breh
強いだね
[Overview]
<p>Cacturne is a Pokemon riddled with several great strengths and equally debilitating weaknesses. First and foremost, it is one of the few Pokemon in NU able to use Spikes, which gives it a high inherent value. Additionally, Cacturne is blessed with Sucker Punch, high base 115 Attack, and the perfect move to boost it with: Swords Dance. However, even with these huge advantages, Cacturne is crippled by poor Speed and defenses, as well as a typing rife with weaknesses. Regardless, Cacturne is a usable Pokemon and definitely one that can fit onto a team with some effort.</p>
[SET]
name: Offensive Spiker
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Seed Bomb
move 4: Substitute / Swords Dance
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Adamant
evs: 188 HP / 252 Atk / 20 Def / 20 SpD / 28 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Spikes is one of the best moves in NU; in a tier where users of Rapid Spin are largely terrible, entry hazards are not hard to set up. Sucker Punch is the move that gives Cacturne offensive presence, allowing it to bypass its poor Speed and hit its opponent hard. Seed Bomb is Cacturne's secondary STAB, and does more damage to Pokemon such as Regirock and Bastiodon. The last slot houses either Substitute, which protects Cacturne from status and eases prediction, or Swords Dance, which boosts Cacturne's Attack to a colossal level and turns Sucker Punch into a very powerful weapon.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The odd EV spread is not random—it maximizes Cacturne's Attack, gives the cactus enough Speed to outspeed and KO any Wartortle it faces before it can use Rapid Spin, and optimizes its bulk with the remaining EVs. Leftovers provides Cacturne with a bit of recovery to keep it going. Drain Punch can be used over Seed Bomb, but requires the use of Sand Veil. Leech Seed can go in the last slot to regain more health.</p>
<p>Cacturne pairs well with Misdreavus, as it can help ensure that Cacturne's Spikes are not spun away; Misdreavus also takes Fighting-type moves aimed at Cacturne with ease. In addition, Pokemon such as Probopass and Regirock make good teammates due to their high Defense, resistance to Flying-type moves that Cacturne attracts, and ability to use Stealth Rock.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>An offensive Life Orb set is certainly viable, especially as Cacturne possesses a high Attack stat. With a Swords Dance boost, nothing bar resists can take a STAB Sucker Punch. A special set catches opponents off-guard and can even boost with Nasty Plot, but it loses the wonder of Sucker Punch. Sets with Choice items and Switcheroo are viable, but force Cacturne to forgo Sucker Punch; the move is useless with Choice Specs and risky with Choice Band. Encore is an interesting move that can give Cacturne opportunities to set up Spikes or attain Swords Dance boosts. Toxic puts a death timer on everything that it touches and slowly breaks down walls unsupported by clerics, but takes up a precious moveslot for something any teammate can provide. A SubPunch set is not unreasonable, but does not particularly aid Cacturne against the things it falls to. Destiny Bond gives Cacturne a chance to remove a threat it cannot directly take down, but it lacks the Speed to use it well.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Pokemon that take little from Sucker Punch and can outspeed and OHKO Cacturne counter it very well. Quiver Dance users are the most threatening; if Cacturne does not predict their attacks correctly, they can freely set up as much as they desire. Throh and Gurdurr are nearly impervious to Cacturne's attempts at damaging them and have little trouble KOing it. Sawk outspeeds and OHKOes Cacturne, but is unable to counter +2 Cacturne after its health drops below 60%. In fact, many Pokemon that can stop Cacturne when at full health become shakier checks once Cacturne starts to gain Swords Dance boosts or they lose health. For example, although Magmortar can take an unboosted Sucker Punch at full health, it cannot stomach one from +2 Cacturne. In general, it is hard to counter Cacturne due to its ability to lay Spikes, which are difficult to remove from the field.</p>
<p>Cacturne is a Pokemon riddled with several great strengths and equally debilitating weaknesses. First and foremost, it is one of the few Pokemon in NU able to use Spikes, which gives it a high inherent value. Additionally, Cacturne is blessed with Sucker Punch, high base 115 Attack, and the perfect move to boost it with: Swords Dance. However, even with these huge advantages, Cacturne is crippled by poor Speed and defenses, as well as a typing rife with weaknesses. Regardless, Cacturne is a usable Pokemon and definitely one that can fit onto a team with some effort.</p>
[SET]
name: Offensive Spiker
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Seed Bomb
move 4: Substitute / Swords Dance
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Adamant
evs: 188 HP / 252 Atk / 20 Def / 20 SpD / 28 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Spikes is one of the best moves in NU; in a tier where users of Rapid Spin are largely terrible, entry hazards are not hard to set up. Sucker Punch is the move that gives Cacturne offensive presence, allowing it to bypass its poor Speed and hit its opponent hard. Seed Bomb is Cacturne's secondary STAB, and does more damage to Pokemon such as Regirock and Bastiodon. The last slot houses either Substitute, which protects Cacturne from status and eases prediction, or Swords Dance, which boosts Cacturne's Attack to a colossal level and turns Sucker Punch into a very powerful weapon.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The odd EV spread is not random—it maximizes Cacturne's Attack, gives the cactus enough Speed to outspeed and KO any Wartortle it faces before it can use Rapid Spin, and optimizes its bulk with the remaining EVs. Leftovers provides Cacturne with a bit of recovery to keep it going. Drain Punch can be used over Seed Bomb, but requires the use of Sand Veil. Leech Seed can go in the last slot to regain more health.</p>
<p>Cacturne pairs well with Misdreavus, as it can help ensure that Cacturne's Spikes are not spun away; Misdreavus also takes Fighting-type moves aimed at Cacturne with ease. In addition, Pokemon such as Probopass and Regirock make good teammates due to their high Defense, resistance to Flying-type moves that Cacturne attracts, and ability to use Stealth Rock.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>An offensive Life Orb set is certainly viable, especially as Cacturne possesses a high Attack stat. With a Swords Dance boost, nothing bar resists can take a STAB Sucker Punch. A special set catches opponents off-guard and can even boost with Nasty Plot, but it loses the wonder of Sucker Punch. Sets with Choice items and Switcheroo are viable, but force Cacturne to forgo Sucker Punch; the move is useless with Choice Specs and risky with Choice Band. Encore is an interesting move that can give Cacturne opportunities to set up Spikes or attain Swords Dance boosts. Toxic puts a death timer on everything that it touches and slowly breaks down walls unsupported by clerics, but takes up a precious moveslot for something any teammate can provide. A SubPunch set is not unreasonable, but does not particularly aid Cacturne against the things it falls to. Destiny Bond gives Cacturne a chance to remove a threat it cannot directly take down, but it lacks the Speed to use it well.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Pokemon that take little from Sucker Punch and can outspeed and OHKO Cacturne counter it very well. Quiver Dance users are the most threatening; if Cacturne does not predict their attacks correctly, they can freely set up as much as they desire. Throh and Gurdurr are nearly impervious to Cacturne's attempts at damaging them and have little trouble KOing it. Sawk outspeeds and OHKOes Cacturne, but is unable to counter +2 Cacturne after its health drops below 60%. In fact, many Pokemon that can stop Cacturne when at full health become shakier checks once Cacturne starts to gain Swords Dance boosts or they lose health. For example, although Magmortar can take an unboosted Sucker Punch at full health, it cannot stomach one from +2 Cacturne. In general, it is hard to counter Cacturne due to its ability to lay Spikes, which are difficult to remove from the field.</p>