sanguine
friendly fire
[OVERVIEW]
Crawdaunt has excellent wallbreaking potential due to a stellar base 120 attack stat as well as Adaptability to double the power of its STAB moves. Additionally, access to Swords Dance and high-Base Power moves such as Crabhammer and Knock Off leaves it with little defensive counterplay. Aqua Jet also gives it the ability to pick off frailer revenge killers such as Mienshao and Mega Beedrill. However, due to poor defenses and significantly below average speed, Crawdaunt is hard pressed to find wallbreaking opportunities. Offensive threats such as Mega Manectric, Serperior, and Cobalion can often revenge kill it, and its weaknesses to pivoting moves in Volt Switch and U-turn can give opposing teams momentum. Finally, it faces competition from other wallbreakers such as Azumarill and Infernape, which are easier to fit on teams and provide more utility.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Crabhammer
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Aqua Jet
item: Waterium Z / Life Orb
ability: Adaptability
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Crawdaunt's Attack to immense levels, allowing it to plow through offensive and defensive teams alike. Crabhammer is Crawdaunt's main STAB move, significantly damaging any neutral switch-ins as well as frailer Water-resistant foes such as Primarina. It gives Crawdaunt access to an extremely powerful Z-Move in Hydro Vortex when it's used with Waterium Z, enabling it to break through Pokemon such as Umbreon and Mega Aggron. Knock Off is Crawdaunt's best Dark-type STAB attack, denting Pokemon that resist Crabhammer such as Latias and Rotom-C while also having the utility of removing opposing items. Aqua Jet allows Crawdaunt to revenge kill faster threats such as Terrakion and Mega Beedrill while also being able to sweep late-game.
Set Details
========
252 Speed and Attack EVs allow Crawdaunt to outspeed threats such as defensive Togekiss and Sylveon and Speed tie with offensive Scizor while maximizing power. Adamant Crawdaunt is usable, but the Speed gained from a Jolly nature is preferred. Adaptability is Crawdaunt's preferred ability, giving it it the ability to hit as hard as possible. Waterium Z gives a one-time strong Water-type STAB attack, capable of blowing past walls such as Quagsire and Mandibuzz for teammates. Life Orb gives it extra damage output at the cost of HP. Furthermore, Lum Berry can be used to avoid a potentially crippling status condition while attempting to sweep, but Waterium Z and Life Orb are the preferred items, as they allow Crawdaunt to break more effectively.
Usage Tips
========
Due to its frailty, Crawdaunt shouldn’t be switching directly into attacks. Crawdaunt usedis best used on pivots into walls such as Blissey or resisted hits such as Scizor’s Choice-locked Bullet Punch. This gives it more opportunities to heavily damage or outright KO defensive threats such as Swampert and Hippowdon. Aqua Jet should be used to force out threats such as Mega Beedrill and Mega Aerodactyl after they've been weakened and offensively predict and throw off Crawdaunt’s strong STAB moves
Team Options
========
Pivots such as Scizor, Mega Manectric, and Hydreigon make good partners, as they can lure in setup fodder for Crawdaunt such as Blissey and Hippowdon. Entry hazard support from Spikes setters like Klefki, Stealth Rock setters like Nidoking, or Toxic Spikes Tentacruel can help weaken checks so Crawdaunt can win in the later stages of the match. Choice Scarf Latias helps deal with threats that normally force Crawdaunt out, such as Hydreigon, Infernape, and Cobalion, while also providing Healing Wish support for a late game sweep. Other wallbreakers such as offensive Scizor and Choice Specs Hydreigon appreciate Crawdaunt's ability to wear down their checks. Fighting-type checks such as Sylveon and Mega Altaria make good partners, as they take on super effective attacks that Crawdaunt cannot.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Choice Band set with Aqua Jet, Crabhammer, Knock Off, and Superpower is usable, but Crawdaunt is punished for whatever move it locks itself into. Dragon Dance over Swords Dance may look appealing on paper, but it is unviable due to Crawdaunt's low Speed causing it to be easily revenge killed and the lack of power compared to Swords Dance. Superpower may be used on the Swords Dance set over Aqua Jet to hit common switch-ins such as Hydreigon and Cobalion, but the utility is generally less than that of Aqua Jet, which can stop faster Pokemon such as Terrakion and Mega Beedrill from revenge killing Crawdaunt.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon can generally outspeed and KO Crawdaunt and survive due to the move’s low Base Power. Examples include Cobalion, Mega Sceptile, and Hydreigon.
**Priority**: Faster Priority such as Lucario’s Vacuum Wave and Breloom’s Mach Punch can easily pick off Crawdaunt due to its low bulk.
**Residual Damage**: Residual damage from Spikes and Stealth Rock, as well as Toxic and burns from Scald, really hurt Crawdaunt’s longevity and leave it prone to being revenge killed.
Crawdaunt has excellent wallbreaking potential due to a stellar base 120 attack stat as well as Adaptability to double the power of its STAB moves. Additionally, access to Swords Dance and high-Base Power moves such as Crabhammer and Knock Off leaves it with little defensive counterplay. Aqua Jet also gives it the ability to pick off frailer revenge killers such as Mienshao and Mega Beedrill. However, due to poor defenses and significantly below average speed, Crawdaunt is hard pressed to find wallbreaking opportunities. Offensive threats such as Mega Manectric, Serperior, and Cobalion can often revenge kill it, and its weaknesses to pivoting moves in Volt Switch and U-turn can give opposing teams momentum. Finally, it faces competition from other wallbreakers such as Azumarill and Infernape, which are easier to fit on teams and provide more utility.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Crabhammer
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Aqua Jet
item: Waterium Z / Life Orb
ability: Adaptability
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Crawdaunt's Attack to immense levels, allowing it to plow through offensive and defensive teams alike. Crabhammer is Crawdaunt's main STAB move, significantly damaging any neutral switch-ins as well as frailer Water-resistant foes such as Primarina. It gives Crawdaunt access to an extremely powerful Z-Move in Hydro Vortex when it's used with Waterium Z, enabling it to break through Pokemon such as Umbreon and Mega Aggron. Knock Off is Crawdaunt's best Dark-type STAB attack, denting Pokemon that resist Crabhammer such as Latias and Rotom-C while also having the utility of removing opposing items. Aqua Jet allows Crawdaunt to revenge kill faster threats such as Terrakion and Mega Beedrill while also being able to sweep late-game.
Set Details
========
252 Speed and Attack EVs allow Crawdaunt to outspeed threats such as defensive Togekiss and Sylveon and Speed tie with offensive Scizor while maximizing power. Adamant Crawdaunt is usable, but the Speed gained from a Jolly nature is preferred. Adaptability is Crawdaunt's preferred ability, giving it it the ability to hit as hard as possible. Waterium Z gives a one-time strong Water-type STAB attack, capable of blowing past walls such as Quagsire and Mandibuzz for teammates. Life Orb gives it extra damage output at the cost of HP. Furthermore, Lum Berry can be used to avoid a potentially crippling status condition while attempting to sweep, but Waterium Z and Life Orb are the preferred items, as they allow Crawdaunt to break more effectively.
Usage Tips
========
Due to its frailty, Crawdaunt shouldn’t be switching directly into attacks. Crawdaunt usedis best used on pivots into walls such as Blissey or resisted hits such as Scizor’s Choice-locked Bullet Punch. This gives it more opportunities to heavily damage or outright KO defensive threats such as Swampert and Hippowdon. Aqua Jet should be used to force out threats such as Mega Beedrill and Mega Aerodactyl after they've been weakened and offensively predict and throw off Crawdaunt’s strong STAB moves
Team Options
========
Pivots such as Scizor, Mega Manectric, and Hydreigon make good partners, as they can lure in setup fodder for Crawdaunt such as Blissey and Hippowdon. Entry hazard support from Spikes setters like Klefki, Stealth Rock setters like Nidoking, or Toxic Spikes Tentacruel can help weaken checks so Crawdaunt can win in the later stages of the match. Choice Scarf Latias helps deal with threats that normally force Crawdaunt out, such as Hydreigon, Infernape, and Cobalion, while also providing Healing Wish support for a late game sweep. Other wallbreakers such as offensive Scizor and Choice Specs Hydreigon appreciate Crawdaunt's ability to wear down their checks. Fighting-type checks such as Sylveon and Mega Altaria make good partners, as they take on super effective attacks that Crawdaunt cannot.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Choice Band set with Aqua Jet, Crabhammer, Knock Off, and Superpower is usable, but Crawdaunt is punished for whatever move it locks itself into. Dragon Dance over Swords Dance may look appealing on paper, but it is unviable due to Crawdaunt's low Speed causing it to be easily revenge killed and the lack of power compared to Swords Dance. Superpower may be used on the Swords Dance set over Aqua Jet to hit common switch-ins such as Hydreigon and Cobalion, but the utility is generally less than that of Aqua Jet, which can stop faster Pokemon such as Terrakion and Mega Beedrill from revenge killing Crawdaunt.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon can generally outspeed and KO Crawdaunt and survive due to the move’s low Base Power. Examples include Cobalion, Mega Sceptile, and Hydreigon.
**Priority**: Faster Priority such as Lucario’s Vacuum Wave and Breloom’s Mach Punch can easily pick off Crawdaunt due to its low bulk.
**Residual Damage**: Residual damage from Spikes and Stealth Rock, as well as Toxic and burns from Scald, really hurt Crawdaunt’s longevity and leave it prone to being revenge killed.
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