Dark
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Krookodile functions as a great lead on hyper offensive Dark teams thanks to its access to two potent utility moves in Stealth Rock, dealing residual damage to any threat that switches in, and Taunt, preventing bulky Pokemon from using their status moves or setting up entry hazards. Krookodile's good Attack stat and passable Speed stat make it a more prominent lead than Bisharp. Krookodile also has a great offensive typing, granting it almost perfect neutral coverage and the capability to hit several types super effectively with its STAB moves. Krookodile's Ground typing grants it immunity to Electric-type attacks and resistances to Poison- and Rock-type moves. Intimidate is great for softening physical attacks for Krookodile and its teammates, which gives Krookodile a chance to survive moves even when its Focus Sash has been broken. While Krookodile's typing gives it some benefits, it also comes with weaknesses to Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Grass, Ice, and Water. Krookodile's defenses are mediocre, and it relies heavily on Intimidate to prolong its presence on the field against physical attackers. Krookodile's outsped by threats such as Greninja and Volcarona alongside Choice Scarf users such as Heracross. Krookodile is also vulnerable to priority attacks such as Mamoswine's Ice Shard, Azumarill's Aqua Jet, and Breloom's Mach Punch, making Krookodile an easy Pokemon to revenge kill.
[SET]
name: Focus Sash Lead (Dark)
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Earthquake
item: Focus Sash
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Stealth Rock is used to assist in pressuring Bug-, Fire-, Flying-, and Ice-types such as Mega Pinsir, Mega Charizard X, Zapdos, and Kyurem-B and grants Krookodile's teammates an easier time KOing opposing Pokemon. Taunt prevents foes from setting up entry hazards or using setup moves such as Swords Dance and Substitute. Knock Off is a great utility move, removing items from annoying threats such as Chansey and Porygon2. Earthquake is an excellent STAB attack that deals massive damage to Electric-, Poison-, Rock-, and Steel-types such as Tapu Koko, Nihilego, Mega Diancie, and Stakataka.
Set Details
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Maximum Speed EVs with a Jolly nature allow Krookodile to be as fast as possible so it can Speed tie with Mega Garchomp while outspeeding non-Choice Scarf variants of Excadrill, and 252 Attack EVs maximize Krookodile's damage output, allowing it to OHKO Latios and Jellicent with Knock Off and Mega Diancie with Earthquake. Intimidate lessens damage from the opposing Pokemon's physical attacks, giving Krookodile more staying power and letting it take attacks more comfortably. Focus Sash always allows Krookodile to set up Stealth Rock if it's being used as a lead and lets it revenge kill a foe later in the game if Focus Sash is preserved.
Usage Tips
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Krookodile works great as a lead to use Taunt on opposing leads that tend to set up entry hazards immediately, such as Skarmory and Hippowdon. Taunt should also usually be used first to prevent passive Pokemon from utilizing status moves and to prevent setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Mega Scizor from boosting. Taunting a foe is also helpful if the opponent decides to switch out soon after, so Krookodile can safely set up Stealth Rock while its Focus Sash is still intact. Preserve Krookodile's Focus Sash against threats it's able to revenge kill effectively, such as Mega Diancie and Tapu Koko, or if it is needed later in the game. Krookodile should also be spamming Knock Off early-game to remove items so its teammates to have an easier time later. It's a very safe option due to threats disliking the removal of their items. Be careful when using Earthquake if there's a Flying-type or Levitate user on the opponent's team because it can safely switch in. If Krookodile is not being used as a lead, it should switch into resisted attacks it's able to take adequately. Intimidate helps Krookodile better tank physical attacks it resists.
Team Options
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All teammates appreciate Krookodile's ability to set up Stealth Rock, remove items with Knock Off, check the majority of Electric-types, and soften moves from physical attackers with Intimidate. Offensive Water-types such as Greninja and Mega Sharpedo have an easier time KOing threats while Stealth Rock is on the field. Greninja's ability Protean makes it a great check to a variety of Pokemon that would otherwise threaten Krookodile, such as Mega Venusaur, Tapu Bulu, and Keldeo, whereas Mega Sharpedo can clean up late-game. With Krookodile as a Stealth Rock user, Mega Tyranitar can play more offensively with Dragon Dance. Tyranitar can help take out Flying-types, which are immune to Krookodile's Earthquake. Hydreigon can switch into Ground-type attacks for Krookodile and can take on Steel-types that Krookodile would have trouble against, such as Skarmory, Ferrothorn, and Mega Scizor. Bisharp and Alolan Muk can take on Fairy-types for Krookodile. Bisharp specifically can check Ice-types, and it can run Swords Dance instead of Stealth Rock with Krookodile's support. Alolan Muk can check Grass-types and also tank special attacks that Krookodile wouldn't be able to handle. Mandibuzz can keep Krookodile's item intact by using Defog to clear entry hazards that would break Focus Sash.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Dark
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A Choice Scarf + Moxie set with Earthquake, Knock Off, Stone Edge, and Pursuit can be used to make Krookodile a devastating sweeper. Unfortunately, Krookodile would be locked into a move, forcing it to switch out and lose its Moxie boosts against threats that resist or are immune to its selected move.
Checks and Counters
===================
Dark
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**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types have no problem removing Krookodile with their super effective STAB attacks. However, Tapu Koko and Mega Diancie should be wary of Krookodile revenge killing them with Earthquake if its Focus Sash is not broken.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types such as Keldeo, Terrakion, and Herracross resist Krookodile's Knock Off and can KO it with their STAB moves; however, Infernape and Cobalion should be wary of Earthquake.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur and Tapu Bulu can easily take Krookodile's attacks and KO it with their STAB moves.
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Gyarados and Suicune can easily dispose of Krookodile with their STAB attacks. Gyarados is immune to Earthquake and can take a Knock Off effectively if it holds Flyinium Z or Gyaradosite.
**Physical Walls**: Physical walls such as Skarmory and Hippowdon can tank attacks effectively; however, they should be wary of Krookodile's Taunt preventing them from recovering or setting up entry hazards.
**Revenge Killers**: Revenge killers such as Greninja, Volcarona, and Choice Scarf Heracross all pose a huge threat to Krookodile because they can outspeed it and KO it with super effective attacks.
**Priority**: Due to Krookodile's typing, it's left vulnerable to priority attacks such as Mamoswine's Ice Shard, Azumarill's Aqua Jet, and Breloom's Mach Punch once its Focus Sash is broken.
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