Gligar Movesets & Competitive Sets

An alternative set of 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 SpD can be run to better take on Giga Drain Roserade. 1 EV in Speed and a Relaxed nature can be run to still outspeed Sylveon while underspeeding other Pokemon to have a slow U-turn and switch to a teammate safely.

Moves Earthquake is Gligar's primary attacking move, letting it threaten foes like Terrakion, Infernape, and Nihilego. Roost provides Gligar with reliable recovery, keeping it healthy throughout a given match. Defog removes all entry hazards on the field, aiding teammates that may be vulnerable to them. Stealth Rock is a necessity on any competitive team, putting pressure on foes by punishing their switches with residual damage. U-turn lets Gligar effectively act as a bulky pivot, getting hard-hitting teammates in safely to do damage. Toxic pressures bulky foes like Swampert and Alomomola, as well as Ground-immune Pokemon such as Mega Aerodactyl, Hydreigon, and Togekiss. Alternatively, Knock Off cripples item-reliant Pokemon like Suicune, Kyurem, and Sylveon while scouting whether others, like Latias and Celebi, are carrying a Z-Crystal. Wing Attack is an additional option that allows Gligar to offensively check Heracross, a huge threat to bulky teams. Set Details Maximum HP investment in tandem with Eviolite makes Gligar as bulky as possible. 156 Defense EVs in combination with an Impish Nature let Gligar avoid the 2HKO from Choice Band Terrakion's Stone Edge after Stealth Rock damage, letting Gligar act as one of its only reliable answers in the tier. The remaining EVs are dumped into Special Defense, aiding Gligar's matchup against threats like Hydreigon, Celebi, and Gengar while giving it a good chance to avoid the OHKO from +2 Nasty Plot Infernape's Fire Blast after Stealth Rock. Alternatively, Gligar can viably run a set with more Defense investment, further improving its one-on-one matchup against Pokemon such as Cobalion, Heracross, and the aforementioned Terrakion. Immunity is Gligar's preferred ability, letting it effectively wall bulky Steel-type Stealth Rock setters in Mega Aggron, Mega Steelix, and Stakataka, and easily remove their entry hazards with Defog if need be. Usage Tips Gligar is best used early- to mid-game as a bulky pivot capable of either setting Stealth Rock or removing entry hazards with Defog when presented with the opportunity. These opportunities are often found by Gligar switching into threats that it matches up well against like Infernape, Terrakion, Nihilego, and Mega Manectric. Gligar also fares well against bulky Steel-types, most notably when it is running Defog to counteract Stealth Rock setters like Mega Aggron and Cobalion. U-turn can either be used when predicting an opposing switch to gain momentum or when stomaching a hit to bring in a teammate into a favorable position more safely. Keep Gligar healthy if it is necessary in order to keep a threat in check, but play more aggressively with U-turn if health is not a priority. Use Toxic and Knock Off to cripple Pokemon like Swampert, Suicune, and Mantine as they attempt to switch in safely on Gligar. Be wary of Knock Off users such as Krookodile and Alolan Muk, as while Gligar can beat them one-on-one if needed, it heavily relies on its Eviolite to remain as bulky as possible to check the threats it is meant to. Team Options Gligar fits well on a variety of playstyles ranging from bulky offense to stall; they all appreciate its utility and overall pivoting ability. Water-types like Empoleon, Slowbro, and Primarina make natural partners, covering Gligar's only weaknesses while it absorbs the Electric-type attacks aimed at them. Nihilego, Blissey, and the aforementioned Empoleon and Primarina can also act as special sponges, aiding Gligar by taking on many of strong special attackers that threaten it. Gligar can get offensive Grass-types like Celebi, Tsareena, and Rotom-C into favorable positions against bulky Water-types with U-turn. Additionally, the latter two can form momentum-based cores with Gligar through their respective moves, U-turn and Volt Switch. Other Electric-types such as Mega Manectric and Rotom-H offer similar synergy with Volt Switch while threatening Water-types as well. Fighting-type wallbreakers like Terrakion, Heracross, and Kommo-o make for great partners, taking advantage of Gligar's ability to bring them in safely to do big damage. They also double down as solid Knock Off switch-ins, something essential alongside Gligar due to its reliance on Eviolite. Finally, Gligar helps out Choice Scarf users like Hydreigon, Infernape, and Latias, providing them free switch ins by getting off slow U-turns on Pokemon that they threaten such as Celebi and opposing Hydreigon and Latias.

Moves Earthquake punishes Pokemon Gligar checks like Cobalion and Infernape, preventing them from freely setting up. U-turn allows Gligar to be an effective pivot, especially after switching into Pokemon such as Hydreigon and Celebi, bringing in a teammate capable of capitalizing on the free switch. Roost allows Gligar to consistently check the variety of threats in the tier. Gligar is an effective user of Defog, especially when dealing with opposing Spikes and Toxic Spikes by virtue of its Flying typing making it immune to them. Stealth Rock is another utility move Gligar can use if no other teammate is able to fit it into their kit. Set Details Eviolite is vital on Gligar to give it the boosted defense stats required to check Pokemon like Hydreigon and Cobalion effectively. The Special Defense investment allows it to switch into special attackers such as Hydreigon and avoid the OHKO from non-Life Orb or Meadow Plate Celebi's +2 Leaf Storm after Stealth Rock then proceed to switch out with its slow U-turn. An Impish nature allows Gligar to avoid the 2HKO from +2 Cobalion's Iron Head after Stealth Rock damage. Hyper Cutter is used alongside Defog, as Immunity is incompatible with it. If running Stealth Rock, Immunity is the preferred ability, as it allows Gligar to be a Toxic absorber in certain instances. A Careful nature with an EV spread of 248 HP / 48 Def / 212 SpD can be used to help Gligar take on Choice Specs Hydreigon better without being detrimental to its matchup against Cobalion, as it can almost always avoid the 2HKO from both of them after Stealth Rock. Usage Tips Gligar's primary role should be to serve as a slow bulky pivot capable of bringing a teammate into a favorable position. This should be achieved on a predicted switch or against threats like Hydreigon and Fighting-types like Cobalion and Infernape, which it can safely switch into. Gligar's ability to check these threats is heavily improved by its Eviolite making it bulkier. However, Gligar's over reliance on Eviolite means it must be wary of Knock Off users. While it can comfortably switch into most Fighting-types, a few like Mienshao and Heracross have access to Knock Off, making it so it must fear losing its item when pivoting into them. Krookodile is a Stealth Rock user with access to Knock Off to punish Gligar while also shutting it down with Taunt to prevent it from using Roost or removing or setting hazards. However, these Knock Off user tend to run Choice items, making them difficult to pivot into, so you should not fear switching Gligar in against these threats. Gligar will then be able to take advantage of them by using Defog or Stealth Rock to assist its teammates. Gligar should be kept healthy with Roost if it is necessary to keep multiple threats in check; otherwise, using U-turn to generate momentum or its utility moves should be favored. Team Options Mega Aerodactyl is a fantastic partner alongside Gligar, as it is able to revenge kill Celebi with Pursuit following a slow U-turn. Mega Aerodactyl also appreciates the free switch against many offensive teams, allowing it to fire off a strong attack. Water-types like Mega Blastoise, Empoleon, and Suicune work well in covering Gligar's weaknesses to Ice and Water; in return, Gligar can pivot into the Electric-type moves aimed at them. Slowking is another Water-type that checks threats like Entei and Mamoswine, which threaten Gligar, as well as helping pivot around Nidoqueen, which can threaten both of them with its coverage options. Slowking also provides a secondary Fighting-resistant Pokemon, taking pressure off Gligar and stopping it from being overwhelmed by them and the special threats it wants to check. Cobalion appreciates Gligar covering the Fighting- and Ground-types that threaten Cobalion and having the ability to be brought in safely against Pokemon like Hydreigon. Wallbreakers such as Entei, Hydreigon, and Mega Abomasnow are great partners that appreciate the breaking opportunities Gligar gives them after a slow U-turn. Mega Abomasnow can also check Gligar's weaknesses and pressure Pokemon like Suicune, Mega Swampert, and Mamoswine, which can all take advantage of Gligar. VoltTurn partners like Mega Beedrill and Rotom-C work well with Gligar on offensive teams, as they value the utility Gligar provides and the momentum core it creates with them. Rotom-C also appreciates Gligar luring in Water-types like Tentacruel and Gyarados to get it into a favorable position to fire off its strong STAB moves. Toxic Spikes absorbers pair nicely with Gligar, as the most common user in Tentacruel can punish it with Scald or Knock Off. Roserade, Toxicroak, and the previously mentioned Mega Beedrill can fulfill this role, and the former two can also pressure Water-types like Suicune and Mega Swampert for Gligar.

This set aims to use Gligar's enormous physical bulk to wall many dangerous Pokemon in the UU metagame. Roost restores 50% of Gligar's health and allows it to switch into powerful physical attacks multiple times. Earthquake is a reliable STAB move which ensure Gligar isn't complete Taunt bait. Even with Earthquake, Gligar doesn't have a powerful offensive presence, but U-turn can help alleviate this by keeping momentum on Gligar's side of the field. Toxic cripples any bulky Water-types that might try to capitalize on Gligar's Water-type weakness and low Special Defense and also limits the opponent's ability to set up by crippling potential sweepers. Almost all Pokemon that are immune to Toxic are weak to Earthquake, which can make switching into Gligar tricky. Stealth Rock supports Gligar's team by increasing passive damage on the opponents side, while Taunt prevents slower Pokemon from setting up or healing off Toxic damage. The EV spread maximizes Gligar's ability to take physical hits, which is what is does best. An alternate spread of 252 HP / 204 Def / 52 Spe allows Gligar to outspeed Choice Band Victini after a V-create and OHKO with Earthquake after Stealth Rock damage. Gligar can also use an EV spread of 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe to check Electric-types lacking Hidden Power Ice while still taking physical attacks well. Immunity is the best ability because poisoning would ruin Gligar's walling attempts. Aerial Ace can be used to OHKO Heracross after Stealth Rock damage, ensuring that Gligar can still check Swords Dance Heracross. Substitute eases prediction and allows Gligar to stall slower Pokemon with Toxic. Snorlax is a very good partner as it can take almost any special attack aimed at Gligar. Roserade also has good Special Defense and can take on any bulky Water-type that threatens Gligar. Empoleon has great synergy with Gligar. Not only does Empoleon's excellent Special Defense complement Gligar's great physical Defense, but their types cover the other's weaknesses perfectly. Empoleon can easily switch into Ice- and Water-type attacks aimed at Gligar, while Gligar can switch into Ground-, Fighting-, and Electric-type attacks aimed at Empoleon.

Set Description When holding a Choice Band, Gligar acts as a conventional wallbreaker that pressures soft checks to Ground-types such as Blastoise, Walrein, and Lapras, and its access to both Hyper Cutter and a priority move sets it apart from other Choice Band users. Hidden Power Flying is a secondary STAB option for Ground-immune Pokemon like Scyther, Misdreavus, and Altaria while hitting physically defensive Pokemon like Vileplume and Hitmontop hard as well. Iron Tail complements Gligar's STAB moves by hitting Solrock and Lunatone while also consistently 2HKOing Cradily. Finally, Quick Attack lets Gligar deal with pinch Berry sweepers such as Reversal Scyther, and it can pick off faster foes like Arcanine and Tentacruel when they're chipped. An Adamant nature maximizes Gligar's immediate damage, letting it 2HKO bulky Kangaskhan variants and OHKO offensive Solrock with Iron Tail, but a Jolly nature can be used instead to Speed tie with other base 85 Pokemon such as Qwilfish, Pinsir, and Nidoking. 16 EVs can be placed in Special Defense to consistently survive Timid Arcanine's Fire Blast from full health. Team Options While Choice Band Gligar has substantial power, it appreciates Spikes support to pressure bulky targets trying to switch in. Omastar, Qwilfish, and Glalie are great Spikes setters, with Omastar providing extra defensive support against Kangaskhan, Scyther, and Solrock, and Qwilfish and Glalie using Explosion against bulky Water-types. Due to Gligar's hit-and-run nature while needing to Choice lock, it will likely be switching multiple times throughout a match and thus appreciates a good defensive backbone. Since Gligar doesn't have Leftovers to bolster its defensive utility, it appreciates Wish support from Kangaskhan to increase its longevity. If Scyther, Solrock, or opposing Gligar come in on Earthquake, Gligar appreciates physical walls like Omastar, Granbull, and Blastoise being able to switch into them. Gligar beating down bulky Water-types mid-game is appreciated by offensive Pokemon that like them weakened, such as Arcanine, Swords Dance Tentacruel, and Rain Dance Omastar.

Set Description Gligar primarily takes the role of a Swords Dance sweeper that uses its good bulk to set up on physical attackers like Kangaskhan and Scyther and break through common defensive cores. Hidden Power Flying provides a secondary STAB option for Scyther while also dealing more meaningful damage to Vileplume and Hitmontop. For Gligar's last move, Quick Attack can be used for a priority option to check pinch Berry sweepers such as Reversal Scyther and Petaya Berry Electrode and Manectric, and it can pick off faster foes like Tentacruel with prior chip damage. Iron Tail is an alternative option to hit Solrock and Lunatone, which resist both of Gligar's STAB attacks. A Jolly nature allows Gligar to Speed tie with other base 85 Speed foes such as Qwilfish, Nidoking, and Pinsir, while an Adamant nature increases its general damage in conjunction with Swords Dance. 16 Special Defense EVs can be used to consistently survive Timid Arcanine's Fire Blast from full health, allowing Gligar to respond with Earthquake. Substitute can be run over Quick Attack or Iron Tail with a Salac Berry to mitigate Gligar's low Speed and pose a more dangerous sweeping threat late-game, as it isn't KOed at 25% health from all common forms of priority. With this set, Gligar's HP should be divisible by four so Salac Berry can be consumed at 25% health or after three Substitutes maximum. Team Options Gligar struggles with what last move it wants to run between Quick Attack and Iron Tail, but good team support can alleviate these issues. If Gligar lacks Quick Attack, it appreciates teammates with their own priority moves for fast sweepers, such as Arcanine with Extreme Speed and Scyther with Quick Attack. If Gligar lacks Iron Tail, it likes Pokemon that are able to reliably switch into and check Solrock such as Omastar, Blastoise, and Hitmontop. The best way that Gligar can gain a Swords Dance boost is by coming in on Kangakshan's Rest, therefore, it's good to pair it with Pokemon that can lure Kangaskhan with Toxic, such as Omastar, Tentacruel, Ampharos, and Lanturn, and bulky attackers that can trade hits well with Kangaskhan, such as Arcanine, Lapras, and Walrein. Gligar heavily appreciates Spikes support to make up for its lack of power in pressuring switches, incrementally helping to push bulky foes in range of its boosted Earthquake. Omastar, Qwilfish, and Glalie are good Spikes setters to accomplish this, as they can also help against bulky Water-types such as Tentacruel, Blastoise, and Walrein that Gligar can have trouble with. Omastar can use Toxic or Hidden Power Electric to chip them, while Qwilfish and Glalie can use Explosion to break open a hole in the opposing team that Gligar that can capitalize on. Having Pokemon to switch into Water-types is also helpful if Gligar is forced out, making Kangaskhan, Walrein, Lanturn, and Lapras good defensive partners. While Gligar can threaten Electric-types, all of them pose the threat of Ice-type coverage to scare it out. Therefore, Kangaskhan, Ampharos, and Lanturn can help by reliably switching into them. Gligar swotching into passive Pokemon makes it vulnerable to status from Kangaskhan, Hitmontop, and Vileplume. Clerics such as Ampharos, Vileplume, Lapras, and Granbull can help with this and increase Gligar's longevity as an offensive threat.

Only use Rest with Mint Berry. This is the old "standard" Gligar. It's ideal if you can steal a Thick Club from Marowak or Leftovers from Snorlax or Zapdos.

Use Screech as the opponent switches, and if you've got a shot at taking them out, go ahead. You're not going to be able to touch Zapdos or Skarmory, but then again, with Counter, they're not going to do too much to you without getting killed. With its decent Defense, Counter is also great for Snorlax and Marowak.