Approved PU Spotlight: Carracosta

[Anty]

I have already done a pu article before so know enough
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History

• Generation 5 was one of the best pokemon in NU due to scary shell smash sets while also being able to set up srock
• Limited to NU due to low speed for ss and typing not great for a wall

• XY bought down new competition from NU like feraligatr and rhydon as well as more checks like ferroseed and gourgeist - so it got forced to PU
• Imedaitely it was seen as a huge threat in PU due to limited checks
• However had new competition from barbaracle; which was faster but bulkier but could get past poliwrath
• After the first month lilligant/eggy/cacturne went up which gave more space for grass types that could check costa - gourg-super also fell down
• Musharna ban increased the usage of poliwrath even more
• Despite this costa went to s rank as it could wall some of the best pokemon like sneasel/tauros with its defensive set and the offensive one remained scary
• After ORAS pokemon like simipour/jumpluff that check it got more popular - and the pokemon def sets walled got banned
• Poliwrath also got better esp with the ban of throh and got the title of best PU pokemon
• Set up opportunities also decreased w/ scyther/sneasel going and others like purugly/licklicky losing a lot of viablility - pokemon even ran moves to prevent it setting up (eg willo rap)
• Barbaracle got a surge of viability (offensive teams prepared for costa w/ mons baracle beat) so defensive barbaracle checks like bulky grasses/wrath got more used - bad for costa
• Still is a very god pokemon as defensive checks are not hard to bait and cripple

Carracosta's Qualities

• Water/Rock STABs hit all but one poke
• Solid attack stat for PU
• Amazing offensive movepool - shell smash and aqua jet
• solid bulk and solid rock - decent defensive movepool like stealth rock/knock off

Playing with Carracosta

Carracosta @ Life Orb
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Shell Smash
- Stone Edge
- Aqua Jet
- Waterfall

• Can run zen headbutt/ice beam or jolly
• Too slow to sweep with reg moves to relies on aqua jet

Carracosta @ Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Relaxed / Bold Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Scald
- Toxic
- Low Kick / Protect

• Switches in on pokes like stoutland and pawniard
• Fits on bulkier teams

Playing against Carracosta

• Fat grass types - tangela/gourgeist/torterra
• Poliwrath
• Faster pokemon that can live aqua jet
• Offensive pressure - make it not smash/wear bulky set down
• Status - wears down - burns from rap prevents sweeps

Fitting Carracosta onto a team

• Offensive works as sweeper ofc
• appreciates mons to beat bulky grass's/costa
• Also hazards are really helpful for it to beat faster mons
• Defensive sets fit well on bulky teams - esp as most of them cannot handle stoutland and costa is 1/2 switch ins
• also provides rocks support and can take on most physical attackers w/o a type advantage

Conclusion

• Carracosta is one of the most threatening set up sweepers in PU and will need to be prepared for

 

[antemortem]

ayee pu spotlights, exciting

yeah you're good to go