How GOOD were Linoone & Obstagoon ACTUALLY? - History of Linoone & Obstagoon in Competitive Pokemon

Linoone & Obstagoon are today’s Pokemon for our competitive history series! Join False Swipe Gaming in this brief overview of Linoone & Obstagoon in competitive Pokemon!
PATREON!
/ falseswipegaming
FULL RESEARCH SOURCES HERE
docs.google.com/document/d/1X...
Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:45 - ADV/Gen 3
9:52 - DPP/Gen 4
12:37 - BW/Gen 5
13:23 - XY/Gen 6
15:17 - SM/Gen 7
18:19 - SS/Gen 8 Linoone
20:49 - SS/Gen 8 Obstagoon
25:01 - Outro
The Official False Swipe Gaming Twitter:
/ falseswipeg
Directed by Kellen
/ kellen_fsg
Follow Me On Twitch!: / kellen_fsg
Written By
Kevin aka BKC
His Channel: / @bkcplayspokemon
This Bread Needs More Jam: / @thisbreadneedsmorejam583
Edited By
Connor Nguyen aka CDK
Follow Him: / cdk_1989
VFX Intro By
Ryan Gonzales
ryangonzalesfilmmaker.weebly....
Sound Designed by
Ryan Gonzales
Game Capture Artist:
DarkMusician
Follow Him: / of_darkmusician
DISCLAIMERS ON FORMATS COVERED:
Notice I said POPULAR formats, meaning a format where there is a significant amount of people who compete in it for tournaments and so on and so forth.
For the record, I do not care what rules or formats people play their battles by nor am I saying these formats are the only formats that should be played. The way you play Pokemon is between you and your opponent. I just like examining popular tournament formats.
Songs Used (List of ALL Songs used for this series. Some may or may not make it into the video):
docs.google.com/document/d/1H...
My Twitter:
/ kellen_fsg
Resources and Historical References
History of Rule Variants: bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wik...
Smogon University:
www.smogon.com/
Maikiri
/ nbmakiri
Aaron Cybertron Zheng:
/ cybertronvgc
Pokeaim
/ joeypokeaim
Pokemon Battle Historia:
pokemon.s20.xrea.com/
Nintendo Cup 2000 Team Construction:
pokemon.s20.xrea.com/2nd/const...
Nintendo Cup 2000 Tier List:
pokemon.s20.xrea.com/2nd/2000/
Pokemon Japanese Battle Wiki:
wiki.xn--rckteqa2e.com/wiki/%E...
Sprites From:
www.spriters-resource.com/
pldh.net/dex/sprites/index

[@FalseSwipeGaming]

To clarify, The super long video we needed time to make is NOT this week's video. It's NEXT WEEK's video :)

[@eveegirl2878]

Ooooo I cant waite!

[@scoovy9170]

Could it be...a meta-defining Pokemon?

[@sarvan754]

Nice

[@inanimategaming]

"Wait, did they need to polish up Linoone or somethin--" >reads comment, plays video "Oh. It was last week's Sunday. They weren't gonna ignore the Patreon pick of the month"

[@Oliver-uz1fs]

WHAAAAT

[@logans.7932]

Honestly, what fits the Pokémon known for sprinting really fast in a straight line without being able to do anything else more than “use one buffing move and then use Extremespeed” for 5 straight generations.

[@babyboi3910]

HONESTLY YEAH

[@Coconut_Prrson]

What?? Wdym it can't do anything but run in a straight line

[@logans.7932]

@@Coconut_Prrson Pokédex entries note how it’s known for being really bad at turning, but it can run insanely fast

[@paperluigi6132]

@@logans.7932I think it can do 90° turns by skidding or drifting, but I specifically remember a dex entry saying that gentle curves are its biggest weakness. It was even shown in the anime.

[@tylervue306]

Furret: “Who are you?” Linoone: “I’m you, but better.”

[@Luis-xj8el]

Actually there is something that furret can do over linoone, walk :D

[@shoekurenai8255]

But furret is still longer than charizard

[@calemx1637]

@@Luis-xj8el linoone walks faster

[@theworldofchachundar5628]

@@calemx1637 but furret can walk longer

[@calemx1637]

@@theworldofchachundar5628 tru the stamina is unbeatable. Especially for a ground type

[@whatamidoing725]

Theres something so heartwarming about seeing an early route mon being so damn good

[@paevepailbrack6899]

I think it’s the idea that Linoone could be the first Pokémon someone catches and continues being good through their whole journey

[@axell15thewispmaster51]

It's called, "Being Proud"

[@pacoramon9468]

Unlike my poor furret :(

[@marcthedashergd6321]

So far the good early route pokemon are mega pidgeot, linoone, staraptor, stoutland, diggersby, talonflame, and corviknight. Not sure about the others though.

[@noukan42]

@@marcthedashergd6321 i would add Bibarel. It is not good under smogon rules, but if moody is allowed...

[@AhmedHussain-ju6xd]

The fact that this pokemon is an actual meta threat brings a smile to my face

[@swampy725]

I knew that, I used it, and I loved it.. Now people now my boy's power

[@jns0808]

@@swampy725 agreed!

[@haisex3]

And the fact that Mightyena isn’t hurts my soul

[@swampy725]

@@haisex3 with mightyena being my favourite pokemon, I can relate

[@haisex3]

@@swampy725 I really hope it gets a buff eventually :/

[@BromanderInChief]

Should’ve mentioned that when Spectrier was murdering everything in OU before it was banned, Obstagoon was literally its best counter other than maybe Ttar. It stayed there for a little while post-ban.

[@aayushaparnaginimuge4172]

It was actually a check to it, because of burn chip damage, Spectier disableing knock off and using mud shot.

[@MoodRealm_Native]

Obstagoon was solid at it but Mandibuzz proved to be better at the role in general. I used Obstagoon for it though so woo

[@bounce9568]

@@MoodRealm_Native I personally just destroyed my opponent’s device and then peed on them

[@slowburgundyy574]

@@bounce9568 dont understand why more people don't do this

[@curiosityunbound5460]

@@bounce9568 This reminds me of an old saying from magic the gathering. "The best removal is player removal."

[@GamerPro174]

Me: ohhh, what’s this vid gonna be? Latios? Deoxys? Lando? FSG: looooong boi

[@brothermichael8442]

Ferrothorn!

[@docxy7331]

Id love a deoxys vid actually

[@chuckmorris5886]

Did you know? Extreme Speed is when a Pokemons speed goes to the extreme!

[@Itsthat_Yu]

😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱 WHAAAAAWT?????

[@Red-MagicOrchestra]

thank you chuck norris

[@Noobman69420]

Every brock ever

[@dustin202]

You may be fast But my gun is faster

[@ultimapower6950]

Belly drum to thee extreme

[@hekirb3382]

I feel ashamed of myself for wondering "wait, why is linoone not using shadow ball anymore?" until the gen 7 part... Gen 3 really brainwashed me into thinking all ghost moves are physical :(

[@trainershade1937]

Thankfully they still have very similar base powers (70 for claw and 80 for ball). I'd say it's somewhat worth it for the boosted crit rate.

[@dustin202]

@@trainershade1937 well 10 bp makes a huge difference between a kill/sweep or getting killed

[@voltrya6844]

@@dustin202nobody uses aqua tail still

[@USSFFRU]

@@dustin202 But then its same BP as the Elemental Punches so its not all bad

[@IschmarVI]

@@USSFFRU 1. its less (70 vs. 75) and 2. the elemental punches aren't very strong either. They are usable but mostly, because many pokes simply don't have anything better.

[@ianr.navahuber2195]

18:00 I love how Linoone managed to rose back from the lowest tiers BACK to UU even after UU was now a different environment that Linoone knew once

[@HowlingOneify]

The fact that Linoone went from PUBL in gen 6 to RUBL in gen 7 and even being usable in UU in Gen 7, is a massive accomplishment. Made morr smazing by the fact that normal is one of the types that usually gets crapped on over time the most. Linoone defied the norm.and got BETTER in later gens.

[@Jeff_Biden]

jramps yo jramps

[@JamesJamesW]

I love how it just kept getting better after Untiered in Gen 5

[@loruneye7881]

Yes, so often untiered in gen 5 means that it’s all downhill from there. Linoone just got better

[@beyefendisneasel8693]

Its actually considered PUBL in Gen 5 just like it is in Gen 6.

[@ShadowtheYouTuber523]

@@beyefendisneasel8693 PU came in gen 6, not gen 5.

[@beyefendisneasel8693]

@@ShadowtheKZbinr523 PU was created in Gen 5 even though it was unofficial then became official tier in Gen 6.

[@BeeEmpress]

Can’t wait to see linoone on literally every ladder trying to sweep with belly drum

[@swampy725]

😂😂

[@denizmergen418]

thats whats wrong with pokemon comunity

[@lordg0gma627]

Stall teams are gonna have a field day with their unaware mons

[@thegreatscribbles960]

the ice barrier

[@denizmergen418]

@@lordg0gma627 OMg YOu aRE SO tOXSIc STOp uSeING STTAl

[@SethJV]

People: "Next video is long??? LANDORUS TIME!!!" FSG: "Haha Linoone go ------------------------"

[@joaomacedo5849]

I assume we're gonna have 2 videos today, cause they uploaded this a lot earlier :p

[@GameFreak64101]

Extreme Speed

[@SonBlackHeart22]

I want a Bibarel video soon. 😆

[@eveegirl2878]

I knew it was going to be linoone. Because when it's the beginning of the month it's a patreon pick and the patreon pick were none of the pokemon that people thought it was.

[@CocktailBoomin]

Later, this was the patron pick

[@RedDragonForce2]

Fun Fact: As of Gen 5, Pickup Mechanics allowed Linoone to pair with Ambipom in doubles for a flinch sweep… with proper setup. Sticky Web plus Explosion for setup. Use of King’s Rock and Razor Fang for Fling guarantees flinch, so as long as Linoone and Ambipom were faster, they would flinch combo entire teams from full to defeat.

[@sephikong8323]

>gen 5 >Sticky Webs Hum.......

[@RedDragonForce2]

@@sephikong8323 okay, Gen 6.

[@andrewpenn1145]

Do tell me more, that sounds like a riot.

[@ILiekFishes]

assuming they don't have enough priority or flying types with enough speed

[@frankfort332]

@@ILiekFishes yes. Most sweeps are assuming they don't have (insert counter here)

[@ricardoludwig4787]

Fun fact about obstagoon: while it didn't last long enough to come back to Ou, during the spectrier suspect test it actually became a legitimate threat once again since it switched in for free, was immune to it's moves and got meaningful progress out of it, be it setup, momentum with parting shot or a free hit

[@juannaym8488]

It's almost like there were plenty viable checks to Spectrier in OU hmm...

[@ethanc.1443]

@@juannaym8488 Most of them lost to Spectrier whether it uses Will-O-Wisp or Disable, Tyranitar loses to Spectrier in the long game if it gets burned or gets Disabled, Mandibuzz straight up loses to Spectrier if it's WoW + Hex + CM + Sub. Spectrier was broken.

[@internetrandodotcom]

@@juannaym8488 obstagoon wasn’t that viable of a pokémon, soft checking spectrier was literally its only niche. even then, teams were able to take advantage of its constant chip due to flame orb as for the other checks, bulky sub cm made every soft check to it setup fodder. ttar and mandibuzz got wisped, and even blissey could get forced to struggle with taunt + disable sets

[@12jswilson]

@@internetrandodotcom if Obstagoon was only a soft check to Spectrier, I wonder what your idea of a hard counter is.

[@internetrandodotcom]

@@12jswilson a hard counter would be a pokémon that doesn’t get very, very easily chipped and worn down. even if obstagoon could switch into a shadow ball, if a spectrier user simply predicts an obstagoon switch-in, it can sub up and potentially even use disable to remove knock off from the equation. the chip received from flame orb and stealth rocks made obstagoon easy to dispose of by spectrier’s teammates, or even if spectrier ran mud shot/dark pulse.

[@Rncko]

Belly Drum + Gluttony is like a match made in hell. Whenever it springs out, suddenly the whole game is warped around it like a halfway through Jenga tower.

[@ASquared544]

Surprised Obstruct isn't used in Competitive. It's not a bad move in the slightest, since it's just better protect, plus it's got really good defense.

[@darrellsimon4462]

I was suprisee it wasn't mentioned in the video

[@AlldaylongRock]

For Guts sets its pretty good.

[@dornthememe7455]

It has one downside, it doesn’t block status moves unlike protect. So you could be hit by a leech seed if you used Obstruct

[@connivingkhajiit]

@@dornthememe7455 that means you can use trick or treat on it via gourgeist in doubles at the same time you receive flame orb guts boost.

[@AhmedHussain-ju6xd]

Fun fact: linoone can easily sweep the entire emerald league being less level than steven's metagross.

[@jizolord69]

One belly drum and everything just dies.

[@rudolfstreimanis7153]

How?

[@sujalchavan4822]

@@rudolfstreimanis7153 with belly drum

[@WildWeavile]

@@sujalchavan4822 it does nothing to phoebe tho

[@edwardtoth36]

@@WildWeavile Shadow Ball

[@pacoramon9468]

I remember seing a dead badger on the road the same day Obstagoon was announced, it brings bad memories.

[@szkonk]

Only death can pay for life.

[@Rarest26]

what the fu

[@calebhoward7763]

Ah, the early rodent with a legitimate niche.

[@SethJV]

Having 4 HM? :D

[@someguy3263]

@@SethJV Extreme speed + belly drum + gluttony + berry

[@SonBlackHeart22]

Even better than Raticate O-O

[@galvsparks6295]

What about Diggersby though

[@5darkelves994]

He was my first new meta mon I got in randoms and I respect him for that

[@Interiorcrocodilealigator10838]

Aww they never talked about how goon was a “perfect wall” for spectrier

[@dragonbournee5270]

@@brandonoliversosa896 Not really, Shadow can beat Linoone since it's sub variant can carry leech seed or a cover move while it's offensive variant has psyshock or psychic.

[@sephikong8323]

Yes, that's exactly what I was waiting for the whole time as someone who was amongst the early people to theorize this niche for Obstagoon back when Spectrier just started causing havoc and the big guns were banned (I don't take the full credit here, we were quite a few to realize this at least in theory) and that it would legitimately rise up in usage as soon as Urshifu got banned, especially considering that it had other uses in the tier (a physical attacker that was not afraid of Moltres and Zapdos and was threatening to Heatran and Ttar, had a lot of item displacement potential and even potentially momentum grab with Parting Shot, those were all valuable assets to have at the time). Unfortunately, Spectrier was banned so quickly after Urshifu that it never got to rise to OU by usage properly (still think Magearna should have been tested before Spectrier, it was a thousand times worse than the Ghost horse)

[@Interiorcrocodilealigator10838]

@@sephikong8323 personally I think the ban list shoulda fitted zamazenta during the era of kyurem black and zygarde

[@jagjitpradhan2038]

@@dragonbournee5270 pollen puff? Why isn't that mentioned?

[@dragonbournee5270]

@@jagjitpradhan2038 Pollen puff is not used on any "good" as spectrier set because it doesn't really cover much . Offensive Spectrier's have psyshock, astral barrage, nasty plot/calm mind and draining kiss.

[@guillermogallardo8423]

I was expecting ferrothron or lando for this vid. This was unexpected.

[@kripdomii1841]

That’s next week’s video

[@julianbragg4123]

This was a Patron Pick.

[@crimsoncharizardx9853]

Same

[@SoggySlopster]

Don’t you mean onyxpected?

[@ashsnake0749]

Maybe double upload?

[@oravlaful]

i find it wild that such a gimmicky set went from high risk high reaward to absolutely unviable in any tier to tier breaking. i'd expect it to be just more and more unviable with time

[@TalkingVidya]

Ah yes, Genne Simmons Pokémon

[@MedhaosUnite]

Unless it’s Shiny, then it’s David Bowie

[@arbetor12]

@@MedhaosUnite scary monsters

[@maps2853]

Daniel querido que haces aqui

[@bobuxstuff121]

Hm

[@Krishy-dz4ov]

Didn’t one of the members of Kiss acknowledge the resemblance?

[@jman2050]

Gen 5: “Linoone was untiered” Oh, what a pity, guess he’s gonna be doomed to irrelevance until we talk about Obstagoon Gen 6: “Banned from PU” Gen 7: “Banned from RU” Gen 8: “Banned from RU and then later NU” Oh…

[@cintronproductions9430]

Belly Drum and Extreme Speed REALLY saved Linoone.

[@neptuniamarina4924]

The Gen 7 Ban floors me, Linoone got banned from a tier with: Metagross Gardevoir Salazzle Rhyperior And many others.

[@rhydonphilip]

Stars really alligned for it to be good; instant screen support from the broken move aurora veil, buffed pinch berry's to synergize with one of it's bad abilities to be good(even post nerf from 50% to 33%, as it still out-does sitrus 25%) and acces to the Ground-type coverage of Stomping Tantrum. All in a metagame where the demand for a solid team against the main meta was higher than the gen before. In addition to the lack of fat steels and lack of fast extreem speed resisting pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl / Durant.

[@EeveeShadowBacon]

This thing is fucking scary in the random ladder. It shows up, you better have had a check out that next Tuesday or you lose.

[@CocktailBoomin]

@@neptuniamarina4924 gardevoir is frail so I dont know why thats on there since it falls to e speed and the others get trashed by stomping tantrum

[@GBlockbreaker]

"I don't fear the man that trains a thousand punches once but the man that trains one punch a thousand times" really fits Zigzagoon, the little guy can do only one thing but he does it fairly well

[@CaptainJLinebeck]

Shaymin: Has base 100 in every stat, fits in nicely in Gen 7 RU. Linoone: Speed is its highest stat at base 100, is far too overwhelming for Gen 7 RU and gets banned. That's the power of taking advantage of certain items and move combinations

[@Goose-dw2ct]

“going from borderline problematic to outright oppressive” LMAO

[@volgtorbg]

mood

[@gatsu7742]

Linoone is a politician.

[@kageakiminato8536]

soy chuggers

[@lennartstockl5826]

"They called me 'Pickup victim', 'HMSlave'... Now they call me 'RU BL'."

[@Serperior1212]

BLBL

[@Slaking_]

Using Obstagoon to beat Spectrier in the early Crown Tundra meta... ah, the memories Shoutout to Agent Goon for holding that monstrosity back a little

[@seanoodles7008]

In random battles Linoone is still one of the absolute best Pokémon because you can’t see it coming, so it makes it so easy to get it in at an optimal time to set up.

[@aalamvirsinghdhaliwal1701]

Update :- After Cobalion, left RU for UU, Obstagoon became the best offensive pokemon in RU and was banned! It know rests in RUBL.

[@kaiju3646]

linoon and obstagoon: the BL kings

[@Seth_rs]

Hey zizaggon was the hm slave of excelence in gen 3 having acces to surf cut rock smash and strength

[@alibaba3568]

Plus Pickup for nice items

[@usernametaken017]

pickup hm slave is the best thing you can ask for

[@xTheLemon]

It was a good way to get TM26 Earthquake without needing to go through another playthrough back in Gen 3.

[@failure4]

Stab strength is actually pretty powerful in the games

[@hawkticus_history_corner]

I usually grabbed a Zigzagoon on my Hoenn playthroughs, largely because its movepool is silly. Glad to see its legit good in several Gens.

[@prodjoshkta]

We are gathered here today after a week of NO FSG. Now we have been blessed with a video about 2 long boys, one with an obsession with classic glam rock. I am here for it.

[@TheMightyWobb]

The GOON is one of my favorites to use on showdown

[@Toast_94]

Fun fact: Every ExtremeSpeed Linoone you've ever seen was most likely genned. The only way one could legitimately learn ExtremeSpeed was through one of the eggs that Pokemon Box Ruby and Sapphire would give the player which would hatch into a zigzagoon knowing ExtremeSpeed, random nature, no guaranteed IVs, and the move couldn't be passed on through breeding. Poke box R&S only gave you one of each egg per save file, if it had a bad nature/IVs you had to replay RSE all over again and deposit another 100 pokes in order to get another one. Not to mention that that while the game itself was reasonably obtainable in Japan and Europe, in North America it was sold in literally one store on the entire continent (Pokemon Center New York). Edit: How times have changed, it became an egg move in gen 8.

[@KidsBuildingClub]

Man, I wanted extreme speed on my Linoone in oras :(

[@xt6997]

If extremespeed linone wasnt gened then people could softmod a gamecube to play the rom of pokemon box, or a softmodded wii. Not to mention the fact , gamecube emulation is becoming more and more accessible.

[@Toast_94]

@@xt6997 The keyword there is could, doesn't mean anyone did it. Besides, getting an emulator to trade with the real thing was unheard of until only maybe 5 years ago at most; most GBA emulators still can't do that let alone a gamecube emulator.

[@xt6997]

@@Toast_94 whod thought an hm slave could be good huh?

[@DC13999]

My first wild pokemon in Shield was a shiny zigzagoon, hyped to see a new evolution do so well!!

[@Skarmory_oshiku]

wait but how zigzagoon is after mototstoke did u not enocunter a single pokemon until then?

[@LunaroseClaire]

@@Skarmory_oshiku huh, the more you know. Didn't know it wasn't a very early game Mon.

[@trevorparker6400]

@@Skarmory_oshiku you can find zigzagoon on route 2. They aren't common,but they're there

[@trevorparker6400]

@@Skarmory_oshiku you can find zigzagoon on route 2. They aren't common,but they're there

[@bunnyben87]

@@Skarmory_oshiku they very rarely appear on Route 2 so you can pick one up there. I personally am more surprised to hear that his first (non-scripted) Wild Encounter was a Full-Odds Shiny.

[@tysondennis1016]

Obstruct+Facade+Flame Orb+Guts is such a good combo

[@michaelwhite4130]

Can't wait until next week's 45 minute video of Ferroseed dominating the lower tiers

[@Ronald_Ruck]

Wow, I knew that Extreme Speed Linoone was a thing in Gen 3 but I never thought it will take a good chunk of the video.

[@shellbmgo1310]

Me too

[@demonicgamerazazel9866]

Here's a funny story: I never knew Linoone could learn Surf until I was an adult. Tbh I'm still shocked it even can learn it.

[@dragooll2023]

Squirt!

[@godsu]

Linoone is my go to HM slave when i was a kid

[@SilverAlex92]

I just beat a nuzlocke emeral run thanks to linoone. Almost all my team, starter included, except a zigzagoon died in the second gym. As time went on the linoone wecame my ace pokemon and by the end of the run it was packing Ice beam, thunderbolt, surf, and return. Gal soloed dragon guy from the elite four and was the mvp against wallace. Specially offensive linoone has AMAZING coverage, its stats just let it down.

[@josephlytle1436]

I was really surprised with how well Obstagoon did in the meta at first, because I thought it was just going to be like with Alolan Raticate where the typing completely cripples it. But just like you said, power creep came in, and ruined Obstagoon. In spite of this, Obstagoon is still one of my favorite Gen 8 Pokémon because of how much it surprised me.

[@mx4159]

Imagine how good extreme speed obstagoon would be

[@FeraligatrKirbyEric27]

E-Speed Belly Drum Obstagoon sounds terrifying. It would probably be in OU or UU just because of those 2 moves.

[@Zeo--]

And sucker punch.

[@radioheado]

sucker punch+e-speed adaptability obstagoon

[@MrcreeperDXD777]

@@radioheado guts is a higher boost than adaptability. while adaptability makes 1.5x damage STAB moves 2x damage, guts increases attack by 50%, making STABs deal 2.25x damage

[@jorgefrade8900]

@@MrcreeperDXD777 your not sweepin anything with belly drum + burn dmg with no recovery + rocks

[@victuss1413]

Linoone is OU in HM slave bracket and in being spammed in a party for ruby/saphire rare candy pickup. I LOVE fighting roxanne with my starter at 100 omega lawl

[@nunyabiznes33]

I fed him all the Rare Candies he picked up to quickly get him to 100 and he kept picking TMs for me. Good times.

[@Schlaym]

I played with a six Linoone team in ORAS, with a character named McLooty. I loved it.

[@nunyabiznes33]

Gotta keep picking TMs!

[@mafiousbj]

I remember Linoone with Pick-up financing my brother's trip through Hoenn with nuggets so hard that I added one to my party Those were good memories

[@lovelovemiraclesunsetgirl]

this has to be one of my all-time favorite episodes of the series, i love being completely blindsided by how a pokemon does and i think that had to be one of the most insane rollercoaster rides and comebacks in a pokemon's metagame history you've covered !

[@Gardetrace]

Linoone had a dope appearance in the Gen 3 anime where he used Thunderbolt alongside Pikachu.

[@ChrisG667]

I really did love that Belly Drum + Salac Berry + Extremespeed combo in gen 3

[@lukefong5301]

I’ve had a lot of fun using Obstagoon as a hard counter to Calyrex Shadow variants that don’t have drain kids. It’s just so much fun to switch it in and blank its attack, and then force it out.

[@acemerceramv8561]

24:51 Actually, Obstagoon was NUBL for a while, then raised back to RU

[@James-kv3ll]

For some who doesn’t care about smogon or like smogon all the “OU”, “UU”, “RU”.. ect talk kinda just becomes white noise in the background while I enjoy the visuals and learning about the sets people would run on the Pokémon. It’s strange how much I enjoy these videos despite my distaste for Smogon lol.

[@exi_dudi2037]

What format do you play and what's your problem with Smogon. I think everyone should play what they want but I'm just curious.

[@Jem-Fury]

I don’t know why, but this is my favorite normal type. It just makes me smile.

[@jefflueders9071]

Obstagoon has some spot in Pokemon GO competitive too. Only in the Great and Ultra League. Obstruct in Pokemon GO lowers your opponent's defence AND increases yours AND can get generated as a charge move really quick. Not much damage but it does pretty good at checking Giratina/ghost types and setting up other pokemon to sweep. For anyone who cared to know lol.

[@PsydeON]

The high linoone pun killed me

[@CountofBleck]

Ah, my favorite early route rodent. Glad they got their chance in the sun

[@SethWistful]

As i watch you walk with this relatively obscure Pokemon through its lifetime, I'm just baffled at the excellence of your research and writing. Thank you and the whole team for all of your work

[@howlingarmadillo]

These are my favorite kinds of videos on this channel. Feels like a real underdog story hearing about a Pokemon rising through the ranks from generation to generation.

[@vexusvtuberpre-dubut3541]

I’ve been waiting for this video since last week! Thank you!

[@Interesting_Failure]

Between this and Moody Bibarel being banned from OU, it was a golden age for Rattata stand-ins for a while there.

[@davidguzman771]

I remember the hype when Sw/Sh was about to come out about obstagoon getting belly drum extreme speed aswell...

[@FalcnPWNCH]

Aside from and before the existence of Diggersby - Linoone was probably the only *'Early game-route 1-normal-type-cutesy mammal pokemon'* with a legitimate and usable niche, any sort of presence in the higher tiers of the game, with actually impressive results - getting Extremespeed as a super strong purified move from XD Gale of Darkness was a *GODSENT for it!!* I absolutely love what they did with Galar and the invent of Obstagoon! Easily one of the better pokemon as a whole to come out of Galar region and a great way to give love and attention to the older generations of pokemon, I sincerely wish Gamefreak keeps doing more of this sort of stuff in the future generations to come

[@eIchristo]

If I recall correctly, Linoone didn't get Extremespeed from XD, it was instead from Pokémon BOX: Ruby & Sapphire.

[@Nellamin]

Conveniently, I just finished rewatching your Donphan video, so this is wonderful

[@Sporkyyyyyy]

16:19 Why is it soo funny seeing an Linoone take down a Hydreigon

[@edwintorres2530]

Bellydrum extreme speed linoone has won me many random battles on pokemon showdown

[@shellbmgo1310]

It's hard for me to do

[@fishyforyou]

I'm very thankful for the videos you pump out.

[@GoofyCombat]

I used a reckless Obtagoon with life orb and laughed when many of the things it hit neutral against were getting one shot. Helped me alot during my playthrough of Sword

[@sirmoony5633]

Speaking of Linoones, back when I was playing Pokemon Ruby, I was grinding my Pokemon for the Elite Four and I suddenly got 17 PP ups! Meaning that I maxed out Fire Bast for Blaziken, Blizzard for Walrein and Thunder for my Zangoose (Even though it also had Shadow Ball, Swords Dance and Return for STAB).

[@mdudegamer]

Man, I forgot we got the 50% heal berries only as recently as Sun and Moon. And I don't think I ever knew they dropped to 33%.

[@nunyabiznes33]

I only played till Gen5 on emulators, we're these berries around since Gen3? I remember these are the berries that cause confusion when eaten by Pokes that don't like the flavor.

[@rubenmacias5524]

Thanks for making these videos, bro. Love the dedication

[@centerofstar]

There is one time in Pokemon Showdown random battle where I almost got swept in but luckily made a massive comeback with Linoone. Got off a Belly Drum and swept through my opponents team with just extreme speed.

[@eddiesigler9761]

Norman's Linoone in Emerald was just as scary as his Slaking 😭😱

[@PakuPaku635]

Beautiful stuff guys, as always. Could you also add the natures used in various sets on the stats screens? Say for instance you do a mon with an all out attack and mixed set, you could also mention the natures used in these sets. Keep up the great work!

[@dariuslynch6673]

I love this channel bro I hope you keep making content forever 😁👍

[@Mechagator]

I’ve actually found a lot of success with Reckless Obstagoon. It’s not perfect, but the absurd damage of double edge, along with Obstructs defense reduction does wonders.

[@pepito69]

The question is "how good is False?" He makes Uber look like NU

[@benjaminfigueroa1833]

This is amazing. As a kid, I remember having a linoone in my team, teasing that it was the one that had attacked prof. Birch haha. I've had a linoone in my team ever since, and I assure they are wonderful. They name of the linoone was El Juan, and its legend carries on

[@sagacious03]

Fun analysis! Thanks for uploading!

[@ryukthedarkrai4259]

The Virgin Furret vs The Chad Obstagoon I am plenty aware of how hot a take this is

[@lazyangryshark5076]

I mean, Obstagoon can atleast do something unlike Furret

[@trainershade1937]

How disgusting of you to bring up that rancid trash pile as a "chad".

[@trainershade1937]

@@lazyangryshark5076 Yeah, it can assault my eyes!

[@vicenteschultzsolano255]

Tauros: NOW GO, my child... let the world know what a mono Normal can do

[@redwolfjosh5581]

Linoone is becoming my favourite early game normal type pokemon thank you for this video

[@greenchilistudioz4537]

I didn't expect Linoone video to be long, this is very good thing

[@B3FMandCProductions]

Belly Drum, Extreme Speed Linoone is so much fun

[@NanaKyoto]

The fact that we got an evolution in the form of Obstagoon was such a blessing, like a lovely kiss.

[@vihanedits595]

yes who knows how normal Obstagoon would be without the Galarian form ? Also he would not get dark typing

[@estooo]

I do think a official "no team preview" format for the newer generations would be interesting.

[@zach6395]

Never should have been team preview in the first place to be honest.

[@lazyangryshark5076]

@@zach6395 Hell no. Knowing the opponent's Pokemon makes up a better mindgame than "Oh look, I happen to have Magnezone, now your Scizor is screwed" IMO

[@Eminster]

@@lazyangryshark5076 Scizor can run fighting moves for it

[@zach6395]

@@lazyangryshark5076 So you need to know what's coming to be effective? Weak sauce, my friend.

[@lazyangryshark5076]

@@Eminster Back then, Magnezone was faster with Choice Scarf and kills it with HP Fire and there isn't anything Scizor can do, especially if locked into Bullet Punch

[@La.idBack]

Imagine if Obstagoon still had access to belly drum espeed, like its Hoenn variant. Obstagoon would've been a whole threat.

[@graylee945]

Everyone will forget the original Linoone.......so they didn't do that. Maybe🤔🤔🤔

[@evanmorisky4604]

What made regular linoone work as a belly drum user was how it could set up belly drums for free with gluttony pinch berries. Since obstagoon doesn't get that plus poor defensive typing, it probably get killed after setting up

[@Bulletproofbouchy]

Can we just appreciate how cool an idea regional forms and evolutions you are, say what you will about gen 7 and 8, but they got this right

[@GravityIsFalling]

100% agree Remove megas z moved and dynamax and just keep regional forms

[@milonchello1643]

Even if its only for the meme, regional forms make sence since the games are all about evolution its just weird that they only came out with those on gen 7 when fangames have had them forever.

[@Bulletproofbouchy]

@@GravityIsFalling agreed, dont hate megas but they arnt needed and the others I despise, regional forms are just great way to breath new life into a old pokemon

[@Bulletproofbouchy]

@@milonchello1643 I think it was kinda attempted in gen 5 with the likes of alolamola and buffolant, but they didnt want to commit to ether a full on regional form or new evolutions, it's a bit of a shame, at least we got regional forms eventually

[@milonchello1643]

@@Bulletproofbouchy Yeah Alomomola is pretty much what a Luvdisc evo would be, Boufalant does look like a unovan Taurus which makes sence because unova is based on na, Sawk and Troh, at least for me, feel like a cleaner fighting duo than the hitmon duo, the only problem is how humanoid they are.

[@alexdrake4081]

Gen 8 is pretty amazing for Hoenn Linnone; Incineroar in RU makes Linnone even more dangerous especially with intimidate and Parting shot; screens aren’t needed as much; and choice scarf Gardevoir with healing wish can also help Linnone come back for another round

[@CiabanItReal]

I've been waiting all day for this. I can't believe how early I am.

[@r.a.c.5754]

Zigzagoon was a semi frequent choice on my early in game team through my occasional play-throughs of Emerald. I mainly kept it for the occasionally useful Pick-Up ability until I had the opportunity to replace it with something overall better. Obstagoon instantly became one of my favorite Gen 8 ‘Mons. To see that it had competitive success was pleasing to me.

[@cheryl9809]

Yep, obstagoon just got banned from RU

[@yourgranny469]

I smell a double upload today. Edit- nvm loll

[@Truffle_D_Toad]

Hell yeah more Gen 8 evolutions! Linoone's a banger mon, and Obstagoon's really cool too.

[@Smenchevieve]

As my favorite Pokemon and something I've spent a TON of time planning gen 7 OU teams around, I'm really glad to see this video. Legit I have like 25 Linoone teams that each experiment with different potential synergies. I'm not a very good player so I sometimes have a hard time figuring out what works, but I now know a Linoone counter or check anytime I see it (and there are a lot).

[@eyeofthetyger8504]

In the card game, the element of surprise is rare, but stupidly powerful

[@creeperking5918]

Whats weird is that the night before this was uploaded I thought, "I wonder if false swipe gaming made a video on linoone and obstagoon." And now here we are, coincidence i think not

[@TheMinotaurINroom142]

Great video man! God bless!

[@Hnui03]

THESE ARE MY BOYS!! So glad the Patrons voted these awesome Pokemon in. Loved Linoone as a kid, Obstagoon is my favorite Pokemon now. Even was my first hatched Square Shiny in SwSh so my Obstagoon has a special place in my heart 😊

[@tomfiddzy1827]

Plus it has found me so many Rare Candies with its pick up ability

[@kaitlyn3168]

Same. Lol