[OVERVIEW]
**Psychic**:
With some of the highest mixed attacking stats in the game, extremely strong STAB options, and completely unresisted coverage, it's no wonder that Hoopa-U is one of the most threatening wallbreakers in the entire Monotype metagame. For Psychic-type teams, Hoopa-U also functions as a Ghost-type and Dark-type check, with a neutrality to both types and a sky-high Special Defense stat. Its mixed potential and coverage makes it extremely unpredictable; Hoopa-U can use all three of Choice Scarf, Choice Specs, and Choice Band effectively and can even use bulky and mixed sets. Slower types like Normal, Water, Psychic, and Flying often find themselves having to lose a Pokemon every time Hoopa-U attacks in order to find out what set it is using. While Hoopa-U is nearly impossible to consistently counter defensively, it is very easy to check offensively. A typing that gives it zero resistances and a 4x weakness to Bug-type moves in addition to its extremely low physical bulk means that Hoopa-U will be forced to switch out very frequently. Furthermore, while Hoopa-U can utilize all three Choice items effectively, if it does not use Choice Scarf, it is quite slow for a wallbreaker and finds itself being outsped by most offensive threats, and if it does use Choice Scarf, it trades its middling speed for a very noticeable lack in power; however, Hoopa-U's sheer wallbreaking potential solidifies its spot onto most balanced Psychic teams.
**Dark**:
Hoopa-U has a crucial, coveted role on Dark-type teams as a Fighting check, made possible through its typing. With with a Choice Scarf, Hoopa-U is able to revenge kill some of the biggest threats to Dark teams, including Mega Heracross, Infernape, Mega Lopunny, and perhaps most importantly, Keldeo, which is far and away the most difficult Pokemon to switch into for Dark-type teams. Hoopa-U's access to Hyperspace Hole also lets it revenge kill Substitute variants of the above threats, most notably Substitute Keldeo and Substitute Mega Heracross. Moreover, while Hoopa-U's primary role is to revenge kill with its Choice Scarf set, it is also a good mixed attacker and a strong special attacker in general, with strong offensive stats that are unique for Dark-type Pokemon. Unfortunately, outside of providing strong STAB Psychic-type moves, Hoopa-U's typing is extremely lackluster. It gives zero resistances and adds a 4x weakness to Bug-type moves, and its neutrality to Fighting-type moves is not very useful due to its pitiful Defense, not letting it stand a chance against any physical attacking Fighting-type. Hoopa-U also gravely misses power boosts from other items when it is using Choice Scarf, and if it attempts to run such an item, it is no longer able to check Fighting-types and becomes nearly useless against faster threats.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs (Psychic / Choice Specs)
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Choice Specs
ability: Magician
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dark Pulse is Hoopa-U's primary STAB move, as it is powerful and has no drawbacks. Psyshock is another very strong STAB move that hits specially defensive Pokemon; it is able to 2HKO Chansey after Stealth Rock damage and can also 2HKO specially defensive Zapdos and Lanturn where Dark Pulse cannot. Focus Blast rounds out Hoopa-U's coverage, hitting Dark-types like Tyranitar and Bisharp, which resist both of Hoopa-U's STAB moves. Focus Blast also hits Steel-types much harder than Dark Pulse. Finally, Thunderbolt is used to be able to hit Mandibuzz, which is able to switch into any other move. It is stronger than Hoopa-U's STAB moves against Water-type Pokemon as well, and it is more reliable against Gyarados and Mega Gyarados, easing prediction. Trick is an option to cripple walls, although Hoopa-U will not use it often, as its coverage with Thunderbolt is unresisted.
Set Details
========
This set uses a simple EV spread with maximum Special Attack and Speed with a Timid nature to make Hoopa-U as fast and as powerful as possible. Choice Specs boosts Hoopa-U's Special Attack to monstrous levels, letting it 2HKO nearly the entire metagame. Life Orb is an option to let Hoopa-U switch moves so that it cannot be taken advantage of as easily, but Hoopa-U often finds that it only needs to use one move against many types, and in addition the Life Orb recoil reduces Hoopa-U's effectiveness as a Ghost switch-in.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Hoopa-U into neutral special moves like Scald and Shadow Ball and proceed to break walls with the appropriate move. Use it early- and mid-game to break walls, as it has unresisted coverage and is very difficult to switch into. If there are specially attacking threats like Gengar, Meloetta, and Alakazam, keep Hoopa-U healthy so that it can check these threats and so they are not able to freely use Shadow Ball. As this set is Choice locked, (RH) choose Hoopa-U's moves very carefully, as Hoopa-U can be taken advantage of very easily if it is locked into the wrong move. For example, Dark-type Pokemon like Mega Gyarados and Bisharp are able to set up if Hoopa-U uses Dark Pulse against a Water-type team or Steel-type team, respectively. Avoid switching into Pokemon that can potentially paralyze Hoopa-U, as this set relies on Hoopa-U's ability to outspeed most walls.
Team Options
========
Slowbro is a great Pokemon to take U-turn and Knock Off with its large physical bulk, and it appreciates Hoopa-U's utility as a Ghost check with its great special bulk. It can also spread paralysis to help Hoopa-U outspeed threats, letting it be more effective against faster, offensive teams. Stealth Rock support is very helpful for this set, as it can turn 3HKOs into 2HKOs; Pokemon like Mew and Celebi are good setters, with the former being able to ease pressure on Hoopa-U by spreading burns and the latter also being able to spread paralysis like Slowbro. Choice Scarf Victini does great against Bug-types, which Hoopa-U has a 4x weakness to. It is also able to revenge kill faster Pokemon, and it can bring in Hoopa-U with U-turn, forming a potent wallbreaking core. While this set is able to deal with Dark-types, it can struggle against priority and can often pick the wrong move to lock into. Therefore, Mega Gardevoir is helpful in its ability to take on Dark-type teams more reliably.
[SET]
name: Choice Band (Psychic / Choice Band)
move 1: Hyperspace Fury
move 2: Drain Punch
move 3: Gunk Shot
move 4: Fire Punch / Trick / Zen Headbutt
item: Choice Band
ability: Magician
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hyperspace Fury is the main STAB move with no drawbacks, and it is extremely strong with additional utility of breaking through Substitute and Protect, letting it muscle past Pokemon like Alomomola. Drain Punch hits Dark-type Pokemon, which resist both of Hoopa-U's STAB moves, most notably Tyranitar and Bisharp. Gunk Shot hits Fairy-type Pokemon; it is able to OHKO Pokemon like Clefable and Azumarill. Fire Punch finishes off Hoopa-U's coverage; it hits Klefki and is more reliable against Mega Scizor and Skarmory. Trick can be used as well to cripple walls, particularly crippling Mandibuzz, which walls this set. Zen Headbutt can be used as another STAB move to hit Fighting-type Pokemon and Mega Venusaur.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed with a Jolly nature makes Hoopa-U as strong and fast as possible, and Choice Band lets Hoopa-U OHKO many offensive threats with its extremely strong STAB moves.
Usage Tips
========
This Hoopa-U set is mainly used over Choice Specs due to its greater immediate power with its STAB Hyperspace Fury; therefore, use it early- and mid-game and use this move freely to wallbreak. Choose Hoopa-U's move carefully, however, as Hoopa-U locked into the wrong move can be taken advantage of quite easily; for example, Dark-types like Mega Gyarados and Bisharp can set up on it. This Hoopa-U set is able to switch into neutral special moves like Dark Pulse and Shadow Ball, so take advantage of this fact by not using it recklessly and preserving it to check threats like Gengar, Hydreigon, and Meloetta. Be mindful of paralysis and burn inducers, as these status conditions very strongly limit this set's effectiveness. In addition, do not switch Hoopa-U into Scald.
Team Options
========
Hazard support is very helpful to turn 2HKOs into OHKOs on more offensive Pokemon: Celebi and Mew are good Stealth Rock setters, and Deoxys-S and Deoxys-D are good Spikes setters. Celebi and Deoxys-D are also able to spread paralysis, which helps Hoopa-U greatly because it makes up for its middling speed and lets it outspeed offensive threats. Slowbro is in a similar vein, as it has access to paralysis as well; in addition, it has great physical bulk that complements Hoopa-U's special bulk nicely, and it can take weaker U-turn and Knock Off aimed at Hoopa-U. Choice Scarf Victini can deal with Bug-type Pokemon and can revenge kill faster Pokemon that threaten Hoopa-U. This set cannot get past Mandibuzz, so Mega Gardevoir is very useful to get past it and deal with other Dark-types more reliably in general.
[SET]
name: Mixed Life Orb (Psychic / Mixed Life Orb)
move 1: Dark Pulse
move 2: Drain Punch
move 3: Gunk Shot
move 4: Thunderbolt / Energy Ball
item: Life Orb
ability: Magician
nature: Hasty
evs: 48 Atk / 208 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dark Pulse is a strong STAB move that hits physically defensive Pokemon like Skarmory and Hippowdon hard and has few drawbacks. Drain Punch hits Dark-types that resist Hoopa-U's coverage. Gunk Shot hits Fairy-type Pokemon like Azumarill, Togekiss, and Clefable. The last moveslot is used as additional coverage; Thunderbolt hits Mandibuzz while also hitting Water-type Pokemon slightly harder than Dark Pulse, while Energy Ball can be used to get past specially defensive Gastrodon and can hit Ground-type Pokemon like mixed defense Hippowdon harder than Dark Pulse. Hyperspace Fury can be used as an alternate STAB move to do much more damage to specially defensive Pokemon like Zapdos and Lanturn.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and a Hasty nature are used to make Hoopa as fast as possible. Hasty is preferred over Naive because Hoopa-U can make effective use of its Special Defense stat, whereas its Defense is so low that a negative nature barely affects it. 48 Attack EVs ensure the OHKO on Tyranitar with Drain Punch, and the rest is dumped into Special Attack to make the main STAB move, Dark Pulse, hit harder. If using Hyperspace Fury, use maximum Attack investment rather than splitting Hoopa-U's offenses, as its special coverage moves do not need any investment. Life Orb lets Hoopa-U switch moves freely and makes it very hard to pivot into.
Usage Tips
========
This set has the benefit of being able to switch moves, making it very effective against Dark-, Water-, and Steel-type teams, where it can often be difficult to choose the right move. Since this set has Life Orb, it is not the best switch-in to Ghost- and Dark-type moves because of the recoil. Don't let this Hoopa-U get statused, as it hates all forms of it; paralysis limits it ability to wallbreak, burns cut its Attack, and poison stacks with Life Orb to wear down Hoopa-U very quickly. Dark Pulse is usually a safe move to use, especially on this set because it can switch moves against Pokemon that try to pivot into a locked move.
Team Options
========
As this set has Life Orb, it is not able to check Ghost- and Dark-types as effectively, so it appreciates other checks to these like Meloetta and Gardevoir, respectively. Mew and Celebi are good options for Stealth Rock support, turning many 3HKOs into 2HKOs for this set. Choice Scarf Victini is a good teammate to deal with Bug-types and to revenge kill faster Pokemon and does well against faster types like Fighting, and it appreciates Hoopa-U's wallbreaking power so it can sweep late-game. Alakazam shares similar checks to Hoopa-U, so it appreciates Hoopa-U's wallbreaking as well.
[SET]
name: Mixed Choice Scarf (Dark / Mixed Choice Scarf)
move 1: Hyperspace Hole
move 2: Hyperspace Fury
move 3: Gunk Shot
move 4: Focus Blast / Energy ball
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Magician
nature: Hasty
evs: 140 Atk / 116 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hyperspace Hole is one of the biggest selling points of Hoopa-U for Dark teams, as it lets them hit Fighting-type Pokemon super effectively. It is especially nice against Substitute Keldeo, as it goes through Substitute and can revenge kill it effectively. Hyperspace Fury is a spammable STAB move that is very strong and hits specially defensive Pokemon hard; it can also revenge kill Mega Gardevoir. Gunk Shot hits Fairy-type Pokemon like Clefable and Azumarill. Focus Blast hits Dark-type Pokemon like Bisharp, Tyranitar, and Weavile while 2HKOing physically defensive Steel-type Pokemon like Skarmory and Klefki. Energy Ball is an optional coverage move that can be useful as a move with no drawbacks against Water-type teams, easing prediction with Hoopa-U's dual STAB moves. It can also be used to more reliably break through the Hippowdon + Gastrodon core on Ground teams. Drain Punch can be used over Focus Blast to more reliably hit Dark-type Pokemon, notably OHKOing Tyranitar, but it misses out on Skarmory and Klefki. Trick is an option to cripple walls, but this set loves all of its coverage moves, so it is hard to fit.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed with a Hasty nature is used to make Hoopa-U as fast as possible; a Hasty nature is preferred over Naive because Hoopa-U can make effective use of its Special Defense stat whereas its Defense is so low that a negative nature barely affects it. 116 Special Attack EVs guarantee the OHKO on Keldeo with Hyperspace Hole, and the rest is dumped into Attack to boost the rest of Hoopa-U's moves. Choice Scarf makes Hoopa-U faster than the unboosted metagame and lets it revenge kill Pokemon like Keldeo, Infernape, and Mega Heracross.
Usage Tips
========
While this set is able to check Fighting-types, do not switch directly into them, as Hoopa-U has bad Defense. Be careful of switching into status moves as well, as paralysis heavily cripples this set and burns prevent Hoopa-U from using its strong STAB Hyperspace Fury. Use this set to revenge kill Pokemon like Keldeo, Mega Gardevoir, and Tornadus-T. Hyperspace Fury in general is a very nice STAB move to use freely.
Team Options
========
Tyranitar sets up Stealth Rock and appreciates Hoopa-U's ability to get rid of Fighting-type Pokemon. Mandibuzz can absorb U-turn and most physical attacks for Hoopa-U. Crawdaunt, Hydreigon, and Bisharp are good wallbreakers than can get past Pokemon that wall Hoopa-U and can allow for a late-game sweep; Bisharp in particular can deal with Fairy-type Pokemon, and Hydreigon can lure Fairy-type Pokemon and wear them down for Hoopa-U with Flash Cannon and can get rid of Steel-type Pokemon like Mega Scizor with Fire Blast.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
**Psychic**:
Choice Scarf can be a tempting option for Hoopa-U on Psychic teams, but Psychic has access to a lot of Pokemon that can utilize a Choice Scarf more effectively, like Victini, Latios, and Gardevoir. Psychic generally appreciates the wallbreaking ability provided by Hoopa-U much better. Nasty Plot is very hard to set up and Choice Specs almost always does better, but it can be nice in some matchups, particularly against stall variants of Water teams. Hoopa-U can use a set of Substitute, Dark Pulse, Hidden Power Fire, and Drain Punch to devastate Steel-type teams, but such a set is very matchup dependent, as it is near useless in many other matchups. It fits on Psychic teams that are very weak to Steel-type teams, however. Niche items like Assault Vest and Focus Sash could be used; the former allows Hoopa-U to check Chandelure and Meloetta better, while the latter can be utilized with Magician, though Hoopa-U usually prefers other items.
**Dark**:
Thunderbolt can be used to hit Mandibuzz, but this set has troubles giving up any of its coverage moves. A fully special Choice Scarf set can be used, but Hyperspace Fury generally makes physically inclined sets better, as it has much more immediate power and boasts feats such as OHKOing Mega Gardevoir after Stealth Rock. Hoopa-U can use Choice Specs, Choice Band, and Life Orb to boost its power, but these items lose Hoopa-U's main niche of checking Fighting-types with Choice Scarf. It provides nearly nothing synergistically for Dark teams, and Hydreigon is usually better with these items, as it provides better defensive synergy and is faster.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Psychic**:
**Faster Pokemon**: Because Hoopa-U's speed is mediocre at best and it has terrible physical bulk, it is very easily forced out by most offensive Pokemon, like Victini, Landorus-T, Mega Medicham, and Weavile.
**Priority**: Hoopa-U's low physical bulk makes it susceptible to strong priority moves like Dragonite's Extreme Speed, Bisharp's Sucker Punch, and Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch.
**Status**: Hoopa-U loathes paralysis because of its frailty and cannot effectively switch into Ghost-type moves if worn down by poison or burn damage. Mixed and physical sets especially dislike burn, as they cripple Hoopa-U's Attack.
**Mandibuzz**: Sets lacking Thunderbolt are walled by Mandibuzz, which can 2HKO Hoopa-U with STAB Foul Play.
**Dark**:
**Faster Pokemon**: Because Hoopa-U's Speed is mediocre at best and has terrible physical bulk, it is very easily forced out by faster Choice Scarf users, like Victini, Landorus-T, Jirachi, and Terrakion.
**Priority**: Hoopa-U's low physical bulk makes it susceptible to strong priority moves like Dragonite's Extreme Speed, Bisharp's Sucker Punch, and Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch if Hoopa-U has taken prior damage.
**Status**: As this set relies on the Speed boost from Choice Scarf, paralysis neuters Hoopa-U due to its low Defense. Burns also cripple Hoopa-U, as it is then unable to utilize its strongest STAB move to its full potential.
**Mixed Walls**: Since this set's damage is not boosted by an item, mixed walls like Porygon2, Chansey, and Alomomola are able to switch into Hoopa-U and wall it.
**Mandibuzz**: Sets lacking Thunderbolt are walled by Mandibuzz, which can 2HKO Hoopa-U with STAB Foul Play.
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