approved by Haunter
Viability of Gems in OU!
"Gems are one-use type-enhancing items introduced in Generation V. There are 17 types of Gems, one corresponding to each of the 17 types. A Gem is consumed when the Pokémon holding it uses a damaging attack that matches the Gem's type; the attack's power is boosted by 50%. The Gem will not be consumed if the attack misses."
Gems I believe have many uses over the standard items of choice. Obviously Gems are only seen on offensive Pokemon, so why not just use a choice item or Life Orb? Well, each item has their own merits and downfalls, but what separates Gems from these items I believe are these two big reasons...
They bluff choice items
They don't restrict your choice of move
While Gems are only a one time use, that's sometimes all you need in this metagame. Gems are used to power through the Pokemon's common counters, and sweep the rest of the team easily. An example of this would be Flying Gem Scizor. Scizor's standard Swords Dance set is commonly countered by Tentacruel or Jellicent. However, now with the boost from Flying Gem, Scizor can now easily plow through Jellicent or Tentacruel at +2, and often sweep afterwards.
While Gems are usually seen on sweepers, the main idea behind using them is to wall break, creating a sweep opportunity for said Pokemon, or another team mate. Breloom is a fantastic user of Fighting Gem, because it allows Breloom to break through even the sturdiest of Pokemon, like Skarmory, Latias, and Forretress, creating an opening for another sweeper commonly walled by these Pokemon.
Sweepers and Wall Breakers
Terrakion @ Rock Gem
Trait: Justified
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
Terrakion is probably the most common user of Rock Gem, and for a good reason. Rock Gem allows Terrakion to muscle through it's usually counters, like Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Slowbro. Once these walls have been eliminated from the opposing team, Terrakion usually has an easy sweep. Substitute is used to avoid status like Will-O-Wisp, while also preventing Terrakion from easily being revenge killed by Breloom or Scizor. Swords Dance is used to boost Terrakion's attack to devistating levels, allowing it OHKO the sturdiest of walls. Close Combat and Stone Edge are Terrakion's main STABs of choice, since they provide amazing coverage and awesome base power. Here are a few calcs to demonstrate it's incredible power at +2.
Scizor @ Flying Gem
Trait: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- Acrobatics
Scizor makes great use of Flying Gem, as it wasn't getting too much coverage with Bug Bite, and +2 Acrobatics allows Scizor to bypass it's usual counters, like Jellicent and Tentacruel. This set is great in both sweeping and wall breaking, as +2 Acrobatics really can dent the best switch ins to Scizor, like Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Tentacruel. Jolly Nature is curial on this set, as it allows Scizor to out speed it's usual counters, like SpDef Heatran, Tentacruel, and Jellicent, allowing Scizor to KO them all before they get a chance to burn Scizor with Scald / out right KO it. So Swords Dance is used to boost its attack, Bullet Punch offers great coverage offensively and has nice base power thanks to Technician. Super Power is used to hit Steel types that like to switch into Scizor, like Heatran and Magnezone. Acrobatics in the key to this set, as with Flying Gem and +2, it can easily break through most of it's counters. Here are a few calcs.
Tornadus (M) @ Flying Gem
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Acrobatics
- Superpower
- Bulk Up
- Taunt
Tornadus has a good base 115 Attack and a strong physical STAB in Acrobatics, which allow it to be used outside of rain with a physical set. Flying Gem-boosted Acroabatics is almost as powerful as Terrakion's Life Orb Close Combat, OHKOing many offensive Pokemon with ease. Furthermore, Acrobatics transforms Tornadus into a very good Chansey and Blissey lure, as the first is 2HKOed by a combination of Flying Gem Acrobatics and Superpower after Stealth Rock while the latter is easily 2HKOed by any attacking move of Tornadus. Superpower provides good neutral coverage with Acrobatics and lets Tornadus OHKO any Tyranitar, 2HKO 248/0 Heatran after Stealth Rock, and deal with Chansey and Blissey by the ways already mentioned. Bulk Up makes Tornadus harder to revenge kill with priority and physical Choice Scarf users and makes Tornadus harder to wall, giving it some much-needed utility against balanced and stall teams. Taunt offers great utility in conjunction with Prankster, as it stops (bad) Baton Pass teams and set up sweepers cold. Here are a few calcs
Breloom @ Fighting Gem
Trait: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Spore
- Focus Punch
- Bullet Seed
- Mach Punch
Breloom I think is the best wall breaker in the game right now. Fighting Gem boosted Focus Punch is one of (if not the) most powerful attack you'll see in Pokemon. Usually however, Focus Punch is unviable, because it has serious drawbacks as a move (if your opponent hits you, Focus Punch forces you to flinch). However, since Breloom is one of the few Pokemon with access to Spore, Breloom can easily fire off Focus Punches without much fear of being flinched on that turn. EVs are pretty standard, but I prefer Adamant over Jolly mainly because I want as much power as possible behind Focus Punch. Spore is one of the best moves in the game, allowing me to easily Spam Focus Punch with no risk at all. Focus Punch is the wall breaking move itself, and allows me to remove threats early in the game (or severely weaken them). Mach Punch is priority and hit's decently with Fighting Gem, while Bullet Seed is also STAB as beats Tentecruel, Jellicent, and other bulky water types. Here are a few calcs.
Politoed @ Water Gem
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 244 HP / 252 SAtk / 12 Spd
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Focus Blast
- Psychic
While Politoed isn't really a wall breaker, this set has it's uses over the standard Specs set. The idea behind the set is to kill something off with say Ice Beam, and Tyranitar comes in thinking you're choice'd so they Pursuit. That's when you hit them with a Hydro Pump and KO Tyranitar, winning the weather war easily. Same thing applies to Toxicroak, they switch in on say Focus Blast, and you just KO them with Psychic as they SD. This set is so great in bluffing the standard Specs sets, luring these Pokemon in for a free kill. So Hydro Pump is STAB and hits anything stupidly hard (even Jellicent). Ice Beam offers nice coverage, as it hits Grass and Dragon types that "resist" Hydro Pump. Focus Blast is mainly to hit Ferrothorn, and is also used if you don't want to use up your Water Gem yet. Psychic hits Keldeo and Toxicroak, but HP Grass or Toxic can be used here (it depends on your team). So 12 speed EVs are used to out speed over Politoeds, and 252 SpAtk EVs are used for maximum power. The rest of the EVs are placed into HP, allowing Politoed to take a few hits with it's respectable bulk. These calcs will only be showing how Politoed does against weather starters, since the idea of this set is to win the weather war.
Gyarados @ Normal Gem
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Double Edge
- Earthquake / Stone Edge / Ice Fang
This Gyarados has been seeing some decent usage currently on the OU ladder, and for a good reason. It lures in it's best check (Rotom-W) and OHKOs with +1 Double Edge. Gyarados opens up doors in a game for another sweeper on your team that is weak to Rotom-W to do work. Examples include Mamoswine, Tornadus, Mixed Jirachi, etc. Double Edge has a few other perks bar slamming Rotom-W however. It can nail Politoed for a ton of damage and also can actually hit Keldeo without having to rely on Bounce as a way to OHKO it. This is pretty huge since Keldeo can just spam Icy Wind until you're weak enough to get knocked out by one of its STABs while switching to a Flying-resistance like Tyranitar as you Bounce. Earthquake is just there for general coverage and it hits Jirachi, healthy Magnezone, Toxicroak without recoil + gem, etc. Stone Edge and Ice Fang also have their own merits. Here are some calcs
Disadvantages when using Gems
Gems have a massive draw back in that they can only be used once during your battle. While I do think Gems are good, they aren't nearly as consistent as say Expert Belt or Life Orb for Sweepers. The best example I can think of if when you waste your Gem on a target you didn't wanna hit. An example would be with Water Gem Politoed. Politoed really needs to keep the Water Gem to OHKO Tyranitar, but you could be lured to going for Hydro Pump only to hit something like Celebi, wasting your Water Gem. Also, outside of getting past a few counters, generally the other sweeping sets are better than their Gem-using counterpart, mainly because they have better coverage, and move power behind their other moves. Again, this is all about consistency and what you want out of your Pokemon.
Conclusion
So hopefully we can get some intelligent discussion going on about gems and how useful they are in today's metagame. I personally have had a lot of experience with Gems in OU, and I think they are a great item to use over the standard items like Life Orb or Leftovers. They're also pretty fun to use in battle as well, which I think counts for something.
If you have any constructive criticism please don't be afraid to post your opinion. I know there are a few sets which I haven't posted, but I believe these sets are the most common and useful to know for our metagame. Thanks for reading.
Viability of Gems in OU!
"Gems are one-use type-enhancing items introduced in Generation V. There are 17 types of Gems, one corresponding to each of the 17 types. A Gem is consumed when the Pokémon holding it uses a damaging attack that matches the Gem's type; the attack's power is boosted by 50%. The Gem will not be consumed if the attack misses."
Gems I believe have many uses over the standard items of choice. Obviously Gems are only seen on offensive Pokemon, so why not just use a choice item or Life Orb? Well, each item has their own merits and downfalls, but what separates Gems from these items I believe are these two big reasons...
They bluff choice items
They don't restrict your choice of move
While Gems are only a one time use, that's sometimes all you need in this metagame. Gems are used to power through the Pokemon's common counters, and sweep the rest of the team easily. An example of this would be Flying Gem Scizor. Scizor's standard Swords Dance set is commonly countered by Tentacruel or Jellicent. However, now with the boost from Flying Gem, Scizor can now easily plow through Jellicent or Tentacruel at +2, and often sweep afterwards.
While Gems are usually seen on sweepers, the main idea behind using them is to wall break, creating a sweep opportunity for said Pokemon, or another team mate. Breloom is a fantastic user of Fighting Gem, because it allows Breloom to break through even the sturdiest of Pokemon, like Skarmory, Latias, and Forretress, creating an opening for another sweeper commonly walled by these Pokemon.
Sweepers and Wall Breakers
Terrakion @ Rock Gem
Trait: Justified
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
Terrakion is probably the most common user of Rock Gem, and for a good reason. Rock Gem allows Terrakion to muscle through it's usually counters, like Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Slowbro. Once these walls have been eliminated from the opposing team, Terrakion usually has an easy sweep. Substitute is used to avoid status like Will-O-Wisp, while also preventing Terrakion from easily being revenge killed by Breloom or Scizor. Swords Dance is used to boost Terrakion's attack to devistating levels, allowing it OHKO the sturdiest of walls. Close Combat and Stone Edge are Terrakion's main STABs of choice, since they provide amazing coverage and awesome base power. Here are a few calcs to demonstrate it's incredible power at +2.
+1 252 Atk Rock Gem Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Landorus-T: 309-364 (80.89 - 95.28%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Rock Gem Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 184+ Def Gliscor: 315-372 (88.98 - 105.08%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Rock Gem Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro: 330-388 (83.75 - 98.47%) -- 75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Rock Gem Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 184+ Def Gliscor: 315-372 (88.98 - 105.08%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Rock Gem Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro: 330-388 (83.75 - 98.47%) -- 75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
Scizor @ Flying Gem
Trait: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- Acrobatics
Scizor makes great use of Flying Gem, as it wasn't getting too much coverage with Bug Bite, and +2 Acrobatics allows Scizor to bypass it's usual counters, like Jellicent and Tentacruel. This set is great in both sweeping and wall breaking, as +2 Acrobatics really can dent the best switch ins to Scizor, like Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Tentacruel. Jolly Nature is curial on this set, as it allows Scizor to out speed it's usual counters, like SpDef Heatran, Tentacruel, and Jellicent, allowing Scizor to KO them all before they get a chance to burn Scizor with Scald / out right KO it. So Swords Dance is used to boost its attack, Bullet Punch offers great coverage offensively and has nice base power thanks to Technician. Super Power is used to hit Steel types that like to switch into Scizor, like Heatran and Magnezone. Acrobatics in the key to this set, as with Flying Gem and +2, it can easily break through most of it's counters. Here are a few calcs.
+2 252 Atk Flying Gem Scizor Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 252 HP / 236+ Def Tentacruel: 343-404 (94.23 - 110.98%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Flying Gem Scizor Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 248 HP / 216+ Def Jellicent: 335-395 (83.12 - 98.01%) -- 68.75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Scizor Superpower vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 498-586 (129.35 - 152.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Flying Gem Scizor Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 248 HP / 216+ Def Jellicent: 335-395 (83.12 - 98.01%) -- 68.75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Scizor Superpower vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 498-586 (129.35 - 152.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Tornadus (M) @ Flying Gem
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Acrobatics
- Superpower
- Bulk Up
- Taunt
Tornadus has a good base 115 Attack and a strong physical STAB in Acrobatics, which allow it to be used outside of rain with a physical set. Flying Gem-boosted Acroabatics is almost as powerful as Terrakion's Life Orb Close Combat, OHKOing many offensive Pokemon with ease. Furthermore, Acrobatics transforms Tornadus into a very good Chansey and Blissey lure, as the first is 2HKOed by a combination of Flying Gem Acrobatics and Superpower after Stealth Rock while the latter is easily 2HKOed by any attacking move of Tornadus. Superpower provides good neutral coverage with Acrobatics and lets Tornadus OHKO any Tyranitar, 2HKO 248/0 Heatran after Stealth Rock, and deal with Chansey and Blissey by the ways already mentioned. Bulk Up makes Tornadus harder to revenge kill with priority and physical Choice Scarf users and makes Tornadus harder to wall, giving it some much-needed utility against balanced and stall teams. Taunt offers great utility in conjunction with Prankster, as it stops (bad) Baton Pass teams and set up sweepers cold. Here are a few calcs
+1 252 Atk Flying Gem Tornadus Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 4 HP / 252 Def Blissey: 733-864 (112.42 - 132.51%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 252 Atk Flying Gem Tornadus Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 252 HP / 120 Def Ninetales: 405-477 (115.71 - 136.28%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 252 Atk Flying Gem Tornadus Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Hippowdon: 321-378 (76.42 - 90%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
+1 252 Atk Flying Gem Tornadus Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 252 HP / 120 Def Ninetales: 405-477 (115.71 - 136.28%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 252 Atk Flying Gem Tornadus Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Hippowdon: 321-378 (76.42 - 90%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
Breloom @ Fighting Gem
Trait: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Spore
- Focus Punch
- Bullet Seed
- Mach Punch
Breloom I think is the best wall breaker in the game right now. Fighting Gem boosted Focus Punch is one of (if not the) most powerful attack you'll see in Pokemon. Usually however, Focus Punch is unviable, because it has serious drawbacks as a move (if your opponent hits you, Focus Punch forces you to flinch). However, since Breloom is one of the few Pokemon with access to Spore, Breloom can easily fire off Focus Punches without much fear of being flinched on that turn. EVs are pretty standard, but I prefer Adamant over Jolly mainly because I want as much power as possible behind Focus Punch. Spore is one of the best moves in the game, allowing me to easily Spam Focus Punch with no risk at all. Focus Punch is the wall breaking move itself, and allows me to remove threats early in the game (or severely weaken them). Mach Punch is priority and hit's decently with Fighting Gem, while Bullet Seed is also STAB as beats Tentecruel, Jellicent, and other bulky water types. Here are a few calcs.
252+ Atk Fighting Gem Breloom Focus Punch vs. 224 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 229-271 (70.03 - 82.87%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Fighting Gem Breloom Focus Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Latias: 220-259 (72.84 - 85.76%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Fighting Gem Breloom Focus Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Forretress: 229-271 (64.68 - 76.55%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Fighting Gem Breloom Focus Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Latias: 220-259 (72.84 - 85.76%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Fighting Gem Breloom Focus Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Forretress: 229-271 (64.68 - 76.55%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
Politoed @ Water Gem
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 244 HP / 252 SAtk / 12 Spd
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Focus Blast
- Psychic
While Politoed isn't really a wall breaker, this set has it's uses over the standard Specs set. The idea behind the set is to kill something off with say Ice Beam, and Tyranitar comes in thinking you're choice'd so they Pursuit. That's when you hit them with a Hydro Pump and KO Tyranitar, winning the weather war easily. Same thing applies to Toxicroak, they switch in on say Focus Blast, and you just KO them with Psychic as they SD. This set is so great in bluffing the standard Specs sets, luring these Pokemon in for a free kill. So Hydro Pump is STAB and hits anything stupidly hard (even Jellicent). Ice Beam offers nice coverage, as it hits Grass and Dragon types that "resist" Hydro Pump. Focus Blast is mainly to hit Ferrothorn, and is also used if you don't want to use up your Water Gem yet. Psychic hits Keldeo and Toxicroak, but HP Grass or Toxic can be used here (it depends on your team). So 12 speed EVs are used to out speed over Politoeds, and 252 SpAtk EVs are used for maximum power. The rest of the EVs are placed into HP, allowing Politoed to take a few hits with it's respectable bulk. These calcs will only be showing how Politoed does against weather starters, since the idea of this set is to win the weather war.
252+ SpA Water Gem Politoed Hydro Pump vs. 180 HP / 0 SpD Tyranitar in sand: 336-396 (87.04 - 102.59%) -- 93.75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Water Gem Politoed Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Ninetales in sun: 252-296 (72 - 84.57%) -- 75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Water Gem Politoed Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Hippowdon: 444-524 (105.71 - 124.76%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Water Gem Politoed Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Ninetales in sun: 252-296 (72 - 84.57%) -- 75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Water Gem Politoed Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Hippowdon: 444-524 (105.71 - 124.76%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Gyarados @ Normal Gem
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Double Edge
- Earthquake / Stone Edge / Ice Fang
This Gyarados has been seeing some decent usage currently on the OU ladder, and for a good reason. It lures in it's best check (Rotom-W) and OHKOs with +1 Double Edge. Gyarados opens up doors in a game for another sweeper on your team that is weak to Rotom-W to do work. Examples include Mamoswine, Tornadus, Mixed Jirachi, etc. Double Edge has a few other perks bar slamming Rotom-W however. It can nail Politoed for a ton of damage and also can actually hit Keldeo without having to rely on Bounce as a way to OHKO it. This is pretty huge since Keldeo can just spam Icy Wind until you're weak enough to get knocked out by one of its STABs while switching to a Flying-resistance like Tyranitar as you Bounce. Earthquake is just there for general coverage and it hits Jirachi, healthy Magnezone, Toxicroak without recoil + gem, etc. Stone Edge and Ice Fang also have their own merits. Here are some calcs
+1 252+ Atk Normal Gem Gyarados Double-Edge vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Rotom-W: 296-349 (97.68 - 115.18%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
+1 252+ Atk Normal Gem Gyarados Double-Edge vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Keldeo: 342-403 (105.55 - 124.38%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 252+ Atk Normal Gem Gyarados Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Politoed: 397-468 (103.38 - 121.87%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 252+ Atk Normal Gem Gyarados Double-Edge vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Keldeo: 342-403 (105.55 - 124.38%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 252+ Atk Normal Gem Gyarados Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Politoed: 397-468 (103.38 - 121.87%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Disadvantages when using Gems
Gems have a massive draw back in that they can only be used once during your battle. While I do think Gems are good, they aren't nearly as consistent as say Expert Belt or Life Orb for Sweepers. The best example I can think of if when you waste your Gem on a target you didn't wanna hit. An example would be with Water Gem Politoed. Politoed really needs to keep the Water Gem to OHKO Tyranitar, but you could be lured to going for Hydro Pump only to hit something like Celebi, wasting your Water Gem. Also, outside of getting past a few counters, generally the other sweeping sets are better than their Gem-using counterpart, mainly because they have better coverage, and move power behind their other moves. Again, this is all about consistency and what you want out of your Pokemon.
Conclusion
So hopefully we can get some intelligent discussion going on about gems and how useful they are in today's metagame. I personally have had a lot of experience with Gems in OU, and I think they are a great item to use over the standard items like Life Orb or Leftovers. They're also pretty fun to use in battle as well, which I think counts for something.
If you have any constructive criticism please don't be afraid to post your opinion. I know there are a few sets which I haven't posted, but I believe these sets are the most common and useful to know for our metagame. Thanks for reading.
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