Simbo
Own a doghouse?
This nom probably looks really odd and probably seems like an instant reject but I recommend trying out this mon, it's honestly far better than it looks on paper. I'm gonna beef up this post and provide as much reasoning and evidence as I can since I'm suggesting such a massive change in rank, sorry in advance for this probably long post. I've had this post written up for quite a while, slowly been adding to it over time, but with snake upon us, I decided to post it now to see if it would influence lc in snake in any way.
Shellos: Unranked to B+/A-
This is the set I've been using for like the last 7 months and it has impressed me a lot every time I used it in tests and tours.
Shellos-East @ Eviolite
Ability: Sticky Hold
Level: 5
EVs: 228 HP / 212 Def / 20 SpD / 4 Spe
Careful Nature
- Curse
- Amnesia
- Recover
- Facade
It looks weird on paper but it's far better than it looks. Fantastic bulk of 27/14/14, two weaknesses, and sticky hold making it impossible to remove evio means that shell finds it very easy to set up on a good chunk of the meta and is very hard to break once boosted. Mono facade looks weird, and the first thought you get is 'What does it do vs ghosts?' but, barring heysup and jake, pump and fril are very rare rn and gast is very easily trappable. Since this set relies on sitting there forever and chipping away at mons, coverage isn't needed and +6 facade still hits most mons pretty hard.
Here's why it deserves to be raised.
EDIT: Shoutouts to teeno for the suggestion but a week later, he and I both realised that facade is almost infinitely better than return. Return normally hits harder but, in most matchups, it's highly likely you'll get burned by mareanie or wingull or poisoned by mareanie or foongus, so facade is much better to take advantage of status more while still hitting most stuff hard.
Reason 1: It reliably sets up on a ridiculous amount of the meta, and can outstall a good chunk of the meta
I made a list of all the mons on the viability rankings that shell can setup on and beat, and the list is honestly pretty impressive.
That list is pretty big, but the two messages from that are that shellos sets up on a large chunk of the meta, more importantly I believe it sets up on 18/24 of the mons in S to A- or at least their most common sets rn, which is massive, highlighting its ability as a standard killer. It also can setup on super effective hits and potentially beat elec and grass types barring snivy once at +2 spdef or def which, again, is pretty ridiculous.
Secondly, even though it sets up on a huge chunk of the meta, in practice it’s usually not too difficult to set up on weaker mons to heavily reduce the chance of early hax ruining the clean. Shellos can set up on lo staryu and chinchou and clamperl but, in practice, you should never go for that unless you have no other plays. It’s far easier and less hax risky to set up on dig, bulk foo, physical vull, foon, onix, pawn, sprit, mud, tirt etc. Mons which don’t typically carry boosting moves, since unless you get crit by the first hjk or eq, by the time you’ve boosted to +2 def or spdef, these mons need back to back crit to kill shell. In most games, you can position yourself to set up on these mons since they’re everywhere rn. Setting up on clam, dd mons, bulk up and np mons is possible but is more like a last resort.
On top of that, there are in that list, roughly 10 pokemon shellos can’t setup on. Snivy is fair, mag is fair but can be trapped, ferro can also be trapped, gast can be trapped and potentially killed by lo, shell is fair, ss tirt is rare, ss dweb even rarer, bunny, zig and wynaut are uncommon, pump and fril and ruff are virtually non-existent. Barring snivy and shell, team support gets rid of the other two common threats, highlighting just how good shell is vs most standard.
Reason 2: Most standard methods of beating shellos are non-existent in lc rn.
Usually, in higher tiers, a set like this would be quickly stopped by toxic, haze, phasing, unaware pokemon, taunt etc. Fortunately for shellos, none of these really exist in lc. Toxic is non-existent, no-ones running unaware wooper/cleffa if it gets it. Mareanie hazing was popular in torch meta but not rn, phasing doesn’t really exist barring the rare roar onix and rarer roar mudbray and taunt also doesn’t really exist barring onix on veil and maybe taunt foo on teams with no spore switch.
None of the usual methods of dealing with this set exist in lc, so shellos can thrive.
It would be interesting to see if toxic, phasing and haze mare start seeing usage if this set picks up usage, maybe frill will rise up in viability too.
Reason 3: A lot of current metagame trends really favour shellos rn
Most importantly, the fact that webs has sharply decreased in usage helps shell a lot. Pump and frils usage primarily came from being spinblockers on webs teams but, due to the decline of webs, neither of those mons are seen much rn, meaning two of the 3 ghosts on vr are not used, letting return be spammed freely once setup.
Snivy’s decrease in usage also helps heavily. Snivy was pretty big at the start of lcpl and pre-lcpl, where people were talking about potentially suspecting the mon due to the scarf set having few checks. Now, with snivy’s big draw of single handedly beating webs not being relevant, plus facing heavy competition from vull as a defogger, it’s not nearly as splashable as it once was. Both scarf and evio are heavily affected by foon being everywhere, evio also dislikes the rise of gast and gull which can’t switch in but heavily pressure it. Scarf hates protect gull and onix and abra, since they can waste leafstorm pp and, if snivy attempts to aggressively knock on ferro or foon switch in, that’s also scouted.
Electric types also aren’t too common rn, which helps shellos. Mag is kinda common but not nearly as popular as it was 2 months ago, protect scout really hurts the scarfset and it’s still prone to getting trapped by scarfdig and the rising trapinch. Elekid I’ve seen a few times, but again, not common as it’s difficult to fit on teams, provides zero defensive utility and even offensively fails to ohko a lot of stuff. Usually, elekid only puts in work if your opponent has no elec immunity or you get every play correct. Chinchou is awful.
Barring snivy, ferro is the only viable grass that heavily pressures shellos but it gets trapped easily. Out of 5 mons that are viable and pressure shell with se stab, 3 get trapped easily and the other one in elekid is uncommon and loses if shellos is at +2 spdef.
Last point, not really a trend but a gameplay mechanic change, but crit chance being lowered to 1/24 helps shellos out massively too.
Reason 4: It’s a fantastic tour mon and it’s capable of cleaning vs 4 or 5 mons with ease
Shellos is a poor ladder mon, since you can face haze mareanie or frill or toxic or roar on ladder, but in a tour scenario, shellos is fantastic. Beats standard with ease and a good mon to bring if you know your opponent doesn’t use snivy or setup much.
The second point is very important imo, since it allows you to play very passively if the matchup is favourable. There are many games I’ve played with shellos where I purposely let ferro or gastly kill a mon instead of hard grimer or hard mag, knowing full well that as long as I trap those mons, shellos can make up for the mon disadvantage. Plus, if your opponent doubles predicting the grimer or mag, you gain momentum or damage.
Shellos negatives
The big negative I’ve found with using shellos is that it’s very difficult to outplay out of poor mu’s like snivy or snivy gast barring luck or choke, meaning there’s a few mu’s which are sorta an autoloss.
Wynaut is the single worst pokemon to face when using shellos, it can happily switch in, lock you into return if you went for it and trap or encore into curse/amnesia and waste your pp, then once it’s run out of encores, click the dbond into counter/mirror coat combination and stall you out of pp and eventually 1v1 you. I haven’t tested this scenario fully but I can’t see any way on paper for shellos to come out of that alive.
Another negative is probably the fact that it requires some degree of team support. You need a ferro trapper or a team that lures/heavily pressures ferro. You need a gast trapper. Ideally want a mag trapper. Also want to build a team that doesn’t autolose to snivy and you realise that there isn’t much variety in what you can build around it. There’s potential to forgo either a gast or ferro remover if you’ve scouted and are confident your opponent won’t use it but that’s risky. Usually, if shell gets crit early, game tends to be over since shellos teams I’ve built aren’t designed to have a backup plan if shellos gets crit.
Getting crit sucks but I don’t think that’s particularly a negative, since relying on crit to break a mon is not ideal for an opponent. Against non-setup, crits are only game changing if they happen within the first 1-4 turns of setup usually, which at most, has a 16ish percent chance of occurring, which is heavily favourable. After that, consecutive crits are needed, which has a 1/576 chance of occurring.
I imagine now that the set is public, if people do end up using it, shifts might occur to make shellos less good but I think that’s a good thing honestly, it might spice up this stagnant meta a little. Similarly, you could argue that the surprise factor was a main reason why shellos consistently put in so much for me, but I’d argue that shell sets up on so much of the meta that even if you know exactly what it does, trying to prevent it from setting up is still very difficult, especially if the mu is poor.
Replays
Nominating unranked pokemon require high-level replays. I’ve got a few replays which I think are at a high level.
Tour replays
Swiss quarterfinals vs OP
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7lc-753697994
Brought shellos because it 6-0ed most of OP’s standard builds. From preview, I just needed to trap mag and absorb spore with grimer and the game should have been mine from there. Unfortunately, OP turned out to have np skystrike vull as opposed to the physical vull I was expecting. Shellos comes in turn 29 since it’s easiest to set up on foon. Vull nps alongside it and op gets an important flinch turn 38 and since he was skystrike he didn’t need another flinch. I think if I got two recovers and one return off, the game was mine unless foo got a first turn hjk crit.
I don’t think this game was a negative for shellos tbh, once it got going, op needed flinches to win and he was, in my opinion, the perfect vull set for that mu, since skystrike helped with reducing the number of flinches needed. I haven’t seen anyone else use that set so I write off that game as OP having a cool set that won with a bit of luck, as opposed to shellos was poor.
BLT semifinals vs Mikaav
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7lc-789631764
This was a semifinals team tour game with the score being 3-4. Knockout game for my team. Shellos had great mu, just needed to remove and trap ferro, and I was free to throw away my foo to achieve that since I knew shell could clean. Shellos came in turn 18 and setup, switched out on abra to scout for counter and trapped then setup again on mudbray. Mud crit eq on turn 28 but, as highlighted before, if shell sets up enough, non setup needs double crit to break through it or almost consecutive crits. Setup again and won. Mu was very favourable.
LC Open vs Bluxio
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7lc-792080707
This was two days ago, mu looks more threatening due to clam and what turned out to be lo staryu but similar to last game, once I got rid of ferro shell could clean. You could argue that surprise factor helped me a lot here, I think my opp misplayed a bit. Once I got rid of ferro, I just had to get shellos in for free on defensive sprit and setup amnesias to win. Shellos came in on sprit, got up two amnesias, cursed up on the mudbray and cleaned. Mu harder than the other two but still pretty manageable for shellos
DAT vs levi
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7lc-792839460
This happened today. Mu was actually kinda unfortunate, np gunk and np sprit are manageable with shellos but zig is not, especially with memento support. I think I played this as well as I could tbh, setting up with shell is impossible while zig is alive since it can bd and overwhelm. If you curse up on the switch, it is possible to beat bd zig if its best move to hit you is espeed, but not if its return/seed bomb since they do too much to +2 shellos.
+6 196+ Atk Zigzagoon Extreme Speed vs. +2 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 10-13 (37 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (10, 10, 10, 10, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13)
+6 196+ Atk Zigzagoon Extreme Speed vs. +3 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 9-12 (33.3 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 12)
Apologies for this super long post, wanted to flesh it out as much as possible since I’m requesting such a big rank increase. Had this post fleshed out for a while, but realised I lacked replays with it, which is why the last three replays above happened in the last week. I’d recommend trying it out before writing it off, it’s far better than it looks.
Shellos: Unranked to B+/A-
This is the set I've been using for like the last 7 months and it has impressed me a lot every time I used it in tests and tours.
Shellos-East @ Eviolite
Ability: Sticky Hold
Level: 5
EVs: 228 HP / 212 Def / 20 SpD / 4 Spe
Careful Nature
- Curse
- Amnesia
- Recover
- Facade
It looks weird on paper but it's far better than it looks. Fantastic bulk of 27/14/14, two weaknesses, and sticky hold making it impossible to remove evio means that shell finds it very easy to set up on a good chunk of the meta and is very hard to break once boosted. Mono facade looks weird, and the first thought you get is 'What does it do vs ghosts?' but, barring heysup and jake, pump and fril are very rare rn and gast is very easily trappable. Since this set relies on sitting there forever and chipping away at mons, coverage isn't needed and +6 facade still hits most mons pretty hard.
Here's why it deserves to be raised.
EDIT: Shoutouts to teeno for the suggestion but a week later, he and I both realised that facade is almost infinitely better than return. Return normally hits harder but, in most matchups, it's highly likely you'll get burned by mareanie or wingull or poisoned by mareanie or foongus, so facade is much better to take advantage of status more while still hitting most stuff hard.
Reason 1: It reliably sets up on a ridiculous amount of the meta, and can outstall a good chunk of the meta
I made a list of all the mons on the viability rankings that shell can setup on and beat, and the list is honestly pretty impressive.
S rank
Dig - Yes, only scarf typically runs final gambit so you might have to click recover quite often to avoid being in fg range if scarf, but not many dig carry that and it's very easy to setup on other digs.
236 Atk Diglett Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 15-18 (55.5 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18)
236 Atk Diglett Earthquake vs. +1 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 6-7 (22.2 - 25.9%) -- 0.1% chance to 4HKO
Possible damage amounts: (6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 7)
Mienfoo - Yea, barring reckless scarf, band and sd foo. Easily sets up on bulk foo and fastfoo.
236 Atk Mienfoo High Jump Kick vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 12-15 (44.4 - 55.5%) -- 12.1% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 15)
236 Atk Mienfoo High Jump Kick vs. +1 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 9-12 (33.3 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 12)
Vullaby - Easily sets up on offensive vull and shrugaby. In theory, it should beat np vull but you can get flinched to death unfortunately.
236+ Atk Vullaby Brave Bird vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 10-13 (37 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (10, 10, 10, 10, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13)
+6 240+ SpA Vullaby Air Slash vs. +6 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 7-9 (25.9 - 33.3%) -- 0% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 9)
A+ rank
Abra - Yes, have to scout for counter tho, although I'm pretty sure shell is favoured to win the counter war since counter has 32 pp while amnesia and curse have a combined pp
240 SpA Abra Energy Ball vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 12-16 (44.4 - 59.2%) -- 68.4% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 16)
240 SpA Abra Energy Ball vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 8-10 (29.6 - 37%) -- 1.1% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 10)
240 SpA Life Orb Abra Psychic vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 12-16 (44.4 - 59.2%) -- 12.1% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 16)
240 SpA Life Orb Abra Psychic vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 8-9 (29.6 - 33.3%) -- 0% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9)
Foongus - Yes, once something else has absorbed spore. Clear smog foon is no set rn.
0 SpA Foongus Giga Drain vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 12-14 (44.4 - 51.8%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 14)
0 SpA Foongus Giga Drain vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 6-8 (22.2 - 29.6%) -- 2.2% chance to 4HKO
Possible damage amounts: (6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 8)
This calc is particularly impressive.
0 SpA Foongus Giga Drain vs. +6 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 2-6 (7.4 - 22.2%) -- possible 5HKO
Possible damage amounts: (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 6)
Mareanie - Yes, if no haze. I think iron defense mareanie also potentially can stall out shellos, never tested that.
Onix - Yes, unless it's the very rare roar or taunt
Pawniard - Sets up on normal sr pawn, scarf pawn and evio pursuit. Doesn't set up on sd and snatch pawn, but both sets are very rare.
236 Atk Pawniard Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 9-12 (33.3 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 12)
Snivy - No. snivy leafstorm only has 8pp tho, so if u bait out and waste 7 storm pp, you can setup on this.
Timburr - Yes to 4 attacks, bu comes down to who crits first.
196+ Atk Iron Fist Timburr Thunder Punch vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 12-16 (44.4 - 59.2%) -- 68.4% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 16)
196+ Atk Iron Fist Timburr Thunder Punch vs. +1 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 10-12 (37 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 12)
A rank
Gastly - Nah, although if you're lucky you can actually outstall lo gastly, assuming you've got to +2 spdef min before.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7lc-788331282
Mag - Nah, unless you're already +2 spdef before it comes in. Setting up on mag not recommended tho, since opp can fish for both crit and para. You probs get free kills on bj mag tho, since it can only volt, assuming no crit.
240+ SpA Magnemite Thunderbolt vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 12-14 (44.4 - 51.8%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 14)
240+ SpA Magnemite Thunderbolt vs. +4 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 8-12 (29.6 - 44.4%) -- 17.6% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 12)
240+ SpA Magnemite Thunderbolt vs. +6 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 6-8 (22.2 - 29.6%) -- 2.2% chance to 4HKO
Possible damage amounts: (6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 8)
Pony - Yes, unless hypno bloom doom or hypno sunny day, but both those sets are super rare rn and it needs to hit hypno too
Staryu - Yes, even sets up on lo tbolt. Easily sets up on defensive sets.
200 SpA Life Orb Staryu Thunderbolt vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 13-18 (48.1 - 66.6%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (13, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18)
200 SpA Life Orb Staryu Thunderbolt vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 8-10 (29.6 - 37%) -- 1.1% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 10)
Wingull - Yes
240 SpA Wingull Supersonic Skystrike (185 BP) vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 15-18 (55.5 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18)
240 SpA Wingull Hurricane vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 6-7 (22.2 - 25.9%) -- 0.1% chance to 4HKO
Possible damage amounts: (6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 7)
A- rank
Carvanha - Yes
196+ Atk Life Orb Carvanha Crunch vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 9-13 (33.3 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13)
196+ Atk Life Orb Carvanha Crunch vs. +1 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 8-9 (29.6 - 33.3%) -- 0% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9)
236+ SpA Life Orb Carvanha Dark Pulse vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 9-13 (33.3 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13)
236+ SpA Life Orb Carvanha Dark Pulse vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 5-8 (18.5 - 29.6%) -- 0.1% chance to 4HKO
Possible damage amounts: (5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 8)
Croagunk - Probably, you beat mixed, bu gunk probs comes down to who crits first, similarly with timburr and I believe beating np is technically in your favour but it's close since the cumulative crit chance isn't much over 50. You lose to np if it's z and you get 1/16ed.
188+ SpA Croagunk Sludge Wave vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 7-10 (25.9 - 37%) -- 82.5% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (7, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10)
188+ SpA Croagunk Acid Downpour (175 BP) vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 15-18 (55.5 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18
+6 188+ SpA Croagunk Sludge Wave vs. +6 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 7-10 (25.9 - 37%) -- 82.5% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (7, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10)
+6 188+ SpA Croagunk Acid Downpour (175 BP) vs. +6 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 15-18 (55.5 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18)
You amnesia along with the nps, attack to check for bj or evio and then curse/recover to the appropriate level til you kill with return. Not entirely sure how many turns you have to avoid being crit for but I believe croagunk needs to sludge 17 times before the cumulative crit chance is in it's favour so technically shell is favoured here.
(23/24)^16 = 0.506...
(23/24)^17 = 0.485...
Doduo - Yes, if scarf/bj, probs not to sd and no to lo
236 Atk Doduo Brave Bird vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 12-15 (44.4 - 55.5%) -- 12.1% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 15)
236 Atk Doduo Brave Bird vs. +1 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 7-10 (25.9 - 37%) -- 82.5% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (7, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10)
Ferroseed - No
Grimer-A - Yes
196+ Atk Grimer-Alola Poison Jab vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 7-10 (25.9 - 37%) -- 82.5% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (7, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10)
Mudbray - Yes
196+ Atk Mudbray Earthquake vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 10-13 (37 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (10, 10, 10, 10, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13)
196+ Atk Mudbray Earthquake vs. +1 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 7-10 (25.9 - 37%) -- 82.5% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (7, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10)
Shellder - Nah
Spritzee - Yes, shell is actually the best sprit counter in the meta rn, takes 25 from defensive moonblast, can't be coveted, and it even beats np sprit too, unless you get crit early
252+ SpA Spritzee Moonblast vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 9-12 (33.3 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 12)
+6 252+ SpA Spritzee Moonblast vs. +6 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 9-12 (33.3 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 12)
Find replay
Tirtouga - Yes to defensive sets, no to ss
132 Atk Tirtouga Stone Edge vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 9-12 (33.3 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 12)
132 Atk Tirtouga Stone Edge vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos on a critical hit: 15-18 (55.5 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18)
B+ rank
Chinchou - If rocks aren't up, shell can actually set up on stab se tbolt because chinchou is absolute dogshit.
232 SpA Chinchou Thunderbolt vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 14-20 (51.8 - 74%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (14, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 20)
232 SpA Chinchou Thunderbolt vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 8-12 (29.6 - 44.4%) -- 17.6% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 12)
Unless you get 1/16ed, you are good. Easily beats chinchou if already at +2 assuming you don't get crit early.
Elekid - Can't setup on it, but beat it if already at +2 spdef, unless early crit.
240 SpA Life Orb Elekid Thunderbolt vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 10-16 (37 - 59.2%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 16)
240 SpA Life Orb Elekid Thunderbolt vs. +4 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 8-10 (29.6 - 37%) -- 1.1% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 10)
240 SpA Life Orb Elekid Thunderbolt vs. +6 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 8-10 (29.6 - 37%) -- 1.1% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 10)
Larvesta - Yes, I think shellos outstalls defensive larv even when burnt since morning sun only has 8pp. Also sets up on scarf wild charge
+6 0 Atk burned Shellos Return vs. 76 HP / 236+ Def Eviolite Larvesta: 6-8 (26 - 34.7%) -- 0.9% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8)
0 Atk Larvesta Flare Blitz vs. +6 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 1-2 (3.7 - 7.4%) -- possibly the worst move ever
Possible damage amounts: (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2)
You take 3hp damage per turn while larv takes 7 and shell has 16 recovers compared to larv's 8. If larv u-turns, whatever comes in takes a semi-strong return.
252+ Atk Larvesta Wild Charge vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 12-16 (44.4 - 59.2%) -- 68.4% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 16)
252+ Atk Larvesta Wild Charge vs. +1 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 10-12 (37 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 12)
Unless you get double 1/16ed and this is ada scarf too
Scraggy - Bulk up rest comes down to who crits first. Shellos beats dd drain. Should beat dd hjk unless early crit
236 Atk Scraggy High Jump Kick vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 12-15 (44.4 - 55.5%) -- 12.1% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 15)
This calc does not change when scrag and shell are both at +1, +2 etc.
Shell can curse up alongside dd, if scrag attacks you don't get 2hkod barring 1/16ed, and when they dd on recover you're back at the same position. Scrag can spam hjk to fish for crit but if it misses it's done. +4 return 2hkos scrag
+4 0 Atk Shellos Return vs. 36 HP / 36 Def Eviolite Scraggy: 11-14 (50 - 63.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (11, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 14)
I believe shellos is favoured to win vs dd scrag
Slowpoke - Yes, unless twave intervenes
Snubbull - Yes vs normal snub, unless twave intervenes. BU snub can come down to who crits first but since bu snub lacks recovery, it should be in shells favour.
196+ Atk Snubbull Play Rough vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 9-12 (33.3 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 12)
Vulpix-a - Yes
200 SpA Vulpix-Alola Freeze-Dry vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 12-14 (44.4 - 51.8%) -- 12.1% chance to 2HKO after hail damage
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 14)
B rank
Bunnelby - Probably no, can set up in jolly scarf if there's no other play but does not setup on other bunny sets like lo or bulk up or ada scarf. Not ideal to set up on.
228 Atk Huge Power Bunnelby Return vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 15-18 (55.5 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18)
228 Atk Huge Power Bunnelby Return vs. +1 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 9-12 (33.3 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 12)
Unless you get 1/16ed, it can work out, barring early crit but this is the strongest physical hitter in lc
Corphish - Yes, unless early crit
196+ Atk Corphish Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 6-8 (22.2 - 29.6%) -- 85.9% chance to 4HKO
Possible damage amounts: (6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8)
+2 196+ Atk Corphish Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. +1 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 9-11 (33.3 - 40.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 11)
+4 196+ Atk Adaptability Corphish Crabhammer vs. +2 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 10-12 (37 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 12)
+6 196+ Atk Adaptability Corphish Crabhammer vs. +3 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 11-13 (40.7 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13)
Never 2hkos, while return will 2hko and once shell is at +6 corp does nothing
DD is even easier
Dwebble - Probably not unless it’s hazard stack. No to ss unless you get lucky with low rb hits, not recommended
Frillish - Nah, probably can’t outstall either
Kabuto - Yes
Omanyte - Yes, even if ss
+2 196+ SpA Omanyte Earth Power vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 12-15 (44.4 - 55.5%) -- 59% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 15)
Zero
Pump-Super - Technically no, but I believe it is entirely possible to outstall this and kill it with struggle. Typical pump-super has a combined 56pp while shellos has 96pp. Pump only has 16 gigas too. Getting burned is kinda annoying, but not a huge problem unless your opponent has multiple recovery mons. Switching in and out from pump to other mons to conserve pp could be annoying, but unless it’s regencore, the chip you obtain still puts you at an advantage and that can’t be done indefinitely unless the team is regencore plus pump.
4 SpA Pumpkaboo-Super Giga Drain vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 12-14 (44.4 - 51.8%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 14)
4 SpA Pumpkaboo-Super Giga Drain vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 6-8 (22.2 - 29.6%) -- 2.2% chance to 4HKO
Possible damage amounts: (6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 8)
4 SpA Pumpkaboo-Super Giga Drain vs. +6 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 2-6 (7.4 - 22.2%) -- possible 5HKO
Possible damage amounts: (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 6)
Needs back to back crits to break
Rufflet - Nah, but similar to bun, if this mon hits, it’s one of the strongest physical attackers in the tier
Surskit - Yea, unless the very rare haze
Trapinch - Yes, unless the team is ultra old and it turns out to be toxic, then rip
Wynaut - No
Zig - No
B- rank
Archen - No to headsmash, sets up on every other set
180 Atk Archen Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 12-15 (44.4 - 55.5%) -- 12.1% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 15)
180 Atk Archen Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. +1 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 7-10 (25.9 - 37%) -- 82.5% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (7, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10)
Amaura - Yes
Cottonee - No if encore, otherwise yes
252 SpA Cottonee Giga Drain vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 12-14 (44.4 - 51.8%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 14)
Dewpider - Yes
Drilbur - Yes
Meowth - Yes
Munchlax - Yes to recycle sets unless you get body slammed para into multiple paras. Curserest comes down to who crits first, although shell is definitely favoured since munch provides turns to crit when it rests.
236+ Atk Munchlax Return vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 10-13 (37 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (10, 10, 10, 10, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13)
Pancham - Yes, unless bu or sd, then who crits first if bu and shell beats sd unless crit
Salandit - Yes, unless crit by np salandit. Shell beats non-np
Taillow - Yes to special, no to physical guts
Not gonna bother with most of C rank sorry, barring clam and ches, I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen the other C rank mons in any big lc tournament.
Clamperl - In theory, yes. Probably one of shellos’ most impressive feats, being able to in theory set up on +2 tooth clamperl lacking hp grass, and beating it, assuming no hazards are up.
+2 248 SpA Deep Sea Tooth Clamperl Surf vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 15-18 (55.5 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16, 16, 17, 17, 17, 17, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18)
+2 248 SpA Deep Sea Tooth Clamperl Surf vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 8-9 (29.6 - 33.3%) -- 12.5% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9)
Ignoring crit chance, clam has a 15.6 percent chance to beat shell here
Eventually clam will ss again, at which point shell should be at 100
+4 248 SpA Deep Sea Tooth Clamperl Surf vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 12-14 (44.4 - 51.8%) -- 4.3% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 14)
+4 248 SpA Deep Sea Tooth Clamperl Surf vs. +4 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 8-9 (29.6 - 33.3%) -- 12.5% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9)
Then clam ss again, shell at 100
+6 248 SpA Deep Sea Tooth Clamperl Surf vs. +4 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 10-12 (37 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (10, 10, 10, 10, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12)
+6 248 SpA Deep Sea Tooth Clamperl Surf vs. +6 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 8-9 (29.6 - 33.3%) -- 12.5% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9)
Barring crit, shell now walls, and clam isn’t favoured to crit with 6 surfs.
On the other side
0 Atk Shellos Return vs. -3 0 HP / 76 Def Clamperl: 13-16 (65 - 80%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (13, 13, 13, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 16)
Return 2hkos
I can’t think of a single mon with the ability to set up and beat +2 clam, but shellos can.
Chespin - Yes
28 Atk Chespin Seed Bomb vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 12-14 (44.4 - 51.8%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 14)
Dig - Yes, only scarf typically runs final gambit so you might have to click recover quite often to avoid being in fg range if scarf, but not many dig carry that and it's very easy to setup on other digs.
236 Atk Diglett Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 15-18 (55.5 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18)
236 Atk Diglett Earthquake vs. +1 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 6-7 (22.2 - 25.9%) -- 0.1% chance to 4HKO
Possible damage amounts: (6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 7)
Mienfoo - Yea, barring reckless scarf, band and sd foo. Easily sets up on bulk foo and fastfoo.
236 Atk Mienfoo High Jump Kick vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 12-15 (44.4 - 55.5%) -- 12.1% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 15)
236 Atk Mienfoo High Jump Kick vs. +1 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 9-12 (33.3 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 12)
Vullaby - Easily sets up on offensive vull and shrugaby. In theory, it should beat np vull but you can get flinched to death unfortunately.
236+ Atk Vullaby Brave Bird vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 10-13 (37 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (10, 10, 10, 10, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13)
+6 240+ SpA Vullaby Air Slash vs. +6 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 7-9 (25.9 - 33.3%) -- 0% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 9)
A+ rank
Abra - Yes, have to scout for counter tho, although I'm pretty sure shell is favoured to win the counter war since counter has 32 pp while amnesia and curse have a combined pp
240 SpA Abra Energy Ball vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 12-16 (44.4 - 59.2%) -- 68.4% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 16)
240 SpA Abra Energy Ball vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 8-10 (29.6 - 37%) -- 1.1% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 10)
240 SpA Life Orb Abra Psychic vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 12-16 (44.4 - 59.2%) -- 12.1% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 16)
240 SpA Life Orb Abra Psychic vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 8-9 (29.6 - 33.3%) -- 0% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9)
Foongus - Yes, once something else has absorbed spore. Clear smog foon is no set rn.
0 SpA Foongus Giga Drain vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 12-14 (44.4 - 51.8%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 14)
0 SpA Foongus Giga Drain vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 6-8 (22.2 - 29.6%) -- 2.2% chance to 4HKO
Possible damage amounts: (6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 8)
This calc is particularly impressive.
0 SpA Foongus Giga Drain vs. +6 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 2-6 (7.4 - 22.2%) -- possible 5HKO
Possible damage amounts: (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 6)
Mareanie - Yes, if no haze. I think iron defense mareanie also potentially can stall out shellos, never tested that.
Onix - Yes, unless it's the very rare roar or taunt
Pawniard - Sets up on normal sr pawn, scarf pawn and evio pursuit. Doesn't set up on sd and snatch pawn, but both sets are very rare.
236 Atk Pawniard Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 9-12 (33.3 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 12)
Snivy - No. snivy leafstorm only has 8pp tho, so if u bait out and waste 7 storm pp, you can setup on this.
Timburr - Yes to 4 attacks, bu comes down to who crits first.
196+ Atk Iron Fist Timburr Thunder Punch vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 12-16 (44.4 - 59.2%) -- 68.4% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 16)
196+ Atk Iron Fist Timburr Thunder Punch vs. +1 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 10-12 (37 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 12)
A rank
Gastly - Nah, although if you're lucky you can actually outstall lo gastly, assuming you've got to +2 spdef min before.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7lc-788331282
Mag - Nah, unless you're already +2 spdef before it comes in. Setting up on mag not recommended tho, since opp can fish for both crit and para. You probs get free kills on bj mag tho, since it can only volt, assuming no crit.
240+ SpA Magnemite Thunderbolt vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 12-14 (44.4 - 51.8%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 14)
240+ SpA Magnemite Thunderbolt vs. +4 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 8-12 (29.6 - 44.4%) -- 17.6% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 12)
240+ SpA Magnemite Thunderbolt vs. +6 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 6-8 (22.2 - 29.6%) -- 2.2% chance to 4HKO
Possible damage amounts: (6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 8)
Pony - Yes, unless hypno bloom doom or hypno sunny day, but both those sets are super rare rn and it needs to hit hypno too
Staryu - Yes, even sets up on lo tbolt. Easily sets up on defensive sets.
200 SpA Life Orb Staryu Thunderbolt vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 13-18 (48.1 - 66.6%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (13, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18)
200 SpA Life Orb Staryu Thunderbolt vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 8-10 (29.6 - 37%) -- 1.1% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 10)
Wingull - Yes
240 SpA Wingull Supersonic Skystrike (185 BP) vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 15-18 (55.5 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18)
240 SpA Wingull Hurricane vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 6-7 (22.2 - 25.9%) -- 0.1% chance to 4HKO
Possible damage amounts: (6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 7)
A- rank
Carvanha - Yes
196+ Atk Life Orb Carvanha Crunch vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 9-13 (33.3 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13)
196+ Atk Life Orb Carvanha Crunch vs. +1 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 8-9 (29.6 - 33.3%) -- 0% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9)
236+ SpA Life Orb Carvanha Dark Pulse vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 9-13 (33.3 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13)
236+ SpA Life Orb Carvanha Dark Pulse vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 5-8 (18.5 - 29.6%) -- 0.1% chance to 4HKO
Possible damage amounts: (5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 8)
Croagunk - Probably, you beat mixed, bu gunk probs comes down to who crits first, similarly with timburr and I believe beating np is technically in your favour but it's close since the cumulative crit chance isn't much over 50. You lose to np if it's z and you get 1/16ed.
188+ SpA Croagunk Sludge Wave vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 7-10 (25.9 - 37%) -- 82.5% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (7, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10)
188+ SpA Croagunk Acid Downpour (175 BP) vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 15-18 (55.5 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18
+6 188+ SpA Croagunk Sludge Wave vs. +6 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 7-10 (25.9 - 37%) -- 82.5% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (7, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10)
+6 188+ SpA Croagunk Acid Downpour (175 BP) vs. +6 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 15-18 (55.5 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18)
You amnesia along with the nps, attack to check for bj or evio and then curse/recover to the appropriate level til you kill with return. Not entirely sure how many turns you have to avoid being crit for but I believe croagunk needs to sludge 17 times before the cumulative crit chance is in it's favour so technically shell is favoured here.
(23/24)^16 = 0.506...
(23/24)^17 = 0.485...
Doduo - Yes, if scarf/bj, probs not to sd and no to lo
236 Atk Doduo Brave Bird vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 12-15 (44.4 - 55.5%) -- 12.1% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 15)
236 Atk Doduo Brave Bird vs. +1 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 7-10 (25.9 - 37%) -- 82.5% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (7, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10)
Ferroseed - No
Grimer-A - Yes
196+ Atk Grimer-Alola Poison Jab vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 7-10 (25.9 - 37%) -- 82.5% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (7, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10)
Mudbray - Yes
196+ Atk Mudbray Earthquake vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 10-13 (37 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (10, 10, 10, 10, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13)
196+ Atk Mudbray Earthquake vs. +1 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 7-10 (25.9 - 37%) -- 82.5% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (7, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10)
Shellder - Nah
Spritzee - Yes, shell is actually the best sprit counter in the meta rn, takes 25 from defensive moonblast, can't be coveted, and it even beats np sprit too, unless you get crit early
252+ SpA Spritzee Moonblast vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 9-12 (33.3 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 12)
+6 252+ SpA Spritzee Moonblast vs. +6 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 9-12 (33.3 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 12)
Find replay
Tirtouga - Yes to defensive sets, no to ss
132 Atk Tirtouga Stone Edge vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 9-12 (33.3 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 12)
132 Atk Tirtouga Stone Edge vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos on a critical hit: 15-18 (55.5 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18)
B+ rank
Chinchou - If rocks aren't up, shell can actually set up on stab se tbolt because chinchou is absolute dogshit.
232 SpA Chinchou Thunderbolt vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 14-20 (51.8 - 74%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (14, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 20)
232 SpA Chinchou Thunderbolt vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 8-12 (29.6 - 44.4%) -- 17.6% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 12)
Unless you get 1/16ed, you are good. Easily beats chinchou if already at +2 assuming you don't get crit early.
Elekid - Can't setup on it, but beat it if already at +2 spdef, unless early crit.
240 SpA Life Orb Elekid Thunderbolt vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 10-16 (37 - 59.2%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 16)
240 SpA Life Orb Elekid Thunderbolt vs. +4 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 8-10 (29.6 - 37%) -- 1.1% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 10)
240 SpA Life Orb Elekid Thunderbolt vs. +6 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 8-10 (29.6 - 37%) -- 1.1% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 10)
Larvesta - Yes, I think shellos outstalls defensive larv even when burnt since morning sun only has 8pp. Also sets up on scarf wild charge
+6 0 Atk burned Shellos Return vs. 76 HP / 236+ Def Eviolite Larvesta: 6-8 (26 - 34.7%) -- 0.9% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8)
0 Atk Larvesta Flare Blitz vs. +6 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 1-2 (3.7 - 7.4%) -- possibly the worst move ever
Possible damage amounts: (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2)
You take 3hp damage per turn while larv takes 7 and shell has 16 recovers compared to larv's 8. If larv u-turns, whatever comes in takes a semi-strong return.
252+ Atk Larvesta Wild Charge vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 12-16 (44.4 - 59.2%) -- 68.4% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 16)
252+ Atk Larvesta Wild Charge vs. +1 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 10-12 (37 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 12)
Unless you get double 1/16ed and this is ada scarf too
Scraggy - Bulk up rest comes down to who crits first. Shellos beats dd drain. Should beat dd hjk unless early crit
236 Atk Scraggy High Jump Kick vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 12-15 (44.4 - 55.5%) -- 12.1% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 15)
This calc does not change when scrag and shell are both at +1, +2 etc.
Shell can curse up alongside dd, if scrag attacks you don't get 2hkod barring 1/16ed, and when they dd on recover you're back at the same position. Scrag can spam hjk to fish for crit but if it misses it's done. +4 return 2hkos scrag
+4 0 Atk Shellos Return vs. 36 HP / 36 Def Eviolite Scraggy: 11-14 (50 - 63.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (11, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 14)
I believe shellos is favoured to win vs dd scrag
Slowpoke - Yes, unless twave intervenes
Snubbull - Yes vs normal snub, unless twave intervenes. BU snub can come down to who crits first but since bu snub lacks recovery, it should be in shells favour.
196+ Atk Snubbull Play Rough vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 9-12 (33.3 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 12)
Vulpix-a - Yes
200 SpA Vulpix-Alola Freeze-Dry vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 12-14 (44.4 - 51.8%) -- 12.1% chance to 2HKO after hail damage
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 14)
B rank
Bunnelby - Probably no, can set up in jolly scarf if there's no other play but does not setup on other bunny sets like lo or bulk up or ada scarf. Not ideal to set up on.
228 Atk Huge Power Bunnelby Return vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 15-18 (55.5 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18)
228 Atk Huge Power Bunnelby Return vs. +1 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 9-12 (33.3 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 12)
Unless you get 1/16ed, it can work out, barring early crit but this is the strongest physical hitter in lc
Corphish - Yes, unless early crit
196+ Atk Corphish Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 6-8 (22.2 - 29.6%) -- 85.9% chance to 4HKO
Possible damage amounts: (6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8)
+2 196+ Atk Corphish Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. +1 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 9-11 (33.3 - 40.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 11)
+4 196+ Atk Adaptability Corphish Crabhammer vs. +2 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 10-12 (37 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 12)
+6 196+ Atk Adaptability Corphish Crabhammer vs. +3 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 11-13 (40.7 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13)
Never 2hkos, while return will 2hko and once shell is at +6 corp does nothing
DD is even easier
Dwebble - Probably not unless it’s hazard stack. No to ss unless you get lucky with low rb hits, not recommended
Frillish - Nah, probably can’t outstall either
Kabuto - Yes
Omanyte - Yes, even if ss
+2 196+ SpA Omanyte Earth Power vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 12-15 (44.4 - 55.5%) -- 59% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 15)
Zero
Pump-Super - Technically no, but I believe it is entirely possible to outstall this and kill it with struggle. Typical pump-super has a combined 56pp while shellos has 96pp. Pump only has 16 gigas too. Getting burned is kinda annoying, but not a huge problem unless your opponent has multiple recovery mons. Switching in and out from pump to other mons to conserve pp could be annoying, but unless it’s regencore, the chip you obtain still puts you at an advantage and that can’t be done indefinitely unless the team is regencore plus pump.
4 SpA Pumpkaboo-Super Giga Drain vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 12-14 (44.4 - 51.8%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 14)
4 SpA Pumpkaboo-Super Giga Drain vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 6-8 (22.2 - 29.6%) -- 2.2% chance to 4HKO
Possible damage amounts: (6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 8)
4 SpA Pumpkaboo-Super Giga Drain vs. +6 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 2-6 (7.4 - 22.2%) -- possible 5HKO
Possible damage amounts: (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 6)
Needs back to back crits to break
Rufflet - Nah, but similar to bun, if this mon hits, it’s one of the strongest physical attackers in the tier
Surskit - Yea, unless the very rare haze
Trapinch - Yes, unless the team is ultra old and it turns out to be toxic, then rip
Wynaut - No
Zig - No
B- rank
Archen - No to headsmash, sets up on every other set
180 Atk Archen Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 12-15 (44.4 - 55.5%) -- 12.1% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 15)
180 Atk Archen Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. +1 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 7-10 (25.9 - 37%) -- 82.5% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (7, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10)
Amaura - Yes
Cottonee - No if encore, otherwise yes
252 SpA Cottonee Giga Drain vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 12-14 (44.4 - 51.8%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 14)
Dewpider - Yes
Drilbur - Yes
Meowth - Yes
Munchlax - Yes to recycle sets unless you get body slammed para into multiple paras. Curserest comes down to who crits first, although shell is definitely favoured since munch provides turns to crit when it rests.
236+ Atk Munchlax Return vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 10-13 (37 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (10, 10, 10, 10, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13)
Pancham - Yes, unless bu or sd, then who crits first if bu and shell beats sd unless crit
Salandit - Yes, unless crit by np salandit. Shell beats non-np
Taillow - Yes to special, no to physical guts
Not gonna bother with most of C rank sorry, barring clam and ches, I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen the other C rank mons in any big lc tournament.
Clamperl - In theory, yes. Probably one of shellos’ most impressive feats, being able to in theory set up on +2 tooth clamperl lacking hp grass, and beating it, assuming no hazards are up.
+2 248 SpA Deep Sea Tooth Clamperl Surf vs. 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 15-18 (55.5 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16, 16, 17, 17, 17, 17, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18)
+2 248 SpA Deep Sea Tooth Clamperl Surf vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 8-9 (29.6 - 33.3%) -- 12.5% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9)
Ignoring crit chance, clam has a 15.6 percent chance to beat shell here
Eventually clam will ss again, at which point shell should be at 100
+4 248 SpA Deep Sea Tooth Clamperl Surf vs. +2 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 12-14 (44.4 - 51.8%) -- 4.3% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 14)
+4 248 SpA Deep Sea Tooth Clamperl Surf vs. +4 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 8-9 (29.6 - 33.3%) -- 12.5% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9)
Then clam ss again, shell at 100
+6 248 SpA Deep Sea Tooth Clamperl Surf vs. +4 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 10-12 (37 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (10, 10, 10, 10, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12)
+6 248 SpA Deep Sea Tooth Clamperl Surf vs. +6 228 HP / 100 SpD Eviolite Shellos: 8-9 (29.6 - 33.3%) -- 12.5% chance to 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9)
Barring crit, shell now walls, and clam isn’t favoured to crit with 6 surfs.
On the other side
0 Atk Shellos Return vs. -3 0 HP / 76 Def Clamperl: 13-16 (65 - 80%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (13, 13, 13, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 16)
Return 2hkos
I can’t think of a single mon with the ability to set up and beat +2 clam, but shellos can.
Chespin - Yes
28 Atk Chespin Seed Bomb vs. 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 12-14 (44.4 - 51.8%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
Possible damage amounts: (12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 14)
That list is pretty big, but the two messages from that are that shellos sets up on a large chunk of the meta, more importantly I believe it sets up on 18/24 of the mons in S to A- or at least their most common sets rn, which is massive, highlighting its ability as a standard killer. It also can setup on super effective hits and potentially beat elec and grass types barring snivy once at +2 spdef or def which, again, is pretty ridiculous.
Secondly, even though it sets up on a huge chunk of the meta, in practice it’s usually not too difficult to set up on weaker mons to heavily reduce the chance of early hax ruining the clean. Shellos can set up on lo staryu and chinchou and clamperl but, in practice, you should never go for that unless you have no other plays. It’s far easier and less hax risky to set up on dig, bulk foo, physical vull, foon, onix, pawn, sprit, mud, tirt etc. Mons which don’t typically carry boosting moves, since unless you get crit by the first hjk or eq, by the time you’ve boosted to +2 def or spdef, these mons need back to back crit to kill shell. In most games, you can position yourself to set up on these mons since they’re everywhere rn. Setting up on clam, dd mons, bulk up and np mons is possible but is more like a last resort.
On top of that, there are in that list, roughly 10 pokemon shellos can’t setup on. Snivy is fair, mag is fair but can be trapped, ferro can also be trapped, gast can be trapped and potentially killed by lo, shell is fair, ss tirt is rare, ss dweb even rarer, bunny, zig and wynaut are uncommon, pump and fril and ruff are virtually non-existent. Barring snivy and shell, team support gets rid of the other two common threats, highlighting just how good shell is vs most standard.
Reason 2: Most standard methods of beating shellos are non-existent in lc rn.
Usually, in higher tiers, a set like this would be quickly stopped by toxic, haze, phasing, unaware pokemon, taunt etc. Fortunately for shellos, none of these really exist in lc. Toxic is non-existent, no-ones running unaware wooper/cleffa if it gets it. Mareanie hazing was popular in torch meta but not rn, phasing doesn’t really exist barring the rare roar onix and rarer roar mudbray and taunt also doesn’t really exist barring onix on veil and maybe taunt foo on teams with no spore switch.
None of the usual methods of dealing with this set exist in lc, so shellos can thrive.
It would be interesting to see if toxic, phasing and haze mare start seeing usage if this set picks up usage, maybe frill will rise up in viability too.
Reason 3: A lot of current metagame trends really favour shellos rn
Most importantly, the fact that webs has sharply decreased in usage helps shell a lot. Pump and frils usage primarily came from being spinblockers on webs teams but, due to the decline of webs, neither of those mons are seen much rn, meaning two of the 3 ghosts on vr are not used, letting return be spammed freely once setup.
Snivy’s decrease in usage also helps heavily. Snivy was pretty big at the start of lcpl and pre-lcpl, where people were talking about potentially suspecting the mon due to the scarf set having few checks. Now, with snivy’s big draw of single handedly beating webs not being relevant, plus facing heavy competition from vull as a defogger, it’s not nearly as splashable as it once was. Both scarf and evio are heavily affected by foon being everywhere, evio also dislikes the rise of gast and gull which can’t switch in but heavily pressure it. Scarf hates protect gull and onix and abra, since they can waste leafstorm pp and, if snivy attempts to aggressively knock on ferro or foon switch in, that’s also scouted.
Electric types also aren’t too common rn, which helps shellos. Mag is kinda common but not nearly as popular as it was 2 months ago, protect scout really hurts the scarfset and it’s still prone to getting trapped by scarfdig and the rising trapinch. Elekid I’ve seen a few times, but again, not common as it’s difficult to fit on teams, provides zero defensive utility and even offensively fails to ohko a lot of stuff. Usually, elekid only puts in work if your opponent has no elec immunity or you get every play correct. Chinchou is awful.
Barring snivy, ferro is the only viable grass that heavily pressures shellos but it gets trapped easily. Out of 5 mons that are viable and pressure shell with se stab, 3 get trapped easily and the other one in elekid is uncommon and loses if shellos is at +2 spdef.
Last point, not really a trend but a gameplay mechanic change, but crit chance being lowered to 1/24 helps shellos out massively too.
Reason 4: It’s a fantastic tour mon and it’s capable of cleaning vs 4 or 5 mons with ease
Shellos is a poor ladder mon, since you can face haze mareanie or frill or toxic or roar on ladder, but in a tour scenario, shellos is fantastic. Beats standard with ease and a good mon to bring if you know your opponent doesn’t use snivy or setup much.
The second point is very important imo, since it allows you to play very passively if the matchup is favourable. There are many games I’ve played with shellos where I purposely let ferro or gastly kill a mon instead of hard grimer or hard mag, knowing full well that as long as I trap those mons, shellos can make up for the mon disadvantage. Plus, if your opponent doubles predicting the grimer or mag, you gain momentum or damage.
Shellos negatives
The big negative I’ve found with using shellos is that it’s very difficult to outplay out of poor mu’s like snivy or snivy gast barring luck or choke, meaning there’s a few mu’s which are sorta an autoloss.
Wynaut is the single worst pokemon to face when using shellos, it can happily switch in, lock you into return if you went for it and trap or encore into curse/amnesia and waste your pp, then once it’s run out of encores, click the dbond into counter/mirror coat combination and stall you out of pp and eventually 1v1 you. I haven’t tested this scenario fully but I can’t see any way on paper for shellos to come out of that alive.
Another negative is probably the fact that it requires some degree of team support. You need a ferro trapper or a team that lures/heavily pressures ferro. You need a gast trapper. Ideally want a mag trapper. Also want to build a team that doesn’t autolose to snivy and you realise that there isn’t much variety in what you can build around it. There’s potential to forgo either a gast or ferro remover if you’ve scouted and are confident your opponent won’t use it but that’s risky. Usually, if shell gets crit early, game tends to be over since shellos teams I’ve built aren’t designed to have a backup plan if shellos gets crit.
Getting crit sucks but I don’t think that’s particularly a negative, since relying on crit to break a mon is not ideal for an opponent. Against non-setup, crits are only game changing if they happen within the first 1-4 turns of setup usually, which at most, has a 16ish percent chance of occurring, which is heavily favourable. After that, consecutive crits are needed, which has a 1/576 chance of occurring.
I imagine now that the set is public, if people do end up using it, shifts might occur to make shellos less good but I think that’s a good thing honestly, it might spice up this stagnant meta a little. Similarly, you could argue that the surprise factor was a main reason why shellos consistently put in so much for me, but I’d argue that shell sets up on so much of the meta that even if you know exactly what it does, trying to prevent it from setting up is still very difficult, especially if the mu is poor.
Replays
Nominating unranked pokemon require high-level replays. I’ve got a few replays which I think are at a high level.
Tour replays
Swiss quarterfinals vs OP
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7lc-753697994
Brought shellos because it 6-0ed most of OP’s standard builds. From preview, I just needed to trap mag and absorb spore with grimer and the game should have been mine from there. Unfortunately, OP turned out to have np skystrike vull as opposed to the physical vull I was expecting. Shellos comes in turn 29 since it’s easiest to set up on foon. Vull nps alongside it and op gets an important flinch turn 38 and since he was skystrike he didn’t need another flinch. I think if I got two recovers and one return off, the game was mine unless foo got a first turn hjk crit.
I don’t think this game was a negative for shellos tbh, once it got going, op needed flinches to win and he was, in my opinion, the perfect vull set for that mu, since skystrike helped with reducing the number of flinches needed. I haven’t seen anyone else use that set so I write off that game as OP having a cool set that won with a bit of luck, as opposed to shellos was poor.
BLT semifinals vs Mikaav
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7lc-789631764
This was a semifinals team tour game with the score being 3-4. Knockout game for my team. Shellos had great mu, just needed to remove and trap ferro, and I was free to throw away my foo to achieve that since I knew shell could clean. Shellos came in turn 18 and setup, switched out on abra to scout for counter and trapped then setup again on mudbray. Mud crit eq on turn 28 but, as highlighted before, if shell sets up enough, non setup needs double crit to break through it or almost consecutive crits. Setup again and won. Mu was very favourable.
LC Open vs Bluxio
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7lc-792080707
This was two days ago, mu looks more threatening due to clam and what turned out to be lo staryu but similar to last game, once I got rid of ferro shell could clean. You could argue that surprise factor helped me a lot here, I think my opp misplayed a bit. Once I got rid of ferro, I just had to get shellos in for free on defensive sprit and setup amnesias to win. Shellos came in on sprit, got up two amnesias, cursed up on the mudbray and cleaned. Mu harder than the other two but still pretty manageable for shellos
DAT vs levi
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7lc-792839460
This happened today. Mu was actually kinda unfortunate, np gunk and np sprit are manageable with shellos but zig is not, especially with memento support. I think I played this as well as I could tbh, setting up with shell is impossible while zig is alive since it can bd and overwhelm. If you curse up on the switch, it is possible to beat bd zig if its best move to hit you is espeed, but not if its return/seed bomb since they do too much to +2 shellos.
+6 196+ Atk Zigzagoon Extreme Speed vs. +2 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 10-13 (37 - 48.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (10, 10, 10, 10, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13)
+6 196+ Atk Zigzagoon Extreme Speed vs. +3 228 HP / 132+ Def Eviolite Shellos: 9-12 (33.3 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Possible damage amounts: (9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 12)
Apologies for this super long post, wanted to flesh it out as much as possible since I’m requesting such a big rank increase. Had this post fleshed out for a while, but realised I lacked replays with it, which is why the last three replays above happened in the last week. I’d recommend trying it out before writing it off, it’s far better than it looks.
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