Project The SV UU Research Academy - Week 10 - Skarmory

:gligar: :sv/gligar: :gligar:
i missed this

​
I was surprised to see Gligar as the new research subject, since I've been spamming PU lmao. Either way, I was pleasantly surprised!

Gligar @ Eviolite
Ability: Immunity
Tera Type: Fairy/Water
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- U-turn / Knock Off
- Stealth Rock / Knock Off
- Toxic

The Stats
For an NFE, Gligar's 105 Def is pretty good. Paired with Eviolite and max HP and Def, you can tank hits from the likes of Excadrill, Scizor, Lokix and Hawlucha. Its SpDef of 65 is a little upsetting as it gets OHKO'd by many special attacks in the tier, but as long as you have a specially defensive mon to help it out then it's fine.

The Typing
Ground/Flying is a great defensive type, having two immunities in Electric and Ground. The former immunity is amazing due to the Volt Switch mons that have been running around, such as Zapdos and Rotom-Wash. Gligar also resists Bug moves, hence being able to take U-Turns and First Impression from Lokix. Unfortunately the glaring Water and Ice weaknesses are not uncommon, as opponents such as the aforementioned Rotom-Wash, Greninja and Alolan Ninetails can easily threaten Gligar to switch out.

Tera Type: I'm gonna be honest it's not recommended to Tera Gligar most of the time. You'd rather use your Tera on another teammate, and Gligar's typing is pretty good already anyway.

The Movepool
Gligar's movepool has at least five good moves, that being the ones I've put in the set. Being able to threaten Steels or Poisons that try to switch in to a Toxic is always nice, even if its attack is lackluster at times. Unfortunately it can't run all five moves, but I'd say that Stealth Rock/Knock Off is the more switchable slot.

The Strengths

  • Can take on physical threats for the team :excadrill: :lokix: :scizor:
    • Who would've thought. Gligar can take Lokix and Scizor's hits pretty nicely with Eviolite, forcing them to switch and let Gligar do its thing for free. Excadrill, while being able to Rapid Spin the Stealth Rocks away, is unable to chip Gligar significantly and is at risk of an Earthquake or potential Knock Off. Other threats that Gligar can check include Cobalion, Hawlucha and Rhyperior.
  • Immunity to poison and paralysis (sort of) :toxapex: :tinkaton: :okidogi:
    • Being able to switch into Toxic and Thunder Wave is always a great trait. Not only that, Gligar is immune Okidogi's Toxic Chain and Pecharunt's Malignant Chain effect, making it a perfect switch-in to those moves. Though you do have to be careful of a potential Knock Off from Okidogi. Stun Spore from Ribombee and Static from Zapdos are inescapable for Gligar, unfortunately.
  • Access to pivoting to form a VoltTurn core :tornadus-therian: :sandy-shocks: :lokix:
    • Another one to team VoltTurn. I found Gligar to be pretty handy with Mandibuzz and Sandy Shocks, as they both support each other in their strengths and weaknesses. Having U-Turn is of course great utility, being able to switch in its teammates safely.

The Weaknesses
  • Worn down easily by lack of recovery :florges: :scream-tail: :sylveon:
    • Losing Roost in Gen 9 really hurts. Due to not having any reliable recovery, you'd have to be real careful in letting Gligar switching in and out and pair it with another defensive mon that does have recovery. I tried to pair it with Wish-passers such as Scream Tail or Florges, but uh. Yeah a hostile meta is a hostile meta. You end up being unable to make proper progress if you focus on Wish-passing.
  • Really hates losing its item :tyranitar: :tinkaton: :rotom-wash:
    • Once Gligar loses its Eviolite, it becomes much easier to kill. I'm not saying that it becomes useless entirely, as it still has utility in its moves. But losing Eviolite makes it much more vulnerable to attacks, thus making it hard to switch it in.
  • Water and Ice weakness :rotom-wash: :greninja: :mamoswine:
    • This is pretty much a no-brainer. You'd think that you'd be able to block Rotom-W's Electric moves, only to be smacked in the face by a Hydro Pump (or worse, Trick with a Choice Scarf). The amount of Water- and Ice-types and attacks in the tier makes it difficult for Gligar, as it can't even afford to run something like Assault Vest (believe me I tried, UU is Not the tier for AV Gligar).
Teammates to Pair With

:sv/tyranitar: :sv/chansey: :sv/toxapex: specially defensive teammates
Gligar's poor SpDef really leaves lot to be desired, hence why pairing it with a mon that can tank special hits is crucial. I've been mainly running Gligar with AV Tyranitar to tank hits from Latios, Hurricane Zapdos and more than I can count on my fingers.

:sv/comfey: :sv/quaquaval: :sv/greninja: late game sweepers
Gligar acts as an entry-hazard user, status spreader and pivot, so late game sweepers that appreciate its ability to wear down foes. I've had lots of success with Comfey in particular, but that's less Gligar and more Comfey being Comfey.

:sv/tornadus-therian: :sv/lokix: :sv/sandy-shocks: pivots
I feel like I don't need to elaborate on this. Having U-Turn means being able to spam pivot moves over and over, and Tornadus-T and Lokix are already being very well-known in the metagame for being annoying. Sandy Shock provides an extra Electric immunity just in case Gligar gets worn down too badly to tank more hits.

:sv/cobalion: :sv/mandibuzz: :sv/keldeo: knock off absorbers
As stated before, Gligar hates losing Eviolite. So having teammates that can punish opponents for clicking Knock Off is a good way to bring the tides to your favor.

:sv/mandibuzz: Mandibuzz.
"This is just your bias." Yeah you're right but listen. We know that Gligar has an annoying Ice-weakness and lack of recovery. Mandibuzz on the other hand, while still having an Ice-weakness, is able to at least tank an Icicle Crash from Mamoswine and retaliate with Foul Play. Same goes for many other physical attackers that Gligar can't handle. In return, Gligar takes in Electric attacks, carries Toxic for Mandibuzz to carry other moves, and can Knock Off items. They've worked really well together for me, and I hope others can try them out together too.

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2194231133
the three defense bros work their way to victory

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2194232505
gligar and tyranitar synergy

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2194236698-k1c9aprzzv0nhxl4bca3d2z6rivsg8rpw
gligar and mandibuzz

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2194249321
gligar but it's hard because skissue

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2194320864
gligar vs toxapex

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2194328598
gligar vs pecharunt

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2194915739
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2194916749
gligar pivoting to end game

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2195537229
gligar vs haxorus saves the day

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2195544586
gligar vs gapdos who does zero damage

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2195009469
working their way for a quaquaval sweep

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2195027197
extra?

Teams
:quaquaval: :tyranitar: :gligar: :mandibuzz: :rotom-wash: :comfey: (greninja and sandy shocks used to be here at some point)
:lokix: :tornadus-therian: :gligar: :comfey: :excadrill: :cobalion:

Conclusion :gligar:
Gligar can perform its roles very well, setting hazards and status while also pivoting. However, while it has its highs, its lows really sets it back with how it can't take special attacks and lacks recovery to keep itself healthy. There are also many other defensive options that you'd rather use compared to an NFE that has lots of things holding it back. Regardless, it does its job well, and that's good enough for me.
 
:gligar:

Granted, I didn't ladder much because I joined on Wednesday and I was busy w/ school but I can still give my thoughts!

Pros
- Bulky spike/rocks setter
- Knock, U-turn, Toxic, Spikes, Stealth Rock, etc, etc, etc
- Pretty bulky (hits 504 at max def + eviolite)
- Status Absorption (though I learned the hard way that this only applies to moves like Toxic, Will-o-wisp, etc and not moves like Scald)

Cons
- No reliable recovery outside of leftovers (then no eviolite...)
- Vulnerable to knock off when using any item
- Bad special bulk
- Can't fit all its good moves (Spikes/Rocks, Toxic, U-turn, EQ, Knock, Protect (if running lefties + toxic), ...)

Potential Teammates
- Hazard removal: Gligar suffers from taking 12.5% chip every time it wants to switch in, which sucks if you want any semblance of longevity. :excadrill:
- Special Walls: Gligar does not appreciate taking 25% from a Zapdos Heat Wave because of its aforementioned lack of longevity. :rhyperior: (only vs zap) :tornadus-therian: :skeledirge:
- Knock Absorbers: Getting eviolite knocked off is kind of like sending a child into a WWII battlefield. Granted, UU doesn't have a knock absorber like OU Gligar that can just switch in for free, but IG cobalion works pretty well. :cobalion:
- Wallbreakers: Gligar's lack of longevity means you need to break down a team faster than their team breaks down yours. Also helps because Gligar gets U-turn. :hydrapple: :okidogi: :hoopa-u:

Conclusion
Gligar is a decent mon, but needs adequate support and aggression to get past its hurdles, like being very vulnerable to Knock Off, chip moves, and hazards. Even if there are better mons that can do its jobs better, Gligar offers a specific set of tools, ranging from its unique ability, typing, Eviolite, and surprisingly deep movepool. Even if it only fits on offensive teams which can break through its checks, it offers a niche, which is honestly pretty impressive for a NFE.
 
:pmd/gligar:

​
Super Cool to see this project come back and to actually participate in it. Gligar's a cool mon that I've been meaning to try

Gligar @ Eviolite
Ability: Immunity
Tera Type: Water/Fairy
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
- Earthquake
- Toxic/Knock Off
- U-turn
- Spikes/Stealth Rock

I used a pretty simple set. With Eviolite, Max defense gligar is super physically tanky. Earthquake is a good consistent stab, toxic lets you annoy bulkier mons while knock off helps take advantage of hazards. Stealth rock is nice if you don't have another setter, but Spikes is great as it's a pretty rare commodity in this meta. U-turn isn't necessary but I like it for pivoting on mons like hoopa and apple so I usually use it. The Tera type doesn't particularly matter, Gligar is a mon that doesn't want to tera (It genuinely took me until like the 1300s to realize I didn't set a tera on either of my teams) so it rarely if ever comes up.

Pros
  • :okidogi: - Probably the biggest thing in gligar's favor (imo) is its positive dogi match-up. Okidogi is one of the scariest in the tier rn, and it has very few safe switch-ins, so resisting both of it's stabs and being immune to toxic chain is a pretty massive trait. Obviously this isn't perfect, gligar still hates knock, but having that mostly safe switch-in and hitting back with eq is still and is a big part of it's viability.
  • :thundurus-therian: - that great dogi match-up wouldn't mean as much if gligar didn't have other good match-ups. Gligar can almost completely stop excadrill, while decently walling standard Thundy-T variants. It also does okay into cobal, shocks, rhyperior, cornerpon, and to some extent, scizor lokix and hoopa.
  • :excadrill: - SPIKES. As I mentioned briefly earlier, Spikes is pretty rare move in this tier. Outside of some nicher mons like shocks and chesnaught and some bigger mons that rarely run the move like gren and oger, spikes is rarely seen. Gligar not only has spikes, but it also beats our best spinner. This is a pretty fantastic trait that really lets gligar actually make meaningful progress long-term​
Cons
  • :lokix: - Knock off is the most obvious weakness. Gligar kinda needs eviolite, so you really don't want to be knocked. You can still get some value out of a knocked gligar, but you really don't want to be knocked and that really limits its effectiveness in checking certain threats.
  • :tinkaton: - The other big issue is the lack of recovery. UU is no stranger to defensive mons without recovery, but those mons can at least run leftovers while gligar is force to use eviolite. This makes even small chip against gligar a big problem and means it usually can stay around only a couple times before dying.
  • :greninja: - greninja is also a big Problem for gligar. It can 1hko gligar with surf and ice beam, and specs dark pulse and extrasensory both 2 shot. this weakness stretches to most other water types like rotom and Quaq.
  • :mamoswine: - I should probably mention the 4x ice weakness, but honestly, outside of gren, certain quaq and thundy-t variants, and some niche mons (sorry mamo), the ice weakness doesn't come up as much as you'd think.

Good Partners

:sv/empoleon: :sv/milotic:Bulky Water Types

Spdef Waters are gligar's best friends. They're obviously great for mitigating the water weakness, but they can also help in taking knocks and taking special hits.

:sv/cobalion::sv/okidogi:"The Fighters"
this is kind of a copout since most of the tier appreciates these two as partners lmao, but gligar does appreciate these two's presence. The bugs are kinda awkward for gligar since while gligar tanks their hits, the bugs also knock it which sucks. Cobal and dogi can take the pressure pressure off of gligar to take these two on, letting gligar preserve itself for other threats. They also can be knock absorbers

:sv/zarude::sv/hoopa-unbound::sv/ogerpon-cornerstone:Kill-stuffinators
So gligar is pretty obviously not much of an offensive threat, so it needs its teammates to really pick up the slack. A lot of threats appreciate gligar checking problem mons for them like dogi, and gligar appreciates mons that check and/or threaten mons it struggles against.

:sv/Hydrapple::sv/thundurus-therian:Alternative Electric answers
While Gligar is good against Thundy-t, its pretty terrible against the other big volt switchers so it's good to carry alternative answers to zapdos, rotom and cobal. Thundy-T is nice for zap, and grasses like hydrapple and zarude are great for rotom.


https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2195725874-7mqffgbn37734yrmu6ut0feiftjgl8mpw
Gligar doesn't do too much here, but it does knock torn's Assault Vest for garde.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2196141850
Gligar walls a +1 salamence while tanking a couple hits from hoopa and pivoting
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2196454587
I kinda misplayed at the start by wasting dogi, but gligar still put in work by forcing out hoopa and excadrill, pivoting and getting a toxic off on apple

Teams​
:gligar: :milotic: :Okidogi: :ogerpon-cornerstone: :scizor: :Hoopa-unbound: Based on the team used in this tour match by Azick. I changed most of the sets to ones I enjoy more/wanted to try out.
:gardevoir: :Zarude: :Thundurus-therian: :Gligar: :empoleon: :Okidogi: Originally Made to try out gardevoir but I thought gligar fit on it well too. I also accidentally made it without any uu by usage mons

Conclusion
Gligar is a pretty interesting mon. It's niche is a little specific but it's one the current meta really incentivizes. It's ability to check scary threats like okidogi is rare and really valuable rn. I think it has enough good match-ups and positive traits to be an actually legit mon. Overall, I was pretty surprised to see how well this mon performs and I might build more with it. All around impressive for a NFE mon.
 
SVUURW9 Diannie

Intro: It is interesting to see a currently-PU mon being viable in UU. Gligar has 65/105/65 HP/DEF/SPDEF base stats in which with eviolite, that physical defense indeed is good to have. Flying/Ground typing gives Electric, Ground, and Sandstorm damage immunities. Gligar resists Fighting, Poison, and Bug, the former two are the STABs of Okidogi. It has 4x weakness to Ice though and is 2x weak to Water. It can use Hyper Cutter ability but it won’t be useful much in this metagame as it is mainly used as a physical check to some mons. Its Immunity ability however makes it immune to Toxic. Now moving on to the movesets.

Gligar

:gligar:

Gligar @ Eviolite
Ability: Immunity
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Knock Off

SUMMARY: Direct to the experimentation point, I tried Acrobatics Gligar coz its eviolite tends to get knock off’d anyways (see replays 1, 5, 6, and 7). But it didn’t do much in my games, barely clicked it even, since like okidogi and lokix would switch out anyways though yeah the lokix’ knocking off my gligar only happened once and it’s more tyranitar that’s knocking off its items which is already weak to eq. I haven’t tried Toxic much but yeah since poison and/or steel generally is scared of eq, that’s a nice trait for gligar. Knock off is nice for progress while eq at least would scare tyranitar, okidogi, excadrill, etc. Stealth rock too coz flying/levitate mons could get in. U-turn is also nice for pivoting. Scizor seems like a nice partner and then slow pivot to get a breaker in like Okidogi. Stealth rock would chip flying that also has boots get knock off’d their boots so Okidogi is kinda a free CC click.

Gligar Good match-ups based on replays: Lokix, Excadrill, Cobalion, Tyranitar, Okidogi, Arcanine-H, Overqwil

Common switch-ins vs Gligar: Hydrapple and Slowking are fine taking a u-turn, Rotom-Wash, Tornadus (immune to eq),

Another thing to note is Gligar would eventually get chipped enough to be taken down by what it’s supposed to check since some of them could deal like 35% damage to Gligar as also shown in the replays especially Replay 12.

NOTABLE REPLAYS:

I chose 12 replays as usual with some commentary on each.

Replay 1: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2194195401-dsj0746owbw5oaj4vc6xoql1vmi3i4bpw

Gligar vs Lokix in the lead. Lokix knock’d off dealing 21% making uturn deal 24%. Hydrapple get in and since gligar is faster, uturn dealt 19% then turn 7, it returned vs excadrill. But then excadrill deals 33% now with iron head so it got 2hkoed.

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2194198360-ce8gxzlokpkspp7h6l2q00hlxm1qqq0pw

Gligar vs slowking. Uturn dealt 20% then that’s it coz I forgot its my main lokix switch in…prob I was scared of another knock off lmao

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2194200380-zypn3u7onxskza2e7cvl725cbkax9z8pw

Gligar vs cobalion. Rotom wash gets in to check. I thought I was faster but nope. Thats all for this replay.

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2194202310-8h4ej0d5h8433fz1yj9gt4uyv3k65rvpw

Azumarill swept me. Gligar tera fairy and took 67% from +6 aqua jet and dealt only 29% with earthquake.

Replay 5

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2194203434-1yoqe7ww7d5o1foj47cr0x0i7o1i4ofpw

Met same opp. Tornadus checked Gligar, knocked it off, and gligar goes down to lokix’ first impression.

Replay 6

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2194205577-xgbwm48yp0wau3dzfeowqaryrms89f8pw

Turn 12, gligar koed lucario after taking 39% dmg from meteor mash. Turn 19 checked tyranitar but got knocked off with 27% dmg and only dealing 46% with eq. At least gligar was faster this game.

Replay 7

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2194208144-l9g89z3e73f38bis4d7vunj7q4f63ulpw

This time, gligar vs ttar in lead but eq only dealt 37%, got knocked off 26%

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2194210534-b4lnh3b5szbls724s22p78fytquugimpw

Vs a co-researcher goro. Gligar ditto at start. My okidogi dealt 25% with close combat. Meanwhile, my glig tried to 1v1 fezandipiti. Eq dealt 46-51% while moonblast dealt 30-32%

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2194215861-ast1hegzx5fxtewomxdld6ofq7k6eq1pw

Turn 12 vs Arcanine-H. Overqwil’s aqua jet dealt 12%

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2195631666-rb90b2i4wht6m0gh6qcqfbcfh62armwpw

Turn 12 and 13 looks clutch turns. Stealth Rock and especially the knock off to Toxapex.

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2195636151-uzppgdz8z3qke8db6ozrmm2rc6gwzxcpw

Gligar got 2hkoed by zoroark-h disguised as metagross. Tbf thats with nasty plot. Knock off dealt 72%. Maybe I should have put evs on atk stat xd.

Replay 12:

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2195638485-x2iev0dzwk2wzkepjldgd441296w4q0pw

Opp switch out ogerpon-cornerstone vs gligar and sent tornadus in. Gligar checks excadrill but this shows gligar flaw which is…longevity. Excadrill will eventually chip Gligar enough to KO it. Ogerpon’s Ivy Cudgel also dealt 32%

CONCLUSION:

Acrobatics has little opportunities to be useful aside from cheesing a lokix knocking off its lefties. Gligar is fine even with just earthquake as its main damaging move while Toxic and Stealth Rock could help in chipping those who are immune to eq. IMO u-turn could be foregone, maybe Knock-off too? But both of these are still great utility moves.

OVERALL RATING:

Gligar is currently ranked B tier in VR but ig there could be a case that it could move up to B+ for some reasons. Its lack of longevity is what’s holding it back despite checking some of the S and A tier mons. There may also be times where teams will find themselves weak to Gligar or have like 3-4 mons weak to it.

Commentaries on other researcher's findings

[QUOTE="Lavarina”]

Gligar can take Lokix and Scizor's hits pretty nicely with Eviolite, forcing them to switch and let Gligar do its thing for free. Excadrill, while being able to Rapid Spin the Stealth Rocks away, is unable to chip Gligar significantly and is at risk of an Earthquake or potential Knock Off. Other threats that Gligar can check include Cobalion, Hawlucha and Rhyperior.

[/QUOTE]

Lavarina listed here some more mons that Gligar could check so I also want to highlight this part. Excadrill spinning rocks, Gligar comes in and will get chipped, Excadrill goes out to switch into like Tornadus-Therian as Gligar sets rocks again. In this type of sequence, it will come down to who will get chipped out first to KO, excadrill or gligar.

[QUOTE="mrsuslawl”]

Even if there are better mons that can do its jobs better, Gligar offers a specific set of tools, ranging from its unique ability, typing, Eviolite, and surprisingly deep movepool. Even if it only fits on offensive teams which can break through its checks, it offers a niche, which is honestly pretty impressive for a NFE.

[/QUOTE]

This highlights Gligar’s uniqueness due to its combination of typing and moves like Toxic. Another thing to emphasize is it’s important for Gligar to be on offensive teams since again, Gligar has a lack of longevity. Breaking opp’s comp before Gligar goes down.

[QUOTE="Catcus”]

Gligar is a pretty interesting mon. It's niche is a little specific but it's one the current meta really incentivizes. It's ability to check scary threats like okidogi is rare and really valuable rn. I think it has enough good match-ups and positive traits to be an actually legit mon.

[/QUOTE]

Lastly, I also wanted to highlight this part of the conclusion of Catcus. As listed not only in my post but also in the other researcher’s findings, it has enough good match-ups to be indeed to be put in the viability rankings despite being currently PU in usage. The pros of this mon is unique while the cons could be covered up by its teammates.

I might update this post if ever I still could get some more findings. That’s all for now.
 
Impressions:
Alrighty time to give some impressions of this funny scorpion guy, and honestly, I really like it!
Gligar Pokémon Gligar GIF - Gligar Pokémon Gligar Cute Gligar - Discover & Share GIFs

:Gligar:
Gligar @ Eviolite
Ability: Immunity
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- U-turn / Knock Off
- Spikes
- Toxic

Gligar's traits are a blend of unique and useful, offering a spiker and pivot that can also defensive check Excadrill, Okidogi, Cobalion, and Thundurus-T, while also blocking Volt Switch from the latter two. Earthquake and Toxic together make it quite irritating to switch into, while U-turn allows it to pivot out on foes that are already poisoned. Additionally, U-turn lets it bring in teammates to more immediately threaten these foes like Latios or your own Thundurus-T, as well as pivot out on the two foes who can decently withstand everything that Gligar can do, Slowking and Tornadus-T. Although, Toxicing them leaves them much easier for teammates to beat down over the course of the game, especially in Torn's case as it lacks a recovery move. Knock Off is an alternative option for certain fatter teams that want Gligar to have a lasting impact in the match. Its ability to check Excadrill and Mandibuzz also allows it to keep a spike up in the face of removal due to it sponging all of their attacks in tandem with Immunity for Mandibuzz's Toxic, while threatening them with Earthquake and Toxic respectively. Tera Ghost allows Gligar to block Rapid Spin from Excadrill in the event that Gligar is in range to be taken out by Rapid Spin and Gligar's team really needs spikes to be up, however it should be noted that this very specific and it's rare Gligar wants to give up its amazing type.

Now, Gligar is not without its flaws, it notably lacks any way to heal so it tends to prefer to be on teams with more offensive teammates that can end the match quicker, however it can potentially be used on fatter styles if it can be assured its lasting impact will provide avenues to victory or if wish passers are used. Another flaw Gligar has is its low Special Defense, making it so that it can't withstand attacks from special attacking threats, however this isn't anything its teammates cant patch up.

Teammates:
Here are some mons that go well with Gligar from my experience.
:sv/zarude:
Zarude @ Heavy-Duty Boots / Leftovers
Ability: Leaf Guard
Tera Type: Poison
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Power Whip
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
- Jungle Healing

Probably the best teammate for Gligar imo. Remember how I mentioned Slowking is the one of the better foes to withstand Gligar's moves? What if you pair Gligar with something that bullies Slowking to hell. Zarude also provides a second Ground resist so that Gligar doesn't need to withstand as many attacks from opposing threats, while also removing foes' Heavy-Duty Boots with Knock Off so that Gligar's Spikes get more damage throughout the course of the game. In turn, Gligar can switch into the Okidogi and Cobalion that try to answer Zarude while also U-turning on Slowking so that Zarude does not risk a Thunder Wave or Scald burn that would force Zarude to waste a turn using Jungle Healing. However, the presence of Zarude may make the opposing Slowking too afraid to click anything other than Chilly Reception, so Gligar can abuse this fear to grab a Spike or Toxic.

:sv/Skeledirge:
Skeledirge @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Unaware
Tera Type: Poison / Fairy / Water
EVs: 248 HP / 16 Def / 180 SpD / 64 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Torch Song
- Hex
- Will-O-Wisp
- Slack Off

One issue some Gligar teams can have from my experience is susceptibility to set-up sweepers, so Skeledirge can help to remedy that. Skeledirge also loves having the opposing team worn down by Toxic and Spikes so that it may bust through the opposing team with Torch Song and Hex late game. Will-O-Wisp weakening opposing physical attacks can also help Gligar stay alive for longer throughout the course of a game, while Gligar also allows Skeledirge to not need to immediately use Tera in the face of an Excadrill. Gligar also allows Skeledirge to more easily use a Tera Type other than Poison given that Gligar can check Okidogi quite effectively, meaning Skeledirge can more easily use Tera Fairy to check Hoopa-U, Water to check Greninja, and so on.

:sv/Latios:
Latios (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Tera Type: Dragon
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Luster Purge
- Flip Turn
- Trick

Choice Scarf Latios was a pretty cool pairing on Gligar teams, as Latios checks tend to be pretty easy to wear down with Spikes up. Latios is also immune to opposing Spikes unlike the other two scarfers, Hoopa-U and Okidogi, meaning that it is less reliant on removal. It can also Trick its Choice Scarf to cripple an opposing wall both by locking it into a move and removing any potential boots, while Flip Turn allows it to pivot out and help rack up damage on switch-ins like Excadrill and Tyranitar.

:sv/Rotom-Wash:
Rotom-Wash @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
Tera Type: Steel
EVs: 252 HP / 168 SpD / 88 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Volt Switch
- Pain Split
- Thunder Wave / Wil-O-Wisp

Provides a check to Tornadus-T that is immune to spikes and can both pivot and slow down foes so that they are easier to force out by teammates, can help the previously mentioned Zarude and Skeledirge find opportunities to break or clean respectively, meaning it also fits well alongside Gligar's teammates. It can also slot wisp if it wants to cripple physical attackers so that Gligar can better check them.

:sv/Slowking:
Slowking @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Scald
- Thunder Wave
- Chilly Reception
- Slack Off

Similar to Rotom-W just that it has Regen, can better check Excadrill, and packs a Fighting resist, while lacking a Spikes immunity, is slower, and can't run wisp (Scald doesn't count :changry: ).

:sv/Cobalion:
Cobalion @ Leftovers / Rocky Helmet / Shuca Berry
Ability: Justified
Tera Type: Dragon
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Volt Switch
- Thunder Wave / Taunt / Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock

Provides a secondary blanket physical check to help take some pressure off Gligar while also setting Stealth Rock, can also potentially use Taunt to help preserve hazards. Also appreciates Gligar's ability to check Thundurus-T so that it needs Stone Edge less, though Stone Edge is still an option for the hard hit on Zapdos.

General Teammates that Gligar May Appreciate, or Teammates that Appreciate Gligar:

Removal: :Excadrill: :Mandibuzz:
Gligar's lack of recovery makes it so that it would rather avoid chip from rocks if it can, so removal is appreciated even if it isnt strictly necessary.

Knock Absorbers: :Cobalion: :Rotom-Wash:
Gligar really doesnt like losing its item so generally it likes having teammates that dont mind taking a knock that much.

Cleaners/Breakers: :Scizor: :Latios: :Hoopa-Unbound: :Okidogi: :Greninja: etc.
Spikes are super neat for wearing things down into range for a breaker to punch through or for a cleaner to sweep.

Secondary Volt-Switch Blockers: :Thundurus-Therian: :Sandy Shocks: :Rhyperior:
Zapdos poses a slight issue for some teams with Gligar as their only Electric immunity as Zapdos threatens heavy damage into Gligar with STAB Hurricane, so a second volt blocker can help remedy this. (Although, with Zapdos projected to rise to OU, this may no longer need to be considered come October.)

Other potential teammates that I considered but either couldn't figure out how to fit with Gligar or never got around to building a team with
:Tyranitar: :Choice Band:
:Empoleon:
:Sinistcha:
:Pecharunt:

Now for some teams with the Scorpion!
Gligar + Scarf Latios BO::Gligar: :Skeledirge: :Cobalion: :Zarude: :Rotom-Wash: :Latios:
Gligar + Scarf Dogi BO::Gligar: :Rotom-Wash: :Zarude: :Tornadus-Therian: :Okidogi: :Excadrill:
Gligar Sand: :Gligar: :Okidogi: :Slowking: :tyranitar: :thundurus-therian: :excadrill: <-- not amazing imo but its still kinda fun and can win games
Gligar + Umbreon Stuff::Gligar: :Umbreon: :Cobalion: :Slowking: :Skeledirge: :Latios: <EXPERIMENTAL>
This last one was one I never properly tested, every other Umb + Glig team felt way too slow so this was the closest one to good I could find. In theory Gligar can check Cobalion and Okidogi for Umbreon while Umbreon passes wishes that help keep Gligar alive, but again in practice it felt like a rough fit. If anyone else wants to give either this team or one of their own a whirl, feel free. (This isnt entirely true anymore as I've gave it some games, feels alr but could maybe be a little better.)

I'll maybe add some replays later in an edit, was more focused on getting this post and some teams given that getting games that properly demonstrate a mon's traits on ladder is always hell for me lol.

Edit: Replays woo, will add more as i get them, also added a new "general teammates" section above so yay.
Edit 2: Outside of the second replay I've added another team.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2198094948-fd6c10gs1q0t634bohmy7zfs7mtccmspw
First time actually using the Glig + Umb team and i gotta say this has some funny interactions (ignore me tera fairying in front of Okidogi i swear i thought it was scarf when i saw no leftties, also me saccing dirge to ttar i forgot banded runs max speed and not whatever speed creep shenanigans i try on it, its OK tho glig and umb clutched.)

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2198345220-jul8qlfvtpedw3urqbkpk2ck49ata7opw
Gligar sand fun, Gligar itself doesnt do much other than sponging a Horn Leech from Rockpon but I think it kinda demonstrates that it can soak more than just hits that it resists

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2198838362-fxu6zjyjwmle1q55je5db59vp02dj4ipw
Game itself wasnt anything special but
+2 252 Atk Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon-Cornerstone Ivy Cudgel vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Gligar: 172-204 (51.4 - 61%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 Atk Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon-Cornerstone Power Whip vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Gligar: 207-244 (61.9 - 73%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Apparently Gligar eats these so uh if you need emergency positioning it can work for that.

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2198848588-sb7wf5x2gtv5hfoexke4t6kb4rl2lf4pw
Showcasing Knock Off's ability to help wear down otherwise annoying mons for fatter teams, the Rotom on the opposing team was tough for me but landing a Knock and Toxic virtually killed it so it was just sacked to coba

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2198859484-23q67v46juxjxcik7zh6uo4cgrdthsspw
Waiter! More Fimp's please!
 
Last edited:
Impressions of gligar:
- can set spikes up and is bulky enough to set them against by bullying mons like coba, rock slide exca, dogi, etc
- toxic + knock off can wear down stuff like zapdos, slowking,
- good phys bulk allows it to sit on some stuff esp if you can keep rocks off for some time
- really want to avoid getting knock'ed
- still loses cuz its weak as shit to some boosters like SD exca on the switch can dent it heavily (although tbh the trade is in ur favor if they dont flinch and they arent balloon)

Teammates:
:zarude:- something i thought off on paper, can make it so gligar can fit u-turn over knock as zarude can fit it while spamming it into foes like zapdos, hydrapple, dogi, tinkaton, pex, etc

:okidogi: - great abuser of spikes, it can easily just spam and accumulate a lot of chip dmg against the opponents as a result of spikes and force recovery = giving itself more turns

:slowking: - Helps it check a lot of mons, smth like torn-t, specs gren, keldeo, latios, can pivot out to allies to take advantage of spikes

:cobalion: - gligar gives a dogi check, can block volt switch and threaten toxic, and can also click knock against torn-t, zapdos, slowking so coba accumulates a lot more progress

:hoopa-unbound: - great late game claener alongside spikes, with spikes you wear down mons like tink, dogi, coba, very fast.

What I think of gligar?
It is prob deserving of its rank, its issues are smth u see a decent amount and sometimes its just getting a spike up and not doing much else esp in MU's where it doesnt face coba, dogi, or doesnt have much opportunity to do its job as a result of pressure so sometimes u get a spike up and accept that is what u get.

It is a decent mon and idt its half bad.... but its really depending on the MU and it can go from "holy shit why are you here" to "holy shit thank god you are here" pretty average B tier experience

Replays:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2199433632-0dxnd7pbmuyq51rqlurazwcebqr9xjlpw?p2
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2197386767-pc5j4c41viuaowcje20ws73akh1cebcpw?p2
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2197390838-gpsntpid3kqs15vqef4nrs2rc2nkrutpw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2197383215-si66dcbudubdi4ra31qmn4di41i9oozpw?p2
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9uu-2195855548-u584n7hm2r6g1urlf9hpje968zxyidopw

Team:
https://pokepast.es/37e564f11bfa571b
 
RESEARCH WEEK 9 POINTS DUMP:

+20 Points ThatOneApple - Highest Elo (10), Documented Findings (5), Exemplary Effort (5)
+15 Points lavarina - Documented Findings (5), Exemplary Effort (5), Response to Others (5)
+10 Points HydreigonTheChild - Documented Findings (5), Exemplary Effort (5)
+10 Points Catcus - Documented Findings (5), Exemplary Effort (5)
+10 Points mrsuslawl - Documented Findings (5), Exemplary Effort (5)
+10 Points DiannieRatson - Documented Findings (5), Exemplary Effort (5)

Closing Thoughts

Gligar seemed to fit right where its VR placement said it should, as it seems to have just enough bulk to check what it's supposed to check, and just enough longevity to not be a liability in an average-length game. However its flaws are apparent, and one misstep could lead to you having a useful pokemon for only one or two turns.

Now let's move forward to the post-shifts meta:

Week 10
ALT CODE: SVUURW10(name)​

Skarmory is back. Has Big Stall won the day? Or will we be living in a fast paced Spikes meta? Skarm HO? Skarm Stack? Skarm Fat? Now is the time to find out! So let's put this bird to the test and see if we are entering the era of Spikes!

:sv/Skarmory:

Skarmory
Item: any
Ability:
- Spikes
-
-
-

Bonus points (figuratively not literally) if you showcase Skarm vs Exca interactions

In order to participate you must do the following:

Post here with a fresh RW alt (such as SVUURW10 Mantis or SVUURW10 Lurantis) and the name(s) of the Pokemon you will be using.
Use at least one of the Pokemon being researched.
Post your experiences with the Pokemon you're using, participate in the discussion!
Be sure to follow the instructions in the OP - use your words and your replays to really hammer the point home!
The goal is to get points through the 3 main events - The winner of the main event will be the person who has the highest ladder ranking on the Pokemon Showdown UU ladder with their RW alt at the time the challenge ends. Winners will also receive a permanent spot in this thread's Hall of Fame.

This week will end on October 13th at 11:59 PM GMT-7. Have fun everyone!!
 
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