[OVERVIEW]
With access to Stealth Rock and Spikes, along with the ability to beat the tier's most common Defogger, Dwebble is one of the leading entry hazard stackers in the tier. Shell Smash coupled with a decent Attack stat also allows it to become a dangerous sweeper; these two sets require significantly different counterplay, which can trip an unprepared opponent up. Sturdy gives Dwebble opportunities to set entry hazards or use Shell Smash. However, its mediocre defensive typing gives it very few resistances, and its reliance on its item leaves it susceptible to Knock Off. Additionally, it faces competition from Ferroseed, which can also set the same entry hazards while offering more defensive utility, although it lacks the offensive presence that Dwebble's Shell Smash set provides. It also faces competition from Onix, which is faster and has a better offensive typing. Onix can run Sturdy sets too, though it tends not to, leaving Dwebble as the tier's best Sturdy user.
[SET]
name: Suicide Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Knock Off / Counter
move 4: Rock Blast
item: Berry Juice
ability: Sturdy
nature: Jolly
evs: 236 Atk / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock damages and wears down every Pokemon in the metagame. Spikes is useful to damage all grounded foes. Knock Off allows Dwebble to remove the foe's item to help its teammates. Counter can be used to OHKO a physical foe such as Timburr if it chooses to attack. Rock Blast is a terrifying multi-hit STAB attack, threatening to OHKO foes like Berry Juice Vullaby and frail threats like Abra and Dewpider that have a Focus Sash. Alternatively, Earthquake can be used to deal more damage to Rock-resistant foes.
Set Details
========
Maximum EVs and a Speed-boosting nature are used to get out as many entry hazards as possible before being KOed. Maximum Attack is used because Dwebble relies on Sturdy and Berry Juice for longevity, meaning it has no need for defensive investment. There are enough remaining EVs to increase its HP stat, but this is avoided so that Berry Juice is guaranteed to fully restore its health and reactivate Sturdy. Sturdy guarantees that Dwebble can take a hit from full HP, giving it an extra turn to set entry hazards. Another option is to run a Hasty nature with 0 Defense IVs, which allows Dwebble to OHKO Timburr and offensive Mienfoo with Counter if they use Knock Off.
Usage Tips
========
As the name of this set indicates, Dwebble is used as a lead. The main objective of this set is to put up multiple entry hazards before being KOed. However, preserving Dwebble can be advantageous in some situations where it can be sacrificed later in the game to provide offensive momentum. Typically, Dwebble will rarely be using its offensive moves, since the utility of stacking entry hazards is preferable to the utility of Knock Off or other offensive moves.
Team Options
========
Offensive teams benefit most from Dwebble, as they can pressure the opponent and make it difficult for them to find an opportunity to remove entry hazards. Setup sweepers like Dragon Dance Scraggy and Nasty Plot Vullaby appreciate entry hazards breaking Sturdy on their foes and wearing down their checks. Pawniard can punish Defog with Defiant and therefore makes for a good partner. Frillish is immune to Rapid Spin and is able to switch in against the most prominent user of the move, Staryu, making it a good pick on entry hazard-stacking teams. Having a Rapid Spin user on the team is useful for removing entry hazards from your side of the field. Offensive threats such as Grookey, Abra, and Choice Scarf Mienfoo appreciate hazard support, as it helps to put their checks in range of an OHKO.
[SET]
name: Shell Smash Sweeper
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Rock Blast / Stone Edge
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Knock Off
item: Berry Juice
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 236 Atk / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shell Smash raises Dwebble's Attack and Speed by 2 stages, drastically increasing its power and allowing it to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame. Rock Blast is generally the preferred STAB move, as it is the most accurate Rock-type move with good power and will often hit at least as hard as Rock Slide due to Little Cup's low HP totals. It also breaks through Focus Sash and Sturdy users. Alternatively, Stone Edge can be chosen for more consistent damage, if it hits, and to bypass Berry Juice on foes like Weak Armor Vullaby. Earthquake is Dwebble's best coverage move, hitting the Rock-resistant Pawniard and Onix super effectively, and it gets a neutral hit against other foes like Timburr and Mudbray. Knock Off provides good neutral coverage, with the utility of removing the foe's Eviolite and weakening them. Counter and Stealth Rock are niche alternative moves.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack EVs and an Attack-boosting nature are used to optimize Dwebble's sweeping power. Maximum Speed EVs allow Dwebble to outspeed the entire metagame after a Shell Smash boost, only tying with the rare Choice Scarf Diglett. There is no HP investment to ensure that Berry Juice reactivates Sturdy. Sturdy guarantees that Dwebbles survives one hit when at full health, allowing it to take a hit while setting up. Berry Juice restores its HP to full, which reduces Dwebble’s susceptibility to being picked off by weak priority moves.
Usage Tips
========
Try to avoid switching Dwebble into entry hazards at all costs, since this will stop Sturdy from activating and will prevent a safe setup with Shell Smash. Avoid being hit by Knock Off as well, since Dwebble's item is important to give it setup opportunities. Dwebble should be used as a late-game sweeper, setting up when its checks are sufficiently weakened. Try to bring Dwebble in on a free switch, such as after a Pokemon has fainted or via a slow U-turn, so it doesn't lose its Berry Juice early by switching into an attack. Weaken or remove bulky Pokemon like Mudbray, Spritzee, and Timburr before attempting to sweep with Dwebble, because they can take even a boosted hit and retaliate for lots of damage. Try to remove priority move users, as they can easily pick off Dwebble after its defenses are lowered by Shell Smash. With Sturdy intact, Dwebble can also act as a countermeasure for opposing sweepers that don't have multi-hit moves.
Team Options
========
Entry hazards from Pokemon like Ferroseed and Pawniard wear down opposing Pokemon, allowing Dwebble to KO more foes. A teammate that provides entry hazard removal such as Staryu, Defog Timburr, or Vullaby, is essential for helping to preserve Dwebble's Sturdy. Pokemon that can bring Dwebble in safely like U-turn Mienfoo and Vullaby are good partners. Pokemon like Giga Drain Ferroseed and Staryu that deal with bulky Ground-types are helpful. Mareanie and Spritzee are good team choices as well because they can deal with Timburr. Trappers such as Diglett and Wynaut help Dwebble by removing or weakening its defensive checks. Knock Off support from Pokemon like Timburr and Mareanie is appreciated, since very few Pokemon will be able to take Dwebble's boosted moves without an Eviolite.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Weak Armor set can be run with a spread of 36 HP / 156 Atk / 76 Def / 236 Spe alongside a Jolly nature and Eviolite. This functions similarly to the suicide lead set, but it finds it easier to set hazards against Knock Off users while being able to check Vullaby. Dwebble can choose to run a Bug-type STAB move; this offers no meaningful coverage, however. The Shell Smash set can run Aerial Ace to hit Timburr and Mienfoo, but this still doesn't KO them at +2 and generally isn’t worthwhile.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: While Timburr and Mienfoo don't like getting hit by Knock Off, they can counter all Dwebble sets - Eviolite sets survive any move from Dwebble even at +2. Timburr is particularly threatening, as it can heal back up with Drain Punch, remove entry hazards with Defog, and KO Dwebble with priority Mach Punch. Mienfoo can break its Sturdy with Fake Out and then KO Dwebble with High Jump Kick.
**Water-types**: Staryu is able to remove Dwebble's entry hazards with Rapid Spin, gaining a Speed boost while doing so, while taking any hit from the Shell Smash set and OHKO it in return. Corphish has access to Knock Off and Aqua Jet, allowing it to easily beat Dwebble one-on-one.
**Multi-hit moves**: Multi-hit moves hinder all Dwebble sets, as they can break through Sturdy and potentially OHKO it. Onix with Rock Blast is particularly threatening, as it outspeeds Dwebble and hits it super effectively.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types are threatening, since Dwebble lacks the coverage to hit them super effectively. Mudbray is particularly threatening because it gains Defense boosts from each hit.
**Ferroseed**: Ferroseed can take any hit from the Shell Smash set, even at +2, and use Knock Off and Thunder Wave to hinder both Dwebble sets.
**Grookey**: While it is unable to switch directly into Dwebble, Grookey can revenge kill Dwebble with Grassy Glide.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Kipkluif, 315003], [EnzoLapras, 381336]]
- Quality checked by: [[Nineage, 195129], [Coconut, 150971], [KSG, 32350]]
- Grammar checked by: [[P Squared, 168392], [Milak, 262594]]
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