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Community POTW #027

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Serebii

Serebii

And, as if by magic, the webmaster appeared...
Staff member
Admin
Time for the next Pokémon and this week we're going to Unova!

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It's Crustle!

https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-swsh/crustle/

Go nuts
 
Spider-Phoenix

Spider-Phoenix

#ChespinGang
Bit off but....

The link for this week pokémon of the day isn't working.
 
XaelOstigian

XaelOstigian

Competitive...kinda
39e2e7a2770e86c76930815d139751ec.jpg

Stone Breaker
Ability: Sturdy
Item: Life Orb/Lum Berry
Nature" Jolly (+Speed -Sp. Attack)
EVs: (HP 4) (Attack 252) (Speed 252)

Moves:
Shell Smash
Stone Edge/Rock Slide
X-Scissor
Earthquake/Knock Off

Set Details:
Base 45 speed is not really good by any means, but with EVs and nature maxed into speed on top of a +2 speed boost from Shell Smash, Crustle is actually able to outspeed Timid Jolteon and Modest Dragapult without a Choice Scarf, and therefore it should not be underestimated. The fact that you also get a +2 to your offenses at the cost of some defense is no joke either given that this crab can easily wipe out your team if you aren't packing Aqua Jet, a CHoice Scarf, or a devoted physical tank to counter it. Stone Edge or Rock Slide will be your main STAB, cue the accuracy vs. power debate over which is better, X-Scissor serves as secondary STAB coverage, and the last slot goes to either Earthquake which punishes the Steel types that block both STABs or Knock Off which offers all around neutral coverage on top of messing up your opponent's item synergies. Life Orb will boost your offenses even further, but Lum Berry is worth a mention when used in combination with its ability Sturdy. You see, between the berry and the assurance of surviving for at least one turn, Crustle is able to set up a Shell Smash without worry of either being 1-hit KOed or hit with burn or paralysis which would completely ruin the strategy.

Without going into great detail, Crustle also reminds me of a dear relative of mine who passed away some years ago who shared a love for rocks, the dessert, and the power of nature. In many ways Crustle embodies her spirit to me, and it feels great knowing that her "Spirit Pokemon" is also an underestimated bruiser that shows there's a lot more than what you see once you break past the bedrock and see the hidden potential underneath.
 
A

Aduro

Mt.BtlMaster
Life orb can be a bad fit with sturdy. Maybe weakness policy would work more effectively.
 
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Mestorn

Mestorn

Wandering Battler
Crustle is an archetypal rock type. Low Speed and Special, high DEF and ATK. Which means it is in an already crowded field. Crustle's bug typing gives it some differential from other Rock types barring the passive Shuckle. Unfortunately this typing is more of a curse than a blessing, providing a weakness in Rock moves and losing resistances in Fire and Flying moves in exchange for losing weaknesses in Grass, Fighting and Ground moves.

So what sets Crustle apart? Its moveset. Having access to both Spikes and Stealth Rock is a good start, and no Pokémon is going to turn down Knock Off and Shell Smash as options. Crustle may be outclassed at most of what it does, but in the lower tiers, you have an unmatched support option.

Treacherous Ground
Crustle
Ability: Sturdy
Item: Mental Herb
-Spikes
-Stealth Rock
-Knock Off
-Stone Edge/Rock Blast
Nature: Adamant (+ATK, -SATK), Calm (+SDEF, -SATK) or Jolly (+SPE, -SATK)
EVs: 252 HP/252 ATK/4 SDEF OR 252 ATK/4 SDEF/252 SPE

Crustle has a series of factors that work great as a entry hazard setter. Sturdy acts like a built in Focus Sash, freeing up Crustle's Item slot for other items. Spikes and Stealth Rock are a given, and advantageous to have them one Pokémon. STAB rock moves provide an excellent deterrent vs most Defog users, with Stone Edge for more reliability, while Rock Blast can break through opposing Focus Sash leads. Knock Off is the last move, providing additional coverage and further team support by removing items.

Item is Mental Herb, to prevent disruption via Taunt. But this leads to consideration of your EVs and Nature. Do you want to maximize bulk so Crustle could possibly come back later in the match? Or do you maximize speed, so you can outspeed opposing Taunt users and get a 2nd entry hazard up?
 
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