QC: dodmen / IronBullet93 / King UU
GP: P Squared / Snobalt
[OVERVIEW]
Tangrowth earns a niche in UU with its great physical bulk and Regenerator, which allows it to stay very healthy throughout the course of the match. Its pure Grass typing allows it to check some of the strongest physical attackers in the tier, including Feraligatr, Mega Swampert, and Krookodile. Tangrowth also has access to several great support moves, such as Leech Seed, Sleep Powder, and Knock Off, and has a high Special Attack stat with a great offensive movepool. It also has above-average Attack and has access to moves such as Knock Off, Power Whip, and Earthquake, which allows it to attack both physically and specially. Unfortunately, it hits a very mediocre Speed tier and is brought down by its below-average Special Defense, and its defensive typing, while allowing it to check certain Pokemon, leaves it vulnerable to many others. It also faces competition as a defensive Pokemon from Chesnaught and Amoonguss; the former has better mixed defensive stats and typing, giving it natural resistances to Rock and Dark, and has access to Spikes and Spiky Shield, and the latter has access to Spore and a better defensive typing, giving it a notable resistance to Fighting-type moves.
[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Sleep Powder
move 2: Leech Seed / Synthesis
move 3: Giga Drain / Leaf Storm
move 4: Knock Off / Toxic / Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Regenerator
nature: Relaxed / Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Tangrowth serves as a pivot that can use Sleep Powder to easily support its teammates by immobilizing a foe. Leech Seed provides a quick way to gain recovery and drain HP from foes and is a great move to use when pivoting in and out of attackers that Tangrowth can wall. However, Synthesis can be used over Leech Seed for a more direct recovery move and more substantial HP gain. Giga Drain is necessary to successfully beat Pokemon such as Mega Swampert, Feraligatr, and Krookodile, and it ensures that Tangrowth isn't setup fodder after it has put a Pokemon to sleep. Alternatively, Leaf Storm can be used over Giga Drain for a noticeable increase in damage output, and it is necessary to score an OHKO on Feraligatr. Knock Off is a great utility move that removes items from both offensive and defensive Pokemon, and it works well in tandem with Leech Seed, as it can easily wear down defensive cores. In particular, Knock Off secures an OHKO against Chandelure when Stealth Rock is up. Toxic can be used over Knock Off, dealing substantial residual damage to opposing Pokemon, particularly when breaking down defensive cores. Protect can be used alongside Leech Seed to scout for coverage moves and gain solid recovery. Hidden Power Ice and Hidden Power Fire, while niche, can be used, as Hidden Power Ice hits Dragon-types, Grass-types, and Flying-types that Tangrowth has trouble with and Hidden Power Fire serves as an option to hit Forretress and other Steel-types such as Cobalion.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment is used to maximize Tangrowth's naturally high physical bulk, allowing it to wall as many physical threats as possible. A Relaxed nature is used when running both Giga Drain and Knock Off in order to avoid decreasing the power of either move, and it also boosts Tangrowth's Defense. However, this means that Tangrowth is outsped by base 45 Speed Pokemon such as Mega Ampharos. Alternatively, if Knock Off is not used, a Bold nature can be used to outrun base 45 Speed Pokemon. Leftovers is used for solid reliable recovery, keeping Tangrowth healthy throughout the course of the match alongside Regenerator. Regenerator is an excellent defensive ability, further enabling Tangrowth to stay healthy alongside Leftovers and either Leech Seed or Synthesis.
Usage Tips
========
Tangrowth can repeatedly switch into and wall most physical threats that don't hit it super effectively, including Ground- and Water-types such as Mega Swampert, Krookodile, Mega Sharpedo, and Feraligatr, and weaker physical attackers that hit it neutrally, such as Mienshao, Cobalion, Machamp, non-Choice Band Tyrantrum, and Virizion. Tangrowth should pivot in and out of these Pokemon, spreading Leech Seed and Sleep Powder and staying healthy with Regenerator. While Tangrowth does have great physical bulk, do not switch it in on physical threats that it can't wall, such as Entei, Mega Aerodactyl, and Mega Abomasnow. It is also incredibly important that Tangrowth stays away from status ailments, which can easily hinder Tangrowth's ability to do its job and severely damage its longevity.
Team Options
========
Bulky Water-types, such as Suicune and Swampert, pair well with Tangrowth, as they can take Fire-type attacks aimed at Tangrowth and Tangrowth resists both Electric and Grass; Tangrowth can also support them with Sleep Powder and Leech Seed. Slowking earns a special mention because it forms a Regenerator core with Tangrowth. Special walls, such as Mandibuzz and Empoleon, are good partners for Tangrowth, as they can help patch up its meager Special Defense. Pokemon that can take Flying-type attacks, such as Bronzong and Mega Aerodactyl, are good partners, as Tangrowth has trouble with Pokemon such as Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Pidgeot, and Moltres. Pokemon that can punish Grass-types, such as Entei, Mega Pidgeot, and Salamence, are appreciated because most Grass-types can switch in for free on this Tangrowth set. Clerics, such as Florges and Umbreon, are great partners, as status conditions can wear down Tangrowth and prevent it from pivoting in and out of physical attackers as well as possible. Entry hazards severely limit Tangrowth's effectiveness and longevity, so spinners and Defoggers such as Tentacruel, Mega Blastoise, Donphan, Empoleon, and Gligar can be good partners to remove them for Tangrowth. Finally, Chandelure is a notable partner, as it can punish Fire-type attacks aimed at Tangrowth.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Leaf Storm / Giga Drain
move 2: Focus Blast / Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Ancient Power / Knock Off
move 4: Sleep Powder
item: Life Orb
ability: Regenerator
nature: Modest / Rash
evs: 172 HP / 252 SpA / 80 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Leaf Storm deals heavy damage to even the sturdiest of Pokemon in the metagame. Giga Drain can be used over Leaf Storm to hit with less power but without the drawback of dropping Tangrowth's Special Attack, and it helps Tangrowth stay more healthy in tandem with Regenerator. Focus Blast is the best coverage move Tangrowth has, allowing it to break Steel-types such as Mega Aggron and Empoleon and providing good neutral coverage with its Grass-type STAB move. Hidden Power Fire is an option over Focus Blast as a more reliable option to hit Steel-types, notably OHKOing Forretress and 2HKOing Doublade, although it is noticeably weaker than Focus Blast. Hidden Power Ice is the best move in the last slot, hitting Flying-, Dragon-, and Grass-types. Ancient Power is an option over Hidden Power Ice, retaining coverage against Flying-types while also hitting Fire-types such as Entei, Arcanine, and Darmanitan. Knock Off removes items from sturdy defensive Pokemon and hits Pokemon such as Doublade and Chandelure, although a Rash nature should be used over a Modest nature if Knock Off is used, as it guarantees an OHKO on Chandelure with Knock Off. Lastly, Sleep Powder is a great move both offensively and defensively, allowing Tangrowth to immobilize would-be switch-ins and receive free turns to launch powerful Life Orb-boosted attacks.
Set Details
========
Full Special Attack investment with a Modest nature maximizes Tangrowth's damage output, while the given Speed EVs let Tangrowth outspeed uninvested base 60s Speed Pokemon. The rest of the EVs are placed into HP to maximize Tangrowth's good physical bulk. However, if Knock Off is used, Tangrowth should use a Rash nature over Modest. Alternatively, if Trick Room support is given by its teammates, Tangrowth can run a spread of 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD with a Quiet nature, as Tangrowth will no longer need to run Speed investment. A Life Orb is used in tandem with the EV spread to maximize Tangrowth's damage output and works very well with Regenerator, as Regenerator can help to neutralize Life Orb recoil. Regenerator also keeps Tangrowth very healthy throughout the course of the match.
Usage Tips
========
This Tangrowth set doubles as a pivot and a wallbreaker; try to switch it in on Pokemon it can easily take hits from, such as Krookodile and Mega Swampert, and use them to deal significant damage to the opponent's team. For Pokemon that these moves can't break, such as Florges and Crobat, try to use Sleep Powder to immobilize them and make it easier for Tangrowth to break holes through defensive cores. Note that this Tangrowth set is significantly less bulky than defensive variants, so it doesn't wall as many threats.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can deal with Grass-types, such as Infernape and Crobat, are greatly appreciated, as this set struggles to break through them, and Pokemon such as Roserade can use this set to gain a free switch. Clerics, such as Florges, Umbreon, and Vaporeon, can provide Wish and Heal Bell support for Tangrowth, allowing it to stay healthy. Speed control, such as Thunder Wave or Tailwind, from Pokemon such as Suicune, Whimsicott, and Slowking is appreciated, as Tangrowth is very slow and has to rely on its bulk and resistances to use attacks. Dedicated cleaners, such as Mega Sharpedo, Yanmega, and Lucario, benefit from Tangrowth's wallbreaking capabilities, as it can weaken defensive Pokemon with strong attacks and immobilize them with Sleep Powder. Wallbreakers, such as Heracross, Entei and Mamoswine, are great partners for Tangrowth, as they can form a wallbreaking core to break down defensive teams. Slowking can form a Regenerator core with Tangrowth, serves as a switch-in to many of the Pokemon that revenge kill it, such as Entei and Mega Aerodactyl and provides Thunder Wave support. Entry hazard removers, such as Tentacruel, Mega Blastoise, Gligar, and Donphan, can remove Toxic Spikes and other entry hazards, which severely limit Tangrowth's capabilities. Trick Room setters, such as Cresselia or Porygon2, work well with Tangrowth, as Trick Room patches up Tangrowth's meager Speed, and Tangrowth can be a great wallbreaker under Trick Room with its powerful attacks alongside Regenerator. Finally, Chandelure is a great teammate, as it can pressure Fire-types such as Entei and Darmanitan.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Tangrowth can run a physically attacking set with Power Whip, Earthquake, Sleep Powder, and Knock Off to lure in and KO many of the checks to its specially attacking set, but the specially attacking set is generally preferred. Tangrowth can utilize Stun Spore on the defensive set to slow down fast attackers on the opposing team, but Leech Seed is generally preferred. Assault Vest can be used to patch up Tangrowth's low Special Defense and let Tangrowth better check Water-types such as Suicune and Electric-types such as Heliolisk and Rotom-C; it works especially well alongside Regenerator.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Special Attackers**: Tangrowth is extremely lacking in Special Defense, so any strong special attackers will have no issue breaking through it. Examples include Nidoqueen, Mega Abomasnow, Chandelure, and Kyurem.
**Fire-types**: Tangrowth has issues breaking Fire-types and is OHKOed by all of them barring defensive Arcanine, although they all have to watch out for Sleep Powder and, excluding Infernape, Ancient Power. Chandelure also doesn't want to take a Knock Off.
**Flying-types**: Offensive Flying-types, such as Mega Aerodactyl, Honchkrow, and Crobat, shrug off damage from Leaf Storm and Focus Blast, and most of them OHKO Tangrowth in return, although they have to watch out for Sleep Powder, and most of them have to watch out for Ancient Power and Hidden Power Ice.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types absorb Sleep Powder, Leech Seed, and the rare Stun Spore, take little to no damage from Giga Drain and Leaf Storm, and can only be hit by Hidden Power Fire and Hidden Power Ice.
**Bug-types**: Mega Beedrill and Yanmega shrug off any attack barring Ancient Power and threaten to 2HKO or OHKO Tangrowth, respectively, while Escavalier takes little to no damage from any of Tangrowth's attacks, avoids Sleep Powder with Overcoat, and can threaten to OHKO it with a Choice Band-boosted Megahorn. Heracross has to watch out for Sleep Powder, but it can take any attack and easily OHKOes Tangrowth with Megahorn.
**Special Walls**: Snorlax, Blissey, and Cresselia can wall specially attacking sets, as they lose less than half of their HP from Leaf Storm and commonly carry recovery moves to easily shrug off damage. However, these Pokemon aren't as much of an issue for to the tank set.
**Status Users**: Toxic and burn damage can easily wear down Tangrowth, especially offensive sets, and can stop it from doing its job as well as it possibly can.
GP: P Squared / Snobalt
[OVERVIEW]
Tangrowth earns a niche in UU with its great physical bulk and Regenerator, which allows it to stay very healthy throughout the course of the match. Its pure Grass typing allows it to check some of the strongest physical attackers in the tier, including Feraligatr, Mega Swampert, and Krookodile. Tangrowth also has access to several great support moves, such as Leech Seed, Sleep Powder, and Knock Off, and has a high Special Attack stat with a great offensive movepool. It also has above-average Attack and has access to moves such as Knock Off, Power Whip, and Earthquake, which allows it to attack both physically and specially. Unfortunately, it hits a very mediocre Speed tier and is brought down by its below-average Special Defense, and its defensive typing, while allowing it to check certain Pokemon, leaves it vulnerable to many others. It also faces competition as a defensive Pokemon from Chesnaught and Amoonguss; the former has better mixed defensive stats and typing, giving it natural resistances to Rock and Dark, and has access to Spikes and Spiky Shield, and the latter has access to Spore and a better defensive typing, giving it a notable resistance to Fighting-type moves.
[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Sleep Powder
move 2: Leech Seed / Synthesis
move 3: Giga Drain / Leaf Storm
move 4: Knock Off / Toxic / Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Regenerator
nature: Relaxed / Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Tangrowth serves as a pivot that can use Sleep Powder to easily support its teammates by immobilizing a foe. Leech Seed provides a quick way to gain recovery and drain HP from foes and is a great move to use when pivoting in and out of attackers that Tangrowth can wall. However, Synthesis can be used over Leech Seed for a more direct recovery move and more substantial HP gain. Giga Drain is necessary to successfully beat Pokemon such as Mega Swampert, Feraligatr, and Krookodile, and it ensures that Tangrowth isn't setup fodder after it has put a Pokemon to sleep. Alternatively, Leaf Storm can be used over Giga Drain for a noticeable increase in damage output, and it is necessary to score an OHKO on Feraligatr. Knock Off is a great utility move that removes items from both offensive and defensive Pokemon, and it works well in tandem with Leech Seed, as it can easily wear down defensive cores. In particular, Knock Off secures an OHKO against Chandelure when Stealth Rock is up. Toxic can be used over Knock Off, dealing substantial residual damage to opposing Pokemon, particularly when breaking down defensive cores. Protect can be used alongside Leech Seed to scout for coverage moves and gain solid recovery. Hidden Power Ice and Hidden Power Fire, while niche, can be used, as Hidden Power Ice hits Dragon-types, Grass-types, and Flying-types that Tangrowth has trouble with and Hidden Power Fire serves as an option to hit Forretress and other Steel-types such as Cobalion.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment is used to maximize Tangrowth's naturally high physical bulk, allowing it to wall as many physical threats as possible. A Relaxed nature is used when running both Giga Drain and Knock Off in order to avoid decreasing the power of either move, and it also boosts Tangrowth's Defense. However, this means that Tangrowth is outsped by base 45 Speed Pokemon such as Mega Ampharos. Alternatively, if Knock Off is not used, a Bold nature can be used to outrun base 45 Speed Pokemon. Leftovers is used for solid reliable recovery, keeping Tangrowth healthy throughout the course of the match alongside Regenerator. Regenerator is an excellent defensive ability, further enabling Tangrowth to stay healthy alongside Leftovers and either Leech Seed or Synthesis.
Usage Tips
========
Tangrowth can repeatedly switch into and wall most physical threats that don't hit it super effectively, including Ground- and Water-types such as Mega Swampert, Krookodile, Mega Sharpedo, and Feraligatr, and weaker physical attackers that hit it neutrally, such as Mienshao, Cobalion, Machamp, non-Choice Band Tyrantrum, and Virizion. Tangrowth should pivot in and out of these Pokemon, spreading Leech Seed and Sleep Powder and staying healthy with Regenerator. While Tangrowth does have great physical bulk, do not switch it in on physical threats that it can't wall, such as Entei, Mega Aerodactyl, and Mega Abomasnow. It is also incredibly important that Tangrowth stays away from status ailments, which can easily hinder Tangrowth's ability to do its job and severely damage its longevity.
Team Options
========
Bulky Water-types, such as Suicune and Swampert, pair well with Tangrowth, as they can take Fire-type attacks aimed at Tangrowth and Tangrowth resists both Electric and Grass; Tangrowth can also support them with Sleep Powder and Leech Seed. Slowking earns a special mention because it forms a Regenerator core with Tangrowth. Special walls, such as Mandibuzz and Empoleon, are good partners for Tangrowth, as they can help patch up its meager Special Defense. Pokemon that can take Flying-type attacks, such as Bronzong and Mega Aerodactyl, are good partners, as Tangrowth has trouble with Pokemon such as Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Pidgeot, and Moltres. Pokemon that can punish Grass-types, such as Entei, Mega Pidgeot, and Salamence, are appreciated because most Grass-types can switch in for free on this Tangrowth set. Clerics, such as Florges and Umbreon, are great partners, as status conditions can wear down Tangrowth and prevent it from pivoting in and out of physical attackers as well as possible. Entry hazards severely limit Tangrowth's effectiveness and longevity, so spinners and Defoggers such as Tentacruel, Mega Blastoise, Donphan, Empoleon, and Gligar can be good partners to remove them for Tangrowth. Finally, Chandelure is a notable partner, as it can punish Fire-type attacks aimed at Tangrowth.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Leaf Storm / Giga Drain
move 2: Focus Blast / Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Ancient Power / Knock Off
move 4: Sleep Powder
item: Life Orb
ability: Regenerator
nature: Modest / Rash
evs: 172 HP / 252 SpA / 80 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Leaf Storm deals heavy damage to even the sturdiest of Pokemon in the metagame. Giga Drain can be used over Leaf Storm to hit with less power but without the drawback of dropping Tangrowth's Special Attack, and it helps Tangrowth stay more healthy in tandem with Regenerator. Focus Blast is the best coverage move Tangrowth has, allowing it to break Steel-types such as Mega Aggron and Empoleon and providing good neutral coverage with its Grass-type STAB move. Hidden Power Fire is an option over Focus Blast as a more reliable option to hit Steel-types, notably OHKOing Forretress and 2HKOing Doublade, although it is noticeably weaker than Focus Blast. Hidden Power Ice is the best move in the last slot, hitting Flying-, Dragon-, and Grass-types. Ancient Power is an option over Hidden Power Ice, retaining coverage against Flying-types while also hitting Fire-types such as Entei, Arcanine, and Darmanitan. Knock Off removes items from sturdy defensive Pokemon and hits Pokemon such as Doublade and Chandelure, although a Rash nature should be used over a Modest nature if Knock Off is used, as it guarantees an OHKO on Chandelure with Knock Off. Lastly, Sleep Powder is a great move both offensively and defensively, allowing Tangrowth to immobilize would-be switch-ins and receive free turns to launch powerful Life Orb-boosted attacks.
Set Details
========
Full Special Attack investment with a Modest nature maximizes Tangrowth's damage output, while the given Speed EVs let Tangrowth outspeed uninvested base 60s Speed Pokemon. The rest of the EVs are placed into HP to maximize Tangrowth's good physical bulk. However, if Knock Off is used, Tangrowth should use a Rash nature over Modest. Alternatively, if Trick Room support is given by its teammates, Tangrowth can run a spread of 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD with a Quiet nature, as Tangrowth will no longer need to run Speed investment. A Life Orb is used in tandem with the EV spread to maximize Tangrowth's damage output and works very well with Regenerator, as Regenerator can help to neutralize Life Orb recoil. Regenerator also keeps Tangrowth very healthy throughout the course of the match.
Usage Tips
========
This Tangrowth set doubles as a pivot and a wallbreaker; try to switch it in on Pokemon it can easily take hits from, such as Krookodile and Mega Swampert, and use them to deal significant damage to the opponent's team. For Pokemon that these moves can't break, such as Florges and Crobat, try to use Sleep Powder to immobilize them and make it easier for Tangrowth to break holes through defensive cores. Note that this Tangrowth set is significantly less bulky than defensive variants, so it doesn't wall as many threats.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can deal with Grass-types, such as Infernape and Crobat, are greatly appreciated, as this set struggles to break through them, and Pokemon such as Roserade can use this set to gain a free switch. Clerics, such as Florges, Umbreon, and Vaporeon, can provide Wish and Heal Bell support for Tangrowth, allowing it to stay healthy. Speed control, such as Thunder Wave or Tailwind, from Pokemon such as Suicune, Whimsicott, and Slowking is appreciated, as Tangrowth is very slow and has to rely on its bulk and resistances to use attacks. Dedicated cleaners, such as Mega Sharpedo, Yanmega, and Lucario, benefit from Tangrowth's wallbreaking capabilities, as it can weaken defensive Pokemon with strong attacks and immobilize them with Sleep Powder. Wallbreakers, such as Heracross, Entei and Mamoswine, are great partners for Tangrowth, as they can form a wallbreaking core to break down defensive teams. Slowking can form a Regenerator core with Tangrowth, serves as a switch-in to many of the Pokemon that revenge kill it, such as Entei and Mega Aerodactyl and provides Thunder Wave support. Entry hazard removers, such as Tentacruel, Mega Blastoise, Gligar, and Donphan, can remove Toxic Spikes and other entry hazards, which severely limit Tangrowth's capabilities. Trick Room setters, such as Cresselia or Porygon2, work well with Tangrowth, as Trick Room patches up Tangrowth's meager Speed, and Tangrowth can be a great wallbreaker under Trick Room with its powerful attacks alongside Regenerator. Finally, Chandelure is a great teammate, as it can pressure Fire-types such as Entei and Darmanitan.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Tangrowth can run a physically attacking set with Power Whip, Earthquake, Sleep Powder, and Knock Off to lure in and KO many of the checks to its specially attacking set, but the specially attacking set is generally preferred. Tangrowth can utilize Stun Spore on the defensive set to slow down fast attackers on the opposing team, but Leech Seed is generally preferred. Assault Vest can be used to patch up Tangrowth's low Special Defense and let Tangrowth better check Water-types such as Suicune and Electric-types such as Heliolisk and Rotom-C; it works especially well alongside Regenerator.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Special Attackers**: Tangrowth is extremely lacking in Special Defense, so any strong special attackers will have no issue breaking through it. Examples include Nidoqueen, Mega Abomasnow, Chandelure, and Kyurem.
**Fire-types**: Tangrowth has issues breaking Fire-types and is OHKOed by all of them barring defensive Arcanine, although they all have to watch out for Sleep Powder and, excluding Infernape, Ancient Power. Chandelure also doesn't want to take a Knock Off.
**Flying-types**: Offensive Flying-types, such as Mega Aerodactyl, Honchkrow, and Crobat, shrug off damage from Leaf Storm and Focus Blast, and most of them OHKO Tangrowth in return, although they have to watch out for Sleep Powder, and most of them have to watch out for Ancient Power and Hidden Power Ice.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types absorb Sleep Powder, Leech Seed, and the rare Stun Spore, take little to no damage from Giga Drain and Leaf Storm, and can only be hit by Hidden Power Fire and Hidden Power Ice.
**Bug-types**: Mega Beedrill and Yanmega shrug off any attack barring Ancient Power and threaten to 2HKO or OHKO Tangrowth, respectively, while Escavalier takes little to no damage from any of Tangrowth's attacks, avoids Sleep Powder with Overcoat, and can threaten to OHKO it with a Choice Band-boosted Megahorn. Heracross has to watch out for Sleep Powder, but it can take any attack and easily OHKOes Tangrowth with Megahorn.
**Special Walls**: Snorlax, Blissey, and Cresselia can wall specially attacking sets, as they lose less than half of their HP from Leaf Storm and commonly carry recovery moves to easily shrug off damage. However, these Pokemon aren't as much of an issue for to the tank set.
**Status Users**: Toxic and burn damage can easily wear down Tangrowth, especially offensive sets, and can stop it from doing its job as well as it possibly can.
Last edited:
