Gligar PvP IV Deep-Dive

The matchup differences between the Shadow and non-Shadow are fairly dynamic. Unlike Charizard, for example, the Shadow doesn’t clearly dominate over the non-Shadow. The non-Shadow will have stronger Registeel, Galarian Stunfisk, Bastiodon, and Carbink matchups, where the Shadow can muscle down more baleful matchups like Lanturn, Froslass, Shadow Alolan Sandslash, Lickitung, and Azumarill. It really boils down to what matchups you want to manage better and what role Gligar has on your team. 

As for Aerial Ace vs Night Slash, you mostly follow the change in effectiveness. Aerial Ace will have stronger Fighting, Grass, Dark, and Fairy-type matchups (ex. Medicham, Venusaur, Umbreon, Azumarill). Night Slash will have stronger Ghost and Psychic-type matchups (ex. Cofagrigus, Jellicent, Cresselia). Sometimes the improved damage per energy of Aerial Ace will matter, sometimes the lower energy cost and boost potential of Night Slash will matter. It really comes down to which matchups you want your Gligar to have an advantage in.

The tables hyperlinked below feature the IV spreads that meet some of the more important stat checks highlighted in the article. It’s important to review the guide itself to make sure you’re getting what you want out of your Gligar. For example, you may want a slightly higher Atk or Def weight for higher Breakpoint potential.

Shadow-Lanturn Slayer (108.75 Atk, 143 Def, 129 HP)

• Higher Atk covers higher Def Lanturn
  • 110.2 Atk covers the 0/15/10
• Def:HP can be traded at ~1:1 ratio, w/ 127 as a min HP

Shadow-High Bulk (147.87 Def, 129 HP)

• Higher Def is generally better
• 107.24 Atk for Cofagrigus 2-2 w/ AA or NS 

Non-Shadow-High Bulk (147.87 Def, 129 HP)

• Higher Def for higher Bastiodon consistency 0-1 & 1-2

• >148.57 Def + 130 HP or 131+ HP, Sableye 1-1 potential
• 149.02 Def, Trevenant 1-2 potential

Non-Shadow-Atk Weighted (110.4 Atk, 141.75 Def, 128 HP)

• Higher Def is generally better
• 111.42 Atk for Azumarill 2-1 vs Rank 1

In the Great League, Shadow Gligar generally prefers to have a bit of an Atk weight to throw around. With at least 108.75 Atk, Shadow Gligar can cover Cofagrigus (2-2), Jellicent (1-1 AA, 0-0 NS), Spark Lanturn (0-0 & 2-2), and Lickitung (0-0, 1-1 AA) more effectively. This Atk weight could also get Shadow Gligar Charge Move Priority over Shadow Quagsire, enabling the 0-1. The bigger target at the time of writing this guide is the Lanturn. Given that our Lanturn PvP IV Deep Dive recommends a higher Def weight, Shadow Gligar may need up to 110.2 Atk to get the Breakpoint. 

Of course, Shadow Gligar isn’t without bulk based matchups. 143 Def with 129 HP is the general recommendation to cover the 0/15/6 Trevenant 0-1 with Night Slash, along with the Pelipper 2-1, Spark Lanturn 2-2 (w/ the Atk BP), the Hyper Beam Diggersby 0-0, and the Lickitung 0-0. If you ignore the Trevenant matchup, you can play around with the Def:HP at roughly a 1:1 ratio. Make sure to check the matchups on PvPoke.com to ensure you’re getting what you want out of your Shadow Gligar. 

Even higher bulk weights can provide an advantage against Bastiodon (0-1, 129 HP w/ 147.87+ Def). This higher quality of bulk doesn’t chance the other bulk based matchups, and may still get the Atk Breakpoints vs Cofagrigus (107.24) and lower Def weights of the aforementioned Pokemon. If you want to experiment with even higher Atk weighted Shadow Gligar- 110.49 Atk has a decent chance at the Cofagrigus 0-0 with AA, 112.44 can overcome Medicham in the 1-1 with AA, and 114.17 can overcome Altaria in the 1-1 with AA (AA BP).

While the Shadow Gligar generally prefers an Atk weight, the non-Shadow Gligar could go either way (high Atk or high Def/HP). At a minimum, Gligar wants 141.75 Def with at least 128 HP to potentiate the Cofagrigus 1-1, Umbreon 2-2, Scrafty 0-1, Shadow Victreebel 2-2, potential for the Tapu Fini 2-1, safer Medicham 1-1 & 1-2 potential, and to have an improved Sableye matchup.

Even higher bulk-based matchups are as follows, vs Rank 1 opponents unless stated otherwise:

• 142.01 Def, Medicham 1-1 & 1-2 potential vs 109.23 Atk Medicham (mirror slayer)
  • 142.82 Def for 15/15/15 109.8 Atk Medicham
  • 143.26 Def for 15/14/15 110.2 Atk Medicham
• 143.89 Def, Tapu Fini 2-1 vs 115.2 Atk Tapu Fini (ex. 4/8/9)
• 147.66 Def, Galarian Stunfisk 1-2
  • Or 130 HP if they’re more Atk weighted
• 147.87 Def, Bastiodon 0-1
  • Also 1-2 with 129 HP
• 148.09 Def, Cresselia 1-1
• 148.57-150.4 Def, Sableye 1-1 with 130 HP
• 149.02 Def, Trevenant 1-2 with 129 HP

Gligar’s Atk Breakpoints are as follows, vs Rank 1 opponents unless stated otherwise:

• 107.32, Dig BP for Shadow Alolan Sandslash 1-0

• 109.16, AA BP for Altaria 1-0
• 109.49, AA BP for Jellicent 2-2
• 109.89, Wing Attack BP for Diggersby 0-0 & 1-2
• 110.4, AA BP for Medicham 1-2
• 111.42, AA BP for Azumarill 2-1
• 115.1, Wing Attack BP for Dunsparce 2-2

If you want a Gligar that can counter Medicham effectively, dunk on Diggersby, and have tech in other matchups, then going for a slight Atk weight of 110.4 with at least 141.75 Def and 128 HP is recommended. If you want a Gligar that doesn’t balk against Bastiodon, Sableye, Tapu Fini, or Trevenant, then you’ll want the higher Def/HP weights.

Gligar has ascended from goofy spice into a top meta threat. While being the Flying-type that can dunk on Rock and Steel-type Pokemon is something it shares with Gliscor, Gliscor has proven to be too slow and too fragile to pull off the job consistently. If you don’t have a good one yet, hopefully it sticks around the Shadow Raid pool a bit longer for you.