mulgokizary
Banned deucer.
QC: p2 / Gary / Finchinator
GP: Omicron
Borrowed a lot of leftovers from Colonel M's thread (with permission).
"Head game crazy"
[OVERVIEW]
* Hydreigon functions as a unique special attacker that can potentially break through bulkier teams.
* A fairly unique Speed tier gives Hydreigon opportunities to outspeed threats such as non-Choice Scarf Tapu Lele and Kyurem-B.
* It has access to one of the most spammable STAB moves in the game in Dark Pulse.
* Its unique typing and bulk allow it to come in on a variety of attacks, including the ever-popular Earthquake.
* It faces stiff competition from other wall breakers such as Ash-Greninja, Hoopa-U and Manaphy.
* Hydreigon struggles with popular Fairy-types such as Tapu Fini and Tapu Koko as well as strong Fighting- and Bug-Types like Pheromosa and Buzzwole, although their switch-in opportunities are limited.
* New threats like Tapu Lele and Mimikyu force Hydreigon to run a Timid nature and forego the power gained from a Modest nature.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Flash Cannon / U-Turn
move 4: Fire Blast / U-turn
item: Choice Specs
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Dark Pulse is easily one of the most spammable moves in the game. With no immunities to speak of and a 20% flinch chance that may allow Hydreigon to break through bulky Pokemon such as Mega Sableye, Mega Scizor, Mega Venusaur, and Toxapex, the move is difficult to switch into.
* Draco Meteor threatens Kyurem-B, Zygarde, and other Dragon-Types, and is generally Hydreigon's most powerful option.
* Flash Cannon is a great move that can dent common switchins such as Clefable, Tyranitar, and Togekiss, and can OHKO Mimikyu when Disguise is down.
* Fire Blast allows Hydreigon to OHKO offensive Magearna and also roasts through Tapu Bulu, Celesteela, and Buzzwole.
* U-turn is an option purely for momentum in situations where Hydreigon will predict an unfavorable switch-in.
Set Details
========
* Maximum Speed investment along with a Timid nature outspeeds threats such as Kyurem-B, Mimikyu, and non-Choice Scarf Tapu Lele.
* Maximum investment in Special Attack and Choice Specs allow Hydreigon to hit as hard as possible.
* Modest is a viable nature instead of Timid, allowing Hydreigon to pick up 2HKOes that Timid can't, such as onto Physically Defensive Toxapex and Bulky Mega Scizor without Stealth Rock; however, the risk of being slower than threats such as Tapu Lele, Kyurem-B, and Mimikyu can have a devastating impact.
Usage Tips
========
* Hydreigon shines in the early game and functions as a great lead versus many of Pokemon. Its natural bulk allows it to freely use Dark Pulse on common leads such as scarfed Landorus-T without worrying about being OHKOed.
* Using Dark Pulse is usually Hydreigon's best option, as the lack of immunities and flinch chance make it difficult to switch into.
* Draco Meteor is a strong nuke that hits anything that doesn't resist it hard, but the Special Attack drop can give the opponent opportunities to set up, so make sure to have checks for their sweepers alive before throwing it around.
* Hydreigon is the king of forcing your opponent into awkward situations. It has relatively good bulk compared to other Dark types, so don't be afraid to sponge an attack in order to fire off a move, or aim for Dark Pulse flinches on bulky Pokemon that are then forced to repeatedly use recovery moves.
* In addition to being able to take hits, Hydreigon's Levitate ability and typing allow it to come in on Pokemon in situations that frail Dark Pulse users like Hoopa or Greninja wouldn't be able to. It doesn't mind switching in on things like offensive Fire-types such as Alolan Marowak or Heatran, bulky Water-types not named Tapu Fini, and Grass-types like Tangrowth and Mega Venusaur.
Team Options
========
* Stealth Rock is an absolute must and you should look to set it up as soon as possible. Hazards allow Hydreigon to get key 2HKOs onto Pokemon such as Toxapex. Good Stealth Rock users include Bloom Doom Heatran and offensive Landorus-T, as they not only have great typing synergy with Hydreigon but also either lure or put pressure on Tapu Fini.
* Steel-types such as Mega Metagross, Mega Scizor, Celesteela, Jirachi, and Excadrill are great picks. A Steel-type teammate is almost mandatory due to pressure from common Fairy-types like Tapu Lele.
* VoltTurn support helps Hydreigon come in on advantageous matchups against U-turn sponges including Alolan Marowak, defensive Landorus-T, and Heatran. Some acceptable pivots include Pheromosa, Tapu Koko, and Rotom-Wash.
* Pokemon that threaten or lure Tapu Fini are extremely important to allow Hydreigon to do its job. Powerfu attackers with super effective coverage like Tapu Bulu work wonders.
* Powerful Fighting-type Pokemon such as Buzzwole resist Dark Pulse and threaten to OHKO, so a check is highly recommended. Fairy-types like Tapu Fini or Clefable are decent options.
* Being one of the most annoyinganswers to bulky Pokemon in the game, Hydreigon makes way for powerful cleaners to come in and sweep easily. Late-game sweepers like Pheromosa (which also provides U-Turn support) and setup sweepers like Landorus-T appreciate its wallbreaking power.
* Mimikyu is another late-game sweeper that has invaluable type synergy with Hydreigon. Its dual Ghost and Fairy typing along with its Disguise ability can make it a nuisance for things that threaten Hydreigon like Pheromosa or Mega Alakazam
* Pokemon that trap Chansey allow Hydreigon to easily break through the rest of any stall team. Screech Dugtrio beats any form of Chansey, even those with Toxic, and Magma Storm Heatran with Taunt can either severely weaken or kill it outright.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Life Orb allows Hydreigon to switch between moves while attacking, but the recoil and loss of power makes it much more difficult for it to break through bulky Pokemon and constantly attack. On the flip side, Life Orb Hydreigon can run Taunt and Roost to stop things like Chansey from recovering.
* Flamethrower is an option when using a Modest nature Choice Specs as Hydreigon will still OHKO offensive Magearna while maintaining perfect accuracy.
* Choice Scarf allows Hydreigon to always be faster than Tapu Lele as well as switch into Ash-Greninja's STAB attacks and outspeed while generally pressuring opposing offensive teams; however, the drop in power is far too great.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Pokemon such as Tapu Fini, Azumarill, Togekiss, and Klefki can all come in on and wall Hydreigon's STAB combination. Tapu Fini and Azumarill are by far the most annoying Pokemon for Hydreigon to face as none of its attacks are particularly effective against it.
**Fighting-types**: Buzzwole, Terrakion, and Keldeo can come in on resisted attacks like Dark Pulse and force the dragon out with powerful fighting-type attacks, but can have trouble getting in safely due to the threat of a Draco Meteor OHKO.
**Faster Pokemon**: Speedier threats like Mega Alakazam, Scarfed Tapu Lele, offensive Garchomp, and Jolly Mega Charizard-X all outspeed and threaten OHKOs on Hydreigon, but they have an extremely rough time switching in. Quick, strong U-turn users like Genesect and Pheromosa force Hydreigon out while keeping up momentum.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: While Hydreigon is capable of breaking down bulky Pokemon with Dark Pulse, certain Pokemon are a no-go due to certain characteristics. Specially defensive Mandibuzz, for instance, takes Dark Pulse like a champ and avoids a 2HKO from Draco Meteor without Stealth Rock up. Chansey can indefinitely wall Hydreigon while faster bulky Pokemon such as Assault Vest Tornadus-T can come in and outspeed.
GP: Omicron
Borrowed a lot of leftovers from Colonel M's thread (with permission).
"Head game crazy"
[OVERVIEW]
* Hydreigon functions as a unique special attacker that can potentially break through bulkier teams.
* A fairly unique Speed tier gives Hydreigon opportunities to outspeed threats such as non-Choice Scarf Tapu Lele and Kyurem-B.
* It has access to one of the most spammable STAB moves in the game in Dark Pulse.
* Its unique typing and bulk allow it to come in on a variety of attacks, including the ever-popular Earthquake.
* It faces stiff competition from other wall breakers such as Ash-Greninja, Hoopa-U and Manaphy.
* Hydreigon struggles with popular Fairy-types such as Tapu Fini and Tapu Koko as well as strong Fighting- and Bug-Types like Pheromosa and Buzzwole, although their switch-in opportunities are limited.
* New threats like Tapu Lele and Mimikyu force Hydreigon to run a Timid nature and forego the power gained from a Modest nature.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Flash Cannon / U-Turn
move 4: Fire Blast / U-turn
item: Choice Specs
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Dark Pulse is easily one of the most spammable moves in the game. With no immunities to speak of and a 20% flinch chance that may allow Hydreigon to break through bulky Pokemon such as Mega Sableye, Mega Scizor, Mega Venusaur, and Toxapex, the move is difficult to switch into.
* Draco Meteor threatens Kyurem-B, Zygarde, and other Dragon-Types, and is generally Hydreigon's most powerful option.
* Flash Cannon is a great move that can dent common switchins such as Clefable, Tyranitar, and Togekiss, and can OHKO Mimikyu when Disguise is down.
* Fire Blast allows Hydreigon to OHKO offensive Magearna and also roasts through Tapu Bulu, Celesteela, and Buzzwole.
* U-turn is an option purely for momentum in situations where Hydreigon will predict an unfavorable switch-in.
Set Details
========
* Maximum Speed investment along with a Timid nature outspeeds threats such as Kyurem-B, Mimikyu, and non-Choice Scarf Tapu Lele.
* Maximum investment in Special Attack and Choice Specs allow Hydreigon to hit as hard as possible.
* Modest is a viable nature instead of Timid, allowing Hydreigon to pick up 2HKOes that Timid can't, such as onto Physically Defensive Toxapex and Bulky Mega Scizor without Stealth Rock; however, the risk of being slower than threats such as Tapu Lele, Kyurem-B, and Mimikyu can have a devastating impact.
Usage Tips
========
* Hydreigon shines in the early game and functions as a great lead versus many of Pokemon. Its natural bulk allows it to freely use Dark Pulse on common leads such as scarfed Landorus-T without worrying about being OHKOed.
* Using Dark Pulse is usually Hydreigon's best option, as the lack of immunities and flinch chance make it difficult to switch into.
* Draco Meteor is a strong nuke that hits anything that doesn't resist it hard, but the Special Attack drop can give the opponent opportunities to set up, so make sure to have checks for their sweepers alive before throwing it around.
* Hydreigon is the king of forcing your opponent into awkward situations. It has relatively good bulk compared to other Dark types, so don't be afraid to sponge an attack in order to fire off a move, or aim for Dark Pulse flinches on bulky Pokemon that are then forced to repeatedly use recovery moves.
* In addition to being able to take hits, Hydreigon's Levitate ability and typing allow it to come in on Pokemon in situations that frail Dark Pulse users like Hoopa or Greninja wouldn't be able to. It doesn't mind switching in on things like offensive Fire-types such as Alolan Marowak or Heatran, bulky Water-types not named Tapu Fini, and Grass-types like Tangrowth and Mega Venusaur.
Team Options
========
* Stealth Rock is an absolute must and you should look to set it up as soon as possible. Hazards allow Hydreigon to get key 2HKOs onto Pokemon such as Toxapex. Good Stealth Rock users include Bloom Doom Heatran and offensive Landorus-T, as they not only have great typing synergy with Hydreigon but also either lure or put pressure on Tapu Fini.
* Steel-types such as Mega Metagross, Mega Scizor, Celesteela, Jirachi, and Excadrill are great picks. A Steel-type teammate is almost mandatory due to pressure from common Fairy-types like Tapu Lele.
* VoltTurn support helps Hydreigon come in on advantageous matchups against U-turn sponges including Alolan Marowak, defensive Landorus-T, and Heatran. Some acceptable pivots include Pheromosa, Tapu Koko, and Rotom-Wash.
* Pokemon that threaten or lure Tapu Fini are extremely important to allow Hydreigon to do its job. Powerfu attackers with super effective coverage like Tapu Bulu work wonders.
* Powerful Fighting-type Pokemon such as Buzzwole resist Dark Pulse and threaten to OHKO, so a check is highly recommended. Fairy-types like Tapu Fini or Clefable are decent options.
* Being one of the most annoyinganswers to bulky Pokemon in the game, Hydreigon makes way for powerful cleaners to come in and sweep easily. Late-game sweepers like Pheromosa (which also provides U-Turn support) and setup sweepers like Landorus-T appreciate its wallbreaking power.
* Mimikyu is another late-game sweeper that has invaluable type synergy with Hydreigon. Its dual Ghost and Fairy typing along with its Disguise ability can make it a nuisance for things that threaten Hydreigon like Pheromosa or Mega Alakazam
* Pokemon that trap Chansey allow Hydreigon to easily break through the rest of any stall team. Screech Dugtrio beats any form of Chansey, even those with Toxic, and Magma Storm Heatran with Taunt can either severely weaken or kill it outright.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Life Orb allows Hydreigon to switch between moves while attacking, but the recoil and loss of power makes it much more difficult for it to break through bulky Pokemon and constantly attack. On the flip side, Life Orb Hydreigon can run Taunt and Roost to stop things like Chansey from recovering.
* Flamethrower is an option when using a Modest nature Choice Specs as Hydreigon will still OHKO offensive Magearna while maintaining perfect accuracy.
* Choice Scarf allows Hydreigon to always be faster than Tapu Lele as well as switch into Ash-Greninja's STAB attacks and outspeed while generally pressuring opposing offensive teams; however, the drop in power is far too great.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Pokemon such as Tapu Fini, Azumarill, Togekiss, and Klefki can all come in on and wall Hydreigon's STAB combination. Tapu Fini and Azumarill are by far the most annoying Pokemon for Hydreigon to face as none of its attacks are particularly effective against it.
**Fighting-types**: Buzzwole, Terrakion, and Keldeo can come in on resisted attacks like Dark Pulse and force the dragon out with powerful fighting-type attacks, but can have trouble getting in safely due to the threat of a Draco Meteor OHKO.
**Faster Pokemon**: Speedier threats like Mega Alakazam, Scarfed Tapu Lele, offensive Garchomp, and Jolly Mega Charizard-X all outspeed and threaten OHKOs on Hydreigon, but they have an extremely rough time switching in. Quick, strong U-turn users like Genesect and Pheromosa force Hydreigon out while keeping up momentum.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: While Hydreigon is capable of breaking down bulky Pokemon with Dark Pulse, certain Pokemon are a no-go due to certain characteristics. Specially defensive Mandibuzz, for instance, takes Dark Pulse like a champ and avoids a 2HKO from Draco Meteor without Stealth Rock up. Chansey can indefinitely wall Hydreigon while faster bulky Pokemon such as Assault Vest Tornadus-T can come in and outspeed.
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