Cacturne

Cacturne is the quintessential Spikes setter in NU, as its access to the move sets it apart from other Dark-types such as Shiftry and Skuntank. Cacturne's STAB combination bolstered by its very high base 115 offensive stats allows it to threaten common defensive cores using Regirock, Slowking, or Dusclops, granting it the opportunity to set Spikes. Spikes isn't its only form of utility, however, as it can provide priority against dangerous sweepers such as Drifblim and Jynx with Sucker Punch or disrupt defensive cores to apply offensive pressure with Encore. However, Cacturne's typing can be a double-edged sword, as it makes Cacturne vulnerable to being exploited by the tier's top offensive threats, including Hitmonchan, Charizard, and Magneton. Even some Pokemon Cacturne should regularly check such as Slowking, Gardevoir, Electrode, Sharpedo, and Floatzel can exploit its typing and middling bulk with coverage moves like Signal Beam and Ice Beam, reducing the amount of Spikes it can set.