[OVERVIEW]
Garbodor's decent bulk and ability to set both Spikes and Toxic Spikes allow it to function well in a support role on many builds. With Rocky Helmet, Aftermath, and a resistance to Fighting-type attacks, it can punish U-turn pivots and most physical attackers. In addition, it is one of the most favorable defensive Spikes users due to its good special bulk and ability to take on Virizion. However, it gives common Defoggers, such as Flygon and Golbat, multiple opportunities to remove entry hazards from the field.
[SET]
name: Defensive Hazard Stack
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Toxic Spikes / Toxic
move 3: Gunk Shot
move 4: Toxic / Pain Split
item: Rocky Helmet
ability: Aftermath
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 164 Def / 92 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spikes helps wear down teammates' checks and is a selling point of using Garbodor. Toxic Spikes is an added bonus that is heavily detrimental to teams without a Poison-type or adequate entry hazard control. Alternatively, Toxic can be used to cripple walls such as Alomomola and provides a more reliable way to status Flygon, which is otherwise given free switches by Garbodor. Gunk Shot is Garbodor's main STAB move, ensuring that it is not completely shut down by faster Taunt users and allowing it to counter Virizion while providing a 30% chance to poison. Pain Split is preferred in the last slot if Garbodor's already running Toxic, as it allows Garbodor to regain some health if it's low on HP. Finally, Haze can be used to make Garbodor an emergency check to setup sweepers such as Scrafty and Braviary.
Set Details
========
The Defense EVs give Garbodor just enough bulk to take a +2 Zen Headbutt from Virizion and two High Jump Kicks from Adamant Life Orb Hitmonlee, while the Special Defense investment allows it to take two Leaf Storms from Life Orb Venusaur. Rocky Helmet is the preferred item on this set, punishing Pokemon that use contact moves, notably U-turn pivots and the Fighting-types that Garbodor deals with by virtue of its typing. It can also allow Garbodor to function as a spinblocker in some scenarios, as a weakened spinner will be unable to remove hazards after taking Rocky Helmet recoil. Aftermath further discourages physical attackers, as any contact move that KOes Garbodor will cause the attacker to lose 25% of its HP. Black Sludge can be used in order for Garbodor to sustain itself more easily over the course of the match to check what it needs to or set additional layers of Spikes.
Usage Tips
========
If possible, switch Garbodor in on a predicted U-turn to inflict chip damage with Rocky Helmet. Bring it in on Pokemon that don't immediately threaten it, such as Venusaur and Virizion, to start stacking entry hazards. Additionally, as Garbodor gives many Defoggers, such as Golbat and Flygon, free switches by nature of its typing, double or triple switch around to avoid giving the opponent many opportunities to use Defog. It is generally best to set Toxic Spikes first if the opponent has no grounded Poison-types and most of the opposing team is vulnerable to it, and Spikes first if the aforementioned conditions do not apply. Finally, if Garbodor is low on health or has no further purpose in the game, it can be sacrificed on a predicted attack that makes contact to deal major chip damage with Rocky Helmet and Aftermath.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can force out or threaten Defoggers, such as Aurorus, Magneton, and Glalie, are greatly appreciated, whereas Pokemon that can pressure the Steel- and Ground-types that wall Garbodor, such as Sawk and Gallade, can help keep momentum. Similarly, Stealth Rock users that can break through common Defoggers, such as Ice Punch Rhyperior, work well with Garbodor due to their ability to pressure the opponent's hazard control and make hazard stacking easier. Most non-grounded Pokemon, such as Braviary, Uxie, and Togetic, are good partners for their ability to counter defensive Flygon and switch into Ground-type attacks. Additionally, Pokemon such as Sneasel, Spiritomb, and Escavalier are notable for their ability to Pursuit trap Hoopa, one of Garbodor's most threatening counters. Finally, setup sweepers, such as Scrafty, Virizion, Omastar, and Gallade, and attackers, such as Aerodactyl, appreciate the entry hazard support that Garbodor provides, which weakens their checks and counters.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Drain Punch can be used to hit Magneton but rarely has further use. Seed Bomb is another coverage option that hits Rhyperior and Seismitoad for decent damage, but the loss in utility is generally not worth it. A more offensive spread with Normal Gem as the item and Explosion is an option to act as a suicide entry hazard setter, which can set hazards and Explode on slower Defoggers and spinners, providing momentum and weakening opposing hazard control.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Ground-types**: Flygon takes little from any of Garbodor's attacks and can clear its entry hazards with Defog or deal massive damage with Earthquake. Rhyperior, Seismitoad, and Mega Camerupt can switch into anything barring Seed Bomb and set Stealth Rock or fire off an attack; however, the former two need to be wary of taking a Seed Bomb on the switch.
**Offensive Psychic-types**: Pokemon such as Hoopa, Delphox, Meloetta, and Sigilyph can take any of Garbodor's attacks and OHKO it with Psychic or Psyshock.
**Steel-types**: Most Steel-types, such as Magneton, are given free switches by Garbodor, and Garbodor will eventually be forced out, as most variants are walled by them.
**Poison-resistant Attackers**: Pokemon such as Drapion and Magneton can switch into any of Garbodor's moves and immediately threaten or set up on it.
**Golbat**: Golbat easily counters all Garbodor variants, being able to take any hit and clear its entry hazards with Defog or attack it with Brave Bird to whittle it down.
Garbodor's decent bulk and ability to set both Spikes and Toxic Spikes allow it to function well in a support role on many builds. With Rocky Helmet, Aftermath, and a resistance to Fighting-type attacks, it can punish U-turn pivots and most physical attackers. In addition, it is one of the most favorable defensive Spikes users due to its good special bulk and ability to take on Virizion. However, it gives common Defoggers, such as Flygon and Golbat, multiple opportunities to remove entry hazards from the field.
[SET]
name: Defensive Hazard Stack
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Toxic Spikes / Toxic
move 3: Gunk Shot
move 4: Toxic / Pain Split
item: Rocky Helmet
ability: Aftermath
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 164 Def / 92 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spikes helps wear down teammates' checks and is a selling point of using Garbodor. Toxic Spikes is an added bonus that is heavily detrimental to teams without a Poison-type or adequate entry hazard control. Alternatively, Toxic can be used to cripple walls such as Alomomola and provides a more reliable way to status Flygon, which is otherwise given free switches by Garbodor. Gunk Shot is Garbodor's main STAB move, ensuring that it is not completely shut down by faster Taunt users and allowing it to counter Virizion while providing a 30% chance to poison. Pain Split is preferred in the last slot if Garbodor's already running Toxic, as it allows Garbodor to regain some health if it's low on HP. Finally, Haze can be used to make Garbodor an emergency check to setup sweepers such as Scrafty and Braviary.
Set Details
========
The Defense EVs give Garbodor just enough bulk to take a +2 Zen Headbutt from Virizion and two High Jump Kicks from Adamant Life Orb Hitmonlee, while the Special Defense investment allows it to take two Leaf Storms from Life Orb Venusaur. Rocky Helmet is the preferred item on this set, punishing Pokemon that use contact moves, notably U-turn pivots and the Fighting-types that Garbodor deals with by virtue of its typing. It can also allow Garbodor to function as a spinblocker in some scenarios, as a weakened spinner will be unable to remove hazards after taking Rocky Helmet recoil. Aftermath further discourages physical attackers, as any contact move that KOes Garbodor will cause the attacker to lose 25% of its HP. Black Sludge can be used in order for Garbodor to sustain itself more easily over the course of the match to check what it needs to or set additional layers of Spikes.
Usage Tips
========
If possible, switch Garbodor in on a predicted U-turn to inflict chip damage with Rocky Helmet. Bring it in on Pokemon that don't immediately threaten it, such as Venusaur and Virizion, to start stacking entry hazards. Additionally, as Garbodor gives many Defoggers, such as Golbat and Flygon, free switches by nature of its typing, double or triple switch around to avoid giving the opponent many opportunities to use Defog. It is generally best to set Toxic Spikes first if the opponent has no grounded Poison-types and most of the opposing team is vulnerable to it, and Spikes first if the aforementioned conditions do not apply. Finally, if Garbodor is low on health or has no further purpose in the game, it can be sacrificed on a predicted attack that makes contact to deal major chip damage with Rocky Helmet and Aftermath.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can force out or threaten Defoggers, such as Aurorus, Magneton, and Glalie, are greatly appreciated, whereas Pokemon that can pressure the Steel- and Ground-types that wall Garbodor, such as Sawk and Gallade, can help keep momentum. Similarly, Stealth Rock users that can break through common Defoggers, such as Ice Punch Rhyperior, work well with Garbodor due to their ability to pressure the opponent's hazard control and make hazard stacking easier. Most non-grounded Pokemon, such as Braviary, Uxie, and Togetic, are good partners for their ability to counter defensive Flygon and switch into Ground-type attacks. Additionally, Pokemon such as Sneasel, Spiritomb, and Escavalier are notable for their ability to Pursuit trap Hoopa, one of Garbodor's most threatening counters. Finally, setup sweepers, such as Scrafty, Virizion, Omastar, and Gallade, and attackers, such as Aerodactyl, appreciate the entry hazard support that Garbodor provides, which weakens their checks and counters.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Drain Punch can be used to hit Magneton but rarely has further use. Seed Bomb is another coverage option that hits Rhyperior and Seismitoad for decent damage, but the loss in utility is generally not worth it. A more offensive spread with Normal Gem as the item and Explosion is an option to act as a suicide entry hazard setter, which can set hazards and Explode on slower Defoggers and spinners, providing momentum and weakening opposing hazard control.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Ground-types**: Flygon takes little from any of Garbodor's attacks and can clear its entry hazards with Defog or deal massive damage with Earthquake. Rhyperior, Seismitoad, and Mega Camerupt can switch into anything barring Seed Bomb and set Stealth Rock or fire off an attack; however, the former two need to be wary of taking a Seed Bomb on the switch.
**Offensive Psychic-types**: Pokemon such as Hoopa, Delphox, Meloetta, and Sigilyph can take any of Garbodor's attacks and OHKO it with Psychic or Psyshock.
**Steel-types**: Most Steel-types, such as Magneton, are given free switches by Garbodor, and Garbodor will eventually be forced out, as most variants are walled by them.
**Poison-resistant Attackers**: Pokemon such as Drapion and Magneton can switch into any of Garbodor's moves and immediately threaten or set up on it.
**Golbat**: Golbat easily counters all Garbodor variants, being able to take any hit and clear its entry hazards with Defog or attack it with Brave Bird to whittle it down.
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