Shadow Tangrowth
Attack
Defense
Stamina
Best Movesets
Analysis
Shadow Tangrowth is a solid Grass attacker. While it falls behind Kartana, its overall performance is similar to that of Shadow Venusaur and Shaymin-Sky, which is definitely nothing to scoff at. Worth considering to grab a few to fill out the remaining spots in your Grass lineup.
Offense
- Vine Whip gets STAB and is the superior choice.
- Infestation is not only suboptimal in performance, but doesn't share the same typing as Tangrowth's role.
- Power Whip is Tangrowth's best charge move with STAB, and is more efficient as a 2-bar move.
- Solar Beam performs a bit worse on paper, but can be inconsistent in practice due to how slow it is.
- Sludge Bomb doesn't have much use on Tangrowth.
- Ancient Power isn't meant for Tangrowth in PvE.
Defense
- Infestation is generally better on defense due to its higher base power and coverage typing.
- Vine Whip isn't that far behind since it has STAB.
- Rock Slide is the most valuable on defense for coverage, and for being a 2-bar move. Ancient Power is a 3-bar alternative, but it is far easier to dodge.
- Sludge Bomb is a good defensive charge move overall due to its early damage window.
- Power Whip is still ok on defense as it gets STAB, but doesn't cover against attackers with typing advantages.
- Solar Beam is way too slow for defense.
Vine Whip is superior to Infestation stat-wise, and it gets STAB.
Power Whip is a strong Grass-type move that costs a modest amount of energy to use. Rock Slide costs less energy, and provides very valuable coverage against four of Tangrowth's weaknesses. Sludge Bomb isn't as useful, but can nail Fairy-types and opposing Grass Pokemon. The nerf to Ancient Power following the April 2020 rebalance makes it no longer viable due to Rock Slide offering superior damage output.
Tangrowth is a mono-Grass type Pokemon with average bulk. Unfortunately without access to Frenzy Plant or Leaf Blade, Tangrowth falls a bit behind the more popular Grass Pokemon in this league, especially when considering its very vulnerable typing.
