Volt-Turn sees less usage in higher level play, where Gothitelle is most effective. It deserves B rank. - In response to user:
the-bumper-car.
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B
At first, I didn't think Shuckle should be ranked, but
Mizuhime has changed my mind. It's the tier's best user of Sticky Web and isn't set-up bait, because of Encore. And it's very good at keeping it up (along with Stealth Rock).
Sticky Web Offense is viable, because of Shuckle - much like Politoed and Rain. The playstyle isn't the strongest, but it performs well against certain (common) team archetypes. I'm sure B- is the perfect rank for it.
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B-
People are probably going to go off at me for this, but I don't think Galvantula should be ranked. It's entirely outclassed (even in something so niche) by Shuckle. Heck, even Smeargle is more effective, because it has the crippling Spore and Nuzzle.
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Unranked
Mega Pinsir is affected by the sticky web unless it is switching in mega evolved and the opposite can be said about Mega Charizard X. One nice thing about galvantula is that it is very difficult to pin down due to volt switch and a 108 speed. This allows Galvantula to easily volt switch out of many undesirable match-ups. And Galvantula has the uncanny ability to beat many defoggers 1 on 1 if defog is used on the opponents first turn after switching in.
252 SpA Life Orb Galvantula Thunder vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mandibuzz: 398-471 (93.8 - 111%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Galvantula Bug Buzz vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Latios: 289-343 (95.6 - 113.5%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Galvantula Thunder vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 510-603 (152.6 - 180.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Galvantula Thunder vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Mega Scizor: 191-226 (55.5 - 65.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Galvantula Thunder vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Zapdos: 208-246 (54.3 - 64.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Galvantula Bug Buzz vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Latias: 190-226 (52.1 - 62%) -- 96.9% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
The offensive pressure that Galvantula provides scares out many of these common defoggers most used sets. If your opponent defogs with any of these defoggers while Galvantula is on the field, Galvantula can KO and setup hazards later. Only Latios, Mega scizor, and Latias are able to KO Galvantula if they go on the offensive instead of defogging, however if this happens, galvantula has kept sticky web on the field and you can then switch to the appropriate counter to the current defogger.
Just reiterating my post from earlier that was essentially ignored. Shuckle adds nothing to a team except for hazards and it has the slowest and most useless encore in the entire game. Shuckle is also really easy to defog against. Shuckle cannot function at all without Bisharp, Thunderous or Milotic which cannot be said about Galvantula as Galvantula does really well against most common defoggers.
Just for reference, I've posted this same thing about 3 times now and it seems like people stop talking about Galvantula every time I post it. Maybe a lead on lead comparison between Shuckle and Galvantula is necessary to get my point across.
252 SpA Life Orb Galvantula Bug Buzz vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Deoxys-D: 164-195 (53.9 - 64.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
or a more relevant calc
252 SpA Life Orb Galvantula Bug Buzz vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Deoxys-D: 211-250 (69.4 - 82.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
While Shuckle is completely shut down by taunt or sets up hazards for Deoxys D when Deoxys mirror coats. Shuckle is also completely worthless outside of hazards throughout a match except for maybe toxic if it stays alive long enough. Galvantula actually gives the king of all leads trouble as Deoxys is pressured to taunt or mirror coat to prevent sticky web and gets hit hard enough by bug buzz to allow something else that get's brought in by red card to KO .
Now I'm not trying to tell you all that Galvantula is this amazing Pokemon because it isn't, but I don't understand why anyone could think it is a bad Pokemon. It sets up a unique hazard and it has the ability to spam what essentially becomes a 120 BP discharge in Galvantula's hands. It provides enough offensive pressure to not allow its hazards to be defogged away instantly and taunting it could be a complete waste of a turn and a dead Poke. If everyone wants to move it down (which I still don't agree with), it should at least stay above the C- line as Galvantula is good at what it does even if the OU game isn't the best place for sticky web.