Monotype Araquanid (Bug)

[Tyke]

[OVERVIEW]

Bug
========

* Araquanid's signature ability Water Bubble halves the damage taken by Fire-type attacks, doubles the power of Water-type attacks, and makes Araquanid immune to burns.
* Araquanid's high Special Defense and resistance to Fire and Water moves allow it to function as a specially defensive tank on Bug, and they make Araquanid a reliable sponge for Fire-type moves and allow it to check special threats like Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona.
* However, Araquanid is one-dimensional offensively, as outside of its Water-type STAB moves, Araquanid is very weak and cannot threaten Pokemon with coverage.
* Araquanid's weakness to Electric-type attacks is problematic for Bug, as the type lacks sturdy resistances to Electric-type moves and struggles with threats like Tapu Koko and Xurkitree.
* Araquanid can struggle with longevity, as it is weak to Stealth Rock and lacks reliable recovery.
* Araquanid is slow and cannot outspeed even uninvested defensive threats like Mega-Venusaur even with Sticky Web.

[SET]
name: Assault Vest (Bug)
move 1: Liquidation
move 2: Scald
move 3: Leech Life
move 4: Mirror Coat
item: Assault Vest
ability: Water Bubble
nature: Adamant
evs: 200 HP / 4 Def / 252 Atk / 52 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Liquidation is a strong, physical Water-type STAB move with a chance to drop the foe's defense on hit. Liquidation's power is doubled by Araquanid's ability, Water Bubble, and is its strongest attack.
* Scald is a weaker, special Water-type STAB move with a 30% burn chance, which is helpful for pestering defensive threats that Araquanid can't break with Liquidation.
* Leech Life is a Bug-type STAB move that is used against Dark-, Psychic-, Grass-types and Bulky Water-resistant or Water-immune Pokemon such as Slowbro and Seismitoad to recover health and keep Araquanid healthy for checking threats.
* Mirror Coat is a tool for checking special attackers that are not threatened by Araquanid's other three attacks like Volcanion. It also manages threats that can 2HKO Araquanid like Tapu Koko and Alolan Raichu so Araquanid can OHKO back in a trade.

Set Details
========

* Maximum Attack EVs and an Adamant Nature give Liquidation and Leech Life the most damage output possible.
* 52 Speed EVs allow Araquanid to outspeed Hippowdon and Azumarill after Sticky Web.
* The remaining EVs go into HP to improve Araquanid's bulk.
* Water Bubble doubles the damage dealt by Water-type attacks, halves the damage taken by Fire-type attacks, and grants an immunity to burns.
* Assault Vest bolsters Araquanid's Special Defense to make it as formidable of a special switch-in as possible.

Usage Tips
========

* Utilize Araquanid as a switch in and offensive check to special threats in the metagame such as Kingdra, Mega Alakazam, and Mega Charizard Y.
* Preserve Araquanid when faced with powerful wincons that can otherwise sweep the team, like Volcarona, Choice Scarf Victini, and Porygon-Z.
* Use Liquidation liberally. It is Araquanid's strongest move, and even when resisted, it is more powerful than Leech Life.
* Scald should be used to burn defensive threats that aren't threatened by Liquidation such as Skarmory, Ferrothorn, Mega Venusaur, and Toxapex.
* Scald can also be used to pester physical attackers that are switching in to take advantage of Araquanid's poor Defense.
* Use Araquanid's immunity to burns to absorb Will-O-Wisp.
* It is essential that entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, are kept off Araquanid's side of the field, as they compromise its ability to switch in on threats.
* Araquanid has mediocre Defense and should not risk taking unresisted physical attacks, even from defensive threats like Skarmory and Mandibuzz.


Team Options
========

* Forretress and Armaldo are reliable Rapid Spin users that help keep Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes off the field so that Araquanid can operate effectively. Forretress's Steel typing offers a neutrality to the Rock- and Flying-type attacks that Araquanid struggles with, while Armaldo's Rock typing helps deal with Flying-type threats that Araquanid can't manage like Zapdos, and it allows Armaldo to act as a secondary Fire switch in. Entry hazards that are set by Forretress and Armaldo help Araquanid break down defensive threats.
* Scizor and Mega Scizor are both excellent partners for Araquanid, as their Steel typing covers Araquanid's Rock- and Flying-type weaknesses while Araquanid covers their 4x weakness to Fire-type moves. Scizor and Mega Scizor are able to force out threats like Nihilego and Tyranitar with Technician Bullet Punch and can pivot with U-turn to create opportunities to bring Araquanid in safely.
* Galvantula acts as a strong offensive check for the Flying- and Water-types that Araquanid struggles with like Togekiss, Toxapex, and Mantine while offering valuable Sticky Web support to the team.
* Volcarona is a potent wincon who benefits from the holes Araquanid punches with its powerful STAB moves and its Fire- and Water-type resistances.
* Choice Scarf Heracross is an effective cleaner whose powerful STAB and coverage moves help dispatch of the Steel-, Grass-, and Rock-types that Araquanid can't easily manage.
* Buzzwole is a powerful wallbreaker whose Electric, Rock, and Fighting coverage threatens the Flying-, Rock-, Steel-, and Water-types that Araquanid fears. Buzzwole's physical bulk pairs well with Araquanid's special bulk, and its Fighting typing helps sponge physical Rock-type attacks like Stone Edge easily.
* Mega Pinsir benefits greatly as a sweeper from the damage dealt to defensive cores by Araquanid's powerful Water-type STAB moves, and it is especially effective against the bulky Water and Grass teams that Araquanid can't touch.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Bug
--------

* Choice Band Araquanid can be run as a wallbreaker on more offensive teams while still checking special attackers with its natural bulk. This set is a much less sturdy check to threats in the metagame like Volcarona, however.
* RestTalk Araquanid is an option for teams that seek more sustained defensive presence with Rest and Leftovers for recovery, but this set sacrifices the consistency and immediate offensive and defensive presence of Assault Vest sets.

Checks and Counters
===================

Bug
--------

**Physical Attackers**: Araquanid has only decent Defense and cannot take unresisted hits from physical attackers like Mega Sharpedo, Alolan Marowak, and Tapu Bulu. Araquanid will even struggle with physical attacks from defensive threats like Skarmory.

**Electric-Types**: Araquanid struggles to sponge strong special Electric-type attacks and can only really take one STAB Thunderbolt from threats like Tapu Koko.

**Rock-Types**: Araquanid fails to sponge strong special Rock-type attacks over the course of a match and cannot consistently check threats like Nihilego.

**Flying-Types**: Araquanid cannot sponge strong Flying-type attacks consistently and struggles to manage threats like Togekiss and Skarmory.

**Bulky Water-type-resistant Pokemon**: Araquanid depends on its Water-type STAB moves and struggles to break bulky Water-type Pokemon like Toxapex and Lanturn and Grass-type Pokemon like Mega Venusaur and Ferrothorn, which take Leech Life neutrally. Water-immune Pokemon like Gastrodon and Mantine are especially troublesome, as they keep Araquanid from spamming its powerful STAB moves.

**Stealth Rock**: By causing heavy damage on every switch in, Stealth Rock severely hampers Araquanid's capacity to check special threats and sponge Fire-type attacks.

**Residual Damage**: With no source of recovery, consistent chip damage from either weather, entry hazards, Rocky Helmet, Leech seed, or status will undermine Araquanid's ability to operate as a specially defensive tank.

 

[Tyke]

Ready for QC Checks woop woop

Edit: Did a first round of edits. Now actually ready for QC checks wooop

 

[iLlama]

AM check. Don't implement unless QC says so.

[OVERVIEW]

Bug
========

*Araquanid offers Bug teams a strong wallbreaker, Fire Sponge, and specially defensive tank. Wouldn't call it a wallbreaker, especially since the set being used is AV.
*It's signature ability 'Water Bubble' halves incoming Fire Damage, doubles the power of Water type attacks, and makes Araquanid immune to burns.
*This, combined with its strong solid bulk (especially on the special side) make it a reliable sponge for Fire moves and other special attacks, able to switch in on threats such as V-create Victini or Mega-Charizard Y. From a defensive standpoint, Araquanid only has good special bulk and ok physical bulk. Both are just overshadowed by Water Bubble being a ridiculous ability. The part in parantheses is fluff and your first example ignores the entire first clause.
*However, its Electric weakness is problematic for Bug, as the type lacks any sturdy Electric resists. Examples of Electric mons.
*The doubled power of Water type attacks grant Araquanid a unique offensive presence on Bug teams, who previously lacked notable water coverage. Don't refer to past generations.
*However, outside of Water STAB, Araquanid's offenses are poor, and thus it cannot abuse what little coverage options it has.
*While Araquanid's offenses are one-dimensional, this is compensated by the raw strength 2x water attacks have and the valuable coverage this provides Bug. Reword this.
*Araquanid is very slow however, so slow that even with sticky webs it cannot outspeed even uninvested defensive threats like Mega-Venusaur.
*Due to Araquanid's slow speed and one-dimensional offenses, it risks being a source of momentum drain for Bug teams who have historically endorsed a hyper-offensive playstyle. Don't refer to past generations.
*However, the unique Water and Fire resists offered by Araquanid cover Bug's defensive core admirably, patching up the weaknesses of Volcarona and Mega-Scizor. Araquanid does not resist Fire.
* Hazard weakness reduces its longevity
* Depends on Leech Life for recovery

Not sure if this is a stylized thing or how the overview is supposed to be set-up, but generally you list the Pros first and the Cons after, rather than constantly flip-flopping back and forth. Also a lot of the writing has an insane amount of adjectives and modifiers. Cut out all the fluff and get to the point. QC can clarify.

[SET]
name: Assault Vest (Bug)
move 1: Liquidation
move 2: Scald
move 3: Leech Life
move 4: Mirror Coat
item: Assault Vest
ability: Water Bubble
nature: Brave
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD

This spread loses to V-Create Victini 100% of the time if it's switching into it on Stealth Rock.

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Liquidation is your Water STAB of choice, which are your hardest hitting attacks with the ability Water Bubble. With an effective 170 Base power, 20% defense drop chance, and immunity to burns Liquidation will hazard most pokemon who don't resist Water. Both sentences need to be reworked and reworded.
* Scald is your secondary Water STAB of choice, and is used when Liquidation is unfavorable: against rocky helmet users like Skarmory, Toxapex, or Ferrothorn or other sturdy Water resists. The burn chance helps pester these defensive threats. Emphasize the importance of fishing for burns.
* Leech Life is your Bug STAB of choice, and offers Araquanid passive recovery against neutral targets, water immunities, or Dark/Psychic types. Pretty sure this isn't passive recovery. It's also meant for Grass-types, which would probably wall Araquanid otherwise. Give examples of Pokemon.
* Mirror Coat is your tool for checking Special Attackers who are not threatened by your other 3 attacks: Celesteela, Kingdra, Volcanion, etc. Remove Celesteela.

Set Details
========

* Max Atk and HP EVs are to maximize Liquidation and Leech Life's damage output and Araquanid's overall bulk.
* Water Bubble is Araquanid's defining ability, and what allows it to operate by doubling the damage dealt by Water attacks, halving the damage taken of Fire attacks, and granting a burn immunity.
* Assault Vest helps Araquanid mantain a strong defensive presence without sacrificing its offensive presence, or vice versa. I don't understand what this is supposed to mean. What would sacrifice its offensive presence? Also, the vice versa bit doesn't make sense since AV doesn't do anything offensively.
* Brave Nature maximizes the damage output of Araquanid's attacks without undercutting Scald. The speed drop is not noticeable considering it's already abysmal speed.

Usage Tips
========

* Utilize Araquanid as a specially defensive tank and offensive check to threats in the metagame. List some of these threats.
* Switch Araquanid into Fire moves and powerful special attackers to soak damage and force out / KO the threats with it's powerful Water STAB.
* Make sure to preserve Araquanid as a check for powerful special threats and sweepers like Volcarona or Scarf Victini.
* Avoid having Araquanid take unnecessary damage from sources like Leech Seed, Rocky Helmet, Rough Skin, or U-turn. Weather as well.
* Araquanid should not be used to manage powerful physical based attackers, even Fire based ones, should they have strong coverage or secondary STAB i.e. Alola Marowak. Araquanid isn't good at handling physical attackers in general.
* It is essential that hazards, especially stealth rock, be kept off Araquanid's side to preserve it's bulk, as this set lacks recovery beyond Leech Life.
* Use Liquidation liberally: even resisted it is stronger than Leech Life. Only refrain if you suspect using it would cause Araquanid unnecessary damage, i.e. Rocky Helmets, Iron Barbs or if there is a Water Immunity you risk restoring health to i.e. Mantine, Volcanion. What does Volcanion do to Araquanid?
* Use Leech Life when possible to recover Health and keep Araquanid healthy for checking threats. What Pokemon would you use it on?
* Use Mirror Coat to punish Special Attackers who are not threatened by Araquanid's STABs and Volt Switch. Examples?
* When do you use Scald
* What about when facing physical and special walls
* Use it to absorb Will-O-Wisp

Team Options
========

* As a slow, bulky tank this Araquanid set can fit onto bulkier offensive and balanced Bug builds. This belongs in usage tips.
* A strong Bug/Steel type can help cover the Rock type threats Araquanid is scared out by: Scizor (-Mega) pairs excellently with Araquanid, covering its Rock and Flying weakness in exchange for Araquanid's Fire resist. What does Scizor do to help Araquanid, i.e. offensive potential, pivoting, hazard removal, etc.
* A sturdy switch in to Electric attacks and secondary Specially defensive check for Electric teams in general is appreciated: consider a bulky Volcarona. What does Volcarona do to support Araquanid and bug offensively?
* Hazard Control is mandatory to keep Stealth Rock off the field and preserve Araquanid's health: it benefits greatly from Rapid Spin support from Armaldo or Forretress. Armaldo and Forretress should probably get their own bullet points and explain how they can support Araquanid more thoroughly, i.e. physical attack switch-in, secondary fire neutral mon, mandatory hazard removal, hazard setting, etc.
* A strong Cleaner / Sweeper can abuse the holes Araquanid punches in defensive teams, such as Mega-Pinsir or Volcarona. Give Volcarona and Mega Pinsir their own bullet points.
* A strong offensive answer for Flying types that Araquanid fears is appreciated: Galvantula and Armaldo. Again, give them their own bullet points. Galvantula has webs support remember.
* Heracross
* Buzzwole


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Bug
--------
* Another coverage move can be picked over Scald: Crunch can be run to hit bulky Ghost types who resist Liquidation (Gourgeist, Jellicent) while Poison Jab hits Bulky Fairy types who resist Liquidation (Azumarill, Tapu Fini, Tapu Bulu). These moves reap less consistent benefits than Scald, however. If a random coverage move is chosen for whatever reason, it would most likely replace Mirror Coat because Scald hitting physical walls and having burn chance is honestly more important than checking a special threat when you already have AV.
* Choice Band Araquanid can be run as a wallbreaker on more offensively oriented teams whilst still being able to check Special Attackers with its respectable natural bulk. This set is much less sturdy a check to threats in the metagame however.
* Rest/Talk Araquanid is an option for teams seeking more sustained defensive presence, but this set sacrifices the consistency and immediate offensive and defensive presence of Assault Vest sets.
* I'm pretty sure there's multiple EV spreads just for AV so that would also go here.


Checks and Counters
===================

Bug
--------
**Super Effective Moves**: While Araquanid is bulky, it struggles to sponge strong special Electric, Rock, or Flying attacks consistently over the course of a match, and can only really take one STAB Power Gem or Thunderbolt before being taken out. Threats like Tapu Koko, Alola Raichu, Nihilego, or Togekiss will put heavy pressure on Araquanid. Split this into type-specific sections, i.e. **Electric-types** **Rock-types** **Togekiss** In each section be sure to list multiple examples.

**Physical Attackers**: Araquanid has imposing special defenses, but struggles to take physical hits and is checked by most strong physical attackers. Examples?

**Bulky Water Resists**: Araquanid is strong but with Liquidation being its strongest move it cannot break bulky water, grass, and dragon type pokemon: including Toxapex, Mega-Venusaur, Ferrothorn, Tapu Bulu, Slowbro(-Mega), Tapu Fini, etc.

**Water Immunities**: As Araquanid's offenses are almost entirely tied up in its Water type STAB, pokemon with an immunity to Water type attacks are a challenge: watch out for Volcanion, Mantine, or Gastrodon. Doesn't Volcanion lose to Mirror Coat?

**Stealth Rocks**: SR severely hamper Araquanid's capacity to check special threats and switch in on Fire attacks by causing heavy damage upon entering battle.

**Chip Damage**: With no source of recovery, consistent chip damage from weather, hazards, rocky helmets, leech seed, or poison / toxic will undermine Araquanid's ability to operate as a specially defensive tank. This isn't necessary.

All and all, not too shabby, just needs some work. Don't use parentheses and it needs a thorough run-through of: http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/spelling-and-grammar-standards.3588427/

 

[Dharma]

Amcheck woop woop, don't implement until QC.

[OVERVIEW]

There must be a space between the asterisk (*) and the text in every bullet.

Bug
========

* Araquanid offers Bug teams a strong attacker, Fire Sponge, and specially defensive tank.
* It's signature ability 'Water Bubble' halves incoming Fire Damage, doubles the power of Water type attacks, and makes Araquanid immune to burns.
* This, combined with its strong solid bulk (especially on the special side) make it a reliable sponge for Fire moves and other special attacks, able to switch in on threats such as V-create Victini or Mega-Charizard Y. Just say 'high special bulk'. It isnt really bulky physically, and can only switch into victini because it resists V create.
* However, its Electric weakness is problematic for Bug, as the type lacks any sturdy Electric resists.
* The doubled power of Water type attacks grant Araquanid a unique offensive presence on Bug teams, who previously lacked notable water coverage.
* However, outside of Water STAB, Araquanid's offenses are poor, and thus it cannot abuse what little coverage options it has.
* While Araquanid's offenses are one-dimensional, this is compensated by the raw strength 2x water attacks have and the valuable coverage this provides Bug. Move this bullet before the previous one.
* Araquanid is very slow however, so slow that even with sticky webs it cannot outspeed even uninvested defensive threats like Mega-Venusaur. Such a specific example isnt needed to prove how slow it is, just say that it is really slow.
* Due to Araquanid's slow speed and one-dimensional offenses, it risks being a source of momentum drain for Bug teams who have historically endorsed a hyper-offensive playstyle. 'have historically endorsed' is pushing it a bit lol, just say 'tend to run'. Much easier to read and understand.
* However, the unique Water and Fire resists offered by Araquanid cover Bug's defensive core admirably, patching up the weaknesses of Volcarona and Mega-Scizor. Move this to pros instead of mixing it with cons imo.


[SET]
name: Assault Vest (Bug)
move 1: Liquidation
move 2: Scald
move 3: Leech Life
move 4: Mirror Coat
item: Assault Vest
ability: Water Bubble
nature: Brave
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Liquidation is your Water STAB of choice, which are your hardest hitting attacks with the ability Water Bubble. With an effective 170 Base power, 20% defense drop chance, and immunity to burns Liquidation will hazard most pokemon who don't resist Water.
* Scald is your secondary Water STAB of choice, and is used when Liquidation is unfavorable: against rocky helmet users like Skarmory, Toxapex, or Ferrothorn or other sturdy Water resists. The burn chance helps pester these defensive threats.
* Leech Life is your Bug STAB of choice, and offers Araquanid passive recovery against neutral targets, water immunities, or Dark/Psychic types.
* Mirror Coat is your tool for checking Special Attackers who are not threatened by your other 3 attacks: Celesteela, Kingdra, Volcanion, etc. Celesteela is threatened by liquidation a lot

Set Details
========

* Max Atk and HP EVs are to maximize Liquidation and Leech Life's damage output and Araquanid's overall bulk.
* Water Bubble is Araquanid's defining ability, and what allows it to operate by doubling the damage dealt by Water attacks, halving the damage taken of Fire attacks, and granting a burn immunity.
* Assault Vest helps Araquanid mantain a strong defensive presence without sacrificing its offensive presence, or vice versa. Remove vice versa. Also mention that it bolster's araquanid's already good special def
* Brave Nature maximizes the damage output of Araquanid's attacks without undercutting Scald. The speed drop is not noticeable considering it's already abysmal speed.

Usage Tips
========

* Utilize Araquanid as a specially defensive tank and offensive check to threats in the metagame.
* Switch Araquanid into Fire moves and powerful special attackers to soak damage and force out / KO the threats with it's powerful Water STAB.
* Make sure to preserve Araquanid as a check for powerful special threats and sweepers like Volcarona or Scarf Victini. Most importantly mega zard y
* Avoid having Araquanid take unnecessary damage from sources like Leech Seed, Rocky Helmet, Rough Skin, or U-turn.
* Araquanid should not be used to manage powerful physical based attackers, even Fire based ones, should they have strong coverage or secondary STAB i.e. Alola Marowak.
* It is essential that hazards, especially stealth rock, be kept off Araquanid's side to preserve it's bulk, as this set lacks recovery beyond Leech Life.
* Use Liquidation liberally: even resisted it is stronger than Leech Life. Only refrain if you suspect using it would cause Araquanid unnecessary damage, i.e. Rocky Helmets, Iron Barbs or if there is a Water Immunity you risk restoring health to i.e. Mantine, Volcanion.
* Use Leech Life when possible to recover Health and keep Araquanid healthy for checking threats. You literally mention in the previous bullet to liberally use liquidation. Leech life should only be used against water resists or dark and psychic types that are hit harder by leech life, like slowbro.
* Use Mirror Coat to punish Special Attackers who are not threatened by Araquanid's STABs and Volt Switch. Not just volt switch, pretty much anything that tries to hit it on the special side would be hit hard in return.

Team Options
========

The way the team members are mentioned is a bit off tbh, like
what it does: (x pokemon)
It should be more like
(x pokemon) does this

* As a slow, bulky tank this Araquanid set can fit onto bulkier offensive and balanced Bug builds.
* A strong Bug/Steel type can help cover the Rock type threats Araquanid is scared out by: Scizor (-Mega) pairs excellently with Araquanid, covering its Rock and Flying weakness in exchange for Araquanid's Fire resist. Reword "Scizor (-Mega)" to "both scizor and mega scizor"
* A sturdy switch in to Electric attacks and secondary Specially defensive check for Electric teams in general is appreciated: consider a bulky Volcarona. Unboosted volcarona doesnt check electric well, instead say that volcarona appreciates the water-resist and fire check that araquanid offers
* Hazard Control is mandatory to keep Stealth Rock off the field and preserve Araquanid's health: it benefits greatly from Rapid Spin support from Armaldo or Forretress. Also say that the two are able to set hazards other own, and that foretress is a good physically defensive mon that works well with specially defensive araquanid, and mention their type synergy.
* A strong Cleaner / Sweeper can abuse the holes Araquanid punches in defensive teams, such as Mega-Pinsir or Volcarona. Say that they both appreciate the fire switch-in.
* A strong offensive answer for Flying types that Araquanid fears is appreciated: Galvantula and Armaldo.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Bug
--------
* Another coverage move can be picked over Scald: Crunch can be run to hit bulky Ghost types who resist Liquidation (Gourgeist, Jellicent) while Poison Jab hits Bulky Fairy types who resist Liquidation (Azumarill, Tapu Fini, Tapu Bulu). These moves reap less consistent benefits than Scald, however. I don't think I've ever seen crunch araquanid, it just doesnt look that appealing and just isnt worth running. Poison jab is worth mentioning though.
* Choice Band Araquanid can be run as a wallbreaker on more offensively oriented teams whilst still being able to check Special Attackers with its respectable natural bulk. This set is much less sturdy a check to threats in the metagame however.
* Rest/Talk Araquanid is an option for teams seeking more sustained defensive presence, but this set sacrifices the consistency and immediate offensive and defensive presence of Assault Vest sets.
* stockpile
* toxic


Checks and Counters
===================

Bug
--------
**Super Effective Moves**: While Araquanid is bulky, it struggles to sponge strong special Electric, Rock, or Flying attacks consistently over the course of a match, and can only really take one STAB Power Gem or Thunderbolt before being taken out. Threats like Tapu Koko, Alola Raichu, Nihilego, or Togekiss will put heavy pressure on Araquanid.

**Physical Attackers**: Araquanid has imposing special defenses, but struggles to take physical hits and is checked by most strong physical attackers.

**Bulky Water Resists**: Araquanid is strong but with Liquidation being its strongest move it cannot break bulky water, grass, and dragon type pokemon: including Toxapex, Mega-Venusaur, Ferrothorn, Tapu Bulu, Slowbro(-Mega), Tapu Fini, etc. Same as before, don't do
Description : (x pokemon)

**Water Immunities**: As Araquanid's offenses are almost entirely tied up in its Water type STAB, pokemon with an immunity to Water type attacks are a challenge: watch out for Volcanion, Mantine, or Gastrodon. Here too.

**Stealth Rocks**: SR severely hamper Araquanid's capacity to check special threats and switch in on Fire attacks by causing heavy damage upon entering battle.

**Chip Damage**: With no source of recovery, consistent chip damage from weather, hazards, rocky helmets, leech seed, or poison / toxic will undermine Araquanid's ability to operate as a specially defensive tank.

A bit of formatting issues and spelling mistakes, but they can be ironed out before GP. Good job.

 

[Quantum Tesseract]

AM QC check here; implement what you agree with and leave the rest for QC:

[OVERVIEW]

Bug
========

* Araquanid's signature ability Water Bubble halves the damage taken by Fire-type attacks, doubles the power of Water-type attacks, and makes Araquanid immune to burns. Put this first
* Araquanid's powerfulWater STAB, resistance to Fire- and Water-type attacks, and high Special Defense let it function as a specially defensive tank on Bug. Its water stab is irrelevant to it being a tank + you have it elsewhere
* Araquanid has decent physical bulk and strong special bulk, which makes it a reliable sponge for Fire moves and other special attacks from threats like Mega-Charizard Y or Volcarona.
* The unique Water and Fire resists offered by Araquanid cover Bug's defensive core admirably, patching up the weaknesses of teammates like Volcarona and Mega-Scizor.
* The doubled power of Water-type attacks grant Araquanid a unique and potent offensive presence on Bug teams.
* However Araquanid is offensively one-dimensional, as outside of Water STAB Araquanid is very weak and cannot threaten Pokemon with coverage.
* Araquanid's weakness to Electric-type attacks is problematic for Bug, as the type lacks sturdy Electric resists and struggles with threats like Tapu Koko, Alola-Raichu, and Xurkitree.
* Araquanid's weakness to Stealth Rock reduces its longevity.
* Araquanid lacks reliable recovery, and must rely on Leech Life. Leech life recovery is honestly at best a bonus, you aren't relying on it.
* Araquanid is slow and cannot outspeed even uninvested defensive threats like Mega-Venusaur even with Sticky Webs.

[SET]
name: Assault Vest (Bug)
move 1: Liquidation
move 2: Scald
move 3: Leech Life
move 4: Mirror Coat
item: Assault Vest
ability: Water Bubble
nature: Brave
evs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD Up to QC, but I can't get behind this set; with rocks up (and armaldo is rather easy to pressure), Char Y gets a kill every time it comes in because Araquanid loses if it switches in with rocks up

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Liquidation is a strong, physical Water-type STAB with a chance to drop defense on hit. Liquidation's power is doubled by Araquanid's ability, Water Bubble, and is its strongest attack.
* Scald is a weaker, special Water-type STAB with a 30% chance to burn targets good for pestering defensive threats. Scald's power is doubled by Araquanid's ability, Water Bubble.
* Leech Life is a Bug-type STAB that offers recovery against neutral targets, Water resists and immunities, or Grass-/Dark-/Psychic-types. give some examples
* Mirror Coat is a tool for checking Special Attackers such as who are not threatened by Araquanid's other 3 attacks.

Set Details
========

* Maximum Attack EVs are to give Liquidation and Leech Life the most damage output possible.
* 248 HP EVs and 8 Special Defense EVs give Araquanid the most Special Defensive bulk possible with Assault Vest. false, fix this
* Water Bubble is Araquanid's signature ability and doubles the damage dealt by Water-type attacks, halves the damage taken by Fire-type attacks, and grants an immunity to burns. cut the fluff
* Assault Vest bolsters Araquanid's special defense to make it as formidable a Special switch in as possible.
* Brave Nature maximizes the damage output of Araquanid's physical attacks without undercutting Scald.

Usage Tips
========

* Utilize Araquanid as a switch in and offensive check to special threats in the metagame such as Greninja, Alakazam-Mega, Mega-Charizrd Y, Kingdra, Keldeo, Heatran, or Landorus-I.
* Preserve Araquanid when faced with powerful win-conditions who can otherwise sweep the team, like Volcarona, Scarf Victini, or Porygon-Z.
* Use Liquidation liberally. It is Araquanid's strongest move and even when resisted it is more powerful than Leech Life.
* Scald should be used to fish for Burns against defensive threats who are not threatened by Liquidation such as Mandibuzz, Skarmory, Ferrothorn, Mega-Venusaur, and Toxapex.
* Use Leech Life against Dark-, Psychic-, and Grass-types such as to recover health and keep Araquanid healthy for checking threats.
* Use Mirror Coat to punish Special Attackers who are not threatened by Araquanid's STABs such as Kingdra or Volcanion or to punish Volt Switch from threats like Magnezone, Magearna, Zapdos, or Rotom-Wash.
* Use Araquanid's immunity to Burns to absorb Will-O-Wisp.
* It is essential that hazards, especially stealth rock, be kept off Araquanid's side as they compromise its ability to switch in on threats, notably V-create Victini. Don't switch araquanid in on victini unless you don't need it, as Uturn, Bolt Strike, and CB V-create beat it.
* Araquanid has mediocre physical defense and should not risk taking unresisted physical attacks, even from defensive threats like Skarmory or Mandibuzz, unless there are no Special Attackers left to check.
* While Araquanid can break down more passive defensive pokemon like what? Not really, switch out when faced with less passive threats such as Ferrothorn or Mega-Scizor
* avoid taking unnecessary damage, such as from Leech Seed, Rocky Helmet, Rough Skin, Weather, Status, or physical attacks. give this it's own bullet


Team Options
========

* Scizor and Mega-Scizor are both excellent partners for Araquanid, as their Steel typing covers Araquanid's Rock- and Flying-type weaknesses while Araquanid covers their 4x weakness to Fire-types. Scizor and Mega-Scizor are able to force out threats like Nihilego, Terrakion, or Tyranitar with Technician Bullet Punch and can pivot with U-turn to create opportunities to bring Araquanid in safely. They can also use Defog to keep hazards off the field.
* Galvantula offers a strong offensive check for Flying- and Water-types that Araquanid struggles with like Togekiss, Toxapex, and Mantine while offering valuable Sticky Web support to the team.
* Volcarona is a potent win-condition who benefits from the holes Araquanid punches with it's powerful STAB and its Fire and Water resists. Quiver Dance Volcarona, especially bulky variants, is especially threatening to Electric teams that Araquanid struggles with.
* Choice Scarf Heracross is an effective cleaner whose powerful STABs and coverage help dispatch of Flying-, Steel-, Grass-, and Rock-types. List what it does for araquanid. Araquanid isn't that bothered by steels or grasses, and is less bothered than normal for bugs by rock types
* Buzzwole is a powerful wallbreaker whose Electric, Rock, and Fighting coverage threaten Flying-, Rock-, Steel-, and Water-types that Araquanid fears. Buzzwole's physical bulk pairs well with Araquanid's special bulk, and his Fighting typing helps sponge physical Rock-type attacks like Stone Edge easily.
* Forretress is a reliable Rapid Spin user that helps keep Stealth Rocks, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes off the field so that Araquanid can operate effectively. Forretress's Steel typing offers a neutrality to Rock- and Flying-type attacks that Araquanid struggles with, while Araquanid sponges Fire and Special attacks Forretress can't. The Stealth Rocks, Toxic Spikes, and Spikes set by Forretress help Araquanid break down defensive threats.
* Armaldo is an effective Rapid Spin user that helps keep Stealth Rocks, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes off the field so that Araquanid can operate effectively. Armaldo's Rock typing helps deal with Flying-type threats Araquanid can't manage like Zapdos and acts as a secondary Fire switch in. Armaldo's Stealth Rocks help pressure opposing Fire and Flying teams. Combine this with Forretress, esp the first line
* Mega-Pinsir benefits greatly as a sweeper from the damage dealt to defensive cores by Araquanid's powerful Water-type STAB, and is especially effective against the bulky Water and Grass teams Araquanid can't touch.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Bug
--------
* Choice Band Araquanid can be run as a wallbreaker on more offensive teams whilst still checking Special Attackers with its natural bulk. This set is a much less sturdy check to threats in the metagame like Volcarona, however, and compares poorly with Choice Band Scizor, who sports useful Steel-type priority and powerful coverage.
* Rest/Talk Araquanid is an option for teams seeking more sustained defensive presence with Rest and Leftovers for recovery, but this set sacrifices the consistency and immediate offensive and defensive presence of Assault Vest sets. Not defensive, leftover resttalk can do stuff like switch into char y.
* 196 Defense EVs can be run to ensure Araquanid is not 2HKOd by Victini's V-create after Stealth Rocks. However, running this much Defense investment compromises Araquanid's offensive presence and ability to recover health with Leech Life.

Checks and Counters
===================

Bug
--------
**Physical Attackers**: Araquanid has only decent physical defense and cannot take unresisted hits from physical attackers like Sharpedo-Mega, Landorus-T, Excadrill, Weavile, Alola-Marowak, or Tapu Bulu. Araquanid will even struggle with Physical Attacks from defensive threats like Skarmory or Mandibuzz.

**Electric-Types**: Araquanid struggles to sponge strong special Electric-type attacks and can only really take one STAB Thunderbolt from threats like Tapu Koko or Alola Raichu.

**Rock-Types**: Araquanid fails to sponge strong special Rock-type attacks over the course of a match, and cannot consistently check threats like Nihilego.

**Flying-Types**: Araquanid cannot sponge strong Flying-type attacks consistently, and struggles to manage threats like Pelipper, Togekiss, or Skarmory.

**Bulky Water-Types**: Araquanid depends on Water-type STAB and struggles to break bulky Water-type pokemon like Tapu Fini, Toxapex, or Lanturn. Water Immunities like Gastrodon and Matnine are especially troublesome as they keep Araquanid from spamming its powerful STAB.

**Bulky Grass-Types**: Araquanid depends on Water STAB and struggles to break bulky Grass-type pokemon like Mega-Venusaur, Ferrothorn, or Tapu Bulu who take Leech Life neutrally. Honestly this one is just fine together, as they wall for the same reason (taking liguidations and scalds easily)

**Stealth Rocks**: By causing heavy damage on every switch in, Stealth Rocks severely hamper Araquanid's capacity to check special threats and sponge Fire attacks.

**Residual Damage**: With no source of recovery, consistent chip damage from weather, hazards, rocky helmets, leech seed, or status will undermine Araquanid's ability to operate as a specially defensive tank.

 

[Paleo]

Overview:

• In the first bullet, remove the "power water stab" part cus it has nothing to do with the rest of the line
• In the second bullet, dont spout info someone can get from a Pokedex. Try and analyze why the effects of water bubble are good/bad on araquanid and what it means for its place on bug teams
• I think one bullet about its general bad longevity should be fine, so combine the SR weak line and the no recovery line
• Victinis a bad example of a fire mon it can switch into because araquanid gets 2hkod by bolt strike and vcreate does a lot too

You keep referring back to its fire resistance, and basically repeat it four times in the overview. The first line should be something about water bubble and its pseudo fire resist, because water bubble is easily the most important thing about araquanid. In the next line something about its good special defense and its water resistance, then you can talk about its offensive presence because of water bubble

Set Comments:

• Take off the "30pct chance to burn" part on scald pokedex part. Just explain why burning some mons is beneficial over hitting the opponent with liquidation
• In most situations mirror coat should be used to beat mons that 2hko araquanid or do a lot of damage to it, so araquanid can ohko it back in a trade. Youd use this vs mons like tapu koko, PZ, Xurkitree, boosted magearna and magnezone.

Usage Tips:

• Some landorus still carry rock slide, so landorus isnt the best example of a mon araquanid can switch into
• Update the mirror coat section for what I said about it in set comments
• The last two bullets are the same thing. Scizor, skarm, mandibuzz, and ferrothorn all have some offensive presence to they beat araquanid 1v1, and all can dmg araq with rocky helmet/uturn. Scizor isn't really the best example either because its way more of a pivot than the other three

Team Options:

• Explain why heracross helps araquanid
• Like quantum tesseract said, combine forretress and armaldo in one bullet under "hazard control" or something of the sort

Other Options:

• Scizor isnt really a physical wallbreaker like CB araquanid would be, because its more of a revenge killer with BP, so the comparison isnt really workin. Buzzwole is the only other potential wallbreaker I can think of, but your qualifying statement of "it loses the bulk from assault vest" is fine on its own.

Your main problem is that you keep explaining mechanics of Pokemon that players who've never encountered competititve pokemon will already know. It's useless information to new players who've never played monotype or are new to smogon. What has your months of mono experience taught you about araquanid and bug monotypes that a new player reading an analysis wouldnt know?

qc 1/3, and implement quantum tesseract's am qc

 

[Eien]

Overview:
- Focus on what's important. Paleo also told you to do this: Water Bubble essentially gives Araquanid a resistance to Fire, which makes it all but mandatory on Bug teams for checking Fire-types. The other aspects of Water Bubble aren't nearly as important and shouldn't distract a reader from what they need to know.

Set:
- EV spread is changed. 52 Speed allows Araquanid to outspeed Azumarill after Sticky Web. While Liquidation doesn't really do that much, it puts Azumarill into range of any other priority if necessary. This isn't really that useful usually, but you would have wanted to run 48 Speed to outspeed Hippowdon without Sticky Web, so in the end it's really a 4 EV investment. Definitely worth it every time. You want to outspeed Hippowdon to prevent it from setting Stealth Rock by KOing it after minor chip damage.

Also, you'll need Adamant to do this. Let's be honest, Scald's doing 0 damage. It has base 50 Special Attack. Scald's only use is for the burn. Literally no other use. The defense disparity required would be on the level of Avalugg, Buzzwole, and Skarmory, whose Defense stats are abnormally higher than their Special Defense.

[SET]
name: Assault Vest (Bug)
move 1: Liquidation
move 2: Scald
move 3: Leech Life
move 4: Mirror Coat
item: Assault Vest
ability: Water Bubble
nature: Adamant
evs: 204 HP / 252 Atk / 52 Spe

Moves:
- Give an example of a Mirror Coat target.

Set Details:
- Change the EV lines. I explained the EVs above.
- Also change Brave to Adamant.

Usage Tips:
- Would you really use Mirror Coat vs Kingdra when Leech Life 3HKOes it and restores Araquanid's HP?
- Also mention with Scald that physical attackers like to switch into Araquanid to hit its lower Defense, which allows it to hit them with Scald on the switch.
- I agree with Paleo. Remove this:
* Avoid taking unnecessary damage from Leech Seed, Rocky Helmet, Rough Skin, Weather, or Status.
- I don't think this is a very necessary line. It seems to be just reiterating stuff from the Moves section. So remove it.
* Use Leech Life against Dark-, Psychic-, Grass-types and Bulky Water Resists / Immunities such as Slowbro, Seismetoad, and Gastrodon to recover health and keep Araquanid healthy for checking threats.

Team Options:
- Defog Scizor is basically not used.
- I'm not sure Volcarona is so good vs Electric that you'd say it like that..
- Heracross vs Flying isn't that good when it's a free switch to Skarmory every time.
- Move Forretress and Armaldo bullet to the top.

Other Options:
- The 196 Defense EV spread really doesn't make much sense to me. You're still going to drop if it hits you with Bolt Strike. If it does use V-create and switches out after, what's your check? You've lost too much Attack investment to reasonably damage Victini with Leech Life, so you must use Liquidation, and whatever comes in will force you, and you can't switch in anymore anyway. I'd remove this spread.

QC 2/3

 

[Vid]

Comments

[OVERVIEW]

Bug
========

* Araquanid's signature ability Water Bubble halves the damage taken by Fire-type attacks, doubles the power of Water-type attacks, and makes Araquanid immune to burns.
* Araquanid's high Special Defense and unique Fire and Water resists from Water Bubble allow it to function as a specially defensive tank on Bug, and is a reliable sponge for Fire moves and check to special threats like Mega-Charizard Y or Volcarona.
* However Araquanid is offensively one-dimensional, as outside of Water STAB Araquanid is very weak and cannot threaten Pokemon with coverage.
* Araquanid's weakness to Electric-type attacks is problematic for Bug, as the type lacks sturdy Electric resists and struggles with threats like Tapu Koko, Alola-Raichu, and Xurkitree.
* Araquanid can struggle with longevity, as it is weak to Stealth Rocks and lacks reliable recovery.
* Araquanid is slow and cannot outspeed even uninvested defensive threats like Mega-Venusaur even with Sticky Webs.

[SET]
name: Assault Vest (Bug)
move 1: Liquidation
move 2: Scald
move 3: Leech Life
move 4: Mirror Coat
item: Assault Vest
ability: Water Bubble
nature: Brave
evs: 204 HP / 252 Atk / 52 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Liquidation is a strong, physical Water-type STAB with a chance to drop defense on hit. Liquidation's power is doubled by Araquanid's ability, Water Bubble, and is its strongest attack.
* Scald is a weaker, special Water-type STAB with a 30% burn chance helpful for pestering defensive threats you can't break with Liquidation. wouldn't say percentages just say a nice chance to burn and how it cripples physical threats with examples
* Leech Life is a Bug-type STAB used against Dark-, Psychic-, Grass-types and Bulky Water Resists / Immunities such as Slowbro, Seismetoad, and Gastrodon to recover health and keep Araquanid healthy for checking threats.
* Mirror Coat is a tool for checking Special Attackers who are not threatened by Araquanid's other 3 attacks like Volcanion. It also manages threats that can 2HKO Araquanid like Tapu Koko, Alola Raichu, or Magnezone so Araquanid can OHKO back in a trade.

Set Details
========

* Maximum Attack EVs and Adamant Nature are to give Liquidation and Leech Life the most damage output possible.
* 52 Spe EVs allow Araquanid to outspeed Hippowdon and Azumarill after Sticky Webs.
* The remaining EVs go into HP to improve Araquanid's bulk.
* Water Bubble doubles the damage dealt by Water-type attacks, halves the damage taken by Fire-type attacks, and grants an immunity to burns.
* Assault Vest bolsters Araquanid's special defense to make it as formidable a Special switch in as possible.

Usage Tips
========

* Utilize Araquanid as a switch in and offensive check to special threats in the metagame such as Greninja, Alakazam-Mega, Mega-Charizrd Y, Kingdra, Keldeo, or Heatran. Too many examples remove 2
* Preserve Araquanid when faced with powerful win-conditions who can otherwise sweep the team, like Volcarona, Scarf Victini, or Porygon-Z.
* Use Liquidation liberally. It is Araquanid's strongest move and even when resisted it is more powerful than Leech Life.
* Scald should be used to fish for Burns against defensive threats who are not threatened by Liquidation such as Mandibuzz, Skarmory, Ferrothorn, Mega-Venusaur, and Toxapex. Too Many Examples remove 1
* Scald can also be used to pester Physical Attackers switching in to take advantage of Araquanid's poor physical Defense.
* Use Araquanid's immunity to Burns to absorb Will-O-Wisp.
* It is essential that hazards, especially stealth rock, be kept off Araquanid's side as they compromise its ability to switch in on threats.
* Araquanid has mediocre physical defense and should not risk taking unresisted physical attacks, even from defensive threats like Skarmory or Mandibuzz.


Team Options
========

* Forretress and Armaldo are reliable Rapid Spin users that help keep Stealth Rocks, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes off the field so that Araquanid can operate effectively. Forretress's Steel typing offers a neutrality to Rock- and Flying-type attacks that Araquanid struggles with, while Armaldo's Rock typing helps deal with Flying-type threats Araquanid can't manage like Zapdos and acts as a secondary Fire switch in. Hazards set by Forretress and Amraldo help Araquanid break down defensive threats.
* Scizor and Mega-Scizor are both excellent partners for Araquanid, as their Steel typing covers Araquanid's Rock- and Flying-type weaknesses while Araquanid covers their 4x weakness to Fire-types. Scizor and Mega-Scizor are able to force out threats like Nihilego, Terrakion, or Tyranitar with Technician Bullet Punch and can pivot with U-turn to create opportunities to bring Araquanid in safely.
* Galvantula offers a strong offensive check for Flying- and Water-types that Araquanid struggles with like Togekiss, Toxapex, and Mantine while offering valuable Sticky Web support to the team.
* Volcarona is a potent win-condition who benefits from the holes Araquanid punches with it's powerful STAB and its Fire and Water resists. Quiver Dance Volcarona can also take down Electric teams that Araquanid struggles with.
* Choice Scarf Heracross is an effective cleaner whose powerful STABs and coverage help dispatch of Steel-, Grass-, and Rock-types that Araquanid can't easily manage.
* Buzzwole is a powerful wallbreaker whose Electric, Rock, and Fighting coverage threaten Flying-, Rock-, Steel-, and Water-types that Araquanid fears. Buzzwole's physical bulk pairs well with Araquanid's special bulk, and his Fighting typing helps sponge physical Rock-type attacks like Stone Edge easily.
* Mega-Pinsir benefits greatly as a sweeper from the damage dealt to defensive cores by Araquanid's powerful Water-type STAB, and is especially effective against the bulky Water and Grass teams Araquanid can't touch.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Bug
--------
* Choice Band Araquanid can be run as a wallbreaker on more offensive teams whilst still checking Special Attackers with its natural bulk. This set is a much less sturdy check to threats in the metagame like Volcarona, however.
* Rest/Talk Araquanid is an option for teams seeking more sustained defensive presence with Rest and Leftovers for recovery, but this set sacrifices the consistency and immediate offensive and defensive presence of Assault Vest sets.

Checks and Counters
===================

Bug
--------
**Physical Attackers**: Araquanid has only decent physical defense and cannot take unresisted hits from physical attackers like Sharpedo-Mega, Landorus-T, Excadrill, Weavile, Alola-Marowak, or Tapu Bulu. Too many examples remove 1 or 2 Araquanid will even struggle with Physical Attacks from defensive threats like Skarmory or Mandibuzz.

**Electric-Types**: Araquanid struggles to sponge strong special Electric-type attacks and can only really take one STAB Thunderbolt from threats like Tapu Koko or Alola Raichu.

**Rock-Types**: Araquanid fails to sponge strong special Rock-type attacks over the course of a match, and cannot consistently check threats like Nihilego. add one more example

**Flying-Types**: Araquanid cannot sponge strong Flying-type attacks consistently, and struggles to manage threats like Pelipper, Togekiss, or Skarmory.

**Bulky Water Resits**: Araquanid depends on Water-type STAB and struggles to break bulky Water-type pokemon like Tapu Fini, Toxapex, or Lanturn or Grass-type pokemon like Mega-Venusaur, Ferrothorn, or Tapu Bulu who take Leech Life neutrally. Water Immunities like Gastrodon and Matnine are especially troublesome as they keep Araquanid from spamming its powerful STAB.

**Stealth Rocks**: By causing heavy damage on every switch in, Stealth Rocks severely hamper Araquanid's capacity to check special threats and sponge Fire attacks.

**Residual Damage**: With no source of recovery, consistent chip damage from weather, hazards, rocky helmets, leech seed, or status will undermine Araquanid's ability to operate as a specially defensive tank.

Nice Work just too many examples. Also watch out with or vs and, it was just something I noticed while reading.
QC 3/3

 

[Eien]

Tyke you forgot to change Brave to Adamant. Speed EVs don't do anything useful with a -Spe nature. Also, just realized 204 HP puts Araquanid on a divisible by 4 HP value, so change it to 200 HP and 4 Def to avoid that if you could.

 

[Tyke]

Tyke you forgot to change Brave to Adamant. Speed EVs don't do anything useful with a -Spe nature. Also, just realized 204 HP puts Araquanid on a divisible by 4 HP value, so change it to 200 HP and 4 Def to avoid that if you could.

edited

 

[dhelmise]

Hide

[OVERVIEW]

Bug
========

* Araquanid's signature ability Water Bubble halves the damage taken by Fire-type attacks, doubles the power of Water-type attacks, and makes Araquanid immune to burns. (okay, but how does this benefit Araquanid? The Overview shouldnt just be facts about what araquanid's moves etc do, this bullet was also already in Usage Tips so i deleted it here)
* Araquanid's high Special Defense and unique resistance to Water- and Fire-type moves Fire and Water resists from Water Bubble allow it to function as a specially defensive tank on Bug, and is they make Araquanid a reliable sponge for Fire Fire-type moves and allow it to check to special threats like Mega Charizard (RH) Y and Volcarona.
* However, (AC) Araquanid is one-dimensional offensively one-dimensional, as outside of Water its Water-type STAB moves, (AC) Araquanid is very weak and cannot threaten Pokemon with coverage.
* Araquanid's weakness to Electric-type attacks is problematic for Bug, as the type lacks sturdy Electric resists resistances to Electric-type moves and struggles with threats like Tapu Koko and Xurkitree.
* Araquanid can struggle with longevity, as it is weak to Stealth Rocks Rock and lacks reliable recovery.
* Araquanid is slow and cannot outspeed even uninvested defensive threats like Mega Venusaur (RH) even with Sticky Webs Web.

[SET]
name: Assault Vest (Bug)
move 1: Liquidation
move 2: Scald
move 3: Leech Life
move 4: Mirror Coat
item: Assault Vest
ability: Water Bubble
nature: Adamant
evs: 200 HP / 4 Def / 252 Atk / 52 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Liquidation is a strong, physical Water-type STAB move with a chance to drop the foe's Defense on hit. Liquidation's power is doubled by Araquanid's ability, Water Bubble, and is its strongest attack.
* Scald is a weaker, special Water-type STAB move with a 30% burn chance, (AC) which helpful for pestering defensive threats you that Araquanid can't break with Liquidation.
* Leech Life is a Bug-type STAB move that is used against Dark-, Psychic-, Grass-types and Bulky Water Resists / Immunities Water-resistant or Water-immune Pokemon such as Slowbro and Seismetoad Seismitoad to recover health and keep Araquanid healthy for checking threats.
* Mirror Coat is a tool for checking special attackers who that are not threatened by Araquanid's other 3 three attacks like Volcanion. It also manages threats that can 2HKO Araquanid like Tapu Koko and Alola Alolan Raichu so Araquanid can OHKO back in a trade.

Set Details
========

* Maximum Attack EVs and an Adamant nature are to give Liquidation and Leech Life the most damage output possible.
* 52 Spe Speed EVs allow Araquanid to outspeed Hippowdon and Azumarill after Sticky Webs Web.
* The remaining EVs go into HP to improve Araquanid's bulk.
* Water Bubble doubles the damage dealt by Water-type attacks, halves the damage taken by Fire-type attacks, and grants an immunity to burns.
* Assault Vest bolsters Araquanid's Special Defense to make it as formidable of a special switch-in (AH) as possible.

Usage Tips
========

* Utilize Araquanid as a switch in and offensive check to special threats in the metagame such as Kingdra, Alakazam-Mega Mega Alakazam, and Mega Charizard (RH) Y.
* Preserve Araquanid when faced with powerful win-conditions who wincons that can otherwise sweep the team, like Volcarona, Choice Scarf Victini, and Porygon-Z.
* Use Liquidation liberally. It is Araquanid's strongest move, (AC) and even when resisted, (AC) it is more powerful than Leech Life.
* Scald should be used to fish for Burns against burn defensive threats who are not that aren't threatened by Liquidation such as Skarmory, Ferrothorn, Mega Venusaur (RH), and Toxapex.
* Scald can also be used to pester physical attackers that are switching in to take advantage of Araquanid's poor physical Defense.
* Use Araquanid's immunity to burns to absorb Will-O-Wisp.
* It is essential that entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, be are kept off of Araquanid's side of the field, (AC) as they compromise its ability to switch in on threats.
* Araquanid has mediocre physical Defense and should not risk taking unresisted physical attacks, even from defensive threats like Skarmory and Mandibuzz.


Team Options
========

* Forretress and Armaldo are reliable Rapid Spin users that help keep Stealth Rocks Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes off the field so that Araquanid can operate effectively. Forretress's Steel typing offers a neutrality to the Rock- and Flying-type attacks that Araquanid struggles with, while Armaldo's Rock typing helps deal with Flying-type threats that Araquanid can't manage like Zapdos, (AC) and it allows Armaldo acts as a secondary Fire-type switch-in (AH). Entry hazards that are set by Forretress and Amraldo Armaldo help Araquanid break down defensive threats.
* Scizor and Mega Scizor (RH) are both excellent partners for Araquanid, as their Steel typing covers Araquanid's Rock- and Flying-type weaknesses while Araquanid covers their 4x weakness to Fire-types Fire-type moves. Scizor and Mega Scizor (RH) are able to force out threats like Nihilego and Tyranitar with Technician Bullet Punch and can pivot with U-turn to create opportunities to bring Araquanid in safely.
* Galvantula offers acts as a strong offensive check for the Flying- and Water-types that Araquanid struggles with like Togekiss, Toxapex, and Mantine while offering valuable Sticky Web support to the team.
* Volcarona is a potent win-condition who wincon that benefits from the holes Araquanid punches with it's its powerful STAB move and its Fire- (AH) and Water-type resistances resists.
* Choice Scarf Heracross is an effective cleaner whose powerful STABs STAB and coverage moves help dispatch of the Steel-, Grass-, and Rock-types that Araquanid can't easily manage.
* Buzzwole is a powerful wallbreaker whose Electric, Rock, and Fighting coverage threaten threatens the Flying-, Rock-, Steel-, and Water-types that Araquanid fears. Buzzwole's physical bulk pairs well with Araquanid's special bulk, and his its Fighting typing helps sponge physical Rock-type attacks like Stone Edge easily.
* Mega Pinsir (RH) benefits greatly as a sweeper from the damage dealt to defensive cores by Araquanid's powerful Water-type STAB moves, and it is especially effective against the bulky Water and Grass teams that Araquanid can't touch.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Bug
--------
(add blank line)
* Choice Band Araquanid can be run as a wallbreaker on more offensive teams whilst while still checking special attackers with its natural bulk. This set is a much less sturdy check to threats in the metagame like Volcarona, however.
* RestTalk (Remove slash) Araquanid is an option for teams seeking that seek more sustained defensive presence with Rest and Leftovers for recovery, but this set sacrifices the consistency and immediate offensive and defensive presence of Assault Vest sets.

Checks and Counters
===================

Bug
--------
(add blank line)
**Physical Attackers**: Araquanid has only decent physical Defense and cannot take unresisted hits from physical attackers like Sharpedo-Mega, Alola-Marowak Mega Sharpedo, Alolan Marowak, and Tapu Bulu. Araquanid will even struggle with physical attacks from defensive threats like Skarmory.

**Electric-types**: Araquanid struggles to sponge strong special Electric-type attacks and can only really take one STAB Thunderbolt from threats like Tapu Koko.

**Rock-types**: Araquanid fails to sponge strong special Rock-type attacks over the course of a match, (RC) and cannot consistently check threats like Nihilego.

**Flying-types**: Araquanid cannot sponge strong Flying-type attacks consistently, (RC) and struggles to manage threats like Togekiss and Skarmory.

**Bulky Water Resists Water-type-resistant Pokemon**: Araquanid depends on its Water-type STAB moves and struggles to break bulky Water-type Pokemon like Toxapex and Lanturn or and Grass-type Pokemon like Mega Venusaur (RH) and Ferrothorn, (AC) which who take Leech Life neutrally. Water Immunities Water-immune Pokemon like Gastrodon and Mantine are especially troublesome, (AC) as they keep Araquanid from spamming its powerful STAB moves.

**Stealth Rocks Rock**: By causing heavy damage on every switch in, Stealth Rocks Rock severely hamper hampers Araquanid's capacity to check special threats and sponge Fire-type attacks.

**Residual Damage**: With no source of recovery, consistent chip damage from either weather, entry hazards, Rocky Helmet helmets, Leech seed, or status will undermine Araquanid's ability to operate as a specially defensive tank.

GP 1/1, sorry for the outrageously long time that this took

 

[Eien]

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