Spotlight: Shuckle

Shuckle is a durable little monster. With 20/10/230/10/230/5 for its base stats, its role on your team is pretty obvious. It makes up for its bad HP with its phenomenal defenses.



Shuckle @ Binding Band
Ability: Contrary
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 228 Def / 28 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Rest
- Shell Smash
- Toxic

- Infestation

The Shell Smash and Contrary combination is one for the record books. Each time you use it, Shuckle's defenses rise by one stage. That is a crazy amount of potential. 252 Hp investment is recommended because of the shoddy Hp stat. The other EVs should go into defenses, but the combination is all dependent on your team. If you run Sand, I recommend most go into Defese as Sand will boost your Special Defense. Remember the base stats? Its offenses are complete garbage. This set completely rectifies this. Infestation will always deal 1/6th damage at the end of each turn while holding the Binding Band. It lasts for 4-5 turns, so it will fall a bit short of knocking out the opponent. But remember, Infestation also traps the opponent, so this is a killer move. Judging by the smallest amount of turns for Infestation to last, with solely Infestation, your opponent will lose 68% (rounded up) of their HP. This means you only need enough damage to get rid of 32%. This is Toxic's job.

Turn 1:
Infestation: 17%

Opponent: 83% Hp left

Turn 2:
Infestation: 17%
Toxic: 6%

Opponent: 60% Hp left

Turn 3:
Infestation: 17%
Toxic: 12%

Opponent: 31% Hp left

Turn 4:
Infestation: 17%
Toxic: 19%

Opponent: -5% Hp left

As you can see, if all goes well, the opponent will be dead by the end of the 4th turn. Now obviously, there are some pitfalls to this set. Poison and Steel types can not be poisoned. In addition, while Infestation deals 20bp damage, with Shuckle's attack, you won't be able to break subs. Neither Infestation, the 1/6th effect, nor Toxic, goes through Substitute.

So with the offensive portion done, how would you guys like defensive calculations?
252+ SpA Mega Blastoise Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 28+ SpD Shuckle: 92-110 (72.4 - 86.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 228 Def Shuckle: 74-90 (58.2 - 70.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Rampardos Head Smash vs. 252 HP / 228 Def Shuckle: 174-205 (137 - 161.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 SpA Stone Plate Arceus-Rock Judgment vs. 252 HP / 28+ SpD Shuckle: 68-84 (53.5 - 66.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Aegislash-Blade Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 28+ SpD Shuckle: 74-90 (58.2 - 70.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Aegislash-Blade Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 228 Def Shuckle: 74-90 (58.2 - 70.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

These calculations factor in the strongest possible attacks that Shuckle is weak to. All of them, minus Rampardos, is a 2HKO without any boosts. It is crucial to know that while Shuckle is pretty sturdy, it can fall fast to its weaknesses. With that in mind, either bring it out early and get the boosts as quickly as you can, or save Shuckle for clean up when its weaknesses are gone. 

Shuckle can be very devastating when played right. Be wary of hard hitting Water, Steel, and Rock types and you should do well!

~Ryan