>>13250845It has no offensive presence and is complete setup bait. It's a Pokemon designed to take hits, hindered by it's cripplingly low HP and lack of reliable recovery, meaning it can't even do its job well.
There are many Pokemon on OU/UU/RU that can OHKO/2HKO it, despite full investment.
It faces the same problem Stall does in its win condition. Shuckle doesn't help you win anything, it only serves to attempt to not lose. And it's bad at even that.
That said, I too understand its appeal and would recommend thus:
Shuckle @Leftovers
252 HP, rest into one or split defenses
+Def/SpDef -Att
Contrary
Shell Smash
Power Split
Rest
Toxic
Shell Smash + Power Split = boosted defense for you, lowered offense for opponents. Rest for your only source of recovery, Toxic for only source of damage against non Poisons/Steels, who wall you to no end.
Goal isn't to stay in and wall everything. Without Sturdy, you're an even bigger target for Crits, which statistically increase in chance the more turns you stay in.
You get in, boost if you need to (only if opponents do more than 3HKOs), Power Split to weaken them, and then either choose between:
-Switching to a setup sweeper that can take advantage/setup on now weakened opponent
-Toxic on opposing bulky Pokes, go to top of list
-Rest if need be, go to top of list
The desire to make Shuckle into some uber tank is strong, but that's the best way to experience all the ways Shuckle is terribly good at being critical hit. He has some nice niche support moves and decent bulk, take advantage of it by using it to properly support the rest of your team.
Sandstorm can be used to maximize support for Shuckle. Shift all investment into Def, as Sandstorm will boost your SpDef to very high levels.
