Meta Speculation of Guzzlord in Pokémon GO

Guzzlord

One of the most underrated aspects of Pokémon GO is the very first thing you notice about the game: the loading screen. Every few months, Niantic comes up with some memorable and gorgeous loading screens that leave a lasting impression. And it goes without saying that the Halloween screen attracts a lot of attention, with artwork by Niantic artist Saro Orfali. This year, we once again have an amazing Halloween-themed loading screen:

The focal point of this image is that intimidating silhouette in the distance: The Ultra Beast Guzzlord. We’ve also seen teasers on Pokémon GO social media, including one of the new ‘found footage‘ style previews that suggest Guzzlord is coming soon.

Guzzlord represents gluttony and is among the most fearsome Ultra Beats (UBs) out there. This behemoth can and will eat everything. Yes, EVERYTHING. 

Being a Dark and Dragon type, it shares its typing with the Hydreigon family. But will it make the impact you would expect it to? While we still don’t have any idea of the movepool it would get, let alone when it would make its debut in Pokémon Go, we can be sure of the fact that it’s coming (ideally as a part of the Halloween event). It fits!

But no matter when it comes, we can still speculate how it would fare. So would it be as scary in the meta as it looks? It is Hydreigon/Zweilous lite, pro, or just a shadow of the Brutal Pokémon? 

We will find out. But let’s check out this beast’s stats.

Stats

Guzzlord DarkDragon
Max CP at Level 40 2887 | Max CP at Level 50 3264
ATK 188 DEF 99 HP 440
Weak to Strong Against
Bug Dragon Fighting Fairy Ice Dragon Ghost Psychic

 

At first glance, that HP stat of 440 is mind blowing! But then again, its defenses are that of a wet tissue paper. Seriously, its HP and DEF are polar opposites.

Sadly, its ATK is pretty underwhelming. So it won’t function as a glass cannon even. 

In a nutshell, this Ultra Beast can’t hit hard, is supposed to last long, but cannot take hits at all. Sigh… just a lost cause.

Possible Moveset

The following highlights all the possible moves that Guzzlord can have in Pokémon Go:

Fast Moves Charged Moves
  • Snarl Dark
  • Bite Dark
  • Dragon Tail Dragon
  • Shadow Claw Ghost
  • Smack Down Rock
  • Poison Jab Poison
  • Iron Tail Steel
  • Dark Pulse Dark
  • Crunch Dark
  • Outrage Dragon
  • Draco MeteorDragon
  • Dragon Claw Dragon
  • Earthquake Ground
  • Bulldoze Ground
  • Hyper Beam Normal
  • Rock Slide Rock
  • Stone Edge Rock
  • Rock Tomb Rock
  • Heat Wave Fire
  • Flamethrower Fire
  • Fire Blast Fire
  • Sludge Wave Poison
  • Iron Head Steel
  • Gyro Ball Steel
  • Heavy Slam Steel
  • Brick Break Fighting

Viable fast moves

The best fast moves Guzzlord can get are Snarl, Bite, Dragon Tail, or Shadow Claw. 

Viable charged moves

The best charged moves Guzzlord can get are Outrage, Dragon Claw, or Dark Pulse. 

Ideal Moveset

The ideal moveset for Guzzlord would be Snarl / Dragon Tail paired with Crunch and Dragon Claw.

In PvE

NO… Just NO. Hydreigon’s taking serious offense to the fact that this abomination is an Ultra Beast when Hydreigon is the legit beast… at least as a Dark type. 

As a Dragon type, almost every dragon is better than Guzzlord.

Doesn’t matter even if it gets the best possible moves… Guzzlord’s in a sad state, courtesy of its DEF stat breaking down its viability. Not to mention, its ATK won’t be doing it any favors.

Over to PvP…

In PvP

PvP is sort of a saving grace for Guzzlord.

  • With Snarl paired with Crunch and Dragon Claw, it can only dream of competing in the Master League. However, it is surprisingly viable in the Great League and Ultra League meta. 
  • But even though Snarl gives Guzz the better energy gains, when it learns Dragon Tail (paired with Crunch and Dragon Claw), it ends up doing quite well in both the Great League and the Ultra League. In fact, Dragon Tail even helps Guzzlord become a super spice pick in the Master League!
  • That’s not all! With the non-STAB Shadow Claw (paired with Dragon Claw and Crunch), it is useable in the Great League as well as the Ultra League.

Parting Words

Giving Guzzlord any of these moves would be the ideal case scenario:

Fast moves: Snarl / Dragon Tail / Shadow Claw

Charged moves: Crunch / Dragon Claw

Guzzlord turns out to be viable in the Great and Ultra Leagues but it obviously isn’t going to be the most reliable mon even if it gets the best moveset. That said, it is one of the most interesting Ultra Beasts, has an amazing design, fun typing, and one of the most ridiculous anime cries. 😆 Yes, go check it out. It’s literally AAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!

By the looks of it, Guzzlord would make its debut at the Halloween event. When it does, I will be back to analyze its performance and tell you all about the nitty-gritty of Guzzlord in PvP and just how bad it would be in PvE 😳 

Till then, have fun!

Author & tags

MeteorAsh15
MeteorAsh15
My name is Niladri Sarkar. A Team Valor Trainer, I'm a Pokémon Battle Mechanics Specialist & a Dragon Master on Smogon's Pokémon Showdown where I particularly excel with Dragon types and Weather teams in Ubers / OU. I love to apply my vast knowledge and experience to the ever changing meta of Pokémon Go, specialising in DPS/TDO math, movesets, the Master League and Dragon types. Garchomp is my best Pokémon pal through and through.

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