Barbaracle, the Collective Pokémon. Barbaracle's legs and hands have minds of their own, and they will move independently. But they usually follow the head's orders.

Overview

An otherwise unassuming Rock Smash Pokémon from Kalos, Barbaracle immediately stands out for being one of the few non-Mega Evolutions to get the rare Tough Claws ability. Tough Claws has a sterling reputation for power and Barbaracle does not disappoint in this regard. Base 105 Attack may seem unassuming but with the Tough Claws boost, Barbaracle hits appreciably hard, synergizing well with the wide coverage of its Water STAB. That is not all for Barbaracle was gifted with the rare Shell Smash, pushing its offense to screaming new heights. After a Shell Smash, Barbaracle outruns every available unboosted Pokémon in the game and even some Choice Scarf users like Hisuian Typholosion or Garchomp depending on the nature. Couple that in with the effective Swords Dance boost and very little wants to endure Barbaracle’s attacks.

Getting to that point is another matter entirely. 72 HP and 86 Special Defense prevent Barbaracle from taking many special hits if any. While 115 Defense is good, it is completely let down by Barbaracle’s Rock typing. Rock is one of the worst defensive types in the game, making any type it is added to worse and Water is no exception, giving Barbaracle a list of exploitable weaknesses including the predominant physical types in Ground and Fighting. This wouldn’t be so bad if the fact of the matter is that Barbaracle must rely on its faulty bulk before it sets up Shell Smash. Base 68 Speed is frightfully slow, ensuring most Pokémon will act before Barbaracle Shell Smashes. While this makes it easier for Barbaracle to setup without eating an attack on its boosted defenses, it also ensures there is a massive pool of Pokémon that can flat out remove Barbaracle before it starts. While Barbaracle’s offense is nothing to scoff at, its poor initial speed and faulty defenses mean exercising that offense is easier said than done.
Positives
Base 105 Attack with Tough Claws hits surprisingly hard, leaving Barbaracle wanting little for power.
Rock and Water STABs plus plenty of coverage options allow Barbaracle to make the most out of its offensive prowess.
Shell Smash is an incredible move, making Barbaracle nigh unstoppable once used.

Negatives
Base 68 Speed is incredibly slow pre–Shell Smash, forcing Barbaracle to get hit while setting up.
72/86 Special bulk is underwhelming and Rock typing sabotages good Defense, making Barbaracle easy to remove.

Movesets

Barbarous Barnacle

-Shell Smash
-Liquidation
-Stone Edge
-Close Combat
Ability: Tough Claws
Item: White Herb
Stats and Nature:
2 HP / 32 Atk / 32 Spe
Adamant Nature

The very nature of Shell Smash itself all but ensures any wielder is a potent game ending sweeper and Barbaracle is no exception. After a single Shell Smash, Barbaracle outspeeds every unboosted target around and even some Choice Scarf users like Modest Hydreigon or Adamant Garchomp, greatly limiting counterplay. The effective Swords Dance isn’t to be discounted either, allowing Barbaracle to pick up knock outs left and right. Liquidation is the star of Barbaracle’s moveset, being a Tough Claws boosted STAB option with wide coverage, including into walls like Hippowdon and Skeledirge that would stymie other physical attackers, to say nothing of its ability to OHKO even neutral targets like Garchomp, Mega Swampert, and Mega Metagross after 1 layer Spikes. Stone Edge is secondary STAB, and while not boosted by Tough Claws, is no less important for its wide coverage into not only the likes of Dragonite, Gyarados, but Water types in general that would otherwise be a solid answer into a Water sweeper like Barbaracle. Close Combat is the preferred coverage for Barbaracle, dispatching the Archaludon and rare Empoleon that otherwise resist both STABs while doing neutral damage to every other Pokémon that resists both Rock and Water.

Stats and Items:
Max Speed and Attack are recommended for Barbaracle. Full Speed investment is hard to deny given how poor Barbaracle’s Speed is before Shell Smash and is valuable for outrunning max Speed Kingambit, and Empoleon. Attack is similarly recommended given Barbaracle needing to get OHKOs post Shell Smash given its unimpressive bulk even before considering potential defense drops from Shell Smash and Close Combat. Adamant is recommended here for picking up knockouts that are otherwise missed, as dropping down to Jolly means that Garchomp is no longer a guaranteed KO and Mega Swampert and Mega Metagross swing from favorable knockouts to unlikely ones. However it may be argued that some damage is worth more than none, and with Jolly, Shell Smash Barbaracle outruns Jolly Scarf Garchomp, Timid Scarf Hydreigon and Adamant Swift Swim Mega Swampert while speed tying with Modest Chlorophyll Venusaur. For items, White Herb does a lot for Barbaracle, either wiping away the defense drops from Shell Smash, making it marginally more difficult to remove or giving it a one time protection against opposing Intimidate users looking to slow Barbaracle down. Focus Sash is also handy for just guaranteeing the Shell Smash in the first place. Lum Berry is also worth considering for preventing teams relying on Burns from the likes of Mega Scovillain, Mega Bannette, Mimikyu or Sableye to cripple Barbaracle.

Partners:
Given how overwhelming Barbaracle is once setup, it greatly appreciates allies that facilitate such setup. Alolan-Ninetails is a key example, its Aurora Veil greatly increasing Barbaracle’s durability, making it much easier to setup and protecting it from priority. Access to Encore and locking opponents into an ineffectual move also does wonders in preparing a setup attempt. Grimmsnarl also fulfills a very similar niche, setting up screens and able to pivot out with Parting Shot to severely slash any potential damage sent Barbaracle’s way. Orthworm and its Shed Tail is another enabler, getting Barbaracle in for free and even worse, behind a Substitute making it maddingly difficult to disrupt. Allies that can handle Pokémon that resist both STABs are greatly appreciated. Mega Delphox stands out its STABs annihilating Kommo-o, Mega Chestnaught, and Quaquaval that resist both STABs, as well as checking most Grass types in general. Barbaracle in turn answers the Fire types that Mega Delphox cannot easily answer while also addressing Dark types that give it trouble with Close Combat coverage. Other Fire types are also valuable for their anti-Grass matchup like Mega Blaziken, and Volcarona. Mega Venusaur, while not as excellent into Dragon types, has a much stronger showing into Grass and Water types that can give Barbaracle issues while loving Barbaracle handling the Flying types that give it trouble.

Other Options:
Poison Jab is coverage for Mega Chestnaught who resist both STABs as well as threatening Mega Meganium and Unaware Clefable. Dragon Claw is Barbaracle’s best option into Kommo-o who otherwise resists both STABs. Night Slash is a decent coverage option for Slowbro, an otherwise sturdy Water resistant wall.

Countering Barbaracle

While Barbaracle’s sweeping prowess is fantastic, its abysmal starting speed and flawed defenses hold it back.

First and foremost, Grass types are near anathema to Barbaracle, able to OHKO it quickly while easily absorbing Liquidation, though must be cautious of boosted Stone Edges and Poison Jabs. 32 HP Mega Venusaur is still 2HKO’d by Stone Edge, but it can’t be OHKO’d bar Stone Edge crit and can recover most damage back with Giga Drain. Mega Meganium survives anything except Poison Jab and Kos Barbaracle 3-4 times over with Solar Beam. Meowscarda can’t absorb any attacks but is notable for outspeeding even Shell Smash Barbaracle. 32 HP /32+ Def Sinistcha abhors Night Slash but otherwise can tank a boosted Stone Edge. Mega Chestnaught is notable for resisting both STABs, fearing only a boosted Poison Jab, with everything else usually 3HKOing. Other Grass types like Serperior and Mega Sceptile cannot absorb a boosted Stone Edge but can pressure Barbaracle from setting up in the first place.

32 HP/32 Def+ Unaware Clefable is one of the few Pokémon that can handle Barbaracle post Shell Smash provided Barbaracle does not have Poison Jab, but can only 3HKO Barbaracle in turn and will need to heal to keep up. Other walls are dependent on Barbaracle’s coverage. 2 HP Kommo-o can survive even a +2 Close Combat if just barely and OHKO back with Aura Sphere. Iron Press Kommo-o fares even better, surviving even +2 Dragon Claw, though its Body Press only has a Ľ chance to OHKO. Archaludon fears nothing but Close Combat and Earthquake, with anything else only 3HKOing after Stamina, but can’t OHKO without Electro Shot or Barbaracle’s defenses being dropped.

Otheriwise anti Physical sweeper measures like Disguise Mimikyu, Prankster Sableye and Mega Bannette, Mega Victreebel, and Mega Scovillain can put a stop to Shell Smash Barbaracle.

The best way to deal with Shell Smash Barbaracle? Don’t let it set up in the first place. Its poor speed and laundry list of weaknesses leave no shortage of Pokémon that can knock it out even before setup, or place it in a position where any priority user can do the rest.

Mega Corner

Mega Barbaracle, the Collective Pokémon. It uses its many arms to toy with its opponents. This keeps the head extremely busy.

Overview

Another Generation 6 Pokémon to get some overdue love, Mega Barbaracle takes the promise of a devastating setup sweeper and takes it to the next level. This is in part trading out base Barbaracle’s Water subtyping for the superb Fighting subtype, granting Mega Barbaracle one of the better STAB combinations in the game. Add in the Tough Claws that it keeps from its base form and an absurd base 140 Attack and Mega Barbaracle boasts the strongest Close Combat in the series. Add in STAB Stone Edge that handles most Fighting resists and plentiful coverage options in Poison Jab, Night Slash and Earthquake, and there is very little Mega Barbaracle can’t devastate. The fact that Mega Barbaracle gets Shell Smash is just pouring salt into the gashing wounds it causes. Pre Shell Smash Mega Barbaracle is already a deadly offensive force. Post Shell Smash, there is very little that Mega Barbaracle cannot just OHKO and the accompanying speed boost ensures that Mega Barbaracle effectively can’t be outsped either. Mega Barbaracle doesn’t even have too much difficulty setting up, with solid 72/130/106 defenses ensures Mega Barbaracle can absorb at least a blow while setting up.

Yet despite its impressive base bulk, Mega Barbaracle is paradoxically frail. Part of this is due to its typing. Rock-Fighting, while strong offensively is horrid defensively, with a whopping 7 weaknesses to prey on, meaning every team, if not every Pokémon is wielding a move to bypass Mega Barbaracle’s defenses. It is not like Mega Barbaracle’s defenses stay that good for long either. Between Shell Smash and Close Combat, Mega Barbaracle is constantly sabotaging its own bulk, making it surprisingly easy to take down once setup. This gets exasperated by Mega Barbaracle’s mediocre base 88 Speed pre setup, meaning many absurdly powerful Mega Evolutions can drop Mega Barbaracle before it gets started like Mega Staraptor, Mega Metagross, Mega Delphox, Mega Raichu Y, and more. This lacking base speed all but coerces Mega Barbaracle to run Shell Smash given on how to struggle against offensive staples otherwise. Ironically base 88 may even be too fast as if Mega Barbaracle outspeeds the opponent pre–Shell Smash, it allows a free shot onto its lowered defenses. Even after setup, Mega Barbaracle’s defense dropping antics makes it vulnerable to priority which can prey on its lowered defenses for easy knockouts. This fragility means Mega Barbaracle struggles to stand out against other Mega Evolutions like opposing Shell Smash sweeper Mega Blastoise or fellow Close Combat spammer Mega Staraptor, who are much more consistent given their better defensive typings. These issues do not detract from the efficacy of Mega Barbaracle after a Shell Smash, capable of using its many hands to keelhaul entire teams given the chance.
Positives
Base 140 Attack is phenomenal and with Tough Claws, Mega Barbaracle there is very little that isn’t 2HKOd.
Rock Fighting STABs are phenomenal with very little resisting both and handled by Tough Claws boosted coverage.
Shell Smash is an incredible move, making Mega Barbaracle nigh unstoppable once used.
Solid 72/130/106 defenses allow Mega Barbaracle to soak up a hit or two.

Negatives
Rock Fighting is horrid defensively with a whopping 7 weaknesses means everything can bypass its good defenses.
Between Shell Smash and Close Combat, defense drops Mega Barbaracle is absurdly frail and exposed to priority once it gets going.
Base 88 Speed pre–Shell Smash is underwhelming and a liability for Mega Barbaracle and its many weaknesses.

Movesets

Smashing Keelhaul

-Shell Smash
-Close Combat
-Stone Edge
-Earthquake
Ability: Tough Claws -> Tough Claws
Item: Babaracite
Stats and Nature:
2 HP / 32 Atk / 32 Spe
Adamant Nature

Mega Barbaracle plays very similarly to its base form, in that of a devastating end game sweeper with Shell Smash. Shell Smash does so much for Mega Barbaracle, making it virtually impossible to outspeed even by weather sweepers after setup, while turning all its attacks into effective OHKOs onto just about every available Pokémon. Yet what may be most important for Mega Barbaracle is knowing when to Shell Smash. If going up against a slower foe, it may be more prudent to hold off on Shell Smash in lieu of simply attacking with a non-Close Combat move removing such a target or chipping them down into KO range while forcing them to contend with Mega Barbaracle’s intact defenses. Close Combat is Mega Barbaracle’s primary STAB and for good reason, its already significant power being boosted even further by Tough Claws ensures even targets as durable as 32 HP Archaludon are still OHKOd while even defensive staples like 32 HP / 32 Def+ Corviknight and Hippowdown are still 2HKOd by Close Combat. This is before Shell Smash, to be noted, meaning such physical walls are not counters for Mega Barbaracle given they cannot switch in safely. Stone Edge is secondary STAB and while lacking the Tough Claws boost, is similarly indispensable for the synergy it has with Close Combat. With Stone Edge, Flying types like Mega Charizard Y, Dragonite, Mega Clefable, and Gyarados cannot safely pivot in to soak up Close Combat with the possible threat of Stone Edge, to say nothing of Rock weak Ghost and Psychic types like Mega Delphox, Skeledirge and Ceruledge. Even beyond those targets, the neutral coverage between Close Combat and Stone Edge is simply superb with very few Pokémon able to resist both. That is what Earthquake is for, hitting the Gholdengo and Aegislash that can endure Mega Barbaracle’s STABs with ease. While the lack of contact means Earthquake does not get the Tough Claws boost, it also does not trigger the Attack drop of King’s Shield and less likely to run into a type resist berry given the popularity of Colbur Berry to mess with Knock Off users.

Stats and Items:
Max Attack investment is recommended for Mega Barbaracle. Damage is its main utility and by fully investing in Attack it narrows the amount of Pokémon that can tank its attacks to as few as possible both pre and post setup. Speed is a bit more contentious. Full Speed investment is valuable as Mega Barbaracle boasts the same base speed as Excadrill, meaning a Shell Smash Mega Barbaracle is as fast as Sand Rush Excadrill. Even before Shell Smash, full Speed investment allows Mega Barbaracle to outrun Gholdengo and the Rotom Appliances, Pokémon that can and will ruin Mega Barbaracle while being so close in base Speed. One could even spring for Jolly Nature as with Jolly, Mega Barbaracle outruns Jolly Scarf Meowscarada who otherwise does outspeed it even after Shell Smash. On the other hand, that much speed post Shell Smash is generally overkill for what Mega Barbaracle needs to do, with full speed investment basically only accounting for weather sweepers. Going slower can even be a boon for Mega Barbaracle, allowing it to tank an attack, then Shell Smash instead of Shell Smashing and being KO’d by an attack it would otherwise survive. Important post Shell Smash benchmarks include 24 Speed and Jolly for outrunning Scarf Meowscarda, while 19 Speed and Adamant is the minimum necessary to outrun Scarf Garchomp. These leftover points can go into HP, to allow Mega Barbaracle to survive attacks it otherwise wouldn’t be expected to. Item is locked to the Babaracite.

Partners:
Given how overwhelming Mega Barbaracle is once setup, it greatly appreciates allies that facilitate such setup. Alolan-Ninetails is a key example, its Aurora Veil greatly increasing Mega Barbaracle’s durability, making it much easier to setup and protecting it from priority. Access to Encore and locking opponents into an ineffectual move also does wonders in preparing a setup attempt. Grimmsnarl also fulfills a very similar niche, setting up screens and able to pivot out with Parting Shot to severely slash any potential damage sent Mega Barbaracle’s way. Orthworm and its Shed Tail is another enabler, getting Mega Barbaracle in for free and even worse, behind a Substitute making it maddingly difficult to disrupt. Rotom-Wash also deserves mention for its good matchup into physical walls like Hippowdon, and Slowbro that can otherwise give Mega Barbaracle trouble. It can also enable setup by crippling physical attackers with Will-O-Wisp or simply get Mega Barbaracle in safely with Volt Switch. Bellibolt also works well at this, crippling foes with Toxic, removing their resistances and STAB with Soak and boasting a slow Volt Switch that gets Mega Barbaracle in safely, though the shared poor matchup into Ground types is far from ideal.

Other Options:
Rock Blast is an alternative to Stone Edge that allows Mega Barbaracle to bypass methods of surviving its blows like Focus Sashes, and Mimikyu’s Disguise but suffers greatly in reliability. Night Slash is Mega Barbaracle’s best option into Slowbro while still accounting for Aegislash and Gholdengo. Poison Jab gives Mega Barbaracle an out to Unaware Clefable, one of the few Pokémon that can wall it post Shell Smash. Substitute protects Mega Barbaracle from status as it sets up as well as grant it a one time shield against priority..

Doubles and VGC Options

Mega Barbaracle’s power does lend itself well in Doubles. Tough Claws Close Combat is an obscenely powerful move able to OHKO even the likes of bulky Incineroar through Intimidate and Archaludon without any boosting needed. Rock Slide for STAB is also a great boon, as Aerodactyl has proven time and time again, the high flinch rate on the spread Rock Slide is utility in of itself, to say nothing of the obscene damage Mega Barbaracle is outputting. All this is before setting up Shell Smash, causing Mega Barbaracle to outspeed everything while dealing knockouts to everything it can get its many hands on. Rock Fighting STAB is also incredibly efficient, giving Mega Barbaracle near perfect coverage on its own, allowing it to safely fit both Shell Smash and Protect and not feel strained for moves. Yet for all this power, Mega Barbaracle remains an unconventional pick due to its defensive failings. Despite its impressive base bulk, Mega Barbaracle is rather volatile between its numerous weaknesses and sabotaging its own defenses with Shell Smash and Close Combat, meaning a single misplay or simple miss can spell the end for it. As a physical attacker, Mega Barbaracle must deal with all the methods used to slow down physical attackers such as Incineroar and Staraptor’s Intimidate, Rotom’s Will-O-Wisp, Mega Scovillain’s Spicy Spray, Grimmsnarl’s Reflect, and more. All of which are prevalent considering how most available staples at the time of this writing are predominantly physical attackers. This has Mega Barbaracle falter in comparison to opposing Shell Smash sweeper Mega Blastoise and fellow Close Combat spammer Mega Staraptor, both of whom are far less volatile due to better defensive typings and lesser vulnerability to Intimidate.

Smashed Shell Splinters

-Close Combat
-Rock Slide
-Shell Smash
-Protect
Ability: Tough Claws -> Tough Claws
Item: Babaracite
Stat Points and Nature:
9 HP / 32 Atk / 4 Def / 6 SDef / 15 Spe Adamant Nature

This Mega Barbaracle set plies itself as a general attacker that can turn deadly setup sweeper at a moment's notice. Close Combat is Mega Barbaracle's primary STAB and for good reason. Mega Barbaracle boasts the strongest Close Combat available and it shows, being all but guaranteed to OHKO 32 HP/14 Def Incineroar after Intimidate, removing one of the best support pieces in the game. Rock Slide is secondary STAB and spread damage at that, allowing Mega Barbaracle to quickly wear down the opposing team on top of threatening staples like Mega Charizard Y, Mega Delphox, Talonflame and Pelipper. Shell Smash is incredibly efficient setup, granting Mega Barbaracle effectively Agility and Swords Dance in a single move at the cost of its defenses. With Shell Smash, it pushes Rock Slide over the edge not only dealing obscene damage but with Mega Barbaracle able to outspeed everything, it is able to take full advantage of Rock Slide's incredible flinch rate, where a single flinch can decide a battle on its own. The most important thing with Shell Smash is to determine when is the best time to use it. Mega Barbaracle is plenty strong without Shell Smash and with appropriate Speed control can still get insane value out of Rock Slide. Knowing when to go for a second Shell Smash is also important, allowing Mega Barbaracle to overcome any errant Attack drops or to simply get enough power to muscle through neutral targets more effectively. Protect is the best move in doubles with endless utility, blocking Fake Out, punish focus fire, waiting for allied setup, stalling out detrimental field conditions, etc.

Maximizing Attack investment with Adamant nature is recommended on Mega Barbaracle for several reasons, the most important of which is reliably most Incineroar after Intimidate. This also maximizes the damage output of Rock Slide, allowing Mega Barbaracle to more reliably OHKO Rock weak targets even after the spread damage reduction and spread around damage much more effectively. 15 Speed points are recommended, allowing Mega Barbaracle to speed tie with the rare Jolly Max Speed Incineroar, making that much more unlikely that Incineroar can Fake Out into Parting Shot without eating a Close Combat in return. This 15 Speed points also allows Mega Barbaracle to outspeed Mega Swampert in the Rain post Shell Smash. Otherwise, the lower speed is so that Barbaracle isn't taking an attack after setting up with Shell Smash. The remaining points go into Mega Barbaracle's defenses, making it harder to remove. Going full speed investment is viable too, allowing Mega Barbaracle to speed tie Sand Rush Excadrill post Shell Smash, and Modest Archaludon and Adamant Mamoswine pre Shell Smash.

Preferred Partners & Other Options:
Hisuian-Zoroark is a fantastic partner for Mega Barbaracle given the mind games it can cause. Mega Barbaracle's power is so great that it naturally causes opponent to target it with Fake Outs to prevent setup or attacks and is especially good at drawing in Close Combats from the likes of Mega Staraptor and Sneasler. Hisuian-Zoroark punishes such supressive measures, allowing it to get damage off safely, to say nothing of its excellent matchup into Ghost types, preventing the likes of Gholdengo, Aegislash and Sinistcha from shutting Mega Barbaracle down. Coversely, if opponents act in fear of Hisuian-Zoroark, this can allow Mega Barbaracle to act unimpeded, getting a Shell Smash off in otherwise impossible situations or landing a crucial Close Combat. Allies that can facilitate a Shell Smash setup are invaluable for Mega Barbaracle. Sinistcha is the go to redirector thanks to soaking up the Water, Ghost, and Ground attacks that give Mega Barbaracle issues, but Maushold also deserves mention for its bulk boosting Friend Guard and ability to redirect Grass attackers. Incineroar also works, with Fake Out, or the threat of it prevent opponents from interfering with Mega Barbaracle while Intimidate makes Mega Barbaracle harder to remove as well. Sneasler can also work in this regard, its Poison STAB threatening the Fairy types that give Mega Barbaracle trouble. Farigiraf is also great for its ability to stop opposing Fake Outs, Helping Hand to boost Rock Slide and either setup Trick Room against opposing Tailwind teams or reversing it against Trick Room teams.

Night Slash is Mega Barbaracle's best option into Sinistcha, Gholdengo and Aegislash, the latter two of which wall it and the former a redirector immune to Close Combat. Poison Jab handles the Fighting resistant Fairy types, namely Sylveon, Mega Floette and Whimsicott who can all threaten a lot of damage onto Mega Barbaracle.

Countering Mega Barbaracle

There is rarely a sweeper as fast and devastating as Shell Smash Mega Barbaracle. However, its obscene speed and power is matched by abject frailty.

Once Mega Barbaracle has setup Shell Smash there is very little that can stomach its blows with natural bulk alone. The only available Unaware wall that can is 32 HP/32+ Def Clefable who is incredibly favored to survive 2 Stone Edges provided neither crit, but needs Mega Barbaracle at -2 Special Defense to OHKO back with Moonblast (at -1 only doing 69-83%). 32 HP/32+ Def Skeledirge can survive a Stone Edge but it still takes a horrific 68-80% and cannot OHKO Mega Barbaracle back.

Other checks are contingent on what coverage Mega Barbaracle is running if any. Gholdengo and Aegislash immediately stand out thanks to their immunity to Close Combat and resistance to Rock STAB, while able to threaten Kos back with Steel STAB, but Mega Barbaracle often carries Earthquake or Night Slash explicitly for them.

Other Pokémon are only checks in so much as they are not knocked out from full by +2 attacks. 32 HP Bold Toxapex can survive a +2 Stone Edge and wipe away the boosts with Haze, but even 32 HP/32+ Def is still 2HKO’d by +2 Close Combat and even at +1 only does 54-65% with Scald, to say nothing of its Earthquake weakness. 32 HP Mega Slowbro is bulky enough to not even be OHKO’d by +2 Night Slash, and can OHKO back with Scald, with Mega Barbaracle at -1 Special Defense. If not running Rock Blast, Disguise Mimikyu and Focus Sash users can take advantage of the guaranteed survive to soak up a hit and either strike back or cripple Mega Barbaracle.

Otherwise the best way to check Mega Barbaracle is offensively. While this is a tall order once Mega Barbaracle is setup, it is not impossible. Scarf Meowscarda easily outspeeds Adamant Shell Smash Mega Barbaracle and cleanly OHKOs with Flower Trick once Mega Barbaracle is at -1. Sand Rush Excadrill is notable for speed tying Mega Barbaracle who may not even be running full speed to begin with, and easily OHKOing with Ground STAB regardless of defense drops. Priority attackers are easily the best way to handle Mega Barbaracle post Shell Smash, bypassing its speed and exploiting its lowered defenses. Even then, (Mega) Scizor, and Mega Starmie, are the only two that can reliably get OHKOs from full with Mega Barbaracle at -1. Others need either multiple defense drops or a sufficiently chipped Mega Barbaracle including Adaptability Basculegion (61-80%), Mega Lopunny (57-69%), Mega Greninja (76-96%), Mega Metagross (77-93%), Hisuian-Samurott’s Aqua Jet (53-64%), Mega Lucario (80-96% for Bullet Punch or a 5/8 chance to OHKO with Vacuum Wave).

Perhaps the most important thing to do is to not give Mega Barbaracle a chance to setup in the first place. Before Shell Smash, Mega Barbaracle’s speed is a middling base 88, much slower than many offensive Pokémon, though sufficient strength is needed to be able to overcome Mega Barbaracle’s not inconsiderable base defenses. Life Orb Garchomp, Mega Delphox, Mega Blaziken, Mega Floette, Mega Charizard Y, and Scarf Rotom Wash all fulfill this condition.

In Doubles further emphasis should be given to Fighting resists as Mega Barbaracle will be running Rock Slide over Stone Edge, which is a drastic drop in power after accounting for the spread damage reduction, making Mega Barbaracle unlikely to grab OHKOs with it.

Anime Appearences

Barbaracle has made a few appearances in the anime. Most notably, it was used by Saizo in Kalos # -English Episode Name- -Jp. Episode Name- Pics M17 Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction The Cocoon of Destruction and Diancie Pics 855 A Stealthy Challenge! Ninja Art Showdown! Frogadier VS Barbarcle!! Pics 902 The Legend of the Ninja Hero! Welcome to the Ninja Village! The Legend of the Hero Greninja!! Pics 903 A Festival of Decisions! Decisive Battle in the Ninja Village! Frogadier VS Bisharp!! Pics 942 Facing the Needs of the Many Farewell, Ash-Greninja! Xerosic Strikes Back!! Pics 1199 Narrowing the Chaser Chase! The Traitorous Battle Royal!! Pics 31 Song Within the Mist The Song in the Mist Pics 32 Lapras's Feelings for its Friends Lapras' Thoughts for its Companions Pics 45 From So Far Away To Places Far Far Away Pics