Crawdaunt
Pokedex Number: 342
Type: Water/Dark
Base stats: 63/120/85/90/55/55
Abilities: Shell Armor/Hyper Cutter Hidden: Adaptability
Notable Moves:
Level Up
- Crabhammer
- Swords Dance
- Crunch
- Knock Off
- Aqua Jet
- Knock Off
- Dragon Dance
- Superpower
- Double Edge
- Switcheroo
- Swords Dance
- Substitute
General Analysis:
Ever since Crawdaunt has been released in Gen III, it has always been one of the most forgotten Water types competitively. At first glance, Crawdaunt seems to have quite a bit going for it: strong STAB moves, great mixed attacking stats, and a movepool with gems such as Dragon Dance and Swords Dance. However, a closer look reveals some equally serious problems. Its defenses are average at best, and its Speed borders on pitiful.
In Gen V, Crawdaunt received the highly coveted Adaptability via Dream World, which allowed it to practically 2HKO the entire tier in the rain. However, it still struggled to compete with other Physical Water offensive Pokemons such as Azumarill, who has access to priority in the form of Aqua Jet, ad Gyarados, who has way better bulk.
In our newest generation, we not only got a new lobster in Clawritzer, but our old lobster Crawdaunt got some new toys to play with, namely access to Aqua Jet which he always wanted, and a huge buff to Knock Off. Additionally, Crabhammer also got an increase in BP to 100. All of these gives our badass lobster a new leash of life in this generation.
Potential Sets
Choice Band
Crawdaunt @ Choice Band
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Crabhammer
- Aqua Jet
- Crunch/Superpower
This set works like Azumarill 2.0, with a stronger Aqua Jet, and an different alternative STAB to boot, one which is stronger in fact. This set aims to take advantage of Crawdaunt's 2 newest attacks which hurt insanely, coming from a huge 120 base attack boosted with Adaptability.
Knock Off is the crux of the set this gen, which also received a huge buff in damage to 65 BP, which becomes 97 BP if the target is holding an item, which further increases to a massive 194 BP thanks to Adaptability, making it THE strongest unboosted Physical Dark typed attack in the entire tier. Knock Off dealing insane damage even to resisted targets is a testament to its power. Below are just a few calculations to show how strong this attack really is:
Crabhammer is especially monstrous that it cleanly OHKO's Blissey and many other walls that Knock Off is unable to. If we were to compared the damage output of that to something we currently see, imagine +1 252+ Dragonite's Outrage, it's stronger than that.
Aqua Jet is another bonus it got. For a rough estimate of how powerful an Aqua Jet is, think of +0 252+ Arceus's Extremespeed in Ubers, that is the amount of damage a Banded Aqua Jet from Crawdaunt is. In case you may be wondering, this Aqua Jet is even more powerful that one from Azumarill, essentially performing Azumarill's role in picking off weakened foes if Azumarill doesn't fit into the team well.
Crunch is the primary slash in the last slot because it lets you deal more easily with stuff that resist Crabhammer, and cannot have their items knocked off, notably against Mega Blastoise and Mega Venusaur. While trivial, it also allows you to deal greater damage with Knock Off > Crunch, in the event that your own Choice Band is knocked off or tricked away.
Superpower allows you to get past Mega-Gyarados and Hydreigon that try to switch into an Aqua Jet. At first glance, Double Edge might seem useful to 2HKO on Azumarill, but that's all it is doing, especially considering Crabhammer is getting the same 2HKO at 100% rate and its not becoming a OHKO even with hazards.
Max Spd EVs allows you to reach you to reach 209 Spd, which outspeeds min Spd Rotom-A by 1 point, as well as min Spd Mega-blastoise and Mega-Venusaur. However, an alternate spread of 92 Spd / 252 Atk / 164 HP can also be considered, to just outspeed and OHKO 8 Spd Scizor and min Spd Jellicent before they can KO/cripple you respectively. At the same time, the alternate spread also allows you to always survive LO EQ from Mamoswine.
Swords Dance
Crawdaunt @ Life Orb/Lum Berry/Splash Plate
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Aqua Jet
- Knock Off
- Crabhammer
- Swords Dance
Unlike the previous set which aims to break walls, and revenge kill stuff, this set aims to sweep with +2 with a Swords Dance. After a single Swords Dance, Crawdaunt's Aqua Jet becomes insanely powerful, OHKO-ing threats like Gliscor, Lucario and Gengar, and even Garchomp after Spikes. Water + Dark has really good coverage this gen considering the nerf to Steel so it can easily give up a coverage move for Crabhammer AND Aqua Jet, which can practically 2HKO any switch in. Knock Off is always preferred over Crunch because 2 Knock Off is still stronger than 2 Crunches, which should 2HKO whatever needed anyway. Life Orb is the preferred item because it allows you to OHKO standard Ferrothorn at 100% chance. Splash Plate is also viable if you can ensure Spikes up, otherwise Ferrothorn will put a clean stop to your sweeps. The alternate spread also applies to this set if you are not too concerned about Rotom-A and Mega-Venusaur/Mega-Blatoise.
Other Options
Crawdaunt also gets Switcheroo as an egg move, which is somewhat useful against huge walls on the CB set. However, most of the walls it face are 2HKOed anyway, so it is not worth sacrificing the additional coverage for it. Crawaunt also gets access to the hightly coveted Dragon Dance, but it is usually outclassed by Gyarados in that aspect, due to greater bulk, and Intimidate. A sub+pinch berry set can also be considered, but it is generally weaker compared to SD + LO.
Teammate options
Crawdaunt generally work well with Pokemons that can has problems getting past Pokemons such as Aegislash, Scizor, Tyranitar. Gengar is immune to Fighting type attacks targetted at Crawdaunt and resists Fairy, and can hit back hard, and Crawdaunt gets rid of Aegislash, Scizor and Tyranitar that gives Gengar a lot of problems.
Volcarona also has great type synergy with Crawdaunt, switching into Bug, Fighting, Grass, Fairy typed attacks targetted at Crawdaunt with impunity and getting a easy Quiver Dance up. Crawdaunt also get rid of Tyranitar which Volcarona cannot get past without at least a few boosts. Recoil-suicide Tailwind Talonflame also makes a fantastic teammate due to its typing, and Tailwind allow you to remedy its poor speed for a few turns.
Rain support is always welcomed for a hard hitters like Crawdaunt. Politoed is a obvious choice though Bronzong's great type synergy also makes for a good manual setter. Bronzong also can get dual screen up if Crawdaunt needs any help getting a SD up.
Scolipede is also a good teammate for Crawdaunt. "They work really well together now that Scolipede has speed boost. It's Bug/Poison typing lets it take out Darks and Fairies with ease, 2 types that can cause Crawdaunt problems if it's only running Water/Dark moves. Azumarill and Hydreigon are the two big ones I've encountered online, a Mega Horn/Posion Jab takes them out then baton pass back to Crawdaunt to continue the sweep." -Credits to Krakus
Conclusion
From current metagame conditions, it is hard to say where the access to the strongest Aqua Jet in the game will bring Crawdaunt to, but its access to Aqua Jet definitely lead it to be considered when thinking of a water type, with strong wallbreaking abilities.
Just some fun facts:
Why Crawdaunt deserves a thread
What has always been holding Crawdaunt back was its subpar speed combined with low bulk, and no access to priority attacks, also that Ferrothron was basically present on half all teams. This gen, Crawdaunt got that priority attack, which is stronger than that from Azumarill. The new changes to Dark attacks makes it able to smash right past Steel type attacks with Knock Off. Being arguably the only offensive user of Knock Off also means something to our lobster.
Ever since Crawdaunt has been released in Gen III, it has always been one of the most forgotten Water types competitively. At first glance, Crawdaunt seems to have quite a bit going for it: strong STAB moves, great mixed attacking stats, and a movepool with gems such as Dragon Dance and Swords Dance. However, a closer look reveals some equally serious problems. Its defenses are average at best, and its Speed borders on pitiful.
In Gen V, Crawdaunt received the highly coveted Adaptability via Dream World, which allowed it to practically 2HKO the entire tier in the rain. However, it still struggled to compete with other Physical Water offensive Pokemons such as Azumarill, who has access to priority in the form of Aqua Jet, ad Gyarados, who has way better bulk.
In our newest generation, we not only got a new lobster in Clawritzer, but our old lobster Crawdaunt got some new toys to play with, namely access to Aqua Jet which he always wanted, and a huge buff to Knock Off. Additionally, Crabhammer also got an increase in BP to 100. All of these gives our badass lobster a new leash of life in this generation.
Potential Sets
Choice Band
Crawdaunt @ Choice Band
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Crabhammer
- Aqua Jet
- Crunch/Superpower
This set works like Azumarill 2.0, with a stronger Aqua Jet, and an different alternative STAB to boot, one which is stronger in fact. This set aims to take advantage of Crawdaunt's 2 newest attacks which hurt insanely, coming from a huge 120 base attack boosted with Adaptability.
Knock Off is the crux of the set this gen, which also received a huge buff in damage to 65 BP, which becomes 97 BP if the target is holding an item, which further increases to a massive 194 BP thanks to Adaptability, making it THE strongest unboosted Physical Dark typed attack in the entire tier. Knock Off dealing insane damage even to resisted targets is a testament to its power. Below are just a few calculations to show how strong this attack really is:
- -2 252+ Atk Choice Band Adaptability Crawdaunt Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash: 232-276 (71.6 - 85.18%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
- 252+ Atk Choice Band Adaptability Crawdaunt Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gourgeist-Super: 412-488 (110.1 - 130.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
- 252+ Atk Choice Band Adaptability Crawdaunt Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Trevenant: 564-664 (150.8 - 177.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
- 252+ Atk Choice Band Adaptability Crawdaunt Knock Off vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 344-406 (96.08 - 113.4%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
- 252+ Atk Choice Band Adaptability Crawdaunt Knock Off vs. 244 HP / 40+ Def Gliscor: 238-282 (67.61 - 80.11%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
- 252+ Atk Choice Band Adaptability Crawdaunt Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 48+ Def Ferrothorn: 228-270 (64.77 - 76.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
- 252+ Atk Choice Band Adaptability Crawdaunt Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Hippowdon: 212-250 (50.4 - 59.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
- 252+ Atk Choice Band Adaptability Crawdaunt Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Multiscale Dragonite: 172-203 (44.55 - 52.59%) -- guaranteed 2HKO since Multiscale is broken after 1st hit
- 252+ Atk Choice Band Adaptability Crawdaunt Knock Off vs. 224 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 188-222 (57.49 - 67.88%)
- 252+ Atk Choice Band Adaptability Crawdaunt Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Avalugg: 152-180 (38.57 - 45.68%)
- 252+ Atk Choice Band Adaptability Crawdaunt Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 152-179 (37.62 - 44.3%)
Crabhammer is especially monstrous that it cleanly OHKO's Blissey and many other walls that Knock Off is unable to. If we were to compared the damage output of that to something we currently see, imagine +1 252+ Dragonite's Outrage, it's stronger than that.
Aqua Jet is another bonus it got. For a rough estimate of how powerful an Aqua Jet is, think of +0 252+ Arceus's Extremespeed in Ubers, that is the amount of damage a Banded Aqua Jet from Crawdaunt is. In case you may be wondering, this Aqua Jet is even more powerful that one from Azumarill, essentially performing Azumarill's role in picking off weakened foes if Azumarill doesn't fit into the team well.
Crunch is the primary slash in the last slot because it lets you deal more easily with stuff that resist Crabhammer, and cannot have their items knocked off, notably against Mega Blastoise and Mega Venusaur. While trivial, it also allows you to deal greater damage with Knock Off > Crunch, in the event that your own Choice Band is knocked off or tricked away.
Superpower allows you to get past Mega-Gyarados and Hydreigon that try to switch into an Aqua Jet. At first glance, Double Edge might seem useful to 2HKO on Azumarill, but that's all it is doing, especially considering Crabhammer is getting the same 2HKO at 100% rate and its not becoming a OHKO even with hazards.
Max Spd EVs allows you to reach you to reach 209 Spd, which outspeeds min Spd Rotom-A by 1 point, as well as min Spd Mega-blastoise and Mega-Venusaur. However, an alternate spread of 92 Spd / 252 Atk / 164 HP can also be considered, to just outspeed and OHKO 8 Spd Scizor and min Spd Jellicent before they can KO/cripple you respectively. At the same time, the alternate spread also allows you to always survive LO EQ from Mamoswine.
Swords Dance
Crawdaunt @ Life Orb/Lum Berry/Splash Plate
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Aqua Jet
- Knock Off
- Crabhammer
- Swords Dance
Unlike the previous set which aims to break walls, and revenge kill stuff, this set aims to sweep with +2 with a Swords Dance. After a single Swords Dance, Crawdaunt's Aqua Jet becomes insanely powerful, OHKO-ing threats like Gliscor, Lucario and Gengar, and even Garchomp after Spikes. Water + Dark has really good coverage this gen considering the nerf to Steel so it can easily give up a coverage move for Crabhammer AND Aqua Jet, which can practically 2HKO any switch in. Knock Off is always preferred over Crunch because 2 Knock Off is still stronger than 2 Crunches, which should 2HKO whatever needed anyway. Life Orb is the preferred item because it allows you to OHKO standard Ferrothorn at 100% chance. Splash Plate is also viable if you can ensure Spikes up, otherwise Ferrothorn will put a clean stop to your sweeps. The alternate spread also applies to this set if you are not too concerned about Rotom-A and Mega-Venusaur/Mega-Blatoise.
Other Options
Crawdaunt also gets Switcheroo as an egg move, which is somewhat useful against huge walls on the CB set. However, most of the walls it face are 2HKOed anyway, so it is not worth sacrificing the additional coverage for it. Crawaunt also gets access to the hightly coveted Dragon Dance, but it is usually outclassed by Gyarados in that aspect, due to greater bulk, and Intimidate. A sub+pinch berry set can also be considered, but it is generally weaker compared to SD + LO.
Teammate options
Crawdaunt generally work well with Pokemons that can has problems getting past Pokemons such as Aegislash, Scizor, Tyranitar. Gengar is immune to Fighting type attacks targetted at Crawdaunt and resists Fairy, and can hit back hard, and Crawdaunt gets rid of Aegislash, Scizor and Tyranitar that gives Gengar a lot of problems.
Volcarona also has great type synergy with Crawdaunt, switching into Bug, Fighting, Grass, Fairy typed attacks targetted at Crawdaunt with impunity and getting a easy Quiver Dance up. Crawdaunt also get rid of Tyranitar which Volcarona cannot get past without at least a few boosts. Recoil-suicide Tailwind Talonflame also makes a fantastic teammate due to its typing, and Tailwind allow you to remedy its poor speed for a few turns.
Rain support is always welcomed for a hard hitters like Crawdaunt. Politoed is a obvious choice though Bronzong's great type synergy also makes for a good manual setter. Bronzong also can get dual screen up if Crawdaunt needs any help getting a SD up.
Scolipede is also a good teammate for Crawdaunt. "They work really well together now that Scolipede has speed boost. It's Bug/Poison typing lets it take out Darks and Fairies with ease, 2 types that can cause Crawdaunt problems if it's only running Water/Dark moves. Azumarill and Hydreigon are the two big ones I've encountered online, a Mega Horn/Posion Jab takes them out then baton pass back to Crawdaunt to continue the sweep." -Credits to Krakus
Conclusion
From current metagame conditions, it is hard to say where the access to the strongest Aqua Jet in the game will bring Crawdaunt to, but its access to Aqua Jet definitely lead it to be considered when thinking of a water type, with strong wallbreaking abilities.
Just some fun facts:
252+ Atk Choice Band Adaptability Crawdaunt Aqua Jet vs. 0 HP / 0 Def (custom): 136-162 (39.8 - 47.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Silk Scarf Arceus Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def (custom): 163-193 (47.8 - 56.5%) -- 86.7% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Arceus Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def (custom): 135-160 (39.5 - 46.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Adaptability Crawdaunt Crabhammer vs. 0 HP / 0 Def (custom): 588-691 (172.4 - 202.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+6 252+ Atk Life Orb Arceus Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def (custom): 703-828 (206.1 - 242.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Adaptability Crawdaunt Aqua Jet vs. 0 HP / 0 Def (custom): 234-278 (68.6 - 81.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Arceus-Ghost Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def (custom): 235-277 (68.9 - 81.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Silk Scarf Arceus Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def (custom): 163-193 (47.8 - 56.5%) -- 86.7% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Arceus Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def (custom): 135-160 (39.5 - 46.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Adaptability Crawdaunt Crabhammer vs. 0 HP / 0 Def (custom): 588-691 (172.4 - 202.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+6 252+ Atk Life Orb Arceus Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def (custom): 703-828 (206.1 - 242.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Adaptability Crawdaunt Aqua Jet vs. 0 HP / 0 Def (custom): 234-278 (68.6 - 81.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Arceus-Ghost Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def (custom): 235-277 (68.9 - 81.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Why Crawdaunt deserves a thread
What has always been holding Crawdaunt back was its subpar speed combined with low bulk, and no access to priority attacks, also that Ferrothron was basically present on half all teams. This gen, Crawdaunt got that priority attack, which is stronger than that from Azumarill. The new changes to Dark attacks makes it able to smash right past Steel type attacks with Knock Off. Being arguably the only offensive user of Knock Off also means something to our lobster.
What Crawdaunt got from XY includes 2 very useful moves in the form of Knock Off and Aqua Jet, which makes it extremely difficult to switch in. As the metagame shifts towards its current form, it becomes immensely beneficial for Crawdaunt, who outspeeds and defeats slower teams with Knock Off, or sweep HO teams with SD + Aqua Jet. This makes Crawdaunt very viable on a whole as a wallbreaker sans sweeper.
Wallbreaker
Crawdaunt @ Life Orb / Choice Band
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Crabhammer
- Aqua Jet
- Swords Dance / Crunch / Superpower / Aerial Ace
Adaptability boosted Knock Off is just really powerful and can 2HKO most switch ins with little problem, even resists, along with the handy effect of removing the items. This is coupled by that fact that there are little defensive Dark resists now that Mandibuzz is dying in usage. Crabhammer is immensely powerful, 2HKOing stuff that Knock Off cannot, such as Azumarill. Aqua Jet is just a handy move to have since speed is not Crawdaunt's forte, and allows it to get a sweep going in the case it can get a SD boost. Crunch, Superpower and Aerial Ace are for Venusaur, Mega Gyara and Chesnaught + Keldeo respectively.
Checks and Counters
Go read the victim of the week thread, there is a list of it, I'm lazy to type.
Ok yey discuss lol.
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