I had written this some time ago, but with all these changes, it may need some updating, I'll do what I can, but help is welcomed.
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http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/golduck
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Surf
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Substitute
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
nature: Timid
ability: Cloud Nine
evs: 6 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
<p>This is a basic Calm Mind set for Golduck. Surf is the main attack thanks to STAB. Ice Beam is present for those pesky Grass-type Pokemon such as Vileplume and Meganium. Substitute can be used to help Golduck set up more Calm Minds, and block any status move that may trouble it when attempting to sweep. Hidden Power Grass is also a very useful option here, as bulky Water-type Pokemon, like Quagsire, can be potentially stop Golduck attempting to make a sweep, but with Hidden Power Grass Golduck can actually handle Quagsire, as the given EVs let it OHKO Quagsire from an unboosted Hidden Power Grass. Gastrodon is hit by Hidden Power Grass as well, though Hidden Power fails to OHKO Gastrodon.</p>
<p>A Timid nature lets Golduck outrun base 80 Speed Pokemon and neutral natured base 90 Speed Pokemon. Thanks to Cloud Nine, Swift Swim Pokemon don't have the ability to double their Speed, which means Golduck can outspeed both Kabutops and Omastar, both very popular Pokemon in UU Rain Dance teams, and OHKO them with Hidden Power Grass. Psychic can be used on this set too as it can handle Toxicroak and Qwilfish; Toxicroak can be more trouble thanks to Water Absorb, making Surf, its only STAB move useless. Hidden Power Electric can also work, the main reason behind using it is Mantine, who walls Golduck very well without it.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice
move 1: Surf / Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Hidden Power Grass / Hidden Power Electric
move 4: Psychic
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Specs
nature: Timid / Modest
ability: Cloud Nine
evs: 6 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
<p>With Choice Specs, Golduck has a respectable Special Attack stat to play around with. Surf and Hydro Pump are both options in the same slot; Surf hits hard thanks to STAB and has great accuracy, while Hydro Pump hits harder than Surf does, but its accuracy isn't exactly great, so it would be a personal option here. Ice Beam comes in handy for those bulky Grass-type Pokemon, such as Vileplume and Leafeon, which equipped with both Choice Scarf and Choice Specs and a max Special Attack will 2HKO Vileplume, and OHKO Leafeon regardless of nature or Choice item. Hidden Power Grass is for those annoying bulky Water-types, Quagsire and Gastrodon being being two of them, and with Hidden Power Grass you are able to get rid of both, which would otherwise give Golduck problems with attempting to sweep. Thanks to Cloud Nine, Swift Swim Pokemon don't have the ability to double their Speed, which means Golduck can outspeed both Kabutops and Omastar, both very popular Pokemon in UU Rain Dance teams. Like in the Calm Mind set, Hidden Power Electric is for Mantine, who is probably one of the best Pokemon that can wall Golduck, but this is where Hidden Power Electric works its magic, by being able to eliminate Mantine that like Quagsire, can stop Golduck. Psychic hurts Tentacruel and easily OHKOs Toxicroak with either Choice item. Psychic can also come in handy when trying to revenge kill opposing Fighting-type or Poison-type Pokemon. You can always use Focus Blast instead of Psychic on the 4th slot, which will provide a way to defeat special walls like Clefeable, though the accuracy is shaky.</p>
<p>Choice Specs Golduck is just for general hard hitting, while Choice Scarf is a move that can help Golduck outspeed half the UU metagame, which can come pretty handy when trying to revenge kill other Pokemon.</p>
[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Surf / Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Cross Chop
move 4: Hidden Power Electric / Hidden Power Grass
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
nature: Mild
ability: Cloud Nine
evs: 104 Atk / 252 SpA / 152 Spe
<p>This is probably Golduck's best option to operate as a mixed sweeper effectively thanks to Cross Chop. Similar to the Duck of Choice set, you have the option of running either Surf or Hydro Pump; Surf hits hard and has great accuracy, while Hydro Pump hits much harder than Surf, but the accuracy isn't exactly great. Both make good and strong moves, thanks to STAB, so this is pretty much a personal choice. Ice Beam, like on all the sets, is mostly for those bulky Grass-types that can be annoying, so nothing new here really. Hidden Power Grass is for Quagsire and Gastrodon, who stop Golduck's sweep, and Hidden Power Electric is for Mantine mostly. Cross Chop is probably the move that gives this set a twist. Cross Chop is able to stop Clefable from walling Golduck, and hit Dark-type Pokemon as well, and Steel-types like Probobass.</p>
<p>Golduck is punching above his weight in OU, but with some accurate prediction, this can be effective against a wide range of opponents. Surf and Hydro Pump hammer Ground-types like Hippowdon and Donphan and also hurt Skarmory, Forretress and Weezing badly. Blissey, Snorlax, and Empoleon will hate switching into a Cross Chop, while Ice Beam covers those ever present Dragons. In the last slot you can choose between Hypnosis for sleep support or Hidden Power Electric to take down Gyarados in two hits. Psychic is an option to OHKO Gengar (with Life Orb) and 2HKO Heracross.</p>
<p>Leftovers is the safer choice, but Golduck really needs the extra power Life Orb provides, and as such is the recommended item choice.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Confuse Ray and Yawn can be used to help force switches, though Yawn is usually wasted on a Pokémon that can utilize Hypnosis. His other physical options (Waterfall, Ice Punch, Zen Headbutt) can be ignored as he has more powerful special equivalents. Hypnosis can also be a good option, but the 60% accuracy can be a real letdown, as it has a worrisome chance of missing. Mud Bomb can be used if you fear Lanturn, but won't be doing much. Brick Break can also be an alternative to Cross Chop on the Mixed Sweeper set because of its shaky accuracy, and Focus Punch as well. Hidden Power Ground can be used if you really dislike Lanturn, while it helps hit Electric-types as well.</p>
<p>Damp should only be considered for 2 v 2 battles.</p>
[EVs]
<p>The EVs don't really have any difference on the Duck of Choice and Calm Mind sets; they're designed mostly for sweeping purposes. 24 HP / 252 SpA / 232 Spe is an alternative EV spread for the Calm Mind set, for those who don't like Speed ties, and the 24 HP EVs help prevent some possible 2HKOs, making them 3HKOs, which can be a real lifesaver.</p>
<p>In the Mixed Sweeper set allow for Psychic to OHKO Gengar (with Life Orb) and 2HKO Heracross, as mentioned in the set comments. The EVs on all Golduck's sets aren't really something special.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>Golduck is a good pokermon overall, decent stats is what makes him a decent Pokemon. Its ability is probably the major thing that is overlooked, Cloud Nine. Cloud Nine is a super ability in UU, being able to stop the destructive UU rain dance teams that can destroy teams in a matter of turns. Cloud Nine allows for common Swift Swim Pokemon, such as Kabutops and Omastar, to be outpaced and and get a Hidden Power Grass in their face, as their Speed boost will be negated. It also helps with Sandstorm, as Pokemon such as Cradily can be annoying under the sand, and Cloud Nine will be able to handle that, as their Special Defense boost will be negated as well, though Sandstorm is rare in the UU enviorment, as is Hail.</p>
<p>Golduck is a underrated and superb Pokemon that has many tricks, the biggest one is its ability, Cloud Nine, which shouldn't be overlooked.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Golduck struggles against other Water-types most of the time. Lack of a solid Ground-type move means it's not about to tangle with Electric-types anytime soon, although Ice-type attacks give it a chance against Grasser-types.</p>
<p>In UU, Hypno poses a problem as it cannot be put to sleep and has good Special Defense. Manectric will scare you away in a second, although Golduck can easily outspeed any Luxray or Ampharos. Lanturn and Quagsire also pose a problem if Golduck isn’t carrying Hidden Power Grass. Again, when fighting against another Water-type, Golduck is likely to struggle. Toxicroak is a problem if Golduck doesn't carry Psychic.</p>
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http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/golduck
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Surf
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Substitute
item: Leftovers / Life Orb
nature: Timid
ability: Cloud Nine
evs: 6 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
<p>This is a basic Calm Mind set for Golduck. Surf is the main attack thanks to STAB. Ice Beam is present for those pesky Grass-type Pokemon such as Vileplume and Meganium. Substitute can be used to help Golduck set up more Calm Minds, and block any status move that may trouble it when attempting to sweep. Hidden Power Grass is also a very useful option here, as bulky Water-type Pokemon, like Quagsire, can be potentially stop Golduck attempting to make a sweep, but with Hidden Power Grass Golduck can actually handle Quagsire, as the given EVs let it OHKO Quagsire from an unboosted Hidden Power Grass. Gastrodon is hit by Hidden Power Grass as well, though Hidden Power fails to OHKO Gastrodon.</p>
<p>A Timid nature lets Golduck outrun base 80 Speed Pokemon and neutral natured base 90 Speed Pokemon. Thanks to Cloud Nine, Swift Swim Pokemon don't have the ability to double their Speed, which means Golduck can outspeed both Kabutops and Omastar, both very popular Pokemon in UU Rain Dance teams, and OHKO them with Hidden Power Grass. Psychic can be used on this set too as it can handle Toxicroak and Qwilfish; Toxicroak can be more trouble thanks to Water Absorb, making Surf, its only STAB move useless. Hidden Power Electric can also work, the main reason behind using it is Mantine, who walls Golduck very well without it.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice
move 1: Surf / Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Hidden Power Grass / Hidden Power Electric
move 4: Psychic
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Specs
nature: Timid / Modest
ability: Cloud Nine
evs: 6 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
<p>With Choice Specs, Golduck has a respectable Special Attack stat to play around with. Surf and Hydro Pump are both options in the same slot; Surf hits hard thanks to STAB and has great accuracy, while Hydro Pump hits harder than Surf does, but its accuracy isn't exactly great, so it would be a personal option here. Ice Beam comes in handy for those bulky Grass-type Pokemon, such as Vileplume and Leafeon, which equipped with both Choice Scarf and Choice Specs and a max Special Attack will 2HKO Vileplume, and OHKO Leafeon regardless of nature or Choice item. Hidden Power Grass is for those annoying bulky Water-types, Quagsire and Gastrodon being being two of them, and with Hidden Power Grass you are able to get rid of both, which would otherwise give Golduck problems with attempting to sweep. Thanks to Cloud Nine, Swift Swim Pokemon don't have the ability to double their Speed, which means Golduck can outspeed both Kabutops and Omastar, both very popular Pokemon in UU Rain Dance teams. Like in the Calm Mind set, Hidden Power Electric is for Mantine, who is probably one of the best Pokemon that can wall Golduck, but this is where Hidden Power Electric works its magic, by being able to eliminate Mantine that like Quagsire, can stop Golduck. Psychic hurts Tentacruel and easily OHKOs Toxicroak with either Choice item. Psychic can also come in handy when trying to revenge kill opposing Fighting-type or Poison-type Pokemon. You can always use Focus Blast instead of Psychic on the 4th slot, which will provide a way to defeat special walls like Clefeable, though the accuracy is shaky.</p>
<p>Choice Specs Golduck is just for general hard hitting, while Choice Scarf is a move that can help Golduck outspeed half the UU metagame, which can come pretty handy when trying to revenge kill other Pokemon.</p>
[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Surf / Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Cross Chop
move 4: Hidden Power Electric / Hidden Power Grass
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
nature: Mild
ability: Cloud Nine
evs: 104 Atk / 252 SpA / 152 Spe
<p>This is probably Golduck's best option to operate as a mixed sweeper effectively thanks to Cross Chop. Similar to the Duck of Choice set, you have the option of running either Surf or Hydro Pump; Surf hits hard and has great accuracy, while Hydro Pump hits much harder than Surf, but the accuracy isn't exactly great. Both make good and strong moves, thanks to STAB, so this is pretty much a personal choice. Ice Beam, like on all the sets, is mostly for those bulky Grass-types that can be annoying, so nothing new here really. Hidden Power Grass is for Quagsire and Gastrodon, who stop Golduck's sweep, and Hidden Power Electric is for Mantine mostly. Cross Chop is probably the move that gives this set a twist. Cross Chop is able to stop Clefable from walling Golduck, and hit Dark-type Pokemon as well, and Steel-types like Probobass.</p>
<p>Golduck is punching above his weight in OU, but with some accurate prediction, this can be effective against a wide range of opponents. Surf and Hydro Pump hammer Ground-types like Hippowdon and Donphan and also hurt Skarmory, Forretress and Weezing badly. Blissey, Snorlax, and Empoleon will hate switching into a Cross Chop, while Ice Beam covers those ever present Dragons. In the last slot you can choose between Hypnosis for sleep support or Hidden Power Electric to take down Gyarados in two hits. Psychic is an option to OHKO Gengar (with Life Orb) and 2HKO Heracross.</p>
<p>Leftovers is the safer choice, but Golduck really needs the extra power Life Orb provides, and as such is the recommended item choice.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Confuse Ray and Yawn can be used to help force switches, though Yawn is usually wasted on a Pokémon that can utilize Hypnosis. His other physical options (Waterfall, Ice Punch, Zen Headbutt) can be ignored as he has more powerful special equivalents. Hypnosis can also be a good option, but the 60% accuracy can be a real letdown, as it has a worrisome chance of missing. Mud Bomb can be used if you fear Lanturn, but won't be doing much. Brick Break can also be an alternative to Cross Chop on the Mixed Sweeper set because of its shaky accuracy, and Focus Punch as well. Hidden Power Ground can be used if you really dislike Lanturn, while it helps hit Electric-types as well.</p>
<p>Damp should only be considered for 2 v 2 battles.</p>
[EVs]
<p>The EVs don't really have any difference on the Duck of Choice and Calm Mind sets; they're designed mostly for sweeping purposes. 24 HP / 252 SpA / 232 Spe is an alternative EV spread for the Calm Mind set, for those who don't like Speed ties, and the 24 HP EVs help prevent some possible 2HKOs, making them 3HKOs, which can be a real lifesaver.</p>
<p>In the Mixed Sweeper set allow for Psychic to OHKO Gengar (with Life Orb) and 2HKO Heracross, as mentioned in the set comments. The EVs on all Golduck's sets aren't really something special.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>Golduck is a good pokermon overall, decent stats is what makes him a decent Pokemon. Its ability is probably the major thing that is overlooked, Cloud Nine. Cloud Nine is a super ability in UU, being able to stop the destructive UU rain dance teams that can destroy teams in a matter of turns. Cloud Nine allows for common Swift Swim Pokemon, such as Kabutops and Omastar, to be outpaced and and get a Hidden Power Grass in their face, as their Speed boost will be negated. It also helps with Sandstorm, as Pokemon such as Cradily can be annoying under the sand, and Cloud Nine will be able to handle that, as their Special Defense boost will be negated as well, though Sandstorm is rare in the UU enviorment, as is Hail.</p>
<p>Golduck is a underrated and superb Pokemon that has many tricks, the biggest one is its ability, Cloud Nine, which shouldn't be overlooked.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Golduck struggles against other Water-types most of the time. Lack of a solid Ground-type move means it's not about to tangle with Electric-types anytime soon, although Ice-type attacks give it a chance against Grasser-types.</p>
<p>In UU, Hypno poses a problem as it cannot be put to sleep and has good Special Defense. Manectric will scare you away in a second, although Golduck can easily outspeed any Luxray or Ampharos. Lanturn and Quagsire also pose a problem if Golduck isn’t carrying Hidden Power Grass. Again, when fighting against another Water-type, Golduck is likely to struggle. Toxicroak is a problem if Golduck doesn't carry Psychic.</p>
