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Tired
[OVERVIEW]
Tentacruel's Toxic immunity and great special bulk allow it to act as pivot against threats like Primal Kyogre and Xerneas while also walling Lugia and Arceus-Water. It also has access to support moves such as Toxic Spikes, Haze, and Rapid Spin. Thanks to the latter, Tentacruel sets itself apart from its competition, Toxapex, with its niche of being the only viable defensive spinner in the Ubers metagame, thus securing it a spot in a few stall teams. Also, while both Tentacruel and Toxapex are checked by Ferrothorn, Tentacruel's Liquid Ooze punishes Ferrothorn if it ever goes for Leech Seed. However, entry hazard removal through Rapid Spin is the only practical advantage Tentacruel has over Toxapex, since the latter has access to reliable recovery in Recover as well as a better defensive ability in Regenerator. Tentacruel's pitiful defensive bulk forces it to switch out of most physical threats, even the ones that it has a type advantage against. In a metagame full of such physical threats, Tentacruel requires support from bulkier Pokemon to function properly. Finally, Marshadow poses a threat to many stall teams, which cripples Tentacruel's viability because Toxapex is able to better check it thanks to its great overall bulk and ability to run Haze more viably.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Toxic Spikes
move 2: Scald
move 3: Rapid Spin
move 4: Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Liquid Ooze
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Toxic Spikes is highly appreciated by stall because it is able to easily weaken offensive teams, which often lack a reliable hazard remover. Scald stops Pokemon like Mega Gengar from switching in freely to block a Rapid Spin, and the decent chance to burn can deny switch-ins like Ferrothorn and Giratina Leftovers recovery, making them easier to deal with. Tentacruel is the only viable defensive Rapid Spin user in the tier, which is very useful, as it relieves pressure off of the team's Defog user. Tentacruel's lack of reliable recovery makes Protect a highly recommended move. It can be used to heal more from Leftovers, scout out sets, and soften the impact from Z-Moves.
Set Details
========
252 HP and 252 Special Defense EVs alongside a Calm nature maximize Tentacruel's special bulk and lets it switch into Arceus-Water, Xerneas, and Lugia as well as pivot around Primal Kyogre. Liquid Ooze punishes Leech Seed users such as Celesteela and Ferrothorn by preventing them from healing.
Usage Tips
========
Tentacruel's main purpose on a stall team is to provide entry hazard support in the form of Toxic Spikes and a form of entry hazard removal via Rapid Spin. It should be switched into Pokemon that it checks like Arceus-Water and Lugia but can also act as a pivot against Primal Kyogre; this lets Tentacruel gain health from Leftovers and set up Toxic Spikes. When facing teams with Mega Gengar, it is often best to trade Tentacruel by allowing it to be trapped, since it doesn't play that big of a role versus these teams and cannot completely check certain threats. Additionally, Mega Gengar is a massive threat to stall teams, so this is a highly favorable trade. Once Tentacruel has set Toxic Spikes, use phazers like Lugia, Giratina, and Skarmory to slowly weaken the opposing team. Protect should be used to receive extra passive recovery from Leftovers. It also lets Tentacruel scout out sets while racking up damage on poisoned threats.
Team Options
========
Tentacruel is unreliable as the sole form of entry hazard removal on a team, making Defog users like Giratina, Arceus-Dark, and Arceus-Ground great teammates. Giratina is a particularly great teammate, as it is able to use Defog on Primal Groudon, Mega Sableye, Arceus-Ground, and physical attackers that Tentacruel struggles to go for Rapid Spin against. Giratina can also phaze threats with Dragon Tail to force them to be poisoned by Toxic Spikes. Mega Sableye is a great teammate because it is able to check all Psychic-types apart from Tapu Lele and prevent Ferrothorn from setting up entry hazards thanks to Magic Bounce. Lugia can check common physical threats such as Dual Dance Primal Groudon, Swords Dance Arceus-Ground, and Ho-Oh. Having access to Whirlwind makes it even better as a partner, as it's able to phaze threats, causing them to be poisoned when Toxic Spikes is up, while it can go for Toxic on Pokemon immune to Toxic Spikes like Giratina-O and Ho-Oh. Giratina-O makes a decent partner, as it is able to act as a Ground-immune Pokemon and appreciates Toxic Spikes support from Tentacruel, which increases the power of Hex. Cleric support from the likes of Clefable, Blissey, and Chansey is always appreciated in stall teams, which Tentacruel fits best in. Clefable by itself is a great partner, as it can provide Wish support and check threats to most stall teams such as Z-Geomancy Xerneas and Calm Mind Refresh Arceus formes. Entry hazard setters like Arceus-Ground, Primal Groudon, Ferrothorn, and Skarmory are great partners for Tentacruel, as they can form an entry hazard stacking core that is more effective thanks to Tentacruel's Rapid Spin reducing the necessity of Defog. Pursuit trappers like Tyranitar and Alolan Muk are appreciated, as they are able to trap Ghost-types that attempt to spinblock Tentacruel. Ho-Oh is able to switch into Ferrothorn, other Steel-types, and Z-Geomancy Xerneas, making it a great partner. It can cripple support Arceus formes like Arceus-Ground, Arceus-Water, and Arceus-Dark as they go for Defog to remove Toxic Spikes, and it can also use Toxic on Pokemon immune to Toxic Spikes such as Yveltal, Giratina-O, and Lugia.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Haze can be run over Protect to prevent threats to stall such as Geomancy Xerneas and Calm Mind Arceus-Dark from setting up. Acid Spray is an option that can let Tentacruel deal with Mega Sableye, making Toxic Spikes easier to set up. Tentacruel can catch threats like Zygarde-C, Mega Salamence, and Rayquaza off guard with Ice Beam.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Physical Attackers**: Physical attackers like Mega Salamence, Rayquaza, Extreme Killer Arceus, Ho-Oh, and other Swords Dance Arceus formes are able to deal massive damage to if not OHKO Tentacruel due to its lack of physical bulk.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types like Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Zygarde-C are able to KO or seriously hurt Tentacruel. Primal Groudon can use Tentacruel as setup fodder and Zygarde can recover from Toxic Spikes damage and cure itself of poison by going for Rest. Many threats in Ubers carry Earthquake as their Ground-type coverage, so they can also deal with Tentacruel easily.
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye is able to bounce back Toxic Spikes and spinblocks Tentacruel. It can go for Will-O-Wisp to cripple Tentacruel and proceed to KO it with Foul Play or Knock Off.
**Ferrothorn**: Ferrothorn is able to switch into Tentacruel and set up entry hazards like Spikes and Stealth Rock on it. Tentacruel struggles to remove them due to Iron Barbs slowly depleting its health and causing Ferrothorn to win the matchup.
**Psychic-types**: Psychic-types like Deoxys-A, Lunala, Mega Mewtwo Y, and Mega Mewtwo X are able to OHKO Tentacruel with their respective Psychic-type STAB moves.
**Taunt Users**: Taunt is able to shut down Tentacruel, as it becomes unable to set up Toxic Spikes or go for Protect to scout the foe's set, thus making Taunt users like Yveltal and Mega Gyarados nuisances.
Tentacruel's Toxic immunity and great special bulk allow it to act as pivot against threats like Primal Kyogre and Xerneas while also walling Lugia and Arceus-Water. It also has access to support moves such as Toxic Spikes, Haze, and Rapid Spin. Thanks to the latter, Tentacruel sets itself apart from its competition, Toxapex, with its niche of being the only viable defensive spinner in the Ubers metagame, thus securing it a spot in a few stall teams. Also, while both Tentacruel and Toxapex are checked by Ferrothorn, Tentacruel's Liquid Ooze punishes Ferrothorn if it ever goes for Leech Seed. However, entry hazard removal through Rapid Spin is the only practical advantage Tentacruel has over Toxapex, since the latter has access to reliable recovery in Recover as well as a better defensive ability in Regenerator. Tentacruel's pitiful defensive bulk forces it to switch out of most physical threats, even the ones that it has a type advantage against. In a metagame full of such physical threats, Tentacruel requires support from bulkier Pokemon to function properly. Finally, Marshadow poses a threat to many stall teams, which cripples Tentacruel's viability because Toxapex is able to better check it thanks to its great overall bulk and ability to run Haze more viably.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Toxic Spikes
move 2: Scald
move 3: Rapid Spin
move 4: Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Liquid Ooze
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Toxic Spikes is highly appreciated by stall because it is able to easily weaken offensive teams, which often lack a reliable hazard remover. Scald stops Pokemon like Mega Gengar from switching in freely to block a Rapid Spin, and the decent chance to burn can deny switch-ins like Ferrothorn and Giratina Leftovers recovery, making them easier to deal with. Tentacruel is the only viable defensive Rapid Spin user in the tier, which is very useful, as it relieves pressure off of the team's Defog user. Tentacruel's lack of reliable recovery makes Protect a highly recommended move. It can be used to heal more from Leftovers, scout out sets, and soften the impact from Z-Moves.
Set Details
========
252 HP and 252 Special Defense EVs alongside a Calm nature maximize Tentacruel's special bulk and lets it switch into Arceus-Water, Xerneas, and Lugia as well as pivot around Primal Kyogre. Liquid Ooze punishes Leech Seed users such as Celesteela and Ferrothorn by preventing them from healing.
Usage Tips
========
Tentacruel's main purpose on a stall team is to provide entry hazard support in the form of Toxic Spikes and a form of entry hazard removal via Rapid Spin. It should be switched into Pokemon that it checks like Arceus-Water and Lugia but can also act as a pivot against Primal Kyogre; this lets Tentacruel gain health from Leftovers and set up Toxic Spikes. When facing teams with Mega Gengar, it is often best to trade Tentacruel by allowing it to be trapped, since it doesn't play that big of a role versus these teams and cannot completely check certain threats. Additionally, Mega Gengar is a massive threat to stall teams, so this is a highly favorable trade. Once Tentacruel has set Toxic Spikes, use phazers like Lugia, Giratina, and Skarmory to slowly weaken the opposing team. Protect should be used to receive extra passive recovery from Leftovers. It also lets Tentacruel scout out sets while racking up damage on poisoned threats.
Team Options
========
Tentacruel is unreliable as the sole form of entry hazard removal on a team, making Defog users like Giratina, Arceus-Dark, and Arceus-Ground great teammates. Giratina is a particularly great teammate, as it is able to use Defog on Primal Groudon, Mega Sableye, Arceus-Ground, and physical attackers that Tentacruel struggles to go for Rapid Spin against. Giratina can also phaze threats with Dragon Tail to force them to be poisoned by Toxic Spikes. Mega Sableye is a great teammate because it is able to check all Psychic-types apart from Tapu Lele and prevent Ferrothorn from setting up entry hazards thanks to Magic Bounce. Lugia can check common physical threats such as Dual Dance Primal Groudon, Swords Dance Arceus-Ground, and Ho-Oh. Having access to Whirlwind makes it even better as a partner, as it's able to phaze threats, causing them to be poisoned when Toxic Spikes is up, while it can go for Toxic on Pokemon immune to Toxic Spikes like Giratina-O and Ho-Oh. Giratina-O makes a decent partner, as it is able to act as a Ground-immune Pokemon and appreciates Toxic Spikes support from Tentacruel, which increases the power of Hex. Cleric support from the likes of Clefable, Blissey, and Chansey is always appreciated in stall teams, which Tentacruel fits best in. Clefable by itself is a great partner, as it can provide Wish support and check threats to most stall teams such as Z-Geomancy Xerneas and Calm Mind Refresh Arceus formes. Entry hazard setters like Arceus-Ground, Primal Groudon, Ferrothorn, and Skarmory are great partners for Tentacruel, as they can form an entry hazard stacking core that is more effective thanks to Tentacruel's Rapid Spin reducing the necessity of Defog. Pursuit trappers like Tyranitar and Alolan Muk are appreciated, as they are able to trap Ghost-types that attempt to spinblock Tentacruel. Ho-Oh is able to switch into Ferrothorn, other Steel-types, and Z-Geomancy Xerneas, making it a great partner. It can cripple support Arceus formes like Arceus-Ground, Arceus-Water, and Arceus-Dark as they go for Defog to remove Toxic Spikes, and it can also use Toxic on Pokemon immune to Toxic Spikes such as Yveltal, Giratina-O, and Lugia.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Haze can be run over Protect to prevent threats to stall such as Geomancy Xerneas and Calm Mind Arceus-Dark from setting up. Acid Spray is an option that can let Tentacruel deal with Mega Sableye, making Toxic Spikes easier to set up. Tentacruel can catch threats like Zygarde-C, Mega Salamence, and Rayquaza off guard with Ice Beam.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Physical Attackers**: Physical attackers like Mega Salamence, Rayquaza, Extreme Killer Arceus, Ho-Oh, and other Swords Dance Arceus formes are able to deal massive damage to if not OHKO Tentacruel due to its lack of physical bulk.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types like Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Zygarde-C are able to KO or seriously hurt Tentacruel. Primal Groudon can use Tentacruel as setup fodder and Zygarde can recover from Toxic Spikes damage and cure itself of poison by going for Rest. Many threats in Ubers carry Earthquake as their Ground-type coverage, so they can also deal with Tentacruel easily.
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye is able to bounce back Toxic Spikes and spinblocks Tentacruel. It can go for Will-O-Wisp to cripple Tentacruel and proceed to KO it with Foul Play or Knock Off.
**Ferrothorn**: Ferrothorn is able to switch into Tentacruel and set up entry hazards like Spikes and Stealth Rock on it. Tentacruel struggles to remove them due to Iron Barbs slowly depleting its health and causing Ferrothorn to win the matchup.
**Psychic-types**: Psychic-types like Deoxys-A, Lunala, Mega Mewtwo Y, and Mega Mewtwo X are able to OHKO Tentacruel with their respective Psychic-type STAB moves.
**Taunt Users**: Taunt is able to shut down Tentacruel, as it becomes unable to set up Toxic Spikes or go for Protect to scout the foe's set, thus making Taunt users like Yveltal and Mega Gyarados nuisances.
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