Cryogonal Discussion

[Molk]

Co-written by Jellicent

Cryogonal
Type: Ice
Base Stats: 70 HP / 50 Atk / 30 Def / 95 SpA / 135 SpD / 105 Spe
Ability: Levitate

With almost all the spinners locked up in the higher tiers, Cryogonal is a Pokemon on a mission. It is arguably the best user of Rapid Spin in the RU tier, and with a base 135 Special Defense, high Speed and Special Attack stats, and moves such as Haze and Recover, Cryogonal is no sitting duck outside of that role. Cryogonal is not without its flaws, however; despite a high Special Defense stat, Cryogonal's physical Defense is borderline pathetic, and a mono-Ice typing doesn't exactly help either. Regardless, Cryogonal is a very good Pokemon, and is excellent at keeping those annoying entry hazards off your side of the field.


Notable Moves:

RAPID SPIN
Ice Beam
Recover
Toxic
Haze
Hidden Power


Example Sets:

Defensive Rapid Spin
Cryogonal @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SDef / 8 Spd
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Toxic / Haze
- Rapid Spin

Cryogonal's excellent Special Defense and Speed stats allow it to wall a large amount of special attackers in RU, while beating several spinblockers, such as Cofagrigus and Rotom, at the same time. Ice beam hits things like Tangrowth hard, while Recover keeps Cryogonal alive for as long as possible to spin. Toxic is great for crippling defensive Pokemon such as Slowking, while Haze prevents special attackers from setting up on the snowflake. Finally, the most important move, and the reason you are using Cryogonal: Rapid Spin removes entry hazards from the battlefield so something such as Moltres can sweep much more easily without having to take that nasty Stealth Rock damage. It also makes all those Metang kids mad because we all know Metang sets up Stealth Rock and does nothing else.

Offensive Rapid Spin
Cryogonal @ Life Orb
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Hidden Power (Ground)
- Rapid Spin

While the last set focused on Cryogonal's impressive bulk, this set takes advantage of its above average Special Attack. Due to its solid offenses, many Ghost-types will be wary of switching in, giving it an easier time spinning. This set also allows your team to maintain offensive momentum while keeping entry hazards off your side of the field. Ice Beam is Cryogonal's main STAB, while Hidden Power Ground offers great coverage, hitting threats such as Aggron and Entei that resist Ice-type moves. Recover keeps it nice and healthy, allowing it to continue spinning throughout the battle.


a few General Questions for Discussion:

What Cryogonal sets do you run?
How do you counter Cryogonal?
How good is Cryogonal at spinning? What stops Cryogonal from spinning?
How does Cryogonal compare to other Dual Screeners?
What utility does Cryogonal provide besides spinning?

 

[DittoCrow]

Cryogonal is really good, but now that more and more people are using it, Pursuit trappers such as Spiritomb are becoming more and more common. To combat this, I like to use an EV spread of 248 HP / 168 Def / 92 SpD with a Calm nature. This allows it to always survive Choice Band Spiritomb's Sucker Punch as well as Pursuit and lets it take hits from stuff like Scyther! However, you will lose the ability to reliably check Pokemon such as Manectric because it will 2HKO Cryogonal after Stealth Rock.

I haven't tested this yet, but I think that Substitute could help Cryogonal combat Spiritomb and other Ghost-types such as Toxic Misdreavus. With Substitute on the offensive set, Spiritomb can't touch Cryogonal with Sucker Punch, while Cryogonal will 2HKO Spiritomb with an Icicle Plate-boosted Ice Beam (Ice Beam: 49.64 - 58.8% - 99.61% chance to 2HKO). Looks good on paper, but I haven't tested it. You'll also have to give up Hidden Power, but that's manageable.

 

[alexwolf]

Reflect is also a very good option in the last slot, as it enables Cryogonal to escape from any Pursuit user, while also supporting it's team. Of 'course giving up Toxic or Haze is not easy, but you don't always need them, and escaping from Pursuit users, while still walling most special threats is a godesnd imo!