Golbat

Not Scicky

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#042 Golbat
(Poison/Flying)
75/80/70/65/75/90
Inner Focus/Slip Through

Weak x2: Rock, Electric, Ice, Psychic
Resists x2: Poison
Resists x4: Bug, Fighting, Grass
Immune to: Ground

So Golbat is kinda cool this Gen, and I'm not talking UU here. No, I'm not insane, but Golbat gains one really cooool thing this generation, and that's the item Pre-evolution Stone, which increases all not fully evolved pokemons defenses by 1.5. First of all, his 354 HP obviously isn't increased by the item, but it's not bad by any means, greatly surpassing the HP of Pokemon like Rotom. So let's take a look at Golbat's defenses with it.

+Defense 252 EV's: 393
~Defense 252 EV's: 359
+Defense 0 EV's: 297
~Defense 0 EV's: 263

Not too shabby, in fact, it's almost on par with Metagross when maxed out, and Metagross only has 5 more base HP. Now as for Special Defense.

+Sp.Defense 252 EV's: 410
~Sp.Defense 252 EV's: 374
+Sp.Defense 0 EV's: 314
~Sp.Defense 0 EV's: 278

Even better, this works great to counteract his Psychic, Ice and Electric weaknesses.

A common downside of pokemon that use Pre-evolution stone is that they can't actually DO anything due to their poor offensive stats, and while 80/85/90 is nothing spectacular, Golbat has a fantastic movepool to use his full potential as a very annoying pokemon.


Level Up Moves:
Lv1: Screech
Lv1: Leech Life
Lv1: Supersonic
Lv1: Astonish
Lv5: Supersonic
Lv9: Astonish
Lv13: Bite
Lv17: Wing Attack
Lv21: Confuse Ray
Lv27: Air Cutter
Lv33: Mean Look
Lv39: Acrobat
Lv45: Poison Fang
Lv51: Haze
Lv57: Air Slash

TM/HM's:
TM06 - Toxic
TM09 - Venom Shock
TM10 - Hidden Power
TM11 - Sunny Day
TM12 - Taunt
TM15 - Hyper Beam
TM17 - Protect
TM18 - Rain Dance
TM21 - Frustration
TM27 - Return
TM30 - Shadow Ball
TM32 - Double Team
TM36 - Sludge Bomb
TM40 - Aerial Ace
TM41 - Torment
TM42 - Facade
TM44 - Rest
TM45 - Attract
TM46 - Thief
TM48 - Sing-A-Round
TM62 - Acrobat
TM66 - Payback
TM68 - Giga Impact
TM87 - Swagger
TM88 - Pluck
TM89 - U-Turn
TM90 - Substitute
HM02 - Fly

Egg Moves:
Quick Attack
Pursuit
Faint Attack
Gust
Whirlwind
Curse
Nasty Plot
Hypnosis
Zen Headbutt
Brave Bird
Giga Drain
Steel Wing
Defog

Notable Gen IV Moves:
Super Fang
Roost
Heat Wave

To be honest, Slip-through blows, so there's no reason not to use Gen IV Golbat.

Super Fang and Roost are particularly appealing here, Curse is cool too, Cursepert anyone? Haze is also really awesome.

All in all, I think Golbat could be a really cool pokemon, let's not forget that it laughs at Heracross, Breloom and so many other fighting types.

Well, discuss.
 
I believe after testing it has been confirmed that, second stage, non fully evolved only get a 1.3x boost.
 
ugh, I was reading the black and white research sticky.

Dont take my word for it I suppose
 
Uh, well, call me an idealist. But anyway, Breloom's Seed Bomb does a pathetic 6.9% - 8.4% to 252/252 Golbat. Something he can easily roost back, Focus Punch does quite a bit more, but for a reason, it's Focus Punch.
 
Nonononono, I'm not giving up my Crobat's 130 Base Speed for better defenses. Sorry!

Golbat should be relegated to UU/NU where it can counter Heracross and other fighters. The end.
 
I believe after testing it has been confirmed that, second stage, non fully evolved only get a 1.3x boost.
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I checked Research thread and no one mentioned 1.3x boost on second stage Pokemon. And main thread still says that bonus is 1.5x, so we may assume bonus is 1.5x. Also the one who said that bonus is 1.3x is Wichu, who said later that he made mistake and it's a 1.5x on all NFE Pokemon after all.

Nonononono, I'm not giving up my Crobat's 130 Base Speed for better defenses. Sorry!
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I wouldn't say it. Of course, speed difference is huge, however difference in bulk is big. 291/297/263 with those resistances vs 311/196/196 without investment makes Golbat much bulkier Pokemon. If you look for bulkier alternative, Golbat is good choice, as wall doesn't need that much speed to work while it still keeps more then solid 90 base speed. For example let's check how they fare when Scarf Heracross predicts and use Stone Edge (while outspeeding both anyway). I assume Max HP/Max Def Positive Nature spread.

Jolly Stone Edge Max Atk Heracross VS

GOLBAT
36.16% --> 42.94%

CROBAT
47.59% --> 56.15%

Crobat of course will invest in speed, meaning that Stone Edge OHKOes back without investment, while Golbat may invest in bulk, making him unique physical/special wall (as Poison/Flying also provide few resistances on special side), which means it's a completely different Pokemon then Crobat. Especially as nothing has Poison/Flying typing with such a bulk, while Crobat provide different niche. In other words I wouldn't compare them. And Golbat may find his niche in really defensive teams, while Crobat is a bit more versatile.
 
Golbat and Crobat will probs serve different niches with this change I believe. Golbat might actually make a decent physical wall now, with 4x Fighting resistance, Ground immune, etc. Crobat should be played more offensively as a momentum gainer or something I guess.
 
Ehh sounds cool. But due to this gen's big attack power, Golbat won't live long.
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But he has incredible resistances, which make up for lack of bulk when compared to Gen 5 attacking behemots (even with Stone). x4 Fighting, x4 Bug, x4 Grass, x2 Poison, Immunity to Ground attacks and only 3 weaknesses - Electric, Ice and Rock. While those weaknesses are troublesome, some Pokemon may easily absorb them. Swampert is perfect example for great defensive synergy - It takes Rock and Electric attacks like a champ, while most Ice ones doesn't phaze him seriously. And Golbat easily takes on his only weakness Grass with his x4 resistance. I seriously wouldn't underestimate Golbat - He can take a beating with this Stone and switch on his resistances all day long, while taking without problems many neutral hits (however it would be better to keep SR off the field, as for example without SR Scarf Heracross CAN'T 2HKO with Stone Edge, which is quite impressive).
 
The biggest problem i see with golbat is sr weakness. Being weak to rock when his main resists are fighting and ground, both of which are commonly seen along with rock moves, isn't too great either (but not crippling I would say, they're usually inaccurate and unstabbed).
 
Garganator said:
But he has incredible resistances, which make up for lack of bulk when compared to Gen 5 attacking behemots (even with Stone). x4 Fighting, x4 Bug, x4 Grass, x2 Poison, Immunity to Ground attacks and only 3 weaknesses - Electric, Ice and Rock. While those weaknesses are troublesome, some Pokemon may easily absorb them. Swampert is perfect example for great defensive synergy - It takes Rock and Electric attacks like a champ, while most Ice ones doesn't phaze him seriously. And Golbat easily takes on his only weakness Grass with his x4 resistance. I seriously wouldn't underestimate Golbat - He can take a beating with this Stone and switch on his resistances all day long, while taking without problems many neutral hits (however it would be better to keep SR off the field, as for example without SR Scarf Heracross CAN'T 2HKO with Stone Edge, which is quite impressive).
Click to expand...
Point taken. I guess I will try it out when some simulator finally starts using Gen V.
 
Golbat@Black Sludge
Slip Through, Timid
252 Hp, 252 Spe, 4 SpA
-Torment
-Protect
-Toxic
-Mean Look/Giga Drain/Venom Shock/Confuse Ray/Roost

Torment the enemy on the switch, Protect against the strong attack, poison, and laugh. Then use one of the above listed attacks. Giga Drain means more health, Venom Shock is 130 BP 100 acc STAB, Mean Look is for, and Confuse ray is for extra lulz. Roost if its taken from Gen IV
 
Garganator said:
But he has incredible resistances, which make up for lack of bulk when compared to Gen 5 attacking behemots (even with Stone). x4 Fighting, x4 Bug, x4 Grass, x2 Poison, Immunity to Ground attacks and only 3 weaknesses - Electric, Ice and Rock.
Click to expand...

Poison is weak to Psychic, too.
 
XxbraedonxX said:
Golbat@Black Sludge
Slip Through, Timid
252 Hp, 252 Spe, 4 SpA
-Torment
-Protect
-Toxic
-Mean Look/Giga Drain/Venom Shock/Confuse Ray/Roost

Torment the enemy on the switch, Protect against the strong attack, poison, and laugh. Then use one of the above listed attacks. Giga Drain means more health, Venom Shock is 130 BP 100 acc STAB, Mean Look is for, and Confuse ray is for extra lulz. Roost if its taken from Gen IV
Click to expand...

Sorta defeats the purpose of using Pre-Evo stone :P...

But I agree, Golbat can be surprisingly bulky this generation and can take non super effective hits in UU well
 
It is fortunate that this line retained access to Roost unlike some Bulky Fliers (whatever that is) like Zapdos and Gliscor. Uh I really think that ALL SETS MUST HAVE ROOST as without reliable recovery Golbat as between neutral hits and SR damage it isn't going to wall much for long. Especially considering the lack of Leftovers. Taunt / Roost / Super Fang / Toxic or Brave Bird should prove effective.
 
I've been hoping for a bulky poison/flying ever since a guy's bulk up Heracross first fucked up my slow and defensive Gliscor, back in early D/P. This is definitely something I will try out, although I'm a bit tentative on it's ability to take stuff out that doesn't have serious weaknesses to flying (or poison, heaven forbid). I guess if I see a set I love, I'll build a team to incorporate this, but it doesn't quite inspire me with my current familiarity with Golbat.

EDIT: Actually, come to think of it, that last poster's set kinda did it.
 
The pre-evolution stone sounds like a make-believe item. I know it's real but I just hate how it makes pokemon like Dusclops the better choice over their evo.

Think seedot might be really good with his item in little cup?
 
Eh, I love it, it shakes things up!

@The Voice of Reason: Superfang cuts your opponents remaining HP in half, if that's not serious damage... well, tell that to Stealth Rocks, albeit it's not quite as serious since it's not passive, but in tandem with Stealth Rocks, Golbat could be great at tearing apart the opponents team with something like.

-Roost
-Whirlwind
-Toxic
-Superfang

And he can easily roost back SR damage since he laughs in the face of Fighting types, Bug types, Grass types AND Ground types, I don't know how many times I've built a team and needed something that did EXACTLY that. Just roost on the switch and you're good to go.
 
^Taunt makes Golbat a handy stall-breaker. Without it, Super Fang and poison damage can be healed off, and Golbat can get Taunted himself. Coupled with base 90 Spe, Golbat will be hard to take down for more defensive teams. I would probably use it over Whirlwind.
 
TorchicBlaziken said:
Golbat is good to use when you want to troll your opponent and fill them with countless nostalgia-killing memories.
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Ahhh but for that to work, you gotta throw confuse ray on it. THEN you'll be hated

But ya, he'll make a great wall breaker in lower tiers. He can heal, he's kinda fast, he can take away half your life in a single move, and he can stop recovery. Plus he cant be toxic stalled out himself. Not bad it would seem. I think i'd run brave bird myself, and work with toxic spike support instead. Lets him finish off a few things after a super fang at least, and lets him REALLY counter hera and breloom
 
I didn't realize that Poison Flying was such an excellent defensive type...look at all those sexy 4x resists...Stealth Rock is a problem, but then when has it not? Psychic will be used more this generation (especially Psycho Shock users), which is unfortunate. Blissey could kind of make a fun partner, absorbing all of golbat's weaknesses (which are almost all commonly special) and Golbat can switch into Fighting and Ground moves like a champ.

Roost is why Golbat could be good though, so no slip through whatsoever. Otherwise it'd have leeching moves off of a lame sp. atk stat.
 
Golbat has become a very interesting Pokemon - Evolution Stone is awesome! I think he probably edges out Crobat now because 130 Spe just isn't what it used to be, what with things like Deoxys-S, that Bug with 145 Spe and Mischevious Heart users running around.

Unfortunately, he's a textbook example of 4 moveslot syndrome. Roost is essential, Super Fang is far too good to overlook, he's far less effective without Taunt, you'll struggle to directly counter anything without using Whirlwind or Haze, Toxic and U-turn are generally awesome moves and Brave Bird and Hypnosis are always options too.

The Poison/Flying type has great resistances, but one aspect of it that has been neglected over this thread (probably because it should really go without saying) is the fact that he is immune to poison, the bane of other Evolution Stone Pokemon (I'm looking at you Porygon2). That'll come in very handy, moreso if you aren't using Taunt.

I'm curious how much speed people will run on Golbat? He hits 216 Spe with zero investment which is plenty for Taunting the likes of Skarmory and Nattorei but I'd never run any less than 240 Speed (96 EVs with a neutral nature) so that you can Taunt Breloom's Spore and Tentacruel's Toxic Spikes (on that note, I've found Tentacruel to be surprisingly popular this gen!). You could pump it up to 246 Speed so you can Taunt standard defensive Celebi before it can use Thunder Wave/Leech Seed/Recover. That'll also allow you to Taunt Dragon Dance Tyranitar if you have really big testicles, as well as all those Pokemon who run 245 Spe to outrun said Tyranitar.

263 Spe outruns Jolly Breloom and Adamant Gyarados, 270 Spe lets you Roost off damage from Adamant Heracross and Modest Nidoking, 280 Spe lets you Taunt Adamant/Modest Lucario and that's probably as high as I'd ever go.
 
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