QC: A Yogibears / The Big MZ / Jklioe
GP: A Cake Wearing A Hat / The Dutch PlumberJack
[OVERVIEW]
Shuckle's great bulk and access to Stealth Rock give it a niche over other Sticky Web setters. The rest of its movepool furthers this, with good support moves such as Encore, Knock Off, and Infestation. Shuckle's amazing base 230 defenses and tolerable Bug / Rock typing give it a good amount of longevity, allowing it to more easily set up entry hazards and not always serve simply as a suicide lead. It also lets Shuckle perform well on both hyper and bulky offensive teams. However, the rest of its stats are utterly atrocious, with absolutely no offensive presence, the lowest base Speed in the game, and a low HP stat that its defenses do not appreciate. Furthermore, it faces a good amount of competition from other Sticky Web setters, such as Smeargle and Leavanny. On top of their much higher Speed stats, Smeargle has a better support movepool with access to moves such as Spore and Taunt to give it an easier matchup against slower foes and Nuzzle to cripple faster foes. Leavanny provides an offensive presence that threatens entry hazard removers such as Skuntank and has support moves of its own such as Magic Coat, which helps against opposing leads and Taunt users. Despite this, Shuckle maintains its niche with its much better bulk, which allows it to set both hazards more reliably than Smeargle, and its access to Stealth Rock, unlike Leavanny, which allows it to also pressure bulkier teams that do not mind Sticky Web. Shuckle's bulk and access to Sturdy also allow it to hold a Mental Herb, although the item can only be used once. However, this makes it less reliant on predictions through moves such as Spore and Magic Coat to get up hazards against Taunt users like Pyroar and Alolan Persian.
[SET]
name: Sticky Web Setter
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Encore
move 4: Toxic / Knock Off / Infestation
item: Mental Herb
ability: Sturdy
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Sticky Web provides support for Shuckle's teammates, slowing down all of the opponent's grounded Pokemon, which can help against faster threats and allows the team to more efficiently overwhelm the opponent. Stealth Rock is another way for Shuckle to help out its teammates, weakening foes as they switch. This is especially useful against Flying-types like Swanna, which are immune to Sticky Web, and bulkier teams that do not mind the Speed decrease. Encore can lock Pokemon such as Mesprit and Regirock into moves like Stealth Rock so that Shuckle can set up its entry hazards more easily. It also gives Shuckle a way to deal with foes that may try to set up on it such as Kingler, but Shuckle should stay wary of Z-Move users like Alolan Raticate and Lycanroc, which can bypass Encore for a turn. Toxic gives Shuckle a way to deal a decent amount of damage over time and can be used to whittle down bulkier foes such as Spiritomb and Eelektross that can potentially give its teammates trouble. Knock Off is another way to weaken these bulkier threats, as well as Eviolite users like Clefairy and Ferroseed. It can also cripple Choice Scarf users such as Togedemaru and Primeape, as their Choice Scarf would otherwise cancel out Sticky Web's Speed decrease. Finally, Infestation traps Pokemon Shuckle can use as setup fodder such as Kangaskhan. It goes well with Encore, as it can trap Pokemon that are locked into a preferred move. It also deals some chip damage each turn, giving it a similar effect to Toxic, albeit less intense. Both Knock Off and Infestation are notably not stopped by Taunt.
Set Details
========
Maximum EVs in HP and Special Defense with a Calm nature allow Shuckle to better take special hits from Pokemon such as Pyroar and Aurorus so it can more reliably set up entry hazards. Mental Herb gives Shuckle one-time protection from Taunt and Encore users like Weezing, Alolan Persian, and lead Aurorus, which almost guarantees it will be able to set up at least one of its hazards. Sturdy further ensures this, allowing it to take at least one hit from powerful attackers that could otherwise OHKO Shuckle like Kingler and Choice Band Aggron, as well as potential critical hits.
Usage Tips
========
Shuckle is a dedicated lead, so it should be sent out first to get up its entry hazards as soon as possible. Against opposing balance and offense, its primary goal should be to set up Sticky Web before Stealth Rock, as its teammates will often benefit from the foes' Speed drops. However, if facing a more defensive team, Stealth Rock should be your priority, as bulky Pokemon care little about Sticky Web's Speed decrease. Shuckle can be used as an outright suicide lead if you do not fear the opponent's hazard removal. In this case, if it manages to set up both hazards, it should use its remaining turns to utilize its support moves like Toxic and Knock Off to cripple the opposing team as much as it can. On bulky offense teams, after setting up hazards, Shuckle can be withdrawn and saved for later to reset the hazards if need be, utilize its support moves, check certain threats, or simply be used as death fodder. A similar strategy can be used if Shuckle is matched up against a Pokemon such as Kingler, as due to the predictability of leading Shuckle, the opponent may try to lead with a Pokemon that has a good matchup against it. Another option in such situations is to not lead with Shuckle but instead lead with a Pokemon that has a better matchup while saving Shuckle for a later opportunity to switch in and set up the hazards. If the opponent leads with a Pokemon that can potentially set up, like Calm Mind or Stealth Rock Clefairy or Shell Smash Carracosta, Encore is an option to go for first turn. Shuckle can use the locked foe as a chance to set up its hazards, or even disable them from switching with Infestation. This can also be used as an opportunity for Shuckle to switch into a more offensive teammate. However, be wary that the opponent may just switch out for a better matchup, making Encore fail altogether. Finally, Shuckle can help against Trick Room and weather teams, as it can utilize its low Speed to Encore the opposing lead into moves like Rain Dance and Stealth Rock, and even trap them with Infestation to waste turns. Weather teams also do not appreciate Sticky Web.
Team Options
========
Shuckle should be run on Sticky Web-based offensive teams. Such teams generally include decently fast setup sweepers, such as Kingler, Alolan Raticate, and Gorebyss, that can take advantage of the Sticky Web to more easily sweep with less fear of being outsped. Faster setup sweepers such as Lilligant, Jynx, and Zangoose and other faster Pokemon such as Pyroar and Floatzel similarly appreciate being able to more reliably outspeed foes, specifically Choice Scarf users such as Primeape and Togedemaru. Finally, slower wallbreakers such as Ursaring and Shiftry benefit from Sticky Web, as they can supply immediate power without having to fear being easily revenge killed. Primeape and Pawniard both run Defiant, which allows them to switch in against and take advantage of Defog users like Skuntank and Silvally-Fairy. They also often pressure the opponent into being more hesitant to use Defog altogether. Ghost-types like Oricorio-G and Haunter can block the other form of entry hazard removal in Rapid Spin and can help against Defiant Primeape. Although they take a decent amount from Stealth Rock, Flying-types like Swanna and Oricorio-G are immune to Sticky Web, making them large threats to these teams. Therefore, Pokemon that can check them such as Manectric and Choice Scarf Togedemaru can come in handy.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A physically defensive spread can be run to better wall physical attackers, although Shuckle's natural physical bulk and typing already allow it to wall Pokemon such as Kangaskhan and Spiritomb. Rock Tomb is an alternate option for one of Shuckle's support moves, as it lowers the Speed of the opponent's lead as well as any Flying-types, which are immune to Sticky Web. However, Rock Tomb is much more situational compared to Shuckle's other support moves, especially because Flying-types can just switch out to reset their Speed and are already bothered by Shuckle's other support moves. Leftovers increases Shuckle's longevity, but without a Mental Herb, Shuckle is left much more vulnerable to Taunt and Encore. Rest is another way to accomplish this, but it can be easily taken advantage of by foes, forces Shuckle to lose out on a support move, and drains all momentum, which is counterproductive on an offensive team. However, Rest can be run on a dedicated trapping set that utilizes Infestation. On bulkier teams, Shuckle can utilize its high defenses and good support movepool to run a more defensive oriented set, replacing Sticky Web with another of its support moves. However, this is generally better accomplished by Pokemon like Regirock with its better defensive typing.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Taunt Users**: Due to the Mental Herb's single-use nature, Taunt restricts Shuckle to only setting one of its two entry hazards for the time being. It also disables Shuckle's ability to use many of its support moves, such as Encore and Toxic. Pokemon such as Weezing, Alolan Persian, and Sableye are all examples of Taunt users. After using Taunt, Weezing can also use Shuckle as fodder to set up Toxic Spikes.
**Entry Hazard Removers**: Pokemon with access to hazard removal like Skuntank, Swanna, Hitmonchan, and Silvally-Fairy can discard Shuckle's entry hazards, although they can be crippled by utility moves such as Encore and Infestation.
**Z-Move Setup Sweepers**: Pokemon such as Lycanroc, Alolan Raticate, Carracosta, and Gorebyss can essentially use Shuckle as setup fodder without much fear of Encore, as even if it switches out, their Z-Moves allow them to break through Encore for a single turn. These sweepers can be hard for the rest of the team to revenge kill for various reasons, such as their naturally high Speed, access to priority, ability to boost their Speed with Shell Smash, and use of Substitute, respectively.
**Strong Attackers**: Pokemon that can 2HKO Shuckle such as Floatzel, Golem, Ludicolo, and Choice Band Mudsdale can limit it to setting up only one of its entry hazards. If Sturdy is broken, Kingler and Choice Band Aggron can OHKO Shuckle. Aggron is also notable because it is immune to Toxic and its non-Choice Band variants run Taunt.
GP: A Cake Wearing A Hat / The Dutch PlumberJack
[OVERVIEW]
Shuckle's great bulk and access to Stealth Rock give it a niche over other Sticky Web setters. The rest of its movepool furthers this, with good support moves such as Encore, Knock Off, and Infestation. Shuckle's amazing base 230 defenses and tolerable Bug / Rock typing give it a good amount of longevity, allowing it to more easily set up entry hazards and not always serve simply as a suicide lead. It also lets Shuckle perform well on both hyper and bulky offensive teams. However, the rest of its stats are utterly atrocious, with absolutely no offensive presence, the lowest base Speed in the game, and a low HP stat that its defenses do not appreciate. Furthermore, it faces a good amount of competition from other Sticky Web setters, such as Smeargle and Leavanny. On top of their much higher Speed stats, Smeargle has a better support movepool with access to moves such as Spore and Taunt to give it an easier matchup against slower foes and Nuzzle to cripple faster foes. Leavanny provides an offensive presence that threatens entry hazard removers such as Skuntank and has support moves of its own such as Magic Coat, which helps against opposing leads and Taunt users. Despite this, Shuckle maintains its niche with its much better bulk, which allows it to set both hazards more reliably than Smeargle, and its access to Stealth Rock, unlike Leavanny, which allows it to also pressure bulkier teams that do not mind Sticky Web. Shuckle's bulk and access to Sturdy also allow it to hold a Mental Herb, although the item can only be used once. However, this makes it less reliant on predictions through moves such as Spore and Magic Coat to get up hazards against Taunt users like Pyroar and Alolan Persian.
[SET]
name: Sticky Web Setter
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Encore
move 4: Toxic / Knock Off / Infestation
item: Mental Herb
ability: Sturdy
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Sticky Web provides support for Shuckle's teammates, slowing down all of the opponent's grounded Pokemon, which can help against faster threats and allows the team to more efficiently overwhelm the opponent. Stealth Rock is another way for Shuckle to help out its teammates, weakening foes as they switch. This is especially useful against Flying-types like Swanna, which are immune to Sticky Web, and bulkier teams that do not mind the Speed decrease. Encore can lock Pokemon such as Mesprit and Regirock into moves like Stealth Rock so that Shuckle can set up its entry hazards more easily. It also gives Shuckle a way to deal with foes that may try to set up on it such as Kingler, but Shuckle should stay wary of Z-Move users like Alolan Raticate and Lycanroc, which can bypass Encore for a turn. Toxic gives Shuckle a way to deal a decent amount of damage over time and can be used to whittle down bulkier foes such as Spiritomb and Eelektross that can potentially give its teammates trouble. Knock Off is another way to weaken these bulkier threats, as well as Eviolite users like Clefairy and Ferroseed. It can also cripple Choice Scarf users such as Togedemaru and Primeape, as their Choice Scarf would otherwise cancel out Sticky Web's Speed decrease. Finally, Infestation traps Pokemon Shuckle can use as setup fodder such as Kangaskhan. It goes well with Encore, as it can trap Pokemon that are locked into a preferred move. It also deals some chip damage each turn, giving it a similar effect to Toxic, albeit less intense. Both Knock Off and Infestation are notably not stopped by Taunt.
Set Details
========
Maximum EVs in HP and Special Defense with a Calm nature allow Shuckle to better take special hits from Pokemon such as Pyroar and Aurorus so it can more reliably set up entry hazards. Mental Herb gives Shuckle one-time protection from Taunt and Encore users like Weezing, Alolan Persian, and lead Aurorus, which almost guarantees it will be able to set up at least one of its hazards. Sturdy further ensures this, allowing it to take at least one hit from powerful attackers that could otherwise OHKO Shuckle like Kingler and Choice Band Aggron, as well as potential critical hits.
Usage Tips
========
Shuckle is a dedicated lead, so it should be sent out first to get up its entry hazards as soon as possible. Against opposing balance and offense, its primary goal should be to set up Sticky Web before Stealth Rock, as its teammates will often benefit from the foes' Speed drops. However, if facing a more defensive team, Stealth Rock should be your priority, as bulky Pokemon care little about Sticky Web's Speed decrease. Shuckle can be used as an outright suicide lead if you do not fear the opponent's hazard removal. In this case, if it manages to set up both hazards, it should use its remaining turns to utilize its support moves like Toxic and Knock Off to cripple the opposing team as much as it can. On bulky offense teams, after setting up hazards, Shuckle can be withdrawn and saved for later to reset the hazards if need be, utilize its support moves, check certain threats, or simply be used as death fodder. A similar strategy can be used if Shuckle is matched up against a Pokemon such as Kingler, as due to the predictability of leading Shuckle, the opponent may try to lead with a Pokemon that has a good matchup against it. Another option in such situations is to not lead with Shuckle but instead lead with a Pokemon that has a better matchup while saving Shuckle for a later opportunity to switch in and set up the hazards. If the opponent leads with a Pokemon that can potentially set up, like Calm Mind or Stealth Rock Clefairy or Shell Smash Carracosta, Encore is an option to go for first turn. Shuckle can use the locked foe as a chance to set up its hazards, or even disable them from switching with Infestation. This can also be used as an opportunity for Shuckle to switch into a more offensive teammate. However, be wary that the opponent may just switch out for a better matchup, making Encore fail altogether. Finally, Shuckle can help against Trick Room and weather teams, as it can utilize its low Speed to Encore the opposing lead into moves like Rain Dance and Stealth Rock, and even trap them with Infestation to waste turns. Weather teams also do not appreciate Sticky Web.
Team Options
========
Shuckle should be run on Sticky Web-based offensive teams. Such teams generally include decently fast setup sweepers, such as Kingler, Alolan Raticate, and Gorebyss, that can take advantage of the Sticky Web to more easily sweep with less fear of being outsped. Faster setup sweepers such as Lilligant, Jynx, and Zangoose and other faster Pokemon such as Pyroar and Floatzel similarly appreciate being able to more reliably outspeed foes, specifically Choice Scarf users such as Primeape and Togedemaru. Finally, slower wallbreakers such as Ursaring and Shiftry benefit from Sticky Web, as they can supply immediate power without having to fear being easily revenge killed. Primeape and Pawniard both run Defiant, which allows them to switch in against and take advantage of Defog users like Skuntank and Silvally-Fairy. They also often pressure the opponent into being more hesitant to use Defog altogether. Ghost-types like Oricorio-G and Haunter can block the other form of entry hazard removal in Rapid Spin and can help against Defiant Primeape. Although they take a decent amount from Stealth Rock, Flying-types like Swanna and Oricorio-G are immune to Sticky Web, making them large threats to these teams. Therefore, Pokemon that can check them such as Manectric and Choice Scarf Togedemaru can come in handy.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A physically defensive spread can be run to better wall physical attackers, although Shuckle's natural physical bulk and typing already allow it to wall Pokemon such as Kangaskhan and Spiritomb. Rock Tomb is an alternate option for one of Shuckle's support moves, as it lowers the Speed of the opponent's lead as well as any Flying-types, which are immune to Sticky Web. However, Rock Tomb is much more situational compared to Shuckle's other support moves, especially because Flying-types can just switch out to reset their Speed and are already bothered by Shuckle's other support moves. Leftovers increases Shuckle's longevity, but without a Mental Herb, Shuckle is left much more vulnerable to Taunt and Encore. Rest is another way to accomplish this, but it can be easily taken advantage of by foes, forces Shuckle to lose out on a support move, and drains all momentum, which is counterproductive on an offensive team. However, Rest can be run on a dedicated trapping set that utilizes Infestation. On bulkier teams, Shuckle can utilize its high defenses and good support movepool to run a more defensive oriented set, replacing Sticky Web with another of its support moves. However, this is generally better accomplished by Pokemon like Regirock with its better defensive typing.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Taunt Users**: Due to the Mental Herb's single-use nature, Taunt restricts Shuckle to only setting one of its two entry hazards for the time being. It also disables Shuckle's ability to use many of its support moves, such as Encore and Toxic. Pokemon such as Weezing, Alolan Persian, and Sableye are all examples of Taunt users. After using Taunt, Weezing can also use Shuckle as fodder to set up Toxic Spikes.
**Entry Hazard Removers**: Pokemon with access to hazard removal like Skuntank, Swanna, Hitmonchan, and Silvally-Fairy can discard Shuckle's entry hazards, although they can be crippled by utility moves such as Encore and Infestation.
**Z-Move Setup Sweepers**: Pokemon such as Lycanroc, Alolan Raticate, Carracosta, and Gorebyss can essentially use Shuckle as setup fodder without much fear of Encore, as even if it switches out, their Z-Moves allow them to break through Encore for a single turn. These sweepers can be hard for the rest of the team to revenge kill for various reasons, such as their naturally high Speed, access to priority, ability to boost their Speed with Shell Smash, and use of Substitute, respectively.
**Strong Attackers**: Pokemon that can 2HKO Shuckle such as Floatzel, Golem, Ludicolo, and Choice Band Mudsdale can limit it to setting up only one of its entry hazards. If Sturdy is broken, Kingler and Choice Band Aggron can OHKO Shuckle. Aggron is also notable because it is immune to Toxic and its non-Choice Band variants run Taunt.
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3/3 Good job, friend! 
