[OVERVIEW]
While it is generally outclassed by other Dragons such as Haxorus and Salamence, Druddigon has a niche in UU as a Dragon-type Stealth Rock setter, bringing all the resistances of a Dragon-type while having the ability to support its team with entry hazards. Tyrantrum is another Pokemon in UU capable of performing this role, but it is better off attacking or sweeping in most cases. Druddigon also benefits from its good coverage, most notably a powerful Gunk Shot to surprise Fairy-types, particularly alongside a Roseli Berry, along with a good priority move in Sucker Punch. A solid mix of bulk, power, and support moves such as Glare also make it worth using. However, Druddigon's poor Speed, lack of recovery, and merely average bulk really hinder it and make it easy to wear down.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock Setter
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Dragon Claw
move 3: Fire Punch / Earthquake
move 4: Gunk Shot / Glare / Sucker Punch
item: Roseli Berry / Leftovers / Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force / Mold Breaker
nature: Adamant
evs: 236 HP / 252 Atk / 20 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dragon Claw provides Druddigon with a consistent STAB move that hits neutral targets for good damage. Fire Punch has near-perfect coverage with Dragon Claw, taking advantage of Sheer Force and beating Pokemon like Forretress, Cobalion, and Whimsicott. Earthquake is an alternative for beating Steel-types, particularly Empoleon, and takes advantage of Mold Breaker to ignore Levitate from Bronzong and Rotom-H as well as Filter and Solid Rock from Mega Aggron and Rhyperior. Gunk Shot hits Fairies such as Florges, Aromatisse and Whimsicott hard, especially with the boost from Sheer Force. Sucker Punch can also be used as a moderately strong priority move that helps to compensate for Druddigon's low Speed and can be used to deal some damage right before Druddigon faints or to pick off a weakened threat. Glare paralyzes foes, slowing them down and potentially giving Druddigon and its teammates free turns.
Set Details
========
The EV spread maximizes Druddigon's bulk and power, and 20 Speed EVs are used to outspeed Mega Aggron and Tangrowth. An alternative EV spread of 156 HP / 252 Atk / 100 Spe can be used to outspeed Empoleon and Dragalge, which is especially good if using Earthquake. Sheer Force should be used when running Fire Punch or Gunk Shot, while Mold Breaker allows Druddigon to bypass Magic Bounce from Espeon and Mega Absol when using Stealth Rock and Levitate when using Earthquake. Roseli Berry thwarts Fairy-types and is really useful when running Gunk Shot to tank a hit and retaliate hard. Leftovers provides passive recovery, granting Druddigon more longevity. Life Orb is best used with Sheer Force, notably allowing Druddigon to 2HKO Doublade with Fire Punch or Earthquake, as well as OHKO Aromatisse with Gunk Shot, specially defensive Empoleon with Earthquake after Stealth Rock damage, and Forretress with Fire Punch if its Sturdy is broken or if it has Overcoat. Life Orb also guarantees the OHKO on Mega Beedrill with Sucker Punch after Stealth Rock.
Usage Tips
========
Druddigon is best used on teams that need a Stealth Rock setter and appreciate the resistances of a Dragon-type. This set is generally good to use as a lead depending on the team matchup. Getting Stealth Rock up as early as possible is good for chipping away at your opponent's team. Druddigon can also set up Stealth Rock on common offensive threats that it checks such as Rotom-C, Rotom-H, Darmanitan, Entei, and Doublade. When running Sucker Punch, make sure that Druddigon stays healthy for the late-game in case to needs to revenge kill or check a dangerous sweeper. When using Roseli Berry, do not switch into Fairy-type moves with it; rather, it should be used to tank a Fairy-type move and retaliate with Gunk Shot. With Glare, Druddigon can act as a good pivot and provide paralysis support for the team.
Team Options
========
Pokemon such as Doublade, Entei, Mega Beedrill, Crobat, Mega Aggron and Chandelure complement Druddigon well by taking on Fairies if it isn't running Roseli Berry + Gunk Shot to lure and KO them. Poison Jab on Mienshao as well as Iron Tail on fellow Dragons and Mega Absol make for good lures to Fairies as well. Bulky Steel- and Fairy-types such as Doublade and Florges provide a good defensive backbone for Druddigon as well thanks to their resistances to Ice-, Dragon-, and Fairy-type moves. Sweepers such as Slurpuff and Feraligatr appreciate having Whimsicott, Forretress, and Doublade lured and KOed, as well as the chip damage from Stealth Rock. Fighting- and Dark-types pair well with Gunk Shot Druddigon to benefit from its ability to lure and eliminate Fairies.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Druddigon can use a defensive set with Rough Skin to check physical attackers such as Mega Beedrill, Darmanitan, and Cobalion. Choice Band can be used to wallbreak, but Druddigon is largely outclassed by Haxorus and Tyrantrum in this role, as they are even stronger and are not held back by terrible Speed. Assault Vest is an option to check a large portion of special attackers, but without recovery or Stealth Rock, it's not very useful.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Whimsicott, Gardevoir, and Florges can give Druddigon trouble, but they're all vulnerable to Gunk Shot and, in Whimsicott's case, Fire Punch. Roseli Berry can help Druddigon tank Moonblast from these threats as well.
**Steel-types**: Mega Aggron, Cobalion, and Doublade can switch into most of Druddigon's attacks but, at least in Doublade's and Cobalion's cases, take significant damage from Fire Punch and Earthquake.
**Taunt Users**: Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl, Azelf, Cobalion, Mandibuzz, and Krookodile can use Taunt to prevent Druddigon from using Glare or Stealth Rock temporarily.
While it is generally outclassed by other Dragons such as Haxorus and Salamence, Druddigon has a niche in UU as a Dragon-type Stealth Rock setter, bringing all the resistances of a Dragon-type while having the ability to support its team with entry hazards. Tyrantrum is another Pokemon in UU capable of performing this role, but it is better off attacking or sweeping in most cases. Druddigon also benefits from its good coverage, most notably a powerful Gunk Shot to surprise Fairy-types, particularly alongside a Roseli Berry, along with a good priority move in Sucker Punch. A solid mix of bulk, power, and support moves such as Glare also make it worth using. However, Druddigon's poor Speed, lack of recovery, and merely average bulk really hinder it and make it easy to wear down.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock Setter
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Dragon Claw
move 3: Fire Punch / Earthquake
move 4: Gunk Shot / Glare / Sucker Punch
item: Roseli Berry / Leftovers / Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force / Mold Breaker
nature: Adamant
evs: 236 HP / 252 Atk / 20 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dragon Claw provides Druddigon with a consistent STAB move that hits neutral targets for good damage. Fire Punch has near-perfect coverage with Dragon Claw, taking advantage of Sheer Force and beating Pokemon like Forretress, Cobalion, and Whimsicott. Earthquake is an alternative for beating Steel-types, particularly Empoleon, and takes advantage of Mold Breaker to ignore Levitate from Bronzong and Rotom-H as well as Filter and Solid Rock from Mega Aggron and Rhyperior. Gunk Shot hits Fairies such as Florges, Aromatisse and Whimsicott hard, especially with the boost from Sheer Force. Sucker Punch can also be used as a moderately strong priority move that helps to compensate for Druddigon's low Speed and can be used to deal some damage right before Druddigon faints or to pick off a weakened threat. Glare paralyzes foes, slowing them down and potentially giving Druddigon and its teammates free turns.
Set Details
========
The EV spread maximizes Druddigon's bulk and power, and 20 Speed EVs are used to outspeed Mega Aggron and Tangrowth. An alternative EV spread of 156 HP / 252 Atk / 100 Spe can be used to outspeed Empoleon and Dragalge, which is especially good if using Earthquake. Sheer Force should be used when running Fire Punch or Gunk Shot, while Mold Breaker allows Druddigon to bypass Magic Bounce from Espeon and Mega Absol when using Stealth Rock and Levitate when using Earthquake. Roseli Berry thwarts Fairy-types and is really useful when running Gunk Shot to tank a hit and retaliate hard. Leftovers provides passive recovery, granting Druddigon more longevity. Life Orb is best used with Sheer Force, notably allowing Druddigon to 2HKO Doublade with Fire Punch or Earthquake, as well as OHKO Aromatisse with Gunk Shot, specially defensive Empoleon with Earthquake after Stealth Rock damage, and Forretress with Fire Punch if its Sturdy is broken or if it has Overcoat. Life Orb also guarantees the OHKO on Mega Beedrill with Sucker Punch after Stealth Rock.
Usage Tips
========
Druddigon is best used on teams that need a Stealth Rock setter and appreciate the resistances of a Dragon-type. This set is generally good to use as a lead depending on the team matchup. Getting Stealth Rock up as early as possible is good for chipping away at your opponent's team. Druddigon can also set up Stealth Rock on common offensive threats that it checks such as Rotom-C, Rotom-H, Darmanitan, Entei, and Doublade. When running Sucker Punch, make sure that Druddigon stays healthy for the late-game in case to needs to revenge kill or check a dangerous sweeper. When using Roseli Berry, do not switch into Fairy-type moves with it; rather, it should be used to tank a Fairy-type move and retaliate with Gunk Shot. With Glare, Druddigon can act as a good pivot and provide paralysis support for the team.
Team Options
========
Pokemon such as Doublade, Entei, Mega Beedrill, Crobat, Mega Aggron and Chandelure complement Druddigon well by taking on Fairies if it isn't running Roseli Berry + Gunk Shot to lure and KO them. Poison Jab on Mienshao as well as Iron Tail on fellow Dragons and Mega Absol make for good lures to Fairies as well. Bulky Steel- and Fairy-types such as Doublade and Florges provide a good defensive backbone for Druddigon as well thanks to their resistances to Ice-, Dragon-, and Fairy-type moves. Sweepers such as Slurpuff and Feraligatr appreciate having Whimsicott, Forretress, and Doublade lured and KOed, as well as the chip damage from Stealth Rock. Fighting- and Dark-types pair well with Gunk Shot Druddigon to benefit from its ability to lure and eliminate Fairies.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Druddigon can use a defensive set with Rough Skin to check physical attackers such as Mega Beedrill, Darmanitan, and Cobalion. Choice Band can be used to wallbreak, but Druddigon is largely outclassed by Haxorus and Tyrantrum in this role, as they are even stronger and are not held back by terrible Speed. Assault Vest is an option to check a large portion of special attackers, but without recovery or Stealth Rock, it's not very useful.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Whimsicott, Gardevoir, and Florges can give Druddigon trouble, but they're all vulnerable to Gunk Shot and, in Whimsicott's case, Fire Punch. Roseli Berry can help Druddigon tank Moonblast from these threats as well.
**Steel-types**: Mega Aggron, Cobalion, and Doublade can switch into most of Druddigon's attacks but, at least in Doublade's and Cobalion's cases, take significant damage from Fire Punch and Earthquake.
**Taunt Users**: Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl, Azelf, Cobalion, Mandibuzz, and Krookodile can use Taunt to prevent Druddigon from using Glare or Stealth Rock temporarily.
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