www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/cloyster
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I tested this set extensively, and it certainly deserves an analysis. It is Exclamation Point's set idea that he sent to me, and asked me to test / write up if I thought it was good. And hell, its awesome. I realize now that I should probably have just written the whole "Cloyster UU Revamp", but it will just have to be done later for NU anyway (if it still stays in NU). It is featured in my latest RMT as well.
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[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker / Anti-Lead
move 1: Ice Shard
move 2: Surf
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Spikes / Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb
ability: Shell Armor
nature: Brave
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With Crobat and Roserade being common leads in the UU metagame, this mixed set makes a very good counter, as well as a mixed wall breaker. Ice Shard takes care of Roserade and Crobat easily, while Surf takes care of the bulky leads designed to deal with Crobat, such as Steelix and Regirock. Spikes is a great option on any Cloyster set, because Cloyster can easily deal with Crobat, one of the most common Taunt users that would otherwise stop you from setting up. If Crobat decides to stay in and Taunt Cloyster, it will simply be hit by Ice Shard the next turn before it uses U-turn, making Crobat unable to switch back in easily. After Cloyster has done all it can, it has an amazingly powerful Explosion, which even takes a chunk out of bulky Pokemon like Registeel.</p>
<p>Rapid Spin can be used over Spikes, to make beating greedy Focus Sash Roserade without allowing it to set up (Toxic) Spikes a much easier task. Roserade will likely use (Toxic) Spikes, expecting Cloyster to switch, however Cloyster can just use Rapid Spin to break Roserade's Focus Sash and spin away the Spikes, and simply KO Roserade the next turn with Ice Shard. Though, some Roserade may attack out in fear of Ice Shard, so basically it comes down to who predicts correctly. However, Spikes is usually a better option, as other Pokemon can use Rapid Spin more safely, and Pokemon to set up Spikes are hard to come by. Toxic Spikes can even be used over Spikes if your team would benefit more from the poison, however with Roserade and Drapion running around so often, Toxic Spikes are easily absorbed.</p>
<p>Cloyster has a lot of trouble against Moltres leads, because of Cloyster's weaker Special Defense stat. Milotic, Azumarill, and Slowking provide nice switch-ins to the Fire-types such as Moltres who force Cloyster out, especially Slowking who can also take Fighting-type attacks as well. Hitmontop works amazingly well with Cloyster, resisting the Rock-type attacks aimed at it, while also being able to Rapid Spin Stealth Rock off of the field, allowing Cloyster more switch-in opportunities. Roserade, Charizard, Moltres, and the like all make great partners as they can switch into the Grass-type attacks aimed at Cloyster.</p>
<p>A Life Orb, or "SubPetaya" variant of Yanmega greatly appreciates the Spikes support, because it grants Yanmega a ton of KOs that it otherwise could not accomplish. A Whirlwind variant of Crobat can also be used effectively with Cloyster, taking Fighting and Grass-type attacks aimed at Cloyster, while spreading residual damage. Yanmega and Crobat will also benefit from Rapid Spin support from Cloyster, as they both have a weakness to Stealth Rock. Pokemon such as Swellow will appreciate the fact that Cloyster can easily eliminate walls such as Regirock and Steelix, granting Swellow a higher chance to sweep.</p>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I tested this set extensively, and it certainly deserves an analysis. It is Exclamation Point's set idea that he sent to me, and asked me to test / write up if I thought it was good. And hell, its awesome. I realize now that I should probably have just written the whole "Cloyster UU Revamp", but it will just have to be done later for NU anyway (if it still stays in NU). It is featured in my latest RMT as well.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker / Anti-Lead
move 1: Ice Shard
move 2: Surf
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Spikes / Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb
ability: Shell Armor
nature: Brave
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With Crobat and Roserade being common leads in the UU metagame, this mixed set makes a very good counter, as well as a mixed wall breaker. Ice Shard takes care of Roserade and Crobat easily, while Surf takes care of the bulky leads designed to deal with Crobat, such as Steelix and Regirock. Spikes is a great option on any Cloyster set, because Cloyster can easily deal with Crobat, one of the most common Taunt users that would otherwise stop you from setting up. If Crobat decides to stay in and Taunt Cloyster, it will simply be hit by Ice Shard the next turn before it uses U-turn, making Crobat unable to switch back in easily. After Cloyster has done all it can, it has an amazingly powerful Explosion, which even takes a chunk out of bulky Pokemon like Registeel.</p>
<p>Rapid Spin can be used over Spikes, to make beating greedy Focus Sash Roserade without allowing it to set up (Toxic) Spikes a much easier task. Roserade will likely use (Toxic) Spikes, expecting Cloyster to switch, however Cloyster can just use Rapid Spin to break Roserade's Focus Sash and spin away the Spikes, and simply KO Roserade the next turn with Ice Shard. Though, some Roserade may attack out in fear of Ice Shard, so basically it comes down to who predicts correctly. However, Spikes is usually a better option, as other Pokemon can use Rapid Spin more safely, and Pokemon to set up Spikes are hard to come by. Toxic Spikes can even be used over Spikes if your team would benefit more from the poison, however with Roserade and Drapion running around so often, Toxic Spikes are easily absorbed.</p>
<p>Cloyster has a lot of trouble against Moltres leads, because of Cloyster's weaker Special Defense stat. Milotic, Azumarill, and Slowking provide nice switch-ins to the Fire-types such as Moltres who force Cloyster out, especially Slowking who can also take Fighting-type attacks as well. Hitmontop works amazingly well with Cloyster, resisting the Rock-type attacks aimed at it, while also being able to Rapid Spin Stealth Rock off of the field, allowing Cloyster more switch-in opportunities. Roserade, Charizard, Moltres, and the like all make great partners as they can switch into the Grass-type attacks aimed at Cloyster.</p>
<p>A Life Orb, or "SubPetaya" variant of Yanmega greatly appreciates the Spikes support, because it grants Yanmega a ton of KOs that it otherwise could not accomplish. A Whirlwind variant of Crobat can also be used effectively with Cloyster, taking Fighting and Grass-type attacks aimed at Cloyster, while spreading residual damage. Yanmega and Crobat will also benefit from Rapid Spin support from Cloyster, as they both have a weakness to Stealth Rock. Pokemon such as Swellow will appreciate the fact that Cloyster can easily eliminate walls such as Regirock and Steelix, granting Swellow a higher chance to sweep.</p>