[OVERVIEW]
Honchkrow's outstanding offensive typing and extremely high Attack stat allow it to feast on most of the RU metagame as one of the tier's most potent wallbreakers. Its access to a very strong STAB Sucker Punch alongside Pursuit and a fantastic coverage option in Superpower further bolster its offensive presence. Furthermore, Honchkrow has access to an amazing ability in Moxie, which allows it to increase its Attack and become even more threatening upon netting KOs. Honchkrow also sits at a Speed tier that, while not great, is still useful for outpacing the majority of defensive Pokemon in the metagame. However, despite its offensive capabilities, Honchkrow is weak to Stealth Rock and has horrid defensive stats. Honchkrow also struggles in that it tends to wear itself down quickly due to the harsh recoil damage it will take from both Life Orb and Brave Bird. A lack of access to Knock Off or Crunch forces Honchkrow to use Sucker Punch and Pursuit as its Dark-type STAB attacks, which while useful, can be rather situational and reliant on proper prediction. Lastly, as mentioned before, Honchkrow sits at only a decent Speed tier, which leaves it easily revenge killed and reliant on Sucker Punch to hit foes that outspeed it.
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Pursuit
move 4: Superpower
item: Life Orb
ability: Moxie
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Brave Bird is an obscenely powerful STAB attack coming off of the given Attack investment and allows Honchkrow to put huge dents in foes that aren't resistant to the attack. Sucker Punch hits anything resistant to Brave Bird bar Diancie for good damage and is also a powerful priority move that allows Honchkrow to hit Pokemon that would otherwise try revenge killing it, such as Gardevoir, Salazzle, and Swellow, for KOs after some prior damage. Pursuit is useful for trapping and KOing Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon, such as Bronzong, Bruxish, Dhelmise, and Doublade, though most require some prior damage to be OHKOed. Superpower gives Honchkrow a reliable way of breaking past the likes of Registeel, Umbreon, Gigalith, and other bulky Steel-, Dark-, and Rock-types. Roost is an option over Pursuit or Superpower for recovering the health lost from Brave Bird and Life Orb recoil.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack, an Adamant nature, and a Life Orb altogether optimize Honchkrow's wallbreaking capabilities and make it a potent offensive threat. Maximum investment in Speed allows Honchkrow to outpace most defensive foes, as well as Hoopa, Bewear, and Pangoro. A Jolly nature is an option for winning Speed ties against Choice Band Tyrantrum but isn't usually preferred, as Honchkrow wants as much power behind its attacks as possible and has Sucker Punch to circumvent its rather average Speed anyway. Moxie is the ability of choice, as it allows Honchkrow to become even more threatening by boosting its Attack for every foe it KOes.
Usage Tips
========
Honchkrow's best use is as a late-game cleaner, as it is most potent once its foes have been weakened enough to be picked off by either Sucker Punch or Brave Bird. Honchkrow can also be used as an early-game wallbreaker when supporting a sweeper, though this is a bit riskier given that Honchkrow won't be able to KO most foes from full health with Sucker Punch or Brave Bird. Faster Pokemon that resist Sucker Punch, such as Toxicroak, Kommo-O, and Sharpedo should be removed from play before Honchkrow attempts cleaning up, as it will otherwise fail to threaten the aforementioned Pokemon before being outsped and KOed. It is also important that faster Pokemon in general are weakened a bit before Honchkrow attempts cleaning up, as most threats will just barely survive a Sucker Punch and KO Honchkrow in return. Bulky Pokemon should also be weakened, as most can tank a Brave Bird or Superpower from full health but won't take too kindly to either move after having been chipped a bit. Honchkrow is extremely frail, and as such should never be switched into any attacks unless they are of the Psychic- or Ground-types. As a result, being brought in via pivot support or after a teammate has fainted is optimal.
Team Options
========
Honchkrow will more often than not attempt cleaning up later on in a match, and as such appreciates the support of Pokemon capable of weakening bulkier threats. Specially offensive Zoroark can whittle down the checks it shares with Honchkrow quite well, though Swellow and Goodra can also function as Pokemon capable of weakening defensive foes. Entry hazard support is more or less mandatory, as it allows Honchkrow to secure more reliable of KOs on the likes of Galvantula, Gardevoir, and Aerodactyl. Rhyperior and Roserade can provide Honchkrow with Stealth Rock and Spikes support, respectively. Sticky Web from Galvantula or Shuckle is a particularly useful entry hazard, as it helps Honchkrow to circumvent its only decent Speed and outpace and pressure a good portion of the metagame. Entry hazard removal is also quite important for Honchkrow due to its Stealth Rock weakness. Mantine, Dhelmise, and Gligar are all capable of removing Stealth Rock for Honchkrow. Slow pivot support from the likes of Rotom-H, Rotom-C, and Gligar is useful for safely bringing Honchkrow into play. Fast Pokemon like Swellow, Salazzle, and Durant can all take care of the threats that can tank a Sucker Punch and KO Honchkrow, such as Toxicroak and Kommo-O. Offensive Water-types like Sharpedo, Bruxish, and Feraligatr can help weaken or remove the Rock-types that Honchkrow can often struggle to break past. Pokemon that learn Healing Wish or Lunar Dance, such as Cresselia, Gardevoir, and Shaymin, also make useful partners, as they can allow Honchkrow to punch holes early-game and restore it to full health for a late-game sweep. The same can be said for Z-Memento Whimsicott and Z-Parting Shot Alolan Persian. Diancie is the only Pokemon in the metagame capable of countering Honchkrow if it isn't running Steel Wing, which means that checks to Diancie, such as Escavalier, Doublade, Roserade, and Shaymin, make good teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Honchkrow can use a Flynium Z alongside Mirror Move to receive a +2 boost in its Attack, as well as use the Z-Move equivalent of its foe's last used attack. However, this is situational due to Honchkrow's poor bulk and often sacrifices coverage. Honchkrow's good Special Attack stat and access to Nasty Plot could potentially allow it to function as a special sweeper, though this is better done by Zoroark due to its access to Illusion and better Speed. Choice Band can further bolster Honchkrow's offensive presence, while Choice Scarf can alleviate its poor Speed. However, neither are preferable due to Honchkrow's hatred for being locked into Sucker Punch. Heat Wave is an option for hitting Steel-types hard, though all are hit for sufficient damage by Superpower or, in Escavalier's case, Brave Bird. Steel Wing can be used to OHKO Diancie, but it's weak and offers little coverage otherwise. Lastly, Honchkrow has access to decent utility options like Tailwind and Thunder Wave, but it usually can't find room for these moves and will often faint upon using them due to its poor bulk.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Diancie**: Diancie's typing gives it resistances to both of Honchkrow's STAB attacks, while its great bulk gives it the ability to tank a Superpower as well. It can then threaten to OHKO Honchkrow with either STAB Moonblast or Diamond Storm.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Unless they've been weakened, the likes of Rhyperior, Porygon2, and Gligar can tank any of Honchkrow's hits and retaliate with powerful attacks or status.
**Faster Pokemon that Resist Sucker Punch**: Due to its middling Speed, Honchkrow is heavily pressured by faster Pokémon that resist Sucker Punch. Bewear, Sharpedo, and Virizion can all tank a Sucker Punch and proceed to KO Honchkrow.
**Residual Damage**: Honchkrow will often struggle to maintain longevity, as it will suffer from both Life Orb and Brave Bird recoil as well as lose 25% of its HP if switching in on Stealth Rock.
**Priority**: Due to its frailty, Honchkrow is susceptible to certain forms of priority, such as Mega Glalie's Ice Shard, Comfey's Draining Kiss, and Linoone's Extreme Speed, which all outprioritize Sucker Punch.
Honchkrow's outstanding offensive typing and extremely high Attack stat allow it to feast on most of the RU metagame as one of the tier's most potent wallbreakers. Its access to a very strong STAB Sucker Punch alongside Pursuit and a fantastic coverage option in Superpower further bolster its offensive presence. Furthermore, Honchkrow has access to an amazing ability in Moxie, which allows it to increase its Attack and become even more threatening upon netting KOs. Honchkrow also sits at a Speed tier that, while not great, is still useful for outpacing the majority of defensive Pokemon in the metagame. However, despite its offensive capabilities, Honchkrow is weak to Stealth Rock and has horrid defensive stats. Honchkrow also struggles in that it tends to wear itself down quickly due to the harsh recoil damage it will take from both Life Orb and Brave Bird. A lack of access to Knock Off or Crunch forces Honchkrow to use Sucker Punch and Pursuit as its Dark-type STAB attacks, which while useful, can be rather situational and reliant on proper prediction. Lastly, as mentioned before, Honchkrow sits at only a decent Speed tier, which leaves it easily revenge killed and reliant on Sucker Punch to hit foes that outspeed it.
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Pursuit
move 4: Superpower
item: Life Orb
ability: Moxie
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Brave Bird is an obscenely powerful STAB attack coming off of the given Attack investment and allows Honchkrow to put huge dents in foes that aren't resistant to the attack. Sucker Punch hits anything resistant to Brave Bird bar Diancie for good damage and is also a powerful priority move that allows Honchkrow to hit Pokemon that would otherwise try revenge killing it, such as Gardevoir, Salazzle, and Swellow, for KOs after some prior damage. Pursuit is useful for trapping and KOing Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon, such as Bronzong, Bruxish, Dhelmise, and Doublade, though most require some prior damage to be OHKOed. Superpower gives Honchkrow a reliable way of breaking past the likes of Registeel, Umbreon, Gigalith, and other bulky Steel-, Dark-, and Rock-types. Roost is an option over Pursuit or Superpower for recovering the health lost from Brave Bird and Life Orb recoil.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack, an Adamant nature, and a Life Orb altogether optimize Honchkrow's wallbreaking capabilities and make it a potent offensive threat. Maximum investment in Speed allows Honchkrow to outpace most defensive foes, as well as Hoopa, Bewear, and Pangoro. A Jolly nature is an option for winning Speed ties against Choice Band Tyrantrum but isn't usually preferred, as Honchkrow wants as much power behind its attacks as possible and has Sucker Punch to circumvent its rather average Speed anyway. Moxie is the ability of choice, as it allows Honchkrow to become even more threatening by boosting its Attack for every foe it KOes.
Usage Tips
========
Honchkrow's best use is as a late-game cleaner, as it is most potent once its foes have been weakened enough to be picked off by either Sucker Punch or Brave Bird. Honchkrow can also be used as an early-game wallbreaker when supporting a sweeper, though this is a bit riskier given that Honchkrow won't be able to KO most foes from full health with Sucker Punch or Brave Bird. Faster Pokemon that resist Sucker Punch, such as Toxicroak, Kommo-O, and Sharpedo should be removed from play before Honchkrow attempts cleaning up, as it will otherwise fail to threaten the aforementioned Pokemon before being outsped and KOed. It is also important that faster Pokemon in general are weakened a bit before Honchkrow attempts cleaning up, as most threats will just barely survive a Sucker Punch and KO Honchkrow in return. Bulky Pokemon should also be weakened, as most can tank a Brave Bird or Superpower from full health but won't take too kindly to either move after having been chipped a bit. Honchkrow is extremely frail, and as such should never be switched into any attacks unless they are of the Psychic- or Ground-types. As a result, being brought in via pivot support or after a teammate has fainted is optimal.
Team Options
========
Honchkrow will more often than not attempt cleaning up later on in a match, and as such appreciates the support of Pokemon capable of weakening bulkier threats. Specially offensive Zoroark can whittle down the checks it shares with Honchkrow quite well, though Swellow and Goodra can also function as Pokemon capable of weakening defensive foes. Entry hazard support is more or less mandatory, as it allows Honchkrow to secure more reliable of KOs on the likes of Galvantula, Gardevoir, and Aerodactyl. Rhyperior and Roserade can provide Honchkrow with Stealth Rock and Spikes support, respectively. Sticky Web from Galvantula or Shuckle is a particularly useful entry hazard, as it helps Honchkrow to circumvent its only decent Speed and outpace and pressure a good portion of the metagame. Entry hazard removal is also quite important for Honchkrow due to its Stealth Rock weakness. Mantine, Dhelmise, and Gligar are all capable of removing Stealth Rock for Honchkrow. Slow pivot support from the likes of Rotom-H, Rotom-C, and Gligar is useful for safely bringing Honchkrow into play. Fast Pokemon like Swellow, Salazzle, and Durant can all take care of the threats that can tank a Sucker Punch and KO Honchkrow, such as Toxicroak and Kommo-O. Offensive Water-types like Sharpedo, Bruxish, and Feraligatr can help weaken or remove the Rock-types that Honchkrow can often struggle to break past. Pokemon that learn Healing Wish or Lunar Dance, such as Cresselia, Gardevoir, and Shaymin, also make useful partners, as they can allow Honchkrow to punch holes early-game and restore it to full health for a late-game sweep. The same can be said for Z-Memento Whimsicott and Z-Parting Shot Alolan Persian. Diancie is the only Pokemon in the metagame capable of countering Honchkrow if it isn't running Steel Wing, which means that checks to Diancie, such as Escavalier, Doublade, Roserade, and Shaymin, make good teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Honchkrow can use a Flynium Z alongside Mirror Move to receive a +2 boost in its Attack, as well as use the Z-Move equivalent of its foe's last used attack. However, this is situational due to Honchkrow's poor bulk and often sacrifices coverage. Honchkrow's good Special Attack stat and access to Nasty Plot could potentially allow it to function as a special sweeper, though this is better done by Zoroark due to its access to Illusion and better Speed. Choice Band can further bolster Honchkrow's offensive presence, while Choice Scarf can alleviate its poor Speed. However, neither are preferable due to Honchkrow's hatred for being locked into Sucker Punch. Heat Wave is an option for hitting Steel-types hard, though all are hit for sufficient damage by Superpower or, in Escavalier's case, Brave Bird. Steel Wing can be used to OHKO Diancie, but it's weak and offers little coverage otherwise. Lastly, Honchkrow has access to decent utility options like Tailwind and Thunder Wave, but it usually can't find room for these moves and will often faint upon using them due to its poor bulk.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Diancie**: Diancie's typing gives it resistances to both of Honchkrow's STAB attacks, while its great bulk gives it the ability to tank a Superpower as well. It can then threaten to OHKO Honchkrow with either STAB Moonblast or Diamond Storm.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Unless they've been weakened, the likes of Rhyperior, Porygon2, and Gligar can tank any of Honchkrow's hits and retaliate with powerful attacks or status.
**Faster Pokemon that Resist Sucker Punch**: Due to its middling Speed, Honchkrow is heavily pressured by faster Pokémon that resist Sucker Punch. Bewear, Sharpedo, and Virizion can all tank a Sucker Punch and proceed to KO Honchkrow.
**Residual Damage**: Honchkrow will often struggle to maintain longevity, as it will suffer from both Life Orb and Brave Bird recoil as well as lose 25% of its HP if switching in on Stealth Rock.
**Priority**: Due to its frailty, Honchkrow is susceptible to certain forms of priority, such as Mega Glalie's Ice Shard, Comfey's Draining Kiss, and Linoone's Extreme Speed, which all outprioritize Sucker Punch.
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