You Best Not Fuckle

 

 

 Full disclosure: Shuckle is my favorite Bug type in any game. I love this little guy so much. I try really hard not to show blatant favoritism in the game I'm building, but today is the day where I break that rule. Shuckle is getting some FUCKLED buffs and I'm not sorry at all. 

1. Stats and Typing

While it seems like there are a lot of Bug/Rock types available, Shuckle was the first and he is keeping his signature typing combo. Stat-wise, Shuckle already boasts the highest standard deviation between stats of any Pokemon with sky high defenses and bottom barrel everything else. As I'm looking at my stat spreadsheet, I'm leaning into this dichotomy even harder. Introducing Shuckle with truly top-tier defenses that no other Pokemon ever made can match. 255/255 and a buff to 50 HP means Shuckle is rocking out harder than ever. We're dropping Attack and Sp. Attack down to 5 to match his speed too. Bask in the glory that is Shuckle.

2. Abilities

Shuckle has some weird abilities. Sturdy on a Pokemon that will never be knocked out in one hit? Gluttony? Contrary? I think it's time to rewrite the book here. Introducing the new ability spread:

• Rough Skin
• Shell Armor
• Supersweet Syrup

Shuckle is nested in a ridiculously hard, craggy rock. It does not feel good to punch. Opponents can start taking damage when they do. Shell Armor is self explanatory and serves to nullify Shuckle's weaknesses to Rock and Steel, meaning it only has a weakness to Water. Supersweet Syrup references the delicious fermenting berry juice that Shuckles work to produce and share with their friends, lowering evasion for stronger allies to benefit.

3. Movepool

Shuckle already has everything it needs to succeed with these new abilities. Infestation does incredible damage over time and can be paired with Toxic to prevent escape. Power Split essentially eliminates a whole opponent by neutering its damage output, and if it has been hit by Infestation it literally can't do anything. Guard Split can massively buff an ally when Shuckle is on the rocks, and Sticky Web helps its allies out-speed any foes that want to switch in because of a Power Split. I may bring back some old moves it had access to like Captivate for fun, and I am on the fence about giving it access to Slack Off. Even for me that may be too much. Regardless, Shuckle has plenty to do to disrupt foes and buff allies.

Conclusion

Shuckle has never been good, I know that. But gosh was it fun to use and bamboozle opponents with the old Infestation, Power Split, Toxic trick. Now you can enjoy all that fun and much more with the newly buffed Shuckle. You know what they say!