Hoothoot (Analysis)

Diana

This isn't even my final form
is a Researcher Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnus
Hoothoot



Status: Done!
QC checks: Eternal, Al_Alchemist
GP checks: TelamonianAjax (worked off V0x's check), NixHex (stamped Charmander's check)


[Overview]

<p>Hoothoot is not an impressive Pokemon at first glance, with meager stats outside of its decent HP and Special Defense. To make things worse, it needs to differentiate itself from Vullaby, who outclasses Hoothoot in nearly every role. Luckily, Hoothoot learns two useful moves, Reflect and Hypnosis, which allow it to do just that. Overall, Hoothoot isn't too good, but it's decent when taking advantage of the quirks that make it unique.</p>

[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Roost
move 3: Air Slash
move 4: Hypnosis / Whirlwind
item: Eviolite
ability: Insomnia
nature: Calm
evs: 196 HP / 196 Def / 68 SpD / 36 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Hoothoot's good special bulk and access to Reflect make it a solid defensive Pokemon. Reflect provides good team support, especially useful in a metagame filled with Fighting-types. Roost provides Hoothoot with a much needed form of recovery. Air Slash is Hoothoot's best attacking move, hitting Fighting-types super effectively. Hypnosis is the optimal move in the last slot, as sleep is a very potent status effect; it is also something else to set Hoothoot apart from Vullaby. Alternatively, Whirlwind is an option for phazing, and is useful if Hypnosis's low accuracy is undesired.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>An EV spread of 196 HP / 36 Def / 228 SpD / 36 Spe can be used for added special bulk, but Hoothoot is 2HKOed by most special attackers anyway. The aforementioned EV spread, however, does make Hoothoot a good check to Hypnosis Gastly who lack Thunderbolt, so it can be useful if your team is weak to it. Lileep is a great teammate for Hoothoot, as it beats most Chinchou,a good counter to this set,handily. Magnemite has a useful 4x resist to Air Slash, so it is also another solid counter. Wooper and Hippopotas can deal with Magnemite, who also poses problems for this set, rather easily. Magnemite itself is also a fantastic teammate for Hoothoot, as it resists all of Hoothoot's weaknesses. In return, Hoothoot is immune to the Ground-type moves that Magnemite fears.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Hoothoot has Tinted Lens, which is normally a useful ability, but it is illegal with moves such as Heat Wave and Silver Wind. Hoothoot's Special Attack is also much too low for this to work well. It does, however, have Agility, Work Up, Psychic, Hidden Power, and Shadow Ball if you want to use Hoothoot offensively. Psycho Shift could work, mainly as a way to rid status inflicted on Hoothoot. Toxic is an interesting choice over Hypnosis if used on a stall team, as Hoothoot can stall out many Pokemon with its high defenses and Reflect. Mirror Move could be useful against Dwebble, allowing Hoothoot to set up Spikes or Stealth Rock as Dwebble does. If Reflect is up, even Rock Blast can be copied to deal major damage back. FeatherDance could also work against a physical Pokemon, but Hoothoot has Reflect, which is usually better. Magic Coat is always a good option, and Hoothoot can make good use of it. Finally, Hoothoot can set up Tailwind, though it can't use it effectively. Reflect and Tailwind is a great combination to help Scraggy set up, however, so it could be worthwhile.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Most of Hoothoot's potential counters need to watch out for Hypnosis, but once something is put to sleep, it is much easier to deal with. Chinchou is the best counter, especially RestTalk variants, who can absorb Hypnosis quite safely. Magnemite also easily beats Hoothoot, thanks to its resistance to Air Slash and powerful STAB moves. Dwebble sets up on Hoothoot that lack Mirror Move or Magic Coat. Snover can't take Air Slash well, but its STAB Blizzard deals a great amount of damage.</p>
 
Everything looks perfect, well done. Only one thing though, with Hoothoot's great defenses and Reflect, it can find a good niche on a stall team. Thus, having Toxic over Hypnosis is also a viable option. But, even with Hypnosis' terrible accuracy, it does stand out to be a better option than Toxic in most cases. Whereas Whirlwind would definitely help as a great phazer.

There isn't really much to say.

QC APPROVED 1/2
 

Al_Alchemist

Physics and Math \O/
is a Past SPL Champion
I propose you change the EV spread to this: 196 HP / 196 Def / 68 SpD / 36 Spe (still Calm Nature)

The reason is because almost every common special attacker and their mom has a SE move on Hoothoot and/or can 2HKO it. LO Houndour still 2HKOs your spread with Fire Blast, while Chinchou, Magnemite, and Snover all obviously 2HKO you. Eviolite Attacker Staryu has Thunderbolt which does 12 damage on average, so although you narrowly dodge being 2HKOd, it probably isn't worth it when considering PP, crits, Natural Cure, Hypnosis shit accuracy, etc. This only leaves pretty obscure special attackers, such as Natu, defensive Pokemon with little Special Attack, and Gastly (who still sometimes carries Thunderbolt). Defensive Pokemon can't usually be taken down with only a weak Air Slash and Hypnosis anyway.

12 Defense now gives you more insurance against Fighting-type and other random Physical attackers. For example, the Standard Mienfoo/Scraggy's HJK will now do an average of 15 damage before Reflect, and an average of 7 damage after Reflect (whereas it would have 2HKOd on average with only 10 Defense). You also now beat Scraggy one on one, just Reflect first turn, then Air Slash twice, and you would usually come out on top. But of course you wouldn't be able to switch into it anytime soon. Air Slash always 2HKOing both of them is pretty nifty.

The disadvantage would be not being able to dodge a 2HKO from a LO Gastly's Sludge Bomb, or a non LO Sludge Bomb with SR. However, you still beat non LO Sludge Bomb without SR, and non Sludge Bomb/Tbolt Gastly in general. But when considering usage, this spread is superior. After you make that change you can have this, although you can already give one yourself so :P


[QC APPROVED 2/2]

edit: The current spread should be put in AC for better countering Gastly, since it does have Insomnia for random Hypnosis Gastly, making it a good Counter.
 

Diana

This isn't even my final form
is a Researcher Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnus
I made the changes, thanks! And that's the reason I don't stamp my own analyses, the extra check often comes in handy. Will write later.

Edit: This is written.
 

Lemonade

WOOPAGGING
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Team Rater Alumnusis a Social Media Contributor Alumnusis an Artist Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnusis a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus
o you know what this is

[Overview]

<p>Hoothoot is not an impressive Pokemon at a glance, with low stats outside of its decent HP and Special Defense. To make things it worse, it also needs to differentiate from Vullaby, which outclasses Hoothoot in at nearly everything role. Luckily, Hoothoot learns two useful moves, in Reflect and Hypnosis, that allow it to do just that. Overall, Hoothoot isn't too good, but it's okay when taking advantage of the quirks that make it unique.</p>

[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Roost
move 3: Air Slash
move 4: Hypnosis / Whirlwind
item: Eviolite
ability: Insomnia
nature: Calm
evs: 196 HP / 196 Def / 68 SpD / 36 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Hoothoot's good special bulk and access to Reflect make it a solid defensive Pokemon. Reflect provides good team support, which is especially useful in a metagame that is filled with Fighting-types. Roost provides Hoothoot with a much-needed form of healing. Air Slash is Hoothoot's best attacking move, hitting Fighting-types super effectively. Hypnosis is the best optimal move in the last slot, as Sleep is a very potent status effect,; while also being it is also something else to differentiate Hoothoot from Vullaby. Alternatively, Whirlwind is an option for phazing, and is useful if Hypnosis's low accuracy is undesired.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>An EV spread of 196 HP / 36 Def / 228 SpD / 36 Spe can be used for added special bulk, but Hoothoot is 2KOed by most special attackers anyway. The spread does make Hoothoot into a good counter for Hypnosis Gastly that lack Thunderbolt, so it can be useful if the team is weak to it. RestTalk Chinchou is the best counter, as it isn't dead weight when asleep. Lileep is a great teammate for Hoothoot, as it beats most Chinchou handily. Magnemite has a useful 4x resist to Air Slash, so it is also another solid counter. Wooper and Hippopotas work to can deal with the electrical magnet Magnemite. Magnemite is also a fantastic teammate for Hoothoot, since it resists all of Hoothoot's weaknesses. In return, Hoothoot is immune to the Ground-type moves that Magnemite fears.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Hoothoot has Tinted Lens, a normally useful ability, but it is illegal with moves such as Heat Wave and Silver Wind. Hoothoot's Special Attack is also much too low for this to work well. It still has Agility, Work Up, Psychic, Hidden Power, and Shadow Ball if one wants to use Hoothoot offensively, however. Psycho Shift could work, mainly as a way to rid Hoothoot of status taken during a battle. Toxic is an interesting choice over Hypnosis if used on a stall team, as Hoothoot can stall out many Pokemon with its high defenses and Reflect. Mirror Move could be useful against Dwebble, as it can allow Hoothoot itself to set up Spikes or Stealth Rock. If Reflect is up, even Rock Blast can be copied to deal major damage back. Featherdance could work against a physical Pokemon, but Hoothoot has Reflect, which is usually better. Magic Coat is always a good option, and Hoothoot can make good use of it. Finally, Hoothoot can set up Tailwind, though it can't use it effectively. Reflect and Tailwind is a great combination to help Scraggy set up, however, so it could be worthwhile.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Most of Hoothoot's potential counters need to watch out for Hypnosis, but once something is put to sleep, the owl it is much easier to deal with. Chinchou is the best counter, especially RestTalk versions that can absorb Hypnosis quite safely. Magnemite easily beats Hoothoot thanks to its resistance to Air Slash and powerful STAB moves. Dwebble sets up on Hoothoot that lack Mirror Move or Magic Coat. Snover can't take Air Slash well, but its STAB Blizzards deal a great amount of damage.</p>
 
V0x's check was great; I'm making a few more changes, and will stamp.

Looks good.

[Overview]

<p>Hoothoot is not an impressive Pokemon at afirst glance, with lowmeager stats, outside of its decent HP and Special Defense. To make things worse, it also needs to differentiate itself from Vullaby, which outclasses Hoothoot in nearly every role. Luckily, Hoothoot learns two useful moves, Reflect and Hypnosis, that allow it to do just that. Overall, Hoothoot isn't too good, but it's okaydecent when taking advantage of the quirks that make it unique.</p>

[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Roost
move 3: Air Slash
move 4: Hypnosis / Whirlwind
item: Eviolite
ability: Insomnia
nature: Calm
evs: 196 HP / 196 Def / 68 SpD / 36 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Hoothoot's good special bulk and access to Reflect make it a solid defensive Pokemon. Reflect provides good team support, especially useful in a metagame that is filled with Fighting-types. Roost provides Hoothoot with a much-needed form of healingrecovery. Air Slash is Hoothoot's best attacking move, hitting Fighting-types super effectively. Hypnosis is the optimal move in the last slot, as Sleep is a very potent status effect; it is also something else to differentiateset Hoothoot apart from Vullaby. Alternatively, Whirlwind is an option for phazing, and is useful if Hypnosis's low accuracy is undesired.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>An EV spread of 196 HP / 36 Def / 228 SpD / 36 Spe can be used for added special bulk, but Hoothoot is 2HKOed by most special attackers anyway. Theat spread, though, does make Hoothoot into a good counter for Hypnosis Gastly that lack Thunderbolt, so it can be useful if theyour team is weak to it. RestTalk Chinchou is the best counter, as it isn't dead weight when asleep. Lileep is a great teammate for Hoothoot, as it beats most Chinchou —a good counter to this set—handily. Magnemite has a useful 4x resist to Air Slash, so it is also another solid counter. Wooper and Hippopotas can deal with the electrical magnetMagnemite, who also poses problems for this set, rather easily. Magnemite itself is also a fantastic teammate for Hoothoot, sinceas it resists all of Hoothoot's weaknesses. In return, Hoothoot is immune to the Ground-type moves that Magnemite fears.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Hoothoot has Tinted Lens, a normally a useful ability, but it is illegal with moves such as Heat Wave and Silver Wind. Hoothoot's Special Attack is also much too low for this to work well. [COMMENT: if its SpA is too low for those moves to work well, why is it worth mentioning that they're illegal with Tinted Lens?] It has does, however, have Agility, Work Up, Psychic, Hidden Power, and Shadow Ball if oneyou wants to use Hoothoot offensively, however. Psycho Shift could work, mainly as a way to rid Hoothoot of status taken during a battle. Toxic is an interesting choice over Hypnosis if used on a stall team, as Hoothoot can stall out many Pokemon with its high defenses and Reflect. Mirror Move could be useful against Dwebble, as it can allowing Hoothoot itself to set up Spikes or Stealth Rock as Dwebble does. If Reflect is up, even Rock Blast can be copied to deal major damage back. Featherdance could also work against a physical Pokemon, but Hoothoot has Reflect, which is usually better. Magic Coat is always a good option, and Hoothoot can make good use of it. Finally, Hoothoot can set up Tailwind, though it can't use it effectively. Reflect and Tailwind is a great combination to help Scraggy set up, however, so it could be worthwhile.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Most of Hoothoot's potential counters need to watch out for Hypnosis, but once something is put to sleep, it is much easier to deal with. Chinchou is the best counter, especially RestTalk versionariants that can absorb Hypnosis quite safely. Magnemite also easily beats Hoothoot, thanks to its resistance to Air Slash and powerful STAB moves. Dwebble sets up on Hoothoot that lack Mirror Move or Magic Coat. Snover can't take Air Slash well, but its STAB Blizzards deals a great amount of damage.</p>


Add
Remove



GP Approved 1/2
 

Diana

This isn't even my final form
is a Researcher Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnus
Thanks, this is updated. I mentioned Heat Wave and Ominous Wind since it really is a major drawback to using the ability.
 
hi Diana!
add
{ comment }
remove

[box][Overview]

<p>Hoothoot is not an impressive Pokemon at first glance, with meager stats outside of its decent HP and Special Defense. To make things worse, it also needs to differentiate itself from Vullaby, whoich outclasses Hoothoot in nearly every role. Luckily, Hoothoot learns two useful moves,: Reflect and Hypnosis, which that allow it to do just that. Overall, Hoothoot isn't too good, but it's decent when taking advantage of the quirks that make it unique.</p>

[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Roost
move 3: Air Slash
move 4: Hypnosis / Whirlwind
item: Eviolite
ability: Insomnia
nature: Calm
evs: 196 HP / 196 Def / 68 SpD / 36 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Hoothoot's good special bulk and access to Reflect make it a solid defensive Pokemon. Reflect provides good team support by halving the damage output from physical attacks, which is especially useful in a metagame filled with Fighting-types. Roost provides Hoothoot with a much-(space)needed form of recovery. Air Slash is Hoothoot's best attacking move, hitting Fighting-types super effectively. Hypnosis is the optimal move in the last slot, as sleep is a very potent status effect; it is also something else to set Hoothoot apart from Vullaby. Alternatively, Whirlwind is an option for phazing, and is useful if Hypnosis's low accuracy is undesired.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>An EV spread of 196 HP / 36 Def / 228 SpD / 36 Spe can be used for added special bulk, but Hoothoot is 2HKOed by most special attackers anyway. The aforementioned EV spread, however,That spread, though, does make Hoothoot a good counter for check to Hypnosis Gastly who lack Thunderbolt, so it can be useful if your team is weak to it. Lileep is a great teammate for Hoothoot, as it beats most Chinchou—(em dash)a good counter to this set-(space)handily. Magnemite has a useful 4x resist to Air Slash, so it is also another solid counter. Wooper and Hippopotas can deal with Magnemite, who also poses problems for this set, rather easily. Magnemite itself is also a fantastic teammate for Hoothoot, as it resists all of Hoothoot's weaknesses. In return, Hoothoot is immune to the Ground-type moves that Magnemite fears.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Hoothoot has Tinted Lens-normally a useful ability-, which is normally is a useful ability, but it is illegal with moves such as Heat Wave and Silver Wind. Hoothoot's Special Attack is also much too low for this to work well. It does, however, have Agility, Work Up, Psychic, Hidden Power, and Shadow Ball if you want to use Hoothoot offensively. Psycho Shift could work, mainly as a way to rid Hoothoot of status taken inflicted on Hoothoot during a battle. Toxic is an interesting choice over Hypnosis if used on a stall team, as Hoothoot can stall out many Pokemon with its high defenses and Reflect. Mirror Move could be useful against Dwebble, allowing Hoothoot to set up Spikes or Stealth Rock as Dwebble does. If Reflect is up, even Rock Blast can be copied to deal major damage back. FeatherDance could also work against a physical Pokemon, but Hoothoot has Reflect, which is usually better. Magic Coat is always a good option, and Hoothoot can make good use of it. Finally, Hoothoot can set up Tailwind, though it can't use it effectively. Reflect and Tailwind is a great combination to help Scraggy set up, however, so it could be worthwhile.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Most of Hoothoot's potential counters need to watch out for Hypnosis, but once something is put to sleep, it is much easier to deal with. Chinchou is the best counter, especially RestTalk variants that who can absorb Hypnosis quite safely. Magnemite also(space)easily beats Hoothoot, thanks to its resistance to Air Slash and powerful STAB moves. Dwebble sets up on Hoothoot that lack Mirror Move or Magic Coat. Snover can't take Air Slash well, but its STAB Blizzard deals a great amount of damage.</p>[/box]
 

Diana

This isn't even my final form
is a Researcher Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnus
This just needs one more GP check and the BW dex upgrade dropped this to page 6 so I'm going to bump this. Take this as a notice to not forget the things on the back pages because of the many moved threads, even though most will be back up soon!
 
stamping charmander's check since everything in it looks fine, though regarding the em dash, just use a comma and then put another comma after "set".

 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 1, Guests: 0)

Top