TJ
Banned deucer.
uploaded -zard
[OVERVIEW]
Gourgeist-XL is one of the bulkiest Pokemon in PU, and, thanks to a useful defensive typing, it can take on many physical threats in the tier, especially Fighting-, Ground-, Rock-, and Normal-types, such as Primeape, Carracosta and Kangaskhan. Gourgeist-XL has an excellent support movepool including Leech Seed, Foul Play, and Will-O-Wisp, which can annoy, whittle down, and cripple foes. Additionally, its Ghost typing allows it to spinblock and beat every spinner in the tier. However, Gourgeist-XL's typing leaves it weak to several common types like Dark, Fire, Flying, Ice, and Ghost. Common special attackers like Pyroar and Magmortar also hamper Gourgeist-XL and come in for free due to its poor special bulk and lack of offensive presence. Gourgeist-XL is also weak to every entry hazard, which hurts its longevity.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Will-O-Wisp
move 2: Synthesis
move 3: Foul Play
move 4: Leech Seed
item: Colbur Berry / Leftovers
ability: Frisk
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Will-O-Wisp is used to cripple physical attackers like Absol and Kangaskhan; it also allows Gourgeist-XL to gain residual damage on other foes. Synthesis allows Gourgeist-XL to restore its HP when low. Leech Seed is also useful for recovering health and inflicting residual damage on foes like Gurdurr, which Gourgeist-XL doesn't want to burn, since it has access to Guts. Foul Play is mandatory for punishing setup sweepers like Zangoose and Pinsir while also hitting Magmortar hard and breaking Oricorio-G's Substitute. Seed Bomb can be run over Leech Seed to hit Grass-weak Pokemon such as Gastrodon and Lanturn.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment with a Bold nature is used to make Gourgeist-XL as bulky as possible, allowing it to check threats like Kangaskhan and Gurdurr more easily. Frisk allows Gourgeist-XL to scout for items on the opposing team. Colbur Berry is used for taking on physical Dark-types like Absol and Liepard better and crippling them with Will-O-Wisp. Leftovers can be used to give Gourgeist-XL passive recovery; however, without Colbur Berry, Gourgeist-XL is vulnerable to Dark-types.
Usage Tips
========
Gourgeist-XL should spread Will-O-Wisp on physical attackers like Archeops to cripple them; however, it should be wary of Fire-types like Pyroar and Magmortar that like to switch in on its Will-O-Wisp. Additionally, it should be careful when using Will-O-Wisp on Stoutland and Kangaskhan because they may carry Facade. When Gourgeist-XL is in safely, feel free to use Leech Seed to passively damage its foes. Make sure you scout for sets when switching Gourgeist-XL in on Water-types like Floatzel and Carracosta because they can carry Ice Beam. Gourgeist-XL is easiest to bring in on Fighting- and Ground-types such as Primeape and Torterra because it walls them with ease. Gourgiest-XL should be used to spinblock due to its Ghost typing, so bring it in on spinners like Hitmonchan. Lastly, use Synthesis when Gourgeist-XL is low on health, and be wary when switching in Gourgeist-XL on Pokemon such as Lanturn because it carries Toxic.
Team Options
========
Due to Gourgeist-XL's great physical bulk and lack of offensive presence, it's usually used on bulkier teams. Pokemon like Lanturn make good partners for being able to take Fire-, Ice-, and Flying-type attacks for Gourgeist-XL. In return, Gourgeist-XL is able to take on Fighting-, Grass-, and Ground-types such as Primeape, Shiftry, and Alolan Dugtrio that Lanturn struggles against. Skuntank also makes a good partner because it is able to absorb Toxic Spikes, remove entry hazards, and Pursuit trap Psychic- and Ghost-types for Gourgeist-XL, while Gourgeist-XL takes on Fighting- and Ground-types such as Gurdurr and Golurk for it. Regirock checks Fire- and Flying-types such as Pyroar and Archeops. Pokemon like Granbull and Silvally-Fairy that are able to take on Dark-types also pair well with Gourgeist-XL. Lastly, Audino, Type: Null, and Miltank are great teammates because they act as blanket checks to the special attackers Gourgeist-XL struggles against such as Pyroar. Audino and Miltank are also able to provide Heal Bell support to rid Gourgeist-XL of crippling status. Miltank's Thick Fat, in particular, is also useful for checking Fire- and Ice-types like Magmortar and Jynx. The aforementioned Pokemon are weak to Fighting, which Gourgeist-XL can check.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Due to Gourgeist-XL's solid bulk and access to Explosion for momentum, it can be a reliable Trick Room setter for its teammates on Trick Room teams. Toxic can be used over Leech Seed to wear down bulky walls like Audino faster. A Choice Band set with Rock Slide can be used to punish Magmortar and Oricorio-G, but it is outclassed by Gourgeist-S and isn't very useful. Rocky Helmet can also be used over Leftovers and Colbur Berry to inflict chip damage on foes like Primeape that pivot out on it. Lastly, Skill Swap and Insomnia can be useful for crippling Guts users like Gurdurr, preventing Sleep Talk, removing Lurantis's Contrary, and removing Scrappy from Kangaskhan and Stoutland. Skill Swap also allows Gourgeist-XL to remove abilities such as Magic Guard and Water Veil that protect Pokemon like Clefairy and Floatzel from Will-O-Wisp.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Special Attackers**: Strong special attackers such as Drampa and Mesprit can do massive damage to Gourgeist-XL because of its mediocre Special Defense. The latter can also switch in freely on any attack from Gourgeist-XL because of its passiveness.
**Toxic**: Toxic from Pokemon like Lanturn and Gastrodon hinder Gourgeist-XL's longevity and makes it harder to check physical foes like Primeape in the long-term.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types like Pyroar and Magmortar can come in freely on Gourgeist-XL and force it out with their strong Fire-type STAB attacks; however, they have to consistently take Stealth Rock and Foul Play damage.
**Ice-types**: Ice-types like Jynx and Abomasnow can OHKO Gourgeist-XL with their STAB attacks, and in Jynx's case it can set up on it with Nasty Plot, but it can't switch in safely.
**Taunt**: Taunt users like Weezing and Qwilfish shut down Gourgeist-XL because it is very passive and relies on its support moves to function efficiently.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Swanna and Oricorio-G pose a massive threat to Gourgeist-XL, as they are able to OHKO it with a Z-Move. Archeops can also 2HKO Gourgeist-XL with Acrobatics.
**Status Absorbers**: Clefairy can take any attack from Gourgeist-XL thanks to Magic Guard and set up Stealth Rock and Calm Mind on it because of its passiveness. Type: Null can set up Swords Dance freely and PP stall Gourgeist-XL.
[OVERVIEW]
Gourgeist-XL is one of the bulkiest Pokemon in PU, and, thanks to a useful defensive typing, it can take on many physical threats in the tier, especially Fighting-, Ground-, Rock-, and Normal-types, such as Primeape, Carracosta and Kangaskhan. Gourgeist-XL has an excellent support movepool including Leech Seed, Foul Play, and Will-O-Wisp, which can annoy, whittle down, and cripple foes. Additionally, its Ghost typing allows it to spinblock and beat every spinner in the tier. However, Gourgeist-XL's typing leaves it weak to several common types like Dark, Fire, Flying, Ice, and Ghost. Common special attackers like Pyroar and Magmortar also hamper Gourgeist-XL and come in for free due to its poor special bulk and lack of offensive presence. Gourgeist-XL is also weak to every entry hazard, which hurts its longevity.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Will-O-Wisp
move 2: Synthesis
move 3: Foul Play
move 4: Leech Seed
item: Colbur Berry / Leftovers
ability: Frisk
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Will-O-Wisp is used to cripple physical attackers like Absol and Kangaskhan; it also allows Gourgeist-XL to gain residual damage on other foes. Synthesis allows Gourgeist-XL to restore its HP when low. Leech Seed is also useful for recovering health and inflicting residual damage on foes like Gurdurr, which Gourgeist-XL doesn't want to burn, since it has access to Guts. Foul Play is mandatory for punishing setup sweepers like Zangoose and Pinsir while also hitting Magmortar hard and breaking Oricorio-G's Substitute. Seed Bomb can be run over Leech Seed to hit Grass-weak Pokemon such as Gastrodon and Lanturn.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment with a Bold nature is used to make Gourgeist-XL as bulky as possible, allowing it to check threats like Kangaskhan and Gurdurr more easily. Frisk allows Gourgeist-XL to scout for items on the opposing team. Colbur Berry is used for taking on physical Dark-types like Absol and Liepard better and crippling them with Will-O-Wisp. Leftovers can be used to give Gourgeist-XL passive recovery; however, without Colbur Berry, Gourgeist-XL is vulnerable to Dark-types.
Usage Tips
========
Gourgeist-XL should spread Will-O-Wisp on physical attackers like Archeops to cripple them; however, it should be wary of Fire-types like Pyroar and Magmortar that like to switch in on its Will-O-Wisp. Additionally, it should be careful when using Will-O-Wisp on Stoutland and Kangaskhan because they may carry Facade. When Gourgeist-XL is in safely, feel free to use Leech Seed to passively damage its foes. Make sure you scout for sets when switching Gourgeist-XL in on Water-types like Floatzel and Carracosta because they can carry Ice Beam. Gourgeist-XL is easiest to bring in on Fighting- and Ground-types such as Primeape and Torterra because it walls them with ease. Gourgiest-XL should be used to spinblock due to its Ghost typing, so bring it in on spinners like Hitmonchan. Lastly, use Synthesis when Gourgeist-XL is low on health, and be wary when switching in Gourgeist-XL on Pokemon such as Lanturn because it carries Toxic.
Team Options
========
Due to Gourgeist-XL's great physical bulk and lack of offensive presence, it's usually used on bulkier teams. Pokemon like Lanturn make good partners for being able to take Fire-, Ice-, and Flying-type attacks for Gourgeist-XL. In return, Gourgeist-XL is able to take on Fighting-, Grass-, and Ground-types such as Primeape, Shiftry, and Alolan Dugtrio that Lanturn struggles against. Skuntank also makes a good partner because it is able to absorb Toxic Spikes, remove entry hazards, and Pursuit trap Psychic- and Ghost-types for Gourgeist-XL, while Gourgeist-XL takes on Fighting- and Ground-types such as Gurdurr and Golurk for it. Regirock checks Fire- and Flying-types such as Pyroar and Archeops. Pokemon like Granbull and Silvally-Fairy that are able to take on Dark-types also pair well with Gourgeist-XL. Lastly, Audino, Type: Null, and Miltank are great teammates because they act as blanket checks to the special attackers Gourgeist-XL struggles against such as Pyroar. Audino and Miltank are also able to provide Heal Bell support to rid Gourgeist-XL of crippling status. Miltank's Thick Fat, in particular, is also useful for checking Fire- and Ice-types like Magmortar and Jynx. The aforementioned Pokemon are weak to Fighting, which Gourgeist-XL can check.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Due to Gourgeist-XL's solid bulk and access to Explosion for momentum, it can be a reliable Trick Room setter for its teammates on Trick Room teams. Toxic can be used over Leech Seed to wear down bulky walls like Audino faster. A Choice Band set with Rock Slide can be used to punish Magmortar and Oricorio-G, but it is outclassed by Gourgeist-S and isn't very useful. Rocky Helmet can also be used over Leftovers and Colbur Berry to inflict chip damage on foes like Primeape that pivot out on it. Lastly, Skill Swap and Insomnia can be useful for crippling Guts users like Gurdurr, preventing Sleep Talk, removing Lurantis's Contrary, and removing Scrappy from Kangaskhan and Stoutland. Skill Swap also allows Gourgeist-XL to remove abilities such as Magic Guard and Water Veil that protect Pokemon like Clefairy and Floatzel from Will-O-Wisp.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Special Attackers**: Strong special attackers such as Drampa and Mesprit can do massive damage to Gourgeist-XL because of its mediocre Special Defense. The latter can also switch in freely on any attack from Gourgeist-XL because of its passiveness.
**Toxic**: Toxic from Pokemon like Lanturn and Gastrodon hinder Gourgeist-XL's longevity and makes it harder to check physical foes like Primeape in the long-term.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types like Pyroar and Magmortar can come in freely on Gourgeist-XL and force it out with their strong Fire-type STAB attacks; however, they have to consistently take Stealth Rock and Foul Play damage.
**Ice-types**: Ice-types like Jynx and Abomasnow can OHKO Gourgeist-XL with their STAB attacks, and in Jynx's case it can set up on it with Nasty Plot, but it can't switch in safely.
**Taunt**: Taunt users like Weezing and Qwilfish shut down Gourgeist-XL because it is very passive and relies on its support moves to function efficiently.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Swanna and Oricorio-G pose a massive threat to Gourgeist-XL, as they are able to OHKO it with a Z-Move. Archeops can also 2HKO Gourgeist-XL with Acrobatics.
**Status Absorbers**: Clefairy can take any attack from Gourgeist-XL thanks to Magic Guard and set up Stealth Rock and Calm Mind on it because of its passiveness. Type: Null can set up Swords Dance freely and PP stall Gourgeist-XL.
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