[OVERVIEW]
Cacturne's incredible offensive stats and large movepool make it a top wallbreaker in the PU metagame. Unlike most other wallbreakers, it has access to a very strong priority move in Sucker Punch, making it difficult to revenge kill and allowing it to threaten offensive teams. Cacturne also has the ability to utilize both specially and physically based sets, which share no counters, while a Swords Dance set can easily sweep in the late-game. Unfortunately, defensive answers to Cacturne like Clefairy, Vullaby, and Muk are fairly common, though only Muk can reliably counter both sets, whereas Monferno, the best offensive Cacturne check, is very common and can act as a potential switch-in. Lastly, Cacturne's low Speed, poor bulk, and bad defensive typing mean it is overly reliant on Sucker Punch, which can be taken advantage of with status moves such as Will-O-Wisp and Encore.
[SET]
name: Mixed Wallbreaker
move 1: Energy Ball
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Sucker Punch
item: Life Orb
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Rash
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Energy Ball is Cacturne's strongest STAB move, capable of 2HKOing Pokemon that resist it, such as Mawile, and Dark Pulse provides a secondary STAB move to hit Grass-resistant Pokemon such as Fire- and Steel-types hard. Alongside its STAB moves, Focus Blast provides Cacturne with perfect neutral coverage, hitting Pokemon such as Monferno, Vullaby, and Probopass for more damage. Lastly, Sucker Punch provides Cacturne with priority to revenge kill frail, faster threats such as Floatzel and Zebstrika.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EVs allow Cacturne to outspeed threats such as Golem and Mawile, and 252 Special Attack EVs with a positive nature maximize its damage output. A Rash nature is used so Sucker Punch isn't weakened, and Life Orb further increases Cacturne's power. Water Absorb allows Cacturne to check Choice-locked or defensive Water-types such as Floatzel and Chinchou, respectively.
Usage Tips
========
Cacturne should be used early-game as a wallbreaker or potentially as a revenge killer. It should come in after a KO, on a predicted status move, or on a double switch. Try not, however, to switch it on a resisted attack, as it is frail and many Pokemon carry coverage moves that can KO it. Once Cacturne has been switched in, it should be free to fire off attacks, though if the opponent has a counter such as Clefairy, it may be best to double switch out. When trying to revenge kill Pokemon with Sucker Punch, be careful of Will-O-Wisp users such as Rapidash and Rotom-S, and keep in mind it can provide a free switch in for a Pokemon that can deal with Cacturne.
Team Options
========
Cacturne works best on offensive teams, with entry hazards to wear down the foe and cleaners to make use of Cacturne's wallbreaking. Golem and Smeargle provide invaluable entry hazard support, with the former also checking specially defensive Clefairy and Muk and the latter also providing Spikes. Strong physical attackers such as Stoutland and Rapidash also work well in order to pressure special walls, which annoy Cacturne, while Cacturne can KO most of their counters. Though Cacturne can revenge kill faster Pokemon with Sucker Punch, it is essential to run fast Pokemon such as Zebstrika and Choice Scarf users like Mr. Mime to more reliably revenge kill and possibly clean up late-game. Volt Switch or U-turn users such as Rotom-F and Monferno provide Cacturne with a safe entry to the battlefield, while Fire-type checks such as Lumineon and Altaria can take on some of Cacturne's major checks, most notably Monferno. Setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Monferno and Shell Smash Huntail also appreciate Cacturne's ability to wallbreak.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Seed Bomb
move 4: Superpower
item: Life Orb
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Cacturne's Attack, allowing it to sweep late-game. Sucker Punch allows Cacturne to KO faster Pokemon, whereas Seed Bomb provides Cacturne with a more reliable STAB move to hit slower Pokemon. Superpower provides coverage against Pokemon such as Vullaby and Mawile that resist its STAB moves and deals more damage to Steel- and Normal-types such as Klang and Bouffalant.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack EVs with a Life Orb and an Adamant nature provide Cacturne with enough Attack to sweep, and 252 Speed EVs let it outspeed slower Pokemon such as Pelipper and Golem. Water Absorb gives Cacturne an immunity to Scald, allowing it to check Water-types like Prinplup.
Usage Tips
========
Swords Dance Cacturne should be used late-game, when the opponent's team has been weakened and Cacturne's counters have been removed. Cacturne should avoid taking damage by entering the battle via Volt Switch or U-turn or after its teammate has been KOed, and it should try to set up on Pokemon it forces out, such as Politoed, Metang, and Stunfisk. When it has set up, be careful of Pokemon that can play around Sucker Punch, such as Rapidash, which can use Will-O-Wisp, and Ninetales, which can set up a Substitute. Keep in mind that Cacturne can be useful even without setting up, possibly acting as a revenge killer with Sucker Punch. If there is a Monferno on the opposing team, it is best to use Superpower on a predicted switch to weaken Monferno, as it can OHKO Cacturne with Mach Punch before Cacturne could possibly use Sucker Punch.
Team Options
========
Cacturne is best used on offensive teams, which can provide necessary wallbreaking and entry hazard support to allow Cacturne to sweep. Entry hazard support from Stealth Rock and Spikes users such as Golem, Probopass, and Smeargle is crucial in wearing down the opposing offensive threats to put them in the KO range of Sucker Punch. Wallbreakers such as Stoutland and Muk are important in order to weaken the opponent's defensive tanks. Choice Band Leafeon can Knock Off Vullaby's Eviolite, lure and KO Monferno, and weaken Mawile, but it shares many weaknesses with Cacturne. Other Vullaby and Monferno lures, such as Calm Mind Grumpig and Simisear, are also greatly appreciated.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A physically based mixed set with Seed Bomb and Superpower over Energy Ball and Focus Blast can lure in specially defensive checks like Clefairy and lets Sucker Punch hit harder but is easier to wall with Pokemon such as Vullaby and Mawile. Cacturne can use a lead Spikes set with utility moves like Destiny Bond and Bullet Seed to bypass Golem's Sturdy; however, Smeargle and Venipede do that better due to their access to Spore and Speed Boost, respectively. A Nasty Plot set can be used to destroy more defensive teams, but the loss of Sucker Punch makes it useless against offensive ones. Thunder Punch can be used over Superpower on the Swords Dance set to KO Vullaby after Stealth Rock damage at +2, but Superpower provides wider coverage. Spikes can be used over Focus Blast on the wallbreaking set, though Cacturne is then unable to deal with many Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Monferno**: Monferno is the best answer to Cacturne, as it can easily switch into any of its STAB moves and then OHKO it with Mach Punch without worrying about Sucker Punch. However, Monferno is 2HKOed by any Fighting coverage.
**Offensive Utility**: Fast offensive Pokemon with ways to get around Sucker Punch really trouble Cacturne. Will-O-Wisp users, such as Rotom-F and Rapidash, and Substitute users, such as Ninetales and Articuno, can avoid Sucker Punch and OHKO Cacturne the next turn with their STAB moves. Pawniard and Zweilous can both outspeed and take even a boosted Sucker Punch before revenge killing Cacturne.
**Defensive Pokemon**: Muk, Roselia, and specially defensive Clefairy completely wall Cacturne's special sets, whereas Vullaby, Gourgeist, and Mawile can easily counter its physical sets. Other bulky Pokemon such as Tangela and Altaria can take a neutral attack and cripple Cacturne with status or super effective coverage.
Cacturne's incredible offensive stats and large movepool make it a top wallbreaker in the PU metagame. Unlike most other wallbreakers, it has access to a very strong priority move in Sucker Punch, making it difficult to revenge kill and allowing it to threaten offensive teams. Cacturne also has the ability to utilize both specially and physically based sets, which share no counters, while a Swords Dance set can easily sweep in the late-game. Unfortunately, defensive answers to Cacturne like Clefairy, Vullaby, and Muk are fairly common, though only Muk can reliably counter both sets, whereas Monferno, the best offensive Cacturne check, is very common and can act as a potential switch-in. Lastly, Cacturne's low Speed, poor bulk, and bad defensive typing mean it is overly reliant on Sucker Punch, which can be taken advantage of with status moves such as Will-O-Wisp and Encore.
[SET]
name: Mixed Wallbreaker
move 1: Energy Ball
move 2: Dark Pulse
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Sucker Punch
item: Life Orb
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Rash
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Energy Ball is Cacturne's strongest STAB move, capable of 2HKOing Pokemon that resist it, such as Mawile, and Dark Pulse provides a secondary STAB move to hit Grass-resistant Pokemon such as Fire- and Steel-types hard. Alongside its STAB moves, Focus Blast provides Cacturne with perfect neutral coverage, hitting Pokemon such as Monferno, Vullaby, and Probopass for more damage. Lastly, Sucker Punch provides Cacturne with priority to revenge kill frail, faster threats such as Floatzel and Zebstrika.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EVs allow Cacturne to outspeed threats such as Golem and Mawile, and 252 Special Attack EVs with a positive nature maximize its damage output. A Rash nature is used so Sucker Punch isn't weakened, and Life Orb further increases Cacturne's power. Water Absorb allows Cacturne to check Choice-locked or defensive Water-types such as Floatzel and Chinchou, respectively.
Usage Tips
========
Cacturne should be used early-game as a wallbreaker or potentially as a revenge killer. It should come in after a KO, on a predicted status move, or on a double switch. Try not, however, to switch it on a resisted attack, as it is frail and many Pokemon carry coverage moves that can KO it. Once Cacturne has been switched in, it should be free to fire off attacks, though if the opponent has a counter such as Clefairy, it may be best to double switch out. When trying to revenge kill Pokemon with Sucker Punch, be careful of Will-O-Wisp users such as Rapidash and Rotom-S, and keep in mind it can provide a free switch in for a Pokemon that can deal with Cacturne.
Team Options
========
Cacturne works best on offensive teams, with entry hazards to wear down the foe and cleaners to make use of Cacturne's wallbreaking. Golem and Smeargle provide invaluable entry hazard support, with the former also checking specially defensive Clefairy and Muk and the latter also providing Spikes. Strong physical attackers such as Stoutland and Rapidash also work well in order to pressure special walls, which annoy Cacturne, while Cacturne can KO most of their counters. Though Cacturne can revenge kill faster Pokemon with Sucker Punch, it is essential to run fast Pokemon such as Zebstrika and Choice Scarf users like Mr. Mime to more reliably revenge kill and possibly clean up late-game. Volt Switch or U-turn users such as Rotom-F and Monferno provide Cacturne with a safe entry to the battlefield, while Fire-type checks such as Lumineon and Altaria can take on some of Cacturne's major checks, most notably Monferno. Setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Monferno and Shell Smash Huntail also appreciate Cacturne's ability to wallbreak.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Seed Bomb
move 4: Superpower
item: Life Orb
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Cacturne's Attack, allowing it to sweep late-game. Sucker Punch allows Cacturne to KO faster Pokemon, whereas Seed Bomb provides Cacturne with a more reliable STAB move to hit slower Pokemon. Superpower provides coverage against Pokemon such as Vullaby and Mawile that resist its STAB moves and deals more damage to Steel- and Normal-types such as Klang and Bouffalant.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack EVs with a Life Orb and an Adamant nature provide Cacturne with enough Attack to sweep, and 252 Speed EVs let it outspeed slower Pokemon such as Pelipper and Golem. Water Absorb gives Cacturne an immunity to Scald, allowing it to check Water-types like Prinplup.
Usage Tips
========
Swords Dance Cacturne should be used late-game, when the opponent's team has been weakened and Cacturne's counters have been removed. Cacturne should avoid taking damage by entering the battle via Volt Switch or U-turn or after its teammate has been KOed, and it should try to set up on Pokemon it forces out, such as Politoed, Metang, and Stunfisk. When it has set up, be careful of Pokemon that can play around Sucker Punch, such as Rapidash, which can use Will-O-Wisp, and Ninetales, which can set up a Substitute. Keep in mind that Cacturne can be useful even without setting up, possibly acting as a revenge killer with Sucker Punch. If there is a Monferno on the opposing team, it is best to use Superpower on a predicted switch to weaken Monferno, as it can OHKO Cacturne with Mach Punch before Cacturne could possibly use Sucker Punch.
Team Options
========
Cacturne is best used on offensive teams, which can provide necessary wallbreaking and entry hazard support to allow Cacturne to sweep. Entry hazard support from Stealth Rock and Spikes users such as Golem, Probopass, and Smeargle is crucial in wearing down the opposing offensive threats to put them in the KO range of Sucker Punch. Wallbreakers such as Stoutland and Muk are important in order to weaken the opponent's defensive tanks. Choice Band Leafeon can Knock Off Vullaby's Eviolite, lure and KO Monferno, and weaken Mawile, but it shares many weaknesses with Cacturne. Other Vullaby and Monferno lures, such as Calm Mind Grumpig and Simisear, are also greatly appreciated.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A physically based mixed set with Seed Bomb and Superpower over Energy Ball and Focus Blast can lure in specially defensive checks like Clefairy and lets Sucker Punch hit harder but is easier to wall with Pokemon such as Vullaby and Mawile. Cacturne can use a lead Spikes set with utility moves like Destiny Bond and Bullet Seed to bypass Golem's Sturdy; however, Smeargle and Venipede do that better due to their access to Spore and Speed Boost, respectively. A Nasty Plot set can be used to destroy more defensive teams, but the loss of Sucker Punch makes it useless against offensive ones. Thunder Punch can be used over Superpower on the Swords Dance set to KO Vullaby after Stealth Rock damage at +2, but Superpower provides wider coverage. Spikes can be used over Focus Blast on the wallbreaking set, though Cacturne is then unable to deal with many Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Monferno**: Monferno is the best answer to Cacturne, as it can easily switch into any of its STAB moves and then OHKO it with Mach Punch without worrying about Sucker Punch. However, Monferno is 2HKOed by any Fighting coverage.
**Offensive Utility**: Fast offensive Pokemon with ways to get around Sucker Punch really trouble Cacturne. Will-O-Wisp users, such as Rotom-F and Rapidash, and Substitute users, such as Ninetales and Articuno, can avoid Sucker Punch and OHKO Cacturne the next turn with their STAB moves. Pawniard and Zweilous can both outspeed and take even a boosted Sucker Punch before revenge killing Cacturne.
**Defensive Pokemon**: Muk, Roselia, and specially defensive Clefairy completely wall Cacturne's special sets, whereas Vullaby, Gourgeist, and Mawile can easily counter its physical sets. Other bulky Pokemon such as Tangela and Altaria can take a neutral attack and cripple Cacturne with status or super effective coverage.
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