[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stone Edge / Rock Blast
move 4: Sucker Punch / Toxic
item: Eviolite
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Graveler's high Defense backed by Eviolite, Rock typing, strong STAB combination, and solid Attack carve a niche for it as a physical tank. Graveler walls two of the best physically offensive pivots in the tier, Persian and Emolga. Persian lacking Water Pulse and Emolga can do little to Graveler beyond using Taunt or U-turn, giving it opportunities to set up Stealth Rock. While Lairon is generally preferred as a physical tank, Graveler's lack of 4x Fighting and Ground weaknesses helps it better take on physical attackers like Muk, Shelgon, and opposing Lairon with Earthquake. Graveler can run Rock Blast over Stone Edge for a more accurate STAB move that can conveniently break Substitute on foes like Simisear, Walrein, and Mothim. However, the higher average power and critical hit chance of Stone Edge allow Graveler to threaten Vullaby or Pelipper attempting to pivot into Earthquake a lot more than Rock Blast. Sucker Punch compensates for Graveler's low Speed, and Graveler can use it to pick off frail or weakened cleaners and sweepers such as Mr. Mime, Grumpig, and Leafeon. Toxic can be run over Sucker Punch to punish walls and switch-ins like Solrock, Frillish, Whiscash, and Hippopotas. However, Toxic is often less valuable versus Natural Cure Staryu, Magic Guard Clefairy, and teams that have cleric support from Leafeon and Meganium.
Graveler's partners all appreciate it setting Stealth Rock, allowing them to win longer games or wear down their checks into KO range. Meganium and Leafeon's checks, including Glaceon, Simisear, and Emolga, are all weak to Stealth Rock, so they appreciate Graveler and can check Water- and Grass- types that threaten it. Frillish is an especially good partner for Graveler, as it can block Rapid Spin from Staryu to keep Graveler's Stealth Rock up and checks Water-types like Staryu, Kingler, and Whiscash. Graveler has poor Special Defense, so it appreciates partners like specially defensive Clefairy, Grumpig, and Meganium that cover this gap. Physically offensive Water- and Grass-types like Kingler, Whiscash, Leafeon, and Meganium are an issue for Graveler as a physical tank. Partners like Meganium, Leafeon, and Ivysaur cover Graveler's weaknesses while appreciating its good matchup versus Emolga. Arbok and Muk pressure problematic Grass-types like Leafeon, Ivysaur, Gloom, and Meganium for Graveler. Graveler is weak to Water Pulse from Persian's mixed sets, so partners with good mixed bulk like Meganium and Clefairy are appreciated. Graveler can tank a Seed Bomb or Aqua Tail from Arbok, but if it's not healthy, these moves can be problematic. Partners like Frillish and Whiscash can take on Arbok running Aqua Tail, while others like Wormadam-S, Pawniard, and Lairon can check Arbok running Seed Bomb. Graveler's lack of recovery and trade-heavy playstyle often result in it being worn down over a game; Wish users such as Clefairy and Hypno can help offset the chip damage Graveler takes to keep it in good condition for as long as possible.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Graveler can make use of Focus Punch for a generally strong attack that notably hits physically defensive Clefairy for over 60%. Graveler has access to setup moves like Autotomize and Rock Polish, and Sturdy gives it a guaranteed turn to set up, but it lacks the power of Head Smash Lairon and the coverage of Acrobatics Solrock, leaving it walled by Grass-types like Leafeon and Meganium. Graveler's setup sets are also outrun by common Choice Scarf users like Grumpig, Mr. Mime, and Simisear. Graveler has Explosion to potentially remove a significant threat, such as Staryu switching in to use Rapid Spin, but Explosion is not guaranteed to OHKO Staryu, and Graveler's low Speed is not conducive to this type of aggressive play. Graveler can hold Heat Rock to support sun teams, with Sturdy guaranteeing it can set up Stealth Rock or Sunny Day. Graveler can also run Custap Berry to set sun and move first when brought to low HP. If using Sunny Day, Graveler can run Explosion to bring in a teammate safely and prevent foes from wasting turns of sun.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Graveler's 4x Grass weakness is a big gap in its armor, and is often be OHKOed by even physical Grass-type moves. Leafeon and Meganium take little damage from Graveler's most reliable STAB move, Earthquake, and they threaten to OHKO Graveler with their STAB attacks. They also both have access to Synthesis and either Heal Bell or Aromatherapy to recover from anything Graveler can do to them. Ivysaur and Gloom do not resist Earthquake, but they can take repeated hits from Graveler thanks to their high Defense and threaten it with Giga Drain.
**Water-types**: Water-type attacks exploit Graveler's gaping 4x Water weakness. Kingler and Whiscash are physically offensive Water-types that steamroll over Graveler in spite of its physical bulk. Frillish and Staryu are dangerous even without Special Attack investment, as their Scalds threaten to neutralize Graveler, and they use Recover to take repeated hits from Graveler. Staryu can use Rapid Spin to remove Graveler's Stealth Rock, and its Natural Cure deals with Graveler's Toxic. Walrein can OHKO Graveler with Surf or Ice Beam, but it must be wary of switching into Graveler's Rock-type STAB moves, Graveler's Sturdy, and Rock Blast breaking its Substitute. Pelipper can risk switching in on Graveler's Earthquake and threaten it with Scald, but it also must be wary of Graveler's Rock-type STAB moves. Neither Walrein nor Pelipper appreciate Graveler's Stealth Rock wearing them down.
**Special Attacks**: Graveler's special bulk is significantly worse than its physical bulk, so almost all special attackers pose a threat to it. Glaceon OHKOes Graveler with Ice Beam and can switch into an Earthquake. Grumpig, Simisear, Raichu, and Mr. Mime deal massive damage to Graveler with Focus Blast. Mixed attacker Persian can lure Graveler in and OHKO it with Technician-boosted Water Pulse.
**Mienfoo**: Mienfoo's High Jump Kick is a 2HKO on Graveler, and it can use Regenerator to recoup health lost switching in. Its resistance to Rock also gives it opportunities to switch in on Graveler's Rock-type STAB moves and better tolerate Stealth Rock damage. U-turn and Fake Out can break Graveler's Sturdy, while Taunt stops Graveler from setting up Stealth Rock. Bulkier variants of Mienfoo also take Earthquake comfortably.
**Physically Defensive Clefairy**: Graveler fails to 2HKO physically defensive Clefairy with Earthquake, while Clefairy can use Soft-Boiled to take repeated hits from Graveler for its team. Clefairy's Stealth Rock ruins Graveler's Sturdy, and its Knock Off ruins Graveler's bulk. Only Focus Punch Graveler can threaten physically defensive Clefairy.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/missangelic.452572/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/monai.482455/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
name: Tank
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stone Edge / Rock Blast
move 4: Sucker Punch / Toxic
item: Eviolite
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Graveler's high Defense backed by Eviolite, Rock typing, strong STAB combination, and solid Attack carve a niche for it as a physical tank. Graveler walls two of the best physically offensive pivots in the tier, Persian and Emolga. Persian lacking Water Pulse and Emolga can do little to Graveler beyond using Taunt or U-turn, giving it opportunities to set up Stealth Rock. While Lairon is generally preferred as a physical tank, Graveler's lack of 4x Fighting and Ground weaknesses helps it better take on physical attackers like Muk, Shelgon, and opposing Lairon with Earthquake. Graveler can run Rock Blast over Stone Edge for a more accurate STAB move that can conveniently break Substitute on foes like Simisear, Walrein, and Mothim. However, the higher average power and critical hit chance of Stone Edge allow Graveler to threaten Vullaby or Pelipper attempting to pivot into Earthquake a lot more than Rock Blast. Sucker Punch compensates for Graveler's low Speed, and Graveler can use it to pick off frail or weakened cleaners and sweepers such as Mr. Mime, Grumpig, and Leafeon. Toxic can be run over Sucker Punch to punish walls and switch-ins like Solrock, Frillish, Whiscash, and Hippopotas. However, Toxic is often less valuable versus Natural Cure Staryu, Magic Guard Clefairy, and teams that have cleric support from Leafeon and Meganium.
Graveler's partners all appreciate it setting Stealth Rock, allowing them to win longer games or wear down their checks into KO range. Meganium and Leafeon's checks, including Glaceon, Simisear, and Emolga, are all weak to Stealth Rock, so they appreciate Graveler and can check Water- and Grass- types that threaten it. Frillish is an especially good partner for Graveler, as it can block Rapid Spin from Staryu to keep Graveler's Stealth Rock up and checks Water-types like Staryu, Kingler, and Whiscash. Graveler has poor Special Defense, so it appreciates partners like specially defensive Clefairy, Grumpig, and Meganium that cover this gap. Physically offensive Water- and Grass-types like Kingler, Whiscash, Leafeon, and Meganium are an issue for Graveler as a physical tank. Partners like Meganium, Leafeon, and Ivysaur cover Graveler's weaknesses while appreciating its good matchup versus Emolga. Arbok and Muk pressure problematic Grass-types like Leafeon, Ivysaur, Gloom, and Meganium for Graveler. Graveler is weak to Water Pulse from Persian's mixed sets, so partners with good mixed bulk like Meganium and Clefairy are appreciated. Graveler can tank a Seed Bomb or Aqua Tail from Arbok, but if it's not healthy, these moves can be problematic. Partners like Frillish and Whiscash can take on Arbok running Aqua Tail, while others like Wormadam-S, Pawniard, and Lairon can check Arbok running Seed Bomb. Graveler's lack of recovery and trade-heavy playstyle often result in it being worn down over a game; Wish users such as Clefairy and Hypno can help offset the chip damage Graveler takes to keep it in good condition for as long as possible.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Graveler can make use of Focus Punch for a generally strong attack that notably hits physically defensive Clefairy for over 60%. Graveler has access to setup moves like Autotomize and Rock Polish, and Sturdy gives it a guaranteed turn to set up, but it lacks the power of Head Smash Lairon and the coverage of Acrobatics Solrock, leaving it walled by Grass-types like Leafeon and Meganium. Graveler's setup sets are also outrun by common Choice Scarf users like Grumpig, Mr. Mime, and Simisear. Graveler has Explosion to potentially remove a significant threat, such as Staryu switching in to use Rapid Spin, but Explosion is not guaranteed to OHKO Staryu, and Graveler's low Speed is not conducive to this type of aggressive play. Graveler can hold Heat Rock to support sun teams, with Sturdy guaranteeing it can set up Stealth Rock or Sunny Day. Graveler can also run Custap Berry to set sun and move first when brought to low HP. If using Sunny Day, Graveler can run Explosion to bring in a teammate safely and prevent foes from wasting turns of sun.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Graveler's 4x Grass weakness is a big gap in its armor, and is often be OHKOed by even physical Grass-type moves. Leafeon and Meganium take little damage from Graveler's most reliable STAB move, Earthquake, and they threaten to OHKO Graveler with their STAB attacks. They also both have access to Synthesis and either Heal Bell or Aromatherapy to recover from anything Graveler can do to them. Ivysaur and Gloom do not resist Earthquake, but they can take repeated hits from Graveler thanks to their high Defense and threaten it with Giga Drain.
**Water-types**: Water-type attacks exploit Graveler's gaping 4x Water weakness. Kingler and Whiscash are physically offensive Water-types that steamroll over Graveler in spite of its physical bulk. Frillish and Staryu are dangerous even without Special Attack investment, as their Scalds threaten to neutralize Graveler, and they use Recover to take repeated hits from Graveler. Staryu can use Rapid Spin to remove Graveler's Stealth Rock, and its Natural Cure deals with Graveler's Toxic. Walrein can OHKO Graveler with Surf or Ice Beam, but it must be wary of switching into Graveler's Rock-type STAB moves, Graveler's Sturdy, and Rock Blast breaking its Substitute. Pelipper can risk switching in on Graveler's Earthquake and threaten it with Scald, but it also must be wary of Graveler's Rock-type STAB moves. Neither Walrein nor Pelipper appreciate Graveler's Stealth Rock wearing them down.
**Special Attacks**: Graveler's special bulk is significantly worse than its physical bulk, so almost all special attackers pose a threat to it. Glaceon OHKOes Graveler with Ice Beam and can switch into an Earthquake. Grumpig, Simisear, Raichu, and Mr. Mime deal massive damage to Graveler with Focus Blast. Mixed attacker Persian can lure Graveler in and OHKO it with Technician-boosted Water Pulse.
**Mienfoo**: Mienfoo's High Jump Kick is a 2HKO on Graveler, and it can use Regenerator to recoup health lost switching in. Its resistance to Rock also gives it opportunities to switch in on Graveler's Rock-type STAB moves and better tolerate Stealth Rock damage. U-turn and Fake Out can break Graveler's Sturdy, while Taunt stops Graveler from setting up Stealth Rock. Bulkier variants of Mienfoo also take Earthquake comfortably.
**Physically Defensive Clefairy**: Graveler fails to 2HKO physically defensive Clefairy with Earthquake, while Clefairy can use Soft-Boiled to take repeated hits from Graveler for its team. Clefairy's Stealth Rock ruins Graveler's Sturdy, and its Knock Off ruins Graveler's bulk. Only Focus Punch Graveler can threaten physically defensive Clefairy.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/missangelic.452572/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/monai.482455/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
Last edited:
