[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 7 onwards
**Price Range**: 4-5 points
**Overview**: Granbull is an inexpensive bulky Fairy-type, making it a decent option late into a draft if one is needed. Its Attack stat allows it to hit decently hard, and it has a couple of good utility moves that help it force progress as well. However, it lacks good natural bulk, relying on Intimidate for physical bulk and sometimes Assault Vest for special bulk. Fairy-type Pokemon often need to be brought to check Dragon- and Dark-types, and they are often characterized by their above-average special bulk paired with reliable recovery. Therefore, it's usually easier to draft better Fairy-types than Granbull because they provide more to the team.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Defensive Utility**: Granbull can utilize moves such as Thunder Wave and Super Fang to force progress in most matchups. It can also commonly fit two utility moves onto a moveset, since Play Rough pairs nicely with moves such as Earthquake and Close Combat in terms of coverage.
**Bulky Attacker**: Granbull can leverage Assault Vest to increase its special bulk, and it can use its plethora of coverage options to fill out a moveset. Intimidate covers its lack of physical bulk, letting it switch into most threats.
**Wallbreaker**: Boosting items such as Choice Band can increase Granbull's already great Attack even further, and combined with its excellent coverage options, it can sometimes function as a slower wallbreaker.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Play Rough
**Setup Moves**: Bulk Up, Trailblaze
**Utility Moves**: Thunder Wave, Super Fang, Roar, Taunt, Encore, Rest, Sleep Talk, Brick Break
**Coverage**: Earthquake, Close Combat, Ice Punch, Fire Punch, Wild Charge, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Crunch, Psychic Fangs
Niche Moves
========
**Counter**: Counter can force surprise damage in matchups where Granbull is needed to check a physical attacker, but it doesn't quite have the damage to 1v1 most foes. This option is notably good on Assault Vest and Resistance Berry sets.
**Body Slam / Rock Tomb / Bulldoze**: Body Slam, Rock Tomb, and Bulldoze are best used on Assault Vest sets in lieu of Thunder Wave to give Granbull another form of speed control.
**Protect**: Protect can help provide Granbull some extra Leftovers recovery and let it scout out moves from foes.
**Endeavor**: Endeavor is notably useful on Assault Vest sets as a good option against foes with high HP stats and for Granbull to trade favorably.
**Endure**: Endure is a good move to pair with specific items such as Custap Berry to ensure it triggers and Rocky Helmet for extra chip damage.
**Charm**: Charm is a decent option against physical attackers, notably ones with setup moves such as Dragon Dance and Bulk Up, to outpace their setup.
Common Items
========
**Leftovers**: Granbull often appreciates the longevity from Leftovers, given that its primary role is as a defensive piece and that it does not get a reliable recovery move.
**Sitrus Berry**: Sitrus Berry has a similar purpose to Leftovers, but it is more useful in fast-paced matches.
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Avoiding entry hazard damage, notably from Spikes and Toxic Spikes, can be crucial for Granbull in matchups where it needs to regularly pivot around, making Heavy-Duty Boots a valuable item.
**Assault Vest**: Assault Vest is a good item to run if Granbull is going to need to check special attackers. Its wide array of coverage moves help it fill out its moveset even without status moves.
**Rocky Helmet**: The extra chip damage from Rocky Helmet can be quite useful in punishing weak and resisted hits such as Knock Off and U-turn.
Niche Items
========
**Choice Band**: Choice Band leverages Granbull's solid Attack stat and wide coverage to threaten switch-ins and slower Pokemon that may not be able to take multiple hits from it.
**Resistance Berries**: Resistance Berries are useful if there are specific moves Granbull needs to take, especially if it can respond with super effective coverage.
**Custap Berry**: Granbull can often naturally activate Custap Berry, and it can throw out moves such as Thunder Wave and Endeavor to turn the tide of the match. It can also use Endure to survive an attack, activate Custap Berry, and strike back with a powerful attack.
**Eject Button**: The extra momentum from Eject Button could be quite useful in certain matchups, especially when Granbull might be too passive against an opposing threat.
**Red Card**: Granbull can use Red Card in matchups where opponents have threatening setup sweepers that need to be forced out. This item is often paired with Endure to ensure the Red Card activates.
**Air Balloon**: Air Balloon is notably useful against Dragon-types such as Garchomp that may be unable to hit Granbull with immunities to both Dragon and Ground. It can also be nice on a team that is particularly weak to Ground.
Tera
========
Granbull should not be a Tera Captain. The primary reason to draft it is due to its Fairy typing, and it doesn't have the stats to take advantage of Tera. Also, it already has a wide array of coverage, so there isn't much reason to Tera offensively. If for some reason it is a Tera Captain, it could Tera to resist a hit from an opposing threat on a key turn to win a 1v1, or gain STAB on a coverage move to meet a certain damage threshold. Tera Types such as Tera Steel and Water are useful defensively, while Tera Ground, Dark, and Fighting can be used offensively.
Draft Strategy
========
Granbull is primarily drafted on teams that need a Fairy-type late into the draft. It often doesn't have the stats or utility of other Pokemon around its price range outside of its typing. It has a strong movepool, making it a usable pick, but it should really only be picked if the draft needs a Fairy-type.
**Special Walls**: Granbull is often more useful at checking physical attackers due to Intimidate, so having a specially defensive teammate is quite helpful. Pokemon such as Galarian Slowking, Ting-Lu, and Latias all fill this role well.
**Fast Late-game Sweepers**: Granbull is able to rack up chip damage with its coverage moves and Super Fang as well as provide speed control with Thunder Wave. These traits let it enable powerful offensive teammates such as Greninja, Ogerpon, and Sneasler, which often require this level of support to sweep late-game.
**Pivots**: Having teammates that also want to pivot can help Granbull cycle Intimidate, and it can enable more offensive Granbull sets by taking the pressure off of it to pivot and by bringing it in safely. Pokemon such as Raging Bolt, Rotom-W, and Slowking are effective at this role.
Checks and Counters
========
**Special Attackers**: Granbull often struggles to check opposing special attackers reliably. Even with Assault Vest, it still suffers a lot from chip damage and has no way of getting its HP back on its own. Pokemon such as Enamorus, Gholdengo, and Tornadus-T can be troublesome for Granbull.
**Defensive Resists with Reliable Recovery**: Granbull can provide decent enough damage output, but it struggles against bulkier foes with reliable recovery that can chip it down slowly and win the 1v1. Pokemon such as Galarian Slowking, Skeledirge, and Pecharunt can all effectively 1v1 Granbull, and they can sometimes even punish it with their own setup.
**Entry Hazards**: Granbull wants to be switching in often to take advantage of Intimidate, but it also needs Leftovers to have some form of reliable recovery. Entry hazards can wear it down quickly and force it to run Heavy-Duty Boots, cutting down its longevity.
**Status Ailments**: Granbull is very annoyed by all status ailments, given its lack of reliable recovery and its role as a defensive Pokemon. Toxic Spikes in particular can be problematic, forcing Granbull to run Heavy-Duty Boots more than it wants to.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/streetcredcookie.304744/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sablolol.466715/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/hacker.387847/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
**Draft Order**: Round 7 onwards
**Price Range**: 4-5 points
**Overview**: Granbull is an inexpensive bulky Fairy-type, making it a decent option late into a draft if one is needed. Its Attack stat allows it to hit decently hard, and it has a couple of good utility moves that help it force progress as well. However, it lacks good natural bulk, relying on Intimidate for physical bulk and sometimes Assault Vest for special bulk. Fairy-type Pokemon often need to be brought to check Dragon- and Dark-types, and they are often characterized by their above-average special bulk paired with reliable recovery. Therefore, it's usually easier to draft better Fairy-types than Granbull because they provide more to the team.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Defensive Utility**: Granbull can utilize moves such as Thunder Wave and Super Fang to force progress in most matchups. It can also commonly fit two utility moves onto a moveset, since Play Rough pairs nicely with moves such as Earthquake and Close Combat in terms of coverage.
**Bulky Attacker**: Granbull can leverage Assault Vest to increase its special bulk, and it can use its plethora of coverage options to fill out a moveset. Intimidate covers its lack of physical bulk, letting it switch into most threats.
**Wallbreaker**: Boosting items such as Choice Band can increase Granbull's already great Attack even further, and combined with its excellent coverage options, it can sometimes function as a slower wallbreaker.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Play Rough
**Setup Moves**: Bulk Up, Trailblaze
**Utility Moves**: Thunder Wave, Super Fang, Roar, Taunt, Encore, Rest, Sleep Talk, Brick Break
**Coverage**: Earthquake, Close Combat, Ice Punch, Fire Punch, Wild Charge, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Crunch, Psychic Fangs
Niche Moves
========
**Counter**: Counter can force surprise damage in matchups where Granbull is needed to check a physical attacker, but it doesn't quite have the damage to 1v1 most foes. This option is notably good on Assault Vest and Resistance Berry sets.
**Body Slam / Rock Tomb / Bulldoze**: Body Slam, Rock Tomb, and Bulldoze are best used on Assault Vest sets in lieu of Thunder Wave to give Granbull another form of speed control.
**Protect**: Protect can help provide Granbull some extra Leftovers recovery and let it scout out moves from foes.
**Endeavor**: Endeavor is notably useful on Assault Vest sets as a good option against foes with high HP stats and for Granbull to trade favorably.
**Endure**: Endure is a good move to pair with specific items such as Custap Berry to ensure it triggers and Rocky Helmet for extra chip damage.
**Charm**: Charm is a decent option against physical attackers, notably ones with setup moves such as Dragon Dance and Bulk Up, to outpace their setup.
Common Items
========
**Leftovers**: Granbull often appreciates the longevity from Leftovers, given that its primary role is as a defensive piece and that it does not get a reliable recovery move.
**Sitrus Berry**: Sitrus Berry has a similar purpose to Leftovers, but it is more useful in fast-paced matches.
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Avoiding entry hazard damage, notably from Spikes and Toxic Spikes, can be crucial for Granbull in matchups where it needs to regularly pivot around, making Heavy-Duty Boots a valuable item.
**Assault Vest**: Assault Vest is a good item to run if Granbull is going to need to check special attackers. Its wide array of coverage moves help it fill out its moveset even without status moves.
**Rocky Helmet**: The extra chip damage from Rocky Helmet can be quite useful in punishing weak and resisted hits such as Knock Off and U-turn.
Niche Items
========
**Choice Band**: Choice Band leverages Granbull's solid Attack stat and wide coverage to threaten switch-ins and slower Pokemon that may not be able to take multiple hits from it.
**Resistance Berries**: Resistance Berries are useful if there are specific moves Granbull needs to take, especially if it can respond with super effective coverage.
**Custap Berry**: Granbull can often naturally activate Custap Berry, and it can throw out moves such as Thunder Wave and Endeavor to turn the tide of the match. It can also use Endure to survive an attack, activate Custap Berry, and strike back with a powerful attack.
**Eject Button**: The extra momentum from Eject Button could be quite useful in certain matchups, especially when Granbull might be too passive against an opposing threat.
**Red Card**: Granbull can use Red Card in matchups where opponents have threatening setup sweepers that need to be forced out. This item is often paired with Endure to ensure the Red Card activates.
**Air Balloon**: Air Balloon is notably useful against Dragon-types such as Garchomp that may be unable to hit Granbull with immunities to both Dragon and Ground. It can also be nice on a team that is particularly weak to Ground.
Tera
========
Granbull should not be a Tera Captain. The primary reason to draft it is due to its Fairy typing, and it doesn't have the stats to take advantage of Tera. Also, it already has a wide array of coverage, so there isn't much reason to Tera offensively. If for some reason it is a Tera Captain, it could Tera to resist a hit from an opposing threat on a key turn to win a 1v1, or gain STAB on a coverage move to meet a certain damage threshold. Tera Types such as Tera Steel and Water are useful defensively, while Tera Ground, Dark, and Fighting can be used offensively.
Draft Strategy
========
Granbull is primarily drafted on teams that need a Fairy-type late into the draft. It often doesn't have the stats or utility of other Pokemon around its price range outside of its typing. It has a strong movepool, making it a usable pick, but it should really only be picked if the draft needs a Fairy-type.
**Special Walls**: Granbull is often more useful at checking physical attackers due to Intimidate, so having a specially defensive teammate is quite helpful. Pokemon such as Galarian Slowking, Ting-Lu, and Latias all fill this role well.
**Fast Late-game Sweepers**: Granbull is able to rack up chip damage with its coverage moves and Super Fang as well as provide speed control with Thunder Wave. These traits let it enable powerful offensive teammates such as Greninja, Ogerpon, and Sneasler, which often require this level of support to sweep late-game.
**Pivots**: Having teammates that also want to pivot can help Granbull cycle Intimidate, and it can enable more offensive Granbull sets by taking the pressure off of it to pivot and by bringing it in safely. Pokemon such as Raging Bolt, Rotom-W, and Slowking are effective at this role.
Checks and Counters
========
**Special Attackers**: Granbull often struggles to check opposing special attackers reliably. Even with Assault Vest, it still suffers a lot from chip damage and has no way of getting its HP back on its own. Pokemon such as Enamorus, Gholdengo, and Tornadus-T can be troublesome for Granbull.
**Defensive Resists with Reliable Recovery**: Granbull can provide decent enough damage output, but it struggles against bulkier foes with reliable recovery that can chip it down slowly and win the 1v1. Pokemon such as Galarian Slowking, Skeledirge, and Pecharunt can all effectively 1v1 Granbull, and they can sometimes even punish it with their own setup.
**Entry Hazards**: Granbull wants to be switching in often to take advantage of Intimidate, but it also needs Leftovers to have some form of reliable recovery. Entry hazards can wear it down quickly and force it to run Heavy-Duty Boots, cutting down its longevity.
**Status Ailments**: Granbull is very annoyed by all status ailments, given its lack of reliable recovery and its role as a defensive Pokemon. Toxic Spikes in particular can be problematic, forcing Granbull to run Heavy-Duty Boots more than it wants to.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/streetcredcookie.304744/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sablolol.466715/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/hacker.387847/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
Last edited:
