Draft Gholdengo

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[overview]
**Draft order**: Round 2-3, usually by the end of round 2 and throughout round 3

**Price range**: 15-16 points

**Overview**: Gholdengo's ability, Good as Gold, and Ghost typing allow it to block most, if not all, entry hazard-removing options available, making it a centerpiece of drafts that focus heavily on hazard stacking. It's also one of the few good Steel-types available that is capable as a durable pivot, thanks its numerous resistances and access to reliable healing, and as a strong special attacker, having access to a great number of options that allows it to answer some of its checks. That said, it is important to not rely heavily on the defensive aspect of Gholdengo, as it can easily be overwhelmed by numerous powerful threats available. Additionally, focusing on being more defensive will hinder its offensive output, unless Nasty Plot is used to compensate. Overall, Gholdengo does a good job at keeping hazards up, providing good offensive pressure with its STAB moves and coverage, and being able to pivot into most attacks thanks to its defensive typing, only held back by its average bulk and subpar Speed tier.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Defensive pivot**: Thanks to its great defensive typing, it can be used as a pivot to switch into many common types of attacks, most notably Flying-, Rock-, Dragon-, Ice-, and Fairy-type attacks. Additionally, Gholdengo provides a key immunity to Fighting-type attacks.

**Fast Choice Scarf user**: Choice Scarf can help fix its Speed issue, acting as a surprise revenge option and potential cleaner with its coverage options. Gholdengo also has access to Trick, which can be used to cripple defensive switch-ins and setup sweepers.

**Wallbreaker**: With either Choice Specs or Nasty Plot, Gholdengo can start breaking teams with flimsy Ghost resistances, especially if it has access to Tera, boosting its Steel- or Ghost-type moves further or one of its coverage options to hit specific targets.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves**: Make it Rain, Shadow Ball, Hex, Flash Cannon

**Setup moves**: Nasty Plot

**Utility moves**: Trick, Thunder Wave, Recover

**Coverage**: Dazzling Gleam, Energy Ball, Focus Blast, Power Gem, Psychic, Psyshock, Thunderbolt

Niche Moves
========
**Reflect and Light Screen**: Since Gholdengo can block Brick Break and Defog, it can set up dual screens with ease.

**Memento**: Memento can give your next Pokemon good setup opportunities. It can also be run alongside dual screens to maximize the sweeping potential of the Pokemon coming in after Memento is used.

**Steel Beam**: Steel Beam can be useful if you're looking to get more damage with Gholdengo before it faints. It functions similarly to Memento behind dual screens, utilizing Steel Beam's heavy recoil to deal heavy damage and pivot to one of your sweepers.

**Endure**: Endure allows for fringe strategies such as Salac Berry and Custap Berry to be effective, though it can run the risk of not working due to mistiming if your foe does not attack that turn.

**Substitute**: Substitute can enable Salac Berry's Speed boost more safely and assist with setting up Nasty Plot.

**Protect**: Protect is a good scouting tool to snuff out attacks from the foe and can be used in conjunction with Leftovers to provide recovery. However, be wary of use due to a great risk of allowing foes to have free setup opportunities.


Common Items
========
**Colbur Berry**: Colbur Berry allows Gholdengo to better survive Dark-type attacks, primarily Knock Off, and retaliate with either its STAB moves, Dazzling Gleam, or Focus Blast against Dark-types, or Thunder Wave for Speed control.

**Air Balloon**: Gholdengo can safely switch in on Ground-type attacks, which gives it free opportunity to attack, set up with Nasty Plot, or cripple the opposing Pokemon with Thunder Wave.

**Choice Scarf**: Choice Scarf can help Gholdengo outpace faster threats that usually outspeed it and synergizes well with Trick to lock the opposing Pokemon into one move.

**Choice Specs**: Choice Specs makes Gholdengo a strong breaker, especially when combined with Terastallization. Choice Specs is another good Trick option alongside Choice Scarf. However, it can be held back due to its base 84 Speed, not allowing it many opportunities to outspeed most threats.

**Rocky Helmet**: Gholdengo can utilize its numerous resistances to punish physical attackers and momentum moves like U-turn and Flip Turn.

**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Heavy-Duty Boots can be a good item if you don't have reliable entry hazard removal and need Gholdengo to remain healthy. However, this does mean that Recover becomes more vital in maintaining its longevity, and you should stay aware of Pokemon that can use Knock Off.

**Leftovers**: Leftovers provides longevity for defensive sets that don't want to rely heavily on Recover but does come at the cost of Gholdengo being affected by hazards.

Niche Items
========
**Resistance Berry**: Using different resistance Berries besides Colbur Berry can catch its checks off guard, and Gholdengo can hit back with its coverage or paralyze foes with Thunder Wave.

**Eject Pack**: Eject Pack can synergize with Make it Rain to hit the opposing Pokemon with strong damage and switch out immediately to keep up an offensive tempo.

**Eject Button**: Similar to Eject Pack, Eject Button utilizes its defensive qualities to both tank a hit and pivot out immediately into a more favorable matchup.

**Custap Berry**: With Endure, Gholdengo survives any hit and uses Custap Berry to either deal more damage or secure a KO. You can also utilize entry hazard damage to your benefit by slowly getting into range of Custap Berry's activation.

**Salac Berry**: Salac Berry can be used with Endure to activate its Speed boost or on Substitute + Nasty Plot sets to enable potential sweeping.

**Weakness Policy**: Weakness Policy utilizes Gholdengo's bulk that allows it to survive super effective attacks and boost its Special Attack, allowing it to counter its checks and turn the tables against an opponent.

**Light Clay**: Light Clay is mandatory when running dual screens but can also be useful if you only rely on just one.

Tera
========
Tera Gholdengo is rather situational, especially given how important maintaining its Ghost typing is for spinblocking, but it can be useful in patching up some of its weaker matchups. In certain matchups where spinblocking isn't necessary, Gholdengo can utilize Terastallization to gain a better defensive typing. Usually, Tera Water or Fairy are good choices, given that those types cover one or two or Gholdengo's weaknesses. You also can use an offensive Tera type where damage output is important, such Tera Steel or Ghost for stronger STAB damage, Tera Electric for powerful Thunderbolt and to muscle through bulky Water- or Flying-types, Tera Grass, which is able to provide both a good Ground resistance and stronger Energy Ball against Ground-types, or Tera Fighting for both Dark resistance and coverage through Tera Blast—without relying on Focus Blast's inaccuracy. There are also fringe Tera types you can use in situational matchups, such as Tera Normal or Dark for opposing Ghost-types, Tera Dragon for gaining resistances to Fire, Water, and Electric, and Tera Flying for providing a Ground immunity.

Draft Strategy
========
If you are planning on drafting an entry hazard-heavy draft, then Gholdengo is a vital key piece to that plan, primarily in blocking hazard removal and having a good defensive profile that you can rely on.

**Round 1 options**: Since Gholdengo is not your first pick, you'll need to think about which Pokemon you take first that synergizes well with it, either through providing checks to its counters or good support. Pokemon that usually go in the first round that pair well with Gholdengo include Urshifu-S, Iron Valiant, Enamorus, Palafin, and Great Tusk.

**Entry hazards**: Prioritizing two or more hazard setters is key when drafting around Gholdengo. Pokemon like Great Tusk, both Landorus formes, and Krookodile provide support with access to Stealth Rock, whereas Hisuian Samurott, Meowscarada, and Qwilfish support Gholdengo's team by laying Spikes. Some Pokemon like Glimmora, Ting-Lu, and Garchomp can use both Stealth Rock and Spikes, allowing for more flexibility in roles. Toxic Spikes and Sticky Web are also appreciated but optional.

**Knock Off**: Since you are relying on entry hazards to wear down your foes gradually, having multiple Knock Off users is important because of its ability to remove Heavy-Duty Boots, which is often frequently used to counter teams that rely on hazards for damage. Dark-types that have access to Knock Off like Weavile, Hisuian Samurott, and Meowscarada are great partners, having STAB moves and covering one of Gholdengo's weaknesses. Pokemon like Great Tusk, Tornadus-T, and all the Ogerpon formes, which use Knock Off both as a coverage option and for utility are also good choices.

**Hazard removal**: Having hazard removal ensures you don't lose the hazard war against opposing hazard stack drafts while also being useful in general. Having a spinner, such as Great Tusk or Blastoise, ensures you keep hazards off your side of the field and leaves them on your opponent's side.

**Speed**: Due to Gholdengo's fairly slow base 84 Speed, it's important to get fast Pokemon to make up for that fact, as well as priority move users if possible. High base Speed threats that come to mind are Iron Bundle, Tornadus-T, and Iron Valiant, and Meowscarada, Cinderace, and Greninja have both high base Speed and priority with Sucker Punch and Water Shuriken, respectively. Talonflame and Kilowattrel also come to mind with their great Speed tier, but relying on them to be the main source of your speed control is not advised, since you want to have a good spread of Speed tiers to play around with.

**Fire resistance**: Fire-types pressure Gholdengo easily, so having a switch-in to these attacks is necessary. Water-types, such as Primarina, Rotom-W, and Blastoise, as well as Dragon- and Fire-types are usually a safe bet when it comes to good Fire-type checks.

**Knock Off switch-in**: Having a Knock Off switch-in is great for allowing flexibility with Gholdengo's item slot, as it will not need Colbur Berry most games. Fighting-types, such as both Urshifu formes, Great Tusk and Iron Hands, as well as Fairy-types like Enamorus, Iron Valiant, and Clefable, are pretty good in this role. They both absorb and counter Dark-type moves in general, so it's good to plan to draft one.

**Ground resistance or immunity**: In general, Ground-type checks are mandatory so that your foes aren't continually using their attacks without risk. Flying-types and Pokemon with Levitate are excellent partners to draft alongside Gholdengo for this reason. Grass-types are also good, but keep in mind that they add more Fire weaknesses alongside Gholdengo, so be wary of this.

Checks and Counters
========
**Fast Fire-types**: Fast Fire-types, such as Chi-Yu, Ogerpon-H, and Infernape, are strong attackers that can switch into its Steel-type STAB moves and pressure Gholdengo and are generally hard to switch into. Having fast Water-types like Greninja, bulky Dragon-types like Dragonite, setting entry hazards, using Thunder Wave to catch switch-ins on predicted Steel-type moves, or even using Tera on Gholdengo as a foe pivots into a resistance can help mitigate the threats these Fire-types pose.

**Cinderace**: Cinderace, in particular, is one of few Pokemon that is able to bypass Gholdengo's anti-removal gimmick with Court Change, and it can pressure Gholdengo with Pyro Ball. When facing Cinderace, stacking hazards against it is tricky due to Court Change, so being fairly patient will be key in the matchup, and having a spinner in the back is a good idea in case it does use the move.

**Ground-types**: Ground-types like Ting-Lu, Great Tusk, and Garchomp are pretty bulky and dish out strong Ground-type STAB moves. Gholdengo can run Air Balloon to play around Ground-type moves or utilize Terastallization to change its typing into either Grass or Flying, though having immunities or resistances to Ground-type attacks is important in case Air Balloon is popped.

**Dark-types**: Dark-types are able to swap into Shadow Ball and force awkward positions, threatening Gholdengo with either Knock Off or other strong Dark-type STAB moves like Dark Pulse from Greninja or Kowtow Cleave or Sucker Punch from Kingambit. Colbur Berry usually helps Gholdengo against Dark-types, and it has access to coverage such as Dazzling Gleam and Focus Blast, which can be boosted with Tera. While it sometimes does a decent job at handling Dark-types with Colbur Berry and Tera, getting a reliable Fighting- or Fairy-type is important when handling top tier Dark-types.

**Ghost-types**: Depending on the price list, Ghost-types like Dragapult and Spectrier can either be really oppressive to go up against, or others like Gengar, Mismagius, or opposing Gholdengo can be more manageable. Regardless, having an answer to these Ghost-types with either a Dark- or Normal-type is mandatory to avoid getting easily overwhelmed by opposing Ghost-type spam, especially when your opponent's Pokemon can Tera Ghost if your team is lacking reliable Ghost-type checks.

**Specially defensive walls**: Pokemon that are specially defensive can give Gholdengo trouble, especially when they're able to hit back hard or set up. Examples include Dragonite, Ting-Lu, Snorlax, and even Pokemon with an Assault Vest. Having physically offensive teammates will help to ensure you have multiple ways to deal with these tanks.

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Last edited:

Nyx

Anyways - so then I cursed her.
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Draft Leader
Gholdengo
Draft order: Round 2-3, usually by the end of round 2 and throughout round 3

Price range: 15-16 points

Overview:
Gholdengo is one of the few good Steel types available that is able to be both durable pivot and strong attacker. Its ability, Good as Gold, and Ghost typing also allow it to block most if not all hazard removing options available. The only catch is that while it hosts a great typing, it can be prone to be easily pressured in its defensive role, especially in a meta where there are alot of strong attackers to account for. That said, Gholdengo does its job at keeping hazards up and providing good offensive pressure. possibly mention that its held back offensively in part due to its awkward speed tier. also mention that its a cornerstone of good hazard stack drafts

Common Roles
========
* Defensive Pivot: Used as a pivot to switch into attacks or to prevent hazard removal. mention that its able to do this bc of its great defensive typing, with a valuable immunity to fighting and resistance to fairy
* Fast Scarf: Can be used as a surprised revenge option and potential cleaner with stabs. Also has access to Trick to also cripple threats.
* Breaker: With either Specs or Nasty Plot, Gholdengo can start breaking teams with flimsy Ghost resist. Especially if it has access to Tera. explain why tera matters, just gotta be blunt and upfront

Common moves
========
* Primary STAB moves: Make it Rain, Shadow Ball, Hex add flash cannon
* Setup moves: Nasty Plot
* Utility moves: Trick, Thunder Wave, Recover, Reflect, Light Screen, Memento could mention endure, can also put it under niche move options, logic being custap/salac
* Coverage: Dazzling Gleam, Energy Ball, Focus Blast, Power Gem, Psychic/Psyshock, Thunderbolt

Niche moves
========
* Reflect/Light Screen: Since Gholdengo can block Brick Break, it can set up screens with ease.
* Memento: Can also be run among side Screens. It can set up your threats in the back to sweep.
* Steel Beam: Similar application to Memento + Screens. More useful if you’re looking to get more damage out of Gholdengo before it dies.
same thing abt encore, can put the explanation here and just list it above

Common items
========
* Colbur Berry: Allows Gholdengo to sponge Dark type attacks, primary Knock Off. mention that it can then pick them off with coverage or twave them
* Air Balloon: Can switch in safely on Ground attacks and what? needs an explanation of why this is valuable, the average reader of these isnt gonna be well versed in draft
* Choice Scarf: Can help outrun faster threats. Works well with Trick mention the benfit of trick, what it achieves
* Choice Specs: Makes Gholdengo a strong breaker. Also good Trick option mention the drawback of a low speed tier limiting its effectiveness

Niche items
========
* Resist berries: Can catch off guard its potential checks and revenge with its coverage
* Heavy-Duty Boots: Good if you don’t have reliable removal and need Gholdengo to be healthy vs hazard spam
* Eject Pack: Synergizes with Make it Rain to both hit whatever is in front of you and switch out immediately to keep up game tempo
* Rocky Helmet: Utilize resistances to punish physical attackers and momentum spam (U-Turn and Flip Turn) can possibly move this to common items? its p common defensive ghold at least - not too fussed either way
* Leftovers: Provides longevity for defensive sets mention the tradeoff between it and boots

Tera
========
Tera Gholdengo is rather situational but can be useful. Mainly in giving a better defensive typing in certain match-ups where spin blocking isn’t necessary. Usually, Tera Water or Fairy are good types to terastilze given that those types cover one or two or Gholdengo’s weaknesses but you can also experiment with more offensive teras when using offensive sets. name some examples of offensive teras, could even give a specific example of where a specific defensive type is a good bring


Draft Strategy
========
If you are planning on drafting a hazard heavy draft, then Gholdengo is key in that plan. Primarily in blocking hazard removal and having a good defensive profile.

* Hazards: Prioritizing two or more hazard setters is key when drafting around Gholdengo. Pokemon such as Ting-Lu, Glimmora, and Hisuian Samurott provide good hazard support with their access to hazards. Toxic Spikes and Sticky Webs are also appreciated but are optional. could expand this to at least 2 pokemon with rocks and spikes each, just makes it clearer how important they are
* Removal: Having hazard removal ensures you don’t lose the hazard war vs opposing hazard stack drafts and is usually pretty helpful to get one. Primarily, having a Rapid Spinner such as Great Tusk and Blastoise ensures you keep hazards off your field and keep any on your opponent’s side.
* Fire resist: Fire types pressure Gholdengo easily so having a switch-in to these attacks is necessary. Water types, such as Hisuian Samurott, Rotom-Wash, and Quaquaval, are usually a safe bet when it comes to good Fire checks, as well as Dragon/Fire types.
* Knock Off switch-in: Having a Knock Off switch-in is great in allowing flexibility with Gholdengo’s item as it does not need to run Colbur most games. Fighting/Fairy types are pretty good in this role as they both chew and counter Dark types in general so it’s good to aim for one. just a name few examples
* Ground resist/immunity: In general, Ground checks are mandatory just so that they aren’t spamming their attacks without risk. Flying types and Levitaters usually come to mind for Ground immunities as having an immunity is always important to have. Grass types are also good in both resisting and countering effectively against Ground types but keep in mind that it does add more Fire weakness alongside Gholdengo so be wary of it.
add a point on speed, ghold drafts can end up being quite slow if there isnt a priority put on getting some kinda usable speed, even if that means getting one of the cheaper electric or talonflame. id also mention which r1/2 picks it synergises best with

Checks and Counters
========
* Fire/Ground types: Both are strong types that easily pressure Gholdengo out and few switch-ins. Having a water type usually helps with keeping them in check.
* Knock Off/Dark types: Dark types, though primarily Knock Off often spammed in drafts due to its flexibility in removing items and has a great effectiveness vs Gholdengo given its Ghost typing and usually forces Colbur Berry. That said, Gholdengo does have coverage against Dark types with Dazzling Gleam and Focus Blast and worst case, having a Fighting and/or Fairy usually alleviate that issue.
* Cinderace: Cinderace is one of few Pokemon that is able to bypass its anti-removal with Court Change and can pressure Gholdengo with its Fire STAB, Pyro Ball. Given that is pretty fast at 119, having a scarfer or something above its speed is necessary to revenge. Bulky Water can also work but be wary of Libero and it being able to U-Turn easily, so having a Helmet may also be necessary.
* Chi-Yu: It is able to switch in on both of Gholdengo’s stabs and threaten KO’s in general. It's pretty difficult to revenge unless you have fast options such as Ogerpon-Wellspring, Greninja, fast scarfers pass base 100 speed or effective priority.
* Ting-Lu: Ting-Lu is able to switch-in on Gholdengo’s attacks safely and capitalize on it with free hazards and damage. That said, strong fighting types, like the Urshifus can break it and Pokemon such as Great Tusk and Quaquaval can additional remove hazards.
id remove specific pokemon, this section is more about roles and archetypes as a whole. can get behind leaving cinderace since court change is a unique interaction with good as gold but id probably combine chiyu in as an example under fire/ground types and tinglu under the dark types
* Assault Vest: Given Gholdengo is a special attacker, Assault Vest helps mitigate its damage output. Works well on most Pokemon with reasonable special bulk and coverage against it. id possibly add a section on bulky spdef walls as a whole, anything that can either phaze it or take hits and damage it back, dnite comes to mind but theres prolly a couple others too

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Written by:
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QC 1/2 - Just feels a bit short at points, not sure how I'd fix it as the point does get across
 
First amcheck attempt. Tried to keep it simple but if it's too much let me know how to better channel my energy here :tyke:

Gholdengo
Draft order: Round 2-3, usually by the end of round 2 and throughout round 3

Price range: 15-16 points

Overview:
Gholdengo’s ability, Good as Gold, and Ghost typing allow it to block most if not all hazard removing options available, making it a vital centerpiece inof drafts that focus heavily on hazard stacking. It's also one of the few good Steel types available that is capable to be bothas a durable pivot and strong attacker, alohaving with access to a great covnumberage of options that allows it to answer to some of its checks. That said, it is important to not rely too heavily on the defensive aspect of Gholdengo as it can easily be overwhelmed by the huge number of (or just 'numerous') powerful threats available in Generation 9. As wedditionally, focusing on being more defensive will hinder its offensive output unless you’re using Nasty Plot is used to mitigate thcompensat issue. That saidOverall, Gholdengo does a good job at keeping hazards up, providing good offensive pressure with its STABs and coverage, and beingis able to pivot into most attacks thanks to its defensive typing.


Gholdengo

Common Roles
========
* Defensive Pivot: Thanks to its great defensive typeing of Steel / Ghost/Steel, it can be used as a pivot to switch into its mostmany common types of attack,s; most noteworthy of which include Flying, Rock, Dragon, Ice, Fairy attacks and a key immunity to Fighting-type attacks.
* Fast Scarf: Can be used as a surprised revenge option and potential cleaner with its coverage options. AGholdengo also has access to Trick to also cripple defensive threats.
* Breaker: With either Choice Specs or Nasty Plot, Gholdengo can start breaking teams with flimsy Ghost resist. Es, especially if it has access to Tera, which can boosting either its Ghost/Steel / Ghost moves further, or giveing a boost to one of its coverage options to hit specific targets.

Common moves
========
* Primary STAB moves: Make it Rain, Shadow Ball, Hex, Flash Cannon
* Setup moves: Nasty Plot
* Utility moves: Trick, Thunder Wave, Recover
* Coverage: Dazzling Gleam, Energy Ball, Focus Blast, Power Gem, Psychic/Psyshock, Thunderbolt/Thunder

Niche moves
========
* Reflect / Light Screen: Since Gholdengo can block Brick Break, it can set up dual screens with ease.
* Memento: Can also be run amlongside Sdual screens. It can set up your threats in the back to sweep.
* Steel Beam: Similar application to Memento + Sdual screens. MIt is more useful if you’re looking to get more damage out of Gholdengo before it dies.
* Endure: Allows for fringe strategies such as Salac Berry or Custap Berry.
* Substitute: Can enable Salac Berry's speed boost more safely, alsond provides safe set up for Nasty Plot.
* Protect: Used in conjunction with Leftovers to provide recovery and scout coverage options from your opponent. However, also comes atbe wary of use due to the great risk of allowing the opponent free set up opportunities to be wary of usage.


Common items
========
* Colbur Berry: Allows Gholdengo to sponge Dark-type attacks, primarily Knock Off, and hit backretaliate with either its STABs, Dazzling Gleam/ or Focus Blast against Dark-types, or Thunder- Wave for speed control.
* Air Balloon: CGholdengo can safely switch in safely on Ground-type attacks, which can allow Gholdengogiving it a free turn to either get freeattack, set up opportunity with Nasty Plot, attack thor cripple an opposing sidePokemon with its coverage, or Thunder Wave for free against non Ground/Electric types.
* Choice Scarf: Can help outrun faster threats that usually outspeed it. Makes with good sGholdengo. Synergyizes well with Trick as it can surprise threats not wary of it and lock them into one move.
* Choice Specs: Makes Gholdengo a strong breaker, especially when compoundbined with Terastallization. AChoice Specs is another good Trick option alongside Choice Scarf. However, it can be held back due to its base 84 speed not allowing it muchany opportunities to outspeed most threats.
* Rocky Helmet: UGholdengo can utilize its numerous resistances to punish physical attackers and momentum spam (U-Turn and Flip Turn).

Niche items
========
* Resist berries: Can catch off guard its potential checks off-guard and revenge with its coverage.
* Heavy-Duty Boots: Good if you don’t have reliable removal and need Gholdengo to be healthy vs hazardspam, doehowever, this means that Recover becomes more vital in maintaining its longevity.
* Eject Pack: Synergizes with Make it Rain to both hit whatever is in front of you and switch out immediately to keep up offensive tempo.
* Eject Button: Similar to Eject Pack exp, Ejecting you're Button utilizing its defensive qualities to both tank a hit and pivot out immediately into a more favorable match up.
* Leftovers: Provides longevity for defensive sets that don’t want to rely heavily on Recover, but does comes at the cost atof being at risk offfected by hazard chips.
* Custap Berry: With Endure, andGholdengo survives any hit and uses Custap Berry to get off either more damage or a killsecure a KO.
* Salac Berry: Can also be used with Endure but also functions well with Substitute + Nasty Plot for potential sweeping.
* Blunder Policy: If using Focus Blast or Thunder as coverage, this can turn a miss inthat would have cost you into a potential gamer saving grace and, greatly boost iting Gholdengo's speed greatly.
* Light Clay: Mandatory when running Sdual screens to extend turns, can also be useful if you only rely on just one and want more turns from Light Screen or Reflect.

Tera
========
Tera Gholdengo is rather situational, especially given how important bemaintaining aits Ghost typeing is for spinblocking spin, but it can be useful in patching up some of its weaker match-ups. Mainly in giving a better defensive typing iIn certain match-ups where spinblocking isn't necessary, Gholdengo can utilize Terastallization to use a better defensive typing. Usually, Tera Water or Fairy are good types to Terastilallize, given that those types cover one or two or Gholdengo’s weaknesses. You also can use more offensive Teras where damage output is important, such Steel/ or Ghost for stronger STABs, Electric for powerful Thunderbolts and to muscle through bulky Water types, Grass which canis able to provide both a good Ground resistance and more stronger Energy Balls against Ground types, and Fighting for both Dark resistance and coverage withrough Tera Blast without relying on Focus Blast’s inaccuracy. There are also fringe Tera types you can use in very situational match-ups, such as Normal/Dark for powerful opposing Ghost types, Dragon for maintaining Fire resistance along a Water and Electric resist, and Flying for providing a better Ground immunity.

Draft Strategy
========
If you are planning on drafting a hazard heavy draft, then Gholdengo is key into that plan. Primarily in blocking hazard removal and having a good defensive profile.

* Round 1: Since Gholdengo is not your draft starter, you’ll need to think about which Pokemon you take first that synergizes well with it, either with providing checks to its counters or good support. Strong first rounders include Urshifu-Single Strike, Iron Valiant, Enamorus, and Great Tusk.
* Hazards: Prioritizing two or more hazard setters is key when drafting around Gholdengo. Pokemon such as Great Tusk, both Landorus forms,es and Krookodile, provide support with access to Stealth Rocks; whereas Hisuian Samurott, Meowscarada and Qwilfish provide good hazard support with their access to SGholdengo's tealth Rocks andm by laying Spikes respectively. There are even sSome Pokemon like Glimmora, Ting-Lu, and Garchomp that can compress both Stealth Rocks and Spikes, allowing for more flexibility in roles. Toxic Spikes and Sticky Webs are also appreciated but are optional.
* Removal: Having hazard removal ensures you don’t lose the hazard war versus opposing hazard stack drafts and is usually pretty helpful to get onereliable removal. Primarily, having a Rapid Spinner such as Great Tusk andor Blastoise ensures you keep hazards off your field and keep any on your opponent’s side.
* Speed: Due to Gholdengo’s fairly slow base speed of 84, it’s important to get fast Pokemon to make up for that fact, as well as priority if possible. Fast threats that come to mind are Iron Bundle, Tornadus-Therian, and Iron Valiant for good naturalhigh base speed and Meowscarada, Cinderace, and Greninja for having both speed and priority with Sucker Punch and Water Shuriken, respectively. Talonflame and Kilowattrel also come to mind with their great speed tier but relying on them to be the main source of your speed is not advised since you want to have a good spread of speed tiers to play around with.
* Fire resist: Fire-types pressure Gholdengo easily so having a switch-in to these attacks is necessary. Water-types, such as Hisuian Samurott, Rotom-Wash, and Quaquaval, are usually a safe bet when it comes to good Fire checks, as well as Dragon/- or Fire-types.
* Knock Off switch-in: Having a Knock Off switch-in is great in allowing flexibility with Gholdengo’s item slot as it doeswill not need to run Colbur most games. Fighting types, such as bothe Urshifu formes, Great Tusk and Iron Hands, as well as Fairy-types, like Enamorus, Iron Valiant and Clefable, are pretty good in this role as they both chew and counter Dark-type moves in general so it’s good to aim for one for your draft.
* Ground resist/immunity: In general, Ground checks are mandatory just so that theyyour opponents aren’t spamming their attacks without risk. Flying-types and Levitateors usually come to mind fowith their Ground immunities as having an immunity isy are excellent partners to draft always important to haveongside Gholdengo for this reason. Grass-types are also good in both resisting and countering effectively against Ground-type attacks but keep in mind that it does add more Fire weaknesses alongside Gholdengo so be wary of ithis.

Checks and Counters
========
* Fast Fire-types: Fast Fire-types such as Chi-Yu, Ogerpon-Hearthflame, and Infernape are strong attackers that can switch into one of its STABs Steel, easily force out Gholdengo, and can be hard to switch into in general. Having fast Water-types like Greninja, setting hazards up, or even using Tera on Gholdengo into a resist can help with mitigating the threat these Fire-types pose.
* Cinderace: Cinderace, in particular, is one of few Pokemon that is able to bypass itGholdengo's anti-removal gimmick with Court Change and can pressure Gholdengo with its Fire STAB, Pyro Ball. Against itWhen facing Cinderace, stacking hazards versus it is tricky due to Court Change, so being fairly patient will be key, as wellnd having a spinner in the back is a good idea.
* Ground-types: Ground-types such as Tin generalg-Lu, Great Tusk, and Garchomp are pretty bulky and dish out strong Ground coverage, with examples including Ting-Lu, Great Tusk, and GarchompSTAB moves. This usually forces Gholdengo to run Air Balloon to play around Ground cmoverages, which is why having immunities/resistances to Ground-type attacks is important.
* Dark-types: Dark types, and Normal -types to an extent, are able to tank Shadow Balls from Gholdengo and force awkward positions, mainly with the threat ofening Knock Off that most Dark-types have access to or wiother strong Dark STABs like Dark Pulse onfrom Greninja or Kowtow Cleave / Sucker Punch onfrom Kingambit. This usually forces Colbur Berry on itGholdengo and runs coverage such as Dazzling Gleam and Focus Blast and while it does an ok job at times, getting a Fighting / Fairy is important when handling Dark-types.
* Ghost-types: Depending on which formathe tier list, Ghost-types can either be really oppressive to go up against, such as Dragapult and Spectrier, or somorewhat manageable like Gengar, Mismagius or opposing Gholdengo in tours. Though rRegardless, having an answer to these Ghost types with either a Dark- or Normal-type is mandatory as to not get easily overwhelmed by Ghost spam.
* Specially Defensive Tanks: Pokemon who are really durable on the Specially Defensive side can give Gholdengo trouble, especially when they’re able to hit back hard tor set up such as Dragonite, Ting-Lu, Snorlax, or even Pokemon with an Assault Vest. Having more waypartners to attack onfrom the physical spectrum will help to ensure you have multiple ways on how to attackdeal with these threats.
* Knock Off: Knock Off in general is often spammed in draftsteam building due to its flexiability into removinge items and has a great its Gholdengo super-effectiveness vs Gholdengoly given its Ghost-typing. Having a Knock Off switch in does help in that regard, even if the Pokemon itself will have to contend with not having an item through the game.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sablolol.466715/

Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/nyx.564960/

Love the writeup Sablo, some of my opinions feel free to use whatever
  • Gholdengo's access to reliable recovery could be mentioned in the Overview.
  • I don't agree Quaquaval is a good fire check as it despises the risk of burn from fire-type attacks, and Hisuian Samurott is similar to a lesser degree (Although they can still retain their utility of spinning or spike-laying, the burn still sucks).
  • Fire-types in checks / counters section should be wary of switching into Thunder Wave as they all despise paralysis.
  • IMO in checks / counters section instead of saying "this forces gholdengo to run X set or item" you should say "Gholdengo can overcome these checks by using X set or item", as you aren't really forced to run these sets or items in every matchup
  • Knock Off section in checks / counters section is redundant with its similar section in draft strategy. I would personally maintain the first section.
  • Tera ghost is a common tera type, it could also be mentioned under the ghost section in checks / counters.
 
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Overview:
Gholdengo’s ability, Good as Gold, and Ghost typing allow it to block most if not all hazard removing options available, making it a centerpiece of drafts that focus heavily on hazard stacking. It's also one of the few good Steel types available that is capable as a durable pivot, thanks its numerous resistances and access to reliable healing, and as a strong special attacker, having access to a great number of options that allows it to answer to some of its checks. That said, it is important to not rely too heavily on the defensive aspect of Gholdengo as it can easily be overwhelmed by the numerous powerful threats available in Generation 9. Additionally, focusing on being more defensive will hinder its offensive output unless Nasty Plot is used to compensate. Overall, Gholdengo does a good job at keeping hazards up, providing good offensive pressure with its STABs and coverage, and is able to pivot into most attacks thanks to its defensive typing, only held back by its decent bulk and average speed tier.


Gholdengo

Common Roles
========
* Defensive Pivot: Thanks to its great defensive typing of Steel and Ghost, it can be used as a pivot to switch into its many common types of attacks; most noteworthy include Flying, Rock, Dragon, Ice, Fairy attacks and a key immunity to Fighting-type attacks.
* Fast Scarfer: Choice Scarf can help fix its speed issue and be used as a surprise revenge option and potential cleaner with its coverage options. Gholdengo also has access to Trick to cripple defensive threats.
* Breaker: With either Choice Specs or Nasty Plot, Gholdengo can start breaking teams with flimsy Ghost resists, especially if it has access to Tera, boosting either its Steel/Ghost moves further, or giving a boost to one of its coverage options to hit specific targets.

Common moves
========
* Primary STAB moves: Make it Rain, Shadow Ball, Hex, Flash Cannon
* Setup moves: Nasty Plot
* Utility moves: Trick, Thunder Wave, Recover
* Coverage: Dazzling Gleam, Energy Ball, Focus Blast, Power Gem, Psychic/Psyshock, Thunderbolt

Niche moves
========
* Reflect/Light Screen: Since Gholdengo can block Brick Break and Defog, it can set up dual screens with ease.
* Memento: Memento can set up your Pokemon in the back for good set-up opportunities. It can also be run alongside dual screens to maximize your Pokemon's sweeping potential.
* Steel Beam: Steel Beam can be useful if you’re looking to get more damage with Gholdengo before it faints. It has similar application to Memento in dual screens with setting your sweepers with a free switch-in and dealing damage.
* Endure: Endure allows for fringe strategies such as Salac Berry and Custap Berry to be effective, though it can run at risk at not working due to mistiming.
* Substitute: Substitute can enable Salac Berry’s speed boost more safely and provide safe set up for Nasty Plot.
* Protect: Protect is a good scouting tool to snuff out attacks from the opponent and can used in conjunction with Leftovers to provide recovery. However, be wary of use due to great risk of allowing opponent free set up opportunities.


Common items
========
* Colbur Berry: It allows Gholdengo to sponge Dark type attacks, primarily Knock Off, and retaliate with either its STABs, Dazzling Gleam or Focus Blast, or Thunder Wave for speed control.
* Air Balloon: Gholdengo can safely switch in on Ground-type attacks, giving it a free turn to attack, get free set up with Nasty Plot, attack the opposing side with its coverage, or cripple an opposing Pokemon with Thunder Wave.
* Choice Scarf: Can help outrun faster threats that usually outspeed Gholdengo. Synergizes well with Trick as it can surprise threats not wary of it and lock them into one move.
* Choice Specs: Makes Gholdengo a strong breaker, especially when combined with Terastallization. Choice Specs is another good Trick option alongside Choice Scarf. However, it can be held back due to its base 84 speed not allowing it many opportunities to outspeed most threats.
* Rocky Helmet: Gholdengo can utilize its numerous resistances to punish physical attackers and momentum moves like U-Turn and Flip Turn.

Niche items
========
* Resist berries: Using different resist berries aside from Colbur Berry can catch its checks off-guard and revenge with its coverage or cripple them with Thunder Wave.
* Heavy-Duty Boots: Heavy-Duty Boots can be a good item if you don’t have reliable removal and need Gholdengo to be healthy against hazards. However, this does means that Recover becomes more vital in maintaining its longevity and being aware of Pokemon that can use Knock Off.
* Eject Pack: Eject Pack can synergize with Make it Rain to hit the opposing Pokemon with strong damage and switch out immediately to keep up offensive tempo.
* Eject Button: Similar to Eject Pack, Eject Button utilizes its defensive qualities to both tank a hit and pivot out immediately into a more favorable matchup.
* Leftovers: Leftovers provide longevity for defensive sets that don’t want to rely heavily on Recover, but does come at the cost of being affected by hazards. (i think lefties and boots should be moved to its common items)
* Custap Berry: With Endure, Gholdengo survives any hit and uses Custap Berry to get off either more damage or to secure a KO. You can also utilize hazard damage to your benefit by slowly getting into range of Custap Berry's activation.
* Salac Berry: Salac Berry can be used with Endure to active its speed boost or on Substitute and Nasty Plot sets for potential sweeping.
* Weakness Policy: Weakness Policy utilities Gholdengo's bulk that allows it to survive super effective attacks that would KO it and increase its special attack by +2, allowing it counter its checks and turning the tables against the opponent.
* Blunder Policy: If using Focus Blast or Thunder as coverage, this can turn a miss into your saving grace, greatly boosting Gholdengo's speed. (i would probably just remove this, i havent seen a gholdengo run this ever)
* Light Clay: Light Clay is mandatory when running dual screens to extend turns, but can also be useful if you only rely on just one and want more turns from Light Screen or Reflect.

Tera
========
Tera Gholdengo is rather situational, especially given how important maintaining its Ghost typing is for spinblocking, but it can be useful in patching up some of its weaker match-ups. In certain match-ups where spinblocking isn't necessary, Gholdengo can utilize Terastallization to use a better defensive typing. Usually, Tera Water or Fairy are good types to Terastallize, given that those types cover one or two or Gholdengo’s weaknesses. You also can use offensive Teras where damage output is important, such Tera Steel or Ghost for stronger STABs, Tera Electric for powerful Thunderbolts and to muscle through bulky Water or Flying-types, Tera Grass which is able to provide both a good Ground resistance and stronger Energy Balls against Ground-types, and Tera Fighting for both Dark resistance and coverage through Tera Blast without relying on Focus Blast’s inaccuracy. There are also fringe Tera types you can use in situational match-ups, such as Tera Normal or Dark for opposing Ghost types, Tera Dragon for having Fire resistance along with Water and Electric, and Tera Flying for providing a Ground immunity.

Draft Strategy
========
If you are planning on drafting a hazard heavy draft, then Gholdengo is a vital key piece to that plan. Primarily in blocking hazard removal and having a good defensive profile that you can rely upon.

* Round 1 options: Since Gholdengo is not your draft starter, you’ll need to think about which Pokemon you take first that synergizes well with it, either with providing checks to its counters or good support. Pokemon that usually go in the first round that pair well with Gholdengo include Urshifu-Single Strike, Iron Valiant, Enamorus, Palafin and Great Tusk.
* Hazards: Prioritizing two or more hazard setters is key when drafting around Gholdengo. Pokemon such as Great Tusk, both Landorus formes and Krookodile provide support with access to Stealth Rocks; whereas Hisuian Samurott, Meowscarada and Qwilfish support Gholdengo's team by laying Spikes. Some Pokemon like Glimmora, Ting-Lu, and Garchomp can compress both Stealth Rocks and Spikes, allowing for more flexibility in roles. Toxic Spikes and Sticky Webs are also appreciated but are optional. (i would like a mention of knock here because its a boots gen and on hazard stack teams anyways having knock is very mandatory)
* Removal: Having hazard removal ensures you don’t lose the hazard war versus opposing hazard stack drafts and is usually pretty helpful to reliable removal. Primarily, having a Rapid Spinner such as Great Tusk or Blastoise ensures you keep hazards off your field and keep any on your opponent’s side.
* Speed: Due to Gholdengo’s fairly slow base speed of 84, it’s important to get fast Pokemon to make up for that fact, as well as priority if possible. Fast threats that come to mind are Iron Bundle, Tornadus-Therian, and Iron Valiant for high base speed and Meowscarada, Cinderace, and Greninja for having both speed and priority with Sucker Punch and Water Shuriken, respectively. Talonflame and Kilowattrel also come to mind with their great speed tier but relying on them to be the main source of your speed is not advised since you want to have a good spread of speed tiers to play around with.
* Fire resist: Fire-types pressure Gholdengo easily so having a switch-in to these attacks is necessary. Water-types such as Primarina, Rotom-Wash, and Blastoise are usually a safe bet when it comes to good Fire checks, as well as Dragon or Fire-types.
* Knock Off switch-in: Having a Knock Off switch-in is great in allowing flexibility with Gholdengo’s item slot as it will not need to run Colbur Berry most games. Fighting-types, such as both Urshifu formes, Great Tusk and Iron Hands, as well as Fairy-types, like Enamorus, Iron Valiant and Clefable, are pretty good in this role as they both chew and counter Dark-type moves in general so it’s good to aim for one for your draft.
* Ground resist/immunity: In general, Ground checks are mandatory so that your opponents aren’t spamming their attacks without risk. Flying-types and Levitators with their Ground immunity are excellent partners to draft alongside Gholdengo for this reason. Grass-types are also good in resisting Ground-type attacks but keep in mind that it does add more Fire weaknesses alongside Gholdengo so be wary of this.

Checks and Counters
========
* Fast Fire-types: Fast Fire-types such as Chi-Yu, Ogerpon-Hearthflame, and Infernape are strong attackers that can switch into its Steel STABs and pressure Gholdengo, and are generally hard to switch into into. Having fast Water-types like Greninja, bulky Dragon-types like Dragonite, setting hazards up, using Thunder Wave to catch switch-ins on Steel moves, or even using Tera on Gholdengo into a resist can help with mitigating these Fire-types pose.
* Cinderace: Cinderace in particular is one of few Pokemon that is able to bypass Gholdengo's anti-removal gimmick with Court Change and can pressure Gholdengo with its Fire STAB, Pyro Ball. When facing Cinderace, stacking hazards versus it is tricky due to Court Change, so being fairly patient will be key in the matchup, and having a spinner in the back is a good idea in case it does swap fields.
* Ground-types: Ground-types such as Ting-Lu, Great Tusk, and Garchomp are pretty bulky and dish out strong Ground STAB moves. Gholdengo can run Air Balloon to play around Ground moves or utilize Terastallization to change its typing into either Grass or Flying, though having immunities/resistances to Ground-type attacks is important, in case Air Balloon is popped.
* Dark-types: Dark-types are able to swap into Shadow Ball from Gholdengo and force awkward positions, threatening it with either Knock Off or other strong Dark STABs options like Dark Pulse from Greninja or Kowtow Cleave / Sucker Punch from Kingambit. Colbur Berry usually helps Gholdengo versus Dark-types and it has access to coverage such as Dazzling Gleam and Focus Blast, which can be boosted with Tera. While it does an ok job at times at handling Dark-types with Colbur Berry and Tera, getting a real Fighting and/or Fairy-type is important when handling top tier Dark-types.
* Ghost-types: Depending on the tier list, Ghost-types can either be really oppressive to go up against, such as Dragapult and Spectrier, or more manageable like Gengar, Mismagius or opposing Gholdengo in draft tours. Regardless, having an answer to these Ghost types with either a Dark or Normal-type is mandatory as to not get easily overwhelmed by opposing Ghost spam, especially when your oppoent's Pokemon can Terastallize into Tera Ghost if your team is lacking reliable Ghost-type checks.
* Specially Defensive Tanks: Pokemon who are durable on the Specially Defensive side can give Gholdengo trouble, especially when they’re able to hit back hard or set up such as Dragonite, Ting-Lu, Snorlax, or even Pokemon with an Assault Vest. Having partners to attack from the physical spectrum will help to ensure you have multiple ways on how to deal with these threats.
 

ken

gm
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add remove comment

gonna update this to match the new template as well, so expect some format changes that i did not color/note (specifically because of all the asterisks), and make sure to follow the guide in the video in this post to implement the check :)

replaced a bunch of curly apostrophes with the not curly kind i did not mention as well

tag me when you implement and i'll give it another quick glance before approving :toast:
[overview]
**Draft order**: Round 2-3, usually by the end of round 2 and throughout round 3

**Price range**: 15-16 points

**Overview**: Gholdengo's ability, Good as Gold, and Ghost typing allow it to block most, (ac) if not all, (ac) entry hazard-removing (ah) options available, making it a centerpiece of drafts that focus heavily on hazard stacking. It's also one of the few good Steel-types available that is capable as a durable pivot, thanks its numerous resistances and access to reliable healing, and as a strong special attacker, having access to a great number of options that allows it to answer to some of its checks. That said, it is important to not rely heavily on the defensive aspect of Gholdengo, (ac) as it can easily be overwhelmed by the numerous powerful threats available in Generation 9 implied b/c gen 9 analysis. Additionally, focusing on being more defensive will hinder its offensive output, (ac) unless Nasty Plot is used to compensate. Overall, Gholdengo does a good job at keeping hazards up, providing good offensive pressure with its STABs STAB moves and coverage, and is being able to pivot into most attacks thanks to its defensive typing, only held back by its average bulk and subpar speed Speed tier.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Defensive Pivot pivot**: Thanks to its great defensive typing of Steel and Ghost dex info/implied, it can be used as a pivot to switch into its many common types of attacks, (rsc, ac) most noteworthy include notably Flying-, Rock-, Dragon-, Ice-, and Fairy-type also added a bunch of hyphens attacks. (ap) and Additionally, Gholdengo provides a key immunity to Fighting-type attacks.

**Fast Scarfer Choice Scarf user**: Choice Scarf can help fix its speed Speed issue, be used acting as a surprise revenge option and potential cleaner with its coverage options. Gholdengo also has access to Trick, which can be used to cripple defensive switch-ins and setup removed a space sweepers.

**Breaker Wallbreaker**: With either Choice Specs or Nasty Plot, Gholdengo can start breaking teams with flimsy Ghost resists resistances, especially if it has access to Tera, boosting either its Steel- or Ghost-type moves further (rc) or giving a boost to one of its coverage options to hit specific targets.

Common moves Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves**: Make it Rain, Shadow Ball, Hex, Flash Cannon

**Setup moves**: Nasty Plot

**Utility moves**: Trick, Thunder Wave, Recover

**Coverage**: Dazzling Gleam, Energy Ball, Focus Blast, Power Gem, Psychic, removed slash & added comma Psyshock, Thunderbolt

Niche moves Moves
========
**Reflect and Light Screen**: Since Gholdengo can block Brick Break and Defog, it can set up dual screens with ease.

**Memento**: Memento can set up give your next Pokemon in the back for good setup (rh) opportunities. It can also be run alongside dual screens to maximize your Pokemon's sweeping potential the sweeping potential of the Pokemon coming in after Memento is used.

**Steel Beam**: Steel Beam can be useful if you're looking to get more damage with Gholdengo before it faints. It has similar application to Memento in functions similarly to Memento behind dual screens, utilizing Steel Beam's heavy recoil with setting your sweepers with a free switch-in on death and dealing damage to deal heavy damage and pivot to one of your sweepers.

**Endure**: Endure allows for fringe strategies such as Salac Berry and Custap Berry to be effective, though it can run at risk at the risk of not working due to mistiming if your opponent decides not to foe does not attack that turn.

**Substitute**: Substitute can enable Salac Berry's speed Speed boost more safely and provide set up for assist with setting up assuming this is what you mean since substitute itself is not a setup move but can make it safer to use them Nasty Plot.

**Protect**: Protect is a good scouting tool to snuff out attacks from the opponent foe and can used in conjunction with Leftovers to provide recovery. However, be wary of use due to a great risk of allowing opponent free set up foes to have free setup opportunities.


Common items Items
========
**Colbur Berry**: It allows Gholdengo to sponge better survive Dark-type (ah) attacks, primarily Knock Off, and retaliate with either its STABs STAB moves, Dazzling Gleam, (ac) or Focus Blast, or Thunder Wave for speed Speed control.

**Air Balloon**: Gholdengo can safely switch in on Ground-type attacks, which with give it free opportunity to attack, set up with Nasty Plot, or cripple the opposing Pokemon with Thunder Wave.

**Choice Scarf**: Choice Scarf can help Gholdengo outpace faster threats that usually outspeed it and synergizes well with Trick to lock the opposing Pokemon into one move.

**Choice Specs**: Makes Choice Specs makes Gholdengo a strong breaker, especially when combined with Terastallization. Choice Specs is another good Trick option alongside Choice Scarf. However, it can be held back due to its base 84 speed Speed, not allowing it many opportunities to outspeed most threats.

**Rocky Helmet**: Gholdengo can utilize its numerous resistances to punish physical attackers and momentum moves like U-Turn U-turn and Flip Turn.

**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Heavy-Duty Boots can be a good item if you don't have reliable entry hazard removal and need Gholdengo to remain healthy be healthy against hazards. However, this does means that Recover becomes more vital in maintaining its longevity, (ac) and being you should stay aware of Pokemon that can use Knock Off.

**Leftovers**: Leftovers provides longevity for defensive sets that don't want to rely heavily on Recover (rc) but does come at the cost of Gholdengo being affected by hazards.

Niche items Items
========
**Resistance Berry berries**: Using different resistance berries aside from besides Colbur Berry can catch its checks off (rh) guard, (ac) and Gholdengo can hit back with its coverage or cripple paralyze foes with Thunder Wave.

**Eject Pack**: Eject Pack can synergize with Make it Rain to hit the opposing Pokemon with strong damage and switch out immediately to keep up an offensive tempo.

**Eject Button**: Similar to Eject Pack, Eject Button utilizes its defensive qualities to both tank a hit and pivot out immediately into a more favorable matchup.

**Custap Berry**: With Endure, Gholdengo survives any hit and uses Custap Berry to get off either more damage either deal more damage or to secure a KO. You can also utilize entry hazard damage to your benefit by slowly getting into range of Custap Berry's activation.

**Salac Berry**: Salac Berry can be used with Endure to active its speed Speed boost or on Substitute and + Nasty Plot sets for potential sweeping.

**Weakness Policy**: Weakness Policy utilities utilizes Gholdengo's bulk that allows it to survive super effective attacks that would KO it implied by surviving them and increase its special attack by +2 boost its Special Attack, allowing it to counter its checks and turns turn the tables against the an opponent.

**Light Clay**: Light Clay is mandatory when running dual screens to extend turns dex info (rc) but can also be useful if you only rely on just one and want more turns from Light Screen or Reflect dex info.

Tera
========
Tera Gholdengo is rather situational, especially given how important maintaining its Ghost typing is for spinblocking, but it can be useful in patching up some of its weaker matchups (rh). In certain matchups (rh) where spinblocking isn't necessary, Gholdengo can utilize Terastallization to use a better defensive typing. Usually, Tera Water or Fairy are good types to Terastallize choices, given that those types cover one or two or Gholdengo's weaknesses. You also can use an offensive Teras Tera type where damage output is important, such Tera Steel or Ghost for stronger STABs STAB damage, Tera Electric for powerful Thunderbolts and to muscle through bulky Water- (ah) or Flying-types, Tera Grass, (ac) which is able to provide both a good Ground resistance and stronger Energy Balls against Ground-types, and or Tera Fighting for both Dark resistance and coverage through Tera Blast—without relying on Focus Blast's inaccuracy. There are also fringe Tera types you can use in situational matchups (rh), such as Tera Normal or Dark for opposing Ghost-types (ah), Tera Dragon for having Fire resistance along with Water and Electric gaining resistances to Fire, Water, and Electric, and Tera Flying for providing a Ground immunity.

Draft Strategy
========
If you are planning on drafting an entry hazard-heavy (ah) draft, then Gholdengo is a vital key piece to that plan, (ac) Primarily primarily in blocking hazard removal and having a good defensive profile that you can rely upon on.

* Round 1 options: Since Gholdengo is not your draft starter first pick, you'll need to think about which Pokemon you take first that synergizes well with it, either with through providing checks to its counters or good support. Pokemon that usually go in the first round that pair well with Gholdengo include Urshifu-Single Strike, Iron Valiant, Enamorus, Palafin, (ac) and Great Tusk.

**Entry hazards Hazards**: Prioritizing two or more hazard setters is key when drafting around Gholdengo. Pokemon such as like Great Tusk, both Landorus formes, (ac) and Krookodile provide support with access to Stealth Rocks Rock, (rsc, ac) whereas Hisuian Samurott, Meowscarada, (ac) and Qwilfish support Gholdengo's team by laying Spikes. Some Pokemon like Glimmora, Ting-Lu, and Garchomp can compress use both Stealth Rocks Rock and Spikes, allowing for more flexibility in roles. Toxic Spikes and Sticky Webs Web are also appreciated but are optional.

**Knock Off**: Since you are relying on entry hazards to wear down your opponent foes gradually, having multiple Knock Off users is important because of its ability to remove Heavy-Duty Boots, (ac) which is often spammed frequently used to counter teams that rely on hazards for damage. Dark-types that have access to Knock Off like Weavile, Samurott-Hisui Hisuian Samurott, (ac) and Meowscarada are great partners, (ac) both in having STAB moves and covering one of Gholdengo's weakness. (rc, ap) as well as Pokemon like Great Tusk, Tornadus-Therian, and Ogerpon, (ac) if you mean Grass Ogerpon, "Ogerpon" Wellspring is "Ogerpon-W", Hearthflame is "Ogerpon-H", and Cornerstone is "Ogerpon-C"-or if you just mean all Ogerpon formes generally you can say "Ogerpon formes" that which use Knock Off both as a coverage option and for utility are also good choices.

**Hazard removal Removal**: Having hazard removal ensures you don't lose the hazard war versus against opposing hazard stack drafts and is usually pretty helpful to reliable removal while also being useful in general. Primarily, having Having a Rapid Spinner spinner, such as Great Tusk or Blastoise, (ac) ensures you keep hazards off your side of the field and keep any leaves them on your opponent's side.

**Speed**: Due to Gholdengo's fairly slow base speed of 84 Speed, it's important to get fast Pokemon to make up for that fact, as well as priority move users if possible. Fast threats that High base Speed threats that come to mind are Iron Bundle, Tornadus-Therian, and Iron Valiant, (ac) for high base speed and Meowscarada, Cinderace, and Greninja for having have both high base Speed and priority with Sucker Punch and Water Shuriken, respectively. Talonflame and Kilowattrel also come to mind with their great speed Speed tier, (ac) but relying on them to be the main source of your speed control is not advised, (ac) since you want to have a good spread of speed Speed tiers to play around with.

**Fire resistance**: Fire-types pressure Gholdengo easily, (ac) so having a switch-in to these attacks is necessary. Water-types, (ac) such as Primarina, Rotom-Wash, and Blastoise, (ac) as well as Dragon- and Fire-types are usually a safe bet when it comes to good Fire-type checks (rc) as well as Dragon or Fire-types.

**Knock Off switch-in**: Having a Knock Off switch-in is great in for allowing flexibility with Gholdengo's item slot, (ac) as it will not need to run Colbur Berry most games. Fighting-types, such as both Urshifu formes, Great Tusk and Iron Hands, as well as Fairy-types (rc) like Enamorus, Iron Valiant, (ac) and Clefable, are pretty good in this role. (ap) as they both chew They both absorb and counter Dark-type moves in general, (ac) so it's good to aim for one for your draft plan to draft one.

**Ground resistance/immunity**: In general, Ground-type checks are mandatory so that your opponents foes aren't spamming continually using their attacks without risk. Flying-types and Levitators with their Ground immunity Pokemon with Levitate are excellent partners to draft alongside Gholdengo for this reason. Grass-types are also good, (ac) in resisting Ground-type attacks but keep in mind that it does they add more Fire weaknesses alongside Gholdengo, (ac) so be wary of this.

Checks and Counters
========
**Fast Fire-types**: Fast Fire-types, (ac) such as Chi-Yu, Ogerpon-Hearthflame, and Infernape, (ac) are strong attackers that can switch into its Steel-type STAB moves STABs and pressure Gholdengo (ac) and are generally hard to switch into into. Having fast Water-types like Greninja, bulky Dragon-types like Dragonite, setting up entry hazards up, using Thunder Wave to catch switch-ins on predicted Steel-type moves i think this is what you mean?, or even using Tera on Gholdengo as a foe pivots into a resistance can help with mitigating mitigate the threats these Fire-types pose.

**Cinderace**: Cinderace, (ac) in particular, (ac) is one of few Pokemon that is able to bypass Gholdengo's anti-removal gimmick with Court Change, (ac) and it can pressure Gholdengo with its Fire STAB, (rc) Pyro Ball. When facing Cinderace, stacking hazards versus against it is tricky due to Court Change, so being fairly patient will be key in the matchup, and having a spinner in the back is a good idea in case it does swap fields use the move.

**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as like Ting-Lu, Great Tusk, and Garchomp are pretty bulky and dish out strong Ground-type STAB moves. Gholdengo can run Air Balloon to play around Ground-type moves or utilize Terastallization to change its typing into either Grass or Flying, though having immunities or resistances to Ground-type attacks is important (ac) in case Air Balloon is popped.

**Dark-types**: Dark-types are able to swap into Shadow Ball from Gholdengo and force awkward positions, threatening it Gholdengo with either Knock Off or other strong Dark-type STAB moves STABs options like Dark Pulse from Greninja or Kowtow Cleave or Sucker Punch from Kingambit. Colbur Berry usually helps Gholdengo versus against Dark-types, (ac) and it has access to coverage such as Dazzling Gleam and Focus Blast, which can be boosted with Tera. While it does an ok a decent job at times at handling Dark-types with Colbur Berry and Tera, getting a reliable Fighting or Fairy-type is important when handling top tier Dark-types.

**Ghost-types**: Depending on the tier price list, Ghost-types like as Dragapult and Spectrier can either be really oppressive to go up against, such as Dragapult and Spectrier (rc) or others like Gengar, Mismagius, or opposing Gholdengo can be more manageable like Gengar, Mismagius or opposing Gholdengo in draft tours. Regardless, having an answer to these Ghost-types (ah) with either a Dark- (ah) or Normal-type is mandatory as to not get to avoid getting easily overwhelmed by opposing Ghost-type spam, especially when your oppoent's opponent's Pokemon can Terastallize into Tera Ghost if your team is lacking reliable Ghost-type checks.

**Specially Defensive Tanks defensive walls**: Pokemon who that are durable on the Specially Defensive side specially defensive can give Gholdengo trouble, especially when they're able to hit back hard or set up. (ap) such as Examples include Dragonite, Ting-Lu, Snorlax, or and even Pokemon with an Assault Vest. Having partners to attack from the physical spectrum physically offensive teammates will help to ensure you have multiple ways on how to deal with these tanks.

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[/QUOTE]
 

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[overview]
**Draft order**: Round 2-3, usually by the end of round 2 and throughout round 3

**Price range**: 15-16 points

**Overview**: Gholdengo's ability, Good as Gold, and Ghost typing allow it to block most, if not all, entry hazard-removing options available, making it a centerpiece of drafts that focus heavily on hazard stacking. It's also one of the few good Steel-types available that is capable as a durable pivot, thanks its numerous resistances and access to reliable healing, and as a strong special attacker, having access to a great number of options that allows it to answer to some of its checks. That said, it is important to not rely heavily on the defensive aspect of Gholdengo, as it can easily be overwhelmed by numerous powerful threats available. Additionally, focusing on being more defensive will hinder its offensive output, unless Nasty Plot is used to compensate. Overall, Gholdengo does a good job at keeping hazards up, providing good offensive pressure with its STAB moves and coverage, and being able to pivot into most attacks thanks to its defensive typing, only held back by its average bulk and subpar Speed tier.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Defensive pivot**: Thanks to its great defensive typing, it can be used as a pivot to switch into many common types of attacks, most notably Flying-, Rock-, Dragon-, Ice-, and Fairy-type attacks. Additionally, Gholdengo provides a key immunity to Fighting-type attacks.

**Fast Choice Scarf user**: Choice Scarf can help fix its Speed issue, acting as a surprise revenge option and potential cleaner with its coverage options. Gholdengo also has access to Trick, which can be used to cripple defensive switch-ins and setup sweepers.

**Wallbreaker**: With either Choice Specs or Nasty Plot, Gholdengo can start breaking teams with flimsy Ghost resistances, especially if it has access to Tera, boosting either its Steel- or Ghost-type moves further or one of its coverage options to hit specific targets.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves**: Make it Rain, Shadow Ball, Hex, Flash Cannon

**Setup moves**: Nasty Plot

**Utility moves**: Trick, Thunder Wave, Recover

**Coverage**: Dazzling Gleam, Energy Ball, Focus Blast, Power Gem, Psychic, Psyshock, Thunderbolt

Niche Moves
========
**Reflect and Light Screen**: Since Gholdengo can block Brick Break and Defog, it can set up dual screens with ease.

**Memento**: Memento can give your next Pokemon good setup opportunities. It can also be run alongside dual screens to maximize the sweeping potential of the Pokemon coming in after Memento is used.

**Steel Beam**: Steel Beam can be useful if you're looking to get more damage with Gholdengo before it faints. It functions similarly to Memento behind dual screens, utilizing Steel Beam's heavy recoil to deal heavy damage and pivot to one of your sweepers.

**Endure**: Endure allows for fringe strategies such as Salac Berry and Custap Berry to be effective, though it can run the risk of not working due to mistiming if your foe does not attack that turn.

**Substitute**: Substitute can enable Salac Berry's Speed boost more safely and assist with setting up Nasty Plot.

**Protect**: Protect is a good scouting tool to snuff out attacks from the foe and can be used in conjunction with Leftovers to provide recovery. However, be wary of use due to a great risk of allowing foes to have free setup opportunities.


Common Items
========
**Colbur Berry**: It allows Gholdengo to better survive Dark-type attacks, primarily Knock Off, and retaliate with either its STAB moves, Dazzling Gleam, or Focus Blast against Dark-types, or Thunder Wave for Speed control.

**Air Balloon**: Gholdengo can safely switch in on Ground-type attacks, which gives it free opportunity to attack, set up with Nasty Plot, or cripple the opposing Pokemon with Thunder Wave.

**Choice Scarf**: Choice Scarf can help Gholdengo outpace faster threats that usually outspeed it and synergizes well with Trick to lock the opposing Pokemon into one move.

**Choice Specs**: Choice Specs makes Gholdengo a strong breaker, especially when combined with Terastallization. Choice Specs is another good Trick option alongside Choice Scarf. However, it can be held back due to its base 84 Speed, not allowing it many opportunities to outspeed most threats.

**Rocky Helmet**: Gholdengo can utilize its numerous resistances to punish physical attackers and momentum moves like U-turn and Flip Turn.

**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Heavy-Duty Boots can be a good item if you don't have reliable entry hazard removal and need Gholdengo to remain healthy. However, this does mean that Recover becomes more vital in maintaining its longevity, and you should stay aware of Pokemon that can use Knock Off.

**Leftovers**: Leftovers provides longevity for defensive sets that don't want to rely heavily on Recover but does come at the cost of Gholdengo being affected by hazards.

Niche Items
========
**Resistance Berry**: Using different resistance berries Berries besides Colbur Berry can catch its checks off guard, and Gholdengo can hit back with its coverage or paralyze foes with Thunder Wave.

**Eject Pack**: Eject Pack can synergize with Make it Rain to hit the opposing Pokemon with strong damage and switch out immediately to keep up an offensive tempo.

**Eject Button**: Similar to Eject Pack, Eject Button utilizes its defensive qualities to both tank a hit and pivot out immediately into a more favorable matchup.

**Custap Berry**: With Endure, Gholdengo survives any hit and uses Custap Berry to either deal more damage or secure a KO. You can also utilize entry hazard damage to your benefit by slowly getting into range of Custap Berry's activation.

**Salac Berry**: Salac Berry can be used with Endure to activate its Speed boost or on Substitute + Nasty Plot sets for to enable potential sweeping.

**Weakness Policy**: Weakness Policy utilizes Gholdengo's bulk that allows it to survive super effective attacks and boost its Special Attack, allowing it to counter its checks and turn the tables against an opponent.

**Light Clay**: Light Clay is mandatory when running dual screens but can also be useful if you only rely on just one.

Tera
========
Tera Gholdengo is rather situational, especially given how important maintaining its Ghost typing is for spinblocking, but it can be useful in patching up some of its weaker matchups. In certain matchups where spinblocking isn't necessary, Gholdengo can utilize Terastallization to use gain a better defensive typing. Usually, Tera Water or Fairy are good choices, given that those types cover one or two or Gholdengo's weaknesses. You also can use an offensive Tera type where damage output is important, such Tera Steel or Ghost for stronger STAB damage, Tera Electric for powerful Thunderbolt and to muscle through bulky Water- or Flying-types, Tera Grass, which is able to provide both a good Ground resistance and stronger Energy Ball against Ground-types, or Tera Fighting for both Dark resistance and coverage through Tera Blast—without relying on Focus Blast's inaccuracy. There are also fringe Tera types you can use in situational matchups, such as Tera Normal or Dark for opposing Ghost-types, Tera Dragon for gaining resistances to Fire, Water, and Electric, and Tera Flying for providing a Ground immunity.

Draft Strategy
========
If you are planning on drafting an entry hazard-heavy draft, then Gholdengo is a vital key piece to that plan, primarily in blocking hazard removal and having a good defensive profile that you can rely on.

**Round 1 options**: Since Gholdengo is not your first pick, you'll need to think about which Pokemon you take first that synergizes well with it, either through providing checks to its counters or good support. Pokemon that usually go in the first round that pair well with Gholdengo include Urshifu-S, Iron Valiant, Enamorus, Palafin, and Great Tusk.

**Entry hazards**: Prioritizing two or more hazard setters is key when drafting around Gholdengo. Pokemon like Great Tusk, both Landorus formes, and Krookodile provide support with access to Stealth Rock, whereas Hisuian Samurott, Meowscarada, and Qwilfish support Gholdengo's team by laying Spikes. Some Pokemon like Glimmora, Ting-Lu, and Garchomp can use both Stealth Rock and Spikes, allowing for more flexibility in roles. Toxic Spikes and Sticky Web are also appreciated but optional.

**Knock Off**: Since you are relying on entry hazards to wear down your foes gradually, having multiple Knock Off users is important because of its ability to remove Heavy-Duty Boots, which is often frequently used to counter teams that rely on hazards for damage. Dark-types that have access to Knock Off like Weavile, Hisuian Samurott, and Meowscarada are great partners, having STAB moves and covering one of Gholdengo's weaknesses. Pokemon like Great Tusk, Tornadus-T, and all the Ogerpon formes, which use Knock Off both as a coverage option and for utility are also good choices.

**Hazard removal**: Having hazard removal ensures you don't lose the hazard war against opposing hazard stack drafts while also being useful in general. Having a spinner, such as Great Tusk or Blastoise, ensures you keep hazards off your side of the field and leaves them on your opponent's side.

**Speed**: Due to Gholdengo's fairly slow base 84 Speed, it's important to get fast Pokemon to make up for that fact, as well as priority move users if possible. High base Speed threats that come to mind are Iron Bundle, Tornadus-T, and Iron Valiant, and Meowscarada, Cinderace, and Greninja have both high base Speed and priority with Sucker Punch and Water Shuriken, respectively. Talonflame and Kilowattrel also come to mind with their great Speed tier, but relying on them to be the main source of your speed control is not advised, since you want to have a good spread of Speed tiers to play around with.

**Fire resistance**: Fire-types pressure Gholdengo easily, so having a switch-in to these attacks is necessary. Water-types, such as Primarina, Rotom-W, and Blastoise, as well as Dragon- and Fire-types are usually a safe bet when it comes to good Fire-type checks.

**Knock Off switch-in**: Having a Knock Off switch-in is great for allowing flexibility with Gholdengo's item slot, as it will not need Colbur Berry most games. Fighting-types, such as both Urshifu formes, Great Tusk and Iron Hands, as well as Fairy-types like Enamorus, Iron Valiant, and Clefable, are pretty good in this role. They both absorb and counter Dark-type moves in general, so it's good to plan to draft one.

**Ground resistance or immunity**: In general, Ground-type checks are mandatory so that your foes aren't continually using their attacks without risk. Flying-types and Pokemon with Levitate are excellent partners to draft alongside Gholdengo for this reason. Grass-types are also good, but keep in mind that they add more Fire weaknesses alongside Gholdengo, so be wary of this.

Checks and Counters
========
**Fast Fire-types**: Fast Fire-types, such as Chi-Yu, Ogerpon-H, and Infernape, are strong attackers that can switch into its Steel-type STAB moves and pressure Gholdengo and are generally hard to switch into. Having fast Water-types like Greninja, bulky Dragon-types like Dragonite, setting entry hazards, using Thunder Wave to catch switch-ins on predicted Steel-type moves, or even using Tera on Gholdengo as a foe pivots into a resistance can help mitigate the threats these Fire-types pose.

**Cinderace**: Cinderace, in particular, is one of few Pokemon that is able to bypass Gholdengo's anti-removal gimmick with Court Change, and it can pressure Gholdengo with Pyro Ball. When facing Cinderace, stacking hazards against it is tricky due to Court Change, so being fairly patient will be key in the matchup, and having a spinner in the back is a good idea in case it does use the move.

**Ground-types**: Ground-types like Ting-Lu, Great Tusk, and Garchomp are pretty bulky and dish out strong Ground-type STAB moves. Gholdengo can run Air Balloon to play around Ground-type moves or utilize Terastallization to change its typing into either Grass or Flying, though having immunities or resistances to Ground-type attacks is important in case Air Balloon is popped.

**Dark-types**: Dark-types are able to swap into Shadow Ball and force awkward positions, threatening Gholdengo with either Knock Off or other strong Dark-type STAB moves like Dark Pulse from Greninja or Kowtow Cleave or Sucker Punch from Kingambit. Colbur Berry usually helps Gholdengo against Dark-types, and it has access to coverage such as Dazzling Gleam and Focus Blast, which can be boosted with Tera. While it sometimes does a decent job at times handling Dark-types with Colbur Berry and Tera, getting a reliable Fighting- (ah) or Fairy-type is important when handling top tier Dark-types.

**Ghost-types**: Depending on the price list, Ghost-types like Dragapult and Spectrier can either be really oppressive to go up against, or others like Gengar, Mismagius, or opposing Gholdengo can be more manageable. Regardless, having an answer to these Ghost-types with either a Dark- or Normal-type is mandatory to avoid getting easily overwhelmed by opposing Ghost-type spam, especially when your opponent's Pokemon can Tera Ghost if your team is lacking reliable Ghost-type checks.

**Specially defensive walls**: Pokemon that are specially defensive can give Gholdengo trouble, especially when they're able to hit back hard or set up. Examples include Dragonite, Ting-Lu, Snorlax, and even Pokemon with an Assault Vest. Having partners physically offensive teammates will help to ensure you have multiple ways to deal with these tanks.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sablolol.466715/

Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/nyx.564960/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/hacker.387847/

Grammar checked by:
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