Shuckle (Rock)

[Symphonist]

(Overview)

In short, all of us has experienced shuckles bulk one way or another. Generally used to set up rocks or webs, but can also be used to stall out the opponent in various ways with toxic, infestation or encore. And with the ability contrary, you can make shuckle nearly invincible. These are many reasons why you should use shuckle, on rock mainly. Shuckle is hard to bypass as it is both a physical and defensive wall, so your opponents are bound to switch when shuckle comes in unless they have a taunter, or a staller.

(Set)

Shuckle @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Sticky Web
- Infestation
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock

(Set comments)

(Moves)

Essentially, the moves given on shuckle currently are used to set up arena traps. Sticky web and stealth rock are important ones as rock mono's tend to be on the slower side. Once you have set up however, then you are free to stall out your opponent with toxic and infestation. Infestation is used mainly to keep the target in while toxic takes effect too, so even if you don't end up fully taking out the opponents pokemon, it will be severely damaged and useless later in the Match

                                  

(Set details)

When using shuckle, you'd want to keep him alive long enough to get the arena traps in. Shuckle should, or usually has,  leftovers on him as he has no know regenerative moves other than rest. His ability sturdy comes in handy, mainly because it assures you safety from any Steel mons, or overly boosted ones. So even if you can't get both traps in, you'll at least have the option of one or the other. Finally, its EV's on 248 HP and 252 SpD because you want to keep shuckle alive as long as you can. Most threats usually come from special attackers like charizard mega Y and such, which can be a huge HP drain if taking multiple hits. And a calm nature for the SpD boost without loosing any vital stats.

(Usage tips)

Use shuckle efficiently! If you can get the arena traps in without any problem, do that BEFORE you start the infestation/toxic. There is almost really no other way to use shuckle on a rock mono that could be more effective than this tactic, however, if your brave enough you can try power trick shuckle, or a complete Shell smash/Contrary stall one. Not much else can be said about this defensive monster.

(Team options)

With shuckle, nearly any teammate could be better. However, the best options would be terrakion and Omastar. Terrakion would be extremely better now, as you no longer would need to equip a scarf or a balloon on it just to avoid either the first hit, or immunity to ground. LO terrakion w/ swords dance practically ends all existing pokemon. Omastar is the ace however. Shell smash makes it a great sweeper, along with the rocks to get rid of sash's and the webs to slow opponents down, only priority can kill this beast.

(Strategy Comments)

As I've previously said now, shuckle can have a few different sets. Shell smash contrary is a nice one, but usually defeated due to coming across a steel/poison type, or being stalled to death. Power trick shuckle works as well, however that means your Defense at its lowest would be about 100. Not much can take more than a hit with defense like that, so both of these methods are usually rarely seen.

(Threat)

This pokemon is without a doubt a threat to nearly any team that comes across it. With the avid stalling, and the generally free set up due to bulkiness, it practically waves a flag with defeat on it. Don't underestimate shuckle, no matter what pokemon you may have, because in the long run, it'll hurt you in more ways than you can even think of.

[scpinion]

Good Job on the Analysis!

I had quite a large number of comments. Implement them (or tell me why I'm wrong) and I'll look over it again to see about providing the first QC!

You should also ask if some of the other Rock users in the Monotype room would be willing to give you some help as well. They will know the type better than me.

Once you edit the original post. Make a post at the end of the thread letting us know it is ready for QC again.

Also, Make sure you edit the subject to say [QC 0/3].

On Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at 3:00:21 PM UTC-4, Symphonist wrote:

(Overview)

From the Guidelines to writing an analysis: The first sentence in the Overview should provide a concise, honest depiction of the Pokemon in the metagame. You should talk about its useful competitive attributes and niche in the metagame, as well as its flaws.

Change that first sentence to fit the requirement. It needs to get across that shuckle is there to set hazards, spread status, and be a general annoyance (your 2nd sentence is pretty good). 

 

In short, all of us has experienced shuckles bulk one way or another. Generally used to set up rocks or webs, but can also be used to stall out the opponent in various ways with toxic, infestation or encore.

The overview is not the place to mention specific moves like toxic, infestation and encore. You will discuss those once you get to the sets. 

 

 Shuckle is hard to bypass as it is both a physical and defensive wall, so your opponents are bound to switch when shuckle comes in unless they have a taunter, or a staller.

This is a good point, and a good way to end the overview. Expand upon it (change my text to read in your voice): "Shuckle is hard to bypass as it has excellent mixed defenses. Opponents are often forced to switch when Shuckle comes in safely, which gives it free turns to utilize (e.g. hazards, status)."

 

 

(Set)

Give the set a name (Sticky Web Support?)

Shuckle @ Leftovers

Ability: Sturdy

EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD

Calm Nature

- Sticky Web

- Infestation

- Toxic

- Stealth Rock

List the moves in order of importance: Sticky Web, SR, Toxic, Infestation. Also, slash Encore with Infestation.

(Set comments)

(Moves)

Essentially, the moves given on shuckle currently are used to set up arena traps.

Call them hazards, not arena traps imo (see what other QC members think of this before changing it though).

Sticky web and stealth rock are important ones as rock mono's tend to be on the slower side. Once you have set up however, then you are free to stall out your opponent with toxic and infestation. Infestation is used mainly to keep the target in while toxic takes effect too, so even if you don't end up fully taking out the opponents pokemon, it will be severely damaged and useless later in the Match

With Encore slashed, mention the combination of Toxic + Encore prevents Shuckle from being setup fodder for the many setup sweepers in our metagame. 

                                  

(Set details)

When using shuckle, you'd want to keep him alive long enough to get the arena traps in. Shuckle should, or usually has,  leftovers on him as he has no know regenerative moves other than rest.

Other items you should mention here (and give rationale for why they work) are Mental Herb, Chesto Berry and Custap Berry).  

His ability sturdy comes in handy, mainly because it assures you safety from any Steel mons, or overly boosted ones. So even if you can't get both traps in, you'll at least have the option of one or the other.

This is why you can consider running Custap Berry. 

Finally, its EV's on 248 HP and 252 SpD because you want to keep shuckle alive as long as you can. Most threats usually come from special attackers like charizard mega Y and such, which can be a huge HP drain if taking multiple hits. And a calm nature for the SpD boost without loosing any vital stats.

Is CharY that big of threat for Rock? I've never used the type, but you have an entire team that resists STAB, most of your 'mons gets access to SR, a Ttar sitting in the back to change the weather so Solar Beam is useless and Focus Blast gets 8PP, while only hitting 70% of the time. 

(Usage tips)

Use shuckle efficiently! If you can get the arena traps in without any problem, do that BEFORE you start the infestation/toxic. There is almost really no other way to use shuckle on a rock mono that could be more effective than this tactic, however, if your brave enough you can try power trick shuckle, or a complete Shell smash/Contrary stall one. Not much else can be said about this defensive monster.

I agree that it should be used efficiently in some matchups. However, you should emphasize it is there to set hazards and stop setup sweepers. Is there anything wrong with using it as a suicide lead to get up hazards vs. some teams?

(Team options)

With shuckle, nearly any teammate could be better.

However, the best options would be terrakion and Omastar. Terrakion would be extremely better now, as you no longer would need to equip a scarf or a balloon on it just to avoid either the first hit, or immunity to ground. LO terrakion w/ swords dance practically ends all existing pokemon. Omastar is the ace however. Shell smash makes it a great sweeper, along with the rocks to get rid of sash's and the webs to slow opponents down, only priority can kill this beast.

Let's generalize the things that shuckle helps support.

"Rock teams are generally slow, so the Sticky Web support Shuckle provides is highly valued. Pokemon such as Terrakion can forego a scarf set, while slow, powerful Rock types, such as Rhyperior, Tyrantrum or Tyrantitar, become much more difficult to deal with for opposing teams. Shuckle's hazard support also helps break sashes for setup sweepers like Shell Smash Omastar or Rock Polish Mega-Diancie."

(Strategy Comments)

This should be titled "Other Options" not "Strategy Comments" 

As I've previously said now, shuckle can have a few different sets. Shell smash contrary is a nice one, but usually defeated due to coming across a steel/poison type, or being stalled to death. Power trick shuckle works as well, however that means your Defense at its lowest would be about 100. Not much can take more than a hit with defense like that, so both of these methods are usually rarely seen.

(Threat)

This pokemon is without a doubt a threat to nearly any team that comes across it. With the avid stalling, and the generally free set up due to bulkiness, it practically waves a flag with defeat on it. Don't underestimate shuckle, no matter what pokemon you may have, because in the long run, it'll hurt you in more ways than you can even think of.

This section is meant to contain what threatens Shuckle...

For instance, Taunt users are a huge threat.

Make sure you provide a couple other threats to accompany taunt users. 

[Sae Sae]

Scpinion's changes definitely need to be implemented but here are a few things to consider:

The one big thing is yes call them "hazards" instead of "arena traps." Most people call them by the former and the latter causes unnecessary confusion because it looks like Dugtrio's great ability Arena Trap. 

Encore definitely needs to be slashed with Infestation, and tbh I'd make it the main slash over Infestation because not becoming setup on is probably more important than locking a foe in (especially if it happens to be a Substitute+setup user) since you wouldn't be able to Toxic it due to being super slow as well as not being able to stop the threat like SubDD Mega Gyarados.

Item wise you could put Mental Herb as a secondary slash on the actual set instead of just OO because the ability to block a Taunt and get a free SR or Sticky Web could really help against other leads like Infernape since standard Fighting teams would not have a way to remove the hazard and it puts pressure on Fire teams.

[Symphonist]

On Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at 12:00:21 PM UTC-7, Symphonist wrote:

(Overview)

Shuckle is only here to be an annoyance to the enemy by tanking nearly every move while you leisurely set up hazards or stall the life out of him. And with the ability contrary, you can make shuckle nearly invincible. These are many reasons why you should use shuckle, on rock mainly. Shuckle is hard to bypass as it has excellent mixed defenses, so your opponents are bound to switch when shuckle comes in unless they have a taunter, or a staller, which gives you time to utilize the free turn in many ways.

(Sticky web support)

Shuckle @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Sticky Web
- Infestation
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock

(Set comments)

Sticky web

Stealth Rock

Infestation

Toxic 

(Moves)

Essentially, the moves given on shuckle currently are used to set up arena traps. 

Sticky web is the most important of them all as most rock pokemon are slower than even the most average pokemon. Getting sticky web set up can change the game by a lot, as it enables your team to now automatically be 50% faster. 

Stealth Rock is the second most important move upon shuckle. Its not as important as sticky web because even though it get rids of sashes and sturdy, it would make no difference if your slower than the poke and the other opponent always gets the first hit.

      Infestation is the third most important move. It doesn't do much at first glance, but its important as it traps the opponent and slowly drains their HP down to a near miniscule amount. The only time it wouldn't be wise to use this is if that pokemon has a move such as Recover, or soft boiled.

 Finally, toxic as the least most important. Setting up toxic before infestation is bad because it entices the opponent to switch their pokemon and either use healbell, or go for the kill on shuckle.

  Encore and toxic can have this same effect however, without being set up fodder for the other opponent as well.

                                  

(Set details)

When using shuckle, you'd want to keep him alive long enough to get the arena traps in. Shuckle should, or usually has,  leftovers on him as he has no know regenerative moves other than rest. Chesto berry, safety goggles and custap berry all work as well. Safety goggles/chesto berry enables to make sure you aren't put to sleep by spore, and the custap berry makes sure you have priority if your 1/4 low on health. Mental herb could work too, assuming the team has a taunter/Encore-er on their team.His ability sturdy comes in handy, mainly because it assures you safety from any Steel mons, or overly boosted ones. So even if you can't get both traps in, you'll at least have the option of one or the other. Finally, its EV's on 248 HP and 252 SpD because you want to keep shuckle alive as long as you can. Most threats usually come from special attackers like charizard mega Y and such, which can be a huge HP drain if taking multiple hits. And a calm nature for the SpD boost without loosing any vital stats.Char-y is difficuly for shuckle, assuming you don't have tyranitar, as the boosted sun fire blast/flame thrower is killer.

(Usage tips)

Use shuckle efficiently! If you can get the arena traps in without any problem, do that BEFORE you start the infestation/toxic. There is almost really no other way to use shuckle on a rock mono that could be more effective than this tactic, however, if your brave enough you can try power trick shuckle, or a complete Shell smash/Contrary stall one. Its sole purpose is to get the hazards up before the opponent can stop shuckle.  Not much else can be said about this defensive monster, HOWEVER, it does make a good suicide lead as well against some teams, and is also a good sweeper stopper, depending on the type of pokemon.

(Team options)

With shuckle, nearly any teammate could be better. For the sheer fact that rock teams are generally slow, the webs are highly valued. Pokémon such as terrakion can now run more diverse sets without fear of being too slow, or too vunerable, while slow and powerful pokemon like rhyperior, tyrantrum or diancie can tear down the opponents defenses whie being nearly as fast, or faster than the opponent. And the rocks that shuckle sets up are well appreciated as it creates room for sweepers such as Omastar, with shell smash, or even rock polish mega-diancie.

(Other Options)

As I've previously said now, shuckle can have a few different sets. Shell smash contrary is a nice one, but usually defeated due to coming across a steel/poison type, or being stalled to death. Power trick shuckle works as well, however that means your Defense at its lowest would be about 100. Not much can take more than a hit with defense like that, so both of these methods are usually rarely seen.

(Threat)

Threats to shuckle are in nearly all corners. Steel types are probably the biggest threat. You cant set up toxic and infestation wont do much as well when Iron head, or flash cannon is destroying it in chunks. Some more threats are taunters, which effectively ruin the 3 out of four moves shuckle has. The least worrysome of these threats would be spore. Spore effectively waste time in what little you have to set up hazards, however assuming your opponent switch's, you have a good amount of time to set up things once you wake up.

 This analysis is ready for QC again.