QC: Subject 18 / Gary / Colonel M
GP: DeathByWobbuffet / TheDutchPlumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Hoopa-U is one of the strongest wallbreakers in the tier due to its incredible offensive stats and typing that allow it to threaten a majority of defensive and balanced teams with its STAB moves and great coverage. Its high Special Defense stat also allows it to check the likes of Gengar and Latios from full HP, although Hoopa-U should not be used as a primary check to these special attackers. On the flipside, its middling Speed stat, despite being good for a wallbreaker of its caliber, leaves it at the mercy of a number of faster offensive threats in the metagame such as Greninja and Tapu Koko. It also carries poor physical bulk along with a 4x weakness to one of the strongest momentum gaining moves in the game, U-turn, meaning that non-Choice Scarf Hoopa-U tends to get overwhelmed by the likes of U-turn Tapu Koko. On top of this, stall builds will normally run trappers such as Dugtrio, leaving Hoopa-U only able to take out one threat on the opponent's team before being trapped and eliminated by Dugtrio. This means that Hoopa-U must be carefully played against these teams.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Hyperspace Fury
move 2: Gunk Shot
move 3: Drain Punch
move 4: Fire Punch
item: Choice Band
ability: Magician
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hyperspace Fury gives Hoopa-U great overall coverage due to the lack of Pokemon that resist it and its great power, netting 2HKOs on defensive threats such as Mega Sableye, Skarmory, and Toxapex. Gunk Shot lets Hoopa-U hit Fairy-types that resist Hyperspace Fury such as Tapu Fini, Clefable, and Tapu Koko while also netting coverage against Tangrowth, which can take the rest of Hoopa-U's attacks with a physically defensive set. Drain Punch allows Hoopa-U to hit Dark-types such as Tyranitar, which can take the rest of its moves, while also healing off any residual damage Hoopa-U has taken during the match. Fire Punch allows Hoopa-U to hit Magearna, Mega Mawile, Ferrothorn, Mega Heracross, and Mega Scizor all in one slot. Zen Headbutt can be used as a secondary STAB move to hit Mega Venusaur and Toxapex so that Hoopa-U can save PP on Hyperspace Fury; this move is also notable for taking out Mega Heracross, which can take the rest of Hoopa-U's moves aside from Fire Punch with ease. Ice Punch lets Hoopa-U hit Garchomp, Zygarde, and most notably Landorus-T, which can take the rest of Hoopa-U's coverage options from full HP. Trick may be used in the final slot to cripple defensive threats that annoy this set such as Alomomola and physically defensive Tangrowth.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Attack investment lets Hoopa-U hit as hard as possible with its hard-hitting physical moves such as Hyperspace Fury. A Choice Band is necessary to bolster the power of its physical moves. A Jolly nature lets Hoopa-U outspeed Timid Heatran, Jolly Tapu Bulu, and Adamant Landorus-T; an Adamant nature is not needed due to Hoopa-U's already great power.
Usage Tips
========
Due to Hoopa-U's frailty, it finds difficulty switching directly into threats aside from passive Pokemon and weak special attackers such as Toxapex, Zapdos, and Chansey; still, beware Scald burns, which can cripple this set. It is then best to bring Hoopa-U into the match after a partner has fainted or by the assistance of Volt Switch and U-turn users like Rotom-W, Tapu Koko, and Landorus-T. Hyperspace Fury is Hoopa-U's most spammable move due to the lack of Pokemon that resist it and its great power backed up by a STAB boost. Its other coverage options can be used when predicting an opponent's switch to a threat that checks Hoopa-U; for example, using Gunk Shot on a predicted Tapu Fini or Tapu Koko or Fire Punch on a predicted Magearna switch-in allows Hoopa-U to retain momentum for its team.
Team Options
========
Volt Switch and U-turn users are necessary to bring Hoopa-U safely into the match; some examples include Tapu Koko, Rotom-W, Mega Scizor, and Landorus-T. Spikes Greninja pairs well with this set, as it appreciates Hoopa-U's ability to weaken Mega Sableye and Chansey with a Choice Band-boosted Hyperspace Fury to find more opportunities to set up Spikes in order to break Dugtrio's Focus Sash and make it harder for Dugtrio to revenge kill Hoopa-U. Heatran can assist Hoopa-U in breaking defensive builds and can set up Stealth Rock while also checking the Fairy-types that Hoopa-U has difficulty dealing with such as Tapu Lele. Given that Hoopa-U is a prime target for opposing Volt Switch and U-turn users, partners that deter the use of these moves such as Alolan Marowak and Rocky Helmet Landorus-T partner well with Hoopa-U. Smeargle makes for a solid partner due to its ability to set up Sticky Web, which maximizes Hoopa-U's matchup against faster offensive builds that normally give it a difficult time.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Choice Specs
ability: Magician
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dark Pulse is Hoopa-U's most spammable STAB move; when it's coming off of a Choice Specs boost along with Hoopa-U's great Special Attack stat, there are very few defensive Pokemon that can stomach this attack. Psyshock is its other STAB attack, which is preferred over Psychic in order to hit Chansey on its weaker physical Defense stat while netting coverage against threats such as Volcarona, Mega Heracross, Toxapex, and Tapu Koko. Focus Blast provides great coverage in combination with Dark Pulse, hitting numerous Steel- and Dark-types that could otherwise stomach Hoopa-U's STAB combination such as Magearna, Tyranitar, Alolan Muk, and Mega Mawile. Thunderbolt rounds out Hoopa-U's coverage to allow it to hit a majority of the metagame by hitting Mandibuzz, and it is Hoopa-U's safest option to hit Tapu Fini, Azumarill, and Greninja along with the majority of Water-types in the tier. Trick allows Hoopa-U to shut down a defensive threat such as Chansey as well as alleviate prediction against defensive builds.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Special Attack investment with a Choice Specs allows Hoopa-U to hit insanely hard due to its phenomenal Special Attack stat and coverage. Timid is the nature of choice due to Hoopa-U's good Speed tier allowing it to outspeed maximum Speed Heatran, Jolly Tapu Bulu, and Jolly Bisharp. Modest is not necessary, since Hoopa-U nets the 2HKOs and OHKOs that it needs to with a Timid nature. Magician is Hoopa-U's only ability and has very situational uses, such as removing Assault Vest from Tangrowth after switching into its Knock Off.
Usage Tips
========
It is best to bring Hoopa-U in on double switches or by assistance of a Volt Switch or U-turn user such as Tapu Koko. Hoopa-U can also switch in on defensive threats that cannot immediately threaten it out, such as Toxapex. While it can use its great Special Defense stat to switch in on predicted special attacks such as Choice Scarf Keldeo's Surf or Scald, be careful, since it can also get hit by Secret Sword or get too worn down due to repeatedly switching in along with potential Stealth Rock damage. Dark Pulse is generally the safest move to go for due to its phenomenal coverage. It is safe to use its coverage options on a predicted switch, such as using Focus Blast on a predicted Mega Mawile or Magearna switch-in, as hitting it will wear it down to the point where it cannot switch in again on Hoopa-U later on in the match. Hoopa-U must watch out for faster offensive threats, specifically physical attackers or those with U-turn that can easily gain momentum on it such as Tapu Koko. When against defensive teams like stall, you can predict the designated switch-ins such as Chansey and go for Psyshock, which 2HKOes, although beware of the fact that these teams will have a revenge killer for Hoopa-U such as Dugtrio.
Team Options
========
Having a partner that can potentially pressure stall builds and get up entry hazards to break Dugtrio's Focus Sash is a nice option, as it allows Hoopa-U to stallbreak more easily; Greninja, Clefable, Azelf, Smeargle, and Mold Breaker Excadrill are all able to do this if the team needs it. Due to the great number of faster offensive checks to Hoopa-U that exist in the tier, partners to take care of these threats ease the pressure on Hoopa-U. Rocky Helmet Landorus-T can dissuade U-turn from the likes of opposing Landorus-T and Tapu Koko, although it must watch out for Hidden Power Ice from these two. Checks to Fairy-types such as Tapu Fini and Tapu Lele pair well with Hoopa-U; Steel-types such as Heatran can take care of Tapu Lele while also luring in Tapu Fini and taking it out with Bloom Doom; Heatran can also set up Stealth Rock for Hoopa-U to allow it to serve as a greater threat towards defensive teams. Having partners to deal with Hoopa-U's few checks such as Assault Vest Magearna is helpful so that Hoopa-U can more easily wallbreak; Choice Band Zygarde can work well with Choice Specs Hoopa-U, as Zygarde also appreciates Hoopa-U wearing down Clefable or Chansey for it. Teammates with U-turn or Volt Switch can easily get Hoopa-U in so that it does not have to risk coming in on an attack that can take it out; Tapu Koko, Landorus-T, Rotom-W, and U-turn Ash-Greninja can force switches to bring Hoopa-U in safely.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Trick / Gunk Shot
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Magician
nature: Timid / Hasty
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dark Pulse is Hoopa-U's most spammable STAB move, providing great coverage against faster threats such as Latios. Psychic is Hoopa-U's primary STAB move, which it can use to break past Mega Heracross, Toxapex, Mega Venusaur, and Tapu Koko; it notably can secure OHKOs on threats like Tapu Koko and Nihilego after Stealth Rock damage. Focus Blast allows Hoopa-U to hit the Dark- and Steel-types that Dark Pulse cannot hit hard such as Ferrothorn, Mega Mawile, Tyranitar, and Greninja. Trick is useful so that Hoopa-U can more easily deal with defensive builds while also crippling a threat such as Chansey in the process if Hoopa-U uses Trick to give its Choice Scarf to it. Gunk Shot is a useful alternative that can OHKO Tapu Koko outright while also 2HKOing Tapu Fini and Clefable. Hidden Power Ice can be used as a safe way to OHKO Landorus-T, Zygarde, and non-Choice Scarf Garchomp variants, which Dark Pulse cannot do from full on this set.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Special Attack investment gives Hoopa-U great power even without a boosting item and its strong coverage. A Choice Scarf allows Hoopa-U to outspeed up to Modest Mega Alakazam, Ash-Greninja, and Tapu Koko. Timid is the preferred nature of choice if you are running Trick in the last slot, but a Hasty nature is better if running Gunk Shot in order to secure the 2HKO on Tapu Fini.
Usage Tips
========
This set functions better against offensive teams than against defensive teams, as Hoopa-U's great power and strong STAB attacks can be used to threaten a number of offensive teams that cannot stand its attacks. It can lead well against a variety of leads such as Greninja due to its super effective coverage that it has against them; otherwise it is best to bring it in on double switches and Volt Switch or U-turn from the likes of Landorus-T. Dark Pulse is a relatively safe move to throw out, but be careful about using it if the threat in front of Hoopa-U can OHKO or severely damage it after using Dark Pulse; in this case it is better to predict using one of its coverage moves or switch out to come back later and deal damage. If facing a defensive threat that continually switches in on Hoopa-U, such as Assault Vest Magearna, Hoopa-U can use Trick to cripple it; however, do not do this if you rely on Hoopa-U to revenge kill a threat such as Greninja or Latios.
Team Options
========
This set functions better against offensive teams than against defensive teams, so having partners that can wallbreak or stallbreak such as Shed Shell Tapu Lele pair greatly with Hoopa-U; this set also appreciates Psychic Terrain nullifying priority such as Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch and can take advantage of a Psychic Terrain-boosted Psychic. Partners that appreciate faster offensive threats eliminated or weakened such as Supersonic Skystrike Celesteela, which likes Tapu Koko and Greninja covered, serve as great setup sweepers to pair with Hoopa-U. Entry hazard setters that can allow Hoopa-U to soften up opposing teams such as Landorus-T, Garchomp, Spikes Greninja, and Smeargle work well with Hoopa-U and allow it to more easily terrorize offensive and defensive teams alike. It is not a bad idea to have a secondary Choice Scarf user with this set, as Hoopa-U is still relatively slow for a Choice Scarf user and fails to revenge kill boosted threats like Mega Charizard X and Volcarona, along with Choice Scarf users such as Garchomp; Choice Scarf Keldeo works here, as it can revenge kill these threats if weakened. Choice Scarf Greninja also serves a similar purpose, as it can bring Hoopa-U in with U-turn while being able to use Gunk Shot to surprise threats such as Assault Vest Tangrowth, Tapu Koko, and Tapu Fini for Hoopa-U to take advantage of.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Nasty Plot lets Hoopa-U serve as even more of a threat against defensive builds, since not many Pokemon can stomach +2 Special Attack hits from it. Substitute alleviates prediction for Hoopa-U when set up on a predicted switch and pairs well with Nasty Plot to make setting up easier. Focus Sash is useful on faster offensive teams when paired with entry hazard setters that can get hazards up against stall builds such as Mold Breaker Excadrill; it allows Hoopa-U to retaliate with a strong hit and not have to worry about being revenge killed until its Focus Sash gets broken. Shed Shell lets Hoopa-U avoid being trapped by Dugtrio on stall, although this sacrifices its good matchup against offensive teams and Tapu Lele performs this role better. A physically offensive version of the Choice Scarf set utilizing moves such as Hyperspace Fury, Gunk Shot, Drain Punch, Ice Punch, and Fire Punch is an option; the coverage options depend on what Hoopa-U's opponents need to be taken out. Life Orb allows Hoopa-U to switch up its moves, which can be useful against defensive builds, but it appreciates the power provided by Choice items and does not like Life Orb recoil cutting into its longevity. Z-Trick gives Hoopa-U +2 Speed, which is useful against offensive teams, allowing it to serve as a great cleaner, and it also allows Hoopa-U to utilize Shattered Psyche with Psyshock; Z-Snatch serves the same purpose while allowing Hoopa-U to alternatively use Black Hole Eclipse if needed. An offensive Trick Room set can be used to clean up against faster offensive builds, but Hoopa-U is relatively fast for a Trick Room user and can get outsped by a number of slower threats, even under Trick Room.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dugtrio**: Dugtrio is the number one threat to Hoopa-U on stall builds, as if its Focus Sash remains intact, it can easily revenge kill and dispose of Hoopa-U
**Faster Threats**: Faster threats like Greninja, Tornadus-T, and Tapu Koko all threaten to outspeed and OHKO Hoopa-U due to its very poor Defense; U-turn users in general deserve a mention due to Hoopa-U's 4x weakness, as the U-turn user will force it out and always gain momentum.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Magearna, Mega Mawile, Tapu Fini, and Tapu Koko resist Hoopa-U's Dark-type STAB moves and can respond back with a strong super effective Fairy-type move or U-turn in the case of Tapu Koko. Assault Vest Magearna, while it does not have any recovery, is able to stomach just about all of Hoopa-U's hits from full and can respond back with a STAB Fleur Cannon, which can OHKO Hoopa-U.
**Dark-types**: While they do not appreciate taking any of Hoopa-U's Fighting-type coverage options such as Drain Punch and Focus Blast, Tyranitar, Weavile, and Alolan Muk resist Dark, are immune to Hoopa-U's STAB Psychic-type moves, and can threaten Hoopa-U with Pursuit or a strong STAB-boosted Dark-type move in Crunch or Knock Off, removing Hoopa-U's item. Pursuit users in general can take advantage of Hoopa-U Choice-locked into Hyperspace Fury due to the Defense drops accumulated from the move. Mega Tyranitar has high enough bulk to take all of Hoopa-U's attacks aside from Drain Punch and Focus Blast and set up Dragon Dance to outspeed non-Choice Scarf variants of Hoopa-U.
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