Sputnik
Bono My Tires are Deceased
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Poltergeist
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Close Combat / Dynamic Punch
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Band
ability: No Guard
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Golurk is one of the tier's most powerful wallbreakers thanks to its great coverage and STAB combination. Its useful immunities allow it to block Volt Switch and prevent Toxtricity from freely spamming its most powerful moves. However, its poor Speed, mediocre bulk, and competition from other powerful wallbreakers such as Rhyperior, Chandelure, and Alolan Marowak make it a bit more of a niche pick overall. Close Combat is the preferred Fighting-type move due to its higher power. Dynamic Punch spreads confusion and doesn't drop Golurk's defenses, but it fails to OHKO Zarude. Trick can be used to cripple annoying defensive Pokemon like Suicune, Snorlax, and Tangela. It's also a decent way to punish teams that look to handle Golurk by pivoting around its STAB moves, such as those utilizing Ground-type immune Pokemon like Togekiss and Noivern. Shadow Punch with Iron Fist can be used instead of Trick for a Ghost-type move against foes that have had their items removed. No Guard is better if Shadow Punch is not being run, as it prevents Poltergeist and Dynamic Punch from missing.
Golurk is a rather poor switch-in to the tier's Electric-types overall, as Xurkitree and Toxtricity have coverage moves that have a chance to OHKO, and Raikou's Scald 2HKOes. Grass- and Dragon-types such as Zarude, Roserade, and Dragalge can take on Raikou and Xurkitree while also checking Water-types like Sharpedo, Suicune, and Milotic. Dragalge can also provide Golurk free switches with Flip Turn. A faster pivot such as Mienshao, Xurkitree, or Noivern can help it out by pivoting it in safely. Togekiss, Noivern, and Gardevoir enjoy Golurk threatening Steel-types. The incredibly common Zarude is one of the only Pokemon that can confidently switch into Golurk's STAB combination. Strategies to chip down Zarude are recommended so Golurk doesn't have to worry about predicting to hit it; this can take the form of Rocky Helmet Cobalion or Galarian Weezing. Otherwise, (comma) very solid Zarude checks such as Togekiss and Incineroar can help Golurk out against Zarude.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Sputnik, 475916]]
- Quality checked by: [[Jmash, 363823], [zizalith, 410251], [GoldCat, 359771]]
- Grammar checked by: [[CryoGyro, 331519]]
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