Competitive Information for Claydol [Black/White]


Ground / Psychic
Abilities:
This Pokemon is immune to Ground; Gravity/Ingrain/Smack Down/Iron Ball nullify it.


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Note: Pokemon with the Levitate ability are immune to Ground attacks.
Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Claydol? These builds are optimized for Black/White Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Black/White metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
Unleash the power of Claydol, a rad Pokémon with Ground and Psychic typing. It's a sight to see Claydol out in the 5th generation battlefield. It is weak to Bug, Dark, Ghost, Grass, Ice, and Water-typed attacks. Want to master Claydol's movesets? Dive into our detailed strategies below!
Item: Shell Bell / Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Drill Run / Earthquake
- Double-Edge / Return
- Zen Headbutt
- Rock Slide / Smack Down
In single battles, Claydol is known as a dazzling Physical Sweeper. The intention of this moveset is to take down the opponent's team with devastating physical attacks. Life Orb boosts the power of Claydol's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. The Shell Bell item option is to help Claydol recover from the recoil damage it may take from Double-Edge. With Levitate, Claydol is immune to damaging Ground-typed moves. Levitate also makes Claydol unaffected by the effects of Spikes, Arena Trap or Toxic Spikes. Keep in mind that Ingrain, Gravity, Smack down and the Iron ball item will nullify Levitate's effect.
◆ Earthquake is a physical STAB-boosted 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Zen Headbutt is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Psychic-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ Smack Down is a physical 50-base power Rock-type move (removes the target's ground immunity).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/gaa158
Item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Psychic / Psyshock
- Earth Power
- Ice Beam
- Shadow Ball
Claydol proves to be a dazzling Special Sweeper for single battles. This moveset was created to crush rivals using powerful special moves. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Claydol's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. Life Orb boosts the power of Claydol's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Levitate, Claydol is immune to damaging Ground-typed moves. Levitate also makes Claydol unaffected by the effects of Spikes, Arena Trap or Toxic Spikes. Keep in mind that Ingrain, Gravity, Smack down and the Iron ball item will nullify Levitate's effect.
◆ Psyshock is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Psychic-type move (damages target based on defense, not special defense).
◆ Earth Power is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Ground-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 95-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Shadow Ball is a special 80-base power Ghost-type move (20% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/gba158
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Quiet (+SpA, -Spe)
EVs: 210 Hp / 56 Def / 244 SpA
Moveset:
- Earth Power
- Power Trick
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
Claydol thrives as a brilliant Special Tank perfect for single battles. This technique aims to handle special hits and respond with decent damage. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Claydol last longer regaining it's health points every turn. With Levitate, Claydol is immune to damaging Ground-typed moves. Levitate also makes Claydol unaffected by the effects of Spikes, Arena Trap or Toxic Spikes. Keep in mind that Ingrain, Gravity, Smack down and the Iron ball item will nullify Levitate's effect.
◆ Power Trick is a status move (switches Claydol's attack and defense stats).
◆ Psychic is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 95-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/gca158
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Bold (+Def, -Atk)
EVs: 252 Hp / 52 Def / 176 SpA / 28 SpD
Moveset:
- Earth Power
- Cosmic Power
- Psychic
- Toxic
Claydol is a top-notch Special Tank to use for single battles. It tries to take a mighty amount of hits from special attacks while dealing some decent damage. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Claydol last longer regaining it's vitality every turn. With Levitate, Claydol is immune to damaging Ground-typed moves. Levitate also makes Claydol unaffected by the effects of Spikes, Arena Trap or Toxic Spikes. Keep in mind that Ingrain, Gravity, Smack down and the Iron ball item will nullify Levitate's effect.
◆ Cosmic Power is a status move (raises your Claydol's defense and special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Psychic is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Toxic is a status move (badly poisons the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/gda158
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Claydol? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Black/White Double Battles. The VGC is the ultimate test of strategy and skill, and these movesets and EVs are designed to excel against multiple opponents at once while providing essential support to your team. Dominate the Black/White metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
Item: Shell Bell / Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Earthquake / Drill Run
- Rock Slide / Smack Down
- Double-Edge / Return
- Zen Headbutt
Claydol thrives as a superior Physical Sweeper perfect for double battles. This technique aims to overwhelm foes with destructive physical attacks. Life Orb boosts the power of Claydol's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. The Shell Bell item option is to help Claydol recover from the recoil damage it may take from Double-Edge. With Levitate, Claydol is immune to damaging Ground-typed moves. Levitate also makes Claydol unaffected by the effects of Spikes, Arena Trap or Toxic Spikes. Keep in mind that Ingrain, Gravity, Smack down and the Iron ball item will nullify Levitate's effect.
◆ Drill Run is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Ground-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ Smack Down is a physical 50-base power Rock-type move (removes the target's ground immunity).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Zen Headbutt is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Psychic-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/haa158
Item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Psychic / Psyshock
- Earth Power
- Ice Beam
- Shadow Ball
Prepare for double battles with Claydol as a marvelous Special Sweeper. This moveset attempts to take down the opponent's team with potent special attacks. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Claydol's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. Life Orb boosts the power of Claydol's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Levitate, Claydol is immune to damaging Ground-typed moves. Levitate also makes Claydol unaffected by the effects of Spikes, Arena Trap or Toxic Spikes. Keep in mind that Ingrain, Gravity, Smack down and the Iron ball item will nullify Levitate's effect.
◆ Psyshock is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Psychic-type move (damages target based on defense, not special defense).
◆ Earth Power is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Ground-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 95-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Shadow Ball is a special 80-base power Ghost-type move (20% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/hba158
Item: Shell Bell
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Relaxed (+Def, -Spe)
EVs: 252 Hp / 188 Def / 68 SpD
Moveset:
- Drill Run / Earthquake
- Double-Edge / Return
- Zen Headbutt
- Trick Room
In single battles, Claydol's Defensive Trick Roomer role is a superior. The Shell Bell item is to help Claydol recover from the recoil damage it may take from Double-Edge. With Levitate, Claydol is immune to damaging Ground-typed moves. Levitate also makes Claydol unaffected by the effects of Spikes, Arena Trap or Toxic Spikes. Keep in mind that Ingrain, Gravity, Smack down and the Iron ball item will nullify Levitate's effect.
◆ Earthquake is a physical STAB-boosted 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Zen Headbutt is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Psychic-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Trick Room is a status move (goes last. For 5 turns, turn order is reversed).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/hca158
Movepool
Want to know what moves Claydol can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Black/White generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by type, category, accuracy, and power. Moves in bold get the same-type attack bonus (STAB) when used by Claydol.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Claydol can perform in Black/White. Not every combo going to be game-changing, but some can be pretty fun to play with. Sometimes these can be easily overlooked or forgotten, hence why we find and list them here. Discover what items, abilities, and moves this Pokemon can use in combination with each other to gain a strategic advantage in competitive battles.
Competitive BW Move and Ability Combos for Claydol
- Moves: Sunny day + Solar beam
- Moves: Swagger + Psych up
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Ally Switch, Endure, Magic Coat, Protect
- Moves that inflict status: Toxic
Moves that boost Claydol's stats
- Ancient Power
- Calm Mind
- Charge Beam
- Cosmic Power
- Harden
- Rapid Spin
- Rock Polish
Most notable and possible best moves for Claydol
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Light Screen
- Protect
- Rapid Spin
- Reflect
- Rest
- Stealth Rock
- Teleport
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Claydol in Black and White
Usage Data
Explore the latest analytical usage data for this Pokémon from various VGC and online competitions. We use this data to develop our strategies and movesets. The data is categorized by competition and skill level: top-ranking trainers, mid-level players, and entry-level players.

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Here are the best movesets for Claydol. Top rated Claydol Black/White movesets. You can find Claydol builds Black/White. Claydol movesets Black/White are listed here. VGC Claydol Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Claydol in Black/White along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution