QC: Earth, quziel, Eternally
GP: marthaa, The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Druddigon is one of only two viable Pokemon to possess the combination of Stealth Rock and Mold Breaker, which allows it to set up the hazard against Xatu, courtesy of bypassing Magic Bounce. Compared to Pinsir, it boasts superior overall bulk and a much better defensive typing, making it a far more reliable option. Druddigon's bulk and resistances to Fire-, Water-, Grass-, and Electric-type moves give it the ability to check many dangerous Pokemon, such as Emboar, Rotom-C, Sceptile, Slowbro, and Delphox. While defensively valuable, Druddigon isn't limited to running defensive sets—with a huge base Attack, Sheer Force, and a wide movepool, it can pick apart many opposing defensive cores. Its good bulk and useful resistances give it plenty of opportunity to come in and deal damage. However, Druddigon's lackluster Speed leaves it outrun by much of the tier, rendering the offensive set heavily reliant on Sucker Punch, which can be easily played around. Its lack of reliable recovery hurts the defensive set, meaning it is easily worn down, especially if it forgoes Leftovers. While its Dragon typing offers useful resistances, it also leaves Druddigon weak to common Ice- and Fairy-type moves. This leaves it threatened by prevalent Pokemon such as Whimsicott, Mega Audino, Sneasel, and Vanilluxe, though the offensive set can KO on them on the switch.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Glare / Toxic
move 3: Dragon Tail
move 4: Earthquake
item: Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock helps to wear down the opponent's team throughout the match. Glare is a 100% accurate move that inflicts paralysis, crippling any Pokemon that relies on Speed such as Sneasel and Delphox. Alternatively, Toxic puts foes on a timer. The damage from poison and potentially Rocky Helmet wears down opposing Pokemon very quickly. Mold Breaker also gives Druddigon the ability to cripple Xatu along with safely setting Stealth Rock, vastly easing the matchup. Choose between Glare and Toxic depending on whether you would prefer to threaten fast Pokemon such as Sneasel or walls such as Vaporeon. Dragon Tail phazes the foe, spreading hazard damage and preventing Druddigon from becoming setup fodder. Lastly, Earthquake hits Steel-types that resist Druddigon's STAB move and also lets it better check Fire- and Electric-types.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread maximizes Druddigon's physical bulk. Mold Breaker lets Druddigon set Stealth Rock against Xatu, as well as cripple it with status. It also lets Druddigon hit Levitate users with Earthquake, such as Rotom and Vikavolt. Rocky Helmet is the preferred item to score chip damage on physical attackers; it could also make the opponent think twice about using Rapid Spin if the opposing Pokemon has less than one-sixth of its HP remaining. Leftovers is another good choice if you prefer passive recovery. Rough Skin is another option to further punish physical attackers that use contact moves against Druddigon, but the utility of Mold Breaker is preferred. Combined with Rocky Helmet, you'll be inflicting around 30% damage on foes that use contact moves on Druddigon.
A spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD with a Careful nature is viable too, which maximizes Druddigon's equally good Special Defense in order to take hits from special Fire-, Water-, Grass-, and Electric-type moves. With this spread, it can beat Calm Mind Delphox and Nasty Plot Houndoom that lack Darkinium Z. Such a set should always run Leftovers and Mold Breaker, as it won't be able to punish physical attackers as effectively. Bear in mind that such a spread will leave Druddigon no longer able to check Emboar.
Usage Tips
========
Early-game, setting up Stealth Rock should be Druddigon's goal. Once Stealth Rock has been set up, throwing around Glare or Toxic is a good idea to cripple fast frail Pokemon or walls without Heal Bell, respectively. Dragon Tail is also a good move to fall back to if you're not sure what your opponent will switch in, as it serves to both wear down the opponent's team and scout switch-ins.
This set should be used to check physical attackers that can't hit Druddigon super effectively, including Choice Scarf Emboar, Choice Scarf Braviary, and Cinccino. With Rocky Helmet, they can find themselves worn down very quickly, especially if using recoil moves, namely Brave Bird and Flare Blitz. Druddigon can also check certain special attackers such as Choice Scarf Delphox and Rotom-C, which gives it the opportunity to throw around Glare to cripple switch-ins like Whimsicott and Sigilyph.
Team Options
========
As this set can be worn down easily, Wish support is greatly appreciated. Vaporeon can pass Druddigon large Wishes to keep it healthy throughout the match and cure its status using Heal Bell. The two have good synergy as well, with Vaporeon resisting the Ice-type moves Druddigon is weak to and Druddigon resisting the Grass- and Electric-type moves Vaporeon is weak to. Defensive Mega Audino can fulfill a similar purpose and can check special attackers such as Vikavolt, Choice Specs Whimsicott, and Choice Scarf Vanilluxe.
This set works brilliantly on Spikes stacking teams, as Mold Breaker lets Druddigon set up Stealth Rock against Xatu, which will quickly wear it down and make it far harder for Xatu to come in against Spikes setters such as Froslass and Garbodor. Rocky Helmet causes spinners to lose around 17% of their HP if they attempt to use Rapid Spin on Druddigon, and its Dragon Tail combined with Stealth Rock and Spikes can quickly wear down the opposing team. Garbodor and Froslass can both set up Spikes and have decent synergy with Druddigon: the former can switch in on Fairy-type moves, while the latter can switch in on Ice-type attacks, both of which hit Druddigon for super effective damage. Braviary can deter the opponent from using Defog thanks to Defiant, while Druddigon punishes Rapid Spin users with Rocky Helmet and possibly Rough Skin damage. In general, Pokemon with Fire-, Water-, Grass-, and Electric-type weaknesses, such as Steelix, Delphox, Rhydon, and Samurott, appreciate having Druddigon around to give them some breathing room.
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Fire Punch
move 3: Sucker Punch / Crunch
move 4: Gunk Shot
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Adamant
evs: 116 HP / 252 Atk / 140 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Outrage is Druddigon's strongest STAB move, 2HKOing almost anything that doesn't resist it. Fire Punch hits the Steel-types that resist Outrage and 2HKOes Steelix after one layer of Spikes most of the time. Sucker Punch is a useful priority move and can helps pick off faster Ghost- and Psychic-types, such as Mismagius and Delphox. Crunch provides a consistent, Sheer Force-boosted way to break Psychic- and Ghost-types without being locked into Outrage. It OHKOes Xatu 50% of the time and 2HKOes Slowbro that lack Colbur Berry. Gunk Shot hits the Fairy-types immune to Druddigon's STAB move, OHKOing Aromatisse and Whimsicott and 2HKOing Mega Audino and Granbull. If you dislike Gunk Shot's shaky accuracy, Iron Head can be used instead. With Stealth Rock damage, it still secures the 2HKO against Mega Audino and Granbull, and with one layer of Spikes down, it will 2HKO Rhydon most of the time.
Set Details
========
Druddigon's Attack is maximized with an Adamant nature so that Druddigon can hit as hard as possible. 140 Speed EVs let it outrun uninvested Vaporeon. The rest is placed in HP for extra bulk. Sheer Force is used to power up Fire Punch, Gunk Shot, and Crunch and remove Life Orb's recoil for those moves. Life Orb gives Druddigon's attacks some extra power, letting it wallbreak more effectively. If you'd prefer more bulk, you could run a spread of 236 HP / 252 Atk / 20 Spe; this outruns uninvested Mega Audino.
Usage Tips
========
This set has the role of a wallbreaker, smashing holes into the opponent's team for another Pokemon to clean up later. As Outrage can be easily taken advantage of, avoid using it until your opponent has no Steel- or Fairy-types left. Opening with Druddigon's coverage moves is often the best idea, as with Sheer Force and Life Orb's combined effect, they'll still hit neutral targets hard. Once any Steel- and Fairy-types are down, spamming Outrage will have a good chance at sweeping.
This set excels as a lure, as many of the bulky Steel- and Fairy-types that wall the defensive set, such as Mega Audino and Steelix, can be 2HKOed with a super effective attack on a predicted switch. However, this set isn't as bulky as the defensive one, so it needs to be played more cautiously. It can still switch in on weaker Fire-, Grass-, and Electric-type moves, but be wary of switching into bulky Water-types, as a Scald burn will render this set useless if you don't have cleric support.
Team Options
========
Late-game sweepers such as Z-Happy Hour Malamar, Calm Mind Mega Audino, and Substitute + Bulk Up Braviary appreciate this set's wallbreaking prowess and luring ability. Malamar appreciates having a teammate that can lure and remove Fairy-types; Mega Audino and Braviary both appreciate having a teammate that can lure and remove Steelix. Entry hazards are useful to help Druddigon score additional KOs. Steelix can set up Stealth Rock and has good synergy with Druddigon—it resists the Dragon- and Fairy-type moves Druddigon is weak to, while Druddigon resists the Fire- and Water-type moves Steelix is weak to. Garbodor and Froslass can set up Spikes to help Druddigon wallbreak more effectively. The former can also set Toxic Spikes. Pokemon with U-turn or Volt Switch make for good teammates, as they can bring Druddigon in safely and create opportunities to wallbreaker. Braviary, Scyther, Rotom-C, and Vikavolt are all suitable providers of momentum.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
A more offensive Stealth Rock set can be run, consisting of Stealth Rock, Outrage, and any of Fire Punch, Earthquake, Gunk Shot, Sucker Punch, and Iron Head. Such a set should run a spread of 236 HP / 252 Atk / 20 Spe with an Adamant nature and use Mold Breaker or Sheer Force as its ability. Dragon Claw is a reliable STAB option but is outclassed due to Dragon Tail's phazing capabilities and Outrage's higher Base Power. Iron Tail is an option for the Life Orb set; it retains coverage on Fairy-types and is able to secure a 2HKO on Rhydon without entry hazards. However, its poor accuracy makes it very unreliable. Thunder Punch can also be used on that set to hit bulky Water-types without having to be locked into Outrage. It still retains coverage on Slowbro, Xatu, and Jellicent, 2HKOing all of them. However, Druddigon will then be unable to harm most bulky Fairy-types, making it a lesser option overall. Flamethrower can be used on the offensive set, but it is only useful for hitting Steelix somewhat harder than Fire Punch. It also requires Druddigon to run a Naughty or Lonely nature, reducing its bulk. A set using Rest and Sleep Talk with Dragon Tail and either Stealth Rock, Glare, or Toxic in the final slot is extremely durable, but it will be unable to harm Steel- and especially Fairy-types and is generally outdone by Slowbro as a wall, as Druddigon lacks Slowbro's reliable recovery.
Checks and Counters
========
**Fairy-types**: Choice Specs Whimsicott outruns Druddigon and OHKOes it with Moonblast. Mega Audino and Aromatisse wall the defensive set, and both have Heal Bell to cure potential status conditions. Calm Mind variants can use it as setup fodder, as they are unable to be phazed by Dragon Tail. However, Gunk Shot OHKOes Whimsicott and Aromatisse and 2HKOes Mega Audino.
**Ice-types**: While most can't reliably switch in, many of NU's Ice-types can force out Druddigon or just outright OHKO it. Vanilluxe and Aurorus can OHKO with their STAB Blizzard. Piloswine walls the defensive set, 2HKOes Druddigon with Icicle Crash, and has a good chance to OHKO the offensive set after Stealth Rock; however, Outrage and Iron Head will 2HKO Piloswine. Sneasel hates paralysis and is OHKOed by Outrage and Fire Punch, so it can't switch into either set; however, it can always force Druddigon out. Cryogonal can also force Druddigon out and remove its Stealth Rock with Rapid Spin, but it can't switch in on either set, as it hates paralysis and is OHKOed by Fire Punch.
**Status**: A burn will completely cripple the offensive set, rendering it dead weight. Toxic puts the defensive set on a timer, limiting its phazing ability and longevity.
**Bulky Steel-types**: Bulky Steel-types like Steelix and Ferroseed can wall the defensive set and set up hazards in its face. However, the offensive set can 2HKO Steelix with Fire Punch after one layer of Spikes.
GP: marthaa, The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Druddigon is one of only two viable Pokemon to possess the combination of Stealth Rock and Mold Breaker, which allows it to set up the hazard against Xatu, courtesy of bypassing Magic Bounce. Compared to Pinsir, it boasts superior overall bulk and a much better defensive typing, making it a far more reliable option. Druddigon's bulk and resistances to Fire-, Water-, Grass-, and Electric-type moves give it the ability to check many dangerous Pokemon, such as Emboar, Rotom-C, Sceptile, Slowbro, and Delphox. While defensively valuable, Druddigon isn't limited to running defensive sets—with a huge base Attack, Sheer Force, and a wide movepool, it can pick apart many opposing defensive cores. Its good bulk and useful resistances give it plenty of opportunity to come in and deal damage. However, Druddigon's lackluster Speed leaves it outrun by much of the tier, rendering the offensive set heavily reliant on Sucker Punch, which can be easily played around. Its lack of reliable recovery hurts the defensive set, meaning it is easily worn down, especially if it forgoes Leftovers. While its Dragon typing offers useful resistances, it also leaves Druddigon weak to common Ice- and Fairy-type moves. This leaves it threatened by prevalent Pokemon such as Whimsicott, Mega Audino, Sneasel, and Vanilluxe, though the offensive set can KO on them on the switch.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Glare / Toxic
move 3: Dragon Tail
move 4: Earthquake
item: Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock helps to wear down the opponent's team throughout the match. Glare is a 100% accurate move that inflicts paralysis, crippling any Pokemon that relies on Speed such as Sneasel and Delphox. Alternatively, Toxic puts foes on a timer. The damage from poison and potentially Rocky Helmet wears down opposing Pokemon very quickly. Mold Breaker also gives Druddigon the ability to cripple Xatu along with safely setting Stealth Rock, vastly easing the matchup. Choose between Glare and Toxic depending on whether you would prefer to threaten fast Pokemon such as Sneasel or walls such as Vaporeon. Dragon Tail phazes the foe, spreading hazard damage and preventing Druddigon from becoming setup fodder. Lastly, Earthquake hits Steel-types that resist Druddigon's STAB move and also lets it better check Fire- and Electric-types.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread maximizes Druddigon's physical bulk. Mold Breaker lets Druddigon set Stealth Rock against Xatu, as well as cripple it with status. It also lets Druddigon hit Levitate users with Earthquake, such as Rotom and Vikavolt. Rocky Helmet is the preferred item to score chip damage on physical attackers; it could also make the opponent think twice about using Rapid Spin if the opposing Pokemon has less than one-sixth of its HP remaining. Leftovers is another good choice if you prefer passive recovery. Rough Skin is another option to further punish physical attackers that use contact moves against Druddigon, but the utility of Mold Breaker is preferred. Combined with Rocky Helmet, you'll be inflicting around 30% damage on foes that use contact moves on Druddigon.
A spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD with a Careful nature is viable too, which maximizes Druddigon's equally good Special Defense in order to take hits from special Fire-, Water-, Grass-, and Electric-type moves. With this spread, it can beat Calm Mind Delphox and Nasty Plot Houndoom that lack Darkinium Z. Such a set should always run Leftovers and Mold Breaker, as it won't be able to punish physical attackers as effectively. Bear in mind that such a spread will leave Druddigon no longer able to check Emboar.
Usage Tips
========
Early-game, setting up Stealth Rock should be Druddigon's goal. Once Stealth Rock has been set up, throwing around Glare or Toxic is a good idea to cripple fast frail Pokemon or walls without Heal Bell, respectively. Dragon Tail is also a good move to fall back to if you're not sure what your opponent will switch in, as it serves to both wear down the opponent's team and scout switch-ins.
This set should be used to check physical attackers that can't hit Druddigon super effectively, including Choice Scarf Emboar, Choice Scarf Braviary, and Cinccino. With Rocky Helmet, they can find themselves worn down very quickly, especially if using recoil moves, namely Brave Bird and Flare Blitz. Druddigon can also check certain special attackers such as Choice Scarf Delphox and Rotom-C, which gives it the opportunity to throw around Glare to cripple switch-ins like Whimsicott and Sigilyph.
Team Options
========
As this set can be worn down easily, Wish support is greatly appreciated. Vaporeon can pass Druddigon large Wishes to keep it healthy throughout the match and cure its status using Heal Bell. The two have good synergy as well, with Vaporeon resisting the Ice-type moves Druddigon is weak to and Druddigon resisting the Grass- and Electric-type moves Vaporeon is weak to. Defensive Mega Audino can fulfill a similar purpose and can check special attackers such as Vikavolt, Choice Specs Whimsicott, and Choice Scarf Vanilluxe.
This set works brilliantly on Spikes stacking teams, as Mold Breaker lets Druddigon set up Stealth Rock against Xatu, which will quickly wear it down and make it far harder for Xatu to come in against Spikes setters such as Froslass and Garbodor. Rocky Helmet causes spinners to lose around 17% of their HP if they attempt to use Rapid Spin on Druddigon, and its Dragon Tail combined with Stealth Rock and Spikes can quickly wear down the opposing team. Garbodor and Froslass can both set up Spikes and have decent synergy with Druddigon: the former can switch in on Fairy-type moves, while the latter can switch in on Ice-type attacks, both of which hit Druddigon for super effective damage. Braviary can deter the opponent from using Defog thanks to Defiant, while Druddigon punishes Rapid Spin users with Rocky Helmet and possibly Rough Skin damage. In general, Pokemon with Fire-, Water-, Grass-, and Electric-type weaknesses, such as Steelix, Delphox, Rhydon, and Samurott, appreciate having Druddigon around to give them some breathing room.
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Fire Punch
move 3: Sucker Punch / Crunch
move 4: Gunk Shot
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Adamant
evs: 116 HP / 252 Atk / 140 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Outrage is Druddigon's strongest STAB move, 2HKOing almost anything that doesn't resist it. Fire Punch hits the Steel-types that resist Outrage and 2HKOes Steelix after one layer of Spikes most of the time. Sucker Punch is a useful priority move and can helps pick off faster Ghost- and Psychic-types, such as Mismagius and Delphox. Crunch provides a consistent, Sheer Force-boosted way to break Psychic- and Ghost-types without being locked into Outrage. It OHKOes Xatu 50% of the time and 2HKOes Slowbro that lack Colbur Berry. Gunk Shot hits the Fairy-types immune to Druddigon's STAB move, OHKOing Aromatisse and Whimsicott and 2HKOing Mega Audino and Granbull. If you dislike Gunk Shot's shaky accuracy, Iron Head can be used instead. With Stealth Rock damage, it still secures the 2HKO against Mega Audino and Granbull, and with one layer of Spikes down, it will 2HKO Rhydon most of the time.
Set Details
========
Druddigon's Attack is maximized with an Adamant nature so that Druddigon can hit as hard as possible. 140 Speed EVs let it outrun uninvested Vaporeon. The rest is placed in HP for extra bulk. Sheer Force is used to power up Fire Punch, Gunk Shot, and Crunch and remove Life Orb's recoil for those moves. Life Orb gives Druddigon's attacks some extra power, letting it wallbreak more effectively. If you'd prefer more bulk, you could run a spread of 236 HP / 252 Atk / 20 Spe; this outruns uninvested Mega Audino.
Usage Tips
========
This set has the role of a wallbreaker, smashing holes into the opponent's team for another Pokemon to clean up later. As Outrage can be easily taken advantage of, avoid using it until your opponent has no Steel- or Fairy-types left. Opening with Druddigon's coverage moves is often the best idea, as with Sheer Force and Life Orb's combined effect, they'll still hit neutral targets hard. Once any Steel- and Fairy-types are down, spamming Outrage will have a good chance at sweeping.
This set excels as a lure, as many of the bulky Steel- and Fairy-types that wall the defensive set, such as Mega Audino and Steelix, can be 2HKOed with a super effective attack on a predicted switch. However, this set isn't as bulky as the defensive one, so it needs to be played more cautiously. It can still switch in on weaker Fire-, Grass-, and Electric-type moves, but be wary of switching into bulky Water-types, as a Scald burn will render this set useless if you don't have cleric support.
Team Options
========
Late-game sweepers such as Z-Happy Hour Malamar, Calm Mind Mega Audino, and Substitute + Bulk Up Braviary appreciate this set's wallbreaking prowess and luring ability. Malamar appreciates having a teammate that can lure and remove Fairy-types; Mega Audino and Braviary both appreciate having a teammate that can lure and remove Steelix. Entry hazards are useful to help Druddigon score additional KOs. Steelix can set up Stealth Rock and has good synergy with Druddigon—it resists the Dragon- and Fairy-type moves Druddigon is weak to, while Druddigon resists the Fire- and Water-type moves Steelix is weak to. Garbodor and Froslass can set up Spikes to help Druddigon wallbreak more effectively. The former can also set Toxic Spikes. Pokemon with U-turn or Volt Switch make for good teammates, as they can bring Druddigon in safely and create opportunities to wallbreaker. Braviary, Scyther, Rotom-C, and Vikavolt are all suitable providers of momentum.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
A more offensive Stealth Rock set can be run, consisting of Stealth Rock, Outrage, and any of Fire Punch, Earthquake, Gunk Shot, Sucker Punch, and Iron Head. Such a set should run a spread of 236 HP / 252 Atk / 20 Spe with an Adamant nature and use Mold Breaker or Sheer Force as its ability. Dragon Claw is a reliable STAB option but is outclassed due to Dragon Tail's phazing capabilities and Outrage's higher Base Power. Iron Tail is an option for the Life Orb set; it retains coverage on Fairy-types and is able to secure a 2HKO on Rhydon without entry hazards. However, its poor accuracy makes it very unreliable. Thunder Punch can also be used on that set to hit bulky Water-types without having to be locked into Outrage. It still retains coverage on Slowbro, Xatu, and Jellicent, 2HKOing all of them. However, Druddigon will then be unable to harm most bulky Fairy-types, making it a lesser option overall. Flamethrower can be used on the offensive set, but it is only useful for hitting Steelix somewhat harder than Fire Punch. It also requires Druddigon to run a Naughty or Lonely nature, reducing its bulk. A set using Rest and Sleep Talk with Dragon Tail and either Stealth Rock, Glare, or Toxic in the final slot is extremely durable, but it will be unable to harm Steel- and especially Fairy-types and is generally outdone by Slowbro as a wall, as Druddigon lacks Slowbro's reliable recovery.
Checks and Counters
========
**Fairy-types**: Choice Specs Whimsicott outruns Druddigon and OHKOes it with Moonblast. Mega Audino and Aromatisse wall the defensive set, and both have Heal Bell to cure potential status conditions. Calm Mind variants can use it as setup fodder, as they are unable to be phazed by Dragon Tail. However, Gunk Shot OHKOes Whimsicott and Aromatisse and 2HKOes Mega Audino.
**Ice-types**: While most can't reliably switch in, many of NU's Ice-types can force out Druddigon or just outright OHKO it. Vanilluxe and Aurorus can OHKO with their STAB Blizzard. Piloswine walls the defensive set, 2HKOes Druddigon with Icicle Crash, and has a good chance to OHKO the offensive set after Stealth Rock; however, Outrage and Iron Head will 2HKO Piloswine. Sneasel hates paralysis and is OHKOed by Outrage and Fire Punch, so it can't switch into either set; however, it can always force Druddigon out. Cryogonal can also force Druddigon out and remove its Stealth Rock with Rapid Spin, but it can't switch in on either set, as it hates paralysis and is OHKOed by Fire Punch.
**Status**: A burn will completely cripple the offensive set, rendering it dead weight. Toxic puts the defensive set on a timer, limiting its phazing ability and longevity.
**Bulky Steel-types**: Bulky Steel-types like Steelix and Ferroseed can wall the defensive set and set up hazards in its face. However, the offensive set can 2HKO Steelix with Fire Punch after one layer of Spikes.
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