[OVERVIEW]
Grass
========
Cradily is a great support option for Grass teams because of its utility options in Stealth Rock and Toxic, part-Rock typing that provides neutrality to Flying- and Fire-type attacks, and ability in Storm Drain to absorb Water-type attacks. Its part-Rock typing in conjunction with its high Special Defense and reliable recovery betters its ability to take on special attackers like Volcarona, Zapdos, and Tornadus-T. It forms a great defensive core with Amoonguss and Ferrothorn, with all covering each others' weaknesses fairly well. However, Cradily's typing leaves it susceptible to threats like Fighting-, Steel-, and Ice-types like Terrakion, Scizor, Galarian Darmanitan, and Glastrier. Its poor offensive stats give setup sweepers like Excadrill, Rillaboom, and Dragapult opportunities to set up with ease.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive (Grass)
move 1: Rock Blast
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Recover
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Rock Blast hits Flying-, Ice-, Bug-, and Fire-types like Zapdos, Alolan Ninetales, Araquanid, and Volcarona and helps with Pokemon that commonly set up Substitute like Galarian Moltres, Hydreigon, and Kyurem. Kyurem, in particular, can stall out other Rock-type STAB moves due to Pressure. Toxic allows Cradily to cripple potential switch-ins, bulkier Pokemon like Hippowdon, Mandibuzz, and Porygon2 that can recover off damage from Rock Blast, and setup sweepers like Hydreigon that may try using it as setup bait. Cradily can reliably stall foes with Toxic thanks to Recover. Storm Drain allows Cradily to pivot into Water-type attacks and prevents Scald burns from Pokemon like Toxapex. Maximum Special Defense and HP investment along with a Careful nature gives Cradily the best matchup against special attackers like Volcarona and Kyurem.
All of Cradily's teammates appreciate its ability to set up Stealth Rock, which allows sweepers like Rillaboom and Zarude to secure KOs mid- or late-game and hampers threatening Fire- and Flying-types. Rillaboom and Zarude can take care of Steel-types like Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Bisharp with their Fighting-type attacks, while Cradily can get rid of threats like Volcarona and Togekiss with Rock Blast. Choice Band Rillaboom can break past defensive cores that threaten Cradily such as Toxapex + Pelipper and Galarian Slowking + Slowbro. Rillaboom also sets Grassy Terrain for Cradily, giving it passive recovery, and is able to get rid of Heavy-Duty Boots from Pokemon like Zapdos and Mantine with Knock Off, resulting in Stealth Rock wearing down teams more effectively. Bulk Up Zarude can pressure defensive Pokemon like Toxapex and Blissey, which easily wall Cradily or threaten it with Toxic, and KO Psychic- and Ghost-types like Victini and Dragapult. Ferrothorn forms a defensive core with Cradily, setting Spikes and dealing with Ice- and Fairy-types like Alolan Ninetales, Cloyster, and Tapu Lele with Gyro Ball. Its part-Steel typing gives a neutrality against Bug-type attacks and allows it to pivot into Toxic. Ferrothorn also deals with physical attackers like Excadrill for Cradily, while Cradily deals with special attackers like Nidoking in return. Amoonguss absorbs Toxic Spikes that could hinder Cradily's recovery, spreads status ailments with Spore, Stun Spore, and poison from Sludge Bomb, and switches into Fighting-type attacks from Terrakion and Keldeo that could OHKO Cradily. Celebi and Whimsicott can also deal with Fighting-types that threaten Cradily with Psychic and Moonblast, respectively. Whimsicott also helps in the Dark- and Dragon-type matchups, as it can KO Pokemon like Hydreigon, Kyurem, and Dragapult with Moonblast and provides an immunity to Dragon. Rotom-C can get rid of Flying-types like Skarmory, Celesteela, and Taunt Mandibuzz with Thunderbolt, which Cradily fails to do much against, and break through defensive cores that overpower Cradily with Nasty Plot. Choice Scarf Rotom-C can also revenge kill faster Pokemon like Garchomp and Alolan Ninetales and bring Cradily safely into the field with Volt Switch.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Grass
--------
Earthquake is an option over Toxic to hit Poison- and Steel-types like Dragalge, Nidoking, Heatran, and Magnezone, but be aware of Rillaboom's Grassy Terrain being active. Heavy-Duty Boots is another effective way to keep Cradily healthy, since Grass normally doesn't run entry hazard removal.
Checks and Counters
===================
Grass
--------
**Poison-types**: Poison-types like Galarian Weezing and Toxapex are immune to Toxic and aren't bothered by Cradily's Rock Blast. They can also hinder its recovery with Will-O-Wisp or Toxic.
**Status**: Cradily should be cautious of status, particularly Toxic and burns, because the former limits it as a reliable defensive switch-in and the latter halves the damage of Rock Blast.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Celesteela, Excadrill, and Aegislash can easily take Rock Blast repeatedly, are immune to Toxic, and can KO Cradily with their Steel-type attacks. Setup sweepers like Bisharp and Scizor can additionally set up. However, Earthquake can deal with Pokemon like Heatran and Magnezone.
**Wallbreakers**: Physical wallbreakers like Choice Band Zeraora and Choice Band Rillaboom can OHKO Cradily with their STAB attacks or super effective coverage moves, while special wallbreakers like Choice Specs Hydreigon can heavily dent Cradily.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Roxiee, 481576]]
- Grass analysis by: [[Roxiee, 481576]]
- Quality checked by: [[Maple, 473171], [maroon, 305839]]
- Grammar checked by: [[deetah, 297659], [Finland, 517429]]
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