QC Checks: EonX, Molk, atomicllamas
GP Checks:
Overview
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Gothorita is often overlooked, but it has an awesome ability in Shadow Tag which allows it to trap and eliminate dangerous Pokemon for its team. It has an average Special Attack, which it can boost with Calm Mind, as well as decent defensive stats. However, it is a bit slow and it has to rely on Eviolite to be bulky, as well as being quite weak without Calm Mind boosts.
It's a Trap!
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name: It's a Trap!
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Psychic / Psyshock
move 3: Rest
move 4: Reflect / Thunderbolt
ability: Shadow Tag
item: eviolite
evs: 252 HP / 164 Def / 92 Spe
nature: Bold
Moves
========
Calm Mind boosts Gothorita's special stats to formidable levels. The second move is a toss up. Psychic is the preferred STAB move of choice. However, Psyshock can be used to win Calm Mind wars against Pokemon such as Slowking, if it comes to that. Rest keeps Gothorita healthy and lets it set up multiple times on weak, defensive Pokemon such as Alomomola. Reflect is the preferred move of choice, allowing Gothorita to take on physical hits better, though Thunderbolt prevents Dark-types such as Skuntank from entirely walling Gothorita.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread increases Gothorita's physical bulk, and the Speed EVs allow it to outspeed minimum base 65 Speed Pokemon such as Alomomola and setup on it. Eviolite is the only item that should be used, as it increases Gothorita's only decent defenses. A Bold nature is used to further increase Gothorita's physical bulk.
Usage Tips
========
Switch into Pokemon that have low offensive presence such as Alomomola and Audino, and proceed to set up Calm Mind on them. In addition, do not stay in on Dark-types, as they will deal a lot of damage to Gothorita. Use Reflect often, preferably right after it wears off, as it can help Gothorita take on many hits it would otherwise succumb to as well as supporting its teammates. Lastly, use Rest sparingly, as against defensive teams, it will be extremely valuable.
Team Options
========
Pokemon such Cobalion and Zoroark who appreciate walls such as Alomomola and Aromatisse removed make good partners, and they have excellent type synergy with Gothorita. Cobalion, in particular, has excellent type synergy because it is a fantastic switch-in to Dark-types thanks to its bulk and its ability Justified that raises its Attack when hit by one. Since Gothorita doesn't have access to reliable recovery, cleric support from Pokemon such as Aromatisse make good partners because they can cure sleep if Gothorita decides to use Rest and heal Gothorita with Wish. Aromatisse can also switch into most Dark-types in the tier, bar Drapion and Skuntank. Likewise, Pokemon such as Virizion who can deal with Dark-types such as Sharpedo and specially based Zoroark make good partners, and have excellent type synergy with Gothorita. Pokemon such as Jolteon, Gligar, Braviary that can learn U-turn and Volt Switch make excellent partners because they can help Gothorita switch in for free and trap dangerous threats. However, sometimes Gothorita can end up as dead weight in offensive teams due to the fact it is really weak without any Calm Mind boosts, and does nothing else after it has removed dangerous threats for its team.
Other Options
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Gothorita has some other options it can run, such as Energy Ball and Shadow Ball, but it's hard to fit onto a moveslot. Hidden Power Fire / Ground / Ice can also be used to hit some Pokemon super effectively, but again, it is hard to fit onto a moveset. An EV spread that maximizes Special Attack can also be used, but Gothorita will be less bulky and more likely to succumb to repeated attacks. A Choice Scarf or Choice Specs set can also be used, along with Trick to cripple defensive walls. Taunt is another interesting option, as it shuts down many defensive Pokemon such as Amoonguss and Gligar. Lastly, Torment lets Gothorita beat Pokemon such as Registeel with more ease, but has little use outside of that.
Checks & Counters
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**Dark-types** Dark-types such as Shiftry and Sharpedo can force Gothorita out with their powerful STAB attacks.
**Steel-types** Steel-types such as Registeel and Doublade take pitiful damage from Psychic or Psyshock, and the former can wear Gothorita out, while the latter can set up on it.
**Ghost-types** Ghost-types such as Golurk are not affected by Shadow Tag and can force Gothorita out with their powerful STAB moves.
There is no perfect counter or check due to Gothorita's Shadow Tag, though double switching helps.
GP Checks:
Overview
########
Gothorita is often overlooked, but it has an awesome ability in Shadow Tag which allows it to trap and eliminate dangerous Pokemon for its team. It has an average Special Attack, which it can boost with Calm Mind, as well as decent defensive stats. However, it is a bit slow and it has to rely on Eviolite to be bulky, as well as being quite weak without Calm Mind boosts.
It's a Trap!
########
name: It's a Trap!
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Psychic / Psyshock
move 3: Rest
move 4: Reflect / Thunderbolt
ability: Shadow Tag
item: eviolite
evs: 252 HP / 164 Def / 92 Spe
nature: Bold
Moves
========
Calm Mind boosts Gothorita's special stats to formidable levels. The second move is a toss up. Psychic is the preferred STAB move of choice. However, Psyshock can be used to win Calm Mind wars against Pokemon such as Slowking, if it comes to that. Rest keeps Gothorita healthy and lets it set up multiple times on weak, defensive Pokemon such as Alomomola. Reflect is the preferred move of choice, allowing Gothorita to take on physical hits better, though Thunderbolt prevents Dark-types such as Skuntank from entirely walling Gothorita.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread increases Gothorita's physical bulk, and the Speed EVs allow it to outspeed minimum base 65 Speed Pokemon such as Alomomola and setup on it. Eviolite is the only item that should be used, as it increases Gothorita's only decent defenses. A Bold nature is used to further increase Gothorita's physical bulk.
Usage Tips
========
Switch into Pokemon that have low offensive presence such as Alomomola and Audino, and proceed to set up Calm Mind on them. In addition, do not stay in on Dark-types, as they will deal a lot of damage to Gothorita. Use Reflect often, preferably right after it wears off, as it can help Gothorita take on many hits it would otherwise succumb to as well as supporting its teammates. Lastly, use Rest sparingly, as against defensive teams, it will be extremely valuable.
Team Options
========
Pokemon such Cobalion and Zoroark who appreciate walls such as Alomomola and Aromatisse removed make good partners, and they have excellent type synergy with Gothorita. Cobalion, in particular, has excellent type synergy because it is a fantastic switch-in to Dark-types thanks to its bulk and its ability Justified that raises its Attack when hit by one. Since Gothorita doesn't have access to reliable recovery, cleric support from Pokemon such as Aromatisse make good partners because they can cure sleep if Gothorita decides to use Rest and heal Gothorita with Wish. Aromatisse can also switch into most Dark-types in the tier, bar Drapion and Skuntank. Likewise, Pokemon such as Virizion who can deal with Dark-types such as Sharpedo and specially based Zoroark make good partners, and have excellent type synergy with Gothorita. Pokemon such as Jolteon, Gligar, Braviary that can learn U-turn and Volt Switch make excellent partners because they can help Gothorita switch in for free and trap dangerous threats. However, sometimes Gothorita can end up as dead weight in offensive teams due to the fact it is really weak without any Calm Mind boosts, and does nothing else after it has removed dangerous threats for its team.
Other Options
########
Gothorita has some other options it can run, such as Energy Ball and Shadow Ball, but it's hard to fit onto a moveslot. Hidden Power Fire / Ground / Ice can also be used to hit some Pokemon super effectively, but again, it is hard to fit onto a moveset. An EV spread that maximizes Special Attack can also be used, but Gothorita will be less bulky and more likely to succumb to repeated attacks. A Choice Scarf or Choice Specs set can also be used, along with Trick to cripple defensive walls. Taunt is another interesting option, as it shuts down many defensive Pokemon such as Amoonguss and Gligar. Lastly, Torment lets Gothorita beat Pokemon such as Registeel with more ease, but has little use outside of that.
Checks & Counters
########
**Dark-types** Dark-types such as Shiftry and Sharpedo can force Gothorita out with their powerful STAB attacks.
**Steel-types** Steel-types such as Registeel and Doublade take pitiful damage from Psychic or Psyshock, and the former can wear Gothorita out, while the latter can set up on it.
**Ghost-types** Ghost-types such as Golurk are not affected by Shadow Tag and can force Gothorita out with their powerful STAB moves.
There is no perfect counter or check due to Gothorita's Shadow Tag, though double switching helps.
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