Does physical Galvantula work?

Question

I recently bred a shiny Joltik with an Adamant nature that I’d really like to train up, so I want to know if this is possible as a Sticky Web user/Physical sweeper.

Comments

It depends on the rest of your team and the format.

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Well, the format is the Battle Spot, and the rest of my team is Skill Link Cloyster, and Adaptability Dragalge. (These are some of my favorite Pokémon don’t judge if they’re bad for Battle Spot I’ve been raising the other two carefully for a while now so I’m not giving up on them.

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Lol I accidentally said I caught it in the question, so for people who saw the question before just letting you know of the change.

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Because it’s adamant

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It can be made to work, however, you will be limited by Galvantula's limited options for physical moves.  You're stuck with Bug Bite (60 bp) and Wild Charge (1/4 recoil) for STAB.

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You'll never sweep with that thing so you better give it the focus sash+sticky web. But if you insist, you could try using the muscle band and give it 252 attack EVs.

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Galvantula has decent Attack, but it still is better as a Special Attacker, unless you find a way to Baton Pass some Attack raises to it.

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@PhailRaptor There are plenty of other stronger Bug Type moves it can learn.

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Galvantula (M) @ Muscle Band  
Ability: Swarm  
Shiny: Yes  
EVs: 252 Atk / 6 SpD / 252 Spe  
Adamant Nature  
- Lunge  
- Wild Charge  
- Sticky Web  
- Screech

I don't know your Joltik's Ability or gender.
You can use Screech to lower Defense so you can attack better.

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Galvantula won't work even if it was timid or modest. Just use a Thundurus.

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I'm guessing they specifically want to be able to use Sticky Webs. Also it's a shiny so they likely just want to use it.

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In that case the EVs and natures don't matter.

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@ Pokemon Guy -- I'm aware of that.  However, those moves are all Special.  This question is specific to a Physical moveset, for which Galvantula is quite limited.

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@PhailRaptor. Pokemon Guy's Galvantula has two physical moves (Lunge and Wild Charge) and two status moves (Sticky Web and Screech).

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X-Scissor, Lunge and Leech Life are three strong Physical Bug moves that it can learn.

Answer 1

NO.

Galvantula is most definitely a Special sweeper. A Physical sweeper variant would run into all kinds of problems.

It's poor Attack stat prohibits him from actually KO'ing the opponents once they have been "Sticky Webbed", mainly because low bulk doesn't let it survive long enough.

Comments

I'll also add: Galvantula's lack of access to U-Turn is inexplicable and really bad in this scenario. Volt Switch is huge on the special set for mobility and scouting, and losing that utility is basically the nail in the coffin.
I would almost suggest running a special set despite the Adamant nature -- Galvantula's physical movepool is woeful.

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My Joltiks Attack is much higher than its Special Attack, even now as a Level 10 Joltik, and it can get Leech Life, X-Scissor, Poison Jab, Sucker Punch, Throat Chop, Wild Charge, and Cross Poison (my Joltik has that as an egg move.) I would say it’s not THAT limited.

Answer 2

Also no.

This Thundurus set outclasses every possible Galvantula set, including the special ones. Better special attack and nasty plot is more important than sticky web when so many common threats are either flying type or don't care about their speed.

Thundurus-therian @ Fightinium Z
Ability: volt absorb
EVs: 228 HP / 20 Def / 244 SpA / 4 SpD / 12 Spe
Modest nature
- nasty plot
- thunderbolt
- focus blast
- ice hidden power