sapphiree
formerly silver grace
[SET]
Goodra-Hisui @ Leftovers
Ability: Shell Armor
Name: Specially Defensive (Dragon)
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Knock Off
- Dragon Tail
- Protect
[SET COMMENTS]
Hisuian Goodra is a staple on Dragon teams, thanks to its exceptional special bulk and typing, which allows it to tank special Fairy-, Ice-, and Dragon-type moves like Moonblast from Clefable, Ice Beam from Greninja, and Draco Meteor from Dragapult. Heavy Slam allows Hisuian Goodra to hit Fairy-type threats like Flutter Mane and Choice Scarf Iron Valiant while denting Calm Mind Primarina and Hatterene to prevent them from setting up. Knock Off permits Hisuian Goodra to remove Leftovers from switch-ins like Corviknight, Ursaluna-B, Archaludon, and opposing Hisuian Goodra. Dragon Tail is a great phazing move, preventing foes like Nasty Plot Gholdengo, Dragon Dance Dragonite, and Gouging Fire from setting up on Hisuian Goodra. Protect grants Hisuian Goodra a form of passive recovery while also permitting it to scout moves from potentially Choice-locked foes like Choice Specs Flutter Mane and Choice Scarf Iron Valiant.
Dragapult is a remarkable teammate for Hisuian Goodra, as it provides a much-needed Fighting immunity, meaning it can comfortably switch into attacks from Barraskewda, Iron Defense Zamazenta, and Skarmory, which Hisuian Goodra is highly susceptible to, and force them out with the threat of Will-O-Wisp. Dragapult also provides Dragon teams with a high Speed tier, allowing it to use U-turn to pivot into Hisuian Goodra before threatening special attackers like Choice Specs Flutter Mane, Hatterene and Greninja can attack it. In return, Hisuian Goodra hits opposing Dragapult and Skeledirge with Knock Off and switches into Moonblast from Choice Scarf Flutter Mane. Garchomp is an astounding lead for Dragon teams, setting up Stealth Rock and Spikes for Hisuian Goodra, which can use Dragon Tail to force foes to take chip damage from the entry hazards Garchomp sets. Garchomp also handles pesky Steel-type foes like Kingambit and Gholdengo, which Hisuian Goodra isn't very good against, with Earthquake. Choice Band Dragonite provides a much-needed Ground immunity for Hisuian Goodra while also serving as a capable wallbreaker and revenge killer with Choice Band Extreme Speed. In return, Hisuian Goodra can come in on attacks like Ice Beam from Greninja and Freeze-Dry from Articuno, which Garchomp and Dragonite are extremely vulnerable to. Archaludon forms a great defensive core with Hisuian Goodra, as not only do they share their typing, but Archaludon also provides outstanding physical bulk. Hisuian Goodra is highly susceptible to physical attacks from foes like Baxcalibur, Dragon Darts Dragapult, and Gouging Fire, which Archaludon can comfortably switch into. Archaludon can also set up Stealth Rock for Dragon teams and threaten foes like Chien-Pao and Kingambit, which Hisuian Goodra can't deal with, with Body Press. In exchange, Hisuian Goodra can easily take on attacks like Moonblast from Flutter Mane and Enamorus and Draco Meteor from Walking Wake and Raging Bolt, which Archaludon cannot survive due to its low special bulk. Baxcalibur and Gouging Fire are amazing setup sweepers that help take out foes like Gliscor, Ogerpon-H, and opposing Hisuian Goodra. Choice Specs Kyurem showcases its wallbreaking ability by OHKOing foes that Hisuian Goodra cannot touch, like Swampert, Belly Drum Azumarill, and Ogerpon-W, with Freeze-Dry. Raging Bolt and Walking Wake are also potentially capable wallbreakers, Raging Bolt providing priority with Thunderclap and Walking Wake exterminating threats like Baxcalibur and Great Tusk with Draco Meteor and Scald, respectively. Roaring Moon and Latios are amazing late-game cleaners, Roaring Moon checking threats like Ceruledge and Choice Scarf Enamorus with Knock Off and Iron Head and Latios denting threats like Keldeo, Great Tusk, and Garchomp with Luster Purge and Draco Meteor. Latias provides Healing Wish support to Dragon teams, allowing Hisuian Goodra to last longer in a game with more special attackers. Both Latios and Latias also provide a Ground immunity thanks to Levitate, which Hisuian Goodra appreciates. Kommo-o is a great teammate, as it can set up Stealth Rock and OHKO threats to Hisuian Goodra like Chien-Pao and Kingambit with Vacuum Wave.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
===================
Dragon
--------------------------------
Hisuian Goodra can use a Dragon-type STAB move like Draco Meteor or Dragon Pulse over Dragon Tail to punish foes in the mirror matchup as well as take down Will-O-Wisp Dragapult. However, Draco Meteor is less spammable and makes Hisuian Goodra vulnerable to setup sweepers, while Dragon Pulse can be underwhelming, and both prevent Hisuian Goodra from phazing . Flamethrower is a decent coverage move that can be used over Dragon Tail, allowing Hisuian Goodra to lure Steel-type foes like Corviknight and Skarmory and prevent Nasty Plot Gholdengo from setting up.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sapphiree.567354/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/neko.542526/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/boomp.637295/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/giyu.574288/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/dead-by-daylight.571069/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
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