Carracosta (Skeleton QC 0/3)

AOPSUser

AOPSUser

[Overview]
-Bulk (something not many shell smashers have)
-Bad typing
-Solid Rock (something else over other smashers)
-SHELL SMASH!!!

[SET]
Name: Shell Smash
Move 1: Shell Smash
Move 2: Waterfall
Move 3: Stone Edge/Rock Slide
Move 4: Earthquake
Item: White Herb/Leftovers
Nature: Adamant/Jolly
Ability: Solid Rock/Sturdy
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe

[Set Comments]
-Earthquake for coverage against Lanturn.
-Rock move is up to you.
-Sturdy since there is no Hail in RU.
-Solid Rock is still viable as then you are not vulnerable to Scyther's Quick Attack.
-326 Speed still outspeeds much of RU.
-Jolly if you want to outspeed Slaking I guess...

[Additional Comments]
-White Herb to preserve defenses.
-Leftovers for survivability.
-Aqua Jet if you're really scared of Scarfers.
-You need something to take down Ferroseed. Magneton works. Also any of the many RU Fire types work.
-A spinner (Claydol, Torkoal, etc) is needed on the Sturdy set to keep Sturdy intact.

[SET]
Name: Curse
Move 1: Curse
Move 2: Waterfall
Move 3: Stone Edge
Move 4: Earthquake/Aqua Jet
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock
Nature: Careful
EVs: 252 HP/4 Atk/252 SDef

[Set Comments]
-Curse allows you to sponge hits along with Solid Rock.
-Aqua Jet gives you priority, while Earthquake gives you coverage.

[Additional Comments]
-You need something for Ferroseed. One of RU's many Fire types will work.
-Magneton can trap and KO Ferroseed.
-Aqua Tail can be used over Waterfall.
-Rock Slide can be used if you don't like to miss with Stone Edge.

[Other Options]
-Choice Band can be used I guess...
-Mixed set
-HP Fire for Ferroseed (need Special Attack EVs or Spikes to ensure KO)

[Counters]
-Grass, Fighting, and Water types in general
-Ferroseed, Tangrowth, and Poliwrath especially
-Grass moves
-Mold Breaker bypasses Sturdy and Solid Rock

[Dream World]
-Gets Swift Swim
-Unreleased
-You have to set up the rain yourself.
 
Shell Smash set should look like this:

[SET]
Name: Shell Smash
Move 1: Shell Smash
Move 2: Waterfall / Aqua Jet
Move 3: Rock Slide
Move 4: Earthquake
Item: Leftovers / White Herb OR Splash Plate (for Aqua Jet)
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

Life Orb, Stone Edge and Solid Rock in AC.

I often find that the most reliable way to sweep with Carracosta is to tank a hit with Sturdy to get in a Smash. If the opponent switches out instead of attacking, you now have a free turn to Smash again, and can easily sweep with +4 stats. Aqua Jet secures the sweep by guarding against priority, and can score a lot of KOes, especially with Splash Plate. Leftovers are great for recovery, and can heal back any residual damage Carracosta takes, reinstating Sturdy.

Solid Rock can be used in mush the same way, tanking hits with a sliver of health left and setting up, but Sturdy is leagues more reliable, and allows Carracosta to counter-sweep, which is a useful safety net. Rock Slide has better accuracy, and I haven't found myself missing any KOes by eschewing Stone Edge. The flinch chance is great as well, and can allow that second turn of Leftovers recovery needed to get back up to 100% and Smash on slower foes. Unreliable, but cool in a pinch. Life Orb is obviously counterproductive with Sturdy.

In counters, you need to mention Fighting-types, who can strike super effectively, and resist Rock Slide (Poliwrath especially), stuff like Moltres that commonly runs Grass-type moves and outspeeds, and priority, namely hitmonchan, Hitmonlee, Entei (ExtremeSpeed bypasses Aqua Jet, and can easily KO at lower percents), Shadow Sneak Gallade (kinda) and Honchkrow.

Also, mention what Carracosta is hitting with Earthquake. Qwilfish, Lanturn ect.

I really wanted this analysis, damnit...

EDIT: I just checked, and a Smashed Jolly Carracosta without Life Orb does roughly 90% to standard Ferroseed with HP Fire, and easy OHKO with SR or Spikes. AC mention maybe?
 
Tangrowth -> Counters. Carracosta has nothing that can let it get past the thing unless it runs Ice Beam, which is useless anywhere else.

Defensive Poliwrath also deserves a mention because it resists Stone Edge, heals from Waterfall/Aqua Jet, and doesn't get 2HKOed by Earthquake while either phazing you with Circle Throw or OHKOing you with your weakened defenses. It is likely the best Shell Smash Carracosta counter in the entire game because there is nothing Carracosta can do to 2HKO it.
 
Leftovers / Splash Plate for the Sturdy-Smash set. Waterfall and Stone Edge in Sturdy-Smash AC.
 
Ok, I discussed this with Texas Cloverleaf, and there are a few things we think you should do:

  • Generally add more description - you have basically no mention of teammates, which you should add (hazard setters, dual screeners, etc)
  • Merge the two Shell Smash sets
  • Move Tangrowth, Omastar, and Poliwrath to checks and counters.
  • Mention advantages over other Shell Smashers
  • Change the moves on the Curse set to Curse / Waterfall / Stone Edge / (Aqua Jet / Earthquake) and move Rock Slide and Aqua Tail to AC
  • Mention what speed tier you outspeed up to
  • Remove mentions of Snover and Qwilfish, as neither is allowed in RU at this point
  • Change the move order on the Shell Smash set to Shell Smash / Waterfall / (Stone Edge / Rock Slide) / Earthquake

I'll approve this after those changes are made.
 
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