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[OVERVIEW]
Granbull is one of the rare Fairy-types in PU, albeit a mediocre one. However, its combination of a wide movepool, high Attack stat for a support Pokemon, solid physical bulk, and a great ability in Intimidate gives it some reason to use. Its Fairy typing allows it to both wall and take down common threats such as Hitmonchan and Gurdurr as well as the elusive Sableye and Spiritomb. One of Granbull's main selling points over other Fairy-types is its access to Earthquake, which discourages Poison- and Steel-types such as Aggron and Qwilfish from switching in. Granbull's access to utility moves such as Heal Bell and Thunder Wave also allows it to diminish potential threats for its team. Unfortunately, Granbull suffers from a low Special Defense stat, meaning Granbull can be used exclusively as a physical wall, as well as a poor base 45 Speed stat, leaving it weak to Taunt and affecting its ability to hit its threats first with an Earthquake. Its low Speed also furthers its susceptibility to special attacks. Granbull also lacks reliable recovery and relies on Leftovers or Z-Heal Bell to heal. Because of this, Granbull's role as a defensive Fairy-type is contested by Clefairy and Silvally-Fairy, with the former having better special bulk as well as access to Soft-Boiled and Stealth Rock and the latter having access to Parting Shot and Defog.
[SET]
name: Offensive Support
move 1: Heal Bell
move 2: Thunder Wave
move 3: Play Rough
move 4: Earthquake
item: Leftovers / Normalium Z
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Heal Bell provides Granbull with some nice utility, allowing it to remove any status ailments from its team, including itself. Thunder Wave provides additional utility and speed control, helping to cripple fast foes such as Scyther and Alolan Persian, as well as improving matchups against switch-ins such as Aggron and Alolan Sandslash. Play Rough gives Granbull offensive pressure and forces switches on Fighting- and Dark-type Pokemon such as Hitmonchan, Gurdurr, Alolan Raticate, and Absol. Earthquake allows Granbull to reliably dent Poison- and Steel-type foes that switch into it, such as Aggron and Qwilfish. Super Fang is an alternative to Earthquake that is useful against bulky Pokemon that lack recovery such as Regirock or if Granbull is low on HP as a last stand.
Set Details
========
Leftovers provides Granbull with residual recovery, which it otherwise lacks, but Z-Heal Bell is another viable choice that provides Granbull with a one-time-use full recovery. Maximum Attack investment allows Granbull to 2HKO Gurdurr and OHKO Hitmonchan, as well as OHKO Aggron after Stealth Rock with Earthquake.
Usage Tips
========
Granbull works best early-game as a switch-in to walls or bulky offensive Pokemon like Gurdurr, where it can get off a Heal Bell and possibly a Play Rough before the opponent switches out. If running Z-Heal Bell, it should ideally be used when Granbull is low on health and expecting the opponent to switch out to ensure maximum longevity. While Granbull can OHKO Aggron and 2HKO Qwilfish after Stealth Rock, it is otherwise unlikely and not advised without residual damage.
Team Options
========
Granbull tends to fit best on bulky offense and balance teams due to its high HP and Attack stats allowing it to deal damage as well as take hits. Its ability to both spread and remove status is also an asset to such teams and provides good role compression. Wallbreakers and cleaners such as Kangaskhan, Zangoose, and Absol appreciate Thunder Wave support due to their average Speed tiers, and both Zangoose and Absol, which are particularly frail, can switch out to Granbull to avoid being revenge killed by Gurdurr or Hitmonchan. Granbull appreciates the presence of bulky offensive Steel- and Ground-types such as Aggron and Mudsdale, which resist or are immune to Granbull's main weakness in Poison and can often switch in freely on Poison- or Steel-type attacks. Additionally, Aggron in turn benefits from Granbull's ability to force out Fighting-types such as Gurdurr, giving Aggron time to safely switch in. Granbull is capable of tanking a Knock Off for a threatened teammate such as Scyther or offensive Mesprit, particularly with Normalium Z. Entry hazard removers make brilliant partners for Granbull with their ability to mitigate its lack of recovery, and those with low Defense such as Skuntank and Hitmonchan appreciate Granbull's Intimidate ability giving them an opening to switch in. Furthermore, Hitmonchan threatens Steel-types for Granbull, and special Skuntank is able to eliminate some checks to Granbull such as Qwilfish. Alolan Sandslash also synergizes well with Granbull in this sense due to its Poison-type immunity and access to Rapid Spin. Audino makes a particularly effective partner, mitigating Granbull's weakness to residual damage with reliable Wish support, with Granbull freeing up a slot for it due to running Heal Bell instead and checking Fighting-types that can potentially threaten Audino. Audino also complements Granbull's physical bulk with its own special bulk. Finally, special wallbreakers such as Alolan Raichu make good teammates, as Granbull often baits in physical walls like Mudsdale and Tangela.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Granbull can run maximum Defense EVs instead of maximum Attack along with an Impish nature in order to be as physically bulky as possible at the cost of damage output if a more supportive role is required. In terms of items, Rocky Helmet is an option that allows Granbull to punish physical attackers or pressure them into switching, but it sacrifices what little recovery Granbull has. Choice Band can also be used to complement Granbull's Attack stat and improve its wallbreaking ability, but it is outclassed by other wallbreakers such as Aggron and removes Granbull's utility. Thunder Wave can be swapped for Toxic in order to wear down bulky walls and switch-ins, but Thunder Wave is often preferred, as it acts more immediately and leaves special sweepers open to revenge kills from teammates. Roar is another alternative to Thunder Wave if Granbull's team is weak to setup sweepers. If coverage is an issue, Granbull can swap Earthquake for Stone Edge to hit Froslass and Flying-types such as Articuno; however, Earthquake not only is the most effective and reliable choice but also helps to hit Granbull's potential checks in Fire-, Poison-, and Steel-type Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Poison-types**: Specially offensive Poison-types such as Haunter, Roselia, and Victreebel are capable of switching in on and OHKOing Granbull without much worry.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: While Granbull isn't particularly bothered by some walls, it's threatened by those capable of outlasting it and possibly hitting back with special attacks. This includes bulky Grass-types such as Bellossom and Tangela, which receive reliable recovery in the form of Strength Sap and Synthesis and can use Granbull as setup fodder in the case of the former, and Mudsdale, which completely walls Granbull due to its Stamina ability and threatens it with Heavy Slam even despite having a lower Attack stat from Granbull's Intimidate.
**Strong Special Attackers**: Hard-hitters capable of outspeeding Granbull, such as Choice Specs Mesprit and Alolan Raichu, threaten it massively, as its low Special Defense leaves Granbull weak to invested special attacks.
**Steel-types**: Most Steel-types, such as Aggron and Alolan Sandslash, can switch into Play Rough fairly easily and threaten Granbull with their Steel-type STAB attacks. However, most Steel-types in the tier are 1-2HKOd by Earthquake, save the rare Bronzor.
**Residual Damage**: Granbull suffers badly from chip damage, entry hazards, and Leech Seed due to its lack of recovery.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Sir Pin, 462866]]
- Quality checked by: [[allstarapology, 400292], [UberSkitty, 355061], [Megazard, 202117]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Fireflame479, 231476]]
[OVERVIEW]
Granbull is one of the rare Fairy-types in PU, albeit a mediocre one. However, its combination of a wide movepool, high Attack stat for a support Pokemon, solid physical bulk, and a great ability in Intimidate gives it some reason to use. Its Fairy typing allows it to both wall and take down common threats such as Hitmonchan and Gurdurr as well as the elusive Sableye and Spiritomb. One of Granbull's main selling points over other Fairy-types is its access to Earthquake, which discourages Poison- and Steel-types such as Aggron and Qwilfish from switching in. Granbull's access to utility moves such as Heal Bell and Thunder Wave also allows it to diminish potential threats for its team. Unfortunately, Granbull suffers from a low Special Defense stat, meaning Granbull can be used exclusively as a physical wall, as well as a poor base 45 Speed stat, leaving it weak to Taunt and affecting its ability to hit its threats first with an Earthquake. Its low Speed also furthers its susceptibility to special attacks. Granbull also lacks reliable recovery and relies on Leftovers or Z-Heal Bell to heal. Because of this, Granbull's role as a defensive Fairy-type is contested by Clefairy and Silvally-Fairy, with the former having better special bulk as well as access to Soft-Boiled and Stealth Rock and the latter having access to Parting Shot and Defog.
[SET]
name: Offensive Support
move 1: Heal Bell
move 2: Thunder Wave
move 3: Play Rough
move 4: Earthquake
item: Leftovers / Normalium Z
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Heal Bell provides Granbull with some nice utility, allowing it to remove any status ailments from its team, including itself. Thunder Wave provides additional utility and speed control, helping to cripple fast foes such as Scyther and Alolan Persian, as well as improving matchups against switch-ins such as Aggron and Alolan Sandslash. Play Rough gives Granbull offensive pressure and forces switches on Fighting- and Dark-type Pokemon such as Hitmonchan, Gurdurr, Alolan Raticate, and Absol. Earthquake allows Granbull to reliably dent Poison- and Steel-type foes that switch into it, such as Aggron and Qwilfish. Super Fang is an alternative to Earthquake that is useful against bulky Pokemon that lack recovery such as Regirock or if Granbull is low on HP as a last stand.
Set Details
========
Leftovers provides Granbull with residual recovery, which it otherwise lacks, but Z-Heal Bell is another viable choice that provides Granbull with a one-time-use full recovery. Maximum Attack investment allows Granbull to 2HKO Gurdurr and OHKO Hitmonchan, as well as OHKO Aggron after Stealth Rock with Earthquake.
Usage Tips
========
Granbull works best early-game as a switch-in to walls or bulky offensive Pokemon like Gurdurr, where it can get off a Heal Bell and possibly a Play Rough before the opponent switches out. If running Z-Heal Bell, it should ideally be used when Granbull is low on health and expecting the opponent to switch out to ensure maximum longevity. While Granbull can OHKO Aggron and 2HKO Qwilfish after Stealth Rock, it is otherwise unlikely and not advised without residual damage.
Team Options
========
Granbull tends to fit best on bulky offense and balance teams due to its high HP and Attack stats allowing it to deal damage as well as take hits. Its ability to both spread and remove status is also an asset to such teams and provides good role compression. Wallbreakers and cleaners such as Kangaskhan, Zangoose, and Absol appreciate Thunder Wave support due to their average Speed tiers, and both Zangoose and Absol, which are particularly frail, can switch out to Granbull to avoid being revenge killed by Gurdurr or Hitmonchan. Granbull appreciates the presence of bulky offensive Steel- and Ground-types such as Aggron and Mudsdale, which resist or are immune to Granbull's main weakness in Poison and can often switch in freely on Poison- or Steel-type attacks. Additionally, Aggron in turn benefits from Granbull's ability to force out Fighting-types such as Gurdurr, giving Aggron time to safely switch in. Granbull is capable of tanking a Knock Off for a threatened teammate such as Scyther or offensive Mesprit, particularly with Normalium Z. Entry hazard removers make brilliant partners for Granbull with their ability to mitigate its lack of recovery, and those with low Defense such as Skuntank and Hitmonchan appreciate Granbull's Intimidate ability giving them an opening to switch in. Furthermore, Hitmonchan threatens Steel-types for Granbull, and special Skuntank is able to eliminate some checks to Granbull such as Qwilfish. Alolan Sandslash also synergizes well with Granbull in this sense due to its Poison-type immunity and access to Rapid Spin. Audino makes a particularly effective partner, mitigating Granbull's weakness to residual damage with reliable Wish support, with Granbull freeing up a slot for it due to running Heal Bell instead and checking Fighting-types that can potentially threaten Audino. Audino also complements Granbull's physical bulk with its own special bulk. Finally, special wallbreakers such as Alolan Raichu make good teammates, as Granbull often baits in physical walls like Mudsdale and Tangela.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Granbull can run maximum Defense EVs instead of maximum Attack along with an Impish nature in order to be as physically bulky as possible at the cost of damage output if a more supportive role is required. In terms of items, Rocky Helmet is an option that allows Granbull to punish physical attackers or pressure them into switching, but it sacrifices what little recovery Granbull has. Choice Band can also be used to complement Granbull's Attack stat and improve its wallbreaking ability, but it is outclassed by other wallbreakers such as Aggron and removes Granbull's utility. Thunder Wave can be swapped for Toxic in order to wear down bulky walls and switch-ins, but Thunder Wave is often preferred, as it acts more immediately and leaves special sweepers open to revenge kills from teammates. Roar is another alternative to Thunder Wave if Granbull's team is weak to setup sweepers. If coverage is an issue, Granbull can swap Earthquake for Stone Edge to hit Froslass and Flying-types such as Articuno; however, Earthquake not only is the most effective and reliable choice but also helps to hit Granbull's potential checks in Fire-, Poison-, and Steel-type Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Poison-types**: Specially offensive Poison-types such as Haunter, Roselia, and Victreebel are capable of switching in on and OHKOing Granbull without much worry.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: While Granbull isn't particularly bothered by some walls, it's threatened by those capable of outlasting it and possibly hitting back with special attacks. This includes bulky Grass-types such as Bellossom and Tangela, which receive reliable recovery in the form of Strength Sap and Synthesis and can use Granbull as setup fodder in the case of the former, and Mudsdale, which completely walls Granbull due to its Stamina ability and threatens it with Heavy Slam even despite having a lower Attack stat from Granbull's Intimidate.
**Strong Special Attackers**: Hard-hitters capable of outspeeding Granbull, such as Choice Specs Mesprit and Alolan Raichu, threaten it massively, as its low Special Defense leaves Granbull weak to invested special attacks.
**Steel-types**: Most Steel-types, such as Aggron and Alolan Sandslash, can switch into Play Rough fairly easily and threaten Granbull with their Steel-type STAB attacks. However, most Steel-types in the tier are 1-2HKOd by Earthquake, save the rare Bronzor.
**Residual Damage**: Granbull suffers badly from chip damage, entry hazards, and Leech Seed due to its lack of recovery.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Sir Pin, 462866]]
- Quality checked by: [[allstarapology, 400292], [UberSkitty, 355061], [Megazard, 202117]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Fireflame479, 231476]]
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