Base Stats
Abilities
Type Matchups
View full type chart →Damage multipliers vs. ice typing. Ability-based immunities (e.g. Levitate) are not included.
Battle & Lore Hub
Battle Strategy
Cryogonal functions as a dedicated utility lead or rapid spinner, leveraging its high Speed and Special Defense to clear hazards. It utilizes its unique access to Freeze-Dry to threaten Water-types while disrupting opponents with Haze or Toxic.
Best Used In
Cryogonal excels in lower tiers like NU and PU as a reliable Rapid Spinner and special tank. In VGC, it has seen niche play as a fast Frost Breath user to trigger a teammate's Anger Point ability.
Strengths
- ›High base 105 Speed tier
- ›Massive base 135 Special Defense
- ›Access to Rapid Spin and Haze
- ›Levitate ability grants Ground-type immunity
Weaknesses
- ›Abysmal base 50 Defense makes it bait for physical attackers
- ›Pure Ice typing offers zero resistances
- ›Weak to common priority moves like Bullet Punch and Mach Punch
- ›Low HP stat compromises its overall bulk
Competitive Tips
- ›Run Heavy-Duty Boots to ensure it can switch in and use Rapid Spin regardless of entry hazards.
- ›Utilize Freeze-Dry as the primary STAB move to hit Pelipper, Quagsire, and Gastrodon for 4x super effective damage.
- ›Equip Recover to take advantage of its high Special Defense and stall out special attackers.
- ›In lower tiers, use Haze to shut down setup sweepers like Calm Mind users or Shell Smash Omastar.
- ›Maxing Speed EVs is essential to outspeed base 100 threats and get a fast spin or Acid Armor off.
Recommended Teammates
Arcanine
Intimidate support helps mitigate Cryogonal's terrible physical Defense while Arcanine resists Steel and Fire.
Gligar
Provides a slow U-turn to bring Cryogonal in safely and covers its Fighting and Rock weaknesses.
Vaporeon
Can pass large Wishes to keep Cryogonal healthy and checks the Steel-types that wall it.
Poliwrath
Resists Rock, Steel, and Fire-type moves, serving as a sturdy backbone for Ice-type cores.
Mudsdale
Sets Stealth Rock and acts as a physical wall that benefits from Cryogonal clearing Spikes and Toxic Spikes.
Game History
Introduced in Generation V as a rare encounter in Twist Mountain, Cryogonal was notable for being one of the few non-Legendary genderless Pokémon at the time. While it has largely occupied lower competitive tiers like PU and NU, it gained utility in Sword and Shield's Crown Tundra expansion and Generation IX's hazard-heavy meta.
Trivia
- ◆It is based on both a snowflake and a koldun doro, a mythical Slavic spirit or mirror.
- ◆Cryogonal's face is formed by frozen moisture; when its body temperature rises, it turns into steam and vanishes.
- ◆In the anime, Brycen uses a Cryogonal that uses its chain-like ice as a physical weapon against Ash's Krokorok.
- ◆Its physical appearance changes slightly when it 'smiles' or 'frowns' during certain animations in 3D games.
- ◆It is one of the very few Ice-types that can learn Solar Beam, likely a reference to how ice crystals refract light.
- ◆Despite being a snowflake, it can learn Poison Gas via breeding/level-up in various generations.
Moves · 66 total
Level-Up
14 movesTM / HM
45 movesEgg Moves
3 movesMove Tutor
4 movesWhere to find· 10 games
Black
1 spot- •Twist Mountain B1f 3f
White
1 spot- •Twist Mountain B1f 3f
Black 2
1 spot- •Twist Mountain B1f 3f
White 2
1 spot- •Twist Mountain B1f 3f
X
4 spots- •Frost Cavern Unknown Area 314
- •Frost Cavern Unknown Area 315
- •Frost Cavern Unknown Area 316
- •Frost Cavern Unknown Area 317
Y
3 spots- •Frost Cavern Unknown Area 314
- •Frost Cavern Unknown Area 316
- •Frost Cavern Unknown Area 317
Omega Ruby
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
Alpha Sapphire
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
Sword
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.
Shield
PokédexIn this game's Pokédex — wild location data unavailable.