[OVERVIEW]
Goldeen has a fantastic ability in Lightning Rod, allowing it to be a great check to Electric-types such as Chinchou and Magnemite; it can also directly threaten them with Drill Run, making it one of the best stops to Volt Switch in the metagame. Its Water typing provides it with useful resistances to Water-, Ice-, and Steel-type attacks, which are commonly run as coverage by LC's premier Volt Switch users. Goldeen's movepool has useful options such as Knock Off, Megahorn, and specifically Bounce, which can be used alongside a Flyinium Z to let Goldeen lure in and KO Grass- and Fighting-types. Goldeen's good Attack and Speed allow it to put some offensive pressure on the opposing team. However, Goldeen generally faces competition as a physically offensive Water-type from the likes of Corphish, which has extremely strong STAB attacks thanks to Adaptability and access to Dragon Dance and Swords Dance, and Carvanha, which hits harder, more consistently breaks through Grass-types, and has Speed Boost to outpace normally faster Pokemon. Goldeen's bad bulk also doesn't help its case, as it takes massive damage from powerful neutral hits and will almost always get OHKOed by super effective attacks. Finally, Goldeen lacks a good way to hit bulky Water- and Flying-types as well as Grass- and Fighting-types after Supersonic Skystrike has been used up, meaning that it can be walled fairly easily by Pokemon like Timburr and Foongus.
[SET]
name: Supersonic Skystrike
move 1: Bounce
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Drill Run
move 4: Knock Off
item: Flyinium Z
ability: Lightning Rod
nature: Jolly
evs: 220 Atk / 36 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Bounce can be turned into Supersonic Skystrike, a powerful 160-Base Power attack that allows Goldeen to be a lure for Fighting- and Grass-types, most notably Timburr and Foongus, and OHKO them after their Eviolites have been removed. Waterfall is Goldeen's most reliable STAB move, hitting Ground- and Fire-types super effectively. Drill Run works with Lightning Rod to allow Goldeen to check Electric-types both defensively and offensively, hitting Pokemon such as Chinchou and Elekid for super effective damage. Knock Off is used to remove Eviolite from bulky switch-ins to Goldeen, such as Foongus and Mareanie, and helps it achieve more KOs with Supersonic Skystrike. It also hits Ghost-types such as Frillish and Pumpkaboo-XL, both of which can otherwise wall Goldeen. Poison Jab can be used to hit Fairy-types such as Spritzee and Snubbull super effectively. However, it forces you to drop an essential move in either Waterfall or Knock Off.
Set Details
========
The listed Attack and Speed EVs with a Jolly nature allow Goldeen to hit as hard and fast as possible while outspeeding threats such as Pawniard and Berry Juice Magnemite. 36 Special Defense EVs allow Goldeen to nearly always take two Flash Cannons from Magnemite, helping it check it better. Flyinium Z is mandatory for turning Bounce into Supersonic Skystrike. Lightning Rod is the only reason to use Goldeen, as it allows it to check Electric-types effectively.
Usage Tips
========
Goldeen should often be switched into Electric-types, as its poor bulk prevents it from switching into much else. Supersonic Skystrike should be used carefully due to its one-time-use nature. If there are no Fighting- or Grass-types on the opponent's team, you can use Supersonic Skystrike as a powerful attack to break walls down. Before using Supersonic Skystrike, it is best to use Knock Off to remove a potential Eviolite on the foe you'd like to hit with the move. As most Electric-types will switch out of Goldeen, you should use Knock Off when you predict a switch to remove the foe's item. If you predict a switch into a bulkier foe like Foongus or Timburr, you should Knock Off so that you can follow up with a Supersonic Skystrike. However, Goldeen should be wary when trying to check Elekid in case of Hidden Power Grass, which has a slight chance of OHKOing Goldeen, meaning it must stay healthy throughout the match if it wants to reliably check Elekid. Knock Off should be used early- and mid-game in order to cripple the opponent's Pokemon. Goldeen should avoid getting worn down, as it will struggle to check the things it needs to if it is significantly weakened.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can remove entry hazards such as Staryu and Vullaby are invaluable as teammates, as Goldeen will often be switching in and out constantly against Electric-types. In return, Goldeen can switch into the Electric-types that threaten these Pokemon. Clerics such as Spritzee and Snubbull can remove status that cripples Goldeen such as Scald burns from Chinchou. Pokemon that can take care of Water-types, such as Snivy and Magnemite, can help Goldeen do its role much more easily. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Drilbur let Goldeen get certain KOs with Supersonic Skystrike that it would not get otherwise such as against bulkier variants of Mienfoo. Water- and Flying-types appreciate Goldeen's ability to wall Electric-types. If Goldeen is paired with another Water-type, an answer to Grass-types such as a Fire- or Flying-type is needed. Flying-types in particular are great partners for Goldeen, as they can break through Grass- and Fighting-types such as Foongus and Timburr after Supersonic Skystrike has been used. Electric-types such as Elekid and Chinchou can take care of Flying-types such as Doduo.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Aqua Tail is a more powerful option over Waterfall, but it's less reliable due to its poor accuracy. Eviolite or Life Orb can be used instead of Flyinium Z, but this leaves Goldeen walled by Fighting- and Grass-types. A mixed attacking set can work, but it's too reliant on getting boosts from Lightning Rod, as Goldeen's Special Attack is rather low. Hidden Power Fire can be used to hit Ferroseed, but it doesn't provide much coverage overall. Megahorn is a strong 120-Base Power Bug-type move, but it doesn't provide much coverage that Goldeen doesn't already have on the main set.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ferroseed**: Ferroseed takes neutral damage from Supersonic Skystrike, can set entry hazards up in front of Goldeen, and KOes it with Bullet Seed.
**Other Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Snivy can be difficult for Goldeen to face if Supersonic Skystrike has already been used, as this forces Goldeen to attack with the unreliable Bounce to deal with them. Cottonee can cripple Goldeen with Stun Spore or lower its stats with Memento for a setup sweeper to come in. Foongus and Pumpkaboo-XL are both bulky enough to survive a Supersonic Strike from full HP and can OHKO Goldeen with Giga Drain.
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Slowpoke and Mareanie can attempt to burn Goldeen with Scald. They must watch out for Knock Off, however.
**Status**: Goldeen does not appreciate status, as it hurts its offensive presence. As it often switches in to Chinchou and Staryu, it is prone to getting burned by Scald. It also dislikes getting paralyzed, but Lightning Rod helps with this by giving it an immunity to Thunder Wave.
**Entry Hazards**: As Goldeen often switches in on Electric-types, it is prone to being weakened by Stealth Rock and Spikes.
Goldeen has a fantastic ability in Lightning Rod, allowing it to be a great check to Electric-types such as Chinchou and Magnemite; it can also directly threaten them with Drill Run, making it one of the best stops to Volt Switch in the metagame. Its Water typing provides it with useful resistances to Water-, Ice-, and Steel-type attacks, which are commonly run as coverage by LC's premier Volt Switch users. Goldeen's movepool has useful options such as Knock Off, Megahorn, and specifically Bounce, which can be used alongside a Flyinium Z to let Goldeen lure in and KO Grass- and Fighting-types. Goldeen's good Attack and Speed allow it to put some offensive pressure on the opposing team. However, Goldeen generally faces competition as a physically offensive Water-type from the likes of Corphish, which has extremely strong STAB attacks thanks to Adaptability and access to Dragon Dance and Swords Dance, and Carvanha, which hits harder, more consistently breaks through Grass-types, and has Speed Boost to outpace normally faster Pokemon. Goldeen's bad bulk also doesn't help its case, as it takes massive damage from powerful neutral hits and will almost always get OHKOed by super effective attacks. Finally, Goldeen lacks a good way to hit bulky Water- and Flying-types as well as Grass- and Fighting-types after Supersonic Skystrike has been used up, meaning that it can be walled fairly easily by Pokemon like Timburr and Foongus.
[SET]
name: Supersonic Skystrike
move 1: Bounce
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Drill Run
move 4: Knock Off
item: Flyinium Z
ability: Lightning Rod
nature: Jolly
evs: 220 Atk / 36 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Bounce can be turned into Supersonic Skystrike, a powerful 160-Base Power attack that allows Goldeen to be a lure for Fighting- and Grass-types, most notably Timburr and Foongus, and OHKO them after their Eviolites have been removed. Waterfall is Goldeen's most reliable STAB move, hitting Ground- and Fire-types super effectively. Drill Run works with Lightning Rod to allow Goldeen to check Electric-types both defensively and offensively, hitting Pokemon such as Chinchou and Elekid for super effective damage. Knock Off is used to remove Eviolite from bulky switch-ins to Goldeen, such as Foongus and Mareanie, and helps it achieve more KOs with Supersonic Skystrike. It also hits Ghost-types such as Frillish and Pumpkaboo-XL, both of which can otherwise wall Goldeen. Poison Jab can be used to hit Fairy-types such as Spritzee and Snubbull super effectively. However, it forces you to drop an essential move in either Waterfall or Knock Off.
Set Details
========
The listed Attack and Speed EVs with a Jolly nature allow Goldeen to hit as hard and fast as possible while outspeeding threats such as Pawniard and Berry Juice Magnemite. 36 Special Defense EVs allow Goldeen to nearly always take two Flash Cannons from Magnemite, helping it check it better. Flyinium Z is mandatory for turning Bounce into Supersonic Skystrike. Lightning Rod is the only reason to use Goldeen, as it allows it to check Electric-types effectively.
Usage Tips
========
Goldeen should often be switched into Electric-types, as its poor bulk prevents it from switching into much else. Supersonic Skystrike should be used carefully due to its one-time-use nature. If there are no Fighting- or Grass-types on the opponent's team, you can use Supersonic Skystrike as a powerful attack to break walls down. Before using Supersonic Skystrike, it is best to use Knock Off to remove a potential Eviolite on the foe you'd like to hit with the move. As most Electric-types will switch out of Goldeen, you should use Knock Off when you predict a switch to remove the foe's item. If you predict a switch into a bulkier foe like Foongus or Timburr, you should Knock Off so that you can follow up with a Supersonic Skystrike. However, Goldeen should be wary when trying to check Elekid in case of Hidden Power Grass, which has a slight chance of OHKOing Goldeen, meaning it must stay healthy throughout the match if it wants to reliably check Elekid. Knock Off should be used early- and mid-game in order to cripple the opponent's Pokemon. Goldeen should avoid getting worn down, as it will struggle to check the things it needs to if it is significantly weakened.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can remove entry hazards such as Staryu and Vullaby are invaluable as teammates, as Goldeen will often be switching in and out constantly against Electric-types. In return, Goldeen can switch into the Electric-types that threaten these Pokemon. Clerics such as Spritzee and Snubbull can remove status that cripples Goldeen such as Scald burns from Chinchou. Pokemon that can take care of Water-types, such as Snivy and Magnemite, can help Goldeen do its role much more easily. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Drilbur let Goldeen get certain KOs with Supersonic Skystrike that it would not get otherwise such as against bulkier variants of Mienfoo. Water- and Flying-types appreciate Goldeen's ability to wall Electric-types. If Goldeen is paired with another Water-type, an answer to Grass-types such as a Fire- or Flying-type is needed. Flying-types in particular are great partners for Goldeen, as they can break through Grass- and Fighting-types such as Foongus and Timburr after Supersonic Skystrike has been used. Electric-types such as Elekid and Chinchou can take care of Flying-types such as Doduo.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Aqua Tail is a more powerful option over Waterfall, but it's less reliable due to its poor accuracy. Eviolite or Life Orb can be used instead of Flyinium Z, but this leaves Goldeen walled by Fighting- and Grass-types. A mixed attacking set can work, but it's too reliant on getting boosts from Lightning Rod, as Goldeen's Special Attack is rather low. Hidden Power Fire can be used to hit Ferroseed, but it doesn't provide much coverage overall. Megahorn is a strong 120-Base Power Bug-type move, but it doesn't provide much coverage that Goldeen doesn't already have on the main set.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ferroseed**: Ferroseed takes neutral damage from Supersonic Skystrike, can set entry hazards up in front of Goldeen, and KOes it with Bullet Seed.
**Other Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Snivy can be difficult for Goldeen to face if Supersonic Skystrike has already been used, as this forces Goldeen to attack with the unreliable Bounce to deal with them. Cottonee can cripple Goldeen with Stun Spore or lower its stats with Memento for a setup sweeper to come in. Foongus and Pumpkaboo-XL are both bulky enough to survive a Supersonic Strike from full HP and can OHKO Goldeen with Giga Drain.
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Slowpoke and Mareanie can attempt to burn Goldeen with Scald. They must watch out for Knock Off, however.
**Status**: Goldeen does not appreciate status, as it hurts its offensive presence. As it often switches in to Chinchou and Staryu, it is prone to getting burned by Scald. It also dislikes getting paralyzed, but Lightning Rod helps with this by giving it an immunity to Thunder Wave.
**Entry Hazards**: As Goldeen often switches in on Electric-types, it is prone to being weakened by Stealth Rock and Spikes.
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