Hi! Dragoon here with a Gen 6 Golduck NU guide.
Golduck (Psyduck was orignially his intended name as it was reversed with Golduck in a translation hiccup) has never really had a chance to be in the spotlight. His niches are few, yet unique, and often mistaken to be a half psychic type. While lacking access to STABing these moves, he doesn't possess the inherent weaknesses that psychic types do either (especially with Knock Off running rampant in Gen 6).
Golduck has a unique niche in the form of being a balanced water type with a unique movepool, a unique ability, and not a great deal of hard counters.
Set 1 is an offensive physical based set that utilizes moves with lackluster accuracy in exchange for killpower against certain common opponents.
Golduck @ Expert Belt / Jolly / 252 Atk / 252 Speed / 4 Hp
Ability: Any, dependant on preference.
-Hone Claws
-Aqua Tail / Aqua Jet
-Cross Chop / Dynamicpunch
-Iron Tail
-Zen Headbutt
Standard attacking set.
This next set utilizes a different niche that golduck has, access to a special bug and fighting type move pool in the rain.
Golduck @ Salac Berry / Timid or Modest / 252 SpAtk / 252 Speed / 4 Def
Ability: Swift Swim
-Rain Dance
-Hydro Pump
-Psychic / Psyshock / Ice Beam
-Signal Beam / Focus Blast
Finally, Golduck can be used as an anti-sweeper thanks to his balanced defenses. There are a couple of options for the utility slot of this build, with each one being a viable option. Clear Smog is fairly unpredictable on Golduck and his bulkiness will allow him to take a non super effective STAB with a boost or two. The niche of this set is using Golducks unique movepool to bait the opponent into sweeping without thinking twice about what they are doing. It is important to note that this strategy requires an anti entry hazard member on your team, as focus sash requires full health to activate. Hypnosis tends to work well with counter while Amnesia and Calm Mind work well with Wonder Room. The latter strategy aims to set up Golduck defensively before the opponent has a chance to set up. Say your opponent observes you using amnesia and quickly realizes their current Poke doesn't have the power to put you down. They will either send in a Phaser, a Wall, or a Physical Sweeper. On the turn when you predict a switch, use Wonder Room to counter the incoming physical threat.
Golduck @ Leftovers or Focus Sash / 252 HP / 252 Def (if Bold) or 252 SpDef (if Calm) / 4 Atk
Ability: Cloud Nine (Could run Damp if you want an anti-explosion, also a unique niche).
-Amnesia / Calm Mind / Counter
-Wonder Room / Hypnosis / Encore / Clear Smog
-Icy Wind / Signal Beam
-Scald / Aqua Jet (If running Counter)
Golduck (Psyduck was orignially his intended name as it was reversed with Golduck in a translation hiccup) has never really had a chance to be in the spotlight. His niches are few, yet unique, and often mistaken to be a half psychic type. While lacking access to STABing these moves, he doesn't possess the inherent weaknesses that psychic types do either (especially with Knock Off running rampant in Gen 6).
Golduck has a unique niche in the form of being a balanced water type with a unique movepool, a unique ability, and not a great deal of hard counters.
Set 1 is an offensive physical based set that utilizes moves with lackluster accuracy in exchange for killpower against certain common opponents.
Golduck @ Expert Belt / Jolly / 252 Atk / 252 Speed / 4 Hp
Ability: Any, dependant on preference.
-Hone Claws
-Aqua Tail / Aqua Jet
-Cross Chop / Dynamicpunch
-Iron Tail
-Zen Headbutt
Standard attacking set.
This next set utilizes a different niche that golduck has, access to a special bug and fighting type move pool in the rain.
Golduck @ Salac Berry / Timid or Modest / 252 SpAtk / 252 Speed / 4 Def
Ability: Swift Swim
-Rain Dance
-Hydro Pump
-Psychic / Psyshock / Ice Beam
-Signal Beam / Focus Blast
Finally, Golduck can be used as an anti-sweeper thanks to his balanced defenses. There are a couple of options for the utility slot of this build, with each one being a viable option. Clear Smog is fairly unpredictable on Golduck and his bulkiness will allow him to take a non super effective STAB with a boost or two. The niche of this set is using Golducks unique movepool to bait the opponent into sweeping without thinking twice about what they are doing. It is important to note that this strategy requires an anti entry hazard member on your team, as focus sash requires full health to activate. Hypnosis tends to work well with counter while Amnesia and Calm Mind work well with Wonder Room. The latter strategy aims to set up Golduck defensively before the opponent has a chance to set up. Say your opponent observes you using amnesia and quickly realizes their current Poke doesn't have the power to put you down. They will either send in a Phaser, a Wall, or a Physical Sweeper. On the turn when you predict a switch, use Wonder Room to counter the incoming physical threat.
Golduck @ Leftovers or Focus Sash / 252 HP / 252 Def (if Bold) or 252 SpDef (if Calm) / 4 Atk
Ability: Cloud Nine (Could run Damp if you want an anti-explosion, also a unique niche).
-Amnesia / Calm Mind / Counter
-Wonder Room / Hypnosis / Encore / Clear Smog
-Icy Wind / Signal Beam
-Scald / Aqua Jet (If running Counter)
