[SET]
name: Physical Wall
move 1: Synthesis
move 2: Foul Play
move 3: Toxic / Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Power Whip / Leech Seed
item: No Item
ability: Frisk
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Boasting great bulk, a unique defensive typing, and a variety of utility moves, Gourgeist-XL is one of the most reliable counters to physical wallbreakers like Thwackey, Sawk, and Rhydon. Foul Play is the primary attacking option due to its ability to hit a wide range of attackers, including Piloswine and Klinklang, and the fact that nothing is immune to it. Toxic is a great way to pressure walls like Alcremie, Tangela, and Miltank, while Will-O-Wisp is another option that cripples physical foes like Qwilfish and Silvally-Dark who may try to switch into it. Power Whip is a powerful attack that destroys bulky Pokemon like Stunfisk, Rhydon, and Piloswine. Leech Seed makes Gourgeist-XL less reliable against the aforementioned Ground-types, but it provides consistent chip damage and recovery, making it less reliant on Synthesis. By not holding an item, Gourgeist-XL weakens opposing Knock Off users and gains a Poltergeist immunity to beat opposing Gourgeist formes and Choice Band Froslass.
Bulky offense and balance teams looking for a physically defensive behemoth that absorbs Knock Off well will highly benefit from Gourgeist-XL's presence. Gourgeist-XL's great matchup against Pokemon like Sawk and Thwackey is greatly appreciated by walls like Miltank, Rhydon, and Poliwrath. In return, these walls can absorb the Ghost-, Fire-, and Ice-type attacks that directly threaten Gourgeist-XL. Miltank is an especially good partner, as it resists all three of those types and can use Heal Bell to cure Gourgeist-XL of status. Entry hazard removers including Altaria, Articuno, and Cramorant also cover Gourgeist-XL's weaknesses and prevent hazards from withering it down. Late-game cleaners like Klinklang, Silvally-Poison, and Jynx love Gourgeist-XL spreading status, wearing down foes to make sweeping easier. Gourgeist-XL's ability to absorb hits from revenge killers like Sawk, Alolan Dugtrio, and Gurdurr is great for wallbreakers like Theivul, Skuntank, and Lycanroc-Midnight who fear revenge killers.
[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Power Whip
move 2: Poltergeist
move 3: Shadow Sneak
move 4: Synthesis
item: No Item
ability: Frisk
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Gourgeist-XL's raw power, thanks to its solid Attack and incredible STAB combination, and its excellent overall bulk make it a strong physical tank. Shadow Sneak makes Gourgeist-XL a potent revenge killer, picking off chipped foes like Froslass, Rotom, and Jynx. Synthesis keeps Gourgeist-XL healthy, allowing it to check Pokemon like Thwackey, Sawk, and Rotom throughout the game. To assist in its defensive versatility, Gourgeist-XL doesn't hold an item so that it can weaken Knock Off and be immune to Poltergeist from opposing Gourgeist formes and Froslass.
Offensive teams that want a physical attacker that can take multiple hits love Gourgeist-XL's combination of offensive and defensive prowess. However, Poltergeist's item requirement gives it negative synergy with Knock Off teammates. It enjoys pairing with wallbreakers that can threaten the Flying-, Grass- and Fire-types that switch into Power Whip. Jynx, Silvally-Poison, and Rhydon serve as great partners as a result. Rhydon, alongside Qwilfish and Piloswine, also provide entry hazard support to make Gourgiest-XL's attacks more difficult to switch into. Although it has significant bulk, Gourgeist-XL's common weaknesses require defensive partners like Poliwrath, Rapidash, and Stunfisk. Miltank is particularly good, providing Heal Bell support and resistances to Ghost, Fire, and Ice. In return, Gourgeist-XL handles Fighting-, Grass-, and Water-type attacks while putting out offensive pressure.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Gourgeist-XL can run 144 Speed EVs to outpace Adamant Rhydon, giving it more consistency in the matchup. However, this sacrifices a significant amount of bulk, making it less reliable as a physical wall or tank. Colbur Berry helps Gourgeist-XL become an incredible Knock Off absorber, and also lets it take a Multi-Attack from Silvally-Dark before attacking or burning it, at the cost of losing to Poltergeist users like opposing Gourgeist formes. Gourgeist-XL can set up Trick Room and take advantage of it, due to its great bulk and low Speed. However, Trick Room is a niche playstyle and requires much more team support than Gourgeist-XL's standard sets. Choice Band maximizes Gourgeist-XL's strength, but faces severe competition from Trevenant, Thwackey, and Gourgeist-S.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Special Wallbreakers**: Albeit not fragile, Gourgeist-XL lacks the special bulk to consistently handle multiple hits from special attackers. They can't switch into it, and they should watch out for Shadow Sneak, but wallbreakers like Rotom and Jynx can hit it with strong super effective coverage. There also are breakers like Exeggutor and Appletun who hit it hard with neutral coverage.
**Fire-type Pokemon**: Fire-type Pokemon like Rapidash and Ninetales resist Power Whip and immediately threaten it, although Poltergeist can be scary to switch into for Ninetales and a weakened Rapidash. Coalossal is neutral to Power Whip, but has super effective STAB moves and Flame Body to cripple Gourgeist-XL.
**Dark-type Pokemon**: Gourgeist-XL may handle Knock Off decently, but its weakness makes it vulnerable to attacks from Silvally-Dark and Thievul. Alolan Persian has the physical bulk to handle its attacks and can weaken it with Toxic, Foul Play, or Parting Shot. Skuntank has the rare trait of resisting both of its STAB moves, and can immediately threaten Gourgeist-XL without worrying about status.
**Flying-type Pokemon: Although Poltergeist can hit them hard, Articuno, Altaria, and Silvally-Flying can switch into Power Whip and directly threaten Gourgeist-XL with their super effective STAB moves. While it dislikes being burned, Unfezant is additionally immune to Poltergeist.
**Sap Sipper Normal-types**: Miltank and Bouffalant can use Sap Sipper to completely wall both of Gourgeist-XL's STAB attacks. They should be careful to not switch into Toxic, and Bouffalant gets crippled by Will-O-Wisp, but most Miltanks run Heal Bell to negate this.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[viet noa, 528055]]
- Quality checked by: [[Corthius, 484079], [Tuthur, 369076]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
name: Physical Wall
move 1: Synthesis
move 2: Foul Play
move 3: Toxic / Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Power Whip / Leech Seed
item: No Item
ability: Frisk
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Boasting great bulk, a unique defensive typing, and a variety of utility moves, Gourgeist-XL is one of the most reliable counters to physical wallbreakers like Thwackey, Sawk, and Rhydon. Foul Play is the primary attacking option due to its ability to hit a wide range of attackers, including Piloswine and Klinklang, and the fact that nothing is immune to it. Toxic is a great way to pressure walls like Alcremie, Tangela, and Miltank, while Will-O-Wisp is another option that cripples physical foes like Qwilfish and Silvally-Dark who may try to switch into it. Power Whip is a powerful attack that destroys bulky Pokemon like Stunfisk, Rhydon, and Piloswine. Leech Seed makes Gourgeist-XL less reliable against the aforementioned Ground-types, but it provides consistent chip damage and recovery, making it less reliant on Synthesis. By not holding an item, Gourgeist-XL weakens opposing Knock Off users and gains a Poltergeist immunity to beat opposing Gourgeist formes and Choice Band Froslass.
Bulky offense and balance teams looking for a physically defensive behemoth that absorbs Knock Off well will highly benefit from Gourgeist-XL's presence. Gourgeist-XL's great matchup against Pokemon like Sawk and Thwackey is greatly appreciated by walls like Miltank, Rhydon, and Poliwrath. In return, these walls can absorb the Ghost-, Fire-, and Ice-type attacks that directly threaten Gourgeist-XL. Miltank is an especially good partner, as it resists all three of those types and can use Heal Bell to cure Gourgeist-XL of status. Entry hazard removers including Altaria, Articuno, and Cramorant also cover Gourgeist-XL's weaknesses and prevent hazards from withering it down. Late-game cleaners like Klinklang, Silvally-Poison, and Jynx love Gourgeist-XL spreading status, wearing down foes to make sweeping easier. Gourgeist-XL's ability to absorb hits from revenge killers like Sawk, Alolan Dugtrio, and Gurdurr is great for wallbreakers like Theivul, Skuntank, and Lycanroc-Midnight who fear revenge killers.
[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Power Whip
move 2: Poltergeist
move 3: Shadow Sneak
move 4: Synthesis
item: No Item
ability: Frisk
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Gourgeist-XL's raw power, thanks to its solid Attack and incredible STAB combination, and its excellent overall bulk make it a strong physical tank. Shadow Sneak makes Gourgeist-XL a potent revenge killer, picking off chipped foes like Froslass, Rotom, and Jynx. Synthesis keeps Gourgeist-XL healthy, allowing it to check Pokemon like Thwackey, Sawk, and Rotom throughout the game. To assist in its defensive versatility, Gourgeist-XL doesn't hold an item so that it can weaken Knock Off and be immune to Poltergeist from opposing Gourgeist formes and Froslass.
Offensive teams that want a physical attacker that can take multiple hits love Gourgeist-XL's combination of offensive and defensive prowess. However, Poltergeist's item requirement gives it negative synergy with Knock Off teammates. It enjoys pairing with wallbreakers that can threaten the Flying-, Grass- and Fire-types that switch into Power Whip. Jynx, Silvally-Poison, and Rhydon serve as great partners as a result. Rhydon, alongside Qwilfish and Piloswine, also provide entry hazard support to make Gourgiest-XL's attacks more difficult to switch into. Although it has significant bulk, Gourgeist-XL's common weaknesses require defensive partners like Poliwrath, Rapidash, and Stunfisk. Miltank is particularly good, providing Heal Bell support and resistances to Ghost, Fire, and Ice. In return, Gourgeist-XL handles Fighting-, Grass-, and Water-type attacks while putting out offensive pressure.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Gourgeist-XL can run 144 Speed EVs to outpace Adamant Rhydon, giving it more consistency in the matchup. However, this sacrifices a significant amount of bulk, making it less reliable as a physical wall or tank. Colbur Berry helps Gourgeist-XL become an incredible Knock Off absorber, and also lets it take a Multi-Attack from Silvally-Dark before attacking or burning it, at the cost of losing to Poltergeist users like opposing Gourgeist formes. Gourgeist-XL can set up Trick Room and take advantage of it, due to its great bulk and low Speed. However, Trick Room is a niche playstyle and requires much more team support than Gourgeist-XL's standard sets. Choice Band maximizes Gourgeist-XL's strength, but faces severe competition from Trevenant, Thwackey, and Gourgeist-S.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Special Wallbreakers**: Albeit not fragile, Gourgeist-XL lacks the special bulk to consistently handle multiple hits from special attackers. They can't switch into it, and they should watch out for Shadow Sneak, but wallbreakers like Rotom and Jynx can hit it with strong super effective coverage. There also are breakers like Exeggutor and Appletun who hit it hard with neutral coverage.
**Fire-type Pokemon**: Fire-type Pokemon like Rapidash and Ninetales resist Power Whip and immediately threaten it, although Poltergeist can be scary to switch into for Ninetales and a weakened Rapidash. Coalossal is neutral to Power Whip, but has super effective STAB moves and Flame Body to cripple Gourgeist-XL.
**Dark-type Pokemon**: Gourgeist-XL may handle Knock Off decently, but its weakness makes it vulnerable to attacks from Silvally-Dark and Thievul. Alolan Persian has the physical bulk to handle its attacks and can weaken it with Toxic, Foul Play, or Parting Shot. Skuntank has the rare trait of resisting both of its STAB moves, and can immediately threaten Gourgeist-XL without worrying about status.
**Flying-type Pokemon: Although Poltergeist can hit them hard, Articuno, Altaria, and Silvally-Flying can switch into Power Whip and directly threaten Gourgeist-XL with their super effective STAB moves. While it dislikes being burned, Unfezant is additionally immune to Poltergeist.
**Sap Sipper Normal-types**: Miltank and Bouffalant can use Sap Sipper to completely wall both of Gourgeist-XL's STAB attacks. They should be careful to not switch into Toxic, and Bouffalant gets crippled by Will-O-Wisp, but most Miltanks run Heal Bell to negate this.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[viet noa, 528055]]
- Quality checked by: [[Corthius, 484079], [Tuthur, 369076]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
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