[OVERVIEW]
Possessing a high Special Attack stat in combination with a great ability in Mega Launcher, Clawitzer is able to hit extremely hard. Its access to coverage moves in Dark Pulse and Aura Sphere solidifies Clawitzer's role as a wallbreaker, letting it hit a huge portion of the metagame for great damage. Clawitzer also has access to a slow U-turn and forces a lot of switches, allowing it to safely bring in teammates. However, Clawitzer is held back by the abundance of excellent Grass-types in the tier such as Virizion, Rotom-C, Lilligant and Sceptile. Moreover, its low Speed stat leaves it vulnerable to most faster powerful attackers in the tier, especially because its bulk is rather average. Clawitzer also faces competition from other Water-types in Samurott and Ludicolo, which both sport a better Speed tier, outspeeding the likes of Emboar and Omastar. Samurott also can bluff physical sets and pull off a mixed set, while Ludicolo's access to Rain Dance and Swift Swim lets it plow through offensive teams.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Water Pulse / Scald
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Aura Sphere / U-turn
item: Choice Specs
ability: Mega Launcher
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Water Pulse is Clawitzer's main STAB move, as it hits very hard with Mega Launcher, netting a 2HKO on Aromatisse on the switch even after it uses Protect, as well as 2HKOing Calm Mind Spiritomb provided that it hasn't boosted. It also comes with a decent confusion chance. Scald is an alternative if Water Pulse's extra power is not desired, and it can be used to spread burns to weaken Clawitzer's checks instead. It also is still powerful enough to OHKO Piloswine. Dark Pulse rounds Clawitzer's coverage well, nailing the bulky Psychic- and Ghost-types that otherwise wall it, namely Jellicent, Slowbro, and Slowking. Ice Beam is its main way of dealing with Grass- and Dragon-types, hitting the likes of Druddigon and Virizion for super effective damage. Aura Sphere lets Clawitzer OHKO Scrafty and hits Cryogonal and Audino for good damage. U-turn can be used to take advantage of Clawitzer's ability to force many switches, allowing it to get it teammates onto the field safely and pivoting out of its checks.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed with a Modest nature and Choice Specs lets Clawitzer hit hard and outpace much threats as possible. A Timid nature can also be used as it lets Clawitzer outspeed Scrafty, Miltank, and Adamant Emboar.
Usage Tips
========
Use Clawitzer to tear apart opposing cores early-game, leaving them weakened for the rest of the team to clean up. Since this set is holding a Choice item, it is very prediction-reliant. Water Pulse should almost always be used to wear the opposing team down provided that opponent doesn't have a Pokemon immune to it, but you should also try to predict what Pokemon the opponent will send out and use the appropriate coverage move. Predicting wrong comes with very big risks, however, as it could cost the team's momentum or end up giving Pokemon like Virizion setup opportunities when Clawitzer is locked into a move like Dark Pulse. When using U-turn, first consider if safely bringing a teammate on the field would bring more momentum than Clawitzer firing off attacks on its own.
Team Options
========
Volt Switch, U-turn, and Parting Shot support from the likes of Rotom-C, Whimsicott, and Alolan Persian is excellent for safely bringing Clawitzer into the field, and Clawitzer can even complete a VoltTurn core with them if it opts to run U-turn. Switch-ins to Electric- and Grass-types are needed, and Grass- and Electric-types of your own work well, such as Rotom-C, Whimsicott, and Vikavolt, as they also eliminate bulky Water-types for Clawitzer. Entry hazard support helps Clawitzer in its job, as it nets a 2HKO on Vaporeon after Stealth Rock and one layer of Spikes. Rhydon and Piloswine fit well as Stealth Rock setters, and Garbodor is a good Spikes setter, as it also checks Grass-types for Clawitzer. Faster revenge killers and naturally fast Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Sneasel and Emboar help cover Clawitzer's low Speed stat, and they appreciate Clawitzer's ability to break past their checks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Life Orb can be used, but it wears down Clawitzer more quickly and misses out on some KOs when Clawitzer is runningTimid. Dragon Pulse is an option, but it only provides coverage against Dragon-types, and Clawitzer's other coverage options are generally more useful. A spread of 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD with a Quiet nature can be used if Clawitzer is being used under Trick Room.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Grass-types, especially faster ones like Rotom-C, Virizion, and Sceptile, can KO Clawitzer with their STAB moves, threatening it and forcing it out. However, none of them can safely switch in due to the threat of a Choice Specs boosted Ice Beam.
**Electric-types**: Although they can't safely switch in at all, most Electric-types in the tier like Alolan Raichu, Vikavolt, and Rotom threaten Clawitzer with their Electric-type moves.
**Faster Attackers**: Faster powerful attackers such as Medicham and Emboar prey on Clawitzer's low Speed stat, KOing it or leaving it weakened for the entire match.
**Vaporeon**: Vaporeon is immune to Clawitzer's STAB move and can take repeated hits with Wish and Protect.
Possessing a high Special Attack stat in combination with a great ability in Mega Launcher, Clawitzer is able to hit extremely hard. Its access to coverage moves in Dark Pulse and Aura Sphere solidifies Clawitzer's role as a wallbreaker, letting it hit a huge portion of the metagame for great damage. Clawitzer also has access to a slow U-turn and forces a lot of switches, allowing it to safely bring in teammates. However, Clawitzer is held back by the abundance of excellent Grass-types in the tier such as Virizion, Rotom-C, Lilligant and Sceptile. Moreover, its low Speed stat leaves it vulnerable to most faster powerful attackers in the tier, especially because its bulk is rather average. Clawitzer also faces competition from other Water-types in Samurott and Ludicolo, which both sport a better Speed tier, outspeeding the likes of Emboar and Omastar. Samurott also can bluff physical sets and pull off a mixed set, while Ludicolo's access to Rain Dance and Swift Swim lets it plow through offensive teams.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Water Pulse / Scald
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Dark Pulse
move 4: Aura Sphere / U-turn
item: Choice Specs
ability: Mega Launcher
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Water Pulse is Clawitzer's main STAB move, as it hits very hard with Mega Launcher, netting a 2HKO on Aromatisse on the switch even after it uses Protect, as well as 2HKOing Calm Mind Spiritomb provided that it hasn't boosted. It also comes with a decent confusion chance. Scald is an alternative if Water Pulse's extra power is not desired, and it can be used to spread burns to weaken Clawitzer's checks instead. It also is still powerful enough to OHKO Piloswine. Dark Pulse rounds Clawitzer's coverage well, nailing the bulky Psychic- and Ghost-types that otherwise wall it, namely Jellicent, Slowbro, and Slowking. Ice Beam is its main way of dealing with Grass- and Dragon-types, hitting the likes of Druddigon and Virizion for super effective damage. Aura Sphere lets Clawitzer OHKO Scrafty and hits Cryogonal and Audino for good damage. U-turn can be used to take advantage of Clawitzer's ability to force many switches, allowing it to get it teammates onto the field safely and pivoting out of its checks.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed with a Modest nature and Choice Specs lets Clawitzer hit hard and outpace much threats as possible. A Timid nature can also be used as it lets Clawitzer outspeed Scrafty, Miltank, and Adamant Emboar.
Usage Tips
========
Use Clawitzer to tear apart opposing cores early-game, leaving them weakened for the rest of the team to clean up. Since this set is holding a Choice item, it is very prediction-reliant. Water Pulse should almost always be used to wear the opposing team down provided that opponent doesn't have a Pokemon immune to it, but you should also try to predict what Pokemon the opponent will send out and use the appropriate coverage move. Predicting wrong comes with very big risks, however, as it could cost the team's momentum or end up giving Pokemon like Virizion setup opportunities when Clawitzer is locked into a move like Dark Pulse. When using U-turn, first consider if safely bringing a teammate on the field would bring more momentum than Clawitzer firing off attacks on its own.
Team Options
========
Volt Switch, U-turn, and Parting Shot support from the likes of Rotom-C, Whimsicott, and Alolan Persian is excellent for safely bringing Clawitzer into the field, and Clawitzer can even complete a VoltTurn core with them if it opts to run U-turn. Switch-ins to Electric- and Grass-types are needed, and Grass- and Electric-types of your own work well, such as Rotom-C, Whimsicott, and Vikavolt, as they also eliminate bulky Water-types for Clawitzer. Entry hazard support helps Clawitzer in its job, as it nets a 2HKO on Vaporeon after Stealth Rock and one layer of Spikes. Rhydon and Piloswine fit well as Stealth Rock setters, and Garbodor is a good Spikes setter, as it also checks Grass-types for Clawitzer. Faster revenge killers and naturally fast Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Sneasel and Emboar help cover Clawitzer's low Speed stat, and they appreciate Clawitzer's ability to break past their checks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Life Orb can be used, but it wears down Clawitzer more quickly and misses out on some KOs when Clawitzer is runningTimid. Dragon Pulse is an option, but it only provides coverage against Dragon-types, and Clawitzer's other coverage options are generally more useful. A spread of 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD with a Quiet nature can be used if Clawitzer is being used under Trick Room.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Grass-types, especially faster ones like Rotom-C, Virizion, and Sceptile, can KO Clawitzer with their STAB moves, threatening it and forcing it out. However, none of them can safely switch in due to the threat of a Choice Specs boosted Ice Beam.
**Electric-types**: Although they can't safely switch in at all, most Electric-types in the tier like Alolan Raichu, Vikavolt, and Rotom threaten Clawitzer with their Electric-type moves.
**Faster Attackers**: Faster powerful attackers such as Medicham and Emboar prey on Clawitzer's low Speed stat, KOing it or leaving it weakened for the entire match.
**Vaporeon**: Vaporeon is immune to Clawitzer's STAB move and can take repeated hits with Wish and Protect.
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