QC: Tone114, Magnemite, Grim
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack, frenzyplant
[OVERVIEW]
A high Attack stat and access to Agility make Kingler a potent sweeper as well as a strong wallbreaker before setting up. Its solid coverage and access to Knock Off also make it fairly annoying to switch into. However, Kingler has trouble breaking through bulky Grass- and Water-types and faces competition from Relicanth, which has access to STAB Head Smash, and Huntail, which is far stronger after a Shell Smash. Kingler is also held back by its poor Special Defense, which makes it easy to pressure offensively.
[SET]
name: Agility Sweeper
move 1: Agility
move 2: Crabhammer
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Superpower / Swords Dance
item: Splash Plate / Life Orb
ability: Hyper Cutter
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Agility allows Kingler to boost its Speed and sweep through teams, and Crabhammer is its strongest STAB attack. Knock Off is Kingler's best coverage move and allows it to remove Eviolites from switch-ins such as Tangela and Vullaby. Superpower rounds out Kingler's coverage, allowing it to hit bulky Pokemon such as Politoed and Klang for more damage, although Swords Dance can be used instead to let Kingler boost through bulkier Pokemon.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment and an Adamant nature let Kingler hit as hard as possible and sweep more effectively late-game, while maximum Speed investment allows it to outspeed the entire unboosted tier and all common Choice Scarf users while at +2 Speed. Splash Plate and Life Orb both boost Kingler's damage output; Splash Plate only benefits Crabhammer and has a lower multiplier but, unlike Life Orb, does not wear down Kingler with recoil. Hyper Cutter is the preferred ability to avoid Attack drops from rare Intimidate users such as Arbok.
Usage Tips
========
Kingler should be used as a late-game sweeper once its checks have been worn down, although it can cripple teams early-game with Knock Off and strong Crabhammers. Do not use Agility until opposing checks, such as Roselia, have been appropriately weakened. Due to Kingler's mediocre bulk, it should generally be brought in via slow U-turn or when a teammate has fainted. If you are running Swords Dance, only boost if Kingler is facing a Pokemon that it cannot otherwise break through, such as Vullaby or Politoed.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can lure and cripple Grass-types and walls, such as Knock Off Simipour or offensive Gourgeist, help wear down teams for Kingler to sweep later. Kingler also pairs well with other physical sweepers such as Fraxure, as they can wear down each other's counters. Pokemon immune to Electric, such as Stunfisk, prevent Kingler from giving the opponent a free Volt Switch early-game. Kingler also appreciates Electric-type teammates to help pressure Water-types such as Pelipper. Entry hazard users such as Venipede, Roselia, and Stunfisk also help, as most of Kingler's checks are grounded and susceptible to passive damage. Jumpluff is also a notable partner, as it provides Memento support for Kingler to set up and can help to take down Tangela.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Wacan or Rindo Berry can give Kingler setup opportunities against a wider variety of Pokemon but leave it slightly weak. A Choice Band set is hard to switch into but outclassed by Basculin due to its access to priority moves and Adaptability. Lum Berry is a passable item to let Kingler set up on status users such as Misdreavus. Ice Beam can be run on a mixed Agility set to surprise Pokemon such as Altaria and Tangela. Sheer Force-boosted Rock Slide with a Life Orb is Kingler's most powerful coverage move, but Kingler lacks the moveslot for it. Return can be run over Superpower, as it has good neutral coverage alongside Crabhammer and 2HKOes Politoed without dropping Kingler's Attack. X-Scissor hits most Grass-types harder than Kingler's other moves and allows it to OHKO Colbur Berry Exeggutor, but it is notably weaker than Superpower otherwise.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Bulky Grass-types such as Gourgeist-XL, Roselia, and Tangela are all capable of taking unboosted hits and can cripple or KO Kingler in return. Even more offensive Grass-types such as Jumpluff and Leafeon serve as good checks, although Jumpluff cannot OHKO Kingler.
**Water-types**: Kingler is unable to break through bulky Water-types such as Politoed and Pelipper without good prediction, although it can KO Politoed with a Knock Off followed by a Superpower. Offensive Water-types such as Simipour and Floatzel can be KOed with Superpower, but they cannot be set up against if they run Hidden Power Electric.
**Status**: Burns and paralysis both leave Kingler too crippled to wallbreak or sweep effectively. Although poison does not inhibit it as much, it can wear down Kingler quickly in tandem with Life Orb recoil and makes it more difficult to sweep late-game.
**Bulky Pokemon**: Despite Kingler's great Attack stat, bulky Pokemon such as Clefairy and Machoke can survive a hit and cripple or KO Kingler to end its sweep.
**Kadabra**: Kadabra can end Kingler's sweep thanks to its combination of Magic Guard and Focus Sash, as it can OHKO Kingler nearly 100% of the time.
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack, frenzyplant
[OVERVIEW]
A high Attack stat and access to Agility make Kingler a potent sweeper as well as a strong wallbreaker before setting up. Its solid coverage and access to Knock Off also make it fairly annoying to switch into. However, Kingler has trouble breaking through bulky Grass- and Water-types and faces competition from Relicanth, which has access to STAB Head Smash, and Huntail, which is far stronger after a Shell Smash. Kingler is also held back by its poor Special Defense, which makes it easy to pressure offensively.
[SET]
name: Agility Sweeper
move 1: Agility
move 2: Crabhammer
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Superpower / Swords Dance
item: Splash Plate / Life Orb
ability: Hyper Cutter
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Agility allows Kingler to boost its Speed and sweep through teams, and Crabhammer is its strongest STAB attack. Knock Off is Kingler's best coverage move and allows it to remove Eviolites from switch-ins such as Tangela and Vullaby. Superpower rounds out Kingler's coverage, allowing it to hit bulky Pokemon such as Politoed and Klang for more damage, although Swords Dance can be used instead to let Kingler boost through bulkier Pokemon.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment and an Adamant nature let Kingler hit as hard as possible and sweep more effectively late-game, while maximum Speed investment allows it to outspeed the entire unboosted tier and all common Choice Scarf users while at +2 Speed. Splash Plate and Life Orb both boost Kingler's damage output; Splash Plate only benefits Crabhammer and has a lower multiplier but, unlike Life Orb, does not wear down Kingler with recoil. Hyper Cutter is the preferred ability to avoid Attack drops from rare Intimidate users such as Arbok.
Usage Tips
========
Kingler should be used as a late-game sweeper once its checks have been worn down, although it can cripple teams early-game with Knock Off and strong Crabhammers. Do not use Agility until opposing checks, such as Roselia, have been appropriately weakened. Due to Kingler's mediocre bulk, it should generally be brought in via slow U-turn or when a teammate has fainted. If you are running Swords Dance, only boost if Kingler is facing a Pokemon that it cannot otherwise break through, such as Vullaby or Politoed.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can lure and cripple Grass-types and walls, such as Knock Off Simipour or offensive Gourgeist, help wear down teams for Kingler to sweep later. Kingler also pairs well with other physical sweepers such as Fraxure, as they can wear down each other's counters. Pokemon immune to Electric, such as Stunfisk, prevent Kingler from giving the opponent a free Volt Switch early-game. Kingler also appreciates Electric-type teammates to help pressure Water-types such as Pelipper. Entry hazard users such as Venipede, Roselia, and Stunfisk also help, as most of Kingler's checks are grounded and susceptible to passive damage. Jumpluff is also a notable partner, as it provides Memento support for Kingler to set up and can help to take down Tangela.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Wacan or Rindo Berry can give Kingler setup opportunities against a wider variety of Pokemon but leave it slightly weak. A Choice Band set is hard to switch into but outclassed by Basculin due to its access to priority moves and Adaptability. Lum Berry is a passable item to let Kingler set up on status users such as Misdreavus. Ice Beam can be run on a mixed Agility set to surprise Pokemon such as Altaria and Tangela. Sheer Force-boosted Rock Slide with a Life Orb is Kingler's most powerful coverage move, but Kingler lacks the moveslot for it. Return can be run over Superpower, as it has good neutral coverage alongside Crabhammer and 2HKOes Politoed without dropping Kingler's Attack. X-Scissor hits most Grass-types harder than Kingler's other moves and allows it to OHKO Colbur Berry Exeggutor, but it is notably weaker than Superpower otherwise.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Bulky Grass-types such as Gourgeist-XL, Roselia, and Tangela are all capable of taking unboosted hits and can cripple or KO Kingler in return. Even more offensive Grass-types such as Jumpluff and Leafeon serve as good checks, although Jumpluff cannot OHKO Kingler.
**Water-types**: Kingler is unable to break through bulky Water-types such as Politoed and Pelipper without good prediction, although it can KO Politoed with a Knock Off followed by a Superpower. Offensive Water-types such as Simipour and Floatzel can be KOed with Superpower, but they cannot be set up against if they run Hidden Power Electric.
**Status**: Burns and paralysis both leave Kingler too crippled to wallbreak or sweep effectively. Although poison does not inhibit it as much, it can wear down Kingler quickly in tandem with Life Orb recoil and makes it more difficult to sweep late-game.
**Bulky Pokemon**: Despite Kingler's great Attack stat, bulky Pokemon such as Clefairy and Machoke can survive a hit and cripple or KO Kingler to end its sweep.
**Kadabra**: Kadabra can end Kingler's sweep thanks to its combination of Magic Guard and Focus Sash, as it can OHKO Kingler nearly 100% of the time.
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