Crustle Guide: Builds and Moves | Pokemon UNITE

This is a guide on how to play Crustle in Pokemon UNITE. Learn about all of Crustle's moves and skins, and how to use Crustle with our builds complete with best movesets, items, and combos, best matchups and counters, and the best teammates to have as Crustle!

Crustle Tier Rating and Stats

Crustle Basic Information

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

Tier List: Best Pokemon to Use

Crustle Stats

Offense	Defense	Mobility	Scoring	Support

Crustle Evolutions

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

Crustle Strengths and Weaknesses

Can Be A Support or a Bruiser

Crustle can be used as either a tanky support, using his Rock Tomb to change the layout of the map and cut off enemies, or using Shell Smash to increase his attack and cause massive damage.

Uses Skillshots as Support

As a support, using Rock Tomb will change the game and can weigh the odds in your favor, although take note that this is a hard skill to use correctly as it requires accuracy, moreso than the other skills.

Best Lanes for Crustle

Top
Jungle
Bottom

Top Lane is the Best Lane for Crustle

While Crustle can do bottom lane, Crustle at the top lane is more effective as at the end of the day he is a tank and he can zone out opponents from the high scoring Rotom objective and allow you to secure goals as a team.

Crustle Builds

Rock Tomb Build

This is the support build built around Crustle's Rock Tomb ability. The core of it is you go around the map quickly, position yourself correctly and use Rock Tomb to divide your enemies from each other and have some be stuck with you.

Moves and Upgrades

Lv. 1 (ZR)	Lv. 3 (R)	Lv. 4 (R)	Lv. 6 (ZR)
Fury Cutter	Rock Slide	Rock Tomb	Stealth Rock
Choose Fury Cutter as its better offensively for getting the levels early. You'll want to get Rock Tomb as soon as possible as its the core of this build, then you can get Stealth Rock to damage those stuck in your Tomb, or X-Scissor is still viable, though Stealth Rock allows you to keep your distance.

Battle Item

Item	Tips
Slow Smoke	Utilizing Slow Smoke in combination with Rock Tomb makes it even more difficult for your opponents to break out of the encirclement. It also helps keep your opponents in place to maximize the damage dealt with your other Moves.

Held Items

Items	Tips
Exp. Share	The Exp Share will allow you to maintain levels despite your lack of offensive skills late game. Stealth Rock will synergize with the Rock Tomb well, but is hard to use on its own, so this is where you get your experience.
Float Stone	Float Stone allows you to move around the map quickly. Because Crustle is slow, you need fast response time to get to clashes in time. Float Stone helps with that.
Leftovers	Leftovers will keep Crustle tanky. You won't be in the heat of things all the time, so regeneration while you're out of combat will be utilized often.

Tank Build

This is the tank build that relies on Shell Smash to buff Crustle's attacks and X-Scissor. Using Shell Smash and X Attack, you can have a super buffed Crustle who can dish out a enter the fray and do some damage, then still survive.

Moves and Upgrades

Lv. 1 (ZR)	Lv. 3 (R)	Lv. 4 (R)	Lv. 6 (ZR)
Fury Cutter	Rock Slide	Shell Smash	X-Scissor
Choose Fury Cutter as its better offensively for getting the levels early. You'll want to get Shell Smash to allow you to buff your attacks, then X Scissor will be your main damage dealing skill after replacing Fury Cutter.

Battle Item

Item	Tips
X Attack	If you activate X Attack along with Shell Smash, they will stack and buff Crustle greatly.

Held Items

Items	Tips
Assault Vest	The Assault Vest is ideal for Crustle because it increases his durability and makes him tankier during engagements.
Rocky Helmet	Rocky Helmet is good for Crustle with this build cause he'll X-Scissor into the fray, making it likely he'll be attacked. He will deal back damage to whoever hits him..
Score Shield	Score Shield is a great item to have with Shell Smash as it allows you to score uninterrupted if you have points, by Shell Smashing straight towards the enemy goal.

How to Play Crustle

Crustle can be built two ways: a killer support or a straight on bruiser.

As a support, the name of Crustle's game is Divide and Conquer. Using Rock Tomb you are to cut off one opponent from his allies and escape, then you and your allies attack while he's vulnerable. Take note though that despite this, Crustle can still deal a good amount of damage.

As a bruiser, Crustle can use Shell Smash to buff himself so that you can go deal a lot of damage. This allows you a certain level of mobility as well, meaning you're just a straight up fighter at this point.

Prioritize Farming to Level 6

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 lane with damage and knock back.

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 even from defending their goal.

Use Shell Smash Often

Shell Smash greatly boosts Crustle's speed allowing for quick farming, chasing and retreating. Aggressively, Shell Smash can be used to confirm KOs, farm, or to score quickly. Defensively, it can be used as an emergency retreat.

Take Out Drednaw or Rotom

At 7 minutes Drednaw spawns on Bottom Lane and Rotom on Top Lane. Use Rock Tomb to block opposing Pokemon from interfering or pressure them with X-Scissor and Shell Smash to help your team secure these Pokemon to continue pushing your respective lane.

Team Up and Invade

Due to the amount of pressure and control Crustle offers, your team can reliably push past enemy goals and invade their farm.

Invasion Techniques
Shell Smash can mitigate the slow effect behind the enemy goal and steal their farm and even their berries.
X-Scissor can be used body block enemies rushing to defend their goal while your team safely scores. Be sure to use Shell Smash to secure your escape.

Crustle Combos

Rock Tomb Combos

Stealth Rock

Stealth Rock
►
Rock Tomb ► Stealth Rock
You'll want to trap an opponent from escaping to the back 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 and then smash them into the wall using X-Scissor to stun the opponent. This will leave them open for more attacks from teammates, or at the very least, unable to escape.

Shell Smash Combo

Shell Smash Combo
►
Shell Smash ► X-Scissor
Use Shell Smash to increase your damage and movement speed, and close in towards enemies then use X-Scissor to deal massive damage.

Crustle Matchups and Best Counters

Hard Counters
Fair
Easy

Matchup and Counter Explanations

Best Counters for Crustle

Pokemon	Explanation
Alolan Ninetales	Alolan Ninetales is a great counter against Crustle. Alolan Ninetales provides control via Stun and Freeze effects. These effects are great against Crustle because they prevent Crustle from positioning correctly in fights.
Wigglytuff	Wigglytuff's effectiveness at setting enemies up with Sing make it a great counter against Crustle. The sleep effect from this move also reduce the Defense and Special Defense of affected enemies, making Crustle even more vulnerable to follow-up damage.

Fair Matchup Explanations

Pokemon	Explanation
Cinderace	Cinderace mobility and long reach can pose problems for Crustle. Fortunately, Crustle's versatile kit presents solutions to catch this elusive Pokemon. This matchup all boils down to player skill.
Garchomp	Crustle's solid durability allows it to stand pound-for-pound against Garchomp up close. While the latter still has the advantage in terms of overall damage, proper move usage and timing will still determine the victor of this skill-based matchup.
Gengar	Gengar's high mobility and burst damage can pose problems for Crustle overall. However, Crustle can simply take the fight to Gengar through its powerful offensive moves like X-Scissor, Shell Smash, and Rubble Rouser. This is another matchup that is determined by player skill.
Cramorant	Cramorant's range can also cause problems for Crustle, who often needs to be in the front lines. Rock Tomb or Shell Smash are great tools to reach Cramorant in fights or skirmishes. Proper timing and positioning will determine this matchup overall.
Venusaur	Crustle and Venusaur are two Pokemon with great versatility with their movesets. While Venusaur has the advantage in terms of effective range, Crustle makes up for it by having stronger overall damage if it gets up close.
Lucario	Crustle has enough durability to survive Lucario's initial flurry of attacks and turn the tables around. This matchup also revolves around player skill.
Eldegoss	Once again, this is another matchup that revolves around the player's skill. Either of these Pokemon can eliminate the other through proper move usage and timing.
Greninja	Greninja's mobility and single target damage can be troublesome for Crustle. It is possible to catch Greninja through clever usage of Rock Tomb or activating Shell Smash to chase Greninja down as it flees.
Snorlax	Snorlax and Crustle have a fairly even matchup overall. These two defenders don't have an inherent edge over the other, leaving it up to player skill again.
Gardevoir	Crustle can survive bursts from Gardevoir's attacks and they have the mobility to avoid the combos and counterattack. The big factor here is player skill and positioning.

Easy Matchup Explanations

Pokemon	Explanation
Mr. Mime	Crustle's durability can easily soak Mr. Mime's damage burst and turn the tables around. Mr. Mime's limited mobility also makes it an easy target for Rock Tomb.
Zeraora	Zeraora relies on taking enemies out as fast as possible with its mobility and damage. Crustle can simply stand its ground and counter Zeraora with its powerful offensive moves like X-Scissor.
Machamp	Crustle can trade blows with Machamp fairly well and can easily prevent the latter's push towards allies with well placed Rock Tombs.
Absol	Similar to Zeraora, Absol needs to take enemies out as fast as possible. Crustle can draw the fight out long enough until Absol runs out of steam, then counterattack.
Talonflame	Talonflame's signature burst damage and speed isn't as effective against Crustle. Like most speedsters, Crustle just has to stall the fight long enough and counterattack once they've exhausted everything.
Slowbro	Slowbro's overall control means little for Crustle. Crustle can simply wait for them to expire then counter by either trapping Slowbro with Rock Tomb or straight up killing him with X-Scissor and Shell Smash.

How to Counter Crustle

Use Disabling Moves

The trick to controlling this damage-dealing brute is to stop him with moves that inflict effects such as Stun and Freeze. The longer Crustle's disabled out of the fight, the better it'll be for your team.

Keep Your Distance

Crustle's incredibly high damage can be managed by clever positioning and evasion. Keep your Eject Button handy in case you get trapped inside Rock Tombs and stay out of melee range as much as possible.

Coordinate With The Team

As with most tanks, the key to taking them down is through teamwork and coordination. Try to isolate tanks away from their team and chain moves properly to take them down.

Best Teammates for Crustle

Pokemon	Explanation
Gengar	When using Sludge Bomb-Hex Combo, Crustle can prevent Pokemon from escaping the combo's range. 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	Gardevoir's Future Sight and Psyshock combo paired with Rock Tomb can be deadly combination. 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.

Crustle Moves and Ability

Crustle Moves

Level	Move 1 (R)	Move 2 (ZR)
1 or 3
4
6
9

Move Slot 1 (R)

Rock Slide (Lv. 1 or 3)	Move Type: Area Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 6s Total Damage: 291 (Lv. 3)
Drops a large rock at the targeted area. When the rock lands, it damages the nearby enemy Pokemon and stuns them for a short amount of time.
Shell Smash (Lv. 4) Upgrade Lv. 11	Move Type: Buff Damage Type: Status Cooldown: 7s
Converts defense and special defense into attack and special attack at a certain ratio. It also increases movement speed for a short amount of time. Once upgraded, the conversion rate will be higher.
Rock Tomb (Lv. 4) Upgrade Lv. 11	Move Type: Area Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 5s Total Damage: 757 (Lv. 4) / 1081 (Lv. 15)
Raises the ground at the targeted area and creates a wall of rock, trapping opponents while continuously damaging them. When the move is used again, the wall will be removed. Once upgraded, the movement speed of the enemy Pokemon will be slowed down for a a short amount of time.

Move Slot 2 (ZR)

Fury Cutter (Lv. 1 or 3)	Move Type: Melee Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 3.5s Total Damage: 534 (Lv. 3)
Use claws to cut enemy Pokemon and damages them. If you hit the same opponent in a row, the damage dealt increases.
X-Scissor (Lv. 6) Upgrade Lv. 13	Move Type: Melee Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 8s Total Damage: 1467 (Lv. 6) / 2145 (Lv. 15)
Attacks with crossed claws while dashing forward, dealing damage to enemy Pokemon in quick succession and knocks them back. If an opponent hits a wall when it gets knocked back, they will get stunned for a short amount of time. Once upgraded, the cooldown time is reduced.
Stealth Rock (Lv. 6) Upgrade Lv. 13	Move Type: Area Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 8s Total Damage: 2293 (Lv. 6) / 3873 (Lv. 15)
Throws pebbles at the targeted area. When a pebble hits an enemy Pokemon, or flies to the maximum distance, a zone of floating pebbles is created for a short amount of time. Enemy Pokemon within that zone will continously take damage, which gradually increases. Once upgraded, the effect time will be longer and will slow down the movement speed of opponents in the zone for a short amount of time.

Unite Moves (ZL)

Rubble Rouser (Lv. 9)	Move Type: Buff Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 134s Total Damage: 2316 (Lv. 9) / 2779 (Lv. 15)
Generates a shield around it and throws rocks at nearby opponents that explodes upon impact. Enemies will receive additional hits when Crustle is dealt damage while this Unite move is active.

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	When it takes a certain amount of damage, its Defense and Special Defense increase.

Eldegoss Skins (Holowear)

List of All Skins: Fashion and Holowear

Pokemon UNITE Related Guides

List of All Pokemon and Builds

Pokemon by Role

All Pokemon Roles
Attackers		All-Rounders		Defenders
Speedsters			Supporters

All Pokemon Guides and Builds

Pokemon Roster
Pikachu	Charizard	Snorlax	Crustle
Greninja	Eldegoss	Talonflame	Lucario
Venusaur	Mr. Mime	Slowbro	Absol
Machamp	Wigglytuff	Alolan Ninetales	Cramorant
Gengar	Garchomp	Cinderace	Zeraora
Gardevoir	Blastoise	-	-