Nidoking is a pretty cool Pokemon. It's SFLO is a uniquely strong breaker with respectable bulk despite its low Special Attack stat. However, in Godly Gift, it gets to inherit a much higher Special Attack stat from a God - it is so strong that the last time Nidoking was in the game, it was banned by suspect. This RMT focuses on the ND version of Godly Gift - let's get into it!
1. Teambuilding Process
Teambuilding is so important in Godly Gift - this is because of stat donations and their intricacies. As I was using Nidoking I needed a God with high SpA - Scarf Kyogre fit the bill well, as out of the relevant Gods it donates the second highest SpA, and Nidoking can remove Alomomola very effectively, allowing Kyogre to clean after.
Next I added Scizor-Mega, to act as a physical stopgap, and give me a pivot to bring my breakers in safely.
The next addition was AV Kartana. This gave the team a more physically offensive dimension, while adding a special sponge.
Next, I added an Iron Hands. It's a very fat attacker, that has the potential to sweep - normally it would inherit more speed, but 90 was fine as a Pokemon that could choose to trade down, while still being faster than most defensive pieces.
To round out the team, I added a Hydreigon, bringing a decently bulky Rocker, with more pivoting potential. It carries Signal Beam to beat Serperior reliably, as I found it was something that could completely blow Kartana out of the park, while Kyogre Rain meant Flamethrower was not a useful option if Serp used Kyogre as an entry point.
I ended up replacing Iron Hands with a Scarf Urshifu, as I found Iron Hands wasn't contributing enough, quickly enough. The second scarfer was nice, and Urshifu obviously has some pretty big buttons, so it worked out nicely.
2. The Squad
Importable:
Metal Gear (Scizor-Mega) @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP (70->100) / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- U-turn
- Roost
- Bullet Punch
- Close Combat
Scizor-Mega is the physical stopgap of the team. A HP increase of 30 base points allows it to tank some ridiculously strong physical attacks, and U-Turn allows it to pivot comfortably while doing some damage. Roost keeps it healthy, while Bullet Punch is the STAB attack of choice, with its priority allowing Scizor to finish weakened foes and act as speed control in a pinch. Close Combat is used over Defog, as the team is hazard resilient enough, and it threatens Alomomola more effectively, who is otherwise free to switch in and slow pivot out.
A Dragon's Quest (Hydreigon) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 0 Atk (105->100) / 64 SpA / 252 SpD / 192 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Dark Pulse
- Signal Beam
- Toxic
Hydreigon is the team's Stealth Rocker - admittedly not the most intuitive one, but it provides some valuable traits. First, it is the team's only Ghost-resist, and is an important Fire-resist (given Kyogre really likes to be healthy). Second, it is the dedicated Serperior check, being able to 2HKO most variants, which was important for me given I found myself on the losing end of the stupid snake most of the time despite having a Kartana and a Scizor. Dark Pulse is the STAB of choice while Toxic allows it to pressure Alomomola more effectively. The speed investment allows it to outspeed base 90s.
Street Fighter (Urshifu) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 48 Def (100->90) / 208 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Wicked Blow
- U-turn
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
Urshifu is the Fighting-type of the team - although it rarely finds itself clicking Close Combat. Wicked Blow is its weapon of choice, able to punch holes and clean very effectively. U-Turn gives it pivoting, and Stone Edge is fitted for the rare Volcarona and Ho-Oh. Poison Jab is not necessary as the team features a very strong Fairy killer (also Xerneas is banned lol). The Speed invest allows Urshifu to outspeed Dragapult, the fastest relevant receiver in the metagame.
Kingdom Hearts (Nidoqueen) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 100 HP / 252 SpA (75->150) / 156 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Earth Power
- Sludge Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
Hang on a second... that's not a Nidoking! The star of the show is actually his partner in crime, Nidoqueen! As I was testing, I realised I appreciated Nidoking's bulk more and more, while realising the speed tier was not great anyway, and ended up investing a ton in bulk. Eventually I realised I would be more efficient switching over to Nidoqueen to allow me to greed Modest. Thunderbolt has strong odds to kill or greatly maim most Alolomomola variants, while Ice Beam is effective coverage for Ground- and Dragon-types. The STAB attacks are obvious and necessary, while the speed investment is enough for no speed base 95s - I can't remember quite why I chose to invest for this, but I'm sure it made sense at the time.
Hollow Knight (Kartana) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Beast Boost
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 32 HP / 252 Atk / 0 SpD (31->140) / 224 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Leaf Blade
- Smart Strike
- Sacred Sword
Kartana is the primary Special "wall" of the team. It has almost no bulk investment, but by more than quadrupling its Special bulk and giving it an Assault Vest, it can wall many Special Attackers. Its typing means that it only fears Fire-type coverage, while having great resistances for the metagame. Its STABs are mandatory and obvious given they are its strongest option, while Sacred Sword gives it crucial coverage for the Steel-types it struggles to hit. Knock Off is the final attack, as it gives good coverage into Ghost-types, while also providing some disruptive utility. Kartana is invested to outspeed max invest Landorus-Therian, and the rest of the points are dumped in attack and bulk.
Heavy Rain (Kyogre) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Drizzle
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 64 SpD / 192 Spe (90->90)
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Water Spout
- Origin Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Thunder
Most players will be familiar with Kyogre - it's one of the most iconic Ubers of all time. Despite having access to Primal Kyogre, I chose Scarf for its blend of speed and power. It has great stat distributions which are vital in allowing the team to do its job. It is invested to outspeed Zacian-Crowned (or at least it is now - during my NDOM circuit match with Sammy I realised I had invested incorrectly, so my Kyogre was slower and I lost the game as a result).
This is a fast-paced offense team - it looks to overwhelm the opponent with fast attackers (Urshifu, Nidoqueen, Kartana, Kyogre). It is decent into opposing offense because of Scizor-Mega's pivoting ability, and Nidoqueen/Kartana/Kyogre's bulk giving them opportunities to trade effectively if the situation calls for it. Zacian-Crowned builds are definitely a problem for the team however, thanks to the Speed-donated Pokemon often being able to deal with most of the team before Kyogre or Urshifu can effectively revenge it, while Zacian itself is a massive issue if Kyogre is down and Scizor gets chipped into range of CC (Urshifu does not outspeed Zacian). Fat and balance are less of an issue, due to Nidoqueen being an excellent breaker and Hydreigon being able to status things down, but Alomomola makes every match much more painful, and requires careful planning around.
As final comments on the team, it's entirely possible that there exists a better hazard setter - for example, Samurott-H would be excellent if the God was Eternatus. Alomomola is also definitely a consideration over Kartana, as the Wish utility it brings to the team is amazing, allowing the team to play a longer game (Scizor would need Defog over CC). However, I would recommend not using Alomomola as you will be sad when NDGG council eventually bans the fucker.
3. Replays
Most of these are with outdated versions of the team, but here they are!
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9nationaldexag-2205957726-3wrdq5l347ruxy98gcox0eya8js2kodpw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9nationaldexag-2205962217-q3zh3klml9agyofdgia9lc0j3jkn06lpw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9nationaldexag-2205968001-og52zconimcu6e6676du1baareojhjxpw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9nationaldexag-2206050045-tm6yv8rcf8j271g232tnwh2xe18cmpjpw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9nationaldexag-2206072993-mto5sdzbptlhtt43q00rrvuir797sybpw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9nationaldexag-2206595031-pqxe41iwznclefkv4p56nbguacwkrpzpw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9nationaldexag-2206598192-mv04tgm6toghrwtbxvo533e8zoa887upw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9nationaldexag-2206600976-rvb10c87jt7k5bqarjf1t2kq5o9xdi7pw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9nationaldexag-2210715316-4na414velqewkspkfxcy7hpbzjwgnx4pw
4. Conclusion
And that's the story of how Nidoqueen stole the show of an RMT all about Nidoking!
I've been on Smogon for roughly two years now and I well and truly
yuki Saaaaakill iiFWM Princess Autumn Nalaa jyusaan you should come play other metagames it is fun i promise
Evie LordBox thanks for consistently playing GG test games with me - and also for being super awesome people!
Clas Amstan Chessking345 Akira 153 pannu thank you for being epic people
willdbeast olivia Don Vascus NinjaSnapple big tony 2014 Clementine EatFoods Racool Jrdn team row - we'll gettem next year (if omwc returns)
Evie LordBox thanks for consistently playing GG test games with me - and also for being super awesome people!
Clas Amstan Chessking345 Akira 153 pannu thank you for being epic people
willdbeast olivia Don Vascus NinjaSnapple big tony 2014 Clementine EatFoods Racool Jrdn team row - we'll gettem next year (if omwc returns)
Thank you for reading! I hope this inspires you to play Godly Gift, which is currently ladderable on PS!
e: version for SVGG -
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