Shuckle [QC 0/3]

Perry

slayer
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QC: ??? / ??? / ???
GP: ??? / ???

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[OVERVIEW]

* Shuckle's niche relies on being a reliable Sticky Web setter, with great defenses and usable movepool, guaranteeing at least a hazard layer due to Sturdy.
* Its access to Sturdy and Mental Herb to mitigate Taunt alongside good bulk allow Shuckle to set itself apart from Smeargle.
* Sticky Web offers one of the most productive anti-offense tools in the metagame due to the archetype reliance on Rapid Spin to get rid of hazards, which can be nullified by a Ghost-type Pokemon.
* It's terribly passive, being easily shut down by Mega Sableye and Taunt users, even if the latter is mitigated by Mental Herb.

[SET]
name: Sticky Web
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Rock Tomb
move 3: Encore
move 4: Toxic
item: Mental Herb
Ability: Sturdy
Nature: Calm
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
==============

* Sticky Web is the most important move and Shuckle's only niche, as it slows down all grounded opposing Pokemon. It is also a great anti-offense move, as it makes fast Pokemon such as Deoxys-A or Mewtwo easier do be dealt with.
* Rock Tomb allows Shuckle not be completely bait to Taunt Mega Gengar, while still hitting and slowing Flying-type Pokemon which aren't affected by Sticky Web.
* Encore shuts down any opponent trying to set up or Defog on Shuckle, allowing you to have as much as momentum as possible to either settle Sticky Web, use Toxic or get a teammate in the field safely.
* Toxic puts opposing Pokemon in a timer and can cripple all common defoggers in the tier alongside Encore, allowing you to guarantee Sticky Web will be in the field.

Set Details
==============

* Mental Herb is the only item Shuckle should run, allowing it to avoid Taunt for one turn to settle Sticky Web.
* HP and Special Defense are maximized to prevent the 2HKO from Life Orb Yveltal's Dark Pulse, which is necessary because of the flinch chance.
* Sturdy is run to allow Shuckle always to live one hit from full, thus setting up Sticky Web for its teammates safely.


Usage Tips
==============

* Unless the opponent has a Mega Sableye or an explicit Magic Coat user your top priority is to use Shuckle as a suicide lead to set up Sticky Web as fast as you can.
* You must also be careful around Pokemon which might have ways to induce Sleep, thus if your opponent possesses Pokemon such as Smeargle, Lunala, and Darkrai it's wise to keep Shuckle in the back until they are dealt with. Additionally, Mega Kangaskhan can defeat Smeargle with Fake Out followed by Seismic Toss, so be careful around it as well.
* Sticky Web teams rely on constant pressure to opposing hazard cleaners to keep its hazards in the field, and therefore Taunt or wallbreakers such as Yveltal, Mega Lucario, or Supersonic Strike Landorus-T are appreciated.
* If the opponent has a Rapid Spin user, such as Excadrill or Pheromosa, pivot your Ghost-type of choice in a predicted Rapid Spin so you can keep Sticky Web in the field while also applying pressure to the opposing team.
* You should also pressure the opponent's Defogger as much as possible, preventing them from cleaning hazards at all costs.
* Encore a Pokemon that may take advantage of Shuckle by boosting, setting hazards, or Defog so you can grab momentum.
* Use Toxic against common defoggers such as Arceus-Water, Arceus-Ground or Giratina-O to put them on a timer, heavily pressure them to choose between Recover or Defog, thus allowing Shuckle to keep Sticky Web in the field.
* Shuckle doesn't offer any utility other than setting up Sticky Web, therefore it's a great option to sack to get a Pokemon safely in the field if it has finished its job.


Team Options
==============

* With Sticky Web support Mega Lucario is able to outspeed Pokemon such as Mega Gengar, fast Arceus formes, and Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Xerneas while dishing out damage with its powerful STABs.
* Arceus-Ghost is one of the premier Shuckle partners as it's able to check Extreme Killer Arceus, prevent Rapid Spin, and wallbreak reliably after it's been boosted by Swords Dance.
* Lunala is also able to fill the Ghost-type partner that Shuckle so desperately needs while also being able to check Extreme Killer Arceus and either using Choice Specs, Psychium Z, or Ghostinium Z to deal insane damage to opposing team.
* Primal Groudon can deal insane damage with boosted Eruption or with its Swords Dance set backed by Sticky Web and Dragon Claw to defeat Defoggers such as Giratina-O and Arceus-Water easier.
* Landorus-T is able to heavily pressure Defoggers in the tier with +2 Supersonic Strike, being able to OHKO every relevant one after Stealth Rock damage. It's also able to settle Stealth Rock reliably, and its typing coupled with Intimidate are great backup tools.
* Fairy-types, especially Arceus-Fairy and Xerneas, can threaten out nuisances to Shuckle such as Mega Salamance, Yveltal, Giratina-O, and Mega Sableye, which all trouble this archetype deeply.
* Taunt users such as Mega Gengar, Mewtwo, and Yveltal are all able to prevent the use of Defog while also dealing significant damage in return.
* Extreme Killer Arceus still is an excellent backup cleaner that is able to work without Sticky Web in the field, but is outclassed by Arceus-Ghost because of the latter's useful typing and higher damage output.
* Dragon-types such as Rayquaza, Palkia, Kyurem-White, and Zekrom are all able to effectively wallbreak with Sticky Web support, as their high powered STABs coupled with stellar base Attack stats can overcome some builds with ease.
* Solgaleo may act as an important Xerneas check that is able to deal insane damage with its Z-Splash set backed by Sticky Web, which can OHKO every relevant Defogger at +3 after Stealth Rock damage.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
==============

* Maximizing HP and Physical Defense may be used so you can take on physical Pokemon such as Primal Groudon a little easier, but comes at the cost of Yveltal being more dangerous.
* Final Gambit is an interesting move that allows Shuckle to suicide versus Mega Gengar or defensive Arceus formes after it has done its job, preventing the use of Defog while also getting a teammate in the field safely.
* Infestation may be used to prevent opposing leads from switching while dealing residual damage, which can quickly add up with Toxic's. However, the cost of missing any of its moves is far too big to be worth it most of the times.
* Even though Shuckle is theorically able to settle Stealth Rock as well, it's already pressured enough trying to set up Sticky Web and by running both you become even more passive and easier to defeat.

Checks and Counters
==============

**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye completely shuts down Shuckle from doing anything relevant the whole match because of Magic Bounce and Shuckle's terrible attack stats.

**Rapid Spin**: Excadrill and Cloyster can set up hazards while threatening to spin yours, but both are somewhat held back by Shuckle's usual Ghost-type teammates.

**Mega Gengar**: Mega Gengar can trap Shuckle and stall it out with Taunt and Substitute, defeating Shuckle effortlessly.

**Magic Coat Users**: By bouncing Sticky Web back, they pratically nullify its impact in the whole match.
 
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Fireburn

BARN ALL
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Overview is a bit disorganized: I'd probably list the advantages of Shuckle before the disadvantages. Also note what it has over Smeargle (bulk and Sturdy freeing up the item slot for Mental Herb). I would remove the line about Flying-types since that is more team-specific info than Shuckle-specific info.

Usage Tips should mention mons that may have Sleep moves (Smeargle, Lunala, Darkrai). Never lead Shuckle vs Smeargle, and if they lead Lunala vs Shuckle you might want to flee.

Team Options: MLucario's Speed is actually in the good range - instead mention it can outrun things like Gar, Scarfers, and fast Arceus which makes its sweep easier. Add Fairyceus as a teammate, its a solid blanket option for handling floating Dragons and Yveltal. PDon can use SD + DClaw to handle most Defog users (tho Gira-O can take a +2 Claw at full). Ghost-types (Lunala and Ghostceus) should get their own bullet.

Add Final Gambit to OO - it lets Shuckle suicide into Gar/Defoggers if necessary to help minimize momentum loss, which is pretty neat.
 
Mr. Perry
24 hours on this + landorus-t to have the feedback implemented before both are reassigned, this has sat around for 2 months

e: after some discussion on discord its not looking likely that this will be finished - reassigning
 
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