Rhyperior is a Pokemon of extremes, akin to making a deal with the devil. Rhyperior’s physical stats are only rivaled by Groudon’s in DPP and it has the movepool to back them up. It can 2HKO everything in the tier with a Choice Band with the correct move, while Rock Wrecker is so strong it OHKOes specially defensive Skarmory. Rhyperior gets access to every strong physical coverage move it could want such as Ice Punch, Fire Punch, and Megahorn, while also having Swords Dance to power them up to ludicrous levels. Rhyperior’s Rock / Ground typing is very good offensively while Solid Rock is a fantastic ability to make up for some of its defensive shortcomings, especially physically. Rhyperior can survive Breloom’s Seed Bomb, +1 Tyranitar’s Earthquake, and Gyarados’s +0 Waterfall with minimal investment. Rhyperior is a premier Substitute user alongside paralysis, as very few Pokemon can stomach the correct attack repeatedly, while paralysis lets it outspeed foes.
So why isn’t Rhyperior everywhere in DPP OU and much less common than other Ground-types such as Hippowdon, Swampert, Gliscor, and Flygon? Rhyperior’s Special Defense and Speed are just far too low to make up for the severe defensive flaws from its typing. Rhyperior is one of the slowest Pokemon in the tier; it needs heavy investment even to outspeed minimum Speed Clefable. On top of this, almost all specially offensive Pokemon either can OHKO Rhyperior or put it extremely low on health, even with Solid Rock. Having a 4x weakness to one of the best offensive types in Water as well as Grass alongside weaknesses to Fighting, Steel, Ground, and Ice is debilitating in a tier where these moves are extremely common. Even sand support and Solid Rock are not enough to save Rhyperior from every specially offensive Water-type in the tier, Breloom, Jirachi, Metagross, Latias, and Gengar among many others. While Rhyperior can hit these Pokemon really hard, it is just so slow, to the point even Rock Polish doesn’t let it outspeed slower Choice Scarf users such as Metagross. Other Ground-types may have lower physical stats, but they have far more balanced defenses and not nearly as many weaknesses.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Rock Slide / Stone Edge
move 3: Megahorn
move 4: Rock Wrecker / Ice Punch
item: Choice Band
ability: Solid Rock
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake is absurdly strong, OHKOing physically defensive Jirachi and most Steel-types like Heatran and offensive Metagross through their Shuca Berry. It also generally 2HKOes most Pokemon who don’t resist it such as Swampert, Machamp, and Scizor. Rock Slide is a reliable Rock-type STAB move that 2HKOes specially defensive Skarmory and destroys everything weak to it. Stone Edge hits a lot harder, 2HKOing physically defensive Skarmory and Gliscor.
Megahorn is one of Rhyperior’s best attributes as a Choice Band user, as it just destroys the bulky Psychic-types such as Latias, Uxie, and Cresselia that can survive hits from other Choice Band users. Rock Wrecker takes this power to another level, as despite the recharge turn almost certainly meaning that Rhyperior is getting KOed or something else bad happening, it is the hardest hitting physical move in DPP OU besides Explosion. It OHKOes almost everything not resistant to it besides extremely bulky Pokemon such as physically defensive Gliscor and Skarmory, and even these are OHKOed after two rounds of Stealth Rock. It does around 55% to Lucario, who 4x resists the move. If this is too risky, Ice Punch is another great choice, as it OHKOes Gliscor easily and has the same power as Earthquake against super effective targets such as Hippowdon.
Set Details
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With maximum Attack EVs and an Adamant nature, Rhyperior has a 624 Attack stat, letting it hit extremely hard. With maximum Speed EVs it barely outspeeds uninvested base 70 Speed Pokemon such as Skarmory, Metagross, and Breloom. It can run some arbitrary HP investment such as 80 HP EVs to help it better survive attacks, but generally shouldn’t run less than 164 Speed EVs so it can outspeed minimum Speed Clefable. If used with Trick Room, it can use maximum HP EVs, as uninvested Rhyperior is already slower than almost everything in the tier.
Usage Tips
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Rhyperior, without investment and especially without sand, is extraordinary specially frail and should try to come in on predicted switches, U-turn, and on sacrifices. However, it has decent physical bulk, and can come in when a threat such as Tyranitar or Dragonite uses Dragon Dance, as it will survive the attack and OHKO back, even through resistance berries, after Stealth Rock. Rhyperior appreciates the majority of the opposing team paralyzed before coming in, but can come in earlier in the game to pressure attackers that can’t OHKO it, such as Heatran without Hidden Power Grass if sand is up. Once Rhyperior is in safely, often the safest move to use is Rock Slide, as it hits very hard, has a prominent flinch chance, and has the best neutral coverage. However, if Rhyperior needs to KO a wall such as specially defensive Skarmory, do not hesitate to use Rock Wrecker, as the defensive backbone alongside it should be able to cover most set up.
Team Options
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Choice Band Rhyperior is most commonly used alongside a heavy defensive backbone that spreads paralysis effectively as a wallbreaker and utility check. Physically defensive Zapdos is one of its best partners, as Zapdos spreads paralysis, Rhyperior can handle almost anything Dragon Dance Tyranitar can throw at it, Zapdos can U-turn to it, and can handle most other sweepers should Rhyperior use Rock Wrecker. Other common Zapdos partners such as Starmie, physically defensive Jirachi, and Clefable are also strong teammates. Starmie also Rapid Spins away Toxic Spikes, which Rhyperior despises. Hippowdon is another excellent partner, as not only is it extremely bulky and mitigates set up, but it also sets sand for Rhyperior. Rhyperior can fit alongside other paraspam partners such as Machamp, Blissey, Togekiss, and Swords Dance Breloom, but such partners often force an insufficient defensive backbone to mask the defensive flaws of Rhyperior.
Rhyperior can fit on Trick Room offenses, especially if used alongside Gravity. As most Pokemon survive Rhyperior’s Earthquake not by resisting it but with an immunity, Rhyperior can very often get three straight KOs under Trick Room alongside Gravity. Common partners include Uxie, Bronzong, Cresselia, and Jirachi.
[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Ice Punch / Megahorn / Swords Dance
item: Leftovers
ability: Solid Rock
nature: Adamant
evs: 136 HP / 208 Atk / 164 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Substitute is immensely helpful for Rhyperior, as it is often threatening enough at full HP to get a Substitute. From here, Rhyperior can hit whatever comes in very hard without needing prediction while also avoiding revenge killing. Earthquake OHKOes Tyranitar without bulk and generally 2HKOes most offensive Pokemon, while Stone Edge has very good coverage alongside it, OHKOing almost all Flying-types and other Ground immune Pokemon weak to it.
The last slot opens up significantly, but the best option is Ice Punch. Ice Punch completes Rhyperior’s coverage against Gliscor, Breloom, and Flygon while giving an accurate move against Ground-immune Pokemon such as Dragonite and Latias. Megahorn still hits Breloom and Flygon hard, but instead also OHKOes Psychic-types and prominently hits Latias and Bronzong really hard. Another option is Swords Dance, as if given a free turn with the Substitute, Rhyperior has decent coverage in two moves and hits insanely hard.
Set Details
========
The EVs given allow Rhyperior to make 101 HP Substitutes, outspeed Clefable, and OHKO Tyranitar without bulk investment with Earthquake. Rhyperior can also maximize its Speed and HP if it is using Swords Dance, as just Adamant is enough if it is boosting its Attack.
Rhyperior can also use much less Speed to hit bulk benchmarks; as an example, 192 HP / 100 Atk / 156 SpD / 60 Spe survives Celebi’s Grass Knot and Metagross’s Meteor Mash, while 244 HP EVs and 80 Special Defense EVs mean Heatran never 2HKOes Rhyperior in sand.
Usage Tips
========
Rhyperior should try to get in later in the game once paralysis has been spread and/or sand is up and use Substitute. While Rhyperior can struggle to get in, its physical bulk and the status immunity Substitute gives helps it pressure foes such as setting up such as Tyranitar and physical Dragonite, while Pokemon such as Jirachi, defensive Rotom-A without Shadow Ball, and Heatran represent great opportunities if they are paralyzed and Rhyperior can avoid their status moves. From here, Rhyperior should just attack what is in front of it or set up Swords Dance if it has it. Whatever move picked in the last slot typically is effective in hitting its target, whether that be Gliscor and Breloom for Ice Punch, Latias and Celebi for Megahorn, or general threat level for Swords Dance, so leverage this to get the KOs needed.
Team Options
========
Rhyperior enjoys two kinds of support: extensive paralysis and sand. While sand is very helpful to help it and the Substitute survive weaker special attacks, sand is not necessary for the set to function. Rhyperior both provides a strong Dragon Dance Tyranitar check that many paralysis based offenses enjoy and is very threatening. Rhyperior competes with Machamp for this role, but its sand immunity and physical bulk is very helpful. Accordingly, strong partners include Jirachi and Thunder Wave Gyarados, as these Pokemon spread paralysis effectively to bulky Steel-types and revenge killers, respectively, allowing Rhyperior to get an opportunity to wreak havoc. Gyarados also baits in Choiced Electric-type moves that give Rhyperior a free Substitute. Choice Scarf Latias and Rotom-A are also excellent teammates, as Rhyperior covers almost all Dragon Dance Tyranitar sets and they checks others set up sweepers. Latias can potentially even Healing Wish Rhyperior back into action. Other strong teammates include offensive lead Breloom, Azelf, and Uxie, while both Empoleon and Heatran can provide pressure against Pokemon like physically defensive Skarmory that gives Rhyperior trouble.
Both Tyranitar and Hippowdon are effective in providing sand. Tyranitar fits more offensive paralysis based teammates, as it can leverage its bulk and superior coverage to help Rhyperior against Pokemon like defensive Rotom-A that it struggles with. Hippowdon can fit well with more defensively based partners such as physically defensive Zapdos, Starmie, and Clefable, as they can provide opens for especially Substitute + Swords Dance Rhyperior.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
Rhyperior has a huge movepool but struggles to make many of its options work in DPP OU beyond what’s listed. Rhyperior can use Rock Polish to mitigate its Speed troubles, but it needs to Rock Polish twice before it outspeeds most Choice Scarf users and typically gets KOed before it can get that, especially since it needs Life Orb for additional power. Rhyperior can also use Fire Punch on any of its sets, as it is Rhyperior’s best option against Bronzong and Breloom, but struggles to fit it.
Rhyperior has excellent physical bulk when fully invested and can set up Stealth Rock against most physical attackers, but its weaknesses, lack of recovery, and low Special Defense are just too difficult to overcome for defensive sets. Offensive sets based around Swords Dance such as with three attacks are too easily revenge killed due to its slow Speed and common weaknesses. Rhyperior has other tricks up its sleeve: it can potentially status foes with Zap Cannon or Toxic and take advantage of its physical bulk with Counter, but struggles to use them properly.
Checks and Counters
========
**Water-types**: Most Water-types outspeed Rhyperior, are not OHKOed by Earthquake, and KO back. Gyarados, Swampert, Starmie, Suicune, Kingdra, Milotic, and Quagsire all threaten Rhyperior. Rhyperior can survive physical Water-type moves, but often only survive one.
**Grass-types**: While Rhyperior can OHKO most Grass-types with a Choice Band Megahorn or Ice Punch, it loathes to take them on, as they outspeed and destroy it. Breloom easily generates momentum on Rhyperior with Spore and Seed Bomb, although it doesn’t OHKO. Roserade, Celebi, Shaymin, and Abomasnow destroy Rhyperior, although it can survive defensive Celebi’s Grass Knot with sand and Solid Rock. Abomasnow also changes the weather.
**Revenge Killing**: Without a Substitute up, Rhyperior is just too specially frail to survive in DPP OU. Most offensive Pokemon in the tier have a move that can revenge kill Rhyperior, especially if sand is not up. Some examples include Latias’s Surf, Jirachi’s Grass Knot or Iron Head, Gengar’s Focus Blast, and Heatran’s Hidden Power Grass.
**Very Bulky Pokemon**: While Rhyperior can 2HKO everything in the tier with a Choice Band, it typically can’t afford to switch moves and maintain this level of power. Using a Choice Band Earthquake into a Flying-type for example can force Rhyperior out, making it hard to get back on the field unscathed again. Physically defensive Hippowdon can generally stall out most of Rhyperior’s moves, while Rhyperior needs Rock Wrecker or Stone Edge to hit physically defensive Skarmory hard.
**Steel-types not weak to Earthquake**: Leftovers Bronzong can generally stop Rhyperior, as Rhyperior rarely carries Fire Punch and it can survive Megahorn. Other Steel-types offensively threaten Rhyperior: Scizor 2HKOes with Choice Band Bullet Punch, as does Metagross with Meteor Mash. While risky, Jirachi can flinch it down with Iron Head. With a Shuca Berry, some Steel-types such as Empoleon and Metagross can survive Earthquake and retaliate.
**Residual Damage**: Rhyperior is grounded and vulnerable to all status. Rhyperior despises Toxic Spikes, while burn completely ruins it.
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