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This has already passed QC.
Written.
http://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/237.shtml
Status: Done.
[Overview]
<p>With the transition to the 5th generation, entry hazards are much easier to set up due to the introduction of Ferrothorn. This, combined with previous entry hazard users, makes a Rapid Spin user very helpful on a team. With Hitmontop's ability to use Foresight along with Rapid Spin and threaten Ferrothorn with Close Combat, he captures a unique niche in the metagame. Alternatively, with Technician, Hitmontop can launch boosted Fake Outs and Mach Punches at the opposing Pokemon, enabling him to check Pokemon like Excadrill and Cloyster. However, he struggles to do both at the same time. It's true that Hitmontop is often overshadowed by Excadrill as a Rapid Spin user and by Conkeldurr as an offensive Pokemon; nevertheless, Hitmontop can perform roles that no other Pokemon can perform, making him a valuable choice for some teams.</p>
[SET]
name: Technitop
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Mach Punch
move 3: Close Combat
move 4: Stone Edge / Sucker Punch
item: Life Orb
nature: Adamant
ability: Technician
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
[Set Comments]
<p>With access to both Fake Out and STAB Mach Punch, Hitmontop is one of the best users of the Technician ability. This access to priority moves enables Hitmontop to launch off two powerful attacks before the opponent has a chance to retaliate. Fake Out is useful against Pokemon like Thundurus and Tornadus, chipping off a large chunk of their HP for free. Mach Punch is used to hit Pokemon such as Cloyster, Excadrill, and Heatran for super effective damage. Close Combat deals large amounts of damage to bulkier Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Scizor. The last moveslot covers Pokemon that resist or are immune to the first three moves. Stone Edge hits Flying-type Pokemon such as Dragonite or Salamence as well as Latios, while Sucker Punch is super effective against Gengar and Reuniclus.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>Hi Jump Kick can be used for the slight increase in power over Close Combat as well as not forcing Hitmontop to lower his defensive stats, but it has imperfect accuracy and may cause Hitmontop to take recoil damage. Pursuit can be used in the last slot as a checkmate move against weakened Psychic- and Ghost-types such as Jellicent and Reuniclus.</p>
<p>This set has difficulty getting past physically defensive Pokemon such as Gliscor and Skarmory, both of whom can easily heal off any damage taken. Rotom-W is a magnificent partner for this reason, because it can scare both off with its STAB moves and in turn resists theirs. Hitmontop also has trouble against Substitute + Disable Gengar as well as Calm Mind Reuniclus, so specially defensive Scizor can help against those two. Scizor also resists the Psychic-type moves that Hitmontop is weak to.</p>
[SET]
name: Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Foresight / Toxic
move 3: Close Combat
move 4: Stone Edge / Sucker Punch / Rest
item: Leftovers
nature: Impish
ability: Intimidate
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[Set Comments]
<p>With access to both Foresight and Rapid Spin, Hitmontop can pull off a guaranteed Rapid Spin in order to remove entry hazards. Rapid Spin is the crux of this set, removing those annoying entry hazards set up by Ferrothorn and Forretress. Foresight works in conjunction with Rapid Spin, enabling Hitmontop to Rapid Spin past Jellicent and Gengar as well as damage them with Close Combat. However, since many teams don't bother to carry a Ghost-type, Toxic can be used to hit bulkier Pokemon such as Rotom-W instead.</p>
<p>Close Combat is Hitmontop's most reliable STAB move, while the last moveslot covers any problems that Hitmontop might have. Stone Edge enables Hitmontop to muscle through Dragonite and Gyarados while Sucker Punch hits faster Pokemon such as Latios and Gengar. If needed, Rest may be used on more defensively based teams with a cleric to allow Hitmontop to Rapid Spin several times.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>Low Kick can be used over Close Combat if you don't appreciate the drops in defenses from Close Combat. However, it leaves Hitmontop more vulnerable against lighter opponents such as Politoed and Jirachi. Mach Punch may be used to KO weakened Excadrill and Tyranitar. However, it's fairly weak due to the lack of Attack investment.</p>
<p>Many Stealth Rock-weak Pokemon, such as Volcarona, Dragonite, and Thundurus, all appreciate Hitmontop's ability to remove Stealth Rock. Volcarona doesn't lose a crippling 50% of his HP when he comes in, Dragonite gets to keep his MultiScale intact and Thundurus can launch off more attacks in general. Hitmontop also has great defensive synergy with all three because he resists Rock-type moves. All three can use their powerful special attacks to get past physical walls such as Gliscor and Hippowdon.</p>
<p>Due to the ubiquitous use of Ferrothorn, it's common to see Spikes on the field. Hitmontop's niche is being able to threaten Ferrothorn with a STAB Close Combat and pulling off a Rapid Spin even if the opponent chooses to go out to a Ghost-type Pokemon. If Hitmontop has Rest, then Pokemon that use Heal Bell and Aromatherapy are helpful partners. Some examples include Celebi, Blissey, and Chansey. Hitmontop resists Celebi's Dark-type weakness and has Intimidate to weaken physical attacks that target Blissey and Chansey.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Not much is left in Hitmontop's movepool for him to use. Bullet Punch can be used as another priority move, but the lack of STAB or useful secondary effect is off-putting. Revenge can be used as it is boosted by Technician. However, its power isn't doubled unless Hitmontop takes damage and it has negative priority which is unfavorable against slower Pokemon such as Ferrothorn. Low Sweep can be used to outspeed some faster opponents but must be used on the switch in to be most effective, otherwise the power of Close Combat is preferred. Aerial Ace can be used to hit Breloom and Virizion more effectively but has little use outside of that. Due to Hitmontop's ability to scare away Tyranitar, Rain Dance or Sunny Day can be used to remove the permanent sandstorm, but Hitmontop has difficulty finding a moveslot for it.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Gliscor is Hitmontop's main counter, as it has enough bulk to stop any attack that Hitmontop launches and STAB Earthquake with which to attack back. He also doesn't mind Toxic due to his Poison Heal ability. In that same vein, Skarmory and Hippowdon are both bulky enough to take any attack from Hitmontop and heal off the damage. Gengar can come in on many of Hitmontop's moves and use Disable to stop any form of retaliation. Latios is faster and can launch off a STAB Draco Meteor, only having to fear Sucker Punch. Jellicent is bulky enough to heal off Stone Edge and can cripple Hitmontop with Will-O-Wisp.</p>
<p>Both Reuniclus and Jirachi have the defensive stats to weather Hitmontop's attacks and have their own forms of recovery to heal off any damage. They can both hit Hitmontop with a STAB Psychic for massive damage. Sigilyph can utilize Cosmic Power to take less damage from Stone Edge and can Psycho Shift over a burn to reduce Hitmontop's physical effectiveness. Tornadus resists Close Combat and Mach Punch and can easily KO Hitmontop with a STAB Hurricane. Toxicroak resists Close Combat, is immune to Toxic, can set up Bulk Ups to make Hitmontop's attacks ineffective, and can Drain Punch away any damage taken. Conkeldurr is bulkier and gets a Guts boost from Toxic, enabling him to deal more damage.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Due to Hitmontop's low Speed, Steadfast doesn't do much for Hitmontop. In terms of Pokemon who usually carry flinching moves, Jirachi often comes equipped with Body Slam or Thunder Wave, causing Hitmontop to be slower anyway. Togekiss can utilize a super effective Air Slash against Hitmontop while anything that carries Rock Slide often has Earthquake alongside it. Intimidate and Technician are overall better abilities for Hitmontop to use.</p>
This has already passed QC.
Written.
http://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/237.shtml
Status: Done.
[Overview]
<p>With the transition to the 5th generation, entry hazards are much easier to set up due to the introduction of Ferrothorn. This, combined with previous entry hazard users, makes a Rapid Spin user very helpful on a team. With Hitmontop's ability to use Foresight along with Rapid Spin and threaten Ferrothorn with Close Combat, he captures a unique niche in the metagame. Alternatively, with Technician, Hitmontop can launch boosted Fake Outs and Mach Punches at the opposing Pokemon, enabling him to check Pokemon like Excadrill and Cloyster. However, he struggles to do both at the same time. It's true that Hitmontop is often overshadowed by Excadrill as a Rapid Spin user and by Conkeldurr as an offensive Pokemon; nevertheless, Hitmontop can perform roles that no other Pokemon can perform, making him a valuable choice for some teams.</p>
[SET]
name: Technitop
move 1: Fake Out
move 2: Mach Punch
move 3: Close Combat
move 4: Stone Edge / Sucker Punch
item: Life Orb
nature: Adamant
ability: Technician
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
[Set Comments]
<p>With access to both Fake Out and STAB Mach Punch, Hitmontop is one of the best users of the Technician ability. This access to priority moves enables Hitmontop to launch off two powerful attacks before the opponent has a chance to retaliate. Fake Out is useful against Pokemon like Thundurus and Tornadus, chipping off a large chunk of their HP for free. Mach Punch is used to hit Pokemon such as Cloyster, Excadrill, and Heatran for super effective damage. Close Combat deals large amounts of damage to bulkier Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Scizor. The last moveslot covers Pokemon that resist or are immune to the first three moves. Stone Edge hits Flying-type Pokemon such as Dragonite or Salamence as well as Latios, while Sucker Punch is super effective against Gengar and Reuniclus.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>Hi Jump Kick can be used for the slight increase in power over Close Combat as well as not forcing Hitmontop to lower his defensive stats, but it has imperfect accuracy and may cause Hitmontop to take recoil damage. Pursuit can be used in the last slot as a checkmate move against weakened Psychic- and Ghost-types such as Jellicent and Reuniclus.</p>
<p>This set has difficulty getting past physically defensive Pokemon such as Gliscor and Skarmory, both of whom can easily heal off any damage taken. Rotom-W is a magnificent partner for this reason, because it can scare both off with its STAB moves and in turn resists theirs. Hitmontop also has trouble against Substitute + Disable Gengar as well as Calm Mind Reuniclus, so specially defensive Scizor can help against those two. Scizor also resists the Psychic-type moves that Hitmontop is weak to.</p>
[SET]
name: Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Foresight / Toxic
move 3: Close Combat
move 4: Stone Edge / Sucker Punch / Rest
item: Leftovers
nature: Impish
ability: Intimidate
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[Set Comments]
<p>With access to both Foresight and Rapid Spin, Hitmontop can pull off a guaranteed Rapid Spin in order to remove entry hazards. Rapid Spin is the crux of this set, removing those annoying entry hazards set up by Ferrothorn and Forretress. Foresight works in conjunction with Rapid Spin, enabling Hitmontop to Rapid Spin past Jellicent and Gengar as well as damage them with Close Combat. However, since many teams don't bother to carry a Ghost-type, Toxic can be used to hit bulkier Pokemon such as Rotom-W instead.</p>
<p>Close Combat is Hitmontop's most reliable STAB move, while the last moveslot covers any problems that Hitmontop might have. Stone Edge enables Hitmontop to muscle through Dragonite and Gyarados while Sucker Punch hits faster Pokemon such as Latios and Gengar. If needed, Rest may be used on more defensively based teams with a cleric to allow Hitmontop to Rapid Spin several times.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>Low Kick can be used over Close Combat if you don't appreciate the drops in defenses from Close Combat. However, it leaves Hitmontop more vulnerable against lighter opponents such as Politoed and Jirachi. Mach Punch may be used to KO weakened Excadrill and Tyranitar. However, it's fairly weak due to the lack of Attack investment.</p>
<p>Many Stealth Rock-weak Pokemon, such as Volcarona, Dragonite, and Thundurus, all appreciate Hitmontop's ability to remove Stealth Rock. Volcarona doesn't lose a crippling 50% of his HP when he comes in, Dragonite gets to keep his MultiScale intact and Thundurus can launch off more attacks in general. Hitmontop also has great defensive synergy with all three because he resists Rock-type moves. All three can use their powerful special attacks to get past physical walls such as Gliscor and Hippowdon.</p>
<p>Due to the ubiquitous use of Ferrothorn, it's common to see Spikes on the field. Hitmontop's niche is being able to threaten Ferrothorn with a STAB Close Combat and pulling off a Rapid Spin even if the opponent chooses to go out to a Ghost-type Pokemon. If Hitmontop has Rest, then Pokemon that use Heal Bell and Aromatherapy are helpful partners. Some examples include Celebi, Blissey, and Chansey. Hitmontop resists Celebi's Dark-type weakness and has Intimidate to weaken physical attacks that target Blissey and Chansey.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Not much is left in Hitmontop's movepool for him to use. Bullet Punch can be used as another priority move, but the lack of STAB or useful secondary effect is off-putting. Revenge can be used as it is boosted by Technician. However, its power isn't doubled unless Hitmontop takes damage and it has negative priority which is unfavorable against slower Pokemon such as Ferrothorn. Low Sweep can be used to outspeed some faster opponents but must be used on the switch in to be most effective, otherwise the power of Close Combat is preferred. Aerial Ace can be used to hit Breloom and Virizion more effectively but has little use outside of that. Due to Hitmontop's ability to scare away Tyranitar, Rain Dance or Sunny Day can be used to remove the permanent sandstorm, but Hitmontop has difficulty finding a moveslot for it.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Gliscor is Hitmontop's main counter, as it has enough bulk to stop any attack that Hitmontop launches and STAB Earthquake with which to attack back. He also doesn't mind Toxic due to his Poison Heal ability. In that same vein, Skarmory and Hippowdon are both bulky enough to take any attack from Hitmontop and heal off the damage. Gengar can come in on many of Hitmontop's moves and use Disable to stop any form of retaliation. Latios is faster and can launch off a STAB Draco Meteor, only having to fear Sucker Punch. Jellicent is bulky enough to heal off Stone Edge and can cripple Hitmontop with Will-O-Wisp.</p>
<p>Both Reuniclus and Jirachi have the defensive stats to weather Hitmontop's attacks and have their own forms of recovery to heal off any damage. They can both hit Hitmontop with a STAB Psychic for massive damage. Sigilyph can utilize Cosmic Power to take less damage from Stone Edge and can Psycho Shift over a burn to reduce Hitmontop's physical effectiveness. Tornadus resists Close Combat and Mach Punch and can easily KO Hitmontop with a STAB Hurricane. Toxicroak resists Close Combat, is immune to Toxic, can set up Bulk Ups to make Hitmontop's attacks ineffective, and can Drain Punch away any damage taken. Conkeldurr is bulkier and gets a Guts boost from Toxic, enabling him to deal more damage.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Due to Hitmontop's low Speed, Steadfast doesn't do much for Hitmontop. In terms of Pokemon who usually carry flinching moves, Jirachi often comes equipped with Body Slam or Thunder Wave, causing Hitmontop to be slower anyway. Togekiss can utilize a super effective Air Slash against Hitmontop while anything that carries Rock Slide often has Earthquake alongside it. Intimidate and Technician are overall better abilities for Hitmontop to use.</p>
