Klawf
"Klawf appears to be based on various species of crabs with hair-like bristles on their bodies, such as the horsehair crab (which has an orange-brown coloration), the velvet crab (a species found in the Mediterranean Sea), or the Chinese mitten crab (an invasive species in Europe). It may also derive inspiration from rock climbing." - Bulbapedia
"Crabcore shall rise again with Klawf at the helm." - Morkal
BASE STATS | MIN - MAX STAT RANGE |
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HP:
70 | 250 - 344 |
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Attack:
100 | 184 - 328 |
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Defense:
115 | 211 - 361 |
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Sp. Atk:
35 | 67 - 185 |
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Sp. Def:
55 | 103 - 229 |
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Speed:
75 | 139 - 273 |
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Abilities:
Anger Shell, Shell Armor | HA: Regenerator
Notable Physical + Utility Moves:
Body Slam, Brick Break, Crabhammer, Endeavor, High Horsepower, Knock Off, Protect, Rock Blast, Rock Slide, Rock Tomb, Stealth Rock, Stomping Tantrum, Stone Edge, Substitute, Swords Dance, Tera Blast, Trailblaze, X-Scissor
(To those I talked to about this on Showdown, I'm sorry that this took longer than I said it would; it took a while for me to optimize the EVs for Klawf to work properly in OU).
Klawf - The madlad, the legend, the rock crab who probably listened to Attack Attack! and Asking Alexandria this morning, Klawf has unfortunately been ignored by most competitive players this generation despite some handy tools and tech. So why would you run Klawf when there are clearly better Stealth Rock setters in the tier, such as Garganacl, Clodsire, and Glimmora? The truth is, Klawf's OU niche isn't meant to compete with any of those Pokemon; it's meant to complement one of them on a team. While this may seem counter-intuitive, it actually allows multiple Pokemon even more breathing room to expand their moveset with a unique tech option. So let's dive into the rock crab's unique place in OU in yet another massive niche Pokemon post.
Disclaimer: To make Klawf work, it should generally be paired with a Pokemon that usually sets Stealth Rock for your team. This is where the bulk of its niche comes from, and it can feel rather underwhelming if your team is not specifically built to take advantage of this combination. Please use it with caution, especially if you're shaky with general damage ranges; it is NOT an easily splashable Pokemon but can provide consistently strong and game-winning results if you play to its strengths.
Summarized Advantages of Klawf
This is a "too long, didn't read" bullet point list for people who don't want to read through the whole post and want a quick understanding of Klawf's OU benefits.
- Klawf is the only Pokemon in the entire metagame with the unique combination of Regenerator and Stealth Rock, allowing it a specific type of longevity that doesn't require taking up a move slot for something like Recover.
- In addition, the combination of Stealth Rock and Regenerator + Knock Off puts undue pressure on your opponent's spinners and team cores, allowing you additional opportunities to get particular Pokemon in or get specific strategies going and giving your own teambuilding some breathing room due to its excellent role compression.
- Klawf's pure Rock type gives it crucial resistances to Fire, Normal, Flying, and Poison-type attacks. This typing, combined with its solid Defense stat and usable HP stat along with Regenerator, gives it more longevity than one would expect from a Pokemon with a seemingly lacking base stat total of 450 (provided you work around its lackluster Special Defense).
- Klawf's offensive and utility movepool is flexible, meaning that depending on your team's specific needs, you can apply different tech options to your Klawf to fit multiple archetypes, including Balance, Stall, and Hyper Offense.
- Klawf's base 75 Speed is speedy for a physically defensive Rock-type, allowing it to outspeed some unexpected threats with proper EV investment.
- Klawf's STAB Rock Blast with Loaded Dice as an item allows Klawf to successfully handle certain Focus Sash and Substitute Pokemon while hitting unexpectedly hard for a Pokemon without Attack investment.
- Tera Ghost allows Klawf to bait Fighting-type attacks in the mid-late game, allowing Klawf to take down frail Pokemon such as Chien-Pao or set up Rocks on a Pokemon that Klawf would otherwise not want to stay in on, adding a little unpredictability to its main Regenerock set.
Klawf Regenerock Utility
Klawf @ Loaded Dice
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 76 HP / 212 Def / 220 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Knock Off
- Protect
- Rock Blast
Klawf's specific utility lies in its ability to weave in and out of combat, resetting Rocks and chipping opponents while simultaneously healing without an item or move. Regenerator consistently allows you to reset Rocks if they've been spun away thanks to the HP recovery it provides Klawf. This playstyle puts additional pressure on your opponent's team core composition, provided you predict against physical attackers correctly. Let's talk about the EVs first; 76 HP and 212 Defense EVs hit particular damage thresholds that allow Klawf to avoid OHKOs and 2HKOs from various critical threats (including with opposing Stealth Rock chip in multiple cases).
Physical Defense Damage Calculations
View attachment 484981
View attachment 484978
Super Effective Hits:
252+ Atk Kingambit Iron Head vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 218-260 (72.6 - 86.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf on a critical hit: 228-270 (76 - 90%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Quaquaval Aqua Step vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 186-218 (62 - 72.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 182-216 (60.6 - 72%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Earthquake vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 222-262 (74 - 87.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Earthquake vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 218-260 (72.6 - 86.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 242-288 (80.6 - 96%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Baxcalibur Earthquake vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 176-208 (58.6 - 69.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Great Tusk Earthquake vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 204-240 (68 - 80%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 174-206 (58 - 68.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sword of Ruin Chien-Pao Sacred Sword vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 184-218 (61.3 - 72.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Sword of Ruin Chien-Pao Sacred Sword vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 274-324 (91.3 - 108%) --
50% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Ceruledge Close Combat vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 190-224 (63.3 - 74.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
4 Atk Iron Valiant Close Combat vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 240-284 (80 - 94.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Dondozo Body Press vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 132-156 (44 - 52%) --
13.3% chance to 2HKO
4 Def Garganacl Body Press vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 108-128 (36 - 42.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 4 Def Garganacl Body Press vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 214-254 (71.3 - 84.6%) --
guaranteed 2HKO (+2 Iron Defense)
Super Effective Priority Hits:
252+ Atk Choice Band Technician Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 240-284 (80 - 94.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Technician Breloom Mach Punch vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 146-174 (48.6 - 58%) --
93.8% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Huge Power Azumarill Aqua Jet vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 176-210 (58.6 - 70%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Neutral Hits:
252 Atk Sword of Ruin Chien-Pao Sucker Punch vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 108-127 (36 - 42.3%) --
guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Meowscarada Sucker Punch vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 114-135 (38 - 45%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 96-114 (32 - 38%) --
93.2% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Baxcalibur Icicle Crash vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 112-133 (37.3 - 44.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Protean Meowscarada U-turn vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 114-135 (38 - 45%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Crunch vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 133-157 (44.3 - 52.3%) --
16% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Iron Fist Pawmot Thunder Punch vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 100-118 (33.3 - 39.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragapult Dragon Darts (2 hits) vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 188-224 (62.6 - 74.6%) -- approx. 2HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 117-138 (39 - 46%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
200+ Atk Choice Band Iron Hands Wild Charge vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 183-216 (61 - 72%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Psyshock vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 84-99 (28 - 33%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
Resisted Hits:
252+ Atk Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 36-43 (12 - 14.3%) -- possible 7HKO
(If Klawf is at full health, the absolute MAX Adamant Dragonite can do with a non-critical hit combination of Earthquake and Extremespeed is 86.3%. The lowest possible damage that can be done with that combination is 72.6%).
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Acrobatics (55 BP) vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 30-36 (10 - 12%) -- possible 9HKO
252 Atk Ceruledge Bitter Blade vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 53-63 (17.6 - 21%) -- possible 5HKO
0 Atk Corviknight Brave Bird vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 42-51 (14 - 17%) -- possible 6HKO
164 Atk Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 63-74 (21 - 24.6%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
As you can see, Klawf can withstand a hit or three consistently. With Regenerator, this allows Klawf to be a more favorable switch-in (or to stay in on a switch-in) for numerous Pokemon that it otherwise wouldn't be able to deal with. This additional unexpected turn can provide key momentum for not only your next teammate but would allow you to get up Stealth Rocks or Knock Off an opposing item that you otherwise wouldn't be able to at that moment. So you're likely wondering,
"Okay, I see Klawf's physically defensive utility, but what's with the HP EVs, and how can I get around Klawf's middling Special Defense?" The EVs allow Klawf to live some unexpected hits from powerful Special Attackers in the tier. In some of these cases, Klawf can outspeed and either set up Rocks, OHKO or at least heavily damage with STAB Rock Blast or Knock Off their item, crippling them for the rest of the match.
Special Defense Damage Calculations
View attachment 484981
View attachment 484978
Super Effective Hits:
0 SpA Volcarona Giga Drain vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Klawf: 226-268 (75.3 - 89.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Amoonguss Giga Drain vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Klawf: 228-270 (76 - 90%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Neutral Hits:
252 SpA Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Klawf: 237-280 (79 - 93.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Thunderbolt vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Klawf: 150-177 (50 - 59%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 62-73 (20.6 - 24.3%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 76 HP / 212 Def Klawf: 92-109 (30.6 - 36.3%) --
56.5% chance to 3HKO
8 SpA Skeledirge Hex (65 BP) vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Klawf: 124-147 (41.3 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
4 SpA Gholdengo Hex (65 BP) vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Klawf: 145-172 (48.3 - 57.3%) -- 93.8% chance to 2HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Draining Kiss vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Klawf: 114-135 (38 - 45%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Rotom-Wash Volt Switch vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Klawf: 127-151 (42.3 - 50.3%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
Resisted Hits:
252 SpA Iron Moth Flamethrower vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Klawf: 126-148 (42 - 49.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Flamethrower vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Klawf: 99-116 (33 - 38.6%) --
99.8% chance to 3HKO
0 SpA Volcarona Fiery Dance vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Klawf: 90-106 (30 - 35.3%) --
25% chance to 3HKO
8 SpA Skeledirge Torch Song vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Klawf: 76-90 (25.3 - 30%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
8 SpA Torkoal Lava Plume vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Klawf in Sun: 92-108 (30.6 - 36%) -- 50.1% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Iron Moth Sludge Wave vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Klawf: 132-156 (44 - 52%) -- 16% chance to 2HKO
Now that we've talked about its defensive capabilities, let's talk about how Klawf's offensive capabilities (even without investment) are quite potent. Rock Blast acts as Klawf's go-to STAB with Loaded Dice to ensure at least four hits (sometimes five). It has the same accuracy as Rock Slide but is more powerful and can break both Focus Sash and Substitute Pokemon while providing additional damage or OHKOing them, thanks to Rock Blasts' multi-hitting move style; you'd be surprised as to just how much damage Rock Blast Klawf can dish out consistently. Of course, Knock-Off's utility is always helpful, but what's surprising is how its damage output is situationally useful and can chunk some common Pokemon in the Meta, even frustrating threats like Defensive Gholdengo.
Rock Blast Damage Calculations
View attachment 484979
Super Effective Hits:
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (4 hits) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Ceruledge: 264-320 (74.5 - 90.3%) -- approx. 2HKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Ceruledge: 330-400 (93.2 - 112.9%) --
approx. 93.8% chance to OHKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (4 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Ceruledge: 264-320 (90.7 - 109.9%) -- approx. 50% chance to OHKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Ceruledge: 330-400 (113.4 - 137.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (4 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Chien-Pao: 264-320 (87.7 - 106.3%) -- approx. 6.3% chance to OHKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Chien-Pao: 330-400 (109.6 - 132.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (4 hits) vs. 80 HP / 0 Def Cinderace: 272-336 (84.7 - 104.6%) -- approx. 6.3% chance to OHKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 80 HP / 0 Def Cinderace: 340-420 (105.9 - 130.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (4 hits) vs. 144 HP / 0 Def Multiscale Dragonite: 112-136 (31.1 - 37.8%) --
approx. 91.4% chance to 3HKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 144 HP / 0 Def Multiscale Dragonite: 140-170 (38.9 - 47.3%) -- approx. 3HKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (4 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Moth: 336-392 (111.6 - 130.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (4 hits) vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Skeledirge: 224-272 (54.5 - 66.1%) -- approx. 2HKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Skeledirge: 280-340 (68.1 - 82.7%) -- approx. 2HKO
(Assured OHKO with Stealth Rock chip, provided you've Knocked Off Heavy-Duty Boots)
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (4 hits) vs. 248 HP / 108 Def Volcarona: 528-640 (141.5 - 171.5%) --
guaranteed OHKO
Neutral Hits:
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (4 hits) vs. 116 HP / 0 Def Azumarill: 132-160 (35.6 - 43.2%) -- approx. 3HKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 116 HP / 0 Def Azumarill: 165-200 (44.5 - 54%) -- approx. 25.4% chance to 2HKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (4 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Dragapult: 136-168 (42.9 - 52.9%) -- approx. 6.6% chance to 2HKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Dragapult: 170-210 (53.6 - 66.2%) -- approx. 2HKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (4 hits) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Grimmsnarl: 156-184 (39.5 - 46.7%) -- approx. 3HKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Grimmsnarl: 195-230 (49.4 - 58.3%) --
approx. 99.6% chance to 2HKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (4 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 148-180 (50.5 - 61.4%) -- approx. 2HKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 185-225 (63.1 - 76.7%) -- approx. 2HKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (4 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roaring Moon: 144-172 (41 - 49%) -- approx. 3HKO
0 Atk Klawf Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roaring Moon: 180-215 (51.2 - 61.2%) --
approx. 2HKO
Knock-Off Damage Calculations
0 Atk Klawf Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Ceruledge: 170-200 (48 - 56.4%) --
89.1% chance to 2HKO
0 Atk Klawf Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gholdengo: 104-124 (27.5 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
0 Atk Klawf Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Skeledirge: 140-166 (34 - 40.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Klawf Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Dragapult: 178-210 (56.1 - 66.2%) --
guaranteed 2HKO
Additionally, Protect eases the burden of prediction against quite a few Pokemon. This allows you to scout rare tech options on particular Pokemon and helps with mind games and switch prediction. So now we've talked about Klawf's Offensive and Defensive capabilities; what about its utility and speed? With 220 EVs in Speed and a Jolly nature, Klawf reaches a respectable 265 Speed. 265 Speed from 220 EVs + Jolly might not seem like much of a speed benchmark until you realize Klawf outspeeds the following -
Klawf Always Outspeeds (Excluding View attachment 484989):
Amoonguss, Azumarill, Breloom, Clodsire, Corviknight, Dondozo, Dragonite
(Any Set Not Running 252 EVs + Jolly Nature), Garganacl, Grimmsnarl, Hatterene, Iron Hands, Kingambit, Scizor, Skeledirge, Ting-Lu, Torkoal, Toxapex.
Klawf Outspeeds Specific Sets:
Ceruledge
(Bulk Up), Gholdengo
(Nasty Plot Defensive), Quaquaval
(Bulk Up), Rotom-Wash
(Defensive), Baxcalibur
(Defensive sets with less than 124 Speed EVs with a Positive Speed Nature or less than 220 Speed EVs with a Neutral Nature)
Klawf can additionally turn a faster Pokemon's speed against it by Terastallizing into Tera Ghost. Tera Ghost provides Klawf with a far superior typing that gives it a critical immunity to Fighting-type moves (along with a situational yet nifty Normal immunity) and resistances to Bug and Poison type attacks. It also does away with Klawf's frustrating weaknesses to Water, Ground, Grass, Steel, and the previously mentioned Fighting-type attacks. This can allow Klawf to live some unexpectedly powerful moves that it wouldn't have been able to with its pure Rock typing, and also allows it to no longer fear specific threats that relied on its typing remaining pure Rock, such as Breloom. Klawf's best partners are Stealth Rock setters, who have an additional free moveslot for different set variants thanks to Klawf handling Stealth Rock duties. From my testing, I've found that some of the best partners for Klawf are Clodsire, Garchomp, Garganacl, Glimmora, Kingambit, and Ting-Lu.
Klawf is a Pokemon that can be hard to use at times, but if you build your team well, it can help your synergistic cores feel a bit of breathing room in OU's chaotic yet somewhat still-centralized meta. Regenerator + Stealth Rock and Knock Off with Loaded Dice and STAB Rock Blast is something no other Pokemon can do. While it may seem like a very niche choice, it's been one of the most valuable Pokemon on a variety of my teams in different playstyles. So what are you waiting for? Give Klawf a try today!