Tentacool (Analysis)

[Overview]
<p>Tentacool has always been a good Pokemon, and performs in Little Cup similar to how Tentacruel does in higher tiers. Tentacool It is still one of the most reliable Toxic Spikers and Rapid Spinners users of Toxic Spikes and Rapid Spin in Little Cup. Tentacool has a good defensive typing to help it deal with the hard-hitting Fighting-type Pokemon that have taken the current metagame by storm, as well as Carvanha; which can sweep entire teams with little support. With great Special Defense and support options, Tentacool will continue to contend for a spot on any defensive Little Cup team.</p>
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[SET]
name: Toxic Spikes Support
move 1: Toxic Spikes
move 2: Scald
move 3: Knock Off / Rapid Spin
move 4: Sludge Wave / Giga Drain
item: Eviolite / Oran Berry
ability: Liquid Ooze
nature: Calm / Bold
evs: 116 HP / 156 Def / 196 SpD / 36 Spe

[Set Comments]
<p>This set does what Tentacool is best suited for. Tentacool has immense special bulk in its Special Defense that is further boosted by Eviolite, which reaches a 30 reaching 30 Special Defense. The rest of the EVs keep Tentacool's Defense at a respectable level once boosted by Eviolite as well as giving it a 14 in its Speed stat, allowing Tentacool to outspeed a fair amount of Pokemon. Toxic Spikes is the main attraction to this set as it gives any team a great deal of support, as two layers induces the same effect as Toxic upon switching in. Knock Off or Rapid Spin is up to you based on what other kind of support you want Tentacool to bring to the team; knocking off their items or removing entry hazards from your side of the field. Scald is the preferred STAB move on Tentacool as it not only provides respectable damage, but it can burn the opponent's Pokemon that are immune to Toxic Spikes, although if you're wary of Tentacool burning things you don't want it to, Surf is an alternative. Finally, Tentacool has two good choices in Sludge Wave or Giga Drain for added coverage. Sludge Wave packs a lot of power and gets a STAB bonus boost, whereas Giga Drain helps Tentacool stay healthy.</p>

[Additional Comments]
<p>Tentacool has a lot of special bulk in Special Defense naturally, so you may opt for a Bold nature and / or shift some of the EVs over to Defense to buff it up to your liking. Oran Berry is an alternative to Eviolite, but is vastly inferior to a Pokemon with defenses as high as Tentacool. If your team really needs it, you can drop off the second attack on Tentacool in favor for of both Knock off and Rapid Spin to handle stall and defensive teams if your team has a lot of trouble with them. Tentacool partners very well with Ferroseed, as Ferroseed can handles Psychic- and Electric-type attacks aimed at Tentacool, and while Tentacool can take Fire- and Fighting-type attacks aimed at Ferroseed. while They both can set up layers of entry hazards for the team too. Gligar and Bronzor also pairs exceedingly well with Tentacool, as they resist each other's weaknesses while setting up entry hazards. Toxic Spikes from Tentacool will also let any setup sweeper such as Scraggy and Dratini have a much higher chance of setting up and sweeping the opponent's team.</p>

[Other Options]
<p>Although the set given is undoubtedly Tentacool's best set, it has many other viable support and offensive options. Surf is usable over Scald if you would like the slight power boost. Tentacool also has access to other moves such as Hydro Pump, Ice Beam, and Icy Wind. Tentacool can pull off a viable Choice set as well, utilizing Hydro Pump, Ice Beam, Sludge Wave, and a Hidden Power as well as a respectable Speed stat. A Swords Dance set is usable as well, though it is vastly outclassed by other, better Pokemon. With Tentacool's great Special Defense stat, a gimmick set utilizing Mirror Coat is also an option. Haze can be used if your team has trouble with setup sweepers. Venoshock and Acid Spray can be useful as well. Rain Dish and Rain Dance are also usable.</p>

[Checks and Counters]
<p>Ferroseed not only makes an excellent team mate for Tentacool; it also makes a solid switch-in to it. With a resistance to one STAB and an immunity to the other, Tentacool has no hope to of stopping Ferroseed from doing what it wants to. Meditite, Gligar, and Chinchou are all good examples of Pokemon that can threaten Tentacool, although they have to be wary of Toxic Spikes damage and coming into the wrong move, such as Scald in Gligar's case or Giga Drain in Chinchou's, can become troublesome. Frillish and other bulky Water-type Pokemon can switch in without much worry as long as they are wary of Toxic Spikes damage.</p>

[Overview]
<p>Tentacool has always been a good Pokemon, and performs in Little Cup similar to how Tentacruel does in higher tiers. It is still one of the most reliable users of Toxic Spikes and Rapid Spin in Little Cup. Tentacool has a good defensive typing to help it deal with the hard-hitting Fighting-type Pokemon that have taken the current metagame by storm, as well as Carvanha; which can sweep entire teams with little support. the extremely dangerous Carvanha. With great Special Defense and support options, Tentacool will continue to contend is a solid contender for a spot on any defensive Little Cup team.</p>

[SET]
name: Toxic Spikes Support
move 1: Toxic Spikes
move 2: Scald
move 3: Knock Off / Rapid Spin
move 4: Sludge Wave / Giga Drain
item: Eviolite / Oran Berry
ability: Liquid Ooze
nature: Calm / Bold
evs: 116 HP / 156 Def / 196 SpD / 36 Spe

[Set Comments]
<p>This set does what Tentacool is best suited for. Tentacool has immense special bulk that is further boosted by Eviolite, reaching 30 Special Defense. The rest of the EVs keep Tentacool's Defense at a respectable level once boosted by Eviolite, as well as giving it 14 Speed, allowing Tentacool to outspeed a fair amount of Pokemon. Toxic Spikes is the main attraction to this set this set's main selling point, as it gives any team a great deal of support, as two layers induces the same effect as Toxic upon switching in. The Choice between Knock Off or Rapid Spin is up to you based on what other kind of support you want Tentacool to bring to the team; knocking off their the foe's items, or removing entry hazards from your side of the field. Scald is the preferred STAB move on Tentacool as it not only provides respectable damage, but can burn the opponent's Pokemon that are immune to Toxic Spikes, although if you're wary of Tentacool burning things Pokemon you don't want it to, Surf is an alternative. Finally, Tentacool has two good choices in Sludge Wave or Giga Drain for added coverage. Sludge Wave packs a lot of power and gets a STAB boost, whereas Giga Drain helps Tentacool stay healthy.</p>

[Additional Comments]
<p>Tentacool has a lot of special bulk naturally, so you may opt for a Bold nature and / or shift some of the EVs over to Defense to buff it up to your liking. Oran Berry is an alternative to Eviolite, but is vastly inferior to a Pokemon with defenses as high as Tentacool. If your team really needs it, you can drop off the second attack on Tentacool in favor of both Knock off and Rapid Spin to handle stall and defensive teams if your team has a lot of trouble with them. Tentacool partners very well with Ferroseed, as Ferroseed can handle Psychic- and Electric-type attacks aimed at Tentacool, while Tentacool can take Fire- and Fighting-type attacks aimed at Ferroseed. They both Both Pokemon can set up layers of entry hazards, too. Gligar and Bronzor also pair exceedingly well with Tentacool, as they resist each other's weaknesses while setting up entry hazards. Toxic Spikes from Tentacool will also let any setup sweeper, such as Scraggy and Dratini, have a much higher chance of setting up and sweeping the opponent's team.</p>

[Other Options]
<p>Although the above set given is undoubtedly Tentacool's best, set, it has many other viable support and offensive options. Surf is usable over Scald if you would like the slight power boost. Tentacool also has access to other moves, such as Hydro Pump, Ice Beam, and Icy Wind. Tentacool can pull off a viable Choice set as well, well thanks to its respectable Speed stat; the moves to use would be utilizing Hydro Pump, Ice Beam, Sludge Wave, and a Hidden Power. as well as a respectable Speed stat. A Swords Dance set is usable as well, though it is vastly outclassed by other, better Pokemon. With Tentacool's great Special Defense stat, a gimmick set utilizing Mirror Coat is also an option. Haze can be used if your team has trouble with setup sweepers. Venoshock and Acid Spray can be useful, and as well. Rain Dish and Rain Dance are also usable, as well.</p>

[Checks and Counters]
<p>Ferroseed not only makes an excellent teammate for Tentacool; Tentacool, but it also makes a solid switch-in to it. With a resistance to one STAB and an immunity to the other, Tentacool has no hope of stopping Ferroseed from doing what it wants to. Meditite, Gligar, and Chinchou are all good examples of Pokemon that can threaten Tentacool, although they have to be wary of Toxic Spikes damage and coming into the wrong move, such as Scald in Gligar's case or Giga Drain in Chinchou's. Frillish and other bulky Water-type Pokemon can switch in without much worry as long as they are wary of Toxic Spikes damage.</p>