Should I use Fire Punch or Thunder Punch on Diggersby in Gen 8 OU?

Question

Clap yo cheeks (Diggersby) @ Leftovers
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 24 HP / 252 Atk / 232 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Quick Attack
- Fire Punch/ Thunder Punch

Fire punch hits Ferrothorn harder, but Thunder Punch hits Mandibuzz, and Gyarados and Togekiss on the switch, though these switches almost never happen.

Which move should I use for better wallbreaking and late-game cleaning?

Comments

stateside_heavy I don't need ice type coverage on my team, since any Pokemon in OU weak to Ice is checked by another Pokemon in my team. Although Ice type is a fantastic offensive option, Fire or Thunder Punch provides better coverage on Diggersby.

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Why are you using Diggersby instead of Excadrill?

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Because the guy likes Diggersby and it's still usable. Also, Diggersby gets priority, Excadrill does not.

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I've already left a comment on this thread about being respectful to people, but I guess I'll say it again. @StellarLucario, even if sumwun's comment does not relate directly to the question, getting stuck into him for posting it won't help refocus the thread. If you really must make your voice heard, then please do it on his wall instead of leaving messages on this question.

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It's not actually just because I like Diggersby better. I'm a competitive battler here, I focus on winning. I use Diggersby because it is immune to Shadow Ball from Dragapult, gets the Elemental punches for aforementioned checks, has a better ability (at least fits my team better) and gets priority.

Sorry sumwun, what you asked is a good question.

Answer 1

Thunder punch is super effective against flying, but its low base power and no STAB means it's only a little bit stronger than body slam.

252+ Atk Huge Power Diggersby Thunder Punch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mandibuzz: 204-240 (48.1 - 56.6%) -- 88.3% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Huge Power Diggersby Body Slam vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mandibuzz: 172-204 (40.5 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

source
Body slam also does more damage to levitate users. So you should be using body slam, not thunder punch, to cover flying and levitate. Use fire punch if you hate Ferrothorn and Corviknight more than flying and levitate.

Edit: This answer originally recommended return, and 2 people up-voted it before I realized that return is a removed move. Sorry I guess.

Answer 2

It really depends on the other Pokemon in your party, but if I was to choose, it would be Thunder Punch. With earthquake you won't be able to touch flying types so an electric type attack would hit them off guard. Also, thunder punch can take a toll on a lot of highly used Pokemon in meta game like keldeo, corviknight, togekiss etc. Fire punch would hit ferrothorn hard but it wouldn't have a coverage on a lot of other Pokemon.