[OVERVIEW]
Araquanid's ability Water Bubble combined with its decent Special Defense make it a unique Tank. In addition, Water Bubble prevents Araquanid from being burned, which is a huge boon for a physical attacker. Said Special Defense also lets Araquanid switch into Choice Specs Zoroark and KO it with Liquidation. However, Araquanid is weak to Stealth Rock and faces competition from several better and faster Water-type wallbreakers such as Feraligatr. Araquanid also has mediocre HP and a subpar Defense stat, making it easy for physical attackers to overwhelm. Finally, Araquanid's shallow movepool gives it barely any options to make use of.
[SET]
name: Bulky Attacker
move 1: Liquidation
move 2: Leech Life
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Infestation
item: Splash Plate / Waterium Z
ability: Water Bubble
nature: Adamant
evs: 184 HP / 252 Atk / 72 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Liquidation is boosted by Water Bubble and becomes a 170-Base Power move, making it extremely spammable. Leech Life is boosted by STAB and recovers HP, making it somewhat reliable recovery depending on the foe you attack. However, keep in mind that a neutral Leech Life does less than a resisted Liquidation, so only use Leech Life against Grass-Types and anything immune to Water-type attacks. Toxic allows Araquanid to cripple defensive threats like Mantine and Seismitoad, which otherwise wall this set. It also is the best way to beat Jellicent if you are running Protect. Infestation traps and damages Araquanid's checks, and when stacked with Toxic, allows Araquanid to defeat them.
Set Details
========
Leftovers is run to maximize Araquanid's longevity. The EVs maximize Araquanid's bulk and offensive capability, and 72 Speed EVs are used to outspeed base 50 Speed Pokemon. Choice Band is another option to take down certain threats that are neutral to Liquidation, like Durant and Heracross. 68 HP / 252 Atk / 188 Spe EVs can be run to outspeed and 2HKO Umbreon with Liquidation. Splash Plate is the main choice for an item that boosts Araquanid's best move, while allowing it to freely use Toxic. If there are no Z move users on your team, Waterium Z can be used to, as the immediate boost in power to its Water STABs enables it to KO Snorlax and Umbreon after Stealth Rock damage.
Usage Tips
========
If Liquidation does neutral damage, click it. It's about as powerful as certain Z-moves and can be used multiple times. If something that does resist Water is on the opposing team, click Toxic. You'll catch opposing switch-ins that are trying to check Araquanid off guard, especially defensive ones. Make sure that hazards are off the field, as they can really hamper Araquanid's longevity, especially if you don't run Leftovers. You should also try to keep Araquanid off the field if the sun is up, as sun reduces the power of Liquidation. Araquanid is best switched in when it can do neutral damage to everything left on the opposing team. This is because thanks to Water Bubble, almost all neutral hits will 2HKO.
Team Options
========
Hazard removers make sure Araquanid doesn't have to deal with Stealth Rock. Gligar is your best option, as it is extremely bulky with Eviolite and can remove hazards with Defog. Gligar pairs really well with Araquanid, as Araquanid resists Gligar's two weaknesses. It is also immune to Electric-type moves, allowing you to pivot to Gligar straight from Araquanid. Donphan is an alternative if you run Spikes on your team, as Earthquake deals with Electric- and Rock-types and it can run Stone Edge to deal with Flying-types, all of which threaten Araquanid. Espeon is another option, as it can bounce back hazards if it switches in while they're being set.
Electric- and Grass-types like Galvantula, Dhelmise, or Roserade are crucial to Araquanid's success, as they handle Mantine and Seismitoad respectively. Galvantula is a special case, as it can handle both Mantine and Seismitoad so long as it carries Energy Ball. Dhelmise provides some nice role compression, as it gets Rapid Spin, helping with the hazards Araquanid hates. Roserade gets a special mention here too, as it can put things to sleep with Sleep Powder, use Hidden Power Fire and thus can deal with bulky Steel-types, and also run a defensive set that sets Spikes.
Trick Room setters, like Porygon2, Bronzong, and Reuniclus, give Araquanid a chance to sweep, given its horrible speed. Porygon2 in particularis extremely hard to stop from setting Trick Room since it is so bulky with Eviolite. Bronzong has the best defensive typing out of the three and also sets up Stealth Rock on the other side of the field. Reuniclus can hold its own in Trick Room and can do more than just support Araquanid, so even if Araquanid goesdown, Reuniclus is still useful.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A RestTalk could be run to maximize longevity and handle Roserade, but Araquanid's horrible Speed means it will likely be KOed before it could Rest to heal up when it would help the most. Scald could be run in place of Protect to cripple physical threats if you burn them, but Mantine is much better in this role, as it is bulkier and has more reliable recovery. Assault Vest with Mirror Coat seems attractive, as Assault Vest maximizes Araquanid's Special Defense and deals with special attackers like Hoopa, but Assault Vest hinders the physical power compared to Choice Band of Araquanid and leaves Araquanid open to being forced out by bulky Water-types like Mantine, since Araquanid can't run Toxic to cripple them. For a defensive item, you are much better off running Leftovers. It gives Araquanid passive recovery and the option to use Protect to maximize recovery, and allows Araquanid to cripple defensive walls with Toxic.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types give Araquanid a lot of trouble defensively, as Araquanid does not have a good enough Special Attack stat to reliably run Hidden Power. Seismitoad, Mantine, and Jellicent give Araquanid an especially hard time, as they are immune to Liquidation. They also can easily either PP stall it out or KO it eventually, as the other attacking moves Araquanid runs can't really do much barring Crunch on Jellicent. Seismitoad may be neutral to Leech Life, but it doesn't do anything tangible to Seismitoad. Mantine is arguably the best defensive counter of these three as it resists Leech Life, is immune to Liquidation, and also has reliable recovery. Jellicent also resists Leech Life but is weak to Crunch, so it isn't as good as Mantine. Slowbro is another bulky Water-type to choose from, but it is not immune to Liquidation and is weak to the other two offensive moves Araquanid runs. However, one thing to note is that all of these Pokemon are threatened by Toxic.
**Residual Damage**: Araquanid is weak to Stealth Rock, hurting its longevity and reducing the amount of times it can switch in. Setters include Bronzong, Registeel, and Seismitoad. Toxic puts a timer on Araquanid, limiting its sweeping potential. Prominent users include Registeel, Bronzong and Pyukumuku. Pyukumuku is tough in particular as it resists Liquidation, Araquanid's best move.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Araquanid usually does not have the chance to invest in Defense and has no boosting moves to raise it, leaving it vulnerable to powerful physical attackers. Examples include Heracross, Bruxish, and Durant. Guts Heracross outspeeds and 2HKOes with Facade while Araquanid has about a 6% chance to OHKO with Liquidation without Choice Band. Bruxish outspeeds and OHKOes at +2 with Psychic Fangs, but is vulnerable to Leech Life while setting up. Durant outspeeds and has about a one in three chance of OHKOing Araquanid with Rock Slide, and Durant lives a Liquidation if Araquanid is running Leftovers.
Araquanid's ability Water Bubble combined with its decent Special Defense make it a unique Tank. In addition, Water Bubble prevents Araquanid from being burned, which is a huge boon for a physical attacker. Said Special Defense also lets Araquanid switch into Choice Specs Zoroark and KO it with Liquidation. However, Araquanid is weak to Stealth Rock and faces competition from several better and faster Water-type wallbreakers such as Feraligatr. Araquanid also has mediocre HP and a subpar Defense stat, making it easy for physical attackers to overwhelm. Finally, Araquanid's shallow movepool gives it barely any options to make use of.
[SET]
name: Bulky Attacker
move 1: Liquidation
move 2: Leech Life
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Infestation
item: Splash Plate / Waterium Z
ability: Water Bubble
nature: Adamant
evs: 184 HP / 252 Atk / 72 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Liquidation is boosted by Water Bubble and becomes a 170-Base Power move, making it extremely spammable. Leech Life is boosted by STAB and recovers HP, making it somewhat reliable recovery depending on the foe you attack. However, keep in mind that a neutral Leech Life does less than a resisted Liquidation, so only use Leech Life against Grass-Types and anything immune to Water-type attacks. Toxic allows Araquanid to cripple defensive threats like Mantine and Seismitoad, which otherwise wall this set. It also is the best way to beat Jellicent if you are running Protect. Infestation traps and damages Araquanid's checks, and when stacked with Toxic, allows Araquanid to defeat them.
Set Details
========
Leftovers is run to maximize Araquanid's longevity. The EVs maximize Araquanid's bulk and offensive capability, and 72 Speed EVs are used to outspeed base 50 Speed Pokemon. Choice Band is another option to take down certain threats that are neutral to Liquidation, like Durant and Heracross. 68 HP / 252 Atk / 188 Spe EVs can be run to outspeed and 2HKO Umbreon with Liquidation. Splash Plate is the main choice for an item that boosts Araquanid's best move, while allowing it to freely use Toxic. If there are no Z move users on your team, Waterium Z can be used to, as the immediate boost in power to its Water STABs enables it to KO Snorlax and Umbreon after Stealth Rock damage.
Usage Tips
========
If Liquidation does neutral damage, click it. It's about as powerful as certain Z-moves and can be used multiple times. If something that does resist Water is on the opposing team, click Toxic. You'll catch opposing switch-ins that are trying to check Araquanid off guard, especially defensive ones. Make sure that hazards are off the field, as they can really hamper Araquanid's longevity, especially if you don't run Leftovers. You should also try to keep Araquanid off the field if the sun is up, as sun reduces the power of Liquidation. Araquanid is best switched in when it can do neutral damage to everything left on the opposing team. This is because thanks to Water Bubble, almost all neutral hits will 2HKO.
Team Options
========
Hazard removers make sure Araquanid doesn't have to deal with Stealth Rock. Gligar is your best option, as it is extremely bulky with Eviolite and can remove hazards with Defog. Gligar pairs really well with Araquanid, as Araquanid resists Gligar's two weaknesses. It is also immune to Electric-type moves, allowing you to pivot to Gligar straight from Araquanid. Donphan is an alternative if you run Spikes on your team, as Earthquake deals with Electric- and Rock-types and it can run Stone Edge to deal with Flying-types, all of which threaten Araquanid. Espeon is another option, as it can bounce back hazards if it switches in while they're being set.
Electric- and Grass-types like Galvantula, Dhelmise, or Roserade are crucial to Araquanid's success, as they handle Mantine and Seismitoad respectively. Galvantula is a special case, as it can handle both Mantine and Seismitoad so long as it carries Energy Ball. Dhelmise provides some nice role compression, as it gets Rapid Spin, helping with the hazards Araquanid hates. Roserade gets a special mention here too, as it can put things to sleep with Sleep Powder, use Hidden Power Fire and thus can deal with bulky Steel-types, and also run a defensive set that sets Spikes.
Trick Room setters, like Porygon2, Bronzong, and Reuniclus, give Araquanid a chance to sweep, given its horrible speed. Porygon2 in particularis extremely hard to stop from setting Trick Room since it is so bulky with Eviolite. Bronzong has the best defensive typing out of the three and also sets up Stealth Rock on the other side of the field. Reuniclus can hold its own in Trick Room and can do more than just support Araquanid, so even if Araquanid goesdown, Reuniclus is still useful.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A RestTalk could be run to maximize longevity and handle Roserade, but Araquanid's horrible Speed means it will likely be KOed before it could Rest to heal up when it would help the most. Scald could be run in place of Protect to cripple physical threats if you burn them, but Mantine is much better in this role, as it is bulkier and has more reliable recovery. Assault Vest with Mirror Coat seems attractive, as Assault Vest maximizes Araquanid's Special Defense and deals with special attackers like Hoopa, but Assault Vest hinders the physical power compared to Choice Band of Araquanid and leaves Araquanid open to being forced out by bulky Water-types like Mantine, since Araquanid can't run Toxic to cripple them. For a defensive item, you are much better off running Leftovers. It gives Araquanid passive recovery and the option to use Protect to maximize recovery, and allows Araquanid to cripple defensive walls with Toxic.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types give Araquanid a lot of trouble defensively, as Araquanid does not have a good enough Special Attack stat to reliably run Hidden Power. Seismitoad, Mantine, and Jellicent give Araquanid an especially hard time, as they are immune to Liquidation. They also can easily either PP stall it out or KO it eventually, as the other attacking moves Araquanid runs can't really do much barring Crunch on Jellicent. Seismitoad may be neutral to Leech Life, but it doesn't do anything tangible to Seismitoad. Mantine is arguably the best defensive counter of these three as it resists Leech Life, is immune to Liquidation, and also has reliable recovery. Jellicent also resists Leech Life but is weak to Crunch, so it isn't as good as Mantine. Slowbro is another bulky Water-type to choose from, but it is not immune to Liquidation and is weak to the other two offensive moves Araquanid runs. However, one thing to note is that all of these Pokemon are threatened by Toxic.
**Residual Damage**: Araquanid is weak to Stealth Rock, hurting its longevity and reducing the amount of times it can switch in. Setters include Bronzong, Registeel, and Seismitoad. Toxic puts a timer on Araquanid, limiting its sweeping potential. Prominent users include Registeel, Bronzong and Pyukumuku. Pyukumuku is tough in particular as it resists Liquidation, Araquanid's best move.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Araquanid usually does not have the chance to invest in Defense and has no boosting moves to raise it, leaving it vulnerable to powerful physical attackers. Examples include Heracross, Bruxish, and Durant. Guts Heracross outspeeds and 2HKOes with Facade while Araquanid has about a 6% chance to OHKO with Liquidation without Choice Band. Bruxish outspeeds and OHKOes at +2 with Psychic Fangs, but is vulnerable to Leech Life while setting up. Durant outspeeds and has about a one in three chance of OHKOing Araquanid with Rock Slide, and Durant lives a Liquidation if Araquanid is running Leftovers.
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