Band
scatters things often
[OVERVIEW]
Tangrowth's stellar ability in Regenerator, good defensive typing, and vast movepool let it hold an Assault Vest, turning it into a special wall that can check prominent threats like Keldeo, Aegislash, and Primarina. Its naturally huge Defense also lets it check physical attackers like Zarude and Rhyperior well enough even without investiment. Physically defensive sets can also check threats like Lycanroc-D, Krookodile, and Crawdaunt very well. Access to moves like Knock Off, Sleep Powder, and Sludge Bomb let Tangrowth severely cripple defensive Pokemon such as Chansey, Milotic, and Rotom-H. However, Tangrowth's typing can also hinder it, giving it weaknesses to types like Bug and Fire, forcing it to switch out from metagame staples like Scizor and Moltres. Tangrowth faces competition from Amoonguss as a defensive Grass-type, as the latter's Poison typing lets it check threats like Primarina, Keldeo, and opposing Tangrowth more reliably; it can also put foes to sleep more reliably thanks to Spore. However, Tangrowth's huge Defense, generally lower passivity, and ability to cripple walls like Chansey with Knock Off are invaluable. Tangrowth hates being setup fodder for Pokemon like Rotom-H and especially Scizor, which often force it to switch out against them. Its abysmal Special Defense means its physically defensive set struggles against special attackers like Primarina, Thundurus-T, and mixed Kommo-o; this makes specially defensive walls mandatory teammates. Finally, Assault Vest Tangrowth is prone to Knock Off, which defeats its role as a special wall.
[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Giga Drain
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Earthquake
item: Assault Vest
ability: Regenerator
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Knock Off is an extremely useful move, removing items and crippling common Tangrowth answers, like Amoonguss, Chansey, Rotom-H, and Celesteela. Sludge Bomb has a decent chance to poison foes and is also Tangrowth's best way to hit Hatterene and opposing Tangrowth. Earthquake is used to pressure Pokemon such as Galarian Slowbro, Tentacruel, and Nihilego. Assault Vest boosts Tangrowth's miserable Special Defense stat, allowing it to pivot in on Pokemon it normally can't, such as Primarina, Keldeo, and Thundurus-T. Rock Slide lets Tangrowth pressure Pokemon like Moltres, Salamence, and Rotom-H a bit more but is matchup dependent and outclassed by its other move options.
Tangrowth acts as an effective glue on many playstyles. Any team appreciates Tangrowth acting as a reliable defensive pivot that sponges attacks from scary wallbreakers such as Primarina, Thundurus, and Aegislash. However, Tangrowth can still be overwhelmed by Choice Specs Primarina and Nasty Plot Thundurus-T, and it thus can't face them alone. Teammates such as Chansey and Quagsire appreciate Tangrowth's ability to cripple these offensive threats. Tangrowth can't take Fire- and Ice-type attacks from threats such as Moltres and Mamoswine reliably, so teammates like Milotic and Rotom-W are appreciated. Despite the amazing Regenerator, Tangrowth is extremely prone to being weakened by Stealth Rock and Spikes. Pokemon that can remove entry hazards, like Rotom-H and Salamence, therefore prevent it from being too worn down. Rotom-H is an especially good teammate, as it also checks Scizor, one of Tangrowth's best checks. Physically defensive walls such as Buzzwole and Seismitoad appreciate Tangrowth taking on menacing special threats such as Thundurus, Keldeo, and Primarina. Buzzwole is especially valuable as a Krookodile check, since it doesn't mind losing its item, unlike Tangrowth. Keldeo can threaten Pokemon that scare Tangrowth, like Mamoswine, Moltres, and Rotom-H. In return, Tangrowth deals with Pokemon that check Keldeo well, like Primarina.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Giga Drain
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Sleep Powder / Earthquake
item: Rocky Helmet
ability: Regenerator
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Knock Off lets Tangrowth cripple switch-ins such as Celesteela, Scizor, and Amoonguss. Sludge Bomb helps Tangrowth to not be setup fodder for Tapu Bulu and is its best way to hit Hatterene and opposing Tangrowth. Sludge Bomb's poison chance also helps Tangrowth potentially cripple switch-ins like Rotom-H and opposing Tangrowth. Sleep Powder is extremely useful to prevent Pokemon such as Salamence from setting up in front of Tangrowth and creates opportunities for teammates such as Azumarill and Nidoqueen to wreak havoc. Earthquake can be used to weaken and pressure Pokemon such as Nihilego and Nidoqueen for other teammates, scaring them from switching in directly into Tangrowth. Rocky Helmet allows Tangrowth to punish physical attackers like Buzzwole, Azumarill, and Scizor.
Tangrowth fits very well on archetypes like bulky offense, balance, and stall, which appreciate its defensive capabilities and the utility it provides. Because of Tangrowth's miserable Special Defense, partners that can take on special attackers for it such as Chansey and Celesteela are very appreciated. Chansey can take on Pokemon like Primarina and Starmie and set Stealth Rock; its Toxic wearing down common Tangrowth checks such as Rotom-H is also very appreciated. Water-types such as Rotom-W and Primarina can all take strong Fire- and Ice-type attacks for Tangrowth and check threats such as Chandelure and Mamoswine. Primarina also checks Keldeo for Tangrowth. These Water-types appreciate Tangrowth pivoting directly into Zarude and Tapu Bulu. Rotom-W and Tentacruel in particular also work as entry hazard removers, and Tangrowth needs this help to avoid getting too weakened. Salamence and Rotom-H are other removal options that also check Scizor for Tangrowth very well. Ground-types such as Krookodile and Rhyperior like having Tangrowth as a teammate, as it can take on Water-types such as Azumarill for them. Albeit niche, Incineroar can take on almost any variant of Chandelure, which Tangrowth greatly appreciates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Leech Seed is an option, but it is easily avoided by switching out and by pivoting from Pokemon like Rotom-W and Scizor. Other Pokemon like opposing Tangrowth, Hatterene, and Amoonguss are not affected by Leech Seed, making it hard to justify using over Giga Drain's immediate recovery. Power Whip lets Tangrowth threaten Substitute + Calm Mind Primarina, but getting burned by Scald from it or another Water-type weakens Power Whip, making it less reliable. Stun Spore can be considered to slow down and cripple Pokemon like Nidoqueen, Scizor, and Tentacruel, but its accuracy is shaky and common Pokemon like Rotom-H and Amoonguss are immune to it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: All of the tier's Steel-types can switch directly into Tangrowth. Jirachi can use Tangrowth to set hazards up or heal itself. However, Jirachi and Celesteela fear Knock Off and the former has to scout for Earthquake. Celesteela forces physically defensive Tangrowth out with Flamethrower and Scizor can dent Assault Vest Tangrowth with U-turn. Scizor can also use it as setup fodder, assuming the physically defensive set has already put another team member to sleep.
**Poison-types**: Nidoqueen, Nihilego, Amoonguss, and Tentacruel can hit Tangrowth with their respective STAB moves, and Tentacruel can also damage Tangrowth with Liquid Ooze if ever it uses Giga Drain. Since they force Tangrowth out with offensive pressure, the former two can use it to set Stealth Rock. Amoonguss takes little from Tangrowth's moves and only dislikes Knock Off, forcing Tangrowth to switch out; this gives Amoonguss a free opportunity to put one of Tangrowth's teammate to sleep via Spore.
**Fire-types**: Tangrowth is extremely pressured by Fire-types such as Rotom-H, Moltres, and Chandelure and is almost always forced out. The former two can use Volt Switch or U-turn, respectively, to predict a switch and keep momentum, but Tangrowth can stomach a Fire-type attack from them and remove their item with Knock Off in return if needed. Incineroar threatens Tangrowth with Overheat, can remove its item with Knock Off, and can pivot out with U-turn.
**Special Attackers**: Even with an Assault Vest, Nidoqueen, Salamence, Nihilego, and Chandelure can all get past Tangrowth with their powerful super effective STAB attacks. Other special attackers such as Primarina, Hatterene, and Thundurus-T can all get past Assault Vest Tangrowth by using setup moves.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Bandkrook, 301217]]
- Quality checked by: [[Hilomilo, 313384], [Twilight, 344575], [martha, 384270]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
Tangrowth's stellar ability in Regenerator, good defensive typing, and vast movepool let it hold an Assault Vest, turning it into a special wall that can check prominent threats like Keldeo, Aegislash, and Primarina. Its naturally huge Defense also lets it check physical attackers like Zarude and Rhyperior well enough even without investiment. Physically defensive sets can also check threats like Lycanroc-D, Krookodile, and Crawdaunt very well. Access to moves like Knock Off, Sleep Powder, and Sludge Bomb let Tangrowth severely cripple defensive Pokemon such as Chansey, Milotic, and Rotom-H. However, Tangrowth's typing can also hinder it, giving it weaknesses to types like Bug and Fire, forcing it to switch out from metagame staples like Scizor and Moltres. Tangrowth faces competition from Amoonguss as a defensive Grass-type, as the latter's Poison typing lets it check threats like Primarina, Keldeo, and opposing Tangrowth more reliably; it can also put foes to sleep more reliably thanks to Spore. However, Tangrowth's huge Defense, generally lower passivity, and ability to cripple walls like Chansey with Knock Off are invaluable. Tangrowth hates being setup fodder for Pokemon like Rotom-H and especially Scizor, which often force it to switch out against them. Its abysmal Special Defense means its physically defensive set struggles against special attackers like Primarina, Thundurus-T, and mixed Kommo-o; this makes specially defensive walls mandatory teammates. Finally, Assault Vest Tangrowth is prone to Knock Off, which defeats its role as a special wall.
[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Giga Drain
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Earthquake
item: Assault Vest
ability: Regenerator
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Knock Off is an extremely useful move, removing items and crippling common Tangrowth answers, like Amoonguss, Chansey, Rotom-H, and Celesteela. Sludge Bomb has a decent chance to poison foes and is also Tangrowth's best way to hit Hatterene and opposing Tangrowth. Earthquake is used to pressure Pokemon such as Galarian Slowbro, Tentacruel, and Nihilego. Assault Vest boosts Tangrowth's miserable Special Defense stat, allowing it to pivot in on Pokemon it normally can't, such as Primarina, Keldeo, and Thundurus-T. Rock Slide lets Tangrowth pressure Pokemon like Moltres, Salamence, and Rotom-H a bit more but is matchup dependent and outclassed by its other move options.
Tangrowth acts as an effective glue on many playstyles. Any team appreciates Tangrowth acting as a reliable defensive pivot that sponges attacks from scary wallbreakers such as Primarina, Thundurus, and Aegislash. However, Tangrowth can still be overwhelmed by Choice Specs Primarina and Nasty Plot Thundurus-T, and it thus can't face them alone. Teammates such as Chansey and Quagsire appreciate Tangrowth's ability to cripple these offensive threats. Tangrowth can't take Fire- and Ice-type attacks from threats such as Moltres and Mamoswine reliably, so teammates like Milotic and Rotom-W are appreciated. Despite the amazing Regenerator, Tangrowth is extremely prone to being weakened by Stealth Rock and Spikes. Pokemon that can remove entry hazards, like Rotom-H and Salamence, therefore prevent it from being too worn down. Rotom-H is an especially good teammate, as it also checks Scizor, one of Tangrowth's best checks. Physically defensive walls such as Buzzwole and Seismitoad appreciate Tangrowth taking on menacing special threats such as Thundurus, Keldeo, and Primarina. Buzzwole is especially valuable as a Krookodile check, since it doesn't mind losing its item, unlike Tangrowth. Keldeo can threaten Pokemon that scare Tangrowth, like Mamoswine, Moltres, and Rotom-H. In return, Tangrowth deals with Pokemon that check Keldeo well, like Primarina.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Giga Drain
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Sleep Powder / Earthquake
item: Rocky Helmet
ability: Regenerator
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Knock Off lets Tangrowth cripple switch-ins such as Celesteela, Scizor, and Amoonguss. Sludge Bomb helps Tangrowth to not be setup fodder for Tapu Bulu and is its best way to hit Hatterene and opposing Tangrowth. Sludge Bomb's poison chance also helps Tangrowth potentially cripple switch-ins like Rotom-H and opposing Tangrowth. Sleep Powder is extremely useful to prevent Pokemon such as Salamence from setting up in front of Tangrowth and creates opportunities for teammates such as Azumarill and Nidoqueen to wreak havoc. Earthquake can be used to weaken and pressure Pokemon such as Nihilego and Nidoqueen for other teammates, scaring them from switching in directly into Tangrowth. Rocky Helmet allows Tangrowth to punish physical attackers like Buzzwole, Azumarill, and Scizor.
Tangrowth fits very well on archetypes like bulky offense, balance, and stall, which appreciate its defensive capabilities and the utility it provides. Because of Tangrowth's miserable Special Defense, partners that can take on special attackers for it such as Chansey and Celesteela are very appreciated. Chansey can take on Pokemon like Primarina and Starmie and set Stealth Rock; its Toxic wearing down common Tangrowth checks such as Rotom-H is also very appreciated. Water-types such as Rotom-W and Primarina can all take strong Fire- and Ice-type attacks for Tangrowth and check threats such as Chandelure and Mamoswine. Primarina also checks Keldeo for Tangrowth. These Water-types appreciate Tangrowth pivoting directly into Zarude and Tapu Bulu. Rotom-W and Tentacruel in particular also work as entry hazard removers, and Tangrowth needs this help to avoid getting too weakened. Salamence and Rotom-H are other removal options that also check Scizor for Tangrowth very well. Ground-types such as Krookodile and Rhyperior like having Tangrowth as a teammate, as it can take on Water-types such as Azumarill for them. Albeit niche, Incineroar can take on almost any variant of Chandelure, which Tangrowth greatly appreciates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Leech Seed is an option, but it is easily avoided by switching out and by pivoting from Pokemon like Rotom-W and Scizor. Other Pokemon like opposing Tangrowth, Hatterene, and Amoonguss are not affected by Leech Seed, making it hard to justify using over Giga Drain's immediate recovery. Power Whip lets Tangrowth threaten Substitute + Calm Mind Primarina, but getting burned by Scald from it or another Water-type weakens Power Whip, making it less reliable. Stun Spore can be considered to slow down and cripple Pokemon like Nidoqueen, Scizor, and Tentacruel, but its accuracy is shaky and common Pokemon like Rotom-H and Amoonguss are immune to it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: All of the tier's Steel-types can switch directly into Tangrowth. Jirachi can use Tangrowth to set hazards up or heal itself. However, Jirachi and Celesteela fear Knock Off and the former has to scout for Earthquake. Celesteela forces physically defensive Tangrowth out with Flamethrower and Scizor can dent Assault Vest Tangrowth with U-turn. Scizor can also use it as setup fodder, assuming the physically defensive set has already put another team member to sleep.
**Poison-types**: Nidoqueen, Nihilego, Amoonguss, and Tentacruel can hit Tangrowth with their respective STAB moves, and Tentacruel can also damage Tangrowth with Liquid Ooze if ever it uses Giga Drain. Since they force Tangrowth out with offensive pressure, the former two can use it to set Stealth Rock. Amoonguss takes little from Tangrowth's moves and only dislikes Knock Off, forcing Tangrowth to switch out; this gives Amoonguss a free opportunity to put one of Tangrowth's teammate to sleep via Spore.
**Fire-types**: Tangrowth is extremely pressured by Fire-types such as Rotom-H, Moltres, and Chandelure and is almost always forced out. The former two can use Volt Switch or U-turn, respectively, to predict a switch and keep momentum, but Tangrowth can stomach a Fire-type attack from them and remove their item with Knock Off in return if needed. Incineroar threatens Tangrowth with Overheat, can remove its item with Knock Off, and can pivot out with U-turn.
**Special Attackers**: Even with an Assault Vest, Nidoqueen, Salamence, Nihilego, and Chandelure can all get past Tangrowth with their powerful super effective STAB attacks. Other special attackers such as Primarina, Hatterene, and Thundurus-T can all get past Assault Vest Tangrowth by using setup moves.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Bandkrook, 301217]]
- Quality checked by: [[Hilomilo, 313384], [Twilight, 344575], [martha, 384270]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
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