[Overview]
<p>
Tangrowth had a good niche back in the days of Excadrill, but it can still hold its own. Although Tangrowth lost its most useful niche with the exclusion of Excadrill from OU, it can still be a valuable addition to many teams. However, since Amoonguss got Regenerator in BW2, Tangrowth
gained more competition faces more competition than ever before for a team slot
, especially since it was already overshadowed by the vaunted Ferrothorn.
The famed Ferrothorn also seems to be a better defensive Grass-type. However, that is not to say that Tangrowth is entirely useless; in fact, it has several distinct advantages over its more popular contemporaries. Tangrowth does have some good points over the two though, it Tangrowth has more physical bulk than Amoonguss, and
has access to Regenerator and Sleep Powder
, unlike over Ferrothorn. It can even take an offensive approach with Chlorophyll, which makes it a powerful mixed sweeper
than that can catch teams off-guard.
Unfortunately, this is the extent of Tangrowth's usefulness. This is where the good points stop however. It has trouble with rain, sun, and hail teams, since
it doesn't have enough special bulk its special bulk is not enough to
stomach survive powerful moves such as Fire Blast, Blizzard, and even Hydro Pump. Additionally, powerful mixed sweepers can spell an early doom for Tangrowth. However, Tangrowth does have the
ability niche of being able to take on most physical attackers and sweep unprepared teams.</p>
[I use ability over niche because niche implies it is something that only Tangrowth can do, which isn't the case in this situation].
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Sleep Powder
move 2: Leech Seed / Knock Off
move 3: Giga Drain / Power Whip
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire
item: Leftovers
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold / Relaxed
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>
Tangrowth has very nice physical bulk, and this set takes full advantage of it. This set takes full advantage of Tangrowth's impressive physical bulk. With Regenerator, it can safely scout powerful physical attackers such as Terrakion and switch out if need be, healing one-third of its health every time it does so. This gives it a great advantage over other physical walls such as Ferrothorn, since it can switch out with little to no repercussions. Sleep Powder is a great move for
incapacitating a switch-in putting a switch-in to sleep, and with BW sleep mechanics, this means that the opponent will
be remain useless throughout
most of the match. Leech Seed gives Tangrowth more recovery, especially against Pokemon with high HP
stats.
This also It is helps
to heal other teammates, because Tangrowth often switches out of a seeded opponent
and brings new teammates in [Isn't this implied?]. Knock Off is another option to make opposing Pokemon less effective
by removing their item. It's especially useful against physical Choice item users or even
against Keldeo locked into Secret Sword. Giga Drain is the best choice for a STAB move, as it heals Tangrowth even more and easily 2HKOes Pokemon such as Terrakion and physically defensive Hippowdon, while neither of them can break through Tangrowth. Power Whip
, however, is a more powerful option for hitting Tyranitar, specially defensive Politoed, and Jellicent, but it has lower accuracy than Giga Drain and doesn't
have the added benefit of healing heal Tangrowth
either. The final move is a choice between two different Hidden Powers
;. [changed semicolon to period] Hidden Power Ice is the preferred option for hitting
[you have an extra space here] Dragon-types such as Dragonite and Salamence, keeping them from setting up on Tangrowth while dealing with the Choiced variants easily. Hidden Power Fire, on the other hand, can hit Steel-types such as Scizor, Forretress, and Ferrothorn, for good damage, especially in the sun.</p>
[ADDTIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs on this set can be tweaked to outspeed certain threats and defeat them before they give you problems. A spread of 248 HP / 168 Def / 84 Spe can be used to outspeed specially defensive Jellicent and either put it to sleep or 2HKO it with Power Whip. A spread of 248 HP / 128 Def / 124 Spe lets you outspeed uninvested Scizor and neutral-natured Tyranitar.
Be aware that this This will lower Tangrowth's physical bulk
though,
thus making it more susceptible to 2HKOes from the likes of Choice Band Tyranitar after Stealth Rock damage. If
a Relaxed nature is used, one is using a Relaxed nature, then Tangrowth will need a lot more EVs:
[changed ; to :] 156 for Jellicent and 200 for Scizor, and it may not be worth lowering its physical bulk for a slightly more powerful Power Whip. However, a Relaxed nature is better for catching Jellicent on the switch, 2HKOing it even if Tangrowth
is gets burned on the next turn. Other moves that one could use include Stun Spore to spread even more status around, though this
is an inefficient use defeats the purpose of Tangrowth, as Amoonguss mostly outclasses it with this set of moves. Leaf Storm is another powerful option for hitting Pokemon such as Jellicent, as it can possibly 2HKO specially defensive Jellicent with Stealth Rock damage
, but a lowered Special Attack makes it a lot easier for Dragon- or Steel-types to setup on you, especially Dragonite. Earthquake is your best option against Jirachi,
especially particularly the Calm Mind variants who can shrug off Hidden Power Fire, and it also easily deals with Heatran. Focus Blast is your best move against Ferrothorn in rain, though it has shaky accuracy and won't always 2HKO. It is also Tangrowth's best move for hitting the Kyurem formes on the switch.</p>
<p>One of the best partners for Tangrowth is Heatran, as
Heatran has excellent synergy with it, and they resist every one of each other's weaknesses
except for Heatran's Fighting weakness, but Fighting. Heatran can also spread burns
around with Lava Plume, making Tangrowth's job a lot easier, and walls some of the special attackers that give Tangrowth problems. Heatran also does well against sun and hail teams,
which are both
of which are problems for Tangrowth, while Tangrowth can handle the various Ground-, Water-, and Fighting-types that give Heatran
trouble a lot of problems. Another
option great idea is to pair Tangrowth up with Slowbro or Slowking, since
it this forms a dual-Regenerator core that can be a nightmare to face. Entry hazards trouble Tangrowth, as they cut into its best form of recovery in Regenerator. Spinners such as Tentacruel are good for the nice synergy they have with Tangrowth, and Tentacruel can handle rain teams with Rain Dish and good defenses. Forretress is another option since it gives another physically defensive Pokemon to pair Tangrowth up with, but the shared Fire weakness
can be is problematic.</p>
[SET]
name: Chlorophyll Sweeper
move 1: Growth / Swords Dance
move 2: Power Whip
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire / Sleep Powder
item: Life Orb
ability: Chlorophyll
nature: Naughty / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
<p>This Tangrowth plays a completely different role from the other set, focusing more on dealing damage then taking it. While one may want to use Venusaur instead of Tangrowth, Tangrowth can deal with priority moves a lot better thanks to its great natural bulk
[end sentence]. and it Tangrowth also has a much
stronger higher Attack
than Venusaur and
access to Power Whip
, over Venusaur which is surprising for teams who prepare for it instead of Tangrowth. Growth is the preferred boosting move on this set, as it raises both offenses
, thus allowing Tangrowth to use a strong Hidden Power. If
one Tangrowth is not using any special attacks, Swords Dance is the better choice for setting up outside of weather or as a weather inducer
comes in, as Tangrowth outspeeds every weather inducer outside of Choice Scarf Politoed and Tyranitar, and can slam both of them with Power Whip. This will give away the fact that Tangrowth isn't running any special
moves, however, and that could
keep prevent it from having much of an impact. Power Whip is the STAB move of choice because it packs a lot of power, and
can easily OHKO specially defensive Pokemon such as Blissey who might give Venusaur trouble. since it is physical, a lot of specially defensive Pokemon such as Blissey who might be able to take on Venusaur are easily OHKOed by it. Earthquake
easily OHKOes is the best move for taking out Heatran and Jirachi
, easily OHKOing both of these Pokemon. It is also the best move against Volcarona and other Fire-types. The last move is a choice
of between either Hidden Power for more coverage or a speedy Sleep Powder. Hidden Power Ice is again the preferred option as without it, Dragon-types will give you
the problems, especially Dragonite and Salamence since they greatly resist Power Whip and are immune to Earthquake. Hidden Power Fire, however, is best for hitting Scizor, Skarmory, and Ferrothorn,
and it also gets a power boost under the sun.
In addition, both Hidden Powers will deal a lot of damage to Grass-types
as well. Sleep Powder is
a final the last option
, and it that can be used to disable a
switch-in and allow Tangrowth to get a free boost, but Grass / Ground
has poor coverage
is not very good and Tangrowth will lose to quite a few Pokemon without the help of a Hidden Power.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>A Naughty nature is used because all priority outside of the rare Vacuum Wave Lucario is physical, and lowering Tangrowth's Defense will make it more vulnerable to priority; it also allows it to go mixed more effectively. If
you are Tangrowth is using Sleep Powder, an Adamant nature is the best choice since
you it won't be using its Special Attack.</p>
<p>Ninetales is an obvious partner because of Drought, since Tangrowth outside of sun is a very sub-par
offensive Pokemon
if used offensively. Keep in mind that its Speed is still pretty low even with a Chlorophyll boost, so Choice Scarfed Fire-types that can take advantage of the sun such as Darmanitan, Victini, and even Infernape
[removed comma] are good revenge killers for Tangrowth to be paired up with. Heatran is again a great teammate becauase it keeps hail teams at bay
for Tangrowth, it works
great well in the sun
as well, and has very good synergy with Tangrowth. It can also be paired along with Venusaur
, allowing by utilizing Tangrowth to break through walls such as Blissey and Heatran
[can Tangrowth actually break through Heatran though? I realize it can outspeed an OHKO with Chlorophyll, but it can't switch in safely; however, this is a digression, so I won't comment on it further] so that the much faster Venusaur can sweep. Choice Scarf Terrakion is a great teammate to beat other Fire-types on opposing sun teams, as Choice Scarf variants will easily outspeed and defeat Tangrowth. Tangrowth will also beat most of Terrakion's checks and counters, especially Landorus-T and Scizor. If you want to run Hidden Power Fire, then Mamoswine can easily beat Dragon-types with Ice Shard, making it easier for Tangrowth to sweep the opponent's team.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>A Choice Specs set with Leaf Storm / Focus Blast / Sleep Powder / Hidden Power Fire is also a good set, as Regenerator will allow it to play a very strong "hit-and-run" play style. Its base 50 Speed and shaky coverage holds this set back though, making it difficult for Tangrowth to beat
some faster teams. Synthesis can be used on the defensive sets for more recovery, but with the ever changing weather, it is not very reliable and Tangrowth has Regenerator to heal
itself a lot of HP anyways. Toxic is also another option, as it can be used to combat Blissey
keep Blissey at bay, but many of the other walls that Tangrowth would like to get by, such as Heatran, Forretress, and Skarmory, are not affected by it. Rock Slide is best for hitting Volcarona and Thundurus-T, but it doesn't have good coverage on any other threats, and has
a low base power for a coverage move.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>As the defensive Tangrowth is going to be switching in and out a lot, bringing in a counter against it can be difficult;
[changed , to ;] however, it isn't too difficult to predict when it will switch, allowing you to potentially defeat its switch-in. The threat of Sleep Powder cannot be ignored
eitehr either, as losing a potential counter to sleep is never
beneficial a good thing.</p>
<p>Latias is probably one of the best counters for the defensive set, since it can set up a Substitute
of on Sleep Powder, and then just Calm Mind from there. Tangrowth cannot break Latias's Substitute with Hidden Power Ice if she is at +1, which allows Latias to either boost at her leisure or take out Tangrowth with boosted special moves. Celebi is
also another excellent counter, as it doesn't worry about Sleep Powder because of Natural Cure, and it can boost, set up Stealth Rock, or simply attack
it while Tangrowth struggles to do anything meaningful in return. Ironically enough, Amoonguss is also a good counter, as with its good special bulk it doesn't worry about Hidden Power Ice, and can Spore Tangrowth or use its own Hidden Power to damage it. Other Grass-types
are also can be good counters, especially if they pack a special move. Venusaur can put
it Tangrowth down with a STAB Sludge Bomb, while Virizion can boost on Tangrowth and defeat it with Focus Blast or Hidden Power.</p>
<p>Heatran is an issue if Tangrowth doesn't run Earthquake, as it takes little from Giga Drain or Hidden Power and easily beats Tangrowth with Fire Blast or Lava Plume. Other Fire-types give Tangrowth problems because they can deal a lot of damage to it with their
super effective STAB moves. Darmanitan can even push an OHKO on Tangrowth with Flare Blitz, while Victini can use Blue Flare to hit
in it on the special side; they both fear a possible Earthquake
, [added comma] however. While Dragonite and Salamence need to worry about Hidden Power Ice, Dragonite can easily set up on
any Tangrowth
without that lacks it
, [added comma] while Salamence
can use uses Fire Blast or Draco Meteor to easily defeat Tangrowth. Both of the Kyurem formes are good counters because they can either muscle through Tangrowth or use Ice Beam and Blizzard to hit it on its special side. Toxicroak is an absolute terror for Tangrowth to face in rain, since Tangrowth cannot break Toxicroak's Substitutes, making it easy for Toxicroak to set up Bulk Ups and KO it with Drain Punch. In general, Steel-types are your best bet if Tangrowuth does not run Hidden Power or Earthquake. Scizor will take a huge chunk out of it with U-turn, while Magnezone and Jirachi can set up and defeat Tangrowth with special attacks.</p>
<p>The Chlorophyll sweeper set is harder to counter because of its great power
and coverage, but
it becomes much less of a threat if it does not run a Hidden Power., if one chooses to drop Hidden Power, it does become easier. Skarmory is probably the best counter overall if Tangrowth lacks Hidden Power Fire, since it easily survives a +2 Hidden Power Ice and Whirlwinds it away. If it lacks Hidden Power, then Skarmory is basically untouchable, boasting a 4x resistance to Power Whip and an immunity to Earthquake. Dragonite and Salamence are
also on in a similar boat, as Dragonite can set up on Tangrowth and Salamence can beat it with Fire Blast. Venusaur can switch in on Power Whip, outspeed it in the sun, and use Sludge Bomb to wipe it out. Choice Scarfed Fire types can easily revenge kill Tangrowth because of its low speed. Abomasnow can slow it down by changing the weather and threaten an immediate KO with Blizzard.</p>[/quote]
