Is Claydol viable in Gen 3 OU?

Claydol is ranked #16 in Gen 3 OU with 18.28% usage according to Smogon Apr 2026 - Jun 2026 data.

What beats Claydol in Gen 3 OU?

The best counter for Claydol in Gen 3 OU is Skarmory with a 76.0% win rate when they meet. Based on Smogon's Apr 2026 - Jun 2026 usage data, the top Pokémon that beat Claydol include Skarmory, Gengar, Zapdos, Tyranitar.

What is the best counter for Claydol in Gen 3 OU?

Skarmory is the best counter for Claydol in Gen 3 OU, KOing or forcing it out in 76.0% of their encounters.

Claydol counters

Gen 3 OU · Sorted by reliability score · Smogon · Apr 2026 - Jun 2026

#0344 Claydol

GroundPsychic

USAGE 18.3% #16

BASE STATS

HP 60

ATK 70

DEF 105

SPA 70

SPD 120

SPE 75

BST500

TYPE MATCHUPS

2×

WaterGrassIceBugGhostDark

½×

FightingPoisonPsychicRock

0×

Electric

Moves

Rapid Spin 99.5% Psychic 86.7% Explosion 80.1% Earthquake 77.4% Sunny Day 11.4% Mud-Slap 10.0% Rain Dance 8.7% Shadow Ball 7.7%

Items

Leftovers 98.9% Choice Band 1.1% Silk Scarf 0.0% Quick Claw 0.0% Salac Berry 0.0% Focus Band 0.0% nothing 0.0% Liechi Berry 0.0%

Common Teammates

Browse Gen 3 OU teams using Claydol →

Teams using Skarmory 76% Teams using Gengar 49% Teams using Zapdos 43% Teams using Tyranitar 39%

Checks & Counters

Ranked by reliability — blends KO rate with how often each Pokémon is matched up.

# Checker Encounters Reliability KO Rate

Skarmory

SteelFlying DEFENSIVE COUNTER

100.537

76.0% dies 7.30%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Claydol Explosion vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 113-133 (33.8 - 39.8%) -- 31.3% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

View Skarmory counters → Teams with Skarmory →

Gengar

GhostPoison SOFT CHECK

20.134

48.7% dies 11.14%

DAMAGE CALC

0- Atk Gengar Explosion vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Claydol: 217-256 (66.9 - 79%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

View Gengar counters → Teams with Gengar →

Zapdos

ElectricFlying SOFT CHECK

48.42

43.1% dies 10.02%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ SpA Zapdos Hidden Power Ice vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Claydol: 105-124 (32.4 - 38.2%) -- 1.7% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

View Zapdos counters → Teams with Zapdos →

Tyranitar

RockDark SOFT CHECK

81.851

39.5% dies 9.32%

DAMAGE CALCSand

252+ Atk Tyranitar Hidden Power Bug vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Claydol: 166-196 (51.2 - 60.4%) -- 91.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

View Tyranitar counters → Teams with Tyranitar →

Ranked #16 with 18.28% usage. Sorted by reliability score.