Tentacruel @
Choice Specs
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Sludge Wave / Sludge Bomb
- Ice Beam
- Giga Drain / Hydro Pump
Scald is preferred over Hydro Pump in the first slot as it often gets the job done without the fear of missing. Sludge Bomb & Sludge Wave are interchangeable as the difference in power is nihil, solely trading a 30% chance to poison for hitting Bulletproof Chesnaught. Sludge Bomb's secondary effect is far handier in general, but Chesnaught's a common Pokémon hence warranting Sludge Wave over Sludge Bomb.
Ice Beam offers you a way to destroy Salamence, Tyrantrum and Honchkrow in a single hit, but only if they don't outspeed and destroy you first. Same goes for Haxorus, but here Ice Beam only OHKO's 75% of the time. It leaves Yanmega, Noivern & Tornadus beaten without a chance to OHKO you back, but the genie requires Stealth Rock in place to seal the deal. Crobat is heavily maimed by this attack, but can destroy Tentacruel with Brave Bird or stall out Ice beam with Roost hence making it a moot point. Dragalge & Toxicroak are also cleanly 2HKO'd but only if you can catch them on the switch, for they will obliterate you if they get a chance to retaliate. Ice beam will be your best attack against Chesnaught if you forgo Sludge Wave, though it will always fail to OHKO any set. Last notable targets are defensive Roserade & Amoonguss, but both ought to tackled with care as they can easily put Tentacruel to sleep.
The last slot is a toss-up between Hydro Pump & Giga Drain. Hydro Pump allows Tentacruel to muscle through bulkier Pokémon or OHKO a few more offensive targets if you fail to lay down Stealth Rocks or Spikes. The chance to miss is infuriating though. Giga Drain offers Tentacruel longevity while muscling through Water Pokémon, allowing it to utterly crush Water/Ground types or recover off the damage inflicted by opposing Scalds and their accompaning burns.
The ability Clear Body offers the most utility, denying Sticky Web or Moonblast from lowering your stats.
A Modest nature offers more damage, but forces Tentacruel to sacrifice its niche 100 base speed tier against moderately speedy offensive Pokémon (Roserade, Hydreigon, Kyurem,...) thus undesirable.
Notable calculations (2HKOs only vs foes that cannot OHKO Tentacruel back):
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 36 SpD
Feraligatr: 178-211 (
57.2 - 67.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (Only effective against Sword Dance Feraligatr, as Dragon Dance Feraligatr will outspeed & demolish you after a single boost)
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD
Hydreigon: 174-205 (
53.5 - 63%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD
Cobalion: 186-219 (
57.4 - 67.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD
Entei: 360-426 (
97 - 114.8%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 24+ SpD
Florges: 198-234 (
55 - 65%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD
Krookodile: 380-450 (
114.8 - 135.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD
Mamoswine: 428-506 (
118.5 - 140.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Bomb vs. 76 HP / 0 SpD Mega Abomasnow: 306-362 (
90 - 106.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD
Chandelure: 308-366 (
118 - 140.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs. 240 HP / 16 SpD Eviolite
Doublade: 160-190 (
50.1 - 59.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD
Heracross: 166-196 (
55.1 - 65.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (Tentacruel must avoid Knock Off to guarantee this kill)
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Ice Beam vs. 240 HP / 0 SpD
Mandibuzz: 222-262 (
52.7 - 62.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (PHYSICALLY DEFENSIVE Mandibuzz, Tentacruel has no chance against its Specially defensive cousin but figured it was worth mentioning albeit niche)
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs.
40 HP / 0 SpD
Nidoqueen: 324-384 (
97.8 - 116%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD
Shaymin: 318-374 (
93.2 - 109.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD
Forretress: 213-252 (
60.1 - 71.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Bomb vs. 56 HP / 0 SpD
Kyurem: 174-205 (
42.9 - 50.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD
Rotom-C: 300-354 (
124.4 - 146.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Bomb vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD
Slurpuff: 404-476 (
132 - 155.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD
Tangrowth: 548-648 (
135.6 - 160.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD
Toxicroak: 150-177 (
48.8 - 57.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock (Only effective if Toxicroak is caught on the switch. +2 Sucker Punch or an attack followed up by Sucker Punch eliminates Tentacruel)
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD
Tyrantrum: 326-384 (
106.8 - 125.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD
Arcanine: 342-404 (
106.5 - 125.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs.
248 HP / 0 SpD
Arcanine: 342-404 (
89.2 - 105.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Wave vs.
252 HP / 4 SpD
Chesnaught: 422-500 (
111 - 131.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Wave vs. 252 HP /
252+ SpD Chesnaught: 290-344 (
76.3 - 90.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD
Darmanitan: 456-536 (
129.9 - 152.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Eviolite
Gligar: 400-472 (
120.1 - 141.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD
Haxorus: 282-334 (
96.2 - 113.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD
Moltres: 324-384 (
100.9 - 119.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD
Nidoking: 402-474 (
132.6 - 156.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Ice Beam vs. 240 HP /
252+ SpD Roserade: 148-176 (
46.1 - 54.8%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs.
248 HP / 0 SpD
Rotom-H: 270-318 (
89.1 - 104.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD
Rotom-H: 266-314 (
110.3 - 130.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD
Mega Sceptile: 362-428 (
128.8 - 152.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO (Tentacruel must avoid Earthquake on Jolly variants, as it can KO 44% of the time)
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD
Tornadus: 254-300 (
84.9 - 100.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Bomb vs. 232 HP / 24 SpD
Alomomola: 285-336 (
53.8 - 63.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD
Aromatisse: 350-414 (
86.2 - 101.9%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD
Honchkrow: 356-420 (
104.3 - 123.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD
Mega Houndoom: 308-366 (
105.8 - 125.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO (Even better when you catch it Mega-evolving, for then you'll outspeed it too)
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs. 248 HP / 244 SpD Solid Rock
Rhyperior: 480-570 (
110.8 - 131.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD
Sharpedo: 361-426 (
128.4 - 151.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD
Amoonguss: 254-300 (
58.7 - 69.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD
Donphan: 428-506 (
111.4 - 131.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO (Prior damage is needed to break Sturdy)
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD
Fletchinder: 476-564 (
145.5 - 172.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD
Granbull: 482-570 (
125.5 - 148.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD
Kingdra: 166-196 (
57 - 67.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (Only Dragon Dance variants can boost & destroy Tentacruel)
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD
Cloyster: 297-351 (
123.2 - 145.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD
Gourgeist-Super: 202-238 (
54 - 63.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery (Ice Beam does this better, but I found it worth mentioning since you'll be locking yourself into a single move with Choice Specs)
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD
Shuckle: 134-162 (
55.1 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD
Smeargle: 295-348 (
93.9 - 110.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Sludge Bomb vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite
Togetic: 150-176 (
47.9 - 56.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Scald vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD
Weezing: 190-225 (
56.8 - 67.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Ice Beam vs. 252 HP /
252+ SpD Xatu: 192-226 (
57.4 - 67.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Hydro Pump or Giga Drain?
Hydro Pump:
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega
Beedrill: 234-276 (
86.3 - 101.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD
Mienshao: 292-345 (
107.7 - 127.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO (Tentacruel must avoid Knock Off to guarantee this kill)
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Hydro Pump vs.
248 HP / 0 SpD
Nidoqueen: 446-528 (
116.4 - 137.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 240 SpD
Mega Aggron: 180-213 (
52.3 - 61.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD
Lucario: 259-306 (
92.1 - 108.8%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD
Venomoth: 246-289 (
87.5 - 102.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Hydro Pump vs.
248 HP / 0 SpD
Arcanine: 468-552 (
122.1 - 144.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO (Scald only has 37,5% chance to OHKO)
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Eviolite
Gligar: 366-432 (
109.9 - 129.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO (Ice Beam does the better without the chance to miss, but I found it worth mentioning since you'll be locking yourself into a single move with Choice Specs)
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Hydro Pump vs.
248 HP / 0 SpD
Rotom-H: 368-434 (
121.4 - 143.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD
Mega Absol: 292-345 (
107.7 - 127.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO (only relevant if you can catch Absol mega-evolving, else you'll be outsped and mauled)
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Hydro Pump vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD
Magneton: 261-307 (
107.8 - 126.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Hydro Pump vs. 172 HP / 0 SpD
Assault Vest Donphan: 392-464 (
107.6 - 127.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO (Prior damage is needed to break Sturdy)
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 200 SpD
Mega Steelix: 332-392 (
93.7 - 110.7%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD
Cofagrigus: 186-220 (
58.1 - 68.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD
Shuckle: 186-218 (
76.5 - 89.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD
Spiritomb: 183-216 (
60.1 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Giga Drain:
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD
Mega Swampert: 328-388 (
96.1 - 113.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD
Mega Sharpedo: 252-298 (
89.6 - 106%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Giga Drain vs. 184 HP / 0 SpD
Mega Blastoise: 158-186 (
45.7 - 53.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Giga Drain vs.
56 HP / 0 SpD
Mega Blastoise: 158-186 (
50.4 - 59.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Giga Drain vs.
240 HP / 0 SpD
Swampert: 388-460 (
96.7 - 114.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD
Jellicent: 170-202 (
42 - 50%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Giga Drain vs. 200 HP / 56 SpD
Seismitoad: 420-496 (
104.7 - 123.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Giga Drain vs.
252 HP / 0 SpD
Blastoise: 170-202 (
46.9 - 55.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Giga Drain vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD
Milotic: 146-172 (
37.1 - 43.7%) -- 99.5% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD
Poliwrath: 192-228 (
50 - 59.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Tentacruel
Giga Drain vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD
Quagsire: 500-592 (
126.9 - 150.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Partners:
Wish support and Pokémon that can remove paralysis. Tentacruel can still sponge weak special attacks, even with no investment. This way, Wish support can keep it fresh while it trades blows with dedicated Walls. Pokémon that benefit from wallbreakers such as Hydreigon, Nidoking, etc... removed. Pokémon that can tackle Psychic types. A simple Umbreon comes to mind:
Umbreon @ Leftovers
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Wish
- Foul Play
- Heal Bell
Notable counters:
Reuniclus: Reuniclus is bulky enough to withstand Tentacruel's power and can easily set up in its face or annihilate your jellyfish with STAB Psychic-attacks. It must be cautious of switching into Hydro Pump though, as this attack is a guaranteed 2HKO on 252hp Reuniclus.
Suicune: Suicune can sponge any & all hits Choice Specs Tentacruel musters, boosting past it with Calm Mind or shedding damage & status with Rest.
Choiced Porygon-Z: Choice Specs blasts Tentacruel out of the water in a single hit, while Choice Scarf outspeeds and 2HKO your jellyfish before you can do so. None-choiced sets can be dealt with approriately, lacked either the power or speed to deal with Tentacruel before it crushes Porygon-Z.
Qwilfish & Tentacruel: Boasting the same typing allows them to resist all your attacks, swinging the momentum into your foe's favour.
Faster Pokémon or paralysis: Choice Specs Tentacruel's niche is having enough speed to catch Pokémon off-guard. Remove said advantage and you're left with an easily disposed of Pokémon. Mega-Aerodactyl, Salamence to which you lose the speed-tie, Crobat, Choice Scarf Krookodile, Azelf, Infernape Iron Fist Thunderpunch (or Earthquake I suppose?), Choice Scarf Darmanitan, Heliolisk, Mega-Absol, Dugtrio, Espeon,...
Loss of Choice Specs: If Choice Specs is removed via Trick, Knock Off,... this set loses all relevance. It must be stressed that this set cannot function without its item. Mega-Absol, Azelf, Zoroark, Hitmonlee, Mienshao, Choice Scarf Rotom-A,... can all boast this feat.
Dedicated special walls or bulky Pokémon with strong physical attacks: Tentacruel fails to damage any dedicated special walls aside from annoying these with burns or poison aliments. Mega-Ampharos, Milotic, Cresselia, Empoleon, Specially defensive Mandibuzz, Porygon2, Slowking, Snorlax, Machamp, Bronzong, Blissey, Escavalier, Hoopa-bound, Meloetta, Pangoro, Vaporeon, offensive Virizion, Drapion, Durant, Glalie, Goodra, Mismagius, Registeel,... come to mind.
TL;DR: Choice Specs Tentacruel destroys <100 base speed offensive Pokémon + Walls it can hit super effectively. It gets owned by most things faster or Walls it can't hit super effectively.
Replays:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-273464392
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-273466734
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-277840390
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-277841825