[Overview]
<p>Gliscor's unique typing, good stats and great movepool make him a prime choice for any team. He can serve very different roles; Gliscor can act as a sweeper, support the team in different ways, or act as a defensive tank. Either way, Gliscor is able to cause problems for teams using his vast array of tools.</p>
<p>Gliscor can be a pain to use if you don't play him right, and he can be a nuisance to face if he is played right. You must remember that each different Gliscor set does something different, and should be used differently. However, if he is very well played, the gliding scorpion will be a great asset to any team.</p>
[SET]
name: Stallbreaker
move 1: Taunt
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Roost
move 4: Toxic / U-Turn
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Veil
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With a combination of good Speed, great bulk, and access to Taunt and Roost, Gliscor can be a great tool in dismantling a stall team. After a Taunt, Blissey cannot touch Gliscor without Ice Beam, Hippowdon needs Ice Fang, and even Forretress' Gyro Ball won't be doing enough damage. Gliscor can then proceed to chip away at them with Earthquake while Roosting off damage to let the poison take its toll. The given EVs and nature allow Gliscor to outspeed all Lucario, non-Choice Scarf Heracross, Jolly Gyarados without a boost, some variants of Jirachi, and force ties with opposing Gliscor.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Toxic is better against the likes of Rotom or Cresselia, as Gliscor cannot Earthquake them, although U-Turn allows Gliscor to hit the likes of Celebi, Cresselia, or whatever they switch to (since Taunt is likely to force a few switches), giving you the momentum as you can bring in a suitable answer. If you are more worried about bulk, an Impish nature can be employed. You can also shift 88 EVs into Attack from Defense and HP in order to secure the 2HKO on max HP Metagross. If other Gliscor are not a worry, you can drop to 216 Speed as this still lets you outpace Lucario.</p>
<p>Using something that can can sweep with the removal of a wall is recommended. One of the best options to pair with Gliscor is Tyranitar, who will happily take the Ice-type moves aimed at Gliscor, thanks to Sandstorm's Special Defense boost, while Gliscor can switch in on Ground- and Fighting-type moves, as well as Grass Knot. Especially, If you Taunt a Cresselia or Rotom and then U-Turn out to Tyranitar, you can easily pick them off with a strong Pursuit. Tyranitar also helps Gliscor abuse his Sand Veil ability, making him harder to stop. Tentacruel also resists the Water- and Ice-type moves Gliscor attracts, while Gliscor is immune to Electric- and Ground-type moves. Tentacruel can also help set up Toxic Spikes, allowing Gliscor an easier time to take down the walls he will face. This set isn't as effective if your opponent then decides to go on the offensive, so having something that can back Gliscor up is appreciated.</p> could mention Vaporeon – classic combination.
[SET]
name: Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Roost
move 4: Taunt / U-Turn
item: Leftovers
ability: Hyper Cutter / Sand Veil (hyper cutter does not deserve a slash or even a mention. If I am missing something please put it into the analysis)
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With Stealth Rock and Taunt, Gliscor can even work effectively as a lead. Taunt allows him to prevent slower Pokemon from setting up Stealth Rock, while Roost can keep him in good condition as the battle wears on. Gliscor can actually be saved for later on, so you don't even need to set up Stealth Rock immediately. Earthquake is the attack of choice, since it lets Gliscor beat Metagross, Infernape, and Heatran. The EVs give Gliscor the bulk to survive repeated attacks from these Pokemon while still outspeeding Base 90 Speed Pokemon, and guaranteeing a speed tie with opposing Gliscor (since this isn’t grammar implementation is not compulsory).</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>U-Turn is a good choice against fast, frail leads such as Azelf or Aerodactyl, since you can break their Sash and switch to an appropriate counter. You can run more speed in order to beat other Gliscor, by taking the EVs out of Defense. Since this set has trouble against many hard-hitting, faster leads, pairing him up with something that can revenge-kill is handy. Scizor is a great option as it has a strong U-Turn to gain some early-game momentum with. You should generally avoid facing leads you cannot beat, however, since Gliscor can use his bulk to switch back in later on in the game to set up Stealth Rock. Akin to the Stallbreaker, you can opt to lose to other Gliscor and drop to 216 Speed.</p>
[SET]
name: Offensive SD
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Roost
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge / Night Slash
item: Life Orb
ability: Hyper Cutter
nature: Jolly
evs: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Gliscor is often stopped by dedicated physical walls, so he often has a hard time sweeping. This set attempts to remedy that and use Gliscor as a more offensive threat, mainly to clean up late-game. The combination of Swords Dance, Earthquake and Stone Edge is very hard to resist, and with Roost, Gliscor can heal off any Life Orb recoil. The EVs allow Gliscor to just outspeed Base 90 Speed Pokemon; maximum attack allows Gliscor to punch through walls while the 40 HP EVs add a little bulk.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Stone Edge is the move of choice, since it gives Gliscor great coverage paired with Earthquake - hitting everything in OU except Breloom and Levitate Bronzong at least neutrally. It is especially important, as it lets Gliscor hit the likes of Skarmory and Zapdos, who would otherwise wall him. Night Slash, however, can be used to take down Rotom and Celebi, two more of Gliscor's counters. Aqua Tail can be used if Hippowdon is a serious problem, although a boosted EQ should hurt Hippowdon. Taunt can be used somewhere if you are highly worried about Skarmory or Swampert phazing you, since you can't 2HKO either at +2, although it's better to have these threats eliminated before sweeping.</p>
<p>Since Gliscor is picking off weakened teams, rather than outright opening holes, it's a good idea to pair him up with something that can whittle down the foe's team before using Gliscor. Things like Tyranitar and Scizor are good partners, since they can do hefty damage to a lot of Pokemon before Gliscor comes in. They also have good synergy together, as Gliscor can safely switch in on Pokemon that threaten them. For this set, Stealth Rock and Spikes are extremely important, since Stealth Rock will deter Gyarados and Salamence from switching in to stop Gliscor's sweep. Spikes will weaken the likes of Swampert and Hippowdon, actually putting them into OHKO for a +2 Earthquake, meaning they cannot phaze Gliscor as easily. Skarmory is a great asset, since his main weakness—Electric-type attacks—is covered by Gliscor easily. Bronzong can also be effective, since it has great bulk and resists the Ice-type moves commonly aimed at Gliscor and can then Explode, taking out the threat. Gliscor is also losing a lot of bulk on this set, so having things that can take repeated attacks from Starmie (note that the other sets cannot take attacks from Starmie either)or Gengar is very handy, such as Blissey.</p>
[SET]
name: Baton Passer
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Swords Dance
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Baton Pass
item: Lum Berry / Yache Berry
nature: Jolly
ability: Hyper Cutter
evs: 252 HP / 196 SpD / 60 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Gliscor has just the right things needed for a good Baton Passer - reasonable bulk and Speed, enough things to Baton Pass, and the ability to stop phazing. This set is played very simply. You'll only be passing one or two boosts along directly to a sweeper who can then tear through the foe's team. Taunt is a prime factor on this set since it stops the likes of Skarmory and Suicune phazing your boosts away, from so that you can set up and Baton Pass to something dangerous.</p>
<p>The EVs allow Gliscor to outspeed Adamant Gyarados all the time, and Choice Scarfed Gengar after having used Rock Polish. The rest is placed into HP and Special Defense so Gliscor can survive things like Surf from Suicune or Vaporeon who do not invest in special attack. It's generally a good idea to Rock Polish first, as then you can outspeed whatever the opponent switches in, meaning there is less chance of being phazed, KOed or set up on.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>A Lum Berry is the preferred option, as it allows Gliscor to avoid things like Toxic or Burn, which would prevent him from sticking around as long. However, a Yache Berry can help Gliscor take a weak Ice-type attack, although it will still be doing significant damage to Gliscor. A Timid nature will reduce the damage you take from confusion, but that should not be a problem anyway. If you don't need to pass Speed or Attack, you can use Earthquake over one of the boosting moves, although you shouldn't be worried of Taunt anyway, since you can usually outspeed whatever they switch in to Taunt after a Rock Polish. Things like Substitute, Power Trick and Tailwind can also be passed, but these are inferior options.</p>
<p>Gliscor is better for short-passing, although he can function on a full Baton Pass team. Vaporeon is a good choice, since he has marvelous synergy with Gliscor, and can pass large Substitutes, allowing Gliscor to set up. If on a short chain, then Dual Screens are almost a necessity. They prevent Gliscor from being 3HKOed by Vaporeon's Surf, while also preventing Gliscor from being OHKOed by Ice Beams if you lack Yache Berry. The Screens can also help protect your recipient from priority moves after passing. Bronzong is the best choice, as its typing provides a large number of chances to switch in and set up Reflect and Light Screen. Bronzong can then even use Explosion, KOing a foe's Pokemon and then allowing Gliscor to come in unharmed.</p>
<p>The best recipients for Gliscor's boosts are generally things that have great coverage, and are able to KO many things with their power. (mention resistance to priority maybe?) Metagross resists Ice Beam, and fits the bill well, since after a Swords Dance it can O-2HKO most of the OU metagame, and with a Rock Polish can outspeed nearly everything. Other good recipients are Lucario and Tyranitar, who are made even more dangerous with the received boosts.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Gliscor thrives on entry hazards, be it the defensive or offensive set. The Defensive set is best used in conjunction with with Toxic Spikes, as it lets Gliscor outlive any threats he comes across, while the Offensive sets will enjoy Stealth Rock, as it will help turn many 2HKOs into OHKOs. It also deters the likes of Salamence and Gyarados switching in to remove Gliscor. Spikes will weaken the bulky Water-types like Swampert who will attempt to switch in, even putting him into KO range for a +2 Earthquake. Dual Screens are a good choice for the Baton Passer and the Offensive sets, as it will slow them from being killed as easily.</p>
<p>Gliscor has the most problems with dedicated defensive walls; Hippowdon and Swampert may not enjoy Toxic, but they will still threaten Gliscor in a variety of ways. Starmie and offensive Suicune can deal with most of these threats easily. Scizor is another good option, as STAB, Choice Band U-Turns can deal lots of damage to even Hippowdon, and itgenerally weakens the foe's team allowing Gliscor to get through more easily. Conversely, Gliscor can attempt to sacrifice himself by weakening everything, letting Scizor clean up with STAB Bullet Punch.</p>
<p>Gliscor is only weak to Water- and Ice-type moves, which are fortunately often seen on the same Pokemon. Things like Vaporeon and Tentacruel are great teammates for Gliscor, since they both resist Water- and Ice-type attacks, particularly special attacks thanks to their great special bulk, while Gliscor is immune to Electric-type moves, and Ground-type moves, which is particularly helpful in Tentacruel's case. Vaporeon can stop sweeps from Gyarados or Salamence while Tentacruel can help set up Toxic Spikes for Gliscor and weaken Swampert and Hippowdon with Surf.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>Gliscor has a wide array of moves at his disposal - nearly any set listed here can use Stealth Rock or Knock Off over one of its other moves to provide team support for Gliscor. Gliscor can also support the team further with Torment, Knock Off, and even Rain Dance. Otherwise, Gliscor can also use moves like Fire Fang, Thunder Fang, Ice Fang, Aqua Tail, X-Scissor and Night Slash, although these are really situational coverage moves used only to hit certain threats. The Stallbreaker set can even try to abuse Screech in tandem with U-Turn to really rack up entry hazard damage. A Brightpowder set can be run with Substitute and Sand Veil if Tyranitar or Hippowdon is present on the team to really annoy foes.</p>
<p>Defensive sets can also afford to drop to an Impish nature, or even go down to 72 Speed EVs, as this still outspeeds Tyranitar or Magnezone provided they aren't Scarfed. The rest can go into Defense or Attack. 252 HP / 40 Def is a usable spread to maximise improve Gliscor's bulk, although you still aren't surviving massive attacks from anything. Any offensive set will want at least 216 Speed to outspeed Lucario, and at least 88 EVs to 2HKO Metagross, although you can run 52 HP EVs to maximize Leftovers recovery, or no EVs at all to decrease Life Orb damage (though Gliscor often has Roost anyway).</p>
[Counters]
<p>Bulky waters will give Gliscor problems, as the best he can do is Toxic them or try to use Swords Dance and whittle them down with Earthquake. Gyarados is the biggest problem if Gliscor is without Stone Edge, since he is immune to Earthquake, has Intimidate to cut Sand Veil Gliscor's attack and carries a very strong Waterfall to KO Gliscor with. Swampert and Suicune are also dangerous, since they can Ice Beam or Roar Gliscor depending on the set. Skarmory has to beware of Taunt, but can wall even the Stallbreaker Gliscor, being immune to Earthquake and Toxic. Starmie and Shaymin are also good choices, since they can often outspeed Gliscor and put large dents in him with their STAB Special Attacks. In fact, most Special Attacks in general will be hurting Gliscor a lot, and his weaknesses to Water and Ice aren't helping either.</p>
Changes are in bold and removals in red.
Note: as much as I disapprove of the it/he change, this is now compulsory.
GP Check 2/2.
