Underrated Pokemon in Overused Tier #1: Granbull
Welcome to the first Underrated Pokemon article for SPPF Journal. Every month I'll be covering a Pokemon that is very effective in OU despite belonging in lower tiers (UU and lower). To qualify for this article, the Pokemon must be in the tier I mentioned before or lower, it must have a valuable niche that can make it effective in OU, and it must be able to check and/or sweep numerous kinds of Pokemon in the tier. This month, with the debut of ORAS and all the new Megas, many of which are physical-based or Fighting typed, I wanted something that can come in and stop them in their tracks, so I chose a Fairy type that has one of the best abilities in the game in Intimidate, Granbull.
(Base Stats) 90/120/75/60/60/45
Granbull was once one of the most forgettable Pokemon in all of the game. It was stuck with a horrible Normal typing, which made it outclassed by various pink blobs. While it still had a good ability and stats, it just wasn't able to do anything due to not having any resists except for a Ghost immunity, which made it very limited in what it can do for a team. But it was saved from all of that when XY came out and gave a it pure Fairy typing, which is outstanding, giving it Fighting/Bug/Dark resistances and a Dragon immunity. However, with Aegislash and Steel type Mega Evolutions running around in the majority of that metagame, it made it hard to use to say the least. ORAS is a lot kinder to Granbull since a lot of the new Megas don't like Granbull switching in and counting down their attacks. It has a massive movepool both with attacking options and support options allowing it to fill two roles on a team.
The Set
Granbull @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Relaxed Nature
- Play Rough
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Fire Blast
This is the set I personally run for Granbull and which I find to be very effective as it can hit numerous Pokemon that you can switch in to as well as stuff that may switch in to wall Granbull. The EV's achieve max physical bulk, making it easy to tank most physical attacks pointed at it barring Steel type moves. Choose Relaxed nature to have max defense while not losing any special attack since speed really isn't important for Granbull's success. Leftovers is the best item option as the recovery protects Granbull from being 3hko'ed by some moves. Play Rough is a STAB move as well as the primary attacking option, hitting numerous Pokemon in the tier for super effective damage; even without any investment you hit very hard. Ice Punch is mainly for Lando-T, as it's the most used Pokemon in the tier, making Ice Punch a requirement. Fire Blast is for Steel type switch ins like Scizor, Ferro, etc., as neither of those want to take a Fire Blast. Earthquake is for stuff like Heatran that may switch in, it's really a fringe move on this set and can easily be replaced.
Moveset Options
Heal Bell - Can function as your team's cleric, this heals status that can plague teams as well as Granbull itself.
Thunder Wave - Can provide support for sweepers. Getting a threat paralyzed can lead to a sweep, making Thunder-Wave a solid choice.
Toxic - This is good for other team's walls and stuff Granbull can't break like Rotom-W.
Protect - Can be used with Toxic to slowly wear down opponents, or by itself as a way to regain HP from Leftovers and scout for the opponent's moves.
Bulk Up - If its physical bulk isn't enough for you or if you wanna turn it into a sweeper.
Rock Slide/Stone Edge - If Talonflame or Pinsir really wreck your team, run one of these moves to watch those birds drop from the sky.
Assault Vest - If you don't want Leftovers and you want a more balanced wall. Make sure you have some sort of team support to back this kind of set up.
Teammate Options
Granbull's main weakness is the Steel type. Mega Metagross and Scizor are very deadly towards it since it's outsped and 2HKO'ed in most cases. This makes
Choice Scarf Heatran a great teammate as it can easily switch in on Steel type moves and OHKO with Overheat. It's also an excellent lure for Metagross since most carry a move to take out Heatran.
Magnezone also works extremely well as a partner, taking out Scizor and Ferrothorn with ease thanks to Hidden Power Fire. Taking out Bisharp is extremely important, as Granbull has trouble taking it out, especially if it gives it a Defiant boost.
Cobalion works as a great Bisharp check, although any other Fighting type, like
Keldeo,
Terrakion etc. can easily do the same. Pokemon that can sponge special attacks are very appreciated, as Granbull's special defense is very limited, so taking out powerful special attackers is key for it's success.
Chansey,
Latias ,
Specially Defensive Heatran, and
Mega Venusaur are all outstanding options as they work very well with Granbull.
Granbull Calcs (Megas)
(Mega Medicham)
-1 240+ Atk Pure Power Mega Medicham High Jump Kick vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 110-130 (28.6 - 33.8%) -- 97.8% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 240+ Atk Pure Power Mega Medicham Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 136-162 (35.4 - 42.1%) -- 86.4% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 240+ Atk Pure Power Mega Medicham Fake Out vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 46-55 (11.9 - 14.3%) -- possibly the worst move ever
-1 240+ Atk Pure Power Mega Medicham Ice Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 85-101 (22.1 - 26.3%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
4 Atk Granbull Play Rough vs. 16 HP / 0 Def Mega Medicham: 260-308 (98.1 - 116.2%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
(Mega Lopunny)
-1 252 Atk Lopunny High Jump Kick vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 63-75 (16.4 - 19.5%) -- possible 8HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 252 Atk Lopunny Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 100-118 (26 - 30.7%) -- 3.1% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 252 Atk Lopunny Fake Out vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 40-48 (10.4 - 12.5%) -- possibly the worst move ever
-1 252 Atk Lopunny Ice Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 50-59 (13 - 15.3%) -- possibly the worst move ever
4 Atk Granbull Play Rough vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Lopunny: 128-152 (47.2 - 56%) -- 76.6% chance to 2HKO
(Mega Altaria)
-1 192+ Atk Pixilate Mega Altaria Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 117-138 (30.4 - 35.9%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 192+ Atk Mega Altaria Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 59-70 (15.3 - 18.2%) -- possible 8HKO after Leftovers recovery
4 Atk Granbull Play Rough vs. 64 HP / 0 Def Mega Altaria: 210-248 (68.4 - 80.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
(Mega Gallade)
-1 252 Atk Gallade Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 67-80 (17.4 - 20.8%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 252 Atk Gallade Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 36-43 (9.3 - 11.1%) -- possibly the worst move ever
-1 252 Atk Gallade Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 91-108 (23.6 - 28.1%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
4 Atk Granbull Play Rough vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Gallade: 236-282 (85.1 - 101.8%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO
(Mega Sableye)
4 Atk Granbull Play Rough vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Sableye: 140-168 (46 - 55.2%) -- 61.3% chance to 2HKO
4 SpA Mega Sableye Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Granbull: 115-136 (29.9 - 35.4%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 4 SpA Mega Sableye Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Granbull: 171-202 (44.5 - 52.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 4 SpA Mega Sableye Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Granbull: 229-270 (59.6 - 70.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
(Mega Heracross)
-1 252 Atk Mega Heracross Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 74-87 (19.2 - 22.6%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 252 Atk Mega Heracross Pin Missile (5 hits) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 80-95 (20.8 - 24.7%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 252 Atk Mega Heracross Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 110-130 (28.6 - 33.8%) -- approx. 97.4% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
4 Atk Granbull Play Rough vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Heracross: 204-240 (67.7 - 79.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
(Mega Aerodactyl)
-1 252+ Atk Aerodactyl Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 108-127 (28.1 - 33%) -- 84.4% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 252+ Atk Aerodactyl Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 72-85 (18.7 - 22.1%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 252+ Atk Tough Claws Aerodactyl Ice Fang vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 62-73 (16.1 - 19%) -- possible 8HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 252+ Atk Tough Claws Aerodactyl Aerial Ace vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 85-102 (22.1 - 26.5%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
4 Atk Granbull Ice Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Aerodactyl: 180-214 (59.8 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
4 Atk Granbull Play Rough vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Aerodactyl: 162-192 (53.8 - 63.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
(Mega Gyarados)
-1 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 94-112 (24.4 - 29.1%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 142-168 (36.9 - 43.7%) -- 99.5% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 211-250 (54.9 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
4 Atk Granbull Play Rough vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gyarados: 212-252 (64 - 76.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Granbull Calcs (Non Megas)
(Lando-T)
-1 0 Atk Landorus-T Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 85-102 (22.1 - 26.5%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 4 Atk Granbull Ice Punch vs. 252 HP / 240+ Def Landorus-T: 136-160 (35.6 - 41.8%) -- 84.4% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 252 Atk Landorus-T Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 102-121 (26.5 - 31.5%) -- 20.2% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 4 Atk Granbull Ice Punch vs. 0 HP / 24 Def Landorus-T: 180-216 (56.4 - 67.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
(Talonflame)
-1 252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 135-160 (35.1 - 41.6%) -- 80.2% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 135-160 (35.1 - 41.6%) -- 80.2% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 252 Atk Sharp Beak Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 100-118 (26 - 30.7%) -- 3.1% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 252 Atk Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 84-99 (21.8 - 25.7%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
4 Atk Granbull Rock Slide vs. 120 HP / 0 Def Talonflame: 340-400 (103.9 - 122.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
(Excadrill)
-1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 156-186 (40.6 - 48.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 97-115 (25.2 - 29.9%) -- 0.1% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
4 Atk Granbull Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Excadrill: 254-300 (70.3 - 83.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
(Ferrothorn)
-1 0 Atk Ferrothorn Gyro Ball (70 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 84-102 (21.8 - 26.5%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 Atk Ferrothorn Gyro Ball (70 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 126-150 (32.8 - 39%) -- 6.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Granbull Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 168 SpD Ferrothorn: 160-192 (45.4 - 54.5%) -- 5.1% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
(Latios)
252 SpA Life Orb Latios Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Granbull: 129-152 (33.5 - 39.5%) -- 17.7% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Latios Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 148-175 (38.5 - 45.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
4 Atk Granbull Play Rough vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Latios: 272-324 (90.9 - 108.3%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
(Diggersby)
-1 252+ Atk Huge Power Diggersby Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 124-147 (32.2 - 38.2%) -- 1.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 252+ Atk Huge Power Diggersby Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 121-144 (31.5 - 37.5%) -- 0% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
4 Atk Granbull Play Rough vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Diggersby: 142-168 (45.5 - 53.8%) -- 40.6% chance to 2HKO
4 Atk Granbull Ice Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Diggersby: 158-186 (50.6 - 59.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
(Tyranitar)
-1 252 Atk Choice Band Tyranitar Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 144-171 (37.5 - 44.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after sandstorm damage and Leftovers recovery
4 Atk Granbull Play Rough vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tyranitar: 210-248 (61.5 - 72.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
(Terrakion)
-1 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 73-86 (19 - 22.3%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 122-146 (31.7 - 38%) -- 0.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
-1 252 Atk Life Orb Terrakion Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Granbull: 82-97 (21.3 - 25.2%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
4 Atk Granbull Play Rough vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Terrakion: 248-294 (76.7 - 91%) -- guaranteed 2HKO