Yuichi
umu!
[OVERVIEW]
Above average special bulk coupled with a good defensive typing allows Araquanid to take most neutral STAB attacks comfortably, making it a good offensive tank. Thanks to Water Bubble, Araquanid can deal reasonable amounts of damage with its Water STAB attacks despite its low base Attack, and check common Intimidate users such as Incineroar and Landorus-T and Fire-types such as Mega Charizard Y. It is also able to provide permanent Speed control with Sticky Web and protect its allies with Wide Guard support. Unfortunately, Araquanid's low Speed stat means it almost always takes damage before doing anything useful. It also competes with other more popular bulky Water-types such as Tapu Fini, Volcanion, and Suicune for a spot on teams. Futhermore, a shallow movepool and a lack of coverage options also make Araquanid a rather predictable Pokemon. Its low base Attack also means that Araquanid cannot deal any significant damage besides with Liquidation.
[SET]
name: Offensive Sticky Web
move 1: Liquidation
move 2: Bug Bite / Wide Guard
move 3: Sticky Web
move 4: Protect / Wide Guard
item: Figy Berry / Waterium Z
ability: Water Bubble
nature: Brave
evs: 252 HP / 168 Atk / 88 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Liquidation is Araquanid's main form of damage output and benefits from Water Bubble and STAB, allowing Araquanid to hit Landorus-T and Incineroar fairly hard even after an Intimidate drop. Bug Bite helps to remove Berries from opposing Pokemon, most notably Amoonguss and Tapu Fini, and regain its HP at the same time. Sticky Web allows teammates to outspeed and check faster and somewhat frail offensive threats. Protect is always valuable and can help scout for opposing sets or moves. Wide Guard can be used as an alternative to Bug Bite or Protect, helping improve the team's matchup against common Pokemon such as Zygarde and Mega Charizard that like to spam spread moves.
Set Details
========
The HP and Defense investments allows Araquanid to take Choice Scarf Tapu Bulu's Wood Hammer in Grassy Terrain. The remaining EVs are dumped into Attack, which lets Araquanid hit as hard as possible and 2HKO Incineroar or Landorus-T with Liquidation after an Intimidate Attack drop. Waterium Z over Figy Berry provides the additional power that Araquanid needs to OHKO Incineroar or Landorus-T after an Intimidate. A Brave nature is preferred on sets running Bug Bite to prevent confusion upon consuming a Wiki Berry; however, if Araquanid does not carry Bug Bite, an Adamant nature can be used instead, which allows Araquanid to outspeed faster Incineroar variants after Sticky Web. Wacan Berry is also another option that can be used with maximum HP investment and 48 Special Defense EVs; this enables Araquanid to take a Gigavolt Havoc from a maximum Special Attack Modest Tapu Koko under Electric Terrain or a Life Orb-boosted Fusion Bolt from Kyurem-B in Electric Terrain.
Usage Tips
========
Liquidation should be Araquanid's main form of damage output; Bug Bite should only be used for removing Berries from foes. Araquanid is usually brought out early-game or used as a lead to set up Sticky Web, helping the team gain momentum as the game progresses. It can also be brought in directly to sponge a Fire-type attack thanks to Water Bubble. That being said, it is fine to switch Araquanid in any time during the game to sponge special attacks thanks to its above average special bulk. Araquanid can also be pivoted in to check and force out opposing spread attackers with Wide Guard, most notably Choice Band Zygarde and Mega Charizard Y.
Team Options
========
Pokemon with awkward Speed tiers benefit from Sticky Web the most, such as Tapu Lele, Kyurem-B, Volcanion, and Landorus-T. Steel-types and Pokemon weak to Fire or Ground such as Mega Metagross, Tapu Bulu, and Kartana benefit tremendously from Araquanid's Wide Guard support and offensive pressure protecting them from common super effective spread moves such as Earthquake and Heat Wave, and also appreciate its Water coverage. Araquanid appreciates Ground-type partners such as Zygarde and Landorus-T that can force out opposing Electric-types to help prolong its longevity and let it set up Sticky Web successfully; Araquanid in turn can also support Zygarde and Landorus-T by protecting them from a potential Icy Wind with Wide Guard. Mega Charizard Y also makes a great partner for Araquanid thanks to Araquanid's ability to remove Landorus-T and Incineroar and shield Mega Charizard Y from opposing Rock Slides with Wide Guard, while Mega Charizard Y helps Araquanid remove bulky Grass-types such as Tapu Bulu and Ferrothorn. However, it is worth noting that sun halves Liquidation's damage output, losing out on 2HKOs against Incineroar and Landorus-T, meaning careful positioning is important. Zeraora could also be a potential teammate, as it can switch into Electric-type attacks and help Araquanid get rid of bulky Water-types such as Tapu Fini and Suicune. Zeraora also benefits from Sticky Web, allowing it to outspeed Choice Scarf Genesect and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele. Fake Out users such as Incineroar and Mew also help support Araquanid greatly, allowing Araquanid to set Sticky Web freely in the face of threats such as Tapu Koko.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Mystic Water can also be used over a pinch Berry for a more offensive Araquanid variant with a spread of 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def, which lets Araquanid OHKO Mega Charizard Y with Liquidation even in sun. When using Waterium Z, 160 EVs can also be moved from HP into Speed, letting Araquanid outspeed standard Incineroar and dispose of it easily with a Hydro Vortex. Toxic is also an option for a filler move in order to put a timer on bulky walls such as Chansey and Cresselia as well as Water-types such as Volcanion and Gastrodon that Araquanid cannot hit. Icy Wind can be used as another form of Speed control to slow down targets that are not affected by Sticky Web, such as Landorus-T and Zapdos. Poison Jab may be chosen as a coverage option when hitting Tapu Bulu is desired or Araquanid is used on Trick Room teams. However, Araquanid is a tough fit on Trick Room teams and does not contribute as much value as it provides with Sticky Web on faster teams.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Pokemon such as Mega Manectric, Tapu Koko, and Zapdos are able to 2HKO Araquanid with their STAB attacks, and Pokemon carrying Electric coverage such as Fusion Bolt Kyurem-B may be a problem as well.
**Grass-types**: Tapu Bulu and Kartana both are able to take Araquanid's attacks comfortably and deal severe damage back with their Grass-type STAB attacks. Ferrothorn can also check Araquanid well defensively and slowly wear it down with Power Whip and Leech Seed.
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Tapu Fini, Suicune, and Volcanion can also take Araquanid's attacks reliably, often forcing Araquanid to switch out. However, these Pokemon need to watch out for Bug Bite, as they do not appreciate having their Berries removed.
**Rock-types**: Araquanid needs to watch out for faster offensive Rock-types such as Diancie and Tyranitar, which can both deal significant damage with their STAB attacks. However, should Araquanid carry Wide Guard, its Rock-type checks may struggle to deal damage to Araquanid without a single-target STAB move.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Due to Araquanid's mediocre Defense, it is prone to taking huge chunks of damage from strong physical attacks such as Tectonic Rage from Landorus-T or Zygarde and even Tapu Lele's Psyshock.
**Gastrodon**: Gastrodon completely walls Araquanid thanks to Storm Drain and its defensive typing and can freely set up Substitutes against it, thus making Araquanid deadweight on the field outside of its utility moves.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Yuichii, 435812]]
- Earlier versions by: [[GenOne, 306383]]
- Quality checked by: [[talkingtree,232101], [MajorBowman,188164]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Electrolyte, 148071]]
Above average special bulk coupled with a good defensive typing allows Araquanid to take most neutral STAB attacks comfortably, making it a good offensive tank. Thanks to Water Bubble, Araquanid can deal reasonable amounts of damage with its Water STAB attacks despite its low base Attack, and check common Intimidate users such as Incineroar and Landorus-T and Fire-types such as Mega Charizard Y. It is also able to provide permanent Speed control with Sticky Web and protect its allies with Wide Guard support. Unfortunately, Araquanid's low Speed stat means it almost always takes damage before doing anything useful. It also competes with other more popular bulky Water-types such as Tapu Fini, Volcanion, and Suicune for a spot on teams. Futhermore, a shallow movepool and a lack of coverage options also make Araquanid a rather predictable Pokemon. Its low base Attack also means that Araquanid cannot deal any significant damage besides with Liquidation.
[SET]
name: Offensive Sticky Web
move 1: Liquidation
move 2: Bug Bite / Wide Guard
move 3: Sticky Web
move 4: Protect / Wide Guard
item: Figy Berry / Waterium Z
ability: Water Bubble
nature: Brave
evs: 252 HP / 168 Atk / 88 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Liquidation is Araquanid's main form of damage output and benefits from Water Bubble and STAB, allowing Araquanid to hit Landorus-T and Incineroar fairly hard even after an Intimidate drop. Bug Bite helps to remove Berries from opposing Pokemon, most notably Amoonguss and Tapu Fini, and regain its HP at the same time. Sticky Web allows teammates to outspeed and check faster and somewhat frail offensive threats. Protect is always valuable and can help scout for opposing sets or moves. Wide Guard can be used as an alternative to Bug Bite or Protect, helping improve the team's matchup against common Pokemon such as Zygarde and Mega Charizard that like to spam spread moves.
Set Details
========
The HP and Defense investments allows Araquanid to take Choice Scarf Tapu Bulu's Wood Hammer in Grassy Terrain. The remaining EVs are dumped into Attack, which lets Araquanid hit as hard as possible and 2HKO Incineroar or Landorus-T with Liquidation after an Intimidate Attack drop. Waterium Z over Figy Berry provides the additional power that Araquanid needs to OHKO Incineroar or Landorus-T after an Intimidate. A Brave nature is preferred on sets running Bug Bite to prevent confusion upon consuming a Wiki Berry; however, if Araquanid does not carry Bug Bite, an Adamant nature can be used instead, which allows Araquanid to outspeed faster Incineroar variants after Sticky Web. Wacan Berry is also another option that can be used with maximum HP investment and 48 Special Defense EVs; this enables Araquanid to take a Gigavolt Havoc from a maximum Special Attack Modest Tapu Koko under Electric Terrain or a Life Orb-boosted Fusion Bolt from Kyurem-B in Electric Terrain.
Usage Tips
========
Liquidation should be Araquanid's main form of damage output; Bug Bite should only be used for removing Berries from foes. Araquanid is usually brought out early-game or used as a lead to set up Sticky Web, helping the team gain momentum as the game progresses. It can also be brought in directly to sponge a Fire-type attack thanks to Water Bubble. That being said, it is fine to switch Araquanid in any time during the game to sponge special attacks thanks to its above average special bulk. Araquanid can also be pivoted in to check and force out opposing spread attackers with Wide Guard, most notably Choice Band Zygarde and Mega Charizard Y.
Team Options
========
Pokemon with awkward Speed tiers benefit from Sticky Web the most, such as Tapu Lele, Kyurem-B, Volcanion, and Landorus-T. Steel-types and Pokemon weak to Fire or Ground such as Mega Metagross, Tapu Bulu, and Kartana benefit tremendously from Araquanid's Wide Guard support and offensive pressure protecting them from common super effective spread moves such as Earthquake and Heat Wave, and also appreciate its Water coverage. Araquanid appreciates Ground-type partners such as Zygarde and Landorus-T that can force out opposing Electric-types to help prolong its longevity and let it set up Sticky Web successfully; Araquanid in turn can also support Zygarde and Landorus-T by protecting them from a potential Icy Wind with Wide Guard. Mega Charizard Y also makes a great partner for Araquanid thanks to Araquanid's ability to remove Landorus-T and Incineroar and shield Mega Charizard Y from opposing Rock Slides with Wide Guard, while Mega Charizard Y helps Araquanid remove bulky Grass-types such as Tapu Bulu and Ferrothorn. However, it is worth noting that sun halves Liquidation's damage output, losing out on 2HKOs against Incineroar and Landorus-T, meaning careful positioning is important. Zeraora could also be a potential teammate, as it can switch into Electric-type attacks and help Araquanid get rid of bulky Water-types such as Tapu Fini and Suicune. Zeraora also benefits from Sticky Web, allowing it to outspeed Choice Scarf Genesect and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele. Fake Out users such as Incineroar and Mew also help support Araquanid greatly, allowing Araquanid to set Sticky Web freely in the face of threats such as Tapu Koko.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Mystic Water can also be used over a pinch Berry for a more offensive Araquanid variant with a spread of 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def, which lets Araquanid OHKO Mega Charizard Y with Liquidation even in sun. When using Waterium Z, 160 EVs can also be moved from HP into Speed, letting Araquanid outspeed standard Incineroar and dispose of it easily with a Hydro Vortex. Toxic is also an option for a filler move in order to put a timer on bulky walls such as Chansey and Cresselia as well as Water-types such as Volcanion and Gastrodon that Araquanid cannot hit. Icy Wind can be used as another form of Speed control to slow down targets that are not affected by Sticky Web, such as Landorus-T and Zapdos. Poison Jab may be chosen as a coverage option when hitting Tapu Bulu is desired or Araquanid is used on Trick Room teams. However, Araquanid is a tough fit on Trick Room teams and does not contribute as much value as it provides with Sticky Web on faster teams.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Pokemon such as Mega Manectric, Tapu Koko, and Zapdos are able to 2HKO Araquanid with their STAB attacks, and Pokemon carrying Electric coverage such as Fusion Bolt Kyurem-B may be a problem as well.
**Grass-types**: Tapu Bulu and Kartana both are able to take Araquanid's attacks comfortably and deal severe damage back with their Grass-type STAB attacks. Ferrothorn can also check Araquanid well defensively and slowly wear it down with Power Whip and Leech Seed.
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Tapu Fini, Suicune, and Volcanion can also take Araquanid's attacks reliably, often forcing Araquanid to switch out. However, these Pokemon need to watch out for Bug Bite, as they do not appreciate having their Berries removed.
**Rock-types**: Araquanid needs to watch out for faster offensive Rock-types such as Diancie and Tyranitar, which can both deal significant damage with their STAB attacks. However, should Araquanid carry Wide Guard, its Rock-type checks may struggle to deal damage to Araquanid without a single-target STAB move.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Due to Araquanid's mediocre Defense, it is prone to taking huge chunks of damage from strong physical attacks such as Tectonic Rage from Landorus-T or Zygarde and even Tapu Lele's Psyshock.
**Gastrodon**: Gastrodon completely walls Araquanid thanks to Storm Drain and its defensive typing and can freely set up Substitutes against it, thus making Araquanid deadweight on the field outside of its utility moves.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Yuichii, 435812]]
- Earlier versions by: [[GenOne, 306383]]
- Quality checked by: [[talkingtree,232101], [MajorBowman,188164]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Electrolyte, 148071]]
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