reject: Scorpdestroyer
QC: Galbia, Tone114, GrimoireGod
GP: Winry, The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Krokorok can fit itself on niche teams due to its decent Speed and access to Stealth Rock, Taunt, Pursuit, and Knock Off. While frail, it has just enough bulk along with Intimidate to act as a decent annoyer, and its unique typing gives it useful immunities to Electric- and Psychic-type moves and two excellent STAB moves in Earthquake and Knock Off. However, Krokorok's bulk and offenses are fairly poor, and it is still outsped by nearly every offensive Pokemon in the tier. It faces heavy competition from other Stealth Rock setters such as Torterra and Piloswine, which are bulkier, faster, and stronger.
[SET]
name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Earthquake
item: Eviolite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
One of Krokorok's main draws is that it can set up Stealth Rock, and with Taunt it's capable of setting up entry hazards while preventing foes from setting their own. Knock Off cripples the majority of Krokorok's would-be switch-ins such as Togetic, Piloswine, and Gabite, while Earthquake is its strongest STAB move and can hit Electric- and Fire-types for super effective damage. Alternatively, Pursuit can be used to trap Pokemon that are weak to Dark such as Misdreavus or Grumpig as well as get chip damage on Pokemon that are forced to switch out of Krokorok such as Zebstrika.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment and a Jolly nature allow Krokorok to outspeed Adamant Stoutland and Arbok, Jolly Fraxure and Barbaracle, and Venipede, allowing it to outspeed and Taunt most common leads and beat some of the tier's most threatening wallbreakers one-on-one. Maximum Attack investment allows it to hit as hard as possible, and it holds an Eviolite with the ability Intimidate to survive a single unboosted attack from the likes of Stoutland and Rapidash.
Usage Tips
========
Krokorok can be used as a lead versus teams that rely on suicide leads such as Venipede and Dwebble, as it can Taunt them to prevent them from setting up entry hazards while it sets up Stealth Rock. However, it can be a predictable anti-lead. Set up Stealth Rock as quickly as possible, as Krokorok lacks the bulk to take hits and set up entry hazards late-game. However, Krokorok does not have to be used as a suicide lead to be effective. Use Knock Off frequently, as it can cripple teams by removing items early-game and no Pokemon are immune to it, unlike Earthquake. Try not to switch Krokorok into strong attackers unless predicting a move that Krokorok resists or is immune to, as most unresisted attacks will OHKO or 2HKO it. Thanks to Intimidate, Krokorok can check some physical attackers such as Rapidash as long as it's at somewhat-high health, so it can be kept healthy to act as an emergency check to some Pokemon. Despite Krokorok's immunities to their main STAB moves, don't freely switch it into Psychic- and Electric-types, as nearly every one is capable of 2HKOing it with their coverage moves.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can handle strong offensive Water-types for Krokorok are essential, as every one of them can OHKO Krokorok and most outspeed it. Pokemon that resist Grass and Ice such as Ninetales and Grumpig, respectively, can also help cover Krokorok's other weaknesses. Zebstrika is an excellent partner for Krokorok, as it counters Jumpluff, one of Krokorok's best counters, and can threaten Grass-, Ice-, and Water-types with Overheat and Thunderbolt. Pokemon weak to Electric and Psychic such as Poliwrath appreciate Krokorok's ability to deter foes from using Psychic- and Electric-type moves, as Krokorok's presence makes foes less likely to use super effective moves against them. Pokemon with Spikes or Toxic Spikes such as Quilladin and Roselia can set up more entry hazards to wear down opposing teams quickly when combined with Krokorok's Stealth Rock, and they also appreciate Krokorok's ability to outspeed and Taunt all Defog users apart from Swanna. Slow pivots such as Togetic and Pelipper can help work around Krokorok's poor bulk by giving it free switches into opposing teams. Carracosta and Barbaracle appreciate Krokorok's ability to weaken bulky Grass- and Water-types with Knock Off and Earthquake and check Choice Scarf Raichu, allowing them to sweep with Shell Smash more easily late-game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Choice Scarf set with the ability Moxie can make an attempt at sweeping opposing teams, but it is weak even with an Attack boost from Moxie and outsped by most other Choice Scarf users in the tier. Krokorok can use an Adamant nature to boost its poor Attack further, but this leaves it slower than a few notable Pokemon such as Stoutland. Bulkier EV spreads can be used to try to run Krokorok defensively, but its bulk is still poor and defensive sets are done better by Piloswine or Gabite. Stone Edge can allow Krokorok to lure and 2HKO Pelipper after Stealth Rock, and Ice Fang can be used to lure and KO Jumpluff and Torterra as they switch in, but Krokorok loses its main niche with the removal of either Taunt or Stealth Rock from its moveset and prefers to run dual STAB moves.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Krokorok is easily revenge killed by the faster Water-types in the tier such as Simipour and Floatzel. Bulkier Water-types such as Pelipper and Poliwrath can take two hits and OHKO or 2HKO Krokorok with their super effective STAB moves.
**Grass-types**: Although Tangela, Quilladin and Roselia carry an Eviolite and dislike it being Knocked Off, Grass-types threaten Krokorok with their super effective STAB attacks. Tangela's excellent bulk allows it to take any hit easily, and Jumpluff is easily one of Krokorok's best checks due to the fact it takes little from Knock Off and can easily 2HKO it with Seed Bomb. However, Gourgeist fears Knock Off, and Sawsbuck and Victreebel will not switch in due to their much lower bulk than other Grass-types such as Torterra and Gogoat.
**Ice-types**: Every Ice-type can OHKO Krokorok outside of Piloswine and Avalugg, which take little from its attacks, although Piloswine does not appreciate its Eviolite being Knocked Off. Krokorok is also slower than all offensive Ice-types barring Lapras, non-Choice Scarf Aurorus, and Beartic outside of rain.
**Strong Attackers**: Nearly every offensive Pokemon in the metagame can 2HKO Krokorok thanks to its below-average bulk. Even with Intimidate, Krokorok is unable to switch into attackers such as Rapidash and Stoutland, and it can easily be revenged killed with little prior damage. It is also outsped easily thanks to its somewhat low Speed for an offensive Pokemon.
QC: Galbia, Tone114, GrimoireGod
GP: Winry, The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Krokorok can fit itself on niche teams due to its decent Speed and access to Stealth Rock, Taunt, Pursuit, and Knock Off. While frail, it has just enough bulk along with Intimidate to act as a decent annoyer, and its unique typing gives it useful immunities to Electric- and Psychic-type moves and two excellent STAB moves in Earthquake and Knock Off. However, Krokorok's bulk and offenses are fairly poor, and it is still outsped by nearly every offensive Pokemon in the tier. It faces heavy competition from other Stealth Rock setters such as Torterra and Piloswine, which are bulkier, faster, and stronger.
[SET]
name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Earthquake
item: Eviolite
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
One of Krokorok's main draws is that it can set up Stealth Rock, and with Taunt it's capable of setting up entry hazards while preventing foes from setting their own. Knock Off cripples the majority of Krokorok's would-be switch-ins such as Togetic, Piloswine, and Gabite, while Earthquake is its strongest STAB move and can hit Electric- and Fire-types for super effective damage. Alternatively, Pursuit can be used to trap Pokemon that are weak to Dark such as Misdreavus or Grumpig as well as get chip damage on Pokemon that are forced to switch out of Krokorok such as Zebstrika.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment and a Jolly nature allow Krokorok to outspeed Adamant Stoutland and Arbok, Jolly Fraxure and Barbaracle, and Venipede, allowing it to outspeed and Taunt most common leads and beat some of the tier's most threatening wallbreakers one-on-one. Maximum Attack investment allows it to hit as hard as possible, and it holds an Eviolite with the ability Intimidate to survive a single unboosted attack from the likes of Stoutland and Rapidash.
Usage Tips
========
Krokorok can be used as a lead versus teams that rely on suicide leads such as Venipede and Dwebble, as it can Taunt them to prevent them from setting up entry hazards while it sets up Stealth Rock. However, it can be a predictable anti-lead. Set up Stealth Rock as quickly as possible, as Krokorok lacks the bulk to take hits and set up entry hazards late-game. However, Krokorok does not have to be used as a suicide lead to be effective. Use Knock Off frequently, as it can cripple teams by removing items early-game and no Pokemon are immune to it, unlike Earthquake. Try not to switch Krokorok into strong attackers unless predicting a move that Krokorok resists or is immune to, as most unresisted attacks will OHKO or 2HKO it. Thanks to Intimidate, Krokorok can check some physical attackers such as Rapidash as long as it's at somewhat-high health, so it can be kept healthy to act as an emergency check to some Pokemon. Despite Krokorok's immunities to their main STAB moves, don't freely switch it into Psychic- and Electric-types, as nearly every one is capable of 2HKOing it with their coverage moves.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can handle strong offensive Water-types for Krokorok are essential, as every one of them can OHKO Krokorok and most outspeed it. Pokemon that resist Grass and Ice such as Ninetales and Grumpig, respectively, can also help cover Krokorok's other weaknesses. Zebstrika is an excellent partner for Krokorok, as it counters Jumpluff, one of Krokorok's best counters, and can threaten Grass-, Ice-, and Water-types with Overheat and Thunderbolt. Pokemon weak to Electric and Psychic such as Poliwrath appreciate Krokorok's ability to deter foes from using Psychic- and Electric-type moves, as Krokorok's presence makes foes less likely to use super effective moves against them. Pokemon with Spikes or Toxic Spikes such as Quilladin and Roselia can set up more entry hazards to wear down opposing teams quickly when combined with Krokorok's Stealth Rock, and they also appreciate Krokorok's ability to outspeed and Taunt all Defog users apart from Swanna. Slow pivots such as Togetic and Pelipper can help work around Krokorok's poor bulk by giving it free switches into opposing teams. Carracosta and Barbaracle appreciate Krokorok's ability to weaken bulky Grass- and Water-types with Knock Off and Earthquake and check Choice Scarf Raichu, allowing them to sweep with Shell Smash more easily late-game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Choice Scarf set with the ability Moxie can make an attempt at sweeping opposing teams, but it is weak even with an Attack boost from Moxie and outsped by most other Choice Scarf users in the tier. Krokorok can use an Adamant nature to boost its poor Attack further, but this leaves it slower than a few notable Pokemon such as Stoutland. Bulkier EV spreads can be used to try to run Krokorok defensively, but its bulk is still poor and defensive sets are done better by Piloswine or Gabite. Stone Edge can allow Krokorok to lure and 2HKO Pelipper after Stealth Rock, and Ice Fang can be used to lure and KO Jumpluff and Torterra as they switch in, but Krokorok loses its main niche with the removal of either Taunt or Stealth Rock from its moveset and prefers to run dual STAB moves.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Krokorok is easily revenge killed by the faster Water-types in the tier such as Simipour and Floatzel. Bulkier Water-types such as Pelipper and Poliwrath can take two hits and OHKO or 2HKO Krokorok with their super effective STAB moves.
**Grass-types**: Although Tangela, Quilladin and Roselia carry an Eviolite and dislike it being Knocked Off, Grass-types threaten Krokorok with their super effective STAB attacks. Tangela's excellent bulk allows it to take any hit easily, and Jumpluff is easily one of Krokorok's best checks due to the fact it takes little from Knock Off and can easily 2HKO it with Seed Bomb. However, Gourgeist fears Knock Off, and Sawsbuck and Victreebel will not switch in due to their much lower bulk than other Grass-types such as Torterra and Gogoat.
**Ice-types**: Every Ice-type can OHKO Krokorok outside of Piloswine and Avalugg, which take little from its attacks, although Piloswine does not appreciate its Eviolite being Knocked Off. Krokorok is also slower than all offensive Ice-types barring Lapras, non-Choice Scarf Aurorus, and Beartic outside of rain.
**Strong Attackers**: Nearly every offensive Pokemon in the metagame can 2HKO Krokorok thanks to its below-average bulk. Even with Intimidate, Krokorok is unable to switch into attackers such as Rapidash and Stoutland, and it can easily be revenged killed with little prior damage. It is also outsped easily thanks to its somewhat low Speed for an offensive Pokemon.
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