[OVERVIEW]
Tangrowth proves to be a stellar, albeit uncommon, pivot in OU, thanks to an amazing ability in Regenerator that gives it passive recovery upon switching out, admirable mixed bulk, and solid resistances to common attacking types, most notably Water, Ground, and Grass, that let Tangrowth check many common threats, like Azumarill and Landorus-T. Tangrowth further separates itself from other defensive Grass-types, specifically Amoonguss and Mega Venusaur, thanks to its resistance to Ground, which makes it a far more effective check to common Ground-type attackers like Landorus-T, Excadrill, and Garchomp. Furthermore, Tangrowth makes up for its lack of offensive presence with its immense longevity and ability to whittle the foe down with moves such as Knock Off and Giga Drain, meaning that it will often outlast the foe if used effectively. However, Tangrowth is ultimately held back by its weakness to common attacking types such as Fire, Flying, and Ice, making it vulnerable to common attackers such as Talonflame, Tornadus-T, and Kyurem-B. Tangrowth also faces immense competition from its fellow bulky Grass-types, Amoonguss and Mega Venusaur, which boast useful resistances to Fighting and Fairy, alongside Spore and Thick Fat, respectively. On top of all this, Tangrowth is a relatively passive Pokemon, as its moves either have low Base Power, in the case of Hidden Power Ice or Hidden Power Fire, or come with unwanted side effects, in the case of Leaf Storm.
[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Leaf Storm / Giga Drain
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire
item: Assault Vest
ability: Regenerator
nature: Sassy
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Leaf Storm provides Tangrowth with a powerful STAB attack, hitting most foes that don't resist it for respectable amounts of damage; however, it comes at the cost of lowering Tangrowth's Special Attack upon use. If consistency is valued over power, Giga Drain can be used in its place, but Giga Drain cannot OHKO either Mega Gyarados or Manaphy after Stealth Rock damage, making Tangrowth a weaker check to them. Knock Off is used to take advantage of the fact that many of Tangrowth's checks, particularly Tornadus-T and Chansey, are reliant on their item to perform optimally, crippling them for the rest of the game. Earthquake is Tangrowth's best option to hit Fire-types such as Mega Charizard X and Heatran, as well as Electric-types such as Magnezone and Raikou. Hidden Power Ice is the preferred option for the last slot, as it allows Tangrowth to better check Landorus-T and Garchomp; however, Hidden Power Fire can be used in its place to hit Ferrothorn and Scizor, which otherwise wall Tangrowth entirely.
Set Details
========
Maximum EV investment in HP alongside 8 Defense EVs allows Tangrowth to always avoid the 2HKO from Choice Specs Keldeo's Secret Sword, while the remaining EVs are put into Special Defense to better take special attacks. Assault Vest is used to boost Tangrowth's meager Special Defense to solid levels, allowing it to take powerful special attacks, most notably Manaphy's Ice Beam after a Tail Glow boost and Latios's Draco Meteor, in a pinch. Regenerator restores Tangrowth's health as it switches out, furthering its abilities as a pivot.
Usage Tips
========
Be aware that while Tangrowth's bulk is impressive, it cannot repeatedly switch into many powerful attacks, such as Mega Gyarados's Crunch and Garchomp's Dragon Claw. When using Leaf Storm, you should keep the Special Attack drop in mind, as it makes Tangrowth complete fodder for setup sweepers such as Togekiss and Clefable. Knock Off should be used early-game to cripple foes by removing their items as soon as possible. If the need arises, Tangrowth can take powerful special attacks thanks to its invested Special Defense and the Assault Vest boost, such as Manaphy's Ice Beam after a Tail Glow and Latios's Draco Meteor; however, Tangrowth should not directly switch into them. While it's not necessary, Tangrowth appreciates entry hazards removed from its side of the field, as they neuter the effectiveness of Regenerator.
Team Options
========
Tangrowth fits best on bulky offense or balance teams that appreciate both a bulky Grass-type and a check to Ground-types, a role that Tangrowth's main competitors, Amoonguss and Mega Venusaur, cannot fill. Heatran is amongst the best teammates to Tangrowth, as it handles the Fire-, Ice-, and Flying-type attacks that stop Tangrowth, while Tangrowth takes on Water- and Ground-types such as Manaphy and Landorus-T in return. Rock-types such as Mega Diancie and Tyranitar make for excellent partners, checking Fire- and Flying-types that Tangrowth struggles with while Tangrowth resists the Water-, Ground-, and Grass-type attacks that they're vulnerable to. Tangrowth appreciates Rapid Spin or Defog support from the likes of Starmie and Latios because entry hazards, particularly Spikes and Stealth Rock, can easily pressure and potentially overwhelm it. Water-types such as Slowbro and Azumarill complement Tangrowth well, checking the Fire- and Ice-types that burden it.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A physically defensive set with Leftovers can be used to more effectively check Pokemon like Azumarill, Excadrill, Garchomp, and Mega Gyarados; however, this leaves Tangrowth with atrociously low Special Defense, making it incredibly vulnerable to special attackers, and should only be used if your team requires a physically bulky Grass-type and or a reliable answer to Ground-types. Sludge Bomb is a viable alternative on the Assault Vest set, acting as Tangrowth's best way to hit Fairy- and Grass-types, most notably Clefable, Mega Altaria, and Serperior. Rock Slide can be used to hit Talonflame and Tornadus-T on the switch, but the moveslot can usually be put to better use.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Flying-types**: Flying-types, most notably Talonflame, Tornadus-T and Mega Pinsir, take little damage from Tangrowth's attacks, barring the uncommon Rock Slide, and can OHKO it with a powerful STAB atttack.
**Fire-types**: Due to Tangrowth's lackluster Special Defense and vulnerability to Fire-type attacks, Fire-types such as Volcarona, Mega Charizard Y, and Heatran make for fine answers to it. However, Heatran can be heavily damaged by Earthquake, while Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona must watch out for the uncommon Rock Slide.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types, particularly Mega Altaria and Clefable, act as prime answers to Tangrowth, taking little damage from its attacks and using it as setup fodder. They must, however, be wary of the uncommon Sludge Bomb.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types like Skarmory, Mega Scizor, and Ferrothorn all wall Tangrowth and can use it as complete fodder to either set up a layer of Spikes or use Swords Dance in Mega Scizor's case, only fearing the rare Hidden Power Fire.
**Ice-types**: Ice-types such as Mamoswine, Weavile, and Kyurem-B can pick off a weakened Tangrowth with a STAB-boosted Icicle Crash or Ice Beam.
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