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Solid Rock
- Reduces damage from super effective hits by 25%.
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Sturdy
- If the wielder is at full HP, it will survive any attack. OHKO moves will fail.
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Swift Swim
- Speed doubles in rain.
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Level 100 Statistics (see level 5, 50, 100)
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
74
|
- |
289 |
352 |
- |
| Atk |
108
|
226 |
252 |
315 |
346 |
| Def |
133
|
271 |
302 |
365 |
401 |
| SpA |
83
|
181 |
202 |
265 |
291 |
| SpD |
65
|
149 |
166 |
229 |
251 |
| Spe |
32
|
90 |
100 |
163 |
179 |
Overview
Carracosta is one of the most interesting Pokemon in NU, by virtue of being both a turtle and a fossil. It can fill a number of roles on teams, capable of pulling off Shell Smash in a manner similar to Gorebyss, or alternatively guaranteeing Stealth Rock with Sturdy. Despite an average defensive typing, Carracosta is a fantastic tank with Solid Rock, giving it a surprising amount of survivability, whereas Stealth Rock is an absolute blessing. A great offensive typing means it rarely has to use anything outside of its STAB moves, which is fantastic for sweeping with Shell Smash. On top of this, it possesses above average HP and Defense stats, with a solid Attack stat to boot. A terrible Speed stat is somewhat mitigated by Shell Smash and access to Aqua Jet, but can still hold Carracosta back in certain situations.
Shell Smash is perhaps the ultimate setup move, capable of turning almost any Pokemon into a force to be reckoned with in a single turn. Carracosta is no exception, despite its terrible Speed stat its makes great use of the move. Waterfall is the reliable STAB move as always. Stone Edge provides good neutral coverage with Waterfall, missing out on only a few niche Pokemon. This combination will enable Carracosta to sweep in most cases, but it still gets outsped by a number of Pokemon even after a Shell Smash. Dangerous threats such as Swoobat, Swellow, Zebstrika, and Choice Scarf Rotom-S will still outspeed Carracosta, and because of this Aqua Jet makes a great last option to clean up when the opposing team is weakened.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
As Carracosta is very slow to begin with, maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature is almost essential. It is also required to outspeed base 110 Speed Pokemon, such as Tauros, while at +2. The rest of the EVs are invested into Attack in order to hit as hard as possible. The choice of item depends mainly on the ability. Sturdy with Lum Berry can be used to almost guarantee a successful turn of set up, provided there are no hazards on Carracosta's side. Solid Rock with Life Orb is much more powerful on the other hand, but is very vulnerable to being hit as it sets up, as well as in danger of being statused. Other offensive moves are also available to Carracosta; Rock Slide can be used over Stone Edge for more accuracy, while Aqua Tail can be used over Waterfall to deal slightly more damage. Ice Beam can be used (along with a Naive nature) in order to catch out unwary Tangela, which would normally wall Carracosta.
If Carracosta is using Sturdy, then keeping entry hazards off the field becomes essential. Therefore, Torkoal makes a very good partner as it can use Rapid Spin and has somewhat decent synergy with Carracosta. This set also has trouble beating Vileplume and Tangela, something Torkoal can help with. Pokemon that can lure Tangela and Vileplume are more effective, Specially-based Samurott is a fantastic partner. After the boost from Shell Smash, Carracosta is exceptionally powerful and can break through many walls in NU. Fast, late-game sweepers such as Choice Scarf Braviary or Zangoose, can make for good teammates as they can sweep once the opposing team has been weakened. Swoobat makes for another dangerous partner, but requires more setup time. The aforementioned Tangela and Vileplume are good counters to this set. Zebstrika and Electrode can both outspeed and KO Carracosta after a Shell Smash, but each will struggle to switch in on Waterfall and must beware of being beaten by Aqua Jet if they are on low HP. Seismitoad can easily wall this set and KO with Earth Power.
Finally being able to use Stealth Rock transforms Carracosta's usual role as a tank and makes it much more capable of supporting the team. Stealth Rock is one of the best moves in the game, and Carracosta gets many opportunities to set it up with the innate ability to check Flying- and Normal-types, courtesy of its Rock-typing. In a metagame where these types dominate, Carracosta really shines as a tank capable of checking Braviary, and Zangoose, among others. Waterfall is the standard STAB move, and still deals out decent damage with Carracosta's acceptable Attack stat. Stone Edge provides good coverage with Waterfall, as well as being a STAB move, and allows Carracosta to take on the many Flying-types in NU. Priority moves are always useful to have, particularly in NU where many fast and frail Pokemon such as Zangoose exist. Aqua Jet is not only a priority move but also gets STAB, and will hit with decent power off a solid base 108 Attack. Toxic can be very useful for wearing down sweepers such as Samurott, as well as catching some of the regular Carracosta checks such as Tangela off guard.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
Functioning as an excellent tank, this set uses a defensive spread and is made to beat Flying- and Normal-types. 248 HP EVs maximizes bulk while ensuring Carracosta gets the most out of Leftovers, while maximum Defense allows it to take on Swellow and Braviary with ease. Alternatively, it is possible to run more Attack EVs for a stronger Aqua Jet or to gain a specific KO, but Carracosta needs all the Defense it can get. 252 Attack EVs allows Carracosta to take on a much more offensive role, OHKOing the likes of Braviary with Stone Edge. Rather than tanking multiple hits this alternative spread focuses on beating the opponent before they can launch these attacks, and is still very effective. Carracosta has a decent movepool, and has a number of other options to use. Knock Off is another great option for the last slot, which can rid Tangela of Eviolite. Rock Slide can also be used instead of Stone Edge for better accuracy, but the loss in power is noticeable.
Carracosta has a distinct lack of recovery, and as a result, is easily worn down by entry hazards and chip damage. It also has a poor Special Defense stat, so it requires good team support to be effective. Pokemon that can take Grass-type moves are among the best teammates, such as Vileplume, in particular. Carracosta and Vileplume share great synergy, as the latter can take both Grass- and Fighting-type attacks for the former, while Carracosta can easily switch in on the Ice- and Fire-type attacks aimed at Vileplume. As for specific counters, this set does not pack much of a punch, and so is relatively easy to counter. Seismitoad easily beats it, as do almost all Tangela and Vileplume. Most Special attackers such as Samurott will also easily break through it, as well as powerful Choice Band users with a super effective attack such as Golurk.
Other Options
A Shell Smash set using only special attacks would be useful for luring Tangela, but is much weaker in general. Furthermore, Carracosta does get Hydro Pump and Ice Beam. The normal Shell Smash sets can also use Mystic Water as an item, powering up both Waterfall as well as Aqua Jet and still being able to make use of Sturdy. Low Kick and Superpower both provide decent coverage, and could possibly work on a Choice Band set, as could Earthquake. Icy Wind is an interesting move that could allow Carracosta to outspeed certain threats, but would be very situational. Curse is another interesting option as Carracosta has Aqua Jet to get around the Speed drop, but a lack of Special bulk and recovery really hinders it.
Checks and Counters
Tangela is the best counter, barring the rare Ice Beam. Even Vileplume or Meganium can beat Carracosta, as is the case for most Grass-types. Seismitoad's typing and ability allows it to counter any set not running Hidden Power Grass, which is essentially all of them. Alomomola is another great counter to any physical set. The bulky version of Carracosta does a decent job at checking the Shell Smash set, taking any hit while at full health and being able to retaliate with Waterfall or Earthquake. Gurdurr can easily take on the defensive set, and loves switching in on Toxic to activate Guts. Very fast Pokemon such as Zebstrika and Electrode can all outspeed and OHKO Carracosta even after a Shell Smash. Alternatively, Carracosta can be dealt with by hitting it hard as it sets up; in fact, ensuring it has no chances to set up in a match is a very effective way to deal with it. Toxic Spikes also severely limit its effectiveness, as it will slowly drain Carracosta's health.
