What is a good moveset for Toxicroak?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Toxicroak, post an answer below and upvote the best ones. Movesets for its pre-evolutions, if any, can also be shared on this thread.

Be sure to include full set details in your post, e.g. items, abilities, natures and EVs. Some detail, including the intended game mode for your set, is also appreciated. Access the full list of guidelines here.

Toxicroak Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Answer 1

Toxicroak (M) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Poison Touch / Dry Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Bulk Up
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch / Sucker Punch

Here is what I would use. Substitute is there for obvious reasons, and blocks Status which cripples it a lot. Bulk Up boosts Attack and Defense which makes it harder to take down while under the Substitute. Drain Punch is chosen STAB, which heals Toxicroak from all the damage caused by Substitute. Ice Punch covers its Flying and more importantly, Ground Type weakness. Sucker Punch can be used to cover Psychic Type threats like Alakazam and Espeon, but Ice Punch is more preferred. Black Sludge is chosen over Leftovers because being a Poison Type, it gets Double the Leftovers recovery with it. EVs give it max Attack for maximum power and Speed to Outspeed threats that can revenge kill it in OU.Dry Skin can be used to abuse it with Rain, getting even more recovery, but it doesn't really mean much of you aren't using it on a Rain Team. Poison Touch gives a nice 20% Chance of Poison upon using a contact move, which is very nice.

-Mike Y(^_^)Y

Comments

A solid set, got dat big upvote.

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Why would you +speed -spatk when you could -attack

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This is a physical attacking moveset, so it's not a good idea to lower the Attack stat.

Answer 2

This guy is very interesting. He is a great teammate on a rain team due to dry skin and a great switch-in to water types. You can go 2 ways with this guy, physical or special.

Physical Toxicroak

Toxicroak @ Black Sludge / Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Poison Jab
- Drain Punch
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge / X-Scissor / Ice Punch

• Poison Jab- STAB plus great chance to poison
• Drain Punch- add more healing
• Swords Dance- raises your attack to insane levels
• Stone Edge/X-Scissor/Ice Punch- get rid of your weaknesses

Special Toxicroak

Toxicroak @ Black Sludge / Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest / Timid Nature
- Sludge Wave / Sludge Bomb
- Vacuum Wave
- Nasty Plot
- Shadow Ball / Dark Pulse

• Sludge Wave/Sludge Bomb- STAB with a little more power or STAB with a better chance to poison
• Vacuum Wave- priority STAB and works great with Nasty Plot
• Nasty Plot- raise your Special Attack
• Shadow Ball/Dark Pulse- get rid of psychics

Answer 3

"Its knuckle claws secrete a toxin so vile that even a scratch could prove fatal." Diamond
"Swaying and dodging the attacks of its foes, it weaves its flexible body in close, then lunges out with its poisonous claws."
HG/SS

Toxicroak @ King's Rock
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 88 HP / 130 Atk / 76 Def / 76 SpD / 140 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Gunk Shot
- Sucker Punch
- Power-Up Punch

Toxicroak is a lethal opponent, who strikes fast with deadly poison. Using Fake Out, you strike your opponent hard on the very first turn for chip damage. Each time you make contact with an enemy, Poison Touch has a 20% chance of debilitating your opponent with Poison, as well as Flinching. Gunk Shot takes advantage of Toxicroak's ability to churn poison to stronger effect. This move is a powerful STAB option that checks Fairies, if at a risk of accuracy. Psychic types are notorious for annihilating Toxicroak, and many expect Toxicroak to run with Sucker Punch. However, with the added 10% flinch chance from the King's Rock, what they won't expect is the possibility to Flinch. Even with another item, Sucker Punch is invaluable as a priority attack move. The last slot is Power-Up Punch, which is another STAB option. Although weak, Power-Up Punch sets Toxicroak up to be a great sweeper. Not only will it raise your Attack, but there is a combined chance to Flinch and Poison behind every attack. Toxicroak has some problems with its weakness but investing slightly in his defenses gives him enough bulk to withstand Earthquake from unboosted Swampert, as well as enough attack to make his physical attacks hit much harder. Again, Psychics and Psychic type attacks ruin the poor Toxic Fighter, but with any Pokemon, the right team support makes all the difference.

Answer 4

Croagunk (M) @ Eviolite
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 188 Atk / 188 SpA / 116 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Drain Punch
- Poison Jab
- Venoshock
- Shadow Ball / Rock Slide / Bullet Punch / Hidden Power [Ice]

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Okay, this set might look strange, but this is how it works:
Hit the opponent with Poison Jab first, hoping for a 60% chance of poison, then follow up with Venoshock, which now has a amazing 195 BP. Drain Punch for Healing and STAB, while the last options are coverage.

Comments

edit: 60% chance poison ---> 30% chance poison, 20% chance poison.
This is a fun set regardless, I'd like to try this on a Croagunk.

Answer 5

This Toxicroak has been a lifesaver. But it needs to be used in Rain.

Toxicroak @ Black Sludge
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Substitute
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch

This Toxicroak doesn't rely on Bulk Up to survive. It relies on Speed. One substitute, then Swords Dance. Maybe more if you can survive it. Then Drain Punch and Sucker Punch all the way to the end.

Answer 6

priority abuser

Toxicroak @ Life Orb
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch
- Bullet Punch

-Fake Out: flinching and potential first turn poisoning
-Drain Punch: heal yourself
-Sucker Punch: psychic and ghost coverage
-Bullet Punch: fairy coverage cuz no poison type move

I don't usually have this Pokemon last so long

Comments

It doesn't need Fairy coverage. It isn't weak to Fairy and Fairy types will probably be switched out expecting a Poison move anyway.

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idk about bullet punch since u have fake out to guaranteed flinch ur opponent. Toxicorak can already handle fairy types. Not to be mean or rude, but I'd rather have poison jab or sludge bomb.

Answer 7

Excellent in the rain

Toxicroak @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch
- Ice Punch
- Poison Jab

This croak got hot hands. Works really well with a Hydration wall like Goodra or a wish passer. After a possible Baton Pass with from a Swords Dance, Speed Boost Ninjask with a trusty Rapid Spinner on your team you can sweep anything by hitting your super effectives before they hit you.

Answer 8

Toxicroak @ Leftovers
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 255 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Feint Attack / Sucker Punch
- Poison Jab
- Swords Dance

I use this setup all the time, and it's actually really good as long as you get your Swords Dance up. The entire point of this moveset is to annoy the opponent by dishing out damage whilst you recover at the same time, it works even better when in doubles if you have a Pokemon with Surf or other water type adjacent effecting moves as it will heal Toxicroak further (I use Primarina with Sparkling Aria), also Dry Skin will make it immune/healed by water type foes which is great when they don't realize what ability you have.

Drain punch is main STAB and allows recover and is a must for this moveset, Poison jab is the next STAB and although it isn't the strongest poison type move Toxicroak can learn, it's the hardest physical Hitter you can get, plus the chance to poison which is a bonus, I use Feint Attack because I don't want to rely on guessing if they will attack and I would rather a move that never misses (even though Sucker Punch is twice as strong), so it's mainly up to preference on that, Swords Dance is a must as Toxicroak by itself really won't hit very hard, if you can get one up, great get more up if you can, just be aware that you might get KO'd if you're not ready.

Answer 9

This is a little different and works best with a Pokemon before it that used Substitute and Baton Pass. It can work alone, though.

Toxicroak (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Focus Punch
- Sucker Punch
- Poison Jab
- Substitute

Ok, so I didn't put E.V.s into Sp.Def. because Toxicroak isn't going to stand up to a Psychic type that has Calm Mind, even with the Sp.Def. boosting.

If you haven't been baton passed a substitute, set one up. That is what sets up Focus Punch. Sucker Punch and Poison Jab seem pretty obvious, Sucker Punch for the Psychics and Poison Jab for the STAB.

I know some of you want to run Drain Punch over Focus Punch, but with Substitute, Focus Punch works (and Substitute provides Leftovers healing/Dry Skin healing).

Pretty deadly if used well, if you have any suggestions, please tell me.

Answer 10

I'm so ashy...

Toxicroak @ Black Sludge
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest / Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Vacuum Wave / Focus Blast
- Dark Pulse / Shadow Ball
- Sludge Wave / Hidden Power [Ice]

Nasty Plot: One of the best special boosting moves out there, turns Toxicroak into an altogether different threat.

Vacuum Wave/Focus Blast: Priority or more power but shaky accuracy, your choice.

Dark Pulse/Shadow Ball: Both have great type coverage with Toxicroak's Fighting STAB. Dark Pulse for the chance of flinching or Shadow Ball for the chance of lowering the opponent's special defense.

Sludge Wave/Hidden Power Ice: High power STAB move put poor type coverage or Hidden Power Ice for dealing with Dragon, Ground and Flying types.

Answer 11

Toxicroak @ Leftovers
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Bulk Up
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch

I always have this set on my Toxicroak when I use drizzle Politoed in my team. You'll pretty much get to have a substitute up anytime you want because of dry skin in the rain, leftovers, and drain punch. Ice punch for flying types.

Comments

Wouldn't you want black sludge instead if lefties?

Answer 12

Fairy crushing Toxicroak:

Toxicroak @ Expert Belt
Ability: Poison Touch / Dry Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Poison Jab
- Earthquake
- Brick Break
- Swords Dance / Sucker Punch / Rain Dance

I came up with this while making a fighting type team. Poison Jab for STAB fairy removal, and EQ because every fairy is weak to poison or ground. Brick Break is for more STAB, and sucker punch to cover psychic. Swords dance boosts attack further. Rain Dance boosts Dry skin Toxicroak's HP.

Answer 13

I haven't seen this one anywhere, so here goes nothing!

SubPunch Toxicroak

Toxicroak @ Black Belt
Ability: Poison Touch
Jolly Nature
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
-Substitute
-Focus Punch
-Knock Off
-Drain Punch

Toxicroak can force switches on a lot of things, and many people will be scared by the prospect of a Sucker Punch, and you can set up Sub as they switch. Proceed to Focus Punch away!

Answer 14

Toxicroak @ Black Sludge
Ability: Anticipation
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- X-Scissor
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance

Comments

Anticipation is useless

Answer 15

Rainy Toxicroak

Toxicroak (M) @ Big root
Ability: Dry skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
• Swords Dance / Rain Dance
• Poison Jab
• Drain Punch
• X-Scissor

•Poison Jab: STAB, high poison chance
•Drain Punch: also STAB, this is where the Big Root comes in
•X-scissor: for pyschic and ground coverage as well as dark

Swords Dance is an obvious if you want a sweeper, but if you don't want to take the risk just use Rain Dance.
Just set up rain dance with another Pokemon and he lasts surprisingly long. Gets walled really hard by ghost types defensively though so watch out.

Answer 16

Gen 8 NU

Toxicroak @ Life Orb / Air Ballon
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Low Kick
- Gunk Shot
- Sucker Punch

Trying to 6-0 a team, but the only thing standing in your way is a certain mud horse named Mudsdale? Well, this eliminates Mudsdale. Swords Dance is to boost your attack. Low Kick is the crucial part of this set. +2 Adamant 252 Attack EVs Low Kick does a crap ton of damage to Mudsdale since Mudsdale weights 920.0 kilograms (2028.3 pounds), and can OHKO it after Mudsdale takes damage from Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes. Gunk Shot is powerful STAB and deals with Pokemon like Talonflame switching in. Sucker Punch is for priority and allows Toxicroak to revenge kill weakened Pokemon. The reason this set uses Adamant instead of Jolly nature so Toxicroak's attacks do more damage. You can use Life Orb for extra damage output. Heck, you can even get away with running Air Balloon as an item so you can annoy the living crap out of Mudsdale as it's unable to use Earthquake while your Air Balloon didn't pop.

Calcs against Mudsdale:

+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Toxicroak Low Kick (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mudsdale: 351-413 (86.8 - 102.2%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO

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+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Toxicroak Low Kick (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mudsdale: 351-413 (86.8 - 102.2%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

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+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Toxicroak Low Kick (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mudsdale: 351-413 (86.8 - 102.2%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO after 1 layer of Spikes

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+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Toxicroak Low Kick (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mudsdale: 351-413 (86.8 - 102.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock and 1 layer of Spikes

Answer 17

Toxicroak @ Poison Barb / Black Sludge
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe or 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Poison Jab
- Swagger
- Foul Play
- Drain Punch

• Poison Jab: of course, a good move
• Swagger: you know what I got in store
• Foul Play: to go with Swagger
• Drain Punch: get some nice HP restore

I like this mon a lot, it has good attack and speed, and a decent move pool. Poison Touch is not all that bad, since if Poison Jab does not poison you have a chance of poisoning them when they hit you. Swagger & Foul Play are very nice since the higher the opposing Pokemon's attack the more damage you can inflict with Foul Play.

Comments

Swords Dance > Swagger. Plus, I'm sure that Toxicroak gets Knock Off, so why Foul Play over that?

And Life Orb or Sash is a clearly better item for Tox.

Answer 18

Gen 8 NU

Toxicroak @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Drain Punch / Cross Chop
- Knock Off
- Earthquake

Choice Scarf set. Gunk Shot is for poison STAB. Drain Punch is for fighting STAB. Cross Chop can be used instead if you want a more powerful fighting STAB move. Knock Off provides coverage as well as good utility by removing items from Pokemon switching in. Earthquake is coverage against opposing poison types like Salazzle and opposing Toxicroak.

Answer 19

Gen 7 OU Bulky Croak

Toxicroak (M) @ Assault Vest / Black Sludge
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 104 HP / 252 Atk / 76 Def / 76 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch
- Fake Out

- Gunk Shot High Damage STAB and is your way of hitting the Grass and Fariy types with hard damage.
- Drain Punch is your offensive recovery option allowing to deal damage and heal at the same time all at the opponents expense.
- Sucker Punch Covers the Psychic types with their dangerous attacks and the Ghost types who resist your STAB.
- Fake Out Good chip damage option, allowing you to wear down your opponents while staying healthy through Recovery from Drain Punch, Water Absorption, Rain, and Black Sludge (if your using it).

This set functions best as a counter to Pokemon that check Water and Dark types such Bulky Grass, Water, Fighting, and Fairy types. With it's plethora of unique resists, Toxicroak makes light work out of many of the OU metagame's bulky mon's such as Azumarill, Tapu Fini, Tapu Bulu, Chansey, Clefable, Mega-Diancie, Ferrothorn, Tangrowth, and Toxapex. This set also synergizes Really well with rain teams, checking the common switch-ins to your Water type sweepers. If your running it on a Rain Team Black Sludge is the recommended item to boost Toxicroak's recovery to it's maximum, otherwise Assault Vest is the better option, allowing Toxicroak to take hits from the common Grass, Water, and Fairy type Special Attackers.

Answer 20

Combo Zoroark + Toxicroak

Toxicroak @ Focus Sash
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Sword Dance
- Low Kick

Be careful with Fire-type moves because of Dry Skin.