Cloyster (Analysis)

[Chris Pepps]

I've noticed that this set for Cloyster is becoming quite popular on PO...

Cloyster @ Focus Sash
Ability: Skill Link
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
-Icicle Spear
-Rock Blast
-Ice Shard
-Shell Smash

 

[AccidentalGreed]

Quite frankly, without Life Orb or any other boosting item, this Cloyster is pretty lacking offensively. If Cloyster's resorting to Focus Sash (of all the items....), it might not be too viable.

 

[Lee]

Ctrl + F Politoed.

0 Results.

Noooooooooooo :(

Politoed is the best partner Cloyster could ever ask for and for two main reasons.

The first reason is that the 50% boost to his tertiary attack is very significant and allows him to OHKO a few important Pokemon that would otherwise check him. Observe (blue calculations represent Rain).

Adamant 252 Atk +2 Razor Shell vs 248/0 Scizor = 63% - 74%
Adamant 252 Atk +2 Razor Shell vs 248/0 Scizor = 94% - 111%

Adamant 252 Atk +2 Razor Shell vs 4/0 Magnezone = 68% - 80%
Adamant 252 Atk +2 Razor Shell vs 4/0 Magnezone = 102% - 120%

Adamant 252 Atk +2 Razor Shell vs 252/0 Jirachi = 53% - 63%
Adamant 252 Atk +2 Razor Shell vs 252/0 Jirachi = 80% - 94%

Adamant 252 Atk +2 Razor Shell vs 4/0 Jirachi = 63% - 74%
Adamant 252 Atk +2 Razor Shell vs 4/0 Jirachi = 94% - 111%

48 SpA +2 Hydro Pump vs 252/252+ Forretress = 66% - 78%
48 SpA +2 Hydro Pump vs 252/252+ Forretress = 99% - 116%

48 SpA +2 Hydro Pump vs 252/0 Metagross = 71% - 84%
48 SpA +2 Hydro Pump vs 252/0 Metagross = 107% - 126%

48 SpA +0 Hydro Pump vs 252/0 Quagsire = 42% - 51%
48 SpA +0 Hydro Pump vs 252/0 Quagsire = 64% - 76%

That should speak for itself so I'll move straight onto the second reason - if your Politoed is controlling the weather then the opponent cannot revenge you with Excadrill or Chlorophyll sweepers. Simple, but very important.

So Rain makes Cloyster a lot more difficult to counter by removing 2 of the main checks that teams rely upon - bulky Steel types and speedy weather sweepers.

Quite frankly, without Life Orb or any other boosting item, this Cloyster is pretty lacking offensively. If Cloyster's resorting to Focus Sash (of all the items....), it might not be too viable.

Yeah, I'm inclined to agree actually. I'd never use Life Orb because Cloyster already gets his arse kicked by residual damage and, even after a Smash, he enjoys having as much HP as possible since he can still tank most priority hits (CB Scizor does around 64% and Roobushin does about the same).

I actually like Icicle Plate since it gives you the muscle to OHKO Ferrothorn (101% avg damage versus 252/48 Ferrothorn) without giving you all the drawbacks of Life Orb. And lets face it, Skill Link Icicle Spear is pretty much the best thing ever so 'play to your strengths.'

 

[prem]

why not run metronome (the item) over icicle spear. it allows rock blast to be stronger as well

edit: oh well... i should probably tell my friend that xD

 

[Lee]

why not run metronome (the item) over icicle spear. it allows rock blast to be stronger as well

Because Metronome + multi-hit moves don't work like that.

 

[Aerodactyl Legend]

Because Metronome + multi-hit moves don't work like that.

Haha, if it did, it still wouldn't be a good idea.

 

[ParaChomp]

If the Metronome did count the amount of times a move hit, it would be amazing! Icicle Spear's power could reach 375 (with stab) in 2 turns.

A bit late but I think Twineedle deserves a mention to not be used. It always hits twice and Skill Link doesn't affect it. Though, that's just me.

I've been using Espeon and Wobbuffet with Cloyster lately and it works so well. Espeon puts up the screens allowing Cloyster to Shell Break more while Wobbuffet destroys unwanted pests.

 

[zdrup15]

I'll edit the analysis in a bit to add Toed's mention

EDIT: Done

 

[Lord Dakoth]

Just a little omission that I found:

One should then use 252 Attack EVs to maximize the damage output and invest the rest into HP to give a small boost to Cloyster's bulk.

 

[Fatecrashers]

uploaded