PU Gastrodon

uploaded -zard

[OVERVIEW]

Gastrodon offers a solid defensive presence in the PU metagame, with a typing that lets it take on a plethora of Pokemon. Thanks to this and its access to reliable recovery, it can function effectively as a physical wall that can check many solid physical attackers like Piloswine, Archeops, Aggron, and Skuntank. In addition, Gastrodon's Storm Drain ability, combined with its immunity to Electric-type moves, allows it to function as an excellent check to Pokemon like Lanturn, Carracosta and Kabutops. While all of these traits grant Gastrodon great defensive utility, its potential is held back by its susceptibility to status. This, along with its poor Speed makes it very prone to being worn down, and it is often being forced to use Recover a lot more than it'd like to avoid getting picked off. Gastrodon's major weakness to Grass-type attacks also makes it quite mediocre at checking most Fire- and Electric-types, as Pokemon like Magmortar and Eelektross frequently run Grass-type coverage. Grass-type Pokemon in general such as Lilligant and Alolan Exeggutor also exploit Gastrodon easily, as they resist its attacks and can easily OHKO with their own.

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Earth Power / Earthquake
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
evs: Bold / Relaxed

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

Scald threatens Pokemon such as Piloswine and Archeops, and it can potentially cripple switch-ins with a burn. Recover helps Gastrodon stay healthy throughout the match. Earth Power offers good coverage with Scald, hitting Pokemon like Qwilfish, Carracosta, and Kabutops extremely hard while always OHKOing Aggron. Earthquake can be used instead to always OHKO Alolan Raichu as well as Pokemon such as Magmortar and Jynx after Stealth Rock. Toxic allows Gastrodon to rack up damage against many common switch-ins, such as Lilligant and Abomasnow, as well as many defensive Pokemon, like Miltank and opposing Gastrodon.

Set Details
========

Maximum HP and Defense investment lets Gastrodon acquire the most physical bulk possible. Leftovers gives it passive recovery alongside its own recovery move to keep it healthy. Use a Bold nature if using Earth Power, and use a Relaxed nature instead if using Earthquake. Storm Drain lets Gastrodon absorb Water-type attacks while gaining a Special Attack boost, which lets it check the likes of Kabutops and Floatzel.

Usage Tips
========

Gastrodon should switch into Pokemon that it can use its typing and physical bulk to take advantage of, such as Lanturn, Lycanroc, Regirock, Skuntank, and Choice Scarf Primeape. From there, it can threaten them with its STAB attacks or catch a possible switch-in with Toxic. It's important to keep Gastrodon healthy with Recover, as it relies on being at a high amount of HP to prevent Pokemon like Archeops from breaking through it. Although it helps to land a timely Toxic on defensive Pokemon like Miltank, Gastrodon should avoid staying in on the ones that carry Toxic as well, as status is detrimental to its longevity. Lastly, be prepared to make double switches against Pokemon you're expecting to come in like Alolan Exeggutor and Eelektross, and try to take advantage of them with teammates that can threaten them.

Team Options
========

Grass-types generally come in on Gastrodon very easily, so solid Grass-types answers first and foremost, like Magmortar, Skuntank, and Oricorio-G, are essential. Many of these Pokemon have weaknesses or checks in the form of Water-, Rock-, and Ground-types, and so in return appreciate Gastrodon's ability to take them on. Entry hazard removal is also appreciated, because Toxic Spikes and other entry hazards hinder Gastrodon's ability to check Pokemon that it already barely does check, like Archeops. The aforementioned Skuntank, as well as Pokemon such as Togetic, are great partners for that, and they also respectively check Grass-type Pokemon such as Lurantis and Alolan Exeggutor. Specially bulky Pokemon such as Type: Null and Throh can also help compensate for Gastrodon's lack of Special Defense investment, with the added benefit of functioning as status absorbers for Toxic users. Gurdurr can also function as a status absorber with Guts, and it can threaten the likes of Miltank and Ferroseed.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Offensive sets like Choice Specs and Life Orb have nice surprise factor, luring the common bulky switch-ins like Drampa, Alolan Exeggutor, and Ferroseed and breaking through them with Ice Beam and Hidden Power Fire, respectively. The loss in bulk it requires, however, means it loses the ability to check a lot of the threats that defensive Gastrodon is capable of doing, such as Archeops. It also faces competition from other offensive Water-types, as many are faster and stronger. Yawn is an option to force out Pokemon that would otherwise switch into Gastrodon and can rack up damage with hazard support, but it can clash with Gastrodon's Scald should it spread burns. Mirror Coat, combined with Rindo Berry, can surprise some Grass-types like Lilligant and Lurantis that Gastrodon lures in. Clear Smog helps Gastrodon take on Pokemon like Gurdurr more reliably, but it has little use outside of that and running it over Toxic gives you no good way of crippling common switch-ins. Curse Gastrodon can serve as a decent sweeper by boosting its offensive and defensive capabilities upon each use but is generally too vulnerable to status for it to consistently sweep. Finally, Gastrodon can use a specially defensive EV spread to sponge hits like Skuntank's Hidden Power Grass more effectively, but in doing so, it loses the bulk it needs to switch into many of the tier's physical attackers, like Lycanroc, Kabutops, and Aggron.


Checks and Counters
===================

**Grass-type Pokemon**: All of Lilligant, Alolan Exeggutor, Lurantis, Ferroseed, and Shiftry have very low-risk opportunities to switch in and either set up or threaten to OHKO Gastrodon with their respective STAB moves. Support Pokemon such as Roselia and Ferroseed can set up hazards, while Lurantis is able to remove them. With the sole exception of Roselia, the most Gastrodon can do in return is cripple them with status, with Shiftry and Ferroseed hating burns and the others fearing Toxic.

**Status**: Toxic in particular severely hinders Gastrodon's defensive capabilities and longevity, and many Pokemon that carry it such as Miltank, Audino, and opposing Gastrodon can also take its attacks easily. Pokemon that Gastrodon even commonly switches into, such as Regirock, frequently carry Toxic. Toxic Spikes, in particular, is also very hindering.

**Super Effective Coverage**: Although specially offensive Pokemon such as Magmortar, offensive Lanturn, and specially offensive Floatzel generally struggle to beat it 1v1, they commonly carry coverage options that serve to severely dent Gastrodon after it has been lured in, and due to its low Speed, it can be forced to take another hit upon the initial switch in to secure a 2HKO.

**Status Absorbers**: Pokemon like Type: Null, Gurdurr, Clefairy, and Komala are able to freely switch in on Gastrodon, not worry about status, and either set up or status it, respectively, with Gastrodon unable to do anything in return.

**Strong Special Attackers**: Powerful special attackers that don't mind switching into Gastrodon, such as Drampa, Jynx, and Choice Specs or Calm Mind Mesprit, are solid options for breaking through Gastrodon.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

yogi

I did not succumb...
is a Tutor Alumnusis a Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnus
Hi welcome to my first analysis :D

[OVERVIEW]
  • Solid defensive typing and Storm Drain allows it to check Pokemon like Carracosta, Kabutops, Lycanroc, Lanturn and Aggron
  • Recover gives it longevity, allowing it to stay healthy to check the things it needs to - Maybe examples like Archeops here
  • Despite its great typing, it leaves it very vulnerable to being pressured by Grass-types like Lilligant, Shiftry, Abomosnow, and Exeggutor-Alola
  • Its general passiveness doesn't help either, leaving it prone to the aforementioned Grass-types and various wallbreakers such as Guzzlord and Jynx
  • Mediocre Fire and Electric-type check despite its typing, due to many of them frequently running Grass-type coverage - I'd still mention the Electric immunity as being a plus, because it's able to stop Volt Switch specifically
  • Vulnerable to hazards and status - Specifically Toxic Spikes and Toxic

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Earth Power / Earthquake
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
evs: Bold / Relaxed

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Scald threatens Pokemon it checks such as Archeops and Piloswine, with the potential to burn - And also pressures most Physical switch ins
  • Recover is mandatory to keep it healthy
  • Earth Power is secondary stab that hits mons like Lanturn, Qwilfish, Skuntank, and offensive Water-types harder, but running Earthquake with a Relaxed nature can OHKO Jynx and Magmortar after Stealth Rocks and 2HKOs all Lanturn variants - Earthquake doesn't OHKO Jynx without prior Stealth Rocks damage
  • Toxic cripples Grass-type switch-ins (like?), and gives it a way to pressure bulky mons it otherwise can't do much to, like Miltank, Togetic, Guzzlord, and opposing Gastrodon


Set Details
========
  • Near Max HP and Defense investment lets it take on physical attackers such as Archeops and Piloswine better, while the reduced HP takes less damage from hazards and status. Rest dumped into SpDef
  • Bold if running Earth Power, Relaxed if running Earthquake
  • Leftovers gives Gastrodon passive recovery alongside Recover to ensure Gastrodon stays as healthy as possible
  • Storm Drain allows it to reliably check most common Water-types, such as Carracosta, Kabutops and Poliwrath
Usage Tips
========
  • Use Gastro to switch into and threaten the likes of Qwilfish, Carracosta, Piloswine, Lanturn, Kabutops, and Lycanroc
  • Can check Archeops too but generally needs to be pretty healthy already
  • Use Toxic to wear down opposing walls or cripple Grass-type/offensive checks on the switch
  • Generally after a Toxic, be prepared to double switch around so that common switch-ins don't get a free opportunity against you
  • Try to keep it healthy with Recover, especially if it's still needed to check stuff
  • Although you should Toxic most defensive Pokemon that take your attacks well, many like to carry Toxic too so be careful around that - I feel like you've used 3 bullet points to try and explain what Toxic does, I'd recommend just combining them
Team Options
========
  • Grass types generally come in on Gastrodon almost completely safely (bar Toxic), so solid Grass-types answers first and foremost, like Magmortar, Skuntank, Guzzlord, Oricorio-Sensu, Sap Sipper Miltank (can offer cleric support too), and Roselia, are essential
  • Pokemon that are pressured by Piloswine and Rock/Water types in general such as Floatzel, Lanturn, and Kabutops. Many of these Pokemon such as Archeops and Pyroar also just so happen to check Grass-types well either offensively or defensively - I feel like a mention to Magmortar over Pyroar would be more suitable, or at least mentioning it
  • Appreciates hazard removal because Spikes/Toxic Spikes hinders its ability to check things that it already barely does check like Archeops. Good options are Togetic (which also checks guzzlord/eggy-alola) and Skuntank (absorbs tspikes)
  • Hates Toxic, so cleric support from Miltank, Audino, and Togetic are nice. Gurdurr can also use it to activate Guts and threaten the likes of Audino, Miltank, Ferroseed, etc. - Maybe mention better cleric users and take Togetic away, so something like Granbull, because Togetic is already hard pressed for moves
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
  • Offensive sets like Specs or Life Orb have nice surprise factor, luring the common bulky switch-ins like Guzzlord, Exeggutor-Alola, and Grass-types and breaking through them with the appropriate coverage move - But it means you lose the defensive utility Gastrodon offers
  • Yawn is cool with hazard support as it forces lots of switches, but then you sacrifice crippling lots of things and beating more mons 1v1 without Toxic after something is asleep
  • Infestation to trap things - What things? Expand
  • Rindo Berry+Mirror Coat to lure grasses - What Grass-types, also explain that Mirror Coat isn't able to be used versus opposing Shiftry's due to it being a Psychic move
  • Curse - Expand this
  • Clear Smog helps you 1v1 things like Gurdurr and Taunt Vigoroth more easily, but is useless against Sub and running it gives you no good way of crippling switch-ins - You do not reliably one-v-one Vigoroth if it's carrying Taunt, so I'd change just remove this; really you lose to every Vig set, especially Sub as mentioned
  • I'd actually also mention Counter as a possible piece of tech
Checks and Counters
===================

**Grass-type Pokemon**: All of Lilligant, Exeggutor-Alola, Lurantis, Ferroseed, and Shiftry have very low-risk opportunities to switch-in and either set up or threaten to OHKO Gastrodon with their respective STAB moves. Support variants such as Roselia and Ferroseed can set up hazards, while Lurantis is able to remove them. With the sole exception of Roselia, the most Gastrodon can do in return is cripple them with status, with Shiftry and Ferroseed hating burns and the others fearing Toxic. - Ferroseed really doesn't care about being burned

**Status**: Toxic in particular severely hinders its defensive capabilities and survivability, and many Pokemon that carry it such as Miltank, Audino, or opposing Gastrodon can take its attacks easily. Musharna can bait it into going for it thanks to Syncronize and using it as complete setup fodder otherwise. Pokemon that Gastrodon even commonly switches into, such as Regirock, frequently carry Toxic. Toxic Spikes, in particular, is also very hindering. - I really don't think Musharna wants to switch in to Gastrodon, because it really hates being Toxic'd itself

**Super-Effective Coverage**: Although specially offensive Pokemon such as Pyroar, Magmortar, offensive Lanturn, and Special Floatzel generally struggle to beat it 1v1, they commonly carry coverage options that serve to lure and severely dent Gastrodon, and due to its low speed, it can be forced to take another hit upon the initial switch-in to secure a 2HKO.

**Rest Users** Things like Type-Null and Guzzlord are able to freely switch in on Gastrodon and either set up or status it, respectively, with Gastrodon unable to do anything in return


Super solid though n_n
 

TJ

Banned deucer.
is the Smogon Tour Season 34 Championis a Past SPL Championis a Two-Time Past SCL Champion
am check

[OVERVIEW]
  • Solid defensive typing and Storm Drain allows it to check Pokemon like Carracosta, Kabutops, Lycanroc, Lanturn and Aggron
  • Recover gives it longevity, allowing it to consistently stick around to check the things it needs to
  • Despite its great typing, it leaves it very vulnerable to being pressured by Grass-types like Lilligant, Shiftry, Abomosnow, and Exeggutor-Alola
  • Its general passiveness doesn't help either, leaving it prone to the aforementioned Grass-types and various wallbreakers such as Guzzlord and Jynx
  • Mediocre Fire and Electric-type check despite its typing, due to many of them frequently running Grass-type coverage. list examples like magmortar
  • Vulnerable to hazards and status

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Earth Power / Earthquake
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
evs: Bold / Relaxed

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Scald threatens Pokemon it checks such as Archeops and Piloswine, with the potential to burn
  • Recover is mandatory to keep it healthy
  • Earth Power is secondary stab that hits mons like Lanturn, Qwilfish, Skuntank, and offensive Water-types harder, but running Earthquake with a Relaxed nature can OHKO Jynx and Magmortar after Stealth Rocks and 2HKOs all Lanturn variants
  • Toxic cripples Grass-type switch-ins, and gives it a way to pressure bulky mons it otherwise can't do much to, like Miltank, Togetic, Guzzlord, and opposing Gastrodon I like this point but I would remove the mention of Miltank because they often run Heal Bell


Set Details
========
  • Near Max HP and Defense investment lets it take on physical attackers such as Archeops and Piloswine better, while the reduced HP takes less damage from hazards and status. Rest dumped into SpDef
  • Bold if running Earth Power, Relaxed if running Earthquake
  • Talk about Leftovers
  • Talk about Storm Drain
Usage Tips
========
  • Use Gastro to switch into and threaten the likes of Qwilfish, Carracosta, Piloswine, Lanturn, Kabutops, and Lycanroc
  • Can check Archeops too but generally needs to be pretty healthy already
  • Use Toxic to wear down opposing walls or cripple Grass-type/offensive checks on the switch list examples like you did above
  • Generally after a Toxic, be prepared to double switch around so that common switch-ins don't get a free opportunity against you list examples of common switch ins
  • Try to keep it healthy with Recover, especially if it's still needed to check stuff
  • Although you should Toxic most defensive Pokemon that take your attacks well, many like to carry Toxic too so be careful around that
Team Options
========
  • Grass types generally come in on Gastrodon almost completely safely, so solid Grass-types answers first and foremost, like Magmortar, Skuntank, Guzzlord, Oricorio-Sensu, Sap Sipper Miltank (can offer cleric support too), and Roselia, are essential rose is very subpar atm and miltank prefers thick fat
  • Pokemon that are pressured by Piloswine and Rock/Water types in general such as Floatzel, Lanturn, and Kabutops. Many of these Pokemon such as Archeops and Pyroar also just so happen to check Grass-types well either offensively or defensively
  • Appreciates hazard removal because Spikes/Toxic Spikes hinders its ability to check things that it already barely does check like Archeops. Good options are Togetic (which also checks guzzlord/eggy-alola) and Skuntank (absorbs tspikes)
  • Hates Toxic, so cleric support from Miltank, Audino, and Togetic are nice. Gurdurr can also use it to activate Guts and threaten the likes of Audino, Miltank, Ferroseed, etc.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
  • Offensive sets like Specs or Life Orb have nice surprise factor, luring the common bulky switch-ins like Guzzlord, Exeggutor-Alola, and Grass-types and breaking through them with the appropriate coverage move just say Icebeam at the end imo
  • Yawn is cool with hazard support as it forces lots of switches, but then you sacrifice crippling lots of things and beating more mons 1v1 without Toxic after something is asleep
  • Infestation to trap things eh that seems bad
  • Rindo Berry+Mirror Coat to lure grasses
  • Curse
  • Clear Smog helps you 1v1 things like Gurdurr and Taunt Vigoroth more easily, but is useless against Sub and running it gives you no good way of crippling switch-ins
Checks and Counters
===================

**Grass-type Pokemon**: All of Lilligant, Exeggutor-Alola, Lurantis, Ferroseed, and Shiftry have very low-risk opportunities to switch-in and either set up or threaten to OHKO Gastrodon with their respective STAB moves. Support variants such as Roselia, Ferroseed, and Lurantis can all either set up hazards or remove them, respectively. With the sole exception of Roselia, the most Gastrodon can do in return is cripple them with status, with Shiftry and Ferroseed hating burns and the others fearing Toxic.

**Status**: Toxic in particular severely hinders its defensive capabilities and survivability, and many Pokemon that carry it such as Miltank, Audino, or opposing Gastrodon can take its attacks easily. Musharna can bait it into going for it thanks to Syncronize and using it as complete setup fodder otherwise. Pokemon that Gastrodon even commonly switches into, such as Regirock, frequently carry Toxic. Toxic Spikes, in particular, is also very hindering.

**Super-Effective Coverage**: Although specially offensive Pokemon such as Pyroar, Magmortar, offensive Lanturn, and Special Floatzel generally struggle to beat it 1v1, they commonly carry coverage options that serve to lure and severely dent Gastrodon, and due to its low speed, it can be forced to take another hit upon the initial switch-in to secure a 2HKO.


Overall solid analysis [:
 
Hi welcome to my first analysis :D

[OVERVIEW]
  • Solid defensive typing and Storm Drain allows it to check Pokemon like Carracosta, Kabutops, Lycanroc, Lanturn and Aggron
  • Recover gives it longevity, allowing it to stay healthy to check the things it needs to - Maybe examples like Archeops here
  • Despite its great typing, it leaves it very vulnerable to being pressured by Grass-types like Lilligant, Shiftry, Abomosnow, and Exeggutor-Alola
  • Its general passiveness doesn't help either, leaving it prone to the aforementioned Grass-types and various wallbreakers such as Guzzlord and Jynx
  • Mediocre Fire and Electric-type check despite its typing, due to many of them frequently running Grass-type coverage - I'd still mention the Electric immunity as being a plus, because it's able to stop Volt Switch specifically
  • Vulnerable to hazards and status - Specifically Toxic Spikes and Toxic

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Earth Power / Earthquake
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
evs: Bold / Relaxed

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Scald threatens Pokemon it checks such as Archeops and Piloswine, with the potential to burn - And also pressures most Physical switch ins
  • Recover is mandatory to keep it healthy
  • Earth Power is secondary stab that hits mons like Lanturn, Qwilfish, Skuntank, and offensive Water-types harder, but running Earthquake with a Relaxed nature can OHKO Jynx and Magmortar after Stealth Rocks and 2HKOs all Lanturn variants - Earthquake doesn't OHKO Jynx without prior Stealth Rocks damage
  • Toxic cripples Grass-type switch-ins (like?), and gives it a way to pressure bulky mons it otherwise can't do much to, like Miltank, Togetic, Guzzlord, and opposing Gastrodon


Set Details
========
  • Near Max HP and Defense investment lets it take on physical attackers such as Archeops and Piloswine better, while the reduced HP takes less damage from hazards and status. Rest dumped into SpDef
  • Bold if running Earth Power, Relaxed if running Earthquake
  • Leftovers gives Gastrodon passive recovery alongside Recover to ensure Gastrodon stays as healthy as possible
  • Storm Drain allows it to reliably check most common Water-types, such as Carracosta, Kabutops and Poliwrath
Usage Tips
========
  • Use Gastro to switch into and threaten the likes of Qwilfish, Carracosta, Piloswine, Lanturn, Kabutops, and Lycanroc
  • Can check Archeops too but generally needs to be pretty healthy already
  • Use Toxic to wear down opposing walls or cripple Grass-type/offensive checks on the switch
  • Generally after a Toxic, be prepared to double switch around so that common switch-ins don't get a free opportunity against you
  • Try to keep it healthy with Recover, especially if it's still needed to check stuff
  • Although you should Toxic most defensive Pokemon that take your attacks well, many like to carry Toxic too so be careful around that - I feel like you've used 3 bullet points to try and explain what Toxic does, I'd recommend just combining them
Team Options
========
  • Grass types generally come in on Gastrodon almost completely safely (bar Toxic), so solid Grass-types answers first and foremost, like Magmortar, Skuntank, Guzzlord, Oricorio-Sensu, Sap Sipper Miltank (can offer cleric support too), and Roselia, are essential
  • Pokemon that are pressured by Piloswine and Rock/Water types in general such as Floatzel, Lanturn, and Kabutops. Many of these Pokemon such as Archeops and Pyroar also just so happen to check Grass-types well either offensively or defensively - I feel like a mention to Magmortar over Pyroar would be more suitable, or at least mentioning it
  • Appreciates hazard removal because Spikes/Toxic Spikes hinders its ability to check things that it already barely does check like Archeops. Good options are Togetic (which also checks guzzlord/eggy-alola) and Skuntank (absorbs tspikes)
  • Hates Toxic, so cleric support from Miltank, Audino, and Togetic are nice. Gurdurr can also use it to activate Guts and threaten the likes of Audino, Miltank, Ferroseed, etc. - Maybe mention better cleric users and take Togetic away, so something like Granbull, because Togetic is already hard pressed for moves
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
  • Offensive sets like Specs or Life Orb have nice surprise factor, luring the common bulky switch-ins like Guzzlord, Exeggutor-Alola, and Grass-types and breaking through them with the appropriate coverage move - But it means you lose the defensive utility Gastrodon offers
  • Yawn is cool with hazard support as it forces lots of switches, but then you sacrifice crippling lots of things and beating more mons 1v1 without Toxic after something is asleep
  • Infestation to trap things - What things? Expand
  • Rindo Berry+Mirror Coat to lure grasses - What Grass-types, also explain that Mirror Coat isn't able to be used versus opposing Shiftry's due to it being a Psychic move
  • Curse - Expand this
  • Clear Smog helps you 1v1 things like Gurdurr and Taunt Vigoroth more easily, but is useless against Sub and running it gives you no good way of crippling switch-ins - You do not reliably one-v-one Vigoroth if it's carrying Taunt, so I'd change just remove this; really you lose to every Vig set, especially Sub as mentioned
  • I'd actually also mention Counter as a possible piece of tech
Checks and Counters
===================

**Grass-type Pokemon**: All of Lilligant, Exeggutor-Alola, Lurantis, Ferroseed, and Shiftry have very low-risk opportunities to switch-in and either set up or threaten to OHKO Gastrodon with their respective STAB moves. Support variants such as Roselia and Ferroseed can set up hazards, while Lurantis is able to remove them. With the sole exception of Roselia, the most Gastrodon can do in return is cripple them with status, with Shiftry and Ferroseed hating burns and the others fearing Toxic. - Ferroseed really doesn't care about being burned

**Status**: Toxic in particular severely hinders its defensive capabilities and survivability, and many Pokemon that carry it such as Miltank, Audino, or opposing Gastrodon can take its attacks easily. Musharna can bait it into going for it thanks to Syncronize and using it as complete setup fodder otherwise. Pokemon that Gastrodon even commonly switches into, such as Regirock, frequently carry Toxic. Toxic Spikes, in particular, is also very hindering. - I really don't think Musharna wants to switch in to Gastrodon, because it really hates being Toxic'd itself

**Super-Effective Coverage**: Although specially offensive Pokemon such as Pyroar, Magmortar, offensive Lanturn, and Special Floatzel generally struggle to beat it 1v1, they commonly carry coverage options that serve to lure and severely dent Gastrodon, and due to its low speed, it can be forced to take another hit upon the initial switch-in to secure a 2HKO.

**Rest Users** Things like Type-Null and Guzzlord are able to freely switch in on Gastrodon and either set up or status it, respectively, with Gastrodon unable to do anything in return


Super solid though n_n
am check

[OVERVIEW]
  • Solid defensive typing and Storm Drain allows it to check Pokemon like Carracosta, Kabutops, Lycanroc, Lanturn and Aggron
  • Recover gives it longevity, allowing it to consistently stick around to check the things it needs to
  • Despite its great typing, it leaves it very vulnerable to being pressured by Grass-types like Lilligant, Shiftry, Abomosnow, and Exeggutor-Alola
  • Its general passiveness doesn't help either, leaving it prone to the aforementioned Grass-types and various wallbreakers such as Guzzlord and Jynx
  • Mediocre Fire and Electric-type check despite its typing, due to many of them frequently running Grass-type coverage. list examples like magmortar
  • Vulnerable to hazards and status

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Earth Power / Earthquake
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
evs: Bold / Relaxed

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Scald threatens Pokemon it checks such as Archeops and Piloswine, with the potential to burn
  • Recover is mandatory to keep it healthy
  • Earth Power is secondary stab that hits mons like Lanturn, Qwilfish, Skuntank, and offensive Water-types harder, but running Earthquake with a Relaxed nature can OHKO Jynx and Magmortar after Stealth Rocks and 2HKOs all Lanturn variants
  • Toxic cripples Grass-type switch-ins, and gives it a way to pressure bulky mons it otherwise can't do much to, like Miltank, Togetic, Guzzlord, and opposing Gastrodon I like this point but I would remove the mention of Miltank because they often run Heal Bell


Set Details
========
  • Near Max HP and Defense investment lets it take on physical attackers such as Archeops and Piloswine better, while the reduced HP takes less damage from hazards and status. Rest dumped into SpDef
  • Bold if running Earth Power, Relaxed if running Earthquake
  • Talk about Leftovers
  • Talk about Storm Drain
Usage Tips
========
  • Use Gastro to switch into and threaten the likes of Qwilfish, Carracosta, Piloswine, Lanturn, Kabutops, and Lycanroc
  • Can check Archeops too but generally needs to be pretty healthy already
  • Use Toxic to wear down opposing walls or cripple Grass-type/offensive checks on the switch list examples like you did above
  • Generally after a Toxic, be prepared to double switch around so that common switch-ins don't get a free opportunity against you list examples of common switch ins
  • Try to keep it healthy with Recover, especially if it's still needed to check stuff
  • Although you should Toxic most defensive Pokemon that take your attacks well, many like to carry Toxic too so be careful around that
Team Options
========
  • Grass types generally come in on Gastrodon almost completely safely, so solid Grass-types answers first and foremost, like Magmortar, Skuntank, Guzzlord, Oricorio-Sensu, Sap Sipper Miltank (can offer cleric support too), and Roselia, are essential rose is very subpar atm and miltank prefers thick fat
  • Pokemon that are pressured by Piloswine and Rock/Water types in general such as Floatzel, Lanturn, and Kabutops. Many of these Pokemon such as Archeops and Pyroar also just so happen to check Grass-types well either offensively or defensively
  • Appreciates hazard removal because Spikes/Toxic Spikes hinders its ability to check things that it already barely does check like Archeops. Good options are Togetic (which also checks guzzlord/eggy-alola) and Skuntank (absorbs tspikes)
  • Hates Toxic, so cleric support from Miltank, Audino, and Togetic are nice. Gurdurr can also use it to activate Guts and threaten the likes of Audino, Miltank, Ferroseed, etc.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
  • Offensive sets like Specs or Life Orb have nice surprise factor, luring the common bulky switch-ins like Guzzlord, Exeggutor-Alola, and Grass-types and breaking through them with the appropriate coverage move just say Icebeam at the end imo
  • Yawn is cool with hazard support as it forces lots of switches, but then you sacrifice crippling lots of things and beating more mons 1v1 without Toxic after something is asleep
  • Infestation to trap things eh that seems bad
  • Rindo Berry+Mirror Coat to lure grasses
  • Curse
  • Clear Smog helps you 1v1 things like Gurdurr and Taunt Vigoroth more easily, but is useless against Sub and running it gives you no good way of crippling switch-ins
Checks and Counters
===================

**Grass-type Pokemon**: All of Lilligant, Exeggutor-Alola, Lurantis, Ferroseed, and Shiftry have very low-risk opportunities to switch-in and either set up or threaten to OHKO Gastrodon with their respective STAB moves. Support variants such as Roselia, Ferroseed, and Lurantis can all either set up hazards or remove them, respectively. With the sole exception of Roselia, the most Gastrodon can do in return is cripple them with status, with Shiftry and Ferroseed hating burns and the others fearing Toxic.

**Status**: Toxic in particular severely hinders its defensive capabilities and survivability, and many Pokemon that carry it such as Miltank, Audino, or opposing Gastrodon can take its attacks easily. Musharna can bait it into going for it thanks to Syncronize and using it as complete setup fodder otherwise. Pokemon that Gastrodon even commonly switches into, such as Regirock, frequently carry Toxic. Toxic Spikes, in particular, is also very hindering.

**Super-Effective Coverage**: Although specially offensive Pokemon such as Pyroar, Magmortar, offensive Lanturn, and Special Floatzel generally struggle to beat it 1v1, they commonly carry coverage options that serve to lure and severely dent Gastrodon, and due to its low speed, it can be forced to take another hit upon the initial switch-in to secure a 2HKO.


Overall solid analysis [:
finally got around to editing this with most of the suggested changes taken into account, thanks you two :]
 

MZ

And now for something completely different
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Top Team Rater Alumnusis a Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Community Leader Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Top Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnusis a Top Smogon Media Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus
Hi welcome to my first analysis :D

[OVERVIEW]
  • Solid defensive typing and Storm Drain allows it to check Pokemon like Carracosta, Skuntank, Kabutops, Lycanroc, Lanturn and Aggron
  • Recover gives it longevity, allowing it to stay healthy to check the things it needs to, like Archeops this is more like a description you'd find in moves, the overview is more concerned with pointing out that hey this has reliable recovery and that's pretty good
  • Despite its great typing, it leaves it very vulnerable to being pressured by Grass-types like Lilligant, Shiftry, Abomosnow, and Exeggutor-Alola also u can cut down on examples a bit, they're important later but in the overview 1-2 will suffice
  • Its general passiveness and being kind of weak doesn't help either, leaving it prone to the aforementioned Grass-types and various wallbreakers such as Guzzlord and Jynx
  • Mediocre Fire and Electric-type check despite its typing, due to many of them frequently running Grass-type coverage such as Magmortar and Eelektross. Volt Switch immunity does come in handy in some situations, however
  • Vulnerable to hazards and status, specifically Toxic Spikes and Toxic

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Earth Power / Earthquake change the order here, qc agrees that EQ is better overall
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
evs: Bold / Relaxed also change the order here

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Scald threatens Pokemon it checks such as Archeops and Piloswine, with the potential to burn, pressuring most Physical switch ins
  • Recover is mandatory to keep it healthy
  • Earth Power is secondary stab that hits mons like Lanturn, Qwilfish, Skuntank, and offensive Water-types harder, but running Earthquake with a Relaxed nature can OHKO both Jynx and Magmortar after Stealth Rocks and 2HKOs all Lanturn variants eq also gets u the OHKO on alolan raichu. anyway switch up the order, in general eq is better (also u chip stuff like guzz better) but earth power is mildly better for qwilfish and carracosta and like, that's it
  • Toxic cripples Grass-type switch-ins like Lilligant and Lurantis, and gives it a way to pressure bulky mons it otherwise can't do much to, like Miltank, Togetic, Guzzlord, and opposing Gastrodon


Set Details
========
  • Near Max HP and Defense investment lets it take on physical attackers such as Archeops and Piloswine better, while the reduced HP takes less damage from hazards and status. Rest dumped into SpDef don't need to mention rest as it doesn't have any specific purpose
  • Bold if running Earth Power, Relaxed if running Earthquake
  • Leftovers gives Gastrodon passive recovery alongside Recover to ensure Gastrodon stays as healthy as possible
  • Storm Drain allows it to reliably check most common Water-types, such as Carracosta, Kabutops and Poliwrath
Usage Tips
========
  • Use Gastro to switch into and threaten the likes of Qwilfish, Carracosta, Piloswine, Lanturn, Kabutops, and Lycanroc ur giving the exact same examples u gave before which is kinda odd, but id cut down on some of these from the overview anyway. as long as ur getting across that its main function is to keep switching into a lot of stuff, ur fine
  • Can check Archeops too but generally needs to be pretty healthy already
  • Use Toxic to wear down opposing walls or cripple Grass-type/offensive checks on the switch
  • Generally after a Toxic, be prepared to double switch around so that common switch-ins don't get a free opportunity against you. Also, although you should Toxic most defensive Pokemon that take your attacks well, many like to carry Toxic too so be careful around that i don't see how double switching is only limited to after a toxic. also the "look out for toxic" point should really be its own bullet
  • Try to keep it healthy with Recover, especially if it's still needed to check stuff u could honestly just add this to the archeops point, both are v important but basically say the same thing
Team Options
========
  • Grass types generally come in on Gastrodon almost completely safely, so solid Grass-types answers first and foremost, like Magmortar, Skuntank, Guzzlord, and Oricorio-Sensu, are essential
  • Pokemon that are pressured by Piloswine and Rock/Water types in general such as Floatzel, Lanturn, and Kabutops you've already given so many examples of stuff gastro checks that listing even more waters seems unnecessary and confusing in the context. Many of these Pokemon such as Archeops, Magmortar, and Pyroar also just so happen to check Grass-types well either offensively or defensively
  • Appreciates hazard removal because Spikes/Toxic Spikes hinders its ability to check things that it already barely does check like Archeops. Good options are Togetic (which also checks guzzlord/eggy-alola) and Skuntank (absorbs tspikes)
  • Hates Toxic, so cleric support from Miltank, Audino, Granbull, and Togetic are nice. Gurdurr can also use it to activate Guts and threaten the likes of Audino, Miltank, Ferroseed, etc.
it's also often gonna want to go with random spdef mons in defensive cores, stuff like regirock or w/e

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
  • Offensive sets like Specs or Life Orb have nice surprise factor, luring the common bulky switch-ins like Guzzlord, Exeggutor-Alola, and Grass-types and breaking through them with Ice Beam. The loss in bulk it requires, however, means you lose the ability to check a lot of the threats that defensive Gastrodon is capable of doing, such as Archeops. it's also generally weaker and slower and worse as a breaker than, like, good offensive water types
  • Yawn is cool with hazard support as it forces lots of switches, but then you sacrifice crippling lots of things and beating more mons 1v1 without Toxic after something is asleep
  • Rindo Berry+Mirror Coat to lure grasses
  • Curse can serve as a decent wincon
  • Clear Smog helps you 1v1 things like Gurdurr more reliably, but has little use outside of that and running it over Toxic gives you no good way of crippling common switch ins
Checks and Counters
===================

**Grass-type Pokemon**: All of Lilligant, Exeggutor-Alola, Lurantis, Ferroseed, and Shiftry have very low-risk opportunities to switch-in and either set up or threaten to OHKO Gastrodon with their respective STAB moves. Support variants pokemon? variants definitely isn't right such as Roselia and Ferroseed can set up hazards, while Lurantis is able to remove them. With the sole exception of Roselia, the most Gastrodon can do in return is cripple them with status, with Shiftry and Ferroseed hating burns and the others fearing Toxic.

**Status**: Toxic in particular severely hinders its defensive capabilities and survivability, and many Pokemon that carry it such as Miltank, Audino, or opposing Gastrodon can take its attacks easily. Pokemon that Gastrodon even commonly switches into, such as Regirock, frequently carry Toxic. Toxic Spikes, in particular, is also very hindering.

**Super-Effective Coverage**: Although specially offensive Pokemon such as Pyroar, Magmortar, offensive Lanturn, and Special Floatzel generally struggle to beat it 1v1, they commonly carry coverage options that serve to lure and severely dent Gastrodon, and due to its low speed, it can be forced to take another hit upon the initial switch-in to secure a 2HKO.

**Rest Users** Pokemon like Type-Null and Guzzlord are able to freely switch in on Gastrodon and either set up or status it, respectively, with Gastrodon unable to do anything in return. yeah I think I'd just change this entirely. I understand what Yogi was going for when he said to add, but the problem is this applies to basically just Type: Null and 1-2 other fairly rare mons. You can make the section **status absorbers** and talk about type null, clefairy, sorta kinda gurdurr and sd komala, and maybe other rest mons too but those are the ones I'm thinking of specifically

also add a section for special wallbreakers in between status and super effective coverage. random stuff like all of the dragons when running specs, NP chu or jynx, w/e really needs to be mentioned as a good way to break gastro
qcstamp.gif
1/3
 

yogi

I did not succumb...
is a Tutor Alumnusis a Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnus
Hi welcome to my first analysis :D

[OVERVIEW]
  • Solid defensive typing and Storm Drain allows it to check Pokemon like Carracosta, Skuntank, Kabutops, Lycanroc, Lanturn and Aggron
  • Access to reliable recovery gives it longevity, allowing it to stay healthy to check the things it needs to
  • Despite its great typing, it leaves it very vulnerable to being pressured by Grass-types like Lilligant and Exeggutor-Alola
  • Its general passiveness doesn't help either, leaving it prone to the aforementioned Grass-types and various wallbreakers such as Guzzlord and Jynx
  • Mediocre Fire and Electric-type check despite its typing, due to many of them frequently running Grass-type coverage such as Magmortar and Eelektross. Volt Switch immunity does come in handy in some situations, however
  • Vulnerable to hazards and status, specifically Toxic Spikes and Toxic

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Earthquake / Earth Power
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
evs: Relaxed / Bold

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Scald threatens Pokemon it checks such as Archeops and Piloswine, with the potential to burn, pressuring most Physical switch ins
  • Recover is mandatory to keep it healthy (so it's able to consistently check the things it needs to)
  • Earthquake with a Relaxed nature can OHKO both Jynx and Magmortar after Stealth Rocks and 2HKOs all Lanturn variants, and Earth Power hits mons like Qwilfish and Carracosta harder
  • Toxic cripples Grass-type switch-ins like Lilligant and Lurantis, and gives it a way to pressure bulky mons it otherwise can't do much to, like Miltank, Togetic, and opposing Gastrodon


Set Details
========
  • Near Max HP and Defense investment lets it take on physical attackers such as Archeops and Piloswine better, while the reduced HP takes less damage from hazards and status.
  • Relaxed if running Earthquake, Bold if running Earth Power
  • Leftovers gives Gastrodon passive recovery alongside Recover to ensure Gastrodon stays as healthy as possible
  • Storm Drain allows it to reliably check most common Water-types, such as Carracosta, Kabutops and Poliwrath
Usage Tips
========
  • Use Gastro to switch into Pokemon that it checks, such as Qwilfish, Piloswine, and Physical Skuntank
  • Try to keep it healthy with Recover, as Pokemon like Archeops can break through if it's weakened significantly
  • Use Toxic to wear down opposing walls or cripple Grass-type/offensive checks on the switch. Also, although you should Toxic most defensive Pokemon that take your attacks well, many like to carry Toxic too so be careful around that (zard said to make "look out for toxic" its own bullet point)
  • Be prepared to double switch around so that common switch-ins don't get a free opportunity against you.
Team Options
========
  • Grass types generally come in on Gastrodon almost completely safely, so solid Grass-types answers first and foremost, like Magmortar, Skuntank, and Oricorio-Sensu, are essential
  • Pokemon that are pressured by Piloswine and Rock/Water types in general such as Floatzel, Lanturn, and Kabutops. Many of these Pokemon such as Archeops, Magmortar, and Pyroar also just so happen to check Grass-types well either offensively or defensively
  • Appreciates hazard removal because Spikes/Toxic Spikes hinders its ability to check things that it already barely does check like Archeops. Good options are Togetic (which also checks eggy-alola) and Skuntank (absorbs tspikes)
  • Hates Toxic, so cleric support from Miltank, Audino, Granbull, and Togetic are nice. Gurdurr can also use it to activate Guts and threaten the likes of Audino, Miltank, Ferroseed, etc.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
  • Offensive sets like Specs or Life Orb have nice surprise factor, luring the common bulky switch-ins like Drampa, Exeggutor-Alola, and Grass-types and breaking through them with Ice Beam. The loss in bulk it requires, however, means you lose the ability to check a lot of the threats that defensive Gastrodon is capable of doing, such as Archeops. It also faces competition with other offensive Water-types, as many are faster and stronger.
  • Yawn is cool with hazard support as it forces lots of switches, but then you sacrifice crippling lots of things and beating more mons 1v1 without Toxic after something is asleep
  • Rindo Berry+Mirror Coat to lure grasses (what grasses, also mention it doesn't work on shiftry, or dark types in general)
  • Curse can serve as a decent wincon (maybe expand a little on why)
  • Clear Smog helps you 1v1 things like Gurdurr more reliably, but has little use outside of that and running it over Toxic gives you no good way of crippling common switch ins
Checks and Counters
===================

**Grass-type Pokemon**: All of Lilligant, Exeggutor-Alola, Lurantis, Ferroseed, and Shiftry have very low-risk opportunities to switch-in and either set up or threaten to OHKO Gastrodon with their respective STAB moves. Support Pokemon such as Roselia and Ferroseed can set up hazards, while Lurantis is able to remove them. With the sole exception of Roselia, the most Gastrodon can do in return is cripple them with status, with Shiftry and Ferroseed hating burns and the others fearing Toxic.

**Status**: Toxic in particular severely hinders its defensive capabilities and survivability, and many Pokemon that carry it such as Miltank, Audino, or opposing Gastrodon can take its attacks easily. Pokemon that Gastrodon even commonly switches into, such as Regirock, frequently carry Toxic. Toxic Spikes, in particular, is also very hindering.

**Super-Effective Coverage**: Although specially offensive Pokemon such as Magmortar, offensive Lanturn, and Special Floatzel generally struggle to beat it 1v1, they commonly carry coverage options that serve to lure and severely dent Gastrodon, and due to its low speed, it can be forced to take another hit upon the initial switch-in to secure a 2HKO.

**Status Absorbers** Pokemon like Type-Null, Gurdurr, Clefairy, and Komala are able to freely switch in on Gastrodon, not worry about status, and either set up or status it, respectively, with Gastrodon unable to do anything in return.

**Strong Special Attackers** Powerful special attackers that don't mind switching into, such as Drampa, Jynx and Choice Specs or Calm Mind Mesprit, are solid options for breaking through Gastrodon.
I really can't fault this. Gjob. 2/3
 

2xTheTap

YuGiOh main
is a Community Leader Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Top Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Staff Alumnus
In the process of checking, will edit in a full check soon

E:
Hi welcome to my first analysis :D

[OVERVIEW]

Gastrodon offers a solid defensive presence in the PU metagame, with a typing that lets it take on a plethora of Pokemon. Thanks to this and its access to reliable recovery, this allows it to function effectively as a physical wall that can check many solid physical attackers like Piloswine, Archeops, Aggron, and Skuntank. In addition, Gastrodon’s Storm Drain ability, combined with its immunity to Electric-type moves, allows it function as an excellent check to Pokemon like Lanturn, Carracosta and Floatzel (Floatzel can run HP Grass easily enough, so I think Kabutops is a better example of something that Gastrodon reliably checks via typing and ability). While all of these traits grant Gastrodon great defensive utility, its potential is held back by its susceptibility to status. This, combined with it being so slow, makes it very prone to being worn down, and often being forced to Recover a lot more than it’d like to avoid getting picked off. Gastrodon's major weakness to Grass-type attacks also makes it quite mediocre at checking most Fire- and Electric-types, as Pokemon like Magmortar and Eelektross frequently run Grass-type coverage. Grass-type Pokemon in general such as Lilligant and Exeggutor-Alola also exploit Gastrodon easily, as they resist its attacks and can easily OHKO with their own.

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Earthquake / Earth Power
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
evs: Relaxed / Bold

EP should be first slash, EQ second. Bold nature first slash, Relaxed nature second. Reasoning:
There wasn't really a consensus among QC members in Discord that EP was better than EQ, so I went through the VR and ran damage calcs for Earth Power and Earthquake against everything from S rank to C rank. I've come to the conclusion that Earth Power is slightly better for addressing the meta's more pertinent threats (ex. Skuntank, Qwilfish, Normal resists like Regirock, Aggron, and Carracosta), as well as dealing slightly higher damage on the whole. Earthquake is still fine, but it's more target specific than Earth Power is, as it's mostly being used for special attackers like Jynx, Lanturn, Magmortar, and Alolan Raichu. While these Pokemon are good, I don't think they're nearly as splashable as Skuntank or these Normal resists are. Considering this, along with possible damage boosts to Earth Power via Storm Drain (and even SpDef drops via EP), and possible drops in Earthquake's power due to effects like Will-O-Wisp and Intimidate, leads me to believe Earth Power is better across a wider range of match-ups and should therefore be first slash.

Here is a quick list of Pokemon that Earth Power hits harder than Earthquake, and vice versa. If the difference in move choice allowed Gastrodon to score the OHKO over the 2HKO, or 2HKO over 3HKO, I provided the calc. If the difference was 1-2%, I didn't bother mentioning the Pokemon (similarly, if Scald did a similar amount of damage as Earth Power, I did not include it).
0 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Skuntank: 270-320 (77.8 - 92.2%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Skuntank: 254-302 (73.1 - 87%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery

0 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Solid Rock Carracosta: 193-229 (66.7 - 79.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Solid Rock Carracosta: 109-130 (37.7 - 44.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

0 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Qwilfish: 288-342 (86.4 - 102.7%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
-1 0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Qwilfish: 102-120 (30.6 - 36%) -- 41% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery

0 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 248 HP / 56 SpD Regirock: 170-204 (46.8 - 56.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 16+ Def Regirock: 92-110 (25.3 - 30.3%) -- 5.4% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock

0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Aggron: 220-264 (78.2 - 93.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Aggron: 540-640 (192.1 - 227.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
(Scald has 18.8% chance to OHKO Aggron)

0 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kabutops: 240-284 (91.9 - 108.8%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kabutops: 176-210 (67.4 - 80.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Arbok: 218-260 (83.5 - 99.6%) -- 75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
-1 0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Arbok: 168-198 (64.3 - 75.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

0 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Turtonator: 206-246 (78.9 - 94.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Turtonator: 144-170 (55.1 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

0 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Basculin: 162-192 (57.6 - 68.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Basculin: 132-156 (46.9 - 55.5%) -- 69.5% chance to 2HKO

0 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Huntail: 127-151 (50.5 - 60.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Huntail: 88-105 (35 - 41.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

0 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Pawniard: 246-290 (106.4 - 125.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Pawniard: 168-198 (72.7 - 85.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

Gurdurr
Pyroar
Sableye
Ferroseed
Gastrodon
Miltank
Floatzel (slight chance to lose out on the 2HKO if Earthquake is used over Earth Power)

0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Jynx: 205-243 (75.6 - 89.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
0 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Jynx: 94-112 (34.6 - 41.3%) -- 64.8% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock

0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 64 HP / 0 Def Magmortar: 254-302 (82.7 - 98.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
0 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 64 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Magmortar: 128-152 (41.6 - 49.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 40 HP / 140 Def Lanturn: 234-276 (58.3 - 68.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 40 HP / 160+ SpD Lanturn: 170-204 (42.3 - 50.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Primeape: 139-165 (51.2 - 60.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Primeape: 120-142 (44.2 - 52.3%) -- 21.5% chance to 2HKO

0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Raichu-Alola: 320-378 (122.6 - 144.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Raichu-Alola: 206-246 (78.9 - 94.2%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mr. Mime: 132-156 (59.7 - 70.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Mr. Mime: 78-93 (35.2 - 42%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Electivire: 254-302 (87.2 - 103.7%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
0 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Electivire: 206-246 (70.7 - 84.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

0 Atk Gastrodon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kadabra: 226-267 (102.2 - 120.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 SpA Gastrodon Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kadabra: 120-142 (54.2 - 64.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
(only relevant if Focus Sash is already broken)

Hitmonchan
Lycanroc (both are OHKOed after SR, but EQ has higher chance to OHKO without SR)
Probopass (37.5% to OHKO with EP after SR / 75% to OHKO with EQ after SR)
Manectric
Ninetales
Regice
Grumpig

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

Scald threatens Pokemon such as Piloswine and Archeops, and can potentially cripple switch-ins with a burn. Recover helps Gastrodon stay healthy throughout the match. Earthquake offers good coverage with Scald, and can always OHKO Raichu-Alola, as well as such as Magmortar and Jynx after Stealth Rock. Earth Power can be used instead to hit specially frail Pokemon such as Qwilfish and Carracosta harder. Toxic allows Gastrodon to rack up damage against many common switch-ins, such as Lilligant and Abomasnow, as well as many defensive Pokemon, like Miltank and opposing Gastrodon.

Set Details
========

Near Maximum HP and Defense investment lets it acquire the most physical bulk possible, with the reduced HP causing it to take less damage from entry hazards and status. Leftovers gives it passive recovery alongside its own recovery move to keep it healthy. Use Relaxed nature if using Earthquake, and use Bold instead if using Earth Power. (The order of the moves will be reversed here, like above) Storm Drain lets it absorb Water-type attacks while gaining a Special Attack boost, letting which lets it check the likes of Kabutops and Floatzel.

Usage Tips
========

Gastrodon should be used to switch into Pokemon that it can use its typing and physical bulk to take advantage of, such as Lanturn, Lycanroc, Regirock, Skuntank, and Choice Scarf Primeape. From there, it can threaten them with its STAB attacks or catch a possible switch-in with Toxic. It’s important to keep Gastrodon healthy with Recover, as it relies on being at a high amount of HP to prevent Pokemon like Archeops from breaking through it. Although it helps to land a timely Toxic on defensive Pokemon like Miltank, Gastrodon should avoid staying in on the ones that carry Toxic as well, as the status is detrimental to its survivability. Lastly, be prepared to make double switches against Pokemon you’re expecting to come in like Exeggutor-Alola and Eelektross, and try to take advantage of them with teammates that can threaten them.

Team Options
========

Grass-types generally come in on Gastrodon very easily, so solid Grass-types answers first and foremost, like Magmortar, Skuntank, and Oricorio-Sensu, are essential. Many of these Pokemon have weaknesses or checks in the form of Water-, Rock-, and Ground-types, and so in return appreciate Gastrodon’s ability to take them on. Entry hazard removal is also appreciated, because Toxic Spikes and other entry hazards hinder Gastrodon’s ability to check things that it already barely does check, like Archeops. The aforementioned Skuntank, as well as Pokemon such as Togetic, are great partners, while also respectively checking Grass-type Pokemon such as Lurantis and Exeggutor-Alola. Specially bulky Pokemon such as Type: Null and Throh can also help compensate for its lack of Special Defense investment, with the added benefit of functioning as status absorbers from Toxic users. Gurdurr can also function as a status absorber with Guts, and can threaten the likes of Audino (use Miltank here instead imo - it's a more relevant example for this meta) and Ferroseed.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Offensive sets like Choice Specs or Life Orb have nice surprise factor, luring the common bulky switch-ins like Drampa, Exeggutor-Alola, and Grass-types and breaking through them with Ice Beam. The loss in bulk it requires, however, means you lose the ability to check a lot of the threats that defensive Gastrodon is capable of doing, such as Archeops. It also faces competition with other offensive Water-types, as many are faster and stronger. Yawn is an option to force out Pokemon that would otherwise switch into Gastrodon and can rack up damage with hazard support, but it can clash with Gastrodon’s Scald should it spread burns. Mirror Coat, combined with Rindo Berry can lure and surprise some Grass-types like Lilligant and Lurantis. Clear Smog helps you take on Pokemon like Gurdurr more reliably, but has little use outside of that and running it over Toxic gives you no good way of crippling common switch ins. Curse can serve as a decent win condition by boosting Gastrodon’s offensive and defensive capabilities upon each use, but is generally too prone to status for it to consistently sweep. Finally, Gastrodon can use a specially defensive EV spread to sponge hits like Skuntank's Hidden Power Grass more effectively, but in doing so, it loses the bulk it needs to switch into many of the tier's physical attackers, like Lycanroc, Kabutops, Aggron, and others.

(Purely optional, and this may be a bit overly inclusive, but HP Fire can be used to avoid letting Ferroseed use Gastrodon as fodder to set up entry hazards. I'm happy with what you've listed here already, though.)


Checks and Counters
===================

**Grass-type Pokemon**: All of Lilligant, Exeggutor-Alola, Lurantis, Ferroseed, and Shiftry have very low-risk opportunities to switch-in and either set up or threaten to OHKO Gastrodon with their respective STAB moves. Support Pokemon such as Roselia and Ferroseed can set up hazards, while Lurantis is able to remove them. With the sole exception of Roselia, the most Gastrodon can do in return is cripple them with status, with Shiftry and Ferroseed hating burns and the others fearing Toxic.

**Status**: Toxic in particular severely hinders its defensive capabilities and survivability, and many Pokemon that carry it such as Miltank, Audino, or opposing Gastrodon can take its attacks easily. Pokemon that Gastrodon even commonly switches into, such as Regirock, frequently carry Toxic. Toxic Spikes, in particular, is also very hindering.

**Super-Effective Coverage**: Although specially offensive Pokemon such as Magmortar, offensive Lanturn, and Special Floatzel generally struggle to beat it 1v1, they commonly carry coverage options that serve to lure and severely dent Gastrodon, and due to its low Speed, it can be forced to take another hit upon the initial switch-in to secure a 2HKO.

**Status Absorbers** Pokemon like Type-Null, Gurdurr, Clefairy, and Komala are able to freely switch in on Gastrodon, not worry about status, and either set up or status it, respectively, with Gastrodon unable to do anything in return.

**Strong Special Attackers** Powerful special attackers that don't mind switching into, such as Drampa, Jynx and Choice Specs or Calm Mind Mesprit, are solid options for breaking through Gastrodon.
This is a really well-written analysis, jklioe, so I didn't have to change a whole lot here. 3/3 once these small changes are implemented.
 
Last edited:
Additions
Removals
Comments
[OVERVIEW]

Gastrodon offers a solid defensive presence in the PU metagame, with a typing that lets it take on a plethora of Pokemon. Thanks to this and its access to reliable recovery, this allows it to it can function effectively as a physical wall that can check many solid physical attackers like Piloswine, Archeops, Aggron, and Skuntank. In addition, Gastrodon’s Storm Drain ability, combined with its immunity to Electric-type moves, allows it function as an excellent check to Pokemon like Lanturn, Carracosta Carracosta and Kabutops. While all of these traits grant Gastrodon great defensive utility, its potential is held back by its susceptibility to status. This, combined with it being so slow, makes it very prone to being worn down, and it is often being forced to Recover a lot more than it’d like to avoid getting picked off. Gastrodon's major weakness to Grass-type attacks also makes it quite mediocre at checking most Fire- and Electric-types, as Pokemon like Magmortar and Eelektross frequently run Grass-type coverage. Grass-type Pokemon in general such as Lilligant and Exeggutor-Alola Alolan Exeggutor also exploit Gastrodon easily, as they resist its attacks and can easily OHKO with their own.

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Earth Power / Earthquake
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
evs: Bold / Relaxed

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

Scald threatens Pokemon such as Piloswine and Archeops, and it can potentially cripple switch-ins with a burn. Recover helps Gastrodon stay healthy throughout the match. Earth Power offers good coverage with Scald, and hits hitting Pokemon like Qwilfish, Carracosta, and Kabutops extremely hard while always OHKOing Aggron. Earthquake can be used instead to always OHKO Raichu-Alola, Alolan Raichu as well as Pokemon such as Magmortar and Jynx after Stealth Rock. Toxic allows Gastrodon to rack up damage against many common switch-ins, such as Lilligant and Abomasnow, as well as many defensive Pokemon, like Miltank and opposing Gastrodon.

Set Details
========

Near Maximum Near maximum HP and Defense investment lets it Gastrodon acquire the most physical bulk possible, with the reduced HP causing it to take less damage from hazards (Comment: are you 100% sure about this ) and status. Leftovers gives it passive recovery alongside its own recovery move to keep it healthy. Use a Bold nature if using Earth Power, and use Relaxed nature instead if using Earthquake. Storm Drain lets it Gastrodon absorb Water-type attacks while gaining a Special Attack boost, which lets it check the likes of Kabutops and Floatzel.

Usage Tips
========

Gastrodon should be used to switch into Pokemon that it can use its typing and physical bulk to take advantage of, such as Lanturn, Lycanroc, Regirock, Skuntank, and Choice Scarf Primeape. From there, it can threaten them with its STAB attacks or catch a possible switch-in with Toxic. It’s important to keep Gastrodon healthy with Recover, as it relies on being at a high amount of HP to prevent Pokemon like Archeops from breaking through it. Although it helps to land a timely Toxic on defensive Pokemon like Miltank, Gastrodon should avoid staying in on the ones that carry Toxic as well, as status is detrimental to its survivability. Lastly, be prepared to make double switches against Pokemon you’re expecting to come in like Exeggutor-Alola Alolan Exeggutor and Eelektross, and try to take advantage of them with teammates that can threaten them.

Team Options
========

Grass-types generally come in on Gastrodon very easily, so solid Grass-types answers first and foremost, like Magmortar, Skuntank, and Oricorio-Sensu, Oricorio-G are essential. Many of these Pokemon have weaknesses or checks in the form of Water-, Rock-, and Ground-types, and so in return appreciate Gastrodon’s ability to take them on. Entry hazard removal is also appreciated, because Toxic Spikes and other entry hazards hinder Gastrodon’s ability to check things Pokemon that it already barely does check, like Archeops. The aforementioned Skuntank, as well as Pokemon such as Togetic, are great partners, while also respectively checking Grass-type Pokemon such as Lurantis and Alolan Exeggutor Exeggutor-Alola. Specially bulky Pokemon such as Type: Null and Throh can also help compensate for its Gastrodon's lack of Special Defense investment, with the added benefit of functioning as status absorbers from for Toxic users. Gurdurr can also function as a status absorber with Guts, and it can threaten the likes of Miltank and Ferroseed.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Offensive sets like Choice Specs or Life Orb have nice surprise factor, luring the common bulky switch-ins like Drampa, Exeggutor-Alola, Alolan Exeggutor, and Ferroseed and breaking through them with Ice Beam and Hidden Power Fire, respectively. The loss in bulk it requires, however, means you lose the ability to check a lot of the threats that defensive Gastrodon is capable of doing, such as Archeops. It also faces competition with other offensive Water-types, as many are faster and stronger. Yawn is an option to force out Pokemon that would otherwise switch into Gastrodon and can rack up damage with hazard support, but it can clash with Gastrodon’s Scald should it spread burns. Mirror Coat, combined with Rindo Berry Berry, can lure and surprise some Grass-types like Lilligant and Lurantis. Clear Smog helps you Gastrodon take on Pokemon like Gurdurr more reliably, but it has little use outside of that and running it over Toxic gives you no good way of crippling common switch ins. Curse Gastrodon can serve as a decent win condition wincon by boosting Gastrodon’s its offensive and defensive capabilities upon each use but is generally too prone to status for it to consistently sweep. Finally, Gastrodon can use a specially defensive EV spread to sponge hits like Skuntank's Hidden Power Grass more effectively, but in doing so, it loses the bulk it needs to switch into many of the tier's physical attackers, like Lycanroc, Kabutops, Aggron, and others.


Checks and Counters
===================

**Grass-type Pokemon**: All of Lilligant, Exeggutor-Alola, Alolan Exeggtor, Lurantis, Ferroseed, and Shiftry have very low-risk opportunities to switch-in and either set up or threaten to OHKO Gastrodon with their respective STAB moves. Support Pokemon such as Roselia and Ferroseed can set up hazards, while Lurantis is able to remove them. With the sole exception of Roselia, the most Gastrodon can do in return is cripple them with status, with Shiftry and Ferroseed hating burns and the others fearing Toxic.

**Status**: Toxic in particular severely hinders its Gastrodon's defensive capabilities and survivability, and many Pokemon that carry it such as Miltank, Audino, or opposing Gastrodon can also take its attacks easily. Pokemon that Gastrodon even commonly switches into, such as Regirock, frequently carry Toxic. Toxic Spikes, in particular, is also very hindering.

**Super-Effective **Super Effective Coverage**: Although specially offensive Pokemon such as Magmortar, offensive Lanturn, and Special specially offensive Floatzel generally struggle to beat it 1v1, they commonly carry coverage options that serve to lure and severely dent Gastrodon, and due to its low Speed, it can be forced to take another hit upon the initial switch-in switch in to secure a 2HKO.

**Status Absorbers** Pokemon like Type-Null, Type: Null, Gurdurr, Clefairy, and Komala are able to freely switch in on Gastrodon, not worry about status, and either set up or status it, respectively, with Gastrodon unable to do anything in return.

**Strong Special Attackers** Powerful special attackers that don't mind switching into, Gastrodon, such as Drampa, Jynx Jynx, and Choice Specs or Calm Mind Mesprit, are solid options for breaking through Gastrodon.

1/2
 
Additions
Removals
Comments
[OVERVIEW]

Gastrodon offers a solid defensive presence in the PU metagame, with a typing that lets it take on a plethora of Pokemon. Thanks to this and its access to reliable recovery, this allows it to it can function effectively as a physical wall that can check many solid physical attackers like Piloswine, Archeops, Aggron, and Skuntank. In addition, Gastrodon’s Storm Drain ability, combined with its immunity to Electric-type moves, allows it function as an excellent check to Pokemon like Lanturn, Carracosta Carracosta and Kabutops. While all of these traits grant Gastrodon great defensive utility, its potential is held back by its susceptibility to status. This, combined with it being so slow, makes it very prone to being worn down, and it is often being forced to Recover a lot more than it’d like to avoid getting picked off. Gastrodon's major weakness to Grass-type attacks also makes it quite mediocre at checking most Fire- and Electric-types, as Pokemon like Magmortar and Eelektross frequently run Grass-type coverage. Grass-type Pokemon in general such as Lilligant and Exeggutor-Alola Alolan Exeggutor also exploit Gastrodon easily, as they resist its attacks and can easily OHKO with their own.

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Earth Power / Earthquake
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
evs: Bold / Relaxed

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

Scald threatens Pokemon such as Piloswine and Archeops, and it can potentially cripple switch-ins with a burn. Recover helps Gastrodon stay healthy throughout the match. Earth Power offers good coverage with Scald, and hits hitting Pokemon like Qwilfish, Carracosta, and Kabutops extremely hard while always OHKOing Aggron. Earthquake can be used instead to always OHKO Raichu-Alola, Alolan Raichu as well as Pokemon such as Magmortar and Jynx after Stealth Rock. Toxic allows Gastrodon to rack up damage against many common switch-ins, such as Lilligant and Abomasnow, as well as many defensive Pokemon, like Miltank and opposing Gastrodon.

Set Details
========

Near Maximum Near maximum HP and Defense investment lets it Gastrodon acquire the most physical bulk possible, with the reduced HP causing it to take less damage from hazards (Comment: are you 100% sure about this ) and status. Leftovers gives it passive recovery alongside its own recovery move to keep it healthy. Use a Bold nature if using Earth Power, and use Relaxed nature instead if using Earthquake. Storm Drain lets it Gastrodon absorb Water-type attacks while gaining a Special Attack boost, which lets it check the likes of Kabutops and Floatzel.

Usage Tips
========

Gastrodon should be used to switch into Pokemon that it can use its typing and physical bulk to take advantage of, such as Lanturn, Lycanroc, Regirock, Skuntank, and Choice Scarf Primeape. From there, it can threaten them with its STAB attacks or catch a possible switch-in with Toxic. It’s important to keep Gastrodon healthy with Recover, as it relies on being at a high amount of HP to prevent Pokemon like Archeops from breaking through it. Although it helps to land a timely Toxic on defensive Pokemon like Miltank, Gastrodon should avoid staying in on the ones that carry Toxic as well, as status is detrimental to its survivability. Lastly, be prepared to make double switches against Pokemon you’re expecting to come in like Exeggutor-Alola Alolan Exeggutor and Eelektross, and try to take advantage of them with teammates that can threaten them.

Team Options
========

Grass-types generally come in on Gastrodon very easily, so solid Grass-types answers first and foremost, like Magmortar, Skuntank, and Oricorio-Sensu, Oricorio-G are essential. Many of these Pokemon have weaknesses or checks in the form of Water-, Rock-, and Ground-types, and so in return appreciate Gastrodon’s ability to take them on. Entry hazard removal is also appreciated, because Toxic Spikes and other entry hazards hinder Gastrodon’s ability to check things Pokemon that it already barely does check, like Archeops. The aforementioned Skuntank, as well as Pokemon such as Togetic, are great partners, while also respectively checking Grass-type Pokemon such as Lurantis and Alolan Exeggutor Exeggutor-Alola. Specially bulky Pokemon such as Type: Null and Throh can also help compensate for its Gastrodon's lack of Special Defense investment, with the added benefit of functioning as status absorbers from for Toxic users. Gurdurr can also function as a status absorber with Guts, and it can threaten the likes of Miltank and Ferroseed.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Offensive sets like Choice Specs or Life Orb have nice surprise factor, luring the common bulky switch-ins like Drampa, Exeggutor-Alola, Alolan Exeggutor, and Ferroseed and breaking through them with Ice Beam and Hidden Power Fire, respectively. The loss in bulk it requires, however, means you lose the ability to check a lot of the threats that defensive Gastrodon is capable of doing, such as Archeops. It also faces competition with other offensive Water-types, as many are faster and stronger. Yawn is an option to force out Pokemon that would otherwise switch into Gastrodon and can rack up damage with hazard support, but it can clash with Gastrodon’s Scald should it spread burns. Mirror Coat, combined with Rindo Berry Berry, can lure and surprise some Grass-types like Lilligant and Lurantis. Clear Smog helps you Gastrodon take on Pokemon like Gurdurr more reliably, but it has little use outside of that and running it over Toxic gives you no good way of crippling common switch ins. Curse Gastrodon can serve as a decent win condition wincon by boosting Gastrodon’s its offensive and defensive capabilities upon each use but is generally too prone to status for it to consistently sweep. Finally, Gastrodon can use a specially defensive EV spread to sponge hits like Skuntank's Hidden Power Grass more effectively, but in doing so, it loses the bulk it needs to switch into many of the tier's physical attackers, like Lycanroc, Kabutops, Aggron, and others.


Checks and Counters
===================

**Grass-type Pokemon**: All of Lilligant, Exeggutor-Alola, Alolan Exeggtor, Lurantis, Ferroseed, and Shiftry have very low-risk opportunities to switch-in and either set up or threaten to OHKO Gastrodon with their respective STAB moves. Support Pokemon such as Roselia and Ferroseed can set up hazards, while Lurantis is able to remove them. With the sole exception of Roselia, the most Gastrodon can do in return is cripple them with status, with Shiftry and Ferroseed hating burns and the others fearing Toxic.

**Status**: Toxic in particular severely hinders its Gastrodon's defensive capabilities and survivability, and many Pokemon that carry it such as Miltank, Audino, or opposing Gastrodon can also take its attacks easily. Pokemon that Gastrodon even commonly switches into, such as Regirock, frequently carry Toxic. Toxic Spikes, in particular, is also very hindering.

**Super-Effective **Super Effective Coverage**: Although specially offensive Pokemon such as Magmortar, offensive Lanturn, and Special specially offensive Floatzel generally struggle to beat it 1v1, they commonly carry coverage options that serve to lure and severely dent Gastrodon, and due to its low Speed, it can be forced to take another hit upon the initial switch-in switch in to secure a 2HKO.

**Status Absorbers** Pokemon like Type-Null, Type: Null, Gurdurr, Clefairy, and Komala are able to freely switch in on Gastrodon, not worry about status, and either set up or status it, respectively, with Gastrodon unable to do anything in return.

**Strong Special Attackers** Powerful special attackers that don't mind switching into, Gastrodon, such as Drampa, Jynx Jynx, and Choice Specs or Calm Mind Mesprit, are solid options for breaking through Gastrodon.

1/2
did this. to answer your comment, turns out that it doesn't actually reduce residual damage after some research, so i changed it to 252 HP on the set.

ready for the second gp!
 

P Squared

a great unrecorded history
is a Site Content Manageris a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Senior Staff Member Alumnusis a Top Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus
GP 2/2


no curly apostrophes (’)
[OVERVIEW]

Gastrodon offers a solid defensive presence in the PU metagame, with a typing that lets it take on a plethora of Pokemon. Thanks to this and its access to reliable recovery, it can function effectively as a physical wall that can check many solid physical attackers like Piloswine, Archeops, Aggron, and Skuntank. In addition, Gastrodon's Storm Drain ability, combined with its immunity to Electric-type moves, allows it to function as an excellent check to Pokemon like Lanturn, Carracosta and Kabutops. While all of these traits grant Gastrodon great defensive utility, its potential is held back by its susceptibility to status. This, along with its poor Speed combined with it being so slow, (you said combined with already in this paragraph) makes it very prone to being worn down, and it is often being forced to use Recover a lot more than it'd like to avoid getting picked off. Gastrodon's major weakness to Grass-type attacks also makes it quite mediocre at checking most Fire- and Electric-types, as Pokemon like Magmortar and Eelektross frequently run Grass-type coverage. Grass-type Pokemon in general such as Lilligant and Alolan Exeggutor also exploit Gastrodon easily, as they resist its attacks and can easily OHKO with their own.

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Earth Power / Earthquake
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
evs: Bold / Relaxed

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

Scald threatens Pokemon such as Piloswine and Archeops, and it can potentially cripple switch-ins with a burn. Recover helps Gastrodon stay healthy throughout the match. Earth Power offers good coverage with Scald, hitting Pokemon like Qwilfish, Carracosta, and Kabutops extremely hard while always OHKOing Aggron. Earthquake can be used instead to always OHKO Alolan Raichu as well as Pokemon such as Magmortar and Jynx after Stealth Rock. Toxic allows Gastrodon to rack up damage against many common switch-ins, such as Lilligant and Abomasnow, as well as many defensive Pokemon, like Miltank and opposing Gastrodon.

Set Details
========

Maximum HP and Defense investment lets Gastrodon acquire the most physical bulk possible. Leftovers gives it passive recovery alongside its own recovery move to keep it healthy. Use a Bold nature if using Earth Power, and use a Relaxed nature instead if using Earthquake. Storm Drain lets Gastrodon absorb Water-type attacks while gaining a Special Attack boost, which lets it check the likes of Kabutops and Floatzel.

Usage Tips
========

Gastrodon should be used to switch into Pokemon that it can use its typing and physical bulk to take advantage of, such as Lanturn, Lycanroc, Regirock, Skuntank, and Choice Scarf Primeape. From there, it can threaten them with its STAB attacks or catch a possible switch-in with Toxic. It's important to keep Gastrodon healthy with Recover, as it relies on being at a high amount of HP to prevent Pokemon like Archeops from breaking through it. Although it helps to land a timely Toxic on defensive Pokemon like Miltank, Gastrodon should avoid staying in on the ones that carry Toxic as well, as status is detrimental to its longevity survivability. (if you're talking about its ability to survive certain hits rather than its ability to last a long time in the battle, then say "ability to survive hits" instead of longevity) Lastly, be prepared to make double switches against Pokemon you're expecting to come in like Alolan Exeggutor and Eelektross, and try to take advantage of them with teammates that can threaten them.

Team Options
========

Grass-types generally come in on Gastrodon very easily, so solid Grass-types answers first and foremost, like Magmortar, Skuntank, and Oricorio-G, (add comma) are essential. Many of these Pokemon have weaknesses or checks in the form of Water-, Rock-, and Ground-types, (RC) and so in return appreciate Gastrodon's ability to take them on. Entry hazard removal is also appreciated, because Toxic Spikes and other entry hazards hinder Gastrodon's ability to check Pokemon that it already barely does check, like Archeops. The aforementioned Skuntank, as well as Pokemon such as Togetic, are great partners for that, and they while also respectively checking Grass-type Pokemon such as Lurantis and Alolan Exeggutor. (does respectively mean Skuntank checks Lurantis and Togetic checks A-Exeggutor?) Specially bulky Pokemon such as Type: Null and Throh can also help compensate for Gastrodon's lack of Special Defense investment, with the added benefit of functioning as status absorbers for Toxic users. Gurdurr can also function as a status absorber with Guts, and it can threaten the likes of Miltank and Ferroseed.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Offensive sets like Choice Specs and Life Orb have nice surprise factor, luring the common bulky switch-ins like Drampa, Alolan Exeggutor, and Ferroseed and breaking through them with Ice Beam and Hidden Power Fire, respectively. The loss in bulk it requires, however, means you it loses the ability to check a lot of the threats that defensive Gastrodon is capable of doing, such as Archeops. It also faces competition from with other offensive Water-types, as many are faster and stronger. Yawn is an option to force out Pokemon that would otherwise switch into Gastrodon and can rack up damage with hazard support, but it can clash with Gastrodon's Scald should it spread burns. Mirror Coat, combined with Rindo Berry, can lure and surprise some Grass-types like Lilligant and Lurantis that Gastrodon lures in. Clear Smog helps Gastrodon take on Pokemon like Gurdurr more reliably, but it has little use outside of that and running it over Toxic gives you no good way of crippling common switch-ins. Curse Gastrodon can serve as a decent sweeper wincon by boosting its offensive and defensive capabilities upon each use but is generally too vulnerable prone to status for it to consistently sweep. Finally, Gastrodon can use a specially defensive EV spread to sponge hits like Skuntank's Hidden Power Grass more effectively, but in doing so, it loses the bulk it needs to switch into many of the tier's physical attackers, like Lycanroc, Kabutops, and Aggron, and others. ("like" tells you the same thing)


Checks and Counters
===================

**Grass-type Pokemon**: All of Lilligant, Alolan Exeggutor, Lurantis, Ferroseed, and Shiftry have very low-risk opportunities to switch in and either set up or threaten to OHKO Gastrodon with their respective STAB moves. Support Pokemon such as Roselia and Ferroseed can set up hazards, while Lurantis is able to remove them. With the sole exception of Roselia, the most Gastrodon can do in return is cripple them with status, with Shiftry and Ferroseed hating burns and the others fearing Toxic.

**Status**: Toxic in particular severely hinders Gastrodon's defensive capabilities and longevity survivability, and many Pokemon that carry it such as Miltank, Audino, and opposing Gastrodon can also take its attacks easily. Pokemon that Gastrodon even commonly switches into, such as Regirock, frequently carry Toxic. Toxic Spikes, in particular, is also very hindering.

**Super Effective Coverage**: Although specially offensive Pokemon such as Magmortar, offensive Lanturn, and specially offensive Floatzel generally struggle to beat it 1v1, they commonly carry coverage options that serve to lure and severely dent Gastrodon after it has been lured in, and due to its low Speed, it can be forced to take another hit upon the initial switch in to secure a 2HKO.

**Status Absorbers**: (add colon) Pokemon like Type: Null, Gurdurr, Clefairy, and Komala are able to freely switch in on Gastrodon, not worry about status, and either set up or status it, respectively, with Gastrodon unable to do anything in return.

**Strong Special Attackers**: (add colon) Powerful special attackers that don't mind switching into Gastrodon, such as Drampa, Jynx, and Choice Specs or Calm Mind Mesprit, are solid options for breaking through Gastrodon.
 
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