Crustle Guide: Builds and Best Items | Pokemon UNITE

The best guide on how to play Crustle in Pokemon UNITE for Nintendo Switch and Mobile. Check here for the best builds, Held and Battle items, movesets, as well as the latest nerfs, buffs, counters, and more!

Crustle Latest Buffs and Nerfs (06/20)

June 20 Update (Version 1.5.2.7)

Crustle Changes (June 20)
Rock Tomb	• Move description changed to: "Splits open the ground toward the designated area, dealing damage to opposing Pokemon in the area of effect and creating a barricade of rock. If this move is used again, the barricade is removed."
Rock Tomb +	• Move description changed to: Strengthens this move's movement speed decrease on opposing Pokemon when it hits.
Stealth Rock	• Move now activates faster.

Crustle Basic Info

Crustle
	Tier Rating: Role: Defender Attack Type: Melee Damage Type: Physical Difficulty: Novice Cost: 8000 / 460
"Crustle hinders its opponents using many different moves."

Pokemon Unite Tier List

Crustle Best Lanes

Top	Jungle	Bottom

Tips & Strategies for Every Lane

Crustle Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths	Weaknesses
✔︎ Can be a support or a damage dealer ✔︎ Can effectively change the layout of the map ✔︎ Extremely mobile with Shell Smash	✖︎ Effective use requires skill shot proficiency ✖︎ Higher damage output only occurs at low health

Best Builds for Crustle

Crustle Builds
Brawler Build
Disruptor Build	Item-Stacker Build

The Best Build for Crustle is the one with the gold crown!

Brawler Build

Brawler Build
Moveset			Held Items
Shell Smash X-Scissor			Muscle Band Weakness Policy Buddy Barrier
Battle Item
Potion
Item Effects (at Level 30)
Attack: +30 Attack Speed: +7.50% HP: +660
Recommended Lane
Top Lane		Jungle		Bot Lane

This build utilizes Crustle's high damage potential, making Crustle more of a brawler that takes the fight to the enemy. Your gameplay is centered around maximizing your damage output using Shell Smash and finishing off your targets with X-Scissor. Since this build sees Crustle being offense-focused, it is best to use it in a team that has a Supporter Pokemon to sustain Crustle or an Attacker to contribute to the overall offense you will deal with.

Muscle Band adds to your damage output through attack speed boost, attack stat boost, and percentage damage effect. As you engage in fights using Shell Smash, Weakness Policy allows you to convert the damage you take to extra attack, incentivizing you to get aggressive. It also gives Crustle a decent amount of HP for extra survivability. Finally, Buddy Barrier gives a huge HP boost, and its shield stacks on top of your Unite Move, making you incredibly tanky.

Potion allows Crustle to recover a high amount of HP, giving the Pokemon a chance to stay in the fight much longer. Additionally, Potion synergizes well with the aforementioned Held Items, since it increases Crustle's max HP.

Disruptor Build

Disruptor Build
Moveset			Held Items
Rock Tomb Stealth Rock			Scope Lens Razor Claw Buddy Barrier
Battle Item
Slow Smoke
Item Effects (at Level 30)
Attack: +15 Critical-Hit Rate: +8.10% Critical-Hit Damage: +12% HP: +450
Recommended Lane
Top Lane		Jungle		Bot Lane

This build specializes on defending goal zones and providing crowd control during teamfights using Rock Tomb and Stealth Rock. You'll mostly want to be at the backlines during fights while you constantly throw your moves. When an enemy gets close to you or your allies at the backlines, activate Rubble Rouser and fend them off. You can also use it when you're confident in charging enemies. However, you can also choose X-Scissor, gaining a stun instead of a area DPS.

Scope Lens and Razor Claw improve Stealth Rock's damage since the move can critical-hit. Buddy Barrier boosts your HP, provides a teamfight tool, and goes well with your Unite Move, giving you an extra shield. If you're picking X-Scissor over Stealth Rock, you can replace Razor Claw with Muscle Band instead.

Slow Smoke gives you more crowd control on top of your moves. You can use it both defensively or offensively.

Item-Stacker Build

Item-Stacker Build
Moveset			Held Items
Shell Smash X-Scissor			Attack Weight Aeos Cookie Buddy Barrier
Battle Item
X Speed
Item Effects (at Level 30)
Attack: +18 HP: +690
Recommended Lane
Top Lane		Jungle		Bot Lane

This build is similar to the Brawler Build but emphasizes scoring in the early game. You'll also be using Shell Smash and X Scissor as your primary moveset. Utilize Shell Smash's mobility to quickly score points once you learn it.

Attack Weight and Aeos Cookie are your core items for the build, giving you both massive damage and HP when fully stacked. Buddy Barrier also boosts your HP and gives you a teamfight tool.

You can be flexible when it comes to your battle items, choosing X Speed or Eject Button for mobility, Slow Smoke for utility, Potion for sustain, or X Attack for damage. Just pick what you prefer or what you're comfortable using.

Crustle Best Items & Moveset

Best Held Items

Item	Explanation
Assault Vest	Assault Vest gives Crustle extra protection when facing against Sp. Attackers. It also increases Crustle's HP by a decent amount
Attack Weight	Attack Weight compliments Crustle's aggressive scoring playstyle, pushing for early lane pressure.
Score Shield	Score Shield helps guard Crustle's more aggressive playstyle, complementary with using an Attack Weight.
Buddy Barrier	Buddy Barrier provides extra shields on top of Crustle's Unite Move. This allows the Pokemon to become a walking fortress.
Focus Band	Focus Band compliments Crustle's passive, Sturdy, allowing Crustle to survive longer in fights.
Muscle Band	Muscle Band increases Crustle's Standard Attack damage. The item is especially helpful for farming Wild Pokemon.
Weakness Policy	Weakness Policy is a great item that synergizes well with Crustle's innate durabiltiy thanks to its passive ability. With this, it can increase the potency of its auto-attacks.

List of Held Items

Best Battle Items

Item	Explanation
Goal-Getter	Goal-Getter makes scoring goals faster and easier. Combined with Shell Smash, the item enhances scoring capabilities.
Slow Smoke	Slow Smoke is an additional crowd-control tool that synergizes well with Crustle's moveset.
Eject Button	Eject Button is both an offensive and defensive tool for the build, allowing you to get a better position to use your moves or make an escape when things go awry.
Potion	With Crustle's high HP, Potion allows Crustle to recover a significant amount of HP so it can stay in the fight longer.

List of Battle Items

Best Moveset

Move	Explanation
X-Scissor	X-Scissor deals decent damage, although not as powerful as Stealth Rock, and can put enemies in bad a position during fights.
Shell Smash	Shell Smash is arguably Crustle's best move. It provides a massive boost to Crustle's damage output which improves Crustle's other moves, especially at low HP.

For a more support style moveset, picking Rock Tomb and Stealth Rock equips Crustle with some decent disables. Which are pretty handy in a teamfight.

Which Moveset Do You Think is Best for Crustle?

Let us know why in the comments!

Previous Poll Results

How to Play Crustle

Crustle can played in two ways: a killer support or a straight on bruiser. Depending on your team composition and your build, Crustle can alter the playing field or deliver devastating damage.

As a support, Divide and Conquer becomes Crustle's main gameplay. Use Rock Tomb to cut off one opponent from his allies, then go for the kill with the help of your team. Despite being a support, Crustle can still deal a good amount of damage.

As a bruiser, Crustle can use Shell Smash to trade some of its defense into offense to deal a lot of damage. This also gives you a certain level of mobility to initiate fights, making Crustle into a straight up fighter.

Prioritize Farming to Level 6

Crustle's damage move upgrade will unlock when it reaches level 6. Though you can practically pick any upgrade you want, we found that certain move combinations are needed, especially if you are taking on a specific playstyle.

Support Crustle

Rushing to level 6 for Rock Tomb and either X-Scissor or Stealth Rock allows for early lane control. Use Rock Tomb to either cut off opposing Pokemon from their farm, block them from retreating, or from defending their goal. Stealth Rock is especially great for incidental damage while teams clash.

Bruiser Crustle

Rush farming to level 6 to unlock Shell Smash and X-Scissor as quickly as possible. Focus on farming and stealing your opponents' farm when possible. Rushing to level 6 will allow Crustle to easily pressure opposing pokemon in a lane with damage and knock back. Shel Smash, in particular, gives Crustle insane amounts of mobility, making it hard for opponents to catch up to it.

Use Shell Smash Often

Shell Smash greatly boosts Crustle's movement speed allowing for quickly getting to Wild Pokemon spawns farming or retreating from a losing fight. Aggressively, Shell Smash can be used to confirm KOs or to go in and out of enemy goal zones to score quickly. Given that the move effects last for 5 seconds, you can easily maintain the speed and damage bonus.

Steal the Berries from the Enemy's Side

Shell Smash can mitigate the slow effect from the enemy's Lane Flux, making it easier to traverse the enemy's side of the lane. Utilize this strategy to steal their berries so you can disrupt their chance to heal.

Help with Objective Fights

In the 7-minute mark, Drednaw spawns on Bottom Lane and Rotom on Top Lane. Having high defense and HP, Crustle can practically sustain all the damage while its teammates bombards the objectives with damage. Since these bosses can only move in a specific area, a Stealth Rock can help chip away on their HP. Moreover, use Rock Tomb to block opposing Pokemon from interfering, or push them away with an X Scissor to help your team secure these Pokemon and continue pushing your respective lane.

Sustain the Damage for your Team

Due to the amount of pressure and control Crustle offers, your team can reliably push past enemy goals and invade their farm. Given its high HP, Defense, and ability to block opponents or get out to safety easily, it is best to have Crustle in the frontlines of the fight and maneuver around team clashes accordingly to set up walls or knockback key targets.

Alter Goal Zone Fights

Crustle's moveset can help enhance how your team can push or defend goal zones.

Using X Scissor to Displace Enemies

X-Scissor can be used to body block enemies that are rushing to defend their goal while your team safely scores. Alternatively, you can push opponents into your goal zones so that they are at a massive disadvantage. When things go awry, however, be sure to use Shell Smash to secure your escape.

Using Rock Tomb to Block Entry

Using Rock Tomb to block off allied goal zones allows you to hinder opponents to advance while giving time for reinforcements to come. Alternatively, A well-placed wall can block opponents so you and your teammates can freely score. Moreover, Rock Tomb can trap retreating enemies so your team can finish them off.

CRUSTLE

Progression and Leveling Guide

Top or Bottom Lane Guide

Level	Objectives
1 - 4	• Secure as many wild Pokemon as you can to level up quickly • If you're at the bottom lane, prioritize taking Audinos for more exp. • You can try to get early kills, but don't overextend • Choose Fury Cutter immediately, as this move is great for finishing off Aipom as quickly as possible.
5 - 9	• Crustle learns Shell Smash at level 4, replacing its newly learned Rock Slide. The speed bonus that it grants Crustle is useful for quickly getting to Audinos and Corphish and knocking them out for valuable EXP. • Help your allies secure Rotom and/or Drednaw with Crustle's X-Scissor
10+	• Stick with your team to hunt targets, secure objectives, and push lanes • Reach level 13 before or when Zapdos spawns for a fully-upgraded moveset • Make sure you have Rubble Rouser available when Zapdos spawns • Help your allies win a teamfight and secure Zapdos

Crustle Combos

Rock Tomb Combos

Stealth Rock

Stealth Rock
►
Rock Tomb ► Stealth Rock
You'll want to trap an opponent from escaping with Rock Tomb, then use Stealth Rock to create a kill zone in the crevice spawned by Rock Tomb. For this to work, you need to hit Rock Tomb directly behind the opponent and then use Stealth Rock right away.

X-Scissor Stunner

X-Scissor Stunner
►
Rock Tomb ► X-Scissor
Create a wall behind the opponent, then smash them into the wall using X-Scissor to stun them. This will leave them open for more attacks from teammates or at the very least, render them unable to escape.

Shell Smash Combo

Shell Smash Combo
►
Shell Smash ► X-Scissor
Use Shell Smash to increase your damage and movement speed. Close in towards enemies, then use X-Scissor to deal massive damage. Knock enemies into walls for maximum effect.

Matchups & Counters for Crustle

Crustle Matchups

Matchup Notes
Hard Counter	Even Matchup	Easy Matchup
1. The chart is based on our own experience playing Crustle. 2. Pokemon within each tier are unordered 3. Any Pokemon not shown here are still under investigation.

Hard Counter by Disabling Crustle

These Pokemon have means to stop Crustle from properly positioning in fights. Hard lock-downs and interrupting moves can really mess up what Crustle aims to do in fights, causing Crustle to be ineffective.

Pokemon	Explanation
Alolan Ninetales	Rating: ★★★★★ • Can prevent Crustle from positioning correctly using its moves
Wigglytuff	Rating: ★★★★★ • Can counter Crustle's offense and lower its defenses using Sing • Can cancel X-Scissor mid-combo with Cute Charm • Can provide shields for the team with Starlight Recital

Even Matchups for Crustle

Even matchups are always a matter of skill, luck and timing. Here are some tips to help push Crustle ahead against other Pokemon on equal footing.

Fight Head-On

Pokemon Crustle can Fight Head-On
How to Beat
• Use Shell Smash and X-Scissor to fight them directly • Slow their assault with Rock Tomb and Stealth Rock • Use Rubble Rouser for survivability, and utilize Sturdy effects

Return the Aggression

Fragile Pokemon
How to Beat
• Use Shell Smash and X-Scissor to fight them directly • Force them to reposition using Rock Tomb and Stealth Rock • Use Rubble Rouser for survivability, and utilize Sturdy effects

Ignore and Outmaneuver

Pokemon Crustle can Outmaneuver and Ignore
How to Beat
• Outmaneuver and ignore them in fights using Shell Smash • Use Rubble Rouser for survivability

Easy Matchups for Crustle

Must Get Close

Must Get Close
How to Beat
• Punish them using X-Scissor and/or Rubble Rouser when they get close

Weak Damage Against Crustle

Weak Damage Against Crustle
How to Beat
• Utilize Sturdy effects • Get aggressive using Shell Smash and X-Scissor

Relies Heavily on Moves

Relies Heavily on Moves
How to Beat
• Tank and dodge their moves using Shell Smash

Best Teammates for Crustle

Pokemon	Explanation
Gengar	Can abuse Sludge Bomb-Hex combo while Rock Tomb is active.
	The best counter to Gengar's amazing Sludge Bomb-Hex Combo is to escape Gengar's range. However, with Crustle's Rock Tomb, that is essentially rendered useless (save for teleporting moves and Eject Button) allowing Gengar to maximize the damage from this combo.
Gardevoir	Can abuse Rock Tomb by setting Future Sight or Psyshock where enemies are trapped.
	Rock Tomb essentially traps an opponent before they could escape. This could be a perfect time for Gardevoir to launch its deadly Future Sight or Psyshock to dish out some great damage. Paired with Stealth Rock, Crustle and Gardevoir can shave off a lot of HP from even the sturdiest of opponents.

Looking for teammates to synergize with you? Head over to our Friend Request Board to find other trainers to join you in your grind or just to hang out with!

Friend Request Board

Crustle Moves and Ability

Move Slot 1 (R)

Fury Cutter (Lv. 1 or 3)	Move Type: Melee Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 3.5s Total Damage: 534
Slashes opposing Pokemon with claws, dealing damage to them. Hitting the same opposing Pokemon multiple times in succession with this move increases the damage dealt.
X-Scissor (Lv. 6) Upgrade Lv. 13	Move Type: Melee Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 7s Total Damage: 1467 / 2145
Has the user dash forward with crossed claws, dealing damge to opposing Pokemon multiple times and shoving them. Leaves opposing Pokemon unable to act if they hit an object when shoved. Upgrade: Reduces this move's cooldown.
Stealth Rock (Lv. 6) Upgrade Lv. 13	Move Type: Area Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 6s Total Damage: 3358 / 6262
Throws many small rocks. When a rock hits an opposing Pokemon, or when the rocks have flown their full distance, a zone of many levitating rocks is created, dealing slowly-increasing damage over time to opposing Pokemon in the area of effect. Upgrade: Increases the duration of this move's effects and decreases the movement speed of opposing Pokemon for a short time when this move hits.

Move Slot 2 (ZR)

Rock Slide (Lv. 1 or 3)	Move Type: Area Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 6s Total Damage: 291
Drops a large rock at the targeted area. When this move hits, it deals damage to opposing Pokemon in the area of effect and leaves them unable to act for a short time.
Shell Smash (Lv. 4) Upgrade Lv. 11	Move Type: Buff Damage Type: Status Cooldown: 7s
Has the user smash its shell, converting a set percentage of Defense and Sp. Def into Attack and Sp. Atk and increasing the user's movement speed for a short time. Upgrade: Increases this move's conversion rate.
Rock Tomb (Lv. 4) Upgrade Lv. 11	Move Type: Area Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 5s Total Damage: 947 / 1286
Splits open the ground toward the designated area, dealing damage to opposing Pokemon in the area of effect and creating a barricade of rock. If used again, gets rid of the barricade. Upgrade: Also decreases the movement speed of opposing Pokemon for a short time when this move hits.

Unite Moves (ZL)

Rubble Rouser (Lv. 9)	Move Type: Buff Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 134s Total Damage: 2316 / 2779
Grants the user a shield for a short time and leaves nearby opposing Pokemon unable to act, dealing them damage over time. If the user receives damage while this move is in effect, the move deals additional hits to nearby opposing Pokemon.

Standard Attack

Standard Attack	Becomes a boosted attack with every third attack. When this boosted attack hits, it deals damage to opposing Pokemon in the area of effect and decreases their movement speed for a short time.

Ability (Passive)

Sturdy	All Evolution Stages Every time the Pokemon loses a certain amount of HP, its Defense and Sp. Def are increased.

Crustle Stats & Evolutions

Crustle Evolutions

1st Evolution	Final Evolution
Dwebble (Lv. 1)	Crustle (Lv. 4)

Crustle Stats

Level	HP	Defense	Special Defense	Attack Damage
1	3300	97	67	175
2	3447	108	74	179
3	3615	120	82	183
4	4469	182	125	205
5	4692	198	136	211
6	4948	217	149	218
7	5242	239	164	226
8	5581	264	181	235
9	5971	293	201	245
10	6420	326	224	256
11	6936	364	250	269
12	7530	407	280	284
13	8213	457	314	301
14	8998	514	354	321
15	9900	580	400	344

Attack Damage is the damage of the Basic Attack as tested against the Training Dummy.

Crustle In-Game Stat Listings

Offense	Endurance	Mobility	Scoring	Support

Crustle Skins (Holowear)

Holowear
Shrine Style Zirco Trading: 60 Energy Rewards Odds: 0.8%	Cake Style Zirco Trading: 2199
Starry Night Style Zirco Trading: 400

All Pokemon Skins (Holowear)

Pokemon UNITE Related Guides

List of All Pokemon

All Pokemon Guides and Builds

Best Build for Each Pokemon

Pokemon Roster
Absol	Aegislash	Alolan Ninetales	Azumarill
Blastoise	Blissey	Charizard	Cinderace
Cramorant	Crustle	Decidueye	Delphox
Dragonite	Duraludon	Eldegoss	Espeon
Garchomp	Gardevoir	Gengar	Greedent
Greninja	Hoopa	Lucario	Machamp
Mamoswine	Mr. Mime	Pikachu	Slowbro
Snorlax	Sylveon	Talonflame	Trevenant
Tsareena	Venusaur	Wigglytuff	Zeraora
Upcoming Pokemon
No new CONFIRMED Pokemon

Top 5 Master Rank Picks & Win Rate

All data is based on Season 04 Master Rank Top 100. Last Updated: June 28, 2022

Pokemon	Tier	Most Played %	Average Win %
Hoopa		19%	74.4%
Greninja		13%	76.3%
Blissey		11%	79%
Lucario		10%	71.4%
Greedent		7%	75.6%

Top Picked Pokemon Per Role

Attacker	Supporter	All- Rounder	Defender	Speedster
Greninja	Hoopa	Lucario	Greedent	Zeraora

Master Rank: Top Ranked Win Rates

Pokemon by Role

All Pokemon Roles
Attackers		All-Rounders		Defenders
Speedsters			Supporters

Pokemon by Characteristics

Attack Type
Melee Pokemon	Ranged Pokemon
Physical Pokemon	Special Pokemon
Stat Rankings
HP Ranking	Defense Ranking
Sp. Def. Ranking	Basic Attack Ranking