[OVERVIEW]
Omanyte has a rock-solid place in the LC metagame thanks to its high Defense, which gives it many setup opportunities, coupled with its high Special Attack, which allows it to pressure the opponent's team at the same time. Omanyte is able to perform two very different roles, each with different counterplay, which gives it a certain measure of unpredictability. First, it can run a Shell Smash set, allowing it to boost its already-high Special Attack and sweep teams in the late-game. Alternatively, it can adopt a supporting role, using Weak Armor to boost its Speed and its wide support movepool to set entry hazards and disrupt the opposing team. In addition, Omanyte's typing gives it key resistances to Flying- and Fire-type moves, but it also gives it weaknesses to the more common Electric-, Grass-, and Fighting-type moves. Omanyte is also held back by its poor Speed, which leaves it reliant on either a Weak Armor or Shell Smash boost to perform its role effectively, and its lack of priority, leaving it susceptible to certain revenge killers.
[SET]
name: Shell Smash Sweeper
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Earth Power
item: Eviolite
ability: Shell Armor
nature: Modest
evs: 36 Def / 200 SpA / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shell Smash allows Omanyte to function as a very effective sweeper, patching up its poor Speed stat and doubling its high Special Attack in a single turn. Hydro Pump is Omanyte's most powerful STAB move, able to KO most Pokemon that don't resist it with a small amount of prior damage, specifically Timburr. Surf can be used as a less powerful alternative with higher accuracy on teams that can easily wear down bulky Pokemon enough for Hydro Pump to be unnecessary. Ice Beam hits the Grass-types that resist Hydro Pump, including Foongus, Cottonee, and Snivy, as well as certain bulky Pokemon such as Vullaby more accurately than Hydro Pump. Earth Power is a valuable coverage move, able to hit Pokemon such as Chinchou, Croagunk, and Mareanie that take little damage from Hydro Pump and Ice Beam. Alternatively, Hidden Power Grass is an option to hit bulky Water-types harder, most notably Staryu, while still securing a KO on most Chinchou variants.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread maximizes Omanyte's Special Attack and its Speed so that it can hit as hard as possible and reach 26 Speed with a Shell Smash boost, outspeeding practically every Choice Scarf user in the metagame, making it harder to revenge kill. The remaining EVs go into HP, which, when coupled with Eviolite, increases Omanyte's ability to take hits while setting up Shell Smash. Shell Armor is the preferred ability on the set, as rain is rarely seen in LC, rendering Swift Swim useless, and Weak Armor lowers Omanyte's Defense, leaving it susceptible to being revenge killed by priority moves.
Usage Tips
========
Shell Smash Omanyte works as a late-game sweeper, meaning it should virtually always be preserved until its checks and counters are weakened enough for it to sweep, and the priority users that can revenge kill it have been eliminated. Omanyte should usually attempt to set up with Shell Smash when it can secure a turn against a Pokemon whose moves it resists, such as a Flying-type that is locked into its Flying-type STAB attack, a Fire-type, or a more passive Pokemon. After Omanyte has set up, it can sweep with its wide coverage.
Team Options
========
Memento support is especially helpful, as it increases the opportunities Omanyte has to set up. For this reason, Cottonee, which can also provide Knock Off support, is a good option, especially because it lures in the Fire-, Flying-, and Poison-types that Omanyte can set up on. Alolan Grimer can trap Focus Sash Abra, which often acts as a safety net to Omanyte sweeps, with Pursuit; it also has access to Memento, though it shares a Ground weakness with Omanyte. Will-O-Wisp Gastly can bring in opposing Pawniard and cripple them with a burn, making Omanyte less susceptible to getting picked off by Sucker Punch. Gastly is also immune to Fighting-type priority, which allows it to revenge kill Fighting-type Pokemon easily. Entry hazards assist Omanyte in its sweep by weakening Pokemon that switch into it and breaking opposing Sturdy. Ferroseed sets hazards well, and it can lure in and use Knock Off on the Fighting-types that look to check Omanyte. Dwebble also can use Knock Off and set both Stealth Rock and Spikes. Knock Off users can soften bulkier Pokemon so that Omanyte can sweep. Fighting-types such as Mienfoo and Timburr can lure in Pokemon such as Foongus and Spritzee and use Knock Off on them, allowing Omanyte to deal with them later in the game. Pancham can do the same but also has access to Parting Shot, which can bring Omanyte in safely and give it a setup opportunity late in the game. Lastly, Hidden Power Fire Gothita can trap and KO nearly every check and counter to Omanyte, most notably Ferroseed, Fighting-types, and Foongus.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Spikes / Stealth Rock
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Stealth Rock / Toxic Spikes
item: Eviolite
ability: Weak Armor
nature: Modest
evs: 76 HP / 36 Def / 196 SpA / 156 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Omanyte has an easy time setting up entry hazards throughout a match, so Spikes is a good choice in the first slot because it can be stacked. If nothing else on Omanyte's team can fit Stealth Rock on to its moveset, however, and Omanyte is using a different move in its fourth moveslot, Stealth Rock can be run as well. Hydro Pump hits anything that doesn't resist it very hard and keeps this Omanyte set from being passive while setting up hazards. Knock Off allows Omanyte to support its teammates by luring in key Pokemon, such as Grass- and Fighting-types, and removing their items. Knock Off can also cripple Berry Juice users that are trying to set up entry hazards alongside Omanyte, such as Dwebble, and can even weaken Pokemon for Omanyte itself to deal with. Stealth Rock is the preferred option in the final moveslot, as Omanyte is one of the most reliable Stealth Rock setters for offensive teams. Toxic Spikes is an interesting option in this slot as well, as Omanyte is the only non-Poison-type in the LC metagame that can set it effectively. However, on faster-paced teams that don't take enough hits to appreciate Toxic Spikes wearing down the foe, Stealth Rock is the entry hazard of choice. Ice Beam can be run on this slot for coverage and to help KO the Grass-types that Omanyte lures in.
Set Details
========
The given defensive EVs, when used in conjunction with an Eviolite, allow Omanyte to survive Life Orb Diglett's Earthquake after Stealth Rock nearly all of the time while still surviving certain key super-effective attacks such as Magnemite's Volt Switch. 156 Speed EVs give Omanyte 12 Speed, allowing it to outspeed RestTalk Mudbray before a Weak Armor boost, and outspeed the entire unboosted metagame and Choice Scarf users with less than 15 Speed after a Weak Armor boost. The remaining EVs and a Modest nature go towards maximizing Omanyte's Special Attack, allowing it to OHKO Berry Juice Mudbray, as well as Mienfoo and more defensive Mudbray variants after they have been hit by Knock Off. Weak Armor doubles Omanyte's Speed when it takes a hit, enabling it to reliably set more entry hazards or pressure the opponent's team with attacking moves.
Usage Tips
========
Omanyte can work well at various points throughout a match. On hyper offense teams, it works well as a lead, nearly always surviving an attack and getting two layers of Spikes or Stealth Rock up and putting immediate offensive pressure on the opposing team. Omanyte also cripples common Dwebble and Onix leads with Knock Off, and KOes them with Hydro Pump. On other teams, Omanyte works through the early- and mid-game, switching into resisted Fire-, Ice-, and Flying-type attacks to get a Weak Armor boost and continuing to stack entry hazards or disrupt the opposing team with Knock Off. Omanyte can take advantage of its unpredictability to bluff a Shell Smash set; however, the opponent will be cautious about activating Weak Armor after they know it has Weak Armor, so plan switches to activate Weak Armor accordingly.
Team Options
========
This Omanyte set works best on offensive teams, which appreciate its ability to check certain Pokemon and set entry hazards while maintaining an offensive presence. Hard-hitting Pokemon that appreciate hazard support make for good partners, including Abra, Gastly, and setup sweepers like Scraggy and Shell Smash users. Pumpkaboo makes for a very good partner due to its ability to keep up the hazards Omanyte sets on the field by blocking Rapid Spin and its ability to lure in Fire- and Flying-type attacks, which Omanyte can switch in on and get a Weak Armor boost from. Pokemon that can take advantage of Defog users, including Defiant Pawniard and some Rock-type Pokemon, make good partners to deter the removal of Omanyte's hazards through Defog. Pokemon like Carvanha, Corphish, Scraggy, and Choice Scarf Mienfoo that appreciate Omanyte's ability to lure in and use Knock Off on Grass-types, such as Cottonee and Foongus, make good partners. Timburr especially appreciates the weakening of Cottonee and Foongus, and appreciates hazard support if attempting to clean up a team with Bulk Up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
On the Shell Smash set, running Rock Blast with an EV spread of 116 Atk / 36 Def / 196 SpA / 156 Spe allows Omanyte to get around Focus Sash Abra, and more reliably sweep offensive teams. However, Omanyte usually prefers coverage moves. Similarly, Hidden Power Fire is an option to lure and eliminate Ferroseed, which can be useful for Water-spam teams, but it lacks use against most other Pokemon. Life Orb can be used on the Shell Smash set to boost Omanyte's damage output, but the lack of Eviolite makes it significantly harder for Omanyte to set up and the power boost is usually unnecessary given Omanyte's great attacking prowess after a Shell Smash. Scald is an option on the support set, but Omanyte would generally prefer to either utilize a more powerful attack to hit as hard as possible or set up hazards against physical attackers. Berry Juice can be used on both sets, but it, like Life Orb, makes it harder for Omanyte to get a Shell Smash or Weak Armor boost. Lastly, Omanyte can function as a rain setter with Rain Dance thanks to its decent defensive stats and access to Swift Swim, but rain is an underwhelming strategy in Little Cup, and Omanyte can double its Speed stat and hit harder with a Shell Smash boost than with a Rain Dance boost.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ferroseed**: Ferroseed is the most reliable counter to both Omanyte sets, being able to easily OHKO Omanyte with Bullet Seed or cripple it with Thunder Wave, as well as survive any attack from it even after a Shell Smash boost.
**Super Effective Attacks**: Powerful super effective attacks, especially Grass-type attacks, as well as Electric-type attacks from the likes of Magnemite and Elekid and Fighting-type attacks such as Mienfoo's High Jump Kick, can easily take out Omanyte before it sets up.
**Strong Priority**: Strong priority moves, especially super effective Fighting priority moves from the likes of Timburr and Croagunk, and Sucker Punch on Pokemon such as Pawniard, can revenge kill Omanyte after it is weakened and its Defense has been lowered by Weak Armor or Shell Smash.
**Sturdy and Focus Sash Users**: Sturdy and Focus Sash users, such as Abra and SturdyJuice Magnemite, can act as safety nets against Shell Smash Omanyte; however, they need to be wary of switching into the Weak Armor set, which can surprise them with Knock Off.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Munchlax and Spritzee can survive an attack from Omanyte even after a Shell Smash boost and cripple it, but they have to beware the Weak Armor set, which can remove their defensive items with Knock Off and set up hazards against them.
Omanyte has a rock-solid place in the LC metagame thanks to its high Defense, which gives it many setup opportunities, coupled with its high Special Attack, which allows it to pressure the opponent's team at the same time. Omanyte is able to perform two very different roles, each with different counterplay, which gives it a certain measure of unpredictability. First, it can run a Shell Smash set, allowing it to boost its already-high Special Attack and sweep teams in the late-game. Alternatively, it can adopt a supporting role, using Weak Armor to boost its Speed and its wide support movepool to set entry hazards and disrupt the opposing team. In addition, Omanyte's typing gives it key resistances to Flying- and Fire-type moves, but it also gives it weaknesses to the more common Electric-, Grass-, and Fighting-type moves. Omanyte is also held back by its poor Speed, which leaves it reliant on either a Weak Armor or Shell Smash boost to perform its role effectively, and its lack of priority, leaving it susceptible to certain revenge killers.
[SET]
name: Shell Smash Sweeper
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Earth Power
item: Eviolite
ability: Shell Armor
nature: Modest
evs: 36 Def / 200 SpA / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shell Smash allows Omanyte to function as a very effective sweeper, patching up its poor Speed stat and doubling its high Special Attack in a single turn. Hydro Pump is Omanyte's most powerful STAB move, able to KO most Pokemon that don't resist it with a small amount of prior damage, specifically Timburr. Surf can be used as a less powerful alternative with higher accuracy on teams that can easily wear down bulky Pokemon enough for Hydro Pump to be unnecessary. Ice Beam hits the Grass-types that resist Hydro Pump, including Foongus, Cottonee, and Snivy, as well as certain bulky Pokemon such as Vullaby more accurately than Hydro Pump. Earth Power is a valuable coverage move, able to hit Pokemon such as Chinchou, Croagunk, and Mareanie that take little damage from Hydro Pump and Ice Beam. Alternatively, Hidden Power Grass is an option to hit bulky Water-types harder, most notably Staryu, while still securing a KO on most Chinchou variants.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread maximizes Omanyte's Special Attack and its Speed so that it can hit as hard as possible and reach 26 Speed with a Shell Smash boost, outspeeding practically every Choice Scarf user in the metagame, making it harder to revenge kill. The remaining EVs go into HP, which, when coupled with Eviolite, increases Omanyte's ability to take hits while setting up Shell Smash. Shell Armor is the preferred ability on the set, as rain is rarely seen in LC, rendering Swift Swim useless, and Weak Armor lowers Omanyte's Defense, leaving it susceptible to being revenge killed by priority moves.
Usage Tips
========
Shell Smash Omanyte works as a late-game sweeper, meaning it should virtually always be preserved until its checks and counters are weakened enough for it to sweep, and the priority users that can revenge kill it have been eliminated. Omanyte should usually attempt to set up with Shell Smash when it can secure a turn against a Pokemon whose moves it resists, such as a Flying-type that is locked into its Flying-type STAB attack, a Fire-type, or a more passive Pokemon. After Omanyte has set up, it can sweep with its wide coverage.
Team Options
========
Memento support is especially helpful, as it increases the opportunities Omanyte has to set up. For this reason, Cottonee, which can also provide Knock Off support, is a good option, especially because it lures in the Fire-, Flying-, and Poison-types that Omanyte can set up on. Alolan Grimer can trap Focus Sash Abra, which often acts as a safety net to Omanyte sweeps, with Pursuit; it also has access to Memento, though it shares a Ground weakness with Omanyte. Will-O-Wisp Gastly can bring in opposing Pawniard and cripple them with a burn, making Omanyte less susceptible to getting picked off by Sucker Punch. Gastly is also immune to Fighting-type priority, which allows it to revenge kill Fighting-type Pokemon easily. Entry hazards assist Omanyte in its sweep by weakening Pokemon that switch into it and breaking opposing Sturdy. Ferroseed sets hazards well, and it can lure in and use Knock Off on the Fighting-types that look to check Omanyte. Dwebble also can use Knock Off and set both Stealth Rock and Spikes. Knock Off users can soften bulkier Pokemon so that Omanyte can sweep. Fighting-types such as Mienfoo and Timburr can lure in Pokemon such as Foongus and Spritzee and use Knock Off on them, allowing Omanyte to deal with them later in the game. Pancham can do the same but also has access to Parting Shot, which can bring Omanyte in safely and give it a setup opportunity late in the game. Lastly, Hidden Power Fire Gothita can trap and KO nearly every check and counter to Omanyte, most notably Ferroseed, Fighting-types, and Foongus.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Spikes / Stealth Rock
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Stealth Rock / Toxic Spikes
item: Eviolite
ability: Weak Armor
nature: Modest
evs: 76 HP / 36 Def / 196 SpA / 156 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Omanyte has an easy time setting up entry hazards throughout a match, so Spikes is a good choice in the first slot because it can be stacked. If nothing else on Omanyte's team can fit Stealth Rock on to its moveset, however, and Omanyte is using a different move in its fourth moveslot, Stealth Rock can be run as well. Hydro Pump hits anything that doesn't resist it very hard and keeps this Omanyte set from being passive while setting up hazards. Knock Off allows Omanyte to support its teammates by luring in key Pokemon, such as Grass- and Fighting-types, and removing their items. Knock Off can also cripple Berry Juice users that are trying to set up entry hazards alongside Omanyte, such as Dwebble, and can even weaken Pokemon for Omanyte itself to deal with. Stealth Rock is the preferred option in the final moveslot, as Omanyte is one of the most reliable Stealth Rock setters for offensive teams. Toxic Spikes is an interesting option in this slot as well, as Omanyte is the only non-Poison-type in the LC metagame that can set it effectively. However, on faster-paced teams that don't take enough hits to appreciate Toxic Spikes wearing down the foe, Stealth Rock is the entry hazard of choice. Ice Beam can be run on this slot for coverage and to help KO the Grass-types that Omanyte lures in.
Set Details
========
The given defensive EVs, when used in conjunction with an Eviolite, allow Omanyte to survive Life Orb Diglett's Earthquake after Stealth Rock nearly all of the time while still surviving certain key super-effective attacks such as Magnemite's Volt Switch. 156 Speed EVs give Omanyte 12 Speed, allowing it to outspeed RestTalk Mudbray before a Weak Armor boost, and outspeed the entire unboosted metagame and Choice Scarf users with less than 15 Speed after a Weak Armor boost. The remaining EVs and a Modest nature go towards maximizing Omanyte's Special Attack, allowing it to OHKO Berry Juice Mudbray, as well as Mienfoo and more defensive Mudbray variants after they have been hit by Knock Off. Weak Armor doubles Omanyte's Speed when it takes a hit, enabling it to reliably set more entry hazards or pressure the opponent's team with attacking moves.
Usage Tips
========
Omanyte can work well at various points throughout a match. On hyper offense teams, it works well as a lead, nearly always surviving an attack and getting two layers of Spikes or Stealth Rock up and putting immediate offensive pressure on the opposing team. Omanyte also cripples common Dwebble and Onix leads with Knock Off, and KOes them with Hydro Pump. On other teams, Omanyte works through the early- and mid-game, switching into resisted Fire-, Ice-, and Flying-type attacks to get a Weak Armor boost and continuing to stack entry hazards or disrupt the opposing team with Knock Off. Omanyte can take advantage of its unpredictability to bluff a Shell Smash set; however, the opponent will be cautious about activating Weak Armor after they know it has Weak Armor, so plan switches to activate Weak Armor accordingly.
Team Options
========
This Omanyte set works best on offensive teams, which appreciate its ability to check certain Pokemon and set entry hazards while maintaining an offensive presence. Hard-hitting Pokemon that appreciate hazard support make for good partners, including Abra, Gastly, and setup sweepers like Scraggy and Shell Smash users. Pumpkaboo makes for a very good partner due to its ability to keep up the hazards Omanyte sets on the field by blocking Rapid Spin and its ability to lure in Fire- and Flying-type attacks, which Omanyte can switch in on and get a Weak Armor boost from. Pokemon that can take advantage of Defog users, including Defiant Pawniard and some Rock-type Pokemon, make good partners to deter the removal of Omanyte's hazards through Defog. Pokemon like Carvanha, Corphish, Scraggy, and Choice Scarf Mienfoo that appreciate Omanyte's ability to lure in and use Knock Off on Grass-types, such as Cottonee and Foongus, make good partners. Timburr especially appreciates the weakening of Cottonee and Foongus, and appreciates hazard support if attempting to clean up a team with Bulk Up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
On the Shell Smash set, running Rock Blast with an EV spread of 116 Atk / 36 Def / 196 SpA / 156 Spe allows Omanyte to get around Focus Sash Abra, and more reliably sweep offensive teams. However, Omanyte usually prefers coverage moves. Similarly, Hidden Power Fire is an option to lure and eliminate Ferroseed, which can be useful for Water-spam teams, but it lacks use against most other Pokemon. Life Orb can be used on the Shell Smash set to boost Omanyte's damage output, but the lack of Eviolite makes it significantly harder for Omanyte to set up and the power boost is usually unnecessary given Omanyte's great attacking prowess after a Shell Smash. Scald is an option on the support set, but Omanyte would generally prefer to either utilize a more powerful attack to hit as hard as possible or set up hazards against physical attackers. Berry Juice can be used on both sets, but it, like Life Orb, makes it harder for Omanyte to get a Shell Smash or Weak Armor boost. Lastly, Omanyte can function as a rain setter with Rain Dance thanks to its decent defensive stats and access to Swift Swim, but rain is an underwhelming strategy in Little Cup, and Omanyte can double its Speed stat and hit harder with a Shell Smash boost than with a Rain Dance boost.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ferroseed**: Ferroseed is the most reliable counter to both Omanyte sets, being able to easily OHKO Omanyte with Bullet Seed or cripple it with Thunder Wave, as well as survive any attack from it even after a Shell Smash boost.
**Super Effective Attacks**: Powerful super effective attacks, especially Grass-type attacks, as well as Electric-type attacks from the likes of Magnemite and Elekid and Fighting-type attacks such as Mienfoo's High Jump Kick, can easily take out Omanyte before it sets up.
**Strong Priority**: Strong priority moves, especially super effective Fighting priority moves from the likes of Timburr and Croagunk, and Sucker Punch on Pokemon such as Pawniard, can revenge kill Omanyte after it is weakened and its Defense has been lowered by Weak Armor or Shell Smash.
**Sturdy and Focus Sash Users**: Sturdy and Focus Sash users, such as Abra and SturdyJuice Magnemite, can act as safety nets against Shell Smash Omanyte; however, they need to be wary of switching into the Weak Armor set, which can surprise them with Knock Off.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Munchlax and Spritzee can survive an attack from Omanyte even after a Shell Smash boost and cripple it, but they have to beware the Weak Armor set, which can remove their defensive items with Knock Off and set up hazards against them.
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