[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 7 onwards
**Price Range**: 3-4 points
**Overview**: Cryogonal is drafted almost solely for its access to Rapid Spin. As a low-tier spinner, it sets itself apart with a solid Speed tier, fantastic special bulk, the ability to beat Water-types with Freeze-Dry, and Levitate, providing useful immunities to Spikes and Ground-type attacks. Combined with access to Recover, Cryogonal has the potential longevity needed to provide support throughout a game. However, it has many flaws, most notably a pure Ice typing leaving it defensively compromised, very poor physical bulk meaning it's KOed by almost any decently strong physical attack, and a severe lack of offensive coverage options despite a somewhat usable Special Attack stat.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Rapid Spin Support**: Rapid Spin is the main reason to use Cryogonal, taking the pressure off of higher-tier Pokemon to spin for their team, allowing them to explore other options. Cryogonal can achieve this by switching into special attacks and using its great Speed to provide fast Rapid Spins. Other moveslots can be filled with your choice of STAB move and what few other support options Cryogonal has available, such as Recover, dual screens, and Haze. Heavy-Duty Boots is practically mandatory due to Cryogonal being weak to Stealth Rock.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Ice Beam, Freeze-Dry, Blizzard
**Setup Moves**: Nothing of note
**Utility Moves**: Rapid Spin, Light Screen, Reflect, Haze, Recover, Protect
**Coverage**: Flash Cannon, Ancient Power, Water Pulse, Tera Blast
Niche Moves
========
**Icy Wind / Scary Face**: These moves are used for their ability to lower opposing Pokemon's Speed stats, such as those of opposing sweepers, allowing Cryogonal's slower teammates to come in and threaten them. Icy Wind has the benefit of also doing damage, while Scary Face has a stronger Speed reduction alongside perfect accuracy, giving it an edge if damage is not required.
**Frost Breath**: If facing foes attempting to boost their Special Defense stats, Frost Breath can be used for its guaranteed critical hit, allowing Cryogonal to cut through opposing boosts and deal maximum damage.
**Explosion**: Due to Cryogonal's low Attack stat, Explosion will not be doing much damage. In this instance, it is used as a momentum tool, such as after Cryogonal has set dual screens, allowing a teammate to come in safely and attempt to set up on the foe.
**Chilling Water**: Chilling Water can disrupt many physical Pokemon that Cryogonal baits in due to lowering the target's Attack stat. While this doesn't help Cryogonal much due to how low its Defense stat is, it allows Cryogonal's teammates to hit the field a little more safely.
**Ice Shard**: Similarly to Explosion, Ice Shard doesn't do much in terms of damage, but it has a slight niche due to being a priority move, allowing Cryogonal to pick off setup sweepers, Pokemon that have activated Sturdy, and other similar foes that have very low HP.
Common Items
========
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Since Cryogonal's main role is to clear the field of entry hazards, it will most likely be switching into battle with Stealth Rock active. Since it is weak to Rock, Cryogonal benefits from Heavy-Duty Boots removing the harsh damage it would otherwise sustain from simply attempting to clear away Stealth Rock.
Niche Items
========
**Light Clay**: When used to set dual screens, Cryogonal can use Light Clay to extend their duration, giving teammates a longer period of opposing damage reduction.
**Leftovers**: In the unlikely event that Stealth Rock is not a worrying factor, Cryogonal can make great use of Leftovers to keep itself healthy while using Levitate to avoid all other entry hazards. This combined with Recover provides potential longevity in the face of special attackers.
**Choice Specs**: Having access to the rare Freeze-Dry and a good Speed stat, Cryogonal can take advantage of teams lacking in Ice-resistant Pokemon. Due to not having access to boosting moves of its own, Choice Specs can be used to increase Cryogonal's damage output. While this set can catch opponents off guard, it is not entirely consistent due to Crygonal becoming entry hazard-weak and still being saddled with limited coverage options, leaving it unable to hit everything it wants.
Tera
========
Due to Cryogonal being a low-tier pick, it should never be considered as your primary Tera Captain. However, it has the potential to make for a good backup Tera Captain. Shedding its poor Ice typing can turn it into a sturdy special wall using its choice of defensive Tera types to attempt to wall whatever special attacker it likes. Standard defensive Tera types such as Tera Fairy and Water give Cryogonal actual resistances, while Tera types such as Tera Steel, Poison, and Electric come with the benefit of giving it no Ground weakness thanks to Levitate, making Cryogonal even more effective as a longevity-focused spinner. Finally, Tera types such as Tera Fire and Ground can be paired offensively with Cryogonal's Ice typing to give it some actual coverage against its counters, such as Steel- and Rock-types.
Draft Strategy
========
Cryogonal is usually picked up at the end of the draft as a budget pick that provides entry hazard removal and speed control. Its limited offensive output and defensive fragility make it a flawed Pokemon on its own, and as such, it should be used solely to support its team through what limited but effective roles it brings to the table.
**Physical Walls**: Since Cryogonal is KOed by almost any physical attack, it appreciates teammates with solid Defense stats to take hits for it. Pokemon such as Gholdengo, Ting-Lu, and Landorus-T make for great switch-ins to these attacks, allowing Cryogonal to last for longer.
**Steel- and Fire-type Checks**: With its limited coverage, Cryogonal is completely helpless against Steel- and Fire-type Pokemon in particular, and as such, it appreciates teammates that can deal with them. Ground-types such as Great Tusk and Water-types such as Quaquaval and Greninja make for great offensive checks to these types of Pokemon.
**Entry Hazard-weak Teammates**: By clearing the field of entry hazards, Cryogonal opens up more options for its teammates that would otherwise be pressured to run Heavy-Duty Boots to prevent them from being worn down. Pokemon that pivot frequently such as Meowscarada and Cinderace heavily appreciate this, while other hazard-weak Pokemon such as Gouging Fire can support themselves with better items and not be defensively compromised simply by hitting the field. Take note to not draft Cryogonal with the assumption that it can always clear the field, however, as it may have bad matchups that leave it unable to, and thus its teammates may opt to run Heavy-Duty Boots anyway.
**Setup Sweepers**: When Cryogonal runs dual screens, it creates a dangerous environment that setup-sweeping teammates can take advantage of. Whether they are single-turn boosters such as Iron Boulder or attempting to obtain multiple boosts such as Annihilape and Galarian Moltres, the dual screens Cryogonal creates can mean a potential game over for the opponent.
Checks and Counters
========
**Physical Attacks**: Cryogonal's Defense stat is painfully low, meaning it takes massive damage from just decently strong physical attacks, let alone powerful or super effective ones. Strong physical attackers such as Iron Hands, Urshifu-S, and Scizor can switch into Cryogonal's weak attacks and threaten it out, with the last two also packing U-turn to gain momentum against it.
**Ice-type Counters**: Ice-types have many weaknesses, and due to Cryogonal lacking actual coverage options, foes of these types can naturally tank Cryogonal's attacks and threaten it with super effective damage. Metagross, Chi-Yu, and Heatran are a mere handful of the many Pokemon that can comfortably take on anything Cryogonal can do and force it out with super effective STAB attacks.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types can block Rapid Spin and thus are excellent switch-ins to Cryogonal, especially if they have the typing or bulk to take Cryogonal's usually weak attacks. Ghost-type Pokemon such as Skeledirge, Annihilape, and the dreaded Gholdengo can easily switch into Cryogonal and force it out with their powerful attacks, leaving Cryogonal not having accomplished anything at all.
**Favorably-matched Entry Hazard Setters**: Cryogonal's job is to remove entry hazards, but it unfortunately has a poor matchup against some common hazard setters, allowing them to come in on Cryogonal as it removes hazards, only for them to force it out and set the hazards back up, rendering Cryogonal's job pointless. Pokemon such as Iron Treads, Excadrill, and Glimmora have a favorable matchup against Cryogonal and can reliably set up hazards for their team as Cryogonal switches out.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Cryogonal's Special Attack is usable but not very strong, and it will rarely be investing in it. Combined with its limited coverage options and inability to set up, Pokemon with high Special Defense can attempt to switch into Cryogonal and threaten to KO it, status it, or simply force it out. Pokemon such as Iron Moth, Corviknight, and Jirachi have the bulk to repeatedly switch into Cryogonal and threaten it, even gaining momentum against it with U-turn.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/deranged_lime.272077/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/xand.614716/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/jscurf.608304/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
**Draft Order**: Round 7 onwards
**Price Range**: 3-4 points
**Overview**: Cryogonal is drafted almost solely for its access to Rapid Spin. As a low-tier spinner, it sets itself apart with a solid Speed tier, fantastic special bulk, the ability to beat Water-types with Freeze-Dry, and Levitate, providing useful immunities to Spikes and Ground-type attacks. Combined with access to Recover, Cryogonal has the potential longevity needed to provide support throughout a game. However, it has many flaws, most notably a pure Ice typing leaving it defensively compromised, very poor physical bulk meaning it's KOed by almost any decently strong physical attack, and a severe lack of offensive coverage options despite a somewhat usable Special Attack stat.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Rapid Spin Support**: Rapid Spin is the main reason to use Cryogonal, taking the pressure off of higher-tier Pokemon to spin for their team, allowing them to explore other options. Cryogonal can achieve this by switching into special attacks and using its great Speed to provide fast Rapid Spins. Other moveslots can be filled with your choice of STAB move and what few other support options Cryogonal has available, such as Recover, dual screens, and Haze. Heavy-Duty Boots is practically mandatory due to Cryogonal being weak to Stealth Rock.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Ice Beam, Freeze-Dry, Blizzard
**Setup Moves**: Nothing of note
**Utility Moves**: Rapid Spin, Light Screen, Reflect, Haze, Recover, Protect
**Coverage**: Flash Cannon, Ancient Power, Water Pulse, Tera Blast
Niche Moves
========
**Icy Wind / Scary Face**: These moves are used for their ability to lower opposing Pokemon's Speed stats, such as those of opposing sweepers, allowing Cryogonal's slower teammates to come in and threaten them. Icy Wind has the benefit of also doing damage, while Scary Face has a stronger Speed reduction alongside perfect accuracy, giving it an edge if damage is not required.
**Frost Breath**: If facing foes attempting to boost their Special Defense stats, Frost Breath can be used for its guaranteed critical hit, allowing Cryogonal to cut through opposing boosts and deal maximum damage.
**Explosion**: Due to Cryogonal's low Attack stat, Explosion will not be doing much damage. In this instance, it is used as a momentum tool, such as after Cryogonal has set dual screens, allowing a teammate to come in safely and attempt to set up on the foe.
**Chilling Water**: Chilling Water can disrupt many physical Pokemon that Cryogonal baits in due to lowering the target's Attack stat. While this doesn't help Cryogonal much due to how low its Defense stat is, it allows Cryogonal's teammates to hit the field a little more safely.
**Ice Shard**: Similarly to Explosion, Ice Shard doesn't do much in terms of damage, but it has a slight niche due to being a priority move, allowing Cryogonal to pick off setup sweepers, Pokemon that have activated Sturdy, and other similar foes that have very low HP.
Common Items
========
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Since Cryogonal's main role is to clear the field of entry hazards, it will most likely be switching into battle with Stealth Rock active. Since it is weak to Rock, Cryogonal benefits from Heavy-Duty Boots removing the harsh damage it would otherwise sustain from simply attempting to clear away Stealth Rock.
Niche Items
========
**Light Clay**: When used to set dual screens, Cryogonal can use Light Clay to extend their duration, giving teammates a longer period of opposing damage reduction.
**Leftovers**: In the unlikely event that Stealth Rock is not a worrying factor, Cryogonal can make great use of Leftovers to keep itself healthy while using Levitate to avoid all other entry hazards. This combined with Recover provides potential longevity in the face of special attackers.
**Choice Specs**: Having access to the rare Freeze-Dry and a good Speed stat, Cryogonal can take advantage of teams lacking in Ice-resistant Pokemon. Due to not having access to boosting moves of its own, Choice Specs can be used to increase Cryogonal's damage output. While this set can catch opponents off guard, it is not entirely consistent due to Crygonal becoming entry hazard-weak and still being saddled with limited coverage options, leaving it unable to hit everything it wants.
Tera
========
Due to Cryogonal being a low-tier pick, it should never be considered as your primary Tera Captain. However, it has the potential to make for a good backup Tera Captain. Shedding its poor Ice typing can turn it into a sturdy special wall using its choice of defensive Tera types to attempt to wall whatever special attacker it likes. Standard defensive Tera types such as Tera Fairy and Water give Cryogonal actual resistances, while Tera types such as Tera Steel, Poison, and Electric come with the benefit of giving it no Ground weakness thanks to Levitate, making Cryogonal even more effective as a longevity-focused spinner. Finally, Tera types such as Tera Fire and Ground can be paired offensively with Cryogonal's Ice typing to give it some actual coverage against its counters, such as Steel- and Rock-types.
Draft Strategy
========
Cryogonal is usually picked up at the end of the draft as a budget pick that provides entry hazard removal and speed control. Its limited offensive output and defensive fragility make it a flawed Pokemon on its own, and as such, it should be used solely to support its team through what limited but effective roles it brings to the table.
**Physical Walls**: Since Cryogonal is KOed by almost any physical attack, it appreciates teammates with solid Defense stats to take hits for it. Pokemon such as Gholdengo, Ting-Lu, and Landorus-T make for great switch-ins to these attacks, allowing Cryogonal to last for longer.
**Steel- and Fire-type Checks**: With its limited coverage, Cryogonal is completely helpless against Steel- and Fire-type Pokemon in particular, and as such, it appreciates teammates that can deal with them. Ground-types such as Great Tusk and Water-types such as Quaquaval and Greninja make for great offensive checks to these types of Pokemon.
**Entry Hazard-weak Teammates**: By clearing the field of entry hazards, Cryogonal opens up more options for its teammates that would otherwise be pressured to run Heavy-Duty Boots to prevent them from being worn down. Pokemon that pivot frequently such as Meowscarada and Cinderace heavily appreciate this, while other hazard-weak Pokemon such as Gouging Fire can support themselves with better items and not be defensively compromised simply by hitting the field. Take note to not draft Cryogonal with the assumption that it can always clear the field, however, as it may have bad matchups that leave it unable to, and thus its teammates may opt to run Heavy-Duty Boots anyway.
**Setup Sweepers**: When Cryogonal runs dual screens, it creates a dangerous environment that setup-sweeping teammates can take advantage of. Whether they are single-turn boosters such as Iron Boulder or attempting to obtain multiple boosts such as Annihilape and Galarian Moltres, the dual screens Cryogonal creates can mean a potential game over for the opponent.
Checks and Counters
========
**Physical Attacks**: Cryogonal's Defense stat is painfully low, meaning it takes massive damage from just decently strong physical attacks, let alone powerful or super effective ones. Strong physical attackers such as Iron Hands, Urshifu-S, and Scizor can switch into Cryogonal's weak attacks and threaten it out, with the last two also packing U-turn to gain momentum against it.
**Ice-type Counters**: Ice-types have many weaknesses, and due to Cryogonal lacking actual coverage options, foes of these types can naturally tank Cryogonal's attacks and threaten it with super effective damage. Metagross, Chi-Yu, and Heatran are a mere handful of the many Pokemon that can comfortably take on anything Cryogonal can do and force it out with super effective STAB attacks.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types can block Rapid Spin and thus are excellent switch-ins to Cryogonal, especially if they have the typing or bulk to take Cryogonal's usually weak attacks. Ghost-type Pokemon such as Skeledirge, Annihilape, and the dreaded Gholdengo can easily switch into Cryogonal and force it out with their powerful attacks, leaving Cryogonal not having accomplished anything at all.
**Favorably-matched Entry Hazard Setters**: Cryogonal's job is to remove entry hazards, but it unfortunately has a poor matchup against some common hazard setters, allowing them to come in on Cryogonal as it removes hazards, only for them to force it out and set the hazards back up, rendering Cryogonal's job pointless. Pokemon such as Iron Treads, Excadrill, and Glimmora have a favorable matchup against Cryogonal and can reliably set up hazards for their team as Cryogonal switches out.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Cryogonal's Special Attack is usable but not very strong, and it will rarely be investing in it. Combined with its limited coverage options and inability to set up, Pokemon with high Special Defense can attempt to switch into Cryogonal and threaten to KO it, status it, or simply force it out. Pokemon such as Iron Moth, Corviknight, and Jirachi have the bulk to repeatedly switch into Cryogonal and threaten it, even gaining momentum against it with U-turn.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/deranged_lime.272077/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/xand.614716/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/jscurf.608304/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/
Last edited:
