[SET]
name: SubToxic
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Protect
item: Toxic Orb
ability: Poison Heal
nature: Jolly
evs: 244 HP / 76 SpD / 188 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Earthquake provides Gliscor with a powerful STAB Ground move, notably hitting Toxic-immune Pokemon like Tentacruel and Cobalion. Toxic lets Gliscor stall out non-immune foes like Rotom-W, Swampert, and Mantine through the deadly combination of Substitute, Protect, and Poison Heal. Substitute prevents Gliscor from taking any one hit in exchange for 25% of its health, working nicely alongside Poison Heal and Protect. Protect lets Gliscor reliably activate its Toxic Orb right away, allowing Poison Heal to take effect and restore 1/8 of its health per turn. Continuously alternating between Protect and Substitute with the aid of Poison Heal also allows Gliscor to lose no health while stalling out foes with Toxic.
Set Details
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Maximum investment in HP improves Gliscor's overall bulk as much as possible. 188 Speed EVs with a Jolly nature allow Gliscor to outspeed middling-Speed heavy hitters such as Entei and Nidoking, getting off a super effective Earthquake before being heavily damaged by them. The remaining EVs are poured into its mediocre Special Defense stat to improve it as much as possible. However, this Gliscor variant is extremely flexible with its EVs and can opt to run more Special Defense and less Speed if need be. Toxic Orb badly poisons Gliscor, letting it gain back 1/8 of its health every turn through its fantastic ability, Poison Heal.
Usage Tips
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Activate Gliscor's Toxic Orb as soon as possible, either by using Protect or by getting it in safely on a double switch. It is essential to watch out for Knock Off and status moves such as Will-O-Wisp if switching in, as they nullify Gliscor's longevity and utility as a whole by preventing Toxic Orb from activating. Eliminate opposing Gliscor before attempting to stall out foes, as they completely wall this set and can proceed to perform their respective role in front of Gliscor. Use Toxic against vulnerable Pokemon and stall them out by alternating between Substitute and Protect, costing Gliscor effectively no HP due to Poison Heal offsetting the damage required to use Substitute. Use Substitute against Pokemon like Klefki and Cobalion that are especially threatened by other variants of Gliscor, giving this variant free turns to potentially use Toxic and stall out Earthquake-immune switch-ins like Hydreigon and Mega Aerodactyl. Do not directly switch this variant of Gliscor into Fighting-types like Cobalion and Infernape, as it lacks Roost and will be whittled down rather quickly, ultimately limiting its effectiveness.
Team Options
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Pokemon such as Steelium Z Swords Dance Cobalion and Ice Beam Mega Altaria pair nicely with Gliscor, as they can lure and take out opposing Gliscor, letting this variant of Gliscor put in work. Checks to bulky Swords Dance Scizor are essential, as its immunity to Toxic and access to Roost make it one of the best answers to this variant of Gliscor; examples include Chandelure and Infernape. Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Sharpedo pair nicely with Gliscor, as they can take advantage of weakened Water-types, some of the most common targets of Gliscor's Toxic. Bulky Water-types like Empoleon and Suicune are much appreciated, as they can switch into the Water and Ice moves that threaten Gliscor. Other checks to Fighting-types such as Tentacruel and Latias are appreciated, as this variant of Gliscor lacks reliable recovery. Entry hazard setters like Klefki and Nihilego are great partners, as they can help punish the numerous switches forced by Gliscor. Taunt Hydreigon appreciates the poison spread by Gliscor, especially on Water-types like Suicune and Rotom-W.
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