[OVERVIEW]
Crabrawler is able to beat Pokemon that give Fighting-types trouble, such as Mudbray and Mareanie, thanks to its impressive coverage. Its decent Attack and Speed stats make it a good wallbreaker or late-game cleaner, and its passable bulk allows it to take resisted hits well. Its ability Hyper Cutter provides some use in not weakening the power of Crabrawler's moves. However, Crabrawler's bulk is not the best, and Iron Fist, usually an ideal ability for physical Fighting-types, is completely useless on it, as it does not have access to a good punch-based move. Furthermore, Crabrawler faces competition from other bulky attackers such as Mienfoo, Croagunk, and Timburr, as well as Mankey, which has a useful ability and access to Gunk Shot. It also does not have access to Knock Off, resulting it with a poor matchup against Psychic- and Ghost-types and meaning that Crabrawler requires a lot of support to help against them. Finally, it lacks semi-reliable recovery in Drain Punch, which a lot of Fighting-types have.
[SET]
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: Crabhammer
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Life Orb / Choice Scarf
ability: Hyper Cutter
nature: Jolly
evs: 180 Atk / 60 Def / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Close Combat is Crabrawler's best Fighting-type STAB move, dealing significant damage off of 17 Attack to anything that doesn't resist it. Crabhammer is a hard-hitting coverage move that 2HKOes Eviolite Mudbray. Earthquake hits Poison-types, such as Alolan Grimer and Mareanie, super effectively. Stone Edge is Crabrawler's best option against Flying-types like Rufflet and Vullaby, which are threatening otherwise; however, be aware of its poor accuracy.
Set Details
========
The given EVs, along with a Jolly nature, allow Crabrawler to reach 17 Speed and 17 Attack with an extra point in Defense. Life Orb allows Crabrawler to 2HKO Mudbray, offensive Vullaby, and Mareanie. Alternatively, Choice Scarf allows Crabrawler to utilize its good Speed and Attack and revenge kill better. Its unpredictability and Speed boost allow it to have a surprise factor at the cost of some power from Life Orb. However, Mankey and Mienfoo are better users of Choice Scarf, and they overshadow Crabrawler due to their access to U-turn and better abilities that complement their role as a revenge killer. Do note that if you forgo Life Orb, 0 HP IVs are unnecessary.
Usage Tips
========
Crabrawler should spam its high-Base Power moves, no matter how much HP it has. While it has decent bulk, it cannot take too many neutral attacks, so be aware of that before switching it in recklessly. A resistance to Stealth Rock might be appealing, but Crabrawler is vulnerable to being severely worn down by Spikes and Toxic Spikes. It is also incredibly susceptible to being trapped by Gothita, so you must use it very carefully and don't sacrifice it unnecessarily.
Team Options
========
Powerful Pursuit trappers such as Stunky, Alolan Grimer, and Pawniard synergize well with Crabrawler and can deal with the Psychic- and Ghost-types that threaten it. Ponyta can handle Pumpakboo and switch into Will-O-Wisp for Crabrawler. Staryu is able not only to remove entry hazards, but also to switch into Scald, which Crabrawler hates due to the fear of a crippling burn. Pokemon that can threaten Fairy-types, such as Magnemite and Gastly, make for great partners. Crabrawler pairs really well with other Fighting-types such as Mienfoo or Timburr, as they can break through each others' checks. Sticky Web support is useful for helping Life Orb Crabrawler outspeed Ponyta, as well as 15 Speed or lower Choice Scarf users, such as Magnemite and Gothita.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Thief can be used to hit Ghost-types and make Crabrawler a decent Knock Off absorber. Bulk Up lets Crabrawler attempt to sweep, but its main focus should simply be on attacking, not attempting to do something Mienfoo and Timburr outclasses it at. Rock Tomb allows Crabrawler to slow down the foe and potentially get another attack in the next turn.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Ghost-types**: Crabrawler has no way to deal with bulky Ghost-types like Pumpkaboo and Frillish, which can easily burn and cripple it with Will-O-Wisp.
**Fighting-resistant Pokemon**: Pokemon that resist fighting such as Fairy-types, Slowpoke, and Foongus can wall Crabrawler, as it rarely runs any coverage to hit them. They all threaten to at least 2HKO Crabrawler in return.
**Faster Pokemon**: Staryu, Abra, Doduo, and other faster, stronger Pokemon can threaten Crabrawler, but they usually cannot switch in safely due to Crabrawler's high-Base Power attacks.
Crabrawler is able to beat Pokemon that give Fighting-types trouble, such as Mudbray and Mareanie, thanks to its impressive coverage. Its decent Attack and Speed stats make it a good wallbreaker or late-game cleaner, and its passable bulk allows it to take resisted hits well. Its ability Hyper Cutter provides some use in not weakening the power of Crabrawler's moves. However, Crabrawler's bulk is not the best, and Iron Fist, usually an ideal ability for physical Fighting-types, is completely useless on it, as it does not have access to a good punch-based move. Furthermore, Crabrawler faces competition from other bulky attackers such as Mienfoo, Croagunk, and Timburr, as well as Mankey, which has a useful ability and access to Gunk Shot. It also does not have access to Knock Off, resulting it with a poor matchup against Psychic- and Ghost-types and meaning that Crabrawler requires a lot of support to help against them. Finally, it lacks semi-reliable recovery in Drain Punch, which a lot of Fighting-types have.
[SET]
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: Crabhammer
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Life Orb / Choice Scarf
ability: Hyper Cutter
nature: Jolly
evs: 180 Atk / 60 Def / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Close Combat is Crabrawler's best Fighting-type STAB move, dealing significant damage off of 17 Attack to anything that doesn't resist it. Crabhammer is a hard-hitting coverage move that 2HKOes Eviolite Mudbray. Earthquake hits Poison-types, such as Alolan Grimer and Mareanie, super effectively. Stone Edge is Crabrawler's best option against Flying-types like Rufflet and Vullaby, which are threatening otherwise; however, be aware of its poor accuracy.
Set Details
========
The given EVs, along with a Jolly nature, allow Crabrawler to reach 17 Speed and 17 Attack with an extra point in Defense. Life Orb allows Crabrawler to 2HKO Mudbray, offensive Vullaby, and Mareanie. Alternatively, Choice Scarf allows Crabrawler to utilize its good Speed and Attack and revenge kill better. Its unpredictability and Speed boost allow it to have a surprise factor at the cost of some power from Life Orb. However, Mankey and Mienfoo are better users of Choice Scarf, and they overshadow Crabrawler due to their access to U-turn and better abilities that complement their role as a revenge killer. Do note that if you forgo Life Orb, 0 HP IVs are unnecessary.
Usage Tips
========
Crabrawler should spam its high-Base Power moves, no matter how much HP it has. While it has decent bulk, it cannot take too many neutral attacks, so be aware of that before switching it in recklessly. A resistance to Stealth Rock might be appealing, but Crabrawler is vulnerable to being severely worn down by Spikes and Toxic Spikes. It is also incredibly susceptible to being trapped by Gothita, so you must use it very carefully and don't sacrifice it unnecessarily.
Team Options
========
Powerful Pursuit trappers such as Stunky, Alolan Grimer, and Pawniard synergize well with Crabrawler and can deal with the Psychic- and Ghost-types that threaten it. Ponyta can handle Pumpakboo and switch into Will-O-Wisp for Crabrawler. Staryu is able not only to remove entry hazards, but also to switch into Scald, which Crabrawler hates due to the fear of a crippling burn. Pokemon that can threaten Fairy-types, such as Magnemite and Gastly, make for great partners. Crabrawler pairs really well with other Fighting-types such as Mienfoo or Timburr, as they can break through each others' checks. Sticky Web support is useful for helping Life Orb Crabrawler outspeed Ponyta, as well as 15 Speed or lower Choice Scarf users, such as Magnemite and Gothita.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Thief can be used to hit Ghost-types and make Crabrawler a decent Knock Off absorber. Bulk Up lets Crabrawler attempt to sweep, but its main focus should simply be on attacking, not attempting to do something Mienfoo and Timburr outclasses it at. Rock Tomb allows Crabrawler to slow down the foe and potentially get another attack in the next turn.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Ghost-types**: Crabrawler has no way to deal with bulky Ghost-types like Pumpkaboo and Frillish, which can easily burn and cripple it with Will-O-Wisp.
**Fighting-resistant Pokemon**: Pokemon that resist fighting such as Fairy-types, Slowpoke, and Foongus can wall Crabrawler, as it rarely runs any coverage to hit them. They all threaten to at least 2HKO Crabrawler in return.
**Faster Pokemon**: Staryu, Abra, Doduo, and other faster, stronger Pokemon can threaten Crabrawler, but they usually cannot switch in safely due to Crabrawler's high-Base Power attacks.
Last edited by a moderator:
