Tentacruel
This Pokemon actually has a lot of new toys to discuss about, I'd say. Let's take a gander at what Tentacruel got for buffs (or maybe even nerfs!)
Code:
#73 - Tentacruel
Type - Water / Poison
BST
80 HP
70 Atk
65 Def
80 SpA
120 SpD
100 Spe
[b]Abilities[/b]
Clear Body
Tentacruel isn't affected by moves such as
Screech or Intimidate abilityfrom the opponent.
Liquid Ooze
If a Pokemon restores HP by sapping from
Tentacruel's, they will lose HP instead.
Rain Dish - [i]Dream World Exclusive[/i]
Heals 1/16th of max HP in the rain.
[b]Moves (Note: Grouping everything as best as I can)[/b]
Isshu Level Up:
Lv1: Poison Sting
Lv1: Supersonic
Lv1: Constrict
Lv5: Supersonic
Lv8: Constrict
Lv12: Acid
[b]Lv15: Toxic Spikes[/b]
Lv19: Bubblebeam
Lv22: Wrap
[b]Lv26: Acid Bomb[/b]
Lv29: Barrier
Lv34: Water Pulse
[b]Lv38: Poison Jab[/b]
Lv43: Screech
[b]Lv47: Evil Eye
Lv52: Hydro Pump
Lv56: Sludge Wavep[/b]
Lv61: Wring Out
3rd Gen Move Tutors
Double-edge
Mimic
4th Gen Move Tutors
[b]Icy Wind
Knock Off[/b]
Snore
[b]Magic Coat[/b]
Role Play
4th Gen TMs
TM03 - Water Pulse
TM06 - Toxic
TM07 - Hail
TM10 - Hidden Power
TM13 - Ice Beam
TM14 - Blizzard
TM15 - Hyper Beam
TM17 - Protect
TM18 - Rain Dance
[b]TM19 - Giga Drain[/b]
TM21 - Frustration
TM27 - Return
TM32 - Double Team
TM36 - Sludge Bomb
TM42 - Facade
TM43 - Secret Power
TM44 - Rest
TM45 - Attract
TM46 - Thief
[b]TM55 - Brine[/b]
TM58 - Endure
TM66 - Payback
TM68 - Giga Impact
TM75 - Swords Dance
TM78 - Captivate
[b]TM82 - Sleep Talk[/b]
TM83 - Natural Gift
TM84 - Poison Jab
TM87 - Swagger
TM90 - Substitute
5th Gen TMs
[b]TM06 - Toxic[/b]
TM07 - Hail
[b]TM09 - Venom Shock
TM10 - Hidden Power
TM13 - Ice Beam
TM14 - Blizzard[/b]
TM15 - Hyper Beam
TM17 - Protect
TM18 - Rain Dance
[b]TM20 - Safeguard[/b]
TM21 - Frustration
[b]TM27 - Return[/b]
TM32 - Double Team
TM34 - Sludge Wave
[b]TM36 - Sludge Bomb[/b]
TM42 - Facade
[b]TM44 - Rest[/b]
TM45 - Attract
TM46 - Thief
TM48 - Troll
[b]TM55 - Boiling Water[/b]
TM66 - Payback
TM68 - Giga Impact
[b]TM75 - Swords Dance[/b]
TM84 - Poison Jab
TM87 - Swagger
TM90 - Substitute
HM01 - Cut
[b]HM03 - Surf
HM05 - Waterfall[/b]
HM06 - Dive
Breeding (*s are Gen 5 Exclusive)
Aurora Beam
Mirror Coat
[b]Rapid Spin
Haze
Confuse Ray
Knock Off[/b]
Acupressure
Muddy Water
Bubble
Aqua Ring*
Tickle*
Quick Briefing of The New Moves
Acid Bomb -
Type: Poison
Special
Power: 40
Accuracy: 100
Moves that sharply lowers the opponent's
Special Defense. (100%?)
Evil Eye -
Type: Ghost
Special
Power: 50
Accuracy: 100
Move that doubles in base power if the
opponent is affected by a status.
Sludge Wave -
Type: Poison
Special
Power: 95
Accuracy: 100
Just think of a Poison-type Surf.
Boiling Water -
Type: Water
Special
Power: 80
Accuracy: 100
30% Chance to inflict a burn[Tentacruel At a Glance]
- Boiling Water. This move is a big blessing for Tentacruel, and a mix of a "might not be as good". Boiling Water inflicts a burn 30% of the time, which helps Tentacruel's survival in general. The problem? It could conflict with Toxic Spikes, but Tentacruel does not always have to be a hazard bringer. To be fair, it is likely a better spinner in Generation 5 now because it outspeeds a new Ghost-type, which will be expanded on later.
- Evil Eye. Let's expand on this one. It's a 50 Base Power Ghost-type move that doubles if the opponent is under a status condition. Let's think about this for a moment: who is the best type to block Rapid Spin? Elementary, my dear, it is Ghost-types! This means, so long as you are able to inflict status upon the Ghost-type, you have access to an attack that has 200 base power, with calculated super effective damage on this. With Boiling Water and Toxic Spikes at Tentacruel's disposal, forcing the Ghost-type under a status shouldn't be difficult.
- Giga Drain buff. This is minor, but 10 PP / 75 BP makes it a viable move. At least it helps versus Swampert and gives it access to an okay recovery move.
- Toxic Spikes and Rapid Spin. Tentacruel was always noteworthy of being a Pokemon that bring entry hazards as well as spinning them out. While it is not immune to Spikes and takes neutral Stealth Rock damage, it naturally absorbs Toxic Spikes, which makes it unique as a Rapid Spinner.
- Lack of Offensive Stats. Let's face it: Tentacruel is not really a great attacking Pokemon. It's 70 Atk | 80 SpA is pretty under par; especially in comparison to many of its Water-type brethren. The best way it can even come close to being an "offensive" threat is either hitting Pokemon for Super Effective damage, Acid Bomb, or Swords Dance.
- 4 Moveslot Syndrome. If only we could have a set like Rapid Spin / Toxic Spikes / Acid Bomb / Boiling Water / Ice Beam / Hidden Power Fire / Sludge Wave. Unfortunately that is just impossible.
[Possible Movesets]
SET
name: Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Boiling Water
move 3: Evil Eye / Toxic Spikes
move 4: Ice Beam / Sludge Wave / Giga Drain
item: Leftovers
Restiunno
Well... it's got a lot of move options. Not always is Tentacruel needed to lay Toxic Spikes, but as always is an option. I'd consider Evil Eye though; being able to target Ghost-types is very handy to have on a Spinner. Consider the Ghost-type Pokemon that have Levitate at the moment:
- Gengar
- Mismagius
- Giratina-O
- Drifblim
- Rotom
Rotom and Drifblim are unlikely in OU, and I'm thinking Giratina-O vs. Tentacruel isn't going to happen. Hell, I'd assume Drifblim and Rotom before Giratina-O. If you're catching the pattern here; they're somewhat frail. Mismagius is probably the bigger threat, and the same with Gengar due to their Speed. They're not really great choices for Spinblocking though due to their overall frailness.
The only Spinblocker that will pose trouble for Tentacruel will likely be Spiritomb. I guess Sableye also counts to some extent. Evil Eye will ~3HKO to the "current" standard Dusknoir (remember: stuff can change over time). Sadly you'd have to catch Dusknoir on the switch in order to KO it with Evil Eye, and it would have to be rather weakened out. Toxic Spikes or a burn will help with that.
The biggest niche it has is that, aside from Gengar and Mismagius, he outspeeds the Ghosts. Another reason this is important? There's a couple new spin blockers in town, one that potentially wrecks Forretress thanks to its Fire-typing. It also can take on the Ground / Ghost Pokemon thanks to its Water-type STAB being unaffected. Burungeru is probably Tentacruel's bigger threats, but with Toxic Spikes on the field it should be easier to take down. The problem? Burungeru could come down on the first layer of Toxic Spikes, which means that it could possibly beat down Tentacruel without major worry.
This is pretty much the only set that gets a major change. Rest Talk will virtually remain untouched; the difference is that Tentacruel will exercise Boiling Water over Surf, which is obviously a good idea. Acid Bomb could get practice with Life Orb, but offensive Tentacruel's aside from Swords Dance aren't a great idea. Even then, Swords Dance Tentacruel lost some of its edge now. Burungeru resists both of Tentacruel's STABs and Return, which makes it awkward to sweep on. In fact, it's actually immune to Water + Normal.
So Tentacruel has a lot of cool things... and a lot of bad things to discuss about this Generation. Let's see what the crowd has to say about this Pokemon in general!
