[OVERVIEW]
Possessing immense physical bulk and passable Speed and Attack, Shellder has the right traits to pull off a successful Shell Smash set. Being a pure Water-type is also beneficial for Shellder, not only giving it a great number of setup opportunities but also making it neutral or resistant to all priority attacks. Additionally, Skill Link gives Shellder an edge over most other Shell Smash users, as it allows Shellder to circumvent Focus Sash Abra without giving up an important coverage move. Skill Link has some interesting quirks in LC, making Icicle Spear and Rock Blast hit far harder than their already impressive 125 Base Power would imply. However, Shellder heavily relies on Shell Smash to become a threat and can hardly afford not to run the move.
[SET]
name: SMASHING
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Icicle Spear
move 3: Rock Blast
move 4: Razor Shell
item: Eviolite
ability: Skill Link
nature: Impish
evs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 36 Def / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shell Smash makes Shellder super threatening, doubling both its Speed and its Attack. Icicle Spear and Rock Blast benefit from Skill Link, changing them from subpar attacks into Shellder's best offensive moves. Multi-hit attacks have some weird mechanics in LC, causing them to hit especially hard and be stronger than any of Shellder's STAB attacks. Moreover, Ice and Rock coverage is overall excellent, missing only Steel-types. Between just these two attacks, Shellder is truly an offensive threat and among the best sweepers in the tier. Razor Shell is used to OHKO Mudbray and most Steel-types easily. Ice Shard can be run instead, primarily to KO Doduo and Diglett before they can use their strong priority options to revenge kill a weakened Shellder; however, Razor Shell is generally better, as it makes Shellder far harder to wall.
Set Details
========
Skill Link is what makes Shellder so deadly, guaranteeing its multi-hit moves always hit five times, thus dealing the most possible damage. In LC, multi-hit moves are even more powerful than their Base Power would indicate thanks to the intricacies of the damage formula, giving Shellder amazing power. Shellder opts for an Impish nature over an Adamant one in favor of increasing its Defense to improve its survivability and setup capabilities, which are further bolstered by an Eviolite. The Attack investment without a boosting nature is more than adequate anyway, as +2 Icicle Spear and Rock Blast have the same damage rolls as they would with an Adamant nature. The Speed investment allows +2 Shellder to outspeed 17 Speed Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Mienfoo. The remaining EVs are invested into HP to give Shellder slightly better bulk.
Usage Tips
========
As with any sweeper, Shellder's checks need to be weakened before it can sweep. Some troubling Pokemon need to be scouted for, such as Chinchou and Tirtouga, as Berry Juice variants check Shellder while other variants do not. Otherwise, using Shellder is rather straightforward: set up on a physical attacker, avoid setting up on a status user, and proceed to sweep.
Team Options
========
Memento users, especially Cottonee and Diglett, pair well with Shellder, often giving it amazing setup chances and helping to keep it healthy enough to avoid being revenge killed. Diglett is also able to trap and weaken troubling Pokemon such as Chinchou and potentially Pawniard, while Cottonee is able to provide more utility through Knock Off support and act as a defensive pivot. Knock Off users are pretty good Pokemon to pair with Shellder too, as they remove Eviolites from the bulkiest Pokemon in the tier, allowing Shellder to blast through them. Vullaby is a great Knock Off user and is excellent at breaking down a number of checks it has in common with Shellder. Mienfoo and Timburr also pair well with Shellder, as they use Knock Off to remove Eviolites from some troubling Pokemon. More importantly, both are able to lure and exploit Croagunk and Snubbull, potentially removing one to make Shellder's sweep easier. Magnet Pull Magnemite is a decent partner that allows Shellder to drop Razor Shell and run Ice Shard to prevent being revenge killed. Abra with Knock Off and Shadow Ball is a good wallbreaker for Shellder, as the set lures and beats Slowpoke and Honedge, two of the better, though uncommon, counters to Shellder. Lastly, Stealth Rock support is a necessity, making most reliable Stealth Rock users a good pairing. Hippopotas, Onix, and Pawniard are particularly good teammates due to helping fend off Electric-types and being the most reliable Stealth Rock users available.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Shellder has a few other options, though most are not worthwhile. Choice Scarf Shellder is one such example, but it lacks a niche due to Life Orb Staryu and Alolan Sandshrew being better fast Rapid Spin users. Choice Scarf Shellder may potentially catch a few Pokemon by surprise and revenge kill Pokemon behind Substitutes, but beyond this, its uses are limited. Staryu and Alolan Sandshrew also outclass a bulky Rapid Spin set, as both are able to KO Pumpkaboo attempting to spinblock, and, unlike them, Shellder struggles to switch into attacks. Shellder can use Rapid Spin as its fourth move on the Shell Smash set for role compression, but it necessitates a lot of support and is seldom worthwhile. Hidden Power Fighting can also be viable as the fourth attack, though it messes up Shellder's EV spread and leaves Shellder walled by some Mudbray sets with the only benefit being reliably KOing Pawniard and Magnemite. Hydro Pump is a decent option, KOing Mudbray if it switches into Rock Blast and doing more damage to Pawniard; however, it tends to miss at unideal times. Life Orb Shellder is the most viable other option at Shellder's disposal, though it requires Memento support to set up and its largest upsides are seldom useful unless Knock Off support cannot be afforded.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Slowpoke**: Slowpoke survives any attack from even a boosted Shellder and stays healthy easily between Regenerator and Slack Off. Slowpoke is Shellder's largest issue, as even wearing it down is not enough thanks to Regenerator allowing for Slowpoke to switch in and heal at will.
**Bulky Pokemon**: Eviolite Spritzee proves to be an issue due to its massive bulk, but it cannot be hit by Knock Off lest a +2 Icicle Spear KO it. Similarly, Berry Juice Tirtouga and Chinchou can survive any one attack from +2 Shellder. Ferroseed is also able to defeat a boosted Shellder, though it needs to keep its HP high. Croagunk, while not especially bulky, is able to revenge kill with Vacuum Wave and can switch in on Razor Shell or Rock Blast.
**Choice Scarf Users with 18 Speed**: 18 Speed Pokemon holding a Choice Scarf such as Gastly and Doduo are able to outspeed Shellder even after it has boosted, exploit its lowered defenses, and usually OHKO even from full health.
**Intimidate**: Shellder relies on being at +2 to secure KOs, making the likes of Snubbull and other Intimidate users problematic.
**Steel-types**: Razor Shell is more than enough to handle a Magnemite set lacking Endure, but Endure + Recycle sets can be an issue. Similarly, Razor Shell only KOes weakened Pawniard, so if kept healthy Pawniard is an adequate counter. Pawniard's Sucker Punch is threatening to Shellder as well, forcing weakened Shellder to try to avoid the priority attack. Honedge and Bronzor are bulky enough to also take little from Razor Shell and therefore make good counters.
Possessing immense physical bulk and passable Speed and Attack, Shellder has the right traits to pull off a successful Shell Smash set. Being a pure Water-type is also beneficial for Shellder, not only giving it a great number of setup opportunities but also making it neutral or resistant to all priority attacks. Additionally, Skill Link gives Shellder an edge over most other Shell Smash users, as it allows Shellder to circumvent Focus Sash Abra without giving up an important coverage move. Skill Link has some interesting quirks in LC, making Icicle Spear and Rock Blast hit far harder than their already impressive 125 Base Power would imply. However, Shellder heavily relies on Shell Smash to become a threat and can hardly afford not to run the move.
[SET]
name: SMASHING
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Icicle Spear
move 3: Rock Blast
move 4: Razor Shell
item: Eviolite
ability: Skill Link
nature: Impish
evs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 36 Def / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shell Smash makes Shellder super threatening, doubling both its Speed and its Attack. Icicle Spear and Rock Blast benefit from Skill Link, changing them from subpar attacks into Shellder's best offensive moves. Multi-hit attacks have some weird mechanics in LC, causing them to hit especially hard and be stronger than any of Shellder's STAB attacks. Moreover, Ice and Rock coverage is overall excellent, missing only Steel-types. Between just these two attacks, Shellder is truly an offensive threat and among the best sweepers in the tier. Razor Shell is used to OHKO Mudbray and most Steel-types easily. Ice Shard can be run instead, primarily to KO Doduo and Diglett before they can use their strong priority options to revenge kill a weakened Shellder; however, Razor Shell is generally better, as it makes Shellder far harder to wall.
Set Details
========
Skill Link is what makes Shellder so deadly, guaranteeing its multi-hit moves always hit five times, thus dealing the most possible damage. In LC, multi-hit moves are even more powerful than their Base Power would indicate thanks to the intricacies of the damage formula, giving Shellder amazing power. Shellder opts for an Impish nature over an Adamant one in favor of increasing its Defense to improve its survivability and setup capabilities, which are further bolstered by an Eviolite. The Attack investment without a boosting nature is more than adequate anyway, as +2 Icicle Spear and Rock Blast have the same damage rolls as they would with an Adamant nature. The Speed investment allows +2 Shellder to outspeed 17 Speed Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Mienfoo. The remaining EVs are invested into HP to give Shellder slightly better bulk.
Usage Tips
========
As with any sweeper, Shellder's checks need to be weakened before it can sweep. Some troubling Pokemon need to be scouted for, such as Chinchou and Tirtouga, as Berry Juice variants check Shellder while other variants do not. Otherwise, using Shellder is rather straightforward: set up on a physical attacker, avoid setting up on a status user, and proceed to sweep.
Team Options
========
Memento users, especially Cottonee and Diglett, pair well with Shellder, often giving it amazing setup chances and helping to keep it healthy enough to avoid being revenge killed. Diglett is also able to trap and weaken troubling Pokemon such as Chinchou and potentially Pawniard, while Cottonee is able to provide more utility through Knock Off support and act as a defensive pivot. Knock Off users are pretty good Pokemon to pair with Shellder too, as they remove Eviolites from the bulkiest Pokemon in the tier, allowing Shellder to blast through them. Vullaby is a great Knock Off user and is excellent at breaking down a number of checks it has in common with Shellder. Mienfoo and Timburr also pair well with Shellder, as they use Knock Off to remove Eviolites from some troubling Pokemon. More importantly, both are able to lure and exploit Croagunk and Snubbull, potentially removing one to make Shellder's sweep easier. Magnet Pull Magnemite is a decent partner that allows Shellder to drop Razor Shell and run Ice Shard to prevent being revenge killed. Abra with Knock Off and Shadow Ball is a good wallbreaker for Shellder, as the set lures and beats Slowpoke and Honedge, two of the better, though uncommon, counters to Shellder. Lastly, Stealth Rock support is a necessity, making most reliable Stealth Rock users a good pairing. Hippopotas, Onix, and Pawniard are particularly good teammates due to helping fend off Electric-types and being the most reliable Stealth Rock users available.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Shellder has a few other options, though most are not worthwhile. Choice Scarf Shellder is one such example, but it lacks a niche due to Life Orb Staryu and Alolan Sandshrew being better fast Rapid Spin users. Choice Scarf Shellder may potentially catch a few Pokemon by surprise and revenge kill Pokemon behind Substitutes, but beyond this, its uses are limited. Staryu and Alolan Sandshrew also outclass a bulky Rapid Spin set, as both are able to KO Pumpkaboo attempting to spinblock, and, unlike them, Shellder struggles to switch into attacks. Shellder can use Rapid Spin as its fourth move on the Shell Smash set for role compression, but it necessitates a lot of support and is seldom worthwhile. Hidden Power Fighting can also be viable as the fourth attack, though it messes up Shellder's EV spread and leaves Shellder walled by some Mudbray sets with the only benefit being reliably KOing Pawniard and Magnemite. Hydro Pump is a decent option, KOing Mudbray if it switches into Rock Blast and doing more damage to Pawniard; however, it tends to miss at unideal times. Life Orb Shellder is the most viable other option at Shellder's disposal, though it requires Memento support to set up and its largest upsides are seldom useful unless Knock Off support cannot be afforded.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Slowpoke**: Slowpoke survives any attack from even a boosted Shellder and stays healthy easily between Regenerator and Slack Off. Slowpoke is Shellder's largest issue, as even wearing it down is not enough thanks to Regenerator allowing for Slowpoke to switch in and heal at will.
**Bulky Pokemon**: Eviolite Spritzee proves to be an issue due to its massive bulk, but it cannot be hit by Knock Off lest a +2 Icicle Spear KO it. Similarly, Berry Juice Tirtouga and Chinchou can survive any one attack from +2 Shellder. Ferroseed is also able to defeat a boosted Shellder, though it needs to keep its HP high. Croagunk, while not especially bulky, is able to revenge kill with Vacuum Wave and can switch in on Razor Shell or Rock Blast.
**Choice Scarf Users with 18 Speed**: 18 Speed Pokemon holding a Choice Scarf such as Gastly and Doduo are able to outspeed Shellder even after it has boosted, exploit its lowered defenses, and usually OHKO even from full health.
**Intimidate**: Shellder relies on being at +2 to secure KOs, making the likes of Snubbull and other Intimidate users problematic.
**Steel-types**: Razor Shell is more than enough to handle a Magnemite set lacking Endure, but Endure + Recycle sets can be an issue. Similarly, Razor Shell only KOes weakened Pawniard, so if kept healthy Pawniard is an adequate counter. Pawniard's Sucker Punch is threatening to Shellder as well, forcing weakened Shellder to try to avoid the priority attack. Honedge and Bronzor are bulky enough to also take little from Razor Shell and therefore make good counters.
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