Pokémon Honchkrow

[King Funk]

Well I can only see use for Heat Wave against Ferrothorn and Forretress. But that's more than legitimate enough for its use, which I'm actually planning to test out myself soon.

Night Slash is alright.

Overall just make sure you build a team that can take down Honchkrow's worst threats (priority users, specific pokemon, burners, super bulky physical walls) while causing a good amount of residual damage to the enemy.

 

[EpicNikolai]

Honchkrow is a very underrated Pokemon in my eyes. It has a big sweeping potential in OU, with access to STAB Priority Sucker Punch and STAB Brave Bird. Coupled with a solid base 125 attack and Moxie, this thing can sheer through unprepared teams and be nearly unstoppable. The set I run for Honchkrow is:

Honchkrow @ Life Orb
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Brave Bird
- Sucker Punch
- Roost

This set has been doing what it needs to most of the battles I've had with it. The strategy is simple, try to get behind a Sub as they have a weakned Pokemon that switches out in fear of you getting the +1 attack boost from Moxie. From here you can Brave Bird to potentially do massive damage, and if it doesnt OHKO them, you can usually just Sucker Punch them the next turn. It could be that they would send out a Roar-user and try to get you out off the field, but Honchkrow is faster than a good amount of the Roar-users, so it shouldn't be the biggest concern. Sending out Honchkrow late-game could be a good idea. A lot of weakened Pokemon could easily be OHKO'd by a Sucker Punch, or at least a +1 Sucker Punch/Brave Bird after you have got that Moxie boost into work. The whole point of this set is to force them to switch and then finish off the Pokemon that switches in, and then continue on with a sweep. You could also Roost your health up, once the Life Orb damage/Brave Bird recoil makes its health go to crucial levels. The Sub forces the opponent to attack you unless they have Roar and etc., while Sucker Punch will grant you +1 priority to attack them before they get to do anything to you. Once you have taken out one Pokemon and got the Moxie-boost it is basically just to sweep the opponent. I would advice you to give this set a try, or at least the Big Boss Pokemon Honchkrow a shot in OU.

Note: Sticky Web-support could make this set even more reliable and make Honchkrow an even bigger threat.

 

[eden]

Do you have replays that prove its really good in an OU game? Also at above poster BB+Sub+LO = Dead Krow in about two hits

 

[EpicNikolai]

Do you have replays that prove its really good in an OU game? Also at above poster BB+Sub+LO = Dead Krow in about two hits

I don't have anyone saved up, but once Showdown get up running again I will try to save some replays of me using it. It really worked outstandingly for me.

 

[eden]

Do you have Pokemon Online? Maybe we could have a match there,right now?

 

[EpicNikolai]

Do you have Pokemon Online? Maybe we could have a match there,right now?

I don't, sorry. I play on Pokemon Showdown, that's where I both chat it up and play.

 

[eden]

SHowdown is down now though :(. On a sidenote Online is full of noobs,who spam Ash Ketchum teams...and Poison Jab Gliscor...so no more Pokemon for me till Showdown is fixed i guess,Honchkrow tbh only looks like it would do some work vs slower stallier teams btw...I'm sure it'd be excellent with some Sticky Web support though?

 

[EpicNikolai]

SHowdown is down now though :(. On a sidenote Online is full of noobs,who spam Ash Ketchum teams...and Poison Jab Gliscor...so no more Pokemon for me till Showdown is fixed i guess,Honchkrow tbh only looks like it would do some work vs slower stallier teams btw...I'm sure it'd be excellent with some Sticky Web support though?

It could also work tremendeously well with Sticky Web support. But it is not neccesary. All you need is to pull out Honchkrow against the right definesive and damaged Pokemon at the right time in the game, and it should get the job done.

 

[heritage]

Honchkrow is a very underrated Pokemon in my eyes. It has a big sweeping potential in OU, with access to STAB Priority Sucker Punch and STAB Brave Bird. Coupled with a solid base 125 attack and Moxie, this thing can sheer through unprepared teams and be nearly unstoppable. The set I run for Honchkrow is:

Honchkrow @ Life Orb
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Brave Bird
- Sucker Punch
- Roost

This set has been doing what it needs to most of the battles I've had with it. The strategy is simple, try to get behind a Sub as they have a weakned Pokemon that switches out in fear of you getting the +1 attack boost from Moxie. From here you can Brave Bird to potentially do massive damage, and if it doesnt OHKO them, you can usually just Sucker Punch them the next turn. It could be that they would send out a Roar-user and try to get you out off the field, but Honchkrow is faster than a good amount of the Roar-users, so it shouldn't be the biggest concern. Sending out Honchkrow late-game could be a good idea. A lot of weakened Pokemon could easily be OHKO'd by a Sucker Punch, or at least a +1 Sucker Punch/Brave Bird after you have got that Moxie boost into work. The whole point of this set is to force them to switch and then finish off the Pokemon that switches in, and then continue on with a sweep. You could also Roost your health up, once the Life Orb damage/Brave Bird recoil makes its health go to crucial levels. The Sub forces the opponent to attack you unless they have Roar and etc., while Sucker Punch will grant you +1 priority to attack them before they get to do anything to you. Once you have taken out one Pokemon and got the Moxie-boost it is basically just to sweep the opponent. I would advice you to give this set a try, or at least the Big Boss Pokemon Honchkrow a shot in OU.

Note: Sticky Web-support could make this set even more reliable and make Honchkrow an even bigger threat.

There's really no need to bump threads that haven't been active in months, unless the meta game shifts into their favor, and in Honchcrow's case, it hasn't. It's pretty outclassed by M-Absol and Bisharp.
Also, Substitute is a really bad idea. It wears down your health even quicker than before. Night Slash or Heat Wave are better options. Honchcrow is already one of the biggest kamikaze Pokemon in the entire tier. It doesn't need more damage.
It's also hard checked by M-Manecrtric, so you don't want to stay in if one pops up, anyways.

 

[EpicNikolai]

There's really no need to bump threads that haven't been active in months, unless the meta game shifts into their favor, and in Honchcrow's case, it hasn't. It's pretty outclassed by M-Absol.
Also, Substitute is a really bad idea. It wears down your health even quicker than before. Night Slash or Heat Wave are better options. Honchcrow is already one of the biggest kamikaze Pokemon in the entire tier. It doesn't need more damage.
It's also hard checked by M-Manecrtric, so you don't want to stay in if one pops up, anyways.

Well, you could argue for the fact that Substitute wears down health, and therfore shouldn't be used. I can see that argument. But then again, that's why you have Roost there. Also, there isnt much problem in switching out in-case you are facing something like M-Manectric. Heat Wave and Night Slash are both noteworthy options. And as for your "no need to bump threads that haven't been active in months"-argument, I just came on here, and I wanted to get my thoughts out, and I don't see why you can't just accept that. I have my interest and thoughts I want to get out there. I hope you can respect that. My set has worked tremendously well for me, and if it isn't for you, then im sorry. But please give the set a chance if you haven't even tried it out, before telling how bad it is.

 

[heritage]

But don't talk shit if you haven't even tried it out.

Rude.
And FYI, I have tried it out. I've tried out almost every Pokemon in the OU metagame. I've used a Furfrou for gods sake. And I stand by my point that it is outclassed. If it works well for you, then hot diddly damn, good for you. I was just trying to politely state that Sub isn't really a good idea because you're walled by things like Ferrothorn, M-Sableye and Skarmory. I guess you can handle Sableye ok, so w/e. Just saying, don't freak out.
If anything, the meta game has shifted away from Honchcrow. It's really not viable in OU, no matter how much I like it, and if a thread for an unviable Pokemon is dead, let it die.

 

[eden]

You can catch the opponent in quite a few unfavourable 505/50's if Honchkrow is brought in at the right time...Mew/Latios/Chansey and stuff like that

 

[EpicNikolai]

Rude.
And FYI, I have tried it out. I've tried out almost every Pokemon in the OU metagame. I've used a Furfrou for gods sake. And I stand by my point that it is outclassed. If it works well for you, then hot diddly damn, good for you. I was just trying to politely state that Sub isn't really a good idea because you're walled by things like Ferrothorn, M-Sableye and Skarmory. I guess you can handle Sableye ok, so w/e. Just saying, don't freak out.
If anything, the meta game has shifted away from Honchcrow. It's really not viable in OU, no matter how much I like it, and if a thread for an unviable Pokemon is dead, let it die.

Haha, I'm not freaking out :P I've just had good experiences with the set, I set up the Sub against bulky mons with low health and they are unable to do anything or end up switching in fear of Moxie-boost, and then you fire off with STAB Brave Bird+Sucker Punch, which is a really nice thing to have. I feel like the set is a solid one. I guess we can agree to disagree, its ok, its just an opinion. I respect your opinion. But I don't see what is wrong with me leaving my thoughts on here. Sorry if you felt like I was being rude to you, it wasn't meant like that :P

 

[Grim]

I wouldn't say Honch is completely ouclassed. A simple set consisting of Sucker Punch, Brave Bird, Superpower/Heat Wave, Pursuit can easily clean up if given one moxie boost. That said, I would not use it in OU simply because it faces so much competition as a Dark-type and Flying-type.

 

[heritage]

You can catch the opponent in quite a few unfavourable 505/50's if Honchkrow is brought in at the right time...Mew/Latios/Chansey and stuff like that

If you do that, you'd want to use Pursuit. It's actually a pretty decent Pursuit trapper. As long as they don't predict that, outspeed you and kill you.
ALSO 666 MESSAGES I AM THE DEVIL

 

[eden]

by 50/50s I meant that exactly! Pursuit+Sucker Punch; You pretty much checkmate Latios and Latias/MegaZam/Gengar too if you have an Assault Vest; Although why wouldn't you just use Bisharp then?(Hint: He gets owned by HP:Fighting/Focus Blast) Still it can create deadly mindgames and that is important! I would actually suggest a team of VoltTurners to get Honchkrow in unscathed...because otherwise without a smart double switch its not gonna be able to come in anytime soon! MVenu+Honchkrow to bait the Psychic and give you chance to wreak havoc? I can see something like that being surpringly effective...have something out that drags the latis in and then double switch and wreck face! At the risk of sounding like a troll I think Assault Vest could be a surprisingly decent item on this :). Just as a safety buffer in case you have to stomach a hit to get him in ^___^. Try it and do tell me how it works :D

 

[EpicNikolai]

Pursuit can work well for trapping, and I can see why many would use it over Substitute and would use Superpower/Heat Wave instead for coverage over Roost/Pursuit. But I just gave my set that I use, and it has worked well for me. It has some positive things going for it that the other sets doesn't. Like the ability to safely get off two hits, and potentially avoid Prankster status affection, as well as making the sweeping more likely to occur.

 

[EpicNikolai]

by 50/50s I meant that exactly! Pursuit+Sucker Punch; You pretty much checkmate Latios and Latias/MegaZam too if you have an Assault Vest; Although why wouldn't you just use Bisharp then? Still it can create deadly mindgames and that is important! I would actually suggest a team of VoltTurners to get Honchkrow in unscathed...because otherwise without a smart double switch its not gonna be able to come in anytime soon! MVenu+Honchkrow to bait the Psychic and give you chance to wreak havoc? I can see something like that being surpringly effective...have something out that drags the latis in and then double switch and wreck face!

Yeah, that are some of the positive things it has going for it. You should never underestimate Krows potential. It can be a massive threat even in OU.

 

[Karxrida]

Bisharp is significantly better at Pursuit + Sucker Punch because it also has Knock Off, so it actually threatens Chansey and can force it out consistently on top of being a spammable move in general. You are also not beating Mew because the Stallbreaker set outspeeds you and can just Roost in your face while you slowly die to Burn damage. It's not OU viable.

 

[EpicNikolai]

Bisharp is significantly better at Pursuit + Sucker Punch because it also has Knock Off, so it actually threatens Chansey and can force it out consistently on top of being a spammable move in general. You are also not beating Mew because the Stallbreaker set outspeeds you and can just Roost in your face while you slowly die to Burn damage. It's not OU viable.

This is why you want to set up behind a Substitute, so that they can't get you statused. And from there you force them to attack you, and you can Sucker Punch them and recieve the Moxie-boost, which potentially makes it a better sweeper than Bisharp with more raw power once its ability comes into effect. It has some niches that you shouldn't overlook.

 

[Karxrida]

This is why you want to set up behind a Substitute, so that they can't get you statused. And from there you force them to attack you, and you can Sucker Punch them and recieve the Moxie-boost, which potentially makes it a better sweeper than Bisharp with more raw power once its ability comes into effect. It has some niches that you shouldn't overlook.

Bisharp is significantly better at Pursuit + Sucker Punch because it also has Knock Off, so it actually threatens Chansey and can force it out consistently on top of being a spammable move in general. You are also not beating Mew because the Stallbreaker set outspeeds you and can just Roost in your face while you slowly die to Burn damage. It's not OU viable.

 

[heritage]

Bisharp is significantly better at Pursuit + Sucker Punch because it also has Knock Off, so it actually threatens Chansey and can force it out consistently on top of being a spammable move in general. You are also not beating Mew because the Stallbreaker set outspeeds you and can just Roost in your face while you slowly die to Burn damage. It's not OU viable.

Not to mention that Bisharp has Swords Dance, which Honchcrow wishes it had.

 

[EpicNikolai]

It is OU viable. Once it gets Moxie-boost and is at +1 and only has to deal with damaged Pokemon late-game, this thing is a monster in OU. The point is to get the Moxie-boost in effect and abuse its traits, which are really positive ones.

 

[heritage]

It is OU viable. Once it gets Moxie-boost and is at +1 and only has to deal with damaged Pokemon late-game, this thing is a monster in OU. The point is to get the Moxie-boost in effect and abuse its traits, which are really positive ones.

I'm pretty sure that if it was viable, it would be on the OU viability thread, sorry to break it to you.

 

[EpicNikolai]

I'm pretty sure that if it was viable, it would be on the OU viability thread, sorry to break it to you.

I'm not saying it is an amazing OU Pokemon, because it is not particularily reliable or solid. However, under the right circumstances you could very well use Honchkrow and do some serious damage to teams. Especially late-game is where it shines the most. It has its use in OU, and even though many would say it is outclassed by many other OU Pokemon, it still has a lot of cool traits going for it, and it is definately a Pokemon you can use in battles in OU, without putting yourself at major disadvantage. There really isn't much more to say.