Community POTW #42

[tomtom5858]

Here's the set I use:

Merciless Supporter
Item: Leftovers/Black Sludge
Ability: Liquid Ooze/Rain Dish
Nature: Calm (-Att, +SpD)
EVs: 252 HP, 4 Def, 252 SpD
-Scald
-Toxic Spikes
-Rapid Spin
-Ice Beam/Giga Drain/Knock Off/Protect/Acid Spray

This set maxes out Tentacruel's special walling and support abilities. Leftovers and Black Sludge serve the same purpose; Black Sludge hurts anything that wants to Trick you, but could also hurt one of your teammates if it gets Tricked to them. Liquid Ooze should be used if you lack Politoed's infinite rain, as it allows Tentacruel to take on Ferrothorn with far more confidence than it deserves, as Liquid Ooze makes Ferrothorn take damage from the Leech Seed it likes to spam, and Scald's Burn will cut damage from Power Whip in half. Scald is the obigatory STAB move that has a chance to burn. Toxic Spikes is an entry hazard that gets low distribution, and is thus highly reccomended on this set. Rapid Spin keeps annoying hazards off your side of the field. Ice Beam is the primary option, as it gets great coverage with Scald, as well as fending off Dragons such as Dragonite and Salamence. Giga Drain can be used to beat off the increaingly popular Gastrodon, as well as the lesser used Swampert and Quagsire. Knock Off is a great utility move, as every Pokemon in the game relies on their item to some extent. Chansey?
Without Eviolite, this blob ain't walling anything. Hydreigon? Far less threatening without that pair of Specs. Haxorus? Without that Choice Band, it hits like a leaf slowly drifting down from a tree in fall. Actually, no, it still hits like an 18-wheeler at highway speeds, but now it isn't going at 300 Kph. Protect can be used with Rain Dish and Politoed support to recover an additional 12.5% a turn. Acid Spray is a bit of a gimmick move; it's essentially a 40 BP Metal Sound with 100 Accuracy, which can be used either to support a sweep or to increase damage from Scald, or even Acid spray itself.

Gliscor and Politoed make excellent teammates for Tentacruel, the former because of its excellent synergy with Tentacruel, both in terms of typing and defensive stats; the latter because of its ability to bring unending rain to the battlefield. The rain allows Tentacruel to recover more HP from Rain Dish, as well as making sure Heatran doesn't start pulling out Sunny Specs Fire Blasts or Eruptions on you.

[menametlg]

Abilities:
Clear Body: Stats cannot be lowered. Good for offensive set.

Liquid Ooze: Drain moves will damage the opponent. Good! Ruins Whimsicott and other SubSeeders.

Rain Dish: Restores 1/16 HP in rain. Best for stall and support set.

Toxic Stall
@Black Sludge
Rain Dish
Calm (252 HP, 152 SpDef, 104 Def)
-Toxic/Toxic Spikes
-Substitute
-Aqua Ring/Protect
-Venoshock/Surf

Toxic and Toxic Spikes are you main moves. Its up to you to choose which on you will use. While the opponent suffers from poisoning, you can keep yourself healthy and safe with Substitute which works well with Protect. If you hate protect, then run with Aqua Ring. Black Sludge + Rain Dish in rain + Aqua Ring= COMBO! To prevent being taunt, you have good STAB moves. Venoshock works well when the opponent is poisoned while Surf is.. is just a STAB move.

Other options...
-Rain Dance. When you don't have Rain dance team, you can add this
-Hex. Works best with Toxic but not a STAB move.
-Barrier. Raises you Defense.


Offensive Tentacruel
@Life Orb
Clear Body
Modest (252 Spd/ 252 SpAtk/ 4 SpDef)
-Hydro Pump/Surf
-Giga Drain
-Wring Out
-Sludge Bomb/Sludge Wave

This is the offensive set of Tentacruel.

[spuds4ever]

Reno's Tentacruel

Tentacruel @ Black Sludge
Trait: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Attract
- Tickle
- Wrap
- Double Team

Mark <3's Tentacruel ^_^

You're gay.

Jeez, man, take a little joke. And for your set, double team is illegal.

[sbktdreed]

Status Check
Ability: Clear Body
Item: Wise Glasses/Leftovers
Hydro Pump/Scald
Poison Jab
Hex/Payback
Ice Beam

If the opponent is affected by a status problem, espically from any of the other attacks, Hex will increase.

[dragon zero]

Poison Expoit

Hydro pump/surf
toxic
venoshock/hex
ice beam

nature: modest
Ability:Liquid ooze or rain dish

a set that can exploit poison. kick off with toxic then hit down with either hex, which can cover psychics or venoshock for a powerfull double the power STAB hit. Hydro pump/surf hits steels normaly (surf for accuracy, hydro pump for power)where toxic is powerless, Ice beam for coverage and that classic water/ice combo.


defencive set

scald
toxic
barrier
ice beam

nature: bold
ability:liquid ooze/rain dish

if using in double battles put in a rain team and have it have rain dish.
its sp.def is already good so this set focus on defence stat. barrier will double its poor def after one use making it look reasonable. Toxic does what it does best, scald can cause burn making its def better even after 3 barriers rendering physical attacks powerless whilst also giving STAB damage. Ice beam again for that water/ice combo and coverage.

other options:
rapid spin: weak but gets rid of hazzards
giga drain: usable from a transfered one but can be helpfull if sloted in to a defencive set. can be optained through DW too.
brine: both sets above can use this as they both can easily put the opponents health below half thanks to toxic but it must be from a transfered one

[Meowmeow]

Giga drain is nice against most grounds, but costs your nice ability.

Tentacool can learn Giga Drain in the Dream World.

[_Calm|Mind_]

Jeez, man, take a little joke. And for your set, double team is illegal.

lol at you telling me to take a joke when my joke completely flies over your head.

[Kraleck]

I, for one, love Tentacruel. Great Speed and Sp.Def, decent, yet mediocre, offense, and slightly-below-average HP. Defense could use a boost from Reflect, Barrier, or Baton Pass, but every Pokemon has some kind of weakness.

Scald is great if you can stick the Burn Status - your Defense instantly increases significantly. Poison from Sludge Bomb, Sludge Wave, or Poison Jab increase your STAB repertoire. Access to Hex, Giga Drain (4th Gen TM19), Knock Off, Role Play (HGSS Tutor), Magic Coat (HGSS Tutor), Rapid Spin, Confuse Ray, Ice Beam, Haze, and a veritable plethora of other Moves increases your viability.

However, your Move Types are rather scarce, aside from Hidden Power. Sometimes more Move Type options has a greater hold over more Move Effect options.

Your Water+Poison Type makes you vulnerable to 3 Types, but those Types have Type-immunities available (Electric is stopped by Ground, Ground by Flying & Levitate, and Psychic by Dark). Getting around the Super-Effective Type-Immunity Issue with Physical Moves against 'cruel means you have to rely on:
-Normal (where Ghost is Type-immune)
-Grass (which people rarely use outside of STAB)
-Flying (uncommon, but no too uncommon)
-Rock (popular choice)
-Ghost (Normal is Type-immune)
-Dragon (very rare outside of STAB)
-Dark (popular choice)
...to get past 'cruel's resistances.

Your Abilities can help in several ways:
-Liquid Ooze punishes Seeders, Dream Eaters, and other Drainers who would dare to take your HP, but can be (and often is) too situational
-Clear Body blocks stat reductions, which can happen more often with certain Moves, but you rarely see ones that de-buff consistently, barring Intimidate Ability
-Rain Dish (DW) is simply amazing with Drizzle-toed in play, but you don't have much in the way of taking a Physical hit. Combined with Mirror Coat, you can boast some protection from never-miss Hurricane and Thunder (but not by much if you're unlucky).

[Jbaby]

Tentacruel @ Leftovers
Ability: Rain Dish
Nature: Calm
EVs: 252 HP 252 SpD 4 Def

Moveset:
-Barrier
-Scald
-Toxic
-Acid Spray

Barrier sets up to make him almost unkillable....scald to make physical attackers almost useless, toxic to stall out, and acid spray drops special defense two stages so if you're in a stall war it is a great way to win it

[UltimateVictini]

I'm Cruel!

Tentacruel@leftovers
Trait:Rain Dish
Nature: Bold
Ev's:252 sp dfns 252 dfns 4 spd
Moveset:

-Toxic/ Toxic Spikes
-Scald
-Substitute/Barrier
-Protect

used for rain team

[WeatherEffectRain]

Oh, oh, I forgot to mention: On all sets once the POTW is written up you have to put "Deal with it." afterwards. K Reno? (Or Serebii if Reno's busy or something, unclear :/)

So yeah.

[PhilosophicalPsychologica]

Expect Tentacruel to see a rise in usage than ever before with Rain Dish, Liquid Ooze (to toy with those Ferrothorn), its Fight resist, usage of Toxic Spikes being more useful than ever (and also to protect the likes of other bulky Waters or something like Hippowdon).

Also, Scald. It contradicts with T Spikes a little, but still. And, of course, it gets the extra boost off Rain. Also for new STAB moves are Venoshock, Acid Spray, and Sludge Wave. Giga Drain got buffed, which Cruel appreciates.

The upgraded Magic Coat gives Tentacruel brand new troll options, especially as a lead. If you want to lead, other Item choices are Shuca Berry, Air Balloon, and Payapa Berry (Psychic).

I guess Tentacruel got hurt with Rest's nerf, but RestCruel wasn't all that common anyway.

I got no idea whether Swords Dance Tentacruel will see popularity, especially with the introduction of Acid Spray. I mean, Cruel does have Rain Dish now and I guess Thrash got buffed?

Anyway, Tentacool really benefits in LC with Eviolite. Cool fills many LC niches such as being an effective Rapid Spinner and T Spiker, as well has having diverse moves, especially Acid Spray.

[Kraleck]

Move Issues - Acid Spray Tentacruel Edition
Acid Spray. I love the name and effects. However, you have a few issues using it.

Most importantly, you can't hit Steel Types with it, so you have to find an alternate route around that. Often that'll be your Water STAB, unless it's against Empoleon. Steel Types (for the most part) have lower Sp.Def, anyway, but that doesn't mean they'll give up a free switch-in. Durant is especially hazardous due to better Speed and Thunder Fang.

Second, and still rather unfortunate, is Clear Body and White Smoke. You may not see much of White Smoke (Torkoal and the currently unreleased DW Heatmor), but Clear Body (Tentacruel, Regirock, and Regice) is still a threat. Against Regirock, not so much, but other 'cruel and Regice have significant Sp.Def. I excluded the Steel Types from Clear Body due to issue #1.

Finally, getting a "free shot" on a switch is not so fun if you Acid Spray a Defiant Ability Pokemon. Your Defense is already dire, so you may have issue from Scarfed Primeape, Purugly (not very threatening in and of itself, but can be a hazard), and DW Tornadus & Thundurus (not yet released, but can be a problem if they choose to go Physical).

I love Acid Spray, but hate these drawbacks. It's not enough to deter me, so if you can swing it, go for the fences...

[UltimateVictini]

The pkmn I think that is the counter-supreme is a psychic type that is faster than tenta and has a good base attack + stab zen headbutt... if it hits tenta before he can barrier, then tentacruel is dead.

[Kraleck]

The pkmn I think that is the counter-supreme is a psychic type that is faster than tenta and has a good base attack + stab zen headbutt... if it hits tenta before he can barrier, then tentacruel is dead.

The only way to get a faster, STAB Zen Headbutt at all is to use Azelf (4th Gen Tutor), Lati@s, non-defense Deoxys, Lugia (4th Gen Tutor), Espeon (4th Gen Tutor), Mewtwo (4th Gen Tutor), Chlorophyll-boosted Exeggutor (4th Gen Tutor), Alakazam (4th Gen Tutor), or Arceus (4th Gen Tutor). Similarly, only Mewtwo and Alakazam will have faster, STAB Psycho Cut. None of these (apart from Azelf, Deoxys, and Arceus) have use-Physical-over-Special oriented stats, but there is another Move you forgot about...

Apart from Mewtwo's Psystrike, no Special Move has a better punch against 'cruel than Psyshock. Alakazam, Chlorophyll-boosted Exeggutor, Starmie, Espeon, Lugia, Lati@s, non-defense Deoxys, Azelf, Arceus, and Swoobat are the only ones who carry better Speed and STAB Psyshock (Mewtwo learns it, too, but has access to Psystrike and already outclasses 'cruel). If you'll remember, Psyshock and Psystrike use your Sp.Atk against the target's Defense instead of their Sp.Def - a major nail in 'cruel's Special-Wall-coffin...

[Meowmeow]

Countering Tentacruel:

Tentacruel has an issue with Ferrothorn. Since Rain Dish is more likely to be used, Leech Seed and Power Whip will bring the jellyfish down. Toxicroak can switch into any water attack thanks to dry skin and removes Toxic Spikes by hitting the field and return fire with Sucker Punches, Thunder Punches it may be packing, or Stone Edge. Latios floats over Toxic Spikes can completely destroy Tentacruel with Psyshock. Multiscale Dragonite can survive Ice Beam if its at full health and unload an Outrage.
Ultimately, the way to bring down Tentacruel is to avoid Toxic Spikes and hit it hard for physical damage. It can be tricky though.

[BugZ]

Tentacruel @ Black Sludge
Ability: Rain Dish
Nature: Calm (+SpDe -Atck)
EVs 252 HP 252 SpDe 4De
Toxic Spikes
Scald
Protect
Rapid Spin

This set does amazing things. It stalls, it sets up TSpikes, it spins away Stealth Rock, it cripples sweepers, it's amazing. It should only be used in rain though for it to work. Toxic Spikes is of course on all Tenty sets, along with Rapid Spin to support your team if they are weak to Stealth Rock, which can win you games. Protect stalls the Black Sludge and Rain Dish so that you can heal for a whole bunch of HP, and Scald stops and destroys all physical powerhouses and burns Pokemon that are immune to TSpikes like Scizor. It is the ultimate support set that does it all at once.

[Missingno. Master]

ToxiCruel
Tentacruel@Black Sludge
Timid nature
Rain Dish
252 Spd/252 Sp. Atk/4 HP
~Toxic Spikes/Toxic
~Hex
~Venoshock
~Hydro Pump

This set takes advantage of Tentacruel learning not only Toxic Spikes, but two moves that will double in power on a poisoned foe (OK, Hex does that with any status, but you get the idea). Lay the Toxic Spikes down (alternatively, just go ahead and Toxic the foe that's out right there), and once you're facing a poisoned foe, go with either Hex or the STAB Venoshock. Hydro Pump is for STAB and massive damage, and works well in the rain (as does Tentacruel itself).

Item is to dissuade Trick usage, as they'll only be hurting themselves. Also helps with recovery. Ability allows Tentacruel to further recover off any taken damage.


Tenta-Wall
Tentacruel@Black Sludge
Calm nature
Rain Dish
252 HP/252 Sp. Def/4 Def
~Substitute
~Barrier/Toxic Spikes/Toxic
~Scald
~Protect

A more defensive Tentacruel. Takes advantage of that nice Special Defense and decent HP. Substitute is for stalling purposes, as is Protect. Scald is prevention against becoming total Taunt bait, as well as that nice burn chance. Barrier works on Tentacruel's Defense, though alternatively, Toxic or Toxic Spikes could work for support (rather counterproductive with Scald, though).

Item is obvious. Ability is like a second Black Sludge, helping to heal off damage from enemy attacks and Substitutes. That's where Protect plays in, BTW.


TentaChoice
Tentacruel@Choice Specs
Timid nature
Clear Body/Liquid Ooze
252 Sp. Atk/252 Spd/4 HP
~Hydro Pump/Surf
~Giga Drain
~Ice Beam
~Sludge Wave

Specs Tentacruel. Hydro Pump/Surf and Sludge Wave are for STAB, and Giga Drain and Ice Beam for extra coverage. Not much more to say here.

Item is obvious. Ability is optional. Rain Dish ain't necessary here, as this Tentacruel isn't defensive. Liquid Ooze discourages Giga Drain usage, and Clear Body prevents stat drops.


Cruel Dance
Tentacruel@Black Sludge
Jolly nature
Rain Dish
252 Spd/200 HP/56 Atk
~Swords Dance
~Waterfall
~Poison Jab
~Return

Surprisingly, Tentacruel's Attack stat doesn't totally suck (a shame the same can't be said for its movepool). Waterfall and Return provide decent coverage together, and Poison Jab is for additional STAB.

Item and ability are to ensure maximum recovery of HP on the set-up turn, and possibly allow for a second use of Swords Dance. Make up for the awful coverage a bit, as it were.



Other options:
*Tentacruel gets Rapid Spin, but thanks to the emergence of Magic Bounce Espeon, spinners are becoming rather obsolete. Besides, Tentacruel can't exactly afford to miss out on another move.
*Acid Spray is a novel idea for an offensive Tentacruel that's not running Specs.
*Haze is an option on the defensive set, to discourage enemy set-up.
*Wring Out is a decent option, but given the popularity of entry hazards, it's not likely to hit maximum damage too often.
*Blizzard is an option over Ice Beam, but none too practical, given that Tentacruel isn't exactly the best choice for a Hail team, and one wouldn't use Blizzard against a Hail team either.


Abilities:
*Clear Body: Prevents stat drops inflicted by opponents. A decent ability in and of itself, but not exactly the best choice for Tentacruel. Intimidate is the only really common means of lowering stats, and on the one set where it uses its Attack stat, it has Swords Dance anyway. I suppose it could prevent a gimmicky Acid Spray set from an Eelektross or something.
*Liquid Ooze: Foes that use draining moves have their HP reduced instead of restored. Dissuades the ever-popular usage of Leech Seed, and that's always a plus.
*Rain Dish: Tentacruel's Hidden Ability. In the rain, basically functions as a second set of Black Sludge. Do want. Very much so.


Partners:
As the majority of Tentacruel sets run Rain Dish, you want Politoed on your team. You'll also want Payback Conkeldurr, or really, anything that can handle Jellicent.

Counters:
Jellicent walls Tentacruel to Hell and back, but can't exactly do much in return. It can, however, burn Tentacruel. A burn doesn't destroy Tentacruel (barring the Swords Dance set), but it does offset the benefits of Black Sludge and Rain Dish. More effective counters include stuff in the way of Gyarados- immune to Toxic Spikes, and threatens Tentacruel with the almighty and super-effective Earthquake that hits its lacking Defense. Reuniclus doesn't take damage from status and threatens to OHKO with Psychic (or worse- Psyshock). Bear in mind, however, that though Reuniclus is immune to poison damage, it's not immune to poison itself, and is thus still wide open for a full-power super-effective Hex. Also, Stunfisk takes the Specs set's attacks like a boss, sets up with Curse, and force-feeds Tentacruel an Earthquake in return.

Opinion:
Tentacruel is cool. One of the classic Poison-types, and it has a badass design that's hard to top. Good stats and moves on top of that are what keeps Tentacruel at the top.

[Metal Bagon]

OK. I have a couple of set idea's that I've used in the past. I'll edit them into this post.

name: Toxic Spikes
move 1: Toxic Spikes
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Surf / Scald
move 4: Hex / Hidden Power Fire / Ice Beam/Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Liquid Ooze
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe

name: Offensive
move 1: Hydro Pump/Surf/Scald
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Rapid Spin/Sludge Wave
item: Life Orb
ability: Liquid Ooze
ivs: 29 HP
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

Just a couple of sets, but there are others.

[Kraleck]

Ahh, Hex. A wonderful Move with Scald, Sludge Bomb, and Ice Beam (if you can get a lucky freeze). The trick is to keep it for a surprise shot.

Status play in general is great in 'cruel's hands...er, tentacles:
-Jellicent still walling you despite a Status on it? Hex it. It can't take too many of the doubled, Super-Effective Move and barely does much to you itself.
-If you're Scald Burning Pokemon left-and-right, Ferrothorn has a difficult switch-in. Not so much once it does get in, though, because you'll have to be extra careful.
-Guts Pokemon are a little tricky. Once you're ID'd as a status flinger, Guts Pokemon will line up for a little something extra and "shoot the clerk" for the effort.
-Hex and Venoshock, as preciously mentioned, both get the boost if you Poison or Toxic Poison a foe. Just beware of Immunity and Guts Ability Pokemon for obvious reasons.
-Being an annoyance with status while constantly chipping HP off with offense is huge. Learning Scald and Sludge Bomb - and both as STAB no less - keeps your opponent on the defensive. However, you will have issue with Milotic due to Mirror Coat, Recover, and Marvel Scale Ability (not so much for 'cruel, but its replacement, maybe).
-Mirror Coat is another reason why Physical is still an option for 'cruel. Poison Jab, Waterfall with (hopefully) higher Speed, and Secret Power (3rd/4th Gen TM) keep you in the Status game if you go Physical.