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Kricketune is coming to OU, tomorrow (I finally got the set ready)
Speaking of things to ponder - how do you all feel about offensive Ting-Lu right now? I've been running the following Ting-Lu set and it's been working wonders for me (kudos to Srn for helping with the variant of offensive Ting-Lu I use now)
252 HP with 252 Attack and Adamant allows Ting-Lu to bluff a more passive role and when OHKO some prominent threats. The 4 speed EVs are to outspeed other Ting-Lu. Stone Edge is fantastic for dealing with Pokemon like Enamorus and Zapdos. Tera Type is Ground mostly to remove the Dark-type weakness against certain threats, but the power buff to Earthquake is pretty nice and does turn some of the listed 2HKOs into OHKOs.
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Clodsire: 476-564 (102.8 - 121.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 224 HP / 0 Def Cinderace: 408-480 (114.2 - 134.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 140+ Def Garganacl: 206-246 (50.9 - 60.8%) -- 89.5% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Gholdengo: 336-396 (106.6 - 125.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gholdengo: 236-282 (62.4 - 74.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Glimmora: 696-820 (226.7 - 267.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 612-720 (158.5 - 186.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Moth: 964-1140 (320.2 - 378.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Treads: 272-324 (84.7 - 100.9%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Iron Treads: 272-324 (70.8 - 84.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kingambit: 272-324 (79.7 - 95%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 272-324 (68 - 81%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Toxapex: 222-264 (73.2 - 87.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Toxapex: 180-212 (59.2 - 69.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcanion: 272-324 (90.3 - 107.6%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 116 HP / 0 Def Volcanion: 272-324 (82.4 - 98.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Baxcalibur: 228-270 (61.4 - 72.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Multiscale Dragonite: 111-131 (34.3 - 40.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Enamorus: 286-338 (98.9 - 116.9%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pelipper: 214-252 (81.9 - 96.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Pelipper: 154-182 (47.6 - 56.3%) -- 81.6% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zapdos: 244-288 (76 - 89.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 104 Def Zapdos: 216-256 (56.2 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Bro I've been using offensive Ting Lu and it is nuts. It still gives you the fat ground type you use Ting Lu for while fixing its passivity quite a bit, I really like it. Also I like spikes over protect on my team, but I suppose that's team dependent.
Kricketune is coming to OU, tomorrow (I finally got the set ready)
Speaking of things to ponder - how do you all feel about offensive Ting-Lu right now? I've been running the following Ting-Lu set and it's been working wonders for me (kudos to Srn for helping with the variant of offensive Ting-Lu I use now)
252 HP with 252 Attack and Adamant allows Ting-Lu to bluff a more passive role and when OHKO some prominent threats. The 4 speed EVs are to outspeed other Ting-Lu. Stone Edge is fantastic for dealing with Pokemon like Enamorus and Zapdos. Tera Type is Ground mostly to remove the Dark-type weakness against certain threats, but the power buff to Earthquake is pretty nice and does turn some of the listed 2HKOs into OHKOs.
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Clodsire: 476-564 (102.8 - 121.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 224 HP / 0 Def Cinderace: 408-480 (114.2 - 134.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 140+ Def Garganacl: 206-246 (50.9 - 60.8%) -- 89.5% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Gholdengo: 336-396 (106.6 - 125.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gholdengo: 236-282 (62.4 - 74.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Glimmora: 696-820 (226.7 - 267.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 612-720 (158.5 - 186.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Moth: 964-1140 (320.2 - 378.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Treads: 272-324 (84.7 - 100.9%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Iron Treads: 272-324 (70.8 - 84.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kingambit: 272-324 (79.7 - 95%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 272-324 (68 - 81%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Toxapex: 222-264 (73.2 - 87.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Toxapex: 180-212 (59.2 - 69.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcanion: 272-324 (90.3 - 107.6%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 116 HP / 0 Def Volcanion: 272-324 (82.4 - 98.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Baxcalibur: 228-270 (61.4 - 72.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Multiscale Dragonite: 111-131 (34.3 - 40.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Enamorus: 286-338 (98.9 - 116.9%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pelipper: 214-252 (81.9 - 96.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Pelipper: 154-182 (47.6 - 56.3%) -- 81.6% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zapdos: 244-288 (76 - 89.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Ting-Lu Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 104 Def Zapdos: 216-256 (56.2 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Yeah I started running stone edge over spikes because I would just get pounded by flying types. But protect is an interesting add. Is there any reason to not be running Tera-Poison besides the 2x STAB EQ?
It must go into hibernation with all the talk about banning quick claw. Once the storm passes from the King Gambit suspect it will frolic through the ladder with its friends Iron Hands and Emanorus-T until talks of banning the overpowered claw come back like petals in the spring.
But if I'm being serious I think its because there are too many fighting moves being thrown around because of how abundant King Gambit is. Or it could be because of Valiant and its mixed sets to be able to hit it specially with Aura Sphere.
Idk if you're even talking about me anymore but I just want to retract the whole "self made" thing, it's not a problem for me if anyone uses anyone else's team, and it was only even a suggestion here.
"Kricketune is a bipedal Pokémon with an insectoid appearance. By rubbing its arms together, Kricketune can produce sounds and improvise melodies. It can also allow its cry to resonate in its belly. Kricketune's melodies vary greatly between individuals, and can be used to signal its emotions."- Bulbapedia
Well; I've been talking about Kricketune for months, I might as well finally deliver, right? Without joking though; Kricketune is one of my favorite Pokemon, and it's been a personal passion project of mine since generation five to try and find a usable competitive niche for him in OU. There were times when I got close (Z-moves in Gen 7 competitive were an interesting time), but Kricketune's base stats, typing, and a hostile meta environment kept him out of the stardom I knew Kricketune was capable of. That was, until Gen 9 with the advent of Terastallization and a metagame far more favorable to Kricketune's strengths. It turns out that Kricketune didn't even need multiple new movepool options (despite getting access to the cool combination of Technician Trailblaze), it simply needed a more hospitable environment with just one extra move where its qualities could truly flourish with a good niche. I could talk about how much I love Kricketune for ages (especially being a musician myself), but I know that's not what you're reading this post for. So, to avoid any more rambling, let's go ahead and DELELELE WHOOP!
Disclaimer:Kricketune is meant to be on specific hazard-stacking teams that are in need of a unique type of offensive utility that role compresses speed control, luring, and core disruption; it is not an easily slottable Pokemon, your team must have a need for Kricketune for it to be used effectively. Additionally, using Kricketune to its fullest requires an adept knowledge of speed tiers, moveset variations on common OU threats, and an understanding of how to dismantle opposing cores. I must stress again that Kricketune is easily the most niche Pokemon I have ever analyzed and should not be haphazardly thrown onto a team without planning under any circumstances. I highly recommend looking through the awesome SV OU speed tiers thread by AtraX Madara to get a good understanding of common speed thresholds that Kricketune is specifically tech'd to not only hit but to additionally lower opposing Pokemon down to. However, if you use Kricketune properly, you'll find that it can be the MVP and mid-game backbone for your hazard-stacking playstyle. I would also like to give a special thank you to AthyesticSrnThe2009Zapdos and multiple others on Discord/Showdown for helping me with testing, fine-tuning, and refining Kricketune.
Kricketune Competitive Summary This is a "too long, didn't read" for people who want a quick summary of Kricketune's positive traits in OU without reading the essay-length post
Kricketune occupies a unique offensive utility niche on hazard-stacking teams by role-compressing core disruption, luring, mid-late game cleaning, and speed control into a single team slot.
Additionally, Kricketune is one of the few Pokemon in this role capable of this feat without being affected by Taunt (for the set we'll be running) and draws Taunt often due to its known propensity as a Sticky Web setter.
Kricketune has access to Technician, a wonderful offensive ability that allows Kricketune to make up for its only serviceable power with fantastic boosted coverage options + STAB.
Technician STAB Pounce is a very easy-to-use move that lowers the opposing Pokemon's speed, creating opportunities for your bulkier & slower Pokemon to handle threats they normally couldn't, or allowing Kricketune to finish off a hazard-worn opposing Pokemon thanks to some surprisingly high damage thresholds.
Kricketune's mono-Bug-type physical defensive profile is actually fairly potent - resisting common Fighting, Ground, and Grass-type attacks and when terastallized into Fairy type, gaining new resistances to Bug and Dark while maintaining its Fighting resistance and gaining a crucial Dragon immunity.
Moderate defensive EV investment allows Kricketune to only be 3HKO'd by most Great Tusk variants (something that Kricketune's main competition in this role, Scizor, cannot do without very awkward EV investment thanks to its half Steel-typing working against it), and to survive potent hits like Adamant +5 Fallen Enemies Supreme Overlord Kingambit's Sucker Punch even without being terastallized.
With Terastallization + Tera Blast Fairy, Kricketune can lure in and take out various threats with solid 2HKOs or 3HKOS (sometimes OHKOs), additionally allowing you to handle notable threats that would normally laugh at Kricketune's antics, as even some of these threats boosted cannot handle Kricketune's defensive investment.
I've Got A Golden Kricket(une) Offensive Utility Role Compression
EVs & Speed Control + Offensive Capabilities (Pre-Tera & Post-Tera)
To understand where Kricketune's role comes in, we first need to analyze why we have Kricketune's EVs tech'd the way we do - starting with the most important stat for this role, Speed. Kricketune has a base speed stat of 65, so with 44 EVs and a neutral nature, Kricketune has a speed stat of 177. This 177 speed threshold is naturally excellent as it outspeeds all uninvested base 70 speed Pokemon (such as Breloom and Volcanion, who are at 176 with a neutral nature and 0 speed EVs); additionally, Kricketune gets the one-up on the slew of base 60/50 speed benchmark Pokemon such as Ursaluna, Kingambit, Goodra-Hisui, Grimmsnarl, Azumarill, Iron Hands, and more. Ursaluna and Kingambit in particular need at least 168 speed EVs with a neutral nature and at least 104 speed EVs with a Jolly nature in order to outspeed Kricketune (we'll get into Kricketune's defenses against faster threats later in the post). Additionally, Kricketune can outspeed potent benchmarks like 104 EV speed neutral Brute Bonnet, 252 EV speed neutral Glastrier, 0 EV speed neutral Pelipper, and 20 EV speed neutral Scizor just to name a few. At this point, you might be wondering, "Okay, but many Pokemon can reach that benchmark, why is Kricketune's speed control vital here?" Simple - Technician STAB Pounce.
For those who don't know (and I wouldn't blame you, as this move is relatively obscure), Pounce is a new move introduced in Scarlet and Violet; Pounce is a base 50 power 100% accurate physical Bug-type move with a 100% chance to lower the opponent's speed by one stage. Essentially, Pounce is Bulldoze - but Bug-type with less base power. Kricketune not only gets a Technician boost (bringing its base power up from 50 to 75) but additionally gets a STAB boost. With Pounce, Kricketune now has a very potent offensive utility move that can actually chunk specific opponents and is far better than Sticky Webs for three particular reasons; Pounce cannot be stopped with Taunt, Pounce damages opponents (additionally breaking Air Balloon/Focus Sash/Multiscale + negating Booster Energy's speed boost), and Pounce can slow down Pokemon that are immune to Sticky Webs (Flying Pokemon, Levitate Pokemon, Pokemon wearing Heavy-Duty Boots). To understand why Pounce's speed control is so important here, let's look at some potent benchmark speed threats and their new speed on common faster set variants at -1.
Pounce: -1 Speed Thresholds
Arcanine-Hisui (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 204)
Basculegion (-1 Speed with 252 EV Neutral Nature = 170, 340 if Swift Swim activated)
Baxcalibur (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 200)
Cinderace (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 246)
Dragapult (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 280)
Dragonite (-1 Speed with 252 EV Neutral Nature = 172)
Enamorus (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 228)
Garchomp (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 222)
Gholdengo (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 195)
Glimmora (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 198)
Great Tusk (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 200)
Greninja (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 251)
Heatran (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 185)
Hoopa-Unbound (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 189)
Iron Moth (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 233, 349 if Booster Energy consumed)
Iron Treads (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 228, 342 if Booster Energy consumed)
Iron Valiant (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 242, 363 if Booster Energy consumed)
Landorus-Therian (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature + Choice Scarf = 309)
Lilligant-Hisui (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 226)
Roaring Moon (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 246, 369 if Booster Energy consumed)
Rotom-Wash (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature + Choice Scarf = 297)
Samurott-Hisui (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 196)
Sandy Shocks (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 220, 330 if Booster Energy consumed)
Sneasler (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 248 & -1 Speed with 252 EV Neutral Nature = 226, 452 if Unburden activated)
Walking Wake (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 232)
Zamazenta (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 274)
Want to know something lovely about those new speed stats for Dragonite, Gholdengo, Glimmora, Heatran, Hoopa-Unbound, and Samurott-Hisui? They're all outsped by 252 Speed EV Adamant Nature Kingambit (199 speed), and if you're one of those people who runs Jolly Kingambit with the same EV spread (218 speed) you can add Arcanine-Hisui, Baxcalibur, and Great Tusk to that list. This is the first part of Kricketune's niche, enabling your own slower, bulkier teammates (or simply slowing down hyperspeed Pokemon like Dragapult or Iron Valiant) to have new opportunities to either set hazards or get off additional powerful attacks in the mid-late game. If that was all Kricketune had to offer it wouldn't be much to scoff at, so what kind of damage can Technician STAB Pounce coming off of a 295 Attack stat with 252 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature? Surprisingly, quite a bit. Kricketune is by no means a powerhouse, but it isn't meant to be (despite some impressive benchmark feats) - its damage output is meant to reach particular thresholds that put undue pressure on your opponent in multiple ways. So let's go ahead and take a look at a few damage calculations for Pounce, then we'll move on to Kricketune's other coverage moves.
Technician STAB Pounce - Damage Calculations
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Greninja: 282-332 (98.9 - 116.4%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hoopa-Unbound: 612-724 (203.3 - 240.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 248 HP / 72- Def Hoopa-Unbound: 612-724 (168.5 - 199.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 222-264 (68.3 - 81.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Leaves: 448-532 (139.5 - 165.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 540-640 (184.3 - 218.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mew: 204-240 (50.4 - 59.4%) -- 75.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roaring Moon: 270-318 (76.9 - 90.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Samurott-Hisui: 242-288 (75.3 - 89.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Ting-Lu: 168-198 (32.6 - 38.5%) -- 2.4% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tablets of Ruin Wo-Chien: 304-360 (81.2 - 96.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Baxcalibur: 109-129 (29.3 - 34.7%) -- 7.7% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 106-126 (29.6 - 35.2%) -- 18.1% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 106-126 (29.6 - 35.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 204+ Def Hatterene: 79-94 (24.8 - 29.5%) -- 0% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kingambit: 87-103 (25.5 - 30.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 87-103 (21.7 - 25.7%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Rotom-Wash: 96-114 (31.5 - 37.5%) -- 85.7% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rotom-Wash: 96-114 (31.5 - 37.5%) -- 0% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 244+ Def Rotom-Wash: 70-84 (23 - 27.6%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 16 Def Slowking-Galar: 118-141 (29.9 - 35.7%) -- 35.1% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 12 HP / 0 Def Walking Wake: 109-130 (31.8 - 38%) -- 94.5% chance to 3HKO
Kricketune's Pounce can hit some surprising benchmarks, which is nice because it will be the move you click the most throughout a match (albeit for utility rather than damage) - and despite the Bug-type's offensive shortcomings due to being a highly resisted type, we make up for that with Kricketune's other coverage options. So let's dive into Kricketune's full offensive capabilities with this set and see why those appendage blades aren't just for composing melodies.
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 104-123 (34.6 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 207-244 (69 - 81.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 166-196 (55.3 - 65.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 331-391 (110.3 - 130.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 106-126 (29.6 - 35.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 224-266 (62.7 - 74.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
So now we get to the fun part - Kricketune's offenses with coverage. It only makes sense for us to start with Tera Blast Fairy - this move is capable of 2HKOing (and even OHKOing) some of the most potent threats in OU while hitting some heavy 3HKOs on other threats. There are a multitude of Pokemon that simply do not like physical Fairy offense, or Fairy offense in general. Tera Fairy also provides multiple opportunities for mind games thanks to Kricketune's new Dragon-type immunity & Dark-type resistance. So let's run some calculations to see exactly what kinds of feats Kricketune can reach.
Tera Blast Fairy - Damage Calculations
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Baxcalibur: 230-272 (61.9 - 73.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Breloom: 260-308 (99.6 - 118%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Dragapult: 272-324 (85.8 - 102.2%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Dragapult: 272-324 (71.5 - 85.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Multiscale Dragonite: 112-133 (34.6 - 41.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 144 HP / 0 Def Multiscale Dragonite: 112-133 (31.1 - 37%) -- 79% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Enamorus: 144-171 (49.8 - 59.1%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Great Tusk: 170-204 (45.8 - 54.9%) -- 53.5% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Great Tusk: 170-204 (39.1 - 47%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Greninja: 300-354 (105.2 - 124.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 204+ Def Hatterene: 84-100 (26.4 - 31.4%) -- 23.6% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 472-556 (145.2 - 171%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Valiant: 236-278 (81.6 - 96.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Hands: 204-240 (45.4 - 53.4%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 56 HP / 252 Def Iron Hands: 162-192 (34.9 - 41.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lilligant-Hisui: 272-324 (96.7 - 115.3%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Rotom-Wash: 102-120 (33.5 - 39.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rotom-Wash: 102-121 (33.5 - 39.8%) -- 24.1% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 244+ Def Rotom-Wash: 75-88 (24.6 - 28.9%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Samurott-Hisui: 260-308 (80.9 - 95.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Sandy Shocks: 111-132 (35.6 - 42.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Ting-Lu: 180-212 (35 - 41.2%) -- 68.7% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zamazenta: 192-228 (59 - 70.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 88 Def Zamazenta: 176-210 (45.3 - 54.1%) -- 2.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
So what about Kricketune's other two moves, Aerial Ace and Brick Break? Aerial Ace is a base 60 power physical move hiked up to 90 thanks to Technician. This move not only allows Kricketune to still hit Fighting types super effectively if you're unable to terastallize it in the match but also gives situational but still solid coverage against opposing Bug and Grass-type Pokemon and is, in general, a solid move to reach particular 2HKO and 3HKO against some aggravating neutral threats. Brick Break is a base 75 power Fighting-type move that pairs very nicely coverage-wise with both Aerial Ace and Tera Blast Fairy. Brick Break also has the benefit of breaking Screens + Aurora Veil (and calculates damage after screens are broken, not before), so it pairs nicely with the utility of Pounce's speed drop against Screens Offense teams. Let's take a look at damage calculations for both of these moves.
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Aerial Ace vs. 224 HP / 0 Def Cinderace: 102-121 (28.5 - 33.8%) -- 0.8% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Aerial Ace vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Enamorus: 108-128 (37.3 - 44.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Aerial Ace vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Great Tusk: 128-152 (34.5 - 40.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Aerial Ace vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Great Tusk: 128-152 (29.4 - 35%) -- 13.3% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Aerial Ace vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Iron Moth: 122-144 (40.5 - 47.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Aerial Ace vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Valiant: 178-210 (61.5 - 72.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Aerial Ace vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lilligant-Hisui: 408-484 (145.1 - 172.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Aerial Ace vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pelipper: 81-96 (31 - 36.7%) -- 72.5% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Aerial Ace vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Sneasler: 244-288 (81 - 95.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Aerial Ace vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zamazenta: 144-170 (44.3 - 52.3%) -- 15.6% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Aerial Ace vs. 252 HP / 88 Def Zamazenta: 134-158 (34.5 - 40.7%) -- 51.9% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
Brick Break - Damage Calculations
252+ Atk Kricketune Brick Break vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arcanine-Hisui: 162-192 (48.9 - 58%) -- 96.1% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Kricketune Brick Break vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Baxcalibur: 146-172 (39.3 - 46.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Kricketune Brick Break vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 128-152 (39.6 - 47%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Kricketune Brick Break vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Treads: 116-138 (36.1 - 42.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Kricketune Brick Break vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kingambit: 232-276 (68 - 80.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Kricketune Brick Break vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 232-276 (58 - 69%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Kricketune Brick Break vs. 116 HP / 0 Def Ursaluna: 130-154 (30.2 - 35.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after burn damage
Defensive Capabilities - EV Allotment + TypeProfile (Pre-Tera & Post-Tera)
So what can Kricketune do defensively? 77/51/51 isn't exactly the best defensive profile to write home about; in fact, it's not much of a profile to write home about at all. Luckily Kricketune is able to survive quite a few perilous hits without dumping everything into its defensive or HP EVs. With 20 HP EVs and 192 Defense EVs, Kricketune's full defensive profile becomes 300/186/138. At first, this may seem paltry, until you see the specific types of benchmarks these EVs reach thanks to its mono-Bug (and when terastallized, mono-Fairy) typing. The 192 Defense EVs are to boost up Kricketune's physical profile as the Bug type's physical Fighting and Ground resistances are much more potent, but the 20 HP EVs are actually for particularly crucial special defense benchmarks (such as avoiding the OHKO from Naive 252 SpA Iron Valiant's Moonblast). To start, let's take a look at some strong hits that Kricketune can survive as a Bug-type with these EVs - you'll be surprised at just how much our bug musician buddy can take.
Kricketune Defensive Calculations (Pre-Tera)
0 SpA Amoonguss Giga Drain vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 60-72 (20 - 24%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Arcanine-Hisui Close Combat vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 114-134 (38 - 44.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Baxcalibur Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 75-88 (25 - 29.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
0 Atk Clodsire Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 54-64 (18 - 21.3%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 78-92 (26 - 30.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 SpA Enamorus Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 86-102 (28.6 - 34%) -- 0.9% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Enamorus Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 129-152 (43 - 50.6%) -- 2.3% chance to 2HKO
4 Atk Enamorus Superpower vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 62-73 (20.6 - 24.3%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
4 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 112-133 (37.3 - 44.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 104-123 (34.6 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Gholdengo Focus Blast vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 113-134 (37.6 - 44.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 84-99 (28 - 33%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Close Combat vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 125-147 (41.6 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 125-147 (41.6 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 69-82 (23 - 27.3%) -- 59.7% chance to 4HKO
252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 84-99 (28 - 33%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
96+ Atk Hoopa-Unbound Drain Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 60-71 (20 - 23.6%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Drain Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 90-107 (30 - 35.6%) -- 32.3% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Hoopa-Unbound Focus Blast vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 204-241 (68 - 80.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
132 SpA Iron Moth Energy Ball vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 82-96 (27.3 - 32%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 93-110 (31 - 36.6%) -- 67.3% chance to 3HKO
4 Atk Iron Valiant Close Combat vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 102-121 (34 - 40.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Iron Valiant Close Combat vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 124-147 (41.3 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 94-111 (31.3 - 37%) -- 82.6% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 112-132 (37.3 - 44%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
4 SpA Landorus-Therian Grass Knot (60 BP) vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 39-46 (13 - 15.3%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 94-111 (31.3 - 37%) -- 82.2% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Roaring Moon Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 119-141 (39.6 - 47%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Sandy Shocks Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 131-155 (43.6 - 51.6%) -- 10.2% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Tera Ground Sneasler Tera Blast vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 91-108 (30.3 - 36%) -- 41.8% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Sneasler Close Combat vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 136-161 (45.3 - 53.6%) -- 41% chance to 2HKO
0 Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 74-87 (24.6 - 29%) -- 99.9% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Headlong Rush vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 216-255 (72 - 85%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Volcanion Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 92-108 (30.6 - 36%) -- 50.1% chance to 3HKO
88 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 67-79 (22.3 - 26.3%) -- 12.8% chance to 4HKO
+2 88 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 133-157 (44.3 - 52.3%) -- 18.4% chance to 2HKO
0 SpA Amoonguss Sludge Bomb vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 144-171 (48 - 57%) -- 90.2% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Arcanine-Hisui Extreme Speed vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 153-180 (51 - 60%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Huge Power Azumarill Liquidation vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 214-253 (71.3 - 84.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Huge Power Azumarill Play Rough vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 228-268 (76 - 89.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Baxcalibur Glaive Rush vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 270-318 (90 - 106%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Baxcalibur Icicle Crash vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 192-226 (64 - 75.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Dragapult Phantom Force vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 264-312 (88 - 104%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 124-147 (41.3 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Gholdengo Shadow Ball vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 228-268 (76 - 89.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 136-160 (45.3 - 53.3%) -- 35.5% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Ice Spinner vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 167-197 (55.6 - 65.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
168+ Atk Hoopa-Unbound Hyperspace Fury vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 253-298 (84.3 - 99.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
96+ Atk Hoopa-Unbound Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 235-277 (78.3 - 92.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
76 SpA Hoopa-Unbound Thunderbolt vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 185-218 (61.6 - 72.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
132 SpA Iron Moth Dazzling Gleam vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 145-171 (48.3 - 57%) -- 91.8% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 121-143 (40.3 - 47.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 105-124 (35 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Iron Valiant Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 135-159 (45 - 53%) -- 28.9% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Thunderbolt vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 158-187 (52.6 - 62.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 252-297 (84 - 99%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 89-105 (29.6 - 35%) -- 12.1% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 105-124 (35 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0- Atk Pelipper U-turn vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 34-40 (11.3 - 13.3%) -- possible 8HKO
0 Atk Pelipper U-turn vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 37-44 (12.3 - 14.6%) -- possible 7HKO
0 SpA Pelipper Surf vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune in Rain: 237-280 (79 - 93.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Rotom-Wash Hydro Pump vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 211-249 (70.3 - 83%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Razor Shell vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 204-241 (68 - 80.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Ceaseless Edge vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 177-208 (59 - 69.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Slowking-Galar Future Sight vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 238-282 (79.3 - 94%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Future Sight vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 267-315 (89 - 105%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
0 SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 180-213 (60 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 201-237 (67 - 79%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 85-101 (28.3 - 33.6%) -- 0.2% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Crunch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 157-185 (52.3 - 61.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 235-277 (78.3 - 92.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 234-276 (78 - 92%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 240-284 (80 - 94.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Flamethrower vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 268-316 (89.3 - 105.3%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
Kricketune has plenty of moments where a well-timed switch can bring it in safely, and there are numerous types of hits that it can come in on (especially on hazard stack where it threatens Pokemon out thanks to residual damage wear down in the mid-late game). So now you might be thinking, "Alright, so what does Tera Fairy do for Kricketune defensively?" First off is that Dragon-types, arguably the most common neutral switch-ins against Kricketune, can be lured and effectively lose a turn thanks to Kricketune's newfound immunity to their nuclear attacks. Some Dragons (such as Screens Dragapult) can lose their ability to damage Kricketune altogether. Let's take a look at some of the attacks Kricketune can lure, then look at some of the new potent Dark-type hits (along with many formerly super effective hits that are now neutral) that Kricketune can take.
Kricketune Dragon Immunities
Baxcalibur Glaive Rush vs. Tera Fairy Kricketune: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- possibly the worst move ever
Dragapult Dragon Darts vs. Tera Fairy Kricketune: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- possibly the worst move ever
Garchomp Draco Meteor vs. Tera Fairy Kricketune: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- possibly the worst move ever
Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. Tera Fairy Kricketune: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- possibly the worst move ever
Garchomp Dragon Tail vs. Tera Fairy Kricketune: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- possibly the worst move ever
Roaring Moon Dragon Claw vs. Tera Fairy Kricketune: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- possibly the worst move ever
Walking Wake Draco Meteor vs. Tera Fairy Kricketune: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- possibly the worst move ever
Walking Wake Dragon Pulse vs. Tera Fairy Kricketune: 0-0 (0 - 0%) -- possibly the worst move ever
Kricketune Defensive Calculations (Post-Tera)
252 Atk Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 68-80 (22.6 - 26.6%) -- 25.8% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 101-119 (33.6 - 39.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Hyperspace Fury vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 181-213 (60.3 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Hoopa-Unbound Dark Pulse vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 204-241 (68 - 80.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 60-71 (20 - 23.6%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
252 Atk Iron Valiant Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 67-79 (22.3 - 26.3%) -- 15.9% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 82-97 (27.3 - 32.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 99-117 (33 - 39%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 123-145 (41 - 48.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 148-175 (49.3 - 58.3%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 52-62 (17.3 - 20.6%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Crunch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 114-134 (38 - 44.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Ceaseless Edge vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 88-104 (29.3 - 34.6%) -- 7.4% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Samurott-Hisui Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 88-104 (29.3 - 34.6%) -- 7.4% chance to 3HKO
0 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 42-50 (14 - 16.6%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Crunch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 78-92 (26 - 30.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 117-138 (39 - 46%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Enamorus Mystical Fire vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 215-254 (71.6 - 84.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Garchomp Fire Blast vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 212-250 (70.6 - 83.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Garganacl Salt Cure vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 55-66 (18.3 - 22%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Power Gem vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 223-264 (74.3 - 88%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
4 Atk Great Tusk Head Smash vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 173-204 (57.6 - 68%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 120-142 (40 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
132 SpA Iron Moth Fiery Dance vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 217-256 (72.3 - 85.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Moth Flamethrower vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 265-313 (88.3 - 104.3%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 150-177 (50 - 59%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Pelipper Hurricane vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 195-229 (65 - 76.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 208-245 (69.3 - 81.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Fire Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 181-213 (60.3 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
244 SpA Choice Specs Walking Wake Flamethrower vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 243-286 (81 - 95.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Stone Edge vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 196-231 (65.3 - 77%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Kricketune Partners
Heatran
Bulky, reliable, and strong - Heatran's phenomenal defensive typing (that heavily compliments Kricketune) is only matched by its versatility and ability to assume either an offensive or defensive role based on the needs of the team. Heatran can not only apply offensive pressure but can set Stealth Rock & Taunt as well, or simply trap them with powerful Magma Storms that wear them down even further.
Hatterene
One of the best Pokemon in OU in my opinion - an absolutely wonderful utility Pokemon that has a great typing with solid stats and a bonkers movepool and a phenomenal ability in Magic Bounce. Hatterene makes for one of Kricketune's best partners thanks to numerous qualities, especially pre-Tera.
Skeledirge
Unaware Skeledirge is great for handling setup sweepers that Kricketune isn't able to muscle/tera to get around, and also has a phenomenal defensive typing that can lure either Facades or Fire Punches from Ursaluna and other threats in addition to applying its own offensive pressure and nuking half the tier with stacking Torch Songs.
Kingambit
Tried and true to the point of it currently being suspected, Kingambit is one of the tier's best Pokemon. Kricketune partners well with Kingambit for two reasons - Kricketune's Pounce brings certain threats below Kingambit's speed level, and Kricketune's typing (both pre and post-tera) compliments Kingambit's and vice-versa. Kingambit is one of my favorite Pokemon to pair with Kricketune, and I highly recommend it.
Conclusion
This analysis was not easy to do - it's essentially been an ongoing labor of love for me since Generation 5's OU so many years ago, and this is the first time I can confidently say that Kricketune added to my team builds rather than took away from them. This is the reason I love Tera so much; thanks to Tera (+ some other new Krickeboons) I was able to make one of my favorite Pokemon, known for being one of the worst competitive Pokemon to ever exist, have a small but strong and usable niche. Thank you so much everyone for the help on this, and thank you to everyone continuing to play and work on SV OU. You're all awesome and this is some of the most fun I've had playing competitive Pokemon in the last decade.
"Kricketune is a bipedal Pokémon with an insectoid appearance. By rubbing its arms together, Kricketune can produce sounds and improvise melodies. It can also allow its cry to resonate in its belly. Kricketune's melodies vary greatly between individuals, and can be used to signal its emotions."- Bulbapedia
Well; I've been talking about Kricketune for months, I might as well finally deliver, right? Without joking though; Kricketune is one of my favorite Pokemon, and it's been a personal passion project of mine since generation five to try and find a usable competitive niche for him in OU. There were times when I got close (Z-moves in Gen 7 competitive were an interesting time), but Kricketune's base stats, typing, and a hostile meta environment kept him out of the stardom I knew Kricketune was capable of. That was, until Gen 9 with the advent of Terastallization and a metagame far more favorable to Kricketune's strengths. It turns out that Kricketune didn't even need multiple new movepool options (despite getting access to the cool combination of Technician Trailblaze), it simply needed a more hospitable environment with just one extra move where its qualities could truly flourish with a good niche. I could talk about how much I love Kricketune for ages (especially being a musician myself), but I know that's not what you're reading this post for. So, to avoid any more rambling, let's go ahead and DELELELE WHOOP!
Disclaimer:Kricketune is meant to be on specific hazard-stacking teams that are in need of a unique type of offensive utility that role compresses speed control, luring, and core disruption; it is not an easily slottable Pokemon, your team must have a need for Kricketune for it to be used effectively. Additionally, using Kricketune to its fullest requires an adept knowledge of speed tiers, moveset variations on common OU threats, and an understanding of how to dismantle opposing cores. I must stress again that Kricketune is easily the most niche Pokemon I have ever analyzed and should not be haphazardly thrown onto a team without planning under any circumstances. I highly recommend looking through the awesome SV OU speed tiers thread by AtraX Madara to get a good understanding of common speed thresholds that Kricketune is specifically tech'd to not only hit but to additionally lower opposing Pokemon down to. However, if you use Kricketune properly, you'll find that it can be the MVP and mid-game backbone for your hazard-stacking playstyle. I would also like to give a special thank you to AthyesticSrnThe2009Zapdos and multiple others on Discord/Showdown for helping me with testing, fine-tuning, and refining Kricketune.
View attachment 539207 Kricketune Competitive Summary This is a "too long, didn't read" for people who want a quick summary of Kricketune's positive traits in OU without reading the essay-length post
Kricketune occupies a unique offensive utility niche on hazard-stacking teams by role-compressing core disruption, luring, mid-late game cleaning, and speed control into a single team slot.
Additionally, Kricketune is one of the few Pokemon in this role capable of this feat without being affected by Taunt (for the set we'll be running) and draws Taunt often due to its known propensity as a Sticky Web setter.
Kricketune has access to Technician, a wonderful offensive ability that allows Kricketune to make up for its only serviceable power with fantastic boosted coverage options + STAB.
Technician STAB Pounce is a very easy-to-use move that lowers the opposing Pokemon's speed, creating opportunities for your bulkier & slower Pokemon to handle threats they normally couldn't, or allowing Kricketune to finish off a hazard-worn opposing Pokemon thanks to some surprisingly high damage thresholds.
Kricketune's mono-Bug-type physical defensive profile is actually fairly potent - resisting common Fighting, Ground, and Grass-type attacks and when terastallized into Fairy type, gaining new resistances to Bug and Dark while maintaining its Fighting resistance and gaining a crucial Dragon immunity.
Moderate defensive EV investment allows Kricketune to only be 3HKO'd by most Great Tusk variants (something that Kricketune's main competition in this role, Scizor, cannot do without very awkward EV investment thanks to its half Steel-typing working against it), and to survive potent hits like Adamant +5 Fallen Enemies Supreme Overlord Kingambit's Sucker Punch even without being terastallized.
With Terastallization + Tera Blast Fairy, Kricketune can lure in and take out various threats with solid 2HKOs or 3HKOS (sometimes OHKOs), additionally allowing you to handle notable threats that would normally laugh at Kricketune's antics, as even some of these threats boosted cannot handle Kricketune's defensive investment.
EVs & Speed Control + Offensive Capabilities (Pre-Tera & Post-Tera) View attachment 539215
To understand where Kricketune's role comes in, we first need to analyze why we have Kricketune's EVs tech'd the way we do - starting with the most important stat for this role, Speed. Kricketune has a base speed stat of 65, so with 44 EVs and a neutral nature, Kricketune has a speed stat of 177. This 177 speed threshold is naturally excellent as it outspeeds all uninvested base 70 speed Pokemon (such as Breloom and Volcanion, who are at 176 with a neutral nature and 0 speed EVs); additionally, Kricketune gets the one-up on the slew of base 60/50 speed benchmark Pokemon such as Ursaluna, Kingambit, Goodra-Hisui, Grimmsnarl, Azumarill, Iron Hands, and more. Ursaluna and Kingambit in particular need at least 168 speed EVs with a neutral nature and at least 104 speed EVs with a Jolly nature in order to outspeed Kricketune (we'll get into Kricketune's defenses against faster threats later in the post). Additionally, Kricketune can outspeed potent benchmarks like 104 EV speed neutral Brute Bonnet, 252 EV speed neutral Glastrier, 0 EV speed neutral Pelipper, and 20 EV speed neutral Scizor just to name a few. At this point, you might be wondering, "Okay, but many Pokemon can reach that benchmark, why is Kricketune's speed control vital here?" Simple - Technician STAB Pounce.
For those who don't know (and I wouldn't blame you, as this move is relatively obscure), Pounce is a new move introduced in Scarlet and Violet; Pounce is a base 50 power 100% accurate physical Bug-type move with a 100% chance to lower the opponent's speed by one stage. Essentially, Pounce is Bulldoze - but Bug-type with higher accuracy and less base power. Kricketune not only gets a Technician boost (bringing its base power up from 50 to 75) but additionally gets a STAB boost. With Pounce, Kricketune now has a very potent offensive utility move that can actually chunk specific opponents and is far better than Sticky Webs for three particular reasons; Pounce cannot be stopped with Taunt, Pounce damages opponents (additionally breaking Air Balloon/Focus Sash/Multiscale + negating Booster Energy's speed boost), and Pounce can slow down Pokemon that are immune to Sticky Webs (Flying Pokemon, Levitate Pokemon, Pokemon wearing Heavy-Duty Boots). To understand why Pounce's speed control is so important here, let's look at some potent benchmark speed threats and their new speed on common faster set variants at -1.
Arcanine-Hisui (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 204)
Basculegion (-1 Speed with 252 EV Neutral Nature = 170, 340 if Swift Swim activated)
Baxcalibur (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 200)
Cinderace (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 246)
Dragapult (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 280)
Dragonite (-1 Speed with 252 EV Neutral Nature = 172)
Enamorus (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 228)
Garchomp (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 222)
Gholdengo (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 195)
Glimmora (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 198)
Great Tusk (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 200)
Greninja (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 251)
Heatran (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 185)
Hoopa-Unbound (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 189)
Iron Moth (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 233, 349 if Booster Energy consumed)
Iron Treads (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 228, 342 if Booster Energy consumed)
Iron Valiant (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 242, 363 if Booster Energy consumed)
Landorus-Therian (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature + Choice Scarf = 309)
Lilligant-Hisui (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 226)
Roaring Moon (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 246, 369 if Booster Energy consumed)
Rotom-Wash (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature + Choice Scarf = 297)
Samurott-Hisui (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 196)
Sandy Shocks (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 220, 330 if Booster Energy consumed)
Sneasler (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 248 & -1 Speed with 252 EV Neutral Nature = 226, 452 if Unburden activated)
Walking Wake (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 232)
Zamazenta (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 274)
Want to know something lovely about those new speed stats for Dragonite, Gholdengo, Glimmora, Heatran, Hoopa-Unbound, and Samurott-Hisui? They're all outsped by 252 Speed EV Adamant Nature Kingambit (199 speed), and if you're one of those people who runs Jolly Kingambit with the same EV spread (218 speed) you can add Arcanine-Hisui, Baxcalibur, and Great Tusk to that list. This is the first part of Kricketune's niche, enabling your own slower, bulkier teammates (or simply slowing down hyperspeed Pokemon like Dragapult or Iron Valiant) to have new opportunities to either set hazards or get off additional powerful attacks in the mid-late game. If that was all Kricketune had to offer it wouldn't be much to scoff at, so what kind of damage can Technician STAB Pounce coming off of a 295 Attack stat with 252 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature? Surprisingly, quite a bit. Kricketune is by no means a powerhouse, but it isn't meant to be (despite some impressive benchmark feats) - its damage output is meant to reach particular thresholds that put undue pressure on your opponent in multiple ways. So let's go ahead and take a look at a few damage calculations for Pounce, then we'll move on to Kricketune's other coverage moves.
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Greninja: 282-332 (98.9 - 116.4%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hoopa-Unbound: 612-724 (203.3 - 240.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 248 HP / 72- Def Hoopa-Unbound: 612-724 (168.5 - 199.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 222-264 (68.3 - 81.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Leaves: 448-532 (139.5 - 165.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 540-640 (184.3 - 218.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mew: 204-240 (50.4 - 59.4%) -- 75.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roaring Moon: 270-318 (76.9 - 90.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Samurott-Hisui: 242-288 (75.3 - 89.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Ting-Lu: 168-198 (32.6 - 38.5%) -- 2.4% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Baxcalibur: 109-129 (29.3 - 34.7%) -- 7.7% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 106-126 (29.6 - 35.2%) -- 18.1% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 106-126 (29.6 - 35.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 204+ Def Hatterene: 79-94 (24.8 - 29.5%) -- 0% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kingambit: 87-103 (25.5 - 30.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 87-103 (21.7 - 25.7%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Rotom-Wash: 96-114 (31.5 - 37.5%) -- 85.7% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rotom-Wash: 96-114 (31.5 - 37.5%) -- 0% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 244+ Def Rotom-Wash: 70-84 (23 - 27.6%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 16 Def Slowking-Galar: 118-141 (29.9 - 35.7%) -- 35.1% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 12 HP / 0 Def Walking Wake: 109-130 (31.8 - 38%) -- 94.5% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tablets of Ruin Wo-Chien: 304-360 (81.2 - 96.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Kricketune's Pounce can hit some surprising benchmarks, which is nice because it will be the move you click the most throughout a match (albeit for utility rather than damage) - and despite the Bug-type's offensive shortcomings due to being a highly resisted type, we make up for that with Kricketune's other coverage options. So let's dive into Kricketune's full offensive capabilities with this set and see why those appendage blades aren't just for composing melodies.
View attachment 539230
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 104-123 (34.6 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 207-244 (69 - 81.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 166-196 (55.3 - 65.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 331-391 (110.3 - 130.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 106-126 (29.6 - 35.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 224-266 (62.7 - 74.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
So now we get to the fun part - Kricketune's offenses with coverage. It only makes sense for us to start with Tera Blast Fairy - this move is capable of 2HKOing (and even OHKOing) some of the most potent threats in OU while hitting some heavy 3HKOs on other threats. There are a multitude of Pokemon that simply do not like physical Fairy offense, or Fairy offense in general. Tera Fairy also provides multiple opportunities for mind games thanks to Kricketune's new Dragon-type immunity & Dark-type resistance. So let's run some calculations to see exactly what kinds of feats Kricketune can reach.
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Rotom-Wash: 102-120 (33.5 - 39.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rotom-Wash: 102-121 (33.5 - 39.8%) -- 24.1% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 244+ Def Rotom-Wash: 75-88 (24.6 - 28.9%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Samurott-Hisui: 260-308 (80.9 - 95.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Sandy Shocks: 111-132 (35.6 - 42.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Ting-Lu: 180-212 (35 - 41.2%) -- 68.7% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zamazenta: 192-228 (59 - 70.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 88 Def Zamazenta: 176-210 (45.3 - 54.1%) -- 2.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
So what about Kricketune's other two moves, Aerial Ace and Brick Break? Aerial Ace is a base 60 power physical move hiked up to 90 thanks to Technician. This move not only allows Kricketune to still hit Fighting types super effectively if you're unable to terastallize it in the match but also gives situational but still solid coverage against opposing Bug and Grass-type Pokemon and is, in general, a solid move to reach particular 2HKO and 3HKO against some aggravating neutral threats. Brick Break is a base 75 power Fighting-type move that pairs very nicely coverage-wise with both Aerial Ace and Tera Blast Fairy. Brick Break also has the benefit of breaking Screens + Aurora Veil (and calculates damage after screens are broken, not before), so it pairs nicely with the utility of Pounce's speed drop against Screens Offense teams. Let's take a look at damage calculations for both of these moves.
So what can Kricketune do defensively? 77/51/51 isn't exactly the best defensive profile to write home about; in fact, it's not much of a profile to write home about at all. Luckily Kricketune is able to survive quite a few perilous hits without dumping everything into its defensive or HP EVs. With 20 HP EVs and 192 Defense EVs, Kricketune's full defensive profile becomes 300/186/138. At first, this may seem paltry, until you see the specific types of benchmarks these EVs reach thanks to its mono-Bug (and when terastallized, mono-Fairy) typing. The 192 Defense EVs are to boost up Kricketune's physical profile as the Bug type's physical Fighting and Ground resistances are much more potent, but the 20 HP EVs are actually for particularly crucial special defense benchmarks (such as avoiding the OHKO from Naive 252 SpA Iron Valiant's Moonblast). To start, let's take a look at some strong hits that Kricketune can survive as a Bug-type with these EVs - you'll be surprised at just how much our bug musician buddy can take. View attachment 539261 Kricketune Defensive Calculations (Pre-Tera) View attachment 539229
0 SpA Amoonguss Giga Drain vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 60-72 (20 - 24%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Arcanine-Hisui Close Combat vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 114-134 (38 - 44.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Baxcalibur Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 75-88 (25 - 29.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
0 Atk Clodsire Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 54-64 (18 - 21.3%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 78-92 (26 - 30.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 SpA Enamorus Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 86-102 (28.6 - 34%) -- 0.9% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Enamorus Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 129-152 (43 - 50.6%) -- 2.3% chance to 2HKO
4 Atk Enamorus Superpower vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 62-73 (20.6 - 24.3%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
4 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 112-133 (37.3 - 44.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 104-123 (34.6 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Gholdengo Focus Blast vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 113-134 (37.6 - 44.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 84-99 (28 - 33%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Close Combat vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 125-147 (41.6 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 125-147 (41.6 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 69-82 (23 - 27.3%) -- 59.7% chance to 4HKO
252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 84-99 (28 - 33%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
96+ Atk Hoopa-Unbound Drain Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 60-71 (20 - 23.6%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Drain Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 90-107 (30 - 35.6%) -- 32.3% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Hoopa-Unbound Focus Blast vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 204-241 (68 - 80.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
132 SpA Iron Moth Energy Ball vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 82-96 (27.3 - 32%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 93-110 (31 - 36.6%) -- 67.3% chance to 3HKO
4 Atk Iron Valiant Close Combat vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 102-121 (34 - 40.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Iron Valiant Close Combat vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 124-147 (41.3 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 94-111 (31.3 - 37%) -- 82.6% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 112-132 (37.3 - 44%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
4 SpA Landorus-Therian Grass Knot (60 BP) vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 39-46 (13 - 15.3%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 94-111 (31.3 - 37%) -- 82.2% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Roaring Moon Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 119-141 (39.6 - 47%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Sandy Shocks Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 131-155 (43.6 - 51.6%) -- 10.2% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Tera Ground Sneasler Tera Blast vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 91-108 (30.3 - 36%) -- 41.8% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Sneasler Close Combat vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 136-161 (45.3 - 53.6%) -- 41% chance to 2HKO
0 Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 74-87 (24.6 - 29%) -- 99.9% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Headlong Rush vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 216-255 (72 - 85%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Volcanion Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 92-108 (30.6 - 36%) -- 50.1% chance to 3HKO
88 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 67-79 (22.3 - 26.3%) -- 12.8% chance to 4HKO
+2 88 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 133-157 (44.3 - 52.3%) -- 18.4% chance to 2HKO
0 SpA Amoonguss Sludge Bomb vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 144-171 (48 - 57%) -- 90.2% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Arcanine-Hisui Extreme Speed vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 153-180 (51 - 60%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Huge Power Azumarill Liquidation vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 214-253 (71.3 - 84.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Huge Power Azumarill Play Rough vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 228-268 (76 - 89.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Baxcalibur Glaive Rush vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 270-318 (90 - 106%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Baxcalibur Icicle Crash vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 192-226 (64 - 75.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Dragapult Phantom Force vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 264-312 (88 - 104%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 124-147 (41.3 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Gholdengo Shadow Ball vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 228-268 (76 - 89.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 136-160 (45.3 - 53.3%) -- 35.5% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Ice Spinner vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 167-197 (55.6 - 65.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
168+ Atk Hoopa-Unbound Hyperspace Fury vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 253-298 (84.3 - 99.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
96+ Atk Hoopa-Unbound Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 235-277 (78.3 - 92.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
76 SpA Hoopa-Unbound Thunderbolt vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 185-218 (61.6 - 72.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
132 SpA Iron Moth Dazzling Gleam vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 145-171 (48.3 - 57%) -- 91.8% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 121-143 (40.3 - 47.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 105-124 (35 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Iron Valiant Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 135-159 (45 - 53%) -- 28.9% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Thunderbolt vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 158-187 (52.6 - 62.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 252-297 (84 - 99%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 89-105 (29.6 - 35%) -- 12.1% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 105-124 (35 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0- Atk Pelipper U-turn vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 34-40 (11.3 - 13.3%) -- possible 8HKO
0 Atk Pelipper U-turn vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 37-44 (12.3 - 14.6%) -- possible 7HKO
0 SpA Pelipper Surf vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune in Rain: 237-280 (79 - 93.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Rotom-Wash Hydro Pump vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 211-249 (70.3 - 83%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Razor Shell vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 204-241 (68 - 80.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Ceaseless Edge vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 177-208 (59 - 69.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Slowking-Galar Future Sight vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 238-282 (79.3 - 94%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Future Sight vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 267-315 (89 - 105%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
0 SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 180-213 (60 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 201-237 (67 - 79%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 85-101 (28.3 - 33.6%) -- 0.2% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Crunch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 157-185 (52.3 - 61.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 235-277 (78.3 - 92.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 234-276 (78 - 92%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 240-284 (80 - 94.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Flamethrower vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 268-316 (89.3 - 105.3%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
Kricketune has plenty of moments where a well-timed switch can bring it in safely, and there are numerous types of hits that it can come in on (especially on hazard stack where it threatens Pokemon out thanks to residual damage wear down in the mid-late game). So now you might be thinking, "Alright, so what does Tera Fairy do for Kricketune defensively?" First off is that Dragon-types, arguably the most common neutral switch-ins against Kricketune, can be lured and effectively lose a turn thanks to Kricketune's newfound immunity to their nuclear attacks. Some Dragons (such as Screens Dragapult) can lose their ability to damage Kricketune altogether. Let's take a look at some of the attacks Kricketune can lure, then look at some of the new potent Dark-type hits (along with many formerly super effective hits that are now neutral) that Kricketune can take.
252 Atk Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 68-80 (22.6 - 26.6%) -- 25.8% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 101-119 (33.6 - 39.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Hyperspace Fury vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 181-213 (60.3 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Hoopa-Unbound Dark Pulse vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 204-241 (68 - 80.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 60-71 (20 - 23.6%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
252 Atk Iron Valiant Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 67-79 (22.3 - 26.3%) -- 15.9% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 82-97 (27.3 - 32.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 99-117 (33 - 39%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 123-145 (41 - 48.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 148-175 (49.3 - 58.3%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 52-62 (17.3 - 20.6%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Crunch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 114-134 (38 - 44.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Ceaseless Edge vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 88-104 (29.3 - 34.6%) -- 7.4% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Samurott-Hisui Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 88-104 (29.3 - 34.6%) -- 7.4% chance to 3HKO
0 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 42-50 (14 - 16.6%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Crunch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 78-92 (26 - 30.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 117-138 (39 - 46%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Enamorus Mystical Fire vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 215-254 (71.6 - 84.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Garchomp Fire Blast vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 212-250 (70.6 - 83.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Garganacl Salt Cure vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 55-66 (18.3 - 22%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Power Gem vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 223-264 (74.3 - 88%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
4 Atk Great Tusk Head Smash vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 173-204 (57.6 - 68%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 120-142 (40 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
132 SpA Iron Moth Fiery Dance vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 217-256 (72.3 - 85.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Moth Flamethrower vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 265-313 (88.3 - 104.3%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 150-177 (50 - 59%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Pelipper Hurricane vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 195-229 (65 - 76.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 208-245 (69.3 - 81.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Fire Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 181-213 (60.3 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
244 SpA Choice Specs Walking Wake Flamethrower vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 243-286 (81 - 95.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Stone Edge vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 196-231 (65.3 - 77%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Kricketune Partners
Heatran
Bulky, reliable, and strong - Heatran's phenomenal defensive typing (that heavily compliments Kricketune) is only matched by its versatility and ability to assume either an offensive or defensive role based on the needs of the team. Heatran can not only apply offensive pressure but can set Stealth Rock & Taunt as well, or simply trap them with powerful Magma Storms that wear them down even further.
Hatterene
One of the best Pokemon in OU in my opinion - an absolutely wonderful utility Pokemon that has a great typing with solid stats and a bonkers movepool and a phenomenal ability in Magic Bounce. Hatterene makes for one of Kricketune's best partners thanks to numerous qualities, especially pre-Tera.
Skeledirge
Unaware Skeledirge is great for handling setup sweepers that Kricketune isn't able to muscle/tera to get around, and also has a phenomenal defensive typing that can lure either Facades or Fire Punches from Ursaluna and other threats in addition to applying its own offensive pressure and nuking half the tier with stacking Torch Songs.
Tried and true to the point of it currently being suspected, Kingambit is one of the tier's best Pokemon. Kricketune partners well with Kingambit for two reasons - Kricketune's Pounce brings certain threats below Kingambit's speed level, and Kricketune's typing (both pre and post-tera) compliments Kingambit's and vice-versa. Kingambit is one of my favorite Pokemon to pair with Kricketune, and I highly recommend it.
This analysis was not easy to do - it's essentially been an ongoing labor of love for me since Generation 5's OU so many years ago, and this is the first time I can confidently say that Kricketune added to my team builds rather than took away from them. This is the reason I love Tera so much; thanks to Tera (+ some other new Krickeboons) I was able to make one of my favorite Pokemon, known for being one of the worst competitive Pokemon to ever exist, have a small but strong and usable niche. Thank you so much everyone for the help on this, and thank you to everyone continuing to play and work on SV OU. You're all awesome and this is some of the most fun I've had playing competitive Pokemon in the last decade.
"Kricketune is a bipedal Pokémon with an insectoid appearance. By rubbing its arms together, Kricketune can produce sounds and improvise melodies. It can also allow its cry to resonate in its belly. Kricketune's melodies vary greatly between individuals, and can be used to signal its emotions."- Bulbapedia
Well; I've been talking about Kricketune for months, I might as well finally deliver, right? Without joking though; Kricketune is one of my favorite Pokemon, and it's been a personal passion project of mine since generation five to try and find a usable competitive niche for him in OU. There were times when I got close (Z-moves in Gen 7 competitive were an interesting time), but Kricketune's base stats, typing, and a hostile meta environment kept him out of the stardom I knew Kricketune was capable of. That was, until Gen 9 with the advent of Terastallization and a metagame far more favorable to Kricketune's strengths. It turns out that Kricketune didn't even need multiple new movepool options (despite getting access to the cool combination of Technician Trailblaze), it simply needed a more hospitable environment with just one extra move where its qualities could truly flourish with a good niche. I could talk about how much I love Kricketune for ages (especially being a musician myself), but I know that's not what you're reading this post for. So, to avoid any more rambling, let's go ahead and DELELELE WHOOP!
Disclaimer:Kricketune is meant to be on specific hazard-stacking teams that are in need of a unique type of offensive utility that role compresses speed control, luring, and core disruption; it is not an easily slottable Pokemon, your team must have a need for Kricketune for it to be used effectively. Additionally, using Kricketune to its fullest requires an adept knowledge of speed tiers, moveset variations on common OU threats, and an understanding of how to dismantle opposing cores. I must stress again that Kricketune is easily the most niche Pokemon I have ever analyzed and should not be haphazardly thrown onto a team without planning under any circumstances. I highly recommend looking through the awesome SV OU speed tiers thread by AtraX Madara to get a good understanding of common speed thresholds that Kricketune is specifically tech'd to not only hit but to additionally lower opposing Pokemon down to. However, if you use Kricketune properly, you'll find that it can be the MVP and mid-game backbone for your hazard-stacking playstyle. I would also like to give a special thank you to AthyesticSrnThe2009Zapdos and multiple others on Discord/Showdown for helping me with testing, fine-tuning, and refining Kricketune.
View attachment 539207 Kricketune Competitive Summary This is a "too long, didn't read" for people who want a quick summary of Kricketune's positive traits in OU without reading the essay-length post
Kricketune occupies a unique offensive utility niche on hazard-stacking teams by role-compressing core disruption, luring, mid-late game cleaning, and speed control into a single team slot.
Additionally, Kricketune is one of the few Pokemon in this role capable of this feat without being affected by Taunt (for the set we'll be running) and draws Taunt often due to its known propensity as a Sticky Web setter.
Kricketune has access to Technician, a wonderful offensive ability that allows Kricketune to make up for its only serviceable power with fantastic boosted coverage options + STAB.
Technician STAB Pounce is a very easy-to-use move that lowers the opposing Pokemon's speed, creating opportunities for your bulkier & slower Pokemon to handle threats they normally couldn't, or allowing Kricketune to finish off a hazard-worn opposing Pokemon thanks to some surprisingly high damage thresholds.
Kricketune's mono-Bug-type physical defensive profile is actually fairly potent - resisting common Fighting, Ground, and Grass-type attacks and when terastallized into Fairy type, gaining new resistances to Bug and Dark while maintaining its Fighting resistance and gaining a crucial Dragon immunity.
Moderate defensive EV investment allows Kricketune to only be 3HKO'd by most Great Tusk variants (something that Kricketune's main competition in this role, Scizor, cannot do without very awkward EV investment thanks to its half Steel-typing working against it), and to survive potent hits like Adamant +5 Fallen Enemies Supreme Overlord Kingambit's Sucker Punch even without being terastallized.
With Terastallization + Tera Blast Fairy, Kricketune can lure in and take out various threats with solid 2HKOs or 3HKOS (sometimes OHKOs), additionally allowing you to handle notable threats that would normally laugh at Kricketune's antics, as even some of these threats boosted cannot handle Kricketune's defensive investment.
EVs & Speed Control + Offensive Capabilities (Pre-Tera & Post-Tera) View attachment 539215
To understand where Kricketune's role comes in, we first need to analyze why we have Kricketune's EVs tech'd the way we do - starting with the most important stat for this role, Speed. Kricketune has a base speed stat of 65, so with 44 EVs and a neutral nature, Kricketune has a speed stat of 177. This 177 speed threshold is naturally excellent as it outspeeds all uninvested base 70 speed Pokemon (such as Breloom and Volcanion, who are at 176 with a neutral nature and 0 speed EVs); additionally, Kricketune gets the one-up on the slew of base 60/50 speed benchmark Pokemon such as Ursaluna, Kingambit, Goodra-Hisui, Grimmsnarl, Azumarill, Iron Hands, and more. Ursaluna and Kingambit in particular need at least 168 speed EVs with a neutral nature and at least 104 speed EVs with a Jolly nature in order to outspeed Kricketune (we'll get into Kricketune's defenses against faster threats later in the post). Additionally, Kricketune can outspeed potent benchmarks like 104 EV speed neutral Brute Bonnet, 252 EV speed neutral Glastrier, 0 EV speed neutral Pelipper, and 20 EV speed neutral Scizor just to name a few. At this point, you might be wondering, "Okay, but many Pokemon can reach that benchmark, why is Kricketune's speed control vital here?" Simple - Technician STAB Pounce.
For those who don't know (and I wouldn't blame you, as this move is relatively obscure), Pounce is a new move introduced in Scarlet and Violet; Pounce is a base 50 power 100% accurate physical Bug-type move with a 100% chance to lower the opponent's speed by one stage. Essentially, Pounce is Bulldoze - but Bug-type with higher accuracy and less base power. Kricketune not only gets a Technician boost (bringing its base power up from 50 to 75) but additionally gets a STAB boost. With Pounce, Kricketune now has a very potent offensive utility move that can actually chunk specific opponents and is far better than Sticky Webs for three particular reasons; Pounce cannot be stopped with Taunt, Pounce damages opponents (additionally breaking Air Balloon/Focus Sash/Multiscale + negating Booster Energy's speed boost), and Pounce can slow down Pokemon that are immune to Sticky Webs (Flying Pokemon, Levitate Pokemon, Pokemon wearing Heavy-Duty Boots). To understand why Pounce's speed control is so important here, let's look at some potent benchmark speed threats and their new speed on common faster set variants at -1.
Arcanine-Hisui (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 204)
Basculegion (-1 Speed with 252 EV Neutral Nature = 170, 340 if Swift Swim activated)
Baxcalibur (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 200)
Cinderace (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 246)
Dragapult (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 280)
Dragonite (-1 Speed with 252 EV Neutral Nature = 172)
Enamorus (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 228)
Garchomp (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 222)
Gholdengo (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 195)
Glimmora (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 198)
Great Tusk (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 200)
Greninja (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 251)
Heatran (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 185)
Hoopa-Unbound (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 189)
Iron Moth (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 233, 349 if Booster Energy consumed)
Iron Treads (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 228, 342 if Booster Energy consumed)
Iron Valiant (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 242, 363 if Booster Energy consumed)
Landorus-Therian (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature + Choice Scarf = 309)
Lilligant-Hisui (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 226)
Roaring Moon (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 246, 369 if Booster Energy consumed)
Rotom-Wash (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature + Choice Scarf = 297)
Samurott-Hisui (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 196)
Sandy Shocks (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 220, 330 if Booster Energy consumed)
Sneasler (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 248 & -1 Speed with 252 EV Neutral Nature = 226, 452 if Unburden activated)
Walking Wake (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 232)
Zamazenta (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 274)
Want to know something lovely about those new speed stats for Dragonite, Gholdengo, Glimmora, Heatran, Hoopa-Unbound, and Samurott-Hisui? They're all outsped by 252 Speed EV Adamant Nature Kingambit (199 speed), and if you're one of those people who runs Jolly Kingambit with the same EV spread (218 speed) you can add Arcanine-Hisui, Baxcalibur, and Great Tusk to that list. This is the first part of Kricketune's niche, enabling your own slower, bulkier teammates (or simply slowing down hyperspeed Pokemon like Dragapult or Iron Valiant) to have new opportunities to either set hazards or get off additional powerful attacks in the mid-late game. If that was all Kricketune had to offer it wouldn't be much to scoff at, so what kind of damage can Technician STAB Pounce coming off of a 295 Attack stat with 252 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature? Surprisingly, quite a bit. Kricketune is by no means a powerhouse, but it isn't meant to be (despite some impressive benchmark feats) - its damage output is meant to reach particular thresholds that put undue pressure on your opponent in multiple ways. So let's go ahead and take a look at a few damage calculations for Pounce, then we'll move on to Kricketune's other coverage moves.
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Greninja: 282-332 (98.9 - 116.4%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hoopa-Unbound: 612-724 (203.3 - 240.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 248 HP / 72- Def Hoopa-Unbound: 612-724 (168.5 - 199.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 222-264 (68.3 - 81.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Leaves: 448-532 (139.5 - 165.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 540-640 (184.3 - 218.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mew: 204-240 (50.4 - 59.4%) -- 75.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roaring Moon: 270-318 (76.9 - 90.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Samurott-Hisui: 242-288 (75.3 - 89.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Ting-Lu: 168-198 (32.6 - 38.5%) -- 2.4% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Baxcalibur: 109-129 (29.3 - 34.7%) -- 7.7% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 106-126 (29.6 - 35.2%) -- 18.1% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 106-126 (29.6 - 35.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 204+ Def Hatterene: 79-94 (24.8 - 29.5%) -- 0% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kingambit: 87-103 (25.5 - 30.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 87-103 (21.7 - 25.7%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Rotom-Wash: 96-114 (31.5 - 37.5%) -- 85.7% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rotom-Wash: 96-114 (31.5 - 37.5%) -- 0% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 244+ Def Rotom-Wash: 70-84 (23 - 27.6%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 16 Def Slowking-Galar: 118-141 (29.9 - 35.7%) -- 35.1% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 12 HP / 0 Def Walking Wake: 109-130 (31.8 - 38%) -- 94.5% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tablets of Ruin Wo-Chien: 304-360 (81.2 - 96.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Kricketune's Pounce can hit some surprising benchmarks, which is nice because it will be the move you click the most throughout a match (albeit for utility rather than damage) - and despite the Bug-type's offensive shortcomings due to being a highly resisted type, we make up for that with Kricketune's other coverage options. So let's dive into Kricketune's full offensive capabilities with this set and see why those appendage blades aren't just for composing melodies.
View attachment 539230
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 104-123 (34.6 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 207-244 (69 - 81.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 166-196 (55.3 - 65.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 331-391 (110.3 - 130.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 106-126 (29.6 - 35.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 224-266 (62.7 - 74.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
So now we get to the fun part - Kricketune's offenses with coverage. It only makes sense for us to start with Tera Blast Fairy - this move is capable of 2HKOing (and even OHKOing) some of the most potent threats in OU while hitting some heavy 3HKOs on other threats. There are a multitude of Pokemon that simply do not like physical Fairy offense, or Fairy offense in general. Tera Fairy also provides multiple opportunities for mind games thanks to Kricketune's new Dragon-type immunity & Dark-type resistance. So let's run some calculations to see exactly what kinds of feats Kricketune can reach.
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Rotom-Wash: 102-120 (33.5 - 39.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rotom-Wash: 102-121 (33.5 - 39.8%) -- 24.1% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 244+ Def Rotom-Wash: 75-88 (24.6 - 28.9%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Samurott-Hisui: 260-308 (80.9 - 95.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Sandy Shocks: 111-132 (35.6 - 42.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Ting-Lu: 180-212 (35 - 41.2%) -- 68.7% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zamazenta: 192-228 (59 - 70.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 88 Def Zamazenta: 176-210 (45.3 - 54.1%) -- 2.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
So what about Kricketune's other two moves, Aerial Ace and Brick Break? Aerial Ace is a base 60 power physical move hiked up to 90 thanks to Technician. This move not only allows Kricketune to still hit Fighting types super effectively if you're unable to terastallize it in the match but also gives situational but still solid coverage against opposing Bug and Grass-type Pokemon and is, in general, a solid move to reach particular 2HKO and 3HKO against some aggravating neutral threats. Brick Break is a base 75 power Fighting-type move that pairs very nicely coverage-wise with both Aerial Ace and Tera Blast Fairy. Brick Break also has the benefit of breaking Screens + Aurora Veil (and calculates damage after screens are broken, not before), so it pairs nicely with the utility of Pounce's speed drop against Screens Offense teams. Let's take a look at damage calculations for both of these moves.
So what can Kricketune do defensively? 77/51/51 isn't exactly the best defensive profile to write home about; in fact, it's not much of a profile to write home about at all. Luckily Kricketune is able to survive quite a few perilous hits without dumping everything into its defensive or HP EVs. With 20 HP EVs and 192 Defense EVs, Kricketune's full defensive profile becomes 300/186/138. At first, this may seem paltry, until you see the specific types of benchmarks these EVs reach thanks to its mono-Bug (and when terastallized, mono-Fairy) typing. The 192 Defense EVs are to boost up Kricketune's physical profile as the Bug type's physical Fighting and Ground resistances are much more potent, but the 20 HP EVs are actually for particularly crucial special defense benchmarks (such as avoiding the OHKO from Naive 252 SpA Iron Valiant's Moonblast). To start, let's take a look at some strong hits that Kricketune can survive as a Bug-type with these EVs - you'll be surprised at just how much our bug musician buddy can take. View attachment 539261 Kricketune Defensive Calculations (Pre-Tera) View attachment 539229
0 SpA Amoonguss Giga Drain vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 60-72 (20 - 24%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Arcanine-Hisui Close Combat vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 114-134 (38 - 44.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Baxcalibur Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 75-88 (25 - 29.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
0 Atk Clodsire Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 54-64 (18 - 21.3%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 78-92 (26 - 30.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 SpA Enamorus Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 86-102 (28.6 - 34%) -- 0.9% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Enamorus Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 129-152 (43 - 50.6%) -- 2.3% chance to 2HKO
4 Atk Enamorus Superpower vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 62-73 (20.6 - 24.3%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
4 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 112-133 (37.3 - 44.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 104-123 (34.6 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Gholdengo Focus Blast vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 113-134 (37.6 - 44.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 84-99 (28 - 33%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Close Combat vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 125-147 (41.6 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 125-147 (41.6 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 69-82 (23 - 27.3%) -- 59.7% chance to 4HKO
252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 84-99 (28 - 33%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
96+ Atk Hoopa-Unbound Drain Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 60-71 (20 - 23.6%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Drain Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 90-107 (30 - 35.6%) -- 32.3% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Hoopa-Unbound Focus Blast vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 204-241 (68 - 80.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
132 SpA Iron Moth Energy Ball vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 82-96 (27.3 - 32%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 93-110 (31 - 36.6%) -- 67.3% chance to 3HKO
4 Atk Iron Valiant Close Combat vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 102-121 (34 - 40.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Iron Valiant Close Combat vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 124-147 (41.3 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 94-111 (31.3 - 37%) -- 82.6% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 112-132 (37.3 - 44%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
4 SpA Landorus-Therian Grass Knot (60 BP) vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 39-46 (13 - 15.3%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 94-111 (31.3 - 37%) -- 82.2% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Roaring Moon Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 119-141 (39.6 - 47%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Sandy Shocks Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 131-155 (43.6 - 51.6%) -- 10.2% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Tera Ground Sneasler Tera Blast vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 91-108 (30.3 - 36%) -- 41.8% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Sneasler Close Combat vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 136-161 (45.3 - 53.6%) -- 41% chance to 2HKO
0 Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 74-87 (24.6 - 29%) -- 99.9% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Headlong Rush vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 216-255 (72 - 85%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Volcanion Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 92-108 (30.6 - 36%) -- 50.1% chance to 3HKO
88 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 67-79 (22.3 - 26.3%) -- 12.8% chance to 4HKO
+2 88 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 133-157 (44.3 - 52.3%) -- 18.4% chance to 2HKO
0 SpA Amoonguss Sludge Bomb vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 144-171 (48 - 57%) -- 90.2% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Arcanine-Hisui Extreme Speed vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 153-180 (51 - 60%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Huge Power Azumarill Liquidation vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 214-253 (71.3 - 84.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Huge Power Azumarill Play Rough vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 228-268 (76 - 89.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Baxcalibur Glaive Rush vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 270-318 (90 - 106%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Baxcalibur Icicle Crash vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 192-226 (64 - 75.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Dragapult Phantom Force vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 264-312 (88 - 104%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 124-147 (41.3 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Gholdengo Shadow Ball vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 228-268 (76 - 89.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 136-160 (45.3 - 53.3%) -- 35.5% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Ice Spinner vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 167-197 (55.6 - 65.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
168+ Atk Hoopa-Unbound Hyperspace Fury vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 253-298 (84.3 - 99.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
96+ Atk Hoopa-Unbound Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 235-277 (78.3 - 92.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
76 SpA Hoopa-Unbound Thunderbolt vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 185-218 (61.6 - 72.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
132 SpA Iron Moth Dazzling Gleam vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 145-171 (48.3 - 57%) -- 91.8% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 121-143 (40.3 - 47.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 105-124 (35 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Iron Valiant Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 135-159 (45 - 53%) -- 28.9% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Thunderbolt vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 158-187 (52.6 - 62.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 252-297 (84 - 99%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 89-105 (29.6 - 35%) -- 12.1% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 105-124 (35 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0- Atk Pelipper U-turn vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 34-40 (11.3 - 13.3%) -- possible 8HKO
0 Atk Pelipper U-turn vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 37-44 (12.3 - 14.6%) -- possible 7HKO
0 SpA Pelipper Surf vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune in Rain: 237-280 (79 - 93.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Rotom-Wash Hydro Pump vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 211-249 (70.3 - 83%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Razor Shell vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 204-241 (68 - 80.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Ceaseless Edge vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 177-208 (59 - 69.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Slowking-Galar Future Sight vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 238-282 (79.3 - 94%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Future Sight vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 267-315 (89 - 105%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
0 SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 180-213 (60 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 201-237 (67 - 79%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 85-101 (28.3 - 33.6%) -- 0.2% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Crunch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 157-185 (52.3 - 61.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 235-277 (78.3 - 92.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 234-276 (78 - 92%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 240-284 (80 - 94.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Flamethrower vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 268-316 (89.3 - 105.3%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
Kricketune has plenty of moments where a well-timed switch can bring it in safely, and there are numerous types of hits that it can come in on (especially on hazard stack where it threatens Pokemon out thanks to residual damage wear down in the mid-late game). So now you might be thinking, "Alright, so what does Tera Fairy do for Kricketune defensively?" First off is that Dragon-types, arguably the most common neutral switch-ins against Kricketune, can be lured and effectively lose a turn thanks to Kricketune's newfound immunity to their nuclear attacks. Some Dragons (such as Screens Dragapult) can lose their ability to damage Kricketune altogether. Let's take a look at some of the attacks Kricketune can lure, then look at some of the new potent Dark-type hits (along with many formerly super effective hits that are now neutral) that Kricketune can take.
252 Atk Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 68-80 (22.6 - 26.6%) -- 25.8% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 101-119 (33.6 - 39.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Hyperspace Fury vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 181-213 (60.3 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Hoopa-Unbound Dark Pulse vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 204-241 (68 - 80.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 60-71 (20 - 23.6%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
252 Atk Iron Valiant Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 67-79 (22.3 - 26.3%) -- 15.9% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 82-97 (27.3 - 32.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 99-117 (33 - 39%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 123-145 (41 - 48.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 148-175 (49.3 - 58.3%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 52-62 (17.3 - 20.6%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Crunch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 114-134 (38 - 44.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Ceaseless Edge vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 88-104 (29.3 - 34.6%) -- 7.4% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Samurott-Hisui Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 88-104 (29.3 - 34.6%) -- 7.4% chance to 3HKO
0 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 42-50 (14 - 16.6%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Crunch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 78-92 (26 - 30.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 117-138 (39 - 46%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Enamorus Mystical Fire vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 215-254 (71.6 - 84.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Garchomp Fire Blast vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 212-250 (70.6 - 83.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Garganacl Salt Cure vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 55-66 (18.3 - 22%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Power Gem vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 223-264 (74.3 - 88%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
4 Atk Great Tusk Head Smash vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 173-204 (57.6 - 68%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 120-142 (40 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
132 SpA Iron Moth Fiery Dance vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 217-256 (72.3 - 85.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Moth Flamethrower vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 265-313 (88.3 - 104.3%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 150-177 (50 - 59%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Pelipper Hurricane vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 195-229 (65 - 76.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 208-245 (69.3 - 81.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Fire Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 181-213 (60.3 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
244 SpA Choice Specs Walking Wake Flamethrower vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 243-286 (81 - 95.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Stone Edge vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 196-231 (65.3 - 77%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Kricketune Partners
Heatran
Bulky, reliable, and strong - Heatran's phenomenal defensive typing (that heavily compliments Kricketune) is only matched by its versatility and ability to assume either an offensive or defensive role based on the needs of the team. Heatran can not only apply offensive pressure but can set Stealth Rock & Taunt as well, or simply trap them with powerful Magma Storms that wear them down even further.
Hatterene
One of the best Pokemon in OU in my opinion - an absolutely wonderful utility Pokemon that has a great typing with solid stats and a bonkers movepool and a phenomenal ability in Magic Bounce. Hatterene makes for one of Kricketune's best partners thanks to numerous qualities, especially pre-Tera.
Skeledirge
Unaware Skeledirge is great for handling setup sweepers that Kricketune isn't able to muscle/tera to get around, and also has a phenomenal defensive typing that can lure either Facades or Fire Punches from Ursaluna and other threats in addition to applying its own offensive pressure and nuking half the tier with stacking Torch Songs.
Tried and true to the point of it currently being suspected, Kingambit is one of the tier's best Pokemon. Kricketune partners well with Kingambit for two reasons - Kricketune's Pounce brings certain threats below Kingambit's speed level, and Kricketune's typing (both pre and post-tera) compliments Kingambit's and vice-versa. Kingambit is one of my favorite Pokemon to pair with Kricketune, and I highly recommend it.
This analysis was not easy to do - it's essentially been an ongoing labor of love for me since Generation 5's OU so many years ago, and this is the first time I can confidently say that Kricketune added to my team builds rather than took away from them. This is the reason I love Tera so much; thanks to Tera (+ some other new Krickeboons) I was able to make one of my favorite Pokemon, known for being one of the worst competitive Pokemon to ever exist, have a small but strong and usable niche. Thank you so much everyone for the help on this, and thank you to everyone continuing to play and work on SV OU. You're all awesome and this is some of the most fun I've had playing competitive Pokemon in the last decade.
"Kricketune is a bipedal Pokémon with an insectoid appearance. By rubbing its arms together, Kricketune can produce sounds and improvise melodies. It can also allow its cry to resonate in its belly. Kricketune's melodies vary greatly between individuals, and can be used to signal its emotions."- Bulbapedia
Well; I've been talking about Kricketune for months, I might as well finally deliver, right? Without joking though; Kricketune is one of my favorite Pokemon, and it's been a personal passion project of mine since generation five to try and find a usable competitive niche for him in OU. There were times when I got close (Z-moves in Gen 7 competitive were an interesting time), but Kricketune's base stats, typing, and a hostile meta environment kept him out of the stardom I knew Kricketune was capable of. That was, until Gen 9 with the advent of Terastallization and a metagame far more favorable to Kricketune's strengths. It turns out that Kricketune didn't even need multiple new movepool options (despite getting access to the cool combination of Technician Trailblaze), it simply needed a more hospitable environment with just one extra move where its qualities could truly flourish with a good niche. I could talk about how much I love Kricketune for ages (especially being a musician myself), but I know that's not what you're reading this post for. So, to avoid any more rambling, let's go ahead and DELELELE WHOOP!
Disclaimer:Kricketune is meant to be on specific hazard-stacking teams that are in need of a unique type of offensive utility that role compresses speed control, luring, and core disruption; it is not an easily slottable Pokemon, your team must have a need for Kricketune for it to be used effectively. Additionally, using Kricketune to its fullest requires an adept knowledge of speed tiers, moveset variations on common OU threats, and an understanding of how to dismantle opposing cores. I must stress again that Kricketune is easily the most niche Pokemon I have ever analyzed and should not be haphazardly thrown onto a team without planning under any circumstances. I highly recommend looking through the awesome SV OU speed tiers thread by AtraX Madara to get a good understanding of common speed thresholds that Kricketune is specifically tech'd to not only hit but to additionally lower opposing Pokemon down to. However, if you use Kricketune properly, you'll find that it can be the MVP and mid-game backbone for your hazard-stacking playstyle. I would also like to give a special thank you to AthyesticSrnThe2009Zapdos and multiple others on Discord/Showdown for helping me with testing, fine-tuning, and refining Kricketune.
View attachment 539207 Kricketune Competitive Summary This is a "too long, didn't read" for people who want a quick summary of Kricketune's positive traits in OU without reading the essay-length post
Kricketune occupies a unique offensive utility niche on hazard-stacking teams by role-compressing core disruption, luring, mid-late game cleaning, and speed control into a single team slot.
Additionally, Kricketune is one of the few Pokemon in this role capable of this feat without being affected by Taunt (for the set we'll be running) and draws Taunt often due to its known propensity as a Sticky Web setter.
Kricketune has access to Technician, a wonderful offensive ability that allows Kricketune to make up for its only serviceable power with fantastic boosted coverage options + STAB.
Technician STAB Pounce is a very easy-to-use move that lowers the opposing Pokemon's speed, creating opportunities for your bulkier & slower Pokemon to handle threats they normally couldn't, or allowing Kricketune to finish off a hazard-worn opposing Pokemon thanks to some surprisingly high damage thresholds.
Kricketune's mono-Bug-type physical defensive profile is actually fairly potent - resisting common Fighting, Ground, and Grass-type attacks and when terastallized into Fairy type, gaining new resistances to Bug and Dark while maintaining its Fighting resistance and gaining a crucial Dragon immunity.
Moderate defensive EV investment allows Kricketune to only be 3HKO'd by most Great Tusk variants (something that Kricketune's main competition in this role, Scizor, cannot do without very awkward EV investment thanks to its half Steel-typing working against it), and to survive potent hits like Adamant +5 Fallen Enemies Supreme Overlord Kingambit's Sucker Punch even without being terastallized.
With Terastallization + Tera Blast Fairy, Kricketune can lure in and take out various threats with solid 2HKOs or 3HKOS (sometimes OHKOs), additionally allowing you to handle notable threats that would normally laugh at Kricketune's antics, as even some of these threats boosted cannot handle Kricketune's defensive investment.
EVs & Speed Control + Offensive Capabilities (Pre-Tera & Post-Tera) View attachment 539215
To understand where Kricketune's role comes in, we first need to analyze why we have Kricketune's EVs tech'd the way we do - starting with the most important stat for this role, Speed. Kricketune has a base speed stat of 65, so with 44 EVs and a neutral nature, Kricketune has a speed stat of 177. This 177 speed threshold is naturally excellent as it outspeeds all uninvested base 70 speed Pokemon (such as Breloom and Volcanion, who are at 176 with a neutral nature and 0 speed EVs); additionally, Kricketune gets the one-up on the slew of base 60/50 speed benchmark Pokemon such as Ursaluna, Kingambit, Goodra-Hisui, Grimmsnarl, Azumarill, Iron Hands, and more. Ursaluna and Kingambit in particular need at least 168 speed EVs with a neutral nature and at least 104 speed EVs with a Jolly nature in order to outspeed Kricketune (we'll get into Kricketune's defenses against faster threats later in the post). Additionally, Kricketune can outspeed potent benchmarks like 104 EV speed neutral Brute Bonnet, 252 EV speed neutral Glastrier, 0 EV speed neutral Pelipper, and 20 EV speed neutral Scizor just to name a few. At this point, you might be wondering, "Okay, but many Pokemon can reach that benchmark, why is Kricketune's speed control vital here?" Simple - Technician STAB Pounce.
For those who don't know (and I wouldn't blame you, as this move is relatively obscure), Pounce is a new move introduced in Scarlet and Violet; Pounce is a base 50 power 100% accurate physical Bug-type move with a 100% chance to lower the opponent's speed by one stage. Essentially, Pounce is Bulldoze - but Bug-type with higher accuracy and less base power. Kricketune not only gets a Technician boost (bringing its base power up from 50 to 75) but additionally gets a STAB boost. With Pounce, Kricketune now has a very potent offensive utility move that can actually chunk specific opponents and is far better than Sticky Webs for three particular reasons; Pounce cannot be stopped with Taunt, Pounce damages opponents (additionally breaking Air Balloon/Focus Sash/Multiscale + negating Booster Energy's speed boost), and Pounce can slow down Pokemon that are immune to Sticky Webs (Flying Pokemon, Levitate Pokemon, Pokemon wearing Heavy-Duty Boots). To understand why Pounce's speed control is so important here, let's look at some potent benchmark speed threats and their new speed on common faster set variants at -1.
Arcanine-Hisui (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 204)
Basculegion (-1 Speed with 252 EV Neutral Nature = 170, 340 if Swift Swim activated)
Baxcalibur (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 200)
Cinderace (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 246)
Dragapult (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 280)
Dragonite (-1 Speed with 252 EV Neutral Nature = 172)
Enamorus (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 228)
Garchomp (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 222)
Gholdengo (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 195)
Glimmora (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 198)
Great Tusk (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 200)
Greninja (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 251)
Heatran (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 185)
Hoopa-Unbound (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 189)
Iron Moth (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 233, 349 if Booster Energy consumed)
Iron Treads (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 228, 342 if Booster Energy consumed)
Iron Valiant (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 242, 363 if Booster Energy consumed)
Landorus-Therian (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature + Choice Scarf = 309)
Lilligant-Hisui (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 226)
Roaring Moon (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 246, 369 if Booster Energy consumed)
Rotom-Wash (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature + Choice Scarf = 297)
Samurott-Hisui (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 196)
Sandy Shocks (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 220, 330 if Booster Energy consumed)
Sneasler (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 248 & -1 Speed with 252 EV Neutral Nature = 226, 452 if Unburden activated)
Walking Wake (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 232)
Zamazenta (-1 Speed with 252 EV Positive Nature = 274)
Want to know something lovely about those new speed stats for Dragonite, Gholdengo, Glimmora, Heatran, Hoopa-Unbound, and Samurott-Hisui? They're all outsped by 252 Speed EV Adamant Nature Kingambit (199 speed), and if you're one of those people who runs Jolly Kingambit with the same EV spread (218 speed) you can add Arcanine-Hisui, Baxcalibur, and Great Tusk to that list. This is the first part of Kricketune's niche, enabling your own slower, bulkier teammates (or simply slowing down hyperspeed Pokemon like Dragapult or Iron Valiant) to have new opportunities to either set hazards or get off additional powerful attacks in the mid-late game. If that was all Kricketune had to offer it wouldn't be much to scoff at, so what kind of damage can Technician STAB Pounce coming off of a 295 Attack stat with 252 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature? Surprisingly, quite a bit. Kricketune is by no means a powerhouse, but it isn't meant to be (despite some impressive benchmark feats) - its damage output is meant to reach particular thresholds that put undue pressure on your opponent in multiple ways. So let's go ahead and take a look at a few damage calculations for Pounce, then we'll move on to Kricketune's other coverage moves.
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Greninja: 282-332 (98.9 - 116.4%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hoopa-Unbound: 612-724 (203.3 - 240.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 248 HP / 72- Def Hoopa-Unbound: 612-724 (168.5 - 199.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 222-264 (68.3 - 81.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Leaves: 448-532 (139.5 - 165.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meowscarada: 540-640 (184.3 - 218.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mew: 204-240 (50.4 - 59.4%) -- 75.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roaring Moon: 270-318 (76.9 - 90.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Samurott-Hisui: 242-288 (75.3 - 89.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Ting-Lu: 168-198 (32.6 - 38.5%) -- 2.4% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tablets of Ruin Wo-Chien: 304-360 (81.2 - 96.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Baxcalibur: 109-129 (29.3 - 34.7%) -- 7.7% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 106-126 (29.6 - 35.2%) -- 18.1% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 106-126 (29.6 - 35.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 204+ Def Hatterene: 79-94 (24.8 - 29.5%) -- 0% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Kingambit: 87-103 (25.5 - 30.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Kingambit: 87-103 (21.7 - 25.7%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Rotom-Wash: 96-114 (31.5 - 37.5%) -- 85.7% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rotom-Wash: 96-114 (31.5 - 37.5%) -- 0% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 244+ Def Rotom-Wash: 70-84 (23 - 27.6%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 252 HP / 16 Def Slowking-Galar: 118-141 (29.9 - 35.7%) -- 35.1% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 12 HP / 0 Def Walking Wake: 109-130 (31.8 - 38%) -- 94.5% chance to 3HKO
Kricketune's Pounce can hit some surprising benchmarks, which is nice because it will be the move you click the most throughout a match (albeit for utility rather than damage) - and despite the Bug-type's offensive shortcomings due to being a highly resisted type, we make up for that with Kricketune's other coverage options. So let's dive into Kricketune's full offensive capabilities with this set and see why those appendage blades aren't just for composing melodies.
View attachment 539230
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 104-123 (34.6 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 207-244 (69 - 81.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 166-196 (55.3 - 65.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 331-391 (110.3 - 130.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Kricketune Pounce vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 106-126 (29.6 - 35.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 224-266 (62.7 - 74.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
So now we get to the fun part - Kricketune's offenses with coverage. It only makes sense for us to start with Tera Blast Fairy - this move is capable of 2HKOing (and even OHKOing) some of the most potent threats in OU while hitting some heavy 3HKOs on other threats. There are a multitude of Pokemon that simply do not like physical Fairy offense, or Fairy offense in general. Tera Fairy also provides multiple opportunities for mind games thanks to Kricketune's new Dragon-type immunity & Dark-type resistance. So let's run some calculations to see exactly what kinds of feats Kricketune can reach.
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Rotom-Wash: 102-120 (33.5 - 39.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rotom-Wash: 102-121 (33.5 - 39.8%) -- 24.1% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 244+ Def Rotom-Wash: 75-88 (24.6 - 28.9%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Samurott-Hisui: 260-308 (80.9 - 95.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Sandy Shocks: 111-132 (35.6 - 42.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Ting-Lu: 180-212 (35 - 41.2%) -- 68.7% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zamazenta: 192-228 (59 - 70.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Tera Fairy Kricketune Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 88 Def Zamazenta: 176-210 (45.3 - 54.1%) -- 2.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
So what about Kricketune's other two moves, Aerial Ace and Brick Break? Aerial Ace is a base 60 power physical move hiked up to 90 thanks to Technician. This move not only allows Kricketune to still hit Fighting types super effectively if you're unable to terastallize it in the match but also gives situational but still solid coverage against opposing Bug and Grass-type Pokemon and is, in general, a solid move to reach particular 2HKO and 3HKO against some aggravating neutral threats. Brick Break is a base 75 power Fighting-type move that pairs very nicely coverage-wise with both Aerial Ace and Tera Blast Fairy. Brick Break also has the benefit of breaking Screens + Aurora Veil (and calculates damage after screens are broken, not before), so it pairs nicely with the utility of Pounce's speed drop against Screens Offense teams. Let's take a look at damage calculations for both of these moves.
So what can Kricketune do defensively? 77/51/51 isn't exactly the best defensive profile to write home about; in fact, it's not much of a profile to write home about at all. Luckily Kricketune is able to survive quite a few perilous hits without dumping everything into its defensive or HP EVs. With 20 HP EVs and 192 Defense EVs, Kricketune's full defensive profile becomes 300/186/138. At first, this may seem paltry, until you see the specific types of benchmarks these EVs reach thanks to its mono-Bug (and when terastallized, mono-Fairy) typing. The 192 Defense EVs are to boost up Kricketune's physical profile as the Bug type's physical Fighting and Ground resistances are much more potent, but the 20 HP EVs are actually for particularly crucial special defense benchmarks (such as avoiding the OHKO from Naive 252 SpA Iron Valiant's Moonblast). To start, let's take a look at some strong hits that Kricketune can survive as a Bug-type with these EVs - you'll be surprised at just how much our bug musician buddy can take. View attachment 539261 Kricketune Defensive Calculations (Pre-Tera) View attachment 539229
0 SpA Amoonguss Giga Drain vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 60-72 (20 - 24%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Arcanine-Hisui Close Combat vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 114-134 (38 - 44.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Baxcalibur Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 75-88 (25 - 29.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
0 Atk Clodsire Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 54-64 (18 - 21.3%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 78-92 (26 - 30.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 SpA Enamorus Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 86-102 (28.6 - 34%) -- 0.9% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Enamorus Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 129-152 (43 - 50.6%) -- 2.3% chance to 2HKO
4 Atk Enamorus Superpower vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 62-73 (20.6 - 24.3%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
4 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 112-133 (37.3 - 44.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 104-123 (34.6 - 41%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Gholdengo Focus Blast vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 113-134 (37.6 - 44.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 84-99 (28 - 33%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Close Combat vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 125-147 (41.6 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 125-147 (41.6 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 69-82 (23 - 27.3%) -- 59.7% chance to 4HKO
252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 84-99 (28 - 33%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
96+ Atk Hoopa-Unbound Drain Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 60-71 (20 - 23.6%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Drain Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 90-107 (30 - 35.6%) -- 32.3% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Hoopa-Unbound Focus Blast vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 204-241 (68 - 80.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
132 SpA Iron Moth Energy Ball vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 82-96 (27.3 - 32%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 93-110 (31 - 36.6%) -- 67.3% chance to 3HKO
4 Atk Iron Valiant Close Combat vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 102-121 (34 - 40.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Iron Valiant Close Combat vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 124-147 (41.3 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 94-111 (31.3 - 37%) -- 82.6% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 112-132 (37.3 - 44%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
4 SpA Landorus-Therian Grass Knot (60 BP) vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 39-46 (13 - 15.3%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 94-111 (31.3 - 37%) -- 82.2% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Roaring Moon Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 119-141 (39.6 - 47%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Sandy Shocks Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 131-155 (43.6 - 51.6%) -- 10.2% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Tera Ground Sneasler Tera Blast vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 91-108 (30.3 - 36%) -- 41.8% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Sneasler Close Combat vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 136-161 (45.3 - 53.6%) -- 41% chance to 2HKO
0 Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 74-87 (24.6 - 29%) -- 99.9% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Headlong Rush vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 216-255 (72 - 85%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Volcanion Earth Power vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 92-108 (30.6 - 36%) -- 50.1% chance to 3HKO
88 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 67-79 (22.3 - 26.3%) -- 12.8% chance to 4HKO
+2 88 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 133-157 (44.3 - 52.3%) -- 18.4% chance to 2HKO
0 SpA Amoonguss Sludge Bomb vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 144-171 (48 - 57%) -- 90.2% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Arcanine-Hisui Extreme Speed vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 153-180 (51 - 60%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Huge Power Azumarill Liquidation vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 214-253 (71.3 - 84.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Huge Power Azumarill Play Rough vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 228-268 (76 - 89.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Baxcalibur Glaive Rush vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 270-318 (90 - 106%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Baxcalibur Icicle Crash vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 192-226 (64 - 75.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Dragapult Phantom Force vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 264-312 (88 - 104%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 124-147 (41.3 - 49%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Gholdengo Shadow Ball vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 228-268 (76 - 89.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 136-160 (45.3 - 53.3%) -- 35.5% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Ice Spinner vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 167-197 (55.6 - 65.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
168+ Atk Hoopa-Unbound Hyperspace Fury vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 253-298 (84.3 - 99.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
96+ Atk Hoopa-Unbound Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 235-277 (78.3 - 92.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
76 SpA Hoopa-Unbound Thunderbolt vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 185-218 (61.6 - 72.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
132 SpA Iron Moth Dazzling Gleam vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 145-171 (48.3 - 57%) -- 91.8% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 121-143 (40.3 - 47.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 105-124 (35 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Iron Valiant Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 135-159 (45 - 53%) -- 28.9% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Thunderbolt vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 158-187 (52.6 - 62.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 252-297 (84 - 99%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 89-105 (29.6 - 35%) -- 12.1% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 105-124 (35 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0- Atk Pelipper U-turn vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 34-40 (11.3 - 13.3%) -- possible 8HKO
0 Atk Pelipper U-turn vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 37-44 (12.3 - 14.6%) -- possible 7HKO
0 SpA Pelipper Surf vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune in Rain: 237-280 (79 - 93.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Rotom-Wash Hydro Pump vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 211-249 (70.3 - 83%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Razor Shell vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 204-241 (68 - 80.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Ceaseless Edge vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 177-208 (59 - 69.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Slowking-Galar Future Sight vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 238-282 (79.3 - 94%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Future Sight vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 267-315 (89 - 105%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
0 SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 180-213 (60 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 201-237 (67 - 79%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 85-101 (28.3 - 33.6%) -- 0.2% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Crunch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 157-185 (52.3 - 61.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 235-277 (78.3 - 92.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Kricketune: 234-276 (78 - 92%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 240-284 (80 - 94.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
120 SpA Slowking-Galar Flamethrower vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Kricketune: 268-316 (89.3 - 105.3%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
Kricketune has plenty of moments where a well-timed switch can bring it in safely, and there are numerous types of hits that it can come in on (especially on hazard stack where it threatens Pokemon out thanks to residual damage wear down in the mid-late game). So now you might be thinking, "Alright, so what does Tera Fairy do for Kricketune defensively?" First off is that Dragon-types, arguably the most common neutral switch-ins against Kricketune, can be lured and effectively lose a turn thanks to Kricketune's newfound immunity to their nuclear attacks. Some Dragons (such as Screens Dragapult) can lose their ability to damage Kricketune altogether. Let's take a look at some of the attacks Kricketune can lure, then look at some of the new potent Dark-type hits (along with many formerly super effective hits that are now neutral) that Kricketune can take.
252 Atk Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 68-80 (22.6 - 26.6%) -- 25.8% chance to 4HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Great Tusk Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 101-119 (33.6 - 39.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Hoopa-Unbound Hyperspace Fury vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 181-213 (60.3 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Hoopa-Unbound Dark Pulse vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 204-241 (68 - 80.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Iron Treads Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 60-71 (20 - 23.6%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
252 Atk Iron Valiant Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 67-79 (22.3 - 26.3%) -- 15.9% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 82-97 (27.3 - 32.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 99-117 (33 - 39%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 123-145 (41 - 48.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 148-175 (49.3 - 58.3%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian U-turn vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 52-62 (17.3 - 20.6%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Crunch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 114-134 (38 - 44.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Ceaseless Edge vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 88-104 (29.3 - 34.6%) -- 7.4% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Samurott-Hisui Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 88-104 (29.3 - 34.6%) -- 7.4% chance to 3HKO
0 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 42-50 (14 - 16.6%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Crunch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 78-92 (26 - 30.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 117-138 (39 - 46%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Enamorus Mystical Fire vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 215-254 (71.6 - 84.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Garchomp Fire Blast vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 212-250 (70.6 - 83.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Garganacl Salt Cure vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 55-66 (18.3 - 22%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Power Gem vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 223-264 (74.3 - 88%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
4 Atk Great Tusk Head Smash vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 173-204 (57.6 - 68%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 120-142 (40 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
132 SpA Iron Moth Fiery Dance vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 217-256 (72.3 - 85.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Moth Flamethrower vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 265-313 (88.3 - 104.3%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 150-177 (50 - 59%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Pelipper Hurricane vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 195-229 (65 - 76.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 208-245 (69.3 - 81.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Guts Ursaluna Fire Punch vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 181-213 (60.3 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
244 SpA Choice Specs Walking Wake Flamethrower vs. 20 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fairy Kricketune: 243-286 (81 - 95.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Zamazenta Stone Edge vs. 20 HP / 192 Def Tera Fairy Kricketune: 196-231 (65.3 - 77%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Kricketune Partners
Heatran
Bulky, reliable, and strong - Heatran's phenomenal defensive typing (that heavily compliments Kricketune) is only matched by its versatility and ability to assume either an offensive or defensive role based on the needs of the team. Heatran can not only apply offensive pressure but can set Stealth Rock & Taunt as well, or simply trap them with powerful Magma Storms that wear them down even further.
Hatterene
One of the best Pokemon in OU in my opinion - an absolutely wonderful utility Pokemon that has a great typing with solid stats and a bonkers movepool and a phenomenal ability in Magic Bounce. Hatterene makes for one of Kricketune's best partners thanks to numerous qualities, especially pre-Tera.
Skeledirge
Unaware Skeledirge is great for handling setup sweepers that Kricketune isn't able to muscle/tera to get around, and also has a phenomenal defensive typing that can lure either Facades or Fire Punches from Ursaluna and other threats in addition to applying its own offensive pressure and nuking half the tier with stacking Torch Songs.
Tried and true to the point of it currently being suspected, Kingambit is one of the tier's best Pokemon. Kricketune partners well with Kingambit for two reasons - Kricketune's Pounce brings certain threats below Kingambit's speed level, and Kricketune's typing (both pre and post-tera) compliments Kingambit's and vice-versa. Kingambit is one of my favorite Pokemon to pair with Kricketune, and I highly recommend it.
This analysis was not easy to do - it's essentially been an ongoing labor of love for me since Generation 5's OU so many years ago, and this is the first time I can confidently say that Kricketune added to my team builds rather than took away from them. This is the reason I love Tera so much; thanks to Tera (+ some other new Krickeboons) I was able to make one of my favorite Pokemon, known for being one of the worst competitive Pokemon to ever exist, have a small but strong and usable niche. Thank you so much everyone for the help on this, and thank you to everyone continuing to play and work on SV OU. You're all awesome and this is some of the most fun I've had playing competitive Pokemon in the last decade.
Special shout-out to all the times we worked on this one, from Assault Vest to Thief to Leech Life to Trailblaze to even Taunt, we went through it all to get this one done.
Also, remember that time I stayed up till midnight bc I was too invested in Kricketune heat to sleep properly? That was great, would totally do again.
Banger post Morkal!
This analysis was not easy to do - it's essentially been an ongoing labor of love for me since Generation 5's OU so many years ago, and this is the first time I can confidently say that Kricketune added to my team builds rather than took away from them. This is the reason I love Tera so much; thanks to Tera (+ some other new Krickeboons) I was able to make one of my favorite Pokemon, known for being one of the worst competitive Pokemon to ever exist, have a small but strong and usable niche. Thank you so much everyone for the help on this, and thank you to everyone continuing to play and work on SV OU. You're all awesome and this is some of the most fun I've had playing competitive Pokemon in the last decade.
This man really said, "I will make my favorite Pokémon work." And he did! Truly the Best of All Time.
There's something really great about how Pokémon can have little niches based on small differences in movepools. I was inspired to go back to fiddling with my on Slither Wing set some more, and it turns out Slither Wing does not get Pounce. (Which makes sense; the thing is a big, lumbering moth walker, but still.)
Look man I love using weird stuff as much as the next person but if you have zero replays demonstrating how Manectric functions or it doing anything it becomes really hard to get on board with the idea. You mentioned getting to 1700+ but if I'm honest most competent players could do that using the Corv/Kyu/Pex/Tran/Lando core so it's just difficult to even consider it semi viable with no proof of it. So yeah, some replays of it putting in work would be nice, otherwise it just looks like a huge wall of text and calcs with a bunch of theorymonning and no end product.
pretty much this again, idk how you can expect kricketune to ever accomplish anything meaningful in a meta ruled by things like tusk, zapdos, and gking. it also lets in huge offensive threats like gholdengo, enamorus, and pult for free. you've mentioned some high ladder success but there are no replays or proof posted so i'm struggling to see what the point of this mon or post is
pretty much this again, idk how you can expect kricketune to ever accomplish anything meaningful in a meta ruled by things like tusk, zapdos, and gking. it also lets in huge offensive threats like gholdengo, enamorus, and pult for free. you've mentioned some high ladder success but there are no replays or proof posted so i'm struggling to see what the point of this mon or post is
