Golem [QC 2/2] [GP 2/2]

ShuckleDeath

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[OVERVIEW]

Golem was once in high competition with Rhydon over which Rock-type was the superior choice for teams. In the current metagame, the decision goes over to Rhydon with its higher damage output and a better matchup against Chansey, as Rhydon has a guaranteed 2HKO against Chansey without a Reflect up, while Golem is unlikely to 2HKO. Rhydon also has 101 HP Substitutes, which means it has a good chance to beat a paralyzed Reflect + Seismic Toss Chansey, whereas Golem does not. Golem, however, still manages to carve itself a niche with its access to Explosion, which is the second strongest attack in the game behind Snorlax's Self-Destruct. Explosion does massive amounts of damage to the majority of the metagame, and Golem has Earthquake for the Pokemon that resist it. This makes Golem likely to be able to trade with threats or at least severely weaken them to the point of being easily revenged killed. Golem's ability to outpace Rhydon gives it an advantage against teams using Rhydon, as it has a good matchup against them, and Golem can find its way in against Rhydon if you can predict a Rock Slide. This can be risky, however, as Rhydon 2HKOes Golem with Earthquake. Golem, just like Rhydon, offers a hard counter to the two most common Electric-types in the tier, Zapdos and Jolteon, as they do not have any coverage that touches Golem.

[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Rock Slide
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Body Slam

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========

Earthquake and Rock Slide are powerful STAB moves unresisted together by any Pokemon in the metagame. Earthquake hits Jolteon and opposing Rock-types for massive damage. Rock Slide hits Flying-types like Zapdos and Articuno that are immune to Earthquake. Explosion is useful for inflicting massive damage to most of the metagame barring Gengar and opposing Golem and Rhydon, but this comes at the cost of Golem itself. Body Slam is useful to fish for paralysis and can be used to help Golem's matchup against Starmie, as a paralyzed Starmie is much easier to deal with. Otherwise, Starmie could just use Recover to heal off any damage inflicted to it or go for Blizzard, which will OHKO on a critical hit. Paralyzing Exeggutor also benefits Golem.

When using Golem, it is wise to scout the opponent a bit and see how Golem can be used to the greatest effect. It may not be good to use Explosion too early, as the opponent could potentially have an unrevealed Zapdos in their team. If enough turns have passed and you are sure Golem is not needed for any defensive utility, it should be considered for an optimal time to use Explosion to open a hole for your team. Golem can also be used on very aggressive Explosion-heavy teams. These types of teams, however, have yet to proven effective in top play.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Fire Blast can be used over Body Slam, as it hits Exeggutor harder than Rock Slide and has a chance to burn it, weakening Exeggutor's Explosion. It also can burn and severely cripple Pokemon like Tauros and Snorlax. It has to be careful of burning Starmie or Chansey, however, as that would prevent them from being inflicted with more devastating status like sleep, paralysis, or freeze. It also will cure any frozen target it hits from freeze. Substitute can make prediction easier and can help fish for paralysis, but Golem has trouble fitting it in on its moveset, and it is done better by Rhydon due to it having 404 HP, which will prevent its Substitutes from being broken with one Seismic Toss.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Exeggutor**: Exeggutor can switch in and survive any move Golem can muster and retaliate with a powerful Psychic or a 4x super effective Mega Drain. It can also choose to go for a status-inducing move such as Sleep Powder or Stun Spore.

**Tauros**: While Tauros does not like taking damage from Golem, it does force you to make decisions like using Explosion or switching, as Blizzard can 2HKO or OHKO with a critical hit. Tauros can also easily finish off a weakened Golem.

**Water-types**: Starmie can only be OHKOed by Explosion, which is not a guarantee, and it can recover any other damage inflicted. It does, however, have to be wary of paralysis from Body Slam. Slowbro can be taken out by an Earthquake into an Explosion, but this is not guaranteed, and Slowbro gets a clean KO with Surf.

**Ice-types**: While they do not like to switch into a Rock Slide, Articuno, Lapras, and Cloyster can all outpace Golem and proceed to go for Blizzard or, in Cloyster's case, Clamp.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[ShuckleDeath, 273347]]
- Quality checked by: [[FriendOfMrGolem120, 424525], [The Idiot Ninja, 265630]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
 
Last edited:

Jorgen

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I know this is WIP and probably heavily based on the current analysis on-site. That said, a revamp should probably focus on two things:

1) A rock is very much NOT a mandatory pick. In fact, a rock is not even close to one. Rhydon and Golem have one very strong niche (hard-walling Zapdos) but otherwise can struggle to pull their weight on a team. The current analysis hypes these Pokes up a bit too much: Zapdos is certainly strong, but can still be handled without Rhydon/Golem.

2) The current analysis emphasizes that Golem vs. Rhydon is an active debate. I think the most common view currently held is that Golem is a little worse than Rhydon. Its reduced damage output is very noticeable. This probably stems from the realization of the first point: as Rocks came to be considered less and less mandatory over the years, people began to use them more deliberately. When using a Rock for its unique attributes beyond just "I need this for Zapdos", you'll want the huge damage from Rhydon rather than the "face-saving" potential of Golem's Explosion. The latter would be more useful if you were using Rocks less deliberately (like earlier times) and frequently finding them dead weight as a result. And Golem's Speed advantage in the head-to-head also matters a lot less now: again, stemming from reduced usage of Rocks in general.
 
Body Slam is useful to fish for Paralysis and can be used to help its matchup against Starmie as a Paralyized Starmie is much easier to deal with.
I would also mention here that unparalysed Starmie could just recover stall Golem (use Recover if to get to full health if Golem switches or attack with e.g. Blizzard if Golem stays in fishing for crits). Maybe write that paralysing Exeggutor can also be nice.
Substitute can make prediction easier and can help fish for Paralysis but it has trouble fitting it in and is done better by Rhydon.
Maybe add "due to having 404 Hp which will prevent its Substitutes from being broken with one Seismic Toss".
Starmie can only be OHKOed by Explosion
I'd add that it is a roll to KO as right now it sounds a bit as if it is a guaranteed one: Golem Explosion vs. Starmie: 291-343 (90 - 106.1%) -- 38.5% chance to OHKO

I am not sure about the "Team Options"-part as Chansey will be used on most team anyway and even though Zapdos and Jolteon can be used with Golem, I am not sure if they stand out as partners for it.

Otherwise the analysis seems really good.
 

Hipmonlee

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I think the line "It also has about a 50% chance to 3HKO Exeggutor if it manages a Burn which is huge" is a bit ambiguous.

I think what you mean is "It also has about a 50% chance to 3HKO Exeggutor considering accuracy and Burn chance" but I'm not sure. It kinda reads like saying if you get a burn then you have a 50% chance of 3HKOing, which is still unclear, because how many Burn attempts does this include?

Also, I think at the opening when you explain why Rhydon has become more popular than Golem you should focus on 101hp subs. I think explosion is probably enough compensation for the lower damage (although personally I've always preferred Rhydon). But the main issue for Golem is that Rhydon is very likely to beat reflect/stoss Chansey 1v1 whereas Golem is not. I think its important to make this point because should the metagame shift so that that Chansey set becomes less common, then Golem suddenly becomes a lot more appealing.

It seems a little weird to mention Articuno and Cloyster and miss out Lapras.
 

Amaranth

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In the set description I think you should elaborate a bit on how Golem actually plays throughout the game, as a general rule in analysis writing you shouldn't stop at describing what the moves do, you should try to talk about the role that the set you're describing undertakes throughout the game as well.

Golem should generally be kept as a reactionary answer, first you scout what your opponent has, and then you decide what you do with him. Sometimes you can't afford to lose him too early because they have a Zapdos in the back, but if and when you've scouted enough to learn that they don't have one, you don't need him to take on any defensive duties so you can explode it to cause an opening for you to break through. It doesn't need to be too elaborate, but it's good to expand on these things in the set description. You might also want to mention how Golem fits well in hyper aggressive Explosion spam type of teams, despite those teams being unproven at the highest levels of play, but it's not a big deal

I would mention in the overview that Golem outspeeds Rhydon and 2HKOs it, so it has a small edge in the match up against him and can function as a Rock Slide switch-in if necessary. I would drop the mention of Jolteon's Double Kick crit 3HKO, it's a fairly irrelevant calc.

Tauros should be added in the checks section; while it doesn't OHKO, it can very easily finish off a weakened Golem before it can explode, and simply having Tauros vs Golem on the field will force the Golem player into some uncomfortable decisions (such as booming instantly under the threat of a blizzard 2HKO).

QC 2/2 when those changes are implemented (Hipmonlee is not part of the QC team, he is just giving unofficial reviews and suggestions)
 

Astra

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amcheck :blobthumbsup:
add remove (comments)
I didn't see this in the GP Queue Thread, so be sure to post you analysis here for it to be checked officially!
[OVERVIEW]

Golem was once in high debate competition with Rhydon over which Rock-type was the superior choice for teams. In the current metagame, (AC) the decision is going goes over to Rhydon with its higher damage output and a better matchup against Chansey, (AC) as Rhydon has a guaranteed 2HKO against Chansey without a Reflect up, while golem Golem is unlikely to 2HKO. Rhydon also has 101HP 101 HP Substitutes, which this means it has a good chance to beat a paralyzed Reflect + Seismic Toss Chancey Chansey, (AC) whereas Golem does not. Golem, however, still manages to carve itself a niche with its access to Explosion, (AC) which is the second strongest in the game behind Snorlaxes Snorlax's Self Destruct. Explosion does massive amounts of damage to the majority of the metagame, (AC) and Golem has Earthquake for the pokemon who Pokemon that resist it. (add period) This this makes Golem likely to trade with threats or severely weaken threats them to the point of being easily revenged killed. Golem's (add apostrophe) ability to outpace Rhydon gives it an advantage against teams using Rhydon, (AC) as it has a good matchup against them, and it Golem can find its way in against it Rhydon if you can predict a Rock Slide. (add period) This this can be risky, (AC) however, (AC) as Rhydon 2HKOes with Earthquake. Golem, (AC) just like Rhydon, (AC) offers a hard counter to the two most common Electric-types in the tier, (AC) Zapdos and Jolteon, (AC) as they do not have any coverage that touches Golem.

[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Rock Slide
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Body Slam

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========

Earthquake and Rock Slide are powerful STAB moves unresisted together by the entirety of Pokemon in the metagame. Earthquake hits Jolteon and opposing Rock-types for massive damage. Rock Slide hits Flying-types like Zapdos and Articuno that are immune to Earthquake. Explosion is useful for inflicting massive damage to most of the metagame barring Gengar and opposing Golem and Rhydon, (AC) but this comes at the cost of Golem himself itself. Body Slam is useful to fish for Paralysis paralysis and can be used to help its matchup against Starmie, (AC) as a Paralyzed paralyzed Starmie is much easier to deal with. (add period) Otherwise, (AC) Starmie as otherwise it could just use Recover to heal off any damage inflicted to it or go for Blizzard, (AC) which will OHKO on a critical hit. (separated into two sentences because as one sentence it felt really dragged on) Paralyzing Exeggutor also benefits Golem.

When using Golem, (AC) it is wise to scout the opponent a bit and see how he (specifically say who's he here because it's unclear) can be used to the greatest effect. It may not be good to use Explosion too early, (AC) as if the opponent could potentially have an unrevealed Zapdos in their team. If enough turns have passed and you are sure Golem is not needed for any defensive utility, (AC) it should then be considered for an optimal time to use Explosion to open a hole for your team. Golem can also be used on very aggressive Explosion-heavy (AH) teams, (AC) as it does have a very powerful Explosion, (RC) these. (add period) These types of teams, however, have yet to proven effective in top play.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Fire Blast can be used over Body Slam, (AC) as it hits Exeggutor harder than Rock Slide and has a chance to burn it, (AC) weakening Exeggutor's (add apostrophe) Explosion. It also can Burn burn and severely cripple pokemon Like Pokemon like Tauros and Snorlax. It has to be careful as a Burn on of burning Starmie or Chansey, (AC) which can be very problematic, (AC) as that would prevent them from being hit inflicted with more devastating status like Sleep, Paralysis, or Freeze sleep, paralysis, or freeze. It also will defrost cure any frozen target it hits from freeze. Substitute can make prediction easier and can help fish for Paralysis paralysis, (AC) but it Golem has trouble fitting it in on its moveset, (AC) and it is done better by Rhydon due to having 404 Hp HP, (AC) which will prevent its Substitutes from being broken with one Seismic Toss.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Exeggutor**: Exeggutor can switch in and survive any move Golem can muster and retaliate with a powerful Psychic or a 4x weak Mega Drain, (AC) which Golem is 4x weak to. (reads less awkwardly) It can also choose to go for a status inducing move such as Sleep Powder or Stun Spore.

**Tauros**: While Tauros does not like taking damage from Golem, (AC) it does force you to make decisions like to use using Explosion or switching, (AC) as Blizzard is a can 2HKO and can or OHKO with a critical hit. Tauros can aslo also easily finish off a weakened Golem.

**Water-types**: Starmie can only be OHKOed by Explosion, (AC) which is not a guarantee, (AC) and it can recover any other damage inflicted. It does, however, have to be wary of paralysis from Body Slam Paralysis. Slowbro can be taken out by an Earthquake into an Explosion, (AC) but this is not guaranteed, (AC) and Slowbro gets a clean faint with Surf.

**Ice-types**: While they do not like to switch into a Rock Slide, (AC) Articuno, Lapras, and Cloyster can all outpace Golem and proceed to go for Blizzard or, (AC) in Cloyster's (add apostrophe) case, Clamp.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[ShuckleDeath,]]
- Quality checked by: [[FriendOfMrGolem120, ], [The Idiot Ninja, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
 

Lumari

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remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 2/2
[OVERVIEW]

Golem was once in high competition with Rhydon over which Rock-type was the superior choice for teams. In the current metagame, the decision goes over to Rhydon with its higher damage output and a better matchup against Chansey, as Rhydon has a guaranteed 2HKO against Chansey without a Reflect up, while Golem is unlikely to 2HKO. Rhydon also has 101 HP Substitutes, this which means it has a good chance to beat a paralyzed Reflect + Seismic Toss Chansey, whereas Golem does not. Golem, however, still manages to carve itself a niche with its access to Explosion, which is the second strongest attack (probably?) in the game behind Snorlax's Self-Destruct. (AH) Explosion does massive amounts of damage to the majority of the metagame, and Golem has Earthquake for the Pokemon that resist it. This makes Golem likely to be able to trade with threats or at least severely weaken them to the point of being easily revenged killed. Golem's ability to outpace Rhydon gives it an advantage against teams using Rhydon, as it has a good matchup against them, and Golem can find its way in against Rhydon if you can predict a Rock Slide. This can be risky, however, as Rhydon 2HKOes Golem with Earthquake. Golem, just like Rhydon, offers a hard counter to the two most common Electric-types in the tier, Zapdos and Jolteon, as they do not have any coverage that touches Golem.

[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Rock Slide
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Body Slam

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========

Earthquake and Rock Slide are powerful STAB moves unresisted together by the entirety of any Pokemon in the metagame. Earthquake hits Jolteon and opposing Rock-types for massive damage. Rock Slide hits Flying-types like Zapdos and Articuno that are immune to Earthquake. Explosion is useful for inflicting massive damage to most of the metagame barring Gengar and opposing Golem and Rhydon, but this comes at the cost of Golem itself. Body Slam is useful to fish for paralysis and can be used to help its Golem's matchup against Starmie, as a paralyzed Starmie is much easier to deal with. Otherwise, Starmie could just use Recover to heal off any damage inflicted to it or go for Blizzard, which will OHKO on a critical hit. Paralyzing Exeggutor also benefits Golem.

When using Golem, it is wise to scout the opponent a bit and see how Golem can be used to the greatest effect. It may not be good to use Explosion too early, as the opponent could potentially have an unrevealed Zapdos in their team. If enough turns have passed and you are sure Golem is not needed for any defensive utility, it should then be considered for an optimal time to use Explosion to open a hole for your team. Golem can also be used on very aggressive Explosion-heavy teams, as it does have a very powerful Explosion. These types of teams, however, have yet to proven effective in top play.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Fire Blast can be used over Body Slam, as it hits Exeggutor harder than Rock Slide and has a chance to burn it, weakening Exeggutor's Explosion. It also can burn and severely cripple Pokemon like Tauros and Snorlax. It has to be careful of burning Starmie or Chansey, however, which can be very problematic, as that would prevent them from being inflicted with more devastating status like sleep, paralysis, or freeze. It also will cure any frozen target it hits from freeze. Substitute can make prediction easier and can help fish for paralysis, but Golem has trouble fitting it in on its moveset, and it is done better by Rhydon due to it having 404 HP, which will prevent its Substitutes from being broken with one Seismic Toss.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Exeggutor**: Exeggutor can switch in and survive any move Golem can muster and retaliate with a powerful Psychic or a 4x super effective Mega Drain, which Golem is 4x weak to. It can also choose to go for a status-inducing (AH) move such as Sleep Powder or Stun Spore.

**Tauros**: While Tauros does not like taking damage from Golem, it does force you to make decisions like using Explosion or switching, as Blizzard can 2HKO and can or OHKO with a critical hit. Tauros can also easily finish off a weakened Golem.

**Water-types**: Starmie can only be OHKOed by Explosion, which is not a guarantee, and it can recover any other damage inflicted. It does, however, have to be wary of paralysis from Body Slam. Slowbro can be taken out by an Earthquake into an Explosion, but this is not guaranteed, and Slowbro gets a clean faint KO with Surf.

**Ice-types**: While they do not like to switch into a Rock Slide, Articuno, Lapras, and Cloyster can all outpace Golem and proceed to go for Blizzard or, in Cloyster's case, Clamp.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[ShuckleDeath,]]
- Quality checked by: [[FriendOfMrGolem120, ], [The Idiot Ninja, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, ], [, ]]
 

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