sanguine
friendly fire
[OVERVIEW]
Tentacruel's good Water / Poison defensive typing, which allows it to check threats such as Infernape and Scizor whilst absorbing Toxic Spikes, and access to Rapid Spin are what really set it apart from other Water-types in the tier. Additionally, good utility options in Toxic Spikes, Haze, and Knock Off give it the ability to support different playstyles and archetypes, and a good Speed tier also lets Tentacruel outspeed and heavily chip down threats to balance such as Mamoswine and Nidoking before going down without much investment. However, its subpar physical bulk and a lack of recovery outside of Z-Haze leave it hard pressed to check threats such as Scizor and Cobalion over the course of a game and reliant on teammates to serve as primary checks. Tentacruel’s weakness to a common offensive typing in Ground, most Stealth Rock setters have, makes it more risky to remove entry hazards, even if they are forced out by Tentacruel’s Scald. Tentacruel also faces competition from Starmie as a spinner due to the fact Starmie has a much higher offensive presence and can switch into common Stealth Rock users such as Hippowdon and Swampert reliably. Tentacruel’s low damage output leaves it open to becoming setup fodder for bulky users, such as Reuniclus and Latias, even though Haze will deny their boosts if need be.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Haze
move 4: Sludge Bomb / Toxic Spikes / Knock Off
item: Black Sludge / Icium Z
ability: Clear Body
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is Tentacruel's main means of damaging opposing teams and has the added benefit of being able to severely crippling physical attackers with a burn. Rapid Spin allows Tentacruel to remove entry hazards from your side of the field, such as Stealth Rock and Spikes. Haze allows Tentacruel to force out certain Pokemon that are reliant on setup, such as Suicune and Swords Dance Scizor. Sludge Bomb is a moderately strong secondary STAB move that hits targets such as Rotom-C, Mega Altaria, and most notably Primarina for super effective damage. Alternatively, Toxic Spikes can wear down opposing teams with poison, and Knock Off removes the item from common Tentacruel switch-ins, such as Blissey and Empoleon, which can be useful for wearing them down over time.
Set Details
========
144 EVs invested in Speed and a Timid nature allows Tentacruel to outspeed Rotom-H and Rotom-C, as well as threats such as Mamoswine and Nidoking. The remaining EVs are placed in HP and Defense to maximize Tentacruel’s physical bulk. Black Sludge is a means of passive recovery, increasing Tentacruel's longevity. Alternatively, Icium Z with Haze provides a one-time full restoration of Tentacruel’s health that also helps it reduce Knock Off damage from threats such as Scizor, but should only be used if there are no other Z-Move users on the team. Clear Body aids Tentacruel in removing Sticky Web, due to a lack of a Speed drop. A slightly bulkier spread of 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe with a Timid nature may be used to only Speed creep Mamoswine and Chandelure if your team deals with faster threats adequately.
Usage Tips
========
Due to its lack of recovery, Tentacruel’s HP should be preserved until necessary, so it should only be coming in on forced switches and Pokemon that cannot do meaningful damage to it, such as Scizor locked into Bullet Punch and defensive Pokemon such as Alomomola. Tentacruel additionally shouldn’t be attempting to use Rapid Spin on most Stealth Rock setters, as they can heavily damage or outright KO Tentacruel, outside of rare exceptions such as Empoleon and Cobalion. Tentacruel can be used to revenge kill weakened foes such as Mamoswine and Rotom-C if need be, but generally it shouldn’t be taking them on because Tentacruel is unable to OHKO most threats. Knock Off is a very useful tool to scout for items, such as seeing whether or not a Latias has a Z-Crystal on the switch-in. It also can be used to cripple threats such as Empoleon and Choice Specs Kyurem that rely on their items and often switch directly into Tentacruel. Knock Off is also extremely useful for chipping down bulkier threats such as Blissey by removing their Leftovers. Toxic Spikes are important when trying to break through bulkier archetypes, so try to set them as early as possible when facing them.
Team Options
========
Teammates that appreciate Tentacruel’s entry hazard removal, such as Kyurem, Mega Aerodactyl, and Togekiss, make good partners. Ground-type answers such as Moltres and Hydreigon can punish common Tentacruel checks like Krookodile and Swampert. Steel-types such as Mega Aggron and Bronzong can deal with troublesome Dragon- and Psychic-type Pokemon like Latias and Kyurem that commonly switch into Tentacruel. Additionally, Pursuit support from teammates such as Mega Aerodactyl and Choice Scarf Krookodile can trap problematic Psychic- and Ghost-types such as Starmie and Gengar and remove them. Pokemon that enjoy Toxic Spikes chipping down opposing teams, such as Kyurem and Raikou, make good partners. Moltres is a good option because it takes on Scizor and most Fighting-type threats reliably, provided Tentacruel removes Stealth Rock for it in return. Fairy-types, such as Mega Altaria and Togekiss, make excellent partners due to their ability to take on Dragon-types like Hydreigon and Fighting-types Tentacruel shouldn’t be taking on due to its lack of recovery, such as Terrakion and Kommo-o. Additionally, Florges and Sylveon can provide Wish support, furthering Tentacruel’s longevity. Tentacruel is unable to check threats such as Scizor, Primarina, and Cobalion over time, so hard checks to those threats, such as Mega Slowbro and Doublade for Cobalion and Mega Aggron for Scizor, can greatly make up for Tentacruel’s shortcomings defensively. Lastly, Electric-immune Pokemon in the form of Ground-types such as Gligar and Hippowdon fit well with Tentacruel, taking on threats like Mega Manectric that would otherwise be troublesome, as well as forming entry hazard stacking cores with Tentacruel due to their ability to reliably set up Stealth Rock.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A slower, bulkier spread of 252 HP / 236 Def / 20 Spe with a Bold nature is a good option to take hits like Choice Band Terrakion's Close Combat better, but this spread only works if Tentacruel doesn't the Speed for Nidoking and Mamoswine. Toxic can reliably deter threats such as Latias and Mega Manectric from switching in, but it isn’t as useful as the options listed. An offensive set is possible, but other Water-types such as Starmie and Mega Blastoise outclass it due to their better coverage and overall damage output. Acid Spray can be used to punish setup sweepers and slower Pokemon such as Alomomola for coming in on Tentacruel, but it is generally not as good or consistent as the options listed on the set. Hidden Power Fire is a viable option to beat Roost Scizor in a one-on-one situation but is generally useless otherwise. Sludge Wave is a slightly stronger alternative that also hits Pokemon with Bulletproof such as Kommo-o and Chesnaught, but Sludge Bomb’s higher chance to poison makes it the better option in most, if not all circumstances.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Psychic-types**: Psychic-type threats such as Starmie, Reuniclus, and Celebi can come in on Tentacruel relatively freely due to its low damage output, force it out, and can even set up in the case of the latter two. Celebi, Latias, and offensive Starmie, however, dislike having their sets revealed via Knock Off or being chipped down and even poisoned from Sludge Bomb.
**Electric-types**: Rotom-C and Mega Manectric can freely pivot into Scald and use Tentacruel for free momentum with Volt Switch as Tentacruel it switches out, although the former fears Sludge Bomb. Raikou in particular can use Tentacruel as setup fodder as it switches out.
**Ground-types**: Threats such as Krookodile and Swampert can force out Tentacruel with powerful Ground-type attacks. They cannot switch into Scald, however.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-type threats such as Latias and Hydreigon can freely come into Tentacruel and force it out with the threat of heavy damage. However, they all fear having their items removed, and physical Dragon-type threats such as Haxorus and Dragon Dance Mega Altaria fear a potential burn from Scald.
**Offensive Pressure**: Stronger Pokemon such as Infernape and Choice Band Terrakion can easily 2HKO Tentacruel after Stealth Rock, which can prove troublesome. Additionally, super effective coverage such as Mega Aerodactyl's Earthquake or Nihilego's Thunder or Thunderbolt can pick off Tentacruel after mild chip damage.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[faded love, 241308]]
- Quality checked by: [[Kreme, 224453], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157], [Nuked, 382658]]
- Grammar checked by: [[martha,384270], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
Tentacruel's good Water / Poison defensive typing, which allows it to check threats such as Infernape and Scizor whilst absorbing Toxic Spikes, and access to Rapid Spin are what really set it apart from other Water-types in the tier. Additionally, good utility options in Toxic Spikes, Haze, and Knock Off give it the ability to support different playstyles and archetypes, and a good Speed tier also lets Tentacruel outspeed and heavily chip down threats to balance such as Mamoswine and Nidoking before going down without much investment. However, its subpar physical bulk and a lack of recovery outside of Z-Haze leave it hard pressed to check threats such as Scizor and Cobalion over the course of a game and reliant on teammates to serve as primary checks. Tentacruel’s weakness to a common offensive typing in Ground, most Stealth Rock setters have, makes it more risky to remove entry hazards, even if they are forced out by Tentacruel’s Scald. Tentacruel also faces competition from Starmie as a spinner due to the fact Starmie has a much higher offensive presence and can switch into common Stealth Rock users such as Hippowdon and Swampert reliably. Tentacruel’s low damage output leaves it open to becoming setup fodder for bulky users, such as Reuniclus and Latias, even though Haze will deny their boosts if need be.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Haze
move 4: Sludge Bomb / Toxic Spikes / Knock Off
item: Black Sludge / Icium Z
ability: Clear Body
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is Tentacruel's main means of damaging opposing teams and has the added benefit of being able to severely crippling physical attackers with a burn. Rapid Spin allows Tentacruel to remove entry hazards from your side of the field, such as Stealth Rock and Spikes. Haze allows Tentacruel to force out certain Pokemon that are reliant on setup, such as Suicune and Swords Dance Scizor. Sludge Bomb is a moderately strong secondary STAB move that hits targets such as Rotom-C, Mega Altaria, and most notably Primarina for super effective damage. Alternatively, Toxic Spikes can wear down opposing teams with poison, and Knock Off removes the item from common Tentacruel switch-ins, such as Blissey and Empoleon, which can be useful for wearing them down over time.
Set Details
========
144 EVs invested in Speed and a Timid nature allows Tentacruel to outspeed Rotom-H and Rotom-C, as well as threats such as Mamoswine and Nidoking. The remaining EVs are placed in HP and Defense to maximize Tentacruel’s physical bulk. Black Sludge is a means of passive recovery, increasing Tentacruel's longevity. Alternatively, Icium Z with Haze provides a one-time full restoration of Tentacruel’s health that also helps it reduce Knock Off damage from threats such as Scizor, but should only be used if there are no other Z-Move users on the team. Clear Body aids Tentacruel in removing Sticky Web, due to a lack of a Speed drop. A slightly bulkier spread of 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe with a Timid nature may be used to only Speed creep Mamoswine and Chandelure if your team deals with faster threats adequately.
Usage Tips
========
Due to its lack of recovery, Tentacruel’s HP should be preserved until necessary, so it should only be coming in on forced switches and Pokemon that cannot do meaningful damage to it, such as Scizor locked into Bullet Punch and defensive Pokemon such as Alomomola. Tentacruel additionally shouldn’t be attempting to use Rapid Spin on most Stealth Rock setters, as they can heavily damage or outright KO Tentacruel, outside of rare exceptions such as Empoleon and Cobalion. Tentacruel can be used to revenge kill weakened foes such as Mamoswine and Rotom-C if need be, but generally it shouldn’t be taking them on because Tentacruel is unable to OHKO most threats. Knock Off is a very useful tool to scout for items, such as seeing whether or not a Latias has a Z-Crystal on the switch-in. It also can be used to cripple threats such as Empoleon and Choice Specs Kyurem that rely on their items and often switch directly into Tentacruel. Knock Off is also extremely useful for chipping down bulkier threats such as Blissey by removing their Leftovers. Toxic Spikes are important when trying to break through bulkier archetypes, so try to set them as early as possible when facing them.
Team Options
========
Teammates that appreciate Tentacruel’s entry hazard removal, such as Kyurem, Mega Aerodactyl, and Togekiss, make good partners. Ground-type answers such as Moltres and Hydreigon can punish common Tentacruel checks like Krookodile and Swampert. Steel-types such as Mega Aggron and Bronzong can deal with troublesome Dragon- and Psychic-type Pokemon like Latias and Kyurem that commonly switch into Tentacruel. Additionally, Pursuit support from teammates such as Mega Aerodactyl and Choice Scarf Krookodile can trap problematic Psychic- and Ghost-types such as Starmie and Gengar and remove them. Pokemon that enjoy Toxic Spikes chipping down opposing teams, such as Kyurem and Raikou, make good partners. Moltres is a good option because it takes on Scizor and most Fighting-type threats reliably, provided Tentacruel removes Stealth Rock for it in return. Fairy-types, such as Mega Altaria and Togekiss, make excellent partners due to their ability to take on Dragon-types like Hydreigon and Fighting-types Tentacruel shouldn’t be taking on due to its lack of recovery, such as Terrakion and Kommo-o. Additionally, Florges and Sylveon can provide Wish support, furthering Tentacruel’s longevity. Tentacruel is unable to check threats such as Scizor, Primarina, and Cobalion over time, so hard checks to those threats, such as Mega Slowbro and Doublade for Cobalion and Mega Aggron for Scizor, can greatly make up for Tentacruel’s shortcomings defensively. Lastly, Electric-immune Pokemon in the form of Ground-types such as Gligar and Hippowdon fit well with Tentacruel, taking on threats like Mega Manectric that would otherwise be troublesome, as well as forming entry hazard stacking cores with Tentacruel due to their ability to reliably set up Stealth Rock.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A slower, bulkier spread of 252 HP / 236 Def / 20 Spe with a Bold nature is a good option to take hits like Choice Band Terrakion's Close Combat better, but this spread only works if Tentacruel doesn't the Speed for Nidoking and Mamoswine. Toxic can reliably deter threats such as Latias and Mega Manectric from switching in, but it isn’t as useful as the options listed. An offensive set is possible, but other Water-types such as Starmie and Mega Blastoise outclass it due to their better coverage and overall damage output. Acid Spray can be used to punish setup sweepers and slower Pokemon such as Alomomola for coming in on Tentacruel, but it is generally not as good or consistent as the options listed on the set. Hidden Power Fire is a viable option to beat Roost Scizor in a one-on-one situation but is generally useless otherwise. Sludge Wave is a slightly stronger alternative that also hits Pokemon with Bulletproof such as Kommo-o and Chesnaught, but Sludge Bomb’s higher chance to poison makes it the better option in most, if not all circumstances.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Psychic-types**: Psychic-type threats such as Starmie, Reuniclus, and Celebi can come in on Tentacruel relatively freely due to its low damage output, force it out, and can even set up in the case of the latter two. Celebi, Latias, and offensive Starmie, however, dislike having their sets revealed via Knock Off or being chipped down and even poisoned from Sludge Bomb.
**Electric-types**: Rotom-C and Mega Manectric can freely pivot into Scald and use Tentacruel for free momentum with Volt Switch as Tentacruel it switches out, although the former fears Sludge Bomb. Raikou in particular can use Tentacruel as setup fodder as it switches out.
**Ground-types**: Threats such as Krookodile and Swampert can force out Tentacruel with powerful Ground-type attacks. They cannot switch into Scald, however.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-type threats such as Latias and Hydreigon can freely come into Tentacruel and force it out with the threat of heavy damage. However, they all fear having their items removed, and physical Dragon-type threats such as Haxorus and Dragon Dance Mega Altaria fear a potential burn from Scald.
**Offensive Pressure**: Stronger Pokemon such as Infernape and Choice Band Terrakion can easily 2HKO Tentacruel after Stealth Rock, which can prove troublesome. Additionally, super effective coverage such as Mega Aerodactyl's Earthquake or Nihilego's Thunder or Thunderbolt can pick off Tentacruel after mild chip damage.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[faded love, 241308]]
- Quality checked by: [[Kreme, 224453], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157], [Nuked, 382658]]
- Grammar checked by: [[martha,384270], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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