[Set]
name: Offensive
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Acid Spray / Rapid Spin / Giga Drain
item: Life Orb
ability: Clear Body
nature: Timid
evs: 76 Def / 196 SpA / 36 SpD / 196 Spe
ivs: 19 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hydro Pump is Tentacool's primary STAB move, and it allows for surprise 2HKOs on Pokemon that switch in on an expected Scald, such as Porygon, which offensive Tentacool has a good chance to KO with a Life Orb-boosted Hydro Pump after Stealth Rock damage. Sludge Bomb is Tentacool's secondary STAB move, allowing it to hit Fairy-types super effectively and is the main advantage this Tentacool set has over Staryu. Knock Off lets Tentacool hit Pokemon on the switch and remove their item, making it easier for the rest of the team to deal with them, or else putting them in range of a KO from Tentacool's own moves. In the last slot, Acid Spray can be used to weaken a switch-in, effectively doubling Tentacool's damage output or else forcing a foe out into a more favorable matchup. Rapid Spin can be used to support the team by removing hazards, and when used in tandem with Knock Off, can lure in and cripple spin-blockers; however, this set does not make Tentacool a reliable entry hazard remover, as it gets worn down quickly. Giga Drain allows Tentacool to deal respectable damage to Chinchou and other bulky Water-types like Corphish.
Set Details
========
With 196 Speed EVs, Tentacool reaches a respectable 17 Speed stat, which lets it Speed tie with many of the most relevant Pokemon in the metagame, as well as solidly outspeed every Fairy-type in LC bar the rare maximum Speed Cottonee. 196 Special Attack EVs, coupled with Life Orb, let Tentacool hit as hard as possible. The rest of the EVs are invested into Defense and Special Defense to give Tentacool more longevity. Clear Body is run to prevent Tentacool's stats from being lowered, meaning it has an immunity to Sticky Web, which gives Tentacool a niche as the only spinner in LC with this immunity. Liquid Ooze can also be run to punish Drain Punch and Giga Drain users, but offensive Tentacool does not possess the bulk to take many of these hits anyway. 19 HP IVs are run to lower Tentacool's HP to 19, preventing it from taking more than 1 HP damage in recoil every time it takes recoil damage from Life Orb.
Usage Tips
========
Offensive Tentacool primarily functions as a lure, bringing in Pokemon that expect to take no damage from Rapid Spin or low damage from the defensive set, and hitting them hard with a Life Orb-boosted attack. Tentacool has extremely good coverage with just its STAB moves, so it has an easy time taking advantage of them early-game. Avoid switching Tentacool in on physical attacks, as it has very poor physical bulk. Be cautious when playing against trappers, though, as both Diglett and Gothita trap Tentacool and remove it from play easily.
Team Options
========
Tentacool appreciates support from Pursuit trappers such as Stunky and Pawniard, which can trap and remove troublesome Psychic-types from play (though both of these Pokemon exacerbate Tentacool's Ground weakness). Pokemon that appreciate having the Pokemon that Tentacool tends to lure, specifically Ghost-types and bulky Water-types, eliminated are good partners, such as Choice Scarf Mienfoo, which also appreciates having Tentacool remove Fairy-types. If Rapid Spin is run, Pokemon that dislike entry hazards are good partners for Tentacool. Ponyta and Larvesta both fall into this category, and both can sponge some of the physical hits Tentacool hates, as well as synergize with it offensively. If Acid Spray is run, Pokemon that can set hazards are good partners because of the switches Acid Spray forces. Lastly, Snivy and Pumpkaboo-XL are both good partners because they deal with Diglett. Snivy can use Glare to paralyze faster Pokemon, helping Tentacool do more damage, and Pumpkaboo-XL can burn the physical attackers Tentacool hates.
name: Offensive
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Acid Spray / Rapid Spin / Giga Drain
item: Life Orb
ability: Clear Body
nature: Timid
evs: 76 Def / 196 SpA / 36 SpD / 196 Spe
ivs: 19 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hydro Pump is Tentacool's primary STAB move, and it allows for surprise 2HKOs on Pokemon that switch in on an expected Scald, such as Porygon, which offensive Tentacool has a good chance to KO with a Life Orb-boosted Hydro Pump after Stealth Rock damage. Sludge Bomb is Tentacool's secondary STAB move, allowing it to hit Fairy-types super effectively and is the main advantage this Tentacool set has over Staryu. Knock Off lets Tentacool hit Pokemon on the switch and remove their item, making it easier for the rest of the team to deal with them, or else putting them in range of a KO from Tentacool's own moves. In the last slot, Acid Spray can be used to weaken a switch-in, effectively doubling Tentacool's damage output or else forcing a foe out into a more favorable matchup. Rapid Spin can be used to support the team by removing hazards, and when used in tandem with Knock Off, can lure in and cripple spin-blockers; however, this set does not make Tentacool a reliable entry hazard remover, as it gets worn down quickly. Giga Drain allows Tentacool to deal respectable damage to Chinchou and other bulky Water-types like Corphish.
Set Details
========
With 196 Speed EVs, Tentacool reaches a respectable 17 Speed stat, which lets it Speed tie with many of the most relevant Pokemon in the metagame, as well as solidly outspeed every Fairy-type in LC bar the rare maximum Speed Cottonee. 196 Special Attack EVs, coupled with Life Orb, let Tentacool hit as hard as possible. The rest of the EVs are invested into Defense and Special Defense to give Tentacool more longevity. Clear Body is run to prevent Tentacool's stats from being lowered, meaning it has an immunity to Sticky Web, which gives Tentacool a niche as the only spinner in LC with this immunity. Liquid Ooze can also be run to punish Drain Punch and Giga Drain users, but offensive Tentacool does not possess the bulk to take many of these hits anyway. 19 HP IVs are run to lower Tentacool's HP to 19, preventing it from taking more than 1 HP damage in recoil every time it takes recoil damage from Life Orb.
Usage Tips
========
Offensive Tentacool primarily functions as a lure, bringing in Pokemon that expect to take no damage from Rapid Spin or low damage from the defensive set, and hitting them hard with a Life Orb-boosted attack. Tentacool has extremely good coverage with just its STAB moves, so it has an easy time taking advantage of them early-game. Avoid switching Tentacool in on physical attacks, as it has very poor physical bulk. Be cautious when playing against trappers, though, as both Diglett and Gothita trap Tentacool and remove it from play easily.
Team Options
========
Tentacool appreciates support from Pursuit trappers such as Stunky and Pawniard, which can trap and remove troublesome Psychic-types from play (though both of these Pokemon exacerbate Tentacool's Ground weakness). Pokemon that appreciate having the Pokemon that Tentacool tends to lure, specifically Ghost-types and bulky Water-types, eliminated are good partners, such as Choice Scarf Mienfoo, which also appreciates having Tentacool remove Fairy-types. If Rapid Spin is run, Pokemon that dislike entry hazards are good partners for Tentacool. Ponyta and Larvesta both fall into this category, and both can sponge some of the physical hits Tentacool hates, as well as synergize with it offensively. If Acid Spray is run, Pokemon that can set hazards are good partners because of the switches Acid Spray forces. Lastly, Snivy and Pumpkaboo-XL are both good partners because they deal with Diglett. Snivy can use Glare to paralyze faster Pokemon, helping Tentacool do more damage, and Pumpkaboo-XL can burn the physical attackers Tentacool hates.
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