[OVERVIEW]
Krookodile’s excellent Attack along with its useful utility movepool allows it solidify its place as one of the top threats in NU. It works great as a hazard setter thanks to Intimidate and its ability to keep up pressure while also having access to moves like Knock Off and Taunt to cripple bulkier Pokemon like Talonflame and Tsareena that could come in free and take advantage of it. Having a wide variety of coverage moves like Gunk Shot, Stone Edge, and Close Combat helps it too, as they target Grass-, Fairy-, and Flying-types like Tsareena, Sylveon, Noivern, and Brute Bonnet that could switch in more easily otherwise. Krookodile puts these to use exceptionally well with its Choice Scarf set, allowing to outspeed would-be threats and hit Pokemon before they would be able to U-turn out like Inteleon, Basculegion, and Lycanroc-D. The Speed Krookodile gains from Choice Scarf along with Moxie can help it sweep unprepared teams that can’t offensively check it. However, its fairly middling Speed tier means common Choice Scarf users like Mienshao and Flygon easily outspeed it, and, if Krookodile does get a kill, a healthy defensive wall is usually enough to force it out. As a hazards setter, due to how offensive it is, it lacks much bulk or any reliable recovery, meaning it’ll get whittled down over the course of the game. Krookodile also tends to fail to due much to Pokemon like Slowbro and Vileplume after a Knock Off, forcing it to switch out after.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Stone Edge / Stealth Rock
move 4: Gunk Shot / Stealth Rock
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Intimidate / Moxie
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
tera type: Poison / Dark
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Stone Edge hits Flying-types like Talonflame and Noivern while Gunk Shot hits Grass- and Fairy-types that take advantage of it like Tsareena, Sylveon, and Tera Fairy Slowbro. Close Combat can be used to hit Dark-types, but Krookodile tends to be able to take care of them with either an Earthquake or a Gunk Shot. Intimidate provides it extra utility throughout the battle, letting it check Physical attackers more easily while Moxie, in conjunction with Choice Scarf, allows Krookodile to be a deadly win condition that can easily snowball. Tera Poison boosts Gunk Shot and provides Krookodile with utility, letting it survive one Fighting- or Fairy-type attack while helping it take on a more common Choice Scarf user in Mienshao. However, Tera Dark can be used instead to boost Krookodile’s Knock Off to insane levels, paving the way for its sweep with Moxie.
Faster Choice Scarf users like Mienshao, Infernape, and Flygon threaten Krookodile, so Pokemon like Vileplume and Slowbro help check them. Krookodile also has issues with beating bulky Physical walls like Vileplume and Quagsire, so Special wallbreakers like Munkidori, Chandelure, and Sylveon help to tear holes to aid in Krookodile’s sweep. Krookodile easily checks fast Psychic- and Ghost-types like Munkidori, Hisuian Typhlosion, and Basculegion, so Pokemon like Dragalge, Reuniclus, and Brambleghast can take advantage of this. Getting KOs can be difficult for Krookodile, meaning that pivots like Dragalge, Tsareena, and Mienshao that can lure in Pokemon weak to it are greatly appreciated. Assault Vest Gallade and Magnezone help check Special attackers for Krookodile while also beating bulky Water-types like Swampert and Slowbro that it’s stopped by.
[SET]
name: Offensive Hazard Setter
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Gunk Shot / Stone Edge / Taunt
item: Black Glasses / Leftovers
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
tera type: Poison / Ghost
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Knock Off, along with Krookodile’s access to Stealth Rock, lets it be a threatening hazards setter as it’s able to beat all the hazards clearers with the chip it racks up over time. Gunk Shot helps Krookodile deal with Grass-types like Tsareena and Brute Bonnet, but Stone Edge allows Krookodile to hit Flying-type switch-ins such as Noivern and Talonflame. Black Glasses simultaneously boosts Krookodile’s Knock Off while bluffing Choice Scarf, but Leftovers can be used over it for some recovery. With Tera Poison, Krookodile can check Mienshao and Tsareena in a pinch while boosting Gunk Shot; however, Tera Ghost allows it to be immune to both Fighting-type attacks and Rapid Spin while giving it multiple neutralities. Leading with Stealth Rock Krookodile tends to punish the user as common leads carry super-effective attacks or U-turn like Mienshao and Flygon.
Fighting-types such as Mienshao and Infernape easily outspeed Krookodile and threaten it with STAB, so pairing it with teammates like Dragalge, Slowbro, and Talonflame helps to alleviate this weakness. Bulky Grass- and Water-types like Tsareena, Vileplume, and Swampert are difficult to deal with for Krookodile, meaning it enjoys Pokemon like Chandelure, Noivern, and Rotom-C. Special attackers like Inteleon, Venusaur, and Florges easily scare out Krookodile, so Special walls like Copperajah, Magnezone, Assault Vest Slowbro help take on these threats. With how easily Krookodile spreads Knock Off, Spikes setters like Klefki and Brambleghast pair well with it, helping to weaken down the opposing team. Pokemon such as Mienshao, Munkidori, and Gallade that take advantage of Krookodile’s ability to take on Psychic- and Ghost-type attackers work well with it. Pokemon like U-turn Munkidori or Flip Turn Dragalge can bring in Krookodile against Alolan Muk, forcing progress.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
A Choice Band set on Krookodile can be used, but it tends to get easily revenge killed due to its middling Speed. On utility or bulkier sets, Rocky Helmet can be run, but most of the moves Krookodile would want to switch into to take advantage of its chip would be super effective. With either a Loaded Dice or a Lum Berry, Krookodile can be a dangerous set-up sweeper with Moxie and a moveset of Knock Off / Earthquake / Scale Shot / Bulk Up. Krookodile can also be a decent Stealth Rock fodder lead with a Focus Sash.
Checks and Counters
====
**Fighting-types**: Mienshao and Infernape both outspeed Krookodile and can finish it with a Close Combat. Lucario can use Choice Scarf Krookodile as set-up fodder while Gallade can take any hit from it, letting it either set-up aswell or just KO it. Scrafty also takes advantage of Krookodile by using it as set-up fodder as Krookodile fails to do any meaningful damage to it.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types like Tsareena, Brute Bonnet, and Vileplume can take an Earthquake from Krookodile and threaten it with super-effective STAB; however, they should be cautious of Gunk Shot. Torterra and Venusaur both outspeed Krookodile after a Shell Smash or while in Sun and OHKO with a Bullet Seed or Giga Drain, respectively.
**Water-types**: Water-type Physical walls like Swampert, Quagsire, and Slowbro can take easily take attacks from Krookodile with the former having no recovery, leaving it open to being whittled over the course of a battle, and the latter being able to sit on it after a Knock Off. Slowbro can be forced to Tera however, leaving it open to be hit super-effectively by Krookodile’s other moves. More offensive Water-types, like Inteleon, Feraligatr, and Cloyster can threaten to KO Krookodile after either taking a hit or easily outspeeding it.
**Revenge Killers**: Due to Krookodile’s somewhat middling Speed, it’s easily outsped by faster Choice Scarf users even when using one itself. Choice Scarf Mienshao, Infernape, Inteleon, and Flygon all outspeed Krookodile and can threaten to KO with minimal chip if not outright OHKO.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/lucario.189361/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user6.105/
Krookodile’s excellent Attack along with its useful utility movepool allows it solidify its place as one of the top threats in NU. It works great as a hazard setter thanks to Intimidate and its ability to keep up pressure while also having access to moves like Knock Off and Taunt to cripple bulkier Pokemon like Talonflame and Tsareena that could come in free and take advantage of it. Having a wide variety of coverage moves like Gunk Shot, Stone Edge, and Close Combat helps it too, as they target Grass-, Fairy-, and Flying-types like Tsareena, Sylveon, Noivern, and Brute Bonnet that could switch in more easily otherwise. Krookodile puts these to use exceptionally well with its Choice Scarf set, allowing to outspeed would-be threats and hit Pokemon before they would be able to U-turn out like Inteleon, Basculegion, and Lycanroc-D. The Speed Krookodile gains from Choice Scarf along with Moxie can help it sweep unprepared teams that can’t offensively check it. However, its fairly middling Speed tier means common Choice Scarf users like Mienshao and Flygon easily outspeed it, and, if Krookodile does get a kill, a healthy defensive wall is usually enough to force it out. As a hazards setter, due to how offensive it is, it lacks much bulk or any reliable recovery, meaning it’ll get whittled down over the course of the game. Krookodile also tends to fail to due much to Pokemon like Slowbro and Vileplume after a Knock Off, forcing it to switch out after.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Stone Edge / Stealth Rock
move 4: Gunk Shot / Stealth Rock
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Intimidate / Moxie
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
tera type: Poison / Dark
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Stone Edge hits Flying-types like Talonflame and Noivern while Gunk Shot hits Grass- and Fairy-types that take advantage of it like Tsareena, Sylveon, and Tera Fairy Slowbro. Close Combat can be used to hit Dark-types, but Krookodile tends to be able to take care of them with either an Earthquake or a Gunk Shot. Intimidate provides it extra utility throughout the battle, letting it check Physical attackers more easily while Moxie, in conjunction with Choice Scarf, allows Krookodile to be a deadly win condition that can easily snowball. Tera Poison boosts Gunk Shot and provides Krookodile with utility, letting it survive one Fighting- or Fairy-type attack while helping it take on a more common Choice Scarf user in Mienshao. However, Tera Dark can be used instead to boost Krookodile’s Knock Off to insane levels, paving the way for its sweep with Moxie.
Faster Choice Scarf users like Mienshao, Infernape, and Flygon threaten Krookodile, so Pokemon like Vileplume and Slowbro help check them. Krookodile also has issues with beating bulky Physical walls like Vileplume and Quagsire, so Special wallbreakers like Munkidori, Chandelure, and Sylveon help to tear holes to aid in Krookodile’s sweep. Krookodile easily checks fast Psychic- and Ghost-types like Munkidori, Hisuian Typhlosion, and Basculegion, so Pokemon like Dragalge, Reuniclus, and Brambleghast can take advantage of this. Getting KOs can be difficult for Krookodile, meaning that pivots like Dragalge, Tsareena, and Mienshao that can lure in Pokemon weak to it are greatly appreciated. Assault Vest Gallade and Magnezone help check Special attackers for Krookodile while also beating bulky Water-types like Swampert and Slowbro that it’s stopped by.
[SET]
name: Offensive Hazard Setter
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Gunk Shot / Stone Edge / Taunt
item: Black Glasses / Leftovers
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
tera type: Poison / Ghost
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Knock Off, along with Krookodile’s access to Stealth Rock, lets it be a threatening hazards setter as it’s able to beat all the hazards clearers with the chip it racks up over time. Gunk Shot helps Krookodile deal with Grass-types like Tsareena and Brute Bonnet, but Stone Edge allows Krookodile to hit Flying-type switch-ins such as Noivern and Talonflame. Black Glasses simultaneously boosts Krookodile’s Knock Off while bluffing Choice Scarf, but Leftovers can be used over it for some recovery. With Tera Poison, Krookodile can check Mienshao and Tsareena in a pinch while boosting Gunk Shot; however, Tera Ghost allows it to be immune to both Fighting-type attacks and Rapid Spin while giving it multiple neutralities. Leading with Stealth Rock Krookodile tends to punish the user as common leads carry super-effective attacks or U-turn like Mienshao and Flygon.
Fighting-types such as Mienshao and Infernape easily outspeed Krookodile and threaten it with STAB, so pairing it with teammates like Dragalge, Slowbro, and Talonflame helps to alleviate this weakness. Bulky Grass- and Water-types like Tsareena, Vileplume, and Swampert are difficult to deal with for Krookodile, meaning it enjoys Pokemon like Chandelure, Noivern, and Rotom-C. Special attackers like Inteleon, Venusaur, and Florges easily scare out Krookodile, so Special walls like Copperajah, Magnezone, Assault Vest Slowbro help take on these threats. With how easily Krookodile spreads Knock Off, Spikes setters like Klefki and Brambleghast pair well with it, helping to weaken down the opposing team. Pokemon such as Mienshao, Munkidori, and Gallade that take advantage of Krookodile’s ability to take on Psychic- and Ghost-type attackers work well with it. Pokemon like U-turn Munkidori or Flip Turn Dragalge can bring in Krookodile against Alolan Muk, forcing progress.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
A Choice Band set on Krookodile can be used, but it tends to get easily revenge killed due to its middling Speed. On utility or bulkier sets, Rocky Helmet can be run, but most of the moves Krookodile would want to switch into to take advantage of its chip would be super effective. With either a Loaded Dice or a Lum Berry, Krookodile can be a dangerous set-up sweeper with Moxie and a moveset of Knock Off / Earthquake / Scale Shot / Bulk Up. Krookodile can also be a decent Stealth Rock fodder lead with a Focus Sash.
Checks and Counters
====
**Fighting-types**: Mienshao and Infernape both outspeed Krookodile and can finish it with a Close Combat. Lucario can use Choice Scarf Krookodile as set-up fodder while Gallade can take any hit from it, letting it either set-up aswell or just KO it. Scrafty also takes advantage of Krookodile by using it as set-up fodder as Krookodile fails to do any meaningful damage to it.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types like Tsareena, Brute Bonnet, and Vileplume can take an Earthquake from Krookodile and threaten it with super-effective STAB; however, they should be cautious of Gunk Shot. Torterra and Venusaur both outspeed Krookodile after a Shell Smash or while in Sun and OHKO with a Bullet Seed or Giga Drain, respectively.
**Water-types**: Water-type Physical walls like Swampert, Quagsire, and Slowbro can take easily take attacks from Krookodile with the former having no recovery, leaving it open to being whittled over the course of a battle, and the latter being able to sit on it after a Knock Off. Slowbro can be forced to Tera however, leaving it open to be hit super-effectively by Krookodile’s other moves. More offensive Water-types, like Inteleon, Feraligatr, and Cloyster can threaten to KO Krookodile after either taking a hit or easily outspeeding it.
**Revenge Killers**: Due to Krookodile’s somewhat middling Speed, it’s easily outsped by faster Choice Scarf users even when using one itself. Choice Scarf Mienshao, Infernape, Inteleon, and Flygon all outspeed Krookodile and can threaten to KO with minimal chip if not outright OHKO.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/lucario.189361/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user6.105/
Last edited:
