Sturdy or Contrary for Shuckle?

Question

I was working on a competitive Shuckle and I wondered which is better with swagger, Contrary or Sturdy. If it is equal or close to it I will just choose Sturdy, but I know Contrary is a good move.

Comments

It depends what you want to use the Shuckle for. If you want to set up some rocks, Sturdy. If you want to stall, Shell Smash Contrary.

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Someone edit this; Contrary is a ABILITY, not move :P

Answer 1

Unfortunately, that isn't how Contrary works. Contrary reverses the effects of your own stat changes, not the stat changes of the target via moves like Swagger. If Contrary Shuckle uses Swagger it will still sharply raise the opponent's Attack.

However, if you can, DEFINITELY have a Contrary Shuckle. This is because Shuckle is able to learn the move Shell Smash, and coupled with its already massive defense, after a few of those it can sit like a tank for pretty much the entire battle.

Sturdy, on the other hand, is practically useless. Shuckle's Defensive stats are massive, so if Sturdy somehow kicks in, you know that you EV trained it wrong.

Comments

Smash shuckle is beat by steels, poisons, and toxic users tho

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Thanks I forgot Contrary only works on yourself.  I could try a Rock Polish Gyro Ball Strategy with it.

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Yeah, but just so you know, shell smash does the same thing, AND raises your defense and sp. defense.

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Three is that attack drop, though…

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also, crits ruin smash shuckle. types mean nothing though. for toxic, run rest.

Answer 2

First of All Swagger isn't affected by either ability. Swagger only affects your opponent, not Shuckle. So in other words it doesn't matter.
However, if you want to know which one is better, then pick contrary. Shuckle will almost never be knocked out in one hit due to it's defenses, so Sturdy will therefore rarely be useful. This is especially true if your opponent has Hazards on the field, as they will neuter Sturdy upon entry.
Contrary, however, is essentially a better version of Clear Body. Not only does it prevent your opponent from lowering your stats, but it actually boosts them instead. While most people don't use purely Stat-lowering moves, you will almost always encounter attacks that have a chance to lower stats. Shadow Ball, for example, has a 20% Chance to lower your Sp. Defense, but will boost it instead. This also means that Shuckle will be able to tank more Shadow Balls and make it harder to kill in the process; something you want. Opposing Swaggers will also lower your attack, which means Shuckle will take minimal confusion damage should it hit itself.

Answer 3

Contrary. Sturdy shuckle has very few uses, but contrary shuckle can be a big help with shell smash, making his defenses even higher! Hopefully this answers your question. Hope I helped!