Draft Clodsire

[BoingK]

[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 5 onwards

**Price Range**: 10-11 points

**Overview**: Clodsire is a good specially defensive wall, thanks to its solid stats and defensive typing. It also has two great abilities in Water Absorb, which covers its weakness to Water, and Unaware, which allows it to check setup sweepers. Clodsire also brings utility to the team. However, it has poor matchups against many physical wallbreakers, thanks to its poor physical bulk and crippling weaknesses to Ground and Ice. It also has poor offensive stats and is thus vulnerable to foes using Taunt, Substitute, and other stallbreaking strategies.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Unaware Wall**: Clodsire can handle most special setup sweepers that cannot hit it with super effective STAB moves, thanks to Unaware. It also has the ability to set up entry hazards and use utility moves, such as Toxic and Haze, in the face of foes trying to boost. However, even with Unaware, Clodsire remains vulnerable to moves like Taunt, Encore, and Substitute, enabling even special sweepers to muscle past it.

**Defensive Utility**: Utilizing its great special bulk, Clodsire can support its teammates in numerous ways, including setting entry hazards and statusing opposing Pokemon with Toxic or Yawn. Water Absorb allows Clodsire to switch into certain Water-type Pokemon, like Keldeo and Walking Wake. Despite Clodsire's poor Defense, it can also check some physical attackers that cannot hit it super effectively thanks to its great HP.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Earthquake, Poison Jab, High Horsepower, Stomping Tantrum, Gunk Shot

**Setup Moves**: Curse, Amnesia

**Utility Moves**: Haze, Recover, Protect, Spikes, Stealth Rock, Toxic, Toxic Spikes, Yawn, Bulldoze

**Coverage**: Heavy Slam, Iron Head, Liquidation, Rock Slide, Stone Edge, Waterfall, Megahorn, Body Press, Low Kick

Niche Moves
========
**Counter**: Counter can be used to improve Clodsire's matchup against physical attackers and is especially effective with a Focus Sash or resistance Berry. With Counter, Clodsire can effectively lure and surprise Pokemon that would otherwise give your team problems.

**Endure**: Endure is typically used in tandem with Custap Berry, which enables Clodsire to make progress where it normally could not. For example, by using Endure against a Pokemon like Weavile that would normally OHKO it, Clodsire can set up entry hazards, inflict a status condition, use Haze, or KO with a direct attack if the foe is chipped down enough.

Common Items
========
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Heavy-Duty Boots is useful in matchups where entry hazards are likely to stay up on your side of the field. This ensures Clodsire can properly check the Pokemon it is supposed to.

**Black Sludge / Leftovers**: These items provide Clodsire with passive recovery, which greatly improves Clodsire's longevity. If Clodsire is your Tera Captain, it should use Leftovers. Otherwise, Black Sludge is its go-to to punish Trick users.

Niche Items
========
**Mental Herb**: Mental Herb prevents Taunt from affecting Clodsire once, meaning it can set entry hazards or status foes much more freely.

**Covert Cloak**: Clodsire appreciates Covert Cloak preventing harmful secondary effects from moves, like Special Defense drops, flinches from certain attacks, and the passive damage from Garganacl's Salt Cure.

**Resistance Berries**: Certain Berries, such as Yache, Payapa, and Shuca Berry, can be useful to take a super effective attack from a Pokemon your team might not have answers to otherwise.

**Custap Berry**: Especially when combined with Endure, Custap Berry allows Clodsire to circumvent its awful Speed when at low HP.

Tera
========
It is not generally recommended to make Clodsire your Tera Captain, as it does not bring much offensive prowess to the table. However, as a secondary Tera Captain or in leagues without a Tera restriction, Clodsire can utilize Tera to turn the tables on certain Pokemon that would otherwise be problematic for a team, such as Iron Bundle, Latios, and Landorus with Tera Fire, Dark, and Flying, respectively.

Draft Strategy
========
Clodsire should not be the focus of a draft , but rather a strong supporting pieced with its utility and defensive profile. Being a grounded Poison-type, it resists Fairy and absorbs Toxic Spikes, both excellent traits on bulkier teams. However, Clodsire has a few key flaws that should be addressed when drafting with it in mind.

**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Clodsire has poor Defense .Although this can somewhat be alleviated with investment thanks to its great HP, you should still draft a physically bulky Pokemon, such as Corviknight, Gouging Fire, or Sinistcha.

**Entry Hazard Removal**: Without Heavy-Duty Boots, Clodsire becomes vulnerable to chip damage from hazards. Hence, Pokemon that can reliably clear hazards off the field, like Cyclizar and Corviknight, are greatly appreciated. Spinners in particular are valuable, since Clodsire likes to make progress via hazards.

**Wincons**: Regardless of its moveset, Clodsire is vulnerable to being overwhelmed by opposing offensive threats, which makes fast wincons such as Iron Valiant, Ogerpon-W, and Latios valuable teammates.

Checks and Counters
========
**Physical Wallbreakers**: Clodsire's poor Defense means that strong physical wallbreakers and physical attackers that can threaten it for super effective damage generally force it out.

**Poison-immune Pokemon**: Clodsire's poor attacking stats make it reliant on Toxic to deal damage. Hence, any Pokemon that are immune to Toxic generally do well against it, although most Poison- and Steel-types must be wary of Clodsire's Earthquake.

**Stallbreaking**: Due to Clodsire's poor Attack, it can be quite passive, making it weak to moves such as Taunt and Encore, which can stop it from making progress through status moves. Substitute enables opposing Pokemon to ignore Clodsire's main form of damage in Toxic, and Stored Power enables special sweepers to muscle past it in spite of Unaware.

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Written by:
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Quality checked by:
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[BoingK]

ready for qc1

 

[vmnunes]

Add Remove Comments

Goodest boi

View attachment 608242
[overview]
**Draft order**: Round 5 onwards

**Price range**: 10-11

**Overview**: Clodsire is a good specially defensive wall, thanks to its good stats and defensive typing. Clodsire also has two great abilities in Water Absorb, which covers its weakness to Water-type moves, and Unaware, which allows it to check boosting sweepers. Clodsire also brings utility to the team through hazard support and progress through status conditions. However, Clodsire has poor matchups into physical breakers, thanks to poor physical bulk and crippling weaknesses to Ground- and Ice-type attacks, so it should be supported with good physically bulky partners. I feel that this fits more the "Draft strategy" section.

<I also wanted to add something about it being passive but I couldn't word it, any tips?>
Could say something about its low offensive stats, and how it relies on super effective hits to do noticeable damage (outside of status conditions), as well as how it can be setup bait for a lot of mons, especially if they can afford to run substitute to avoid status. As well as vulnerability to Taunt and other stallbreaking strategies.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
For both of these you need to expand upon these roles a little more. See some of our uploaded analysis for examples of how much is expected.

**Unaware Wall**: Clodsire can handle most special boosting sweepers that cannot hit it with super effective STAB thanks to its Unaware ability. Could mention taking advantage of opponents that are setting up to setup your hazards / utility moves. Also should probably mention that even with unaware, some special sweepers can play around clodsire through the use of moves like substitute, taunt or encore, and that you should watch out for those.

**Defensive Utility**: Utilising its great special bulk, Clodsire can set hazards or status opposing Pokemon with Toxic or Yawn. Need to expand upon this a bit more. Haze is probably worth a mention, as well as Water Absorb sets that can be used to check specific threats better than Unaware (Walking Wake and Keldeo, for example)

At some point I also feel that you should mention that clodsire can be used to check certain physical attackers that can't hit it super effectively, since it does have good enough physical bulk when invested.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves**: Earthquake, Poison Jab, High Horsepower, Stomping Tantrum, Gunk Shot

**Setup moves**: Curse, Amnesia

**Utility moves**: Haze, Recover, Protect, Spikes, Stealth Rock, Toxic, Toxic Spikes, Yawn

**Coverage**: Heavy Slam, Iron Head, Liquidation, Rock Slide, Stone Edge, Waterfall, Megahorn, Body Press, Low Kick Megahorn is useful against a bunch of psychic types that threaten you, and Body Press / Low Kick outdamage your stab moves for several targets they can hit super effectively (notably Weavile, Baxcalibur, Kingambit)

Niche Moves
========
**Stockpile**: By boosting its physical and special Defense at the same time, Clodsire can become a potent crit-me-not sweeper. I don't think this is worth a mention. Stockpile is limited in how much it can boost your own defenses, and Clodsire only has Body Press to benefit from it. You're going to need to elaborate a bit more on how Clodsire can become a potent sweeper with stockpile since it has pretty low offensive power otherwise.

**Endure**: Typically used in tandem with Custap Berry strategies. Again, going to need you to elaborate on this. Give some examples if possible. Endure Custap Clodsire is something that i've personally never seen, and feels like you're giving up too much value from losing the moveslot and Boots / Black Sludge to run Custap Endure.

**Counter**: Counter can be used to improve Clodsire's matchup into physical attackers and is especially effective with the a Focus Sash or Resistance Berry item. I'd move this to the top of Niche Moves, as it is the most viable option out of the three imo. Also mention how it can be used to lure and remove threatening physical attackers.

Common Items
========
**Black Sludge / Leftovers**: These items provide Clodsire with passive recovery, which greatly improve Clodsire's longevity. If Clodsire is your Tera Captain, you should use Leftovers, otherwise Black Sludge is your go-to.

**Heavy Duty Boots**: Heavy Duty Boots is useful in matchups where hazards are likely to stay up on your side of the field. This ensures Clodsire can properly check the Pokemon it is supposed to.

Swap these two around imo, as Boots tend to be more useful on Clodsire since hazards generally are extremely common.

Niche Items
========
**Air Balloon**: Air Balloon can be used to give Clodsire a temporary immunity to Ground-type moves, enabling it to act as an emergency check to some Pokemon.

**Focus Sash**: This item ensures that a full-health Clodsire will always be able to fire off an attack, status an opponent, or get some hazards up.

**Mental Herb**: Mental Herb prevents Taunt from affecting Clodsire once, meaning it can set hazards or status opponents much more freely.

**Custap Berry**: Especially powerful in tandem with Endure, Custap Berry enables Clodsire to make moves where it normally could not. I'd move this to the bottom, as it is by far the least common niche item. Also an example of strategies enabled by this wouldn't hurt.

**Covert Cloak**: Clodsire appreciates Covert Cloak preventing Special Defense drops or flinches from certain attacks.

**Resist Berries**: Certain berries, such as the Yache, Papaya, and Shuca Berries, can be useful to take a supereffective attack from a Pokemon your team might not have answers to otherwise.

Tera
========
It is not generally recommended to make Clodsire your Tera Captain, as it does not bring much offensive prowess to the table. However, as a secondary Tera Captain or in leagues without a Tera restriction, Clodsire can utilise Tera to turn the head on certain Pokemon that would otherwise be problematic for a team, for example, Iron Bundle, Latios, and Landorus-I.

Draft Strategy
========
Clodsire should not be the focus of a draft strategy, but rather a strong supporting piece thanks to its utility and defensive profile. Some examples of teammates and teams that benefit from Clodsire are:

**Drafts lacking Special Walls**: Clodsire has great special bulk and decent typing, allowing it to take on most special attackers and threaten them with status or make progress with hazards. Most notably, it does not fear Fairy-type attacks on the special side of the spectrum. Clodsire's two abilities, Water Absorb and Unaware, contribute greatly to its functioning.

**Drafts lacking a grounded Poison**: In draft formats, having a grounded Poison is extremely nice as it greatly improves your matchup into Toxic Spikes. Without a grounded Poison type, your Pokemon are much more liable to being set on a timer via Poison status, or being forced to run the Heavy Duty Boots item, both of which can be exploited easily.

**Drafts weak to Water**: Thanks to its Water Absorb ability, Clodsire is immune to Water-type attacks and is thus a great fit on drafts whose defensive cores are weak to Water-type attacks.

**Teammates weak to status**: Clodsire is immune to poison and paralysis, and although getting burned is annoying, it does not prevent Clodsire from carrying out its job. Therefore, Clodsire can be a status absorber for Pokemon that hate status, such as Palafin, Kingambit, and Iron Boulder. (and literally every pokemon because fuck paralysis)

<Should I include a few categories about drafting around Clodsire's weaknesses ie passivity / poor physical bulk / common weaknesses>

All this information that you wrote here should be condensed into the main paragraph under draft strategy. The bullet points for draft strategy should be teammates and roles that you should draft alongside Clodsire. For example: physically bulky mons to cover its weaker defense stat, hazard removal to help minimize chip damage it takes from hazards, speed control options / fast offensive pokemon to help your draft deal with the threats that clodsire can't answer, etc.

Checks and Counters
========
**Physical attacks Physical Wallbreakers**: Clodsire has poor physical bulk, so most neutral physical attacks will scare Clodsire out. Clodsire actually does not have that bad physical bulk, especially when invested, thanks to its fantastic hp stat. So it is able to take on some physical attackers, but the strong physical wallbreakers do pose a threat to it. I'd reword this paragraph with this in mind.

**Poison immunities**: Despite Clodsire's respectable base 100 Dex info like specific stat values don't need to be in an analysis. Also, Clodsire only has base 75 attack, idk where you got the 100 from. attack stat, it generally wants to invest in bulk, so it is typically quite weak. This leaves Toxic as its main form of damage, hence any Pokemon that are immune to Toxic generally do well into it, although Poison- and Steel-types must be wary of Clodsire's Earthquake.

Need to add a mention to stallbreaking strategies such as Taunt / Encore that greatly cripple Clodsire, as well as setup pokemon with moves such as Substitute or Stored Power, as they can either avoid your main source of damage (poison) with Sub, or just brute force past Clodsire with Stored Power.

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Would like to see these changes made to review it again before giving the QC check. Feel free to tag me here once you've done so.

 

[BoingK]

vmnunes hiya, should be ready for a re-check

 

[vmnunes]

Add Remove Comments

Mud boi

View attachment 608242
[overview]
**Draft order**: Round 5 onwards

**Price range**: 10-11

**Overview**: Clodsire is a good specially defensive wall, thanks to its good stats and defensive typing. Clodsire also has two great abilities in Water Absorb, which covers its weakness to Water-type moves, and Unaware, which allows it to check boosting sweepers. Clodsire also brings utility to the team through hazard support and progress through status conditions. However, Clodsire has poor matchups into physical breakers, thanks to poor physical bulk and crippling weaknesses to Ground- and Ice-type attacks. It also has poor offensive stats and relies on supereffective attacks to do noticeable damage, and is thus vulnerable to Taunt, Substitute, and other stallbreaking strategies.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Unaware Wall**: Clodsire can handle most special boosting sweepers that cannot hit it with super effective STAB thanks to its Unaware ability. Clodsire also has the ability to use hazards and utility moves in the face of foes which are trying to boost. However, even with Unaware, Clodsire reamins vulnerable to strategies like Taunt, Encore and Substitute, enabling even special sweepers to muscle past Clodsire.

**Defensive Utility**: Utilising its great special bulk, Clodsire can set hazards, status opposing Pokemon with Toxic or Yawn, or use other utility moves like Haze (enabling other Pokemon to take on the boosting threat). Water Absorb sets are great in certain matchups to better check certain Water-type Pokemon, like Keldeo and Walking Wake. Despite Clodsire's poor Physical Defense stat, it can check some physical attackers that cannot hit it supereffectively with enough investment, thanks to its great HP stat.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves**: Earthquake, Poison Jab, High Horsepower, Stomping Tantrum, Gunk Shot

**Setup moves**: Curse, Amnesia

**Utility moves**: Haze, Recover, Protect, Spikes, Stealth Rock, Toxic, Toxic Spikes, Yawn

**Coverage**: Heavy Slam, Iron Head, Liquidation, Rock Slide, Stone Edge, Waterfall, Megahorn, Body Press, Low Kick

Niche Moves
========
**Counter**: Counter can be used to improve Clodsire's matchup into physical attackers and is especially effective with a Focus Sash or Resistance Berry. It can effectively lure and surprise knockout Pokemon that would otherwise give your team problems.

**Endure**: Endure is typically used in tandem with Custap Berry strategies, which enable Clodsire to make progress where it normally could not. For example, by Enduring on a Pokemon like Weavile that would normally one-hit knockout Clodsire, you can fire off a layer of hazards, a status condition, a Haze, or a direct attack if the foe is chipped enough. -> Is this and Custap Berry too niche?
I personally have never seen Endure Custap Clodsire sets, and have never ran them myself. But I don't think there's harm in keeping a mention to them.

Common Items
========
**Heavy Duty Boots**: Heavy Duty Boots is useful in matchups where hazards are likely to stay up on your side of the field. This ensures Clodsire can properly check the Pokemon it is supposed to.

**Black Sludge / Leftovers**: These items provide Clodsire with passive recovery, which greatly improve Clodsire's longevity. If Clodsire is your Tera Captain, you should use Leftovers, otherwise Black Sludge is your go-to to punish Trick users.

Niche Items
========
**Air Balloon**: Air Balloon can be used to give Clodsire a temporary immunity to Ground-type moves, enabling it to act as an emergency check to some Pokemon.

**Focus Sash**: This item ensures that a full-health Clodsire will always be able to fire off an attack, status an opponent, or get some hazards up. Could probably move sash a few steps down, as I feel something like Covert Cloak and Resistance berries are seen more often on it.

**Mental Herb**: Mental Herb prevents Taunt from affecting Clodsire once, meaning it can set hazards or status opponents much more freely.

**Covert Cloak**: Clodsire appreciates Covert Cloak preventing Special Defense drops or flinches from certain attacks. I'd possibly change this to say "harmful secondary effects from moves" or something along those lines, as it's useful for more than just Sp Def drops or flinches (Garganacl's salt cure, for example).

**Resistance Berries (just changing to the correct nomenclature that is used in the analysis, so GP doesn't have to poke you about it)**: Certain berries, such as the Yache, Papaya, and Shuca Berries, can be useful to take a supereffective attack from a Pokemon your team might not have answers to otherwise.

**Custap Berry**: Especially powerful in tandem with Endure, Custap Berry enables Clodsire to make progress where it normally could not. For example, by Enduring on a Pokemon like Weavile that would normally one-hit knockout Clodsire, you can fire off a layer of hazards, a status condition, a Haze, or a direct attack if the foe is chipped enough.

Tera
========
It is not generally recommended to make Clodsire your Tera Captain, as it does not bring much offensive prowess to the table. However, as a secondary Tera Captain or in leagues without a Tera restriction, Clodsire can utilise Tera to turn the head on certain Pokemon that would otherwise be problematic for a team, for example, Iron Bundle, Latios, and Landorus-I.

Draft Strategy
========
Clodsire should not be the focus of a draft strategy, but rather a strong supporting piece thanks to its utility and defensive profile. Clodsire is a great Special Wall, notably resisting Fairy-types, and this is complemented by its two strong abilities Water Absorb and Unaware. It is also a grounded Poison, which alleviates any pressure exerted in builder by opposing T-Spikers, and can absorb status well. However, Clodsire has a few key flaws that should be addressed when drafting with it in mind.

**Physically bulky Pokemon**: Clodsire has a poor Physical Defense stat. Although this can somewhat be alleviated with investment thanks to its great HP stat, you should still draft a physically bulky Pokemon, for example Corviknight, Gouging Fire, or Sinistcha.

**Hazard Removal**: Without Heavy-Duty Boots, Clodsire becomes vulnerable to chip damage from hazards. Hence Pokemon that can reliably clear hazards off the field, like Cyclizar, Forretress, and Corviknight, are greatly appreciated. Rapid Spin is slightly more valuable since Clodsire likes to make progress via hazards.

**Speed Control / Fast Breakers**: In Draft, it is often the case that your team cannot defensively check Pokemon on your opponent's draft. Therefore, it is important to draft fast offensive Pokemon, like Iron Valiant, Ogerpon-Heartflame, and Latios, to offensively check the threats on the opposition team.

Checks and Counters
========
**Physical Wallbreakers**: Clodsire has a poor Physical Defense stat. Although this can be alleviated somewhat with investment thanks to its great HP stat, strong physical wallbreakers and physical attackers that can threaten it for supereffective damage will generally force Clodsire out.

**Poison immunities**: Clodsire generally wants to invest in bulk, so it is typically quite weak. This leaves Toxic as its main form of damage. Hence, any Pokemon that are immune to Toxic generally do well into it, although Poison- and Steel-types must be wary of Clodsire's Earthquake.

**Stallbreaker strategies**: Due to Clodsire's poor Attack stat, it can be quite passive, making Clodsire weak to strategies such as Taunt and Encore, which can stop Clodsire from making progress through status attacks. Substitute enables opposing Pokemon to ignore Clodsire's main form of damage in Toxic, and Stored Power enables Special Sweepers to muscle past Clodsire in spite of its Unaware ability.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/boingk.586482/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/vmnunes.613460/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.300000
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.400000

QC 1 approved

 

[BoingK]

ready for qc 2!

 

[abriel]

remove add comment

BoingK, post: 9999306, member: 586482

View attachment 608242
[overview]
**Draft order**: Round 5 onwards

**Price range**: 10-11

**Overview**: Clodsire is a good specially defensive wall, thanks to its good stats and defensive typing. Clodsire also has two great abilities in Water Absorb, which covers its weakness to Water-type moves, and Unaware, which allows it to check boosting sweepers. Clodsire also brings utility to the team through hazard support and progress through status conditions. However, Clodsire has poor matchups into many physical breakers, thanks to poor physical bulk and crippling weaknesses to Ground- and Ice-type attacks. It also has poor offensive stats and relies on supereffective attacks to do noticeable damage, and is thus vulnerable to Taunt, Substitute, and other stallbreaking strategies.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Unaware Wall**: Clodsire can handle most special boosting sweepers that cannot hit it with super effective STAB thanks to its Unaware ability. Clodsire also has the ability to use hazards and utility moves in the face of foes which are trying to boost. However, even with Unaware, Clodsire reamins remains vulnerable to strategies like Taunt, Encore and Substitute, enabling even special sweepers to muscle past Clodsire.

**Defensive Utility**: Utilising Utilizing analyses use american english its great special bulk, Clodsire can support its teammates in numerous ways, including setting hazards, (rc) and statusing opposing Pokemon with Toxic or Yawn, or use other utility moves like Haze (enabling other Pokemon to take on the boosting threat) think this drags the point on too long, and a direct mention of haze would be better suited to the unaware section imo. Water Absorb sets are great in certain matchups to better check allows Clodsire to switch in to certain Water-type Pokemon, like Keldeo and Walking Wake. Despite Clodsire's poor Physical Defense stat, it can also check some physical attackers that cannot hit it supereffectively with enough investment, thanks to its great HP stat.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves**: Earthquake, Poison Jab, High Horsepower, Stomping Tantrum, Gunk Shot

**Setup moves**: Curse, Amnesia

**Utility moves**: Haze, Recover, Protect, Spikes, Stealth Rock, Toxic, Toxic Spikes, Yawn, Bulldoze

**Coverage**: Heavy Slam, Iron Head, Liquidation, Rock Slide, Stone Edge, Waterfall, Megahorn, Body Press, Low Kick

Niche Moves
========
**Counter**: Counter can be used to improve Clodsire's matchup into physical attackers and is especially effective with a Focus Sash or Resistance Berry. It can effectively lure and surprise knockout Pokemon that would otherwise give your team problems.

**Endure**: Endure is typically used in tandem with Custap Berry strategies, which enable Clodsire to make progress where it normally could not. For example, by Enduring on a Pokemon like Weavile that would normally one-hit knockout Clodsire, you can fire off a layer of hazards, a status condition, a Haze, or a direct attack if the foe is chipped enough.

Common Items
========
**Heavy Duty Boots**: Heavy Duty Boots is useful in matchups where hazards are likely to stay up on your side of the field. This ensures Clodsire can properly check the Pokemon it is supposed to.

**Black Sludge / Leftovers**: These items provide Clodsire with passive recovery, which greatly improve Clodsire's longevity. If Clodsire is your Tera Captain, you should use Leftovers, otherwise Black Sludge is your go-to to punish Trick users.

Niche Items
========
**Air Balloon**: Air Balloon can be used to give Clodsire a temporary immunity to Ground-type moves, enabling it to act as an emergency check to some Pokemon. i don't think clodsire can really take advantage of the one turn of a ground immunity well enough to mention this

**Mental Herb**: Mental Herb prevents Taunt from affecting Clodsire once, meaning it can set hazards or status opponents much more freely.

**Covert Cloak**: Clodsire appreciates Covert Cloak preventing harmful secondary effects from moves, like Special Defense drops or flinches from certain attacks, or even more specific examples like the passive damage from Garganacl's Salt Cure.

**Focus Sash**: This item ensures that a full-health Clodsire will always be able to fire off an attack, status an opponent, or get some hazards up. imo a matchup where sash clodsire is genuinely needed is beyond dire. at least mention counter in this if you keep it, or limit the mention of sash to the counter bullet point.

**Resistance Berries**: Certain berries, such as the Yache, Papaya, and Shuca Berries, can be useful to take a supereffective attack from a Pokemon your team might not have answers to otherwise. honestly i might get rid of this for the same reason as air balloon, less sure of it though so i'm fine leaving it to you

**Custap Berry**: Especially powerful in tandem with Endure, Custap Berry enables Clodsire to make progress where it normally could not. For example, by Enduring on a Pokemon like Weavile that would normally one-hit knockout Clodsire, you can fire off a layer of hazards, a status condition, a Haze, or a direct attack if the foe is chipped enough. retreading the endure paragraph way too much, would rephrase Especially when combined with Endure, Custap Berry allows Clodsire to circumvent its awful Speed when at low HP.

Tera
========
It is not generally recommended to make Clodsire your Tera Captain, as it does not bring much offensive prowess to the table. However, as a secondary Tera Captain or in leagues without a Tera restriction, Clodsire can utilise utilize Tera to turn the head on certain Pokemon that would otherwise be problematic for a team, for example, Iron Bundle, Latios, and Landorus-I. generally want to suggest useful types to beat these pokemon

Draft Strategy
========
Clodsire should not be the focus of a draft strategy, but rather a strong supporting piece thanks to its utility and defensive profile. Clodsire is a great Special Wall, notably resisting Fairy-types, and this is complemented by its two strong abilities Water Absorb and Unaware. It is also a grounded Poison, which alleviates any pressure exerted in builder by opposing T-Spikers, and can absorb status well. However, Clodsire has a few key flaws that should be addressed when drafting with it in mind. retreads on what you've already said too much imo, would rephrase the middle sentence more to say that its poison typing gives it a fairy resistance and absorbs tspikes, which is helpful for bulkier teams

**Physically bulky Pokemon**: Clodsire has a poor Physical Defense stat. Although this can somewhat be alleviated with investment thanks to its great HP stat, you should still draft a physically bulky Pokemon, for example Corviknight, Gouging Fire, or Sinistcha.

**Hazard Removal**: Without Heavy-Duty Boots, Clodsire becomes vulnerable to chip damage from hazards. Hence Pokemon that can reliably clear hazards off the field, like Cyclizar, Forretress, and Corviknight, are greatly appreciated. Rapid Spin is slightly more users in particular are valuable since Clodsire likes to make progress via hazards.

**Speed Control / Fast Breakers Win Conditions**: In Draft, it is often the case that your team cannot defensively check Pokemon on your opponent's draft. Therefore, it is important to draft fast offensive Pokemon, like Iron Valiant, Ogerpon-Heartflame, and Latios, to offensively check the threats on the opposition team. Regardless of moveset, Clodsire is vulnerable to being overwhelmed by opposing offensive threats, which makes fast win conditions such as Iron Valiant, Ogerpon-Wellspring, and Latios valuable teammates.

Checks and Counters
========
**Physical Wallbreakers**: Clodsire has a poor Physical Defense stat. Although this can be alleviated somewhat with investment thanks to its great HP stat, strong physical wallbreakers and physical attackers that can threaten it for supereffective damage will generally force Clodsire out.

**Poison immunities**: Clodsire generally wants to invest in bulk, so it is typically quite weak. This leaves Toxic as its main form of damage. Clodsire's poor attcking stats make it reliant on Toxic to deal damage. Hence, any Pokemon that are immune to Toxic generally do well into it, although most Poison- and Steel-types must be wary of Clodsire's Earthquake.

**Stallbreaker strategies**: Due to Clodsire's poor Attack stat, it can be quite passive, making Clodsire weak to strategies such as Taunt and Encore, which can stop Clodsire from making progress through status attacks. Substitute enables opposing Pokemon to ignore Clodsire's main form of damage in Toxic, and Stored Power enables Special Sweepers to muscle past Clodsire in spite of its Unaware ability.

[credits]
Written by:
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Quality checked by:
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qc2

 

[BoingK]

qc 2 implemented, ready for GP Team

 

[SolarBeam]

1/1, GP Team done

creature

blue = add
red = remove
(orange) = comment

[overview]
**Draft order Order**: Round 5 onwards

**Price range Range**: 10-11 points

**Overview**: Clodsire is a good specially defensive wall, thanks to its good solid (can use another adjective, just avoid repeating good) stats and defensive typing. Clodsire It also has two great abilities in Water Absorb, which covers its weakness to Water-type moves Water, and Unaware, which allows it to check boosting setup sweepers. Clodsire also brings utility to the team. However, Clodsire it has poor matchups into against many physical wallbreakers, thanks to its poor physical bulk and crippling weaknesses to Ground- and Ice-type attacks Ground and Ice. It also has poor offensive stats and is thus vulnerable to foes using Taunt, Substitute, and other stallbreaking strategies.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Unaware Wall**: Clodsire can handle most special boosting setup sweepers that cannot hit it with super effective STAB moves, (AC) thanks to its Unaware ability. Clodsire It also has the ability to use set up entry hazards and use utility moves, such as Toxic or and Haze, in the face of foes which are trying to boost. However, even with Unaware, Clodsire remains vulnerable to strategies moves (moves aren't strategies on their own, using the move would be a strat) like Taunt, Encore, (AC) and Substitute, enabling even special sweepers to muscle past Clodsire it.

**Defensive Utility**: Utilizing its great special bulk, Clodsire can support its teammates in numerous ways, including setting entry hazards and statusing opposing Pokemon with Toxic or Yawn. Water Absorb allows Clodsire to switch in to into certain Water-type Pokemon, like Keldeo and Walking Wake. Despite Clodsire's poor Defense stat, it can also check some physical attackers that cannot hit it super effectively (added space) thanks to its great HP stat.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves Moves**: Earthquake, Poison Jab, High Horsepower, Stomping Tantrum, Gunk Shot

**Setup moves Moves**: Curse, Amnesia

**Utility moves Moves**: Haze, Recover, Protect, Spikes, Stealth Rock, Toxic, Toxic Spikes, Yawn, Bulldoze

**Coverage**: Heavy Slam, Iron Head, Liquidation, Rock Slide, Stone Edge, Waterfall, Megahorn, Body Press, Low Kick

Niche Moves
========
**Counter**: Counter can be used to improve Clodsire's matchup into against physical attackers and is especially effective with a Focus Sash or Resistance resistance Berry. It With Counter, Clodsire (moves don't lure) can effectively lure and surprise knockout Pokemon that would otherwise give your team problems.

**Endure**: Endure is typically used in tandem with Custap Berry, which enable enables Clodsire to make progress where it normally could not. For example, by Enduring on using Endure against a Pokemon like Weavile that would normally one-hit knockout Clodsire OHKO it, you Clodsire can fire off a layer of set up entry hazards, inflict a status condition, a use Haze, or KO with a direct attack if the foe is chipped down enough.

Common Items
========
**Heavy-Duty (AH) Boots**: Heavy-Duty (AH) Boots is useful in matchups where entry hazards are likely to stay up on your side of the field. This ensures Clodsire can properly check the Pokemon it is supposed to.

**Black Sludge / Leftovers**: These items provide Clodsire with passive recovery, which greatly improve improves Clodsire's longevity. If Clodsire is your Tera Captain, you it should use Leftovers. Otherwise, Black Sludge is your its go-to to punish Trick users.

Niche Items
========
**Mental Herb**: Mental Herb prevents Taunt from affecting Clodsire once, meaning it can set entry hazards or status opponents foes much more freely.

**Covert Cloak**: Clodsire appreciates Covert Cloak preventing harmful secondary effects from moves, like Special Defense drops, (AC) or flinches from certain attacks, or even more specific examples like and (already listing specific examples) the passive damage from Garganacl's Salt Cure.

**Resistance Berries**: Certain berries Berries, such as the Yache, Papaya Payapa, and Shuca Berries Berry, can be useful to take a super effective (added space) attack from a Pokemon your team might not have answers to otherwise.

**Custap Berry**: Especially when combined with Endure, Custap Berry allows Clodsire to circumvent its awful Speed when at low HP.

Tera
========
It is not generally recommended to make Clodsire your Tera Captain, as it does not bring much offensive prowess to the table. However, as a secondary Tera Captain or in leagues without a Tera restriction, Clodsire can utilize Tera to turn the head tables (confusing with "turn [x] on its head") on certain Pokemon that would otherwise be problematic for a team, such as for example (RC) Iron Bundle, Latios, and Landorus-I, through use of the with Tera Types Fire (with Water Absorb), Dark, and Flying, (AC) respectively.

Draft Strategy
========
Clodsire should not be the focus of a draft strategy, but rather a strong supporting piece thanks to with its utility and defensive profile. Being a grounded Poison-type, Clodsire it resists Fairy-type attacks Fairy and absorbs T-Spikes Toxic Spikes, both excellent traits on bulkier teams. However, Clodsire has a few key flaws that should be addressed when drafting with it in mind.

**Physically bulky Bulky Pokemon**: Clodsire has a poor Defense stat. Although this can somewhat be alleviated with investment thanks to its great HP stat, you should still draft a physically bulky Pokemon, for example such as Corviknight, Gouging Fire, or Sinistcha.

**Entry Hazard Removal**: Without Heavy-Duty Boots, Clodsire becomes vulnerable to chip damage from hazards. Hence, (AC) Pokemon that can reliably clear hazards off the field, like Cyclizar and Corviknight, are greatly appreciated. Rapid Spin users Spinners in particular are valuable, (AC) since Clodsire likes to make progress via hazards.

**Win Conditions Setup Sweepers**: Regardless of its moveset, Clodsire is vulnerable to being overwhelmed by opposing offensive threats, which makes fast win conditions setup sweepers (win conditions are not individual Pokemon, wincons are, and they're only used from an in-battle perspective as the situational best mon to win a specific game) such as Iron Valiant, Ogerpon-Wellspring, and Latios valuable teammates.

Checks and Counters
========
**Physical Wallbreakers**: Clodsire has a poor Defense stat. Although this can be alleviated somewhat with investment thanks to its great HP stat, Clodsire's poor Defense means that (you've already said this verbatim, can condense) strong physical wallbreakers and physical attackers that can threaten it for super effective (added space) damage will generally force Clodsire it out.

**Poison immunities Poison-immune Pokemon**: Clodsire's poor attcking attacking stats make it reliant on Toxic to deal damage. Hence, any Pokemon that are immune to Toxic generally do well into against it, although most Poison- and Steel-types must be wary of Clodsire's Earthquake.

**Stallbreaker strategies Stallbreaking**: Due to Clodsire's poor Attack stat, it can be quite passive, making Clodsire it weak to strategies moves such as Taunt and Encore, which can stop Clodsire it from making progress through status attacks moves. Substitute enables opposing Pokemon to ignore Clodsire's main form of damage in Toxic, and Stored Power enables Special Sweepers special sweepers to muscle past Clodsire it in spite of its Unaware ability.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/boingk.586482/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/vmnunes.613460/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/abriel.473082/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/

 

[BoingK]

GP implemented, ready for upload!