churine
lunatic+
taken over from Aaron's Aron, approved by OP on Discord
[OVERVIEW]
Shelmet is set apart from other Spikes setters in the tier due to its good bulk and access to both Recover and a slow Baton Pass, allowing it set up multiple layers of Spikes throughout the match and sponge a hit to bring a teammate in safely. It can also switch in on powder moves such as Foongus's Spore thanks to its access to Overcoat, giving it more opportunities to switch in. However, Shelmet has a small movepool and is often rendered setup bait due to its passivity and weak offenses. Its poor offensive presence means it cannot outdamage spinners and loses to them. Though its typing makes it resist the STAB moves of common Fighting-types, Shelmet cannot do much back to them, as they resist its attacks, and some of these Pokemon such as Timburr and Croagunk can still use Shelmet as setup bait if carrying a boosting move. Furthermore, Shelmet is weak to common Flying-types like Vullaby and Doduo, as well as the omnipresent Stealth Rock, forcing it to lose a quarter of its health as it switches in. While Shelmet's lack of Speed does help with bringing teammates in safely with Baton Pass, it also makes it more susceptible to Taunt from the likes of Mienfoo and Onix. Lastly, Shelmet faces competition with other entry hazard setters such as Ferroseed, Onix, and Dwebble due to them being more reliable.
[SET]
name: Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Recover
move 3: Baton Pass
move 4: Leech Life
item: Eviolite
ability: Overcoat
nature: Impish
evs: 116 HP / 156 Def / 236 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spikes deal damage to all grounded foes as they switch in, wearing them down and thus making it easier for Shelmet's teammates to clean late-game. Recover prevents Shelmet from being worn down as easily, since it heals off any damage it may have taken, making it easier to set multiple layers of Spikes throughout a match. Baton Pass allows Shelmet to switch out of a poor matchup and bring in a teammate safely whilst gaining momentum. Lastly, Leech Life is a solid STAB move that deals a decent amount of damage while healing Shelmet a bit.
Set Details
========
The defensive EVs and an Impish nature are used to provide more overall bulk while hitting Eviolite-optimal numbers, which lets Shelmet avoid 2HKOs from Pokemon such as Focus Sash Abra and Pawniard. The remaining EVs are placed into HP to provide more longevity while minimizing Stealth Rock damage. Overcoat is the most useful ability Shelmet has, as it allows it to switch in on powder moves like Foongus's Spore.
Usage Tips
========
Shelmet's primary focus should be on settingSpikes when its on the field. After setting up Spikes or if Shelmet needs to switch, Baton Pass should be used to bring in another Pokemon safely, as Shelmet can sponge a hit first before switching. Its nice bulk and access to Recover allow it to switch in throughout the match, and it can switch in on Foongus and Fighting-types lacking setup moves to set more layers of Spikes. It could also work as a lead to set up Spikes, but it has to be wary of other common leads like Onix and Dwebble, as Shelmet dislikes facing those. Lastly, Shelmet's passivity means it should avoid staying in on setup sweepers such as Shellder, Croagunk, and Vullaby, and instead pivot into a check with Baton Pass.
Team Options
========
Shelmet is incredibly passive and very vulnerable to being set up on, so Pokemon such as Slowpoke and Abra, which can check the many Pokemon that set up on Shelmet including Croagunk, Timburr, and Shell Smash users, are greatly appreciated. Pumpkaboo-XL prevents foes from using Rapid Spin to clear any Spikes Shelmet has set and can also beat common spinners such as Staryu and Kabuto. Pokemon that beat Flying- and Fire-types, such as Onix, Kabuto, and Chinchou, make for good teammates , as they cover its weaknesses. Additionally, Kabuto can remove Stealth Rock with Rapid Spin. Wallbreakers such as Corphish, Pawniard, and Timburr are able to force switches with their power, making the foe take damage from Spikes more frequently, while frail offensive Pokemon, such as Doduo, Abra, and Gastly, appreciate being brought in safely by Baton Pass and can take advantage of Spikes support to have an easier time KOing foes while also being able to force switches to rack up Spikes damage. Rapid Spin support from Staryu or Drilbur helps Shelmet switch in more safely by removing Stealth Rock and opposing Spikes.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bug Buzz is an option over Leech Life to make Shelmet a special attacker and to bypass Substitute from Abra, but Leech Life is better because it provides a bit of recovery. Toxic can be used to directly deal with bulkier Pokemon Shelmet cannot damage as much by putting them on a timer, but Baton Pass provides more overall utility. Alternatively, Toxic Spikes can wear down any grounded foes with poison damage for Shelmet's partners to clean up in the late-game, but the abundance of Poison-types in the tier that clear Toxic Spikes makes the move hard to be effective. Infestation can trap and chip a foe switching in on Shelmet to then enable a switch to a Pokemon with a better matchup against the foe. Shelmet can use Acid Armor or Curse to pass boosts with Baton Pass, which could work on Baton Pass teams, but it has a hard time fitting these moves on its set, and those teams are pretty gimmicky. Shell Armor prevents critical hits from happening, though Overcoat is preferred due to the immunity to Spore it provides. Encore prevents Shelmet from being setup bait by locking opposing Pokemon into a status move, but Shelmet has a hard time fitting on the set and it isn't productive due to Shelmet's lack of Speed.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Shelmet has no good options to deal with Fire-types, and many of them such as Ponyta, Torchic, and Larvesta easily outspeed and KO it. Torchic is especially dangerous, as it can freely set up on Shelmet and try to pass boosts to another Pokemon that can attempt to sweep.
**Flying-types**: Shelmet absolutely struggles with Flying-types such as Doduo and Rufflet, as it gets outsped and KOed easily. Vullaby also has a multitude of options that can range from simply using Brave Bird to KO Shelmetto benefiting from a Weak Armor boost if Shelmet decides to attack, or, although rare, clearing entry hazards with Defog and KOing Shelmet afterwards.
**Rock-types**: Onix, Dwebble, and Kabuto have high Defense and can tank Shelmet's attacks while KOing it back with their STAB moves. Additionally, Kabuto can remove any Spikes that have been set with Rapid Spin, and all of these Pokemon can set Stealth Rock, which limits how many times Shelmet can switch in because of its weakness to Rock.
**Setup Sweepers**: Due to Shelmet's poor offensive presence, it leaves itself wide open to threatening setup sweepers like Scraggy, Vullaby, and Corphish.
**Rapid Spin Users**: Shelmet doesn't really threaten the most common spinners in the tier such as Staryu, Drilbur, and Kabuto, and thus they can switch in and remove the Spikes it has set while outdamaging it.
shwell met!
QC: Xayah / Levi / Nineage
GP: TDP / marthaa
QC: Xayah / Levi / Nineage
GP: TDP / marthaa
[OVERVIEW]
Shelmet is set apart from other Spikes setters in the tier due to its good bulk and access to both Recover and a slow Baton Pass, allowing it set up multiple layers of Spikes throughout the match and sponge a hit to bring a teammate in safely. It can also switch in on powder moves such as Foongus's Spore thanks to its access to Overcoat, giving it more opportunities to switch in. However, Shelmet has a small movepool and is often rendered setup bait due to its passivity and weak offenses. Its poor offensive presence means it cannot outdamage spinners and loses to them. Though its typing makes it resist the STAB moves of common Fighting-types, Shelmet cannot do much back to them, as they resist its attacks, and some of these Pokemon such as Timburr and Croagunk can still use Shelmet as setup bait if carrying a boosting move. Furthermore, Shelmet is weak to common Flying-types like Vullaby and Doduo, as well as the omnipresent Stealth Rock, forcing it to lose a quarter of its health as it switches in. While Shelmet's lack of Speed does help with bringing teammates in safely with Baton Pass, it also makes it more susceptible to Taunt from the likes of Mienfoo and Onix. Lastly, Shelmet faces competition with other entry hazard setters such as Ferroseed, Onix, and Dwebble due to them being more reliable.
[SET]
name: Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Recover
move 3: Baton Pass
move 4: Leech Life
item: Eviolite
ability: Overcoat
nature: Impish
evs: 116 HP / 156 Def / 236 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spikes deal damage to all grounded foes as they switch in, wearing them down and thus making it easier for Shelmet's teammates to clean late-game. Recover prevents Shelmet from being worn down as easily, since it heals off any damage it may have taken, making it easier to set multiple layers of Spikes throughout a match. Baton Pass allows Shelmet to switch out of a poor matchup and bring in a teammate safely whilst gaining momentum. Lastly, Leech Life is a solid STAB move that deals a decent amount of damage while healing Shelmet a bit.
Set Details
========
The defensive EVs and an Impish nature are used to provide more overall bulk while hitting Eviolite-optimal numbers, which lets Shelmet avoid 2HKOs from Pokemon such as Focus Sash Abra and Pawniard. The remaining EVs are placed into HP to provide more longevity while minimizing Stealth Rock damage. Overcoat is the most useful ability Shelmet has, as it allows it to switch in on powder moves like Foongus's Spore.
Usage Tips
========
Shelmet's primary focus should be on settingSpikes when its on the field. After setting up Spikes or if Shelmet needs to switch, Baton Pass should be used to bring in another Pokemon safely, as Shelmet can sponge a hit first before switching. Its nice bulk and access to Recover allow it to switch in throughout the match, and it can switch in on Foongus and Fighting-types lacking setup moves to set more layers of Spikes. It could also work as a lead to set up Spikes, but it has to be wary of other common leads like Onix and Dwebble, as Shelmet dislikes facing those. Lastly, Shelmet's passivity means it should avoid staying in on setup sweepers such as Shellder, Croagunk, and Vullaby, and instead pivot into a check with Baton Pass.
Team Options
========
Shelmet is incredibly passive and very vulnerable to being set up on, so Pokemon such as Slowpoke and Abra, which can check the many Pokemon that set up on Shelmet including Croagunk, Timburr, and Shell Smash users, are greatly appreciated. Pumpkaboo-XL prevents foes from using Rapid Spin to clear any Spikes Shelmet has set and can also beat common spinners such as Staryu and Kabuto. Pokemon that beat Flying- and Fire-types, such as Onix, Kabuto, and Chinchou, make for good teammates , as they cover its weaknesses. Additionally, Kabuto can remove Stealth Rock with Rapid Spin. Wallbreakers such as Corphish, Pawniard, and Timburr are able to force switches with their power, making the foe take damage from Spikes more frequently, while frail offensive Pokemon, such as Doduo, Abra, and Gastly, appreciate being brought in safely by Baton Pass and can take advantage of Spikes support to have an easier time KOing foes while also being able to force switches to rack up Spikes damage. Rapid Spin support from Staryu or Drilbur helps Shelmet switch in more safely by removing Stealth Rock and opposing Spikes.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bug Buzz is an option over Leech Life to make Shelmet a special attacker and to bypass Substitute from Abra, but Leech Life is better because it provides a bit of recovery. Toxic can be used to directly deal with bulkier Pokemon Shelmet cannot damage as much by putting them on a timer, but Baton Pass provides more overall utility. Alternatively, Toxic Spikes can wear down any grounded foes with poison damage for Shelmet's partners to clean up in the late-game, but the abundance of Poison-types in the tier that clear Toxic Spikes makes the move hard to be effective. Infestation can trap and chip a foe switching in on Shelmet to then enable a switch to a Pokemon with a better matchup against the foe. Shelmet can use Acid Armor or Curse to pass boosts with Baton Pass, which could work on Baton Pass teams, but it has a hard time fitting these moves on its set, and those teams are pretty gimmicky. Shell Armor prevents critical hits from happening, though Overcoat is preferred due to the immunity to Spore it provides. Encore prevents Shelmet from being setup bait by locking opposing Pokemon into a status move, but Shelmet has a hard time fitting on the set and it isn't productive due to Shelmet's lack of Speed.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Shelmet has no good options to deal with Fire-types, and many of them such as Ponyta, Torchic, and Larvesta easily outspeed and KO it. Torchic is especially dangerous, as it can freely set up on Shelmet and try to pass boosts to another Pokemon that can attempt to sweep.
**Flying-types**: Shelmet absolutely struggles with Flying-types such as Doduo and Rufflet, as it gets outsped and KOed easily. Vullaby also has a multitude of options that can range from simply using Brave Bird to KO Shelmetto benefiting from a Weak Armor boost if Shelmet decides to attack, or, although rare, clearing entry hazards with Defog and KOing Shelmet afterwards.
**Rock-types**: Onix, Dwebble, and Kabuto have high Defense and can tank Shelmet's attacks while KOing it back with their STAB moves. Additionally, Kabuto can remove any Spikes that have been set with Rapid Spin, and all of these Pokemon can set Stealth Rock, which limits how many times Shelmet can switch in because of its weakness to Rock.
**Setup Sweepers**: Due to Shelmet's poor offensive presence, it leaves itself wide open to threatening setup sweepers like Scraggy, Vullaby, and Corphish.
**Rapid Spin Users**: Shelmet doesn't really threaten the most common spinners in the tier such as Staryu, Drilbur, and Kabuto, and thus they can switch in and remove the Spikes it has set while outdamaging it.
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