Gastrodon's typing, serviceable bulk, and broad range of utility moves make it a sturdy defensive anchor against top metagame threats such as Iron Moth, Iron Boulder, and Mega Aerodactyl. Spikes and Stealth Rock take advantage of Gastrodon's ability to threaten Excadrill and Rotom-Wash, two of the most common forms of hazard control. Clear Smog deters any setup from sweepers immune to status like Calm Mind Clefable. Toxic prevents Pokemon such as Hydrapple, Hydreigon, and Mega Latias, which can take Gastrodon's STAB moves, from freely taking advantage of it. Scald's ability to spread burn gives it a chance to punish any attempt at setup or entry from Pokemon such as Azumarill, Scizor, and Mega Venusaur; with the alternatives of Earthquake and Earth Power having the ability to immediately threaten Iron Moth and Aegislash. Said options can also break potential Substitutes from Pokemon such as Aegislash, Keldeo, and Mega Gardevoir, which Scald cannot do. Recover allows Gastrodon to be a more consistent answer to U-turn Iron Moth and Tyranitar. Heavy-Duty Boots prevents entry hazard damage that may disrupt Gastrodon's ability to safely take attacks. Leftovers ensures that Gastrodon does not have to recover every bit of damage it takes when attempting to pivot in on weaker moves, making it a useful alternative on teams with reliable entry hazard removal. Maximum HP and Defense EVs give Gastrodon the physical bulk to take on threats like Iron Boulder, Mega Aerodactyl, and Choice Band Tyranitar. Gastrodon fits well onto balance and hazard-stacking teams, with its ability to check threats such as Victini, Iron Boulder, and Keldeo and stop Volt Switch momentum from Rotom-Wash and Zeraora. Specially defensive Pokemon like Slowking, Blissey, and Amoonguss work well with Gastrodon, answering Pokemon that threaten it like Choice Specs Greninja, Serperior, and Alakazam. Celesteela in particular is a good partner, covering Gastrodon's weakness to Grass-types like Mega Venusaur, Amoonguss, and Hydrapple while benefiting from Gastrodon's Electric immunity and resistance to Fire-type moves in return. Stealth Rock users like Clefable and Skarmory enjoy Gastrodon's ability to stack Spikes. Gastrodon's inability to check Energy Ball Iron Moth means it appreciates Booster Iron Moth checks like Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Latias, which in turn enjoy the entry hazards set by Gastrodon. Win conditions and wallbreakers like Swords Dance Aegislash, Calm Mind Reuniclus and Keldeo, and Stallbreaker Enamorus relish in Gastrodon's profile of resistances, ability to lure in and potentially punish Grass-type Pokemon with status, and its tendency to be able to set entry hazards multiple times a game.