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[OVERVIEW]
Cacturne is a powerful mixed attacker with access to multiple boosting moves, (RC) and to priority in the form of Sucker Punch, which allows it to heavily damage faster threats. Water Absorb gives it switch-in opportunities to switch in against bulky waters like Water-types such as Lanturn, Quagsire, and Prinplup;(RS) ,(AC) and an immunity to Scald in particular is amazing. Cacturne also sports resistances to many common priorities priority moves in NU, such as Sucker Punch,(RC) and Aqua Jet. It's Its access to Spikes, Water Absorb, and Counter make for it a very effective Spikes lead on hyper offense. However;(RS) ,(AC) it's its low Speed makes it rather easy to revenge kill, and makes it (just a suggestion for clarity) difficult to outright sweep teams due to its over-reliance on Sucker Punch. It's also very frail due to its poor defensive typing and lackluster bulk. Sadly, Cacturne has no access to a reliable physical Dark-type STAB as it doesn't have either Crunch or Knock Off, which makes it harder to pull off an SD (I would go ahead and type out Swords Dance, but it's not required) it is most certainly required set effectively. However, Cacturne is somewhat forced to run a physical or mixed set due to its only form of priority bring being Sucker Punch, and its low Speed making it reliant on said priority.
[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Spikes / Destiny Bond
ability: Water Absorb
item: Life Orb
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Rash
[SET COMMENTS]
[Moves]
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Giga Drain gives Cacturne a way to recover health lost from entry hazards and Life Orb while offering it a powerful Grass-type attack. Dark Pulse is a secondary STAB option, and is very useful for nailing NU's bulky Psychic-types such as Uxie, Mesprit, Xatu, and Musharna. Sucker Punch is a very useful form of priority, nailing frail faster Pokemon such as Archeops, Swellow, and Magmortor. Spikes is great in the last slot, as it allows Cacturne to work as an offensive Spikes-setter(AH) don't add a hyphen by using Spikes on a predicted switch to a check or counter such as Mega Audino, Mawile, or Hariyama. Destiny Bond is another option in the last slot, as it allows Cacturne to take care of slower Pokemon that normally beat it such as Hariyama and Mega Audino. Substitute is also an option as it allows Cacturne to take full advantage of the many switches it forces against slower walls. Sucker Punch is also fantastic from behind a Substitute, as the opponent is forced to break it.
[Set Details]
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Maximum Special Attack investment allows Cacturne to hit as hard as possible with its most reliable STAB moves. The investment allows 2HKOs on physical walls that are likely to switch in (RH) expecting a physical attacking set, such as Vileplume and Gourgeist. Water Absorb grants you Cacturne free switch-ins opportunities to switch in to most Water-types in the tier, such as Mantine, Lanturn, Prinplup, and Quagsire. Life Orb is used to maximize Cacturne's damage output. Leftovers aren't that useful as Cacturne is frail to begin with, and Cacturne gets enough recovery from Giga Drain anyway.
[Usage Tips]
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Dark Pulse is the most spammable move on this set, as it will often surprise opponents whose first reaction is to switch in a physical wall. Dark-type attacks are also very difficult to switch into in NU, do due to the lack of defensive Fairy-, Fighting-, or Dark-types. Cacturne is used most effectively during the middle of the game, as it can break down bulky Pokemon on the opponent's team, allowing for an easier sweep late-game by a teammate. Destiny Bond is a great way to lure in and dispose of Hariyama, which can open up a door for a teammate to sweep. Spikes are best used early on, as they rack up more damage throughout the battle. While Cacturne can typically switch into most Water-types, it still needs to be wary since because most of them carry a coverage or status move that would cripple Cacturne. Cacturne usually has a positive matchup against Huntail SmashPass teams, because the primary recipient, Magneton, is 2HKOd by Dark Pulse plus + Sucker Punch.
[Team Options]
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Most opponent's opponents will expect a physically offensive Swords Dance Cacturne, which makes this specially offensive set very effective at luring in and getting damage off on physically defensive Grass-type and Flying-type Pokemon. Teammates that appreciate these Pokemon worn down include Sawk, Hariyama, Malamar, and Kecleon. Teammates that can switch into the Fighting-type attacks that force out Cacturne are greatly appreciated. Gourgiest, Togetic, and defensive Rotom-S are all viable options. Bulky Pokemon that resist Bug-type resists are also useful to switch into the U-turns that force Cacturne out. Sneasel and Tauros appreciate the wallbreaking and Spikes that Cacturne provides, as both are quite fast and can easily clean up weakened teams late-game(AH).
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Seed Bomb
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Drain Punch
ability: Water Absorb
item: Life Orb
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Adamant
[SET COMMENTS]
[Moves]
========
Swords Dance is used to boost Cacturne's already impressive Attack to frightening levels to help facilitate a potential sweep. Seed Bomb is the most reliable physical STAB attack Cacturne has, as it isn't reliant on what move the opponent goes for, unlike Sucker Punch. Sucker Punch hits faster Pokemon very hard, especially at +2, making it very difficult to revenge kill Cacturne with frail Pokemon such as Magmortor, Archeops, or Swellow. Drain Punch is provides useful coverage for Pokemon such as Probopass, Klinklang, or Ferroseed, who which would otherwise wall you Cacturne. Drain Punch also has the added benefit of recovering HP while attacking. Dropping Drain Punch for Substitute is an option, as it lets Cacturne not only evade status, (RC) but also force opponents to walk directly into Sucker Punches. Substitute also provides a nice buffer against faster foes, and it's Cacturne's best way to take advantage of opponents who switch predicting a Seed Bomb into Grass-type resists, as Sucker Punch won't work on them on the switch.
[Set Details]
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An Adamant nature adds a very noticeable boost in power, and due to Cacturne being very reliant on Sucker Punch, (RC) it's the preferred nature to go with. Maximum investment in Attack and Speed are is used to boost Cacturne's offensive prowess. Life Orb is used for its noticeable boost in power; however, if Substitute is used over Drain Punch, Leftovers can be used over Life Orb, as Substitute plus Life Orb residual damage adds up very quickly, and without Drain Punch Cacturne has no way to recover health.
[Usage Tips]
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Don't try to set- up(RH) with Cacturne early-game, or if the opponent still has a faster check such as Sawk or Sneasel, as Cacturne should be saved for late-game when everything is either slower than it, (RC) or is able to be knocked out by a Sucker Punch. Switching in on defensive Water-types, such as Lanturn,(AC) Quagsire, or Prinplup,(AC) is the most reliable setup opportunity, as you Cacturne can generally Swords Dance as the opponent switches out.
[Team Options]
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Entry hazard support helps Cacturne a lot. Sticky Web allows for an easier sweep that's less reliant on Sucker Punch;(RH) ,(AC) while Spikes and Stealth Rock help Cacturne claim KOs it wouldn't otherwise get, such as unboosted Sucker Punch KOing Archeops after Stealth Rock. Pairing Cacturne with Pokemon that lure out and weaken potential stops to the Swords Dance Cacturne set just remove all this are appreciated. Pokemon such as Natural Gift Leafeon, Ice Punch Gurdurr or Sawk, and Scyther,(AC) don't add this comma. There's no comma at the very start of this list, so we can't have on at the end can waken bulky Grass-types throughout the game, making it much easier for Cacturne to sweep later on.
[SET]
name: Spikes Lead
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Counter
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Seed Bomb / Encore
ability: Water Absorb
item: Focus Sash
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly
[SET COMMENTS]
[Moves]
========
Spikes quickly wears down grounded Pokemon on the opposing team. Counter allows Cacturne to claim a quick kill KO vs against physical attackers such as Scyther,(RC) and Sawk who which will try to attack Cacturne in an attempt to limit the number of Spikes it sets up. Sucker Punch allows Cacturne to get off one last attack versus faster opponents, dealing severe damage to many frail Pokemon. It also prevents Cryogonal from using Rapid Spin or Freeze Dry on Cacturne. Seed Bomb gives Cacturne an attacking move that isn't reliant on what the opponent goes for, and also allows Cacturne to 2HKO opposing lead Archeops. Seed Bomb allows Cacturne to take on Rhydon, which is a common Stealth Rock lead, and prevent Prinplup from Defogging for free. It also gives Cacturne a way to deal with defensive Water-types,(AC) not 100% necessary which it can take on thanks to Water Absorb. Encore can be used to lock an opposing lead into an unfavorable move, and also works nicely with Counter. If the opponent opposing Pokemon attempts to set up to avoid Counter, Cacturne can simply Encore them into that move, (RC) and set up even more Spikes.
[Set Details]
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Focus Sash guarantees Cacturne will always be able to get off one attack versus faster Pokemon. It also allows Cacturne to make better use of Counter. Maximum Speed investment gives Cacturne the best chance at setting up as many Spikes as possible, while maximum Attack investment allows Seed Bomb and Sucker Punch to hurt the opponent.
[Usage Tips]
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Lead off with Cacturne and try to set up as many layers of Spikes as you can. If the opponent has a lead Uxie, it's often best to use Encore to limit the number of things field effects it can set up (probably don't want to say things but i'm not sure what word you're searching for). If the opponent has a lead Archeops, it's best to 2HKO it with Seed Bomb. If the opponent sends out a Sandslash or Cryogonal,(AC) it's often better to KO them than to attempt to spin-block(RH). Go for Counter against opposing lead Scyther, as they will most likely go for U-turn and it will grant Cacturne a free KO kill.
[Team Options]
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Hyper offensive teams appreciate the entry hazard support, so pairing Cacturne with offensive Pokemon is the best way to go. Examples include Mesprit, Sawk, Tauros, Scyther, Rotom, Lilligant, and Samurott. Pawniard can be used along side alongside Cacturne as a way to discourage opponents from going for Defog and removing the entry hazards. Ghost-types such as Rotom and Mismagius are great partners as they can block Rapid Spin from opposing Pokemon trying to remove the entry hazards.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Poison Jab is also a decent option for the mixed set as it hits Togetic and Mega Audino super hard, both of which it Cacturne otherwise couldn't touch. Focus Punch can be used along with Substitute,(RC) as a way to take advantage of the switches it Cacturne forces. However,(AC) it's much less useful that than Drain Punch on most sets. Encore can be used on the Swords Dance set, as it forces switches and grants free Swords Dances; however, Substitute is generally a better way to take advantage of free switches. A Nasty Plot set can also work, but it's outclassed by other Nasty Plot users in the tier such as X due to Cacturne's low Speed and lack of any special priority moves. Spiky Sheild Shield is a cool option to punish physical attackers such as Scyther and Sawk, as neither appreciate having any prior damage on them. Thunder Punch can be used on the Swords Dance set as a way to hit Flying-types on the switch-in such as Pelipper Pelliper, Fletchinder, Swellow, Scyther, and Xatu.
Checks & Counters
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**Fairy-types**: Togetic can come in versus any set without Poison Jab and threaten to 2HKO with Dazzling Gleam. Togetic walls both the Swords Dance set and the mixed set, effectively making Cacturne useless, barring the rare Poison Jab. Granbull also does an effective job of tanking any hit from the Swords Dance set; however, it must watch out for Giga Drain from the mixed set. Mawile can also switch into any attack from the Swords Dance set, but is 2HKOed by Dark Pulse from the mixed set. either set wants to throw at it,(RC) .(AP) It's a full counter to the SD set and a soft check to the mixed set, as it can be 2HKOd by Dark Pulse.
**Poison-types**: Bulky Poison-types such as Weezing, Vileplume, and Garbodor can switch-in(RH) with ease against the Swords Dance set and threaten out Cacturne with their STAB attacks; however they must be wary of Dark Pulse from the mixed set, as they all;(RS) get cleanly 2HKOed.
**Fighting-types**: Bulkier Fighting-types such as Gurdurr can switch in and KO with Mach Punch, or even take a hit from Cacturne and KO with Drain Punch. Hariyama also takes on the mixed set with ease, but crumbles to the Swords Dance set.
**Faster Pokemon that Resist Dark-type Resists**: Faster Pokemon such as Sneasel and Sawk can live even a boosted Sucker Punch, (RC) and KO with their STAB attacks. With Eviloite, Sneasel can switch into the mixed set with relative ease.
**Priority Users** Pokemon such as Sneasel, Fletchinder, Kangaskhan, and Zangoose can bypass Cacturne's Sucker Punch with their own priority, (RC) and can OHKO it with their STAB moves. Other priority users such as Gurdurr or Piloswine can force Cacturne to use Sucker Punch to avoid a stronger hit from a Grass-type attack.
