[OVERVIEW]
* Gliscor is an excellent defensive Pokemon in the UU metagame. Its solid bulk is complemented by an outstanding ability in Poison Heal, which heals Gliscor for 1/8 of its HP when poisoned. When using a Toxic Orb, this makes Gliscor immune to status and gives it a significant source of passive recovery.
* This, in combination with reliable recovery in Roost, makes Gliscor very difficult to wear down.
* To top it off, a solid typing in Ground / Flying provides a valuable resistance to Fighting, and immunities to Ground and Electric; all three are common offensive types in the tier.
* As a result, Gliscor serves as an excellent check to many common and dangerous Pokemon such Cobalion, Scizor, Mega Aerodactyl, and Zygarde-10%.
* Base 95 Speed paired with Taunt, Toxic, and Swords Dance makes Gliscor an excellent stallbreaker, as it can easily outrun most defensive Pokemon and beat them one-on-one if Gliscor cannot be 2HKOed.
* While its defensive typing is good, it leaves it with an exploitable 2x weakness to Water and a 4x weakness to Ice.
* These weaknesses mean that it is prone to getting lured by coverage moves from Pokemon it could otherwise beat, notably Conkeldurr, Toxicroak, Clefable, and Mega Aerodactyl.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance Stallbreaker
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Roost
move 4: Facade / Knock Off / Ice Fang
item: Toxic Orb
ability: Poison Heal
nature: Jolly
evs: 244 HP / 12 Def / 116 SpD / 136 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Swords Dance allows Gliscor to boost its Attack, breaking through passive Pokemon after a few boosts.
* Earthquake is the STAB attack of choice, being Gliscor's strongest attack and hitting the majority of the tier for neutral damage.
* Roost is essential in order to effectively set up against defensive Pokemon; furthermore, it allows Gliscor to serve as a pivot early and mid-game, as it can blanket check many dangerous threats. Roost allows it to outlast other passive Pokemon, and in tandem with Poison Heal prevents it from getting worn down.
* Facade is useful because it hits most Ground-immune Pokemon for neutral damage and is boosted when Gliscor gets poisoned by its Toxic Orb.
* Knock Off hits most Levitate users and Flying-types, such as Mantine and Latias, for at least neutral damage. It also has the benefit of removing items such as Leftovers, which aids in Gliscor's ability to break through the passive Pokemon this set is made to beat.
* Finally, Ice Fang is useful to more effectively deal with Mega Aerodactyl, Zygarde-10%, and opposing Gliscor.
* Toxic can be run on this set as well to help catch bulky Water-types like Swampert and Slowbro on the switch. This helps wear them down to the point where Gliscor can break past them.
Set Details
========
* Poison Heal is what allow this set to thrive against defensive Pokemon, as it prevents residual damage and status from taking it down; therefore, Poison Heal and a Toxic Orb are both necessary.
* 244 EVs in HP allows Gliscor to maximize Poison Heal recovery per turn. The HP EVs are also essential for maximizing its overall bulk.
* 136 Speed EVs paired with a Jolly nature are pivotal for Gliscor to outrun base 80 Speed Pokemon with a Speed-boosting nature.
* 12 EVs in Defense allow Gliscor to survive a +2 Sucker Punch from Adamant Bisharp after Stealth Rock damage.
* The remaining EVs are placed in Special Defense to allow a healthy Gliscor to effectively check Gengar, and allow it to more comfortably switch into weaker special attackers.
* If only outrunning base 70 Speed Pokemon is needed, a spread of 244 HP / 12 Def / 196 SpD / 56 Spe with a Jolly nature is recommended. The extra special bulk allows it to take weaker special attacks like Clefable's Moonblast and Alomomola's Scald more easily.
* An alternative spread of 244 HP / 12 Def / 76 SpD / 176 Spe can be run to effectively outrun everything up to and including base 85 Speed Pokemon like Nidoking. However, on most teams, the improved bulk is preferred.
Usage Tips
========
* Do not recklessly switch Gliscor into Pokemon known to carry Knock Off or status moves if its Poison Heal has not been activated, even if Gliscor can comfortably check them otherwise. Poison Heal is pivotal to this set's success. Some notable examples of those Pokemon include Bisharp, Clefable, Mew, Krookodile, and opposing Gliscor.
* Don't hesitate to directly switch Gliscor into passive Pokemon like Hippowdon and Pokemon that it naturally checks like Defog Scizor, to use them as setup fodder.
* Early-game, while its checks are still healthy, using knock off liberally is smart, as it allows Gliscor to cripple the likes of Swampert, Suicune, Slowbro, and other solid checks, allowing them to be worn down to the point where Gliscor can break past them with +2 Earthquake.
* Scout for potential lures, such as Hidden Power Ice Raikou, Aqua Tail Aerodactyl, and Ice Beam Clefable, before sending Gliscor out to check them.
Team Options
========
* This Gliscor variant fits best on bulky offensive builds that appreciate its ability to reliably check many dangerous offensive threats like Scizor and Cobalion, as well as its ability to break down defensive cores.
* Checks to bulky and offensive Water-types are essential. Celebi stands out as a good partner, as it appreciates Gliscor's ability to take on bulky Steel-types like Scizor and Klefki as well as some offensive checks to it like Gengar and Mega Aerodactyl. In return, Celebi provides a solid answer to bulky Water-types, which plague Gliscor.
* Dragon-types like Latias and Hydreigon appreciate Gliscor's ability to beat defensive Fairy-types like Klefki and Clefable one-on-one. Gliscor also helps to break down bulky Steel-types like the aforementioned Scizor, Bisharp (but only if Poison Heal is activated), and Cobalion, which trouble the pair. In return, Dragon-types can switch into Water-type attacks aimed at Gliscor.
* Steel-types are also good partners. They can absorb Ice-type attacks aimed at Gliscor and take on Dragon-types that trouble it. Some notable examples include Bisharp, Cobalion, and Scizor.
* Water-types are good teammates as well, as they can take Water- and Ice-type attacks aimed at Gliscor.
[SET]
name: Taunt Stallbreaker
move 1: Taunt
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Roost
move 4: Earthquake
item: Toxic Orb
ability: Poison Heal
nature: Jolly
evs: 244 HP / 12 Def / 196 SpD / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Taunt is used on this set to enable Gliscor to cripple passive Pokemon that rely heavily on their support movepool such as Hippowdon, Clefable, Klefki, Forretress, and Blissey by preventing them from setting entry hazards, healing, or setting up.
* Toxic synergizes extremely well with Taunt, as it prevents Pokemon inflicted with poison from healing. It also is useful for catching offensive Pokemon that do not mind Taunt, like Keldeo, Mega Blastoise, and Mega Aerodactyl on the switch.
* Roost is critical to keeping Gliscor healthy enough to check offensive Pokemon like Cobalion and to beat passive Pokemon one-on-one.
* Earthquake is needed to ensure that Gliscor had at least some STAB coverage.
Set Details
========
* Poison Heal in conjunction with a Toxic Orb enables Gliscor to mitigate residual damage and avoid status.
* 244 EVs in HP ensure that Gliscor maximizes Poison Heal recovery. The added EVs also significantly increase Gliscor's overall bulk.
* 56 Speed EVs are run in order to outrun fully invested base 70 Speed Pokemon, most notably Magneton, Volcanion, and Bisharp.
* 12 Defense is invested to avoid being OHKOed by Sucker Punch from a +2 Adamant Life Orb Bisharp after Stealth Rocks damage.
* An alternative spread of 244 HP / 12 Def / 116 SpD / 136 Spe with a Jolly nature can be run to allow Gliscor to outrun and use taunt on base 80 Speed Pokemon like Togekiss.
Usage Tips
========
* Do not switch Gliscor into Pokemon known to carry Knock Off or status moves like Will-O-Wisp and Spore if its Poison Heal has not been activated, even if Gliscor can comfortably check them otherwise.
* Take advantage of passive Pokemon that cannot 2HKO Gliscor. Use Taunt against support Pokemon that cannot harm Gliscor, like Hippowdon, to prevent them from healing, phazing, and laying hazards.
* Taunt and Toxic should be used together to help wear down and eventually beat defensive teams.
* Play this set a bit more aggressively in order to prevent hazard stackers from doing their job. If a switch into Klefki or Hippowdon, for instance, is obvious, aggressively pivoting into Gliscor enables hazards to remain off the field.
* Using Toxic frequently early-game is useful to catch Gliscor's switch-ins like Swampert, Mega Blastoise, and Tsareena.
* Keep Gliscor healthy by using Roost frequently. This prevents it from being overwhelmed by strong attacks.
* When using Gliscor to check Pokemon like Clefable, Mega Aerodactyl, and Conkeldurr -- Pokemon known to carry coverage moves specifically for Gliscor -- scout their moveset before switching into Gliscor.
Team Options
========
* This Gliscor variant best fits on balanced teams that appreciate its ability to handle threatening Pokemon like Scizor, Gengar, and Mienshao, and others as well as its ability to heavily pressure defensive cores.
* Since this set forces a significant amount of switches, hazard stacking cores pair well with it. Klefki and Cobalion are excellent partners for Spikes and Stealth Rock, respectively; they can also take on Latios and Hydreigon for Gliscor, while Gliscor takes on Fighting-types for the duo.
* Checks to bulky and offensive Water-types are needed. Mantine, Celebi and Latias are examples of partners that fulfill this role.
* Gliscor struggles with Dragon-types like Latias and Hydreigon, so Steel-types like Bisharp and Scizor are good teammates. Bisharp has the added utility of deterring hazard removal, which allows Gliscor to have an easier time breaking through defensive Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: U-turn / Knock Off / Toxic
move 4: Roost
item: Toxic Orb
ability: Poison Heal
nature: Jolly
evs: 244 HP / 12 Def / 196 SpD / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Stealth Rock is practically a requirement for any competitive team. Gliscor's good bulk, typing, and access to recovery give it numerous opportunities to set it up in a match.
* Earthquake is essential, as this set has nearly zero offensive presence otherwise. It also hits fairly hard because of Gliscor's decent Attack despite the lack of investment.
* U-turn is a good option in the third moveslot. A slow U-turn like Gliscor's is particularly beneficial for getting in sweepers and wallbreakers that wouldn't otherwise be able to switch in effectively such as Gengar.
* Knock Off is viable, however, as it allows Gliscor to more effectively damage Latias and Starmie. The utility of removing items like Leftovers from defensive Pokemon aids Gliscor's teammates in breaking through them later.
* Toxic is useful as well, as it allows Gliscor to put bulky Pokemon that don't mind Earthquake, like Mandibuzz and Swampert, on a timer.
* Finally, Roost is nearly obligatory in order to keep Gliscor healthy enough for it to check the Pokemon it's intended to throughout the match.
Set Details
========
* A Toxic Orb and Poison Heal duo is mandatory to prevent status and significantly improve Gliscor's staying power.
* 244 EVs in HP are used in order to improve its overall bulk and maximize Poison Heal recovery.
* 12 EVs in Defense are used to avoid the OHKO from Adamant Bisharp's +2 Life Orb Sucker Punch after Stealth Rock damage.
* The Speed investment allows Gliscor to outrun fully invested base 70 speed Pokemon, improving its matchup versus Volcanion, Bisharp, and Magneton.
* The Special Defense investment allows Gliscor to avoid the 2HKO from Life Orb Gengar's Shadow Ball while helping it take weaker special attacks.
* On more offensive teams, an alternative spread of 244 HP / 48 Def / 216 Spe with a Jolly nature can be run with Taunt over Roost. The Speed allows it to outrun and revenge kill base 90 Speed Pokemon like Roserade.
Usage Tips
========
* If the opponent lacks hazard removal, leading with Gliscor is a good option to get up Stealth Rocks as early as possible. This is also true if the opposing team has multiple Rock-weak Pokemon.
* Using U-turn early-game is recommended, especially on forced switches, as it allows Gliscor's team to gain the switch initiative.
* Similarly, using Knock Off and Toxic early on helps to break down bulky Water- and Grass-types on the switch, which helps Gliscor's team break through them later.
* Gliscor needs to be at near-full HP to check the Pokemon it is designed to, such as Gengar, so prioritize keeping it healthy.
Team Options
========
* Frail offensive Pokemon that have limited switch-in opportunities benefit immensely from the slow U-turn Gliscor provides them. Mega Sharpedo, Mega Absol, and Zygarde-10% are all Pokemon that benefit greatly from this.
* Gliscor lures in and helps to weaken bulky Water and Grass-types like Swampert and Slowking if running Toxic or Knock Off. Thus, Pokemon with similar checks such as Starmie, Primarina, and Krookodile appreciate Gliscor's ability to lure in and whittle these Pokemon.
* Water-types like Keldeo and Primarina are also good teammates, as they can sponge Water and Ice-type attacks aimed at Gliscor.
* Steel-types such as Cobalion and Empoleon can check threatening Dragon-types for Gliscor, while Gliscor can sponge Fighting-type attacks aimed at them.
* Bisharp is a particularly amazing partner. It not only helps Gliscor with offensive Dragon-types like Latias, but helps to keep Gliscor's hazards up due to the threat of a Defiant boost.
* Pokemon that can handle bulky Water- and Grass-types like Latias and Hydreigon are good partners as well.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Defog may seem like an appealing option, but it is not compatible with Poison Heal, making Gliscor susceptible to status. Pokemon such as Scizor and Latias perform better in this role.
* A fully physically defensive spread can be run to better handle physical attackers like Bewear and offensive Scizor, but such a set struggles to effectively check Clefable and other fairly weak special attackers.
* A more offensive set with Swords Dance, Rock Polish, Earthquake, and Ice Fang can be run, but such a set faces significant competition from other setup sweepers like doubledance Cobalion.
* A Toxic stalling set with Substitute, Toxic, Earthquake, and Roost can be run, but this set is generally outclassed by its more conventional sets.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Wallbreakers**: While Gliscor's bulk is good, it isn't enough for it to withstand even neutral hits from powerful wallbreakers such as Choice Band Bewear, Infernape, and Krookodile; Choice Specs Hydreigon and Chandelure; and Life Orb Scizor.
**Ice-type Coverage**: Gliscor's glaring 4x Ice weakness can easily be exploited by coverage Pokemon that Gliscor normally checks well, such as Clefable and Mega Aerodactyl.
**Water-types**: Pokemon such as Suicune, Slowbro, Slowking, and Swampert take negligible damage from Earthquake and can simply 2HKO Gliscor back with Scald. Likewise, Keldeo, Primarina, Starmie, Feraligatr, and other offensive Water-types can either outrun Gliscor or take an Earthquake, OHKOing Gliscor back. However, none of these Pokemon appreciates switching into Toxic, and offensive Water-types take considerable damage from Earthquake.
**Grass-types**: Bulky and offensive Grass-types do not care about Earthquake and can set up in the case of Celebi and Decidueye or gain momentum with U-turn in the case of Tsareena. None of these Pokemon, especially the former two, appreciates switching into Knock Off though.
* Gliscor is an excellent defensive Pokemon in the UU metagame. Its solid bulk is complemented by an outstanding ability in Poison Heal, which heals Gliscor for 1/8 of its HP when poisoned. When using a Toxic Orb, this makes Gliscor immune to status and gives it a significant source of passive recovery.
* This, in combination with reliable recovery in Roost, makes Gliscor very difficult to wear down.
* To top it off, a solid typing in Ground / Flying provides a valuable resistance to Fighting, and immunities to Ground and Electric; all three are common offensive types in the tier.
* As a result, Gliscor serves as an excellent check to many common and dangerous Pokemon such Cobalion, Scizor, Mega Aerodactyl, and Zygarde-10%.
* Base 95 Speed paired with Taunt, Toxic, and Swords Dance makes Gliscor an excellent stallbreaker, as it can easily outrun most defensive Pokemon and beat them one-on-one if Gliscor cannot be 2HKOed.
* While its defensive typing is good, it leaves it with an exploitable 2x weakness to Water and a 4x weakness to Ice.
* These weaknesses mean that it is prone to getting lured by coverage moves from Pokemon it could otherwise beat, notably Conkeldurr, Toxicroak, Clefable, and Mega Aerodactyl.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance Stallbreaker
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Roost
move 4: Facade / Knock Off / Ice Fang
item: Toxic Orb
ability: Poison Heal
nature: Jolly
evs: 244 HP / 12 Def / 116 SpD / 136 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Swords Dance allows Gliscor to boost its Attack, breaking through passive Pokemon after a few boosts.
* Earthquake is the STAB attack of choice, being Gliscor's strongest attack and hitting the majority of the tier for neutral damage.
* Roost is essential in order to effectively set up against defensive Pokemon; furthermore, it allows Gliscor to serve as a pivot early and mid-game, as it can blanket check many dangerous threats. Roost allows it to outlast other passive Pokemon, and in tandem with Poison Heal prevents it from getting worn down.
* Facade is useful because it hits most Ground-immune Pokemon for neutral damage and is boosted when Gliscor gets poisoned by its Toxic Orb.
* Knock Off hits most Levitate users and Flying-types, such as Mantine and Latias, for at least neutral damage. It also has the benefit of removing items such as Leftovers, which aids in Gliscor's ability to break through the passive Pokemon this set is made to beat.
* Finally, Ice Fang is useful to more effectively deal with Mega Aerodactyl, Zygarde-10%, and opposing Gliscor.
* Toxic can be run on this set as well to help catch bulky Water-types like Swampert and Slowbro on the switch. This helps wear them down to the point where Gliscor can break past them.
Set Details
========
* Poison Heal is what allow this set to thrive against defensive Pokemon, as it prevents residual damage and status from taking it down; therefore, Poison Heal and a Toxic Orb are both necessary.
* 244 EVs in HP allows Gliscor to maximize Poison Heal recovery per turn. The HP EVs are also essential for maximizing its overall bulk.
* 136 Speed EVs paired with a Jolly nature are pivotal for Gliscor to outrun base 80 Speed Pokemon with a Speed-boosting nature.
* 12 EVs in Defense allow Gliscor to survive a +2 Sucker Punch from Adamant Bisharp after Stealth Rock damage.
* The remaining EVs are placed in Special Defense to allow a healthy Gliscor to effectively check Gengar, and allow it to more comfortably switch into weaker special attackers.
* If only outrunning base 70 Speed Pokemon is needed, a spread of 244 HP / 12 Def / 196 SpD / 56 Spe with a Jolly nature is recommended. The extra special bulk allows it to take weaker special attacks like Clefable's Moonblast and Alomomola's Scald more easily.
* An alternative spread of 244 HP / 12 Def / 76 SpD / 176 Spe can be run to effectively outrun everything up to and including base 85 Speed Pokemon like Nidoking. However, on most teams, the improved bulk is preferred.
Usage Tips
========
* Do not recklessly switch Gliscor into Pokemon known to carry Knock Off or status moves if its Poison Heal has not been activated, even if Gliscor can comfortably check them otherwise. Poison Heal is pivotal to this set's success. Some notable examples of those Pokemon include Bisharp, Clefable, Mew, Krookodile, and opposing Gliscor.
* Don't hesitate to directly switch Gliscor into passive Pokemon like Hippowdon and Pokemon that it naturally checks like Defog Scizor, to use them as setup fodder.
* Early-game, while its checks are still healthy, using knock off liberally is smart, as it allows Gliscor to cripple the likes of Swampert, Suicune, Slowbro, and other solid checks, allowing them to be worn down to the point where Gliscor can break past them with +2 Earthquake.
* Scout for potential lures, such as Hidden Power Ice Raikou, Aqua Tail Aerodactyl, and Ice Beam Clefable, before sending Gliscor out to check them.
Team Options
========
* This Gliscor variant fits best on bulky offensive builds that appreciate its ability to reliably check many dangerous offensive threats like Scizor and Cobalion, as well as its ability to break down defensive cores.
* Checks to bulky and offensive Water-types are essential. Celebi stands out as a good partner, as it appreciates Gliscor's ability to take on bulky Steel-types like Scizor and Klefki as well as some offensive checks to it like Gengar and Mega Aerodactyl. In return, Celebi provides a solid answer to bulky Water-types, which plague Gliscor.
* Dragon-types like Latias and Hydreigon appreciate Gliscor's ability to beat defensive Fairy-types like Klefki and Clefable one-on-one. Gliscor also helps to break down bulky Steel-types like the aforementioned Scizor, Bisharp (but only if Poison Heal is activated), and Cobalion, which trouble the pair. In return, Dragon-types can switch into Water-type attacks aimed at Gliscor.
* Steel-types are also good partners. They can absorb Ice-type attacks aimed at Gliscor and take on Dragon-types that trouble it. Some notable examples include Bisharp, Cobalion, and Scizor.
* Water-types are good teammates as well, as they can take Water- and Ice-type attacks aimed at Gliscor.
[SET]
name: Taunt Stallbreaker
move 1: Taunt
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Roost
move 4: Earthquake
item: Toxic Orb
ability: Poison Heal
nature: Jolly
evs: 244 HP / 12 Def / 196 SpD / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Taunt is used on this set to enable Gliscor to cripple passive Pokemon that rely heavily on their support movepool such as Hippowdon, Clefable, Klefki, Forretress, and Blissey by preventing them from setting entry hazards, healing, or setting up.
* Toxic synergizes extremely well with Taunt, as it prevents Pokemon inflicted with poison from healing. It also is useful for catching offensive Pokemon that do not mind Taunt, like Keldeo, Mega Blastoise, and Mega Aerodactyl on the switch.
* Roost is critical to keeping Gliscor healthy enough to check offensive Pokemon like Cobalion and to beat passive Pokemon one-on-one.
* Earthquake is needed to ensure that Gliscor had at least some STAB coverage.
Set Details
========
* Poison Heal in conjunction with a Toxic Orb enables Gliscor to mitigate residual damage and avoid status.
* 244 EVs in HP ensure that Gliscor maximizes Poison Heal recovery. The added EVs also significantly increase Gliscor's overall bulk.
* 56 Speed EVs are run in order to outrun fully invested base 70 Speed Pokemon, most notably Magneton, Volcanion, and Bisharp.
* 12 Defense is invested to avoid being OHKOed by Sucker Punch from a +2 Adamant Life Orb Bisharp after Stealth Rocks damage.
* An alternative spread of 244 HP / 12 Def / 116 SpD / 136 Spe with a Jolly nature can be run to allow Gliscor to outrun and use taunt on base 80 Speed Pokemon like Togekiss.
Usage Tips
========
* Do not switch Gliscor into Pokemon known to carry Knock Off or status moves like Will-O-Wisp and Spore if its Poison Heal has not been activated, even if Gliscor can comfortably check them otherwise.
* Take advantage of passive Pokemon that cannot 2HKO Gliscor. Use Taunt against support Pokemon that cannot harm Gliscor, like Hippowdon, to prevent them from healing, phazing, and laying hazards.
* Taunt and Toxic should be used together to help wear down and eventually beat defensive teams.
* Play this set a bit more aggressively in order to prevent hazard stackers from doing their job. If a switch into Klefki or Hippowdon, for instance, is obvious, aggressively pivoting into Gliscor enables hazards to remain off the field.
* Using Toxic frequently early-game is useful to catch Gliscor's switch-ins like Swampert, Mega Blastoise, and Tsareena.
* Keep Gliscor healthy by using Roost frequently. This prevents it from being overwhelmed by strong attacks.
* When using Gliscor to check Pokemon like Clefable, Mega Aerodactyl, and Conkeldurr -- Pokemon known to carry coverage moves specifically for Gliscor -- scout their moveset before switching into Gliscor.
Team Options
========
* This Gliscor variant best fits on balanced teams that appreciate its ability to handle threatening Pokemon like Scizor, Gengar, and Mienshao, and others as well as its ability to heavily pressure defensive cores.
* Since this set forces a significant amount of switches, hazard stacking cores pair well with it. Klefki and Cobalion are excellent partners for Spikes and Stealth Rock, respectively; they can also take on Latios and Hydreigon for Gliscor, while Gliscor takes on Fighting-types for the duo.
* Checks to bulky and offensive Water-types are needed. Mantine, Celebi and Latias are examples of partners that fulfill this role.
* Gliscor struggles with Dragon-types like Latias and Hydreigon, so Steel-types like Bisharp and Scizor are good teammates. Bisharp has the added utility of deterring hazard removal, which allows Gliscor to have an easier time breaking through defensive Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: U-turn / Knock Off / Toxic
move 4: Roost
item: Toxic Orb
ability: Poison Heal
nature: Jolly
evs: 244 HP / 12 Def / 196 SpD / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Stealth Rock is practically a requirement for any competitive team. Gliscor's good bulk, typing, and access to recovery give it numerous opportunities to set it up in a match.
* Earthquake is essential, as this set has nearly zero offensive presence otherwise. It also hits fairly hard because of Gliscor's decent Attack despite the lack of investment.
* U-turn is a good option in the third moveslot. A slow U-turn like Gliscor's is particularly beneficial for getting in sweepers and wallbreakers that wouldn't otherwise be able to switch in effectively such as Gengar.
* Knock Off is viable, however, as it allows Gliscor to more effectively damage Latias and Starmie. The utility of removing items like Leftovers from defensive Pokemon aids Gliscor's teammates in breaking through them later.
* Toxic is useful as well, as it allows Gliscor to put bulky Pokemon that don't mind Earthquake, like Mandibuzz and Swampert, on a timer.
* Finally, Roost is nearly obligatory in order to keep Gliscor healthy enough for it to check the Pokemon it's intended to throughout the match.
Set Details
========
* A Toxic Orb and Poison Heal duo is mandatory to prevent status and significantly improve Gliscor's staying power.
* 244 EVs in HP are used in order to improve its overall bulk and maximize Poison Heal recovery.
* 12 EVs in Defense are used to avoid the OHKO from Adamant Bisharp's +2 Life Orb Sucker Punch after Stealth Rock damage.
* The Speed investment allows Gliscor to outrun fully invested base 70 speed Pokemon, improving its matchup versus Volcanion, Bisharp, and Magneton.
* The Special Defense investment allows Gliscor to avoid the 2HKO from Life Orb Gengar's Shadow Ball while helping it take weaker special attacks.
* On more offensive teams, an alternative spread of 244 HP / 48 Def / 216 Spe with a Jolly nature can be run with Taunt over Roost. The Speed allows it to outrun and revenge kill base 90 Speed Pokemon like Roserade.
Usage Tips
========
* If the opponent lacks hazard removal, leading with Gliscor is a good option to get up Stealth Rocks as early as possible. This is also true if the opposing team has multiple Rock-weak Pokemon.
* Using U-turn early-game is recommended, especially on forced switches, as it allows Gliscor's team to gain the switch initiative.
* Similarly, using Knock Off and Toxic early on helps to break down bulky Water- and Grass-types on the switch, which helps Gliscor's team break through them later.
* Gliscor needs to be at near-full HP to check the Pokemon it is designed to, such as Gengar, so prioritize keeping it healthy.
Team Options
========
* Frail offensive Pokemon that have limited switch-in opportunities benefit immensely from the slow U-turn Gliscor provides them. Mega Sharpedo, Mega Absol, and Zygarde-10% are all Pokemon that benefit greatly from this.
* Gliscor lures in and helps to weaken bulky Water and Grass-types like Swampert and Slowking if running Toxic or Knock Off. Thus, Pokemon with similar checks such as Starmie, Primarina, and Krookodile appreciate Gliscor's ability to lure in and whittle these Pokemon.
* Water-types like Keldeo and Primarina are also good teammates, as they can sponge Water and Ice-type attacks aimed at Gliscor.
* Steel-types such as Cobalion and Empoleon can check threatening Dragon-types for Gliscor, while Gliscor can sponge Fighting-type attacks aimed at them.
* Bisharp is a particularly amazing partner. It not only helps Gliscor with offensive Dragon-types like Latias, but helps to keep Gliscor's hazards up due to the threat of a Defiant boost.
* Pokemon that can handle bulky Water- and Grass-types like Latias and Hydreigon are good partners as well.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Defog may seem like an appealing option, but it is not compatible with Poison Heal, making Gliscor susceptible to status. Pokemon such as Scizor and Latias perform better in this role.
* A fully physically defensive spread can be run to better handle physical attackers like Bewear and offensive Scizor, but such a set struggles to effectively check Clefable and other fairly weak special attackers.
* A more offensive set with Swords Dance, Rock Polish, Earthquake, and Ice Fang can be run, but such a set faces significant competition from other setup sweepers like doubledance Cobalion.
* A Toxic stalling set with Substitute, Toxic, Earthquake, and Roost can be run, but this set is generally outclassed by its more conventional sets.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Wallbreakers**: While Gliscor's bulk is good, it isn't enough for it to withstand even neutral hits from powerful wallbreakers such as Choice Band Bewear, Infernape, and Krookodile; Choice Specs Hydreigon and Chandelure; and Life Orb Scizor.
**Ice-type Coverage**: Gliscor's glaring 4x Ice weakness can easily be exploited by coverage Pokemon that Gliscor normally checks well, such as Clefable and Mega Aerodactyl.
**Water-types**: Pokemon such as Suicune, Slowbro, Slowking, and Swampert take negligible damage from Earthquake and can simply 2HKO Gliscor back with Scald. Likewise, Keldeo, Primarina, Starmie, Feraligatr, and other offensive Water-types can either outrun Gliscor or take an Earthquake, OHKOing Gliscor back. However, none of these Pokemon appreciates switching into Toxic, and offensive Water-types take considerable damage from Earthquake.
**Grass-types**: Bulky and offensive Grass-types do not care about Earthquake and can set up in the case of Celebi and Decidueye or gain momentum with U-turn in the case of Tsareena. None of these Pokemon, especially the former two, appreciates switching into Knock Off though.
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