tirt

Tirtouga @ Berry Juice
Ability: Sturdy
Level: 5
EVs: 212 Atk / 92 Def / 180 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Shell Smash
- Waterfall
- Stone Edge / Rock Slide
- Aqua Jet / Earthquake / Knock Off

Role: Physical Sweeper

What it does: Tirtouga is able to set up a Shell Smash from the safety given by Sturdy, ensuring it will survive a hit. The combination of this and the item Berry Juice effectively gives it two Focus Sashes, meaning it is much harder to take down and it also prevents misplays from being catastrophic, as Tirtouga will usually get a second chance. After a Shell Smash, Tirtouga reaches 36 Attack and 22 Speed, which it uses to tear opposing teams apart. Stone Edge hammers Flying-types, Waterfall does heavy damage to Drilbur, Earthquake nails Steel-types namely Pawniard and Magnemite, Aqua Jet is practically impossible to outspeed, good for finishing an opponent off, while Knock Off is useful for its effect.

Good Teammates: Tirtouga appreciates teammates that can stop some of the more frustrating opponents that like to cripple Tirtouga or Knock Off its Berry Juice. Mienfoo can take incoming Knock Offs and even provide Tirtouga an opening to sweep with a slow U-turn. Tirtouga needs some hazard removal also, as any residual damage will compromise its Sturdy. Drilbur can Rapid Spin hazards away while burrowing through opposing Sturdy Pokemon with its Mold Breaker Earthquake. Cottonee and Foongus also make good teammates as they cover Tirtouga's weaknesses well, as well as being able to cripple threats to Tirtouga.

What counters it: Cottonee can Encore Tirtouga into Shell Smash and simply Giga Drain it to death. Any bulky Grass-type Pokemon can exploit Tirtouga's 4x weakness - even with Sturdy intact. Bulky Fighting-types such as Mienfoo, Timburr, or Scraggy can also take a +2 Attack and reply with a super effective attack.