You are right. All Crawdaunt needs is a life orb to break walls. All it needs is a switch to a defensive pokemon, or a pokmeon its typing allow it to switch in to (aka Greninja), and something will be hit HARD on the next turn.
-
Welcome to Smogon! Take a moment to read the Introduction to Smogon for a run-down on everything Smogon, and make sure you take some time to read the global rules.
Other XY OU Viability Ranking Thread (V2) (Last update on post #5189)
- Thread starter alexwolf
- Start date
- Status
What I am trying to say when comparing to Kyurem is that it does not have to even try hard, and can already deal a shitload of damage to anything, regardless of its out. It is a trait that is shared with Charizars Y, where even resisted hits utterly destroy stuff. I don't know about you, but Crawdaunt is damn easy to get in with double switches, voltturn and stuff. Let's say your only check to say Pinsir is Skarmory, then you bring it in, only to meet with Crawdaunt, then something will get fucked. If your only counter to Talonflame is Tyranitar, then sometimes you simply hesitate to even bring it in , because if Talonflame Uturns to Crawdaunt, it is still impossibly hard to get a safe switch in against it. Even if you do switch out Tyranitar for later, something else on your team loses half its health if it's a resist, and it is a clear advantage for he team with Crawdaunt. The pressure that Crawdaunt has is that sometimes the opponent does not even dare to bring their main counter to your sweeper against you if you have a Crawdaunt on your team. Kyurem is obviously still better, but in no way outclass Crawdaunt because it in no way exerts that much pressure on defensive plays. The beauty of Crawdaunt is that sometimes you simply cannot afford to let it switch in. How many times have you heard that remark given to a pokemon below B?
Do you really want to bring up a comparison to Char-Y? Because Char-Y is a far more versatile mon than Crawdaunt. There's the fact that until it Megavolves, your opponent has to guess whether you've got a CharX or CharY. Then there's CharY's immense sweeping abilities and very limited list of counters.
I'm not saying Crawdaunt is a bad mon, it's just that a lot of mons look good in a vacuum, and Craw is just outclassed as a Water-type, as a Wallbreaker, and as a Knock-off user by Keldeo, Azumarill, Rotom-W, Kyu-B, Char-X, Talonflame, Bisharp, and Mandibuzz. Yes, Crawdaunt is the only one that fills all 3 niches at the same time, but I don't think it's worth bringing a mon that's mediocre-to-above-average in all 3 roles in OU when you can bring two mons that excel at those roles, and bring added value.
I'm not saying Crawdaunt is a bad mon, it's just that a lot of mons look good in a vacuum, and Craw is just outclassed as a Water-type, as a Wallbreaker, and as a Knock-off user by Keldeo, Azumarill, Rotom-W, Kyu-B, Char-X, Talonflame, Bisharp, and Mandibuzz. Yes, Crawdaunt is the only one that fills all 3 niches at the same time, but I don't think it's worth bringing a mon that's mediocre-to-above-average in all 3 roles in OU when you can bring two mons that excel at those roles, and bring added value.
1. Charizard Y is a wall breaker. It can't sweep with 100 base speed. I totally agree about its versatility though.
2. Crawdaunt has a lot of niches that prevent it from being outclassed as a water type in general. Does Azumarill outclass it? No, they have totally different niches. Crawdaunt hits harder, and has the most powerful knock off in the game, while Azumarill can sweep with +6 priory, and has bulk.
3.
4. Teams can often need a pokemon with many good traits. If you want a hard hitting water type, an offensive pokemon with knock off, and a wall breaker that eats chansey for breakfast, you have little reason not to use Crawdaunt. Sure, you could make a team of Mega-Mawile, Azumarill, and Conkeldurr to do that, if that's exactly what you want, but why would you when you a) Have three physical attackers with little synergy, and b) could take up only one slot by using Crawdaunt?
Yes, Crawdaunt has flaws (bulk + speed). But, it has big niches, and isn't outclassed at what it does by anything. If you try to make it do something it shouldn't, like sweep with Dragon Dance, yes, it is pretty outclassed. But when used as a wall breaker with the most threatening Knock Off in the game, plus the equivalent of an 80 BP priority move, plus the hardest hitting physical water move in the game, plus great coverage with superpower, nothing outclasses it, and it should be, in my opinion a low B ranked (a.K.a B- ranked) Pokemon.
EDIT: If what Memoric said is what you meant, sorry :P
But, Keldeo and Rotom-W are special, Talonflame can be a revenge killer or a sweeper, and Charizard-X can be a tank or a sweeper. Crawdaunt is a physical wall breaker, so I don't see how it's outclassed. Kyu-B is another wall breaker, but it's different from Craw. It handles Rotom-W and Venusaur, who obliterate Craw, while Craw makes quick work of Chansey, who walls Kyu-B. To be honest I think they'd work well together. (Also, sorry if this sounded mean. It wasn't meant to be :P)
Last edited:
finncent1 I'm sure he lumped all pokemon in those three categories together.
On my 0.02 on this case, Crawdaunt is a solid wallbreaker as an Adaptability Knock Off really hurts for most wall as they get hurt AND lose valuable recovery. The only thing that doesn't really hurt is notably is MegaVenu, which can be checked by teammates. But the thing is, unlike premier wallbreakers Kyu-B and ZardY, he can be a total liability against offense. He's too slow, he's frail, he can't switch in; that's what really hurts him. In this case of a pokemon, the cons somewhat outweigh the pros.
Though when given the chance to wallbreak he can shine, but sadly not in all situations is he against stall or BO. Plus, Knock Off on a wallbreaker is a pretty big niche. I'm fine with B-
On my 0.02 on this case, Crawdaunt is a solid wallbreaker as an Adaptability Knock Off really hurts for most wall as they get hurt AND lose valuable recovery. The only thing that doesn't really hurt is notably is MegaVenu, which can be checked by teammates. But the thing is, unlike premier wallbreakers Kyu-B and ZardY, he can be a total liability against offense. He's too slow, he's frail, he can't switch in; that's what really hurts him. In this case of a pokemon, the cons somewhat outweigh the pros.
Though when given the chance to wallbreak he can shine, but sadly not in all situations is he against stall or BO. Plus, Knock Off on a wallbreaker is a pretty big niche. I'm fine with B-
Yeah, you're probably right. It still doesn't look right, but that makes more sense. I still don't completely agree, but... I'll edit my response. And thanks for agreeing.
Just to clarify, I meant that Keldeo, Rotom-W, and Azu outclass it as a Water-type poke (as a hard-hitter or as a Fire-type counter), Kyu-B, Char, and a few other pokes outclass it as a wallbreaker, and Bisharp, Mandibuzz, and a few other mons outclass it as a Knock-off user (primarily because while their Knock-off might be weaker, they either get more opportunities to use it, or it gives them greater value such as Mandibuzz being able to use it to win stallwars/neutering power enhancing items/win vs the prankster/magic coat pokes that ruin its day).
Hard hitting water type that eats chansey for breakfast? Sounds like Keldeo or Azu. Offensive poke with knockoff and a wallbreaker? Bisharp, Conkeldurr. A combination of a mon from the first and the second group is more effective than putting all your eggs in Crawdaunt's basket. You don't even need to bring 3 physical attackers!
This just reminds me too much of Forretress's discussion. Sure he's the only one who can do multi hazards and rapid spin in OU, but why do that when you can have Deo-D/S to do guaranteed hazards, and the great selection of defog/rapid spin users in OU?
EDIT: I meant Forretress not Ferrothorn. Ugh.
Yeah, sorry, I misread it. You can read my edit, if you want. :P But I still disagree a pokemon can outclass another just by being the same type. They're all different! (well, except for some NU ones...)
Okay, nice point about Keldeo and Azumarill. I didn't expect this:
252+ Atk Choice Band Huge Power Azumarill Superpower vs. 0 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Chansey: 632-744 (98.5 - 116%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
But, I disagree about your "putting all your eggs in Crawdaunt's basket" statement (is that really a thing? I've never heard it...) Why lump a bunch of pokemon on your team, when one can do most of their roles combined, saving you more room on your team? You could use knock off on Conk, but what if your team needs a water types to use it with insane power? They use the move differently, and I just don't think outclassed is right to say. The bisharp comparison is sound, but I already said why they're different, and why Sharp is generally thought of as better.
Ferrothorn doesn't learn rapid spin. Do you by any chance mean Forretress?
I would like to nominate Meloetta for C+ rank. Meloetta has been overlooked since its inception and I think it has far too many uses to be considered a C- Pokemon. Since I don't really feel like doing a bunch of calcs for a comment that will likely be buried in a few hours, I'll just say this, Meloetta is very unpredictable and can run a lot of sets fairly well in OU.
Special Tank
Meloetta @ Leftovers
Serene Grace
Calm Nature
252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Thunder wave/Heal Bell
Perish song/Heal Bell
Psyshock
U-turn/Shadow Ball/Focus Blast
This set has a lot of relevant options depending on the threats to your team. With Meloetta's massive 100/128 special bulk, it serves as a great counter to many special attackers like Reuniclus, Calm Mind Latias, Alakazam, Keldeo, Gengar, and basically any special attacking ghost or psychic type in the game. Even Aeglislash has a lot of trouble getting by specially defensive Meloetta needing max attack to 2HKO with iron head and not really being able to touch Meloetta with any other move aside from the rare pursuit. Unfortunately, due to Meloetta's lack of reliable recovery, this set needs wish support to reliably stop many of these Pokemon all game long. If you can provide this, Meloetta will keep all of the listed Pokemon and more in check.
Relic Mix Attacker
Meloetta @ Expert Belt/Life Orb
64 Atk/252 SpA/192 Spe
Naive Nature
Relic Song
Close Combat
Shadow Ball
HP Ice/Psychic/Ice Punch
This set is straight from the gen 5 analysis and is still pretty lethal in gen 6 as well. Few if any Pokemon can reliably counter this set fully. Special walls such as Chansey, Heatran, Tyranitar, etc get obliterated by close combat coming from Meloetta P, and checks to Meloetta P don't really appreciate a psychic, shadow ball or relic song coming from Meloetta A. With all of the switches that these relic song shenanigans cause, Meloetta makes good use of the 20% chance to put something to sleep with relic song. This 20% chance often helps Meloetta get past the few safe switch ins to this set. The choice between HP Ice, Psychic and Ice Punch depends upon what you need Meloetta to do for your team. HP Ice is overall the best option since it allows Meloetta to become a decent wall breaker although Ice Punch allows it to clean up late in Pirouette form. Psychic is nice to have as it allows Meloetta to hit hard during the early part of a match and trick the opponent into assuming that Meloetta is running a calm mind set.
Meloetta can also run a bulky specs set, a calm mind set, and a life orb set fairly effectively, but I'm currently feeling too lazy to describe them in detail. Anyway, the point is that Meloetta can run a lot of sets in OU effectively and is a very solid check/counter to some fairly common OU Pokemon. For this reason I feel Meloetta deserves to be moved up in the viability rankings. Meloetta isn't necessarily the best wall breaker or tank available for use in OU, but its unique typing and massive special bulk allows it many switch in opportunities which Meloetta will rarely, if ever, waste. Meloetta for C+
Special Tank
Meloetta @ Leftovers
Serene Grace
Calm Nature
252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Thunder wave/Heal Bell
Perish song/Heal Bell
Psyshock
U-turn/Shadow Ball/Focus Blast
This set has a lot of relevant options depending on the threats to your team. With Meloetta's massive 100/128 special bulk, it serves as a great counter to many special attackers like Reuniclus, Calm Mind Latias, Alakazam, Keldeo, Gengar, and basically any special attacking ghost or psychic type in the game. Even Aeglislash has a lot of trouble getting by specially defensive Meloetta needing max attack to 2HKO with iron head and not really being able to touch Meloetta with any other move aside from the rare pursuit. Unfortunately, due to Meloetta's lack of reliable recovery, this set needs wish support to reliably stop many of these Pokemon all game long. If you can provide this, Meloetta will keep all of the listed Pokemon and more in check.
Relic Mix Attacker
Meloetta @ Expert Belt/Life Orb
64 Atk/252 SpA/192 Spe
Naive Nature
Relic Song
Close Combat
Shadow Ball
HP Ice/Psychic/Ice Punch
This set is straight from the gen 5 analysis and is still pretty lethal in gen 6 as well. Few if any Pokemon can reliably counter this set fully. Special walls such as Chansey, Heatran, Tyranitar, etc get obliterated by close combat coming from Meloetta P, and checks to Meloetta P don't really appreciate a psychic, shadow ball or relic song coming from Meloetta A. With all of the switches that these relic song shenanigans cause, Meloetta makes good use of the 20% chance to put something to sleep with relic song. This 20% chance often helps Meloetta get past the few safe switch ins to this set. The choice between HP Ice, Psychic and Ice Punch depends upon what you need Meloetta to do for your team. HP Ice is overall the best option since it allows Meloetta to become a decent wall breaker although Ice Punch allows it to clean up late in Pirouette form. Psychic is nice to have as it allows Meloetta to hit hard during the early part of a match and trick the opponent into assuming that Meloetta is running a calm mind set.
Meloetta can also run a bulky specs set, a calm mind set, and a life orb set fairly effectively, but I'm currently feeling too lazy to describe them in detail. Anyway, the point is that Meloetta can run a lot of sets in OU effectively and is a very solid check/counter to some fairly common OU Pokemon. For this reason I feel Meloetta deserves to be moved up in the viability rankings. Meloetta isn't necessarily the best wall breaker or tank available for use in OU, but its unique typing and massive special bulk allows it many switch in opportunities which Meloetta will rarely, if ever, waste. Meloetta for C+
You can literally make that kind of argument for every pokemon. Let's take Scizor for example. Genesect (before it was banned) outclass it as an pivot, a whole ton of things outclass it as a revenge killer, Tyranitar outclass it as a pursuit trapper. Taking another example like Lucario, Dragonite outclass it as a Extremespeed user, Pinsir outclass it as a SD sweeper, Medicham outclass it as a fast fighting type.
You obviously cannot break down a pokemon into many pieces and compare each aspect to other pokemons, otherwise only the best in each field will not be outclassed in 1 way or another
Forretress is another story altogether, as it will certainly not carry all 3 hazards together with spin, and if it doesn't, Skarm still can multihazard and defog and do it better (nobody cares about tspikes). And lets be honest, since when is multihazard even a useful niche anymore when SR is the only one worth setting up.
Summing up, Crawdaunt's niches can all be summed up into one sentence, which is being something that if it gets a safe switch in, you are going to lose something, regardless of how well you predict basically exerting huge amount of pressure on defensive plays. And if you look at it from that point of view, Charizard Yis the only one who shares the same role.
Last edited:
You may not want to use Scizor as a counter-example. Unlike Crawdaunt, Scizor is flexible enough to fill multiple roles AND have multiple viable sets/spreads. Crawdaunt has only one viable set, and it's very predictable. The only thing that outclassed it was Genesect, and Gene is now banned. Non-mega Lucario, actually, I'd agree with you on all items, and I think Lucario is not that great a pokemon right now in OU.
However we have to take this into consideration when building teams. Tell me, what OU offense/balanced team that packs Crawdaunt can't be improved by swapping out Crawdaunt and one other mon for any pair of the mons I mentioned?
But for a majority of the offensive mons in OU, they guarantee a KO when they get a safe switch-in. That's not Crawdaunt's niche.
One thing you fail to understand is that Crawdaunt is capable of getting kills on even resisted targets because that Knock Off 2HKOs even 252/0 Tyranitar after SR. Majority of offensive mons guarantee a KO when they switch in? Most can be avoided by reasonable switches. Try switching in a slow resist will only get you KOed next turn, so you have to switch into a faster one, and take massive damage from Knock Off. That Knock Off is as hard to switch into as CB Dragonite's Outrage since they have the same power, and that Outrage is known to destroy even resists. Ferrothorn gets 2HKOed switching into Crabhammer, Dragonite gets 2HKOed switching into Crabhammer after SR. Crumblons? Just switch in a resist and you are usually safe. Most offensive mons do not have something as spammable as Crawdaunt. The only think i can think of that hits a resist as hard is CBnite's outrage.
For your first question. You are really making a huge assumption that you can free up that extra slot in the first place. If I were to ask you a similar question, what OU balance/offense team that uses Crawdaunt CAN be improved by swapping Crawdaunt AND something else for the pair you mentioned. Sometimes you simply cant remove the something else from a team.
And just because something is not best at something doesn't make it worse. Looking back at the Scizor counterexample, yes it is flexible as fuck, but for each role you want to play as Scizor, there are still combination of 2 Pokemons that can pull it off any better, same for Crawdaunt. At the end of the day, there is nothing that directly outclass Scizor; Scizor is still useful because it has its personal SET of niche, and so does Crawdaunt. There are things that outclass it in one way or another, but there is nothing that directly outclassed it. If you are still unconvinced, there is still the Ferrothorn counter example, who is sitting comfortably at B+. I think you can figure that counter example out yourself.
Crawdaunt is predictable? Yes but if you let it come in, do you have any counter plays even if you know what it is going to do? Heck Mega Pinsir is damn predictable, Keldeo is damn predictable, Being damn predictable doesn't make something less viable
Tldr: even though Crawdaunt only has one effect set, it's set is pretty damn good, and nothing from above directly outclassed it for a single spot on a team unlike other C ranked pokemons which face direct competition from above or is simply not that good. Do realise that C+ is like how Blissey is outclassed directly, how MAmpharos is not that effectively, Crawdaunt doesn't fit in there
EDIT: If someone really wants to try to capitalize on Crawdaunt's poor bulk as an argument, it is still able to survive just about any neutral hit
252+ Atk Tyranitar Stone Edge vs 4 HP / 0 Def Crawdaunt: 211-249 (78.7 - 92.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Last edited:
You know who else is predictable?
Mega Pinsir
Predictability isn't a problem
Mega Pinsir
Predictability isn't a problem
I am nominating Gardevoir for a lower rank:
First of all while Gardevoir did gain a new typing in fairy that doesn't suddenly make it good in OU, it was NU last generation and without mega Gardevoir it would have probably been NU again or maybe RU. Offensively it's calm mind set is completly outclassed by mega Gardevoir due to beter stats and pixalate and Reuniclus who has magic guard. Defensively Gardevoir does have a nice movepool and typing with the 4x resist to fighting but every fighting type has something called coverage to wipe out Gardevoir seeing how neutral physical hits still easily 2 hit ko it. Will o wisp does burn physical attackers but even burned it still hurts:
252+ Atk Choice Band Technician burned Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gardevoir: 153-180 (45 - 52.9%) -- 25.8% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb burned Bisharp Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gardevoir: 172-203 (50.5 - 59.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Mold Breaker burned Excadrill Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gardevoir: 139-165 (40.8 - 48.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Those are burned pokemon and Gardevoir still takes over 40% from the hits.
Also Gardevoir's wishes are pathetic with base 68 hp, the only thing you are healing with that is Shedinja.
I vote Gardevoir for -C or D rank.
First of all while Gardevoir did gain a new typing in fairy that doesn't suddenly make it good in OU, it was NU last generation and without mega Gardevoir it would have probably been NU again or maybe RU. Offensively it's calm mind set is completly outclassed by mega Gardevoir due to beter stats and pixalate and Reuniclus who has magic guard. Defensively Gardevoir does have a nice movepool and typing with the 4x resist to fighting but every fighting type has something called coverage to wipe out Gardevoir seeing how neutral physical hits still easily 2 hit ko it. Will o wisp does burn physical attackers but even burned it still hurts:
252+ Atk Choice Band Technician burned Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gardevoir: 153-180 (45 - 52.9%) -- 25.8% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb burned Bisharp Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gardevoir: 172-203 (50.5 - 59.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Mold Breaker burned Excadrill Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gardevoir: 139-165 (40.8 - 48.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Those are burned pokemon and Gardevoir still takes over 40% from the hits.
Also Gardevoir's wishes are pathetic with base 68 hp, the only thing you are healing with that is Shedinja.
I vote Gardevoir for -C or D rank.
Besides the things obviously wrong here, can people stop saying "it would have been -tier- without -thing-" because no one cares and you're probably wrong. Same goes for comparing it to the tier it was in last gen.
Wish is mostly just to heal Gardevoir, but the main reasons Gardevoir is where it is include niche moves such as:
- Destiny Bond
- Healing Wish
- Will-O-Wisp (not niche, but a big part of its success)
- Future Sight
- Memento
- Encore
- Snatch
The one thing Gardevoir can do over its mega form is a scarf set. It also has Trace, meaning it can revenge kill swift swimmers and Sand Rush Excadrill. And with Destiny Bond it can potentially take down anything it can't KO anyway. I don't know how effective it is, but that's why it's there.
Burned stuff won't do anything to anything with more bulk than Gardevoir. The point of burning them on the switch is not to to stay in like a moron, it's for team support. Same exact reason why Mega Garde runs it.
D Rank: Reserved for Pokemon who have a small niche in the current OU metagame
I never disputed the rank. I just explained what Wish is for and gave a list of moves that make it somewhat usable.
Sorry for misunderstanding then.
I'm honestly not seeing what makes Crawdaunt worth using. It's strong, sure, but 65/85/55 defenses do it no favors (even with max HP it crumbles to remotely strong hits, some even resisted). Its low Speed and bulk force it into Aqua Jet frequently, and Aqua Jet is terribly weak. It has a nice but not great defensive typing, but its awful Speed leaves it vulnerable to things like Aegislash and Heatran, things you would expect a Water/Dark to beat... And honestly, what does it even threaten? Hippowdon? Tyranitar does upwards of 65% with a single Stone Edge and that's about the only thing Crawdaunt can creep due to its lack of bulk.
It's basically Rampardos with a different type and priority. Considering how often Rampardos isn't considered on a serious team, I doubt Crawdaunt would be either...
It's basically Rampardos with a different type and priority. Considering how often Rampardos isn't considered on a serious team, I doubt Crawdaunt would be either...
Last edited:
252+ Atk Choice Band Adaptability Crawdaunt Aqua Jet vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Numel: 1104-1304 (422.9 - 499.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Huge Power Azumarill Aqua Jet vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Numel: 972-1144 (372.4 - 438.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
And azumarill is even slower!
Azumarill has more bulk and a better defensive typing.
Crawdaunt is more powerful than Rampardos, has its main two STABs having 100% and 90% accuracy, and priority. And its priority isn't weak; it has adaptability, making it 80 BP instead of 60 BP. Its priority is more powerful than Quick Attacks from Mega Pinsir and Diggersby, Aqua Jets from Azumarill, Ice Shards from Mamoswine, Mach Punch from Conk, etc, which no one calls weak. The only priority moves in the game that do more are STAB Sucker Punch, STAB Extremespeed, and Brave Bird. Crawdaunt often runs speed, and Aegislash never does, so outspeeding it really isn't a problem. Also, defensive Heatran needs 80 EV's to outspeed Crawdaunt, which it never really runs. Plus, CB Aqua Jet does 80%, so with SR and spikes, it doesn't even need to worry about outspeeding anyway.
As for what it threatens, here's the viability list, S to A-.
Aegislash: Crawdaunt outspeeds and KO’s. With SR, it even OHKO’s 0/0 Aegislash Shield at -2.
Charizard (Mega-Y): Aqua Jet does 65% max. Otherwise, Charizard will win.
Charizard (Mega-X): Crabhammer OHKO’s, and Thunder Punch only does 80%. But be wary of Will-o-Wisp.
Pinsir (Mega): Aqua Jet only does 50% max. Don’t stay in otherwise.
Thundurus-I: Aqua Jet does 72% max. Don’t stay in otherwise.
Azumarill: Crabhammer does 60% max, but if Azu is max speed it will KO you.
Bisharp: You handle well, given that it doesn’t have Brick Break. Aqua Jet 2HKO’s, and its Sucker Punch cannot. But if it has Brick Break, you can only pick it off.
Deoxys-D: You absolutely win against.
Deoxys-S: If it’s supportive, you always will beat. Offensive - just try to pick it off.
Garchomp / Garchomp (Mega): Craw can take a Scarf EQ and KO back, but it should only pick off other variants.
Gyarados (Mega): Superpower handles offensive variants, defensive variants are also almost always beaten.
Heatran: Sets with over 80 EV’s in speed win, but those Heatrans are rare. Scout, and you’ll be fine.
Keldeo: Don’t even try to beat.
Kyurem-B: All you should do is predict its switch. You cannot stay in.
Landorus-I: Aqua Jet KO’s 100% of the time w/ Stealth Rock.
Landorus-T: Adamant Lando-T never KO’s, and -1 Crawdaunt always KO’s/always 2HKOs.
Manaphy: Hit it on the switch. Otherwise, no.
Mawile (Mega): Crabhammer KO’s, Aqua Jet 2HKO’s and avoids sucker punch.
Scizor (Mega): Don’t even try.
Talonflame: Don’t even try
Tyranitar (Mega): No matter the investment, Super Power always KO’s. Ttar only KO’s if behind a band. If Ttar has no bulk, Aqua jet does 67% max.
Venusaur (Mega): Pretty much the only pokemon that can always counter it.
Clefable: Good check, but cannot counter Craw. It also only outspeeds it with investment, and won’t appreciate losing its item.
Excadrill: Aqua Jet always ko’s.
Greninja: Crawdaunt resists Ice, Water, Dark, Fire, and Psychic. Scout for for Grass Knot and U Turn, and if it doesn’t have it, Crawdaunt can usually come in once on Greninja to wreck something. But if it does, Greninja and revenge Craw.
Hippowdon: Crawdaunt handles easily.
Latias: Only can check.
Latios: Only can check.
Mandibuzz: Crawdaunt handles it easily.
Rotom-W: Good Craw switch in, but doesn’t want its item taken away.
Scizor: Don’t even try.
Tyranitar: Unless Scarf, Crawdaunt almost always outspends and KO’s, and without band, Ttar cannot KO.
Chansey: Crawdaunt loves seeing Chansey on the other team.
Conkeldurr: Mach Punch only does 71%, which Crabhammer always KOs.
Dragonite: It won’t appreciate losing its item, and after SR it’s KO’d by Knock off, and can never KO Craw.
Gengar: Aqua Jet does around 93%, so it needs to be healthy to check it.
Gyarados: Non-Mega Gyarados handles it decently, but can only 2HKO it, while being 2HKO’d in the process. Don’t switch it in, and it’ll be okay.
Mamoswine: Aqua Jet always KO’s after SR.
Skarmory: Handles it pretty well. Crawdaunt 2HKO’s it, while Brave Bird fails to do so.
Terrakion: Aqua Jet does 91% minimum. Decent last resort counter, but not a check.
Charizard (Mega-Y): Aqua Jet does 65% max. Otherwise, Charizard will win.
Charizard (Mega-X): Crabhammer OHKO’s, and Thunder Punch only does 80%. But be wary of Will-o-Wisp.
Pinsir (Mega): Aqua Jet only does 50% max. Don’t stay in otherwise.
Thundurus-I: Aqua Jet does 72% max. Don’t stay in otherwise.
Azumarill: Crabhammer does 60% max, but if Azu is max speed it will KO you.
Bisharp: You handle well, given that it doesn’t have Brick Break. Aqua Jet 2HKO’s, and its Sucker Punch cannot. But if it has Brick Break, you can only pick it off.
Deoxys-D: You absolutely win against.
Deoxys-S: If it’s supportive, you always will beat. Offensive - just try to pick it off.
Garchomp / Garchomp (Mega): Craw can take a Scarf EQ and KO back, but it should only pick off other variants.
Gyarados (Mega): Superpower handles offensive variants, defensive variants are also almost always beaten.
Heatran: Sets with over 80 EV’s in speed win, but those Heatrans are rare. Scout, and you’ll be fine.
Keldeo: Don’t even try to beat.
Kyurem-B: All you should do is predict its switch. You cannot stay in.
Landorus-I: Aqua Jet KO’s 100% of the time w/ Stealth Rock.
Landorus-T: Adamant Lando-T never KO’s, and -1 Crawdaunt always KO’s/always 2HKOs.
Manaphy: Hit it on the switch. Otherwise, no.
Mawile (Mega): Crabhammer KO’s, Aqua Jet 2HKO’s and avoids sucker punch.
Scizor (Mega): Don’t even try.
Talonflame: Don’t even try
Tyranitar (Mega): No matter the investment, Super Power always KO’s. Ttar only KO’s if behind a band. If Ttar has no bulk, Aqua jet does 67% max.
Venusaur (Mega): Pretty much the only pokemon that can always counter it.
Clefable: Good check, but cannot counter Craw. It also only outspeeds it with investment, and won’t appreciate losing its item.
Excadrill: Aqua Jet always ko’s.
Greninja: Crawdaunt resists Ice, Water, Dark, Fire, and Psychic. Scout for for Grass Knot and U Turn, and if it doesn’t have it, Crawdaunt can usually come in once on Greninja to wreck something. But if it does, Greninja and revenge Craw.
Hippowdon: Crawdaunt handles easily.
Latias: Only can check.
Latios: Only can check.
Mandibuzz: Crawdaunt handles it easily.
Rotom-W: Good Craw switch in, but doesn’t want its item taken away.
Scizor: Don’t even try.
Tyranitar: Unless Scarf, Crawdaunt almost always outspends and KO’s, and without band, Ttar cannot KO.
Chansey: Crawdaunt loves seeing Chansey on the other team.
Conkeldurr: Mach Punch only does 71%, which Crabhammer always KOs.
Dragonite: It won’t appreciate losing its item, and after SR it’s KO’d by Knock off, and can never KO Craw.
Gengar: Aqua Jet does around 93%, so it needs to be healthy to check it.
Gyarados: Non-Mega Gyarados handles it decently, but can only 2HKO it, while being 2HKO’d in the process. Don’t switch it in, and it’ll be okay.
Mamoswine: Aqua Jet always KO’s after SR.
Skarmory: Handles it pretty well. Crawdaunt 2HKO’s it, while Brave Bird fails to do so.
Terrakion: Aqua Jet does 91% minimum. Decent last resort counter, but not a check.
I'm pretty sure Delibird was joking. But, yes, Bunny and Crawdaunt are similar, and have different roles, but neither outclasses the other. Azumarill is easier to use, and therefore fits the A+ description, but it cannot handle walls as easily as Crawdaunt, cannot revenge kill as well, and its sweeps don't require losing 50% of its health in one turn. Its defenses are poor, but aren't terrible, and so it can take a neutral, preferably physical, STAB attack in order to KO with the appropriate move. Its bulk mitigates its potential in OU, but I still don't think C+ is right. It's much more of a B- pokemon, in my opinion.
Its Scarf Set is spectacular. I recommend anyone who hasn't tried it to try it. Trace is a really fun ability, and can totally dictate the match if it comes in on a Pokemon with Speed Boost, Magic Guard, Wonder Guard, Regenerator, Flash Fire, Protean, Adaptability, Water Absorb, or really any other good ability. 125 special attack is pretty good, and with moves like Moonblast and Psyshock it can easily revenge kill pokemon. Focus Blast and Shadow Ball make good coverage, but what's most interesting is its last move. It can use Scarfed Healing Wish, Memento, and Trick to cripple an opponent's team. I think C+ is where it belongs.
Last edited:
I just used numel in my calcs because why the hell not. I was just showing that crawdaunt is indeed stronger than azumarill
The problem with Crawdaunt is that part A doesn't happen very often because of its terrible bulk and speed. No one is questioning the power of Crawdaunt, but that power is useless when it is usually being killed first. Most of the threats in the S and A ranks have the speed and power to take Crawdaunt out before it can do anything other than Aqua Jet. Its niche over Azumarill is very narrow which is why I think it should remain C+.
- Status