[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 be the superior Fire-type lead because of its ability to deny Snorunt any entry hazards, Growlithe carves a niche with its stronger matchups against the general metagame. 76 Defense EVs and Intimidate let Growlithe always survive one Choice Band-boosted Double Edge from Aipom, which by extension lets it beat most physically offensive leads. Overheat is crucial, OHKOing common offensive leads such as Taillow and Delibird and having an 87.5% chance to OHKO Aipom. Flamethrower is a more spammable Fire-type STAB attack, though Fire Blast can be used instead for higher power at the cost of accuracy. Hidden Power Grass threatens Rhyhorn and also deals significant damage to Water-types such as Chinchou and Rock-types such as Nosepass. Toxic lets Growlithe cripple walls such as Lileep and non-Substitute Spoink. Crunch can be used instead to overwhelm Substitute variants of Spoink, which can otherwise use Growlithe as setup fodder. Lum Berry prevents Growlithe from getting statused by 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 spinner in the back, like Staryu. Water-types such as Staryu and Chinchou can usually beat Growlithe one-on-one if they switch into its Fire-type attacks, so special sponges such as Castform and Dustox make great partners. Chinchou itself is a great partner, with it able to break through the Water-, Rock-, and Ground-types that annoy Growlithe and spread Thunder Wave to shore up Growlithe's average Speed; in return, Growlithe can break through Grass-types for it. Physical wallbreakers such as Aipom and Taillow also work well because of their ability to break through both Water-types and special walls that could overwise beat Growlithe. If a team doesn't have a Rock-type, a Steel-type, or Shuppet, such as on certain hyper offense teams, Growlithe can sometimes be used as a check to physical wallbreakers like Choice Band Aipom and Taillow, though it shouldn't be a team's sole check to them.
[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/
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Flash Fire can be used to help Growlithe switch into certain Fire-types, such as Cyndaquil and opposing Growlithe, though most Pokemon with Fire-type moves, like the aforementioned examples, still have the coverage to threaten Growlithe. Roar can be used to phaze targets, though Growlithe's lack of recovery and only decent bulk make it hard to use. Charcoal boosts the power of Growlithe's Overheat, though other items typically help Growlithe fulfill its given role better.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Hidden Power Grass fails to OHKO any relevant Water-type, while Growlithe is usually OHKOed by the Water STAB moves from threats such as Staryu, Chinchou, and Seaking. Chinchou is also notable for its ability to cripple Growlithe with Thunder Wave.
**Rock-types**: Nosepass isn't 2HKOed by unboosted Hidden Power Grass and can 2HKO Growlithe back with Rock Slide. However, it can only 3HKO Growlithe if it had its Attack lowered by Intimidate. Certain specially defensive Rhyhorn sets can tank a Hidden Power Grass from Timid Growlithe, 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 and status with Heal Bell. Castform easily tanks Growlithe's attacks and can overwhelm it with Double Edge, Thunderbolt, or Weather Ball in Rain. While Lileep isn't a special wall, it can easily switch into Growlithe and heal off any damage off with Recover, though it must watch out for Toxic.
**Spoink**: If Growlithe isn't running Crunch, Spoink can use it as setup fodder thanks to Thick Fat. Toxic variants of Growlithe can cripple Spoink, though they lose to speedy Substitute variants.
**Cyndaquil**: Cyndaquil can outspeed and 2HKO Growlithe with Hidden Power Water while only being 2HKOed back by Fire Blast.
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 be the superior Fire-type lead because of its ability to deny Snorunt any entry hazards, Growlithe carves a niche with its stronger matchups against the general metagame. 76 Defense EVs and Intimidate let Growlithe always survive one Choice Band-boosted Double Edge from Aipom, which by extension lets it beat most physically offensive leads. Overheat is crucial, OHKOing common offensive leads such as Taillow and Delibird and having an 87.5% chance to OHKO Aipom. Flamethrower is a more spammable Fire-type STAB attack, though Fire Blast can be used instead for higher power at the cost of accuracy. Hidden Power Grass threatens Rhyhorn and also deals significant damage to Water-types such as Chinchou and Rock-types such as Nosepass. Toxic lets Growlithe cripple walls such as Lileep and non-Substitute Spoink. Crunch can be used instead to overwhelm Substitute variants of Spoink, which can otherwise use Growlithe as setup fodder. Lum Berry prevents Growlithe from getting statused by 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 spinner in the back, like Staryu. Water-types such as Staryu and Chinchou can usually beat Growlithe one-on-one if they switch into its Fire-type attacks, so special sponges such as Castform and Dustox make great partners. Chinchou itself is a great partner, with it able to break through the Water-, Rock-, and Ground-types that annoy Growlithe and spread Thunder Wave to shore up Growlithe's average Speed; in return, Growlithe can break through Grass-types for it. Physical wallbreakers such as Aipom and Taillow also work well because of their ability to break through both Water-types and special walls that could overwise beat Growlithe. If a team doesn't have a Rock-type, a Steel-type, or Shuppet, such as on certain hyper offense teams, Growlithe can sometimes be used as a check to physical wallbreakers like Choice Band Aipom and Taillow, though it shouldn't be a team's sole check to them.
[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/
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Flash Fire can be used to help Growlithe switch into certain Fire-types, such as Cyndaquil and opposing Growlithe, though most Pokemon with Fire-type moves, like the aforementioned examples, still have the coverage to threaten Growlithe. Roar can be used to phaze targets, though Growlithe's lack of recovery and only decent bulk make it hard to use. Charcoal boosts the power of Growlithe's Overheat, though other items typically help Growlithe fulfill its given role better.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Hidden Power Grass fails to OHKO any relevant Water-type, while Growlithe is usually OHKOed by the Water STAB moves from threats such as Staryu, Chinchou, and Seaking. Chinchou is also notable for its ability to cripple Growlithe with Thunder Wave.
**Rock-types**: Nosepass isn't 2HKOed by unboosted Hidden Power Grass and can 2HKO Growlithe back with Rock Slide. However, it can only 3HKO Growlithe if it had its Attack lowered by Intimidate. Certain specially defensive Rhyhorn sets can tank a Hidden Power Grass from Timid Growlithe, 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 and status with Heal Bell. Castform easily tanks Growlithe's attacks and can overwhelm it with Double Edge, Thunderbolt, or Weather Ball in Rain. While Lileep isn't a special wall, it can easily switch into Growlithe and heal off any damage off with Recover, though it must watch out for Toxic.
**Spoink**: If Growlithe isn't running Crunch, Spoink can use it as setup fodder thanks to Thick Fat. Toxic variants of Growlithe can cripple Spoink, though they lose to speedy Substitute variants.
**Cyndaquil**: Cyndaquil can outspeed and 2HKO Growlithe with Hidden Power Water while only being 2HKOed back by Fire Blast.
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