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Monotype Shell Smash Sweeper Cloyster (Ice) Revamp

[SET]
Cloyster @ White Herb / Focus Sash
Name: Shell Smash Sweeper (Ice)
Ability: Skill Link
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature / Naive Nature
- Shell Smash
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Ice Shard / Hydro Pump

[SET COMMENTS]
Cloyster is one of Ice's best setup sweepers thanks to its access to Shell Smash in addition to its high Defense stat, which gives it opportunities to set up on the tier's physical attackers like Garchomp, Iron Treads, and Ceruledge. Icicle Spear targets opposing Flying-, Ground-, and Dragon-type Pokemon such as Tornadus-T, Clodsire, and Dragapult while breaking Focus Sash on Pokemon such as Breloom. Rock Blast benefits from Skill Link and threatens Fire-types like Ceruledge and other Ice-type Pokemon like Kyurem. Ice Shard is useful for revenge killing faster Choice Scarf Pokemon that are weakened like Spectrier, Meowscarada, and Roaring Moon. Hydro Pump is the alternative in order to not be walled by opposing Steel-types like Gholdengo and Forretress. It is also beneficial for threatening Heatran and Mamoswine, both of which are troublesome for Ice teams, as well as Torkoal and Ninetales, easing the Fire matchup. Maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows +2 Cloyster to outspeed Choice Scarf users such as Walking Wake and Great Tusk; a Naive nature with the remaining 4 EVs going into Special Attack should be used if opting for Hydro Pump to not reduce its damage. White Herb is Cloyster's preferred item, as it is able to offset the stat drops of Shell Smash, which makes Cloyster harder to revenge kill. Focus Sash is the alternative to always guarantee one turn of setup when at full health, but it is less preferred because Cloyster is already difficult to OHKO under snow or Aurora Veil.

Cloyster's best partner on Ice is Alolan Ninetales. Alolan Ninetales allows Cloyster to have an easier time to set up thanks to it setting snow, which, when combined with Aurora Veil, allows Cloyster to set up on Pokemon that can usually threaten it out like offensive Great Tusk and Cinderace. Alolan Ninetales also provides Encore support to force uncomfortable switches, thus granting Cloyster an easier entry, as well as handling Unaware Pokemon like Quagsire and Dondozo with its STAB Freeze-Dry. Cloyster is able to threaten Fire's weather setters Ninetales and Torkoal after a boost, which benefits Alolan Ninetales, as it can come back in to reset snow for its teammates. Cloyster appreciates Kyurem as an offensive partner, as Choice Specs sets are able to weaken Cloyster's defensive checks like Toxapex and Archaludon. Mamoswine is an excellent partner for Cloyster, as not only can it provide entry hazard support in the form of Stealth Rock, but it can also remove items from opposing defensive staples such as Corviknight and Toxapex with Knock Off. Alolan Sandslash can provide Knock Off support for Cloyster and use Rapid Spin to remove entry hazards, allowing for easier entry to set up and making it much more difficult to KO, Avalugg can also support Cloyster with Rapid Spin and handle its physical offensive checks like Great Tusk under snow. Froslass is Ice's only viable option for Spikes, which Cloyster appreciates, as defensive Pokemon like Hatterene and Iron Hands aren't able to check it properly after a boost and entry hazard damage. Additionally, Froslass can hinder opposing threats with Thunder Wave, allowing Cloyster to outspeed Pokemon that are normally faster than it even with a Shell Smash boost, such as Choice Scarf Roaring Moon and Unburden Sneasler.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice
-----------
Ice Beam is an alternative option, useful for hitting physically defensive walls, such as Archaludon without massively boosting its defense, Skarmory, or Hippowdon.


[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/royalreloaded.246753/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/boomp.637295/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/betathunder.258425/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sunny.197240/
 
Last edited:
[SET]
Cloyster @ White Herb / Focus Sash
Name: Shell Smash Sweeper (Ice)
Ability: Skill Link
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe or 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature / Naive Nature
- Shell Smash
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Ice Shard / Hydro Pump

[SET COMMENTS]
Cloyster is one of Ice's best setup sweepers thanks to its access to Shell Smash in addition to its high Defense stat, which gives it opportunity to set up on the tier's physical attackers like Garchomp, Iron Treads, and Ceruledge. Icicle Spear targets opposing Flying-, Ground- and Dragon-type Pokemon such as Tornadus-T, Clodsire, and Dragapult while breaking Focus Sash on Pokemon such as Breloom. Rock Blast benefits from Skill Link and threatens Fire-types like Ceruledge after a boost and other Ice-type Pokemon like Kyurem. Ice Shard is useful for revenge killing faster Choice Scarf Pokemon that are weakened like Spectrier, Meowscarada, and Roaring Moon. Hydro Pump is the alternative in order to not be walled by opposing Steel-types like Gholdengo and Forretress. It is also beneficial for threatening Heatran and Volcarona, both of which are a significant issue to Ice teams, as well as Torkoal and Ninetales, easing the Fire matchup. Maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows +2 Cloyster to outspeed Choice Scarf users such as Walking Wake and Great Tusk; a Naive nature with the remaining 4 EVs going into Special Attack should be used if opting for Hydro Pump to not reduce its damage. Skill Link is the best ability to run on Cloyster since it guarantees Icicle Spear and Rock Blast hit 5 times. White Herb is Cloyster's preferred item, as it is able to offset the Defense drops of Shell Smash, which makes Cloyster harder to revenge kill. Focus Sash is the alternative to always guarantee one turn of setup from full health, but it is less preferred since Cloyster is harder to OHKO under snow or Aurora Veil.

Cloyster's best partner on Ice is Alolan Ninetales. Alolan Ninetales allows Cloyster to have an easier time to set up thanks to it setting snow, which, combined with Aurora Veil, allows it to set up on Pokemon that can usually threaten it out like offensive Great Tusk and Cinderace. Alolan Ninetales also has Encore support to force uncomfortable switches, thus granting Cloyster an easier entry, as well as handling Unaware Pokemon Quagsire and Dondozo with its STAB Freeze Dry. Cloyster is able to threaten Fire's weather setters Ninetales and Torkoal after a boost, which benefits Alolan Ninetales, as it can come back in to reset the weather for its teammates. Cloyster also appreciates Kyurem as an offensive partner, as Choice Specs sets are able to weaken its defensive checks like Toxapex and Archaludon. Mamoswine is an excellent partner for Cloyster, as not only can it provide entry hazard support in the form of Stealth Rock, but it can also remove items from opposing defensive staples such as Corviknight and Toxapex. Alolan Sandslash can use Rapid Spin to remove entry hazards, making Cloyster much more difficult to KO. Additionally, Alolan Sandslash also gets Knock Off, and can also remove items from defensive staples. Avalugg can also support Cloyster with its Rapid Spin to remove hazards, so Cloyster can come in easier and set up. Avalugg is also able to handle Cloyster's offensive checks like Great Tusk under snow. Froslass is Ice's only viable option for Spikes, which Cloyster appreciates, as defensive Pokemon like Hatterene and Iron Hands aren't able to check it properly after a boost. (would also mention froslass providing t wave support)

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice
-----------
Ice Beam is an alternative option, useful for hitting Archaludon without massively boosting its defense, Skarmory, and Hippowdon after its Eject Button has been consumed.


[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/royalreloaded.246753/
Quality checked by:

Grammar checked by:
QC 1/1 this type is ass :Arcanine:
 
[SET]
Cloyster @ White Herb / Focus Sash
Name: Shell Smash Sweeper (Ice)
Ability: Skill Link
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe or 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature / Naive Nature
- Shell Smash
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Ice Shard / Hydro Pump

[SET COMMENTS]
Cloyster is one of Ice's best setup sweepers thanks to its access to Shell Smash in addition to its high Defense stat, which gives it opportunity to set up on the tier's physical attackers like Garchomp, Iron Treads, and Ceruledge. Icicle Spear targets opposing Flying-, Ground- and Dragon-type Pokemon such as Tornadus-T, Clodsire, and Dragapult while breaking Focus Sash on Pokemon such as Breloom. Rock Blast benefits from Skill Link and threatens Fire-types like Ceruledge after a boost and other Ice-type Pokemon like Kyurem. Ice Shard is useful for revenge killing faster Choice Scarf Pokemon that are weakened like Spectrier, Meowscarada, and Roaring Moon. Hydro Pump is the alternative in order to not be walled by opposing Steel-types like Gholdengo and Forretress. It is also beneficial for threatening Heatran and Volcarona, both of which are a significant issue to Ice teams, as well as Torkoal and Ninetales, easing the Fire matchup. Maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows +2 Cloyster to outspeed Choice Scarf users such as Walking Wake and Great Tusk; a Naive nature with the remaining 4 EVs going into Special Attack should be used if opting for Hydro Pump to not reduce its damage. Skill Link is the best ability to run on Cloyster since it guarantees Icicle Spear and Rock Blast hit 5 times. White Herb is Cloyster's preferred item, as it is able to offset the Defense drops of Shell Smash, which makes Cloyster harder to revenge kill. Focus Sash is the alternative to always guarantee one turn of setup from full health, but it is less preferred since Cloyster is harder to OHKO under snow or Aurora Veil.

Cloyster's best partner on Ice is Alolan Ninetales. Alolan Ninetales allows Cloyster to have an easier time to set up thanks to it setting snow, which, combined with Aurora Veil, allows it to set up on Pokemon that can usually threaten it out like offensive Great Tusk and Cinderace. Alolan Ninetales also has Encore support to force uncomfortable switches, thus granting Cloyster an easier entry, as well as handling Unaware Pokemon Quagsire and Dondozo with its STAB Freeze Dry. Cloyster is able to threaten Fire's weather setters Ninetales and Torkoal after a boost, which benefits Alolan Ninetales, as it can come back in to reset the weather for its teammates. Cloyster also appreciates Kyurem as an offensive partner, as Choice Specs sets are able to weaken its defensive checks like Toxapex and Archaludon. Mamoswine is an excellent partner for Cloyster, as not only can it provide entry hazard support in the form of Stealth Rock, but it can also remove items from opposing defensive staples such as Corviknight and Toxapex. Alolan Sandslash can use Rapid Spin to remove entry hazards, making Cloyster much more difficult to KO. Additionally, Alolan Sandslash also gets Knock Off, and can also remove items from defensive staples. Avalugg can also support Cloyster with its Rapid Spin to remove hazards, so Cloyster can come in easier and set up. Avalugg is also able to handle Cloyster's offensive checks like Great Tusk under snow. Froslass is Ice's only viable option for Spikes, which Cloyster appreciates, as defensive Pokemon like Hatterene and Iron Hands aren't able to check it properly after a boost. (would also mention froslass providing t wave support)

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice
-----------
Ice Beam is an alternative option, useful for hitting Archaludon without massively boosting its defense, Skarmory, and Hippowdon after its Eject Button has been consumed.


[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/royalreloaded.246753/
Quality checked by:

Grammar checked by:
QC 1/1 this type is ass :Arcanine:
it sure is

GP Team
 
Done! Very nicely written, I just made some minor tweaks to a few sentence structures to improve flow. I also added some comments on potential places where you could clarify a bit more on what you mean, but overall this was great! Strong work!

Pinging my lovely tutor sunny for a final review and any additional feedback

add remove comment

[SET]
Cloyster @ White Herb / Focus Sash
Name: Shell Smash Sweeper (Ice)
Ability: Skill Link
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature / Naive Nature
- Shell Smash
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Ice Shard / Hydro Pump


[SET COMMENTS]

Cloyster is one of Ice's best setup sweepers thanks to its access to Shell Smash; (ASC) in addition, (AC) to its high Defense stat (RC) which gives it opportunity opportunities to set up on the tier's physical attackers like Garchomp, Iron Treads, and Ceruledge. Icicle Spear targets opposing Flying-, Ground-, (AC) and Dragon-type Pokemon such as Tornadus-T, Clodsire, and Dragapult, (AC) and can also break while breaking Focus Sash on Pokemon such as Breloom. Rock Blast benefits from Skill Link, (AC) and threatens Fire-types like Ceruledge after a boost (Does Cloy need a boost to threaten Ceru? If so, you can keep, but my understanding is that Rock Blast is always threatening a KO. If you are referring to a boosted Ceruledge, you can change to '...Fire-types like Ceruledge, even after a Defense boost, and...') and other Ice-type Pokemon like Kyurem. Ice Shard is useful for revenge killing faster Choice Scarf Pokemon that are weakened like Spectrier, Meowscarada, and Roaring Moon. Hydro Pump is the an alternative in order to not be walled by opposing Steel-types like Gholdengo and Forretress. It is also beneficial for threatening Heatran and Volcarona (maybe a different example would be better? Volcarona is already threatened by Rock Blast), both of which are a significant issue to Ice teams, as well as threatening Torkoal and Ninetales, easing the Fire matchup. Maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows +2 Cloyster to outspeed Choice Scarf users such as Walking Wake and Great Tusk; a Naive nature with the remaining 4 EVs going into Special Attack should be used if opting for Hydro Pump in order to not reduce its damage. Skill Link is the best ability to run on Cloyster, since it guarantees Icicle Spear and Rock Blast hit 5 five times. White Herb is Cloyster's preferred item, as it is able to offset the Defense stat drops of Shell Smash, which makes making it harder to revenge kill. Focus Sash is the an alternative, (AC) to always guarantee guaranteeing one turn of setup from to set up when at full health, but it is less preferred since because Cloyster is harder already difficult to OHKO under snow or Aurora Veil. (I assume this is what you were going for here - Sash is unnecessary since Cloy is almost always living an attack from full. While its true that it is harder to OHKO Cloy under snow/veil than when it isn't, writing it this way doesn't really convey why sash is less preferred.)



Cloyster's best partner on Ice is Alolan Ninetales. Alolan Ninetales allows Cloyster to have an easier time to set up thanks to it setting snow (RC) which (RC) with Snow Warning. When combined with Aurora Veil, allows it to Cloyster can set up on Pokemon that can usually threaten it, (AC) out like offensive Great Tusk and Cinderace. Alolan Ninetales also has provides Encore support to force uncomfortable switches, thus granting Cloyster an easier entry, as well as handling Unaware Pokemon like Quagsire and Dondozo with its STAB Freeze Dry Freeze-Dry. Cloyster is able to threaten Fire's weather setters Ninetales and Torkoal after a boost, which benefits Alolan Ninetales, as it can come back in to reset the weather snow for its teammates. Cloyster also appreciates Kyurem as an offensive partner, as its Choice Specs sets are able to weaken its Cloyster’s defensive checks like Toxapex and Archaludon. Mamoswine is an excellent partner for Cloyster, as not only can it provide entry hazard support in the form of Stealth Rock, but it can also remove items from opposing defensive staples such as Corviknight and Toxapex with Knock Off. Alolan Sandslash can provide Knock Off support for Cloyster and use Rapid Spin to remove entry hazards, making Cloyster much more difficult allowing for easier entry to KO. Additionally, Alolan Sandslash also gets Knock Off (RC) set up and can also remove items from defensive staples making it much more difficult to KO. Avalugg can also support Cloyster with its Rapid Spin to remove hazards, so Cloyster can come in easier , (AC)and set up. Avalugg is also able to handle Cloyster's its offensive checks like Great Tusk under snow. (These edits are mainly trying to improve flow. You mention Mamo's knock off support, introduce Alola-Slash as a spinner, then bring up Knock support from Slash before returning to spin support when introducting Avalugg. These changes keeps the knock users together before segueing into the spinners. You may also want to consider adding 'physical' before 'offensive checks', unless Avalugg can also handle Cloyster's special offensive checks) Froslass is Ice's only viable option for Spikes, which Cloyster appreciates, as defensive Pokemon like Hatterene and Iron Hands aren't able to check it properly after a boost and entry hazards damage. Additionally, Froslass can hinder opposing threats with Thunder Wave, allowing Cloyster to outspeed Choice Scarfers Pokemon that are normally faster than it even with a Shell Smash boost, such as Choice Scarf Roaring Moon and Unburden Sneasler.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]

Other Options
=============
Ice
-----------
Ice Beam is an alternative option, useful for hitting Archaludon without massively boosting its defense, Skarmory, and or Hippowdon after its Eject Button has been consumed. (The eject button portion is throwing me off a bit here. I understand Hippo usually runs eject, but I am not sure what this adds to the overall meaning of the sentence: 'IB is a different option that can be used to hit these three pokemon'.

To that end, I assume the reason IB is being brought up here is because these Pokemon are usually physdef, and IB allows Cloy to hit them for more damage by targeting their special side. Whatever the reason is, I think it should be explicitly mentioned somewhere to improve clarity. Something simple like 'Ice Beam is an alternative option, increasing Cloyster's damage output on common physical walls that check it like Archaludon, Skarmory, and Hippowdon' works, but I'll leave it up to you to play around with different options.)
 
Last edited:
beta: add remove comment
sunny: add remove comment
I removed a couple of superfluous line breaks; let me know if you need help / suggestions with any of the comments.
Please give GP credits to betathunder too; great job! 1/1 GP Team done
[SET]
Cloyster @ White Herb / Focus Sash
Name: Shell Smash Sweeper (Ice)
Ability: Skill Link
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature / Naive Nature
- Shell Smash
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Ice Shard / Hydro Pump

[SET COMMENTS]

Cloyster is one of Ice's best setup sweepers thanks to its access to Shell Smash in addition to its high Defense stat, which gives it opportunity opportunities to set up on the tier's physical attackers like Garchomp, Iron Treads, and Ceruledge. Icicle Spear targets opposing Flying-, Ground-, (AC) and Dragon-type Pokemon such as Tornadus-T, Clodsire, and Dragapult while breaking Focus Sash on Pokemon such as Breloom. Rock Blast benefits from Skill Link and threatens Fire-types like Ceruledge after a boost (Does Cloy need a boost to threaten Ceru? If so, you can keep, but my understanding is that Rock Blast is always threatening a KO. If you are referring to a boosted Ceruledge, you can change to '...Fire-types like Ceruledge, even after a Defense boost, and...') and other Ice-type Pokemon like Kyurem. Ice Shard is useful for revenge killing faster Choice Scarf Pokemon that are weakened like Spectrier, Meowscarada, and Roaring Moon. Hydro Pump is the alternative in order to not be walled by opposing Steel-types like Gholdengo and Forretress. It is also beneficial for threatening Heatran and Volcarona (maybe a different example would be better? Volcarona is already threatened by Rock Blast), both of which are a significant issue to Ice teams, as well as Torkoal and Ninetales, easing the Fire matchup. Maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows +2 Cloyster to outspeed Choice Scarf users such as Walking Wake and Great Tusk; a Naive nature with the remaining 4 EVs going into Special Attack should be used if opting for Hydro Pump in order to not reduce its damage. Skill Link is the best ability to run on Cloyster, since it guarantees Icicle Spear and Rock Blast hit 5 times. dex info White Herb is Cloyster's preferred item, as it is able to offset the Defense stat drops of Shell Smash, which makes it harder to revenge kill. Focus Sash is the alternative to always guarantee one turn of setup from when at full health, but it is less preferred since because Cloyster is harder already difficult to OHKO under snow or Aurora Veil. (I assume this is what you were going for here - Sash is unnecessary since Cloy is almost always living an attack from full. While its true that it is harder to OHKO Cloy under snow/veil than when it isn't, writing it this way doesn't really convey why sash is less preferred.)

Cloyster's best partner on Ice is Alolan Ninetales. Alolan Ninetales allows Cloyster to have an easier time to set up thanks to it setting snow, which, when combined with Aurora Veil, allows it Cloyster to set up on Pokemon that can usually threaten it out like offensive Great Tusk and Cinderace. Alolan Ninetales also has provides Encore support to force uncomfortable switches, thus granting Cloyster an easier entry, as well as handling Unaware Pokemon like Quagsire and Dondozo with its STAB Freeze Dry Freeze-Dry. Cloyster is able to threaten Fire's weather setters Ninetales and Torkoal after a boost, which benefits Alolan Ninetales, as it can come back in to reset the weather snow for its teammates. Cloyster also appreciates Kyurem as an offensive partner, as its Choice Specs sets are able to weaken its Cloyster’s defensive checks like Toxapex and Archaludon. Mamoswine is an excellent partner for Cloyster, as not only can it provide entry hazard support in the form of Stealth Rock, but it can also remove items from opposing defensive staples such as Corviknight and Toxapex with Knock Off. Alolan Sandslash can provide Knock Off support for Cloyster and use Rapid Spin to remove entry hazards, making Cloyster much more difficult allowing for easier entry to KO. Additionally, Alolan Sandslash also gets Knock Off (RC) set up and can also remove items from defensive staples making it much more difficult to KO. Avalugg can also support Cloyster with its Rapid Spin to remove hazards, so Cloyster can come in easier and set up. Avalugg is also able to handle Cloyster's its offensive checks like Great Tusk under snow. (These edits are mainly trying to improve flow. You mention Mamo's knock off support, introduce Alola-Slash as a spinner, then bring up Knock support from Slash before returning to spin support when introducting Avalugg. These changes keeps the knock users together before segueing into the spinners. You may also want to consider adding 'physical' before 'offensive checks', unless Avalugg can also handle Cloyster's special offensive checks) Froslass is Ice's only viable option for Spikes, which Cloyster appreciates, as defensive Pokemon like Hatterene and Iron Hands aren't able to check it properly after a boost and entry hazard damage. Additionally, Froslass can hinder opposing threats with Thunder Wave, allowing Cloyster to outspeed Choice Scarfers Pokemon that are normally faster than it even with a Shell Smash boost, such as Choice Scarf Roaring Moon and Unburden Sneasler. Pls clarify: do only Choice Scarf users outspeed +2 Cloyster? If so, please change this to "...to outspeed Choice Scarf users that are normally faster..." and remove the addition of "Choice Scarf" near the end of the sentence.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]

Other Options
=============
Ice
-----------
Ice Beam is an alternative option, useful for hitting Archaludon without massively boosting its defense, Skarmory, and or Hippowdon after its Eject Button has been consumed. (The eject button portion is throwing me off a bit here. I understand Hippo usually runs eject, but I am not sure what this adds to the overall meaning of the sentence: 'IB is a different option that can be used to hit these three pokemon'.

To that end, I assume the reason IB is being brought up here is because these Pokemon are usually physdef, and IB allows Cloy to hit them for more damage by targeting their special side. Whatever the reason is, I think it should be explicitly mentioned somewhere to improve clarity. Something simple like 'Ice Beam is an alternative option, increasing Cloyster's damage output on common physical walls that check it like Archaludon, Skarmory, and Hippowdon' works, but I'll leave it up to you to play around with different options.)
 
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