Clodsire Movesets & Competitive Sets

Clodsire is an entry hazard setter that can act as a defensive switch-in to both Thundurus formes, halting their momentum from Volt Switch. Toxic more reliably punishes Latios and Donphan, while Poison Jab allows it to still threaten Taunt Hydreigon. Clodsire often finds opportunities to set Stealth Rock or stack multiple layers of Spikes thanks to its bulk. Heavy-Duty Boots lets Clodsire routinely switch in without accumulating hazard damage. Clodsire can act as a great blanket check to special-attacking setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Sinistcha and Nasty Plot Hydreigon thanks to Unaware. 84 Defense EVs let it switch in on Life Orb Scizor, while 176 Special Defense EVs and a Careful nature allow it to reliably tank Earth Power from Booster Energy Iron Jugulis and Hydro Pump from uninvested Rotom-Wash. The Special Defense investment also lets it avoid being 2HKOed by Draco Meteor from Soul Dew Latios when using Tera Dark. Tera Dark helps Clodsire against Soul Dew Latios by providing an immunity to Luster Purge and Psychic Noise. It also removes Clodsire's Water weakness, improving its matchup against Greninja and Rotom-Wash. Clodsire is often found on stall and semi-stall teams. Mandibuzz is a reliable wall that can switch in on Earthquake from Excadrill and Donphan as well as Luster Purge from Choice-locked Latios, while Clodsire covers for Mandibuzz's weakness to Thundurus. Blissey alleviates Clodsire's weakness to Choice Specs users and heavy-hitting special attackers like Hydrapple, Greninja, and Latios. Skarmory can be an Earthquake-immune teammate that also helps to wall Metagross. Together, Clodsire and Skarmory can form an entry hazard-stacking core with Stealth Rock and Spikes. Clodsire appreciates Toxapex for checking Scizor and Keldeo simultaneously.

Clodsire uses its decent special bulk to pivot in on Miraidon, Kyogre, or Eternatus and set up entry hazards. Toxic is Clodsire's best option to do any significant damage to switch-ins like Ho-Oh and Ting-Lu, and it allows Clodsire to check Kyogre more reliably. Spikes is Clodsire's most exclusive entry hazard option, but Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes are also valid choices, especially if it is paired with another entry hazard setter like Gliscor. Heavy-Duty Boots lets Clodsire avoid Spikes damage entirely. Leftovers is an option, as it provides Clodsire more longevity against teams whose only entry hazard options are Stealth Rocks or Toxic Spikes. Tera Steel and Fairy let Clodsire take on Miraidon's Dragon-type moves in a pinch while also making Kyogre's Ice Beam do pitiful damage to it. While Tera Fairy's immunity to Dragon can allow Clodsire to take more advantage of Miraidon on the turn it Terastallizes, Steel keeps Clodsire's Poison immunity and gives it a useful Ice resistance. While Clodsire provides strong role compression, it works much better when given teammates that can help take the edge of off its worse matchups. A Fairy-type like Arceus-Fairy, Zacian-C, or Flutter Mane is highly recommended, as this allows for pivoting opportunities against Miraidon, forcing it to predict between its Dragon- and Electric-type moves. Furthermore, additonal Ground-types such as Arceus-Ground, Gliscor, and Iron Treads are much appreciated for their help against Miraidon. Switch-ins to Necrozma-DM and Gliscor are highly recommended, as both are immune to Toxic and don't care about Earthquake. Arceus-Water, Ho-Oh, and Arceus-Dark are good options against Necrozma-DM, while your own Necrozma-DM or Gliscor can help against opposing Gliscor. Corviknight notably is good against both. All of the aforementioned teammates greatly enjoy Clodsire's ability to pivot into Kyogre.

Due to its remarkable bulk, rare dual-typing, and fantastic ability, Clodsire is a mainstay on Ground teams. Water Absorb stops common Water-type threats like Keldeo, Toxapex, and Primarina in their tracks. Poison Jab hits threats like Primarina, Enamorus, and Iron Valiant. Haze can be used to slow down opposing setup sweepers such as Hatterene and Volcarona. Toxic Spikes eases the Dragon and Fairy matchups due to their lack of entry hazard removal and applies pressure on teams in general, completing Ground's entry hazard stacking core. Toxic may be used instead to punish Pokemon like Latios and Mandibuzz, which freely switch into Clodsire otherwise. The given EV spread avoids the 2HKO from Choice Scarf Greninja's Ice Beam, Choice Scarf Meowscarada's Flower Trick, and Ogerpon-W's unboosted Horn Leech. Great Tusk, Iron Treads, and Excadrill appreciate Clodsire checking the aforementioned Water-types as well as other threats such as Iron Valiant and Flutter Mane. In return, Choice Scarf Great Tusk pressures Ice- and Dark-types like Hydreigon, Kyurem, and Choice Specs Greninja. Iron Treads clears entry hazards and threatens Hatterene, as well as being able to switch into Psychic-type attacks from Pokemon like Indeedee and Latios. Excadrill appreciates Clodsire's ability to switch into Water-type attackers that it cannot OHKO, such as Primarina, Urshifu-R, and Keldeo. Landorus and Gliscor are both great teammates for Clodsire because they can switch into Ground-type attacks from Pokemon such as Excadrill, Great Tusk, and Garchomp. In return, Landorus is capable of dealing with Grass-type Pokemon such as Breloom and Rillaboom, while Gliscor can stack more hazards. Unaware Quagsire pairs well with Clodsire, as it checks setup sweepers such as Azumarill, Ceruledge, and Dragonite. Furthermore, Quagsire is capable of using Toxic, allowing Clodsire to freely run Toxic Spikes, adding to the team's hazard stacking prowess. Ting-Lu not only forms a potent hazard stacking core with Clodsire but can switch into Psychic-type attacks.

Leaning more into its Defense allows Clodsire to become a surprisingly adept check to physical setup sweepers like Scizor, Ceruledge, and Bisharp, which otherwise cause immense issues for Poison teams. Earthquake enables it to pressure the aforementioned threats as well as Kleavor and Hisuian Goodra. Toxic pressures Flying-types like Latios and Moltres, which otherwise come in on Clodsire. The EV spread maximizes Clodsire's physical bulk while still letting it take two offensive Volcarona Psychic's from full HP. With Clodsire's vastly decreased special bulk, Alolan Muk serves as an even more vital partner to handle special attackers Clodsire no longer beats like Flutter Mane, Darkrai, Greninja, and Hydreigon. Similarly, Assault Vest Galarian Slowking helps greatly against the likes of Kyurem, Choice Specs Terapagos, and Zapdos. Toxapex is a great complementary partner to Clodsire, being able to take on the likes of Weavile, Meowscarada, and Hisuian Arcanine. Amoonguss can help handle the Water- and Ground-types Clodsire cannot like Urshifu-R, Swampert, and Great Tusk. Galarian Weezing can handle threats like Swords Dance Garchomp and Mamoswine for Clodsire along with using Will-O-Wisp to cripple physical attackers like Lokix. Pecharunt checks hard-hitting attackers capable of easily breaking through Clodsire like Gliscor and Choice Band Meowscarada. Iron Moth can beat Ice-types that terrify Clodsire like Alolan Ninetales, Articuno, and Frosmoth along with removing Skarmory and Corviknight in the Steel matchup. Okidogi and Sneasler appreciate Clodsire's Stealth Rock wearing down Flying-types like Enamorus and the Landorus formes and in return can threaten Normal- and Dark-types like Ursaluna, Porygon2, and Hisuian Samurott.

Due to its amazing Special Defense and ability in Unaware, Clodsire is a wall that can check the multitude of special setup sweepers in the tier such as Hydreigon, Volcarona, and Raging Bolt. Earthquake deals solid damage to threats like Volcarona, Gholdengo, and Heatran. Low Kick allows Clodsire to deal with Hydreigon and pop Air Balloon on the likes of Heatran and Raging Bolt. Stealth Rock can chip Flying-types like Corviknight, Enamorus, and Galarian Weezing that wall it. Alternatively, Spikes can be used to provide more reliable chip damage on threats such as Okidogi, Great Tusk, and Excadrill, which majorly threaten Clodsire. Alternatively, Curse can let Clodsire boost its Defense, turning it into a threatening wincon, and allow it to comfortably handle physical attackers like Iron Hands and Azumarill. Furthermore, other defensive invested variants can be explored but should still opt for Careful to check Raging Bolt. Amoonguss and Toxapex assist Clodsire by being defensive walls capable of taking on Water-type threats such as Barraskewda, Quaquaval, and Keldeo. Amoonguss can also take on Ground-types that threaten Clodsire like Great Tusk and Swampert, while Toxapex can handle Ice-type threats like Weavile and Cloyster. Overqwil can handle threats like Iron Boulder and Gallade, and it can complement Clodsire by running Spikes and Toxic Spikes to create an entry hazard-stacking core. Galarian Weezing provides entry hazard removal with Defog and burns physical setup sweepers like Iron Hands, allowing Clodsire to easily wall them. Alolan Muk is a teammate with a Psychic immunity that can handle threats like Hatterene, Hoopa-U, and Deoxys-S. Clodsire appreciates Glimmora being able to spread Corrosion Toxic onto walls like Skarmory and Corviknight, which sit on Clodsire, along with being able to threaten Flying-types like Zapdos and Moltres with Power Gem. Iron Moth helps to remove Ice-type threats like Alolan Ninetales, Mamoswine, and Frosmoth. Okidogi and Sneasler help break down Ice- and Steel-type threats Clodsire cannot handle such as Kyurem, Alolan Sandslash, and Skarmory.

Clodsire acts as a special wall and entry hazard setter, using its typing and ability to sponge boosted hits from the likes of Iron Valiant, Raging Bolt, and Gholdengo. Earthquake allows Clodsire to hit Toxic-immune Poison- and Steel-types like Pecharunt and Gholdengo as well as Substitute sweepers like Volcarona. Toxic discourages strong physical attackers like Dragonite and Ogerpon-W and bulky Pokemon like Ting-Lu and Alomomola from freely switching in, reducing Clodsire's passivity. Alternatively, Amnesia is an option on stall teams over Toxic, allowing Clodsire to check Stored Power Iron Crown and Hatterene; however, this makes Clodsire extremely passive, as it lacks a method to pressure Pokemon unafraid of Earthquake. Stealth Rock or Spikes allows Clodsire to provide hazard support while it's tanking hits, freeing up moveslots for its teammates. With Heavy-Duty Boots, Clodsire can't be chipped down by Spikes, enhancing its longevity as a wall. Black Sludge is an option when Clodsire is paired with solid hazard control, like Mega Sableye. Unaware allows it to stave off boosted setup sweepers and threaten them with Earthquake or Toxic, notably Quiver Dance Volcarona, Nasty Plot Gholdengo, and Calm Mind Raging Bolt. Clodsire is appreciated on semi-stall and stall teams struggling with strong special wallbreakers. To shore up its worse physical bulk, teammates like Corviknight, Slowbro, and Dondozo are great fits. The former is immune to Ground-type attacks from physical attackers that threaten Clodsire, like Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Great Tusk, and the latter two are great against Water-type attackers like Mega Swampert and Urshifu-R, whose attacks similarly threaten Clodsire. In return, Clodsire handles the Electric-type attacks from Pokemon like Raging Bolt, Tapu Koko, and Zapdos, as well as offering entry hazard pressure. On stall teams, Amnesia Clodsire especially enjoys the aforementioned physically defensive teammates along with other countermeasures such as Rocky Helmet on Corviknight and Will-O-Wisp from Mega Sableye. Psychic-type wallbreakers like Mega Latios and Tapu Lele can threaten Clodsire, especially Tapu Lele, as its Psyshock bypasses Clodsire's special bulk. Therefore, Pokemon like Corviknight, Chansey, and Blissey are great teammates. In return, Clodsire can stomach Fire- and Fighting-type attacks aimed at them from Pokemon like Heatran, Volcarona, and Iron Valiant. Finally, Clodsire appreciates teammates that can absorb Knock Off to help it maintain its Heavy-Duty Boots and maximize its longevity. Both stall and semi-stall teams can employ Gliscor, while stall teams commonly use Mega Sableye. The former's Toxic Orb is not needed after its initial activation, while the latter's Mega Stone cannot be removed, making both great switch-ins to Knock Off aimed at Clodsire. In return, Clodsire can similarly switch into strong special attackers that can muscle through them, like Raging Bolt, Volcarona, and Gholdengo.

Clodsire's solid special bulk, access to entry hazards, and ability to absorb Toxic Spikes give it a niche in checking Miraidon, Arceus-Fairy, and some variants of Calyrex-S. However, it faces competition from Ting-Lu, which similarly checks Miraidon and Calyrex-S, has more offensive pressure, and gets Spikes up more easily. Spikes and Toxic Spikes give Clodsire a way to exert offensive pressure, alongside Earthquake which punishes Miraidon and Zacian-C on switch-in and hits Eternatus and Glimmora. Poison Jab can be used over Toxic or Toxic Spikes to potentially punish Taunt variants of Arceus-Fairy and Tera Fairy Calyrex-S along with Magic Bounce Hatterene, but it is generally outclassed by the other options. Water Absorb makes Clodsire a more solid check to Miraidon, since Unaware ignores Draco Meteor's Special Attack drop, and lets Clodsire check Arceus-Water and Kyogre. Unaware is an alternative that checks Calyrex-S more consistently. Tera Steel flips Clodsire's weakness to Ice- and Psychic-type attacks such as Kyogre's Ice Beam and Calyrex-S's Psyshock, while making Clodsire more reliable into Miraidon's Draco Meteor. Tera Dark makes Clodsire weaker to Arceus-Fairy and Miraidon, but checks Calyrex-S without Draining Kiss, as well as Calm Mind Arceus-Ground. Clodsire's ability to both absorb Toxic Spikes and check various special attackers gives it a niche on balance and stall teams. Clodsire pairs well with physical walls such as Gliscor, Alomomola, Dondozo, and Skeledirge, as they can check Koraidon, physical variants of Arceus formes, and Zacian-C. Secondary special walls such as Blissey and Tera Grass Ho-Oh are appreciated to ease the burden on Clodsire against Calyrex-S, Calm Mind Arceus-Ground, and Kyogre. Arceus is another partner for Clodsire that can pivot into Calyrex-S on balance teams, and appreciates Clodsire setting Spikes and clearing Toxic Spikes for it.

Clodsire is an incredible specially defensive wall for Poison teams thanks to its solid stats and ability in Unaware, making it a solid check into special threats such as Hydreigon, Volcarona, and Gholdengo. Low Kick is used to break Hydreigon's Substitute along with popping Air Balloon from Heatran, while Poison Jab can be used to spread poison and do consistent damage to Flying-types like Zapdos and Tornadus-T. Clodsire's access to both Spikes and Stealth Rock provides it with good opportunities to set entry hazards, with Stealth Rock being preferred because it damages every Pokemon. Alternatively, Curse can patch up Clodsire's poor physical stats and make it a win condition. Mega Venusaur serves as a great defensive compliment to Clodsire with its ability to handle Water- and Ground-types like Barraskewda, Urshifu-R, Great Tusk, and Excadrill. Alolan Muk supports Clodsire by dealing with special attackers that threaten Clodsire like Latios, Tapu Lele, and Celebrate Victini. Crobat provides a solid Ground immunity, Defog to remove entry hazards while checking threats like Mega Gallade and Ogerpon-W, and Toxic to help outlast opponents. Choice Scarf Nihilego supports Clodsire by removing Ice- and Flying-types like Weavile, Mega Aerodactyl, the Landorus formes, and Mega Charizard Y. Choice Scarf Sneasler can help remove problematic faster threats like Choice Scarf Excadrill, Weavile, and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele while greatly appreciating Clodsire's hazards to damage Porygon2 and Rotom-W, along with its ability to use Switcheroo to force an unwanted Choice Scarf onto targets like Corviknight.

Due to its incredible bulk and the ability to neutralize Water-type moves with Water Absorb, Clodsire is a staple for Ground teams, as it is able to stop threats such as Pelipper, Tapu Fini, and Rotom-W. Poison Jab not only spreads status but also lets it hit Grass- and Fairy-type Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu, Ogerpon-W, and Enamorus. Pairing Haze up with Icium Z allows Clodsire the ability to recover any damage from setup sweepers such as Volcarona, Ogerpon-W, and Kommo-o. The given EV spread allows Clodsire avoid a 2KHO from Choice Scarf Meowscarada with Flower Trick, unboosted Ogerpon-W with Horn Leech, and Choice Scarf Greninja with Ice Beam. Landorus provides an immunity to Ground-type moves that threaten Clodsire and offensively threatens Pokemon like Tapu Bulu, Celebi, and Archaludon. Hippowdon is a phenomenal defensive teammate, as it provides Stealth Rock support along with setting sand upon switching in. Hippowdon also defensively supports Clodsire by checking the likes of Ceruledge, Great Tusk, and Iron Hands. Excadrill, in conjunction with sand, is a powerful wallbreaker for Clodsire that can outspeed many Pokemon and deal raw damage with a Choice Band, checking threats such as Tapu Lele, Greninja, and Mega Gallade. Garchomp is an effective teammate that assists by checking Dragon-type threats such as Kommo-o and Kyurem. Mamoswine is another great teammate for Clodsire, as its Ice typing and powerful STAB moves assists in checking threats like the Landorus formes and Dragonite. Both Mamoswine and Garchomp deal offensive pressure to Steel- and Flying types such as Celesteela and Corviknight, which Clodsire cannot do on its own.

While Clodsire is lacking in physical bulk compared to Dondozo and Skeledirge, it makes up for it in having a fantastic support movepool. Yawn: Yawn is very effective at forcing switches, which is especially dangerous if Stealth Rock is set up. Protect: In addition to benefiting from Leftovers, Protect pairs well with Yawn. Low Kick: This prevents Clodsire from being totally walled by Tera Steel Hydreigon. Amnesia: With Amnesia, Clodsire has a far better match-up against powerful special attacking foes such as Hydreigon and Iron Bundle. Black Sludge versus Leftovers: Black Sludge may seem appealing, but it punishes Clodsire for Terastalliizing unless it becomes Tera Poison, so Leftovers is preferred unless Leftovers is already on something else. Tera Types Flying: With a Flying Tera type, Clodsire no longer has to worry about Earthquake or Fissure. Steel: A Steel Tera type allows Clodsire to take on powerful Dragon-type attacks, without the worry of Gholdengo dealing massive damage. Poison: With Tera Poison, Clodsire not only becomes a better check to Grass- and Water-types such as Meowscarda and Rotom-W, but it can also safely run Black Sludge to punish users of Trick. Fairy: A Fairy Tera type will stop powerful Dragon-type attacks cold without making Clodsire weak to Earthquake, but it comes at the cost of compromising its ability to check Gholdengo. Dark: Espathra's Stored Power is a big issue for Clodsire, so Tera Dark can flip the tables on it. Abilities Unaware: If you're planning to use Clodsire to its fullest defensive potential, Unaware is the best bet against setup foes. Water Absorb: Water Absorb sacrifices overall defensive potential in exchange for being able to wall Rotom-W without needing to Terastallize. If setting up Stealth Rock is important, this can be worth it. EV Spreads 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe with Careful: Maximizing Special Defense is Clodsire's best hope for handling powerful special attackers such as Choice Specs Hydreigon. 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe with Impish: Clodsire's Defense may be mediocre, but with maximum investment, it can pull stunts such as usually avoiding a 2HKO from Jolly Dragonite's Outrage with Leftovers.

Clodsire's incredible bulk and typing make it a fantastic special wall against top restricted Pokemon like Miraidon, while boasting an equally fantastic support movepool. Earthquake versus Earth Power: Earthquake easily surpasses Earth Power in terms of general power. However, Earth Power has a useful niche in that it can deal big damage to Glimmora without triggering Toxic Debris, as well as being more consistent into Stamina Archaludon. Toxic Spikes versus Stealth Rock: Toxic Spikes support is fantastic on Clodsire, making it more difficult for opposing teams to play around getting poisoned. On the other hand, Stealth Rock can be used to pressure Poison- and Flying-types that might otherwise think they are safe from Clodsire's hazards, as well as being good support in general against Dragonite, Lunala and Focus Sash users. Amnesia: Amnesia elevates Clodsire's Special Defense to crazy levels, potentially shutting out special attacking aces like Miraidon and Terapagos, as well as Lugia when paired with Tera Dark. Other Options Protect: In addition to benefiting from Leftovers and Black Sludge, Protect can pair well with the passive damage caused from either Toxic or Toxic Spikes. Abilities Water Absorb: Water Absorb has fantastic defensive utility in the current format against Urshifu-R’s Surging Strikes, Kyogre’s Water Spout, and Alomomola’s Flip Turn, and can even be combined with Terastallization to further disrupt Water-type Pokemon like the above. Unaware: Unaware make Clodsire more consistent against the likes of Nasty Plot Calyrex-S and Calm Mind Miraidon. Items Sitrus Berry: Even with Clodsire's high Special Defense, the burst healing from Sitrus Berry goes a long way. With full special bulk investment, Sitrus Berry let's Clodsire always avoids the 2HKO from Choice Specs Miraidon's Draco Meteor after the Special Attack drop. Black Sludge versus Leftovers: Black Sludge may seem appealing, but it punishes Clodsire for Terastallizing unless it becomes Tera Poison, so Leftovers is preferred unless Leftovers is already on something else. Covert Cloak: If running something other than a Dark-type Terastallization, Covert Cloak is an alternate option to preventing Psychic Noise's heal block. Mental Herb: Clodsire's support focus often draws in Taunt users, so Mental Herb is one way to make sure a critical turn of Toxic or Toxic Spikes use still happens. Tera Types Tera Dependency - Low / Medium: Clodsire is often a part of defensive cycles that help cover its weaknesses, but Terastallization can generate big momentum when used at the right time. Dark: Lugia's Psychic Noise is an issue for Clodsire, so Tera Dark can flip the tables on it as well as resisting Astral Barrage from Calyrex-S and Shadow Ball from Flutter Mane; keep in mind though that both Calyrex-S and Flutter Mane can heavily punish Clodsire's new Fairy-type weakness, so timing is key. Finally, Tera Dark also prevents Prankster Grimmsnarl from shutting down Clodsire with Taunt. Ghost: Tera Ghost's Fighting-type immunity combined with Water Absorb can make Urshifu-R miserable even if Clodsire hasn't invested in physical bulk. It also allows Clodsire to escape from Shadow Tag Gothitelle. Normal: Tera Normal's Ghost-type immunity makes walling Calyrex-S even easier and, unlike Tera Dark, avoids gaining a Fairy-type weakness. Poison: With Tera Poison, Clodsire maintains its ability to absorb Toxic Spikes and can also safely run Black Sludge to punish users of Trick. Electric: While Water Absorb prevents Kyogre from using its powerful Water-type attacks, Tera Electric goes further by taking away Clodsire's weakness to Ice Beam while still being strong against Thunder and paralysis. Alternative EV Spreads 252 HP / 100 Def / 156 Spe with Careful or Calm: This spread sacrifices some special bulk in order to avoid the 2HKO from Adamant Tera Normal Dragonite's Extreme Speed.