[SET]
name: Mixed Shell Smash
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Ice Beam
item: Life Orb
ability: Solid Rock
nature: Naive
evs: 28 Atk / 228 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shell Smash doubles Carracosta's Speed, Attack, and Special Attack, giving it great sweeping and wallbreaking potential. Hydro Pump swamps the numerous physically bulky Pokemon in the tier, such as Weezing, Gurdurr, Garbodor, Carracosta, Klinklang, Mawile, and other such Pokemon that would expect to take a boosted Waterfall. It also has enough raw power to 2HKO Quagsire, which may expect to comfortably sponge Carracosta's physical attacks, on the switch. Stone Edge is Carracosta's main weapon against Water-types, such as Lanturn, Ludicolo, and Samurott, as well as nailing Jynx and Roselia; it is also Carracosta's strongest attack in general. Ice Beam demolishes bulky Grass-types such as Gourgeist-XL and Vileplume and is more reliable than Stone Edge to KO frailer Grass-types with.
Superpower is a viable option to surprise Ferroseed and Hariyama, KOing them after a Shell Smash boost and Spikes damage, while also having enough power to beat the likes of Ludicolo at +2 and Jynx without risking a miss from Stone Edge. The Attack drop is not as much of a hindrance, as Carracosta can fall back on Hydro Pump, though the Defense drop alongside that of Shell Smash can make Carracosta more susceptible to priority attacks such as Sucker Punch and Mach Punch.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment coupled with a Naive nature allows Carracosta to Speed tie with opposing positive-natured Carracosta and offensive Adamant Rhydon while also outrunning positive-natured base 110 Speed Pokemon, such as Tauros and Archeops, after a Shell Smash boost. The Naive nature is chosen because Special Defense is Carracosta's least important stat. 28 Attack EVs allow Carracosta to OHKO bulky Lanturn with +2 Stone Edge after Stealth Rock, but 52 Attack EVs give +2 Superpower enough power to OHKO Ferroseed and Hariyama after Spikes. The remaining EVs are placed into Special Attack, maximizing Carracosta's damage output against the numerous physically bulky Pokemon in the tier, such as Quagsire, Weezing, Garbodor, Gurdurr, Gourgeist-XL, and Vileplume.
Usage Tips
========
Mixed Carracosta is primarily a wallbreaker that can punch holes in defensive cores expecting a physically inclined set. It can sweep late-game if given the chance, though its lack of priority makes it ill suited at that role. Carracosta can set up on Normal-type and Flying-type attackers such as Tauros, Kangaskhan, Archeops, and Scyther, as well Pyroar Choice-locked into a Fire-type move. It can also find additional setup opportunities by bluffing Aqua Jet to force out weakened foes and Pokemon weak to Water such as Pyroar and Magmortar. However, be aware of foes that Carracosta cannot outspeed after a Shell Smash boost, such as Sceptile, Floatzel, and Choice Scarf users, as they can easily stop its sweep.
Mixed Carracosta can be an effective lure, as revealing only Stone Edge would not give away Carracosta's true nature as a mixed attacker. Thus, Carracosta usually finds itself easily KOing the opponent's physically defensive Pokemon with its boosted special attacks. On the other hand, revealing Hydro Pump early prompts the opponent to switch in their specially defensive Pokemon or a Pokemon resistant to Water, most of which fear a boosted Stone Edge. Note that Carracosta's lack of priority means it should try to minimize damage when switching in and before it uses Shell Smash, as its opportunities to set up and thus punch holes can be diminished as a result.
Team Options
========
Spikes support is very helpful to help Carracosta achieve certain OHKOs; Garbodor, Cacturne, and offensive Roselia are good Spikers that can cover Carracosta's weaknesses to Grass, Ground, Fighting, and Electric as well. Stealth Rock Mesprit is a good partner as well, as it can take Ground- and Fighting-type attacks aimed at Carracosta, fend off Poison-types, provide Healing Wish support, and take on Hariyama should Carracosta lack Superpower. In return, Carracosta can take on the likes of Scyther and Skuntank for Mesprit. Pokemon like Sceptile, Tauros, Kangaskhan, Scyther, and Lilligant, which pressure offensive teams, can apply immediate offensive pressure and benefit from Carracosta's ability to lure their checks and counters while softening up the opponent's team. Fire-types, such as Pyroar and Magmortar, make for especially helpful teammates, as they can switch into Grass-type moves and Freeze-Dry for Carracosta while dispatching of Ferroseed, lessening Carracosta's need for Superpower.
name: Mixed Shell Smash
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Ice Beam
item: Life Orb
ability: Solid Rock
nature: Naive
evs: 28 Atk / 228 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shell Smash doubles Carracosta's Speed, Attack, and Special Attack, giving it great sweeping and wallbreaking potential. Hydro Pump swamps the numerous physically bulky Pokemon in the tier, such as Weezing, Gurdurr, Garbodor, Carracosta, Klinklang, Mawile, and other such Pokemon that would expect to take a boosted Waterfall. It also has enough raw power to 2HKO Quagsire, which may expect to comfortably sponge Carracosta's physical attacks, on the switch. Stone Edge is Carracosta's main weapon against Water-types, such as Lanturn, Ludicolo, and Samurott, as well as nailing Jynx and Roselia; it is also Carracosta's strongest attack in general. Ice Beam demolishes bulky Grass-types such as Gourgeist-XL and Vileplume and is more reliable than Stone Edge to KO frailer Grass-types with.
Superpower is a viable option to surprise Ferroseed and Hariyama, KOing them after a Shell Smash boost and Spikes damage, while also having enough power to beat the likes of Ludicolo at +2 and Jynx without risking a miss from Stone Edge. The Attack drop is not as much of a hindrance, as Carracosta can fall back on Hydro Pump, though the Defense drop alongside that of Shell Smash can make Carracosta more susceptible to priority attacks such as Sucker Punch and Mach Punch.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment coupled with a Naive nature allows Carracosta to Speed tie with opposing positive-natured Carracosta and offensive Adamant Rhydon while also outrunning positive-natured base 110 Speed Pokemon, such as Tauros and Archeops, after a Shell Smash boost. The Naive nature is chosen because Special Defense is Carracosta's least important stat. 28 Attack EVs allow Carracosta to OHKO bulky Lanturn with +2 Stone Edge after Stealth Rock, but 52 Attack EVs give +2 Superpower enough power to OHKO Ferroseed and Hariyama after Spikes. The remaining EVs are placed into Special Attack, maximizing Carracosta's damage output against the numerous physically bulky Pokemon in the tier, such as Quagsire, Weezing, Garbodor, Gurdurr, Gourgeist-XL, and Vileplume.
Usage Tips
========
Mixed Carracosta is primarily a wallbreaker that can punch holes in defensive cores expecting a physically inclined set. It can sweep late-game if given the chance, though its lack of priority makes it ill suited at that role. Carracosta can set up on Normal-type and Flying-type attackers such as Tauros, Kangaskhan, Archeops, and Scyther, as well Pyroar Choice-locked into a Fire-type move. It can also find additional setup opportunities by bluffing Aqua Jet to force out weakened foes and Pokemon weak to Water such as Pyroar and Magmortar. However, be aware of foes that Carracosta cannot outspeed after a Shell Smash boost, such as Sceptile, Floatzel, and Choice Scarf users, as they can easily stop its sweep.
Mixed Carracosta can be an effective lure, as revealing only Stone Edge would not give away Carracosta's true nature as a mixed attacker. Thus, Carracosta usually finds itself easily KOing the opponent's physically defensive Pokemon with its boosted special attacks. On the other hand, revealing Hydro Pump early prompts the opponent to switch in their specially defensive Pokemon or a Pokemon resistant to Water, most of which fear a boosted Stone Edge. Note that Carracosta's lack of priority means it should try to minimize damage when switching in and before it uses Shell Smash, as its opportunities to set up and thus punch holes can be diminished as a result.
Team Options
========
Spikes support is very helpful to help Carracosta achieve certain OHKOs; Garbodor, Cacturne, and offensive Roselia are good Spikers that can cover Carracosta's weaknesses to Grass, Ground, Fighting, and Electric as well. Stealth Rock Mesprit is a good partner as well, as it can take Ground- and Fighting-type attacks aimed at Carracosta, fend off Poison-types, provide Healing Wish support, and take on Hariyama should Carracosta lack Superpower. In return, Carracosta can take on the likes of Scyther and Skuntank for Mesprit. Pokemon like Sceptile, Tauros, Kangaskhan, Scyther, and Lilligant, which pressure offensive teams, can apply immediate offensive pressure and benefit from Carracosta's ability to lure their checks and counters while softening up the opponent's team. Fire-types, such as Pyroar and Magmortar, make for especially helpful teammates, as they can switch into Grass-type moves and Freeze-Dry for Carracosta while dispatching of Ferroseed, lessening Carracosta's need for Superpower.
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