Clawitzer in depth
The claw that goes “clack”
Clawitzer’s zoological basis is the pistol shrimp, a crustacean capable of producing a pressure wave with its claw to stun other creatures. The design takes it into military territory: the right claw looks like a cannon, the rear nozzle works as a propeller and the antennae act as a targeting system. Pokédex entries take that idea to an absurd scale, with projectiles capable of piercing metal plates and movement at 60 knots.
The English name combines claw with howitzer. The Japanese ブロスター, Bloster, combines the ideas of blow, lobster and blaster; its sound also recalls the English word lobster. The evolution from Clauncher does not change the theme: it turns the previous stage’s launcher into a complete artillery piece.
A cannon that appeared in Kalos
Clawitzer debuted in Generation VI and has kept its Water typing and Mega Launcher ever since. From its first appearances, it stood out for its pulse moves and unusual coverage for a single-type species. Over the generations, its level-up movepool was reorganised: several moves that previously appeared at higher levels became available from level 1, while the current movepool adds a more gradual progression with Aqua Jet, Water Pulse, Aura Sphere, Muddy Water and Crabhammer.
Its TM movepool has also expanded the ways it can be used. It can turn to Surf or Hydro Pump for direct damage, Ice Beam against Grass and Dragon, Dark Pulse against Psychic and Ghost, and Focus Blast against targets that resist Water. It has no alternate forms: the claw-cannon silhouette is the one it keeps in the current games.
Special power, awkward pace
The contrast with other aquatic species becomes clear when you look at the numbers. Its 120 Special Attack clearly exceeds the rest of its stats, while its 59 Speed leaves it in an awkward position: it is not fast enough to sweep teams, nor does it have the bulk of a wall. Its 71 HP, 88 Defense and 89 Special Defense let it survive certain hits, but that does not make up for repeatedly switching in through hazard damage or super-effective attacks.
It shares a conceptual space with Blastoise through the idea of a crustacean armed with cannons, although Clawitzer concentrates more resources in Mega Launcher and special coverage. Compared with Skrelp and Dragalge, its version counterparts, it offers immediate offensive pressure instead of relying on Poison, resistances and chip damage. That comparison also explains its appeal on teams that need to break through defences without adding a second type.
How to fire without giving away turns
The most direct version combines Water Pulse, Dark Pulse, Aura Sphere and Ice Beam. The first three take advantage of Mega Launcher and cover Water, Dark and Fighting, while Ice Beam punishes Grass- or Dragon-type Pokémon that come in expecting to resist Water. Surf provides more consistency if you do not want to rely on Water Pulse, and Dragon Pulse is an alternative against targets that take little damage from Ice Beam.
It should not be sent in against a fast attacker or left in front of a Grass- or Electric-type Pokémon. It works best after a forced switch caused by a threat that can hit with its coverage, or with support from moves that give it a safe entry. U-turn lets it keep momentum, although it uses up one of its coverage slots. On slow teams, it also makes better use of its 59 Speed, because its opponents have less chance of outspeeding it.