[OVERVIEW]
Kingler has shuffled its way onto Galarian shores as a dangerous Swords Dance user that can cleave through unsuspecting teams. Its coverage options in Knock Off, High Horsepower, and Superpower allow it to muscle past checks like Slowbro, Toxapex, and Ferrothorn, while its Speed tier enables it to outspeed a number of Pokemon that its main competitor Crawdaunt hopelessly lags behind, such as Volcanion, defensive Zapdos, and tank Buzzwole. While its nonexistent special bulk, inability to fit all of its coverage moves, and lack of priority moves like Aqua Jet can limit it significantly in some situations, the Kantonian crab will liquidate teams that attempt to dismiss its royal claim as an OverUsed threat at their own peril.
[SET]
Swords Dance (Kingler) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Liquidation
- Knock Off / High Horsepower
- High Horsepower / Superpower
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
The combination of Swords Dance and Sheer Force + Life Orb makes Kingler a deadly wallbreaker that can liquidate defensive cores after setting up. Liquidation synergizes with Sheer Force and Life Orb to exceed the power of Crabhammer while not forcing Kingler to take any recoil damage. Kingler's coverage moves depend on what its team requires it to break past. Knock Off destroys Slowbro and Slowking while removing items from checks, and High Horsepower enables Kingler to OHKO Toxapex after a Swords Dance boost. Superpower is an alternative that allows Kingler to muscle through Ferrothorn and Rotom-W. X-Scissor can be considered if Kingler desires to hit Tangrowth and still retain the ability to break through the aforementioned Slowbro and Slowking at the cost of being fairly hapless against the ubiquitous Ferrothorn. An Adamant nature guarantees the OHKO on Slowbro with Knock Off and Toxapex with High Horsepower after a Swords Dance boost, but a Jolly nature allows Kingler to outspeed threats like Timid Volcanion, Adamant Buzzwole, and Modest Heatran at the cost of missing out on the aforementioned KOs.
Team Options
========
Kingler fits best on bulky offense teams that appreciate its wallbreaking capabilities while possessing the defensive backbone to get it in safely on the field and speed control to handle faster threats. Zapdos and Tornadus-T are near mandatory partners, as they can check Grass-types that can threaten to OHKO Kingler like Rillaboom and Kartana while bringing it on the field safely with Volt Switch and U-turn, respectively. Specially defensive Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Assault Vest Galarian Slowking, and Blissey make for fantastic teammates, since they can help sponge special attacks from the likes of Tapu Koko, Zapdos, Rotom-W, and Tornadus-T, which can threaten to OHKO Kingler. Landorus-T and Blissey hold the distinction of being able to switch into the dangerous Dragapult while providing pivoting support via U-turn and Teleport, respectively, and Galarian Slowking can help Kingler break through checks like Rotom-W, Dragonite, and Tangrowth with Future Sight while reducing Kingler's reliance on Swords Dance to muscle past the likes of Toxapex and Buzzwole. Galarian Slowking also lures in checks like Hippowdon and Heatran that Kingler can take advantage of. Ground-types that can reliably block Volt Switch from the likes of Zapdos, Rotom-W, and Tapu Koko are appreciated, making Garchomp and Landorus-T good teammates. Weavile is a fantastic offensive partner for Kingler due to its ability to threaten checks to the latter like Zapdos, Tornadus-T, Dragonite, and Tangrowth while providing reliable speed control with its fantastic Speed tier and access to Ice Shard. It can also wear down common checks such as Ferrothorn, Tapu Fini, and Choice Band Buzzwole, forming a potent offensive core.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Agility can be considered if Kingler wants to possess sweeping potential in certain game states, but it is generally a suboptimal choice due to Kingler already struggling to fit coverage moves and requiring the power boost of Swords Dance to wallbreak properly. Moreover, even after an Agility boost, Kingler is outsped by Choice Scarf users such as Kartana and Blacephalon if it opts to run an Adamant nature, and it would still be vulnerable to Rillaboom's Grassy Glide regardless of what nature it chooses. Due to a number of Grass-types in the tier being rather specially frail, Kingler can run Ice Beam or Blizzard to surprise the likes of Kartana and Tangrowth despite having an abysmal Special Attack stat. However, this is very niche, as Kingler is strapped for moveslots to begin with, and it does not benefit from running such a move outside of being able to nail the aforementioned Grass-types. Moreover, coverage moves like Superpower and X-Scissor are already capable of removing them.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Slowbro, Toxapex, Tapu Fini, and Rotom-W can survive even a boosted Liquidation from Kingler. Slowbro can use Teleport to bring in a faster teammate that threatens Kingler after taking a hit, Toxapex can put Kingler on a timer with Toxic while using Haze to remove Swords Dance boosts, Tapu Fini can deal significant damage to Kingler with its Fairy-type STAB moves, and Rotom-W OHKOes Kingler outright with Volt Switch or Discharge. However, Slowbro fears Knock Off, Toxapex gets flattened by +2 High Horsepower, Calm Mind + Draining Kiss variants of Tapu Fini are unable to deal enough damage to Kingler to beat it after a Swords Dance boost, and Rotom-W can be surprised by Superpower. Tapu Fini and Rotom-W also lack reliable recovery, which makes them unable to check Kingler in the long run.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Rillaboom, Ferrothorn, Kartana, Tapu Bulu, and Tangrowth can comfortably take Liquidation while threatening Kingler with their Grass-type STAB moves. However, it should be noted that Kingler can make progress against these Pokemon with Knock Off and threaten KOs on Ferrothorn and Kartana with Superpower. Rillaboom can also get worn down from switching in repeatedly due to its lack of reliable recovery and average physical bulk.
**Electric-types**: Zapdos, Tapu Koko, and Zeraora can all OHKO Kingler with their Electric-type STAB moves. However, Tapu Koko and Zeraora do not possess the bulk to switch into Kingler, and defensive variants of Zapdos are susceptible to getting outsped and KOed by a boosted Liquidation.
**Dragon-types**: Dragapult, Dragonite, and Hydreigon can all survive Liquidation, with Dragapult and Hydreigon being able to immediately force out Kingler with their STAB moves due to its atrocious Special Defense. That said, Dragapult and Hydreigon have to be wary of switching into Knock Off and Superpower respectively, while Dragonite can be overpowered by boosted Liquidations as it tries to set up or recover on Kingler.
**Faster Threats**: Tornadus-T can stomach an unboosted Liquidation from Kingler and OHKO it with Hurricane. More offensive variants of Buzzwole with significant Speed investment can outspeed and deal significant damage to Kingler, with Choice Band sets threatening an OHKO. Special attackers such as Tapu Lele, Blacephalon, and Nidoking can outspeed and OHKO Kingler due to its abysmal special bulk. Faster-paced teams are also problematic for Kingler, as they can take advantage of Kingler's mediocre Speed tier and either force it out or dissuade it from setting up in the first place.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/slowpoke-fan.617219/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tysonslayer.349443/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/yorunoxx.522758/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
Kingler has shuffled its way onto Galarian shores as a dangerous Swords Dance user that can cleave through unsuspecting teams. Its coverage options in Knock Off, High Horsepower, and Superpower allow it to muscle past checks like Slowbro, Toxapex, and Ferrothorn, while its Speed tier enables it to outspeed a number of Pokemon that its main competitor Crawdaunt hopelessly lags behind, such as Volcanion, defensive Zapdos, and tank Buzzwole. While its nonexistent special bulk, inability to fit all of its coverage moves, and lack of priority moves like Aqua Jet can limit it significantly in some situations, the Kantonian crab will liquidate teams that attempt to dismiss its royal claim as an OverUsed threat at their own peril.
[SET]
Swords Dance (Kingler) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Liquidation
- Knock Off / High Horsepower
- High Horsepower / Superpower
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
The combination of Swords Dance and Sheer Force + Life Orb makes Kingler a deadly wallbreaker that can liquidate defensive cores after setting up. Liquidation synergizes with Sheer Force and Life Orb to exceed the power of Crabhammer while not forcing Kingler to take any recoil damage. Kingler's coverage moves depend on what its team requires it to break past. Knock Off destroys Slowbro and Slowking while removing items from checks, and High Horsepower enables Kingler to OHKO Toxapex after a Swords Dance boost. Superpower is an alternative that allows Kingler to muscle through Ferrothorn and Rotom-W. X-Scissor can be considered if Kingler desires to hit Tangrowth and still retain the ability to break through the aforementioned Slowbro and Slowking at the cost of being fairly hapless against the ubiquitous Ferrothorn. An Adamant nature guarantees the OHKO on Slowbro with Knock Off and Toxapex with High Horsepower after a Swords Dance boost, but a Jolly nature allows Kingler to outspeed threats like Timid Volcanion, Adamant Buzzwole, and Modest Heatran at the cost of missing out on the aforementioned KOs.
Team Options
========
Kingler fits best on bulky offense teams that appreciate its wallbreaking capabilities while possessing the defensive backbone to get it in safely on the field and speed control to handle faster threats. Zapdos and Tornadus-T are near mandatory partners, as they can check Grass-types that can threaten to OHKO Kingler like Rillaboom and Kartana while bringing it on the field safely with Volt Switch and U-turn, respectively. Specially defensive Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Assault Vest Galarian Slowking, and Blissey make for fantastic teammates, since they can help sponge special attacks from the likes of Tapu Koko, Zapdos, Rotom-W, and Tornadus-T, which can threaten to OHKO Kingler. Landorus-T and Blissey hold the distinction of being able to switch into the dangerous Dragapult while providing pivoting support via U-turn and Teleport, respectively, and Galarian Slowking can help Kingler break through checks like Rotom-W, Dragonite, and Tangrowth with Future Sight while reducing Kingler's reliance on Swords Dance to muscle past the likes of Toxapex and Buzzwole. Galarian Slowking also lures in checks like Hippowdon and Heatran that Kingler can take advantage of. Ground-types that can reliably block Volt Switch from the likes of Zapdos, Rotom-W, and Tapu Koko are appreciated, making Garchomp and Landorus-T good teammates. Weavile is a fantastic offensive partner for Kingler due to its ability to threaten checks to the latter like Zapdos, Tornadus-T, Dragonite, and Tangrowth while providing reliable speed control with its fantastic Speed tier and access to Ice Shard. It can also wear down common checks such as Ferrothorn, Tapu Fini, and Choice Band Buzzwole, forming a potent offensive core.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Agility can be considered if Kingler wants to possess sweeping potential in certain game states, but it is generally a suboptimal choice due to Kingler already struggling to fit coverage moves and requiring the power boost of Swords Dance to wallbreak properly. Moreover, even after an Agility boost, Kingler is outsped by Choice Scarf users such as Kartana and Blacephalon if it opts to run an Adamant nature, and it would still be vulnerable to Rillaboom's Grassy Glide regardless of what nature it chooses. Due to a number of Grass-types in the tier being rather specially frail, Kingler can run Ice Beam or Blizzard to surprise the likes of Kartana and Tangrowth despite having an abysmal Special Attack stat. However, this is very niche, as Kingler is strapped for moveslots to begin with, and it does not benefit from running such a move outside of being able to nail the aforementioned Grass-types. Moreover, coverage moves like Superpower and X-Scissor are already capable of removing them.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Slowbro, Toxapex, Tapu Fini, and Rotom-W can survive even a boosted Liquidation from Kingler. Slowbro can use Teleport to bring in a faster teammate that threatens Kingler after taking a hit, Toxapex can put Kingler on a timer with Toxic while using Haze to remove Swords Dance boosts, Tapu Fini can deal significant damage to Kingler with its Fairy-type STAB moves, and Rotom-W OHKOes Kingler outright with Volt Switch or Discharge. However, Slowbro fears Knock Off, Toxapex gets flattened by +2 High Horsepower, Calm Mind + Draining Kiss variants of Tapu Fini are unable to deal enough damage to Kingler to beat it after a Swords Dance boost, and Rotom-W can be surprised by Superpower. Tapu Fini and Rotom-W also lack reliable recovery, which makes them unable to check Kingler in the long run.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Rillaboom, Ferrothorn, Kartana, Tapu Bulu, and Tangrowth can comfortably take Liquidation while threatening Kingler with their Grass-type STAB moves. However, it should be noted that Kingler can make progress against these Pokemon with Knock Off and threaten KOs on Ferrothorn and Kartana with Superpower. Rillaboom can also get worn down from switching in repeatedly due to its lack of reliable recovery and average physical bulk.
**Electric-types**: Zapdos, Tapu Koko, and Zeraora can all OHKO Kingler with their Electric-type STAB moves. However, Tapu Koko and Zeraora do not possess the bulk to switch into Kingler, and defensive variants of Zapdos are susceptible to getting outsped and KOed by a boosted Liquidation.
**Dragon-types**: Dragapult, Dragonite, and Hydreigon can all survive Liquidation, with Dragapult and Hydreigon being able to immediately force out Kingler with their STAB moves due to its atrocious Special Defense. That said, Dragapult and Hydreigon have to be wary of switching into Knock Off and Superpower respectively, while Dragonite can be overpowered by boosted Liquidations as it tries to set up or recover on Kingler.
**Faster Threats**: Tornadus-T can stomach an unboosted Liquidation from Kingler and OHKO it with Hurricane. More offensive variants of Buzzwole with significant Speed investment can outspeed and deal significant damage to Kingler, with Choice Band sets threatening an OHKO. Special attackers such as Tapu Lele, Blacephalon, and Nidoking can outspeed and OHKO Kingler due to its abysmal special bulk. Faster-paced teams are also problematic for Kingler, as they can take advantage of Kingler's mediocre Speed tier and either force it out or dissuade it from setting up in the first place.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/slowpoke-fan.617219/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tysonslayer.349443/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/yorunoxx.522758/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
