shiloh
Tiering Lead
[SET]
name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Drain Punch / Close Combat
move 3: Mach Punch
move 4: Ice Punch
item: Life Orb
ability: Iron Fist
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Bulk Up allows Hitmonchan to break through its bulkier checks like Vileplume much more easily than with standard Life Orb sets. Drain Punch is used in combination with the Iron Fist boost in order to gain back HP after taking hits to set up. Close Combat is an option to hit a lot harder but also lowers defenses and causes Hitmonchan to be worn down a lot more easily. It allows Hitmonchan to also net KOs on Rhydon and Steelix when running a Jolly nature. Mach Punch is also boosted by Iron Fist and gives Hitmonchan a priority attack to hit faster threats like Tauros and Archeops. Ice Punch is the coverage of choice, as it hits common Fighting-resistant Pokemon such as Vileplume and Xatu. Iron Fist-boosted Ice Punch also hits Fighting-resistant Pokemon a lot harder than coverage moves like Knock Off that are used by other Bulk Up sweepers like Gurdurr.
Set Details
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The EVs are to maximize attacking capabilities, with maximum Speed investment used to outspeed Pokemon like Claydol, Pursuit Skuntank, and neutral-natured base 70 Speed Pokemon like Samurott and Ludicolo. It also allows Hitmonchan to not have to rely on Mach Punch to revenge kill certain Pokemon, something that similar attackers like Gurdurr are forced to do. An Adamant nature can be used to guarantee the OHKO on threats like Vileplume and Archeops with Ice Punch and Mach Punch, respectively, after Stealth Rock. A Jolly nature can be used to outspeed Pokemon that aim to outpace Adamant Hitmonchan such as Xatu, which Hitmonchan can then proceed to OHKO with Ice Punch after a boost. Iron Fist gives a boost to all the punch-based attacks on the set. Life Orb is used to boost all the attacks on the set, and Drain Punch helps mitigate its recoil.
Usage Tips
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Hitmonchan is able to force Pokemon like Steelix and Shiftry out quite easily, so it's able to set up Bulk Ups on them in order to break through whatever counter the opponent switches in, like Vileplume or Xatu. Hitmonchan is also able to bluff the Rapid Spin set quite often, so setting up on obvious switches to spinblockers like Gourgeist takes advantage of this well. It can also be played as a revenge killer early in the game, as Iron Fist-boosted Mach Punch is a great tool to revenge kill threats like Tauros and Pyroar. It's also smart to know what the checks to Hitmonchan are and strategically chip them throughout the game to get them in range of Hitmonchan's Mach Punch. This includes Pokemon like Garbodor and Clefairy that need to be chipped earlier in the game, as they are hard stops to this Hitmonchan set.
Team Options
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As most of Hitmonchan's checks are Psychic- and Ghost-types like Mesprit, Xatu, and Mismagius, it's smart to pair it with a Pursuit trapper like Liepard or Skuntank. Pairing Hitmonchan with Volt Switch and U-turn users like Rotom and Mesprit allows you to chip at the opposing team in order to get them in range of Hitmonchan's attacks as well as getting it in safely. Choice Band Scyther also makes for a great partner, as it provides Pursuit support and is able to break down physical walls like Garbodor and Clefairy, while Hitmonchan switches in on Steel- and Rock-types through U-turn and forces them out. Rhydon and Steelix make for great partners, as they are able to check the numerous physical attackers like Scyther and Charizard that plague Hitmonchan prior to setting up; they also provide Stealth Rock for Hitmonchan to guarantee KOs on Pokemon like Vileplume and Archeops.
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