Bloo
Banned deucer.
Kerudio
Kerudio is an interesting new Pokémon introduced in Generation V that appears to have the potential to be a top-tier threat. This thread is dedicated to the discussion of the Pokémon competitively. Do not discuss whether it or any other Pokémon will / should be banned. Enjoy!
If you look through the above, you'll notice that Kerudio has a few interesting toys to play around with. Some of these include:
Code:
[B]#647 Kerudio[/B]
[B]Typing:[/B] Water / Fighting
[B]Ability:[/B] Justice Heart - Raises attack when hit by a Dark-type attack
[B]Base Stats:[/B]
HP: 91
Attack: 72
Defense: 90
Special Attack: 129
Special Defense: 90
Speed: 108
[B]Level Up Moves:
[/B]Lv1: Aqua Jet
Lv1: Leer
Lv7: Double Kick
Lv13: Bubblebeam
Lv19: Take Down
Lv25: Helping Hand
Lv31: [M514]
Lv37: Aqua Tail
Lv43: [M533]
Lv49: Swords Dance
Lv55: [M501]
Lv61: [M526]
Lv67: Hydro Pump
Lv73: Close Combat
[B]
Learnable TMs:[/B]
TM04 - Calm Mind
TM05 - Roar
TM06 - Toxic
TM07 - Hail
TM10 - Hidden Power
TM12 - Taunt
TM15 - Hyper Beam
TM17 - Protect
TM18 - Rain Dance
TM20 - Safeguard
TM21 - Frustration
TM27 - Return
TM32 - Double Team
TM33 - Reflect
TM40 - Aerial Ace
TM42 - Facade
TM44 - Rest
TM48 - Troll
TM52 - Focus Blast
TM54 - False Swipe
TM55 - Boiling Water
TM67 - Get Even
TM68 - Giga Impact
TM71 - Stone Edge
TM75 - Swords Dance
TM77 - Psych Up
TM81 - X-Scissor
TM83 - Cheer Up
TM84 - Poison Jab
TM87 - Swagger
TM90 - Substitute
TM94 - Rock Smash
HM01 - Cut
HM03 - Surf
HM04 - Strength
- Access to Cheer Up, Calm Mind, & Swords Dance
One of the best new boosting moves, having access to Cheer Up (+1 Atk / +1 SpA) lets Kerudio go mixed with its already excellent Speed stat. This is really the dealmaker for Kerudio, and I fully expect almost every set bar Choice-locked sets to use it. As if that weren't good enough, Kerudio also has Swords Dance to set up and abuse his attacks with. Swords Dance and Close Combat are a very deadly combination. Calm Mind in conjunction with Hydro Pump and Focus Blast is definitely something to watch out for, as well. - Justice Heart
If the rumor is true, Justice Heart raises attack when hit by a Dark-type attack. This lets Kerudio switch in and set up against most Dark-type Pokémon, especially Tyranitar. Unlike, say, Lucario, Kerudio has nothing to fear from anything Tyranitar can immediately do. This makes Kerudio especially deadly, since it can set up against potentially popular Pokémon immediately. Resistance to Dark-type attacks lets him come in without much worry of Stealth Rock and Spikes either, which is handy for a sweeper. The attack boost is an added bonus. Imagine switching in on a Tyranitar's Crunch, using Swords Dance on the switch, and having a +3 STAB Aqua Jet to wreck stuff with - that's absolutely insane! - Powerful STAB priority
As if having Swords Dance weren't enough, Kerudio also has access to Aqua Jet. Aqua Jet lets him set up and even nail faster Pokémon, all of which are rather physically frail given that they have to be very fast to catch Kerudio's base 108 Speed. - Sword of Mystery
Sword of Mystery is basically a Fighting-type version of Psycho Break: uses Kerudio's Special Attack stat to hit your opponent's defense. This means that Kerudio will have no problem smashing through the special defensive behemoth known as mystery.
Calm Mind
Kerudio @ Life Orb / Leftovers
Ability: Justice Heart
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 Spe / 252 SpA
-Calm Mind
-Surf / Hydro Pump
-Sword of Mystery
-HP Electric / Taunt
Kerudio gets yet another boosting move in Calm Mind, giving it the potential to become a deadly special attacker. The Special Defense loss given from a Naive nature if offset by Calm Mind and Kerudio's great Special Defense stat.
Taunt pretty much means Blissey can't touch you with Thunder Wave and Toxic, allowing Kerudio to set up a couple of Calm Mind's, giving it an opportunity to slaughter anything foolish enough to stand in its way. Taunt also prevents Vaporeon, and Suicune from phazing you out with Roar, allowing Kerudio to set up on them with Calm Mind, and them dealing a hefty amount of damage with Focus Blast. The best Vaporeon and Suicune can do to Kerudio is HP Electric, which probably won't be 2HKOing without heavy special attack investment, since Kerudio has a solid 90 base Special Defense.
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Swords Dance
Kerudio @ Life Orb / Leftovers
Ability: Justice Heart
Nature: Adamant / Jolly
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
-Swords Dance
-Aqua Jet / X-Scissor / Stone Edge / Taunt
-Close Combat
-Aqua Tail
Even though Kerudio has a mediocre 79 base Attack, it can utilize Swords Dance to become a fearsome physical threat. STAB priority in Aqua Jet is a great asset, while a SD boosted Aqua Tail + Close Combat can rip holes in numerous Pokémon, while providing excellent coverage as well. The second slot is up for grabs. Without X-Scissor, Celebi walls you. Without Stone Edge, you'll have trouble with Gyarados. And without Taunt, you can't prevent stuff from phazing you out. Personally, I think Aqua Jet is the best option here, but, some of you may beg to differ. What move do you guys think is best in the second slot?
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Cheer Up
Kerudio@ Life Orb / Leftovers
Ability: Justice Heart
Nature: Hasty / Naive
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Cheer Up
-Sword of Mystery
-Hydro Pump / Surf
-Stone Edge
With Cheer Up boosting its exceptional 129 base Special Attack and decent 79 base Attack, Kerudio has the potential to become a massive offensive threat in Generation V. Resistances to priority moves like Bullet Punch, Aqua Jet, and Sucker Punch is a huge plus as well. Swords of Mystery is a special move with 85 base power move, and 100 accuracy. It's rumored to hit for physical damage. If this is true, you can smash Pokémon like Blissey and Snorlax for serious damage. Though, this set is largely outclassed by Kerudio's Calm Mind set, since it can do everything this can, but better.
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Overall, I think Kerudio can prove to be a force to be reckoned with in Generation V. With great bulk, access to Cheer Up, Calm Mind, Swords Dance, and several powerful attacks, I can see it causing devastation, leaving only dust in its wake. I'll leave this thread open for discussion. feel free to post new sets, your opinion on Kerudio, Pokémon that can stop it, and anything else you guys feel warrant discussion! I'm looking forward to what you guys have to say!