daddy's kisses, hootie, pk gaming
haund
[OVERVIEW]
+ Shuckle is the only good Sticky Web setter in the tier, having good bulk and Sturdy to get a guaranteed layer of entry hazards set up.
+ It is also one of two Pokemon in the game that can set up both Sticky Web and Stealth Rock, but it actually has bulk, unlike Smeargle.
+ Setting Sticky Web is all Shuckle is good for, since in it can't pull off anything else due its bad offensive stats and limited movepool, therefore being a super one-dimensional support Pokemon.
+ It is very passive too, but it can use Encore to slightly alleviate this, otherwise it's still complete Taunt bait.
[SET]
name: Sticky Web
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Encore
move 4: Knock Off / Toxic
item: Mental Herb
ability: Sturdy
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
+ Sticky Web is a useful entry hazard that slows down opposing grounded Pokemon, making faster Pokemon such as Tapu Koko and Garchomp easier to control. It also nullifies the Choice Scarf boost on grounded Pokemon, making them easier to deal with on offensive teams.
+ Stealth Rock is another entry hazard Shuckle has access to and is mandatory on all teams. Shuckle is bulky enough so that it can often set up both Sticky Web and Stealth Rock, making it a good user of the move.
+ Encore shuts down setup sweepers that try to take advantage of Shuckle such as Swords Dance Garchomp, Tail Glow Manaphy, Swords Dance Bisharp, and Quiver Dance Volcarona.
+ Knock Off removes items from opposing Pokemon, while Toxic puts them on a timer. Shuckle rarely gets a chance to use this fourth move anyway.
Set Details
========
+ Outside of maximizing HP, the remaining EVs aren't too relevant; throwing them into Defense gives Shuckle more bulk, allowing it to reliably Encore threats such as Swords Dance Landorus-T and Mega Charizard X.
+ Mental Herb is used to prevent Shuckle from being complete Taunt bait for a turn, allowing it to set up a layer of entry hazards at least.
+ Sturdy means Shuckle can't be OHKOed by very strong super effective hits such as Choice Specs Keldeo's Hydro Pump, allowing it to set up a layer of entry hazards.
Usage Tips
========
+ Shuckle should almost always be used as a suicide lead on offensive teams unless the opposing team has Mega Sableye, which completely shuts it down.
+ If the opponent has a Defiant user such as Bisharp, avoid setting up Sticky Web, as Bisharp will gain a free +2 Attack boost every time it switches in.
+ The same applies to with Contrary users; this can make the likes of Serperior very difficult to outspeed and deal with.
+ If the opposing team is mostly unaffected by Sticky Web, either due to it being a stall team, a slow balance team, or a team mostly consisting of Flying-types and Levitate users, also avoid setting up Sticky Web.
Team Options
========
+ Entry hazard removal deterrents such as Defiant users and Ghost-types are almost mandatory with Shuckle. Bisharp punishes Defog users and in general really appreciates the Speed drop on the opponents team. Gengar, Alolan Marowak, and Mimikyu can all punish Rapid Spin and, again, they really appreciate the Speed drop, as this lets Gengar and Mimikyu outspeed the likes of Tapu Koko.
+ Slower wallbreakers appreciate Shuckle setting up Sticky Web; some examples would be Psychium Z Hypnosis Xurkitree, Mamoswine, Tapu Bulu, Choice Band Genesect, Choice Specs Primarina, Magearna, and Tapu Lele.
+ A Fairy-type is mandatory, though, especially since Shuckle needs support to function against teams that utilize Mega Sableye.
+ Taunt users such as Tornadus-T, Mega Alakazam, Gengar, and Tapu Lele can shut down Defog users such as Tapu Fini and Mandibuzz, preventing them from removing Shuckle's entry hazards.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
+ Shuckle can't do anything else that isn't utter garbage or outclassed by other Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye is the single best Shuckle counter, as it completely prevents it from setting up entry hazards and Shuckle's offensive stats are so bad that it can't do anything back to it.
**Defiant and Contrary users**: Bisharp and Serperior are the only relevant users of each ability, respectively, but they completely shut down Shuckle's main game plan of setting up Sticky Web for its teammates.
**Hazard Removal**: Even though Shuckle is often paired with Pokemon that deter hazard removal, it can still easily lose its entry hazards to users of Rapid Spin and Defog such as Excadrill, Starmie, Latios, Mandibuzz, and Tapu Fini.
Last edited:
