[OVERVIEW]
Shellder is an elite setup sweeper in LC, using Shell Smash and Skill Link to fire off consistent multi-hit moves with Icicle Spear and Rock Blast. Having physical bulk gives it with enough oppurtunities to set up. Once boosted, it can outspeed and break through most of the metagame. However, its poor special defense, reliance on setup, and weakness to priority make it dependent on correct positioning.
[SET]
name: Shell Smash
move 1: Icicle Spear
move 2: Rock Blast
move 3: Liquidation / Protect / Substitute
move 4: Shell Smash
item: Eviolite
ability: Skill Link
nature: Adamant
tera type: Water / Rock / Ghost
evs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 36 Def / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Icicle Spear and Rock Blast are non-negotiable, as they are the hardest hitting moves in its arsenal. The last moveslot depends on what the team needs: Liquidation adds Water-type coverage, Protect scouts for Fake Out and scouting opposing Terastallizations, and Substitute can punish Sucker Punch or a passive play by giving Shellder a free setup turn. Adamant is chosen for the extra power, since +2 Speed already outspeeds every relevant Choice Scarf user. In terms of Terastallizations, Water boosts Liquidation damage, Rock provides a Fake Out resist while boosting Rock Blast damage, and Ghost blocks Mienfoo’s High Jump Kick to allow for setup oppurtunites. This array of possibilities makes it tough for the opponent to plan the optimal pathing to deal with Shellder.
Shellder fits easily on many team styles. It appreciates Knock Off support from Mienfoo and Vullaby to strip Eviolites from bulky checks such as, Mienfoo, Mareanie and Chinchou, as well as pivot support with U-turn to bring it in safely. Teammates like Mudbray or Chinchou handle Electric-types that threaten Shellder. Shellder also appreciates Stealth Rock and Spikes support from teammates like Mudbray, Glimmet and Toedscool to chip foes like Mienfoo to get them in range for the KO.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Tera Blast Grass or Ground are options that can catch Water- or Steel-type Terastallizations off guard that normally wall Shellder, but this is inconsistent and often comes down to 50/50 Terastallizations reads. Jolly can be used for insurance versus rare Speed ties in a mirror, but the power drop compared to Adamant is significant. Ice Shard is another viable option to outplay Sucker Punch or get the KO when you cannot outspeed. Shellder also has the option of running a special set with Hydro Pump, Ice Beam and Tera Blast.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Electric-types**: Chinchou and Elekid can KO an unboosted Shellder or force it to Terastalize early.
**Defensive Terastalizations**: Niche picks like Tera Water Chespin with Bulletproof wall Shellder completely, while staples like Mienfoo and Foongus often use Water or Steel Terastalizations to live a hit and recover health with Regenerator.
**Priority**: Grassy Glide from Grookey and Sucker Punch from Stunky or Alolan Diglett can KO Shellder after chip damage.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rahul_3301.537035/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/flou.605215/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.102/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
Shellder is an elite setup sweeper in LC, using Shell Smash and Skill Link to fire off consistent multi-hit moves with Icicle Spear and Rock Blast. Having physical bulk gives it with enough oppurtunities to set up. Once boosted, it can outspeed and break through most of the metagame. However, its poor special defense, reliance on setup, and weakness to priority make it dependent on correct positioning.
[SET]
name: Shell Smash
move 1: Icicle Spear
move 2: Rock Blast
move 3: Liquidation / Protect / Substitute
move 4: Shell Smash
item: Eviolite
ability: Skill Link
nature: Adamant
tera type: Water / Rock / Ghost
evs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 36 Def / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Icicle Spear and Rock Blast are non-negotiable, as they are the hardest hitting moves in its arsenal. The last moveslot depends on what the team needs: Liquidation adds Water-type coverage, Protect scouts for Fake Out and scouting opposing Terastallizations, and Substitute can punish Sucker Punch or a passive play by giving Shellder a free setup turn. Adamant is chosen for the extra power, since +2 Speed already outspeeds every relevant Choice Scarf user. In terms of Terastallizations, Water boosts Liquidation damage, Rock provides a Fake Out resist while boosting Rock Blast damage, and Ghost blocks Mienfoo’s High Jump Kick to allow for setup oppurtunites. This array of possibilities makes it tough for the opponent to plan the optimal pathing to deal with Shellder.
Shellder fits easily on many team styles. It appreciates Knock Off support from Mienfoo and Vullaby to strip Eviolites from bulky checks such as, Mienfoo, Mareanie and Chinchou, as well as pivot support with U-turn to bring it in safely. Teammates like Mudbray or Chinchou handle Electric-types that threaten Shellder. Shellder also appreciates Stealth Rock and Spikes support from teammates like Mudbray, Glimmet and Toedscool to chip foes like Mienfoo to get them in range for the KO.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Tera Blast Grass or Ground are options that can catch Water- or Steel-type Terastallizations off guard that normally wall Shellder, but this is inconsistent and often comes down to 50/50 Terastallizations reads. Jolly can be used for insurance versus rare Speed ties in a mirror, but the power drop compared to Adamant is significant. Ice Shard is another viable option to outplay Sucker Punch or get the KO when you cannot outspeed. Shellder also has the option of running a special set with Hydro Pump, Ice Beam and Tera Blast.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Electric-types**: Chinchou and Elekid can KO an unboosted Shellder or force it to Terastalize early.
**Defensive Terastalizations**: Niche picks like Tera Water Chespin with Bulletproof wall Shellder completely, while staples like Mienfoo and Foongus often use Water or Steel Terastalizations to live a hit and recover health with Regenerator.
**Priority**: Grassy Glide from Grookey and Sucker Punch from Stunky or Alolan Diglett can KO Shellder after chip damage.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rahul_3301.537035/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/flou.605215/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.102/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
Last edited:
