Cradily — Specially Defensive Wall
Role: Special wall / Defensive pivot
Why these moves?
- Mirror Coat: Punishes special attackers by returning double the damage received.
- Recover: Restores 50% HP, allowing Cradily to stay healthy throughout the match.
- Giga Drain: Provides STAB damage against Water-, Ground-, and Rock-types while recovering HP.
- Toxic: Wears down opposing walls and Pokémon that Cradily struggles to damage directly.
What beats it?
- Fighting-, Ice-, Bug-, and Steel-type attacks.
- Strong physical attackers.
- Taunt users and Pokémon immune to Toxic.
- Setup sweepers that exploit its limited offensive pressure.
What does it switch into?
- Water-type attacks thanks to Storm Drain.
- Weaker special attackers.
- Electric-, Grass-, and Normal-type attacks that Cradily resists.
- Bulky Water-types that struggle to break through its recovery.
How do you play it?
Bring Cradily in against special attackers and predicted Water-type moves. Use Toxic to wear down defensive opponents, Giga Drain for consistent damage, and Mirror Coat to punish powerful special attacks. Keep Recover available to maintain its longevity. Avoid leaving it against strong physical attackers.
Why does it work with Tyranitar?
Tyranitar's Sand Stream boosts Cradily's Special Defense by 50% in generations where the sandstorm bonus applies, making an already specially bulky Pokémon even harder to break. Cradily also provides Tyranitar with a Water immunity through Storm Drain and resists Gra
