approved by blarajan
Berry Juice.
The release of Berry Juice drastically improves the viability and strength of Shell Smashing Pokemon. Most of them already have enough natural bulk to tank a few hits as they set up, and the inclusion of Berry Juice makes them a whole lot scarier as they can tank a hit as they set up and then completely revive to full health, ready to sweep opposing teams. This effect is even more drastically enhanced in Tirtouga and Dwebble, who have the perfect ability Sturdy, basically guaranteeing them not only a turn for setting up but also 100% HP afterwards due to the Berry Juice. Here's what the sets look like.
What does this mean? This means that, as long as they come in with 100% HP, both Tirtouga and Dwebble can take a turn to set up, which was already guaranteed by their ability, Sturdy. Then, during the turn they set up, should they be hit past 50%, they will regain all of their HP because of their item, Berry Juice, bringing them back to 100% HP, with a +2 boost in Attack, Speed, and Special Attack. This means that it will take another two hits to take them down, as they need to be 2HKO'd again because of their ability. This gives Dwebble and Tirtouga not only pretty much free setup but also a free two whole turns to attack their opponents, and that is the limit only if the opponent still has Pokemon that can stomach +2 STABs and hit back with decent force. This makes Dwebble and Tirtouga extremely efficient and frightening sweepers.
What are your thoughts? Do you think Shell Smashers will have a big impact on the metagame? Do you think the impact will be positive or negative? How do you think the existence of these new major threats will affect teambuilding? What kind of sets are you guys using? Feel free to discuss below!
Shell Smash(ers)
Shell Smashers were great last Generation, but with the inclusion of many new, more suddenly powerful threats such as Sneasel, Gligar, or Meditite, and Pokemon that can boost without even having to use a turn, such as Yanma or Carvanha, do Shell Smashers still have a niche? What makes them different, and, if it be true, still worth using in Generation 6?
Berry Juice.
What does this mean? This means that, as long as they come in with 100% HP, both Tirtouga and Dwebble can take a turn to set up, which was already guaranteed by their ability, Sturdy. Then, during the turn they set up, should they be hit past 50%, they will regain all of their HP because of their item, Berry Juice, bringing them back to 100% HP, with a +2 boost in Attack, Speed, and Special Attack. This means that it will take another two hits to take them down, as they need to be 2HKO'd again because of their ability. This gives Dwebble and Tirtouga not only pretty much free setup but also a free two whole turns to attack their opponents, and that is the limit only if the opponent still has Pokemon that can stomach +2 STABs and hit back with decent force. This makes Dwebble and Tirtouga extremely efficient and frightening sweepers.
Type Advantages in the New Generation
This extreme boost in efficiency is also backed by the fact that Shell Smashers have a big advantage over the recently unbanned Pokemon because of their typings. All of them except Dwebble are Water-type, which is a very solid defensive and offensive type this Generation, as few teams carry Pokemon with Electric or Grass-type STAB now due to the prevalence of Gligar, Sneasel, and Meditite. Water-types have a whole lot that they can hit, too, as Dragons are still virtually non-existant as are Grass-types and opposing Water-types (though the latter may change as more people begin to use Water-type Shell Smashers.) Powerful Water-type STABs such as Surf, Hydro Pump, Aqua Tail, Waterfall, and Aqua Jet go relatively unresisted in this new metagame, making them powerful attack moves for sweepers. All of the Shell Smashers except Shellder and Clamperl are also Rock-type, which is a great secondary STAB for nailing the new and common Sneasel and Yanma. Shell Smashers have a big advantage power and type-wise.
What are your thoughts? Do you think Shell Smashers will have a big impact on the metagame? Do you think the impact will be positive or negative? How do you think the existence of these new major threats will affect teambuilding? What kind of sets are you guys using? Feel free to discuss below!
