Competitive Information for Claydol [Sword/Shield]
Ground / Psychic
Abilities:
Note: Pokemon with the Levitate ability are immune to Ground attacks.
Movesets for Singles
What is a good competitive moveset for Claydol? These builds have been optimized for Pokemon competing in Sword/Shield Single Battles. The movesets and EVs have been specifically calibrated to deal the most amount of damage to the largest group of potentially common opponents and typing threats for the Sword/Shield generation metagame.
IncineroarTapu FiniGuzzlordWhimsicottCharizardMetagrossIndeedee-FHattereneArticuno-GalarTapu Lele
Claydol is popular Ground and Psychic-typed Pokemon. It's normal to see Claydol show up as a Sword/Shield opponent. Claydol is weak to Bug, Dark, Ghost, Grass, Ice, and Water-typed attacks.
Item: Aguav Berry
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Sassy (+SpD, -Spe)
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Ice Beam
- Scorching Sands
- Ally Switch
- Trick Room
Special Wall Claydol (Popular/Trending)
Claydol is a marvelous Special Wall. It is meant to take a substantial amount of hits from special attacks while dealing some decent damage. With Levitate, Claydol is immune to damaging Ground-typed moves (except Thousand Arrows). Levitate also makes Claydol unaffected by the effects of Spikes, Arena Trap, Toxic Spikes, Sticky Web, Rototiller or terrain effects. Keep in mind that Ingrain, Gravity, Smack down and the Iron ball item will nullify Levitate's effect.
♦ Scorching Sands is a special STAB-boosted 70-base power Ground-type move (30% chance to burn the target. thaws target).
♦ Ally Switch is a status move (your Claydol swaps positions with its ally).
♦ Trick Room is a status move (goes last. for 5 turns, turn order is reversed).
Item: Shell Bell / Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Earthquake / Drill Run
- Double-Edge / Strength
- Zen Headbutt
- Rock Slide / Rock Tomb
Physical Sweeper Claydol (Levitate)
Claydol is a notable Physical Sweeper. This moveset is designed to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. 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 (except Thousand Arrows). Levitate also makes Claydol unaffected by the effects of Spikes, Arena Trap, Toxic Spikes, Sticky Web, Rototiller or terrain effects. 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).
♦ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
♦ Strength is a physical 80-base power Normal-type move that deals a large amount of damage.
♦ 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).
♦ Rock Tomb is a physical 60-base power Rock-type move (100% chance to lower the target's speed by 1 stage).
Item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk |
Moveset:
- Psychic / Expanding Force
- Earth Power / Scorching Sands
- Ice Beam
- Dazzling Gleam
Special Sweeper Claydol (Levitate)
Claydol is an astounding Special Sweeper. It's goal is to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging 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 (except Thousand Arrows). Levitate also makes Claydol unaffected by the effects of Spikes, Arena Trap, Toxic Spikes, Sticky Web, Rototiller or terrain effects. Keep in mind that Ingrain, Gravity, Smack down and the Iron ball item will nullify Levitate's effect.
♦ Expanding Force is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Psychic-type move (Claydol on psychic terrain: 1.5x power, hits foes).
♦ 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).
♦ Scorching Sands is a special STAB-boosted 70-base power Ground-type move (30% chance to burn the target. thaws target).
♦ Ice Beam is a special 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
♦ Dazzling Gleam is a special 80-base power Fairy-type move (no additional effect. hits adjacent foes).
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Quiet (+SpA, -Spe)
EVs: 210 Hp / 56 Def / 244 SpA
Moveset:
- Earth Power
- Power Trick
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
Claydol Special Tank (Cosmic Clay)
Claydol is pretty popular Special Tank. It's meant to take a decent 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 it's vitality every turn. With Levitate, Claydol is immune to damaging Ground-typed moves (except Thousand Arrows). Levitate also makes Claydol unaffected by the effects of Spikes, Arena Trap, Toxic Spikes, Sticky Web, Rototiller or terrain effects. 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 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
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 Special Tank (Tootsie Pops )
Claydol is an interesting Special Tank. It's meant to take a nice 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 healthiness every turn. With Levitate, Claydol is immune to damaging Ground-typed moves (except Thousand Arrows). Levitate also makes Claydol unaffected by the effects of Spikes, Arena Trap, Toxic Spikes, Sticky Web, Rototiller or terrain effects. 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; Note: Poison types can't miss with Toxic).
Movesets for Doubles
What is a good doubles moveset for Claydol? These builds have been optimized for Sword/Shield Double Battles. They have movesets and EVs specifically calibrated to generally work best versus multiple Pokemon at once as well as helping to support other team members and allys in the Sword/Shield generation metagame.
IncineroarTapu FiniGuzzlordWhimsicottCharizardMetagrossIndeedee-FHattereneArticuno-GalarTapu Lele
Item: Shell Bell / Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Earthquake / Drill Run
- Rock Slide / Rock Tomb
- Double-Edge / Strength
- Zen Headbutt
Doubles Physical Sweeper Claydol (Levitate)
Claydol is a phenomenal Physical Sweeper. It tries to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. 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 (except Thousand Arrows). Levitate also makes Claydol unaffected by the effects of Spikes, Arena Trap, Toxic Spikes, Sticky Web, Rototiller or terrain effects. 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).
♦ Rock Tomb is a physical 60-base power Rock-type move (100% chance to lower the target's speed by 1 stage).
♦ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
♦ Strength is a physical 80-base power Normal-type move that deals a good amount of damage.
♦ Zen Headbutt is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Psychic-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
Item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk |
Moveset:
- Dazzling Gleam
- Psychic / Expanding Force
- Earth Power / Scorching Sands
- Ice Beam
Doubles Special Sweeper Claydol (Levitate)
Claydol is an awesome Special Sweeper. It's primary goal is to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging 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 (except Thousand Arrows). Levitate also makes Claydol unaffected by the effects of Spikes, Arena Trap, Toxic Spikes, Sticky Web, Rototiller or terrain effects. Keep in mind that Ingrain, Gravity, Smack down and the Iron ball item will nullify Levitate's effect.
♦ Psychic is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
♦ Expanding Force is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Psychic-type move (Claydol on psychic terrain: 1.5x power, hits foes).
♦ 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).
♦ Scorching Sands is a special STAB-boosted 70-base power Ground-type move (30% chance to burn the target. thaws target).
♦ Ice Beam is a special 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
Item: Weakness Policy
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Bashful
EVs: 252 Hp / 188 Def / 68 SpD
Moveset:
- Scorching Sands
- Harden
- Substitute
- Trick Room
Defensive Trick Room Claydol (Levitate)
Claydol is a fabulous Defensive Trick Room. Weakness Policy activates if Claydol is hit by a super effective move. The Weakness Policy is consumed and its Attack and Special Attack are increased by two stages each. With Levitate, Claydol is immune to damaging Ground-typed moves (except Thousand Arrows). Levitate also makes Claydol unaffected by the effects of Spikes, Arena Trap, Toxic Spikes, Sticky Web, Rototiller or terrain effects. Keep in mind that Ingrain, Gravity, Smack down and the Iron ball item will nullify Levitate's effect.
♦ Harden is a status move (raises your Claydol's defense by 1 stage).
♦ Substitute is a status move (Claydol takes 1/4 its max hp to put in a substitute).
♦ Trick Room is a status move (goes last. for 5 turns, turn order is reversed).
Movepool
Wondering what moves can Claydol learn? Here is the list of moves this Pokemon can learn in this selected generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by move type, category, accuracy, and power. Bolded moves will gain the same-type attack bonus (STAB) if this Pokemon uses them.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Claydol can perform in Sword/Shield. 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 SS Move and Ability Combos for Claydol
- Moves: Sunny Day + Solar Beam
- Moves: Mimic + Imprison
- Moves: Swagger + Psych Up
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Moves: Stored Power + Psych Up
- Moves: Body Press + Harden
- Moves: Body Press + Iron Defense
- Moves: Body Press + Guard Split
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Protect, Magic Coat, Ally Switch
Most notable and possible best moves for Claydol
- Ally Switch
- Ice Beam
- Scorching Sands
- Trick Room
Common Effort Values for Claydol in Sword and Shield
- Relaxed Nature ( 252/0/172/0/84/0 )
- Bold Nature ( 252/0/172/0/84/0 )
- Optimize Claydol's EV spread for Pokemon Sword and Shield
Related Videos
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