Hilomilo
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[OVERVIEW]
Tentacruel's useful defensive attributes allow it to hold a place in UU as one of the tier's best spinners. Its defensive typing lets it sponge hits from top threats like Cobalion, Scizor, Infernape, and Primarina, and its decent special bulk is helpful for taking on passive special attackers like Alomomola and Suicune. Tentacruel also has a wide range of utility options, some of which include Toxic Spikes and Haze, that, in tandem with its great Speed for a defensive Pokemon, allow it to do its job with relative ease. However, Tentacruel's merely average physical bulk prevents it from consistently checking Pokemon like Azumarill and Knock Off Scizor throughout a match. This is further exacerbated by its lack of reliable recovery, which leaves it prone to being worn down every time it switches in. Moreover, Tentacruel's otherwise convenient typing leaves it weak to a few common types, such as Ground, Electric, and Psychic. Lastly, it faces a fair amount of competition in its role from Starmie and Mega Blastoise, which, despite being generally worse defensively, have bigger offensive presences.
[SET]
name: Defensive Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Scald
move 3: Haze / Toxic
move 4: Toxic Spikes / Toxic
item: Black Sludge / Icium Z
ability: Liquid Ooze
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 156 Def / 8 SpA / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rapid Spin allows Tentacruel to remove entry hazards such as Stealth Rock and Spikes from its side of the field. Scald can be used to wear foes down while potentially burning physical attackers like Cobalion, Doublade, and Crawdaunt. Haze removes stat boosts from foes that have set up, such as Azumarill, Suicune, and Infernape. When used alongside Icium Z, it grants Tentacruel access to a one-time opportunity to fully restore its HP. Toxic Spikes wears down opposing teams by crippling their Pokemon with status. Toxic can be used over either Haze or Toxic Spikes to cripple foes that scoff at any of Tentacruel's other moves, like Latias, Suicune, Cofagrigus, and Primarina.
Set Details
========
96 EVs invested in Speed with a Timid nature allow Tentacruel to outpace everything in the metagame up to Chandelure and Mamoswine. 8 EVs invested in Special Attack give Tentacruel the ability to secure a 2HKO on Entei without prior damage. The remaining investment goes into HP and Defense in order to improve Tentacruel's physical bulk. Black Sludge is used as a source of passive recovery for Tentacruel at the end of each turn, though Icium Z can also be used to grant access to Z-Haze, which fully restores Tentacruel's health upon its use and minimizes Knock Off damage. It should only be used, however, if a Z-Move can't be used elsewhere on the team. Liquid Ooze is the preferred ability for punishing Pokemon that use moves that heal the user, like Bewear, Mega Sceptile, and Amoonguss.
Usage Tips
========
Tentacruel should look to pivot into Pokemon that it can tank hits from, such as Primarina, Suicune, and Infernape. From there, it should remove entry hazards on its side of the field with Rapid Spin or remove stat boosts its foes have accumulated as it switches in with Haze. Scald is a good attack for Tentacruel to continuously spam throughout a match, as even resisted targets don't appreciate the possibility of being whittled down by burns. Toxic Spikes can be used as Tentacruel forces switches and are a great tool for whittling down several different team archetypes. One layer should be set against offensive teams due to the fact that most Pokemon on these teams won't stay in play long enough to be properly worn down by bad poisoning. Against defensive teams, however, two layers should be set in order to force Pokemon like Alomomola and Quagsire to switch out as they rack up poison damage. It is generally discouraged to set Toxic Spikes when Pokemon that can easily switch in and remove them, like Hydreigon or Latias, or Poison-type Pokemon are healthy on the opposing team, as Tentacruel will otherwise lose momentum for its team. If it is using Toxic, Tentacruel should try catching the majority of the move's targets on the switch, as it often can't safely stay in on most of what is crippled by poison, like Swampert, Latias, and Hydreigon. While Tentacruel is capable of sponging hits from several physically offensive Pokemon, it should never be used as the primary answer to threats like physical Infernape, Scizor, and Cobalion due to its middling physical bulk and lack of reliable recovery.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that are notably weak to entry hazards, like Chandelure, Togekiss, and Mega Aerodactyl, appreciate Tentacruel's ability to remove them in addition to providing potential Toxic Spikes support. Less immediately powerful setup sweepers like bulky Swords Dance Scizor and Suicune value Toxic Spikes support from Tentacruel in order to more easily wear down foes. Psychic-type checks, such as Scizor, Alolan Muk, and Mega Beedrill, can pressure the likes of Latias, Starmie, and Reuniclus for Tentacruel and can even pressure them with Pursuit. Ground-type switch-ins and checks like Hydreigon, Latias, and Serperior are also helpful to Tentacruel due to its vulnerability to the likes of Nidoking, Mamoswine, and Seismitoad. Ground-types themselves can also be good teammates due to their ability to come in on Electric-type attacks and either wallbreak or set up Stealth Rock. Examples include Mamoswine, which can use Freeze-Dry to pressure bulky Water-types, and Krookodile, which has good defensive synergy with Tentacruel and can reliably set up Stealth Rock. Wish support from the likes of Sylveon, Umbreon, and Florges, while not mandatory, can aid Tentacruel in patching up one of its biggest flaws in its lack of reliable recovery. Tentacruel's average physical bulk makes stronger checks to physical Fire-, Fighting-, and Steel-types, like Swampert, Amoonguss, and Alomomola respectively, good options as Pokemon to pair with it.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A more offensive spinning set is plausible due to Tentacruel's decent Special Attack and nice STAB coverage. However, such a set faces heavy competition from Mega Blastoise and Starmie due to Tentacruel's worse power and overall coverage. Knock Off can be used to punish spinblockers and typical switch-ins with the removal of their items, though it often can't be fitted onto a set as easily due to the better utility of Haze and Toxic Spikes. Acid Spray and Mirror Coat are also options on the utility set for their ability to force switches in the case of the former or punish special attackers in the case of the latter, but they are also difficult to fit onto a set over other utility options. Ice Beam is a good option for nailing Gliscor, while Sludge Wave can function as a decently powerful Poison-type STAB move, but Tentacruel often struggles to fit either move onto a set. Lastly, Clear Body is useful for allowing Tentacruel to more reliably spin Sticky Web away, though it isn't as consistently helpful of an ability to Tentacruel as Liquid Ooze.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Psychic-types**: The likes of Latias and Starmie can easily offensively threaten Tentacruel with powerful STAB attacks while only fearing Toxic. While uncommon, Reuniclus is particularly annoying, as it can use Magic Guard to scoff at Tentacruel's attempts to status it. Celebi can also prove troublesome due to its access to Natural Cure, which allows it to remove any status conditions Tentacruel has inflicted it with.
**Electric-types**: Rotom-C, Mega Manectric, and Raikou don't fear Scald and are capable of forcing Tentacruel out with super effective STAB attacks. The former is even immune to Toxic Spikes and if running Defog, can use it to remove them if they've been set by Tentacruel.
**Powerful Physical Attackers**: Even with investment, Tentacruel's physical bulk is middling, meaning that especially powerful physical attackers like Mega Sharpedo, Terrakion, and even Darmanitan can power through it with some prior damage.
**Scald Switch-ins**: Pokemon like Serperior, Mantine, Hydreigon, and Jellicent, which can spinblock Tentacruel in addition to switching in reliably, can all easily come in on its only STAB attack and proceed to remove the Toxic Spikes it has set, offensively threaten it, or use it as setup fodder.
Tentacruel's useful defensive attributes allow it to hold a place in UU as one of the tier's best spinners. Its defensive typing lets it sponge hits from top threats like Cobalion, Scizor, Infernape, and Primarina, and its decent special bulk is helpful for taking on passive special attackers like Alomomola and Suicune. Tentacruel also has a wide range of utility options, some of which include Toxic Spikes and Haze, that, in tandem with its great Speed for a defensive Pokemon, allow it to do its job with relative ease. However, Tentacruel's merely average physical bulk prevents it from consistently checking Pokemon like Azumarill and Knock Off Scizor throughout a match. This is further exacerbated by its lack of reliable recovery, which leaves it prone to being worn down every time it switches in. Moreover, Tentacruel's otherwise convenient typing leaves it weak to a few common types, such as Ground, Electric, and Psychic. Lastly, it faces a fair amount of competition in its role from Starmie and Mega Blastoise, which, despite being generally worse defensively, have bigger offensive presences.
[SET]
name: Defensive Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Scald
move 3: Haze / Toxic
move 4: Toxic Spikes / Toxic
item: Black Sludge / Icium Z
ability: Liquid Ooze
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 156 Def / 8 SpA / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rapid Spin allows Tentacruel to remove entry hazards such as Stealth Rock and Spikes from its side of the field. Scald can be used to wear foes down while potentially burning physical attackers like Cobalion, Doublade, and Crawdaunt. Haze removes stat boosts from foes that have set up, such as Azumarill, Suicune, and Infernape. When used alongside Icium Z, it grants Tentacruel access to a one-time opportunity to fully restore its HP. Toxic Spikes wears down opposing teams by crippling their Pokemon with status. Toxic can be used over either Haze or Toxic Spikes to cripple foes that scoff at any of Tentacruel's other moves, like Latias, Suicune, Cofagrigus, and Primarina.
Set Details
========
96 EVs invested in Speed with a Timid nature allow Tentacruel to outpace everything in the metagame up to Chandelure and Mamoswine. 8 EVs invested in Special Attack give Tentacruel the ability to secure a 2HKO on Entei without prior damage. The remaining investment goes into HP and Defense in order to improve Tentacruel's physical bulk. Black Sludge is used as a source of passive recovery for Tentacruel at the end of each turn, though Icium Z can also be used to grant access to Z-Haze, which fully restores Tentacruel's health upon its use and minimizes Knock Off damage. It should only be used, however, if a Z-Move can't be used elsewhere on the team. Liquid Ooze is the preferred ability for punishing Pokemon that use moves that heal the user, like Bewear, Mega Sceptile, and Amoonguss.
Usage Tips
========
Tentacruel should look to pivot into Pokemon that it can tank hits from, such as Primarina, Suicune, and Infernape. From there, it should remove entry hazards on its side of the field with Rapid Spin or remove stat boosts its foes have accumulated as it switches in with Haze. Scald is a good attack for Tentacruel to continuously spam throughout a match, as even resisted targets don't appreciate the possibility of being whittled down by burns. Toxic Spikes can be used as Tentacruel forces switches and are a great tool for whittling down several different team archetypes. One layer should be set against offensive teams due to the fact that most Pokemon on these teams won't stay in play long enough to be properly worn down by bad poisoning. Against defensive teams, however, two layers should be set in order to force Pokemon like Alomomola and Quagsire to switch out as they rack up poison damage. It is generally discouraged to set Toxic Spikes when Pokemon that can easily switch in and remove them, like Hydreigon or Latias, or Poison-type Pokemon are healthy on the opposing team, as Tentacruel will otherwise lose momentum for its team. If it is using Toxic, Tentacruel should try catching the majority of the move's targets on the switch, as it often can't safely stay in on most of what is crippled by poison, like Swampert, Latias, and Hydreigon. While Tentacruel is capable of sponging hits from several physically offensive Pokemon, it should never be used as the primary answer to threats like physical Infernape, Scizor, and Cobalion due to its middling physical bulk and lack of reliable recovery.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that are notably weak to entry hazards, like Chandelure, Togekiss, and Mega Aerodactyl, appreciate Tentacruel's ability to remove them in addition to providing potential Toxic Spikes support. Less immediately powerful setup sweepers like bulky Swords Dance Scizor and Suicune value Toxic Spikes support from Tentacruel in order to more easily wear down foes. Psychic-type checks, such as Scizor, Alolan Muk, and Mega Beedrill, can pressure the likes of Latias, Starmie, and Reuniclus for Tentacruel and can even pressure them with Pursuit. Ground-type switch-ins and checks like Hydreigon, Latias, and Serperior are also helpful to Tentacruel due to its vulnerability to the likes of Nidoking, Mamoswine, and Seismitoad. Ground-types themselves can also be good teammates due to their ability to come in on Electric-type attacks and either wallbreak or set up Stealth Rock. Examples include Mamoswine, which can use Freeze-Dry to pressure bulky Water-types, and Krookodile, which has good defensive synergy with Tentacruel and can reliably set up Stealth Rock. Wish support from the likes of Sylveon, Umbreon, and Florges, while not mandatory, can aid Tentacruel in patching up one of its biggest flaws in its lack of reliable recovery. Tentacruel's average physical bulk makes stronger checks to physical Fire-, Fighting-, and Steel-types, like Swampert, Amoonguss, and Alomomola respectively, good options as Pokemon to pair with it.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A more offensive spinning set is plausible due to Tentacruel's decent Special Attack and nice STAB coverage. However, such a set faces heavy competition from Mega Blastoise and Starmie due to Tentacruel's worse power and overall coverage. Knock Off can be used to punish spinblockers and typical switch-ins with the removal of their items, though it often can't be fitted onto a set as easily due to the better utility of Haze and Toxic Spikes. Acid Spray and Mirror Coat are also options on the utility set for their ability to force switches in the case of the former or punish special attackers in the case of the latter, but they are also difficult to fit onto a set over other utility options. Ice Beam is a good option for nailing Gliscor, while Sludge Wave can function as a decently powerful Poison-type STAB move, but Tentacruel often struggles to fit either move onto a set. Lastly, Clear Body is useful for allowing Tentacruel to more reliably spin Sticky Web away, though it isn't as consistently helpful of an ability to Tentacruel as Liquid Ooze.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Psychic-types**: The likes of Latias and Starmie can easily offensively threaten Tentacruel with powerful STAB attacks while only fearing Toxic. While uncommon, Reuniclus is particularly annoying, as it can use Magic Guard to scoff at Tentacruel's attempts to status it. Celebi can also prove troublesome due to its access to Natural Cure, which allows it to remove any status conditions Tentacruel has inflicted it with.
**Electric-types**: Rotom-C, Mega Manectric, and Raikou don't fear Scald and are capable of forcing Tentacruel out with super effective STAB attacks. The former is even immune to Toxic Spikes and if running Defog, can use it to remove them if they've been set by Tentacruel.
**Powerful Physical Attackers**: Even with investment, Tentacruel's physical bulk is middling, meaning that especially powerful physical attackers like Mega Sharpedo, Terrakion, and even Darmanitan can power through it with some prior damage.
**Scald Switch-ins**: Pokemon like Serperior, Mantine, Hydreigon, and Jellicent, which can spinblock Tentacruel in addition to switching in reliably, can all easily come in on its only STAB attack and proceed to remove the Toxic Spikes it has set, offensively threaten it, or use it as setup fodder.
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