Is Krookodile Worth It? A PvE Analysis on Sandile Hatch Day

Hello Trainers! This Saturday, Sandile Hatch Day takes place in Pokémon GO. Sandile, the Desert Croc Pokemon, will be hatching from 2km eggs with boosted shiny odds. Sandile has almost always been available from hatching 12km eggs in Pokémon GO, making it trickier to grind out a good IV or shiny. This hatch day gives Trainers an excellent chance to hunt for a perfect IV Sandile, gather its regular and XL candies and evolve it into one of the more iconic Gen V Pokémon, Krookodile. But with so many strong Ground and Dark attackers already available, is Krookodile strong enough in PvE to justify an investment? Let’s find out!

The Intimidation Pokémon: Krookodile

Krookodile GroundDark

Max CP	3444
ATK	229
DEF	158
HP	216
Weak to
Resists
Fast Attacks	Snarl Mud-Slap
Charged Attacks	Crunch Outrage Brick Break Sand Tomb Earthquake

Krookodile is a Ground and Dark type Pokémon with a relatively balanced stat spread between offense and defense. Because of its dual typing, it has 6 different weaknesses, so there are plenty of match-ups where it needs to be handled carefully. On the other hand, Krookodile has some valuable resistances including double resistance to Ground and Psychic attacks. 

Shiny Sandile Family

Krookodile in Pokémon GO PvE

Krookodile can be used as either Ground or Dark type raid attacker, thanks to that dual typing, and movepool. The real question is, does it make a real meta impact either either typing?

Krookodile as a Ground Type Raid Attacker

As a Ground attacker, it can hit hard with Earthquake, but it is a one-bar Charged Attack, meaning Krookodile needs a lot of energy before it can use the move. Comparing Krookodile’s performance with Top Ground Attackers using our DPS Comparer Tool: 

Pokémon	Moves	DPS	TDO	Score
Shadow Garchomp	Mud Shot Earth Power	17.89	414.3	16.2
Shadow Excadrill	Mud-Slap Scorching Sands	17.84	288.7	15.5
Shadow Rhyperior	Mud-Slap Earthquake	16.76	400.5	15.2
Garchomp	Mud Shot Earth Power	14.98	416.3	13.8
Shadow Rhydon	Mud-Slap Earthquake	15.28	309.0	13.6
Rhyperior	Mud-Slap Earthquake	14.08	403.8	13
Rhydon	Mud-Slap Earthquake	12.91	313.3	11.7
Krookodile	Mud-Slap Earthquake	13.10	275.7	11.7

Krookodile’s main issue is the extremely strong competition it faces. Even after excluding Mega and Legendary Pokémon, Krookodile still struggles to make any kind of top-tier impact. Other Mud-Slap & Earthquake users like Rhyperior and Shadow Rhydon outperform Krookodile. Other attackers like Garchomp and Excadrill offer better damage, more bulk or a stronger balance of both. Krookodile will usually be one of the last Ground types added to a well-developed raid team. 

Krookodile as a Dark Type Raid Attacker

Comparing Krookodile’s performance with Top Dark Attackers:

Pokémon	Moves	DPS	TDO	Score
Hydreigon	Bite Brutal Swing	16.00	384.8	14.5
Tyranitar	Bite Brutal Swing	15.76	440.9	14.5
Absol	Snarl Brutal Swing	15.36	193.8	12.8
Weavile	Snarl Foul Play	14.53	266.2	12.8
Grimmsnarl	Sucker Punch Foul Play	13.59	254.6	12
Zoroark	Snarl Foul Play	14.33	181.2	12
Greninja	Feint Attack Brutal Swing	13.68	229.3	11.9
Houndoom	Snarl Foul Play	13.45	219.9	11.7
Krookodile	Snarl Crunch	12.25	257.9	11

The situation is even tougher on the Dark side. Tyranitar, Hydreigon, Absol and even the likes of Zoroark and Houndoom, all give players stronger option for Psychic and Ghost type raids. These raid bosses can also be handled by powerful Ghost attackers, which makes the Dark type role even more crowded. 

Versatility and Viability

Krookodile does have one small advantage, which is, flexibility. A single built Krookodile can switch between Ground and Dark roles depending on the moveset you give it. That does not make it a replacement for the best specialists, but it can be handy for players working with limited resources.

Parting Words

Krookodile is a decent pick in Pokémon GO PvE, but it is not a major investment target. Mud-Slap and Earthquake is the moveset to use if you want to build one, as Ground is where Krookodile has its best chance to contribute. There are simply too many strong Dark type attackers for it to become a priority. Build Krookodile if you like the Pokémon, want an extra Ground attacker, or need something that can take advantage of Electric and Psychic type resistances. If resources are limited, however, stronger options should come first.

Time for an interesting bit of trivia! Despite being a Gen V Pokémon, Krookodile got a signature move in Gen VII, Power Trip. Power Trip is a Dark type attack, and by Gen VIII, this move was added to learnset of other Pokémon like Corviknight and Morpeko. What’s more, Power Trip originated as a TCG attack. 

Let us know Trainers! What are your targets for the upcoming hatch day? Was Krookodile in your team of 6 for Gen V games? (It was in mine). 

And as always, stay safe! Happy Hatching! May everyone get a SHUNDO!