[SET]
name: Shell Smash Sweeper
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Surf / Hydro Pump
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Dark Pulse / Focus Blast
item: White Herb
ability: Torrent
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Blastoise carves a niche in the RarelyUsed tier as a competent Shell Smash sweeper thanks to its solid overall bulk and multiple coverage options. Ice Beam is a crucial coverage move that hits a lot of Pokémon that resists its STAB such as Dragalge, Goodra, and Virizion. Dark Pulse fits the final slot to hit Jellicent which would wall it otherwise while also hitting top threats such as Slowbro-Galar and Bronzong super-effectively. Focus Blast can also be used on the final slot to get the 2HKO on Umbreon while also being the strongest move to hit bulky Water-types such as Milotic and Vaporeon. While Surf is the optimal STAB move due to its good overall power and reliable accuracy, Hydro Pump can be used if running Focus Blast over Dark Pulse to maintain the ability to 2HKO Bronzong after a Shell Smash. Torrent boosts the power of its Water STAB when its HP is low which can help it on breaking through bulkier Pokémon. White Herb lets it retain its bulk after a Shell Smash which is most useful against opposing priority moves such as First Impression from Golisopod. Life Orb is an option for Blastoise to hit harder at the cost of being susceptible to priority after a Shell Smash. A Modest nature with maximum Special Attack and Speed investment allows Blastoise to hit as hard as possible.
Hazard support from Pokémon such as Klefki and Rhyperior can increase Blastoise's chances of getting KO's on bulky Pokémon. Blastoise struggles to break through bulky Water-type Pokemon such as Mantine, Milotic, and Vaporeon which can wear it down with Toxic. Toxicroak is an excellent teammate to handle bulky Water-types thanks to Dry Skin and immunity to Toxic. Electric-types such as Heliolisk and Vikavolt can put pressure on bulky-Water Pokémon and can also pivot Blastoise in with Volt Switch. These Electric types can also handle Golisopod which can threaten to end a weakened Blastoise's sweep with First Impression. Blastoise in return handles Ground-types such as Rhyperior and Golurk for them. Grass-types such as Dhelmise and Virizion are also good options to break through bulky Water-types; Dhelmise in particular can also provide Rapid Spin support to keep Blastoise healthy. These Grass-types appreciate Blastoise's ability to soft-check Fire-types. Espeon and Xatu are good teammates to deter opponents from afflicting status on Blastoise. Xatu can also provide dual screens support so Blastoise can have an easier time setting up.
[SET]
name: Rapid Spin Pivot
move 1: Scald
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Flip Turn
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Blastoise's good defensive stats along with its access to Rapid Spin and Flip Turn allows Blastoise to provide a good amount of role compression and utility. Its Water-typing gives it good matchups against common Stealth Rock setters such as Rhyperior, Steelix, and Gigalith, giving it multiple opportunities to spin their hazards away. Scald is its primary STAB that can cripple its switch-ins with a burn. Flip Turn can pivot Blastoise out from unfavorable matchups while also preventing Blastoise from becoming a momentum drain. Toxic lets Blastoise cripple its checks, particularly the bulky Water-types that would otherwise wall it. A fully defensive EV spread maximizes its defensive capabilities to check Fire- and Ground-type Pokemon.
Pokemon that are easily worn down by hazards such as Exploud and offensive Arcanine appreciate the Rapid Spin support Blastoise provides. Its Rapid Spin could also act as an emergency support for teammates whose Heavy-Duty boots have been knocked off. Due to its lack of reliable recovery, Blastoise can be somewhat easily worn down by repeated hits and Toxic. Umbreon and Vileplume can heal Blastoise if it gets afflicted with status; Umbreon can also provide Wish support so Blastoise can perform its duty much longer. This Blastoise set struggles against Grass- and Electric-types so checks to those types such as Dragalge and Goodra make good teammates. Fire-type Pokemon such as Salazzle and Arcanine can also check Grass-types for Blastoise while Ground-types such as Rhyperior can check Electric-types. Klefki is a good teammate for Blastoise on offensive teams as Kleki appreciates a hazard removal form that retains the Spikes it sets. Blastoise and Klefki also complement each other defensively: Blastoise can handle Klefkl's Fire- and Ground-type checks while Klefki can cripple Blastoise's Grass-type checks.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[MegaFlareon, 239648]]
- Quality checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]
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