Lasen
smiling through it all
[Overview]
Gastrodon is a premier counter to one of the strongest Ubers Pokemon in Kyogre because it's immune to Kyogre's STAB attacks and Thunder. Unlike Eternatus, Gastrodon is less likely to lose to Kyogre through status and can always beat Kyogre's Choice Specs set. It can also switch into Dracovish spamming Fishious Rend, safely switch into defensive Necrozma-DM not running Knock Off, and counter special Palkia and Dialga that are not running Choice Specs. However, Gastrodon is a more passive switch-in to Kyogre compared to other options like Eternatus and Ferrothorn and lets it freely use Rest; unlike Gastrodon, other special walls are able to switch in and shut down Kyogre by using it as an opportunity to heal, inflict status, or set entry hazards. Gastrodon is also susceptible to all entry hazards, especially Toxic Spikes, if not running Heavy-Duty Boots. When not facing Kyogre or Dracovish, Gastrodon is extremely underwhelming and offers little defensive value.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Clear Smog
move 3: Earthquake / Ice Beam / Icy Wind
move 4: Recover
item: Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Storm Drain
nature: Sassy / Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Scald's burn chance can punish common switch-ins like Eternatus and Yveltal looking to heal or use Defog on Gastrodon, deter wallbreakers like Zekrom and Groudon from freely switching in, and better handle Kyogre in case Ice Beam freezes Gastrodon. Clear Smog is necessary to prevent Calm Mind Kyogre from boosting significantly and powering through Gastrodon. Earthquake hits Eternatus and Toxapex trying to heal or set up Toxic Spikes, and it also catches Zekrom and Dialga for respectable damage. Alternatively, Ice Beam prevents Zygarde-C from using Substitute and setting up on Gastrodon with Coil or Dragon Dance, while Icy Wind conveniently lowers the Speed of switch-ins, such as Calyrex-S and Xerneas to allow Gastrodon's partners to switch in more safely. A Sassy nature is preferred when running Earthquake, while Calm is preferred when Ice Beam or Icy Wind is chosen. Leftovers provides some much appreciated passive recovery, but Heavy-Duty Boots can help mitigate Gastrodon's weakness to Spikes and Toxic Spikes.
Gastrodon covering Kyogre and Dracovish frees up Eternatus to run offensive sets. Gastrodon being a Kyogre counter and general switch-in to Water- and Electric-type moves is great for Ho-Oh, which often loses momentum to Kyogre switching into Defog or a weakened Sacred Fire. In return, Ho-Oh is a switch-in for Grass types like Ferrothorn, Zarude, and Tangrowth. Other partners like Ferrothorn and Skarmory can set Spikes to pressure threats to Gastrodon and force Yveltal to use Defog, which drains the opponent's momentum.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Toxic provides some decent residual damage against most foes, but Gastrodon is hard pressed to find space for it. Confide is an option over Clear Smog for Calm Mind Kyogre and Geomancy Xerneas running Substitute, but it is otherwise completely outclassed.
Checks and Counters
====
**Grass-types**: Even with Ice-type coverage, Gastrodon can't reliably check Ferrothorn, Zarude, and Tangrowth. Ferrothorn is especially an issue, as it comfortably takes all of Gastrodon's attacks and gets a free chance to use Knock Off or set Spikes. It can also take Gastrodon out with its Grass-type STAB move and recover any small amount of damage it takes with Leech Seed.
**Special Walls**: Blissey, Ho-Oh, and Eternatus can repeatedly sponge any of Gastrodon's attacks and threaten it with Toxic. Blissey and Eternatus can also use Gastrodon to set Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes, respectively, as well.
**Xerneas**: Defensive Xerneas can use Gastrodon as an opportunity to provide cleric support, while Geomancy Xerneas can threaten it with a boosted Moonblast.
**Physical Wallbreakers**: Swords Dance Groudon, Choice Band Marshadow, and Choice Band Urshifu-S all force Gastrodon out with their powerful attacks. None of them want to switch into Scald, however.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Lasen, 273339]]
- Quality checked by: [[Aberforth, 249382], [TrueNora, 432086]]
- Grammar checked by: [[DC, 449990], [dex, 277988]]
Gastrodon is a premier counter to one of the strongest Ubers Pokemon in Kyogre because it's immune to Kyogre's STAB attacks and Thunder. Unlike Eternatus, Gastrodon is less likely to lose to Kyogre through status and can always beat Kyogre's Choice Specs set. It can also switch into Dracovish spamming Fishious Rend, safely switch into defensive Necrozma-DM not running Knock Off, and counter special Palkia and Dialga that are not running Choice Specs. However, Gastrodon is a more passive switch-in to Kyogre compared to other options like Eternatus and Ferrothorn and lets it freely use Rest; unlike Gastrodon, other special walls are able to switch in and shut down Kyogre by using it as an opportunity to heal, inflict status, or set entry hazards. Gastrodon is also susceptible to all entry hazards, especially Toxic Spikes, if not running Heavy-Duty Boots. When not facing Kyogre or Dracovish, Gastrodon is extremely underwhelming and offers little defensive value.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Clear Smog
move 3: Earthquake / Ice Beam / Icy Wind
move 4: Recover
item: Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Storm Drain
nature: Sassy / Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Scald's burn chance can punish common switch-ins like Eternatus and Yveltal looking to heal or use Defog on Gastrodon, deter wallbreakers like Zekrom and Groudon from freely switching in, and better handle Kyogre in case Ice Beam freezes Gastrodon. Clear Smog is necessary to prevent Calm Mind Kyogre from boosting significantly and powering through Gastrodon. Earthquake hits Eternatus and Toxapex trying to heal or set up Toxic Spikes, and it also catches Zekrom and Dialga for respectable damage. Alternatively, Ice Beam prevents Zygarde-C from using Substitute and setting up on Gastrodon with Coil or Dragon Dance, while Icy Wind conveniently lowers the Speed of switch-ins, such as Calyrex-S and Xerneas to allow Gastrodon's partners to switch in more safely. A Sassy nature is preferred when running Earthquake, while Calm is preferred when Ice Beam or Icy Wind is chosen. Leftovers provides some much appreciated passive recovery, but Heavy-Duty Boots can help mitigate Gastrodon's weakness to Spikes and Toxic Spikes.
Gastrodon covering Kyogre and Dracovish frees up Eternatus to run offensive sets. Gastrodon being a Kyogre counter and general switch-in to Water- and Electric-type moves is great for Ho-Oh, which often loses momentum to Kyogre switching into Defog or a weakened Sacred Fire. In return, Ho-Oh is a switch-in for Grass types like Ferrothorn, Zarude, and Tangrowth. Other partners like Ferrothorn and Skarmory can set Spikes to pressure threats to Gastrodon and force Yveltal to use Defog, which drains the opponent's momentum.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Toxic provides some decent residual damage against most foes, but Gastrodon is hard pressed to find space for it. Confide is an option over Clear Smog for Calm Mind Kyogre and Geomancy Xerneas running Substitute, but it is otherwise completely outclassed.
Checks and Counters
====
**Grass-types**: Even with Ice-type coverage, Gastrodon can't reliably check Ferrothorn, Zarude, and Tangrowth. Ferrothorn is especially an issue, as it comfortably takes all of Gastrodon's attacks and gets a free chance to use Knock Off or set Spikes. It can also take Gastrodon out with its Grass-type STAB move and recover any small amount of damage it takes with Leech Seed.
**Special Walls**: Blissey, Ho-Oh, and Eternatus can repeatedly sponge any of Gastrodon's attacks and threaten it with Toxic. Blissey and Eternatus can also use Gastrodon to set Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes, respectively, as well.
**Xerneas**: Defensive Xerneas can use Gastrodon as an opportunity to provide cleric support, while Geomancy Xerneas can threaten it with a boosted Moonblast.
**Physical Wallbreakers**: Swords Dance Groudon, Choice Band Marshadow, and Choice Band Urshifu-S all force Gastrodon out with their powerful attacks. None of them want to switch into Scald, however.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Lasen, 273339]]
- Quality checked by: [[Aberforth, 249382], [TrueNora, 432086]]
- Grammar checked by: [[DC, 449990], [dex, 277988]]
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