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[OVERVIEW]
Druddigon boasts an incredible Attack stat with above average defenses, which can make it effective as either an offensive or defensive Pokemon. Its wide movepool provides coverage against threats such as Fairy-types, but it needs support to make effective use of this. Furthermore, access to support moves such as Stealth Rock, Glare, and Roar lets it stand out from the crowd. However, a low Speed stat with only Sucker Punch to compensate makes it vulnerable to being revenge killed easily. It also doesn't have the best matchup versus common entry hazard removers such as Flygon. A lack of reliable recovery hinders Druddigon's longevity. The presence of Fairy-types such as Granbull and Diancie can also hinder Druddigon's ability to freely use its STAB moves. With offensive Ice-types like Sneasel, Mega Glalie, and Abomasnow being common, it can be hard to use Druddigon without being pressured easily.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Glare
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Dragon Tail / Dragon Claw
move 4: Fire Punch
item: Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Glare is the best status move Druddigon receives, paralyzing opposing Pokemon to cut their Speed and allowing Druddigon and other teammates to have a better chance against them during the battle. It also has the perk of paralyzing Ground-types. Stealth Rock allows Druddigon to cripple the opposing team's Pokemon by making them take chip damage and breaking potential Focus Sashes and Sturdy. Dragon Tail is Druddigon's main STAB move, which inflicts decent damage and phazes the foe, potentially racking up good damage if coupled with entry hazards. Alternatively, if Dragon Tail's low damage and negative priority annoy you, Dragon Claw can be used. Fire Punch is used to hit Steel-types that would otherwise tank Dragon Tail such as Escavalier and Registeel.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense with an Impish nature allows Druddigon to tank physical hits rather well and spread chip damage via Rough Skin more effectively. Maximum Defense notably avoids an OHKO from Hitmonlee, Medicham, and +2 Fletchinder after Stealth Rock damage. Alternatively, you can use a specially defensive spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD, which allows Druddigon to take special attacks better and take advantage of its Fire and Electric resistances against Pokemon like Delphox and Jolteon. Rocky Helmet is useful to get more chip damage against physical attackers when coupled with Rough Skin. Leftovers gives Druddigon passive recovery and can work better with a specially defensive spread. Rough Skin is the choice of ability to allow Druddigon to get off some useful chip damage thanks to its defensive EV spread.
Usage Tips
========
Use Druddigon as a lead to get Stealth Rock up early; if against a threatening Pokemon, you may have to switch multiple times to get it up. Also be cautious when leading, as the opponent may predict you and possibly force a switch out. Always switch out if Druddigon is in KO range against Fairy- or Ice-type Pokemon. Spread paralysis to slow down the opposing Pokemon while also phazing them out with Dragon Tail. Keep Druddigon healthy to have a good switch-in to physical attackers, primarily to resisted attacks. Don't play recklessly with this set, but identity certain Pokemon that may be threatening and use that knowledge to your advantage with Glare. Druddigon should be preserved until the opposing entry hazard remover has been taken care of, so it can freely set up Stealth Rock.
Team Options
========
Spikes support is always useful to further cripple the opponent's team and can be effective with Dragon Tail, so Pokemon such as Mega Glalie, Qwilfish, Accelgor, and Garbodor are always recommended. This set is very helpful on bulky offensive and balanced teams, as these teams carry slow powerhouses and the support from paralysis is very useful for them. Wish and cleric support is always useful to help out with Druddigon's lack of recovery and remove status; Alomomola, Diancie, and Aromatisse are good options. Hard-hitting Pokemon are recommended to take advantage of the paralysis Druddigon spreads over the opposing team; Pokemon such as Hoopa, Hitmonlee, Escavalier, and Rhyperior are good examples. Pokemon that can handle Fairy-types are very useful to prevent them from threatening Druddigon; some examples are Venusaur, Magneton, and Escavalier. Hoopa is a great spinblocker, preventing Pokemon such as Blastoise and Hitmontop from removing your entry hazards.
[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Outrage / Dragon Claw
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Fire Punch
move 4: Iron Tail / Gunk Shot
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Adamant
evs: 224 HP / 252 Atk / 32 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Outrage or Dragon Claw is Druddigon's main STAB move; Outrage is used for more power but unfortunately comes with a confusion effect, and the lock-in can make Druddigon easier to handle for the opponent, while Dragon Claw has no drawbacks but is much weaker. Sucker Punch is used for priority and can help revenge kill fast, weakened Pokemon as well as hit Psychic-types like Delphox and Hoopa super effectively. Fire Punch is used as coverage against Steel-types that can wall Druddigon like Registeel and Escavalier. Gunk Shot is used for coverage against Fairy-types like Aromatisse and Granbull; it can also hit Grass-type Pokemon like Virizion harder. You can use Iron Tail instead, which still handles Fairy-types, notably OHKOing Diancie, but can also 2HKO Rhyperior.
Set Details
========
252 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature maximize Druddigon's Attack stat and allow it to hit as hard as possible. 32 Speed EVs are used to outspeed base 50 Speed Pokemon like Registeel and Diancie as well as maximum Speed Mega Camerupt. The rest of the EVs are dumped in HP to give Druddigon some bulk. Life Orb is used to boost Druddigon's already hard-hitting attacks, and Druddigon doesn't incur any recoil on its coverage moves thanks to Sheer Force. Sheer Force is used to give Druddigon's attacks some more power at the cost of their side effects.
Usage Tips
========
Thanks to the power boosts from Sheer Force and Life Orb, Druddigon should be used as a wallbreaker that can scare the opponent and limit their choice of plays. Use certain situations to your advantage to allow Druddigon to come into the battlefield; some of those are Choice-locked Pokemon, safe switches into certain Pokemon like Blastoise, and aggressive double switches if you have to. Use Sucker Punch against weakened Pokemon to potentially OHKO them and against faster Pokemon to get off some damage. Druddigon should avoid Ice-type Pokemon, as the most used ones are able to OHKO or significantly damage it. Do not lock Druddigon into Outrage early-game, as it can be easily revenge killed. Druddigon should be very cautious against Scald users such as Slowking and Seismitoad, as a potential burn severely cuts Druddigon's Attack stat, though it may be fine if they are in KO range. Thanks to Druddigon's bulk, it is able to tank a Fairy-type attack from defensive Fairy-type Pokemon and can strike back with a Gunk Shot or Iron Tail.
Team Options
========
Druddigon is best paired up with Escavalier, which resists all of its weaknesses in Ice, Dragon, and Fairy, while Druddigon resists Escavalier's lone weakness to Fire. Escavalier can handle Fairy-types and use Knock Off to cripple bulky walls such as Alomomola, Jellicent, and Eviolite users, which allows Druddigon to threaten them; this creates good defensive and offensive synergy between these two. Wish users such as Alomomola and Aromatisse are great for supporting Druddigon due to its lack of recovery. Great Trick Room users such as Diancie and Slowking can allow Druddigon to outspeed and pressure most faster Pokemon. Entry hazard removers such as Blastoise and Flygon can allow Druddigon to safely switch in without having to take damage. Blastoise can lure in Grass- and Electric-types, which can allow Druddigon to come in and deal with them. Volt Switch and U-turn users are good for allowing Druddigon to come in safely and possibly check or counter the opposing foe. Sweepers really appreciate Druddigon's wallbreaking potential for weakening bulkier Pokemon that would otherwise be troublesome, so Virizion, Sneasel, Aerodactyl, and Jolteon are good partners. Flygon can make a great double Dragon core, as Flygon can keep up momentum with U-turn and send Druddigon onto the battle field, while Druddigon can take care of Fairy- and Grass-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Druddigon is able to use many alternative coverage moves. On the Life Orb set, Aqua Tail can be used to handle Rhyperior and Mega Camerupt more effectively. Crunch provides more coverage against Psychic- and Ghost-types, but it comes at the cost of losing Sucker Punch's priority. Thunder Punch is a more effective way of dealing with bulky Water-types such as Alomomola and Blastoise as well as certain Eviolite users, mainly Golbat and Togetic. Although it comes at the cost of coverage, Substitute can be used on Life Orb and support sets to offer protection from status and damage, which can give Druddigon a free opportunity to attack. If your team already has a Stealth Rock setter, Druddigon's support set can run RestTalk to make up for its lack of recovery. However, Sleep Talk doesn't need to be run if your team has a cleric such as Aromatisse or Diancie.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Water-types**: Pokemon such as Alomomola and Jellicent can safely switch into most of Druddigon's attacks and proceed to spread status. Jellicent may also be troublesome for the defensive set, as most of them carry Taunt. They are also able to pivot out of Outrage, as most are paired up with Fairy-types such as Diancie and Granbull.
**Fairy-types**: Pokemon such as Granbull, Togetic, Aromatisse, and Diancie can easily switch into any Druddigon set that lacks Gunk Shot or Iron Tail, though they must be careful because most Fairy-types can't OHKO Druddigon due to their defensive nature and lack of offensive investment.
**Steel-types**: Registeel, Escavalier, Bronzong, and Steelix resist Druddigon's STAB attacks, but they must be careful of sets with Fire Punch.
**Ice-types**: Though it's risky, Ice-type Pokemon can switch into Druddigon and threaten it with their STAB moves. They can also come in after their teammate has fainted and KO Druddigon. It does come at a cost, as most Ice-types can't switch into most of Druddigon's moves, hate paralysis from the support set, and can be caught off guard by Fire Punch on the predicted switch.
Druddigon boasts an incredible Attack stat with above average defenses, which can make it effective as either an offensive or defensive Pokemon. Its wide movepool provides coverage against threats such as Fairy-types, but it needs support to make effective use of this. Furthermore, access to support moves such as Stealth Rock, Glare, and Roar lets it stand out from the crowd. However, a low Speed stat with only Sucker Punch to compensate makes it vulnerable to being revenge killed easily. It also doesn't have the best matchup versus common entry hazard removers such as Flygon. A lack of reliable recovery hinders Druddigon's longevity. The presence of Fairy-types such as Granbull and Diancie can also hinder Druddigon's ability to freely use its STAB moves. With offensive Ice-types like Sneasel, Mega Glalie, and Abomasnow being common, it can be hard to use Druddigon without being pressured easily.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Glare
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Dragon Tail / Dragon Claw
move 4: Fire Punch
item: Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Glare is the best status move Druddigon receives, paralyzing opposing Pokemon to cut their Speed and allowing Druddigon and other teammates to have a better chance against them during the battle. It also has the perk of paralyzing Ground-types. Stealth Rock allows Druddigon to cripple the opposing team's Pokemon by making them take chip damage and breaking potential Focus Sashes and Sturdy. Dragon Tail is Druddigon's main STAB move, which inflicts decent damage and phazes the foe, potentially racking up good damage if coupled with entry hazards. Alternatively, if Dragon Tail's low damage and negative priority annoy you, Dragon Claw can be used. Fire Punch is used to hit Steel-types that would otherwise tank Dragon Tail such as Escavalier and Registeel.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense with an Impish nature allows Druddigon to tank physical hits rather well and spread chip damage via Rough Skin more effectively. Maximum Defense notably avoids an OHKO from Hitmonlee, Medicham, and +2 Fletchinder after Stealth Rock damage. Alternatively, you can use a specially defensive spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD, which allows Druddigon to take special attacks better and take advantage of its Fire and Electric resistances against Pokemon like Delphox and Jolteon. Rocky Helmet is useful to get more chip damage against physical attackers when coupled with Rough Skin. Leftovers gives Druddigon passive recovery and can work better with a specially defensive spread. Rough Skin is the choice of ability to allow Druddigon to get off some useful chip damage thanks to its defensive EV spread.
Usage Tips
========
Use Druddigon as a lead to get Stealth Rock up early; if against a threatening Pokemon, you may have to switch multiple times to get it up. Also be cautious when leading, as the opponent may predict you and possibly force a switch out. Always switch out if Druddigon is in KO range against Fairy- or Ice-type Pokemon. Spread paralysis to slow down the opposing Pokemon while also phazing them out with Dragon Tail. Keep Druddigon healthy to have a good switch-in to physical attackers, primarily to resisted attacks. Don't play recklessly with this set, but identity certain Pokemon that may be threatening and use that knowledge to your advantage with Glare. Druddigon should be preserved until the opposing entry hazard remover has been taken care of, so it can freely set up Stealth Rock.
Team Options
========
Spikes support is always useful to further cripple the opponent's team and can be effective with Dragon Tail, so Pokemon such as Mega Glalie, Qwilfish, Accelgor, and Garbodor are always recommended. This set is very helpful on bulky offensive and balanced teams, as these teams carry slow powerhouses and the support from paralysis is very useful for them. Wish and cleric support is always useful to help out with Druddigon's lack of recovery and remove status; Alomomola, Diancie, and Aromatisse are good options. Hard-hitting Pokemon are recommended to take advantage of the paralysis Druddigon spreads over the opposing team; Pokemon such as Hoopa, Hitmonlee, Escavalier, and Rhyperior are good examples. Pokemon that can handle Fairy-types are very useful to prevent them from threatening Druddigon; some examples are Venusaur, Magneton, and Escavalier. Hoopa is a great spinblocker, preventing Pokemon such as Blastoise and Hitmontop from removing your entry hazards.
[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Outrage / Dragon Claw
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Fire Punch
move 4: Iron Tail / Gunk Shot
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Adamant
evs: 224 HP / 252 Atk / 32 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Outrage or Dragon Claw is Druddigon's main STAB move; Outrage is used for more power but unfortunately comes with a confusion effect, and the lock-in can make Druddigon easier to handle for the opponent, while Dragon Claw has no drawbacks but is much weaker. Sucker Punch is used for priority and can help revenge kill fast, weakened Pokemon as well as hit Psychic-types like Delphox and Hoopa super effectively. Fire Punch is used as coverage against Steel-types that can wall Druddigon like Registeel and Escavalier. Gunk Shot is used for coverage against Fairy-types like Aromatisse and Granbull; it can also hit Grass-type Pokemon like Virizion harder. You can use Iron Tail instead, which still handles Fairy-types, notably OHKOing Diancie, but can also 2HKO Rhyperior.
Set Details
========
252 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature maximize Druddigon's Attack stat and allow it to hit as hard as possible. 32 Speed EVs are used to outspeed base 50 Speed Pokemon like Registeel and Diancie as well as maximum Speed Mega Camerupt. The rest of the EVs are dumped in HP to give Druddigon some bulk. Life Orb is used to boost Druddigon's already hard-hitting attacks, and Druddigon doesn't incur any recoil on its coverage moves thanks to Sheer Force. Sheer Force is used to give Druddigon's attacks some more power at the cost of their side effects.
Usage Tips
========
Thanks to the power boosts from Sheer Force and Life Orb, Druddigon should be used as a wallbreaker that can scare the opponent and limit their choice of plays. Use certain situations to your advantage to allow Druddigon to come into the battlefield; some of those are Choice-locked Pokemon, safe switches into certain Pokemon like Blastoise, and aggressive double switches if you have to. Use Sucker Punch against weakened Pokemon to potentially OHKO them and against faster Pokemon to get off some damage. Druddigon should avoid Ice-type Pokemon, as the most used ones are able to OHKO or significantly damage it. Do not lock Druddigon into Outrage early-game, as it can be easily revenge killed. Druddigon should be very cautious against Scald users such as Slowking and Seismitoad, as a potential burn severely cuts Druddigon's Attack stat, though it may be fine if they are in KO range. Thanks to Druddigon's bulk, it is able to tank a Fairy-type attack from defensive Fairy-type Pokemon and can strike back with a Gunk Shot or Iron Tail.
Team Options
========
Druddigon is best paired up with Escavalier, which resists all of its weaknesses in Ice, Dragon, and Fairy, while Druddigon resists Escavalier's lone weakness to Fire. Escavalier can handle Fairy-types and use Knock Off to cripple bulky walls such as Alomomola, Jellicent, and Eviolite users, which allows Druddigon to threaten them; this creates good defensive and offensive synergy between these two. Wish users such as Alomomola and Aromatisse are great for supporting Druddigon due to its lack of recovery. Great Trick Room users such as Diancie and Slowking can allow Druddigon to outspeed and pressure most faster Pokemon. Entry hazard removers such as Blastoise and Flygon can allow Druddigon to safely switch in without having to take damage. Blastoise can lure in Grass- and Electric-types, which can allow Druddigon to come in and deal with them. Volt Switch and U-turn users are good for allowing Druddigon to come in safely and possibly check or counter the opposing foe. Sweepers really appreciate Druddigon's wallbreaking potential for weakening bulkier Pokemon that would otherwise be troublesome, so Virizion, Sneasel, Aerodactyl, and Jolteon are good partners. Flygon can make a great double Dragon core, as Flygon can keep up momentum with U-turn and send Druddigon onto the battle field, while Druddigon can take care of Fairy- and Grass-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Druddigon is able to use many alternative coverage moves. On the Life Orb set, Aqua Tail can be used to handle Rhyperior and Mega Camerupt more effectively. Crunch provides more coverage against Psychic- and Ghost-types, but it comes at the cost of losing Sucker Punch's priority. Thunder Punch is a more effective way of dealing with bulky Water-types such as Alomomola and Blastoise as well as certain Eviolite users, mainly Golbat and Togetic. Although it comes at the cost of coverage, Substitute can be used on Life Orb and support sets to offer protection from status and damage, which can give Druddigon a free opportunity to attack. If your team already has a Stealth Rock setter, Druddigon's support set can run RestTalk to make up for its lack of recovery. However, Sleep Talk doesn't need to be run if your team has a cleric such as Aromatisse or Diancie.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Water-types**: Pokemon such as Alomomola and Jellicent can safely switch into most of Druddigon's attacks and proceed to spread status. Jellicent may also be troublesome for the defensive set, as most of them carry Taunt. They are also able to pivot out of Outrage, as most are paired up with Fairy-types such as Diancie and Granbull.
**Fairy-types**: Pokemon such as Granbull, Togetic, Aromatisse, and Diancie can easily switch into any Druddigon set that lacks Gunk Shot or Iron Tail, though they must be careful because most Fairy-types can't OHKO Druddigon due to their defensive nature and lack of offensive investment.
**Steel-types**: Registeel, Escavalier, Bronzong, and Steelix resist Druddigon's STAB attacks, but they must be careful of sets with Fire Punch.
**Ice-types**: Though it's risky, Ice-type Pokemon can switch into Druddigon and threaten it with their STAB moves. They can also come in after their teammate has fainted and KO Druddigon. It does come at a cost, as most Ice-types can't switch into most of Druddigon's moves, hate paralysis from the support set, and can be caught off guard by Fire Punch on the predicted switch.
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