GP 2/2
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[OVERVIEW]
Golbat has excellent bulk courtesy of Eviolite, access to reliable recovery, a good defensive typing, and immunity to Toxic. These factors combine to make Golbat one of the best walls in the tier, being capable of shutting down a large number of dangerous Pokemon, (comma) including Hitmonlee, Whimsicott, Sceptile, Vivillon, Toxicroak, and Tauros, depending on its EV spread; if a move isn't super effective, (comma) it usually doesn't fear much from it, and it is still reasonably bulky after being hit by Knock Off. It has access to a number of useful utility moves in Defog, Taunt, Toxic, and Super Fang, with the last three allowing it to function as a passable stallbreaker. Access to Infiltrator, (comma) in conjunction with a 100% accurate Toxic thanks to Golbat's typing, and a perfectly accurate Toxic allows it to take on a number of Pokemon that can otherwise cause bulky teams issues, (comma) such as Substitute + Bulk Up Braviary. However, its Stealth Rock weakness combined with its inability to viably carry Black Sludge makes it easy to pressure and forces a reliance on Roost to remain healthy. Furthermore, while its bulk is good without Eviolite, Knock Off's omnipresence hinders its ability to handle a number of its users that it otherwise checks throughout the match and increases its vulnerability to both Pursuit and strong neutral hits. A number of Pokemon that it can otherwise check consistently, including Virizion and Lilligant, commonly carry Z-Moves that invalidate its ability to do so consistently, and Golbat's its typing leaves it at the mercy of a large number of very dangerous Pokemon like Sneasel and Rhydon. While consistent as a defensive Defog user due to its exceptional bulk, Golbat struggles to take on a lot of common Stealth Rock users like Rhydon, Piloswine, Aurorus, and Steelix.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Roost
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Defog
move 4: Taunt / Toxic
item: Eviolite
ability: Infiltrator
nature: Impish
evs: 240 HP / 172 Def / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Roost is important to for allowing Golbat to check Pokemon throughout the match and helps it alleviate issues caused by its Stealth Rock weakness and inability to hold Leftovers. Brave Bird is important to ensures that Golbat is not total Taunt bait, capitalizing on its ability to check Fighting-types by hitting them super effectively. Defog makes Golbat one of the handful of viable hazard removers in the tier, which is a very useful asset for Stealth Rock-weak partners to have while reducing the pressure defensive teams feel when faced against Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes with hazard stacking. Taunt is useful versus Pokemon like Steelix, preventing them from setting up Stealth Rock again immediately after Golbat clears it; it is also useful for preventing recovery and blocking the use of other utility moves, allowing Golbat to function as a passable stallbreaker alongside Toxic or Super Fang. Alternatively, Toxic allows Golbat to pressure defensive Pokemon and setup sweepers alike by putting them on a timer; it also takes advantage of Infiltrator to status Pokemon like Braviary through Substitute.
Super Fang can be used to allow Golbat to dent Flying-resistant foes and other physically bulky Pokemon that try to switch in on Golbat, most notably allowing it to pressure Steelix. However, Golbat struggles to fit it around its other moves, often sacrificing overall utility in favor of improving its ability to stallbreak. U-turn is an option over Taunt and Toxic that alleviates Golbat's tendency to sap momentum by allowing it to scout out switches to Pokemon that check Golbat; it is notably useful when paired with Probopass due to it taking advantage of the free switch that U-turn generates while having the ability to trap and either weaken or remove Steelix. It also takes advantage of the switches Golbat forces against Pokemon that can't break through it. However, other utility moves are generally more useful and it is conducive to wearing Golbat down.
Set Details
========
The listed Speed investment outruns neutral-natured Samurott and Barbaracle, allowing it Golbat to use Taunt versus them before they can use Swords Dance or Shell Smash, respectively, while 240 HP EVs minimize Stealth Rock damage. The remaining EVs are invested in Defense alongside an Impish nature to improve Golbat's ability to check physical attackers throughout the match. However, a specially defensive spread is also an option to take on special attackers like Vivillon more consistently. Eviolite bolsters both of Golbat's defenses, giving it outstanding bulk that surpasses that of any other defensive Poison-type in the tier. Infiltrator is used because it allows Golbat to hit Pokemon like Braviary and Vivillon with Toxic or Brave Bird, (comma) respectively, through their Substitutes; it also allows Golbat to OHKO Lilligant and Vivillon through Reflect, helping its team's matchup versus dual screens builds.
Usage Tips
========
Use Golbat to check strong physical attackers and Fighting-types like Hitmonlee and Sawk as well as other physical attackers that fail to 2HKO Golbat from full with their STAB attacks, (comma) such as Braviary and Choice Scarf Emboar. That said, you should be wary of switching it into Choice Band or Expert Belt variants of Emboar, which can 2HKO Golbat with Flare Blitz or and Wild Charge, respectively. Golbat can also keep some special attackers, such as Sceptile and Whimsicott, in check, although it needs to be wary of Choice Specs-boosted Hidden Power Ice from the former as well as Choice Specs-boosted Psychic from the latter. Aim to keep Golbat as healthy as possible at all times with Roost to ensure it is able to check things consistently. This is especially important considering its inability to viably carry Black Sludge. Golbat will commonly be forced to take Knock Off from Pokemon that it checks; if an alternative option is available, consider it carefully as opposed to mindlessly switching Golbat into Pokemon that commonly carry Knock Off. Aim to use Defog whenever you can; be wary of the ease to with which a lot of defensive Stealth Rock users like Steelix and Rhydon can reset them versus Golbat, however, and consider more aggressive plays switches into teammates that can take advantage of this. Additionally, be careful when using it Defog against teams that carry Braviary and or Malamar to avoid giving them Attack or evasion boosts, respectively.
Team Options
========
Xatu is useful to helps keep Stealth Rock off of the field, particularly versus Steelix variants without heavy investment in Attack. Wish users like Aromatisse and Vaporeon are useful for their ability to help Golbat recover from in situations when where it does not have an opportunity to use Roost. Powerful wallbreakers like Emboar and Houndoom are useful to help alleviate Golbat's passivity. These appreciate Golbat's U-turn variants especially because it helps to bring them in safely. VoltTurn users like Rotom-C, Rotom, Lanturn, and Scyther can help grab momentum when Golbat loses it. Pokemon that appreciate entry hazards being removed, such as Charizard, Sneasel, and Vivillon, appreciate the Defog utility that it Golbat brings to the table.
Guzzlord and Incineroar defensively cover Psychic-types for Golbat while, (comma) in turn, appreciating Golbat's ability to keep Fighting-types like Hitmonlee solidly in check. Sneasel and Houndoom are also excellent partners as because they benefit from Fighting-types being kept in check, and in addition they are additionally capable of trapping and removing dangerous Pokemon like Delphox and Mismagius with Pursuit and benefit from Golbat's ability to remove entry hazards with Defog. Steelix and Rhydon are useful thanks to their immunity to Electric-type attacks, (comma) allowing them to soft check Choice item variants of Rotom-C and Vikavolt, as well as their resistance to Rock-type attacks, (comma) and their ability to set up Stealth Rock. Steelix answers like Samurott and Delphox are useful due to Golbat's inability to threaten it; Probopass is also useful, (comma) as it can trap and either weaken or eliminate said Pokemon with its ability Magnet Pull. Pokemon that struggle with Sceptile, such as Jellicent, Rhydon, Mismagius, and Slowking, make for excellent partners due to Golbat's ability to keep it staunchly in check.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Haze or Whirlwind can be used to combat setup sweepers, and Hypnosis is an option can put targets to sleep. However, these are difficult to fit around over Golbat's other moves, and Hypnosis's inaccuracy makes it undesirable most of the time. A set with Nasty Plot, Air Slash, Giga Drain, and Roost can be used to take on most common Stealth Rock users without sacrificing Golbat's defensive utility, but it doesn't like giving up Defog to do this.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Psychic-types**: Sigilyph and Xatu pose as an issue for Golbat with their Psychic-type STAB moves while fearing nothing from and immunity to Toxic. Delphox and Slowbro also threaten Golbat for the same reason with STAB moves, although they can be targeted by Toxic either upon switching in or when attacking a healthy Golbat. Medicham can't switch in on Brave Bird, but it deals very heavy damage with STAB Zen Headbutt. Mesprit deals very heavy damage with STAB Psychic.
**Rock- and Steel-types**: Rhydon takes very little from any attack other than Super Fang and either sets up Stealth Rock without fear or retaliates with STAB Stone Edge. Archeops can KO Golbat with STAB Stone Edge. Steelix takes very little from anything barring Super Fang, (comma) and is immune to Toxic, (comma) and can set up Stealth Rock against Golbat indefinitely, although it needs to be careful of Taunt variants. Barbaracle can't set up with total consistency versus Taunt variants of Golbat, but it threatens to KO it with either Stone Edge or Continental Crush.
**Ice- and Electric-types**: Sneasel can deal very heavy damage with Icicle Crash, especially if it or a teammate has used Knock Off on Golbat prior. Piloswine can set up Stealth Rock on non-Taunt Golbat and dents it with STAB Icicle Crash while pressuring Roost attempts with STAB Earthquake, although it needs to be wary of Toxic. Rotom and Rotom-C both force Golbat out with the threat of STAB Thunderbolt and use it for free momentum with Volt Switch. Froslass poses a threat to Golbat with its choice of Ice-type STAB attack and also threatens to set up Spikes on Golbat while having the option of using Taunt to prevent them from being removed by Defog.
**Entry Hazard Pressure**: Given the fact that Golbat is weak to Stealth Rock and lacks the passive recovery provided by Black Sludge, any Pokemon that can keep Stealth Rock up against it will put it under immense pressure. This means that Pokemon like the aforementioned Steelix, Rhydon, and Piloswine can keep Golbat under heavy pressure at bay throughout the match. This is made especially apparent with heavy offensive pressure from the range of Pokemon mentioned above, which can prevent it from even using Defog in the first place.
**Knock Off**: A number of Pokemon that Golbat commonly tends to keeps in check, including Hitmonlee and Sawk, commonly carry this move. This allows them to slash Golbat's bulk to two-thirds of what it is with Eviolite intact, which, while not crippling, makes it significantly easier to pressure later on in the match.
Golbat has excellent bulk courtesy of Eviolite, access to reliable recovery, a good defensive typing, and immunity to Toxic. These factors combine to make Golbat one of the best walls in the tier, being capable of shutting down a large number of dangerous Pokemon, (comma) including Hitmonlee, Whimsicott, Sceptile, Vivillon, Toxicroak, and Tauros, depending on its EV spread; if a move isn't super effective, (comma) it usually doesn't fear much from it, and it is still reasonably bulky after being hit by Knock Off. It has access to a number of useful utility moves in Defog, Taunt, Toxic, and Super Fang, with the last three allowing it to function as a passable stallbreaker. Access to Infiltrator, (comma) in conjunction with a 100% accurate Toxic thanks to Golbat's typing, and a perfectly accurate Toxic allows it to take on a number of Pokemon that can otherwise cause bulky teams issues, (comma) such as Substitute + Bulk Up Braviary. However, its Stealth Rock weakness combined with its inability to viably carry Black Sludge makes it easy to pressure and forces a reliance on Roost to remain healthy. Furthermore, while its bulk is good without Eviolite, Knock Off's omnipresence hinders its ability to handle a number of its users that it otherwise checks throughout the match and increases its vulnerability to both Pursuit and strong neutral hits. A number of Pokemon that it can otherwise check consistently, including Virizion and Lilligant, commonly carry Z-Moves that invalidate its ability to do so consistently, and Golbat's its typing leaves it at the mercy of a large number of very dangerous Pokemon like Sneasel and Rhydon. While consistent as a defensive Defog user due to its exceptional bulk, Golbat struggles to take on a lot of common Stealth Rock users like Rhydon, Piloswine, Aurorus, and Steelix.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Roost
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Defog
move 4: Taunt / Toxic
item: Eviolite
ability: Infiltrator
nature: Impish
evs: 240 HP / 172 Def / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Roost is important to for allowing Golbat to check Pokemon throughout the match and helps it alleviate issues caused by its Stealth Rock weakness and inability to hold Leftovers. Brave Bird is important to ensures that Golbat is not total Taunt bait, capitalizing on its ability to check Fighting-types by hitting them super effectively. Defog makes Golbat one of the handful of viable hazard removers in the tier, which is a very useful asset for Stealth Rock-weak partners to have while reducing the pressure defensive teams feel when faced against Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes with hazard stacking. Taunt is useful versus Pokemon like Steelix, preventing them from setting up Stealth Rock again immediately after Golbat clears it; it is also useful for preventing recovery and blocking the use of other utility moves, allowing Golbat to function as a passable stallbreaker alongside Toxic or Super Fang. Alternatively, Toxic allows Golbat to pressure defensive Pokemon and setup sweepers alike by putting them on a timer; it also takes advantage of Infiltrator to status Pokemon like Braviary through Substitute.
Super Fang can be used to allow Golbat to dent Flying-resistant foes and other physically bulky Pokemon that try to switch in on Golbat, most notably allowing it to pressure Steelix. However, Golbat struggles to fit it around its other moves, often sacrificing overall utility in favor of improving its ability to stallbreak. U-turn is an option over Taunt and Toxic that alleviates Golbat's tendency to sap momentum by allowing it to scout out switches to Pokemon that check Golbat; it is notably useful when paired with Probopass due to it taking advantage of the free switch that U-turn generates while having the ability to trap and either weaken or remove Steelix. It also takes advantage of the switches Golbat forces against Pokemon that can't break through it. However, other utility moves are generally more useful and it is conducive to wearing Golbat down.
Set Details
========
The listed Speed investment outruns neutral-natured Samurott and Barbaracle, allowing it Golbat to use Taunt versus them before they can use Swords Dance or Shell Smash, respectively, while 240 HP EVs minimize Stealth Rock damage. The remaining EVs are invested in Defense alongside an Impish nature to improve Golbat's ability to check physical attackers throughout the match. However, a specially defensive spread is also an option to take on special attackers like Vivillon more consistently. Eviolite bolsters both of Golbat's defenses, giving it outstanding bulk that surpasses that of any other defensive Poison-type in the tier. Infiltrator is used because it allows Golbat to hit Pokemon like Braviary and Vivillon with Toxic or Brave Bird, (comma) respectively, through their Substitutes; it also allows Golbat to OHKO Lilligant and Vivillon through Reflect, helping its team's matchup versus dual screens builds.
Usage Tips
========
Use Golbat to check strong physical attackers and Fighting-types like Hitmonlee and Sawk as well as other physical attackers that fail to 2HKO Golbat from full with their STAB attacks, (comma) such as Braviary and Choice Scarf Emboar. That said, you should be wary of switching it into Choice Band or Expert Belt variants of Emboar, which can 2HKO Golbat with Flare Blitz or and Wild Charge, respectively. Golbat can also keep some special attackers, such as Sceptile and Whimsicott, in check, although it needs to be wary of Choice Specs-boosted Hidden Power Ice from the former as well as Choice Specs-boosted Psychic from the latter. Aim to keep Golbat as healthy as possible at all times with Roost to ensure it is able to check things consistently. This is especially important considering its inability to viably carry Black Sludge. Golbat will commonly be forced to take Knock Off from Pokemon that it checks; if an alternative option is available, consider it carefully as opposed to mindlessly switching Golbat into Pokemon that commonly carry Knock Off. Aim to use Defog whenever you can; be wary of the ease to with which a lot of defensive Stealth Rock users like Steelix and Rhydon can reset them versus Golbat, however, and consider more aggressive plays switches into teammates that can take advantage of this. Additionally, be careful when using it Defog against teams that carry Braviary and or Malamar to avoid giving them Attack or evasion boosts, respectively.
Team Options
========
Xatu is useful to helps keep Stealth Rock off of the field, particularly versus Steelix variants without heavy investment in Attack. Wish users like Aromatisse and Vaporeon are useful for their ability to help Golbat recover from in situations when where it does not have an opportunity to use Roost. Powerful wallbreakers like Emboar and Houndoom are useful to help alleviate Golbat's passivity. These appreciate Golbat's U-turn variants especially because it helps to bring them in safely. VoltTurn users like Rotom-C, Rotom, Lanturn, and Scyther can help grab momentum when Golbat loses it. Pokemon that appreciate entry hazards being removed, such as Charizard, Sneasel, and Vivillon, appreciate the Defog utility that it Golbat brings to the table.
Guzzlord and Incineroar defensively cover Psychic-types for Golbat while, (comma) in turn, appreciating Golbat's ability to keep Fighting-types like Hitmonlee solidly in check. Sneasel and Houndoom are also excellent partners as because they benefit from Fighting-types being kept in check, and in addition they are additionally capable of trapping and removing dangerous Pokemon like Delphox and Mismagius with Pursuit and benefit from Golbat's ability to remove entry hazards with Defog. Steelix and Rhydon are useful thanks to their immunity to Electric-type attacks, (comma) allowing them to soft check Choice item variants of Rotom-C and Vikavolt, as well as their resistance to Rock-type attacks, (comma) and their ability to set up Stealth Rock. Steelix answers like Samurott and Delphox are useful due to Golbat's inability to threaten it; Probopass is also useful, (comma) as it can trap and either weaken or eliminate said Pokemon with its ability Magnet Pull. Pokemon that struggle with Sceptile, such as Jellicent, Rhydon, Mismagius, and Slowking, make for excellent partners due to Golbat's ability to keep it staunchly in check.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Haze or Whirlwind can be used to combat setup sweepers, and Hypnosis is an option can put targets to sleep. However, these are difficult to fit around over Golbat's other moves, and Hypnosis's inaccuracy makes it undesirable most of the time. A set with Nasty Plot, Air Slash, Giga Drain, and Roost can be used to take on most common Stealth Rock users without sacrificing Golbat's defensive utility, but it doesn't like giving up Defog to do this.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Psychic-types**: Sigilyph and Xatu pose as an issue for Golbat with their Psychic-type STAB moves while fearing nothing from and immunity to Toxic. Delphox and Slowbro also threaten Golbat for the same reason with STAB moves, although they can be targeted by Toxic either upon switching in or when attacking a healthy Golbat. Medicham can't switch in on Brave Bird, but it deals very heavy damage with STAB Zen Headbutt. Mesprit deals very heavy damage with STAB Psychic.
**Rock- and Steel-types**: Rhydon takes very little from any attack other than Super Fang and either sets up Stealth Rock without fear or retaliates with STAB Stone Edge. Archeops can KO Golbat with STAB Stone Edge. Steelix takes very little from anything barring Super Fang, (comma) and is immune to Toxic, (comma) and can set up Stealth Rock against Golbat indefinitely, although it needs to be careful of Taunt variants. Barbaracle can't set up with total consistency versus Taunt variants of Golbat, but it threatens to KO it with either Stone Edge or Continental Crush.
**Ice- and Electric-types**: Sneasel can deal very heavy damage with Icicle Crash, especially if it or a teammate has used Knock Off on Golbat prior. Piloswine can set up Stealth Rock on non-Taunt Golbat and dents it with STAB Icicle Crash while pressuring Roost attempts with STAB Earthquake, although it needs to be wary of Toxic. Rotom and Rotom-C both force Golbat out with the threat of STAB Thunderbolt and use it for free momentum with Volt Switch. Froslass poses a threat to Golbat with its choice of Ice-type STAB attack and also threatens to set up Spikes on Golbat while having the option of using Taunt to prevent them from being removed by Defog.
**Entry Hazard Pressure**: Given the fact that Golbat is weak to Stealth Rock and lacks the passive recovery provided by Black Sludge, any Pokemon that can keep Stealth Rock up against it will put it under immense pressure. This means that Pokemon like the aforementioned Steelix, Rhydon, and Piloswine can keep Golbat under heavy pressure at bay throughout the match. This is made especially apparent with heavy offensive pressure from the range of Pokemon mentioned above, which can prevent it from even using Defog in the first place.
**Knock Off**: A number of Pokemon that Golbat commonly tends to keeps in check, including Hitmonlee and Sawk, commonly carry this move. This allows them to slash Golbat's bulk to two-thirds of what it is with Eviolite intact, which, while not crippling, makes it significantly easier to pressure later on in the match.
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