Surprised how this set doesn't already exist
Gen 9 National Dex Sticky Webs Suicide Lead
Araquanid @ Custap Berry
Ability: Water Bubble
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Sticky Web
- Liquidation
- Endure
- Toxic
This set basically takes advantage of Araquanid's good natural bulk and deceptive strength with Liquidation along with Webs. Endure and Custap Berry basically allows a "second wind" from Araquanid, since it doesn't really need Sash to live most common hits, even able to tank a hit from Specs Tapu Koko. For example, if you preserve a low health Araquanid during the midgame, you can set Webs back up nigh guaranteed with Custap Berry even if the opponent removed the first setup. Toxic in the last slot allows Araquanid to prevent setup sweepers from sitting on it, and again, Custap + Toxic allows for an almost guaranteed Toxic on any given problematic setup sweeper. Maximum Special Defense gives Araquanid leeway against strong Thunderbolt spammers like Tapu Koko and Raging Bolt.
The most glaring issue of this set is opposing Magic Bounce Pokemon. Hatterene is barely being used right now, but Mega Diancie is being used quite a bit for being both strong and having the option to be a suicide lead (while acting as great low ladder bait.) Even though Araquanid technically can 1v1 attacking Mega Diancie thanks to Endure and Custap, it's only a matter of prediction for the Diancie to switch out on the priority Liquidation and switch back in to deny Webs. This isn't even mentioning the suicide lead Substitute Endeavor sets that, if they choose to run Diamond Storm as their only attacking move, ruin Araquanid. Additionally, Araquanid does basically nothing against opposing Steels, bar Heatran and Iron Treads. Doing nothing against Corviknight is fine, but allowing Kingambit to grab a free Swords Dance on the switch is genuinely horrible. Finally, Mega Tyranitar serves to end Araquanid's Endure antics with Sand Stream, as a Stone Edge plus Sand Stream chip KOs Araquanid through Endure.
With this in mind, Great Tusk is a great (pun not intended) teammate for Araquanid. Tusk doesn't resolve the Diancie issue, but we'll get to that later. Tusk's main role on Araquanid Webs is to scare away Kingambit and Mega Tyranitar while being a threat itself with Booster Energy boosting Attack. The existence of Webs allows Tusk to outspeed ChatGPT clone Iron Valiant, turning it's Booster Energy from boosting Speed to boosting its offensive stat. Using Rapid Spin, Great Tusk basically outspeeds the entire metagame with just one boost, barring Scarf Landorus-T. With Bulk Up, Great Tusk effectively gains Dragon Dance and can use its Defense boost to basically snowball out of control. Another great teammate is Gholdengo, for obvious reasons. Finally, Pokemon able to threaten common hazard removal options are also great teammates. Calm Mind Raging Bolt both appreciates the support from Webs and nukes basically every Defogger in the tier, and Mega Pinsir packing Close Combat nails all three Rapid Spinners while packing Swords Dance to boot.
