[OVERVIEW]
By virtue of Gastrodon's modest defenses, solid defensive typing that leaves it with only one weakness, and access to a reliable recovery move, it finds its niche in OU as an answer to special attackers like Tapu Koko, Greninja, Tornadus-T, and Nihilego. While it being a Ground-type that isn't weak to Hidden Power Ice is already a great boon, Storm Drain only adds to its defensive qualities, making it a great answer to Water-types in general, as well as to rain sweepers like Kingdra and Ash-Greninja. Unfortunately, Gastrodon's passiveness and inability to support the team through controlling or setting entry hazards can make it difficult to justify using over other Water- or Ground-types, like Landorus-T, Toxapex, and Tapu Fini. It also struggles with mediocre bulk, especially physically, which makes it difficult for it to take hits from anything besides the special threats it checks.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Earth Power
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald deals decent damage and can inflict burns, limiting the effectiveness of physical attacks. Recover is necessary, as it prevents Gastrodon from being worn down and allows it to wall the Pokemon it switches into. Toxic is necessary for wearing down targets Gastrodon cannot do much else to, such as bulky defensive Pokemon like Zapdos, Tangrowth, and Rotom-W. Earth Power is a secondary STAB attack that deals solid damage to the Water-types that resist Scald, like Toxapex, Greninja, and Manaphy. Earthquake can be used instead of Earth Power. Although it can have its power reduced by Will-O-Wisp and doesn't benefit from Storm Drain like Earth Power does, it also deals more damage to targets like Calm Mind Keldeo, Alakazam, Tapu Lele, and Assault Vest Magearna. Sludge Bomb can be used in the last slot to hit Fairy-types such as Tapu Fini much harder while still handling certain Grass-types that tend to switch in, especially Tapu Bulu; it also has a useful poison chance. Ice Beam is an option in the last slot to hit Grass-types super effectively and prevent Gastrodon from being setup fodder for Zygarde or Salamence.
Set Details
========
Leftovers increases Gastrodon's longevity, and Storm Drain gives it a useful immunity to Water-type moves. The EV spread maximizes Special Defense, allowing Gastrodon to take on special threats like Greninja, Ash-Greninja, Nihilego, and Magearna. A Calm nature maximizes Special Defense, but if using Earthquake, a Sassy nature should be used instead. An EV spread of 252 HP / 44 Def / 212 SpD allows Gastrodon to always survive two Secret Swords from Choice Scarf Keldeo after Stealth Rock damage, meaning Gastrodon can switch in on it safely, although the spread makes Gastrodon more vulnerable to special attackers like Greninja. Similarly, a spread with maximized Defense investment can be used to allow Gastrodon to take on physical threats such as Mega Metagross and Landorus-T better. However, it needs a Relaxed nature and nearly maximum Defense investment to always avoid key 2HKOs, such as from offensive Landorus-T's Earthquake, and it loses its ability to check most special threats, which it's better suited for checking due to its typing and ability.
Usage Tips
========
Using Gastrodon is pretty straightforward, as it basically boils down to using Recover to keep Gastrodon's HP high and using attacks and Toxic on the turns where Recover isn't necessary. Gastrodon can switch into special threats such as Tapu Koko, Tornadus-T, and Greninja quite freely and heal off the damage, firing off Scald and Toxic to wear down bulkier foes. It's also a safe answer to common Volt Switch users like Tapu Koko, Magnezone, Zapdos, Rotom-W, and Magearna, and it can easily switch in and block their attempts at gaining momentum or heal off the damage from their main attacks. When using Gastrodon, be wary of Toxic on defensive Pokemon that Gastrodon would otherwise check, such as Heatran. Similarly, scouting for Grass moves can be beneficial, such as Bloom Doom on Heatran.
Team Options
========
Gastrodon typically finds itself on balanced, bulkier teams due to its passive nature. Since it's so weak, it needs a teammate that can consistently deal with and wear down Ferrothorn, Tapu Fini, and Tapu Bulu, all of which check it. Fire-types such as Heatran and Mega Charizard X, Flying-types such as Tornadus-T, and Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur are all solid answers to the Grass-types that trouble Gastrodon. Although Gastrodon is fairly self-sufficient and does resist Stealth Rock, it appreciates entry hazard control to remove Spikes and Toxic Spikes, which can severely hamper its ability to switch in and its general longevity. Latios is a good choice for a Defog user that also handles Mega Venusaur and Mega Charizard Y. Zapdos can Defog and check certain Grass-types like Ferrothorn.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Curse can be used to increase Gastrodon's physical bulk and the power of its Earthquake, allowing it to defeat offensive teams; however, it gives up Toxic and it struggles to sweep due to its vulnerability to status. Clear Smog can be used to ruin setup attempts, which is useful due to Gastrodon's passive nature. However, it's useless against Substitute users and Steel-types. Mirror Coat can surprise some special attackers trying to 2HKO Gastrodon by usually OHKOing back. Gastrodon is a good user of this move thanks to its good HP stat, but it is very prediction reliant and situational.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Gastrodon cannot deal much damage to most Grass-types with its STAB moves, and threats such as Tapu Bulu, Amoonguss, Tangrowth, Ferrothorn, and Mega Venusaur can easily set up or simply OHKO back with a 4x effective STAB Grass-type attack.
**Pokemon with Grass-type Coverage**: Pokemon that carry Grass-type coverage moves can almost always 2HKO or OHKO Gastrodon. Heatran or Volcanion can run Bloom Doom, which swiftly dispatches Gastrodon. Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Thundurus can sometimes run Grass Knot. Celesteela, which doesn't do much to Gastrodon otherwise, can sometimes carry Giga Drain. Some Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y, Volcarona, and Manaphy use Grass-type moves as their standard coverage and therefore can also defeat Gastrodon easily.
**Strong Wallbreakers**: Gastrodon's defensive stats aren't the most excellent, especially physically, so powerful attackers such as Mega Metagross, Tapu Lele, and Mega Medicham can break through it.
**Setup Sweepers**: Since Gastrodon is so passive and reliant on Toxic and Scald burns, setup sweepers can easily take advantage of it to set up and break through. Salamence and Zygarde can easily set up Dragon Dances, fearing little besides Ice Beam and Scald burns. If Zygarde has Substitute, it can set up on any Gastrodon lacking Ice Beam with absolutely no fear. Gyarados is similar, as Gastrodon cannot do much damage to it and it only fears Toxic and Scald burns. Quiver Dance sweepers like Volcarona take relatively little after boosting and only fear Toxic. Swords Dance users like Mega Pinsir, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Scizor can set up easily, and Gastrodon needs to get lucky with Scald burns to pose any sort of threat, although it can use Ice Beam or Sludge Bomb to hurt Mega Pinsir and Tapu Bulu. Calm Mind users like Tapu Lele, Suicune, and Keldeo can set up with little fear, not taking much from even Earthquake, although Toxic can put them on a timer.
* Gastrodon's excellent defensive typing leaves it with only one weakness, and a neutrality to Hidden Power Ice makes it a good check to Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Thundurus.
* Storm Drain gives it another immunity and allows it to check Water-types like Keldeo, Rotom-W, Greninja, and most Pokemon found on rain teams.
* Gastrodon has modest defensive stats and excellent HP, which when coupled with Recover make it fairly bulky.
* It's unable to do much against Grass-types like Venusaur, Tapu Bulu, and Ferrothorn.
* Gastrodon has little utility besides walling things and inflicting status, which sometimes makes it hard to justify using over other Water- or Ground-types.
* Despite having Recover, it's prone to being worn down by poison or burn.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Earth Power
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Scald deals decent damage and can inflict burns, limiting the effectiveness of physical attacks.
* Recover prevents Gastrodon from being worn down and allows it to wall the Pokemon it switches into.
* Toxic is necessary for wearing down targets Gastrodon cannot do much else to, such as bulky defensive Pokemon and threats that don't care as much about Scald burns.
* Earth Power is a secondary STAB attack that deals solid damage to the Water-types that resist Scald, like Toxapex, Greninja, and Manaphy.
* Earthquake can be used over Earth Power. Although it can have its power reduced by Will-O-Wisp and doesn't benefit from Storm Drain like Earth Power does, it also deals more damage to targets like Calm Mind Keldeo, Alakazam, Tapu Lele, and Assault Vest Magearna.
* Sludge Bomb can be used in the last slot to hit Fairy-types such as Tapu Fini much harder while still handling certain Grass-types that tend to switch in, especially Tapu Bulu; it also has a useful poison chance.
* Ice Beam can be used in the last slot to hit Grass-types super effectively and prevent Gastrodon from being setup fodder for Zygarde or Salamence.
Set Details
========
* Leftovers increases Gastrodon's longevity, and Storm Drain gives it a useful immunity to Water-type moves.
* The EV spread maximizes Special Defense, allowing Gastrodon to take on special threats like Greninja, Ash-Greninja, Nihilego, and Magearna.
* If using Earthquake, a Sassy nature should be used.
* An EV spread of 252 HP / 44 Def / 212 SpD allows Gastrodon to always survive two Secret Swords from Scarf Keldeo after Stealth Rock damage, meaning Gastrodon can switch in on it safely, although the spread makes Gastrodon more vulnerable to special attackers like Greninja.
* A spread with greater Defense investment can be used to allow Gastrodon to take on physical threats such as Mega Metagross and Landorus-T better. However, it needs a Relaxed nature and nearly maximum Defense investment to always avoid key 2HKOs, such as from offensive Landorus-T's Earthquake.
Usage Tips
========
* Gastrodon can switch into special threats such as Tapu Koko, Tornadus-T, and Greninja.
* It's a safe answer to common Volt Switch users like Tapu Koko, Magnezone, Zapdos, Rotom-W, and Magearna, and it can easily switch in and block their attempts at gaining momentum.
* Use Recover to keep Gastrodon's HP high, and use the other moves to chip down the foe on the turns Gastrodon doesn't need to Recover.
* Feel free to scout for Toxic or Grass-type coverage on Pokemon that typically struggle with Ground-types, such as Heatran.
Team Options
========
* Gastrodon typically finds itself on balanced, bulkier teams due to its passive nature. Since it's so weak, it needs a teammate that can consistently deal with and wear down Ferrothorn, Tapu Fini, and Tapu Bulu, all of which check Gastrodon.
* With Gastrodon's large weakness to Grass-type moves, a partner that switches in on Grass-type attacks from the likes of Serperior, Venusaur, and Tapu Bulu is essential. Fire-types such as Heatran and Mega Charizard X, Flying-types such as Tornadus-T, and Grass-types such as Venusaur are all solid options for such a role.
* Gastrodon is fairly self-sufficient and does resist Stealth Rock, but it appreciates hazard control to remove Spikes and Toxic Spikes, which can severely hamper its ability to switch in and its general longevity. Latios is a good choice for a Defog user that also handles Venusaur and Mega Charizard Y. Zapdos can Defog and check certain Grass-types like Ferrothorn.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Curse can be used to increase Gastrodon's physical bulk and the power of its Earthquake, allowing it to defeat offensive teams; however, it gives up Toxic and it struggles to sweep due to its vulnerability to status.
* Clear Smog ruins setup attempts, which is useful due to Gastrodon's passive nature. However, it's useless against Substitutes and Steel-types.
* Mirror Coat can surprise some special attackers trying to 2HKO Gastrodon by usually OHKOing back. Gastrodon is a good user of this move thanks to its good HP stat, but it is very prediction reliant and situational.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Gastrodon cannot deal much damage to most Grass-types with its STAB moves, and threats such as Tapu Bulu, Amoonguss, Tangrowth, Ferrothorn, and Mega Venusaur can easily set up or simply OHKO back with a 4x effective STAB Grass-type attack.
**Pokemon with Grass-type Coverage**: Pokemon that carry Grass-type coverage moves can almost always 2HKO or OHKO Gastrodon. Heatran or Volcanion can run Bloom Doom, which swiftly dispatches Gastrodon. Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Thundurus can sometimes run Grass Knot. Celesteela, which doesn't do much to Gastrodon otherwise, can sometimes carry Giga Drain. Some Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y, Volcarona, and Manaphy use Grass-type moves as their standard coverage and therefore can also defeat Gastrodon easily.
**Strong Wallbreakers**: Gastrodon's defensive stats aren't the most excellent, especially physically, so it can be broken through by powerful attackers such as Mega Metagross, Tapu Lele, and Mega Medicham.
**Setup Sweepers**: Since Gastrodon is so passive and reliant on Toxic and Scald burns, setup sweepers can easily take advantage of it to set up and break through. Salamence and Zygarde can easily set up Dragon Dances, fearing little besides Ice Beam and Scald burns. If Zygarde has Substitute, it can set up on any Gastrodon lacking Ice Beam with absolutely no fear. Gyarados is similar, as Gastrodon cannot do much damage to it and it only fears Toxic and Scald burns. Quiver Dance sweepers like Volcarona take relatively little after boosting and only fear Toxic. Swords Dance users like Mega Pinsir, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Scizor can set up easily, and Gastrodon needs to get lucky with Scald burns to pose any sort of threat, although it can use Ice Beam or Sludge Bomb to hurt Mega Pinsir and Tapu Bulu. Calm Mind users like Tapu Lele, Suicune, and Keldeo can set up with little fear, not taking much from even Earthquake, although Toxic can put them on a timer.
* Storm Drain gives it another immunity and allows it to check Water-types like Keldeo, Rotom-W, Greninja, and most Pokemon found on rain teams.
* Gastrodon has modest defensive stats and excellent HP, which when coupled with Recover make it fairly bulky.
* It's unable to do much against Grass-types like Venusaur, Tapu Bulu, and Ferrothorn.
* Gastrodon has little utility besides walling things and inflicting status, which sometimes makes it hard to justify using over other Water- or Ground-types.
* Despite having Recover, it's prone to being worn down by poison or burn.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Earth Power
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Scald deals decent damage and can inflict burns, limiting the effectiveness of physical attacks.
* Recover prevents Gastrodon from being worn down and allows it to wall the Pokemon it switches into.
* Toxic is necessary for wearing down targets Gastrodon cannot do much else to, such as bulky defensive Pokemon and threats that don't care as much about Scald burns.
* Earth Power is a secondary STAB attack that deals solid damage to the Water-types that resist Scald, like Toxapex, Greninja, and Manaphy.
* Earthquake can be used over Earth Power. Although it can have its power reduced by Will-O-Wisp and doesn't benefit from Storm Drain like Earth Power does, it also deals more damage to targets like Calm Mind Keldeo, Alakazam, Tapu Lele, and Assault Vest Magearna.
* Sludge Bomb can be used in the last slot to hit Fairy-types such as Tapu Fini much harder while still handling certain Grass-types that tend to switch in, especially Tapu Bulu; it also has a useful poison chance.
* Ice Beam can be used in the last slot to hit Grass-types super effectively and prevent Gastrodon from being setup fodder for Zygarde or Salamence.
Set Details
========
* Leftovers increases Gastrodon's longevity, and Storm Drain gives it a useful immunity to Water-type moves.
* The EV spread maximizes Special Defense, allowing Gastrodon to take on special threats like Greninja, Ash-Greninja, Nihilego, and Magearna.
* If using Earthquake, a Sassy nature should be used.
* An EV spread of 252 HP / 44 Def / 212 SpD allows Gastrodon to always survive two Secret Swords from Scarf Keldeo after Stealth Rock damage, meaning Gastrodon can switch in on it safely, although the spread makes Gastrodon more vulnerable to special attackers like Greninja.
* A spread with greater Defense investment can be used to allow Gastrodon to take on physical threats such as Mega Metagross and Landorus-T better. However, it needs a Relaxed nature and nearly maximum Defense investment to always avoid key 2HKOs, such as from offensive Landorus-T's Earthquake.
Usage Tips
========
* Gastrodon can switch into special threats such as Tapu Koko, Tornadus-T, and Greninja.
* It's a safe answer to common Volt Switch users like Tapu Koko, Magnezone, Zapdos, Rotom-W, and Magearna, and it can easily switch in and block their attempts at gaining momentum.
* Use Recover to keep Gastrodon's HP high, and use the other moves to chip down the foe on the turns Gastrodon doesn't need to Recover.
* Feel free to scout for Toxic or Grass-type coverage on Pokemon that typically struggle with Ground-types, such as Heatran.
Team Options
========
* Gastrodon typically finds itself on balanced, bulkier teams due to its passive nature. Since it's so weak, it needs a teammate that can consistently deal with and wear down Ferrothorn, Tapu Fini, and Tapu Bulu, all of which check Gastrodon.
* With Gastrodon's large weakness to Grass-type moves, a partner that switches in on Grass-type attacks from the likes of Serperior, Venusaur, and Tapu Bulu is essential. Fire-types such as Heatran and Mega Charizard X, Flying-types such as Tornadus-T, and Grass-types such as Venusaur are all solid options for such a role.
* Gastrodon is fairly self-sufficient and does resist Stealth Rock, but it appreciates hazard control to remove Spikes and Toxic Spikes, which can severely hamper its ability to switch in and its general longevity. Latios is a good choice for a Defog user that also handles Venusaur and Mega Charizard Y. Zapdos can Defog and check certain Grass-types like Ferrothorn.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Curse can be used to increase Gastrodon's physical bulk and the power of its Earthquake, allowing it to defeat offensive teams; however, it gives up Toxic and it struggles to sweep due to its vulnerability to status.
* Clear Smog ruins setup attempts, which is useful due to Gastrodon's passive nature. However, it's useless against Substitutes and Steel-types.
* Mirror Coat can surprise some special attackers trying to 2HKO Gastrodon by usually OHKOing back. Gastrodon is a good user of this move thanks to its good HP stat, but it is very prediction reliant and situational.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Gastrodon cannot deal much damage to most Grass-types with its STAB moves, and threats such as Tapu Bulu, Amoonguss, Tangrowth, Ferrothorn, and Mega Venusaur can easily set up or simply OHKO back with a 4x effective STAB Grass-type attack.
**Pokemon with Grass-type Coverage**: Pokemon that carry Grass-type coverage moves can almost always 2HKO or OHKO Gastrodon. Heatran or Volcanion can run Bloom Doom, which swiftly dispatches Gastrodon. Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Thundurus can sometimes run Grass Knot. Celesteela, which doesn't do much to Gastrodon otherwise, can sometimes carry Giga Drain. Some Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y, Volcarona, and Manaphy use Grass-type moves as their standard coverage and therefore can also defeat Gastrodon easily.
**Strong Wallbreakers**: Gastrodon's defensive stats aren't the most excellent, especially physically, so it can be broken through by powerful attackers such as Mega Metagross, Tapu Lele, and Mega Medicham.
**Setup Sweepers**: Since Gastrodon is so passive and reliant on Toxic and Scald burns, setup sweepers can easily take advantage of it to set up and break through. Salamence and Zygarde can easily set up Dragon Dances, fearing little besides Ice Beam and Scald burns. If Zygarde has Substitute, it can set up on any Gastrodon lacking Ice Beam with absolutely no fear. Gyarados is similar, as Gastrodon cannot do much damage to it and it only fears Toxic and Scald burns. Quiver Dance sweepers like Volcarona take relatively little after boosting and only fear Toxic. Swords Dance users like Mega Pinsir, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Scizor can set up easily, and Gastrodon needs to get lucky with Scald burns to pose any sort of threat, although it can use Ice Beam or Sludge Bomb to hurt Mega Pinsir and Tapu Bulu. Calm Mind users like Tapu Lele, Suicune, and Keldeo can set up with little fear, not taking much from even Earthquake, although Toxic can put them on a timer.
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