Claydol VS Forretress for an XD Damage Sponge?

Question

Forretress VS Claydol

Doing a longest journey run and I’m basically looking for a good Damage Sponge and I’m torn between

Claydol
Levitate
Relaxed Nature

EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

Note: Claydol doesn’t really have impressive speed so I figured I spread out Def/SP Def with relaxed rather then Bold where I will lose out on its attack for an earthquake if need be.

Or

Forretress
Sturdy
Careful Nature

EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD

Note: Same deal typically people go with bold or relaxed but it already has impressive defense soon as a fireblast or flamethrower comes around I'm basically BBQ

Advice ?

Comments

What Game?

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(Gen 3)Gale of Darkness

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Not a full answer, but https://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/pokemon-xd-in-game-tier-list.3640412/
If you want a damage sponge, I think Hariyama would be better. It has higher HP and physical attack than both Forretress and Claydol.

Answer 1

Baltoy has weak offenses but good type/stats, level-up moves/type coverage, AND Levitate in a game with a quite a few EQ users. Pineco can't even use its STABs (woo, pin missile), and the utility it offers in competitive is useless in-game.

Claydol is a bulky attacker with low investment. Pineco offers basically nothing. Both take a while to evolve but Baltoy is way less helpless than Pineco.

source
Another thing is that a good attacker can OHKO or 2HKO most opponents, so it's usually easier and faster to play the game with only offensive Pokemon (like Espeon or Ursaring) and no damage sponges. If you really want a damage sponge, I think Hariyama would be better than both Forretress and Claydol because it can also deal damage.