QC: metaphysical | Blast | Hootie
GP: Snobalt |
[OVERVIEW]
Crustle has access to both Stealth Rock and Spikes, as well as Sturdy, making it an excellent suicide lead. In addition, its Bug / Rock typing gives it a good matchup against Xatu, which is a common anti-lead that can utilize Magic Bounce to prevent entry hazards from going up on the opponent's side of the field; Crustle's STAB moves prevent it from coming in safely, while its access to Rock Blast allows it to beat other leads such as Archeops. However, Crustle's low speed means that it's often Taunt bait, preventing it from setting up Stealth Rock or Spikes if hit by the move. Furthermore, Crustle is ridiculously one-dimensional, as opponents will know its set the majority of the time and will often send out a lead with good matchup against it, occasionally preventing it from doing its job.
[SET]
name: Hazard Setter
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Shell Smash / Knock Off
move 4: Rock Blast
item: Custap Berry
ability: Sturdy
nature: Naughty / Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 HP / 0 Def / 0 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is arguably the best entry hazard in the game, and with Sturdy, Crustle is a very reliable setter of it. Spikes is another entry hazard that Crustle has access to and can often set aside Stealth Rock. Shell Smash boosts Crustle's attacking stats and Speed and enables it to pose an offensive threat, with Sturdy guaranteeing at least one chance to set up. Knock Off is an option that provides useful utility in removing the foe's item, especially against Pokemon such as Misdreavus and Gurdurr, which hate losing their Eviolite. Rock Blast is Crustle's main STAB attack and beats Xatu, which can bounce back entry hazards, as well as Focus Sash Archeops variants if the move hits more than twice. Stone Edge is an option if guaranteed power is needed and the higher chance to miss doesn't matter as much. X-Scissor is an alternative STAB move that hits Psychic- and Dark-types harder and takes advantage of Xatu when it uses Roost and subsequently loses its Flying-type, thereby beating it more reliably. It also prevents Lilligant from setting up Quiver Dance on Crustle. Earthquake is another option that hits Steel-types such as Pawniard, Klinklang, and Mawile for super effective damage.
Set Details
========
Custap Berry works well with Sturdy to get an extra layer of entry hazards up or an attack off before Crustle gets KOed. Sturdy prevents Crustle from being OHKOed by any one move, guaranteeing it can set up Shell Smash or entry hazards at least once. A Naughty nature is preferred, as after a Shell Smash boost, Crustle outspeeds virtually the entire unboosted tier. However, Naive is also an option, as +2 Crustle can then outspeed Choice Scarf users such as Sawk, Pinsir, and Mesprit, as well as +2 neutral-natured Gorebyss and Huntail. EVs are invested in Attack and Speed to maximize Crustle's ability to set up entry hazards as quickly as possible and to pose a decent offensive threat. 0 IVs in HP, Defense, and Special Defense allow Crustle to more reliably get into Custap Berry's activation range. 31 IVs in HP, Defense, and Special Defense can be used as well to avoid the 2HKO from Xatu's Psychic and then get into Custap Berry range.
Usage Tips
========
Due to Crustle's access to Shell Smash, which allows it to beat Xatu and exert some offensive pressure, it should almost always be led with to set up entry hazards early on in the game. If the opponent has Xatu, it is better to simply attack or set up Shell Smash to prevent it from switching in and bouncing back the entry hazards. If there are probable or obvious Taunt users, it is advantageous to not lead with Crustle to prevent it from having a bad matchup on the first turn. If the entirety of the opponent's team is grounded, going for Spikes might be the best option, but Stealth Rock should be set up first the majority of the time.
Team Options
========
Crustle should predominately be used on hyper offense teams that appreciate its ability to set up Stealth Rock and Spikes. Defiant users such as Pawniard and Primeape are good partners to help deter Crustle's entry hazards from being removed by Defog. Ghost-types such as Haunter and Rotom can spinblock to prevent the foe from removing Crustle's entry hazards. Powerful attackers such as Magmortar, Zangoose, and Tauros enjoy Stealth Rock and Spikes on the opposing side of the field to make breaking down the opposing team easier.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Counter can allow Crustle to get a surprise KO on a physical attacker in a lead matchup or otherwise, and it works well with Sturdy. Running Shell Smash with three attacks such as Stone Edge, X-Scissor, and Earthquake is an option if Crustle can forgo setting up entry hazards in favor of being a stronger offensive threat. Toxic is an option to cripple opposing Pokemon that might try switching in to beat Crustle. Red Card is another option that forces the foe to switch out after attacking, possibly netting Crustle a more advantageous matchup where it can set up more entry hazards or Shell Smash. Mental Herb is a viable option to nullify Taunt and always ensure that Crustle sets up at least one entry hazard. Finally, a set utilizing Power Herb and Solar Beam can be used to weaken Rhydon and Quagsire without too much difficulty. However, Crustle's moveset being strapped often makes the majority of these options simply outclassed, so it's often just best to stick with Crustle's main job as an offensive entry hazard stacker.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Taunt Users**: Taunt shuts down Crustle by forcing it to attack, preventing it from using Shell Smash and setting up entry hazards. Pokemon such as Misdreavus and Pyroar can accomplish this but fear Knock Off and Rock Blast, respectively. Archeops and Floatzel have super effective STAB attacks and can effectively Taunt Crustle as well, but Archeops is threatened by Rock Blast.
**Bulky Setup Sweepers**: Pokemon that can boost with Bulk Up and take pittance from Crustle's attacks, such as Gurdurr, can beat it with ease.
**Multi-hit Moves**: Rock Blast and other multi-hit moves from Pokemon such as Rhydon can break Crustle's Sturdy and KO it before it sets up entry hazards or Shell Smash. Klinklang can also easily KO it with Gear Grind and can freely set up Substitute and Shift Gear should Crustle lack Knock Off.
**Mold Breaker Users**: Choice Band Sawk and Choice Band Pinsir can both use Stone Edge, OHKOing Crustle through Sturdy due to Mold Breaker and preventing it from setting up any entry hazards.
GP: Snobalt |
[OVERVIEW]
Crustle has access to both Stealth Rock and Spikes, as well as Sturdy, making it an excellent suicide lead. In addition, its Bug / Rock typing gives it a good matchup against Xatu, which is a common anti-lead that can utilize Magic Bounce to prevent entry hazards from going up on the opponent's side of the field; Crustle's STAB moves prevent it from coming in safely, while its access to Rock Blast allows it to beat other leads such as Archeops. However, Crustle's low speed means that it's often Taunt bait, preventing it from setting up Stealth Rock or Spikes if hit by the move. Furthermore, Crustle is ridiculously one-dimensional, as opponents will know its set the majority of the time and will often send out a lead with good matchup against it, occasionally preventing it from doing its job.
[SET]
name: Hazard Setter
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Shell Smash / Knock Off
move 4: Rock Blast
item: Custap Berry
ability: Sturdy
nature: Naughty / Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 HP / 0 Def / 0 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is arguably the best entry hazard in the game, and with Sturdy, Crustle is a very reliable setter of it. Spikes is another entry hazard that Crustle has access to and can often set aside Stealth Rock. Shell Smash boosts Crustle's attacking stats and Speed and enables it to pose an offensive threat, with Sturdy guaranteeing at least one chance to set up. Knock Off is an option that provides useful utility in removing the foe's item, especially against Pokemon such as Misdreavus and Gurdurr, which hate losing their Eviolite. Rock Blast is Crustle's main STAB attack and beats Xatu, which can bounce back entry hazards, as well as Focus Sash Archeops variants if the move hits more than twice. Stone Edge is an option if guaranteed power is needed and the higher chance to miss doesn't matter as much. X-Scissor is an alternative STAB move that hits Psychic- and Dark-types harder and takes advantage of Xatu when it uses Roost and subsequently loses its Flying-type, thereby beating it more reliably. It also prevents Lilligant from setting up Quiver Dance on Crustle. Earthquake is another option that hits Steel-types such as Pawniard, Klinklang, and Mawile for super effective damage.
Set Details
========
Custap Berry works well with Sturdy to get an extra layer of entry hazards up or an attack off before Crustle gets KOed. Sturdy prevents Crustle from being OHKOed by any one move, guaranteeing it can set up Shell Smash or entry hazards at least once. A Naughty nature is preferred, as after a Shell Smash boost, Crustle outspeeds virtually the entire unboosted tier. However, Naive is also an option, as +2 Crustle can then outspeed Choice Scarf users such as Sawk, Pinsir, and Mesprit, as well as +2 neutral-natured Gorebyss and Huntail. EVs are invested in Attack and Speed to maximize Crustle's ability to set up entry hazards as quickly as possible and to pose a decent offensive threat. 0 IVs in HP, Defense, and Special Defense allow Crustle to more reliably get into Custap Berry's activation range. 31 IVs in HP, Defense, and Special Defense can be used as well to avoid the 2HKO from Xatu's Psychic and then get into Custap Berry range.
Usage Tips
========
Due to Crustle's access to Shell Smash, which allows it to beat Xatu and exert some offensive pressure, it should almost always be led with to set up entry hazards early on in the game. If the opponent has Xatu, it is better to simply attack or set up Shell Smash to prevent it from switching in and bouncing back the entry hazards. If there are probable or obvious Taunt users, it is advantageous to not lead with Crustle to prevent it from having a bad matchup on the first turn. If the entirety of the opponent's team is grounded, going for Spikes might be the best option, but Stealth Rock should be set up first the majority of the time.
Team Options
========
Crustle should predominately be used on hyper offense teams that appreciate its ability to set up Stealth Rock and Spikes. Defiant users such as Pawniard and Primeape are good partners to help deter Crustle's entry hazards from being removed by Defog. Ghost-types such as Haunter and Rotom can spinblock to prevent the foe from removing Crustle's entry hazards. Powerful attackers such as Magmortar, Zangoose, and Tauros enjoy Stealth Rock and Spikes on the opposing side of the field to make breaking down the opposing team easier.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Counter can allow Crustle to get a surprise KO on a physical attacker in a lead matchup or otherwise, and it works well with Sturdy. Running Shell Smash with three attacks such as Stone Edge, X-Scissor, and Earthquake is an option if Crustle can forgo setting up entry hazards in favor of being a stronger offensive threat. Toxic is an option to cripple opposing Pokemon that might try switching in to beat Crustle. Red Card is another option that forces the foe to switch out after attacking, possibly netting Crustle a more advantageous matchup where it can set up more entry hazards or Shell Smash. Mental Herb is a viable option to nullify Taunt and always ensure that Crustle sets up at least one entry hazard. Finally, a set utilizing Power Herb and Solar Beam can be used to weaken Rhydon and Quagsire without too much difficulty. However, Crustle's moveset being strapped often makes the majority of these options simply outclassed, so it's often just best to stick with Crustle's main job as an offensive entry hazard stacker.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Taunt Users**: Taunt shuts down Crustle by forcing it to attack, preventing it from using Shell Smash and setting up entry hazards. Pokemon such as Misdreavus and Pyroar can accomplish this but fear Knock Off and Rock Blast, respectively. Archeops and Floatzel have super effective STAB attacks and can effectively Taunt Crustle as well, but Archeops is threatened by Rock Blast.
**Bulky Setup Sweepers**: Pokemon that can boost with Bulk Up and take pittance from Crustle's attacks, such as Gurdurr, can beat it with ease.
**Multi-hit Moves**: Rock Blast and other multi-hit moves from Pokemon such as Rhydon can break Crustle's Sturdy and KO it before it sets up entry hazards or Shell Smash. Klinklang can also easily KO it with Gear Grind and can freely set up Substitute and Shift Gear should Crustle lack Knock Off.
**Mold Breaker Users**: Choice Band Sawk and Choice Band Pinsir can both use Stone Edge, OHKOing Crustle through Sturdy due to Mold Breaker and preventing it from setting up any entry hazards.
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