OU Araquanid

power

uh-oh, the game in trouble
[OVERVIEW]

Araquanid is a suicide lead for Sticky Web teams. Its typing and bulk allow it to take attacks such as the combination of Fake Out + Return from Mega Lopunny and Water Shuriken from Ash-Greninja. However, it is extremely slow and vulnerable to hazard control techniques, including Taunt and Defog.

[SET]
name: Sticky Web Lead
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Liquidation
move 3: Magic Coat
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Toxic
item: Focus Sash
ability: Water Bubble
nature: Brave / Adamant
evs: 216 HP / 252 Atk / 40 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Sticky Web is the main focus of the set. Liquidation is Araquanid's main STAB attack, boosted by its signature ability Water Bubble, and it OHKOes Pokemon that can prevent Araquanid from using Sticky Web such as Magic Bounce Mega Diancie, paving the way for a sweep from a teammate such as Mega Pinsir or Bisharp. Magic Coat allows Araquanid to bounce back hazards such as Stealth Rock and Spikes from the likes of Landorus-T and Ferrothorn, and it makes Taunt users wary about Taunting Araquanid. Hidden Power Fire OHKOs Kartana, which can normally use Defog to remove Sticky Web. On the other hand, Toxic allows Araquanid to cripple Defog users such as Mantine, Zapdos, and Mew. Mirror Coat is a niche choice that allows Araquanid to use its good special bulk to bounce a special attack back, such as Volt Switch from Tapu Koko, potentially OHKOing a threat. Leech Life is a final option that gives Araquanid a secondary STAB move to hit the likes of Ash-Greninja, but it is not recommended,because it is weak and does not qualify for a Water Bubble boost.


Set Details
========

Maximum Attack allows Araquanid to hit as hard as possible with Water Bubble-boosted Liquidation. The Special Attack investment lets Araquanid always OHKO Kartana with Hidden Power Fire. The rest of the EVs are placed in HP to give Araquanid extra bulk to check Pokemon such as Heatran and Greninja, and always survive Fake Out + Return from Mega Lopunny. A Brave nature is used so Araquanid can boost the power of Liquidation without compromising its bulk or ability to OHKO Kartana. Water Bubble is the best possible ability on Araquanid, as not only does it double the power of Araquanid's Water-type moves, but it also gives Araquanid a resistance to Fire-type moves and immunity to burns from the likes of Mega Sableye and Mew.


Usage Tips
========

Araquanid should nearly always be your lead, unless Araquanid is paired with a second suicide lead such as Focus Sash Landorus-T or Excadrill. If it's possible to preserve Araquanid after setting Sticky Web and the opposing team has a Greninja or a Heatran, keeping Araquanid can be convenient to switch into the likes of Water Shuriken and Magma Storm.

Team Options
========

Mega Pinsir and Bisharp are standard Pokemon on Sticky Web teams that also appreciate Araquanid's ability to either KO or severely damage common checks such as Mega Diancie and Tapu Koko. Araquanid is best paired with another suicide lead to form a double Focus Sash core. Landorus-T and Excadrill are excellent partners in this regard, setting Stealth Rock relatively reliably. Araquanid fits best on hyper offense, so strong breakers that appreciate Sticky Web support such as Tapu Lele and Kartana are generally ideal.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Choice Band Araquanid is usable on Trick Room teams; this set would generally run Liquidation / Leech Life / Toxic / Hidden Power Fire with a Brave nature. However, it is generally outclassed by Crawdaunt, as Crawdaunt boasts Swords Dance, Aqua Jet, and the ability to break through common defensive threats such as Toxapex. Araquanid is rather one-dimensional in its role as a Sticky Web user, so unless a team features Trick Room setters such as Cresselia and Uxie, it's safe to assume Araquanid is being used to set Sticky Web.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Faster Taunt Users**: Pokemon such as Taunt Tapu Koko and Taunt Tapu Lele are able to prevent Araquanid from setting Sticky Web. While they will usually be hit by a follow-up Liquidation, Araquanid cannot afford to predict a use of Taunt, as Taunt is not always used on either of these Pokemon, and Araquanid will fail to set Sticky Web if they simply attack Araquanid and 2HKO it. The rare Tapu Fini also can Taunt Araquanid and successfully use Defog against it.

**Mega Scizor**: Defog Mega Scizor not only walls Araquanid, but also can use Defog to remove Sticky Web. Swords Dance Mega Scizor also sets up on Araquanid and will usually win, as hyper offense has very few checks to Swords Dance Mega Scizor. Araquanid will struggle to muscle past Mega Scizor regardless of the set.
 
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Ooo, that was fast, great job! I do have a couple of suggestions tho:

• I feel like in Usage tips you should mention the uses of Magic Coat, which is bouncing rocks from Pokemon that can't touch it like Defensive Lando, lead Driller, and Ferrothorn. Also mention how it can bounce back Taunt and get up webs (but mention that this is very risky).
• Note in C&C Taunt users that they should fear Magic Coat.
• Add Tapu Fini somewhere in C&C as it fully walls Araquanid and Defogs very safely against it, maybe change Steel-type Defoggers to Toxic immune Defoggers?
• Emphasize in team options how it mandates a Stealth Rock setter as teammate.
• Mention how Bisharp dissuaded Defog and possibly Mimikyu in Team Options as a spinblocker.
• Finally mention in the overview that Araquanid poses little use outside of setting up Stealth Rock as it is weak to rock so it fails to be some sort of SpDef pivot after setting webs and that it is extremely easy to wall as it only hits hard enough with Water-type moves and the tier is filled with Water resists.
 

Leo

after hours
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MPL Champion
Araquanid is a suicide lead for Sticky Web Teams that also provides offensive and defensive support, with its strong Water Bubble-boosted moves and resistances to moves that tend to threaten Sticky Web teams, such as Water Shuriken.
I don't think it resisting moves like shuriken that threaten webs is that important since most of the time Araquanid is forced to take a big hit to get webs on the field. Maybe mention how the defensive typing prevents Mega Lopunny and Medicham from KOing with Fake Out+HJK
Magic Coat allows Araquanid to bounce back hazards such as Stealth Rock and Spikes from the likes of Landorus-T and Ferrothorn.
Add here that it bounces back Taunt too so the Taunt user is forced into a 50-50 situation when trying to prevent webs which can favor the Araquanid user, although as you mention later you never click taunt vs these mons unless youre sure they pack taunt so it's not rly that important
Hidden Power Fire is usable with 40 EVs in Special Attack and a Brave nature to OHKO Kartana, which can normally Defog away Sticky Web.
Brave boosts Attack, replace it with Quiet. nvm assumed u meant to use a boosting nature
Araquanid fits best on Hyper Offense, so strong breakers that appreciate Sticky Web support are generally ideal.
Add examples for strong breakers here

QC 1/3
 
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I guess I'm not QC, huh...

I talked with the rest of QC and we came up with the following:

- Mention Mirror Coat as an option in Other Options to combat against rockers.
- We also talked about changing the set to this:

HP Fire is slashed first as a way to hit the best defog user in the tier which is fairly important and Toxic is second to hit Mantine and Mew as you already mentioned. Since we're having HP Fire be slashed first, changed the EV spread to the 40 SpA one.

Implement Leo's check and this one and you're QC 2/3.
 

power

uh-oh, the game in trouble
I don't think it resisting moves like shuriken that threaten webs is that important since most of the time Araquanid is forced to take a big hit to get webs on the field. Maybe mention how the defensive typing prevents Mega Lopunny and Medicham from KOing with Fake Out+HJK
Add here that it bounces back Taunt too so the Taunt user is forced into a 50-50 situation when trying to prevent webs which can favor the Araquanid user, although as you mention later you never click taunt vs these mons unless youre sure they pack taunt so it's not rly that important
Brave boosts Attack, replace it with Quiet. nvm assumed u meant to use a boosting nature
Add examples for strong breakers here

QC 1/3

Implemented and written up

Mmedi has zen anyway although the following spread always eats fake out + zen headbutt from mmedi so it might be worth mentioning

216 HP / 236 Atk / 16 Def / 40 SpA Relaxed but it loses about 10% of its power, still ohkos diancie and shit tho so idk qc 3/3 can decide on what spread to use idrc which one

Also what did you mean about mirror coat in oo i didnt really understand that bit.

Rest is implemented written up and 2/3 GMars hit me with the double
 

david0895

Mercy Main Btw
You should explain in set details, why there are 40 evs in spa.
Also there's no explanation on the choice of the nature
 

Gary

Can be abrasive at times (no joke)
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnus
^ Yeah make sure you mention that the 40 SpA EVs are for killing Kart, and that a Brave nature is needed as well. Also slash Adamant because you wouldn't use Brave if using Toxic > HP Fire.

Also do what Subject 18 said with Mirror Coat, except put it in move comments, not OO. Araq has stupid SpD bulk so being able to bounce back special hits from like Koko that may Volt on you and kill w/e on the switch-in is pretty cool. It can basically live practically any special hit from full which works well with it. Pretty niche obviously.

Just wanna comment on how I enjoy how brief and to the point you make this shit. Thank you for not lecturing me on how to use a very simple and basic Pokemon, and I think more analysis should be like this personally lol.

QC 3/3 thank you for not fucking this up lol.
 
ADD REMOVE COMMENTS
[OVERVIEW]

Araquanid is a suicide lead for Sticky Web Teams teams that also provides offensive and defensive support, (RC) with its strong Water Bubble-boosted moves, (RC) and typing and bulk that allows it to take attacks such as the combination of Fake Out + Return from Mega Lopunny or and Water Shuriken from Ash Greninja Ash-Greninja. However, it is extremely slow and vulnerable to hazard control techniques, including Taunt and having Sticky Web cleared away by a Defog user.

[SET]
name: Sticky Web Lead
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Liquidation
move 3: Magic Coat
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Toxic
item: Focus Sash
ability: Water Bubble
nature: Brave / Adamant
evs: 216 HP / 252 Atk / 40 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Sticky Web is the main focus of the set, as Araquanid is used as a suicide lead to support its teammates. Liquidation is Araquanid's main STAB attack, boosted by its signature ability Water Bubble, and it OHKOs OHKOes Pokemon that can prevent Araquanid from using Sticky Web such as Magic Bounce Mega Diancie, paving the way for a sweep from a teammate such as Mega Pinsir or Bisharp. Magic Coat allows Araquanid to bounce back hazards such as Stealth Rock and Spikes from the likes of Landorus-T and Ferrothorn, and it makes Taunt users wary about Taunting Araquanid. Hidden Power Fire OHKOs Kartana, which can normally Defog away use Defog to remove Sticky Web. Toxic on the other hand, On the other hand, Toxic allows Araquanid to cripple Defog users such as Mantine, Zapdos, and Mew. Mirror Coat is a niche choice that allows Araquanid to use its good special bulk to bounce back a Special Attack special attack, such as Volt Switch from Tapu Koko, to OHKO a threat. Leech Life is a final option that gives Araquanid a secondary STAB move to hit the likes of Ash-Greninja, but it is not recommended, (AC) as it is quite weak, (AC) since it does not get boosted by Water Bubble.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack allows Araquanid to hit as hard as possible with Water Bubble-boosted Liquidation. The Special Attack investment lets Araquanid always OHKO Kartana with Hidden Power Fire. The rest of the EVs are placed in HP to give Araquanid extra bulk to check Pokemon such as Heatran and Greninja, (RC) and always survive Fake Out + Return from Mega Lopunny. A Brave Nature nature is used so Araquanid can boost the power of Liquidation without compromising its bulk or ability to OHKO Kartana. Water Bubble is the best possible ability on Araquanid, as not only does it double the power of Araquanid's Water-type moves, but it also gives Araquanid a resistance to Fire-type moves and immunity to burns from the likes of Mega Sableye and Mew.

Usage Tips
========

Araquanid should nearly always be your lead, unless Araquanid is paired with a second suicide lead such as Focus Sash Landorus-T or Excadrill. If its it's possible to preserve Araquanid after setting Sticky Web, (RC) and the opposing team has a Greninja or a Heatran, keeping Araquanid can be convenient to switch into the likes of Magma Storm and Water Shuriken.

Team Options
========

Mega Pinsir and Bisharp are standard Pokemon on Sticky Web teams that also appreciate Araquanid's ability to either KO or severely damage common checks such as Mega Diancie and Tapu Koko. Araquanid is best paired with another suicide lead to form a double Focus Sash core. Landorus-T and Excadrill are excellent partners in this regard, setting Stealth Rock relatively reliably. Araquanid fits best on Hyper Offense hyper offense, so strong breakers that appreciate Sticky Web support such as Tapu Lele and Kartana are generally ideal, such as Tapu Lele or Kartana.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Choice Band Araquanid is usable on Trick Room teams; this set would generally run Liquidation, Leech Life, Toxic, and Hidden Power Fire Liquidation / Leech Life / Toxic / Hidden Power Fire with a Brave nature. However, it is generally outclassed by Crawdaunt, as Crawdaunt boasts Swords Dance, Aqua Jet, and the ability to break through common defensive threats such as Toxapex. Araquanid is rather one-dimensional in its role as a Sticky Web user, so unless a team features Trick Room setters such as Cresselia or and Uxie, it's safe to assume Araquanid is being used to set Sticky Web.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Faster Taunt Users**: Pokemon such as Taunt Tapu Koko and Taunt Tapu Lele are able to prevent Araquanid from setting Sticky Web. While they will usually be hit by a follow-up Liquidation, Araquanid cannot afford to predict a use of Taunt, as Taunt is not always used on either of these Pokemon, and Araquanid will fail to set Sticky Web if they simply attack Araquanid and 2HKO it. The rare Tapu Fini also can Taunt Araquanid and successfully use Defog against it.

**Mega Scizor**: Defog Mega Scizor not only walls Araquanid, but also can Defog away use Defog to remove Sticky Web. Swords Dance Mega Scizor also sets up on Araquanid and will usually win, as hyper offense has very few checks to Swords Dance Mega Scizor. Araquanid will struggle to muscle past Mega Scizor regardless of the set.

yeah not a lot to change good work GP 1/2
 

Andy Snype

Mr. Music
done 2/2

Araquanid is a suicide lead for Sticky Web teams that also provides offensive and defensive support with its strong Water Bubble-boosted moves and. Its typing and bulk that allows it to take attacks such as the combination of Fake Out + Return from Mega Lopunny and Water Shuriken from Ash-Greninja. However, it is extremely slow and vulnerable to hazard control techniques, including Taunt and having Sticky Web cleared away by a Defog user.

(removed the offensive/defensive crap. it's unnecessary fluff.)
[SET]
name: Sticky Web Lead
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Liquidation
move 3: Magic Coat
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Toxic
item: Focus Sash
ability: Water Bubble
nature: Brave / Adamant
evs: 216 HP / 252 Atk / 40 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Sticky Web is the main focus of the set, as Araquanid is used as a suicide lead to support its teammates. Liquidation is Araquanid's main STAB attack, boosted by its signature ability Water Bubble, and it OHKOes Pokemon that can prevent Araquanid from using Sticky Web such as Magic Bounce Mega Diancie, paving the way for a sweep from a teammate such as Mega Pinsir or Bisharp. Magic Coat allows Araquanid to bounce back hazards such as Stealth Rock and Spikes from the likes of Landorus-T and Ferrothorn, and it makes Taunt users wary about Taunting Araquanid. Hidden Power Fire OHKOs Kartana, which can normally use Defog to remove Sticky Web. On the other hand, Toxic allows Araquanid to cripple Defog users such as Mantine, Zapdos, and Mew. Mirror Coat is a niche choice that allows Araquanid to use its good special bulk to bounce back a special attack back, such as Volt Switch from Tapu Koko, topotentially OHKOing a threat. Leech Life is a final option that gives Araquanid a secondary STAB move to hit the likes of Ash-Greninja, but it is not recommended, because it is quite weak, since it and does not get boosted byqualify for a Water Bubble boost.


Set Details
========

Maximum Attack allows Araquanid to hit as hard as possible with Water Bubble-boosted Liquidation. The Special Attack investment lets Araquanid always OHKO Kartana with Hidden Power Fire. The rest of the EVs are placed in HP to give Araquanid extra bulk to check Pokemon such as Heatran and Greninja, and always survive Fake Out + Return from Mega Lopunny. A Brave nature is used so Araquanid can boost the power of Liquidation without compromising its bulk or ability to OHKO Kartana. Water Bubble is the best possible ability on Araquanid, as not only does it double the power of Araquanid's Water-type moves, but it also gives Araquanid a resistance to Fire-type moves and immunity to burns from the likes of Mega Sableye and Mew.


Usage Tips
========

Araquanid should nearly always be your lead, unless Araquanid is paired with a second suicide lead such as Focus Sash Landorus-T or Excadrill. If it's possible to preserve Araquanid after setting Sticky Web and the opposing team has a Greninja or a Heatran, keeping Araquanid can be convenient to switch into the likes of Magma Storm and Water Shuriken and Magma Storm.

Team Options
========

Mega Pinsir and Bisharp are standard Pokemon on Sticky Web teams that also appreciate Araquanid's ability to either KO or severely damage common checks such as Mega Diancie and Tapu Koko. Araquanid is best paired with another suicide lead to form a double Focus Sash core. Landorus-T and Excadrill are excellent partners in this regard, setting Stealth Rock relatively reliably. Araquanid fits best on hyper offense, so strong breakers that appreciate Sticky Web support such as Tapu Lele and Kartana are generally ideal.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Choice Band Araquanid is usable on Trick Room teams; this set would generally run Liquidation / Leech Life / Toxic / Hidden Power Fire with a Brave nature. However, it is generally outclassed by Crawdaunt, as Crawdaunt boasts Swords Dance, Aqua Jet, and the ability to break through common defensive threats such as Toxapex. Araquanid is rather one-dimensional in its role as a Sticky Web user, so unless a team features Trick Room setters such as Cresselia and Uxie, it's safe to assume Araquanid is being used to set Sticky Web.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Faster Taunt Users**: Pokemon such as Taunt Tapu Koko and Taunt Tapu Lele are able to prevent Araquanid from setting Sticky Web. While they will usually be hit by a follow-up Liquidation, Araquanid cannot afford to predict a use of Taunt, as Taunt is not always used on either of these Pokemon, and Araquanid will fail to set Sticky Web if they simply attack Araquanid and 2HKO it. The rare Tapu Fini also can Taunt Araquanid and successfully use Defog against it.

**Mega Scizor**: Defog Mega Scizor not only walls Araquanid, but also can use Defog to remove Sticky Web. Swords Dance Mega Scizor also sets up on Araquanid and will usually win, as hyper offense has very few checks to Swords Dance Mega Scizor. Araquanid will struggle to muscle past Mega Scizor regardless of the set.
 
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