Pokémon Hawlucha

[thewolfy1995]

He can also be a huge abuser of the power herb my moveset for him is

High jump kick
Stone edge
Sky attack
Hone claw

The idea of this set is to set up with a hone claw and then sweep with his brute power and speed. The item Power herb makes sky attack move on one turn pretty much being a stab hyperbeam. the hone claw also helps with the low hit rate of the moves so it makes it more likely to hit.

 

[papita]

Might as well use Fying gem Acrobatics. It´s more powerful than sky attack and it´s not complete garbage once you used your item

 

[Talpr0ne]

Might as well use Fying gem Acrobatics. It´s more powerful than sky attack and it´s not complete garbage once you used your item

The issue is that Flying Gem is currently unreleased; probably it will be released with the Global Link games, but before of that is very hard to justify an use to Hawlucha because the gems are his blood and life. After the gem release, however, it will be a very good mon, fearing pretty much only priority.

 

[Molk]

Might as well use Fying gem Acrobatics. It´s more powerful than sky attack and it´s not complete garbage once you used your item

Despite the set that's currently in the OP (might update that soon), as far as we know the Flying Gem is currently unavailable ingame :x.

Anyways, one set i find pretty interesting for hawlucha during the period that it can't use the Flying Gem is a Subpass set like the one that can be seen here: http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/qc-ready-0-3-hawlucha.3490587/#post-4943579.

Hawlucha's combination of great speed, Encore, and Baton Pass makes using Hawlucha as an effective subpasser a very real possibility imo, and what's more, Hawlucha could utilize a Liechi Berry not just to pass a teammate an extra boost, but to sweep on its own on occasion since the pinch berry activating would also activate unburden and power up Hawlucha's Acrobatics, leaving it at the equivalent of +1 Attack and +2 Speed. Although of course Pokemon such as Aegislash and Rotom-W would have to be worn down considerably for Hawlucha to pull that off. Sadly, the Unburden boost doesn't pass on like the Substitutes and the potential Liechi Berry boost, but i could still see this being an effective option for Hawlucha while we're waiting for the Flying Gem, and perhaps even after its released.

 

[stage7_4]

Even when the flying gem is released, is it even viable with the gem power nerf?

To clarify, gems are now 30% power, not 50%. See here:
http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/pokémon-battle-mechanics-research.3489239/page-40

 

[v-mon]

So I came up with this moveset to abuse Unburden, tell me what you think guys:

Hawlucha(F) @ Power Herb
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance / Hone Claws
- Sky Attack
- Flying Press / Hi-Jump Kick
- Roost / Acrobatics

The strategy of this is to either use Swords Dance, then sky attack. Sky Attack will consume the Power Herb, making it attack in that same turn and activating unburden, making Hawlucha twice as fast. Flying type hits neutrally most mons except some of the most common walls like Skarmory, Rotom-W and Tyranitar. For example, after a swords dance:

252+ Atk Sky Attack vs. 224 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 112-132 (34.25 - 40.36%) -- 50.81% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Sky Attack vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Rotom-W: 186-220 (61.38 - 72.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Sky Attack vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 182-215 (45.04 - 53.21%) -- 0.39% chance to 2HKO

Afterwards is your decision, Flying Press and Roost to hit most mons neutrally and recover some damage except for ghosts who dont take any damage. You can instead exchange this pair for Hi-Jump Kick and Acrobatics, although its recommended to use Hone Claws instead in order to avoid crashing yourself against a wall after missing a HJK. It would also help Sky Attack's 90% accuracy, although you wouldnt hit as hard as with a SD.

 

[Crackjack]

I think hawlucha would work with a naughty nature and 252atk/252spe/4hp with swords dance, stone edge, roost, and hi jump kick with mabey a choice band

 

[Bigy]

I used hawlucha for a while, but eventually there was too many people using talonflame and rotom w so I had to stop using it. those two pokemon destroy hawlucha very easily.

 

[RegalCharmander]

Reading all this information makes me wanna use Hawlucha right now in battle! :D

 

[Ryolain]

I used hawlucha for a while, but eventually there was too many people using talonflame and rotom w so I had to stop using it. those two pokemon destroy hawlucha very easily.

Agreed, I love his design and typing and I use him in-game, but he is nothing but setup bait for Talonflame. Being forced out also sucks hardcore since Hawlucha relies heavily on one-time boosts from Unburden/Power Herb/eventually Flying Gem. Once those are gone you'll find yourself struggling to sweep, even after you take out Talonflame.

What's even sadder is I suspect Hawlucha will be deemed too powerful for UU, so he'll be banished to the darkest depths of BL and forgotten about.

 

[Bigy]

I really hope it doesn't go to bl. maybe talonflame will become less popular, but I doubt it. I had high hopes for it too.

 

[TorchicBlaziken]

Been using Fling + Dread Plate for the strongest fling you can have without having negative effects, especially against Aegislash who takes a hell of a lot of damage if you're at +2, also, non-contact so no loss of Attack boost from King's Shield.

Couldn't the special effect from items like Light Ball and Flame Orb potentially be useful in the long run, though?

 

[BlowingBubbles]

I love Hawlucha but Talonflame is everywhere! I guess your best bet is to use Stone Edge on the switch.

 

[Crackjack]

I used hawlucha for a while, but eventually there was too many people using talonflame and rotom w so I had to stop using it. those two pokemon destroy hawlucha very easily.

that is true but if it has unburden and you have a focus sash is could reach extremely high speed and be a great sweeper with crazy speed or if you want to take it REALLY safe you could give it a normal gem since it is the only known gem in the game with return so it could also become a sweeper with unburden

 

[Burigu]

I think hawlucha would work with a naughty nature and 252atk/252spe/4hp with swords dance, stone edge, roost, and hi jump kick with mabey a choice band

Why use naughty -SpD if you are only using physical moves adamant is better lowering SpA which you don't use

 

[Ryolain]

that is true but if it has unburden and you have a focus sash is could reach extremely high speed and be a great sweeper with crazy speed or if you want to take it REALLY safe you could give it a normal gem since it is the only known gem in the game with return so it could also become a sweeper with unburden

Focus Sash + Unburden is a disaster waiting to happen, if you aren't potentially OHKO'd by something it will never activate and if you are then anything with a priority move (aka almost any other offensive Pokemon in OU) will revenge you.

 

[Crackjack]

Focus Sash + Unburden is a disaster waiting to happen, if you aren't potentially OHKO'd by something it will never activate and if you are then anything with a priority move (aka almost any other offensive Pokemon in OU) will revenge you.

its very risky but under right circumstances it could work but im just trying to make possible plays for this Pokémon because its got a unique typing and a lot of potential but needs more because I don't want to see it go to BL either man but the normal gem still could work but only if there was a flying gem available then it would be really great

 

[Crackjack]

Why use naughty -SpD if you are only using physical moves adamant is better lowering SpA which you don't use

it could be either just in case someone wanted to run a hidden power ground moveset but you have a great point

 

[TheEvergreenChameleon]

Agreed, I love his design and typing and I use him in-game, but he is nothing but setup bait for Talonflame. Being forced out also sucks hardcore since Hawlucha relies heavily on one-time boosts from Unburden/Power Herb/eventually Flying Gem. Once those are gone you'll find yourself struggling to sweep, even after you take out Talonflame.

What's even sadder is I suspect Hawlucha will be deemed too powerful for UU, so he'll be banished to the darkest depths of BL and forgotten about.

I really scratch my head at this. I've been using Hawlucha extensively on my competitive teams, and he really isn't at all an ideal switch in for Talonflame. His Acrobatics, even -without- a gem, deals up to 75% damage, and even his resisted High Jump Kick takes off up to 40% of Talonflame's health. Talonflame can only afford to come in against a predicted Swords Dance, or after a kill. And you know what? That's the same for just about every other popular sweeper running around right

If you're trying to run Hawlucha as a all-or-nothing sweeper, you're really going about it the wrong way. Unburden is a bonus, and one that serves a considerably significant purpose in functioning as a deterrent to otherwise faster threats, but it's only ever that - a bonus. When push comes to shove, Hawlucha does not need or rely on the boost in order to perform its function. It just relies on the power of its STAB combo to set up easy +2 passes for its team mates.

Rotom-W is even worse of a counter, being both slower and 2HKOed by High Jump Kick without boosts of any kind.

 

[Caliber Champ]

You guys are pathetic. If you want to survive against hawlucha counters use sub on hawlucha. It gives hawlucha a chance to KO talonflame and it forces aegislash to go into attack mode to break its sub, use that opportunity to attack back while its defenses are weak for possible ohko or 2 hko. It also prevents hawlucha from burn or paralysis status that would ruin it. This should be the staple hawlucha set.
Swords dance
Sub
Acrobatics
High jump kick

With flying gem. I refuse to play regular
ou with it. But for that tier you can use sitrus berry while subbing to regain the health.

 

[Bigy]

You guys are pathetic. If you want to survive against hawlucha counters use sub on hawlucha. It gives hawlucha a chance to KO talonflame and it forces aegislash to go into attack mode to break its sub, use that opportunity to attack back while its defenses are weak for possible ohko or 2 hko. It also prevents hawlucha from burn or paralysis status that would ruin it. This should be the staple hawlucha set.
Swords dance
Sub
Acrobatics
High jump kick

The sub would be great against aigislash, and good against rotom w. but if it doesn't have sub up before the talonflame switch, then it's good as gone. and there are so many people using talonflame right now that it's been problematic. It could still be great though if the team has stealth rock up and a counter/check to talonflame.

 

[Caliber Champ]

The sub would be great against aigislash, and good against rotom w. but if it doesn't have sub up before the talonflame switch, then it's good as gone. and there are so many people using talonflame right now that it's been problematic. It could still be great though if the team has stealth rock up and a counter/check to talonflame.

That's why you need to predict an opportunity to sub. If you know a pokemon is going to causes status to you then sub. Or if a choice item pokemon is locked into earthquake while hawlucha is sent out, sub as well if you see talonflame on the team. I also use tyrantrum to counter talonflame to give hawlucha a chance if a clean sweep.
Talonflane gets ohko from a flying gem acrobatics.

 

[Mario With Lasers]

You guys are pathetic.

There's absolutely zero reason to say that.

 

[Caliber Champ]

There's absolutely zero reason to say that.

I said that because people give up playing hawlucha in ou just because of talonflame and rotom w. So I gave a strategy about how to beat them both. Sub prevents rotom wow, swords dance gives you enough power to ko most walls. Don't give up on Hawlucha guys, adapt to the metagame.

 

[Clure]

I feel somehow that calling people pathetic would make them slightly less likely to listen to you if you want to give them sound competitive advice. Or maybe that's just me.