[OVERVIEW]
Rock
========
Cradily's fantastic defensive utility makes it a great asset to Rock teams as a mixed defensive wall. Its immunity to Water-type attacks thanks to Storm Drain allows it to switch into offensive Water-types that threaten Rock teams such as Mega Sharpedo and Mega Swampert. It can also beat Belly Drum Azumarill under Sticky Web. Additionally, its part Grass typing gives it a neutrality to Ground- and Grass-type attacks, which allows it to switch into Choice Scarf Tapu Bulu's Horn Leech and Landorus-T's Earthquake. Access to Recover lets it remain healthy throughout a match, making it a reliable defensive wall. Unfortunately, Cradily is incredibly passive, leaving it unable to threaten setup sweepers like Mega Scizor and Mega Gallade or stallbreakers like Mew and Gliscor. This passiveness also makes it a momentum drain on more offensive Rock teams that rely on constant pressure from offensive threats like Terrakion and Mega Diancie.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive (Rock)
move 1: Giga Drain
move 2: Recover
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Mirror Coat
item: Leftovers
ability: Storm Drain
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 208 Def / 48 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Giga Drain is Cradily's best STAB move, dealing significant damage against Water-types like Mega Sharpedo, Seismitoad, and Gastrodon and Ground-types like Hippowdon and Dugtrio while also healing Cradily. Recover is essential for keeping Cradily healthy throughout a match so it can consistently switch into Pokemon like Garchomp. Toxic is good for wearing down opposing walls like Mantine, Zapdos, and Porygon2. Mirror Coat gives Cradily a way to offensively pressure special attackers that it can survive a hit from, like Mega Charizard Y and Landorus under sand.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in HP is used to make Cradily as bulky as possible. 48 Speed EVs are used to always outspeed Belly Drum Azumarill, which is one of the biggest threats to Rock teams, after the Speed drop from Sticky Web. The remaining EVs are placed into Defense with a Bold nature to let Cradily avoid a 2HKO from Tapu Bulu's Horn Leech and Landorus-T's Earthquake. Leftovers is used to give Cradily passive recovery each turn, which greatly benefits its role as a defensive wall. Storm Drain is Cradily's best ability, granting it an immunity to Water-type attacks that threaten Rock teams. The Special Attack increase granted from Storm Drain also helps Cradily OHKO frail Water-types like Greninja and Mega Sharpedo.
Usage Tips
========
It's important to keep Cradily as healthy as possible in order to check offensive threats like Landorus-T and Mega Swampert. Against special attackers like Mega Charizard Y and Latios, it's usually best to use Mirror Coat immediately to try removing them. However, Toxic can also be used on an expected Roost or Defog. Toxic can also be used if a defensive wall such as Torkoal or Zapdos attempts to switch in. Keep Cradily away from poison, since it can wear it down very quickly throughout a match. Make sure to consistently bring in Cradily on predicted Water-type attacks to protect teammates like Tyranitar and Mega Diancie.
Team Options
========
Mega Diancie can check Fighting-types like Keldeo and Heracross that threaten Cradily as well as bounce back Toxic Spikes thanks to Magic Bounce. Shuckle can set up Sticky Web for Cradily, allowing it to outspeed Belly Drum Azumarill. It can also use Knock Off to remove Leftovers from bulky Pokemon like Mantine and Zapdos to make them easier to wear down. Terrakion is able to beat Steel-types like Heatran, Excadrill, and Stakataka that Cradily can't threaten. In return, Cradily can switch into and beat bulky Ground-types like Hippowdon and Gastrodon. Tyranitar can break past defensive Pokemon that aren't affected by Toxic, such as Toxapex and Mega Venusaur, and provides Cradily some important special bulk with Sand Stream. Rhyperior and Alolan Golem are both able to beat Mega Scizor for Cradily. Rhyperior can serve as a blanket check against physical attackers like Mega Lopunny and Excadrill, while Alolan Golem can trap and remove defensive Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Celesteela.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rock
--------
There are no other viable options for Cradily.
Checks and Counters
===================
Rock
--------
**Fighting-types**: Mega Gallade, Terrakion, and Mega Lopunny are all capable of OHKOing Cradily with their Fighting STAB moves. However, Terrakion can't switch into a Giga Drain safely.
**Steel-types**: Jirachi, Excadrill, and Celesteela easily take a Giga Drain from Cradily, are immune to Toxic, and can threaten it with their Steel STAB moves.
**Ice-types**: Kyurem-B, Mamoswine, and Weavile are able to threaten Cradily with their Ice STAB moves. However, Mamoswine can't switch into a Giga Drain, and Kyurem-B won't OHKO Cradily with a single Ice Beam, leaving it vulnerable to Mirror Coat.
**Stallbreakers**: Gliscor, Mew, and Heatran are able to use Taunt to prevent Cradily from recovering health and can slowly wear it down.
**Wallbreakers**: Scizor, Landorus, and Dragonite are able to OHKO Cradily with U-turn, Focus Blast, or Superpower, respectively.
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