While I'm sure someone has already done something like this somewhere on YouTube, I just started a series on my duo YouTube channel Nerdknightalpha where I/we build teams that are centered around a bad pokemon(s) or a bad strategy and try to make them work. In our first episode, we made a team around everyone's favorite bug type indestructible Jesus, Shuckle (Click here to check it out if you wish by the way, it involves a Shuckle stalling out a Mega Gallade so there's that.). For all the episodes, I will break down the teams involved in a bit more detail on here, and here's the first one.
Blue Shell (Shuckle) @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 HP / 128 Def / 128 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Infestation
- Shell Smash
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
More or less the star of the show here that the rest of the team is kind of built around. Similar to something like Crocune, this set revolves around using Shell Smash along with Contrary to boost up its defenses and rest to heal up damage taken and status conditions given to Shuckle. Given that this is a Shuckle that we're talking about, it doesn't really care about its speed, attack, and special attack being lowered. However, since your attacks stats are constantly being dropped, Infestation was chosen as it's attack that can do damage. This is because it causes residual damage kind of like Wrap or Toxic. But unlike Wrap or Toxic, Infestation has no types that are immune to it, so no one is safe and everything is taking that 12% a turn and getting slowly (and I mean slowly) worn down. Since Infestation also forces pokes to stay in for a bit, it can in certain situations prevent a switch into something that threatens the Shuckle when its not shell smashed up.
Dracos Locos (Latias) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Defog
- Surf
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
If you watched the video, you may have noticed that the set there was different, being Mega Latias with Draco, Psyshock, Roost, and Defog and investment in HP instead of speed. Frankly upon further testing, I really didn't like that set and switched to a more offensive life orb one instead. Personally I find this set better on Latios for its better special attack, but on request of my partna and for it being able to live hits a tad bit better. The main reason this is here is defog, as Shuckle (as well Talonflame but Shuckle is the important one) doesn't appreciate taking the damage at all, and the Eon twins are my favorite defoggers. Not only that, but Latias is able to put in some good damage with the life orb on it. The reason this was used as opposed to hazards of our own and a spinner is honestly to be safer, as I already know I would be scared of my opponent switching in their spin blocker and destroying Shuckle because of it. Being a water resist is also pretty cool.
Shrooms!!! (Amoonguss) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Spore
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Giga Drain
Well it's a special wall (using that word somewhat loosely here) that can put things to sleep. I would say that's pretty good in general. Then in terms of being a partner for Shuckle, it's a water resist and can switch into Calm Mind Clefs trying to set up on the Shuckle, as it's a good check. Hidden Power Fire is used to make sure this thing isn't lunch against Scizor and Ferrothorn.
The Goon (Scizor) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- Knock Off
I'm sure you've seen the set before. In simple terms, this thing puts in damage, I feel like that's all that REALLY needs to be said. The damage in turn makes Shuckle's job of wearing down your opponent slowly easier and slightly less time consuming. This set has in my opinion everything that you really need too. You got the U-Turn to gtfo, priority move, Pursuit to trap in threats such as Metagross and Latios, and Knock Off, because we don't like items around here. Shuckle can also absorb burns for Scizor and sleep em off.
Swagsire (Quagsire) @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Scald
- Earth Power
- Recover
- Toxic
Mr. Unaware himself is apart of this team primarily for Unaware honestly. Sometimes I get a bit carried away with Shuckle and try to take on Pokemon who have Bulked Up or Swords Danced completely, ending with it dying to a critical hit. As such, Swagsire (yes, you have to use that nickname) is a great switch in if the Pokemon won't die from a Scizor Bullet Punch or out prioritizes that. Toxic can act as another source of damage if you take that Poke on with Shuckle. Scald and Earth Power were used to make sure that if this thing is burned, it won't be useless (It was EQ in the video, but I was being stupid, shh). Plus the chance of a special defense drop is there (We take any chance we can get out in these streets)
Big Bird (Talonflame)
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Acrobatics
- Roost
- Bulk Up
- Will-O-Wisp
Another Pokemon that was changed from the video upon more testing. Aside from being able to clean up later in the game, Talonflame provides another burn immunity for Scizor and and something to eat up fire type special attacks, so he just seemed good in general to add. Burning things can also be pretty good to tack on some residual damage.
Anyway, feedback on this fun little team is appreciated. Also apologies for the shameless plug, but if you want to see more of these, please check us out here and leave me feedback on this first installment of this series. Should I do more battles and less team building? Vice versa? Should I revisit teams if I change them? Etc. Thank you for your time though :)
Blue Shell (Shuckle) @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 HP / 128 Def / 128 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Infestation
- Shell Smash
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
More or less the star of the show here that the rest of the team is kind of built around. Similar to something like Crocune, this set revolves around using Shell Smash along with Contrary to boost up its defenses and rest to heal up damage taken and status conditions given to Shuckle. Given that this is a Shuckle that we're talking about, it doesn't really care about its speed, attack, and special attack being lowered. However, since your attacks stats are constantly being dropped, Infestation was chosen as it's attack that can do damage. This is because it causes residual damage kind of like Wrap or Toxic. But unlike Wrap or Toxic, Infestation has no types that are immune to it, so no one is safe and everything is taking that 12% a turn and getting slowly (and I mean slowly) worn down. Since Infestation also forces pokes to stay in for a bit, it can in certain situations prevent a switch into something that threatens the Shuckle when its not shell smashed up.
Dracos Locos (Latias) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Defog
- Surf
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
If you watched the video, you may have noticed that the set there was different, being Mega Latias with Draco, Psyshock, Roost, and Defog and investment in HP instead of speed. Frankly upon further testing, I really didn't like that set and switched to a more offensive life orb one instead. Personally I find this set better on Latios for its better special attack, but on request of my partna and for it being able to live hits a tad bit better. The main reason this is here is defog, as Shuckle (as well Talonflame but Shuckle is the important one) doesn't appreciate taking the damage at all, and the Eon twins are my favorite defoggers. Not only that, but Latias is able to put in some good damage with the life orb on it. The reason this was used as opposed to hazards of our own and a spinner is honestly to be safer, as I already know I would be scared of my opponent switching in their spin blocker and destroying Shuckle because of it. Being a water resist is also pretty cool.
Shrooms!!! (Amoonguss) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Spore
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Giga Drain
Well it's a special wall (using that word somewhat loosely here) that can put things to sleep. I would say that's pretty good in general. Then in terms of being a partner for Shuckle, it's a water resist and can switch into Calm Mind Clefs trying to set up on the Shuckle, as it's a good check. Hidden Power Fire is used to make sure this thing isn't lunch against Scizor and Ferrothorn.
The Goon (Scizor) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- Knock Off
I'm sure you've seen the set before. In simple terms, this thing puts in damage, I feel like that's all that REALLY needs to be said. The damage in turn makes Shuckle's job of wearing down your opponent slowly easier and slightly less time consuming. This set has in my opinion everything that you really need too. You got the U-Turn to gtfo, priority move, Pursuit to trap in threats such as Metagross and Latios, and Knock Off, because we don't like items around here. Shuckle can also absorb burns for Scizor and sleep em off.
Swagsire (Quagsire) @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Scald
- Earth Power
- Recover
- Toxic
Mr. Unaware himself is apart of this team primarily for Unaware honestly. Sometimes I get a bit carried away with Shuckle and try to take on Pokemon who have Bulked Up or Swords Danced completely, ending with it dying to a critical hit. As such, Swagsire (yes, you have to use that nickname) is a great switch in if the Pokemon won't die from a Scizor Bullet Punch or out prioritizes that. Toxic can act as another source of damage if you take that Poke on with Shuckle. Scald and Earth Power were used to make sure that if this thing is burned, it won't be useless (It was EQ in the video, but I was being stupid, shh). Plus the chance of a special defense drop is there (We take any chance we can get out in these streets)
Big Bird (Talonflame)
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Acrobatics
- Roost
- Bulk Up
- Will-O-Wisp
Another Pokemon that was changed from the video upon more testing. Aside from being able to clean up later in the game, Talonflame provides another burn immunity for Scizor and and something to eat up fire type special attacks, so he just seemed good in general to add. Burning things can also be pretty good to tack on some residual damage.
Anyway, feedback on this fun little team is appreciated. Also apologies for the shameless plug, but if you want to see more of these, please check us out here and leave me feedback on this first installment of this series. Should I do more battles and less team building? Vice versa? Should I revisit teams if I change them? Etc. Thank you for your time though :)