[Overview]
<p>Tentacruel found its niche in OU through a very concentrated form of stall. Being able Its ability to supply Rapid Spin, Toxic Spikes and great special bulk all at once was extremely helpful. Due to its nature, Tentacruel is less at home on balanced teams and semi-stall teams than it is on pure stall. However, its supporting abilities for the team should not be overlooked, since it is very reliable at what it does.</p>
<p>Despite carrying weaknesses to the common attacking types of Ground and Electric, Tentacruel still manages to be a great defensive asset to stall teams, especially with its high speed, which is unusual for a tank. It's a good consideration when building a defensive team, as while it isn't the best at what it does most of the jobs it does, it does a lot extremely well.</p>
[SET]
name: Rapid Spin Support
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Toxic Spikes
move 3: Surf
move 4: Hidden Power Electric / Sludge Bomb
evs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD
nature: Calm
ability: Liquid Ooze
item: Leftovers
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is easily Tentacruel's most effective set, being as itis able to support provide the team through both with Toxic Spikes Support and Rapid Spin any entry hazards away. Tentacruel's typing alone lets it come into a multitude of threats, and also lets it clear Toxic Spikes without even using Rapid Spin. Due to its large bulk and good defensive typing, it can switch in without fear to some of the most powerful sweepers such as Infernape and Scizor. By setting up Toxic Spikes and Rapid Spinning other hazards, Tentacruel makes a great pivot point for balanced and stall teams, although without recovery, it won't be switching in repeatedly. Despite this, it is still an extremely good tank, as it carries a decent amount of power (not really. Tentacruel is one of the weakest attackers in OU) while still being able to switch into a variety of threats without fear. (full stop)</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>When it comes to moves, there isn't much Tentacruel can use. Surf is the reliable STAB move of choice, since unless it carries Choice Specs, Heatran's Earth Power will fail to KO, allowing you to Surf for the 2HKO. Similarly, Infernape's Grass Knot / Thunderpunch won't OHKO either while your Surf does. Hidden Power Electric is the best choice here, since it also allows Tentacruel to nab a quick KO on the likes of Gyarados, while also preventing Tentacruel from being walled by bulky waters such as Suicune or Vaporeon.</p>
<p>The given EV spread maximises Tentacruel's bulk, which allows it to even survive most Special moves. This makes Tentacruel very difficult to KO, thus aiding in its stalling ability potential. It is possible to run Knock Off as your fourth move instead, since Tentacruel will most commonly be found on a stall team; (semicolon) and if it comes to a match of stall versus stall, removing the opponent’s Leftovers will be beneficial. You can adjust the EVs to be more physically defensive, or you can add some more speed to allow Tentacruel to get past some slower threats; however, the lackin reduction in bulk means that this is not recommended.</p>
[SET]
name: RestTalk
move 1: Rest
move 2: Sleep Talk
move 3: Toxic Spikes
move 4: Surf
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 SpD
ability: Liquid Ooze
item: Leftovers
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Tentacruel has no reliable recovery, so it is often forced to rely on Blissey's Wish or something similar to avoid being given a hasty exclusion quickly weakened. However, with a tweak to the EV spread, Tentacruel can be made to avoid KOs from common physical attackers such as Infernape and Machamp, and if it has set up Toxic Spikes beforehand, it can stall them out and let the poison take its toll. Sleep Talk makes Rest viable, as while asleep it can still attempt (typo) to set up Toxic Spikes, or wear the foe down with Surf. This set can afford to stick around longer, but again, Tentacruel cannot face up to strong threats alone, or it will be hit by a strong, super effective (this is a ruling of which I disapprove, but it is a rule nonetheless) attack. Despite this, against weaker attackers, or defensive Pokemon without much power, Tentacruel can afford to set up and recover endlessly, giving its teammates better/safer (you also spelt easier wrong) opportunities to switch in, and making it safer to switch in itself.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread has been optimised to designed such that Tentacruel isn't KOed by Heatran's Earth Power or Shaymin's Seed Flare, while also doing slightly better against more physical threats like Dragonite. However, you can try to run some more Special Defense EVs if physical threats are not a worry. This set is the one that functions most effectively on less stall-oriented teams, as it can still set up Toxic Spikes without needing full-on support. This set is more about support than defense, so don't be worried if it dies after it sets up Toxic Spikes. Anything carrying Taunt is a big counter to this set, more so than the previous set. You can forego Toxic Spikes altogether for one of the attacking moves mentioned in the previous set, although this takes away from Tentacruel's supporting niche. Avoid Acupressure instead of Toxic Spikes - while it is a good idea on paper (sorry but it seems a bad idea on paper as well as in practice), Tentacruel will get phazed too often, and will require a lot of boosts in its stats to be a viable threat.</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Poison Jab
move 4: Hydro Pump
nature: Lonely
evs: 232 Atk / 80 SpA / 196 Spe
ability: Clear Body
item: Life Orb
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Tentacruel's base 80 Attack is underwhelming, but it can do reasonable damage once it obtains a Swords Dance. Combine this with its useable Special Attack and it can utilize Hydro Pump to become an effective Mixed Sweeper. This means that physically-orientated (also I would recommend that you are consistent regarding “oriented” and “orientated” throughout your analysis. If you weren’t aware, “orientated” is more common here in Britain whilst the reverse is true in the US. Given that this site is American “oriented” may be the better option) defenders like Skarmory can be 2HKOed by Hydro Pump with the EV investment. Tentacruel's STAB moves of Poison Jab and Waterfall even provide reasonable coverage coming from Tentacruel's newfound strength. Occasionally, you will be able to catch the opponent by surprise and gain a second Swords Dance boost as they switch again in fear of the first. However, even with a single Swords Dance boost, Tentacruel has enough power to 2HKO many common attackers, while its own natural bulk stops it getting OHKOed.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV's give Tentacruel enough Speed to outpace base 80 Speed Pokemon. This includes the likes of Dragonite, Mamoswine and Togekiss, whom Tentacruel can then proceed to KO with Poison Jab or Waterfall. An alternative EV spread with Hasty and 212 Atk / 80 SpA / 216 Spe can be used as this will let Tentacruel outspeed Gliscor and KO with Hydro Pump, as well as KOing Gyarados with Poison Jab, since Clear Body prevents Intimidate from working. However, the drop in power will be extremely noticeable, and Tentacruel will not get the 2HKOs it needs. Gliscor and Flygon are still good counters, as Flygon will always outspeed, and Gliscor can be EVed to survive Hydro Pump. Both can therefore KO Tentacruel with their STAB Earthquakes. This can be remedied by attempting a Hydro Pump on the switch first to try and weaken them, but you will find it hard to Swords Dance again later on.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Tentacruel is most commonly found on stall teams, together with the likes of Skarmory (who is immune to Tentacruel's Ground-type weakness the Ground-type moves to which Tentacruel is weak) and Blissey (whose Fighting-type weakness is resisted covered by Tentacruel). Generally, Wish support is best for the non-Rest set, since Tentacruel has no recovery method otherwise. Vaporeon is a good provider due to being very physically bulky, although you must beware of the common Electric-type weakness. Skarmory is one of the better partners for Tentacruel, since it can switch into Ground-type moves and set up Spikes to rack up entry hazard damage. It can also Whirlwind to shuffle the opponent's team, making everything poisoned as well as taking damage poisoning the opponents as well as doing damage. Similarly, Hippowdon is immune to Electric-type moves and can set up Stealth Rock, while giving Tentacruel opportunities to switch in on Water- and Grass-type attacks. On less defensive teams, something to take Ground- and Electric-type moves is helpful, since offensive teams will tear holes in Tentacruel's defenses. Rotom-A and Flygon can be effective partners, due to their ability to force many switches, which racks up Toxic Spikes damage even more. Tentacruel can work as an effective counter to the likes of Infernape and Breloom, so things like Swampert can also be effective in their defending.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Tentacruel's support options aren't as limited as you might think. It has Giga Drain for dealing with Swampert and other Ground-types, even if the power is lackluster (this is the US spelling). Ice Beam can be useful for hitting Flygon and Gliscor, although they're going to beat you with Earthquake most of the time. Confuse Ray and Mirror Coat can be good for hurting the foe more, but your other options are generally better. Tentacruel can attempt to use Accupressure to sweep when it's the last one on your team, but this is a bad idea as it'll die fairly quickly before it can accumulate enough boosts.</p>
<p>Aside from Leftovers, Tentacruel can use Black Sludge to heal HP, being a Poison-type. This makes Trick users more wary about using Trick, but if that happens then they also have a damaging item to Trick onto your non-Poison Pokemon. You can try running an alternate EV spread with Timid and more speed in order to 2HKO the likes of Gliscor and Roserade with Ice Beam, although 252 HP is a priority. 216 SpA will always let Tentacruel OHKO Dragonite with Ice Beam, and 132 SpA will always let Tentacruel OHKO Infernape with Surf.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Despite Toxic Spikes hampering most of Tentacruel's counters, Swampert still has enough bulk to come into any attack Tentacruel has and launch a STAB Earthquake. The likes of Bronzong and Forretress are also unaffected by Toxic Spikes and also carry Earthquake. Similarly, Gyarados and Metagross have high power Earthquakes whilst also being immune to Toxic Spikes. Gengar and Rotom-A can be annoying since not only do they prevent Rapid Spin, but they also have Levitate, making them immune to Toxic, and Thunderbolt, (comma) which hits Tentacruel super effectively. Jirachi can also be a pain if it's the Calm Mind variant, as it will easily set up on you.</p>
Changes in bold and removals in red. Good work.
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