[SET]
name: Sturdy Setup
move 1: Poltergeist
move 2: X-Scissor
move 3: Swords Dance
move 4: Baton Pass
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Sturdy
nature: Lonely
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Despite being rarely seen in the current metagame (which is probably Siamato's fault somehow), Sturdy Shedinja’s effective immunity to direct damage makes it a powerful wall and set-up sweeper. It is able to consistently switch into and force out dangerous threats like Tapu Koko, Barraskewda, Tapu Lele, Zarude, and even the resident Uber Zamazenta-C. Poltergeist and X-Scissor are Shedinja’s most powerful STAB options and provide excellent neutral coverage. Swords Dance allows Shedinja to overpower opposing walls like Corviknight, Blissey, Drampa, and Intimidate Polteageist lacking Toxic and makes it a dangerous late-game sweeper once its checks are removed. Baton Pass is useful in the early- to mid-game, as it allows Shedinja to switch into something it walls and then slow pivot to a teammate. It can even pass a Swords Dance boost to a teammate like Terrakion or Agility Suicune if the situation allows. Heavy-Duty Boots allows Shedinja to dodge entry hazard damage, which would otherwise KO it immediately. Attack and Speed are maximized because they are quite literally the only two stats that matter, and a Lonely nature helps against Transform.
Shedinja is a great addition to virtually any defensive core due to its ability to wall a wide range of threats. Shedinja does fear item removal from foes like Azelf and Mew, so Zamazenta-C and Sticky Hold Chansey and Landorus make fantastic partners. It also is KOed immediately by Toxic and Will-O-Wisp, so careful scouting is required to avoid an unexpected Toxic from wallbreakers like Terrakion and Kommo-o; however, if you are able to switch Shedinja into a predicted Thunder Wave or Glare, it becomes immune to these threats as well. A strong switch-in to Mold Breaker Heatran, like Primordial Sea Zapdos, is highly recommended, as Mold Breaker bypasses Sturdy. Shedinja forces a tremendous number of switches due to, again, its literal immunity to direct damage, so Spikers like Skarmory, Mew, Coalaossal, and Scolipede make fantastic partners. Dangerous wallbreakers like Terrakion, Tapu Lele, and Cinderace love Shedinja’s ability to bring them in safely with Baton Pass; additionally, Shedinja can virtually always switch into their revenge killers when they get forced out. Considering its amazing utility as a wall, pivot, and set up sweeper, it is a mystery why Shedinja has such low usage. #FreeAtha
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Shedinja can also run Toxic, Will-O-Wisp, or both to punish switch-ins in the early- to mid-game. However, this sacrifices Shedinja’s sweeping potential, and one wrong Toxic into an unexpected Magic Bounce is curtains for Shedinja 90% of the time. Lum Berry is an option as a one-time get-out-of-jail-free card against status but requires over-the-top entry hazard control. Lastly, Adaptability or Magic Guard Life Orb are options to increase Shedinja’s power, but the (one last time) literal immunity to direct damage offered by Sturdy is usually preferred. Lastly, Final Gambit is an option if you just want to give up.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Item Removal**: Knock Off, Trick, Switcheroo, and Thief from Azelf, Mew, Dhelmise, and Sneasel deprive Shedinja of its immunity to entry hazards and severely cripples its ability to switch in.
**Poison and Burn**: Unexpected Toxic from wallbreakers like Choice Band Terrakion can immediately KO Shedinja 90% of the time.
**Mold Breaker**: While rare, Mold Breaker users like Heatran bypass Sturdy.
**Necrozma**: Not going to lie, I forgot this existed, but it does; Photon Geyser bypasses Sturdy.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[UT, 523866]]
- Quality checked by: [[Osake, 524664], [The Number Man, 475804]]
- Grammar checked by: [[dex, 277988]]
name: Sturdy Setup
move 1: Poltergeist
move 2: X-Scissor
move 3: Swords Dance
move 4: Baton Pass
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Sturdy
nature: Lonely
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Despite being rarely seen in the current metagame (which is probably Siamato's fault somehow), Sturdy Shedinja’s effective immunity to direct damage makes it a powerful wall and set-up sweeper. It is able to consistently switch into and force out dangerous threats like Tapu Koko, Barraskewda, Tapu Lele, Zarude, and even the resident Uber Zamazenta-C. Poltergeist and X-Scissor are Shedinja’s most powerful STAB options and provide excellent neutral coverage. Swords Dance allows Shedinja to overpower opposing walls like Corviknight, Blissey, Drampa, and Intimidate Polteageist lacking Toxic and makes it a dangerous late-game sweeper once its checks are removed. Baton Pass is useful in the early- to mid-game, as it allows Shedinja to switch into something it walls and then slow pivot to a teammate. It can even pass a Swords Dance boost to a teammate like Terrakion or Agility Suicune if the situation allows. Heavy-Duty Boots allows Shedinja to dodge entry hazard damage, which would otherwise KO it immediately. Attack and Speed are maximized because they are quite literally the only two stats that matter, and a Lonely nature helps against Transform.
Shedinja is a great addition to virtually any defensive core due to its ability to wall a wide range of threats. Shedinja does fear item removal from foes like Azelf and Mew, so Zamazenta-C and Sticky Hold Chansey and Landorus make fantastic partners. It also is KOed immediately by Toxic and Will-O-Wisp, so careful scouting is required to avoid an unexpected Toxic from wallbreakers like Terrakion and Kommo-o; however, if you are able to switch Shedinja into a predicted Thunder Wave or Glare, it becomes immune to these threats as well. A strong switch-in to Mold Breaker Heatran, like Primordial Sea Zapdos, is highly recommended, as Mold Breaker bypasses Sturdy. Shedinja forces a tremendous number of switches due to, again, its literal immunity to direct damage, so Spikers like Skarmory, Mew, Coalaossal, and Scolipede make fantastic partners. Dangerous wallbreakers like Terrakion, Tapu Lele, and Cinderace love Shedinja’s ability to bring them in safely with Baton Pass; additionally, Shedinja can virtually always switch into their revenge killers when they get forced out. Considering its amazing utility as a wall, pivot, and set up sweeper, it is a mystery why Shedinja has such low usage. #FreeAtha
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Shedinja can also run Toxic, Will-O-Wisp, or both to punish switch-ins in the early- to mid-game. However, this sacrifices Shedinja’s sweeping potential, and one wrong Toxic into an unexpected Magic Bounce is curtains for Shedinja 90% of the time. Lum Berry is an option as a one-time get-out-of-jail-free card against status but requires over-the-top entry hazard control. Lastly, Adaptability or Magic Guard Life Orb are options to increase Shedinja’s power, but the (one last time) literal immunity to direct damage offered by Sturdy is usually preferred. Lastly, Final Gambit is an option if you just want to give up.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Item Removal**: Knock Off, Trick, Switcheroo, and Thief from Azelf, Mew, Dhelmise, and Sneasel deprive Shedinja of its immunity to entry hazards and severely cripples its ability to switch in.
**Poison and Burn**: Unexpected Toxic from wallbreakers like Choice Band Terrakion can immediately KO Shedinja 90% of the time.
**Mold Breaker**: While rare, Mold Breaker users like Heatran bypass Sturdy.
**Necrozma**: Not going to lie, I forgot this existed, but it does; Photon Geyser bypasses Sturdy.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[UT, 523866]]
- Quality checked by: [[Osake, 524664], [The Number Man, 475804]]
- Grammar checked by: [[dex, 277988]]
Last edited:
