QC Approvals: 3 (Iconic, Panamaxis, Bloo)
GP Approvals: Chou Toshio
http://serebii.net/pokedex-bw/073.shtml
[Overview]
<p>"Support" is the first word that pops in
to the head of many players when they see Tentacruel. They are correct, as Tentacruel is
very capable in a great choice for a variety of support roles, including laying down Toxic Spikes and
destroying removing entry hazards. Tentacruel also possesses a base Speed of 100, an acceptable Special Attack stat and a wide offensive movepool, allowing it to fit on offensive and balanced teams just as well as on stall teams.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Tentacruel has an awfully low Defense stat for a support Pokemon. This is compounded by a weakness to the ever-common move Earthquake. Despite this, Tentacruel is a wonderful support Pokemon and should always be considered if you are in need of a defensive (or even offensive) Pokemon.</p>
[SET]
name: Toxic Spikes
move 1: Toxic Spikes
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Surf / Scald
move 4: Venoshock / Hex
item: Leftovers
ability: Liquid Ooze
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 64 Def / 176 SpD / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set uses Tentacruel's ability to lay down Toxic Spikes and spin other hazards away, making it a nice addition to stall, semi-stall, and even balanced teams. As an additional bonus, Tentacruel can absorb Toxic Spikes on your side of the field simply by switching in. Its Water and Poison typing, along with Liquid Ooze, enables it to switch into a variety of attacks in order to set up hazards or spin them away. Surf is a strong, reliable STAB option. Alternately, Scald's 30% burn rate makes it appealing, in order to offset Tentacruel's poor Defense stat. Venoshock is the primary option for the last slot, since its base power doubles if the opponent is poisoned. Hex, however, allows you to take on Jellicent, Dusclops and other spinblockers with ease.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Using Speed EVs may seem unorthodox for a defensive Pokemon, but adding 16 EVs in Speed allows Tentacruel to outspeed Adamant Breloom, who would otherwise pose a dangerous threat. The rest of the EVs are allocated such that Tentacruel will best survive neutral and resisted physical attacks while retaining its special bulk This does seem a bit weird. Something more concrete like surviving X or just maxing something out would be better. Why did you choose this spread in particular?. Liquid Ooze allows Tentacruel to switch into the likes of Conkeldurr's Drain Punch, Virizion's Giga Drain, and Whimsicott's Leech Seed (although the last latter may attempt to Taunt or status Tentacruel). Rain Dish is a viable option if Tentacruel is on a rain team, as it will heal 12.5% of its health every turn the extra healing will help Tentacruel's defensive capabilities This seems to be the real reason. Players should know what Rain Dish does.</p>
<p>Tentacruel has a variety of options to use in the fourth slot, especially considering that Venoshock and Hex are worthless against Pokemon who are immune to Toxic Spikes. Magic Coat is a nasty surprise against Pokemon who try to Taunt and/or cripple Tentacruel with status, such as Thundurus or Whimsicott. Many common switch-ins to Tentacruel are not affected by Toxic Spikes. For Flying-types and levitating switch-ins, Slime Wave can be used to attack, or Toxic can be used to spread poison in conjunction with Toxic Spikes.</p>
<p>When considering teammates, a spinblocker is required so your precious entry hazards are not blown away. Avoid using Jellicent, given its similar typing to Tentacruel. Dusclops and Spiritomb make ideal partners. Both have strong defenses and low HP for Pain Split abuse. Tentacruel also appreciates physical walls. Ferrothorn deserves special mention, as it can set up Spikes and Leech Seed, and has excellent synergy with Tentacruel aside from Ground-type attacks. Ferrothorn also fits onto a wide variety of teams, making it a universal partner to Tentacruel. Hippowdon and Skarmory are some stall-oriented walls, and both of them can set up additional entry hazards. Balanced teams may find Gliscor as a wonderful teammate, since it easily switches into the Ground- and Electric-type attacks that plague Tentacruel.</p>
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Giga Drain / Toxic Spikes
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb
ability: Liquid Ooze
ivs: 29 HP
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With a base Speed of 100, Tentacruel is unusually fast for a defensive Pokemon. This set attempts to take advantage of that speed and surprise the opponent. Tentacruel can also utilize support moves in an offensive set, enabling it to be a team supporter and an offensive threat at the same time. Hydro Pump is a powerful STAB move and can easily dent Pokemon who do not resist it. Giga Drain works well in conjunction with Hydro Pump by hitting most Water-types for super effective damage. In addition, the attack heals Tentacruel, easing the impact of Life Orb recoil. If opposing Water-types are of no concern, you may opt to use Toxic Spikes instead. Not sure if you could see the period missing there With Ice Beam, Tentacruel can outspeed and severely damage Gliscor and Dragonite, and nail any Garchomp and Landorus switch-ins. Ice Beam also hits Grass-type Pokemon trying to come in on Hydro Pump. Finally, Rapid Spin in the last slot allows Tentacruel to clear entry hazards from the field continue supporting its team well on any free turns .</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs listed in this set are fairly straightforward. Maximum Speed and Special Attack, along with a Timid nature and a Life Orb, enables Tentacruel to outspeed many Pokemon and hit them hard. Liquid Ooze is a fantastic ability on this set as it enables Tentacruel to switch into Conkeldurr, Virizion, Whimsicott, and other Pokemon who commonly use HP-draining moves. It may seem strange that this set is not running any Poison-type moves for STAB, but Poison is a woeful offensive typing. The only Pokemon who are hit for super effective damage are already battered by Ice Beam, which hits more threats than Poison-type moves. However, Acid Bomb is a notable exception, as its ability to sharply decrease the foe's Special Defense enables Tentacruel to be a phazer and a more efficient sweeper.</p>
<p>When choosing teammates for Tentacruel, keep in mind that this set plays differently from other offensive rapid spinners, such as Starmie and Excadrill. This set exploits its twin abilities to switch into special attacks and absorb Toxic Spikes. Good teammates should take advantage of these. For instance, consider Calm Mind Virizion. Virizion enjoys the absence of Toxic Spikes and can easily take on the Ground and Electric-type moves that Tentacruel will attract. Pokemon who enjoy a lack of Stealth Rock on their side, such as Salamence and Volcarona, also make nice teammates. Threats to Tentacruel include foes which outspeed it and KO with a super-effective move. Garchomp, Landorus, and Pokemon holding a Choice Scarf (such as Haxorus) can deal with it easily. For this reason, physically defensive Pokemon such as Gliscor and Skarmory make wonderful teammates. Specially Ddefensive walls such as Jirachi and Chansey (assuming Toxic Spikes are not out) can shrug off Tentacruel's attacks and proceed to set up. Luckily, powerful physical attacks should be enough to bring down such Pokemon. If not running Giga Drain, bulky Water-types can pose a challenge if Toxic Spikes are not out. Virizion, Ferrothorn, and Celebi can easily set up against those Pokemon. Ferrothorn itself can be a huge problem for Tentacruel, but there are many Pokemon who can deal with it, such as Conkeldurr, Scizor, and Hidden Power Fire Latios.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Tentacruel has a wide variety of support moves to choose from. Hidden Power Fire can be useful for hitting Ferrothorn, but has poor coverage with its
other STAB moves. Confuse Ray and Mirror Coat can be useful for causing additional damage, but Tentacruel usually has better options to run
. Besides,
and most attacks aimed at Tentacruel are physical
anyway. Haze may appear useful, but given Tentacruel's mediocre HP and Defense stats, you probably won't get to use it before being knocked out. Magic Coat is a decent option if Tentacruel has an open moveslot, as it punishes Pokemon trying to Taunt it.</p>
[Checks & Counters]
<p>Simply put, any Pokemon who is immune to Toxic Spikes and carries Earthquake (or some other super-effective move) can be listed as a counter to Tentacruel. Examples of these Pokemon include Gyarados, Metagross, Reu
iniclus, and Latios. Some Pokemon, such as Gliscor and Landorus, will have to be aware of Ice Beam and
Surf/Hydro Pump STAB Water-type attacks, but once these Pokemon switch in, they can easily wreak havoc. Tentacruel also has trouble with specially defensive walls. Ferrothorn and Jirachi, for example, can easily take on its attacks with their bulk and proceed to cripple it or set up entry hazards. In addition, Pokemon who are unconcerned about being poisoned love to set up on it. Cobalion
Cobalion shoulc be with the Pokemon who are immune to TS, Gyarados, and ChestoRest Kingdra are a few examples. On a similar note,
Sspecially
Ddefensive walls, such as Jirachi and Reuniclus, who are also immune to poison, laugh at Tentacruel's attacks and can set up from there.</p>
