Day 29: Clawitzer

(BGM: Lumiose City from X & Y)

Me: I don't know about you guys, but I'm in the mood for some shellfish. Say, Lyra, what do we have in that regard?

(Lyra first shows me Kingler)

Me: It's abilities aren't anything too special. What else do you got?

(Lyra then shows me Crawdaunt)

Me: Not a huge fan of the added Dark-type on this one. Next?

(Lyra then shows me two more; Klawf and Crabominable)

Me: Are those even Water types? Come on, give me the really good stuff!

Lyra: So you want to order from the Platinum menu, eh?

Me: No, I want to order from the X & Y menu.

Lyra: Well, sir, you're in luck because I have what you're looking for right here.

(Lyra then shows me Clawitzer and I smile)

Me: Perfect!

(Insert Clawitzer cry here)

(BGM: Trainer Battle theme from X & Y)

With Pokemon being around for as long as it has, it must have at least one Pokemon based on a crustacean. Turns out we have quite a few, but in my opinion, Clawitzer is the one that feels the most perfect.

First, I really love its design; all of the shades of blue Clawitzer has is very eye-catching, and you'd never think that a Pokemon based on the pistol shrimp would look this intimidating, but leave it to Game Freak to make the impossible possible. Another thing I really love about Clawitzer is how it takes a note out of Kingler's playbook by having a big ass claw to fight enemies with. But whereas Kingler uses his big claw for Physical Attacks, Clawitzer uses his claw for Special Attacking, and boy does he do a good job at that.

While most of Clawitzer's stats aren't anything to write home about, his Special Attack stat clocks in at a whopping 120, and he learns a lot of good Special Attacking moves to back that stat up.

For starters we have moves like Bubble Beam, Aura Sphere, Dragon Pulse, Water Pulse, and Dark Pulse, which are all moves that Clawitzer can learn naturally. But if we're talking the moves he can learn through other means, we have Venoshock, Flash Cannon, Shadow Ball, Ice Beam, Sludge Bomb, Focus Blast, and Mud Shot.

If Special Attacking isn't your cup of tea though, Clawitzer can also learn Swords Dance and Hone Claws to boost his Physical Attack as well as moves like Liquidation, Aqua Jet, Crabhammer, U-Turn, Waterfall, and Rock Slide.

But no matter what, I always stick with the four moves that never steer me wrong; Water Pulse, Aura Sphere, Dark Pulse, and Dragon Pulse. Why is that? Two words: Mega Launcher!

Mega Launcher is an ability exclusive to only the Clauncher line and Mega Blastoise, and with it, all pulse and aura moves get a significant increase in power. So, Water Pulse goes from 60 power to 90, Dark Pulse and Aura Sphere go from 80 to 120, and Dragon Pulse goes from 85 to 128! It also works on the move Heal Pulse, another move Clawitzer can learn, and with it, a Pokemon's HP goes from 50% restored to 75% restored!

Mega Launcher is easily one of my favorite abilities and one of the best introduced in Generation 6. Hell, the ability alone is why I hold Clawitzer in such high regard as not only a great water or Kalos Pokemon, but a Pokemon in general.

A lot of people say that X & Y dropped the ball on a lot of things, but Clawitzer is one of many examples on how the Pokemon roster was not one of the things that Game Freak messed up on. Clawitzer is easily my second favorite Kalos pokemon, my third favorite Water Pokemon, and a Pokemon that I look forward to using on future playthroughs of X & Y.