Tentacruel
Oct 9, 2012 14:18:23 GMT -8
Post by cheese on Oct 9, 2012 14:18:23 GMT -8
Stats
HP: 363
Atk: 238
Def: 228
Spd: 298 (CH: 19.5%)
Spc: 338
Overview
Tentacruel has pretty decent stats, boasting both good speed and special. However his movepool is relatively shallow and his typing leaves him weak to Electric, Psychic and Ground attacks. Overall Tentacruel isn't really used. If you're looking for an aquatic special sweeper then Starmie is the way to go.
Moveset
Surf/Hydro Pump
Blizzard
Swords Dance
Hyper Beam
His STAB water attack will do good damage to anything that doesn't resist it (or Chansey), whilst Blizzard basically covers off Eggy. Sword Dancing is nice if the switch to a damaged Chansey or damaged and paralysed Zam, as you can threaten a KO with Hyper Beam.
Other Options
Tentacruel doesn't get many great options. Barrier/Reflect are there, but you're still going to take a chunk of damage from Earthquakes. Substitute has uses against paralysed foe. Screech can be used but you're probably better off with Swords Dance. Mega Drain could be used for healing against Ground types or for Starmie/Lapras switch-ins. Wrap is obviously a must if it's not banned.
Couters
Starmie and Lapras can easily switch into a Water/Ice attack and hit back with Thuderbolt (also Psychic in Starmie's case). Gengar has Thunderbolt too. Alakazam and Chansey must be weary of Hyper Beam but are otherwise great choices. A pure electric type like Jolteon will also get the job done.
Conclusion
Tentacruel has potential as a special sweeper, but it's common weaknesses and lack of a diverse movepool set it back. I wouldn't really recommend him in OU as it's hard to think of a popular pokemon that doesn't have a super effective attack on him and unless he can KO he'll be force to switch-out a lot.
HP: 363
Atk: 238
Def: 228
Spd: 298 (CH: 19.5%)
Spc: 338
Overview
Tentacruel has pretty decent stats, boasting both good speed and special. However his movepool is relatively shallow and his typing leaves him weak to Electric, Psychic and Ground attacks. Overall Tentacruel isn't really used. If you're looking for an aquatic special sweeper then Starmie is the way to go.
Moveset
Surf/Hydro Pump
Blizzard
Swords Dance
Hyper Beam
His STAB water attack will do good damage to anything that doesn't resist it (or Chansey), whilst Blizzard basically covers off Eggy. Sword Dancing is nice if the switch to a damaged Chansey or damaged and paralysed Zam, as you can threaten a KO with Hyper Beam.
Other Options
Tentacruel doesn't get many great options. Barrier/Reflect are there, but you're still going to take a chunk of damage from Earthquakes. Substitute has uses against paralysed foe. Screech can be used but you're probably better off with Swords Dance. Mega Drain could be used for healing against Ground types or for Starmie/Lapras switch-ins. Wrap is obviously a must if it's not banned.
Couters
Starmie and Lapras can easily switch into a Water/Ice attack and hit back with Thuderbolt (also Psychic in Starmie's case). Gengar has Thunderbolt too. Alakazam and Chansey must be weary of Hyper Beam but are otherwise great choices. A pure electric type like Jolteon will also get the job done.
Conclusion
Tentacruel has potential as a special sweeper, but it's common weaknesses and lack of a diverse movepool set it back. I wouldn't really recommend him in OU as it's hard to think of a popular pokemon that doesn't have a super effective attack on him and unless he can KO he'll be force to switch-out a lot.