What is a good moveset for Clodsire?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Clodsire, post an answer below and upvote the best ones. Movesets for any of its pre-evolutions 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 explanation, including the intended game mode for your set, is also appreciated. Access the full list of guidelines here.

Clodsire Pokedex & learnset for reference.

Answer 1

Gen 9 Monotype Specifically Defensive (Ground)

Clodsire @ Black Sludge
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 24 Def / 232 SpD
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Toxic Spikes
- Toxic
- Recover

Clodsire's Poison/Ground typing, high HP and Special Defense stats along with Water Absorb makes Clodsire a good water immunity for Ground teams in Gen 9 Monotype. Earthquake is used for Ground STAB that chips opposing Pokemon. Toxic Spikes is used to spread a hazard that poisons grounded Pokemon. Toxic may be weird with Toxic Spikes on the same set, but Toxic allows you to poison Flying-types and Pokemon with Levitate such as Rotom-Wash and Eelektross, Pokemon who can't be poisoned by Toxic Spikes. Recover is used to get some HP back to be able to take more hits.

Comments

Explanation for the specific bit of Defense investment if you will?

Answer 2

Clodsire @ Black Sludge
Ability: Water Absorb
Tera: Poison
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Def
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Substitute
- Toxic / Toxic Spikes
- Recover

Earthquake is Ground STAB that can damage opposing Pokemon. Toxic Spikes is used to spread a hazard that poisons Pokemon, or use Toxic to allow you to poison those Pokemon who can't be affected by Toxic Spikes. Substitute increases longevity, and Recover is used to heal again afterwards.

Answer 3

Item: Black Sludge / Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
Tera: Ground
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Def
- Earthquake
- Stockpile / Toxic Spikes
- Toxic / Protect
- Venoshock / Counter
So Black Sludge is very useful, because it will heal Clodsire and if an opponent uses trick they take damage, but if you Tera you will take damage, so pick wisely. Water absorb is to deal with one of its 4 weaknesses. Tera ground for a tera-boosted attack and only weak to grass and ice. Earthquake, as I mentioned, is a tera-boosted attack and a STAB attack. Stockpile for defense boost (even though clodsire has pretty good defense stats) and toxic spikes to deal with some Ice and Psychic types. Toxic is for if you don't pick Toxic Spikes, and Protect is to stall if you do go for Toxic Spikes. Venoshock will deal double damage if the target is poisoned, which can be some STAB. Though Venoshock is a special attack and Clodsire is a physical attacker, I think it is still worth having. Counter is for x2 damage and is a physical move.

Comments

Black Sludge will make Clodsire take damage if you Terastallize it, so maybe switch it with Leftovers. Your choice though, hurt Trick users or keep recovery during Terastal.

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Yeah, Black Sludge is bad if you Tera, but for Tera purposes, i'd say leftovers. Thanks for letting me know :)

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No problem, +1!

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Thanks!

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What nature?

Answer 4

Gen 9 AG

Clodsire @ Black Sludge
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Def
Careful Nature
Tera Type: Water

• Earthquake
• Toxic
• Recover
• Spikes/Stealth Rock

Clodsire makes a great check for most Special Attackers like Miraidon due to Unaware and it's great bulk. Toxic helps wear down opponents, Earthquake is coverage. Spikes or Stealth Rock are just to set up hazards.

Comments

Leftovers > Black Sludge since Black Sludge will hurt Clodsire when you Tera.