[Pros]
<ul>
<li>It has access to one of the best boosting moves in the game;: Shell Smash.</li>
<li>It boasts high Attack and Defense stats.</li>
<li>Barbaracle also has a great ability in Tough Claws, as the extra boost from physical contact attacks is much-needed.</li>
</ul>
[Cons]
<ul>
<li>Barbaracle has a poor typing, leaving it weak to many common types such as Grass, Electric, Fighting, and Ground.</li>
<li>Its low base Speed means that even after a Shell Smash boost, it fails to outpace many scarf threats holding a Choice Scarf.</li>
<li>Unfortunately, it is reliant on mostly shaky accuracy moves.</li>
</ul>
[Set Recommendations]
<p>Barbaracle @ White Herb / Lum Berry<br />
Ability: Tough Claws<br />
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe <br />
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpA)<br />
- Shell Smash<br />
- Stone Edge<br />
- Razor Shell / Earthquake<br />
- Cross Chop / Poison Jab<br /></p>
<p>Shell Smash starts this set off, giving Barbaracle a much-needed Speed boost, allowing it to outpace scarfed neutral base 100 Pokemon. Stone Edge is the primary attack in Barbaracle's arsenal as it has a great Base Power in addition to Rock-type being a great offensive type; the added chance of a critical hit is always helpful (if you even hit, that is). Victims of this move include Gyarados, Dragonite, Noivern, Salamence, and Togekiss. Razor Shell gets a desired Attack boost from Barbaracle's ability, Tough Claws, in addition to having good coverage alongside Stone Edge. Earthquake is another option for this moveslot, allowing Barbaracle to nuke Toxicroak and Magnezone and ease prediction versus Aegishield. Cross Chop gets a boost from Tough Claws as well and demolishes Ferrothorn and Normal-types such as Kangaskhan, while Poison Jab hits Fairy-types as well as Chesnaught for super effective damage, making it a worthwhile option.</p>
<p>The EV spread is aimed to maximizing Barbaracle's Attack and Speed, which it will be relying on to sweep after a Shell Smash boost. White Herb is a very crucial item as Barbarcle has decent defenses and would appreciate keeping them intact. Lum Berry prevents Barbaracle's potential sweep from being cut short due to status, namely a burn from Scald or paralysis. A Life Orb can be used, but the benefits of the aforementioned items are far greater than what Life Orb offers. While PickPocket might seem unusual at first, it works well once White Herb is consumed, allowing Barbaracle to nab the foe's item, such as Leftovers or Lum Berry, which can be of major use.</p>
<p>Sticky Web is something that a slow user such as Barbaracle appreciates, and for that reason Glavantula and Smeargle are good partners; the latter is also able to set up Stealth Rock. Magnezone can trap and KO Skarmory and other Steel-types, making it that much easier for a sweep. Due to Barbaracle's typing and decent physical defense, it has the ability to set up on common threats such as Talonflame and Tyranitar.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>While Barbaracle does possess respctable defensive stats, its horrid typing leaves it weak to many common threats. Grass-type Pokemon can take advantage of their 4x super effective STAB attacks; prime examples include Chesnaught, Gourgeist-S, and Mega Venusaur. Bulky Water-types such as Slowbro and Quagsire can take repeated hits and retaliate by either inflicting status or simply hitting back with their STAB attacks. Due to its low base Speed, even after a Shell Smash boost, Barbaracle is prone to being outsped and OHKOed by many scarfed Pokemon, such as Garchomp and Mienshao. Excradrill outpaces Barbarcle during a sandstorm and can put it down with Earthquake. Both Rotom-W and Magnezone have good natural bulk, with the former being able to live a boosted attack and hit Barbaracle with a Volt Switch while the latter can easily OHKO with Thunderbolt, but it has to watch out for Earthquake. Due to Barbaracle's typing, not many priroity users can effectively revenge kill it, but there are two Pokemon that stand out;: Breloom and Conkeldurr. They both have access to Mach Punch and boast high Attack stats, meaning that despite Barbaracle's respectable physical bulk, it will certainly not appreciate taking a hit from either of them.</p>
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