uploaded -zard
[OVERVIEW]
Golurk carves a niche in the PU tier due to its offensive typing and immunity to Rapid Spin and Volt Switch. Golurk's typing also allows it to block Normal-, Fighting-, and Electric-type attacks from common threats such as Type: Null, Primeape, and Alolan Raichu. Golurk sports high Attack, and its array of coverage moves such as Shadow Punch, Drain Punch, and Ice Punch get boosted by Iron Fist. What separates Golurk from other Stealth Rock users is its offensive prowess as well as its typing and ability to pressure other common entry hazard and Defog users such as Ferroseed, Regirock, Skuntank, and Swanna. Despite its offensive prowess, Golurk struggles to break through bulky walls such as Gastrodon and Weezing. Along with this setback, Golurk's mediocre Speed stat leaves it outsped by common threats such as Archeops and Floatzel. Additionally, being weak to common types such as Ice, Grass, and Water makes revenge killing and forcing out Golurk much easier.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Shadow Punch
move 4: Ice Punch
item: Colbur Berry
ability: Iron Fist
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Golurk is a prominent Stealth Rock setter due to its offensive presence and ability to pressure common entry hazard users. Earthquake is Golurk's best STAB option, and has high Base Power and hits anything that isn't immune to it for solid damage. Shadow Punch is Golurk's secondary STAB attack that is used to hit Pokemon such as Musharna and Mesprit super effectively. Ice Punch allows it hit Grass- and Flying-type Pokemon such as Alolan Exeggutor, Lurantis, and Archeops. Drain Punch is an alternative over Shadow Punch that is boosted by Iron Fist and has useful coverage, hitting Pokemon such as Ferroseed and Miltank.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment with an Adamant nature give Golurk extra power, while maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows Golurk to outspeed threats such as Defensive Qwilfish, Adamant Golurk, and Mild Abomasnow. Colbur Berry is used to endure Dark-type attacks, allowing Golurk to pressure Defog users like Skuntank. Lastly, Iron Fist is the preferred ability over No Guard because it makes Ice Punch, Drain Punch, and Shadow Punch a bit stronger.
Usage Tips
========
Generally, unless you predict the opponent to switch into Pokemon that are immune or resistant to Ground, Golurk should spam its STAB Earthquake or set up Stealth Rock. An effective way for Golurk to set up Stealth Rock is on passive Pokemon such as Ferroseed, Clefairy, and Regirock. Additionally, be sure to take advantage of Golurk's unique niche in spinblocking and being immune to Volt Switch by bringing it in on predicted STAB attacks from Pokemon such as Hitmonchan and Manectric; however, be aware that the former carries Ice Punch.
Team Options
========
Golurk fits on offensive teams because it's a Stealth Rock user that does not give offensive teams the ability to set up. Golurk's unique niche allows it to spinblock Hitmonchan and punish Volt Switch users like Choice Scarf Manectric, which is excellent role compression for teams. Qwilfish makes a good partner for Golurk because it's able to provide entry hazard support, making it easier for Golurk to break through teams. In return, Golurk is able to spinblock and check Psychic- and Electric-type Pokemon for Qwilfish. Fighting-type Pokemon such as Primeape and Hitmonchan also make good partners because they deal with Dark-types such as Absol and Liepard. Primeape provides momentum with U-turn, while Assault Vest Hitmonchan checks special attackers such as Pyroar; in return, Golurk can check Psychic-type Pokemon like Mesprit and Musharna for the latter. Lanturn pairs well with Golurk because it can check special attackers such as Floatzel, Mesprit, Pyroar, and Swanna while being able to provide Heal Bell and Volt Switch support. Lastly, wallbreakers such as Magmortar, Archeops, and Alolan Raichu make for good teammates because they pressure bulky walls like Weezing and Miltank while also appreciating the Stealth Rock support Golurk provides. Magmortar also checks Grass- and Ice-types like Abomasnow and Lilligant that beat Golurk, while Archeops pressures Grass-types like Lurantis for Golurk.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Choice Band can be used to make Golurk a wallbreaker; however, Golurk prefers not to be Choice-locked because being locked into Earthquake gives free setup opportunities to Pokemon like Liligant. A Lum Berry prevents Golurk from being crippled by Will-O-Wisp from Weezing, but Colbur Berry is usually better because it lets Golurk pressure Dark-types like Skuntank. Zen Headbutt wears down Weezing so Fighting-types like Primeape have an easier time at sweeping late-game. A Rock Polish set can make Golurk more of a threatening sweeper, since its Speed tier is mediocre but finding setup opportunities is difficult. A Passho Berry can also be used to better take on Water-type attacks from Swanna and Floatzel, but Golurk typically prefers Colbur Berry to take on Dark-types like Absol. Stone Edge is another option that can be used to OHKO Swanna, but trading coverage is not super useful because it has a specific target. Golurk can also run Magic Coat to bounce back opposing entry hazards, but it's usually hard to give up a moveslot. Lastly, Dynamic Punch can be used with No Guard because it's a spammable coverage attack that disrupts foes, but Iron Fist is preferred because Dynamic Punch is less reliable due to confusion chance.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-immune Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Mesprit, Swanna, Oricorio-G, Haunter, and Weezing are immune to Golurk's Earthquake. Weezing can set up layers of Toxic Spikes or cripple it with Will-O-Wisp. Oricorio-G and Haunter can pivot in on most of Golurk's attacks and threaten it out, and Eelektross can take a Shadow Punch and 2HKO Golurk with Giga Drain.
**Special Attackers**: Strong special attackers such as Lilligant, Jynx, and Magmortar force Golurk out with their strong STAB moves. The former two can use it as setup bait with moves such as Quiver Dance and Z-Lovely Kiss.
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Floatzel and Swanna pressure Golurk with their respective STAB attacks. Floazel can usually set up freely with Bulk Up, while Swanna removes entry hazards. Gastrodon deserves a special mention as a bulky Water-type because it can wall Golurk with ease.
**Grass-types**: Lurantis can freely switch in against Golurk's STAB attacks and pressure it with Leaf Storm or clear its entry hazards away with Defog. Shiftry is faster and can threaten Golurk out with its dual STAB moves, remove entry hazards, or set up Swords Dance. Abomasnow can also outspeed Adamant Golurk, force it out with its STAB moves, set up freely with Swords Dance, or pick off a weakened Jolly Golurk with Ice Shard, but none of the aforementioned Pokemon want to switch into an Ice Punch.
[OVERVIEW]
Golurk carves a niche in the PU tier due to its offensive typing and immunity to Rapid Spin and Volt Switch. Golurk's typing also allows it to block Normal-, Fighting-, and Electric-type attacks from common threats such as Type: Null, Primeape, and Alolan Raichu. Golurk sports high Attack, and its array of coverage moves such as Shadow Punch, Drain Punch, and Ice Punch get boosted by Iron Fist. What separates Golurk from other Stealth Rock users is its offensive prowess as well as its typing and ability to pressure other common entry hazard and Defog users such as Ferroseed, Regirock, Skuntank, and Swanna. Despite its offensive prowess, Golurk struggles to break through bulky walls such as Gastrodon and Weezing. Along with this setback, Golurk's mediocre Speed stat leaves it outsped by common threats such as Archeops and Floatzel. Additionally, being weak to common types such as Ice, Grass, and Water makes revenge killing and forcing out Golurk much easier.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Shadow Punch
move 4: Ice Punch
item: Colbur Berry
ability: Iron Fist
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Golurk is a prominent Stealth Rock setter due to its offensive presence and ability to pressure common entry hazard users. Earthquake is Golurk's best STAB option, and has high Base Power and hits anything that isn't immune to it for solid damage. Shadow Punch is Golurk's secondary STAB attack that is used to hit Pokemon such as Musharna and Mesprit super effectively. Ice Punch allows it hit Grass- and Flying-type Pokemon such as Alolan Exeggutor, Lurantis, and Archeops. Drain Punch is an alternative over Shadow Punch that is boosted by Iron Fist and has useful coverage, hitting Pokemon such as Ferroseed and Miltank.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment with an Adamant nature give Golurk extra power, while maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows Golurk to outspeed threats such as Defensive Qwilfish, Adamant Golurk, and Mild Abomasnow. Colbur Berry is used to endure Dark-type attacks, allowing Golurk to pressure Defog users like Skuntank. Lastly, Iron Fist is the preferred ability over No Guard because it makes Ice Punch, Drain Punch, and Shadow Punch a bit stronger.
Usage Tips
========
Generally, unless you predict the opponent to switch into Pokemon that are immune or resistant to Ground, Golurk should spam its STAB Earthquake or set up Stealth Rock. An effective way for Golurk to set up Stealth Rock is on passive Pokemon such as Ferroseed, Clefairy, and Regirock. Additionally, be sure to take advantage of Golurk's unique niche in spinblocking and being immune to Volt Switch by bringing it in on predicted STAB attacks from Pokemon such as Hitmonchan and Manectric; however, be aware that the former carries Ice Punch.
Team Options
========
Golurk fits on offensive teams because it's a Stealth Rock user that does not give offensive teams the ability to set up. Golurk's unique niche allows it to spinblock Hitmonchan and punish Volt Switch users like Choice Scarf Manectric, which is excellent role compression for teams. Qwilfish makes a good partner for Golurk because it's able to provide entry hazard support, making it easier for Golurk to break through teams. In return, Golurk is able to spinblock and check Psychic- and Electric-type Pokemon for Qwilfish. Fighting-type Pokemon such as Primeape and Hitmonchan also make good partners because they deal with Dark-types such as Absol and Liepard. Primeape provides momentum with U-turn, while Assault Vest Hitmonchan checks special attackers such as Pyroar; in return, Golurk can check Psychic-type Pokemon like Mesprit and Musharna for the latter. Lanturn pairs well with Golurk because it can check special attackers such as Floatzel, Mesprit, Pyroar, and Swanna while being able to provide Heal Bell and Volt Switch support. Lastly, wallbreakers such as Magmortar, Archeops, and Alolan Raichu make for good teammates because they pressure bulky walls like Weezing and Miltank while also appreciating the Stealth Rock support Golurk provides. Magmortar also checks Grass- and Ice-types like Abomasnow and Lilligant that beat Golurk, while Archeops pressures Grass-types like Lurantis for Golurk.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Choice Band can be used to make Golurk a wallbreaker; however, Golurk prefers not to be Choice-locked because being locked into Earthquake gives free setup opportunities to Pokemon like Liligant. A Lum Berry prevents Golurk from being crippled by Will-O-Wisp from Weezing, but Colbur Berry is usually better because it lets Golurk pressure Dark-types like Skuntank. Zen Headbutt wears down Weezing so Fighting-types like Primeape have an easier time at sweeping late-game. A Rock Polish set can make Golurk more of a threatening sweeper, since its Speed tier is mediocre but finding setup opportunities is difficult. A Passho Berry can also be used to better take on Water-type attacks from Swanna and Floatzel, but Golurk typically prefers Colbur Berry to take on Dark-types like Absol. Stone Edge is another option that can be used to OHKO Swanna, but trading coverage is not super useful because it has a specific target. Golurk can also run Magic Coat to bounce back opposing entry hazards, but it's usually hard to give up a moveslot. Lastly, Dynamic Punch can be used with No Guard because it's a spammable coverage attack that disrupts foes, but Iron Fist is preferred because Dynamic Punch is less reliable due to confusion chance.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-immune Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Mesprit, Swanna, Oricorio-G, Haunter, and Weezing are immune to Golurk's Earthquake. Weezing can set up layers of Toxic Spikes or cripple it with Will-O-Wisp. Oricorio-G and Haunter can pivot in on most of Golurk's attacks and threaten it out, and Eelektross can take a Shadow Punch and 2HKO Golurk with Giga Drain.
**Special Attackers**: Strong special attackers such as Lilligant, Jynx, and Magmortar force Golurk out with their strong STAB moves. The former two can use it as setup bait with moves such as Quiver Dance and Z-Lovely Kiss.
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Floatzel and Swanna pressure Golurk with their respective STAB attacks. Floazel can usually set up freely with Bulk Up, while Swanna removes entry hazards. Gastrodon deserves a special mention as a bulky Water-type because it can wall Golurk with ease.
**Grass-types**: Lurantis can freely switch in against Golurk's STAB attacks and pressure it with Leaf Storm or clear its entry hazards away with Defog. Shiftry is faster and can threaten Golurk out with its dual STAB moves, remove entry hazards, or set up Swords Dance. Abomasnow can also outspeed Adamant Golurk, force it out with its STAB moves, set up freely with Swords Dance, or pick off a weakened Jolly Golurk with Ice Shard, but none of the aforementioned Pokemon want to switch into an Ice Punch.
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