**art by me**
[OVERVIEW]
Golbat's vast utility options combined with its typing and Eviolite-boosted bulk make it an exceptional stallbreaker. Its access to Taunt, Toxic, Super Fang, and Defog allow Golbat to beat passive walls and Stealth Rock setters such as Milotic, Registeel, and Bronzong. Golbat can also find many opportunities to come into battle thanks to its Eviolite-boosted bulk, access to Roost, immunity to Toxic, and ability to switch into prominent threats such as Golisopod, Roserade, and Toxicroak. However, Golbat is heavily pressured by Stealth Rock, since it is forced to use Roost before it can clear the entry hazard, which makes it easier to take advantage of. Golbat is also reliant on Eviolite for its bulk, which makes it vulnerable to Knock Off and Trick users. Golbat faces heavy competition from Sigilyph and Florges as a Defog user, since they are less passive and are not weak to Stealth Rock. Noivern also gives Golbat hefty competition as a stallbreaker because it is much less passive than Golbat.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Roost
move 3: Defog / Taunt
move 4: Toxic / Super Fang / Taunt
item: Eviolite
ability: Infiltrator
nature: Jolly
evs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Brave Bird is Golbat's strongest STAB move and allows it to beat Pokemon such as Shaymin, Machamp, and Bewear. Defog can allow Golbat to clear entry hazards, further pressuring Pokemon like Roserade and Golisopod. Taunt and Toxic can shut down passive Pokemon such as Milotic, Diancie, and Cresselia. Super Fang is an interesting move to chip away at bulky Pokemon that are immune to Toxic such as Registeel and Bronzong.
Set Details
========
A Jolly nature with 16 Speed EVs allows Golbat to outspeed maximum Speed Machamp, Adamant Honchkrow, and Pokemon with base 60 Speed such as Bewear. The rest of the EVs are invested in Golbat's physical bulk so it can take as many resisted hits as possible. Infiltrator bypasses Substitute and screens, making Golbat less passive.
Usage Tips
========
Golbat should use its bulk and typing to come in against Pokemon such as Roserade, Toxicroak, and Golisopod. It can also switch in against Pokemon like Registeel and Bronzong as they set Stealth Rock, as well as passive Pokemon like Mantine and Slowbro as they go for Toxic. Despite its solid bulk, Golbat should be cautious of switching into Knock Off because it relies on Eviolite for its defensive utility. It also should be cautious of switching into super effective coverage moves from Pokemon that it normally can beat like Machamp, Virizion, and Milotic. Golbat's Stealth Rock weakness makes it harder to check certain Pokemon, so optimal plays need to be made to let it safely come in and use Defog. Also, be cautious of using Roost, since Golbat loses its Flying typing as it recovers HP, making it easier for Pokemon with Ground-type coverage like Metagross to beat it. Avoid status conditions as much as possible, as they can hinder Golbat's ability to check certain threats.
Team Options
========
Golbat fits best on bulky offense and balance teams that need a stallbreaker and a reliable check to Bug-, Fighting-, and Fairy-types. Defensive teammates such as Registeel, Cresselia, and Goodra appreciate Golbat's ability to check these types. Other partners such as Necrozma, Tangela, Metagross, and Machamp can help check Pokemon that Golbat loses to such as Tyrantrum, Raikou, and Nidoqueen. Tyrantrum and Machamp also appreciate Golbat's ability to wear down their defensive checks with Super Fang. Bulky Z-Move users like Cresselia, Slowbro, and Bewear can help Golbat by taking Knock Off for it. Other entry hazard removers such as Donphan, Mega Blastoise, and Sigilyph can take pressure off of Golbat so that it can focus on stallbreaking. Since Golbat may switch into Stealth Rock often, a Wish passer or Healing Wish user like Vaporeon, Florges, or Gardevoir can help Golbat by recovering its health as it switches into the entry hazard.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
U-turn is a decent move to consider to pivot out of Pokemon that can check Golbat such as Metagross, Gardevoir, and Necrozma as they switch in. This option is difficult to use over Golbat's other, arguably superior utility moves, however.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Residual Damage**: Since Golbat is constantly switching into entry hazards and resisted hits, it usually is forced to use Roost before it can do anything, which can make Golbat more passive and more easily pressured by wallbreakers.
**Knock Off Users**: Pokemon such as Donphan, Passimian, and Drapion can pressure Golbat by removing its Eviolite, which it needs to check certain threats.
**Super Effective Coverage**: Pokemon such as Gardevoir, Tyrantrum, and Raikou don't care about many of Golbat's moves and can retaliate back with super effective moves. Other Pokemon like Virizion, Machamp, and Nidoqueen can carry coverage moves to beat Golbat, too.
**Faster Stallbreakers**: Although Golbat is quite bulky, it falls prey to rival stallbreakers such as Mismagius, Houndoom, and Noivern, which all turn Golbat into setup fodder.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[JustoonSmitts, 239732]]
- Quality checked by: [[phantom, 180300], [zizalith, 410251], [MrAldo, 277521]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Empress, 175616], [deetah, 297659]]
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