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 (9/27)

Version 1.2.1.4 Patch Note Updates

Crustle Move Changes (September 27)
Bug Fix	• Fixed a bug where Crustle's stat may gain an unintended strength boost in certain circumstances.

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

Builds
Rock Tomb Build	Offense Build
Ranged Harass Build

Rock Tomb Build

Moveset	Held Items
Rock Tomb Stealth Rock	Score Shield Attack Weight Buddy Barrier
Battle Item
Slow Smoke

This takes advantage of Crustle's trapping ability via Rock Tomb. This is a more tactical offense built around Crustle's Stealth Rock and Rock Tomb combo. This ensures that Crustle can assist both defensively and offensively.

You'll want to get Rock Tomb as soon as possible as it's the core of this build, then you can get Stealth Rock to damage those trapped in your Tomb while allowing you to keep your distance. This deals some good damage and allows your Attackers to finish them off quickly.

If Stealth Rock is fully upgraded, it also has a nifty added effect of slowing opponents, making it harder for opponents to get out of the Tomb.

Offense Build

Moveset	Held Items
Shell Smash X-Scissor	Focus Band Float Stone Buddy Barrier
Battle Item
Eject Button

This build turns Crustle into a damage powerhouse. This takes advantage of Crustle's defenses and Shell Smash, allowing him to continuously enter into the fray without worry.

Shell Smash will be a necessary skill to pull off an offensive-type Crustle by buffing him. Then, partner that up with Crustle's X-Scissor to deal some good damage to unsuspecting enemies. Hide in the grass, and gank your opponents without them knowing. Using this in combination with Crustle's Unite Move Rubble Rouser will help Crustle take down some of the squishier Pokemon.

Ranged Harass Build

Moveset	Held Items
Shell Smash Stealth Rock	Attack Weight Float Stone Score Shield
Battle Item
Eject Button

This is a ranged DPS build focusing on proper Stealth Rock placement and using Shell Smash to increase Stealth Rock's DPS while allowing you to get in advantageous positions to throw your skills.

This build emphasizes teaming up with other players and make use of Rock Tomb and X-Scissor in bringing down a target. While X-Scissor cannot compare to Stealth Rock in terms of damage, it makes up for it with its secondary effect. Any Pokemon knocked back into a wall (like Rock Tomb) by X-Scissor will get stunned.

This opens up the opportunity for your allies on your lane to get into the action safely, and finish off one or two of your opponents' Pokemon. You can also use the same strategy if you happen to have your Unite Move Rubble Rouser ready. Once the enemies are stunned, auto-attack them to help your teammates finish them off.

Bruiser Build

Moveset	Held Items
Rock Tomb X-Scissor	Razor Claw Weakness Policy Buddy Barrier
Battle Item
Eject Button

This build focuses on putting Crustle at the front line and abusing its high defenses. With Crustle's passive, it deals stronger damage and becomes harder to kill the lower its health drops.

Unlike the Offense Build which focuses on proper ganking and timing, this one foregoes strategy and just puts Crustle in the middle in everything. Always begin with Rock Tomb to trap opponents and use X-Scissor to stun them.

With Razor Claw, your standard attacks are boosted for a time after using your moves and will allow you to chip away at your opponents health. Once you begin taking damage, Weakness Policy will then kick in, giving you even more firepower. Should the battle become unfavorable, use Rubble Rouser to activate temporary shields or use Eject Button for a quick getaway.

Crustle Best Items & Moveset

Best Held Items

Item	Description
Attack Weight	When the Pokemon scores a goal, its Attack increases by (6/9/12).
Score Shield	While the Pokemon is attempting to score a goal, it is granted a shield equal to (5/7.5/10)% of its max HP and its goals cannot be interrupted while it is shielded.
Float Stone	Increases movement speed by (10/15/20)% when the Pokemon is not in combat.
Focus Band	When the Pokemon drops to low HP, then each second for three seconds, it recovers (8/11/14)% of the HP it has lost.
Weakness Policy	Increases the Pokemon's Attack for a short time by a minimum of (2/2.5/3)% when the Pokemon receives damage. This increase grows larger the more times damage is received

Attack Weight and Score Shield compliments Crustle's aggressive scoring playstyle. This gives more incentive for players to keep scoring even if there are enemies defending goal zones.

Float Stone adds to Crustle's mobility via Shell Smash, enabling Crustle to move around the map faster, especially when scoring goals. Focus Band, on the other hand, compliments Crustle's passive, allowing Crustle to survive longer in fights.

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 allowing it to be a true offensive force.

Best Battle Items

Item	Description
Slow Smoke	Puts up a smokescreen that decreases movement speed of all enemy Pokemon in a wide area.
Eject Button	Makes your Pokemon move quickly in the specified direction.
X Attack	Increases your Pokemon's basic attack damage by 1.2x, and move damage by 1.05~1.15x for 8 seconds.

Slow Smoke and Eject Button can be used both defensively and offensively depending of the situation. They acheive a similar goal of either creating distance between Crustle and enemies when escaping, or staying on top of enemies to maximize the damage from Crustle's moves.

X Attack is what will make Crustle a scary damage dealer, especially in the later stages of the game. The damage boost from this item on top of Crustle's innate durability makes it hard for enemies to stop Crustle's momentum.

Best Moveset

Move	Description
X-Scissor	Attacks opponents in front of you three times in a row and knocks them back with each hit. If the enemy is knocked into a wall, they become stunned. Upgrade: Decreases skill cooldown.
Shell Smash	Smashes your shell, converting Defense and special Defense into attack and special attack, and increases Movement Speed for 5 seconds. Upgrade: Increases the conversion rate.

X-Scissor deals decent damage, although not as powerful as Stealth Rock, and can put enemies in bad a position during fights.

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. Much of Crustle's aggressive playstyle is centered around Shell Smash.

Which Moveset Do You Think is Best for Crustle?

Let us know why in the comments!

How to Play Crustle

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

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 deal a lot of damage. This also gives you a certain level of mobility, making Crustle into a straight up fighter.

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 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.

Steal the Berries from the Enemy's Side

Shell Smash can mitigate the slow effect behind the enemy goal. Utilize this effect to steal their farm and berries.

Help with Objective Fights

In the 7-minute mark, 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 and 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.

Push Enemies Away from their Goal

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 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

✘ : Counter | = : Even | ✓ : Advantageous
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.

Prevent Proper Positioning

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: ★★★★★ 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	Rating: ★★★★★ 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. Another interaction that really messes up Crustle is the charm from Wiggly, it can cancel X-Scissor's animation mid-combo!

Even Matchups

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

If you build Crustle as a bruiser, don't hesitate to fight these Pokemon head-on. It's much better if they focus on you instead of your teammates, especially if they have fragile Pokemon. Crustle is durable enough to tank the damage these Pokemon deal and can deal enough damage to rival them via Crustle's passive.

Be Aggressive

Pokemon Crustle can Focus On

These Pokemon deal high amounts of damage but have low HP and defenses. The key to getting the upper hand against these Pokemon is being aggressive, and bursting them down fast. Crustle can tank a lot of damage, which is beneficial for Crustle since the lower HP Crustle has, the stronger Crustle's attack and sp. attack gets.

Whatever build you're using, just get aggressive and chase these Pokemon. Crustle's Shell Smash gives Crustle more than enough mobility to stay on top of these squishy Pokemon and more than enough damage to quickly take them out of the fight. If you did not go for Shell Smash, you can rely mostly on Rubble Rouser instead to do the same thing.

Ignore and Outmaneuver

Pokemon Crustle can Outmaneuver and Ignore

These Pokemon have high amounts of HP, and have shielding and healing capabilities. However, they don't do too well in terms of mobility. The key in to outmaneuver and ignore them in fights using Shell Smash to get past them and focus on more important targets. These Pokemon can't really do much to stop Crustle's offense, especially when Rubble Rouser is activated.

Best Matchups for Crustle

Pokemon that needs to get close to Crustle first to deal damage are Pokemon Crustle can counter easily.

Pokemon	Explanation
Blastoise	What damage Blastoise deals, Crustle can survive it. Crustle can just chase Blastoise around the map and defeat it without too much trouble.
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.

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)

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
Smashes your shell, converting Defense and special Defense into attack and special attack, and increases Movement Speed for 5 seconds. Upgrade: Increases the conversion rate.
Rock Tomb (Lv. 4) Upgrade Lv. 11	Move Type: Area Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 5s Total Damage: 947 (Lv. 4) / 1286 (Lv. 15)
Launches a projectile that creates a wall of rocks at a target area that prevents Pokemon from walking through for 3 seconds. Any opponents hit by the move will receive damage. Activate again to remove the wall. Upgrade: Slows enemies that are hit by the move for 5 seconds.

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. The damage bonus is maxed out at 3 hits.
X-Scissor (Lv. 6) Upgrade Lv. 13	Move Type: Melee Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 8s Total Damage: 1467 (Lv. 6) / 2145 (Lv. 15)
Attacks opponents in front of you three times in a row and knocks them back with each hit. If the enemy is knocked into a wall, they become stunned. Upgrade: Decreases skill cooldown.
Stealth Rock (Lv. 6) Upgrade Lv. 13	Move Type: Area Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 6s Total Damage: 3358 (Lv. 6) / 6262 (Lv. 15)
Throws a projectile in a straight direction. When the projectile hits an enemy Pokemon or flies the maximum distance, a zone of floating pebbles is created for 4 seconds. Enemy Pokemon within that zone will continuously take damage, which gradually increases. Once upgraded, the move lasts for 5 seconds 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)
Gathers rocks to form a shield. Upon activation, will damage and stun enemy Pokemon nearby and for 10 seconds, enemies nearby will take damage. Taking damage will deal additional damage to Pokemon nearby.

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	Increases Defense and special Defense based on missing HP.

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)

This Pokemon has no Holowear available.

List of All Skins: Fashion and Holowear

Pokemon UNITE Related Guides

List of All Pokemon and Builds

Top 5 Master Rank Picks & Win Rate

▼ All data based on Master Rank Top 100

Pokemon	Tier	Most Played	Average Win	Best Lane
Lucario		18%	79%	Bot
Snorlax		15%	79%	Top
Greninja		13%	79%	Jungle
Eldegoss		12%	79%	Bot
Cramorant		10%	79%	Top

Master Rank: Top Ranked Win Rates

Pokemon by Role

All Pokemon Roles
Attackers		All-Rounders		Defenders
Speedsters			Supporters

All Pokemon Guides and Builds

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

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