[Overview]
Tangrowth isn't a usual customer in the corporation of Ubers, and yet Generation 8 is where it is one of the best pivots in the metagame due to its ability to stave off multiple physical attackers in the tier, such as Zacian-H, Zekrom, and Groudon, as well as pivoting in on the likes of Marshadow and Dragon Dance Necrozma-Dusk Mane while making progress against its switchins with Knock Off, as well as messing with neutral targets such as Marshadow through status moves such as Stun Spore or Sleep Powder.
An incredible ability in Regenerator further augments this, letting it come back to handle these pokemon later in the game without requiring healing moves. However, Tangrowth’s horrendous special defense often hampers it against the likes of special wallbreakers such as Kyogre, Eternatus, and Calyrex-Shadow, so much so to the point where Pokemon it checks such as Zekrom and Groudon can run coverage to decimate Tangrowth with ease.
[SET]
name: Tankgrowth
move 1: Grass Knot
move 2: Knock Off / Leech Seed
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Sleep Powder / Stun Spore
item: Rocky Helmet
ability: Regenerator
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Grass Knot takes advantage of the heavy weighted Pokemon Tangrowth is supposed to check such as Groudon and Zygarde for a powerful, accurate STAB. Knock Off catches switchins such as Ho-Oh and Yveltal by forcing off their Heavy-Duty Boots, and can remove opposing Rocky Helmets as well.
Leech Seed can get Tangrowth to stick around longer against the pokemon it can pivot on, such as Marshadow, and the switchins that will try to threaten it out as well. Earthquake lets Tangrowth fully check Zekrom if its been put to sleep, and prevents Eternatus from being too smug in an attempt to switch in. Sleep Powder capitalizes on pokemon that attempt to come in on Tangrowth by putting them or the Pokemon that Tangrowth check out of commission.
Stun Spore is an option, with its main benefit of lasting forever in contrast to sleep’s 1-3 turns being the main attraction, but due to the rarity of sleep moves compared to the widespread usage of paralysis and Zekrom's own immunity to the status, Tangrowth is usually better off using sleep moves.
Rocky Helmet allows Tangrowth to punish the physical attackers it comes in on, such as Zekrom, Marshadow Urshifu, and Zacian-H.
Due to Tangrowth's effective matchup against the likes of overwhelming wallbreakers such as Choice Band Zacian-H, Groudon, and Zekrom, it fits very easily on the classic core of Necrozma-Dusk Mane, Yveltal, and Eternatus. Necrozma-Dusk Mane enjoys Tangrowth relieving the pressure of Zacian-H, and can even opt to run Specially Defensive sets since it only needs the Fairy resist. Yvetal can stave off Calyrex-Shadow relatively easily, and provide hazard support while Tangrowth can deal with Zekrom in return. Eternatus can check Kyogre and Ho-oh, while appreciating Tangrowth's matchup against Double Dance Groudon. Other special pivots such as Ho-oh and Blissey also appreciate Tangrowth's ability to stave off most physical threats while keeping off the offensive threats that can run down Tangrowth, such as Xerneas.
Xerneas can provide a cleric and a true countermeasure against SubToxic Zygarde-C, which Tangrowth gets worn down by.
Calm Mind Kyogre can set up rain, and also takes advantage of Toxic Zygarde-C variants that can wear down Tangrowth while appreciating it holding off Zekrom.
Offensive Pokemon also appreciate Tangrowth stomaching Zacian's blows, especially since it is usually a threat to those pokemon due to its amazing offensive stats. Marshadow comes to mind for this, and it also appreciates Tangrowth luring in Ho-Oh for a free Knock off, thus letting it run Ice Punch for Zygarde since Ho-Oh will be KOd by Poltergeist after rocks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Sludge Bomb is an option to smack opposing Tangrowth, but it's generally hard to fit over the utility Knock Off provides or a status move.
Focus Blast can be nice for seriously limiting Ferrothorn, but Tangrowth is very strapped for movesets and usually won't be able to fit such an attack.
Checks and Counters
====
**Special Attacks**: Most special moves coming off of decent Special Attack stats are enough to OHKO Tangrowth due to its measly Special Defense. Calyrex-S, Eternatus, Dialga, and Kyogre fit this category relatively well. However, all of them don't want to come into a Sleep Powder or Stun Spore.
**Ice-types**: Choice Band Calyrex-I and the Kyurem formes can easily bypass Tangrowth's solid bulk and force it out.
**Toxic** - Eternatus, Giratina, and Zygarde often carry Toxic, or in the case of Eternatus, Toxic Spikes, which Tangrowth hates, as it hurts its longevity and limits its ability to deal with pokemon such as Substitute Zekrom.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: Fusion Flare
- Quality checked by: [[@FC], [@Manaphy]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
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