It's winter, and a snowflake Pokemon! Anyways, Cryogonal is decently viable in UU, even if not anything amazing. == General == Great special bulk, although no physical bulk at all Ice typing is also poor defensively Has a very shallow movepool as well so it's limited in what it can do Reliable recovery, access to Rapid Spin, and Speed+power give it a niche in UU though Unlike other spinners, Cryogonal can keep itself healthy, and has Levitate so it doesn't mind Spikes With Ice STAB it beats Roserade Also can wall some threats like Zapdos and Yanmega A niche Pokemon, but when played to its strengths it can perform well == Rapid Spin == Cryogonal @ Leftovers Trait: Levitate EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD Calm Nature - Rapid Spin - Recover - Ice Beam - Toxic / Haze / Reflect This set embodies Cryogonal's main niche Uses its great special bulk, immunity to Spikes, and recovery to make it a fairly consistent spinner Recovery is what makes this stand out from other spinners like Blastoise or Hitmontop This beats Roserade, and most spinblockers like Cofagrigus and Sableye Rapid Spin is there because it is Cryogonal's main niche; remove hazards Recover allows Cryogonal to stay healthy to keep spinning and walling certain threats Ice Beam is reliable STAB that hits pretty hard Toxic is to wear down switch-ins like Chandelure and Snorlax Haze though can prevent it from being setup fodder Reflect allows it to escape Pursuit safely == Offensive == Cryogonal @ Icicle Plate Trait: Levitate EVs: 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe Timid Nature - Rapid Spin - Ice Beam - Hidden Power Ground / Hidden Power Fire - Recover With its neat Speed tier, good offensive presence, and special bulk, Cryogonal can also spin in an offensive manner Ice is a pretty good offensive typing, and Cryogonal can beat spinblockers well here too Rapid Spin is a given, it's Cryogonal's main niche Ice Beam is reliable and powerful STAB to use Hidden Power Ground hits Chandelure and other Fire-types hard, plus Steels Recover keeps Cryogonal healthy === Other Options === Barely anything Dual Screens Frost Breath to bypass CMers Acid Armor Rain Dance === Checks and Counters === Chandelure Snorlax Fighting-types, Heracross and mienshao to name a few Most physical attackers because its physical defense is miserable Repeatedly force it out
Would increasing the physical bulk on the defensive set be worthwhile? I mean, Cryogonal's special bulk is so ridiculous that it's all but unkillable with special attacks, yet it'll fold easily on the physical side. Investing a little in Defence could perhaps save it from a couple of KOs here and there? I've no idea on an actual number to hit, but I personally like 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 SDef Calm, as it has the Blissey effect of really boosting its physical 'bulk' while having basically no effect on the special side: 252 SpA Chandelure Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Cryogonal: 228-270 (66.2 - 78.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO 252 SpA Chandelure Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 96+ SpD Cryogonal: 254-302 (73.8 - 87.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO 0 Atk Snorlax Body Slam vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Cryogonal: 244-288 (71.1 - 83.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO 0 Atk Snorlax Body Slam vs. 248 HP / 164 Def Cryogonal: 171-202 (49.8 - 58.8%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO Just for example lol. Losing ~8% special bulk for ~24% physical bulk seems like a worthwhile trade to me?
