Give 'em the Caaaaaack.
[OVERVIEW]
Cacturne is a powerful mixed attacker with access to multiple boosting moves and priority in the form of Sucker Punch. Water Absorb gives it opportunities to switch in against bulky Water-types such as Lanturn, Quagsire, and Prinplup, and an immunity to Scald in particular is amazing. Cacturne also sports resistances to many common priority moves in NU, such as Sucker Punch and Aqua Jet. Its access to Spikes, Water Absorb, and Counter makes it a very effective Spikes lead on hyper offense. However, its low Speed makes it rather easy to revenge kill, and makes it difficult to outright sweep teams due to its over-reliance on Sucker Punch. It's also very frail due to its poor defensive typing and lackluster bulk. Sadly, Cacturne has no access to a reliable physical Dark-type STAB move as has neither Crunch nor Knock Off, which makes it harder to pull off a Swords Dance set effectively.
[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Spikes / Destiny Bond
item: Life Orb
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Rash
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Giga Drain gives Cacturne a way to recover health lost from entry hazards and Life Orb while offering it a powerful Grass-type attack. Dark Pulse is a secondary STAB option and is very useful for nailing NU's bulky Psychic-types such as Uxie, Mesprit, Xatu, and Musharna. Sucker Punch is a very useful form of priority, nailing frail faster Pokemon such as Archeops, Swellow, and Magmortor. Spikes is great in the last slot, as it allows Cacturne to work as an offensive Spikes setter by using Spikes on a predicted switch to a check or counter such as Mega Audino, Mawile, or Hariyama. Destiny Bond is another option in the last slot, as it allows Cacturne to take care of slower Pokemon that normally beat it such as Hariyama and Mega Audino. Substitute is also an option, as it allows Cacturne to take full advantage of the many switches it forces against slower walls. Sucker Punch is also fantastic from behind a Substitute, as the opponent is forced to break it.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment allows Cacturne to hit as hard as possible with its most reliable STAB moves. The investment allows 2HKOs on physical walls that are likely to switch in expecting a physical attacking set, such as Vileplume and Gourgeist. Water Absorb grants Cacturne free opportunities to switch in to most Water-types in the tier, such as Mantine, Lanturn, Prinplup, and Quagsire. Life Orb is used to maximize Cacturne's damage output. Leftovers aren't that useful as Cacturne is frail to begin with, and Cacturne gets enough recovery from Giga Drain anyway.
Usage Tips
========
Dark Pulse is the most spammable move on this set, as it will often surprise opponents whose first reaction is to switch in a physical wall. Dark-type attacks are also very difficult to switch into in NU due to the lack of defensive Fairy-, Fighting-, and Dark-types. Cacturne is most effective during the middle of the game, as it can break down bulky Pokemon on the opponent's team, allowing for an easier sweep late-game by a teammate. Destiny Bond is a great way to lure in and dispose of Hariyama, which can open up a door for a teammate to sweep. Spikes is best used early on, as they rack up more damage throughout the battle. While Cacturne can typically switch into most Water-types, it still needs to be wary because most of them carry a coverage or status move that would cripple Cacturne.
Team Options
==========
Most opponents will expect a physically offensive Swords Dance Cacturne, which makes this specially offensive set very effective at luring in and getting damage off on physically defensive Grass-type and Flying-type Pokemon. Teammates that appreciate these Pokemon worn down include Sawk, Hariyama, Malamar, and Kecleon. Teammates that can switch into the Fighting-type attacks that force out Cacturne are greatly appreciated. Gourgiest, Togetic, and defensive Rotom-S are all viable options. Bulky Pokemon that resist Bug are also useful to switch into the U-turns that force Cacturne out. Sneasel and Tauros appreciate the wallbreaking and Spikes that Cacturne provides, as both are quite fast and can easily clean up weakened teams late-game.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Seed Bomb
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Drain Punch
item: Life Orb
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance is used to boost Cacturne's already impressive Attack to frightening levels to help facilitate a potential sweep. Seed Bomb is the most reliable physical STAB attack Cacturne has, as it isn't reliant on what move the opponent goes for, unlike Sucker Punch. Sucker Punch hits faster Pokemon very hard, especially at +2, making it very difficult to revenge kill Cacturne with frail Pokemon such as Magmortor, Archeops, and Swellow. Drain Punch provides useful coverage for Pokemon such as Probopass, Klinklang, and Ferroseed, which would otherwise wall Cacturne. Drain Punch also has the added benefit of recovering HP while attacking. Dropping Drain Punch for Substitute is an option, as it lets Cacturne not only evade status but also force opponents to walk directly into Sucker Punches. Substitute also provides a nice buffer against faster foes, and it's Cacturne's best way to take advantage of opponents who switch predicting a Seed Bomb, as Sucker Punch won't work on the switch.
Set Details
========
An Adamant nature adds a very noticeable boost in power, and because Cacturne is very reliant on Sucker Punch it's the preferred nature to go with. Maximum investment in Attack and Speed is used to boost Cacturne's offensive prowess. Life Orb is used for its noticeable boost in power; however, if Substitute is used over Drain Punch, Leftovers can be used, as residual damage adds up very quickly, and without Drain Punch Cacturne has no way to recover health.
Usage Tips
========
Don't try to set up with Cacturne early-game or if the opponent still has a faster check such as Sawk or Sneasel, as Cacturne should be saved for late-game when everything is either slower than it or is knocked out by a Sucker Punch. Switching in on defensive Water-types, such as Lanturn, Quagsire, and Prinplup, is the most reliable setup opportunity, as Cacturne can generally Swords Dance as the opponent switches out.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard support helps Cacturne a lot. Sticky Web allows for an easier sweep that's less reliant on Sucker Punch, while Spikes and Stealth Rock help Cacturne claim KOs it wouldn't otherwise get, such as unboosted Sucker Punch KOing Archeops after Stealth Rock. Pairing Cacturne with Pokemon that lure out and weaken potential stops are appreciated. Pokemon such as Natural Gift Leafeon, Ice Punch Gurdurr or Sawk, and Scyther can weaken bulky Grass-types throughout the game, making it much easier for Cacturne to sweep later on.
[SET]
name: Spikes Lead
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Counter
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Seed Bomb / Encore
item: Focus Sash
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spikes quickly wears down grounded Pokemon on the opposing team. Counter allows Cacturne to claim a quick KO against physical attackers that will try to attack Cacturne in an attempt to limit the number of Spikes it sets up, such as Scyther and Sawk. Sucker Punch allows Cacturne to get off one last attack versus faster foes, dealing severe damage to many frail Pokemon. It also prevents Cryogonal from using Rapid Spin or Freeze-Dry on Cacturne. Seed Bomb gives Cacturne an attacking move that isn't reliant on what the opponent goes for, and it also allows Cacturne to 2HKO opposing lead Archeops. Seed Bomb allows Cacturne to take on Rhydon, which is a common Stealth Rock lead, and prevent Prinplup from Defogging for free. It also gives Cacturne a way to deal with defensive Water-types, which Cacturne can take on thanks to Water Absorb. Encore can be used to lock an opposing lead into an unfavourable move, and it also works nicely with Counter. If the opposing Pokemon attempts to set up to avoid Counter, Cacturne can simply Encore them into that move and set up even more Spikes.
Set Details
========
Focus Sash guarantees Cacturne will always be able to get off one attack versus faster Pokemon. It also allows Cacturne to make better use of Counter. Maximum Speed investment gives Cacturne the best chance at setting up as many Spikes as possible, while maximum Attack investment allows Seed Bomb and Sucker Punch to hurt the opponent's team.
Usage Tips
========
Lead with Cacturne and try to set up as many layers of Spikes as you can. If the opponent has a lead Uxie, it's often best to use Encore to limit the number of things it can set up. If the opponent has a lead Archeops, it's best to 2HKO it with Seed Bomb. If the opponent sends out a Sandslash or Cryogonal, it's often better to KO them than to attempt to spinblock. Go for Counter against opposing lead Scyther, as they will most likely go for U-turn and it will grant Cacturne a free KO.
Team Options
========
Hyper offensive teams appreciate the entry hazard support, so pairing Cacturne with offensive Pokemon is the best way to go. Examples include Mesprit, Sawk, Tauros, Scyther, Rotom, Lilligant, and Samurott. Pawniard can be used alongside Cacturne as a way to discourage opponents from going for Defog and removing the entry hazards. Ghost-types such as Rotom and Mismagius are great partners as they can block Rapid Spin from opposing Pokemon trying to remove the entry hazards.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Poison Jab is a decent option for the mixed set, as it hits Togetic and Mega Audino super hard, both of which Cacturne otherwise couldn't touch. Focus Punch can be used along with Substitute as a way to take advantage of the switches Cacturne forces; however, it's much less useful than Drain Punch on most sets. Encore can be used on the Swords Dance set, as it forces switches and grants free Swords Dances; however, Substitute is generally a better way to take advantage of free switches. A Nasty Plot set can also work, but it's outclassed by other Nasty Plot users in the tier such as Mismagius and Chatot due to Cacturne's low Speed and lack of any special priority moves. Spiky Shield is a cool option to punish physical attackers such as Scyther and Sawk, as neither appreciates having any prior damage on them. Thunder Punch can be used on the Swords Dance set as a way to hit Flying-types such as Pelipper, Fletchinder, Swellow, Scyther, and Xatu on the switch.
Checks & Counters
=============
**Fairy-types**: Togetic can come in versus any set without Poison Jab and threaten to 2HKO with Dazzling Gleam. Granbull also does an effective job of tanking any hit from the Swords Dance set; however, it must watch out for Giga Drain from the mixed set. Mawile can also switch into any attack from the Swords Dance set but is 2HKOed by Dark Pulse from the mixed set. It's a full counter to the Swords Dance set and a soft check to the mixed set, as it can be 2HKOed by Dark Pulse.
**Poison-types**: Bulky Poison-types such as Weezing, Vileplume, and Garbodor can switch in with ease against the Swords Dance set and threaten out Cacturne with their STAB attacks; however, they must be wary of Dark Pulse from the mixed set, as they all get cleanly 2HKOed.
**Fighting-types**: Bulkier Fighting-types such as Gurdurr can switch in and KO with Mach Punch or even take a hit from Cacturne and KO with Drain Punch. Hariyama also takes on the mixed set with ease, but crumbles to the Swords Dance set.
**Faster Pokemon that Resist Dark**: Faster Pokemon such as Sneasel and Sawk can survive even a boosted Sucker Punch and KO with their STAB attacks. With Eviolite, Sneasel can switch into the mixed set with relative ease.
**Priority Users**: Pokemon such as Sneasel, Fletchinder, Kangaskhan, and Zangoose can bypass Cacturne's Sucker Punch with their own priority and can OHKO it with their STAB moves. Other priority users such as Gurdurr and Piloswine can force Cacturne to use Sucker Punch to avoid a stronger hit from a Grass-type attack.
[OVERVIEW]
Cacturne is a powerful mixed attacker with access to multiple boosting moves and priority in the form of Sucker Punch. Water Absorb gives it opportunities to switch in against bulky Water-types such as Lanturn, Quagsire, and Prinplup, and an immunity to Scald in particular is amazing. Cacturne also sports resistances to many common priority moves in NU, such as Sucker Punch and Aqua Jet. Its access to Spikes, Water Absorb, and Counter makes it a very effective Spikes lead on hyper offense. However, its low Speed makes it rather easy to revenge kill, and makes it difficult to outright sweep teams due to its over-reliance on Sucker Punch. It's also very frail due to its poor defensive typing and lackluster bulk. Sadly, Cacturne has no access to a reliable physical Dark-type STAB move as has neither Crunch nor Knock Off, which makes it harder to pull off a Swords Dance set effectively.
[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Spikes / Destiny Bond
item: Life Orb
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Rash
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Giga Drain gives Cacturne a way to recover health lost from entry hazards and Life Orb while offering it a powerful Grass-type attack. Dark Pulse is a secondary STAB option and is very useful for nailing NU's bulky Psychic-types such as Uxie, Mesprit, Xatu, and Musharna. Sucker Punch is a very useful form of priority, nailing frail faster Pokemon such as Archeops, Swellow, and Magmortor. Spikes is great in the last slot, as it allows Cacturne to work as an offensive Spikes setter by using Spikes on a predicted switch to a check or counter such as Mega Audino, Mawile, or Hariyama. Destiny Bond is another option in the last slot, as it allows Cacturne to take care of slower Pokemon that normally beat it such as Hariyama and Mega Audino. Substitute is also an option, as it allows Cacturne to take full advantage of the many switches it forces against slower walls. Sucker Punch is also fantastic from behind a Substitute, as the opponent is forced to break it.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment allows Cacturne to hit as hard as possible with its most reliable STAB moves. The investment allows 2HKOs on physical walls that are likely to switch in expecting a physical attacking set, such as Vileplume and Gourgeist. Water Absorb grants Cacturne free opportunities to switch in to most Water-types in the tier, such as Mantine, Lanturn, Prinplup, and Quagsire. Life Orb is used to maximize Cacturne's damage output. Leftovers aren't that useful as Cacturne is frail to begin with, and Cacturne gets enough recovery from Giga Drain anyway.
Usage Tips
========
Dark Pulse is the most spammable move on this set, as it will often surprise opponents whose first reaction is to switch in a physical wall. Dark-type attacks are also very difficult to switch into in NU due to the lack of defensive Fairy-, Fighting-, and Dark-types. Cacturne is most effective during the middle of the game, as it can break down bulky Pokemon on the opponent's team, allowing for an easier sweep late-game by a teammate. Destiny Bond is a great way to lure in and dispose of Hariyama, which can open up a door for a teammate to sweep. Spikes is best used early on, as they rack up more damage throughout the battle. While Cacturne can typically switch into most Water-types, it still needs to be wary because most of them carry a coverage or status move that would cripple Cacturne.
Team Options
==========
Most opponents will expect a physically offensive Swords Dance Cacturne, which makes this specially offensive set very effective at luring in and getting damage off on physically defensive Grass-type and Flying-type Pokemon. Teammates that appreciate these Pokemon worn down include Sawk, Hariyama, Malamar, and Kecleon. Teammates that can switch into the Fighting-type attacks that force out Cacturne are greatly appreciated. Gourgiest, Togetic, and defensive Rotom-S are all viable options. Bulky Pokemon that resist Bug are also useful to switch into the U-turns that force Cacturne out. Sneasel and Tauros appreciate the wallbreaking and Spikes that Cacturne provides, as both are quite fast and can easily clean up weakened teams late-game.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Seed Bomb
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Drain Punch
item: Life Orb
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance is used to boost Cacturne's already impressive Attack to frightening levels to help facilitate a potential sweep. Seed Bomb is the most reliable physical STAB attack Cacturne has, as it isn't reliant on what move the opponent goes for, unlike Sucker Punch. Sucker Punch hits faster Pokemon very hard, especially at +2, making it very difficult to revenge kill Cacturne with frail Pokemon such as Magmortor, Archeops, and Swellow. Drain Punch provides useful coverage for Pokemon such as Probopass, Klinklang, and Ferroseed, which would otherwise wall Cacturne. Drain Punch also has the added benefit of recovering HP while attacking. Dropping Drain Punch for Substitute is an option, as it lets Cacturne not only evade status but also force opponents to walk directly into Sucker Punches. Substitute also provides a nice buffer against faster foes, and it's Cacturne's best way to take advantage of opponents who switch predicting a Seed Bomb, as Sucker Punch won't work on the switch.
Set Details
========
An Adamant nature adds a very noticeable boost in power, and because Cacturne is very reliant on Sucker Punch it's the preferred nature to go with. Maximum investment in Attack and Speed is used to boost Cacturne's offensive prowess. Life Orb is used for its noticeable boost in power; however, if Substitute is used over Drain Punch, Leftovers can be used, as residual damage adds up very quickly, and without Drain Punch Cacturne has no way to recover health.
Usage Tips
========
Don't try to set up with Cacturne early-game or if the opponent still has a faster check such as Sawk or Sneasel, as Cacturne should be saved for late-game when everything is either slower than it or is knocked out by a Sucker Punch. Switching in on defensive Water-types, such as Lanturn, Quagsire, and Prinplup, is the most reliable setup opportunity, as Cacturne can generally Swords Dance as the opponent switches out.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard support helps Cacturne a lot. Sticky Web allows for an easier sweep that's less reliant on Sucker Punch, while Spikes and Stealth Rock help Cacturne claim KOs it wouldn't otherwise get, such as unboosted Sucker Punch KOing Archeops after Stealth Rock. Pairing Cacturne with Pokemon that lure out and weaken potential stops are appreciated. Pokemon such as Natural Gift Leafeon, Ice Punch Gurdurr or Sawk, and Scyther can weaken bulky Grass-types throughout the game, making it much easier for Cacturne to sweep later on.
[SET]
name: Spikes Lead
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Counter
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Seed Bomb / Encore
item: Focus Sash
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spikes quickly wears down grounded Pokemon on the opposing team. Counter allows Cacturne to claim a quick KO against physical attackers that will try to attack Cacturne in an attempt to limit the number of Spikes it sets up, such as Scyther and Sawk. Sucker Punch allows Cacturne to get off one last attack versus faster foes, dealing severe damage to many frail Pokemon. It also prevents Cryogonal from using Rapid Spin or Freeze-Dry on Cacturne. Seed Bomb gives Cacturne an attacking move that isn't reliant on what the opponent goes for, and it also allows Cacturne to 2HKO opposing lead Archeops. Seed Bomb allows Cacturne to take on Rhydon, which is a common Stealth Rock lead, and prevent Prinplup from Defogging for free. It also gives Cacturne a way to deal with defensive Water-types, which Cacturne can take on thanks to Water Absorb. Encore can be used to lock an opposing lead into an unfavourable move, and it also works nicely with Counter. If the opposing Pokemon attempts to set up to avoid Counter, Cacturne can simply Encore them into that move and set up even more Spikes.
Set Details
========
Focus Sash guarantees Cacturne will always be able to get off one attack versus faster Pokemon. It also allows Cacturne to make better use of Counter. Maximum Speed investment gives Cacturne the best chance at setting up as many Spikes as possible, while maximum Attack investment allows Seed Bomb and Sucker Punch to hurt the opponent's team.
Usage Tips
========
Lead with Cacturne and try to set up as many layers of Spikes as you can. If the opponent has a lead Uxie, it's often best to use Encore to limit the number of things it can set up. If the opponent has a lead Archeops, it's best to 2HKO it with Seed Bomb. If the opponent sends out a Sandslash or Cryogonal, it's often better to KO them than to attempt to spinblock. Go for Counter against opposing lead Scyther, as they will most likely go for U-turn and it will grant Cacturne a free KO.
Team Options
========
Hyper offensive teams appreciate the entry hazard support, so pairing Cacturne with offensive Pokemon is the best way to go. Examples include Mesprit, Sawk, Tauros, Scyther, Rotom, Lilligant, and Samurott. Pawniard can be used alongside Cacturne as a way to discourage opponents from going for Defog and removing the entry hazards. Ghost-types such as Rotom and Mismagius are great partners as they can block Rapid Spin from opposing Pokemon trying to remove the entry hazards.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Poison Jab is a decent option for the mixed set, as it hits Togetic and Mega Audino super hard, both of which Cacturne otherwise couldn't touch. Focus Punch can be used along with Substitute as a way to take advantage of the switches Cacturne forces; however, it's much less useful than Drain Punch on most sets. Encore can be used on the Swords Dance set, as it forces switches and grants free Swords Dances; however, Substitute is generally a better way to take advantage of free switches. A Nasty Plot set can also work, but it's outclassed by other Nasty Plot users in the tier such as Mismagius and Chatot due to Cacturne's low Speed and lack of any special priority moves. Spiky Shield is a cool option to punish physical attackers such as Scyther and Sawk, as neither appreciates having any prior damage on them. Thunder Punch can be used on the Swords Dance set as a way to hit Flying-types such as Pelipper, Fletchinder, Swellow, Scyther, and Xatu on the switch.
Checks & Counters
=============
**Fairy-types**: Togetic can come in versus any set without Poison Jab and threaten to 2HKO with Dazzling Gleam. Granbull also does an effective job of tanking any hit from the Swords Dance set; however, it must watch out for Giga Drain from the mixed set. Mawile can also switch into any attack from the Swords Dance set but is 2HKOed by Dark Pulse from the mixed set. It's a full counter to the Swords Dance set and a soft check to the mixed set, as it can be 2HKOed by Dark Pulse.
**Poison-types**: Bulky Poison-types such as Weezing, Vileplume, and Garbodor can switch in with ease against the Swords Dance set and threaten out Cacturne with their STAB attacks; however, they must be wary of Dark Pulse from the mixed set, as they all get cleanly 2HKOed.
**Fighting-types**: Bulkier Fighting-types such as Gurdurr can switch in and KO with Mach Punch or even take a hit from Cacturne and KO with Drain Punch. Hariyama also takes on the mixed set with ease, but crumbles to the Swords Dance set.
**Faster Pokemon that Resist Dark**: Faster Pokemon such as Sneasel and Sawk can survive even a boosted Sucker Punch and KO with their STAB attacks. With Eviolite, Sneasel can switch into the mixed set with relative ease.
**Priority Users**: Pokemon such as Sneasel, Fletchinder, Kangaskhan, and Zangoose can bypass Cacturne's Sucker Punch with their own priority and can OHKO it with their STAB moves. Other priority users such as Gurdurr and Piloswine can force Cacturne to use Sucker Punch to avoid a stronger hit from a Grass-type attack.
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