Grounded, But Not Out: How to Defeat the Gligar

Gligar, the Flying Scorpion Pokémon, can be a surprisingly resilient foe. Its Ground/Flying typing grants it a crucial immunity to Electric-type attacks, a common offensive option in many Pokémon battles. However, that dual typing also leaves it vulnerable. The most straightforward answer to “What can defeat a Gligar?” is a powerful Ice-type move. Because Gligar is part Flying-type, it is quadruply weak to Ice-type damage. This means an Ice-type move will deal four times the normal amount of damage! Other effective strategies involve exploiting its weaknesses with moves like Water-type attacks or capitalizing on status conditions.

Exploiting Gligar’s Weaknesses

The key to effectively defeating Gligar lies in understanding and exploiting its weaknesses and vulnerabilities. While its Ground/Flying typing presents some interesting resistances and immunities, it also creates significant vulnerabilities that savvy trainers can use to their advantage.

The Ice Age Cometh: The Quadruple Weakness

As mentioned, Gligar’s most glaring weakness is its quadruple vulnerability to Ice-type moves. This makes Ice-type Pokémon and moves like Ice Beam, Blizzard, and Ice Punch exceptionally effective. Even Pokémon that aren’t primarily Ice-type can carry these moves for coverage, turning the tide against a Gligar. Be mindful of Gligar’s potential Eviolite holding, which boosts its defenses! A powerful Ice-type attack is often enough to circumvent this.

Water Works: A Secondary Weakness

While not as devastating as Ice, Gligar also possesses a weakness to Water-type attacks. Strong Water-type moves such as Surf, Hydro Pump, and Waterfall can deal significant damage. Though not a guaranteed one-hit knockout like Ice attacks can be, especially against a Gligar with high investment in defensive stats or if it is holding an Eviolite, Water-type moves are a reliable option, particularly if Ice-type moves are unavailable.

Status Conditions: A War of Attrition

Beyond direct damage, inflicting status conditions can cripple Gligar and limit its effectiveness.

• Paralysis: Reduces Gligar’s Speed, making it easier to outspeed and attack.
• Poison: Deals gradual damage each turn, chipping away at its health.
• Burn: Halves Gligar’s Attack stat and deals damage each turn, diminishing its offensive capabilities.
• Sleep: Removes Gligar from the battle temporarily, providing an opportunity to set up or deal free damage.

Toxic is especially effective, as the poison damage increases each turn, putting significant pressure on Gligar to switch out or be defeated.

Prediction and Counterplay

A skilled Gligar user will try to anticipate your moves and switch out to a more favorable matchup. Common switch-ins might include Steel-type Pokémon to resist Flying-type moves or Fire-type Pokémon to absorb Ice-type attacks. Being able to predict these switches and have counter-measures in place is crucial for maintaining the upper hand. This is just one facet of what is discussed at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Defeating Gligar

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you further refine your strategies for battling Gligar:

1. What are Gligar’s base stats? Understanding base stats can inform your strategy. Gligar is known for its high Defense stat, making it physically bulky. It has relatively low Special Defense and Special Attack.

2. What Abilities does Gligar have? Gligar can have Hyper Cutter (prevents Attack reduction), Sand Veil (increases evasion in a sandstorm), or Immunity (prevents poisoning). Immunity is particularly frustrating, preventing Toxic stall strategies.

3. Is Gligar commonly used competitively? Gligar is popular in lower tiers, especially when evolved into Gliscor. Its defensive capabilities and access to moves like Roost make it a reliable wall.

4. What is the best Ice-type Pokémon to use against Gligar? This depends on your team composition. Strong choices include Weavile, Mamoswine, and Alolan Ninetales, each bringing different strengths to the table.

5. What are some non-Ice-type Pokémon that can learn Ice-type moves? Pokémon like Greninja and Starmie can learn Ice Beam for surprise coverage.

6. How does Eviolite affect Gligar’s defenses? Eviolite boosts Gligar’s Defense and Special Defense by 50%, making it significantly bulkier. This can make it difficult to OHKO without super-effective hits.

7. What are Gligar’s common movesets? Common moves include Earthquake, Roost, U-Turn, and Toxic.

8. Is a strong Rock-type attack effective against Gligar? While Rock-type attacks deal normal damage, they are often less effective than exploiting Gligar’s weaknesses.

9. How does Gligar’s immunity to Electric-type attacks affect my strategy? Avoid using Electric-type attacks altogether. They will have no effect.

10. Can status moves like Toxic and Will-O-Wisp be effective against Gligar? Yes, Toxic is a popular strategy to gradually wear down Gligar, while Will-O-Wisp can cripple its physical attack stat.

11. Does Gligar have any common counters? Strong Ice-types are the primary counters. Bulky Water-types can also check it, but must be wary of Earthquake.

12. What strategies can I use if I don’t have an Ice-type Pokémon? Focus on status conditions like Toxic or Burn and gradually chip away at its health. Use Water-type moves if available.

13. How does Sand Veil affect my accuracy against Gligar? Sand Veil increases Gligar’s evasion in a sandstorm, making it harder to hit. Consider removing the sandstorm or using moves with perfect accuracy.

14. What is the best way to deal with a Gligar using Roost? Apply constant pressure with super-effective moves to prevent it from healing effectively. Toxic also negates the healing from Roost over time.

15. How does Gligar evolve into Gliscor? Gligar evolves into Gliscor when leveled up at night while holding a Razor Fang. This evolution significantly increases its stats and makes it even more formidable.