Battle Spot: Clawitzer Trick Room and Doubles strategy

Build set as of Gen 6

• Ability – Mega Launcher
• Stats – HP (252), Special Attack/SpA (252), Special Defence/SpD (4)
• Nature – Quiet/Modest
• Item – Life Orb
• Moveset – Water Pulse (stab), Aura Sphere, Ice Beam, Protect

If you know your animal dictionary, you'll immediately know where this Pokemon got its inspiration from. Based on the Pistol Shrimp in the animal kingdom, it has the ability to create and shoot out small shockwave vacuum to stun its prey. In this case, the Mega Launcher ability, which boost all pulse and sphere moves by 50%, makes it a terrifying water Pokemon to face in Trick Room.

Strength

With 120 SpA stat combining with Mega Launcher ability, this makes Clawitzer one of the best wall-breakers in the metagame. And if you add in Life Orb, that's another 30% increase in power. If you find that you have to give up the Life Orb to other members (not recommended), Expert Belt does quite well, Choice Specs is great too but I'm not really a fan of being locked to one move. 

Weakness

Ah, although a piledriver by nature. This also makes it quite a predictable Pokemon as well, with only so few moves chosen, veteran trainers would prolly know what's coming and react accordingly. 

Keep a watch out for Electric and Grass type Pokemons, especially Rotom-W who's is a pain in the ass to take down if it has Sitrus Berry, and also Amoongus which it fears the most. Your Clawitzer lacks a form of recovery so you will have to rely on your partner for that. 

Keep note that it has a tough time against Pokemon who has high SpD like Chansey. So never waste your time attacking a Pokemon like that, it's too time-consuming. 

Moveset

Depending on your Pokemon combination team, having 2-3 pulse and sphere moves is a must have for the lobster. First, having Water Pulse is a no-brainer for its STAB move and it does a lot of damage with a chance of confusing the opponent. On the other hand, Surf is also a great addition to boost your partner who has Storm Drain or Water Absorb ability. Scald lacks the punch, but at least it has a chance of burning.  

Dragon Pulse is probably the least favoured move because it’s only super effective against Dragons, although on paper it does a lot more power than Ice Beam; but Ice Beam has more coverage and it counters Grass type Pokemon. Another great coverage move is none other than Aura Sphere and it's a good move to have. 

As for Dark Pulse, it's not a bad move either because of the 20% flinch chance and great for taking down tanky ghost and psychic Pokemons. Same goes for Sludge Bomb although not really recommended as most Fairy type Pokemon tend to have high SpD, The last move slot should be Protect to keep this RPG alive as long as possible.

Interestingly, Clawitzer can also learn Heal Pulse and it heals quite a lot of HP for its partner thanks to its Mega Launcher ability. But it should be focusing on shooting down opponents while it still can under Trick Room, so don't you even think of including it.  

Closing thoughts

(image credit to Silent Flame)

Clawitzer is an integrated part of my Trick Room member since XY and has not been changed since then, barely anything could go wrong if you have the right partners and move set. Thanks, Gamefreak for creating this wonderful Pokemon. So Clawitzer, I choose you! Glhf!