[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Surf
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Substitute / Protect
item: Deep Sea Tooth
ability: Shell Armor
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 216 HP / 220 SpA / 72 Spe or 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Clamperl is a huge threat for many slower teams with excellent offenses thanks to Deep Sea Tooth while being able to find common entry points on Pokemon such as Corsola. Surf OHKOes or 2HKOes the vast majority of the tier with the exception of Water-resistant Pokemon. Ice Beam threatens Grass-types with an OHKO in the case of physically defensive Gloom and Tropius while also OHKOing specially defensive Gloom after Surf. Hidden Power Grass threatens Water-types such as Seaking, Chinchou, and Corsola, OHKOing the latter after a Calm Mind boost. Substitute is a great option to punish switching around Clamperl, but Protect can also be used to scout Choice-locked revenge killers. The first EV spread is seen on offensively inclined teams to help Clamperl survive and trade with Pokemon such as Aipom with enough Speed investment to outspeed defensive Gloom. Modest is the preferred nature on this spread, as Timid does not reach any notable speed benchmarks. The alternate EV spread can be used more commonly on balance teams with a Timid nature to improve matchup against Pokemon such as Adamant Cubone and opposing Clamperl.
Clamperl fits both on offensive and defensive teams as a wallbreaker. It is especially good at enabling Anorith and Beedrill, with its main targets of entry being Koffing and Corsola, which both teammates can struggle versus. Pokemon like Quilava and Ponyta also appreciate Clamperl trading with Water-types and checking Pokemon such as opposing Ponyta. Clamperl appreciates Pokemon that are able to pivot it in. Ariados and Aipom with Baton Pass can allow it to come in on Koffing or Corsola a lot easier to threaten the opposing team. Wailmer and Voltorb can be good partners, as they can use Explosion on Water- or Grass-types such as Seaking or Gloom while additionally giving Clamperl entry to continue wallbreaking. Notable defensive partners for Clamperl include Flaaffy, Gloom, and Sunflora, with all resisting Electric-type moves that threaten Clamperl while additionally providing offensive pressure against Water-type Pokemon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rest can be used to try and keep Clamperl healthy to trade more, but it relies on team support through Heal Bell and thus can be inconsistent on a game-to-game basis. Deep Sea Scale gives Clamperl good special bulk, but it is outclassed by other Water-types such as Wartortle in a defensive role due to a low HP stat and no passive recovery through Leftovers.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Pokemon such as Chinchou, Flaaffy, and Elekid all outspeed Clamperl and threaten to OHKO it; though, all of these Pokemon are not able to switch into Clamperl safely.
**Grass-types**: While they must be wary of Ice Beam, Grass-types such as Gloom can take one hit from Clamperl and threaten an OHKO, but they are unreliable at switching into Clamperl.
**Faster Attackers** Due to Clamperl's mediocre bulk, it is often OHKOed by many of the tier's special attackers such as Abra on sets without bulk, while Pokemon with super effective coverage such as Staryu and Quilava can threaten it out as well with chip damage beforehand.
**Physical Wallbreakers** Physical wallbreakers such as Doduo and Meditite all outspeed and threaten an OHKO on Clamperl. After some chip damage, Pokemon such as Aipom and Anorith can also revenge kill Clamperl.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/plznostep.595639/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bp.272450/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Surf
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Substitute / Protect
item: Deep Sea Tooth
ability: Shell Armor
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 216 HP / 220 SpA / 72 Spe or 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Clamperl is a huge threat for many slower teams with excellent offenses thanks to Deep Sea Tooth while being able to find common entry points on Pokemon such as Corsola. Surf OHKOes or 2HKOes the vast majority of the tier with the exception of Water-resistant Pokemon. Ice Beam threatens Grass-types with an OHKO in the case of physically defensive Gloom and Tropius while also OHKOing specially defensive Gloom after Surf. Hidden Power Grass threatens Water-types such as Seaking, Chinchou, and Corsola, OHKOing the latter after a Calm Mind boost. Substitute is a great option to punish switching around Clamperl, but Protect can also be used to scout Choice-locked revenge killers. The first EV spread is seen on offensively inclined teams to help Clamperl survive and trade with Pokemon such as Aipom with enough Speed investment to outspeed defensive Gloom. Modest is the preferred nature on this spread, as Timid does not reach any notable speed benchmarks. The alternate EV spread can be used more commonly on balance teams with a Timid nature to improve matchup against Pokemon such as Adamant Cubone and opposing Clamperl.
Clamperl fits both on offensive and defensive teams as a wallbreaker. It is especially good at enabling Anorith and Beedrill, with its main targets of entry being Koffing and Corsola, which both teammates can struggle versus. Pokemon like Quilava and Ponyta also appreciate Clamperl trading with Water-types and checking Pokemon such as opposing Ponyta. Clamperl appreciates Pokemon that are able to pivot it in. Ariados and Aipom with Baton Pass can allow it to come in on Koffing or Corsola a lot easier to threaten the opposing team. Wailmer and Voltorb can be good partners, as they can use Explosion on Water- or Grass-types such as Seaking or Gloom while additionally giving Clamperl entry to continue wallbreaking. Notable defensive partners for Clamperl include Flaaffy, Gloom, and Sunflora, with all resisting Electric-type moves that threaten Clamperl while additionally providing offensive pressure against Water-type Pokemon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rest can be used to try and keep Clamperl healthy to trade more, but it relies on team support through Heal Bell and thus can be inconsistent on a game-to-game basis. Deep Sea Scale gives Clamperl good special bulk, but it is outclassed by other Water-types such as Wartortle in a defensive role due to a low HP stat and no passive recovery through Leftovers.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Pokemon such as Chinchou, Flaaffy, and Elekid all outspeed Clamperl and threaten to OHKO it; though, all of these Pokemon are not able to switch into Clamperl safely.
**Grass-types**: While they must be wary of Ice Beam, Grass-types such as Gloom can take one hit from Clamperl and threaten an OHKO, but they are unreliable at switching into Clamperl.
**Faster Attackers** Due to Clamperl's mediocre bulk, it is often OHKOed by many of the tier's special attackers such as Abra on sets without bulk, while Pokemon with super effective coverage such as Staryu and Quilava can threaten it out as well with chip damage beforehand.
**Physical Wallbreakers** Physical wallbreakers such as Doduo and Meditite all outspeed and threaten an OHKO on Clamperl. After some chip damage, Pokemon such as Aipom and Anorith can also revenge kill Clamperl.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/plznostep.595639/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bp.272450/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
Last edited:
