0752 Araquanid

Both Bug Bite and Infestation are fairly average fast move choices, with Bug Bite being more damage-focused while Infestation is more energy-focused. Bug Bite is preferred over Infestation because Araquanid's charge moves aren't spectacular enough to make good use of Infestation's superior energy gain.

Bug Buzz is Araquanid's most devastating charge move, but it is rather costly. Bubble Beam is a low-cost shield baiting move that can greatly extend Araquanid's already impressive longevity through repeated Attack debuffs. Mirror Coat is unremarkable, but can surprise Poison-type opponents.

The long awaited Walrein counter is here! Boasting a fairly unique resistance to both Ice AND Ground, Araquanid takes on the walrus without breaking a sweat. But Araquanid is more than just a Walrein counter - it is also extremely tanky and has useful resistances to Water and Fighting. Araquanid can take on numerous top threats such as Deoxys Defense, Swampert, Scrafty, and Umbreon, and can even go toe to toe against Azumarill and Galarian Stunfisk. Despite its strengths, however, it must be mindful of the polarizing issues of the Bug-type. Various Flying- and Steel-types can easily shut Araquanid down due to its rather one-dimensional moveset.

Unfortunately, Araquanid's viability is reliant on Walrein's presence. With the nerf to Icicle Spear as of September 2022, Walrein is no longer the menace it used to be. Without a major metagame threat to prey upon, Araquanid's niche is diminished.

A max CP of 2065 doesn't do Araquanid much favors in the Ultra League. It can't even reliably counter Walrein anymore.

At this point there's not enough Walrein to hunt down anymore. And if Araquanid does come across one, it will be the one getting destroyed instead due to the stat differences. Everything else in the Master League has approximately double or more of Araquanid's max CP.