Movesets et sets compétitifs de Spinarak

If Spinarak gets the chance to use Agility even once, it will reach 24 Speed, outspeeding the majority of Little Cup Pokemon. Night Slash hits Ghost-types such as Gastly super effectively. Bug Bite is a great STAB attack that has more power than Twineedle, steals a Berry from the opposing Pokemon, and decimates any Grass-, Psychic-, or Dark-type Pokemon. Poison Jab or Cross Poison can be used in the fourth slot. Poison Jab deals more damage and has a chance of inflicting poison, and while Cross Poison has slightly less base power, it has a higher chance of getting a critical hit. If Cross Poison is used, Sniper is the preferred ability, as a critical hit will deal three times as much damage. 0 HP IVs are given so that Spinarak only takes one point of damage from the Life Orb recoil instead of two. Spinarak could use a Jolly nature, but the drop in power is never welcome, especially when Spinarak can already reach 24 Speed with just one Agility. Spinarak could also use Sucker Punch, but it is a little less reliable when opposing Pokemon, such as Slowpoke, use a healing move such as Slack Off. Chinchou is a good partner, as it resists the Fire-type attacks that deal super effective damage to Spinarak, and can KO Fire-types with a STAB Hydro Pump. Staryu and Tentacool resist Fire-type attacks, and can effectively use Rapid Spin, making them good teammates for Spinarak too. Houndour also pairs well because it can absorb any Fire-type attacks aimed at Spinarak with its ability, Flash Fire, and can then deal huge damage with a boosted STAB Fire Blast. Ferroseed counters this set with ease; it can both set up entry hazards and tank Spinarak's attacks with ease.

Spinarak holds the title as the only Pokemon in Little Cup that can trap pass, and this set is designed to make the most of it. Spider Web traps the opponent and allows Spinarak to Baton Pass to a counter who can set up on the victim, possibly resulting in a match winning sweep. This set can sometimes be hard to pull off, but is really quite rewarding when it works. In the other moveslots, moves aimed to help Spinarak get the trap pass off are used; Bug Bite is the preferred option in the third slot as it can help Spinarak steal the opponent's Berry, either an Oran Berry to restore health, or if you're lucky, a pinch Berry to give Spinarak an extra boost to pass on. Protect should be used over Bug Bite if you use this set as a lead, as it will keep your Focus Sash intact. The last slot is designed to make Spinarak's job easier; Agility is preferred as it lets you get enough Speed to outspeed your opponent, and gives you something useful to pass if you're threatened by the switch-in. Substitute gives Spinarak protection from status and something useful to pass, but nine times out of ten Agility will work better. The given EV spread optimizes Spinarak's chance of getting its Baton Pass off successfully. The extra Speed point puts Spinarak at 10 Speed, which is enough to outspeed almost every unboosted Pokemon after an Agility, and allows you to safely pass it. Spinarak has its defenses weighted towards the physical side because there is only one special priority move, Vacuum Wave, which Spinarak 4x resists. This spread also helps Spinarak set up on the ever present Fighting-types in Little Cup. With an Oran Berry attached, Spinarak is never 2HKOed by any move used by Fighting-types in Little Cup, bar two Machop Rock Slides with high damage rolls. Focus Sash should be used if you plan on leading with Spinarak. Spinarak doesn't get many other options; Endure may be used with a pinch Berry and Agility to Baton Pass +2 Speed and +1 in an attack stat simultaneously. If you choose to do so, Endure should be used in third slot. Be warned, however, that doing so will result in Spinarak being vulnerable to Taunt. This set has difficulties with any Pokemon that can KO Spinarak before it can pass its boost. Of these, Fire-types are generally the best bet as they can hit Spinarak super effectively as well as having a resistance to Spinarak's Bug Bite. Choice Scarf users are also a problem as they will outspeed Spinarak even after an Agility and can stop Spinarak from doing its job with Trick. For these reasons, Staryu makes a great partner to Spinarak; it can come in on both Fire-types and Trick without much worry and can even use Rapid Spin to get rid of the opponent's Stealth Rock. The prime candidate for a recipient is Gligar; Gligar resists the Fighting-type moves Spinarak will be setting up on, is neutral to Rock-type attacks, and can set up on trapped Pokemon with Swords Dance or even continue a Baton Pass chain.

There aren't many Pokemon in Little Cup that have access to Toxic Spikes, which gives Spinarak a niche. Almost every Toxic Spikes user is outclassed by Tentacool, which has significantly higher bulk and added access to Rapid Spin; however, Spinarak finds itself with some interesting options and quirks that set it apart from the jellyfish. The moves and EV spread given ensure that Spinarak will win as many lead matchups as possible. Toxic Spikes are a given, as otherwise there is little reason to use Spinarak. You will always get at least one layer down, as you can't be put to sleep, while Protect plus Focus Sash means you will never be OHKOed by anything short of a multi-hit move. The only common lead that threatens Spinarak is Shellder, due to its access to Rock Blast. Bug Bite shortens the lifespan of bulky leads, such as Phanpy and Hippopotas, by stealing their Oran Berries, and with the set's bulk, you should be able to get a layer of Toxic Spikes down too, unless they are carrying a Rock-type move. The last move can be used to take out Gastly who is always OHKOed (or 2HKOed by Shadow Sneak) and can't put you to sleep. Shadow Sneak should be used if you are worried about Substitute and want a more reliable move. The EVs are designed to make Spinarak's job easier; there is enough bulk so that Spinarak will never be 2HKOed by Lead Machop's Ice Punch, as well as enough Attack to sometimes OHKO lead Snover with Bug Bite, while always getting the knockout on Gastly. You will still be slower than Machop to avoid the stronger Payback, while still outspeeding Bronzor so you can put a layer of Toxic Spikes down before stealing its Berry. Spinarak's options are too sparse to try and do anything else with the set. It does get novelties in Bounce and Dig to increase Toxic stalling damage, but as a lead it won't be surviving long after its done its job. Its subpar defenses result in other options, such as Agility, from really helping more than the moves already on the set. Poison Jab can be used in the last slot to ensure a definite KO on Snover and attempt to spread more poison, but you will find yourself wanting the priority move more often than not. This set has a specific job of setting down a layer or two of Toxic Spikes. Not much can stop this, but some leads do give it trouble. The most notable of these is a Scarfed Shellder who can KO Spinarak through Focus Sash with its ability Skill Link. In addition, it won't be overly successful against Pokemon that will be setting up strong Substitutes. Bronzor and Phanpy get special mentions as great teammates for Spinarak as they can set up alternate hazards in the form of Stealth Rock, while taking little damage from Shellder and other common leads such as Gligar and Aipom.