Strider and Spider

 

 

 

 

Did you know that the Surskit and Dewpider lines were counterparts? I sure as heck didn't until I started researching for this post. Both unevolved and evolved forms share the same base stat totals, and in the Sun and Moon games they are both found in the same locations, though at different times of day. After Game Freak decided that these two species should be rivals, they took a look at Masquerain's absolutely trash tier stats and gave it the biggest generational boost that they've ever made so it could at least look Araquanid in the eye. Pretty wild that they were so down to make this natural competition a thing. Of course, while Araquanid makes fantastic use of its stats and abilities to hold its own in the lower tiers of competitive formats, Masquerain has Intimidate? In this post we'll see what makes Araquanid so awesome and how we can make it even better and what Masquerain needs to get close to that level.

On paper, it seems that Araquanid is pretty lackluster offensively with only base 70 Attack. But factoring in its Water Bubble ability, it is hitting like a truck with any of its Water moves and far outpacing Masquerain even with the latter's 100 base offense. While Masquerain can boost up with the incredible Quiver Dance, Araquanid has the advantage of hitting exceptionally hard right out of the gate. Of course, relying on its ability means that its non-Water moves are substantially weaker, so Masquerain gets a slight edge in coverage moves.

Defensively, Araquanid also runs away with the competition. With its low base offenses, it has plenty of stat points to throw around and boasts a stellar 132 Sp. Defense and good 92 Defense. It is held back a bit by only 68 base HP, but it can still take plenty of punishment from any Sp. Attackers. Masquerain, with only 70/62/82 defenses is entirely dependent on Intimidate and Quiver Dance to take hits. Intimidate being one of the best abilities in the game for Double Battles certainly helps, boosting not only Masquerain's survivability but its partner's too. At least its not hitting the field with only 60 speed anymore with those defensive stats, sweet geeze Masquerain was bad in Gen 3.

For Bugmerald, we're going to be boosting both of these mons stats to 489 total to better survive in this harsh world. Araquanid has it pretty easy, just a bit of HP and Attack to help it survive longer and hit harder. Masquerain on the other hand, needs a lot of adjustment. I've spread out its stats across every relevant stat except Attack. It needs enough Defense to take some hits in conjunction with Intimidate, enough Speed to start out-speeding foes after a Quiver Dance, and Sp. Defense that can take at least a little punishment before a boost comes out. One thing's for sure, at least, and that is Masquerain can deal some damage on the Sp. Attack side a lot faster than Araquanid can, whether or not it has a chance to boost.

Abilities

What do you get the kids that have everything? Obviously we are keeping the primary abilities Water Bubble and Intimidate with all their ridiculous power. But just for fun, let's see if we can throw in something actually worth using for secondary options. Araquanid will replace Water Absorb, which is doing a whole lot of nothing, with Hospitality, restoring ally HP by 25% whenever it enters the battle. In the Pokedex, Araquanid is actually just a big sweetheart and looks out for any weak Pokemon that might need help and tending to them. It's easy to think its allies can get a quick refreshing sip from Araquanid's water bubble, just like Sinistcha is offering up tea. It also uses its water bubble to keep injured or helpless Pokemon safe and protect them. Of course, if those Pokemon can't breathe water they end up drowning. WHOOPS. Hey, Araquanid's heart is in the right place. 

For Masquerain, I want to do something fun that ties directly into its Pokedex entries. Surskit is clearly based on a water strider, and while Masquerain looks like it spends all its time in the air it has some concept art that shows it can use its wings just like legs to stride along the surface of the water too. Add in the Pokedex lore that Masquerain gets too heavy to fly in the rain, and all the ingredients are there for an unnecessarily complicated weather-based ability. 

Waterlogged: Speed is doubled in harsh sunlight, speed is halved in Rain but evasiveness is sharply increased.

Masquerain is incredibly mobile with its four wings that allow it to quickly veer in any direction, but when it rains it gets too heavy and can't fly anymore. However, all the extra water around lets it use its water-strider abilities to flit around and dodge attacks. In sunlight when the moisture is dried up, Masquerain can make full use of its four wings and it gets a speed boost as a result.This will let the player choose to take the exceptionally powerful Intimidate or opt for something more fun and situational for weather strategies.

Movepool

Araquanid already has everything it needs to be successful. For flavor, we'll throw in Life Dew which goes along nicely with its Pokedex entries of trying to help injured Pokemon with its water. I may also throw either Clamp or Jaw Lock on the list as a reference to its deadly jaws. Masquerain needs a little more adjustment since we are moving away from the Flying type. It can keep Air Cutter and Air Slash, but I'll also be adding in moves like Icy Wind, Aurora Beam, Mist, Haze (the latter two Surskit learns but Masquerain doesn't?) and finishing up with Hydro Pump. Surf and Water Pulse will be the go to Water moves in-game depending on whether you want multi or single target damage, and I don't feel the need to add those to the movepool since they'll be available as TMs at appropriate places in the playthrough. I think some support moves like Torment, Taunt, and Fake Tears are also very appropriate considering Masquerain's use of its antenna to shock/spook opponents.

I don't see a need to throw in a bunch of coverage here for either Pokemon. Their role on the team will be to use their Water typing effectively for both offense and defense, and any holes this leaves will need to be patched up by other team members. Either Bug can play a more tanky, support role or instead focus on offense by hitting hard defensively or sp. defensively respectively.

With the additions being made to the Bug type, there are actually quite a few that could qualify as Bug/Water so we'll see if the ranks of Araquanid and Masquerain swell a bit. But before we get into those newcomers I wanted to make sure that these two trendsetters got some love that will keep them relevant throughout the game.