Shroomisaur
Smogon's fantastical fun-guy.
#711 - Gourgeist
Type: Ghost / Grass
Base Stats:
Super Size: 85 / 100 / 122 / 58 / 75 / 54
Small Size: 55 / 85 / 122 / 58 / 75 / 99
(The sizes are referred to on Smogon as Gourgeist-S, Gourgeist-A, Gourgeist-L, and Gourgeist-H, from smallest to largest)
Abilities: Frisk / Pick-Up / Insomnia (DW)
Egg Moves:
Disable
Destiny Bond
Analysis:
Trevenant isn't the only new Grass/Ghost type in town! Gourgeist's typing sets it apart from other Ghosts, and Gourgeist also packs a nice movepool full of support and utility options. As a Ghost, Gourgeist will be able to fulfill the role of Spin-blocker for a team, and does so quite well with solid 55/122/75 defensive stats. Trevenant has superior attack power, and incredible healing potential through Rest and either Lum+Harvest, or Natural Cure. While Gourgeist's Frisk is not nearly as useful, it still has some tricks up its... gourd. Gourgeist notably has access to Shadow Sneak, which allows its Super Size form to bypass its awful speed. Gourgeist also has access to Pain Split which allows it to keep itself healthy while soaking up hits, and Leech Seed which always proves to be an excellent choice for keeping HP high and annoying your opponent. The newly buffed Will-O-Wisp is a signature move on most Gourgeist as well, making it incredibly strong against physical attackers.
The most unique aspect of Gourgeist is that it is the first and only Pokemon to come in different sizes! These sizes are not just cosmetic; they influence its base stats. The Small form has the highest speed, while the Super-Size form possesses low Speed in exchange for significantly higher HP & Attack! Because of this, there is an extra level of choice when you select Gourgeist, as you can select not only the EVs and Nature, but also the size that best suits your needs!
Super-Size Gourgeist looks to be the strongest overall form, but a smaller form may be necessary to outspeed a specific threat. 55/122/75 defenses are just for the small form - larger forms increase to 85/122/75. One very interesting fact is that Gourgeist is the only Grass-type to learn Flamethrower and Fire Blast! Even with its awful base SpAtk, this will potentially allow Gourgeist to surprise would-be counters such as Ferrothorn:
0 SpA Gourgeist Fire Blast vs. 224 HP / 32 SpD Skarmory: 132-156 (40.36 - 47.7%)
0 SpA Gourgeist Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 208 SpD Ferrothorn: 152-180 (43.18 - 51.13%)
0 SpA Gourgeist Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Forretress: 308-364 (87 - 102.82%)
92 EVs are necessary to guarantee the 2HKO on Ferrothorn and Skarmory with SR. This will also provide a 56.25% chance to OHKO 248/8 Scizor.
Potential Movesets:
Jack-o-Lantern of all Trades
Gourgeist-H @ Leftovers
Size: Super Size
Ability: Frisk
Nature: Impish
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
- Will-O-Wisp
- Leech Seed / Pain Split
- Shadow Sneak
- Seed Bomb
The jack-o-Lantern of all Trades is a utility set, focusing on absorbing hits and blocking Rapid Spin for your team. With maximum investment, Gourgeist can handle physical hits very well, and Will-O-Wisp complements Gourgeist's naturally high physical Defense. Pain Split (or Leech Seed) can both be used to drain your opponent while keeping Gourgeist healthy throughout the match, allowing it to switch in repeatedly.
Seed Bomb is the reliable STAB option, and Gourgeist also features Shadow Sneak to negate Super-Size Gourgeist's awful speed and take out weakened Sweepers. A specially defensive EV spread with a Careful nature can be run as well to turn Gourgeist into a mixed wall.
Small Sub-Seeding Squash
Gourgeist-S @ Leftovers
Size: Small
Ability: Frisk
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 HP / 72 Def / 184 Spe
- Will-O-Wisp
- Leech Seed
- Protect / Pain Split
- Seed Bomb / Substitute
This build plays to the strengths of small Gourgeist: a fast sub-seeder with unique typing and tricks up its sleeve! Small Gourgeist can outpace many physical threats, including Jolly Lucario, and burn them with Will-O-Wisp. From there, Small Gourgeist can use Leech Seed and begin the stalling process to frustrate your opponent to no end. Combined with Protect, Substitute, and/or Pain Split, Gourgeist has solid sustainability.
The final slot is the attack of your choice. Running a Calm nature allows Gourgeist to maintain its speed while also allowing Fire Blast to deal with opposing Grass or Steel type threats. Or you could choose to run STAB Phantom Force, which allows you to stall for an extra turn of leftovers, Leech Seed and/or burn damage and hit with your better attack stat, at the expense of being predictable and locked in.
Trick Room Gourd Grenade
Gourgeist-H @ Life Orb / Normal Gem
Size: Super Size
Ability: Frisk
Nature: Brave
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpA
IVs: 0 Speed
- Trick Room
- Explosion
- Seed Bomb
- Shadow Sneak / Rock Slide / Fire Blast / WoW
Extremely straightforward, this Gourgeist puts the awful speed of Super Size Gourgeist to use! Set up Trick Room and then either hit something, or more likely, Explode on the opponent to give a TR sweeper of your choice 3 turns to rampage. While Gourgeist has good attack power, it lacks the physical movepool necessary to really abuse TR itself, which is why Explosion is often the best option.
Conclusion:
Gourgeist looks to be a durable utility Pokemon full of options for teams needing a Ghost type. Gourgeist actually possesses an expansive special movepool, including Shadow Ball, Fire Blast, Focus Blast, Grass Knot, and Dark Pulse. Unfortunately it is cursed with 58 base SpA and is unable to use them effectively. On the other hand, Gourgeist's usable Attack stat is hampered by its sparce physical movepool, and it lacks Shadow Claw. What do you think about Gourgest, and how do you think it will fit into the metagame?
Type: Ghost / Grass
Base Stats:
Super Size: 85 / 100 / 122 / 58 / 75 / 54
Small Size: 55 / 85 / 122 / 58 / 75 / 99
(The sizes are referred to on Smogon as Gourgeist-S, Gourgeist-A, Gourgeist-L, and Gourgeist-H, from smallest to largest)
Abilities: Frisk / Pick-Up / Insomnia (DW)
- Trick
- Astonish
- Confuse Ray
- Explosion
- Phantom Force
Lv 4: Scary Face
Lv 6: Trick-or-Treat (NEW! Target gains Ghost-typing in addition to their normal typing)
Lv 11: Worry Seed
Lv 16: Razor Leaf
Lv 20: Leech Seed
Lv 26: Bullet Seed
Lv 30: Shadow Sneak
Lv 36: Shadow Ball
Lv 42: Pain Split
Lv 48: Seed Bomb
Lv 57: Phantom Force
Lv 70: Shadow Ball
Lv 75: Explosion
- Astonish
- Confuse Ray
- Explosion
- Phantom Force
Lv 4: Scary Face
Lv 6: Trick-or-Treat (NEW! Target gains Ghost-typing in addition to their normal typing)
Lv 11: Worry Seed
Lv 16: Razor Leaf
Lv 20: Leech Seed
Lv 26: Bullet Seed
Lv 30: Shadow Sneak
Lv 36: Shadow Ball
Lv 42: Pain Split
Lv 48: Seed Bomb
Lv 57: Phantom Force
Lv 70: Shadow Ball
Lv 75: Explosion
TM06 Toxic
TM10 Hidden Power
TM11 Sunny Day
TM15 Hyper Beam
TM16 Light Screen
TM17 Protect
TM20 Safeguard
TM21 Frustration
TM22 Solar Beam
TM27 Return
TM29 Psychic
TM30 Shadow Ball
TM32 Double Team
TM35 Flamethrower
TM36 Sludge Bomb
TM38 Fire Blast
TM42 Facade
TM43 Flame Charge
TM44 Rest
TM45 Attract
TM46 Thief
TM48 Round
TM52 Focus Blast
TM53 Energy Ball
TM57 Charge Beam
TM59 Incinerate
TM61 Will-O-Wisp
TM64 Explosion
TM68 Giga Impact
TM70 Flash
TM74 Gyro Ball
TM80 Rock Slide
TM85 Dream Eater
TM86 Grass Knot
TM87 Swagger
TM88 Sleep Talk
TM90 Substitute
TM92 Trick Room
TM94 Rock Smash
TM96 Nature Power
TM97 Dark Pulse
TM100 Confide
TM10 Hidden Power
TM11 Sunny Day
TM15 Hyper Beam
TM16 Light Screen
TM17 Protect
TM20 Safeguard
TM21 Frustration
TM22 Solar Beam
TM27 Return
TM29 Psychic
TM30 Shadow Ball
TM32 Double Team
TM35 Flamethrower
TM36 Sludge Bomb
TM38 Fire Blast
TM42 Facade
TM43 Flame Charge
TM44 Rest
TM45 Attract
TM46 Thief
TM48 Round
TM52 Focus Blast
TM53 Energy Ball
TM57 Charge Beam
TM59 Incinerate
TM61 Will-O-Wisp
TM64 Explosion
TM68 Giga Impact
TM70 Flash
TM74 Gyro Ball
TM80 Rock Slide
TM85 Dream Eater
TM86 Grass Knot
TM87 Swagger
TM88 Sleep Talk
TM90 Substitute
TM92 Trick Room
TM94 Rock Smash
TM96 Nature Power
TM97 Dark Pulse
TM100 Confide
Egg Moves:
Disable
Destiny Bond
Analysis:
Trevenant isn't the only new Grass/Ghost type in town! Gourgeist's typing sets it apart from other Ghosts, and Gourgeist also packs a nice movepool full of support and utility options. As a Ghost, Gourgeist will be able to fulfill the role of Spin-blocker for a team, and does so quite well with solid 55/122/75 defensive stats. Trevenant has superior attack power, and incredible healing potential through Rest and either Lum+Harvest, or Natural Cure. While Gourgeist's Frisk is not nearly as useful, it still has some tricks up its... gourd. Gourgeist notably has access to Shadow Sneak, which allows its Super Size form to bypass its awful speed. Gourgeist also has access to Pain Split which allows it to keep itself healthy while soaking up hits, and Leech Seed which always proves to be an excellent choice for keeping HP high and annoying your opponent. The newly buffed Will-O-Wisp is a signature move on most Gourgeist as well, making it incredibly strong against physical attackers.
The most unique aspect of Gourgeist is that it is the first and only Pokemon to come in different sizes! These sizes are not just cosmetic; they influence its base stats. The Small form has the highest speed, while the Super-Size form possesses low Speed in exchange for significantly higher HP & Attack! Because of this, there is an extra level of choice when you select Gourgeist, as you can select not only the EVs and Nature, but also the size that best suits your needs!
Super-Size Gourgeist looks to be the strongest overall form, but a smaller form may be necessary to outspeed a specific threat. 55/122/75 defenses are just for the small form - larger forms increase to 85/122/75. One very interesting fact is that Gourgeist is the only Grass-type to learn Flamethrower and Fire Blast! Even with its awful base SpAtk, this will potentially allow Gourgeist to surprise would-be counters such as Ferrothorn:
0 SpA Gourgeist Fire Blast vs. 224 HP / 32 SpD Skarmory: 132-156 (40.36 - 47.7%)
0 SpA Gourgeist Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 208 SpD Ferrothorn: 152-180 (43.18 - 51.13%)
0 SpA Gourgeist Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Forretress: 308-364 (87 - 102.82%)
92 EVs are necessary to guarantee the 2HKO on Ferrothorn and Skarmory with SR. This will also provide a 56.25% chance to OHKO 248/8 Scizor.
Potential Movesets:
Jack-o-Lantern of all Trades
Gourgeist-H @ Leftovers
Size: Super Size
Ability: Frisk
Nature: Impish
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
- Will-O-Wisp
- Leech Seed / Pain Split
- Shadow Sneak
- Seed Bomb
The jack-o-Lantern of all Trades is a utility set, focusing on absorbing hits and blocking Rapid Spin for your team. With maximum investment, Gourgeist can handle physical hits very well, and Will-O-Wisp complements Gourgeist's naturally high physical Defense. Pain Split (or Leech Seed) can both be used to drain your opponent while keeping Gourgeist healthy throughout the match, allowing it to switch in repeatedly.
Seed Bomb is the reliable STAB option, and Gourgeist also features Shadow Sneak to negate Super-Size Gourgeist's awful speed and take out weakened Sweepers. A specially defensive EV spread with a Careful nature can be run as well to turn Gourgeist into a mixed wall.
Small Sub-Seeding Squash
Gourgeist-S @ Leftovers
Size: Small
Ability: Frisk
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 HP / 72 Def / 184 Spe
- Will-O-Wisp
- Leech Seed
- Protect / Pain Split
- Seed Bomb / Substitute
This build plays to the strengths of small Gourgeist: a fast sub-seeder with unique typing and tricks up its sleeve! Small Gourgeist can outpace many physical threats, including Jolly Lucario, and burn them with Will-O-Wisp. From there, Small Gourgeist can use Leech Seed and begin the stalling process to frustrate your opponent to no end. Combined with Protect, Substitute, and/or Pain Split, Gourgeist has solid sustainability.
The final slot is the attack of your choice. Running a Calm nature allows Gourgeist to maintain its speed while also allowing Fire Blast to deal with opposing Grass or Steel type threats. Or you could choose to run STAB Phantom Force, which allows you to stall for an extra turn of leftovers, Leech Seed and/or burn damage and hit with your better attack stat, at the expense of being predictable and locked in.
Trick Room Gourd Grenade
Gourgeist-H @ Life Orb / Normal Gem
Size: Super Size
Ability: Frisk
Nature: Brave
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpA
IVs: 0 Speed
- Trick Room
- Explosion
- Seed Bomb
- Shadow Sneak / Rock Slide / Fire Blast / WoW
Extremely straightforward, this Gourgeist puts the awful speed of Super Size Gourgeist to use! Set up Trick Room and then either hit something, or more likely, Explode on the opponent to give a TR sweeper of your choice 3 turns to rampage. While Gourgeist has good attack power, it lacks the physical movepool necessary to really abuse TR itself, which is why Explosion is often the best option.
Conclusion:
Gourgeist looks to be a durable utility Pokemon full of options for teams needing a Ghost type. Gourgeist actually possesses an expansive special movepool, including Shadow Ball, Fire Blast, Focus Blast, Grass Knot, and Dark Pulse. Unfortunately it is cursed with 58 base SpA and is unable to use them effectively. On the other hand, Gourgeist's usable Attack stat is hampered by its sparce physical movepool, and it lacks Shadow Claw. What do you think about Gourgest, and how do you think it will fit into the metagame?
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