Still fairly unfamiliar with how the process goes for stand alone sets, but this set is really a hidden gem!
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Icicle Spear
move 2: Rock Blast
move 3: Razor Shell
move 4: Explosion
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Skill Link
nature: Adamant
evs: 20 HP / 252 Atk / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>There isn't really any part of Cloyster that screams "Choice Scarf user," especially as it possesses only middling Speed and Attack stats. To see just how effective this set is, however, take a closer look at Icicle Spear. Cloyster's Skill Link Icicle Spears are essentially Ice-type Close Combats with no negative repercussions, as well as the ability to bypass Focus Sash and Yache Berry. Even though base 95 Attack might not sound too attractive on paper, that's still on par with the likes of Hitmontop. Add that to the fact that many common Pokemon take super effective or neutral damage to Ice-type attacks, and you have a really potent Pokemon on your hands!</p>
<p>Icicle Spear is the star of the show. With a Choice Scarf, Cloyster can outspeed and OHKO maximum HP Zapdos, Yache Berry Garchomp, Latios, Thunderus, Tornadus, and much more. It's absolutely hilarious to see threats such as Zapdos have their Sitrus Berry activate midway through the attack, only to have them faint after all five hits. Rock Blast provides a good source of coverage and deals massive damage to any Fire-types that stand in your way. Razor Shell will be seldom used, but it provides a nice secondary STAB attack and gets a good hit off on the troublesome Terrakion. Explosion is primarily filler, but it may come in handy once in a blue moon. You're using a Choice Scarf Cloyster anyway, so a second surprise in the form of Explosion couldn't hurt.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread listed allows Cloyster to hit the magical speed of 180 with a Choice Scarf, just barely enough to outpace positive-natured base 111 Speed Pokemon. From there, the rest is invested into Attack for maximum firepower. The remaining EVs are then dumped into HP to add some bulk to Cloyster. If you want, you can choose a Naughty nature and a special attack in the 4th slot, but it probably won't be seeing much use. If you choose to run a Naughty nature, make sure to move the HP EVs into Special Attack. Prominent special options include Hidden Power Fire, Surf, Hydro Pump, Blizzard, and Ice Beam. For a few wacky hijinks, Protect is an option in the last slot. Using Protect and immediately switching out on the next turn might fool your opponent into thinking you're not using a Choice Scarf at all. Maximum Speed with a Jolly nature is also an option and allows you to outrun maximum Speed base 115 Pokemon as well as Scarf Tyranitar and Scarf Abomasnow. Be warned that the power difference is noticeable, so give it some thought first.</p>
<p>As for teammates, Cloyster can't handle multiple opponents at once, so Follow Me, Rage Powder, or Fake Out support is greatly appreciated. Not only does Hitmontop make a stellar Fake Out user, but it can lower the power of opposing Rock Slides with Intimidate or block Rock Slide, or any other spread attack, with Wide Guard, as well as smack Steel-types that resist Icicle Spear with Close Combat. Amoonguss can redirect Fighting, Grass, or Electric-type attacks aimed for Cloyster with Rage Powder, sponge Fake Outs from slower Fake Out users, and even put your opponent to sleep with Spore, giving Cloyster plenty of time to attack. Volcarona is a good choice for a Rage Powder user as it also resists the Fighting and Grass-type attacks aimed at Cloyster and outspeeds most Fake Out users, all but guaranteeing that Cloyster will be free to attack (burning Fake Out users with Volcarona's Flame Body is also hysterical). Be cautious if using Volcarona and Cloyster together, as two Pokemon weak to Rock Slide isn't the best idea. Pokemon that love having Garchomp and Zapdos out of the way love to partner up with Cloyster. Metagross jumps to mind immediately as a good candidate, as it loves firing off Meteor Mashes and Earthquakes without the ever-annoying Zapdos in the way.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Icicle Spear
move 2: Rock Blast
move 3: Razor Shell
move 4: Explosion
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Skill Link
nature: Adamant
evs: 20 HP / 252 Atk / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>There isn't really any part of Cloyster that screams "Choice Scarf user," especially as it possesses only middling Speed and Attack stats. To see just how effective this set is, however, take a closer look at Icicle Spear. Cloyster's Skill Link Icicle Spears are essentially Ice-type Close Combats with no negative repercussions, as well as the ability to bypass Focus Sash and Yache Berry. Even though base 95 Attack might not sound too attractive on paper, that's still on par with the likes of Hitmontop. Add that to the fact that many common Pokemon take super effective or neutral damage to Ice-type attacks, and you have a really potent Pokemon on your hands!</p>
<p>Icicle Spear is the star of the show. With a Choice Scarf, Cloyster can outspeed and OHKO maximum HP Zapdos, Yache Berry Garchomp, Latios, Thunderus, Tornadus, and much more. It's absolutely hilarious to see threats such as Zapdos have their Sitrus Berry activate midway through the attack, only to have them faint after all five hits. Rock Blast provides a good source of coverage and deals massive damage to any Fire-types that stand in your way. Razor Shell will be seldom used, but it provides a nice secondary STAB attack and gets a good hit off on the troublesome Terrakion. Explosion is primarily filler, but it may come in handy once in a blue moon. You're using a Choice Scarf Cloyster anyway, so a second surprise in the form of Explosion couldn't hurt.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread listed allows Cloyster to hit the magical speed of 180 with a Choice Scarf, just barely enough to outpace positive-natured base 111 Speed Pokemon. From there, the rest is invested into Attack for maximum firepower. The remaining EVs are then dumped into HP to add some bulk to Cloyster. If you want, you can choose a Naughty nature and a special attack in the 4th slot, but it probably won't be seeing much use. If you choose to run a Naughty nature, make sure to move the HP EVs into Special Attack. Prominent special options include Hidden Power Fire, Surf, Hydro Pump, Blizzard, and Ice Beam. For a few wacky hijinks, Protect is an option in the last slot. Using Protect and immediately switching out on the next turn might fool your opponent into thinking you're not using a Choice Scarf at all. Maximum Speed with a Jolly nature is also an option and allows you to outrun maximum Speed base 115 Pokemon as well as Scarf Tyranitar and Scarf Abomasnow. Be warned that the power difference is noticeable, so give it some thought first.</p>
<p>As for teammates, Cloyster can't handle multiple opponents at once, so Follow Me, Rage Powder, or Fake Out support is greatly appreciated. Not only does Hitmontop make a stellar Fake Out user, but it can lower the power of opposing Rock Slides with Intimidate or block Rock Slide, or any other spread attack, with Wide Guard, as well as smack Steel-types that resist Icicle Spear with Close Combat. Amoonguss can redirect Fighting, Grass, or Electric-type attacks aimed for Cloyster with Rage Powder, sponge Fake Outs from slower Fake Out users, and even put your opponent to sleep with Spore, giving Cloyster plenty of time to attack. Volcarona is a good choice for a Rage Powder user as it also resists the Fighting and Grass-type attacks aimed at Cloyster and outspeeds most Fake Out users, all but guaranteeing that Cloyster will be free to attack (burning Fake Out users with Volcarona's Flame Body is also hysterical). Be cautious if using Volcarona and Cloyster together, as two Pokemon weak to Rock Slide isn't the best idea. Pokemon that love having Garchomp and Zapdos out of the way love to partner up with Cloyster. Metagross jumps to mind immediately as a good candidate, as it loves firing off Meteor Mashes and Earthquakes without the ever-annoying Zapdos in the way.</p>
