false
maybe this is heaven
[OVERVIEW]
Krokorok's niche in the PU metagame is that of a Pursuit trapper, utilizing its Ground / Dark typing to deal with a number of Psychic-types such as Beheeyem, Duosion, and Bronzor, in some cases walling them entirely. Alongside Pursuit, Krokorok possesses powerful STAB moves in Knock Off and Earthquake, which can make it somewhat tough to safely switch into. Intimidate is a useful ability for Krokorok, enabling it to check threatening Pokemon such as Muk and Arbok. On the downside, poor 60 / 45 / 45 bulk means that Krokorok is incredibly frail and susceptible to common wallbreakers as well as lures. Its base 74 Speed stat is also below average for an offensive Pokemon. As far as Krokorok's STAB moves are concerned, Knock Off can be somewhat weak once the target's item has been removed, and Earthquake isn't as spammable due to the fact that it lets in Flying-types for free, meaning Krokorok is can be somewhat prediction-reliant in order to be effective. Lastly Krokorok's mediocre base 82 Attack stat means that it relies on its Choice Band for power, and must avoid Knock Off or Trick if it wants to remain effective.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Pursuit
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Choice Band
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant
evs: 24 HP / 252 Atk / 232 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Knock Off is Krokorok's most spammable move, removing Eviolite or Leftovers from defensive Pokemon as they switch in while also dealing good damage. Earthquake is Krokorok's strongest STAB attack and can be used to nail Steel- and Poison-types. Pursuit allows Krokorok to trap and remove Psychic-types as well as a number of other Pokemon such as Muk, Metang, and Camerupt that will try to switch out fearing a Choice Band-boosted Knock Off or Earthquake. Stone Edge is used to hit Flying-types such as Pelipper, Altaria, and Vullaby.
Set Details
========
232 Speed EVs allow Krokorok to outspeed neutral base 70 and positive base 60 Speed foes, and 24 HP EVs let it avoid the OHKO from Adamant Golem's Earthquake after Stealth Rock. Maximum Attack EVs with a positive nature allow Krokorok to hit as hard as possible in combination with the Choice Band. Intimidate allows Krokorok to buffer itself against some weaker physical attacks while also potentially supporting teammates, as in some instances Krokorok can be sacrificed to get off a last-ditch Intimidate, enabling another Pokemon to come in and better take the hit.
Usage Tips
========
In the majority of matches Krokorok's main job will be to Pursuit trap something to support its teammates; you should make sure to scout for the likes of Beheeyem and Duosion in case they are carrying a coverage move like Signal Beam, although Bronzor should always be safe to switch into. Knock Off is a powerful STAB move that is somewhat spammable; Krokorok can use it to remove items from switch-ins such as Clefairy, Altaria, and Vullaby. Krokorok's bulk is such that it's only able to check a select group of Pokemon; just because it has Intimidate does not mean in any way should one try to use it as a physical wall. Keep Krokorok around to Pursuit trap Psychic-types and potentially deal with other things such as defensive Muk. Krokorok must also be highly wary of what move it chooses to lock itself into, Earthquake will let in Flying-types or Levitate users, while Choice-locked Pursuit has the potential to leave it setup fodder for Pokemon like Shell Smash Huntail.
Team Options
========
U-turn or Volt Switch users such as Rotom-F, Jumpluff, and Articuno are very good teammates, as they reliably lure and pivot on bulky Psychic-types such as Bronzor and Duosion so that Krokorok can Pursuit trap them. Articuno is a particularly good partner in this regard, as it is walled by both Bronzor and Duosion and appreciates their removal. Similarly, offensive Pokemon such as Golem, Stoutland, and Arbok are also good teammates, appreciating the trapping and removal of Bronzor and Duosion, which enables them to better wallbreak. As far as defensive Pokemon are concerned, it's important to support Krokorok with a solid defensive backbone, as its frailty combined with relatively low Speed means that is forced out by a large number of offensive Pokemon. Chinchou is a good example of a solid defensive partner, checking Water- and Ice-types such as Floatzel and Rotom-F while also providing switch initiative through Volt Switch. Muk is another good partner, dealing with threatening Pokemon such as Cacturne, Floatzel, and Combusken, while Krokorok traps the likes of Bronzor and Beheeyem.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Moxie may have a chance to be an effective ability on Krokorok, allowing it to sweep through defensive teams and gain attack boosts. However, the defensive utility that Intimidate provides is usually beneficial in a larger variety of situations. Thunder Fang can be run over Stone Edge to give Krokorok a way to KO Pelipper after Stealth Rock, while Iron Tail can be used to 2HKO physically defensive Clefairy and potentially OHKO specially defensive variants. A Choice Scarf set utilizing Moxie can be run, but it is very weak without multiple boosts and still is slower than most common Choice Scarf users. A suicide lead set with Taunt and Stealth Rock is also a possibility, but low Speed and lack of power once again make this a subpar set choice.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Offensive Water-types such as Simipour, Swanna, and Floatzel are all able to outspeed Krokorok and OHKO it with their STAB moves. Defensive Water-types such as Pelipper and Prinplup are usually able to stomach any hit that Krokorok can throw at them and proceed to knock it out with Scald.
**Fighting-types**: Although they cannot switch in directly due to the threat of Earthquake, Combusken and Monferno can outspeed Krokorok and OHKO it with their Fighting-type STAB moves. Keep in mind that Combusken requires one boost from Speed Boost before it is able to outspeed Krokorok.
**Grass-types**: Tangela, Quilladin, and even Colbur Berry Gourgeist-XL are all able to easily wall Krokorok, which just isn't strong enough to break through them. Gourgeist-XL threatens to burn Krokorok with Will-O-Wisp, while Tangela and Quilladin can knock out Krokorok with their Grass-type STAB moves. Offensive Grass-types such as Simisage and Leafeon are able to outspeed Krokorok and OHKO it with their STAB attacks.
**Ice-types**: Articuno, Cryogonal, and Rotom-F are able to outspeed Krokorok and knock it out with their Ice-type STAB moves, while Avalugg easily eats up any attack Krokorok can throw out and swiftly removes it with Avalanche.
**Strong Attackers**: Any strong wallbreaker from Choice Band Stoutland to Choice Specs Mr. Mime is easily able to break through Krokorok's paper-thin defenses and will easily OHKO it with its STAB moves.
**Physical Walls**: Physically defensive Pokemon such as Altaria, Avalugg, and Vullaby have the raw physical bulk to eat up hits from Krokorok, usually avoiding the 2HKO. However, they must be wary of switching directly into coverage moves such as Stone Edge. Vullaby also dislikes losing its Eviolite to Knock Off.
Krokorok's niche in the PU metagame is that of a Pursuit trapper, utilizing its Ground / Dark typing to deal with a number of Psychic-types such as Beheeyem, Duosion, and Bronzor, in some cases walling them entirely. Alongside Pursuit, Krokorok possesses powerful STAB moves in Knock Off and Earthquake, which can make it somewhat tough to safely switch into. Intimidate is a useful ability for Krokorok, enabling it to check threatening Pokemon such as Muk and Arbok. On the downside, poor 60 / 45 / 45 bulk means that Krokorok is incredibly frail and susceptible to common wallbreakers as well as lures. Its base 74 Speed stat is also below average for an offensive Pokemon. As far as Krokorok's STAB moves are concerned, Knock Off can be somewhat weak once the target's item has been removed, and Earthquake isn't as spammable due to the fact that it lets in Flying-types for free, meaning Krokorok is can be somewhat prediction-reliant in order to be effective. Lastly Krokorok's mediocre base 82 Attack stat means that it relies on its Choice Band for power, and must avoid Knock Off or Trick if it wants to remain effective.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Pursuit
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Choice Band
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant
evs: 24 HP / 252 Atk / 232 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Knock Off is Krokorok's most spammable move, removing Eviolite or Leftovers from defensive Pokemon as they switch in while also dealing good damage. Earthquake is Krokorok's strongest STAB attack and can be used to nail Steel- and Poison-types. Pursuit allows Krokorok to trap and remove Psychic-types as well as a number of other Pokemon such as Muk, Metang, and Camerupt that will try to switch out fearing a Choice Band-boosted Knock Off or Earthquake. Stone Edge is used to hit Flying-types such as Pelipper, Altaria, and Vullaby.
Set Details
========
232 Speed EVs allow Krokorok to outspeed neutral base 70 and positive base 60 Speed foes, and 24 HP EVs let it avoid the OHKO from Adamant Golem's Earthquake after Stealth Rock. Maximum Attack EVs with a positive nature allow Krokorok to hit as hard as possible in combination with the Choice Band. Intimidate allows Krokorok to buffer itself against some weaker physical attacks while also potentially supporting teammates, as in some instances Krokorok can be sacrificed to get off a last-ditch Intimidate, enabling another Pokemon to come in and better take the hit.
Usage Tips
========
In the majority of matches Krokorok's main job will be to Pursuit trap something to support its teammates; you should make sure to scout for the likes of Beheeyem and Duosion in case they are carrying a coverage move like Signal Beam, although Bronzor should always be safe to switch into. Knock Off is a powerful STAB move that is somewhat spammable; Krokorok can use it to remove items from switch-ins such as Clefairy, Altaria, and Vullaby. Krokorok's bulk is such that it's only able to check a select group of Pokemon; just because it has Intimidate does not mean in any way should one try to use it as a physical wall. Keep Krokorok around to Pursuit trap Psychic-types and potentially deal with other things such as defensive Muk. Krokorok must also be highly wary of what move it chooses to lock itself into, Earthquake will let in Flying-types or Levitate users, while Choice-locked Pursuit has the potential to leave it setup fodder for Pokemon like Shell Smash Huntail.
Team Options
========
U-turn or Volt Switch users such as Rotom-F, Jumpluff, and Articuno are very good teammates, as they reliably lure and pivot on bulky Psychic-types such as Bronzor and Duosion so that Krokorok can Pursuit trap them. Articuno is a particularly good partner in this regard, as it is walled by both Bronzor and Duosion and appreciates their removal. Similarly, offensive Pokemon such as Golem, Stoutland, and Arbok are also good teammates, appreciating the trapping and removal of Bronzor and Duosion, which enables them to better wallbreak. As far as defensive Pokemon are concerned, it's important to support Krokorok with a solid defensive backbone, as its frailty combined with relatively low Speed means that is forced out by a large number of offensive Pokemon. Chinchou is a good example of a solid defensive partner, checking Water- and Ice-types such as Floatzel and Rotom-F while also providing switch initiative through Volt Switch. Muk is another good partner, dealing with threatening Pokemon such as Cacturne, Floatzel, and Combusken, while Krokorok traps the likes of Bronzor and Beheeyem.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Moxie may have a chance to be an effective ability on Krokorok, allowing it to sweep through defensive teams and gain attack boosts. However, the defensive utility that Intimidate provides is usually beneficial in a larger variety of situations. Thunder Fang can be run over Stone Edge to give Krokorok a way to KO Pelipper after Stealth Rock, while Iron Tail can be used to 2HKO physically defensive Clefairy and potentially OHKO specially defensive variants. A Choice Scarf set utilizing Moxie can be run, but it is very weak without multiple boosts and still is slower than most common Choice Scarf users. A suicide lead set with Taunt and Stealth Rock is also a possibility, but low Speed and lack of power once again make this a subpar set choice.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Offensive Water-types such as Simipour, Swanna, and Floatzel are all able to outspeed Krokorok and OHKO it with their STAB moves. Defensive Water-types such as Pelipper and Prinplup are usually able to stomach any hit that Krokorok can throw at them and proceed to knock it out with Scald.
**Fighting-types**: Although they cannot switch in directly due to the threat of Earthquake, Combusken and Monferno can outspeed Krokorok and OHKO it with their Fighting-type STAB moves. Keep in mind that Combusken requires one boost from Speed Boost before it is able to outspeed Krokorok.
**Grass-types**: Tangela, Quilladin, and even Colbur Berry Gourgeist-XL are all able to easily wall Krokorok, which just isn't strong enough to break through them. Gourgeist-XL threatens to burn Krokorok with Will-O-Wisp, while Tangela and Quilladin can knock out Krokorok with their Grass-type STAB moves. Offensive Grass-types such as Simisage and Leafeon are able to outspeed Krokorok and OHKO it with their STAB attacks.
**Ice-types**: Articuno, Cryogonal, and Rotom-F are able to outspeed Krokorok and knock it out with their Ice-type STAB moves, while Avalugg easily eats up any attack Krokorok can throw out and swiftly removes it with Avalanche.
**Strong Attackers**: Any strong wallbreaker from Choice Band Stoutland to Choice Specs Mr. Mime is easily able to break through Krokorok's paper-thin defenses and will easily OHKO it with its STAB moves.
**Physical Walls**: Physically defensive Pokemon such as Altaria, Avalugg, and Vullaby have the raw physical bulk to eat up hits from Krokorok, usually avoiding the 2HKO. However, they must be wary of switching directly into coverage moves such as Stone Edge. Vullaby also dislikes losing its Eviolite to Knock Off.
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