Gourgeist (Small) Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Substitute is used to protect against weaker attacks and status, and can also be used to scout for what an opponent wants to do. Gourgeist-S can set up Substitutes on the various Pokemon it walls, allowing it to use Leech Seed on or burn the switch-in, wearing it down, especially if Gourgeist-S is faster and can continually set up Substitutes. Leech Seed is used for extra recovery, allowing Gourgeist-S to set up more Substitutes, and Will-O-Wisp is used to cripple physical attackers such as Leafeon, Fraxure, and Dodrio and to provide residual damage on common switch-ins such as Grass-, Ice-, and Flying-types. Rock Slide is used to hit common Fire- and Flying-types, which like to switch into Gourgeist-S, from behind the safety of a Substitute. Disable can be used instead of Rock Slide to stall by disabling super effective moves. Foul Play is a reliable offensive move that uses the foe's Attack stat, which is a benefit as Gourgeist-S has a mediocre Attack itself. Set Details Maximum Speed investment is used so that Gourgeist-S can outspeed as many threats as possible, such as Frogadier, Swanna, and Basculin. The HP EVs allow Gourgeist-S to get as much HP from Leech Seed and Leftovers as possible, and the rest are put in Defense for added bulk. Frisk is used to scout an opponent's item, letting you see Choice items and other less obvious items, giving insight into the opponent's set. Leftovers is used for increased longevity, allowing Gourgeist-S to set up multiple Substitutes. While a Jolly nature is recommended if Gourgeist-S is carrying Rock Slide, a Timid nature is best when Disable or Foul Play are used for reduced damage from opposing Foul Play users. Usage Tips Be wary of switching into a Scald, because while resisted, burn limits the number of Substitutes Gourgeist-S can set up. Set up Substitutes on status users or Pokemon with resisted STAB attacks. After setting up Substitute, use Leech Seed on and then burn specially based Pokemon, and do the reverse on physically based Pokemon. Setting up a Substitute when the opponent has a Grass-type is not the best idea as it only wastes precious health which can be difficult to recover without the help of Leech Seed. If Gourgeist-S is running Disable, first use Substitute to see what move the opponent will go for to hurt Gourgeist-S, then Disable the move and Substitute again to see if they carry any coverage moves. Team Options Toxic Spikes users such as Roselia are useful teammates, as the Toxic damage coupled with Leech Seed can rack up quickly. Roselia can also switch into Grass-types quite easily. Toxic Spikes users are also helpful because they can absorb Toxic Spikes on your side of the field, which can be detrimental to Gourgeist-S, while Gourgeist-S provides spinblocking support. Entry hazard users in general, such as Golem and Stunfisk, make good teammates, as Gourgeist-S forces a lot of switches and hazard damage racks up quickly. Audino is a good teammate as it can provide Wish and Heal Bell support to Gourgeist-S, while Gourgeist-S can provide a switch-in to Fighting-type attacks. Pokemon that resist Dark-type attacks, such as Combusken and Monferno, are good teammates to take moves such as Knock Off. A Fire / Water / Grass core can be created with Gourgeist-S using Fire-types such as Ninetales and Rapidash as well as Water-types such as Gorebyss and Simipour, as they can take care of each other's weaknesses.

Moves Substitute is used to avoid incoming attacks and stall for Leech Seed and Will-O-Wisp damage. Leech Seed can heal off most of the damage from Substitute when used with Leftovers and also wears down the opponent. Will-O-Wisp is used not only to cripple physical attackers, but also to wear down the opponent even more in combination with Leech Seed. Protect is used to stall for Leech Seed and Will-O-Wisp damage without having to take a hit like Gourgeist-S would with Phantom Force. Protect does, however, leave Gourgeist-S very vulnerable to Taunt. Phantom Force can be used in the last slot to stall for Leech Seed and Will-O-Wisp damage while also making sure that Gourgeist-S isn't complete Taunt bait. However, it gives Normal-type Pokemon, most notably Exploud, a free switch-in. Seed Bomb is an option, though it does pitiful amounts of damage to Grass-types which are immune to Leech Seed and Fire-types which are immune to Will-O-Wisp. Additionally, Seed Bomb doesn't give Gourgeist-S the ability to stall for Leech Seed and Will-O-Wisp damage. Set Details The EV spread with a Jolly nature allows Gourgeist-S to outspeed max Speed base 95 Speed Pokemon such as Drapion in order to use Will-O-Wisp, Leech Seed, or Substitute against them. The given HP EVs maximize Leech Seed recovery while also providing good bulk, with the leftover EVs being added to Defense to better take physical hits. Jolly is preferred if Phantom Force is being used; otherwise, a Timid nature is preferred to reduce Foul Play and confusion damage. Frisk is the ability of choice, as it lets Gourgeist-S scout the opponent's item. Leftovers is a necessity, as in combination with Leech Seed, it heals off much of the HP lost from using Substitute. Usage Tips Try to bring Gourgeist-S in on a slow Ground-, Water-, or Fighting-type that can't hurt it and set up a Substitute. From there, use the combination of Substitute, Leech Seed, Will-O-Wisp, and Protect or Phantom Force to slowly whittle away at the opponent's health. It's important to avoid Knock Off at all costs, as Leftovers recovery is a big part of what makes Gourgeist-S successful. Team Options Toxic Spikes support is amazing, as Gourgeist-S can stall entire teams with Leech Seed in combination with Toxic Spikes. Drapion not only sets up Toxic Spikes but can also take the Dark- and Ghost-type moves that Gourgeist-S hates. Weezing and Roselia are other Pokemon that can use Toxic Spikes. With no reliable recovery move, Gourgeist-S greatly appreciates Wish support. Alomomola and Aromatisse are two of the best Wish passers in the tier and also pair really well with Gourgeist-S: the former takes Fire- and Ice-type attacks for Gourgeist-S, while the latter can take Dark-type attacks with ease. Rhyperior is great at absorbing Fire- and Flying-type attacks for Gourgeist-S, while Gourgeist-S can take Water- and Grass-type moves for Rhyperior. Qwilfish has good synergy with Gourgeist-S, as it takes Fire- and Ice-type attacks for Gourgeist-S, while Gourgeist-S can take Ground- and Electric-type attacks for Qwilfish in return. Qwilfish can also set up Spikes to further wear down the opponent. Because Grass- and Fire-types are immune to Leech Seed and Will-O-Wisp, respectively, Pokemon that can deal with these types make for good partners. Slowking counters most Fire-types and also has a super effective STAB move to beat Venusaur, and can even lure in other Grass-types with Fire Blast. Golbat 4x resists Grass-type moves and can retaliate back with Brave Bird. It can also clear entry hazards via Defog, helping to extend Gourgeist-S's lifespan.