SHRUG & BERKS
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Hi everyone, this is a team Berks and I built together. He approached me around the concept of RP Cranidos a little before Open. I agreed to build it with him, and after some revision it become one of the best teams I’ve had a part in building, netting wins in LC Open, the ORAS Team Tour, and countless other battles.
Shrug is like a fine wine; I'll probably never touch him and he helps people teambuild sometimes. As you can see from any other RMT I've posted here on smogon.com, my building is often less than adequate. Once I got Shrug in on the idea of RP Dos, though, the magic happened, and here it is. This team has actually helped me resemble a good LC player at times - the highlight was cruising my way through a suspect tour and, consequently, not having to even touch the ladder. This team is legit!
TEAMBUILDING
With a massive Attack stat, adequate Speed, and surprising bulk, RP Cranidos is a potent and astonishingly underappreciated threat in the current metagame.
Though of course it's not 100% original, I was on a +2 Speed sweeper spree after building this team; a quick /ds lc, rock polish, all showed me that Cranidos itself was capable of boosting its Speed to ridiculous levels. Complemented by Sheer Force boosted coverage against its most common foes, I knew my Cran was going to be good.
Foongus and Corphish were added in relative succession. The former is a useful stop to fighting- and water-types that trouble Cranidos, while Phish is a potent wallbreaker opening holes for Crani to sweep.
These two were Shrug's suggestion, which came after we noticed the great synergy shared by Foongus and Cranidos. Then Shurg added a Corphish, which I didn't really get at the time; regardless, it was a lovely choice.
The team was built in the tumult of the Diglett suspect, so we made the choice to bring the “broken” mon aboard to dismantle opposing defensive cores, particularly ones featuring Pawniard.
Moleman joined the team in hopes of removing problematic Pokemon such as Pawn and various Will-O-Wisp machines shaped like horses. It also provided Memento support for Cran!
We needed a stronger defensive backbone that allowed us to maintain offensive pressure. Ponyta and Pawn together provide a solid and a soft fletch check respectively, while Pawniard handles offensive Normals and sets Rocks while Pony deals with opposing Pawns.
Shrug added a little fun to the team here, as this Ponyta featured Flame Charge to evade troublesome trappers, while still pressuring Grass- and Fighting-types with burns and such. As for Pawniard, I have literally never built a team without it except for that minitour where it's banned, soooooooo...
Diglett didn’t really do much for the team. Its strengths were redundant and it left us open to sweeps from some dangerous mons, most notably Timburr. Berks suggest we add a Gastly, which turned out to be an excellent move, allowing us pressure from multiple angles while patching up weaknesses due to a pair of innovative sets.
Gastly is really, really good in this meta and a utility set of some sort went well in patching up a couple of key weaknesses we found with our team. His set and mine are different on the team, but they both function similarly enough.
THE TEAM
#1
Cranidos @ Eviolite
Ability: Sheer Force
Level: 5
EVs: 60 HP / 236 Atk / 116 Def / 36 SpD / 52 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Rock Slide
- Fire Punch
- Zen Headbutt
- Rock Polish
Yeah, Cranidos is really underrated and devastatingly effective. I think this is the best RP set, especially given most users do not expect Fire Punch. What makes it so good is the relative lack of support it requires, usually hitting Mienfoo with the clean OHKO, and its deceptive bulk, tanking an Energy Ball from Sash Abra. You can bluff a scarf with it for the setup opportunity, and with its hardy bulk, you can play with the knowledge you can take one hit post setup. But yeah this is a great mon, needs more love.
The chosen one, RP Cranidos. My custom spread hits 13 Speed to outspeed relevant Scarfers outside of Gastly while maxing Attack and bolstering bulk. It's so fucking good y'all just use it please. I ain't got shit to say (other than that it's like my one way of even kind of beating Gunk).
#2
Corphish @ Eviolite
Ability: Adaptability
Level: 5
EVs: 196 Atk / 76 Def / 236 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Aqua Jet
- Crabhammer
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
Corph is a very useful mon on this team. It provides Knock Off support to the extent Crani needs it, which varies depending on the battle; try to key on Spritzee or Chinchou to hit with Knocks. Crabhammer bangs, especially after a Swords Dance. Aqua Jet is helpful prio. This mon is your chief Ground check, particularly after the spreading of Burns with Pony and Gastly. , so use it wisely and gain offensive pressure with it when you can.
Like I said before, Corphish was Shrug's add. It's also a really, really good wallbreaker. Swords Dance Adapt Crabhammer literally rips teams apart, and it gives Knocks! I don't spread burns at all but Corph and Foong and Snubs usually do great at checking Grounds regardless. Good mon!
Corphish @ Eviolite
Ability: Adaptability
Level: 5
EVs: 196 Atk / 76 Def / 236 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Aqua Jet
- Crabhammer
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
Corph is a very useful mon on this team. It provides Knock Off support to the extent Crani needs it, which varies depending on the battle; try to key on Spritzee or Chinchou to hit with Knocks. Crabhammer bangs, especially after a Swords Dance. Aqua Jet is helpful prio. This mon is your chief Ground check, particularly after the spreading of Burns with Pony and Gastly. , so use it wisely and gain offensive pressure with it when you can.
Like I said before, Corphish was Shrug's add. It's also a really, really good wallbreaker. Swords Dance Adapt Crabhammer literally rips teams apart, and it gives Knocks! I don't spread burns at all but Corph and Foong and Snubs usually do great at checking Grounds regardless. Good mon!
#3
Gastly @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
Level: 5
EVs: 36 Def / 196 SpA / 76 SpD / 196 Spe
Timid Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Ball
- Will-O-Wisp
- Destiny Bond
This is one of the sets I’m running different from Berkeley. One of the things that always irked me about the team in its earlier iterations was the inability of Crani to OHKO Pawn, doing ~88% if I remember correctly. Will-o-Wisp both gives me that damage and numbs Pawn’s Sucker Punch, which works swimmingly overall. Destiny Bond is another stall-beater that covers up the Timburr weakness efficiently.
OR
Gastly @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
Level: 5
EVs: 36 Def / 196 SpA / 76 SpD / 196 Spe
Timid Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Ball
- Will-O-Wisp
- Destiny Bond
This is one of the sets I’m running different from Berkeley. One of the things that always irked me about the team in its earlier iterations was the inability of Crani to OHKO Pawn, doing ~88% if I remember correctly. Will-o-Wisp both gives me that damage and numbs Pawn’s Sucker Punch, which works swimmingly overall. Destiny Bond is another stall-beater that covers up the Timburr weakness efficiently.
OR
#3
Gastly @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 116 Def / 116 SpA / 196 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Dazzling Gleam
- Substitute
I'm updating this from 2017 to let you know that this fairly standard Gastly set is an excellent fit on this squad. Dual STABs threaten everything except Pawniard, and Substitute is so good for getting around troublesome Spore from Foongus or beating out a chipped Pawniard in conjunction with Dazzling Gleam. If you're new to the team, try this Gastly set first!
#4
Gastly @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 116 Def / 116 SpA / 196 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Dazzling Gleam
- Substitute
I'm updating this from 2017 to let you know that this fairly standard Gastly set is an excellent fit on this squad. Dual STABs threaten everything except Pawniard, and Substitute is so good for getting around troublesome Spore from Foongus or beating out a chipped Pawniard in conjunction with Dazzling Gleam. If you're new to the team, try this Gastly set first!
Foongus @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
Level: 5
EVs: 124 HP / 164 Def / 164 SpD
Bold Nature
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
Annoyingmon, but also one that is critical to this team’s success. Foongus is the main fighting check, main Volt Switch absorber, main Water-type check. Spore hopefully kills a mon per game with the offensive nature of this team. HP Fight because Fire is redundant with Crani’s Fire Punch. A suggestion: save your Spore for Timburr if you’re using this team, because even with Gastly it’s a huge threat.
I used to hate Foongus. Shitmon, I said. Woe be unto me, cause Foongus is an essential part of this team by any and all means. It's absolutely critical to the team; HP Fight is a great way to take on problematic Pawniards, Spore gives Cran setup opportunities, and its dual STAB puts great pressure on annoying mons like Snivy and Omanyte.
#5
Ponyta @ Eviolite
Ability: Flame Body
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Def / 76 SpD / 196 Spe
Impish Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Flame Charge
- Morning Sun
- Wild Charge / Toxic
This is the different mon that characterizes my half of the team. (not anymore! I decided to start using it!) I really like this Pony set as a status spreader and tank, especially given it’s very hard to trap with Flame Charge. This is a great Pawn check, beats CM Spritzee one on one, does everything you would expect this Pony to do.
Writing this from 2017, Ponyta is a phenomenal fit for this squad. You can take your pick of Toxic or Wild Charge, but in my experience hitting things like Staryu and Special Carvanha is almost always preferred over Toxic wars with other Ponyta. We run Flame Charge to beat out Diglett and the rest is pretty standard. No need to run 19 Speed when you've got Flame Charge, so we run Impish to take on Pawn and other physical attackers even better.
#6
Pawniard @ Eviolite
Ability: Defiant
Level: 5
EVs: 156 Atk / 36 Def / 116 SpD / 200 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
- Stealth Rock
Standard Pawniard, the rocks-bringer. One of the hidden benefits to using Cranidos is the reduced need for Knock Off support, meaning Pawn is free to set up SR instead of Knocking Foo on the switchin. Other moves explain themselves, pretty much.
Pawniard is just great, I'm not sure what to say. I can't seem to build a team without one, and the Knocks and Rocks are always nifty!
RMT Ending Stuff
Pawniard @ Eviolite
Ability: Defiant
Level: 5
EVs: 156 Atk / 36 Def / 116 SpD / 200 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
- Stealth Rock
Standard Pawniard, the rocks-bringer. One of the hidden benefits to using Cranidos is the reduced need for Knock Off support, meaning Pawn is free to set up SR instead of Knocking Foo on the switchin. Other moves explain themselves, pretty much.
Pawniard is just great, I'm not sure what to say. I can't seem to build a team without one, and the Knocks and Rocks are always nifty!
Idk about Shrug but this team is kinda the height of my Smogon-ing so far in terms of competitive success. He didn't send me s/os but here are mine!
Mambo I always tag you but you really helped me onto the Smogon scene via the community and "innovation" so thanks a bunch for that! Future TL imo tbh rn rn
QuoteCS you're a great tier leader who really has a grasp on the community so please don't quit
Coconut. come back! please! (love)
Fiend you're easily one of my favorite LC players to fight cause your building is so neat but like keep doing your shit! Way to fist!
Melonz is a prime source of meme content and is literally, literally a mod. Cute user (love) but please, please learn how to draw mons
Shrug I think this needs no explanation
mad0ka you're easily among the most consistently solid LC battlers and builders so keep playing despite the hax! Snivy love!
Oma is a fantastic user and is easily one of my bestest friends on the site! Way to fist as well and also keep on ice beaming the porygons n_n
OP so good, so good, and a great outlet for community IS posts. Future TL too imo
Tahu is a very serious but also very good player who needs to use more para immune mons, good user! cute af!
ThatCrazyRussian originally I didn't like you very much but the more lfc'ing I do the more I enjoy interacting with you so n_n
TUO lol fight me rn
Sken what an adorable Spaniard :O
Vileman holy shit Vileman I can't tell you how much I like listening to you in call lmao what a fuckin MEME holy shiiiiit OH AND LCPL I'M SORRY
ANTEMORTEM got me into GP so that's nice! Good user!
QuoteCS you're a great tier leader who really has a grasp on the community so please don't quit
Coconut. come back! please! (love)
Fiend you're easily one of my favorite LC players to fight cause your building is so neat but like keep doing your shit! Way to fist!
Melonz is a prime source of meme content and is literally, literally a mod. Cute user (love) but please, please learn how to draw mons
Shrug I think this needs no explanation
mad0ka you're easily among the most consistently solid LC battlers and builders so keep playing despite the hax! Snivy love!
Oma is a fantastic user and is easily one of my bestest friends on the site! Way to fist as well and also keep on ice beaming the porygons n_n
OP so good, so good, and a great outlet for community IS posts. Future TL too imo
Tahu is a very serious but also very good player who needs to use more para immune mons, good user! cute af!
ThatCrazyRussian originally I didn't like you very much but the more lfc'ing I do the more I enjoy interacting with you so n_n
TUO lol fight me rn
Sken what an adorable Spaniard :O
Vileman holy shit Vileman I can't tell you how much I like listening to you in call lmao what a fuckin MEME holy shiiiiit OH AND LCPL I'M SORRY
ANTEMORTEM got me into GP so that's nice! Good user!
@H&MBerkeley you're a stud dude, one of my best friends on this here site. thanks for including me in this dope-ass rmt, great team we whipped up
@ThatCrazyRussian i know im kinda annoying now but ty for saving me from the abyss of horrible shitposting and baduserhood
Mambo partially the same, but also you're cool friendish despite being henious at statistics, i feel u capable of ~responsibility~ this site, u will probably be good
macle thanks for not kicking my ass out when i was a little shit. im going to use this s/o to stretch a brief message across the void - i know you're likely bummed bout a lot of ur friends leaving lc. that's cool. but the dudes who play it now (save fiend hound he's bad) are also pretty nice people and are great friends who would love to do shit with you. the whole schism [if anyone says this is fake i'll punch u in the cock irl] doesnt need to happen; it's all love. so kiss and make nice with fizz - he'll be your smogon legacy bby
@QuoteCS ah camden, you're an uberchill tl and a great user all around, owning the lc room with more ribald flair than i thought possible. your problems with mons are ones of self-perception, when you're "on" you're just as good as anyone playing the tier rn. u just gotta not give a fuck what people think about you, which i know is hard, but u got it i feel.
GOAO. ur just going after quotecs to create the illusion of impropriety between u two o_0
Brazilian Army another one of my best friends here, a dude whose talent can be summed up w/ one equation: BA SKILL(%) = (100 - C), where C = number of verbs he conjuagates correctly / 100. so ur pretty fucking good.
Coconut. thanks for being the former scrub most adept w/r/t handling my queer love triangle. if u didnt hit that crit none of us are here, thanks for lucky
absdaddy you're pretty damn good at this game, im pulling for u spl-wise despite what other dudes think. sry bout that crit, neccisary evil
TUO battle spot singles is bad u should feel bad
mad0ka ive been saying you're best lc player, back me up ok lucy
Fiend ok you're most accessable nerd on here so friend by default, thanks for being cool
kingmidas lol midas remember that feud? prolly gone now i think
Nineage another scrub, the cutest member. jew?
The Avalanches the only user willing to talk about sex with me in lc chat, is it any wonder u made it on? ;)
gangsterish how does it feel to be asserted over in randbats? bad right?
Star. u gotta this playstle i admire a ton, u make dope plays that are also safe. you are also a cool dude and a friend, your beef with levi enabled the dynamos to ascend. good luck in spl
Corporal Levi You're forgiven for not drafting me. i aint
atcha, youve done more than enough. not drafting me this time was a tactical error though, imma god now
Rowan whyd you have to quit captain o captain, i like to picture u riding off into the sunset with some very literary british girl who's similarly classically attractive, gl in life and thanks for draft. srry for brief projection
tahu ah jimmy, the cutest drummer boy in lc. cheekbones does have a skype, hit her up: chrisdvt
@Melonz would a georgie by any other name be as fruity?
RZL goddamn u came before the french luck invasion of lcpl, but u particpated with a vengance. good teammy
OP shouts to piplup also as the superior water starter
Oma omagod it's the biggest nerd and the cutest one
Sken words seem prosaic, any sole "like" meaningless in the vast expanse of our love. i'll be there soon my spanish amor <3
antemortem u manage to take an archtype - gay smogon power user - and elevate it to an art form.
Jac i'll pay i think to have u comment on my life as a sassy black women. do u have paypal
@thecrystalonix u dont go hand to hand with a real life fighter noob so dont fight me
@metaphysical god that glimpse of pretty girl made this post
@ThatCrazyRussian i know im kinda annoying now but ty for saving me from the abyss of horrible shitposting and baduserhood
Mambo partially the same, but also you're cool friendish despite being henious at statistics, i feel u capable of ~responsibility~ this site, u will probably be good
macle thanks for not kicking my ass out when i was a little shit. im going to use this s/o to stretch a brief message across the void - i know you're likely bummed bout a lot of ur friends leaving lc. that's cool. but the dudes who play it now (save fiend hound he's bad) are also pretty nice people and are great friends who would love to do shit with you. the whole schism [if anyone says this is fake i'll punch u in the cock irl] doesnt need to happen; it's all love. so kiss and make nice with fizz - he'll be your smogon legacy bby
@QuoteCS ah camden, you're an uberchill tl and a great user all around, owning the lc room with more ribald flair than i thought possible. your problems with mons are ones of self-perception, when you're "on" you're just as good as anyone playing the tier rn. u just gotta not give a fuck what people think about you, which i know is hard, but u got it i feel.
GOAO. ur just going after quotecs to create the illusion of impropriety between u two o_0
Brazilian Army another one of my best friends here, a dude whose talent can be summed up w/ one equation: BA SKILL(%) = (100 - C), where C = number of verbs he conjuagates correctly / 100. so ur pretty fucking good.
Coconut. thanks for being the former scrub most adept w/r/t handling my queer love triangle. if u didnt hit that crit none of us are here, thanks for lucky
absdaddy you're pretty damn good at this game, im pulling for u spl-wise despite what other dudes think. sry bout that crit, neccisary evil
TUO battle spot singles is bad u should feel bad
mad0ka ive been saying you're best lc player, back me up ok lucy
Fiend ok you're most accessable nerd on here so friend by default, thanks for being cool
kingmidas lol midas remember that feud? prolly gone now i think
Nineage another scrub, the cutest member. jew?
The Avalanches the only user willing to talk about sex with me in lc chat, is it any wonder u made it on? ;)
gangsterish how does it feel to be asserted over in randbats? bad right?
Star. u gotta this playstle i admire a ton, u make dope plays that are also safe. you are also a cool dude and a friend, your beef with levi enabled the dynamos to ascend. good luck in spl
Corporal Levi You're forgiven for not drafting me. i aint
atcha, youve done more than enough. not drafting me this time was a tactical error though, imma god nowRowan whyd you have to quit captain o captain, i like to picture u riding off into the sunset with some very literary british girl who's similarly classically attractive, gl in life and thanks for draft. srry for brief projection
tahu ah jimmy, the cutest drummer boy in lc. cheekbones does have a skype, hit her up: chrisdvt
@Melonz would a georgie by any other name be as fruity?
RZL goddamn u came before the french luck invasion of lcpl, but u particpated with a vengance. good teammy
OP shouts to piplup also as the superior water starter
Oma omagod it's the biggest nerd and the cutest one
Sken words seem prosaic, any sole "like" meaningless in the vast expanse of our love. i'll be there soon my spanish amor <3
antemortem u manage to take an archtype - gay smogon power user - and elevate it to an art form.
Jac i'll pay i think to have u comment on my life as a sassy black women. do u have paypal
@thecrystalonix u dont go hand to hand with a real life fighter noob so dont fight me
@metaphysical god that glimpse of pretty girl made this post
Here's an importable of the best version of the team as of November 2017:
Cranidos @ Eviolite
Ability: Sheer Force
Level: 5
EVs: 60 HP / 236 Atk / 116 Def / 36 SpD / 52 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Rock Slide
- Fire Punch
- Zen Headbutt
- Rock Polish
Corphish @ Eviolite
Ability: Adaptability
Level: 5
EVs: 196 Atk / 76 Def / 236 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Aqua Jet
- Crabhammer
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
Gastly @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
Level: 5
EVs: 36 Def / 196 SpA / 76 SpD / 196 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Ball
- Dazzling Gleam
- Substitute
Foongus @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
Level: 5
EVs: 124 HP / 160 Def / 160 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 1 Atk / 30 Def / 30 SpA / 30 SpD / 30 Spe
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Spore
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
Ponyta @ Eviolite
Ability: Flame Body
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Def / 76 SpD / 196 Spe
Impish Nature
- Flame Charge
- Wild Charge
- Will-O-Wisp
- Morning Sun
Pawniard @ Eviolite
Ability: Defiant
Level: 5
EVs: 156 Atk / 36 Def / 116 SpD / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
- Stealth Rock
Ability: Sheer Force
Level: 5
EVs: 60 HP / 236 Atk / 116 Def / 36 SpD / 52 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Rock Slide
- Fire Punch
- Zen Headbutt
- Rock Polish
Corphish @ Eviolite
Ability: Adaptability
Level: 5
EVs: 196 Atk / 76 Def / 236 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Aqua Jet
- Crabhammer
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
Gastly @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
Level: 5
EVs: 36 Def / 196 SpA / 76 SpD / 196 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Ball
- Dazzling Gleam
- Substitute
Foongus @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
Level: 5
EVs: 124 HP / 160 Def / 160 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 1 Atk / 30 Def / 30 SpA / 30 SpD / 30 Spe
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Spore
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
Ponyta @ Eviolite
Ability: Flame Body
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Def / 76 SpD / 196 Spe
Impish Nature
- Flame Charge
- Wild Charge
- Will-O-Wisp
- Morning Sun
Pawniard @ Eviolite
Ability: Defiant
Level: 5
EVs: 156 Atk / 36 Def / 116 SpD / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
- Stealth Rock
Thanks!
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