[VGC] Krookodile Physical Attacker / Support
Jan 18, 2017, 03:53 PM
(This post was last modified: Jan 19, 2017, 11:22 AM by Rockycombo.
Edit Reason: fixed a few EV errors in the second set
)
![[Image: krookodile_used_sandstorm_by_salanchu-d4y6n77.png]](http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/121/8/a/krookodile_used_sandstorm_by_salanchu-d4y6n77.png)
Credit to salanchu
Krookodile has a lot going for it in VGC 2017: the red croc has a respectable attack stat and settles into a decent speed tier, allowing it to throw strong Ground and Dark type STAB attacks around while it uses its stellar ability, Intimidate, to drop your foe's Attack. Said ability also allows Krookdile to serve a bulkier, supportive role with moves such as Taunt, Snarl, Bulldoze, and even Dragon Tail. Yet Krookodile is not safe everywhere - even with a few valuable immunities in Electric and Psychic, its still got to look out for the Fairy and Water types running around the scene. And while 92 speed isn't terrible, it won't be winning every race. But pair it with the proper partners, and Krookodile can shine in numerous situations.
![[Image: krookodile.png]](http://pokemonforever.com/images/pokeimages/gen5/krookodile.png)
Type:
Base Stats: 95 HP / 117 Attack / 80 Defense / 65 Special Attack / 70 Special Defense / 92 Speed
Weaknesses:
x2 
x2 
x2 
x2 
x2 
x2Resistances:
x0.5 
x0.5 
x0.5 x0.5Immunities:
Abilities:
Intimidate: The Pokémon intimidates opposing Pokémon upon entering battle, lowering their Attack stat. Pokémon with the Clear Body, Hyper Cutter, or White Smoke ability are unaffected.
Moxie: The Pokémon shows moxie, and that boosts the Attack stat after knocking out any Pokémon.
Hidden Ability - Anger Point: The Pokémon is angered when it takes a critical hit, and that maxes its Attack stat.
Physical Attacker
Krookodile @ Groundium Z / Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Crunch
- Taunt / Rock Slide
- Protect / Taunt
Max attack investment allows Krookodile to pack as much of a punch as possible, OHKOing or outspeed and 2HKOing many threats. Groundium Z is the most common item choice, providing Krookodile with a powerful nuke. Though if you're looking for more power all around, a Life Orb is a viable option as well. Intimidate is the preferred ability choice, and it allows Krookodile not only to take more physical hits (such as a -1 Gyarados Waterfall), but also provide support to its team.
While running a Moxie set may be tempting, in most cases, Garchomp is the preferred choice over Krookodile for sets going for raw power. Garchomp packs a higher Attack stat, higher Speed, and more general bulk than Krookodile. The croc's main benefit is the stellar Intimidate ability, allowing it to support its teammates just by switching in. Krookodile also has a safer secondary STAB in the Dark type, along with more support options such as Taunt. However, Garchomp also gets Poison Jab to deal with Fairy types, which Krookodile struggles with. Other considerations include Garchomp's lack of grass weakness (vs Kartana), Krookodile's Psychic immunity and 2x weakness to ice as opposed to Garchomp's 4x.
Getting back to the set, Earthquake and Crunch are Krookodile's two most powerful attacks, and should be used to put dents in the opposing team. The choice between the two depends on what you're trying to hit and your partner situation, as Earthquake hits everything on the field. Taunt is great for stopping opposing mons from setting up or stalling via status or other passive tactics. Rock Slide is another option in this slot to hit Flying, Bug, and Ice types or go for a flinch chance. Protect is generally your best bet for the last slot, though if you feel you don't need it, Taunt can go here as well.
Damage Calculations:
Offensive
Defensive
Drop All the Stats
Krookodile @ Sitrus Berry / Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 204 HP / 52 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Snarl
- Bulldoze / Earthquake
- Taunt / Dragon Tail
- Protect
This EV spread allows Krookodile to tank more hits, even being able to survive an unboosted Waterfall from Gyarados and reliably live a -1 Kartana Leaf Blade. This set can also outspeed neutral nature Tapu Lele and Snarl it, allowing it to survive a -1 Moonblast. The large health boost of a Sitrus berry is generally preferred over the slower Leftovers, which are generally best saved for more tank oriented Pokémon anyway. A spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe is also perfectly viable.
The main goal of this set is to lower your opponent's stats so Krookodile's partners can shine all the brighter, as the EV spread and lack of boosting item means Krookodile won't be doing a lot of damage on its own. Intimidate lowers Attack, Snarl lowers Special Attack, and Bulldoze lowers Speed. Though if you're getting your speed control from somewhere else, or don't want to risk lowering your own partner's Speed, Earthquake can be run to do a bit more damage. As with the previous set Taunt can be used to prevent set up or status, though Dragon Tail is another alternative to simply phase enemies out.
Damage Calculations:
Defensive
Potential Teammates include, but aren't limited to;
- Flying types like Celesteela, Gyarados, and Pelliper are immune to Krookodile's Earthquake or Bulldoze and appreciate its ability to take on Electric and Rock types, and also Fire types for Celesteela
- Tapu Lele likes Krookodile's Intimidate support and ability to take on Ghost and Steel types
- Grass types resist Krookodile's Ground STAB and can take on scary Water types for it. Electric types can also do that, but be sure they're packing Protect
- Fairy types like that Krookodile can take on Steel types and Fire types
- Ghost types appreciate Krookodile's ability to take on other Ghosts.
- Frailer Pokémon never complain about Intimidate and/or Snarl support
- Set up based teams can benefit from Krookodile's Intimidate and Taunt support
Threats include, but aren't limited to;
- Water types, especially in Rain teams, (Pelliper, Golduck, Araquanid) can generally tank a neutral hit from Krookodile and wreck it with their STAB.
- Opposing Intimidate user Gyarados beats Krookodile handily, and even Arcanine can hinder it.
- Grass types like Kartana and Tapu Bulu
- Fairy types like Tapu Lele and Tapu Fini
- Ice types like Alolan-Ninetales and Alolan-Sandslash
- Fighting types like Hariyama and Crabominable
Other Notable Moves
- Pursuit can be used if you're a master predictor, but has less reliable damage
- Roar can be used over Dragon Tail to guarantee a phase on Fairy types at the cost of chip damage
- The defensive set can use Foul Play to turn your opponent's Attack against them
- Swagger can be used to confuse your foes, but defeats the point of Intimidate in most cases
- Power Trip along with Bulk Up or Hone Claws can be used if you want a cute gimmick
Other Notable Items
- Assault Vest is another item that's getting a lot of usage, though you have to forego Taunt and Protect
- A Choice Scarf allows Krookodile to outspeed a lot more Pokémon, at the cost of being unable to switch moves.
- A Choice Band adds more power, but presents the same problems as a Scarf.
