Gligar

Using Gligar in a Playthrough

The Gligar line combines one of the strongest defensive type pairings available to a physical Pokemon with excellent Defense, useful Speed, and reliable Ground offense. Ground/Flying typing gives Gligar and Gliscor complete immunities to both Electric and Ground attacks, useful resistances to Fighting, Bug, and Poison, and only two weaknesses—Water and a dangerous quadruple weakness to Ice. Gligar itself is already unusually sturdy for an unevolved Pokemon with base 105 Defense and respectable Speed, but from Generation IV onward it can evolve into Gliscor by leveling at night while holding a Razor Fang, although access to that item can be late or inconvenient in some games. Gliscor improves to base 125 Defense, 95 Attack, and 95 Speed, making Earthquake, Swords Dance, U-turn, Knock Off, Roost, and various utility moves fit naturally with its stats. Poison Heal can make Gliscor exceptionally durable when legitimately available, but because it is a Hidden Ability in many games a normal playthrough should not assume access to it.

Gligar in Competitive Pokémon

Gliscor has been one of the most consistently successful defensive and utility Pokemon introduced through a later evolution, with repeated high-tier relevance built around excellent typing, physical bulk, and an enormous support movepool. Its defining modern ability is Poison Heal: when poisoned, Gliscor restores one-eighth of its maximum HP each turn and cannot be afflicted with another major status condition, making Toxic Orb both a recovery engine and a form of status protection. This combination has supported everything from Swords Dance wallbreakers to stallbreakers, Stealth Rock or Defog users, Knock Off and U-turn utility sets, and extremely durable defensive pivots. Smogon has described Gliscor as a defining presence in formats such as Generation VII OU because Poison Heal, Roost, Ground/Flying typing, and its broad movepool make it unusually difficult for passive teams to wear down. Its most exploitable flaw is the quadruple Ice weakness, while strong special Water or neutral attacks can also overwhelm its weaker special side if Gliscor is asked to absorb too much.

Gligar in Nuzlockes

Gligar is already a strong Nuzlocke encounter because high physical Defense and dual Electric and Ground immunities create many predictable, completely safe switching opportunities. Its defensive profile is easy to understand but unforgiving at the extremes: Water attacks are dangerous and Ice attacks are potentially catastrophic because the line takes quadruple damage from them. Gliscor substantially improves the line's Attack and overall physical durability while retaining good Speed, making it capable of both absorbing physical hits and ending favorable matchups efficiently with Earthquake or coverage. Poison Heal is exceptional in a Nuzlocke if legitimately available because controlled poisoning becomes passive recovery and protects Gliscor from other status, but Hidden Ability availability varies enough that it should be treated as a bonus rather than an assumed feature. The Razor Fang evolution requirement can also delay access to Gliscor in some games, leaving the still-usable Gligar as the practical endpoint for part or all of a run.

Gligar is a cliff-dwelling glider that launches from high places, spreads the membranes between its limbs, and moves through the air smoothly and almost silently rather than relying on ordinary flapping flight. It can emit sound waves to detect obstacles while gliding, giving it an echolocation-like ability that helps it navigate even when visibility is poor. When attacking, Gligar may fly directly at a target, clamp onto the victim's face with its hind claws and pincers, and then strike with the poisonous stinger at the end of its segmented tail. It feeds on Berries as well as other food and is naturally resistant to venom, while cliff faces and mountainous boreal regions provide its preferred nesting sites. Once a glide ends, Gligar is comparatively awkward on the ground and hops back toward its nest rather than walking efficiently.