Haxorus
QC 3/3 - (Iconic)(Fireburn)(Bad Ass)
GP - To be completed
NOTES:
Overview pending rewrite
Choice Scarf set pending rewrite
Teammates and Counters to be rewritten w/detail
[Overview]
<p>"To kill, or to overkill?" - that is the question. This is what GameFreak was probably thinking when they first came up with the idea for this thing. With an aesthetically pleasing sprite and a simply epic base Attack stat of 147, there's seemingly no reason why, at first glance, that someone wouldn't put this on their team. This is only further augmented by the fact that Haxorus has the strongest Outrage since Rayquaza. However, the common saying goes, that not all that glitters is gold, and just like Haxorus' plates, this is true.<p>
<p>Despite its massive attack stat and pure-Dragon typing, along with taking neutral damage to Stealth Rock, a problem which has limited the potential of powerhouses such as Salamence in the past, Haxorus is a bit of an anomaly. When one considers its relative frailty, shallow movepool, and general lack of options, Haxorus doesn't seem as great. Like with all other powerhouses, Haxorus does have its drawbacks, but that shouldn't deplete from its standout traits. Yes, even when compared to its fellow draconic brethren, Haxorus could still be seen as a giant among drakes.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Dragon Claw/Double Chop
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Outrage
move 4: Brick Break / Rock Slide
item: Choice Band
Ability: Mold Breaker
Nature: Adamant / Jolly
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
Set Comments:
<p>With a Choice Band, Haxorus' massive base 147 attack stat is augmented to sky-high levels, giving it the ability to tear through more or less anything with a ridiculous Outrage or super-effective Earthquake. Dragon Claw is the crux of this set. It allows Haxorus to use a reliable STAB move with no drawbacks, unlike Outrage, which will lock it in. Double Chop can also be used since you gain the nifty ability to break Pokemon using the move Substitute. Earthquake is all but must-have, taking care of the Steels that Haxorus wouldn't be able to put a dent in via STAB move; the fourth move is your choice of filler that won't be used too often. Of the four sets, this one offers the most power right off the bat which is crucial for a Pokemon such as Haxorus. With its underwhelming 97 base Speed, Haxorus won't always have the chance to set up, especially with all the Mischievous Heart Pokemon flying about.</p>
Additional Comments:
<p>Remember that this set is a Choice variant. Despite its monstrous visage, Haxorus should be hitting and running, and not staying in for too long. There are two viable options for Haxorus' nature. With Adamant, you can 2HKO Skarmory after it has switched in twice, a feat that not everyone can boast. Jolly gives Haxorus a really helpful boost and permits it to outspeed all base 95s and under with certainty.</p>
Teammates & Counters:
<p>Where do we start? The first thing to remember with building a team with Haxorus on it, like with all other Pokemon, is to remember its purpose. Seeing as this set is built to wreck stuff, it makes sense that there should be someone to clean up the mess, no? Revenge killers are to Haxorus as hyenas are to lions, and the best one for the job is Scizor. Scizor eats up all the Dragon and Ice attacks that will undoubtedly be aimed at Haxorus, while Scizor's famed Technician Bullet Punch will be KOing any unlucky victims more often than not. Also, Haxorus doesn't fair the Fire-type moves that typically do Scizor in. When playing with Haxorus, one must remember that there are plenty of scarfed Dragons roaming around nowadays; whenever one of these shows up, Haxorus should make like Houdini and disappear.</p>
name: Choice Scarf <pending edits>
move 1: Dragon Claw/Double Chop
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Outrage
move 4: Brick Break / Rock Slide
item: Choice Scarf
Ability: Mold Breaker
Nature: Adamant / Jolly
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
Set Comments:
<p>When equipped with a Choice Scarf, Haxorus outspeeds every non-boosted, non-scarfed Pokemon in the game. When considering the majority of Pokemon that don't utilize a Choice Scarf, that is a huge boon to Haxorus. </p>
Additional Comments:
<p>At first glance, using a Scarfed Haxorus may seem odd since ScarfChomp and ScarfFlygon, the conventional scarfed dragons, both have 100 base speed or higher. Also, the two aforementioned drakes are both bulkier than Haxorus as well. However, Haxorus has a much higher damage output, a Mold Breaker Earthquake, as well as a Water resist and 2x Ice weakness (instead of 4x). Also, take into account that ScarfFlygon lacks the overall power and gamebreaking effect that ScarfChomp and Haxorus do, and that every team is prepared for the Garchomp. Haxorus is a far different threat, even if it does the same things.</p>
Teammates & Counters:
<p>Considering all of Haxorus' traits and moves, Magnezone works as a great teammate to Choice Scarf Haxorus. The two biggest threats to this set, Steel-types and scarfed dragons</p>
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Taunt / Dragon Tail
item: Life Orb
Ability: Mold Breaker
Nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Set Comments:
<p>After one Dragon Dance, Haxorus' 97 base speed allows it to outspeed every non-scarfed, non-boosted Pokemon in the game, as well as all base 95 scarfers. The fantastic ability, Mold Breaker, allows Haxorus to have perfect coverage in two moves. The only Pokemon walling this combination, Skarmory, is completely shut down by either Taunt or Dragon Tail. Haxorus is a stellar choice for a Dragon Dance set, seeing as a boosted Outrage coming off of such a great Attack stat is netting a lot of OHKOs and 2HKOs.</p>
Additional Comments:
<p>With an Adamant nature, Haxorus hits even harder, but this of course, is coming at the expense of the speed in the Jolly nature. Also, this set is where Haxorus' ability, Mold Breaker comes in most handy. Mold Breaker allows Haxorus to beat Bronzong and Gengar, who would both otherwise have a field day with the set. The last slot is a toss-up between two stellar moves. Dragon Tail forces Steels to switch out, while Taunt shuts most of them down (as well as preventing status).</p>
Teammates & Counters:
<p>When considering a teammate for Haxorus, look no further than Magnezone, enough said. It kills the steels that'll try to wall Haxorus, and doesn't fear any of the things that Haxorus does, except maybe Garchomp. Taking the silver in this competition is Skarmory, who offers utility in the form of entry hazards and phazing to make Haxorus' job a lot easier. Also, when playing with this Haxorus set and any other, it cannot be stressed enough that you must always avoid other dragons. They're more likely than not going to be scarfed, and will take advantage.</p>
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Taunt / Dragon Tail
item: Life Orb
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Set Comments:
<p>This set functions as a wallbreaker, not a sweeper. If you want a sweeper, consider the Dragon Dance set. Haxorus is dangerous on its own, but when you give it steroids in the form of Swords Dance, even Steels will think twice before switching in </p>
Additional Comments:
<p>On this set, speed and attack should be maxed out in order to share as much pain with your enemies as possible. Sadistic much? Dragon Tail and Taunt are both viable options. That choice specifically depends on whether you want to phaze or block status. Brick Break can be used to slap Nattorei in the face when it inveitably switches in, preventing it from walling Haxorus. Brick Break also takes care of Porygon2 without forcing you to click Outrage. Of the four sets listed, this incarnation of Haxorus is the most prone to revenge killing if them all, so take caution.</p>
Teammates & Counters:
<p>Like with the Dragon Dance set, Skarmory and Magnezone are perfect support options since they both help with Haxorus' sustainability and role in general. As always, one should watch out for Mamoswine and Weavile, the two most common users of the move Ice Shard, as well as the scarfed dragons.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Rivalry could be used, but it is generally unreliable and extremely gimmicky.While the boost is appealing, Mold Breaker is a fantastic ability and puts the ribbon on the box. Also, there's no reason that one should trade up such a great ability for such an unreliable one. </p>
[Checks & Counters]
<p>With 147 base attack, there is no such thing as a counter for Haxorus, but that doesn't mean it is fearless. An eye should be kept out for Weavile and Mamoswine, the most common users of the priority move Ice Shard. Superstrong users of priority in general, such as Roopushin, Infernape, Scizor, and Hitmontop can all work as teammates to clean up after Haxorus. Always remember though, that if Nattorei or Forretress comes in, Haxorus should immediately bounce. Neither of those two are seriously threatened by Haxorus and can both proceed to stall it out.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Tension is near useless when compared to Mold Breaker and even Rivalry. </p>
