[OVERVIEW]
Giratina-O is most notable for being the only offensive Defog user in Ubers, giving it a distinct niche. Its high bulk and unique typing combined with Levitate give it great use against top metagame threats like Arceus-Ground, Extreme Killer Arceus, and Kyogre. While its offensive stats are a bit low by Ubers standards, it makes up for it with Griseous Core's boost and access to high-Base Power moves like Poltergeist, Draco Meteor, and Hex. Furthermore, Will-O-Wisp, Thunder Wave, and Shadow Sneak are all great utility options at Giratina-O's disposal. Giratina-O is also one of the best users of Terastallization in the tier, becoming extremely tanky with Tera Steel or Poison in combination with Levitate. However, Giratina-O has no reliable recovery and thus can be chipped down by Stealth Rock and Ruination damage over time. It also stacks weaknesses with Koraidon and Miraidon, two of the most common Pokemon in the tier.
[SET]
Physical Utility (Giratina-O) @ Griseous Core
Ability: Levitate
Tera Type: Steel / Ghost / Poison
EVs: 248 HP / 104 Atk / 112 Def / 44 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Poltergeist
- Dragon Tail
- Will-O-Wisp / Thunder Wave
- Defog / Shadow Sneak / Stone Edge
[SET COMMENTS]
Although it necessitates teammates like Necrozma-DM to not run Knock Off, Poltergeist is a strong Ghost-type attack that is very spammable due to how few Pokemon that resist Ghost there are in the tier. Dragon Tail is a decently strong Dragon-type attack that has utility for forcing out Extreme Killer Arceus, which often runs Taunt, and Ting-Lu. Of the two status options, Will-O-Wisp should be run with Defog, as it pressures Ting-Lu much more; Ting-Lu can otherwise heal off damage with Leftovers, pressure Giratina-O with Ruination, and set entry hazards. Thunder Wave pressures common switch-ins like Ho-Oh and Arceus-Fairy much more, and as such is preferred when not running Defog. Access to Defog is extremely few and far between in Ubers, and therefore Giratina-O's access to it provides immense utility. It can be critical for maintaining an advantage in entry hazard management, especially once opposing entry hazard setters like Ting-Lu are taken out of the picture. Despite this utility, other options are still available for more offensively-minded teams. Shadow Sneak is a useful priority move that becomes very strong when combined with Tera Ghost; the combination of Tera Ghost Poltergeist and Shadow Sneak will even take out Koraidon. Alternatively, Stone Edge can be used to KO Ho-Oh, which otherwise takes non-Tera Ghost Poltergeist without worry. The given EVs allow Giratina-O to survive +2 Tera Ghost Arceus's Shadow Claw as well as +2 Life Orb Arceus's Shadow Claw after Stealth Rock damage. The Speed EVs are enough to outspeed uninvested Gliscor, with the rest dumped into Attack. Tera Steel should be run on Defog sets, as it negates all of Giratina-O's normal weaknesses, allowing Giratina-O to turn the tide against many Pokemon such as Koraidon using Scale Shot and Gliscor using Toxic. Tera Poison is another option, as it provides similar utility to Tera Steel without being weak to Koraidon's Flare Blitz.
Giratina-O is an excellent way to finish off most defensive cores in the tier, as its Defog support and ability to check Arceus-Ground, Extreme Killer Arceus, and Kyogre are very valuable. As such, classic defensive Pokemon like Necrozma-DM, Arceus-Fairy, Ting-Lu, and Arceus-Water are all fantastic partners. Miraidon deserves mention, since it can pressure Ting-Lu, Clodsire, and Gliscor extremely well, potentially leading to a huge advantage in entry hazard management. Giratina-O's Defog support can also enable some powerful wallbreakers like Choice Band Chien-Pao and Choice Specs Kyogre, which may not normally fit on most teams due to being too weak to entry hazards.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Shadow Ball is possible over Hex to have a stronger attack in the short term; this may notably help against Dragon Dance Arceus-Ground. Calm Mind sets are a possibility, but Giratina-O's lack of recovery really limits its ability to sweep.
Checks and Counters
====
**Support Arceus Formes**: Arceus formes like Arceus-Fairy and Arceus-Water can shrug off any attack Giratina-O throws at them, though neither appreciate status.
**Ho-Oh**: Ho-Oh can handle most attacks from Giratina-O, as it has high bulk and is immune to Will-O-Wisp. However, Stone Edge, Thunder Wave, and Tera Ghost-boosted Poltergeist all threaten Ho-Oh.
**Chip Damage**: Giratina-O has no recovery, so damage from poison, burn, or Stealth Rock can add up over time. Ting-Lu's Ruination can also greatly reduce Giratina-O's ability to check threats.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
[https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/manaphy.50695/]
Quality checked by:
[https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/corvere.306317/]
[https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/taka.595062/]
Grammar checked by:
[https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/aurora.109385/]
Giratina-O is most notable for being the only offensive Defog user in Ubers, giving it a distinct niche. Its high bulk and unique typing combined with Levitate give it great use against top metagame threats like Arceus-Ground, Extreme Killer Arceus, and Kyogre. While its offensive stats are a bit low by Ubers standards, it makes up for it with Griseous Core's boost and access to high-Base Power moves like Poltergeist, Draco Meteor, and Hex. Furthermore, Will-O-Wisp, Thunder Wave, and Shadow Sneak are all great utility options at Giratina-O's disposal. Giratina-O is also one of the best users of Terastallization in the tier, becoming extremely tanky with Tera Steel or Poison in combination with Levitate. However, Giratina-O has no reliable recovery and thus can be chipped down by Stealth Rock and Ruination damage over time. It also stacks weaknesses with Koraidon and Miraidon, two of the most common Pokemon in the tier.
[SET]
Physical Utility (Giratina-O) @ Griseous Core
Ability: Levitate
Tera Type: Steel / Ghost / Poison
EVs: 248 HP / 104 Atk / 112 Def / 44 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Poltergeist
- Dragon Tail
- Will-O-Wisp / Thunder Wave
- Defog / Shadow Sneak / Stone Edge
[SET COMMENTS]
Although it necessitates teammates like Necrozma-DM to not run Knock Off, Poltergeist is a strong Ghost-type attack that is very spammable due to how few Pokemon that resist Ghost there are in the tier. Dragon Tail is a decently strong Dragon-type attack that has utility for forcing out Extreme Killer Arceus, which often runs Taunt, and Ting-Lu. Of the two status options, Will-O-Wisp should be run with Defog, as it pressures Ting-Lu much more; Ting-Lu can otherwise heal off damage with Leftovers, pressure Giratina-O with Ruination, and set entry hazards. Thunder Wave pressures common switch-ins like Ho-Oh and Arceus-Fairy much more, and as such is preferred when not running Defog. Access to Defog is extremely few and far between in Ubers, and therefore Giratina-O's access to it provides immense utility. It can be critical for maintaining an advantage in entry hazard management, especially once opposing entry hazard setters like Ting-Lu are taken out of the picture. Despite this utility, other options are still available for more offensively-minded teams. Shadow Sneak is a useful priority move that becomes very strong when combined with Tera Ghost; the combination of Tera Ghost Poltergeist and Shadow Sneak will even take out Koraidon. Alternatively, Stone Edge can be used to KO Ho-Oh, which otherwise takes non-Tera Ghost Poltergeist without worry. The given EVs allow Giratina-O to survive +2 Tera Ghost Arceus's Shadow Claw as well as +2 Life Orb Arceus's Shadow Claw after Stealth Rock damage. The Speed EVs are enough to outspeed uninvested Gliscor, with the rest dumped into Attack. Tera Steel should be run on Defog sets, as it negates all of Giratina-O's normal weaknesses, allowing Giratina-O to turn the tide against many Pokemon such as Koraidon using Scale Shot and Gliscor using Toxic. Tera Poison is another option, as it provides similar utility to Tera Steel without being weak to Koraidon's Flare Blitz.
Giratina-O is an excellent way to finish off most defensive cores in the tier, as its Defog support and ability to check Arceus-Ground, Extreme Killer Arceus, and Kyogre are very valuable. As such, classic defensive Pokemon like Necrozma-DM, Arceus-Fairy, Ting-Lu, and Arceus-Water are all fantastic partners. Miraidon deserves mention, since it can pressure Ting-Lu, Clodsire, and Gliscor extremely well, potentially leading to a huge advantage in entry hazard management. Giratina-O's Defog support can also enable some powerful wallbreakers like Choice Band Chien-Pao and Choice Specs Kyogre, which may not normally fit on most teams due to being too weak to entry hazards.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Shadow Ball is possible over Hex to have a stronger attack in the short term; this may notably help against Dragon Dance Arceus-Ground. Calm Mind sets are a possibility, but Giratina-O's lack of recovery really limits its ability to sweep.
Checks and Counters
====
**Support Arceus Formes**: Arceus formes like Arceus-Fairy and Arceus-Water can shrug off any attack Giratina-O throws at them, though neither appreciate status.
**Ho-Oh**: Ho-Oh can handle most attacks from Giratina-O, as it has high bulk and is immune to Will-O-Wisp. However, Stone Edge, Thunder Wave, and Tera Ghost-boosted Poltergeist all threaten Ho-Oh.
**Chip Damage**: Giratina-O has no recovery, so damage from poison, burn, or Stealth Rock can add up over time. Ting-Lu's Ruination can also greatly reduce Giratina-O's ability to check threats.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
[https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/manaphy.50695/]
Quality checked by:
[https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/corvere.306317/]
[https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/taka.595062/]
Grammar checked by:
[https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/aurora.109385/]
Last edited:
