RU Cloyster

MrAldo

Hey
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QC checks: phantom | Teachable | avocado
GP checks: Zrpz200 and marthaa | The Dutch Plumberjack

:clapper:

[OVERVIEW]

Cloyster's offensive typing in conjunction with its access to Shell Smash makes it stand out over other Water-types in the current RU metagame. After using Shell Smash, Cloyster jumps to an outstanding Speed tier, becoming a potent cleaner that can be really hard to stop and difficult to revenge kill outside a select pool of Choice Scarf users like Salazzle and finding itself able to punish many team compositions that include multiple Ice-weak Pokemon like Nidoqueen, Xatu, and Chesnaught. Furthermore, Cloyster's amazing ability Skill Link allows it to make good use of moves like Icicle Spear and Rock Blast, enabling it to break through Focus Sashes and Sturdy. Finally, Cloyster's gargantuan Defense stat that provides it with plenty of setup opportunities against a good number of physical attackers like Flygon, Snorlax, Araquanid, and Zygarde-10%. However, being weak to all form of entry hazards means that Cloyster has to be preserved for late-game, since it gets worn down rather easily by those, removing potential setup opportunities. Cloyster also lacks the coverage to hit Steel-types like Registeel, Escavalier, and Bronzong and other defensive Pokemon like Cresselia, so it becomes a less appealing choice over its Water-type competition like Feraligatr and Bruxish. Finally, an abysmal Special Defense stat means that even resisted special hits will do excessive amounts of damage to Cloyster, which means it can't afford to setup against any kind of special attacker.

[SET]
name: Shell Smash Sweeper
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Icicle Spear
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Hydro Pump
item: Normalium Z / Life Orb
ability: Skill Link
nature: Naive / Naughty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Shell Smash increases Cloyster's Attack, Special Attack, and Speed by 2 stages, sending them to really threatening levels. Icicle Spear works excellently in conjunction with Skill Link, giving Cloyster a 125-Base Power Ice-type move. Explosion provides Cloyster with the ability to blow through defensive Water-types that would otherwise easily counter it like Milotic. Hydro Pump allows Cloyster to beat Pokemon like Doublade, Torkoal, and Durant, which would otherwise beat Cloyster rather easily one-on-one even after it sets up.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack and Speed EVs maximize Cloyster's offensive presence. A Naive nature is the preferred nature despite the lack of initial power, since it allows Cloyster to outspeed Jolly Bewear and Speed tie with Jolly Decidueye and Timid Hoopa. It also allows Cloyster to avoid getting revenge killed by Modest Venusaur under sun and by Choice Scarf users like Shaymin and Durant. However, Naughty can be an option over Naive, since it provides Cloyster with more initial power, allowing it to more easily 2HKO Quagsire with Icicle Spear when equipped with a Life Orb and secure the KO on defensive Milotic with Breakneck Blitz after a Shell Smash boost. Skill Link guarantees that moves like Icicle Spear and Rock Blast will always hit five times. Normalium Z turns Explosion into a 200-Base Power Breakneck Blitz, allowing Cloyster to plow through defensive Water-types like Milotic and Slowking after using Shell Smash without sacrificing itself through Explosion. Life Orb makes for a decent item alternative, since it provides Cloyster with more initial power, which helps it 2HKO Pokemon like Quagsire, obtain a guaranteed 3HKO on Doublade unboosted, and always 2HKO specially defensive Bronzong after a Shell Smash with Hydro Pump.

Usage Tips
========

As Icicle Spear makes for a rather spammable move, Cloyster should use it constantly early-game to weaken its checks. Ideally, you should save Cloyster for late-game, when Pokemon like Milotic, Cresselia, and Registeel are weakened enough for Cloyster to effectively sweep through them. Cloyster finds a good number of setup opportunities against physical attackers like Flygon, Doublade lacking Sacred Sword or Toxic, and Araquanid, so make sure to take advantage of that by using them as setup fodder when provided a free switch. Since it relies on its natural physical bulk to tank some priority moves that could otherwise end its sweep like Sucker Punch from Honchkrow and Extreme Speed from Zygarde-10%, Cloyster should be kept as healthy as possible. Lastly, Comfey, although relatively uncommon, is a Pokemon Cloyster should be really careful around, since, thanks to Triage, it can stop a set-up Cloyster at any given moment.

Team Options
========

Pokemon like Feraligatr, Decidueye, and Tyrantrum make for great partners because they share similar defensive checks in Porygon2, Registeel, and Escavalier, which can easily be overwhelmed by the offensive pressure Cloyster can generate in conjunction with any of these Pokemon. Wallbreakers like Bewear, Durant, Kommo-o, Araquanid, and Salazzle can punch holes through the opposing team and remove Cloyster's defensive answers so that it has an easier time sweeping. Cloyster really hates all sort of entry hazards, so Pokemon like Gligar and Espeon are appreciated to remove or reflect hazards through Defog or Magic Bounce respectively. Cloyster appreciates being brought safely into the match, so U-turn users like Xatu and Gligar and Volt Switch users like Mega Ampharos make for great partners. Spikes helps Cloyster sweep more easily through teams, so Chesnaught and Roserade are fantastic partners; an added bonus is that these two can also beat opposing Water-types.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Running a Choice Scarf can be a functional option, since it enables Cloyster to revenge kill notable offensive Pokemon like Shaymin, Zoroark, Roserade, and Salazzle, and due to its surprise value, it can be used effectively to catch the aforementioned Pokemon off guard. A suicide lead set consisting of Spikes, Shell Smash, Icicle Spear, and Explosion makes good use of Cloyster's powerful offensive presence, especially as common hazard control options like Xatu and Gligar will not be willing to switch directly into it. However, it faces direct competition with Froslass and Mega Glalie as an Ice-type Spikes user. Razor Shell can help Cloyster defeat Registeel and Bronzong, since they generally invest in their Special Defense, but it is objectively inferior to Hydro Pump, which covers more relevant targets like Doublade more effectively. Toxic Spikes can make for an interesting choice, since, as previously mentioned, Cloyster can punish common hazard control options like Gligar and beats common Toxic Spikes absorbers like Dragalge and Nidoqueen. Ice Shard can enable Cloyster to revenge kill opposing Flygon and Zygarde-10% as well as weakened Choice Scarfed Grass-types like Roserade, but it holds very little merit over other moves due to its low Base Power, and Cloyster can set up against Flygon and Zygarde-10% if needed. Rock Blast can make dealing with Pokemon like Snorlax and Mega Abomasnow easier, but Normalium Z allows Cloyster to take care of them anyway.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Steel-types**: Pokemon like Registeel and Bronzong can easily beat Cloyster one-on-one by putting it on a timer with Toxic, while Escavalier and Durant can easily overpower it with Choice Band Megahorn and Superpower, respectively.

**Special Attackers**: Thanks to its abysmal Special Defense stat along with the fact that it has to run a nature that decreases that stat even further, Cloyster should avoid taking even resisted special attacks (for example, Slowbro's Scald 3HKOes it) and attacks like Draining Kiss from Comfey at all costs.

**Bulky Water-types**: Pokemon like Milotic, Slowbro, Quagsire, and Slowking can easily stop Cloyster's sweep with their status moves. While Breakneck Blitz helps to get past most of these, Cloyster still has to be wary of a Scald burn, Quagsire can go for Toxic, and Milotic can just opt to run Haze.

**Grass-types**: While they can't switch directly into Cloyster thanks to its STAB Ice-type attacks, Pokemon like Roserade, Shaymin, and Virizion can all outspeed and KO Cloyster before it can set up a Shell Smash. Whimsicott also can stop it in its tracks thanks to Prankster Encore.

**Status**: Cloyster absolutely despises any form of status due to its role as a sweeper, so putting it on a timer with Toxic or paralyzing it with Thunder Wave from Pokemon like Porygon2 heavily hinders its effectiveness.
 
Last edited:

phantom

Banned deucer.
slash naive before naughty. outspeeding jolly bewear and speed tying decidueye/hoopa prior to set up as well as outspeeding base 100 scarfers after set up is pretty important.

maybe mention scarf in other options. it does rk quite a few offensive mons like shaymin/salazzle/roserade/glalie/zoro (can take +2 lo sucker after sr with 8 hp evs)

qc 1/3
 

teachable

Banned deucer.
Hewwo.

[OVERVIEW]
  • Pretty good, maybe a mention on how good Ice-type coverage is in this metagame or something? Most teams are incredibly Ice weak; your call.

[Shell Smash Sweeper]
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Good, pretty straightforward and I don't think any of its other options deserve a mention in Moves so gj.

Set Details
========
  • Good job.

Usage Tips
========
  • Mention what checks you're trying to weaken for a sweep.
  • Mention Doublade lacking Sacred Sword or Toxic lol.
  • Sucker Punch and Extremespeed from who?

Team Options
========
  • Mention what the shared defensive checks are e.g. Milotic/Registeel/Bronzong. Also add M-Glalie
  • Mention Gligar again as a U-turn user.
  • Mention M-Glalie in Spikers
  • Trapper Araquanid worth a mention? Feel like you'd know better if it lures in defensive checks for this mon, it'd only really get Milotic I guess but could also fall under a wallbreaker. Your call again.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
  • I'd mention Ice Shard here somewhere to revenge Zydoge/Flygon, but mention that it can't usually afford the move slot.
  • Probably move scarf as the first sentence when you're typing this up, as it's probably the best other option.
Checks and Counters
===================
  • Comfey probably worth a mention for revenge killing it, even though its not as relevant now. Mention specific water types also.


2/3
 

MrAldo

Hey
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Implemented. Thanks a lot for the check. Will get to write it up in the next couple of days hopefully.
 

aVocado

@ Everstone
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can be really hard to stop and difficult to revenge kill outside a select pool of Choice Scarf users
who? cuz even i dont know owo

Being weak to all form of hazards means it has to be preserved for late-game since getting worn down really hinders its effectiveness.
why? I don't see how those 2 things are connected

make the overview one paragraph imo cuz 2 paragraphs are always bad, but you can leave that up to gp if you want

QC approved 3/3
 
[OVERVIEW]

Cloyster's offensive typing in conjunction with its access to Shell Smash makes it stand out over other Water-types in the current RU metagame. After using Shell Smash, Cloyster jumpings to an outstanding Speed tier after using Shell Smash which turns (what makes it so?), turning it into a really potent cleaner that can be really hard to stop and difficult to revenge kill outside a select pool of Choice Scarf users like Salazzle, (RC) and allowing it to punishing many team compositions that have a notorious Ice-type weakness (is there a common Pokemon on teams that has an Ice-type weakness? You don't just throw around words like notorious). Furthermore, it Cloyster's amazing ability in Skill Link, allows Cloyster it to make the best good use of moves like Icicle Spear and Rock Blast, and enabling it to break through Focus Sashes and abilities like Sturdy. Finally, Cloyster's possesses a gargantuousan (not actually a word) Defense stat that provides it with plenty of setup opportunities against a good amount of physical attackers like, (AC) including Flygon, Snorlax, Araquanid, and Zygarde-10%. However, not everything is good news. Being weak to all forms of hazards means it that Cloyster has to be preserved for late-game, (AC) since it gets worn down rather easily by those, removing potential setup opportunities. It Cloyster also lacks the coverage to hit Steel-types like Registeel, Escavalier, and Bronzong and for other defensive Pokemon like Cresselia, so it becomes a less appealing choice over other Water-types that it competes with like Feraligatr or Bruxish. Finally, an abysmal spdef Special Defense stat means that even resisted hits will do an excessive amounts of damage to this Pokemon Cloyster. (what is the significance of that?)

[SET]
name: Shell Smash Sweeper
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Icicle Spear
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Hydro Pump
item: Normalium Z / Life Orb
ability: Skill Link
nature: Naive / Naughty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Shell Smash increases Cloyster's Attack, Special Attack, and Speed by 2 stages, sending these them to really threatening levels. Icicle Spear is its main STAB move and it works excellently in conjunction with Skill Link, giving it Cloyster a 125 bp Base Power STAB Ice-type move. Explosion provides Cloyster with the possiability to of blowing through the defensive Water-types that would otherwise easily counter it (which in particular?). Hydro Pump is the final move of choice, which allows Cloyster to beat Pokemon like Doublade, Torkoal, and Durant, which would otherwise beat Cloyster rather easily on a one-vs-one situation even after it settings up.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack and Speed to EVs maximize it Cloyster's offensive presence. A Naive nature is the preferred nature despite the lack of initial power, (AC) since it allows Cloyster to outspeed Jolly Bewear and force a Speed tie with Jolly Decidueye and Timid Hoopa. It also allows Cloyster to avoid getting revenge killed by Scarf Shaymin, Scarf Durant, and Modest Venusaur under sun and Choice Scarf Shaymin and Durant. However, Naughty can be an option over Naive, (AC) since it provides Cloyster with more initial power, allowing it to more easily 2HKO Quagsire with Icicle Spear when equipped with a Life Orb, (RC) and securinge the KO on defensive Milotic with Breakneck Blitz after a Shell Smash. Skill Link is the ability of choice in order to guarantees the 5 hits on at moves like Icicle Spear and Rock Blast, maximizing its effectiveness. Normalium Z is the main item of choice, turning will always hit five times. Normalium Z turns Explosion into a 200 Base Power Breakneck Blitz, allowing Cloyster to plow through defensive Water-types like Milotic, (RC) and Slowking after using Shell Smash without killsacrificing itself through Explosion. Life Orb makes for a decent item alternative, (AC) since it provides Cloyster with more initial power, which helps it with 2HKOing Pokemon like Quagsire and nailing the, nail a guaranteed 3HKO on Doublade without the need of setting up, and allows Cloyster to even when unboosted, and always 2HKO specially defensive Bronzong after a Shell Smash with Hydro Pump.

Usage Tips
========

As Icicle Spear makes for a rather spammable mode so the move, Cloyster user can proceed to should use it this move constantly on early-game to weaken its own checks. Ideally, the user you should save Cloyster for the late-game, (AC) when Pokemon like Milotic, Cresselia, and Registeel are weakened enough so that it can effectively sweep through opposing teams them. Cloyster also (this is the first time you mention setup) finds a good amount of setup opportunities against physical attackers like Flygon, Doublade lacking Sacred Sword or Toxic, and Araquanid, (AC) so make sure to take advantage of that (by....). Preserve Cloyster as healthy as possible Since it relies on its natural physical bulk to tank some priority moves that could otherwise end its sweep like Sucker Punch from Honchkrow and Zoroark, and Extremes Speed from Zygarde-10% that could stop a potential sweep from it, Cloyster should be kept as healthy as possible. Lastly, Comfey, although relatively uncommon, Comfey is a Pokemon Cloyster should be really careful around, (AC) since, (AC) thanks to Triage, it can stop a set-up Cloyster at any given moment if it already went for Shell Smash, so this Pokemon should be removed before attempting going for game with Cloyster.

Team Options
========

Pokemon like Feraligatr, Decidueye, and Tyrantrum make for great partners since because (suggestions on discord) they share similar defensive checks in Porygon2, Registeel, and Escavalier so they, which can easily be overwhelmed by the offensive pressure Cloyster can generate in conjunction with any of these Pokemon. Wallbreakers like Bewear, Durant, Kommo-o, Araquanid, and Salazzle make for great partners, (AC) since these they can punch holes through the opposing team and remove Cloyster's defensive answers so that it has an easier time sweeping. Cloyster really hates all sort of hazards, (AC) so Pokemon like Gligar and Espeon are great partners to keep hazards remove or deflect them through Defog and Magic Bounce respectively. Cloyster appreciates being brought safely into the match, (AC) so U-turn users like Xatu and Gligar, and Volt Switch users like Mega Ampharos make for great partners. Cloyster appreciates Spikes that so it can sweep more easily through teams, (AC) so Chesnaught and Roserade are fantastic partners, with the; an added bonus is that these 2 two can also beat opposing Water-types. Finally, Zoroark makes for a rather notorios effective partner, (AC) since thanks to Illusion, it can disguise itself as Cloyster and lure and beat Pokemon like Registeel, Snorlax, and Bronzong so Cloyster can proceed to set (AC) up and attempt a sweep.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Running a Choice Scarf can be a functional option, (AC) since it enables Cloyster to can revenge kill notable offensive Pokemon like Shaymin, Zoroark, Roserade, and Salazzle and, (AC) due to its surprise value, (AC) it can be used effectively to lure the aforementioned Pokemon. A suicide lead set consisting of Spikes, Shell Smash, Icicle Spear, and Explosion makes good use of Cloyster's powerful offensive presence and, especially as common hazard control options like Xatu and Gligar will not be willing to switch directly into it, so it makes for a really effective spikes setter. However, it faces direct competition with Froslass and Mega Glalie as an Ice-type Spikes user. Razor Shell can help Cloyster in defeating Registeel and Bronzong, (AC) since they generally go invest in their Specially Defensive investment, but it is objectively inferior to Hydro Pump, (AC) which covers more relevant targets (any in particular?) more effectively. Toxic Spikes can make for an interesting choice, (AC) since, as previously mentioned, it can punish common hazard control options (such as?) and it can allow Cloyster to beat common Toxic Spikes absorbers like Dragalge and Nidoqueen. Ice Shard can enable Cloyster to revenge kill opposing Flygon and Zygarde-10%, and as well as weakened Choice Scarfed Grass-types like Roserade, but it holds very little merit over other moves (Why? Don't make the reader have to take your word for it) and Cloyster can set (AS) up against Flygon and Zygarde-10% one-v-one if needed. Rock Blast can make dealing with Pokemon like Snorlax and Mega Abomasnow an easier task, (AC) but other options are vastly superior and Normalium Z allow its Cloyster to take care of those them anyways.

Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Pokemon like Registeel and Bronzong can easily 1v1 beat Cloyster by putting it on a timer with Toxic, while Escavalier and Durant can easily overpower it with Choice Band Megahorn and Superpower, (AC) respectively.

**Special Attackers**: Thanks to its abysmal Special Defense stat, and along with the fact that it has to running a nature that decreases that stat even further, Cloyster should avoid taking even resisted special attacks like Scald from defensive Water-types Pokemon like Slowbro can easily 3hko and even and weak attacks like Draining Kiss from Comfey will hurt a lot, so it gotta avoid facing those at all costs, as they can easily 3HKO.

**Bulky Water-types**: Pokemon like Milotic, Slowbro, Quagsire, and Slowking can easily ruin Cloyster's day. (How do they do that?) While having the Breakneck Blitz on deck helps to get past most of the selection these, it Cloyster still has to be wary of a Scald burns, and Milotic can just opt to run Haze.

**Grass-types**: While they can't (AA) switch directly into it thanks to Cloyster being part Ice-type, Pokemon like Roserade, Shaymin, and Virizion can all outspeed and kill KO Cloyster before it can get going set up a Shell Smash. Whimsicott also can stop it on its tracks thanks to Prankster Encore.

**Status**: Cloyster absolutely despises any form of status due to its nature of role as a sweeper, (AC) so putting it on a timer with Toxic, (RC) or paralyzing it with Thunder Wave with from Pokemon like Porygon2 heavily hinders its effectiveness.
 
Last edited:

autumn

only i will remain
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C&C Leader
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me: add remove comments
[OVERVIEW]

Cloyster's offensive typing in conjunction with its access to Shell Smash makes it stand out over other Water-types in the current RU metagame. After using Shell Smash, Cloyster jumpings to an outstanding Speed tier after using Shell Smash which turns (what makes it so?), turning it into a really potent cleaner that can be really hard to stop and difficult to revenge kill outside a select pool of Choice Scarf users like Salazzle, (RC) and allowing it to punishing many team compositions that have a notorious Ice-type weakness (is there a common Pokemon on teams that has an Ice-type weakness? You don't just throw around words like notorious). Furthermore, it Cloyster's amazing ability in Skill Link, allows Cloyster it to make the best good use of moves like Icicle Spear and Rock Blast, and enabling it to break through Focus Sashes and abilities like Sturdy. (that's the only one) Finally, Cloyster's possesses a gargantuousan (not actually a word) Defense stat that provides it with plenty of setup opportunities against a good amount of physical attackers like, (AC) including Flygon, Snorlax, Araquanid, and Zygarde-10%. However, not everything is good news. (fluff) However, being weak to all forms of hazards means it that Cloyster has to be preserved for late-game, (AC) since it gets worn down rather easily by those, removing potential setup opportunities. It Cloyster also lacks the coverage to hit Steel-types like Registeel, Escavalier, and Bronzong and for other defensive Pokemon like Cresselia, so it becomes a less appealing choice over other Water-types that it competes with like Feraligatr or and Bruxish. Finally, an abysmal spdef Special Defense stat means that even resisted hits will do an excessive amounts (unneeded but it works) of damage to this Pokemon Cloyster. (what is the significance of that?)

[SET]
name: Shell Smash Sweeper
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Icicle Spear
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Hydro Pump
item: Normalium Z / Life Orb
ability: Skill Link
nature: Naive / Naughty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Shell Smash increases Cloyster's Attack, Special Attack, and Speed by 2 stages, sending these them to really threatening levels. Icicle Spear is its main STAB move and it works excellently in conjunction with Skill Link, giving it Cloyster a 125 bp Base Power STAB Ice-type move. Explosion provides Cloyster with the possiability to of blowing through the defensive Water-types that would otherwise easily counter it (which in particular?). Hydro Pump is the final move of choice, which allows Cloyster to beat Pokemon like Doublade, Torkoal, and Durant, which would otherwise beat Cloyster rather easily on a one-vs-one situation one-on-one (this information is still needed) even after it settings up.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack and Speed to EVs maximize it Cloyster's offensive presence. A Naive nature is the preferred nature despite the lack of initial power, (AC) since it allows Cloyster to outspeed Jolly Bewear and force a Speed tie with Jolly Decidueye and Timid Hoopa. It also allows Cloyster to avoid getting revenge killed by Scarf Shaymin, Scarf Durant, and Modest Venusaur under sun and Choice Scarf Shaymin and Durant. However, Naughty can be an option over Naive, (AC) since it provides Cloyster with more initial power, allowing it to more easily 2HKO Quagsire with Icicle Spear when equipped with a Life Orb, (RC) and securinge the KO on defensive Milotic with Breakneck Blitz after a Shell Smash boost. Skill Link is the ability of choice in order to guarantees the 5 hits onat moves like Icicle Spear and Rock Blast, maximizing its effectiveness. Normalium Z is the main item of choice, turning will always hit five times. Normalium Z turns Explosion into a 200 Base Power Breakneck Blitz, allowing Cloyster to plow through defensive Water-types like Milotic, (RC) and Slowking after using Shell Smash without killsacrificing itself through Explosion. Life Orb makes for a decent item alternative, (AC) since it provides Cloyster with more initial power, which helps it with 2HKOing Pokemon like Quagsire and nailing the, nail a guaranteed 3HKO on Doublade without the need of setting up, and allows Cloyster to even when unboosted, and always 2HKO specially defensive Bronzong after a Shell Smash with Hydro Pump.

Usage Tips
========

As Icicle Spear makes for a rather spammable mode so the move, Cloyster user can proceed to should use it this move constantly on early-game to weaken its own checks. Ideally, the user you should save Cloyster for the late-game, (AC) when Pokemon like Milotic, Cresselia, and Registeel are weakened enough so that it can effectively sweep through opposing teams them. Cloyster also (this is the first time you mention setup) finds a good amount of setup opportunities against physical attackers like Flygon, Doublade lacking Sacred Sword or Toxic, and Araquanid, (AC) so make sure to take advantage of that (by....). Preserve Cloyster as healthy as possible Since it relies on its natural physical bulk to tank some priority moves that could otherwise end its sweep like Sucker Punch from Honchkrow and Zoroark, and Extremes Speed from Zygarde-10% that could stop a potential sweep from it, Cloyster should be kept as healthy as possible. Lastly, Comfey, although relatively uncommon, Comfey is a Pokemon Cloyster should be really careful around, (AC) since, (AC) thanks to Triage, it can stop a set-up Cloyster at any given moment if it already went for Shell Smash, so this Pokemon should be removed before attempting going for game with Cloyster.

Team Options
========

Pokemon like Feraligatr, Decidueye, and Tyrantrum make for great partners since because (suggestions on discord) they share similar defensive checks in Porygon2, Registeel, and Escavalier so they, which can easily be overwhelmed by the offensive pressure Cloyster can generate in conjunction with any of these Pokemon. Wallbreakers like Bewear, Durant, Kommo-o, Araquanid, and Salazzle make for great partners, (AC) since these they can punch holes through the opposing team and remove Cloyster's defensive answers so that it has an easier time sweeping. Cloyster really hates all sort of hazards, (AC) so Pokemon like Gligar and Espeon are great partners to keep hazards remove or deflect them through Defog and Magic Bounce respectively. Cloyster appreciates being brought safely into the match, (AC) so U-turn users like Xatu and Gligar, and Volt Switch users like Mega Ampharos make for great partners. Cloyster appreciates Spikes that so it can sweep more easily through teams, (AC) so Chesnaught and Roserade are fantastic partners, with the; an added bonus is that these 2 two can also beat opposing Water-types. Finally, Zoroark makes for a rather notorios effective partner, (AC) since thanks to Illusion, it can disguise itself as Cloyster and lure and beat Pokemon like Registeel, Snorlax, and Bronzong so Cloyster can proceed to set (AC) (space not comma) up and attempt a sweep.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Running a Choice Scarf can be a functional option, (AC) since it enables Cloyster to can revenge kill notable offensive Pokemon like Shaymin, Zoroark, Roserade, and Salazzle and, (AC) due to its surprise value, (AC) it can be used effectively to lure surprise (it doesnt lure them in because if the opponent knows you have a scarf they wouldn't bring one of these pokemon in) the aforementioned Pokemon. A suicide lead set consisting of Spikes, Shell Smash, Icicle Spear, and Explosion makes good use of Cloyster's powerful offensive presence and, especially as common hazard control options like Xatu and Gligar will not be willing to switch directly into it, so it makes for a really effective spikes setter. However, it faces direct competition with Froslass and Mega Glalie as an Ice-type Spikes user. Razor Shell can help Cloyster in defeating Registeel and Bronzong, (AC) since they generally go invest in their Specially Defensive investment, but it is objectively inferior to Hydro Pump, (AC) which covers more relevant targets (any in particular?) more effectively. Toxic Spikes can make for an interesting choice, (AC) since, as previously mentioned, it can punish common hazard control options (such as?) and it can allow Cloyster to beat common Toxic Spikes absorbers like Dragalge and Nidoqueen. Ice Shard can enable Cloyster to revenge kill opposing Flygon and Zygarde-10%, and as well as weakened Choice Scarfed Grass-types like Roserade, but it holds very little merit over other moves (Why? Don't make the reader have to take your word for it) and Cloyster can set (AS) up against Flygon and Zygarde-10% one-v-one (correct but fixed colouring) if needed. Rock Blast can make dealing with Pokemon like Snorlax and Mega Abomasnow an easier task, (AC) but other options are vastly superior and Normalium Z allowits Cloyster to take care of those them anyways.

Checks and Counters
===================
(line break)
**Steel-types**: Pokemon like Registeel and Bronzong can easily 1v1 beat Cloyster one-on-one by putting it on a timer with Toxic, while Escavalier and Durant can easily overpower it with Choice Band Megahorn and Superpower, (AC) respectively.

**Special Attackers**: Thanks to its abysmal Special Defense stat, and along with the fact that it has to running a nature that decreases that stat even further, Cloyster should avoid taking even resisted special attacks like Scald from defensive Water-types Pokemon like Slowbro, which 3HKOes Cloyster, can easily 3hko and even and weak attacks like Draining Kiss from Comfey will hurt a lot, so it gotta avoid facing those at all costs, as they can easily 3HKO. (doesnt say that draining kiss is a 3hko; if it is, implement the amcheck)

**Bulky Water-types**: Pokemon like Milotic, Slowbro, Quagsire, and Slowking can easily ruin Cloyster's day stop Cloyster's sweep. (i think) (How do they do that?) While having the Breakneck Blitz on deck helps to get past most of the selection these, it Cloyster still has to be wary of a Scald burns, (a scald burn is fine) and Milotic can just opt to run Haze.

**Grass-types**: While they can't (AA) switch directly into it thanks to Cloyster being part Ice-type, Pokemon like Roserade, Shaymin, and Virizion can all outspeed and kill KO Cloyster before it can get going set up a Shell Smash. Whimsicott also can stop it on in its tracks thanks to Prankster Encore.

**Status**: Cloyster absolutely despises any form of status due to its nature of role as a sweeper, (AC) so putting it on a timer with Toxic, (RC) or paralyzing it with Thunder Wave with from Pokemon like Porygon2 heavily hinders its effectiveness.

GP 1/2 great check!
 

teachable

Banned deucer.
Implement the draining kiss thing; it is a 3HKO. I checked.
The spread that people should be using (252 Spatk Modest Pixie Plate, once the revamp gets through) actually cleanly 2HKOs. I'm not sure how you'd word that though, is it still worth keeping as is since it'll at best still 3HKO Cloyster?
 

MrAldo

Hey
is a Social Media Contributoris a Community Contributoris a Tiering Contributoris a Contributor to Smogonis a Dedicated Tournament Hostis a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnus
[OVERVIEW]

Cloyster's offensive typing in conjunction with its access to Shell Smash makes it stand out over other Water-types in the current RU metagame. After using Shell Smash, Cloyster jumpings to an outstanding Speed tier after using Shell Smash which turns (what makes it so?), turning it into a really potent cleaner that can be really hard to stop and difficult to revenge kill outside a select pool of Choice Scarf users like Salazzle, (RC) and allowing it to punishing many team compositions that have a notorious Ice-type weakness (is there a common Pokemon on teams that has an Ice-type weakness? You don't just throw around words like notorious). Furthermore, it Cloyster's amazing ability in Skill Link, allows Cloyster it to make the best good use of moves like Icicle Spear and Rock Blast, and enabling it to break through Focus Sashes and abilities like Sturdy. Finally, Cloyster's possesses a gargantuousan (not actually a word) Defense stat that provides it with plenty of setup opportunities against a good amount of physical attackers like, (AC) including Flygon, Snorlax, Araquanid, and Zygarde-10%. However, not everything is good news. Being weak to all forms of hazards means it that Cloyster has to be preserved for late-game, (AC) since it gets worn down rather easily by those, removing potential setup opportunities. It Cloyster also lacks the coverage to hit Steel-types like Registeel, Escavalier, and Bronzong and for other defensive Pokemon like Cresselia, so it becomes a less appealing choice over other Water-types that it competes with like Feraligatr or Bruxish. Finally, an abysmal spdef Special Defense stat means that even resisted hits will do an excessive amounts of damage to this Pokemon Cloyster. (what is the significance of that?)

[SET]
name: Shell Smash Sweeper
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Icicle Spear
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Hydro Pump
item: Normalium Z / Life Orb
ability: Skill Link
nature: Naive / Naughty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Shell Smash increases Cloyster's Attack, Special Attack, and Speed by 2 stages, sending these them to really threatening levels. Icicle Spear is its main STAB move and it works excellently in conjunction with Skill Link, giving it Cloyster a 125 bp Base Power STAB Ice-type move. Explosion provides Cloyster with the possiability to of blowing through the defensive Water-types that would otherwise easily counter it (which in particular?). Hydro Pump is the final move of choice, which allows Cloyster to beat Pokemon like Doublade, Torkoal, and Durant, which would otherwise beat Cloyster rather easily on a one-vs-one situation even after it settings up.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack and Speed to EVs maximize it Cloyster's offensive presence. A Naive nature is the preferred nature despite the lack of initial power, (AC) since it allows Cloyster to outspeed Jolly Bewear and force a Speed tie with Jolly Decidueye and Timid Hoopa. It also allows Cloyster to avoid getting revenge killed by Scarf Shaymin, Scarf Durant, and Modest Venusaur under sun and Choice Scarf Shaymin and Durant. However, Naughty can be an option over Naive, (AC) since it provides Cloyster with more initial power, allowing it to more easily 2HKO Quagsire with Icicle Spear when equipped with a Life Orb, (RC) and securinge the KO on defensive Milotic with Breakneck Blitz after a Shell Smash. Skill Link is the ability of choice in order to guarantees the 5 hits on at moves like Icicle Spear and Rock Blast, maximizing its effectiveness. Normalium Z is the main item of choice, turning will always hit five times. Normalium Z turns Explosion into a 200 Base Power Breakneck Blitz, allowing Cloyster to plow through defensive Water-types like Milotic, (RC) and Slowking after using Shell Smash without killsacrificing itself through Explosion. Life Orb makes for a decent item alternative, (AC) since it provides Cloyster with more initial power, which helps it with 2HKOing Pokemon like Quagsire and nailing the, nail a guaranteed 3HKO on Doublade without the need of setting up, and allows Cloyster to even when unboosted, and always 2HKO specially defensive Bronzong after a Shell Smash with Hydro Pump.

Usage Tips
========

As Icicle Spear makes for a rather spammable mode so the move, Cloyster user can proceed to should use it this move constantly on early-game to weaken its own checks. Ideally, the user you should save Cloyster for the late-game, (AC) when Pokemon like Milotic, Cresselia, and Registeel are weakened enough so that it can effectively sweep through opposing teams them. Cloyster also (this is the first time you mention setup) finds a good amount of setup opportunities against physical attackers like Flygon, Doublade lacking Sacred Sword or Toxic, and Araquanid, (AC) so make sure to take advantage of that (by....). Preserve Cloyster as healthy as possible Since it relies on its natural physical bulk to tank some priority moves that could otherwise end its sweep like Sucker Punch from Honchkrow and Zoroark, and Extremes Speed from Zygarde-10% that could stop a potential sweep from it, Cloyster should be kept as healthy as possible. Lastly, Comfey, although relatively uncommon, Comfey is a Pokemon Cloyster should be really careful around, (AC) since, (AC) thanks to Triage, it can stop a set-up Cloyster at any given moment if it already went for Shell Smash, so this Pokemon should be removed before attempting going for game with Cloyster.

Team Options
========

Pokemon like Feraligatr, Decidueye, and Tyrantrum make for great partners since because (suggestions on discord) they share similar defensive checks in Porygon2, Registeel, and Escavalier so they, which can easily be overwhelmed by the offensive pressure Cloyster can generate in conjunction with any of these Pokemon. Wallbreakers like Bewear, Durant, Kommo-o, Araquanid, and Salazzle make for great partners, (AC) since these they can punch holes through the opposing team and remove Cloyster's defensive answers so that it has an easier time sweeping. Cloyster really hates all sort of hazards, (AC) so Pokemon like Gligar and Espeon are great partners to keep hazards remove or deflect them through Defog and Magic Bounce respectively. Cloyster appreciates being brought safely into the match, (AC) so U-turn users like Xatu and Gligar, and Volt Switch users like Mega Ampharos make for great partners. Cloyster appreciates Spikes that so it can sweep more easily through teams, (AC) so Chesnaught and Roserade are fantastic partners, with the; an added bonus is that these 2 two can also beat opposing Water-types. Finally, Zoroark makes for a rather notorios effective partner, (AC) since thanks to Illusion, it can disguise itself as Cloyster and lure and beat Pokemon like Registeel, Snorlax, and Bronzong so Cloyster can proceed to set (AC) up and attempt a sweep.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Running a Choice Scarf can be a functional option, (AC) since it enables Cloyster to can revenge kill notable offensive Pokemon like Shaymin, Zoroark, Roserade, and Salazzle and, (AC) due to its surprise value, (AC) it can be used effectively to lure the aforementioned Pokemon. A suicide lead set consisting of Spikes, Shell Smash, Icicle Spear, and Explosion makes good use of Cloyster's powerful offensive presence and, especially as common hazard control options like Xatu and Gligar will not be willing to switch directly into it, so it makes for a really effective spikes setter. However, it faces direct competition with Froslass and Mega Glalie as an Ice-type Spikes user. Razor Shell can help Cloyster in defeating Registeel and Bronzong, (AC) since they generally go invest in their Specially Defensive investment, but it is objectively inferior to Hydro Pump, (AC) which covers more relevant targets (any in particular?) more effectively. Toxic Spikes can make for an interesting choice, (AC) since, as previously mentioned, it can punish common hazard control options (such as?) and it can allow Cloyster to beat common Toxic Spikes absorbers like Dragalge and Nidoqueen. Ice Shard can enable Cloyster to revenge kill opposing Flygon and Zygarde-10%, and as well as weakened Choice Scarfed Grass-types like Roserade, but it holds very little merit over other moves (Why? Don't make the reader have to take your word for it) and Cloyster can set (AS) up against Flygon and Zygarde-10% one-v-one if needed. Rock Blast can make dealing with Pokemon like Snorlax and Mega Abomasnow an easier task, (AC) but other options are vastly superior and Normalium Z allow its Cloyster to take care of those them anyways.

Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Pokemon like Registeel and Bronzong can easily 1v1 beat Cloyster by putting it on a timer with Toxic, while Escavalier and Durant can easily overpower it with Choice Band Megahorn and Superpower, (AC) respectively.

**Special Attackers**: Thanks to its abysmal Special Defense stat, and along with the fact that it has to running a nature that decreases that stat even further, Cloyster should avoid taking even resisted special attacks like Scald from defensive Water-types Pokemon like Slowbro can easily 3hko and even and weak attacks like Draining Kiss from Comfey will hurt a lot, so it gotta avoid facing those at all costs, as they can easily 3HKO.

**Bulky Water-types**: Pokemon like Milotic, Slowbro, Quagsire, and Slowking can easily ruin Cloyster's day. (How do they do that?) While having the Breakneck Blitz on deck helps to get past most of the selection these, it Cloyster still has to be wary of a Scald burns, and Milotic can just opt to run Haze.

**Grass-types**: While they can't (AA) switch directly into it thanks to Cloyster being part Ice-type, Pokemon like Roserade, Shaymin, and Virizion can all outspeed and kill KO Cloyster before it can get going set up a Shell Smash. Whimsicott also can stop it on its tracks thanks to Prankster Encore.

**Status**: Cloyster absolutely despises any form of status due to its nature of role as a sweeper, (AC) so putting it on a timer with Toxic, (RC) or paralyzing it with Thunder Wave with from Pokemon like Porygon2 heavily hinders its effectiveness.
zrp: add remove comments
me: add remove comments
[OVERVIEW]

Cloyster's offensive typing in conjunction with its access to Shell Smash makes it stand out over other Water-types in the current RU metagame. After using Shell Smash, Cloyster jumpings to an outstanding Speed tier after using Shell Smash which turns (what makes it so?), turning it into a really potent cleaner that can be really hard to stop and difficult to revenge kill outside a select pool of Choice Scarf users like Salazzle, (RC) and allowing it to punishing many team compositions that have a notorious Ice-type weakness (is there a common Pokemon on teams that has an Ice-type weakness? You don't just throw around words like notorious). Furthermore, it Cloyster's amazing ability in Skill Link, allows Cloyster it to make the best good use of moves like Icicle Spear and Rock Blast, and enabling it to break through Focus Sashes and abilities like Sturdy. (that's the only one) Finally, Cloyster's possesses a gargantuousan (not actually a word) Defense stat that provides it with plenty of setup opportunities against a good amount of physical attackers like, (AC) including Flygon, Snorlax, Araquanid, and Zygarde-10%. However, not everything is good news. (fluff) However, being weak to all forms of hazards means it that Cloyster has to be preserved for late-game, (AC) since it gets worn down rather easily by those, removing potential setup opportunities. It Cloyster also lacks the coverage to hit Steel-types like Registeel, Escavalier, and Bronzong and for other defensive Pokemon like Cresselia, so it becomes a less appealing choice over other Water-types that it competes with like Feraligatr or and Bruxish. Finally, an abysmal spdef Special Defense stat means that even resisted hits will do an excessive amounts (unneeded but it works) of damage to this Pokemon Cloyster. (what is the significance of that?)

[SET]
name: Shell Smash Sweeper
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Icicle Spear
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Hydro Pump
item: Normalium Z / Life Orb
ability: Skill Link
nature: Naive / Naughty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Shell Smash increases Cloyster's Attack, Special Attack, and Speed by 2 stages, sending these them to really threatening levels. Icicle Spear is its main STAB move and it works excellently in conjunction with Skill Link, giving it Cloyster a 125 bp Base Power STAB Ice-type move. Explosion provides Cloyster with the possiability to of blowing through the defensive Water-types that would otherwise easily counter it (which in particular?). Hydro Pump is the final move of choice, which allows Cloyster to beat Pokemon like Doublade, Torkoal, and Durant, which would otherwise beat Cloyster rather easily on a one-vs-one situation one-on-one (this information is still needed) even after it settings up.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack and Speed to EVs maximize it Cloyster's offensive presence. A Naive nature is the preferred nature despite the lack of initial power, (AC) since it allows Cloyster to outspeed Jolly Bewear and force a Speed tie with Jolly Decidueye and Timid Hoopa. It also allows Cloyster to avoid getting revenge killed by Scarf Shaymin, Scarf Durant, and Modest Venusaur under sun and Choice Scarf Shaymin and Durant. However, Naughty can be an option over Naive, (AC) since it provides Cloyster with more initial power, allowing it to more easily 2HKO Quagsire with Icicle Spear when equipped with a Life Orb, (RC) and securinge the KO on defensive Milotic with Breakneck Blitz after a Shell Smash boost. Skill Link is the ability of choice in order to guarantees the 5 hits onat moves like Icicle Spear and Rock Blast, maximizing its effectiveness. Normalium Z is the main item of choice, turning will always hit five times. Normalium Z turns Explosion into a 200 Base Power Breakneck Blitz, allowing Cloyster to plow through defensive Water-types like Milotic, (RC) and Slowking after using Shell Smash without killsacrificing itself through Explosion. Life Orb makes for a decent item alternative, (AC) since it provides Cloyster with more initial power, which helps it with 2HKOing Pokemon like Quagsire and nailing the, nail a guaranteed 3HKO on Doublade without the need of setting up, and allows Cloyster to even when unboosted, and always 2HKO specially defensive Bronzong after a Shell Smash with Hydro Pump.

Usage Tips
========

As Icicle Spear makes for a rather spammable mode so the move, Cloyster user can proceed to should use it this move constantly on early-game to weaken its own checks. Ideally, the user you should save Cloyster for the late-game, (AC) when Pokemon like Milotic, Cresselia, and Registeel are weakened enough so that it can effectively sweep through opposing teams them. Cloyster also (this is the first time you mention setup) finds a good amount of setup opportunities against physical attackers like Flygon, Doublade lacking Sacred Sword or Toxic, and Araquanid, (AC) so make sure to take advantage of that (by....). Preserve Cloyster as healthy as possible Since it relies on its natural physical bulk to tank some priority moves that could otherwise end its sweep like Sucker Punch from Honchkrow and Zoroark, and Extremes Speed from Zygarde-10% that could stop a potential sweep from it, Cloyster should be kept as healthy as possible. Lastly, Comfey, although relatively uncommon, Comfey is a Pokemon Cloyster should be really careful around, (AC) since, (AC) thanks to Triage, it can stop a set-up Cloyster at any given moment if it already went for Shell Smash, so this Pokemon should be removed before attempting going for game with Cloyster.

Team Options
========

Pokemon like Feraligatr, Decidueye, and Tyrantrum make for great partners since because (suggestions on discord) they share similar defensive checks in Porygon2, Registeel, and Escavalier so they, which can easily be overwhelmed by the offensive pressure Cloyster can generate in conjunction with any of these Pokemon. Wallbreakers like Bewear, Durant, Kommo-o, Araquanid, and Salazzle make for great partners, (AC) since these they can punch holes through the opposing team and remove Cloyster's defensive answers so that it has an easier time sweeping. Cloyster really hates all sort of hazards, (AC) so Pokemon like Gligar and Espeon are great partners to keep hazards remove or deflect them through Defog and Magic Bounce respectively. Cloyster appreciates being brought safely into the match, (AC) so U-turn users like Xatu and Gligar, and Volt Switch users like Mega Ampharos make for great partners. Cloyster appreciates Spikes that so it can sweep more easily through teams, (AC) so Chesnaught and Roserade are fantastic partners, with the; an added bonus is that these 2 two can also beat opposing Water-types. Finally, Zoroark makes for a rather notorios effective partner, (AC) since thanks to Illusion, it can disguise itself as Cloyster and lure and beat Pokemon like Registeel, Snorlax, and Bronzong so Cloyster can proceed to set (AC) (space not comma) up and attempt a sweep.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Running a Choice Scarf can be a functional option, (AC) since it enables Cloyster to can revenge kill notable offensive Pokemon like Shaymin, Zoroark, Roserade, and Salazzle and, (AC) due to its surprise value, (AC) it can be used effectively to lure surprise (it doesnt lure them in because if the opponent knows you have a scarf they wouldn't bring one of these pokemon in) the aforementioned Pokemon. A suicide lead set consisting of Spikes, Shell Smash, Icicle Spear, and Explosion makes good use of Cloyster's powerful offensive presence and, especially as common hazard control options like Xatu and Gligar will not be willing to switch directly into it, so it makes for a really effective spikes setter. However, it faces direct competition with Froslass and Mega Glalie as an Ice-type Spikes user. Razor Shell can help Cloyster in defeating Registeel and Bronzong, (AC) since they generally go invest in their Specially Defensive investment, but it is objectively inferior to Hydro Pump, (AC) which covers more relevant targets (any in particular?) more effectively. Toxic Spikes can make for an interesting choice, (AC) since, as previously mentioned, it can punish common hazard control options (such as?) and it can allow Cloyster to beat common Toxic Spikes absorbers like Dragalge and Nidoqueen. Ice Shard can enable Cloyster to revenge kill opposing Flygon and Zygarde-10%, and as well as weakened Choice Scarfed Grass-types like Roserade, but it holds very little merit over other moves (Why? Don't make the reader have to take your word for it) and Cloyster can set (AS) up against Flygon and Zygarde-10% one-v-one (correct but fixed colouring) if needed. Rock Blast can make dealing with Pokemon like Snorlax and Mega Abomasnow an easier task, (AC) but other options are vastly superior and Normalium Z allowits Cloyster to take care of those them anyways.

Checks and Counters
===================
(line break)
**Steel-types**: Pokemon like Registeel and Bronzong can easily 1v1 beat Cloyster one-on-one by putting it on a timer with Toxic, while Escavalier and Durant can easily overpower it with Choice Band Megahorn and Superpower, (AC) respectively.

**Special Attackers**: Thanks to its abysmal Special Defense stat, and along with the fact that it has to running a nature that decreases that stat even further, Cloyster should avoid taking even resisted special attacks like Scald from defensive Water-types Pokemon like Slowbro, which 3HKOes Cloyster, can easily 3hko and even and weak attacks like Draining Kiss from Comfey will hurt a lot, so it gotta avoid facing those at all costs, as they can easily 3HKO. (doesnt say that draining kiss is a 3hko; if it is, implement the amcheck)

**Bulky Water-types**: Pokemon like Milotic, Slowbro, Quagsire, and Slowking can easily ruin Cloyster's day stop Cloyster's sweep. (i think) (How do they do that?) While having the Breakneck Blitz on deck helps to get past most of the selection these, it Cloyster still has to be wary of a Scald burns, (a scald burn is fine) and Milotic can just opt to run Haze.

**Grass-types**: While they can't (AA) switch directly into it thanks to Cloyster being part Ice-type, Pokemon like Roserade, Shaymin, and Virizion can all outspeed and kill KO Cloyster before it can get going set up a Shell Smash. Whimsicott also can stop it on in its tracks thanks to Prankster Encore.

**Status**: Cloyster absolutely despises any form of status due to its nature of role as a sweeper, (AC) so putting it on a timer with Toxic, (RC) or paralyzing it with Thunder Wave with from Pokemon like Porygon2 heavily hinders its effectiveness.

GP 1/2 great check!
On it. Thanks for the check.
 

Lumari

empty spaces
is a Site Content Manageris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Member of Senior Staffis a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris an Administrator Alumnus
TFP Leader


remove
add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 2/2
[OVERVIEW]

Cloyster's offensive typing in conjunction with its access to Shell Smash makes it stand out over other Water-types in the current RU metagame. After using Shell Smash, Cloyster jumps to an outstanding Speed tier, turning it into becoming a really potent cleaner that can be really hard to stop and difficult to revenge kill outside a select pool of Choice Scarf users like Salazzle and allowing it finding itself able to punish many team compositions that include Ice-weak (add "multiple" if applicable, can't really tell) Pokemon like Nidoqueen, Xatu, and Chesnaught which share an Ice-type weakness. Furthermore, Cloyster's amazing ability Skill Link (RC) allows it to make good use of moves like Icicle Spear and Rock Blast, enabling it to break through Focus Sashes and Sturdy. Finally, Cloyster's gargantuan Defense stat that provides it with plenty of setup opportunities against a good amount number of Physical physical attackers like Flygon, Snorlax, Araquanid, and Zygarde-10%. However, being weak to all form of entry hazards means that Cloyster has to be preserved for late-game, since it gets worn down rather easily by those, removing potential setup opportunities. Cloyster also lacks the coverage to hit Steel-types like Registeel, Escavalier, and Bronzong and other defensive Pokemon like Cresselia, so it becomes a less appealing choice over other Water-types that it competes with its Water-type competition like Feraligatr and Bruxish. Finally, an abysmal Special Defense stat means that even resisted special hits will do excessive amounts of damage to Cloyster, (AC) which means it cant can't afford to setup against any kind of special attacker.

[SET]
name: Shell Smash Sweeper
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Icicle Spear
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Hydro Pump
item: Normalium Z / Life Orb
ability: Skill Link
nature: Naive / Naughty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Shell Smash increases Cloyster's Attack, Special Attack, and Speed by 2 stages, sending them to really threatening levels. Icicle Spear works excellently in conjunction with Skill Link, giving Cloyster a 125 bp 125-Base Power Ice-type move. Explosion provides Cloyster with the ability to blow through defensive Water-types that would otherwise easily counter it like Milotic. Hydro Pump allows Cloyster to beat Pokemon like Doublade, Torkoal, and Durant, which would otherwise beat Cloyster rather easily one-on-one even after it sets up.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack and Speed EVs maximize Cloyster's offensive presence. A Naive nature is the preferred nature despite the lack of initial power, since it allows Cloyster to outspeed Jolly Bewear and speed Speed tie with Jolly Decidueye and Timid Hoopa. It also allows Cloyster to avoid getting revenge killed by Modest Venusaur under sun and by Choice Scarf users like Shaymin and Durant. However, Naughty can be an option over Naive, since it provides Cloyster with more initial power, allowing it to more easily 2HKO Quagsire with Icicle Spear when equipped with a Life Orb and secure the KO on defensive Milotic with Breakneck Blitz after a Shell Smash boost. Skill Link guarantees that moves like Icicle Spear and Rock Blast will always hit five times. Normalium Z turns Explosion into a 200-Base (AH) Power Breakneck Blitz, allowing Cloyster to plow through defensive Water-types like Milotic and Slowking after using Shell Smash without sacrificing itself through Explosion. Life Orb makes for a decent item alternative, since it provides Cloyster with more initial power, which helps it 2HKO Pokemon like Quagsire, nail obtain a guaranteed 3HKO on Doublade unboosted, and always 2HKO specially defensive Bronzong after a Shell Smash with Hydro Pump.

Usage Tips
========

As Icicle Spear makes for a rather spammable move, Cloyster should use it constantly early-game (AH) to weaken its checks. Ideally, you should save Cloyster for the late-game, when Pokemon like Milotic, Cresselia, and Registeel are weakened enough so that it for Cloyster to can effectively sweep through them. Cloyster finds a good amount number of setup opportunities against physical attackers like Flygon, Doublade lacking Sacred Sword or Toxic, and Araquanid, so make sure to take advantage of that by using them as setup fodder when provided a free switch-in. Since it relies on its natural physical bulk to tank some priority moves that could otherwise end its sweep like Sucker Punch from Honchkrow and Zoroark and Extreme Speed from Zygarde-10%, Cloyster should be kept as healthy as possible. Lastly, Comfey, although relatively uncommon, is a Pokemon Cloyster should be really careful around, since, thanks to Triage, it can stop a set-up Cloyster at any given moment.

Team Options
========

Pokemon like Feraligatr, Decidueye, and Tyrantrum make for great partners because they share similar defensive checks in Porygon2, Registeel, and Escavalier, which can easily be overwhelmed by the offensive pressure Cloyster can generate in conjunction with any of these Pokemon. Wallbreakers like Bewear, Durant, Kommo-o, Araquanid, and Salazzle make for great partners, since they can punch holes through the opposing team and remove Cloyster's defensive answers so that it has an easier time sweeping. Cloyster really hates all sort of entry hazards, so Pokemon like Gligar and Espeon are great partners appreciated to remove or deflect reflect hazards through Defog and or Magic Bounce respectively. Cloyster appreciates being brought safely into the match, so U-turn users like Xatu and Gligar and Volt Switch users like Mega Ampharos make for great partners. Cloyster appreciates Spikes so it can helps Cloyster sweep more easily through teams, so Chesnaught and Roserade are fantastic partners; an added bonus is that these two can also beat opposing Water-types. Finally, Zoroark makes for a rather effective partner since thanks to Illusion, it can disguise itself as Cloyster and lure and beat Pokemon like Registeel, Snorlax, and Bronzong so Cloyster can proceed to set up and attempt a sweep. (dead)

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Running a Choice Scarf can be a functional option, since it enables Cloyster to revenge kill notable offensive Pokemon like Shaymin, Zoroark, Roserade, and Salazzle, and due to its surprise value, it can be used effectively to surprise catch the aforementioned Pokemon off guard. (repetition) A suicide lead set consisting of Spikes, Shell Smash, Icicle Spear, and Explosion makes good use of Cloyster's powerful offensive presence, especially as common hazard control options like Xatu and Gligar will not be willing to switch directly into it. However, it faces direct competition with Froslass and Mega Glalie as an Ice-type Spikes user. Razor Shell can help Cloyster defeat Registeel and Bronzong, since they generally invest in their Special Defense, but it is objectively inferior to Hydro Pump, which cover covers more relevant targets like Doublade more effectively. Toxic Spikes can make for an interesting choice, since, as previously mentioned, it Cloyster can punish common hazard control options like Gligar and since it beats common Toxic Spikes absorbers like Dragalge and Nidoqueen it makes really good use of the Toxic Spikes. Ice Shard can enable Cloyster to revenge kill opposing Flygon and Zygarde-10% as well as weakened Choice Scarfed Grass-types like Roserade, but it holds very little merit over other moves due to its weak low Base Power, (AC) and Cloyster can setup set up against Flygon and Zygarde-10% if needed. Rock Blast can make dealing with Pokemon like Snorlax and Mega Abomasnow easier, but Normalium Z allows Cloyster to take care of them anyway.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Steel-types**: Pokemon like Registeel and Bronzong can easily beat Cloyster one-on-one by putting it on a timer with Toxic, while Escavalier and Durant can easily overpower it with Choice Band Megahorn and Superpower, respectively.

**Special Attackers**: Thanks to its abysmal Special Defense stat along with the fact that it has to run a Nature nature that decreases that stat even further, Cloyster should avoid taking even resisted special attacks (like for example, Slowbro's Scald from defensive Water-types like Slowbro, which 3HKOes Cloyster, it) (readability) and attacks like Draining Kiss from Comfey at all costs.

**Bulky Water-types**: Pokemon like Milotic, Slowbro, Quagsire, and Slowking can easily stop Cloyster's sweep with their status moves. While Breakneck Blitz helps to get past most of these, Cloyster still has to be wary of a Scald burn, Quagsire can go for Toxic, and Milotic can just opt to run Haze.

**Grass-types**: While they can't switch directly into it Cloyster thanks to Cloyster being part Ice-type its STAB Ice-type attacks, (optional I guess but more to the point?) Pokemon like Roserade, Shaymin, and Virizion can all outspeed and KO Cloyster before it can set up a Shell Smash. Whimsicott also can stop it in its tracks thanks to Prankster Encore.

**Status**: Cloyster absolutely despises any form of status due to its role as a sweeper, so putting it on a timer with Toxic or paralyzing it with Thunder Wave from Pokemon like Porygon2 heavily hinders its effectiveness.
 

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