**art is by me**
[OVERVIEW]
Golisopod has cemented itself as one of the best revenge killers in RU thanks to its access to a powerful STAB-boosted priority First Impression, which can easily pick off weakened threats such as Virizion, Barbaracle, and Metagross. It also has Aqua Jet to revenge kill Pokemon that resist First Impression, such as Salazzle, Arcanine, Rhyperior, and Nidoqueen. Golisopod's high Attack can also make it a threatening wallbreaker that can force switches, which can allow it to set up Spikes to add more offensive pressure against the opposing team and make it nearly impossible to switch directly into it. Golisopod can also defensively check Pokemon such as Metagross, Zygarde-10%, and Bewear thanks to its solid bulk and typing. While these attributes are amazing, Golisopod is very easily worn down by Stealth Rock and status conditions. While its ability Emergency Exit can sometimes be useful, it adds to Golisopod's problem of being worn down by entry hazards easily, especially if it is holding a Sitrus Berry. Since First Impression only works on the first turn Golisopod is in battle, it can be forced out by faster Pokemon like Noivern, Gardevoir, and Raikou after it has used the move. Its low speed not only forces Golisopod out against super effective attacks but also can make Golisopod fail to move before Extreme Speed, especially from users like Zygarde-10% and Arcanine. Golisopod can also have trouble breaking some Pokemon like Milotic, Mantine, and Toxicroak.
[SET]
name: Revenge Killer
move 1: First Impression
move 2: Liquidation
move 3: Leech Life
move 4: Aqua Jet / Spikes
item: Sitrus Berry / Insect Plate
ability: Emergency Exit
nature: Adamant
evs: 168 HP / 252 Atk / 88 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
First Impression is Golisopod's best move, allowing it to revenge kill faster Pokemon like Gardevoir, Virizion, and Roserade thanks to STAB and its high power. Liquidation has wide coverage and can severely dent Pokemon that resist First Impression such as Registeel, Donphan, Diancie, and Rhyperior. Leech Life is a good secondary Bug STAB move that also gives Golisopod an option to heal itself and threaten bulky Pokemon like Cresselia, Slowbro, and Tangela after it uses First Impression. Spikes can provide further offensive pressure for its team. Although weaker, Aqua Jet is another priority move that can pick off Pokemon like Salazzle.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread with an Adamant nature makes Golisopod as powerful and as bulky as it can be while still outpacing uninvested base 50 Speed Pokemon like Registeel and Diancie. Sitrus Berry is the preferred item, since it gives Golisopod a chance to heal itself so it isn't forced out by Emergency Exit as quickly. Insect Plate allows Golisopod to OHKO Zygarde-10%, as well as Honchkrow with First Impression after Stealth Rock damage.
Usage Tips
========
Golisopod is a revenge killer that can also function as a wallbreaker. Because of its Stealth Rock weakness and Emergency Exit, it is important to keep Golisopod as healthy as possible. This also means keeping it away from status conditions. To achieve this, make sure that entry hazards are cleared and know when to bring Golisopod into battle. It is best that Golisopod is brought in with the help of a pivot, after another teammate has fainted, or against Pokemon it resists the moves of such as Metagross, Donphan, and Zygarde-10%. However, if entry hazards are still up and the team's spinner has been taken out, it is best to limit Golisopod's use as a check to weakened faster offensive Pokemon, since it loses a quarter of its health every time it enters the battle from Stealth Rock alone. Once it is in battle, use First Impression or Aqua Jet to take out a weakened Pokemon. Golisopod forces switches thanks to its raw power, so use this opportunity to either go for a coverage move to catch a potential switch-in expecting First Impression off guard or begin setting up Spikes on switch-ins such as Noivern. Keep in mind that when running Sitrus Berry, Golisopod will still be forced out by Emergency Exit after it consumes its item.
Team Options
========
Golisopod fits on a myriad of teams thanks to its amazing revenge killing capabilities. Entry hazard removal is crucial when using Golisopod. Rapid Spin is preferred to avoid getting rid of Golisopod's own Spikes, so partners like Mega Blastoise, Donphan, and Forretress are valuable. Mega Blastoise can also take Scald for Golisopod and threaten Pokemon like Noivern, while Donphan can also help keep Raikou in check. Xatu is another Pokemon to consider, since it can beat every Steel-type Stealth Rock setter. Pivots like Noivern, Forretress, and Mega Ampharos can get Golisopod safely into the battle. Noivern can also provide Taunt support to dissuade Defog users from removing Golisopod's Spikes. Other offensive Pokemon such as Raikou, Arcanine, and Virizion appreciate Golisopod's Spikes, as they can make wallbreaking and cleaning much easier. Raikou can also help pressure Flying-types for Golisopod. Virizion and Raikou can also pressure defensive Water-types like Milotic and Mantine. Clerics and Healing Wish users like Wish Florges, Diancie, and Gardevoir can help keep Golisopod healthy. Steel-type teammates like Metagross, Registeel, and Bronzong are also good teammates to consider, since they can switch directly into Flying-type attacks for Golisopod and take Toxic for it. All of these Pokemon can also make a hazard stacking core with Golisopod, while it can pressure Fire-types such as Salazzle and Arcanine for them in return. Although it can come in against Fighting-types like Machamp and Bewear, Golisopod is still checked by these Pokemon, since it is threatened by their powerful moves and they resist First Impression. Teammates like Noivern, Necrozma, and Gardevoir can help keep these Pokemon in check. Other Pokemon that can threaten Toxicroak out, such as Ninetales, Arcanine, and Swellow, are also appreciated, since Toxicroak completely walls Golisopod.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Other moves like Rock Slide and Dual Chop can potentially work, since Golisopod lures in Pokemon that resist its STAB combination like Noivern, Mantine, and Dragalge. However, they have little use outside of hitting these targets. Drill Run is another move to consider, since it can stop Barbaracle and Toxicroak from setting up in front of Golisopod. Knock Off is a decent option to cripple some of Golisopod's defensive checks like Choice Scarf Noivern, Milotic, and Forretress. Choice Band can be utilized to boost Golisopod's Attack to absurd levels, but being locked into one move, especially if it's First Impression, can make Golisopod more exploitable by the foe and forces it out much more often.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Entry Hazards**: Golisopod is vulnerable to all entry hazards and loses a quarter of its health every time it comes into battle from Stealth Rock alone. Emergency Exit doesn't help with this weakness, as Golisopod is forced out of battle and is chipped further if hazards are still on the field.
**Status Conditions**: Golisopod dislikes being afflicted with status conditions, as Toxic poison and burns limit its time in battle and force it to lose offensive momentum. Although it can soft check Water-types, bulky Water-types such as Milotic, Mantine, and Slowbro can survive First Impression and threaten Golisopod with a potential Scald burn. Dragalge, in particular, is not threatened by any of Golisopod's moves and can begin setting Toxic Spikes in front of it.
**Faster Threats**: After it has used First Impression, Golisopod falls prey to faster Pokemon such as Toxicroak, Mega Sceptile, and Goodra. Toxicroak can come in against Golisopod and begin setting up with Swords Dance. Mega Sceptile can also use Protect against Golisopod's First Impression and threaten it out with Leaf Storm. Other setup sweepers like Bewear can take advantage of Golisopod after it has used First Impression and begin setting up.
**Flying-types**: Pokemon such as Noivern, Swellow, and Honchkrow can force Golisopod out of battle after it has used First Impression with their super effective STAB moves. Noivern, in particular, completely walls Golisopod's STAB attacks and threatens it out with Hurricane or Taunt. However, Honchkrow does not want to stay in against Insect Plate Golisopod, as First Impression will OHKO it after Stealth Rock damage.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Raikou, Mega Ampharos, and Galvantula also threaten Golisopod out of battle with their powerful STAB attacks. Mega Ampharos, in particular, can take one First Impression and retaliate with Thunderbolt. However, Raikou and Galvantula do not want to stay in or come in against any of Golisopod's moves, especially First Impression.
**Super Effective Coverage**: Many Pokemon such as Virizion and Machamp can potentially thwart Golisopod by running coverage moves like Stone Edge or Rock Slide that deal super effective damage to it.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[JustoonSmitts, 239732]]
- Quality checked by: [[Averado, 409096], [roman, 396169], [zizalith, 410251]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Fireflame479, 231476], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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