I'm taking over from Jubilee, who wrote the Skeleton for this analysis.
[Overview]
<p>Crustle is a crooked looking Pokemon, but don't let its looks deceive you. Its base Defense is one of the highest in the RU tier, and with access to both Stealth Rock and Spikes, Crustle becomes an excellent team supporter. Crustle's Attack stat isn't too shabby either; its access to Shell Smash and a decent physical movepool only increases its sweeping potential. The downside to using Crustle is its poor typing. Crustle is weak to common Water- and Rock-type moves, and its STAB moves don't provide excellent type coverage. Crustle's Speed is nothing short of horrible, and this doesn't help its ability to set up entry hazards, or its ability to sweep for that matter. By no means is Crustle a bad Pokemon though; it's an excellent Spiker and can greatly aid your team.</p>
[SET]
name: Shell Smash
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: X-Scissor
move 4: Earthquake
item: White Herb / Life Orb
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Shell Smash is one of the most amazing stat boosting moves in the game. Unfortunately for Crustle, its Speed is still pretty low after a Shell Smash boost, meaning that Choice Scarf users can still outrun it. Stone Edge and X-Scissor provide it with reliable STAB moves, but most Steel-types wall the combination. Luckily, Crustle can utilize Earthquake to dispose of them; Earthquake hits Fire- and Rock-types pretty hard as well. Sturdy is the chosen ability; providing Crustle is at full health when it switches in, Sturdy ensures that it will always be able to pull off a Shell Smash, surviving the opponent's attack with a minimum of 1 HP. White Herb is used to restore Crustle's defensive stats after a Shell Smash, allowing it to survive priority moves such as Honchkrow's Sucker Punch and Hitmonlee's Mach Punch. Life Orb can be used for more power, but it isn't recommended due to the recoil.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Rock Blast can be used over Stone Edge to hit Pokemon behind Subsitutes, but it's very unreliable in the long run. A Jolly nature could be considered over an Adamant nature, but it's fairly pointless. At +2 with an Adamant nature, Crustle reaches 378 Speed, which is enough to outspeed base 120 Speed Pokemon such as Sceptile, one of the fastest Pokemon in the tier. Lum Berry can be used to prevent any crippling status from ruining Crustle's sweep, though White Herb is superior in almost every instance.</p>
<p>Water-types cause this set problems, especially the bulkier ones such as Poliwrath and Feraligatr. Rotom-C and Tangrowth are great partners as they can switch into Water-types with little trouble, and their STAB moves will make short work of them. Tangrowth can also provide support in the form of Leech Seed and Sleep Powder, giving Crustle a way to restore some of its health and providing it with valuable time to set up, respectively. Fire-types, such as Entei and Moltres, are also great partners as not only do they have an immunity to Will-O-Wisp, but their STAB Fire-type moves will deal a lot of damage to opposing Steel-types, such as Durant and Steelix. Because of this set's offensive nature, Crustle appreciates support in the form of entry hazards. Claydol can set up Stealth Rock, switch into Rock-type moves, and aid Crustle with Rapid Spin, making it easier for it to switch in. Uxie is another great choice thanks to its massive defenses, access to Stealth Rock, and its wide support movepool. Scolipede can set up Toxic Spikes and Spikes for your team, which are very useful for wearing down bulky Pokemon such as Cofagrigus, and has the added benefit of being able to absorb Toxic Spikes upon switching in.</p>
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Toxic / X-Scissor
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Impish
evs: 224 HP / 252 Def / 32 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set plays a little differently; instead of using Shell Smash, Crustle uses its base 125 Defense stat to abuse entry hazards such as Stealth Rock and Spikes. Crustle's base 70 HP isn't amazing, though it's just enough to handle some powerful, unboosted hits. Thankfully, Crustle only has two weaknesses, so it has plenty of time to switch in and set up entry hazards for your team. Stone Edge and X-Scissor are reliable STAB moves, and they ensure that Crustle isn't complete set up bait while also giving it something to do should it get Taunted. Toxic is another viable option in the last slot, as it cripples bulkier Pokemon who Crustle can't break through with its STAB moves, such as Gligar, Poliwrath, and Dusknoir.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>In addition to the EVs listed above, Crustle can pull off an effective specially defensive spread. Using a spread of 224 HP / 32 Def / 252 SpD gives Crustle some well needed special bulk, giving it the ability to take on weaker threats , such as Rotom and Manectric. Mental Herb can be used to prevent Crustle being Taunted for a turn, which allows him to set up Stealth Rock without worry. It's especially helpful as Crustle won't be OHKOed thanks to Sturdy, so a guaranteed Stealth Rock is a major selling point to Mental Herb.</p>
<p>As this set relies heavily on entry hazards, a Ghost-type, such as Rotom, Dusknoir, or Cofagrigus, who can block Rapid Spin is recommended. Crustle also appreciates Pokemon who can switch into Water- and Rock-type moves, as they can cover its weaknesses. Grass-types, such as Tangrowth and Lilligant, can switch into Water-type moves aimed at Crustle, and their powerful STAB moves will knock the users of these moves out swiftly. Water Absorb Poliwrath can also benefit from Water-type moves, as it can switch in and have 25% of its health restored. Steelix and Aggron can switch into Rock-type moves from the likes of Kabutops and Krookodile and proceed to either Roar or Rock Polish, respectively.</p>
<p>Finally, a way to remedy Crustle's lack of recovery is recommended. Clefable and Leafeon can provide some much needed Wish support, as well as other reliable support moves, such as Heal Bell, should Crustle get statused, or Baton Pass, which aids in scouting the opposing team. Grass-types who can abuse Leech Seed are also helpful, and these include Tangrowth, Lilligant, and Ludicolo. If you really want to go down the unreliable route of Rest, Crustle should be holding a Chesto Berry to wake up immediately.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Crustle is effective at what it does, but it also has a variety of other options than those in the sets listed. It has access to a variety of stat boosting moves, such as Rock Polish, Curse, Hone Claws, and Swords Dance, but most of the time it's outclassed by another Pokemon in the tier. Block is viable option to use alongside Toxic and Spikes, though if you use it against the wrong Pokemon, Crustle is as good as dead. Counter is a rather gimmicky option to bounce back physical attacks, but it works pretty well with Crustle's decent HP, massive Defense stat, and Sturdy. Other physical options include Night Slash, Aerial Ace, Shadow Claw, and Smack Down, though most of them are poor in terms of coverage, and their Base Powers aren't great either.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Steelix is probably the biggest counter to Crustle; it has massive Defense, resists Crustle's STABs, and has access to Roar to erase any stat boosts. Bulky Ghost-types, such as Dusknoir and Cofagrigus, are good choices too, as they have access to Will-O-Wisp to lower Crustle's Attack stat, and their typing means that Crustle's STAB moves won't be doing much to them. Gligar can take on most Crustle as well. Its massive Defense allows it to take hits from Crustle, and it has access to Taunt to prevent Crustle from setting up or using status moves. Lastly, Water-types who have a decent Defense stat, such as Poliwrath and Quagsire, can switch into Crustle's STAB moves with little trouble, and begin firing off powerful STAB moves of their own. Trick users will generally screw up Crustle's strategy, so Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Rotom and Uxie are great checks. All in all, Crustle isn't difficult to counter as long as you beat it before it has chance to set up.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Crustle receives Weak Armor as its Dream World ability. While it may seem beneficial to raise Crustle's Speed on an offensive set, the Defense drop isn't helpful, as it leaves Crustle vulnerable to priority moves. Not to mention Crustle's Speed is horrible already, so it won't make a lot of difference.</p>
