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Crustle
- Thread starter pancake
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GP 2/2
[OVERVIEW]
Crustle has access to Shell Smash, making it a solid Pokemon in the PU metagame by transforming it into a threatening sweeper. Crustle also has access to Sturdy, Stealth Rock, and Spikes, making it one of the only viable hazard-stacking leads in the tier. In addition, it has a strong offensive presence with its access to the EdgeQuake combination, which is makes Crustle hard to check because it the two moves hits (You check Crustle; you don't check the moves) almost all of the tier neutrally, especially when combined with X-Scissor. However, Crustle's typing gives it weaknesses to common types such as Water and Rock while only gaining granting it resistances to Normal- and Poison-type moves. As a result, Crustle has trouble checking many threats in the PU metagame, and its weakness to Stealth Rock limits the number of times that Crustle can switch in. Despite Crustle having decent defenses, its poor defensive typing along with its lack of a form of recovery hinder its effectiveness as a wall. Crustle is also very slow for a sweeper, being outsped by Choice Scarf users such as Simipour and Rotom-F and fast Pokemon like Electrode and Ninjask, even at +2. As a suicide lead, Crustle faces competition from other leads in the tier such as Smeargle, Golem, and Rampardos. However, Golem and Rampardos do not have access to Spikes, and Smeargle has little to no offensive presence, giving Crustle a niche over all of them in the PU metagame.
[SET]
name: Crustap
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Knock Off
item: Custap Berry
ability: Sturdy
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is a solid way of weakening opponents foes upon switching in, and thanks to Sturdy, Crustle is able to set it reliably. Spikes is another form of entry hazard that can deal more damage to Steel-types and can be used in tandem with Stealth Rock. Stone Edge is a strong STAB move that allows Crustle to take on common hazard removers such as Vullaby and Cryogonal. Knock Off is a powerful move that is able to weaken checks to Crustle and other wallbreakers by getting rid of items like Eviolite and Leftovers. Earthquake is able to hit Steel-types like Mawile and Probopass for super effective damage; otherwise, Crustle wouldn't be able to touch them. Finally, X-Scissor can be used to hit Grass-types like Tangela, Quilladin, and Leafeon for extra damage. Otherwise, those Pokemon would be able to easily KO or set up on Crustle.
Set Details
========
Maximum EVs in Speed ensure that the most entry hazards possible are set by outspeeding opposing Pokemon like Probopass, Relicanth, and Roselia. Maximum EVs in Attack let Crustle keep offensive pressure and deal damage to hazard removers like Vullaby and Swanna. A Jolly Nature nature is used in order to outspeed maximum Speed Adamant Golem. The combination of Sturdy and Custap Berry allows Crustle to get up two entry hazards almost all of the time, if need be. If you do not need more entry hazards, Custap Berry can also allow Crustle to deal a lot of damage to the opponent foe with Stone Edge or Knock Off before it faints.
Usage Tips
========
You can use Crustle as a lead, as Stealth Rock and Spikes are more effective when they are set early. Look at your opponent's team before you choose to either set entry hazards, (RC) (and decide which ones to set), (RC) (subjective change but I wasn't a fan of the commas here) or get off damage on opposing Pokemon instead. For example, if they have three Flying-type Pokemon on their team, it is vital to get up Stealth Rock, but Spikes are unnecessary. If you are facing offense, you may not need to get up Spikes because they usually would not get any crucial KOs that would not be gotten from just Stealth Rock. If the opposing Pokemon lead is a Golem, it might be better to break Golem's Sturdy rather than set a hazard. Look out for priority users such as Floatzel and Monferno, as they outprioritize the Custap Berry's activation.
Team Options
========
This Crustle set works best as a suicide lead on hyper offense, as entry hazards can weaken the walls that are typical of balance teams and allow your Pokemon to sweep. Sweepers and wallbreakers like Stoutland, Mawile, and Ninetales appreciate the hazards that Crustle sets. In addition, sweepers like Monferno that appreciate weakening of Flying-types enjoy Crustle's Stealth Rock support, making them great partners. Spinblockers such as Misdreavus and Dusknoir work well with Crustle, as they can sometimes prevent the hazards that Crustle sets from being removed. Pawniard is another great partner for Crustle, as its ability, Defiant, punishes opposing Defog users.
[SET]
name: Shell Smash
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: X-Scissor
item: White Herb
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shell Smash doubles Crustle's Attack and Speed, turning it into a very threatening late-game sweeper late-game. Stone Edge, being Crustle's strongest STAB move, deals a lot of damage to anything that doesn't resist it. Earthquake is a solid coverage move that allows Crustle to hit Steel-types such as Pawniard and KO Pokemon such as Stunfisk and Golem after a Shell Smash boost. X-Scissor gains STAB and hits Pokemon such as Tangela that can shrug off Stone Edge and Earthquake after a Shell Smash boost.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment along with an Adamant nature is used to make Crustle as powerful as possible, while maximum Speed investment allows Crustle to outspeed Pokemon such as Jumpluff after a Shell Smash boost along with uninvested slower Pokemon like Politoed, Seaking, and Vullaby before a boost. White Herb offsets the Defense and Special Defense drops Crustle suffers from Shell Smash, letting it take hits from Pokemon like Choice Scarf Simisage even after a boost. Sturdy allows Crustle to take any one hit at full health, giving it an opportunity to set up a Shell Smash.
Usage Tips
========
Crustle should be saved for mid- to or late-game when its checks, including faster Pokemon like Choice Scarf Rotom-F and bulkier Pokemon like Gourgeist-XL, have been removed. At this point, it can set up a Shell Smash and sweep an opposing team. However, it can also wallbreak early-game. Crustle can be used to check Pokemon such as Stoutland and Ursaring, even taking advantage of them to set up a Shell Smash. However, it does not appreciate Superpower or Close Combat and is not a great switch-in for these Normal-types unless you plan on setting up a Shell Smash and sweeping right then after. Take advantage of more passive Pokemon, such as Torkoal, defensive Altaria, or and Quilladin without Roar, to set up a Shell Smash. However, as long as Crustle maintains Sturdy, it can set up on any Pokemon that it can outspeed and OHKO after a boost. Examples of Pokemon that fit into this category are Choice Band Dodrio, Simisear, and Stoutland. Be wary of opposing Choice Scarf users, as even after a Shell Smash boost, Crustle is outsped by Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Rotom-F and Choice Scarf Simipour. Fast Pokemon like Ninjask and Electrode can also outspeed it after a boost. Priority moves like Floatzel's Aqua Jet and Monferno's Mach Punch can easily pick off Crustle as well. Finally, Crustle can be used to pressure common spinners and Defog users such as Cryogonal, Pelipper and Vullaby with its strong Rock-type STAB move Stone Edge in order to keep hazards on the field.
Team Options
========
Crustle appreciates wallbreakers such as Stoutland and Simisage that can break down Pokemon such as Gourgeist-XL and Stunfisk, making it easier for Crustle to sweep. Pokemon such as Roselia and Stunfisk that can use entry hazards make for good partners for Crustle, as hazards are able to weaken checks to Crustle as they switch in. Bulky Grass-types such as Quilladin and Gourgeist-XL are able to take on Water-types such as Floatzel and Ground-types such as Golem, which Crustle struggles with. Memento from Pokemon such as Jumpluff can be helpful to grant easier setup opportunities for Crustle. In order to set up reliably, it is important for Crustle to maintain its Sturdy. As a result, hazard removers like Prinplup, Swanna, and Cryogonal help Crustle by letting it not have to switch into Stealth Rock or Spikes and keep its Sturdy.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rock Blast can be used over Stone Edge in order to gain accuracy, but in general, (AC) the loss of power is not appreciated. Toxic can be used to cripple Pokemon that commonly switch into Crustle, but extra coverage is usually better. A Jolly nature can be run on Shell Smash sets in order to outspeed Electrode after a boost, but generally Crustle appreciates the power that an Adamant nature provides. Endure can be used on the Crustap set in order to get up extra entry hazards against Pokemon moves that barely 2HKO it such as Monferno's Close Combat, which would usually result in Crustle only getting up one hazard. However, this costs Crustle a moveslot that which it can use for coverage, which is generally better. Defensive Crustle sets can be used, but they are almost always outclassed by other walls in the tier such as specially defensive Golem and physically defensive Relicanth.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Grass-types**: Pokemon such as Tangela, Quilladin, and Gourgeist-XL can take both Stone Edge and Earthquake from Crustle and put it to sleep or burn it in response. However, Tangela and Quilladin do not appreciate their items being Knocked Off, and they both should watch out for X-Scissor.
**Strong Special Attackers**: Due to Crustle's mediocre Special Defense, strong special attackers like Floatzel and Kadabra can OHKO or 2HKO Crustle with their respective attacks. However, these Pokemon tend to not be as bulky and can(remove space)not usually switch into Crustle.
**Faster Pokemon**: Even with maximum Speed EVs, Crustle is slower than most of the metagame and is even outsped by some Pokemon after a Shell Smash boost, like Choice Scarf Rotom-F and Ninjask. These Pokemon can then OHKO or 2HKO Crustle and prevent it from setting up too many entry hazards. However, they can(remove space)not switch into Crustle.
**Priority Users**: After Crustle has been weakened, priority users such as Floatzel, Monferno, and Dusknoir can come in and KO Crustle it with their priority moves before Crustle can KO them.
Crustle has access to Shell Smash, making it a solid Pokemon in the PU metagame by transforming it into a threatening sweeper. Crustle also has access to Sturdy, Stealth Rock, and Spikes, making it one of the only viable hazard-stacking leads in the tier. In addition, it has a strong offensive presence with its access to the EdgeQuake combination, which is makes Crustle hard to check because it the two moves hits (You check Crustle; you don't check the moves) almost all of the tier neutrally, especially when combined with X-Scissor. However, Crustle's typing gives it weaknesses to common types such as Water and Rock while only gaining granting it resistances to Normal- and Poison-type moves. As a result, Crustle has trouble checking many threats in the PU metagame, and its weakness to Stealth Rock limits the number of times that Crustle can switch in. Despite Crustle having decent defenses, its poor defensive typing along with its lack of a form of recovery hinder its effectiveness as a wall. Crustle is also very slow for a sweeper, being outsped by Choice Scarf users such as Simipour and Rotom-F and fast Pokemon like Electrode and Ninjask, even at +2. As a suicide lead, Crustle faces competition from other leads in the tier such as Smeargle, Golem, and Rampardos. However, Golem and Rampardos do not have access to Spikes, and Smeargle has little to no offensive presence, giving Crustle a niche over all of them in the PU metagame.
[SET]
name: Crustap
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Knock Off
item: Custap Berry
ability: Sturdy
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is a solid way of weakening opponents foes upon switching in, and thanks to Sturdy, Crustle is able to set it reliably. Spikes is another form of entry hazard that can deal more damage to Steel-types and can be used in tandem with Stealth Rock. Stone Edge is a strong STAB move that allows Crustle to take on common hazard removers such as Vullaby and Cryogonal. Knock Off is a powerful move that is able to weaken checks to Crustle and other wallbreakers by getting rid of items like Eviolite and Leftovers. Earthquake is able to hit Steel-types like Mawile and Probopass for super effective damage; otherwise, Crustle wouldn't be able to touch them. Finally, X-Scissor can be used to hit Grass-types like Tangela, Quilladin, and Leafeon for extra damage. Otherwise, those Pokemon would be able to easily KO or set up on Crustle.
Set Details
========
Maximum EVs in Speed ensure that the most entry hazards possible are set by outspeeding opposing Pokemon like Probopass, Relicanth, and Roselia. Maximum EVs in Attack let Crustle keep offensive pressure and deal damage to hazard removers like Vullaby and Swanna. A Jolly Nature nature is used in order to outspeed maximum Speed Adamant Golem. The combination of Sturdy and Custap Berry allows Crustle to get up two entry hazards almost all of the time, if need be. If you do not need more entry hazards, Custap Berry can also allow Crustle to deal a lot of damage to the opponent foe with Stone Edge or Knock Off before it faints.
Usage Tips
========
You can use Crustle as a lead, as Stealth Rock and Spikes are more effective when they are set early. Look at your opponent's team before you choose to either set entry hazards, (RC) (and decide which ones to set), (RC) (subjective change but I wasn't a fan of the commas here) or get off damage on opposing Pokemon instead. For example, if they have three Flying-type Pokemon on their team, it is vital to get up Stealth Rock, but Spikes are unnecessary. If you are facing offense, you may not need to get up Spikes because they usually would not get any crucial KOs that would not be gotten from just Stealth Rock. If the opposing Pokemon lead is a Golem, it might be better to break Golem's Sturdy rather than set a hazard. Look out for priority users such as Floatzel and Monferno, as they outprioritize the Custap Berry's activation.
Team Options
========
This Crustle set works best as a suicide lead on hyper offense, as entry hazards can weaken the walls that are typical of balance teams and allow your Pokemon to sweep. Sweepers and wallbreakers like Stoutland, Mawile, and Ninetales appreciate the hazards that Crustle sets. In addition, sweepers like Monferno that appreciate weakening of Flying-types enjoy Crustle's Stealth Rock support, making them great partners. Spinblockers such as Misdreavus and Dusknoir work well with Crustle, as they can sometimes prevent the hazards that Crustle sets from being removed. Pawniard is another great partner for Crustle, as its ability, Defiant, punishes opposing Defog users.
[SET]
name: Shell Smash
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: X-Scissor
item: White Herb
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shell Smash doubles Crustle's Attack and Speed, turning it into a very threatening late-game sweeper late-game. Stone Edge, being Crustle's strongest STAB move, deals a lot of damage to anything that doesn't resist it. Earthquake is a solid coverage move that allows Crustle to hit Steel-types such as Pawniard and KO Pokemon such as Stunfisk and Golem after a Shell Smash boost. X-Scissor gains STAB and hits Pokemon such as Tangela that can shrug off Stone Edge and Earthquake after a Shell Smash boost.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment along with an Adamant nature is used to make Crustle as powerful as possible, while maximum Speed investment allows Crustle to outspeed Pokemon such as Jumpluff after a Shell Smash boost along with uninvested slower Pokemon like Politoed, Seaking, and Vullaby before a boost. White Herb offsets the Defense and Special Defense drops Crustle suffers from Shell Smash, letting it take hits from Pokemon like Choice Scarf Simisage even after a boost. Sturdy allows Crustle to take any one hit at full health, giving it an opportunity to set up a Shell Smash.
Usage Tips
========
Crustle should be saved for mid- to or late-game when its checks, including faster Pokemon like Choice Scarf Rotom-F and bulkier Pokemon like Gourgeist-XL, have been removed. At this point, it can set up a Shell Smash and sweep an opposing team. However, it can also wallbreak early-game. Crustle can be used to check Pokemon such as Stoutland and Ursaring, even taking advantage of them to set up a Shell Smash. However, it does not appreciate Superpower or Close Combat and is not a great switch-in for these Normal-types unless you plan on setting up a Shell Smash and sweeping right then after. Take advantage of more passive Pokemon, such as Torkoal, defensive Altaria, or and Quilladin without Roar, to set up a Shell Smash. However, as long as Crustle maintains Sturdy, it can set up on any Pokemon that it can outspeed and OHKO after a boost. Examples of Pokemon that fit into this category are Choice Band Dodrio, Simisear, and Stoutland. Be wary of opposing Choice Scarf users, as even after a Shell Smash boost, Crustle is outsped by Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Rotom-F and Choice Scarf Simipour. Fast Pokemon like Ninjask and Electrode can also outspeed it after a boost. Priority moves like Floatzel's Aqua Jet and Monferno's Mach Punch can easily pick off Crustle as well. Finally, Crustle can be used to pressure common spinners and Defog users such as Cryogonal, Pelipper and Vullaby with its strong Rock-type STAB move Stone Edge in order to keep hazards on the field.
Team Options
========
Crustle appreciates wallbreakers such as Stoutland and Simisage that can break down Pokemon such as Gourgeist-XL and Stunfisk, making it easier for Crustle to sweep. Pokemon such as Roselia and Stunfisk that can use entry hazards make for good partners for Crustle, as hazards are able to weaken checks to Crustle as they switch in. Bulky Grass-types such as Quilladin and Gourgeist-XL are able to take on Water-types such as Floatzel and Ground-types such as Golem, which Crustle struggles with. Memento from Pokemon such as Jumpluff can be helpful to grant easier setup opportunities for Crustle. In order to set up reliably, it is important for Crustle to maintain its Sturdy. As a result, hazard removers like Prinplup, Swanna, and Cryogonal help Crustle by letting it not have to switch into Stealth Rock or Spikes and keep its Sturdy.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rock Blast can be used over Stone Edge in order to gain accuracy, but in general, (AC) the loss of power is not appreciated. Toxic can be used to cripple Pokemon that commonly switch into Crustle, but extra coverage is usually better. A Jolly nature can be run on Shell Smash sets in order to outspeed Electrode after a boost, but generally Crustle appreciates the power that an Adamant nature provides. Endure can be used on the Crustap set in order to get up extra entry hazards against Pokemon moves that barely 2HKO it such as Monferno's Close Combat, which would usually result in Crustle only getting up one hazard. However, this costs Crustle a moveslot that which it can use for coverage, which is generally better. Defensive Crustle sets can be used, but they are almost always outclassed by other walls in the tier such as specially defensive Golem and physically defensive Relicanth.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Grass-types**: Pokemon such as Tangela, Quilladin, and Gourgeist-XL can take both Stone Edge and Earthquake from Crustle and put it to sleep or burn it in response. However, Tangela and Quilladin do not appreciate their items being Knocked Off, and they both should watch out for X-Scissor.
**Strong Special Attackers**: Due to Crustle's mediocre Special Defense, strong special attackers like Floatzel and Kadabra can OHKO or 2HKO Crustle with their respective attacks. However, these Pokemon tend to not be as bulky and can(remove space)not usually switch into Crustle.
**Faster Pokemon**: Even with maximum Speed EVs, Crustle is slower than most of the metagame and is even outsped by some Pokemon after a Shell Smash boost, like Choice Scarf Rotom-F and Ninjask. These Pokemon can then OHKO or 2HKO Crustle and prevent it from setting up too many entry hazards. However, they can(remove space)not switch into Crustle.
**Priority Users**: After Crustle has been weakened, priority users such as Floatzel, Monferno, and Dusknoir can come in and KO Crustle it with their priority moves before Crustle can KO them.
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