Smogon Community - View Single Post

Triangles · Aug 6th, 2012, 4:57:17 PM

Heracross's ADV OU analysis lacks an Other Options section, so here it is. The original writer of the analysis may have omitted the Other Options section due to the fact that all of Heracross's remotely viable options are in listed sets, but I still feel as if there should be something. So here goes. I've kept it concise, as Heracross's movepool of viable moves is "concise".

...

Heracross's movepool has everything it needs for it to be an extremely potent threat in ADV OU - a base 120 power STAB move, which, along with its other STAB and Rock Slide, provide nearly flawless coverage, hitting everything at least neutrally apart from the irrelevant Nidos. It has access to Focus Punch, which allows it to muscle past one of its prime counters - Skarmory, and an excellent boosting move in Swords Dance. However, unlike the likes of Salamence and Tyranitar, which have all they need and more in the movepool department, Heracross lacks an expansive pool of viable moves.

 A Bulk Up set is an interesting prospect for Heracross, with either 3 attacks, or Rest and Sleep Talk alongside Megahorn. However, the former variant is outclassed by its Swords Dancing counterpart, as many of its counters OHKO it even at +1 Defense, making the defensive boost rether irrelevant, and Heracross is much more destructive with Swords Dance. The latter set is severely walled by Salamence and Gyarados. Both Bulk Up sets are also incredibly handy Spikes fodder for Skarmory, so Magneton is an advised teammate for Bulk Up Heracross. Earthquake can potentially do that little bit of extra damage to finish off Metagross and Jirachi from a slightly higher range of health, and could be potentially fit in as a fourth option on the Choice Band set, but otherwise, it is difficult to fit Earthquake onto Heracross. Toxic is always an option, but in Heracross's case, it is rather pointless, as Heracross is much better off repeatedly bashing at its counters than trying to wear them down with status, due to its immense attacking power.

Counter is a potential option, although many of Heracross's best counters OHKO it with Flying STAB, such as Skarmory, Heracross, and Gyarados. Counter is difficult to use on Heracross, as it resists three of the most common physical attacking types - Fighting, Ground, and Bug, so few players will aim attacks of those types at Heracross. Heracross is often better off simply attacking users of Normal and Rock-type attacks, and Poison and Ghost-type moves are extremely rare. Heracross could potentially counter on a Weezing Sludge Bomb, or a Dusclops Shadow Ball. Hidden Power Flying is a highly niche option that can be used specifically to cover other Heracross. Similarly to Earthquake, it will most likely see use in the fourth slot on the Choice Band set.

Aug 6th, 2012, 4:57:17 PM	#6
Triangles Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 296	Heracross's ADV OU analysis lacks an Other Options section, so here it is. The original writer of the analysis may have omitted the Other Options section due to the fact that all of Heracross's remotely viable options are in listed sets, but I still feel as if there should be something. So here goes. I've kept it concise, as Heracross's movepool of viable moves is "concise". ... <p>Heracross's movepool has everything it needs for it to be an extremely potent threat in ADV OU - a base 120 power STAB move, which, along with its other STAB and Rock Slide, provide nearly flawless coverage, hitting everything at least neutrally apart from the irrelevant Nidos. It has access to Focus Punch, which allows it to muscle past one of its prime counters - Skarmory, and an excellent boosting move in Swords Dance. However, unlike the likes of Salamence and Tyranitar, which have all they need and more in the movepool department, Heracross lacks an expansive pool of viable moves.</p> <p> A Bulk Up set is an interesting prospect for Heracross, with either 3 attacks, or Rest and Sleep Talk alongside Megahorn. However, the former variant is outclassed by its Swords Dancing counterpart, as many of its counters OHKO it even at +1 Defense, making the defensive boost rether irrelevant, and Heracross is much more destructive with Swords Dance. The latter set is severely walled by Salamence and Gyarados. Both Bulk Up sets are also incredibly handy Spikes fodder for Skarmory, so Magneton is an advised teammate for Bulk Up Heracross. Earthquake can potentially do that little bit of extra damage to finish off Metagross and Jirachi from a slightly higher range of health, and could be potentially fit in as a fourth option on the Choice Band set, but otherwise, it is difficult to fit Earthquake onto Heracross. Toxic is always an option, but in Heracross's case, it is rather pointless, as Heracross is much better off repeatedly bashing at its counters than trying to wear them down with status, due to its immense attacking power.</p> <p>Counter is a potential option, although many of Heracross's best counters OHKO it with Flying STAB, such as Skarmory, Heracross, and Gyarados. Counter is difficult to use on Heracross, as it resists three of the most common physical attacking types - Fighting, Ground, and Bug, so few players will aim attacks of those types at Heracross. Heracross is often better off simply attacking users of Normal and Rock-type attacks, and Poison and Ghost-type moves are extremely rare. Heracross could potentially counter on a Weezing Sludge Bomb, or a Dusclops Shadow Ball. Hidden Power Flying is a highly niche option that can be used specifically to cover other Heracross. Similarly to Earthquake, it will most likely see use in the fourth slot on the Choice Band set.</p> __________________ all triangular entities are liars Last edited by Triangles; Aug 6th, 2012 at 6:31:26 PM.