Toedscruel in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC Regulation H: Best build, strategies, and more

Toedscruel in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC is not a pick many players would have expected to see in the 2025 season given how lackluster it was at the game's launch. However, the current Regulation H has given the creature another chance, with the returning champion of the franchise, Wolfe Glick, adopting the niche monster onto his team for the Baltimore Regional Championships.

Placing decently in the tournament using this creature, some players may want to know more about Glick's interesting pick to use it for themselves. Using Toedscruel requires a deep understanding of how abilities work in the modern generation, so it is not recommended for newer players. Here is everything to know about using Toedscruel in the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC.

Note: Some aspects of this article are subjective and solely rely on the writer's opinion.

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Why use Toedscruel in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC?

Toedscruel works best with creatures that can remove its negative ability (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Toedscruel's biggest draw is its perfect combination of a high base 100 speed stat and access to Spore, a move that puts the target to sleep and hits if the user has not had their accuracy lowered. The only downside to this creature is its signature Mycelium Might ability, forcing all of its status moves to go last.

Toedscruel has been picked up by teams utilizing strategies that either move around abilities or outright remove them. This takes away the debilitating downside of Mycelium Might, allowing Toedscruel to make use of its high speed stat, being the fastest Spore user in the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC.

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Strategies to use with Toedscruel in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC

Two distinct picks work to remove Mycelium Might from Toedscruel, allowing it to make full use of its moveset. Galarian Weezing was the pick chosen by Wolfe Glick during the Baltimore Regional Championships, and it saw massive success. Galarian Weezing's Neutralizing Gas ability removes abilities from play the moment it hits the field, so it is used as an opener.

However, one lesser-used partner that can work incredibly well with Toedscruel is Male Meowstic. Male Meowstic's hidden ability is Prankster, granting priority to all status moves, the exact opposite effect of Mycelium Might. This form of Meowstic also has access to Skill Swap, a status move that switches the user's ability with the target's. Opening by using this attack on Toedscruel will grant it this powerful ability, allowing its Spore to always move first.

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Best build for Toedscruel in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC

Toedscruel has a couple of different movesets depending on who it is partnered with (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Being a creature used for its speed and utility, players looking to use Toedscruel will want one with perfect IVs, but its attack is its least important stat. Its speed should be maxed out as well. Here is how players should build Toedscruel's stats for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC:

• 252 Speed EVs
• 202 HP EVs
• 60 Defense EVs
• Timid Nature (less Attack, more Speed)
• Tera Type: Water

These are the same stats Wolfe Glick used with his Toedscruel for the Baltimore Regional Championships where it was paired with Galarian Weezing. Here are the moves players should take for their Toedscruel in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC:

• Spore
• Rage Powder
• Earth Power
• Acid Spray

If players would like to pair Toedscruel with Meowstic over Galarian Weezing, taking Protect over Acid Spray can help set up a defensive turn-one utilizing Meowstic's access to Fake Out. The Covert Cloak is typically used with Toedscruel, protecting it from Fake Out and other troubling moves with secondary effects.

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What counters Toedscruel in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC?

Being a user of Spore that relies on speed, there are a few ways to counter Toedscruel in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC. Spore is ineffective against Grass-type Pokemon, those holding the Safety Goggles item, and Pokemon with the Overcoat or Sweet Veil abilities. Its plans can also be thwarted by Trick Room and Taunt.

Due to its frailer physical defense, Rillaboom has shown to be a problematic counter against Toedscruel in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC. Rillaboom is a Grass-type with priority through Grassy Glide and Grassy Surge. This is why Toedscruel is paired with Galarian Weezing, as its access to Poison and Fire moves allows it to make quick work of Rillaboom.