UU Substitute Gengar

[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Sludge Wave
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Fightinium Z / Life Orb / Black Sludge
ability: Cursed Body
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Substitute is very useful against Pursuit trappers like Krookodile, Bisharp, and Mega Aerodactyl, which are often used as counterplay to Gengar. Focus Blast is necessary to OHKO Dark-types such as Hydreigon, Krookodile, and Bisharp. It can also be used with Fightinium Z to have a powerful, perfectly accurate Fighting-type move.

Set Details
========

Fightinium Z turns Focus Blast into a perfectly accurate 190-Base Power All-Out Pummeling, which can reliably OHKO Dark-types as well as other threats like Terrakion and Cobalion as well as Empoleon after some chip damage. Life Orb can be used instead to give a significant power boost to all of Gengar's moves, but it makes Focus Blast rather unreliable and wears Gengar down. Black Sludge is an option to increase the number of times Gengar can use Substitute and improve its longevity overall.

Usage Tips
========
Gengar is too frail to switch directly into most attacks, so it needs to be brought in after a teammate has been KOed, by an aggressive double switch, or by Volt Switch or U-turn. Gengar's typing and high Special Attack allow it to force out common Pokemon such as Mega Altaria, Togekiss, and Slowbro, which means it usually gets several opportunities in a game to set up a Substitute. Gengar can switch into passive foes whose STAB moves it resists like Sylveon, Amoonguss, and Florges often to gain free turns, especially if it is using Black Sludge. In general, it's best to use Substitute quite often, but against teams with Pursuit trappers such as Mega Aerodactyl and Choice Scarf Krookodile, use Substitute as much as possible, as this eliminates the risk of predicting wrong with its coverage moves and can put the opponent in a very bad spot. For example, Substitute can be used when you expect the opponent to sacrifice something to Gengar; in this situation, you can turn Gengar potentially getting Pursuit trapped after a sacrifice into Gengar picking up two KOs. It can also be used when a foe that resists Shadow Ball, like Choice Scarf Hydreigon, is expected to come in to take the blow. Substitute should be used often against teams with priority users like Scizor and Crawdaunt, and it can also be very beneficial against Bisharp to bypass mind games with Sucker Punch and Pursuit. Don't let Gengar get too worn down by residual damage, as it needs to be able to use Substitute often and survive attacking moves. For this reason, make sure there aren't too many entry hazards on the field before sending Gengar out. Fightinium Z is best used to secure an OHKO against Dark-types like Krookodile and Bisharp on the switch or while behind a Substitute, as using it any other time means Gengar must risk missing. If using Black Sludge, Gengar can afford to use Substitute more often, as it gets many more chances to use Substitute with Black Sludge than with any other item on the set.

Team Options
========

Gengar fits best on offensive teams, as it's powerful and fast, being able to check threats such as Terrakion and Togekiss in a pinch. Teams often rely on threats like Choice Scarf Hydreigon and Choice Scarf Krookodile to check Gengar, so Justified users like Cobalion, Terrakion, and Lucario are able to take advantage of these threats to gain a free turn. Bulkier setup sweepers like Scizor and Suicune also appreciate the setup opportunities Gengar can naturally give them by baiting Choice-locked Pokemon such as Krookodile and Scizor to use Pursuit. Entry hazard setters like Cobalion and Klefki are able to help put threats like Empoleon in range of All-Out Pummeling and generally help Gengar secure 2HKOs with Shadow Ball. Additionally, Toxic Spikes from Tentacruel and Nidoqueen pairs nicely with Substitute Gengar, especially Black Sludge variants, as it can rack up chip damage on threats like Hippowdon and Blissey that would normally give Gengar a hard time. Gengar hates hazards, as they wear it down into range of attacks and limit the number of times it can use Substitute. Entry hazard removers like Starmie and Hydreigon fit well on offensive teams next to Gengar, and Starmie can check and spin on Ground-types like Hippowdon and Gligar, which threaten Gengar. Other Pokemon such as Tsareena and Slowbro can also check Ground-types. If Gengar isn't behind a Substitute, priority users like Scizor, Crawdaunt, and Mamoswine can pick off Gengar after some chip damage. Therefore, Pokemon such as Moltres, Hydreigon, and Infernape make for good teammates. Without a boosting item, Gengar struggles against most walls, so wallbreakers like Terrakion and Mega Blastoise make for good teammates. Volt Switch and U-turn users like Rotom-H, Scizor, and Hydreigon can bring Gengar in so it doesn't have to take too much damage.
 
Last edited:

Amane Misa

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Moves
I would emphasize Substitute's main perk, in allowing it to bypass Pursuit trappers. By emphasizing I mean something like "Substitute allows Gengar to gain a free turn against faster Pursuit users, such as Krookodile and Mega Aerodactyl. It also helps other revenge killers, including Hydreigon and an unboosted Mega Sharpedo". Not necessarily a copy&paste of what I just wrote here, but you get what I mean. Pursuit trappers are the main reason we use this set, anyway. :smogthink:

Usage Tips
Mention that Gengar can attempt to switch in on passive foes whose STAB moves are resisted by Gengar, especially if packing Black Sludge. Examples include Amoonguss, Sylveon, and Florges.
In general, it's best to use Substitute quite often, but against teams with Pursuit trappers such as Mega Aerodactyl and Choice Scarf Krookodile, use Substitute as much as possible, as this eliminates the risk of predicting wrong with its coverage moves and can put the opponent in a very bad spot.
...and other fast revenge-killers like Mega Aerodactyl and Hydreigon, as well as priority users. You can also mention how it helps it bypass Sucker Punch mind games vs Bisharp and Honchkrow (jk).

Team Options
Teams often rely on threats like Choice Scarf Hydreigon and Choice Scarf Krookodile to check Gengar, so Justified users like Cobalion, Terrakion, and Lucario are able to take advantage of these threats to gain a free turn.
Bulky setup sweepers, in general, appreciate foes being locked into Pursuit, hence Scizor and Suicune make good examples too.

1/3
 

A Cake Wearing A Hat

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Actually specify that it's the Choice-locked pursuiting that gives bulky setup sweepers setup opportunities, right now it doesn't explain at all how or why gengar gives them leeway.
Might want to expand on the point in team options about mons that can pressure Ground-types more, giving more examples than just Starmie
If Gengar isn't behind a Substitute, it fuckin' hates most of the tier's priority users esp. Scizor, so potentially add some mons that can check Scizor (and, to a lesser extent, Mamo/Daunt) to Team Options.
Rest of the analysis is fine, 2/3
 

Surgeon

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usage tips

In general, it's best to use Substitute quite often, but against teams with Pursuit trappers such as Mega Aerodactyl and Choice Scarf Krookodile, use Substitute as much as possible, as this eliminates the risk of predicting wrong with its coverage moves and can put the opponent in a very bad spot. Substitute can also be used often against teams with priority users and revenge killers such as Scizor and Choice Scarf Hydreigon, and can also be very beneficial against Bisharp to bypass Sucker Punch and Pursuit mindgames.
I'd point out more specific scenarios in this line instead of simply saying that it should be used often, so I'd try to add into what you already have in some way or another that you can, for example, set up a sub whenever your opponent might try to sack a Pokemon thinking they could just Pursuit Gengar afterwards or if they're predicted to bring something that could check it like Hydreigon (usually safer than just straight up going for Focus Blast or even clicking Z).

team options

It still has a pretty hard time against most walls so add some examples of breakers that pair well with it like Mega Blastoise or the aforementioned Terrakion.

Also, since you mention it in usage tips, would be good to bring up Pokemon that can bring it in safely like Rotom-H and Scizor. The former can also Toxic stuff like Hippowdon or T-Wave something like Hydreigon.

QC 3/3
 

A Cake Wearing A Hat

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[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Sludge Wave
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Fightinium Z / Life Orb / Black Sludge
ability: Cursed Body
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Substitute is very useful against Pursuit trappers like Krookodile, Bisharp, and Mega Aerodactyl, which are often used as counterplay to Gengar. Focus Blast is necessary to OHKO Dark-types such as Hydreigon, Krookodile, and Bisharp. It can also be used with Fightinium Z to both boost its power and make it 100% accurate, to have a powerful, perfectly accurate Fighting-type move.

Set Details
========

Fightinium Z turns Focus Blast into a 100% perfectly (more than 100%) accurate 190 Base Power All-Out-Pummeling, allowing it to 190-Base Power All-Out Pummeling, which can reliably OHKO Dark-types as well as other threats like Empoleon after some chip damage, Terrakion, and Cobalion. Life Orb can be used instead to give a significant power boost to all of Gengar's moves, but it makes Focus Blast rather unreliable and wears Gengar down. Black Sludge is an option to increase the amount of times Gengar can use Substitute and improve its longevity overall.

Usage Tips
========

Gengar is too frail to switch directly into most attacks, so it needs to be brought in after a teammate has been KOed, by an aggressive double switch, or by Volt Switch and or U-turn. Gengar's typing and high Special Attack allow it to force out common Pokemon such as Mega Altaria, Togekiss, and Slowbro, which means it usually gets several opportunities in a game to set up a Substitute. Gengar can switch into passive foes whose STAB moves are resisted by Gengar like Sylveon, Amoonguss, and Florges often to gain free turns, especially if Gengar is using Black Sludge. In general, it's best to use Substitute quite often, but against teams with Pursuit trappers such as Mega Aerodactyl and Choice Scarf Krookodile, use Substitute as much as possible, as this eliminates the risk of predicting wrong with its coverage moves and can put the opponent in a very bad spot. For example, Substitute can be used when you expect the opponent to sacrifice something to Gengar; in this situation, (AC) you can turn Gengar potentially getting Pursuit trapped after a sacrifice into Gengar picking up two KOes KOs. (KOs=noun, KOes=verb) It can also be used when a foe that resists Shadow Ball, like Choice Scarf Hydreigon, is expected to come in to take the blow. Substitute can should be used often against teams with priority users like Scizor and Crawdaunt, and it can also be very beneficial against Bisharp to bypass mind games with Sucker Punch and Pursuit mindgames. Don't let Gengar get too worn down by residual damage, as it needs to be able to use Substitute often and survive attacking moves. For this reason, make sure there aren't too many entry hazards on the field before sending Gengar out. Fightinium Z is best used to secure an OHKO against Dark-types like Krookodile and Bisharp on the switch or while behind a Substitute, as using it any other time means Gengar must risk missing. If using Black Sludge, Gengar can afford to use Substitute more often, as, (RC) with Black Sludge, (RC) it gets many more chances to use Substitute with Black Sludge than with any other item on the set.

Team Options
========

Gengar fits best on offensive teams, as it's powerful and fast, being able to check threats such as Terrakion and Togekiss in a pinch. Teams often rely on threats like Choice Scarf Hydreigon and Choice Scarf Krookodile to check Gengar, so Justified users like Cobalion, Terrakion, and Lucario are able to take advantage of these threats to gain a free turn. Bulkier setup sweepers like Scizor and Suicune also appreciate the setup opportunities Gengar can naturally give them, (RC) by baiting Choice-locked Pursuit from Pokemon such as Krookodile and Scizor to use Pursuit. Entry hazard setters like Cobalion and Klefki are able to help put threats like Empoleon in range of All-Out-Pummeling, (RC) All-Out Pummeling and generally help Gengar secure 2HKOes 2HKOs with Shadow Ball. Additionally, Toxic Spikes from Tentacruel and Nidoqueen pair pairs (tspikes is singular) nicely with Substitute Gengar, especially if it's Black Sludge variants, as it can rack up chip damage on threats like Hippowdon and Blissey that would normally give it Gengar a hard time. Gengar hates hazards, as they wear it down into range of offensive (redundant) attacks and limit the amount of times it can use Substitute. Entry hazard removers like Starmie and Hydreigon fit well on offensive teams next to Gengar, and Starmie can check and spin on Ground-types like Hippowdon and Gligar, which threaten Gengar. Other Pokemon such as Tsareena and Slowbro can also check Ground-types. If Gengar isn't behind a Substitute, priority users like Scizor, Crawdaunt, and Mamoswine can pick off Gengar after some chip damage. Therefore, Pokemon such as Moltres, Hydreigon, and Infernape make for good teammates. Without a boosting item, Gengar struggles against most walls, so wallbreakers like Terrakion and Mega Blastoise make for good teammates. Volt Switch users and U-turn users like Rotom-H, Scizor, and Hydreigon can bring Gengar in so it doesn't have to take too much damage.

GP 1/2
 

Lumari

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TFP Leader
remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 2/2
[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Sludge Wave
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Fightinium Z / Life Orb / Black Sludge
ability: Cursed Body
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Substitute is very useful against Pursuit trappers like Krookodile, Bisharp, and Mega Aerodactyl, which are often used as counterplay to Gengar. Focus Blast is necessary to OHKO Dark-types such as Hydreigon, Krookodile, and Bisharp. It can also be used with Fightinium Z to have a powerful, perfectly accurate Fighting-type move.

Set Details
========

Fightinium Z turns Focus Blast into a perfectly accurate 190-Base Power All-Out Pummeling, which can reliably OHKO Dark-types as well as other threats like Empoleon after some chip damage, Terrakion (RC) and Cobalion as well as Empoleon after some chip damage. (list reads rly awkward this way) Life Orb can be used instead to give a significant power boost to all of Gengar's moves, but it makes Focus Blast rather unreliable and wears Gengar down. Black Sludge is an option to increase the amount number of times Gengar can use Substitute and improve its longevity overall.

Usage Tips
========

Gengar is too frail to switch directly into most attacks, so it needs to be brought in after a teammate has been KOed, by an aggressive double switch, or by Volt Switch or U-turn. Gengar's typing and high Special Attack allow it to force out common Pokemon such as Mega Altaria, Togekiss, and Slowbro, which means it usually gets several opportunities in a game to set up a Substitute. Gengar can switch into passive foes whose STAB moves are resisted by Gengar it resists like Sylveon, Amoonguss, and Florges often to gain free turns, especially if Gengar it is using Black Sludge. In general, it's best to use Substitute quite often, but against teams with Pursuit trappers such as Mega Aerodactyl and Choice Scarf Krookodile, use Substitute as much as possible, as this eliminates the risk of predicting wrong with its coverage moves and can put the opponent in a very bad spot. For example, Substitute can be used when you expect the opponent to sacrifice something to Gengar; in this situation, you can turn Gengar potentially getting Pursuit trapped after a sacrifice into Gengar picking up two KOs. It can also be used when a foe that resists Shadow Ball, like Choice Scarf Hydreigon, is expected to come in to take the blow. Substitute should be used often against teams with priority users like Scizor and Crawdaunt, and it can also be very beneficial against Bisharp to bypass mind games with Sucker Punch and Pursuit. Don't let Gengar get too worn down by residual damage, as it needs to be able to use Substitute often and survive attacking moves. For this reason, make sure there aren't too many entry hazards on the field before sending Gengar out. Fightinium Z is best used to secure an OHKO against Dark-types like Krookodile and Bisharp on the switch or while behind a Substitute, as using it any other time means Gengar must risk missing. If using Black Sludge, Gengar can afford to use Substitute more often, as it gets many more chances to use Substitute with Black Sludge than with any other item on the set.

Team Options
========

Gengar fits best on offensive teams, as it's powerful and fast, being able to check threats such as Terrakion and Togekiss in a pinch. Teams often rely on threats like Choice Scarf Hydreigon and Choice Scarf Krookodile to check Gengar, so Justified users like Cobalion, Terrakion, and Lucario are able to take advantage of these threats to gain a free turn. Bulkier setup sweepers like Scizor and Suicune also appreciate the setup opportunities Gengar can naturally give them by baiting Choice-locked Pokemon such as Krookodile and Scizor to use Pursuit. Entry hazard setters like Cobalion and Klefki are able to help put threats like Empoleon in range of All-Out Pummeling and generally help Gengar secure 2HKOs with Shadow Ball. Additionally, Toxic Spikes from Tentacruel and Nidoqueen pairs nicely with Substitute Gengar, especially Black Sludge variants, as it can rack up chip damage on threats like Hippowdon and Blissey that would normally give Gengar a hard time. Gengar hates hazards, as they wear it down into range of attacks and limit the amount number of times it can use Substitute. Entry hazard removers like Starmie and Hydreigon fit well on offensive teams next to Gengar, and Starmie can check and spin on Ground-types like Hippowdon and Gligar, which threaten Gengar. Other Pokemon such as Tsareena and Slowbro can also check Ground-types. If Gengar isn't behind a Substitute, priority users like Scizor, Crawdaunt, and Mamoswine can pick off Gengar after some chip damage. Therefore, Pokemon such as Moltres, Hydreigon, and Infernape make for good teammates. Without a boosting item, Gengar struggles against most walls, so wallbreakers like Terrakion and Mega Blastoise make for good teammates. Volt Switch and U-turn users like Rotom-H, Scizor, and Hydreigon can bring Gengar in so it doesn't have to take too much damage.
 

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