Cloyster makes its return from XY as one of the most infamous setup sweepers of Battle Spot Singles. High base power of multi-hit moves coupled with Skill Link makes Cloyster one of the most threatening sweepers in the metagame. While extremely predictable, Cloyster has still proven to be difficult to deal with, only stopped by a select few Pokemon. However, an atrocious special defense also makes tricky for Cloyster to setup either if the Focus Sash is broken, or if another item is being used. More often than not, Focus Sash will also be consumed in the setup, making Cloyster vulnerable to priority.
Below are some sample sets. These sets are likely to be standard, but they will be expanded upon and updated as the metagame progresses.
[SET]
name: Smash 'n' Sweep
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Icicle Spear
move 3: Rock Blast
move 4: Ice Shard
item: Focus Sash / Kings Rock
ability: Skill Link
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Shell Smash boosts Cloyster's stats to a dangerous levels which can allow it to sweep unprepared teams.
* Icicle Spear is the main STAB option, always hitting 5 times with skill link, allowing Cloyster to break through common Focus Sash Pokemon such as Garchomp and Tapu Koko, Pokemon carrying Substitute, and Mimikyu.
* Rock Blast provides coverage vs Fire and Ice-types such as opposing Cloyster, Mega-Charizard X, Rotom-H, Blaziken and Volcarona.
* Ice Shard allows Cloyster to beat other priority users when at +2 including Mach Punch breloom and Prankster Thundurus, while also providing general coverage when not boosted against Mega-Salamence and Garchomp. Tapu Lele's Psychic Surge however can be troublesome for Cloyster given the negation of priority moves vs grounded targets.
* Z-Razor Shell is an option to OHKO Heatran and Assault Vest Mamoswine without a boost, whilst able to OHKO Aegislash and Mega-Metagross at +2 after Stealth Rock damage.
* Focus Sash guarantees a Shell Smash, which is essential in matchups against dedicated special attackers as Cloyster's special defense is quite poor. Kings Rock works in conjunction with Icicle Spear and Rock Blast, granting a 41% chance to flinch the opponent.
* 252 Atk ensures that Cloyster can hit to its full potential, while 252 Spe is needed so that Cloyster can outspeed Choice Scarf Tapu Lele. An Adamant nature is preferred as +2 speed from Shell Smash gives Cloyster enough speed, however a Jolly nature can still be used to ensure that +2 Cloyster is faster than Choice Scarf Tapu Koko, which would otherwise OHKO.
* Even at +2, Cloyster struggles to break bulky Water-types and Porygon2, so be sure to carry Electric-type coverage somewhere and a means of dealing with Porygon2. Steel-types also prove to be problematic, so be sure to carry some coverage for these threats.
Below are some sample sets. These sets are likely to be standard, but they will be expanded upon and updated as the metagame progresses.
[SET]
name: Smash 'n' Sweep
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Icicle Spear
move 3: Rock Blast
move 4: Ice Shard
item: Focus Sash / Kings Rock
ability: Skill Link
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Shell Smash boosts Cloyster's stats to a dangerous levels which can allow it to sweep unprepared teams.
* Icicle Spear is the main STAB option, always hitting 5 times with skill link, allowing Cloyster to break through common Focus Sash Pokemon such as Garchomp and Tapu Koko, Pokemon carrying Substitute, and Mimikyu.
* Rock Blast provides coverage vs Fire and Ice-types such as opposing Cloyster, Mega-Charizard X, Rotom-H, Blaziken and Volcarona.
* Ice Shard allows Cloyster to beat other priority users when at +2 including Mach Punch breloom and Prankster Thundurus, while also providing general coverage when not boosted against Mega-Salamence and Garchomp. Tapu Lele's Psychic Surge however can be troublesome for Cloyster given the negation of priority moves vs grounded targets.
* Z-Razor Shell is an option to OHKO Heatran and Assault Vest Mamoswine without a boost, whilst able to OHKO Aegislash and Mega-Metagross at +2 after Stealth Rock damage.
* Focus Sash guarantees a Shell Smash, which is essential in matchups against dedicated special attackers as Cloyster's special defense is quite poor. Kings Rock works in conjunction with Icicle Spear and Rock Blast, granting a 41% chance to flinch the opponent.
* 252 Atk ensures that Cloyster can hit to its full potential, while 252 Spe is needed so that Cloyster can outspeed Choice Scarf Tapu Lele. An Adamant nature is preferred as +2 speed from Shell Smash gives Cloyster enough speed, however a Jolly nature can still be used to ensure that +2 Cloyster is faster than Choice Scarf Tapu Koko, which would otherwise OHKO.
* Even at +2, Cloyster struggles to break bulky Water-types and Porygon2, so be sure to carry Electric-type coverage somewhere and a means of dealing with Porygon2. Steel-types also prove to be problematic, so be sure to carry some coverage for these threats.
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