Crabominable Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Substitute allows Crabominable to avoid status conditions from foes such as Audino and rack up Toxic damage more easily. It also prevents threats such as Primeape and Dodrio from revenge killing Crabominable. Drain Punch and Ice Hammer are both strong Iron Fist-boosted STAB moves that allow Crabominable to maintain a strong offensive presence despite the lack of Attack investment, notably allowing it to OHKO Victreebel even after the latter uses Strength Sap. Moreover, they provide complementary coverage, and Drain Punch somewhat mitigates the damage taken by setting a Substitute up. Set Details The Speed EVs allow Crabominable to outspeed Pokemon such as Audino and Regirock before they can cripple it with Toxic. The leftover EVs are put into HP and Special Defense, which allows Crabominable to take on threats such as Aurorus and Victreebel while also letting its Substitute tank various hits such as Jellicent's Scald and defensive Cryogonal's Hidden Power Fire or Fighting. Leftovers somewhat mitigates the damage taken from setting a Substitute up and gives it Crabominable more leeway in switching into threats like Alolan Persian. An alternative EV spread with 196 Speed EVs to outspeed defensive Lanturn can be used, to avoid getting crippled with Toxic before Crabominable can set a Substitute up. This also allows Crabominable to outspeed Jellicent and Drampa, which can use Taunt on Crabominable before it can react with Substitute or Toxic and do high damage to it with Hyper Voice, respectively. However, this takes away some of Crabominable's defensive utility and makes it harder for it to pivot into various threats. Usage Tips Crabominable should mainly be used early- to mid-game to weaken defensive behemoths such as Jellicent so a teammate can get past them late-game. Its typing and solid bulk make it a very reliable switch-in to threats like Aurorus, non-Toxic Cryogonal, and Nasty Plot Alolan Persian, which allows it to set a Substitute up to pressure the opposing team or cripple an incoming check such as Jellicent with Toxic. Although it has solid bulk, be cautious about recklessly sending Crabominable in against these Pokemon; it needs to be healthy to rack up Toxic damage effectively. Instead, it greatly appreciates being brought it via U-turn and Volt Switch. Against bulkier teams with a solid defensive answer to Crabominable, it is better to cripple the switch-in and then set a Substitute up to rack up damage instead of simply attacking, which could result in a loss of momentum. Against more offensive teams with no real answers to Crabominable, setting a Substitute up against a threat that's forced out by Crabominable such as Rotom-F will allow it to wallbreak more easily and make it significantly harder to revenge kill while also easing prediction. This often leads to the opponent having to sacrifice one or multiple Pokemon. Team Options Pokemon such as Primeape, Omastar, and Lycanroc appreciate Crabominable weakening walls such as Jellicent, Sableye, and Regirock. In return, Omastar and Lycanroc take advantage of Flying-types that threaten Crabominable, like Dodrio and Oricorio-E. U-turn and Volt Switch users such as Silvally-Fairy, Lanturn, and the aforementioned Primeape can bring Crabominable in against Pokemon like Mudsdale, Regirock, Audino, Clefairy, and Cryogonal, giving it a free opportunity to either attack, cripple a switch-in, or set a Substitute up. Silvally-Fairy can, in return, switch into Fighting-types that Crabominable invites in and use them as setup fodder, while Lanturn can switch into Fire-types that threaten Crabominable. Moreover, Lanturn's access to Heal Bell allows Crabominable to switch into Toxic and Scald users without much risk. Crabominable struggles a lot against Fighting-types like Primeape, Gurdurr, and Hitmonchan, which makes checks to these foes such as Jellicent, Musharna, and Oricorio-E necessary. Jellicent and Musharna appreciate Crabominable dealing with Dark-types like Alolan Persian, Musharna can further support Crabominable via Future Sight and Healing Wish, and Oricorio-E appreciates Crabominable weakening Regirock. All of them also invite in various special walls such as Cryogonal and Alolan Sandslash that Crabominable can beat. Specially offensive Victreebel is a good partner too, as it draws in Cryogonal and Altaria for Crabominable to take advantage of and can, in return, deal with Qwilfish and Gurdurr. Stealth Rock and Spikes users such as Mudsdale and Ferroseed are greatly appreciated, as they further pressure the opposing team in conjunction with Toxic. Regirock is an amazing partner, as it can also switch into Flying-types and physical wallbreakers such as Dodrio that threaten Crabominable. In return, Crabominable can switch into some special wallbreakers like Aurorus that threaten Regirock. Qwilfish is also a solid partner thanks to its ability to check Fighting-types like Gurdurr, and similarly to Regirock, it appreciates Crabominable's ability to switch into special wallbreakers. Rapid Spin and Defog users are appreciated, as they make Crabominable's job far easier and allow it to set more Substitutes up if needed. Altaria and Swanna are solid partners, as not only do they provide Defog support, they can also switch into Fire- and Fighting-types like Simisear, Combusken, and Gurdurr. Kabutops can also work, as it appreciates Crabominable crippling and weakening Jellicent to the point where it can't reliably spinblock against Kabutops. Lastly, Pursuit users such as Stoutland, Skuntank, and Absol are appreciated, as they ease Crabominable's job by trapping Musharna and Bronzor, and they all appreciate Crabominable weakening Pokemon like Ferroseed and Regirock.

Moves Earthquake gives Crabominable a solid neutral coverage option that also doesn't trigger Rocky Helmet or Aftermath from Pokemon such as Qwilfish and Skuntank. Thunder Punch deals adequate damage to Jellicent while securing an OHKO on Swanna. Set Details Crabominable's EVs are dedicated to maximizing its HP and special bulk, allowing it to switch into special attackers such as Aurorus, Cryogonal, and Rotom-F as best as possible. An Adamant nature serves as a jump point, enabling Crabominable to hit hard even when lacking full investment. Usage Tips Crabominable can pivot into various special attackers such as Aurorus, Haunter, and Alolan Persian lacking Dream Eater in order to sponge a powerful hit for its teammates. Against such Pokemon, Crabominable is presented with a great opportunity to fire off an attack. Do be mindful about more powerful special wallbreakers such as Drampa, however, as Crabominable can only switch into certain Choice-locked moves a limited number of times and thus should not be used as a constant switch-in. Crabominable should be kept healthy if it intends to stomach an especially powerful special attack, such as a boosted Omastar's Hydro Pump or a Supersonic Skystrike from Swanna or an unboosted Oricorio-G. Crabominable can then retaliate with a powerful, potentially super effective attack or heal off damage taken with Drain Punch. Bring Crabominable in against slow, bulkier teams whenever presented with the chance, as its high power and effective STAB combination allow it to apply heavy amounts of pressure to such teams. Against more offensive teams, Crabominable should be brought in through double switches or pivots against foes that generally don't bother it such as Aurorus and Rotom-F lacking Will-O-Wisp. Prediction plays a key role when using Crabominable, as its poor Speed and exploitable weaknesses means it can easily be taken advantage of if an opponent is able to safely switch in. For example, use Earthquake in order to maximize damage output on an incoming Qwilfish. Thunder Punch can be used on a predicted Jellicent switch-in to 2HKO offensive variants or force defensive sets to use Recover. Keep Crabominable away from status moves whenever possible, as most are detrimental to its role as a specially bulky wallbreaker. Toxic puts Crabominable on a timer and reduces its ability to pivot into special attackers like Aurorus, while burns severely limit what it can break, making it unable to do adequate damage to the likes of Tangela and turning it into setup fodder for Clefairy. Team Options Pokemon such as Musharna, Regirock, and Spiritomb are able to pressure offensive Fighting-, Flying-, and Psychic-types like Gurdurr, Scyther, and Alolan Raichu. Entry hazard setters such as Mudsdale, Qwilfish, and Torterra allow Crabominable to wallbreak far more easily. Qwilfish can additionally cripple physical attackers like Kangaskhan and Alolan Sandslash. Pivots such as Silvally-Fairy enjoy Crabominable wearing down walls and are able to bring it in more safely whilst luring in bulkier threats such as Regirock and Mudsdale for Crabominable to take advantage of. Defoggers like Altaria and Skuntank are able to clear entry hazards off the field, which otherwise wear at Crabominable and water down its ability to pivot into special attackers. Altaria also doubles as a cleric with Heal Bell, while Skuntank can absorb Toxic Spikes and take on Musharna. Late-game sweepers such as Lycanroc, Combusken, and Dodrio highly appreciate Crabominable's ability to heavily dent bulkier foes like Mudsdale, Clefairy, and Regirock. Physically defensive walls such as Mudsdale and Torterra are able to switch into incoming attacks from various offensive threats like Aggron and Primeape looking to exploit Crabominable's mediocre physical defense.

Moves Ice Hammer is Crabominable's strongest Ice-type STAB move, and it deals heavy damage to some of the tier's most reliable physical walls such as Tangela. It also decreases Crabominable's Speed, helping it outspeed opposing Crabominable and Musharna under Trick Room. Close Combat is Crabominable's strongest Fighting-type STAB move, hitting a lot of Ice-resistant Pokemon like Aggron and Lanturn for either neutral or super effective damage. Earthquake gives Crabominable the ability to KO Skuntank without triggering Aftermath, while Thunder Punch allows Crabominable to threaten Jellicent. Set Details The Brave nature and 0 IVs in Speed serve to further augment Crabominable's power while making it as slow as possible, which helps it outspeed as much as it can under Trick Room. Iron Fist is useful for increasing the power of Ice Hammer and Thunder Punch. Life Orb increases the power of all of its moves at the unfortunate cost of recoil damage per attack. Choice Band is an alternative that allows Crabominable to hit even harder without costing it health with every attack, but it comes with the drawback of locking Crabominable into one move, which can be taken advantage of by Ghost-types if it locks itself into Close Combat. Usage Tips Crabominable should only be used on Trick Room teams due to its previously mentioned low Speed. It is highly advised not to switch Crabominable into moves throughout the match, as its bulk is only average, and this in combination with any residual damage, including possible Life Orb recoil, wears it down much faster. Due to how quickly Crabominable is worn down, it often makes for a really good recipient of Healing Wish from Pokemon such as Musharna. Crabominable works best as a wallbreaker under Trick Room that gives its teammates an easier time cleaning. The best ways to get Crabominable in are after something is KOed or through the use of U-turn. Observing the opposing team is important, as this will confirm whether or not Crabominable is free to spam Close Combat or if it must predict. Don't be afraid to make predictions if using the Choice Band variant, as being locked into the wrong move can completely lose all of the momentum previously obtained, which isn't good for hyper offensive teams. Crabominable should switch out as soon as Trick Room ends due to how easily common offensive Pokemon like Dodrio and Simisear deal with it outside of Trick Room. Team Options Partners that can set up Trick Room such as Audino, Musharna, and Carbink for Crabominable are a necessity due to its role as a Trick Room wallbreaker. Healing Wish support from the aforementioned Audino and Musharna is appreciated, as Crabominable's going to be switching out and possibly taking Life Orb recoil a lot throughout the match, which racks up unwanted damage and leaves it more susceptible to priority attacks. Slow special attackers such as Exeggutor and Wishiwashi make for good partners, as they can break through Pokemon like Jellicent and Sableye for Crabominable. In return, Crabominable takes care of bulkier Steel-types and Lanturn for them, respectively. Ursaring makes for a good partner due to its ability to absorb burns for Crabominable and severely weaken Pokemon that Crabominable can only 2HKO, like defensive Jellicent.