
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Aqua Jet
move 3: Crabhammer
move 4: Crunch
item: Choice Band
ability: Adaptability
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Knock Off is Crawdaunt's main STAB move, crippling whatever takes the hit by removing its item. Aqua Jet allows Crawdaunt to compensate for its low base Speed as well as revenge kill a few notable threats from full HP, namely Excadrill and Mega Diancie. In addition, Aqua Jet is capable of KOing the likes of Weavile, Tornadus-T, and more after a bit of prior damage due to Crawdaunt's raw strength. Crabhammer is Crawdaunt's most powerful STAB move and is easily capable of 2HKOing most Pokemon that resist it. Crunch is a secondary Dark-type STAB move that doesn't lose out on power when the target no longer has an item. Furthermore, Crunch also nails Mega Evolutions, which don't take increased damage from Knock Off. Mega Venusaur is a prime target of Crunch, and it's generally advised that one anticipate obvious switches to it and act accordingly. Finally, should Ferrothorn be a concern, Superpower may be worth running over Crunch.
Set Details
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252 Attack investment maximizes Crawdaunt's damage output, allowing it to wallbreak to its highest potential. 252 Speed EVs in tandem with a Jolly nature put Crawdaunt at 229 Speed, which enables it to outspeed most Rotom-W and defensive Landorus-T. A Choice Band combined with Adaptability boosts Crawdaunt's wallbreaking power to insane levels; even Pokemon that resist its moves will commonly find themselves being 2HKOed. Should more breaking power be desirable, one can opt for an Adamant nature to improve Crawdaunt's matchup versus bulkier teams.
Usage Tips
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Given that Crawdaunt is a frail and slow wallbreaker, Volt Switch and U-turn support to bring it in safely is ideal. Double switches accomplish similar things but are generally more risky. Be sure to utilize Knock Off early-game to cripple whatever has the misfortune of switching into Crawdant, as it not only is extremely powerful but also has utility in removing the target's item. Since Crawdaunt excels versus defensive builds as opposed to offensive ones, playing a more prediction-heavy style may be needed to maximize Crawdaunt's effectiveness when facing more offensive builds. For example, Crawdaunt may be better off using Knock Off against an opposing Sand Rush Excadrill as opposed to Aqua Jet, as Aqua Jet is assumed to be the move of choice in that scenario and does little to any Pokémon that resist Water.
Team Options
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As previously mentioned, the key to maximizing Crawdaunt's effectiveness is through Volt Switch and U-turn support from bulky pivots. Examples of these teammates include defensive Mega Scizor, Jirachi, Landorus-T, Assault Vest Tornadus-T, and Rotom-W. In respect to partners that directly help cover weaknesses, one will need to consider teammates that can deal with the likes of Keldeo, Azumarill, bulky Grass-types, and Fairies. Amoonguss is capable of dealing with Keldeo and Azumarill, both of which resist Crawdaunt's STAB moves and threaten it greatly. Talonflame in particular works well alongside Crawdaunt offensively, as it can check Keldeo, Grass-types, and Fairies such as Mega Altaria (defensive variants virtually completely block Crawdaunt). Because it can greatly threaten most Grass-types and Keldeo, Latios or Latias makes for a solid addition to Crawdaunt teams and can possibly provide Defog support to builds running Talonflame alongside Crawdaunt. Heatran is capable of scaring out most threatening Grass-types, namely defensive Mega Venusaur and Serperior, while providing Stealth Rock support. Assault Vest or Life Orb Tornadus-T can also threaten Grass-types well with its Flying STAB moves and additionally can bring Crawdaunt in via U-turn. Any Pokemon that enjoys common Crawdaunt switch-ins being weakened works well, so anything that wants the likes of Keldeo, Ferrothorn, Amoonguss, and physically defensive Tangrowth gone is an ideal partner that can form a potent offensive duo with Crawdaunt. Swords Mega Scizor and Mega Gyarados are good examples; Mega Scizor appreciates Keldeo being weakened, while Mega Gyarados loves having Keldeo, Ferrothorn, and other bulky Grass-types crippled for its sweeps. Mega Charizard X appreciates Crawdaunt's generally wallbreaking capabilities, namely versus Slowbro and the bulky Ground-types that stop its sweeps. Since Crawdaunt mainly threatens slower, bulkier builds, it naturally pairs well with teammates that are capable of threatening more offensive builds, such as Talonflame, Mega Lopunny, and Mega Manectric.
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