[OVERVIEW]
Generalize what the Pokemon does in the metagame and as a whole and why you should or shouldn't consider using it on your teams. See this thread for more tips.
Tentacruel finds itself as one of the premier Pokemon in ADV UU, and the tier's best user of Rapid Spin. It matches up well into the tier's main Spikes user, Omastar, thanks to it's good special bulk and ability to threaten it back with Hidden Power Electric or STAB Surf, and can thus keep Spikes off the field against it reliably. Additionally, its great Speed stat gives it the jump on many of the tier's faster Pokemon, such as Haunter, Arcanine, and Jolly Gligar, and its fantastic base 120 Special Defense lets it be one of the best checks in the tier to the aforementioned Arcanine.
[SET]
name: Offensive Rapid Spin
move 1: Surf
move 2: Ice Beam / Thief
move 3: Hidden Power Electric / Hidden Power Psychic / Toxic
move 4: Rapid Spin
item: Leftover / No Item
ability: Liquid Ooze
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Tentacruel's great speed tier and usable Special Attack stat allow it to be a good offensive Rapid Spin user. After Surf and Rapid Spin, Tentacruel's other moves will depend on what set you want to run and what coverage you need. Since its best checks like Kangaskhan, Ampharos and Lanturn hate losing their Leftovers, Thief can be a very powerful option against them since Tentacruel does a good job of luring them in. However, using Thief can potentially backfire if the opponent predicts well and switches in a Choice Band Pokemon such as Scyther. If using Thief, Hidden Power Psychic is a very good option to hit Vileplume and opposing Tentacruel super effectively with one move. However, it does mean Tentacruel will be outsped by opposing maximum Speed Tentacruel, so Hidden Power Electric can also be used if you do not want to lose the speed tie. Although it does leave Tentacruel unable to hit Vileplume directly, this often isn't a massive deal due to Liquid Ooze preventing it from healing off of Tentacruel with Leech Seed. If not using Thief, Ice beam should be used alongside Hidden Power Electric for a stronger move to use against Vileplume and Scyther. Toxic is another possible option to run to pressure Kangashan and defensive Water-types such as Lanturn, Blastoise, Omastar and Calm Mind Slowking better,
If Tentacruel is running Thief, it cannot run an item, as it needs the slot empty to steal items from opposing Pokemon. Otherwise, it should run Leftovers to gain passive recovery and stave off damage it takes from switching in to clear hazards. A Timid Nature with maximum Speed EVs is recommended to allow Tentacruel to outrun most of the unboosted metagame. From there, maximum Special Attack EVs are used to make Tentacruel hit as hard as possible.
Tentacruel switches into Omastar and Arcanine with ease due to its Water-type and Fire-type resistances respectively, as well as its massive Special Defense stat. That being said, once in it must be weary of Hidden Power Electric and, for Omastar, Hidden Power Psychic respectively. It also switches into and walls Vileplume nicely. Despite threatening them, Tentacruel should not switch directly into Ground-types lest it get KOed by Earthquake in the process.
Team Options
========
While this Tentacruel set can fit on most teams reasonably well, it does have some support which it likes do its job better. Tentacruel appreciates Wish support to keep it alive and able to clear hazards throughout a game. Kangaskhan is far and away the best option for this, as it is the most splashable, and its good bulk lets it switch in on most attacks that threaten Tentacruel. Having Kangashkhan as a switch in to Special Attackers also is good so that Tentacruel isn't overrelied on. Addtionally, Tentacruel appreciates Pokemon that can switch in on Physical attacks due to its poor Physical Defense stat. Arcanine, Granbull, Omastar, and Vileplume all fulfill this role well, with the former 2 having Intimidate to assist with switching in. Vileplume in particular synergizes well with Tentacruel since it can check Electric-type Pokemon and further support Tentacruel with Aromatherapy and Leech Seed, and it appreciates Tentacruel's ability to check Arcanine. If using Arcanine or Omastar with Tentacruel, it should be noted that they all stack a weakness to ground. While the other Pokemon mentioned do a decent job of switching into Ground-type attacks, Tentacruel still appreciates having a dedicated partner for that purpose. Pokemon with Levitate, such as Solrock and Misdreavus, and Flying-type Pokemon such as Scyther, are great options to pair with Tentacruel.
[SET]
name: Druidcruel (Swords Dance)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Hydro Pump
move 4: Substitute / Rapid Spin / Hidden Power Ground / Hidden Power Ghost
item: Leftovers
ability: Clear Body
nature: Hasty
evs: 196 Atk / 96 SpA / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Despite its mediocre attack stat of 70, Tentacruel makes for a threatening Swords Dance user and mixed sweeper, acting as a lure for typical Tentacruel checks such as Lanturn, Kangaskhan and Ampharos. Its boosted Sludge Bombs threaten a vast majority of the tier for good damage, even KOing physically frailer Pokemon, though Tentacruel still needs help to break through bulkier Pokemon. Hydro Pump gives Tentacruel a strong Water-type move to slam the likes of Arcanine, Gligar, Golem and Solrock, OHKOing the latter three.
The last moveslot on Tentacruel has a number of options that can be used. If your team needs hazard clearing and cannot fit it elsewhere, Rapid Spin can be used. However, with it having the role of a set up sweeper and a hazard clearer, Tentacruel may struggle to juggle all of its tasks. Substitute provides much appreciated protection to use while it sets up or attacks, shielding it from powerful Electric-type moves from the like of Electabuzz, Electrode and the rare Manectric, as well as slower Electric-types such as Ampharos and Lanturn. The protection against strong physical moves from Pokemon like Kangaskhan, Sycther and Granbull is also appreciated. Alternatively, Hidden Power Ghost lets Tentacruel bait and severely dent Misdreavus while OHKOing Haunter, and Hidden Power Ground slams opposing Tentacruel, as well as Omastar without having to rely on the shaky accuracy of Hydro Pump. However, it is worth noting that Hydro Pump will do more to Omastar, and that opposing Tentacruel can be overwhelmed by Sludge Bomb if you have Spikes up beforehand.
The following EV spread enables Tentacruel to OHKO Solrock with 248 HP EVs. 216 Speed EVs lets Tentacruel outrun positive natured and fully invested base 95 Speed Pokemon, and the remaining EVs are dumped into attack so Tentacruel can hit as hard as possible with Sludge Bomb after a Swords Dance. For its ability, Clear Body is the best option so as to make it immune to attack drops from Pokemon with Intimidate such as Arcanine and Granbull.
Team Options
========
Tentacruel really appreciates spikes support as, while Swords Dance gives it a generous attack boost, it still needs help to secure KOs. Despite shared weaknesses to Water and Ground-type attacks, Omastar is a relatively good spiking partner for it on most teams, as it can switch into physical attacks that threaten Tentacruel and cripple potential Tentacruel checks such as Kangaskhan using Toxic or Thief. Alternatively, if you don't want to stack said weaknesses to Electric and Ground-type attacks, Glalie also pairs reasonably well with Tentacruel. It's neutrality to Electric-type moves in conjunction with its decent all around bulk and access to Earthquake lets it check Electric-types decently, and it can use Explosion to break down other defensive answers to Tentacruel. Kangaskhan also pairs well with Tentacruel to provide a defensive backbone against Electric-types and potential wish support, the latter of which is particularly helpful if you are also relying on Tentacruel to clear Spikes for your team. If you do not want to rely on Tentacruel to clear hazards, you can try to fit a second spinner such as Hitmonlee, Hitmontop or Blastoise, though bear in mind that the latter stacks an Electric-type weakness with Tentacruel.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
There aren't many other options for Tentacruel than the ones listed above, with a few notable exceptions. Hydro Pump on Special Attacking sets can sometimes be worthwhile for some more firepower, but Surf's accuracy and PP advantages are generally more beneficial. Giga Drain is another alternate option on Special Sets to OHKO most Omastar while also regaining any lost health, but generally is not worth using over its competition. Lastly, Mirror Coat can be useful in conjunction with Tentacruel's high Special Defense to take Special Attacks and deal back double the damage to the opposing Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Tentacruel is outrun by most Electric-types in the tier, such as Electrode, Electabuzz, and Manectric, who can easily scare it out with their STAB Thunderbolt. Ampharos and Lanturn can easily take stray special attacks from Tentacruel in a pinch before smacking it hard with Thunderbolt, especially Lanturn with it's Water-type resistance, meaning Tentacruel cannot use it's Speed to beat them. Tentacruel's Rapid Spin provides an easy point of entry for Electric-types to come in on. All of these Electric types barring Lanturn can potentially paralyze Tentacruel with Static if they come on in Tentacruel using Rapid Spin. However, the faster Electric-types have to take greater care when switching in due to their lower bulk and the threat of Surf, and Tentacruel can potentially overwhelm the bulkier Electric-types with it's Swords Dance set.
**Kangaskhan**: Tentacruel's base 80 Special Attack, while strong enough for frailer Pokemon, leaves something to be desired against bulkier Pokemon in the tier. Specially Defensive Kangaskhan is the most notable example of this, as it doesn't care about any of Tentacruel's special attacks and can easily 2HKO it back. Offensive Kangashkhan, while not as good at switching in, still can take a stray hit or two in a pinch before blowing up Tentacruel with Earthquake or Double Edge. Tentacruel's best bet at threatening it is by either overwhelming it with it's Swords Dance set or crippling Kangaskhan in the long run with Thief.
**Cradily** With it's good bulk and access to recover, Cradily can easily tank most of Tentacruels attacks and heal in its face. Additionally, it can threaten it back with Earthquake, and Ice bream from Tentacruel will only 3HKO at best.
**Calm Mind Sweepers** Due to Tentacruel's Mediocre Special Attack, most Calm Mind sweepers such as Golduck, Grumpig, Lunatone, Slowking and Xatu will have no trouble setting up in Special attacking Tentacruel's face and hitting it back hard with Psychic, which is STAB in the case of the latter three Pokemon. Slowking is especially annoying for Tentacruel, as it is the bulkiest out of the tier's main Calm Mind users, and Hidden Power Electric from Tentacruel will bounce off of it after it gets a boost. However Lunatone and Xatu will initally have to respect Surf and Ice Beam, and Swords Dance Tentacruel can potentially overwhelm the other Calm Mind users.
**Ground-type attacks** Due to it's secondary Poison-typing, Tentacruel is a Water-type that can't switch into Ground-type attacks. This in conjunction with it's low physical Defense and average HP means that Earthquake from a number of pokemon will be very threatening to it. All of Kangaskhan, Gligar, Feraligatr, Nidoqueen, Nidoking, Walrein, Solrock and even Blastoise can severely damage if not downright KO Tentacruel with said access to Earthquake. It also takes a lot of damage from Hidden Power Ground from Pokemon such as Scyther, Arcanine, Vileplume, Muk and the uncommon Ninjask. However, some of these Pokemon have to be weary of Tentacruel's STAB Water-type attacks, namely the aforementioned Arcanine, Gligar, Solrock, Nidoking and Nidoqueen, while Vileplume and Scyther can be hit super effectively by Ice Beam.
**Misdreavus** Misdreavus shuts down Tentacruel from doing its main job of spinning away hazards thanks to its ghost typing, and isn't too threatened by Tentacruel's special attacks except for the uncommon Hydro Pump. It can easily take a stray hit before crippling Tentacruel with Thunder Wave and threatening it back with Psychic or Thunderbolt.
**Strong Physical Attacks** Tentacruel's low physical Defense means that it will get chunked by most strong physical attacks, such as Double Edge and Return from Kangaskhan and Granbull, and Hidden Power Flying from Scyther. Said Pokemon usually won't have too many issues overwhelming Tentacruel.
[CREDITS]
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Quality checked by:
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Generalize what the Pokemon does in the metagame and as a whole and why you should or shouldn't consider using it on your teams. See this thread for more tips.
Tentacruel finds itself as one of the premier Pokemon in ADV UU, and the tier's best user of Rapid Spin. It matches up well into the tier's main Spikes user, Omastar, thanks to it's good special bulk and ability to threaten it back with Hidden Power Electric or STAB Surf, and can thus keep Spikes off the field against it reliably. Additionally, its great Speed stat gives it the jump on many of the tier's faster Pokemon, such as Haunter, Arcanine, and Jolly Gligar, and its fantastic base 120 Special Defense lets it be one of the best checks in the tier to the aforementioned Arcanine.
[SET]
name: Offensive Rapid Spin
move 1: Surf
move 2: Ice Beam / Thief
move 3: Hidden Power Electric / Hidden Power Psychic / Toxic
move 4: Rapid Spin
item: Leftover / No Item
ability: Liquid Ooze
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Tentacruel's great speed tier and usable Special Attack stat allow it to be a good offensive Rapid Spin user. After Surf and Rapid Spin, Tentacruel's other moves will depend on what set you want to run and what coverage you need. Since its best checks like Kangaskhan, Ampharos and Lanturn hate losing their Leftovers, Thief can be a very powerful option against them since Tentacruel does a good job of luring them in. However, using Thief can potentially backfire if the opponent predicts well and switches in a Choice Band Pokemon such as Scyther. If using Thief, Hidden Power Psychic is a very good option to hit Vileplume and opposing Tentacruel super effectively with one move. However, it does mean Tentacruel will be outsped by opposing maximum Speed Tentacruel, so Hidden Power Electric can also be used if you do not want to lose the speed tie. Although it does leave Tentacruel unable to hit Vileplume directly, this often isn't a massive deal due to Liquid Ooze preventing it from healing off of Tentacruel with Leech Seed. If not using Thief, Ice beam should be used alongside Hidden Power Electric for a stronger move to use against Vileplume and Scyther. Toxic is another possible option to run to pressure Kangashan and defensive Water-types such as Lanturn, Blastoise, Omastar and Calm Mind Slowking better,
If Tentacruel is running Thief, it cannot run an item, as it needs the slot empty to steal items from opposing Pokemon. Otherwise, it should run Leftovers to gain passive recovery and stave off damage it takes from switching in to clear hazards. A Timid Nature with maximum Speed EVs is recommended to allow Tentacruel to outrun most of the unboosted metagame. From there, maximum Special Attack EVs are used to make Tentacruel hit as hard as possible.
Tentacruel switches into Omastar and Arcanine with ease due to its Water-type and Fire-type resistances respectively, as well as its massive Special Defense stat. That being said, once in it must be weary of Hidden Power Electric and, for Omastar, Hidden Power Psychic respectively. It also switches into and walls Vileplume nicely. Despite threatening them, Tentacruel should not switch directly into Ground-types lest it get KOed by Earthquake in the process.
Team Options
========
While this Tentacruel set can fit on most teams reasonably well, it does have some support which it likes do its job better. Tentacruel appreciates Wish support to keep it alive and able to clear hazards throughout a game. Kangaskhan is far and away the best option for this, as it is the most splashable, and its good bulk lets it switch in on most attacks that threaten Tentacruel. Having Kangashkhan as a switch in to Special Attackers also is good so that Tentacruel isn't overrelied on. Addtionally, Tentacruel appreciates Pokemon that can switch in on Physical attacks due to its poor Physical Defense stat. Arcanine, Granbull, Omastar, and Vileplume all fulfill this role well, with the former 2 having Intimidate to assist with switching in. Vileplume in particular synergizes well with Tentacruel since it can check Electric-type Pokemon and further support Tentacruel with Aromatherapy and Leech Seed, and it appreciates Tentacruel's ability to check Arcanine. If using Arcanine or Omastar with Tentacruel, it should be noted that they all stack a weakness to ground. While the other Pokemon mentioned do a decent job of switching into Ground-type attacks, Tentacruel still appreciates having a dedicated partner for that purpose. Pokemon with Levitate, such as Solrock and Misdreavus, and Flying-type Pokemon such as Scyther, are great options to pair with Tentacruel.
[SET]
name: Druidcruel (Swords Dance)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Hydro Pump
move 4: Substitute / Rapid Spin / Hidden Power Ground / Hidden Power Ghost
item: Leftovers
ability: Clear Body
nature: Hasty
evs: 196 Atk / 96 SpA / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Despite its mediocre attack stat of 70, Tentacruel makes for a threatening Swords Dance user and mixed sweeper, acting as a lure for typical Tentacruel checks such as Lanturn, Kangaskhan and Ampharos. Its boosted Sludge Bombs threaten a vast majority of the tier for good damage, even KOing physically frailer Pokemon, though Tentacruel still needs help to break through bulkier Pokemon. Hydro Pump gives Tentacruel a strong Water-type move to slam the likes of Arcanine, Gligar, Golem and Solrock, OHKOing the latter three.
The last moveslot on Tentacruel has a number of options that can be used. If your team needs hazard clearing and cannot fit it elsewhere, Rapid Spin can be used. However, with it having the role of a set up sweeper and a hazard clearer, Tentacruel may struggle to juggle all of its tasks. Substitute provides much appreciated protection to use while it sets up or attacks, shielding it from powerful Electric-type moves from the like of Electabuzz, Electrode and the rare Manectric, as well as slower Electric-types such as Ampharos and Lanturn. The protection against strong physical moves from Pokemon like Kangaskhan, Sycther and Granbull is also appreciated. Alternatively, Hidden Power Ghost lets Tentacruel bait and severely dent Misdreavus while OHKOing Haunter, and Hidden Power Ground slams opposing Tentacruel, as well as Omastar without having to rely on the shaky accuracy of Hydro Pump. However, it is worth noting that Hydro Pump will do more to Omastar, and that opposing Tentacruel can be overwhelmed by Sludge Bomb if you have Spikes up beforehand.
The following EV spread enables Tentacruel to OHKO Solrock with 248 HP EVs. 216 Speed EVs lets Tentacruel outrun positive natured and fully invested base 95 Speed Pokemon, and the remaining EVs are dumped into attack so Tentacruel can hit as hard as possible with Sludge Bomb after a Swords Dance. For its ability, Clear Body is the best option so as to make it immune to attack drops from Pokemon with Intimidate such as Arcanine and Granbull.
Team Options
========
Tentacruel really appreciates spikes support as, while Swords Dance gives it a generous attack boost, it still needs help to secure KOs. Despite shared weaknesses to Water and Ground-type attacks, Omastar is a relatively good spiking partner for it on most teams, as it can switch into physical attacks that threaten Tentacruel and cripple potential Tentacruel checks such as Kangaskhan using Toxic or Thief. Alternatively, if you don't want to stack said weaknesses to Electric and Ground-type attacks, Glalie also pairs reasonably well with Tentacruel. It's neutrality to Electric-type moves in conjunction with its decent all around bulk and access to Earthquake lets it check Electric-types decently, and it can use Explosion to break down other defensive answers to Tentacruel. Kangaskhan also pairs well with Tentacruel to provide a defensive backbone against Electric-types and potential wish support, the latter of which is particularly helpful if you are also relying on Tentacruel to clear Spikes for your team. If you do not want to rely on Tentacruel to clear hazards, you can try to fit a second spinner such as Hitmonlee, Hitmontop or Blastoise, though bear in mind that the latter stacks an Electric-type weakness with Tentacruel.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
There aren't many other options for Tentacruel than the ones listed above, with a few notable exceptions. Hydro Pump on Special Attacking sets can sometimes be worthwhile for some more firepower, but Surf's accuracy and PP advantages are generally more beneficial. Giga Drain is another alternate option on Special Sets to OHKO most Omastar while also regaining any lost health, but generally is not worth using over its competition. Lastly, Mirror Coat can be useful in conjunction with Tentacruel's high Special Defense to take Special Attacks and deal back double the damage to the opposing Pokemon.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Tentacruel is outrun by most Electric-types in the tier, such as Electrode, Electabuzz, and Manectric, who can easily scare it out with their STAB Thunderbolt. Ampharos and Lanturn can easily take stray special attacks from Tentacruel in a pinch before smacking it hard with Thunderbolt, especially Lanturn with it's Water-type resistance, meaning Tentacruel cannot use it's Speed to beat them. Tentacruel's Rapid Spin provides an easy point of entry for Electric-types to come in on. All of these Electric types barring Lanturn can potentially paralyze Tentacruel with Static if they come on in Tentacruel using Rapid Spin. However, the faster Electric-types have to take greater care when switching in due to their lower bulk and the threat of Surf, and Tentacruel can potentially overwhelm the bulkier Electric-types with it's Swords Dance set.
**Kangaskhan**: Tentacruel's base 80 Special Attack, while strong enough for frailer Pokemon, leaves something to be desired against bulkier Pokemon in the tier. Specially Defensive Kangaskhan is the most notable example of this, as it doesn't care about any of Tentacruel's special attacks and can easily 2HKO it back. Offensive Kangashkhan, while not as good at switching in, still can take a stray hit or two in a pinch before blowing up Tentacruel with Earthquake or Double Edge. Tentacruel's best bet at threatening it is by either overwhelming it with it's Swords Dance set or crippling Kangaskhan in the long run with Thief.
**Cradily** With it's good bulk and access to recover, Cradily can easily tank most of Tentacruels attacks and heal in its face. Additionally, it can threaten it back with Earthquake, and Ice bream from Tentacruel will only 3HKO at best.
**Calm Mind Sweepers** Due to Tentacruel's Mediocre Special Attack, most Calm Mind sweepers such as Golduck, Grumpig, Lunatone, Slowking and Xatu will have no trouble setting up in Special attacking Tentacruel's face and hitting it back hard with Psychic, which is STAB in the case of the latter three Pokemon. Slowking is especially annoying for Tentacruel, as it is the bulkiest out of the tier's main Calm Mind users, and Hidden Power Electric from Tentacruel will bounce off of it after it gets a boost. However Lunatone and Xatu will initally have to respect Surf and Ice Beam, and Swords Dance Tentacruel can potentially overwhelm the other Calm Mind users.
**Ground-type attacks** Due to it's secondary Poison-typing, Tentacruel is a Water-type that can't switch into Ground-type attacks. This in conjunction with it's low physical Defense and average HP means that Earthquake from a number of pokemon will be very threatening to it. All of Kangaskhan, Gligar, Feraligatr, Nidoqueen, Nidoking, Walrein, Solrock and even Blastoise can severely damage if not downright KO Tentacruel with said access to Earthquake. It also takes a lot of damage from Hidden Power Ground from Pokemon such as Scyther, Arcanine, Vileplume, Muk and the uncommon Ninjask. However, some of these Pokemon have to be weary of Tentacruel's STAB Water-type attacks, namely the aforementioned Arcanine, Gligar, Solrock, Nidoking and Nidoqueen, while Vileplume and Scyther can be hit super effectively by Ice Beam.
**Misdreavus** Misdreavus shuts down Tentacruel from doing its main job of spinning away hazards thanks to its ghost typing, and isn't too threatened by Tentacruel's special attacks except for the uncommon Hydro Pump. It can easily take a stray hit before crippling Tentacruel with Thunder Wave and threatening it back with Psychic or Thunderbolt.
**Strong Physical Attacks** Tentacruel's low physical Defense means that it will get chunked by most strong physical attacks, such as Double Edge and Return from Kangaskhan and Granbull, and Hidden Power Flying from Scyther. Said Pokemon usually won't have too many issues overwhelming Tentacruel.
[CREDITS]
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user1.100/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.101/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.102/
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Grammar checked by:
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Last edited:
