[OVERVIEW]
Tangela's high physical bulk, access to Eviolite, and relatively high Special Attack allow it to check various physical threats in NU. Tangela isn't forced to run a recovery move, as it has access to Regenerator, which allows it to recover HP every time it switches out, making it a decent pivot and durable if running an offensive set. Even though Tangela has access to recovery, it struggles against status ailments such as poison, which puts a timer on it, limiting Tangela's switch-ins, especially against teams that carries Toxic Spikes. Tangela faces strong competition from Vileplume, which, thanks to Poison typing, is immune to Toxic and able to absorb Toxic Spikes as well as take Fighting-type moves better. However, Tangela isn't totally outclassed, as it provides good niches in its resistance to Ground-type moves, higher physical bulk, and Regenerator. Tangela's poor typing along with its mediocre Special Defense leave it weak to common special attackers that carry Fire-, Ice-, and Flying-type coverage. Tangela relies on Eviolite to be bulky, so it struggles against Knock Off users such as Sawk and Hariyama. Additionally, Tangela's shallow movepool allows Fire-types such as Magmortar to switch in on it easily.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Giga Drain / Ancient Power
move 3: Sleep Powder
move 4: Hidden Power Fire
ability: Regenerator
item: Eviolite
nature: Modest
evs: 236 HP / 48 Def / 224 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Leaf Storm is Tangela's main and most powerful STAB move, heavily damaging any Pokemon that doesn't resist it, but it comes at the cost of halving Tangela's Special Attack, which can potentially make Tangela setup fodder for Pokemon such as Lilligant and Uxie. Giga Drain is Tangela's secondary, consistent STAB move and main source of recovery outside of Regenerator. Ancient Power lets Tangela hit Fire-, Flying-, and Ice-types such as Magmortar, Scyther, Fletchinder, and especially Xatu, which is a very common counter to Tangela. However, most of them will still win a 1v1 situation if carrying an Assault Vest or if they are not caught on the switch. Sleep Powder lets Tangela put foes that otherwise counter it to sleep, especially physical threats and setup sweepers which could threaten the team. Hidden Power Fire is used to hit Grass- and Steel-types such as Lilligant, Klinklang, Magneton, and Ferroseed super effectively.
Set Details
========
224 Special Attack EVs with a Modest nature are used to make full use of Tangela's high Special Attack, increasing its damage output. 236 HP EVs along with 48 EVs in Defense make Tangela bulkier and allow it to tank a few physical hits, even strong ones such as Kabutops's Stone Edge, letting it avoid the 2HKO after Stealth Rock. Eviolite further increases Tangela's bulk and makes up a bit for its terrible Special Defense. Regenerator strengthens Tangela's role as a durable pivot, even with an offensive set.
Usage Tips
========
Tangela plays the role of a bulky special attacker on offensive teams thanks to its good mix of offensive and defensive stats. It can be switched in on physical attackers such as Carracosta and Rhydon, tank the attack, and then attack them or the swtich-in and pivot out the next turn. Be wary when switching into special attackers, as Tangela's Special Defense is mediocre even with an Eviolite boost. Sleep Powder can to be used when checking troublesome physical attackers such as Kangaskhan and setup sweepers such as Mawile to prevent them from causing too much trouble, or on predicted opposing switch-ins. Leaf Storm has to be used carefully when the opponent is carrying a setup sweeper, as it drastically drops Tangela's Special Attack and makes it setup fodder for a lot of threats such as Lilligant and Uxie. Giga Drain should be spammed when Tangela has the opportunity, as it deals good damage against Pokemon that don't resist it and recovers Tangela's HP, bolstering Tangela's longevity along with Regenerator.
Team Options
========
Offensive Tangela fits better on bulky offensive and balanced teams as a bulky pivot because Tangela can both tank hits and hit back hard. Boosting sweepers such as Rhydon and Mawile can make use of Sleep Powder support and pivoting by Tangela to gain more opportunities to set up. Hariyama is a good partner thanks to Thick Fat, which makes it successfully check the Fire- and Ice-types that trouble Tangela, such as Pyroar and Sneasel. Lanturn is a great partner for Tangela thanks to its typing synergy, as it is able to tank Fire- and Ice-type moves with ease. Ground-types such as Rhydon have great type synergy with Tangela, as they deal with Fire- and Poison-types for Tangela while Tangela handles physical Water-types such as Kabutops for them. Rock- and Fire-types such as Carracosta and Magmortar can also check Flying-, Fire-, Bug-, and Ice-types while while Tangela can take Ground- and Water-type moves for them.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Giga Drain
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Sleep Powder / Toxic
move 4: Leech Seed / Synthesis
ability: Regenerator
item: Eviolite
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Giga Drain is Tangela's main STAB move and provides reliable damage and extra recovery. Hidden Power Fire is used to hit Pokemon such as Ferroseed, Mawile, and Cacturne, which resist Giga Drain. Sleep Powder gives Tangela some utility, letting it put troublesome threats to sleep and get free turns to gain momentum or KOs. Toxic is mainly used to cripple common switch-ins such as Bouffalant and Magmortar. Leech Seed is Tangela's main choice for recovery, as it not only heals Tangela over time but also damages foes, making it useful in sticky situations. Synthesis is Tangela's only source of instant recovery along with Regenerator and lets it switch with more freedom on attacks.
Set Details
========
252 EVs in HP along with maximum Defense investment and a Bold nature are needed to maximize and make use of Tangela's physical bulk. Eviolite allows Tangela to be a good physical wall and also makes up a bit for its low Special Defense, putting it one step ahead of other bulky Grass-types such as Vileplume. Regenerator is what makes Tangela a good pivot, as it gives Tangela extra recovery, allowing it to switch in on foes constantly without getting worn down.
Usage Tips
========
Tangela is a physical wall and a bulky pivot, so it has to be brought in on physical attackers such as Kangaskhan and then use Sleep Powder or Toxic to cripple them or directly attack them. Giga Drain is the preferred move to use early-game to pull off reliable damage while recovering HP, while Toxic and Sleep Powder should also be used early on to cripple foes. Before switching in on a physical attacker, Tangela has to be careful about Knock Off users such as Hariyama, as they can remove its Eviolite, making it a lot easier to take down. Tangela has to be wary against special attackers such as Lilligant and Mismagius, as its Special Defense is mediocre even with Eviolite. Tangela must also take care against Sap Sipper users such as Bouffalant, as they can absorb its Grass-type moves.
Team Options
========
Tangela fits best on bulky offense and balance teams thanks to its ability to tank physical hits with ease and either retaliate or support its teammates. Tangela struggles against residual damage from status ailments and entry hazards, so Defog and Rapid Spin users and clerics are good teammates to remove entry hazards and status afflictions. Poison-types such as Garbodor are also appreciated, as they can both absorb Toxic Spikes, which trouble Tangela, and set up their own entry hazards to support Tangela and its teammates in getting KOs and wearing down foes, while Tangela also helps them by checking Ground-types such as Rhydon. Ground- and Rock-types such as Kabutops, Rhydon, and Carracosta have a good type synergy with Tangela, beating Fire-, Poison-, Bug-, and Flying-types while Tangela is able to check Ground- and Fighting-types for them.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Knock Off is useful to surprise bulky Pokemon that rely on Eviolite such as Gurdurr and Ferroseed, but its damage output is negligible. Infestation is a good option on the defensive set to trap troublesome threats and weaken them. Stun Spore can be useful to cripple fast offensive Pokemon such as Pyroar and Magmortar, which usually find themselves switching into Tangela easily.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Fire-types can tank Tangela's Giga Drain and Leaf Storm without too much trouble and can OHKO it with their STAB moves. Magmortar is a hard counter to Tangela because of its high Special Defense and access to Vital Spirit, which prevents Magmortar from being put to sleep. They still don't appreciate getting hit by Ancient Power or Toxic, though, as those moves will quickly remove a large part of their health.
**Poison-types**: Poison-types such as Garbodor, Haunter, and Roselia threaten Tangela, as they take little damage from Tangela's attacks and can either set up Spikes or Toxic Spikes or directly take down Tangela with their STAB moves.
**Ice-types**: Specially defensive Ice-types such as Cryogonal and Regice take next to no damage from Tangela's attacks bar Ancient Power and can set up on Tangela or KO it outright.
**Knock Off Users**: Knock Off users such as Hariyama and Pawniard don't really appreciate getting put to sleep or hit by a STAB move from Tangela, but they can still remove Tangela's Eviolite, making it much more vulnerable to attacking moves.
**Pokemon with Sap Sipper**: Thanks to Sap Sipper, Pokemon such as Bouffalant and Zebstrika can absorb Tangela's Grass-type moves and use it as a setup fodder or force it to switch.
**Bulky Setup Sweepers**: Lilligant resists Tangela's main STAB moves, is immune to Sleep Powder, and can make use of Tangela's Special Attack drops from Leaf Storm to set up Quiver Dance, though it doesn't appreciate getting hit by Toxic. Uxie and Musharna both have high Special Defense, so they can use Tangela as a setup fodder, but they do not like getting hit with Toxic or Sleep Powder. Musharna can also recover the damage and if it gets hit with Toxic, Tangela will also get crippled because of Synchronize.
**Xatu**: Xatu has enough Special Defense to safely switch in on Tangela's attacks and it is able to recover any damage taken and bounce back Tangela's status moves with Magic Bounce. Alternatively, Xatu can cripple Tangela with its own Toxic or attack Tangela with Heat Wave.
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