Overview
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Tangrowth had quite the showing for itself in the BW RU metagame, and it returns in XY to show everyone just why it's one of the top choices for a physical wall. With a great Defense stat, solid support movepool, and a great ability in Regenerator, Tangrowth is a very resilient Pokemon that is not easy to take down. However, being a defensive wall isn't the only thing Tangrowth has up its vines. With solid mixed offenses and a good offensive movepool, Tangrowth has the capability to pull out a full offensive set and even an Assault Vest set as well. However, Tangrowth has fairly low Speed and a lackluster Special Defense stat that leaves it vulnerable to numerous special attackers, such as Moltres, Yanmega, and Delphox. Tangrowth is a great Pokemon in its own right, but it faces serious competition from Amoonguss, a defensive Grass-type with much better mixed defenses, a 100% accurate Sleep move, and Regenerator. Tangrowth is a solid Pokemon for many teams, but be sure to take care of its common weaknesses and ensure that it won't be outclassed by Amoonguss on your team.
Defensive
########
name: Defensive
move 1: Sleep Powder
move 2: Giga Drain / Power Whip
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Leech Seed / Synthesis
ability: Regenerator
item: Leftovers
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
nature: Bold / Relaxed
Moves
======
This is the Tangrowth set you will see most often in the RU metagame. Sleep Powder is a fantastic move that can shut down would-be offensive counters to Tangrowth, such as Moltres and Yanmega. Giga Drain is the primary choice for a STAB move to smash the likes of Rhyperior, Alomomola, and Kabutops on top of recovering health. If Fighting-types such as Hitmonlee and Gallade are of more concern, you can opt for Power Whip, as it hits them much harder. Focus Blast provides necessary coverage to hit most Steel-types in the tier, most notably Cobalion, which is a key physical threat Tangrowth has no issues with coming in on. Leech Seed is preferred in the last slot, as it allows Tangrowth to force switches and give itself and its teammates some passive healing. Synthesis is another healing option for Tangrowth that provides instant recovery. However, it's nerfed by Snow Warning and can be rather redundant if Tangrowth is using Giga Drain for its STAB move of choice. There are a couple of options to consider if neither healing option appeals to you. Stun Spore can paralyze some would-be sleep absorbers, but fails against many of the same Pokemon Sleep Powder does. Knock Off can remove items from the opposing Pokemon, potentially ruining their strategies for the rest of the match, but it can also keep the likes of Hitmonlee, Zoroark, and Gallade from getting that stronger hit that they need to push through a defensive check.
Set Details
======
The given EV spread maximizes Tangrowth's physical bulk while rounding down passive damage from Spikes or status damage. The STAB move you choose determines the nature Tangrowth should have. When using Giga Drain, a Bold nature should be used, while the use of Power Whip means Relaxed is the superior option. Leftovers is the best item option for Tangrowth, as it gives Tangrowth some extra recovery. If running Giga Drain, however, Rocky Helmet can be considered as a way to punish physical attackers that attempt to break through Tangrowth. Regenerator should always be Tangrowth's ability thanks to the passive healing it provides whenever Tangrowth switches out.
Usage Tips
======
Tangrowth can easily be brought in against most physical attackers that can't hit it for super effective damage, such as Cobalion, Rhyperior, and Kabutops. While it may be tempting to bring it in on Sharpedo, it's best to first scout for Ice Beam before doing this as quite a few Sharpedo run the move to surprise Tangrowth. While Sleep Powder is a fantastic support move, there are quite a few Pokemon in RU that are immune to it. If you predict one of these immunities coming in, try to hit it with the appropriate attack, such as using Leech Seed on Escavalier to wear it down or Focus Blast on Virizion to get some chip damage. Do not stay in on an offensive special attacker unless you plan on sacrificing Tangrowth to set your win condition up.
Team Options
======
Tangrowth may be a great physical wall, but it still has no chance against Escavalier. Moltres and Emboar are fine offensive responses to it, and both of them appreciate Tangrowth's ability to handle bulky Water-types for them. Alternatively, Qwilfish makes for a good defensive check thanks to Intimidate, and it can set up Spikes and Toxic Spikes. Just be wary of Toxic Spikes conflicting with Sleep Powder. Tangrowth has a serious issue with most Fire-types, especially Moltres and Delphox. Slowking forms a great Regenerator core with Tangrowth and happily takes on most Fire-types. Alomomola is another alternative, but it can struggle a bit more with Moltres and Calm Mind Delphox. Yanmega and Braviary pose quite an issue for Tangrowth, so checks to them are appreciated. Despite the shared Fire-type weakness, Registeel is on a very short list of Yanmega checks, and it can also keep Braviary from mindlessly spamming Brave Bird as well. Rhyperior is a much more reliable answer to Braviary thanks to Solid Rock and higher physical bulk, but it has a very hard time with Yanmega.
Offensive
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name: Offensive
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Ancient Power / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Sleep Powder / Giga Drain
ability: Regenerator
item: Choice Specs / Life Orb
evs: 132 HP / 252 SpA / 124 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
======
With a solid base 110 Special Attack stat, Tangrowth has no problems with using a special attacking set. Leaf Storm is the main move for this set. With high Base Power and a boosting item, most opposing Pokemon without a resistance take major damage from it. As Grass-type moves are resisted by many other types, Tangrowth's other moves are designed to take care of them. Focus Blast is a necessity to hammer Steel-types, such as Registeel, Cobalion, and Bronzong. Ancient Power is generally the best option in the next slot for its ability to smack opposing Fire- and Flying-types, such as Braviary, Moltres, and Yanmega. Hidden Power Fire is a nice alternative if your team struggles with Escavalier and Doublade. Sleep Powder gets the nod in the last slot, as putting an offensive check or counter to sleep can be a game changer. Giga Drain is an alternative, as it provides Tangrowth with a reliable STAB move with no drawbacks, which can be helpful for when the opponent has dangerous setup sweepers left on their team.
Set Details
======
The EV spread focuses on Tangrowth's solid Special Attack, while also letting it outspeed Alomomola before it can use a support move such as Toxic or Wish. Do note that you will need to move 4 HP EVs over to Speed if you use Hidden Power Fire as that requires an imperfect Speed IV. Choice Specs is the primary option, as Tangrowth benefits from switching out a lot thanks to Regenerator. Life Orb is certainly an option, as it allows Tangrowth the freedom to switch moves and use Sleep Powder more reliably.
Usage Tips
======
This Tangrowth thrives on switching into weak or resisted physical attacks and unleashing powerful attacks itself. As strong as Leaf Storm is, be cautious when using it. Moltres, Braviary, and Delphox are very dangerous setup sweepers that will jump at the chance to set up on a -2 Tangrowth. If you decide to use Sleep Powder on Tangrowth, saving it until after your opponent realizes you are equipped with Choice Specs or Life Orb is generally the best way to use it, as they'll be less wary of it after that. Try to stay away from Knock Off. While Tangrowth generally has no problems being able to tank the move, it sorely misses the power boost provided by Choice Specs or Life Orb.
Team Options
======
Tangrowth is a fantastic offensive pivot and greatly appreciates entry hazard support to wear down typical responses to it. Stealth Rock is key, as many Pokemon that resist Grass-type attacks are weak to Stealth Rock. Cobalion, Rhyperior, and Druddigon are all reliable Stealth Rock users to use with Tangrowth. Spikes can help wear down the likes of Amoonguss, Registeel, and Aromatisse very quickly. Accelgor, Qwilfish, and Omastar can all utilize Spikes effectively. If you opt not to run Hidden Power Fire, you will need an Escavalier check. Moltres is the most reliable offensive check to it, but Emboar can work as well, so long as you avoid Drill Run. If Tangrowth lacks AncientPower, you will need checks to Yanmega and Moltres. Assault Vest Slowking is a fantastic counter to Moltres and forms a very sturdy Regenerator core with Tangrowth that is difficult to set up on. Registeel is one of very, very few Yanmega counters, but it can reliably set up Stealth Rock to limit its switch-in opportunities. As this Tangrowth can punch holes in opposing defensive cores, having cleaners or Choice Scarf users to clean up late-game is a good idea. Jolteon, Rotom-C, Emboar, and Sharpedo can all fill this role effectively.
alexwolf's waifu (Assault Vest)
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name: alexwolf's waifu (Assault Vest)
move 1: Giga Drain / Leaf Storm
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Earthquake / Rock Slide
ability: Regenerator
item: Assault Vest
evs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
nature: Quiet
Moves
======
One of Tangrowth's biggest problems is its lackluster Special Defense. However, this set attempts to fix this issue by giving a boost to Tangrowth's Special Defense in the form of an Assault Vest, so it can take better advantage of its Water-, Electric-, and Grass-type resistances. Giga Drain is the primary STAB move, as it provides reliable healing and deals with the likes of Rhyperior, Alomomola, and Kabutops. Leaf Storm is an alternative for a much stronger option. While the stat drops are annoying, they aren't detrimental, as Tangrowth has Regenerator to benefit from switching out. Knock Off is able to remove items and possibly ruin strategies, making it a very good move to use early on. Hidden Power Fire catches Steel- and Grass-types for reliable damage. It can also defeat Escavalier should Tangrowth catch it with Knock Off on the switch. Earthquake is the primary option in the final slot to nail incoming Fire- and Poison-types hoping to switch into a Grass-type move with relative impunity. However, Rock Slide is an option for Flying-types, such as Moltres and Yanmega. Poison Jab is usable to nail Aromatisse and fellow Grass-types, but Tangrowth has a hard time finding room for it on this set.
Set Details
======
The EV spread maximizes Tangrowth's Special Attack and HP while rounding down passive damage. Assault Vest is used to bolster Tangrowth's Special Defense to respectable levels while a Quiet nature is recommended so Tangrowth's physical attacks don't get powered down.
Usage Tips
======
Tangrowth still prefers to come in on weak or resisted physical attacks, so as to not blow the cover of Assault Vest immediately. While the bolstered special bulk is nice, don't try testing your luck against the likes of Moltres, Yanmega, or Delphox, as Tangrowth still doesn't stand a chance against them. Avoid Knock Off like it's the plague. Tangrowth can take it without suffering too much damage, but losing the special bulk provided by Assault Vest is highly detrimental to this set.
Team Options
======
This Tangrowth is more of a mixed tank, so it appreciates teammates that can take on its weaknesses from both sides of the spectrum. Alomomola is capable of handling most physical attackers that Tangrowth can't while also spreading burns with Scald. Slowking is generally the same, but from the special side instead of the physical side. Both form sturdy Regenerator cores with Tangrowth that can be difficult to break apart. Registeel is able to set up Stealth Rock and handles Yanmega better than most other Pokemon in the tier. Qwilfish can check Escavalier and Durant while setting up Spikes and Toxic Spikes to support Tangrowth. Aromatisse is able to reliably check most Fighting-types, while absorbing Knock Off with relative ease. It can also provide Cleric support in the event that Tangrowth gets burned or poisoned. Offensive teammates, such as Moltres, Jolteon, Cobalion, and Kabutops, appreciate Tangrowth's ability to switch in on their weaknesses without giving up a lot of momentum, while most can also find opportunities to switch in on various attacks aimed at Tangrowth.
Other Options
########
Perhaps the easiest additional set to make for Tangrowth is a set that abuses Chlorophyll. With Sunny Day support and Growth, Tangrowth can make for a solid Chlorophyll abuser. However, this is generally done better by the likes of Victreebel and Shiftry. A Choice Band set is possible with Tangrowth's colorful physical movepool, but such a set has severe issues because of the fact it can no longer switch into bulky Water-types reliably due to the threat of a Scald burn. Swords Dance can boost Tangrowth's physical attack to very high levels, but it is generally outclassed by Virizion, which has higher Speed and a Fighting-type STAB typing to break through Steel-types more easily. Seed Bomb is a physical Grass-type STAB move that can be used if the accuracy of Power Whip is a turn-off. Toxic and Infestation are support-based options that can wear down opponents, but Tangrowth has a hard time making room for them on its defensive set.
Checks and Counters
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**Escavalier**: With an immunity to Sleep Powder, the ability to tank a Hidden Power Fire if needed, and a powerful STAB Megahorn to break through Tangrowth, Escavalier is arguably the safest answer to Tangrowth.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types are immune to Sleep Powder and Leech Seed, and they resist Tangrowth's STAB moves as well, making most of them solid defensive checks to Tangrowth. Virizion can even use Tangrowth as setup fodder if it lacks Hidden Power Fire.
**Moltres and Yanmega**: Once Sleep Clause is active, these two only fear AncientPower and Rock Slide. If they get in safely, they can easily dispatch Tangrowth with their STAB moves.
**Flying-types**: Most Flying-types only have to worry about AncientPower and Rock Slide after Sleep Clause is active, and most of them can ravage Tangrowth with their STAB moves. Braviary, Swellow, and Vivillon are all decent Flying-types for this role.
**Fire-types**: Most Fire-types only worry about coverage moves like Earthquake, AncientPower, and Rock Slide once Sleep Clause is active. Delphox and Emboar are key Fire-types here.
**Steel-types**: They have to be wary of Focus Blast, Hidden Power Fire, and Earthquake, but they are reliable checks to Tangrowth once Sleep Clause is active due to their Grass-type resistance. Registeel, Durant, and Bronzong are noteworthy Steel-types.
**Special Attackers**: While they falter against the Assault Vest set, powerful special attackers such as Jolteon, Zoroark, Magneton, and special or mixed Sharpedo can, at worst, 2HKO Tangrowth with relative ease.
[Overview]
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- Great Defense
- REGENERATOR
- Solid mixed attacking stats
- Fantastic movepool for offense and support purposes
- Relatively slow
- Low Special Defense
- Common weaknesses to Fire, Flying, and Bug
- Faces stiff competition from Amoonguss
- Solid physical wall, but be sure to account for those common weaknesses
Defensive
########
name: Defensive
move 1: Sleep Powder
move 2: Giga Drain / Power Whip
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Leech Seed / Synthesis
ability: Regenerator
item: Leftovers
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
nature: Bold / Relaxed
Moves
======
- Uses Tangrowth's great physical bulk to check dangerous physical attackers, such as Rhyperior, Sharpedo, and Cobalion
- Sleep Powder puts an opposing Pokemon to sleep, rendering them helpless
- Choice of STAB comes down to preference. Giga Drain provides recovery on top of hitting most targets of the move harder
- Power Whip is stronger overall, and is nice to deal with the likes of Hitmonlee and Gallade more quickly
- Focus Blast gets a stronger hit on most Steel-types and also hastily defeats Cobalion, a threat Tangrowth can easily come in against. It's highly inaccurate, however.
- Leech Seed is nice to force switches and provides Tangrowth and its teammates with recovery
- Synthesis is a self-healing move Tangrowth can use for instant healing in a pinch. It's nerfed by Snow Warning, however, and can be redundant if Tangrowth is using Giga Drain
- Stun Spore can be used over either healing move as a way to punish a possible sleep absorber hoping to soak up Sleep Powder, but it fails against the same Pokemon Sleep Powder fails against
- Knock Off can remove items from opposing Pokemon, thus possibly ruining their strategies
Set Details
======
- EVs maximize physical bulk while rounding down passive damage from Spikes, poison, etc.
- Bold should be used with Giga Drain. Relaxed is preferred with Power Whip
- Regenerator because it's the best ability Tangrowth has, and it's awesome. Leftovers provides passive healing
- Rocky Helmet can be an option to punish physical attackers attempting to break through Tangrowth
Usage Tips
======
- Bring Tangrowth in on a physical attacker that can't hit it for super effective damage. Think Rhyperior, Kabutops, Cobalion, and Sharpedo. Be sure to scout for Ice Beam against Sharpedo, however.
- If the opponent has an obvious immunity to Sleep Powder that fares well against Tangrowth, such as Escavalier or Virizion, try to hit them with the appropriate move
- Never stay in on special attackers. Tangrowth has really low Special Defense, so unless the special attacker is defensive, resort to a better option
Team Options
======
- Escavalier answers. Moltres and Emboar are solid offensive responses that appreciate Tangrowth's ability to deal with most bulky Waters
- Alternatively, Qwilfish can form a great physically defensive core with Tangrowth and is able to set up Spikes and Toxic Spikes
- Fire-types are a big pain, especially Moltres, so have answers for them
- Slowking forms a great Regenerator core and is able to handle most Fire-types easily
- Flying-types are quite dangerous, Yanmega and Braviary in particular
- Registeel is about the only Yanmega counter and it can check Braviary as well
- Rhyperior falters against Yanmega, but it's a much more reliable answer to Braviary thanks to Solid Rock and higher physical bulk
Offensive
########
name: Offensive
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: AncientPower / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Sleep Powder / Giga Drain
ability: Regenerator
item: Choice Specs / Life Orb
evs: 132 HP / 252 SpA / 124 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
======
- Uses Tangrowth's solid base 110 Special Attack, Regenerator, and natural physical bulk to be an effective offensive pivot
- Leaf Storm hurts anything without a resist pretty badly. It's a nuke
- Focus Blast crushes Steel-types and many Grass-types hoping to tank Leaf Storm
- AncientPower is next to hit the myriad of Flying-types that resist Leaf Storm, Yanmega and Moltres in particular. The small chance of a stat buff is also nice when it happens
- Hidden Power Fire catches Escavalier, Virizion, and Doublade for heavy damage.
- Sleep Powder is still used because sleep can annoy anything it can affect and Tangrowth has its bases covered in terms of coverage
- Giga Drain can be used over Sleep Powder for a reliable STAB attack, but Tangrowth will usually want to use Leaf Storm if it wants to use a STAB move
Set Details
======
- EVs let Tangrowth hit as hard as possible while outspeeding Alomomola to hit it before a Toxic or Wish
- Be sure to move 4 HP EVs over to Speed if you use HP Fire to accomodate for the imperfect Speed IV
- Choice Specs for muh power
- Modest to amplify Tangrowth's damage output
- Life Orb is an option to switch up attacks, and allows you to use Sleep Powder more effectively
Usage Tips
======
- Try to get Tangrowth in against a resisted hit or weak physical attacker
- Be careful with Leaf Storm. Many dangerous Pokemon, such as Moltres, Braviary, and Delphox, like nothing more than setting up on a -2 Tangrowth
- Don't use Sleep Powder on your first switch-in. Once the opponent knows you're Choice Specs instead of defensive, that's when you pull out Sleep Powder
- Stay away from Knock Off. While Tangrowth can easily handle the move in terms of tanking it, losing Choice Specs really takes the power out of this set
Team Options
======
- It's an offensive pivot that forces switches and causes serious damage, so entry hazards are cool
- Stealth Rock is huge since most Grass resists are weak to Rocks. Use Cobalion, Rhyperior, or Druddigon for this
- Spikes can wear down Steel-types that resist Leaf Storm. Accelgor, Qwilfish, and Omastar are all effective Spikes users
- No HP Fire = find an Escavalier answer. Moltres is the most reliable offensive answer, but Emboar is solid too
- No AnceintPower = you need answers to Moltres and Yanmega.
- Slowking can stop Moltres and form a Regenerator core with Tangrowth. Registeel is about the only full stop to Yanmega, but it can set Stealth Rock too
- Late-game cleaners or Scarf users to take advantage of the holes Tangrowth can exploit in defensive cores
- Jolteon, Rotom-C, Emboar, and Braviary can all fill this role effectively
alexwolf's waifu
########
name: alexwolf's waifu
move 1: Giga Drain / Leaf Storm
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Earthquake / Rock Slide
ability: Regenerator
item: Assault Vest
evs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
nature: Quiet
Moves
======
- Attempts to ammend Tangrowth's poor special bulk by boosting it to take advantage of Water, Grass, and Electric resists
- Giga Drain is the primary STAB option for reliable healing and consistent damage output
- Leaf Storm is an alternative for more power. Stat drops are annoying, but not detrimental since Tangrowth benefits from switching out
- Knock Off removes items and can ruin potential strategies. Usually a good idea to lead with this move
- Hidden Power Fire hits Steel- and Grass-types for solid damage. Able to reliably beat Escavalier if Tangrowth catches it with Knock Off
- Earthquake crushes Fire- and Steel-types. Also nice to catch Drapion
- Rock Slide deals with Flying-types, crushing the likes of Moltres and Yanmega
- Poison Jab can be used to smack around Aromatisse and fellow Grass-types
Set Details
======
- EV spread boosts overall bulk and maximizes Special Attack
- Assault Vest is used to bolster Tangrowth's special bulk to respectable levels
Usage Tips
======
- This set is more adept at taking special attacks, so don't be afraid to stay in against resisted ones or weaker special attackers. Don't test your luck against the likes of Delphox and Yanmega though
- Avoid Knock Off. The added special bulk is the big calling card for this set, so avoid having the AV removed
Team Options
======
- More of a mixed tank, so support it accordingly
- Alomomola can handle most physical attackers Tangrowth can't while spreading burns with Scald
- Slowking can take on most special attackers Tangrowth can't, as well as some physical ones
- Registeel can set Stealth Rock and counter Yanmega
- Qwilfish reliably handles Escavalier and can set up Spikes
- Aromatisse can check most Fighting-types and absorb Knock Off. She can provide cleric support as well if Tangrowth gets burned or poisoned
Other Options
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- Growth w/ Sunny Day and Chlorophyll
- Choice Band
- Seed Bomb
- Toxic
- Swords Dance
- Infestation
Checks and Counters
########
Escavalier: Immune to Sleep Powder, can tank an HP Fire, and can threaten a powerful STAB Megahorn
Grass-types: They're immune to Sleep Powder and resist Tangrowth's Grass STAB, making them very safe initial switch-ins.
Moltres / Yanmega: Once Sleep Clause is active, they only care about HP Rock / Rock Slide. Once in safely, they can crush Tangrowth with their STAB moves
Fire-types: Most Fire-types only fear HP Rock and Rock Slide, and can devastate Tangrowth with their STAB moves. They need Sleep Clause to be active first. Delphox and Emboar are solid Fire-types here
Flying-types: Flying-types resist Tangrowth's STAB moves and can hit it hard after Sleep Clause is active. Braviary, and the aforementioned Moltres and Yanmega are key ones here
Steel-types: They have to be wary of Focus Blast, HP Fire, and EQ, but can otherwise wall or outright KO Tangrowth once Sleep Clause is active. Durant, Registeel, and Bronzong are noteworthy Steel-types capable of doing this
Special Attackers: While they may falter against the Assault Vest set, powerful Special Attackers like Jolteon, Zoroark, special / mixed Sharpedo, and Magneton can usually, at worst, 2HKO Tangrowth.
########
- Great Defense
- REGENERATOR
- Solid mixed attacking stats
- Fantastic movepool for offense and support purposes
- Relatively slow
- Low Special Defense
- Common weaknesses to Fire, Flying, and Bug
- Faces stiff competition from Amoonguss
- Solid physical wall, but be sure to account for those common weaknesses
Defensive
########
name: Defensive
move 1: Sleep Powder
move 2: Giga Drain / Power Whip
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Leech Seed / Synthesis
ability: Regenerator
item: Leftovers
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
nature: Bold / Relaxed
Moves
======
- Uses Tangrowth's great physical bulk to check dangerous physical attackers, such as Rhyperior, Sharpedo, and Cobalion
- Sleep Powder puts an opposing Pokemon to sleep, rendering them helpless
- Choice of STAB comes down to preference. Giga Drain provides recovery on top of hitting most targets of the move harder
- Power Whip is stronger overall, and is nice to deal with the likes of Hitmonlee and Gallade more quickly
- Focus Blast gets a stronger hit on most Steel-types and also hastily defeats Cobalion, a threat Tangrowth can easily come in against. It's highly inaccurate, however.
- Leech Seed is nice to force switches and provides Tangrowth and its teammates with recovery
- Synthesis is a self-healing move Tangrowth can use for instant healing in a pinch. It's nerfed by Snow Warning, however, and can be redundant if Tangrowth is using Giga Drain
- Stun Spore can be used over either healing move as a way to punish a possible sleep absorber hoping to soak up Sleep Powder, but it fails against the same Pokemon Sleep Powder fails against
- Knock Off can remove items from opposing Pokemon, thus possibly ruining their strategies
Set Details
======
- EVs maximize physical bulk while rounding down passive damage from Spikes, poison, etc.
- Bold should be used with Giga Drain. Relaxed is preferred with Power Whip
- Regenerator because it's the best ability Tangrowth has, and it's awesome. Leftovers provides passive healing
- Rocky Helmet can be an option to punish physical attackers attempting to break through Tangrowth
Usage Tips
======
- Bring Tangrowth in on a physical attacker that can't hit it for super effective damage. Think Rhyperior, Kabutops, Cobalion, and Sharpedo. Be sure to scout for Ice Beam against Sharpedo, however.
- If the opponent has an obvious immunity to Sleep Powder that fares well against Tangrowth, such as Escavalier or Virizion, try to hit them with the appropriate move
- Never stay in on special attackers. Tangrowth has really low Special Defense, so unless the special attacker is defensive, resort to a better option
Team Options
======
- Escavalier answers. Moltres and Emboar are solid offensive responses that appreciate Tangrowth's ability to deal with most bulky Waters
- Alternatively, Qwilfish can form a great physically defensive core with Tangrowth and is able to set up Spikes and Toxic Spikes
- Fire-types are a big pain, especially Moltres, so have answers for them
- Slowking forms a great Regenerator core and is able to handle most Fire-types easily
- Flying-types are quite dangerous, Yanmega and Braviary in particular
- Registeel is about the only Yanmega counter and it can check Braviary as well
- Rhyperior falters against Yanmega, but it's a much more reliable answer to Braviary thanks to Solid Rock and higher physical bulk
Offensive
########
name: Offensive
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: AncientPower / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Sleep Powder / Giga Drain
ability: Regenerator
item: Choice Specs / Life Orb
evs: 132 HP / 252 SpA / 124 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
======
- Uses Tangrowth's solid base 110 Special Attack, Regenerator, and natural physical bulk to be an effective offensive pivot
- Leaf Storm hurts anything without a resist pretty badly. It's a nuke
- Focus Blast crushes Steel-types and many Grass-types hoping to tank Leaf Storm
- AncientPower is next to hit the myriad of Flying-types that resist Leaf Storm, Yanmega and Moltres in particular. The small chance of a stat buff is also nice when it happens
- Hidden Power Fire catches Escavalier, Virizion, and Doublade for heavy damage.
- Sleep Powder is still used because sleep can annoy anything it can affect and Tangrowth has its bases covered in terms of coverage
- Giga Drain can be used over Sleep Powder for a reliable STAB attack, but Tangrowth will usually want to use Leaf Storm if it wants to use a STAB move
Set Details
======
- EVs let Tangrowth hit as hard as possible while outspeeding Alomomola to hit it before a Toxic or Wish
- Be sure to move 4 HP EVs over to Speed if you use HP Fire to accomodate for the imperfect Speed IV
- Choice Specs for muh power
- Modest to amplify Tangrowth's damage output
- Life Orb is an option to switch up attacks, and allows you to use Sleep Powder more effectively
Usage Tips
======
- Try to get Tangrowth in against a resisted hit or weak physical attacker
- Be careful with Leaf Storm. Many dangerous Pokemon, such as Moltres, Braviary, and Delphox, like nothing more than setting up on a -2 Tangrowth
- Don't use Sleep Powder on your first switch-in. Once the opponent knows you're Choice Specs instead of defensive, that's when you pull out Sleep Powder
- Stay away from Knock Off. While Tangrowth can easily handle the move in terms of tanking it, losing Choice Specs really takes the power out of this set
Team Options
======
- It's an offensive pivot that forces switches and causes serious damage, so entry hazards are cool
- Stealth Rock is huge since most Grass resists are weak to Rocks. Use Cobalion, Rhyperior, or Druddigon for this
- Spikes can wear down Steel-types that resist Leaf Storm. Accelgor, Qwilfish, and Omastar are all effective Spikes users
- No HP Fire = find an Escavalier answer. Moltres is the most reliable offensive answer, but Emboar is solid too
- No AnceintPower = you need answers to Moltres and Yanmega.
- Slowking can stop Moltres and form a Regenerator core with Tangrowth. Registeel is about the only full stop to Yanmega, but it can set Stealth Rock too
- Late-game cleaners or Scarf users to take advantage of the holes Tangrowth can exploit in defensive cores
- Jolteon, Rotom-C, Emboar, and Braviary can all fill this role effectively
alexwolf's waifu
########
name: alexwolf's waifu
move 1: Giga Drain / Leaf Storm
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Earthquake / Rock Slide
ability: Regenerator
item: Assault Vest
evs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
nature: Quiet
Moves
======
- Attempts to ammend Tangrowth's poor special bulk by boosting it to take advantage of Water, Grass, and Electric resists
- Giga Drain is the primary STAB option for reliable healing and consistent damage output
- Leaf Storm is an alternative for more power. Stat drops are annoying, but not detrimental since Tangrowth benefits from switching out
- Knock Off removes items and can ruin potential strategies. Usually a good idea to lead with this move
- Hidden Power Fire hits Steel- and Grass-types for solid damage. Able to reliably beat Escavalier if Tangrowth catches it with Knock Off
- Earthquake crushes Fire- and Steel-types. Also nice to catch Drapion
- Rock Slide deals with Flying-types, crushing the likes of Moltres and Yanmega
- Poison Jab can be used to smack around Aromatisse and fellow Grass-types
Set Details
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- EV spread boosts overall bulk and maximizes Special Attack
- Assault Vest is used to bolster Tangrowth's special bulk to respectable levels
Usage Tips
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- This set is more adept at taking special attacks, so don't be afraid to stay in against resisted ones or weaker special attackers. Don't test your luck against the likes of Delphox and Yanmega though
- Avoid Knock Off. The added special bulk is the big calling card for this set, so avoid having the AV removed
Team Options
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- More of a mixed tank, so support it accordingly
- Alomomola can handle most physical attackers Tangrowth can't while spreading burns with Scald
- Slowking can take on most special attackers Tangrowth can't, as well as some physical ones
- Registeel can set Stealth Rock and counter Yanmega
- Qwilfish reliably handles Escavalier and can set up Spikes
- Aromatisse can check most Fighting-types and absorb Knock Off. She can provide cleric support as well if Tangrowth gets burned or poisoned
Other Options
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- Growth w/ Sunny Day and Chlorophyll
- Choice Band
- Seed Bomb
- Toxic
- Swords Dance
- Infestation
Checks and Counters
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Escavalier: Immune to Sleep Powder, can tank an HP Fire, and can threaten a powerful STAB Megahorn
Grass-types: They're immune to Sleep Powder and resist Tangrowth's Grass STAB, making them very safe initial switch-ins.
Moltres / Yanmega: Once Sleep Clause is active, they only care about HP Rock / Rock Slide. Once in safely, they can crush Tangrowth with their STAB moves
Fire-types: Most Fire-types only fear HP Rock and Rock Slide, and can devastate Tangrowth with their STAB moves. They need Sleep Clause to be active first. Delphox and Emboar are solid Fire-types here
Flying-types: Flying-types resist Tangrowth's STAB moves and can hit it hard after Sleep Clause is active. Braviary, and the aforementioned Moltres and Yanmega are key ones here
Steel-types: They have to be wary of Focus Blast, HP Fire, and EQ, but can otherwise wall or outright KO Tangrowth once Sleep Clause is active. Durant, Registeel, and Bronzong are noteworthy Steel-types capable of doing this
Special Attackers: While they may falter against the Assault Vest set, powerful Special Attackers like Jolteon, Zoroark, special / mixed Sharpedo, and Magneton can usually, at worst, 2HKO Tangrowth.
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