[OVERVIEW]
First Impression Golisopod is a reliable revenge killer for many common threats such as Necrozma, Zarude, and Xurkitree. Additionally, its combination of the crippling Knock Off and Spikes makes it a great offensive supporter able to punish nearly every switch-in and play around of some of its typical checks. Golisopod's typing and physical bulk allow it to check some strong threats such as Metagross, Barraskewda, and Flygon as well. However, after First Impression is used, Golisopod is easy to revenge kill due to its low Speed stat and mediocre special bulk. Golisopod also struggles against many common bulky Pokemon such as Milotic, Gastrodon, and Vileplume, particularly the Water-types. Although its Emergency Exit might be helpful in some situations, getting forced to switch out is disadvantageous in most cases.
[SET]
name: Revenge Killer
move 1: First Impression
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Liquidation / Aqua Jet
move 4: Knock Off
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Emergency Exit
nature: Adamant
evs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Aqua Jet makes Golisopod more difficult to revenge kill and able to revenge kill Pokemon such as Chandelure, Salazzle, and Aerodactyl. However, without a strong and reliable STAB move in Liquidation, Golisopod becomes a bit too weak against bulky Pokemon such as Cobalion, Klefki, and Sylveon. Knock Off punishes Golisopod's typical switch-ins such as Noivern, Togekiss, and Milotic. In addition, removing Heavy-Duty Boots from grounded switch-ins such Gastrodon, Dragalge, and Volcanion enables Golisopod to wear them down with Spikes. Heavy-Duty Boots gives Golisopod more switch-in opportunities by negating its severe entry hazard weakness. The listed Speed EVs allow Golisopod to outspeed Pokemon with uninvested base 50 Speed such as Diancie, Registeel, and Vileplume. The remaining EVs are dumped into HP, allowing Golisopod to better switch into Metagross's and Mienshao's attacks.
Golisopod works well on balance and bulky offensive teams that need a reliable revenge killer for common threats such as Xurkitree, Necrozma, and Zarude and appreciate a reliable Spikes setter. Powerful wallbreakers such as Obstagoon, Toxtricity, and Gardevoir appreciate Golisopod's Spikes support. In return, they handle troublesome bulky Pokemon such as Vileplume, Dragalge, and Gastrodon. Strong late-game cleaners like Mimikyu, Sharpedo, and Xurkitree are also good examples of Pokemon that appreciate Spikes support. Grass- and Electric-types such as Vileplume, Zarude, and Xurkitree check bulky Water-types that Golisopod struggles with such as Milotic, Seismitoad, and Gastrodon. Bulky Rock- and Steel-types such as Dianice, Rhyperior, and Metagross, on the other hand, check strong Flying-types such as Togekiss, Noivern, and Crobat. These Pokemon also form a great hazard stacking core with Golisopod, as they are reliable Stealth Rock setters. Beyond that, they appreciate Golisopod's ability to remove Heavy-Duty Boots with Knock Off. Specially defensive Pokemon such as Porygon2, Assault Vest Reuniclus, and Snorlax are great to reliably check the tier's strong Electric-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Leech Life gives Golisopod the option to heal itself and, more importantly, hit Grass-, Psychic-, and Dark-types such as Zarude, Reuniclus, and Umbreon super effectively after First Impression is used. However, it has little use besides that, making it overall worse than Knock Off and Spikes. Close Combat allows Golisopod to 2HKO Registeel and Cobalion as well as hit Seismitoad for decent damage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Seismitoad, Milotic, and Gastrodon take very little from Golisopod's moves and threaten it with a Scald burn or Toxic poison. However, they do not want to lose their items to Golisopod's Knock Off.
**Various Bulky Pokemon**: Various bulky Pokemon such as Vileplume, Dragalge, and Bewear can easily switch into Golisopod's STAB moves and quickly KO it or activate Emergency Exit. Toxicroak deserves a special mention despite not being bulky, as it easily takes advantage of Golisopod due to its typing and ability. However, none of these Pokemon like having their items removed by Knock Off. Pokemon such as Dragalge and Bewear are easy to wear down due to their lack of reliable recovery.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Noivern, Togekiss, and Crobat easily revenge kill Golisopod and switch into its First Impression. However, they should watch out for Knock Off because they rely a ton on their Heavy-Duty Boots to prevent Stealth Rock damage.
**Electric-types**: Once they get a safe switch in, Electric-types such as Raikou, Toxtricity, and Xurkitree OHKO Golisopod.
**Strong Attackers**: Although Golisopod has respectable bulk, strong wallbreakers such as Chandelure, Obstagoon, and Golurk easily defeat it or force it out by activating its ability. Indeedee-M deserves special attention, because its Psychic Terrain prevents Golisopod from using First Impression against grounded targets.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Sputnik, 475916], [Holy-Darky, 464737]]
- Quality checked by: [[phantom, 180300], [GoldCat, 359771]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [CryoGyro, 331519]]
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