Crustle

This analysis was written by User:Partys
While Crustle might seem like an inferior Golem or Donphan, it has one trick up its sleeve; Shell Smash. This is one of the best moves and the game, and can boost Crustle's lackluster speed while boosting its Attack to threatening levels. With Sturdy, Crustle doesn't usually struggle to set up. However, even with Shell Smash, Crustle still has a mediocre Speed stat. Additionally, Pokemon that resist Rock often have no problems beating Crustle, as Earthquake often isn't good enough.
=Shell Smash=
Crustle @ Rockium Z 
Ability: Sturdy 
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe 
Jolly / Adamant Nature 
- Shell Smash 
- Rock Wrecker 
- Earthquake 
- Counter / Rock Blast / Rock Tomb
==Set Comments==
===Moves===
Shell Smash is something you should absolutely should not be without, as previously mentioned it prevents Crustle from being an outclassed Golem. It boosts Crustle's Attack to high levels and makes Crustle significantly faster. Next, Rock Wrecker is an extremely powerful STAB move with Rockium Z, that is meant to OHKO opponents, often after a Shell Smash boost. This won't often be used without the Z-Cyrstal. Earthquake hits Steel types like Magearna. Finally, Counter is a move to punish strong physical attackers like Mega Mawile. Rock Blast is a generally more spammable Rock Type move that can be used to try to beat Mimikyu, mostly, as after a Shell Smash it can 3HKO fast Mimikyu. However, it needs 4-5 to beat bulkier spreads. It can use Rock Blast can also beat pokemon like Jumpluff or Level 1 gimmick Pokemon like Aron or Magnemite. Rock Tomb could try to beat slow Mimikyus or Magnezones that don't use Electroweb Turn 1. Either Rock Tomb and Rock Blast are needed to beat Mega Charizard Y that uses Substitute. 
===Set Details===
Rockium Z powers Crustle's Rock Wrecker to a whopping 200 Base Power, which OHKOs many Pokemon after a Shell Smash boost. A Jolly nature helps Crustle's Speed stat after a Shell Smash boost quite a bit, and is the recommended nature as it allows it to outspeed relevant threats like Tapu Koko and Greninja after boosting with Shell Smash. The EVs are very simple, allowing Crustle to have as much power and speed as possible, as with Sturdy, Crustle doesn't need bulk as it lives almost every hit. However, Adamant can be used for a significant boost in Attack, allowing it to muscle past Pokemon like Mega Gyarados after a Shell Smash. However, Adamant Crustle, even with max Speed, is still quite slow. 
===Usage Tips===
Crustle has good matchups against Pokemon weak to Rock, like Mega Charizard. Against Mega Charizard, you should go for Z-Rock Wrecker immediately, as Flame Charge variants win if you Shell Smash first. Against Pokemon like Porygon-Z or Kyurem-Black that could hold Choice Scarf, you should also go for the Z-Rock Wrecker immediately, as their Choice Scarf sets outspeed Crsu even after a Jolly Shell Smash. Against fast Pokemon like Tapu Koko, you should Shell Smash in order to get as strong as a Contential Crush as possible. If you predict your opponent to have Substitute, if you have it, immediately use Rock Blast against them unless they resist Rock. Crustle has unfavorable matchups against Pokemon that resist Rock, like Steel or Ground types and you should avoid sending it out against them.
===Team Options===
As Crustle is weak to Water and Ground-Type Pokemon, Grass Types are good partners to Crustle. Ferrothorn in particular is a good team option that takes advantage of Crustle's ability to handle fire types like Mega Charizard well while being a good Grass Type and check to some steels like Mega Metagross. Tapu Koko is a good option, as it easily beats Water types and has good matchups against some threatening Steel Types like Mega Mawile. Water types like Bulky Primarina or Mega Blastoise can beat Ground-Types and also some Steel Types.
=Strategy Comments=
==Other Options==
Crustle's most viable other option would be to use a Hasty or Lonely nature which can be put on Crustle for maximum Counter Damage. Protect is Crustle's next best move, as it helps it beat the somewhat relevant threats that are Fake Out Mega Medicham Mega Blastoise, and Mew. X-Scissor is a decent powered stab move, however fails to hit anything in particular. If you are using X-Scissor, consider using Buginium Z. Groundium Z could be used to try to beat Steel Types like Magearna more consistently. Flail is a move that can be very strong if Crustle gets knocked down to 1 HP that could help it take out Rock resists like Garchomp, that while can lose to Counter can get past it by using moves such as Substitute.
==Checks and Counters==
*Steel Types Steel Types like Mega Metagross and Aegislash cause problems to Crustle, as a +2 Earthquake usually won't be able to kill them, although some physical Steel Types like Mega Metagross have to be careful so they don't die to Counter.
*Water Types: Water Types, especially ones with priority like Mega Blastoise and Primarina can easily bring Crustle down to its Sturdy and either take a hit or use priority to win.
*Ground Types: Ground Types, Sturdy users like Golem and Donphan in particular, fear nothing from Crustle and can use priority to win. They don't take much damage from Earthquake, either.
*Rock Types: Rock types are often bulky, and Pokemon such as Mega Tyranitar can take Crustle's moves.
Category:Analyses