[OVERVIEW]
* Shuckle's main role on a team is to set up Sticky Web, which helps the offense matchup.
* Shuckle has many moves to help it do its job such as Toxic and Encore.
* Shuckle's ability, Sturdy allows a guaranteed survival of a move, opening up an item slot.
* Having 230 defenses means that Shuckle is bulkier than most hyper-offense leads.
* However, Shuckle has base 20 HP, which makes its bulk not as good as it seems.
* Shuckle is completely shut down by Magic Bounce, as it can do almost nothing to those Pokemon.
* It also faces competition with Smeargle, which can remove hazards with Rapid Spin, and having moves such as Spore and Nuzzle to help it set up Sticky Web.
[SET]
name: Sticky Web Lead
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Rock Tomb
move 4: Encore
item: Mental Herb
ability: Sturdy
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP/ 132 Def/ 124 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Sticky Web is the hazard Shuckle will be setting up, slowing down grounded Pokemon.
* Toxic cripples Pokemon that come in against Shuckle.
* Rock Tomb slows down Flying-types, which somewhat makes up for their immunity to Sticky Web.
* Encore allows Shuckle to set up easier and gives a teammate an easier chance to switch in.
Set Details
========
* Since Shuckle is bulkier than most leads and has Sturdy, Mental Herb will be used in order to prevent Taunt and Encore for a turn, guaranteeing a chance for setting up Sticky Web against Taunt users.
* Max HP increases Shuckle's maximum bulk and compensates for the low HP it has.
* 124 Special Defense EVs allows it to prevent a 2HKO from a Life Orb Yveltal's Dark Pulse and max invested Moonblast from Xerneas.
* The rest of the EVs and a Bold Nature are used to invest into physical bulk, allowing it to tank physical moves from Pokemon such as Primal Groudon and Necrozma-Dusk-Mane better.
* Sturdy is used in order to guarantee a survival of moves that KO Shuckle.
Usage Tips
========
* Shuckle can lead and get Sticky Web up almost every game. However, don't switch it in if Magic Bounce users, Rapid Spin users, or Mega Gengar is on the opposing team, as those Pokemon can either reflect,
* Switch a Ghost-type in against a predicted Rapid Spin, as Ghost-types are immune to Rapid Spin, thus negating the hazard removal.
* To stop Defog while Shuckle is not in play, either use Taunt or hard hitters to pressure Defog users, preventing or punishing them from using Defog.
* Use Toxic to punish switch-ins and checks, such as Support-Arceus forms.
* Use Rock Tomb on Flying-types, as the speed drop acts like they have been affected by Sticky Web.
* Use Encore on non-attacking moves, such as set up moves or cleric moves.
Team Options
========
* Almost any wallbreaker appreciates Sticky Web, as Sticky Web handles the offense matchup. Examples of wallbreakers are Rayquaza, SD Necrozma-Dusk-Mane, and Mega Lucario.
*
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Infestation can be run over another move to trap the active Pokemon, allowing Shuckle to set up hazards easier without having to worry about its checks.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Magic Bounce**: Magic Bounce from Mega Sableye and Mega Diancie completely shut down Shuckle as Magic Bounce reflects Sticky Web, Toxic, and Encore, forcing it to switch.
**Rapid Spin**: Rapid Spin from Excadril and Cloyster can be a problem to Shuckle, as they can set up their own hazards and then spinning it away with ease.
**Mega Gengar**: Mega Gengar can easily eliminate Shuckle from the game by Taunting it and removing it with its STAB moves. If Mega Gengar has a Defog user on its team, then they can now freely use Defog, as Shuckle is eliminated from the game.
**Defog**: Defog Mega Salamence is one of the biggest nuisances to Shuckle, as it is immune to Sticky Web and can doesn't mind status if it has Facade or Refresh. Other Defoggers, such as Support Arceus forms, Giratina forms, and Xerneas can work, but they either affected by Sticky Web, or get crippled by Toxic
**Other Anti-Lead Moves**: Magic Coat from Smeargle and Deoxys-S can easily reflect Sticky Web, although it can be played around with good play. Although incredibly rare, sleep moves from users such as Darkrai and Lunala can shut Shuckle down.
* Shuckle's main role on a team is to set up Sticky Web, which helps the offense matchup.
* Shuckle has many moves to help it do its job such as Toxic and Encore.
* Shuckle's ability, Sturdy allows a guaranteed survival of a move, opening up an item slot.
* Having 230 defenses means that Shuckle is bulkier than most hyper-offense leads.
* However, Shuckle has base 20 HP, which makes its bulk not as good as it seems.
* Shuckle is completely shut down by Magic Bounce, as it can do almost nothing to those Pokemon.
* It also faces competition with Smeargle, which can remove hazards with Rapid Spin, and having moves such as Spore and Nuzzle to help it set up Sticky Web.
[SET]
name: Sticky Web Lead
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Rock Tomb
move 4: Encore
item: Mental Herb
ability: Sturdy
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP/ 132 Def/ 124 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Sticky Web is the hazard Shuckle will be setting up, slowing down grounded Pokemon.
* Toxic cripples Pokemon that come in against Shuckle.
* Rock Tomb slows down Flying-types, which somewhat makes up for their immunity to Sticky Web.
* Encore allows Shuckle to set up easier and gives a teammate an easier chance to switch in.
Set Details
========
* Since Shuckle is bulkier than most leads and has Sturdy, Mental Herb will be used in order to prevent Taunt and Encore for a turn, guaranteeing a chance for setting up Sticky Web against Taunt users.
* Max HP increases Shuckle's maximum bulk and compensates for the low HP it has.
* 124 Special Defense EVs allows it to prevent a 2HKO from a Life Orb Yveltal's Dark Pulse and max invested Moonblast from Xerneas.
* The rest of the EVs and a Bold Nature are used to invest into physical bulk, allowing it to tank physical moves from Pokemon such as Primal Groudon and Necrozma-Dusk-Mane better.
* Sturdy is used in order to guarantee a survival of moves that KO Shuckle.
Usage Tips
========
* Shuckle can lead and get Sticky Web up almost every game. However, don't switch it in if Magic Bounce users, Rapid Spin users, or Mega Gengar is on the opposing team, as those Pokemon can either reflect,
* Switch a Ghost-type in against a predicted Rapid Spin, as Ghost-types are immune to Rapid Spin, thus negating the hazard removal.
* To stop Defog while Shuckle is not in play, either use Taunt or hard hitters to pressure Defog users, preventing or punishing them from using Defog.
* Use Toxic to punish switch-ins and checks, such as Support-Arceus forms.
* Use Rock Tomb on Flying-types, as the speed drop acts like they have been affected by Sticky Web.
* Use Encore on non-attacking moves, such as set up moves or cleric moves.
Team Options
========
* Almost any wallbreaker appreciates Sticky Web, as Sticky Web handles the offense matchup. Examples of wallbreakers are Rayquaza, SD Necrozma-Dusk-Mane, and Mega Lucario.
*
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Infestation can be run over another move to trap the active Pokemon, allowing Shuckle to set up hazards easier without having to worry about its checks.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Magic Bounce**: Magic Bounce from Mega Sableye and Mega Diancie completely shut down Shuckle as Magic Bounce reflects Sticky Web, Toxic, and Encore, forcing it to switch.
**Rapid Spin**: Rapid Spin from Excadril and Cloyster can be a problem to Shuckle, as they can set up their own hazards and then spinning it away with ease.
**Mega Gengar**: Mega Gengar can easily eliminate Shuckle from the game by Taunting it and removing it with its STAB moves. If Mega Gengar has a Defog user on its team, then they can now freely use Defog, as Shuckle is eliminated from the game.
**Defog**: Defog Mega Salamence is one of the biggest nuisances to Shuckle, as it is immune to Sticky Web and can doesn't mind status if it has Facade or Refresh. Other Defoggers, such as Support Arceus forms, Giratina forms, and Xerneas can work, but they either affected by Sticky Web, or get crippled by Toxic
**Other Anti-Lead Moves**: Magic Coat from Smeargle and Deoxys-S can easily reflect Sticky Web, although it can be played around with good play. Although incredibly rare, sleep moves from users such as Darkrai and Lunala can shut Shuckle down.
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