Tirtouga
[Overview]
<p>Tirtouga is a relative newcomer in Little Cup but it certainly didn't take much time to settle down. Don't let the cute eyes and fins fool you though, this thing a monster if used properly. With a decent 78 Attack and Shell Smash, it reaches a frightening 34 Attack and 24 Speed. Excellent STABs in Waterfall and Stone Edge allow it to decimate most Pokemon. It even gets priority in STAB Aqua Jet. Its ability, Sturdy, prevents Tirtouga from getting OHKOed. However, Tirtouga does have some crippling weaknesses. Even after a Shell Smash, it can be outsped by Scarfed 17 Speed Pokemon, making it prone to revenge killing. It is also weak to Fighting-type priority. Nevertheless, Tirtouga can still be a threat to most teams if used properly.</p>
[SET]
name: Shell Smash
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Stone Edge / Rock Slide
move 4: Earthquake
item: Life Orb
ability: Sturdy
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Attack / 12 Def / 180 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>If Tirtouga is using a Naive nature it reaches a fantastic 34 Attack, 22 Special Attack and 24 Speed after after a single Shell Smash, allowing it to outpace and deal hefty damage to all non Scarfed Pokemon. Waterfall and Stone Edge are the primary STAB moves, and provide near perfect coverage and is resisted by only a handful of Pokemon. The choice between Stone Edge and Rock Slide depends on power versus reliability. Rock Slide has a greater accuracy and a chance of a flinch while Stone Edge has 20 more Base Power and has a high chance of a critical hit. In the last slot, Earthquake rounds off the overall coverage quite well.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p> Aqua Jet can also be used over Waterfall and allows Tirtouga to snip off weakened Pokemon thanks to the priority. Life Orb provides Tirtouga with the raw power which it needs to smash through most walls but Eviolite is still a viable option. It increases both of Tirtouga's defenses by one stage allowing it a decent amount of bulk which makes makes setting up easier. The EV spread is designed to give Tirtouga the maximum of Attack and Speed, so that it can outpace and decimate most Pokemon with its STAB moves. The remaining EVs were placed in HP and Defense so as to increase Tirtouga's bulk.</p>
<p>Since Tirtouga is completely walled by Ferroseed, a Pokemon able to take down Ferroseed is a necessity. Magnemite does this job quite well thanks to its ability preventing Ferroseed from switching out. From there, it can roast Ferroseed with a super effective Hidden Power Fire. Since, Shell Smash lowers Tirtuoga's defenses, Dual Screens go a long way in keeping it alive and also makes setting up easier. Abra and Bronzor can set up Dual Screens with ease. Finally, like every other sweeper Tirtouga's like entry hazards in place. Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes allow Tirtouga to net several important KOes and breaks enemy sashes.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Tirtouga does not exactly have a lot of options. It can run a Scarf set but it is rather slow even with a Scarf, getting outsped by Speed 19 Pokemon. Waterfall can be replaced by Hydro Pump, allowing Tirtouga to attack from both sides of the spectrum with its decent 22 base Special Attack. A Curse set is possible with Waterfall and Rock Slide but isn't as effective due to Tirtouga's sub par Special Defense and weakness to Grass-, Ground and Fighting-type attacks. Hidden Power Fire can be used to deal with Ferroseed and other Steel-types, however it makes Tirtouga a sitting for Croagunk who can smash Tirtouga into pieces with Vacuum Wave.</p>
[Checks And Counters]
<p>Ferroseed is the best possible counter to Tirtouga. It is resistant to both of Tirtouga's STABs and takes little damage from Earthquake. It can then proceed to KO Tirtouga easily with Bullet Seed or Gyro Ball. Pokemon with powerful priority attacks like Timburr can easily destroy Tirtouga with a Mach Punch, especially after Tirtouga has Shell Smashed, but it cannot switch in. Pawniward and Crougunk can take out Tirtouga out with Sucker Punch but both must be wary of Earthquake. Croagunk has the added advantage of being able to switch in due to Dry Skin.Speed 17 and above tier Scarf users like Joltik, Eletrike and Elekid can outspeed Tirtouga even after a boost and can KO with a super effective Thunderbolt. Slowpoke can eat all of Tirtouga's attacks and can KO with Scald or Surf.</p>
