GRAVELER OFFENSE
Hello! As an extremely avid GSC NU player, I’ve always wanted to spread the word on how great this tier is, and I think this is a good way to do that. This is easily one of my favourite teams I’ve built thus far, so I’ll show it here.
Teambuilding Process
First, I’ll cover the overall state of the GSC NU metagame. There are many different, viable play styles to experiment with, including offensive teams with Pokemon like Dugtrio, Magnemite, Xatu, Fearow, and Magmar. Fire- and Normal-types are very common in NU, with the former forcing nearly every team to run a Water-type such as Octillery, Kingler, or Azumarill. The lead metagame is a huge part of the tier, with Rapidash being the standard lead with its incredible speed, offensive power, and access to Hypnosis, while Dugtrio and Stantler are excellent attacking leads. Spikes laid by Pineco are very influential for both stall and offensive teams, the extra chip damage provided by them can be invaluable.
When looking for a bulky wall that can spread paralysis, Wigglytuff is the best option. Wigglytuff is unique as bulky status spreading Normal-type. It’s an ideal lead thanks to its bulk and ability to spread paralysis for slower wallbreakers such as Graveler, and checking the most common lead in the tier, Rapidash, while also beating Dugtrio and Xatu(unless unlucky SpDef drops) in a one on one.
Xatu is the most dominant and centralising Pokemon in the tier. It’s power, defensive utility, and speed land it a spot on almost every single team in the metagame. The choice of Xatu on this team was to have a check to the dangerous Kingler, and to take advantage of the Spikes set down by Pineco.
Mixed Flareon is a rather big threat to defensive teams, especially with Substitute. I originally planned to use Growth Flareon, but eventually changed it to a mixed set. Flareon was chosen as a paralysis abuser with its incredible offensive prowess. It’s also a check to two common defensive Pokemon in Gloom and Magnemite, which can both scare Kingler.
Graveler was the main Pokemon I wanted to build around . With paralysis support from Wigglytuff and Kingler, Graveler can become incredibly dangerous. QuakeSlide is not resisted by any Pokemon in GSC NU, and Graveler can always explode on a key threat to remove them from the game. Graveler also completely counters the dangerous RestTalk Fearow.
While Kingler is more known for its stall crushing Swords Dance set, a RestTalk set is an incredible physical wall that completely dominates the common Fire- and Rock-types in the tier. Body Slam paralysis is also huge for the slower wall breakers I built this team around. In general, it’s difficult to go wrong with using Kingler in any teams, it’s easily one of the best Pokemon in the tier
Last up, is Pineco. Pineco is the only Spiker in GSC NU(excluding the irrelevant Delibird), and while it can feel like playing 5v6 when using it sometimes, the support it provides can be game changing. It also has Explosion, meaning it can remove anything that’s not a Rock-type from the game
Now, onto the full team!
Wigglytuff @ Leftovers
Ability: none
- Body Slam
- Thunder
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
RestTalk Wigglytuff is the lead due to its ability to absorb Hypnosis from Stantler and Rapidash and beat Dugtrio leads. Body Slam and Thunder are able to spread paralysis while Wigglytuff remains healthy throughout the game with Rest and Sleep Talk. Thunder is also able to 2HKO Kingler, Octillery, and Xatu, making Wigglytuff this teams best option against the latter two. Pineco and Xatu are paired with Wigglytuff to stop Primeape and Hitmonlee who can switch in on Wigglytuff rather easily, while Wigglytuff can relieve pressure off Xatu to check opposing Xatu.
Xatu @ Leftovers
Ability: none
IVs: 14 HP / 28 Atk
- Psychic
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Xatu is an ideal abuser of Spikes, and a great Flareon partner. It’s ability to break through common defensive Pokemon such as, Hitmonlee, Arbok, or Kingler that can give Flareon trouble make it a crucial addition to this team. Xatu is also a strong late game cleaner with paralysis support letting it outspeed Fearow and Rapidash while also being much better against Primeape due to not having to risk a speed tie. Hidden Power Electric is preferred over Drill Peck on this team due to the potentially uncomfortable matchup against Azumarill and Dewgong. Hidden Power Electric also helps a ton against opposing Xatu in the mirror match.
Flareon @ Leftovers
Ability: none
IVs: 6 HP / 28 Atk / 28 Def
- Fire Blast
- Double-Edge
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Substitute
Flareon is one of the two abusers of paralysis. Fire Blast and Hidden Power Grass have great type coverage togethe, while Double Edge hits Fire-types like Rapidash and anything frailer on the physical side for solid damage. Substitute is very handy to block status and take advantage of a potential full paralysis against a paralysed foe. Flareon also has incredible Special Defense, so it can reliably switch into most Special Attackers and threaten them with its strong Fire Blast.
Graveler @ Leftovers
Ability: none
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Substitute
- Explosion
Graveler is the main star of this team, abusing the many ways this team spreads paralysis. Earthquake and Rock Slide is an excellent STAB combo, being resisted by absolutely nothing in GSC NU, and Explosion allows it to take out a threat, which is especially nice since Rock-types don’t want anything to do with Gravelers Earthquake. Substitute blocks Giga Drain from Bayleef and status, and Graveler is able to set it up against Normal-types that lack Earthquake. Graveler and Flareon pair well together, Flareon is able to check Special Attackers that give Graveler trouble due to its low SpDef while Graveler checks most physical threats
Kingler @ Leftovers
Ability: none
- Surf
- Body Slam
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Kingler was chosen as a physical wall that dominates Dugtrio, the numerous Fire-types such as Rapidash or Ninetales, and Sudowoodo while spreading paralysis with Body Slam. RestTalk gives it solid longevity and Surf lets it stop Sudowoodo or the rare Pupitar from sweeping. Body Slam can paralyse most of the main switchins to Kingler, such as Xatu or Chinchou, which lets Graveler or Flareon come in and setup. Wigglytuff and Kingler pair very well as a bulky duo, being tough to take down for offensive teams lacking Magnemite or SubThunder Primeape
Pineco @ Leftovers
Ability: none
IVs: 26 Atk / 26 Def
- Spikes
- Explosion
- Hidden Power [Bug]
- Reflect
Pineco's Spikes are crucial for supporting Graveler and Flareon. Reflect Pineco is able to setup its hazards on Primeape, Dugtrio, Wigglytuff, Stantler and can sacrifice itself with Explosion to remove a key threat. While it can feel like playing 5v6 with Pineco, it pairs well with Wigglytuff, since Fighting-types can hit the pink blob very hard. Pineco is best played early game when switching it into resisted moves and setting up Spikes, so Graveler and Flareon can go to town later on
The biggest threat
Octillery is easily this teams biggest issue. It deals well with everything except Wigglytuff and Xatu while hitting hard
Replays and Pokepaste!
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen2nu-1217091684
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen2nu-1215880347
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen2nu-1214948055
Link to the team here!
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