Croagunk Movesets & Competitive Sets

Croagunk finds a niche in LC as a specially-attacking Fighting-type with useful resistances to Grookey and opposing Fighting-types like Mienfoo and Timburr. However, its middling bulk and lack of recovery make Croagunk susceptible to getting chipped and render it unable to check these Pokemon multiple times, especially if it gets hit by Knock Off. Croagunk is also vulnerable to trappers such as Diglett and Trapinch. Dry Skin allows Croagunk to switch in safely on threats such as Mareanie and non-Psychic Staryu and use them as setup fodder with Nasty Plot. Vacuum Wave gives Croagunk a way to finish off weakened foes while also allowing it to avoid risking the powerful but inaccurate Focus Blast. The best partners for Croagunk include Pawniard and Ferroseed, which help deal with Psychic-types, and countertrappers such as Air Balloon Diglett and Trace Porygon.

Moves Knock Off is a terrific support move that allows Croagunk to pressure switch-ins and support its team by removing its foes' defensive items. Sludge Bomb is generally Croagunk's most useful STAB move and comes with a nifty poison chance that can help Croagunk wear down foes. Vacuum Wave allows Croagunk to pick off weakened faster foes, as well as deal with certain threats such as Carvanha and Pawniard without taking any damage. Drain Punch is a secondary STAB move that has fantastic coverage alongside Sludge Bomb and gives Croagunk a way to recover its health while dealing damage to Steel-types that can take a Vacuum Wave like Ferroseed. Sucker Punch is an alternative that lets Croagunk heavily damage faster threats that don't mind Vacuum Wave, such as Abra and Gastly, before it can be KOed. Set Details The given EV spread coupled with a Quiet nature aims to optimize Croagunk's defensive stats by giving it even numbers in both defenses to maximize the Eviolite boost while maintaining offensive presence both physically and specially. An Eviolite further enhances Croagunk's bulk and pairs well with Drain Punch to give Croagunk longevity. Dry Skin is the optimal ability for this set because it allows Croagunk to take on Water-types such as Carvanha, Corphish, and Mareanie. Usage Tips Croagunk should be used as a glue Pokemon and brought in against the Pokemon that it checks, such as Fighting-types, Water-types, and Dark-types that don't carry coverage to beat it, most notably Mienfoo, Timburr, Corphish, Pawniard, and non-Psychic Staryu variants. Because Croagunk is used as a glue Pokemon, it should not be expected to deal high amounts of damage or repeatedly take powerful hits it doesn't resist. Instead, it should be preserved and switched in and out of battle, recovering HP with Drain Punch as needed, to deal with the threats it needs to check on an opposing team; specifically, it should be kept around for Fighting-, Dark-, and Water-types that its team can't deal with. Opposing setup sweepers such as Scraggy and Shellder fit this bill as well: Croagunk should be preserved while these Pokemon exist on the foe's team so it can revenge kill them with Vacuum Wave. If the opposing team has a Diglett, play cautiously with Croagunk to prevent it from getting trapped, potentially leaving your team open to a Pokemon that Croagunk checks. Opposing pivots such as Mienfoo and Chinchou, which Croagunk can check, become more threatening when paired with Diglett because they can bring Croagunk in and pivot into Diglett, so keep this in mind. Throughout a match, Croagunk tends to force switches because it checks such a variety of Pokemon. Use these switches, especially early-game, to use Knock Off and weaken the opposing team by removing defensive items. Team Options This Croagunk set needs little support to perform its role, so it should be fit onto teams that need it rather than built around. It fits well onto teams that are weak to Fighting-, Dark-, or Water-type Pokemon and need a Pokemon that can compress resistances to these types into a teamslot. That said, Psychic- and Ground-types present Croagunk with a variety of issues and need to be dealt with by teammates. Pursuit trappers, such as Alolan Grimer and Pawniard, make good choices as partners to deal with the former, while Grass-types, such as Snivy and Pumpkaboo-XL, make good choices to deal with the latter. Flying-types can easily revenge kill Croagunk as well, making checks to them such as Onix and Omanyte good partners. In terms of the support Croagunk provides, Pokemon that are weak to Fighting, such as Ferroseed, or Poison, such as Snubbull, pair well with Croagunk defensively. In return, Ferroseed can check Psychic-types and some Ground-types for Croagunk, and Snubbull can take on Pokemon that threaten Croagunk with physical attacks thanks to Intimidate. Offensively, Croagunk forms valuable Fighting-type cores with Scraggy and Mienfoo, as they can wear down and use Knock Off on each other's checks. Finally, as Croagunk is one of the better Knock Off users in the metagame, setup sweepers that appreciate its support make good partners. Bulk Up Timburr, Omanyte, and Shellder are all examples of Pokemon with decent synergy with Croagunk, but most setup sweepers in the metagame can take advantage of the Knock Off support that this Croagunk set provides.

Moves Drain Punch is a reliable STAB move that has the beneficial side effect of providing Croagunk with some recovery and hits the Dark-types that Croagunk checks, such as Pawniard and Carvanha, for good damage. Gunk Shot provides excellent STAB coverage alongside Drain Punch and deals much more damage, but it is less reliable due to its miss chance and does not provide Croagunk with recovery. Poison Jab can be used over Gunk Shot as a more reliable alternative, as it has higher accuracy, but the drop in power makes it more difficult for Croagunk to check Fairy-types. The final two moveslots can be customized depending on what support Croagunk needs to provide for its team. Knock Off is an excellent utility move that provides great coverage alongside Croagunk's STAB moves and removes defensive items from foes to make them easier for Croagunk to deal with. Thief provides the same good coverage and utility in removing items as Knock Off, potentially giving Croagunk a defensive item and helping it while hurting the foe, but it requires Croagunk to have been hit by Knock Off to have maximum effect. Bulk Up can be used to allow Croagunk to take advantage of the switches it forces to set up, making it simultaneously harder to switch into and more difficult to take out physically. Sucker Punch gives Croagunk a decently powerful form of priority, allowing it to not be completely helpless against faster revenge killers, especially Abra and Doduo, which can easily OHKO it. Set Details The given EV spread maximizes Croagunk's Attack to allow it to hit as hard as possible while investing enough EVs into both defenses to optimize Croagunk's bulk in conjunction with Eviolite. The final EV points are put into Speed to allow Croagunk to outspeed Spritzee and Ferroseed. An Eviolite maximizes Croagunk's bulk and pairs well with Drain Punch, allowing Croagunk to take little damage from opposing attacks and heal itself somewhat with Drain Punch. Finally, Dry Skin is Croagunk's best ability because it enables it to check Pokemon that rely on Water-type moves. Usage Tips This Croagunk makes for a fantastic glue Pokemon and should be directly switched into the myriad of Pokemon it checks, including Mienfoo, Timburr, Chinchou, and Cottonee. After being switched in, Croagunk can take advantage of its wide coverage to pressure the opposing team. Croagunk should be kept healthy as long as it is needed to check foes. Avoid allowing it to take super effective or powerful neutral hits, as Croagunk's defenses are mediocre even when boosted by Eviolite. Additionally, Drain Punch should be used as much as possible to keep Croagunk's health up. Be wary of Pokemon such as Ponyta that can burn Croagunk, drastically lowering its effectiveness for a match. Knock Off should be used often to weaken foes by removing their defensive items and to put pressure on opposing teams by threatening to remove said items. Because Croagunk has only mediocre Attack and Sucker Punch does not get boosted by STAB, it does not hit particularly hard. For this reason, it should usually be used as a way to pick off weakened and faster foes, not as a reliable method of dealing damage. Be especially wary of opposing Diglett, which can come in after Croagunk secures a KO, trap it, and remove it from the match, allowing a foe that Croagunk checks such as Bulk Up Timburr to sweep. Sucker Punch is not a reliable way of dealing with Diglett, as it frequently runs Substitute, forcing Croagunk into mind games, and it only takes out Diglett if it is severely weakened. Croagunk should use Bulk Up on a predicted switch to surprise an incoming foe that will become unable to KO it after it has a Defense boost. Team Options This Croagunk set works best on offensive teams that can make use of a non-passive Pokemon with its set of resistances and specifically appreciate a strong Sucker Punch user that can take on opposing Gastly and Abra. Pokemon that are weak to Fighting, such as Pawniard and Carvanha, appreciate Croagunk's ability to take on the likes of Mienfoo and especially Timburr, and thus make good partners. Pokemon weak to Dark-types, such as Pumpkaboo-XL and Gastly, and Pokemon weak to Water-types, such as Mudbray, can make good use the resistances provided by Croagunk as well. Dark-types form a potent core with Croagunk offensively and defensively. Alolan Grimer and Pawniard both can Pursuit trap the Ghost- and Psychic-types that give Croagunk some trouble, and Alolan Grimer forms a Poison-type core offensively as well. Vullaby also pairs well with Croagunk, as they share very good defensive synergy, together resisting a large portion of each other's weaknesses. Pokemon that can take out Ground-types also make good teammates, as Croagunk tends to bring these Pokemon in. Snivy and Z-Trick-or-Treat Pumpkaboo-S are especially notable for their ability to use opposing Ground-types as setup bait, but most other Water- and Grass-types also fill this role well. Rock-types such as Onix and Omanyte pair well with Croagunk because they can check Fire- and Flying-types that can significantly damage it, and they can set up entry hazards to allow Croagunk to more efficiently wear down opposing teams.

Moves Nasty Plot allows Croagunk to boost its Special Attack and punch holes into opposing teams, and it gets many setup opportunities due to its myriad of resistances. Thief can be used over Nasty Plot, which reduces Croagunk's wallbreaking potential but gives it more utility, as it lets Croagunk remove defensive items from foes after Croagunk takes a Knock Off or has consumed its Berry Juice. Sludge Bomb is Croagunk's primary STAB move, 2HKOing most of the Pokemon in the metagame that don't resist it after a Nasty Plot boost. It also has a decent chance to poison foes, which can help wear them down to the point where Croagunk can pick them off with Vacuum Wave. Focus Blast is a much more powerful but less reliable STAB move, which Croagunk can use in situations where it needs to deal more damage, securing a good chance to OHKO Timburr after a Nasty Plot boost. It also has terrific coverage alongside Sludge Bomb. Shadow Ball is an option in the third slot to keep this Croagunk set from being walled by Ghost-types such as Honedge and Gastly, but it gives Croagunk worse overall coverage, as it then lacks a powerful Fighting-type STAB move. Vacuum Wave gives Croagunk a STAB priority move that it can use to threaten revenge killers that can take advantage of its low Speed. Most notably, it does significant damage to Diglett, which would otherwise trap and remove Croagunk, though Diglett must have taken some prior damage to be KOed even if Croagunk is at +2. Set Details The given EV spread coupled with a Modest nature maximizes Croagunk's Special Attack, giving it maximum wallbreaking potential. The remaining EVs give Croagunk optimal bulk alongside Eviolite by giving it even-numbered stats in both defenses, which allow it to take a myriad of hits while setting up, most notably avoiding the 2HKO from Choice Scarf Mienfoo's High Jump Kick with an Eviolite. A point is also invested into Speed, to allow Croagunk to outpace most defensive foes, specifically RestTalk Mudbray. An alternate EV spread of 116 Def / 188 SpA / 196 Spe can be used to give Croagunk enough Speed to reliably outspeed offensive Mudbray and slow Eviolite Mienfoo, as well as tie with most variants of Vullaby, at the cost of some bulk. While an Eviolite is generally used to give Croagunk maximum bulk, Berry Juice is also an option for an item, reducing Croagunk's bulk but allowing it to take more hits over the course of the match, thus giving it more opportunities to set up Nasty Plot. However, as Croagunk frequently is hit by Knock Off early-game, it often appreciates the initial bulk provided by Eviolite more than the HP boost provided by Berry Juice. Dry Skin is Croagunk's most useful ability because it gives it a pseudo-immunity to Water-type moves, allowing it to reliably check many Water-type Pokemon such as Corphish and Mareanie. Usage Tips Croagunk should be brought in to check Pokemon that can't deal significant damage to it, such as Timburr, Mienfoo, Corphish, and Chinchou. After coming in, Croagunk will usually force a foe out. Against balanced and bulky offensive teams, it is generally better to either switch Croagunk out or attack early-game, as if Croagunk sets up, it will often be forced out immediately by the foe that comes in. Against slower-paced teams, hyper offensive teams, and balanced and bulky offense teams that have been worn down significantly, Croagunk can use Nasty Plot to begin punching holes in the opponent's team. Although this Croagunk set can be used as a glue Pokemon and switch directly into attacks that threaten its team, keep in mind that the lack of any kind of recovery means that it will get worn down quite easily, so bringing Croagunk in without it taking a hit is ideal when possible. Keep in mind that even with Eviolite, Croagunk is not especially bulky, so avoid allowing it to take super effective or powerful neutral hits while it is still needed in a match. Team Options This Croagunk set works well on teams that appreciate its resistances but don't rely on it as the sole check to all of the Pokemon it can check, which gives it more leeway to set up. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Onix, Dwebble, and Omanyte is helpful due to the switches Croagunk forces and allows it to secure more KOs with Vacuum Wave. Pursuit support from the likes of Alolan Grimer and Pawniard is useful to trap Abra and Ghost-types, which force Croagunk out, and to wear down faster foes to the point where they can be picked off with Vacuum Wave. Ground-types are especially problematic for this set, so teammates that can switch in on Ground-types, most notably Snivy and Pumpkaboo, make good partners. Flying-types can also shut this set down, so checks to these Pokemon, such as Onix and Omanyte, fit well alongside Croagunk, and Croagunk can take on the Fighting- and Grass-types that threaten them. Knock Off support is useful to help Croagunk secure more KOs. Mienfoo and Timburr both provide this support well and synergize decently offensively with Croagunk too, as they are able to form an offensive Fighting-type core.

Moves Knock Off is one of the best moves in the game, and it allows Croagunk to pose a threat to many of its switch-ins. Sludge Bomb is Croagunk’s most powerful move in this set, hitting Fairy-types super effectively, allowing Croagunk to 2HKO Spritzee. Vacuum Wave is useful for dealing with faster Pokemon such as Carvanha, Bunnelby, and Pawniard, as well as for picking off faster weakened threats. Drain Punch is used as it gives Croagunk a means of recovering health and allows Croagunk to beat Rock-, Ice-, and Normal-types with ease. Sucker Punch lets Croagunk heavily damage Gothita, Abra, and Gastly before they attack. Set Details Equpping an Eviolite gives Croagunk some much needed bulk, and it works really well with Drain Punch recovery. The EVs are distributed between the defensive and offensive stats in order to be as efficient as possible, although Croagunk has to sacrifice its Speed. Dry Skin allows Croagunk to wall Carvanha and Tirtouga, as well as be able to switch into Chinchou’s Scalds. Usage Tips Croagunk should be switching on the Pokemon that it walls, such as Tirtouga, Carvanha, Scraggy, Mienfoo, and Timburr. It cannot be expected to be a huge threat to opposing teams, as it can be easily worn down if the opponent repeatedly forces it in. Croagunk should be used as a glue Pokemon to stop Pokemon such as Tirtouga from sweeping your team. If Pokemon such as Carvanha or Tirtouga are on the opposing team, it is best to play reservedly, keeping Croagunk ready so that the threat cannot set up. Team Options As it's often used as a glue Pokemon, Croagunk generally offers more to the team than the team can offer to it. It does, however, need good switch-ins to Psychic-, Fire-, Ground-, and Flying-type moves from the likes of Abra, Larvesta, Drilbur, Archen, and Fletchling. Rock- and Steel-types make great partners as they resist Flying-type moves. Tirtouga also likes Croagunk's Knock Off support. Rock- and Water-types can take on the Fire-types that Croagunk hates. Slowpoke can handle Ground- and Fire-types, making it a good partner. Other Fighting-types such as Mienfoo or Scraggy appreciate Croagunk's ability to cripple Fighting-type switch-ins with Knock Off as well as being a good switch-in to Fairy-types. Pokemon that can pass it health are really beneficial, as Croagunk has no recovery outside of Dry Skin and the weak Drain Punch. Spritzee, Lickitung, and Ferroseed make good partners, as Croagunk can switch in on Fighting- and Poison-type moves for them.

Moves Drain Punch is Croagunk's main STAB move, and it allows Croagunk to heal itself throughout the match. Drain Punch also checks Scraggy, Tirtouga, and Carvanha. Gunk Shot is the strongest attack that Croagunk has, and is Croagunk's best move for beating Spritzee. Gunk Shot 2HKOes Spritzee more often than not, and in tight situations, it can be fallen back on for its poison chance, although a 30% chance is not all that huge. After losing its Eviolite, Spritzee is OHKOed by Gunk Shot. Gunk Shot is also the best attack against Timburr and Mienfoo. Sucker Punch lets Croagunk avoid being revenge-killed by Gothita. Knock Off is the best support move that Croagunk can offer. Bulk Up is used in the last slot in order to set up against Timburr, Trubbish, or any other Pokemon that cannot harm Croagunk. Fletchling fails to OHKO Croagunk at full health after a boost, and this can be used to lure a threat out to OHKO it with a +1 Gunk Shot. However this is generally risky, and relies heavily on Croagunk being at full health. Poison Jab can be used over Gunk Shot if accuracy is an issue, as Gunk Shot only hits 80% of the time, but the loss in power is noticeable. Set Details 36 Speed EVs let Croagunk outspeed Spritzee, allowing for the possible 2HKO with Gunk Shot. 36 Speed EVs also let Croagunk outspeed Honedge, Ferroseed, and Porygon. 188 Attack EVs leave Croagunk as strong as possible on the physical side, allowing for multiple 2HKOs and OHKOs in order for Croagunk to act as a blanket check to troublesome Pokemon. The remainder is thrown into HP and the defenses to give Croagunk some needed bulk, which allows it to survive important attacks such as Spritzee's Moonblast, which fails to 2HKO Croagunk with the given EV spread. Eviolite boosts Croagunk's defenses even further, and is more beneficial than any other item. Usage Tips Croagunk should be switching in on walls and threats that cannot really harm it, such as Timburr or Spritzee. Other common Pokemon to switch into include Mienfoo, Tirtouga, and Carvanha. This set should be used similarly to the mixed utility set, checking a variety of Pokemon. Croagunk should be used conservatively, as it can check a variety of threats to a team. If Pokemon such as Carvanha, Mienfoo, Tirtouga, Timburr, Spritzee, or Cottonee are still alive, keep Croagunk safe in order to revenge kill or check them. Team Options This set appreciates more support than the Utility set. Aromatherapy Spritzee is a great partner, as Croagunk does not like being burned. Scraggy is an excellent partner, as it appreciates Knock Off support, as well as Croagunk's ability to beat Spritzee, Timburr, and Mienfoo. Croagunk does not like Ghost-types all that much, making Dark-type Pokemon such as Pawniard good partners. Croagunk also needs a teammate that can switch into Ground-type moves, as Drilbur can easily switch in on a move like Fake Out or Gunk Shot. Fletchling forces Croagunk out, so Archen or Chinchou make great partners.

Moves Nasty Plot allows Croagunk to punch holes through common Pokemon. At +2, Sludge Bomb OHKOes Spritzee, 2HKOes Vullaby, and 2HKOes Timburr. Porygon is also 2HKOed at +2, as are other more stall-based Pokemon, such as Lileep. Vacuum Wave forces Pawniard out and helps check Pokemon such as Tirtouga or Carvanha. Shadow Ball is Croagunk's best option against Gastly. Focus Blast lets Croagunk heavily damage Porygon. Set Details The EVs are optimized to OHKO and 2HKO threats to team members after a boost, such as Vullaby or Timburr. A +2 Sludge Bomb 2HKOes Vullaby and can often OHKO Spritzee, allowing Fighting-type teammates to sweep unimpeded. 36 Speed EVs allow Croagunk to outspeed minimum Speed Spritzee, allowing for the 2HKO without a boost. Eviolite is the preferred item to avoid OHKOs. Usage Tips Croagunk can set up on common Pokemon such as Chinchou, Trubbish, and most Fighting-types, specifically Timburr or Mienfoo. One of the best and easiest ways to set up is to take advantage of Croagunk's excellent typing and slew of resistances. Forcing out Pokemon such as Cottonee or Pawniard is ideal. Croagunk can also come in on Pawniard and Tirtouga, two big offensive threats, and either set up or straight out KO them. In a pinch, Croagunk can also perform as a glue, like the Mixed Utility set, but it is outclassed in this regard by the aforementioned set, and the lack of bulk really hurts Croagunk. Team Options Something that can beat Drilbur is an excellent teammate, as Croagunk cannot beat Drilbur itself except for on a predicted switch with Icy Wind. Pokemon that hate Timburr, Vullaby, or Spritzee make good teammates with Croagunk, as Croagunk can eliminate them to sweep. This means that Pokemon such as Scraggy or Pawniard make great teammates. A good switch-in to Fletchling is always needed, making Archen a good teammate. Something that can set up Stealth Rock is also an ideal teammate, as some of the Pokemon that Croagunk can check, such as Vullaby, are much easier to handle when Stealth Rock is up.

With a Bulk Up set, Croagunk can function as a setup sweeper, and this set highlights many of Croagunk's draws in Little Cup, including the ability to set up on the ubiquitous Fighting- and Water-types. It even beats Bulk Up Timburr without resorting to a low-utility move like Hidden Power Psychic. Bulk Up is required to increase Croagunk's Attack and Defense, letting it serve as a threat after a boost or two. Drain Punch gives good healing to a slow setup Pokemon. It's a pretty powerful STAB with an excellent offensive typing. Sucker Punch gives Croagunk a priority attack and with Drain Punch, gives neutral coverage on everything but opposing Croagunk. It has high power for a priority attack and prevents Croagunk from being revenge killed by frail Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Snover and Drifloon. Payback is a solid option in the last slot for hitting Ghosts using status moves, like Substitute Misdreavus, or Ghosts switching in. Knock Off can be used over Payback purely for its incredible utility, but should only be used if you have a way to deal with Misdreavus with Taunt or Substitute. Vacuum Wave is very much in the same boat as Knock Off, but isn't all that powerful without significant investment, so it should only be used if absolutely required. The EVs maximize Croagunk's bulk while dumping leftover EVs into Attack and Speed. A considerably more offensive spread can be used but will make Croagunk far harder to set up. If using Vacuum Wave, a Brave nature can be used, with Speed EVs moved to Special Attack if desired. Poison Touch is unviable on a Bulk Up set, as being able to be burned by Scald is unacceptable on a Pokemon that sets up on Water-types. Sucker Punch is much less able than a heavily invested Vacuum Wave to revenge kill many threats Croagunk could otherwise check, so keep that in mind. It sets up best on Pokemon that can do little-to-nothing in return, such as Lileep, Chinchou, and Tirtouga. Just remember it's sometimes better mid-game to soften up checks with Drain Punch a little first than to immediately set up. Bulk Up Croagunk can be used as both a mid-game utility Pokemon that beats Chinchou so as to allow MixKrow to wreak havoc or as a late-game sweeper once Misdreavus and Murkrow are removed. Using Substitute in the last slot helps to scout counters and essentially force them to attack next turn, making Sucker Punch that much more effective. Ice Punch is also usable to hit Grass-types and Murkrow harder. Without Ice Punch, Murkrow can easily switch in on Croagunk and force it out with the threat of Brave Bird, making Archen and Porygon excellent teammates. Burn is particularly crippling for Bulk Up Croagunk, making checking Misdreavus a top priority. Porygon again handles it very well. Foongus and Larvesta resist Croagunk's Fighting-type STAB. Insomnia Murkrow and Early Bird Houndour deal with the former with ease while Larvesta is best beaten with Stealth Rock support and a bulky Water-type such as Chinchou.

Croagunk makes for a fantastic check to Fighting- and Water-types, most importantly to Fighting-types, whose STAB moves Croagunk resists. Drain Punch is a reliable STAB attack, has reasonable power behind it, and provides some healing. Vacuum Wave is a secondary Fighting STAB and is exceptionally useful; it allows Croagunk to reliably revenge kill Snover, Tirtouga, Omanyte, Shellder, and Pawniard. Sucker Punch is a decent option here to hit Misdreavus more powerfully, but it is unreliable and Misdreavus can use Will-O-Wisp or Substitute, switch out, or even just take the hit, as it almost always does only 45%. Shadow Ball gives perfect coverage along with Croagunk's Fighting STAB and lets it hit Ghost- and Psychic-types hard on the switch. It's also handy in mirror matches against other Croagunk with its chance to drop Special Defense. Dark Pulse has a handy flinch chance, but Croagunk is so slow that it will rarely outspeed anything it wants to flinch. Knock Off is the primary move in the last slot, as it is the premier support move in Little Cup, where removing an Eviolite or a Choice Scarf is very often the difference between a win and a loss. However, Fake Out is also viable, assisting Croagunk in revenge killing, but it is quite weak and quite predictable. The EV spread maximizes Croagunk's bulk while giving Special Attack a nice boost and dumping the rest into Attack. Dry Skin is by far the best ability to use, making Croagunk immune to Water and making Pokemon such as RestTalk Chinchou a source of healing, but Poison Touch is somewhat viable as Dry Skin is often assumed to be its ability and opponents are wary of spamming Water-type moves. The last slot is really open to preference. Hidden Power Psychic (remember to adjust EVs by 4 to make up for the IV reductions) is very viable as it can rarely OHKO opposing Croagunk, always 2HKO Mienfoo and Riolu, and do 40% minimum to Careful Timburr. Ice Punch is also a good option here, as it can deal a hefty amount to Shroomish, Foongus, and Murkrow on the switch. Rock Slide can also be used to hit Larvesta, Murkrow, and Ponyta hard. Croagunk is scared to death of Murkrow so Porygon and Archen make great teammates. Porygon also serves to deal with Misdreavus, Drifloon, and other Ghost-types which can check Croagunk, although Shadow Ball often serves to deter them from switching in with impunity. Abra threatens Croagunk with its Psychic STAB; Murkrow can switch in on Abra, force it out, and set up a Substitute or simply fire off a powerful Brave Bird. Croagunk really isn't too hard to fit onto a team as glue, but make sure it's used in its niches; otherwise, a Pokemon such as Mienfoo is probably better.