[QC: 3/3] (PK Gaming, Fried Rhys, Zephyr)
[GP: 2/2] (V0x, Calm Pokemaster)
[Overview]
<p>Cryogonal is an odd Pokemon. For starters, it is a defensive Ice-type, which is frequently a death knell for a Pokemon's usage. However, Cryogonal has several unique traits that allow it to function effectively in RU as a support Pokemon. It sports a massive base 135 Special Defense stat that, with full investment, allows it to take most special attacks with ease. This, along with its high Speed stat and access to Rapid Spin, makes Cryogonal one of the more viable Rapid Spin users in the tier. With its ability to force out a large number of Pokemon and an immunity to both Spikes and Toxic Spikes thanks to Levitate, Cryogonal finds numerous opportunities to remove hazards and utilize its effective support movepool. It is also capable of walling some of RU's premier weather threats, stopping specially-based rain threats, notably Ludicolo, and most hail teams cold. Sadly, Cryogonal's dreadful Defense stat and weakness to common Fire-, Rock-, and Fighting-type attacks mean that it will be easily struck down by physical threats such as Entei and Medicham. Stealth Rock will also strip off a quarter of its health each time it switches in, further hampering its efforts to remove hazards and support its team. Despite all these flaws, Cryogonal makes an excellent choice for most RU teams needing a solid Rapid Spin user, and can work very well provided it is given proper support to deal with physical attackers.</p>
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Ice Beam
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Toxic / Haze
move 4: Recover
item: Leftovers
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Cryogonal makes a great Rapid Spin user as it can come in on a special attacker, avoid damage from entry hazards bar Stealth Rock with Levitate, and remove them with Rapid Spin. Recover helps to mitigate Cryogonal's weakness to Stealth Rock and keeps it healthy for long-term use, healing off damage with the free turns it often gets. This set is quite effective, as Cryogonal's great Speed for a defensive Pokemon allows it to use Rapid Spin, heal itself, or annoy the opponent fairly easily. Its Speed is also a great advantage against Taunt users. Cryogonal's solid Special Attack stat ensures that it doesn't become setup fodder for opposing Pokemon. Ice Beam is preferred as Cryogonal's reliable STAB option, rarely failing in the power department. For example, it will always break SubSplit Rotom's Substitute with this set. Toxic allows Cryogonal to beat opposing walls and slower Substitute users, but Haze can also be used to stop setup sweepers; the choice between the two depends on the kind of support which is provided by Cryogonal's teammates.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Maximum investment in Special Defense and HP, along with a Calm nature, gives Cryogonal excellent special bulk, allowing it to soak up most special attacks comfortably. As Cryogonal is mainly a support Pokemon that is a part of a defensive core, it functions fairly well on its own. That said, Ferroseed is a solid partner for Cryogonal, setting up hazards and throwing around status moves and Leech Seed making it tougher for Cryogonal's checks to switch in. However, this clearly creates a problem with opposing Fire- and Fighting-types, so a Pokemon that can take such attacks, such as Slowking, is a solid team choice. Additionally, Cryogonal pairs well with Pokemon that appreciate Rapid Spin support, notably Moltres, and other sweepers bothered by Stealth Rock. Moltres makes a particularly good teammate in this regard, as it can also switch into most of the powerful Fighting-types and other physical attackers, as well as Taunt users, that threaten Cryogonal, forcing them out with its powerful STAB moves that prey on their typically low Special Defense. Honchkrow and Entei lie in the same vein, both very powerful sweepers that benefit from Stealth Rock being removed while simultaneously threatening many of Cryogonal's checks.</p>
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Ice Beam
move 2: Reflect
move 3: Light Screen
move 4: Recover
item: Light Clay / Leftovers
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set utilizes Cryogonal's support abilities in an attempt to allow a teammate to pull off a quick sweep. It can use its ability to wall most special attackers in RU to force a switch and set up Reflect. With physical attacks doing half the damage, Cryogonal will be in a position to comfortably set up Light Screen and switch to a setup sweeper. Light Clay also ensures that the dual screens which Cryogonal sets up will stay for 7-8 turns, giving ample time for a teammate to set up and sweep. Recover enhances Cryogonal's longevity, allowing it to repeatedly set up dual screens for its team should the need arise. Finally, Ice Beam gives Cryogonal some form of offense and ensures that it won't be shut down completely by Taunt.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The given EVs maximize Cryogonal's physical bulk, enabling it to set up dual screens much more reliably, with the nature boosting its excellent Special Defense to high levels even with zero investment. With this EV spread, Cryogonal has a Defense stat of 318 after a Reflect, making it much more suited to take both physical and special attacks. However, if Cryogonal is to be used in a defensive core, a 252 HP / 252 SpD spread will be more suitable. Leftovers is also an option for the passive recovery which it provides, but Cryogonal already has Recover for healing off damage, and the extension to the duration of dual screens which Light Clay provides will be greatly appreciated by setup sweepers. In terms of offensive support, Kabutops is an effective choice, the dual screens granting it time to set up Swords Dances before attempting a sweep. Similarly, the dual screens can aid a frail sweeper in its efforts, with Medicham getting a special mention for its resistance to the Fighting-type attacks that give Cryogonal much grief.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Cryogonal's decent movepool gives it a few other options to consider. Blizzard can be used on hail teams for the extra power it provides, but its low PP may prove to be problematic. Frost Breath can be used over Ice Beam on either set as insurance against Pokemon that may try to set up Calm Mind against Cryogonal, since the guaranteed critacal hits will nullify their defensive boosts. Confuse Ray is an option to force switches and annoy the opponent, but relying on confusion is asking for trouble. Substitute can be used to give Cryogonal an immunity to status, notably Toxic. However, this is generally not a good choice, as the Substitute can be broken fairly easily and Cryogonal often has better things it could be doing. Cryogonal can also act as a potent rain team supporter with its access to Rain Dance and dual screens, as with a Damp Rock it can grant a rain team several crucial turns where they can put incredible pressure on the opponent.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Although Cryogonal can utterly wall special attackers, physical and mixed attackers make it cry. Literally any physical attacker in RU, including ones with pathetic Attack stats like Ferroseed, will immediately force Cryogonal to switch out, as to stay in means risking an OHKO. In particular, Entei will stop Cryogonal in its tracks, scoring an OHKO with practically any move while only fearing Toxic in return. Fast Pokemon with Taunt, such as Qwilfish, also shut Cryogonal down by ruining its support capabilities.</p>
[GP: 2/2] (V0x, Calm Pokemaster)
[Overview]
<p>Cryogonal is an odd Pokemon. For starters, it is a defensive Ice-type, which is frequently a death knell for a Pokemon's usage. However, Cryogonal has several unique traits that allow it to function effectively in RU as a support Pokemon. It sports a massive base 135 Special Defense stat that, with full investment, allows it to take most special attacks with ease. This, along with its high Speed stat and access to Rapid Spin, makes Cryogonal one of the more viable Rapid Spin users in the tier. With its ability to force out a large number of Pokemon and an immunity to both Spikes and Toxic Spikes thanks to Levitate, Cryogonal finds numerous opportunities to remove hazards and utilize its effective support movepool. It is also capable of walling some of RU's premier weather threats, stopping specially-based rain threats, notably Ludicolo, and most hail teams cold. Sadly, Cryogonal's dreadful Defense stat and weakness to common Fire-, Rock-, and Fighting-type attacks mean that it will be easily struck down by physical threats such as Entei and Medicham. Stealth Rock will also strip off a quarter of its health each time it switches in, further hampering its efforts to remove hazards and support its team. Despite all these flaws, Cryogonal makes an excellent choice for most RU teams needing a solid Rapid Spin user, and can work very well provided it is given proper support to deal with physical attackers.</p>
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Ice Beam
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Toxic / Haze
move 4: Recover
item: Leftovers
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Cryogonal makes a great Rapid Spin user as it can come in on a special attacker, avoid damage from entry hazards bar Stealth Rock with Levitate, and remove them with Rapid Spin. Recover helps to mitigate Cryogonal's weakness to Stealth Rock and keeps it healthy for long-term use, healing off damage with the free turns it often gets. This set is quite effective, as Cryogonal's great Speed for a defensive Pokemon allows it to use Rapid Spin, heal itself, or annoy the opponent fairly easily. Its Speed is also a great advantage against Taunt users. Cryogonal's solid Special Attack stat ensures that it doesn't become setup fodder for opposing Pokemon. Ice Beam is preferred as Cryogonal's reliable STAB option, rarely failing in the power department. For example, it will always break SubSplit Rotom's Substitute with this set. Toxic allows Cryogonal to beat opposing walls and slower Substitute users, but Haze can also be used to stop setup sweepers; the choice between the two depends on the kind of support which is provided by Cryogonal's teammates.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Maximum investment in Special Defense and HP, along with a Calm nature, gives Cryogonal excellent special bulk, allowing it to soak up most special attacks comfortably. As Cryogonal is mainly a support Pokemon that is a part of a defensive core, it functions fairly well on its own. That said, Ferroseed is a solid partner for Cryogonal, setting up hazards and throwing around status moves and Leech Seed making it tougher for Cryogonal's checks to switch in. However, this clearly creates a problem with opposing Fire- and Fighting-types, so a Pokemon that can take such attacks, such as Slowking, is a solid team choice. Additionally, Cryogonal pairs well with Pokemon that appreciate Rapid Spin support, notably Moltres, and other sweepers bothered by Stealth Rock. Moltres makes a particularly good teammate in this regard, as it can also switch into most of the powerful Fighting-types and other physical attackers, as well as Taunt users, that threaten Cryogonal, forcing them out with its powerful STAB moves that prey on their typically low Special Defense. Honchkrow and Entei lie in the same vein, both very powerful sweepers that benefit from Stealth Rock being removed while simultaneously threatening many of Cryogonal's checks.</p>
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Ice Beam
move 2: Reflect
move 3: Light Screen
move 4: Recover
item: Light Clay / Leftovers
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set utilizes Cryogonal's support abilities in an attempt to allow a teammate to pull off a quick sweep. It can use its ability to wall most special attackers in RU to force a switch and set up Reflect. With physical attacks doing half the damage, Cryogonal will be in a position to comfortably set up Light Screen and switch to a setup sweeper. Light Clay also ensures that the dual screens which Cryogonal sets up will stay for 7-8 turns, giving ample time for a teammate to set up and sweep. Recover enhances Cryogonal's longevity, allowing it to repeatedly set up dual screens for its team should the need arise. Finally, Ice Beam gives Cryogonal some form of offense and ensures that it won't be shut down completely by Taunt.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The given EVs maximize Cryogonal's physical bulk, enabling it to set up dual screens much more reliably, with the nature boosting its excellent Special Defense to high levels even with zero investment. With this EV spread, Cryogonal has a Defense stat of 318 after a Reflect, making it much more suited to take both physical and special attacks. However, if Cryogonal is to be used in a defensive core, a 252 HP / 252 SpD spread will be more suitable. Leftovers is also an option for the passive recovery which it provides, but Cryogonal already has Recover for healing off damage, and the extension to the duration of dual screens which Light Clay provides will be greatly appreciated by setup sweepers. In terms of offensive support, Kabutops is an effective choice, the dual screens granting it time to set up Swords Dances before attempting a sweep. Similarly, the dual screens can aid a frail sweeper in its efforts, with Medicham getting a special mention for its resistance to the Fighting-type attacks that give Cryogonal much grief.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Cryogonal's decent movepool gives it a few other options to consider. Blizzard can be used on hail teams for the extra power it provides, but its low PP may prove to be problematic. Frost Breath can be used over Ice Beam on either set as insurance against Pokemon that may try to set up Calm Mind against Cryogonal, since the guaranteed critacal hits will nullify their defensive boosts. Confuse Ray is an option to force switches and annoy the opponent, but relying on confusion is asking for trouble. Substitute can be used to give Cryogonal an immunity to status, notably Toxic. However, this is generally not a good choice, as the Substitute can be broken fairly easily and Cryogonal often has better things it could be doing. Cryogonal can also act as a potent rain team supporter with its access to Rain Dance and dual screens, as with a Damp Rock it can grant a rain team several crucial turns where they can put incredible pressure on the opponent.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Although Cryogonal can utterly wall special attackers, physical and mixed attackers make it cry. Literally any physical attacker in RU, including ones with pathetic Attack stats like Ferroseed, will immediately force Cryogonal to switch out, as to stay in means risking an OHKO. In particular, Entei will stop Cryogonal in its tracks, scoring an OHKO with practically any move while only fearing Toxic in return. Fast Pokemon with Taunt, such as Qwilfish, also shut Cryogonal down by ruining its support capabilities.</p>
