Tentacool Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Hydro Pump is Tentacool's strongest STAB move, with even neutral hits dealing a decent amount of damage. Sludge Bomb is a secondary STAB attack that can hit Grass-types and occasionally poison the foe. Knock Off can be used to weaken opposing Pokemon. Hidden Power Fire hits Ferroseed, which completely walls Tentacool otherwise. However, Rapid Spin is also an option, as it can provide utility to Tentacool's team and be used on a switch. Acid Spray is also an option to force a switch, as at -2 Special Defense, almost any Pokemon is at mercy to Tentacool's STAB attacks, but usually simply using one of Tentacool's main STAB moves is better. Set Details 196 Special Attack EVs let Tentacool's STAB moves hit as hard as they need to, while the defensive investment allows Tentacool to take a few more hits. Its Speed is maximized, hitting a great Speed tier of 17 for an offensive Pokemon. A Life Orb allows Tentacool to deal as much damage as possible and bolster its poor, unboosted Special Attack stat. If you want Tentacool to survive longer and have more opportunities to switch in, you can run Eviolite, but its offensive presence is very weak without a Life Orb. Clear Body allows Tentacool to be undeterred by opposing Sticky Web teams. 19 HP IVs let Tentacool take only 1 HP of damage from Life Orb recoil every turn. Usage Tips Tentacool can act as a decent lure, bluffing a utility set to catch an opposing Pokemon with a powerful attack on the switch. However, its poor physical bulk leaves it vulnerable to the many physical attackers the metagame has to offer, so don't switch it directly in. Be careful getting KOs when a Diglett is on the other team, as Tentacool is completely trapped by it. Team Options Pursuit trappers, like Pawniard and Alolan Grimer, can take out Psychic-types like Abra. Snivy and Pumpkaboo-S can deal with Ground-types. Entry hazard setters like Onix and Ferroseed can get chip damage on the opposing team via Stealth Rock or Spikes, allowing Tentacool to clean up more easily. Pokemon that can deal with Croagunk and Ferroseed, two of Tentacool's biggest checks, are very helpful for obvious reasons. Mudbray and Diglett can handle Croagunk, while Ponyta and Timburr can take on Ferroseed. Knock Off support from Pawniard or Mienfoo is also very helpful, letting Tentacool do even more damage to Pokemon without their Eviolite.

Moves Rapid Spin allows Tentacool to clear entry hazards, increasing the longevity of itself and its teammates. Knock Off removes Eviolites from the opposing team, helping Tentacool's team further. Toxic Spikes can alternatively be used to poison foes, putting pressure on the opponent and punishing switches. Scald lets Tentacool attack Fire-, Ground-, and Rock-types super effectively and carries a nifty burn chance to cripple physical attackers. Sludge Bomb is Tentacool's secondary STAB move, which can be used to hit Grass- and Fairy-types. Set Details Full defensive investment and a Calm nature maximize Tentacool's bulk, letting it take moves like Drain Punch and Leaf Storm. Berry Juice gives Tentacool some form of recovery, prolonging its longevity, while Eviolite lets it come in on Knock Off users more easily. Liquid Ooze allows it to switch in and punish draining-move users like Timburr, Pumpkaboo-XL, and Foongus, harming them when they use Drain Punch or Giga Drain. Usage Tips Tentacool can be switched into neutral special attacks relatively easily, letting it use Rapid Spin freely. It can also switch into draining moves like Drain Punch. However, while it has the bulk to take a few hits, it still gets worn down quite easily, so try to preserve Tentacool and its Berry Juice. Knock Off should be used if you predict a spinblocker to switch in, as these are all Ghost-types. Team Options Pokemon that need Stealth Rock removed, such as Ponyta and Vullaby, can be used, as they appreciate Tentacool's utility. Physical walls like Mudbray and Ferroseed can tank physical hits that would otherwise heavily damage Tentacool. Wish support from Spritzee can improve Tentacool's longevity. Grass-types like Snivy and Pumpkaboo-S can deal with Ground-types that give Tentacool trouble, while Alolan Grimer can take on Psychic-types. Alolan Grimer is especially helpful, since it can Pursuit trap the Ghost-types that block Rapid Spin. Pawniard can perform this job as well. Ferroseed forms a strong defensive core with Tentacool: the two can layer Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes, tank physical and special hits, and handle the other's checks.

Moves Hydro Pump is Tentacool's primary STAB move, and it allows for surprise 2HKOs on Pokemon that switch in on an expected Scald, such as Porygon, which offensive Tentacool has a good chance to KO with a Life Orb-boosted Hydro Pump after Stealth Rock damage. Sludge Bomb is Tentacool's secondary STAB move, allowing it to hit Fairy-types super effectively and is the main advantage this Tentacool set has over Staryu. Knock Off lets Tentacool hit Pokemon on the switch and remove their item, making it easier for the rest of the team to deal with them, or else putting them in range of a KO from Tentacool's own moves. In the last slot, Acid Spray can be used to weaken a switch-in, effectively doubling Tentacool's damage output or else forcing a foe out into a more favorable matchup. Rapid Spin can be used to support the team by removing hazards, and when used in tandem with Knock Off, can lure in and cripple spin-blockers; however, this set does not make Tentacool a reliable entry hazard remover, as it gets worn down quickly. Giga Drain allows Tentacool to deal respectable damage to Chinchou and other bulky Water-types like Corphish. Set Details With 196 Speed EVs, Tentacool reaches a respectable 17 Speed stat, which lets it Speed tie with many of the most relevant Pokemon in the metagame, as well as solidly outspeed every Fairy-type in LC bar the rare maximum Speed Cottonee. 196 Special Attack EVs, coupled with Life Orb, let Tentacool hit as hard as possible. The rest of the EVs are invested into Defense and Special Defense to give Tentacool more longevity. Clear Body is run to prevent Tentacool's stats from being lowered, meaning it has an immunity to Sticky Web, which gives Tentacool a niche as the only spinner in LC with this immunity. Liquid Ooze can also be run to punish Drain Punch and Giga Drain users, but offensive Tentacool does not possess the bulk to take many of these hits anyway. 19 HP IVs are run to lower Tentacool's HP to 19, preventing it from taking more than 1 HP damage in recoil every time it takes recoil damage from Life Orb. Usage Tips Offensive Tentacool primarily functions as a lure, bringing in Pokemon that expect to take no damage from Rapid Spin or low damage from the defensive set, and hitting them hard with a Life Orb-boosted attack. Tentacool has extremely good coverage with just its STAB moves, so it has an easy time taking advantage of them early-game. Avoid switching Tentacool in on physical attacks, as it has very poor physical bulk. Be cautious when playing against trappers, though, as both Diglett and Gothita trap Tentacool and remove it from play easily. Team Options Tentacool appreciates support from Pursuit trappers such as Stunky and Pawniard, which can trap and remove troublesome Psychic-types from play (though both of these Pokemon exacerbate Tentacool's Ground weakness). Pokemon that appreciate having the Pokemon that Tentacool tends to lure, specifically Ghost-types and bulky Water-types, eliminated are good partners, such as Choice Scarf Mienfoo, which also appreciates having Tentacool remove Fairy-types. If Rapid Spin is run, Pokemon that dislike entry hazards are good partners for Tentacool. Ponyta and Larvesta both fall into this category, and both can sponge some of the physical hits Tentacool hates, as well as synergize with it offensively. If Acid Spray is run, Pokemon that can set hazards are good partners because of the switches Acid Spray forces. Lastly, Snivy and Pumpkaboo-XL are both good partners because they deal with Diglett. Snivy can use Glare to paralyze faster Pokemon, helping Tentacool do more damage, and Pumpkaboo-XL can burn the physical attackers Tentacool hates.

Moves Access to notable moves such as Rapid Spin and Knock Off gives Tentacool the opportunity to function as an acceptable defensive support Pokemon. Being able to use the coveted Rapid Spin is one of Tentacool's big draws, as removing entry hazards from your side of the field while retaining entry hazards on the opponent's is quite useful. Sludge Bomb and Scald act as reliable STAB moves for Tentacool, and each carries a bonus chance to status the enemy with poison or burn, respectively. Knock Off hits much of the item-reliant LC metagame hard thanks to its Base Power being buffed to 65 this generation. However, Toxic Spikes is another rare move that Tentacool can boast access to, and it can be used in the last slot instead if deemed necessary. Set Details Tentacool is best used by taking advantage of its phenomenal special bulk, and the EVs and nature are designed to do so. The remaining EVs should be put in defense in an effort to make Tentacool an overall better wall and Speed to boost Tentacool to a respectable 14 Speed. A Bold nature with a physically defensive spread can be used instead, but Tentacool will still have trouble taking powerful physical hits due to its naturally low Defense. Berry Juice is the preferred item because otherwise Tentacool lacks any form of recovery whatsoever, which is not ideal for a defensive Pokemon. Liquid Ooze is the recommended ability because it can help turn the tables on Pokemon that use draining moves such as Leech Seed or Giga Drain in certain situations. Usage Tips Despite its numerous resistances, Tentacool's lack of consistent recovery and physical bulk means that it should be switched in with caution. With that being said, Tentacool is best saved for mid-game when you want to change the tide of the battle by getting rid of entry hazards or knocking off an opponent's item. Despite Tentacool's low base Special Attack, Sludge Bomb's high Base Power allows Tentacool to actually deal a fair bit of damage, so with Tentacool's acceptable coverage and decent Speed, it can attempt to weaken slower teams. Team Options Pokemon that can take advantage of a clear field, such as Ponyta and Fletchling, are primary candidates for teammates. Larvesta in particular decimates Psychic-types with U-turn while Tentacool resists Larvesta's Water weakness. Good physical tanks work well by making up for Tentacool's weaker Defense. Slowpoke can take on the Fire-types and Fighting-types that Tentacool couldn't hope to wall. To further increase Tentacool's longevity, Wish support is also appreciated, especially from the likes of Spritzee, as Tentacool can switch in on the Steel-, Poison-, and Fire-type moves aimed at it. Chinchou is able to keep Tentacool free of status with Heal Bell and absorb the Electric-type attacks aimed at Tentacool. Tentacool synergizes well with other Knock Off users by forcing a large portion of the enemy team to forgo their items.

Tentacool is one of the fastest users of Rapid Spin, and it has a nice defensive typing that leaves it with only three weaknesses. It is also one of the bulkiest Rapid Spinners in Little Cup, and can be considered to be Pineco's special counterpart. Tentacool also gets Toxic Spikes, and with its Speed and bulk, will most likely be able to get two layers down before it gets KOed. Surf is a powerful and reliable STAB attack that gets fair neutral coverage and does a decent amount of damage, even without maximum investment. The last move is very situational, and should be chosen by what the rest of the team would most appreciate. Sludge Bomb gives Tentacool a decent secondary STAB attack, which pairs well coverage-wise with Surf. However, Hidden Power Ground smacks Croagunk, a Pokemon that would easily wall this setfor super effective damage. Sweepers that enjoy having Stealth Rock removed do well alongside Tentacool. Houndour loves not losing HP on the switch, and Tentacool can take a Fighting-type attack or two for Houndour. Since Croagunk beats this set unless Hidden Power Ground is being run, Bronzor is a good teammate. Not only can Bronzor beat Croagunk without breaking a sweat, but it also can set up Stealth Rock. Gligar is one of the best teammates to pair with Tentacool, as it is immune to two of Tentacool's weaknesses (Electric and Ground). Spinblockers are also good teammates so Toxic Spikes can stay on the field for as long as possible. Duskull is a good candidate for the role and can spread burn via Will-O-Wisp to those immune to Toxic Spikes. Knock Off is another option that can remove an important item (like Munchlax's Oran Berry) and reduce the potency of those Pokemon. The Bold nature and EVs attempt to remedy Tentacool's lousy Defense. There is no investment in Tentacool's Special Defense since it's already naturally high.

Hydro Pump consistently 2HKOes Rapidash, Flareon, and Pineco and does noteworthy damage to Delibird, Weezing, and Magnemite. Surf, while significantly weaker, has much better accuracy and PP, making it potentially worthwhile if using a stall team. Sludge Bomb can spread chip damage with poison and, if it lands on Pineco or Porygon, can cripple them. Rapid Spin lets Tentacool sit forever in front of Pineco and clear its Spikes, and it can significantly delay or prevent Delibird from setting Spikes. Tentacool can also serve as a team's Thief absorber against Delibird, blocking it from stealing Leftovers from a different Pokemon. Protect can improve Tentacool's longevity by allowing it to grab Leftovers healing every time it hits the field. Tentacool can instead use Screech, which occasionally lets Tentacool win endgames where it would otherwise lose, such as against Octillery or Dewgong. Screech can also help a team position by making it easier for a teammate to force out the foe that switches into Tentacool and, if using Spikes alongside Tentacool, can spread chip damage onto the opposing team. Tentacool is the best pure Rapid Spin user in the tier, being immune to Toxic, faster than Pineco, and taking little from its Giga Drain or Hidden Power Water and Delibird's Ice Beam. Tentacool struggles heavily with dealing damage and lacks a resistance to Normal or Electric, making it often difficult to justify over Rapid Spin Graveler, but on highly defensive teams with an alternate check to Normal-types like Rhyhorn, Curse Hitmontop, or Shuckle, Tentacool can prove to be a potent roadblock to Spikes-reliant threats like Xatu and Rapidash. Tentacool works best on Shuckle stall or bulky teams that eschew Spikes and are anchored by either the core of Weezing and Dewgong or that of Gloom and a Fire-type like Ninetales or Rapidash. Tentacool appreciates their ability to account for its many weaknesses like Stantler and Primeape and bolsters the team's ability to handle Spikes offense.