gum
for the better
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[OVERVIEW]
Gastrodon is one of the tier's most solid defensive threats thanks to its amazing defensive typing, ability, and access to reliable recovery. This allows it to check common threats such as Lycanroc, Aggron, and Choice Specs Jellicent and block Volt Switch from the likes of Lanturn. However, its typing also leaves it weak to rather common Grass-types such as Lilligant and Victreebel. Pokemon that run Grass-type coverage such as Eelektross and Simisear and other threats that don't always run Grass-type coverage such as Lanturn and Floatzel can also lure in Gastrodon and beat it. It also suffers from being passive and lets threats such as Drampa and the aforementioned Lilligant in almost for free, as they only fear a potential Toxic. Furthermore, Gastrodon is extremely prone to getting worn down via Toxic, forcing it to use Recover more often. Finally, Gastrodon suffers from competition from Quagsire, as it has an arguably better defensive ability in Unaware, which allows it to better check Lycanroc and threats Gastrodon is unable to such as Gurdurr, and isn't as passive due to its higher Attack.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Earthquake
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 204 Def / 52 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald can cripple physical attackers such as Hitmonchan and Kangaskhan and discourages them from coming in, and it also discourages setup sweepers such as Dodrio and Absol from using Gastrodon as setup fodder. Toxic is Gastrodon's best way of crippling switch-ins such as Lilligant, Oricorio-E, and Drampa. Finally, Earthquake is used over Earth Power, as it hits Alolan Raichu, Lanturn, and Jynx harder than Earth Power.
Set Details
========
Storm Drain allows Gastrodon to check Water-types like Jellicent and non-Hidden Power Grass Floatzel. A Relaxed nature is preferred over an Impish or Bold nature, as it doesn't weaken Scald or Earthquake. The EV investment in Special Defense allows Gastrodon to avoid the 2HKO from Choice Specs Jellicent's Shadow Ball after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery.
Usage Tips
========
Gastrodon should be used as a check to Rock-, Water-, Electric-, and Poison-types like Aggron, Jellicent, non-Hidden Power Grass Lanturn, and Skuntank. It can then force them out and use Toxic on the switch-in, attack, or heal if low on health. Due to its Ground typing, it can be used to stop Volt Switch. However, it dislikes being hit by coverage moves that users of Volt Switch commonly use, such as Hidden Power Grass from Lanturn and Manectric. Due to its lack of offensive presence, it should mainly spread status with Scald and Toxic to cripple switch-ins like Eelektross when the foe can't cripple or hurt Gastrodon. However, it should be wary of status absorbers such as Clefairy and Stoutland. Since Gastrodon should stay healthy to check what it's supposed to, use Recover when Gastrodon is low on health. Recover should primarily be used on a predicted or forced switch to avoid giving up as much momentum. Gastrodon should be kept away from status, especially Toxic; while crippling threats such as Quagsire and Poliwrath with Toxic seems wise, they often can cripple Gastrodon in return. Finally, while Gastrodon has great bulk, it shouldn't be switched in on hard hitters such as Stoutland, Choice Band Dodrio, and Drampa.
Team Options
========
Gastrodon fits well on balance and stall teams due to its typing and ability, letting it check dangerous threats for such builds such as Lycanroc and Choice Specs Jellicent. Since Gastrodon is weak to Grass-types, Pokemon that can deal with them such as Oricorio-E and Victreebel are necessary. The former can punish Quiver Dance Lilligant and Bellossom, while the latter can come in on a predicted Toxic from the likes of Quagsire and Regirock. Skuntank is a solid option, as it can absorb Toxic Spikes, come in on a predicted Toxic, and remove entry hazards from the field for Gastrodon. Due to Gastrodon's susceptibility to Toxic Spikes, entry hazard removers make for good partners. Alolan Sandslash is a very solid partner, as it can switch into a predicted Toxic and Grass-type attacks and is immune to Toxic Spikes. Lurantis is another solid option, as it can also switch into Grass-type attacks. Status absorbers and clerics work well alongside Gastrodon due to its susceptibility to Toxic. Audino is a nice partner thanks to its access to Heal Bell, and Gastrodon can check the Rock-types Audino lets in for free. Stoutland can take Toxic for Gastrodon and appreciates Gastrodon's ability to check Rock-types. Pokemon that can deal with strong wallbreakers, such as Aurorus and Stoutland, that Gastrodon can't check work well alongside it. Therefore, Pokemon like Clefairy, which can check the former, and Metang, which can take on the latter, make for nice partners. In return, Gastrodon checks Poison-, Rock-, and Steel-types for Clefairy, while Gastrodon checks Fire-types for Metang. Articuno is another good partner, as it can even heal Gastrodon from status with Heal Bell while being able to check Grass-types and most special attackers. In return, Gastrodon checks Rock- and Steel-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Gastrodon can use Yawn to cripple switch-ins and force them out or, if they stay in, cripple them with sleep. It works especially well with Spikes support, as it allows Gastrodon to rack up damage more easily. However, Toxic is more consistent, as Yawn can be avoided by switching out and negated by Sleep Clause. Gastrodon can make use of its interesting offensive typing and movepool to use an offensive set with a Life Orb or Choice Specs to lure in would-be switch-ins such as Drampa and Lurantis. However, this gives up Gastrodon's main attribute in its defensive utility. Gastrodon can use a fully specially defensive set to better check special attackers such as Simisear and even check Hidden Power Grass Lanturn. However, running a specially defensive set means that Gastrodon can't check Lycanroc and Aggron as reliably and leaves it vulnerable to other physical threats such as Primeape and Dodrio, which can 2HKO it. Curse is an option, as it allows Gastrodon to beat threats such as Stoutland once boosted and act as a wincon, while Counter allows Gastrodon to punish Pokemon like Stoutland, Dodrio, and Absol for attacking it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Lilligant and Victreebel can come in on Gastrodon and easily take care of it. However, the former has to be wary of Toxic.
**Status**: Gastrodon is extremely susceptible to Toxic, as it forces Gastrodon to use Recover more often than it'd like to and greatly hinders its longevity and capacity to check what it's supposed to check.
**Super Effective Coverage**: Pokemon running super effective coverage such as Simisear, Aurorus, and Floatzel can deal with Gastrodon. However, none of them can safely switch into Gastrodon.
**Strong Attackers**: While Gastrodon has a good bulk, strong attackers like Stoutland and Drampa can get past it with ease. The former can come in on a predicted Scald or Toxic to boost Facade's power, while the latter's typing and good bulk allow it to come in on everything Gastrodon could use, only fearing a potential Toxic. Additionally, while they can't come in directly, Aurorus and Simisear heavily threaten Gastrodon.
**Status Absorbers**: Gastrodon's overreliance on status leaves it weak to status absorbers such as Stoutland and Gurdurr, with the latter even using Gastrodon as setup fodder. Other Pokemon like Calm Mind Spiritomb and Clefairy aren't bothered by Gastrodon's Toxic and use it as setup fodder.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[gum, 434150]]
- Quality checked by: [[tondas, 442732], [TJ, 331538], [Megazard, 202117]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
[OVERVIEW]
Gastrodon is one of the tier's most solid defensive threats thanks to its amazing defensive typing, ability, and access to reliable recovery. This allows it to check common threats such as Lycanroc, Aggron, and Choice Specs Jellicent and block Volt Switch from the likes of Lanturn. However, its typing also leaves it weak to rather common Grass-types such as Lilligant and Victreebel. Pokemon that run Grass-type coverage such as Eelektross and Simisear and other threats that don't always run Grass-type coverage such as Lanturn and Floatzel can also lure in Gastrodon and beat it. It also suffers from being passive and lets threats such as Drampa and the aforementioned Lilligant in almost for free, as they only fear a potential Toxic. Furthermore, Gastrodon is extremely prone to getting worn down via Toxic, forcing it to use Recover more often. Finally, Gastrodon suffers from competition from Quagsire, as it has an arguably better defensive ability in Unaware, which allows it to better check Lycanroc and threats Gastrodon is unable to such as Gurdurr, and isn't as passive due to its higher Attack.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Earthquake
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 204 Def / 52 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald can cripple physical attackers such as Hitmonchan and Kangaskhan and discourages them from coming in, and it also discourages setup sweepers such as Dodrio and Absol from using Gastrodon as setup fodder. Toxic is Gastrodon's best way of crippling switch-ins such as Lilligant, Oricorio-E, and Drampa. Finally, Earthquake is used over Earth Power, as it hits Alolan Raichu, Lanturn, and Jynx harder than Earth Power.
Set Details
========
Storm Drain allows Gastrodon to check Water-types like Jellicent and non-Hidden Power Grass Floatzel. A Relaxed nature is preferred over an Impish or Bold nature, as it doesn't weaken Scald or Earthquake. The EV investment in Special Defense allows Gastrodon to avoid the 2HKO from Choice Specs Jellicent's Shadow Ball after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery.
Usage Tips
========
Gastrodon should be used as a check to Rock-, Water-, Electric-, and Poison-types like Aggron, Jellicent, non-Hidden Power Grass Lanturn, and Skuntank. It can then force them out and use Toxic on the switch-in, attack, or heal if low on health. Due to its Ground typing, it can be used to stop Volt Switch. However, it dislikes being hit by coverage moves that users of Volt Switch commonly use, such as Hidden Power Grass from Lanturn and Manectric. Due to its lack of offensive presence, it should mainly spread status with Scald and Toxic to cripple switch-ins like Eelektross when the foe can't cripple or hurt Gastrodon. However, it should be wary of status absorbers such as Clefairy and Stoutland. Since Gastrodon should stay healthy to check what it's supposed to, use Recover when Gastrodon is low on health. Recover should primarily be used on a predicted or forced switch to avoid giving up as much momentum. Gastrodon should be kept away from status, especially Toxic; while crippling threats such as Quagsire and Poliwrath with Toxic seems wise, they often can cripple Gastrodon in return. Finally, while Gastrodon has great bulk, it shouldn't be switched in on hard hitters such as Stoutland, Choice Band Dodrio, and Drampa.
Team Options
========
Gastrodon fits well on balance and stall teams due to its typing and ability, letting it check dangerous threats for such builds such as Lycanroc and Choice Specs Jellicent. Since Gastrodon is weak to Grass-types, Pokemon that can deal with them such as Oricorio-E and Victreebel are necessary. The former can punish Quiver Dance Lilligant and Bellossom, while the latter can come in on a predicted Toxic from the likes of Quagsire and Regirock. Skuntank is a solid option, as it can absorb Toxic Spikes, come in on a predicted Toxic, and remove entry hazards from the field for Gastrodon. Due to Gastrodon's susceptibility to Toxic Spikes, entry hazard removers make for good partners. Alolan Sandslash is a very solid partner, as it can switch into a predicted Toxic and Grass-type attacks and is immune to Toxic Spikes. Lurantis is another solid option, as it can also switch into Grass-type attacks. Status absorbers and clerics work well alongside Gastrodon due to its susceptibility to Toxic. Audino is a nice partner thanks to its access to Heal Bell, and Gastrodon can check the Rock-types Audino lets in for free. Stoutland can take Toxic for Gastrodon and appreciates Gastrodon's ability to check Rock-types. Pokemon that can deal with strong wallbreakers, such as Aurorus and Stoutland, that Gastrodon can't check work well alongside it. Therefore, Pokemon like Clefairy, which can check the former, and Metang, which can take on the latter, make for nice partners. In return, Gastrodon checks Poison-, Rock-, and Steel-types for Clefairy, while Gastrodon checks Fire-types for Metang. Articuno is another good partner, as it can even heal Gastrodon from status with Heal Bell while being able to check Grass-types and most special attackers. In return, Gastrodon checks Rock- and Steel-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Gastrodon can use Yawn to cripple switch-ins and force them out or, if they stay in, cripple them with sleep. It works especially well with Spikes support, as it allows Gastrodon to rack up damage more easily. However, Toxic is more consistent, as Yawn can be avoided by switching out and negated by Sleep Clause. Gastrodon can make use of its interesting offensive typing and movepool to use an offensive set with a Life Orb or Choice Specs to lure in would-be switch-ins such as Drampa and Lurantis. However, this gives up Gastrodon's main attribute in its defensive utility. Gastrodon can use a fully specially defensive set to better check special attackers such as Simisear and even check Hidden Power Grass Lanturn. However, running a specially defensive set means that Gastrodon can't check Lycanroc and Aggron as reliably and leaves it vulnerable to other physical threats such as Primeape and Dodrio, which can 2HKO it. Curse is an option, as it allows Gastrodon to beat threats such as Stoutland once boosted and act as a wincon, while Counter allows Gastrodon to punish Pokemon like Stoutland, Dodrio, and Absol for attacking it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Lilligant and Victreebel can come in on Gastrodon and easily take care of it. However, the former has to be wary of Toxic.
**Status**: Gastrodon is extremely susceptible to Toxic, as it forces Gastrodon to use Recover more often than it'd like to and greatly hinders its longevity and capacity to check what it's supposed to check.
**Super Effective Coverage**: Pokemon running super effective coverage such as Simisear, Aurorus, and Floatzel can deal with Gastrodon. However, none of them can safely switch into Gastrodon.
**Strong Attackers**: While Gastrodon has a good bulk, strong attackers like Stoutland and Drampa can get past it with ease. The former can come in on a predicted Scald or Toxic to boost Facade's power, while the latter's typing and good bulk allow it to come in on everything Gastrodon could use, only fearing a potential Toxic. Additionally, while they can't come in directly, Aurorus and Simisear heavily threaten Gastrodon.
**Status Absorbers**: Gastrodon's overreliance on status leaves it weak to status absorbers such as Stoutland and Gurdurr, with the latter even using Gastrodon as setup fodder. Other Pokemon like Calm Mind Spiritomb and Clefairy aren't bothered by Gastrodon's Toxic and use it as setup fodder.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[gum, 434150]]
- Quality checked by: [[tondas, 442732], [TJ, 331538], [Megazard, 202117]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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