If your main use will be stab SE, wouldn't a sniper/scope lens set be viable? The average damage is actually higher than LO and no recoil.
It could be, but then his power is lessened. Tough claws helps a lot with razor shell/cross chop/x-scissor/poison jab and stuff. It's a fine idea, but makes it less sweeperly.Do you think maybe he can run a somewhat gimmicky set where he has Shell Smash and then a White Herb that leaves him with no item, but with Pickpocket ability he could steal an opponents item. Could be useful under some circumstances
Are you sure it's higher? With Tough Claws you get a much more consistent boost in power, and the nerf to Critical Hits is pretty significant compared to last gen. To me the best item choice would be White Herb if you're running Shell Smash (Which you should), or Leftovers as the OP stated. With Tough Claws and the +2 in attack I doubt he'd really need that boost from critical hits to merit its' use, the most you'd need is some residual damage from SR or spikes or something.If your main use will be stab SE, wouldn't a sniper/scope lens set be viable? The average damage is actually higher than LO and no recoil.
Stone Edge doesn't make contact, so tough claws has no effect. But I was just trying to find a way to use his rock stab more effectively. While the high crit rate is pretty nice, stone edge's mediocre accuracy makes it unreliable. I'm trying a set with hone claws, but it seems to be generally inferior to shell smash.Are you sure it's higher? With Tough Claws you get a much more consistent boost in power, and the nerf to Critical Hits is pretty significant compared to last gen. To me the best item choice would be White Herb if you're running Shell Smash (Which you should), or Leftovers as the OP stated. With Tough Claws and the +2 in attack I doubt he'd really need that boost from critical hits to merit its' use, the most you'd need is some residual damage from SR or spikes or something.
Did you do that in your head? Wow guys, we might have a genius here! That was the most impressive damage calc I've ever seen (sorry for the sarcasm, I really couldn't resist)50% tough claws + 50% rain + shell smash = dead pokemon.
HE HEDid you do that in your head? Wow guys, we might have a genius here! That was the most impressive damage calc I've ever seen (sorry for the sarcasm, I really couldn't resist)
Anyway, this guy could work on one of those dual weather teams that people are trying out. The idea is that you have Politoed and Hippowdon on the same team (or something to the effect) and if anyone counters one weather, you bring in the other. Most people tend to dislike the amount of prediction and team support necessary, but I think its a completely viable set that could be worth a try.
I like the idea of a Barbaracle centred around sniper and crit moves. I've checked out what it learns with a high crit ratio. They are: Stone edge, Cross chop, Slash, Night slash, and Shadow claw. Does scope lens increase their chances of a critical hit, or is it like kings rock and only works with moves without a critical bonus?
Unfortunately, it does not.Does Barbacle get Head Smash? It would get a Tough Claws boost there if it did, which would be really nice despite the recoil.
Ah, whoops, you're right. I messed up on my mental math. Still, that's 4 points higher than max base 125s and Adamant Scarf Diggersby at +1, meaning you could probably get away with running 8 fewer Speed EVs. They aren't doing anything for you save letting you tie with another +1 max Barbaracle, which shouldn't ever happen, since an unboosted Barbaracle switching in on one that's already set up or is in the process of doing so is probably going to get crushed before it can do anything else, and Scarfing one of these bad mofos seems like a very unwise decision.Wait. What? A +Speed 252 +1 Barbaracle has 387 speed, what wizardry is this that Barbaracle now has 379 speed at +1? Did I screw up something?
EDIT:
Also slightly related but Adamant Scarf Diggersby also hits the maxed base 125 speed tier and is one of the most relevant things you want to beat at the moment since it is utterly devastating.
A 50% crit rate with Sniper averages a 62.5% increase in power to appropriate moves. Tough Claws gives a 33% increase to appropriate moves, and LO gives a 30% increase to all moves, totaling a 73% increase, while being more reliable and working with a different STAB.So if the Scope Lens + High Crit move having a 50% crit rate thing is true, is Sniper more worth it than Tough Claws, if you chose Cross Chop, Stone Edge, and Night Slash as your attacking options? I never used this guy and was working on breeding one, and go figure I actually got one with Tough Claws and one with Sniper, and I'm kinda unsure which way to go with it.