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Honedge** [QC: 3/3]
- Thread starter Goddess Briyella
- Start date
hello, brypie :)
Overview
########
Honedge has certain qualities because of its unique typing. It does the job of taking both Normal- and Flying-type attacks while also being immune to Fighting-type attacks that others have issues with. To boost its defensive capabilities further, it has excellent physical Defense. Honedge's weaknesses are very clearly related to its Special Defense. It also has low speed Speed, however; it has Automize and Shadow Sneak which help mitigate that issue. On the offensive side, it has a pretty decent physical movepool though, unfortunately, nothing to use with No Guard. This means No Guard is actually a liability.
Swords Dance
########
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Sacred Sword
move 4: Shadow Sneak / Shadow Claw
ability: No Guard
item: Eviolite
evs: 196 Atk / 116 Def / 140 SpD / 52 Spe
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
Swords Dance is required for sweeping late game and being a threat to defensive Pokemon. Iron Head is Honedge's main STAB move and Sacred Sword hits Pokemon such as Pawniard and other Steel-types that resist its STAB. Shadow Sneak lets Honedge pick off weakened foes and sweep late game when boosted by Swords Dance.
Set Details
========
In terms of items, Eviolite is preferable to Berry Juice on Honedge because of the inevitability of it being hit by Knock Off. Its EV spread maxes Attack but has enough in Def to avoid KOes from common Earthquake and Knock Off users. It can even take a Carvanha Crunch most of the time. The rest is invested in SpD to avoid a KO from Misdreavus Shadow Balls most of the time.
Usage Tips
========
Honedge is a pivot-set up sweeper. It checks Pokemon like Fletchling, Bunnelby, and Spritzee and uses that opportunity to set up Swords Dance or it hits counters with a moderately powerful Iron Head or Sacred Swords. It is best to save Swords Dance for a time when Honedge can sweep or take an opponent down to very low HP to KO and break a wall for another sweeper.
Team Options
========
Honedge is very much a team player; it would have a very hard time getting past any bulky Fighting-type with Knock Off without a Pokemon such as Pawniard to weaken them and using Knock Off. Spritzee or Lickitung with Wish also make good teammates for Honedge because they lure in Poison, Steel, and Fighting-type attacks, which Honedge can easily take and heal back up from Wish. Pawniard can force Honedge out, meaning bulky Fighting-types like Timburr or Mienfoo also make good partners for Honedge. Paralaysis spreaders such as Ferroseed and Cottonee also make a good combo with Honedge because it not only helps with its low Speed, but gives the possibility for paralfinching. Similarly, Sticky Web can be used but Pawniard becomes incredibly dangerous at that point.
Autotomize Lure
########
name: Autotomize
move 1: Autotomize
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Sacred Sword / Shadow Claw
move 4: Destiny Bond
ability: No Guard
item: Eviolite / Berry Juice
evs: 196 Atk / 116 Def / 60 SpD / 132 Spe
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
Automize boosts Speed to outpace counters and slower Choice Scarf users. Iron Head is its main STAB. Sacred Sword is for coverage, namely Pawniard. Destiny Bond lets Honedge take out one of its counters when its done, and allows it to easily take out Pawniard with Sucker Punch.
Set Details
========
Eviolite is preferable to Berry Juice on Honedge because of the inevitability of it being hit by Knock Off. Its EV spread maxes Attack but has enough in Def to avoid KOes from common Earthquake and Knock Off users. Its speed hits 11 to outpace 20 Speed Pokemon after an Automize.
Usage Tips
========
This Honedge is a good early-mid game check, and a late-game cleaner. However, it has the option of taking out one of its counters, namely Fighting-types or other bulky Pokemon. After an Autotomize, it is important to decide which Pokemon Honedge wants to take out for your other Pokemon to sweep. For example, if you are relying on a Carvanha sweep, you should use Automize + Destiny Bond to take out Timburr or Mienfoo.
Team Options
========
This Honedge is more offensive oriented. It removes Fighting-types most of the time, meaning Carvanha, Tirtouga, Pawniard, and Scraggy make great parters. With most of those, Spritzee is also a counter but Honedge can switch into Moonblast quite easily as well. It also does a good job of removing Sucker Punch users, such as Pawniard, so Pokemon such as Gastly and Abra greatly appreciate it.
Other Options
########
Small movepool, so not much. Aerial Ace hits Larvesta. Gyro Ball is an option but does not make much sense since it only hits very fast Pokemon - where Iron Head would work fine. An Automize + Swords Dance set could work due to its relatively good two-move coverage. Life Orb can be used for more power, but it gains few KOes and gets KOed by much more. Restalk can be used for more longevity. Trick Room sets would work well, but it wastes a turn setting up Swords Dance.
Checks & Counters
########
**Knock Off users**: These Pokemon are usually bulky enough to take a hit from Honedge and at the very least 2HKO in return.
**Bulky Fighting-types**: With Knock Off, bulky Fighting-types can stop Honedge and beat it one on one.
**Fire-types**: As long as the Fire-types can take a +2 Shadow Sneak or an unboosted Sacred Sword, they can easily switch in and OHKO Honedge with Fire Blast or burn it.
**Ground-types**: As long as the Ground-types can take a hit from Honedge, they can usually 1-2HKO with their STAB moves.
**Burn status** Bulky Water-types and Fire-types can burn with Scald or various Fire-type moves.
**Dark-types**: Pawniard and Carvanha can't switch in safely, but they can easily revenge kill Honedge.
Overview
########
Honedge has certain qualities because of its unique typing. It does the job of taking both Normal- and Flying-type attacks while also being immune to Fighting-type attacks that others have issues with. To boost its defensive capabilities further, it has excellent physical Defense. Honedge's weaknesses are very clearly related to its Special Defense. It also has low speed Speed, however; it has Automize and Shadow Sneak which help mitigate that issue. On the offensive side, it has a pretty decent physical movepool though, unfortunately, nothing to use with No Guard. This means No Guard is actually a liability.
Swords Dance
########
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Sacred Sword
move 4: Shadow Sneak / Shadow Claw
ability: No Guard
item: Eviolite
evs: 196 Atk / 116 Def / 140 SpD / 52 Spe
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
Swords Dance is required for sweeping late game and being a threat to defensive Pokemon. Iron Head is Honedge's main STAB move and Sacred Sword hits Pokemon such as Pawniard and other Steel-types that resist its STAB. Shadow Sneak lets Honedge pick off weakened foes and sweep late game when boosted by Swords Dance.
Set Details
========
In terms of items, Eviolite is preferable to Berry Juice on Honedge because of the inevitability of it being hit by Knock Off. Its EV spread maxes Attack but has enough in Def to avoid KOes from common Earthquake and Knock Off users. It can even take a Carvanha Crunch most of the time. The rest is invested in SpD to avoid a KO from Misdreavus Shadow Balls most of the time.
Usage Tips
========
Honedge is a pivot-set up sweeper. It checks Pokemon like Fletchling, Bunnelby, and Spritzee and uses that opportunity to set up Swords Dance or it hits counters with a moderately powerful Iron Head or Sacred Swords. It is best to save Swords Dance for a time when Honedge can sweep or take an opponent down to very low HP to KO and break a wall for another sweeper.
Team Options
========
Honedge is very much a team player; it would have a very hard time getting past any bulky Fighting-type with Knock Off without a Pokemon such as Pawniard to weaken them and using Knock Off. Spritzee or Lickitung with Wish also make good teammates for Honedge because they lure in Poison, Steel, and Fighting-type attacks, which Honedge can easily take and heal back up from Wish. Pawniard can force Honedge out, meaning bulky Fighting-types like Timburr or Mienfoo also make good partners for Honedge. Paralaysis spreaders such as Ferroseed and Cottonee also make a good combo with Honedge because it not only helps with its low Speed, but gives the possibility for paralfinching. Similarly, Sticky Web can be used but Pawniard becomes incredibly dangerous at that point.
Autotomize Lure
########
name: Autotomize
move 1: Autotomize
move 2: Iron Head
move 3: Sacred Sword / Shadow Claw
move 4: Destiny Bond
ability: No Guard
item: Eviolite / Berry Juice
evs: 196 Atk / 116 Def / 60 SpD / 132 Spe
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
Automize boosts Speed to outpace counters and slower Choice Scarf users. Iron Head is its main STAB. Sacred Sword is for coverage, namely Pawniard. Destiny Bond lets Honedge take out one of its counters when its done, and allows it to easily take out Pawniard with Sucker Punch.
Set Details
========
Eviolite is preferable to Berry Juice on Honedge because of the inevitability of it being hit by Knock Off. Its EV spread maxes Attack but has enough in Def to avoid KOes from common Earthquake and Knock Off users. Its speed hits 11 to outpace 20 Speed Pokemon after an Automize.
Usage Tips
========
This Honedge is a good early-mid game check, and a late-game cleaner. However, it has the option of taking out one of its counters, namely Fighting-types or other bulky Pokemon. After an Autotomize, it is important to decide which Pokemon Honedge wants to take out for your other Pokemon to sweep. For example, if you are relying on a Carvanha sweep, you should use Automize + Destiny Bond to take out Timburr or Mienfoo.
Team Options
========
This Honedge is more offensive oriented. It removes Fighting-types most of the time, meaning Carvanha, Tirtouga, Pawniard, and Scraggy make great parters. With most of those, Spritzee is also a counter but Honedge can switch into Moonblast quite easily as well. It also does a good job of removing Sucker Punch users, such as Pawniard, so Pokemon such as Gastly and Abra greatly appreciate it.
Other Options
########
Small movepool, so not much. Aerial Ace hits Larvesta. Gyro Ball is an option but does not make much sense since it only hits very fast Pokemon - where Iron Head would work fine. An Automize + Swords Dance set could work due to its relatively good two-move coverage. Life Orb can be used for more power, but it gains few KOes and gets KOed by much more. Restalk can be used for more longevity. Trick Room sets would work well, but it wastes a turn setting up Swords Dance.
Checks & Counters
########
**Knock Off users**: These Pokemon are usually bulky enough to take a hit from Honedge and at the very least 2HKO in return.
**Bulky Fighting-types**: With Knock Off, bulky Fighting-types can stop Honedge and beat it one on one.
**Fire-types**: As long as the Fire-types can take a +2 Shadow Sneak or an unboosted Sacred Sword, they can easily switch in and OHKO Honedge with Fire Blast or burn it.
**Ground-types**: As long as the Ground-types can take a hit from Honedge, they can usually 1-2HKO with their STAB moves.
**Burn status** Bulky Water-types and Fire-types can burn with Scald or various Fire-type moves.
**Dark-types**: Pawniard and Carvanha can't switch in safely, but they can easily revenge kill Honedge.
Last edited:
Yo Heysup, on the first set you have enough ev's leftover to put them in speed for an extra point in that stat. Don't know if that matters at all.
Autotomize
Other Options
- In addition to outspeeding 20 speed mons after a boost, it also outspeeds 14 speed scarfers, a very important threshold.
- Slash in Shadow Claw with Secret Sword. Steel/Ghost have pretty decent coverage together as well. Destiny Bond still dissuades Sucker Punchers like Pawniard and Houndour, and w/ Shadow Claw it doesn't have to rely on Destiny Bond to beat Ghost- and Psychic-types.
196+ Atk Honedge Shadow Claw vs. 36 HP / 0 Def Misdreavus: 24-30 (104.3 - 130.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
196+ Atk Honedge Shadow Claw vs. 36 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Misdreavus: 14-20 (60.8 - 86.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
196+ Atk Honedge Shadow Claw vs. 0 HP / 76 Def Meditite: 20-26 (105.2 - 136.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
196+ Atk Honedge Shadow Claw vs. 0 HP / 156 Def Eviolite Meditite: 14-18 (73.6 - 94.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
196+ Atk Honedge Shadow Claw vs. 0 HP / 36 Def Eviolite Honedge: 14-18 (66.6 - 85.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
The bulkier mons can be OHKO'd with a bit of prior damage. With only Iron Head/Sacred Sword, d-bond is required to take them out.
196+ Atk Honedge Shadow Claw vs. 36 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Misdreavus: 14-20 (60.8 - 86.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
196+ Atk Honedge Shadow Claw vs. 0 HP / 76 Def Meditite: 20-26 (105.2 - 136.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
196+ Atk Honedge Shadow Claw vs. 0 HP / 156 Def Eviolite Meditite: 14-18 (73.6 - 94.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
196+ Atk Honedge Shadow Claw vs. 0 HP / 36 Def Eviolite Honedge: 14-18 (66.6 - 85.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
The bulkier mons can be OHKO'd with a bit of prior damage. With only Iron Head/Sacred Sword, d-bond is required to take them out.
Other Options
- A Double Dancing set with both boosting moves, which exchanges some coverage/utility for more adaptability to a given situation.
- Mention Rock Slide instead of Aerial Ace to hit Larvesta; it gets perfect accuracy w/ No Guard. Outside of the useless Cut and Fury Cutter, it's the only physical attack that can make use of its ability.
Goddess Briyella
Banned deucer.
If it outspeeds 14 Speed Scarfers (21), it's worth noting that it outspeeds Adamant Scraggy after a Dragon Dance also.
It barely makes a difference against those Pokemon but I guess an argument could be made for BJ Missy and Slowpoke, even if its a bit of a stretch. I'll slash.
Yea points taken.sparktrain said:
Don't think this is so important as Scraggy will KO you before you set up, and if you're already set up, it probably won't set up itself. Many are Jolly regardless
I would remove mentions of Murkrow and Meditite, and also include Chinchou as a counter to Honedge. Chinchou takes at most 48% from a +2 Shadow Sneak, and in return can fish for a Scald Burn, commonly 2hkoing. I would also add in Sticky Web in team options for the SD set, though this also warrants the obligatory Pawniard counter even more than usual.
Good catch.
SD doesn't especially need it because of Shadow Sneak but I'll mention it. However Chinchou is usually 2HKOed by +2 Sacred Sword or Sacred Sword + Shadow Sneak.
name: Choice Band
move 1: Iron Head
move 2: Shadow Sneak
move 3: Sacred Sword
move 4: Shadow Claw / Rock Slide
item: Choice Band
nature: Adamant
evs: 196 Atk / 196 Def / 52 Spe
I know this isn't the best set, but why not. This thing reaches 27 attack, which is pretty nice. Iron Head is your main STAB, 80 power + 30% Chance to flinch (If you're faster which you're probably not), Shadow Sneak is for Priority because you are so slow and it does nice damage. Sacred Sword is a great move to hit through Defense boosts and it hits Rock/Steel types, also hits Dark as well. And the last move is for extra more power STAB, or Rock Slide for Larvestas/ other fire types. Rock Slide can make use of Honedge's useless ability. Only boosting Cut and Fury Cutter, making Fire Blasts/Hydro Pumps hit you 100%. 52 Speed is there just to outspeed slower things and get 10 speed.
move 1: Iron Head
move 2: Shadow Sneak
move 3: Sacred Sword
move 4: Shadow Claw / Rock Slide
item: Choice Band
nature: Adamant
evs: 196 Atk / 196 Def / 52 Spe
I know this isn't the best set, but why not. This thing reaches 27 attack, which is pretty nice. Iron Head is your main STAB, 80 power + 30% Chance to flinch (If you're faster which you're probably not), Shadow Sneak is for Priority because you are so slow and it does nice damage. Sacred Sword is a great move to hit through Defense boosts and it hits Rock/Steel types, also hits Dark as well. And the last move is for extra more power STAB, or Rock Slide for Larvestas/ other fire types. Rock Slide can make use of Honedge's useless ability. Only boosting Cut and Fury Cutter, making Fire Blasts/Hydro Pumps hit you 100%. 52 Speed is there just to outspeed slower things and get 10 speed.
This looks fine QC 2/3
Dhaora, if I'm not mistaken, this analysis was reassigned quite some time ago.
Ah yes, that does seem to be the case, Max Carvalho?
Max Carvalho
Que os jogos comecem
Yeah, if anyone could lock this it would be cool. Just seeing if all that sets still work in the current meta and such, honedge is going to be gp ready very soon.