Heracross
[Overview]
<p>The combination of Heracross's excellent offensive typing, sky-high Attack stat, and powerful STAB moves makes it an absolute nightmare to play against. As if that wasn't enough, it has access to one of the best abilities an offensive Pokemon could ask for in Guts. This lets it take advantage of status, as opposed to being crippled by it like many other sweepers. It's also surprisingly versatile for a Pokemon that only attacks from one side, being able to run a multitude of sets—from an excellent Choice Scarf set to a powerful Swords Dance set. However, its average base 85 Speed stat and reliance on the inaccurate Stone Edge for coverage mean Heracross will come up short sometimes. Despite these shortcomings, this oversized stag beetle is one of the most dangerous Pokemon in UU, and should never be underestimated.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Megahorn
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Pursuit
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Guts
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set works as a fantastic revenge killer on virtually any team, ranging from offensive to more defensive teams, in need of one. Megahorn and Close Combat both receive STAB and hit extremely hard due to their high Base Power and Heracross's fantastic Attack stat. They work well together because, unlike with most Fighting-types, Psychic-types cannot switch into Heracross safely. Stone Edge provides coverage on the Flying-types which resist both of Heracross's STAB moves, such as Crobat. Pursuit works very well as a filler move, as it allows Heracross to trap speedy, physically frail Ghost- and Psychic-types, such as Mismagius and Azelf, ensuring they won't be coming back later.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Like most other revenge killers, this set's EVs simply maximize Attack and Speed so that it can hit as hard and as fast as possible. The use of a Jolly nature allows Heracross to get the jump on Modest +2 Omastar and Adamant Choice Scarf Darmanitan and Krookodile. Adamant is usable for more power, if you don't mind missing out on beating the aforementioned threats. Guts is a good ability for Heracross to have, as taking advantage of predicted status moves is always a good thing, but Swarm is also usable as it is arguably more consistent. Because Pursuit is not essential for Heracross to perform his job, there is a plethora of other moves it can run in its place. Sleep Talk transforms this set into an excellent sleep absorber, making it a solid initial switch-in to Roserade. Night Slash is also usable in order to hit Ghost-types, such as Mismagius. Knock Off can also be used, as two of Heracross's hard counters, Dusclops and Gligar, are commonly seen carrying Eviolite, and removing it very much decreases their utility. As strange as it may seem, using Toxic usually catches many of this set's common checks, namely Impish Arcanine, Bold Zapdos, and Suicune, off guard. Despite the seemingly redundant coverage with Close Combat, Earthquake can be used to hit Nidoking and Nidoqueen on the switch, as they resist every other move on the set.</p>
<p>Although every offensive Pokemon very much appreciates Stealth Rock support, Heracross does so more than usual due to many of his checks being weak to it, such as Crobat and Arcanine. Because of this, using a Pokemon that can set up the floating stones, such as Rhyperior, alongside Heracross is a good idea. As a bonus, Rhyperior can easily counter both of the aforementioned threats. Heracross is vulnerable to all forms of entry hazards too, so Rapid Spin support from the likes of Blastoise, which can also switch into Fire-type moves for Heracross, is a good idea. In order for Heracross to effectively spam its more reliable STAB move, Close Combat, Ghost-types need to be removed. Because of this, pairing it with a strong user of Pursuit will usually yield good results. One of the best Pokemon for this job is Houndoom, as in addition to Pursuiting Ghost-types, he is immune to two of Heracross's weaknesses: Psychic- and Fire-type attacks.</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Megahorn
move 4: Stone Edge / Facade
item: Leftovers / Flame Orb
ability: Guts
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is best suited for offensive or balanced teams in need of a way to bust open stall teams. Swords Dance is the crux of the set, allowing Heracross to double its Attack stat in a single turn, which is enough to break through even the sturdiest physical walls. Close Combat and Megahorn are Heracross's strong reliable STABs, and will hit everything really hard even before setting up. Stone Edge provides coverage on the Flying-types that resist Heracross's STAB moves. Facade is an option for coverage when you opt to use Flame Orb, as it maintains good neutral coverage with Close Combat and Megahorn while hitting Weezing and Gligar much harder than Stone Edge.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Like many other Swords Dance sweepers, this set's EVs are designed to hit as hard and fast as possible. Jolly is the preferred nature on Heracross, as it does not need the extra power to break through physical walls after a Swords Dance. Adamant is usable though, as Heracross will only miss out on beating Timid Togekiss and tying with Timid Suicune and Nidoking. The choice between Leftovers and Flame Orb essentially boils down to the choice between more longevity and more power. The former is usually better though, as it gives Heracross a better chance at breaking stall teams. Night Slash is an interesting move on this set, as it can be used for coverage on Ghost-types such as Dusclops. Earthquake works in a similar manner, but it hits Nidoking and Nidoqueen instead.</p>
<p>Due to his average Speed stat, paralysis support from the likes of Slowbro or Deoxys-D is very useful, as it ensures that Heracross fares better against offensive teams. Stealth Rock support is essential to this set, as many of its checks are Flying-types, such as Crobat and Zapdos. The aforementioned Deoxys-D can also provide this, as can other Pokemon such as Bronzong or Swampert. Knock Off support from the likes of Escavalier or Sableye can also come in handy, as two of Heracross's most prominent counters, Gligar and Dusclops, heavily rely on Eviolite to wall it. A speedy cleaner which can take advantage of a busted defensive core, such as Azelf, makes an excellent partner to this Heracross as well.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Megahorn
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Pursuit / Earthquake
item: Choice Band
ability: Guts
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is best suited for offensive teams in need of something to blast holes in the enemy's defenses so that other Pokemon can take advantage of them later. Close Combat and Megahorn hit ridiculously hard coming off Heracross's already huge Choice Band-boosted Attack, and will put a dent in anything that isn't straight-up immune to them. Stone Edge is the optimal coverage move for Heracross, as it covers Flying-types such as Zapdos and Crobat which resist both STAB moves. Pursuit is a nice filler move which can be used to pick off bulky Psychic-types and other weakened targets which intend to flee from Heracross's powerful assaults. However, it will rarely be used, as Heracross's time is better spent just spamming strong attacks to hit the incoming Pokemon. While Earthquake might seem to provide redundant coverage with Close Combat, it hits Nidoking and Nidoqueen super effectively, both of which resist every other move this set carries.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Guts is a big part of why Heracross makes such a great Choice Band user. Having its Attack increased as opposed to cut in half when burned is simply fantastic, especially with the popularity of Scald. Adamant is the preferred nature here as it lets Heracross hit as hard as possible. Use Jolly only if you wish to tie with Timid Nidoking and Suicune and outpace Timid Togekiss. Night Slash can be used for coverage as well, as it gets a super effective hit on Ghost-types such as Dusclops and Mismagius. Rock Slide hits the same targets Stone Edge does more accurately, but quite a bit less hard. This is okay though, as Choice Band gives Heracross plenty of power to KO Flying-types. Making Heracross your designated sleep absorber by giving it Sleep Talk in the fourth moveslot is also viable, as Guts will boost its Attack while it is asleep, allowing it to hit even harder.</p>
<p>This set pairs well with Pokemon which can take advantage of the chaos it leaves behind. Cobalion and Escavalier are good choices, as they both share common counters with Heracross and will therefore appreciate having them weakened. Stealth Rock support from the likes of Rhyperior, which can also switch into Flying- and Fire-type moves for Heracross, is very much appreciated, as many of this set's checks are weak to Rock-type attacks, namely Zapdos, Crobat, and Impish Arcanine. Rapid Spin support is also very useful, as Heracross is affected by every form of entry hazard. Because of this and its resistance to Fire-type attacks, Blastoise makes a good partner to this set.</p>
[SET]
name: Guts Abuse
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: Megahorn
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Facade / Substitute
item: Flame Orb / Toxic Orb
ability: Guts
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set sacrifices some longevity in order to maximize Heracross's damage output by taking advantage of its fantastic ability, Guts. Megahorn and Close Combat receive a STAB boost and will have the same damage output as they do when Heracross is wielding a Choice Band, but with a catch—he will be losing some HP every turn due to the burn or poison. Stone Edge provides good coverage alongside these moves, as it nails the Flying-types who resist them for super effective damage. Facade hits an astounding 140 Base Power once the status Orb activates, and in conjunction with the Guts boost, it will let Heracross severely damage Pokemon which would otherwise wall it, such as Gligar and Weezing. While it may seem suicidal to use Substitute with a status Orb, this set's purpose is not to stick around for long. Instead, it is meant to do as much damage as possible to the opponent before going down. The way it works is that you use Substitute on the switch, then KO their switch-in as they're busy breaking the plush doll.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Adamant is the preferred nature here as the aim of this set is just to hit as hard as possible, but Jolly is usable if you're worried about Timid Togekiss and want to tie with Timid Suicune and Nidoking. As for which status Orb is better, it depends on whether or not you plan to stay in for more than three turns. Flame Orb is better if you plan to stay in for more than 3 turns; otherwise, use Toxic Orb, as it inflicts less damage when you stay in for under three turns. Night Slash is available to Heracross as a good move to hit Ghost-types with, but that's the extent of its usefulness. Earthquake gets coverage on Qwilfish, Nidoking, and Nidoqueen, but Facade will usually do enough damage to them.</p>
<p>This Heracross really appreciates Rapid Spin support, more so than any other set, as its lifespan is already quite short as it is. Stealth Rock is very important for Heracross due to some his checks being weak to it, namely Crobat, Arcanine, and Zapdos. Rhyperior is a great choice for setting up Stealth Rock, as it also resists the Fire- and Flying-type moves which Heracross is weak to. Paralysis support is also very useful here, especially if you opt not to use Substitute, as it lets Heracross blast right through threats which would usually be able to revenge it. Additionally, pairing this set with a strong Water-type attacker which can switch into and threaten Gligar and Nidoqueen is a good idea, as they both fear very little from this set.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Heracross has plenty of interesting sets it can run, which some might consider effective. For example, it can use its two STAB moves alongside the combination of Life Orb and RestTalk in order to take advantage of Guts. Additionally, it can use a RestTalk + Bulk Up set, reminiscent of CroCune, with Megahorn as its only attack and a specially defensive EV spread. However, these two sets have one crucial problem: this generation's sleep mechanics force Heracross to stay in three turns in a row if it ever hopes to wake up. As has been tradition since ADV, a Substitute + Focus Punch is also usable, as Heracross's Focus Punch is sure to obliterate anything that doesn't resist it. Finally, Heracross also has the option of using Aerial Ace, which is almost always an OHKO on opposing Heracross.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>When it comes to hard counters, Heracross's are few and far between. In fact, the only Pokemon which can actually brush off any of its hits are Dusclops, Cofagrigus, and Gligar. All of them take very little from its attacks, and Cofagrigus even has Mummy to nullify Guts. Zapdos, Yanmega, and Crobat resist both STAB moves, but have to watch out for Stone Edge and be wary of switching into Stealth Rock. Impish Arcanine is on a similar boat, but has Intimidate to soften Close Combat's blows. Weezing can pretty much take anything from Heracross, bar a Swords Dance + Guts-boosted Facade. Nidoking and Nidoqueen resist all of Heracross's common moves, bar Earthquake and Facade, and can hit back with a Sheer Force-boosted Fire Blast or Sludge Wave. Qwilfish works in a similar way, resisting both STABs and having Intimidate to further soften Heracross's blows. When it comes to Choice sets, your best weapon against them is prediction. Finally, if all else fails, you can simply resort to exploiting Heracross's average Speed stat to revenge kill with a faster Pokemon which can OHKO, such as Darmanitan and Victini.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Heracross was fortunate enough to receive one of the best abilities in the game through the Dream World, Moxie. This ability is very useful, as it allows the Choice Scarf set to clean up much more easily after a revenge kill. However, Guts is still the superior choice on every set which focuses on simply doing damage, as it gives Heracross a potential boost in Attack.</p>
