RandomNPC – Video Game RPG Reviews, Editorials, and Features

Continuing the trend of underappreciated Pokemon, this week we’re taking a look at Kingler. With a base attack score that’s through the roof and a workable, if unimpressive speed, Kingler is one of those Pokemon whose inclusion in Never Used came as something of a surprise to me. Kingler’s stats leave him sadly vulnerable in some places, but with some solid defense and an amazing attack, you’d think the giant crab would see more use.

Kingler
Water
HP: 55 Atk: 130 Def: 110 Sp Atk: 50 Sp Def: 50 Spd: 75
Ability: Hyper Cutter: This Pokemon’s Atk may not be lowered by the opponent.
Shell Armor: Attacks used against this Pokemon cannot be critical hits.

Despite being a rather unpopular Pokemon, Kingler can really rip through teams if given the chance. An Atk of 130 would be wonderful in any circumstances, but with the lower overall base stats of Pokemon in NU, Kingler can be a truly impressive threat in this lower tier. Backed up by a solid movepool and STAB on a useful offensive type, Kingler’s offensive ability is undeniable.

Unfortunately, its defensive ability is more suspect. While Kingler’s physical defense is more than adequate, its abysmal HP really lets it down. It also means that Kingler’s ability to take a hit on the special side is roughly equal to that of a used Kleenex, none of which is a good thing for a Pokemon whose Spd is below average. Kingler’s lack of defensive ability really puts the kibosh on some of its movepool, too. It gets some useful support moves, like Haze and Knock Off, but it can’t really hang around long enough to put them to good use.

Given how uncommon Kingler is in competitive battling, his biggest strength may simply be how few people are ready for him. The giant crab may not quite be up to the challenge in OU, but he’s an underutilized force to be reckoned with in lower tiers.

Uca Pugnax
Kingler @Life Orb / Leftovers
Jolly (+Spd, -Sp Atk) nature
Hyper Cutter ability
16 HP, 252 Atk, 240 Spd
-Crabhammer
-Return
-Brick Break / Rock Slide
-Swords Dance
This set works best when paired with a Pokemon that can put foes to sleep, as it does require some setup. But once it is set up, oh boy. Kingler has the same Atk as Garchomp, and while it doesn’t get quite as good of a movepool to pick from, what it does get is no joke.

This generation has given the giant crab what it’d been looking for since R/B/Y – physical Crabhammer. A wonderful Cross Chop-style move, Crabhammer’s high critical ratio and solid typing makes it Kingler’s main weapon. It also lets Kingler make use of the Water/Normal type combo, since there’s no Empoleon in NU to make life difficult. The third slot is largely up to you. Brick Break makes a great choice if you’re planning on using Kingler in OU, since it nails Empoleon pretty well, but Rock Slide is probably a better choice in NU, where you’ll want to be able to hit the many Bug-types that populate the lower tiers.

Grapsus Grapsus
Kingler @Choice Scarf
Adamant (+Atk, -Sp Atk) nature
Hyper Cutter ability
252 Atk, 252 Spd, 6 HP
-Crabhammer
-Return / X-Scissor
-Rock Slide
-Brick Break
Kingler’s average Spd and monstrous Atk makes it a good candidate for the Choice Scarf. With this EV spread, Kingler will be able to outspeed just about any un-Scarfed Pokemon in UU, including its main enemies, Jumpluff and Froslass. As with most Choice sets, a Choice Band is also useable here, but it will be necissary to shift from an Adamant nature to Jolly, to compensate for the loss of speed.