Clodsire acts as a special wall and entry hazard setter, using its typing and ability to sponge boosted hits from the likes of Iron Valiant, Raging Bolt, and Gholdengo. Earthquake allows Clodsire to hit Toxic-immune Poison- and Steel-types like Pecharunt and Gholdengo as well as Substitute sweepers like Volcarona. Toxic discourages strong physical attackers like Dragonite and Ogerpon-W and bulky Pokemon like Ting-Lu and Alomomola from freely switching in, reducing Clodsire's passivity. Alternatively, Amnesia is an option on stall teams over Toxic, allowing Clodsire to check Stored Power Iron Crown and Hatterene; however, this makes Clodsire extremely passive, as it lacks a method to pressure Pokemon unafraid of Earthquake. Stealth Rock or Spikes allows Clodsire to provide hazard support while it's tanking hits, freeing up moveslots for its teammates. With Heavy-Duty Boots, Clodsire can't be chipped down by Spikes, enhancing its longevity as a wall. Black Sludge is an option when Clodsire is paired with solid hazard control, like Mega Sableye. Unaware allows it to stave off boosted setup sweepers and threaten them with Earthquake or Toxic, notably Quiver Dance Volcarona, Nasty Plot Gholdengo, and Calm Mind Raging Bolt.

Clodsire is appreciated on semi-stall and stall teams struggling with strong special wallbreakers. To shore up its worse physical bulk, teammates like Corviknight, Slowbro, and Dondozo are great fits. The former is immune to Ground-type attacks from physical attackers that threaten Clodsire, like Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Great Tusk, and the latter two are great against Water-type attackers like Mega Swampert and Urshifu-R, whose attacks similarly threaten Clodsire. In return, Clodsire handles the Electric-type attacks from Pokemon like Raging Bolt, Tapu Koko, and Zapdos, as well as offering entry hazard pressure. On stall teams, Amnesia Clodsire especially enjoys the aforementioned physically defensive teammates along with other countermeasures such as Rocky Helmet on Corviknight and Will-O-Wisp from Mega Sableye. Psychic-type wallbreakers like Mega Latios and Tapu Lele can threaten Clodsire, especially Tapu Lele, as its Psyshock bypasses Clodsire's special bulk. Therefore, Pokemon like Corviknight, Chansey, and Blissey are great teammates. In return, Clodsire can stomach Fire- and Fighting-type attacks aimed at them from Pokemon like Heatran, Volcarona, and Iron Valiant. Finally, Clodsire appreciates teammates that can absorb Knock Off to help it maintain its Heavy-Duty Boots and maximize its longevity. Both stall and semi-stall teams can employ Gliscor, while stall teams commonly use Mega Sableye. The former's Toxic Orb is not needed after its initial activation, while the latter's Mega Stone cannot be removed, making both great switch-ins to Knock Off aimed at Clodsire. In return, Clodsire can similarly switch into strong special attackers that can muscle through them, like Raging Bolt, Volcarona, and Gholdengo.