ΩDonut
don't glaze me bro
Having used Heracross extensively, I just want to update the Choice set to include a Toxicross option that I've found to be pretty effective (added paragraph in bold).
EDIT: I am taking Phuquoph's advice and splitting the Choice set into a Band set and a Scarf set. More revisions to come later.
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/heracross
[SET]
Name: Bug of Choice (Band)
Move 1: Megahorn
Move 2: Close Combat
Move 3: Stone Edge
Move 4: Pursuit / Night Slash / Sleep Talk
Item : Choice Band
EVs: 104 HP / 252 Atk / 152 Spe
Nature: Adamant
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>"Choice" is in reference to the items and the popularity of this Heracross set. With a Choice Band boost Heracross is incredibly powerful and few Pokémon can survive hits from his 120 base power dual STAB moves, Megahorn and Close Combat. Flying-types ruin the fun, but that's where Stone Edge comes in to at least 2HKO the majority of Heracross' airborne foes.</p>
<p>Pursuit works great on the brawling bug, as it punishes fleeing opponents and is particularly useful against slower Psychic-types who switch out, fearing a Megahorn. Night Slash allows Heracross to 2HKO Dusknoir in case it stays in, predicting a Pursuit. Sleep Talk is also a good option in the last slot if you are in need of a sleep absorber. Heracross can switch in with relative safety against many sleep inducers, such as Milotic, Gengar, Breloom, and Tangrowth. Bear in mind that Sleep Talk will fail after the first use due to the restrictions of Choice items, so you will have to switch out.</p>
<p>In a big turnaround from the previous generation, not even Skarmory can risk switching into Choice Band Heracross as Close Combat will 2HKO the steel bird. Sounds scary, doesn't it? We haven't even gotten to Guts yet. If 574 Attack wasn't enough, Heracross can gain a further boost by switching into a status move. With Choice Band and Guts activated, Heracross will essentially be operating with over a "free" Swords Dance every time he unleashes his attacks.</p>
-- Damage Calculations of the original writeup snipped, but will still be in the final --
[SET]
Name: Bug of Choice (Scarf)
Move 1: Megahorn
Move 2: Close Combat
Move 3: Stone Edge
Move 4: Toxic / Sleep Talk / Pursuit / Night Slash
Item : Choice Scarf
EVs: 252 Atk / 6 Def / 252 Spe
Nature: Adamant
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Although he lacks the monstrous power provided by Choice Band, Choice Scarf Heracross is still a potent threat. He outspeeds almost everything—aside from other Choice Scarf users and Deoxys-S, of course—with the Scarf attached and still boasts an Attack of 383.</p>
<p>Toxic may seem out of place on the heavy-hitting Heracross, but the Choice Scarf variant doesn't have the firepower to take on its more troublesome counters, such as Gliscor, Hippowdon, and Dusknoir. But Heracross can Toxic these (as well as bulky Water-types) on the switch-in, making life more difficult for them. For instance, Gliscor normally Roosts off damage faster than Heracross can deal it, but once Gliscor is poisoned, it has to contend with Roosting off the increasing poison damage as well as Heracross's attacks (most likely Stone Edge), making it possible for Heracross to go toe-to-toe with Gliscor and win. What's more, these same Pokemon tend to hinder sweeps from the likes of Garchomp and Lucario. These two will welcome the poison support.</p>
<p>Toxic is preferred over Pursuit in this case because without the Attack boost of the Choice Band, Pursuit's damage can be disappointing.</p>
EDIT: I am taking Phuquoph's advice and splitting the Choice set into a Band set and a Scarf set. More revisions to come later.
http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/heracross
[SET]
Name: Bug of Choice (Band)
Move 1: Megahorn
Move 2: Close Combat
Move 3: Stone Edge
Move 4: Pursuit / Night Slash / Sleep Talk
Item : Choice Band
EVs: 104 HP / 252 Atk / 152 Spe
Nature: Adamant
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>"Choice" is in reference to the items and the popularity of this Heracross set. With a Choice Band boost Heracross is incredibly powerful and few Pokémon can survive hits from his 120 base power dual STAB moves, Megahorn and Close Combat. Flying-types ruin the fun, but that's where Stone Edge comes in to at least 2HKO the majority of Heracross' airborne foes.</p>
<p>Pursuit works great on the brawling bug, as it punishes fleeing opponents and is particularly useful against slower Psychic-types who switch out, fearing a Megahorn. Night Slash allows Heracross to 2HKO Dusknoir in case it stays in, predicting a Pursuit. Sleep Talk is also a good option in the last slot if you are in need of a sleep absorber. Heracross can switch in with relative safety against many sleep inducers, such as Milotic, Gengar, Breloom, and Tangrowth. Bear in mind that Sleep Talk will fail after the first use due to the restrictions of Choice items, so you will have to switch out.</p>
<p>In a big turnaround from the previous generation, not even Skarmory can risk switching into Choice Band Heracross as Close Combat will 2HKO the steel bird. Sounds scary, doesn't it? We haven't even gotten to Guts yet. If 574 Attack wasn't enough, Heracross can gain a further boost by switching into a status move. With Choice Band and Guts activated, Heracross will essentially be operating with over a "free" Swords Dance every time he unleashes his attacks.</p>
-- Damage Calculations of the original writeup snipped, but will still be in the final --
[SET]
Name: Bug of Choice (Scarf)
Move 1: Megahorn
Move 2: Close Combat
Move 3: Stone Edge
Move 4: Toxic / Sleep Talk / Pursuit / Night Slash
Item : Choice Scarf
EVs: 252 Atk / 6 Def / 252 Spe
Nature: Adamant
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Although he lacks the monstrous power provided by Choice Band, Choice Scarf Heracross is still a potent threat. He outspeeds almost everything—aside from other Choice Scarf users and Deoxys-S, of course—with the Scarf attached and still boasts an Attack of 383.</p>
<p>Toxic may seem out of place on the heavy-hitting Heracross, but the Choice Scarf variant doesn't have the firepower to take on its more troublesome counters, such as Gliscor, Hippowdon, and Dusknoir. But Heracross can Toxic these (as well as bulky Water-types) on the switch-in, making life more difficult for them. For instance, Gliscor normally Roosts off damage faster than Heracross can deal it, but once Gliscor is poisoned, it has to contend with Roosting off the increasing poison damage as well as Heracross's attacks (most likely Stone Edge), making it possible for Heracross to go toe-to-toe with Gliscor and win. What's more, these same Pokemon tend to hinder sweeps from the likes of Garchomp and Lucario. These two will welcome the poison support.</p>
<p>Toxic is preferred over Pursuit in this case because without the Attack boost of the Choice Band, Pursuit's damage can be disappointing.</p>