Araquanid Movesets & Competitive Sets

Araquanid is the best defensive Sticky Web setter available for Bug teams, and it differentiates itself from Galvantula by taking on special attackers such as Blacephalon, Spectrier, and Nidoking. Thanks to Water Bubble, it checks threats such as Volcarona and Heatran, which greatly trouble Bug teams. Liquidation deals with Calm Mind and Quiver Dance users such as Spectrier and Volcarona, and it generally threatens Fire-types. Mirror Coat takes advantage of Araquanid's excellent Special Defense, allowing it to retaliate against threats that don't mind Liquidation such as Thundurus-T and Volcanion. Toxic debilitates switch-ins such as Slowbro, Mantine, and Gastrodon. Magic Coat can be used over Toxic, as it bounces back Taunt, Leech Seed, and Stealth Rock from Cobalion, Celesteela, and Garchomp, allowing Araquanid to set Sticky Web uncontested and maximize its longevity. 156 Speed EVs let Araquanid outspeed and beat non-Air Slash Celesteela one-on-one, while maximum HP EVs allow it to survive attacks such as Choice Specs Tapu Koko's Volt Switch, Hurricane from Tornadus-T, and non-Choice Band Victini's Bolt Strike. Setup sweepers such as Scizor, Volcarona, and Heracross make great teammates for Araquanid, as these all benefit from Sticky Web and a Fire resistance. Swords Dance Scizor deals with Ice- and Rock-type threats such as Kyurem and Tyranitar, can clean types such as Dragon and Fairy, and uses Sticky Web to outspeed Heatran. Volcarona greatly appreciates Araquanid dealing with Heatran and Victini, as this allows it to sweep types such as Steel and Psychic late-game. Guts Heracross deals with walls such as Toxapex, Slowbro, and Galarian Corsola, and Sticky Web allows it to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame, removing threats such as Dragapult, Choice Band Victini, and Choice Scarf Heatran. Araquanid setting Sticky Web frees a moveslot for Galvantula, allowing it to run Agility. Thanks to Sticky Web, Galvantula even outspeeds Swift Swim Barraskewda at +2, making it a potent late-game wincon against Water and Flying teams. Galvantula also appreciates Araquanid's ability to heavily damage Thundurus-T and pressure Ground-types like Landorus-T. Choice Scarf Buzzwole deals with threats such as Cinderace and Excadrill, and Sticky Web lets it clean frailer types such as Electric, Dragon, Dark, and Fire, which have limited defensive counterplay against it.

Araquanid takes on the role as a Sticky Web setter for Water-type teams. Thanks to Sticky Web, slow, hard-hitting Pokemon like Crawdaunt and Choice Specs Pelipper become more threatening, as they are able to outspeed opposing Pokemon more easily. Araquanid should be used as a lead most of the time to get up Sticky Web early. Its ability Water Bubble not only boosts its Water-type moves, making Liquidation hit much harder, but it also makes it immune to burns from Scald and Will-O-Wisp, making it harder for defensive Pokemon like Toxapex and Sableye to deal with it. With Liquidation, Araquanid is also able to deal with Magic Bounce users like Hatterene, which can block Sticky Web. Leech Life lets Araquanid threaten Dark- and Psychic-type Pokemon like Hydreigon and Indeedee while also healing itself. Magic Coat allows it to bounce back status moves like Taunt against common lead Pokemon such as Froslass and Kommo-o. It is also useful against Spikes and Toxic Spikes setters like Ferrothorn and Toxapex. Mirror Coat allows Araquanid to beat threats to Water-type teams, like Duraludon, Heliolisk, Noivern, Hatterene, and Choice Specs Dragapult. Maximum Attack investment optimizes its overall damage output. Maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature makes it as fast as possible to outspeed Pokemon like Mandibuzz and Corviknight, and Focus Sash ensures that it can set up Sticky Web most of the time. Potent wallbreakers and setup sweepers like Keldeo, Gyarados, Pelipper, Crawdaunt, and Cloyster appreciate Araquanid's Sticky Web support because they are able to threaten opposing teams more and become much harder to get revenge killed. Since Araquanid is weak to Electric- and Rock-type Pokemon such as Zeraora and Tyranitar, Seismitoad makes for a good partner, as it can cover for its weakness against them and set Stealth Rock while also benefiting from Araquanid's Sticky Web support.

Physical Araquanid is a threatening wallbreaker, especially under Trick Room, capable of punching holes through sturdy defensive stalwarts like Skarmory and Clefable thanks to an Attack donation. Liquidation is its strongest attack thanks to Water Bubble, which notably hits neutral targets even harder than super effective coverage moves, reducing the need to predict. Leech Life is Araquanid's best option against Tangrowth, Slowking, and Pokemon immune to Water such as Gastrodon and Seismitoad. Crunch provides super effective damage against Giratina, which could otherwise stall Liquidation's PP. In its last moveslot, it can either go with Poison Jab, which also possesses a high poison chance, to deal more damage to Tapu Fini and Volcanion, or Toxic to cripple Vaporeon, which completely walls it. Choice Band is the preferred item to maximize its damage output, as it usually only needs to use Liquidation. While usually used in Trick Room teams, Araquanid can still be used without a dedicated team, as its defensive utility and Water Bubble's ability to prevent burn and halving Fire-type damage provide it a lot of opportunities to switch in against foes, namely Heatran and Clefable. In those cases, Araquanid should run Sticky Web over Crunch and opt for Heavy-Duty Boots to negate entry hazards. Minimal Speed is run if Araquanid is used in Trick Room teams; otherwise, it should run 31 Speed IVs, 148 Speed EVs, and Adamant nature to outpace uninvested Clefable. Araquanid best fits in Trick Room teams where it can take advantage of its low Speed. Calyrex-I and Necrozma-DM are mandatory partners to maximize Araquanid's damage output, and they can also set Trick Room. In return, Araquanid can wear down physical walls, in particular Skarmory and opposing Necrozma-DM, for them. Other bulky Trick Room setters, especially Porygon2 and Slowking, are also needed to take hits after Trick Room has ended; they also have Teleport, allowing Araquanid to come in without having to take damage. Hatterene has Magic Bounce, preventing entry hazards from limiting Araquanid's opportunities to switch in. Other offensive Trick Room attackers that can deal with Ferrothorn and physically bulky Pokemon immune to Water are needed, making Conkeldurr and Speed-received Kartana and Blacephalon great teammates. If Araquanid finds itself on teams without Trick Room, then it can take the leftover Attack slot from gods like Kyurem-W and Giratina-O. Entry hazard deterrents, including Ghost-types to spinblock such as Blacephalon and Defiant users in Bisharp and Galarian Zapdos, are recommended to prevent Sticky Web from being easily cleared.

Special Araquanid is a powerful wallbreaker under Trick Room with few switch-ins, capable of breaking even the most defensively sturdy teams. Water Bubble boosts its Water-type STAB moves to an astronomical level, with Hydro Pump capable of OHKOing Rayquaza and Dialga. Bug Buzz is a solid secondary STAB option and its best option to hit Tangrowth and Slowbro. Giga Drain is necessary to nail Gastrodon and Seismitoad, which would otherwise wall it with ease. Surf is used for consistency and conserving PP, trading power for accuracy. Ice Beam is an alternative that hits a few sturdy walls, notably Giratina, for significant damage. Since Araquanid usually only needs Hydro Pump, Choice Specs is the preferred item to maximize its damage output; resisted Hydro Pump is still stronger than neutral Bug Buzz and almost as strong as super effective Ice Beam. Minimum Speed is run to make Araquanid outspeed as many Pokemon as possible under Trick Room. Necrozma-DW is the best god to complement Araquanid, as it has access to Trick Room and sports impressive Special Attack stat; it also appreciates Araquanid's ability to beat or soften opposing special walls to clean up late-game. Other Trick Room users are also required for Araquanid to function. Slowking and Porygon2, in particular, also learn Teleport, allowing Araquanid to get in without having to take damage, and they are also bulky enough to take on revenge killers when Trick Room runs out. Hatterene supports Araquanid by providing Healing Wish support and also prevents opposing entry hazards with Magic Bounce. Even though Araquanid can 2HKO Ferrothorn and Tangrowth, they can annoy it with Knock Off or switch in to scout its attack, respectively; as such, teammates that take care of them such as Victini and Buzzwole are recommended.

This set is often found in hyper offense teams that get advantage of the opposing Pokemon being affected by Sticky Web.

Moves Araquanid makes for a good setter of Sticky Web thanks to its good power and solid defensive attributes. Liquidation is a strong STAB move capable of easily 2HKOing common entry hazard removers such as Donphan and Sigilyph. Magic Coat is capable of bouncing back status moves that can disrupt Araquanid and its team, particularly Taunt. Mirror Coat is used in the last slot to take advantage of Araquanid's naturally good special bulk and to beat Mega Blastoise. Set Details Water Bubble boosts the power of Liquidation. Splash Plate complements this, giving Araquanid a significant offensive presence. An Adamant nature and maximum Attack investment increase Araquanid's damage output further still. Maximum Speed investment allows Araquanid to outspeed defensive Pokemon such as Porygon2 and Vaporeon. Once Sticky Web is up, it can also outspeed Florges. Usage Tips Sticky Web should be set when the foe switches out, the opponent's entry hazard remover has fainted, or the current matchup is generally in Araquanid's favor. The threat of Liquidation can also be used to pressure the opponent into giving Araquanid chances to set up Sticky Web. Unlike other setters of Sticky Web such as Ribombee and Galvantula, Araquanid can more easily set it up again if it had been removed earlier in the match thanks to its bulk. Said bulk also allows Araquanid can to switch into entry hazard removers in the tier such as Mega Blastoise and Donphan, and while Knock Off from the latter can do quite a bit of damage to Araquanid, it resists Earthquake and Ice Shard. Magic Coat is best utilized when you predict the opposing Pokemon will use a status move, particularly Stealth Rock from Pokemon like Registeel and Metagross, and Toxic from the likes of Mandibuzz. Mirror Coat is best utilized against special attackers such as Ribombee, Salazzle, and especially Mega Blastoise, which can be 2HKOed by its own reflected Dark Pulse. Team Options Slow but powerful wallbreakers such as Tyrantrum, Honchkrow, Bewear, and Machamp heavily benefit from the Speed drops that Sticky Web gives to the opponent's team. To make Rapid Spin usage a bit more difficult, spinblockers such as Mismagius can be utilized as partners to this Araquanid set. Similarly, Pokemon capable of handling common Defog users such as Passimian and Taunt users such as Honchkrow and Mismagius are good partners to this Araquanid set. Additional entry hazard setters such as Roserade and Metagross can complement both Araquanid and other teammates by giving them additional wallbreaking power. These two Pokemon also benefit a lot from Sticky Web.

Moves The combination of Substitute and Toxic allows Araquanid to effectively stall out common threats such as Slowbro, Mega Blastoise, and Mandibuzz. Liquidation serves as a strong STAB move backed by Araquanid's Water Bubble ability and is capable of hitting a wide range of Pokemon in the RU metagame neutrally. Leech Life is mainly used to hit Grass-types such as Shaymin, Tangela, and Mega Sceptile; the health recovery from the move is a bonus. Protect can be used over Leech Life to gain free Toxic damage and Leftovers recovery for a turn. However, this tends to leave Araquanid walled by Grass-types as a result. Set Details 68 EVs in Speed allow Araquanid to outspeed Pokemon with base 50 Speed such as Registeel and Donphan. Maximum Attack investment makes Araquanid hit as hard as possible. Leftovers offsets the health reduction Substitute provides over time, and 188 HP EVs allow it to regain more health from Leftovers. It also works well alongside Leech Life to provide additional healing capability. Usage Tips Use Substitute when you expect a bulky Pokemon such as Slowbro or Mandibuzz to come into play, and then use Toxic to attempt to outstall them. Araquanid's typing should be utilized for opportunities to switch in on Pokemon like Nidoqueen, Bronzong, and Mega Blastoise. Liquidation's higher power via Water Bubble and better coverage mean that it is usually the more reliable attacking move over Leech Life. When the Pokemon you are trying to outstall resists Liquidation, you should use Toxic instead to apply better pressure. If Protect is used in the last slot, use it when you expect the foe to break Araquanid's Substitute, or as a way to scout for potential moves that may threaten Araquanid. Team Options Offensive Pokemon such as Metagross, Machamp, and Houndoom appreciate Araquanid's ability to wear down bulky threats such as Slowbro and Mandibuzz. Cleaners such as Zygarde-10%, Salazzle, and Swellow can take advantage of Araquanid's ability to open holes in the opponent's team. More physically defensive Pokemon such as Rhyperior, Slowbro, and Forretress can help out with Araquanid's weakness to strong physical moves. Lastly, entry hazard removers such as Sigilyph, Donphan, and Tsareena help with Araquanid's vulnerability to Stealth Rock and Spikes, allowing it to set up more Substitutes throughout a match.

Moves Leech Life lets Araquanid act as a soft check to Pokemon like Latias and Hydreigon and regain some HP in the process. Lunge can be used over Leech Life as a Bug-type STAB move that prevents foes like Haxorus and Mega Altaria from setting up with Dragon Dance and punishes other physical attackers that try to switch in. However, the longevity Leech Life gives is generally much more valuable. Magic Coat is helpful to Araquanid when it's up against Pokemon that can reliably set up Stealth Rock on it or irritate it with Taunt or Toxic such as Swampert, Azelf, and Alomomola. Toxic can also be used over Magic Coat or even Leech Life because it's capable of bugging common Water-resistant Pokemon; however, most of them either can be muscled through with a STAB attack or rely on Toxic to beat Araquanid, making Magic Coat equally as efficient in that sense alone. Set Details Splash Plate heightens the absurd damage output Araquanid dishes out, increasing its ability to break opposing teams. This is often preferred over Focus Sash due to it being more effective in the long run, as Araquanid is not a suicide lead. However, Focus Sash can still be useful; even though Araquanid has decent bulk, Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl, Terrakion, and Zeraora can otherwise OHKO it with a STAB attack, which would prevent it from setting up Sticky Web. This can be more valuable than Splash Plate during times where you just need to reliably get Sticky Web onto the field, especially in lead scenarios. 108 EVs in Speed allow Araquanid to outpace Blissey and everything slower than it. Araquanid can also viably run Waterium Z if there is no other Z-Move user on the team for a 160-Base Power Water Bubble-enhanced Hydro Vortex. Usage Tips Araquanid should primarily be used to set Sticky Web and irritate opposing teams with Liquidation and Magic Coat. You should get Sticky Web on the field as early as you reliably can so that your team, including Araquanid, can take advantage of it throughout the match. Even though Araquanid has decent defenses, switch it in sparingly. While it does resist the STAB attacks of Cobalion, Mamoswine, and Lucario, recklessly switching into these Pokemon could, along with Stealth Rock, deal enough damage to Araquanid to leave it unable to set up Sticky Web later on in the match. However, you can use Araquanid to soft check these threats in emergency situations. While getting Sticky Web up early is important, Araquanid is durable enough and forces enough switches to set them up throughout the match reliably, so you should keep it healthy if you feel you won't be able to keep your hazards up and will need to set them again later to win. Araquanid is capable of beating a lot of the more passive Pokemon in the tier due to its high damage output, immunity to burns, and access to Magic Coat. Magic Coat should be used to bounce back status moves such as Taunt, Stealth Rock, and Toxic. Bouncing back the latter is especially important to beat other bulky Water-types such as Alomomola. Also keep in mind that while you can bounce Stealth Rock and other hazards back, you cannot keep them off the field due to Magic Coat having fewer PP. Araquanid can be used as a soft check to Latias and Hydreigon thanks to its access to Leech Life and its high Special Defense stat. As said before, switch it in sparingly, but be aware of these matchups because their immunity to Sticky Web could thus make Araquanid vital to the rest of the team's success. Early-game, especially after setting Sticky Web, Araquanid can spam Liquidation to put dents in the enemy team. Liquidation has an absurd damage output due to Araquanid's ability and can do decent chunks to the majority of tier, including Water-resistant switch-ins such as Empoleon, Tsareena, and Latias. Pressure the opponent's hazard removal as much as you can because keeping your hazards up is vital to the team's success more often than not. Team Options Araquanid only fits on offense teams that appreciate Sticky Web support, as its niche is setting Sticky Web. Wallbreakers with a mediocre Speed tier appreciate Sticky Web support; some examples of this are Chandelure, Swords Dance Haxorus, and Mega Blastoise. Sticky Web teams have several matchup problems by default, the main one being non-grounded Pokemon such as Latias, Hydreigon, and Mega Aerodactyl. A good way to pressure these Pokemon is with priority; specifically, Scizor and Mamoswine pressure each of these examples with Bullet Punch and Ice Shard, respectively. Stealth Rock support is very necessary to help chip the opposing team down, particularly to punish Flying-type Pokemon that can ignore Sticky Web for coming onto the field. Stealth Rock setters that fit well on Sticky Web offense include Nidoking, Terrakion, and the aforementioned Mamoswine. These examples fit well because of the offensive pressure they give off, which makes removing hazards against them very difficult and lets them take advantage of the Sticky Web themselves. Bisharp can be a nuisance to deal with for Sticky Web teams due to its access to Defiant and priority, giving it a free +2 Attack boost once it comes onto the field with Sticky Web up. Pokemon that can deal with Bisharp while taking advantage of Sticky Web such as Lucario, Cobalion, and Infernape are appreciated. Moltres specifically is really difficult to handle due to its STAB combination and defensive typing in conjunction with its immunity to Sticky Web. Pokemon that can help pressure Moltres in conjunction with Stealth Rock that appreciate Sticky Web support like Nihilego, Latias, Quick Attack Scizor, and Zeraora can make a nice fit. Offensive Ghost-types that can spinblock foes such as Starmie, Tsareena, and Tentacruel can help keep Sticky Web on the field. Decidueye, Gengar, and Doublade are good examples of this. However, all of these examples fail to reliably block Rapid Spin due to most spinners' ability to offensively pressure them, making this appreciated, but not a necessity. Similarly, Bisharp also works very well with Araquanid due to its ability to deter and punish Defog users with Defiant, and it can also take advantage of Sticky Web in its own right. Bisharp also can pressure non-grounded Pokemon such as Mega Aerodactyl, Latias, and Moltres with Sucker Punch. More niche options that can take advantage of Sticky Web such as Choice Band Mienshao and Choice Band Darmanitan can also work due to their subpar Speed stats and absurdly high damage output.

Alternate EV spread: 232 HP / 116 Atk / 160 SpD with a Careful Nature For full USUM 1v1 analyses, you can check out the USUM format page.

Liquidation is Araquanid's best physical Water-type STAB move, which gets even stronger with Water Bubble, allowing Araquanid to break through Pokemon such as Arcanine, Nihilego, and Alolan Marowak. It also provides an immensely strong Hydro Vortex, allowing Araquanid to break through bulky foes such as Gigalith and specially defensive Celesteela. Bug Bite is primarily used to steal opposing 50% recovery Berries from common users such as Snorlax, Alolan Muk, and Tapu Fini. Wide Guard allows Araquanid to block some of the common spread moves in the format such as Gigalith's Rock Slide, Tapu Lele's Dazzling Gleam, and Garchomp's Earthquake. Araquanid's naturally low Speed, a Brave nature, (AC) and 0 Speed IVs allow it to underspeed Alolan Marowak, protecting its common partners in Kartana and Metagross from being taken down in Trick Room. Araquanid's power lies within Water Bubble, so more often than not, it relies on Liquidation to do the majority of its damage. Bug Bite is best used when trying to take a Figy Berry or any of the other 50% recovery Berries off a common user such as Snorlax or Tapu Fini. Wide Guard effectively nullifies Garchomp, which tends to run Rock Slide and Earthquake, and blocks Gigalith's Rock Slide as well. Araquanid really appreciates Porygon2 as a partner, as it can set Trick Room for it and form a decent offensive pairing. Araquanid also loves Kartana as a partner due to its ability to break through Gigalith and Tapu Fini, as well as pairing nicely with Arcanine and Salamence that can take down opposing Kartana, which Araquanid hates facing.

Moves With its power doubled by Water Bubble, Liquidation is Araquanid's strongest and most spammable attack. Scald is a weaker Water-type STAB move with a 30% burn chance, which is helpful for pestering defensive threats that Araquanid can't break with Liquidation or Water-resistant targets such as those on Dragon- and Water-types. Leech Life is a Bug-type STAB move, useful against Psychic-types and bulky Water-resistant or -immune Pokemon such as Slowbro and Seismitoad, that can keep Araquanid healthy for checking threats. Mirror Coat is a useful tool for checking special attackers that are not threatened by Araquanid's other three attacks like Volcanion which also manages threats that can 2HKO Araquanid like Tapu Koko and Alolan Raichu. Set Details Maximum Attack EVs with an Adamant nature give Liquidation and Leech Life the most damage output possible. 68 Speed EVs allow Araquanid to outspeed key special walls such as Chansey and Alolan Muk, as well as Hippowdon and Azumarill after Sticky Web. The remaining EVs go into HP to improve Araquanid's bulk. Water Bubble doubles the damage dealt by Water-type attacks, halves the damage taken by Fire-type attacks, and grants an immunity to burns. Assault Vest bolsters Araquanid's Special Defense to make it as formidable of a special switch-in as possible. Usage Tips Use Araquanid as a switch-in and offensive check to special threats in the metagame such as Kingdra and Mega Charizard Y. Preserve Araquanid when faced with powerful Pokemon that can otherwise sweep the team, like Volcarona, Choice Scarf Victini, and Porygon-Z so that it can revenge kill them with Liquidation or Mirror Coat. Use Liquidation liberally, as it is Araquanid's strongest move; even when resisted, it is more powerful than Leech Life. Scald should be used to burn defensive threats that aren't threatened by Liquidation such as Skarmory and Toxapex. It can also be used to pester physical attackers such as Dragonite that are switching in to take advantage of Araquanid's poor Defense. Use Araquanid's immunity to burns to switch into Scald and absorb Will-O-Wisp from threats such as Mega Sableye. It is essential that entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, are kept off Araquanid's side of the field, as they compromise its ability to switch in on threats. Araquanid has mediocre Defense and should not risk taking unresisted physical attacks, even from defensive threats like Skarmory and Mandibuzz. Team Options Forretress and Armaldo are reliable Rapid Spin users that help keep Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes off the field so that Araquanid can operate effectively. Forretress's Steel typing offers a neutrality to the Rock- and Flying-type attacks that Araquanid struggles with, while Armaldo's Rock typing helps offensively deal with Flying-type threats that Araquanid can't manage like Zapdos. Scizor and Mega Scizor are both excellent partners for Araquanid, as their Steel typing covers Araquanid's Rock- and Flying-type weaknesses while Araquanid covers their 4x weakness to Fire-type moves. Scizor and Mega Scizor are able to force out threats like Nihilego and Mega Diancie with Technician-boosted Bullet Punch and can pivot with U-turn to create opportunities to bring Araquanid in safely. Galvantula acts as a strong offensive check for the Flying- and Water-types that Araquanid struggles with, such as Toxapex and Mantine, while offering valuable Sticky Web support to the team. Volcarona is a potent wincon that benefits from the holes Araquanid punches with its powerful STAB moves and its Fire- and Water-type resistances. Mega Pinsir benefits greatly as a sweeper from the damage dealt to defensive cores by Araquanid's powerful Water-type STAB moves, and it is especially effective against the bulky Water and Grass teams that Araquanid can't touch. Choice Scarf Heracross and Buzzwole are strong revenge killers and cleaners whose powerful STAB and coverage moves help dispatch of the Steel-, Grass-, and Rock-types that Araquanid can't easily manage. Buzzwole's Ice-type coverage is tremendously helpful in the Dragon- and Ground-type matchups, and Heracross can utilize Pursuit to take pressure off Araquanid to manage threats such as Heatran and Victini.

Moves Sticky Web supports Araquanid and its team by reducing the Speed of grounded Pokemon by one stage. Scald is a special Water-type STAB move with a relatively high burn chance that is helpful for pestering defensive threats that Araquanid can't break, such as Mega Venusaur and Toxapex, as well as physical attackers that threaten it. Toxic lets Araquanid put defensive walls that aren't threatened by Scald such as Mantine and Porygon2 on a timer. Mirror Coat helps Araquanid check dangerous special attackers it cannot threaten with Scald such as Tapu Koko and Porygon-Z. Set Details Maximum Special Defense EVs and a Calm nature give Araquanid the most special bulk possible to manage threats such as Mega Charizard Y, and the remaining EVs go into HP to further improve Araquanid's bulk. A Wacan Berry is used to let Araquanid stomach hits from powerful Electric-types such as Tapu Koko and Alolan Raichu and either KO them in return with Mirror Coat or set Sticky Web in a matchup where that would otherwise be impossible. Water Bubble doubles the damage dealt by Water-type attacks, halves the damage taken from Fire-type attacks, and grants an immunity to burns. Focus Sash is an option over Wacan Berry so that Araquanid can check more threats such as Mega Diancie and act as a suicide lead. Usage Tips Araquanid's first priority should be to set Sticky Web in any given matchup so that teammates like Mega Pinsir and Volcarona can sweep more easily; however, take care to keep Araquanid healthy when it is needed to check threats such as Volcarona or Alolan Raichu. Araquanid should also be used as a switch-in and offensive check to special threats in the metagame such as Mega Charizard Y. Use Scald liberally, as it is Araquanid's strongest move; even when resisted, it can burn defensive threats such as Ferrothorn and Toxapex. Use Araquanid's immunity to burns to absorb Scald or Will-O-Wisp from defensive threats such as Mantine and Mega Sableye. It is essential that entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, are kept off Araquanid's side of the field, as they compromise its ability to switch in on threats. Araquanid has mediocre Defense and should not risk taking unresisted physical attacks, even from defensive threats like Skarmory and Mandibuzz. Take care not to reveal Mirror Coat until the moment it is needed to check a threat such as Porygon-Z. Team Options As an offensive type, every Pokemon on Bug appreciates the Speed reduction dealt by Araquanid's Sticky Web. Forretress and Armaldo are Rapid Spin users that help keep Araquanid healthy and able to check threats consistently by keeping entry hazards off the field. Scizor and Mega Scizor both pair well with Araquanid, covering Araquanid's Rock- and Flying-type weaknesses, while Araquanid, in turn, covers their 4x weakness to Fire-type moves. Both are also able to check threats such as Nihilego with Bullet Punch and pivot into Araquanid with U-turn. Volcarona and Mega Pinsir are potent sweepers that benefit from Araquanid's Sticky Web support to outspeed key targets such as Choice Scarf Victini. Choice Scarf users like Heracross and Buzzwole are effective cleaners whose powerful STAB and coverage moves help check the Steel-, Grass-, and Rock-types that Araquanid can't manage.

Moves Liquidation is Araquanid's main form of damage output and benefits from Water Bubble and STAB, allowing Araquanid to hit Landorus-T and Incineroar fairly hard even after an Intimidate drop. Bug Bite helps to remove Berries from opposing Pokemon, most notably Amoonguss and Tapu Fini, and regain its HP at the same time. Sticky Web allows teammates to outspeed and check faster and somewhat frail offensive threats. Protect is always valuable and can help scout for opposing sets or moves. Wide Guard can be used as an alternative to Bug Bite or even Protect, helping improve the team's matchup against common Pokemon such as Zygarde and Mega Charizard that like to spam spread moves. Set Details The HP and Defense investments allows Araquanid to take Choice Scarf Tapu Bulu's Wood Hammer in Grassy Terrain. The remaining EVs are dumped into Attack, which lets Araquanid hit as hard as possible and 2HKO Incineroar or Landorus-T with Liquidation after an Intimidate Attack drop. Waterium Z over Figy Berry provides the additional power that Araquanid needs to OHKO Incineroar or Landorus-T even after an Intimidate, also offering a very strong attack for threats that would take neutral damage like Mew or Zygarde. A Brave nature is preferred on sets running Bug Bite to prevent confusion upon consuming a Wiki Berry; however, if Araquanid does not carry Bug Bite, an Adamant nature can be used instead, which allows Araquanid to outspeed faster Incineroar variants after Sticky Web. Wacan Berry is also another option that can be used with maximum HP investment and 48 Special Defense EVs; this enables Araquanid to take a Gigavolt Havoc from a Modest Tapu Koko under Electric Terrain or a Life Orb-boosted Fusion Bolt from Kyurem-B in Electric Terrain. Usage Tips Liquidation should be Araquanid's main form of damage output; Bug Bite should only be used for removing Berries from foes. Araquanid is usually brought out early-game or used as a lead to set up Sticky Web, helping the team gain momentum as the game progresses. It can also be brought in directly to sponge a Fire-type attack thanks to Water Bubble. That being said, it is fine to switch Araquanid in any time during the game to sponge special attacks thanks to its above average special bulk. Araquanid can also be pivoted in to check and force out opposing spread attackers with Wide Guard, most notably Choice Band Zygarde and Mega Charizard Y. Team Options Pokemon with awkward Speed tiers benefit from Sticky Web the most, such as Tapu Lele, Kyurem-B, Volcanion, and Landorus-T. Steel-types and other Pokemon weak to Fire or Ground such as Mega Metagross, Tapu Bulu, and Kartana benefit tremendously from Araquanid's Wide Guard support and offensive pressure protecting them from common super effective spread moves such as Thousand Arrows and Heat Wave, and also appreciate its Water coverage. Araquanid appreciates Ground-type partners such as Zygarde and Landorus-T that can force out opposing Electric-types to help prolong its longevity and let it set up Sticky Web successfully; Araquanid in turn can also support Zygarde and Landorus-T by protecting them from a potential Icy Wind with Wide Guard. Mega Charizard Y also makes a great partner for Araquanid thanks to Araquanid's ability to remove Landorus-T and Incineroar and shield Mega Charizard Y from opposing Diamond Storm and Rock Slide with Wide Guard, while Mega Charizard Y helps Araquanid remove bulky Grass-types such as Tapu Bulu and Amoonguss. However, it is worth noting that sun halves Liquidation's damage output, losing out on 2HKOs against Incineroar and Landorus-T, meaning careful positioning is important. Fake Out users such as Incineroar and Mew also help support Araquanid greatly, allowing Araquanid to set Sticky Web freely in the face of threats such as Tapu Koko. Zeraora stands out as another Fake Out user due to its ability to take on Electric-types and remove bulky Water-types that could otherwise sit on Araquanid freely.

Araquanid can give up the power boost of Choice Band so it can switch between using Liquidation and its coverage moves and make Mirror Coat a better option for taking out bulky special attackers. Waterium Z makes Liquidation extremely powerful, while Assault Vest takes advantage of Araquanid's good special bulk at the cost of being able to cripple defensive Pokemon with Toxic. Of special note, Araquanid is one of the bulkiest setters of Sticky Web around, though it's not reliant on using it either.

Water Bubble makes Araquanid's Choice Band-boosted Liquidation extremely powerful. Thus, Araquanid should be using Liquidation most of the time, with the other moves being situational filler; however, note that any Pokemon that resists Water-type attacks will easily deal with Araquanid.