smogon|veekun
[SET]
name: Bulky Shell Smash
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Waterfall
move 4: Aqua Jet
item: Eviolite
ability: Solid Rock
nature: Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 212 Atk / 12 Def / 76 SpD / 180 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>As with any Shell Smash Tirtouga set, this one uses its power and STAB coverage to tear through weakened teams or dent the opposing team early-game for another Pokemon to sweep later on. Eviolite Shell Smash Tirtouga is an effective spin on the standard Splash Plate variant, trading power for survivability. While this set fails to net some useful OHKOs that a Splash Plate-boosted Aqua Tail does, especially on Mienfoo, it has its own unique merits, such as unparalleled setup ability. Tirtouga switches in with defensive stats of 22 HP, 25 Defense, and 18 Special Defense, which, coupled with Solid Rock, give Tirtouga an easy setup on almost any Pokemon. For example, Tirtouga can boost in the face of powerful physical and special attackers and have enough HP left to survive many turns of hail damage. In fact, while Sturdy Tirtouga is automatically hindered by hail because it will finish off Tirtouga after Sturdy activates, this set has no fear of hail. Take a look at these impressive damage calculations:</p>
<ul class="damage_calculation">
<li>240 SpA Misdreavus Hidden Power Fighting 31.82% - 45.45%</li>
<li>80 SpA Murkrow Hidden Power Grass 68.18% - 81.82%</li>
<li>196 SpA Staryu Thunderbolt 40.91% - 54.55%</li>
<li>236+ Atk Drilbur Earthquake 59.09% - 81.82%</li>
<li>236 Atk Mienfoo Hi Jump Kick 68.18% - 86.36%</li>
<li>76 Atk Mienfoo Drain Punch 40.91% - 45.45%</li>
</ul>
<p>Tirtouga is also one of the very few Pokemon that can set up in the face of Murkrow, as Brave Bird does negligible damage and Sucker Punch can be evaded with Aqua Jet once Tirtouga reaches +2 Speed. Additionally, Tirtouga can choose to strike Murkrow either before or after it uses Roost depending on whether or not Tirtouga attacks with Aqua Jet, which makes predicting the moves of opposing Murkrow much easier.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Helpful teammates for Tirtouga, as with any sweeper, are those that can weaken or KO its checks. Unlike the Splash Plate Shell Smash set, this Tirtouga cannot OHKO defensive Mienfoo and Timburr; pairing Tirtouga with Shelmet provides Tirtouga with Spikes support as well as a counter to Fighting-types. Support from Mienfoo is favorable, as Mienfoo can cripple Tirtouga's checks with Knock Off. Without an Eviolite, Lileep and Porygon both have a small chance of being OHKOed by Stone Edge, and with Stealth Rock down, it becomes a dangerous 74.36%. Mienfoo can also do heavy damage to the aforementioned Tirtouga checks with its Fighting-type STAB moves. Murkrow, a Pokemon Tirtouga loves setting up on, is a common switch-in to Mienfoo and can be lured in for Tirtouga to set up on. Foongus is another solid teammate for Tirtouga, as it can put one of Tirtouga's checks to sleep as well as bait a Blizzard from Snover or a Brave Bird from Murkrow for Tirtouga to come in on. Foongus also does a good job of checking Timburr, as it takes miniscule damage from all of its attacks and can reset any Bulk Up boosts via Clear Smog. Another solid teammate is Magnemite, which can exterminate opposing Steel-types, namely Pawniard and opposing Magnemite trying to put an end to Tirtouga's sweep.</p>
<p>As far as alternate options go, Tirtouga does not have many. Aqua Tail can be used for general higher damage output against Pokemon that resist Stone Edge, but it does not score any notable KOes that Waterfall does not without Splash Plate and lacks Waterfall's useful flinch effect. Earthquake is another option to hit Croagunk and Steel-types, such as Magnemite and Pawniard, but Tirtouga will usually want both STAB coverage and priority, and as a result it is often hard to find room for Earthquake.</p>
