[OVERVIEW]
Thanks to Gigalith's amazing natural bulk in tandem with its pure Rock typing, it claims itself as one of NU's top special walls, checking some of the tier's most prominent Pokemon, such as Houndoom, Vanilluxe, Delphox, Vivillon, and Braviary. Gigalith is also the tier's premier sand setter; it can support sand sweepers such as Stoutland and Sandslash, making sand one of the scariest archetypes to face in NU. Gigalith is also an effective Stealth Rock setter, heavily pressuring Xatu as well as most entry hazard removers like Golbat and Silvally-Steel, and can run viable offensive sets due to its fantastic Attack stat and good coverage, surprising many Pokemon that do not expect its power. Unfortunately, due Gigalith's lack of offensive presence on its bulkier sets, it invites in a lot of threatening Steel-, Rock-, and Fighting-types, such as Steelix, Rhydon, and Passimian, which can all prove detrimental to it. Additionally, due to Gigalith's awful Speed stat and its passiveness against certain Pokemon, it can easily become setup fodder for Pokemon like Scrafty and Magnet Rise Klinklang.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Rock Blast
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Stream
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is a necessity on most competitive teams, and Gigalith does the job well due to its great defensive stats, good defensive utility, decent offensive presence, and ability to pressure Xatu with Rock-type STAB attacks. Rock Blast is Gigalith's preferred STAB attack, as it is reliable in allowing Gigalith to check many threatening Fire-, Ice-, Flying-, and Bug-types and deal with Substitute Pokemon like Substitute + Bulk Up Braviary better. Earthquake synergizes well with Rock Blast, as Earthquake can dent Steel-types such as Klinklang, Silvally-Steel, and Togedemaru. Toxic cripples foes that can wall Gigalith such as Slowbro and Palossand by putting them on a timer.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in HP alongside a Careful nature ensures that Gigalith is bulky as possible to allow it to check the threats it needs to check, such as Houndoom, Delphox, and Vivillon. Leftovers provides passive recovery throughout the match. Smooth Rock should be used only if Gigalith is being used to set up sand to support the team, as it increases the the number of sand turns. Sand Stream is the only ability Gigalith should use; it sets up sand to boost Gigalith's already good Special Defense as well as support teammates such as Stoutland and Sandslash.
Usage Tips
========
If Gigalith is being used on a sand team, it should be kept healthy throughout the game so it can set up sand to aid Stoutland and Sandslash in their attempts to sweep. Gigalith should attempt to set up Stealth Rock early-game to chip at the opponent's team. However, Gigalith should be kept healthy if the opponent has a Pokemon that Gigalith can beat, such as Houndoom, Delphox, Vivillon, or Magmortar. Toxic can be used on predicted switches to bulkier foes that Gigalith struggles to deal much damage to, such as Slowbro, Rhydon, and Gastrodon, to put them on a timer.
Team Options
========
Sand sweepers like Stoutland and Sandslash should be used alongside Gigalith if Gigalith is being used on a sand team. Additionally, these sand sweepers also appreciate Gigalith setting up Stealth Rock and wearing down bulkier Pokemon like Slowbro and Palossand with Toxic. Since Gigalith can invite in threatening Fighting-types such as Passimian, Hariyama, Scrafty, and Medicham, checks to them like Slowbro, Golbat, Rotom, Garbodor, and Whimsicott are greatly advised. Even though Gigalith has Earthquake at its disposal to try and exploit Steel-types, Steelix can still come in with ease and deal big damage to Gigalith with its STAB attacks, and Klinklang can set up on Gigalith thanks to Magnet Rise, so checks such as Slowbro, Rotom, Gastrodon, Slowking, and Vaporeon will be necessary. Ground-types like Rhydon and Steelix pose major threats to Gigalith, so use Pokemon like Whimsicott, Rotom, and Gastrodon that can handle these Ground-types well. Pokemon that can deal with Grass-types efficiently such as Klinklang, Golbat, Delphox, and Ferroseed are good teammates for Gigalith, handling Whimsicott, Sceptile, and opposing Ferroseed well. Water-types pose major threats to Gigalith, so Pokemon like Whimsicott, Heliolisk, Sceptile, and Torterra can work as sufficient teammates.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Stone Edge / Rock Blast
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Stealth Rock / Heavy Slam
item: Rockium Z
ability: Sand Stream
nature: Adamant
evs: 108 HP / 252 Atk / 148 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stone Edge is Gigalith's strongest reliable STAB attack. Rock Blast can be used over Stone Edge for a more accurate attack that is also more reliable in breaking Substitute Pokemon like Substitute + Bulk Up Braviary. Earthquake complements Gigalith's Rock-type attacks well, breaking past Ground- and Steel-types like Steelix, Rhydon, Klinklang, Silvally-Steel, and Togedemaru. Superpower allows Gigalith to pummel through Pokemon that may attempt to set up against it, such as Scrafty and Magnet Rise Klinklang, as well as other Pokemon like Piloswine, Ferroseed, and Air Balloon Probopass that could try to set up entry hazards against Gigalith. Stealth Rock can be used if the team doesn't already have a designated Stealth Rock setter. Heavy Slam can be used to nail Fairy- and Rock-types, specifically Whimsicott, Aromatisse, and Comfey, which Gigalith can take on thanks to its great Special Defense. Additionally, thanks to Gigalith being so heavy, Heavy Slam deals great damage to most foes that don't resist it, as it often has 120 Base Power.
Set Details
========
Maximal investment in Attack in tandem with an Adamant nature makes sure that Gigalith hits as hard as possible. 148 Speed EVs allow Gigalith to outrun Rhydon, Steelix, and minimum Speed Diancie. The remaining EVs are dumped into HP to enable Gigalith to better check Pokemon like Houndoom. Rockium Z turns Gigalith's Stone Edge into an incredibly powerful Continental Crush, dealing massive damage to any foe that doesn't resist it. Rockium Z should also only be used alongside Stone Edge, as the Base Power of Continental Crush is much greater with Stone Edge than with Rock Blast. Smooth Rock should only be used on dedicated sand teams, and it can be used to increase the duration of sand to support sand sweepers like Stoutland and Sandslash. Sand Stream sets up sand to boost Gigalith's Special Defense and potentially support teammates that benefit from sand.
Usage Tips
========
Gigalith should switch in against Pokemon that it can wall, such as Houndoom, Golbat, and Vivillon, to give it the opportunity to start firing off strong attacks. If Gigalith is supporting sand-based teams, it should attempt to remain healthy during the match to repeatedly set up sand for its teammates. Gigalith should be preserved at a healthy level in the game if the opponent has a Pokemon like Houndoom or Braviary, as it needs to be decently healthy to actually check them. Gigalith can bluff a defensive set to lure in Pokemon like Steelix and Ferroseed and hit them with a Superpower for super effective damage. Stealth Rock variants of Gigalith should aim to set up Stealth Rock as soon as possible.
Team Options
========
Sand sweepers like Stoutland and Sandslash should be used alongside Gigalith if it's holding a Smooth Rock and being used to support the team by setting up sand. These sand sweepers also appreciate Gigalith being able to lure in Pokemon like Steelix and Rhydon to chip them with super effective attacks, giving these sweepers an easier time. Fighting-type countermeasures like Slowbro, Whimsicott, and Golbat work well with Gigalith, as Gigalith can invite in a lot of dangerous Fighting-types. Pokemon that can handle Steel-types effectively are advised when using Gigalith; even though Gigalith has Superpower and Earthquake at its disposal, Steelix and Klinklang still stand as major threats to it. Slowbro, Rotom, and Blastoise are some examples of good teammates that can check Steel-types. Ground-type checks like Vikavolt, Rotom, and Palossand can take care of menacing Ground-types for Gigalith to deal with. Grass-type answers are recommended when using Gigalith; Incineroar, Klinklang, and Toxicroak can all work adequately with it to check Grass-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Band can make Gigalith much harder to switch into, increasing its strength vastly, although being Choice-locked can prove detrimental, and it has to sacrifice Stealth Rock. Other Z-Crystals can be used on Gigalith's offensive sets, such as Fightinium Z and Groundium Z to better deal with Steel- and Rock-types like Steelix, Ferroseed, and Rhydon. However, giving up any of Gigalith's standard items can be risky, as these Z-Moves are pretty matchup dependent and require prediction as well. Curse can be used on an offensive variant of Gigalith, boosting its Attack and Defense and making it much more of a menace in battle, but having to give up a moveslot for Curse and can prove costly. Gigalith can utilize Iapapa Berry effectively; it works especially well in tandem with Curse, increasing Gigalith's longevity somewhat reliably.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Many dangerous Fighting-types like Passimian, Medicham, and Scrafty can immediately threaten out Gigalith with their powerful STAB attacks or set up against Gigalith, wreaking havoc in the game. In addition to this, these Fighting-types can pivot in against Gigalith fairly easily due to them resisting Rock and having decent bulk.
**Steel-types**: Defensive Steel-types like Steelix and Ferroseed can tank the majority of Gigalith's moves well and can retaliate with their STAB attacks for great damage. Klinklang with Magnet Rise can also set up against defensive variants of Gigalith with ease and can cleanly OHKO Gigalith with Corkscrew Crash. However, Gigalith's offensive variants can deal with these Pokemon slightly better thanks to Superpower.
**Ground-types**: Numerous Ground-types like Steelix, Palossand, Rhydon, and Piloswine pose potent threats to Gigalith, tanking its attacks with relative ease and being able to fire off a Ground-type attack in retaliation or take the opportunity to set Stealth Rock.
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Slowbro, Blastoise, and Vaporeon can shrug off most attacks Gigalith attempts to throw their way, and they can dent Gigalith heavily with their Water-type attacks or set up with Calm Mind. However most Water-types, with the exception of Blastoise and occasionally Vaporeon, despise being crippled by Toxic, which hinders their defensive capabilities massively.
**Grass-types**: Whimsicott, Sceptile, and Ferroseed can all scare out Gigalith one way or another with their STAB attacks and deal hefty damage to it; however, Gigalith's offensive sets can deal massive damage to these Pokemon, making them not perfectly reliable checks.
Thanks to Gigalith's amazing natural bulk in tandem with its pure Rock typing, it claims itself as one of NU's top special walls, checking some of the tier's most prominent Pokemon, such as Houndoom, Vanilluxe, Delphox, Vivillon, and Braviary. Gigalith is also the tier's premier sand setter; it can support sand sweepers such as Stoutland and Sandslash, making sand one of the scariest archetypes to face in NU. Gigalith is also an effective Stealth Rock setter, heavily pressuring Xatu as well as most entry hazard removers like Golbat and Silvally-Steel, and can run viable offensive sets due to its fantastic Attack stat and good coverage, surprising many Pokemon that do not expect its power. Unfortunately, due Gigalith's lack of offensive presence on its bulkier sets, it invites in a lot of threatening Steel-, Rock-, and Fighting-types, such as Steelix, Rhydon, and Passimian, which can all prove detrimental to it. Additionally, due to Gigalith's awful Speed stat and its passiveness against certain Pokemon, it can easily become setup fodder for Pokemon like Scrafty and Magnet Rise Klinklang.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Rock Blast
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Stream
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is a necessity on most competitive teams, and Gigalith does the job well due to its great defensive stats, good defensive utility, decent offensive presence, and ability to pressure Xatu with Rock-type STAB attacks. Rock Blast is Gigalith's preferred STAB attack, as it is reliable in allowing Gigalith to check many threatening Fire-, Ice-, Flying-, and Bug-types and deal with Substitute Pokemon like Substitute + Bulk Up Braviary better. Earthquake synergizes well with Rock Blast, as Earthquake can dent Steel-types such as Klinklang, Silvally-Steel, and Togedemaru. Toxic cripples foes that can wall Gigalith such as Slowbro and Palossand by putting them on a timer.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in HP alongside a Careful nature ensures that Gigalith is bulky as possible to allow it to check the threats it needs to check, such as Houndoom, Delphox, and Vivillon. Leftovers provides passive recovery throughout the match. Smooth Rock should be used only if Gigalith is being used to set up sand to support the team, as it increases the the number of sand turns. Sand Stream is the only ability Gigalith should use; it sets up sand to boost Gigalith's already good Special Defense as well as support teammates such as Stoutland and Sandslash.
Usage Tips
========
If Gigalith is being used on a sand team, it should be kept healthy throughout the game so it can set up sand to aid Stoutland and Sandslash in their attempts to sweep. Gigalith should attempt to set up Stealth Rock early-game to chip at the opponent's team. However, Gigalith should be kept healthy if the opponent has a Pokemon that Gigalith can beat, such as Houndoom, Delphox, Vivillon, or Magmortar. Toxic can be used on predicted switches to bulkier foes that Gigalith struggles to deal much damage to, such as Slowbro, Rhydon, and Gastrodon, to put them on a timer.
Team Options
========
Sand sweepers like Stoutland and Sandslash should be used alongside Gigalith if Gigalith is being used on a sand team. Additionally, these sand sweepers also appreciate Gigalith setting up Stealth Rock and wearing down bulkier Pokemon like Slowbro and Palossand with Toxic. Since Gigalith can invite in threatening Fighting-types such as Passimian, Hariyama, Scrafty, and Medicham, checks to them like Slowbro, Golbat, Rotom, Garbodor, and Whimsicott are greatly advised. Even though Gigalith has Earthquake at its disposal to try and exploit Steel-types, Steelix can still come in with ease and deal big damage to Gigalith with its STAB attacks, and Klinklang can set up on Gigalith thanks to Magnet Rise, so checks such as Slowbro, Rotom, Gastrodon, Slowking, and Vaporeon will be necessary. Ground-types like Rhydon and Steelix pose major threats to Gigalith, so use Pokemon like Whimsicott, Rotom, and Gastrodon that can handle these Ground-types well. Pokemon that can deal with Grass-types efficiently such as Klinklang, Golbat, Delphox, and Ferroseed are good teammates for Gigalith, handling Whimsicott, Sceptile, and opposing Ferroseed well. Water-types pose major threats to Gigalith, so Pokemon like Whimsicott, Heliolisk, Sceptile, and Torterra can work as sufficient teammates.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Stone Edge / Rock Blast
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Stealth Rock / Heavy Slam
item: Rockium Z
ability: Sand Stream
nature: Adamant
evs: 108 HP / 252 Atk / 148 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stone Edge is Gigalith's strongest reliable STAB attack. Rock Blast can be used over Stone Edge for a more accurate attack that is also more reliable in breaking Substitute Pokemon like Substitute + Bulk Up Braviary. Earthquake complements Gigalith's Rock-type attacks well, breaking past Ground- and Steel-types like Steelix, Rhydon, Klinklang, Silvally-Steel, and Togedemaru. Superpower allows Gigalith to pummel through Pokemon that may attempt to set up against it, such as Scrafty and Magnet Rise Klinklang, as well as other Pokemon like Piloswine, Ferroseed, and Air Balloon Probopass that could try to set up entry hazards against Gigalith. Stealth Rock can be used if the team doesn't already have a designated Stealth Rock setter. Heavy Slam can be used to nail Fairy- and Rock-types, specifically Whimsicott, Aromatisse, and Comfey, which Gigalith can take on thanks to its great Special Defense. Additionally, thanks to Gigalith being so heavy, Heavy Slam deals great damage to most foes that don't resist it, as it often has 120 Base Power.
Set Details
========
Maximal investment in Attack in tandem with an Adamant nature makes sure that Gigalith hits as hard as possible. 148 Speed EVs allow Gigalith to outrun Rhydon, Steelix, and minimum Speed Diancie. The remaining EVs are dumped into HP to enable Gigalith to better check Pokemon like Houndoom. Rockium Z turns Gigalith's Stone Edge into an incredibly powerful Continental Crush, dealing massive damage to any foe that doesn't resist it. Rockium Z should also only be used alongside Stone Edge, as the Base Power of Continental Crush is much greater with Stone Edge than with Rock Blast. Smooth Rock should only be used on dedicated sand teams, and it can be used to increase the duration of sand to support sand sweepers like Stoutland and Sandslash. Sand Stream sets up sand to boost Gigalith's Special Defense and potentially support teammates that benefit from sand.
Usage Tips
========
Gigalith should switch in against Pokemon that it can wall, such as Houndoom, Golbat, and Vivillon, to give it the opportunity to start firing off strong attacks. If Gigalith is supporting sand-based teams, it should attempt to remain healthy during the match to repeatedly set up sand for its teammates. Gigalith should be preserved at a healthy level in the game if the opponent has a Pokemon like Houndoom or Braviary, as it needs to be decently healthy to actually check them. Gigalith can bluff a defensive set to lure in Pokemon like Steelix and Ferroseed and hit them with a Superpower for super effective damage. Stealth Rock variants of Gigalith should aim to set up Stealth Rock as soon as possible.
Team Options
========
Sand sweepers like Stoutland and Sandslash should be used alongside Gigalith if it's holding a Smooth Rock and being used to support the team by setting up sand. These sand sweepers also appreciate Gigalith being able to lure in Pokemon like Steelix and Rhydon to chip them with super effective attacks, giving these sweepers an easier time. Fighting-type countermeasures like Slowbro, Whimsicott, and Golbat work well with Gigalith, as Gigalith can invite in a lot of dangerous Fighting-types. Pokemon that can handle Steel-types effectively are advised when using Gigalith; even though Gigalith has Superpower and Earthquake at its disposal, Steelix and Klinklang still stand as major threats to it. Slowbro, Rotom, and Blastoise are some examples of good teammates that can check Steel-types. Ground-type checks like Vikavolt, Rotom, and Palossand can take care of menacing Ground-types for Gigalith to deal with. Grass-type answers are recommended when using Gigalith; Incineroar, Klinklang, and Toxicroak can all work adequately with it to check Grass-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Band can make Gigalith much harder to switch into, increasing its strength vastly, although being Choice-locked can prove detrimental, and it has to sacrifice Stealth Rock. Other Z-Crystals can be used on Gigalith's offensive sets, such as Fightinium Z and Groundium Z to better deal with Steel- and Rock-types like Steelix, Ferroseed, and Rhydon. However, giving up any of Gigalith's standard items can be risky, as these Z-Moves are pretty matchup dependent and require prediction as well. Curse can be used on an offensive variant of Gigalith, boosting its Attack and Defense and making it much more of a menace in battle, but having to give up a moveslot for Curse and can prove costly. Gigalith can utilize Iapapa Berry effectively; it works especially well in tandem with Curse, increasing Gigalith's longevity somewhat reliably.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Many dangerous Fighting-types like Passimian, Medicham, and Scrafty can immediately threaten out Gigalith with their powerful STAB attacks or set up against Gigalith, wreaking havoc in the game. In addition to this, these Fighting-types can pivot in against Gigalith fairly easily due to them resisting Rock and having decent bulk.
**Steel-types**: Defensive Steel-types like Steelix and Ferroseed can tank the majority of Gigalith's moves well and can retaliate with their STAB attacks for great damage. Klinklang with Magnet Rise can also set up against defensive variants of Gigalith with ease and can cleanly OHKO Gigalith with Corkscrew Crash. However, Gigalith's offensive variants can deal with these Pokemon slightly better thanks to Superpower.
**Ground-types**: Numerous Ground-types like Steelix, Palossand, Rhydon, and Piloswine pose potent threats to Gigalith, tanking its attacks with relative ease and being able to fire off a Ground-type attack in retaliation or take the opportunity to set Stealth Rock.
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Slowbro, Blastoise, and Vaporeon can shrug off most attacks Gigalith attempts to throw their way, and they can dent Gigalith heavily with their Water-type attacks or set up with Calm Mind. However most Water-types, with the exception of Blastoise and occasionally Vaporeon, despise being crippled by Toxic, which hinders their defensive capabilities massively.
**Grass-types**: Whimsicott, Sceptile, and Ferroseed can all scare out Gigalith one way or another with their STAB attacks and deal hefty damage to it; however, Gigalith's offensive sets can deal massive damage to these Pokemon, making them not perfectly reliable checks.
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