Shubarugo
[Overview]
<p>Sporting a huge Attack stat, good defenses and the ever-useful Bug/Steel-typing, one would be forgiven for expecting great things from this guy. Unfortunately, its pitiful movepool and abysmal speed will likely condemn it to life in the shadow of its fellow Bug/Steel: Scizor. However, thanks to its access to Megahorn, Shubarugo can pull off some herculean feats that Scizor could only dream of, such as 2HKOing Hippowdon and Suicune with a Choice Band equipped. Shubarugo also boasts a notably higher Special Defense stat than Scizor, allowing it to function as a much safer switch-in to the likes of Latios and Gengar. It will always face stiff competition from Scizor, but Shubarugo is a respectable tank in its own right, capable of countering some huge threats and punishing any team that doesn't pack a very bulky Bug resist.<p>
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Megahorn
move 2: Pursuit
move 3: Return
move 4: Knock Off / Rock Smash / Reversal
nature: Adamant
ability: Shell Armor
item: Choice Band
evs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Megahorn is the star of the show here, dealing absurd amounts of damage to anything that doesn't resist it and 2HKOing quite a few things that do. For example, 252/0 Machamp is always 2HKO'd by it and even 252/220 Bold Zapdos risks a 2HKO if it switches into Megahorn whilst Stealth Rock is in play. Pursuit is here to assist Shubarugo with countering Latios, effortlessly OHKOing him if he attempts to flee, whilst also being useful against Gengar, Deoxys, Alakazam, Latias and many more. The third moveslot is the first of two moveslots that could be described as being 'filler.' A non-STABed Return is the calling card of a Pokemon with a terrible movepool but it's probably Shubarugo's best option in this slot thanks to its ability to land a solid hit on most Flying- and Fire-types. Notable perks of Return include OHKOing Blaziken and Borutorosu after Stealth Rock. The fourth moveslot is Shubarugo's attempt at inconviencing Steel-type switch-ins. As sad as it is, Knock Off is likely Shubarugo's best option against Skarmory whereas Rock Smash can be used to deal up to 50% to offensive Heatran. Reversal is a slightly more maverick option but it has the potential to become overwhelmingly powerful as Shubarugo's HP decreases. Unfortunately, Shubarugo's awful speed makes it difficult for him to effectively use this attack.<p>
<p>Before putting Shubarugo on your team you need to consider if Scizor will do a better job. Whilst Scizor has better speed, Technician Bullet Punch, Superpower and U-turn, Shubarugo has an immensely powerful Megahorn and better bulk, especially on the special side. The latter of Shubarugo's selling points becomes even more advantageous in this Dragon-type filled metagame as he can put that precious Dragon-resist to better use. For example, 248/0 Scizor is always 2HKO'd by Latios Choice Specs Draco Meteor after Stealth Rock. Shubarugo, on the other hand, will always survive in the same scenario even if Latios rolls maximum damage on both turns. Other advantages include never being 2HKO'd by Gengar's Focus Blast even after Stealth Rock, being able to guarantee survival against a Kingdra Rain-boosted Life Orb Surf after Stealth Rock, and even surviving Timid Magnezone's Hidden Power Fire over 92% of the time.<p>
[ADDITONAL COMMENTS]
<p>248 HP EVs minimise damage taken from residual damage, and the 4 Spe EVs are used to outrun non Gyro Ball variants of Nattorei who, assuming a 252 / 60 spread, will lose up to 84% of its health from Megahorn. If you would like to take better advantage of Shubarugo's bulk an alternative spread of 248 HP / 24 Atk / 232 SpD / 4 Spe with an Adamant nature can be used. The Attack investment ensures that Pursuit will still OHKO a fleeing Latios, with the rest poured into Special Defense. Advantages of this include never being 2HKO'd by Choice Specs Latios Surf after Stealth Rock and guaranteeing survival against a Life Orb Shell Break Cloyster's Hydro Pump after Stealth Rock. Another potential tweak that could be made to Shubarugo's stat spread would be using a Brave (or Sassy) nature and lowering the Speed IV to 0. This is only reccomended if you intend on using him with Trick Room support or are looking for some kind of insurance against opposing Trick Room teams.<p>
[Team Options]
<p>Defensively speaking, the best partner for Shubarugo is one that can absorb the Fire attacks that he will inevitably lure. Ideally, the partner will also be able to come in on bulky Bug-resists such as Skarmory, Heatran, Forretress and Dusknoir. Heatran immediately springs to mind as he can nab a boost thanks to its Flash Fire ability and threaten the aforementioned Pokemon. Starmie is also a good candidate thanks to its Fire resistance and powerful special attacks - it can also use Rapid Spin to clear away any entry hazards that Skarmory and Forretress set up. If you're looking for a more defensive partner, Vaporeon is a decent option and can use Wish to restore Shubarugo's HP.<p>
<p>If you're looking to turn Shubarugo's horrible speed to your advantage on a Trick Room team, then Rankurusu is the ideal partner. Rankurusu can use Magic Guard and its good bulk to set up Trick Room whilst also luring Dark-, Ghost-, and Bug-type attacks for Shubarugo to switch in on and begin spamming Megahorn. Shubarugo can also function well in the Rain thanks to its ability to destroy common obstacles to Rain Dance teams such as Nattorei, Blissey, and Celebi. Rain Dance also halves damage taken by Fire-type attacks, allowing Shubarugo to survive otherwise fatal attacks such as Sazandora's Fire Blast.<p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>Shubarugo learns Iron Head but, outside of OHKOing Terakion, it doesn't serve much purpose. Shubarugo can also use Swords Dance to boost its Attack but don't expect to do much sweeping with 20 Base Spe; it would be best to leave that role to Scizor. Swarm is a fine replacement for Shell Armor on the Choice Band set - a Choice Band Swarm boosted Megahorn is incredibly powerful but it's not as consistently useful as Shell Armor since attacks such as Latios' Choice Specs Draco Meteor will OHKO Shubarugo if they land a Critical Hit. Double-edge is an option over Return if you're willing to trade in survivability for power but, generally speaking, Shubarugo appreciates its bulk too much to throw it away on recoil.<p>
[Counters]
<p>Shubarugo's Choice Band Megahorn is so incredibly powerful that the only Pokemon that can switch into it safely are physically defensive Pokemon with a resistance to Bug-type attacks. Skarmory is the perfect counter, with even a Swarm boosted Choice Band Megahorn barely 5HKOing the tin bird. The best Shubarugo can manage is to Knock Off Skarmory's item whilst Skarmory sets up entry hazards or attacks with Brave Bird. Ghost-types such as Dusknoir or a physically defensive Burengeru can come in on Megahorn and use Will-o-Wisp to cripple Shubarugo. Hippowdon is always 2HKO'd by Megahorn but he can come in on it if he's healthy and spam Slack Off until Shubarugo eventually misses. A Critical Hit will spend the end for Hippowdon, however. Heatran is a more offensively minded counter since, thanks to his 4x resistance to Megahorn and good defense, he can come in on Shubarugo all day and threaten it with STAB Fire attacks. 252 / 0 Roobushin loses up to 48% of its health from Megahorn but, since it's faster than Shubarugo, it can Bulk Up to cushion the next hit and attack with Drain Punch.<p>
<p>Anything with a reasonably powerful Fire attack can revenge kill Shubarugo and sweepers with Bug-type resists such as Urugamosu and Doryuuzu can come in after a kill and attempt to set up on a Choice-locked Shubarugo.<p>
[Dream World]
<p>For Shubarugo, the Dream World is more of a nightmare. Dust Proof is a near-useless ability for a Pokemon that is already unaffected by Sandstorm but that's not the problem. The real problem is Shadow Tag Shandera who, thanks to its 4x Bug resistance and STAB Fire attacks, is a complete full-stop to Shubarugo.<p>
