[OVERVIEW]
Shellder can transform into a fearsome sweeper with its access to Shell Smash and Skill Link backed up by a good Attack stat and Speed tier. Skill Link-assisted multi-hit moves are what separates Shellder from other sweepers in the tier, as LC's damage mechanics make multi-hit moves very powerful, and they can break through Substitute and Focus Sash with ease, which other sweepers have trouble against. Shellder can also find ample opportunities to set up and stay on the field thanks to its great Defense stat and good defensive typing. However, Shellder's poor Special Defense leaves it vulnerable to even weaker special attackers like Mareanie and Spritzee. Shellder is also quite reliant on Shell Smash boosts to be a threat, and with the set's lack of utility, it can be hard to fit on teams not built around it.
[SET]
name: Shell Smash
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Icicle Spear
move 3: Rock Blast
move 4: Liquidation / Ice Shard
item: Eviolite
ability: Skill Link
nature: Jolly / Impish / Adamant
evs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 36 Def / 196 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shell Smash is what turns Shellder into a dangerous sweeper, doubling both offense and Speed stats at the cost of lowering defenses. Icicle Spear and Rock Blast are both multi-hit moves, which are quite unique in LC because each hit is deceptively strong on its own due to the lower level of Pokemon, and the fact that each hit has its own damage roll means there is a greater chance that one of those hits will be a high damage roll. This causes the multi-hit moves to do more damage than Shellder's STAB Liquidation against most threats. Icicle Spear is the go-to move against most Pokemon, as it has perfect accuracy, taking care of Vullaby, Onix, and Trapinch with ease and OHKOing neutral targets like Wingull and Galarian Farfetch'd after Shell Smash. Rock Blast is used to target foes that resist Ice such as Thick Fat Munchlax, Ponyta, and Water-types like Corphish and Mareanie. For the last slot, STAB Liquidation rounds out Shellder's coverage, as it is the best way to hit Pawniard and Mudbray and is the most reliable way to not activate Berry Juice on users such as Munchlax. Ice Shard is useful to avoid being revenge killed by fast Choice Scarf users like Diglett and to set up against and beat both Onix and Vullaby after a Weak Armor boost. Protect is also an option to primarily block First Impression from Trapinch as well as Fake Out from Meowth and can be used to stall out the sun or poisoned Pokemon if necessary.
Set Details
========
Eviolite gives Shellder extra bulk, so it has an easier time setting up. The EV spread maximizes Shellder's offenses stats, allowing it to outspeed +1 Speed Onix and Drilbur after Shell Smash, with the remaining EVs going into HP and Defense for more survivability. With a Jolly nature, Shellder can outspeed Adamant Corphish before Shell Smash, and after a Shell Smash, Shellder can outspeed the entire unboosted metagame under Sticky Web and up to 19 Speed Choice Scarf users normally. An Impish nature makes it easier to set up on physical Pokemon like Onix and to tank priority moves after setting up such as Mach Punch from Timburr or Sucker Punch from Diglett. Lastly, an Adamant nature is an option that gives Shellder an easier time to get past Berry Juice Onix and 15 Defense Eviolite users like Timburr.
Usage Tips
========
When attempting a sweep, it is best to remove or weaken any Pokemon Shellder has a hard time beating, such as Ferroseed and Mareanie, and also to remove threatening Pokemon such as Chinchou. Pokemon with access to priority moves like Timburr and Pawniard should also be removed as to not risk ending a sweep prematurely. If it is necessary to set up before these checks are removed, be mindful of the damage you take, as every extra bit of damage taken means Shellder will have a harder time setting up or tanking priority moves. Although it should not switch into them directly, physically inclined Pokemon, most notably Onix and Vullaby, are prime setup fodder for Shellder, as its high Defense stat allows it to tank their hits well. It also helps if the Pokemon Shellder sets up on is initially faster as to not take extra damage due to Shell Smash dropping defenses. Shellder could also be sent in early- or mid-game if it wants to weaken any checks, as they still take a great deal from its multi-hit moves; however, it should try to avoid any damage, as that can give it difficulties setting up later on.
Team Options
========
Pokemon with Knock Off make for great teammates, as they can soften up walls like Mareanie, Spritzee, and Ferroseed by removing their Eviolite and Berry Juice. Vullaby is a great teammate because it has Knock Off, can lure in threats like Onix that Shellder can set up on and pivot it in safely thanks to U-turn, and can remove troublesome entry hazards with Defog. Galarian Farfetch'd and Timburr too carry Knock Off and Defog, and they can deal with Ferroseed and Munchlax easily while functioning as good wallbreakers. Entry hazard support from Onix, Ferroseed, and Pawniard is great at chipping away the opponent's Pokemon, which can aid Shellder tremendously with achieving KOs it would otherwise narrowly miss out on, with Ferroseed and Pawniard also able to carry Knock Off. Trappers like Trapinch and Diglett can remove troublesome Pokemon like Mareanie, Pawniard, and Chinchou, with Diglett being able to provide Memento support to greatly help Shellder upon setting up. Since Shellder is vulnerable to all entry hazards, Pokemon that can remove them such as the aforementioned Vullaby and Galarian Farfetch'd as well as Drilbur are well appreciated to give Shellder more longevity when attempting to sweep.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rapid Spin lets Shellder perform the role of an entry hazard remover, which can be useful for preserving the longevity of many entry hazard-vulnerable teammates. Life Orb allows Shellder to OHKO a wider variety of bulky Pokemon after a Shell Smash; however, the lack of bulk and the HP reduction for every attack means more intensive support is required for Shellder to set up and tank priority moves. Choice Scarf's immediate Speed jump means Shellder can revenge kill faster Pokemon such as Wingull and Diglett, but Shellder will be outsped by faster Choice Scarf users, will not have the immediate power to clean like those other Choice Scarf users, and will struggle dealing against bulkier Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Pokemon**: Ferroseed is bulky enough to survive a +2 Icicle Spear and can often KO Shellder with Bullet Seed in return or paralyze it with Thunder Wave if a teammate can more reliably take care of Shellder. Munchlax is resistant to Icicle Spear thanks to Thick Fat and can tank Rock Blast to then KO with Double-Edge if Shellder has sustained chip damage. Spritzee is also just inherently bulky, being able to tank Icicle Spear well and KO with Moonblast after chip damage. Water-types like Mareanie and Frillish are resistant to Icicle Spear, with the latter also being immune to Water, can tank a +2 Rock Blast at full health, and can KO Shellder with their STAB moves; Frillish can even inflict a burn with Will-O-Wisp or reduce Shellder's Attack and heal itself with Strength Sap.
**Revenge Killers**: Shell Smash's Defense drops make Shellder more susceptible to being picked off by priority users like Timburr, Pawniard, and Trapinch. Timburr can also tank a +2 Icicle Spear at full health and retaliate with Drain Punch followed up by Mach Punch. Pawniard poses a huge threat, as it resists both of Shellder's multi-hit moves, can survive a +2 Liquidation at full, and can dent Shellder with Knock Off before finishing it off with Sucker Punch. Croagunk is immune to Water and can target Shellder's far lower Special Defense with Vacuum Wave. Diglett can pose a threat, as it carries Sucker Punch; furthermore, Choice Scarf variants are able to outspeed +2 Speed Shellder and revenge kill it either way. Choice Scarf Wingull, although rare, outspeeds non-Jolly variants and can revenge kill with Hurricane; meanwhile, the seldom-used Sand Rush Drilbur outspeeds Shellder under sand and can KO it with Earthquake.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[crusty, 264307]]
- Quality checked by: [[KSG, 32350], [Corporal Levi, 55063], [Nineage, 195129]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [martha, 384270]]
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