Grass-types and freely invites them in. Heavy-Duty Boots protects Gastrodon from being worn down by entry hazards. The Water immunity granted by Storm Drain makes Gastrodon an even more effective answer to Inteleon, helps it take advantage of Choice item Paldean Tauros-W and Basculegion, and slow slows the momentum otherwise gained by Flip Turn users like Swampert, Milotic, and Vaporeon. Sticky Hold is an alternative to deny item disruption from Knock Off users like Incineroar, Gligar, and Alolan Muk. Covert Cloak is best run on Sticky Hold sets so that Gastrodon can effectively counter Alolan Muk. Sticky Hold Gastrodon can run an EV spread of 252 HP / 180 Def / 76 SpD to make Alolan Muk's Knock Off a 4HKO "instead of a 3HKO" (or 2hko) could be worth noting if you feel it. Tera Ghost lets Gastrodon act as effective spinblocker for itself and more comfortably answer Toxicroak, Toxtricity's Boomburst, and Cinccino. A Tera Fairy Tera type makes it Gastrodon a decent answer to Fighting-types like Flamigo and an especially good check to Paldean Tauros-W, though this worsens Gastrodon's matchup against Toxicroak. Tera Poison flips Gastrodon's 4x Grass weakness, grants it an immunity to poison, and enables it to answer Fighting- and Poison-types like Toxicroak and Amoonguss.

Bronzong is a superb partner to Gastrodon, handling Grass-types and enabling Gastrodon to run Spikes if it runs Stealth Rock. Gastrodon matches Bronzong by intercepting Fire-types like Hisuian Typhlosion, absorbing Knock Off if it has Sticky Hold, and checking special attackers like Kilowattrel and Toxtricity that could wear down Bronzong. Orthworm is similar to Bronzong, but it can check physical attackers like Flygon and Cinccino for Gastrodon. Alolan Muk and Incineroar can both check Grass-types for Gastrodon, and they both have Knock Off to remove Heavy-Duty Boots and maximize the reach of Gastrodon's entry hazards. Pokemon like Chandelure and Diancie value Storm Drain Gastrodon's ability to answer Water-types; Chandelure can return the favor by checking Grass-types, while Diancie's access to Stealth Rock lets Gastrodon create a hazard stacking hazard-stacking core with it. Avalugg's physical bulk pairs nicely with Gastrodon's role as a special wall. Other checks to Grass-types like Registeel, Galarian Slowbro, and Overqwil also stand out for covering Gastrodon's most significant weakness. Wallbreakers like Flamigo, Choice Band Flygon, and Porygon-Z thrive from the passive damage Gastrodon spreads with its entry hazards. Scyther is a significant partner thanks to its potential to check Grass-types and capitalize on Gastrodon's entry hazards, while Gastrodon checks Fire-, Steel-, and Water-types in return. Gastrodon's Sticky Hold making it an effective Knock Off absorber is appreciated by Pokemon that depend on their items, including Avalugg, Gligar, and Bronzong.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

A physically defensive EV spread can be used to make Gastrodon a better wall against physical attackers, including Incineroar, Toxicroak, Overqwil, and Paldean Tauros-W. Earthquake is more threatening to specially bulkier Pokemon like Alolan Muk, Munkidori, and Tentacruel. Tera Dragon helps Gastrodon check Grass-types like Decidueye, Electric-types like Kilowattrel, Fire-types like Chandelure, and Water-types like Inteleon and Basculegion all at once. Additionally, it improves the matchups of Sticky Hold sets Gastrodon's matchup against Water-types they that it would otherwise struggle against without Storm Drain. doin this for readability; thinking the "they" in original sentence makes it so weird sounding

Checks and Counters
====

**Grass-types Grass-type Pokemon and Grass Coverage gotta be X-type when talking about moves btw**: Breloom, Brambleghast, and Amoonguss can come in on Gastrodon and exploit its 4x Grass weakness to beat it or scare it out. However, they should be wary of switching into its coverage moves. Chandelure threatens Gastrodon with Energy Ball, though it does not switch into Earth Power or Surf comfortably. Scyther can use Trailblaze to both set up on Gastrodon and potentially OHKO it.

**Physical Wallbreakers**: Lower Defense means Gastrodon poorly answers foes like Toxicroak, Heracross, and Choice Band Flygon. If it lacks Storm Drain, Water-types like Basculegion and Paldean Tauros-W can much more effectively run through Gastrodon.

**Status**: Gastrodon is much less effective as a defensive Pokemon when afflicted by status, often forcing it to become more passive by using Recover more often. Munkidori's Toxic Chain can passively inflict Gastrodon with this status just by using U-turn, Goodra has the bulk to stomach Ice Beam from Gastrodon and status it, and Bellibolt and Gligar can use Toxic on Gastrodon as it switches in.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/missangelic.452572/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/

Grammar checked by:
GP Team done
 
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