Moves
Substitute is used to protect Gourgeist-S against weaker attacks such as Primeape's Earthquake, Gastrodon's Scald, and Lanturn's Volt Switch. It also helps Gourgeist-S avoid being crippled by status afflictions. Substitute works particularly well with Leech Seed and Will-O-Wisp in wearing down the Pokemon Gourgeist-S walls, as well as whittling away at switch-ins. Leech Seed provides passive recovery, allowing Gourgeist-S to set up many Substitutes while chipping away at its foes. Will-O-Wisp punishes physical attackers that attempt to switch into Gourgeist-S while further wearing down foes alongside Leech Seed. Foul Play prevents setup sweepers such as Samurott, Klinklang, Pinsir, and Barbaracle from setting up on Gourgeist-S. Seed Bomb is another alternative to hit Water-, Ground-, and Rock-types such as Poliwrath, Rhydon, and Kabutops
Set Details
Leftovers provides Gourgeist-S with passive recovery, allowing it to set up more Substitutes, and works well in tandem with Leech Seed. Alternatively, Colbur Berry can be used so that Gourgeist-S can tank a Knock Off from Haryiama, Shiftry, and Zangoose, but it generally isn't worth the loss of passive recovery. Frisk enables Gourgeist-S to scout a foe's item, being particularly helpful in finding out which Pokemon are holding a Choice item. The Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows Gourgeist-S to outpace Pokemon with base 95 Speed and below, such as Jynx, Primeape, and Kangaskhan, and burn them before they can attack. 152 HP EVs provide a compromise between bulk and Leech Seed recovery, allowing Gourgeist-S to create four Substitutes from full HP. The remaining EVs are invested in Defense to maximize physical bulk.
Usage Tips
Gourgeist-S should be brought in against predicted Water-, Fighting-, and Ground-type attacks such as Samurott's Waterfall, Primeape's Close Combat, and Steelix's Earthquake, as it takes minimal damage and can attempt to burn them with Will-O-Wisp. Set up a Substitute on Pokemon that cannot do much to Gourgeist-S, namely Gastrodon, Torterra, and Lanturn. If the opponent has a Fire-type such as Pyroar or Magmortar, then it is better to throw out a Leech Seed or Foul Play rather than lose momentum by clicking Will-O-Wisp. In addition, Gourgeist-S should avoid Knock Off, as it deals a lot of damage and it hates losing the passive recovery Leftovers provides it. Lastly, avoid switching Gourgeist-S into status-inflicting moves such as Scald, Toxic, and Will-O-Wisp, as they will cripple it for the remainder of the match.
Team Options
Pokemon that can handle Dark-types and absorb Knock Off such as Mega Audino and Garbodor are solid partners, as the former can also pass Wishes and provide Heal Bell support, while the latter can set up entry hazards. Rock-types such as Regirock and Rhydon have great defensive synergy with Gourgeist-S, as they can pivot into Fire-type attacks, set up Stealth Rock, and take on Flying-types such as Archeops, Rotom-S, and Scyther. In return, Gourgeist-S can deal with Water- and Ground-types that give them trouble. Entry hazard removers are important, as Gourgeist-S is worn down very quickly by Toxic Spikes due to its lack of recovery. Therefore, Defoggers such as Mantine, Skuntank, and Prinplup are good partners, as are spinners such as Hitmonchan and Kabutops. Fire-types are decent partners, as they can take on Ice-types and, in Magmortar's case, other Fire-types. Pyroar is notable because it provides a handy Ghost immunity for Gourgeist-S while Gourgeist-S can tackle Water-types such as Samurott in return.
