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snatched from Cheryl.
[OVERVIEW]
Gourgeist-XL possesses many great defensive qualities, such as its excellent Ghost / Grass typing that gives it resistances to common types such as Water and Ground and an immunity to Fighting-type moves, letting it handle Flygon and Hitmonlee effectively. It also has excellent physical bulk, allowing it to check many physical attackers in the tier, as well as being one of the best counters to Swords Dance Virizion, a premier threat. Gourgeist-XL is also able to spinblock, which is important for many defensive teams; this is further helped by Gourgeist-XL's decent matchup against the most common spinner Blastoise and its access to reliable recovery, allowing Gourgeist-XL to separate itself from other Ghost-types. However, Gourgeist-XL has weaknesses to common types such as Fire, Dark, and Flying and has mediocre special bulk, leaving it easily beaten by common special wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Meloetta and Life Orb Venusaur.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Will-O-Wisp
move 2: Synthesis
move 3: Foul Play
move 4: Leech Seed / Seed Bomb
item: Leftovers / Colbur Berry
ability: Frisk
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Will-O-Wisp is used to cripple physical attackers while also dealing residual damage to help wear down the opposing team. Synthesis provides Gourgeist-XL with reliable recovery, which helps keep it healthy. Foul Play allows Gourgeist-XL to hit physical setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Samurott and Swords Dance + RestTalk Escavalier, and it is Gourgeist-XL's best way of hitting Swords Dance Virizion, naturally hitting it for boosted damage due to Justified. Leech Seed allows Gourgeist-XL to gain some passive recovery while also putting pressure on switch-ins. Seed Bomb is a usable option over Leech Seed to deal with Ground- and Rock-types such as Rhyperior and Diancie much more quickly while also threatening Blastoise, enhancing Gourgeist-XL's spinblocking capabilities. Rock Slide is another option for the last moveslot to hit Fire-, Flying-, and Ice-types such as Houndoom, Sigilyph, and Sneasel, all of which are common switch-ins to Gourgeist-XL, while also OHKOing Fletchinder.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment with an Impish nature is used to make Gourgeist-XL as physically bulky as possible, allowing it to check physical attackers such as Medicham. Leftovers gives Gourgeist-XL extra passive recovery so it doesn't have to use Synthesis as often, and it works well in conjunction with Leech Seed to keep Gourgeist-XL more healthy. Colbur Berry is a good alternative option to help Gourgeist-XL more reliably check Fighting-types such as Hitmonlee by taking their Dark-type coverage much better; it also allows Gourgeist-XL to survive Sneasel's and Absol's Knock Off and cripple them with Will-O-Wisp in an emergency situation.
Usage Tips
========
Gourgeist-XL should be switched in on the Pokemon it checks, such as Fighting- and Ground-types. Gourgeist-XL must be wary of switching into Water-types, however, as even with its resistance to the typing, it can be crippled with a Scald burn or be taken out by offensive Water-types using Ice Beam. Once switched in safely, Gourgeist-XL can proceed to spread burns and Leech Seeds against the opposing team, crippling physical attackers and wearing down its switch-ins. Make sure to keep Gourgeist-XL healthy throughout the game with Synthesis and Leech Seed, as it needs to be able to take on strong physical attackers such as Life Orb Medicham. Gourgeist-XL can also spinblock thanks to its Ghost typing, so it can take on common spinners such as Hitmontop and Blastoise and keep entry hazards up on the field. However, Hitmontop and Blastoise both have ways of crippling Gourgeist-XL with Toxic and potential Scald burns, so do not switch in on them repeatedly.
Team Options
========
Gourgeist-XL usually finds itself on more defensively oriented teams, so it should be used with defensive partners in mind. Specially defensive Pokemon that can take the special hits that Gourgeist-XL cannot, such as Registeel and Mega Audino, are great partners, as they also appreciate Gourgeist-XL taking on most physical attackers. Dark-type switch-ins such as Aromatisse and Diancie make for great partners, as Gourgeist-XL is weak to Dark-type moves, notably Knock Off and Pursuit, which Dark-types can take advantage of unless Gourgeist-XL is running Colbur Berry. Diancie synergizes very well with Gourgeist-XL, taking on the Dark-, Flying-, and Fire-types that Gourgeist-XL is weak to, while Gourgeist-XL takes on Ground- and Water-types for Diancie. Diancie also provides cleric support with Heal Bell so that Gourgeist-XL doesn't have to worry about Toxic as often. Alomomola takes on Fire-types for Gourgeist-XL while also taking on some special attackers like Exploud with a more specially defensive spread, and it appreciates Gourgeist-XL countering Swords Dance Virizion and checking Fighting-type wallbreakers.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fire Blast can be used with a Relaxed nature to hit Grass- and Steel-types, notably 2HKOing Escavalier, but it is very weak against all other Pokemon, and Gourgeist-XL can usually take on Steel-types by using Will-O-Wisp or Leech Seed. Shadow Sneak can be used to OHKO Hoopa before it can KO Gourgeist-XL, which is very useful for stall teams that struggle against it. However, Shadow Sneak hits nothing else that is notable, making it a very niche move on Gourgeist-XL.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Houndoom and Delphox are immune to Will-O-Wisp and resist Seed Bomb, preventing Gourgeist-XL from spreading status and using its STAB moves. While they can be worn down by Leech Seed and Delphox and Houndoom can be damaged heavily by Rock Slide on the switch, they still threaten Gourgeist-XL out due to their STAB moves KOing it.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Absol and Sneasel heavily threaten Gourgeist-XL with their strong STAB moves and can Pursuit trap it if it tries to switch out. Houndoom is even better of a check, being immune to Will-O-Wisp while also not getting affected by Foul Play if it tries to set up with Nasty Plot. However, physical Dark-types such as Absol and Sneasel have to watch out for Colbur Berry variants that can take a Knock Off easily and burn them, crippling them for the rest of the match.
**Status**: Burn and poison constantly wear down Gourgeist-XL, making it harder for it to check strong physical attackers while also forcing it to use Synthesis much more in a match.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Fletchinder and Golbat can threaten Gourgeist-XL with their strong STAB attacks while also having ways to get around Will-O-Wisp in Fletchinder's immunity and Golbat's Taunt. Braviary can even use the combination of Substitute and Bulk Up to set up on Gourgeist-XL while also not having to worry about Will-O-Wisp, Leech Seed, or Foul Play, with the Defense boosts preventing its Substitute from being broken. While Rock Slide variants of Gourgeist-XL can threaten Fletchinder with a KO, other variants can't do much to it outside of Leech Seed and Foul Play.
**Ice-types**: While a rarity in RU outside of the common Sneasel, Ice-types such as Sneasel and Jynx can still prove to be massive threats to Gourgeist-XL with their STAB moves hitting It super effectively and only fearing Rock Slide or Will-O-Wisp in Sneasel's case. Sneasel even has Pursuit to trap and do deal massive damage to non-Colbur Berry variants if Gourgeist-XL tries to switch out.
**Special Attackers**: Strong special attackers such as Choice Specs Meloetta and Life Orb Flygon can damage Gourgeist-XL heavily by hitting it on its mediocre Special Defense stat and easily 2HKOing or OHKOing it. Specially attacking setup sweepers, such as Substitute + Calm Mind Meloetta and Calm Mind Virizion, can also set up on Gourgeist-XL and deal massive damage afterwards.
**Ghost-types**: Opposing Ghost-types such as Hoopa, Rotom, and Mega Banette can all threaten Gourgeist-XL with their STAB moves and usually pick up the KO. However, they have a hard time getting in, since they all dislike Foul Play or status effects. Hoopa more than others has to be wary of the uncommon Shadow Sneak as well, which can OHKO it.
[OVERVIEW]
Gourgeist-XL possesses many great defensive qualities, such as its excellent Ghost / Grass typing that gives it resistances to common types such as Water and Ground and an immunity to Fighting-type moves, letting it handle Flygon and Hitmonlee effectively. It also has excellent physical bulk, allowing it to check many physical attackers in the tier, as well as being one of the best counters to Swords Dance Virizion, a premier threat. Gourgeist-XL is also able to spinblock, which is important for many defensive teams; this is further helped by Gourgeist-XL's decent matchup against the most common spinner Blastoise and its access to reliable recovery, allowing Gourgeist-XL to separate itself from other Ghost-types. However, Gourgeist-XL has weaknesses to common types such as Fire, Dark, and Flying and has mediocre special bulk, leaving it easily beaten by common special wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Meloetta and Life Orb Venusaur.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Will-O-Wisp
move 2: Synthesis
move 3: Foul Play
move 4: Leech Seed / Seed Bomb
item: Leftovers / Colbur Berry
ability: Frisk
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Will-O-Wisp is used to cripple physical attackers while also dealing residual damage to help wear down the opposing team. Synthesis provides Gourgeist-XL with reliable recovery, which helps keep it healthy. Foul Play allows Gourgeist-XL to hit physical setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Samurott and Swords Dance + RestTalk Escavalier, and it is Gourgeist-XL's best way of hitting Swords Dance Virizion, naturally hitting it for boosted damage due to Justified. Leech Seed allows Gourgeist-XL to gain some passive recovery while also putting pressure on switch-ins. Seed Bomb is a usable option over Leech Seed to deal with Ground- and Rock-types such as Rhyperior and Diancie much more quickly while also threatening Blastoise, enhancing Gourgeist-XL's spinblocking capabilities. Rock Slide is another option for the last moveslot to hit Fire-, Flying-, and Ice-types such as Houndoom, Sigilyph, and Sneasel, all of which are common switch-ins to Gourgeist-XL, while also OHKOing Fletchinder.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment with an Impish nature is used to make Gourgeist-XL as physically bulky as possible, allowing it to check physical attackers such as Medicham. Leftovers gives Gourgeist-XL extra passive recovery so it doesn't have to use Synthesis as often, and it works well in conjunction with Leech Seed to keep Gourgeist-XL more healthy. Colbur Berry is a good alternative option to help Gourgeist-XL more reliably check Fighting-types such as Hitmonlee by taking their Dark-type coverage much better; it also allows Gourgeist-XL to survive Sneasel's and Absol's Knock Off and cripple them with Will-O-Wisp in an emergency situation.
Usage Tips
========
Gourgeist-XL should be switched in on the Pokemon it checks, such as Fighting- and Ground-types. Gourgeist-XL must be wary of switching into Water-types, however, as even with its resistance to the typing, it can be crippled with a Scald burn or be taken out by offensive Water-types using Ice Beam. Once switched in safely, Gourgeist-XL can proceed to spread burns and Leech Seeds against the opposing team, crippling physical attackers and wearing down its switch-ins. Make sure to keep Gourgeist-XL healthy throughout the game with Synthesis and Leech Seed, as it needs to be able to take on strong physical attackers such as Life Orb Medicham. Gourgeist-XL can also spinblock thanks to its Ghost typing, so it can take on common spinners such as Hitmontop and Blastoise and keep entry hazards up on the field. However, Hitmontop and Blastoise both have ways of crippling Gourgeist-XL with Toxic and potential Scald burns, so do not switch in on them repeatedly.
Team Options
========
Gourgeist-XL usually finds itself on more defensively oriented teams, so it should be used with defensive partners in mind. Specially defensive Pokemon that can take the special hits that Gourgeist-XL cannot, such as Registeel and Mega Audino, are great partners, as they also appreciate Gourgeist-XL taking on most physical attackers. Dark-type switch-ins such as Aromatisse and Diancie make for great partners, as Gourgeist-XL is weak to Dark-type moves, notably Knock Off and Pursuit, which Dark-types can take advantage of unless Gourgeist-XL is running Colbur Berry. Diancie synergizes very well with Gourgeist-XL, taking on the Dark-, Flying-, and Fire-types that Gourgeist-XL is weak to, while Gourgeist-XL takes on Ground- and Water-types for Diancie. Diancie also provides cleric support with Heal Bell so that Gourgeist-XL doesn't have to worry about Toxic as often. Alomomola takes on Fire-types for Gourgeist-XL while also taking on some special attackers like Exploud with a more specially defensive spread, and it appreciates Gourgeist-XL countering Swords Dance Virizion and checking Fighting-type wallbreakers.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fire Blast can be used with a Relaxed nature to hit Grass- and Steel-types, notably 2HKOing Escavalier, but it is very weak against all other Pokemon, and Gourgeist-XL can usually take on Steel-types by using Will-O-Wisp or Leech Seed. Shadow Sneak can be used to OHKO Hoopa before it can KO Gourgeist-XL, which is very useful for stall teams that struggle against it. However, Shadow Sneak hits nothing else that is notable, making it a very niche move on Gourgeist-XL.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Houndoom and Delphox are immune to Will-O-Wisp and resist Seed Bomb, preventing Gourgeist-XL from spreading status and using its STAB moves. While they can be worn down by Leech Seed and Delphox and Houndoom can be damaged heavily by Rock Slide on the switch, they still threaten Gourgeist-XL out due to their STAB moves KOing it.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Absol and Sneasel heavily threaten Gourgeist-XL with their strong STAB moves and can Pursuit trap it if it tries to switch out. Houndoom is even better of a check, being immune to Will-O-Wisp while also not getting affected by Foul Play if it tries to set up with Nasty Plot. However, physical Dark-types such as Absol and Sneasel have to watch out for Colbur Berry variants that can take a Knock Off easily and burn them, crippling them for the rest of the match.
**Status**: Burn and poison constantly wear down Gourgeist-XL, making it harder for it to check strong physical attackers while also forcing it to use Synthesis much more in a match.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Fletchinder and Golbat can threaten Gourgeist-XL with their strong STAB attacks while also having ways to get around Will-O-Wisp in Fletchinder's immunity and Golbat's Taunt. Braviary can even use the combination of Substitute and Bulk Up to set up on Gourgeist-XL while also not having to worry about Will-O-Wisp, Leech Seed, or Foul Play, with the Defense boosts preventing its Substitute from being broken. While Rock Slide variants of Gourgeist-XL can threaten Fletchinder with a KO, other variants can't do much to it outside of Leech Seed and Foul Play.
**Ice-types**: While a rarity in RU outside of the common Sneasel, Ice-types such as Sneasel and Jynx can still prove to be massive threats to Gourgeist-XL with their STAB moves hitting It super effectively and only fearing Rock Slide or Will-O-Wisp in Sneasel's case. Sneasel even has Pursuit to trap and do deal massive damage to non-Colbur Berry variants if Gourgeist-XL tries to switch out.
**Special Attackers**: Strong special attackers such as Choice Specs Meloetta and Life Orb Flygon can damage Gourgeist-XL heavily by hitting it on its mediocre Special Defense stat and easily 2HKOing or OHKOing it. Specially attacking setup sweepers, such as Substitute + Calm Mind Meloetta and Calm Mind Virizion, can also set up on Gourgeist-XL and deal massive damage afterwards.
**Ghost-types**: Opposing Ghost-types such as Hoopa, Rotom, and Mega Banette can all threaten Gourgeist-XL with their STAB moves and usually pick up the KO. However, they have a hard time getting in, since they all dislike Foul Play or status effects. Hoopa more than others has to be wary of the uncommon Shadow Sneak as well, which can OHKO it.
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