Gen 3 [ADV] Agility Growlithe [DONE]

[Gangsta Spongebob]

[SET]
name: Agility Sweeper
move 1: Agility
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Substitute / Crunch
item: Petaya Berry
ability: Intimidate
nature: Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
After using Agility, Growlithe outspeeds the entire unboosted metagame, making it an effective cleaner. Fire Blast serves as a powerful and spammable STAB attack that notably breaks past the tier's best special wall, Dustox. After Growlithe's Petaya Berry activates, it becomes unwallable, as even the sturdiest walls, like Lileep and Delcatty, are 2HKOed by it. Hidden Power Grass OHKOes Rhyhorn and also deals significant damage to Water-types such as Chinchou and other Rock-types like Nosepass. Substitute shields Growlithe from status and also lets it activate its Petaya Berry easier. Alternatively, Crunch lets Growlithe target Spoink, which can otherwise set up on it using Calm Mind and Thick Fat. Intimidate is used, as reducing the foe's Attack gives Growlithe more opportunities to set up Agility and Substitute.

Growlithe best fits on offensive and balance teams looking for an end-game sweeper. Even with Hidden Power Grass, Water-types such as Staryu beat Growlithe one-on-one, so it appreciates being paired with speedy physical wallbreakers such as Aipom and Taillow and defensive checks to Water-types such as Castform and Chinchou. Chinchou is a notable partner for its excellent type synergy with Growlithe, as it can easily KO the Rock- and Ground-types that Growlithe can struggle with, while Growlithe, in return, can eliminate the Grass-types that give Chinchou trouble. The aforementioned physical wallbreakers have the added benefit of breaking through special walls and tanks such as Castform and Delcatty, which also check Growlithe. Fast physical wallbreakers are themselves problematic to Growlithe before it has set up Agility, so Rock-types, Steel-types, and Shuppet support Growlithe by checking them. Special attackers like Elekid and Seaking can form effective offensive cores with Growlithe by weakening each other's checks. Finally, Spikes support from Snorunt can help soften up the opposing team to allow an end-game Growlithe sweep.

[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bp.272450/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/wrathoftheleopard.511181/

 

[BP]

Check

[SET]
name: Agility Sweeper
move 1: Agility
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Substitute / Crunch
item: Petaya Berry
ability: Intimidate
nature: Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
After an Agility, Growlithe outspeeds the entire unboosted metagame, making it an effective cleaner. Fire Blast serves as a powerful and spammable STAB attack that notably breaks past the tier's best special wall, Dustox. Hidden Power Grass slams Rhyhorn while also dealing significant damage to Water-types such as Chinchou and other Rock-types such as Nosepass. Substitute shields Growlithe from status while also letting it activate its Petaya Berry easier. Alternatively, Crunch lets Growlithe target Spoink, who can otherwise set up on it using Calm Mind and Thick Fat. Intimidate is used as reducing the opponent's Attack gives Growlithe more opportunities to set up Agility and even Substitute.

Mention what Growlithe can do with a Petaya berry activation i.e. OHKOS with Fire Blast or HP Grass that weren't there before.

Growlithe best fits on offensive and balance teams looking for an endgame sweeper. Even with Hidden Power Grass, Water-types such as Staryu and Seaking beat Growlithe one-on-one, so it appreciates being paired with speedy physical wallbreakers such as Aipom and Taillow and defensive checks to Water-types such as Castform and Chinchou. These physical wallbreakers also work well in breaking through special walls and tanks such as Castform and Delcatty, who can also check Growlithe. Fast physical wallbreakers like Aipom and Taillow are themselves problematic to Growlithe before it can set up Agility, so Rock- and Steel-types support Growlithe by handling them. Finally, Spikes support from Snorunt can help soften up the opposing team to an endgame Growlithe sweep.

Mention the synergy that Chinchou and Growlithe have as a core regarding coverage and type synergy. Its also important to note that Chinchou can somewhat threaten Elekid for Growlithe which is one of the main Pokemon that keep it from breaking.

I think its also important to mention status abusers with the most notable one being Butterfree.

Mention Shuppet as a partner as it can essentially render Delcatty useless while also providing weakening certain switch ins putting them in range for Growlithe such as Nosepass.

[SET]
name: Lead
move 1: Overheat
move 2: Flamethrower / Fire Blast
move 3: Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Toxic / Crunch
item: Lum Berry
ability: Intimidate
nature: Timid
evs: 76 Def / 252 SpA / 180 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
While Cyndaquil may appear to the superior Fire-type lead due to its ability to deny Snorunt any hazards, Growlithe carves a niche in this role as a result of its stronger matchups against the general metagame. (I really appreciate you talking about the difference between Cynda and Growler) 76 Defense EVs and Intimidate let Growlithe always survive one Choice Band Aipom's Double Edge from Aipom, making it an effective check to opposing physically offensive leads. Overheat is crucial as a high power STAB, OHKOing common offensive leads such as Taillow, Delibird, and has an 87.5% chance to OHKO Aipom. Flamethrower is used as a more spammable FIre STAB, though Fire Blast can be used instead for higher power at the cost of accuracy. Hidden Power Grass threatens slams Rhyhorn, while also dealing significant damage to Water-types such as Chinchou and other Rock-types such as Nosepass. Toxic lets Growlithe cripple walls such as Lileep, while also interfering with Snorunt's Endure with correct perdiction. Crunch can be used instead to overwhelm Substitute Spoink, who can otherwise use Growlithe as setup fodder. Lum Berry prevents Growlithe from getting statused from leads such as Butterfree.

Growlithe best fits on offense and balance teams looking for a lead that can beat physically offensive leads. Given that Growlithe can't reliably deny Snorunt at least one layer of Spikes, it is best used on a team that either doesn't mind Spikes or has a Rapid Spinner in the back like Staryu. Water-types such as Staryu and Chinchou can usually switch in and 1v1 Growlithe if they come into its Fire-type attacks, so special sponges such as Castform and Dustox make great partners. Physical wallbreakers such as Aipom and Tailloew also work well due to their ability to break through both Water-types and special walls which could overwise beat Growlithe. If one doesn't have a Rock- or Steel- type, such as on certain Hyper Offense teams, Growlithe can be used as a check to physical wallbreakers such as Choice Band Aipom and Taillow.

Chinchou is worth mentioning here as well much like the petaya set I also think its important to mention because of T-wave since Growlithe isn't running max speed so it can't hit 240 meaning it can be abused by a decent amount of offensive mons.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Flash Fire can be used to help Growlithe switch into certain Fire-types such as Cyndaquil and itself, though most Pokemon with Fire-type moves, such as Castform and Sunflora, still have the coverage to 2HKO Growlithe. Roar can be used to phaze targets, though Growlithe's lack of recovery and only decent bulk make it hard to use.

Mention Charcoal here specially as it relates to Overheat damage output.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Water-types**: Hidden Power Grass fails to OHKO any relevant Water-types, while Growlithe is usually OHKOed by the Water STAB from threats such as Staryu, Chinchou, and Seaking.

Mention Chinchou's access to T-wave as it can effectively make Agility Lithe useless outside of Intimidate

**Rock-types**: Nosepass isn't 2HKOed by unboosted Hidden Power Grass while it can 2HKO Growlithe back with Rock Slide. However, it can only 3HKO Growlithe of it has its Attack lowered by Intimidate. Certain specially defensive Rhyhorn sets can tank an unboosted HP Grass, though it can only OHKO Growlithe back if its Attack isn't lowered.

**Special Sponges**: Delcatty isn't 2HKOed by any of Growlithe's moves and can heal off the damage with Wish. Castform easily tanks Growlithe's attacks and can overwhelm it with Double Edge, Thunderbolt, or Weather Ball in Rain. While it isn't a special wall, Lileep can easily take Growlithe's attacks and heal the damage off with Recover, though it must watch out for Toxic.

**Spoink**: If it isn't running Crunch, Spoink can use Growlithe as setup fodder thanks to Thick Fat. Toxic variants of Growlithe can cripple Spoink, though they lose to speedy Substitute variants of Spoink.

I think its worth mentioning Cyndaquil here as it outspeeds and can 2HKO-3HKO with HP Water or cripple it with Toxic.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bp.272450/
Grammar checked by:

Great Work! QC 1/2

 

[Gangsta Spongebob]

Implemented and ready for Check 2!

 

[sleid]

this is some great writing. hard for me to pick stuff out to improve upon. qc 2/2 when implemented

QC Check

[SET]
name: Agility Sweeper
move 1: Agility
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Substitute / Crunch
item: Petaya Berry
ability: Intimidate
nature: Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
After an Agility, Growlithe outspeeds the entire unboosted metagame, making it an effective cleaner. Fire Blast serves as a powerful and spammable STAB attack that notably breaks past the tier's best special wall, Dustox. After its Petaya Berry activates, Growlithe becomes unwallable, as even the sturdiest walls like Lileep and Delcatty get 2HKOed. Hidden Power Grass OHKOes Rhyhorn while also dealing significant damage to Water-types such as Chinchou and other Rock-types such as Nosepass. Substitute shields Growlithe from status while also letting it activate its Petaya Berry easier. Alternatively, Crunch lets Growlithe target Spoink, who can otherwise set up on it using Calm Mind and Thick Fat. Intimidate is used as reducing the opponent's Attack gives Growlithe more opportunities to set up Agility and Substitute.

Growlithe best fits on offensive and balance teams looking for an endgame sweeper. Even with Hidden Power Grass, Water-types such as Staryu and Seaking beat Growlithe one-on-one, so it appreciates being paired with speedy physical wallbreakers such as Aipom and Taillow and defensive checks to Water-types such as Castform and Chinchou. Chinchou is a notable partner for its excellent type synergy with Growlithe. (mention some specific matchups that they benefit from when paired for better explanation on this point for the reader. you mentioned how Chinch helps Lithe but not vice versa) The physical wallbreakers have the added benefit of breaking through special walls and tanks such as Castform and Delcatty, which also check Growlithe. Fast physical wallbreakers like Aipom and Taillow are themselves problematic to Growlithe before it can set up Agility, so Rock-types, Steel-types, and Shuppet support Growlithe by handling them. Finally, Spikes support from Snorunt can help soften up the opposing team to an endgame Growlithe sweep.

Might be good to mention Pokemon that benefit from the presence of this Growlithe. Maybe other special attackers like Elekid or Seaking since Growlithe can soften them up or remove them in the mid to late game. Water-types in general appreciate Growlithe as a switch-in to the bulky grasses like Bayleaf, Egg or Sunflora.

[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bp.272450/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
Grammar checked by:

 

[Gangsta Spongebob]

Implemented! GP Team

 

[Rose]

add remove comment

Gangsta Spongebob, post: 9581722, member: 535530

[SET]
name: Agility Sweeper
move 1: Agility
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Substitute / Crunch
item: Petaya Berry
ability: Intimidate
nature: Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
After using Agility, Growlithe outspeeds the entire unboosted metagame, making it an effective cleaner. Fire Blast serves as a powerful and spammable STAB attack that notably breaks past the tier's best special wall, Dustox. After its Growlithe's Petaya Berry activates, Growlithe it becomes unwallable, as even the sturdiest walls, (comma) like Lileep and Delcatty, (comma) are 2HKOed by it. Hidden Power Grass OHKOes Rhyhorn while also dealing and also deals significant damage to Water-types such as Chinchou and other Rock-types like Nosepass. Substitute shields Growlithe from status while also letting and also lets it activate its Petaya Berry easier. Alternatively, Crunch lets Growlithe target Spoink, who which can otherwise set up on it using Calm Mind and Thick Fat. Intimidate is used, (comma) as reducing the opponent's foe's Attack gives Growlithe more opportunities to set up Agility and Substitute.

Growlithe best fits on offensive and balance teams looking for an endgame end-game sweeper. Even with Hidden Power Grass, Water-types such as Staryu beat Growlithe one-on-one, so it appreciates being paired with speedy physical wallbreakers such as Aipom and Taillow and defensive checks to Water-types such as Castform and Chinchou. Chinchou is a notable partner for its excellent type synergy with Growlithe, as it can easily KO the Rock- and Ground-types that Growlithe can struggle with, while Growlithe, (comma) in return, (comma) can eliminate the Grass-types that give it Chinchou trouble. The aforementioned physical wallbreakers have the added benefit of breaking through special walls and tanks such as Castform and Delcatty, which also check Growlithe. Fast physical wallbreakers are themselves problematic to Growlithe before it can has set up Agility, so Rock-types, Steel-types, and Shuppet support Growlithe by checking them. Special attackers like Elekid and Seaking can form effective offensive cores with Growlithe (I assume this is what you meant? If not, explain how this involves Growlithe) by weakening each other's checks. Finally, Spikes support from Snorunt can help soften up the opposing team to allow an endgame end-game Growlithe sweep.

[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bp.272450/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
Grammar checked by:

GP Team done