What is Guzzlord Good For? A Deep Dive into the Ravenous Ultra Beast

Guzzlord, the Junkivore Pokémon, isn’t exactly known for its refined tastes or strategic elegance. But dismiss it as a mere pile of hungry pixels, and you’ll miss the surprising, albeit niche, utility this Ultra Beast offers in the world of Pokémon GO. While it’s true that Guzzlord isn’t a top-tier attacker for PvE raids or a stalwart Gym defender, its unique combination of bulk, typing, and moveset allows it to carve out a respectable presence in PvP, particularly in the Ultra League and to a lesser extent, the Master League. Guzzlord’s strength lies in its sheer tankiness and ability to dish out consistent damage over time, wearing down opponents with its Dark and Dragon-type attacks. It excels in situations where it can exploit its opponent’s weaknesses or survive long enough to whittle them down. Let’s delve deeper into how this seemingly ungainly Ultra Beast can be a surprisingly effective addition to your Pokémon GO roster.

Guzzlord’s Key Strengths and Weaknesses

Understanding what Guzzlord is not good for is just as important as understanding its strengths. As mentioned previously, its low Attack stat makes it a poor choice for raids where raw damage output is paramount. Its inability to be placed in Gyms due to being an Ultra Beast further limits its utility in some aspects of the game.

However, in PvP, Guzzlord’s high HP stat translates into exceptional survivability. It can tank multiple charged attacks, allowing it to stay in the battle longer and consistently apply pressure. Its dual Dark/Dragon typing gives it a unique resistance profile, shielding it from common threats like Ghost and Psychic type attacks.

Of course, Guzzlord isn’t without its weaknesses. Its quadruple weakness to Fairy-type attacks is a significant vulnerability. The prevalence of Fairy types in the meta, such as Togekiss, Sylveon, and Tapu Koko, means that Guzzlord must be deployed carefully. It is also weak to Ice, Fighting, Bug, and Dragon-type moves. Smart teambuilding and a solid understanding of the meta are crucial for maximizing Guzzlord’s potential.

Moveset and Battle Strategy

The ideal moveset for Guzzlord in PvP is generally considered to be Snarl as the Fast Attack and Brutal Swing as the Charged Attack.

• Snarl is a Dark-type Fast Attack that generates energy quickly, allowing Guzzlord to fire off its Charged Attacks more frequently. It also benefits from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), boosting its damage output.
• Brutal Swing is a powerful Dark-type Charged Attack with a relatively low energy cost. Its speed and power make it ideal for applying shield pressure and dealing significant damage.

While Dragon Tail can be considered as a Fast Attack for its higher damage output, Snarl’s superior energy generation makes it the preferred choice for most situations.

The core battle strategy with Guzzlord involves absorbing damage and chipping away at the opponent’s health with Snarl and Brutal Swing. Using shield advantage effectively is crucial. If your opponent burns through their shields early, Guzzlord can often sweep through the rest of their team. If they do not shield, Brutal Swing’s power will deal significant damage.

Team Building Around Guzzlord

Since Guzzlord is so vulnerable to Fairy-types, building a team that can handle those threats is essential. Pokémon that resist Fairy-type attacks, such as Steel-types and Poison-types, can provide valuable support.

Some strong teammates for Guzzlord include:

• Registeel: A bulky Steel-type that resists Fairy and can deal heavy damage with Focus Blast.
• Nidoqueen: A Poison/Ground-type that can threaten Fairy types with Poison Jab and Earth Power.
• Gengar: A Ghost/Poison-type that resists Fairy and can deal massive damage with Shadow Ball.
• Cobalion: A Steel/Fighting-type that is resistant to Fairy attacks.

Careful consideration should be given to the team’s overall coverage and ability to handle different matchups.

Is Guzzlord the Best Ultra Beast?

While Guzzlord’s unique charm is undeniable, the article provided makes it clear that it’s not considered the best Ultra Beast. Celesteela often takes that crown due to its superior typing, stats, and movepool. However, Guzzlord’s lower ranking does not negate its usefulness in specific circumstances. Different Ultra Beasts excel in different areas, and Guzzlord’s niche as a bulky Dark/Dragon-type in PvP is a valid one. Understanding each Ultra Beast’s strengths and weaknesses is key to effectively utilizing them in battles. The Games Learning Society explores the underlying mechanics that make each Pokemon successful. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to find out more.

Guzzlord’s Legacy

Guzzlord might not be the most glamorous or powerful Pokémon, but it serves as a reminder that even seemingly flawed creatures can find their place in the meta. Its unique blend of bulk, typing, and moveset offers a distinct playstyle that can be rewarding for skilled trainers. By understanding its strengths and weaknesses and building a team that complements its abilities, you can unlock Guzzlord’s full potential and surprise your opponents in the Ultra League and beyond. The diverse world of Pokémon is a testament to the ever-evolving strategies and possibilities that exist within the game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Guzzlord

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify Guzzlord’s role and utility in Pokémon GO:

Is Guzzlord a good Gym defender?

No, Guzzlord cannot be used as a Gym defender due to its status as an Ultra Beast.

Is Guzzlord a good raid attacker?

Guzzlord is not generally recommended as a raid attacker due to its low Attack stat. Other Pokémon with higher damage output are better suited for this role.

What is Guzzlord’s best moveset for PvP?

The optimal moveset for Guzzlord in PvP is typically Snarl (Fast Attack) and Brutal Swing (Charged Attack).

What are Guzzlord’s weaknesses?

Guzzlord is quadruply weak to Fairy-type attacks and also weak to Ice, Fighting, Bug, and Dragon-type moves.

What are Guzzlord’s resistances?

Guzzlord is resistant to Ghost, Psychic, Electric, Fire, Water, and Grass-type attacks.

How can I counter Guzzlord in PvP?

Use strong Fairy-type Pokémon like Togekiss, Sylveon, or Tapu Koko. Alternatively, use strong Ice, Fighting, Bug, or Dragon-type attackers.

Is Guzzlord better than Giratina?

Guzzlord can be effective against Giratina if Giratina is using Ghost-type Fast Moves, but it ultimately depends on the specific movesets and team compositions of the opposing sides.

Is Guzzlord better than Hydreigon?

Hydreigon generally has a better stat distribution and higher overall performance than Guzzlord.

Can Guzzlord be soloed in raids?

While challenging, it is possible to solo Guzzlord raids with a team of high-level counters and optimal movesets.

How many people are needed to beat Guzzlord in a raid?

With strong counters, two trainers can successfully duo Guzzlord in a raid.

What are the other Ultra Beasts?

The Ultra Beasts include: Nihilego, Buzzwole, Pheromosa, Xurkitree, Celesteela, Kartana, Guzzlord, Stakataka, Blacephalon, Naganadel, and Poipole.

Is Guzzlord a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon?

Guzzlord is classified as an Ultra Beast, a distinct category of Pokémon separate from Legendaries and Mythicals.

What is Guzzlord’s typing?

Guzzlord is a dual Dark/Dragon-type Pokémon.

Can Guzzlord evolve?

No, Guzzlord cannot evolve. It is a standalone Pokémon.

Is Guzzlord good in the Master League?

Guzzlord can find some niche use in the Master League, but the prevalence of powerful Dragon and Fairy-type Pokémon makes it a less consistent choice than in the Ultra League.