[OVERVIEW]
Golisopod has a good Attack stat and access to priority moves such as First Impression and Aqua Jet, which alongside Liquidation, help Golisopod punch holes in teams. With that being said, Golisopod's best role on a team is revenge killing Pokemon with Insect Plate- or Choice Band-boosted First Impression. Then Liquidation can be used to break walls, as it has the chance to lower a foe;s Defense. However, its Speed holds it back when comparing its viability to other wallbreakers such as Feraligatr. Its weakness to Stealth Rock paired with its terrible ability makes it close to unusable, hence the offensive Golisopod set is outclassed by many Water-types including Feraligatr, Araquanid, and Bruxish. Golisopod is so slow that Emergency Exit will usually force it out before it has a chance to use a move. Even if you rely on First Impression for priority, it's very easy to play around, as the opponent will usually know it's coming.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Liquidation
move 2: First Impression
move 3: Leech Life
move 4: Spikes / Aqua Jet
Item: Insect Plate / Choice Band
ability: Emergency Exit
nature: Adamant
evs: 168 HP / 252 Atk / 88 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Liquidation is Golisopod's best Water-type STAB move; it does a lot of damage to Gligar as well as neutral damage to threats such as Pangoro and Flygon. It is also Golisopod's best move to hit Registeel with. First Impression is Golisopod's best Bug-type STAB move and arguably its best move, having +2 priority as well as 90-Base Power, so it can easily revenge kill weakened Pokemon. Golisopod is able to KO Honchkrow and Zygarde-10% from full health. Be wary when using First Impression when running Choice Band, as once you are locked in it is easy for the opposition to take advantage of. Leech Life is a good secondary Bug-type STAB move with 80-Base Power; this, in addition to it healing 50% of the damage done, is perfect for staying above 50% HP to halt activating Emergency Exit. It also helps Golisopod deal with Pokemon such as Cresselia, Mega Abomasnow, and Slowking. Spikes can generate a lot of momentum if you force the opponent to switch into something that resists First Impression. By stacking Spikes on the opposing side of the field, Life Orb Pokemon are given limited switches, and bulky Pokemon are chipped. Spikes should never be run with Choice Band, though. Locking into it could give your opponent too much momentum. Aqua Jet allows Golisopod to get off hits first for more than one turn, unlike First Impression. However, it does not have anywhere near the same power. In terms of other non-attacking moves, Toxic is also viable, since it can hit bulky checks such as Milotic and Chesnaught on the switch. Status in some cases is better than trying to break through a wall that has recovery.
Set Details
========
88 Speed EVs allow Golisopod to outspeed base 50s such as Registeel and Diancie. The HP investment gives Golisopod an odd HP number, allowing it to switch into Stealth Rock twice without being forced out by Emergency Exit. Choice Band allows Golisopod to deal maximum damage in order to revenge kill its targets .Insect Plate is used to hit as hard as possible with First Impression with flexability to take advantage of using Spikes or Toxic without losing momentum. Insect Plate-boosted First Impression can safely OHKO Zygarde-10%. Choice Band First Impression will KO Flygon after Stealth Rock as well as Honchkrow at full, while Insect Plate is a roll to KO.
Usage Tips
========
Never bring Golisopod in on any offensive Pokemon that can deal 50% of its health in damage, as it will send Golisopod straight back out again. However, it is okay to try to get Golisopod in when you predict the opposition to switch or when you feel comfortable Golisopod won't take much damage. This way, Golisopod can get off the most uses of First Impression in a match. Try to avoid bringing Golisopod in on Stealth Rock unless you are guaranteed a KO or if you have no other options. Spam Liquidation against bulky Pokemon that cannot harm you much back; getting a Defense drop can be the difference between forcing a switch or not. If running Choice Band, try not to use First Impression if the opponent has an obvious switch-in to it.
Team Options
========
Golisopod is helped by Rapid Spin and Defog users to keep entry hazards off of your side of the field. Useful partners include Gligar and Cryogonal. Alternatively, being able to keep them off the field from the start of the game would work even better, making Espeon with Magic Bounce a great pairing. Doublade or any other viable Ghost-type would be a great pairing to spinblock, as keeping Golisopod's Spikes on the field is important for the rest of the team. Sweepers such as Zygarde-10% and Salazzle can take advantage of dented teams thanks to Golisopod's Spikes and its heavy-hitting priority attacks. Other hazard setters, such as Nidoqueen, Registeel and Gligar, work well with Golisopod, since Choice Band First Impression only needs a bit of chip damage to KO most offensive threats, and Nidoqueen also resists Rock and is immune to Electric.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Defensive Golisopod is an option with Spikes and Toxic. An EV spread of 252 HP / 172 Def / 88 Spe with Leftovers and an Impish Nature is the best possible defensive set. However, due to its lack of reliable recovery paired with its weakness to Stealth Rock, Golisopod is heavily outshone by Chesnaught in this role.
Checks and Counters
==================
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Golisopod is unable to break bulky Pokemon such as Milotic and Chesnaught. Even with the Toxic set, Golisopod is forced out after switching in, giving the opposition momentum. Giving bulky Pokemon such as Chesnaught the chance to stack Spikes is very detrimental to your team.
**Electric-types**: Golisopod is weak to Electric-types such as Rotom-C, Rotom-H, and Galvantula. Although not too common, all of these Pokemon have the potential to carry Volt Switch. This not only forces Golisopod out in fear of being KOed but allows the opposition to pivot on your switch, passing along a lot of momentum. On top of this, Galvantula getting a free turn to get up Sticky Web allows the opposition's heavy hitters to sweep.
**Entry Hazards**: Hazards are a huge counter to Golisopod, forcing it to switch out due to its ability Emergency Exit and causing residual damage, which gets it closer to the ability activating. With the opposition knowing you will need to get in your hazard remover, it gives them the upper hand in predictions. With RU being gorged with an abundance of reliable hazard stackers, it is more than likely you will run into Spikes or Stealth Rock in most games.
Golisopod has a good Attack stat and access to priority moves such as First Impression and Aqua Jet, which alongside Liquidation, help Golisopod punch holes in teams. With that being said, Golisopod's best role on a team is revenge killing Pokemon with Insect Plate- or Choice Band-boosted First Impression. Then Liquidation can be used to break walls, as it has the chance to lower a foe;s Defense. However, its Speed holds it back when comparing its viability to other wallbreakers such as Feraligatr. Its weakness to Stealth Rock paired with its terrible ability makes it close to unusable, hence the offensive Golisopod set is outclassed by many Water-types including Feraligatr, Araquanid, and Bruxish. Golisopod is so slow that Emergency Exit will usually force it out before it has a chance to use a move. Even if you rely on First Impression for priority, it's very easy to play around, as the opponent will usually know it's coming.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Liquidation
move 2: First Impression
move 3: Leech Life
move 4: Spikes / Aqua Jet
Item: Insect Plate / Choice Band
ability: Emergency Exit
nature: Adamant
evs: 168 HP / 252 Atk / 88 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Liquidation is Golisopod's best Water-type STAB move; it does a lot of damage to Gligar as well as neutral damage to threats such as Pangoro and Flygon. It is also Golisopod's best move to hit Registeel with. First Impression is Golisopod's best Bug-type STAB move and arguably its best move, having +2 priority as well as 90-Base Power, so it can easily revenge kill weakened Pokemon. Golisopod is able to KO Honchkrow and Zygarde-10% from full health. Be wary when using First Impression when running Choice Band, as once you are locked in it is easy for the opposition to take advantage of. Leech Life is a good secondary Bug-type STAB move with 80-Base Power; this, in addition to it healing 50% of the damage done, is perfect for staying above 50% HP to halt activating Emergency Exit. It also helps Golisopod deal with Pokemon such as Cresselia, Mega Abomasnow, and Slowking. Spikes can generate a lot of momentum if you force the opponent to switch into something that resists First Impression. By stacking Spikes on the opposing side of the field, Life Orb Pokemon are given limited switches, and bulky Pokemon are chipped. Spikes should never be run with Choice Band, though. Locking into it could give your opponent too much momentum. Aqua Jet allows Golisopod to get off hits first for more than one turn, unlike First Impression. However, it does not have anywhere near the same power. In terms of other non-attacking moves, Toxic is also viable, since it can hit bulky checks such as Milotic and Chesnaught on the switch. Status in some cases is better than trying to break through a wall that has recovery.
Set Details
========
88 Speed EVs allow Golisopod to outspeed base 50s such as Registeel and Diancie. The HP investment gives Golisopod an odd HP number, allowing it to switch into Stealth Rock twice without being forced out by Emergency Exit. Choice Band allows Golisopod to deal maximum damage in order to revenge kill its targets .Insect Plate is used to hit as hard as possible with First Impression with flexability to take advantage of using Spikes or Toxic without losing momentum. Insect Plate-boosted First Impression can safely OHKO Zygarde-10%. Choice Band First Impression will KO Flygon after Stealth Rock as well as Honchkrow at full, while Insect Plate is a roll to KO.
Usage Tips
========
Never bring Golisopod in on any offensive Pokemon that can deal 50% of its health in damage, as it will send Golisopod straight back out again. However, it is okay to try to get Golisopod in when you predict the opposition to switch or when you feel comfortable Golisopod won't take much damage. This way, Golisopod can get off the most uses of First Impression in a match. Try to avoid bringing Golisopod in on Stealth Rock unless you are guaranteed a KO or if you have no other options. Spam Liquidation against bulky Pokemon that cannot harm you much back; getting a Defense drop can be the difference between forcing a switch or not. If running Choice Band, try not to use First Impression if the opponent has an obvious switch-in to it.
Team Options
========
Golisopod is helped by Rapid Spin and Defog users to keep entry hazards off of your side of the field. Useful partners include Gligar and Cryogonal. Alternatively, being able to keep them off the field from the start of the game would work even better, making Espeon with Magic Bounce a great pairing. Doublade or any other viable Ghost-type would be a great pairing to spinblock, as keeping Golisopod's Spikes on the field is important for the rest of the team. Sweepers such as Zygarde-10% and Salazzle can take advantage of dented teams thanks to Golisopod's Spikes and its heavy-hitting priority attacks. Other hazard setters, such as Nidoqueen, Registeel and Gligar, work well with Golisopod, since Choice Band First Impression only needs a bit of chip damage to KO most offensive threats, and Nidoqueen also resists Rock and is immune to Electric.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Defensive Golisopod is an option with Spikes and Toxic. An EV spread of 252 HP / 172 Def / 88 Spe with Leftovers and an Impish Nature is the best possible defensive set. However, due to its lack of reliable recovery paired with its weakness to Stealth Rock, Golisopod is heavily outshone by Chesnaught in this role.
Checks and Counters
==================
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Golisopod is unable to break bulky Pokemon such as Milotic and Chesnaught. Even with the Toxic set, Golisopod is forced out after switching in, giving the opposition momentum. Giving bulky Pokemon such as Chesnaught the chance to stack Spikes is very detrimental to your team.
**Electric-types**: Golisopod is weak to Electric-types such as Rotom-C, Rotom-H, and Galvantula. Although not too common, all of these Pokemon have the potential to carry Volt Switch. This not only forces Golisopod out in fear of being KOed but allows the opposition to pivot on your switch, passing along a lot of momentum. On top of this, Galvantula getting a free turn to get up Sticky Web allows the opposition's heavy hitters to sweep.
**Entry Hazards**: Hazards are a huge counter to Golisopod, forcing it to switch out due to its ability Emergency Exit and causing residual damage, which gets it closer to the ability activating. With the opposition knowing you will need to get in your hazard remover, it gives them the upper hand in predictions. With RU being gorged with an abundance of reliable hazard stackers, it is more than likely you will run into Spikes or Stealth Rock in most games.
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