QC checks: Omicron, Arikado, Mr. Aldo
GP Checks: DeathByWobbuffet/Xayah, The Dutch Plumberjack/Avocado
One of the most forgettable Pokémon ever might finally be able to do something in this meta.
[OVERVIEW]
Cryogonal is a decent choice for an entry hazard remover for offensive teams due to its high Speed stat. Additionally, it possesses reliable recovery, which allows it to stay healthy to perform its job multiple times, as well as Knock Off to annoy opposing switch-ins. With a solid base 135 Special Defense, it's even capable of switching in on a lot of neutral special hits, giving it lots of opportunities to switch in. Its main STAB move, Freeze-Dry, is also very spammable, as Ice-resistant Pokemon are uncommon, and Freeze-Dry hits Water-types, the most common switch-ins to Ice-types, for super effective damage. Another boon to Cryogonal's ability to switch in is its immunity to most forms of entry hazards thanks to Levitate, avoiding all but Stealth Rock. However, Cryogonal has one of the worst defensive typings in the game, with just one resistance, which, in combination with its horrible base 50 Defense stat, severely limits what it can switch in on. Further compounding this issue is its weakness to Stealth Rock, which forces it to use Recover frequently and means even moves it would normally take well can 2HKO it after switching in. Lastly, without Hidden Power Fire, Cryogonal is completely walled by Doublade, the best spinblocker in the tier, even further reducing how often it can remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin.
[SET]
name: Offensive Spinner
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Freeze-Dry
move 3: Recover
move 4: Knock Off
item: Never-Melt Ice / Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 40 SpD / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Entry hazard removal is required for nearly every team to remove Stealth Rock Rock, along with the other less common hazards. Freeze-Dry gives Cryogonal excellent coverage in just one moveslot, hitting Ground-, Grass-, Flying-, Dragon-, and Water-types for super effective damage, allowing it to threaten Pokemon like Decidueye, Nidoqueen, Feraligatr and more. Recover allows Cryogonal to restore its HP and do its job more than once, as it is very prone to being worn down. Lastly, Knock Off can let Cryogonal cripple common switch-ins such as Bronzong and Doublade, which are reliant on their item, before switching out to another teammate.
Set Details
========
216 Speed EVs and a Timid nature allows Cryogonal to make the most of its high base Speed, allowing it to outspeed and dent threats like Flygon, Roserade, and Shaymin, if not KO them outright. This spread also gives it enough HP and Special Defense to check Pokemon like Galvantula, Yanmega, Roserade, and Shaymin. Never-Melt Ice gives Cryogonal the needed power to 2HKO Pokemon like Dhelmise and Nidoqueen and 3HKO Mismagius, hurting their chances to switch in. Leftovers can be used to increase Cryogonal's longevity, though the drop in power is noticeable.
Usage Tips
========
Due to its abysmal Defense stat, Cryogonal can only come in on special attackers like Roserade and Dragalge, although it must be wary of a Devastating Drake from the latter. Otherwise, you will need to get Cryogonal in on a predicted switch, since any physical attack, except for Ground-type attacks, will 2HKO, if not OHKO it outright. After switching Cryogonal in, using Rapid Spin as soon as possible is advised, taking advantage of the fact that most of the time, your foe will have to switch out when Cryogonal switches in. However, finding time to use Recover is essential, as Cryogonal has just one resistance and is weak to Stealth Rock, meaning it needs to use Recover after nearly every switch in. If you're feeling risky, using Knock Off or your coverage move on a predicted switch can catch an opponent off guard, but this will backfire if you predict wrong.
Team Options
========
As a spinner, Cryogonal naturally pairs well with Pokemon weak to entry hazards, especially Spikes, as Cryogonal is immune to it, which Pokemon like Dragalge and Rhyperior appreciate being removed. Pokemon weak to Stealth Rock, such as Swellow, Moltres, and Honchkrow, also appreciate the removal. Cryogonal will almost always find itself on offensive teams, so offensive Pokémon Pokemon such as Comfey, Sharpedo, and Roserade make good partners that complement the team style. Ice-weak Pokemon like Flygon and Virizion also appreciate not having to stack a weakness just to add an entry hazard remover, as Cryogonal is the only hazard remover that isn't weak to Ice. Fire- and Fighting-type Pokemon appreciate Cryogonal's ability to force out Water- and Flying-types, and they also beat Steel- types that Cryogonal lets in. Lastly, being a Rapid Spin user, Cryogonal pairs well with Stealth Rock setters, such as Gligar, which resists Fighting for Cryogonal as well as walling most physical attackers, and Rhyperior and Seismitoad, which resist Fire.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Life Orb-boosted Hidden Power Fire allows Cryogonal to lure in and KO Escavalier, dent Doublade, 2HKO Mega Abomasnow and take on non-Explosion Mega Glalie. Toxic may be used in place of Knock Off to cripple non-Steel-type switch-ins to Cryogonal, although a fair number of them, such as Florges and Umbreon, carry Heal Bell. Dual screens Cryogonal is an option, as Cryogonal is fast enough to set up both Reflect and Light Screen before switching out or going down. Haze is also an option to deter setup sweepers, as Cryogonal is fairly weak and often lets dangerous Pokémon in to boost. A fully offensive spread with 252 Speed and 252 Special Attack EVs allows Cryogonal to threaten other entry hazard removers as well as Water-types with Freeze-Dry, but it loses its bulk and ability to check threats like Roserade.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Pokemon such as Registeel, Durant, and Escavalier can come in freely on any of Cryogonal's moves and force it out, often before it can use Recover due to the threat of a KO.
**Physical Attackers*: Cryogonal's horrible base 50 Defense means it's incapable of switching into just about any physical attack without being instantly KOed, severely limiting its options to do its job.
**Pursuit Trappers**: Due to Cryogonal's extremely low Defense, one read from your opponent can spell doom for it, as Cryogonal does not have the bulk to take a Pursuit from the likes of Escavalier, Sneasel, and Aerodactyl.
**Status**: Cryogonal has no way of removing status on its own and is easy to wear down, so Toxic and other statuses further limit the number of times it can do its job.
**Fire-types**: Despite having good Special Defense, Cryogonal is helpless against most Fire- types, especially Salazzle, which uses it as setup bait, and Moltres and Rotom-H, which threaten it out with the threat of a KO.
GP Checks: DeathByWobbuffet/Xayah, The Dutch Plumberjack/Avocado
One of the most forgettable Pokémon ever might finally be able to do something in this meta.
[OVERVIEW]
Cryogonal is a decent choice for an entry hazard remover for offensive teams due to its high Speed stat. Additionally, it possesses reliable recovery, which allows it to stay healthy to perform its job multiple times, as well as Knock Off to annoy opposing switch-ins. With a solid base 135 Special Defense, it's even capable of switching in on a lot of neutral special hits, giving it lots of opportunities to switch in. Its main STAB move, Freeze-Dry, is also very spammable, as Ice-resistant Pokemon are uncommon, and Freeze-Dry hits Water-types, the most common switch-ins to Ice-types, for super effective damage. Another boon to Cryogonal's ability to switch in is its immunity to most forms of entry hazards thanks to Levitate, avoiding all but Stealth Rock. However, Cryogonal has one of the worst defensive typings in the game, with just one resistance, which, in combination with its horrible base 50 Defense stat, severely limits what it can switch in on. Further compounding this issue is its weakness to Stealth Rock, which forces it to use Recover frequently and means even moves it would normally take well can 2HKO it after switching in. Lastly, without Hidden Power Fire, Cryogonal is completely walled by Doublade, the best spinblocker in the tier, even further reducing how often it can remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin.
[SET]
name: Offensive Spinner
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Freeze-Dry
move 3: Recover
move 4: Knock Off
item: Never-Melt Ice / Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 40 SpD / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Entry hazard removal is required for nearly every team to remove Stealth Rock Rock, along with the other less common hazards. Freeze-Dry gives Cryogonal excellent coverage in just one moveslot, hitting Ground-, Grass-, Flying-, Dragon-, and Water-types for super effective damage, allowing it to threaten Pokemon like Decidueye, Nidoqueen, Feraligatr and more. Recover allows Cryogonal to restore its HP and do its job more than once, as it is very prone to being worn down. Lastly, Knock Off can let Cryogonal cripple common switch-ins such as Bronzong and Doublade, which are reliant on their item, before switching out to another teammate.
Set Details
========
216 Speed EVs and a Timid nature allows Cryogonal to make the most of its high base Speed, allowing it to outspeed and dent threats like Flygon, Roserade, and Shaymin, if not KO them outright. This spread also gives it enough HP and Special Defense to check Pokemon like Galvantula, Yanmega, Roserade, and Shaymin. Never-Melt Ice gives Cryogonal the needed power to 2HKO Pokemon like Dhelmise and Nidoqueen and 3HKO Mismagius, hurting their chances to switch in. Leftovers can be used to increase Cryogonal's longevity, though the drop in power is noticeable.
Usage Tips
========
Due to its abysmal Defense stat, Cryogonal can only come in on special attackers like Roserade and Dragalge, although it must be wary of a Devastating Drake from the latter. Otherwise, you will need to get Cryogonal in on a predicted switch, since any physical attack, except for Ground-type attacks, will 2HKO, if not OHKO it outright. After switching Cryogonal in, using Rapid Spin as soon as possible is advised, taking advantage of the fact that most of the time, your foe will have to switch out when Cryogonal switches in. However, finding time to use Recover is essential, as Cryogonal has just one resistance and is weak to Stealth Rock, meaning it needs to use Recover after nearly every switch in. If you're feeling risky, using Knock Off or your coverage move on a predicted switch can catch an opponent off guard, but this will backfire if you predict wrong.
Team Options
========
As a spinner, Cryogonal naturally pairs well with Pokemon weak to entry hazards, especially Spikes, as Cryogonal is immune to it, which Pokemon like Dragalge and Rhyperior appreciate being removed. Pokemon weak to Stealth Rock, such as Swellow, Moltres, and Honchkrow, also appreciate the removal. Cryogonal will almost always find itself on offensive teams, so offensive Pokémon Pokemon such as Comfey, Sharpedo, and Roserade make good partners that complement the team style. Ice-weak Pokemon like Flygon and Virizion also appreciate not having to stack a weakness just to add an entry hazard remover, as Cryogonal is the only hazard remover that isn't weak to Ice. Fire- and Fighting-type Pokemon appreciate Cryogonal's ability to force out Water- and Flying-types, and they also beat Steel- types that Cryogonal lets in. Lastly, being a Rapid Spin user, Cryogonal pairs well with Stealth Rock setters, such as Gligar, which resists Fighting for Cryogonal as well as walling most physical attackers, and Rhyperior and Seismitoad, which resist Fire.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Life Orb-boosted Hidden Power Fire allows Cryogonal to lure in and KO Escavalier, dent Doublade, 2HKO Mega Abomasnow and take on non-Explosion Mega Glalie. Toxic may be used in place of Knock Off to cripple non-Steel-type switch-ins to Cryogonal, although a fair number of them, such as Florges and Umbreon, carry Heal Bell. Dual screens Cryogonal is an option, as Cryogonal is fast enough to set up both Reflect and Light Screen before switching out or going down. Haze is also an option to deter setup sweepers, as Cryogonal is fairly weak and often lets dangerous Pokémon in to boost. A fully offensive spread with 252 Speed and 252 Special Attack EVs allows Cryogonal to threaten other entry hazard removers as well as Water-types with Freeze-Dry, but it loses its bulk and ability to check threats like Roserade.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Pokemon such as Registeel, Durant, and Escavalier can come in freely on any of Cryogonal's moves and force it out, often before it can use Recover due to the threat of a KO.
**Physical Attackers*: Cryogonal's horrible base 50 Defense means it's incapable of switching into just about any physical attack without being instantly KOed, severely limiting its options to do its job.
**Pursuit Trappers**: Due to Cryogonal's extremely low Defense, one read from your opponent can spell doom for it, as Cryogonal does not have the bulk to take a Pursuit from the likes of Escavalier, Sneasel, and Aerodactyl.
**Status**: Cryogonal has no way of removing status on its own and is easy to wear down, so Toxic and other statuses further limit the number of times it can do its job.
**Fire-types**: Despite having good Special Defense, Cryogonal is helpless against most Fire- types, especially Salazzle, which uses it as setup bait, and Moltres and Rotom-H, which threaten it out with the threat of a KO.
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