[SET]
name: Bulky Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Icicle Spear
move 3: Razor Shell / Ice Shard
move 4: Rock Blast / Ice Shard
item: Eviolite
ability: Skill Link
nature: Jolly
evs: 196 HP / 76 Atk / 116 Def / 76 SpD / 36 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rapid Spin is a handy and fairly uncommon support move that Shellder is a particularly effective user of because, unlike most other spinners, it can threaten Pumpkaboo, the tier's premier spinblocker. Icicle Spear is what differentiates Shellder from other spinners; its strength stems from how damage rolls work at level 5. Razor Shell hits Steel-type switch-ins and carries a useful 50% chance to lower the target's Defense. Rock Blast provides neutral coverage against various Water-type switch-ins, and also benefits from LC's damage rolls, packing enough power to 2HKO Skrelp and Staryu after Stealth Rock damage. However, either Razor Shell or Rock Blast can be replaced by Ice Shard, which is useful just as a priority move, although it is quite weak. Hidden Power Fighting is an alternative option that hits Pawniard and, to a lesser extent, Magnemite hard, but it is of no use otherwise; when using it, the EV spread must be changed to 116 HP / 76 Atk / 120 Def / 80 SpD / 40 Spe, to accommodate for the reduced IVs.
Set Details
========
The given EVs grant Shellder enough physical bulk to avoid the 2HKO from Fletchling's Acrobatics after switching into Stealth Rock twice and to survive up to 10 normal hits from standard Pumpkaboo-XL's Bullet Seed from full health. The Special Defense investment lets Shellder almost always withstand Life Orb Gastly's Sludge Bomb after switching into Stealth Rock once. A Jolly nature and 36 Speed EVs let Shellder outpace standard Pumpkaboo-XL; Hidden Power Fighting, if you choose to run it, 2HKOes Eviolite Pawniard regardless of Shellder's Jolly nature. Eviolite grants Shellder some much-appreciated immediate bulk to avoid OHKOs from special attackers especially. Skill Link benefits both Icicle Spear and Rock Blast by making them always hit five times. An EV spread of 116 HP / 120 Def / 80 SpA / 160 SpD with a Brave nature can be used alongside Hidden Power Fighting or Scald, but this makes it easier for Pumpkaboo-XL to deter Shellder's Rapid Spin.
Usage Tips
========
Shellder can usually utilize Rapid Spin without much trouble, as most Ghost-types are unlikely to switch in to block it, fearing Icicle Spear; if they come in anyway, Shellder can easily take them out. However, this does not apply to Frillish and Honedge, which must be worn down with Rock Blast and Razor Shell, respectively, as well as by the rest of your team. If entry hazards do not need to be removed, Shellder still functions as a solid tank thanks to its good bulk and high damage output. Be wary of using Razor Shell if the opponent has a Pawniard, as the move has a good chance to drop Pawniard's Defense and thus activate Defiant.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that appreciate entry hazard removal support love having Shellder on their side; Larvesta and Snover are examples of Pokemon that both enjoy a Stealth Rock-free field and have good defensive synergy with Shellder. In general, Shellder is an excellent choice for Fire / Water / Grass cores because it can support the Fire-type of the core with Rapid Spin and is not afraid of Diglett, unlike many other Fletchling checks. Pokemon that can deal with Frillish, Magnemite, and Pawniard, such as Timburr, Hidden Power Fighting Foongus, and Shed Skin Scraggy, make for good teammates. Wish support helps Shellder stick around for longer, although Shellder does not have exceptional synergy with any notable Wish-passers.
name: Bulky Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Icicle Spear
move 3: Razor Shell / Ice Shard
move 4: Rock Blast / Ice Shard
item: Eviolite
ability: Skill Link
nature: Jolly
evs: 196 HP / 76 Atk / 116 Def / 76 SpD / 36 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rapid Spin is a handy and fairly uncommon support move that Shellder is a particularly effective user of because, unlike most other spinners, it can threaten Pumpkaboo, the tier's premier spinblocker. Icicle Spear is what differentiates Shellder from other spinners; its strength stems from how damage rolls work at level 5. Razor Shell hits Steel-type switch-ins and carries a useful 50% chance to lower the target's Defense. Rock Blast provides neutral coverage against various Water-type switch-ins, and also benefits from LC's damage rolls, packing enough power to 2HKO Skrelp and Staryu after Stealth Rock damage. However, either Razor Shell or Rock Blast can be replaced by Ice Shard, which is useful just as a priority move, although it is quite weak. Hidden Power Fighting is an alternative option that hits Pawniard and, to a lesser extent, Magnemite hard, but it is of no use otherwise; when using it, the EV spread must be changed to 116 HP / 76 Atk / 120 Def / 80 SpD / 40 Spe, to accommodate for the reduced IVs.
Set Details
========
The given EVs grant Shellder enough physical bulk to avoid the 2HKO from Fletchling's Acrobatics after switching into Stealth Rock twice and to survive up to 10 normal hits from standard Pumpkaboo-XL's Bullet Seed from full health. The Special Defense investment lets Shellder almost always withstand Life Orb Gastly's Sludge Bomb after switching into Stealth Rock once. A Jolly nature and 36 Speed EVs let Shellder outpace standard Pumpkaboo-XL; Hidden Power Fighting, if you choose to run it, 2HKOes Eviolite Pawniard regardless of Shellder's Jolly nature. Eviolite grants Shellder some much-appreciated immediate bulk to avoid OHKOs from special attackers especially. Skill Link benefits both Icicle Spear and Rock Blast by making them always hit five times. An EV spread of 116 HP / 120 Def / 80 SpA / 160 SpD with a Brave nature can be used alongside Hidden Power Fighting or Scald, but this makes it easier for Pumpkaboo-XL to deter Shellder's Rapid Spin.
Usage Tips
========
Shellder can usually utilize Rapid Spin without much trouble, as most Ghost-types are unlikely to switch in to block it, fearing Icicle Spear; if they come in anyway, Shellder can easily take them out. However, this does not apply to Frillish and Honedge, which must be worn down with Rock Blast and Razor Shell, respectively, as well as by the rest of your team. If entry hazards do not need to be removed, Shellder still functions as a solid tank thanks to its good bulk and high damage output. Be wary of using Razor Shell if the opponent has a Pawniard, as the move has a good chance to drop Pawniard's Defense and thus activate Defiant.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that appreciate entry hazard removal support love having Shellder on their side; Larvesta and Snover are examples of Pokemon that both enjoy a Stealth Rock-free field and have good defensive synergy with Shellder. In general, Shellder is an excellent choice for Fire / Water / Grass cores because it can support the Fire-type of the core with Rapid Spin and is not afraid of Diglett, unlike many other Fletchling checks. Pokemon that can deal with Frillish, Magnemite, and Pawniard, such as Timburr, Hidden Power Fighting Foongus, and Shed Skin Scraggy, make for good teammates. Wish support helps Shellder stick around for longer, although Shellder does not have exceptional synergy with any notable Wish-passers.
Last edited: