ZU Golem

Mintly

Mintly

is an Artist
[OVERVIEW]

Golem is the premier Stealth Rock setter in the tier. Sturdy enables it to almost always set up Stealth Rock as well as check opposing Pokemon in an emergency. Sturdy also works well with its typing and Weakness Policy, granting it an easy boost and the ability to take down tougher foes. Golem's Normal-, Fire-, and Poison-type resistances and Electric-type immunity make it effective at checking Komala, Rapidash, Muk, and Choice-locked Electivire in a pinch. Its defensive set allows it to fill these roles even more effectively. Golem's powerful STAB attacks combined with its terrifying Attack stat allow it to OHKO Pokemon like Electivire unboosted and Pokemon like bulky Komala at +2. Choice Band allows Golem to pressure most of the defensive metagame with its almost unresisted STAB combination, including its most used answer, Bronzor. Unfortunately, Golem's weaknesses to Grass, Water, and Ice hinder it greatly, leaving it susceptible to special attackers such as Floatzel, Swanna, Abomasnow, and Simisage. Furthermore, Golem's low Speed can be a large downfall, as faster Pokemon can easily nullify its Sturdy or clear entry hazards right after Golem sets them.

[SET]
name: Offensive Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Sucker Punch / Explosion
item: Weakness Policy / Custap Berry
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Earthquake is Golem’s primary STAB move, hitting Steel-, Fire-, and Electric-types such as Mawile, Probopass, Camerupt, Rapidash, Zebstrika, and Electivire. Stone Edge completes a powerful STAB combination that allows Golem to hit both airborne and grounded Pokemon such as Chatot, Altaria, Electivire, Pinsir, and Rotom-S. Sucker Punch allows Golem to hit faster Pokemon like Silvally, Electivire, and Floatzel and punish them even better after Weakness Policy has been activated, allowing it to OHKO Pokemon like Chatot. Alternatively, Explosion can work well with Custap Berry, giving Golem an effective +1 priority 250-Base Power move after activating with Sturdy. Golem fainting also means opposing spinners and Defoggers cannot remove Stealth Rock.

Set Details
========

Weakness Policy is the main item used, allowing Golem to do greater damage to Pokemon that it had a harder time with beforehand. Sturdy allows Golem to avoid OHKOs from special attackers such as Floatzel, Swanna, and Abomasnow to set up Stealth Rock, which is its main goal, as well as activate Weakness Policy. An Adamant nature is more useful than Jolly, since there's not much Golem can outspeed outside of other Golem and Crustle. Custap Berry allows Golem to have an effective priority move after Sturdy activates, either allowing it to set up a last-ditch Stealth Rock or pull off an Explosion.

Usage Tips

========

Golem should be used as a lead in most cases, with setting up Stealth Rock as its biggest priority. However, Golem should not come in as a lead if threats like Silvally-Water and Sandslash are able to anti-lead it or switch in. Golem shouldn’t be switched out unless it is crucial, as the possibility of breaking Sturdy is too great, which could cost Golem its usefulness. When up against a Grass- or Water-type such as Simisage or Floatzel, switch out to a Pokemon that resists their attacks like Altaria or Silvally-Dragon, although switching into an Ice Punch or Ice Beam from an opposing Water type can be hazardous. Golem can use its defensive typing to soft check Electric- and Normal-type Pokemon such as Zebstrika and Komala if Sturdy doesn't need to be kept or if Sturdy has already been broken. With its resistances and bulk, Golem can also play offensively. In these cases, being slow isn't Golem's concern, since it can tank most hits and dish back intense damage after a Weakness Policy boost. Keep in mind that Weakness Policy and Custap Berry rely on Sturdy, meaning you need to either preserve Sturdy or lead with Golem.

Team Options
========

Silvally-Dragon, Servine, Silvally-Grass, and Altaria can be helpful because of their unique ability to both act as a solid Defogger and cover Golem's 4x weaknesses to Grass and Water. Altaria also provides support by using Heal Bell to remove a burn or Toxic and provides an immunity to Ground and a resistance to Grass and Water. Unfortunately, while both Silvally-Dragon and Altaria can cover up Golem’s weakness to Grass and Water, all three have a weakness to Ice. Thus, Pokemon that can check Ice-types such as Monferno, Combusken, and Silvally-Fighting allow Golem to be safe by eliminating a possible threat, with the former two resisting Ice themselves. Spinners like Komala offer removal of opposing entry hazards without getting rid of your own. Silvally-Fighting can super effectively hit Pokemon that could remove Golem's Stealth Rock, including Komala and other Silvally formes. Golem's Stealth Rock can damage Flying-, Bug-, and Fire-types such as Swanna, Pinsir, and Rapidash, meaning Golem pairs well with Pokemon like Simisage, Combusken, and Silvally-Fighting.

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Protect / Toxic
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 32 Atk / 224 Def

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Toxic allows Golem to chip down opposing Pokemon that it can't break, like Gourgeist-XL and Lickilicky, while Protect allows Golem to regain HP to recover its Sturdy after switching into entry hazards. Protect can also allow Golem to scout threats such as Choice Scarf Electivire and switch out accordingly. Earthquake is an effective STAB move that allows Golem to hit grounded Pokemon such as Mawile, Rapidash, and Raichu. Stone Edge allows Golem to hit airborne or Ground-resistant foes such as Chatot, Altaria, Pinsir, and Rotom-S.

Set Details
========

Leftovers allows Golem to recover health over time alongside Protect, even allowing it to restore its Sturdy to be able to safely set up Stealth Rock. Sturdy is Golem's most useful ability, allowing it to avoid an OHKO from hits like Silvally-Water's Surf to set up Stealth Rock. Golem's investment in physical bulk and its Ground / Rock typing allow it to safely switch into Pokemon like Choice Scarf Electivire and Choice Band Komala, while its Attack EVs allow it to OHKO Pokemon such as Pawniard.

Usage Tips
========

Golem should be used as a lead in most cases, with setting up Stealth Rock as its main priority. It's not a problem if Sturdy is broken by entry hazards, since Golem's resistance to Rock allows it to recover its health lost using Leftovers in combination with Protect. Golem's main function is to power through opposing Pokemon's attacks and hit like a truck. Switching Golem out to a Pokemon that resists its weaknesses such as Silvally-Water, -Dragon or -Fighting allows it to set Stealth Rock again later, if it has been removed. Golem should avoid attempting to check certain variants of Pokemon that it could normally check, such as Bulk Up Komala, though it can check Choice Band sets.

Team Options
========

Golem is best suited for balance teams. since its lack of reliable recovery make it a burden for full stall. Floatzel and Swanna both benefit from Golem's immunity to Electric, and Golem appreciates their Water and Steel resistances and Swanna's Ground immunity. Grass-types such as Shiftry and Shiinotic benefit from Golem's Normal resistance, as one of the most powerful Normal-type sweepers is Bouffalant, which packs Sap Sipper. Pokemon like Pyukumuku, Lickilicky, and Mareanie also benefit from Golem's Normal resistance, since Golem can come in on Choice Band Komala locked into Return, which is immune to status. Silvally formes such as Silvally-Water and Silvally-Poison can form a great entry hazard control core with Golem and check specific threats to it.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Fire Punch
item: Choice Band
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Earthquake is Golem’s primary STAB move, hitting Fire-, Steel-, and Electric-types super effectively with no risk of missing. Earthquake also hits Ground-types that resist Stone Edge. Stone Edge is also an effective STAB attack that allows Golem to hit both airborne and grounded Pokemon, such as Chatot, Altaria, Pinsir, and Rotom-S. It also hits Grass-type Pokemon that Earthquake wouldn't be able to hit for sufficient damage. Sucker Punch allows Golem to hit faster Pokemon like Silvally, Electivire, and Floatzel, and Fire Punch allows Golem to hit Bronzor along with bulky Grass-types like Shiinotic and Gourgeist-XL, which can bypass Earthquake with Levitate or typing.

Set Details
========

Using Choice Band means Golem can break through checks like Bronzor and Gourgeist-XL, which other sets cannot do. Sturdy is a vital ability, allowing Golem to avoid an OHKO and, in an emergency, check threats by exchanging hits.

Usage Tips
========

Golem should be brought in after KOs or pivots as much as possible, as it's a wallbreaker able to check possible threats and keep momentum intact. Going up against a Grass- or Water-type can be solved by switching out to a check like Altaria or Silvally-Dragon, although switching into an Ice Punch or Ice Beam from an opposing Water type can be hazardous. In a pinch, Sturdy can be used to check faster Pokemon that Golem can KO, such as Electivire, Floatzel, Swanna, and Simisear. It is optimal to use the move with the best coverage against the opponent's team overall, since Golem will be Choice-locked after selecting a move. Golem can come in to check most Normal- and Electric-type Pokemon, although it should avoid taking too much chip damage beforehand. Use careful prediction, since the Choice lock means a Steel-type like Mawile could switch out to a Flying-type like Swanna expecting an Earthquake, meaning Golem would need to switch out. The opponent's moves need to be predicted in order to cause as few problems as possible. Be wary of locking Golem into Sucker Punch, as this means Golem either gives the opponent a turn or more to set up or a free turn to switch out.

Team Options
========

Silvally-Dragon and Silvally-Grass can be helpful because of their ability to act as a solid Defogger, cover Golem's 4x weaknesses to Grass and Water, and bring in Golem with U-turn or Parting Shot. Altaria also provides support by being able to switch into Grass-type threats Silvally-Dragon and Altaria share a weakness to Ice with Golem, however. Komala offers a removal of opposing entry hazards that can break Golem's Sturdy as well as an immunity to crippling status moves and the ability to bring Golem in through U-turn. Bronzor patches up a lot of weaknesses Golem has and can provide Stealth Rock, which allows Choice Band Golem to put normally tough threats such as Gourgeist-XL into 2HKO range, as well as Toxic to chip down foes like Silvally-Water and Sandslash. Rotom-S can provide defensive coverage for Grass- and Fighting-types as well as momentum, although Ground-types check both Golem and Rotom-S. Silvally-Water can switch in on and check Floatzel and Swanna. Silvally-Poison can take care of entry hazards such as Toxic Spikes,absorbing them as it switches in and taking care of threats such as Fighting-types.

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

Specially defensive sets can check Pokemon such as Chatot more effectively as well as switch in on Choice Scarf Zebstrika selecting Hidden Power Ice. Smack Down can make Golem a check to Bronzor without having to use Fire Punch. Sunny Day and Heat Rock can be used to provide an effective sun setter, alongside Stealth Rock to create role compression, and using this alongside Explosion provides maximum duration of sun. Mago Berry can be used to provide a better matchup against Abomasnow, as Mago Berry activates before hail damage, allowing Golem to outlive Abomasnow after trading hits. A Jolly nature can let offensive sets outspeed Pokemon like Mawile and Regice as well as Pokemon that try to creep Adamant Golem like Lapras and Kecleon.

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

**Levitate Users**: Bronzor's immunity to Ground leaves Golem either attempting to hit with a not very effective Stone Edge or switch out, allowing Bronzor to use Toxic and Stealth Rock to chip and cripple Golem. This can be solved with Fire Punch, but a Golem Choice-locked into Earthquake or Stone Edge suffers. Misdreavus and Solrock can also burn Golem and can use Pain Split or Morning Sun for pseudo-reliable recovery.

**Grass-types**: Bulky Grass-types like Gourgeist-XL, Shiinotic, and Silvally-Grass terrify Golem. The first two also have access to reliable recovery, which means they can switch into Golem however many times they need, although all three should be wary of Golem's Toxic. Abomasnow is a special case, since it can use the chip damage of hail with Blizzard to seal a KO against Golem; though it can usually be knocked out with Stone Edge, it also means Golem cannot set up Stealth Rock. However, while these Pokemon can easily put an end to Golem, they need to be wary of Choice Band Golem's Fire Punch

**Water-types**: Silvally-Water tanks a +2 Earthquake, can remove Golem's entry hazards, and can OHKO Golem after its Sturdy is broken. Floatzel and Swanna can OHKO using Scald or Liquidation after Sturdy has been broken, although they cannot safely switch into it.

**Ground-types**: Vibrava resists both of Golem's STAB attacks, has recovery, and takes little damage from Golem's coverage moves. Gabite can also check Golem, as it can tank hits from Golem and outspeeds it, meaning Golem can either get a single hit in or will only be able to set up Stealth Rock. Marowak cannot come into Golem, but it can beat it one-on-one, as Bonemerang bypasses Sturdy. Silvally-Ground and Sandslash can come in on Golem and remove its entry hazards with Defog or Rapid Spin, with the latter also being able to preserve its own hazards.

**Fighting-types**: Silvally-Fighting can take Stone Edge from Golem easily, and while Monferno and Combusken are weak to Golem's Earthquake, both outspeed Golem, meaning they can come in to revenge kill it.

**Super Effective Coverage**: Moves like Raichu's Focus Blast, Toucannon's Bullet Seed, and Chatot and Oricorio's Hidden Power Grass threaten Golem. With the exception of Toucannon, these checks have to be careful if Golem's Sturdy hasn't been broken, however.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[DatHeatmor, 254865]]
- Quality checked by: [[Aaronboyer, 239454], [5gen, 296755], [Xayah,167012]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [CryoGyro, 331519]]
 
Last edited:
DatHeatmor said:
[OVERVIEW]

  • Golem is the premiere Stealth Rock setter in the tier, with its excellent attack stat and its dual STAB being almost unresisted. This is not wrong, but it could use more expanding upon. It has more to do with Sturdy due to it guaranteeing an opportunity to set up and the ability to either threaten, deter, or lure our various forms of hazard control. Other than that, the comments I made about how you should elaborate upon Sturdy can be used here, following by expanding upon why Sturdy is good in other aspects.
  • Golem's weaknesses allow it to run Weakness Policy, being able to trudge through Pokemon with tougher defenses.
  • Golem's powerful STABs combined with its terrifying attack stat allows it to OHKO Pokemon like Electivire without Weakness Policy, and OHKO Pokemon like Bulky Komala after Weakness Policy activating. This is a good point where you'll want to touch upon Choice Band's role also, which is by pressuring much of the defensive meta with its sheer power, lack of good EdgeQuake switch-ins, and the ability to pressure its most prevalent answer, Bronzor, with Fire Punch.
  • However, Golem's fragility to opposing hazards breaks it's Sturdy, as well as moves like Toxic or Will-O-Wisp. There needs to be a further explanation as to how and why Sturdy defines its niche, rather than just stating the flaw of how any damage breaks it. There's something to be said about Sturdy's attributes given its multipurpose: It allows Golem to survive any hit, allowing it to almost always ensure a turn to set up Stealth Rock, emergency check opposing Pokemon by trading hits and retaliating with a potential kill, and/or in Weakness Policy's case, punish would-be offensive checks like Watervally/Fightvally/Simisage/SE coverage attackers by threatening them in retaliation to boosting its offenses.
  • Golem also has an unfortunate weakness to Grass, Water, and Ice, which hinders it greatly.
  • Golem also relies on a Physical-Oriented opponent, as it's Special Defense is lacking. I would combine these two points together by saying that its Special Defense leaves it easily pressured by specially offensive Pokemon, particularly prevalent threats like Floatzel, Abomasnow, and Simisage that exploit its typing weaknesses. It doesn't help that coverage from the special side is common for pressuring it.
You also want to expand upon how it can use its typing defensively, which is by supplying an Electric-immunity in a pinch, while also providing a rather sturdy Normal resist that checks Komala rather well, a Fire resist that makes it particularly effective in checking certain Pokemon like Rapidash, and a Poison resist that's effective at checking Muk.

[SET]
name: Offensive Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Weakness Policy
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Sucker Punch allows Golem to hit faster Pokemon like Silvally, Electivire, or Floatzel after Weakness Policy has been activated. It is not an OHKO move, but it is effective damage. Some of the wording awkwardly describes the meaning of sucker punch. it's mainly to hit faster threats, as mentioned, and from there it's more concise to say that WP boosts helps to punish them, rather than "after WP is activated". Notably, it OHKOes Chatot at +2.
  • Earthquake is Golem’s primary STAB move, hitting Fire-, Steel-, and Electric-types Super Effectively.
  • Stone Edge is also an effective STAB. Along with Earthquake, it provides a powerful combination that allows Golem to hit both Airborne and Grounded Pokemon, such as Chatot, Altaria, Electivire, Pinsir, and Rotom-Fan.

Set Details
========

  • Weakness Policy is the main gimmick, giving Golem a +2 Spa boost and a +2 Attack boost, allowing Golem to do greater damage to Pokemon who it had a harder time with beforehand.
  • Sturdy is a vital ability, allowing Golem to survive an OHKO to set rocks up, which is its main goal, also allowing it to activate Weakness Policy
  • Invested Attack EVs and an Adamant nature let Golem attack with as much force as it possibly can, without the cost of Speed or Defensive reduction.

Usage Tips
========

  • Golem should be used as a lead in most cases, setting up Stealth Rocks as the biggest priority. Golem shouldn’t be switched out unless it is crucial, as the possibility of breaking Sturdy is too great.
  • Weakness Policy Golem fits well on Hyper Offense teams, allowing it to deal with a large chunk of the opposing team with its almost unresisted STAB This section isn't about what teams it can fit on, it's about how to use it. You can say how it has leeway in dealing large chunks of damage due to its STABs, and ability to check threats with Sturdy, however.
  • Going up against a Grass-Type Pokemon or Water-Type pokemon can be solved by switching out into a resist, like Altaria or Silvally-Dragon, although switching into an Ice Punch or Ice Beam from an opposing Water type can be hazardous There are times where it can deduce when to challenge them also, since WP can exchange blows and nuke them with a +2 hit. This is particularly worthwhile since it means that even certain Defoggers that threaten it like Silvally-Fighting/Water are not super reliable responses.
There's something to be said about how it can use its typing to soft check threats if Sturdy doesn't need to be preserved early- to mid-game.

Team Options
========

  • Silvally-Dragon can be helpful because of its unique ability to both act as a solid defogger and allow it to cover Golem's quad weaknesses to Grass and Water.
  • Altaria also provides support by using Heal Bell to remove a Burn or a Toxic, and provides an Immunity to Ground and a resistance to Grass and Water.
  • Unfortunately, while both Silvally-Dragon and Altaria can cover up Golem’s weakness to Grass and Water, all three have a weakness to Ice.
  • Rapid Spinners like Komala offer a removal of opposing hazards without getting rid of your own.
  • Silvally-Fighting can hit Pokemon that could remove Golem's Stealth Rocks, such as Komala and other Silvally Forms.
  • Despite its weaknesses to Grass- and Fighting-types, Golem's Stealth Rocks can damage Flying, Bug and Fire types such as Swanna, Pinsir, and Rapidash, meaning Golem is able to pair with them well.

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Protect / Toxic
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge Rock Blast
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 32 Atk / 224 Def

Stone Edge is still going to be the primary Rock move, as the damage disparity on targets such as Pinsir and Abomasnow are often too good to give up for the most part. Rock Blast is mainly just for Kadabra, which only works if you manage to get 3 hits in to ensure the OHKO.

A custom spread of mines is 252 HP / 96 Atk / 160 Def Impish, which lets Golem always OHKO 4 Def Pinsir with Stone Edge, always OHKO Max HP Oricorio-E with Stone Edge (and since it's hypothetically at max HP it can't Roost), and drastically improves the probability of Silvally formes being 2HKOed by STAB after SR (98.9% by neutral STAB with neutral Rocks damage, 53.1% 2HKO on Rock resists notably Ground and Fightvally). I'd favor this one over the current spread as the loss in bulk is marginal, but meanwhile, I'd highly advise putting it in Set Details until after I discuss it among the QC team.

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Toxic allows Golem to chip down opposing Pokemon, with Protect allowing Golem to regain HP to recover it's Sturdy after being affected by hazards.
  • Stealth Rock provides its main purpose, which is to set up hazards to hinder the foe.
  • Earthquake is an effective STAB that allow Golem to hit grounded Pokemon.
  • Rock Blast allows Golem to break Focus Sash and Substitute, with a more reliable Accuracy but a less reliable Base Power. Replace with Stone Edge information.

Set Details
========

  • Leftovers allow Golem to recover health over time, allowing it to even restore it's Sturdy to be able to set up Stealth Rocks.
  • Sturdy is it's most useful ability, allowing Golem to survive an OHKO to set Stealth Rocks up.
  • Investments in Physical Defense and it’s dual Ground/Rock typing allow it to safely switch into Pokemon like Choice Scarf Electivire or Choice Band Komala.
  • Talk about what the attack EVs are for. 96 to OHKO Pinsir and Ori-E from full. If we keep 32 Attack, OHKO on Pawniard.

Usage Tips
========

  • Golem should be used as a lead in most cases, setting up Stealth Rocks as the #1 priority. Sturdy being broken due to hazards is alright, since Golem's resistance to Rock allows it to recover its health lost using Leftovers.
  • Golem is best suited for Balance teams. Lack of viable recovery make it a burden for Stall, and Golem's prime function is to power through and hit like a truck.
  • Switching Golem out to a resist allows Golem to live to be able to set Stealth Rocks again, if they have been removed.

Team Options
========

  • Silvally forms are useful because of their ability to both act as a solid defogger and covering Golem's quad weaknesses to Grass and Water. You have to specify a type because otherwise it usually means Normal by default, and while multiple forms can be mentioned, each specific one needs to be clarified in terms of how they're useful teammates. Silvally-Water is great for a Water/Floatzel answer to note.
  • Altaria also provides support by using Heal Bell to remove a Burn or a Toxic, which Golem is more than glad to be rid of, and provides an Immunity to Ground and a resistance to Grass and Water.
  • Rapid Spinners like Komala offer a removal of opposing hazards without getting rid of its own.
  • Golem can get rid of Fire-, Flying-, and Bug-types with ease, providing Grass- and Fighting-types relief.
Mareanie is a unique mention but one I can come to appreciate. It shares the Ground weakness sure, but it offers one of the more solid Floatzel and Swanna checks, it pressures opposing teams with Toxic Spikes which can give Golem more leeway to run Protect, it uses a lot of defensive Pokemon that switch in on Golem as setup fodder, etc.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Fire Punch
item: Choice Band
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Sucker Punch allows Golem to hit faster Pokemon like Silvally, Electivire, or Floatzel that allows Golem to hit first, if the opponent is selecting a move.
  • Earthquake is Golem’s primary STAB move, hitting Fire-, Steel-, and Electric-types Super Effectively. You mainly want to specify that it's Golem's STAB of choice to give the idea that it will use this in most cases if a situation doesn't arise where it would have to use SE or other coverage instead.
  • Stone Edge is also an effective STAB that allows Golem to hit both Airborne and Grounded Pokemon, such as Chatot, Altaria, Pinsir, and Rotom-Fan.
  • Fire Punch allows Golem to hit bulky Grass types like Tangela and Gourgeist-Super, along with Bronzor, who can bypass Earthquake with Levitate. While Fire Punch covers Tangela and Geist, this reads like this is specific for hitting them which isn't true. It actually doesn't hit them any harder than Stone Edge. Furthermore, it makes more sense to reorder Bronzor first in target mentions since that's the most important example.

Set Details
========

  • Using Choice Band means Golem can hit ('break through' is the more accurate termonology here) checks like Bronzor and Gourgeist-Super, which Bandless Golem could not do. It also allows Golem to hit Pokemon that normally can tank it's hits.
  • Sturdy is a vital ability, allowing Golem to survive an OHKO. It is the only useful ability it gets, since Golem is fragile to opposing Water-, Grass-, or Ice-type moves. The choice of wording here doesn't make this point seem very useful. The main point to specify is that Sturdy can emergency check offensive Pokemon by exchanging trades for a KO in return.
  • Invested Attack EVs and an Adamant nature let Golem attack with as much force as it possibly can, without the cost of Speed or Defensive reduction.

Usage Tips
========

  • Golem should be used on Hyper Offense, so Golem can tear through teams. Golem shouldn’t be switched out unless it is crucial, as the possibility of breaking Sturdy is too great. The content here doesn't accurately portray how despite Sturdy's utility, it should be first and foremost played like a wallbreaker, coming in as frequently as possible, particularly predicted doubles or momentum moves against defensive and offensive Pokemon it beats to help keep Sturdy intact. CB Golem's use is also by no means exclusive to HO.
  • Going up against a Grass-Type Pokemon or a Water-Type Pokemon can be solved by switching out into a resist, like Altaria or Silvally-Dragon, although switching into an Ice Punch or Ice Beam from an opposing Water type can be hazardous
  • More on Sturdy, it's worth emphasizing how it can be used to emergency most check faster Pokemon that it can KO.
  • On predicting, there's something to be said about how each locked move can be exploited, so it's optimal to go for the move with the best overall coverage against the opposing team unless you're in a position to predict, such as the occasional Bronzor switch-in. It's all about weighing your options depending on the situation.
  • Lastly, a point can be made about how it can still offensively check most Normal-types as well as take advantage of its Electric-immunity with good predictions, but that it should avoid taking too much chip prior to doing so.

Team Options
========

  • Silvally-Dragon can be helpful because of its unique ability to both act as a solid defogger and allow it to cover Golem's quad weaknesses to Grass and Water.
  • Altaria also provides support by using Heal Bell to remove a Burn or a Toxic, and provides an Immunity to Ground and a resistance to Grass and Water.
  • Unfortunately, while both Silvally-Dragon and Altaria can cover up Golem’s weakness to Grass and Water, all three have a weakness to Ice.
  • Rapid Spinners like Komala offer a removal of opposing hazards that can break Golem's Sturdy.
This section needs more expanding upon, especially since rocks are actually an important component to abuse for CB Golem, as it notably puts defensive Pokemon like Gourgeist-XL into guaranteed 2HKO range. Bronzor is notable since it patches up a lot of useful typing weaknesses. Existing partners like Silvally-Dragon need to specify how it offers momentum for Golem and how it takes advantage of the Grass-types with its typing and offensive coverage. Silvally-Water is notable for functioning as a pivot that solidly checks Water-types like Floatzel while offering Defog. Rotom-Fan's Fighting and Grass-resistances are pretty nice, it's quite functional as an offensive check to those and Water-types with Scarf, it brings in Golem via Volt Switch, Pivot sets offer hazard control, etc.

Other Options
=============

  • Using Explosion over Stealth Rock can provide a hard hitting move capable of taking down tough Pokemon It's not meant to replace Stealth Rock, it's meant to be an alternate option that secures a safe switch into another threat, building momentum after its job is done. On CB, it's meant to dent its few solid switch-ins and can OHKO Vibrava, a mon known for walling much of its moveset otherwise. Otherwise, the lack of Custap does limit a lot of its utility, although Golem’s slow speed tier means you would have to hope for the opponent to use a status move, or sacrifice using Stealth Rock.
  • Autotomize or Rock Polish (RP's greater PP is generally situationally more useful, so you'll generally prefer that) allows Golem to outspeed most non-Scarfers, but can usually only be run in place of Sucker Punch on the non-Band sets.
  • Specially Defensive sets check Chatot much more effectively and take greater advantage of Electric-types like Zebstrika electing for Hidden Power Ice over Hidden Power Water more often. Otherwise, it's just less consistent than Physically Defensive though.
  • Sunny Day + Heat Rock is a very effective dedicated setter due to its role compression, offensive presence, and Sturdy to aid in setting up multiple options. It doesn't get much usage, but that's mostly due to Sun not being a super optimal strat atm.
  • Smack Down is a niche alternative for threatening Bronzor afterwards without requiring Fire Punch, but usually involves forgoing other utility moveslots.
  • Mago Berry is a situational recovery alternative that can win the trade against Abomasnow due to activating prior to Hail chip. It's also generally useful for securing more HP after mispredicting or being lured by a coverage move that chips you down to Sturdy. It's a less consistent form of passive recovery otherwise as it's reliant on Sturdy and damage output that puts it to that range.
  • Jolly on offensive sets can outspeed Pokemon like neutral Huntail, uninvested Mawile and Regice, and Pokemon that try to creep Adamant Golem like Lapras and Hasty Kecleon. It can also be useful to more consistently ensure rocks and/or damage against opposing Golem. Its utility is minimal otherwise, as well as less damage output overall.
Be sure to order this based on effectiveness, meaning that Sp Def should be 1st, Smack Down should be 2nd, Jolly should be 3rd, and yeah.

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

Ground-type section should go here. Vibrava is the #1 Golem counter in the tier due to recovery, resistance to dual stab, and taking little from coverage. Gabite is also a check that should be added, as its tanky and outspeeds. Marowak is not very reliable for switching into Golem directly, but it beats it 1v1 because it typically tanks at least a hit from each set and has Bonemerang to bypass Sturdy.

**Water Types**: Silvally-Water tanks a +2 Earthquake, can remove Golem's hazards, and OHKO a Sturdy-Broken Golem. It usually comes in as a lead to prevent hazards. Floatzel and Swanna can both OHKO using Scald or Liquidation after Sturdy has been broken, although cannot safely switch into Golem.

**Bronzor (Replace this with **Levitating Pokemon** as Solrock and Misdreavus (and Vibrava technically but that should go under Ground-types) are less viable but relevant alternatives worth noting. Basically, Solrock tanks Rock hits well, can easily be EVed to be faster and threatens with Will-o-Wisp while being able to take a CB Stone Edge+another after burning it. Misdreavus is a shakier check than the other examples as it drops to 2 CB hits even while burning Golem on the 2nd hit, but is still annoying due to Wisp, Pain Split recovery, and how it can better take on non-CB sets. As long as you talk about Bronzor first and make the other examples more concise, it will be made clear enough to the reader about Bronzor's increased viability relative to the others.)**: Bronzor's immunity to Ground leaves Golem either attempting to hit with a not very effective Stone Edge, allowing Bronzor to use Toxic and Stealth Rock to chip and cripple Golem. This can be solved with Fire Punch, though, but a Choice-locked Earthquake or Stone Edge Golem suffers.

**Grass Types/Grass Moves**: Bulky Grass types like Tangela, Gourgeist-Super, and Silvally-Grass, and Toucannon's Access to Bullet Seed terrify Golem. These Grass types for the most part are resistant to Earthquake, take neutral damage from Stone Edge, and can hit Super Effective damage to Golem. Toucannon's Bullet Seed can OHKO Golem, breaking it's Sturdy and taking it out. You'll want to remove Grass Moves and add a dedicated **Super Effective Coverage** section, as Toucannon is far from the only example. There's also Pokemon like Raichu, Chatot and Oricorio w/ annoying Focus Blasts or HP Waters that break through it. You'll generally want to touch upon how Ice / Water / Grass / Fighting / and Ground types threaten Golem, but be sure to specify that a lot of these examples have to be careful about Sturdy with the exception of Toucannon since many of them can't deal with trading hits, especially from WP.

**Abomasnow**: Abomasnow can use the Chip Damage of Hail + Blizzard to seal a KO against Golem, though it can usually be knocked out with Stone Edge, it means Golem cannot set up Stealth Rocks.

Order this from top to bottom in this order: Ground-types, Levitating Pokemon, Grass-types, Water-types, Abomasnow, Super Effective Coverage

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[DatHeatmor, 254865]]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
Click to expand...

Basically, the deal here is that... there's a lot that needs expanding upon since at its current state its lacking in depth that ultimately undersells how multifaceted Golem's niche as a Pokemon really is. I would like you to work on implementing these step-by-step and be sure to contact me once it's all done and I'll give it another look before giving it a QC stamp. Good work starting off, and I'm sure you'll get it more polished up soon. Cheers! :afrostar:
 
Last edited:
DatHeatmor said:
[OVERVIEW]

  • Golem is the premiere Stealth Rock setter in the tier, with its excellent attack stat and its dual STAB being almost unresisted. Sturdy provides an ability to almost always be able to set up Stealth Rock, as well as checking opposing threats in an emergency.
  • Golem's weaknesses allow it to run Weakness Policy, being able to trudge through Pokemon with tougher defenses. I would be more inclined to talk about how its Sturdy + WP work together than it being the best Stealth Rock setter + Sturdy.
  • Golem's powerful STABs combined with its terrifying attack stat allows it to OHKO Pokemon like Electivire without Weakness Policy, and OHKO Pokemon like Bulky Komala after Weakness Policy activating at +2 Attack. Choice Banded Golem also pressures most of the defensive meta, with it's almost unresisted STAB combination and can pressure it's most used answer, Bronzor. Mention that CB Golem is prediction-reliant.
  • Sturdy allows Golem to be able to switch in and emergency check opposing threats, as well as allowing Golem to be able to always set up Stealth Rock, and, with Weakness Policy, punish Golem's normal offensive threats.You already stated all of this. Delete this bullet point
  • Golem also has an unfortunate weakness to Grass, Water, and Ice, which hinders it greatly. Mention specific examples of Pokemon Golem has trouble taking on.
  • Golem also relies on a Physical-Oriented opponent, as it's Special Defense is lacking, leaving it open to attacks from Specially-Oriented Floatzel, Swanna, Abomasnow, and Simisage, who exploit it's weakness. This sentence structure is extremely awkward, just mention that Golem is susceptible to special attackers such as X, Y, and Z, due to its pitiful Spe Def.
  • Golem can be used as a Normal, Fire, and Poison-type resist and it's Electric-type immunity in a pinch thats effective at checking Komala, Rapidash, Muk and Choice-Locked Electivire, respectively.Move this bullet point back up where you were talking about Golem's positive traits. You should try to avoid talking positive, negative, positive, negative as that confuses the reader.

[SET]
name: Offensive Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Weakness Policy
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Sucker Punch allows Golem to hit faster Pokemon like Silvally, Electivire, or Floatzel, and helps punish them better after Weakness Policy has been activated, which can OHKO Pokemon like Chatot.
  • Earthquake is Golem’s primary STAB move, hitting Fire-, Steel-, and Electric-types Super Effectively.(examples?)
  • Stone Edge is also an effective STAB. Along with Earthquake, it provides a powerful combination that allows Golem to hit both Airborne and Grounded Pokemon, such as Chatot, Altaria, Electivire, Pinsir, and Rotom-Fan.

Set Details
========

  • Weakness Policy is the main gimmick, giving Golem a +2 Spa boost and a +2 Attack boost, allowing Golem to do greater damage to Pokemon who it had a harder time with beforehand. If Weakness Policy is a "gimmick" then why is it on a Smogon analysis at all? Let alone the first set of an A+ ranked mon. The Special Attack boost doesn't matter whatsoever I would remove this mention.
  • Sturdy is a vital ability, allowing Golem to survive an OHKO to set rocks up, which is its main goal, also allowing it to activate Weakness Policy
  • Invested Attack EVs and an Adamant nature let Golem attack with as much force as it possibly can, without the cost of Speed or Defensive reduction.

Usage Tips
========

  • Golem should be used as a lead in most cases, setting up Stealth Rocks as the biggest priority. Golem shouldn’t be switched out unless it is crucial, as the possibility of breaking Sturdy is too great. What are some examples of situations where you might not want to choose Golem as your lead?
  • Golem's almost unresisted STAB combo allows it to put dents in the opposing team, and can check threats using Sturdy. This isn't a tip, this is a statement.
  • Going up against a Grass-Type Pokemon or Water-Type pokemon can be solved by switching out into a resist, like Altaria or Silvally-Dragon, although switching into an Ice Punch or Ice Beam from an opposing Water type can be hazardous Examples of Grass- and Water-types
  • Golem can use it's defensive typing to soft check threats from Electric and Normal-type Pokemon, if Sturdy doesn't need to be kept. or if Sturdy is already broken. Examples of said Electric and Normal type Pokemon

Team Options
========

  • Silvally-Dragon can be helpful because of its unique ability to both act as a solid defogger and allow it to cover Golem's quad weaknesses to Grass and Water.
  • Altaria also provides support by using Heal Bell to remove a Burn or a Toxic, and provides an Immunity to Ground and a resistance to Grass and Water.
  • Unfortunately, while both Silvally-Dragon and Altaria can cover up Golem’s weakness to Grass and Water, all three have a weakness to Ice.
  • Rapid Spinners like Komala offer a removal of opposing hazards without getting rid of your own.
  • Silvally-Fighting can hit Pokemon that could remove Golem's Stealth Rocks, such as Komala and other Silvally Forms.
  • Despite its weaknesses to Grass- and Fighting-types, Golem's Stealth Rocks can damage Flying, Bug and Fire types such as Swanna, Pinsir, and Rapidash, meaning Golem is able to pair with them well. Mention specific examples of Grass and Fighting types Golem could pair up with.
I was checking CB Golem first :blobshrug:and I happened to notice of your Team Options mention S-Dragon, Altaria, Ice Weakness, Komala in that order. Your Team Options shouldn't be copy/paste the same between different sets, they are split up differently for a reason. At least reword those bullet points so they aren't word for word the same.

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Protect / Toxic
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 32 Atk / 224 Def


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Toxic allows Golem to chip down opposing Pokemon, with Protect allowing Golem to regain HP to recover it's Sturdy after being affected by hazards. Mention fat things Golem can't break through and Toxic is useful for.
  • Stealth Rock provides its main purpose, which is to set up hazards to hinder the foe. Fluff, remove
  • Earthquake is an effective STAB that allow Golem to hit grounded Pokemon. Specific targets?
  • Stone Edge allows Golem to hit airborne foes, which Earthquake normally cannot hit. Specific targets?
Moves shoudl be in order of how they are on the set.

Set Details
========

  • Leftovers allow Golem to recover health over time, allowing it to even restore it's Sturdy to be able to set up Stealth Rocks. Mention that Leftovers work well in tandem with Protect.
  • Sturdy is it's most useful ability, allowing Golem to survive an OHKO to set Stealth Rocks up. Give an example where Golem might be OHKOed by something and Sturdy comes into play.
  • Investments in Physical Defense and it’s dual Ground/Rock typing allow it to safely switch into Pokemon like Choice Scarf Electivire or Choice Band Komala.
  • 32 Attack EVs allow Golem to OHKO Pokemon such as Pawniard. Golem already OHKOes Pawniard without these 32 Attack EVs. If they aren't used specifically for something, then its fluff and can be removed from the analysis.

Usage Tips
========

  • Golem should be used as a lead in most cases, setting up Stealth Rocks as the #1 priority. Sturdy being broken due to hazards is alright, since Golem's resistance to Rock allows it to recover its health lost using Leftovers. Mention again where Protect comes into play
  • Golem is best suited for Balance teams. Lack of viable recovery make it a burden for Stall, and Golem's prime function is to power through and hit like a truck.
  • Switching Golem out to a resist allows Golem to live to be able to set Stealth Rocks again, if they have been removed.

Team Options
========

  • Silvally forms such as Silvally-Dragon are useful because of their ability to both act as a solid defogger and covering Golem's quad weaknesses to Grass and Water, and Silvally-Water gives an answer to offensive Water-types such as Swanna or Floatzel.
  • Altaria also provides support by using Heal Bell to remove a Burn or a Toxic, which Golem is more than glad to be rid of, and provides an Immunity to Ground and a resistance to Grass and Water.
  • Rapid Spinners like Komala offer a removal of opposing hazards without getting rid of its own.
  • Golem can get rid of Fire-, Flying-, and Bug-types with ease, providing Grass- and Fighting-types relief.
Team Options should not be copy / paste. Find specific examples of Pokemon that benefit from having a reliable switch in to Komala and Electivire. You can do better than this.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Fire Punch
item: Choice Band
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Sucker Punch allows Golem to hit faster Pokemon like Silvally, Electivire, or Floatzel that allows Golem to hit first, if the opponent is selecting a move.
  • Earthquake is Golem’s primary STAB move, hitting Fire-, Steel-, and Electric-types Super Effectively. This is Golem's preffered STAB option, since unlike Stone Edge, Earthquake never misses. Golem would normally want to use this is most cases unless Stone Edge is needed.
  • Stone Edge is also an effective STAB that allows Golem to hit both Airborne and Grounded Pokemon, such as Chatot, Altaria, Pinsir, and Rotom-Fan.
  • Fire Punch allows Golem to hit Bronzor, along with bulky Grass types like Tangela and Gourgeist-Super who can bypass Earthquake with Levitate or typing, respectively.
This is good, if you need to take some examples of out this section, specifically for EQ and SE, and move them into your other two Moves sections go ahead and do so.

Set Details
========

  • Using Choice Band means Golem can break through checks like Bronzor and Gourgeist-Super, which Bandless Golem could not do. It also allows Golem to hit Pokemon that normally can tank it's hits.
  • Sturdy is a vital ability, allowing Golem to survive an OHKO. Sturdy can allow Golem to, in an emergency, check threats by exchanging hits or KOs. Specific and DIFFERENT example of an Sturdy OHKO survive scenario.
  • Invested Attack EVs and an Adamant nature let Golem attack with as much force as it possibly can, without the cost of Speed or Defensive reduction. This is pointless, remove

Usage Tips
========

  • Golem should come in as much as possible, as it's a wallbreaker able to check possible threats, and keeping momentum intact.
  • Going up against a Grass-Type Pokemon or a Water-Type Pokemon can be solved by switching out into a resist, like Altaria or Silvally-Dragon, although switching into an Ice Punch or Ice Beam from an opposing Water type can be hazardous
  • In a pinch, Sturdy can be used to check faster Pokemon that Golem can KO.
  • It is optimal to use the best move that beats the opponent's team overall, since Golem will be choice-locked after selecting a move.
  • Golem can come in check most Normal- and Electric- type Pokemon, although it should avoid taking too much chip damage beforehands.
Specifically mention that CB is Prediction reliant

Team Options
========

  • Silvally-Dragon can be helpful because of its unique ability to both act as a solid defogger and allow it to cover Golem's quad weaknesses to Grass and Water. It can also take advantage of Grass types using it's coverage options. SE Flamethrower is 180, STAB Draco Meteor is 195, therefore I think this last part is fluff.
  • Altaria also provides support by using Heal Bell to remove a Burn or a Toxic, and provides an Immunity to Ground and a resistance to Grass and Water.
  • Unfortunately, while both Silvally-Dragon and Altaria can cover up Golem’s weakness to Grass and Water, all three have a weakness to Ice.
  • Rapid Spinners like Komala offers removal of opposing hazards that can break Golem's Sturdy. While typically its best to generalize categories of Pokemon such as what you did with "Rapid Spinners," our other Rapid Spin users such as Sandslash and Armaldo don't work well with Golem whatsoever
  • Bronzor patches up a lot of weaknesses Golem has, and can provide Stealth Rocks, something that allows Choice Band Golem to put normally tough threats into 2HKO range, such as Gourgeist-XL. Mention threats to Golem that Bronzor can Toxic.
  • Rotom-Fan can provide defensive coverage for Grass- and Fighting-types, while offering momentum. Mention that Ground-types check both Golem and Rotom-Fan and can block V Switch.
  • Silvally-Water can switch in on Floatzel and Swanna and check them both.

Other Options
=============

  • Specially Defensive sets can check Pokemon such as Chatot more effectively, and can switch in on Scarf Zebstrika selecting Hidden Power Ice, although Physically Defensive sets are more consistent.
  • Smack Down can provide a check to Bronzor without having to use Fire Punch.
  • Mago Berry can be used to provide a better matchup against Abomasnow, as Mago Berry activates before Hail, allowing Golem to outlive Abomasnow after a hit trade.
  • Using Explosion over Stealth Rock can provide a hard hitting move capable of taking down tough Pokemon, although Golem’s slow speed tier means you would have to hope for the opponent to use a status move, or sacrifice using Stealth Rock. Explosion can also be ran over Sucker Punch, and specifically mention Custap Berry, which will be likely be released by the time you implement this QC check.
  • Rock Polish allows Golem to outspeed most non-Scarfers, but can usually only be run in place of Sucker Punch on the non-Band sets.
  • Sunny Day and Heat Rock can be used to provide an effective Sun setter, alongside Stealth Rocks can create role compression. Mention specifcally that Golem has access to Explosion, meaning it can set up Sunny Day and converse limited turns of Sun for its teammates.
  • Jolly on offensive sets can outspeed Pokemon like Mawile and Regice, and Pokemon that try to creep Adamant Golem, like Lapras and Kecleon.
For a majority of these Other Options you don't list why they're suboptimal compared to the main sets above.
Reorder Other Options like so:
  • Specially Defensive EV Spread
  • Explosion
  • Smack Down
  • Sunny Day
  • Mago Berry
  • Rock Polish
  • Jolly

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

**Ground Types**: Vibrava resists both of Golem's STABs, has recovery, and take little damage from Golem's coverage. Gabite can also check Golem, as it can tank hits from Golem and outspeeds, meaning Golem can either get a single hit in or only be able to set up rocks. Marowak cannot come into Golem, but it can beat it in a 1v1, as Bonemerang bypasses Sturdy.

**Levitating Pokemon**: Bronzor's immunity to Ground leaves Golem either attempting to hit with a not very effective Stone Edge, allowing Bronzor to use Toxic and Stealth Rock to chip and cripple Golem. This can be solved with Fire Punch, though, but a Choice-locked Earthquake or Stone Edge Golem suffers. Misdreavus and Solrock can also burn Golem, with the latter resisting Stone Edge. Misdreavus can use Will-o-Wisp and Pain Split to heal and take little damage from Golem. I mean Solrock has access to Morning Sun, so I would rework this last part to mention that they both get access to Wisp and pseudo-reliable recovery.

**Grass Types**: Bulky Grass types like Tangela, Gourgeist-Super, and Silvally-Grass terrify Golem. These Grass types for the most part are resistant to Earthquake, take neutral damage from Stone Edge, and can hit Super Effective damage to Golem. Why do they terrify Golem? Also, just because the example you gave all resist EQ and are neutral against SE doesn't mean all of them are. Examples: Cradily and Jumpluff. You can instead mention that the first two have access to reliable recovery that allow them to switch into Golem multiple times and that all three should be wary of Toxic.

**Water Types**: Silvally-Water tanks a +2 Earthquake, can remove Golem's hazards, and OHKO a Sturdy-Broken Golem. It usually comes in as a lead to prevent hazards. Floatzel and Swanna can both OHKO using Scald or Liquidation after Sturdy has been broken, although cannot safely switch into Golem. Get rid of that line it doesn't add anything useful.

**Abomasnow**: Abomasnow can use the Chip Damage of Hail + Blizzard to seal a KO against Golem, though it can usually be knocked out with Stone Edge, it means Golem cannot set up Stealth Rocks. I'm not a big fan of Abomasnow having its own Checks and Counter section. I think it would be best if you condensed and moved this information into the Grass-types section, mentioning Abomasnow a special example due to Snow Warning.

**Super Effective Coverage**: Moves like Raichu's Focus Blast, Toucannon's Bullet Seed, and Chatot and Oricorio's use of Hidden Power Grass can threaten Golem. These checks have to be careful if Golem's Sturdy hasnt broken with the exception of Toucannon, who can break Sturdy with Bullet Seed.

Checks and Counters should be reorder to:
  • Levitate users
  • Grass-types
  • Water-types
  • Ground-types
  • ADD FIGHTING-TYPES
  • Super Effective Coverage

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[DatHeatmor, 254865]]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
Click to expand...
Implement all of these things and you can have yourself QC 1/3

aaronboyer-QC.gif
 
comments in bold
DatHeatmor said:
[OVERVIEW]

  • Golem is the premiere Stealth Rock setter in the tier, with its excellent attack stat and its dual STAB being almost unresisted. Sturdy provides an ability to almost always be able to set up Stealth Rock, as well as checking opposing threats in an emergency.
  • Golem's weaknesses allow it to run Weakness Policy, being able to trudge through Pokemon with tougher defenses, combining with Sturdy to provide a chance to, if faced with a Super-Effective move, allows Golem to always be able to activate Weakness Policy.
  • Golem can be used as a Normal, Fire, and Poison-type resist and it's Electric-type immunity in a pinch thats effective at checking Komala, Rapidash, Muk and Choice-Locked Electivire, respectively. specify the defensive set
  • Golem's powerful STABs combined with its terrifying attack stat allows it to OHKO Pokemon like Electivire without Weakness Policy, and OHKO Pokemon like Bulky Komala at +2 Attack. Choice Banded Golem also pressures most of the defensive meta, with it's almost unresisted STAB combination and can pressure it's most used answer, Bronzor; though Choice Band requires being able to predict the opponent. Seems too detailed to be in overview, comes off as usage tips/set details. I would combine this with the second point and make Choice Band its own separate point.
  • Golem also has an unfortunate weakness to Grass, Water, and Ice, which hinders it greatly.
  • Golem is susceptible to special attackers such as Floatzel, Swanna, Abomasnow, and Simisage, who exploit it's weakness due to its lacking Special Defense.
Also mention its low Speed is a hindrance, as many Pokemon outspeed Golem and can cripple/threaten it.

[SET]
name: Offensive Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Weakness Policy
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Sucker Punch allows Golem to hit faster Pokemon like Silvally, Electivire, or Floatzel, and helps punish them better after Weakness Policy has been activated, which can OHKO Pokemon like Chatot.
  • Earthquake is Golem’s primary STAB move, hitting Fire-, Steel-, and Electric-types Super Effectively, such as Mawile, Probopass, Camerupt, Rapidash, Zebstrika, and Electivire.
  • Stone Edge is also an effective STAB. Along with Earthquake, it provides a powerful combination that allows Golem to hit both Airborne and Grounded Pokemon, such as Chatot, Altaria, Electivire, Pinsir, and Rotom-Fan.
Change the order to SR/EQ/Stone Edge/Sucker. Reflect that in the bullets too.

Set Details
========

  • Weakness Policy is the main item used, giving Golem a +2 Attack boost, allowing Golem to do greater damage to Pokemon who it had a harder time with beforehand.
  • Sturdy is a vital ability, allowing Golem to survive an OHKO to set rocks up mention from what, which is its main goal, also allowing it to activate Weakness Policy
  • Invested Attack EVs and an Adamant nature let Golem attack with as much force as it possibly can, without the cost of Speed or Defensive reduction. fluff. Would just mention that Adamant is used over Jolly since there's not really anything common that Jolly outpaces except for other Golem, Crustle, and things that creep 189.

Usage Tips
========

  • Golem should be used as a lead in most cases, setting up Stealth Rocks as the biggest priority. Golem should NOT come in as a lead if threats like Silvally-Water or Sandslash are able to come out as a lead or switch in. Golem shouldn’t be switched out unless it is crucial, as the possibility of breaking Sturdy is too great. Kind of awkward wording at the end. Could take the end and make it a second point since you don't specify when Golem should take advantage of Sturdy+Weakness Policy.
  • Going up against a Grass-Type Pokemon or Water-Type Pokemon such as Simisage or Floatzel can be solved by switching out into a resist, like Altaria or Silvally-Dragon, although switching into an Ice Punch or Ice Beam from an opposing Water type can be hazardous
  • Golem can use it's defensive typing to soft check threats from Electric and Normal-type Pokemon such as Zebstrika or Komala, if Sturdy doesn't need to be kept or if Sturdy has already been broken.
Mention how Golem should be played offensively as well, since it generally does more than put up rocks and die after getting a WP boost.

Team Options
========

  • Silvally-Dragon can be helpful because of its unique ability to both act as a solid defogger and allow it to cover Golem's quad weaknesses to Grass and Water.
  • Altaria also provides support by using Heal Bell to remove a Burn or a Toxic, and provides an Immunity to Ground and a resistance to Grass and Water.
  • Unfortunately, while both Silvally-Dragon and Altaria can cover up Golem’s weakness to Grass and Water, all three have a weakness to Ice.
  • Rapid Spinners like Komala offer a removal of opposing hazards without getting rid of your own.
  • Silvally-Fighting can hit Pokemon that could remove Golem's Stealth Rocks, such as Komala and other Silvally Forms.
  • Despite its weaknesses to Grass- and Fighting-types, Golem's Stealth Rocks can damage Flying, Bug and Fire types such as Swanna, Pinsir, and Rapidash, meaning Golem is able to pair with Pokemon like Simisage, Combusken, and Silvally-Fighting well.

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Protect / Toxic
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 32 Atk / 224 Def


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Toxic allows Golem to chip down opposing Pokemon that it cant break, like Gourgeist-Super and Lickilicky, with Protect allowing Golem to regain HP to recover it's Sturdy after being affected by hazards. Protect also allows it to scout Pokemon like Scarf Evire.
  • Earthquake is an effective STAB that allow Golem to hit grounded Pokemon, such as Mawile, Rapidash, and Raichu.
  • Stone Edge allows Golem to hit airborne foes, which Earthquake normally cannot hit, such as Chatot, Altaria, Pinsir, and Rotom-Fan.
Set Details
========

  • Leftovers allow Golem to recover health over time alongside Protect, allowing it to even restore it's Sturdy to be able to set up Stealth Rocks.
  • Sturdy is it's most useful ability, allowing Golem to survive an OHKO to set Stealth Rocks up, allowing it to survive hits like Silvally-Water's Surf.
  • Investments in Physical Defense and it’s dual Ground/Rock typing allow it to safely switch into Pokemon like Choice Scarf Electivire or Choice Band Komala.
Mention that the Attack EVs are for Pawniard.

Usage Tips
========

  • Golem should be used as a lead in most cases, setting up Stealth Rocks as the #1 priority. Sturdy being broken due to hazards is alright, since Golem's resistance to Rock allows it to recover its health lost using Leftovers in combination with Protect.
  • Golem is best suited for Balance teams. Lack of viable recovery make it a burden for Stall, and Golem's prime function is to power through and hit like a truck.
  • Switching Golem out to a resist allows Golem to live to be able to set Stealth Rocks again, if they have been removed.
Mention what Golem should be switching into and what it should avoid checking (i.e Bulk Up Komala beats it but it can check Band)

Team Options
========

  • Floatzel and Swanna both benefit from Golem's immunity to Electric-type moves, and Golem appreciates the Water and Steel resist, and in Swanna's case, a Ground resist.
  • Grass types such as Shiftry and Tangela benefit from Golem's Normal-type resist, as one of the most powerful Normal-type sweepers is Bouffalant, who packs Sap Sipper.
  • Pokemon like Pyukumuku, Lickilicky and Gourgeist-Super also benefit from Golem's Normal resist, since Golem can come in on a Return locked Banded Komala, who is immune to status.
Mention that it pairs well with Silvally-Water, Silvally-Ghost and Silvally-Poison to form a hazards core. They can check something for Golem too.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Fire Punch
item: Choice Band
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Sucker Punch allows Golem to hit faster Pokemon like Silvally, Electivire, or Floatzel that allows Golem to hit first, if the opponent is selecting a move.
  • Earthquake is Golem’s primary STAB move, hitting Fire-, Steel-, and Electric-types Super Effectively. This is Golem's preffered STAB option, since unlike Stone Edge, Earthquake never misses. Golem would normally want to use this is most cases unless Stone Edge is needed. Mention that it hits Ground-types that resist Stone Edge.
  • Stone Edge is also an effective STAB that allows Golem to hit both Airborne and Grounded Pokemon, such as Chatot, Altaria, Pinsir, and Rotom-Fan. Also mention that it hits Grass-types.
  • Fire Punch allows Golem to hit Bronzor, along with bulky Grass types like Tangela and Gourgeist-Super who can bypass Earthquake with Levitate or typing, respectively.
Reflect order of moves in the bullets.

Set Details
========

  • Using Choice Band means Golem can break through checks like Bronzor and Gourgeist-Super, which Bandless Golem could not do. It also allows Golem to hit Pokemon that normally can tank it's hits.
  • Sturdy is a vital ability, allowing Golem to survive an OHKO. Sturdy can allow Golem to, in an emergency, check threats by exchanging hits or KOs from attacks like Abomasnow's Blizzard.
Usage Tips
========

  • Golem should come in as much as possible, as it's a wallbreaker able to check possible threats, and keeping momentum intact.
  • Going up against a Grass-Type Pokemon or a Water-Type Pokemon can be solved by switching out into a resist, like Altaria or Silvally-Dragon, although switching into an Ice Punch or Ice Beam from an opposing Water type can be hazardous
  • In a pinch, Sturdy can be used to check faster Pokemon that Golem can KO. Give examples
  • It is optimal to use the best move that beats the opponent's team overall, since Golem will be choice-locked after selecting a move.
  • Golem can come in check most Normal- and Electric- type Pokemon, although it should avoid taking too much chip damage beforehand.
  • Choice Band is prediction reliant, which means a Steel type like Mawile could switch into a flying type like Swanna, expecting an Earthquake, meaning Golem would need to switch out. The opponent's moves need to be predicted in order to cause as little problems as possible.
Would emphasis Golem as a breaker more and it less being a check to things. Would also mention that being locked into Sucker has big drawback and that Golem should be brought in after KOs, doubles, or pivots.

Team Options
========

  • Silvally-Dragon can be helpful because of its unique ability to both act as a solid defogger and allow it to cover Golem's quad weaknesses to Grass and Water. Also mention that it can bring it in safely through U-turn or Pshot.
  • Altaria also provides support by using Heal Bell to remove a Burn or a Toxic, and provides an Immunity to Ground and a resistance to Grass and Water. Would reword this since it's very similar to Alt points in other sets. For CB Golem specifically, emphasis that Altaria comfortably takes on the Grass-types that Golem struggles with and forces them out.
  • Unfortunately, while both Silvally-Dragon and Altaria can cover up Golem’s weakness to Grass and Water, all three have a weakness to Ice.
  • Komala offers a removal of opposing hazards that can break Golem's Sturdy. Expand on this point as it's too bare. Komala can also bring it in off U-turn and absorb status, but can't check things defensively as well as other hazard removers.
  • Bronzor patches up a lot of weaknesses Golem has, and can provide Stealth Rocks, something that allows Choice Band Golem to put normally tough threats into 2HKO range, such as Gourgeist-XL, as well as providing Toxic, to chip down opponents like Silvally-Water or Sandslash.
  • Rotom-Fan can provide defensive coverage for Grass- and Fighting-types, while offering momentum, although Ground-types check both Golem and Rotom-Fan.
  • Silvally-Water can switch in on Floatzel and Swanna and check them both. Add more Silvally formes to this point as Poison and Ghost can also pivot and check some of Golem's weaknesses and remove hazards.
Other Options
=============

  • Specially Defensive sets can check Pokemon such as Chatot more effectively, and can switch in on Scarf Zebstrika selecting Hidden Power Ice.
  • Using Explosion over Stealth Rock can provide a hard hitting move capable of taking down tough Pokemon, although Golem’s slow speed tier means you would have to hope for the opponent to use a status move, or sacrifice using Stealth Rock. Golem should never give up SR and run an AOA WP set. Explosion can also be used over Sucker Punch, at a cost of checking faster threats for a more powerful attack, although Custap Berry can also be used in tandem with both Sturdy and Explosion, allowing Golem to do both.
  • Smack Down can provide a check to Bronzor without having to use Fire Punch.
  • Sunny Day and Heat Rock can be used to provide an effective Sun setter, alongside Stealth Rocks can create role compression, and using this alongside Explosion allows for a maximum longevity of Sun.
  • Mago Berry can be used to provide a better matchup against Abomasnow, as Mago Berry activates before Hail, allowing Golem to outlive Abomasnow after a hit trade.
  • Rock Polish allows Golem to outspeed most non-Scarfers, but can usually only be run in place of Sucker Punch on the non-Band sets. Not worth using in the current meta. Has too many drawbacks in this meta.
  • Jolly on offensive sets can outspeed Pokemon like Mawile and Regice, and Pokemon that try to creep Adamant Golem, like Lapras and Kecleon.

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

**Levitating Pokemon**: Bronzor's immunity to Ground leaves Golem either attempting to hit with a not very effective Stone Edge, allowing Bronzor to use Toxic and Stealth Rock to chip and cripple Golem. This can be solved with Fire Punch, though, but a Choice-locked Earthquake or Stone Edge Golem suffers. Misdreavus and Solrock can also burn Golem, with the latter resisting Stone Edge, and can use Pain Split and Morning Sun respectively for pseudo-reliable recovery.

**Grass Types**: Bulky Grass types like Tangela, Gourgeist-Super, and Silvally-Grass terrify Golem. The first two have access to reliable recovery, which means they can switch into Golem however many times they need, and can hit Super Effective damage to Golem, although all three should be wary of Golem's Toxic. Abomasnow is a special case, since it can use the Chip Damage of Hail + Blizzard to seal a KO against Golem, though it can usually be knocked out with Stone Edge, it also means Golem cannot set up Stealth Rocks.

**Water Types**: Silvally-Water tanks a +2 Earthquake, can remove Golem's hazards, and OHKO a Sturdy-Broken Golem. Floatzel and Swanna can both OHKO using Scald or Liquidation after Sturdy has been broken, although cannot safely switch into Golem.

**Ground Types**: Vibrava resists both of Golem's STABs, has recovery, and take little damage from Golem's coverage. Gabite can also check Golem, as it can tank hits from Golem and outspeeds, meaning Golem can either get a single hit in or only be able to set up rocks. Marowak cannot come into Golem, but it can beat it in a 1v1, as Bonemerang bypasses Sturdy. Mention Silv-Ground too since it reliably defogs on it.

**Fighting Types**: Silvally-Fighting can take Stone Edge from Golem no problem, and while Monferno and Combusken are weak to Golem's Earthquake, both outspeed Golem meaning they can come in for a revenge kill.

**Super Effective Coverage**: Moves like Raichu's Focus Blast, Toucannon's Bullet Seed, and Chatot and Oricorio's use of Hidden Power Grass can threaten Golem. These checks have to be careful if Golem's Sturdy hasnt broken with the exception of Toucannon, who can break Sturdy with Bullet Seed.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[DatHeatmor, 254865]]
- Quality checked by: [[aaronboyer, 239454], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
Click to expand...
qc 2/3 once implemented
5gen-qc-small-gif.155357
 
Overview
  • It's weaknesses allow it to run Weakness Policy, being able to trudge through Pokemon with tougher defenses, combining with Sturdy to provide a chance to, if faced with a Super-Effective move, allows Golem to always be able to activate Weakness Policy. You're gonna wanna reword this, it's incredibly confusing. Something like "Sturdy also synergizes well with its typing and Weakness Policy, as its typing allows it to easily obtain the boost and break through tougher foes."
  • Insert some linking works like 'However' or 'Unfortunately', otherwise the transition is really jarring. I know this teeters on GP territory, but the distinction is important.
Set: Offensive
  • Slash Custap Berry after Weakness Policy and Explosion after Sucker Punch
Moves
  • Talk about Explosion and its synergy with Custap Berry. Specifically mention it prevents Defog and Rapid Spin.
Set Details
  • Talk about Custap Berry and mention its synergy with Sturdy.
Usage Tips
  • Talk about how to utilize Weakness Policy and Custap Berry, specifically how they rely on Sturdy to an extent.
Team Options
  • Saying Silvally-Dragon is unique as a Defogger that resists Grass and Water is false; Altaria does so too (which you mention in the next line), as well as things like Silvally-Grass and Servine. That's not to say mentioning DragonVally isn't good, but change the wording.
  • I don't understand 'Despite its weaknesses' in the last line. It doesn't seem to fit the context.
  • Mention Ice checks.

Set: Defensive

Usage Tips
  • Don't mention which teams Golem fits on here, that's for Team Options
Team Options
  • Of all Pokemon, Gourgeist-XL is not the one that appreciates Golem checking Komala. Go with Mareanie instead.

Set: Choice Band

Team Options
  • Silv-Dragon's qualities aren't unique, even when you add in U-turn/Parting Shot, because Silv-Grass exists too.
Other Options
  • Remove Custap Berry and Explosion from here since it's on the main set now.
Checks and Counters
  • Mention Grass-types need to fear Band Fire Punch
  • Sandslash needs to be mentioned in Ground-types.

QC 3/3
hzEBduU.gif
 
remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 1/2, use the method in https://spo.ink/gpvideo to implement
[OVERVIEW]

Golem is the premiere premier Stealth Rock setter in the tier, with its excellent Attack stat and its near-unresisted dual STAB being almost unresisted. Sturdy provides an ability enables it to almost always be able to set up Stealth Rock (RC) as well as checking opposing threats Pokemon in an emergency. Golem's Sturdy works well with it's its typing and Weakness Policy, allowing granting it an easy boost and the ability to take down tougher foes. Golem's can be used as a Normal-, Fire-, (AH) and Poison-type resist resistances and it's Electric-type immunity in a pinch thats make it effective at checking Komala, Rapidash, Muk, (AC) and Choice-locked Electivire, respectively in a pinch. It's Its defensive set allows Golem to fill these roles to an even greater extent even more effectively. Golem's powerful STAB attacks combined with its terrifying Attack stat allows allow it to OHKO Pokemon like Electivire unboosted (RC) and OHKO Pokemon like bulky Komala at +2 Attack. Choice Band allows Golem to pressure most of the defensive metagame (RC) with its almost unresisted STAB combination, (AC) and can pressure it's including its most used answer, Bronzor. Unfortunately, Golem's also has a weaknesses to Grass, Water, and Ice, which hinders hinder it greatly, (comma) Golem is leaving it susceptible to special attackers such as Floatzel, Swanna, Abomasnow, and Simisage, who which exploit it's its weakness due to its lacking Special Defense. However, Furthermore, Golem's low speed can be a large downfall, as faster Pokemon can easily outspeed and either nullify it's its Sturdy, or clear entry hazards right after Golem sets them.

[SET]
name: Offensive Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Sucker Punch / Explosion
item: Weakness Policy / Custap Berry
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Earthquake is Golem’s primary STAB move, hitting Fire-, Steel-, Fire-, (matching order of examples) and Electric-types super effectively, such as Mawile, Probopass, Camerupt, Rapidash, Zebstrika, and Electivire. Stone Edge is also an effective STAB attack along with Earthquake, providing completing a powerful combination that allows Golem to hit both airborne and grounded Pokemon, such as Chatot, Altaria, Electivire, Pinsir, and Rotom-Fan Rotom-S. Sucker Punch allows Golem to hit faster Pokemon like Silvally, Electivire, or and Floatzel (RC) and helps can punish them even better after Weakness Policy has been activated, which can allowing it to OHKO Pokemon like Chatot. Alternatively, Explosion can work well with Custap Berry, allowing to have giving Golem an effective +1 priority 250-Base (AH) Power move after activating with Sturdy. Golem fainting also means Rapid Spin and Defog have no target, meaning they opposing spinners and Defoggers cannot remove Stealth Rocks Rock.

Set Details
========

Weakness Policy is the main item used, giving Golem a +2 Attack boost, allowing Golem to do greater damage to Pokemon who that it had a harder time with beforehand. Sturdy is a vital ability, allowing allows Golem to survive avoid an OHKO from attacks such as a Hydro Pump from Floatzel or Swanna or and a Blizzard or Giga Drain from Abomasnow to set rocks up Stealth Rock, which is its main goal, also allowing it to as well as activate Weakness Policy in the process. An Adamant nature is more useful than Jolly, since there's nothing much Golem can outspeed outside of other Golem and Crustle. Custap Berry allows Golem to have an effective priority move after Sturdy activates, either allowing it to set up a last resortlast-ditch Stealth Rock or pull of an Explosion.

Usage Tips

========

Golem should be used as a lead in most cases, with setting up Stealth Rocks Rock as the its biggest priority. However, Golem should NOT not come in as a lead if threats like Silvally-Water or Sandslash are able to come out as a lead anti-lead it or switch in. Golem shouldn’t be switched out unless it is crucial, as the possibility of breaking Sturdy is too great, because a break in Sturdy from a non-super effective hit which could potentially cost Golem it's its life. Going up When up against a Grass-type Pokemon or Water-type Pokemon such as Simisage or Floatzel, (AC) can be solved by switching out into a resist, to a Pokemon that resists their attacks like Altaria or Silvally-Dragon, although switching into an Ice Punch or Ice Beam from an opposing Water type can be hazardous. Golem can use it's its defensive typing to soft check threats from Electric- (AH) and Normal-type Pokemon such as Zebstrika or and Komala (RC) if Sturdy doesn't need to be kept or if Sturdy has already been broken. Golem, using With its resistances and bulk, (AC) Golem can also play offensively. In these cases, being slow isn't Golem's priority concern, since it can tank most hits and dish back intense damage after a Weakness Policy boost. Keep in mind that Weakness Policy and Custap Berry rely on Sturdy, meaning you either need to either preserve Sturdy (RC) or lead with Golem.

Team Options
========

Silvally-Dragon, Servine, Silvally-Grass, and Altaria can be helpful because of their unique ability to both act as a solid Defogger and covering cover Golem's quad 4x weaknesses to Grass and Water. Altaria also provides support by using Heal Bell to remove a burn or a Toxic (RC) and provides an immunity to Ground and a resistance to Grass and Water. Unfortunately, while both Silvally-Dragon and Altaria can cover up Golem’s weakness to Grass and Water, all three have a weakness to Ice. Thus, Pokemon that can check Ice-types such as Monferno, Combusken, and Silvally-Fighting allow Golem to be safe by eliminating a possible threat, with the former two resisting Ice themselves. Rapid Spinners like Komala offer a removal of opposing entry hazards without getting rid of your own. Silvally-Fighting can hit Pokemon super effectively that could remove Golem's Stealth Rocks Rock, such as Komala and other Silvally Forms formes. Golem's Stealth Rocks Rock can damage Flying-, Bug-, (AH, AC) and Fire-types (AH) such as Swanna, Pinsir, and Rapidash, meaning Golem is able to pair pairs with Pokemon like Simisage, Combusken, and Silvally-Fighting well. Pokemon that can check Ice-types such as Monferno, Combusken, and Silvally-Fighting allow Golem to be safe by eliminating a possible threat, with the former two resisting Ice themselves.

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Protect / Toxic
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 32 Atk / 224 Def

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Toxic allows Golem to chip down opposing Pokemon that it cant can't break, like Gourgeist-Super Gourgeist-XL and Lickilicky, with Protect allowing Golem to regain HP to recover it's Sturdy after being affected by switching into entry hazards. On the other hand, Furthermore, Protect can also allow Golem to scout opposing threats such as Choice Scarf Electivire and switch out accordingly, such as Scarf Electivire. Earthquake is an effective STAB move that allow allows Golem to hit grounded Pokemon, such as Mawile, Rapidash, and Raichu. Stone Edge allows Golem to hit airborne or Ground-resistant foes, which Earthquake normally cannot hit, such as Chatot, Altaria, Pinsir, and Rotom-Fan Rotom-S.

Set Details
========

Leftovers allow Golem to recover health over time alongside Protect, even allowing it to even restore it's its Sturdy to be able to safely set up Stealth Rocks Rock. Sturdy is it's Golem's most useful ability, allowing Golem it to survive avoid an OHKO from hits like Silvally-Water's Surf (if i misunderstood context here then just make the final part "and survive hits like" etc) to set up Stealth Rocks up, allowing it to survive hits like Silvally-Water's Surf Rock. Golem's investments in physical Defense bulk and it’s dual its Ground / Rock (spacing) typing allow it to safely switch into Pokemon like Choice Scarf Electivire or and Choice Band Komala, (comma) while its Golem's Attack EVs allow it to OHKO Pokemon such as Pawniard.

Usage Tips
========

Golem should be used as a lead in most cases, with setting up Stealth Rocks Rock as the #1 its main priority. It's not a problem if Sturdy being is broken due to entry hazards is alright, since Golem's resistance to Rock allows it to recover its health lost using Leftovers in combination with Protect. Golem's prime main function is to power through (through what, this is kinda vague) and hit like a truck. Switching Golem out to a resist Pokemon that resists its weaknesses such as Silvally-Water, -Dragon, -Ghost, or -Fighting allows Golem it to live to be able to set Stealth Rocks Rock again, if they have it has been removed. Golem should switch into resists such as various Silvally Forms, such as Silvally-Water, -Dragon, -Ghost, or -Fighting. Golem should avoid attempting to check certain sets of Pokemon that Golem could normally check, such as not being able to check Bulk Up Komala, but being able to though it can check Choice Band sets. (not sure if I understood everything properly here)

Team Options
========

Floatzel and Swanna both benefit from Golem's immunity to Electric-type moves, and Golem appreciates their Water and Steel resist, resistances and in Swanna's case, a Ground resist immunity. Grass-types (AH) such as Shiftry and Tangela benefit from Golem's Normal-type resistance, as one of the most powerful Normal-type sweepers is Bouffalant, who which packs Sap Sipper. Pokemon like Pyukumuku, Lickilicky, (AC) and Mareanie also benefits from Golem's Normal resistance, since Golem can come in on a Return locked Banded Choice Band Komala locked into Return, who which is immune to status. Silvally forms formes such as Silvally-Water, Silvally-Ghost, and Silvally-Poison can make form a great hazards entry hazard control core with Golem (RC) and check specific threats to Golem it. Golem is best suited for balance teams. since its lack of viable reliable recovery make it a burden for full stall. (should be the first sentence)

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Fire Punch
item: Choice Band
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Earthquake is Golem’s primary STAB move, hitting Fire-, Steel-, and Electric-types super effectively. This is Golem's preffered STAB option, since unlike Stone Edge, Earthquake never misses with no risk of missing. Golem would normally want to use this is most cases unless Stone Edge is needed. Earthquake also hits Ground-types that resist Stone Edge would normally be resisted. Stone Edge is also an effective STAB that allows Golem to hit both airborne and grounded Pokemon, such as Chatot, Altaria, Pinsir, and Rotom-Fan Rotom-S. This move also hits Grass-type Pokemon that Earthquake wouldnt wouldn't be able to hit for sufficient damage. Sucker Punch allows Golem to hit faster Pokemon like Silvally, Electivire, or and Floatzel that allows Golem to hit first, if the opponent is selecting a move, (comma) and Fire Punch allows Golem to hit Bronzor (RC) along with bulky Grass-types (AH) like Tangela and Gourgeist-Super Gourgeist-XL, who which can bypass Earthquake with Levitate or typing, respectively.

Set Details
========

Using Choice Band means Golem can break through checks like Bronzor and Gourgeist-Super Gourgeist-XL, which Bandless Golem could not other sets cannot do. It also allows Golem to hit Pokemon that normally can tank it's its hits. Sturdy is a vital ability, allowing Golem to survive avoid an OHKO (RC) Sturdy can allow Golem to, and, in an emergency, check threats by exchanging hits or KOs from attacks like Abomasnow's Blizzard.

Usage Tips
========

Golem should come in as much as possible, as it's a wallbreaker able to check possible threats, and keeping momentum intact. Going up against a Grass-type Pokemon or a Water-type Pokemon can be solved by switching out into a resist, to a check like Altaria or Silvally-Dragon, although switching into an Ice Punch or Ice Beam from an opposing Water type can be hazardous. (AP) In a pinch, Sturdy can be used to check faster Pokemon that Golem can KO, such as Electivire, Floatzel, Swanna, or and Simisear. It is optimal to use the best move that beats with the best coverage against the opponent's team overall, since Golem will be Choice-locked after selecting a move. Golem can come in to check most Normal- and Electric-type (spacing) Pokemon, although it should avoid taking too much chip damage beforehand. Choice Band is prediction reliant, which Use careful prediction, since the Choice lock means a Steel-type (AH) like Mawile could switch into out to a Flying-type (AH) like Swanna (RC) expecting an Earthquake, meaning Golem would need to switch out. The opponent's moves need to be predicted in order to cause as little problems as possible. Golem choice- Be wary of locking itself Golem into Sucker Punch, (AC) as this means Golem either gives the opponent a turn or more to set up (RC) or a free turn to switch out. Golem should be brought in after KOs or pivots, and it can break through teams with it's its Choice Band-boosted STAB combo alongside Choice Band attacks, allowing it to threaten unprepared teams. (should be the first sentence again)

Team Options
========

Silvally-Dragon and Silvally-Grass can be helpful because of its unique their ability to both act as a solid Defogger and allow it to cover Golem's quad 4x weaknesses to Grass and Water, as well as being able to bring in Golem with U-turn or Parting Shot. Altaria also provides support by being able to switch into Grass-type threats that Golem has a hard time dealing with (RC) and deal with them accordingly. Unfortunately, while both Silvally-Dragon and Altaria can cover up Golem’s weakness to Grass and Water, all three have a weakness to Ice. Komala offers a removal of opposing entry hazards that can break Golem's Sturdy (RC) while providing as well as an immunity to status moves such as Will-O-Wisp or and Toxic that would both break Golem's Sturdy and potentially cripple it, while bringing and the ability to bring Golem in on through U-turn. (AP) Bronzor patches up a lot of weaknesses Golem has (RC) and can provide Stealth Rocks, something that Rock, which allows Choice Band Golem to put normally tough threats such as Gourgeist-XL into 2HKO range, such as Gourgeist-XL, as well as providing Toxic (RC) to chip down opponents foes like Silvally-Water or and Sandslash. Rotom-Fan Rotom-S can provide defensive coverage for Grass- and Fighting-types, while offering as well as momentum, although Ground-types check both Golem and Rotom-Fan Rotom-S. Silvally-Water can switch in on Floatzel and Swanna and check them both. Silvally-Poison and Silvally-Ghost can take care of entry hazards such as Toxic Spikes, with the former absorbing them on Switch-in as it switches in and both being able to use Defog, while also taking as well as take care of threats such as Fighting-types.

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

Specially defensive sets can check Pokemon such as Chatot more effectively (RC) and can as well as switch in on Choice Scarf Zebstrika selecting Hidden Power Ice. Smack Down can provide a check to Bronzor without having to use Fire Punch. Sunny Day and Heat Rock can be used to provide an effective sun setter, alongside Stealth Rocks can Rock to create role compression, and using this alongside Explosion allows for a provides maximum longevity duration of Sun. Mago Berry can be used to provide a better matchup against Abomasnow, as Mago Berry activates before Hail, allowing Golem to outlive Abomasnow after a hit trade trading hits. A Jolly nature on offensive sets can let offensive sets outspeed Pokemon like Mawile and Regice, and as well as Pokemon that try to creep Adamant Golem, like Lapras and Kecleon.

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

**Levitating Pokemon Levitate Users**: Bronzor's immunity to Ground leaves Golem either attempting to hit with a not very effective Stone Edge (or?), allowing Bronzor to use Toxic and Stealth Rock to chip and cripple Golem. This can be solved with Fire Punch, though, but a Golem Choice-locked into Earthquake or Stone Edge Golem suffers. Misdreavus and Solrock can also burn Golem (RC) and can use Pain Split and or Morning Sun respectively for pseudo-reliable recovery.

**Grass-types**: (AH) Bulky Grass-types (AH) like Tangela, Gourgeist-Super, Gourgeist-XL, and Silvally-Grass terrify Golem. The first two also have access to reliable recovery, which means they can switch into Golem however many times they need, and can hit deal super effective damage to Golem, although all three should be wary of Golem's Toxic. Abomasnow is a special case, since it can use the chip damage of hail + Blizzard to seal a KO against Golem; (SC) though it can usually be knocked out with Stone Edge, it also means Golem cannot set up Stealth Rocks Rock. However, while these Pokemon can easily put an end to Golem, they need to be wary of Choice Band Golem's Banded Fire Punch

**Water-types**: (AH) Silvally-Water tanks a +2 Earthquake, can remove Golem's entry hazards, and can OHKO a Sturdy-Broken Golem after its Sturdy is broken. Floatzel and Swanna can both OHKO using Scald or Liquidation after Sturdy has been broken, although they cannot safely switch into Golem it.

**Ground-types**: (AH) Vibrava resists both of Golem's STAB attacks, has recovery, and take takes little damage from Golem's coverage moves. Gabite can also check Golem, as it can tank hits from Golem and outspeeds it, meaning Golem can either get a single hit in or will only be able to set up rocks Stealth Rock. Marowak cannot come into Golem, but it can beat it in a 1v1 one-on-one, as Bonemerang bypasses Sturdy. Silvally-Ground and Sandslash can come in on Golem and remove its entry hazards with Defog and or Rapid Spin, respectively, with the latter also being able to remove only Golem's preserve its own hazards, while also being quite difficult for Golem to hit reliably.

**Fighting-types**: Silvally-Fighting can take Stone Edge from Golem no problem easily, and while Monferno and Combusken are weak to Golem's Earthquake, both outspeed Golem, (AC) meaning they can come in for a to revenge kill it.

**Super Effective Coverage**: Moves like Raichu's Focus Blast, Toucannon's Bullet Seed, and Chatot and Oricorio's use of Hidden Power Grass can threaten Golem. With the exception of Toucannon, these checks have to be careful if Golem's Sturdy hasnt hasn't been broken, (AC) with the exception of Toucannon, who can break Sturdy with Bullet Seed however.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[DatHeatmor, 254865]]
- Quality checked by: [[aaronboyer, 239454], [5gen, 296755], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
 
GP 2/2
[OVERVIEW]

Golem is the premier Stealth Rock setter in the tier, with its excellent Attack stat and its near-unresisted dual STAB. (without elaboration, this makes the sentence awkward) Sturdy enables it to almost always set up Stealth Rock as well as check opposing Pokemon in an emergency. Golem's Sturdy also works well with its typing and Weakness Policy, granting it an easy boost and the ability to take down tougher foes. Golem's Normal-, Fire-, and Poison-type resistances and Electric-type immunity make it effective at checking Komala, Rapidash, Muk, and Choice-locked Electivire in a pinch. Its defensive set allows Golem it to fill these roles even more effectively. Golem's powerful STAB attacks combined with its terrifying Attack stat allow it to OHKO Pokemon like Electivire unboosted and Pokemon like bulky Komala at +2 Attack. Choice Band allows Golem to pressure most of the defensive metagame with its almost unresisted STAB combination, including its most used answer, Bronzor. Unfortunately, Golem's weaknesses to Grass, Water, and Ice hinder it greatly, leaving it susceptible to special attackers such as Floatzel, Swanna, Abomasnow, and Simisage, which exploit its weakness due to its lacking Special Defense. Furthermore, Golem's low Speed can be a large downfall, as faster Pokemon can easily outspeed and either nullify its Sturdy, (comma) or clear entry hazards right after Golem sets them.

[SET]
name: Offensive Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Sucker Punch / Explosion
item: Weakness Policy / Custap Berry
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Earthquake is Golem’s primary STAB move, hitting Steel-, Fire-, and Electric-types super effectively, such as Mawile, Probopass, Camerupt, Rapidash, Zebstrika, and Electivire. Stone Edge is also an effective STAB attack along with Earthquake, completing completes a powerful STAB combination that allows Golem to hit both airborne and grounded Pokemon, (comma) such as Chatot, Altaria, Electivire, Pinsir, and Rotom-S. Sucker Punch allows Golem to hit faster Pokemon like Silvally, Electivire, and Floatzel and can punish them even better after Weakness Policy has been activated, allowing it to OHKO Pokemon like Chatot. Alternatively, Explosion can work well with Custap Berry, giving Golem an effective +1 priority 250-Base Power move after activating with Sturdy. Golem fainting also means opposing spinners and Defoggers cannot remove Stealth Rock.

Set Details
========

Weakness Policy is the main item used, giving Golem a +2 Attack boost, allowing Golem to do greater damage to Pokemon that it had a harder time with beforehand. Sturdy allows Golem to avoid an OHKOs from special attackers such as Floatzel, Swanna, and Abomasnow attacks such as a Hydro Pump from Floatzel or Swanna and a Blizzard or Giga Drain from Abomasnow to set up Stealth Rock, which is its main goal, as well as activate Weakness Policy in the process. An Adamant nature is more useful than Jolly, since there's not much Golem can outspeed outside of other Golem and Crustle. Custap Berry allows Golem to have an effective priority move after Sturdy activates, either allowing it to set up a last-ditch Stealth Rock or pull off an Explosion.

Usage Tips

========

Golem should be used as a lead in most cases, with setting up Stealth Rock as its biggest priority. However, Golem should not come in as a lead if threats like Silvally-Water or and Sandslash are able to anti-lead it or switch in. Golem shouldn’t be switched out unless it is crucial, as the possibility of breaking Sturdy is too great, which could cost Golem its life usefulness. When up against a Grass-type Pokemon or Water-type Pokemon such as Simisage or Floatzel, switch out to a Pokemon that resists their attacks like Altaria or Silvally-Dragon, although switching into an Ice Punch or Ice Beam from an opposing Water type can be hazardous. Golem can use its defensive typing to soft check Electric- and Normal-type Pokemon such as Zebstrika and Komala if Sturdy doesn't need to be kept or if Sturdy has already been broken. With its resistances and bulk, Golem can also play offensively. In these cases, being slow isn't Golem's concern, since it can tank most hits and dish back intense damage after a Weakness Policy boost. Keep in mind that Weakness Policy and Custap Berry rely on Sturdy, meaning you need to either preserve Sturdy or lead with Golem.

Team Options
========

Silvally-Dragon, Servine, Silvally-Grass, and Altaria can be helpful because of their unique ability to both act as a solid Defogger and cover Golem's 4x weaknesses to Grass and Water. Altaria also provides support by using Heal Bell to remove a burn or a Toxic and provides an immunity to Ground and a resistance to Grass and Water. Unfortunately, while both Silvally-Dragon and Altaria can cover up Golem’s weakness to Grass and Water, all three have a weakness to Ice. Thus, Pokemon that can check Ice-types such as Monferno, Combusken, and Silvally-Fighting allow Golem to be safe by eliminating a possible threat, with the former two resisting Ice themselves. Spinners like Komala offer a removal of opposing entry hazards without getting rid of your own. Silvally-Fighting can hit Pokemon super effectively hit Pokemon that could remove Golem's Stealth Rock, such as including Komala and other Silvally formes. Golem's Stealth Rock can damage Flying-, Bug-, and Fire-types such as Swanna, Pinsir, and Rapidash, meaning Golem pairs well with Pokemon like Simisage, Combusken, and Silvally-Fighting.

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Protect / Toxic
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 32 Atk / 224 Def

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Toxic allows Golem to chip down opposing Pokemon that it can't break, like Gourgeist-XL and Lickilicky, with while Protect allowing allows Golem to regain HP to recover its Sturdy after switching into entry hazards. Furthermore, Protect can also allow Golem to scout opposing threats such as Choice Scarf Electivire and switch out accordingly. Earthquake is an effective STAB move that allows Golem to hit grounded Pokemon, (comma) such as Mawile, Rapidash, and Raichu. Stone Edge allows Golem to hit airborne or Ground-resistant foes, (comma) which Earthquake normally cannot hit, such as Chatot, Altaria, Pinsir, and Rotom-S.

Set Details
========

Leftovers allows Golem to recover health over time alongside Protect, even allowing it to restore its Sturdy to be able to safely set up Stealth Rock. Sturdy is Golem's most useful ability, allowing it to avoid an OHKO from hits like Silvally-Water's Surf to set up Stealth Rock. Golem's investment in physical bulk and its Ground / Rock typing allow it to safely switch into Pokemon like Choice Scarf Electivire and Choice Band Komala, while its Attack EVs allow it to OHKO Pokemon such as Pawniard.

Usage Tips
========

Golem should be used as a lead in most cases, with setting up Stealth Rock as its main priority. It's not a problem if Sturdy is broken due to by entry hazards, since Golem's resistance to Rock allows it to recover its health lost using Leftovers in combination with Protect. Golem's main function is to power through opposing Pokemon's attacks and hit like a truck. Switching Golem out to a Pokemon that resists its weaknesses such as Silvally-Water, -Dragon, -Ghost, or -Fighting allows it to live to be able to set Stealth Rock again later, if it has been removed. Golem should avoid attempting to check certain variants of Pokemon that Golem it could normally check, such as Bulk Up Komala, though it can check Choice Band sets.

Team Options
========

Golem is best suited for balance teams. since its lack of reliable recovery make it a burden for full stall. Floatzel and Swanna both benefit from Golem's immunity to Electric-type moves, and Golem appreciates their Water and Steel resistances and Swanna's Ground immunity. Grass-types such as Shiftry and Tangela benefit from Golem's Normal-type resistance, as one of the most powerful Normal-type sweepers is Bouffalant, which packs Sap Sipper. Pokemon like Pyukumuku, Lickilicky, and Mareanie also benefits from Golem's Normal resistance, since Golem can come in on Choice Band Komala locked into Return, which is immune to status. Silvally formes such as Silvally-Water, Silvally-Ghost, and Silvally-Poison can form a great entry hazard control core with Golem and check specific threats to it.

[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Fire Punch
item: Choice Band
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Earthquake is Golem’s primary STAB move, hitting Fire-, Steel-, and Electric-types super effectively with no risk of missing. Golem would normally want to use this is most cases unless Stone Edge is needed. Earthquake also hits Ground-types that resist Stone Edge. Stone Edge is also an effective STAB attack that allows Golem to hit both airborne and grounded Pokemon, (comma) such as Chatot, Altaria, Pinsir, and Rotom-S. This move It also hits Grass-type Pokemon that Earthquake wouldn't be able to hit for sufficient damage. Sucker Punch allows Golem to hit faster Pokemon like Silvally, Electivire, and Floatzel, and Fire Punch allows Golem to hit Bronzor along with bulky Grass-types like Tangela and Gourgeist-XL, which can bypass Earthquake with Levitate or typing.

Set Details
========

Using Choice Band means Golem can break through checks like Bronzor and Gourgeist-XL, which other sets cannot do. It also allows Golem to hit Pokemon that normally can tank its hits. Sturdy is a vital ability, allowing Golem to avoid an OHKO and, in an emergency, check threats by exchanging hits or KOs from attacks like Abomasnow's Blizzard.

Usage Tips
========

Golem should be brought in after KOs or pivots, and it can break through teams with its Choice Band-boosted STAB attacks, allowing it to threaten unprepared teams. Golem should come in as much as possible, as it's a wallbreaker able to check possible threats, (comma) and keep momentum intact. Going up against a Grass-type Pokemon or a Water-type Pokemon can be solved by switching out to a check like Altaria or Silvally-Dragon, although switching into an Ice Punch or Ice Beam from an opposing Water type can be hazardous. In a pinch, Sturdy can be used to check faster Pokemon that Golem can KO, such as Electivire, Floatzel, Swanna, and Simisear. It is optimal to use the move with the best coverage against the opponent's team overall, since Golem will be Choice-locked after selecting a move. Golem can come in to check most Normal- and Electric-type Pokemon, although it should avoid taking too much chip damage beforehand. Use careful prediction, since the Choice lock means a Steel-type like Mawile could switch out to a Flying-type like Swanna expecting an Earthquake, meaning Golem would need to switch out. The opponent's moves need to be predicted in order to cause as little few problems as possible. Be wary of locking Golem into Sucker Punch, as this means Golem either gives the opponent a turn or more to set up or a free turn to switch out.

Team Options
========

Silvally-Dragon and Silvally-Grass can be helpful because of their ability to both act as a solid Defogger, (comma) and cover Golem's 4x weaknesses to Grass and Water, as well as being able to and bring in Golem with U-turn or Parting Shot. Altaria also provides support by being able to switch into Grass-type threats that Golem has a hard time dealing with and deal with them accordingly. Unfortunately, while both Silvally-Dragon and Altaria can cover up Golem’s weakness to Grass and Water, all three have a weakness to Ice Silvally-Dragon and Altaria share a weakness to Ice with Golem, however. Komala offers a removal of opposing entry hazards that can break Golem's Sturdy as well as an immunity to crippling status moves such as Will-O-Wisp and Toxic that would both break Golem's Sturdy and potentially cripple it and the ability to bring Golem in through U-turn. Bronzor patches up a lot of weaknesses Golem has and can provide Stealth Rock, which allows Choice Band Golem to put normally tough threats such as Gourgeist-XL into 2HKO range, as well as Toxic to chip down foes like Silvally-Water and Sandslash. Rotom-S can provide defensive coverage for Grass- and Fighting-types as well as momentum, although Ground-types check both Golem and Rotom-S. Silvally-Water can switch in on and check Floatzel and Swanna and check them both. Silvally-Poison and Silvally-Ghost can take care of entry hazards such as Toxic Spikes, with the former absorbing them as it switches in and both being able to use Defog as well as take taking care of threats such as Fighting-types.

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

Specially defensive sets can check Pokemon such as Chatot more effectively as well as switch in on Choice Scarf Zebstrika selecting Hidden Power Ice. Smack Down can provide make Golem a check to Bronzor without having to use Fire Punch. Sunny Day and Heat Rock can be used to provide an effective sun setter, alongside Stealth Rock to create role compression, and using this alongside Explosion provides maximum duration of sun. Mago Berry can be used to provide a better matchup against Abomasnow, as Mago Berry activates before hail damage, allowing Golem to outlive Abomasnow after trading hits. A Jolly nature can let offensive sets outspeed Pokemon like Mawile and Regice, (comma) as well as Pokemon that try to creep Adamant Golem, (comma) like Lapras and Kecleon.

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

**Levitate Users**: Bronzor's immunity to Ground leaves Golem either attempting to hit with a not very effective Stone Edge or switch out, allowing Bronzor to use Toxic and Stealth Rock to chip and cripple Golem. This can be solved with Fire Punch, but a Golem Choice-locked into Earthquake or Stone Edge suffers. Misdreavus and Solrock can also burn Golem and can use Pain Split or Morning Sun for pseudo-reliable recovery.

**Grass-types**: Bulky Grass-types like Tangela, Gourgeist-XL, and Silvally-Grass terrify Golem. The first two also have access to reliable recovery, which means they can switch into Golem however many times they need, and can deal super effective damage to Golem, although all three should be wary of Golem's Toxic. Abomasnow is a special case, since it can use the chip damage of hail + with Blizzard to seal a KO against Golem; though it can usually be knocked out with Stone Edge, it also means Golem cannot set up Stealth Rock. However, while these Pokemon can easily put an end to Golem, they need to be wary of Choice Band Golem's Fire Punch

**Water-types**: Silvally-Water tanks a +2 Earthquake, can remove Golem's entry hazards, and can OHKO Golem after its Sturdy is broken. Floatzel and Swanna can both OHKO using Scald or Liquidation after Sturdy has been broken, although they cannot safely switch into it.

**Ground-types**: Vibrava resists both of Golem's STAB attacks, has recovery, and takes little damage from Golem's coverage moves. Gabite can also check Golem, as it can tank hits from Golem and outspeeds it, meaning Golem can either get a single hit in or will only be able to set up Stealth Rock. Marowak cannot come into Golem, but it can beat it one-on-one, as Bonemerang bypasses Sturdy. Silvally-Ground and Sandslash can come in on Golem and remove its entry hazards with Defog or Rapid Spin, with the latter also being able to preserve its own hazards, while also being quite difficult for Golem to hit reliably.

**Fighting-types**: Silvally-Fighting can take Stone Edge from Golem easily, and while Monferno and Combusken are weak to Golem's Earthquake, both outspeed Golem, meaning they can come in to revenge kill it.

**Super Effective Coverage**: Moves like Raichu's Focus Blast, Toucannon's Bullet Seed, and Chatot and Oricorio's Hidden Power Grass can threaten Golem. With the exception of Toucannon, these checks have to be careful if Golem's Sturdy hasn't been broken, however.
 
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