Pak
vortex
[OVERVIEW]
While it is a very niche option at best, Tangela has found its place on UU stall teams thanks to its monstrous Defense stat when holding an Eviolite. With Regenerator, Tangela can repeatedly switch out in order to remain healthy throughout the match. Given its typing and high physical bulk, Tangela offers stall teams a hard counter to most of the offensive Water-types in UU such as Crawdaunt, Feraligatr, Mega Swampert, and Mega Sharpedo. Tangela complements its already impressive bulk with a solid array of support moves such as Knock Off, Leech Seed, and Sleep Powder.
However, Tangela heavily relies on Eviolite to maintain its respectable bulk, making it extremely vulnerable to the fairly common move, Knock Off. Even with its Eviolite, its special bulk is horrid given its base Special Defense stat of 40. Tangela is also vulnerable to all entry hazards, decreasing the effectiveness of Regenerator if they are not cleared. Tangela also faces stiff competition from Chesnaught as a physically defensive Grass-type on stall teams, as the latter offers Spikes, a solid Dark-type resistance, and well-rounded stats, while Tangela's only real advantages are its access to Regenerator and slightly higher Defense.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Giga Drain
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Knock Off / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Protect
item: Eviolite
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Giga Drain is Tangela's main STAB move, providing reliable damage and a decent amount of recovery. Leech Seed is primarily used for passive damage on bulky setup sweepers such as Snorlax and Suicune while also aiding Tangela in remaining healthy throughout the match. Knock Off is a solid utility option used for removing the items of opposing Pokemon, specifically the Leftovers of bulkier Pokemon, allowing the rest of the team to wear them down more effectively. Hidden Power Fire lets Tangela beat offensive Steel-types such as Swords Dance Cobalion and Lucario one-on-one. Protect is essential for Tangela to take on Substitute + Dragon Dance Gyarados, as it completely neutralizes Bounce. It also lets it scout for the moves of Choice item users and play accordingly.
Set Details
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Maximum HP and Defense investment along with a Bold nature allows Tangela to take on physical attackers as well as possible, more specifically Krookodile and offensive Water-types such as Crawdaunt, Feraligatr, Mega Swampert, and Mega Sharpedo. While Tangela acts as a mixed attacker if running Knock Off, it does not mind the Attack drop from a Bold nature, as the move is used purely to get rid of opposing items. Eviolite gives Tangela's defenses sizable boosts, notably increasing its Defense stat to an astronomical level. Regenerator is used to keep Tangela as healthy as possible while it switches in and out throughout the course of a match.
Usage Tips
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Tangela should be brought in on physically offensive Water-types such as Crawdaunt or bulky setup sweepers such as Suicune and Snorlax, which ordinarily threaten stall teams. Tangela should use Knock Off early-game in order for the rest of the team to wear down its targets more efficiently. Be wary of opposing Knock Off users, as Tangela is extremely dependent on Eviolite, though it does beat common users of the move such as Krookodile and Crawdaunt one-on-one. If Tangela falls to a low amount of HP, switch it out to recover some of the damage with Regenerator. Tangela should avoid staying in on strong special attackers, as its Special Defense is extremely low, even with Eviolite.
Team Options
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Most of Tangela's partners are bulky, so it should be used exclusively on stall teams. Alomomola forms a nice Regenerator core with Tangela while taking on many of the Fire-types that threaten it. The two can also switch between each other to stall out Sableye, which is otherwise a huge threat to some stall teams. Specially bulky Pokemon such as Blissey can take on many of the special attackers that Tangela struggles with. Heal Bell support is heavily appreciated from Blissey and Sylveon as well, as Tangela is easily worn down when poisoned or burned. Pokemon that can reliably switch into Knock Off such as Hydreigon and Mandibuzz are solid options alongside Tangela, as it depends on Eviolite to maintain its physical bulk. Entry hazard removers such as Gligar, Crobat, and Mandibuzz pair nicely with Tangela given its vulnerability to all forms of hazards. Grounded Poison-types such as Nidoqueen are also appreciated, as they remove Toxic Spikes, which is especially annoying for Tangela, upon entry.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Sleep Powder, Toxic, and Stun Spore are decent options to cripple foes, but they are far less useful than the moves on the set in most cases. Synthesis can be used over Leech Seed to remain as healthy as possible, but Tangela generally prefers Leech Seed's passive damage on foes while gaining HP back itself, as well as its ability to pressure bulky setup sweepers in conjunction with Knock Off.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Strong Special Attackers**: Strong special attackers such as Hydreigon, Celebi, Nidoqueen, and Kyurem can all potentially deal heavy damage to Tangela.
**Knock Off**: Tangela is heavily reliant on Eviolite to maintain its respectable defenses; however, it does check common Knock Off users such as Krookodile and Crawdaunt regardless of whether not its held item has been removed.
**Status**: Status conditions such as poison and burn severely hamper Tangela's longevity.
**Fire-types**: Strong Fire-types such as Entei, Chandelure, and Infernape all threaten Tangela with their powerful STAB moves.
**Bug-types**: Bug-types such as Heracross and Mega Beedrill threaten Tangela with their respective STAB moves and force it out.
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