Community POTW #034

[Serebii]

Time for the next Pokémon of the Week and this week we go back to Hoenn!

It's Crawdaunt!

https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-swsh/crawdaunt/

Go nuts

 

[Divine Retribution]

Crawdaunt @

Choice Band
Adamant - Adaptability
252 Attack, 252 Speed, 4 Sp. Def
-Crabhammer
-Knock Off
-Aqua Jet
-Close Combat / Switcheroo

Crawdaunt is back doing what it's been doing since Gen 5; wallbreaking with Adaptability-boosted STABs coming off of a fantastic base 120 Attack. With some high-power STABs like Crabhammer and Knock Off to throw out and a fantastic STAB combo, Crawdaunt leaves huge dents in pretty much anything it can get a hit on. Aqua Jet lets him revengekill frail or weakened threats who are faster than him. The last slot can go to Close Combat to hit Hydreigon or Switcheroo to potentially cripple a switchin, but honestly Switcheroo's uses are limited as he usually prefers to slam the switchin with a Crabhammer or Knock Off and doesn't overly want to give up his Choice Band. Max Attack and Speed lets him outpace most defensive Pokemon; moving the Speed investment to HP is a good idea for Trick Room teams, on which Crawdaunt is a frightening sweeper, but doesn't do enough to alleviate his disappointing bulk otherwise. Dragon Dance might also be tempting, but Crawdaunt really needs 2 to outpace all the things he wants to outpace, and with his poor defensive stats he has difficulty setting up even one.

That poor bulk and low Speed are Crawdaunt's biggest shortcomings, making him extremely vulnerable to offensive pressure outside of Trick Room and relegating him to a wallbreaking role that preys on more passive, defensive team archetypes. Aqua Jet only goes so far to alleviate this; most offensive Pokemon can stomach an Aqua Jet and if it can hit Crawdaunt super-effectively or with a strong neutral hit, it can probably KO him.​

 

[BillyBobJoe]

Coverage moves (for its weaknesses):

• Good options- Avalanche (it’s slow enough), X-Scissor, Rock Slide/Tomb
• Mediocre/Poor options- Dig (predictable), Metal Claw (weak), Icy Wind, Ice Beam, Blizzard, Sludge Bomb/Wave, Ancient Power, Mud Shot (special moves)
• Transfer only- Aerial Ace (only good one)

Abilities:

• Hyper Cutter- Prevents Attack from being lowered by opponents - Really only good for blocking Intimidate. Not bad, but outclassed
• Shell Armor- Blocks critical hits - Critical hits can cause an upset and turn a bad situation around, but that is not enough of a reason to choose Shell Armor.
• Adaptability- Increases STAB bonus - The best option. Being able to make your attacks hit even harder is always a good thing.

 

[Mestorn]

Crawdaunt, the Red Lobster Pokémon. Unlike its counterpart Kingler, Crawdaunt is more specially offensive, at the cost of physical bulk and speed. However, that's not what we care about, Adaptability turns Crawdaunt into an Utter monster, able to cleave through unprepared team with little notice. Its frailty and the existence of Dracovish mean that Crawdaunt is somewhat predictable and outclassed, but it can still perform well with the right team support.

Case Closed! Bring Out the Dancing Lobsters!
Crawdaunt
Ability: Adaptability
Item: Life Orb/Mystic Water
-Dragon Dance/Swords Dance
-Crab Hammer
-Knock Off
-Aqua Jet/X-Scissor/Close Combat
Nature: Jolly (+SPE, -SATK) or Adamant (+ATK, -SATK)
EVs: 4 HP/252 ATK/252 SPE

Crawdaunt gets access to both Swords Dance and Dragon Dance for boosting options. Come in on a foe that Crawdaunt scares out (like Hippowdon and G-Corsola) and start dancing. Swords Dance turns Crawdaunt into a monstrous Wallbreaker, able to crack all but the toughest of foes with ease:

+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Adaptability Crawdaunt Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex: 304-359 (100 - 118%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Adaptability Crawdaunt Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Seismitoad: 494-582 (119.3 - 140.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Adaptability Crawdaunt Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Ferrothorn: 338-400 (96 - 113.6%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Adaptability Crawdaunt Crabhammer vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Corviknight: 411-484 (102.7 - 121%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Adaptability Crawdaunt Crabhammer vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mandibuzz: 564-665 (133 - 156.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Adaptability Crawdaunt Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Tangrowth: 354-416 (87.6 - 102.9%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Adaptability Crawdaunt Crabhammer vs. 252 HP / 200+ Def Kommo-o: 188-222 (53.1 - 62.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Of course this leaves Crawdaunt difficult to use vs Offensive teams, who are often faster and can threaten the OHKO in turn, outside of a Boosted Aqua Jet. Dragon Dance, while not having as drastic a boost in offensive, still makes Crawdaunt plenty threatening, outspeeding up to Neutral nature Base Speed 100 targets and Positive Nature base 92 (speed tie with base 93) when Adamant and outspeed up to neutral nature Base 120 and positive nature Base speed 106 targets when Jolly.

As for offensive moves, Crab Hammer and Knock Off are great STABs, the former possessing insane power and a high crit chance and the latter doubling in power when knocking off an item. Aqua Jet is the preferred final move, getting priority to address Crawdaunt's speed issues. X-Scissor hits opposing Grass and Dark types who resist both of Crawdaunt's STABs, while Close Combat does slightly more damage vs Ferrothorn (guaranteed OHKO after Swords Dance) and Crawdaunt's best option vs Kommo-o.

Checks and Counters
Dragapult -Always outspeeds and can OHKO with STAB or super effective coverage while resisting Aqua Jet. Obviously does not want to switch in cause Adaptability Knock Off is disgusting.
Kommo-o -Resists both of Crawdaunt's STABs, doesn't mind any coverage move, defensive set can take boosted Swords Dance hits comfortably and OHKO with STAB move in turn. (note that Offensive Sets can be overwhelmed after Crawdaunt sets up).
Zeraora -always outspeeds and can OHKO with STAB. Again, does not want to eat a move on the switch in and Swords Dance boosted Aqua Jet will KO 75% (with Jolly Nature)
Azumarill -can eat a hit and OHKO with Play Rough. Does not want to switch in as Crawdaunt nearly 2HKOs unboosted.
Conkeldurr -can OHKO with boosted (Band or Guts) Mach Punch.

 

[Luthor]

However, Aqua Jet requires breeding with the Poppolio line for it, so it requires a transfer, just as a heads up.

I could be wrong on this but i think Clawitzer can now pass the move on. Golduck also applies IIRC.

 

[Mestorn]

I could be wrong on this but i think Clawitzer can now pass the move on. Golduck also applies IIRC.

That is correct. Thank you for pointing that out. I have updated my summary accordingly.