qc: roman / phantom / teachable
gp: cryogyro / tdp
[OVERVIEW]
Golisopod is a fearsome wallbreaker due to its great STAB combination and access to Spikes to pressure switch-ins with chip damage. It's also a premium revenge killer, since it has amazing priority in First Impression to OHKO fast setup sweepers and offensive threats like Virizion, Gardevoir, and Barbaracle. A good Defense stat and a nice set of resistances let it check Ground-types such as Mega Steelix, Zygarde-10%, and Flygon. It can also deal with the likes of Medicham due to its resistance to Fighting and soft check Water-types such as Mega Blastoise and Araquanid. Despite the effectiveness of Golisopod’s STAB moves, it can also run coverage moves to beat Pokemon that resist it STAB combination, such as Knock Off to take on Jellicent, Rock Slide to beat Noivern, and Drill Run to beat Dragalge and Toxicroak. Unfortunately, Golisopod is cursed with Emergency Exit. While it can some times be useful, getting forced out is most often detrimental. This, plus the fact that Stealth Rock and other residual damage wear it down quickly, can prevent Golisopod from switching into Pokemon such as Mega Steelix and Gligar. While First Impression can hit like a truck, its restriction to first-turn use can turn Golisopod into setup bait for Pokemon like Feraligatr, Linoone, and Barbaracle. Also, since it's Golisopod most common move, it can usually be played around by the opponent through pivoting and the use of Protect, which forces Golisopod out when it's running Choice Band. Since it commonly will be locked into one move, Golisopod can be usually checked by offensive threats that don't mind its STAB combination, such as Bewear and Doublade. A bad Speed tier of base 40 leaves Golisopod vulnerable even to slow Pokemon such as Mega Ampharos and Emboar. Golisopod's standard set can also be walled by common bulky Water-types, such as Milotic and Jellicent.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: First Impression
move 2: Liquidation
move 3: Leech Life
move 4: Aqua Jet / Spikes
item: Choice Band / Insect Plate
ability: Emergency Exit
nature: Adamant
evs: 168 HP / 252 Atk / 88 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
First Impression is Golisopod's main STAB attack and best move, offering raw power and priority to revenge kill the likes of Roserade, Zygarde-10%, and Flygon. Liquidation offers good coverage as a secondary STAB move, enabling Golisopod to punch holes in the likes of Mega Steelix, Gligar, and Moltres. Leech Life is a secondary Bug-type STAB attack with some recovery and no restriction on use. Spikes allows Golisopod to pressure switch-ins later on with residual damage, especially when paired with support from Taunt and Rapid Spin users. A weaker but safer priority option in Aqua Jet is useful for getting revenge kills against fast threats that resist First Impression, picking off the likes of Moltres, Salazzle, and Nidoqueen. Knock Off is also an option for removing items from some of Golisopod's checks, including Jellicent, Milotic, Doublade, and non-Z-Move Noivern. Drill Run can be used to hit Dragalge, Doublade, and other Steel-types on a switch and to keep Toxicroak from setting up on Golisopod. Rock Slide is a coverage option to hit Noivern on the switch, since it usually walls Golisopod completely.
Set Details
========
88 Speed EVs make Golisopod able to outspeed Pokemon with uninvested base 50 Speed such as Diancie and Registeel. Maximum investment in Attack is used to hit as hard as possible, and the remainder is dumped into HP to increase Golisopod's bulk. A spread with 208 EVs in Speed and 48 in HP allows Golisopod to outspeed Umbreon by one point, and maximum Speed with a Jolly nature Speed ties with uninvested Mandibuzz. Choice Band is the best item option, since it allows Golisopod to revenge kill more easily. Insect Plate can be used to switch moves and use support moves more freely, but the drop in power turns most First Impression OHKOs into rolls.
Usage Tips
========
Keep Golisopod healthy as much as you can by being careful about when you switch it in; any move or damage from hazards that brings it to 50% HP will send it back out, making it unable to revenge kill properly. You can try to take advantage of Emergency Exit by switching into hazards to activate it so you can switch another time. As with a plethora of Choice-locked wallbreakers, Golisopod's potential to smash switch-ins is heavily prediction reliant, so carefully weigh all your options before attacking. Use Spikes against incoming switch-ins like Milotic and Jellicent, which Golisopod can usually do nothing against. Be aware of when it’s appropriate to use First Impression, since getting a KO with it can give a free turn to setup sweepers like Barbaracle and Toxicroak. Capitalize on Golisopod's resistances by pivoting into the likes of Mega Steelix, Gligar, and Flygon.
Team Options
========
It's fundamental to run entry hazard control support alongside Golisopod, since it is especially pressured by Stealth Rock. Mandibuzz, Rotom-C, and Gligar are great options for keeping hazards away with Defog. Mega Blastoise is another great partner that can remove hazards with Rapid Spin and act better as a switch-in to Water-types because it does not mind Scald burns. It can also pressure Pokemon that usually check Golisopod, such as Noivern, Jellicent, and Bewear, with its coverage. When running Spikes, Taunt support is very good for impeding Defoggers and pressuring defensive switch-ins. The likes of Salazzle, Nidoqueen, and Noivern can do this very well. Other sweepers and cleaners such as Zygarde-10%, Tyrantrum, and Gardevoir benefit a lot from Golisopod's Spikes and wallbreaking. Golisopod benefits a lot from pivoting, since it doesn't like losing HP at all. U-turn and Volt Switch support from the likes of Gligar, Mandibuzz, Mega Ampharos, and Rotom-C is really appreciated, since a slow pivot can get Golisopod safely into the field. Steel-types are good to pair with Golisopod, since they can take Rock- and Flying-type moves reliably and get Stealth Rock on the field. Mega Steelix is a particularly great partner, since it also is immune to Electric. Bronzong and Registeel are also good options.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A defensive set with an EV spread of 248 HP / 176 Def / 88 Spe and an Iapapa Berry can be used to check Ground-types and put Spikes on the field more comfortably. However, the drop in power is very significant, and it just lacks what is needed to be a good defensive Pokemon, since it lacks good recovery, is weak to Stealth Rock, and is forced out by its ability.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Residual Damage**: Any kind of residual damage, including entry hazards, poison, and burn, is a huge threat to Golisopod thanks to Emergency Exit and its lack of recovery.
**Physically Defensive Walls**: Although it resists Water, Golisopod can't switch in on most Water-types due to the fear of Scald burns. The likes of Milotic, Jellicent, and Vaporeon can usually take First Impression and force Golisopod out with Scald. Other physically defensive walls such as Dragalge, Chesnaught, and Doublade can also take most of the moves Golisopod can fire at them safely and proceed to set up or set entry hazards.
**Dragon-types**: Dragalge, Noivern, and Mega Ampharos have the typing and bulk to take Golisopod's moves and force it out with their STAB options, especially Mega Ampharos, which has Volt Switch.
**Rock-types**: Although not able to switch into Golisopod safely, Tyrantrum, Rhyperior, and Gigalith can threaten it with their Rock-type moves.
**Electric-types**: Rotom-H, Rotom-C, and Mega Ampharos can pivot into Golisopod with proper prediction and beat it with Volt Switch while gaining momentum.
**Flying-types**: Gligar, Moltres, and Noivern can take First Impression with some ease and pivot or stallbreak, but they have to beware Liquidation or other coverage moves.
gp: cryogyro / tdp
[OVERVIEW]
Golisopod is a fearsome wallbreaker due to its great STAB combination and access to Spikes to pressure switch-ins with chip damage. It's also a premium revenge killer, since it has amazing priority in First Impression to OHKO fast setup sweepers and offensive threats like Virizion, Gardevoir, and Barbaracle. A good Defense stat and a nice set of resistances let it check Ground-types such as Mega Steelix, Zygarde-10%, and Flygon. It can also deal with the likes of Medicham due to its resistance to Fighting and soft check Water-types such as Mega Blastoise and Araquanid. Despite the effectiveness of Golisopod’s STAB moves, it can also run coverage moves to beat Pokemon that resist it STAB combination, such as Knock Off to take on Jellicent, Rock Slide to beat Noivern, and Drill Run to beat Dragalge and Toxicroak. Unfortunately, Golisopod is cursed with Emergency Exit. While it can some times be useful, getting forced out is most often detrimental. This, plus the fact that Stealth Rock and other residual damage wear it down quickly, can prevent Golisopod from switching into Pokemon such as Mega Steelix and Gligar. While First Impression can hit like a truck, its restriction to first-turn use can turn Golisopod into setup bait for Pokemon like Feraligatr, Linoone, and Barbaracle. Also, since it's Golisopod most common move, it can usually be played around by the opponent through pivoting and the use of Protect, which forces Golisopod out when it's running Choice Band. Since it commonly will be locked into one move, Golisopod can be usually checked by offensive threats that don't mind its STAB combination, such as Bewear and Doublade. A bad Speed tier of base 40 leaves Golisopod vulnerable even to slow Pokemon such as Mega Ampharos and Emboar. Golisopod's standard set can also be walled by common bulky Water-types, such as Milotic and Jellicent.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: First Impression
move 2: Liquidation
move 3: Leech Life
move 4: Aqua Jet / Spikes
item: Choice Band / Insect Plate
ability: Emergency Exit
nature: Adamant
evs: 168 HP / 252 Atk / 88 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
First Impression is Golisopod's main STAB attack and best move, offering raw power and priority to revenge kill the likes of Roserade, Zygarde-10%, and Flygon. Liquidation offers good coverage as a secondary STAB move, enabling Golisopod to punch holes in the likes of Mega Steelix, Gligar, and Moltres. Leech Life is a secondary Bug-type STAB attack with some recovery and no restriction on use. Spikes allows Golisopod to pressure switch-ins later on with residual damage, especially when paired with support from Taunt and Rapid Spin users. A weaker but safer priority option in Aqua Jet is useful for getting revenge kills against fast threats that resist First Impression, picking off the likes of Moltres, Salazzle, and Nidoqueen. Knock Off is also an option for removing items from some of Golisopod's checks, including Jellicent, Milotic, Doublade, and non-Z-Move Noivern. Drill Run can be used to hit Dragalge, Doublade, and other Steel-types on a switch and to keep Toxicroak from setting up on Golisopod. Rock Slide is a coverage option to hit Noivern on the switch, since it usually walls Golisopod completely.
Set Details
========
88 Speed EVs make Golisopod able to outspeed Pokemon with uninvested base 50 Speed such as Diancie and Registeel. Maximum investment in Attack is used to hit as hard as possible, and the remainder is dumped into HP to increase Golisopod's bulk. A spread with 208 EVs in Speed and 48 in HP allows Golisopod to outspeed Umbreon by one point, and maximum Speed with a Jolly nature Speed ties with uninvested Mandibuzz. Choice Band is the best item option, since it allows Golisopod to revenge kill more easily. Insect Plate can be used to switch moves and use support moves more freely, but the drop in power turns most First Impression OHKOs into rolls.
Usage Tips
========
Keep Golisopod healthy as much as you can by being careful about when you switch it in; any move or damage from hazards that brings it to 50% HP will send it back out, making it unable to revenge kill properly. You can try to take advantage of Emergency Exit by switching into hazards to activate it so you can switch another time. As with a plethora of Choice-locked wallbreakers, Golisopod's potential to smash switch-ins is heavily prediction reliant, so carefully weigh all your options before attacking. Use Spikes against incoming switch-ins like Milotic and Jellicent, which Golisopod can usually do nothing against. Be aware of when it’s appropriate to use First Impression, since getting a KO with it can give a free turn to setup sweepers like Barbaracle and Toxicroak. Capitalize on Golisopod's resistances by pivoting into the likes of Mega Steelix, Gligar, and Flygon.
Team Options
========
It's fundamental to run entry hazard control support alongside Golisopod, since it is especially pressured by Stealth Rock. Mandibuzz, Rotom-C, and Gligar are great options for keeping hazards away with Defog. Mega Blastoise is another great partner that can remove hazards with Rapid Spin and act better as a switch-in to Water-types because it does not mind Scald burns. It can also pressure Pokemon that usually check Golisopod, such as Noivern, Jellicent, and Bewear, with its coverage. When running Spikes, Taunt support is very good for impeding Defoggers and pressuring defensive switch-ins. The likes of Salazzle, Nidoqueen, and Noivern can do this very well. Other sweepers and cleaners such as Zygarde-10%, Tyrantrum, and Gardevoir benefit a lot from Golisopod's Spikes and wallbreaking. Golisopod benefits a lot from pivoting, since it doesn't like losing HP at all. U-turn and Volt Switch support from the likes of Gligar, Mandibuzz, Mega Ampharos, and Rotom-C is really appreciated, since a slow pivot can get Golisopod safely into the field. Steel-types are good to pair with Golisopod, since they can take Rock- and Flying-type moves reliably and get Stealth Rock on the field. Mega Steelix is a particularly great partner, since it also is immune to Electric. Bronzong and Registeel are also good options.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A defensive set with an EV spread of 248 HP / 176 Def / 88 Spe and an Iapapa Berry can be used to check Ground-types and put Spikes on the field more comfortably. However, the drop in power is very significant, and it just lacks what is needed to be a good defensive Pokemon, since it lacks good recovery, is weak to Stealth Rock, and is forced out by its ability.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Residual Damage**: Any kind of residual damage, including entry hazards, poison, and burn, is a huge threat to Golisopod thanks to Emergency Exit and its lack of recovery.
**Physically Defensive Walls**: Although it resists Water, Golisopod can't switch in on most Water-types due to the fear of Scald burns. The likes of Milotic, Jellicent, and Vaporeon can usually take First Impression and force Golisopod out with Scald. Other physically defensive walls such as Dragalge, Chesnaught, and Doublade can also take most of the moves Golisopod can fire at them safely and proceed to set up or set entry hazards.
**Dragon-types**: Dragalge, Noivern, and Mega Ampharos have the typing and bulk to take Golisopod's moves and force it out with their STAB options, especially Mega Ampharos, which has Volt Switch.
**Rock-types**: Although not able to switch into Golisopod safely, Tyrantrum, Rhyperior, and Gigalith can threaten it with their Rock-type moves.
**Electric-types**: Rotom-H, Rotom-C, and Mega Ampharos can pivot into Golisopod with proper prediction and beat it with Volt Switch while gaining momentum.
**Flying-types**: Gligar, Moltres, and Noivern can take First Impression with some ease and pivot or stallbreak, but they have to beware Liquidation or other coverage moves.
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