Gastrodon, The Sea Slug Pokémon. It has strong regenerative capabilities. Even if parts of it are bitten off by fish Pokémon, it will return to normal within a few hours. Plankton, invisible to the naked eye, is its main food source. It comes onto the land periodically, but the reason for this is not known. A team of researchers is scouring the oceans of the world in search of a Gastrodon in a color never seen before. Experiments are being conducted to discover what happens when a Gastrodon is raised in a location other than the sea where it was born.
Overview
Welcome to the next chapter of our ongoing epic that is the Pokémon of the Week. This week we're covering a slug. That's right a really big pink, sometimes green, sea slug 'mon named Gastrodon. Back in BW this was my absolute favorite wall to use. I don't know if I had one on every team, but it was pretty close. It's typing is just amazing in Water/Ground Type. Which means that it's only hit super effectively by Grass Moves and it comes with a alot of useful resistances as well as an immunity Electric Moves and even damage from Water Type moves thanks to the Storm Drain ability.. which comes comes with a much appreciated SpA boost if your opponent is dumb enough to try a Water attack anyway. It's starting to show its age a little bit though. It's not nearly as dominating of a Bulky Water Type as it was in days past, but it's still able to take some hits thanks its High HP stat and its Typing. It does wish for a little bit more bulk in the Def department, and a bit more power on the offensive end of the spectrum couldn't hurt either. However it's still very good at what it's always done, which is supporting the team.
Positives
+ Great typing in Water/Ground Type which means it's only hit super effectively by Grass Types Moves.
+ Fantastic Ability known as Storm Drain which makes Gastrodon immune to Damage from Water Type Moves and turns them into a SpA boost.
+ Nice Base 111 HP Stat
+ Solid Base 92, 82, and 83 SpA, Atk, and SpDef respectively as well
+ has access to a reliable recovery move with.. Recover lol
+ lots of support move options
Negatives
- The rest of its stats are pretty mediocre, it's incredibly slow and it has some trouble dealing with physical hits at times.
- Which limits its options ALOT and it's basically stuck supporting the team 9 times out of 10.
- if it gets hit by a Grass Type Move whether it's stab or not , it's going likely to be toast.
Abilities
Sticky Hold: This Pokémon’s item cannot be taken. Not a bad ability. I mean nobody likes having their Leftovers taken away with Knock Off or something.
Storm Drain: Water-type moves are drawn to this Pokémon. Water-type moves will do no damage and the Pokémon's SP ATK is raised one stage. This is the ability you should take every single time. It provides complete immunity to Water attacks which would otherwise hit you for neutral, and if someone tries to use a Water move against you anyway you'll get a much needed boost to your SpA.
Hidden Ability (Available):
Sand Force: Ground-type, Rock-type & Steel-type moves have their power increased by 33% in a Sandstorm...Unfortunately the Sand Force is not strong with this 'mon, and it doesn't really pack enough power to properly to take advantage of this ability. Don't Use it.
Movesets
Katsuyu-sama
- Toxic
- Scald
- Earthquake
- Recover
Item Attached: Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs and Nature:
252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
I've been using this set since BW and it's still just as effective as it ever. The EV's maximize its highest stat, which is its HP, while compensating for it's less than perfect Def. Toxic is for crippling other Bulky 'mons and Walls. Scald is your main stab. It's powerful enough, and it comes with the added chance of inflicting your enemy's with Burn status, so it's always useful to have. Earthquake was chosen over Earth Power because it does more consistent damage, and last but not least the forever reliable Recover.
Other Options
- Curse: A curse set with a 252 HP / 140 Def / 116 SpD spread and a Sassy nature can be used to help compensate for Gastrodon's less than awesome Def and possibly even sweep in the late game if you get lucky.
VGC, Double, & Triple Battle Options
Gastrodon has always been a good Pokemon in doubles. With a fantastic ability in Storm Drain that can protect any water-weak teammate from single-target water attacks, good bulk, and reliable recovery, the sea slug is a good choice to fit on a team. In VGC 2017, that is no different, even though Gastrodon does not have access to Earth Power from the ORAS move tutors. Although there are some incredibly strong grass types in Tapu Bulu and Kartana that were introduced this year, and Tapu Fini has taken over as the premier water type Pokemon, Gastrodon still can thrive with the proper support.
No One Storms like Gast(rod)on
-Scald
-Ice Beam
-Toxic / Sludge Bomb
-Recover / Protect
Item Attached: Sitrus Berry / Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs and Nature:
252 HP / 180 Def/ 76 SpD
Sassy Nature
Gastrodon is by no means an offensive powerhouse, but its good typing and solid bulk allow it to stick around for a while. This set's spread allows it survive both an Adamant Garchomp's Tectonic Rage, as well as a Freeze Dry from a Timid Alolan Ninetales. A Sassy Nature (and ideally a 0 speed IV) makes Gastrodon a decent check to Trick Room, or at the very least allow you to stall out some turns. Storm Drain is of course the ability of choice, letting it gain a special attack boost from any water type attacks, and protecting any teammates who would be hit by such a move. Sitrus Berry has been the most common item this year so far to allow for a quick recovery, but Leftovers is another good choice that will have a greater effect the longer Gastrodon is on the field.
Scald is Gastrodon's best STAB water attack, and the chance to burn is always nice. Ice Beam provides great coverage next to Scald, but Sludge Bomb does hit all the Tapus hard. Recover increases Gastrodon's longevity. Combined with Toxic, especially against Porygon2, Recover helps Gastrodon stall out bulky Pokemon that the team may otherwise have trouble with. Protect is seen on Gastrodon less than many other Pokemon, but is still fantastic in doubles to keep Gastrodon safe from grass type moves while a partner takes the threat out. Again, unfortunately Gastrodon does not get access to a strong ground attack without Earth Power, but it is a good move for a Gastrodon in other formats like Battle Spot Doubles.
Other Options & Team Ideas
-Many of the other relatively common items on Gastrodon are berries. 50% recovery berries like the Wiki Berry restore even more health than the Sitrus, but aren's always as reliable since they don't activate until you are at 25% health or lower. Maranga Berry is used to give Gastrodon a special defense boost after being hit with a special attack, allowing it to Recover off the damage more easily. Kee Berry does something similar, but Intimidate support can help make up the difference. Rindo Berry reduces the damage from grass moves, but both Tapu Bulu and Kartana can still OHKO you through the berry, so it's really only useful for "surprise" grass moves like Energy Ball from Tapu Lele or a random Hidden Power Grass. -Muddy Water has mediocre accuracy but does spread damage. -Fissure can OHKO a target on the ground if you're lucky, but is really only seen for one purpose: to use Tectonic Rage. Groundium Z can also be used on moves like Mud Bomb or Earthquake. -While the water Z move doesn't see much use, one other gimmick that is fun to use is Z-Stockpile. Stockpile can boost each of Gastrodon's defenses by 1 stage, and the Z version will also fully restore Gastrodon's health.
-Gastrodon typically needs support from a fire type Pokemon to handle grass types such as Tapu Bulu or Kartana. Arcanine, due to its versatility and Intimidate support to boost Gastrodon's physical defense, is the most common fire type to fill this role, and is simply one of the best Pokemon in VGC 2017 in general. -Tapu Koko and other electric Pokemon can freely use Discharge next to Gastrodon. -Gastrodon does well as a Trick Room check, especially next to a Pokemon like Gigalith who can get rid of an opposing Torkoal's Drought. Gastrodon can keep Gigalith safe from water moves, and also will not take damage from sand.
Countering Gastrodon
GRASS TYPES. ALL OF THE GRASS TYPES. Gastrodon resists Fire, Poison, Steel and Rocks Types, and is also immune to Electric attacks and even Water Attacks if you have the Storm Drain ability...but thanks to its stellar typing it's 4x Weak to Grass Types unfortunately so even 'mons not packing a stab grass attack won't have tons of trouble taking out Gastrodon eventually if they're packing something like Grass Knot in their arsenal. It also can't take on Special Walls or Status moves very well, so don't leave Gastrodon in as Status absorber if you can help it. Your biggest worry in life though is any and all Grass Type anythings, so be careful out how use Gastrodon and good luck out there trainers.
Locations in Games
Red/Blue/Yellow:
Not in game
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Not in game
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Not in game
Colosseum/XD:
Not in game
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Routes 213, 218, 221, 222, 224 & 230, Fuego Ironworks (Diamond/Pearl)
Route 205 South, Route 212 South, Route 213, Pastoria City, Canalave City, Valley Windworks (Surf), Route 218, Route 224, Fuego Ironworks (Platinum)
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Evolve Shellos
Black/White:
Trade from Black 2/White 2
Black 2/White 2:
Evolve Shellos
X/Y:
Friend Safari
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Evolve Shellos
Sun/Moon:
Ancient Poni Path, Exeggutor Island, Poni Wilds
Animé Appearences
