Gummy
...three, smiles go for miles!
taken over from conni
[OVERVIEW]
Tentacool's great Special Defense and decent Speed along with a good movepool allow it to be a decent entry hazard remover. It also has a good defensive typing, resisting common types like Fighting and Fairy. It doesn't have a slacking offensive movepool, either, with access to Sludge Bomb, Knock Off, and Scald. However, its actual attacking stats are lackluster, as is its physical bulk. Its longevity isn't helped by the fact that it doesn't have any reliable recovery outside Berry Juice, and it faces competition from other Water- / Poison-types like Skrelp and Mareanie. Nevertheless, Tentacool sets itself apart from these Pokemon by having access to Rapid Spin and a better Speed stat.
[SET]
name: Defensive Utility
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Knock Off / Toxic Spikes
move 3: Scald
move 4: Sludge Bomb
item: Berry Juice / Eviolite
ability: Liquid Ooze
nature: Calm
evs: 196 HP / 236 Def / 36 SpA / 36 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rapid Spin allows Tentacool to clear entry hazards, increasing the longevity of itself and its teammates. Knock Off removes Eviolites from the opposing team, helping Tentacool's team further. Toxic Spikes can alternatively be used to poison foes, putting pressure on the opponent and punishing switches. Scald lets Tentacool attack Fire-, Ground-, and Rock-types super effectively and carries a nifty burn chance to cripple physical attackers. Sludge Bomb is Tentacool's secondary STAB move, which can be used to hit Grass- and Fairy-types.
Set Details
========
Full defensive investment and a Calm nature maximize Tentacool's bulk, letting it take moves like Drain Punch and Leaf Storm. Berry Juice gives Tentacool some form of recovery, prolonging its longevity, while Eviolite lets it come in on Knock Off users more easily. Liquid Ooze allows it to switch in and punish draining-move users like Timburr, Pumpkaboo-XL, and Foongus, harming them when they use Drain Punch or Giga Drain.
Usage Tips
========
Tentacool can be switched into neutral special attacks relatively easily, letting it use Rapid Spin freely. It can also switch into draining moves like Drain Punch. However, while it has the bulk to take a few hits, it still gets worn down quite easily, so try to preserve Tentacool and its Berry Juice. Knock Off should be used if you predict a spinblocker to switch in, as these are all Ghost-types.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that need Stealth Rock removed, such as Ponyta and Vullaby, can be used, as they appreciate Tentacool's utility. Physical walls like Mudbray and Ferroseed can tank physical hits that would otherwise heavily damage Tentacool. Wish support from Spritzee can improve Tentacool's longevity. Grass-types like Snivy and Pumpkaboo-S can deal with Ground-types that give Tentacool trouble, while Alolan Grimer can take on Psychic-types. Alolan Grimer is especially helpful, since it can Pursuit trap the Ghost-types that block Rapid Spin. Pawniard can perform this job as well. Ferroseed forms a strong defensive core with Tentacool: the two can layer Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes, tank physical and special hits, and handle the other's checks.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb
ability: Clear Body
nature: Timid
evs: 76 Def / 196 SpA / 36 SpD / 196 Spe
ivs: 19 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hydro Pump is Tentacool's strongest STAB move, with even neutral hits dealing a decent amount of damage. Sludge Bomb is a secondary STAB attack that can hit Grass-types and occasionally poison the foe. Knock Off can be used to weaken opposing Pokemon. Hidden Power Fire hits Ferroseed, which completely walls Tentacool otherwise. However, Rapid Spin is also an option, as it can provide utility to Tentacool's team and be used on a switch. Acid Spray is also an option to force a switch, as at -2 Special Defense, almost any Pokemon is at mercy to Tentacool's STAB attacks, but usually simply using one of Tentacool's main STAB moves is better.
Set Details
========
196 Special Attack EVs let Tentacool's STAB moves hit as hard as they need to, while the defensive investment allows Tentacool to take a few more hits. Its Speed is maximized, hitting a great Speed tier of 17 for an offensive Pokemon. A Life Orb allows Tentacool to deal as much damage as possible and bolster its poor, unboosted Special Attack stat. If you want Tentacool to survive longer and have more opportunities to switch in, you can run Eviolite, but its offensive presence is very weak without a Life Orb. Clear Body allows Tentacool to be undeterred by opposing Sticky Web teams. 19 HP IVs let Tentacool take only 1 HP of damage from Life Orb recoil every turn.
Usage Tips
========
Tentacool can act as a decent lure, bluffing a utility set to catch an opposing Pokemon with a powerful attack on the switch. However, its poor physical bulk leaves it vulnerable to the many physical attackers the metagame has to offer, so don't switch it directly in. Be careful getting KOs when a Diglett is on the other team, as Tentacool is completely trapped by it.
Team Options
========
Pursuit trappers, like Pawniard and Alolan Grimer, can take out Psychic-types like Abra. Snivy and Pumpkaboo-S can deal with Ground-types. Entry hazard setters like Onix and Ferroseed can get chip damage on the opposing team via Stealth Rock or Spikes, allowing Tentacool to clean up more easily. Pokemon that can deal with Croagunk and Ferroseed, two of Tentacool's biggest checks, are very helpful for obvious reasons. Mudbray and Diglett can handle Croagunk, while Ponyta and Timburr can take on Ferroseed. Knock Off support from Pawniard or Mienfoo is also very helpful, letting Tentacool do even more damage to Pokemon without their Eviolite.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice Beam can be used as a coverage move on the offensive set, but it only hits Foongus, and Sludge Bomb does the job well enough anyway. Similarly, Dazzling Gleam can be used to hit Fighting-types, but Scraggy is the only one it hits hard enough to be worth using over Sludge Bomb. Sludge Wave can be used if the extra 5 Base Power is desired or if you really want to hit Chespin, but often the increased poison chance is more helpful. Giga Drain can be used to hit Water-types, but it's often not worth the coverage slot when Sludge Bomb hits them just fine. Hidden Power Psychic can hit Croagunk, but it hits nothing else. Thief is a decent option as well on the defensive set, but Knock Off is more reliable in removing a foe's item. Finally, Haze can be used to deal with setup sweepers, but Tentacool has a hard time finding room in its moveset for it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ferroseed and Croagunk**: Ferroseed can wall all of Tentacool's moves bar Hidden Power Fire, use Knock Off to remove Tentacool's only recovery option, and halve Tentacool's Speed with Thunder Wave. It can also use Tentacool as setup bait or even just weaken it with Bullet Seed. Croagunk also walls Tentacool completely and can utilize Knock Off or set up a Nasty Plot with no problems.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Chinchou and Magnemite can tank any of Tentacool's moves at least once and retaliate with a super effective Electric-type attack.
**Fast Ground-types**: Fast Ground-types such as Drilbur and Diglett can easily KO Tentacool with their STAB moves. Diglett, in particular, can trap Tentacool so it can't switch and finish it off with Earthquake.
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Mareanie, Skrelp, and defensive Staryu can fully wall Tentacool and force it out.
[OVERVIEW]
Tentacool's great Special Defense and decent Speed along with a good movepool allow it to be a decent entry hazard remover. It also has a good defensive typing, resisting common types like Fighting and Fairy. It doesn't have a slacking offensive movepool, either, with access to Sludge Bomb, Knock Off, and Scald. However, its actual attacking stats are lackluster, as is its physical bulk. Its longevity isn't helped by the fact that it doesn't have any reliable recovery outside Berry Juice, and it faces competition from other Water- / Poison-types like Skrelp and Mareanie. Nevertheless, Tentacool sets itself apart from these Pokemon by having access to Rapid Spin and a better Speed stat.
[SET]
name: Defensive Utility
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Knock Off / Toxic Spikes
move 3: Scald
move 4: Sludge Bomb
item: Berry Juice / Eviolite
ability: Liquid Ooze
nature: Calm
evs: 196 HP / 236 Def / 36 SpA / 36 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rapid Spin allows Tentacool to clear entry hazards, increasing the longevity of itself and its teammates. Knock Off removes Eviolites from the opposing team, helping Tentacool's team further. Toxic Spikes can alternatively be used to poison foes, putting pressure on the opponent and punishing switches. Scald lets Tentacool attack Fire-, Ground-, and Rock-types super effectively and carries a nifty burn chance to cripple physical attackers. Sludge Bomb is Tentacool's secondary STAB move, which can be used to hit Grass- and Fairy-types.
Set Details
========
Full defensive investment and a Calm nature maximize Tentacool's bulk, letting it take moves like Drain Punch and Leaf Storm. Berry Juice gives Tentacool some form of recovery, prolonging its longevity, while Eviolite lets it come in on Knock Off users more easily. Liquid Ooze allows it to switch in and punish draining-move users like Timburr, Pumpkaboo-XL, and Foongus, harming them when they use Drain Punch or Giga Drain.
Usage Tips
========
Tentacool can be switched into neutral special attacks relatively easily, letting it use Rapid Spin freely. It can also switch into draining moves like Drain Punch. However, while it has the bulk to take a few hits, it still gets worn down quite easily, so try to preserve Tentacool and its Berry Juice. Knock Off should be used if you predict a spinblocker to switch in, as these are all Ghost-types.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that need Stealth Rock removed, such as Ponyta and Vullaby, can be used, as they appreciate Tentacool's utility. Physical walls like Mudbray and Ferroseed can tank physical hits that would otherwise heavily damage Tentacool. Wish support from Spritzee can improve Tentacool's longevity. Grass-types like Snivy and Pumpkaboo-S can deal with Ground-types that give Tentacool trouble, while Alolan Grimer can take on Psychic-types. Alolan Grimer is especially helpful, since it can Pursuit trap the Ghost-types that block Rapid Spin. Pawniard can perform this job as well. Ferroseed forms a strong defensive core with Tentacool: the two can layer Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes, tank physical and special hits, and handle the other's checks.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb
ability: Clear Body
nature: Timid
evs: 76 Def / 196 SpA / 36 SpD / 196 Spe
ivs: 19 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hydro Pump is Tentacool's strongest STAB move, with even neutral hits dealing a decent amount of damage. Sludge Bomb is a secondary STAB attack that can hit Grass-types and occasionally poison the foe. Knock Off can be used to weaken opposing Pokemon. Hidden Power Fire hits Ferroseed, which completely walls Tentacool otherwise. However, Rapid Spin is also an option, as it can provide utility to Tentacool's team and be used on a switch. Acid Spray is also an option to force a switch, as at -2 Special Defense, almost any Pokemon is at mercy to Tentacool's STAB attacks, but usually simply using one of Tentacool's main STAB moves is better.
Set Details
========
196 Special Attack EVs let Tentacool's STAB moves hit as hard as they need to, while the defensive investment allows Tentacool to take a few more hits. Its Speed is maximized, hitting a great Speed tier of 17 for an offensive Pokemon. A Life Orb allows Tentacool to deal as much damage as possible and bolster its poor, unboosted Special Attack stat. If you want Tentacool to survive longer and have more opportunities to switch in, you can run Eviolite, but its offensive presence is very weak without a Life Orb. Clear Body allows Tentacool to be undeterred by opposing Sticky Web teams. 19 HP IVs let Tentacool take only 1 HP of damage from Life Orb recoil every turn.
Usage Tips
========
Tentacool can act as a decent lure, bluffing a utility set to catch an opposing Pokemon with a powerful attack on the switch. However, its poor physical bulk leaves it vulnerable to the many physical attackers the metagame has to offer, so don't switch it directly in. Be careful getting KOs when a Diglett is on the other team, as Tentacool is completely trapped by it.
Team Options
========
Pursuit trappers, like Pawniard and Alolan Grimer, can take out Psychic-types like Abra. Snivy and Pumpkaboo-S can deal with Ground-types. Entry hazard setters like Onix and Ferroseed can get chip damage on the opposing team via Stealth Rock or Spikes, allowing Tentacool to clean up more easily. Pokemon that can deal with Croagunk and Ferroseed, two of Tentacool's biggest checks, are very helpful for obvious reasons. Mudbray and Diglett can handle Croagunk, while Ponyta and Timburr can take on Ferroseed. Knock Off support from Pawniard or Mienfoo is also very helpful, letting Tentacool do even more damage to Pokemon without their Eviolite.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice Beam can be used as a coverage move on the offensive set, but it only hits Foongus, and Sludge Bomb does the job well enough anyway. Similarly, Dazzling Gleam can be used to hit Fighting-types, but Scraggy is the only one it hits hard enough to be worth using over Sludge Bomb. Sludge Wave can be used if the extra 5 Base Power is desired or if you really want to hit Chespin, but often the increased poison chance is more helpful. Giga Drain can be used to hit Water-types, but it's often not worth the coverage slot when Sludge Bomb hits them just fine. Hidden Power Psychic can hit Croagunk, but it hits nothing else. Thief is a decent option as well on the defensive set, but Knock Off is more reliable in removing a foe's item. Finally, Haze can be used to deal with setup sweepers, but Tentacool has a hard time finding room in its moveset for it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ferroseed and Croagunk**: Ferroseed can wall all of Tentacool's moves bar Hidden Power Fire, use Knock Off to remove Tentacool's only recovery option, and halve Tentacool's Speed with Thunder Wave. It can also use Tentacool as setup bait or even just weaken it with Bullet Seed. Croagunk also walls Tentacool completely and can utilize Knock Off or set up a Nasty Plot with no problems.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Chinchou and Magnemite can tank any of Tentacool's moves at least once and retaliate with a super effective Electric-type attack.
**Fast Ground-types**: Fast Ground-types such as Drilbur and Diglett can easily KO Tentacool with their STAB moves. Diglett, in particular, can trap Tentacool so it can't switch and finish it off with Earthquake.
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Mareanie, Skrelp, and defensive Staryu can fully wall Tentacool and force it out.
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