itsy-bitsy spider :o
[SET]
name: Sticky Web (Bug)
move 1: Sticky Web
move 2: Liquidation
move 3: Mirror Coat
move 4: Toxic / Magic Coat
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Water Bubble
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 100 Atk / 156 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Araquanid is the best defensive Sticky Web setter available for Bug teams, and it differentiates itself from Galvantula by taking on special attackers such as Blacephalon, Spectrier, and Nidoking. Thanks to Water Bubble, it checks threats such as Volcarona and Heatran, which greatly trouble Bug teams. Liquidation deals with Calm Mind and Quiver Dance users such as Spectrier and Volcarona, and it generally threatens Fire-types. Mirror Coat takes advantage of Araquanid's excellent Special Defense, allowing it to retaliate against threats that don't mind Liquidation such as Thundurus-T and Volcanion. Toxic debilitates switch-ins such as Slowbro, Mantine, and Gastrodon. Magic Coat can be used over Toxic, as it bounces back Taunt, Leech Seed, and Stealth Rock from Cobalion, Celesteela, and Garchomp, allowing Araquanid to set Sticky Web uncontested and maximize its longevity. 156 Speed EVs let Araquanid outspeed and beat non-Air Slash Celesteela one-on-one, while maximum HP EVs allow it to survive attacks such as Choice Specs Tapu Koko's Volt Switch, Hurricane from Tornadus-T, and non-Choice Band Victini's Bolt Strike.
Setup sweepers such as Scizor, Volcarona, and Heracross make great teammates for Araquanid, as these all benefit from Sticky Web and a Fire resistance. Swords Dance Scizor deals with Ice- and Rock-type threats such as Kyurem and Tyranitar, can clean types such as Dragon and Fairy, and uses Sticky Web to outspeed Heatran. Volcarona greatly appreciates Araquanid dealing with Heatran and Victini, as this allows it to sweep types such as Steel and Psychic late-game. Guts Heracross deals with walls such as Toxapex, Slowbro, and Galarian Corsola, and Sticky Web allows it to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame, removing threats such as Dragapult, Choice Band Victini, and Choice Scarf Heatran. Araquanid setting Sticky Web frees a moveslot for Galvantula, allowing it to run Agility. Thanks to Sticky Web, Galvantula even outspeeds Swift Swim Barraskewda at +2, making it a potent late-game wincon against Water and Flying teams. Galvantula also appreciates Araquanid's ability to heavily damage Thundurus-T and pressure Ground-types like Landorus-T. Choice Scarf Buzzwole deals with threats such as Cinderace and Excadrill, and Sticky Web lets it clean frailer types such as Electric, Dragon, Dark, and Fire, which have limited defensive counterplay against it.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Bug
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Scald may be used with a Modest nature, as it allows Araquanid to fish for burns. However, Liquidation lets it check Spectrier and Roost Volcarona well. A trapping set with Infestation, Soak, Toxic, and Rest, holding a Grip Claw, traps and removes bulky walls such as Celesteela and Toxapex that normally give Araquanid a difficult time; however, if such targets are not present on the opposing team, it turns Araquanid into a liability. Water Absorb may be considered to pivot into threats such as Barraskewda, but Water Bubble's resistance to Fire-type moves is Araquanid's main appeal. Wacan Berry may be used to lure in Tapu Koko and Choice Band Victini, but since Bug can choose to not run dedicated entry hazard removers, forgoing Heavy-Duty Boots may hurt Araquanid's ability to check threats such as Blacephalon and Spectrier in the long run.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Neko, 542526]]
- Bug analysis by: [[Neko, 542526]]
- Quality checked by: [[sasha, 510532], [roxie, 481576]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Adeleine, 517429], [UT, 523866]]
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